CAFE SANSO - SAN JUAN

THE YAPPY BUNCH met up recently with our BAWAL PANGET family to celebrate my 44th....este... 34th birthday, and our venue for tonight was this curious little restaurant I often pass by in San Juan.

CAFE SANSO!!!!

I've always wanted to try out CAFE SANSO because the restaurant seemed so stylish and artsy-fartsy.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in Manila to check out the different museums in celebration of our Independence Day. Even if the little lords were objecting at the start (because we deprived them the opportunity of being lazy the whole day), they later appreciated the different treasures that showcased our history and culture.

So yayyy! Our gimmick was a success!!!

After the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE FINE ARTS, we decided to go to the newly renovated NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY!

BENCAB MUSEUM ( BAGUIO CITY )

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in Baguio for my bunsoy's pre-birthday celebration and while we were doing mostly what the little cutie-pie wished, the Yub and I wanted to go somewhere that we didn't go to in our last trip.

I immediately suggested BENCAB MUSEUM because it would be something different in our itinerary (which was full of horseback riding, biking, boating, and eating! He he he he!). The Yubhub agreed since he has been hearing a lot about the popular art haven and it would be a good experience for the little lords in BAGUIO CITY.

After horseback riding in WRIGHT PARK, we went straight to BENCAB MUSEUM. And though it was a scary (well for me) and looong ride (that we all wanted to go to the bathroom), the trip was indeed worth it!

BENCAB MUSEUM!!!

Going to BENCAB was a bit scary because it was soooo foggy. There was even a time wherein we passed by mountains and we saw the paved landslides. Imaginative me immediately got scared and remembered Superman 1. He he he he he he!

Yayyy! We're in BENCAB finally!

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA

On weekends the Chinese Dimpol and I try our best to jam up some culture in our little lords so as to veer away from their gadgets. We feel that it's a more worthy adventure rather than taking them out for the usual mall or shopping getaway. He he he!

For one particular Saturday, we planned on bringing them to the newly renovated Planetarium but the crowds there were horrendous!!!! We lined up for the 2:30pm slot at about 1:00pm and while the guard was counting the batch for that showing, the Yub joked that the last person to be admitted would be the one in front of me.

Well what do you know? IYON NGA NANGYARI!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! The very person at my front was the 200th guest for that day. Kaya, if we wanted to, we would have to go for the 4:00pm show.

NO way.

So with that, the Chinese Dimpol decided to drive around. He was really adamant to take the boys somewhere that they'll learn from. And after some driving, we chanced upon a museum that we have never been before in the Manila area.

The METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA!!!!

For this month, they're featuring the different maps on the Philippine seas.

At first I thought this was going to be MEH. But really, it was sooooo interesting!

OF HANSEL AND GRETEL, AND MUSEUM CAFE!

For seven years now, THE YAPPY BUNCH attended Repertory Philippine's kiddie theater organized by Don Bosco Elementary School. Attendance is required but even if we could just buy tickets for our boys, the Chinese Dimpol and I choose to make it a family event that  we look forward to yearly.

And for last year's 2016, it was HANSEL AND GRETEL!

It was free seating and the lines were already very long even if we arrived an hour before the show.

FORT SANTIAGO (2015)

As parents, we would always like to give what is best for our children. Unfortunately, some folks think that "best" would always coincide with the word "expensive".  This would usually happen for some families where they spoil their kids with high-priced gadgets or during weekends they would give them a "buy-all-you-can" blow-out in the popular malls. This would be great as a reward or for special occasions, but to do it always? I'm not a fan of it. Personally, I find that there are other more practical options that would still give the most priceless memories and at the same time, learn from it.

One great example of that is the historic site of FORT SANTIAGO.

This popular tourist spot always had a special place in my heart because my parents would regularly take us there on family day Sundays. Even during my school years, I always had the best time when we had our field trips or special projects in FORT SANTIAGO. There's something about surrounding myself with structures that are rich in Philippine history that have been there when our country was so young that gets me all sentimental and dreamy. I never get tired of going there and I'm thankful that the Chinese Adonis feels the same and is enthusiastic about it as well.

So it's no question that during the Independence Day Holiday we included FORT SANTIAGO for our yearly tradition with the little lords. Yes we could always check-in for a hotel staycation or go to the latest kiddie playworld but sometimes the simplest of activities are more meaningful and relevant.

So go the extra mile (literally) and take your kiddies to FORT SANTIAGO on your next weekend. Trust me, not only are you immersing your children to our Philippine history and teaching them about our culture, but you are also showing them the strong values of simplicity and effort.

Now THAT, may be one of your BEST ideas yet!

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in FORT SANTIAGO!!!!!

MADAME TUSSAUDS WAX MUSEUM

During our trip to the US, my husband and I made a fool proof itinerary of the things we will be doing as a family. We thought, we have scheduled everything that we wanted to do and that we've got all the important things covered for a true fun filled YAPPY bunch summer vacation.

While we were going around though, we encountered a lot more sights and activities that were not in our initial plans -- The Grand Canyon, Titanic and Car museum, Mamma Mia, Strip Shows... este... family oriented CULTURAL shows...

Whew! He he he!

Anyway, one insta-plan that we did was MADAME TUSSAUD'S wax museum while we were going around THE VENETIAN. It's a fun activity for the whole family and you will never get enough pictures. That's why I suggest that yes after some popular sights like Hoover Dam, Bellagio Fountain, Grand Canyon, Mamma Mia, Little Darling... (este) little boat ride in THE VENETIAN, you may want by the classic MADAME TUSSAUDS. It's your ticket to see your favorite American personalities all in one roof in Sin City!
  

MADAME TUSSAUDS!