December 19, 2015

Christmas Carolers


Six days to go before one of the most awaited days of the year. Christmas is not complete without carolers stopping in front of your house and sing their songs.

In our place, there are already carolers roaming around the subdivision either in a group or in solo. They bring their own tools to accompany their songs and most are improvised – maracas, tambourine, cymbals, and drums.

A Typical Pinoy Carolers (Photo Source: Stranded Juanderer)

I remember back in our hometown, there are groups like fraternities/sororities and other organizations in our university that will give envelopes which will be collected on Christmas eve after singing in front of the house. They bring their own instruments like guitars, portable keyboards, bass clarinet, and portable drums.

The number of carolers usually increases as Christmas day approaches.

Matthew is very fond of the carolers, but he used to say “Patawad! Balik na lang kaso sa Pasko.” (Sorry for now, just come back on Christmas day.) Haha.

Did you join caroling too?
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December 17, 2015

Unboxing Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Tool Set


One of the items in my Christmas wishlist this is an electric drill. Though I don’t have much background in carpentry or machine works, having this tool will be a big help in DIYs at home. I don’t need to borrow the heavy one from our workplace just to drill a hook for a photo frame.

Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Tool Set, power tools, electric drill
Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Tool Set

Last week during the online revolution in Lazada, Mommy asked me what hand drill I will buy from Lazada. So I immediately searched and I got this Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Tool Set with a hugely discounted price. It was delivered the following day. Ang bilis! By the way, this is another fruit of blogging and other online opportunities.

The drill comes in a sturdy box.

Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Tool Set, power tools, electric drill
Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Case

Aside from the drill, it comes with drill bits – 5 pieces masonry drills, 4 pieces wood drills and  5 pieces high-speed steel (HSS) drill bits.

It also comes with 10 pieces different CRV screw driver bits and 7 pieces sockets perfect for driving screws and bolts. Thirty pieces screws and tox were also added in the kit.

Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Tool Set, power tools, electric drill
Bosch GSB 500 RE Impact Drill-DIY Tool Set

To complete the DIY set, spirit level, cutter, hammer, adjustable wrench, combination pliers and tape measure is incorporated in the box.

With this tool, making DIYs at home is not a problem anymore.

Have you already received some of items in your Christmas wishlist?
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December 14, 2015

An Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaning Alternative


Dry cleaning is another means of laundry. This is often done in garments like the wedding dress, gowns, carpets and other delicate fabrics. Instead of regular soap and detergent, it used non-water-based solvents to eliminate dirt and stains.


Photo Source

Petroleum-based products like gasoline and kerosene are the first solvents used in dry cleaning. However, these solvents are highly flammable and can cause fire or worst, explosion. Because of this concern, dry cleaning industry searched for another solvent and switched to tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene or simply known as PERC.

Unfortunately, PERC was considered as carcinogenic and can cause neurological, kidney and liver damages. Furthermore, proper handling is necessary to prevent contamination of drinking water and the environment.

Aside from PERC, there are other solvents that can be used as dry cleaning fluids like hydrocarbons, Dibutoxymethane, Liquid silicone, Brominated solvents, Supercritical CO2, and Glycol ethers.

As a chemist, I know that these dry cleaning substances can bring danger not only to humans but with the environment too. I was happy to encounter a website that offers a dry cleaning alternative, the West Boulevard Cleaners in Vancouver.

The West Boulevard Cleaners in Vancouver has an eco-friendly, solvent-free cleaning system which does not only give extra care for the fabric but with Mother Nature as well.

The solvent-free cleaning system uses only water and biodegradable detergents which leaves no hazardous waste nor possibility of polluting water, soil and air. Without dangerous solvents, wet cleaning will be safer for fabrics, human and the environment.

Though there are some fabrics that requires dry cleaning only way of cleaning, West Boulevard Cleaners ensures that their system can take extreme care of the garments being sent to them even cotton, wool, silks, suede and leather.

Let's help save Mother Nature!
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December 12, 2015

Matthew's Educational Trip 2015 (Last Part): Hansa Hand-Crafted Creations

Hansa Hand-Crafted Creations

In Part 2 of Matthew's Educational Trip, I mentioned that Hansa Hand Crafted Creations helps in saving Mother Nature.

How?

They are recycling plastic bottles to become fiber fill and used as fillers in stuffed toys. From the name itself, the majority of the processes in making stuffed toys are made by hand.


The guy on the top left is the owner of Hansa (I forgot the name)

The stuffed toys are really adorable. Not only kids but parents and teachers were also fascinated with all the things around them. We can take unlimited photos, touching the items are strictly prohibited.

Though Hansa is operating in the Philippines for more than 20 years already, their finished products are for export only.

Here are the photos taken from Hansa Hand Crafted Creations.


Matthew and the toys

In the two bottom photos, Matthew's smile is different. He is actually afraid of the big and black monkeys and the very huge spider on his back.

Who love dogs by the way?

Dogs

Look at Matthew imitating the dogs pero ang totoo, natakot sya nung nag-bark at gumalaw 'yung isa. Yes, some of the animals are moving and making sounds.


Matthew imitating the dogs at the back

What to go back in Dinosaur era?

Matthew and the T-Rex

How about experiencing winter or north pole with these animals?


North Pole


The Penguins

Or a white Christmas with these white reindeers?

White Reindeers

What are the animals boarded in Noah's ark?


Noah's Ark

Want to visit Safari and mingle with wild animals?


The Lions


Safari
Or the Rainforest nearby?


The Rainforest




Who's talking with the polar bears? Yes, these two polar bears are having conversation about Hansa.


Mommy and Matthew
Looks who enjoyed most of the toys.




Time for me to take a pose with these life-size or giant animals. 




He wants to have a selfie too. lols

Most field trips are not complete when this next destination is not part of the itinerary – shopping. Since we are in Clark, Puregold Duty-Free is the last destination. No pictures this time since I need to leave my camera in the coach.

Matthew taking a nap on our way to Clark

After the long, tiring but fully packed day, I know that Matthew is very happy joining this year's educational trip. He even asked us: “Saan po kaya ang susunod na field trip?”


That's the end of Matthew's education trip 2015.
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December 10, 2015

Throwback Thrusday: No Ordinary Love


It's Throwback Thursday again. I know some have already posted photos from the past. Some maybe funny but to others nakakainis. 

This time, I will not share a single photo, but a compilation put in a video. This was made and shown during our wedding 7 years, 4 months, and 13 days ago.

The photo layouts were made by Mommy while the video was made by me.


As the title of the song, Mommy and I had an extra ordinary love story. We were classmates in elementary, 3rd- and 4th-year high school, took the same course in college, worked in the same company, and the rest is history. 

Happy Throwback Thursday everyone!
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December 7, 2015

Matthew's Educational Trip 2015 (Part 2) : Ocean Adventure


After the short visit to San Guillermo Church, we headed directly to Subic Ocean Adventure. We are lucky to arrive in time before the first attraction starts.


Ocean Adventure, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

The first attraction is all about the wildlife. But we were first taught how to make a fire by using a bolo and bamboo. Different animals like white rats, owl, civet cat, hornbill, bear cat, bat, phyton, and, of course, man’s best friend – dog were presented with some information about it.


How to start a fire demo

One funny part of the presentation is when they told everybody that their phyton was missing and it was in a black backpack placed in the audience area. Everyone was surprised and started to panic thinking that it was under their seats.


Top: Owl and civet cat
Bottom: Bear cat and horn bill

Top: Bat and horn bill
Bottom: Friendly dog and phyton

Who are familiar with Talentadong Pinoy’s Zion Show? How about the Velasco Brothers of Pilipinas Got Talent? They are the artists of the second attraction. Actually, I was a fan of these two groups. I was hoping to have a photo opportunity with them after the show. Unfortunately, we need to go to the location which is our lunch.


The Velasco Brothers and Zion Show




Balancing acts of Velasco Brothers



By the way, food and bottled drinks, except water, are not allowed to be brought inside though going to Ocean Adventure includes a free lunch.

After having our lunch, we proceed immediately to the third attraction – the Dolphin Show. This part is one of Matthew’s most awaited. He even asked us to go down the platform and have the ride with one of the dolphins.

This is not just an ordinary Dolphin Show. It has a short comedy skit showing the skills and characteristics of the said warm-blooded mammals. One of the students from Matthew’s school had a chance to have a close encounter with the dolphins.


The Dolphins

I uploaded a video on the last part of the show in YouTube. Please bear with the quality of the video since we are seated on the middle part of the stadium.

Last attraction is the Sea Lion Show. Sea lions and seals are commonly identified as one. It identifies differences between the two. Of course, different skills of sea lions were presented.


Simba and Sophie the Sea Lions

They even asked one of the audiences to have a challenge with the Simba, one of the sea lions. Unfortunately, the volunteer got wet when he slid on the floor and fell into the pool. He got free clothes and shoes from their souvenir shop.

I also uploaded a short video in YouTube.


The wet volunteer afraid to touch Simba

After the different attractions, mini-museums were also shown to us.


Sea Trek Museum

Ocean Discovery Aquarium
One thing Ocean Adventure wants to impose on minds of every visitor which parents must let their kids understand is to preserve Mother Nature to save and protect lives of different wildlife either in land or water. A simple act of waste segregation can really make a great impact to our environment.

Another best time to visit this place is on summer. I hope that they are going to add other attractions that fits the season. Adult inline skating is another great way to enjoy the summer and learn a new sport, check out Skates HQ to see their reviews for adults.

Here are other random photos in Ocean Adventure:

Mommy and Matthew





Matthew and his classmates



Friends/Enemies

Kids, Parents and Teachers




Speaking of saving the earth, our next stop is in Hansa Hand Crafted Creations located in Clark Field Pampanga which is will share on my next post.


Have you visited Ocean Adventure too?
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