July 29, 2009 - Juvie Galve of ABS-CBN Cagayan de Oro invited the CDOBloggers.com to join and cover their campaign 'Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula' - saying we are powerful. We can make a difference. We can start the change. They encourage us in this campaign to use new media (the internet) and our cellphones to patrol the vote and push for clean elections in May 2010.
ABS-CBN grounds was the venue of the event. It was supposedly a whole day event but not all was able to make it early cause of work and not all stayed till the Sadsad parteh cause they had work the next day. I was one of the late comers of this event cause I was printing out some letters for local media and companies the day before this till dawn of this day for CDOBloggers' upcoming event the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 (MBS3) which will be held here in CDO.
SaNaSaNz & Be_Bang with the tank outside ABS-CBN. hehe
After the event, we had a quick photoshoot outside ABS-CBN with the tank parked outside. We also ate dinner at Butcher's Best BBQ and then we parted ways.
Mike A. behind me, Me, and Zaza at Butcher's Best BBQ. Photo by Jeri Mae
Bang and Ding's Order. Sizzling Sisig at Butcher's Best BBQ. Photo by Jeri Mae
Hot & Spicy BBQ at Butcher's Best. Photo by Jeri Mae
Our order. Kimmy Roger's at Butcher's Best BBQ
So again, I'm calling out all the youth and those who still wants to be called youth, let us all make a difference, we should make a way for our future, let's all stand up and say AKO ANG SIMULA!
June 13, 2009 - My Bro-in-Law Eric told me about this yearly toy convention and at first I didn't know what it was. All he said was all kinds of toys will be displayed there and will be sold way much lesser than their original price. So I was so excited to have Zaza experience it too coz I have been looking for some Cars characters that I couldn't find here in Cagayan de Oro.
The event was at SM Mega Mall Megatrade Hall 2-3, we came early but the line was already very long, good thing Eric saw one of his friends and we, as if, went together. lol. The ticket was 100/head and Zaza was free.
The very long line - start of the line is at the other side.
As soon as we got in, we passed thru the booth where they gave away stickers and posters for free and we started to go around and check the toys. I specifically looked for the Tractor and Frank of the Cars movie and they didn't have any. Eric got Zaza a mini Wall-E that didn't last long cause Zaza thought its body parts were working so he moved it, mini Wall-E's head only lasted about 15minutes. A few minutes after the incident we passed by a stall that had a bigger Wall-E and was talking and moving. Back here in Cagayan de Oro that toy costed around almost 4,000 pesos and there it costed 1,000 pesos so I had to buy it for him, with my last money, cause I don't know when our next visit to Manila will be or if we'll ever experience another ToyCon again. He loved it, said thank you to me a couple of times and kept pushing the button to make wall-e talk and walk.
The receiving booth where we got the free posters and stickers.
Marvel Superheroes posters that we got for free. (L-R: Zaza, Eric, and Pilar)
Disney Cars collectibles.
Sad Zaza holding the beheaded mini Wall-E
Testing the bigger talking and walking Wall-E
Thomas and Friends booth.
Eric also bought him a big Bumblebee at the Transformers section of Toy Kingdom. As we walked around, we passed by the Star Wars section and there were clone troopers there. Zaza didn't know what they were, he was afraid at first but when one of the troopers asked for a high five from Zaza he wasn't scared then. Zaza had a picture with Atiu Eric and I asked for a pic with them too. We also took photos with the other characters from all different shows that's on display there.
Zaza sharing high five with clone trooper.
My pic with the clone trooper.
Zaza said: "hala si, si, uhm.." then I said: "si stitch baby" then he just stared at it.
Supersized Ronald.
After a very long walk and tour around the ToyCon we went out and ate for the first time at Sbarro. I heard they have very good food, but I had a headache then and I didn't like what I ordered from there, maybe I'll give them another chance and ask them next time what they'd recommend so I can say too that I love their food.
Our orders at Sbarro.
After eating, we went to Toy Kingdom and looked for a basketball ball cause Eric promised Zaza a new ball cause there was one time Zaza said, all his balls were back at home and he wanted to play with a ball. Eric bought him a spalding ball, and at the section he even showed his moves to us.
Our pic outside Toy Kingdom
Stuffed tigers we saw when we came in.
We also walked around Toy Kingdom and took pictures with some characters from movies that are stuffed, like a huge Dory and Nemo also with their huge stuffed animals, some Zaza was afraid of, some he was amazed of. But there was this one stuffed tiger that he really wanted - we captured the moment he hugged it and said goodbye cause he knew I didn't have the money to buy it. It was crazy expensive, around 2000 pesos for the baby tiger??
Dory from the movie Finding Nemo which is as big as he is.
A much bigger stuffed Tiger and Cheetah.
His look saying goodbye to the expensive baby tiger.
After a long day of walk around the mall, we passed by Thumbs Up and had Zaza try it, he totally loved them, then we headed home. Bathed Zaza when we arrived cause he was all over the animals, toys, and everywhere and I felt like he has all the germs in the world. He then asked for his toys and played with them. I also took a photo of what he got that day.
Zaza eating Thumbs Up ice cream.
Zaza and his toys from ToyCon and Toy Kingdom.
It was a nice experience, something that doesn't happen here in Cagayan de Oro. Maybe they should do it next time.
June 5, 2009 - The only day that it didn't rain much then. When I arrived Manila, I texted all my friends and classmates who were there so I could meet them. My long lost best guy friend in high school and my partner in crime back then, Chatillo "Chat" Gonzalez - I call him Igit (wet sh*t), texted me morning of this day asking which house we were in cause he was in our street, so I told him. When he saw me, he said "OMG sana, you're so big na" hahahaha. I just said I knew and I would work on it. So anyway, I asked him to accompany me to the bank cause I needed to pay someone and he agreed.
Whining about the pains of having a beautiful girlfriend. lol
After the bank transactions, we had lunch at Inasal Express just across the bank. I took a photo of him while he was whining about his artistahin girlfriend that he would get stressed everytime they're together cause alot of people would be looking at her. LOL. I had to say I should meet his girlfriend and he said we will. While waiting for our orders, he took a photo of us for remembrance after almost a decade of not seeing each other. He also told me about his fascination with fishes and animals and how he managed to fit in 5 aquariums to his small room.
Our pic while waiting for our orders.
Since we were talking about animals, I asked how much a small turtle costed there and he said about 120-200 pesos depending on the breed. So I was shocked cause here in Cagayan de Oro, turtles costed about 350-450 and that's about 1.5-2.5inches in size and was never on stock! haha. I had to say he had to bring me to where he buys his pets.
Cartimar was where he buys them. It's a very big place full of petshops. We rode a jeep, then a bus, we walked going there so I had to make sure he was near or I would get lost, cause I didn't know where we were. We got to buy Zaza a green turtle for 150 pesos. Then as we were about to head home, the heavy winds and rains poured, instead of meeting his girlfriend back in Makati, he had her girlfriend go to Cartimar. I met her there and she was really pretty - artistahin nga and Chat was right almost every guys head turns when she's around. lol. As the rain stopped, they accompanied me home and said our goodbyes and thanked them for the day.
June 6, 2009 - My sister's day off. We went malling at Glorietta again. We had our first Wendy's experience this day too. I was with Zaza, Mom, and sister Pilar. Zaza also played at their interactive floor. We also went to the arcade and had Zaza play there. They had a small train there where a child could pretend they are the one driving. Zaza was so excited he had to ride them - we took a video of him. We then had to go to the restroom cause he pooped and had to be changed. Then rested and bought a huge bag of popcorn from Tater's and we headed home.
Our orders at Wendy's
Zaza on the train. Attendant preparing him.
Zaza with the ziplock size of Tater's popcorn.
June 7, 2009 - My sister Pilar and bro-in-law, Eric's, day off. They decided to bring us to Greenhills. They bought Mom a new blouse from there, Zaza got a new outfit (pants and shirt) from them, my other sister Joy got a new outfit from them too. We got to see 4 celebrities there and we were so happy we did. We didn't have much celebrities back here.
Potato skin at Tender Bob's
Zaza waiting for his order at Tender Bob's
Zaza's Chicken Fingers at Tender Bob's
Mom's Chowder at Tender Bob's
My/Our Seafood Platter at Tender Bob's
Eric, then took us to their favorite place to eat - Tender Bob's and their food was great! We had potato skin, chicken fingers for Zaza, Mom got a chowder something and Eric ordered seafood platter for me which I totally enjoyed, and Eric got himself a Baby Bac Ribs. We enjoyed dinner and headed home. As we were about to go to bed, Eric and Zaza were playing - he put Zaza inside a big pillow case with a very soft pillow and we would see how he would get out. Zaza at first was scared cause he didn't know how to, but eventually he enjoyed it and wanted to be put in some more. lol.
June 9, 2009 - We woke up almost midnight cause we were hungry. Zaza also was looking for Ae so we decided to buy pizza while watching tv and waiting for Ae to arrive. Good thing about Manila is that they have 24hrs delivery service for alot of food chains, here in Cagayan de Oro the latest is 10pm and Yellow Cab is the only place that has 24hrs delivery. This day was our first ever Domino Pizza experience. We ordered a big pizza and they gave us a small pizza for free. Zaza enjoyed it while watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse, we also enjoyed it too. I loved the MeatZza better than the ExtravaganZZa, so did Zaza. After we ate, Zaza was now sleepy again he couldn't wait for Ae any longer, so I put him to bed around 230am.
Eversince Zaza was born, he has been using EQ Dry for diapers. He hasn't experienced any form of rash or UTI with his diapers that's why I keep patronizing them - aside from their promos and freebies.
Zaza a month and 16days old.
Since then, I started to wonder what the points at the side of the pack was for, then one time I bought this pack with a promo flyer on it, and said something about the items you get in exchange for the wrappers and they ship it to you for free! So then, I got so excited. The first item I got from them was just in time for my need - a diaper bag. Here's a photo of it:
As far as I could remember, I think there were 2 colors for this bag - I got the blue one. The next 2 items I got from EQ were animal bags, I remember there were 4 of it then, but my wrappers' points doesn't sum up to get all of them. So I only chose 2.. here's a photo of them:
Then came birthday promos which we didn't join and waited for the other promos to arrive. Then July of 2007 they came up with the Bath Time Set there were 4 to choose from, we got the duck set. Here's a photo of Zaza with his duck set:
Everytime Zaza would take a bath then, he would use this bath robe. Then on June 2008 they came up with the Baby's Garden Set, I super love their ideas and they come just in time for the needs of Zaza, cause at this age, he loves being outside and exploring things that's happening out there and this garden set helps him to explore things without being too much exposed to the sun. Here's a photo of him using the garden set at the garage:
And the very latest he got are the Animal Friends' Cow and Lion, we are still waiting for the Dog to arrive, we have just sent them the wrapper a few days ago. Here's a photo of him with his first batch of Animal Friends:
These animals friends make their sounds when you press the EQ logo on their body. This promo is still up until July 31, 2009. So send them your wrappers now :) I just would like to thank you guys for coming up with these promos. We love your items, they are also durable. More power to your company and I hope you guys won't stop your promos.
So again, for all the mommies out there who didn't know about EQ having promos (actually freebies) every year to those loyal supporters - every pack of diaper has points and each item they give out free has an equivalent of a number of packs. It's been 3 years now and I have received alot from EQ already by just saving their wrappers and sending it to them in time and in exchange for their items.
June 4, 2009 - Mommy Thelma Manalo accompanied us to the Manila Ocean Park. It was our first time there. We were supposed to leave in the morning but Manila was all gloomy then, actually for about a week - good thing the weather gave way and allowed us to go. It was very windy though and drizzles came once in awhile.
Mommy Thel, Zaza, and Ama - outside the very windy Ocean Park. I took the pic.
Zaza was amazed at the entrance alone. hehe
We were so amazed at the oceanarium experience. I was thinking how'd they put all those sea creatures inside?
Zaza starting the journey
The journey started at Agos(Flow) water cascading from an artificial waterfall that flows into 8 different water tanks displaying various flora and fauna. They created a model of the interconnectedness between land and sea. The rocky shoreline is showcased in a Touch Pool where one can physically encounter animals on display.
The artificial waterfall at Agos.
Zaza looking down at the Crocodiles at Agos.
I touched the Chocolate Chip Starfish at Agos.
After Agos, Bahura (Reef) was next. It is a series of 46 tanks that featured the very colorful Philippine underwater rainforest.
I was amazed by this Razor Fish. I thought they were just seaweeds floating. Photo taken inside the Bahura(Reef).
First time we saw Seahorses - up close and personal. They swim so gracefully. Photo taken inside the Bahura(Reef).
Cowfish - ain't they cute?hehe Photo taken inside the Bahura(Reef).
A very aggressive Ribbon Eel. Photo taken inside the Bahura(Reef).
Looks like seaweeds? Guess again..
They are Garden Eels. Amazing isn't it? First time i've seen this ever. Photo taken inside the Bahura(Reef).
Zaza just kept saying WOW. But all throughout he kept asking for Mr. Ray (character in the movie Nemo) coz before we went in, we told him there was a ray there. Then we entered Laot(Fishing Ground) - four big distinct aquariums displayed an assortment of fish in all sizes and colors.
Rays at their very huuugggeeee tank. Photo taken inside the Laot.
Buhay na Karagatan (Living Ocean) - We enjoyed a breathtaking 25-meter walk along an underwater tunnel and experienced how marine animals interact with each other in their natural habitat.
Our pic inside Buhay na Karagatan's 25-meter walk along an underwater tunnel
Zaza showing us the thumbs up. Photo taken at the end of the Buhay na Karagatan
My pic just after the underwater tunnel. Buhay na Karagatan
Ang Kalaliman(The Deep) came next. Ang Kalaliman’s deep sea resident is the barracuda - known for its toothy grin as the “Tiger of the Sea”. But we skipped this one. We weren't too amazed by it. hehe. After the Deep was the Pagi (Ray) Overhang tank we walked beneath the magnificent creatures.
The Pagi Overhang Tank.
Last but not the least, the largest Shark (Pating) tank we've ever seen.
The huge fishes, their different and cool breeds, eels, sharks, and a whole lot more were super duper amazing. We got to see the creatures we just see on TV or Encarta.
After the long walk and amazement - we went to eat at North Park - our first time to eat there too. Mommy Thel said we should try their food. And we totally loved them. Zaza loved it too, but he was just so torn, he was sleepy, hungry, and tired all at the same time.
Here's a video of him falling asleep while eating cause he was super tired:
