Talking English:Learning while having fun!

Nowadays, having technology behind us is a one heck of an easy living especially when it comes to learning. Tablets, laptops and computers are some of the few to name. On the other hand, having these stuffs sure do have pros and cons.

Being a tutor, I search thru the net to look for some ways on how to make learning a fun and easy way without bargaining the child's "health" and outlook thru technology. And Voila! I saw Grolier Scholastic's interactive materials. They produced products that can caught the child's attention without any restraints making it a fun and easy way to learn.

One that I'm eyeing to is the Talking English. Which has 20 interactive books and one talking pen. Along with the pen is a charger (Good thing that you don't need to buy batteries every now and then).

I was able to purchase one with Kayesa Interactive and use it for my teaching. This is their FB Page : Kayesa Interactive Grolier. They do have lots of options to choose from for the payment method. They have credit card with 0% interest, installment, and cash. And like any other appliance that we're gonna buy, if you have the money, get the cash option and surely enough will give you  more savings. Some people think that it is quite pricey, but hey, always think of what Benjamin Franklin quoted "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest". I also remembered the Inverted Pyramid when I was in college taking up my Nursing course. Most of us people don't focus too much on the foundation of learning, wherein as a child, almost 50% of the brain develops, and when taken into serious attention by the parents will move them mountains through the years.

 It is a progressive level from 1 to 20. You cannot skip any numbers/books since it will alter the learning process.

Our Panagbenga 2015 Experience: What to expect?

     Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines is indeed a remarkable place to celebrate occasions with love ones, also a perfect place for soul searching, mingling with friends/families, and have an experience to remember. I'm planning to bring my 14 y/o sister with me in Baguio and it is her first time going there so I'm kinda excited touring her around. This is only a 2 weeks ahead planning because we're still undecided if we'll continue or not that is why, some of our expected plans didn't went through. :(


February 27, 2015

      Her schedule in school ends at 4:00PM that's why we arrived at Victory Liner Cubao around 7:00PM. Due to the demand of buses and people cramming to get there for the event, they are having a 10 minutes interval for every bus. If you already reserved a ticket, you can just wander around the terminal or you can satisfy your tummy since they have variety of food stalls within the vicinity. But if you didn't reserved a ticket (just like us), you need to go through the long line and wait for your turn to be accommodated as a chance passenger.
     
TIPS: If the ticket counter told you that the time you wanted is fully booked,and the next bus available is too far from the schedule, just ask for a paper for you to be a chance passenger. And take note, ALWAYS ASK. It's free. You don't want to end up going thru a long line to a different destination, right?

      Finally, after 3 hours of waiting, we end up taking the bus for the 10:15 PM departure, still early than what we expected and paid P450/pax onboard. Since it's a night trip with 2 lay overs in Pampanga and Pangasinan, we arrived earlier at around 3:45 AM Victory Liner Baguio Terminal. 

Day 1

      Still early for the accommodation, we took a sip of hot Hershey's Chocolate drink at 7/11 then afterwards took a cab (P90) heading to our transient house. We had a reservation at Kim's Baguio Transient House 3 days before our arrival in Baguio, still lucky to have an accommodation for late reservation despite the peak season.

TIPS: You can check the details thru their facebook page: Kim's Transient Baguio.

     Our room is good for two people amounting to P300/head. Tita LV is very accommodating and allowed us to leave our bags in our own room even though it's too early for us to check in. Check in time is 1:00PM and check out time is 12:00NN It is actually located in Loakan Airport, so we had the chance to take some pictures.

    We took a jeepney (they have a terminal outside the airport: Loakan-Plaza) going to Session Road and found a spot near the Panagbenga Park to where the Grand Street Dance Parade starts. 

Grand Street Dance Parade

       After watching the Parade, with our stomach rumbling, we ate our brunch in KFC SM Baguio which is 15 mins away. 

TIPS: Fastfood chains and restaurants are quite full during this season, and it will be a wrestle looking for a seat or a place to eat, so goodluck and try your best. 

     After a tiring morning, we went back to our room and had to rest since we're not able to sleep during our bus travel. With the day already in half, we went to Mines View Park and took some pictures wearing Igorot costumes for P20 per person which is supposed to be P10 per person when off peak season. You can visit Wright Park and The Mansion which is near Mines View atleast 20 minutes walking distance.

TIPS: Expect a heavy traffic. It is not advisable to take a cab since it will only cost you more. There are lots of tourist around, so expect also large number of tourist in every places you will visit.

    Due to our small frequent meals, we end up eating Footlong sandwich and Shawarma for dinner at Burnham Park. We ride a boat which is P150 (no time limit mentioned by the owners) and additional P50 if you want someone to paddle the boat for you. 

February 28, 2015 Day 2

         Prepping up as early as 5:00AM, we head to the same spot to where we were yesterday to wait for the floats. Luckily, the parade hasn't started yet giving us the chance to take a photo near every floats, yey!

Grand Float Parade

TIPS: The earlier you get to Session Road, the more chances you will have to take pictures of the floats.

Camp John Hay

     We bought "to go" lunch from one of the fastfood chains in SM Baguio and ate it at Camp John Hay, to make it look like a picnic. We went to Bell House Museum, Bell Amphitheater, Cemetery of Negativism, Totem Pole, and Panagbenga statue with a fee of P60 per adult and and lesser if you are a student (can't remember the amount, I'm sorry).

    Going to Starbucks is also one of the best experiences going to CJH. For me as an SB lover, this is one of the best branches ever, the serene ambiance when combined with the cold weather gives you a relaxing body and mind. Before going back to our transient house, we drop by the Victory Liner Terminal to purchase our ticket for tomorrow's travel back to Manila. Even though it's already night time, the line at the ticket counter is still queuing. Still P450/pax.

TIPS: Be sure to reserve a ticket before the day of your departure. Purchasing a ticket on the day itself might end you up being a chance passenger.. Again.

 Dinner at 50's diner

    Looking for a retro experience? Go to 50's diner. Your one stop dining experience that will take you back to the past. We ordered milkshake for P80, Bulalo for P120 and Chicken Club Sandwich for P110.

March 1, 2015 Day 3

    We woke up at 5:00AM, went to Burnham Park and ate breakfast, found out that Umagang Kayganda is doing a shoot there.

Baguio City Market

    With only few hours remaining, we bought some "pasalubongs" for our family. Honey for P150 per big bottle, Crinkles which is 3pcs for P100, Cheese bar for P80, and Peanut Brittle w/c is 7pcs for P100. Buying veggies here is also a great opportunity because you can buy them half the price unlike in Manila which is double the price.

TIPS: Buying in larger amounts wil give you discounts most especially if you know how to make "tawad" .
     
Philippine Military Academy

     Our last stop before going back to Manila, no entrance fee. Just make sure to bring an ID that you will leave at the gate, and make sure that you have a close shoes, or else you cannot enter. We took a cab going there since it's hard to wait for a jeepney that will enter the premises. You can also walk and stop by the monuments beside the trail to take some pictures. And to end the trip, we took a picture of the PMA gate.



EXPENSES (Computed for 2 pax)
Transportation:
   Cab P450
   Bus P1,800 (back and forth)
   Jeepney P75 (P7.50/pax every jeepney ride) 
Food:
   KFC P250
   50's Diner P310
   Streetfoods P250
   Misc Foods P550
Entrance Fee:
    CJH P120
    Boat Ride P150
Pasalubong: 
   P1550
Accommodation:
   P1,200 (3 days, 2 nights)

 REMEMBER: 
  There are still lots of places for you to explore in Baguio that is not here in my blog. You can customize your own itinerary or make your own budgeting. Just make sure that even if you're budget or time is limited, you can still make the most out of it depending on how you enjoy yourselves. Goodluck!