Beacon Grade 6 visits Forest Club!

By | For kids, Nature, Summer | 4 Comments

I am always on the lookout for great places for the kids to go and I recently heard about Forest Club and found out it was owned by a friend, Robbi Mercado. And just a few weeks ago, Jaime went there with his class…..and HAD A GREAT TIME!! Since our kids grew up in the city, it is always good for them to rough it out and experience nature…Forest Club seems to be the PLACE TO BE. I hope to visit it one day. Thanks Robbi for taking photos for me, next time I want to do it myself… 🙂

The Forest Club (http://www.theforestclub.com) is a nature sanctuary and eco-friendly training institution committed to the healing and renewal of Mother Earth. For schools and student groups, the Forest Club offers the Eco Adventure Program, a set of interactive outdoor modules designed to help mold participants into responsible stewards of Mother Earth. Participants are not only assured of having fun but also end up learning something new about the environment and their role in protecting it.

The Forest Club provides an accessible and ideal environment not only for school field trips but also for corporate team building activities, seminars and conferences, spiritual retreats and family vacations. Forest Club prides itself in having a very relaxed and natural environment.

***********************

[wp_youtube]E5qeSustRlA[/wp_youtube][wp_youtube]Tk4RoGTeC88[/wp_youtube]

BEACON SCHOOL SCIENCE FIELD TRIP

beacon6_01.jpg

by Robbi Mercado

Taken from: http://theforestclub.com/main/beacon_grade6

Despite the intermittent showers and the wet surroundings, 37 Grade 6 students fromBeacon International School visited Forest Club last 21 February 2008 for a whole day of fun-filled learning activities.

The field trip was organized by Teacher Trixie who brought her students to Forest Club to help them learn more about their current science studies on seed plants.

The first activity was a short but lively discussion over langka and banana turon, kamote-que and fresh buko juice on the rich bio-diversity of the Philippines, the current state of deforestation and the urgent need to plant trees in order to help protect the country’s dying flora and fauna.

The Forest Club staff was pleasantly surprised not only with the kids’ grasp of current environment issues but more so by their animated commitment to doing their part in saving the earth.

Then came the fun part: the Eco Adventure activities.

The kids enthusiastically participated in games meant not only to be fun but also designed to develop more appreciation for Mother Earth.

412931598503_0_alb.jpg 845231598503_0_alb.jpg

522931598503_0_alb.jpg 511931598503_0_alb.jpg

 383401598503_0_bg.jpg

 726721598503_0_alb.jpg 842631598503_0_alb.jpg

 926721598503_0_alb.jpg 

 111931598503_0_bg.jpg

 [wp_youtube]rOXg57QdnB4[/wp_youtube]

 582160598503_0_alb.jpg 168521598503_0_alb.jpg

Showering after the mud crawl… 

 258521598503_0_bg.jpg

After lunch the students were toured around Forest Club. They were shown the herbal plant gardens, the vermicompost facilities and were also made to plant hardwood trees seedlings. Forest Club will nurture the narra seedlings for the Grade 6 students until these are big enough to be transferred to the Beacon International School campus.

183401598503_0_bg.jpg 

Information taken from Forest Club website: 

Facilities:

Cottages 

cottage1.jpg 

  • Four cottage units available

  • Maximum of eight (8) persons per cottage unit
  • With one air-conditioned room good for two (2) persons
  • With one fan-cooled loft good for two (2) persons
  • With daybeds in the verandah
  • With one toilet and bath per cottage unit

   

Suites

suite2.JPG

 suites_0.jpg

  • Two family suites available

  • Fully air-conditioned
  • Up to twenty (20) persons per family suite
  • With separate toilet and bath facilities

   

 Main Conference room

  • Capacity for up to sixty (60) persons

  • Fully air-conditioned
  • With sound system and OHP
  • With separate toilet and bath facilities

   

 con_hall1.jpg

conference1.jpg 

 Rates:

VENUE RATE (DAY TRIP) 

Venue DAY TRIP Rate: PhP450 per person (plus VAT)

Inclusions:

  • Complete food package: Welcome drink upon arrival, morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. Lunch is served buffet style with a minimum of three dishes. Juice and purified drinking water are provided with all meals.
  • Use of swimming pool, tennis court and basketball court.
  • Use of poolside huts:
    Kabanya A or B maximum of eight (8) persons
    • poolside
    • picnic table
    • fan ventilation

Accomodations (optional): The following are our prices for each room, per day …

Narra A or B,ORMolave A or B PhP1,500 maximum of eight (8) persons per cottage unit
  • one air-conditioned room good for two (2) persons
  • one fan-ventilated loft room good for two (2) persons
  • one toilet and bath
Tindalo,ORKamagongsuite PhP4,000 maximum of twenty (20) persons per cottage unit
  • fully air-conditioned suite
  • separate toilet and bath facilities

Notes:

  • Day trip check-in time is no earlier than 8:00 AM and checkout time is no later than 5:00PM.
  • Additional meals are priced as follows: Snack – P100/person, Breakfast – P150/person, Lunch or Dinner – P250/person.
  • Guests are not allowed to bring their own food into the resort.
  • A 50% downpayment is required no less than three days prior to booking date.

 VENUE RATE (OVERNIGHT STAY)

Submitted by ram on Mon, 04/30/2007 – 3:11pm.

Our Rates consist of an accommodation rate per room type and a meal package per head:

Accomodations: The following are our prices per room, per night …

Narra A or B,ORMolaveA or B

PhP3,000

maximum of eight (8) persons per cottage unit
  • one air-conditioned room good for two (2) persons
  • one fan-ventilated loft room good for two (2) persons
  • one toilet and bath
Tindalo, ORKamagongsuite PhP8,000 maximum of twenty (20) persons per cottage unit
  • fully air-conditioned suite
  • separate toilet and bath facilities

Complete Meal Package: P700/head (Plus VAT)

All guests are required to avail of our food package which includes: welcome drink upon arrival, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and breakfast the following day before checkout.

All meals are served buffet style with a minimum of three dishes per meal. Juice and purified drinking water are provided with all meals and breakfast is served with coffee.

Children 2 years and below are free. Children 8 years below get a 50% discount. 

Notes:

  • Overnight stay check-in time is no earlier than 12:00NN and checkout time is no later than 1:00PM the following day.
  • Additional meal prices are as follows: Snack – P100/person, Breakfast – P150/person, Lunch or Dinner – P250/person.
  • Guests are not allowed to bring their own food into the resort.
  • A 50% downpayment is required no less than three days prior to booking date.

 CORPORATE ECO ADVENTURE PROGRAM

Corporate Eco-Adventure Program Rate: PhP750 per person (plus VAT)

For Companies and Adult Groups

Minimum Number of Participants: Twenty-Five (25)

Inclusions:

  • Complete food package: Morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack.
  • Choice of Eco Adventure Modules (to be designed and agreed upon prior to booking date):
    • Survival Games – Forest Canopy Walk, Mud Crawl, Ifugao Bridge, Hanging Bridge, Bamboo Rafting
    • Trust Games and Teambuilding Exercises – Caterpillar Race, Spider Web, Elevated Fall etc…
    • Traditional Filipino Games – Tinikling, Patintero, Kadang Kadang, etc…
    • Pool Games
    • Walking Lecture Tour – medicinal herbs, reforestation, zero waste management, vermiculture

Notes:

  • Minimum number of participants is twenty-five (25)
  • Maximum number of participants is two hundred fifty (250)
  • Participants are not allowed to bring their own food into the resort.
  • A 50% downpayment is required no less than three days prior to booking date.


ECO-ADVENTURE STUDENT DAY PROGRAM

 Eco-Adventure DAY PROGRAM Rate: PhP600 per person (plus VAT)

For Schools and Student Groups

Minimum Number of Participants: Twenty-Five (25)

Inclusions:

  • Complete food package: Morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack.
  • Choice of Eco Adventure Modules (to be designed and agreed upon prior to booking date):
    • Survival Games – Forest Canopy Walk, Mud Crawl, Ifugao Bridge, Hanging Bridge, Bamboo Rafting
    • Trust Games and Teambuilding Exercises – Caterpillar Race, Spider Web, Elevated Fall etc…
    • Traditional Filipino Games – Tinikling, Patintero, Kadang Kadang, etc…
    • Pool Games
    • Walking Lecture Tour – medicinal herbs, reforestation, zero waste management, vermiculture

Notes:

  • Minimum number of participants is twenty-five (25)
  • Maximum number of participants is three hundred fifty (350)
  • Discounts may be negotiated based on number of participants:
    • One hundred twenty (120) or more: P500/participant
  • Participants are not allowed to bring their own food into the resort.
  • A 50% downpayment is required no less than three days prior to booking date.

 ECO-ADVENTURE STUDENT OVERNIGHT PROGRAM

 

Eco-Adventure OVERNIGHT PROGRAM Rate:

PhP900 per person (plus VAT) plus Accommodation Charges 

For Schools and Student Groups

Minimum Number of Participants: Twenty-Five (25)

Inclusions:

  • Complete food package: Morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and breakfast prior to check-out the next day.
  • Choice of Eco Adventure Modules (to be designed and agreed upon prior to booking date):
    • Survival Games – Forest Canopy Walk, Mud Crawl, Ifugao Bridge, Hanging Bridge, Bamboo Rafting
    • Trust Games and Teambuilding Exercises – Caterpillar Race, Spider Web, Elevated Fall etc…
    • Traditional Filipino Games – Tinikling, Patintero, Kadang Kadang, etc…
    • Pool Games
    • Walking Lecture Tour – medicinal herbs, reforestation, zero waste management, vermiculture

    Accomodation Charges: The following are our prices per room, per night …

    Narra A or B,ORMolaveA or B PhP3,000 maximum of eight (8) persons per cottage unit
    • one air-conditioned room good for two (2) persons
    • one fan-ventilated loft room good for two (2) persons
    • one toilet and bath
    Tindalo, ORKamagongsuite PhP8,000 maximum of twenty (20) persons per cottage unit
    • fully air-conditioned suite
    • separate toilet and bath facilities

Notes: 

  • Minimum number of participants is twenty-five (25)
  • Maximum number of participants is one hundred (100)
  • Discounts will be given based on number of participants:
    • Sixty (60) or more: P850/participant
  • Participants are not allowed to bring their own food into the resort.
  • A 50% downpayment is required no less than three days prior to booking date.

 location_map.jpg

The Forest Club is just 1 hour and 30 minutes from the Ortigas Center in Pasig City and is located at Barangays Puypuy and Masaya, Bay, Laguna. The Forest Club accepts only guests who have made prior reservations. 

website:  http://theforestclub.com

Manila Booking Office (9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays)

Maien Clarino

Telephone: (02) 376 46 23 or 24

Mobile: (0917) 825 89 58 

[email_link]

Dancespace Summer 2008

By | For kids, Summer | 3 Comments

summer-flyer-08.jpg pic02.jpg

Primary Ballet

The young students are taught body awareness and basic locomotor skills. They are exposed to classical ballets thru music, books and ballet performances. The use of imagination is strongly encouraged thru props such as wands, scarves and tambourines. There is lots of exploration by means of moving like different animals, pirates, fairies, sea creatures.

Level I-III

Ballet technique is taught inspired by English, American, Russian and Chinese styles. The National Ballet Syllabus of the Philippines is used as a reference. Proper placement and posture is stressed. Foot therapy and floor exercises are incorporated in the classes to supplement the classical ballet training.

BALLET
Mon/Wed/Fri 2:30-2:30 PM LV2 8-10 year olds
  3:30-4:30 PM LV1 6-8 year olds
  4:30-5:30 PM PRIMARY 3-5 year olds
  5:30-7:00 PM LV3 11 and up
JAZZ
Wed/Sat 12:00 – 1:00 PM Jazz 1 4-10 years old
  1:00 – 2:00 PM Jazz 2 11 and up
TAP
Sat 10:00 – 11:00 AM Tap  
RATES
1 hr classPer Class PhP 600
Monthly
4 Sessions PhP 2,400
8 Sessions PhP 3,200
12 Sessions PhP 3,600
1 1/2 hr classPer Class PhP 700
Monthly
4 Sessions PhP 2,800
8 Sessions PhP 3,400
12 Sessions PhP 3,800

  ABOUT DANCESPACE and MARITONI

 

In the summer of the 2000, Maritoni started Danspace at the basement of her parent’s home. Her thrust was to provide personal training to young dancers, sharing with them her wealth of experience of more than ten years of professional dancing with companies both here and abroad. Now on its eight year, Danspace has had four grand recitals at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati and two Summer Dance Workshop Culminating shows at the Main Ballroom of the Manila Polo Club. They have also participated in the Abap Danseries XI & X and the Abap Swan Lake Project, Fashion Show.

Danspace has found a home at the Manila Polo Club McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati and trains children from 3 years old and above. The school is guided by the National Ballet Syllabus method however Maritoni’s open classes are inspired by her training and exposure to the Russian, American and English methods. It has a 9 month School Year period and a 2 month long intensive Summer Dance Workshop. The school works closely with the Sayaw Foundation and extends scholarships to gifted and deserving students from the foundation. Recently, thru their joint effort, one of their scholars became a finalist to the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). She was chosen among 90 regional students and was recently promoted as a company member of the Philippine Ballet Theatre.


Maritoni Rufino-Tordesillas 

Director and Principal Teacher, Danspace

As a Principal dance for the Philippine Ballet Theater, Maritoni was hailed by critics as a “versatile, wide range actress,” having “turns securely centered,” and “one of the finest dancers this country has ever produced.” She has performed most of the classical and neo-classical ballets in the company’s repertoire. Her most notable roles where: Cio Cio San in Madame Butterfly and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet choreographed by the late Thomas Pazik,Cinderella and Raymonda by Jean Paul Comelin,Gregoria de Jesus in Andres KKK by Gener Caringal, Carmen by Eric V. Cruz, Kitri in Don Quixote, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and Giselle. She like wise worked with the country’s top choreographers often times originating the roles that have remained in PBT’s repertoire to this day. She danced as Dysebel in Gener Caringal’s Filipino Komiks and in his Prism and Vinta, in Tony Fabella’s Beautiful GirlsBuklogThe CompanyMantones de Manila, Kundiman and Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan, she was Josephine Bracken in Steve Villaruz’s La Lampara, and the Japanese in Edna Vida’s Thatness Thereness. She was coached by Gelsey Kirkland and Cynthia Gregory, two American Prima Ballerinas for the roles of Kitri and Odette/Odile respectively and has been partnered by International guest artists like: Wes Chapman, Parrish Meynard, Timothy Melady, Charles Askegaard. With the PBT, she has performed in the US, Mexico, Japan, and Singapore. In 1995, she was a member of the Basel Ballet of Switzerland under Youri Vamos and in 1989 she danced with the Eglevsky Ballet of New York under the direction of Michael Vernon.

Maritoni’s dance training started when she was eight years old with Sony Lopez Gonzales and then later on with Tony Fabella and Eddie Elejar. In 1986 she trained in New York under a merit scholarship at the Neubert Ballet Institute in Carnegie Hall. She studied under Steffan Hoff, a contemporary of Mikhail Baryshnikov at the American Ballet Theater, Elena Kunikova of the Leningrad Mali Theatre, Nina Popova of the Ballet Ruses and Jenny Chiang. She took theRoyal Academy of Dancing examinations in 1993 and received Honors in Elementary and Highly Commended in the Intermediate Majors examination with Sonia Domingo as coach. In 1995, she started teaching for the Philippine Ballet Theater Conservatoire and became its School Principal from 1998-2000. In 2000 she founded Danspace and remains to be the schools principal teacher and choreographer training 60 students year round from age 3 years old and above.

Maritoni’s theater credits include: Cordelia’s spirit in Anton Juan’s King Lear, Cinderella in Cinderella, Mimi and the Silver Rose in Beauty and the Beast for Repertory Philippines Children’s Theater, Louise in Carousel, the Ghost of Christmas PastIsabelMrs. Cratchit and the ballerina in Rep’s A Christmas Carol.Gaining experience in Musical Theater from her stints with Repertory Philippines, Maritoni has been teaching Music and Movement at the Philippine Opera Company for the past 3 summers. She also choreographs musical numbers for corporate shows and various projects.Maritoni is an attendee to the National Ballet Syllabus year’s I-IV and was PRO of the Association of Ballet Academies, Philippines for the year 2004.

Almost at the same time she started Danspace, Maritoni discovered Asthanga Yoga. In 2006 she graduated from the Centered Yoga Institute in Koh Samui, Thailand under Paul Dallghan and became a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. She is also one of the founders of Yoga Manila, the leading yoga school in the Philippines. They have branches in Alabang, Makati and Ortigas.

 

Maritoni promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages her students to go beyond their capabilities. Her teaching style is nurturing and revolves around a good foundation. She is committed to their growth and well being and aims to produce students that are well trained, hard working and disciplined yet encouraging their unique personalities to shine thru. 

 galleryd06b.jpg  danspace-flyer-0031.JPG[email_link]  

Eddie Boy Escudero

By | Photography | No Comments

 

35yearsa.jpg

Eddie Boy is the husband of my friend, Bobbet.  And yes, he is related to the Escuderos from Villa Escudero.  Even before I met Bobbet, I was already seeing him all over the place -in weddings and events. 

With Eddie Boy’s permission, Heart2Heart is sharing some of his photos which are some of Heart2Heart’s favorites…..  

 ebx0007.jpg

ebx0019.jpg 

 ebx0008.jpg 

 ebx0036.jpg 

 some humorous ones………………

drive-thru.jpg 

wed0065.jpg

 wed36.jpg

I really admire his style and the photos he takes in events and most especially weddings.  He takes photos of the details that I myself like taking photos of.   The most recent one I saw and really liked was of his daughter, Ula, who got married in Boracay. 

 

 ula861.jpg

ula856.jpg 

ula873.jpg

 pict0028.jpg

 pict0037.jpg

 pict0049.jpg

 He also takes portraits and he has done many…some of them are friends or famous personalities.

 Maritoni Rufino-Tordesillas

maritoni1.jpg

 Maritina Romulo

 maritina1.jpg

 

maritina2.jpg

 

 Leica Carpo

 leica5.jpg

 Tessa Prieto-Valdes

 tessa2.jpg

 

 KC Concepcion

kc1.jpg 

Mylene Dizon

 mylene1.jpg

Ina Raymundo

 ina1.jpg

Gi Toengi

 g1.jpg

 Joey Mead

joeymeadsim.jpg

 To see more of his photos, visit his site at http://ebeseyes.multiply.com

 or to contact him :  0917-8932742 / 3732675

 

[email_link] 

Nursery Station at Rustan’s

By | What's New at Rustan's | No Comments

213689616503_0_alb.jpg

Last Christmas, I discovered a new room at the Children’s floor ( 3rd floor ) at Rustan’s Makati…a nursery!  A nursery where mothers can rest, breastfeed their babies or just relax while waiting for their gifts to be wrapped.  Another FIRST for Rustan’s.  No one ever beats Rustan’s when it comes to CUSTOMER SERVICE…..they love to spoil their customers!266449616503_0_bg.jpg620699616503_0_bg.jpg

759169616503_0_alb.jpg

 

[email_link] 

Race for Tubbataha

By | Giving Back, Green, Sports | 13 Comments

811741888503_0_bg.jpg 

headerracefor.jpg

Congratulations to Ton Concepcion for a successful race! We need more people like Ton who can help make our world a better place.  An idea or a desire to help is more meaningful when it becomes a reality and action is taken to implement and achieve that desire.  It takes a lot of guts and a lot of hard work to organize an event, and you lead it and you made it all happen! 

The race was successful because:

1.)  You were able to raise funds to preserve our environment, to save Tubbataha reef

2.)  The event created awareness of a beautiful place, nature, and in our very own country

3.)  You created a wholesome atmosphere for kids to enjoy and at the same time learn and help save their environment in their small little way.  Even pregnant women walked the race…It was a race that everyone who wanted to support the cause could join.

4.)  Thousands of people supported and joined the race

5.)  And everyone enjoyed!!! 

Looking forward to the next race in 2009! 

website:  www.condurarace.com   

 221741888503_0_bg.jpg

All out support from the family of Ton, including his dog who also ran the race!  Heart2Heart’s favorite participant! 

331741888503_0_bg.jpg 

421741888503_0_bg.jpg

731741888503_0_bg.jpg

 and FRIENDS!!!

 241741888503_0_bg.jpg

 531741888503_0_bg.jpg

 The race started promptly at 6 am…..The 10k runners started first, followed by the 5 k then the 3k.

251741888503_0_bg.jpg

 261741888503_0_bg.jpg

451741888503_0_bg.jpg

racemap3k.jpg

 racemap5k.jpg

 racemap10k.jpg

651741888503_0_bg.jpg

961741888503_0_bg.jpg

561741888503_0_bg.jpg

271741888503_0_bg.jpg

471741888503_0_bg.jpg

671741888503_0_bg.jpg

Loved these fish characters in the race!   

381741888503_0_bg.jpg

The finish line…. 

581741888503_0_bg.jpg

981741888503_0_bg.jpg

 291741888503_0_bg.jpg

 491741888503_0_bg.jpg

691741888503_0_bg.jpg

891741888503_0_bg.jpg

102741888503_0_bg.jpg 

302061888503_0_bg.jpg

702061888503_0_bg.jpg 

412061888503_0_bg.jpg

912061888503_0_bg.jpg

722061888503_0_bg.jpg

232061888503_0_bg.jpg

 632061888503_0_bg.jpg

142061888503_0_bg.jpg

542061888503_0_bg.jpg

 252061888503_0_bg.jpg

 

952061888503_0_alb.jpg

 762061888503_0_bg.jpg

 962061888503_0_bg.jpg

472061888503_0_bg.jpg

182061888503_0_bg.jpg

 

7.jpg

382061888503_0_bg.jpg

 image_02.jpg

 782061888503_0_bg.jpg

 

Previous entry:   

A Race to Save the Reef -Condura Race for Tubbataha 08

[email_link]

Chelsea Market

By | Foodie | 4 Comments

A nice bestfriends lunch place, thanks to Rina for finally making me try Chelsea Market.  We have been wanting to have family dinner here but no reservations are accepted during weekends.  So a big group would be difficult to turn down without reservations.  We will definitely go back with the family or in a big group – Good value for money – New York portions -generous and can be shared.  159420038503_0_bg.jpg  996230038503_0_bg.jpg We were early and luckily to be one of the first to sit down… beautiful interiors…casual and cozy….. 

 107482518503_0_alb.jpg 

376492518503_0_alb.jpg

 

 696482518503_0_alb.jpg

 

 776492518503_0_alb.jpg

and cool looking service staff….

 chelseauniform.jpeg

What a unique bread plate!   

 976492518503_0_alb.jpg

Rina insisted that I have one of these…..even if I normally drink only water when dining… 

carafe-drinks.jpg 856472518503_0_alb.jpg

 

appetizers.jpg

 

 salad.jpg

 

 169082518503_0_alb.jpg

 

 Heart2Heart’s favorite part of the menu!!

 

 

deli-cheese.jpg 

 cheese-cabinet.jpg

369082518503_0_alb.jpg

oysters.jpg  grill.jpg

 

 pasta.jpg

 

 sandwiches.jpg

 

 556582518503_0_alb.jpg

 

 569082518503_0_alb.jpg

 pizza.jpgbig-plates.jpg 

 

 

 

Unique and really deliciously looking desserts………… 

 

 homemade-cakes-and-sweets.jpg

969082518503_0_alb.jpg 

189082518503_0_alb.jpg 879082518503_0_alb.jpg

 

389082518503_0_alb.jpg 

479082518503_0_alb.jpg 

We wanted to share one dessert as we were stuffed already- we asked the waiter for the best selling dessert and he said the Four-Layer Toblerone torte – it was really good!!!

 

 

679082518503_0_alb.jpg

 

And, of course, Heart2Heart will not miss taking a photo of the HEART dessert!!! which no one wanted to break! 

279082518503_0_alb.jpg 

 Chelsea Market and Cafe

Serendra Piazza Ground Level 

Mc Kinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Tel. 909-7011 or 12

 

 

[email_link]

FILTER