Outing sa Villa Alexandra, Brgy. Matabungkay, Calatagan, Batangas

With the summer slowly slipping out of our hands, there was some sort of a reunion outing of the Maranan family (Pio's children) at Villa Alexandra, Brgy. Matabungkay, Calatagan, Batangas. The activity was made a reality through the generosity of Allen and his family (Dida and their daughter, Kate). They just arrived from the US of A and had wanted to have an activity where all members of the Pio Maranan families are present. The outing at the Matabungkay Beach was the perfect venue for such.

The activity was an overnight beach outing from May 10 to May 11, 2008. The whole contingent actually required two jeeps and two cars to accommodate all who joined. There were approximately close to 40 persons who joined the outing. Only Carlito and his wife were not able to join the outing due to previous commitments. All the other families of the children of Tatay and Inay were represented. And who do you think is the the most valuable personality during the activity? It is Inay!!! Imagine, Inay joining us with the long trip and all...

Do you think they enjoyed the whole activity? See for yourself; the pictures say it all... ENJOY!

Just click on the link (http://picasaweb.google.com/atomaranan)

Nature Tripping with the Kids

At the entrance of Botanical Gardens

A Visit to the Botanical Gardens

Last Sept 15, we took the kids to a visit at the Botanical Gardens inside the UPLB Campus. Together with Chona Aguilar Moneda and her family, we explored once more the beauty of the said gardens of UPLB. Instead of the usual mall trips, the visit was meant to introduce the kids to nature hehehe... The main objective is to reach the Center for Philippine Raptors and see a live Philippine Eagle in captivity.

Though a bit exhausted due to long walk just to reach the Center , the kids very much enjoyed their visit where they saw some of the different birds of prey that can be found in the Philippines. Though a bit disappointed because HARIBON is in its breeding season, thus we can't see the Eagle (only the stuffed one), they are still very happy to walk throughout the forest and gazing at the tall trees and listening to the chirping of birds and insects. We even found a dead green snake (more than 1 meter long) on our way to the center which caused the kids to scamper and take refuge to us, their parents.

The botanical gardens is still very much about nature. After the visit to the center, we walked through the inner pathways of the botanical gardens into the stream. We had planned to go from one place to the other trekking the inner pathways. But because it rained the previous day, the stream has water flowing which hindered us to cross it with the kids. We were forced to back off and take the road instead hehehe.