Last October 18, I received an invite from Miss MJ of MARS Ideas Inc. stating that I would have a chance to experience MOM AND ME FUN CIRCUIT on the October 19. I didn't hesitate to accept the invitation because I knew that my eldest son would surely enjoy it so much! 

After confirming, I was sent another e-mail stating that I should fill-up and submit the form. After doing so, I received another e-mail acknowledging my confirmation which included four attachments for printing: the flyer of the event on October 19, the map of the pick-up point, waiver for signing, event guidelines , and of course the e-ticket!

All the things that I needed to know and what to prepare were already there! No need to ask questions. Wow, the team members were very organized! I had a nice first impression on them!
 

I told Ross to sleep early. I decided not to squeal our Saturdate. He would not sleep the whole night due to too much excitement.  

The next day, I told him to dress up and briefed him about what would transpire during our trip while we were on our way to the pick-up point! 

As I did the briefing, I could see the glow and excitement in his eyes! He was so enthusiastic and he couldn't wait to start the adventure. 

Let me give you the details of our mom and son date at MOM AND ME FUN CIRCUIT...

PICK-UP  POINT

As I mentioned earlier, the map of the pick-up point was sent as an attachment to the confirmation e-mail. It was clear and easy to follow. Locating the bus was hassle-free too! Well, going to the location earlier helped. We didn't want to panic nor be in a hurry. We arrived at the location at exactly 11:30 AM, just right on time as stated in the event guidelines.

 

By the way, PICK UP POINT IS AT BANK DRIVE, ORTIGAS CENTER PASIG CITY BEHIND SM MEGAMALL A! 

I was impressed with the bus. It was new, comfortable,  smelled nice, and WIFI ready too! The temperature was just right---not too cold nor hot. We were warmly welcomed by the staff with friendly smiles on their faces. Miss Ann, one of the organizers, gave us free copies of Smart Parenting and Travelife Magazines plus flyers from sponsors after receiving and checking our e-ticket. 

When there were three pairs of moms and kids already, the television was immediately turned on so that the kids could watch Ice Age while moms read the magazines and filled-up the stubs for the raffle. It gave us things to do while waiting for others to arrive. At exactly 12:10 PM, the bus headed off to our first stop! Miss Ann did the briefing and made sure that all of us were okay.

1ST STOP: The Picture Company- Rockwell

We were asked to bring our valuables and lined up as we moved to our first stop. As we entered The Picture Company, I observed that all moms and kids were very, very excited! We were asked to stay in one of the rooms were Miss MJ led the getting to know portion. She asked the kids to introduce themselves and their moms/dads. Then Miss Nikki, the branch manager, gave a short briefing about the logistics of the pictorial including how and when we could get free hard copies of our chosen photo. Parents were encouraged to choose among the nice props and costumes so that the kids could look their best during the pictorial.

There was no dull moment with the kids. It was an opportunity for them to get to know one another. While waiting for their pictorial, they chat and played together while we, parents, were very busy choosing costumes and props, and dolling-up or looking after our kids.

The pictorial was fun! It went well. The best pair (the most photogenic mom and kid) was chosen--- Miss Che and her adorable daughter, Chelsea. They won a prize from The Picture Company! Isn't it cool?

Then we were asked to return to the bus and get ready for our 2nd stop! We were given free Del Monte Juice to quench our thirst! The staff was helpful enough to collect our trash after our snack time. 

2ND STOP: Mabuhay Restop

Mabuhay Restop was near the Jose Rizal Monument in Luneta. There was no traffic and we arrived on time as expected. We watched "Halo Halo Win"  stage play, written by Nestor U. Torre with Music Composed by Ryan Cayabyab. Both adults and kids enjoyed the play---in short it was well-written and well-performed that we didn't realize it was time for us to go to our 3rd stop! It was indeed an awesome performance! Many lessons could be learned from the play like loving your siblings, honesty, fairness, bravery, reliance, integrity, empathy, and much, much more!

 
Before we left the place, the kids had their trick-or-treat too! Oh! The smiles and joy on the kids' faces were priceless!

3RD STOP: CCA Manila

It was a long trip from Luneta to CCA Manila in Katipunan but the staff made sure to sustain our growing excitement.  They facilitated a raffle and gave fabulous prizes from the sponsors. 

They asked Zoe and Chelsea to sing for us and both of them were given Center for Pop Music Philippines Gift Certificates to hone their talent in singing! New best buddies Zack and Tobby also won gift certificates from Coach and Kids Taekwondo! They were so excited to attend their Taekwondo class together!

If kids could sing very well, mommies too! We would not let our kids beat us! Mommies Rose and Ada sang their hearts out as we approached CCA Manila. :)

Loot bags were distributed as we went down the bus. We already brought all our belongings with us because this was our last stop/ DROP OFF POINT. We didn't have to ride the bus after our cookie decorating session.

Kids couldn't hide their delight when they entered CCA Manila. They couldn't wait to start! The place was sophisticated and comfortable. Even from afar, we could see and hear the demo by the pastry chefs clearly through the big television in front. Each of us was given a set of apron, toque, and hand towel. We all looked like professional pastry chefs. 

The cooking room on the third floor was clean and tidy. We were asked to be in groups of three. All our materials were prepared and we all had  ample spaces to work to. We followed what the chefs taught us! It was so cool!

We did cleaning up as we went. Miss MJ had a wrapping-up of what transpired during the day and we had a group picture taking afterwards. 

We all went home with happy thoughts.  This was indeed an event to remember. It was all worth it! 

We were still euphoric at dinner time. When I asked Ross about what his most favorite part of the trip, he said "EVERYTHING!!!!" with gusto.

Imagine in just Php 750 parents had a chance to have a special one-of a-kind bonding moment with their kids at the same time meet new friends, get fabulous prizes and freebies, and new good memories to keep. 

Kudos to the creative and dynamic MARS Ideas Inc. Team for creating this unique, unforgettable, and fun event! 

I encourage all parents out there to let your kids experience MOM AND ME FUN CIRCUIT! You may also invite your family friends to join you to make it more enjoyable!

 

Click THIS to know more details about MOM AND ME FUN CIRCUIT's upcoming events this October, how to join, how to avail free tickets, and links to MARS Ideas Inc.'s Social Media Sites for latest posts and updates regarding  new events this November.

 Click THIS to see more photos! 

I've been teaching for 14 years now and as I look back, I realized that a teacher's subject designation is simply a decorative post that was assigned to him/her due to his/her academic specialization. Teachers in general are simply people with excess awareness of their humanity that they simply want to share it with others. A teacher is an individual that has the capacity to make people dream, cooperate, aspire, succeed, and most of all fail. You might be wondering why I gave so much emphasis on failing? 

Failure is a powerful tool that enables a teacher to create a "TEACHABLE MOMENT". A fragment of time where a person is stripped of his defenses and biases and is simply "intellectually and emotionally naked". Most parents will definitely disagree with me but I am also a parent. When a person fails he is simply put on state of confusion where his self image that was built on his early successes are simply shattered. Most parents tend to abhor failure because they want their kids to develop their full potential and unparalleled self-confidence. Traits that are perceived to be necessary to gain success later on in life. 

My son is quite competitive and if I might add quite gifted intellectually which tends to make him over confident to the point that he neglects strengthening his fundamental skills in school. As he grows up, he continued to develop his own identity based on how people see him parallel to the things he can do best. Success in his endeavors gave him self fulfillment but most of his learnings and realizations were from failures. It enabled him to know himself more and it gave me the window to challenge him more to be better than who he is now. Personally, watching my son fail is very painful but it is necessary. Because it made him more resourceful and it allowed him to see his limits and is simply forced to overcome them. Allowing him to look for more options and in cases where options are very limited, made him think out of the box. But there is a catch, in those moments of confusion we as parents should be the very people that would make him realize his life lessons and be the guide to them. 

Next time your kid comes home defeated, smile for there will be a day that he will come out a better person - stronger in all aspects.