Preschool ver 02

Angioletto Preschool

e-mail addy: clsferrer@yahoo.com; angioletto_preschool@yahoo.com

Addy: 9-B Rosemarie Lane, Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Phone: 671.8693

Tuition Range: 44k for toddler + 450.00 for uniform per set

Teaching Style: Progressive

Contact Person: Teacher Che Ferrer

DepEd Permit:

Comment:  view separate article here

Creative Learning School
Webby: http://www.creativelearningschool.com/index.html

e-mail addy: clsi_pasig@yahoo.com.ph
Addy: 52 Sta. Rosa St., Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Phone: 633-8412; 633-9566; 631-4401
Tuition Range: 60k
Teaching Style: Traditional and experiential
Contact Person: Barbara Vargas
DepEd Permit:

Comment: One of the feedbacks I gathered from this school is that they accept differently able kids as part of a regular class.  It means that special kids get to experience what normal children do and at the same time normal kids are able to identify with them at an early age.  Another thing that makes this a good school is its continuing education.  CLSI has a grade school department which is a good follow thru of what they learn in preschool.  The best way to instill values and learning of course is to make sure that there is consistency.

Here's their reply when I emailed them:

Your daughter would fall under our Jr. Nursery class with a class size of 10 to 12 students. We have 2 schedules - 8:00 to 10:30am and 10:45am to 1:15pm. Our tuition/misc. fees are in the area of P60,000.


We encourage you to bring your daughter to the school so she can have a "feel" of the school. Any other information you would like to know will be addressed when you talk to the level teacher.


Thank you for your inquiry and we hope to meet you and your daughter soon.


Sincerely,


Barbara Vargas
Administrator

To view the previous article on preschool listings. click here.

I heard that Sea and Learn already closed down this week, though I'm not sure if it's true.  I also heard that Mulberry costs P67,000 though they're not sure if everything else is included.

Angioletto Preschool

We were finally able to visit one preschool today. I remember finding a comment in my earlier post about a certain preschool in Kapitolyo. Mommy Leda said:

You might want to check on Angioletto Preschool in Kapitolyo, Pasig. School fees are 48k inclusive of learning materials, PE uniform and learning trips. They also provide going-home service at a minimal charge. Payments can be stretched from cash to monthly. They use English and all rooms are air-conditioned. Plus they offer free trial class until tomorrow, April 10.

I tried to search for its website or look for feedbacks in various fora but there isn’t any. All I found were ads in sulit and 88db. Anyway I emailed them to inquire about the appropriate program for Sofi, the schedule and of course the fee. Here is Teacher Che’s reply:

ANGIOLETTO PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM:
We use the progressive approach in teaching. Every day, we use songs, rhymes, mime and movement in doing our classroom activities. Creativity and self-expression are expressed through different art activities. Storytelling is always present. We believe that children learn best through experiential learning that is why we also expose them to different learning trips. We also teach the value of spiritual education thru Religion. Children develop physical fitness through Stretch-n-Grow, The World’s Fitness for Kids.


THE TODDLER PROGRAM (for children ages 2.5 to 3.5 years)
Play and work are one. "Work" is individually and developmentally appropriate and includes: Blocks and building materials; Music: instruments, dance, singing; Climbing and hiding; Dress-up and make-believe; Housekeeping (dishes, pretend food, babies, etc.); Puzzles; Reading books;Finger plays;Coloring and painting; and Sand and water play; Love for God is enjoyed through simple prayers, songs, rhymes and simple Bible stories.


CLASS SCHEDULE:
Toddlers Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30am to 11:30am


CLASS SIZE: Each class has a teacher and a teacher assistant. Toddlers class is limited to 6 students only.


SCHOOL FEES: Our school fees are inclusive of all the school materials, learning trips, books, and P.E. Uniform. We offer different modes of payment – Annual, Semi-Annual, Quarterly and Monthly.
TODDLER Level (2.5 to 3.5 years)
CASH P44,000
SEMI-ANNUAL Initial P23,000 Next Payment P22,000 (Oct 1)
QUARTERLY InitialP15,000 Next Payment P10,500 (Aug 1, Oct 1, Dec 1)
MONTHLY Initial P15,000 Next Payment P3,600 monthly
School uniform is excluded. Each set costs [P450.00].


Thanks,
Teacher Che

I wasn’t able to take a picture of their front gate but it looks quite homey. When we got inside we inquired about the trial class scheduled today but Teacher Che said a lot of parents called in to cancel since it’s a long weekend. So they reschedule the trial class next Friday, May 7. They were having a spring cleaning instead but they still accommodated us.

Sofi didn’t want to go in first and when I carried her inside she started crying. It took a while before she warmed up. Teacher Che asked me to fill up some data about Sofi and we talked for a while. When they realized that Sofi is a Dora fan, Mr. Ferrer gave her a Dora toy. And she started to go around and pick up toys. She was having the time of her life. The rest is history. I think we found a school already.

For the benefit of parents on the lookout for a preschool, Angioletto accepts monthly payment just in case your kid doesn’t want to go to school anymore. Say she’s so active from June to August but come September your kid suddenly lose interest in school, Angioletto will not require you to pay the remaining parts of the year, unlike other schools. You may also ask about their service just in case you can’t pick them up on a certain day. All teachers in Angioletto are former St. Paul teachers. Teacher Che, on the other hand, is a Paulinian all throughout and worked for St. Paul for 5 years until she finally decided to give in to her life long dream of having her own preschool.

Angioletto Preschool

CONTACT PERSON: Teacher Che Ferrer.

ADDRESS: 9-B Rosemarie Lane, Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City

E-ADDY: clsferrer@yahoo.com

PHONE: 671.8693 / 09228164426

vtr result

I knew we would get a call back after the VTR.  Based on the people's reactions and the lady who took Sofi's video, I knew that Sofi's chance is quite high.  Besides, Jaims knows that these agencies are really looking for the fair complexioned, chubby kids when there's an audition.

At around 8.30PM, I received a text message asking us to call the landline of Liahona Casting Agency for the result of the VTR.  When I didn't call them, because I didn't hear my text tune, I received another text.  I asked Jaims to call them but their line was busy.  At past nine, I got another text from them.  Anyway, Jaims called them and true to the feedbacks I've been reading in several blogs and online fora, my daughter had to undergo a 10 day workshop.  It will cost us P4,500.00 for the 10 day workshop and they will teach Sofi how to act in front of the camera and they will teach her how to do modeling and the works.  Jaims said that we'll discuss it first then he hung up.

We have nothing against the workshop.  Had it been free and has the right schedule we might exert effort in bringing her there.  Of course money matters a lot nowadays and P4,500.00 still 4,500.  In terms of schedule, Barney is not available on Thursdays and the workshop is Thursday and Saturday only.

They said that they will still keep Sofi's file on hand when the advertising people are on the lookout.  But then again, I know the agency will prioritize those who took the workshop.  Jaims said that we might be taking away her special opportunity to become a TV/print ad model.  To have a celebrity kid takes a lot of effort from the parent.  For her to become one requires that we bring her to several agencies, have a lot of VTR and be aware of all the available opportunities.  and that's a lot of responsibility for a mom who has a full time job.  How can I be an ultimate stage mom if I have work?  My take is if they like her, then they like her.  One or two or several VTRs are ok but again I don't like pushing her into something that both of us won't benefit in the end.  Let things come naturally.

vtr day

so we did pushed through with the vtr.  the scheduled time was 1:30PM today but Sofi was called in at almost 3PM.  Not that the people were inefficient but because there were a lot hopefuls who wanted their kids to become stars.  I didn't expect that there were a lot who will try out.  I was only expecting five or 10 but when we got there, it was jampacked. The lady in the second pic is Gemma. She was the one who approached us in SM Megamall last Friday.

The first thing we did was fill out a blue form.  We didn't have a ballpen so Jaims went back to the car to get one, only the pen wasn't working well so our form had a lot of scribbles, obviously trying to make it work.  When I was done, I submitted the form and they told me to send Sofi in the room.  There were a lot of kids and companions are not allowed to go inside.  Sofi was excited, maybe she was thinking it's a school.  She sat on the floor wiggling her toes while waiting for her turn.  Jaims and I stayed in the adjacent room where the stagemom-wannabees stayed.  For a small room, it's a bit crowded. I had fun watching the companions coaching their kids how to answer or how to act.  Some mom took the effort of dressing up their kids and some even put make-up on their two year olds.  what a pity!  I've heard some moms scolding their kids.  You can hear lines such as "di ba sabi ko wag kang iiyak. Ano gusto mo na umuwi, e di sinayang mo lang!" or "tigilan mong iyak-iyak mo, tingnan mo nabubura na yang make-up mo!".  It's really funny how these people react during their child's vtr session.

After a while I heard someone shouting Sofi's name followed by a loud wailing sound.  Apparently Sofi got bored and suddenly remembered that mimi and dudi weren't around, so she started crying really loud.  We pulled her out of the room and brought her to the adjacent room.  I asked her why she cried but all she could say was "ayaw ko dun!".  I asked her if she wants to go home already but she wouldn't answer.  When she was finally done crying, I gave her milk and biscuits.  Gemma said they'll just call us if it's Sofi's turn already.  So we just waited.  While waiting, Sofi found a friend to play with.  When it was her friend's turn already, Sofi tried to take a peek inside.  She was even asking me to go inside already.  But we just waited outside until we were finally called in.

There were no more kids inside and only one lady holding a videocam talked to her.  This time Jaims and I accompanied her already.  She was asked what's her name, how old is she and if she can sing and dance.  She was able to answer the lady correctly.  She even sang softly and dance slowly.  Her shyness must have returned, but that was fine with us.  As long as she answered correctly and she was able to do what they asked her to do.

By 2:45, we were done and there were still a few kids in line.  There was even a small boy dancing while his 5 companions play 2NE1.  Maybe I should ask the other kids for an autograph, you'll never know who among them will become BIG in the next few days.

Since she has been a good girl, we treated her to McDo afterwards.

vtr

yesterday while sofi and i were walking in megamall, a lady approached us and asked how old sofi is.  thinking that she just amazed with sofi's size, i answered at once.  then the next thing i knew she was introducing herself as a talent scout looking for kids.  she said there will be a casting on sunday, that's tomorrow, in their office somewhere boni.

of course the mother in me got excited but i tried my best not to show her.  I'm so used to people adoring sofi that this does not surprise me.  she must have felt the reluctance in me that's why she did not push me over.  instead she just gave me a paper, typewritten in it is the date, time and location.  Nothing fancy, just the details and some talents they have scouted before and where they were featured.

they texted me this morning asking if we will still proceed.  i had to wait for jaims' reply before i text them back.  when i told jaims last night he was excited but we forgot to conclude that's why i had to text him.  he said GO.  i'm kinda reluctant since 1:30 (the supposedly sched) is her sleeping time.  getting her to act during this time could be really hard.  i just hope she cooperates tomorrow.  i checked for feedbacks on the web and they seem legit, though most moms are complaining that after getting a yes their kid had to go through a workshop.  not sure how this will turn out.  but however she acts tomorrow will not be an issue on me.  she's just two, for God's sake.

for the details, you may check them out at:

Liahona Casting Agency

Website: http://liahonacastingagency.webs.com
Landlines: (02) 497-9146 / 703-7776 / 994-0930
Mobiles: 0916-7967439 / 0929-3276590
MAIN OFFICE ADDRESS: 3rd Floor ANNETTE II Building, No. 604 Boni Avenue, Plainview, City of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, 1550 Philippines

sewer declogging

sew·er (n.)
An artificial, usually underground conduit for carrying off sewage or rainwater.

sew·age (n.)
the waste matter carried off by sewers or drains

sew·er·age (n.)
1. removal of surface water and waste matter by sewers
2. a system of sewers
3. sewage

Source:  YourDictionary.Com

My mom complained about this a month ago and the problem continues to resurface.  When they had our all around handyman, Mang Lando to check on the sewers, they found plastics, sanitary napkins and worse, underwear.  Since we live in a townhouse, problems like these are very common.  We're not sure if it came from us or from the other houses.  In fact, it could even be from the previous tenants of these houses.  Mang Lando was only able to fish out a few stuff blocking the pipes and we were able to flush the toilet bowls again.

Early this week, my mom had another encounter with overflowing bowls and hard to flush objects.  This is troublesome since we don't have a helper today and they are the ones cleaning up the mess.  The smell gets worse if it doesn't get cleaned up.  Papa knows the ins and outs of these townhouses because he was the one who saw it through.  FYI, he's an engineer.  So he had the manhole opened up again and of course he knew that something must be done.  He was bugging mama for the water bill and he kept on asking if we have an outstanding balance.  Mama, the ultimate I-must-know-first-what you-will-do-with-it-before-I-give-it-to-you interviewer, asked Papa several questions before handing the bill.   He said that he will asked the Manila Water to seep the sewage and I think they need to see the bill.  Or maybe he just wants to get in touch with them.  the bills have the office's contact numbers, AFAIK.  When we were about to go back to our room, Sofi and I saw a big manhole being filled with water.  I even broke the strap of my laptop sack trying to look for Oly.  I manage to take a few shots while shooing Sofi away from the hole.

[slideshow]

I didn't know Manila Water can do it.  I thought only Malabanan does the dirty job.  I'm not sure though if they asked for extra fee to clean up.  i'll ask them later.  It just dawned on me that this is an early celebration of Earth Day 2010.  Come on, pamper your sewers. Contact Manila Water now.  Dial hotline number 1627.

Manila Water
MWSS Administration Building
489 Katipunan Road, Balara, Quezon City 1105 Philippines
Website: www.manilawater.com
Email: info@manilawater.com

P.S. I asked my mom if the seeping costs anything and she said that it cost P1000.00 per truck.  The truck came thrice so mama payed P3000.00.  The men who worked for us only gave receipt for the first P1000.00.  Obviously, they're keeping the P2,000...mean!  Papa said, it's a lot cheaper than the Malabanan excavation.

cup of coffee

our day is not complete without a cup of coffee.  every morning begins with a cup, whether the weather is cold or hot.  though we don't really splurge on expensive coffee aka starbucks and figaro, dinner is almost always topped up with another cup.

i couldn't remember when i first had my coffee.  maybe it was in high school when i had to review for a test, or was it college.  all i could remember is that it becomes a morning and evening habit after i got married to jaime.  now i think my little girl is also getting the habit.  it's fine with me but i hope not this early.

gupit

Have you ever experienced getting all wrapped up with hair when you wake up in the morning? Well, I do. So I had my haircut a few days ago. My hair gets its once a year cut every summer. I like it short every summer so that when I get back to work, people gets a little surprise. Maybe it’s the KSP in me rather than the adventure seeker which prods me to cut my hair from long to really, really short. Anyway, I know it will grow back the way it was after a year.

And since Jaims had his haircut before summer, I also wanted Sofi to have her haircut. We decided to trim her bangs and let her hair grow before because it’s so hard to clip her hair. If it’s long then we’ll just have to ponytail it. But Sofi’s hair is straight and smooth that when you tie it, the band falls off eventually. Besides, THE daddy is really poor in tying and maintaining the hair, so bye bye long hair.

Notice that her hair is not that perfectly trim. It’s because Jaims was the one who cut it. Since salon for kids are way too expensive and we don’t expect Sofi to behave well then we opted to resort to the home barber.

Oly's water test

Had my Olympus Mju Tough 8000 for 5now and  months now.  To be honest I wasn't brave enough to submerge it underwater.  Yeah, yeah I know... it's meant to be dipped, dropped and even covered with snow but 14,500 is still 14,500.  That's more than half of my monthly salary.  I couldn't just say bye bye to Oly in such a short time.

Last Holy Week, Oly got her first beach tan.  Here's the video taken by my nephew.

missy's new skin

Missy's almost a year old now.  And other than her memory deteriorating causing the boot up to slow down because of the files I have accumulated in her, she has not given me any major problems at all.  In fact, I'm so grateful I have her with me when we were in Singapore.  She helped me get connected with Jaims and Sofi because my phone did not cooperate well.

With that, I decided to get her something new.  Since the plastic film covering her top was already peeled, I got her a new skin from CD-R King.  Jaims bought the 15" skin so we can make use the excess for other gadgets.  It costs P150.00.  Character skins and plain skins are also available for 100 bucks but I prefer this green skin more.

pre-school

Been spending the last days researching about preschools. Sofia is now 2 years, 9 months and finding a school to keep her active mind working seemed to be the next step. I wanted her to attend the preschool here in our barangay but the ladies there told my mom that this coming June they will only accept enrollees who are at least 3.5 years old. Sofi will only turn 3 this July, that means she didn’t make the cut-off. My next resort is to find resources online. Of course there are lots of frantic moms online who are scouting for preschools, too. Their inputs are a big help to those who will send their kiddos to school for the first time but somehow a lot of infos are left unexposed. I would say I have read 3 major threads on parenting and schools but I couldn’t find what I’m looking for…or maybe there isn’t any.

I wanted to find something that says how much a first-time mommy or daddy should save to send her toddler to school. Some websites tell you upfront how much, others would require that you call and some others would want you to visit the school and let the kid try first before they tell you how much. Really, there is nothing wrong with trial schools. It’s the best way to get to know the “curriculum”. But as a mom, I hate it when I have to break my little girl’s heart. I mean, letting her try an environment and when she enjoys it, you tell her…sorry, sweetie we don’t have money for this school. And then she wails and you couldn’t do anything but drag her back home.

I tried calling the schools I have in mind but their responses were a bit disappointing. The two schools I particularly like, AHeadStart and Mulberry, have tuitions above 50k. I was hoping I could find a school whose tuition is around 35k. Red Apple and Sea and Learn’s seemed promising, with around 41k tuition. I kinda like the homey image of Red Apple but they only accept students who’ll turn 3 this June.  Plus, they have a cute uniform :)

I'm still not sure where to enroll Sofi.  I might pay a visit toAheadstart and Sea and Learn within the week to check them out.  For those interested, here are the schools' contact info.

Aheadstart Child Development Center
Webby: http://aheadstartpreschool.com/index.htm
e-mail addy: info@aheadstartcdc.com
Addy: 72 San Rafael st., Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Phone: 631-9548
Tuition Range: roughly 50k (according to the one I talked to)
Teaching Style: Developmental, Progressive, Interactive
Contact Person: Teacher Mica
DepEd Permit: P-168 2007

Comment:  The school is near our vicinity, the school looks homey to me.  When I called them yesterday, the one who answered was very accommodating -- not as if they just woke up.  Similar to Mulberry they also do not divulge too much info over the phone regarding tuition but she was the one who offered to give a range.  I might visit it this week.

The Red Apple Playschool
Webby: http://www.redappleplayschool.com/
e-mail addy: inquiry@redappleplayschool.com
Addy: 100 F. Manalo Street, Malinao, Pasig City
Phone: 748-1155
Tuition Range: visit site for the complete breakdown
Teaching Style: modified-progressive, research-oriented preschool; mixture of trad/non-trad
Contact Person: Clyde Villegas / Joyce Reyes / Jasmin Lao
DepEd Permit:

Comment: website has a lot to say about the school and the pictures look homey to me.  I think Sofi will enjoy the class here and will prepare her to a big school since their style of teaching is a mixture of tradition and progressive.  I'm also interested how they go about their research-oriented curriculum because being a librarian i knew how important these skills are,,,except that these are preschool kids and i'm not sure what approach will they do to achieve this.  It's a pity that it's not near our place and minimum age should be 3 years old.  The uniform looks cute for Sofi. :)

Sea and Learn Development Center
Webby: http://seaandlearn.webs.com/
e-mail addy: seaandlearn@yahoo.com
Addy: 2/F Fun Ranch, Frontera Verde Estates, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Libis,Pasig City
Phone: 583-7765, 0922-8387765
Tuition Range: 50k (or you may read this blog entry from fedhz.com)
Teaching Style: Progressive
Contact Person:
DepEd Permit:
Comment: Their website has lots of information about the school, their programs and their tuition.  I like it that it's witin the vicinity and that they are very transparent.  I hate it that they are inside Fun Ranch.  Sofi has this tendency to drag you to amusement parks and I know for sure that if you enroll her here she will always ask you to bring her to the rides and stuff.  The school is quite small too unlike the others who used up their entire house to build a playschool.  But their tuition is among the lowest so far within my area.

Mulberry Kids Preschool
Webby: http://mulberrykids.multiply.com/
e-mail addy: mulberrykids_ph@yahoo.com
Addy: 25 Gen. Malvar St., Brgy. San Antonio, San Antonio Village, Pasig City
Phone: 6877024, 09173669338.
Tuition Range: 60+ (according to the person I talked to)
Teaching Style: focuses on the physical, intellectual, emotional, aesthetic, personal and social needs of the child
Contact Person: Meg Mariñas
DepEd Permit:
Comment: hard to look for feedbacks on the web, multiply site provides little info – PM them about tuition but they don’t want to share info. They instead offered a Trial class, if you’re interested, it’s on the 19th and 20th of this month, but you need to reserve a slot. They said they'll email me more info but I haven't receive any as of today.  I called them and the one who answered is not too accommodating, although I was able to squeezed out a few info on tuition range, 60+. I wanted to enroll Sofi here since it’s walking distance but I don’t think I can afford it.

PS.  I just got an email from them...same stuff and she called me Ms. Santos :(