Philippines' Next Top Model Part 1

I have always thought that my daughter's inclination is into arts. Of course, we encourage her by buying her art materials, allowing her to have art times and providing feedbacks on her works..

Our living room is a show case of Elle Marie's art works. But, I don't mind. They give me certain relaxation knowing that my daughter is happy and confident with what she is doing.

Lately, Elle is into fashion designing and modeling. She has always been fashionable. My friends thought that I force a certain look on my daughter but honestly, it was all Elle's choice. It's her choice to wear accessories, her hat her shoes... Once in awhile, she would even argue with me, saying... but Mama, they don't much! or Mama, I don't like that, it is not pretty!

Ever since she can walk, Elle has been my shopping buddy. We would buy clothes, shoes and accessories together and I allow her to choose on her own. Of course, once in a while I would give comments about her choices but at the end of the day, it's her choice.

I have always been a shawl girl. I find it very convenient instead of bringing jackets. Elle Marie grew up seeing me in shawls that is why I think she also likes wearing one all the time. The first photo to the left is Elle Marie doing her supermodel fierce look with my shawls and sunglasses. Cute ha?! This photo was taken during one of my tiring night. I came home very tired from work to find Elle Marie playing with my shawls-which is just fine with me. She told me, Look Ma, I made myself a costume! Ain't I pretty?! Seeing my daughter made all my body ache gone. I immediately asked her to pose for me and whalla! she gave me this fierce look.

Preparing for the BIG School...

Once again, we found ourselves searching for another school for Elle Marie. It is not because we are no longer happy with Early Achievers' Learning Center to which she is currently enrolled. It is because we believe that it is already time for Elle to move on to the BIG school.

It seems like yesterday we were looking for a progressive school for Elle. We visited a couple of schools here in Makati and even went to San Juan for Community of Learner's. We almost ended up with COLF in San Juan but I got pregnant, had a couple of threatened abortion incidences and had to resign from work. Hence, COLF for Elle was not a logical thing for us to do (during that time)

We ended up with Early Achievers' Learning Center in Bel Air, Makati. Just 7-10 minutes drive from our home or 15 minutes walk to Noy's office. It is a chinese progressive school recommended by my bestfriend and Elle's godmother, Irene whose son also goes to EALC but in Congressional, Quezon City.

I fell in love with EALC the first time I talked with Teacher Chris Coronado, the School Coordinator. She was a good listener, very good in english and has this "child like" attitude in life. And as soon as we visited EALC, we saw how comfortable, clean and safe the school is so we decided to enroll Elle right there and then.

Now, after one and a half years... we are on the search for another school for Elle. Of course, we will miss EALC. I will personally miss talking with Teacher Chris and Rochelle but Elle must move on to the Big School. Anyways, we still plan to come back to EALC for Bien next year...

So, what have we been doing so far? Right now, we only have two options. It will either be Assumption College in Makati or St. Scholastica's College in Manila. Both are prestigious, good-quality, catholic, exclusive schools for girls. Although, relatively St. Scho is cheaper by a few ten thousands, has 24:1 student teacher (per subject) ratio accessible by public transportation, near De La Salle University but they only have afternoon sessions for prep. I want to train Elle Marie to wake up early in the morning and go to school, an afternoon session will not help me do it.

Assumption is convenient if you have a private transportation specially with a San Lorenzo sticker. They have 30:1 student teacher (per subject) ratio. Few of Elle's classmate transferred there last year. Amanda, Elle's kumare and my close friend's Cres daughter is currently enrolled there. My only concern is the 7:30am class schedule which I think is too early naman for Elle...

We are now processing Elle Marie's requirements for Assumption because they have until September for admission exams. One thing that caught my attention with their requirements is that students should have understanding or can speak Filipino language or else they require them to have at least 6 months to 1 year enrollment/tutorial for Filipino... Yayks! Paano si Elle?

St. Scho will be open for admission exams on January hence, no rush for now... Matapos lang talaga ang Franchise Asia 2011, I will be able to give my full time to Elle Marie's moving up to the Big School...

Let us see... whatever will be, will be...

Birthdays and FRANCHISE ASIA 2011!

Barely a month from now, my eldest daughter, Elle Marie is turning 5 and wishes to have a grand, royal pink princess birthday party in her school. The venue is simple and needs no reservation-EALC, food is simple as long as it is not from McDonalds-dela Costa, cake will from the usual Cakes Avenue, loot bags-I am scheduled to buy them next Sunday; gown should be grand, big, and layered- to which I already emailed two couturier for quotations; accessories and shoes next, next Sunday. To date, I am still looking for an entertainer for the program... Sisiw! But the most challenging part about this party is Elle's wish to have her super, mega, favorite classmate and friend, Lawrence as her prince charming! Ano ito debut?!

Of course, as a good and obedient Mom, I asked Ilai, Lawrence's mom about it and laughingly she asked me if Elle is serious, I answered her "She is dead serious!" but I am praying hard that by the time she turns 5, she overcomes this lawrence thinggy stage in her life and forget about the "yellow prince charming" for her birthday!

That is not the end of the story, just a day after my eldest birthday party in school, my second daughter Bien Mary is turning 1 and of course, after my eldest's grand 1st year birthday party, I owe Bien a parallel party of her own... I plan to give her a lavender fairy themed birthday party at the Artist's Pavillion, Makati Parks and Garden-which I pray hard is still mine but still haven't made any down payments-where all the kids will be wearing wings with their wands. Caterer c/o Bien's fairy godmother, Janelynn Capacio. Cake by Cakes Avenue. Bien Mary will be wearing a flowing, layered, fairy-like gown - to which I already emailed two couturier for quotations; accessories and shoes next, next Sunday; Ate Coco will be doing a sing and dance number; face painting awaits the well-wishers... loot bags next Sunday.

Easy to visualize right? But with all the outputs that I need to deliver for Franchise Asia 2011 and my other projects, I just pray to God that He allows me to a superwomen just for those days... If not, I have this "what the heck mom" thought of running away with my two daughters to Disneyland-Hongkong for a more intimate bonding...

What do you think?