52 Weekends of Family Fun: Part 8

August 3: The Photoworks Academy

Are you looking for something different to do? Why not take up a photography class as a family? The Photoworks Academy is one of the best places to pick up the basics, whether your kids wish to pursue it as a career, a hobby, or simply so they can take better pictures during outings and family gatherings.  

Why go there: Leo Castillo, the owner of Photoworks, studied at the New York Film Academy and the New York Institute of Photography.  Since then, he has taught more than a thousand students for the last twelve years.

Family-friendly factor: Leo’s style is refreshing and engaging. He has a very easygoing manner but is a very good teacher who brings out the best in his pupils. You and your kids are guaranteed a lesson you’ll never forget.

May cost you: Prices may vary, so ask Photoworks for details.

Fun factoid: The Photoworks Academy teaches at all levels, regardless of whether you’re new behind the camera or an experienced photographer looking to hone your craft. However, it’s ideally for ages 12 years old and above.

Contact details:
The Photoworks Academy
Contact info: send inquiries to photoworks@gmail.com.
Website: www.photoworksacademy.com

Image from www.photoworksacademy.com

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August 10: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

You don’t need a Delorean to take a trip back in time. With Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, see what Bataan may have looked like more than two hundred years ago! You won’t believe your eyes.

Why go there: Las Casas is a living monument where everything is made to look like in the time of the Spanish, from the divine villas to the parks, palisades and even horse-drawn carriages.

Family-friendly factor: Even the food is derived from time-honored recipes from bygone days. Bibingka and puto-bumbong are made in the traditional way there. Kids can also learn classic childhood games like tumbang preso and luksong tinik, fly kites, go on horseback rides and visit the neighboring islands. With Friday, August 9 being declared a holiday (marking Eid al-Fitr, or the end of Ramadan), you may want to start your weekend early.

May cost you: between P2,500 and P16,000 for an overnight stay

Fun factoid: As expected, a living museum like Las Casas also has its own in-house collection of artwork and memorabilia.  The Casa Luna also serves as the resort’s library.

Contact details:
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Address: Bo Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan
Landline / Mobile: 332-5338, 355-3032, 332-5286
Website: www.lascasasfilipinas.com

Image from http://tracesofwanderlust.wordpress.com

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August 17: Heny Sison Culinary School

Does your child wish to become a chef someday? Or does she or he simply wish to bake a better cake? Either way, you can’t go wrong by enrolling together in Heny Sison Culinary School and bonding over baked goods.

Why go there: You and your child can learn the basics of making pastries, dessert, icing, Christmas bars and a variety of other delicious goodies together.

Family-friendly factor: Heny Sison’s instructors come from a variety of backgrounds and so will your classmates. They’re very patient teachers who’ll help you out, and because it’s a very intimate setting, you get very good training.

May cost you: about P2,000 and up for a session.

Fun factoid: Check out the online class schedule on their website so you can choose what foods you and your child wish to learn to prepare. It changes from month to month.

Contact details:
Heny Sison Culinary School
Address: 33 Bonnie Serrano Avenue cor. Sunrise Drive, Crame, Quezon City
Landline / Mobile: 726-5316, 413-2428, (+63918) 371-5478
Website: www.henysison.com

Image from moderndestinationweddingphotographer.com

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August 24: Taal Vista Hotel

Tagaytay is one of the best spots for a quick weekend getaway from Manila with its bracing air and sumptuous views of Taal Lake. If you want the family to take in the whole thing and more over an extended period, Taal Vista Hotel is a fine choice.

Why go there: The rooms are cozy, perfect for a game of Pillow Fort with the kids.  Cable and wifi access are available and the hotel can take care of arrangements for tours around the lake and volcano.

Family-friendly factor: Their weekend breakfast buffets are a really good deal.  Kids can also check out the play area and the game room. Take advantage of the long weekend (August 26, Monday, is National Heroes Day, a holiday) for that much-deserved R&R.

May cost you: anywhere between P5,500 and P8,500+ for an overnight stay

Fun factoid: The Taal Volcano is actually not the tiny volcanic caldera with an elevated peak that all gaze at in awe.  It’s actually the entire mountain ridge that surrounds the lake – what people mistakenly call the Taal Volcano is actually its most active crater.   

Contact details:
Taal Vista Hotel
Address: Kilometer 60 Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City
Landline / Mobile: 886-4325
Website: www.taalvistahotel-tagaytay.com

Image from http://pchengphotography.blogspot.com

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August 31: Parks and Wildlife Center

It’s not often you can find more than twenty hectares of protected wildlife in the heart of Quezon City. The Parks and Wildlife Center is an oasis of calm in an otherwise chaotic metroplex.

Why go there: For fresh air in the heart of city, you don’t have to take a trip too far away.  The Center also has a lagoon and lots of areas for a lazy afternoon under the trees.  Alternatively, a bit of kite flying or Frisbee tossing is welcome.

Family-friendly factor: The vast space is a playground for the entire family.

May cost you: a paltry P8 to enter.

Fun factoid: The park is a haven for injured and sick animals and there are areas where they are housed to heal up. Also, the park has indigenous species such as the Palawan Bearded Pigs, Crab Eating Macaques, Binturongs and Philippine Eagles.

Contact details:
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center
Address: 1100 Diliman, Quezon City
Landline / Mobile: 924-6031 to 35
Website: visit www.pawb.gov.ph

Image from http://naturalismavrotor.blogspot.com

See the rest of the 52 Weekends list: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7