How my 7-year old son got a driver's license

A couple of weeks ago I was with my family in UP Town Center in Quezon City when a young lady in blue approached me. (Please continue reading, this is not at R18 post).

She said, “Do you have a child who is 4 to 8 years old?”

I was a bit caught off guard because I have never slept with anyone else other than my wife in the last 10 years. I looked at her face checking if she’s one of those I had flings with in college. She did not resemble anyone who I dated but she did look like my bestman Rommel with her short hair.

I replied, “I have a 7-year old son (and I have a birth certificate to prove it).”

“Do you want him to take a short driving course and a driver’s license today,” she smiled.

At first I thought this was just one of those mall-based marketing scheme that after if I agree, I’ll find myself surrendering my credit card and signing a contract that will insure my future ‘till I’m 99. But hey, there’s a line of kids with their parents in the mall’s activity area with the Volkswagen posted in every corner. Definitely legit.  So I got Charles enlisted and here's the fun learning journey he went through in around 30minutes:

Workshops and Presentations.

A representative from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) educated the children how to become safe and responsible road users through two segments. First, there was a classroom-style lecture where kids were introduced to different road signs and what they mean.  Second, it was followed by a demo by the facilitator using toy cars in a miniature city map where the young ones literally learned the traffic rules while playing.

Junior Driving Course

Volkswagen set up a  50-meter junior driving course with VW push cars designed to simulate real life road situations. There were professional driving instructors who explained the importance of road safety visuals and correct passenger and pedestrian behaviors.

The young participants were also asked to complete a task of going to the a specific location in the driving course without violating any traffic rule. A junior driver’s license is given upon completion of the program.

If you are interested to introduce your kids (4-8 years old) on how to be a responsible driver, here’s the updated 2016 schedule of the Volkswagen Philippines' Child Safety Initiative (CSI) program.  This advocacy is FREE to interested individuals and is on first come, first served basis. 

Date /   Venue

June 20-21 / Glorietta

July 25-26 / Market! Market!

June 27-28 / Robinsons Metro East

July 11-12 / Robinsons Place Antipolo

July 18-19 / Robinsons Galleria

August 1-2 / Alabang Town Center

August 8-9 /Robinsons Place Malolos

Be on Guard: Even the funniest mosquitoes can kill

I was looking for some insect repellent online when I came across some mosquito jokes that I can’t resist sharing because they are so silly yet amusing.  Below are some of my favorite Q and A gags from Jokes4us.com.

What do you get if you cross the Lone Ranger with an insect?

The Masked-quito!

What is a mosquito's favorite sport?

Skin-diving!

Why are mosquitos religious?

They prey on you!

Why did the mosquito go to the dentist?

To improve his bite!

How do you know if you have a tough mosquito?

You slap him and he slaps you back!

What is the most religious insect?

A mosque-ito!

What's the difference between a Mosquito and a fly?

A mosquito can fly, but a can't mosquito!

Funny, right? But I would like to emphasized that mosquito bites are no laughing matter. According to the Department of Health (DOH), there were more than 200,000 dengue cases recorded in the Philippines in 2015, including 598 deaths. 

That’s why my wife and I are very protective with our 7-year old son against dengue especially when we travel to unfamiliar places. Last week before my family headed to a trip to Ilocos Norte, I searched online of an insect repellent that will not only protect us from mosquitoes but against other insects as well.  

I found Guard insect repellent which has 10% Picaridin to guarantee protection versus mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and fleas. I was impressed because its action involves blocking insects’ sensors for the smell of human blood. So we become “invisible” to them and safe against their bites.

The gentle protection of Picaridin is based on a compound found in plant peppers that naturally repels insects. It is just as effective as DEET, but does not cause skin irritation or corrode materials.

Picaridin itself is non-sticky. That’s why Guard is non-sticky and non-greasy, plus comes in a clean, powder-fresh scent. That’s why during our long travel, it feels lighter and fresher on our skin and keeps us insect-free for 4-6 hours when applied on skin.

I also learned that Picaridin is the preferred insect repellent ingredient in Europe and Australia, and is widely used in the US. And because it is less prone to irritate skin, Picaridin has been approved and recommended by the World Health Organization, American publication Consumer Reports, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Guard can be safely applied on children ages 12 months and up, and ideal for use on your whole family and available in major drugstores and groceries nationwide. Guard is having an online promotion this Mother’s Day and is giving away gift packs to lucky winners. Click HERE for the contest details.

We are on Guard at Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Hot Wheels is Epic and other things you might not know about it

If there is something I am avoiding these days, it’s anything hot.

I hate going out in the afternoon because the sun is just unforgiving these days. Sizzling plates will be my final option when ordering in a restaurant because the last time I had it, I accidentally burned by right arm while taking a call. And lastly, I can’t bear looking at hot chicks walking by the beach… when my wife is around, of course.

However, there’s always an exception. For a daddy like me, bonding moments and great memories with my son can start in great looking cars that we can put in our pockets. These cute yet astig die-cast toys is our favorite especially the ones bearing the brand Hot Wheels.

Last April 9, my wife and I accompanied our son Charles to the first of six qualifying races of the Hot Wheels Epic Race held in SM Megamall. The succeeding races are scheduled next day on the same venue and on April 16 and 17 at SM BF Paranaque and at SM San Lazaro on April 23 and 24. The Semi-Finals and Finals Round will be on May 14 and 15 respectively.

My son Charles was like walking in Hot Wheels paradise with the great set-up created by the organizers. Children were very busy that day. Well, I did had a chance to play a little because that day, everyone in the venue are kids of all ages. Let's say I was also busy that day.

Charles was the last participant among 64 registrants and he did not mind waiting because he never had a dull moment because of the fun play area and displays at the activity center. 

My son’s entry was not able to finish the whole orange race track and only registered 155 inches of length covered. I just hope it makes the Top 20 cut. But whether he make it to the next rounds or not, Charles is a winner that day because we bought him new Hot Wheels, met new friends and experienced the Epic Race.

For fellow Hot Wheels fans, here are some trivia you might want to know about our favorite car brand. Did you know that...

... Since 1968, more than 1,000 models and over 20,000 variations of Hot Wheels cars have been created.

....Hot Wheels make 8.9 million cars every week. That's more than five times the worldwide production of life-size cars.

... 10.5 Hot Wheels cars are sold every second worldwide.

.... 6,000 miles of orange track are produced and sold each year enough to go from Los Angeles, USA to Rome, Italy.

....1.1 million die-cast were sold in the Philippines in 2015.

...  HW is the no. 1 Selling store's product at Toy Kingdom and Toy Kingdom Express for 2015 based on units sold

... and lastly, it is the no. 2 brand of Toy kingdom and Toys R Us for Boys last 2015, next to Star Wars Movie tie-in toys.

You still have a chance to bring your kids in the next Epic Races. It's an experience you and your child will truly remember for a long time.

  

Batman v Superman v Me and my Pop Corn

When I was young, I had this crazy fantasy that I will be a superhero someday.

I would often draw in my notebook my possible costumes and even had a list of my superheroes name that I will use in case a beautiful female reporter asks me during the post-battle-with-a-sinister-villain interview.

My weekends are spent watching Super Friends, the DC animated TV series featuring Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the Wonder Twins with their pet monkey Gleek.

I’m already in my thirties but the illusion of being able to wear a cape, fly high and run as fast as a bullet train still tickle my imagination.  Now, if the Gods from Planet Krypton can read this, I hope they can lend me the powers of Clark Kent even for a limited time only. Or if only I am rich as Bruce Wayne, I will build my very own Batmobile that has special features like traffic-detection alarm, videoke machine and a donut holder. I also welcome a ride in Wonder Woman’s invisible jet if I will be offered.

Simply nostalgic.

That’s why when it was announced that the live action flick Batman v Superman was announced several months ago, the DC fanboy in me just went berserk (in a good way) and followed every updates I can find online.

Last March 29,  I was fortunate to be invited by Devant, makers of the most technologically advanced and smart TVs in the country today, for the special block screening of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 5 in Makati City.

With fellow bloggers, Devant’s corporate partners, and other VIPs, I experienced all an exciting evening to be among the first to watch the thrilling and most anticipated movie event of the year, where Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) clash in an epic collision for supremacy and power between two of the world’s greatest super heroes, a monumental collision to gain the trust and confidence of the people of the world as to who will be their ultimate savior.

For more than two hours, I was that young boy again munching a bag of popcorn while watching with awe the Dark Knight slugging it out with the Man of Steel. Not to mention the amazing moments of the eye-catching stunning beauty of Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot).

And that’s not all as premium loot bags and exciting raffles prizes were given away by Devant for lucky moviegoers prior to the screening, much to their delight.

Ms. Aileen Chan President  of 1st Megasaver

Devant also reminded their guests that the “Battle for Supremacy” promo is still ongoing. For every purchase of Devant’s big-screen TVs like the 65-inch UHD200 Ultra HD TV, the 55 and 50-inch UHV200 Ultra HD TVs, the 58 and 50-inch DTV700 Smart TVs, customers can enjoy quality home entertainment by pairing them with equally impressive home entertainment accessories, all offered at special add-on prices.

Enjoy clear and distinct audio of your favorite movies, concerts or sporting events with the DV-5270 Devant 5.1 Channel multimedia speaker (270W), DV-280 Devant 2.1 Channel multimedia speaker (80W), and DV-5160 Devant 5.1 Channel multimedia speaker (160W).