CHOWKING now in OMAN

Chowking food outlet in Qurum CIty CEnter, Oman

Chowking is one of my favorite food chain and now has open its first outlet in Oman on May 20, 2012. Hundreds of people mostly Eastern and Asian flocked to Qurum City Center to taste their famous Chinese and oriental cuisines.

1st Filipino Community Friendship Match - Musanna vs. Ibra

The Musanna Team vs. Ibra Team

If there’s one sport that most Filipinos love, it is BASKETBALL. So whenever in Philippines or anywhere in the world, one can expect basketball leagues established and formed among these places and sure enough to gather hundreds of “Pinoys” vividly watching and loudly cheering on their favorite team.

In the eyes of a child

"looking through the eyes of LOVE"

I love taking pictures of my little girl since the day she was born. I confess Im no photographer, but I am learning.

Parting shots and bid our “goodbyes”

At Moleta's Home in Ibri

May 11, 2012 - This is the last day of our weekend trip. But before going back to Muladdah, we altogether share a wonderful breakfast heartily prepared by Romeil.

We chat over delicious meals of fried dried squid, bacon strips, and toasted bread along with hot tea and coffee. Sharing of talks and stories of individual experiences of yesterday’s activity resulted to happy and teasing moments. After a while, we pack up our things and getting ready to go home.

Another great shot

 As a normal tradition of the modern times, we took pictures of ourselves capturing the special times of our unforgettable visit to Moleta family in their lovely home before bidding our "goodbyes". We are honestly thankful for the effort and great times with Romeil and Rubie along with their three beautiful children – Berna, Josh, and Carl.

So long for the next adventure!

The view of Ibri City from a mountain top

At Ibri's Mountain Top

May 10, 2012- After a long drive from Nizwa, we stop at the famous Mountain Topview in Ibri. This is the highest point in the city accessible by concrete road and is actually the main site for radio communication tower. But because most people come here very often, the local government built a park with shelters and kids playing ground. It is ideal to hold picnic for a day while gazing to the whole view of Ibri below. There are residencial houses and buildings sprouting along the foothills of Hajar Mountains and surrounded by vast dates plantations. At night time, you can see the wonderful lights gleaming within the empty quarters.

The newly built Lulu hypermarket and wonderfully reconstructed Nizwa Fort

At the Nizwa Fort entrance

May 10, 2012 - After swimming at Falaj Daris Hotel, we decided to stay in the newly built Lulu Hypermarket while waiting for the opening hour of the renowned Nizwa fort.

Swimming at the pool of Falaj Daris Hotel in Nizwa

My boy Andrei and girl Anyah

May 10, 2012 - Nearly thirty minutes after we arrive in Nizwa, the largest city in Dhakiliyah Region. We proceed straight to Falaj Daris Hotel located about 4 kilometers from the city.

Falaj Daris Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Oman and is still the ideal tourist’s destination to relax and get comfortable accommodation in Nizwa. With an affordable cost of 2.500 Omani rials for adults and 1.00 Omani rials for children, we already have a half-a-day fun in one of its swimming pools in the courtyard. The first swimming pool can be seen directly from the lobby area and Al Fanar restaurant that offers an a la carte menu while the second largest one, with children’s pool, is surrounded by Al Sahara Lounge and children’s playground. Al Sahara lounge is a lively place where the evenings are enjoyed with Arabic music and dancing.

The remarkable ceilings and balconies of Jabrin Fort

the four of us at the top of Jabrin Fort

Today we are all set for swimming escapade at Al Falaj Doris Hotel in Nizwa. But before going directly to the hotel, we take a side trip at the famous Jabrin Castle located in the old town of Bahla.

Jabrin (Jebreen) fort is constructed on a flat plain and its towers stand tall amidst the vast plantations of dates that are bearing fruits for the summer season. According to the fort’s caretaker, this castle was built in 1670 by the powerful Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya’arubi as a defensive stronghold and accommodation of the Imam and his family. The two huge towers with walls two metres thick was built by Bil'arab bin Sultan, an Imam of the Ya'aruba dynasty during the 17th century. But when Imam Bil'arab died, his remains were buried within the fort until today.

Road trip and family visit to Ibri

The gang at Ibri Star City

This family road trip was supposed to happen a week ago, but due to an important school-related activity (a symposium which I am a paper presenter), I made favor to my good friend, Romeil, to extend our visit to this date.

Romeil is my fellow school teacher in Philippines. We are both teaching in two different schools altogether. At first, we were employed in a private university. But later I moved out and got a teaching post in a state college where I have also been appointed as Head of IT department . After a year, he followed and became one of my staff. I describe Romeil as a multi-talented, workaholic, and dedicated person. His positive attitude and sense of humor can turn our working place into a lively and jolly atmosphere in just an instant. He is a kind of man you can enjoy the day by just simply chatting and sharing never ending stories. Above all, our friendship extends beyond the realms of teaching and drudgery of schoolwork.

Our paper presentation to the Symposium

Yes! We've been lucky to be chosen as one of the paper presenters to the Symposium on “THE BEST PRACTICES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING”.

Our paper is a product of combined effort and commitment between me and my good pal, Jhonna, my fellow colleague in school. Both of us have common interest on teaching and motivating our students to learn and help them become the best that they can be. We do this by integrating methods and styles to develop young minds and support their desire for learning and intellectual power.