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Monday, April 6, 2015

Easter Celebration at Fairview Terraces : Was it a Yay or a Nay?

We were expecting heavy traffic last Sunday because of the influx of returning travelers from their Holy Week escapade. Thus, we decided to join the Easter Celebration at Fairview Terraces instead which was very close to our home. 

I have always loved Fairview Terraces however, I was pretty disappointed how things were yesterday. In order to get a pass for their Easter activities at the Activity Center, you need to purchase at least Php 500 non-food items. With this purchase requirement, I decided to buy something I do not really need in order to get in. Claiming the tickets was easy and there was no line since claiming started a few days before the celebration. 

Based on their poster, there would be a fair, craft room, kitchen room and an egg hunting activity. 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/FairviewTerraces


At exactly 2pm, they opened the activity center. All kids were given loot bags full of candies. 





We were asked to fall in line however I have noticed that the line was not followed because they allowed people to claim the loot bags even without falling in line. However, we did not mind it. The kids were so excited to get inside. They were offering two activities: cupcake decorating and bunny masks. 



When we got in, you can notice that people were in a rush to get seats. My kids were lucky to find seats while the rest had to seat on the floor because there were not enough tables and chairs. According to their signage, they were expecting around 200 participants each activity but only provided 6 tables good for 24 participants.



Nonetheless, the activity must go on. Here are some few scenes of the Easter Celebration. 

Mommy and Baby bonding. 

This kid is busy decorating his cupcake. 
Youngest participant

Best Bunny Costume
As you can see, almost everyone was sitting on the floor and had no proper tables to work on. Another sad thing was there was a shortage of arts and craft materials. The cut outs were not yet prepared and finding a glue for the cut outs was a challenge. 







Egg hunting was another story. It was scheduled at 3pm. While waiting, the kids, Val and I decided to have a snack first. They said that the egg hunting is not open to public and only those who have tickets can join. By 3pm, we went back to the garden area to join the hunt but unfortunately, it started late. When we arrived, the eggs are not yet ready because apparently, they were not able to secure the place and the eggs hidden early in the morning were lost. They would have to hide the eggs again but I found this useless because we can see them hiding the eggs. 

After a few minutes, there was no clear go-signal that the egg hunting activity has started. We were just so shocked that adults and kids just started running and was "egg picking." Even adults who did not have passes, were able to join. I just felt it was really poorly organized. There was no thrill of finding the eggs. It was more of a battleground for whoever can run and pick up the eggs fastest.


We should have gone somewhere else for the Easter Sunday celebration. The passes maybe FREE but still there was a purchase requirement so, I hope they could have done a better job with it to provide a genuine fun activity for the kids and not just for the sake of saying there was an activity. A short program would have been very much appreciated too. 

How about you? Where did you have your Easter Celebration? 

Animal Neglect is a Form of Animal Cruelty.

Being an animal lover is not about wanting to have animals in your home. Being a true animal lover is being capable of taking good care of them, being responsible for their welfare FOREVER, keeping them safe and not neglecting them when they are old and sick. It does not end by giving them food and water but it is about spending time with them, making them feel secured and loved. We should always keep in mind that we are the only ones they have.

I started being a "REAL" pet parent almost 10 years ago. I was given a puppy and named him Crumpy. 

This little furbaby had totally changed my view about animal welfare. I was able to see that they are not simply "animals." They are living creatures with feelings, needs and "mind." He can understand what is happening.  Being together made me realized these things.

Whenever we say we'll be going out to the mall, I can see and feel his excitement. He knows what "mall" "SM" and "alis." is all about. 



He is sociable and wants to make new friends. So, it is never a good thing to just keep them inside a cage. 


I have also read somewhere that dogs have self esteem so, it is very important for them to be clean and pampered because they will feel bad about themselves if they are dirty and smelly. 


Just like us, Crumpy also gets excited with special occasions such as Christmas and birthdays. (By the way, Crumpy will be celebrating his birthday this Wednesday, April 8) 





Lastly, He also gets tired thus, it is very important that we provide them a good and comfortable place to sleep and rest. 


I just realized that somehow they are just like humans only with four legs and cannot talk. Deep inside, there is a little creature that deserves to be loved and respected. 

In time of the Animal Cruelty Prevention Month, I am inviting and encouraging everybody to take a stand against animal abuse. Let us start in our own backyards. Do you have a family, relative or friend who had been very busy and started neglecting their pets? Remind them about their pets. We should keep in mind that animal neglect is a form of animal cruelty. You may not be kicking your dog or cat but if you don't feed them right and not taking good care of them, what's the difference between the two? 

I am pleading for everyone to become responsible pet owners. This responsibility is FOREVER. If you are not ready for the next 10-15 years to be with your pet. Please don't get one. They may be very cute and irresistible as a puppy but be prepared that they will not stay that way forever. Keep in mind that both young and old dogs give us the same love and joy.  

If you have a big heart and can do this, there are a lot of dogs in the pound who are waiting for you. There are a lot of animal welfare groups that you can support through by adopting, fostering, volunteering and donating. 

Here are some organizations in the Philippines or you may check local organizations in your area. 


Let us become the voice for the voiceless. If you see something wrong in your local communities, please do something about. Please do not just keep quiet and ignore. Urge your local government to help in protecting them. 
Remember: We are the only ones they got! 

Let's go Orange and make a difference. Share this badge as a sign of your commitment. 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Go-Orange

For more details about the #LetsGoOrange campaign, visit their facebook page.