A Piece Of Heaven

It all started when our Araling Panlipunan teacher, Mrs. Nelia Hernandez, asked the class to make a newspaper. We had a hard time finding a place that we can feature. Our group first thought of featuring the CamSur Watersports Complex. But we thought that it was already very popular and we wanted to feature a place that was still waiting to be discovered. We heard about the STONEHOUSE GARDEN RESORT in Barangay Panicuason and when the owners responded to our request to visit the place, we decided on it.

We went on a  Saturday afternoon,June 30 2012. We first met inside Naga City Science High School and were accompanied by Ma'am Nelia Hernandez and Sir Raffy Acabado. All of us were really excited. It was a long ride to get to the place, which was nestled at the foot of Mount Isarog. But when we first rang the bell at the gates of the resort and we were led inside, we already knew that the trip  was worth it.

We were really happy and excited while entering the Resort. The place was full of trees, plants and  flowers.  We first saw a huge cabana and an infinity pool beside it. On the other side is a tennis court beside the clubhouse.

We were very lucky that we were warmly welcomed by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. John and Nanette Wood. They also granted us an interview. They introduced us to the amenities of the place and we learned that they have hotel rooms for visitors who wanted to stay overnight.  They said that they built this stonehouse for the future generation to see and experience nature. After the interview, they toured us around their five-hectare property. We saw their organic vegetable farm where they grow a lot of vegetables and fruit-bearing trees. We also saw their mini forest and their animal farm. It was really impressive.

We learned that the welcome drink that they served us was natural and came from the passion fruits which they grow naturally. It was really delicious and very refreshing.

It was a tiring but very enjoyable adventure around their property. After our tour, the owners served us a sumptuous meal of pizza, pasta, salad, fruits and others. There was so much food. Mr. Wood told us that they prepare the pizza from scratch and bake them in their own brick oven. We ate a lot because the food was really delicious.

As we were about to leave,  we asked Mrs. Wood one last question and that was "Why did you name this Stonehouse Garden Resort?" She said "We named it Stonehouse Garden Resort because it all started with a childhood dream. Our mother told us to study hard and work hard so that when we grow up, we will earn well. She said that when we are already earning  and decide to build a house of our own, we should not build a Bahay-Kubo. Instead, we should build a Stonehouse which can last a lifetime".

We are very thankful to them for sharing their "Piece of Heaven" with us and we will never forget this experience.

The Story So Far

I have always been in a hurry since the day I was born. Mama had a difficult pregnancy and had to be operated on by C-Section when I was only 8 months old inside her tummy. I was born on February 26, 2000 at 1:51 in the afternoon, the same day that the remains of St. Therese of the Child Jesus was brought to Naga. That's the reason why my second name is Therese. Jillian was chosen by my 2 older sisters. I am the youngest of 3 girls. I was the smallest at birth but because I was good at drinking milk, I grew big in no time. Too big, in fact. 

Mama said that I was a very happy baby. I was the bundle of joy being the youngest of the family. 

                                                                                                                                        

      

I am very close to my Papa and he always tells me I'm his baby. He is the one who tutors   me in  Math. I think I got my love for numbers from him. I am very lucky to have him.

Since Papa, Ate Aika, and Ate Tricia are now in Manila. Mama and I are the only ones left in Naga.

Mama is also my idol. She takes care of me always. She brings me to school and fetches me too. She is also very supportive and helps me when I am having a hard time.

I have 2 older sisters-Ate Aika, who is 12 years older than me and Ate Tricia, who is 6 years older than me. I grew up doing what they did.

 Ate Aika is a very good piano player and I also wanted to be like her. When Ate Tricia attended ballet classes, I also did. Both of them were swimmers and I wanted to be one, too. Both excelled in school and I strive to be like them.

                    

                             Now, I discovered that I love swimming and I am quite good at it.

I also discovered that I am good in numbers and have joined contests and gone places because of this.

I realized that I wouldn't have discovered my talents and skills if it were not for them. But I also realize that to be good at something, I need to work hard at it.

I am already 12 and in my first year in high school at the Naga City Science High School. I will continue discovering myself and my talents and work hard at them. I am excited at what the future will bring.