Cruisin' Mommyhood

5 Reasons Why I Recommend the ASUS ZENFONE 2 LASER for Moms #seewhatotherscantsee

2015-11-22T12:06:00.002+08:00

As a working mom, I use my phone for pretty much everything – manage my schedule and to do list, search online, watch videos, take photos of my beautiful daughter, update my social media accounts, view and respond to emails and pay bills. I use it as a calculator, map, dictionary and it even helps me get a taxi or private car when needed.

I am an iPhone and Samsung user and I have never tried using an ASUS before. So I was very excited when I learned that I will be given an opportunity to try the new ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser. I have been using it for a month now I am thrilled to share with you my review. Hey, this is nothing technical okay. My opinion about the features of the phone is based on my personal experience and preferences.

Here are 5 reasons why, in my opinion, moms will love the new Asus Zenfone 2 Laser:

THE DESIGN IS ERGONOMIC AND STYLISH

The Asus Zenfone is thin and light. It has an ergonomic arc design to comfortably fit your palm for ultimate comfort without sacrificing style. The curved back with a metallic finish minimizes the risk of dropping it accidentally. Isn’t this feature important to us, moms?! For the past month that I have been using it, I never had that “muntik-na” experience that makes your heart stop for a few seconds while you frantically do everything possible to catch your phone.

I also love the rear key, which is a part of the ergonomic design. It is conveniently placed where your index finger is positioned when holding the phone. The rear key not only adjusts the volume but can also be used for other functions like taking a selfie.

BEAUTIFUL YET TOUGH DISPLAY

The features of the screen are equally impressive as its ergonomic design. The screen uses the ASUS Tru Vivid Technology that minimizes reflectiveness and maximizes clarity, brightness and touch responsiveness. It also has an anti-fingerprint layer on the cover class that allows you to enjoy sliding and swiping without leaving any fingerprints.

It also has a record-breaking touch response time of just 60 milliseconds, which is the reason why I love playing with Cooking Dash using the Zenfone 2 Laser. Aside from the wide screen (screen-to-body ratio is 72%), it provides no lag feeling when I click or drag the screen. Moreover, the screen is able to distinguish difference in pattern between water drops/grease and your finger. Hence the screen is still responsive and woks normally when the screen is a bit wet – which happens a lot during the rainy season or when you are cooking while referring to a recipe in You Tube.

My two favorite features of the screen are the ASUS Splendid and Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The ASUS Splendid lets me tailor the ZenFone’s display. I can adjust the color temperature, hue and saturation manually or I can just choose a preset selection – warm color temperature, cold color temperature, blue light filer or vivid. Believe me, this feature is extremely useful for people with migraine like me. The Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on the other hand, provides protection against accidental damages.

Not convinced yet? Watch these videos:

AWESOME PHONE CAMERA FEATURES

I cannot remember the last time I used a camera to take a photo. I conveniently use my mobile phone camera to take photos of my family so these features are important to me. The Zenfone 2 Laser is the first phone in its price range to have a 8-megapixel back camera guided with a laser auto-focus. The laser auto-focus accelerates close-up photography and works well in low-light environments. I love taking candid photos of Julia at night while she's sleeping using my other phone. The outcome frustrates me because it is usually too dark or if I use a flash, it loses the "night" effect. Or maybe I just don't know how to take nice photos using the night mode. So you can imagine how "trigger-happy" I was when trying the auto-focus feature of the Zenfone just because it allows me to take better photos on low light mode without too much effort! The Zenfone also has a dual-LED real tone flash and a 5-megapixel front camera for better selfies.

The ASUS Photo Collage and Photo Effects and ASUS MiniMovie are perfect for moms like me who love to take family photos and share it online. The ASUS Photo Collage provides high quality collage templates including magazine page, postcard, poster, album, CD Cover and a lot more. The ASUS MiniMovie, on the other hand, can turn memories into a movie. Moms can quickly and easily put together photos and make it into a short video, complete with titles and beautiful background music!

ZENMOTION

I love the ZenMotion feature – this feature lets you wake up the Zenfone 2 Laser with touch Gestures to go directly to the app that you want to use. There are several default swipe gestures to quick launch different apps: C to launch camera, W to launch browser, O to launch Calendar, e to launch email, Z to launch ASUS Booster and V to launch Dialer.

So cool, right?

KIDS MODE

Last but definitely not the least is the Kids Mode feature. We allow Julia to use our phone to play the games we downloaded for her. Often times, I feel uncomfortable lending her my phone because she might accidentally click or delete something on my phone. I was quite excited to set up the Kids Mode in my Asus Zenfone 2 Laser. It allows me to easily manage applications for Julia – apps that she is allowed to use, control how much time she spends on the electronic device (she is allotted 1 hour of gadget time), block notifications, block all or designative calls, and set a passcode for answering calls.

The ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser is Cruisin' Mommyhood-approved! I love how it focuses on comfort, practical features and providing extraordinary user experience without sacrificing style and of course, price.

To know more about the ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser, visit the Asus Website or watch this video:

{Road Trip} Parks in Clark 2 - Air Force City Aircraft Park

2015-08-27T13:00:00.000+08:00

This post has been sitting on my draft folder for 15 months already. I wrote this after my short visit to Clark last May 2014. Since this is still worth posting, I am sharing this now. Read about the {Road Trip} Parks in Clark Part 1 here.

If you have plans to visit Clark during the upcoming long weekend, drop by the Air Force City Aircraft Park. If you have a toddler, I bet he/she will have a great time looking at the planes, and of course running around.

There is no entrance fee. Families are allowed to have a picnic on the grounds. Kids may bring their badminton rackets or freebie. You may also put on your running shoes if you want to burn some calories while you're there.

There is a parking lot for guests. Just be careful -- maputik pag-maulan and

baka mapuwing if it is windy.

There is a playground for toddlers.

These are some shots of the different aircraft displayed in the park.

Bawal pala akyatin or pumasok sa loob ng mg eroplano. Ooops.

Eto para mas malinaw: PAUNAWA: BAWAL PO AKYATIN ANG EROPLANO

To be honest, the park is disappointing. I liked the idea of displaying the aircraft that once served our country but (1) there is no educational value. It would be great of they put aircraft name and descriptions, a little history - where was the aircraft used what are its achievements. (2) The aircraft display should be properly maintained. The surroundings are clean, but the airplanes are deteriorating.

My opinion is based on my visit last year. Have you been there recently? Let me know if they made changes or improvements.

Air Force City Aircraft Park

Andres Bonifacio Avenue, Clark Field, Angeles City

Directions here.

Cruisin' Mommyhood Recommends Pastry Armoire

2015-08-27T00:07:00.002+08:00

On our way home last Sunday, we dropped by Pasrty Armoire to buy Deep Dips Spicy Tinapa and Gourmet Tuyo for Don, Sticky Buns (Nutella and Reggiano) and bread sticks for Julia.

I was so happy when Mish of Momma 'N Manila invited me to Pastry Armoire's Eats a Spa Party. She had me at "it's located in BF Homes". It is so convenient for me to drop by Pastry Armoire after work because it is on my way home AND it is open until 9pm. I can buy something for Julia's baon and Gourmet Dips for Don. I learned from their FB page that I can order Kesong Puti. I love Kesong Puti! I order it every time we eat at Mary Grace, as in every time. I am excited to know that now I can prepare it at home. Check out Mish's post.

This Marinated Kesong Puti may have been my dinner tonight. With some wine. Thank you @chef_arnold_bernardo for this...
Posted by Momma 'N Manila on Monday, 24 August 2015

Back to the Spa Party, the first thing I noticed was the buffet table. Everything looked so appetizing and sweet!

There are my personal favorites:

Sticky Buns

You have to try the Nutella Chocolate Sticky Buns. I know there are a lot of pastries that use Nutella but this you have to try!

Julia loves the cheese sticks. She kept coming back to to the table for more, so napagod ata kasi dinala na niya yung buong lalagyan!

Right beside the cheese sticks is the Chocolate mousse with blue berries and pistachios.

These cakes are so yummy.
My personal favorite is that chocolate cake with avocado cream.

Chef Arnold Bernardo's Deeps Dips are love!

Gourmet Tuyo Antipasto

Spicy Tinapa Pandesal with Kesong Puti

The next thing I noticed was this polish wall. Wow! I learned that Mel, one of the owners of Pick and Polish, already have 300 bottles before they established their business. I was totally overwhelmed. It is not easy to make a choice when you have so many nice colors to choose from.

I will definitely come back to Pick & Polish. The place is clean and maaliwalas. There are so many nail polish colors to choose from and the prices are so affordable! They also have threading, waxing and massage services. Tapos everyone is so nice. One-stop shop for my pampering needs.

I asked her to sit beside me but she chose to have her nails done with her new friends - Miley and Anika. She was so happy that day. New friends plus nail polish definitely made her afternoon fun.

Hello newfound friends! Of course these cute little ladies also had their nails done 💅 @pickandpolish #pickedandpolished #pickandpolish #manicure #spaparty #pastryarmoireSPArty
A photo posted by Helene (@mrsmommyholic) on Aug 2, 2015 at 5:19am PDT

It was a great afternoon. It was nice to see Mish and Fleur again. I met new people, I found my new me-time place AND Julia has so much fun. Yes, it was an afternoon well spent.

Congratulations to @chefannachua and the rest of @pastryarmoire for a successful grand opening. Thank you for choosing @pickandpolish as the venue for your event. #PickedAndPolished #PastryArmoire #pastryarmoireSPArty
A photo posted by Pick & Polish Nail Salon (@pickandpolish) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:29am

If you want to visit Pick & Polish and Pastry Armoire, you can use Waze to provide you with directions. Both are located at Ivory Building, El Grande Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque.

Pastry Armoire
Operating Hours: 11am to 8pm
Website: www.pastryarmoire.com
Facebook: /pastryarmoire
Instagram: @pastryarmoire
Email: patryarmoire@gmail.com
Telephone Numner: 0947-8658634

Pick & Polish
Operating Hours: 10am-9pm
Facebook: /pickandpolish
Instagram: @pickandpolish
Telephone Number: 833-1415 or 0915-9412922

I'm Back!!!!

2015-08-24T13:00:00.000+08:00

Yes, I am back!!!

If not for Michelle's invitation to Pastry Armoire's Eats a Spa Party, I would not have noticed that the last blog post I published was in August 2014. Wow, that was a year ago!

Work is busier than the previous year. Our fiscal year starts every September hence since September 2014, I cannot seem to find time to blog. I tried but I ended up with unfinished drafts and that-was-the-news-yesterday contents. To avoid additional stress, I finally succumbed to the demands of my job and family. I stopped blogging. I made "I am busy" my convenient excuse not to do others things. But whenever I check my Facebook account and see posts of other moms, I often doubt my capabilities not just as a mom but as a person. "She has 3 kids, she has a day job while managing her own business, she blogs almost every week, she goes on vacations with the family, she attends every school activity AND she still looks fabulous!" ~~WTF?!~~ HOW?! Sigh.
Work was absolutely challenging and it made me physically and emotionally exhausted. After a very emotional outburst and sessions with my mentors, I realized that the exhaustion was self-inflicted. The past 12 months were difficult, but it made me more self-aware and more mature. I know this realization is overused, but I will share it anyway.... The learning opportunities allowed me develop myself as a human resources professional and as a person. I will write about that soon.

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/priorities-quotes/

Aside from my work load, I also can't attend most of the events because they are usually scheduled on a weekday. As much as I want to attend, I am saving my vacation leaves for errands, family staycations and December holidays. So if I can't attend events and there is nothing interesting about my home-to-work-to-home schedule, what will I write about? This convinced me all the more to stop blogging.

So the next question now is, why am I blogging again? Work will have more challenges next fiscal year but I now follow my 60-30-10 rule. 60% of my week should be for my family, 30% for work and 10% for Belle. Yes, it is now mandatory to have time for myself -- visits to the salon, massages, hang out with friends, read a book, exercise (hmm, we'll see, hahaha), blog or whatever I want to do. Happy Wife, Happy Life right?

I still cannot attend events during weekdays and I will only blog if I want to. No schedule, no pressure. I read Martine's Blissful Blogging Series and I am reminded of why I started blogging in the first place: To share my story as a working mom and to inspire and help any way I can along the way. That's what I told her when she asked me during our blogging coaching session almost 2 years ago.

So, now that I got that out of the way, I am ready to blog. Again.

Cruisin' Mommyhood Recommends Fringe Salon

2014-08-11T09:00:00.000+08:00

My hair is short for a good reason -- I do not like to spend too much time styling it. Every day I comb my hair, put on a clip and I am done in less than a minute. Seriously. I always say, "There is nothing constant in life except change AND my hair. Same curls, same hair color and hairstyle since year 2000.

I go to the same salon once a month for my haircut. But, when we moved to the south, it was no longer practical to go there. Since October last year, I tried several salons in the area and I have not found "the one" yet. Cutting my hair doesn't require special skills but I prefer a salon that makes me feel comfortable and pampered. A salon with a personal touch. They don't just provide hair, body and nail services. They help you feel beautiful and confident about yourself.

Last month, Michelle of Momma 'N Manila invited me to try Fringe Salon in Alabang. I initially wanted to decline because I am sure there will be a before-after photo and I have a love-hate relationship with the camera. I love taking photos of my daughter but I hate being photographed. So, I hesitated. But I really want to try it because the location is only two blocks from my office and it might be my "the one".

So I confirmed to attend the event and I initially requested for haircut and hair and scalp treatment. Two hours before my appointment, I changed my mind when I saw the before-after photos of bloggers posted in Fringe Salon's Instagram account!! Gorgeous hair colors!

I requested for haircut and hair color. I was excited but agitated. My last hair color was back in 2000, the same time I decided to cut my hair really short. Anticipating change after 14 years of being constant will make anyone a little scared. You won't believe how many times I asked myself, "Sure ba ako?" But, Michelle's reassuring smile and my brief conversation with Robert Dela Pena (Salon Manager) made me more confident about my decision to change my hair color.

To ease my nervousness, Michelle offered to show me the upstairs area that houses two VIP rooms which clients can use exclusively. It can also be a perfect venue for your next mother-daughter date or BFF bonding.

If you are looking for an afternoon of relaxation, there is a fully-equipped massage room just for you. It has a shower room and a Jacuzzi.

Here are some photos I grabbed from Fringe Salon Facebook Account.

Super nice right? The owner, Evelyn R. Tagle, really paid attention to details when she set up the salon. The salon has an edgy, yet homey feel to it, with its sleek, modern interiors and top of the line salon equipment.

Back to my new look...

Same face different hair color. Hahaha!

L-R: Patricia Cuyugan (Mrs C's Sugarcoated Life), Michelle Aventajado (Momma 'N Manila),
Ms Evelyn Tagle, Fleur Sombrero (Mommy Fleur)

With the beautiful Evelyn Tagle - owner of Fringe Salon

Super nice, right?! Don't ask me the color because I can't remember! Haha! Basta I loooovveee it so much! Thank you Fringe Salon. See you next week for my much needed "me-time". Yes, Fringe Salon is the one!

Fringe Salon is open from 10am to 7pm, Mondays to Saturdays. It is located at G/F Commercenter Building, Commerce Ave. cor. Filinvest Ave., Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa. For inquiries and reservations, contact +632 8080881, +63920 2193391 or +63927 7897559.

**********

Special thanks to Pink Wasabi, Simply Pie and Orange Whisk for our sweet treats and savory snacks:

Sarap nito promise!

Our Family Mobile Phone Policy

2014-07-16T09:00:00.000+08:00

I love my iPhone. Aside from checking and updating my social media accounts, my iPhone has made life a little more convenient for me.

I rely on Calendar and Reminders for my daily schedule and to-dos.
I check my account balance, transfer funds and pay my bills using my bank's app.
Google Maps, Waze and Twitter help me plan my driving route, especially during weekends.
I use the Holy Bible app for my quiet time and I can save my notes from the Sunday preaching.
Because I love sharing Julia's photo's on IG, I use Moldiv, Typic, Photfy or Pomelo to edit photos.
I use iWatermark, Scanner Pro, Drop Box, Evernote and Quick Office for work and blogging.
I help my brother answer queries on the Facebook Page of Pacific Palm Suites.
I stay connected with overseas friends and relatives using Face Time and Viber.

I pretty much rely on my iPhone for almost everything. Obviously, I carry it with me often. So often that I hold it more often than my daughter's hand. Yup, sad. Shameful, but it's the truth. I wrote about the wake up call Don and I experienced a few months back. It made such a huge impact on us that we talked about it over lunch the day it happened. The objective is to minimize our use gadgets when we are spending time as a family. So, this is our commitment:

Written on Amici's paper place mat

Dapat hanggang #3 lang but I had to negotiate for #4. It is applicable when we are spending time with Julia or when we are out for our date night.

Let me explain. Ang OA naman if hindi talaga pwede gamiting ang mobile phone di'ba?

Replying to emails can wait. If it is urgent, the sender will call or send a text message. Answering calls and text messages should be quick. If it is work-related and not important, we should answer it at a later time. Checking social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram can easily use up 10-30 minutes. So bawal yun. However, posting on social media will not take as much time. So for #4, we have the discretion to determine the acceptable time that we should spend on answering calls, texting and posting on social media. For me, 1-3 minutes is acceptable. If it will take longer than that, I tell Don that I need more time in answering a call or a text message. For posting on Facebook or Instagram, I make sure I do it as quick as I can.

So far, we are doing well. We sometimes need to remind each other because it is so easy to zone out when we are using our phone. It is challenging but we are glad we made this a family policy. Recently, we added a #5. NEVER USE PHONE WHILE DRIVING. No buts -- safety first.

How about you? Are you always online? How much of your time is spent on the phone -- replying to your emails and checking your social media accounts? Do you have rules at home on the use of mobile phones? Anything you want to suggest that we should add to our list?

Hello Again, Glorietta!

2014-05-30T19:00:00.000+08:00

May is almost over?! Time really flies when you are having fun. Aside from my family's meaningful Mother's Day celebration, I attended 3 great events in Glorietta this month. It was my first time to come back to Glorietta after a loooooong time and I was pleasantly surprised with the changes! The mall is more maaliwalas and fun.

The events I attended were Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH), Mom's Wellness Fair and Expo Mom. I am happy that MYOH and Expo Mom were held at Glorietta. The event lay-out was more spacious and parking was more convenient. Don, Julia and I also had fun celebrating Mother's Day. Glorietta is divided into 5 sections (Glorietta 1-5) and there were different events/activities for moms all around the mall. The environment was very festive and moms can choose which activity/event they would like to join.

I worked in Makati for 5 years and I used to walk from LP Leviste, pass by Glorietta going to the sakayan in Landmark. Yes, walk. That was my daily exercise (which explains why I was much slimmer then). However, when I resigned from my job and moved to an office in Quezon City, then to Bonifacio Gobal City and finally, in Alabang, I don't go to Makati often. Truth is, I avoid Makati because it is soooooo traffic there but Glorietta now is worth coming back to (and weekend traffic is a lot bearable!).

Thank you Mommy Mundo for the opportunity to attend these events. It was definitely a great experience.

Make Your Own Havaianas
May 6, 2014

My first-ever MYOH!!!!

I came early so I was able to ask Neva about the MYPH process.

Sooo many choices! But I settled for blue and white -- for the love of Don. Hahaha!

Thank you Kitkat for making His-Hers pair for me and Don.

Conci, Neva, Jackie, Tiffany and Cai were glued at the work area para mauna kami sa pila!

Mom's Wellness Fair
May 11, 2014

The Sexy Chef event was held at the activity center of Glorietta 5.

Great women behind The Sexy Chef -- Chef Barni Alejandro-Rennebeck and Rachel Alejandro.

The Alejandro sisters started with 10 clients and now they have a book, they work with 60 employees, they serve 1,000 meals on a busy day and they have their own show at Cignal.

Visit The Sexy Chef website for more details.

Me, Cai, Patty, Janice and Jackie

After learning how to make easy-to-cook healthy meals, The SoMoms went to Glorietta 1 for the Mom's Wellness Fair.

Activities include Weaves for Mom by Rags2Riches, How Well Do You Know Your Mom and Mommy Makeover by VMV Hypoallegenics

Mommy Makeover by VMV Hypoallergenics

Cai with R, me, Patty and Jackie

Expo Mom by Mommy Mundo
May 17, 2014

Don, Julia and I dropped by on the 2nd day of the Expo Mom.

With Janice Villanueva, the Super Mom behind Mommy Mundo.

Of course we visited the booth of our favorite SoMoms.
Jenny's Mama.Baby.Love, Cai's Paper Chic Studio, Neva's Manila Baby Shop and Janice's Nurture Nook.

My first time to meet Ives Lim-Esteban of Halo Philippines.
I featured her as this month's Super Mom.

Our first stop was Celestina & Co.

Julia and I with Rhea Santos of Curious Chef Philippines.

This little girl wants me to paint her nails.

She saw my blue nail polish and wants to paint her nails too! Bought this nail polish for kids at Mama.Baby.Love

Visit Glorietta's Facebook Page and follow them on Instagram and Twitter to know more about their latest events.

{Super Mom} Ives Lim-Esteban of Halo Philippines

2014-05-27T11:00:00.000+08:00

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Being a mom, wife, daughter, and being able to work eight hours (or more!) a day, maintain a household and still find time to do something you are passionate about is not easy. As a first time mom, I am still adjusting to my new role. Juggling it with all my other roles require discipline, commitment and A LOT of love! The key, according to Stephen Covey, is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. Super Mom is a Cruisin' Mommyhood's blog feature where I interview moms who can give inspiration and empowerment to working moms (either from home or office) like me.

We are living in a 2-bedroom house so co-sleeping was an obvious choice for us when Julia was born. To make our room a safe environment for Julia, Don and I redesigned it a bit, we rearranged some furniture and purchased a few items. Though we prepared so much, I was still not able to sleep well the first night we brought her home from the hospital. I remember checking on Julia every 10 minutes to make sure she is still breathing while sleeping!

It is natural for moms to prioritize the safety of their children. Like most of you, the internet was my best pal in looking for products that can help protect my daughter from SIDS. I also relied on the recommendations of friends and mommy bloggers I know. I commend moms who continuously look for innovative products that can help protect our children. Moreover, I admire moms who spread their advocacy on safety and bring in products to the Philippines that can help keep our children safe.

This is the story of Super Mom Ives Lim-Esteban, mom of Jeremy and Justin and the mompreneur behind Halo Philippines. I was supposed to post this last month but as always, I failed (again!) to manage my time well… Ugh! I don’t know how moms like Ives do it! (Spoiler Alert: Ives deliberately sets aside time for work and time for family. She delegates too!)

I was so disappointed I was not able to attend Halo Philippines’ Mom & Me last year. I hope to meet Ives soon, hopefully this year. Read on and be inspired!

Describe your typical day.

If you categorize my typical day’s activities, most of them would fall under work and family. Upon waking up, I check my emails while my body boots up. As soon as I get out of the room I would go play with my boys. Then I’d check on the rest of the household and settle down for work. I try to prioritize being with my kids especially since they are still young. My two sons are each at a different developmental stage, so I carve out quality time with each one every day. I actually get to focus on work only while they have their afternoon naps, but that’s a trade I am happy to make. Evenings are dedicated to my husband. We would cap off the day by watching a movie, or just talking about the day’s events and enjoying each other’s company.

I read “A Love Affair with Halo” from Halo Philippines website. Your commitment to safe sleep advocacy is so inspiring! What is the most important lesson you learned as a mompreneur?

Thanks! I work to serve God, my family, and help others. But in truth, my work and advocacy has blessed me more. So perhaps one of the most important lessons I have learned is to have a genuine passion to help others. Word will spread and the numbers will follow.

HALO is a business with a heart. Every thing we do revolves around a heartfelt mission to keep babies sleeping safely. That is why we take great care to ensure our products are the safest they can be. Our products are validated by 3^rd party certifications, and tested against standards that even exceed US federal regulations. We refuse to scrimp when it comes to the quality and safety of our products, even if it means paying a premium on manufacturing. Because for us, there is NO COMPROMISE when it comes to a baby’s safety.

All this has made HALO the #1 trusted brand by moms, and the ONLY brand used in over 1,000 US Hospitals. We are the only brand that carries the seals of leading SIDS and safety organizations, and approved by the medical community – important factors to consider when choosing a safety product for your baby.

You wear a lot of hats and you juggle different roles. How do you manage your time and priorities?

By choice, I prefer to work from home so that I can be close to my kids. This arrangement also allows me to manage the household more efficiently. Being a work-at-home "mom” means that I can be there for my boys any time they need me. On the flip side, being a work-at-home "business woman" means that I am open to more distractions, so I couldn't get work done as efficiently as I would have wanted. I have learned to adapt by multitasking (ex. I have developed the "talent" for answering clients' texts while brisk walking on the treadmill). I am also more purposeful with my time. I deliberately set aside time for work (usually while the kids are napping), and time for family. Lastly, I train my team of household staff so that I can delegate as much of the house work and be able to prioritize things that I can do best.

Who/what is your “energizer”? Who/what inspires/motivates you?

My love as a mother started this business, and sustains it. With motherhood came a fierce sense of protection, an instinct. I vowed to give only the best and safest for my baby. This led me to discover HALO, and become a safe sleep advocate so other moms can also give their babies the protection they deserve.

I am further energized by clients who become advocates in their own way. Some would buy more products as gifts, others would even volunteer to become resellers. In a recent event, a couple (repeat clients) came to purchase more Halo SleepSacks. Our booth was so busy that we could not attend to them and new clients who came at the same time. Then I overheard this couple passionately telling the other shoppers – complete strangers – how Halo SleepSacks have helped their baby sleep better, and why it’s one the best investments they have made. Their sincere and glowing testimonial convinced the other parents. I did not even have to say more, they were already sold!

Lastly, I am inspired by people I’ve met who care enough to help spread the word about safe sleep. In most first world countries, it is the government that pushes for safe sleep education. There are even laws in the US that mandate hospitals to orient new parents about safe sleep practices before discharge. Unfortunately, such is not the case in our country, so parents may not appreciate that safe sleep could mean life or death for a baby. It is heartbreaking to hear stories of Filipino babies who died or almost died because of unsafe sleep (and I have heard too much of these stories not to act on it!). I hope that with the support of fellow safe sleep advocates, we can help Filipino babies sleep safer.

Top 3 tips you can share to moms on spending quality time with family.

Always do things with a purpose in mind. If an activity is not aligned with your key goals in life, then reassess if it is really worth your while.
Prioritize. I purposely delegate things like changing nappies, feeding my babies, etc… to our household staff because I know I can’t do it all as a working mom. I pick my battles so I can have more time and energy to do things that I know I can do best.
Learn how to shift priorities so you can find fulfillment in work, and still let your family feel that they are equally important (if not more) than the other aspects of your life.

Visit Halo Philippines’ FacebookPage and follow them on Instagram!

Investments Every Mom Should Make

2014-05-20T09:00:00.000+08:00

I complain about back pains and headaches as often as I talk about Julia's toddler antics to my friends. Fact is, I am getting old and Julia is growing up fast. This means I have to take care of my health and I must spend my time on what really matters. I know this (I wrote about this a lot of times) but it was only when Julia turned 3 that I began to understand: Life is too short. It is not about "having" time. It is about MAKING/FINDING time to create memories with Don and Julia.

Photo Credit

I wrote about my commitment to be present 100% for my family but ~~sometimes~~ often times, I find it very difficult to manage. In short, hirap ako! Things to do at work seems endless. Don and I manage to keep our weekends for the family but when our to-do list for the following week is too long, we go to a coffee shop to work for a few hours. We invented this so-called "work date" thinking we are doing ourselves a favor by dating while working. We tell people it's "work date" so we won't feel too guilty about working on a weekend when we should be spending time doing anything but work.

As if work is not enough to keep us busy, we unconsciously let technology suck up the time we have left for ourselves and the family. We multi-task like crazy people. I read and respond to my emails while I am inside the car having a conversation with Don and Julia on our way home, on our way to the mall or wherever. I check and respond to my social media accounts while watching Disney Junior Channel, painting or coloring with Julia. Don is busy with his virtual battlefield and I am busy tending my virtual farm while we are eating dinner AND having a conversation. We read the news and current events online before going to bed and having a conversation in between.

Recently, we started to notice the negative effects of being always online to Julia. She throws a tantrum every time we do not allow her to borrow our iPhones or use her iPad. There are mornings when the first thing she asks for when she wakes up is her iPad. Mabilis siya magmove on -- she cries for a few minutes but we always manage to pacify her and direct her attention to something else. So we limited her gadget use but Don and I shamelessly continued our "relationship" with our iPhones.

Two weeks ago, during one of our weekend lazy moments at home, Julia was very excited while she was showing me her new toy. She said "Mommy, look!" many times and I just nodded without removing my eyes from my phone screen. The next thing she said still lingers in my head until now. "Mommy, put down your phone please." The combination of her facial expression and tone of voice broke my heart. Don was in the same room, so needless to say, that was the ultimate wake up call for the both of us.

Coach Pia is right, it takes willingness and ability to stay committed to building a healthier relationship with our children. Just when I thought I was doing a good job as a mom, something like this happens to make me realize that I need to be more self-aware so I can learn and improve continuously. I need to develop myself so I can be a better parent to Julia and improve my relationship with others. During our #BetterMe session with Coach Pia last February, she talked about Investing In The Next 5 to 10 Years -- not in my bank account but in my life, my family and in my future.

Here are a few bullet items from my notes:

Invest in your self (make your personal dreams happen)

Commitment to personal development
Where am I in terms of self growth? Am I maximizing my strengths? Am I working on my weaknesses? how are my relationships with others?
How can you improve yourself your you can make a difference to the life of others, especially your family.
What you invest in yourself influences your ability to succeed and to lead others to make a difference.

Invest in your family (live the life you want)

Acceptance - self-acceptance frees you to be truly sensitive to the people around you.
Forgiveness - whatever past wounds we have are carried around and stops us from experiencing life and all that it offers
Remembering - if you allow yourself to be swept by the moment versus taking a step back, you will cease to meet your inner hero as tasks and results (of your plans) take over your time and energy.
Embracing Pain and Fear - our life's disappointments and the experience of our ideals not coming true sharpen our sensitivity to the life that goes on beyond our own personal needs.

Invest in your future

Always remind yourself that there is no doubt about it: You were born a hero.
Practice your ability to articulate your needs without any guilt.
Have a willingness to get down to basics.
Speak to people who you know you can gain wisdom from.
Always define your greatness from within. Never define your greatness from without.
Genuine greatness does not put you at the center of attention.
Perception of myself and of other people
Your parents' pain is your pain, too. Choose the proper teaching moment.

I do not resent working out of home neither am I blaming technology for my lack of better judgement in parenting. I am disappointed and embarrassed to stray from my goal to CONSISTENTLY make better decisions for my family. It is going to be challenging but I am committed to continue investing in my personal development so I can increase my capacity to decide what is best for my family. I will continue to find my strengths and develop them. I will be more self-aware so I can overcome my weaknesses. I cannot do these overnight but I know I can and I will!

I am very fortunate to be part of the SoMoms and be able to attend #BetterMe sessions with Coach Pia. Really. I will write more about Coach Pia and One Core on a separate post. Thank you also to Sambo Kojin for being our venue sponsor. It was absolutely one of my favorite #BetterMe sessions. Great learning + great food = Happy Belle =)

Sambo Kojin means the kitchen god. Read their story here.

Bokie Villavicencio - Managing Director of Sambo Kojin

Yes, I ate them all. May round 2 pa! Visit any branch of Sambo Kojin today!

Pat, Thammie, Didi, Tina, Me, Cai and Jenny
Jen, Jane, Coach Pia, Mish and Kris

Expo Mom Starts Today at Glorietta 2!

2014-05-16T09:00:00.001+08:00

Yes, Expo Mom starts today at Glorietta 2 Activity Center. This year is Expo Mom's 7th year of gathering moms and moms-to-be in an environment where we can learn from each other and of course, buy products/brands we love.

YOU THE MOM! is Expo Mom's campaign for 2014. It is all about celebrating the many accomplishments (small and big) of all moms.

What makes this year's Expo Mom special is that 100% of its entrance fees will go to its partner beneficiary, Kinder Project, which aims to provide reading tools and training to public school teachers in Quezon City and Payatas.

Mommy Mundo's Expo Mom has a new home this year so here's the event map for your reference. Or you can visit Mommy Mundo Facebook Page and website for more information.

I will be there on Saturday. See you!

{Road Trip} Parks in Clark 1 - Clark Nature Park

2014-05-16T09:00:00.000+08:00

Last December (sobrang late post na talaga ito), I had to go to Clark several times to visit our Christmas party venue and coordinate with our account officers. Though it was work during the weekend, it was a perfect excuse to have a road trip to Clark.

After my short meeting at Holiday Inn, we decided to drive around Clark. Thanks to Google, we learned about Clark Nature Park along Gil Puyat Avenue.

The trees were fascinating and Julia was happily running around. But, we only stayed there for less than an hour. We were a bit disappointed. It seemed like the place is not being properly maintained. As I was writing this post, I found their website and I was surprised to see really nice photos of activities in the park. It mentioned some attractions that we did not see anymore when we visited.

I would love to go back there with a picnic basket if they will bring back their park attractions, improve the facilities and maintain cleanliness in some areas of the park (including the restrooms).

The Clark Nature Park
Picnic Grounds, Gil Puyat Avenue, Clark

http://www.clarknaturepark.com
0916-69560762; 0922-8958333
clarknaturepark@yahoo.com
Directions here.

{Monday Motivation} Be Encouraged

2014-05-12T09:00:00.000+08:00

God's grace renews, restores and redeems.

{Monday Motivation} Ted Mosby's Best Line Ever

2014-04-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

I love this line by Ted Mosby (finale episode of HIMYM). I can relate to it so much that I made it my new Monday Motivational favorite.

What's your favorite motivational/inspirational quote?

Easter Carnival at Blue Leaf Filipinas

2014-04-17T09:00:00.000+08:00

My holy week vacation officially started yesterday. My brother and his family arrived from Davao and I am so excited to spend the holidays with them.

First stop was The Mind Museum. It was my first time there and I was really impressed. But I must admit, I did not enjoy it as much as Don did. It has nothing to do with the museum. I am just not into Science. Next to Math, Science is my least favorite subject (Do not judge me please). The important thing is, Julia and her cousins had a great time.

Today, we spent time with some relatives in Quezon City and of course, as requested by my brother and sister-in-law, we went to Greenhills Shopping Center. I was excited to go there not because I want to shop, but because Don and I will get to spend time with my 4-month old nephew, Eugene, while my brother and SIL were busy shopping. We were yaya and yayo for 1 hour. Yey!

Our itinerary for the next 3 days will be around Intramuros and Tagaytay. What I am really excited about is our activity on Easter Sunday. After attending the 9pm service at Victory Alabang, we will proceed to Blue Leaf Filipinas for the Easter Carnival. I am so sure ~~I will~~ the kids will have a great time! I will blog about our Easter experience next week.

If you are from the north, you may want to check out the Country Fair Easter at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion.

The Blue Leaf offers you a venue for big corporate events and parties; family get-togethers and intimate celebrations. Make The Blue Leaf part of the memories you will create with your loved ones. For inquiries, visit their website or call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion, McKinley Hill at +63 2 898 BLUE or The Blue Leaf, Aseana City at +632 6239188.

Julia's Favorite #OOTD - Piccalilly Cicely Tiered Dress

2014-04-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

We went to church and guess which dress my little princess picked? Her Piccalilly dress. Again!! I think she just wore this last weekend and now she wants to wear it again, straight from our planchahan.

Same dress. Different occasions.

You'll be surprised to know that Piccalilly is a line of organic clothes for children. The usual organic clothes lack color and design, right? Well this is exactly what motivated Piccalilly founder Hannah Evans to produce a new generation of baby clothing that is eco-friendly, contemporary in design, functional, top quality AND appealing to parents who want to contribute and make a difference in the world. Piccalilly uses organic cotton. The clothes are manufactured free from harmful chemicals, uses eco-friendly dyes and audited to the highest ethical standards.

Julia and I may look alike but our preferences in clothes are very different from each other. My closet is full of jeans, white, pink or black shirts and generic-looking tops. If you follow me on Instagram, you will notice that my daughter wears shorts, leggings, white, pink, and black tops. Blame me. I am training my daughter to be boring like me. Horror! Huwag naman sana. But now that she is 3, she knows what she wants. Since I've been hearing a lot of "not that mommy", "this mommy" when I dress her up, I let her choose her OOTD.

I bite my lip whenever Julia's preferences are different from mine. I constantly remind myself that:

My favorite color is not her favorite color.

I like pink, she likes red. Don hates yellow, she loves yellow. Sigh.

Julia should wear comfortable clothes. ALWAYS.

I agree with most moms, kids should dress like kids. I say no to shoes with high (even not-so-high) heels, sexy clothes and make up. One time, I let her wear skinny jeans and she walked like a duck! Poor little Julia, she was so uncomfortable. But she looked so cute! No tiis ganda for toddlers.

I have to help her choose the right clothes for the right occasion.

"You can wear this dress but when we get to the play ground, you have to wear your pants okay?" Negotiate. She can change back to her dress after playing or running around. It's to protect her skin -- she will understand and thank me in the future.

Quality First

Julia wears a lot of hand-me downs so I do not buy a lot of clothes for her. But when I do, I consider the quality first, then the price. Quality does not mean expensive branded clothes. Simply, quality for me is pretty but has functional design, attractive but comfortable fabric, and clean and neat workmanship.

Do you other reminders to add? What is your child's favorite OOTD?

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Thank you Piccalilly for inviting us for lunch and thank you for the gift you gave to Julia.

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Follow Piccalilly on Facebook and Instagram.

Piccalilly is available at Babyland Shaw, Eastwood Mall and Glorietta 2.

Get up, take your mat and walk!

2014-04-07T09:00:00.000+08:00

Are you in a difficult situation now? Do you sigh heavily because you are worrying about something? Is your heart burdened by a problem that is not easy to overcome? Is this problem causing you emotional pain and stress? Are you hurt or did you hurt someone? Do you sometimes wish you can stay in bed and shut everyone out?

My answer to all questions is Yes. I have been on an emotional roller coaster ride the past month. While Pastor Jonathan was preaching two Sundays ago, I can't help but say to God: "Here you go again. Your timing is always impeccable."

John 5:1-9
The Healing at the Pool

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Here are a few notes I wrote:

We all have our own sickness - medical condition, financial debt, family dysfunction, social norms, etc. This "sickness" can cause emotional pain, stress and physical disability.

Whatever "sickness" or problem I have, I should not let it steal, kill and destroy all the good in my life.

The same way Jesus saw the man who had been an invalid for 38 years, God can see me now and He knows every pain and every difficulty.

Jesus heals but he wants us to:

Get up! - Have faith. Trust God. He will heal us. BUT we must help ourselves too. The example Pastor Jonathan gave was about financial debt. You cannot expect financial freedom if you do not change your spending habits and lifestyle.
Pick up your mat - Once you decide to get up, your entire being must heal with you. You have to stop lingering on your past. You have to stop lingering on the pain.
Walk! - Move forward. Don't be stuck and don't go back.

All my worries, all my pain and all my thoughts, He knows and He heals. God's time is always the perfect time.

So, let's face the new week with courage. Every day is an opportunity to plan and live a better life. Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!

Alive Alert Awake Enthusiastic!

2014-03-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

Yes, I am still alive!!! I miss blogging, I miss sharing our road trip experiences, tips and my thoughts about motherhood... especially now that Julia is 3. THREE!!! Anyway, I was busy with Julia's DIY party (I can't wait to tell you all about that! Wish ko lang sipagin ako.) and of course, I was busy with work. Some days I am too tired, some days I am just too lazy to do anything.

Lately, I feel like my life is on autopilot mode. I lost my drive, fire, mojo, "ummph" or whatever you want to call it. I wake up, go to work and go home during week days. Weekends are the same except that instead of going to work, we go to Julia's swim class on Saturdays and we either go to the mall, stay home or go to a park the rest of the weekend.

I focus too much on accomplishing everything on my things to do or checklist. Often times Don asks me, may hinahabol ba tayong oras? or nagmamadali ba tayo? I remember one time we were at the supermarket, I told Don that we should get separate carts so he can work on half of the list. He stared at me like I was insane. It will save time and energy right? What's wrong with that?! He gave me one look that said it all -- WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?!

I like going to the supermarket. I pass by ALL the aisles even if items there are not on my list. I neatly arrange the items I picked inside the cart. At the cashier counter, I do not let anyone help me transfer the items from the cart to the counter. That's my favorite part. Lining them up at the counter relaxes me. Weird, I know. For the past few months, I see it as a task that I need to finish at the least possible time.

So what happened to me?! I really don't know. I want to do everything and make sure I do not neglect any of my responsibilities at home and at work. But sometimes, I feel like a robot. Lifeless and mechanical. I hate that feeling. I mean, I am not spontaneous but I am never lifeless! Because I hate the feeling, here's what I have been working on the past month:

Go to work at 830am and go home before 6pm. I am able to spend time with Julia in the morning before going to work and catch her still awake when I arrive home. To be 100% present is difficult. I still find it challenging not to think about my mahiwagang things to do at work. Difficult but doable.

Sleep with Julia without sneaking glances at my Blackberry and iPhone.

Walk slowly -- whether I am working on my errands or just strolling at the mall. Para kasing lagi akong hinahabol and I am often annoyed with people who walk slow. Walk slowly. Not annoying slow but slow-slow like a normal person.

Enjoy our family activities without worrying about photos to post on IG, Facebook and Twitter. I sometimes lose the opportunity to enjoy the moment with Don and Julia because I am busy capturing the moment.

Do not work during my break times at work. For 1 hour and 30 minutes, I can spend more time at the pantry to get to know my colleagues, or I can read a book, play Farm Heroes, take a nap, surf the internet, blog...

Ditch my planner-dependent self especially during weekends. Whenever Don asks me, "What's our schedule today?" I usually recite the schedule like I am reading it straight from my calendar. Now I just tell him we have a few errands to accomplish and the rest of the weekend is up to him. This, too, is challenging for me. Again, I am not spontaneous so anything unplanned gives me discomfort.

It is tempting to go on autopilot mode, just going through the motions of my everyday life. It is easier, but I do not want to live that way. I am so blessed and I can never complain about God's goodness. I am a 10 and I am in control of my life and my happiness.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)

I can never look at life the same way a child does but it gives me the right perspective on how I can live with purpose and meaning. How I live my life will mold my daughter's values, character and future. Life is beautiful. Life is full of learning opportunities. Life is short. I will offer each day to God and do all things for His glory. I will wake up each day full of excitement -- the kind of excitement Julia felt when she watched a magic show for the first time.

Have a great weekend, mommies!

Join Welch's The Grapevine & Win A Spa Date with Friends

2014-03-20T09:00:00.000+08:00

If you have been following my blog, you know that Don and I want Julia to stay away from unhealthy food. Don and I are working on living a healthy lifestyle and create a healthy environment for Julia. We should practice what we preach, right? It's not easy but we are doing our best. So yes, I am eating more vegetables now and we are cutting down on our soda intake (huhuhu). We now include fruits, more fish and vegetables and natural fruit juices in our grocery list.

My MIL recommends Welch's Grape Juice. I first heard about it from her. She likes it so much that she gives it as a gift to friends! According to Welch's website, the whole grape is squeezed to make sure all its grape goodness is in every bottle. So one daily fruit serving in 1/4 liter consists of 40 grapes in a single glass! Welch's Grape Juice is made of Concord grapes and is rich in polyphenols -- antioxidants that help keep cells and body healthy and high in Vitamin C which helps strengthen immunity. It is all natural -- no added sugar, flavoring or colors, just like how a healthy juice drink should be.

I recently started following Welch's PH fan page and I like it because it shares a lot of information, not only about Welch's products but also about the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. In their recent FB post, I learned about this "Grapevine" that they are starting. Don't worry, this is not the kind of grapevine we avoid. Welch's PH is actually building a network of mothers who can be there for each other. A community where mothers can share their thoughts, opinions or concerns about anything related to motherhood and family.

Most of my close friends are still single so I would love to join a community where mothers can talk, share tips, support and nurture each other. To grow The Grapevine community, Welch's PH is inviting us to share a photo of our own group of mom friends -- our own "grapevine". Your go-to mom friends who keep you sane as you journey motherhood together. This sounds fun and exciting because aside from showcasing your gorgeous friends at Welch's PH FB page, you will have a chance to win for you and your friends great prizes from Welch's!

Here's how:

1. Like Welch's PH on Facebook.

2. Post a photo of you with 3-5 mom friends.

3. Write the name of your "grapevine" or the name of your group.

4. Tag your mom friends in the photo and Welch's PH and include #MyWelchsGrapevine

Choose your photos wisely and promote your entry because entries will be judged based on quality of photo (30%), Grapevine Name (30%), overall creativity (30%) and Facebook likes of the entry (10%).

Remember, no hashtag and using same photo entry from a group of mom friends will not be considered a valid entry. Promo period is from March 10 to April 7, 2014.

The prizes? You and your mom friends (those you tagged in the photo) will enjoy The Spa Party Package (Gift Certificate worth P5k). Four winners of Welch's Gift Pack will also be selected as consolation prize.

Let's give the word "grapevine" a new meaning. Share your personal Grapevine so we can build a network of moms for moms!

Conversations with Julia: Dolls vs Basketball

2014-01-16T13:27:00.001+08:00

Toffee Nut Latte and the Manong Guard Who Made Me Cry

2014-01-11T11:00:00.000+08:00

During the holidays I was feeling down -- I was thinking about all that is "not enough" in my life. I wish I had more money to support my parents, more money to buy clothes, appliances and other material things that I want. I dream of having a savings account that will not make me worry about Julia's future. I wish I can work less and have more vacation days to stay home and do nothing or to go out of the country for an adventure with Don and Julia. You must think I am bad, selfish, mukhang pera. I am not. Really. Sometimes I just wish for a better and more comfortable life.

We spent the holidays at Don's hometown. It was the last day of the year and we went to the mall to celebrate the birthday of Don's nephews. On our way back home around 8pm, we stopped at a bank to withdraw money. Don waved at the security guard as he walked towards the ATM. The security guard smiled. A genuine smile. My heart melted -- he will welcome 2014 alone, working and far from his family. I thought about the kind of work he does -- protect the bank, risk his life and receive minimum wage for it. And yet, he is happy. I can see it in his eyes. Without hesitation, I asked Julia to walk over to the guard with me and we gave him the Toffee Nut Latte I just bought from Starbucks. He thanked us and said he needed it because his shift will end 6am the next day. He is happy and it was not because I gave him coffee.

As we went on our way, I cried. Really cried. As in hagulgul. God indeed speaks to us in mysterious ways. I have so many blessings! So many! But I chose to spend my last days of 2013 focusing on what I don't have. I failed to appreciate family and friends that I love and the people and experiences that made a positive impact in my life.

Here are SOME of the my blessings (Madami kasi so I chose a few that I want to share):

No Boss since June. Yes, I am thankful. It was difficult and tiring, but I learned a lot. I was given the exposure that allowed me to work with the country leadership team and some colleagues from the Asia Pacific region. I report directly to the Asia Pacific HR Lead and the Country Lead of the Philippines -- 2 of the great leaders in the organization. What an opportunity! I handled projects that I never thought I can accomplish without a boss. The trust and confidence given to me by the leadership team fueled me to do more than what is expected from me. I hope my new boss will be onboard next month and I look forward to the new challenges and new learning opportunities at work.

New Home in Las Pinas. We are enjoying the quiet neighborhood that we have now. Julia can run around and play with other kids in our street. This environment is much better than the one we had in Quezon City. I lived in my dad's house in QC since 1995 when I moved to Metro Manila for my college studies. That house became my dad's wedding gift to Don and I. We shared so many memories there, but we decided to move to a more safe location suitable to raise a family. The decision to sell the house in QC -- the first house my father has ever bought -- is heartbreaking. But my dad understood and we got his blessing after we had a long talk when I visited him in Davao. We are renting now and hopefully soon, buy a new house as soon as we are able to sell the house in QC.

35 Humps. Yes, there is a total of 35 road humps on my way to work. This means 70 humps every day going to and from work. Annoying but I am still thankful. These humps replaced approximately 80 kilometers in distance and roughly 3-5 hours of travel time from Quezon City to Alabang to Quezon City every day. Should I also mention the stress that goes with driving in Metro Manila?

Reconnected with good friends. Moving to Las Pinas allowed us to reconnect with Don's best friend and his family. They are our neighbors now and I am happy that Don is finally able to spend time with his BFF :).

High occupancy of Pacific Palm Suites. This year, my family embarked on a business managed by my brother and his wife. They worked on EVERYTHING -- concept, design, construction and management. Since it opened, we have been blessed with high occupancy and loyal clients.

Kindermusik and Teacher Jeannie Castillo. Our Sundays are never complete without Kindermusik and Teacher Jeannie. She is part of our family and we will forever be grateful for all her help and love. We have not been attending our classes lately because of the distance but soon, we will enroll in Kindermusik with Teacher Jeannie and Company, Fort Bonifacio branch.

SoMoms. To be part of this mommy support group is a great privilege. More than the events we attended together that you read in our blogs, we have a special bond that our blog readers don't read about. I learned a lot from our #BetterMe sessions with Coach Pia. Our candid and honest conversations in our FB group gives me tips and keeps me sane. I learn a lot from the SoMoms and I am so blessed to be part of it.

Don's employer. If you follow me on FB and IG, you can probably guess where Don works. They are family oriented -- you can tell by the kind of benefits they provide. Don has been working there for 13 years (14 next month) and I am forever grateful to the company. Sana dumami pa ang tulad nyo!

Weekends - Saturday AND Sunday. Since I transferred to my new employer, I have been enjoying my weekends with Don and Julia. Swimming lessons on Saturdays and Kindermusik classes on Sundays. Malling or visiting parks in between. Though work is stressful and tiring, my weekends with Julia and Don help me recharge for another work week.

Yaya Lani. I may be unlucky with an all-around helper but I am SO BLESSED to have Yaya Lani. She has been with us for 3 years. Julia loves her and she loves Julia too. I hope she will not change and will stay with us for a long time. During our last #BetterMe session with Coach Pia, she said if the tenure of the helper is 3 years and more, it will be a good time to help them improve their way of life. We plan to send Yaya Lani to school... a vocational course or any course that she is interested in as long as the schedule is manageable and we can afford the tuition.

Mama Cita, Papa Toto and Mama Lulu. We are happy that our parents are as in love with Julia as we are. My MIL lives with us and oversees the management of our house. She cooks and makes sure Yaya Lani takes care of Julia well. She keeps me sane because after a long day at work, I do not worry about stressful household concerns. Also, I appreaciate that my parents take time to visit us from Davao to see Julia. They look forward to my FB posts of Julia's photos and anecdotes. I can hear the joy in their voices whenever they laugh and ask me for more stories about Julia. Don and I are so lucky to have great parents!

Don and Julia - A lot has happened in 2013. Good and bad. They inspire me and give me strength. They provide meaning to my life. I am a better person because of them. No words. Now I'm crying!

I turned 35 last month and Don.. well he celebrated his birthday too (baka magalit pag binanggit ko ang age niya). Yesterday, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary (Isang dekada na!) and next month, it will be Julia's 3rd birthday. So many celebrations, so much to be thankful for! I look forward to a more challenging but more meaningful 2014. So many plans and activities to prepare for. It will not be an easy ride I know. I look forward to all the learning opportunities, after all, I am in control of my own definition of happiness. How about you? What are you thankful for?

Last Minute Shopping Tip

2013-12-23T10:00:00.000+08:00

Going out to do a last-minute shopping for your inaanak? Last minute or are you just about to start working on your Christmas shopping list because you were too busy with work the entire last quarter of this year? Well that's the story of my life and I summon the goddess of patience and determination to help me buy everything on my list today.

I am not good with buying the right sizes of clothes so I have decided to buy baby/toddler essentials or toys for my nephews, nieces and mga inaanak. Luckily I know the specific products to buy. It was a big help that Don, Julia and I were able to attend a special lunch get-together with the SoMoms and the wonderful people from Bankee Trading.

Here are some photos of our fun afternoon at Outback Steakhouse, Glorietta:

Yes, Don was with us. He likes toys too!

Julia was shy at first to join the other SoKids...

Coloring with the SoKids

Favorite area of the SoKids...

So challenging to get a group shot, hahaha

My new BFF :-)

I was totally overwhelmed with the number of brands and type of toys that I am not familiar with. Don and I kept on saying "may ganon na pala", we sounded like a broken record. I mean I am familiar with some of the baby and toddler essentials obviously because I have an almost 3-year old daughter. wwhat Don and I are so outdated about are the toys! But Don and I are so outdated with toys! Hahaha! Anyway, here are some of the brands that may help you with your Christmas shopping.

For baby and toddler essentials:

Toys for Little Boys

Toys for Little Girls

All brands mentioned are available at

So happy shopping and may the goddess of patience and determination be with you too.

She's the One? #BetterMe Session on Building Better Relationships with Helpers

2013-12-18T20:13:00.001+08:00

A few weeks ago, a new all-around helper started to work for us. Her name is Myra. After more than a month of searching, we finally found somone we hope will last longer than 3 months. In 2013 alone, we had about 20 (yes 20 - no joke) helpers. Old, young, with experience, no experience, single, married, single mom - we tried them all. Some lasted a day, some a week or a month. Some had too much baggage and drama in life, some stole money and clothes, some didn't pass our standards and some, we just don't like. It became so frustrating that I actually gave up the search. I told Yaya Lani if we can try doing things without the all-around helper. This will mean Yaya Lani doing other gawaing-bahay while Julia is taking her nap. This also means additional expenses like laundry, take-out or delivery of food and of course increasing Yaya Lani's salary now that she is doing more work.

We were already getting used to the set-up when we received a call from our "katiwala" from Don's province. Someone is willing to work for us. Though a bit hesitant, we accepted the new helper, hoping for the best. It was very timely that the SoMoms had a #BetterMe session on Building Better Relationships with Helpers with Coach Pia the day after our new helper started.

Before a helper starts working for us, Don and I sit down with the helper to interview the helper about family background and previous work experience. If we like her, we discuss (1) detailed job description, (2) compensation and benefits and (3) rules and regulations, especially our non-negotiables. I do most of the talking -- HR pa rin ang role ko. Don is there for intimidation. Ha!

I decided to postpone the "talk" with our new helper until after our #BetterMe session with Coach Pia. I know I will learn a lot and I did. It reinforced what I am already doing right and it opened my eyes to a lot of opportunities for improvement. Here are some of the lessons I learned:

Needs and wants must be very clear. This will help us prioritize between the value our helpers bring to our family and our "wants". For example, cooking is not one of Yaya Lani's skills and it sometimes frustrates me that all I eat the past few weeks is pork chop and chicken. I have always encouraged her to learn from my mother-in-law but she is not really that interested. Rather than dwell on my frustration, I should focus on Yaya Lani's strengths -- a super yaya to Julia.

Do not give a task that you know they do not have the ability/skill to do so. I expect too much from our helpers. I should determine first their capabilities and strengths. With this information, I will know what tasks they can and cannot do. More importantly, I will be able to identify what support is needed from me (teaching, guiding, etc.).

Preferences have to be very clear. I go through our house rules to our incoming helper. Another thing I learned from Coach Pia is the importance of explaining clearly the rules. What are the non-negotiables? Optional? The helper should have a clear understanding of the purpose and importance of the rule.

Giving feedback is as important as explaining my preferences. I believe that feedback is an essential component of self impovement. I mean, how can someone improve if they are not aware of what they are doing wrong. If my helper makes a mistake, I get angry and tell her not to do it again. What I should do is spend time with the helper to explain what she did wrong and what she can do to avoid the same mistake.

Teamwork is key to a better and healthier relationship with my helpers. Expectations should be very clear. What is the job description? What is the role of each member of the family? What contribution is expected from each person? A successful management of the household is not dependent on the helpers alone -- It is how well each member of the household work together as a team to make our house a home -- clean, functional and filled with happy people!

It was indeed a productive session. I learned a lot from Coach Pia and the SoMoms. My heartfelt thanks to OneCORE, Arix Philiipines - Tonkita, Marca Pina Cheeseball and Gustare Kitchen.

Thank you OneCORE for our #BetterMe sessions with Coach Pia. OneCORE is an organization that supports individuals in making better life decisions. Visit www.theonecore.com to know more about OneCORE.

Arix is one of the major players in the European household cleaning sector and is among the first world producers of abrasive fibers and sponges. When Arix aquired Tonkita two years ago, they gave it a new look. Tonkita brooms for indoor and outdoor use are all entirely made from 100% recyclable materials and bristles made from recycled materials. But Tonkita is not just about brooms, it has a complete range of tools and accessories for cleaning and taking care of all domestic spaces, designed for ease of use and immediate results.

Marca Pina Dutch Edam Queso de Bola can be eaten sliced, cubed or can also be used as an ingredient in pastries, breads and other culinary dishes. It is made in Holland but the distinct taste of Marca Pina is specially made only for the Philippine market. Marca Pina bring in fresh shipments annually for its clients to have the full shelf life of 18 months.

Trivia -- Pina (Pineapple) symbolizes prosperity in Chinese hence this is a perfect gift idea for family and friends.

The black pancit is to the die for. I am not fond of pancit but this, I love! Call (02) 4030345 to know more about their menu and of course, to order. You may also check them out at www.facebook.com/GustareKitchen.

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Myra is no longer with us. It's complicated. Hahaha. She cleans well, she smiles a lot and very courteous but she has too much family problems to deal with. She left 2 weeks ago because her ex-husband died but she never returned. She said she will be back as soon as her problems are solved. I am not counting on her return but who knows...

I know you have a lot of maid horror stories and success stories. Please share your tips and some of the things you learned from your experiences.

Our Family Tradition + The Picture Company's Early Christmas Treat

2013-11-27T09:00:00.000+08:00

Last Christmas, we received a very cute Christmas card from our relatives in the US. It was their family portrait and we love it! So we thought of doing the same this year. But, the frequent business travels and our truckload of things to do the past weeks made it seem like a project for next year. So when our schedule was free two weekends ago, we were able to squeeze in time for a photo shoot. Yey! We went to The PictureCompany Alabang Town Center and spent our Saturday afternoon with Gee.

We made sure Julia had a great meal and sufficient nap prior to our schedule so I was confident we will all have a great time. When I was pregnant with Julia, Don and I made a commitment to document our daughter’s life through photos and videos. We will have wonderful memories stored in our hearts but we want to capture these moments so we can look back and never forget our fun times together.

We made it a tradition to have a family photo shoot every year and looking for the right partner to make this happen is essential. Here are a few things we consider in evaluating our options:

Family-friendly – This is a must. My family, especially Julia, should be comfortable at the location and the studio.
Chemistry – The knowledge, skills and creativity in photography is necessary of course, but we need to partner with someone we are comfortable with. Someone who is easy to get along with, pleasant and patient. The moment we meet him/her, we can tell if it will work. I’m sure you know what I mean.
Great Deal and Quality – We not only keep soft copies of the photos. We order for prints as well so we look for a package with a reasonable price. The quality of the photos is equally important.

Okay, back to our afternoon at The Picture Company – Alabang Town Center.

We arrived a little early so Julia walked straight to the play area with Don. This gave me a chance to talk to Gee about my ideas for the photo shoot. My ideas? None!!! Horror! I'm glad Gee gave me suggestions and they have a lot of materials, costumes and props for different themes.

Family-friendly location and studio - check!

When Julia saw the guitar and other props inside the studio, she went crazy! She just won't stop running and playing -- she is not in the mood to pose for photos. So glad Gee was very patient. She did not pressure Julia at all. She let her feel comfortable and safe. We wanted to start with Julia but later on decided to do the father-daughter first. Julia is such a daddy's girl and she loves to cuddle and have fun with daddy -- this will surely warm her up.

Chemistry - check!

It was a fun session! Gee was able to capture a lot of great moments. The problem was (this is a good problem that I would love to have every day), I had a difficult time selecting the photos I want to keep!

After a week, I was able to get our photos and Christmas cards and tags. I love our photos!!!! What do you think? :)

Great deal and quality - check!

It was a well-spent weekend for us. If you want your Christmas cards and tags to be extra special, visit The Picture Company and inquire about the best package for your family.

Here's an early Christmas treat for you -- A FREE family portrait session! Print or take a screenshot of the coupon below, call the branch you prefer, book an appointment and show the coupon to the super friendly team of The Picture Company.

They have branches in Rockwell, Greenbelt 5, Bonifacio Global City, Podium, Alabang Town Center, SM North Annex, Mall of Asia and Cebu.

The FREE family portrait promo is only until December 15 so call and book your appointment NOW! Know more about their promos by following their social media accounts.

Thank you The Picture Company for being part of our family tradition!

2013 PLDT-SMART Gabay Guro Celebration: My 5 Favorite Moments

2013-11-04T09:00:00.000+08:00

The Gabay Guro tribute for teachers last October 26, 2013 at the MOA Arena was F-U-N! It was my first time to be invited to join this grand celebration and I am so blessed to be part of it. I am sharing with you my five (5) unforgettable moments during the celebration.

Aside from Marian Rivera, artists from different networks graced the occasion and celebrated with the teachers -- Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Judy Ann Santos, Ann Curtis, Derek Ramsay, Edu Manzano, Richard Gomez, Ryzza, Matteo Guidicelli, Daniel Matsunaga and a lot more.

Aside from the Foton multi-purpose van and house and lot from Stateland, Inc., a lot of lucky teachers went home with Cygnal prepaid kits, Sun reload kits and Cyberia livelihood package.

Seeing all the teachers happy, excited and having fun that afternoon was really heart-warming. I could feel that each and every teacher in the arena felt appreciated and special. It was certainly the best way to spend Teacher's Month. The song "Believing In Me" -- written by Raul and Cacai Mitra and sang by Regine Velasquez -- summarizes what is in the heart of every student who is grateful for the dedication and hard work of all the Filipino teachers.

To know more about Gabay Guro, visit their website, follow them on Twitter and Like their Facebook page.

Gabay Guro + The Biggest Celebration Ever for Teachers

2013-10-25T17:04:00.001+08:00

I always thought that being a teacher is easy. In fact, I would like to be one someday. I am warm, caring, and enthusiastic. I know how to listen and I can speak in front of a crowd. Training and Development is my favorite function in Human Resources and I get good scores in my training evaluations. How hard can it be? I can be a teacher.

Of course, it did not take me long to realize that I was wrong and arrogant. Teaching is not just a job; it is a vocation that requires life time commitment. It is not enough that you have teaching skills; you must have the PASSION to teach. It is not enough that you know basic classroom management; you need create a safe learning environment for your students. It is not enough that you have prepared an effective lesson plan or curriculum; you need a heart that can nurture and love unconditionally. It is not enough that you follow a fair grading system or assessment; you must unfold a meaningful learning experience that will inspire the students to be a better individual and have a better life.

The fulfillment and pride they feel whenever they see their former students is immeasurable. Being a teacher, especially in the Philippines can be challenging, especially in public schools. Resources are limited and pay is not high. Despite this, they continue to strive in order to positively change the lives of those they teach.

I have great respect for teachers. This is the reason why I support Gabay Guro. Gabay Guro or 2G is an education arm and flagship project of the PLDT-SMART Foundation. Programs of Gabay Guro is guided by the Pillars of Learning:

Providing better housing and educational facilities to teachers and students;
Providing scholarship grants to aspiring educators;
Providing training programs to teachers to enhance their skills;
Improving teaching and learning experience of teachers and students by providing better equipment and facilities such as computers and high-speed broadband connection;
Providing livelihood programs and;
Giving tribute to teachers.

Indeed Gabay Guro is all about "changing the lives of those who changed ours". Tomorrow, October 26, PLDT-SMART is throwing the biggest tribute ever for our beloved teachers as it celebrates Teachers Month at the MOA Arena.

The event will be hosted by Edu Manzano and Derek Ramsay. Special guests include Ryzza Mae, Anne Curtis, Judy Ann Santos, Marian Rivera, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez and Rocco Nacino. The Gabay Guro team together with PLDT-SMART Foundation Chairman of the Board of Trustees Manny V. Pangilinan and 2G Chairman Chaye Cabal-Revilla will also be there to lend their invaluable support to the teachers.

Great prizes like house and lot courtesy of Stateland, Inc. and a brand new Foton L200 van will be raffled off and 2 lucky teachers will go home very very happy! Other prizes include livelihood program packages and cash gifts.

For more information, visit Gabay Guro website and Facebook page.