Facebook parenting , teens and tough love is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

They say teenagers are full of angst. There is a saying that “adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years.” With the advent of Facebook, teens get to use the wall to rant. Well, my kids were not young teens when Facebook and other social media sites like Twitter and Plurk came arrived sometime 2007. I do recall parenting teens were the most turbulent years that became more complicated by the death of my precious son. The good news is this too shall pass.

Facebook Parenting: For the troubled teen

So I came across this super viral youtube with 28,245,691 hits and 233,246 comments. The video called “Facebook Parenting: For the troubled teen” where the father shares the wall post of her daughter who” thought it would be funny/rebellious/cool to post on her Facebook wall just how upset she was and how unfair her life here is; how we work her too hard with chores, never pay her for chores, and just in general make her life difficult.”

Watch the video till the end to see father’s tough love.

I nodded as he lectured on his no-nonsense approach on dealing with his daughter’s complaints. After all, parents are in the best position to understand their children’s peculiarities. I agree children need to learn responsibility now so that they know that they can rely on themselves when they leave home. Social Media may be the downfall of the current generation if our children do not know how to use it responsibly. It is also important for parents in setting hard rules and consequences about using social media. Watching intently with my husband, we agreed setting limits is needed for teenagers. The shocker was the last part when he shot her daughter’s laptop. I also felt that it is already bad enough when an insolent teen airs their dirty laundry, in public. But does that exempt an adult just to make his point?

Oh well, to each their own parenting style.

I noted there were over 233,246 comments and wondered how others thought.

@MrsAirman79 seemed to share the same opinion as mine, “I was with him on this one till he shot her laptop. lets just hope the daughter doesn’t find his gun.”

Another understood “he was trying to punish her and everything, but I just re-watched this and it’s quite obvious he’s overreacting a little more than he should be… I mean him shooting her laptop was a complete waste of money and him saying she should get off her “lazy ass” was stooping to her level, which you shouldn’t do with teenagers. He also said she’s 15 and frankly that’s the age for teens to be a little melodramatic..”

Others that disagreed said the following:

• “humiliating your daughter by posting family business online because she posted family business on facebook. a facebook post last like 10 seconds, this could last her whole life. nice parenting.”
• “Yeah, I get that she needs to be disciplined for disrespecting the parents, but escalating the situation with this video and laptop thing are not productive ways to teach her the intended lesson.”
• “Kid sounds bratty as hell but I think this is kind of an immature way to respond to…immaturity.”
• You are an asshole, you set a good example for your daughter alright… better make sure that 45 is hidden.

Others agreed with the father’s tough love.

Someone who lived outside the USA commented that “This is the problem with American-washed kids. If it were to happen overseas, they get an ass whooping”.

” no…this wont ruin her life. She’s young and very disrespectful to the people that raise her and gave her everything she has. She needs to learn to respect”

One pointed out that she “really don’t know who I should side with”.

What the teens thought about tough love

Some of the interesting comments from the youtube video came from young teens. A teen addressed “all those people saying he’s a awful parent, I’m in my teens and I have more responsibilities then her and I complain but I do it. I don’t get paid for them because I have a iPod, camera, and a nook, and the only way I will get a laptop is if I don’t get anything else for Christmas. Her dad said he spent like 150 or so dollars on her laptop the day before, then what dose he get a ungrateful daughter, she deserved every bullet in that laptop.”

Let me share some comments from teens:

• I’m 13 and you’ve made me realize that I have it way too easy in life. My mom busts her ass off every day and I really should give her a hand around the house a bit more. Thank you for enlightening me
• If he were my dad I’d get the hint, stop being selfish and take a look around and realize how good my life was. Some adults dont have computers, or a nice house with a guest room. good shooting sir.
• I am impressed and I applaud his effort. I sure hope it worked on his daughter, she had it coming! Boy am I glad that my parents didn’t take it to this extreme though because i know i was bratty too
• i’m with this guy if a kid, teen who ever does that, their parents have the right to do that. But if my dad found out i did this which i will never do he would probably run it over in his truck.
• This is so epic! Even now being 21, my mom would never stand for me to talk like that. I applaud you sir! You sir are awesome, If I could I would buy you a drink!
• I’m 16 and I say good for you man, I can’t believe how disrespectful some of my classmates are to their parents and stuff. They took care of you since birth, chores are the least you could do for them
• Im still a kid,but Half of you who disagreed with this aren’t even parents.Its HIS daughter HE raises her how HE feels.For all of the poorly raised adults out there you can agree hes doing her a favor
• Congratulations for doing what needed to be done to get the point across. Honestly, I wish some of my friends had their phones/computers destroyed.
• you forget that if these kids had any sense that they would know what’s right and it is also not necessarily the parenting that is this problem I know kids who have parents that are the nicest people you ever met but the kid can be as awful as hell and really disrespectful to the ones that love them and care for them
• the daughter should appreciate what her parents do for her. this is coming from a TEENAGER.
  way to go dad!
  I would never disrespect my parents like that…
• This is why disrespectful people shouldn’t be allowed on the Internet. They could end up with a laptop full of bullets;)

Some gave their own parental advice that respect begets respect, that “the only way to get respect from those around him is only by carrying a gun. PRETTY SAD.”

Another comment exclaimed “Wow in front of the world!!!!!!  You could have done it without involving the Millions. Shoot the laptop yes. But dont humiliate your child in front of the world, Not good parenting skills!! .”

Others also felt that one didn’t need to shoot a laptop which to me is crazy. A few felt that the laptop should have been given “to a school or deserving kid who can’t afford it. Kinda scary to just whip out a gun like that but I guess thats America for you! Hope this got the result you wanted…”

Parenting Teens

Parenting is a hard work. I met challenges when my teens were growing up . It’s tempting to respond with anger. How I wished I were more informed then? Sometimes teens can’t help acting insolent or being rebellious. Scientific evidence shows their frontal lobes — are not fully connected. Really. But the good news is the frontal lobe gets to fully develop in their mid-twenties.

These are the best years to be with my girls and I cherish it. Take stock When you find yourself wondering, like all parents of teenagers, “What were you thinking?” Just make sure children know their boundaries when they are young children.

Simple rules such as establish priorities, set standards, maintain family routines and stay connected. There should be consequences for breaking rules, such as taking a laptop away or disconnecting the Internet.

Like they say the troubles of adolescence eventually all go away – it’s just like a really long, bad cold.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

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Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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I thank God for my family is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Shielding myself from the scorching sun, I clutched on to my umbrella and looked down towards the smooth bermuda grass. My eyes linger to the engraved markings staring back at me , “Luijoe, my angel”.

“Mom are those weeds?” a daughter pointed to the tiny yellow flowers dotted at the top of his tombstone.

“I planted those so Luijoe will always have flowers cradled around his resting place”, I explained.

My husband knelt down and laid down a vase of mums as my other daughter carried another umbrella to shield him from the sun. We all stood there staring at the flowers and I couldn’t help feeling proud, “this is my family”. I took my iPhone and took a snapshot. Four pairs of feet beside Luijoe’s tombstone.

I felt a tug in my heart and wondered why I felt this way. It’s been 11 years after all. It must be a trigger. I was getting sentimental that my daughter would soon be leaving for Australia the next day. Or perhaps the stressful political conditions in the country must also be getting to me.

The words echoed inside my mind, “still a family” as we inched closer together and prayed, “Thank you God for family.”

I know that death ended Luijoe’s life but not his relationship to my family. He will always be our precious son. The difference is I gave up the old person who was physically connected to a now deceased Luijoe and made a spiritual connection with my child who died. True, my second daughter will not be with us for a year but I know we will always be connected, thanks to the internet.

It is with a sense of gratitude knowing my family will always be with me wherever they may be. I am thankful for their support in understanding the work that I do. During challenging moments, it is my family who stands by me.

No accusations of “you are pro-Corona, pro-GMA, anti-Noynoy” or “funded to support the RH Bill” or “someone is using you” or “influencing your choices”. Some of my friends disappoint me at times.

Next to God, my family knows what is in my heart. Searching for truth and justice is not being a pro-anyone but merely fighting for what I believe is right. After all, didn’t God give us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to know the difference between right and wrong, and to choose to do what is right? Life is too short to dwell on negativity.

My life in this mortal world is temporary and I might as well make the most of it by focusing on meaningful work, contributing value to society, sharing joyful experiences with my loved ones, and remembering to slow down to savor the precious moments.

Luijoe, my angel reminds me the temporariness of life and to live more fully in the precious moments I am blessed with.

The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. James 1:11
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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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Valentine day surprise? is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Nope. No flowers. No card. No cake. No romantic dinner.

It’s been 34 years since my husband and I have been together but Valentine’s day is one occasion we don’t celebrate. See, we met in our college days when our allowance was just enough for our board and lodging. To this day, that habit continues. Even if he can now afford it, he thinks that flowers are just way too expensive on Valentine’s day. Well it doesn’t mean Butch does not surprise me with flowers, or gifts. Doing something special comes during ordinary days.

Since there is no Valentine’s day surprise , I thought I’d share this cute video to warm your hearts.

I didn’t think much of this video when the PR of Dove sent this via email today. In the video, they captured real men as they cooked up a little Valentine surprise for their significant partners. These men agreed to join them for one night to express their real selves, showing how much they’d do to make their women special even on those days when they least expect to.

I have yet to receive something unusual like what these men did in this “Real Men Surprise Their Dates” video.

Aww so sweet. I shared it to Butch when he overheard the music so I played it one more time while typing this entry.

He watched and kidded me that he can sing much better than those real men. To prove his point and to my utter surprise, he crazily sang along and ended the song with a kiss.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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Greatest Love of All popularized by Whitney Houston is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.”I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.”

Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

It is such devastating news to her fans. Indeed she was such an amazing talent. Her influence can be heard on a generation of young singers who cite her as an inspiration, from Mariah Carey, Brandy and Monica to Christina Aguilera and Beyonce.

“She had the perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.”

The cause of her death is still unknown.

Towards the end of her career she was known to be a drug user. Her album sales dropped. “Her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.”

I will never forget this memorable song as its lyrics ring true to me. The “Greatest love of all” was the lullaby song I crooned to my babies twenty something years ago to make them fall asleep.

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

[Chorus:]
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

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Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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Safety of medicines in children is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

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A TV commercial of a cough medicine caught my attention tonight as I settled down on the sofa after a long day. I cringed at the image of a wriggling bacteria on the teaspoon. Eww. Good thing I only give safe, proven cough medicines to my family. As a fussy mom with a Bachelors degree in Food Technology, I am quite aware about adverse effects of bacterial contamination especially in young kids with lower immune systems.

Two years ago, I wrote about the salmonella contamination in a peanut butter brand. Concerns about food safety have grown stronger and more far-reaching. I recall the milk products being distributed in the country that were found to have traces of melamine that can cause bladder or kidney stones. Melamine-tainted milk was blamed for four deaths and kidney stones and other illnesses in 54,000 children in China. Remember the pullout of food products from Taiwan that is suspected to be contaminated with plasticizer di(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)? How could I forget the candy products with formaldehyde content found to be carcinogenic? There was also a noodle brand that was recalled from the market after the discovery of “traces of salmonella”.

It is scary to see our children suffer from potential adverse effects from toxic ingredients but bacterial infections as well. It can range from an upset stomach to more serious symptoms such as fever and gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, which in severe cases, could lead to life-threatening dehydration. Safety is about more than keeping our children’s hands away from a whirring food processor blade. It means knowing how to avoid spreading bacteria, safe shopping, and more.

The thing is, bacteria is practically everywhere yet I am in control of things I can do. I know I have control over food products or medicines to purchase. I have control about keeping my house clean and making sure handwashing procedure is followed.

So I can see how herbal cough remedies can become contaminated from bacteria originating from the soil. In addition to the risk of bacterial and viral contamination, herbal remedies may also be contaminated with microbial toxins. How can I be sure that these herbal medicines conform to quality control standards from harvesting and production practices? Am I sure microbial contamination are at acceptable levels set by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration or WHO Guidelines for Quality Standardized Herbal Formulations?

Better to be safe than sorry.

Read more on the safety of medicines in children:

WHO Promoting Safety of Medicines in Children

The World Medicines Situation 2011 Traditional Medicines- Global Situation, Issues and Challenges——————————-
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How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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A lot of it just has to do with luck is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.”A lot of it just has to do with luck, serendipity.” Emanuel Ax

Yesterday, HBO asia launched its new original series Luck that premieres February 20 at 10 PM. Media was treated to the pilot episode starring Oscar® winner Dustin Hoffman and Oscar® nominee Nick Nolte. I am not into gambling or horse racing so the terms used were alien to me. The thought occurred to me: could the racing be fixed ? or is it luck?

I was brought up to be prepared, work hard, and hope for a little luck. I do recognize that the harder one works and the better prepared I am, the more luck I might have. That is one reason I never mess around with gambling. I don’t like taking risks like that. In fact, I have never played Lotto.

The HBO Luck launch was a exception when the PR had this game “Pick two” where I had to list down the color (red, blue or green) in two sheets of paper. I thought of the Corona Impeachment Trial to decide the color. Red is associated with the Supreme Court protest. I scribbled RED on two sheets of paper. Mind you , this was before I even saw the horses.

Well, as luck would have it, seven of us WON. RED was the lucky color of the day. The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.

Go and wake up your luck. ——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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Exploring my Cebu heritage in Parian with QR code scanning is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Cebu, my hometown how I missed my birthplace, the city where I grew up till I left for Manila at the age of 17 years old to study at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

I spent seven days in Cebu with my two girls to celebrate the Sinulog 2012 festival. If I remember right, this has been the longest I have ever stayed in Cebu since my wedding in May 1985. It was also the last time I watched the Sinulog with my dad who was then the over-all organize.

Bitter-sweet memories filled me as I visited every spot of the city. Each old spot held a memory so dear to me. Visiting Cebu for the past years meant burying two siblings, a father and even my precious child. Starting 2009, I made it a point to visit Cebu just because I wanted to reunite with friends. The thing is I managed to stay only for two to three days, never long enough to get used to new places. Everything looks different. The streets, the signages and the buildings. I get to recognize a street whenever a “deja vu” feeling overcomes me. I fire up my google maps just to discover the street name or my exact location.

Home for this trip was Radisson Blu. Our ancestral home was sold years ago when we could no longer keep up with the maintenance. My daughter wanted to explore Cebu so I brought her to the Sto. Nino Church, the Magellan Cross, my dad’s old office at the vacant Gotiaco building , the La Nueva Supermarket, Colon street . It was at this point when I wanted to find out a Ngo Hiong House. I tweeted. To my delight @maxlimpag suggested a Ngohiong near University of San Carlos – Main Campus. Someone else suggested Doming’s Ngohiong inside Fairlane Village in Guadalupe.

Max Limpag, a well known writer and blogger based in Cebu also suggested I take a short heritage walk in Paria-an to demonstrate the viewing of information through QR code scanning of selected tourism spots in Cebu. Smart and MyCebu.ph placed special markers on tourism and heritage sites in selected areas. More markers coming soon. These markers contain a snippet of information about the site and a QR code that, when scanned, will open an article about the landmark.

Just recently, Max informed me that an automated system displays the markers on an interactive map. The system is automated and all QR-related articles in the MyCebu.ph contain embedded geographic information so that they can be automatically displayed on the map.

I was excited to try it. In all my years in Cebu, I have never been to the Pari-an district or stayed long enough to know it was Pari-an. I first came across Pari-an from a book about my Veloso lineage during my twenties. My mom belonged to the large Veloso clan while my dad was a migrant from the Quezon province in the early 50′s.

My girls are often proud to say they are half-Cebuanos. As a teen, I used to think Manileños were “mayabang”. After living in Manila for 38 years, I have come to the conclusion that indeed Manileños tend to be “mayabang” because the national language is based on Tagalog. Oh I see it often in twitter…”Let’s speak Tagalog” forgetting that most of us Pinoys speak Bisaya.

(I digress)

I met up with Max at the Cebu Heritage monument at Barangay Parian, which was where the wealthy and influential Chinese mestizos lived during the Spanish period. As I scanned the QR Code with my Samsung Galaxy note, a web address leads to an article about the Parian monument.

An excerpt of the site describes the origins:

Conceptualized by multi-awarded sculptor Eduardo Castrillo, the mammoth structure depicts significant moments in Cebu’s history beginning with that fateful fight of April 21, 1521 in the island of Mactan where native chieftain Lapu-Lapu killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Devotion to the Señor Sto. Niño is one Cebuano trait depicted in the Heritage of Cebu Monument in Parian.
The monument also portrays as well the conversion of Rajah Humabon and his followers to Christianity, local revolution against Spanish rule, Cebuano veneration of Sto. Nino, and beatification of first Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod.

A few meters away from the Parian Monument is the old Parian Church , San Juan Bautista Parish Church, once Cebu’s most opulent church. Sadly, the church was destroyed for some reason. “It was torn down in the late 1870s during a conflict between the Pari-an community leader and a Spanish priest.”

Our next stop was the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral Home that “holds the distinction of being one of the oldest houses in the Philippines and possibly the oldest Chinese home outside of China.”

The house is lovely and quaint. Scanning the QR code brings you to the website, Yap-Sandiego ancestral home: Soul of old Cebu. “The house’s roof and walls are 95 percent original, according to Sandiego, making this edifice that he and his family continue to live in during weekends a little over 300 years old.”

Max told me about this mirror that “now adorns the second floor wall of the Sandiego ancestral home was used on several occasions by Negros native Pantaleon Villegas, better known as Leon Kilat, who led the revolution against the Spaniards in Cebu in 1898.”

Some of the things inside the home are not as old as the house. The current house owner, Val Sandiego “acquired ownership of the house in early 2000, did an expensive restoration work on the structure in 2003 and has since opened it and his antique collection to the public.”

I noticed that the owner seemed to put a lot of art work of their faces in most of the rooms.

I believe they are also the same Sandiego family that participated in Sinulog 2012 parade.

The house owner explains that “in 1614, the church of Parian was built. Then after around 60 years later, the house was put up,” said Sandiego, who is a descendant of original owners Don Juan Yap and his wife Doña Maria Florido. The couple’s eldest daughter married Don Mariano Sandiego of Obando, Bulacan–who was then the cabeza de barangay (barangay chief during the Spanish colonial period) of Parian where the structure is located.”

And I never knew this house existed. Where were my History teachers?

The next stop was the Cebu Jesuit House just a few meters away. I later found out that a high school classmate used to live here in the early sixties.

Scanning the QR code leads you to 280 year old Jesuit House in Cebu.

Jaime Sy now owns the house with their Ho Tong Hardware within the compound. They bought it from the Alvarez family (owner of Montebello Villa Hotel) who had it since the late 19th century. Mr Sy ( to the left) is the architect in charge of the restoration. They had no idea at first that this was once owned by the Jesuits until one day, the owner read a library book in Ateneo.

Fr. William Repetti, S.J., a seismologist and archivist of the Jesuits, identified this old structure as the “Jesuit House of 1730″ and pictures of his visit hang on its walls today. Repetti noted the existence of the house in his book published in 1936.

There is relief plaque bearing the date “Año 1730” on the inside wall above the main house’s entrance door.

Sy believes the Jesuit house is even older than the Yap-Sandiego ancestral home because its second level, like the ground floor, is still made of coral stones.

A little bit of trivia from Mr. Sy. See that bed behind me? That is a Giatay bed. The word giatay (people who are condemned to eternal punishment) was derived from that bed which was originally crafted by a Chinese that sounded like “Gi Athai” . The word has since been associated with this bed and being sick.

Jaime Sy said he intends to preserve the Jesuit House, eventually transferring the bodega to another location.

Below the Jesuit House is the Sugbu gallery which is a must for those interested in Cebu history.

I am really glad Max took me to this short heritage tour along with my daughter. Now I know I can never forget Cebu. It is where my heart belongs. My two daughters even want to settle down in Cebu. In fact, one of my daughters booked another trip on April so she can travel with a friend.

There is still so much to discover about my roots. A tour guide can be quite helpful but sometimes the information get lost somewhere as one maybe too preoccupied with the sights and sounds. Scanning the QR codes is one way to retain that information. Kudos to Max Limpag for initiating this project. Max stressed that the project isn’t purely historical or heritage. “Tourists can also get tips on how to get the most of their stay right at the tourist spot they are visiting.”

Thank you once again Max.

After I left the short heritage tour, my daughter and I hied off to the IT park. At first I was unable to recall what this place used to be. Then something rang inside my head “Lahug airport”. Oh I remember those days, my dad would bring me here just to romp around. I can’t recall now what we watched. Was it kite flying? I just remembered the wide space and just being with my siblings.

Now it is all buildings. Sad.

Next time, I visit Cebu, there will be more markers. There will be more things to discover about myself and the city that I grew up.

I am going home once again.——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Mama Mia! in Manila is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

Yes I am one of over 50 million people all around the world who have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA such a hit! It is (to me) the ultimate feel-good show. Cast members of the hit musical “Mamma Mia!” will deliver a “great” performance every single night of its four-week run in Manila which started January 24. I was lucky to get three tickets to the Partierre box for the Opening night at the Cultural Arts Center of the Philippines. (Thanks Tim Yap and Concertus) Good thing my husband and daughter were eager to watch it with me.

I was 19 years old at the time Dancing Queen became a hit in the seventies and I remember twirling around and around to the music. I loved the music!

This time around , writer Catherine Johnson’s creates a sunny, funny tale that unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Since I knew the story from the Mama Mia movie in 2008 already, I found the musical a bit boring except when the ABBA songs were sung. There’s also something striking about watching a live musical that cannot be captured in film.

The show is definitely a feel-good story, a nostalgic trip to my free-spirited and dancing years.

The best part of the musical is the finale where all the cast members dance and sang. It felt like a mini- concert. The audience stood up and even danced along with the cast. That was so much fun. I wanted my husband to dance with me but he was too shy. My daughter wouldn’t let me either and I didn’t want to be a source of embarrassment. I looked around me and spotted much older women swaying their arms and shuffling their feet to the beat of the “Dancing Queen”.

Holding my husband’s hand, I pretended to sashay to and fro on an imaginary dance floor.

Mamma Mia evokes those warm and feel-good feeling that makes you want to jump up from your seat and dance along with the cast.

Expect a great night with a lot of glitter, a lot of glamour, and a lot of beautiful ABBA songs. When I left CCP , I felt like singing (and dancing) “Dancing Queen”, the theme song of my life…Having the time of my life.

You can dance
You can jive
Having the time of your life
See that girl
Watch that scene
Dig in the dancing queen

Check out ticket and show information of Mama Mia in Manila.

Some photos from Mama Mia website——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

My Super Plan: My SUPERWISH for my family is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.One wish I have for my family is to travel together this year. It is a work in progress. It can be a bit of a challenge because my second daughter will be leaving for Australia next month to pursue her post graduate studies. Now if plans don’t push through for everyone of us to travel together, it is not a big deal. I can adjust. Maybe three out of four can travel at certain points in time.

Like I told you before, my SUPERWISH for my family is simple: good health and happiness. It is important for us to be connected. No matter where we are, communication is always there. Safety is my number one concern and I need to know how my family members are whether they are in or out of the Philippines.

What’s better than owning a BlackBerry especially since it has the BB Pin. Owning a BlackBerry powered by Globe Telecom’s My Super Plan, a nifty new offering that lets you build your own plan so you can enjoy unlimited calls, text messages, and mobile data! Three of my family members own Blackberry units bought at different times of the year . All I can say it is quite convenient with its QWERTY tactile keypad and BB Pin.

You too can take advantage of My Super Plan Family Combo because it is the perfect family postpaid plan. Imagine three devices under one bill.

How to get My Super Plan Family Combo?

Getting a My Super Plan on the BlackBerry is super easy. First, select from a range of “unli” services – unlimited text messaging to all networks or unlimited calls to landline numbers, to name a few. Then pick your BlackBerry data service, which starts at only P99 for unlimited access to BlackBerry Messenger, or P299 for unlimited access to Twitter, Facebook, and instant messaging, and unlimited surfing with access to your social networks for P599 a month. The combinations of unli plans are endless, so you can design one that suits your digital needs. When you’re done choosing, you get a BlackBerry Curve 8520 for free!

You can still enjoy the My Super Plan and BlackBerry promo with the My Super Plan 499 and Family Combo. Simply add the P99/month BlackBerry service to your My Super Plan 499, and you get the BlackBerry Curve 8520 for free! The same goes for the Family Combo, Globe’s customizable group post-paid plan. Just add the BlackBerry service to your three lines and three unli services, and everyone in the family can enjoy their new free BlackBerry Curve 8520 devices.

The great thing about the My Super Plan is that it’s very flexible. You can change the unli services each month to suit your needs. So if you find the BlackBerry more useful for Twitter and Facebook rather than surfing, you can downgrade from paying P599 a month to just P299.

As a postpaid user of Globe Telecom for the past thirteen years, this is the first time I am seeing such a great plan for the family and Blackberry at that. With My Super Plan Family Combo, I feel it is is the perfect plan that suits my wish to communicate good health and happiness 24/7.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Year of the Water Dragon: 2012 a transformative year is a post from: A Filipina Mom Blogger

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Kung Hei Fat Choi !

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!

Congratulations and wishing you prosperity!

It never occurred to me that 2012 is the sign of the water dragon. They say everything relating to water will bring me luck in the New Year.

And I did I just that during my seven day vacation in Cebu.

There I was lounging on the couch of the Island Banca Cruise boat as my two daughters took a nap behind me.

“To find the way, close your eyes, listen closely, and attend with your heart.” It was my “me” moment.

I was by my lonesome self just enjoying the wind and the lapping of the waves when soon my daughter took notice of my position and joined me.

I love these quiet moments. To truly hear you must quiet the mind.

Of course, the water dragon escaped me at that moment when we were on the boat. What is in store for me in 2012?

It is not that I am into Feng Hsui. I believe in charting my own destiny yet I am always curious what the Chinese have to say.

Joseph Chau, a geomancy expert from Hong Kong declares that the year 2012 will be a transformative year which means it will be a better year than last year. I wonder if that includes the Philippine economy. He adds that “whether it be in business or your love life, expect no small change from the Year of the Water Dragon, also called the Celestial Dragon if you happen to come from northern China. However you call it, expect bigger developments.”

One must be ready to adapt to changing game rules. Innovation will be a key word this year. And therein lies the challenge: will it be a transformative year for richer, for better or for worse, and how do we innovate to achieve the better?

I LOVE challenges and am always willing to innovate or transform, whatever the key word is for 2012.

How do I innovate? I listed a few in my day-to-day goals for 2012. Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As I go doing about my business, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.

I am an infinite work in progress.

“Any revolution has to start with the transformation of the individual, otherwise individuals are corrupted by the power they get if their revolution succeeds.” Wes Nisker

Forecast 2012 for the Year of the Water Dragon ——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado