Marriage, Motherhood, Music and Me

Never imagined I would survive

2021-05-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

So...

I have been away for some time since I relinquished my Macbook Air to my eldest son. That meant I do not have a personal device to work with and update my blog with (seriously, this is a lame excuse I know). But I have always kept my personal and professional devices separate. My work laptop (company issued) will never contain and be used for my personal exploits on the worldwide web. So here I am, renewed and back since I purchased a new device for myself.

I am back and pondering on what to write next in this journey and we start with the one thing I never imagined that I could live without. The boys and I have been on our own since January (YAY). When I say on our own, I mean no helper. Our trusted and ever-reliable Manang retired back in December. Honestly, it was one of the most terrifying thoughts to ever cross my mind and I asked myself, "Can I survive without her?!?" Five months into it, the answer is YES (Hooray for me for not going cray cray yet). I look back and reflect, on what we did right to get to this point (of course notwithstanding all the moments that I did not want to move, or I simply told the hubby to wear what was in the closet because I was too lazy to iron clothes). Let me share my top 5 tips on surviving not having household help for the very busy working mom.

1. DELEGATE

The boys all have their roles and responsibilities. The higher the birth order, the greater the responsibility and of course we match it with the age of the kids. We try to maintain some level of quity and justice for the older kids so that they don't feel "lugi" and having the greater burden of helping their parents.

2. SIMPLIFY

When Manang went on a break for Christmas, I started decluttering and removing things that we no longer needed. I disposed of a lot of things and gave away a lot of junk. Then I started to sort the things that we decided to think about before keeping. I ended up giving away a lot of things that no longer served us on a regular basis. This way we had less items to clean and maintain.

3. ASK HELP

Admitting that I cannot do everything on my own is key, accepting it is another. We got the services of a cleaning person to take on the outside of our home. We have a large lot area and have an extension area where we keep our other stuff like our golf clubs, rackets, and other sports equipment. I can no longer clean this together will all the household chores. Luckily, we got a cleaning person to come every M-W-F to clean and maintain our garden, garage and outside area. One or two less things to think about.

4. BE KIND

Being a sort of "control freak" I often times forget that my boys are children and they have their own worries and troubles not to mention the million things they need to complete for school. I remind myself that my children have their own worries to think about and I should not be their source of stress any more. It took time for me to consciously practice this and it has been a humbling experience.

5. LET GO

This is the hardest lesson I had to learn...letting go. I used to lose sleep over uncleaned floors, unwashed curtains and undusted surfaces. But I told myself I needed to be a happy wife and mom, well rested, contented and healthy for my boys. All the things I used to think were important are no longer of consequence and I learned to simply let go. What I cannot do today (in the chores sense of the word) I do tomorrow. This is the hardest lesson I had to learn. It took majority of the past 5 months to learn this, and now I can say I am less stressed, I sleep better and I feel better.

I never could imagine surviving without a helper, not in my 17 years of being married and 15 years of being a mother but here I am, together with our boys...surviving and thriving. If I can do it, certainly more of us out there with the numerous Yaya issues can definitely survive on their own with determination, patience, and a lot of prayers, you can survive without a household helper like me.

Parenting in the time of Covid

2020-04-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

My boys during their mandatory "pa-araw" session

The Philippines has been on Enhanced Community Quarantine for over a month already. My children have not been outside for over two months. The current situation has given me a greater appreciation for the time I spend with my children, especially the time that I spend with my eldest who is in his teens.

I have noticed that there are so many support groups for parents of newborns, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and grade-schoolers but there are limited support groups in the Philippines that talk about parenting their children who are in their teen years. With all the issues our children are facing, parents of teens, need all the support they can get. Often times, parents of teens just move through this phase in silence.

I would like to offer support to all moms and dads of teens because honestly, parenting at any phase is important. We need all the help we can get in raising the next generation. I am no expert in raising my teen, but I am surely trying my best to understand him and listen to him in a very pivotal time in his life. What they go through (which we all went through) is not easy. It's a confusing and challenging time and they need us just the same way they needed us as newborns.

Raising my eldest son has taught me several things both about parenting and also based on the experience of once being in my teens (thank goodness we only go through it once). Here are some parenting "hacks" or advice I can share. They can be helpful in raising children of any age.

1. Parenting one child will be different from parenting another child.

This is a controversial statement which I know some will challenge so allow me to provide further context. The values and principles that I live by as a person and as a mom are deeply rooted on my faith. That will never change. But how I raise my eldest son is different from how I raise my second son and my third son. Just like how my husband and I make decisions on what school we will send the boys to based on their learning styles, my parenting style is also based on my child's personality. My eldest son likes to be told stories about how it was when I was growing up, what was life like in the past and how different times are now. He likes listening to what I went through and he is very sensitive and observant of other people's words and actions which keeps me grounded on my stand on political issues, environmetal issues and the like. While he is innately an introvert, he likes being around like minded people who enjoy talking about funny videos and jokes. He also enjoys reading about topics on discoveries and breakthroughs. He is mathematical, logical and athletic. How I relate to him is different from my third son who is more musical, confident and likes spelling and telling stories. He likes talking about stories he has read or videos he watched and gives his opinion on almost anything that interests him. I always ask him what he would do if he was in the shoes of the person who is the topic of the story of video and if he would do things differently and why. He doesn't care much for stories of the past but looks at what I do in the present. Different strokes for different folks.

2. Talk to them like adults.

How I talk to everyone is how I talk to my children. They won't be little for a long time. In fact they will be adults for a longer span of time which made me believe that I should talk to them like adults. Most parents change the way they talk to their child once they reach their teen years and they find it difficult. My eldest son and I did not go through such a transition. I have always asked his opinion on social and political issues for me to also see his "grounding" and foundation as a person. In turn, he has raised several topics and has asked my stand on divorce, abortion and the death penalty. He has also offered his opinion on these and I should say, he has deep roots in his faith, possibly deeper than mine. I have always wanted my children to be as outspoken as I was growing up and I owe that to our household full of adults who never spoke to me differently. There are times when I forget they are my children when I talk to them because I want them to know how to speak their mind clearly to anyone regardless of age, gender and culture.

3. Allow them to see you as a person, and not as a superhero.

I admitted to my kids early on that I cannot do everything, that in this family we all have our roles. There were times where I needed to rely on other people who can help, and I continue to do so. By showing them there is not shame in asking for help or in needing help hopefully they will learn to ask for her and will not hesistate to go to me when the going gets tough. As parents we are sometimes fixated on being able to do everything on our own but in reality, it really does take a village to raise a child. I have been lucky to have a solid support system from my own parents, siblings, in-laws and friends. I have been helped so many times just to be able to fulfill the various roles I play in my life. I want my children to know that they can ask for help and they in turn should also offer help to those who will need it.

There are of course more "hacks" that I can share, and I will in the next days. Being on quarantine has forced me to live a life beyond work and remember who I am after the last working second of my workdays. I have neglected this part of me that likes sharing with others what I have learned in this life. It's time to ignite my hobbies and my passions and try to be the best version of myself in the time of Covid.

The Generation in-between

2017-03-24T20:27:00.001-07:00

Photo courtesy of: http://generationxnz.blogspot.com/2015/07/gen-x-and-gen-y_27.html

I was told I’m too old to be a millennial and too young to be a Gen X-er so I went online to research which generation I really belong to. I am actually both. Those born between the end of the Gen X and the beginning of Gen Y are actually called Xennials (sounds kindda hip and cool diba? Sige na, pagbigyan niyo na ako). We are said to bear traits of both generations. We have mostly the work ethics of the Gen Xers and the tech-y traits of the Millennials. Let’s break that down.

I grew up during the time when the internet wasn’t born yet. We experienced playing under the moonlight and knock on neighbor’s doors to call on our playmates. We bought multicolored chicks from the nearby school and brought home countless of animals and insects. We bought scramble for the vendor on the street and picked a number and won prizes. We made efforts to connect to people. We wrote letters and waited for months for replies. We knew what telegrams were for, usually bad bad news of family members illnesses or deaths. And who could forget “partylines?!?” I remember walking in my grandparent’s village and my aunt or my mom or dad knocking on the gate of the partyline to ask them to give us a chance to use the landline.

Then computers arrived in my life around the late 80s. I remember my parents having one in our shop in Project 2 where my dad set-up his electronics repair business. I was in awe at the technology and it was then that I knew I was a tech-y person and would utilize technology to it’s fullest. It helped that my dad was a tech-y person as well and I was given every gadget available during that time from my pocket organizer, palm pilot, beeper, cellphone, sega, playstation and our own computer for surfing and school use. In college, group works would always be scheduled in our home because we would have all the necessary tools from my mom and dad’s home office; computers, our colored printers and not to mention our own photocopying machines. My tech-y cells were nourished greatly by the availability of products given by my parents.

Today, I am the one of the tech-iest Xennial alive but I still have my romance with my pens and notebooks. While I have my library of ebooks, I still yearn to own paperback copies of books and find joy in smelling each page as soon as they come out of the plastic. While I take every possible snapshot of the food I eat, places I’ve been to and people I encounter, I also relish every moment I spent with my boys without taking a single photo and live in precious moments with them in my heart. I am a product of both generations and it is an advantage really. I am blessed and fortunate to still be a high tech person as well as a high touch person. This way, I will be able to raise my Gen Z boys as balanced as I can. So fellow Xennials out there, let’s make this count! Boo yah!

This special boy named Gael

2017-03-17T19:25:00.001-07:00

Gael is no different from his brothers. He whines, he giggles, he complains and he farts…all the same, all normal, or so people think. My husband and I try very hard to raise all three boys with no bias and no special treatment. Gael is reprimanded and punished just like the other boys. Especially since he has more of the mischievous traits. What sets him apart from his brothers is the acknowledgment that he will be with us for the rest of our lives. We have been resigned to that fact and actually welcome never having to experience what most parents dread (or relish for some) the “empty nest” syndrome because one “chick” will always be home just like my brother Benju who is also in the spectrum. We have also been conscious with making sure Benju and Gael will have a place in our home.

Strangers, acquaintances and well meaning friends have told me more than once that he looks normal. I take no offense in statements like those but really he is not. It’s not even just a delay…it’s seriously a disorder. What pains me is that they don’t see that it’s really okay for us. People always say he will grow out of it and he will be cured. First, autism isn’t something you outgrow, second, it’s not a disease you get cured or vaccinated from, it is a lifelong disorder and real people go through it.

Gael is a gift to our family and people do not have to feel sorry for us as parents. He may never graduate or hold a degree but then again he may. He may never meet the love of his life and start a family or he just might. Yeah yeah, some of you may say it’s the same uncertainty that a parent of a normal child will also feel. I am overanalyzing it and overthinking it again as I always do. But wait, remember that we are parents to both special needs and “normal” boy. And I tell you that the uncertainty of Gael’s future is just not the same.

I am anxious and scared for Gael because while the world is full of people with good hearts it is also full of those who oppress people who are different. I pray we will live long enough to make sure he will have a good future and that the world will be kinder to special needs people like him and Benju.

#Gaelsadvocate #Autismspeaks #Autism

Lemon Scampi recipe

2016-02-16T02:11:00.002-08:00

As promised, I am posting the recipe of my Lemon Scampi. You may tweak the recipe to your liking. Bon Appetit!

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter
1/2 kilo medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact
2 large cloves garlic, minced
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional but it's tastes sooooo much better with it)
Juice of 1/2 lemon, plus wedges for serving (or you can use calamansi or lime)

1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh parsley (or basil, or chives whichever you prefer)

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Melt the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Roast the garlic and cayenne until light brown. Add shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they are pink. Remove from the heat and add 2 tablespoons water, the lemon juice and parsley; stir to coat the shrimp with the sauce. Optional: Season with salt and pepper

New Mommy Product review: Zonrox ColorSafe

2016-02-08T04:14:00.000-08:00

Photo credits to: http://greencross.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/z-colorsafe.png

I started using Zonrox ColorSafe last month. Being a mom of 3 active boys, I often find an assortment of stains in their clothes. From food, ink, paint, grease and oil stains. In the past, I would try different brands of detergent to help address my issue but to no avail. Then I came across this product in the detergent aisle of Cherry Foodarama Congressional while meticulously reviewing another brand of detergent I was going to try. Zonrox ColorSafe promises to kill 99.9% of disease causing-germs and viruses which is always a plus for moms like me (yay!) Also, I discovered that it keeps clothes smelling great as well. No need for my usual fabric softener. Yes, I am a Zonrox convert and yeah, more importantly it gets all kinds of stains out of the clothes of my boys. Just use as indicated that the back of the product and viola! Good bye stains and germs! Hello nice looking clothes! Oh yeah, before I forget...the product can be used for your white clothes as well. So it's an all around product that is friendly on your budget.
So to all us working, stay at home and work at home moms...Happy Washing!

Uber and the end of my relationship with cab drivers

2016-01-31T06:19:00.001-08:00

Since the birth of Uber in the Philippines, I have left that era when I would need to beg a cab driver to bring me to my destination. The power over me of the once mighty cab driver has diminished and is completely gone, thanks to Uber. Uber has given us the ability to find a decent ride anytime and anywhere. You need not worry anymore and endure the "kamot-ulo", "parining" at buntong hiniga of kuya cab driver and the constant comment na "ang traffic naman, dagdag ng konti sa metro." Uber drivers know where they need to bring you and if they don't, Waze is there to the rescue! The best feature of Uber for me is the ability of your family or friends (special friends for others ) to follow your travel path, giving you a great sense of security. Of course, all these services come with a price but for those who are willing to pay, the Uber experience is liberating!

For those who want to learn more about Uber, you may visit their website at: https://www.uber.com/cities/manila

My Favorite Ramen: Kitchitora

2014-07-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

I've tried most of the popular Ramen places here in the Metro and so far there is only one that I have come to love...Kitchitora in Megamall now holds a special place in my heart and belly! I can eat their Ramen everyday (my friends at work know this for a fact) and it has so far been my place of comfort when I am stressed or tired. Unlike the other Ramen places, Kitchitora offers a limited selection of their dishes which I really don't mind since the good places concentrate on a few items but serve each one excellently. So, for those who want a taste of authentic Japanese Ramen (the number of Japanese customers will attest to that), go visit Kitchitora at Megamall level 2 (Atrium) or their newly opened Glorietta 5 branch!

Miso Ramen (regular) with seaweed and ajitama

Paitan Ramen (small) with bamboo shoots and chili oil

Why I got married at 22

2014-04-23T21:57:00.002-07:00

April 4, 2004

For most people, when they heard of my engagement to my then boyfriend and now husband Tata they immediately speculated that I was pregnant. For the record, we got engaged on February of 2003, married on April 4, 2004 and on July 20 of the same year we found out I had an ovarian cyst which was making it difficult for me to get pregnant. Also, Iago was born on January 14, 2006. (I hope that clears everything) I got married at 22 because I wanted to start sharing my life with my husband as soon as I could. It was a very good decision on my part and I will give you a few reasons why.

1. I am now 32, married for 10 years with 3 wonderful children all over the age of 2. I am also an HR Manager in the country's leading fastfood company. (Who said you cannot have it all)
2. Gone are the days of sleepless nights taking care of an infant. I did all that in my 20s and now I can sleep well at night without getting up to feed a crying toddler or change soiled diapers (my youngest son Rocco is already potty trained! Yay!!!)
3. I am now into getting all my 3 boys ready and prepared for grade school life. Which means, they will be home less and less. They will reach home pretty much the same time that we would arrive from the office.
4. Because I am done with bring out children into this world (my youngest was born to us when I was 28) I can now concentrate on other things like my career, my masters, learning how to play golf with the hubby and losing weight.
5. I may have missed out on a lot of clubbing because when all other 20 somethings were busy checking out the hottest clubs, I was busy pacifying my new born son or cooking dinner for my husband but I would say that I didn't miss out on a lot. The years some feel I threw away, were actually the best in my life.

If I were given a chance to do-over my 20s, I would still do it the same way I did. Bring out all the children I can manage to push into this world before I reach 30 so I can still enjoy them while I am young. Of course, we all have our priorities in life. Mine was to be a wife, mother and have a great career!

My top 5 cooking must-haves

2012-08-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

Because I am a feelingera master chef, here's my top 5 cooking must-haves.

Olive oil
This comes in handy whenever I feel like cooking salpicao or any pasta dish. Also good to have for salad dressings.

Brown sugar
I have this all the time in my pantry. Brown sugar is highly useful when cooking savory dishes. Just sprinkle a little amount to pork chops and it gives it a brown crust.

Chicken stock (or any stock for that matter)
This is handy to have especially if your family is fond of eating stew and soups.

Dried herbs
My pantry is always stocked with dried herbs. My herb cabinet has to be stocked with these all the time.

Chives
Since these are not available dried, I have to get them fresh from the market every week. Best used as a garnish for some but I like the mild and sweet flavor it adds to any dish.

My top 5 "Mommy bag" must haves

2012-08-04T06:39:00.001-07:00

Evian facial spray
This is really handy to carry around especially when there are no decent comfort rooms to wash your face .

Facial tissue
Really handy to have all the time. I usually have 2 packs in my bag.

Nail care kit
Very handy for moms like me.

Oil control film
Handy and necessary for everyday use.

Human Nature Hand Sanitizer
Smells great and keeps my family's hands clean.

I am a daughter, I am a wife, I am a mother, I am Pro Life, I am Catholic and I am PRO RH

2012-08-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

I have heard both sides, I've done my research and I am Pro RH. Allow me to walk you through my thought process on coming up with this decision.

First point, I am a daughter. As a daughter I was fortunate to come from a small family with 2 siblings. We all went to good schools and were provided with material things, house helpers, trips abroad and gadgets (until now, thanks to my mom) that were always of the best quality. Though my mom had me at a very young age, we (except for yours truly) were all planned pregnancies. My parents chose the contraceptive that suited their lifestyle and my sibling's births were all planned and my family was always financially ready when they came.

Second and third point, I am a wife and a mother. As a wife and mother, I have to take charge of my own health. My husband and I have agreed to use contraceptives because I need it (due to my endometriosis) and this is the best method for us. We have three wonderful boys, whom we can afford to send to good schools, buy them the things they need, provided them with yayas and take them out to trips. For us, three is enough and if a fourth were to come, we don't want him/her to arrive in the near future. This decision I believe is ours to make. Providing our boys with comfortable lives is our top priority. I am just fortunate that my husband and I are on the same page on this issue.

Fourth point, I am Pro Life. I believe that all life is a gift from God. Coming from someone with fertility issues, I consider myself lucky to be blessed with children. There is nothing in the RH Bill that speaks of abortion as what the other side says. Nor does it promote premarital sex. I also do not agree with the claim that people will be more promiscuous with the passage of the bill. Truth be told, teens are having sex as you read my article and this is not the result of the RH bill. Tomorrow, there will be a fifteen year old girl crying and desperate because she is pregnant and she does not know how to tell her parents. She and her boyfriend will decide to get rid of the baby before they ruin their lives. She will have complications due to the abortion and no hospital will want to treat her. She will die. Is her life not important as much as her unborn child?

Fifth and final point, I am Catholic. I was born a catholic and I embraced my religion with my whole being until I was shun away by the "church" I love because I was taking contraceptives. In one homily the priest said that those who are Pro HR are not welcome in our church, I walked away and never looked back. I made the choice to use contraceptives not just as a catholic but as a mother and wife. I still believe in my religion and for what the church stands for, comforter of those in need and defender of the oppressed. With my stand on the RH Bill, I believe that I am standing for those wives who cannot say no to their husbands. Those mothers who are not educated enough to understand what happens to their bodies every time they are pregnant. Those children who are forced to stop studying because their parents do not have the means to send all 12 of them to school. If you are reading this article, the RH bill is not for you because you have money to pay for internet access so I am assuming you can pay for your own birth control method. The RH Bill is for those who cannot pay, cannot afford and simply do not have the capacity to fight for their right to have a chance at a good life.

I will not argue with the other side. I have good friends and family members who are Anti-HR. Just remember that laws are usually passed to help those who are discriminated, maginalized, abused and oppressed. Hence the Labor laws, Laws for women and handicapped. The same is true with the RH bill. It is not for you and me. It is for Juan and Juana who are not educated and do not have the means.

My Fifty Shades experience and equality of the sexes

2012-07-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

My relationship with Christian Grey lasted for 2 days

After resisting reading this sought after series, my inner goddess finally gave in. Much to my disappointment, Ana Steele turned out to be such an annoying character in the book. Similar to Bella Swan of the Twilight series, she was always a damsel in distress, waiting for her prince to save her. I totally disagree with this kind of plot. (writers should rethink their story lines) I believe that the women of today should earn their own money and learn to save themselves from any form of danger. Needless to say, the idea of equality of the sexes remains to be a myth. If we desire equality, we should strive for it in every aspect of our lives. No more expecting to given a seat my a man in the MRT. No more waiting for someone to open doors for us. No more relying on men to fix things for us in the house. Until such time we are ready for equality, all women will fall for the Christian Grey's of the world.

Something borrowed, Something blue

2011-11-09T00:06:00.000-08:00

I know I have been away for some time. I was busy with some changes in my life that are about to take effect in December.(yay!) I will blog about it come December.

I have done some reading during this hiatus of mine and I finally gave in to the temptation of watching the movie, "Something Borrowed." I totally fell in love with the movie. So, after watching I downloaded the book immediately. I read it in record speed, around half a day.

I totally love Ethan!!! He's the best!

So, knowing that there is a sequel, I downloaded that book too. I'm totally into their story!

I love Ethan here even more!!!

Emily Giffin is now one of my favorite writers! So here's to you and your books, "Something borrowed and Something blue."

The Honey Garlic Cold Remedy

2011-08-09T00:52:00.000-07:00

I had such a terrible cold last week and I needed a quick fix. However, I didn't want to take cold medication because it makes me sleepy and I can't be caught sleeping on the job. *Yikes! So, I looked up a quick and all natural remedy and I chanced upon the "Honey Garlic cold remedy" on the livestrong website. I was a believer overnight! :) This is a very timely recipe especially during this rainy season.

To make, peek and mince an entire head of garlic, cover with about 1/2 cup raw honey in a small mixing bowl and then allow the mixture to stand for at least two to three hours before using. For best results, take 1 tsp. of the syrup every hour as needed. Swallow the syrup without chewing the garlic to avoid the strong garlic taste.

Happy Birthday to my good friend, Anna Prado!

2011-07-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

Happy happy birthday to my good friend Anna Prado! I hope this greeting reaches you in Vietnam! Mwah! We love you and miss you! See you soon!

My pantry must-haves

2011-07-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

I admit to being a grocery junkie. I prefer going to the grocery for retail therapy more than the mall. There's just something about the aisles that make me happy. So, in honor of my favorite past time, I dedicate this post to my pantry must-haves.

A little goes a long way. This brand may cost more than the others but its the most matipid one in the market.

I love this product because its saves me the hassel of chopping tons of chili and garlic. Plus it goes well with my stir fried seafood dishes.

I prefer this brand over the others due to it's uniquely pinoy taste. Some oyster sauces are too salty for my taste. This one tastes just right for me.

I really don't care what others say about Maling. For me Maling is the only choice for luncheon meat. And my kids love it too!

Okay, I know that this is bad for your health but I've always been an iced tea drinker no thanks to my mom. :) I've tried all the other brands in the market especially the cheaper ones but I discovered that Nestea may be expensive but tastes better and is more economical.

Post Birthday Gift

2011-07-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

I've been MIA in the blogging scene for almost a month and I thought that I would pick-up where I left off.
After my birthday celebration, it took some time for me to get the ultimate birthday gift due to some unforeseen incidents with the car, Gwapo. However, this Saturday, the hubby finally bought my birthday gift. I was surprised he got me the whole set of essentials. (mineral foundation, blush and lipstick) So, now I am a MAC believer! I was never a fan in the past. I stuck mostly with other brands but now I know what the fuss was about. Cheers to my 1st of many MAC sets. Thanks to my hubby!

Proof that I had a hectic day

2011-06-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

I usually make do with a few cups of coffee or tea. But there are days when I need to call in the big guns. (Jollibee Coke float, Starbucks Dark Mocha frap and lots of water)

My workstation during hectic days

Food trip: Golden Cowrie Cebu

2011-06-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

I always had the notion that Batanguenos loved to eat. But I was wrong when the hubby and I went to Cebu. I realized that Cebuanos enjoyed eating more than any other region in the Philippines. Here's our review of one of the restaurants we visited during our stay in beautiful Cebu.

Inihaw na pusit (Their version was very moist and succulent)

Adobong Kangkong (super yum!)

Manggang hilaw and dilis salad (I super love this)

Sinigang na hipon (floating are the chilis which I thought were beans)

Google today

2011-06-16T01:39:00.000-07:00

Just sharing what the google browser looks like today. :)

The Price of Children

2011-06-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Sharing this blog post from http://welovejenni.blogspot.com/. Upon reading this, I felt the sudden urge of going home to my boys. Read on moms and dads.

My Cebu Adventure: Tabo-an Market

2011-06-07T05:21:00.000-07:00

Of course any trip to the Queen City of the South is not complete without visiting Tabo-an Market to buy their famous danggit. Here are some of the photos of my trip to the market.

The cab ride to Tabo-an Market. All cabs should have their meters mounted like so for visibility to passengers.

Taking a picture of yourself using a DSLR is a skill that I have to master

Otap, specially packaged for the recently concluded Sinulog Festival

Various dried seafood products and chorizo lined up for customers

As far as the eye can see

I love DANGGIT! So, I bought 2 kilos. hehehe

Dried Pusit version 1

Dried Pusit version 2

Boneless dilis

My Cebu Adventure: Fort San Pedro

2011-06-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

Here are the photos of my 3rd conquest, Fort San Pedro. Even under the scorching summer heat, I managed to walk to the Fort from the Basilica. The trip was worth every "butil" of sweat.

My Cebu Adventure: Basilica de Sto. Niño

2011-06-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

Basilica de Sto. Niño
A few meters away from Magellan's Cross is the Basilica de Sto.Niño. I was speechless as I entered the compound which houses the Basilica. I felt like a pilgrim reaching her destination. Here are the photos of my 2nd conquest.

The Basilica

The left side of the building. The details on the window are beautiful!

Remember the lady from Magellan's cross? Well, these are the candles she offered at the cross. Here is the site outside the Basilica where you are allowed to burn the candles.

Devotees line up to pray before the various statues inside the Basilica.

A devotee touching an image of the Virgin Mary.

"The" Sto. Niño

A devotee praying.

The Basilica from the entrance.

The balcony where the choir sings.

I found this tile outside the Basilica.

The statues outside the Basilica.

One of the many ladies offering candles and prayers.

These are the 3 candles I lit for my 3 babies.