Mommy Cow

Scenes from a Kapampangan Christmas and New Year: Ho-Ho-Holidays!

2012-01-01T23:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas is an awfully busy time especially if you're having it in Pampanga. There's so much cooking involved! So here's how our holidays fared:

Christmas parties!

Ima Sayong's Christmas tree

Lola's Christmas manger or belen

Gift giving with Tita Cookie with Cow and my niece Sasha

At the Ligligan parol or Pampanga's Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando Pampanga. These colorful lanterns are over 40 feet tall and represent a town in Pampanga.

The two chikitings having fun!

Of course, Christmas and the New Year media noche is never complete without grandma's authentic ube kalamay :) Imagine, the hours of stirring just to get the right ube consistency! yumyum! kanyaman!

Cow got lotsa presents and baby ChoyChoy slept throughout the New Year's eve putukan, good thing... we sort of barricaded ourselves in a sealed room to avoid the fireworks smog and other things that are harmful to a newborn. Just made sure my eldest Cow had fun even if Mommy's busy breastfeeding.

Happy 2012!

The Sadness of Sendong

2011-12-20T12:03:00.000-08:00

At the tail end of 2011, the 19th tropical cyclone Sendong left a trail of horrific devastation in the Philippines. It is by far the sneakiest and deadliest typhoon, ripping our hearts to shreds this Christmas. I cannot get myself to look at the images coming in from Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, I've seen some on Facebook and that was enough to break my heart in an instant.

Photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer

Too many dead children. Too many grieving parents. People walking, searching for missing love ones. Embalmers crying there aren't enough coffins to bury the dead. These are our dead, people! Give up the Christmas parties muna... let's give help whatever way we can :(

Thank God for the M/V YANG crew of Holcim Cement for rescuing the Typhoon Sendong survivors floating at sea. Mostly kids and a mom who lost her children :(

Let's give to the Philippine Red Cross or you can drop off in-kind or cash donations at LBC branches.

Batang Batangenyo Video: Preschooler Showdown

2011-12-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

A teacher tries to sort out a preschool squabble Batangueña style. Ala eh! The three adorable Batangueño boys end up saying sorry and giggling throughout a group hug. Humingi lang naman ng sakolo dineh!

Winner pa name ng isang little boy - Dranreb! So 80s :)

Teacher: Sino bang mag-kaaway?
Alvin: Silang Dalawa! (points to the two boys)
Dranreb: Tayong tatlo nag-aaway!
Teacher: Eh bakit ka napasama diyan kung di ka naman napaaway?
Alvin: A-ako'y naglalakad lamang doon sa maluwag na yo-on, ay 'nare nung biglang nanuntok, naglalaro lang kami ni Alvin, ng bigla akong sinuntok 'nere..

Good for the teacher for letting the boys tell their side, some teachers don't have the patience to listen and would just quickly dismiss them or do nothing.

This video is just too cute for words- it's like a mini-barangay "Peace & Order" meeting :)

Baby's Out: Late Blogging My Second Repeat CS

2011-12-01T01:27:00.000-08:00

Finally found the time to blog, it takes awhile for me to look back and digest certain things, I guess at the time I was just overwhelmed with so much baby love that I've totally forgotten to blog.

So about a month ago, in between shooting and editing my feature film, contractions kicked in and the baby really wanted out. I kept postponing my CS op for a variety of reasons, until finally my body could no longer hold it in, my baby's snugly womb was turning into a cramped apartment for him.

Voila! MY wonderful OB-GYNE Dra. Vina Jose whips out
my womb's masterpiece, 9 months-in-the-making of pure cuddly cuteness! Say hello to my 7.2 pounder, my baby Choychoy!

So last 11. 04. 2011, I gave birth at the cozy VRP, I choose my OB's solo room maternity package (okay it sounds like a fastfood budget meal) But really, it was worth every penny and best of all, everyone who visited was really comfy in my hospital room. But I'll post about my Dr. Victor R. Potenciano VRP Medical Center birthing experience for another day. I really want to discuss the whole hospital stay at great length.

For now, this is the pic that says it all- our little bundle ChoyChoy is ready for the world!

Of Homework and Child Beauty Pageants

2011-11-30T22:45:00.000-08:00

A hot issue on Facebook:

Mater Carmeli School, what is your Grade 3 Computer Teacher teaching my baby brother?

An overzealous stagemom-teacher's mistake may have lifelong repercussions on her career, teaching license and daughter. But just the same the blogger was spot on, on calling her out for giving this mandatory assignment to her students. Yeah, how very unprofessional of her.

Which brings back memories of college professors selling campus concert tickets or org movie tickets, a mandatory move which had an impact on our grades every semester (and this treatment, we regularly got from our pontifical university). When and how this practice became socially and cuturally acceptable- I don't know? But it has been around since I can remember.

I don't understand why it is acceptable in our culture to have pageants like these- where you have to buy tickets or votes to win- talent is never enough, ey? I remember as a kid, this vote based or "ticket-sales" pageants are often organized by the comunity Church for their charities and yearly Santacruzans. Okay so now its on Facebook and everyone you know can take a vote. But I think the main issue here is that stagemom-teacher went overboard and broke a lot of laws in the process by shoving such an assignment down her students throats. But after the issue dies down, the teacher will always have her name associated with this, goodluck with her on getting a job and supporting her kids. Blogger wins with maximum damage. Blogger's brother though might as well shift schools, lest he becomes some sort of pariah among his young peers (who might not yet understand why their computer teacher got hell from the nuns running the school).

As for the teacher who was on a FB high getting points for her pageant princess, I pity her really. From what I've read from her online apology, for a computer teacher she's not that net savvy to begin with. I agree with one commenter, n00b nga ang lolabels. So does her mistake equal the punishment and online backlash coming her way? Some already want her head on a spike. After all, if the mess becomes massive and viral, all of the students from this school would feel the sting of their school's tarnished image.

11/11/11

2011-10-09T01:21:00.000-07:00

Almost there.

Would I make it to the strangest due date ever? Maybe? but I'm not counting on it.

My Ob-Gyne wants my baby out much earlier, but I haven't locked any CS dates just yet. There is a question of cost and I mean huge inflation on preggy packages this year, 7 years ago the last time I gave birth it seems birthing costs were much more reasonable. Then there's the question of work and schedules and projects put to a halt. Family coming over, a fussy 7 year-old who doesn't want me away and not at home for very long. So much to juggle... but this belly is soooo heavy, lotsa 3rd trimester pain- baby kicking, back pain, pubic area pain and frequent bathroom breaks. Just getting up from bed is a struggle, an orchestrated act of balance and avoiding any unnecessary cramping.

For my 2nd pregnancy, I have the same wonderful OB and Pedia on board. I'm more comfortable with the idea that the doctors really know my medical history and how I was when I first gave birth. I'm in a far better state compared to my 1st pregnancy- I'm not manas (swelling with edema), overweight and I'm very active even in my 8.5 month state, I can handle 3 flights of stairs, take the MRT and even go up a farm hill (and endure a 16 hour film shoot at work). It ain't no cake, but its better than being dormant on a couch. I have no stretchmarks (only the ones from the previous pregnancy), I have no linea negra or dark spots (seems amazing). My baby's size is apt for his month and he has enough amniotic fluid to swim around. I think I owe this to the core exercises and Pilates regimen I had going before pregnancy and up to my first trimester. To sum it up my pregnancy now was less physically difficult and traumatic.

We're quite excited, I'm having another baby boy! a little brother for my firstborn, another son for a frantic dad- both can't wait to see the new addition to our family.

The A-HA! Learning Center for Street Kids

2011-08-23T08:59:00.001-07:00

Let's give what we can give and contribute to our local community. It doesn't have to take a lot from us- we can volunteer our time, donate old and useful things or disseminate info to people or groups that have the bigger means to contribute :)

For starters, let's support this wonderful project of A-HA!

The A-HA! Learning Center is a free tutoring center for street kids living in the South Cemetery and Catholic Cemetery along Kalayaan and Reposo Streets in Makati.

I salute the commitment, passion and care of the people behind this non-profit group :) They also run a soup kitchen for the kids.

The A-HA center started in May 2009, and currently services 75 school children from grade 1 to 3rd year high school, teaching subjects from English, Math, Science to Art and Computer classes. They also have a new nursery playschool. They are in need of old books and toys, the books will help build A-ha!'s library further and the toys are for the community playschool.

Volunteers are welcome as according to their facebook page there isn't any age limit. They've got people as young as 12 and as old as 50 volunteer.

You can get in touch and bring your books at the A-HA Learning Center at 9708 C Pililia St, Rizal Village, Makati. For inquiries, please contact Jaton Zulueta (0918-979-3629) or Aina Valencia at 0917-507-9767 or email ahalearningcenter@gmail.com.

Being A Nuffnang Blogger is the Hottest Thing Since Sliced Pizza!

2011-08-03T05:15:00.000-07:00

Being A Nuffnang Blogger is the Hottest Thing Since Sliced Pizza! (Though there's hot pizza right on the dot from Pizza hut) Being part of the Nuffnang blogosphere is the best thing that could ever happened to any local blogger.

Being a Nuffnang blogger can motivate you to go beyond writing about- what to wear, what to eat, what to share and what to see at the movies. You get to meet and seek out bloggers who share the same intense passion as you do. Now that's HOT!

It might be pouring down in the rest of Philippines, but that doesn't stop Pizza Hut and Nuffnang from having a sure-fire hot screening of Cowboys And Aliens, starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford at the Gateway Cinema.

But if you plan to stay indoors, the best news still comes from Pizza Hut! Which now offers Hot on the Dot Pizza deliveries: 30 minutes AND hot (as indicated by the thermally activated sticker you place on the pizza box upon receiving your pizza) or your pizza is FREE!

Dial 911-11-11
if you want your pizzas Hot on the Dot!

Pretty Preggies

2011-07-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Staying pretty while preggy is a gift haha! The hormonal changes are enough to make you puff up, bloat, gain weight or just the opposite- BLOOM! How lucky some moms are :)

Pregnancy really suits Selma Blair.

She has that preggy glow about her... great mom aura :)

and Ivanka Trump, gorgeous and divine in white while she was still preggers about a month ago.

Photos from Celebrity Baby Scoop

Hear little 5 year-old Sofia Coppola sing the "Lupang Hinirang"

2011-07-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Hear little 5 year-old Sofia Coppola sing the "Lupang Hinirang" or the Philippine National Anthem (or as pinoy kids are quick to quip yung Bayang Magiliw). Sofia is now all grown up as acclaimed as her director dad and maybe even far more talented :)

She learned singing our national anthem when she stayed with her dad in Laguna throughout the filming of Apocalypse Now. The Philippine anthem starts at 2:40 secs on the video.

You may visit Blessmybag's link which has been doing the facebook rounds this morning or the NPR blog for the audio file

One of the best things you can do with your kid is to record things for posterity, well to archive the "now" and the fleeting moments of life can always prove to be a priceless treasure later on.

My Niece at the Promil Pre-School i-Shine Talent Camp TV

2011-06-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

My lovely 5 year-old niece Sasha is among the 12 finalists on the Promil i-Shine Talent Camp TV aired every Sunday on the GMA Network in Manila. The reality TV program is hosted by Mikee Cojuangco, Paolo Contis and child wonder Jillian Ward.

Sasha is superdaldal, makulit and loves posing in front of the camera for as long as I can remember. Mana sa Mommy and Lola niya ;)

At home, she loves to play dress up, my Sis makes her all these cute handmade costumes.

I saw the first episode this afternoon, looks a lot of fun for the kids and I can't say much about the parents though, they seem to look all anxious.

Well goodluck kiddies!

The Mommy Drama of the Enrollment Season

2011-05-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

This whole month has gotten me really flustered and frustrated - my son's moving up to a big school. But at the last minute we might move homes to another part of the city- from Makati to Ortigas or even Quezon City.

It's pretty late in the game to move and switch schools now, but if my hubby's new job call pulls through then we really have to make that decision uprooting everyone in our family into some neighborhood totally alien to us. Meh.

I don't know any grade schools that accept late enrollees, and its almost June! OMG! So in the next few days, I hope to really find a good one or else, me and my son would be stuck doing a long daily commute to Makati (at the big school I signed him up as early as their applications started last October). Haay naku!

Johnson's Baby Presko Play

2011-03-31T03:32:00.000-07:00

Video by Futkalero

Futkal is the hero activity of the day at Johnson's Baby Presko Play at the main promenade at the Market, Market in Fort Bonifacio. Futkal is the current rage among the young in local barangays. Futkal is the street kid's version of soccer, it gets its name from football and kalye (street).

Johnson's Baby has gathered kids from all walks of life to participate in a day long activity session which includes Futkal training and other pawisin-yet-fun activities for kids like my fave Chinese garter and my son's fave bouncing ball.

We got there around 10:45am and was whisk off to Trellis by one of the friendly event coordinators. Here we shared the same lunch table with Chic Sassy Mom and Mommy Peach. Please check out her post since she has adorable pics of the Presko Play event :)

My son was giddy with excitement he wanted to skip lunch and just go try all the games. He actually signed himself alone at the bouncy ball booth, after a couple of rounds hopping on the ball, he started giving me this helpless look when the nice J&J booth ladies started to powder him (haha). Di bale presko na baby ko! Unfortunately, we ran out of camera batteries at the event, still we had lots of fun watching the Drill Demos and Futkaleros.

Ooh and I finally got my long-awaited J&J bassinet which is just LOVELY :)

Makati Preschool and Nursery: Saint Vincent Center

2011-03-15T02:37:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited and looking forward to my son's preschool graduation next week. For moms looking for a preschool in Makati, do check out the Saint Vincent Center during your school hunt. Its a very small school, mind you, but the teachers here are really BIG on teaching and caring for the kids.

Saint Vincent Center
Lower Ground Unit 11
Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, Makati City
Phone number: 894-4498 / 0916 493 8554

Levels:

Pre-Nursery - 2 to 3 years old
Nursery - 3 to 4 years old
Junior Casa - 4 to 5 years old
Advance Casa - 5 to 6 years old

Class Schedule:

7:30 am to 10am
10:30 am to 1 pm
1:30 pm to 4pm

Requirements:
Two 1x1 pictures
Photocopy of Birth Certificate
They accept transferees and late enrollees all-year round especially kids coming in from abroad

Administrative office:
Open from 9am to 7pm
Saturdays by appointment

Ideal for parents working in the Legaspi Village area and Pasong Tamo area. The preschool is situated inside Cityland Pasong Tamo tower, its in front of Don Bosco Makati and near Waltermart Supermarket.

There's a small teacher-to-student ratio per class; bilingual environment; teaching methods involves worksheets, singing, dancing and playing.

My son's social skills really improved here and he's learn to share and take turns when playing with kids his age. They have annual field trips too, this year we went to the Zoobic Safari.

School Yard Songs and other Pinoy Rhymes

2011-03-08T06:19:00.000-08:00

Pattycake rhymes and other songs I remember from first grade:

Sen, Sen, Sen playmates come on and play with me, are you my darling friend? For ever mo-mooore! (very catchy and gets faster after every patty cake level, though I no longer recall the whole song)
Monkey monkey anabelle, how many monkeys do you see?
Si Pepito natutulog walang kulambo, walang kumot...
123 Asawa ni Marie Araw Gabi Walang Panty! (Hmm...kaya pala napapataas ng kilay Mommy ko noon)
Tong Tong pakitong kitong, alimango sa dagat malaki at masarap...
Sasara ang Bulaklak, Bubuka ang bulaklak, lalabas ang reyna, pakendeng kendeng pa...
Sweet Violet, sweeter than the roses are red, over and over and over again... sweet violet!
Shaggedy Shaggedy Sha Po Po!
Siritsit Kawali...
langit-lupa impiyerno, imp-imp-yernoooo!

Park Life

2011-02-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

Out to feed the fishes at Washington SyCip Park; A great place to chillax on afternoons.

N is for Nita Negrita

2011-02-14T22:08:00.000-08:00

It's sad this is even on TV.

I saw the few tweets and blog posts and yes, I'm quite puzzled why there aren't so much blog posts concerning the content and visuals of this TV show.

Personally, I think the show is done in poor taste. But like any offensive garbage on TV, I can just turn off the TV and not let my family watch it. But the problem is, it's still there, people are watching it and shrugging off any hints of it's racism as acceptable- kasi its on TV, its on a trusted TV network. It's not making the problem go away, does it?

And the saddest thing one can hear about this show is the ignorance it brings forth. Someone told me I shouldn't be offended because on a local perspective 'Blackface' in pinoy culture is not offensive raw. It's something that only affects the African Americans in the US and doesn't concern the dark-skinned Filipinos living in the Philippines :( Sad, sad. So much for progress and acceptance- akala ko pa man din mas forward thinking na mga pinoys. And I thought with the advent of the internet and with pinoys who have relatives and family members living abroad we would feel more interconnected and sensitive with global issues. Sa labas ng bansa, Pinoys experience racism a lot, subtle or harap-harapan, masakit po yun at mali po yun. So why do we have to spread this kind of discrimination among ourselves?

Photo from the twitter page of Carlos Celdran

When a foreign TV show depicts us as a country of maids or call us slurs or something professionally demeaning, we are quick to anger to rebuke this kind of racism- why not on the kind of racism that is happening in our own backyard? It's being shoved right on our faces po and even if you don't watch TV just take the MRT alone and you will see that tasteless billboard along EDSA.

If you still think I'm off track with Nita Negrita, I did see the first episode and it is standard telenovela fare. Lotlot de Leon brings the hagulgul drama on and she's is good at it. But as a mom, I find it appalling that that in some scenes they had decided to cover a baby with black make-up from head to toe. Is it even safe to cover a baby in pasty make-up?

How long did this baby endure the shooting hours wearing all that guck? Mommy bloggers, you'd be the judged na lang.

Here some links from other pinoy mommy bloggers who had something to say about Nita Negrita

No to Nita Negrita
Sweet Hopia on Nita Negrita
Only in the Philippines?

Top of the Class with Nutroplex

2010-12-18T06:31:00.001-08:00

One of my proudest moments was when my son first said these lines-

"I can do it myself mommy."

It melts me like butter that at this age he wants to be thoroughly independent from me. It's a marvel watching him do things his own way - making his own bed, tying his own shoes and doing his homework. My hubby assures me, it's a nudge at the right direction.

Lately, my son has moved on from simply asking "Why the sky is blue?" to more hard hitting stumpers like "Why can't we see God?" and "Why do boys kiss girls?"

Being a parent, my son simply relies on my answers as truth and at his age, he will believe anything mom says. Answering such questions maybe tricky, but it only reflects how far my son has come along in his development from being a very quiet, yet active 4 year-old to a very talkative and expressive 6 year-old.

When he started preschool, he really had difficulty grasping pencils and writing his name. He would get frustrated that his name was too long to write haha.

So we would spend hours doing arts & crafts like paper cutting, molding clay and painting; because using scissors and tools would help my son strengthen his grip. When he got used to holding a pencil, he soon enjoyed writing the alphabet, his name and various everyday words. It marked a definite improvement in his language, writing and comprehension skills.

But beyond the classroom, our afternoons are spent pretty much together- this is what makes my day special.

I make sure we get our daily dose of sunshine. Right after school, my son goes swimming doing laps and diving in the deep-end with his dad. Later in the day, we have our afternoon walks at the nearby park where the rest of the neighborhood kids are hanging out at the playground. What's amazing is my son's overabundance of energy and truthfully, I can't keep up with all his running around, but it does help me shed some pounds.

Nighty-night time means we read stories before bed time.

I used to be the storyteller, now my son prefers I listen while he reads the storybook out loud. And if he isn't satisfied with the story, he makes up his own alternate ending with his own pictures which he thinks is more enjoyable!

When it comes to food, I think I am one of the lucky parents. Lucky in the sense that my son has a good appetite for veggies. He likes gabi and kangkong in Sinigang, carrots and potatoes in Afritada. Since a child's nourishment is largely dependent on the quality of food he eats, I make sure he has a little bit of everything on his plate - meat, dairy, veggies and protein sources - to balance his diet.

For vitamins and minerals, my son's main nutritional supplement is Nutroplex. I like the fact that it has lysine and iron to keep him healthy. Iron is very important for growing young minds- a lack of iron or illnesses like anemia may reduce blood and oxygen flow to the brain. And like any mom, vitamin deficiencies are a No-no! So call me anxious, but I'm very adamant in warding off such things.

On a positive note, I'm very excited for 2011, I'm quite eager to start another year full of hugs, kisses and developmental milestones with my boy. Enzo will be graduating from preschool this April hopefully- top of his class!

The Narra Tree: an All-Natural Immune Booster

2010-11-24T03:26:00.001-08:00

Our grandparents often have a penchant for hardwood furniture such as those made from the Narra tree because of its sturdy and termite-resistant properties. Like the bamboo and the coconut, our national tree is very versatile, it also has medicinal and cleansing properties that dates back to the 16th and 18th centuries.

With all the free radicals and pollutants unleashed in our environment today is it still possible at all to live as healthy as humanly possible? This was one of the key points raised at the Naturteq Talk at the Museum Cafe in Greenbelt Ayala.

Miss Trina, Marketing Manager of Naturteq eagerly shares tips on the healing powers of the majestic Rosewood.

If you're into the holistic lifestyle, Naturteq Direct, Inc. offers a Narra Bark and Wood Food Supplement in capsule and tea form called Natursentials Rosewood. Narra is known to be a very effective antioxidant, particularly a blood purifier.

The components of narra - isoflavones and polyphenolics – are also known as phytochemicals. Research shows that the consumption of isoflavones fight diseases on several fronts, thereby lowering the risk of getting the diseases. Polyphenolics (or Polyphenols), on the other hand, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer because of anti-oxidant properties that narra possesses.

Mommy blogger Mrs. Martinez and Events Executive Mrs. Nancy Harel

Dr. Sonny A. Viloria, General Practitioner and Natural Therapist, and strong supporter of the narra tree.

Dr. Viloria is one of the pioneers and strong supporter of the practice of “Natural Medicine” in the Philippines. He has been an advocate for narra since he came back from Australia in 1992, after earning his diploma in Therapies and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Australia.

Mr. George D. Mercado, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Inc. (PPLIC) talks about the company's commitment for a holistic lifestyle through Naturteq Direct. Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company is the leader in innovation and growth in the life insurance industry in the country.

Narra acts more as an immune booster which enhances what your body naturally has. It targets whatever is unbalanced in the body, as in cases of hypertension, hyper/hypoglycemia, acne, cancer, etc. This intelligent food supplement equalizes and optimizes your natural immune system to fight these illnesses. It is your way of healing yourself naturally.

Contact
Naturteq Direct Inc.
2805 Raffles Corporate Center,
F. Ortigas Jr Rd., Ortigas Center,
Pasig City, Philippines 1605

Telephone no. 4709980Text +63 917 538 3102
email at inquiry@naturteq.com
Visit www.naturteq.com

Johnson's & Johnson's: 100 Years of Scientific Research

2010-11-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

My mom pampered me and my siblings with Johnson's & Johnson's baby products when we were young. I think it's a generational thing, a tradition by mothers. When I had my first born, I had Johnson's baby products for bath and nappy routines. The only thing that has changed is that I used the Johnson's baby lavender (The Bedtime Bath Series). I can't get enough of that lavender scent which I find relaxing.

Mommy Cha holding her J&J pillow and basket

Mommies were invited for a babyshower-like event at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati by Johnson's & Johnson's Philippines. A good time to catch up with fellow mommy bloggers and the first one I saw was Miss Anne of Nuffnang and Mommy Pehpot. Luckily, Mommy Vance was also there :)

Sa unang sandali, Sa bawat sandali, Ikaw lang. (At the first moment, and every moment after, there's only you)

A Dad shares his baby's moments: J&J's Senior Brand Manager Juan Carlos Garcia

Event host and ANC News Anchor Ria Tanjuatco-Trillo and Mommy Marielle Santos-Po

Pretty Preggy Moms: Ria Tanjuatco-Trillo and Lexi Schultze talk about their babies

J&J's Miss Minay Martinez on baby showers

All the single ladies have a baby bath showdown

The winner shows great mommy potential!

J&J Moms: Mommy Jingke and Mommy Cha

A sampler of everything on the buffet (yum!) = 10 lbs of mommy fat

Mommy Lourdes and her very cute baby!

Mommy Janese is quick to draw her mobile cam

Lovely icing treats for moms

A J&J gift: Oooh! Now I have to get some honey

A J&J gift: The soft toy is perfect for dodgeball with a hyperactive 6 year-old

Johnson's Baby, one of the most trusted names in baby care, will throw a fab shower party to 3 expecting mommies through Johnson's World of First.

A Week with the Flu

2010-11-18T03:57:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking citrus thoughts, lotsa Vitamin C and getting better. If there's one thing I really hate is having a really dry throat and a cough that lingers way after the fever. And to Mommy Janese, sorry dear, raincheck muna til this passes. Hope to get back to blogging about mommy events real soon :)

The Social Network Premiere Night by Nuffnang and PLDT MyDSL

2010-10-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

All the Nuffies in the house!

So visionaries turned billionaires make the worst kind of friends - traitors! Ah so goes the betrayal with nothing but money and a lawsuit to salve the wounds. The Facebook movie/The Social Network was gripping, enjoyable and worth the popcorn :)

Patty ayaw mag-pose :P

Though today's weather was unforgiving, we made it time for the screening and I really do have fun going to Nuffnang premieres. This was the second movie premiere I attended, the first one was Salt and this time around I went home with a loot bag. Nuffnang events are about the only time I get to see other bloggers (Hi Jane!) - its a great way to catch up!

Nuffnang and PLDT myDSL Special Screening

2010-10-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

Joining a social network is all about making friends and keeping in touch with people you know. That is people you knew in high school, gradeschool and even preschool. So does having over a thousand friends in a social network mean you have as much friends in real life?

Who cares really as long as you enjoy your online life :) But its good to have a trusty, solid connection to the internet with a reliable service provider like PLDT.

“The Social Network is to Facebook, as PLDT myDSL modem+wifi is to having an online life.”

Here are the things I love about PLDT MyDSL:

Plug and Play just like the regular myDSL modem.
Enjoy up to 25 meters of MyDSL wifi connection.
High Speed plan subscribers can connect simultaneously via WIFI
It has a 4-port hub for more connections and can be used for future services.
Allows remote trouble shooting.

Plug and Play just like the regular myDSL modem.

Only Php2200 for bundled plans 990 / 1299
Php1000 for high speed plans 999 / 995 / 3000

Nuffnang and PLDT MyDSL wil have a special screening of David Fincher's The Social Network, a take on the life of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on October 19, 2010, 6:25PM. A special treat to Manila Nuffnangers!

One Big Smile for MommyCow

2010-09-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

At my son's school, the teachers are putting up student pictures for their birthday board. He's quite excited about it, Cow likes to anticipate birthday parties.

Cow was quite fussy and won't go still for me during the photoshoot at home. He just lost his tooth recently and he's a bit shy about smiling.

We had Daddycow choose the photo he liked best. The next day Cow gave it to his teacher at St. Vincent's. They called him "Pogi!" Haha which means handsome in Filipino.

My Little Boy's Height: Not so Little Anymore

2010-08-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Today, we did some measuring by marking my son's height against a wall. Something my dad used to do when we were kids.

Though his pedia did give us a growth model or growth chart, I could use (its one of those giraffes with a stretched neck with the inches on it) I still prefer Lolocow's method. Something about scratching or marking the wall seems so permanent. A touching rite of passage as it can get for a six year-old.

So today on August 18, 2010:

Cow stands 46 1/2 inches which is 3.8 feet

WOW!

A Wonderful Weekend

2010-08-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

My son CowCow and my niece Sasha under grandpa's bougainvilla tree. They love playing hide and seek in LoloCow's yard.

Sasha and her kalachuchi flower headband. She was going for the Diwata (fairy) look.

Nuffnang and HEAVEN Ice Cream invite you to a special screening of ‘SALT’

2010-07-23T02:56:00.000-07:00

Divine ice cream pleasure is HEAVEN Ice Cream.

Give in to the richest, smoothest, and creamiest by NESTLÉ Ice Cream. Revel in the exquisite goodness of its four sophisticated flavors---Belgian Chocolate Bliss, Strawberry Dream, Vanilla Almond Secret and Butter Pecan Obsession.

HEAVEN Ice Cream is made with only the finest ingredients and contains no artificial food colors. Available in 800mL (Php 175) & 450mL (Php 115) tubs across supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores nationwide.

What CowCow Wants

2010-07-18T23:41:00.001-07:00

My son comes home from preschool today and blurts out:

"Mommy, I want a Facebook page! I have 3 friends!"

Newborn Additions: A Sweet Surprise

2010-07-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

We woke up to the sound of my son screaming "Popcorn has babies! Popcorn has babies!"

and the next thing Cow said was, "They don't have hair mommy! They look like worms!" Hahaha! what a sight to behold, very pink and delicate little squirming hamsties.

Funny thing was, we missed the whole birth part. It was my son who actually saw the Mommy hamster give birth. He described it as Popcorn making poopy!

One very tired Momma, Popcorn snoozes off for the day with her babies underneath her. She's our big breeder.

Dark Nights under Typhoon Basyang

2010-07-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

Internationally known as Typhoon Conson, Basyang may not have brought down dreadful rains like Typhoon Ondoy, but it still pummeled the country with its strong winds. Knocking out powerlines, crippling the capital Manila with blackouts which shut down all commuter trains - LRT, MRT and PNR trains.

The long commute. A lot of workers were left stranded. My Dad had to endure a 3-hour ride from Monumento to Makati via bus, only to find out most offices had no electricity (these private companies however still required employees to come to work despite the bad weather) .

Blackouts in Makati. We had to endure having no electricity for 2 nights which meant no functioning rice cooker and electric stove. With meat spoiling in the fridge, I was near crazy and adamant to find a friend's house to cook everything. My cows were starving and even the fastfood stores were closed. Some fastfood outlets suffered the brunt of the storm terribly.

Even the tempered glass at KFC was unable to withstand the strong winds of Basyang.

Luckily, no one was hurt when the shards came falling down.

I went to Salcedo street really early to meet up with my Dad who was bringing us emergency food from Pampanga. There were a lot of debris and tree branches were strewn about in Legaspi village. In other places in the city, you had to look out for flying tin roofs during the storm.

Mom & Dad Saves the Day. My mom is amazing though, she could have just made us some soupy treat or sent us canned food instead she still managed to cook Stuffed Chicken Gallantina and Lechon Paksiw then packed it in banana leaves just in time for my Dad to bring it to Makati. Haay, the Kapampangan spirit talaga when it comes to food, kailangan laging espesyal :)

The long wait. It was too dark inside our unit, so me and my son spent our time singing nursery rhymes at the corridor. Our building's generator could only sustain light at its hallways and power up its elevators.

By morning, Makati was back to normal again and I'm now back online blogging about the whole thing. Hope everyone was safe inside their homes!

Johnson’s Baby Bedtime Discoveries: Bedtime Believers!

2010-07-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Woke up real early, but my son saw me leaving and he got so upset. He thought I was going to work on a Saturday. Okay after sneaking out and walking to Aquanox a few blocks away, I arrived around 9:30 and wow, the place was filled with Mommy bloggers with their babies and kids.

I politely asked our Nuffnang coordinator if I could bring my son over, she said it was okay, so I rushed back home to a very upset little boy who wanted taho (soybean curd milk). I told him he could come with me to a Mommy party and Cow cheered up. Finally, after a busy week at work, we were finally going to do something together! and we left Daddycow at home haha :p

At the Bedtime Believer Awards, Cow got so excited! He loved the view from the top floor.

Oooh so many Mommy Bloggers! Good vibes to the old and new Mommy bloggers I met that day!

My son CowCow (well that's our lambing nickname for him at home). We had a nice Aquanox brunch- a hearty chicken sandwich with carrots, grilled chicken with rice and buttered veggies plus lotsa lemon iced tea. Nom nom nom!

Glad to see other Moms with their kiddies at the second floor

I love the lavender scent! Just like Mommy Vance, I wish there was a J&J cologne version of it

Our host Caren Bayhon-Yrastorza

I like her lovely ruched panel skirt!

Miss Minay Martinez and Christine Balingit talked about the successful series of Johnson's Bedtime Discoveries events:

♥ Johnson’s Baby Bedtime Discovery: Baby Bedtime A to Zzzs

♥ Characteristics of a Good Baby Sleep
Visit Mommy Peach post about the event held at the Cafe Via Mare, Power Plant Mall

♥ Nursery 101: Creating a Sleep Environment

♥ Mommy & Me Sparty: Benefits of Touch Therapy
Visit Mommy neaquino's post held at the Cyber One Mall, Libis.

♥ Bedtime Stories: Bedtime Activities for Your Baby & Baby Lullabies
Visit Mommy on Top's post about the event that happened on a very rainy day at Dome Café, Makati City

So while I was eating my sandwich, they called out the Mommy winners. I almost choked on the carrots when they called my blog name out of nowhere and I wasn't sure about leaving my son alone on the top floor. Game naman sya and he didn't cry. I waved at him when I got downstairs, he was smiling. I received this huge glass trophy which was very heavy and a nice bonus- a Rustans gift cheque. WOW!

I met new mommy bloggers- Vance, Marilyn, Dinia and Janese. I wasn't able to spot any of the regulars (except for Mommy Pehpot) I guess most of them were seated at the ground floor. It was also nice to see Miss Anne Franco of Nuffnang again :)

After the event we went to Rustans supermarket at Greenbelt with my prize gift cheque- I decided to spend it on groceries. My son was so happy with all the treats he got! How timely. I'm thankful to J&J for the welcomed surprise!

The Bedtime Believer Award Winners:

♥ Science of Sleep Award for the most comprehensive post- MommyCow
♥ Magic Of You Award for the mom who has tried the Johnson’s bedtime routine consistently and the routine has worked well for her and her child - happythoughtshappytot.com
♥ The True Bedtime Believer Award given to the Mom who has shown true willingness and passion to share her sleep discoveries to the online world- Pehpot.com

Cow's Favorite Bedtime Story Book

2010-06-29T02:26:00.000-07:00

Our bedtime staple "Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type" written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin.

I got this book when I was still pregnant with Cowcow and I would read it to my tummy out loud :)

By the time, he was four, our son would go through the pictures before bedtime. He loves the animal sounds Tatay would make. Mooooooo! Moooooo!

My son just turned 6 yesterday and he reads this book on his own! This is his favorite bedtime book and his fave characters are the ducks in the farm. The illustrations are lovely and the story itself is very engaging for kids his age.

Happy Father's Day, Tatay!

2010-06-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Dads are tough, but really soft on the inside. They like to butingting (tinker with stuff ) and fix things even when its not entirely broken. All kinds of Dads like sports on TV - boxing, basketball, sabong, football, jai alai, golf and tennis. The Dads I know work hard all week and sleep through the weekends.

Tatay is the person to turn to when Mommy says No!

Tatay and Grandpa deserve the best hugs. I'm so glad its a Father's Day weekend!

A Mother's Day Sonnet for Rosario

2010-05-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

I've been going about town like a headless chicken looking for something special for my mom. I can't foresee my son doing this for me in the future, shopping for mommy presents. Maybe in 25 years, in some distant future when I finally throw a tantrum over getting another cardboard heart for Mother's Day. For now, I'm happy with the cardboard cut-outs I get from my giddy preschooler. As for my mom, she's always been picky with presents, it always has to be something practical, fashionable or worth the buck. Or else. Haha.

This was the best photo ever taken of me with my mom. My father took it with his SLR, back when cameras used film rolls and had mechanical apertures that made an authentic shutter click.

Mom & Me at the beach. The Red Sea, 1981.
I remember how windy it was, I could taste the salt in the air.

I got this sonnet thru my friend Rhamar's facebook account, she posted it as a tribute to her mom. Its a very apt piece for Mommies and since Mother's Day is on May 9, I think it sums up all the best thoughts on Mother's Day- definitely for Moms everywhere. Thanks Mrs. Seastres!

A Sonnet for My Incomparable Mother

by Joanna Fuchs

I often contemplate my childhood, Mom.
I am a mother now, and so I know
Hard work is mixed together with the fun;
You learned that when you raised me long ago.

I think of all the things you gave to me:
Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,
Your heart, your mind, your energy and soul--
All these you spent on me throughout the years.

You loved me with a never-failing love
You gave me strength and sweet security,
And then you did the hardest thing of all:
You let me separate and set me free.

Every day, I try my best to be
A mother like the mom you were to me.

Batibot: A Childhood Fave Makes A Comeback

2010-04-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

Huwag kayong aalis, babalik kaagad ang Batibot!

Don't you leave just yet, Batibot will return quickly!

This is their catchphrase before this children's show goes into commercial. Well, its been decades and the show Batibot is finally coming back on air at its new home on channel TV5! Yay!

For Moms who grew up in the 80s in the Philippines, Batibot just stirs up a lot of fond memories growing up.

Batibot is the local counterpart of Sesame Street and like the CTW production the show has puppets, animation and storytelling. The show is all set in a happy little neighborhood in the city called Batibot. Batibot in the vernacular means "small but strong and robust".

Photos from Batibot Facebook Page

The cast is lead by notable thespians who are forever known in their roles as friendly neighborhood people- Kuya Bodjie (Elder Brother Bodjie) who tells stories, Ate Siena (Elder Sister Siena) who breaks into song while giving out advice to kids, Kuya Ching (Elder Brother Ching) who is a funny jeepney driver.

Magandang umaga mga bata! ako si kikong matsing at paborito ko kumain ng saging!
Good Morning kids! I'm Kiko the Monkey and I love to eat bananas!

Kiko Matsing reminds me of Oscar the grouch, his body hidden behind wooden crates or boxes and just stays there throughout the show. But unlike Oscar, he's not grouchy at all, he just likes to asks a lot of questions.

The iconic Batibot mascot Pong Pagong (Pong the Turtle) who eats KangKong (water spinach). He stretches his neck out when he's happy

Batibot is currently in production and will air very soon as announced by TV5. Hope we could all introduce our kids to an old childhood fave- for every generation needs a show like Batibot.

Perlas na bilog wag tutulog tulog sabihin sakin ang sagot...ba be bi bo bu!!!!

Round pearl, don't sleep just yet, tell me the answer...ba be bi bo bu!!!!

Mommy_Cow on Twitter

2010-04-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well my twitter address has a dash! So its Mommy_Cow!

So if you're a twitter addict hot mommy! Please do give me a follow at http://twitter.com/mommy_cow

I am working on some Cow sketches and dairy spots for my twitter page background. For now, my babycow rules as a wallpaper.

Milk me!

My Son's First Heartbreak: Goodbye our sweet Ring!

2010-04-08T02:24:00.000-07:00

I've been putting off blogging about my son's first pets- we got hamsters! I guess I should have decided a lot sooner. Today, one of them died.

I am weathering my son's first heartbreak right now, our hamster just died an hour ago.

My son found him very still, when he touched it, the hammy started vomiting. Our hamster was suddenly very sick, he was fine the day before. Our hamster wasn't moving, but he was breathing heavily. He still responds to his name. He was vomiting and in pain. Ring would really look at us pleading. Daddycow held Ring till his last breath. Watching our pet die was emotionally wretching, there wasn't enough time to take him to the vet a few blocks away. Now everyone's crying at home.

Ring was such a sweetie. We love him so much! Cowcow named him Ring because he has this single white stripe around his body. He choose him from the litter because of this cute stripe.

My son is asking me why his pet suddenly died and where would his pet go? He told me its unfair his pet died and he doesn't want to lose the rest of the hamsters. Wish I could really comfort and assure him, but really its hard enough to see him cry like this. My son has never cried like this before.

Daddycow placed Ring inside a box with soft tissues as pillows. My boy has cried his eyes out and by the time, my son has cried himself to sleep, Daddycow and I will go out secretly to the planter boxes and bury this wonderful creature who came into our lives.

Joyful Parenting at Marikina City

2010-03-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

There's an upcoming Mommy event called Joyful Parenting at the ground floor Atrium in SM Marikina City.

There will be talks by experts and pediatricians:

• A Journey to Motherhood with Dr. Elena Macatangay
• Breastfeeding: Moms on the Go with Dr. Cristina Limchu-Dela Cruz
• Mommy and Baby Food with GMA 7 and Sunnex Chef Mitchie SisonAdmission is free to all Mommies but pre-registration is a must.

To register, kindly email your name and number to avent@ljs.com.ph or call 7139435 to 38
loc.130/134/143 and look for Jenny or Rina for more details.

How Girls Get Pregnant

2010-03-26T02:28:00.001-07:00

I overheard my 5 year-old son and his playmates talking about pregnancy at the swimming pool the other day.
A cute and chubby little boy joins them in the water.

"Mommy Jeremy is pregnant!" Cow says out loud pointing to the little boy's round belly. His nine-year old sister Marie was quick to defend him.

"No, he's a boy! Only girls can get pregnant Cowcow!"

"So you're pregnant!" Cow says, "You're a girl!"

"No, you can only get pregnant if you're 18 and have a boyfriend!"

Hahaha! I couldn't help but laugh, but there's some truth to that though.

3 Stars and the Sun: A Blog for all Boxing Daddies

2010-03-22T06:38:00.001-07:00

Hello Sporty Dads and Grandpas! Can't get enough of Manny Pacquiao? Want to whine and rant ala Mayweather? Or simply pout about like Paulie Malignaggi!

The blog 3 Stars and the Sun should be enough to fill your boxing fix, satiate your pinoy patriotism for Pacquiao and his 200-man entourage. Meet Pacquiao's elite 31 man team in LA and all things lovable about coach Freddie Roach. Get to know more about Pacquaio as a Dad and his healthy habits which includes his workout stats, diet and more of his videoke faves.

3 Stars and the Sun is whack out funny with its own brand of boxing humor tailored for diehard fans especially for Dads everywhere!

Big Apple Tree Learning Club: A Tutorial Center in Makati

2010-03-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

Just across from A. Venue Mall along Makati Avenue is an alternative tutorial center called the Big Apple Tree Learning Club.

Big Apple Tree Learning Club provides learning programs, tutorial programs and english enhancement programs designed by highly skilled and licensed teachers and tutors. They have tutorial sessions on reading, writing, arithmetic and Filipino subjects.

For more info on their rates and tutorial packages, visit their website www.bigappletree.com.ph

Contact Details:
Big Apple Tree Learning Club
2nd Floor KAIJA Building, Valdez St. corner Makati Avenue, Makati City
(02) 728 0245
(02) 568 7744
0916 657 7816
www.bigappletree.com.ph
info@bigappletree.com.ph

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday | 10:00AM - 08:00PMSaturday | 10:00AM - 02:00PM

Blogging is Beautiful!

2010-03-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks from Hits & Mrs http://hitsandmrs.wordpress.com and Mommy ni Garren http://mommynigarren.blogspot.com for sending this pretty badge :)

Beautiful Blogger Award Rules I have to follow:
1. Thank and link to the person who gave you the award.
2. Pass this award onto 15 bloggers you’ve recently discovered and think are fantastic.
3. Contact said Blogs and let them know they’ve won.
4. State 7 things about yourself.

Here are 15 bloggers which I think are fantastic!
(but it would take sometime for me to contact all of them as I am very busy lately)

http://www.janedchua.com
http://www.yoshke.com
http://meowbykate.blogspot.com
http://3starsandthesun.blogspot.com
http://chook-mindersquill.blogspot.com
http://behindmyscenes-np.blogspot.com
http://hotbeads.blogspot.com
http://twiririt.blogspot.com
http://anythingwhatevs.wordpress.com
http://kickingpinay.blogspot.com
http://www.foodiemanila.com
http://ifoundparadise.blogspot.com
http://madmanila.blogspot.com
http://www.francescainfrance.com

7 things about me:
1. I love to sew and I adore all things handmade.

2. I believe Wim Wender's Paris, Texas is the most beautiful film about love, family and redemption

3. Every month, I battle migraines from hell.

4. Once sat in the Les Deux Moulins in Montmartre hoping to feel like Amelie. All i got was this gassy feeling.

5. I love cheese as much as I love chocolate!

6. Once upon a time, i was stick thin now i am all hips and pure mommy fat! :(

7. The first thing i ever said to my son, fresh from my CS womb and still sticky with guck was 'I love you Babycow!'

Prima Day Care and Play School: A Fun Learning Facility in Makati

2010-03-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

Prima Day Care and Play School is situated inside a hotel called the Ascott which is part of the Glorietta Mall.

I am considering enrolling my son in their arts & crafts summer program. I like their day care facility and how accessible it is. I see their place as an alternative learning venue for my son besides his regular preschool (which is more academic oriented than play oriented because there is so much pressure to enter children these days in what we call the student-selective Big schools). But that's another story. My son likes doing crafty things with his hands and I know Cow would enjoy this daycare.

The Prima Day Care and Play School program is ideal for parents, local and expatriates, who would like to send their children to a learning center on a full school year or for a short period of time.

The Prima Day Care and Activity Center is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Enrollment is open all year round to children aged 2 to 5.5 years old. Day care rates average at Three hundred pesos (P300) for one hour. You may refer to their website for their complete and package fees.

Click to Enlarge Map to Prima Day Care and Play School

Prima Day Care and Play School Philosophy
"We believe that every child has an innate drive to learn;
that teachers are co-learners because in teaching kids we learn, in learning we teach; and that continuous learning unlocks a child’s potential through a happy balance of the 4 Rs namely, Reading, Writing, ‘Rithmetic, Rhythm."

Prima Day Care and Play School
6/F Ascott Makati, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City 1224
Telephone numbers: +632-7558118 to 19
Email: teacher@primaplayschool.com
http://www.primaplayschool.com

Happy Birthday LoloCow!

2010-02-20T05:38:00.000-08:00

Today is my father's birthday. February 20, 2010.

Thirty three years ago, something wonderful happened on my father's birthday- he married my mother.

What a fantastic lifelong present!

Happy wedding anniversary, you old kids!

Table Talk: The Tale of the Preschool Table

2010-02-20T02:38:00.000-08:00

I went to pay our Meralco bill near the Makati fire station and from just across the street, I saw a man selling wood tables.

I immediatedly approached him and inspected his tables, some of which he was still sanding to a smooth finish. He told me his name was Mang Danny and that he was from Bagong Barrio Caloocan (which means The New Village in Caloocan). Mang Danny looked really tired as it was really hot that day and Caloocan where he lived was around 2 hours from where we were. But he was gracious enough to answer more of my prodding questions.

I asked him, why I hadn't seen him before near Meralco. He told me he carries the tables around from spot to spot wherever he is permitted to and not shooed away by security guards. He is like the Aparador sellers (Cabinet sellers) the ones that carry huge shelves or beds on their backs peddling from street to street. This thought really tugs on my heart strings, such labor is not easy to endure. But as Mang Danny puts it, at least he has work.

On closer inspection, the tables look rough and raw on the edges. The kind I like because they really look handmade. Then Mang Danny started sanding the table I was checking up close. I told him not to bother because I like his tables as they are. For they look natural and wonderful!

The table may look rough, but not that bad that my son would get splinters from it. I think it's the perfect portable preschool table for my boy. And it only cost me P350! ($7.50) I think that's rather cheap for a wood table considering the alternative would be a plastic table which I'm not so thrilled about.

Next month, I hope to find Mang Danny sitting on the same spot under the tree. As I hope to buy more wood tables from him. He has bigger ones that fold, such a table would be perfect for my laptop when outdoors or as a craft table when I'm sewing.

Happy Valentine's Day to Mommies Everywhere!

2010-02-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

Today is a great day to hug and kiss everyone you love ♥ well, every day is! ♥ I wish you all the best kind of love the whole year round wherever you are :)

"Let love be your highest goal..."
1 Corinthians 14:1

♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

My Niece Goes to a Casting Call

2010-02-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

My niece's Sasha went to her first casting call. She's hardly ever shy anyway and very makulit. After much egging from grandma Lola Cow, my sister gave in and took her daughter to this casting agency in the Salcedo neighborhood.

I just think she's adorable in the video :)

Click here if you are looking for a list of Philippine Casting Agencies

Preschools in Makati: KIDS (Kids in Day School)

2010-02-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

I'll be doing a series of posts about Preschools in the Makati area . I hope some Moms can give their feedback especially if you have a child going to one of these preschools.

If you live in the Pasong Tamo area or San Antonio Village area, KIDS is accessible via a tricycle ride from Shopwise, Pasong Tamo.

KIDS (Kids in Day School)
a place where kids can be kids
http://www.kidsindayschool.com
Located at:

Click to enlarge map to Calantas Street via Pasong Tamo

9388 Calantas Street
San Antonio
Makati CityTel. No. 895-1105

"Our school recognizes the fact that the first six years of a child's life is very crucial. It is when his basic character, personality, skills and knowledge are formed. It is also the most critical in terms of providing proper stimulation for physical, intellectual, social and emotional development."

Looking for the Most Suitable Preschool

2010-02-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

February seems to be the right month to make the rounds of Preschool visits.

I am hoping to find a good school for my son, one that would further inspire his curiosity and encourage him to be sociable with kids his age. Too idealistic perhaps?

My sister during her nursery days in the 80s, my niece in playschool 2008

My main concern would be an availability of an enrollment slot for my child at his appropriate learning level. My other concerns would be the school curriculum, teaching methods, tuition fees, facilities and the travel time from home. Well, its my first time to enroll my child so I'm practically a newbie and believe me, the whole scenario is so overwhelming for me and its not even the first day of school yet.

My son Enzo is 5 years old. He's bright, smart, playful and cheerful. My son can read on his own. He can write his full name and the rest of the alphabet. He can count, but he can't do addition yet; It doesn't interest him right now. He loves to sing and draw people in blue crayon. He's not shy to approach other kids, but he still can't handle being turned down very well. He doesn't have play mates his age where we live, the kids at our building are mostly gradeschoolers, tweens or babies. So I'm hoping on a social level, a preschool can help my son interact and get used to being around other kids.So far, the schools I went to have been very accomodating. Thank God no one was rude (or masunget). I remember 'horror stories' about school searches which end up with the mom in tears.

So right now, I am on the prowl for the most suitable Preschool. I wish I could say I'm looking for the best one- but I think the best ones are beyond my reach, the progressive ones I like are in Quezon City and not in Makati where we live. The exclusive ones in Makati, may have the best facilities (their own playground, a huge playroom) but are beyond my price range. So what's left out there that is suitable?

My target is a preschool with good teaching methods, within my financial means, and the one with the closest proximity to my home. I did my research, asking moms around the neighborhood (and the online mommy forums) about their kids' schools and the feedback I got from these moms has been invaluable.

I'm going to check out another school in the neighborhood tomorrow. Ayayay! Wish me luck.

One Big Cookie: Nursing Board Exam Results for 2009!

2010-01-31T09:03:00.000-08:00

My sister made it! She passed the Nursing Board Exam and the results are out! yay! She gave me a call this 1am she was screaming her lungs out, relieved and happy. The anxious wait was suddenly over and now Cookie can breathe a relax sigh and proudly tell everyone- she is finally a Nurse.

Her graduation in April 2009 last year

Our bunso (youngest sibling) Cookie with my mom in Leyte. Even back then she loved playing 'Doctor & Nurse' and torturing stuffed toys with faux surgery.

Here's the complete list of 2009 Nursing board passers released yesterday from the PRC

November 2009 Nursing Board Exam Results

In Nursing School on one of their breaks. Congratulations Cookie!

Dad is so happy that every one in the family is finished with school, he can now as he would keenly say on weekends, 'retire' and do carpentry. Well like the rest of us Cookie - off to work you go! :p

LoloCow Builds A Doll House - Part Deux

2010-01-26T20:13:00.001-08:00

Part Deux of our Dollhouse Chronicles where the paint swirls are quite hypnotic!

This is where I left off last week with LoloCow, lotsa hammering and measuring with the wood panels. And now, the much anticipated progress!

Apparently, LoloCow almost finished the thing. I wasn't able to take pictures of how he made the roof though.

My Dad taking a break. Lolo Cow (which means Grandpa Cow) is quite happy with his little woodwork project. The kids can't wait till morning and they have taken over the unfinished thing.

A giant spider invades the doll house. Cow goes nuts!

Attack of the Fraise: Pink is my niece's fave color.

I think any little girl her age is crazy about pink. Much to my dismay, the whole dollhouse would be strawberry-themed.

My sister Cookie helping out with the paint job all throughout Saturday night. Unfortunately, they forgot to buy the paint putty.

The roof! Something Strawberry Shortcake would delight in.

By morning, my niece woke up screaming, she was ecstatic to find the dollhouse with the paint finally dried up and she wasted no time in putting in all her toys again.

Its a miniature world

The front of the dollhouse.

The pink is overwhelming. I think I would prefer mine in white with a red roof plus some retro wallpapers for each room.

The back of the dollhouse. Wow! Quite cozy!

Cookie and my very happy niece, Sasha. Look at that big smile on her face!

She never forgets to kiss her LoloCow everyday just to thank him for his wonderful handmade gift- the dollhouse of her dreams.

Monsoon Weather: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

2010-01-24T06:45:00.000-08:00

I love the whimsical ride that goes with this movie. This universe of food weather exists on their own terms. The movie doesn't tug on the emotional heartstrings as much as Pixar often does with its films.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is all about gluttonous fun, a laugh trip over junk food we loved as children and the guilty pleasures we suffer over food even now as adults.

If this kind of food weather was to suddenly replace our monsoon weather. I guess Manila would be flooded in:

• Dinuguan
• Balut
• Fishballs
• Banana-Q
• Crunchy Kropek
• Suman Mais
• Giant atis
• Sago at Gulaman
• Bibingka
• Jollibee Chicken Joy
• Danggit
• Durian

I think I am just as eager to get crushed by a giant lumpia too.

LoloCow Builds A Doll House - Part I

2010-01-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

I had a doll house growing up. It wasn't really much of a dollhouse, but a scale model of a house my dad was building. Most of my dolls couldn't fit in. My dad likes to scale down things and do math which is part of what he does as an engineer.

Now my sister wants a dollhouse for her daughter Sasha. This is her sketch. This doodle is what she wants done. Yeah, my sis draws like a preschooler.

This is how my Dad sees the doodle.

He's always fantastic with numbers.

More time spent measuring and planning

This is the plyboard he's gonna butcher.

Tools are out of the shed now. Dexter be envious!

This could be the sequel to Saw VI.

Now some cutting with the jigsaw.

Making room for windows

Peekabo!

Uh-Oh! Mommy Lola is home from the market and she's not pleased with the wood chips all over garage.

Almost there, but not quite. Setting up the walls could be a problem.

Let's check in on LoloCow next week and see his progress with the dollhouse.

The Cows and the Happy Cream Puff surprise!

2010-01-14T23:14:00.000-08:00

Its nice to wake up on a sunny morning and find a box filled with little pastry surprises right on your bed. Well Happy Cream Puff who can say no? even on mornings.

It makes it more special when DaddyCow decides to come home just to surprise us with these puffs from his morning meetings. His office is a block away from the Happy Cream Puff shop (that's in Rada Street cor. Dela Rosa, Legaspi Village) right beside a hardware store and across a pizza place.

BabyCow's fave is the Strawberry Puff with candy sprinkles

Look at our bed hair and groggy eyes: antukin pa rin!

These were gone in less than an hour. Hah! and there goes my 2010 diet!

Thank God for Disk Digger: Deleted Photos Recovered in a Cinch

2010-01-04T05:54:00.000-08:00

I suffered from an almost irreparable blunder, I deleted all our family Christmas photos, another sting from the tail end of the dreadful year that was 2009.

Well 2010 can be at least forgiving. For a start, I found DiskDigger, a file recovery software. Its one of the best ways to recover deleted files from your computer's hard drive, memory card, usb, SD cards, etc. I guess this explains why repairshops for laptops and cellphones can seemingly unearthed those unflattering photos one has deleted so long ago.

Disk Digger is easy to use. In my case, I deleted a whole folder of JPEG files from my Canon camera (thinking my sister had backed-up all the Christmas vacay photos) I was dead wrong and now really, I've learned a very hard lesson.

Losing those pics really brought my day to a standstill. I was very upset since I decided to put off blogging past the holidays and suddenly now all the photos in the camera were gone- Pffft! I was now left with no holidays to blog about.
Lucky for me, DiskDigger recovered 100% of the photos I needed and surprisingly even more like a set of pics I took a month ago at a party were there.

I guess it helped that I haven't used that particular SD card since I deleted the folder of pics. Making the data still available and those sectors still untouched or filled out with new photo data.

For more of the fabulous file and photo recovery skills of DiskDigger and its creator, please visit http://dmitrybrant.com/diskdigger

Here's a Step by Step Guide to Using DiskDigger

Well DiskDigger, you have my love!

New Year's Eve: A Blue Moon over Ayala Avenue Makati

2010-01-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

For the New Year, we decided to stay in Makati and forego the clan homes in Pampanga or Sampaloc Manila. The Cows decided to stroll around the neighborhood at 1130pm, there wasn't much fireworks or fanfare in Makati compared to previous years where Makati City always had a street party or some big gathering.

Though it was kinda was boring with the streets empty, devoid of crowds and revelers. I still found walking around Makati on New Year's Eve with my family a very intimate experience.

With my son's voice booming and echoing in the streets, he was creating his own noise and loving every minute of it! We definitely owned the night.

A lone security guard watches the fireworks. It is exactly 12 midnight.

Sudden blackout near Greenbelt 5: Generators started roaring to life within seconds.

My son and the rare blue moon on New Year's Eve.

Fireworks lit up the air.

Neighbors go wild over Roman Candles.

There were some signs of life along Ayala Avenue. Security guards who threw in pla-plas and five stars unto the streets at midnight. Call center agents with torotots and lucis were dancing to that Insomnia dance tune.

There were festive lights and fireworks for a good 15 minutes then sudenly nothing, but silence and darkness. The revelry had gone lowkey which truly defined the passing spirit of 2009, a year of recession, debt and hardships for most, I guess people decided to keep things simple, short and practical.

2010 will definitely be better.

Jay Nicolas Sario: First Filipino Designer on Project Runway USA

2009-12-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

Meet Jay Nicolas Sario from San Francisco, CA. He currently works as Lead Stylist for Gap Inc. in the kids' division. He will be on the upcoming Project Runway Season 7 - now that's fierce!

He spent his childhood in the Philippines.

Well only a true pinoy boy scout keeps his "Investiture" photos. Laging Handa!

I hope he doesn't turn out to be a drama queen like Andre Gonzalo from Season 2 or Ricky Lizalde from Season 4.

I hope he rocks at Season 7 and shows off those mad pinoy skills. Best of luck Boyet!

Party Away at 55 Events Place

2009-12-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

55 Events Place is the ultimate happening venue, it's where extraordinary parties come to life.

Located at Scout Rallos in Timog, Quezon City, 55 Events Place has that zen and minimalist feel with its large picture windows, doors and earth-toned interiors.

The outdoor garden space that leads up to the bathroom and courtesy room where guests can lounge and retouch their make-up.

I love the modern feel of 55 Events Place, it gives me a lot of ideas for events I'm planning.

You can go grand and set a lavish affair in their ballroom area which is very ideal if you're expecting a large crowd like with debuts, weddings and golden wedding anniversaries. 55 Events Place is 700 square meters of multi-functional space which can easily be set and prep for your party needs.

If it's an intimate affair between friends and family, you may go for a casual and relaxing ambiance in 55 Events' very inviting zen garden.

The garden has this impressive cascading water feature which can be cool and relaxing for the guests.

I'm thinking a tropical Luau party would be perfect in this area.

Miss Nancy Harel at the beach barbecue buffet

55 Events Place is the perfect venue for weddings, debuts, birthdays, corporate events, parties, seminars and reunions.

In addition to a stage and backdrop, dance floor, widescreen and projector, the venue also offers the use of KTV and a lighted dance floor.

There has been a lot of great themed parties held at the venue. Notably a black and white debutant party with giant dice replicas on the dance floor. A Disney-inspired party, and a Hello-Kitty themed party, which included a huge inflatable slide and a parlor for kids, complete with nail polish, glitters, glitter tattoo, and a photo booth.

55 Events Place has its own in-house catering, as well as accredited and known caterers in its roster. Namely the following Philippine caterers:

• Hizon's Catering
• Josiah's Catering
• Tamayo's Catering
• Verleo's Catering

For the event, Hizon’s catering prepared a truly Filipiniana feast.

Desserts Galore at Tamayo's Catering. I had like 3 of these choco swirls and 2 of the Jellies.

Tamayo's catering featured a romantic wedding buffet and an all-white table setting.

Josiah’s catering went all out with a fun children's party buffet.

I went gaga for these adorable baby burgers just right for the kiddies!

Swan catering offered the guests a flavourful and spicy Mediterranean buffet. I felt so stuffed like a kebab afterwards!

At the oriental buffet by Verleo or VS&F catering, we were treated to a golden table setting and festive Asian cuisine.

Miss Mars Abesamis of 55 Events Place and Mr. Kiko Rustia host the day's event.

"Last  year, 2008, we decided to renovate the warehouse and make it into an events place. We saw the demand for party venues. People would really rather celebrate their parties in a place where they could transform it the way they want it and not worry about cleaning up after, which is the case when they have it at their own homes."

"Our clients like the idea of a worry-free party. They just go to the place, have fun, party, eat, go home and rest." - Dick Balajadia and Mars Abesamis of 55 Events Place

To date that event at 55 Events Place was the most fab and fulfilling gastronomique treat for me this 2009!

55 Events Place is a great location for fun and unique events.

For bookings, rates and packages please call: 55 Events Place
#55 Scout Rallos Street, Quezon, City
Telephone number: +63 (02) 371-44-35
Mobile number: 0922-899-4941
Email: info@55eventsplace.com

BabyCow's First Cosplay Event

2009-12-01T01:57:00.000-08:00

We went to A-Venue Mall Makati last Monday for my son's first Cosplay.

The event was called Hero Nation: The Ultimate Youth Gathering (Strictly no parents allowed hahaha) Well, not really.

Nikki, my friend's sister is the total cosplay fanatic. She informed me of the event the night before and I spent my whole morning trying to make a Hobbit hoodie for my CowCow. It was a sewing disaster befitting a project runway okrayan (critique).

But CowCow was happy to parade in it anyway sans the hobbit curly hair and hairy feet.

He had no idea how big the event was.

We merely told him it would be a big birthday costume party. He got so overwhelmed that he didn't want his photo taken with any of the cosplayers. He also got very hungry.

After a good meal, Cow was less cranky and now wanted a photo op with one guy, his only favorite cosplayer.

This really loaded army guy. He calls him Mr. Counterstrike. The rest didn't matter to him. I have a feeling though Mr. Counterstrike is the oldest guy in costume. Cool ey?

One can never be too old or young to enjoy something this playful and creative.

Some teens came with their nannies and moms in tow.

Some with their peers.

I may no longer be this anime buff like I once was growing up and I am no longer attune to whatever series is holding these young kids captive.

But I do appreciate the passion they have for dressing up.

I love the detail and work they put into their clothes. Some take about 1-3 weeks to prepare their outfits and accessories. The mental prep for self-promotion though comes naturally.

She reminds me of Candy Candy!

Love the flaming hair!

Sheer joy!

How about a pencil trick?

A bride or a nun? Take a guess...

DaddyCow used to be "in-betweener" for anime like Twins of Destiny (Julio & Julia) and Midnight Pierce. Okay so that's roughly revealing his age. Hah!

Cow likes her!

Cute as a button!

Lovin' the Metal Gear Box

No storm trooper showed up so it kinda disappointed Cow. Nikki told me we should go to a Sci-fi convention next time. Yeah and maybe by then I should wear some psychedelic bouffant with a really tight, suffocating Edwardian bodice. Or I could just show up as a giant dairy Cow!

SpongeBob Square Pants Spotted at Glorietta

2009-11-26T12:54:00.000-08:00

I was on my way to a meeting when I stumbled upon Bikini Bottom at Glorietta. This was taken a few weeks ago.

I felt really bad my son wasn't with me. He would have gone bonkers seeing Spongebob and Patrick Star!

Even Patchy the Pirate was there. Aaaw. But no Mr. Krabs in sight! He's such a cheapskate!

Moms Breathe Easy with Electrolux Air Conditioners

2009-11-25T05:22:00.000-08:00

If you can't stand the humidity in Manila then invest in a dependable air conditioner. At some point, living here in the Philippines, you're bound to give in. Why suffer sweating throughout the summer months? Why locked your selves in away from the smog and endure hours of stale air?

Give your family some space to breathe and relax, invest in an AC unit that would soothe you to sleep without racking up a huge electricity bill. Of course, Moms you should know how to properly manage your hours of AC use.

I'm seriously thinking of getting an airconditioner for my son's room. I think Christmas would be a perfect time to get one considering the promos available. The last time I bought an AC was five years ago, I got one when my son was a newborn since he was prone to allergies, I bought an AC and an air ionizer then but we left the units at the old house when we moved out.

After going to the Electrolux showroom, I got to see their air conditioner series up-close. An Electrolux AC unit is an all-in-one model that can provide you with clean air, moisturized skin and targeted cooling. In addition, with an extremely high energy efficiency rating of 11.6, you’ll enjoy numerous benefits such as low noise, energy savings and optimal temperature without sudden changes.

I particularly go for products that are cost and energy efficient. I prefer products that are easy to use, I'm not much into features that require selectively programming a machine (like Daddycow does) I'm all for no fuss, pre-set functions. But with Electrolux ACs you have the best of both options.

What I like about Electrolux Air Conditioners:

Cost Efficient. The air conditioner also minimizes power consumption - by reaching the required temperature rapidly, and then reducing power usage to just what’s needed to keep the temperature stable. This is great value for your money.
User-Friendly. The AC has a luminescent LCD remote and one touch climate control.
Unique Follow Me Technology. Call it cooling precision when your home AC sees you as a target. Carry the AC remote around with you and the AC tracks and directs the cool air wherever you are in the room. Oh yeah, the future is indeed here.
It's easy to clean
Unobtrusive design. It's not a noisy, hulking mammoth in the room, the AC can blend in with any interior style.

Bonus Mommy Points for:

Vitamin C Filter. Say NO to Dry Skin: Electrolux ACs keeps you moisturized with its Vitamin C filter and for those who want fairer skin, you'll benefit from its melanin reduction features. This AC keeps you fresh all day by continuously releasing nano particles of pure Vitamin C into the air.
Bio HEPA Filter. The Bio HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter removes over 95% of bacteria and 99% of dust particles, and thus eliminates the problem of re-pollution when the filtered air is re-circulated.
Active Plasma Filtration. This reduces the incidence of allergies, asthma and even the common cold by guarding against 99% of airborne allergens; 95% of harmful bacteria and 85% of viruses.
Great After Sales Service. Electrolux won't forget about you. To thank their consumers, they would even call you up for the free cleaning service of your AC unit (That's 4 times in one year). They also have a 5-year compressor warranty.

For more info on Electrolux environmentally friendly products, call its customer care trunk line at 845-CARE (2273) or domestic toll-free number 1-800-10-845-CARE (2273) or visit their website at www.electrolux.com.ph

A Scandinavian Christmas: God Jul from Electrolux Philippines

2009-11-25T01:56:00.000-08:00

God Jul! That's Merry Christmas in Swedish.

Electrolux, a Scandinavian brand with 90 years of global experience in home appliances has just launched its special series of Split Type Air-conditioners in the Philippines.

Most of us are probably not aware that the global brand Electrolux hails from Sweden. Yeah, Sweden the land of garage punk music, graddost cheese and The Moomins. And I got to experience an early Holiday event at the Electrolux showroom.

A tour of the Electrolux show room kitchen

Event host DJ Mo Twister

A lovely Swede talks about Scandinavian Christmas traditions! Ja!

Mr. JP introduces Electrolux's new range of air conditioners. I so dig the Christmas tree tie, I wonder if it lights up?

Vitamin C Moisture Test: Studies made on the new Vitamin C filter. A special feature of the Electrolux Air-conditioners.

As an effect of the Vitamin C Filter, it restrains the production of Melanin, making your skin look fairer.

For lunch, we had a taste of Swedish Cuisine: Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage

There's lotsa Salmon in the buffet too

The Lovely Miss Kath from Real Living magazine

Time for games people! No hiding behind the Christmas tree

We got to spruce up this Ginger bread house!

Everything one needs to decorate a Ginger bread house is in a box.

My icing nozzle was clogged and I made a mess of the roof. I call this Hansel & Gretel after a blizzard.

Ginger bread house winners!

Q&A hour on Electrolux innovations

Miss Nikki Ong of the Manila Bulletin asked about the Melanin factor & the Follow-Me technology.

"Electrolux air-conditioners are designed for real consumers' needs and lifestyles." Mr. Terry Sales, Marketing Manager of Electrolux

More surprises

We had the pleasure of meeting a local Jultomten. A Swedish house gnome who brings out the gifts like Santa.

A Toast and more God Jul!

Cheers!

A Christmas Raffle: Mr. Lance receives his prize from Mr. Dexter Ngo, Sales Director of Electrolux Philippines

The Electrolux Air Conditioner with the "Follow Me" technology

Michelle Obama: A First Lady that Rocks!

2009-11-25T01:43:00.000-08:00

Obama lovin' (Obvious ba? In love ang lolobels!)

Mrs. Obama is stunning in her golden strapless silhouette gown by Naeem Khan. The Indian bangle bracelets are a plus.

The event was a state dinner with the Indian Prime Minister and his wife, Gursharan Kaur.

Will our next Philippine First lady be this charming?

A Family that Shop Lifts Together

2009-11-25T01:27:00.000-08:00

A Family that Shop Lifts Together... will sooo land in jail.

Mommy naman idinamay mo pa mga anak mo? (Mommy why drag your kids into theft?)

Years ago, there was this pregnant woman who shoplifted a large can of milk, her infant was starving. Mommy had gone criminal for her kid. She was arrested and thrown into jail with her baby. The next day a politician bailed her out and bought the milk for her. This was in the tabloids. This was sad and wrong yet somehow we find it in our hearts to understand the mom's predicament.

In this case, however, Mom and Pops are going high-end, thievery hits the designer stores. Read the original post and photo owner Mr. John - here at the Fatlace website

Sorry I had to post this, I really found it disturbing.

Sweet Dreams My Baby: A 3-Step Bedtime Routine by Johnson & Johnson

2009-11-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

During the Baby Bedtime Mommy Event by Johnson & Johnson Philippines and Nuffnang Manila, a group of midwives demonstrated to us Mommy bloggers- a positive 3 step bedtime routine for babies.

The key to making this routine work is consistency. The routine is not just for babies though, it works well with toddlers and 5 year-olds too.

Step 1 is giving baby a relaxing warm bath or punas (washing with a towel) or a spongebath.

Our Ate Midwife is such an expert. I learn a few tricks from her such as how to properly wash the baby's face in a soothing, circular motion instead of just randomly scrubbing the baby's face. The trick is to soothe, not to startle the infant.

Hey Mommy! brings back all bath time memories, ey?

Happy mommy bloggers : Giggles from the crowd as the doll slips into the bath water

Gently scrub baby's back and apply the Johnson's Bed Time Bath

Towel dry the baby
Place the towel hoodie near your shoulder and gently place the baby's head on it then wrap the rest of the towel around your baby.

Snug little babies

Step 2 is all about massaging and bonding with baby.

Remember, keep your strokes gentle. Here's a massage pattern you can follow:

• Downward strokes on the legs
• Circular strokes on baby’s tummy
• Outward spiral sweeps on the chest
• Small sweet circles on baby's face and scalp
• Sweeping downward strokes on baby's back, feet and toes

Mama is Working it! Soft ginger strokes on her baby doll

It's Oh So Quiet for Step 3! Prepare for nap time. Sing your favorite lullaby for the little one or read a bedtime story. Kiss and say goodnight when your baby is still half-awake. This will help the baby learn to self-soothe.

Mommy Salen keeping it real with the baby powder.

Spotted at the conservatory, Miss Roch in yellow is the only single lady in the house. Mommy Earth in blue gives her lovely daughter a big hug and Mommy Noemi caught on cam gives her hair a quick fix :)

Mrs. Tin-Tin Bersola-Babao has her own website as well called ParenTin.Tv

The first online parenting show in the country.

MommyCow at the Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime Discoveries

The Science of Sleep: Healthy Bedtime Habits for Babies and Moms

2009-11-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

Some notes on the J&J Science of Sleep talk and the Mommy forum held afterwards. Hopefully, I got all the facts right. If not, the doctor is not at fault, but Mommycow here who didn't get enough sleep the night before.

Why is Sleep Important for Babies?

• There are parts of the brain more active during sleep such as certain glands that stimulate growth and appetite.

• Three times the number of growth hormones are released during sleep compared to when babies are awake.

• Since hormones are regulated by our circadian rhythms, and babies can't distinguish between night or day, it's important for them to complete sleep cycles.

• If there is proper sleep, there is weight gain, height increase and muscle growth. Good sleep facilitates Good Growth.

Why go for a Sleep Routine?

There are self-soothers (babies who fall asleep on their own) and there are babies who need to be soothed (they need to cry then be cuddled). The role of bed time routines is to condition the child to sleep.

Creating this transition early will help mommies in the long run, the point of the bed time routine is to teach the child to be self-soothing, where he is able to put himself back to sleep if he wakes up during the night. If the sleep routine is broken, you can always go back and repeat the pattern.

Children who are 1 year old and below sleep more than 14-16 hours in a 24 hour period.

Common Sleep Problems in Babies
• Day/Night Reversal especially in first few weeks of life
• Iregular Sleep patterns
• Sleep Regulation (70-80%) sleep through the night by 9 months old
• Night time wakings (6 months old 25-20% in 1-3 years old)
Lack of sleep or not enough of it can make your child high risk for mood and behavioral disorders.

Sleep and Its Impact on the Mother and Family
• When a Mother is sleep deprived it can aggravate post-partum depression
• Parental mood disturbance, daytime fatigue and decreased level of effective parenting
• Even a risk factor for child abuse
• Secondary effects on parents and family

Children and Snoring
Snoring has something to do with the quality of sleep the child is getting. Snoring can also be a sign of an underlying condition, but most of the time, it is just a sign that your child is a 'noisy breather'. If you have concerns, of course, you should not hesitate to consult your pediatrician.

On using Baby Powder on your Baby
Baby powder has been a childhood staple in many pinoy families for generations and when you say babies, one can only think of the scent of baby powder.

Baby powder is not advised though if the child has asthma. But in using baby powder, proper application of the product should be practiced.

Sprinkle the baby powder onto your palm, away from the baby. It is ideal to use your hands directly in rubbing the powder unto the skin. Do not use a fluffy powder sponge. Babies as we all know are very delicate. Mommies should always use their best judgment on what products are good and safe for their baby's well-being.

MommyCow at the Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime Discoveries

2009-11-23T06:30:00.001-08:00

I was just in time for the morning coffee at the Conservatory, Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Miss Adele of Johnson & Johnson introduced me to the rest of the moms. Of course, my fave people - the Nuffies of Nuffnang Manila were there.

Breakfast buddies: Moms and Dads arrive for the Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime A to Zzzzzs

Mommy bloggers were asked to cool their heels inside the cozy nursery.

We got comfy with these soft slippers

We were then greeted by our charming event host, Christine Bersola-Babao and her really big baby bump. She looks radiant in yellow.

Dr. Luis Rivera, a diplomate of the Philippine Pediatric Society and Pediatric consultant at Makati Medical Center discusses the science of sleep.

Miss Christine Balingit presents more Mommy lovin' with a tribute video

Miss Minay Martinez and Miss Bea Dalma talk about powder particles.

Mommy Noemi checks out the Baby Center website.

All the Mommy bloggers say "Cheese!"

The Science of Sleep: Healthy Bedtime Habits for Babies and Moms

Saying It With Love: Worries Over Delayed Speech

2009-11-20T02:23:00.000-08:00

This was a forum post I made at the GirlTalk boards. I think it's long enough to be a post on its own.

My son was a delayed talker and I had so much anxiety and fears over his development. It becomes difficult when people start asking "Ilan taon na anak mo? bakit ganyan magsalita?" (How old is your boy? How come he talks that way?) or "Ano raw? anong sinasabi nya?" (What did he just say?)

Matipid sya mag salita (He doesn't talk much). At age 3 1/2, he would only ask for water or whatever he needed at the moment, he would rather point at it because it made things easier for him. There would be no random storytelling unlike other kids who would just blabber about anything that strikes them funny or interesting.

My son would say "Mommy water" If he needed a drink. But that's about it. He nods when asked. But from the get go, I know he understands me and what I ask of him. He understands basic requests like "Please close the door" or "Button your shirt, honey". In a day, he would make play sounds, but not talk at all.

At age 4, he tries to talk but gets frustrated because his sentences come out weird, it becomes this secret code that only me and his Dad could decipher or comprehend. His playmates couldn't understand him, so he really gets frustrated that the other kids won't play with him. His speech would have mixed sounds like "Aaaaah" or "Mmmm" to fill in actions or words he's trying to describe. I could see it in his face that he's really trying to explain his thoughts, but fails to articulate it properly.

My sister tells me, because he's a boy, he won't talk as fast or as early as girls do. Maybe. My niece was already a loud and fast talker at age 1 1/2 years old.

Cow is 5 years old now. His speech has improved, he talks a lot about everything that piques him, madaldal super! It surprises me how he overcame that non-talking phase.

But it wasn't easy. We made it a point to talk to him and always engage him in conversation. We always ask Cow questions that will force him to answer beyond the usual 'yes' or 'no'. Like instead of asking, "Do you want a glass of water?" We ask Cow, "What would you like to drink?" Something like that, it sort of became like an exercise for us.

His Dad was the uber patient one who made all the efforts, he showed my son how to pronounce words, demonstrating with his own mouth and lips. I guess he's the reason my son's speech is 'good' or now appropriate for his age.

Now my son can be glib at times, especially when it’s about food. Now he tells me "Kissy love makes ice tea bubble. I can taste it with my heart and brain!”

Breast Milk is Tops!

2009-11-19T10:10:00.000-08:00

Bear Brand is undeniably the most affordable powdered milk in the Philippine supermarket; it even comes in a small pack or sachet. You can buy 1 sachet for around P10 ($.20 cents). It's a huge penny saver for most households. Today, this new packaging caught my eye. Oh the assaulting typeface. But it gets the message across.

Nestle is pulling out all the stops in issuing a health warning on all sides of Bear Brand Milk. It kinda looks like an All Caps tweet though.

I can only speculate why. But the reason is just way too obvious anyway. This is perhaps to hinder the makukulit (stubborn) na moms from giving their babies regular cow's milk instead of feeding them breastmilk or infant formula.

But can you blame such moms? When they simply are not informed of the risks that they are endangering their newborns. Or that they have no money to buy infant formula even the cheapest one like Bona becomes a luxury. That they turn to condensed milk and Bear Brand and yes, even to this day "Am" or sabaw ng bigas (water culled from rinsing rice or boiling rice).

Portions are crucial in milk preparations. When I was off breastfeeding and making the transition to formula, one thing my pediatrician made clear was to make sure I measure the exact scoop and that the water level was correct prior to mixing.

Too much water in the formula can cause a baby's sodium levels to drop, which could eventually cause swelling in the brain and trigger a seizure. Regularly diluting infant formula actually increases this risk, as a baby's sodium level will remain low.

That's with the infant formula.

But in the case of feeding regular powdered cow's milk to a baby, there is more harm than good here. Babies are not yet capable of properly digesting or processing this kind of milk. It doesn't contain the appropriate nutrients for them. The parents though well-meaning are gambling with the baby's life.

This is one unfortunate social issue.

The DOH (Department of Health Manila) as of August 2009 is beefing up their breastfeeding campaigns. Well they should.

They should start airing more of that "Hindi Baka ang Anak Ko" (My Baby is not a Cow) which is so catchy and clear to the point!

Haay ang hirap ng buhay....

Team Jinkee!

2009-11-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard of the ongoing pambansang telenovela (national soap opera) then you've been living under a rock. Well you're not missing much anyway, the saga continues online...

In the boxing forums and the mom forums, everyone has a mouthful to say about ~~Krista Ranillo~~

Lucky for ~~Ara Mina~~ she didn't suffer this kind of backlash, I guess she knew how to keep it out of the national spotlight.

After being outted by Gina Alajar on Facebook, ~~Krista~~ has been seen with Manny after Jimmy Kimmel Live! and at an LA shopping mall, HK and Baguio and where else? The rest of her family are thrown into the picture, 70s matinee idol Matt Ranillo III and veteran actress Gloria Sevilla are branded as mga kunsintidor (tolerant or supportive of bad behavior) and walang delicadeza (no sense of decency). Ah, the public outrage. ~~And that Matt Ranillo III after losing his election bid and deep in debt now owes Manny Pacquiao 5m!?~~ All rubbish. And that the apparently shocking text message Jinkee Pacquiao sent to Kris Aquino on the Buzz was rumoured to be the cause of Jinkee's melt down - ~~a pregnant Krista Ranillo~~. All speculation.

During the Catholic Thanksgiving Mass post-Cotto fight, the spotlight was on a tearful Jinkee. I guess it was the best possible way for her to break her silence to the public, the scene didn't need any words - Jinkee was definitely hurting inside.

Obviously Pacquiao didn't see this coming, Jinkee refused to hug him and when he offered his bandaged south paw, he was shunned away. Lucky for Manny, his mother Dionisia Pacquiao was there to save him from another awkward moment in front of the cameras.

Manny's comments on ABS-CBN news and GMA TV are not helping either. He should hire a publicist by now. But I guess Miss Whatevs said it best on her blog.

"Jinkee loved you way before you could afford to buy her Hermes. And I believe that she will still love you long after you’ve lost every penny"

Here's the rest of Whatevs' Open Letter to Manny Pacquiao

One thing, at least, rings true from this whole affair, it's that Mommycow is a chismosa (a gossip girl).

The Singapore Flyer: A Riveting 360 Degree View of the Lion City

2009-11-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

After sorting through 3gigs worth of photos, I'm finally getting around to blogging about my Nuffnang Singapore trip in detail. So here's to more Merlion madness!

Our next stop right after all that pummeling at the School of Hard Knocks is the 540-feet high Singapore Flyer at the Marina Bay.

The Flyer has 28 capsules that can accomodate up to 28 riders.

The Surprise at the End of the Queue:
Ming explains that this guy at the Singapore flyer entrance handing out the in-flight compass to tourists is a famous Singaporean actor. Impressive. Singaporean actors have day jobs. Wow, imagine if Dingdong Dantes had a real job for once.

The In-flight compass comes with a map of the city with designated numbers for landmarks and legends. Press the number you like and you can start listening to audio clips about these places which includes historical facts, shopping guides and some trivia.

Up we go
I am terribly afraid of heights, but my fear is not irrational enough, I am simply uncomfortable being at high places that require you to jump, dive or just freefall willingly with the G-forces. As long as I'm secured by a safety belt, net, harness or plexiglass- I have no trouble being that high up from the ground.

The Singapore Flyer felt like a slow elevator ride without the dreadful elevator music. Its even better since you could hardly feel the movement in the capsule.

Jenny Jo getting some mixed signals

Yoshke the mahinhin and his in-flight compass

The View

The SG Formula One track for the big boys spinning around in pricey go karts.

For $30 SG dollars, you can relax inside the world's largest observation wheel and watch the whole city of Singapore unravel.

Watch riverboats cut through the water.

The Singapore Flyer is a great place to chill and shoot with a telephoto lens.

All hail the giant tsubibo!

"The wheel that squeaks the loudest
is the one that gets the grease."
- Henry Wheeler Shaw

Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Live in the Neighborhood

2009-11-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

You know when there's a big Pacquiao fight going on, there's absolutely no traffic in Manila, not one single car on the road.

We had breakfast early, we were anticipating the telecast of the boxing match on local TV. We had planned to lock ourselves in, turn off our mobile phones and avoid anything online that would reveal the outcome of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. Until the delayed telecast would finally be aired.

photo from the Inquirer

But our self-imposed lock down was ruined by the sound of the live broadcast being blared into the streets of Makati. Somewhere along the stretch of our neighborhood, someone had this bright idea of turning his speakers a few earsplitting decibels higher, letting the details of the fight spill round after round. Just listening to it made us completely miserable. So we hunted down the source.

This led the Cows right next to a construction site, a small pub called Jobsite Grill. We couldn't get in anymore, the joint was packed inside, but they weren't turning people away from their gates. In fact, they welcomed everyone who wanted a sneak peak of Pacquiao's fight.

It drew in all the men in the vicinity particularly those who had to work on a Sunday. The Filipino everyman was there - the security guard, the delivery boy, the tire mechanic, the bus boys, waiters, barkers, construction workers, street vendors, the garbage guy and the taong grasa. And yeah, some expats too.

Of course, it smelled. It smelled of sweat, beer and cigarettes. The place ran high on adrenaline and reeked of testosterone. But it was the perfect place to be in at that very moment, the right place to be with pinoys (men and women alike) in watching one of the greatest fights in world boxing history. Naks!

It was fun. Everyone was cheering to every quick punch and jab at Cotto.

By the end of the fight, there was so much applause and people calling loved ones on their mobile phones with the news- Pacquiao won! The People's champ won! I can imagine the same thing spreading like wildfire throughout the country. People were just collectively happy, drunk on victory and some strange community spirit.

photo from the Inquirer

Now if we could only see the fight again on local TV without that much TV ads.

Another Day at Work

2009-11-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Grind 7am

a bit tired, but still perky from the caffeine

Set up and sequence : waiting for the direk (the director)

shoot wrap-up @ 9pm : pagod na lolabels!

Years of Handmade Halloween Costumes

2009-11-08T06:38:00.001-08:00

My sister Jenny and I grew up sewing our own clothes. Our dad taught us how to sew from making patterns to working a three-thread edging machine. Between the two of us, my sister is the better seamstress and designer.

She can guestimate a person's measurements with one look and her garments are often well-finished, no raw edges and evenly stitched. I envy her really. I can't even do an invisible zipper technique without the needle running over my finger. Ouch!

One thing Jenny enjoys most is playing dress up with her daughter.

She makes her daughter's costumes for birthdays and holidays such as Halloween and Easter.

The Davao Pep Squad

Going with Mommy to the Office

Severina Snape at Hogwarts

A Bunny Costume for a Little Miss Beauty Pageant

A PrepSchool Uniform outfit

Last Halloween, Sasha won a prize at the SM Mall in Davao for her SailorMoon costume.

This one's my favorite!

Manny Pacquiao's Sometimes When We Touch on Jimmy Kimmel Live

2009-11-08T01:35:00.000-08:00

I asked Lolo Cow if he's seen the new Manny Pacquiao videos gone viral on YouTube. He said, "Yeah, yun sa Jimeee Kemel Show!"

I mean who hasn't seen the interview?

Like what Jimmy Kimmel said about Manny Pacquiao
"You’re like the most popular guy in all of the Philippines, right?"

You bet he is.

Manny Pacquiao mentions his kids with Jinkee in the interview- Junior, Michael Steven, Mary Divine Grace, and the ever popular Queen Elizabeth Pacquiao

Here's a picture of Pacquiao's little girl Mary Divine Grace Pacquaio (Photo by GenSantos.com)

They even had Manny beat up Halloween pumpkins!

The champ gearing up for Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto boxing fight.

Sometimes when weee tats! the honesty's too mats!

Manny is such a showman and good sport. He's feelin' the vibe while singing the Filipino karaoke & videoke fave Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill.

Bring on the bromance!

I could almost hear Jimmy Kimmel whisper the obvious
"Ooh Manny thanks for the ratings spike"

Lost & Found

2009-11-06T04:08:00.000-08:00

Years of family photos. The only ones left from several photo albums, most of the pictures got soaked when Lahar flood waters hit my grandma's house. These are the ones that survived.

They've been hidden in tin cans by my dad (our family archivist) while my mom is his total opposite, she doesn't like keeping photos of loved ones particularly when they've passed on. She would burn the photo albums to my horror. She believes in certian omens (pamahiin) that the dead then to linger at one's home if you keep so many personal belongings of the deceased. Or maybe its just the way she deals with grief.

But the task of organizing, digitally scanning and cataloging the family photos is now my responsibility. I found some nice "non-sticky" photo albums at a bookstore, I prefer the ones with the Mylar protective sheet, but I'm not sure if they are available locally though.

Friday Night is Roasted Chicken Night!

2009-11-06T01:31:00.000-08:00

Chicken marinated in a special sauce with herbs and lemon slices stuffed to the core.

I'm waiting for all the Cows to come home.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Sesame Street on Google

2009-11-06T01:10:00.000-08:00

When I opened the browser today, Cow and I got a sweet surprise! The Cookie Monster on the Google Homepage.

Cow loves this!

By Friday, it was Ernie & Bert!

Oscar the Grouch by Saturday!

and red fuzzy Elmo on Sunday!

Hey Google, I'm really feeling lucky!

Celebrating the Day of the Dead in the Philippines

2009-11-05T01:16:00.001-08:00

Cathedral at San Fernando Pampanga

I went home to the province of Pampanga for the Day of the Dead (Araw ng mga Patay / Ing Aldo ning Mete). I haven't been home in a while.

Municipal Hall at San Fernando, Pampanga

At the market stalls in front of the Cathedral, my mom and I bought mums and baby's breath flowers. We were able to get 2 dozen calla lilies for P40 ($1.20). Not bad. My mom really knows how to get a bargain. I used to sell the same kind of flowers at this very market when I was a kid alongside my Mama Let. She was a market vendor who sold different merchandise per season. I am getting these flowers for her grave.

These white mums are P300 (around $6) but you can buy them at P20 ($50 cents) per stalk which would have around 4-5 floral buds.

We got the ferns, palm leaves, birds of paradise and orchids from our garden. The flower bed belonged to my dead gay uncle, so its just apt that he gets the flowers he cared for when he was still alive.

Hope this is pretty enough. We got these nice coconut weave baskets with banana stalks to pierce the flowers in. I had the kids make the ribbons.

We went to the cemetery by nightfall. It was very crowded and hot. Everyone seemed have fun nibbling on something- watermelon seeds, popcorn, mangoes and balut (boiled duck egg fetus).

Cowcow and Grandma Cow. He's complaining about the mosquitoes and he wants more popcorn and scramble (flavored crushed ice).

The family gravestone- my Mama Let, my fabulous gay uncle Marciano and my grandparents who died when I was very young.

A nearby gravestone- My macho uncle Cristino and his son, Jaycel who died of cancer at age 31.

Tomorrow its off to the old public cemetery to visit my other dead relatives.

The Public Cemetery of Santo Domingo

2009-11-05T00:08:00.001-08:00

Its 7am and people are heading off to the old public cemetery. The cemetery of Santo Domingo, Minalin in the province of Pampanga has been around since the 1800s.

I got CowCow and my nephew Dadi to tag along.

Some burial grounds are re-used (err... recycled?). The sepulturero (gravedigger) removes old bones to give way as new burial spots. Bones that are abandoned by families or whose whole clans are long dead end up in a mass grave.

So it would be very rare to find a 18th century marker now, since some families would have several bones share one headstone. Those who feel they are now far removed from their great, great, great grandparents opt to bury all the family bones together. The headstone would then be marked with the death date of the recently deceased or all of the names of the dead family members.

Most of the graves have fresh coats of paint.

A very personalized headstone, handwritten with a marker.

These are called Condominiums by the locals.

CowCow looks at Kuya Dadi as he lights a candle.

I had Dadi light the candles at the topmost grave. Out of kids' reach. Some boys would collect the melted candles way too early and sell it as floor wax. This is okay, but they just have to wait after the holiday. People light votive candles as offerings and prayers for the dead.

The family burial plot: My uncle, aunt, cousin and nephews.

Happy Halloween from CowCow!

2009-11-03T06:41:00.000-08:00

November 1 means a time to remember departed loved ones in the Philippines. Filipinos travel out to the provinces just for this occasion. As families gather in cemeteries to offer prayers and bring flowers and light candles for the dead. Most would stay till dawn for chitchat, some nostalgia or merriment or even just to keep the dead company.

Hope everyone had a really scary Halloweenie! and festive Todos Los Santos! (Feast of All Saints).

Rockin' it at the School of Hard Knocks

2009-11-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

The School of Hard Knocks inside the Royal Selangor Pewter Center was loads of fun. The collective intensity of mallets pounding on pewter would remind you of a Taiko drum festival.

But there's a good reason to sign up, you get to hammer out this metal plate to your heart's content, you get to de-stress and get crafty in one go. All that pounding can actually feel therapeutic.

LetsgoSago slammin' it hard! Look at his bandaged hand :)

Let the class begin! Hai!

A session costs $30 Singapore Dollars ($22 US Dollars) per person, but it comes with the exclusive royal blue School of Hard Knocks apron plus you get to keep your very own pewter bowl.

The School of Hard Knocks offers you a half-hour pewtersmithing experience in the heart of the world's largest pewter company. For families visiting Singapore, this is a group activity worth looking into.

The wooden tools- hammer, mallet and saw blade.

Spell it out with these metal typefaces you can etch on the surface of the pewter plate.

Master the alloy by hammering the pewter on the circular wooden mold.

One-on-one session with a resident pewter artisan

Things You Can Do Together: Washing, filing and scrubbing

A proud Pewter Padawan : the force is strong with this one

How to Register at the Royal Selangor Pewter Center (Prior Booking is Required)
3A River Valley Road
#01-01, Clarke Quay
Singapore 179020

Telephone +65 6268 9600
Fax +65 6268 6300
Email enquiry@royalselangor.com.sg

How to Get There
Royal Selangor Pewter Center is easily accessible by taxi. If travelling by MRT, alight at Clarke Quay Station. By bus, take no. 54 from Scotts Road or 32 and 195 from City Hall MRT station.

The Royal Selangor Pewter Center at Clarke Quay Singapore

2009-10-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

We started off our morning at the Royal Selangor Pewter Center, the world's largest pewter company. It's situated right beside the river in Clarke Quay.

Royal Selangor has a Pewter Gallery and Tour that showcases the heritage and craftmanship of Pewter since the founding of the Royal Selangor company in 1885.

Pewter is a very malleable alloy that dates back from the middle ages. It is made from a mix of tin, copper and antimony. Singapore Pewter that is.

In the old days, Pewter had parts culled from lead. And guys like Shakespeare probably drank from Pewter cups everyday.

Pewter can easily be crafted into a number of useful things like dinner wares, plates, pitchers, candlesticks, tiles, weaponry, decorative pieces and tools.

Interestingly in the Pewtersmithing demonstration you will get to meet a very old pewter artisan who creates ornate patterns on pewter casings with his wooden and metal tools. He will also demonstrate his techniques as you take pictures up close. The tour guides will also show you raw pewter shavings, liquid pewter heated at its melting point then poured into molds.

The Retail floor offers silverware and award winning designs of
intricate and handcrafted pewter wares

They also have jewelry pieces made from pewter. You may choose pendants like the quaint money tree leaf design and other pewter charms as souvenirs for loved ones.

You may also just chill and relax at the Coffee and snack bar in the Gallery's premises.

Outside the Royal Selangor Gallery are the malls, the river and the rest of Clarke Quay.

But what I enjoyed most about my visit to Royal Selangor was my apprenticeship at the School of Hard Knocks!

More Razzmatazz from the Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards

2009-10-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

Bloggers and bloggerettes came dressed to the nines at the recent Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards.

The night begins with the arrival of 400 bloggers and internet celebs. Twelve awards were presented, one for each category.

There's a magic show, a performance by Singaporean rock band Electrico and a video on Nuffnang history while we enjoyed our lavish dinner of Rosemary Marinated Chicken and a delectable treat of Praline Hazelnut Gateau with that flavourful raspberry jelly. Yum.

It felt like going to the prom haha.

But the night also felt a wee bit awkward for me, I guess because I was dead tired and most of us just met on the plane a few hours ago, so I wasn't in the mood to be all chatty with random strangers who either abhorred the idea of problogging while some couldn't stop themselves short talking about SEO the whole night. Strange as it sounds, it was a mixed lot of bloggers.

I thought I would be in the company of geeks arguing about the finer points of WP vs Blogger, but I was dead wrong, 'Scuse me? But no one told me bloggers were this fab in real life :)

That they have other pressing concerns more current, and that they lead exciting lives beyond tapping that keyboard.

Anyway, I was just glad I was seated at table 35. I was in good company that lovely evening in Singapore.

And when it ended, everyone had a blast.

The blogging presscorps

The Winners!

The Link Hotel Singapore

2009-10-29T03:24:00.001-07:00

We spent 3 days and 2 comfy nights at a boutique style hotel called the Link Hotel in Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore.

There was a busload of us checking in, so it took awhile to get all the bloggers settled into the rooms.

A block away from the Link Hotel is an open market with food stalls and a hawker center.

A convenience store called Cheers is only 2 doors away from the hotel's entrance and a 711 which serves large slushies is across the street.

Our room was situated at the 2nd floor. It was clean, modern and minimalist. Well-suited for two people on a budget travel adventure.

I slept like a baby on my first night since I was really strung out from the day's events and luckily, the bed was just right for me. Not too soft, just firm enough like an orthopedic bed. Definitely good for my back.

The bathroom's clean and the toiletries come with a handy dandy sewing kit for those little emergencies. There's no built-in hairdryer, but there's an electric water boiler for coffee and instant noodle cravings. The only thing I didn't like was the sink drain in the bathroom that would give off odd smells at certain hours. Otherwise, my room's perfect.

Mylene my room mate (Miss Ascertain Bliss) relaxing her legs.

Getting unpacked. I felt very tired from the flight, I hadn't slept the night before.
View from our window. Apartments with spiral staircases.

The concierge and staff were helpful and even on check out they allowed me to charge my camera batteries at their front desk.

It's easy to get into Orchard road and Chinatown from here and the cabs are accessible in front of the hotel, you don't have to wait too long for one to arrive. You can also walk a few blocks to a MRT station or take a bus to Orchard road.

Overall, the hotel is comfortable and decent for family and business travelers.

Link Hotel Singapore
50 Tiong Bahru Road Singapore 168733
Tel: (65) 6622 8585 | Fax: (65) 6622 8558
Email: info@linkhotel.com.sg

Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards: The Winners!

2009-10-28T02:54:00.000-07:00

Here are the 12 winners of the recently concluded Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards held last October 23 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore. The event was attended by over 400 bloggers in Asia and the Philippine contingent alone had 30 bloggers. And we even brought home a top prize! En Route won the award as the Best Travel Blog for Ironwulf.net!

BonitoChico
Me & Miss Between Bites definitely agree that these ladies from BonitoChico (2 sisters & a BFF) are truly fab! We soooo love their dresses that night.

ieatishootipost.sg
This has to be my fave blog winner! Great concept BTW! IeatIshootIpost doesn't just leave you hungry over his mouthwatering food porn, he also shows how to make some of the dishes. A How-to-guide comes with his posts, a treat for his readers who want to experience and taste the same kind of meal. And boy, his Mama is a chef!

The very stylish and fierce Lady Melbourne

Childhood 101
Mrs. Burnett is both a mum and a teacher. In just 4 months, she has created an amazing, noteworthy blog on parenting and early childhood learning. Truly inspiring!

The lone wolf from the Philippines and our winner for best travel blog is Mr. Ironwulf (Ferdz Decena) of En Route! yay! You got our whole table cheering :) He looks very dashing in his dark suit.

Kenny Sia

More hipster looking than geeky - Mr. Gadget from Australia

dedoodleblog is a Malaysian blogger who prefers to doodle her thoughts. She has great blogging tips as well (like getting rid of that annoying blog music). Her Photo was taken by Mr. Gadget

Joanne Peh is an actress from Singapore. Her Photo was taken by Mr. Gadget

Xiaxue bagged 3 awards then cried her eyes out. She's blonde, quirky and engaging much like in her blog.

Tumbling on Tumblr

2009-10-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

I'm trying out microblogging on Tumblr. I just love their interface. l'esthetique magnifique!

Tumblr is like a cross between twitter and blogging. You have the short commentaries posted either through the Tumblr site or via email, mobile phone or facebook. Like a blog, you have the freedom to post photos, google adsense and links. You can also do the social networking bit as well (that is if your friends are on Tumblr).

I'm just curious how all this microblogging will play out. I'm just overwhelmed, there is so much out to do out there. But really Tumblr isn't that all necessary, if you just like trying out social media stuff online, it's worth a look.

The Women of GK SunshineVille: Eco-Friendly Bag Weavers

2009-10-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

I feel strongly about causes empowering women. I support social advocacies that give women a good confidence boost, enabling moms to take care of their family more by giving them opportunities to earn a living and control over of their households.

This is what Gawad Kalinga's SunshineVille is all about. Gawad Kalinga in Tagalog means to 'Give Care' and they are definitely living up to their name.

In the Philippines, GK is a nation-building movement, that engages all sectors of society from the government, academe, corporate, religious, NGOs, and private citizens. Together, we are building a first-class Philippines one community at a time. - GK1World.com

Today, Gawad Kalinga and HSBC Philippines has taken an eco-friendly initiative with the help of Zesto Cooperation by creating trendy, recycled doypack bags.

These Doy labels for fruit juices are the print rejects from the factories that would otherwise be thrown away.

The GK Women produce durable weave basket and bags from the doy packs.

Each woman makes an average of 3 large bags per working day. Mind you, they are not easy to make, they are a result of a lot of hardwork and dedication from these moms.

One of their fine products- the silver reusable bags

Bags galore! Large Juice Doypack Weave Bags

GK Sunshine Village accepts bulk orders, you may also visit the workshop to buy a number of bags to resell. If you are very enterprising and you need a supplier, you may also bring your own raw materials and designs, and they can give you an estimate of the cost per bag with the labor fees. You can make arrangements with what kind of bag, purse, pouch, totes, box, cushion covers you may need. The staff are very accomodating and the center really needs this kind of business to come their way.

Mr. Bong Ragojos, the project director for the the GK workshop explaining the work process.

Mr. Ragojos volunteers his time to manage the business aspect and the productivity of the workshop until the GK community is able to sustain itself. The task will eventually be handed over to the women community leaders.

Right across the workshop is the GK Sunshine Village. A small housing community that shelters the families from the workshop. The Goal of Gawad Kalinga is to build 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years.

Water lilies sun dried and harvested are made into baskets and homewares. What's amazing is the GK community has used up all the water lilies clogging their creek. Hope we could do the same for the Pasig river :)

One of the sons of the GK women, 'Tire Rollin' is the play of the season.

In the workshop, I met Aling Charing, one of the weavers. Aling Charing tells me that the GK community has really helped her family through tough times.

It's a big help living here she says, the schools are close to home and our place of work. You don't have to spend so much on transport fare. Most of the husbands work within the neighborhood as tricycle drivers or as weavers in the GK workshop.

She owns one of the charming townhouse units within the GK Village. Aling Charing is so ma-chika (friendly), she even offered me lunch of Pepsi and Ginataang Kuhol (Escargot en lait de noix de Coco) :)

The Fellowship of the Nuffies: We had a lovely lunch of Coke and Jollibee Chicken Joy (Poulet frit par l'abeille gaie)

Tropical Ice Cream anyone?

To Miss Patty of Nuffnang Philippines and Miss Abby of HSBC, I'm thankful for the experience and I wouldn't mind revisiting the GK Sunshine Village again.

To visit GK Sunshineville, here is their address:
Carnival Park Street,
BF Resort Village, Talon 2
Las Pinas City

Contact:
Mr. Bong Ragojos
Project Director
Telephone +632 917-390-7861
+632 919-612-0202
emailljragojos2002@yahoo.com

Thess Barameda of GKonomics
4/F Pro-Friends Building, 55 Tinio Street, Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Tel: (02) 718-1738
E-Mail Address: gkoncepts.info@gmail.com

Click to enlarge map to Carnival Park Street in Talon Dos, Las Pinas. GK Sunshine Ville is along this stretch. I'm still working on the map on how to get there, so just visit this post again next week.