Have yourself a #MerrySMChristmas

I know, I know. The title's too predictable but we really should all be having a merry little Christmas. Why? Because it is the time of the year that makes you forget all of the problems you had the whole year. It might not be true for all of us but it is indeed true for me.

As I've mentioned in a previous post, 2014 has been a huge bully of a year to me. There have been a lot of challenges, frustrations, and disappointments and I can't quite understand how I've actually managed to pull through (I seriously got to the point of depression) but here I am, still standing, and even managing to laugh and smile despite it all. Kapit lang kay Lord, as they all said, and here I am still alive and kicking.

One of the biggest problems I had this year was the fact that I got laid off from my (online) job. Since I am a single mom, consequently, our finances suffered severely. It's quite hard, not even having the money to even buy a decent shirt for months but I held on tightly to my faith - thanks to the encouragement of my favorite person - and a few days into December, blessings came into my life again: the rebirth of this blog, a couple of partnerships and collaborations for Supermommy Chronicles, possible online work opportunities, and, yes, a few thousand Pesos - in cash.

When all these blessings came rushing in, I had the need to celebrate and share it with the two most important people in my life: Brianna and Alfred.

We celebrated it at SM Megamall. It was nearest my place and, well, Brianna wants to spend hours inside the huge Toy Kingdom store there. To be honest, this is one of my most favorite malls to visit. It's big, it has all the stores I love (read: Cotton On), and the shops seem to be on sale the whole year that my mini financial crisis didn't really feel like it.

Anyway, it's one of the places I go to if I want to find stuff that I can share with everyone. I bought gifts for everyone and as mentioned, we dropped off a bag of toys in the Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko box in the SM Megamall branch. I guess that's what Christmas - #MerrySM Christmas - really is all about. It's about giving, sharing what little you have to those people around you.

Cheska and Kendra Kramer (aaaaaah! <end of fangirling>) shows us how #MerrySMChristmas begins:

After that, I'm pretty sure you'd want to lend a helping hand and SM has a way to help you help others:

For just Php200, you can get an SM Christmas Bear of Joy while SM gives another one to a child in need through the SM Cares Program. If you can't find the money or the resources to put a smile on less fortunate children from orphanages and charitable institutions, the SM Christmas Bears of Joy is the answer to your problem. Php200 is a small amount which will go a long, long way.

Christmas time is giving time; not only gifts but, also, your time so if you want to be updated with the events that are scheduled for the SM Malls, you can visit this link: http://bit.ly/MerrySMChristmas.

Letting go of the negativities and sharing you blessings... They are things that we should be doing all year round, not just the Christmas season. If this is just that easy to do, we will all be living in a world that feels like Christmas all year round.

KinderCrib Learning and Childcare Center Christmas Party 2014

Earlier today, we attended the KinderCrib Learning and Childcare Center's Christmas party. KinderCrib is Brianna's school, where she's in the Toddler Program. The Christmas party was held at the Pasig Youth Development Center. We had a hard time knowing where exactly it was located -  I haven't really explored Pasig since we moved here in 2001 -  but thanks to Waze, we actually got there just in time.

There were some the usual booths you'd expect in a children's party: A photo booth, the face painting booth (which Brianna didn't get to try), the animal balloons booth, and of course, Santa!.

Anyway, upon registration, we were handed a passport for the event (mostly for the food and the raffle) with our table number on it:

Brianna's group was second to perform.

They danced to Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit and it's always fun watching little kids dance. I don't know about you but the more they get the steps wrong, the cuter they are. Haha! I don't know if that's the instinct of everyone else or if I'm just plain mean.

Anyway, after every performance, the teachers call out numbers - the ones written on the passports - for the raffle. Brianna won on the first round of the raffle:

There was a puppet show slash magic show after the meal which was a big hit. That Kuya Bodjie guy's something.

Find the hidden Brianna!

After all the merriment, Brianna wanted to go visit the My Little Pony booth in SM Megamall so we went there after the Christmas party.

It's my first time to attend a Christmas party with - and for - my daughter. It's always necessary for me to document these firsts for both Brianna and I so here we are.

Alaska Crema wishes you a very #MerryCremas2014!

I didn't know I had an actual sweet tooth until I've attended the #MerryCremas2014 at the Eastwood Central Plaza yesterday. I'm more of a salty treats kind of gal so, naturally, this is the first-ever "sweets event" I've ever attended.

Maaga (nga) Ang Pasko

This year has been especially hard on me. Emotionally, psychologically, financially. This holiday season, despite the big bully that is this year, I still want to keep my chin up and actually move forward. What better way to do that than to make those who are much more in need than I smile even in the littlest of ways?

Brianna has a lot of toys. Not like some kids I know but, still, a lot. Some of it, she doesn't even get to play with even just once. I gathered all those toys and picked out those that still look decent enough to give to other kids and put them inside a bag.

I told Brianna why we were doing it- to give to the poor kids as gifts for Christmas - when suddenly, she wanted to put all her toys in the bag. It was so funny but, at the same time, heartwarming to know that my daughter would be willing to give everything she's got to put a smile on a kid's face.

We went to SM Megamall to drop it off at the Jollibee Maaga Ang Pasko box:

A few pointers on this branch's Maaga Ang Pasko box

• The flap used as a cover keeps on falling down.
• There wasn't anyone attending to those dropping off donations so it kinda looks like a garbage bin when you take a peek inside (sabog-sabog yung puzzles na dinonate, etc).
• Some people have definitely used the box as some sort of trash can because I saw several candy wrappers and a plastic cup inside it.

Anyway, Brianna was super excited to put the bag in the box "para gifts natin sa poor kids, Mommy", I can't get a decent enough picture of her in front of it. That one above was the best among 5 consecutive shots.

No matter how hard this year's been for me, I don't think it would be fair for me to just want this year to be over with without lending a helping hand - kahit na wala rin masyadong maibibigay - or just making a kid smile through small gestures. Doing so makes everything that much bearable, having known that you are helping someone despite how useless you feel inside.

How To Deal: Kids that throw tantrums

I admit, I have a lot to learn about motherhood and parenting. I've gone a long, long way from that 22-year-old young mom who can't even carry a small baby without wincing before she settles into breastfeeding position but I am so so sooooooooo far from being a perfect mom. There's always a lot to learn, especially when you're trying to raise a child so I am opening an avenue for moms to share their thoughts, tips, and tricks on some parenting issues that we all have.

I want to kick this section of the blog off by asking this question:

How do you deal with your kids when they throw tantrums?

I see a lot of kids throwing tantrums in public, most especially in toy stores. Even my precious Brianna has her moments. It usually gets annoyed stares from everyone else but a part of me thinks that these people don't know how hard it is to pacify a kid who seems to be on a crying spree.

My approach to this is to talk to Brianna beforehand. Let's say we're going to the toy store. A conversation like this usually takes place while I give her a bath.

Me: Honey, we're going to Toy Kingdom later ah pero we're not buying any toys.
Brianna: Okay Mommy. Pwede play?
Me: Play lang pwede.

When we get to the mall, I remind her constantly - like, every 10 minutes. If my mom did that to me, I would've lost my mind - that we're not there to buy toys and usually that does it for her.

Now, if that doesn't work, I give her a timeout. When we're at home, it's usually in a corner. When we're out, I carry her and whisper things to her like how it's not something she should be crying about, etc.

I'm pretty lucky that's all it takes for her to calm down - well, that, and the tiger look which I swear, scares the beejesus out of her - but I would want to know how other parents do it so maybe I can tweak my approach a bit for it to be more effective...or so that I can prevent it to happen altogether.

Zoo World in Caltex...it's ZOO unexpected!

We spent my sister's birthday weekend at Fontana in Clark and on our way home, we stopped over at one of the many gasoline stations along the North Luzon Expressway (Caltex station in San Fernando, Pampanga) for late lunch. We love spending time in this particular gasoline station because of the Nike, Adidas, and Fashion Rack Designer outlet stores here. The entire Tejada family goes bonkers here.

Usually, the kids and I would just wait for everyone else in the mini playground near the Jollibee branch here - I don't get to shop huhuhuhuhu - but last Sunday was different since we learned that there's an actual zoo in this gasoline station: Zoo World.

Zoomanity Group Christmas Giving in Paradizoo and Residence Inn, Tagaytay

On December 14, 2014, the Zoomanity Group team, together with Zoomanity Group (ZG) CEO Robert Laurel Yupangco, will be at Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite and Residence Inn, Tagaytay. Headed by JB Badon, the group deputy operating manager, the group as well as some bloggers will celebrate the Christmas season by welcoming indigent children in the said zoos.

The indigent children will get to experience some activities that Brianna, the fambam, and I experienced in Residence Inn, Tagaytay exactly a year ago:

1. Farm animal feeding:

2. Animal show:

3. Horseback riding:

They will also experience the zipline - which I can't ride because of my C-section - and the cable car that almost everyone in the family forgot to ride:

As for Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, we still haven't been there but what I know is that the children can get to experience the zoo's 12-hectare property that houses farm animals and a mini zip line.

This yearly event with Zoomanity Group allows for volunteers to give gifts and for the leader in zoo management to open the zoos and theme parks' doors to less fortunate, indigent kids and give them an experience they will never forget.

The Zoomanity Group is currently operating 5 theme parks in the Philippines: Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, Residence Inn, Tagaytay, Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zambales, Zoocobia in Clark, Pampanga, and Zoocolate Thrills in Loboc, Bohol.

Brick Adventure at Adventure Jungle

Adventure Jungle, the 2000-square meter zoo and private facility inside Manila Zoo, has a new and exciting activity area that was launched last November 30, 2014.

The Brick Adventure is a place for young-at-heart to play this famous toy building brick (Lego). The bricks can be assembled in different ways to breathe any object your mind desires. In adventure jungle, there are a lot of different animals from Lego blocks, like a 6-feet high giraffe and even Andrea, the amazing seating lady taking care of the Lego animals. The exhibit truly is a sight to see and not just your ordinary brick construction because of the gigantic construction of the toys from the usual 3 to 4-inch miniatures.

In the zoo area, you can see 58 different species of animals. Some of them are the 50-year-old tortoise Mr. T, Blu, a Hyacinth Macaw like the one from the movie Rio, and Gabbie the gibbon.

This holiday season, let's check out The Brick Adventure with Lego, and meet out amazing animal friends only at the Adventure Jungle.

For more information, check the Kinder Zoo Adventure Jungle page on Facebook, @Kinder_Zoo on Twitter, or send an SMS to Neng at +63 928 834 3476.

Zoomanity Group Christmas Gift Giving 2014

I've been a fan of the Zoomanity Group even before I had Brianna. We used to visit Residence Inn in Tagaytay when I was a kid way too often:

I asked my mom and she confirmed that these were all taken at the Residence Inn in Tagaytay. I can't post any photos of the animals because there weren't any. I understand. I mean, films for cameras then probably cost a lot so taking photos of animals without us was just too much for my average-income parents.

Of course, after I had Brianna, there were more trips to the different zoos here in Manila as well as in the provinces. We got to visit Zoobic Safari for the first time ever, two years ago:

Zoobic Safari - the only Tiger Safari in the Philippines - is a 50 hectares zoo with different activities; Zip Line, 4D realto, Tiger and Lion encounter, crocodile feeding and a lot more. And I am happy to tell you that I have tons of photos during this trip because unlike back in the 90s, I used my trusty Blackberry with 64gig of free storage space to take photos of that weekend instead of a disposable camera with 32 shots worth of film.

Zoomanity Group, the leader in theme part and zoo management, is inviting everyone to experience and visit their animal friends this December. They are also excited about the new activities coming that they will launch by the end of 2014 or early 2015 that will surely amaze the youngsters or any young-at-heart.

The Christmas gift-giving to indigent children - started by Zoomanity Group honcho, Robert Laurel Yupangco - will be held at four different locations this December 13, 2014: Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zambales, Zoocobia in Clark, Pampanga, Residence Inn in Tagaytay & at Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite.

This event for the indigent children is a way to give back the wonderful blessings they have received from the previous and current years. Since zoos are mostly for children, this is the time of the year that they would like to share these happy places to kids who are not fortunate enough to experience these kinds of activities all the time. Participating in this event won't only give you a great time at the zoo; it will also teach you the real meaning of Christmas.

Supermommy Ale's Bagyo Tips

Back in 2009, I, myself, was stranded in the office when Ondoy struck Metro Manila. I saw how people struggled during the storm and how everything looked like after the water subsided. I was pretty much homeless for hours as I can't go back home, literally, 'cause I had, like, 5 pesos in my wallet...

I won't bore you with the gory victim details I have but I will tell you this: It made me paranoid. Even more so now that I have Brianna (I had her in 2011). Every time the rain pours, there are 5 things that enter my mind and I would love to share it with everyone, especially now that #RubyPH will make landfall this weekend. Without further ado, I bring to you:

Let's get down to business, shall we?

I am not hating on Twitter. In fact, I love the thing so much, I am actually talking to myself here. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, whatever... Stop checking it every 5 minutes especially while the rain's pouring. It won't do you any good - nakakapraning ang tweets pag bumabagyo, swear - and your battery will run out pretty quickly and you'll need all your phones/gadgets' juices during the storm. Which brings us to...

Charge everything. Your cellphone, your tablet, your laptop, your portable charger, your portable WiFi, your radio, your rechargeable batteries, everything! When there's a storm, there is an 80% chance that power will be out and you will need every drop of battery juice to last you until power comes back on. This is especially important for your mobile phones and your radio. Mobile phones because - most probably - telephone lines will be cut off, too, so for you to reach your loved ones and emergency response teams, you'll need a fully charged phone. Radio because it's the only thing that can keep you updated with what's happening that consumes the least energy among all of your gadgets. While social media can keep you more updated with what's happening, it also drains your battery like a faucet. Radio. Tried and tested.

Yes. Get your grocery shopping on. Buy everything you need: food, deodorant, tissue papers, everything! Just don't get more than what you really need. There are people who need them, too, and we don't want for them to arrive to empty shelves. I've realized this when I was walking inside the Landmark supermarket, September 29, 2009. I felt so bad watching people actually shoving each other to get the last loaf of bread on the shelf. Yes, we need to stock up our pantries for times of calamities but we can be nice while doing it.

My everyday bag is some sort of mini emergency bag because of its contents. I don't know what the actual requirements are by government agencies but for me, here are the essentials:

• Canned goods (na matagal pa ang expiration dates)
• Can opener or better yet, a Swiss army knife
• Bottles of water (2 gallons per person)
• A small radio
• Flash light (preferably the one that uses up kinetic energy)
• Extra batteries
• Chargers
• Whistle
• A bottle of isopropyl alcohol
• Deodorant
• Tissue (facial and wet wipes)
• Change of clothes good for 2 days
• First aid kit
• Towels
• A heavy duty, fully charged phone - I suggest a basic Nokia phone - or a 2 way radio
• Sanitary napkins for women
• A couple of thousand pesos
• Blanket
• Toys, books, stuffed animals

Now, I have a toddler so this list that I came up with is for parents who has toddlers or older kids in the family. If you have infants, there's an entirely different list for you.

Take note of all the emergency hotlines and social media hashtags that you need in times of disasters. Print a list of them out and post it on your cork board and/or refrigerators. This way, you can get more information, updates, and help, if ever, when you need it.

So there you have it. Hope this list helps you with getting ready for the landfall of #RubyPH this coming days. It's just kinda weird - and sad - to be getting ready for a storm during the Christmas season. Global warming... Tsktsktsk.