Brianna's 4th Birthday Celebration

Sharing Brianna's 4th birthday Jessie the Cowgirl celebration photos at the KinderCrib Learning and Childcare Center last Thursday. She had fun but she kept on getting the urge to cry and we don't know why. We assumed she was just so touched by her teachers and classmates. Haha!

After greeting Brianna a happy birthday, they played 2 games: Musical chairs and this game where they tuck a ball in between their legs and they race around chairs and pass it to the next person in line. 

After the games, we sang the Happy Birthday song:

And she blew out her candles...but not without letting go of my hand. That's why you can spot my hand in the photo below.

She also didn't get to blow them all in one go so she pulled me in to help her with them.

After that, eating time of course!

And then, gifts and giveaways time, their (seemingly) most favorite part of any party. They were all too excited to receive the lootbags, a lot of them kept going to the lootbags and the teachers had to make them sit one by one. I really admire the patience of preschool teachers...

And there you have it; Brianna's birthday party. The birthday girl wants to thank you all who greeted her (pati narin yung mga humahabol pa).

Day 1, Part 3: #TeCasIlocosTour2015

(You can read Day 1, Part 2 of our tour here.)

Before heading to Pagudpod, we passed by the Cape Bojeador Light House and the Bangui Wind Mills. On our way to Cape Bojeador, we stopped over at this place that sells salt. Some of us went down to see how salt from Ilocos are made but most of us stayed inside the van because we were parked on the side of the road and we didn't want to be like that roadkill I mentioned before.

After that, on to Cape Bojeador, which was breath-taking. I don't know why old buildings have this kind of effect on me.

It was raining when we got there so we didn't spend much time there. Although there wasn't really much to see there. The view, though, oh my gosh:

This photo was taken by a foreigner, probably a Swedish guy. After taking this shot, he asked us to take one of him and his Filipina date. They were so cute, they kept on laughing the entire time.

After that last shot, we literally ran to the van because it was beginning to rain hard. We then went to the Bangui Wind Mills. We didn't really get to enjoy the place and take loads of pictures because by then, the rain was pouring down hard on us. Brianna was also too tired by that time so we stayed in the van while she slept. The warriors that were my family and the Castañeda family went through with their picture-taking session by the wind mills:

They were shivering when they entered the van. They were too wet because of the rain/mist from the sea and the wind was blowing so hard at the same time. We had to turn the air conditioning unit of the van off for a few minutes so they could recover from the cold.

After their chilly Bangui Wind Mills experience, we headed to the Saud Beach in Pagudpod where we settled and ate early dinner in - SUPER SARAP NG FOOD OHMYGOSH - so we could sleep early.

Our first day's quite tiring. The trip from Manila to Ilocos itself is tiring, add that to the full itinerary we had and that will equate to an early night in. If you will be booking with the agency we booked with, N.E.C. Tours, you most probably will have the same itinerary.

Our second day's quite chill, though...

For the birthday girl...

To my dearest baby girl,

Happy 4th birthday, Brianna! You are growing up so fast, I wish I could grip whatever it is that's making you grow and just ask it to slow down a bit.

I am so proud of all the things that you are doing and all the things that you are trying to do. No matter what happens, kahit sobrang naghihigpit ako sayo (sabi nila), please know that I've got your back - and your well-being in mind - all the time. I will support you through everything you will ever decide upon on from now until the end of time because I know that you are a smart girl. That you know what you should and shouldn't do. Yes, even at the tender age of 4, I trust your intuition and your decisions. Sometimes I disagree with you and force my thinking on you and for those times, I apologize. I guess it's human/mommy nature to nag but know that I am doing everything I can to improve my "mommy-ness" everyday. Susubukan kong hindi maging nagger and assuming talaga kasi sa lahat ng ayaw ko, yang dalawang yan talaga. I will try to be that mom you can confide everything - literal, 'nak, everything kahit sex life mo pa yan - in and that mom you would be proud to "share" with your friends.

I am so happy that you are growing up to be that respectful albeit shy little girl (at first) that you are now. There's nothing wrong with being shy, despite what other people are telling you. Keep that in mind. I love you for who you are and I won't change anything, Lovey. You are perfect in my eyes, despite all the "imperfections" that other people seem to see in you, a little girl.

Thank you for making Mommy feel better whenever I feel sad. Your simple "Mommy, why are you crying?" is enough to put a smile on my face. Your hugs make me feel loved despite all the wrongs in our world. Your attempt to literally wipe away my tears helps me build the strength to just keep going despite wanting to give up and just end everything. You are truly the reason why I am here and why I am pushing through all the hardships.

My wish for you is for you to grow up to be the best you truly are meant to be and for you to grow up  healthy, loving, respectful, strong, and courageous. I also wish for you to follow your heart's desires, no matter what they may be. I will be right behind you 100%.

Thank you, honey, and I love you so much. We will get through everything together and come out victorious in the end.

Happy birthday, Brianna Angelica!

What’s Happening This Weekend at Medela House: A Yaya Seminar and A Support Group Meeting for Moms with Multiples!

Parenting is a journey, and is one that should definitely not be done alone. We all know that the support of those around us is extremely important, and that’s why this weekend’s special events at Medela House are all about giving moms and dads the support they need.

Help your yaya learn how to support you through the Yaya Seminar on Toddler Care

If you’re a parent with a toddler who is left in your yaya’s care most of the time, this is one seminar that you should definitely let her attend. Remember, your yaya can support you best if she is “equipped” with the skills and knowledge to do so!

The speaker from Peek-A-Boo Housekeeping Training Agency will cover topics like feeding, bathing, dressing, sleeping, playing, safety, caring for toddler toys, and food preparation.

The yaya seminar will be from 9.00-11.30 a.m. on February 7, 2015 (Saturday) at Medela House (No. 29, 1st Street, New Manila, Quezon City). For rates*, and to register a slot, call or text 0917-8110821.

*Note: Medela pump customers who bought their pumps from MedelaMoms Inc., Rustans, Mothercare, Babyland, The Oak and Acorn, “Modern” Mama Baby Shop, Abe Abe Breastfeeding Club, and The Parkview Clinic at Salcedo Park are entitled to a discount upon registration.

Are you or someone you know a parent of multiples? Get the support you need this weekend at “Seeing Doubles”!

Seeing Doubles is a support group for parents — especially moms — of multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) that was launched by MedelaMoms Maricel Cua and Beng Feliciano last year. Its purpose is to provide encouragement and practical tips for those who are raising multiples. Beng is actually a mom of twins herself.

Get the support you need as a parent of multiples, and learn from veteran mommies of multiples, too.

Snacks and treats will be provided by Archie Chuachoco of Sun Life Financial and Theresa Orteza of Mommy & Baby Essentials. To register for the support group meeting, just text/call 0917-8110821.

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About Medela House

Medela House in New Manila, Quezon City, is fairly well-known as a “center for learning,” among other things. It is actually the business office of Medela Moms Incorporated (MMI), but the moms who set it up actually had other plans for it from the very beginning.

"More than being a business office, Medela House is a haven for breastfeeding moms where we share experiences, learnings, tips, friendships and other parenting concerns," Maricel Cua, co-owner of MMI, shares.

Maricel and her partner, Beng Feliciano, are committed to helping parents on the exciting and sometimes “bumpy” road of parenthood, by helping provide support in different ways.

One of the ways they do this is by partnering with different businesses, organizations and groups that can hold learning events at Medela House.

If you want to learn more about the different events held at Medela House, please send an email to medelamoms@gmail.com or mmi.tinar@gmail.com.

Our Nuffsaid Grand Gathering Experience

I am not much of a car enthusiast. I appreciate a nice, sexy, clean car, yes, but if you ask me what a stance set-up looks like or what 17x9 205/40r17 means, I'd be staring at you like I stared at my Physics teacher back in highschool. So how did Brianna and I end up in one of the biggest car meets of the year? My dearest boyfriend is a part of the Nuffsaid Society, the group that organized this grand gathering of car clubs.

We got to the One E-Comm parking lot at the Mall of Asia at around 3pm and we were 286th in line. They were expecting 300 cars to be a part of this event. By the end of the Nuffsaid Grand Gathering, they had roughly 500 participants.

We met up with the gang and we hung out, ate TONS of chips, and watched the kids dance:

(Everywhere we go, hiphop music was blasting through cars' speakers, I had a great time soundtripping as well. Yes, I'm a hiphop/RnB kind of girl. Kung di lang nakakahiyang magsasasayaw dun, I might've done it.)

Since this is a car meet, there were tons of cars in the area. I mean, duh, Ale. Right? Anyway, a whole lot of them were set-up, Fast and the Furious-style. It's so cool. I mean, I watched the entire franchise - sooooo excited for Furious 7!!! - and the Nuffsaid Grand Gathering looked something like that minus the drifting cars and Vin Diesel. Here are some of my favorites:

But I guess this one's the best one for me:

While Brianna and Hannah seem to have enjoyed this car:

Before the event ended, they gave away the awards to the winners. The trophies look too cute:

Now, I still don't know what car meets exactly are for but I can tell you for sure that both Brianna and I enjoyed our very first Nuffsaid Grand Gathering experience.

Thank you so much, Nuffsaid Society! Looking forward to attending our next Nuffsaid Grand Gathering!

Nuffsaid Society t-shirts, car stickers, and other merchandise are for sale on their Facebook page, for those who are interested. So mommies, if you or your hubbies love cars, you might want to drop by the Nuffsaid Facebook page. So much sexy cars to drool over, I promise you.

Photo credits:
Jec Santiago
John Paul Luis

Avoid the ticket ruckus with Rukkus.

I am a huuuuuuuuge Ne-Yo fan but for some strange reason, I just learned of his Manila concert a few days ago. Despite my many desperate attempts to get myself a couple of tickets, I am still ticket-less up to now. Huhuhuhu. City of Dreams, why aren't you so keen in getting me into the concert of my dreams?!

Anyway, I just hope that there's a ticketing company here in the Philippines like Rukkus. Rukkus is a live entertainment search engine and marketplace that has the cheapest tickets to concert, sports, and theater events in the United States. They scout for the whole web and their network of private brokers to give their customers the tickets at the cheapest prices.

What's cooler about Rukkus is that they are the only website where you can see the view of the ticket seat you're buying so you can make that crucial decision in choosing the best seat in the house for you.

(To be quite honest, now that I've put it out there, it's going to be a challenge for Philippine ticketing companies to adopt this kind of system to the Philippine concert scene.)

Rukkus will be holding a giveaway for those who are living in the US or those who are traveling there. They will be giving away $250 worth of concert, sports, and theater tickets. If only Ne-Yo's Concert of Dreams tickets were available with Rukkus, I would no doubt join this giveaway.

For those who are interested to join this Rukkus giveaway, here are the mechanics:

1. Write a haiku about your favorite concert, sports, or theater event you’ve attended and send it to giveaway@rukkus.com (+1 entry)
2. Tweet “I just entered to win $250 in event tickets from rukkus.com #jointherukkus” (+1 entry)
3. Tag us on Instagram at a concert, sports, or theater event with the hashtag @jointherukkus #jointherukkus (+1 entry)

Their giveaway will officially open on February 2 (US) and will end on February 16th (US) so if you've been planning to watch a game, a show, and a concert, write those haikus and update your Twitter and Instagram pages now!

For more information about this giveaway, you can visit their website at http://rukkus.com. Their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google+ pages can help you out, too! You can also download their app; they're available at the App Store and on Google Play.

Day 1, Part 2: #TeCasIlocosTour2015

(You can read Day 1, Part 1 of our tour here.)

After visiting Paoay Church, which is so beautiful, we went straight to the Paoay Sand Dunes. This part, I enjoyed way too much!

I asked our driver/tour guide from N.E.C. Tours if I could let Brianna ride the 4x4 but he said that small kids aren't allowed to experience the 4x4 ride through the sand dunes as a safety precaution. They are right, though. Those dunes are wild! For me, at least. Hihi.

We had to force my sister to ride with us - she's malulain - to cross another thing off her bucket list. Good thing she came with us because it was too much fun!

We rode this monster to the sand dunes:

I don't know why but I find its name funny.

And then we were off! All the slips and slides in the dunes felt like rollercoaster tracks but crazier. Maybe it's because we didn't really know where we were all going.

All the "tracks" look like this. Mej nakakastress nga.

We kept on teasing my sister, Jan (the one wearing glasses), by screaming even before the drops. It was so much fun because she kept on saying "Nasstress ako!" Yes, we love teasing her.

When we got to the spot where we'd sand board, the kuya manongs asked for our cameras and he took our photos on the sand:

Kuya Manong: O ayan, ma'am, sir! Mukha kayong nasa Dubai.

Mandatory jumpshot with the West Philippine Sea at the background. I don't know why we allowed for this to happen but to be honest, it was fun to shoot. Hihi.

One last photo before sand boarding.

After taking waaaaay too much photos - I think - we all gave sand boarding a try:

(Clockwise) My brother, Carlo, my sister, Jan, Tita Titat, and Jocas who were family friends.

I tried sand boarding down the Paoay Sand Dunes twice because...

I WIPED OUT (eh?) THE FIRST TIME I TRIED IT!

But on my second try,

I WAS SUCCESSFUL! WOOH!

After sand boarding, we went back to the parking area/admission area but not without passing by the famous Himala spot:

In fairness, may eye for photography si Kuya Manong.

Gusto ko 'tong i-post kasi emote na emote kami ng kinakapatid ko. Hehe.

Apparently, they shot some scenes of Nora Aunor's movie, Himala, in the actual spot where these letters are standing.

Lula pa more!

On our way back, we experienced the highest drop in the sand dunes but we made it back alive. A little rattled but alive nevertheless.

After the sand dunes, we went to what they called the Malacañang of the North.

The Malacañang of the North's facade.

Our group's photo - minus my mom - in front of the double doors that lead to the house's receiving area.

The Marcoses' backyard. So pretty.

This is where the Marcoses lived whenever they went home to Ilocos during Ferdinand Marcos' term as president. It is a huge piece of land and it also covers a part of the lake behind it. Our tour guide told us the name of the lake but I was too busy resting that I drifted off for a bit.

The house is now a museum and they tour everyone around the house. Brianna and I didn't join the tour because we were looking for food and water. They served empanadas there but Brianna didn't want that so we had to get back on the van to get food. When we came back, we took a look around on our own. I don't really enjoy house tours in general but these dolls really bothered the wits outta me:

These were the Marcos sisters' dolls. Too freaky, if you ask me.

After that, we went to Macy's Diner for late lunch (at 2 in the afternoon!) in Laoag after. The food was awe-some. They serve diner food: burgers, fries, milkshakes, etc. I love the whole vibe of the place. It felt like we were inside an Archie comic or the movie Hairspray, complete with the jukeboxes, neon lights, and black-and-white checkered floors. Too bad I don't have a photo of the place except for this one because I was way too hungry to take photos. We had to leave, too, right after lunch because we were running late. The sun might've set by the time we got to the Cape Bojeador Light House and the Bangui Wind Mills - which I will talk about in detail on my next Ilocos post - if we didn't leave right away.

BPOCareerHub Launches New Website; Debuts Country’s First Online Job Fair

(This is good news to mommies like me who rarely has time to go out of the house and scout for jobs!)

Manila, Philippines (January 14, 2014) – Online portal BPOCareerHub.com (BCH) is pleased to announce the re-launch of its website www.BPOCareerHub.com. The initiative to improve the site was meant to simplify the web user’s experience as well as help position BCH as a highly relevant online enabler for the Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry and more. There is still much to be done but BCH is very much on its way in helping more Pinoys find and get their dream jobs!

As one of its initial treat, BCH will be holding its 1st BCH Online Job Fair on February 16-28, 2015 (http://bpocareerhub.com/OnlineJobFair) - in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and with the Bureau of Labor and Employment – which will virtually connect and require “less prep time, less effort, and less resources” from jobseekers and recruiters alike. Go to http://bpocareerhub.com/faq to learn more about this new and exciting event.

To date, there are already 18 participating companies - and several more are expected to sign-up soon – that are looking for the top talents that will help boost their operations. Hundreds of jobseekers have already pre-registered and hundreds – if not thousands - more are anticipated to join the online job-hunting bandwagon soon.

Another ground-breaking Virtual Solution which BCH will be introducing in 2015 is the Virtual Interview service. The Recorded and Live versions intends to simplify and shorten the talent recruitment process further. Once invited by an employer to a Virtual Interview session, the jobseeker may do the interview in his most convenient time and virtually record his answers to the interview questions. The recruiter, on the other hand, will simply have to view and review the recordings and invite for further processing those candidates who made it through the initial screening.

BCH anticipates that the market will quickly take up on the Virtual Interview because of the employers’ need to make quick hiring decisions as well as the jobseekers’ desire to immediately have gainful employment.

Innovative products and solutions will be developed, introduced, and shared by BCH this year as it aims to become the primary online enabler of IT-BPM industry and more. Jobseekers, employers, partners, and other industry enablers and suppliers can expect more features and enhancements that will provide more convenience and business opportunities. For more information visit www.bpocareerhub.com.

Bazaar Find: Love. Hope. Faith.

My parents, my sister, Brianna, and I decided to visit the Manila Sundance Bazaar at the World Trade Center on their last day, January 25, which was last Sunday. It would've been a "normal" trip to a bazaar if it weren't for this one brand that caught my attention:

Love Hope Faith Group is not like any other charity groups. They sell watches, shirts, bags, and chocolates. Weird combination if you think about it, especially when you see chocolates in the mix, but when you REALLY think about it, it works. 50% of their proceeds go to fund the treatments of cancer patients and their beneficiaries.

Their watches come in two sizes: the bigger ones and the smaller ones. Personally, I'm leaning towards the bigger ones. Anyway, The watches cost Php200 each for both sizes. We got two watches last Sunday: one for my sister (the navy blue one) and one for Brianna (hot pink).

The face of the watch is made of hard plastic while the strap is made of rubber. Obviously, Brianna has smaller arms so we had to have more holes punched into the strap - which they do for free on-site - so it would fit her.

My dad bought a black shirt from them. They have 7 sizes available for the shirts: 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2XL.

Photo from http://lovehopefaithgroup.com/244-2/.

The shirts have a really simple design but what's written on it is so powerful, you can't help but feel like you need to get into action when you read it. According to their website, it's Php300 per shirt but my dad got his for Php250.

Like I said, they also sell bags and chocolates. Their bags cost Php200 each and the chocolates cost Php50 for the 50-gram pack while the 200-gram pack costs Php150. I didn't get the chance to taste the chocolate even though they had a tray there which - I assume - is for free taste.

Right now, they have an on-going Facebook giveaway for those who have purchased the watches. I entered the giveaway myself even if the watch I was wearing wasn't mine. Hehe. Here's my entry:

Love Hope Faith Group currently doesn't have a physical shop although they have an office in Makati (Lower Ground Cityland 10 Tower 1, H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City) where you can actually purchase their products. If you already sent in your orders via text (09178884516 and 09228740334), you can pick up your orders in the Love Hope Faith Group Makati office if you are in the area. They can ship your orders as well, if you prefer to have them shipped. They are usually in bazaars, too, so if you'd want to purchase your watch, you can visit them in bazaars. Their bazaar announcements are usually made on their Facebook page.

I really, sincerely hope you guys could check them out. The Love Hope Faith Group lives up to their name; they spread love, hope, and faith not only to their beneficiaries but to all of us as well. 

(This is not a sponsored post. I am just honestly a fan of their advocacy and their products.)