Building Healthier Relationships

Over the years I can truly say that I have been successful in keeping relationships that are truly valuable in my life. Along the way, I also lost friends, but in retrospect maybe it was a blessing they decided not to stay.

A couple of Saturdays ago, I was lucky enough to participate in a session with Coach Pia Nazareno-Acevedo. The topic was Building Healthier Relationships. We started our session by writing down what are our core values are. What do we value the most? It could be people, event or virtue. We had to determine our top 4. And then Coach Pia asked us to let go one... and then another one... and then another one... until we reached the last sheet paper. Even that one, we had to give up too. That part was something! Because looking at what I wrote down, everything seemed important and made me complete. I knew what I was going to keep last, but what to let go first? But Coach Pia asked us who we think we really are when all of these are taken away? Who am I? And looking at the list, I didn't know what to say because apart from being a mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend... I realized I was still trying to figure out a lot of things.

Love ko si Kuya (McDo)

It's a very simple commercial really. Just brothers enjoying their breakfast at McDo. But it's the characters that make it seem more poignant and touching. Just goes to show relationships come in different forms, and bonds formed by love are truly powerful even in simplest terms.

I really teared up while watching this one! I saw the post on FB while attending an event and imagine almost crying in public! I do have two sons, and while their lives are of different circumstances than the ones in the ad, it still affected me. Because mommies always hope that their kids become close and love each other to death. And when we are gone, they will be each others' support and strength.

Hay McDo... you always know what buttons to push! Thanks for this one.

Belly Blessed Fest 2013

Celebrate the many joys of pregnancy with Belly Blessed Fest 2013! A three-day event dedicated to expectant moms, Belly Blessed Fest will be held from July 12 to 14, 2013 at the 2nd and 3rd Level Atrium of The Podium Mall in Pasig City.

There’ll be exciting interactive stations to delight expectant moms and dads-to-be like the Pregnancy Portrait Booth, Clay Medallion Making Station, and a wishing wall where moms can write special messages to the miracle growing inside their wombs. Alongside the activity stations will be booths showcasing the latest mom and baby products and services in the market today. On July 13, Saturday, there will be an all-day program of informative talks and refreshing entertainment. A belly dancing session will get moms-to-be gently grooving while a talk on Lamaze will get them attentively listening. A live belly casting session might just encourage many of them to make one-of-a-kind keepsakes of their pregnancy.

The event is open to everybody, but expectant moms are encouraged to pre-register to get Belly Blessed Fest goodies; simply text your name and the number of weeks that you are pregnant to 0917-8162524.

Belly Blessed Fest is presented by Mommy Mundo, the go-to resource portal for active, modern moms; PACE, Mommy Matters, Nurture Nook, and The Podium. It is supported by Cordlife Cord Blood Banking, Glaxo Smith Kline, Cycles Mild Detergent, Cradle, Philips Avent, and Crystal Clear. Media partners are Urban Mom, Mommy Pages, Working Mom, Lifestyle Network, Crossover 105.1, and When in Manila. Logistics partner is Creative Juice Communications.

For more information, like Belly Blessed on Facebook or visit www.bellyblessed.com.

It's the time of the month!

Disclaimer first... this is a post about monthly periods. If squeamish, please proceed to the next blog...

For almost all my life, well at least ever since I got my period, I have been searching for a sanitary napkin that's comfortable and absorbent. I couldn't find any that satisfied my needs so I ended up with tampons instead. But tampons are not commonly used here in the Philippines, you know the stigma that it "de-flowers" girls. I had to get my supply from the US.

While I have been very satisfied with tampons, I still had to be careful since it could lead to TSS or toxic shock syndrome. TSS occurs when tampons stay inside the vagina longer than it should, absorbing even the natural moisture of the vagina causing imbalance. I would use napkins at night and tampons during the day.

But recently, I was introduced to another alternative to napkins and tampons. The MeLuna Menstrual Cup.

Blanca de China

One of the things I really set aside budget for is massage, manipedi and threading. Seriously, I take my hair and face (I know I shouldn't!) for granted but the first three, I MUST regularly have!

I have a masseuse and manicurista that comes to our house. I'm so tamad to go to a spa! And for threading, we have a resident threader-girl in the office.

Last Saturday though, I got the chance to try Blanca De China Lifestyle Spa located along P. Guevarra in San Juan. Yes, I drove all the way to San  Juan to try their services. Thanks to Tin of Manila Fashion Observer, I got to try their full body massage. I have a constant pain in my back so I'm really picky with massages.