MOMI INVITES/ Summer Reading Camp now on its 3rd Year!

March 11, 2016 · Leave a Comment

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Get ready to see Filipino stories come alive and take home a part of them with you thru art- as we open our doors for the 3rd Summer Reading Camp this April 17, Sunday, from 10am to 4pm!

It will be a whole day of reading, storytelling and art activities for kids aged 3-12!

There will be teepees setup “camping in the city style” and three corners for them to explore namely:

READING CORNER –where they can borrow and read all the books they want from our Book Mobile Phils mobile library on site

ART CORNER – where they can unleash their inner artist by engaging in art activities related to stories read to them

STORYTELLING CORNER – where thay will listen and watch as children’s stories come alive via The Storytelling Project team and Ms. Isa Mijares.

ADVOCACY CORNER– where our partner NGO Black Pencil Project will be hosting a Paint-a-Pencil activity where blank pencils will be designed by kids and parents, and will be donated to BPP’s partner schools nationwide.

Aside from participating in these events, Adarna House will also be selling books on site at affordable rates.

An exciting surprise awaits the first 20 early birds (to arrive on the day) from our partner La Pomme Home.

Plus you can bring home a souvenir photo from our photobooth.

This event aims to rekindle and encourage a genuine love for reading in Filipino children, by spending one whole day doing reading related activities, ALL FOR FREE.

To register your child, please fill up this form http://goo.gl/forms/mQiPVXbpQb

The event is in partnership with Black Pencil Project, The Storytelling Project, La Pomme Home, Canon Philippines and McDonalds.

Activities are as follows:
8-9am Registration
9-10am Launch of Book Mobile Phils, Signup for the Book Mobile Phils Readers Club
10am-11am Storytelling sessions by The Storytelling Project
11am-12noon Art activities
12noon-1pm Paint a Pencil with Black Pencil Project
1-2pm Storytelling by The Storytelling Project
2-3pm Art Activities
3-4pm Closing/ Certificates for participants who completed the whole day event

See you all there!

MOMI TIPS/ All Clean with FatOut

March 10, 2016 · 16 Comments

Are you all clean? Clean inside and out?

For sure we all heard from our parents to take a bath, brush our teeth, tidy our hair, and stay prim and presentable at all times. It’s because hygiene is very important to ones health. However, staying well-groomed does not guarantee us to be clean from the inside, too. Most of us, sad to say, would forget to take care of our inside — the colon.

Worry no more because FatOut can be of great help.

FatOut helps make our digestive system function effectively. When our colon is cleansed, it pushes out undigested waste, clearing the way and helping us absorb good nutrients better. With a healthy colon, our digestive system allows us to easily pass undigested waste through our system which can result to having lesser risk of digestive problems and disorder. It also helps us, in a way, lose weight.

Now, have I piqued your interest?

FatOut has the revolutionary Sweep and Shred Formula which helps in cleansing our colon and trimming down our fats. It has Psyllium Husk which sweeps and cleanses toxins in our colon, and Green Tea Extract which shreds and burns our fats.

To simplify:

FatOut eliminates hard-to-digest fats and helps detoxify the colon.
It nourishes the digestive system that helps in proper bowel movement and digestion.

What is the Sweep and Shred Formula for? It can help us lose the pounds without putting our health at risk.

How do we take in FatOut? FatOut should be taken daily, before every meal, preferably with a warm glass of water. It is available at all Mercury Drug stores and other leading drugstores nationwide for SRP P125.00 per capsule.

So, what are you waiting for? Stand out with FatOut!

For more information about FatOut, visit www.facebook.com/ATCFatOut.

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Have you been waiting for your Fairy God Mother? Then wait no more! FatOut is giving you the Ultimate Royal Treatment with The Chinita Princess, Kim Chiu! Get ready to be pampered and meet your Idol, FatOut’s newest endorser Kim Chiu! What are you waiting for? Go hit the nearest Drugstore and buy FatOut now! In order to receive a royal invite all you have to do is:

– Collect all receipts and foils of your FatOut purchases
– Register your receipts online to make your entry and tickets valid. Here’s the link! http://bit.ly/FatoutFansDayInline image 1
– Claiming of Royal Invites will be 1-2 weeks before the event.
For questions, visit https://www.facebook.com/ATCFatOut and send us a message! 🙂

* This post does not form part of any invitation to sell. The product was given to msbolin for trial, after which she will provide an honest review. But she nonetheless expects FatOut to be one of her favorites.

2016 Goal/ Be effortlessly beautiful

March 10, 2016 · 1 Comment

For 2016, I commit to be all natural.

In the early part of the year, I would get all serious watching those DIY videos on YouTube to achieve that natural make up look, hair-do or even that fashion OOTD.

Looking natural, I believe, is the way to go as achieving this look makes one appear younger and effortlessly beautiful. And so, putting on too much blush on and foundation to cover up my blemishes will have to take a rest. This year, less is more for me.

The same goes for anything I take. I once got so fixated on using too many beauty products and taking medication believing that they will make my skin more radiant and smooth. But I learned the hard way. I am pushing to take in one supplement only.

vita e

Now, I am trying Vita-E. And why such optimism for this product:

Vita-E contains 400 IU of vitamin E, a known antioxidant that effectively protects the cells against free radicals and gives skin a beautiful, youthful, and effortless glow.
Vita-E helps prevent free radicals that harm cells and contribute to the development of conditions such as stroke and cancer.
Vita-E works from the inside making one feel and look great. Not only is Vita-E essential in maintaining the functions of the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system, Vita-E also gives all around protection for a healthy immune system.

And so again, ladies, take care of what is beneath. Take Vita-E with me and be naturally beautiful. Recommended to be taken one capsule a day (SRP P14.00 per soft gel capsule), Vita-E is available at Mercury Drug and all other leading drugstores nationwide.

Vita-E is manufactured and distributed by ATC Healthcare International Corp., an emerging leading company that offers a complete line of dietary food supplements and other healthcare products from immunity boosters, cleansing and detoxification supplements, to slimming capsules – all answering the needs of all ages.

Oh, by the way, checked ATC Healthcare International Corp. and all its products are approved by the Food and Drug Authority, thus, assuring us that Vita-E is safe and healthy.

MOMI MUSINGS/ isang libo't isang dasal o higit pa

March 9, 2016 · 34 Comments

Marahil, kung ihahambing sa text message ang mga dasal na natanggap ng Panginoon noong nakaraang Sabado, malamang ay walang tigil sa tunog o pagvibrate ang mobile phone Niya.

Sinamahan ko noong Sabadong iyon ang aking anak sa UP Integrated School (UPIS) upang kumuha ng entrance exam. Katulad ng napakaraming magulang ng araw na iyon, ako ay lubos na naniniwala sa kakayahan ng aking binatilyo.

Napakaraming magulang, akay-akay ang mas nakababatang supling, ang nagkumpulan sa bangketa, kalye, at maging sa harapan mismo ng eskuwelahan. Ang iba, mayroon pang bitbit na sanggol; kabilang na ako sa kanila. Lahat kami, iniwan ang mga gawain sa bahay man o sa trabaho upang hindi lamang magpakita ng suporta sa mga anak kundi ihatid sila sa sana’y magiging susunod nilang paaralan. Lahat, marahil ay nagbabakasakaling palarin ang anak na makapasok sa prestigious school na iyon.

Nang aking isa-isahin ang bawat mukha ng mga magulang, bakas sa kanila ang lalim ng pananampalataya sa kanilang mga supling. Higit pa sa tiwala at pag-asa, sila ay lubos na nananalig sa kakayahan at talino ng kanilang anak.

Bakit ko ba naman nasabi iyon? Sa daan-daan o marahil higit pa sa isang libong kumuha ng pagsusulit, tanging 15 lamang ang papalaring matatanggap.

Opo. 15 lamang sa lahat ng sumailalim sa entrance exam na iyon ang kukunin upang makapasok bilang grade 7 sa school year 2016-2017 sa UPIS.

Walang duda, umaapaw ang dasal sa itaas maging hanggang ngayon.

* Second son will be graduating from grade school, hopefully with honors, this March 20, 2016. I am somehow sad that he won’t be bringing home the Valedictorian medal as his class ranking tremendously dropped from first to fourth honors. Anyway, grades do not measure intelligence, as what we often hear. More important, though, are the friendship earned, values learned, and wisdom developed.

What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school but a different way of looking at the world and learning.

– Charles Ernest Grassley, an American politician

BABY DIARIES/ Yael at 7mos

March 9, 2016 · 14 Comments

yael at 7 months

Quezon City is now a Safe City for Women

March 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment

A thousand and more beautifully lit sky lanterns fill the sky of the Quezon City Memorial Circle on the eve of International Women’s Day as supporters of women’s safety in the streets gather to let their voice be heard. This marks the kick off of the UN Safe Cities Global Initiative campaign of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the Quezon City Government. Everyone aims to raise national awareness on the issue of street harassment and sexual violence against women and girls in public spaces.

The campaign begins with “Lighting the Way to Safe Cities” at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

A grand assembly of government officials, NGOs, civic society organizations and UN agencies participate in a lighting ceremony to raise awareness on the issue of street harassment and sexual violence agaist women in public places.

According to Katherine Belen, Programme Head for UN Women Safe Cities, street harassment and sexual violence are not a trivial annoyance but may bring about immense effect on women. Some considered as sexual harassment are: persistent telling of offensive jokes; taunting a person with constant talk about sex; displaying offensive pictures; interrogating someone about sexual activities or private life; making offensive hand or body gestures at someone; stalking or repeatedly asking for the phone number or for dates despite verbal rejection; and touching, pinching or brushing up against someone’s body unnecessarily or deliberately.

UN Women partners with the Quezon City government as its pilot city of the Safe Cities Global Initiative. One advantage of this partnership gives women the protection and reassurance to roam around the city. Sexual harassment violators are seen to pay a fine of P5,000 for every offense. New public outdoor communication materials are also scheduled to be posted all around the city to increase public awareness. These advertising posters together with two short video clips are about to grace the television and some movie theaters. All these campaign materials will feature UN Women Safe Cities celebrity supporter Glaiza De Castro.

Celebrity supporter Glaiza De Castro during the press conference for the Safe Cities Quezon City Programme.

For more information about UN Women and its activities, log on to www.unwomen.org.

The International Women’s Day is commemorated globally every 8th of March.

About UN Women

UN Women is the UN entity dedicted to gender quality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.

Top 5 Reasons I Shop at Lazada Philippines

March 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I am a stay-at-home mom since the birth of my now seven-month old son. Going full-time mom has its struggles, too, same with juggling office work and household management. And the first thing I did as I assume “office” at the small house was to let my voice be heard.

I am no drama mother and once I got to talk to my boys about responsibility, I let them learn by themselves. I am, most of the time though, available to shed some light to uncertain problems or even familiar questions. I am very much a mom to them.

And so, to keep them reminded of our not-so-much of a house rule, I got these items from Lazada Philippines:

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Talking much might bring more damage than value, I guess. So one afternoon, while the boys were still at school, I installed the wall decals I bought at Lazada Philippines. I hope to surprise the children and let them read the writings on the stairs. I know for sure, time will come they will ask me about the stickers. I would want them to understand the words one by one, reflect on them, and act upon them. In no time, the small house will be a place where love, understanding, and forgiveness strive. A place where one could have second chances, where loud laughter is heard,and more hugs are felt.

As for the second wall decal, I asked husband to install it with the boys’ help. I intend them to read each line and as they stick each word, they come to meditate and absorb its meaning.

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Our small house is no home to spoiled kids. Nor a place for the troubled. It’s an abode where a husband and his wife aim to grow their four boys as real gentlemen and who believe in the power of love.

As I have mentioned, I am a stay-at-home mom. Leaving the house is no easy-peasy. I always have to consider the interest of my baby. So to make my shopping easier, I do it online. And one of the easiest and friendliest e-commerce companies I have tried so far is Lazada Philippines.

After my first purchase were a number of successful transactions online. I plan to buy a few more items still and I even installed the Lazada mobile application so I could shop with ease. My top reasons for considering Lazada Philippines?

1. The fun of receiving notification of what is new in Lazada’s online store. I could even get hold of special promotions or flash sales.

2. I could read reviews from satisfied or not so satisfied buyers. The product info is also a great help from the size to color and usage.

3. The more fun part of cruising around the pages of Lazada as I breastfeed my baby. I could easily switch categories and even shop according to brands.

4. I could go back again and again without any saleslady stalking or annoying me to make that purchase.

5. And the most fun part of keeping me company on times the baby does not want to sleep even on wee hours of the morning, I get to shop for necessities and even on small splurges. I happen to chance upon these wall decals during one sleepless night when my then one-month baby would demand for milk every one or two hours.

All these I can do even on my bed and in my pajamas. 🙂

So are you looking for something but does not have the time to go even to the nearest mall? Try Lazada Philippines!

Happy shopping, everyone!

This post is an entry for the ShopCoupons X Lazada PH Blogger contest. Being hosted by ShopCoupons. Lazada voucher sponsored by Lazada Philippines.

MOMI TIPS/ Sa Pambatang Solmux, Sigurado ka!

March 4, 2016 · 20 Comments

Coughs and colds spread easily. I remember my then five-month old baby had cough last month. He got it from his other brother. His cough kept bugging him especially at night. Then I imagined myself coughing. I cough because I would want to be relieved from the irritating tickling sensation at the back of my throat.

This might be what my baby felt on those days. And he needed to spit out that phlegm. My pediatrician recommended that we use Solmux, which is more commonly known as Carbocisteine, a mucolytic to help make it easier to cough up phlegm. I got a bottle from our medicine cabinet (my ever generous pediatrician would give me samples of medicines and vitamins for our use) and let my son take it for three days. On the third day, he returned to being bubbly. He got better.

For my other older son, I gave him Pambatang Solmux.

And I am just happy that we have a very approachable pediatrician who could readily answer my calls or text. And I am all the more happy that we have Solmux to provide relief for my boys’ cough.

Pambatang Solmux is indeed a partner to moms like me in becoming the best mother to my boys. It is the only medicine with both bacterial and viral expel action which helps kill and expel viruses and bacteria that cause cough with phlegm. It is like hitting two birds with one stone. Not only is the cause of cough dealt with, the symptoms are also addressed properly.

Reading the package insert (the piece of paper that comes inside the medicine box), I have learned that only Pambatang Solmux contains 200mg of medicine per 5ml. Other carbocisteine medicines only contain 100mg of medicine per 5ml. This means my boy has to take in less medicine. Every bottle of Pambatang Solmux is also made using the TasteRite^TM technology. This is a unique taste-masking system developed specifically for liquid dosage forms to improve the taste of the medicine. This makes it less difficult for a mom like me to ask her son to take his medication.

My oldest is already 13 years old. And every time he catches cold which would end up having cough, I always give him Pambatang Solmux. Subok ko na talaga, noon pa. So with his other brothers, hindi pwedeng pwede na. Dapat sigurado! I also give them Pambatang Solmux to push out those phlegm. Only Pambatang Solmux has bacteria and virus expel action, thus, the bacteria and virus which are the usual causes of cough are expelled properly.

Pambatang Solmux comes in 60ml and 120 ml bottles and is safe for kids aged two to 12. It is manufactured by Unilab, a trusted healthcare company and makers of other household brands like Biogesic, Ceelin, Neozep and Enervon. To know more about Pambatang Solmux and other Unilab products, get in touch via [email protected] or its Customer Care Hotline 858-1000 local 8088. Or one may always visit www.unilab.com.ph and www.youtube.com/user/unilabph, like www.facebook.com/unilab or follow www.twitter.com/unilab_ph and instagram.com/Unilab.

About Unilab

Unilab has continuously provided Filipinos with trusted and quality healthcare products and services for the past 70 years. Being a Filipino company, it prides itself for knowing what is best for the Filipinos’ healthcare needs.

Unilab’s “Trusted Quality Healthcare” is more than just a tagline. It is what makes Unilab different from all other health and wellness companies. It is the company’s corporate promise to all Filipinos to provide quality healthcare products and services that promote and enrich life.

Unilab sees to it that every step it takes ensures that the promise is kept. Its commitment is to produce only quality products and services that are affordable and accessible to all, so that every Filipino is cared for the way he should be.

MOMI TIPS/ home remedy for acne

March 2, 2016 · 7 Comments

If it’s stupid and it works, it isn’t stupid.

Says a quote I once read and took note of. And I’m just jubilant I tried this home remedy.

I have a very sensitive skin. I first had pimples when I was at first year high school and it continued until my third year . I just hate most of my pictures then. It also made me the shy-type girl in school.

On and off, I would have pimples. Again, it greatly affected my confidence. I have tried so many acne products and went through a lot of facial services and most of them were failures.

Last Christmas, my ever generous mom gifted me with a set of VMV make up. Got a new liquid foundation and a pressed power. She also gave me my favorite lipstick shade. I couldn’t be happier.

Then the inevitable happened. A day after using the foundation and pressed powder, I got pimples- again. I cannot use the medicated soap prescribed by my derma as I am breastfeeding my little one. So I bought a tea tree soap believing it would clear my skin. I’ve used a tea tree soap years before (during the start of my career as a corporate communications person). And that time, perhaps the antibacterial properties of tea tree oil indeed helped kill bacteria that cause pimples that I rarely had pimple breakout. Unfortunately when I used a tea tree soap last January, my pimples got bigger and they seemed to form strange patterns. They formed a straight line starting from my jaw bone to my chin.

This happened to me many times and it’s happening to me again.

Then I chance upon “a proven pimple remedy” daw. I tried it. Perhaps out of desperation. I could not leave the house that easily to visit my derma as I need to consider too many things (OC nanay duties). Plus, we have the ingredients readily available in our kitchen so why not try it.

I tried the solution for only two minutes for fear that it might cause more harm than cure. The next morning, I felt the pimples along my jaw line starting to dry up. I waited for two days before I use the solution again as the instruction strictly said the application should be twice or thrice in a week.

On my second try, I let the solution stay on my face for about ten minutes before rinsing it. I felt a tighter and smoother face after. And I was easily impressed. I repeated the application the next day and the next day again. I even left a few solution mix on a big zit overnight. And I regret having done that. It caused redness. But then again, I couldn’t be happier with the over all result of this home remedy.

No need for Murad… Or Obagi… Or Clinic Manila… Or a professional acne-treating product.

Say hello to– baking soda mixed with very little water.

Further reading on baking soda, helps me understand that:

Baking soda helps remove the excess oil of the skin which may lead to blackheads and breakouts. It also has mild anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which help to reduce the size of pimples.

When mixed with water, baking soda forms a fine, gritty paste which helps to clean and exfoliate the skin, removing oil, dirt and dead skin cells.

It is a good idea to test out the baking soda treatment on a small patch of skin before applying it all over the face. If you experience any negative side effects, do not continue.

Even if you do not experience any negative side effects, you should avoid using baking soda too regularly. Over time, the baking soda can upset the pH balance of your skin, potentially leading to bacteria growth and more pimples.

Baking soda should be used on the skin no more than twice per week.

Will I continue this new pimple home remedy discovery? Yes, I will. And I am positive that in no time, I will be pimple-free again and swear will never use other cosmetic products. Might be boring but I will just stick to my accustomed “facial lifestyle”.

By the way, I use this baking soda mixture twice a week. Before bedtime, I massage my face with Human Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil with hopes that it will lighten the pimple marks.

It did!

Though they are still aplenty, my face somehow lightens. And I am just so happy! I need not visit my dermatologist. This works for me and this might not for others as we all have different skin types. But one thing is certain, I can now save the money I intend for my dermatologist to buy my little munchkin some new clothes. He is getting bigger everyday and he needs new pants. Ihihi.

How about you, have you been to a similar situation or have you tried simple home remedy? Would love to hear from you.

SCHOOL FEATS/ being the new kid no more.

March 1, 2016 · 16 Comments

He was overjoyed. He cannot believe he can. He was only aiming to belong.

He is not an outcast though. He just happens to be a new kid in his new high school. Making friends is not that hard for him either. He came from a school that operates on a semester system and that’s where he needs to adjust. His new school incorporates trimesters into its curricular structure which features three academic sessions during the school year. His two grade school brothers are attending school following the semester calendar thus his school calendar differs from the two.

Anyway-

That morning before we left the house, he muttered “sana may honor ako.” His voice hopeful yet with a hint of doubt. Last first trimester, he was qualified for third honors but was “disqualified” because he got an Approaching Proficiency (AP) grade. Those vying for third honors should have no AP grades in their class card.

After getting his report card from his adviser, we slowly walked towards the classroom door then to the school’s entrance gate. Once outside, I told firstborn the good news.

“You are your class’ second honors.”

He asked me to repeat it twice and he waved his slender arms up in the air in a gesture that resembled a victory. He was jubilant. His mom was likewise overjoyed!

To celebrate, we went to Maginhawa Street, just a few streets from the school. We would want to try the Cat Cafe Manila. Unfortunately though, it was full that afternoon. So we just went to the next cafe, Wicked Kitchen.

As always, Firstborn is a gentleman. He would let me order mine first. He would also let me have a taste of his meal. He would pause and smile when asked to pose for a picture. And he thanked me for the treat.

Again, my congratulations, Firstborn. You deserve your place because I have seen how you give importance to your studies. I hope and I am positive that you maintain your grades. Your mama would be happier if you exert a little effort for that top spot. Good luck and I love you.

Till our next Maginhawa date.