I was that mother who worked all her energy and enthusiasm in the office just to be able to provide my children's needs.   I had just one before and was a single mom too, so imagine the roles I had to play and time I had to manage to make him feel secured and loved at the same time.  I was intentional at making everyday moments fun and happy even if I had to do it alone those days.  Jollibee was our ultimate hang out place before I go to work, and as his favorite pasalubong.

Jollibee released their newest heartfelt video which showed how parents making the most of the time they spend with their children by making everyday activities such as playtime, snack time, bath time, and bedtime more fun and memorable.  I totally remembered myself when I was a full-time working mom.  I braved the traffic, the rain, finished deadlines, just to be home on time to make it before my son's bedtime.  Watch this video, for sure many of you can relate to this sweet-sarap moments complemented by a classic favorite that has captured the hearts of Pinoy kids of different generations: Jolly Spaghetti.
“The latest Jolly Spaghetti video is our tribute to Filipino parents who tirelessly find ways to connect and bond with their children, even in the smallest ways like sharing their favorite sweet-sarap treat,” said Cathleen Capati, Jollibee AVP for Marketing – Flagship Category. “Childhood always goes by so fast and for parents, it’s important to enjoy and cherish every moment with our children.”

(L-R): Jollibee Philippines Brand Engagement Officer Celina Tan; Jollibee Philippines Brand Manager for Jolly Spaghetti Kat Silvoza; Jollibee Philippines AVP and Marketing Head of Flagship Category Cathleen Capati; parent panelists Melissa Ricks, Tina Lata, Japoy Lizardo, and Delamar Arias with their kids; Jollibee Philippines Assistant Brand Manager Rein Locsin; and Johnjo Paje.

For decades, Jolly Spaghetti has always been a delight for Pinoy kids of all ages. A pioneering fast-food offering that perfectly captures the Filipino palate, Jolly Spaghetti boasts of a unique sweet-sarap sauce, meaty hotdog slices, and a generous sprinkling of grated cheese on top of freshly prepared noodles “We at Jollibee hope that this video inspires parents to make even the simplest day-to-day activities, such as enjoying a common favorite like Jolly Spaghetti, a means to connect with their kids for that bonding na walang kasing-sarap,” concluded Capati.

I agree that daily activities with kids make a great bonding time with the kids.  Though I am a full-fledged stay-at-home-mom now since I resigned last February, there are still days that I have to be reminded of this.  Kids first before chores.  Kids first before anything else.  Thanks Jollibee for the simple reminder of how bonding time is important for kids.  They grow up soon and I don't want to miss important years in their lives when I am still needed - I have to be present.
sharing with the family! The Jolly Spaghetti Family Pan is available for dine-in, take-out, drive-thru, and delivery transactions in Jollibee stores nationwide. For more heartwarming stories and information on the Philippines’ number one fast-food brand, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @Jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.

Moms and Dads, if you've noticed these past few days promotions on the 11-11 Shopee Sale on social media have been very frequent right?  It makes us consumers and online shopping fans really excited about the huge discounts, exclusive deals, and tons vouchers which Shopee is going to have on November 11!  That's tomorrow!  Have you marked your calendars yet?  I encourage you to wait til 12 midnight and take advantage of the Shopee-wide 11-11 sale! 

Here's something really special about the sale because Unilever and Shopee will launch its campaign called All About Giving to take place on November 11, at 11 o' clock AM, which will feature exclusive Unilever deals only available on Shopee and nowhere else in this world or rather the universe!

All About Giving Campaign

What are these Hero Deals from Unilever?  Look!!!

• Tresemme: UP TO 50% OFF
• St. Ives: UP TO 50% OFF
• Dove: UP TO 40% OFF
• Unilever Homecare products: UP TO 30% OFF
• Unilever Foods products: UP TO 40% OFF

Enjoy exclusive deals on Unilever products on Shopee's 11.11 Sale

All About Giving Campaign of UnileverXShopee

Exclusive Unilever Deals on Shopee for the 11.11 Sale!

You could also use this Voucher Code: ShopeexUL valid for 11.11 only to get 20% OFF when you buy PHP1000 worth of Unilever items.  If you think those deals are superb, wait for it.... FREE SHIPPING on ALL Unilever products

Ready to SHOP?  Click this link to go to the Unilever Shopee page: https://shopee.ph/collections/116397

Happy 11.11 Unilever Shopping on Shopee loves! :)

As parents we all want to raise a happy and healthy child.  Personally, when I became a new mom, I would do endless research on how to make this happen.  There were so many parenting and nutritional tips to achieve raising a happy and healthy child.  But it all boils down to keeping kids active at play and giving nutritious drinks and food.  PLUS a lot of love and bonding time with the kids and that equally means they grow up in a healthy and happy environment.

NESTOKID® FOUR advocates the importance of providing children not only with the right nutrition needed to support their crucial developmental years, but also a happy environment where they can grow, flourish, and enjoy time with the family.  That's why, last weekend, they had a Grow Happy Nation event at the Midtown Atrium of Robinsons Place Manila.

Grow Happy Nation event at Robinsons Place Manila

With Ms. Melai Cantiveros, Nestokid Four Brand Ambassador

With mom blogger friends Serene and Nerissa

Nice to see you again Serene! :)

Entrance to the grand Grow Happy event by NESTOKID® FOUR

Be part of the Grow Happy Nation!

• Laro (Play) allows kids to be physically active through a friendly game of ring toss
• Likha (Art) gives participants the freedom to express themselves through lines and colors.
• Musika (Music) challenges kids to a fun game of musical chairs with a twist. 
• Nutrisyon (Nutrition) NESTOKID® FOUR reminds parents about the importance of raising happy, healthy kids with a storytelling video.

LARO Station

Challenges the kids to shoot the giant rings to the poles

LIKHA Station

Get coloring materials before entering the area.

Color with your child in this station.

MUSIKA Station

A musical chair game with a twist

Nutrisyon Station where both parents and children learn about eating right and drinking milk AND how to raise happy and healthy kids as well.

NESTOKID® FOUR believes that raising happy and healthy children can start with something as simple as with choosing the right milk, as nutrition is vital for good health and well-being. NESTOKID® FOUR is specially formulated with L. Comfortis, a probiotic that helps strengthen tummies to provide better digestion and help in absorption of nutrients, making sure that kids get the nutrition they need during their growing-up years. It is also packed with Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and DHA for overall growth and development.


NESTOKID® FOUR, however, acknowledges that milk is just one of the key components to raising a happy and healthy child, and therefore encourages parents to complement proper nutrition with providing their children a nurturing environment where they can play, imagine, and bond with loved ones.

The brand’s newest endorser and proud mommy of two, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco agrees saying, “I learned from my experience with Amelia that proper nutrition should go hand-in-hand with a happy home talaga. I really think it makes all the difference, lalo na ngayon na nakikita ko kung gaano siya ka-confident sa school at kung gaano kadali sa kanya makipagkaibigan. Daig pa ako sa pagiging Ms. Congeniality!”

Be part of the movement and drop by one of the two NESTOKID® FOUR Grow Happy Nation runs. Get a chance to also win a 1-year supply of NESTOKID® FOUR when you post photos from inside the Grow Happy Nation activity area using the hashtags #GrowHappy and #NESTOKID. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/NESTOKIDPH

SARSAYA's Brand Ambassador, the Prometime King, Mr. Coco Martin

 And how fortunate that I was invited to witness the launch of SARSAYA's latest TVC with Coco Martin last week at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City.  It was a beautiful Filipiniana-themed event dubbed Exploring Local Flavors with SARSAYA®.  The program started with an exclusive #kaSASAYAn Filipino Food Walking Tour led by award-winning food writer Ige Ramos  featuring local street food and carinderia favorites within the storied walls of Las Casas.  Participants were able to sample fishballs, squidballs, traditional pancit habhab served on banana leaves, and carinderia-style adobo complemented by SARSAYA® oyster sauce.
The highlight of course of the event came when the handsome Primetime king and SARSAYA® ambassador Coco arrived and charmed everyone in attendance, including me and my sleeping baby.  He shared stories from the set of his most recent brand commercial. In it, Coco happily chimes the catchy jingle, “Lasang Oyster na Oyster, SARSAYA®!”

The Lizardos (Jace, Japoy, and Jan), Primetime King Coco Martin, myself and sleeping Damien

With Jan Lizardo and Baby Jace

When asked what his take on the success of Sarsaya® being 3rd leading brand, he shared, ”Siyempre po masayang-masaya ako. Nakaka-proud na sabihin na ang pagtitiwala ng Ajinomoto sa akin bilang endorser ng kanilang bagong produktong Sarsaya® ay nagbunga ng maganda, at naging positibo ang pagtanggap ng mga mamimili rito.”

When I got home from the event, hay, nagluto agad ako, pati the following day using SARSAYA Oyster Sauce, na-inspire kay Coco Martin.  Here they are:

Pork Adobo Con Patatas in SARSAYA Oyster Sauce

Ginisang Kangkong in SARSAYA Oyster Sauce

Will share the recipe on another post loves !:)

For Coco’s new SARSAYA® commercial and other updates, like them on Facebook: facebook.com/CookmunitybyAjinomotoPH and visit www.ajinomoto.com.ph.

Are there times that as a woman fulfilling your multiple roles (a wife, a mom, a sister, a career person, a friend or an organization leader) you get too exhausted to the point of even asking yourself or the universe "Why am I doing what I am doing?"

Have you ever wondered if other women of any role at any stage also did, does or will do what you did, what you do or will do?

Have you ever felt unsure, confused, lost, depressed, empty or even pressed against the wall?  Have you figured out what your purpose is in your life as a woman?

If you've felt or thought about this one time in your life, it's okay, it's normal.  I personally had my personal struggles as well as a woman.  It's normal, we all go through a lot.  Though of different experiences, degrees of past pains and tolerance of it, we all go through something.

We've cried buckets of tears during our first heartbreak, we've risked ourselves when we carried our babies in our wombs, we went through physical pain during labor and childbirth, we also submit as wives to our husbands, we raise our children, we even take care of our aging parents, we fulfill our passions/dreams on the side, and so many more.

It's tough to be a woman, and I believe that every struggles and victories of a woman should be celebrated.  This is what the Jewels Conference is all about.

What is the Jewels Conference 2018?
The Jewels Conference is a one-day event that seeks to empower women in their personal journey of balancing their roles, careers, relationships, and dreams. Our attendees were made up of different segments of women ranging from mothers, young professionals, young adults, and the youth.

JUNE is a month to remember by every Filipino because of it's a month we celebrate the National Independence Day.  F1 Hotel Manila clearly never forgets for it's the month they launch their annual Filipino Feast LuzViMinda 5.  This year's LuzViMinda has a theme of Gastronomical Fusion featuring three talented guest chefs Mikel Zaguirre (representing Luzon), Dennis Uy (representing Visayas) and Kalel Chan (representing Mindanao), headed by Executive Chef Decker Gokioco.
This wasn't the first time we experienced a dining euphoria in F1 Hotel Manila, the first one was in 2014 which I wrote about HERE.  So when we got a chance to devour yet another round of F1 Hotel Manila's LuzViMinda dishes, we're just so happy that diet isn't part of our family's vocabulary.

So let me tour you around the Philippine islands through one thing that will bring peace to everyone: FOOD!

LUZON
The dishes which Chef Mikel Zaguirre prepared were inspired by heirloom recipes which were meticulously crafted by research and adjusted a little bit to adapt the modern palate.
VISAYAS
Chef Dennis Uy’s dishes were inspired from his travels around the archipelago.  The Visayan dishes are familiar to my palette since I've traveled to different cities in this region.  There's a special place in my heart for Visayas, and so is their food of course!

MINDANAO
Chef Kalel Chan, presented an array of sumptuous dishes which were all worth trying!  Mindanao is where my mom's family is from (Gen. Santos City!) and where she and dad secretly married (Polomolok!) before her hand was officially asked for marriage (wedding in church, so if my lolo didn't give his blessings, wala na rin sila magagawa.)  Anyway, the dishes were all new to me but I surely enjoyed the Mindanao cuisine.