I remember when a dear friend of mine died because of Dengue a few years ago, it was scary.  He was a young father with two children who at that time were both below 7 years old.  It was a devastating family situation which left his wife depressed and unprepared.

Dengue scares me a lot.  And now with the Zika virus existing alongside it, I am all the more worried.   I don't want my family to experience losing someone because of a simple mosquito bite.  So for me, prevention is better than cure.

As a mother of three boys, I do all I can to protect my children from getting Dengue or Zika.  Call me paranoid, but I’ve been applying a mosquito repellent on my kids and make it a part of their daily hygiene.

Christmas is around the corner and some advance shopping has been done by some people I know, but for those who want to do their Christmas shopping in bazaars with a legit Christmas feels (you know, Christmas decors and music in the background) then you better not miss the upcoming Circuit Makati Bazaar happening from November 18 - 20!  I was present during their media launch and I'm happy to share with you what to expect during the three-day bazaar!

I've been thinking a lot lately about the state of my mom life right now and where should I really be and what does God want me to do or where to go.  I'm blessed with three sons who capture all childhood stages: teenager, preschooler, and an infant.  Since I graduated from college, I have been working all my life (except for about two years when I got pregnant and gave birth to my first which made me experience being a stay-at-home-mommah.).  I've dabbled in different sideline jobs while working full-time.  In those times, I was able to earn extra while doing what I love doing and pursuing my passion.  I sang in a band with my ex-boyfriend (now my husband), I appeared on several TV commercials, I started to blog, and I also had a retail business.  Years passed by and I felt more stable, content and at peace with whatever I have (or had?).

When things seem to be going so well, suddenly life has a way to shake me up again and tilt me out of my comforts.  Looking back at recent events, I think this shaking up started happening when I was bed resting and experienced working-from-home.  It was a challenge for me, but manageable. Next, I had an emergency C-section when we were all preparing for a normal delivery of baby boy #3.  Following that, our baby who was only two months then got hospitalized and at that tender age already experienced being inserted an IV into.  When I got back to work, there were some changes which aren't exactly in sync to my long-term plans.  Lastly, yaya problems.

But for every mishaps, there were equivalent blessings that come along.  When I was bed resting my new team/s were gracious to allow me to work-from-home which isn't a standard practice in the office.  Because of that, I was able to become more involved with household matters.  Second, I was able to prove to others and myself that working-from-home indeed could work. Delivering and launching projects from home is possible!  I had a taste of how working-from-home feels like.  It was like a window to another life path which is still unexplored.

Second, when I had an emergency C-section, it simply meant, more maternity leave days for me.  It just meant, extended time to be with my newborn and extra time for me to learn and do breastfeeding my baby.  It also meant extra time for me to be present for my two older kids.

When our baby was hospitalized due to my spoiled breast milk, I became more conscious about breastfeeding and sensitivity breast milk storage hence, I was able to share this experience to other moms through my blog.

I was nervous when I was about to return to work.  Because it was my first time to exclusively breastfeed, I didn't have any idea at all how to make breastfeeding work while working out of home.  Fortunately, I was lead to meet angels and these angels helped and supported me a lot in my exclusive breastfeeding journey: from choice of breast pump, to recommended breastfeeding essentials, the how-tos, and to full-on moral support!  This pumped me up and made me convicted to breastfeed baby exclusively as long as I can.  Baby's turning four months already and is exclusively breastfed, thanks to the current support system I have.  Imagine, I've saved almost Php 21K for being formula-milk-free (based on a can costing Php900 good for 5days).

Now speaking of work, there are decisions to be made and these decisions could be life-changing.  I'm at that cross-road right now.  Should I jump or should I hold back?  While making a final choice is still impending, I keep on meeting angels who are entrepreneurs or working from home and who are inspiring and encouraging.  It makes me think, if they can do what they do joyfully even if it means heavy work, sleepless nights, stress... then maybe I can too?  The prize is being able to stay with the kids while earning a living doing what you love doing and being your own boss.

But there are times that I dismiss those thoughts because practically speaking, I cannot just leave work.  I cannot afford to lose my security blanket (which has hospitalization benefits for my dependents, bonuses, and other perks) which put food on the table, pay bills, pay salaries, and send kids to school.  Then the last straw blew: Yaya problem who has already said goodbye and gave us a termination date.

That's it, pansit! What now, brown cow?

Is the universe pushing me to jump off the cliff I'm afraid to jump into?  Is the universe whispering to me to take that unexplored path?  Is the universe telling me to make a choice soon because all these life situations, or dilemmas if you would call it that way, are happening?

When the universe aligns nga naman, you will be lead to riding that road in your life which is unsure because of unlit alleys.  When they align, you will be lead to make a choice, which is not popular and could be scary, but it's what's right for you given the life you're presented into.  When the universe aligns, those mishaps turn into opportunities, and it's up to you to take them or let them go.

Will I take it or let go?  Will I explore the path I'm afraid to take or stay safe?  Should I begin again before it's too late or just stay complacent with what I have right now even if the current is running against my life right now?

What would you do if the universe is aligning things for you?  Will you realign your life or persevere with what you have right now even if it's already pushing away?

Happy Halloween Long Weekend loves!  I'm typing away straight from our hotel room during our Halloween staycation (baby's first ever!).  Anyway, I just want to share the great news about super-worth-the-travel Mommy Mundo's first-ever collaboration with Manila Sundance Bazaar happening until October 30, 2016 only at The World Trade Center.  So hurry, do your early Christmas shopping for yourselves, your baby or your loved ones.
Anyway, I came to check out Mommy Mundo's Mommy Fair Area.  It's packed with many well-loved and sought-after mommy and baby items!  This collaboration aims to encourage women's and moms' self-empowerment and self-worth.  I'm sure you would agree that as moms, we're always tired of managing the household budget, cooking, cleaning the house, caring for the kids (and the list goes on and on), that sometimes we forget to care for ourselves.  Then our self-worth is affected right?
So to save our sanity and keep the mommy spirit alive, then treat yourself to an early Christmas shopping spree for yourself  and baby too by visiting the Mommy Fair Area of Mommy Mundo at Manila Sundance Bazaar.

My eyes and my heart were both delighted to see so many Mommy Mundo partners selling their quality products.  Hay naku, let me just share with you what to expect and the essentials you could purchase.
These are just a few of the brands/items you'll see at Mommy Mundo's Mommy Fair Area at Manila Sundance Bazaar.

The Mommy Fair Area is found at the farthest part of the venue. I closed my eyes and braved reaching the end of the hall without getting distracted, to ensure that I have my shopping priority set straight. Baby and mommy needs first before my wants.

But on my way out, I failed because I toured the whole venue, aisle by aisle. Haha!  But I didn't splurge, wala ring kasya masyado na sa akin!  Manila Sundance Bazaar is a venue for great fashion, mommy and baby, and food finds happening until October 30 only.  Do your early Christmas shopping for yourself and loved ones too!  Last chance today loves!

Happy shopping!

For more of Mommy Mundo's upcoming events, like Mommy Mundo on Facebook and follow on Instagram.

That's the same question we were asked during a special event I, together with other wonder mommies, attended a couple of days back.  So before I reveal which event this was, let me share with you my short but honest to goodness answer.  Here it is...
As a woman, I always find time and make time for ME-time.  I also take time to find joy in simple things.  And as a mother, I celebrate myself by being in the company of my loved ones and showing them my love.  That's how I celebrate ME!

Celebrating YOU as a woman, mom or not, is the message which Wink, one of the top brand choices in shapewear, wants to tell every modern Filipina.  Victory or defeat, just wink at it to feel great, and just celebrate!  There's so much in life to wink about and celebrate especially if you're already a mom.
But while that last statement is true, giving birth and raising children could be really tough.  One of the toughest times in motherhood is bouncing back after giving birth, emotionally, psychologically and especially physically.  In all these aspects, we need all the help and support we could get.  And on the physical side, that's where Wink Postpartum Shapewear comes in, to help us still wink at these things and celebrate motherhood!

Influential Women Testify About Wink
Many moms can testify to its effectiveness and a few were invited to share their experiences during the official launch of Wink Shapewear at Stacy's BGC where moms like me were treated to nourishing food, relaxing hand and fingers massage, and exciting games with exciting prizes and giveaways.
Some of these women who shared their, not so secret anymore, Wink experiences were Joy Sotto, Tina Rodriguez, Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, Cat Arambulo-Antonio, Lee Shen-Cala-or.

Joy Sotto, a mom of 5, had an unexpected C-section in delivering her fifth child.  She tried different kinds binders in the past but nothing compared to Wink.  It gave her full support in her tummy and back area which the hospital binder failed to give her.  The postpartum pain became bearable and Wink was really comfortable.  She said, "..lesson learned, request to use it (Wink) right away instead of the hospital binder!"

A good friend of mine, Tina Rodriguez, shared that even if she delivered her babies through the natural route, she used Wink and it supported her back and body as a whole, which she needed most during the time she had to do a lot of walking to and from the IMCU after giving birth to her fourth child.  It also helped her look slim postpartum and she highly recommends Wink to her preggy friends asking which binder to use.

Bianca Araneta Elizalde, mom of 4, model, and co-author of Project Mom, raves about Wink being the most comfortable binder she's used so far.  No red marks on skin, no itch, and it's invisible under clothing.

Cat Arambulo-Antonio, fashion/beauty/lifestyle blogger said at first she was skeptical about Wink at first, but tried it after reading many good reviews online.  She was happy to try it and that it actually worked for her in a sense that it kept everything tight, she was able to more more even after a C-section and no rashes.  It keeps her flat and makes her look sexy, with that she says "it's the best thing ever!"

Another blogger friend, Lee Shen Cala-or attests to how effective Wink is in making her look slim and feeling great at the same time.  It made her fit into her pre-pregnancy clothes and helped her with her posture during breastfeeding.

About Urban Essentials Inc.

Joy Astilla is the founder of Urban Essentials, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Wink in the Philippines (and also of Blanqi Maternity Support, Bellaband Maternity Band, and Ingrid & Isabel Nursing Bras.)  She says, "It is our company's goal to make everyone know that it is okay for a woman to take care of herself.. to look and feel good...love for yourself should not stop once you become a mother. Caring for for yourself is essential so you could keep your sanity and take care of your family members who depend on you."

That being said, the company's philosophy is really about celebrating oneself.  And when it comes to celebrating motherhood and womanhood as a whole, Wink's got our back (and tummy too!), literally and figuratively.  Wink continues to serve moms' bodyshaping needs postpartum and beyond, and enjoins its #Winkmoms and wome everywhere to "Celebrate You!" every day.

Wink is available through www.urbanessentials.com.ph and in Mothercare, Rustan's, and The Parenting Emporium.

It's been more than a month since we celebrated my preschooler's birthday in school which means this post is overdue.  But who gave me a deadline anyway?  Wala naman, haha!  Anyway, I just want to share with you my labor of love for my preschooler.  It's a simple school celebration of his 6th birthday where most of the elements were DIY by me.

I find joy in seeing that I made something out of nothing.  In addition to that, the spark in the eyes of my son in amazement at the DIY projects I finished for him is priceless.  It also feels good when I saw how proud he was that his mom made his dessert table during his school party.  All his classmates marveled at the themed sweet treats and my son felt how special that day was, indeed a happy birthday.

I asked him which was his favorite character at that time so that mommy could make his party special.  He said Ghostbusters.  He shifts kasi to other characters quickly so I needed to be sure. :)  So without any more delay, here were some DIY elements I did for his school party: