Award-winning and Amazon bestselling author, inspirational and international speaker Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag visits first recipient of Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay’s Book Donation Drive and Public School Tour.

One hundred (100) female Grade 2 Students from Baclaran Elementary School Unit 1, Parañaque City were the first recipients of Isay Goes to Schools – A Book Donation Drive and Public School Tour.

Last September during the 39th Manila International Book Fair, Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag launched her latest children’s book titled Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay, published by Chikiting Books under the Vibal Publishing Group.
Based on the author’s life story, it is a story replete in Filipino values. This book beautifully highlights that it is more important to get an education than to have brand new things for school, aside from encouraging the readers/students to reuse and recycle.  It is written both in Filipino and English.

Isay Goes to Schools: A Book Donation Drive and Public School Tour was launched to allow individuals, groups, organizations and companies to donate copies of Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay to public schools and promote its very important message by going around the country, to give inspiration and empower young underprivileged Filipino students.

Author Ms. Dumadag with school coordinators

Among those who graced the event were Adopt a School Coordinator and Master Teacher 1 Ms. Melania S. Solis and Reading Coordinator Ms. Rosalie R. Teanila.  Ms. Dumadag was likewise joined by her family – including her mother – Aling Tess in her story – to donate the 100 copies of her children’s book from generous donors to 100 excited and grateful children.

Author and her mother Aling Tess

Interactive storytelling with the author Ms. Dumadag

It was followed by a series of discussion questions asked by the author to the young audience to help them better grasp the lessons from the story and a short inspirational talk to encourage them to do well in their studies.
After these, the kids excitedly lined-up to meet the author – Isay – for their Meet and Greet and to have their copies signed.

Students lined up to meet and greet Ms. Dumadag and for book signing

The author heartwarmingly expresses,

“This is another dream come true for me. I really wanted to go around schools and donate copies of my latest children’s book to public school children. I want to inspire and encourage them through this book.  I want them to know that dreams do come true with a lot of hard work and a lot of grace from God!  It doesn’t matter if their circumstances are not ideal now or far from what they dream to achieve.”

“I’m grateful to everyone who sent their donations to make this first school visit possible,” she added.

More funds are still needed to support upcoming book donations and school tours.  Cash donations are most welcome and may be sent through BPI, BDO or PayPal. Read more about the Book Donation Drive HERE.

Feel free to message the author through their Facebook Page or e-mail her at teresa@fulllifecube.com to support this life-changing advocacy in any way.

You may also help spread the word by sharing posts or posters from their Facebook pages on your social media accounts.

The children’s book Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay can be purchased at P100 only per copy through the Facebook Pages Full Life Cube and Hands-On Parent while Earning, or by sending an e-mail to teresa@fulllifecube.com.

It’s been four months since my kids started their school year and as their lessons and activities advance, so does their need for motivation and energy to keep on going and moving.  I have two boys who are in school, one in junior high school and the other one in elementary.  The toddler is schooled at home through lots of playing, running, hopping, singing, and dancing. 

My athlete teenager, artist grade-schooler, and exploring toddler.

If there’s one food which I would always encourage my children to eat, it’s potatoes.  Why?  Here are some reasons:

1. A potato is a vegetable I don’t need to force them into eating.  This means less “fights” because they naturally love it already!  Thanks to Fries (which I buy from the supermarket’s frozen section – should have the seal of US Potatoes!) which they love so much. 

3. Potatoes are Vitamin-rich!  They aren’t just good source of good carbs.  In fact, potatoes are rich in vitamin C to boost kids’ immunity, vitamin B6 which improves cognitive function (perfect for all the math problems and memorization in school), and potassium for my active boys’ healthy growth and building of muscles.  Over all potatoes are quality carbs that help optimize both mental and physical performance.  It’s fat-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol free!

You see, potatoes aren’t to be ignored or taken for granted, they are packed when it comes to nutritional benefits not only for our school kids, but for us as well.  Thankfully nowadays, we have more potato meal options which we could offer our family.  Thanks also to Potatoes USA, an organization that has brought US frozen, US tablestock and US dehydrated potatoes to our shores. 



Sharing with you my own recipe:

Pork Chop Con Patatas In Gravy Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
5 pork chops
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 med onion chopped
2 large POTATOES
2 tbsp flour
2 cups water
2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tbsp soy sauce
Salt
Pepper
Cooking oil

PROCEDURE:
1. Heat oil and fry salted and peppered pork chops. Once cooked set aside.
2. Lessen cooking oil, add butter, then sautee garlic onion, add squared POTATOES.
3. Add cooked pork chops.
4. Dissolve flour into water then pour into the pan. Mix and make sure there are no lumps.
5. Add soy sauce then simmer for 5 mins in low fire.
6. Done.  Serve with steamed rice.

Preparing and portioning your potatoes are a step towards healthier and happier kids. It’s time for them to learn that there’s so much more to power snacking and right eating than just avoiding sweets.

High quality US potatoes in a wide variety can be purchased from major supermarkets and groceries nationwide. For more information on US potatoes, visit www.potatogoodness.com/ or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/.

#FamilyGhouls: No Tricks All Treats by Cocoon Boutique and Hive Hotels Mommy Practicality is one of its media partners.

#FamilyGhouls: No Tricks, ALL treats stays true to its name by giving each and every family all sorts of treats on this spooktacular day with different activities at Hive Hotel & Convention Place.

Hive Grand Ballroom

Hive Business Center (for the movie night)

Cocoon Pool Area

HIVE Sky Garden (dining area)

• Inflatables 
• Face paint
• Games and prizes for kids and adults
• A pass in kids’ salon
• Loot bag of goodies during trick or treating!

• Guests can also pass through the Mystery Hall where you have to solve a mystery within 15 minutes (only kids above 13 years old and kids-at-heart adults are allowed).
• For the moms, relax and enjoy the day at our Queen for the day pamper session, while the dads can exercise their creativity at the Lego challenge competition. 
• On top of that, there’s a candy buffet, a photo booth where you can take unlimited photos with the family, and a special Halloween “Bento Box” that has a spooktacular surprise (no tricks, just Halloween treats for everyone.)

Tickets are priced at P1,000.00/person only!

HALLOWEEN ROOM PACKAGES

Cocoon De Luxe Room

Make the most out of Halloween in the North by availing of our Halloween Room Packages which is only P5,000 net at Cocoon Boutique Hotel and P4,850 in Hive Hotel net for an overnight stay for (4) four INCLUSIVE OF two (2) tickets to ‘#FamilyGhouls – No Tricks, All Treats‘

HIVE De Luxe Room

Stay dates: October 27-November 5, 2018

Get 10% DISCOUNT when you use this code either on the overnight stay package or the tickets alone : MPRACTICALITY

For more details, contact their Sales and Reservations team at:
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A few weeks ago, I was invited to an intimate lunch mommy meet up dubbed as #StepsBySteph hosted by Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi with the help of Sanicare.  It was held in ultimately instagramable The Photo Kitchen at Poblacion, Makati.

When it comes to playtime, I don't know anyone who can get more active than my boys.  Playtime is life for them, from my eldest teenager to my youngest toddler. 

As parents, we highly encourage active play among them. Kids these days have to be encouraged to play and it takes intentional parents to make this happen.  Life is so different from how it was when I was a young little girl.  I used to be out with my neighborhood bff with my trusted rubber slippers to play Chinese Garter, Piko, Tumbang Preso, Habulan, and so much more.

Playing at home also means we have to equip them with the right footwear, with enough hydration, and be vigilant that sweat doesn't dry up at their backs.  Kids should be in comfortable clothes and rubber slippers that won't easily break.  We recently discovered Banana Peel's Crewe Junkyard Flip-Flops and found it durable and safe to use for the kids.
My first impression when I got a hold of these flip flops is that, it looks durable and not one that could easily wear even when user is unstoppable in play action.

Next, the Banana Peel embossed print and grids on the flip-flop's soles make it safe to use for kids who may sometimes be not so cautious when running on slippery surface.  The grids would produce friction and get a grip on the floor or wherever kids step on.  Safety first!
Our usual rubber slippers problem is that the strap easily breaks I guess it's mainly because the rubber used has poor quality.  But look at the double or criss-cross stitches on the inner straps of the Banana Peel flip flops, it obviously won't easily break.  Plus, inner strap is made of cloth so less marks and irritation, it's soft to my kids' skin.
I love that it's made of eco-friendly and non-harmful materials which make it environmentally safe.  Truly the brand care for their users' health and our dear Mother Earth.  The Banana Peel Crewe Junkyard Flip-Flops are mader of 100% rubber, and non-toxic paints were used to give colors to their every footwear. 
We got the Junkyard Quafflepockers (blue) and the Junkyard Circuit Breaker (red/maroon).  Here are closer looks of the Banana Peel flip-flops for kids:
Happy to receive these flip-flop for my kids and discover these for them.  It's an all-around cozy fit and soft feel like no other.  Plus, it's also stylish and colorful, definitely attractive to my visually motivated kids.
Happy that it's cruelty-free, it's not tested on animals.  When I tried it, it lathers on my hand easily, it smells good, and it's not sticky.  It made my skin velvety smooth.  So yes, this will be a new addition to my bedtime ritual.
I'd like to say thanks to Banana Peel for letting me and my kids experience their products first hand.  I highly recommend their durable Crewe Junkyard Flip-Flops for kids who are active at play!

For updates, promos and more info, you make follow them on their social media sites: Facebook and Instagram.