Celebrity Mom & Huggies #PantsUpPlaydate: An Afternoon of Mommies' Talk and Babies' Play at Gymboree,

When I received an invite for Pants Up Playdate by Celebrity Mom and Huggies Philippines, I got really excited because it was the first me and Enzo got invited to a playdate at Gymboree and we are a loyal Huggies user too.

I was expecting the event to be about the children playing at Gymboree but little did I know that I and other Mommies were in for a surprise. The event was actually for Mommies to talk about motherhood and other concerns while the babies play. So while mommies chat the kids played unlimited in Gymboree. ;)

The playdate for Moms were hosted by Ms. Bettina Carlos and the main speaker was Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan. Celebrity moms Ms. Say Alonzo and Ms. Bianca Lapus shared the afternoon with other blogger moms sharing and learning from one another. 

  The pretty mom host, Ms. Bettina Carlos

      The very bubby Ms. Joji Coloma of      

                  Celebrity Mom PH

                    My Momspiration 

         Ms. Maricel Laxa- Pangilinan

Everything about motherhood was talked about that afternoon and Ms. Maricel was very generous in sharing her experiences and expertise with her five (5). Tips on teaching healthy eating, dealing with separation anxiety, disciplining toddlers and children, and ensuring children to develop while playing were some of the topics discussed and it was all insightful. My favorite lessons were No TV exposure from 0-2 and managing tamtrums because it is what we are experiencing from Enzo at the moment. 

Married life and the importance of Dating even as married couples were also emphasized by Ms. Maricel. It was an eye opener for me because since we had Enzo, me and hubby don't find or make time as much to date each other. Learning how it important it is in a family life made me realize we as a couple need to re-energize our relationship with each other as well. Through this we become ourselves as a couple and we can give more of ourselves to our children too.

The event ended with all moms taking home new discoveries and learning. Everyone alao enjoyed the games and rafflea prepared by the whole team. All the goodies and freebies were all for the kids and moms like a month supply of Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues. But more than that I personally went home with more strategies to be a better mom and wife. Knowing that I am not alone in this battle called motherhood assures me that I have mommy friends who understands and supports me. 

Thank you Huggies Philippines, Celebrity Mom, Gymboree Manila Polo club and to Burlington socks too!;) 

Nagipon Ka, Ngunit Kulang? How to Save, Budget and Invest Wisely

"I take pride in my financial intelligence, I know how to save and I know where I put my hard earned money" - Me, ten years ago.

Well that was when I was in my younger years, during my young professional years when I earned a fairly big enough compensation relative to my needs back then. I started saving since I was in grade school which helped me in some of my expenses or co-curricular needs back then. During my yuppie days, I opened my bank account, saved a little every payday and felt proud of myself. When I got an increase in compensation, I invested a little part of my money. I started investing when I was 25 years old, did not really know much about it but I trusted my agent, I also had a friend who entered into the same investment so I was pretty much secured. I never bothered knowing anything about it, until recently when I was having a hard time paying the annual rate.

You might say, it was great that I started in my mid-20s right? Well, I'd tell you at present I am struggling with managing my finances. A lot of changes happened in the last 5 years and these has taken a toll on my financial intelligence (?) Back when I was still single, my saving and investment practice worked out just perfectly because I did not have a lot of expenses. But now that I have a family, money management is a totally different story.

I did not stop saving and investing even when I got married, but the expenses grew which shook me a little especially when Enzo was born, The expenses did not stop and it just keep coming every month. What was really difficult for me to adjust with is my spending practices and perception on savings and investments. My situation changed a lot but my financial management did not, which is a bad formula. I save and save but did not know that to be financially free is more than just saving. There key part that I forgot was budgetting.

Luckily, I have discovered a financial management product that aims to teach saving, tracking expenses, budgetting and investing. This product is the Chink+ DIY Money Kit. A do-it yourself money kit that teaches you how to get out of debt, save money from your wages, budget wisely, and start investing.

Watch my unboxing video here to find out what's inside the Money Kit:

The Money Kit includes the following:

1.Chink Positive Money Kit Manual -  A guide that will help you to navigate in the step-by-step

process on how to start your financial journey to become financially literate and debt-free.

2. Chink Positive Debt Repayment Plan Worksheet - This will help you choose different debt reduction strategies, including identifying the highest debt and when you can be debt free.

3. Chink Positive Accordion Folder - This allows you to organize and divide monthly expenses.

4. Chink Positive Financial Obligation Worksheet - This helps you to prioritize  your spending and focus on the needs and removes the wants in life.

5. Chink Positive Expenditure Envelope - This allows you to keep track of your daily, weekly and monthly expenses - for you to know how much you have spent within a month in a glance.

6. Chink Positive Saving Envelope - This allows you to have the financial discipline to get starteed in saving even with whatever little you have.

7. Chink Positive Investment Envelope - This system will allow you to set and achieve your financial goals in order to make your money grow.

8. Budgeting Software - This is a full automated software that allows you to (a) edit the item, base on your personal needs and preference (b) keep track of your monthly, semi-annual or annual expense (c) to know how much you are earning on a monthly, semi-annual or annual basis (d) to be able to know if you are living within or beyond your means. 

9. Chink Positice DVD Guide - Chinkee Tan's video that can help you and guide you on your personal journey

10. Till Debt Do us Part Book - This is a book by Mr. Chinkee Tan which has sold over 100,000 copies that help people on the basics of saving, budgeting, getting/staying out of debt and investing.

MomSPIRATION:Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan

Being a mom has its ups and downs. It can be tiring and stressful at times as it is a 24/7 job. With all the household managament, child rearing, individual growth, not to mention the hubby, motherhood can really be a handful. Though these are all true, if you would ask me or any Moms I know if they would exchange it for anything in the world, in chorus we'd probably say NO.

I am fairly new at this motherhood and parenting thing and there are times when I don't know what I am doing. There are moments when I feel frustrated and disappointed at myself for not doing things perfectly. But as they say, life is a journey and so is motherhood.

But today is not about myself as a mom but about someone who have shared a lot about her experiences as a Mom. She has become an inspiration to me which is why I decided to share with you my MomSPIRATIONS starting with:

During her birthday celebration at Nurture Spa and Wellness Village

Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, editor-in-chief of Celebrity Mom Philippines, a triathlete, healthy eater, a beautiful wife, and a mom of 5 wonderful children.

I have been given the chance to listen to her in two events by Celebrity Mom Philippines and I always discover new things about her and lessons from being a Mom.

At the Huggies #PantsUpPlaydate in Manila Polo Club

Why Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan is a MomSPIRATION?

1. Healthy Lifestyle and Discipline.
I have always wanted to start a healthy lifestyle for my child but I cannot seem to have the discipline to do it. I want to have the same determination and discipline she has when it comes to her body and health. She inspires me to live longer for my children.

2. A Calm and Relaxed Disposition
Whenever I hear her talk, I feel calm and assured of being a parent. She seems very relaxed and poise at all times even while she cracks a joke. Her calmness also is reflected to her parenting style which I think helps her children to stay calm as well. I realized that calmness is a parents' source of sanity and rationality. If parents confront conflicts like tantrums head on with their children it will definitely lead to hostility. The hostility will create more stress and damage to both parent and child.

3. A Passionate Blogger
Ms.Maricel's being a blogger also inspires me to share and keep a journal of my experiences as a mom, wife, and woman. I learned from her that documenting my new experiences is first and foremost for myself. I knew now that blogging should be used to share my own experiences that might be useful for other moms as well. She even said she's not a good writer before she started but look at where she is now, an editor-in-chief.

4. A Hands On Mom and Wife
I admire her being a hands on Mom to all her children and even to her husband. I don't know how she beautifully does it but the way she talks about her family says alot about how intimately close and attached she is to them. She gives tips and advices to almost all child concerns and issues I have like eating habits, separation anxiety, and all other things and these are mostly unavailable on books but are mostly learned thru experience.

5. A Beautiful Person Inside and Out
Who would have thought she is 45years old, right? Amidst all the work she does, she still managed to look beautiful and young. I aspire to be like her when I become her age and hopefully achieve as much as her.

There are alot of other things to admire and aspire about Ms. Maricel, but I am just blessed to have an encounter with her. She is truly a Mommy partner and friend any Mom would want. I even declared that she is my Mommy Peg because I am inspired by her.

If you want to be inspired by her as well follow her blog at www.mommymaricel.com or you can send your questions to her at Celebrity Mom Ph.

In anything we do, it is best to have an inspiration, so we can direct our efforts and time to being that inspiration, who knows maybe we too can inspire others. I am inspired by Mommy Maricel, who inspires you?:)

Follow Mommy Maricel here:

Instagram: @mommymaricel

Follow Celebrity Mom here:

FB Page:Celebrity Mom

Instagram:@celebritymomph

A Mother's Pursuit to Dream: Is it really too late?

The year 2015 started with high hopes for me. I have nothing but good news here and there, and I couldn't be happier. Though there are aspects of my life that was doing well, something was still missing.

I actually knew what it was. It was a dream I have had since around 2007. I don't recall the exact year but it was that long ago.

I have always wanted to become a preschool teacher. I felt deep inside that I have a gift with children. I already had one of the pre-requisites of being a preschool teacher which is my passion for teaching. I loved cutting papers, preparing lessons for my niece and nephews, and I enjoy watching kiddie shows.

But. I will always keep the thoughts and desires in the deepest part of my mind and heart. I was too old or it was a waste of money... again. (I had my first attempt in an MA degree but did not finish it) Those were the thoughts I convinced myself to believe in for a long time. I was pretty good at it, if you may ask. Hehe.

Then I got married and had my cute little baby. I was already building my own family. All the more reason to forget about my own pursuits and dreams. I told myself that dreaming was no longer for me but only for my son and family.

My coursework for FLCD

Is it really too late?

If it is, then why am I enrolled in a Masters Degree for Family Life and Child Development for 3 years at most?

Because a mother can dream, and make it come true. No one was stopping me from dreaming, not my husband or my son, but only myself. The reasons I had were just excuses or cowardice. I had too many fears and insecurities that I let it took over my decisions.

My Dream Come True

If there is one more thing I am grateful for, for being a mother, it is a clearer vision and direction in my life. I have never been this confident about a long term plan and Enzo helped me through it. The excuses that I had became motivations. I took every step as a challenge. When I encounter difficulties before like a little delay, rain, or a tear in an application form, I would immediately say it is not meant for me or the universe does not want me to go through. Now everything has changed, I began to take control of all the actions or challenges that I face. I finally learned that I had to live my dreams and make it come true. I only had forward steps to take and keep my eyes on the gold at the end of the rainbow.

Is it really too late? Nothing is too late, what matters is the now and how we make use of it. Because if we don't start living our dreams, someone else will.

I'm taking each step slowly and carefully, I am inspired to make it to my dreams, what dream are making come true today?:)

My Baby is a GENIUS!

Happy first day of January everyone! How was your New Year's Celebration? I'm sure you are as happy and tired just like my family and I but still has party hangover!:) That is what we feel today so we decided to spend it with just the three of us today and go malling.

But that's not what this post is about. Nothing interesting that much in the malls except for sale and more sale of different stores.

Thus this post is about how genius of my baby is. Yes you read that right! MY BABY IS A GENIUS! That's of course in my standard as his mom. But let me tell you why I think my Baby is a Genius.

1. Animal sounds. At age 1 year and 4months, my baby can answer about 9 animals sounds.

He can make the sounds of a dog, cat, goat, horse, fish and a lot more. I am so proud of how he can imitate easily and retains it as well.

2. He speaks two to three syllables. He can say his favorite words "Dada" and "baba" (whenever he's carried). He also can call his grandparenta, "Papa" and "Mama". Funny how he also uses the phrases "Wala na", "Penge" and "Hindi" correctly. He also waves and says "Hi" and "Hello" to new people he meets.

3. He walks and runs very well. No more explanation on this, just believe me when I say he loves walking. He.loves.walking. haha!:)

4. He dances to his favorite songs. I am a little shy to admit but my lil boy loves the songs "Talk Dirty to Me" and "Wiggle". Both adult songs, I know but he just loves it.

5. He is a curious and adventurous boy. He loves discovering new things he can do with his toys, ordinary things, and even with his own body. His being adventurous could also be something got from me hihi.

I'm sure you are raising your eyebrows at me or saying "That makes him a Genius already?Seriously!"

My answer to you is Yes! That's my opinion and I appreciate all littlebor big things my baby is able to do early in his life. I am declaring that he is a genius and with it I am promising to help his intelligence whatever it may be.

That is exactly the message I want to convey not to mothers or parents like me, but to every person in the world: To look at all children as Geniuses. Becauses they really are. They are special and intelligent in their own way. It only needs to be recognized and appreciated.

I hope all you geniuses agree too!:)

Every Mother Has A Story: Pediasure's Segurista Mom Stories

Everyday as a mom and a blogger plus a teacher, I always find new stories to tell. Most of which comes from my experiences as a mommy teacher. I even had a lot more stories since I have a baby boy who is bubbly and cheerful. If only time would permit I would want to document his every action, and milestone and even my own as his mother. As much as I love telling my stories, I also enjoy listening to other mommies stories, adventures, and misadventures. I learn so much from them and I feel that it will somehow someday be useful to me as a mom.

Every mother has a story, and its about time the world hear about it. With Pediasure, every mom can share their stories of being a Segurista Mom and get Pediasure trial coupons, and a chance to win Php50,000 and other prizes.

Just follow this simple instructions:

1. Go to www.seguristamom.com to watch and share the video on the website
2. Fill out the registration form and share their Segurista Mom Story, answering the question "what do you do as a mom to make sure your kids stay healthy?"
3. Upload a photo with the child, showing how the mom is as a Segurista Mom.

So Mommy get your pens and paper or laptop and start writing the story of your life as a segurista Mom and be Pediasure's Segurista Mom!:) 

How motherhood changed me.

Just before I gave birth, I was expecting that a lot of things would changed about me. I would imagine myself rejecting parties, out-of-town trips, shopping, movies, and all sort of things I did when I was still single. I would always tell my friends that I couldn't commit to anything yet because things will change as soon as I give birth. It was something I looked forward to but also dread.

Why I looked forward to it?

Well, a baby is always something to be excited about. I am fond of children and having a baby of my own was thrilling. I also enjoyed looking at small clothes, shoes, toys, that are all sooooo cuuttee. I also looked forward to bringing him along wherever I go. I was anticipating being with a little kid with every second of my life. I was also very much excited to see him achieving his milestones in life. But as there are a lot of things to look forward to, came worries as well. .

I am a natural worrier. (If there is such a thing!:)) Having a child made me worry a lot. I worried that I could not provide for my future's son.  I worried about where to send him to school, how to pay for his school's expenses, what happens when he gets sick, and all other "kapraningan". Just as much as I worried about my kid, I also had my share of worries about myself. I was worried that I wouldn't have the strength to run around when my kid's big enough to run, or that I couldn't wake up early in the morning, or that I couldn't handle my temper at times when he misbehaves. It was all sort of worries that at times irrational. Good thing, my husband's the opposite. He is always relaxed and composed. Although at times I get irritated with this attitude, it helps that he's like that because it calms me down.

So did motherhood really changed me? Well, YES and NO.

No because I am still the person I was before I gave birth. I'm still makulit, magulo, maingay, antukin, etc.  I still want the same things before, still talk the way I did, still think the way I did. After having nine months of big tummy, I am back to my usual figure (well, except for the baby bump that I still have :)). So personality, physically and emotionally it didn't really change me.  

What motherhood actually did to me was made me a better version of myself. From Sarah Geronimo's line in It Takes a Man and a Woman, I am now Jhoanna version 2.0. It only did not make me a better version of myself but I have now a little guy with me that shares a part of who I am.

Most of the time I still cannot believe that the child I am holding in my hands is my own. It still awes me to see him grow and can hardly believe that he came from him. I often ask myself, "Sa akin ba talaga galing ito?" and be amazed at this miracle I have in my arms. Now, I have someone I can really call my own, someone I am accountable for, someone who is truly a part of me, from now until forever.  

Motherhood is an opportunity or should I say a blessing I am lucky to have or to be. I have never felt this needed as much as my baby needs me now. I have never loved even without knowing who or what kind of person he is. I have never felt scared for someone this much that even an insect bite or small cry worries me. I have never felt all these before but I am grateful that I have it now. 

I am still new at this motherhood thing. Almost everyday I do not know if I am doing a good job at it, all I know now is that I love my son so much that I am willing to do anything for him. Cliche as it may sound, but it is true. I am so proud to be his mother and I will do everything in my power to give the best to him. I will dream, hope, and work hard for him. Because being a mother is an opportunity to teach, inspire, care, and love someone directly. Motherhood is LOVE.