Category Archives: Celebrations

Happy Birthday My Dear Mommy – the Best Lola

I think of you in every single day of my life.
I miss you so much my Mommy.
I am what I am because you raise me up this way.
It is just sad that now that I have more in life
You are now gone
and cannot share my blessings in life with you.

You have been with me during my lowest.
How I wish that you are here with me at my best.

In God’s hands you are with
But I know that you are my angel looking after me and my family always.

You are the best Lola in the world
that someone can ever have.

How I miss you and the knowledge that you are just at my side
I love you and I miss you Mommy Ko.

When time comes, I will see you again.

Happy Birthday My Dear Mommy – the Best Lola

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Manila Bay Sunset Cruise

I was able to buy a good deal at pakyaw.com.ph (one of the groupon site in the Philippines). The promo was Sun Cruises’ Manila Bay Cruise! originally priced at Php550 and I was able to purchase the deal at Php188 (66% off, whereas I was able to save Php362.

Pakyaw - Manila Bay Sunset Cruise

Pakyaw - Manila Bay Sunset Cruise

The promo was very timely in celebration for my Mama’s birthday.

Based on my research over the Internet, you are really paying for the 1 hour and 15 minute experience so don’t expect much on the food, although the cruise package comes with set dinner. With that as a mindset all 21 of us took the second trip at the Manila Bay Sunset Cruise of aboard M/V Spirit of Manila. Yes, we are all 21 in all – well, that is how we usually are in our family; we would usually go by that numbers though it is just typical malling. Family bonding to the max I might say…..it is really happy and fun to have a big family.

I reserved our slot 2 weeks ahead of our desired schedule. There are 3 trips:
Sailing schedule:

  • 1st sailing: 4:30pm to 5:45pm
  • 2nd sailing: 6:15pm to 7:30pm
  • 3rd sailing: 8:00pm to 9:15pm

We selected the 2nd trip, just in time to capture the fireworks at MOA, the captivating sunset and the lights of nearby buildings which is an attraction in itself.

The schedule started promptly, but we are advice to be there earlier for the registration. There is also ample parking for your vehicles just in case you will be bringing one.

It is the first time of our kids and teens to travel thru water, so that along was an experienced to cherish.

The dinner was served promptly and since we did not expect much on the food, we are not disappointed. The serving was small but it was delicious. But that is fine since we also had plans to eat out after the cruise.

Manila Sunset Crusie Set Dinner

An acoustic duo was aboard to provide entertainment. The singer’s voice is soothing and provides an ambiance to the entirety of the cruise. We also asked her to sing a Happy Birthday to our Mama who was basically crying her heart’s out due to happiness.

Manila Bay Sunset Cruise - Acoustic Singer

After the dinner, of course comes the camera whoring. We moved towards the front part of the ship and of we do the strutt.


The Tanaw sa Malayo Look

The Tanaw sa Malayo Look

Tips:
- reserve early to really get the time desired. We originally planned i the birthday of my Mama but it was already fully booked so we had delayed our cruise 2 weeks after.

- be there 30 minutes early

- get on the ship ahead of others so you can have the best seat. Although you are reserved the table seats are on a first come first serve basis.

- during reservation, choose upper deck. It is always nice to feel the breeze of the air during the cruise. Lower deck btw is air conditioned.

- for a voracious eater like my family, don’t expect much on the food, the serving is really small. So be there full or have a plan B eat out right after.

To cap our experience, it was indeed a moment to cherish. Any moment spent with my family is always the best. Too bad that my OFW hubby was not with.

After our Manila Bay Cruise, we headed to Dampa Macapagal for our Plan B – the real family dinner to the max

On a sad note though the experience is worthwhile, I can’t help but be saddened with the sad plight of Manila Bay, although you will not see it at night. We are there early so we sat that There are lots of garbage floating.Just to do our share to Mother Nature we advise our kids to be responsible in throwing their waste. This makes them aware of the little things they can do to save Mother Earth.

 

2nd PMC Grand EB

Being part of the Pinay Mommies Community (PMC) is just one of the most wonderful online things that ever happened to me ever since I had been active in the blogosphere. I had been blogging online since 2005 and I am very happy that at last after several years I had found a community. We do share the same vocabulary, which at times others may not fully understand. .. I feel that I really belong each time that I am with my fellow PMC – we share the same passion – blogging and above all we all love being Moms.

Pinay Mommies Community - PMC 2nd Grand EB

Pinay Mommies Community - PMC 2nd Grand EB

Last Nov. 22 (Tuesday) was indeed a very momentous day in my blogging world. I was able to attend the 2nd PMC Grand EB. It was rainy that time and before the event we encountered a change of venue problem, but no rain and problem can stop the PMC Moms. Actually what should be a simple EB/meet-up turned out to be a blog event – the mommy way. Not much has changed since the 1st EB – it was still chikka / fun-filled except that we had grown in numbers and we were able to tap several sponsors who make this event even more special.

What is also so special with our 2nd PMC EB is that PM Moms merged and converged at Aling Tonya’s Seafood Restaurant – Macapagal, Dampa here in Pasay, Manila – from up North down South. Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were well represented. Not to mention the 3 International Moms whose timely vacation coincides with our EB. “Tunay ngang …saan mang sulok ng Pilipinas maging ng Mundo may PMC Moms na kasama tayo

2nd PMC EB Collage

2nd PMC EB Collage

Most of the PMC moms seldom attend blog events in as much as we want to since we are constrained to do so because of our top priority – our kids / family. Likewise, most of the blog events that we are invited to, restrict us from bringing our kids. So the 2nd PMC Grand EB ala blog event was done in a way that it will be mommy friendly. Kids are allowed to be tagged along and seeing them play around the venue makes the event even homier.

The program was divided into 2 parts – the first part was for our dear sponsors who helped us out and raffling of their gifts to PMC. I am glad to note that the products presented to Moms are also the same products that most of us has been already using in our household. While the 2nd part is more intimate encounter with the Moms – where we have the endless chikka and the ceremonial PMC token giving.

Brown Pinay and Ning Buning Hosting the PMC 2nd EB

Brown Pinay and Ning Buning Hosting the PMC 2nd EB

Together with my equally bubbly partner Ning, we are tasked to host the 2nd EB. I had been hosting several events {be it for family, school, weddings, office}; mind you this was so far one of the best. It is not easy to keep up with the energy of the Moms but we are able to survive and managed. My punch line “Pacencya na po at wala pang budget ang PMC, hindi po makakarating si Eugene Domingo at si Pokwang, kaya pagtyagaan nyo na po kami ni Ning” worked well. In other words, “bumenta naman” nyahahhaha.

I will forever be indebted to Mommy Ruby for drawing us near and creating the PMC – a community that is tantamount to say already a family. Rubz’s announcement regarding the charity projects and the launching of the PRMoms.net (PMC’s PR arm) excites me even more. There has been more to look up this coming year.

Founder of PMC - Mommy Rubby of PinayMommyOnline

Founder of PMC - Mommy Rubby of PinayMommyOnline

What happened in what supposed to be an organized token giving is another story to tell. PMC moms brought along simple tokens for the 50 moms to share with. We parted the token ala Divisoria way. Laughter filled the small venue. Only PMC moms can do it that way, I really have a good laugh since we are literally like in Divi bargaining our wares. But it has been a good way to interact with other Moms – some of whom we had only seen personally that time.

2nd PMC Grand EB Tokens

2nd PMC Grand EB Tokens

It is always nice to put faces on the bloggers, the PMC EB is not about the blog, but this time it is behind the bloggers behind those wonderful blogs that has been an avenue to binds us together.

Going home is yet another story to tell, my car was coding that time so I had no choice but to commute. (via bus). I wish I have more than two hands that time. I do not know how I was able to manage to come home from Macapagal in Pasay to Marilao, Bulacan. But my super powers did me wonders – thanks to my Mommy Powers which was recharged even more in that PMC Mom EB. I am sure PMC Moms at the EB can totally relate nyahahaha.

My 5 Bags from the EB

My 5 Bags from the EB - how did I manage to got home to Bulacan Nyahahhaha

Arriving home has been also much as fun, my kids took charge of the 4 eco-bags filled with goodies. This reminds me to endlessly thank the sponsors for their wonderful gift to us. How did I manage to bring home this bags from PMC 2nd EB? Answer: Mommy Powers…. Each and everyone in our house have practically something from our PMC EB.

I would personally like to thank all the Moms behind our 2nd PMC EB – KUDOS to the organizers Mommy Ruby and Mommy Pehpot for all the effort in pulling this event even though you are also very busy from your offline/online endeavors. To the committees : Registration and loot bags distribution were manned by Rossel, Levy, Nina, Mae, Maricel, Kaye and Fedhz. To our official photographers for the event – Mauie and Eihdra. For the product display- Cecile, Olga and Gene during the program. Everything was detailed and organized to the last bit, done ofcourse the mommy way.

Oh, and by the way, We were in the News too….

PMC as seen on Newspapers

 

All in all, it was not just fun-filled but goody filled as well….gazillion thanks also goes to all our dear sponsors who make this even more special.

Major Sponsors:

2nd PMC EB - Major Sponsors

2nd PMC EB - Major Sponsors

Smart Steps – is a line of mild & safe products specifically formulated for babies. Clinically proven safe & effective, Smart Steps truly understand a mother’s need for their babies.  They gave us items to be raffled off and loot bags for all the Moms in the EB.

major sponsors_smartsteps-tile

smart steps

UNILAB -leading pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, also took part as one of our major sponsors.Aside from the loot bags, major items were raffled off to 4 lucky moms.

I love the big Ceelin since this is the pedia prescribed Vitamin C of my bunso. Moreover, because of our proximity in the major drug store it is also nice that UNILAB also gave us Dolan and other meds that we can really use. It is nice to have goodies which you actually use at home.

major_sponsors_unilab_dolan_ceelin

unilab

 Minor Sponsors – gave us items for the raffle and samples of their products that we can try at home.

2nd PMC EB - Minor Sponsors

2nd PMC EB - Minor Sponsors

Proctor and Gamble

Proctor and Gamble Products

ScotchBrite Products

ScotchBrite Products

Geiser Maclang

Geiser Maclang Gift Pack -yummy Krispy Kreme and Alaxan Manny Pacquio Tshirt

Ajinamoto Products

Ajinamoto Products

Avon Products

Raffle Items from Avon

Ainon Products

Ainon Products with the 2 Stroller (to be given in our charity project)

Drypers

Drypers Gift Pack

richwell sponsor products

Richwell Raffle Winners

 We would also like to thank Goldquest Biotechnologies for giving cash that we had used as an event fund and Grendha for giving out slippers to very lucky moms {prizes to be delivered straight at the home of our dear winners}.

Of course what fun will it be without a photobooth where all the moms and kids alike have fun doing all those wacky, wackier and wackiest post.  Thanks to our fellow PMC sis Iris Acosta and her dear hubby Montch for the KrazyPix Photobooth.  Apart from the on-site photobooth they had been generous enough to raffle off Php5,000 worth of GC and discount cards as a token as well.  Visit the PMC Photobooth pics  just to prove that PMC Moms are cam addicts

I apologize for the over long and picture extensive post.  I am very much over-whelmed that the cup is over flowing with happiness and cheer that I would love and like to impart it to my readers.

Indeed, who says that you cannot find good company and friend over the blogosphere, I have found mine though Pinay Mommies Community – a friendship that is beyond blogging.

To all of the PMC Moms, here is a cake for all of us to celebrate the community that we call our own.

Special cake done by fellow PMC Iris Pulga of Project Happiness Bakehouse

Until the next Kitakits, I hope that more PMC Moms can attend….but whether or not you are at the EB, we will always be one at heart.  PMC Rocks!!!

Photo Credits: Mommies Maui of the24hourmommy.com and Eidhra of oneproudmomma.com.

Happy 8th Birthday My Icko

Today is another special day since it is the birthday of my little boy. Happy 8th birthday my son… You never cease to make us smile and last October 15 during the birthday celebration of your Ate Ish, you were such a revelation. You had shown your lolos & Lola, Titos & tita and cousins, that you are indeed the son of Brown Pinay.

They told us that we had the same jolly personality, imagine you let the house down with your humor and antics. Just this morning you did it again son.

Just always remember my boy, Papa, Mama and Ate Ishi will always support you, care for you and love you.

Happy 8th birthday my Icko!!!

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See related post:
Birthday ng Bida – Maligayang Kaarawan Icko
Happy Birthday My Son

A Letter to MY Daughter ISHI – On Her 18th Birthday

Dearest Ishi,

 As I was writing you this letter, you are watching a movie beside me. I can see your lovely face and I cannot help to kiss it. It has been 18 years since the Lord God has sent you to us. On the day of October 15, 1993, God has given your Papa and Me a wonderful gift and that is you my dear.

For all our trying times, you have been with us. During your childhood, we were not able to give you much since we have less. We practically grew up together my daughter. I know during your childhood that every time that we will go to SM. You will just look at the dolls and all those wonderful toys around you. But you never said a word nor cry for tantrums for us to buy you one. You know our situation that during those times we are really down financially. At your tender age, I admire you for being so understanding and loving. You have been an inspiration to me and your papa to strive more.

I remember the times that I would read to you fairy tales and inspirational books and you will tell me that “Mama, am I your Princess”. Of course anak, you are my princess and Icko is our prince.

When we practically have no food on the table, we will just happily share that one pack of Lucky Me Chicken or Beef Noodles almost every day in our meal. Your sweet voice telling us how delicious it was, really melted our heart. If only we can have more to give you that time. Sometimes we will blame ourselves for getting married early, but if not, I keep asking myself, will you still be our daughter. So no matter how rocky the road we had traveled with our Early Marriage, when we saw your face it doesn’t matter anymore.

For 10 years, you have been our little angel, until such time that another angel (your baby brother – Icko) came into our life. But Ishi, anak, this does not mean that we love you less. We love you even more and I know you can feel that. The only difference is that now, we have two angels in our life.

During your growing up years, life has changed. Your Papa and I were able to provide you with a more comfortable life. The sad part of it was that we are distance apart from your Papa. But always remember that though we are now Pamilyang OFW and your Papa is away, he loves us so much. We do not want you to experience the uncomfortable life that we have before. A life of hardship. But worry not my dear; it will not be for long. Your Papa will be home soon. Soon as planned we will be together, forever as one.

Now that you are in your new milestones, we have our shares of mis-understandings. Sometimes, I don’t understand you; at times you don’t understand me. It is hard my dear since I am the only one here. But anak, always remember, that I am only hoping for the best for you and Icko. There are times though that I feel that you do not need me. I may be so dramatic at times (or is it always ). Thanks to your Papa’s constant reminder that you are just coping to have your own ME time and not as I taught. I will promise you that I will always put myself in your shoes, empathize with you if I must. I am thanking God that right now, our relationship has never been this good.

If it is not too much for me to ask anak, always remain the same good girl that we have known. Do not grow too fast mahal. Take your time and enjoy every step of the way. Study hard, finish a degree, do not marry young like us, and always dream on.

Anak, one thing is constant and that is our love for you. Papa, Mama and Icko will always be here for you.

WE LOVE YOU ANAK, Happy 18th BIRTHDAY MAHAL…..Always remember with freedom to take decisions comes the responsibility to take the right ones. Welcome to adulthood!
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