Hello Again, Glorietta!

May is almost over?!  Time really flies when you are having fun.  Aside from my family's meaningful Mother's Day celebration, I attended 3 great events in Glorietta this month.  It was my first time to come back to Glorietta after a loooooong time and I was pleasantly surprised with the changes!  The mall is more maaliwalas and fun.

The events I attended were Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH), Mom's Wellness Fair and Expo Mom.  I am happy that MYOH and Expo Mom were held at Glorietta.  The event lay-out was more spacious and parking was more convenient.  Don, Julia and I also had fun celebrating Mother's Day.  Glorietta is divided into 5 sections (Glorietta 1-5) and there were different events/activities for moms all around the mall.  The environment was very festive and moms can choose which activity/event they would like to join.

The 2nd Mompreneur Summit is all about Passion and Purpose

I think Don and I will be corporate slaves in the next ten years.  We talked about setting up our own business as part of our long-range plans but we are still clueless about the product or service that we will sell, hahaha.  We are on the look out for opportunities but really, starting a business is something that Don and I need to think about and plan thoroughly.  In the meantime, I draw my inspiration from four mompreneurs that I truly admire.

Jenny Ong is a mom of two adorable kids, a lawyer and a breastfeeding advocate.  She is part of the dynamic women behind LATCH and Filipino Association of Babywearers.  She sells affordable products for breastfeeding moms and various products that may interest moms in an online store called Mama.Baby.Love.  She writes about breastfeeding, cloth diapering and babywearing at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom.

Other than being a well-known blogger, Manila Mommy Neva Santos has a full-time day job and owns an online store, Manila Baby Shop, that makes and sells reasonably priced fun, functional and fashionable bags for kids and moms.  What started out as a pursuit to find a diaper bag that her husband can proudly carry turned out to be a business opportunity that redefined baby, diaper and wet bags.

I met Cai Sio online through her blog, Apples and Dumplings.  She used to be a full-time working mom and this year, she left her successful corporate career to focus on her own business Paper Chic Studio.  I was really happy for her when I learned that she resigned... I thought, "wow, sana ako rin..."  In less than a year, Paper Chic Studio has gained loyal clients and has brought a whole new meaning to parties and DIY.

Teacher Jeannie stumbled upon Kindemusik abroad when she was looking for a program that will support the needs of her eldest son, Jamie.  After more than 10 years of teaching Kindermusik in the Philippines, her music, joy, love and support through the different Kindermusk programs have touched the hearts of hundreds of families and made a difference in the lives of young children.  

What do these moms have in common? Passion and Purpose.  They are successful because their businesses include one important component: HEART.

The theme of this year's Mompreneur Summit, happening on September 14, 2013 at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion, is Passion and Purpose - creating and establishing businesses with a cause and founded with heart.  This will definitely give me more insights and learnings as the summit aims to help mompreneurs develop these values, helping them re- discover the passion to achieve something on top of being an active mom and successful homemaker, and uncover a greater purpose and a deeper, more meaningful motivational drive in finding fulfillment in their businesses through its impact on other people's lives.

I registered a few days ago because I know the summit will be worth my time and money.  Why? Because the summit features the following distinguished speakers:

Register here and know more about the speakers here.  Definitely, the topics and speakers are relevant to mompreneurs and moms like me who would like to set up a business in the future.

Also happening during the Mompreneur Summit is the 1st ever Mompreneur Awards.  This aims to give recognition to mompreneurs who are successful in their businesses AND in balancing family life and work.  The categories are Brand Positioning and Marketing, Brand and Product Innovation, PR and Word of Mouth Marketing and Social Mompreneurship and Advocacy.

As personal favor, I would like to ask you to please vote for my friends -- Jenny Ong, a nominee for the Social Mompreneurship and Advocacy category and Jeannie Castillo, a nominee for PR and Word of Mouth Marketing category.  You have two more days so.. Vote now!  

So, see you this Saturday!

Mommy Mundo Clearance Clear Out Sale Happening This Weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Do you want to start on your Christmas list before the ber-months start?  Do you want to shop while your kids are enjoying the fun activities at the Fun Ranch?  Do you want to get a great deal (aka up to 75% off) from your favorite mom and baby brands?

If it's a yes to all questions, then I'll see you at Fun Ranch for the Mommy Mundo Clearance Clearout Sale on August 16-18, 2013.  Visit www.mommymundo.com for more details.

This clearance clearout sale is co-presented by Mommy Mundo, Shop Mommy Matters, PACE and supported by Fun Ranch, Crystal Clear, Parteizeit, Imagine Nation Photography and Digiprint Photobooth.

Media partners are Lifestyle Network, Working Mom Magazine, Moms Today, Health Today, WhenInManila.com, N@W, Crossover 105.1 FM, Mommy Pages and Urban Mom Magazine.

Participating Mom-Loved Brands are:
Cluebebe, Crumbs & Grubs, Born Baby Stuff, Bug & Kelly, Tiny Tots, Silly Monkey Clothing, Tots & Toddlers, R. Trevi Concepts, Bulilit Bookstore, Little Luees Locker, Jejsy, Starkids, Wonderland Toys, Indigo Baby, Shop Mommy Matters, Nurture Nook, Tomatoberry, Baby Shop PH, Nursingmom Manila, Mama & Me, Philips Avent, Goody, Aprica, Ants Pocket, Chicco, Safety 1st, Ergo Baby, Elle Apparel, Hot Wheels, Pigeon, T-rrific by Inked/Chubby Cheeks, Shooshoos by Tyler Marketing, My Baby Dragon and more!

Official credit card partner is BPI Credit Cards.  You get a free gift for every P1,000.00 purchase using your BPI Credit Card.

#SoMoms #BetterMe

I posted this on my instagram a few months ago.  Yup, it's official, I am a #SoMom.

Being a #SoMom, I am an active influencer in social media.  I am always online.  I will continue to share my discoveries, advice, and reflections that are relevant to my readers.  I will not forget that my values, beliefs and points of view shape my unique voice as a blogger.  Aside from taking my blog and my role as a blogger to a whole new level, I am excited to meet new friends.  I do not have a lot of mommy friends so I am really looking forward to be part of this group of dynamic individuals, all mothers (and a dad!) who I can relate to and learn from.  They won't be bored with my mommy stories.  They know EXACTLY what it means to love and dislike something (or someone!) all at the same time.  They know how it feels like to be awake for 20 hours but still be able to get up early and work on what needs to be done.

I follow most of the pioneer members of the SoMoms.  They have helped me a lot when I was starting my new life as a mom.  Some have even become my friends.  I interact with them online, most of the time.  So I was really excited when I received an invitation to meet all the SoMoms!  Not online but face to face :)

Last June 15 (forgive my late post), SoMoms had a mompreneur meetup and get together at Wine Bar 1771, 2nd Floor Cafe 1771, El Pueblo.

Photos from My Mom Friday

Some (so meaning meron pa akong ibang binili!) of the items I bought.
Thanks again My Mom Friday for the Paper Chic photo

Aside from the sumptuous meal and my shopping madness, my favorite part was when each of the SoMoms shared a presentation about their family, passion/advocate and blog.  It's amazing how we are alike and yet different and unique from each other.  We come from different family backgrounds.  We have a good mix of momprenuers, work-out-of-home and stay-at-home moms.  Our personalities and opinions are different from each other.
Despite the differences, we work well together. That is because we uphold the same set of values and share the same priorities.  We have a common goal and that's to be a better mom and wife... to be a better individual.  A #BetterMe.  Each day is an opportunity to improve ourselves so we can be the best for our family... our children.

My journey as a #BetterMe has just begun and I am glad to be with the SoMoms (and SoDad, of course) as I embrace this new phase in my life.

Cai Sio - Apples and Dumplings
Candy Esteban - The Corporate Housewife Mom
Chesca Alejandro - Young Mom Love
Christine Dychiao - Manila Fashion Observer
Conci Navarro - Blair Bitch Bunny
Eliza Ypon - The Painter's Wife
Fleur Sombrero - Mommy Fleur
Kris de Guzman - OC Mom in Manila
Jackie Go - Go! Jackie Go
Jane - The Yogini from Manila
Janice Villanueva - My Mundo
Jen Tan - Attached At The Hip
Jenny Ong - Chronicles of a Nursing Mom
Jenny Reyes - My Mommyology
Marc Fong - The Fatherland
Michelle Aventajado - Momma N Manila
Michelle Lim - My Mom Friday
Neva Santos - Manila Mommy
Noemi Lardizabal-Dado - A Mom Blogger
Pam Basa - Run Around Girl
Patty Balquiedra - Nonstopbabble
Thammie Sy - Thammiesy.com
Tiffany Baura - Breakfast with Tiffany
Tina Ong - The Phenomenal Mama

Visit our blogs and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Saturday Fun at the Belly Blessed Fest 2013

I love Saturdays!  It was Julia's 1st swimming class session this morning and we had so much fun.  I will tell you more about our experience on a separate blog post.

Today after Julia's nap, we will get together with some friends.  We have been planning this for months already.  Work has been crazy busy the past few weeks and will continue to be busy so I am glad my friends   and I can meet up today to catch up and eat.

After, we will be dropping by the Podium Mall for the 2013 Belly Blessed Fest.  Belly Blessed Fest is a 3-day event where we celebrate the magic of motherhood and wonders of womanhood.  This is not only for expectant moms and dads-to-be.  This event is for the whole family!

Today, there will be an all-day program of informative talks and fun activities.  I am looking forward to visiting my favorite mompreneur booths and products.  I hope to see my fellow SoMoms there too.

Belly Blessed Fest will be at The Podium until tomorrow so see you there!

What are your plans this weekend?

Mommy Resolutions

Mother's Day was like any other Saturday, except that I got more hugs and kisses that day.  Everyday is mother's day because I am with two of God's greatest blessings in my life.

Disease Awareness: I am a Responsible Parent

As a work-out-of-home mom, I made a commitment to myself that attending to Julia's medical needs is my priority.  When she was a newborn until 1 year old, Don and I allotted our vacation leave credits for her medical check-ups.  We even decided to forego our annual out-of-town getaway so we won't exceed our allowable absences from work (a deduction for leave without pay is not practical - pang vaccine, milk and diaper din yun, right?)

So I was really happy to be invited to PLAY.  Yes, PLAY.  Protection, Love, and Activities for Young Kids is a disease awareness campaign launched last February 23, 2013 at the Fun Ranch, Ortigas.  The event was organized by Mommy Mundo and sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline.  It was unfortunate though that we were late very late for the event.  We came from Julia's pediatrician for her pneumococcal vaccine.  We visit Julia's pediatrician on the dates she sets for vaccination shots.  To be honest, one of the reasons why I follow it is because I do not want to regret not doing everything I can to prevent Julia from getting sick.