Follow me in twitter @momblogger.One wish I have for my family is to travel together this year. It is a work in progress. It can be a bit of a challenge because my second daughter will be leaving for Australia next month to pursue her post graduate studies. Now if plans don’t push through for everyone of us to travel together, it is not a big deal. I can adjust. Maybe three out of four can travel at certain points in time.

Like I told you before, my SUPERWISH for my family is simple: good health and happiness. It is important for us to be connected. No matter where we are, communication is always there. Safety is my number one concern and I need to know how my family members are whether they are in or out of the Philippines.

What’s better than owning a BlackBerry especially since it has the BB Pin. Owning a BlackBerry powered by Globe Telecom’s My Super Plan, a nifty new offering that lets you build your own plan so you can enjoy unlimited calls, text messages, and mobile data! Three of my family members own Blackberry units bought at different times of the year . All I can say it is quite convenient with its QWERTY tactile keypad and BB Pin.

You too can take advantage of My Super Plan Family Combo because it is the perfect family postpaid plan. Imagine three devices under one bill.

How to get My Super Plan Family Combo?

Getting a My Super Plan on the BlackBerry is super easy. First, select from a range of “unli” services – unlimited text messaging to all networks or unlimited calls to landline numbers, to name a few. Then pick your BlackBerry data service, which starts at only P99 for unlimited access to BlackBerry Messenger, or P299 for unlimited access to Twitter, Facebook, and instant messaging, and unlimited surfing with access to your social networks for P599 a month. The combinations of unli plans are endless, so you can design one that suits your digital needs. When you’re done choosing, you get a BlackBerry Curve 8520 for free!

You can still enjoy the My Super Plan and BlackBerry promo with the My Super Plan 499 and Family Combo. Simply add the P99/month BlackBerry service to your My Super Plan 499, and you get the BlackBerry Curve 8520 for free! The same goes for the Family Combo, Globe’s customizable group post-paid plan. Just add the BlackBerry service to your three lines and three unli services, and everyone in the family can enjoy their new free BlackBerry Curve 8520 devices.

The great thing about the My Super Plan is that it’s very flexible. You can change the unli services each month to suit your needs. So if you find the BlackBerry more useful for Twitter and Facebook rather than surfing, you can downgrade from paying P599 a month to just P299.

As a postpaid user of Globe Telecom for the past thirteen years, this is the first time I am seeing such a great plan for the family and Blackberry at that. With My Super Plan Family Combo, I feel it is is the perfect plan that suits my wish to communicate good health and happiness 24/7.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.”FUN is a very simple word that everyone in the world understands.” Secretary Jimenez

My husband and I hied off to Boracay last Summer. We had so much fun. It was just the two of us having fun. Our children are all grown up and it gives us the chance to travel places in and out of the Philippines. Just the two of us makes it even more enjoyable as we venture out to new places in the Philippines. I have been to Boracay alone but never with my husband. Lounging by my chair and enjoying the soft cool breeze , I spot him strolling along the shoreline of the white sandy beach. Walking barefoot on this powdery white is therapeutic.

Just the two of us, strolling and letting our feet enjoy and sink into the fine white sand as our eyes feasted on the crystal blue ocean and the coastline of the other island. So much fun to be together in a beautiful place.

When my siblings visit me here, I hear the words “oh it was so much fun.”

Department of Tourism announcement of the slogan “It’s more Fun in the Philippines” last Friday felt true. What is even remarkable is that the campaign slogan is we are all part of the campaign. You and me define the true meaning of fun and happiness. It does not mean closing our eyes to the sad realities of the Philippines. It does not mean that our government shouldn’t fix our airports, the infrastructure and other support systems. There is nothing wrong about the showing truth. There is nothing wrong about highlighting what is GREAT in our country.

“It’s more Fun in the Philippines” works especially when you know how to balance work and fun. When you know how to be part of the solution

The Filipinos are already known around the world to be one of the happiest and warmest people on earth. The campaign hopes to enjoin the whole country in creating positive buzz of the tagline. We can fix the negatives and focus on our positives. There’s more than 7,107 awesome reasons to love the Philippines, so my friend Ryan says.

I support it because I travel a lot and know how to have fun. “It’s more Fun in The Philippines” works especially when you know how to balance work and fun. When you know how to be part of the solution

The response of most netizens have been overwhelming and enthusiastic that creative ways of showing how #itsmorefuninthePhilippines are being displayed here.

You can also do it like my image above. Try the MoreFunMaker.com (If you have photoshop skills, check out Jayvee’s How to make your own “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” Meme.

What about you? How can you make the new Philippine slogan work?

How can one be involved?

To Join in the Campaign, just tweet about things that are more FUN in the Philippines and tag it with #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines #1ForFun

Be part of the solution. It is up to Filipinos themselves to defend and make the campaign true.——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Let me tell you how convenient it is to wear tampons over napkins. In the olden days my mom told me they didn’t use disposable napkins. I couldn’t imagine how that could be possible. Women often referred to their menstrual period as “I’m having my rags” because pieces of old cloth were actually used to soak up menstrual fluids. Not only that, women washed the soaked blood after every change. Messy indeed. I didn’t have to use rags because in my generation, I got to use disposable sanitary napkins and a few years later, tampons came along. The sanitary napkins in the early seventies looked like a bunch of disposable cotton wrapped around a rectangular gauze that needed a belt or safety pin to tie the napkins in place. It was embarrassing to have those leak accidents. I still remember when the sanitary napkins in 1975 came out with adhesive to keep napkins in place. Though adhesives felt a bit more convenient, it left an unsightly mark on the underwear that refused to wash out.

When tampons came into my life in the early eighties, I realized how liberating it was to shift from napkins to tampons. At the beach outing with friends, I felt confidence as I wore my swimsuit.

Advantage of tampons over napkins

The main reason is of course feeling confident. Tampons offer better protection and help keep a period private. I can wear tampons confidently under shorts, a fitted skirt or my swim wear without showing unnecessary bulk. Wearing a tampon gave me the freedom to shower, play badminton, and even swim while on my period. This freedom is probably one of tampon’s biggest advantage over the napkin, making it the best option during a summer getaway.

Consider how a napkin leaks much more than a tampon can. When inserted properly, a tampon minimizes the chance of leakage because a tampon fits to the wall of the vagina and soaks up blood for a period of several hours. When one replaces it frequently, a tampon is so much more reliable than a napkin. It leaves me feeling much cleaner and fresher than using a napkin.

Facts of using tampons

Like I said earlier, myths surrounding tampons made me initially resistant in giving it a try. Some of these myths are explained below.

1. A tampon will not move beyond the vagina and get lost inside a woman’s body

It just isn’t possible for the tampon to get lost or pushed far back because the opening of the cervix found at the end of the vagina is too small to allow a tampon to pass through.The walls of the vagina also hold the tampon in place and it will stay put until you take it out.

2. A tampon does not get stuck inside a woman’s body

It is not possible for a tampon to get stuck inside you. There might be problems taking it out if you are feeling tense. Just try to relax if you feel some resistance when you pull out the withdrawal cord. Leaving the tampon a little bit longer will allow the tampon to absorb enough menstrual fluid and make it soft enough for easy removal.

3. Tampons do not block menstruation.

The tampon sits in the middle third of the vagina and won’t block the menstrual flow. It absorbs the menstrual fluid into its inner holding layers until fully saturated. When the tampon is saturated, the excess fluid just flows out of the vagina either through the tampon or outside of it.

4. A virgin can use tampons and it will not affect her virginity.

Many young girls worry about using a tampon because of an old myth that one can lose their virginity by the tampon breaking their hymen. This is not possible. Tampons are small and cylindrical and they do not go so deep as to break your hymen.

Whether one chooses to wear sanitary napkins or tampons is definitely a personal choice. It is really important to stay informed and weigh options in using tampons. Over the years, the use of tampons allowed women to be more active and have fuss-free menstrual periods. Women these days have come a long way since their grandmothers. Imagine the freedom and discretion to do whatever you like while menstruating including swimming and sports.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.In the corner of my room, lies a chest full of photo albums. Feeling sentimental over the celebration of our 26th wedding anniversary on the first week of May, I decided to unearth the baby albums of my three children.

The years passed by so quickly but these photos brings back precious memories of those impish smiles, the snuggle hugs, the peek-a-boo moments and plane trips to Cebu to visit my dad. I cannot help but smile and tear at the same time as I catch a photo where I held their soft body close to my chest. The best part is when my babies want no one else to comfort them but their mommy. Oh yes, I had the best job of all because I am their mommy. And we all know how it feels to just want Mommy and no one else will do. Yes, that is me, their mommy.

A favorite place that offered a lot of fun and comfort was the park . They could frolic and run around without being afraid of getting hurt when they trip. Oh, how they twirled and romped around here, screaming at the top of their voices. The best part of being a mom is hearing “I love you” which came along with a bunch of wild flowers from the park. These treasured memories are always in my heart..

The park is quite a distance from the house and I didn’t want these precious moments interrupted. I made sure I used the best protection from Pampers Active Baby. I only want to give my little ones the best comfort outside of their usual home routine so they can continue playing without interruption. I know they are happy because the greatest sounds on earth ring in the air. Those giggles captured by these photographs bring me down to memory lane. These memories also affirm my role as a mother . The best part of being a mom is that my children brought out the best in me just by learning about unconditional love from them. I learned love I never could have imagined, patience I didn’t know I had, and strength when I didn’t think I could take it any longer.

Through their growing years, I watched my children bloom and at times stumble. I held their hands and let go when the time was right. I helped them find their passions in life. Truly, I am blessed to give and receive love…just because I am their mommy.
Today, Pampers salutes moms this Mother’s day with a video celebrating the uninterrupted moments of love. Hundreds of Moms shared photos and videos of their Best Fun and Play Moments, Best Giggles and Laughter Moments, Best Sleep and Dreams Moments, and Best Hugs and Kisses Moments. The chosen photos and videos have been picked and featured in the Mother’s Day Video which will be aired on TV and will also win prizes from Pampers.

Mothers around the world are celebrating in their own way. You can also celebrate Mother’s Day with Pampers by watching the special tribute video featuring Filipino Moms and Babies. Visit www.facebook.com/pampersph to watch the video today .

What a joy-filled place we have as mommies. Happy Mother’s day Everyone!

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.
M. Scott Peck

Congrats Jaypee for winning a Samsung Microwave oven from my Blog Anniversary contest on the subject of Time Management. Here is his winning comment:

I would like to share one of the most effective time management techniques that I religiously followed back when I was college. I consider it as a successful plan because I managed to study and work all at the same time in the university.

I was first year college when I applied for a student assistant program in our school. The program works this way: you work for 6 hours in one of the offices in the university and you get free tuition. Of course that aint easy because we were also required to maintain a specific average grade.

So what I did was I manipulated my schedule so that most of my subjects will be on an evening schedule, making it convenient for me to work in the Registrar’s office in the morning and a little more time to study in the afternoon. At times during the semester, there were subjects that I had to take in the morning. So I talked to my immediate supervisor and worked during Saturday half-day office to compensate for my absences in the office. I became serious about it and never took the scholarship for granted that is why I carefully planned things out. Because of what I did, I managed to run things smoothly. I was a scholar from my 1st year up to my 4th year.

I am sharing this because I want people to be motivated and inspired that no matter how financially down you are, there are tons of ways if you really are determined to finish your studies or achieve anything in life.

Because of the hardwork and the sacrifices that I did way back in college, I am now a registered Electronics Engineer. And I am proud to say that “nag-sunog ako ng kilay para ma-abot ko ‘yon.”

Congratulations Jaypee.——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Update: Winner is Jaypee David.

How time flies! Touched by an Angel will celebrate its 5th anniversary on February 24 and I am having a small contest. I used to give cash money before , the prize money I got from winning awards for this blog. I didn’t really think of holding a contest this year until Samsung asked if I wanted to give out a Samsung Microwave oven in my food blog. I thought it fitted this blog though. Let me tell you why.

My favorite spot to work is in the dining area, close to the kitchen. It is here where I can monitor the daily tasks needed for home such as the cleaning and cooking routine . I can easily prop up my mobile gadgets and monitor certain websites all at once like Twitter, facebook and various messengers. Working near the kitchen area is one way for me to manage my time in being a homemaker and as a blogger. I see everything all at once.

Of course, I know when to take breaks. My cat, Missy reminds me that I need to relax and take time to just chill. Isn’t she cute?

So what am I getting at with the blog anniversary give-away? and why the Samsung microwave oven?

During Ondoy, my Samsung refrigerator floated around the living room even if my husband tied it with a yellow ribbon around the handrails. I was in Singapore when the disaster happened and thought of ways to cut down costs of our material possessions. Thinking the refrigerator was almost hopeless, I asked the Samsung PR for their service center contact information. Instead she did something better, she gave me tips on salvaging electronics which I shared in my Techiegadgets blog. Not only that, they gave washing and cleaning services to Ondoy victims.

The good news was my Samsung refrigerator survived the Ondoy damage and is back in the kitchen, right where it belongs. I did not have to spend anything. I just simply let the refrigerator dry up first before using.

From then on, I placed so much faith in Samsung kitchen appliances that I got their microwave oven after seeing it in a launch in July 2010. The added bonus was seeing that the silver color matched the same color as my Samsung ref and my other small appliances.

I am happy to share the same Samsung Microwave oven to you.

I thought of tying up the value of time efficiency of a microwave oven to time management tips that worked for you, just as I work in the kitchen.

So here is how the contest works.

Please share the most effective time management techniques that works for you, whether it be at home, kitchen, workplace and office by posting a comment below.

Contest Mechanics

1. Social media users can join: Facebook, Twitter, blogger. You need to place email address (so I can contact you), the url of your social media network in the comment box.

2. Delivery address should be in the Philippines. Samsung will mail the oven directly to your home.

3. Those outside the Philippines can join as long as the delivery address is located in the Philippines. (you can assign your relative to receive the microwave oven on your behalf)

3. One comment per social media user only.

4. I will short-list the three (3) most unique and interesting comments and the winner will be chosen by my daughter, Lauren . The winner will need to be verified if he/she did not win the same prize in a similar blog contest.

Prize: ONE winner of a brand new 2011 Samsung New Microwave Oven AMW83E-SB

Contest duration: February 15 – February 28, 2011 11:59 PM

Announcement of winner - March 6, 2011 ( I will have to make sure that the winner did not win the same prize from a similar contest)

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.Just letting you all know that I blog for the Family & Parenting section of Philstar.com UNBLOGGED every Tuesday for the next three months. Well, UNBLOGGED is the official blog section of philstar.com. It features emerging and seasoned bloggers dishing out fresh content on a myriad of topics that shape up today’s popular culture-delivered in a laid-back but no-nonsense style that is sure to keep readers informed and entertained.

My first article was about “Parenting in a Digital World” and my second is “The Truth about the Birds and the Bees”, an excerpt of which is below:

I often monitor the keywords in my blog to check which entries are popular or not. One keyword, “sex,” brought me a number of hits. That puzzled me the first time I saw it but apparently, it was pointing to my “sex education in the Philippines” entry that I wrote in 2006. It continues to receive comments from parents and students four years after I posted it. Why? Sex education is a controversial topic, made more relevant with the Reproductive Health bill that has yet to be passed. It shows that people are searching for more information on sex education. The people who continue to fight against sex education should listen to the parents and our children because they are the ones affected by it.

read more at Unblogged

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

MLQ Message for Vee Press E-books’ launch

I regret being unable to join my good friend Noemi Dado on this extremely happy occasion. She and her husband are the best kind of friends any writer can ask for. She can agree to disagree and can find the whole path where neither integrity nor civility ends up being compromised.

I don’t know how Noemi gets her energy but it is amazing. So is her level of achievement. She takes teasing with aplomb and finds ways to do more and more without sacrificing family or friendship.

This Momblogger is a walking typing talking institution. Long may she remain so. Read her, learn from her, debate with her: enjoy her work as she enjoys learning and sharing with the world.

I am touched by Manolo’s message. It means a lot to me. He is my number one idol/ role model in writing, curation, and blogging. As a newbie blogger in 2006, and an avid star struck fan, I went up to him to tell him that and just to shake his hands. I am humbled. Thank you.

I have a lot to be grateful today. I have always wanted an ebook because the archives of my blog’s grief category reached 98 entries.

Thank you Vee Press for publishing my ebook. Gus Vibal, Tin Mandigma, my editor Triccie Cantero, Vee Press production crew , Sab Oliveros and Ed Castro. And everyone at Vibal foundation and Vibal publishing house. I am truly grateful to Vee Press. I was not a good writer (and still a work in progress) so Vee Press hired an editor. I was appalled at all the grammatical errors in the first two years of my blog entries which needed a total-rewrite on some pages or clarification. It discouraged me to continue on but I thought this was my way of giving back the blessings in my life.

Let me present portions of the ebook, “Touched by an angel” through an audio visual presentation.

The Text that came along with the AVP

Meet my family. My husband and my three children, Lauren, Marielle, Luijoe. Luijoe , our only son was a handsome young man as he often called himself. He was so full of love and laughter, a sweet boy often giving me flowers with a note “I love you so very much, mama”.

A few weeks before my son died, he told me “Mama when I die, I will be alive again”. He was fascinated with heaven and angels but I thought he was just a curious 6 year old boy. Little did I know.

My whole world collapsed on the day my son died on May 27, 2000. No words to describe the pain. I’ve always considered myself a spiritual person. When my son died, I questioned God : “how could God do this?”, “Why my son?”, “Why not me”? I stopped praying . I often heard Luijoe berating me for it.

On November 2004, as I was sitting on Luijoe’s favorite couch , a light dawned on me. It seemed like my son was reaching out to me. An angel’s whisper “Mama, pray!” Then I surrendered my pain. I wrote the story ” Luijoe, my Angel” for Fallen Cradle on November 2005. Things moved fast from there. I initiated the formation of The Compassionate Friends Philippines on December 1, 2005.

It was around this time that I started to lose weight and took care of my personal appearance, and became a more loving wife and mother.

I started my blog on February 24, 2006 to help promote my grief advocacy and to share my life to those with similar losses. I never imagined that my blog would hit it off among my readers. I discovered that the roller-coaster ride of the grief journey rings true in most losses. In less than a year, I received three blog awards. I got introduced to new media events, meeting new friends and renewing friendships.

Suddenly, I am brought to a whole new world. My blog evolved not only to promote grief education but to engage in social commentary and advocate social change . My new life as a blogger serves me well: my role as a bereaved mother is no longer the first way I define who I am, but it is ever-present in my life and cannot be separated from all that I am… for the rest of my life.

Working with “The Compassionate Friends” is my way of keeping Luijoe’s memory alive. I also know that every time I comfort a bereaved parent or sibling, my actions are a living tribute to my child.The single most powerful factor in starting my new normal has been the realization that death did not take all of my child.”

Everything I had with Luijoe when he was alive still lives in me. He lives in every word and action I do for the rest of my life.

This is probably what Luijoe meant to say “mama, when I die, I will be alive again. It is not just about the promise of eternal life. That…Love never dies.

Presenting “Touched by an Angel” ebook

The e-book of this blog is now available for purchase. For inquiries and reservations, please call Vee Press sales department at +632-712.9156 ext. 350 or email sales@vibalfoundation.org.

Proceeds of the book sale will go to the formation of more Compassionate Friends chapter in the Philippines.

Oh and thanks to my friend, Tess Halili for hosting the short program. ——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

It has been ten years since my beloved Luijoe was taken away too soon. The positive resolution of my grief reached its peak just this year as we established closure with our past, never forgetting the love and memories of our son. The pain will always be a part of me because grief is the price we pay for love.

It surprised me one day when Vee Press , the digital publishing division of Vibal Foundation approached me if they could convert the grief category of my blog in to an ebook. I agreed only because this is not just about my story. It is a story of love, hope and the courage to let life go on. It was not easy re-writing the blog entries and the past events. Vibal Foundation hired Triccie Cantero, a free-lance editor to check on my entries. I was appalled at all the grammatical errors in the first two years of my blog. It discouraged me to continue on but I thought this was my way of giving back the blessings in my life. I am full of gratitude. It was the thought of giving hope to those who have lost someone that encouraged me to finish it on time before the launch. It was also difficult because tears would fall as I recalled some incidents in the past. (oh yes tears, a proof of love and that love lives on.)

So, my dear readers…I am inviting you to the ebook launch of “Touched by an Angel” :

When: Friday, September 17
Time: 4:00 PM
Where : Vibal Booth, 31st Manila International Book Fair, SMX Convention Center, beside SM Mall of Asia

The short launch programme will only last for up to 30-45 minutes. I know most of you will want to visit the Book Fair so I hope you can drop by at this time too.

Aside from my e-book, Vee Press will be introducing over a hundred e-book titles including the Foundation’s own publications, landmark Filipiniana, contemporary literature and Tagalog romance novels. Veepress is the first ebook publisher in the Philippines. Among those that will be launched at the event are Feodor Jagor’s Travels in the Philippines; Pedro Paterno’s Ninay, Cornélis de Witt Willcox’s Head Hunters of Northern Luzon, Faustino Aguilar’s Busabos ng Palad, and around a hundred more well-loved Filipino classics. Check the e-books catalog below.

The e-books, being in multiple formats, will be accessible on a wide variety of digital readers and mobile Internet devices such as the iPad, Kindle and Sony E-Reader.

The ebooks are available at Apple iBookstore, Amazon Kindle Store and other e-book retailers. You can also order print editions of the e-books by sending an email to books@vibalfoundation.org

Proceeds of my blog’s ebook will go to the information and expansion campaign of The Compassionate Friends Philippines ( a support group for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents ).

Launch Dates to remember

September 16 ebook launch of Carl Joe Javier, Adam David
September 17- ebook launch of blogs from Touched by an Angel, In another Dress of Anna Manila and Lady S
September 18- Veepress Launch at 4:00 PM

Check the Vee Press e-books catalog

Vee Press e Books 2010 Catalog
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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets. Or Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Follow me in twitter @momblogger.

Don’t we just love family meals together? It’s the perfect time and place to reconnect and to show my girls that they are our priority. Sitting across the table is where and when I find out more about my children’s likes, dislikes, and daily life. Now that they are adults, it is the place where I discover their career plans or frustrations at work. It is actually the family conversations that are important — they are one of the few times parents can find out what their children are up to (and vice versa). As my daughters’ social lives get even busier, it becomes a challenge to get the family to sit down. During these special meals, I make it a point that I dish up something new on the dinner table.

Happy family meals together are long-time tradition that is timeless.

A psychologist reported that “eating together as a family is an important psychological ritual that echoes the hunt/kill/eat rituals of our ancestors. Although food is now in constant supply, it’s useful to maintain a ritual that was created when it was rare, as the feeling of celebration and team-work can have a therapeutic and bonding effect on the family unit.”

For meals to be a fun celebration of family togetherness, I believe in balance. Indulging treats and setting limits is creating balance. When the kids were much younger, junk food was limited to Friday nights when school was over. It was also the time to watch TV. Junk food night as I called it.

These days, they don’t watch TV so the junk food habit died. One other treat is our favorite Coke that we often pair with pasta or pizza. Happy moments are when I work at the kitchen, cooking their favorite dishes and getting rave reviews. Sometimes it could be their dad cooking. There are occasions that my daughters experiment on a new pasta recipe. Their favorite pasta dishes are Carbonara, Putanesca, or Tuna spaghetti. We add green salads as our side dish to complement the meals. Balance is all we need in our family meals so I dub these pasta days as Happy Kainan Monday. Seeing my family smile after a hearty meal is worth all the tender loving care placed on the food preparation. There is nothing like happiness in family meals.

In honor of family bonding moments through everyday kainan happiness, I want one of my readers to enjoy a family dinner at Chef Laudico Bistro Filipino worth 10,000 pesos!

I am holding a blog contest today, September 13, up to September 27, in cooperation with Coca-Cola. Joining is simple! All you need to do is write in the comments section and answer this question, “What kind of food or favorite meal do your family enjoy drinking with a bottle of Coke?” The lucky winner will be determined by Coca-Cola.

You might also want to submit your photos through the creative banner at:
http://www.pep.ph/index.html
http://www.pep.ph/cokehappiness/index.php

How about visiting my Beauty over 50 blog?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado