Feminist? Internet governance activist? Am I all that?

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What kind of internet do we want and what will it take for us to achieve it?

gigx_talk

(Originally posted at Three things I’ve learned at the Gender and Internet Governance Exchange, Asia on July 8, 2015.)

Two concepts glared at me: Feminist? Internet governance activist? Am I all that? See, I tread carefully around labels because I encounter people who are “allergic” to the word “feminist” or “activist”. A feminist or activist is often seen as militant or disruptive and this often spells trouble. As a citizen with an online voice enabled by technology and social media, I have the capacity to connect directly with the people who matter and who could make a change.

I didn’t want people to distance themselves from me because of these controversial labels. I pondered over these words, “internet governance activist” and as I searched for the definition online, I discovered that I am part of the internet governance group, as one of the multi-stakeholders.

I find difficulty in articulating the things I do, to advocate for social change for social good. Everything I have ever done as a blogger and on social media for the past nine years was through intuition. When I received the acceptance to the Gender and Internet Governance Exchange (gigX) I was so excited because it meant widening the scope of my advocacy. There was no doubt that the gigX would widen my knowledge on the intersections between women’s rights and internet governance. I want to transfer this knowledge to my community by sharing the three things I’ve learned at gender and internet governance exchange. Some of these lessons are interrelated but I want to highlight each of them separately.

1. The feminist approach to the internet

Someone asked me at the gigX “so are you a feminist?” I didn’t quite know how to respond to that “feminist” label because I don’t categorise myself as one. Don’t get me wrong, I advocate for women’s rights among many others but I didn’t want these labels to turn people off. After the presentation of the “Feminist Principles of the Internet”, my doubts in the “feminist” label disappeared. Now I embrace my feminism.

2. The clusters of the 15 Feminist Principles

My “feminism” reminds me of a sisterhood. In a roomful of fellow feminists and activists, we pondered on the question: “As feminists, what kind of internet do we want and what will it take for us to achieve it?” I learned about the clusters of the Feminist Principles of the Internet: access, economy, expression, consent, autonomy, agency, movement and public participation.

These are not new concepts to me but I liked the clear presentation and the affirmation of them. I initiated a movement in 2007 together with other bloggers in reshaping the Filipina image of the internet, as more than just mail order brides. Through our blogs and stories about the loving Filipina wives and “mothers”, the professionals, and the outstanding bloggers were shared on the World Wide Web.

3. Deconstructing jargons and acronyms

I use language that is accessible to my community. How is real progress going to be made if I can’t communicate the feminist approach to the internet? Thankfully, the gigX encouraged us to list down jargon and acronyms that are often encountered in the gender and internet governance spaces: intersex,patriarchy, multi-stakeholderism, World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), neoliberal capitalist, UN Commission on Science and Technology (UNCSTD), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Zero rating,Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA).

Communicating and transferring the knowledge of these concepts to my community was made easier due to the available resources from the gigX website, this includes training materials and tools.

My feminism will always be in the agenda of internet governance. The feminism I stand for is to work towards the dismantling of patriarchy and putting “an end to fear, helplessness, humiliation, and one that condemns violence and identifies and supports all diversities.”

I know my feminism is disruptive and the kind that I will be judged for all the time. Despite this, I do not doubt that I am a feminist.

 

The bizarre behavior of digital kidnappers playing parents online.

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Written by Rachel Yapchiongco as originally posted at the Philippine Online Chronicles

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In this modern world, kidnapping has evolved from physical abduction to the digital form. It may sound absurd but it happens.

In this social media age, parents enjoy posting pictures of their children online on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Many of these pictures become accessible to strangers and people who have dark intentions.

Read More →

Savor your me time with the help of Pine-Sol® All-Purpose Cleaner #SavorYourMeTime

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savor your time with mombloggers

I wish I had known back then as a new mom, the concept of “alone” time or “me” time. Now looking back during those days that my kids were little, it just seemed impossible to have a “me” time. I remember locking myself in the bathroom just to have a long hot shower. Thinking, I had my “alone” time, I hear my little boy wailing outside the door wondering what I am doing. Today, my kids are  adults and I have a lot of “me” time on my hands. I make sure to savor my “me” time after a hectic week . While I gain gratification from the roles I play as mother, wife, and blogger , the first priority should be me.

yoga savor your me time

Photo by Jay Santos. Some rights reserved

These days my “me” time is Fridays, a day at the gym followed by steam bath then relaxing at a nail and foot spa. I loved that my “me” day was also a Friday and a lovely opportunity to be with mom blogger-friends at the Sofitel. It wasn’t just a time for ourselves. We learned about the new scents and sizes of Pine-Sol® All-Purpose Cleaner and how using products in the home can make life easier for busy moms on the go.

savor your me time pinesol event

Photo by Jay Santos. Some rights reserved

 Joanne Santos, our patient Yoga instructor made Yoga look so easy. I am not used to yoga but I liked that she adjusted to most of the beginners there. I find the breathing exercises useful. Slow start—breathing deeply, in and out—fires up your prefrontal cortex, the brain’s center for higher thought.

pinesol fragance

Photo by Jay Santos. Some rights reserved

A healthy lunch was served after our Yoga Session. Tisha De Veyra, Director of Marketing for Clorox International Philippines Inc., and Renelle Revilla Delos Santos , Brand Manager for Pine-Sol talked about how new scents and sizes of Pine-Sol and how using products in the home can make life easier for busy moms on the go.
pinesol lavender

Since Pine-Sol® , it allows moms to  save time and money. Instead of buying various cleaning aids for the different parts of the house and several purposes, you just purchase and use one all-purpose cleanser– Pine-Sol. There is so much you can do with Pine-Sol from getting rid of home odors, “goodbye stinky trash”, cleaning cabinets, taking away refrigerator smells, cleaning patio cushions, clean pet stains, knock out shower scum, knock out kitchen mess, disinfect hard to clean toys, de-smudge walls etc. Click here to  know more ways to use Pine-sol.

pine-sol cleaning action

Pine-Sol Cleaner Original has a distinctive crisp, clean pine scent; Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh has a smell of citrus fruits for a refreshing, invigorating, and cleaner scent; Pine-Sol Orange Energy has a freshly peeled orange scent; Pine-Sol Lavender Clean has a calming and relaxing scent; Pine-Sol Sparkling Wave leaves the bathroom smelling like a light ocean breeze.

To use, just add 1/4 cup of Pine-Sol® All-Purpose Cleaner to a gallon of water to clean kitchen floors, counter, sinks and stoves. This is great for general cleaning. A 500mL bottle gives you 8.3 gallons or 33 liters of cleaning power!

Remember , just 1/4 cup then add water to make a gallon of general cleaning power and watch the savings. You can also use it in the bathroom to clean showers, tubs, tile, floors and toilet bowls, and even for tough jobs such as deodorizing garbage cans and pet areas. You can mix Pine-Sol® All-Purpose Cleaner with water at different strengths for different household needs, unlike a premixed spray. You can tackle any challenge, adjusting your cleaning power each time.

pinesol bag

Pine-sol gave me the five scents.  I didn’t realize how heaven-scent these all-purpose cleaner was. My trusted helper took her 15 day vacation leave, but I still had  an extra helper. She suddenly had to leave on Sunday due to illness.  I moaned. My gosh, how do I deal with this stinky cat smell. I have four cats at home, mind you. Plus a dog! To my horror, my helper did not clean the pet area judiciously. With my face mask on, I applied concentrated lemon fresh scent, then rinsed it off with water followed by a dry mop. Voila, the stinky pee is gone.  I started cleaning the surface areas of the house using a spray bottle and a dry mop (after sweeping, of course). I swear, cleaning is such a breeze. Cleaning the house has never been such a breeze. Would you believe, I was able to finish two articles in between my homemaker role. Well, I didn’t have to cook because hubby didn’t want me to wash the dishes.

cleaning the house

Today, I just got an extra help from my sister and I will definitely use the cleaning tips I learned from Pine-sol. Surely, my helper will appreciate that her work will be so much easier. My househelp just like myself , can enjoy her “me time”, right?

(You can find the full list of the ingredients in each Pine-Sol® Cleaner here. and other FAQs)

How to color your stress away

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by Cathy Dellosa-Ng, as  originally published at the Philippine Online Chronicles

coloring1
Every child has had to go through the phase of indulging in coloring books like there’s no tomorrow. But at some point in life, we eventually outgrow these candy-colored hobbies and move on to other stuff—grown-up stuff. Or do we?

Adult coloring books are all the rage right now, whether it’s for stress relief or simply just to satisfy our inner child. Check out why this fad is such a hit among adults, and why you should join in on the fun, too!

Coloring makes the world go round

This unusual phenomenon is already taking over the world. The international bestseller lists are filled with adult coloring books, proving that what were once kiddie activities used to cheer people up in hospitals are now legitimate hobbies that even grown-ups can get into. There’s really no shame in that. According to Dover Publishing, they haven’t “seen a phenomenon like it in our 30 years of publishing.”

Illustrator Johanna Basford has been dominating the charts with her coloring books recently, including her bestselling Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book and sophomore book Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book. But unlike our favorite coloring books from our childhood years, these adult versions feature more intricate patterns so that they can prove a better challenge for our so-called more mature minds. But even if you’re not into arts and crafts, or if you never really got over your “coloring past the lines” phase, these adult coloring books can still be extremely beneficial for you and your overall wellness.

“I’m a grown-up, but I still love coloring books,” says novelist Matt Cain. “If I switch off the phone, computer, and TV, and concentrate solely on choosing the right shade of blue, avoiding going over the lines and slowly filling up my page with color, all my other concerns, I’ve discovered, fade to nothing.”

Stop worrying—just keep coloring

coloryourstressaway 2

While you can color anything just for the heck of it (because watching colors bursting with life from your work is rewarding as it is), this seemingly ordinary activity can promote mindfulness and relief from stress. Illustrator Farrarons says that “In mindfulness, it is encouraged to break patterns in life by introducing variation to avoid the sensation of being on autopilot. Each page has been caringly designed with this in mind, so that the person coloring can hop at random from one pattern to the next. It reminds me of hours spent filling in scenes from a coloring book as a little girl. In the digital age that we are in, surely, it can only be a good thing to pick up a pencil and feel young again.”

“You’re giving your brain some space and something to focus on that’s meditative, that’s containing,” says art therapist Saba Harouni. Because grown-ups tend to rush through life from one deadline to the next, filling in the lines on a page with colors can help them focus, meditate, and slow down. “When coloring, we activate different areas of our two cerebral hemispheres. The action involves both logic, by which we color forms, and creativity, when mixing and matching colors. This incorporates the areas of the cerebral cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills,” psychologist Gloria Martínez Ayala says. “The relaxation that it provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress. It brings out our imagination and takes us back to our childhood, a period in which we most certainly had a lot less stress.”

Psychologist Antoni Martínez also agrees. “I recommend it as a relaxation technique. We can use it to enter into a more creative, freer state. I myself have practiced that. I recommend it in a quiet environment, even with chill music. Let the color and the lines flow.”

Where to get your fill (of colors)

coloryourstressaway 3 

Our local bookstores carry treasured coloring gems like Mid-Century Modern Mania (P525, Powerbooks) and Creative Therapy: An Anti-Stress Colouring Book (P650, Fully Booked). According to National Book Store’s managing director Xandra-Ramos Padilla, a myriad of options abound in National Book Store as well. “Adult coloring books are a global phenomenon. I, myself, enjoy coloring with my daughter or girl friends. I find it very relaxing. You can be creative with your color combinations. Part of the excitement is choosing which coloring materials to use.”

Mandala Magic: Amazing Mandalas to Color (P598, Fully Booked) can help you not only to fight off your stress but also to center your mind on the positive. “Art making is a powerful intervention. Neuroscientific research has shown that through the use of art therapy, the human brain can physically change, grow, and rejuvenate,” says art therapist Susanne Fincher. “I sometimes give clients one of my mandala coloring books for homework between sessions with me. Coloring mandalas can empower a client to manage thoughts and feelings on their own with the positive activity of coloring, instead of, for example, overeating or abusing substances.”

Pretty soon, you can also buy yourself an adult coloring book version of all the drama in Westeros. The popularity of adult coloring books has reached the great George R.R. Martin, so much so that Bantam books announced they would be publishing a mature Game of Thrones coloring book. It “will feature 45 original black and white illustrations, inspired by characters, scenes, locations and other iconic images from Martin’s wildly successful ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series,” says the company. Is it ironic that one should relieve stress by diving into the bloody world of Game of Thrones? We’ll find out soon enough later this year.

Now that you know how coloring books can be good for you, it’s time to hit the shelves. Don’t worry about being a perfectionist—coloring is supposed to relieve your stress, not add to it. Just choose whatever tool feels right to you, from colored pencils (Prismacolor and Muji have some good ones), colored highlighters, gel pens (remember your Pilot Tec-Pens?), colored markers, or a box of freshly sharpened Crayola crayons. Then, when you’re all set, sit yourself down and start coloring!

Each of us today, has a financial future.

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Once upon a time….

You have a stockholder’s meeting on June 29 at the Mandarin Hotel. I placed the invitation on my daughter’s tables.

Both girls suddenly got interested. “a whaat?“. I started to explain.

Remember the college funds that you invested a year ago?

We will probably be the youngest in there. They chorused.

Though M. college tuition from 2005-2009 at UP averaged only 5,800 pesos ($109.00) while Lauren’s tuition from 2003-2007 Ateneo was 10 times or 52,227.00 pesos ($1,000), each girl invested equal amounts. Their college tuition funds were placed under their names to make them financially responsible. I remember when I was still the breadwinner during the first year of our marriage. An officemate urged me to purchase a college plan for Lauren who was not even a year old. I just didn’t believe in a college plan at that time. My financial reality focused on making ends meet. Butch was still at Law school and we had two little girls. I figured that my financial status would be similar to my dad. By the time the kids are in college, our financial situation should be much improved. I was very optimistic.

dream-come-true

Everything we had dreamed off materialized. My husband predicted that by the time the girls reached high school, he will have his own law office and we will have two homes. Life was good. I was a full time home maker never having to worry about finances. But nothing prepared us for the loss of our son . To cut the story short, by year 2004, our financial situation was at its deepest pit.  With Lauren’s help, we started a small web hosting reseller account in December 2002 by investing part of the award money given to her by the Cebu Civil court (see here). Only 16 years old, she had a popular online community to support her endeavor. Seeing that it had huge income potential, I offered to help her out. We became business partners. She covered the marketing aspect while I assisted in the management and technical aspect. By the time she was in college, she had significant savings which I invested for her.

Lauren ‘s entreprenurial initiative kept us afloat during those bleak months in 2004. I promised to repay her double the loaned amounts once I recouped our financial losses. By God’s grace, I was able to repay Lauren after a year. Since she was busy in college, I took control of her webhosting and expanded the services. The modest income helped pay for the college tuition including allowance. To provide educational funds is a parental responsibility not the child. I felt that our children shouldn’t have to face that financial burden . But she also worried that if she didn’t help out, she won’t be able to finish in Ateneo, When she travelled to the states on her own last year, she felt so guilty for using up part of her savings. I told her “Treat it as an educational trip. You deserve it”

my children

I love my children for learning to adapt to our family crisis. My second daughter helped out by reluctantly studying in UP Diliman. Her first choice was Ateneo. I felt bad at first that we could not provide the tuition money for her first year in Ateneo. Today, she is full of gratitude that she chose UP over Ateneo. See, there is always a silver lining.

Back at the family room, I lectured them on the advantages of attending this meeting, even at a young age.

“Yes, we will go for the food“, the girls chimed in.

financial future

I was too complacent during those grieving years. I left all the financial burden to my husband. Today, taking responsibility for our financial affairs improved my self-esteem and lessened anxiety. Each of us today, has a financial future. There are few future aspects of my life I can control, but one part I can play to assist our family’s future is setting goals. I don’t have to obsess about my goals. I don’t have to constantly watch and mark our progress toward them. But it is beneficial to think about my goals and write them down. What do I want to happen in our financial future? What financial problems would I like to solve? What bills would I like to be rid of? What would I like to be earning at the end of this year? The end of next year? Five years from now? I know I am willing to work for these goals and trust God to guide me.

Taking responsibility for my finances enable me to take focus off money. It frees me to do my work and live the life I want. I deserve to have the self-esteem and peace that accompanies financial responsibility.

KidZania Manila, the play city is now open!

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Too bad I missed the grand opening of Kidzania Manila at Park Triangle in Bonifacio Global City. I waited for this day. Oh well, let me share  the good news so you know what to  expect when you visit Kidzania Manila.

Where kids do big things

KidZania Manila is the ultimate role-playing environment where kids get to live out their big dreams. With 8,000 square meters of play space, kids aged 4-14 will now get to role-play grown-up roles and live out their dream careers. Isn’t that so much fun?

kidzania manila launch

KidZania is found all over the globe from Mexico to Tokyo to London and KidZania Manila is the 20th KidZania city in the world, and the first of its kind in the Philippines.

immigration office of kidzania

“We can’t wait for Filipino children to finally enjoy the unique role-play experience that KidZania Manila offers. Kids will play and learn together, figure out what makes a good city, and collaborate to help run their own community. Play at KidZania will spark dreams and imagination – empowering them to believe that they can make a better world,” says Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas, State Governor for KidZania Philippines.

kidzania fire department

KidZania’s tagline is “Get Ready for a Better World” and KidZania believes that realistic and imaginative role-play can promote change, inspire global citizenship, and build strong community awareness.

kidzania processing

KidZania Manila is a play city built to scale for children – complete with paved streets, transport system, and a functioning economy. Every detail is intended to project authenticity: from the activity itself, to uniforms and costumes, to the work gear and tools – and even the city interiors.

kidzania airplane

From police officer to recording artist to urban farmer, kids can choose from over 100 immersive role-play activities. They can become firefighters to the rescue, pilots off to adventures, or even paramedics who save lives. And when kids work, they earn wages in KidZania’s currency called “KidZos.” The more they work, the more they earn. Kids can choose to save or spend what they earn – just like in real life. What a great way to teach them about grown up life?

vpower gasoline

More than just a family entertainment center, KidZania Manila creates a kid-centric experience where kids are in charge. KidZania partnered with over 40 real-world brands who help bring realism to the kid-sized city, providing children with reality-based activities and skills that they can use in real life.

kidzania market

They can open their own bank accounts, attend classes in the university, file their taxes, shop for necessities at the supermarket, and even drive electric cars.

abscbn theater at kidzania

KidZania Manila is open 7 days a week, with one shift Mondays through Thursdays, from 9AM to 4PM, and two shifts on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and national holidays, from 9AM to to 2PM for the first shift and 3 PM to 8PM for the second shift. KidZania Manila is on soft opening starting August 7, 2015, with limited slots available.

For more details on ticket prices and booking, visit the KidZania Manila website at manila.kidzania.com. Online ticketing goes live on August 3, 2015.

 

 

 

UNIQLO babies : safe, premium baby fashion

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my2babies-copy

I miss my babies! I remember getting excited as I bought them those cute baby clothes and trying it on them right away. My husband used to tease me “they are your dolls”. Dressing up our kids is a guilty pleasure of most parents. Choosing baby clothing is not simply considering the style. Safety should always be priority in selecting these pieces. Parents are blessed these days because there are is a wide variety of brands to choose from.

uniqlo baby

Though my cute little girls are now adults, I still want to catch up with the latest trend in baby and children clothing. UNIQLO babies collection offered a wide variety of stylish and safe clothing essential for babies. Following the global Oeko-Tex Standard 100, UNIQLO ensured that every piece of clothing is free of harmful substances and meets the highest standards. I got to view the collection at the second floor of the UNIQLO branch at SM Aura. I kept thinking , “if only, I could bring back the time and have my little girls wear these…”.

uniqlo baby 1

 

I am told that UNIQGLO Baby Wear are categorized as Class 1— the safest classification under the Oeko-Tex Standard from the raw material used to the finished product. Also, the clothes have to be formalin-free to ensure the health and safety of the babies.  Nine different baby clothing categories are available in 16 UNIQLO stores.

Now, Titos, Titas, Lolos, and Lolas will find it easier to shop for the little kiddo. They will feel assured that they are buying the clothing products that follow safety standards. The best quality control is applied to the smallest details of the baby range. While care labels are usually sewn inside clothes, UNIQLO places the label outside to prevent irritation. A special technique is als0 used to remove any unevenness on the cloth or thread to keep the skin of babies safe.  Babies ‘s little fingers can get entangled with these threads . Lastly the clothes undergo tests for more than 200 chemical substances during the planning and production stages.

Now that is commitment  of providing safe clothing for your babies. Who wouldn’t want to give the best to our babies?

Check it out mommies. Uniqlo’s BABIES collection are available at these Uniqlo branches: SM Megamall ; SM Aura ; SM North Edsa ; Powerplant Mall; SM Mall of Asia ; SM Makati ; Robinsons Magnolia and also in provincial outlets. SM Pampanga, SM Clark, Robinsons Manila, SM BF Paranaque, SM Southmall, Gateway, SM City San Lazaro.

Being a Tita has never been this “in.”

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written by Toni Tiu, as originally published at , “Tita of Manila” Mode: ON!, Philippine Online Chronicles

Being a Tita has never been this “in.”

“Tita” is what you call your Mom’s sister, your Dad’s female co-workers, basically any lady who’s a generation above you. But now, Tita is more than just a title or a term of endearment. It’s a mindset, a lifestyle, one that’s not reserved only for those in their late 30s or early 40s. I recall when being a Tita made you cringe as that meant you were truly much older than most folks in the room. That’s why I was surprised seeing my 30-year-old friend brand herself “Tita” on Instagram, sharing a picture of her wine glass as she stayed home Friday night at her condo. “Tita mode. Staying in for the night,” she captioned. Being called “Tita” may still make some cringe, but because so many women are embracing being a Tita and loving Titas, the cringe can be accompanied by a little joy. 

The Twitter account “Titas of Manila” hilariously captures Tita-isms and Tita behavior.

titas of manila

@TitasofManila Jun 1

(sees pamangkin wearing makeup) Wow artista!!

 

@TitasofManila May 14

* lines up at French Baker in Megamall for 50% discount on bread *

 

@TitasofManila May 13

*sees chubby pamangkin * Ay, napabayaan ka sa kusina, no? *kurot sa tiyan*

 

@TitasofManila Apr 16

You know the daughter of your Tita Susan graduated cum laude and she’s working in London now tapos ang gwapo pa ng asawa na mabait pa!

This is very much the typical Filipino Tita. From blatantly asking you about your weight gain to repeatedly asking you during family reunions when you will get married, this Twitter account captures the many Tita lines that irritate nieces and nephews everywhere. But it also captures the behavior and quirks that make Titas endearing such as not being able to resist eating butong pakwan or trying to figure out how to spring clean her collection of Fit-Flops. The personification of being a Tita is so endearing and amusing at the same time.

Buzzfeed has even published an article called 20 Signs You’re the Tita of Your Group. Funny signs include “You’re way too exhausted after a day out with friends.” (accompanied by an image of a body part with Salon Pas) and “You have a bag full of things your friends might need in case of emergency.” That is SO Tita.

Embracing Tita-ness

I’m in my late 30s, but even then I don’t feel like a Tita. However, three moments in the past month made me realize I was very much a Tita.

Incident Number 1. My officemate was complaining about a really bad headache. “You want to drink medicine?,” I asked her. “Sige, you have?,” she asked. I reached into my kikay kit and pulled out a banig of headache medicine. “O there, you get as much as you want,” I advised her. In the past, this behavior would be called being a Girl Scout. Now it’s being a Tita.

Incident Number 2. Air-conditioning in the meeting room dies. It is really hot. I reach for my bag and take out my pamaypay and begin fanning myself furiously. I realized I was the only one in the room doing that and slowly put down my fan. Abaniko in my bag? So Tita. But hey, at least I didn’t have to suffer the heat in silence.

Incident Number 3. My husband and son got me a present for Mother’s Day. Upon opening the box, I saw it was a pashmina. I LOVED it. As I wrapped the beautiful red pashmina around my shoulders, I also realized that I felt very much like a Tita at that moment. (That moment also made me realize that one can’t have enough pashminas. I want one in basic black and another in navy blue, please.)

shawls-14458_640Shawls in all colors? Call your Tita! This can be her happy place!

Being a Tita has never been this “in” because of how social media has helped make Tita-isms endearing. It’s a good thing. In Filipino culture, a Tita can be our second Mom or a mentor. Titas may have their irritating moments, but for the most part they’re really just looking out for us. When they tease you about your weight gain, they sincerely want you to be more conscious about your health. When they ask about your marriage plans, they sincerely want you to fall in love and find that “forever” of yours. In or not, at the very least, you can always count on the Tita of your group to have food in her bag.

My Pandora , story of my life

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Early this year, my daughter asked me “Have you heard of pandora bracelets ?” The brand sounded familiar to me but I didn’t bother to check it out. She explained that Pandora made charm bracelet a trend.

The idea of Pandora bracelet is to get charms that represent your life story. I love the idea of a bracelet that is customizable. I own a gold charm bracelet which I bought in Thailand but the charms were set.  Though Pandora is mostly in silver, it is  expensive in the Philippines but I figured if I acquire the charms slowly, it won’t be painful on the pocket.

pandora, story of my life

The opportunity came during our 30th wedding anniversary last May.  My dear husband bought me the silver collier, the Bride & Groom Charm, two fancy pink sparkling hearts spacers and two heart silver clips.  Naturally, the bride and groom tells the story of our 30 years of marriage and the seven years as sweethearts for a total of 37 years together as a couple. Now that is such a big feat considering I nearly wanted to call it quits .  Hearts symbolize our love and the love of family.  It also depicts my favorite quote,  love never dies.  May is also the month when our beloved Luijoe went to heaven.  I added the “Love and Guidance” Angel wing  silver dangle with 14K heart charm to symbolize my son who is now an angel.  I will continue to keep Luijoe’s memory alive in my heart and in my mind since it is a very important part of who I am today. I want his memory to live on forever and for Luijoe to never be forgotten. This is the story of those hearts and the wing charm. I loved it but it felt my bracelet needed more charms.

my birthday gift

I told my daughters and dear husband that my bracelet lacked two girl charms to signify my two daughters. “Hint, hint”. I showed them my wishlist.

pandora wishlist

…and the brochure that the Pandora branch in EDSA Shangrila gave me.

love and guidance

Surprise! On my birthday last month, my husband surprised with a girl silver charm and a a pink glass ribbon charm. My second daughter got me a the dangle girl dangle charm.  My girls… I wish they will always be with me to love and to hold but I know at the same time, I know I needed to step back and watch then fly high and free. Now they have flown their wings and I am left with an empty nest. But the two girl charms will always remind me that they are close to my heart.

girl charms from pandora

My eldest girl  got me the “Mothers of the World Charm”.  One of the biggest life-changing event in 2013 was when my kids left home to live independently from us. This charm  reminds me that my children will always be in my heart because home is where the heart is .

mum pandora

Each charm means something close to my heart.  I will add more but for now…This is my Pandora bracelet  , the story of my life.

my pandora bracelet 1

 

Here is the gallery of my Pandora charms and bracelet

 

Aging gracefully with the help of Olay’s Miracle Duo

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“And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!” Audrey Hepburn

Turning 58 years old a few days ago was a day to celebrate. I know 58 is just number but it affirms 58 years of trials and tribulations that made me who I am today. I feel positive about my life. I enjoy pampering myself because things can get too busy with my writing commitments. I feel good and beautiful inside and out because I know I am aging gracefully. Feeling and looking beautiful starts with taking care of myself. It means leading a meaningful and active life; maintaining a positive attitude; taking care of my skin and eating a balanced diet. With my skin rejuvenation treatments from my dermatologist-sister, I need to complement it daily with a good skin care treatment.

turning primetime

For the past three years, I have been using Olay Cleanser and Olay Regenerist for day and night time use. My skin care routine is a quarterly visit to my dermatologist-sister who recommends a skin care cream that contains peptides.

One reason I use Olay Regenerist is because it contains amino-peptides.

Peptides are tiny fragments of protein molecules that are found naturally throughout the body. Along with glycerin, peptides hydrate and enhance the stratum corneum, or outer layer of skin. This helps allow for the natural production of collagen, which can help to firm up skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

For women my age, the Olay Regenerist is the answer to aging skin. I still don’t have wrinkles. Though I have brown aging spots , I easily hide it with a concealer.

olay miracle duo

Recently, I got introduced to the new Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence and Micro-sculpting Cream. ” or the Miracle duo . My skin rejuvenation starts with a good skin care regimen.

Let’s take a look at the Miracle Duo and how it helps me age gracefully.

olay regenerist miracle boost

The Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence is designed to boost the penetration of anti-aging actives of your moisturiser to increase skin cell metabolism and renewal. The first drop starts renewal of a million surface cells and helps visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, pores and firms the skin.

olay regenerist youth essence

Its unique auto-dropper packaging ensures the exact and right amount of the pre-essence is delivered in every single application. I apply the Olay Miracle Boost Pre-Essence after the cleanser and before the cream. The smell is refreshing and not too overpowering. The combination of Miracle Boost Pre-essence and Olay’s Micro-sculpting Cream work together to boost renewal of surface cells.

olay miracle duo2

Now, the sculpting cream my skin with a concentrated formula of Amino-Peptide Complex that stimulates my skin to make more collagen and progressively hydrates my skin to lift, firm and micro-sculpt.

Olay Miracle duo1

Both Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-essence and Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream are called the Miracle Duo .

If you’re like me, I look at the ingredients to understand what each component does to my skin. I have already been aware that my Olay Regenerist cream contained Vitamin B3 and Amino Peptides. There are two other ingredients : the Lys’lastine (natural extract of Dill seeds) which enhances skin elasticity and OliveM  (Antioxidant from Olive Extract) which improves penetration of anti-aging ingredients .

noemidado aka momblogger

I know that as I age, collagen that supports and makes my skin firm, gets destroyed and not replaced—causing winkles and sagging. In fact, collagen production begins to diminish starting at age 21. If you are in your early twenties, it is best to start a skin care regimen now with Miracle Duo. Continue to take care of your skin even as you reach your prime time just like I do with the help of Miracle Duo.

Stay beautiful everyone.

You can purchase the New Miracle duo (The New Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-essence and Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream) at Lazada. Make sure to check out www.olay.com.ph, like Olay on Facebook or follow @OlayPhilippines on Twitter and @OlayPhilippines on Instagram for more updates.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me for Olay. All the facts and opinions are mine since I have been using Olay a for the past five years.