# Touched by An Angel

> a mom blogger who advocates constructive engagement in issues on family & society.


## Posts

- [What I’m keeping, What I’m changing in 2026](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/2026-plans-coffee-governance-disinformation/): January always tries to sell me the same idea. Fresh calendar. Fresh energy. A “new me” speech. But today, the house is just… quiet. I made coffee. I sat at the table. I turned my phone face down. I picked up a pen that still writes smoothly. Small blessings. And I asked myself a question I trust more than motivation.
- [2025: The year I kept following the light](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/2025-the-year-i-kept-following-the-light/): A year looks tidy on paper. January to December. One clean line. My 2025 did not move like that. It came in scenes, small ones. A notification. A quote that sat heavy in my chest. A long walk that made everything quiet enough for me to hear myself again. A graduation photo that looked familiar and still felt strange. If I had to name the thread that ran through my posts from January to December 25, it would be this: I kept circling the same question. How do you keep living honestly when you’re carrying loss, memory, and time?
- [Older, not invisible](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ageism-philippines-rewriting-the-aging-script/): In the Philippines, there’s a loud script for people of a certain age. It expects us to shrink. To be grateful for being allowed to speak. To accept the role of frail, dependent, and quiet. My daughter recently wrote a piece on ageism. She pointed to research that labels Southeast Asia as highly ageist, then connected it to something many of us grew up with: the way we’re trained to see older people as people who “can’t.” Can’t work. Can’t walk. Can’t keep up. And our media reinforces it, either through the “cranky lola” stereotype or the senior as a … Read More →
- [Living with grief during Christmas](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/grief-during-the-holidays/): Outside, everything signals celebration. Lights blink. Carols repeat. Shop windows insist on cheer. Inside some homes, it’s heavier than that. For some of us, this season doesn’t feel wonderful. It feels tiring. Or lonely. Or unexpectedly sharp. And when you’re not okay at a time when happiness seems mandatory, that mismatch can be its own quiet burden.
- [When “Political Blogger” shows up in your notifications again](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/political-blogging-philippines-good-governance/): I was scrolling through X the way you do when you’re half-working and half-avoiding work. Then I saw it. A post by Atty. Jesus Falcis saying my name showed up, of all places, in a Grok-generated list of the Top 10 influential political bloggers in the Philippines. I blinked. Twice. Not because I think I don’t belong in political conversations, but because I haven’t been writing about good governance on blogwatch.tv as much as I used to. These days, my brain is often parked elsewhere. Family logistics, deadlines, the Agnep Heritage coffee farm. And still, there it was. My name. … Read More →
- [Reconciling with the past: The stranger in the graduation photo](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/connecting-with-your-younger-self/): Some time ago, almost on a whim, I uploaded my high school graduation photo to Nano-Banana, an AI image generator. There was no big goal behind it. I was curious, that’s all. I wondered if a machine could somehow connect the sixty-eight-year-old woman I am now with the sixteen-year-old girl I used to be, or at least the version of her I still remember. The result stopped me for a moment. I didn’t expect it to. It felt quietly unsettling. Familiar, yet not quite. Like running into someone you recognize but can’t immediately name. In the image, my past and … Read More →
- [The glow of memory: Christmas lights and my daddy's quiet love](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/the-glow-of-memory-christmas-lights-and-my-daddys-quiet-love/): Christmas doesn’t start for me when December hits. It doesn’t begin with shopping or wrapping paper either. It starts the moment someone switches on the lights and the room changes. That soft glow. That’s it. I’ve always loved Christmas lights. It sounds ordinary, but it isn’t. Not for me. They’re not just there to look nice. They carry memories. They settle me. They pull me back to a time when things felt simpler and more secure. When I think of Christmas, this is what I see first.
- [Ephemeral Serenity](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ephemeral-serenity/)
- [Changing the story of alone](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/changing-the-story-of-alone/): Spend a lot of time alone? You’re not broken, and you’re not the only one. What really shapes those hours is the story you tell yourself. Psychologist Ethan Kross, speaking on Big Think, makes a simple point: time by yourself can lift you and help you grow. Not something to fear or dodge. The rub is how we frame it.
- [Grace at 85: A loving reminder](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/grace-at-85-a-loving-reminder/): This letter is a promise to my 85-year-old self. Choose safety over pride. Say yes to help. Don’t make life difficult for the kids or caregivers. Dearest me, at 85, Hello from an earlier chapter—less experienced, still full of plans. I can see you now with that playful twinkle, a little glam as always, baby bangs and all. A small request from your younger self: when the kids offer advice, really listen. They love us fiercely. Sometimes their ideas feel inconvenient or a bit pushy toward our independence, but they come from care. They notice things we might miss. That … Read More →
- [Dear 16-Year-Old Me: A letter from the future](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/dear-16-year-old-me-a-letter-from-the-future/): Dear 16-year-old me, You’re probably rolling your eyes, thinking, “What could my old self possibly tell me?” Fair enough. I am you, only 52 years older, and there are certain matters you truly need to hear. First, the tough part: the word “negra” your uncles sometimes use. I know how it feels every time they say it. It makes your morena skin and thick, beautiful hair seem like flaws. It makes you feel ugly. Stop right there. They’re wrong. You are not ugly.
- [After loss, choosing life within](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/after-loss-choosing-life-within/): I have been thinking about death lately, and then I stumbled on an old post of mine on “Death and Dying” with this line from Norman Cousins: “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside of us while we live.” What dies inside me is not always the big stuff. It is often the quiet things: curiosity, courage, tenderness, and the habit of noticing small joys. Sometimes faith. Sometimes trust. Sometimes just the willingness to try again. Grief can do that to me. So can my chronic ailments or a long season of … Read More →
- [Saying goodbye to Missy: 17 years of purrs, wisdom, and curious blue eyes](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/grieving-loss-of-a-pet-cat/): The house is quiet in a way I don’t quite know what to do with. My chest feels heavy. Missy, my Siamese with those bright, curious blue eyes, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge after seventeen years by my side. She wasn’t just a pet. She was company, comic relief, and a calm old soul wrapped in soft cream fur.
- [Grief is the price we pay for love](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/grief-is-the-price-we-pay-for-love/): I’ve heard it said, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” People say Queen Elizabeth II said it. Maybe. I don’t know. What I do know is the words are true. When I first heard it, I thought, that sounds harsh. Like love is some cruel deal, happiness traded for pain. But it’s not that. It’s just the truth no one wants to face. Because when we love, we don’t think about the end. We laugh, we sit at the table together, we hold our kids close. We don’t stop and say, one day this will be gone. We … Read More →
- [A Family's echo](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/a-familys-echo/): Just so we’re clear—the story below is fictional. All the characters and events in the story are purely imaginary. But the themes—those came from something personal. I’d just finished reading the first draft of my sister’s novel, and it floored me. Beautiful, heartbreaking. She wrote about the quiet weight of intergenerational trauma, about how families carry wounds forward, and about what it takes to heal. This piece is my way of wrestling with those same ideas. I’ve long wondered how the past holds on to us and how a little compassion can sometimes ease its grip. For me, it isn’t … Read More →
- [A family's echo: a story of intergenerational trauma](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/a-story-of-intergenerational-trauma/): This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password:
- [Will My Grieving Ever Get Easier?](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/will-my-grieving-ever-get-easier/): By Rob Anderson Should I still feel so bad, should I still cry so often? I see otherparents smiling, why can’t I? I thought if I did my grief work, itwas supposed to get easier. Grieving is hard work. Expectations of ourselves, and those that othersplace on us, can confuse and make us think we should be in a certainplace at a certain time with our grief. Sometimes we hear, “Your childdied five years ago, aren’t you over it yet?” Or, “It’s been a longtime, why are you still crying?” Those comments hurt and push usaway. Early in my grief, … Read More →
- [A Journey of the Heart: Walking the Camino Portugués](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/a-journey-of-the-heart-walking-the-camino-portugues/): The idea of a Camino journey had been with us for years, quietly tucked away in our hearts, waiting for the right time. When that time finally came, the journey unfolded in ways we couldn’t have imagined. From May 21 to 27, we walked the 100 kilometers of the Camino Portugués—but more than that, we walked through memories, through grief, through hope, and love. This journey was for our son Luijoe, who left us 25 years ago. It was also our way of sending quiet prayers for our two daughters and the people they hold close. Reaching the cathedral on … Read More →
- [El Camino de Santiago: An anniversary gift to ourselves](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/camino-de-santiago-gift/): This year is special for us. It’s our 40th wedding anniversary. But it’s also a poignant time, as it marks 25 years since our dear son passed away. To remember both these important times, we’re doing something special: walking the Camino de Santiago. Our hope is to reach the end of our walk on the anniversary of his Angel Date. There, we will pray for all our children and their loved ones, the wonderful blessings we’ve received throughout our 40 years together.
- [My art on Colors of Peace in an AR exhibit at Parsier Platz, Berlin April 28-May 28](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/colors-of-peace-ar-exhibit-berlin/): Berlin Art Lovers, get ready to witness history! The very first location-based AR exhibition, “Colors of Peace,” orchestrated by  Digital Bohemians Club , is about to transform the iconic Pariser Platz in front of Brandenburg Gate! From April 28th to May 30th, prepare to see my artwork, alongside the captivating creations of 12 other incredible artists magically spring to life through augmented reality. Imagine strolling through Pariser Platz and encountering stunning digital art installations floating in the air!
- [Beyond loss: Finding Easter hope in my child's belief](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/beyond-loss-finding-easter-hope-in-my-childs-belief/): It feels like just yesterday, though many years have passed, that I first shared this deeply personal story. But with the arrival of another Easter Sunday, a day so profoundly special, the memory surfaces with a familiar poignancy. “If I die, Mama, will I be alive again?” Luijoe asked. My six-year-old boy lay nestled amongst a small mountain of prayer books he’d arranged on his little tummy, idly flipping through the pages.
- [The tangled thread: Untangling karmic knots in marriage (A Buddhist & Zen Perspective)](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/karmic-knots-in-marriage-a-buddhist-zen-perspective/): Listen to the audio overview of my curation here. Have you ever experienced an immediate and compelling attraction to someone, a feeling of familiarity that defies explanation? Or perhaps found yourself in a relationship characterized by intense emotional fluctuations and recurring negative patterns? If so, you may be encountering the concept of a karmic relationship, a significant idea explored in both psychological understanding and, with deeper insight, through the perspectives of Zen and Buddhist teachings. My sister shared the above YouTube video on “The Karma Of Marriage Why You Marry Who You Marry – Zen And Buddhist Teachings”. So, I … Read More →
- [Tears I Can't Express: A Mother's Heart After 25 Years](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/a-mothers-grief/): “Tears are the words the heart cannot express.” How poignant these words have become almost 25 years later. Losing a child is like having a piece of your soul ripped away. It’s a pain so profound it defies words, a constant ache that settles deep in your bones. It’s a hollowness that echoes, a silence where laughter and chatter used to be. It’s a future that vanished in an instant, replaced by a grief that reshapes everything. It’s a love with nowhere to go, a connection that’s been severed but not broken. It’s a wound that may heal slightly over … Read More →
- [Honored as one of the 2024 Artists of the Year by 34 Gallery](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/honored-as-one-of-the-2024-artists-of-the-year-by-34-gallery/): I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of the 2024 Artists of the Year by 34 Gallery! Being included among such an incredible group of talented artists is a truly humbling experience. This recognition reaffirms my belief in the transformative power of art to foster connection, inspire healing, and promote positive change in how we perceive and address mental health. A heartfelt thank you to 34 Gallery and to everyone who has supported my journey. Your encouragement and belief in my work mean the world to me. This award has prompted me to reflect on the deeply personal … Read More →
- [When a candle’s glow feels Like a warm hug](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/all-saints-day/): Life has a way of catching us off guard, especially when we lose someone we love. Grief doesn’t come with instructions, and words often fall short of what’s stirring inside. In those moments, we search for small comforts, ways to hold onto memories even as we learn to live without them. Have you noticed how we light candles to remember someone? Across the world, it’s a quiet way of saying, “I remember. I miss you.” That tiny flame, swaying gently in the dark, becomes more than light—it becomes hope. Letting Go, But Holding On That flickering flame can feel like … Read More →
- [Gratitude and apologies: The Power of heartfelt words](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/gratitude-and-apologies/): “I just kept saying, ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I love you’ over and over again. Turns out that loving yourself is the greatest way to improve yourself, and as you improve yourself, you improve your world.” — Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len   I’ve always thought there’s something powerful about saying “thank you.” It seems so simple, but I’ve seen it make a difference. Sometimes it pulls someone up when they’re having a hard time. Other times it softens a tense moment or just brightens an ordinary day. Gratitude spreads. When you give it freely, people often feel moved to pass it … Read More →
- [Honored recipient of RARI Chain $1,000 Artist Grant](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/rari-artist-grant/): A mother’s love is like a cradle of light, gently holding and guiding her child through life’s journey. I’m overjoyed and deeply honored to announce that my artwork, “Cradle of Light,” out of 155 submitted artworks has been awarded the $1,000 Mother’s Day Artist Grant from RARI Chain, powered by HUG! This recognition means the world to me, not only for the financial support it provides but also for validating my artistic vision and fostering emotional connections with others. The ‘Cradle of Light’ is not just a painting, but a symbol of the radiant love that illuminates the bond between … Read More →
- [My AI Art Creations: An Exhibition This May](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ai-art-exhibits/): I’m incredibly humbled and thrilled to announce that four of my AI artworks will be exhibited this May. Three will grace physical galleries in Philadelphia, Las Vegas and in an international forum. One takes flight into space. I’m also honored that one piece will be published in Mint Magazine. This is a testament to the growing acceptance and appreciation of AI-generated art, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.   May 1, 2024 – “Algorithm of Life” at the Colonna Contemporary Gallery in Pennsylvania (USA) 10 artworks were selected for this Open Call at The Hug. Colonna Contemporary were looking … Read More →
- [My AI Art is selected for Loupe Art's "Empowered Women, Empower Women" Collection!](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ai-art-women-month/): I’m absolutely thrilled and honored to announce that two of my artworks has been selected for Loupe Art’s “Empowered Women, Empower Women” Open Call powered by HUG. 30 artworks were chosen from among 320 submitted artworks. This is a huge moment for me, and I’m so excited to share it with all of you What This Means My artwork will be streamed in high resolution across a huge range of platforms, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Vizio and the web! For the very first time, HUG will showcase 30 artists in a … Read More →
- [Silenced screams: Living with emotional pain](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/silenced-screams-living-with-emotional-pain/): We all know physical pain. A cut, a burn, a broken bone – undeniable signals our body sends when something is wrong. But what about the pain that has no visible source? The ache in our souls, the heaviness in our hearts, the constant whisper of something not being right within us? This is personal pain. It doesn’t show up on X-rays or blood tests. It might take the form of deep sadness, relentless anxiety, unhealed trauma, or the emptiness of feeling lost. There’s a stigma surrounding this kind of pain, a silent expectation that we should “get over it”. … Read More →
- [Love is not just for couples; it is for all of us.](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/love-is-not-just-for-couples-it-is-for-all-of-us/): Okay, so it’s Valentine’s Day and everyone’s in “couple mode”. It’s like I’ve walked into a Hallmark movie with no option to change the channel. It’s…a lot. Especially if you’re currently flying solo. You can absolutely feel a little left out in all the teddy bear frenzy. But honestly? Being single shouldn’t stop you from having a good time and this whole day might be more about the marketing than the “magic” anyway. Sure, seeing coupley posts everywhere can be a bummer, but that’s when we step back and think realistically. Valentine’s Day, especially these days, is about way more … Read More →
- [Embracing healing and unity: The transformative power of Ho'oponopono](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ho-oponopono-practice/): In my last blog post, I wrote about the Ho’oponopono,  an ancient Hawaiian practice that combines love, forgiveness, repentance, and gratitude in four powerful phrases. They are: I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I Thank you. I love you Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len is known for his remarkable story of healing an entire ward of mentally ill criminals at the Hawaii State Hospital using the ancient Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono. This method involves repeating the phrases “I love you, I’m sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you” as a form of mental cleansing and taking responsibility for one’s life. According to Dr. … Read More →
- [Embracing Second Chances: A New Beginning](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/second-chances/): “Second chances are not about erasing the past, but about embracing the future with the wisdom of our experiences.” Eighteen years ago, I reached a point where I nearly gave up on my marriage. Grief had engulfed me to such an extent that I felt like a stranger to my husband. Then, unexpectedly, I broke my ankle, while I was looking for an apartment for me to stay. This led me to a living situation I hadn’t planned for. I found myself back living with my husband, a scenario I never imagined. It felt like a sign, perhaps even a … Read More →
- [Engagement Rings: It's All About Love, Not Just the Bling](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/engagement-rings/): Have you caught wind of the recent buzz making rounds online? It’s about a woman who received a 299-peso ($5.37) engagement ring from her boyfriend, a story that has ignited a fiery debate across the internet. Opinions are divided: some are championing the notion that love trumps monetary value, while others argue for the importance of effort in a proposal. This topic has certainly struck a chord with many. Reflecting on this, I’m transported back to my own engagement, a memory from 39 years ago. I had envisioned a scene straight out of a romantic movie: just me and my … Read More →
- [The Gift of Forgiveness: Navigating Life's Imperfections](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/forgiveness-2/): Forgiveness is about stopping our past from dictating our present, recognizing that our past experiences shape who we are. As I scrolled through my Facebook feed, I stumbled upon a post from a friend that took me back to my grade school days. She had shared the Act of Contrition with her daughter, the same prayer I was taught in a Catholic school over 50 years ago. I remember reciting, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned…” but the details of the prayer have faded. This prayer expresses remorse for our wrongdoings, a sentiment I deeply connect with, even if … Read More →
- [Hanlon's Razor: Deciphering intentions in a world quick to judge](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/hanlons-razor/): In the midst of a hectic week, an email landed in my inbox, bristling with what seemed like unwarranted hostility. My immediate reaction was defensive, attributing malice to the sender. But then, I remembered a principle that had recently caught my attention – Hanlon’s Razor. Traditionally, it advises, “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” Yet, Tina Gilberston of The Reconnection Club offers a nuanced interpretation: “Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by (thoughtlessness or self -preservation) neglect.” This prompted me to reconsider – perhaps the email was a casualty of stress … Read More →
- [Embracing your inner Child: A journey of healing and self-love](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/embracing-your-inner-child/): In a recent conversation with a friend curious about personal preparations before marriage, I emphasized the significance of addressing past wounds and cherishing one’s inner child. I advised her to confront and heal unresolved parental issues, highlighting the importance of nurturing our inner child throughout adulthood. Irrespective of our age, there resides within us a young child longing for love and acceptance. My personal journey reflects this. Losing my mother just before I turned twenty was a profound challenge. It wasn’t until years later, amidst a health scare in 1996, that I confronted these deep-seated emotions. Facing my own fears … Read More →
- [Understanding and Coping with Ambiguous Grief](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/understanding-and-coping-with-ambiguous-grief/): As the clock ticks towards midnight this New Year’s Eve, a time when reflections and resolutions take center stage, my thoughts are swirling in a bittersweet dance. Yes, the year blessed me with cherished moments – the laughter of my daughters filling the air, the thrill of exploring new places four times over. Yet, amidst this mosaic of memories, there’s a shadow, a subtle, unspoken ache that lingers – ambiguous grief. It’s a feeling hard to articulate, like a whisper in the wind, there but not quite tangible. I won’t dive into the specifics, but let’s unravel this enigma together. … Read More →
- [Protecting my peace](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/zen-against-toxicity-protecting-my-peace/): In a world brimming with negativity—from the driver who rudely cuts me off to the endless tirades on social media and those who thrive on drama—finding calm in the storm is an art form, a skill in the quest to protect our inner peace. My journey is about mastering this art, about not allowing the darkness of others to dim my light. It’s about recognizing the onset of anger and stopping it in its tracks. Join me as I explore the transformative power of setting boundaries, the art of disengagement, the practice of mindfulness, the importance of protecting my energy … Read More →
- [Aloha for Lahaina Art Auction - Support Hawaii's Keiki Through Art](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/aloha-for-lahaina-art-auction/):   Imagine a place where each brushstroke and color splash is a step towards a brighter future for kids. That’s the essence of the Aloha for Lahaina Art Auction. With a collection of stunning artwork that’s as vibrant as the sunsets of Maui, this isn’t just an auction – it’s a celebration of community and giving. Local talent, alongside the youthful creativity of Lahainaluna High School students, has poured their best work into this event, all to support Lahaina’s youngest dreamers. Join us, where your love for art transforms into opportunities for our children. One of the artworks you can … Read More →
- [Embracing my perfectly imperfect journey as a mother](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/perfectly-imperfect-journey-as-a-mother/): After 17 incredible years as “momblogger”, the time has come for a shift. But, rest assured, while I’ll no longer be using that moniker, the essence of who I am and the brand I’ve built will remain protected and untouched on social networks. Evolution is a natural part of growth, and my evolution has brought me to new horizons: a columnist of The Manila Times and diving into the strange new world of Artificial Intelligence as  a generative artist. I will just be Noemi Lardizabal-Dado or Noemi Dado but I won’t delete “momblogger” in social networks for reputation management. So … Read More →
- [Motherhood, Mistakes, and Moving On](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/motherhood-mistakes-moving-on/): The house creaked with a silence I hadn’t known before. It was not the peaceful kind—this silence rattled around empty bedrooms and echoed down hallways where laughter used to bounce. Mother’s Day is a cruel irony when you’re an empty nester. Coffee turned bitter in my mouth, and the mug felt foreign in my hand. For years, different mugs get filled with hurried sips between diaper changes and school runs. Now, the only rush was the relentless clock ticking, counting the hours until I could pretend that sleep might drown out the hollowness inside. They warned me, those well-meaning women. … Read More →
- [Healing hearts: Navigating estrangement's rough waters](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/healing-hearts-navigating-estrangements-rough-waters/): The phenomenon of estrangement, especially involving adult children cutting ties with their parents, has been making headlines, with 29% of Americans reporting estrangement from an immediate family member. Approximately 27% have chosen to sever relationships for an average duration of 4.5 years. A significant 85% have maintained ‘no contact’ for at least a year, and 95% of these estrangements are initiated by the adult child. Notably, while daughters more commonly initiate estrangement, the breakdown between parents and sons tends to last longer. This trend is not limited to the U.S. but is evident across the Western world. The article aims … Read More →
- [Always Valentine's Day , says my ex-boyfriend](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/always-valentines-day/): Two Valentine’s Day from the two most important guys in my life (next to my dad) strike me as the most memorable. The first one is my first Valentine’s day with Butch, my ex-boyfriend. The second is the last Valentine’s Day Card that my son lovingly crafted for me. Leafing through the yellowed pages of my diary, I found a journal entry written on February 14, 1979. The wonderful thing about keeping a journal is one is able to relive those youthful years and feel giddy all over again. Oh my, were we that cheesy!? Looking back that day, I … Read More →
- [Foster a safe online environment for children](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/safe-online-environment-children/): Being a mother to young children in the mid-1990s, I witnessed how the internet could be a powerful tool for my children to connect, explore, learn and engage in creative and empowering ways. The United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child in General Comment 25, adopted in 2021, emphasized the importance of the digital environment to children’s lives and rights. Spending time online, as stressed in the General Comment, brings unacceptable risks and threats of harm, some of which children also come across in other environments and some of which are unique to the online situation. In 2020, … Read More →
- [After a loss, life moves on...to a new normal](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/grief-of-victims-tropical-storm-sendong/): A mother who lost a child often cries out over insensitive remarks. I have heard it countless of times. Consider this conversation from a mother who thought a well-meaning friend was insensitive. Don’t they know? Of course these wonderful, concerned, well-meaning friends don’t know. They can only guess how I feel. They haven’t personally known (thank God) the disbelief, the shock, the anger, the depression that has filled my heart and soul since my child died. They don’t know that the words I need to hear are, ““I know you must be hurting terribly. You had such a good life … Read More →
- [Why Leni-Kiko](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/why-leni-kiko/): I have a confession to make. In 2016, Ayoko Kay leni Robredo because Dilawan siya. But I got to interview her with my fellow bloggers for almost 2 hours . In our interview she said she had plans for anti poverty program. At ginawa talaga niya. Angat Buhay started in October 2016. Mas lalo ako bilib sa kanya. Angat Buhay is her anti poverty program under the Office of the Vice President. As of December 2021, the OVP, through Angat Buhay, has partnered with 372 organizations mobilizing a total of P520 million worth of resources to assist 321,001 families and … Read More →
- [Breaking the bias with women creators on YouTube](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/break-the-bias/): It has nothing to do with age. I was in my early 60s when I embarked on my journey as a coffee producer. Knowing nothing about coffee production , I was able to overcome my insecurities by just doing it. It’s never too late to start something out of your comfort zone. Women have long fought for equality and while the road has often been filled with ups and downs, stories of women finding strength within themselves and using it to help other women find theirs has always been at the forefront of the journey towards women empowerment. This Women’s … Read More →
- [“The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power”](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/people-power/): “Because I think the Filipino is worth crying for”. David Briscoe, February 25, 1986 I felt my baby tumble with joy inside my belly as the announcement from the radio blasted out that indeed Cory Aquino was our new president. My baby is turning 34 years old just as we celebrate the EDSA People Power celebration this year. Yes, it has been 34 years since my joy came in a stream of tears. There were many reasons worth crying for: a sign of relief from the threats of a civil war, the challenges facing the new President, for the citizenry … Read More →
- [25 random things about the love of my life](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/25-random-things-about-the-love-of-my-life/): I know I will embarrass my husband with this post. I wrote this list a couple of years ago but I just want to revive this for Valentine’s day. He tells me that his friends read my blog but I assure him I only write the good stuff. haha. For now, Let me count the ways: 1. I love the way my husband smiles across the room as I sit down and write this entry. To this day, my husband gazes at me lovingly (on random moments) as if it’s the first time he met me. As if I am … Read More →
- [How does one cope with the Holiday Blues?](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/how-to-beat-the-holiday-blues/): There is nothing abnormal about having the “holiday blues,” which are more like a mood than any sort of lasting condition. Depression, anxiety, and other psychological symptoms are associated with the holidays because this season brings back memories of a happier time in our lives. Listen to my podcast. A few Christmases ago, I received an email from my husband about how he suddenly felt pangs of holiday blues hitting him once again. For the past years, the Christmas season has been a dreaded holiday for my husband. When he is in that mood, he can’t stand those Christmas carols, … Read More →
- [Suicide and Mental Illness Myths in the Philippines](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/suicide-and-mental-illness-myths-in-the-philippines/): I started this blog so I could spread the word that the Philippines has The Compassionate Friends , a grief support group for families that have lost a child or a sibling. Aside from its primary mission to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age, it also provides information to help others be supportive. The second mission proved useful to a blogger whose friend’s sibling died of sucide. (NOTE:In my entry, Suicide:How do you say it?, ““Died of suicide” or ““died by suicide” are accurate, emotionally neutral ways to explain … Read More →
- [Parents leave two legacies to their kids- one is roots, the other wings](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/parents-leave-two-legacies-to-their-kids-one-is-roots-the-other-wings/): Parents leave behind two legacies to their children— one is roots, the other wings. It starts with being responsible parents. Whenever news about a mother is sensationalized or controversial, my readers ask for my reaction. I tell them that I cannot judge on what a parent should or should not do. Like any parent, I made mistakes in the past, learned from them and never did it again. Now the next question comes up with “How do you know whether you are being responsible or irresponsible ?” How do we teach our children what it means and how to act … Read More →
- [On being a YouTube Creator (in news)](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/youtube-creator-in-news/): I never imagined dabbling in video production much less being a program participant of the YouTube Creator Program for Independent Journalists. I just arrived in my hospital room after an angiogram procedure on July 15 when I checked my emails with my left hand. My cardiologist told me that I shouldn’t move my right hand until I got the clearance. I thought, “wow, they had to inform me I didn’t get accepted”. I applied two days before the deadline, and went through an interview and heard nothing since June. I really thought I was not accepted so why was the … Read More →
- [Old Fashioned Parenting Style: What's in or what's still in?](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/old-fashioned-parenting-style/): I was laughing when I saw a comment on my entry, Computer Game and Internet Addiction i also believe that you are a old-fashioned and controlling parent. Times have changed. The above comment is partially true . I am an old-fashioned parent, a child of old-fashioned parents but the difference is I have adapted to the times. Old fashion parenting style never goes out of fashion. Part of the parenting style needs some control of the environment our children live. Can you imagine if I allowed my children to be online 5 hours a day or watch TV all afternoon? … Read More →
- [A letter to my son in heaven](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/a-letter-to-my-son-in-heaven/): Dear Luijoe, It’s been 21 years . 21 years today… without seeing your impish smile, without receiving wild flowers with a note “I love you so very much, mama” without your gentle reminder to pray without your lectures on parenting, without your crazy jokes without pinching your handsome cheeks These are all vibrant memories now tucked in my heart, which I stitched back together. Listen to the podcast: Oh yes. The tears still stream down my cheeks just like today, because I miss you terribly. Love never died, even if you are gone from my embrace. Seventeen years ago, I … Read More →
- [Setting Boundaries for the Plastic or Unhealthy Persons](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/setting-boundaries-for-the-civil-or-plastic-person/): A few years ago at Plurk, once my favorite micro-blogging social networking tool, a plurk  caught my attention: Someone asked civiland plastic what is the diff? Does it annoy you? When you learn someone is plastic? My friend goes further to explain that Civilis being nice and mannered while plastic is brown nosing. Does it annoy me? There are times of course I am only human. Plastic has the element of design or wanting something. You trust less the plastic. Anyway, that is for me. What I found interesting is a Plurk Friend’s response :most people confuse being polite and the social graces with … Read More →
- [The Wounded Bird Syndrome](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/the-wounded-bird-syndrome/): They say marriage is for better or for worse. Couples try to support and care for each other, through good times and bad. Usually, when one of us hits rock bottom, the other can try to be the mainstay for a little while, to help the other along. But what happens when our child dies? The couple is now cast into the same dark place, struggling with the worst thing they have ever faced. Couples are there together, but they may discover that they are also there alone. Listen to the podcast Now not all couples in grief experience this … Read More →
- [Five parenting lessons my beloved son taught me](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/five-parenting-lessons-my-beloved-son-taught-me/): It’s that time of the year that I declutter my home. The library which is located in my home office is often filled with books because my family members are book lovers. As I reviewed the books on the top shelf, I screamed with delight upon discovering my son’s yearbook in Family Montessori Katipunan , his first school. I thought I had lost his yearbook after moving homes in 2007. I thought “there must be a message here”. I quickly leafed through the pages and found his handsome photo. I could see that parents submitted anecdotes about their child. I … Read More →
- [Easter Sunday reminds me of my beloved son's thoughts of eternal life](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/an-easter-message-of-eternal-life/): I wrote this many years ago but I want to share this story again because Easter Sunday is very special. “If I die, Mama, will I be alive again?” Luijoe asked. My six-year-old was lying on the bed, flipping through the prayer books piled on his tummy. It was Holy Week, a month before that fateful day of May 27, 2000. Listen to my podcast at “Have coffee with me” I turned my body to face him and stroked his cheek. How could I explain the mysteries of death to a little boy? “When we die, Lui, we will live … Read More →
- [How my son reminded me about the comfort of St. John the Beloved](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/the-comfort-of-st-john-the-beloved/): When a child dies, it’s not the natural order of things. For many years, I struggled to find the meaning of my son’s death. Five years and a lot of pain later, I finally found the answers. It all started with an email to Cathy after I invited her to join as co-founder for the Compassionate Friends Philippines.I have to mention that this support group is not around anymore,  but I continue to offer comfort in my aboutmyrecovery.com blog. Listen to my podcast: She replied and readily agreed to join. What struck me was her statement: I now know that … Read More →
- [Being a  70s child & why today's youth never had it so good](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/being-a-70s-child-why-todays-youth-never-had-it-so-good/): “Being an 80s child & why today’s youth never had it so good” brings back sweet memories of my youth. Hence, I’ve come up with my own version of the 70’s child. (yes I am that old. High School in 1970 and college in 1974). We didn’t have Oculus Virtual Reality headsets, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, X boxes, video games, cable TV with over 100 channels, VCR’s, surround sound, cellular phones, computers, online chatrooms. Instead we had… 1. Dance parties that started at 4:00 PM because martial law imposed a curfew at 12:00 midnight. A permit was required whenever there were … Read More →
- [Do You Believe in Giving Second Chances?](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/do-you-believe-in-giving-second-chances/): Second chances? Do you believe that someone who has caused you so much pain deserves a second chance? Do you believe YOU deserve a second chance? Over 15 years ago, I packed my bags and left my husband because I thought I wanted to start a new life without him. Grief had overtaken us so much that we were virtually strangers to each other. Never in my wildest dream did I imagine myself with a broken ankle as I stepped inside my new pad. I had no choice but to live with him and work things out. Truly God works … Read More →
- [Daily affirmations through the years with Louise Hay](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/louise-hay-affirmation/): Beautiful and meaningful affirmations uplift my day. Losing my beloved Luijoe, my precious child brought me into such deep sadness and negativity that all I could think was of dying. If it were not for my two girls, I would not have gotten out of the rut. Asking help from God meant helping myself and oh boy, I looked out for ways. “Dear God, please help me” and all I could hear was “help yourself”. One person that crossed my path are the affirmations of Louise Hay. One way to empower the good is through affirmations which are just simple … Read More →
- [Our Love Story: 43 years with my college sweetheart](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/college-sweethearts/): Listen to this podcast I wrote this 13 years ago, but I thought I’d update it again because today is our couple anniversary. I like to look back at the good old days and dream about the future together. Here is our story: I gaze at my two lovely daughters and smile. I realize they are much older than us.. when we, their parents, were just college sweethearts. My two daughters wailed and wondered when they will meet The One. Will they be as blessed as their parents who found their true love from each other? I have no ready … Read More →
- [Taking Care of myself](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/taking-care-of-ourselves-emotionally/): After years of denial, numbing feelings of pain and all sorts of emotions, I finally came true to myself. I learned to take care of myself emotionally through practice and learning new behavioral patterns like Acting as if. I forced myself into positive recovery behaviors, disregarding my doubts and fears, until my feelings caught up with reality. I am still a work in progress, of course. So what does it mean to take care of myself emotionally. This is what I learned from reading self-help books and seeking guidance. 1. I recognize when I’m feeling angry, and I accept that … Read More →
- [15 years blogging. Now adding a podcast](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/my-podcast/): Celebrating my 15 years of blogging by adding a podcast entitled “Have Coffee with me”. Check it out at anchor.fm/momblogger, and also distributed at Spotify, Apple podcast, Google Podcast, Breaker, Pocket Cast, RadioPublic and more to follow. Today, I celebrate 15 years of blogging, but 15 years ago there was nothing to celebrate. I was wallowing in a pit of unspeakable grief. On February 24, 2006, I launched aboutmyrecovery.com and I like to look back at what I wrote on my first post “I chose joy over sadness. It is said that grief is inevitable, but misery is optional. I realized that it did no … Read More →
- [The gift of laughter from my dad](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/the-gift-of-laughter-from-daddy-old-boy/): Every man ought to be a macho macho man, To live a life of freedom, machos make a stand, Have their own life style and ideals, Possess the strength and confidence, life’s a steal, You can best believe that he’s a macho man He’s a special person in anybody’s land. (Village People – Macho Man) Dad dancing Village People “Macho Man” at a Christmas Party in the late seventiesIt’s the booming laughter I remember the most. It’s a laughter that runs across the room that never failed to cheer me up. My father may have passed away 17 years ago … Read More →
- [Cute things kids say](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/kids-talk/): I am such a sucker for keeping a memory box of my children’s art work , writings, anecdotes or their milestones since they were toddlers. I bought a treasure box for each of my children to hold all of these memories. One of my favorites are the childhood anecdotes that I kept in my memory journal. Children say the cutest things ever. I love reading some of these anecdotes, just to smile and remember the good old days. They speak the most innocent and precious words that either warm our hearts or make us laugh with delight and simply saying … Read More →
- [The Sweetness of Gratitude](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/the-sweetness-of-gratitude/): I am grateful for the New Year 2021 and the challenges we faced in 2020. “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” MARCEL PROUST The hot and humid afternoon coupled with a lot of deadlines made me lazy for the rest of the day. A text message arrived. It was from my husband. I have something for you…_______________ because I love you. See you later dear. *kilig* His text message thrilled me to pieces. No, it wasn’t the gift. It was the reason…”because I love you”. I … Read More →
- [Kasadya Ning Takna-a: Classic Filipino Christmas Carol](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/classic-filipino-christmas-carol/): Update: Last February , 2018 the City of Cebu honored the composer, Vicente Rubi for his Contribution to Music. Ludivina Rubi Najarro, his lone surviving child received the award. Kasadya Ning Takna-a (“How Joyful Is This Season”) is a classic Christmas Carol and my favorite Filipino Christmas Carol. I still remember the lyrics by heart because I used to sing this upbeat Christmas song as a little girl while caroling with my friends in Cebu.     Listen to Kasadya ni Takna-a on Spotify. Preface: Kasadya ning taknaa Dapit sa kahimayaan Mao’y atong makita Ang panagway’ng masanglagon Bulahan ug bulahan … Read More →
- [Thanksgiving day reminds me of the word "gratitude"](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/gratitude-is-my-name/): Thanksgiving day being the most celebrated holiday in the states reminds me of the word “gratitude”. A few years ago, I was planning to bake Pumpkin Pie because I remembered just how delicious it was during my visit in Missouri a few years ago. My daughter said “we’re not Americans, mom so why should we celebrate Thanksgiving Day”. (But did you know that, for several decades, Thanksgiving had also been celebrated in the Philippines?) I protested “but I love Pumpkin Pie” and I want to bake it to feel like I am celebrating with my brother and sisters in the … Read More →
- [Suicide prevention is everybody’s business #WorldMentalHealthDay](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/suicide-prevention/): Last year, I wrote about “Social Media and Suicide.” The World Health Organization (WHO) states that close to 800,000 people kill themselves every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide among young people is increasing, and social media is pointed out as the cause due to documented research. Research findings published in the medical journal JAMA on July 2019 found that “adolescents are of particular concern.“ Increase in screen time have been found to be associated with increases in depressive symptoms. More evidence also points out to social media use. The 2012 study on “Social Media and Suicide: A Public Health … Read More →
- [A Teen During the Martial Law Era](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/a-teen-during-the-martial-law-era/): 48 years ago, I was in high school but I was already aware that the dictator Marcos tried to muzzle the press. I was 15 years old when Proclamation 1081 was declared by then President Ferdinand Marcos. My folks seemed overjoyed with the news. The administration did a great job brainwashing the old folks that the country was in turmoil and thus, Martial Law needed to be declared. I didn’t know it then, of course. I felt disappointment wash over me when I was told that my essay on “Freedom of Speech” would not be published in my High School … Read More →
- [The Family Bed](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/the-family-bed/): I’ve never heard of the family bed concept until I had my first baby. As a new parent, it never occurred to me then to take L into bed with my husband and me. I was the second in a brood of 7 siblings and I don’t remember sleeping in the family bed. I noticed that my youngest brother slept with my mom and dad but then I thought it was because he was the youngest. My mother died when I was a teenager and there was no one else to teach me about raising a child. I read all … Read More →
- [Challenges parents face in education’s new normal](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/education-new-normal/): My five-year-old nephew is so excited to see his classmates when school opens in less than three weeks, it doesn’t matter if he socializes with them on the screen of their tablets or laptops. Department of Education (DepEd) chief Leonor Briones confirmed that school year (SY) 2020-2021 would start on August 24, adopting blended/distance learning modalities.Traditional face-to-face classes will not happen until January 2021, when limited physical classes might be allowed in low-risk areas. Data from the Learner Enrollment and Survey Form showed that 8.8 million parents preferred modular while 3.9 million voted for blended learning, which combines different modalities: … Read More →
- [A fun virtual workout using a stationary bike, VZfit & the Oculus VR headset](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/vzfit-virtual-workout/): “VR combined with music improves exercise retention, study shows” was first published on Sunday Business &; IT, June 28, 2020 I wouldn’t have been a member of Fitness First for the last 15 years if not for my daughter who insisted on attending yoga classes. Too bad the gym closed temporarily since the coronavirus pandemic.  Fitness gyms would probably open soon, but with a lot of limitations such as the number of members allowed inside. Booking a class through the app would be required. Sauna and steam rooms would be closed. I would say goodbye to my membership and continue … Read More →
- [How to protect and secure your identity on Facebook](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/protect-facebook-identity/): The recent surge in “Facebook clones” or dummy accounts or fake Facebook profile pages caused alarm among many netizens, including my friends and family members. Imagine, my husband had to report five blank and duplicate Facebook profiles that were “pretending to be me.” As of this writing, Facebook removed only one of my three clone accounts. National Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro said it was too early to establish the cause of the sudden proliferation of the fraudulent Facebook accounts because of an internal glitch or by external factors. The activists arrested at the peaceful protest held at the University of the … Read More →
- [Fighting screen fatigue](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/fighting-screen-fatigue/): Google shares wellbeing tips Use your voice  It is hard to put the phone down once you have held onto it. To minimize getting distracted by your device, you can activate voice command with Google Assistant so you can easily ask for verbal help to complete your tasks. For instance, to avoid getting “trapped” by using your phone when you only need to check the time today, you can simply say, “Hey Google, what time is it?” You can also use Tagalog, “Hey Google, anong oras na?” With custom or ready-made Routines, you can add voice cues to trigger several … Read More →
- [Be proactive. Augment integrative strategies vs. Covid-19 infection.](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/be-proactive-augment-integrative-strategies-vs-covid-19-infection/): I see so many people on the streets in the light of a modified enhanced community quarantine. This is an opportune time to be proactive.  You can’t rely on the government to protect you. Aside from the current recommendations that emphasize regular hand washing, social distancing, stopping non-essential travel, and getting tested if you develop symptoms are integrative strategies to augment public health measures to prevent COVID-19 infection and associated pneumonia.  Let me share this  “Integrative Considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic” by Lise Alschuler ND, Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine. The paper stressed that there … Read More →
- [Hello, (Virtual Reality) World](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/hello-virtual-reality-world/): Virtual reality (VR) reports surfaced in my newsfeed after lockdowns took place around the world. Bloomberg’s April 21 article, “Zoom parties are so five weeks ago: Hello virtual reality,” grabbed my attention. Oh yes, whatever happened to my Oculus Go? This standalone VR headset, which I purchased in 2018, gathered dust already because reality kept me away. As community quarantine is now the new normal, I explored video conferencing apps, including social virtual reality, to cope with this work from home situation. After inviting my sisters over to my Oculus Room, I found out Facebook removed this interactive space for friends … Read More →
- [Micro entrepreneurship thrives in the time of ECQ](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/micro-entrepreneurship-quarantine/): Going out of our homes is challenging these days, especially for those without transportation. Other places observe enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that limits movement outside their homes. But with the crisis lie opportunities for enterprising Filipinos, who filled in the needs of people while making money at the same time. Shopping for necessities is very convenient for those with access to a community group on Facebook or Viber. It’s a win-win situation for all of us as we struggle to cope with our “new normal.” My husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary a few days ago and I … Read More →
- [35 years married, 42 years together.](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/the-secret-to-staying-together/): Today, we are 35 years married We’ve been technically together for 42 years (including the seven years as steadies) . Wow, we have gone a long, long way. My hubby and I are just by ourselves,  the past six years ever since our children lived independently from us. It is just the two of us.  Most of the time it is nice and dandy, but there are times we get into each other’s nerves. He does not like it when I end up going home late from my events. I also tend to snap when I am tired.  These are … Read More →
- [Zoom past physical distancing](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/zoom-party/): I received an email invitation for my sister’s birthday party with an instruction that each one should bring a cake. The catch is that all four siblings would carry each cake with a lighted candle as we sing “Happy Birthday” over Zoom, a videoconferencing service.Customizing my virtual background to a cheerful “Happy Birthday” graphic not only brightened the celebration but also covered up the clutter behind my back. For two hours, we laughed and cheered on each other, wondering how long we would have to stay at home. Sharing tips was a breeze with the “share screen” feature. A sister … Read More →
- [14 ways to cope with the Coronavirus disease COVID-19 outbreak](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/): For the past month and a half, I have been glued on Twitter to read the latest updates on the fight against Coronavirus disease COVID-19 or otherwise known as #coronavirus on Twitter. I have been meaning to compile a lot of helpful tips but saw that Alistair Miles, a Malaria researcher at the University of Oxford and Wellcome Sanger Institute compiled a helpful list. His advice on coping with COVID-19 is very helpful. In his twitter post, he shares “I’ve gleaned from folks who’ve worked in or studied other epidemics. Please take seriously and pass on to family and friends.” … Read More →
- [14 years blogging](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/mabini-media-awards-grateful-to-be-recognized-as-best-blog-by-the-pup-students/): Momblogger, my online name is more popular than this blog. I never imagined that blogging would open doors to a new life, a new career , a new normal as a social media practitioner. This blog post is a throwback. Six years ago, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) selected me, Mom Blogger as “the Best Blog”. My past recognition was mostly about this blog’s grief journey so this award is memorable. —- Tired with my hectic day yesterday, I sipped fruit tea at the gym’s lounge. I didn’t realize I fell asleep until a phone call from Noel … Read More →
- ["I Met You" documentary: A bereaved mother reunites with her deceased daughter in virtual reality](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/virtual-reality-grief/): A mother reunites with her deceased child in virtual reality. Below is the English translation of the video. A tear trickled down my cheek as I watched the grief-stricken mother meet her beloved daughter in Virtual Reality (VR) because I missed my precious child. If only I could hold my Luijoe once again. If only Luijoe was here beside me. If only my dreams were reality. I have held him many times in my dream and in my mind. But if you have experienced VR, it feels so real as if you are really there. This special TV documentary in … Read More →
- [6 ways to love yourself and your body](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ways-to-love-yourself-and-your-body-this-valentines/): Just because everyone else is swooning over each other under the moonlit night or cuddling like lovebirds in every movie theater in town doesn’t mean you can neglect the most important person in your life—yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re happily single or blissfully in a relationship—you need to love your own body before anything or anyone else. Imagine the stress you put your body through every single day. Isn’t it time to give it a well-deserved and pampered break on this very special day? 1.Commit to a proper and regular exercise routine. Everyone knows that engaging in a regular … Read More →
- [Australia bush fires: how you can help the victims](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/australia-bush-fires-how-you-can-help/): Even if we don’t live in Australia, giving money is probably the best thing you can do to help. The casualties from massive bush fire in Australia is staggering. Let me start off with the appeal of my friend who is now based in Australia. David Ryan in his Facebook post narrates how “the entire country is burning. The closest fires are about 1-2 hours from us and our fire season would have just started. The fires have burnt over 1,000 homes just in my home state of New South Wales, people are dead and some are fighting to survive, … Read More →
- [“May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you feel safe. May you live your life with ease.”](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/loving-kindness-meditation/): I am not a very religious person but I believe in prayers. I often drop by this quaint little chapel in Eastwood or the one in Greenbelt. See, my children don’t live with me anymore and I worry as most parents do. My only comfort is in prayers as it lessens my anxiety. My prayers are always for my children: May they be safe, may they be happy and may they be healthy. A friend shared me a 20-minute loving-kindness practice to help us extend compassion to ourselves, those around us, and the larger world. It is beautiful and reminds … Read More →
- [Christmas carols sung by my children along with the choir](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/christmas-carols-sang-by-children/): Singing Christmas Carols has been a treasured family tradition. I remember the last Christmas I had with my mom. I was 18 years old then. All the 7 siblings gathered around the Yamaha organ as my late brother, Oscar played festive carols. Sometimes it was mom who accompanied the songs in the piano. Mom was an excellent pianist with a beautiful soprano voice trained at the UP Music conservatory. Each child was required to sing or play a Christmas piece in the piano. I can’t remember now if this was an imposition or else Santa Claus won’t bring a present. … Read More →
- [Six gift suggestions that keep on giving](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/six-gift-suggestions-that-keep-on-giving/): First published at Sunday Business & IT, December 1, 2019 A year ago, I wrote about “12 online shopping sites for your Christmas shopping.” I patronize budding Filipino entrepreneurs or social enterprises because I want to shop for gifts that keep on giving. These 12 online sites are still around and you could still purchase from them. But for Christmas presents this year, I am watching out for food-focused social enterprises that integrate community programs into their missions and address issues such as food poverty, sustainable farming or fair trade. Food merchants from the BPI Sinag ng Pasko, a Christmas … Read More →
- [Sustainable and proudly Filipino products for your Christmas shopping needs](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/christmas-shopping-2019/): Are you looking for Christmas gift ideas? Check out the BPI Sinag ng Pasko, a Christmas bazaar featuring products from Filipino social enterprises, on December 11, 2019, at the Palm Drive Activity Center, Glorietta 2. With merchants presenting options ranging from arts, fashion, food to home essentials, Sinag ng Pasko will help you find stylish and contemporary creations that offer a glimpse of Filipino culture, reusable everyday items built from sustainable materials, upcycled pieces, and food assortments made from locally-sourced ingredients. Natural and healthy pieces of bread by The Make Peace Bakery, a social enterprise empowering the disadvantaged youth through … Read More →
- [Learning to LEAP in digital](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/digital-conference/): Think about the times they have underestimated you. I remember friends and even relatives looked skeptical about a web page I created 25 years ago. “Why are you even doing that?” they asked me. I shrugged, “it’s something new. I want to learn from it.” Did I foresee the future of Digital? No, and I wish I did. Rather, I wished I had been braver and believed in myself more. I believe though that I learned from being underestimated and continued on despite the skepticism. Leigh Reyes, co-chairman of DigiCon 2019, introduced the learning process during the Opening Ceremonies. She … Read More →
- [Teaching your kids how to handle money](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/teaching-your-kids-how-to-handle-money/): “The first step to teaching your kids how to handle money is being a good example.” – Dave Ramsey My children are adults , living away from home for the past  five years. I am so proud that they are independent. One of my greatest fears was dying young just like my mother. I wanted my children to be able to stand on their own even at a young age. I believe that setting an example was the key to teaching them about financial responsibility. Today, I can look back and reflect on the ways I brought them up. I … Read More →
- [What the daughter does, the mother did](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/it-is-better-to-be-unfashionable-than-to-freeze-to-death/): It is better to be “unfashionable” than to freeze to death Lauren, in San Francisco That is the quote of my eldest daughter who visited San Francisco eight years ago and gave some tips to the stylish tropical native visiting San Francisco . It was supposed to be summer over there but well, it takes time to get used to cool weather. When I visited my daughter in Melbourne that August month, it was winter. I was all packed with my winter coats, and the warm clothing but the heavy material would make me go over my baggage allowance. I … Read More →
- [New parents may be vulnerable to ‘sharenting’](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/sharenting/): Babies are a wonder because in just a year, they grow from closed-eyed and needy infants to toddlers taking one step at a time while babbling their favorite syllables. Click! Click! Click! A mom asks, why so many clicks? Another parent says, “Why not?” Sharing too much information about one’s kids online is very common that Erin McKean dubbed the term, oversharenting. On May 18, 2012, the Wall Street Journal writer in a “Words of the Week” article remarked that, “oversharenting” is the tendency for parents to share a lot of information and photos of their kids online. Oversharenting was … Read More →
- [Mom Alert: Things your child’s yaya won’t tell you](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/childs-yaya/): Technology brings so much ease in running the household in this day and age but modernity has its downside. Both parents usually work to support the family’s needs and they are left with two choices in dealing with kids: leave them with a relative or yaya.  With the latter option, it is tough enough to leave their dear offsprings to a total stranger but even harder to make sure Yaya is honest. How do parents detect a major fib? ARE THE KIDS EATING PROPERLY?  Responsible parents can almost ensure their children eat right by leaving healthy foods in the fridge … Read More →
- [Ensure their strength](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/ensure-gold/): Did you know that starting 40 years old, adults start losing muscle mass? I wished I knew that. Research shows that 9 out of 10 aging adults aren’t meeting the daily recommended amounts of key nutrients for a healthy and active life. From the ages of 40 to 70+ years of age, adults can lose up to 33% of muscle mass. Muscle loss may not always be visible, but it can manifest through symptoms such as weakness, slower walking speed, unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, body pain and cramps.  I had my strength tested with the free hand … Read More →
- [A celebration of Juned Sonido's life](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/juned-sonido/): The death of someone we know always reminds us that we are still alive – perhaps for some purpose which we ought to re-examine. Mignon McLaughlin I am saddened that Juned Sonido, a fellow blogger and one of the co-founders of BlogWatch passed away on July 7, 2019. I didn’t get to read the sad news until Monday morning when I checked my phone. Our friendship dates back 13 years ago when I was still new in blogging. “A celebration of life” is probably the best phrase to describe what I am writing here. Remembering his life through my blog posts … Read More →

## Pages

- [Touched by an Angel](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/elementor-20610/): Gpt +3v Adipex
- [Videos](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/about-the-site/videos/): Qtube – Blogger’s Digest– April 2, 2009 Media in Focus- De la Paz and Blogging– January 15, 2009 Continuation…Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 Mom Works– November 7 and 8, 2008 continue reading Dealing with Death at Mom Works Proudly Filipina– May 2, 2008 read my entry on Proudly Filipina. Kapuso Ko Jessica Soho Feature on Blogging– April 26, 2008 read my entry of this episode. Modernong Maria Clara on 100% Pinoy, GMA 7– April 24, 2008 read entry on Filipina Images segment Mom Bloggers on Momworks special at the Lifestyle Channel– August 17, 2007 … Read More →
- [Suicide prevention and hotline numbers](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/about-the-site/suicide-prevention/): (Note: I added a Suicide Prevention page to save a life. Suicide prevention is everybody’s business. Educate our community that suicide is a preventable public health problem in the Philippines. Suicide should no longer be considered a taboo topic, and that through raising awareness and educating the public, we can SAVE lives. ) Philippine Suicide Prevention Hotline The Philippines’ FIRST depression and suicide prevention hotline  Call 804-4673 (HOPE). Open 24/7. USA hotline In an emergency, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALKThis is a crisis support hotline for mental health problems, such as depression, and suicide prevention. Information and Crisis … Read More →
- [More About Me](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/about/about-me/): Mom blogger, making a difference in the lives of her children by advocating social change for social good. Summary: Multi-awarded blogger at aboutmyrecovery.com with other blogs at beautyoverfifty.net , pinoyfoodblog.com & techiegadgets.com Nine years experience as a social media practitioner Consultant, co-founder , Prep2Prime Digital @mombloger on twitter , making a difference in the lives of her children and advocating social change for social good Features editor, Philippine Online Chronicles Citizen advocate, blogger, editor of Blogwatch.tv, and BlogWatch.ph ,  a citizen media site Tech-savvy since 1980 and over 20 years Internet experience since 1995 Nine years as a blogger and … Read More →
- [Archives](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/about-the-site/archives/): Archives February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 Categories … Read More →
- [Disclosure](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/disclaimer/): Updated June 1 , 2015 Brands I do not post about brands that will conflict the core values of my advocacy. I do not post or support any of these brands: infant formula, follow-on milk or milk products. Neither do I post about alcohol or cigarettes. I am a brand advocate of (but not limited to) Dove, Samsung, Yamaha, Nokia, Artistry, Avon , Fitness First , Clinique , Nikon, Honda Cars On some occasions, I write reviews about products that I use such as Globe, Smart, PLDT, Colgate, Nestle tea, Magnolia Ice cream, Marie France, Canon, Amway, Revlon, Oil of … Read More →
- [About my blog](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/about-the-site/): Mom blogger, making a difference in the lives of her children by advocating social change for social good. About Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, @momblogger: Multi-awarded blogger at aboutmyrecovery.com with other blogs at beautyoverfifty.net , pinoyfoodblog.com & techiegadgets.com 15 years experience as a social media practitioner @mombloger on twitter , making a difference in the lives of her children and advocating social change for social good Consultant, co-founder , Prep2Prime Digital Features editor, Philippine Online Chronicles Citizen advocate, blogger, editor of Blogwatch.tv, and BlogWatch.ph ,  a citizen media site Tech-savvy since 1980 and over 21 years Internet experience since 1995 11 years as a … Read More →
- [Contact](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/contact-me/): This is Noemi Lardizabal-Dado’s Contact Page. Send me an Email at noemidado @ gmail.com or use the form below Note: I tend to read my emails but forget to reply sometimes. If you haven’t heard from me within 24 hours, please poke me with another email. I always reply to your emails. Thanks Noemi Lardizabal-Dado Subscribe via Email– Get Notified when my blog is updated Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner Social Networking Follow me! Twitter Plurk Facebook qik.com/noemidado Jaiku LinkedIn YouTube Channel for personal use YouTube Channel for events Stumbleupon MySpace Friendster Multiply Tagged Send me an instant … Read More →
- [About Me](https://aboutmyrecovery.com/about/): Mom blogger, making a difference in the lives of her children by advocating social change for social good. Multi-awarded blogger at aboutmyrecovery.com with other blogs at beautyoverfifty.net , pinoyfoodblog.com & techiegadgets.com 12 years experience as a social media practitioner Consultant, co-founder , Prep2Prime Digital @mombloger on twitter , making a difference in the lives of her children and advocating social change for social good Features editor, Philippine Online Chronicles Citizen advocate, blogger, editor of Blogwatch.tv, and BlogWatch.ph ,  a citizen media site Advocating citizen engagement, emergency readiness, voter’s education, feminist approach to internet governance Coffee enthusiast at BenguetArabica.coffee Tech-savvy since 1980 … Read More →


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