It's an Eggciting Day to Start Running!

Hey, mommies! Are you looking for ways to keep your kiddo away from his or her gadget? Well, I am! Although my 9-year old is pretty easy to tell off, I still couldn't make him follow his 2-hour-per-day gadget time. I've been trying to find ways to encourage him to go out and enjoy a more active lifestyle but he keeps complaining about getting bored and about his legs gettibg tired. He'd rather stay put on his favorite couch, with his widescreen smartphone on his hands, and play minecraft and other games. It's really making me worry.

I think I need an activity that takes his mind off his tired legs.

And then I stumbled on this:

I came across their booth at the BlogEx2016 last Sept. 24, 2016. Since then, I've been trying to convince my son to join.

The Eggciting Family Fun Run Adventure is set to happen on October 16, 2016 at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. The assembly time is at 4 a.m. but walk-in registrants can already start coming as early as 3 a.m.

What I like about Eggciting Family Fun Run Adventure is the Egg Hunt twist and the short distance. What kid doesn't love egg hunting, especially with this much loots at stake?

I also love the idea that mommies or any other adult in the family can accompany the participant in the race. Chaperones don't need to pay, but they won't get a race kit. Nonetheless, getting the chance to run with your kid and see him beat the race is already a treat.

Families of four can join together in different categories and avail of nice discount.

Oh, and did I mention they have this heart-melting cutesy finisher's medal? I so want one for my son!

Anyway, if you're thinking of joining, you can register at www.eggcitingph.com or follow their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/eggcitingadventurefamilyfunrun/

I'm this close to convincing my son to join. Anyway, we still have until October 10, 2016 to register. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Attending BLOGEX2016

As a working mom, I have limited time to spend with my children. It pains me to spend 40 to 60 hours a week working; it is one of the sacrifices I have to make to help our family and ensure that our children live comfortably, have good education, and everything else that they need.

That's why my days off are sacred to me. As much as possible, I want to spend every minute of my free days with my husband and kids. However, there are times when good opportunities come. It could be a business, personal development, or learning opportunity. Opportunities that are difficult to pass because they only come once a year or maybe never again.

One of those was the BlogEx2016 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Taguig City on September 24, 2016.

I learned about the event from a workshop that I attended weeks ago. The organizers, Tag Media and Public Relations and Brand Philosophy, laid out compelling line up of activities--talks by social media influencers and industry leaders, exhibits, networking, entertainment, awarding ceremony for outstanding blogs and bloggers, and raffle draws, that I was (for a time) unable to decide if I should go or not.

On one hand, it is a unique gathering of bloggers, entrepreneurs, and digital marketing experts that only happens once a year. I would certainly learn a lot if I participate; the freebies would just be a bonus. On the other hand, I would lose precious bonding time with my kids.

After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to push through with it. Afterall, as a mother, it is part of my responsibility to keep expanding my knowledge, to continue improving my skills, and to stay abreast with the times so that I can also impart what I know to my children and guide them properly.

Myself at the BlogEx2016

BlogEx2016 started at 10am. I'm glad I was one of the early birds because I was able to listen to Commisioner Monchito Ibrahim, head of the
Department of Information and Communications Technology (D-ICT). He shared insights on the issue on internet connectivity and the government's plans to alleviate--and ultimately eradicate--the long qeues in different government agencies.

Commisioner Ibrahim said that the government plans to provide free wifi access to all municipalities in the country. Because of the high cost of building infrastructures necessary to make this happen, the government will not build its own. Instead, they will look for a third party capable of delivering the requirements. The government will pay the subscription so that Filipinos will have free internet access. Just as I was starting to wonder if this will happen in my children's lifetime, he announced that, "our commitment to the President is to have 668 municipalities covered by the end of December and the rest by the end of next year." It is certainly something to look forward to. He also said that they are currently bidding the project so there's a possibility that this will actually happen as projected.

Commisioner Monchito Ibrahim at BlogEx2016

Commisioner Ibrahim also shared that the D-ICT aims to make all government services available on one portal and President Rodrigo Duterte commanded them to accomplish this seemingly impossible task in three years. Should I keep my hopes high? I would like to take the bet.

A short talk on "Dealing with Writer's Block" by Mr. Richard Mamuyac followed. His presentation gave me the push that I needed as I am one of those who often fall into this trap.

Prof. Xiao Chua took the stage with his powerful presentation on love for our country, which got me thinking about whether or not schools today teach our children enough of history so that they, too, would develop deep love for the nation.

Zoomanity's Digital and PR Head, Evy Raquion, shared how they applied branding consistency on the many brands under Zoomanity Group.

Finally, Mr. Dino Guingona of Larawan by Chef D shared tips on effective blogging.

Morning Panelists (From Left): Chef D, Prof. Chua, Dr. Marc Laurenze Celis (Moderator), and Ms. Evy Raquion

An upbeat performance by Mean Jay and Pauline Cueta wrapped the morning session, giving us the time to enjoy lunch provided by the organizers.

From Left: Mean Jay and Pauline Cueto

The afternoon talks were as enriching as the discussions during the morning session. The first speaker was none less than President Rodrigo Duterte's Social Media Director, Mr. Pompee La Viña.

Mr. Pompee La Viña at the BlogEx2016

He started off with the wisdom of Sun Tzu's advice in the book, "The Art of War." "Now, the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought," he said.

Relating it to then Mayor Duterte's campaign during the Presidential election, he emphasized the importance of doing research and looking at data in creating a winning strategy.

Mr. La Viña shared how they planned for Mayor Duterte's social media campaign

It was inspiring because he was able to turn the table around in favor of Pres. Duterte despite the lack of funding for widescale tri-media campaign.

I was told that there were more exciting talks after Mr. La Viña's presentation. However, as it was getting late and my kids were waiting for me, I had to cut short my attendance.

I regret not being able to finish the event. I'm sure BlogEx2016 was a great success. I'm happy that I attended BlogEx2016. I feel that I grew as a digital marketer, social media communicator, and a mother of two children living in the age of the Internet.

On letting my son go alone on a field trip

One evening, as I put down my things coming from work, my 9 year old son handed me a letter from the school principal. It's a letter of invitation to parents to allow their children to join the field trip. The activity was optional but they highly encourage their students to participate to give them opportunity to learn and have fun in a new environment.

We have always been very supportive of our son's extra curricular activities. We believe that extracurricular activities are important in the development of his social skills, practical and logical thinking formation, and emotional maturity. We never missed a field trip since he started going to school at age 4; as much as possible, me and my husband would accompany him but if that was not possible, we compromised by having one of us take a leave from work.

So of course, I was excited. But, half-way through the letter, my son said, "Mom, our teacher said we can go by ourselves. Parents don't have to join because we're alreay in Grade 4."

I was silent for a while. I was calm on the outside but inside, my mind was racing to find answers to my questions: Did we do something to make him feel embarrassed of us? Have I been too much of a stage mom? Maybe he feels constricted by our presence!

Finally, I asked, "Why?"

He started to reason out--the field trip fee was too expensive, the teachers would be there to take care of them, he's big enough so he already knew what to do, his classmates were also going by themselves, etc.

Calmly, I said, "is that what you really want?"

He was hesistant but he finally admitted to it.

I told him to ask his Dad but I will consider it.

My little man getting on the bus for their fieldtrip...without me! 

That was a week ago. Now, I'm standing in front of his school where four giant tour buses were parked. Teachers and class assistants were busy lining up students from Grades 4 to 6, taking their names, and guiding them to their respective buses.

I was feeling squishy. It took all my energy just to stop myself from boarding Bus 3, where my son was assigned to. The principal must have sensed my agitation because she approached me an gave me a tap on the shoulder. "It's okay. This will help him learn to be independent and responsible. We will take care of him and bring him back to you later safe and sound."

I remained standing on my spot until the buses were out of sight.

There were a number of parents, mostly moms, who joined despite their children's protest. There were also some who were forced to tag along because their children begged them to. Then there were parents who chose to let their children go alone as long as they are allowed to follow in their own car. As for me, I allowed my son to go on a field trip on his own because:

1. I saw that there were enough skilled and dedicated teachers and staff to supervise the students.
2. I believed in my son and I want him to know that as well.
3. I wantes him to learn to be more responsible with his actions and his things.
4. The learning locations this time were not too far and I could get to him in less than an hour if something came up.
5. I knew a couple of moms who were in the same bus as my son and I was confident that they would not let him get into trouble.

Of course, I didn't just let him off the hook. I also made preparations:

1. I made sure that he has my mobile number as well as all the teachers and class assistant going to the field trip (I personally distributed my handwritten number to them). 
2. I got the number of the teacher in charge of his group and his bus so I could ask for updates any time.
3. Finally, I asked two of the moms in the bus (one is the mother of my son's seatmate and the other one is the mother of my son's forever classmate) if they could keep an eye on my son.

With the buses and the long convoy of mom/dad drivers gone, I started walking away from the school gate. I went to catch a ride to work, silently keeping the nervousness in my heart, wrapped in prayers.