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.

Jane Amador-Lim: making motherhood a full-time career

Jane Amador-Lim is one of the most fashion-conscious, bubbly individuals that I have the pleasure of knowing. Her smart, sexy choice of clothes, shoes, and accessories were only matched by her overflowing positivity. We used to work together in a corporation that required us to virtually deal with thousands of spoiled and demanding clients on a daily basis. Having Jane around us made that monotony bearable; she was a breath of fresh air for us in Marketing.

When she got married and gave birth to a healthy and charming little boy, Dylan, Jane had to stop working to focus on being a hands-on mom. "I decided to become a full-time mom when Dylan was 10 months old. I know that it makes a huge difference when the child receives hands-on care from the mother. That also gave me peace of mind especially nowadays when abusive nannies are very common. Most of all, I want to witness my child's milestones,” Jane said.

When asked how motherhood had changed her, Jane mentioned that it has changed her lifestyle and priorities the most. “Before, I would always go out. I love to shop, dine, and hang out with friends. When I became a mom, I just didn’t feel like that anymore. I didn’t want to stay in the malls for a long time because I’d rather spend time with my kids. Instead of buying things for myself, I would visit the children’s section and see if I can find something that the kids need,” she said.

But what inspired me the most about Jane was her commitment to exclusive breastfeeding. When she gave birth to her second son, Jadon, she realized that giving him the full benefits of breastfeeding is one of the best gifts she could give to her newborn. “I regret not being able to exclusively breastfed Dylan. After I joined a breastfeeding support group on Facebook, the Breastfeeding Pinays, I learned more about breastfeeding. They taught me a lot and gave me plenty of advice. So with Jadon, I made a commitment to never give him formula milk,” Jane said proudly. She knew that she did the right thing because she could see how happy, healthy, and smart Jadon has grown.

Jane said that one of her favorite bonding moments with the boys is watching Hi-5. “It’s very educational and their music and dance are so much fun!” she said. She also loves to play cars with them, wrestle and tickle them. Knowing the importance of engaging in physical activities and having social exposure, Jane and her husband, Shaun, enrolled their sons in Gymboree's Art Class and Play&Learn program. “Kids nowadays are so techie. They need more time to play and be physically active,” Jane observed.

Jane is a picture of a happy mother. The challenges that she had gone through did not hamper her positivity and beautiful spirit. Instead, they polished her emotionally and made her stronger, more confident, and more beautiful. She may not be the same bubbly “kikay” diva of our group anymore but she continues to inspire me nonetheless.

Ime Oranga: a talented scrapbook artist, an inspiring mom

I used to say to my son, “Anak, please don’t grow up so fast.” I want to keep hugging him as tight as I want, to keep showering him with little kisses, to keep tickling him until he rolls down on the bed laughing. I want to keep hearing his “Mom, you know what?” and relishing on every little happy things that he does. He’s turning eight in a few weeks and our friends and relatives keep teasing me because it won’t be long until my baby becomes an independent youngster with his own circle of friends, probably a girlfriend, doing what most teenagers do. And it scares me. Because deep inside, I want to keep holding on to the happy moments that we have now.

Scrapbooking is one way of preserving those precious memories. It allows you to use different materials to amplify the emotions and highlight the story behind a photo and freeze them beautifully. Some designs are so meticulously done that you could feel the warmth and love that the creator wants to impart to anyone who views them.



[Photo Courtesy of Ime Oranga (C)]

One of these magically gifted scrapbook experts is Ime Oranga. I came across her page on Facebook last year and I have since followed her. Ime creates beautiful and inspiring designs that anyone would love to look at twenty, even fifty years from now and still be able to feel the story behind them.

I consider her a very inspiring person, not only because of her creative talents, but also because she is also a businesswoman and a teacher on top of being a devoted wife and mother to two beautiful children.  I feel honored and happy when she allowed me to have a glimpse at her life as a scrapbooking mom.

[Photo Courtesy of Pretty Paper Studio: http://prettypaperstudiouae.com/gallery/dt-ime-oranga/]

Ime started scrapbooking when her son was born ten years ago. “What I like most about being a mom is having the chance to see everything new through my children’s eyes. This is what got me started with scrapbooking. I wanted to document and preserve all the memories that comes with it,” Ime shared. When asked about the inspiration behind her designs, she said, “My kids are my happiness and my inspiration. Being a mom is not an easy ride but it’s all worth it.”

Ime’s scrapbooking style is shabby chic and very mixed media. “I enjoy the process of creating and mixing products from different collections and experimenting on different kinds of media to create beautiful projects,” Ime shared.

[Photo Courtesy of Pretty Paper Studio: http://prettypaperstudiouae.com/gallery/dt-ime-oranga/]

Ime Oranga is currently a member of a design team of an online shop based in UAE, Pretty Paper Studio. She also holds workshops at Lasting Impression and Gourdo’s, both in Manila. In fact, she has an upcoming scrapbooking class in Gourdo’s on November 15, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gourdo’s, The Fort. If you’re interested to learn how to do scrapbooking, you can check out the poster below or visit Ime’s Facebook Page.

5-year old girl with autism paints amazing images

I came across this news at CNN.COM about a five years old girl with autism. She paints breathtaking images that show the grace, vibrancy, and beauty of life and nature.

I know that raising a happy child in this world full of hate, indifference, and discrimination is very hard to accomplish, more so if the child has a special condition. I was easily filled with admiration for her parents. They must have loved her so much that see came to see the world in a most beautiful way and inspire her to express that perception through art.