On Being Healthy Inside and Out

I remember having a conversation with Tristan about cleaning his ears, which he is not fond of doing, mainly because he gets very ticklish. It's really a struggle doing that, it feels like we're playing tug-o-war; I pull him close to me and the moment I touch his ears, he pulls back. And, repeat. It gets really annoying! It takes a good amount of patient, strength and talking how important hygiene is, just to get it done. I would even make up horror stories about dirty ears, and that he'd get sick if we don't get it cleaned. But he doesn't seem to be bothered. According to him, he is eating vegetable so he is still healthy. So of course, I explained to him that being healthy should be inside and out.

And, that is really my goal for my family, to live a lifestyle that is healthy inside and out (i guess it's everybody's goal). But honestly, it's a struggle especially nowadays that the standard of being healthy has gone up on a different level. In all fairness though, I really admire those mommies who are very health conscious, those who prepare healthy, all-natural, or vegan meals for their families. Mommies who are dedicated to working out and has gym subscriptions. So, if that's what you are expecting here in this post, just like my other Health related posts, sorry to disappoint you but you can't find it here. Haha. I am going to talk about our reality and what are the things that I am doing to achieve my goal for me and my family.

Just in time, Watson's also have an ongoing campaign that is aligned with my goal. They sent us a Wellness Kit that has helped us throughout our journey to becoming healthy inside and out. 

Here's a short unboxing video which I've posted on Facebook and Instagram.

Before anything else, let me give you an overview of what is it like in our household, consisting of 5 members (with kids aged 9, 6 and 5) plus 2 in-laws, no yaya and no helper. Chaos! Hahahuhu. My husband and my in-laws are working so it is I and the kids who are mostly at home, so in short, I connote domestic drudgery. LOL! But, I won't take all the credit, because we all work together, there's a help when I need it. But, the struggle is still there, we just can't completely get rid of that.

These are all the products included on our Wellness Kit. There are products for everyone in the family plus gift cards that we can use to buy all other things we need from hygiene products, bath essentials, vitamins and supplements and over the counter medications. It's definitely a one-stop-shop! 

Now, talking about health, we all know the basics, healthy and balanced meal, active lifestyle, and cleanliness or hygiene. So these are the areas where I am going to focus on.

Active Lifestyle

In the past years, I always work out even just at home. I just check YouTube for home workouts. But since last year, it's zero. The only workout I get to do is when I do household chores and running errands. I've been a lazy ass, you know, Netflix and chill up to the wee hours then the next day, I'm very sleepy and feeling exhausted. Haha! 

So, all I can say is, I need to work on this area. If you're like me, a work-at-home-mom or stay-at-home-mom who can't afford or don't have time to go to the gym, let's push for home workouts even for just 30 mins to 1 hour a day. Remember, a little exercise is better than nothing. It can be jogging, walking, using the stairs or dancing, just keep moving. 

Sleep

Okay, I have to add this too. Take it from me, sleep is a necessity. It's hard to function well if you lack sleep. I know this, but then again I guess I am just pasaway. Imagine, sleeping 2AM or 3AM then waking up at 6AM to attend to the kids until I work late at night. I love sleeping but I also value my "me time". So, what I am doing is, I try to limit my late night "me time" then find time in between chores to take a nap or do what I want. To help induce sleep, it's best to avoid caffeine and drink Chamomile tea instead, its calming effect can help induce sleep.

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I guess lack of sleep is also one of the reasons (aside from aging lol) as to why I always get a headache. So this Aromatherapy roll on is now part of my must-have items. 

When it comes to the kids, I see to it that they sleep 8PM and 9PM as the latest. Time management plays a big role here. So good luck! But really, you'll be surprised how kids can keep up with schedules. When I deviate from our original schedule my kids especially my eldest wouldn't budge. It's really important to be firm and consistent.

Hygiene

This is rather easy. Taking a bath should be an everyday thing, right? Well, except for moms to newborn babies, who hardly has time for themselves; been there, done that! Toothbrush, three times a day. Handwashing, before and after eating and using the restroom or as necessary. I couldn't elaborate more on this, I'm sure you all get this. But for a family with small kids, actually children in general, this needs more emphasis, agree?    

Aside from personal hygiene, home hygiene is also important. Our home is our sanctuary so it is mandatory that the cleanliness is maintained. But I also know how hard it is to tidy up after the kids or the biggest kid in the house (ehem the husband). Still, I make sure to clean up every day then we do spring cleaning every now and then. 

Healthy and Balanced Food

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This is where I struggle the most because it is not just for me, I have 3 school-age kids to consider. I find myself stuck in a rut, cooking the same food or if not resorting to fast food or instant food. Don't judge me, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do!

So a week before this school year started, I vowed to plan our weekly menu since I will also be starting with my work at home job. This way, I can manage my time, budget and avoid stressing about what to cook. It's been 3 weeks now since I started and so far it's a success.

I started posting photos of their baon/snack and I'm enjoying it. I'm planning to buy bento tools to make it more pretty!

Now, I get to let the kids eat more veggies and we only get to eat fast-food or eat out on weekends. Yes, we haven't totally got rid of fast-food and also chips and sweets but the good thing is, it was lessened. So I still give the kids their vitamins daily to make sure they meet their nutritional needs, and we're almost done with that bottle of Propan TLC from our Watsons Kit.  

So there you go, our health and wellness journey so far. There is still a lot to improve on but we'll take that one day at a time. With the many distractions around us, I'm glad we were able to stick to our routine. Also thankful to Watsons for being part of it.

It's true that being healthy should be inside and out and when you are healthy you will look good and feel great! And there's no better time than now to start living healthy! 

Check Watsons online and stay updated with their products and exciting promos: 

FB:Watsons

Instagram: @watsonsph

HOME IMPROVEMENT HACKS WITH AKEMI PH

What's your favorite part of your house? Mine is our bedroom, no doubt!

We spend most of our time in the bedroom and for most people, the bedroom becomes a sanctuary of thoughts, thereby, making it appealing and conducive to the eye can be very useful. The perfect bedroom should help cheer you up as well as get you the right outlook.

These hacks can help alter the way you see and feel your bedroom in no time.

Let the light shine

By using appropriate lighting in your room, you get to create the proper scene you want to project. Be playful and explore your options.

Dress up your walls

This may be one of the first things you notice when you enter a room. Walls play a major part in the presentation of your room and can become a major mood-shifter. New paint or wallpaper can spell the difference.

Accentuate

Invest in color accents and stay away from monotonous hues to avoid gloomy feel in your room. Hanging up ornaments such as a beautiful painting is a good idea.

Brighten up with the perfect bedding

If changing the color of your wall is too tedious and other factors do not fit your budget, investing in the right bedding might just be the solution. Your bedding is probably the most important aspect in your bedroom anyway.

Your bedding can alter your mood. Complement with proper color hues of your pillow and duvet creates an aesthetical beauty which you can change every now and then.

AKEMI beddings have the most innovative features such as its comfortable fabric that are gentle on the skin. It also has a hypoallergenic feature for those with sensitive skin.

Did you know that you can get up to 50% savings on your home improvement needs by visiting AKEMI booth at the SM Home Fair at SMX Convention Center, MOA complex? It's happening on June 28 to 30, 2019. You can even get a sustainable and chic Eco bag with a minimum single receipt purchase of Php3000! See you there!

Oh and make sure to visit AKEMI Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AkemiPH/ for more info and promos and get a chance to win exciting prizes!

CONSEQUENCES OF USING THE WRONG PILLOW

Sleeping is a necessity, but when you're a mom who juggles different hats a day, it somehow becomes a luxury. A day seems ain't enough! After a long day and after putting my kids to sleep, all I want to do is sleep too, but some household chores await so, I can't. But as kids are growing, I am slowly earning that luxury of sleeping in early. Except, that kid-free time seems appealing for a perfect time to have my uninterrupted "me-time". But all I can say is, sleep is life! Nothing beats a good night sleep. 

So since we are talking about sleep, I am sharing with you all a good read about how you can have a quality of sleep you so deserve. Read on.

CONSEQUENCES OF USING THE WRONG PILLOW

You may think that sleeping is just a way to relieve you of your tiredness and a reprieve for a long day. Research shows that people tend to overlook the way they sleep. Having a bed and using just any type of pillow might not get you the quality of sleep you need.

There’s a myriad of choices when it comes to selecting a pillow but how do you choose the right pillow for your body type? An expert went out of his way to learn and develop a specialty pillow to address this concern.

Mr. Chawakit Kaoien, founder of Mr. Big Pillow is a physical therapist who spent years working in the ICU of a hospital’s respiratory unit and was in-charge of bedridden critical care patients and see to it that they are kept comfortable and could breathe properly. This led him to develop a brand of pillows that would benefit every individual.

Over the years, Chawakit hacked the right density of pillows as well as its best position to address your sleeping concerns. Every individual is different, thus, we cannot conform to just one type of pillow.

Here are the cause and effect of using the wrong pillow:

1. You might think that waking up on the wrong side of the bed caused you that neck pain, wrong! Using incorrect pillow puts a strain in your neck, thus, causing that stiff and painful neck in the morning.

2. Can’t sleep? Is it really because of your caffeine intake or you might think you develop a condition called insomnia? Think again, improper positioning and height of your pillow might be causing uneasiness that causes you to toss and turn throughout the night.

3. If your partner complains about your snore, then it might be time to change your pillow. Snoring is

usually caused by blockage of nasal passages. By improving your sleep position, you can also alleviate your snoring.

4. Consistent Headache. This is such a nasty way to start your day especially if you have that important meeting ahead. Your frequent headache might be caused by the wrong elevation of your pillow, tension headaches happen when your neck muscles are strained.

5. Mental Block. Sleep deprivation causes forgetfulness and lack of creativity. Improve your brain function by using the right pillow that can get you a good night’s rest.

By using the appropriate pillow according to your height and weight as well as each individual’s condition, you can maintain a good quality of sleep and overall health. Use this test to assess which type of pillow is right for you.

Incidentally, Mr. Big will be having a sale at the SM Home Fair happening on June 28-30, 2019 at the SMX, Mall of Asia complex. Huge discount of up to 50% off awaits. Plus get a special Halogel pillow worth Php1899 for a single receipt purchase of Php5000. So, see you there?

Mr. Big pillows are available in selected SM Homes. Visit Mr. Big Pillow Philippines FB page https://www.facebook.com/MrBigPillowPhilippines/ for more updates and get a chance to win exciting prizes.

Life Lately: Blog Update

You've probably read in some of my Instagram posts that I will be blogging about that, reviewing this yadda yadda yadda. But still ended up with nothing. I can't think of a better excuse as to why I am not blogging other than the truth which is, I am demotivated and yes a little bit lazy. Hehe.

You see, since I went back to work in 2017, I also started slacking off in terms of blogging. I stopped blogging unless it was for a project. And then, there came a time when I wasn't able to fulfill some responsibilities. I tried squeezing in a few hours of my free time to attend events but eventually stopped. Juggling work and the many hats I wear as a mom was already a little too much for me. 

2018 came, I had to quit my job. I came back to being a stay at home mom again, no helper no yaya. Despite not being active on my website, I was, on Instagram. I somehow missed blogging, but it was not the same way as before. There were several event invites, to which I can't attend at all given our setup. There were no blog opportunities. Being away in the blogging scene for quite some time made me feel like I'm starting from scratch again. Truth be told, it demotivated me. I pressured myself to catch up with everyone else, to become relevant. I even thought of quitting.

It took a while before I finally realized why I started blogging in the first place. And that changed everything.

I blogged to tell our story, to share our experiences, it's having something to look back to in the future. I blogged because it was cathartic and hopefully be able to relate to other mommies out there, earning from it was just a bonus. 

So I continued blogging for myself. However, being a full-time-mom was too taxing. I don't get to use the computer anymore which means, no blog posts. Also, I partly blame Netflix! Haha! So yes,  I am mostly on my phone during my free time so I just make up for it by being active on social media especially on Instagram. My feed isn't curated at all, I post anything I like, I post about the kids, our family.  

Somehow, my presence in social media landed me some projects. I'd be lying if I tell you it doesn't make me happy. Why wouldn't I be happy when I get to do something I love and find out that there are still people who believe in me and trust in my capabilities, right? 

I have had this blog for 6 years in total (I just changed the name 3 times) and I would like to commit more to it. But also, reminding myself to not take it too seriously and always remember my reason for blogging. No pressure, no competition just purely working for passion. 

So in the next few days, I will be writing about all the things that I've been meaning to write about in the past few months even years. That’s a lot! Haha. This is definitely a challenge for me since given that my hands are full, literally and figuratively. But I’d gladly take the challenge!

Good luck to me! ❤

It is not selfish to take care of yourself!

As cliche, as it may sound, being a mom, is hard work. Whether you are a stay-at-home or a working mom, having to juggle multiple responsibilities and knowing that your offspring’s life highly depends on you can absolutely be dreary. Most of the time, moms need to make personal adjustments too just to cope with such a situation. Once you become a mom, you tend to put your little one’s needs first before yours. And that’s where it gets a little too overwhelming. 

But when you stop caring for yourself, your ability to care for your child will also be affected. “I am a mom of four and as far as I remember, I spent most of my adulthood caring for my children,” shares Tina, a 43-year-old mom. “I start my day at 5:00am, fixing my kids’ baon and preparing them for school. Once they leave the house, I go on with my usual routine- clean the house, do the laundry, check their assignments, prepare dinner, wash the dishes and then put them to bed. Sometimes my husband jokes that I don’t time for him anymore as I am too focused on being a good mom! But funnily though, that is true. We don’t get to spend quality time anymore,” she quips. “Don’t get me wrong but I love being a mom because it is really fulfilling. It’s just that by being too focused on being a good mom, I have neglected other important things as well” she added.

Rose, a 45-year-old working mom of 3, shares the same dilemma as Tina. “I think have mastered the art of juggling!” she jokes. “But on a serious note, nothing feels more awful than the mom guilt. When I am at work, I keep on saying to myself that I am doing so good at my job but am I being a great mom as well? Sure, my husband and I can provide all of our kids’ needs but is that enough? Do my kids know I love them? Do I spend enough quality time with them? Am I giving them attention? The pressure of being a good mom is just too much that I forget to look after myself too. I am too busy working and caring for my children that I had to put my needs aside. And honestly, that doesn’t feel ok,” she says. 

“I began contemplating and realized that with all the years that I have dedicated as a mom, it’s about time to think of myself now. With all the myriad of responsibilities that I have juggled and successfully carried out; I feel empowered. So empowered that I am ready to choose what’s best for me, aside from being a mom, of course,” Tina says.

“It is not selfish to take care of yourself!” affirms Tina. “That’s why I made a choice to try something new that I know would make me feel better about myself. After all, I know I truly deserve this.” Rose adds, “I totally agree with Tina! You can’t be a good mom if you don’t do yourself good. After providing the needs of my children, it’s about time that I give importance to myself too. It’s time to work on my best self ever because I deserve it!” For Tina and Rose, trying SvelT’i’s Femilift has given them brand-new confidence in themselves. Femilift is a laser treatment that is 100% safe and is being used globally. It is non-invasive and it only takes 30 minutes for the procedure to be done. This is for women who want to have an improvement in stress urinary incontinence. It also enhances lubrication because when women age, they experience dryness and it becomes painful during sexual intercourse. For others, it is for tightening because, during normal delivery in childbirth, the vagina never comes back to its pre-pregnant state. While for other women, it is for better sexual pleasure.

“Now, I feel much better about myself and so does my husband! Thanks to SvelT’i, treatments are now available for women who are facing the same condition as mine and help them restore their confidence,” shares Tina. “Now that I feel better about myself, there is no amount of work or mommy responsibilities that I can’t do. I know that I am in my best self ever and I know I’ve got this!” muses Rose.

Mother’s Day is only celebrated once a year but with all the hard work our moms do every day, they

deserve a whole year of appreciation and gratification. Visit SvelT’i now and give your moms a treat they deserve!

To know more about Femilift, head on now to SvelT’i or call (02)332-7546 / 0918-878-3584 or you may log on to their website, www.svelti.com.ph or follow their social media pages, FB: SvelT'i and IG: @svelti_ph.

Lamudi Kicks Off Housing Fair 2019 at TriNoma

Early last month, Lamudi has once again hosted another successful housing fair. This year, the number one real estate platform kicked the series off at the TriNoma Activity Center. It was a 2-day event which was held on April 6-7, I dropped by during the second day. 

Like previous housing fairs, the Lamudi Housing Fair in Trinoma offered an extensive selection of property offerings from some of the country’s biggest industry players and a lot more.

Online Real Estate Marketing Seminars

More than property selling, the housing fair also aimed to educate and help real estate professionals

boost their businesses. As such, those who were in attendance were treated to free online real

estate marketing training conducted by Lamudi Academy’s learning development coaches. Some of

the topics discussed during the two-day event were Top Online Lead Generation Channels,

Conversion of Online Leads to Sales and The Power of Lamudi.

Property Discounts and Foreclosure Auction

Exclusive property discounts were also given away to aspiring property seekers. Similarly,

Unionbank also hosted a property auction at affordable price points.

Homebuying Seminars

For first time homebuyers, the Lamudi Housing Fair at TriNoma also gave prospective property

buyers the lowdown into how to approach this important but otherwise challenging undertaking.

Representatives from Pag-IBIG Fund talked about the agency’s End-User Financing Program while

the Land Registration Authority was also present in the event to guide property seekers in their

land titling concerns and questions.

Several experts in various facets of real estate also imparted their knowledge to property seekers

and sellers. For instance, a talk on Property Photography was discussed, as well as Interior Design

Essentials, especially for small spaces.

“The Lamudi Housing Fair is the perfect venue for those actively and passively looking to invest in a
property. Each one of our housing fairs has a goal to connect buyers to the right people so they can
make the right decision. By bringing together property seekers and property sellers, we are helping
them understand the steps involved in the decision-making process and learn from each other. ”-Lamudi CEO Bhavna Suresh said of the Lamudi Housing Fair.

“We had hoped that TriNoma would set the tone positively for this year’s run and needless to say,

we were not disappointed by the turnout. The following ones will offer the same benefits, if not

more, to attendees as we really want our housing fairs to provide value and worth their time.”

The next Lamudi Housing Fair will be happening on July 20 to 21 at Glorietta, followed by SM Cebu

in September, and lastly, SM Mall of Asia in December.

The exhibitors at the Lamudi Housing Fair in TriNoma were SMDC, Aspire by Filinvest, Futura byFilinvest, Prestige by Filinvest, The Hauslands, Amiya Raya, Taft Properties, Robinsons Communities, BPI Family Housing Loan, Grand Monaco, Ortigas & Company, Phinma Properties, Pag-IBIG Fund, Sandari Batulao, and Suntrust. And it was sponsored by DMCI Homes, Aboitiz Land, Land Bank of the Philippines, Land Registration Authority, Food Panda, and Red Doors, also, in partnership with Philippine Daily Inquirer Property, Business Mirror, Business World, Malaya Business Insight, The Philippine Star and ThinkBIT as official registration partner.

For more information, please visit the official website.

30 Years of “Pabaong Pagmamahal”

When leaving the house, whether with kids or not, I always make sure to bring "baon". With the crazy traffic and me and my kids' appetite, it's always better to be prepared. And, one of our go-to snacks is Lemon Square Cheese Cake. It has been a classic favorite of mine and I am happy that Tristan, Athena, and Brianna love it too!

About 2 weeks ago, we received a special lunch box filled with lots of Lemon Square Cheese Cake.

Look, it even came with a photo of me and the kids!

It came just in time for our La Union holiday so we decided to bring it with us. It was a practical decision because it saved us from unnecessary buying of snacks during our travel.

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We also took it to the beach with us!

30 Years of “Pabaong Pagmamahal”

Lemon Square Cheese Cake has been in the market for 30 years now. And, as every recipe has a story to tell, for Nina Vergel de Dios or “Mommy Nina”, the woman behind the all-time favorite pabaon snack, the tale of her signature product was inspired by a mom’s love.

Mommy Nina’s love for baking was sparked by the bond she and her mother had when she was young. She recalls helping out her mother in the kitchen to bake at the age of nine.

For quite some time, Mommy Nina distanced herself from baking to take a different career path. But with the encouragement and support of her husband Errol, she left her corporate job to pursue her first love, baking.

In 1985, Mommy Nina returned to her small home kitchen in Valenzuela and began selling her cheesecakes in the wet markets of Malabon and Navotas. Through the positive comments of resellers, word spread about her cheese cake until it reached other markets.

Three decades later, Lemon Square Cheese Cake became a household name that answers the need of Moms to provide filling, delicious and nutritious pabaon for their children.

Love Lemon Square Cheese Cake too? For more information, visit www.lemonsquare.com.ph or LIKE Lemon Square on Facebook.

Sundate at the Johnson's Play Days 2019: Sa Laro Natuto

A couple of weeks ago, I posted on Instagram about Johnson's Play Days 2019: Sa Laro Natuto event that we attended. This is the first-ever event that I've attended this year. Since it was already Tristan, Athena and Brianna's summer break and the event falls on a Sunday, we decided to go. Also to show our support to Johnson's Play Day's program that acknowledges the importance of play and how it can benefit our children. This is actually an annual program that was created in 2012.

This year's Play days event, Play Days 2019: Sa Laro Natuto event was held last March 24, 2019, in the Mall of Asia Music Hall.

There were four different play zones at the event, the Blue Think Tub, Pink Showdance Zone, Yellow Imagiland and the Flower Zone. These four zones made any learning experience into an entertaining adventure for any wide-eyed-toddler. It also highlighted how a child can learn different skills like problem-solving, self-expression, communication and flexibility. 

Blue Think Tub

Pink Showdance Zone which they enjoyed the most because of the bubbles! 

Yellow Imagiland

Flower Zone. 

Melai Cantiveros also was there together with her daughter, Mela.

Johnson’s Play Days Sa Laro Natututo is a call for all parents to recognize the importance of your little one to be outside experiencing life actively instead of being confined to a world they only see through any digital screen. Active play allows your children to learn firsthand about the everchanging world and gives them the opportunity to have a multi-sensory understanding of the beautiful planet they live in.

Johnson's highly encourage every parent to allot enough play time with their kids to promote their cognitive, language, physical, social and emotional development.

And, being the leader in baby care and as a company that understands the needs of every parent in giving the best care for their babies and kids, Johsnon's incorporated their Johnson's Baby Powder Blooms. It is Johnson's most fragrant powder that will be every mommy's hero especially this summer when the heat comes creeping in. This powder can keep kids fresh up to 8 hours as they stay out to play. Johnson’s Powder Blooms along with Johnson’s Shiny Drops Shampoo levels up the fragrance for a long lasting, refreshing no tears play day! Johnson's Baby Active Kids Range are available in leading supermarkets, drug stores and department stores nationwide.

So mommies and daddies, if you believe in Johnson's movement, sound off by posting a photo of yourself and your children during your happy playtime moments and how Johnson's Baby is  the best Presko Bango partner. Don't forget to use the hashtag #SaLaroNatuto #JohnsonsActiveKids #PlayDays2019 and tag @johnsonsbabph.

6th Annual Run in Honor of Bataan Death March Heroes, up this April!

April 9 of every year, we observe the Day of Valor, also known as Bataan Day to honor the Bataan Death March. 

The Death March, considered as one of the darkest days in Philippine History, is the forcible transfer of 60,000–80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war (POW) from Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan and Mariveles to Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. The prisoners were loaded onto boxcars in San Fernando, Pampanga. The transfer began on April 9, 1942, and left thousands dead and seriously wounded after enduring torture under the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army.

The Death March route stretches from Mariveles in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac via San Fernando, Pampanga. The total distance covered was from 96 to 112 kms.

This year marks the 77th Year of Bataan Death March and The Philippine Veterans Bank will be holding the 6th installment of Bataan Freedom Run in Balanga, Bataan on April 14, 2019.

This year’s Bataan Freedom Run top bills a day of fun and surprises that features a 42km full marathon run up and down Mt. Samat, a 21km half marathon, and a non-competitive 10km and 5km fun run. A 1km run for kids and pets add up to the day’s fun and excitement. 

Winners will receive cash prizes and medals, while finishers of the 42km marathon will have a finisher’s medal and a Bataan Freedom Run Finisher’s shirt.

Proceeds from the Bataan Freedom Run will be used in putting up or restoration of Battle of Bataan markers, and other historical landmarks that serve as important reminders of our rich World War II history. The annual commemoration of Bataan Death March is now a month-long celebration in honor of the country’s World War II heroes. 

Since 2014, the Philippine Veterans Bank together with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and Bataan Provincial Government, gather in Bataan for various activities that encourage participation of the veterans’ descendants and families as well as civilians and the military. The month-long activities are held along the route of the infamous Bataan Death March.

Mike Villa-Real, Head of Veterans Bank’s Marketing Communications Division, shared, “Freedom Run is part of the month-long activities we do to reach out and share especially to the younger generation about our World War II veterans’ bravery and heroism during the war, particularly the Battle for Bataan. They were abandoned and yet against all odds held on and defended the country for 3 months, unlike our Southeast Asian neighbors. That’s why their captors let them go through what is now known as the Bataan Death March.”

This year’s commemoration activities also include Freedom Trail March, a two-day event that traces the 160 kilometers actual route of the Bataan Death March. The event aims to instill the values of Bravery, Sacrifice, and Love for Country. The Freedom Trail March gathered the US and Filipino military and police units who marched the entire Bataan Death March route alongside with other civilians. “Ride for Valor,” a competitive bike tour was also held in March, which started from Kilometer Zero in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac. 

To find out more about the activities held during the 77th Year commemoration of Bataan Death March, visit the Facebook pages of the Bataan Freedom Run and the Veterans Bank Freedom Trail.

What makes a woman?

Women's Month may be over, but we should celebrate the women that we are every day.

So if you were asked, "What makes a woman?"

"What's her true essence and her admirable characteristics? Is it just beauty or brains or perhaps her whistle-bait figure?" 

Or is it because of a woman’s natural beauty that a woman evokes, thus showing her innate grace and joy? 

Whatever and whoever a woman is—a housewife, professional career woman or student—she deserves a face and body that is totally cared for despite and whatever her busy lifestyle is.

Agree?

So ladies, especially to all mommies out there, who always put their families need above all, don't forget to take care of yourself too. There are so many ways to do that. Let me share you one. 

Give yourself the opportunity to properly care for yourself through face and body care products that are proven safe and effective and will bring a bit of peace, love, and joy to us every day.

Products from Good Virtues Co.™ (GVC), a brand of face and beauty products made in Malaysia, understand the need for women to be treated with love, dignity, and respect. They know that doing good to others begets a good deed in return so that love given is love returned to every woman there is.

The GVC product range involves caring for the hair, body, and face, but what’s best is the GVC products are made naturally, with no animal derivatives and without any chemical-based or synthetic ingredients.

For all GVC products, you cannot find any Parabens, artificial colorants, or even Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), all cleansing and foaming agents that can harm the body. Though SLES and ALES are both palm oil and supposedly harmless, they undergo a chemical process when used by other brands, together with other additional compounds that thereby increases the risk of contamination and chances of contacting cancer for users.

GVC hair, body and skin care products also use synthetic fragrance for added care, compared to natural fragrance that may cause allergies among certain people. The synthetic fragrance compounds used by GVC all contain a “seal of approval” by the International Fragrance Association or IFRA to provide for that comforting, soothing yet safe and long-lasting scent that is safe for people who are allergic.

All Good Virtues Co.™ products contain Habbatus Sauda or “The Seed of Blessing,” called Black Seed Oil which is known as a purifying organic component known to be full of natural nutrients, minerals, and cancer-fighting antioxidants. And the products are certified “halal” by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the only government body in the world that controls the implementation of Halal certification in products sold globally, which makes Good Virtues Co.™ products the only ones certified as “halal” in the market today.

Marvel at Good Virtues Co.™ and its face care line, which includes Day Cream, Night Cream, CC Cream, Facial Cleanser, Facial Scrub, Toner, and Makeup remover. They also have the Shower Cream, Hand and Body Lotion, Body Scrub, Feminine Wash, and Deodorant, for the body care range, and the Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Serum for hair care.

So what makes a woman? It starts by how she treats herself, how she makes herself beautiful inside and out to be able to exude confidence wherever she may be, whoever she’s with, whatever she does! 

Get to know more about Good Virtues Philippines, Follow them on Facebook (Good Virtues Co.) or Instagram (@goodvirtuesco_ph). Good Virtues Co.™ products are available online at Lazada.com, Shopee.com or www.beautymnl.com.

Lamudi Housing Fair 2019 to Return to Trinoma

Are you an aspiring real estate investor or perhaps a real estate professional looking to up your game? Good news! Because, Lamudi, the country’s number one real estate platform, is once again holding a series of housing fairs which will kick off this April 6 to 7, 2019 at the Trinoma Activity Center. This year’s Trinoma Housing Fair is Lamudi’s first housing fair for 2019 and is set to offer an extensive selection of property offerings from some of the country’s biggest industry players such as SMDC, Amiya Raya, Taft Properties, Robinsons Communities, and more.

The real estate platform held its most recent housing fair in Cebu last year, where 23 exhibitors from real estate, banking and financial industries, and several key government agencies showcased their property offerings and auctions, services, exclusive discounts, as well as the Lamudi Academy Training sessions.

Trinoma as a gold mine of prospective property buyers

The mall sits on a strategic location within Quezon City where a ceaseless economic activity can be found. With an average of 200,000 of daily foot traffic, Trinoma is one of the busiest malls in the country, allowing for the two-day event to instantly capture a diverse pool of shoppers and potential buyers and investors.

Trinoma is also accessible from nearby business districts such as Caloocan, San Juan, and Mandaluyong, making it a viable location in capturing professionals from these cities. Similarly, its proximity to the North Luzon Expressway provides an easy gateway for potential buyers from provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

What to expect in Trinoma Housing Fair 2019

Attendees and exhibitors of the two-day event can enjoy a host of benefits. 

For one, speakers and industry experts will give interested property buyers various home buying seminars to guide them in the right direction. This is something first-time buyers will find most beneficial. 

On top of this, there will be exclusive property discounts from developers and freebies for attendees. Foreclosures are also available for aspiring real estate investors, as they can serve as good investment starters. Some of these properties will also be auctioned off at affordable price points.

For real estate professionals participating in the Trinoma Housing Fair, Lamudi is offering free online real estate marketing seminars to help brokers and agents grow their real estate business as conducted by the instructors of Lamudi Academy. 

“These housing fairs are important since these are where property developers, brokers, and buyers converge and find immediate value from each other,” Lamudi CEO Bhavna Suresh said of the Lamudi Housing Fair. 

“This year, we plan to make them bigger and better so as to deliver better results to all our partners, exhibitors, and the property buyers wherever the Lamudi Housing Fair will come next, specifically Glorietta, SM Cebu, and MOA. Trinoma will set us off to a great start.” 

For more information, please visit the official website.

Do you fall into #MalnutritionTraps?

"Ang payat ng mga anak mo Pearl!" 

(Your kids are thin, Pearl!)

I get this comment a lot about my kids, especially from my relatives. But, then usually it is followed by "sabagay, payat ka rin noong bata ka" (anyway, you were also thin when you were little).

Yes, I have always been slender. I guess I only gained weight after giving birth, but even until now, I am on the lighter side and I am not worried at all since my BMI is normal.

So, I don't worry that much about my children's physique. Even if they are thin, my 2 girls, Athena and Brianna's weight are normal. Tristan, however, is underweight. It could probably be because of his hyperactivity; he was diagnosed with ADHD.

It could also be because of the food we eat. I do the cooking at home and It is really a challenge to prepare a healthy balanced meal. That is why, somehow, I am worried that I am not providing my children with all the essential nutrients they need. I am also guilty of feeding them with fast food and instant foods, which I believe is also one of the struggles of most Filipino families. 

In fact, did you know that our country has been facing a rise in the number of underweight and overweight Filipinos for more than 20 years? The World Health Organization (WHO) defined this phenomenon as the “Double Burden of Malnutrition” or the “prevalence of both undernutrition and overweight in the same community, nation, or region.”

To address this problem, our government launched the Pinggang Pinoy® campaign in 2014. Pinggang Pinoy® is an easy-to-understand food guide showing proper food group portioning on a per-meal basis. This reflects the principles of MOderation, VAriety, and BAlance (MOVABA) to promote healthier eating habits. 

Solving the Philippines’ Double Burden of Malnutrition should be a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors as it is not an easy feat. With this, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation partnered with government agencies to conduct education programs to raise awareness and promote the practice of Pinggang Pinoy® in malnutrition hotspots, where incidences of Double Burden Malnutrition are high. This training was given to homemakers/mothers who have malnourished (underweight, stunting, wasting, overweight and obese) school-aged children.

The pilot run resulted in improvements in the knowledge & attitudes of households related to the practice of Pinggang Pinoy® within target areas. However, behavior changes towards healthier eating habits remain to be a challenge. The program uncovered a number #MalnutritionTraps that some Pinoy households easily fall into. 

The following #MalnutritionTraps provide a picture of how unhealthy eating habits may lead to Double Burden of Malnutrition: 

1. Overconsumption of carbohydrates: 

Voracious rice eaters can easily fill half of their plates with rice. Others have pandesal & noodles as regular meal deprived of other nutrients derived from a well-balanced meal. 

2. Under consumption of vegetables and/fruits: 

It is common for some to be content with rice & meat to satisfy their hunger and skip/take the insufficient amount of vegetables/fruits. Fact is, the variety of colors found in Glow foods are important sources of vitamins & minerals to sustain our energy & keep us from getting sick. 

3. Overconsumption of protein: 

Typical Filipino “SILOG” meals include a double serving of proteins (e.g. Tapa+Itlog, Tocino+Itlog, Longanisa+Itlog, Bangus+Itlog). Eating different kinds of protein is fine for as long as they are taken in moderation. We must also avoid protein dishes served high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium. 

To help Filipinos break free from #MalnutritionTraps, Ajinomoto’s Culinary Nutrition Team prepared Healthy & Delicious Pinggang Pinoy® Recipes, downloadable through https://bit.ly/2HIsfkj. Busy and budget-restricted homemakers will also find these Pinggang Pinoy® recipes useful because all are easy-to-do and affordable (P250/day for a family of 5). 

For updates about Mag-Pinggang Pinoy® Tayo!, visit www.ajinomoto.com.ph and facebook.com/CookmunitybyAjinomotoPH.

Veterans Bank’s Freedom Trail March starts countdown for 77th Year of Bataan Death March Commemoration

In partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) kicks off the 77th year commemoration of the Bataan Death March with the Freedom Trail March that runs from March 2 to 3, 2019. 

The Freedom Trail March is a two-day event that traces the 140 kilometers actual route of the Bataan Death March. The event aims to instill the values of Bravery, Sacrifice, and Love for Country. The Freedom Trail March is expected to gather around participants from the Philippines and other countries. US and Filipino military and police units along with other civilians are among this year’s marchers. 

Veterans Bank’s Freedom Trail March honors Filipino World War II heroes and survivors by traversing the trails while retracing the steps of our fallen heroes during the Bataan Death March.

“It is our generation’s responsibility to continue remembering and honoring the bravery and heroism of our veterans during the war. It is our commitment to making sure that the next generations will never forget and always remember what our heroes endured during the Bataan Death March,” said Mike Villa-Real, Head of Veterans Bank’s Marketing Communications Division.

The Death March, considered as one of the darkest days in Philippine History, is the forcible transfer of 60,000–80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war (POW) from Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan and Mariveles to Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. The prisoners were loaded onto box cars in San Fernando, Pampanga. The transfer began on April 9, 1942, and left thousands dead and seriously wounded after enduring torture under the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army.

The Death March route stretches from Mariveles in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac via San Fernando, Pampanga. The total distance covered was from 96 to 112 kms.

The Freedom Trail March will commence midnight on March 1, 2019, at KM Zero in Mariveles Bataan and expected to end at 5:00 pm on March 3, 2019, at the Capas National Shrine in Capas Tarlac. There will be several stops along the route. Participants can join at any point of the trail. Special performances will be done by re-enactors at the San Fernando Train Station and Capas National Shrine on March 3.

This year’s event also includes a competitive bike tour dubbed as the“Ride for Valor,” which will be held on March 10 from Kilometer Zero in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac. The Bataan Freedom Fun is the final event that concludes the commemoration activities. 

Bataan Freedom Run will be held on April 14, 2019. Running enthusiasts are invited to register for the event. The route will start at the Balanga Capitol up to Mt. Samat. The event includes a 21-kilometer half-marathon, 10 kilometers, five kilometers, and 1-kilometer courses, for all types of sports enthusiasts and runners from all ages as well as pets.

Since 2014, the Philippine Veterans Bank, with PVAO, the Provincial Government of Bataan, along with other partners, have held the Bataan Freedom Run in honor of WWII veterans who endured the death march in 1942.

Proceeds from the activities will be used for the restoration and maintenance of historical markers along the route of the Bataan Death March.

To register and find out more, visit the Facebook pages of the Bataan Freedom Run and the Veterans Bank Freedom Trail.

Details on Email Marketing for Franchise Brands

There are a lot of business owners who are aware of how important email marketing is. They have made a lot of effort in order to become noticed. Even franchisers have started advertising online as well. Franchisers may be a bit hesitant to start email marketing because of various reasons. For example, there are various types of franchises available. If people are not familiar with these things, it will be harder for them to cope.

Different Types of Franchisees

The different types of franchisees are the following:

• Single location
• Multi-location
• Partnership
• Sole Ownership

How will a single franchisee make his particular branch stand out from the other franchisees of the same brand? It can be a complicated matter for sure. There are some details that you will learn about franchises in general when you check this. Who knows? You may get all of the information that you have always wanted to know.

You need to be clear about your branch and where you are located. The more that people see important details about your franchise, the more that they will trust you. The more customers that you get, the more that you will realize just how important email marketing is for your type of business.

These are some of the tips that you have to remember:

• Do not forget to build your email list. You need a lot of subscribers that you will send your email to. You can get more subscribers when you create your own website or when you advertise through social media websites.
• Create a campaign that people will not be able to resist. There are some franchise owners that will require you to seek permission before you can push through with the campaign that you are planning. If they approve, you can be specific about the marketing strategy that you can do.
• Send triggered emails depending on the actions that people do when they are online. You may just send your email to people who want to know more about what you can offer.

These tips will hopefully help you promote your franchise business the best way possible. Are you ready to start getting more customers?

HyC 150: Your Health and Beauty Need in just One Supplement

Last 2018 marks my 30th year of existence. Gosh, I still can't believe it! So it's high time that I take even more care of myself because together with aging, comes a lot of changes in our body. And apparently, physical signs of aging are more evident on our skin. It is because, as we age our body produces less collagen. But never be too complacent, because skin aging isn't only caused by aging itself, other factors such as the sun, harsh weather and our lifestyle also have a great impact on our skin. 

This is where anti-aging supplements come in, which as we all know, "nagkalat" nowadays because people have become more physically conscious. So for this matter, I would always go to the one that is proven and tested.

I first knew about Premium HyC 150 when I attended one of their events in 2016, you can read about it here. Premium HyC 150 has Hyaluron, Collagen, plus Ubiquinol, Biotin, Elastin and Pearl Coix, which helps meet our daily health and beauty needs in just one supplemental drink.

No more hassle, just a 1-step beauty routine when you wake up in the morning. No need to pick your pocket and buy thousands worth of beauty products to help keep your body and skin healthy. No need to spend so much time and effort to be beautiful all over. Just drink one sachet of Premium HyC 150 every day for only P125 and you’re all set for the day ahead!

Premium HyC 150 is available at Watsons stores nationwide, online at www.lazada.com.ph and at the HyC 150 online store.

For more information, visit their website at www.HyC150.com; like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HyC150; follow them on Twitter #HyC150 or Instagram @HyC150; or call (02) 546-7297 or 0917-7750779.