Celebrating Life with CORDLIFE

I have known the amazing team of Cord Life Philippines for the past 2 years as I have been emceeing for a slew of events where they took part as sponsors. But this year I am so blessed to be working directly with them for their own company-initiated events. They have come along way since I first met them and now they have become pros already at mounting their own events and of course in their advocacy of educating Filipinos on the value of banking your child's cord blood - something that I wish I knew 5 years ago when I was still infanticipating the greatest blessing of my life, Godric Matthew.  

I have already worked with them for two events already, back in May for their Mother's Day event and now recently for their fab event in June, in celebration of Father's Day! Plus I look forward to many fun and empowering activities with them; just when I thought that I already have an expanded vocabulary, I realize that there are so many words new to my ears - such as "metabolic disorders," or "cryogenics" and "cryopreservation." 

Great thing Dr. Arvin Faundo, the Medical Director of CordLife Philippines was there to enlighten us all not with just these technical / medical terms, but also about what astounding and groundbreaking services CordLife Philippines provides to all parents out there. They alone offer CORDBLOOD BANKING, UMBILICAL CORD BANKING and recently, or through this Father's Day event, we launched their latest service, METASCAN, which is Newborn screening made better, for through this, over 100 Metabolic Disorders in newborns can be screened and treated or addressed upon detection. And to think that back when I had my son, his newborn screening only detected about 9 disorders! 

Saving Lives by the best, cutting-edge measures is what CordLife does best and I am just so glad that apart from their recent Father's Day activity, I also emceed their Mother's Day event which was held at and in partnership with St. Luke's Global City, and below is a look-back at this fun event, attended by tons of expectant Moms and Dads, many of whom won amazing prizes from CordLife Philippines! 

I just love being a mom to my brilliant 5-year old and I feel so blessed for every single experience that enriches me. I am so thankful for such a rewarding day job, for endless hosting jobs on weekends and best of all opportunities to let my son have the best childhood which will be the foundation of his unbelievably blessed future. 

We must never stop learning, growing, progressing. Up to now and always, I am forever grateful to my son and my Greatest Blessing, the very core of my being a Parent. A stream of blessing, opportunity and courage came along with him, forming my ever-evolving Wisdom. And so I close this post by dedicating to him a lovely quote I stumbled upon: 

"The Child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another Child like him..." 

Another Priceless Experience with Fisher Price

I am so thankful for the continued trust that Mattel, the premier toy brand, and of course, Richprime Global Inc., the largest toy distributor in the Philippines put in me, as I am honored for always being their emcee of choice for some of the best brands they own: Barbie, Monster High and Fisher Price! I am a mermaid princess or a fairy for Barbie, then I become one cool ghoul with Monster High, and then for Fisher Price, I become who I truly am, and that is a proud mom to a clever, athletic 5-year old. They truly let all the facets of my being shine! Thanks to them there is never a dull moment, only exciting programs, discussions, learning, awesome memories and a ton of dress-up! 

Above: Here I am in my midriff - baring glory. Taken during early hours when my tummy would still be flat. A bare midriff my new fashion fave 'coz in my day job, I confirmed a huge account, so I think a bare midriff is lucky. Read: Walang basagan ng TRIP! :-) 

Below: The nice and warm Carrie Lupoli jumped off her chair and we had to take an instant Self-We! Still as sweet as how she was during last year's activity! This was taken before I opened the show and called her up for her talk. The place was packed with fans waiting to see her for Fisher Price! 

Blessed was I to again share the stage and chat with Ms. Carrie Lupoli, founder of Live and Learn Consulting, and former Fisher Price ambassador, Ms. Audrey Tan Zubiri this year for another awesome workshop for the launch of PLAY IQ. Last year, the theme of Fisher Price was on the Joy of Learning, harping on the value of age-appropriate learning techniques and toys. This year, Play IQ was more on helping your kids naturally grow and develop their intelligence, through play; Lots and lots of PLAY!

Great News! Our Learning expert and Chief Mum, Ms. Carrie confirmed that IQ, or specifically academic prowess has no direct connection to success later on in life. Studies have determined that it is in fact, EQ that plays a big factor in life success. The Chief Mum shared the 7 predictors of success: 

All of the above CHARACTER STRENGTHS can be developed through the POWER OF PLAY! It is interesting to know as well that the BRAIN is the only organ not fully developed during birth. Everything else has to mature before the baby comes into the world. But the development of the brain comes after birth as soon as the child's brain is stimulated through its senses, only through interaction and observation of the world outside of the womb. Cool huh? So moms and dads, make sure that you not only cherish the first 5 years of your children's lives, but make sure to bombard it with knowledge, interaction, words (lots of words) and of course, happy experiences. For this crucial time is when the brain can absorb so much (like a sponge, as they say), and here is where the foundation of both IQ and EQ is built. 

My son is already 5 years old - yes it has been an amazing 5 years for me - and I am now at the point of waking up at 7 am, prepping everything and making sure he is at school before 8 am, and then that's when I drive to work and clock in before 9 am. I want to do more - like go jogging, start a business, meditate, and maybe I will get assigned to a bigger mall and challenge soon, so I have to start waking up at 6 am or earlier. Plus I want to be a hardcore bento mom, so good luck to me and all the things I want to be!

To end this post, I am just SO thankful to God and to everyone around for really making Motherhood for me such an awesome - and sorry to admit this but it is also a very EASY journey! I have an amazing support system in my family. Materially we have enough to lead a comfy lifestyle and are never in a financial rut. My son now gets to explore his athletic skills and soon I will be enrolling him in Piano lessons and basically everything else that he wants to try out. But the best thing of all? Is that I have an astounding corporate career (yes, I work in a cut-throat industry for the biggest company here), I get to host tons of events on weekends (this is my talent, passion and my excuse to dress up and put outrageous hair color and clip-ons), and I have a dream that I continue to work on despite everything else that comes my way. 

Despite being the most dedicated (and sometimes obsessed and protective mom) you'll ever meet, basically devoting my everything to my son - the great thing is that I am still MY OWN PERSON.     

Above are the superb Richprime team and this guy with me in blue is our beloved Sir Shanny. Our last event together as he will soon be flying to Abu Dhabi then Canada to immigrate with his family. All the best to you, Sir Shan Carlos who is not just a colleague but also a great friend! 

Thankful every moment. Out and about even on weekends. There is no rest for the Wicked. That is, Wickedly Happy, Driven, Thankful and Blessed. 

Summer has never been this SPOOK-TACULAR!

I never run out of crazy words to describe the High I get whenever I host for fun Monster High activities: MONSTERRIFIC... FANG-TASTIC... MARVEL-BOOS... 

The High I get from my Monsterrific gigs are inexplicable indeed, and I am thankful for being part of the FRIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Party of Monster High, held at the SM Aura Premier! The show was jam-packed with Ghouls and their ever-supportive Mummies and Daddies, and everyone enjoyed all the things we had for them such as the Viperine Makeover Station, Customized Cupcakes Hub and of course, the Black Carpet where all the Gals and Ghouls took unlimited Selfies! 

Monster High, another premium toy brand from Mattel teaches young Ghouls and Gals to always embrace their flaws and individuality. Be Yourself, Be YOU-nique, and be a Monster! There is always a perfect Monster High character that you can relate too. 

Last year, I was Draculaine, ze self-proclaimed BFF of one of the lead MH characters, Draculaura, but after watching every single episode of Monster High, I realized that I am far from the ever-sweet and hopelessly romantic Draculaura, so I decided to prepare for the next events and be Nefera De Nile, the older sister of the Mean Queen, Cleo De Nile  for I am mean, lean and I am a queen! So now, I have to start preparing for a Wicked, Nefarious and Vile look of Nefera De Nile and I am so ready to Beguile!  

Love to host events and I do not have any STAGE FRIGHT, because I can be myself, and that is, A MONSTER! I am sure by now, you already wanna be a Monster! No matter what age or circumstance you are in now, always remember to embrace who you are, work hard and stand out! Live out who you are meant to be, and I am so thankful that I am now living some of my many dreams... so, always remember that you are BOO-tiful! 

Above: My handsome little Boo -  he HATES all these girly events! But he has to endure it all just so we can spend time with each other. Same way I spend quality play and learning time with him no matter how tired I am. 

Of Pink Waves and Mermaid Princesses!

Still surfing these lovely, gentle Pink seas and riding the waves of fashion and fun, we've finally come to the much-awaited meet and greet with the lovely mermaid princess!

Fourth and final day of this doll-lightful program, the activity area was jam-packed with excited little girls who transformed into the adorable little princesses, mermaids and underwater ballerinas that they are!

Tons and tons of kids were in attendance and yes, even those little boys rode on the Pink waves too... the boys didn't seem so happy with all the Pink and Fluff... but they still posed like the gentlemen that they are, just this once! 

Above: I caught me a pretty Aqua Ballerina and an adorable little Mermaid Princess coming out of her Shell!!! And below???

My loving supportive prince, Matthew is always there for me through Pink-and-thin!  

SM Mall of Asia was packed! We were like sardines in this lovely Pink sea... Because we Can! 

My boy is all about Sports, Hot Wheels, Outdoors and everything boys like, but during the few times I need him - despite all the Pink - he endures all the pink, girly craziness and proves, what a Man he is! He is my little Man, and I am very thankful whenever he is with me, a testament of how blessed I truly am!

"To be able to do the things you love, with the ones you love is a grace, a blessing."

Shinin' just like a pearl... with Barbie!

I continue to swim and emcee for this pink, dreamy and DOLL-lightful sea with Barbie! Allow me to now feature Day # 3 of my four fantastic underwater adventures with Barbie! I absolutely love my mermaid head dress reminiscent of life under the sea, in celebration of Barbie's latest movie, BARBIE THE PEARL PRINCESS! 

I came in extra early and a bit too excited to meet the Barbie girls, so I got busy and took myself some Shell-fies...

 As always, I had so much fun swimming with the mermaids on stage and giving away a ton of amazing prizes from Barbie! All these amazing activities leading to our fourth and final day's amazing SEA-prise (Surprise) ! 

Can you spot that lovely little mermaid girl above? She is too adorable!!! Kudos to her loving mom for going all out and letting her join most of our events! She is a mermaid princess, indeed! 

Can't let these lovely little mermaid princesses swim away without having a group Shell-fie, of course! I just love my Barbie gals and my Barbie shows! 

See you again tomorrow, Barbie gals for the Pink-tastic FIN-ale of our grand Barbie Pearl Princess party, where we will be meeting and greeting a live mermaid princess! Oh I am just so excited! 

I just want to share another Pearl of Wisdom for Life and Work: Remember that in every hard, forbidding clam shell  is a beautiful Pearl waiting to be discovered. Likewise, we must remember that wherever we look upon this earth, the opportunities take shape WITHIN the problems... so never working with faith, hope and integrity... dive deep and open that clam up, no matter how hard or unrelenting it may seem, until you finally and claim the Pearl of your Dreams!!! 

I'm not Kidding when it comes to my Kidneys!

Just a month ago or so, I was a pill-popping, instant-remedy medicine-chomping career girl trying to be panicky and worried about everything when I should be seeing and taking care of the real concern: my health and well-being. 

So I decided that that I must take things slow, learn to relax and understand that my job will run even without my screaming my head off and stressing about things that take a while. And it helped so much that I had two events in one day (yes before another Barbie Pearl princess event), where I had the pleasure of working with Pocket Rocket and UNILAB BIOMEDIS, who have recently launched www.kidneysupport.com.ph. 

 

Life is Sweet at the SUSTAIN LIFE Suite! 

I am glad that while UNILAB may want to promote their kidney care products, Tacit and Renogen, they also took the right steps to SUSTAIN LIFE, through a fun, educational and interactive website, that serves as online resource bank for everything on kidney disease care and prevention but best of all, serve as an online support group, spearheading their advocacy on the education, prevention and treatment of kidney problems. Now I have learned to take things slow, especially with the medicine-popping! 

I just feel so honored emceeing for these respected kidney doctors (nephrologists) and it is both a humbling and empowering experience to learn with them. 

 

We even played fun games! These doctors know how to have fun too! 

 

 

Thank you, UNILAB BIOMEDIS for not just trusting me with your fabulous events, but also for helping me become aware of the things that matter, especially my utmost wealth! And that is - cliche as it may sound - my Health! 

I love being Barbie!

Once more, I brought Barbie to life (or Barbie brought me to life?) last weekend, during another leg of this year's much-anticipated BARBIE THE PEARL PRINCESS movie launch and string of pearls.. err... string of events! Girls from all over Barbie-town came dressed up as lovely little mermaids and princesses, and waited excitedly for the Pink-tastic games and Barbie surprises! 

I would like to thank my forever fashion house, Dress In Manila for sponsoring all my lovely Barbie clothes for the past years, and especially this year! Do check out their lovely looks for less - yes for as low as P 185 per dress only at www.dressinmanila.com and you can feel fabulous everyday! Feel like a million bucks without spending more than 500 bucks for a couple of dresses. 

So going back to my Day 2 as host of Barbie the Pearl Princess parties, I learned that we are always more than what we think we are. This is not a call to be self-righteous or conceited, to be haughty or feel on top of everybody, but believing that there is always something inside of you that can do more. It all starts with believing for that faith, that belief will be the one force that will unlock all your other untapped potential in whatever it is you intend to be and in some cases - in what life challenges you to become. 

I am having my own challenges now (as a mermaid swimming against the current in this vast, mysterious ocean, LOL!) and sometimes you feel like stopping, giving up as you don't really know where you're heading and it seems that no matter how painful the stroke, the shore still seems so distant. But if you just learn how to relax, give yourself time, swim at your own pace, and never ever give up, then that's when the mist clears and things become better. 

Be careful of mirages that mislead. I am already at a point in my life where I have learned to accept fact from fantasy and know where to draw the line. But the one thing I am not shy about is being Barbie! I would like to be Barbie as long as I can or as long as my age doesn't give me away. 

Already past my quarter-life crises (yes I won't lie about my age and so far I am thankful that wrinkles are not selling me out) and I overcame it fairly well and even if I will soon be reaching the dreaded 30's... I don't care because Barbie just turned 55 years old this year! 

Life is what you make of it, so choose to be happy. Choose to be who YOU are, but sometimes it's okay to wear a wig and pretend that you're a Barbie mermaid princess!