Making Waves at the JGC Family Day!

As Summer ends, I give one last hurrah at Fun, thanks to the most exciting event I have hosted to date - the JGC Company Outing and Family Fun Day! I am indeed so honored that this multinational gas and petrol firm has trusted me to host their program that was brimming with exciting and fun games, activities and surprises. Best of all, my family and I too, were invited to enjoy one memorable day at Splash Island right after the program!

We were all smiles, especially my son, who got to visit Splash Island for the very first time. I am just delighted and thankful at the fact that I earn while doing what I love - and that is to host events, but the icing on top is that this also becomes a bonding time for me and my little boy. Time flies by so fast and as I do my own thing at work, excel as an events host, and also allow my son to experience so many great things with me. Below shows me with my co-host who happens to be an employee of the company, and this adorable little girl who just won a prize from one of our many games! 

I tried to come as a mermaid... I used the mermaid princess head piece from the Barbie Pearl Princess events. And I just couldn't stop showing how I loved being a "little mermaid", getting all wet and messy with the kids (and parents) there during the bubble show! It was indeed a blast! One of the most POP-ular activities there. Pop goes the bubbles! 

Thank you so much to this amazing events and art design team, PARAMINT, led by Jan and Paola Sebial! I look forward to more fun events with your superb team! And now, after such a successful and memorable program, it was time to be with family... and my boy was bouncing with glee as he went wild with the artificial wave rides, the kiddie kayaks, the relaxing river and of course, the gigantic slides! 

It is important for me to always have great memories to cherish, that's why I try as much as I can, let my son have awesome childhood experiences, the subconscious foundation of his character, and perhaps things that will mold him to be a critical thinker and problem solver. 

We definitely had a great time, another fond experience adding up in my son's childhood memory bank which he will take along with him as he grows up! The rainy days are here, as much as we would like to go swimming again, we'd have to defer our outdoor plans for now. It may no longer be summer, but as they say, no matter how the seasons change outside of you, what matters is what season it is inside of you. And with this, I end with a quote by Albert Camus: 

"In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that there was in Me, and Invincible Summer." 

Mattel Matters: The 2014 Licensing Summit

I have been working with the amazing and generous Richprime Global Inc., the largest toy distributor in the Philippines and exclusive distributor of Mattel toys. I have been emceeing their Barbie and Monster High events for several years now and it has been one fun, Pink-tastic journey with them. I prize my relationship with them as they allow me to live out the kid in me, by trusting me with their numerous successful events!

However, being granted the honor of again emceeing for them - but this time, the first-ever Licensing Summit by Mattel, has totally changed my perspective. Before, my opportunities with them were more of enhancing my hosting craft & speaking passion, playing games and of course, having the reason to be all "Dolled" up, so to speak. But after the licensing summit, I learned more about the beauty in licensing, and I added up "Being a successful Mattel Licensee" in my Business Bucket list. Being part of this event and gaining knowledge and insight about Licensing came to me for a reason, and that hope to learn more, and be part, then excel in this business is something I would like to hone as well. 

But the licensing part is something under wraps for now, as you never reveal trade secrets - especially confess up in social media or the Internet! For now, we focus on my fun, memorable and empowering time as host of this year's Licensing Summit by Mattel! 

Of course, we gave out awards to the top-performing partners of RGI and Mattel! Then we learned about the plans of these astounding companies for this year and 2015. And since I cannot reveal these exciting plans yet, let me just define these in one line: POWerfully Pink-tastic and Bright! Below is the lovely brand marketing manager, our Big Boss for all of the toy brands, Ms. Ivy Mauhay, sharing tons of great news! 

I pray maybe that I can have the chance to one day work with both Mattel and Richprime Global not just as an event host, but maybe even as a licensee too! Only the future knows... can't wait for the realization of my dreams with them! I know with them, I can have my cake and eat it too! Speaking of cake, check out these fabulous Barbie and Hot Wheels cakes! 

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!!!