Friday, September 30, 2016

PRESS RELEASE: ENABLING STARTUPS TO THRIVE IN CO-WORKING SPACES

For SME's and small, yet innovative enterprises... this is one good news!  There are BIG companies ready to help you achieve your busines dreams and grow your business in the right direction!


Eshna Esu, Operations Manager Penbrothers; Michelle Juliano, Business Development Manager for Client Solutions Group Dell Philippines; John Erwin Magno - Founder and IT Trainer Line Learning and Development Solutions; Tovia Va'aelua - Microsoft Innovative Enterprises Lead Microsoft Philippines; Frank Rich - Commercial Marketing Lead Microsoft Philippines 

SAY ALONZO: THE KIKAY MOM!

Hey dear readers....  so happy to tell you that I will be sharing with all of you the interesting mommy stories of some celebrities I was lucky to have worked with.  Hopefully I can share one celebrity per month  :)   This is oh so exciting, because I am sure we will all learn from their mommy journeys, yey!

For my opening salvo.... let's meet this month's KA-WISE MOM!

Its Pinoy Big Brother season again.  The reality show is now airing its 7th season.  In 2005, it kicked off its pilot season with 12 housemates.  I was part of that monumental first season... and as a Story Producer, we were tasked (huh! parang utos ni Kuya) to do an immersion with an assigned housemate.   

And that was the very first time I encountered Sherylle Ann Alonzo Yutadco.  Of course... Say Alonzo for short.  I still remembered that bubbly lady I visited in Paranaque.  She was so "maarte" and "kikay" but it was hard not to love her.  She is one positive soul.  Even as she shared with me her ups and downs in life -- she is not your usual housemate who is "paawa".  It is obvious that she is a fighter -- and a kikay charmer!


TRIVIA:  SHE DIDN'T LIKE HER "CURLY" HAIR IN THIS PIC  :)
Fast forward to 2016....

Say is now happily married to Ryan Tordesillas and they have a cute baby boy who just turned one year old, Asher.  




Saturday, September 24, 2016

THE CRAFT CENTRAL IS NOW CRAFTING AT GREENBELT!

I am not a "serious" crafter but every once in a while, I find joy and excitement in creating things with my hands.  So far... I tried cross stitching, candle making, watercolor and pastel painting.  Am definitely not an expert... but I truly enjoy the process!

Last Wednesday, September 21, I was invited to the exclusive PR Party of THE CRAFT CENTRAL in Greenbelt 5, Makati.




Friday, September 23, 2016

YOUTH BOOSTER: STEM CELL THERAPY AT THE ZEN INSTITUTE


Maybe Being a mom, I always live in a state of "happy chaos".  Lots to be accomplished, sometimes with such limited time. Admittedly, I am always in a hurry.  So when an opportunity to relax, chill and be at peace knocks on my door, I'm always eager to welcome it with open arms.  Such is my mindset when I attended the Tea Party organized by the Zen Institute.

The name intrigued me... ZEN.  The urban dictionary defines ZEN as a total state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind. Zen is a way of being. It also is a state of mind.  It is also something that I want to achieve -- amidst my "happy chaos".

The Zen Institute in Quezon City, emitted an aura of relaxed atmosphere.  Right away, I felt at home and relaxed.  If you are someone like me who is always in a hurry,  a type A personality -- the ambience of the Zen Institute is a welcome change.   





Thursday, September 22, 2016

UNMASKING YOUR THYROID


TRUE STORY:
Consider me a "suki" when it comes to thyroid scans, TSH-T3-T4 blood tests.  I have it every 3-4 years since 2000.  I think I also subjected myself to a thyroid uptake, wherein I swallowed a substance containing radioactive iodine. The kids were still small back then, and I remembered vividly, that I was instructed not to go near the kids for a couple of hours after my intake of the substance.  I told my kids "mama is radioactive girl for a while.  when my radioactive powers subside, then you can go near me na"!

Aside from being a certified hypochondriac, my constant weight loss is one of the many reasons why I like my thyroid to be regularly checked up.  My last blood test was 3 years ago... and the result were all normal.

But then again, I read  (oh yes, googling symptoms of varied illnesses is also a hobby)  that even though certain people have normal TSH-T3-T4 results, their bodies may still react negatively to the normal numbers.  In short what is normal for a huge part of the population, may not be normal to me at all.  So again.... the fear of having Hyperthyroidism lurks behind my head.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

GREEN THUMB DIARY: PART 2

It's been 4 months already since I planted my MNL Growkits.

Happy to say..... all three plants thrived very well.


At 2 WEEKS..... basil, lettuce and sunflower were doing good.  All three plants enjoyed basking in full sun and twice, or even thrice watering.  

BASIL
SUNFLOWER


2 MONTHS after.... all three were still doing well  :)   It survived the scorching heat of summer!


SO HAPPY TO SEE THE YELLOW COLOR OF THE SUNFLOWER

AND AFTER A FEW MORE DAYS THERE SHE IS  :)
BASIL AND KALE FOR  CHICKEN VEGGIE SPAGHETTI
AND HAVE ENJOYED A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF LETTUCE (DIPPED IN HUMUS)

After 4 months.... ths sunflower has dried out and died.  So I guess its time to plant another batch.   But the basil and the lettuce.... are still thriving.  I haven't seen a basil plant with HUGE leaves.  Parang naka-multivitamins kung lumaki!  The lettuce, nagsanga. So more opportunity for harvest!




Green Thumb Project is a total success!

If you are interested on how I started, read green thumb diary part 1














Friday, September 16, 2016

THE VALUE OF POSITIVE DISCIPLINE


Sadly, I come from a generation wherein spanking, reprimanding by way of shouting, are accepted ways of disciplining one’s child. A generation which always say, “Anak lang kita. Wala kang karapatang sumagot”!  My parents have one way or another, spanked me with the “tsinelas” or with their hands... at times, they threw things at me, during the height of their anger. I am not saying I am a perfect child. There are times when I am mischievous, hard headed, stubborn, and I knew I deserve some degree of disciplining.  But now that I am a parent, the question pops into my mind.  Is spanking, or any form of corporal punishment, be it physical, emotional or psychological, the ideal way to discipline a child? The answer I learned.... is a big NO!




Teaching children and correcting their mistakes does not mean inflicting pain.  Because simply put... LOVE DOES NOT HURT.

I am equally guilty as my parents were.  A few years back, working in TV production wherein I spent so many stressful, tiring, sleepless days at the office, the last thing that I want to see when I get home, is a crying toddler.  Sometimes, because my body is weak and my brain is not functioning well because of sleep deprivation, I reacted to my crying child either by shouting, or spanking with my hands.  Looking back, I knew I did poorly as a mother. 


I have tried to control my temper as my children grew.  Instead of shouting, I tried my very best to talk to them in a calm way.  I tried not to meet their outbursts head on.

Now my children are in their teens already.  If I have the chance to travel back in time and revise my parenting techniques – I would stick to POSITIVE DISCIPLINE.

What exactly is POSITIVE DISCIPLINE?  It is a non violent, rights-based approach in teaching and disciplining children.  It recognizes the child’s evolving capacities to understand, learn and define his/her character and personality and promotes respect for the child’s dignity and individuality.  It also recognizes the importance of the participation of the child in the discipline process, guiding him/her towards proper values and behavior in the long run.



Grounded on love and respect and devoid of any form of violence, POSITIVE DISCIPLINE teaches and guides children through their growing up years while recognizing that they, too have rights – to survival, development, protection and participation.  As children live through various development stages, they develop self-esteem, self-respect, self-discipline, responsibility, appropriate thinking and behavior.  It is the primary responsibility of parents and adults to discipline and guide them towards distinguishing right from wrong.

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE does not begin only when children do wrong, rather, it is integrated in everyday communication between the adult and the child.  It is not an easy task for parents, but it must be done.  Because if you start it late in your child’s life, it is more difficult to instill.

PETA ARTS (Advocate Right to Safety) Zone Project for Children is an advocacy campaign that champions children’s rights. It promotes a culture of respect for the dignity of children and upholds their right to protection from all forms of violence. This is done through art and creative interventions.  ARTS Zone Project for Children also emphasizes the child’s participation and empowerment to change his/her life for the better.





*Rated:PG presents practices and pre-conceptions, and encourages viewers to reflect and discuss how they raise children at home and in schools. The play was performed in various schools and communities.

PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) spearheads the campaign by mobilizing various sectors, communities and organizations in harnessing arts and creativity for children’s rights and for child protection work.
PETA ARTS Zone Project uses a three-prong strategy with the following features: performance, creative/integrated arts workshops and local action initiatives.  






The strategy engages hundreds of children, teachers and parents and community and faith-based organizations, resulting to partnerships forged with schools, barangays, non-government organizations and local government units.


Love and affection cannot be manifested through hurt and abuse. We must not confuse discipline with pain. As we safeguard children’s right to be protected from any form of violence and abuse, we sum up the project’s message in a way that is understood by all: Love does not hurt.

ME WITH FELLOW BLOGGERS AT THE PETA PARENTING WORKSHOP