As expected, warla mode ang jowa ko.

I tried explaining to him that nobody wanted what happened to Anika to happen.

ALVIN: Paano mo masu-sure na hindi na mauulit na masaktan si Anika?!

ME: Hindi ko yan mapro-promise. Wala akong mental telepathy at hindi ako psychic. Pero hindi mo naman masasabi na wala tayong ginagawa to prevent this from happening again.

Dumugo kaya ilong ko sa English while writing that letter for the school noh!

ALVIN: Kung ganyan lang, tuturuan ko na din yang anak ko lumaban! Pinalaki natin na hindi nananakit ng kapwa tapos gaganyanin lang!

ME: Prerogative naman natin turuan si Anika ng self-defense. Pero hindi naman ako mag-aagree na to a point na maging violent ang bata.

Please forgive my husband for being like that. He got hurt. He loves Anika so much.

I am not freaking out like in Alvin’s levels because it’s quite simple really.

1. Anika didn’t seem affected psychologically (as of now ha). Normal lang siya. Hindi siya takot pumasok or anything. Important sa akin yun.
2. We will have an audience with the teacher. I am anxious about bringing Alvin with me because he is emotional when it comes to Anika. Pero ipupusta ko lahat ng bags ko, hindi magpapa-iwan yan in that meeting. We will be able to air out our apprehensions and we will be able to tell the school what we want to happen in case maulit (knock on wood).
3. We cannot control some things in this circumstances. We cannot control that boy, his parents and the future situations. However, we can teach Anika how to act and react sa mga ganyang ganap. I think diyan kami dapat magconcentrate mag-asawa.

Because seriously, this is just one of the many bullies that my daughter will face in her lifetime. Grade 2 lang si Anika. She still has a long way to go. She will meet more difficult and unreasonable people. She will encounter a demanding boss when she starts working. She will come across mean and ruthless individuals. God forbid, makakaharap yan ng boy who might break her heart.

She needs to learn how to be strong and how to react properly both emotionally and physically.

I mean, get it? What we teach our kids now should be applicable until the future, hindi yung at the moment lang. Bullies in school just prepare us for the real world.

Alam nating lahat yan.

Osha, babalitaan ko na lang kayo after our meeting with the teacher.

Good vibes na muna again.

Eto, in-aura ko ang shoulders ko in this top that I wore when I had afternoon tea with my CSA mommy friends last weekend. I wish I can remember what online shop I got this top. Ang daming nagtatanong where I got it!

Top: I FORGOT WHERE (so sorry!); Pants: MANGO; Sandals: CLN; Bag: Balenciaga; Sunglasses: PRADA

Yup. You heard it right. My CSA mommy friends and I had afternoon tea at The Lobby of the Manila Peninsula last weekend and it was soooo shala!

I seriously loved it, mga bakla. The ambiance was so relaxing. The food was good and their coffee was satisfying. Tawanan kami ng tawanan! Very conducive to chikahan!!! Eto dapat ang mga day-off gigs ng mga mudrakels!

I love the plates, tea cup and saucer.

Ang dainty lang tingnan. Here are the pretty mommies I had tea with.

Don’t mind my angle there. Hindi maganda. Mukha tuloy extra rice ang kinain ko, hindi dainty sandwiches lang. Lelz.

These are the food that comes with the Afternoon Tea set of Manila Pen.

Anika just liked the macaroons. She got hungry and ordered turon. Nakakaloka. Turon lang pala ang gusto. Sana dun na lang kami sa kanto namin bumili. Php 10 lang.

Have I told you I like maarte food? =D

But more than maarte food, I loved how we were able to relax, talk about our kids and laugh at the silliest things even for a few hours. Anika and her classmates were also able to spend time and play at the same time. Mommies should do this every now and then. Ang mahal nga lang, lintek. If you do not have the member discount coupon (wala ako nun, nabasbasan lang ako, folks), it can be pricey. Where pa ba may afternoon tea packages na hindi naman ka-mahalan? Tara, dun tayo? I googled and found Relish in Salcedo, Makati and at TWG Tea Salon. Have you guys tried it there?

We can DIY din that at home ano? Gawin ko nga yan with Anika (and her dolls para sumama sa trip ko etong batang ito). Better start investing na in nice teapots, tea cups and small plates para feel na feel. I wonder where we can buy the scones and clotted cream too?

Please do share what you know mommies! Hehehehehe!

Top: GAP; Pants: UNIQLO; Shoes: CLN

We had a meeting with Anika’s class adviser, Grade level head teacher and the guidance counselor last week. I can say that we, well, I am satisfied with what transpired in that meeting. I can say that I felt that the concern is being handled the right way. I cannot disclose what we talked about here because I don’t feel comfortable discussing the details. Basta, the school does not tolerate those kinds of actions and the same time, they are fair enough to do what’s best for everyone involved. I am praying lang that everything will turn out well for everybody.

Anyway, I have question. Mommies, when you do ba your groceries, do you have a budget and super stick to it? Kwentahan levels, ganun?  Like when you go to the supermarket meron kang goal na “hanggang 5,000 pesos lang ang pwede kong gastusin dito”?

Before kasi I don’t have a budget when I go grocery shopping. Basta I get what I think we need sa house plus the stuff that I want to buy and pay afterwards. Kaya nga sarap na sarap ako maggrocery eh. It’s like satisfying the shopaholic in you less the guilt. Para sa bahay kasi yung pinapamili mo naman eh. Hehehe.

I do bring my grocery list with me but I seldom stick to it. Kahit wala sa list but I like to buy, I get. Since almost the same naman the things I put in the cart, more or less I get the same amount always at the cashier after. Pagnagkakasabay sabay lang yung laundry soap, bath needs, oil, bigas and meat, dun parang nakaka-lula yung total amount.

I brought the topic up because a few weekends ago, I couldn’t withdraw money from any ATM. We needed to go grocery shopping and all I had in my wallet was Php 5,000. Alvin was with me and he prohibited me from using my debit card to pay for the grocery items. Lagi kasi ako nadedebit. Naiinis siya. May cash naman daw, bakit pa kailangan i-charge?

Tamad kasi ako magwithdraw and if I withdraw a lot of money, nauubos ko yun ng hindi ko namamalayan. Low EQ, heller.

Anyway, Alvin said Php 5,000 should be enough for the grocery. Pagkasyahin ko daw.

Wow. Feeling ko I was in a TV show! Survivor: the Grocery Edition

I started computing my total as I got items from the shelves.

Takte mga bakla, nasa first aisle pa lang ako and the total of the groceries na was Php 1,000! I looked inside my grocery cart and was surprised that napaka-konti pa lang ng laman. Like 6 small pieces.

Sabi ko, wait. Ayusing ko nga. I took out the 6 items from my cart and started doing everything from the start. This time, I looked and compared the prices.

Ang dami kong learnings, I tell you.

One, emergerd. Ang mahal pala ng cheese! Two, garlic is also expensive pala. Hindot na yan, para sa ilang pirasong bawang, 70 pesos na?! Three, ang corned beef mga bakla, halos Php 90 na ang isa! Four, Timtam is so expensive! Nakakataba na, ang mahal pa!

LOW EQ CONSCIENCE: Pero masarap naman di ba?!

Kunsensya, tigilan mo ako!

That grocery trip was an eye opener for me. Before, I just get the items depending on the brand I use. Pagdating sa grocery shopping, I am a creature of habit. Kung ano ang nakasanayan, yun lang ng yun. But at that specific grocery time, I compared prices. Like spaghetti noodles. I always get the more famous brand. Mahal siya ng halos Php 20 dun sa isang brand na parehas naman ang lasa. Mga ganun ba.

Para akong naliwanagan. Some of the brands that I get (because naka-gisnan ko na or dahil wala lang) are way more expensive compared to the other good brands too.

And since limited ang budget nung time na yun, I couldn’t make hakot (read: get items ng hindi na nagiisip). Tama lang, I realized, because dati, kuha lang ako ng kuha. I always bought Anika’s baon in packs. The problem is, I just buy and buy and nageexpire talaga siya. What a waste of food and money.

Naghinay-hinay din ako. Pumupreno.. Naging habit ko kasi na bumili ng mga food or ingredients “just in case magtake up ako ng baking” or “just in case baka maisipan ko magluto ng ganito” which we all know never or very seldom happens. I fought the urge to buy these ingredients kasi (1) I don’t need it yet and (2) I will probably never get to use them until their expiry date.

I told myself that I will just buy the day before buo na loob ko that I will actually cook it.

I was so surprised as I finish my grocery shopping that day. I became aware of the total cost as the groceries piled up in my cart. Indeed, mahal na nga ang mga bilihin ngayon. On a positive note, gumaling din ako sa mental math, girls. Yes, sumakit ulo ko kaka-compute but it was a nice exercise for my brain. Pwede na ako sumabay sa pagnagcocompute out of nowhere ng boss ko. Ang talino kasi nun. He notices siguro the glazed look on my face whenever he starts computing mentally in front of me. Nagiging choppy kasi siya eh. Nasa end na siya ng computation niya, nanun pa ako sa first part na carry one.

True that dapat we have stock of food for emergencies like biglang may dadating ka na guests. I don’t like the feeling na I can’t serve anything because wala akong food or ingredients sa cupboard that time. Pwede magstock pero hindi siguro grocery levels sa dami. Nageexpire talaga.

I was able to get everything that we need (and a little more) in that grocery trip for Php 5,000. Tumagal ako magshopping ng 30 minutes more but I learned a lot. Dapat wais na misis tayo, sabi nga nila. The more savings we have, the more moolah for shopping di ba? Charot.

I told Alvin about this and I told him about the learnings. Mas madami talagang money na mase-save. Kokonti din ang ididispose dahil expired na. I told him I will do this regularly from now on. I will be more conscious of what I put in the cart. Hindi naman sa tinitipid ko because I will still get everything that we need for the house. I will just pay more attention to the quantity and to the price. I will also still get the items that we want pero in moderation.

Parang gusto yata ako yakapin ni Alvin that day.

Hehehe. Your thoughts, muthers?

Last weekend was busy but we accomplished so many things. I don’t know if some of you feel this way too but minsan, nanghihinayang ako sa mga weekends na hindi ako nakakapagpahinga. Racha kasi talaga ako pagweekdays. Early in the morning yan until late at night. Hindi ako nauubusan ng things that I have to do to a point that I can’t even squeeze time for me to exercise. They said that hindi daw excuse yun. One should find time to exercise. Ewan ko lang if applicable sa akin kasi parang pinagtataguan ako ng oras. Hindi ko siya mahanap. Hide and seek ang peg namin! Lelz.

Anyway, this is what I wore last Saturday.

Top: MANGO; Shorts: STRADIVARIUS; Shoes: KEDS; Cover-Up: COTTON ON

Anika and my Saturday started very early. Asan nga ba si Sombrero that time? Wait. Ah. He stayed in the house because of the anti-anay person who was coming over.

So Anika and I left the house around 8am. We went to Healthway clinic in Greenbelt 5. We went so that Anika can have her follow up blood tests and ECG. Wala na kasi siyang virus sa katawan. So dapat, normal na ang potassium level niya and ECG results. Dapat no more heart beat skipping. Me naman, I went to have my blood chem test. I had to check if my cholesterol and sugar levels are normal na because I drank medicine to lower my cholesterol and I changed my diet for a month.

I was in fasting that morning for my blood chem. That means I haven’t eaten or drank anything in 12 hours. Nahihilo na ako sa gutom.

Thankfully, efficient sila in Healthway. Since it was still early, na-asikaso nila agad kami. Good thing also konti pa lang ang tao because nagdrama kami mag-ina when it was time to get blood from us. If you don’t know yet, Anika is still scared when med techs get blood from her. And if hindi niyo din alam, takot din ako sa blood tests. I get scared. I get stressed. I cry.

Ito yung time na inisip ko bakit nga ba hindi namin sinama si Alvin eh parehas kami duwag ni Anika.

As expected, Anika cried and cried when they started inserting the needle on her. I held her hand and said it will be over soon. Tumigil naman siya after. When it was my turn, she held my hand naman. The difference sa amin ni Anika is that she looks when they get blood from her. Ako hindi. Duwag nga kasi ako.

While they were getting blood for me, I was trying my hardest to act brave and not cry. Pero fail. Tears started falling while I bit my lips. Anika told me, “See? Now you know how I felt kanina!”.

Serreh nemen.

Wowa arrived right after Anika’s ECG. Moral support sana kasi na-late hahaha!

We had breakfast at Bizu after everything.

Hay. I love breakfasts talaga especially with people I love. It’s one of my favorite things.

I have to mention that I like Healthway’s after service where they email me the test results. I don’t need to go back to get it except if I need the signed hard copies. I prayed that weekend kasi I know I’ll get our blood test results the next day.

Wowa called me last Monday. Kinamusta yung results namin. I told her that Anika’s potassium and magnesium levels were normal. Whew. My cholesterol and sugar levels are normal.

Woooohoooo!

Welcome back to my life, desserts!!!

WOWA: Hoy, Nanay. Hindi ibig sabihin niya kakain ka na naman ng kakain ng ice cream!

How did she know ang mga balak ko in life?!

Hehe.

Anika’s ECG results came in today and it says “Premature Atrial Contractions with Aberrancy” and “Sinus Arrhythmia”. I googled what these two meant and based on my understanding this is common to healthy young and elderly people. Nevertheless, Alvin and I will be taking her to a pedia cardiologist to confirm all these.

Anyway, the three of us spent time after breakfast. We went shopping and I took Anika to National Bookstore. I love spending time in this place. We looked at notebooks, tried out pens and browsed different aisles for books. I really do hope Anika catches my love for reading.

After going to the bookstore, I treated Anika to Timezone. That was where nakita niyo in my Instagram video si Wowa na nageenjoy at one of the arcade games. May balak yata bumili ng ganung game then didikitan daw niya ng pictures ng mukha yung mga pinapalo niya. Outlet ika nga. Lelz.

We had light lunch at Cibo after then Anika and I went home na because I got really sleepy. Yung mind and body ko gusto pa magshopping but yung diwa ko tulog na.

We took a short nap at home then Alvin and I went to check out dance classes for Anika. The first one was affordable pero jabar dun sa waiting area ng companions. The second one was okay because airconditioned yung place, even the waiting area pero exage ang price. I’m checking the dance classes in Makati na lang.

The next day, Alvin left early to play golf. Anika and I went to the mall again to look for a Filipiniana costume for her. We found one in Kultura.

Faye gave birth the night before (yeyyyyy!) so we were going to visit her in the hospital. Fonz requested that we come in the afternoon so that Faye can sleep muna. To kill time, Anika and I had our pedicure in one of the salons in Glorietta. Around lunch time, Alvin called me to tell me that he wants to go with us to the hospital. Sunduin daw namin siya sa house. We picked him up and went to PGH. Yeah, Faye gave birth in PGC. Magaling kasi OB niya and dun lang talaga nagprapractice so no choice siya but to give birth there.

Sadly, PGH didn’t allow Anika to enter the hospital. Bawal daw kids except yung mga aabot ang height dun sa height ng lobby counter nila. Mind you, mataas ang counter, around 5 feet.

ALVIN: Muntikan ka na din hindi umabot, Babe.

Lech.

So Alvin and Anika waited for me in the parking na lang. Anika cried when she heard the guard that she can’t go in. I pitied her because she was so excited to see her cousin. May dala pang rubber ducky. Para daw kay Isabel.

I told her we’ll just visit Isabel in their house soon. After, off I went to find Faye’s room inside PGH.

Have you guys been inside PGH? It’s scary din there ano? The hospital is very old na. There are big, old paintings of people in the wall. At first I can’t understand why Anika can’t go inside. Bakit sa Asian and sa Makati Medical pwede? When I was walking in the corridors, na-gets ko na.

The patients being wheeled to the operating room in the 3rd floor pass in the same hallways were guests and non-patients are. You ride the same elevators with them. There are also some patients without beds who are in the corridor. Hindi talaga siya safe for the kids’ health.

Hay naku, ang dami kong hanash after. Sa akin lang, why can’t the government improve our public hospitals especially the big ones like the Philippine General Hospital? Sana they prioritize this. Kawawa din talaga ang mga less fortunate who can’t afford to pay for their healthcare. Lakihan pa sana ang mga wards with more beds. Given na madaming mahihirap in our country eh, dapat yung ratio ng beds malapit. Kaloka.

Anyway, good vibes na lang muna. Faye’s baby is soooo cute! She’s one of the cutest newborns I have ever seen. Antay antay lang kayo guys sa photos ha? Ayaw pa ng mag-asawa magrelease because siguro sinusulit muna nila ng tahimik lang ang first baby nila. I also told Faye not to allow a lot of visitors yet. Ibang klase na ang mga virus ngayon and the newborn’s immune system isn’t that developed yet. Basta as of now I can say that my new niece is the most adorable thing I have ever seen in quite a while.

Because Alvin and Anika were waiting for me, I didn’t stay long with Faye and Isabel. We’ll just visit them this weekend.

Alvin, Anika and I passed by CCP to walk around and have dinner at Dencio’s. I celebrated my normal cholesterol level with a plate of sisig.

Bad!

Hahahaha!

I was busy taking photos of Alvin and Anika. Ang gaganda my shots. I told Alvin, wistfully, sana picturan niya din kami ni Anika ng mga candid shots na magaganda. Hindi daw siya marunong. Hindot.

Husbands, like what they said in that certain article, take the cameras from your wives. For a change, take photos of them. Take photos of them with your children. Matutuwa yun.

So there. Ang haba ng kwento ko hahahaha!

So excited for the coming long weekends!

Last weekend, when we went out for breakfast, Wowa noticed that my skin looked nicer. My mother is my worst critic when it comes to my skin. This isn’t surprising because she takes good care of her face and it shows naman. So when she said that gumaganda skin ko, natuwa ako.

I want to share with you what new thing I did these past few months kaya my skin looks nicer and healthier.

Have you guys heard of the Banish skin care products?

I must admit that I haven’t heard about them up until this Banish Starter Kit landed on my doorstep a few months back.

Yes, months.

It took me around 3-4 months to try the products so I could give an honest review about it.

So, what is Banish?

Banish is a beauty products company that was founded by a lady named Daisy from Pasadena, California. She’s a entrepreneur who graduated from Duke University with a degree in Economics. Like most of us, she had skin issues. She has tried a lot of skin care products for her acne and was best friends already with dermatologists because of the number of times she consulted with them to cure her acne. She noticed that when she used organic products, her acne lessened. It was not until she has saved up for a laser treatment to remove her acne scars when a plastic surgeon  showed her this cosmetic tool to be used with a Vitamin C serum. She’s a vlogger too so when her viewers noticed her nice and improved skin, they all asked for the products she used and it got sold out.

The rest was history na daw. You can read her story here.

The Banish products claim that “they work to get your skin back to its natural state by emphasizing the use of fresh natural ingredients”. Most of the time, the Banish products are created the same day these products get shipped to the people who ordered.

Cool, huh?

Since their products are made from natural ingredients, I wasn’t scared to try them. The Banish Starter Kit contains:

• The Banisher
• The Pumpkin Enzyme Masque
• The Activated Charcoal and Clay Masque
• Vitamin C Beauty Elixir
• Pore Smasher

At first, natuwa ako because talagang may beauty gadgets na kasama! This is the first time I will ever be trying this.

I’ll go straight to the point.

I believe the reasons why I have better skin now are:

(1) I started eating healthier since the doctor said that I had high sugar and cholesterol levels,
(2) I started using facial wipes first before washing my skin, and
(3) I used the Banish Pore smasher, Vitamin C Beauty Elixir, Banish Oil and the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

This is Banish’s Vitamin C Beauty Elixir. It is my favorite among all products in this kit.

It comes in a spray bottle that I use everyday. The key ingredients to this amazing beauty product is Vitamin C, Aloe and Tea Tree Oil. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the skin. Aloe reduces redness and inflammation and tea tree oil is antibacterial. Gosh, I love this spray! It’s so refreshing and it helps moisturize my very dry skin and my skin feels supple afterwards. I can really see that after a few weeks, my skin is a lot brighter. Maganda talaga ang Vitamin C sa skin, ghels. It’s super my favorite that I finished this bottle already! I have to order more!

I use that after washing my face. It acts as a toner and a moisturizer na din.

After spraying the Vitamin C Beauty Elixer, I use a cold Pore Smasher and roll it to my face.

This is the Pore Smasher.

The Pore Smasher can be used before the Banisher to numb skin or daily after applying your serum and elixir to temporarily tighten your pores and reduce irritated skin.

What I do is that I put the Pore Smasher in the freezer before we eat dinner. Then after an hour, just after spraying the Vitamin C Beauty Elixir, I roll the Pore Smasher on my face. It’s so relaxing!

Favorite ko yang activity na yan and I still do that everyday with the Banish Oil.

Another product that I have been using is the Pumpkin Enzyme Masque.

I use this once to twice a week. The Pumpking Enzyme Masque gently exfoliates skin without the use of harsh scrubs to reveal beautifully smooth and more evenly toned skin. I experience a little tingling sensation but that’s normal daw. It contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Beta-Carotene and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. It’s vegan and cruelty free plus it is made without parabens and sulfates.

Remember, I have sensitive skin pero I didn’t encounter any problems with this product. I just put on a thin layer on my face, let it dry for 10 minutes then wash it off with cold water.

Another product that I like is the Banish Oil a.k.a Vitamin C Serum.

According to their website:

This is the signature product that was carefully formulated by Daisy herself. Each potent drop is infused with nature’s best ingredients. That’s why it quickly became a hit and started the #BanishObsession

What I like about it is that it has Vitamin C (how can you ever go wrong with Vitamin C?!), Ferulic Acid (another antioxidant) and Vitamin E.

I put this after the Elixir spray just before using the Pore Smasher at night. It makes my skin look brighter and smoother =)

The next product in the Banish Starter kit is the Activated Charcoal Clay Masque.

It has the ability to absorb impurities up to 100 to 200 times its weight. As the activated charcoal absorbs the oils and impurities, your skin won’t reabsorb the bad stuff while the mask is on.

I use this once every other week. I mix it with water until it becomes like a paste. Dahan dahan lang ako with this product because this is best used if you have oily skin. Dry akish so dahan dahan lang ang gamit ko.

Lastly, the Banish Starter Kit comes with the Banishers. They have the roller one and the pen for isolated pimples or acne.

The Banishers increase the effectiveness of the famous Banish Oil. We can’t use Banishers on active pimples though. It’s just like what our dermatologists tell us always: Do not squeeze out pimples by yourself because it might get infected. Using the Banisher before the Banish Oil once every two weeks reduces the look of dark marks, uneven texture and fine lines.

From their website:

“The Banisher provides a natural way to fade the appearance of acne scars. It uses titanium bristles that are an ideal size to help fade the look of acne scars with little recovery time.“

To tell you the truth, I have not tried this yet. Wala kasi akong acne sa face (thank you genes). But this is how it looks like.

This is how the Banish Stamp/Pen looks like:

It makes sense though. The Banisher is a derma roller that’s also a micro needling process wherein it creates micro channels in your skin. This causes your skin to repair itself and build new collagen fibers. It helps fade acne scars. For those who do not have acne scars, the Banisher will help the Banish Oil get absorbed more in your skin.

I’ll get back to you after I’ve tried this, ha?

I have to note that before actually using the Banisher, you should read the instructions on How To Use The Banish Kit.

There are a few reminders when using the Banisher:

1. Do not use the Banisher over active acne
2. Do not exfoliate right after using the Banisher.
3. Avoid sun exposure or wear sunscreen the next day.
4. Consult with your dermatologist before use if using a prescription acne medication or cream

Daisy has this video about all the items in the Banish Starter Kit. Nice siya to watch =)

You can order your first ever Banish Starter Kit here.

Alam niyo ba anong magandang business? Selling affordable Filipiniana costumes during Linggo ng Wika and United Nations costumes during UN week to moms of kids! Patok mga mare!

I have been pushing LT to do that. Yung affordable lang pero cute kasi they’ll just wear it one time.

LT made some of Anika’s Filipiniana costumes since she started schooling.

This is the first baro’t saya that she made when Anika was 2 and a half years old. I felt she was the most adorable little girl in Filipiniana that day.

She also made this dress when Anika was 4 years old.

The other year, when Anika was 5 years old, wala siguro ako sa sarili because I wasn’t able to tell LT to make one in time for Linggo ng Wika. Alvin bought na lang in a surplus store. Php 150 lang yata yan but the quality wasn’t nice. Super nipis ng tela but we decided that would do for that year. Bawi na lang kako.

Last year parang they weren’t required to go to school in Filipiniana costume.

This year, LT’s sewing machine broke so she can’t make a dress for Anika. We went to Kultura and found this outfit.

At first, I saw that it only costs around Php 500+. Sabi ko , okay ha, hindi naman mahal. But when I was paying for it, Php 700 plus daw. Yung Php 500, skirt lang pala =/ Tela lang talaga yan na wrap around eh.

I still got it though kasi no choice and Anika looks cute in it =D

Happy Linggo ng Wika!

I don’t know if I’ve told you this already but I have a thing for mangoes. I love looking, feeling and smelling them. I got into a small accident on the road while driving just because I was looking at the mangoes that were being sold sa side ng road. And because I love mangoes, I’m an expert in picking what mangoes are sweet. Magaling ako diyan guys.

I wish I could say the same for Avocados.

I cannot figure out how to pick the right avocado. Do you have tips ba? Lagi akong sablay eh. I’ve been meaning to make avocado toast for breakfast since forever but hindi ako maka-chamba ng tamang avocado.

Good thing Mish and Sab gave us an avocado during the event! Haha! It was part of the loot bag so I made Avocado toast agad agad!

It was pretty easy. I googled “Avocado Toast for Dummies” and found an easy recipe from the hundreds of suggestions that they had in that page.

First, get the avocado from the fruit itself. Put it in a bowl.

Mash it. Season with lemon and salt. I used the Himalayan Pink Salt that I got in Trader Joe’s when I went to visit Arnaiz in the US early this year.

Get your wheat bread.

Get your Light Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese.

Spread the cream cheese over the slice of bread. Put the avocados and top with crunch pieces of bacon to confuse everybody if healthy living ka nga ba or not. Hahahahahaha!

I promise guys. It tastes good as it looks!

WARNING: This is a narcissistic post. Ang hindi ako mahal, please do not read further.

Top: FOREVER 21; Pants: UNIQLO; Bag: BALENCIAGA; Sunglasses: ALDO; Sandals: IPANEMA

Hahahahahaha! Nemen kasi diba mga besh, ang ibang tao diyan, very sensitive sa mga nagmamaganda eh that’s what I will be discussing with you now =D

Anyway, a number of people are commenting that I’m looking better nowadays. Mas payat, mas maganda… Medyo madami ang comments na ganun in the past two months to a point na iniisip ko, “Bakit? Ganun ba ako ka-pangit dati?!”

Hehehehe.

I will tell you bakit ganun. Nope, I didn’t kill myself exercising. I actually have not exercised in 8 weeks na. Two months ago kasi parang I pulled a muscle doing ab exercises. It was so masakit that I wasn’t able to exercise for a month. Yung isang buwan that I didn’t exercise after that, katamaran and ka-busy-han na ang excuse ko.

I lost weight because I didn’t eat meat and sweets. I ate half cup rice once a day lang. I ate a lot of vegetables. Makes sense that I’ll lose weight because you will not believe how much sweets I eat in a daily basis. Sabi ko nga di ba, I can eat a half gallon ice cream in one sitting. Because I was pre-diabetic, natakot ako. I cut off the sweets. My bad cholesterol level was sky high too so I didn’t eat meat and cholesterol rich food. I lost around 6 lbs in eight weeks. Apart from losing weight, I feel so much better. Ang gaan ng feeling when eating healthy.

In my recent check up the other week, my sugar and bad cholesterol are normal already. However, I try my best to stick to this healthy diet. No sweets, meat and fatty food.  Sinasanay ko na sarili ko to get used to eating healthy. Hindi na din kasi tayo bumabata.

Another reason, I think, why they say I look better is because I cut my hair shorter. Ang laking aliwalas muthers. I think that is the best move I did this year when it comes to vanity. Matrabaho nga lang because I have to always put it on hair rollers in the morning otherwise titikwas ang hair ko. Very “Tita” but it’s okay.

Lastly, maganda yung combination ng beauty products ko with my dry skin:

1. I wash my face with Simple Foaming Facial Wash.
2. I wipe my face with the SK II Facial Treatment Essences as a toner.
3. I spray on the Banish Vitamin C Elixir.
4. I roll the chilled Banish Pore Smasher on my face.
5. I put on the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Serum.
6. I put on the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream.

I exfoliate once a week. I put on a facial mask once a week too.

My problem is that I ran out na of the Banish Vitamin C Elixir. Sa America lang meron nun. I’m in search now of a Vitamin C serum. It’s really great for the skin. It brightens and moisturizes. Do you have recommendations? Please let me know ha?

So that’s basically it! Healthy diet, nice haircut and a good beauty regime *two thumbs up*.

Top: STRADIVARIUS; Pants: AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS; Belt: FOREVER 21; Shoes: CLN

I can hear myself say “Sana mahati hati ko katawan ko.” nowadays.

Hindi naman chop chop lady levels. It’s just that I feel that there are so much things to be done and I have to be everywhere at once.

Leading the list of to do is the 10 buildings that will be Ready For Occupancy. This quarter lang yan ha! That is around 4,400 units and I am in charge of the turnover of all them. Take note, these projects are not in the same area. We have in Balintawak, Amang Rodriguez, Quezon City, Pasig, Taguig and Paranaque. And I try to go to these sites as often as I can before their RFO dates. So best friends na talaga kami ni Waze and ng traffic.

Pak.

It’s quite busy in the office and at our construction sites now. It’s challenging too because this is the first time magsasabay sabay ng ganyan ka-daming turnover in a time. It’s exciting because gosh, I love my job! I get a rush everytime we finish a project. I saw the project kasi from the time it was just a heap of ugly concrete to the resort type community it will be when we’re ready to open our doors to our unit owners. My job is to make sure everything is ready and well coordinated before and to the day of the RFO. Madaming departments kasi ang involved: construction, design, landscape, interior design, property management and post-construction. May back room or support groups pa na mga departments behind that. It’s as if I’m coordinating a grand wedding for each project. Hindi lang kasi alam ng madaming tao na to meet the committed RFO date, group effort talaga. Tulong tulong ang lahat.

The weeks leading to the RFO date, diyan na ako pumapasok. I meet with the different departments, organize the final walk through with them and get the clients ready for the turnover.

Ang saya. Nakakaloka. Nakaka-challenge. It’s exhilarating. And I am glad I have the best people ever. I’ll blog nga about each building as they RFO ano? Sige. I’ll do that so you’ll see how beautiful our projects are. My cousins-in-law went to a beach resort in Cayo, Cuba last week. When I saw their photos in the resort, nagulat ako! I thought they were just here in Manila in one of our projects. So nice! =)

Another thing that I am agit about is where to go on our anniversary this September. Alvin and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary. We have not made plans yet so I guess going anywhere that will involve an airplane is out of the question na. Hindi naman pwedeng bahay lang because hello, (1) I want to celebrate we were able to reach another year in our married life. Hindi yata madali yun and alam ng lahat ng magasawa yan. And (2) this will be one of the rare times na pwede ko masolo ang asawa ko. I will not pass that up.

Lastly are the tiny things: doctor appointments, my wavy hair, my nails, my skin, grocery and wet market trips, things I have to take photos of and post, my clothes that I need to sort and sell, etc etc.

source

This meme is so true!

This long weekend, I’ve been checking out the photos of all those people invited to the wedding of Vicky Belo to Hayden Kho in Paris. Even last night when I was in Tomatito kasi gumimik ako, I couldn’t help stalking the Instagram feed of all the guests. Tomorrow for sure puyat ako because it’s almost midnight and I am still finishing this blog entry. I can’t finish asap because I’m so slow because I am still looking at the #aKhoandmyBELOved photos.

Addict lang.

I love weddings kasi and OMG, guys, I know you’ve seen their wedding photos in Paris.  The wedding was so grand! Talbog ang mga celebrity weddings that I have ever seen. The welcome party was held on a yatch that cruised around Seine River. The ceremony was held at the American Church in Paris and the reception was held at the Opera Garnier.

Yeah. The freaking Opera Garnier. Pwede pala ipasara yun for wedding receptions.

Kabog talaga si Mamang Vicki. Siya na.

I’ll show you the photos that caught my attention while I was stalking.

The man of the hour was Michael Cinco. He was the one who made the blush pink wedding gown of Vicki Belo. He made 3 more gowns for her to wear that day because “na-excite” daw siya.

from IG: @Belobeauty

Lekat na yan. Nakaka-inggit! Toddler Scarlet Belo was in a Michael Cinco gown. Marian Rivera’s daughter who was even younger than Scarlet was, I think, wearing a Michael Cinco gown too. Buti pa ang mga bagets, naka-experience na ng Michael Cinco. Samantalang ako, even if I sell my kidneys, kulang pa din to pay for one Michael Cinco wedding gown. Hahahaha!

One of the reasons I was stalking the photos was to look at the dresses of the guests. They were all wearing either black or white.

The young ones looked so fresh. I love Lovi Poe and Cristalle’s gowns. Mukhang Michael Cinco din ang gown ni Cristalle, don’t you think?

From @Belobeauty IG

Hindi din nagpahuli ang mga titas. Gosh I hope I dress like them when I’m in their age. Except for the outfit of Tita Tessa. Hindi ko keri yan.

From IG: @seaprincess888

I like Cristalle’s gown that she wore during the welcome dinner. She’s not payat na payat but she was able to carry a skimpy topped dress.

From IG: @Belobeauty

The table setting was divine. Pero feeling ko if I were invited, tiyak may mababasag akong table display.

From IG: @biancayuson

Majestic and royal are the only two words I can find to describe the reception hall.

From IG: @jammie888

From IG: @Robblancaflor

From IG: @cristallebelo

I love this photo of Vicki Belo and her two older kids. She changed pala into a simpler gown for the reception. Cristalle’s black gown with cape is my favorite among all the gowns there. Quark’s in rubber shoes pero bagay sa tux niya.

From IG: @CristalleBelo

Vicki Belo’s wedding gown against the grand staircase of Opera Granier.

From IG: @Cristallebelo

The church was just simply decorated.

From IG: @MichaelCinco

Michael Cinco’s wedding ball gowns seem to float, don’t they?

From IG: @MichaelCinco

Event stylist, Rob Blancaflor said that Vicki Belo’s wedding bouquet were Lilies of the Valley which are the most expensive flowers in the world. I do hope they preserve that!

From IG: @Robblancaflor

I like the dress that Dra. Vicki wore during the welcome dinner. Jinkee Pacquiao’s outfit, not so much.

From IG: @Salveasis

For me, ang pinaka-winner among the guests is Marian Rivera. She had her toddler in tow the whole time and hindi man lang siya nagmukhang harassed. Mothers, you get what I mean right? Kung ako yan, haggard na haggard na ako kakahabol sa bagets. Si Mareng Marian, fresh na fresh from start to end!

From IG: @Salveasis

She even breastfed right there in the event, in style, with her pretty scarf (Hermes yan, ano?) and all. Love her for that.

From IG: @salveasis

I love how Dingdong was able to lug around Baby Zia’s diaper bag without losing any pogi points. Yan ang Tatay! Apir! In my book, plus 10,000 points pa siya.

From IG: @salveasis

Even though hindi ko masyadong bet ang outfit ni Tita Tessa, I love how her gown contrasted with Cristalle’s in this photo.

From IG: @seaprincess888

Lastly, I love Jennilyn Mercado’s outfit during the wedding. Gusto ko yannnnn! I love how sexy it looked without revealing too much! Dennis Trillo needs a haircut though.

From IG: @timyap

Indeed one of the grandest weddings ever. I know it’s completely none of my business but I am so curious about (1) how much did they spent in that wedding?! And (2) sila kaya ang nagbayad ng fare and accommodations of all their guests? Not that walang pera ang mga guests nila noh kasi mukhang can afford naman everyone to go there pero curious lang kasi ako. Lastly, (3) sino kaya coordinator nila? Galing. Dapat mabigyan ng slow clap.

Whatever. The important thing is that the wedding looked like it was filled with love. I am very happy for them especially for Dra. Vicki Belo.  Despite going through a lot of ups and grabeng downs, love prevailed for both of them. Bihira yun ha.

From IG: @Victoria_Belo

Top: H&M; Pants: UNIQLO; Shoes: CLN

I’m feeling a little bummed out today. A PR firm for a product that I have been patronizing contacted me for an engagement. I sent them my rates. Medyo pabago bago their requirements so I had to send different rates for different kinds of deliverables. Finally they finalized on what the client really wanted from me so I gave them my final rate. Tumawad. I lessened my rate. Tumawad pa more. I gave in because we all know hindi naman pera pera ang basis natin dito sa blog na ito. If I like the product, gorabelles. My goal is ipagkalat and ikwento sa inyo ano merong nice things out there. However, at the end of the day, they pulled out because I couldn’t commit if I can go to their briefing which falls on a weekday.

Alam niyo naman lahat ang situwasyon ko sa work ngayon. Medyo toxic levels.

So I told them I’m a working mom and I can’t during weekdays. Ayun na nga. They withdrew their proposal for the engagement. I need to attend the briefing otherwise no go.

Sad.

Oh well. Sometimes I feel bad when I can’t attend events because of my work. I turn down so many invites for a weekday event that yung iba don’t invite me anymore because they know daw that I’ll turn them down. Hehehe.

I think naman na I shouldn’t feel that way because blogging isn’t my bread and butter. Wala lang. I feel kasi I’m missing out meeting the different mommy bloggers out there. I also miss attending events with my mommy blogger friends. Hay naku. You can’t have it all, ika nga nila. I am just thankful I have a day job that I love.

Anyway, these past few weeks, I’ve been reading so many hanash online about bloggers vs PR firms. Hindi ako bitter from what happened kanina ha? Nataon ko lang ang topic na ito. Promise. Cross my heart.

Simple lang naman yan eh.

HANASH #1: Some PR firms daw do not know how to email influencers.

MY TAKE: PR firms should pay attention to the content of the email correspondences sent to the bloggers. Hindi dahil special ang mga bloggers but because meron talagang Business Writing na subject in college. Nandiyan na din yung respect to the one you are sending the emails to regardless kung blogger ba yan ka-email mo or not. Never start with Dear Mommy Blogger or Dear Blogger. That email goes straight to the trash. Best if you show man lang interest in the content of the blog you want to engage with.

HANASH #2: PR firms email articles expecting bloggers to post it for free.

MY TAKE: Never do anything you are good at for free. That is the reason may charge ang bloggers. That is advertising. Do not expect to get advertising mileage for free. Yung oxygen nga ngayon binebenta na eh.

HANASH #3: Bloggers charge so much. 

MY TAKE: May kasabihan tayo na umayon lang ayon sa ganda. For bloggers, ganun din. Magcharge lang ayon sa katayuan ng blog niyo. How can you charge an exorbitant fee if you have very low statistics? To guide you, know that you can find guidelines online that can teach you how to determine how much you should charge for a blog post or a social media share. Check it out.

HANASH #4: Bloggers buying “followers”

MY TAKE: This I cannot understand. Why do some people buy bots to increase the number of their followers? I am not to judge pero remember, if they find out, nakakahiya. If ang ibang tao ay may skeletons in their closets, ikaw naman, madaming kang bots in your closets. Lelz.

HANASH #5: Some PR firms know better now.

MY TAKE: True. Tumatalino na ang mga PR firms (most of them anyway). They do not rely solely on the number of your followers anymore. May further studies na nagaganap before actually choosing who they want to tap. They are more on the engagement of that particular influencer. Ilan ba ang talaga sa blog readers mo ang may paki sa sinasabi mo? Ilan ang gagaya sayo? In the end, PR firms should get the most of what they paid for. That’s the business after all.

Yun lang naman guys.

I just had to post this because this has been sitting in my draft folder since forever. Nagkaka-agiw na so nilabas ko na. Baka mapanis.

Have a great night!

Sulit na ako with this pre-loved flowy top that I bought from Tin of The Manila Fashion Observer.

Do you guys buy second hand clothes? Ako I do. Nothing wrong with that. Yung mga arte arte tops ko that I know I won’t repeat naman that much, I buy from the Closet Raiders in Facebook. Sayang naman because they’re in good condition. I have intentions of selling my pre-loved clothes too. I’m just waiting for the time when I can spring clean again my closet so I can sell them. Ang dami muthers! Nakakaloka. I wanna sell so that I can buy clothes with the money that I will get from it. Practical, right? Hindi nakaka-guilty magshopping again. Lelz.

Anyway, last Friday, na-feel ko how it is to be a taxi driver. I went to four of our projects that will be ready for occupancy very soon. We are preparing to welcome na our clients to these projects. I am beyond excited!

And tired. Lelz.

But that’s okay. This is one of the things I love most about my job: seeing our projects start from ugly gray concrete to a beautiful building in a community.

First, I went to Zinnia Towers in Balintawak, Quezon City.

Then I went to Viera Residences in Scout Tuason, Quezon City.

And then I went to Sheridan Towers in Sheridan St. Pasig City.

And lastly in Lumiere Residences in Pasig City too.

I did that on a Friday. Imagine the traffic I had to go through.

Loka lokang tunay.

No more time to postpone kasi the walkthrough to next week eh. Sayang yung days. I wasn’t able na nga to go to the necrological mass of the employees for our founder Mr. David Consunji that morning. Hataw na hataw talaga in preparation for these big projects.

I met up with Pineda at Taqueria 101 for a light dinner and drinks after that long day. I needed to unwind before I go home. Grabe yung traffic, mga mare. Exage talaga. But I was happy because it was a very productive day. And spending it with one of your best friends is the best way to conclude it.

Naturally of course, hindi pwedeng walang challenge ang lahat for a working mom like me.

In the middle of everything last Friday, the school clinic call me. I know, again di ba? Anika was at the clinic daw because she hit her head on the floor. Again.

Susmaryosep na bata talaga ito.

I spoke to the school nurse. I asked the basic questions: may bukol, nagsuka ba, nahihilo, nahimatay? Hindi naman daw nagsuka and nahihilo. But there is a small bukol at the back of her head but the nurse is not that sure also kasi weird ang shape ng head ni Anika. May naka-umbok sa likod. I talked to Anika and she said that she was running in the cafeteria, slipped and fell butt first then head. Alvin picked her up in school after that. Hindi na dinala sa hospital because she was okay and the bukol was so tiny.

When I got home, I asked Anika what happened. She said she wasn’t running naman. She was walking very fast, then there was water daw and she tripped and fell.

Wait.

First, the floor of the cafeteria is not slippery even siguro with water. Hindi siya cement finish and hindi naman naka-tiles. Second, she said kanina that she slipped. Ngayon ang dinedemo is nagtrip daw siya. How can she trip and then fall backwards? Dapat forward, di ba?

ME: Anika, come here. I want you to tell me the truth. How did you fall?

She started crying.

ANIKA: If I tell you, you will get super mad at me talaga.

Sabi ko na nga ba.

It turned out, she was swinging herself in between two cafeteria tables during lunch break and fell butt first then head.

She was crying and crying while she told me that.

Pinagsabihan ko ng bongga, mga bakla. Hindi ko ito papalagpasin. But, nope, I didn’t shout. Hindi ako nagwala. My voice was even and I was calm. I told her that I am more mad now, like 100x more mad compared if she told me sana the truth from the start. Na-iyak ako. I couldn’t help it. I told her that there will be a lot more situations that she will encounter in her life like this and I don’t want her lying to us about it. I asked her if hindi ba kami good parents to her at nagsisinungaling siya ng ganun sa amin. She was hugging me and saying “No, no, no! You are good parents Nanay. I’m so sorry!”. She kept on saying sorry.

I didn’t show her that I forgave her agad. Nagiging short cut kasi ang sorry niya. She thinks na magsorry lang siya, okay na ang lahat.

We told her to eat dinner na and we won’t make sabay.

And then she slipped a note under our bedroom door.

Emergerd. Tawa kami ng tawa ni Alvin! Ang taba ng utak.

We finally gave in before bedtime but not after talking to her about it again.

Lumalaki na nga ang anak ko. We are dealing with a different kind of problem na. Dati dati, we were teaching her about sharing lang. Now, eto, about telling us the truth naman.

I was surprised the other weekend because we went to Jump Yard out of the blue. I got skeptical because Alvin was very into it. Tara daw punta daw kami. It was strange. Alvin’s really lazy to go anywhere especially during weekends.  Gusto lang niyan lagi is chill. Later that day, nalaman ko din. Maggogolf pala lolo niyo ng the next morning so nagpapa-good shot *rolling eyes*.

Huli.

We arrived at Jump Yard at around 12noon. Paul and Gabo went with us. I got them Twister fries for snacks kasi para hindi magutom kasi lunch kami nandun.

Going there at that time slot was a good idea. Wala masyadong tao. Just before we ended our designated time to play, everybody started arriving around 1:30 pm. Napuno yung place! Good timing talaga kami.

Anyway, when you arrive at Jump Yard, you’d have to go first to the third floor where you have to fill out the waiver. Ang daming babasahin and pipirmahan! Jump Yard really ensured na hindi sila pwedeng idemanda when you decide to play there. Make sense because I can think of a hundred things that can go wrong while jumping on a trampoline. We all just have to be careful.

Next, you’d have to go to the second floor to pay. One hour costs Php 350 plus the Php 100 socks. If you are just a companion and you’ll not be jumping but you want to enter the playground, you pay Php 100 too.

You have to get the grip socks. Bawal ibang klaseng socks. I advise you also to bring drinks. Ginto ang water dun sa kanila. Best to bring your own otherwise, very magastos.

Bawal to bring anything inside the playground. Jewelries, watches etc are bawal. You can rent a locker for free. There’s a 100 peso deposit. They’ll give you a padlock and key. You can get back your Php 100 after you have returned your padlock and keys.

There are different time slots. Sa isang time slot ka lang pwede.

Before you start, you will be briefed of the the house rules. You will also have to do the warm up. Make sense kasi tatalon ka ng tatalon.

While I was paying, I saw Bobby Andrews with his teenage daughter. I was thinking ang sweet naman niya na daddy. Sasamahan niya talaga magJump Yard yung daughter niya.

After a while, lumapit si Alvin sa akin. He whispered excitedly to me while acting cool, “Babe, si Bobby Andrews o!”.

“Yeah, I saw.”, I said.

Maya maya while warming up, “Babe, si Bobby Andrews o.” while pointing with his mouth and acting cool na cool pa din.

“Yup. Nakita ko na.”, I said.

While I was fixing everything in the locker, “Babe, haha, si Bobby Andrews talaga yun.”

I turned around and face him.

Idol, teh? Hahahahaha! Na-star struck ata lolo niyo!

“Sino nga sila? Si cupcake and si ano?”

ALVIN: Hindi! Pancakes. Si Pancakes and si Cookie.

Subaybay! Halatang halata!

Hahahaha!

Silang apat lang ang nagjump. I didn’t join them though I went inside with them. I have bad knees and I’m scared to further destroy them. I blame my bad knees to all those years I played volleyball. I played the tosser and libero position. I can get any ball from anywhere from any position I am in. That is the reason nabugbog ang knees ko even if I was wearing thick knee pads dati.

Anyway, I could see that they all had fun. Grabe, I saw na super nakakapagod magjump.

Alvin attempted to dunk…

There was an area where the kids can climb and jump to the sponge blocks below. Magaling si Anika magwall climbing. I love it.

They played volleyball.

Playtime was only for an hour but it was very sulit na. Nakaka-pagod. I wonder how many calories they were able to burn in that 60 minutes of play. Alvin and Paul were already just sitting down in the last 15 minutes. Pawis na pawis. Ang mga bagets, sige, energy pa din.

It was a fun experience. Gabo wants to go back but Anika doesn’t want na anymore. The two men, ayaw na din. Hahahaha! It was so funny they were pretty much hang overed that day because they went home very late the night before. Jumping with hangover is not cool. Don’t try it anymore. Lelz.

It’s worth a try though. Kabog ang calories that you will lose for sure =)

The other weekend, I went out with my co-parents from Anika’s Grade 1 class. Sa sobrang close ko na with them, Anika calls them my amigas.

ANIKA: Nanay, what time is my dismissal tomorrow?

ME: Oh, I’m not sure, sweetheart.

ANIKA: Go ask your amigas, please.

Ganun =)

Anika knows we are in viber all the time. Either we’re asking each other about school stuff or wala lang, walang humpay na chismisan and tawanan in that chat group. There was something that made the 13 of us click. It started with us being super helpful and supportive to one another last year during our kids’ first year in elementary school. And then one playdate, we discovered that we talk a lot! Grabe. Agawan ng airtime! We also laugh so much when we’re together. As in loka loka levels.

We planned a night out after the kids’ mastery test week so we can relax. Michelle, one of my amigas, suggested Tomatito in BGC. I’ve read many good reviews of that restaurant so I got excited. Sinabi din ni Michelle na masarap ang Sangria dun so I got giddy and counted the days until my first night out in a very long time.

Just so you know, the last time I went out para mag-hard core gimmik was in 2011. Alvin and I went to this club in BGC with Janis and some of our friends. Pagdating ko sa place, I was shocked! Ang mga bagets kulang na lang ay maghubad! The ladies there were either in dresses 3 sizes smaller than what their actual size or in clothes na kita na talaga ang kuyokot. I was wearing a flowy top and tight jeans with heels that night. I never felt so tita in my entire life! When we went inside the club, I couldn’t last 10 minutes. ANG INGAY! Hindi ko na kaya yung “tsug! tsug! tsug!” na music! Janis and I ended up eating molo soup at the Kabisera restaurant beside the bar. We were both nursing our prides and wondering where our youth went. Hahahahaha!

So fast forward to the present, 6 years after that night, here I was going out again. This time, I’ve embraced already the thought that hindi na ako bagets. Yeah, tita na nga ako but I am a fabulous tita. PAK!

Here’s what I wore.

Top: UNIQLO; Pants: COTTON ON; Shoes: NINE WEST; Earrings: SM ACCESSORIES

And because we are mommies na, we had a table reserved at 6:30 pm with pre-ordered food. So organized hahahaha!

Tomatito (it’s full restaurant name is Tomatito Sexy Tapas Bar) is located at BGC Corporate Center, 11th Ave in Taguig. It’s near Serendra, Seda BGC and Bonifacio High Street.

I was amazed at how pretty the interiors were decorated. Very Spanish 80’s talaga and I love the red color! So sexy!

As usual, I was the one who arrived first.

Everyone started arriving around 6:30 pm. I’m so excited because talagang we prepared for this night. Well, if you’re a mom and a wife, talagang may preparation levels na needed before you can have a night out. Paliguan muna ang mga kids, bilin sa panganay mo (read: the husband) and double check that everything will go smoothly at home or with the family while you are gone.

We had pica pica dinner and this are the dishes we ordered.

Sopa de mercado (pumpkin soup) at Php 180.

Croquetas don Julio (spicy chorizo and cheese croquettes) at Php 375

Escalivada (char grilled vegetables with mackerel fillets) at Php 275

Ceviche de atun (Citrus marinated tuna ceviche, watermelon and basil) at Php 395 –> a must try!

Filete con airbag (cheese and tenderloin steak airbaguettes) at Php 325 –> a must try!

Paella Valenciana (traditional dry paella with chicken, rosemary and snow beans ) at Php 795 –> a must try too! We ordered 4 of these! Take note one order is good for 3-4 people!

Solomillitos al ajillo (beef striploin steak with sauteed garlic and potatoes) at Php 395

Cochinillo (crispy suckling pig cooked for 12 hours, with mango and lime) at Php 995 –> a must try!

There were two dishes that we ordered pa that I wasn’t able to take good photos of pero super sarap also. If I’m not mistaken, those were Costillas de cerdo (Php 325) and Croquetas de trufa y pollo (Php 275).

As you can see, halos pica pica lang everything. Small ang orders nila so we ordered like 3 orders of each appetizers. Yung paella, like I said, naka four kami.

We ordered also white and red sangria. Naka-seven pitchers kami. So by the end of the night we were like this na.

AMIGAAAAAAASSSS!!! (photo from Nica)

We had so much fun, grabe! I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard until my sides hurt. Our bill was around Php 15,000+. Wala naman senior citizen so no discount kami. Our share was like Php 1,400 each. It was so sulit for the meal, kwentuhan, tawanan and the spending time.

photo from Nica

After Tomatito, we went to the Starbucks beside it to have coffee. We almost got kicked out of that coffee shop because we were so noisy. Well, we weren’t actually noisy. We were laughing so hard at everything!

Check out naman one of my amiga’s wallet.

Kate Spade with stickers! That’s my mom ang peg! I love it!

We left and went home at 12 midnight. I was surprised we lasted that long! I thought until 9 to 10pm lang kami.

Hay. Sana maulit. I still laugh whenever I remember that night. I had so much fun!

Top: GIORDANO; Pants: UNIQLO; Shoes: CLN; Sunglasses: MANGO

Hello, hello!

I hope everyone’s safe after that storm the other day. Grabe yung baha inside our village! I was able to go to work. However, Alvin called when I got to the office. Hindi na daw passable for normal cars dun sa amin because of the flood. The creek overflowed na daw. Alvin picked me up na lang at work. He’s driving a pick up truck so pwedeng ilusong sa baha. Feel na feel ko naman. I like it when Alvin picks me up in the office. It brings me back dun sa time na hatid sundo niya ako. Ang lakas maka-sweet. Ngayon kasi eh, if we decide to go on a date on a weekday, separate cars pa kami when we arrive at the place. Separate cars din paguwi. Wala tuloy holding hands while driving. Not that I’m complaining ha? Blessing pa din na we have a car each. Mas efficient for both of us. Nakakamiss lang talaga yung isa car lang kayo.

Anyway, one of my dear blog readers messaged me and told me that she buys daw a lot of the things that I endorse. She told me about the hashtag #MommyFleurMadeMeBuyIt.

Wooohoooo! Nakaka-touch grabe!

Guys, when you buy the things that you learned from me, please put that hashtag and let me know ha?

Wait. Nainspire tuloy ako.

Ganito.

Every week, I shall choose one winner from those who posted products with the hashtag #MommyFleurMadeMeBuyIt and I’ll send you a gift. Okay ba yun? Token of appreciation ko for trusting me when I endorse products.

Nakakakilig!

Speaking of nice things, I recently discovered the Revlon lipsticks. They were on sale at only Php 250 each. 50% off siya that time so Php 500 lang pala ang isang Revlon lipstick ano? Even if it’s not as expensive as the other high end make up brands out there, ang fantastic niya.

My recent favorites are the Raisin Rage and Teak Rose.

This is the Raisin Rage and it’s perfect when you’re feeling a little rebellious during the day. I wore this when I went out with my amigas to Tomatito.

This is the Teak Rose. It’s similar to the Twig shade of MAC. This is perfect during the day.

I’m looking forward to checking out your #MommyFleurMadeMeBuyIt posts!

Top: H&M; Pants: NO BRAND (Faye gave it to me); Shoes: CLN; Sunglasses: ALDO

Anika’s yaya told Alvin that she will be staying with us daw until October na lang. I do not know why our house help open up more with Alvin kaysa sa akin. It’s not the first time they did that. Pati mga request for advances (bale) and paalam for day-off, kay Alvin talaga sila nagsasabi. Don’t get us wrong ha? We’re okay naman sa house. I’m not strict. I just have a resting bitch face but like ako ng mga maids of honor ko. Mas close lang siguro sila kay Alvin?

Anyway, back to the yaya leaving on October. Honestly, I don’t care. Hindi ko siya iniinda because I feel we do not need two house help and absolutely, Anika does not need a yaya anymore. Heller. Anika’s seven years old na. Masyadong nabe-baby pag malaki na tapos may yaya pa din. Everything is being done for her. Her rooms always clean. All the things she need to bring and wear are laid down na on her bed in the morning. All her kalat magically disappears after she uses them. Lumalaking donya ang anak ko and I don’t like it.

The problem is Alvin. He wants me to convince the yaya not to go anymore. Feeling ko the reason why she wants to leave na is because nakukulitan siya kay Anika. She’s kinda young din kasi eh and though she and Anika plays with each other, they’re always bickering. She told us that na before. Napigilan ko lang the last time because Alvin made me do it. Alvin doesn’t want her to leave because Alvin is very protective of Anika. Kahit when Anika plays at our neighbors’ houses, kasama ang yaya. I told Alvin that when I was in Anika’s age, umaakyat na ako ng puno ng Macopa ng kapitbahay namin without a yaya noh.

Me naman, okay na siya umalis. Dagdag expenses pa siya eh pwede naman wala na yung services niya. We have a very efficient all around kasambahay. Ang concern lang ni Alvin is baka malungkot si all-around kasi mawawalan siya ng kasama. I told him baka hindi naman. We asked her naman if she wants us to get a replacement of the yaya. Hindi na daw kailangan kasi malaki na daw si Anika.

Anika needs to learn to mind herself, clean her room and prepare her things on her own. We just maintained the yaya kasi walang kalaro si Anika. Nakaka-awa. Eh ngayon, I can see naman na Anika likes reading, doing activity books and playing with our neighbors. She’s fine. She will be fine.

To pacify Alvin, I told him that I’ll talk to the yaya but if she doesn’t want to stay, walang problema. Yung lang, I trained her already how to take nice photos of me. She’s the one who takes my OOTD photos at home. Mas magaling pa siya kaysa kay Alvin. I have to start training Anika. Si Wowa kasi I trained na din also kaya nice na my OOTD shots when we travel together. Eto si Anika, I will start on her na. Magandang investment having an Instagram daughter. Hehehehe.

Anyway, I also told Alvin na unless I become pregnant again, we do not need an extra help. My only request to the leaving yaya is that she stays until we transfer to the new house later this year. Pag-iisipan daw niya. Hanep din ano? Kaloka. All these years we have been very nice to her. Pagnag-bale, bigay agad regardless if patong patong na ang bale. When she wanted to go home to their province for a vacation, we shouldered her fare. Binigyan pa naman ng pocket money apart from the two month salary advance that she asked. We do not make her ngarag at all. Walang demands. Basta she does lang her work. If may mabasag siya, walang naririnig from me. Pagmay palpak, walang naririnig din. If they want to day-off together, no problem. We even bought her nice cellphones na pay when able ang staggered payments. I give them clothes and beauty products that are sent to my house because of this blog.

Kaya naman when I heard na pagiisipan pa niya, tumahimik na lang ako. Matampuhin ako sa ganyan. We’ll see. Bahala na. The important thing is that wala siya masasabi about us because we have treated her well. If she stays, great. If not, well, good riddance.

It was our 8th wedding anniversary yesterday =)

It’s my looooongest relationship to date.

ALVIN: Malamang. Mag-asawa na talaga tayo eh!

Hahahaha!

I have known Alvin since I was 14 years old. That was in 1994 and it has been 23 years. I’ve known Alvin majority of my living years on earth. Ang cool. It’s great because I know him inside out. It’s not that great because he knows me inside out too. Facial expression pa lang, interpreted na talaga. Actually, even before I make my facial expression, he knows na what my reaction will be. Nonsense magpoker face ako with him around.

I’ve said this a million times and I will say it again. I have always known I will end up with Alvin. The moment he courted me when I was 14, tumatak na sa isip ko siya na ang papakasalan ko. Cliche as it may sound, I am amazed by it too. It even went to a point that even while still in High School, I knew that all my kids will have names starting with letter A. Kasi nga si Alvin ang magiging asawa ko. Weird huh? =) Despite always bickering with Alvin, I believe in destiny. Siya yung destiny ko.

Tara, let’s go. Masyado nang cheesy.

Lelz.

Anyway, when I went home the other day, there was a bouquet of one dozen roses waiting for me. Si Anika, hindot, hindi mapakali. I was still parking my car and she was outside my window, getting all agit and excited.

ANIKA: Oh my God, Nanay! Tatay has a surprise for you! It’s something big! You have to close your eyes!

I’m very happy Alvin still sends me flowers during our anniversary. I’m happier that Anika sees it. She will have a standard for her future man. Women should be given flowers. Period. Whatever women say about it, wag niyong pansinin. We love receiving them.

The next morning, I brought out the cake that I got the night before. What’s an occasion without a cake, right? Anika blew the candle just before her school bus came to pick her up.

Nananawagan po ako sa nawawala kong mga kilay =D

When I got to the office, I checked out where we can have our dinner that night. Knowing Alvin, for sure, hindi pa siya naka-plan. I wanted to have dinner at Long Bar in Raffles Hotel in Makati. I’ve heard so many nice things about it. I called Alvin up.

ME: Babe, gusto mo sa Long Bar tayo magdinner and drinks mamya?

ALVIN: Ah! Oo! Sige, Babe! Gusto ko diyan sa Long Bar! Diyan na lang tayo! Ummm.. San ba yan?

ME: Eto naman maka-react, akala mo most frequent guest sa Long Bar! Hindi mo pala alam! Sa Raffles Hotel yan sa Makati. Malapit lang din sa office para hindi na tayo matraffic pagpunta.

ALVIN: Osige! Gusto ko yan! Diyan na lang! I-cancel ko na lang reservations ko.

Wait, whut?!

ME: San ka nagpareserve?

ALVIN: Manila Pen.

ME: Teka, gusto ko diyan! Dun na lang.

ALVIN: Joke lang. Hindi pa ako nagpapareserve.

I knew it. 23 years and I very much know him.

Hahahahaha!

ME: Sabi ko na nga ba eh.

ALVIN: Hehehe. Pero Babe, promise, iniisip ko na dun tayo sa Manila Pen kakain. Tatawag pa lang talaga ako.

Hay.

So anyway, I called the dining reservations of Raffles Hotel. I told them that we will be arriving by 7pm and it’s our anniversary. I requested to have a nice table by the window. Nilambing ko pa yung reservations officer to make it happen kasi anniversary namin.

They got my name and cellphone number.

Okay daw.

Alvin picked me up at work. I left my car na at the office because walang ka-dating dating sa pagka-romantic if we go out on our anniversary date and arrive in separate cars, di ba?

Traffic was bad. The 10 minute trip to Raffles from my office became 1 hour. Exage. I had to call Raffles Hotel again to tell them to move my reservations to 730pm instead. Okay daw.

When we arrived at Long Bar, we were so hungry. I gave the bartender my name and I told him that we have reservations. He led us to this big low sofa, with low chairs and with a low table.

ME: Kuya sorry no. I specifically said table by the window kasi alam ko na mabababa yung tables niyo if hindi by the window. Paano kami kakain ng dinner diyan?

BARTENDER: I’m sorry ma’am. All of our tables by the window are already taken kanina pa.

ME: Kaya nga kuya I called ng maaga to have a table reserved eh.

BARTENDER: I’m so sorry, ma’am. Dito na lang kayo sa bar.

ME: I don’t like sa bar. Anniversary dinner namin kuya. Ayoko magdinner sa bar. Kaya nga I called beforehand eh.

I was trying my best not to cry. The manager approached us and told us the same thing. Pwede din daw kami sa ibang restaurants nila if we like. I said I don’t like.

I walked to the bar and sat on their high stool.

I wanted to cry talaga.

When we were already seated, the manager approached us again. She apologized again. When I called them daw earlier that day, may naka-reserve na dun sa window seat. I told her the girl at the reservations should have called me back. They asked for my number eh. And I called them again later while we were on our way. Bakit hindi sinabi? The manager apologized again. Wala, I lost it na. I cried.

ME (in between tears): You know miss, if it weren’t sobrang traffic lang talaga, lilipat kami ng place. Wala na kasi kaming choice eh. And I really feel so bad because it’s our anniversary today and I planned ahead of time. Tapos ganito. Ang sama talaga ng loob ko.

The manager apologized again.

I cried on Alvin’s shoulder. Alvin told me not to cry anymore. Wag na daw sirain yung gabi kasi nandun na kami. Make the most out of it na lang.

Paul, the bartender, came to us to give us the menu and to ask for the drinks. Alvin got a beer. Ako, I was browsing pa the menu.

Paul came back with a bottle of white wine and two glasses. Compliments daw from the manager for our anniversary. I said “no, thank you” because I wanted to drink something else from their liquor list. Maghahalo if I drink that wine. We appreciated the gesture though.

And so I ordered gambas and cold cuts with cheese.

Alvin when out to smoke. The manager approached me again and apologized. Gumawa daw sila ng set-up ng table and chairs na hindi low dun sa may band area. Baka daw gusto namin lumipat. I said no more but thanks. She started apologizing again and I said tama na kasi I didn’t want to cry more. I said thank you again.

I was very upset because hello, hindi naman lahat ng couples umaabot ng 8 years. Sa panahon ngayon, that is a feat. And we all know that Alvin and I went through a rough patch last year. I wanted to celebrate. I planned ahead to celebrate. Tapos ganun?

Anyway, Paul the bartender, asked me what I wanted to drink. I asked what their specialty was and he said yung Singapore Sling daw. I said natikman ko na kasi yun. He said that since it’s our anniversary, he will make a specialty drink just for me. He asked what kind do I like. I said ayoko ng masyadong matapang. I like it sweet and refreshing. Osige daw siya daw ang bahala.

After a while, he went back with this drink which he called “The Anniversary Drink”.

Hanep sa presentation! So bongga!

It’s vodka based with blueberry and kiwi. God, it was the best drink I have ever tasted in my entire life!

Everything went super fine after that. Magaling si Paul the bartender. Raffles should keep him and take care of him. Kaka-iba ang customer service niya. Imagine a few minutes lang, I was crying on my freaking anniversary pero he was able to turn the mood around. Magaling. He was being attentive to us without being hovering. Sa totoo lang, I was really turned off at the start because of what happened. Hindi ko matanggap how an internationally known big time hotel can mess up a simple but very important dinner reservation. Pero because of Paul the bartender (and his manager), I have no bad feelings towards the hotel. They were able to make it up to us.

I was watching him work pala that night. I saw hindi lang siya sa amin ganun. He was like that to everyone who sat in the bar. Kinakamusta niya. Inaasikaso niya. Authentic talaga siya ng tao. Kudos to him and whoever trained him.

This was our food. Nagpica pica na lang kami because apparently, the food that’s in their menu in their website, does not exist anymore. Kapapalit lang daw recently.

The gambas were so good. The shrimps were fat and flavorful. The cold cuts were mega delicious especially when dipped diyan sa mustard slash wasabi dip na yan. The cold cuts platter was priced around Php 1,000 but I tell you, it’s so worth it.

Just before leaving, Paul gifted us with a shot of liquor for our anniversary. I told you meron talaga si Paul extra touch just  to make you feel special.

All in all, it was a nice dinner. Like what Alvin said to me while I was crying, the important thing was that we were together. He was so right. I had a great time. We got tipsy. We were laughing. It was just like before when we were going out on dates when we were starting. I wish we can do this more often kaso magastos. Hehe. But as they say, mas magastos ang annulment and the hassle that comes with it. We need to keep the fire burning. We need to celebrate anniversaries. It’s that once a year dedicated to the both of you. Milk it. Haha!

Thank you so much to everyone who greeted us!

Thank you Babe for the flowers, the necklace and the dinner treat. I love you. I may not say it all the time but I love you. I’m a lucky wife because I have you. Anika and I love you so very much!

Alvin and Nana, 2017

Grabe the traffic last night! It was so heavy and tinitingnan ko, wala naman accident anywhere. It was just because of the volume of vehicles on the road. Nakaka-ubos ng lakas! Buti sana if fats ng katawan ko ang nauubos ng traffic, kahit all day nasa kalsada ako okay lang. Hay. Imagine being physically and emotionally tired from work. And then, you’ll have to drive pa in that horrible traffic for hours. Paano na ako niyan mabubuntis? Lagi na lang ako pagoda cold wave lotion!

I’m sorry you’re reading rants so early in the morning. I just had to let it out. I now understand the commercials of multi-vitamins. Eto pala yun.

Anyway, I read a message from Tin of the Manila Fashion Observer about giving out letters to our soldiers in Marawi City. I think this is a great idea. I feel that sending them letters of support, especially those coming from children, will give them an extra boost of inspiration. Nakakadepress kaya makipaglaban sa war. But hopefully, when they get all these letters, madagdagan pa yung drive nila to protect us and and our country.

I told Anika about this. Imagine how proud I was when I read her note and letter that she left me to see when I arrive home.

Together with those letters were letters from her bus mates as well. Nakakatuwa talaga.

Would you guys want to send letters to the soldiers in Marawi too? I would be happy to accept them until September 28 then I’ll have them all sent to Tin. Siya na bahala magpadala dun sa soldiers in Marawi.

If you like to send the letters, we can do it in two ways.

One, you can have them delivered to me. My mailing address is:

Fleur Sombrero
4F DMCI Homes Corporate Center
1321 Apolinario St. Bangkal, Makati City

Two, you can email a scan copy of the letter and I can have it printed at home.

Message me if you have questions, ayt? Looking forward to receiving all those letters!

Have a great day everyone!

Remember when I told you before that I know the days leading to October 1 will be very toxic because we have 7 buildings that will RFO?

This is it, mga besh.

I find myself driving from Paranaque all the way to Balintawak then go to Scout Tuason in Quezon City then go to Pasig and Mandaluyong then drive back home to Paranaque.

Wild.

That is apart from all the things that I have to remember, coordinate, do and resolve. Limpak ang meetings and walkthroughs. It’s as if I’m coordinating seven separate weddings at the same time. Sana matagalan ako ng staff ko. If there’s a bridezilla and wifezilla, meron ding managerzilla.

I think that’s me.

But no naman. As long as everything is properly delegated and my things to do list is updated, walang problem.

NAPAKADAMI LANG TALAGA!

Nakakaloka but I love it.

What I don’t like lang is that pampering and pa-beauty take a backseat. It’s been more than a month since I had my pedicure. My hair’s gone limp. Don’t even get me started with facials. Ano yun?! Lelz.

Thankfully, I had a three hour opportunity to do whatever beauty related thing that I want last Sunday. My choices were a pedicure, wax, facial or have a haircut. I chose a haircut. Nakatago naman yung pedicure and wax so pwede pang ipostpone. Yung facial, nadadala pa naman ng mga beauty products that I have at home.

So haircut it was.

I brought Anika with me and we went to Muther Rexcie of Coco Grace Salon at The Link in Makati.

I told Rexcie that Anika and I wanted to have our hair trimmed.

This is what Rexcie did to my hair.

The first time I saw my hair, kinabahan ako ng slight! It’s too short! Rexcie reminded me about the last time I chopped my hair this short. I was 26 years old and my then boylet cheated on me. From almost to the waist hair, I had it cut to that short. Ang sarap ng feeling. Nakatulong makapag-move on ng slight.

After 10 seconds, nasanay na din ako. I love my hair now. Extra light ang feeling. A lot of people at work now calls me Anika. Hehe.

Thanks to Alvin, I got a decent OOTD photo that day. Thanks to Anika, may photobomber ako. And thanks to the weird angle of my feet, nagmukha tuloy akong piki.

Top: STRADIVARIUS; Shorts: MANGO; Sandals: PAYLESS: Sunglasses: RAYBAN; Sling bag: STEVE MADDEN

Nice my top from Stradivarius ano? That’s Php 1,000 plus but I only got it for Php 500 kasi sale. May drama yan sa back.

PAK!

So there. I’m planning to have a Brazillian blowout done to my hair. Malamang it will be cheaper kasi my hair’s a lot shorter. I saw kasi the hair of Bea Alonzo. Gusto ko ganun ang bagsak ng hair ko when I wake up. Lelz.

That’s it, pancit! Try niyo si Rexcie. You will love him!

Anika has been taking Street Dance lessons at STEPS Dance School.

Inaasar ako ni Alvin. The reason daw why I want Anika to take up dance lessons is because I’ve always wanted to go to one pero hindi ko daw nagawa nung bata ako.

Hehe. Slightly true. Pero slightly lang.

Anika loves performing. She loves to sing and dance. I asked her to choose what she wants to do between the two, sabi niya dance daw.

And so I googled dance classes in the metro.

The first two  schools I went to was in BF Homes Paranaque. The first one was affordable pero yung waiting area naman is not airconditioned. Jabar levels ka talaga while waiting because 12 noon ang lessons. One hour yun. One hour ka din outside without airconditioning ng tanghaling tapat! The second one was more expensive. Nice yung waiting area kaso kamote yung nasa desk when I inquired. Parang ayaw niya magpa-enroll when I was inquiring so never mind.

While I was googling, STEPS Dance Studio kept on popping up so I checked it out. They have a school in Makati near Rockwell. I inquire over the phone. They encouraged me to have Anika attend a trial class muna a.k.a. auditions and their dance coach will assess her.

I liked them immediately. I like the thought that they want to see first if may future nga sa dancing ang bata. Baka naman wala or ayaw but they just go because their parents are forcing them. The trial dance class was Php 1,300. Fuzz ang mahal pero sige go.

We arrived at the school quite early kasi excited kaming mag-ina. There was a Mary Grace Cafe at the ground floor of the dance school building so I took it as a good sign. I didn’t tell Anika that she had to audition kasi baka kabahan. I just told her to have fun. The dance school was nice. It was a two floor building. Sa ground floor yung airconditioned lobby with lots of sofas where you can wait comfortably for your kids. They have a lot of dance studio rooms. Okay kako. Mukha din mahal pero mukha din super professional yung school.

Nervous na nervous ang bagets while we were waiting for the class to start. Baka daw hindi siya makasabay sa steps or baka mapahiya daw siya kasi lahat may alam na. She pleaded that I go with her upstairs. It wasn’t allowed normally but napakiusapan ko if I can watch. Parents can only watch from the outside of the studio. At first, Anika was super shy. And then everybody started saying hi to her, ayun Ms. Friendship na siya. There were around 20 kids and the studio was huge with large mirrors on all walls. Bigay todo ang Anika.

After an hour, the dance coach came up to me. This was his exact words.

DANCE COACH: Anika is really good! How old is she? She’s seven? Yeah. She’s really good! I mean she can really dance. Did she have dance lessons already before? No? Magaling siya. She can follow the steps. She just needs some refining in her moves but all in all, she’s really great!

I was soooooo proud!

And so we were in. The tuition is Php 4,200 for a one hour, once a week lesson for a month. No make up class unless you’re really sick and have this doctor’s certificate. Kaya masakit talaga sa bulsa if you skip class. There’s also a one time registration fee of Php 2000 for new students.

Butas nga talaga ang bulsa.

But then again, I asked Anika if she had fun, a big YES ang sagot. She loves daw the dance lessons. You can really see in her face that she loves it. Dun na nasulit yung six thousand na nilabas ko that day. She looks forward to her dance classes every week and I like that in her. Gusto ko passionate siya about something.

I like STEPS Dance Studio. They also have scholars from less privileged schools. Ang gagaling talaga nila. Some are Anika’s classmates and they really look cute dancing. Iba ang talent ng mga batang yun. Well deserved ang pagiging scholars nila. That is one more reason why I chose STEPS. They have a reputation of being a good school plus they take in scholars. Magaling.

So there. Anika’s also taking up gymnastics classes during the week. Once a week also. Gusto daw niya eh so I let her. Support lang ng support hanggang kaya. Wasakan na ang wallet pero at least I can see may napupuntahan the money that I work for. Anything for Anika’s education and enhancement of skills. Tipid na lang muna ako. I will not enter Starbucks muna for the meantime. 7-11 has 30 peso coffee that tastes as good. Dun na muna ako magkakape. Hehe.

Dress: ZARA KIDS: Cardigan: MANGO KIDS; Shoes: Addidas Stan Smith

Anika and I were at a birthday party one time when naka-chikka ko her class adviser.

I was told by her class adviser that Anika is very talkative in class. Meron daw silang group magkaka-ibigan. Ang talkative daw ng group nila and they seldom mingle with their other classmates. In my understanding, “you can’t sit with us” ang peg ng class barkada niya.

Emergerd.

She’s just in Grade 2!

Though they are not mean naman to people outside their group. Very cliquish lang talaga sila.

I know it’s normal but I can’t help to feel worried. Baka sobrang daldal ni Anika, hindi na siya nakikinig sa class!

Ganito siguro feeling nina Wowa and Lolo Papa when I was still studying. Do you know I always dread the times when my parents go to my school and talk to my teachers? For sure kasi isa lang ang sasabihin nila: Ang daldal ni Fleurdeliz.

True enough, every time we get home after they talk, sermon ang abot ko. But then again, I was getting really good grades. So when Anika made that balik to me when I reprimanded her about it,

ANIKA: Di ba ikaw din Nanay, you were very noisy in class? Di ba your teachers talk to Wowa and Lolo Papa too?

ME: Yeah. But I had golden eagles after golden eagles.

Nag-isip ang bagets.

Tinulungan ko na.

ME: You know sweetheart, I’m not saying that it’s okay to be talkative basta you get high grades. What I’m saying is that, you can be a little talkative. Like not disturbing the teacher when she’s teaching AND get high grades.

Ganyan.

Oo daw, she said. She will try her best daw not to be talkative. I told her she should not talk to her classmates during class when the teacher is talking. After the teacher leaves, sige, dumaldal siya ng dumaldal. She should stop talking again when her teacher for the next subject arrives.

Sana magtanda. Sana din until dito lang ang parent teacher confrontation namin. I wish Anika will not do anything bad that the school needs to summon me there. Baka atakihin ako sa puso.

When I was younger, Wowa only went to CSA twice that didn’t involve me going up the stage and accepting an award.

The first one was in 4th grade when I got sickly because my classmate was bullying me. The second one was in first year high school when my classmate touched my butt because of a bet. Nakwento ko na ba iyon? Ikwento ko next time if hindi pa.

I do hope walang mga ganitong eksena si Anika paglaki.

Crossing my fingers!