All About the Philippines Book Launch

I was invited to attend the launch of "All About the Philippines" book last Saturday at National Bookstore, Greenbelt 1. I was very excited because aside from being a children's book, the book centers on the Philippines as a land of beautiful islands and rich diversity and culture.

Here are some of the pictures that I gathered during the event:

Here's the host during the launch...

A traditional dance was performed during the event...

Ms. Charity of The Learning Library told us something about the book...

Storytelling activity by Teacher Tolet for the kids...

Distribution of cute loot boxes to the kids...

Here's the picture of the books that sold like pancakes that day...

They served local delicacies such as pancit palabok, lumpiang ubod, maja blanca, puto and palamig during the launch...

After the event, there was a book signing by the illustrator (Corazon Dandan-Albano) and author (Gidget Roceles Jimenez) of All About the Philippines...

Ms. Corazon Dandan-Albano & Ms. Gidget Roceles Jimenez

Here are the loot boxes by Tupi, Gupit at Pinta that was given away during the event.

Aren't they too cute?

Here are what's inside the box...

Traditional Filipino games such as holen, yoyo, sipa, larong goma, piko, etc.

My boys holding their loot boxes...

They are so happy with it and I'm very excited to teach them traditional Filipino games!


From the press kit...

All About the Philippines

A Land of Beautiful Islands and Rich Diversity!

Let All About the Philippines takes you on an incredible journey to the lively and colourful country of Mary, Jaime and Ari—first cousins who look completely different but are the best of friends.
They’ll introduce you to their homes, their schools, their families, favourite places to visit, holidays and more. They’ll show you how kids there—just like kids in so many other parts of the world—come from many cultures and have their own traditions, languages and
beliefs…and yet, they are all 100% Filipino.

In this book you will:

• Directions on how to find a particular stall
• Join Mary, Jaime and Ari on vacations to see how earthquakes, typhoons and other natural events make the Philippines a place that’s beautiful and full of life
• Check out Filipino games, and make your own sipa—the Philippines’s version of a hacky-sack
• Experience the different cultural festivals, and try a few easy recipes for holiday treats
• Make a parol—a Filipino holiday decoration that you can enjoy all year long
• Learn how peoples of many different languages can communicate together
• And a lot more!

Along with fun facts, you’ll learn about the spirit of the Philippines that make this country and its people wonderfully unique. This is a book for families or classrooms to enjoy together.

Author Gidget Jimenez is the author of poetry and non-fiction books for kids, including the popular Can We? science series. She lives in the Philippines with her husband, their three children and their many pets.

Illustrator Corazon Dandan-Albano has illustrated over thirty children’s books, including the popular Filipino Friends and Filipino Celebrations. She lives in the Philippines with her husband and their two daughters.

Celebrity Mom & Huggies Dry Pants #PantsUp PlayDate

Last March 4, I received an email from Celebrity Mom inviting me as a VIP guest on a Playdate. It said there that Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Celebrity Mom Editor-in-Chief, will be there and a lot of activities are in store for me and my kids.

Since I love to attend an event that would involve my kids, I immediately replied to the email. That is because mag-eenjoy na ako, mag-eenjoy pa ang mga kiddos ko. =)

So there, my 3 kiddos and I attended the "Celebrity Mom & Huggies Dry Pants #PantsUp PlayDate" yesterday at the Gymboree Play & Music, Manila Polo Club. We arrived there early so we were asked to go first to the play area.

Ayun na nga, sugod kaagad ang mga anakis ko! Super nag-enjoy silang tatlo. Takbo dito, takbo doon. Lambitin dito, lambitin doon. Akyat dito, akyat doon. Suot dito, suot doon. Gapang dito, gapang doon. At kung anu ano pa!

Here are their pictures inside the Gymboree play area...

Hindi naman masyadong halata na nag-enjoy sila di ba? Hahaha! Sobra nga akong nag-worry eh kasi baka maubusan sila ng energy dahil after ng event may football lesson pa sila.

Anyway, while we were inside the play area, we were given Huggies Dry Pants and we were asked to wear it to our toddlers. Bakit kamo? They have an IG and FB contest kasi. We were to take photos of our toddlers wearing Huggies Dry Pants and they will choose 2 winners - best photo and most number of likes photo. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to join. olats kasi ako eh, wala akong data plan! Hahaha! Tapos, may free wifi pero hindi naman makapagnet. Boo talaga! Tapos, I tried to turn on my data sa phone, di pa rin ako makapagnet. Sobrang malas! Sayang ang price. Super galante ng Huggies kasi they gave one month supply of diapers to the best photo and 2 months supply of diapers to the most number of likes photo.

Eto sana ang mga entries ko...

Kung sakali, sa tingin niyo, may pag-asa ba manalo? Hahaha!

After about an hour, they already asked the moms to go to the function room...

Here's the nice table setup...

The event is hosted by Bettina Carlos...

She's a mom of a 4 y/o girl. Hindi halata ano? She hosted the event well and even shared some thoughts as a mom.

Ms. Joji Coloma did the welcome remarks...

And we had a fun chit chat with Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan (editor-in-chief of Celebrity Mom)...

We were first asked to shoot some questions to her but nobody did. Maybe, we were all starstruck to her. Hehe! But later on, we got engaged.

We learned a lot from her. We talked about many things. Some topics were about sleeping habits of kids, how to deal with picky eaters and bonding ideas. She's really a good speaker. As she speaks, you could see that she's full of wisdom. Mommy peg talaga! =)

During the event, they had games too! Dun na lang ako bumawi since hindi ako nakajoin sa IG and FB challenge. Hehe. By the way, I won 2 games! Yahooooo!

So we went home happily with these...

What's inside?

First Bag: Boxes and plastics of tissues...

I won this from the first game. They showed pictures of 90's toys and you should guess what it is. I guessed one right which is "family computer".

Second Bag: More tissues, wipes, sanitary napkin, socks, back-issues of of Celebrity Mom Magazine

This is their giveaway during the event. Everybody received a loot bag!

Assorted pairs of Burlington socks...

The Twins and I won this from another game. We were given a sock and we have to find its pair which was hidden around somewhere the event place.

And last but not the least, all guests were given a month supply of Huggies Dry Pants...

Di ba ang saya saya? Sabi sa inyo eh. Extraordinary yung araw namin kahapon. Ang dami naming bitbit pauwi! Hehe!

So that's it! The Celebrity Mom & Huggies Dry Pants #PantsUp PlayDate event is truly an afternoon of fun and learning.

Thank you again for inviting us Celebrity Mom and Huggies Philippines!

Christoff's 1st Birthday Party: Kids' Bento Boxes - Oh, Bento!

Since I'm a very detailed person, pati ang kiddie meal kinareer ko. Para maiba naman, I ordered Pocoyo themed bento boxes.

Here are the bento boxes for the kids...

Ang cute ano? Ang dami ding natuwa dito. Hindi lang kids pati oldies. Hehe.

I got Oh, Bento! as the supplier. I had no problems with the supplier because she is very easy to deal with.

If you want themed bento boxes for your party, I highly recommend Oh, Bento!

Here are the contact details:

Oh, Bento!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oh.bento.ph
Instagram: @ohbentoph
Contact Nos.: 09478999556 and 6590617

Christoff's 1st Birthday Party: Souvenirs - Wooden Kiddie Stools and A Lot More

Aside from the loot bags, we chose to have kiddie stools as Christoff's birthday party souvenirs. At siyempre, Pocoyo themed pa rin ang stools. =) There are five designs which are all characters of the Pocoyo show.

Here they are...

Our supplier is Wooden Kiddie Stools and A Lot More. This supplier is very easy to deal with. Fast lang ang transaction namin. As in very smooth. Then when it comes to the finished product, on time sila. When you say na need mo ng ganitong date, talagang ready na siya that day. Yun nga lang, for pick up ang mga order sa kanila plus the fact na may kalayuan sa house namin. They are located kasi sa Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City. Thanks to Waze at nahanap namin sila! Hehe!

But still... we highly recommend this supplier!

Here are the contact details:

Wooden Kiddie Stools and A Lot More

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodenkiddiestools
Mobile No.: 09178092571
Email: bonsky_jen@yahoo.com

Christoff's 1st Birthday Party: Party Stylist and Candy Buffet - Kids Party Hub

Hello there again! I'm not yet done with my son's 1st birthday series. Sorry naman! Haha!

Anyway, for Christoff's birthday party, I got an event's stylist. Gaya nga ng sinabi ko before, ayaw ko na kasi ma-stress. The event's stylist really did a big help sa party. Nagkakulay ang place and nagpadagdag sa saya ng party.

My supplier is Kids Party Hub. Very professional ang may-ari which is Christine Cordero. Super bait niya and wala na talaga akong inintindi. =)

I got the events styling with dessert and candy buffet package. It includes the welcome banner, backdrop, centerpiece and dessert & candy buffet.

Let me show you some of the pictures:

The welcome banner...

Medyo nahirapan sila dito patayuin since mahangin yung place kaya may mga stones sa ilalim. Hehe.


The backdrop...

The centerpiece...

I really loved the centerpiece because it's very personalized. There are different pictures kasi of Christoff in each table which serves as souvenir na rin.


The dessert and candy buffet...

The dessert & candy buffet was really a hit at Christoff's party. Tuwang tuwa ang mga guests ko dito. At first, I'm really wondering bakit hindi nila ginagalaw. Pero nung nag-announce na ako na pwede silang kumuha. Aba, biglang dinumog. Malaman laman ko, inaabangan pala nila talaga! Hehehe!


The items in the dessert & candy buffet...

Ang nice and cute ano?

I highly recommend Kids Party Hub!

Here are the contact details:

Kids Party Hub
Owner: Christine Cordero
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsPartyHub
Website: http://www.kidspartyhubph.com/
Twitter/Instagram: @KidsPartyHub
Email: kidspartyhub@gmail.com
Mobile No.: 09228812232

Ian and Chris' 4th Birthday Celebration

It was Ian and Chris' birthday yesterday. Ang bilis talaga ng panahon. Parang kailan lang, we were just waiting for a baby. Then after 4 years of marriage, we were pregnant with twins, tapos ngayon 4 years old na sila. Haaaayyyy buhay nga naman.

We had a simple and intimate celebration yesterday. Nung una, I was just planning to buy food na lang for their handa. You know, less preparation and pagod. At dahil may pagkamasukista ako, it turned out na ako na lang ang nagluto ng lahat except for the cake, of course. Hehe!

Here were the handa of the twins:

Cakes from Daisee Bakeshop...

Pansit bihon...

Steamed Lapu Lapu...

Buttered steamed vegetables...

Stir fried kangkong with fried tofu...

Salmon belly with butter garlic sauce...

Turbo chicken...

Here are my family and best friend celebrating the twins' special day...

My parents, brother and his girlfriend with the boys...

Our family picture...

With Uncle Francis, Kuya Bimbo and Ai...

The effort was worth it seeing my boys happy! =)