Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Exploring California: 5 Good Reasons to Visit The Flower Fields in Carlsbad + 5 Tips to Make Your Trip Even More Worthwhile

California , family
Exploring California: 5 Good Reasons to Visit The Flower Fields in Carlsbad + 5 Tips to Make Your Trip Even More Worthwhile

"I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want." ~ Andy Warhol

I am such a softie when it comes to flowers — not much of the cut ones you have to put in vases but more of the the living and growing kinds that can be found in parks and gardens, on the sidewalks, along hiking trails, and even on sandy beaches! 

These past three years since moving to California, I’d often “drag” members of my family during springtime to places near and far where we can fully appreciate nature and admire beautiful flowers while they are still in bloom. 

Last month, I came across a post on Instagram about The Flower Fields in Carlsbad and we finally made it there this past weekend. Here’s sharing 5 good reasons why you should also consider visiting:

1. Seeing the flowers up close is NOT the same as seeing them in photos. Sure, I could have simply scrolled through hundreds of IG posts by other people and save us two hours of travel but the experience wouldn’t be as exciting or as delightful as actually being there.

2. Strolling beside acres of ranunculus flowers is an unforgettable experience. I’ve had my share of being in many parks and gardens before where flowers grow abundantly but this place is on a much higher level of WOW! Plus, the fresh air, cool breeze, and sunshine will definitely perk you up! 

3. There are official areas strategically placed all over the fields for photo shoots. You WILL have great pictures! You just have to line up and wait for your turn. In general, most of our fellow visitors were very respectful of others and the rules of the place. It was just disappointing to see a few groups who were stepping over the green tapes, purposely placed there to protect the flowers, just to get their photos taken nearer the middle of the fields. 

4. Besides the flower fields, there are a lot of pretty spots with other flower varieties where you can take additional awesome photos. There are gazebos, arches, a giant chair, a sweet pea maze, and more.  

5. You can take a wagon tour if you don’t want to walk far. There’s 50 acres to cover after all!

So, have I convinced you to pack your bags yet? If yes, here are 5 tips that may help as you plan your own trip to The Flower Fields.

1. Wear comfortable shoes and pack a jacket in case you get cold. The place is HUGE so expect to be walking more than 10,000 steps if you plan on covering a large area of the fields. We spent around two hours there and still weren’t able to see everything there was to see. As much as we’d like to explore some more, pushing a wheelchair on upward sloping ground can be quite challenging.
 

2. Keep your mask on when not taking photos and please be mindful of the place’s regulations. If you are not one of the farm workers who are authorized to step over the green tapes, DON’T be like the selfish morons who think they’re special enough to break the rules. 

3. Arrive early if you’re visiting on a weekend. I bought us tickets for 2:00PM and we arrived about 10 minutes early. Unfortunately, it took us quite a while to find a place (even the handicapped spots were full) at the overcrowded parking lot.


4. Bring a good camera or a mobile phone that takes sharp pictures. And make sure to charge your batteries beforehand! You wouldn’t want to miss capturing many nice shots what with all the gorgeous backgrounds you’ll find all over the place. 

5. Consider being at Carlsbad for more than a day. The city has a lot to offer and it’s just a 30-minute drive away from San Diego. By staying for two nights, we got to visit Balboa Park and the South Carlsbad State Beach but unfortunately didn’t have enough time to check out the U-pick strawberry farm nearby nor go to the Oceanside Pier as originally planned. Still, we had a grand time and have more reasons to come back another time! :)


Read more »
By at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Best Day Foundation: Providing Fun Adventures for Kids and Young Adults with Special Needs

advocacy , family
Best Day Foundation: Providing Fun Adventures for Kids and Young Adults with Special Needs
As a parent of a son with special needs, I have many dreams for him that I thought would remain just that -- dreams. But, through the years, God has shown our family that certain wishes could actually come true when we take the time to look for, and recognize, answers to our prayers.

In my wildest dreams, I never thought my son would get the chance to go surfing!
Honestly though, I didn't quite imagine receiving certain unexpected blessings that seemed so impossible to have many years ago. And yet, here we are, seeing James getting to enjoy life so much more because he's healthier and happier and is presented with opportunities that were not available when we were still living in the Philippines.

Last year, one of the best things that gave us so much joy was seeing James go surfing and do other fun water activities that we never thought existed!

Daddy and James on a paddleboard in Newport Beach
It was sometime in February 2018 when I chanced upon a blog post of Joyful Journey Mom who shared the list of special needs resources she compiled. Unfortunately, her website couldn't be found anymore because the domain seemed to have expired. Anyhow, I've read there about an organization called Ride A Wave that "enables kids with special needs to experience the thrill of riding a wave regardless of their challenges."

Curious, I visited their website and saw that they are based in Santa Cruz, California, which is 364 miles away from where we live. Still hopeful, I filled out their contact form and asked if there may be a chance for them to hold a beach camp nearer us. The next day, Don, a member of their advisory board, emailed back and suggested I check out their sister organization in Southern California instead. 

Best Day Foundation has the best volunteers and staff members! 
That was how I found Best Day Foundation, an organization that creates special days for kids and young adults ages 4 to 24+ who have Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Blindness, Cancer, Spinal Cord Injuries, and other physical and developmental challenges.

Eagerly, I visited their website, browsed the photos and videos, and got more excited when I found locations that are within reasonable driving distance. When I had James watch some of the videos and asked if he would like to go to the beach and ride a surfboard, his eyes lit up and he started smiling and laughing. In my heart of hearts, that was my affirmation that he should have that amazing experience!

Isn't that smile contagious?! :)
After discussing it with my husband, I signed James up for a slot for the May 20th activity in Seal Beach even though it was still three months away. In the meantime, we'd watch the videos on the website every now and then while I kept reminding James to patiently wait for a few more weeks. He would always answer me with a big smile.

May 20th turned out to be a little cold and cloudy though so I became a bit concerned about how chilly the water would be. Thankfully, aside from the helmets and life jackets, Best Day provided all participants with wetsuits to keep them warm. Everyone was so friendly when we got to the site. James was paired with his beach buddies, Heather and Bryan, who took great care of him while hubby, myself, and our son Gab, took photos and videos to preserve the precious moments.


When it was finally James' turn to ride the specially designed surf chair, I felt nervous but still excited at the same time especially seeing how far he and his surfer buddy were from the shore. Once they caught a wave and we saw them coming closer, everyone could see the big grin my son had. It was such an emotional moment for us to see James experiencing something that didn't even cross our minds to be a possibility!

Needless to say, the day was a huge success. Our young man was smiling all throughout that morning, in the car while going home, and up until he fell asleep that night. It felt so good to see him thoroughly enjoy that unique experience that I wish other kids like him could also get to have.

happy family at the beach
Since then, every time we show him photos of him surfing and being on the beach, he would express excitement and happiness at the memory. So I checked if there would still be other activities in SoCal in the coming months and fortunately found a slot for October 7th at Seal Beach. There, he was taken good care of volunteer Eddie, his assigned beach buddy for the day.

I am blogging about this now because I'd like to encourage other parents with special needs kids to likewise sign their children up to upcoming 2019 activities that start next month and will be happening in Florida, California (San Diego, Orange County, LA County, Ventura, Sta. Barbara), North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. 

Best Day at the beach with new friends
Volunteers are also welcome to share their time! Please visit bestdayfoundation.org/volunteer to sign up and read the FAQs. Donors, please consider sharing your resources at bestdayfoundation.org/donate to help subsidize participants whose parents may not be able to shoulder even the minimal registration fee. 

Dear readers, if you know of families who may benefit from this information, please do share it with them. I hope, one of these days, I'll be able to hear about a kid who was brought to a Best Day event because their mom or dad happened to read this blog post. It would be awesome to find out how more young people with special needs were able to experience one of their best days like our James had :) 


Read more »
By at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Today, My Son "Walked" For the Very First Time With the Help of Trexo Robotics!

family , home
Today, My Son "Walked" For the Very First Time With the Help of Trexo Robotics!
Those who have been following this blog and have read my book, Embracing Disability This Ability, already know that James, my son with cerebral palsy, could not talk nor walk and can't even sit up by himself without the seat belts and harnesses on his wheelchair and car seat. But, despite James' limitations, our family continues to find ways in making his life better. We also keep praying and hoping for further signs of development on how he communicates and moves. 

seeing James walk used to be just a dream
Since we moved to California in November 2017, James is still yet to have physical and occupational therapy services due to several factors, one of which is his transition from child to adult under the state's health care services system after he turned 21 last September. While we patiently wait for things to fall into place, I actively seek connections with organizations and caring individuals who have the heart to help the special needs community.  

Last week, Canadian-based Trexo Robotics announced that they will be coming to Los Angeles for two days to allow mobility-challenged kids try their awesome device. I have been following their posts on Instagram for quite a while now and find inspiration in the stories of children who are being helped to walk using Trexo's enabling technology.

Thank you so much, Manmeet, Rahul, and Dina for
giving James a chance to try the Trexo!
Without knowing where exactly they will be in LA, I resolved to bring James to them if they could give him a slot for a trial. I reached out to the Trexo team via direct messaging and got a call from COO Dina Nikitina on the phone who asked me a few questions. She then informed me the next day that they can accommodate us for January 24th at 10AM.

Early this morning, my husband, James, and I traveled 34 miles to Hawthorne where NAPA (Neurological and Physical Abilitation) Center is located. There, we met Dina as well as Trexo Robotics founders Manmeet Raggu and Rahul Udasi (read the wonderful story on how they started Trexo, here) who patiently helped James get comfortable in the walker with the robotic attachments before they got him "walking" using controls on a tablet.


For the first time in his life, James was able to move by himself with the help of technology and, while I focused on taking pictures and videos, it took me a lot of effort not to start crying upon seeing my son beaming big smiles while he took 199 steps in less than 10 minutes!

In individuals like James who hadn't experience how to walk independently and whose legs most likely do not know the correct motions needed to do this activity, I believe Trexo's innovative technology would be a big help in training the muscles and the brain to remember stepping movements through practice and repetition.

cherishing this new milestone in #gideonjamesjourney
After this Trexo trial, my husband and I plan to look for ways on how we could lease, if not buy, the device so James could practice walking more until such time he could, hopefully, graduate to a simple walker. We'd sincerely appreciate it if you could help us pray about this. Just like in the very beginning when we started in this special needs parenting journey, my family and I will keep on dreaming more dreams for this young man who never fails to give us immense joy each and every day.


Read more »
By at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

4 Top Reasons I Fell in Love with Fall

California , family
4 Top Reasons I Fell in Love with Fall
My family arrived in the United States during fall so it holds a special place in my heart. After almost a year of living in California and experiencing fall for the second time, I can now list some of the things I love about this particular season! 😀 

enjoying our first autumn
1. The changing colors of the leaves is very fascinating especially from someone who has lived in a tropical country all her life before migrating to a country that has four seasons instead of just two. I take pleasure in seeing multi-colored leaves on the trees before they fall to the ground. Hopefully, my family and I could get to visit a place soon where there are a wider variety of trees sporting a profusion of colors.

colorful leaves!
2. The "sweater weather" is way more favorable for me than the bone-chilling cold of winter and early spring. It's nice to be able to feel the cool temperature without shaking uncontrollably and wishing I could put on more layers of clothing on top of the three I'm already wearing! 

afternoon walk with Daddy and James
Hands down, fall is a great time to go strolling around the neighborhood in the afternoons because the crisp and cozy weather won't make you sweat nor will it make you feel chilled. Also, you get to save on electricity because you just have to close the windows at night to feel warmer as there is no need yet to turn on the heater.  

brothers and cousins
3. The opportunity to visit a pumpkin patch, I believe, has become one of our favorite activities to do during fall. Our family went to one for the first time recently and we enjoyed taking a lot of photos while we marvel at the hundreds (maybe thousands?) of orange balls dotting the big field at Cal Poly in Pomona. Next year, I hope we can also have time to do some apple picking in one of the many orchards dotting California. 

our first Thanksgiving in the US
4. Having a reason to gather with extended family during Thanksgiving and express gratitude for all our blessings is one of fall's highlights that I deeply cherish. Last year, James and I arrived a week before this special day so it was a doubly joyous time for all of us because we became physically reunited again with our loved ones.   


I know my family and I still have to experience more things in the coming years to add to this list like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, perhaps? Give us time, I'm sure the day would come when this blog post would become longer. How about you? What do you love about the fall season? I'd appreciate it if you can share your answer/s in the comments section below 🍁


Read more »
By at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, September 05, 2018

One Day at a Time -- Living with a Loved One Who Has Cerebral Palsy

family , home
One Day at a Time -- Living with a Loved One Who Has Cerebral Palsy
“He will die early,” said the seven-year-old boy solemnly before he walked away. I was left speechless, staring at his retreating figure. I am sharing this several years after the incident when I have finally found the inner peace to write about it.

16-year-old James
My family and I were at a party in my sister’s house and the kid was the son of one of their guests. The boy was talking about my then sixteen-year-old son, Gideon James, who looked like he was also only seven years old because he has cerebral palsy.

I don’t know exactly how the child arrived at such a conclusion after asking me questions when he saw me feeding my son blenderized food via a tube embedded in his stomach. But I guess, as many innocent children do, he made his statement based on what he thought was true.

one day old James 
I wasn’t really offended. Just a little bit shocked to hear that sentence spoken aloud. The last time someone had told me, “Your son will most likely die” was when my then barely one-month-old baby was fighting for his life inside an intensive care unit incubator. He proved his neonatologist wrong and continued to defy many other specialists’ prognoses in succeeding years.

My son is a warrior and a minister. He has been fighting obstacles and overcoming them since the day he was born. He may not be able to speak nor sit up by himself but from him, my husband, my three other children, and I acquired so many lessons that we would not otherwise have learned if he had grown up “normal” like his brothers.

1-year-old James (2nd from left) with brothers circa 1998
Over the years, our home has become a school of sorts for all the members of our family where we were taught much, over and over it seems, about patience, understanding, compassion, empathy, acceptance, faith, and prudence among many other things.

How different life could have been if my son doesn’t have cerebral palsy! And yet, I don’t think our family would have become the strong unit it is now without the trials we went through together because of our special child. 

8-year-old James (2nd from left) with his brothers circa 2005
People usually tell me they can’t imagine what they’ll do if something like this happened to them. And I assure them that they will find the strength they need if that time comes. When we got married, my husband and I never thought that we’d be given the kind of challenge we used to believe was only reserved for parents with unwavering faith and resourcefulness. Yet, we were chosen to be parents of a special child. And, so far, I believe we’ve been coping a lot better than we’d ever thought possible. 

Through James, we’ve met kindred souls who have little angels of their own. And through them all, we’ve been assured that we’re not taking this journey alone. We have a spiritual extended family with members who unselfishly share with us time, knowledge, advice, and even precious resources because they know how hard it is when you try to do it on your own. 

family pic 2014
I have long ago relinquished the question “Why me?” because a book, written by a mom who also has a child with special needs, gave me the push to instead ask, “Why not me?” I don’t remember the exact moment, or even if I did have one, when I had that imaginary bulb light up, and I realized that I am stronger emotionally and physically, more patient, and more resourceful than I’ve ever given myself credit for. 

Turning my thoughts away from “what if” to “what now” made me accept the positive possibilities that this kind of parenting continues to teach me and the rest of my family. I’ve come to wake up in the mornings with a big thought bubble that says, “Bring it on! I will overcome anything bad this day will throw at me!”

20-year-old James (March 2018) 
Still, there are times, when I am far too exhausted and vulnerable, when a niggling guilt would creep up on me and make me question if I had done something in the past that makes me responsible for my child’s condition. I am just thankful that those thoughts don’t come as often as before. In time, I’ve learned to forgive myself for those lapses of self-pity and anguish and instead pat myself on the back for doing my best and managing to survive the never-ending trials I deal with every day.

Special children don’t come with an instruction manual, but their families eventually discover what would work best for them. Ours did and my son gave us that rare chance to see the world through the eyes of someone who is not willing to be defeated by his disabilities. 

2016 family photo
The death of one’s child, I believe, is one of many parents’ greatest fears. For moms and dads of kids with special needs, that fear hovers constantly and is difficult to ignore. And yet, it is our very own special children who teach us to forget about being terrified because they are still here with us to provide light and joy in our lives.

As you read this book, whether you have a family member with special needs or not, may our story provide you with inspiration and hope that God is also looking out for you … always.

Embracing Disability This Ability
*Note: This article serves as the introduction section of my book "Embracing Disability This Ability: A Family's Journey with Cerebral Palsy" that will be launched on September 14, 2018 @ 5:30PM at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) by CSM Publishing. Thank you for reading! I pray that you will find encouragement and hope from our story :)  

*Edited 2019: Embracing Disability This Ability is now available in the Philippines at National Book Store, PCBS, and other bookstores nationwide as well as online from Lazada and Shopee. For those in the U.S. who are interested in getting a copy, please send me a private message via the Embracing This Ability Facebook page. By the way, you can now read Chapter 1, here.

*Edited 2021: Embracing Disability This Ability is now available as an eBook on Amazon! You can now purchase your copy, here: https://amzn.to/3v7SKGl. Thank you! 


Read more »
By at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Friday, August 10, 2018

Home Is Where the Heart Is -- Our Family's Migration Story

family , home
Home Is Where the Heart Is -- Our Family's Migration Story
I love traveling and exploring new places, especially with my family. But on those instances when I have to travel for work, I always look forward to coming home and once more being with the people I love. 

Baguio City, circa 2001
When my husband Nonoy and I were still a young couple, we decided that working abroad and leaving the other behind to look after our four sons should never be an option. Especially since our third son, James, has special needs and requires the care of both parents, we agreed to face financial challenges together rather than choose to work overseas and earn more, but at the cost of just one parent raising the kids alone. 

We held on to our faith that God will see us through anything. And you know what? The Lord sustained us and provided for our needs, particularly during really trying times! Our prayer continued to be that if it was really God’s plan for one of us to work abroad, please let us go there as a whole family and not leave anyone behind.

New Year 2009
In Limbo

Several years ago, we found out that despite the passing of my USAFE (United States Army of the Far East) veteran father-in-law in 1999, the petition he filed in 1993 for my husband and Noy’s sister (my third sister-in-law) was approved. Moreover, the petition could be passed on to a family member who’s willing to continue the sponsorship.

My first sister-in-law, who lives in Guam, asked us if we’d like to pursue the petition. Knowing that the U.S. is a lot more medically and technologically advanced than our home country, Noy and I started dreaming of better opportunities for James, our son with cerebral palsy, and our three other sons. Once more, our prayer remained that, God willing, He would allow all six of us to migrate abroad.

New Year 2014
Around 2014, my two US-based sisters-in-law started doing everything they could to process our papers. They consulted an immigration lawyer who facilitated the changing of my husband’s petition category from single to married, and hired another attorney to ensure that our oldest son, who was about to turn 21, would not be denied a visa.

The back and forth submissions and approvals of documents took many, many months. Each time we thought we’d completed everything, we’d be asked to submit a certificate, another file, and another, and another until we were left wondering if that phase of submitting requirements would ever end.

For more than three years, our family felt like we were living in limbo, unable to make long-term plans, uncertain if we could really leave or not. Many times, we had prayer moments where we pleaded with God to just let us receive a yes or no answer from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services so we can be done with the seemingly endless wait and move on with our lives. 

celebrating James' 17th birthday in 2014
Roller-Coaster Ride

In early May 2017, we finally received our visa interview scheduled for June at the U.S. Embassy. From experience, we anticipated more bumps ahead, but we held on to our faith that God will see us through until the end of the journey.

Unfortunately, two of our sons initially didn’t pass the U.S.-mandated medical exam and had to undergo additional tests. Only four of us went to the June interview where our eldest son, Rey, was almost denied a visa due to the “age-out” issue. Despite our pleas, the consul refused to look over the legal papers drafted by our lawyer proving that Rey was still a minor when the petition was reinstated.

We were all in tears as we approached the releasing section to receive further instructions. Obviously, it was impossible to feel elated about going home with just three visas instead of four. Mercifully, the lady at window scrutinized our documents thoroughly and told us to wait as she consulted her supervisor, who then returned our family’s thick file to the consul.

After what seemed like an eternity, we were called back to the window to be told that Rey would also be issued a visa. As always, God was watching over us!

June 2017 -- after the visa interview
(minus Rey who was already late for work after spending five hours in the U.S. Embassy) 
With plans to travel together, we waited for two months for James’ and Josh’s test results, only to find out that our special child had to undergo another series of medical clearances. Although a difficult decision, we all agreed that my husband and two sons should fly ahead to the U.S. in early September so that Daniel, the youngest, could still make it to senior high school enrollment.

Josh, who was approved for a visa in August, insisted he stay behind to help me take care of James while we waited another couple of months for more of his brother’s additional medical test results. 

The first month away from my husband and two sons was tough. Thankfully, the video calls, often-teary conversations, that we made almost every day helped us to cope. None of us thought things would get more difficult, but they did.

first batch to arrive in California greeted by my two sisters-in-law
Final hurdles

It was a long and stressful day when Josh and I brought James back to the St. Lukes Extension Clinic the day before my special child’s U.S. visa interview in October. After 13 hours of waiting and lots of hassles in between, he was finally given medical clearance. 

The next day, we encountered another problem with a missing document the consul asked for but which was already submitted during the June interview. So I had to re-submit a copy of the said file via courier a day later, unsure whether James would be issued a visa any time soon, or if they would ask again for additional papers that would further delay the process. 

With Josh’s visa expiring earlier than mine due to the additional medical tests he had to undergo, my second son had to be booked on a solo flight so he would arrive in the U.S. without any problems. This new development left James and me alone for another month.

James' 20th birthday without his dad and two brothers
Those weeks were probably some of the loneliest in our lives, when I realized that homesickness isn’t really tied to a physical place. Rather, it is about separation from desperately missed loved ones. Now I know firsthand that it is possible to be homesick for people, too! Our house in Alabang by then already felt like an empty shell.

As days turned into weeks with no visa in sight and no updates from the U.S. Embassy call center agents I talk to almost everyday, I began to wonder if I’d ever see my family again. Although I kept busy during the day packing and selling what’s left of our stuff, I would feel deep despair at night as I watched James sleep, while longing for my husband and other sons. Once more, faith in God’s plans kept us hoping for the best. 

It felt surreal when James’ visa finally arrived at the house and the mad scramble for last minute packing finally began. Despite my worries of how to survive a 20-hour trip with a wheelchair-bound child in tow plus four big pieces of luggage and another four carry on bags, my determination to do everything I could to be with my family was greater than any other hurdles I may still encounter.

saying goodbye to my extended family at the airport
Coming home

I was deeply grateful that my mom, siblings, and nieces arrived the day before our departure to help me clean the house and finalize everything before my son and I left for the airport. Their love and support were such a welcome reprieve from the loneliness of the past weeks. 

The date November 16, 2017 will forever remain in my memory as the day I finally found myself home again when I felt my husband’s arms around me the moment James and I emerged from LAX’s arrival ramp. All the apprehensions and exhaustion instantly faded away with the knowledge that we were, indeed, finally where we were supposed to be.

I’ve read somewhere that we will never know how strong we could be until being strong is the only option we have left. I can attest to that, given everything that we’ve been through since we started our immigration process.

California, March 2018 
I’m sharing our story to encourage other families to keep holding on to each other and to continue trusting in God’s leading in the midst of challenges and temporary separations. Have faith that He will see you through. Remember, too, that many times, life may take us to unexpected places, but love will always bring us home. 

NOTE: This story was originally published on pp. 17-19 in Family Matters Magazine's June-Aug 2018 issue, the digital copy of which can be found, here.


Read more »
By at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Friday, July 21, 2017

Cheers Napkins: Bringing Life to Everyday Celebrations

family , food trip
Cheers Napkins: Bringing Life to Everyday Celebrations
Filipinos love to eat, especially with family and friends. Whether we buy take away food from restaurants or spend hours in the kitchen whipping up heirloom dishes, the end goal for every gathering is to celebrate and have fun together, right?

eat, have fun, and keep your face clean! :)
So, despite our busy lifestyles, many of us make time to “break bread” and share good moments with the people we value. It is, after all, a good reason why we enjoy hosting get-togethers where we swap stories over good food.

Of course, with meals come messes and cleanups. Make that part easier by discovering the value of bringing Cheers into your home!

Cheers is a brand of quality hygienic napkins in various configurations. Aside from kitchen and paper towels, it also carries other party needs like starch-based cutleries and trash bags that are both eco-friendly and biodegradable.

Cheers has different napkin sizes for various needs
At home, we use different Cheers paper products because using the right napkin sizes helps us avoid paper wastage. This is very important to me as someone who advocates for the protection of our environment. Here’s how we use the following:

• Cheers Kitchen Towel Roll – I keep one handy near the kitchen sink because I normally use a sheet or two to dry my hands with after washing the dishes. And since it is 2-ply, each sheet is strong enough not to tear easily. So I also use a couple to line up serving dishes when I need to drain excess oil from fried food items like chicken, hash browns, or French fries.  

• Cheers Interfolded Paper Towels – This one is stationed on a side table in our dining room because it is so convenient to pull a sheet to instantly wipe off accidental spills. We also use them to dry our place mats after eating. 

Going on a picnic? Don't forget to bring a pack of Cheers! 
• Cheers Table Napkins – These are available in different sizes and are very, very useful during parties. You can wrap sandwiches in the big flat napkins while the dinner napkins can be used when table setting for a sit-down dinner. On the other hand, the small pull napkins are ideal for wiping the sides of the mouth especially when there are kids who usually end up with food smudges on their faces. Likewise, children’s parties are made more colorful with Cheers napkins that have fun print designs!

Aside from the various useful features, I like Cheers products because they are made with 100% Virgin Pulp and have no artificial whiteners and elemental chlorine. As a result, these attributes make them very hygienic to use with food. Moms, after all, take safety in high consideration when it comes to serving meals at home.

make snack times less messy by having table napkins on standby
With Cheers, parties and get-togethers can be made more special when you don’t have to dread the cleaning up part after a meal is over. And with the various products offered, it’s definitely a plus to be able to bring out a different dimension in every celebration.

So, Cheers to the privilege and joy of being with our loved ones while we all enjoy food, laughter, and making happy memories!


Read more »
By at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Monday, July 03, 2017

Race Review: Robinsons' 10th Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run

family , fun time
Race Review: Robinsons' 10th Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run
One of the things that definitely makes working out fun is doing it with a buddy. Whether you're accompanied by a friend or family member, physical activities seem to get easier if someone's with you to finish the journey with. 

early morning run with my boys
This July, Robinsons' Supermarket once more proved that pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle is very much possible with the success of the 10th Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run held yesterday at the Parade Grounds of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

I love this particular annual running event because it encourages participants to partner with a loved one in running together towards the finish line. This is my third time to join and I am grateful for the opportunity to be with my family in doing an activity I have personally grown to love. 

hubby and son number two
Like last year, my youngest son and I teamed up to run 5k while pushing our special child's wheelchair while hubby and our second son, both barefoot runners, once more tackled the 10k distance together. We caught up with each other along the race route and happily took a groufie I posted on Instagram.  

It was so great to see several blogger friends join the race for the first time with their significant others. I am really glad they had fun and hope that they would continue to incorporate running in their fitness regimens from now on. 

winners got cool prizes
Mr. Jody Gadia, general manager of Robinsons Supermarket, affirmed how much the Fit & Fun Buddy Run has become a much-anticipated event through the years. "It's our kick-off as we celebrate Wellness and Nutrition Month with the nation. It provides a fun gateway activity for fitness newbies who are just about to start their wellness journey and loyal runners."

On stage, Gretchen Ho and Robi Domingo served as hosts while coaches Jim and Toni Saret led pre- and post-workout sessions to help keep runners' adrenalin pumping. The fit couple also invited everyone to register on-site for the Fit Filipino 1 Million Pounds National Weight Loss Challenge. This is the biggest on-ground and online wellness program in the country that encourages everyone to pledge their unwanted pounds and lose weight by December. Know more about it, here. 

coaches Jim and Toni with Gretchen and Robi
Adding to the fun were various booths that offered freebies from Nestle Philippines, Johnson & Johnson, Fonterra, Unilab and Wyeth Nutrition, Unilever, International Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (IPI), Procter & Gamble, Abbott Nutrition, Getz Bros, Ecossential, Del Monte, Foodsphere Inc., and Philusa. 

The fun run, however, is just one of Robinsons Supermarket's many programs this July. There are Wellness Festivals being held in various locations and Healthy You snack platters to be given away for a minimum purchase of P3,000 inclusive of P500 worth of participating items.

everybody went home a winner with heavy lootbags filled with grocery items!
Keep updated with Robinsons' different promos and activities that aim to provide Filipinos with delicious and healthy food options and alternatives. Make sure to Like Robinsons Supermarket Official on Facebook and visit www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph regularly. 

* Thank you so much, Running Photographers, for taking such great photos!


Read more »
By at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Why Go on a Family Staycation at Selah Garden Hotel in Pasay City, Philippines?

family , hotel
Why Go on a Family Staycation at Selah Garden Hotel in Pasay City, Philippines?
My sister-in-law came home for a quick vacation this month to attend to various stuff and spend some time with us. Since we planned to do some shopping and dining out in SM Mall of Asia, we booked an overnight stay at Selah Garden Hotel which is very near the mall. 

with hubby, his sister, and three of our four boys
(because our firstborn had to go to work very early)
I'm writing this post for other families who might be looking for a good place to unwind in the Pasay City area and I'd recommend checking out Selah Garden Hotel for the following reasons:

1. The hotel is PWD-friendly. I booked one of the family rooms and thought we'd be staying in one of those I've seen during the hotel launch last February (read that post, here). My husband and I were prepared to adjust accommodations for our wheelchair-bound son in case we get a room with stairs and beds on a loft. 

Selah's spacious TLC Room
So I was surprised when we checked in to find out they've assigned us to the TLC (Tender Loving Care) Room that one of the staff members said is spacious enough for a wheelchair. I think we weren't able to see this during our tour last time because it was occupied. So imagine our gratitude to get a room on the ground floor where it so easy for us to wheel James around! The bathroom is likewise big and accessible for a Person with Disability.

two queen beds comfortably slept five people
(me, hubby, and James on one; my sister-in-law and our firstborn on the other)
2. The beds are big enough with the TLC room having two queen beds and a sofa bed. They fit all of us comfortably. Our request for additional bedding for the sofa bed was also accommodated graciously. Across the two big beds is a flat screen TV mounted on the wall so James was still able to watch his favorite kiddie channel to keep him entertained.

during the night, we moved this sofa near the dining table
and opened it up to make another bed for two more boys
3. The food items we ordered via room service were tasty. The night we stayed at Selah also happened to be the night of Britney Spears' concert in MOA Arena. To avoid the expected traffic going to the mall, we opted to eat dinner at the hotel. Having a dining table and chairs inside the TLC room was a big bonus for us because we got to enjoy our meal over lively conversation without having to drive anywhere and possibly get hungry while being stuck on the road longer than usual.

some of the food items we ordered and ate inside the room
The various Filipino dishes we ordered have the lutong-bahay taste. I particularly loved the Binagoongan because I haven't tasted a really good one for a long time. Of course, our boys readily consumed many of the fried chicken! :) We also got to ask for a small bucket of ice cubes, for our drinking water, that they provided for free.

there are lots of things to do at Selah
4. There's a pool, a spa, and installations that encourage physical activities. Whether you'd prefer a swim or a massage to relax, Selah is a good place to be. If you're into sports, try their wall climbing and cable traverse facilities that come with safety gear. With a lot of available rooms, this hotel is also being marketed as a great team building venue. Consider booking there in case you want some company bonding time or simply unwind with friends.

the open air gazebo located next to the pool
5. There are so many beautiful corners for photo ops! Any netizen who loves posting different kinds of pictures on social media would enjoy discovering Selah's Instagrammable spots. My favorite? The huge swing that could fit three to four people. Plus, they have free WiFi access for guests so being connected to the internet was not a problem.

one of the function rooms that can accommodate a lot of people
For inquiries, rates, and more details about their other services and offerings, just visit www.selahgarden.com.


Read more »
By at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,