Getting to Know Your Kids Inside and Out

Being a parent brings a lot of responsibilities. But together with these responsibilities are opportunities to see a miracle - your kid growing up from being a baby to toddlers to graders, tweens and teens.

Most moms would agree that if only given a chance, they would stop their kids from growing up and just let them be their cute and adorable little selves.

For a mother who loves her kid so much, it's a great, or even the best, feeling to be able to shower them with hugs and kisses whenever possible. On the other hand, it's quite a challenge to see them maturing (growing tall and gaining more knowledge through the years).

So what we can do then is really find time to get to know them and guide them in the right path as they're growing up. Communication is key so they can open up without hesitation to you any time they feel like it.

Becoming their best friend is a good step. In this way, you build trust and a deeper relationship that can go on for the rest of your lives.

Never let a day go by without talking to your kids. It's an effective way of knowing them better inside and out.

How the Lord Created the Mother

I was so touched by a Mother's Day post on Paulo Coelho's Blog which a friend and former high school classmate shared on Facebook today. I'm sharing this in its entirety in the hope of touching more lives.

The post is entitled "Character of the week: The Mother."

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of “overtime” when an angel appeared and said: “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?

* She has to be completely washable, but not plastic;
* Have 180 movable parts… all replaceable;
* Run on black coffee and leftovers;
* Have a lap that disappears when she stands up;
* A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair;
* And six pairs of hands.”

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands… no way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”

“That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.

The Lord nodded.

“One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ’What are you kids doing in there?’
“Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know.
“And of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, ’I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “Go to bed. Tomorrow…”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself.

Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick
“…can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger
“… and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower.”

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.

“But she’s tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”

“Can she think?”

“Not only can she think, but she can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek.

“There’s a leak,” she said. “I told You were trying to push too much into this model.”

“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”

“What’s it for?”

“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”

And the Mother was created – a work of genius.

Happy Mother's Day to all amazing moms!

Bayanihan: The Power of We

Bayanihan is a well known trait among Filipinos. This is where the "we" concept is very much alive.

It has been an age old tradition for citizens in the Philippines to help each other in times of need. Typically, the bayanihan spirit is most famous in a situation in the barrios wherein a family moves to a new location and their townmates would gather together to help move their house made of bamboo and light materials by carrying it on their shoulders.

The 1986 EDSA Revolution is a major event in the Philippines that displayed the "we" trait among Filipinos and one which caught the attention of other countries. Tired of the dictatorship regime of former president Ferdinand Marcos, people of all ages and religion flocked in droves to the EDSA Shrine in February of that year to protest against the Marcoses and throw him out of his presidency. So successful was this mass movement that the Marcos family was forced to leave the country at that time eventually leading to the establishment of democracy.

In times of natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes, the Filipinos also unite to help the victims in any way they can. Immediate actions of help by food, clothing and monetary donations are taken by companies and private individuals as a way to alleviate the sufferings of those affected.

This is how the "Power of We" is put into action in the Philippines. Through this bayanihan spirit, Filipinos have proven that they can topple a dictatorship, move for the establishment of democracy, stop corruption and unite to help people badly affected by natural disasters.

Filipinos are always resilient citizens the reason why they are admired by people from other nations. Thanks to this bayanihan spirit, we always find a way to stand up and move on after a storm in our lives. Long live the Philippines and to the Filipinos, mabuhay tayo!

This post is in commemoration of Blog Action Day 2012 on October 15.

Mom Bloggers for Social Good

I recently joined this group called Mom Bloggers for Social Good and I'm happy to be a member. This group created by Jennifer James provides great inspiration to moms around the world who care about the work of NGOs and non-profit organizations.

This women's coalition supports causes close to the hearts of moms and through its members, helps spread the word about various issues that affect men, women, children and the environment through blogging and social media. From 400 members on its launching last January 2012, the group's membership now has reached 900.

Group founder Jennifer James also announced a few days ago the release of the Social Good Moms mug. The mug is being sold and proceeds will feed the children who are beneficiaries of the World Food Programme.

But you have a chance to win one by leaving a comment on the website until July 20 only. There's also an option there to share a tweet for an additional entry.

I'm inviting others mom bloggers out there to join the group. You can visit the official website of Mom Bloggers for Social Good or go to the Facebook page. On Twitter, you can follow @socialgoodmoms.

Don't Forget to Laugh!

In these times when people are preoccupied with work, there's one important thing that we should not forget to do. It's a very easy act but has great benefits to a person's emotional and physical health. I'm talking about LAUGHTER, what else.

I found this photo on Facebook being shared and thought of sharing it here as well. A friend of mine said if this was only available over the counter, she would really buy it. I second the motion.

Laughing makes me feel good. To enjoy this privilege, I look for ways so I can laugh on a daily basis. I watch TV shows that are funny, whether local or international. I'm a fan of Showtime, Gandang Gabi Vice, Loko Moko, Just for Laughs, Mr. Bean and of course, the comedy films.

Other things I do are play with our dog which is also therapeutic. Or I would recall memories of my childhood and teenage years and have a good laugh.

So go ahead take your daily dose of laughter. It's free, improves your mood and has definitely no side effects. And the best part is it gives you a different kind of high.

What I've Done as a Fan of Aga Muhlach

Many of my friends are not really aware that I'm such a big movie fan when I was a teenager. In fact, it's not just the movies that I'm a fan of but even TV entertainment shows. So if by chance these friends of mine get to find out about the things I've done as a fan, they would raise their eyebrows in disbelief or tell me "You've got to be kidding!"

So let me share with you the things I did as a teenager who was going ga-ga over some celebrities (both males and females). I remember that it was the movie "Bagets" that started it all. From the time I saw that film, I just fell in love with Aga Muhlach. Since then, I developed an interest in the lives of movie and budding TV stars and followed the latest updates of those that I liked.

For Aga Muhlach, these are what I've done as far as I can remember...

• Would you believe that I made two major scrapbooks filled with clippings of his photos and news taken from magazines?


• I also collected magazines (new and back issues) where he was featured. Some were given to me by cousins and friends.


• I bought photos of him sold at bookshops.


• The biggest move that I made that really thrilled me was meeting Aga in person and kissing him on the cheek. What a joy that was!

Meeting Aga was an opportunity that came to me when I was already working in the broadcast media. I learned that he was coming over to Iloilo City and I took the chance to contact a media friend who was working on the side for SM (ShoeMart as there was no SM City yet) and asked her where I could personally meet the actor. And so she told me the hotel where Aga's entourage were staying and that I could wait in the lobby.

I was super excited to meet Aga then that I even brought with me one of my scrapbooks so I could have it signed by him. I waited at the lobby of Amigo Terrace Hotel with my heart pounding out of excitement. I positioned myself to face the elevator so I could easily spot the actor when he comes out.

Then the moment came and the elevator opened with a big guy coming out first (Aga's younger brother) followed by Aga himself. I immediately stood up and slowly approached the actor and presented to him my scrapbook for his signature. I could not forget his words when he saw it "Wow! A scrapbook!" Perhaps he couldn't believe a girl like me could do such a thing. So he signed it with a big smile and I thanked him.

But that was not the end because as if I was not too contented with that, I also asked permission from him if I could kiss him (oh, the shy me!) And he was laughing when he said "Sure!" He then put his arm on my shoulder when I gave him a peck on his cheek. That moment, I was really on cloud 9!

Until now, I have remained a fan of Aga and his beautiful family.

Visita Iglesia

Happy Easter! The Lord has risen...let us rejoice and continue to have faith and hope in our hearts whatever life might bring us.

The past Holy Week was a time for me to slow down from work. It was also a time for me to do an old tradition which I haven't done since I came here in Davao City.

Doing the Visita Iglesia was a family tradition for us while I was growing up in my hometown of Iloilo City. Being a devoted Catholic, we never missed the different activities of our church from the start of the Lenten Season (Ash Wednesday) until Easter Sunday. We would take part in prayer vigils, processions and visit churches.

Visiting seven churches on the morning of Good Friday was one activity I always looked forward to. I remember my family would prepare early to start our rounds of the churches in the city. There were times that we did this activity together with relatives.

Finally this year, I was able to carry on the tradition with my two kids and our house assistant. Although we only visited four churches (Carmelite, Redemptorist, Sacred Heart and Assumption), it was worth the visit amidst the scorching heat. It felt great that I was able to expose my children to this tradition even if their dad was not around.

The Visita Iglesia tradition actually starts on Maundy Thursday right after the procession and ends until noon of Good Friday. I learned that this originated in Rome during the ancient period.

(Photo of Carmelite Church courtesy of Ruby Thursday More's photostream on Flickr)