30 Wednesday May 2012
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I always have a fun time with my daughter. She and I love the same things like playing dress-up, posing when there is a camera near us and just laughing with each other during lazy Sunday mornings.
Mother-daughter bonding moment
Photo by my sister-in-law, Kleng
21 Monday May 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
by Mommy Jobelle
What is it about being awake at midnight that makes one feel so emo? Haha!
Exactly 2 weeks and 3 days, I will be flying again from Manila to Singapore. I waited almost half a year to finally make my little family complete. This time I will be flying with my cold feet…
I doubt myself if I can raise a healthy, god-fearing, kindhearted and educated child. Having grown up in very helpful families, I don’t know if my husband and I can make it alone this time. I fear that our young minds will bust in and fail us in any way.
Okay, enough being emo. I’d also like to share what’s keeping me busy and happy these days. Tadadannnn! Baby photography! Photos of my son and nephew below, both gwapo in their spiderman and winter costumes. 
20 Sunday May 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
human trafficking, illegal recruitment, Laya Rox Santos, migrant, migrante, Mommy Laya, mother, Mother's Day, OFW, Terril Atienza
By Mommy Laya
The author with her daughter at Jumeirah Beach Park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
There are people whom you have never met but whose story clearly and infinitely resounds in your mind.
When I heard the story of Terril Atienza through my friend, Sarah Maramag of Migrante, my heart went out to her, a fellow mother and OFW who was a victim of human trafficking, illegal recruitment and mysterious death. I decided to write her story, and in my own little way, help Terril and her family obtain justice.
I have worked abroad for a short period of time and I know firsthand what a tremendous sacrifice it is for a parent to leave their children behind to reside in a land very different from theirs, in the hopes of providing a better future for their family.
I’m sure many mothers like myself celebrated a joyous Mother’s Day with their families but I know for a fact that many mothers toiling abroad could only wish that they could afford to return home and be with their beloved children.
It is my fervent wish that someday, mothers such as Terril Atienza need not leave their kids to escape poverty and be able to live in comfort and dignity.
Please check out my article on Terril at http://www.interaksyon.com/article/31998/beyond-mothers-day-ofws-family-cries-for-justice and share her story to help Terril’s children obtain justice for their mother.
Thank you so much and God bless us all.
17 Thursday May 2012
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16 Wednesday May 2012
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Tags
making your family proud, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Shell Fuelsave mommy ambassador, Target One Million
By Ria Santos Natividad
My name and photo came out in The Philippine Daily Inquirer today for the Shell Fuelsave Target One Million forum.
The Motoring section of PDI
Today’s date. (That girl is not me. I wish I am as sexy as her though. I’ll get there someday. :p)
Here I am in stripes. Too bad the editor left out the part that I am a mommy ambassador of Shell Fuelsave. At least the UP Press gets mentioned. (The paper is also slightly crumpled because my baby grabbed it from Daddy when we tried showing him Mommy’s photo. Hehe!)
I will keep this paper in a scrapbook to show my son when he gets a bit older. Eventhough I used to work for The Manila Bulletin and Wedding Essentials magazine and had my name and photo printed several times, it feels different now that I am a mom and is showcased as one. I am SO VERY passionately driven to make my family proud.
PS. Special thanks to my friend, Toti Palileo, for giving me the heads-up.
15 Tuesday May 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
beauty, flowers, joy, life, nature, recharging, rejuvenating, taking care of yourself, tree
By Ria Santos Natividad
I love the saying, A thing of beauty is a joy forever. It says so much about how I see life.
I believe it is very important for all of us, especially moms, to stay positive and to keep focused on the good, not only because our outlook influences our children, but more so because we simply need it. We need to see the beauty around us to recharge and give back. As I’ve shared before, I firmly believe that in order to care for others, we must first take care of ourselves.
Every morning this summer, as I drive to work, I am greeted by a thing of beauty: a tree crowned with purple flowers. The blooms grow so profusely in hot season, it appears as one giant bouquet. The sight awakens me and signals of good things ahead.
The tree is best seen in early morning when the sun shines against it and it becomes one golden majestic sight. However, I was only able to take photos of it in noontime, when it is under the shade of huge acacias. I hope you will still be able to catch a glimpse of its beauty and feel soothed and strengthened by it.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!
12 Saturday May 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
By Ria Santos Natividad
I have a full day tomorrow, but since I could not let the day go by without posting a special shoutout to the special people in my life who raised me, took care of me, and made me the person I am today, I am making this post before going to bed.
To the mothers in my life: Nanni, Lola Kikay, Momcie, and Lola Letty, thank you.
My nanay, Nanni, who gave life to me and sacrificed so much for me and my siblings
My nanay’s mother, Lola Kikay, who raised me and my siblings. There were five of us and she did everything for us all by herself. She is my hero.
My tatay’s mom, Momcie, who makes everything around her beautiful and is a big influence on me
My third grandmother, Lola Letty, who sent us to school and enriched our lives in so many ways. It’s true what they say: that you won’t know the value of what you have until it’s gone. I used to spend all my Sundays with her and used to complain of the distance. I was young and immature then. Now that I don’t get to see her anymore because of certain circumstances, I cherish those memories as a person in a desert values his water. I miss her so much and pray we could see and spend time with her again. She is one of the smartest, bravest, and funniest people I know and she inspires me everyday.
And last but not the least, to the new mother in my life: my mother in law, Mama, thank you for raising such a wonderful son.
My mother in law, Mama, whose devotion to her family cannot be questioned. In this photo, I can be seen wearing one of her dusters when she took me on vacation with her to Bicol (without my then-boyfriend-now-husband; just us).
I love you all.
10 Thursday May 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
fuel efficiency, green living, improving driving habits, managing your budget, saving m, saving money, Shell Fuelsave mommy ambassador, Shell Fuelsave Unleaded and Diesel, Target One Million
By Ria Santos Natividad
Hello, everyone! You read the title above right — yes, I am a Shell Fuelsave mommy ambassador! 
I haven’t shared the news to anyone until now because I wasn’t sure it will push through. Today though, Shell Fuelsave held an event at the Makati Shangri-La. Over lunch, Shell Philippines showcased their breakthrough-technology product — fuel that lets you save. Part of the event was a forum of sorts, of which I was one of the guest interviewees. I represented the mommies out there who handle their families’ budgets, wish to get value for their money, and increase their savings in the process. I am a young mom of a family who is just starting out, I drive regularly to work and to run household errands, and I use Shell Fuelsave Unleaded. So now it’s official and I get to share the good news with you.
Why did I agree to be a Shell Fuelsave ambassador?
One, I use the product and I believe it works. As I shared during the Q&A portion with the press, I tank up an average of 1000 pesos per week. Since I started using Shell Fuelsave versus their regular unleaded gas, I noticed that I am able to stretch my fuel far longer than before.
Second, I believe in what the product aims for: fuel economy and savings. As a mom, every cent counts. I don’t just have to think of my needs, I have to think of the needs of my family as well. I have to manage our budget and make sure our household runs efficiently. Each expense affects another, so if I get to save money from fuel, then I get to allot that for something else, or I am able to increase our family savings. Saving is very important because I want to be able to out aside money for my son’s future.
And speaking of my son’s future, the third reason I agreed to be an ambassador was to champion the idea of green living. By using fuel that is efficient, we get to lessen our carbon footprint and we get to do our part in making sure that the environment that our children grows up in is still clean, healthy, and safe.
Last, and the most personal reason of all, I want my husband and son to be proud of me. I want them to be able to point to me and proudly say, “That’s my wife,” or “That’s my mom.”
I shared my testimony on savings; in return, I also learned a lot of tips on how to improve my driving habits through a game that Shell has developed. As you play the game, you get tips on how you can further save fuel and improve fuel efficiency. The game is user-friendly and can be enjoyed by both adults and kids alike.
Play the game to know what I am talking about and learn how to drive better and save more at www.shell.com.ph/targetonemillion.
Meanwhile, here are some photos of this mom during the event.
Getting interviewed by Susie Entrata-Abrera, one of my favorite hosts
Logging on the Target One Million website
Moms unite! With fellow mommy blogger Martine of Dainty Mom (daintymom.com) and our host and fellow mom Susie Entrata-Abrera
There are so many things to share on saving money, fuel efficiency, improving our driving habits, and the Target One Million project so make sure to check my next posts.
Until then!
PS. I would like to thank my husband for showing his support by coming to the event with me and taking these photos, and my friend, Karen, for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
30 Monday Apr 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
memories, photographs, baby book, scrapbook, hard drive, medical records, S, Shutterfly, photobook, websites, documentation
By Ria Santos Natividad
I am very conscientious when it comes to documenting events, milestones, and even the seemingly mundane happenings of everyday existence. I take lots of photos and I am very OC when it comes to labeling them, dates and all. I am a romantic at heart and I love taking trips down memory lane to see and appreciate where I have been, how far I have come, and how I got from then to now. Keeping these frozen tableaus of time are physical reminders of how blessed I am and they keep me humbled and grounded.
This obsessive compulsion to document my life benefits my son. Since I found out I was pregnant until now that my son is turning eight months old, I have been completely consumed in making sure no moment in his early life is left unwritten or unphotographed. Every little detail must be taken note of and filed away for future reference and enjoyment.
Going beyond the call of duty of “normal” baby booking, the first cuttings of his fingernails and the stump of his cord that fell off some weeks after his birth are now safely tucked away in his baby scrapbook. A lock of hair from his first haircut four months from now (when he turns a year old) will surely be joining this uncanny group. Gross as it may seem, I am proud I have lovingly kept these little mementos to treasure–keepsakes of a time that can never be brought back, only cherished and remembered.
Because of my love for documentation, I am so grateful to my brother and sister-in-law for giving my son his own hard drive so I can safely store his hundreds of photos. These photos are all shared online to family and friends via our Shutterfly site. My husband’s eldest sister recommended this site to us for its privacy. I recommend it to others also, as it doubles as a baby journal for documenting milestones. I also have a baby book that I have been preparing for use months before my child’s arrival; it was a gift from a dear friend and school chum. I love writing on its pages and I look forward to filling it with chosen prints from our photo collection. For my son’s medical history, his pedia visits, vaccine shots, etc. are all recorded in his medical baby book that was given to us at the hospital.
My son's hard drive, his baby book, and a sample site of Shutterfly
I hope this post encourages all you parents out there to be faithful when it comes to preserving memories of these times. As people often say, time flies so fast. The next thing you know, your kids will be all grown up. It would be nice to see photos of how small they used to be. Dates and details will make the trip down memory lane to be more fun. Enjoy!
27 Friday Apr 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
By Ria Santos Natividad
As I’ve shared before, my baby started eating solids a month ago. He’s now back at the top of his list of things to eat: bananas.
My son can only eat a small portion of the bananas we buy. So what did we do with some of the leftover bananas? A Banana Leftovers Cake, of course!
As I’ve also shared before, I haven’t done any baking yet. I’ve only made one nonbaking attempt before. I did another one again, this time with a banana cake mix. Here is the result:
It turned out delicious, but could still be firmer in the middle.
My husband says I should try my hand at real baking next time, so wait for that post!
