Ayala Triangle at Night

I have been itching to watch the dancing Christmas lights at the Ayala Triangle ever since. A couple of Decembers came but we never set foot with my little girl. It's not far from where we live so it's really strange why we never go there. I'm blaming it to the worst traffic condition we have in Manila every time the holiday season kicks in. So difficult to hail a cab, even taxi apps can't help you during rush hours, so yeah, that could be the main reason why we opt to stay at home at night.

Exactly two weeks ago, my cousin together with hubby and 2 year old boy visited us one evening. Our chikka was bitin when we met during the Hi 5 event and since they were just within the area that night, they chanced upon to visit our place. I love being visited by relatives and friends. The thought of making an extra effort to visit you at home is really something to me since I became a Mom. We invited them to Policarpio Street where the kids had fun at the House of Santa Clause. After checking out the last house, Cha's hubby Ryan suddenly thought of going to Ayala Triangle, and that we still have enough time to watch the final show. It only took him less than 30mins to drive to Makati. Good thing we all fit in in their spanking new Chevy SUV!

The kids were too excited and Daphne kept asking where are we heading to. We arrived just in time for the last two shows as they are open until 10PM. I'm glad we made it without making any plans ahead. The lights were so festive plus the chilly wind made it more perfect to settle down and watch. I'll let the photos speak for now. If you're not convinced, I suggest you see it yourself and tag your kids along because I'm very sure that even kids at heart will enjoy the shows. :)

    
Please excuse my no make-up look. Biglaang lakad talaga, hehe!

     

Chili's x Hi-5 Family Day

After a heavy week with a series of not so good news here and there, we eventually had the chance to break the negative setbacks that weekend. It was only a few days before the proper event when I learned that Hi-5, the famous Australian children's musical group, will be coming over to perform at SM Megamall. I felt giddy and excitedly shared the news to my daughter who's as ecstatic as me. In fact, she did her own countdown until that Saturday. 

We arrived a bit early as we need to shop a certain amount first to get the free passes. But as soon as we stepped in the mall, I knew we couldn't make it. Hubby confirmed if there were slots available but unfortunately, everything were sold out until Sunday's event. We also found a very long queue on one side of Bldg B - these people successfully got their tickets but need to wait like that until the event starts. It must be tiring for the kids but I'm sure they loved it.

If only I had the chance to go to the mall before the event, I'd definitely shop earlier to ensure my daughter's tickets. Maybe next time. They will be having a concert come December in Resort's World Manila but tickets are way too expensive! I'd rather spare it for our travel funds next year. Instead of feeling low and guilty, we headed to Chili's for our late lunch. It was the little girl's first time to eat there and she liked it. Here's our orders:

Bottomless Iced Tea P105


Little Chicken Crispers and Fries P190


Beef Salpicao P595


Chicken Enchilada Pasta P440

We definitely enjoyed the food. I'm proud that my little girl finally joined us with the orders. No more fast food take outs this time! If you read this old post, hubby ordered the same food though he said it might be a whole lot different if he was served plain rice only. Pinoy na Pinoy talaga! :) I on the other hand loved my unique pasta dish.

Soon after we finished our food, we came back to the venue and it was jam-packed! I even saw my cousin's family who's there too for her son. In all fairness, Hi-5 has a huge impact on toddlers. When Daphne was almost two years old, I felt slightly sad because she doesn't appreciate the show. She'd rather watch Barney on her iPad. I remember her seated on her high chair watching it.

But a little before she turned 3 years old, her mornings wouldn't be complete without her singing and dancing with her favorite Casey. Sayang, the group had new casts na but they were equally talented as the old members. 

When the host finally introduced the group, the crowd went crazy! Kids were dancing as they sing along, so fun to watch them! Even older people (particularly women) went wild screaming for Stevie's name! We stood at the right side of the stage, just few steps away from them. 

Here's my daughter showing off her Hi-5 pose! Kudos to Daddy who's strong and eager enough to carry her the entire duration of the show. Mind you, she's really heavy and busog pa so I'm sure hubby went slightly numb! LOL. Here's the funniest part, my daughter wasn't quite satisfied just watching them. She keeps telling us "Mama, I want to go there, I want to talk to them!". Oh dear daughter, anything for you, you know I would if I could! I promise next time, we'll make it to the meet and greet session. And I'll make sure to like the official Facebook pages talaga so I am well-informed about any upcoming events, especially for kids.

Have you watched the Hi-5 show too, mommies? How was the experience? :)

********************
I welcome your thoughts on this post and will try my best to reply on your questions. Please feel free to share if you enjoyed reading!
For frequent updates:
Like OneGutsyMom on Facebook
Follow @Onegutsymom on Instagram and Twitter

Cafe Mary Grace

Hello there! Grabe it's been a while since my last entry and I really apologize for the lack of posts. Work has gone wilder these days as bigger clients came in. It was months of chaotic preparations before going to production. If you or anyone you know are into software development then I'm sure they can relate how "ngarag" can you get before going live. Plus my daughter has been getting sick recently and caught eye infection. I never had a me-time as I need to switch from career mom to Nanay mode to keep things balanced and orderly pa din. In fact, I had to cut my hair really short so I can do things quickly and efficiently. Iba na talaga pag motherly levels! Haha!

Anyway, last month, when hubby joined his mountaineering group somewhere in Tarlac, I brought Mom and Daphne to SM Aura. It is now my favorite date place for our family Sundays as most of the time I'd like to avoid bigger crowds. Unless of course if there's a BIG SALE going on. So I wasn't really expecting that this mall was quite full that weekend. At almost 2PM, I could hardly find a free table for us even in Cafe Mary Grace.

F1 Hotel Manila

We decided to spend a city staycation for my birthday weekend. F1 Hotel Manila has been my first and last option because of two main reasons. First, I want an easy access to almost everything (malls, coffee shops, restos, parks, etc.) and second, they got three pools which my little girl will truly enjoy. We didn't get a chance to go to the beach this summer but I don't want to end the season without dipping in the water.

I booked directly through F1 Hotel Manila's official website. They allowed early check-in starting 12noon instead of the usual 2PM. Check-in was a breeze and the reception staff handed me two key cards plus the wifi password. You need to use the key cards to access the floors except for the reception lobby and pool area. Note that they will also require you a Php3,000 deposit during check-in which will also be refundable upon check-out. If you notice, the hotel lobby has a minimalist design and it definitely looked pretty neat to me. On that day, we saw two beautiful brides with their own photographers.

Molding A Child's Confidence

I just finished watching UAAP Season 76 Women's Volleyball. Congratulations to the Lady Eagles for bagging this year's trophy. I only started watching the finals last week and Alyssa Valdez was the consistent best player for me, she deserves the MVP Award. Such strong hands!

Aside from the God-given talent in sports like hers, the parents play the most important role in this achievement. That kind of confidence and strength will never be there without the first-hand support from the parents. It definitely helps one to stand out. We've known local athletes who did not belong to well-off families, financial issue is the number  one hindrance, but still they made it big time because of the huge amount of emotional support from the parents and the rest of the family.. and even the extended families! It boosts you more just knowing they support you in every possible way they can.

During my teen years, I had always dreamt of performing in school. I loved to dance ever since and to represent your alma mater on inter-school competitions was one of my high school dreams. I also dreamt of being a writer for our school paper but just thinking of my Mother's reaction when I tell her this already made me super sad. There were a lot of restrictions imposed mainly because of religion. Albeit sad and low, I fully submitted to her request.

As I look behind, I see a young lady with an almost poor confidence. It was four happy years in high school but I know I could have done more, especially being in the top class where everyone compete for academic ranking and extra-curricular activities. Who knows I could've been a varsity player too? But most of the time, I felt so awkward about so many things around me. But hey don't get me wrong, I don't blame my Mom for this. I may not have the ability to fully understand back then but I know she only wants what's best for me. Besides, it could have been a totally different story if I had Dad's presence all those years.
                     

My little girl is soon-to-be a pre-schooler. I don't want everything to happen so fast but I know sooner or later, this same chapter in her life is bound to happen. And when the time comes, I want to be the first person to support her all the way to her personal achievements and be her number one fan. And I pray that I'll always have the heart and time to listen to her. 

While she is pursuing her dreams, I want her to understand that's it is OK to commit errors and to learn to stand up whenever she stumbles. I want her to be a smart fighter and at the same time manage self-control. That she will bring out that inner courage and know when to decline. That she will fulfill her dreams in her own pace without any hesitations. I'd also like to instill in her heart to never forget to return the glory to our God. Really, I just want to be that proud mother for her and be her source of inspiration. I want her to enjoy the journey so she could build better and happier memories. 

To be a part of her thank yous will strongly characterize how her Dad and I equally did an awesome job as parents. May God bless these promises for our child.

********************
I welcome your thoughts on this post and will try my best to reply on your questions. 
Please feel free to share if you enjoyed reading!
For frequent updates:
Like OneGutsyMom on Facebook
Follow @Onegutsymom on Instagram and Twitter

Daphne @ 3

My plan to organise a simple DIY party for my little princes finally happened last weekend. It just felt so amazing that the inner party planner in me is coming out in the open. Naks! And more than anything else, I'm overjoyed that my girl even loved the small details I came up with for her party. She was still in her pj's when she first saw the Princess Sofia the First party favors and screamed a big "SURPRISE!!!!" in a really loud voice! It was an unexpected reaction, neither one in the house did. I felt a lump in my throat because of happiness and fulfillment. Thank you for noticing our efforts..

I'd also like to give my special shout-out to Seshalyn'sPartyIdeas and SevenThirtyThree for every inspirational ideas and free printables they shared on their respective blogs. Big THANK YOU, ladies, for adding more character to this DIY party. To my dear husband who helped the cut and paste tasks, thanks for extending your patience (I know this is never your thing), to Mom who volunteered to cook a few special dishes and helped our visitors feel welcomed, and to my close friends and family and their kids who joined this celebration. 

Who knew we could pull up a party for 35 visitors with only three people on hand? Yes, no household help at all. I'm proud to claim that I washed the dishes while enjoying chikka with my friends. Ha ha! 

This is how much we love you, my little princess. And my only wish is you continue to grow up with a kind and generous heart whilst young. Happy 3rd birthday! ♥

********************
I welcome your thoughts on this post and will try my best to reply on your questions. 
Please feel free to share if you enjoyed reading!
For frequent updates:
Like OneGutsyMom on Facebook
Follow @Onegutsymom on Instagram and Twitter

Kinder Joy

 

My daughter has been watching YouTube videos of Kinder Joy for over a year now. She even calls it "egg surprise" and we both got giddy when we finally saw heaps of them in a grocery store. It was actually her who saw it first. We were paying for our grocery items when she started screaming " Kinder Joy, Kinder Joy, Mommy!". I really thought it's locally available only on selected stores.

 

So when we got home, I took the opportunity to document her first Kinder Joy encounter! I could be silly sometimes you know, but hey, these eggs brought joy to my daughter and the excitement was really contagious. She well knew what to do with these eggs but asked for Mommy's assistance. You need to pull the tip off to split it into two.

  

The first half in gold plastic foil contains the yummy and gooey chocolate, while the other half has the surprise toy. Kids her age would find it difficult to open the sealed part. Of course, she opened the chocolate part first but funny thing, she didn't even want to taste it! I think she was more thrilled to open all the egg surprises at once. For me, the chocolate tasted real good, it reminded me of a simpler version of Ferrero Rocher! There were two crispy wafer balls smothered in milk and chocolate. We placed the other chocolate halves in the fridge to make it firm but I'd still prefer the melted version.

 

And here's the surprise toy parts that are needed to be assembled. A simple flyer is provided which includes instructions on how to create the actual toy. There's also a sticker. To be honest, I don't understand what this toy is, though the sticker shows two guys playing basketball. I guess Kinder Joy just wanted to promote the element of surprise to little kids, like how they open gift boxes during special occasions. Opening one egg will never be enough so make sure buy at least two.

 

Here are the rest of the toys inside. I think they look cuter if there's a handful of them together. We got this for Php45 each which I think is quite pricey if you base it on the quality of the toys. But if these could give your kid that cheerful smile then why would it be an issue? Bumawi naman with the chocolate eh! :-)

Have you tried Kinder Joy too? How was it?

********************
I welcome your thoughts on this post and will try my best to reply on your questions. 
Please feel free to share if you enjoyed reading!
For frequent updates:
Like OneGutsyMom on Facebook
Follow @Onegutsymom on Instagram and Twitter

Wishing you and your family..

Policarpio Street

Two nights ago, Mom and I randomly thought of checking out the famous Christmas street in Mandaluyong known as Policarpio Street. We've been waiting for this since we transferred to our new apartment because it is just few blocks away from us. It was on  nationwide news that night that this glittery and extravagant street had just opened for public.
We noticed a lot of people as soon as we stepped out, mostly groups of families. That made me more excited because this time I am finally seeing it not just on TV. I'm funny like that! :-)


It was literally open for public, meaning to fees to be collected. There was a tall gate hovering at the entrance, perhaps it is closed during normal days though I wonder why because it is not even a village.
I noticed how big the lot sizes are on this street, my guess is ranging from 400 to 600 sqm so the owners must be that well off. The first house has this big Belen (a traditional Filipino Christmas symbol) representing the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. I'm not sure if they cover the Belen on regular season. There were about 4 to 5 security people watching over this house, and yelling at those who block the driveway. I recall C.O.D. in Cubao while looking at the Belen. 80's kids in Manila must be so lucky to have had experienced it.


This was the second house that captured our attention. First thing that came into my mind is how much they are paying for the Meralco bill. The house was literally covered with Christmas lights! It was beautifully designed! They must have hired people to organize the colored lights to form each Christmas piece. And there was like a tower behind with a giant parol (Filipino Christmas lantern that is usually star-shaped). I'm assuming it's that big as it is still visible from my standpoint.


Third house is probably the crowd favorite - The House of Santa Clause. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the owner is a known collector of thousands of Santa Clauses? How to keep all of these and how to clean them all? Pinroblema ko talaga ano? :-)



The entire house was very amusing, it almost looked like a theme park. Kids adore taking pictures with the famous huggable white-bearded man in red and white costume.


This house is connected to the first house above. The colorful rope lights exude a modern Christmas feel. These houses are probably using LED lights.


Me and my little one's favorite is the second house. She looked very amazed with the spectacular glittery lights. I keep asking her if she's happy and she gives me nods and smiles in return. We only stayed for less than thirty minutes because the crowd got bigger and I bet you noticed how cold it gets nowadays. That made me realize my girl is running out of jackets.


Update: this is another favorite house, the one next to House of Santa Clause. It was simple but as you see, my daughter's face turned bright as the lanterns!
Sound bites: When you wish upon a star.. (Hi-5 version)


Are you excited for the upcoming season? I am! Not just because of the gifts and reunions but also because we're nearing our second wedding anniversary! *teehee*
Happy Christmas shopping to all! :-)

What Are You Thankful For?

If there is something I am truly thankful for right now, it would be having the chance to spend my weekends with my family. Let me share you the whys.

Years and year back, I once co-managed one of the biggest retail stores here in the Metro. Being the flagship store in the country, that requires your presence at work on weekends when most people come to shop in bigger groups. A weekend off is never an option unless you file for a vacation leave. That was my first job and I could say the most ideal one for a fresh graduate with a business degree. And like anyone else, I tried to enjoy it as much as I could.

Then came BPO and call center jobs.

I sheepishly admit, shifting my career that time is very encouraging. Since my current job is customer service by nature, I thought I'd have this edge already. Perhaps, landing to an office-based work seems more promising to me, regardless of the change in timezone. I spent tough years in the industry but I know I was paid well and have received the finest benefits. Though your acceptance to the job offer somehow includes your willingness to adjust your lifestyle and even missing a few social events. Those were challenging years for someone who aspires to move up to the corporate ladder. I've met a lot of good people, was harnessed with rigid training and learned to self-discipline when it comes to schedule adherence. 

If my memory serves me right, I only enjoyed 6 months straight of weekends off that is within the period of 5 years. Good thing I was still single then. As I look back, I know there is nothing to regret with those choices I made. It served me well in so many aspects and for that I am very thankful. I am thankful because it gave me the chance to appreciate what I have now.

 

Let me just clear that I have nothing against working during weekends. In fact, I have a high regard especially for parents who can effectively manage their time despite their absence during family days, which is normally on a Sunday. Maybe I'm just thankful because I don't need to find a "swap" just so I could attend a very special gathering when my shift falls on a weekend. Second, my daughter is just few years away from preparatory school and that makes we want to spend more time with her when we are both off from our weekday routines.

Third, hubby used to work on weekends these days because of urgent completion of site projects. We are truly grateful if the site is located in Manila, otherwise we need to wait for a week til he gets back. So if I'm not there too for my little one, how sad could be our home? Fourth, I usually make up for the things I can't do during working days, like giving her a bath, taking her to the playground, watching her favorite cartoons in the morning, and taking her to sleep. A few of the simple things I'd like to do.

 

Fifth, I'd like to take her to so many places where she can see and meet families who bond together too. That's part of personality development for kids her age and I want to give her that kind of exposure. I could go on and on with my reasons but the bottom line here is that I am very thankful that I don't struggle on this part, or at least not for now.

 

So, if you think you're not satisfied with the company where you belong at the moment, why not try to realize this part? It may somehow give you that big reason to be thankful instead, because what you are receiving is probably something that many are silently praying to have. Agree? :-)

Have a merry weekend!

xx, 

OneGutsyMom