Jack n Jill Wafrets Commercial

I am not sure if a lot of you already watched the commercial from Jack n Jill Wafrets showing the relationship of 2 siblings.  I have attached it below; in case you haven’t seen it yet.  In the commercial, the kuya keeps on giving small portions of wafer to his younger brother saying: “Kuya ako e”.  The commercial ended with the mom giving 2 packs of biscuits to the younger boy, with him saying: “bunso ako e”.

I only have one child.  Neo.  I love him so dearly.  Now, when watching that commercial, I cannot imagine loving someone equally or more (based on the commercial, moms love their bunso more hehe).  I told my husband this.  He just shrugged it off and told me when we get to have another child, I will love him the way I love our Neo.  But I can’t seem to accept it.

How can a mom squeeze in another person in her heart when initially, she feels already complete with just one?

PS:  I emailed the same question to a popular mommy blogger who has two sons, wish she could give me insights. J

Our Negative and Positive Experience at the Airport

We woke up early last Saturday to fetch my cousin, Rose Ann, who works at Australia and will be taking her 2weeks vacation at Cebu.  Since she’ll be having connecting flights with her sister, Ate Mae, we fetch her from International Airport then drove them to PAL Terminal 2.  We were kinda late, since her plane touched down at 5AM and we were able to arrive at the airport around 7am.  When we were loading her things to the jeep (my dad owns one).  An airport personnel “assisted” us.  He really didn’t assist, he was just trailing behind.  After we load all Rose Ann’s things, this is what he said to my cousin:

Personnel:  Ma’am baka naman meron kang Australian souvenir para sa kin o kahit Singapore dollars na lang.

My mom gave him Php100. Ayaw nya umalis unless we give him something.  And to think we were revolted to learn that NAIA is one of the world’s worst airport?!  This is how we treat our kababayans, what more foreigners di ba?  Haaaay….

On a positive note, their flight to Cebu via PAL is scheduled at 12noon, since we were already at the airport around 8AM, they checked in agad.  The good thing was, the 9am flight was not fully-booked, so they were allowed to board that flight! Yey! They were at Cebu before their scheduled flight. J

Neo with his titas

Tita Rose’s pasalubong to Neo is big Nutella jar and some chocolates.  Tsk tsk… we were trying to avoid sweets sana for Neo…

Since we have a free afternoon, we decided to have Neo’s well-baby check-up, plus we are still looking for a pedia for Neo.  If you can recommend someone nice to babies at Cavite area, please leave a comment. I’ll have a separate post about looking for a good pedia – misis maarteng mommy kasi ako.

We were super pagod last Saturday, so yesterday, after going to church, we rested the whole afternoon.  The whole afternoon and early evening spent sleeping by mama and baby.  Whew! Sarap.

How was your weekend?

Ciao!

Baby Neo’s Mama

Bus Ban

It’s not a secret that I live in Cavite and work in Pasay.  I already told you the story of my daily bus journey.  So, what’s my take on the new traffic rule implemented by MMDA and current Manila leaders?  That all provincial buses are banned from entering Manila if they don’t have a terminal in the city.  A common terminal is in place at Coastal Mall at Paranaque.

This was implemented mid this week, and lucky enough I was not affected yet.  But 2 Mondays ago, the bus I rode to work, pre-implemented this themselves and told me that they will only drop off passengers on the following areas: Coastal, Lawton, and their Terminal.

1 – this will mean additional fare.  Riding the bus from my area at Cavite I pay only Php48.  With the new rule, it means I will pay for Php41 from cavite to coastal mall, and additional Php15 from Coastal Mall to my workplace.

2 – will this scheme end Manila’s traffic?  I don’t think so.  With no provincial buses traveling to Manila, we need additional UV Express, which can only overload 10 people.  Given the ratio of passenger that the bus can carry vs the ratio of UV Express passenger, I think we would need a lot of UV Express.  And this will cause traffic.

3 -  additional travel time.  Vice Mayor Isko Moreno suggested we wake up 30mins earlier to give adjustment on our travel time.  This is fine – as long as it’s just 30mins.  With a lot of people fighting over those 10 slots in the UV Express, you need to have a fit form to have a place.  And mind you, there are no gentlemen nowadays when it comes to this stuff. 

4 – energy consuming.  There is no wonder that cutting trip normally consumes a lot of energy. 

Provincial busses have their own “spy” or people who tip them on where the traffic enforcers are.  The route they follow currently is from Cavite to Coastal to Vito Cruz turning to Mabini to Harrison then back to CCP-Bangko Sentral.  Well, lucky me, I still enjoy the straight journey.  But, for how long?

Well, per LTFRB what the local government of Manila did was illegal because as long as the bus has its franchise, it should be allowed to go there.  In defense of the new rule, Mayor Erap said, he was not banning all buses.  Only those colorum ones are banned and those with franchise were regulated. And this will take effect for as long as he is Mayor…

Mahaba habang pagtitiis ito….

Happy Friday!

Ternate Beach Resort

Ternate is Cavite’s furthest town from Manila.  Lolo Jun and Lola Net’s churchmates decided to celebrate their church anniversary at Ternate Beach Resort.  And since we live at the middle part of Cavite, we were invited.  We know this is still too far from us, and we refused the invitation, but the Lolo and Lola wouldn’t hear any of it.

So last Sunday, off we go to Ternate.  This place is like 2hours drive from our home at Gen Trias.  This place is too far, so I don’t suggest you take public transport.  They don’t have white sand beaches.  It’s a black-sand beach resort but unlike Naic’s beaches which are very polluted, Ternate’s beaches are clean.  Entrance fee is Php50/pax, children 3yrs and below are free of charge.

The beach is not something to rave for but since we’re there already, Papa and Neo couldn’t resist taking a dip.  Mama and Neo picture taking before taking a dip (look, Neo learned how to use slippers without garters that day).

Here, Neo is with Lolo Jun enjoying the beach.

Here

The little boy is afraid of the waves – but is very jolly in waters.

Dad’s Wedding Speech

Start of this year, I subscribe to Familyshare.com.  This site gives a lot of advises.  From marriage, family, parenting, friendships, and a lot more.  Yesterday, I received an email update about this dad giving a wedding speech.  Watch it, you’ll find it funny but very meaningful.

Crushing Candies

I am not a facebook addict though people think I am.  I login to facebook daily not to update status, not to check my friends’ status updates, but to launch 2 applications I so love to play.  These are Candy Crush and Criminal Case. 

Before Leo bought our PC, I specifically told him, I don’t want gaming applications installed in it.  I don’t want him to be addicted to PC games.  But hey! Look who’s addicted?

Darn!  I’ve been in this level for 2weeks already and I can’t seem to move on… how do I get out of this level??? How????

It’s A Boy!

For the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  The whole world waited for the arrival of the soon-to-be next King of England.  He is third in line to the throne.  So happy for the royal family J

Check the news at http://www.people.com/

Jollibee Kid’s Club

It’s official.  Neo’s is now a member of Jollibee Kid’s Club.  I blogged before that Neo superlove Jollibee.  Two weeks ago, after doing our weekly grocery, we passed upon a Jollibee Kid’s Club registration.  We tried to register but the one in-charged told us that the kid should be 3-yr old to be a part of the club.  So we were contented to just do a picture taking session.

Now, last Saturday, all branches of Jollibee at Cavite had an event at SM Dasmarinas.  We attended, hoping to have a glimpse of Jaja (Jollibee).  When we were roaming around the booths, someone offered Neo to join the Jollibee Kid’s Club and informed us that as long as the kid is below 12yrs old, he can be a member.  Right there and then, Neo registered! We paid Php50 for the 1^st year and Php30 every succeeding year for renewal of membership.

He was also given a piece of paper to color and that kept him busy.

What are the perks of being a Jollibee Kid’s Club member?

Ø  I know that every year for the kid’s birthday, they give gifts.  But when I confirmed this, the nice lady told us that this perk is no longer available.  Instead, every time you buy Php150 worth of food products from Jollibee, present the Club member card, and voila, the member will receive a toy gift J

Ø  The kit includes free Jollibee products for claiming.

Ø  The kit also include an activity book for the kid to enjoy

Before the event ended, lo and behold, all 5 mascots of Jollibee appeared.  Popo, Hetty, Twirlie, Yum, and Jollibee. I really wanted Neo to have a picture with them – but unfortunately, they are on stage and only lucky raffle winners get the chance for a picture. 

Leo: Bakit mo ba gusto magpapicture?

Nes: E kasi, the only time na complete sila e sa JollyTown adventures.  This is Neo’s chance! Hahaha

So, our baby just got his own photo of Jollibee stuff toy at home.

Trivia: Tito Gb is an alumni of the Jollibee Kid’s Club hehe

A Mom’s Fear

Imagine going home from work, all tired and everything, then suddenly hearing your baby’s yaya telling a story to your husband.  And the story goes like this.

The baby cried when his Mama went out of the house to go to work.  The baby and the yaya went up to the 2^nd floor and played in the spare bedroom.  The spare bedroom’s door being a foot away from the stairs.  Then yaya feeling that the room is hot went down to get the electric fan leaving the baby in the room alone.  The baby being 1 and a half year old, is too malikot and pushed the door close and accidentally locked it.  With no spare key to the door, the yaya ask the guard of the subdivision to help her and they climbed the window, which is thankfully open, broke the window screen to get the baby out of the locked room. The baby cried.

That story was narrated by our baby’s yaya, ate Marlyn, which happened to Neo and her yesterday. I was honestly pissed off.  Super.

Thank God that Neo didn’t go out of the room and fell from the stairs.

Thank God that Neo doesn’t look like he was traumatized by the experience.

Thank God Neo is safe.

Haaay…..

Not While I’m Around

Sharing you the song I dedicate to my young man… and his selfie shot :P

Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around.

Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around.

Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays,

I'll send 'em howling,

I don't care, I got ways.

No one's gonna hurt you,

No one's gonna dare.

Others can desert you,

Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there.

Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while,

But in time...

Nothing can harm you

Not while I'm around...

Not to worry, not to worry

I may not be smart, but I'm not dumb.

I can do it. Put me to it. Show me somethin - I can overcome.

Not to worry, mum.

Being close and being clever

Ain't like being true

I don't need to,

I would never hide a thing from you,

Like some...

Nothin's gonna harm you. Not while I'm around.

Nothing's gonna harm you, darling

Not while I'm around.

Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while,

But in time...

Nothing can harm you

Not while I'm around...

Travel Madness Expo

I posted before that Leo and I are so fond of booking airfare during promos but I also mentioned that due to impulsiveness there were 2 flights that we weren’t able to use, and those were the pricey ones.  Due to that, I have been very careful in booking airfare promos. 

However, yesterday, my self-control was put to a test – not just once, but a lot of times.  It’s the 3day Travel Madness Expo at SMX and I was invited by my cousin, ate Mae, to come over.  Since, Neo has not been feeling well lately, I told her I may not come.  So, one temptation down.

Then when I opened my facebook account, I saw Cebu Pacific was on Piso Sale ALL DESTINATIONS – my goodness!  Browsing down, what do I see, Tiger Airways is on Zero Fare Sale on selected Philippines destinations.  Now, that is what you call total temptation.

The whole day I was conversing to Leo weighing the pros and cons of booking right there and then.  After so much discussion, we resolved to go the SMX to check the Travel Madness Expo.

There were a lot of promos from airline companies to travel companies to hotels for vacation. 

After going back and forth, I told Leo that my passport will be expiring and we need to book an international flight ASAP, kasi what if I renew my passport and the people from DFA saw that I don’t have a travel stamp and they don’t renew it and tell me: hindi ka pala magtatravel tapos kuha kuha ka ng passport. Hindi ka na namin bibigyan ng bago.OMG, that’s the deciding factor.  I need to book na agad.  But then, I was informed by a sis from Female Network that there is no need to worry, DFA will renew my passport even without a stamp.  With that, my self-control won, no impromptu and impulsive booking done yesterday.  Whew.

But for those who want to get cheap travel packages and fares, you may visit the Travel Madness Expo at SMX 3 and 4.  They have a lot of good deals J

Happy Weekend!

Eating Magnum – Neo’s Way

Neo loves sweet.  This little boy is a very picky eater but when it comes to sweets, you don’t need to ask him twice.  It must be his sixth sense but he knows when a food is sweet and when it’s not.  Leo and I both know that as parents we should not give him lots of sweets – but most of the time we indulge, because he looks very happy eating it.  Bad mama L

Last Saturday, SM Supermarket has a freebie of a piece of Magnum once your grocery reaches Php1000 – we paid more than that, so NEO gets to eat Magnum.  How does he eat Magnum?

Tasting if it’s really sweet…

Yes it is! So giving Mama the doe-eye pa-cute effect to taste again…

Ending… Simot sarap!

Ciao!

Just Quotes

 I so love this quote. 

Leo and I were married 2011 pa. Just reminiscing lang. Sharing you our wedsite as well.

 http://www.mywedding.com/leonardnerisa/index.html

Huggies Free Samples

Happy Friday!  It's the end of the work week and what better way to welcome the weekend is by a freebie.

Last Monday, I signed up for a freebie from Huggies' facebook fan page.  After completing the details, I received an email that Huggies will deliver free samples for Neo within 7days.  We didn't wait for 7days.  Free diapers, happy mommy :)

Link for the freebie:  https://www.facebook.com/huggiesph

Ciao!

Writing As A Hobby

I love reading.  I so love to pass this trait to my son.  I get the notion kasi that when a person loves to read, he is knowledgeable.  Neo has his own Kids Bible (a dedication gift from Ninong Ed) which I try to read to him when he was younger.  But all he does is pick on the pages and try to tear it.  So I bought him a small book to read (hardbound, so he won’t be able to tear it), but he will just throw this away (he managed to tear it as well, by the way).  I came to the resolution that he may be too young to love reading.

But there is one hobby that Neo loves doing nowadays.  Writing. Yes, our baby Neo loves to write.  He would get a pencil and a paper and start writing scribbles.  We indulge – but make sure to keep our focus on him when he writes as pencils are sharp objects. 

Neo wanted to put that hoddie when he writes (not sure why)

Filling up forms for his Flu vaccination

I know, hindi dapat manawa to teach Neo reading.  But think I’ll go with one at a time slogan.  Neo will love reading eventually, and will still love writing. I hope… :P

What hobby does your child wants these days?

Tipid Tip: Group Buying Sites

I am a fan of group buying sites.  This saves me a lot.  I normally buy stuffs for relaxation such as massages and fun activities.  We don’t use group buying sites for travels and gadgets – as this is a risky business.  So how do I really save on group buying sites?

·         Sign up and receive updates – so you will be updated on all the new deals, you need to sign up on group buying sites.

·         Compare prices – check the other group buying sites if they offer lower costs. 

·         Validate with the Merchant – it’s a must to validate the deals with the merchant.  They may not be offering the same deal that the group buying site offers.  I personally experienced this.  The group buying site offered a massage treatment and asked me to choose a branch where I like to avail the services.  Lo and behold, when I reserved, the merchant told me that the deal was for another branch L

·         Cross-check Deals with the Merchant – this is a bit different with validating.  In validating you asked the merchant if the deal that the group buying site offers is valid.  With cross-checking, you check if you really get discounts or promos with the group buying sites.  Most of the times, the group buying site will tell you, 50% off, and when you check the merchant’s website, they have an ongoing promo worth lesser than 50% off.

·         Complaints – don’t hesitate on giving out complaints.  You should get the services you paid for.  While it’s good to rant on internet publicly so others will not have the same negative experiences as you have, I highly suggest you complain directly with the group buying site and make sure to copy DTI in all your conversations.  Email address: dtincrlegal@yahoo.com

List of Group buying sites you can check out:

Metrodeal

Cashcashpinoy

Dealgrocer

Ensogo

SMAC deals

Beeconomic

Pinoy Vouchers

Deal Dozen

Hope this helps you!

Ciao

Baby Neo’s Mama