A Parent's Day Treat from Hi-Precision Diagnostics

In celebration of Mother’s and Father’s Day this May and June, Hi-Precision Diagnostics will be offering a Parent’s Package. Because what better way to show our parents we care, than making sure they are always healthy and happy, di ba?

The Parent's Package is Php795 and consists of blood works: CBC, SGPT, FBS, Uric Acid, Lipid Profile, Creatinine and Complete Urinalysis. 

Apart from this great deal, Hi-Precision takes Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations a notch higher by treating three (3) of their customers and their whole family to a day of relaxation and bonding at Red Ginger Farm in Tagaytay (8pax, including the winner)! All you need is to avail of a Php795 Parent's Package to get 1 raffle ticket.

The raffle promotion started last May 4 and ends on June 30, 2015.

See posters and visit www.hi-precision.com.ph to view the complete mechanics. 

Terms and Conditions: 

· For Cash and Credit card transactions only. 

· Not applicable with any other discounts (including senior citizen discount), other promos, and other packages 

· Valid in all Hi-Precision Diagnostics, Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus and Hi-Precision Diagnostics International branches (except Cebu) 

· Applicable to Home Service customers 

· Promo period: May 4, 2015 to June 30, 2015

Celebrate with Shorts Gourmet + A Giveaway!

Mannix Pena of Shorts Gourmet always gives the most memorable presents that come in the form of Shorbs. Just look at what I got from him last Christmas.

 Now check out this his early Mother's Day present.

They're too pretty and precious to look at, I have a hard time breaking them open.

If not for the yummy Belgian chocolate-filled short bread cookies inside the Shorbs, I would probably end up keeping these for months (they last long, about a year)!

Unique, picture-pretty and yummy, Shorbs are the sort of presents you'd look forward to receiving year after year.

Thankfully, we can buy the short bread cookies year round.

Shorts Gourmet cookies are stocked at Rustan's Marketplace Rockwell, San Antonio, Century Mall, Shangri-la, Alabang, P. Guevara and Katipunan.

They come in three flavors, Choco Mist, Mocha Latte and Dark Divine.

While Short Gourmet's shortbread cookies make delicious presents, it's really the Shorbs that that take the cake. Each Shorb has 12 individually wrapped, handmade shortbread cookies inside, and I swear, are guaranteed to make anybody with a sweet tooth swoon. They just look special.     

Order this special edition Mother's Day Shorts at a reasonable time before Mother's Day,  and receive 10% OFF and FREE delivery within Metro Manila. Call 09178788818 to place your order.

Of course, to see and taste is to believe! As an extra treat to my readers, I am giving away some Shorts Gourmet treats for you to try!

Join by using the Rafflecopter widget below. Make sure to Like Shorts Gourmet Manila on Facebook, Follow @shortsgourmet on Instagram and comply with the contest requirements so your entries will be counted!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
FUN FACT: Shorts Gourmet is served on the presidential flight of Philippine Airlines and was served to Pope Francis during his flight back to Rome from Manila after his papal visit in the Philippines.

Shorts Gourmet Manila
Facebook: Shorts Gourmet Manila
Instagram: @shortsgourmet
Mobile: +63917 878 8818

Renegade Folk's Got Something for Moms

If you're still racking your brains, thinking of what to give Mom on Mother's Day, I would suggest a no fail present: Renegade Folk sandals.

I've never met anyone who isn't in love with her own pair/s. I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to add another pair to her collection. Take it from me, I've got 4 pairs, and running.

To make that Mother's Day pair extra special, consider this. You can bundle that pair with a Renegade Folk exclusive, a framed print made in collaboration with illustrator Jamie Catt,

and designer/calligrapher Anina Rubio.

Now, here's a sweet deal. This bundle of sandals + framed art retail for only Php2950.

But use my coupon code Momsday2015cd and you'll get 10% OFF this bundle, or any purchase made at www.renegadefolk.com. Take note, this framed print, and this bundle, and this coupon code is only available throughout the month of May!

A little Mother's Day treat from this mother to you!

Uber x Smart for Moms

SMART, the first partner of Uber in the country, will provide Smart Postpaid subscribers with a special code on Mother’s Day when they avail of Uber's first gift basket on-demand service. 

This entitles Smart Postpaid subscribers to half the package’s usual price, which will be charged to the credit card used during the registration for an Uber account. 

This service will only be available on Mother’s Day, May 11, from 9am to 8pm and only for those who have signed up for Uber. Simply request for the gift basket through the Uber app! 

Why step out of the house when you can let Uber do the work for you on Mother's Day!

Pandora's Spring Paradise Collection + Mother's Day (Hint! Hint!)

A couple of days back, my friend Karrots & I were invited over for tea by our friends from Pandora (Hi Rochelle, Tricie & Riza!) at Spices in Manila Peninsula.

with  event stylist Ferdi Salvador and the day's host Issa Litton

 It was for the launch of Pandora's Spring/Summer 2014 Collection and it was oh, so, pretty!

the gorgeous table setting

scones, savories and sweet treats flanking flower beds

look up and the ceiling is equally pretty with flowers galore!

these blooms weren't just for display, Pandora sent us home with a gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers to celebrate Spring

As with the day's set-up, the Spring Paradise Collection is a celebration of new life, the unfolding of Spring, taking it's cue from Mother Nature where an assortment of soft florals, pastels, and delicate swarming butterflies take flight in this collection.

Delicate Butterflies in pendants, rings, earrings and charms are made with sterling silver and embellished in zirconia. Some of these pieces are especially crafted with Milgrain Detailing, mimicking the intricate texture of butterfly wings.

the Butterfly, the messenger of Spring,  symbolizes transformation, renewal and rebirth

The flowers of Spring meanwhile are captured in their distinctive colors and hues with the Soft Spring Flora and Roses Collection.

daisy chains, lavenders and wild flowers, bows and everything little girls are made of

 English roses on rings can be worn individually or stacked together

Pandora's popular pave ball charms have been re-imagined as lovely bouquets with multi-colored cubic zirconia in the palest pink, lavender and purple, set in contrasting sizes.

Shimmering Lace meanwhile conveys gentleness, softness and delicateness - qualities that best remind us of the woman who nurtured us with gentleness, whose hands softly brushed our hair after each bath, and whose delicate touch taught us what it also means to be strong.

Mother's Day is coming in a few days, hint! hint!

Yes, I am talking about our moms! Or, us moms, pwede din. Because Mother's Day is happening this Sunday, May 11 and if you're in a tizzy as to what to get her (or yourself!), then Pandora's Spring Paradise Collection has the answer.

Whether it's a starter bracelet or bangle that symbolizes milestones ahead...

Or a full on stylized bracelet with charms, there's always something for the special women in our lives.

Pandora's Spring Paradise Collection is in stores now. Let me repeat, just in time for Mother's Day. Wink! Wink!

A Mom's Perfect Day at Greenbelt

When my friend and fellow SoMom Jenny R. of My Mommyology told us that our little "mommy gang" aka The SoMoms were invited by Ayala Malls to celebrate Mothers Day at Greenbelt 5, my initial reaction was like, "Spend Mother's Day at the mall? But wouldn't that be so commercial?"

But well, we've been celebrating Mother's Day at home most of the time since I became a mom, and we'd usually eat out the day before to avoid the crowds, so I was up for something different this year. I mean, why not, diba?

Plus, there was this fun part where Jenny said we should wear matching "Mommy & Me" outfits. The kids get to wear clothes from Gingersnaps and us moms could wear anything as long as we found it in an Ayala Mall store. So the Friday before Mother's Day, Berry and I went to Greenbelt to shop.

We first went to Zara, and found plenty that I liked. But I wasn't sold yet. I wanted something really special for Mother's Day that I could also wear over and over. Plus, Berry was getting bored and wanted to go where the kids stuff were. So Berry & I went to Gingersnaps right after.

Shopping at Gingersnaps has got to be the most enjoyable thing for me and Berry. Because there are so many pretty clothes, the dilemma really boils down to choosing which items we love best. These are just but a few of the items Berry & I liked:

So cute no? I love how dainty and yet practical their clothes are. I ended up getting Berry a pair of blue & white shorts and a white eyelet top, to match Xavi's blue & white striped polo shirt and shorts. I also found cute shorts with pink flamingos for Xavi at the sale table, and a matching shirt at the little boys section.

With Berry content, I decided to go take a look at the wheat print dress that I saw at Tory Burch back in March. When I tried it on, eeeep! It fit like a glove! I posted this photo on Instagram and all my IG friends agreed I should get it. Ahihihi.

Btw, I just have to share with you the shorts I wore that day. This is from Zara. They're the coolest shorts ever. It's like an asymmetrical wrap skirt but they're actually shorts. I've been living in them since I got them, because the heat just calls for something that's simple, no-fuss, weather appropriate, but with loads of style.

When Sunday rolled around, Berry & I went to Greenbelt with our friends Jackie & Gabbie. It became a mommies day out! Or day off? Hahaha. Ayala Malls prepared high tea treats for the moms, catered by Bizu...

 

When Berry saw the tables laden with goodies, she immediately made a beeline for it. Here we are caught on camera, choosing pastries for Berry:

 

After getting our fill of sweet treats, Mench Dizon of Ayala Malls brought us to the Butterfly Garden:

 

The kids loved it! Berry was both thrilled and freaked out with the butterflies at the same time.

Behind the Butterfly Garden was a mani-pedi area which was free for Moms & their kids.

 

Mench said that the ongoing Mother's Day theme for all Ayala Malls was "Music & Memories" and they hired musicians to serenade the moms celebrating Mother's Day at their malls. I think the mall goers enjoyed it too because a lot of them would stop and rest at the gallery, listening to live music while nibbling on pastries and chocolates from the high tea buffet.

Of course, while at Greenbelt we had to pass by Gingersnaps to say thank you for generously dressing up the kids for Mother's Day.

Here are our girls decked out in Gingersnaps, all busy holding on to Mommy's phone:

 

Here's the requisite group shot. Heehee. Notice that most of the little girls' hair clips are by Celestina & Co, and their sandals are Salt-Waters. Like a uniform!

We were in for some beauty treats that day too. Lancome invited us over to their store...

And I think our budding beauty enthusiasts had fun inside as well:

 

They highlighted their new luxury cream, Absolue L'Extrait which has 2 million rose stem cells. Very exotic and luxurious! The price? Php20,000 thereabouts. But if it will make Mama look youthful, let her go ahead and indulge!

Kiehl's invited us over too...

They had wonderful Mother's Day gift suggestions, such as their new Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream, which is a treat any woman would love, mom or not. 

Soon after, my friend Tammy David, who was the official photographer for the day took our photo for posterity. Loved that Berry & I got to have a girls day out. Heehee.

Of course, Berry & I also enjoyed spending a portion of Mother's Day with our friends. We had a lot of fun, I actually wouldn't mind spending another special occasion at Greenbelt again!

*The high tea spread and all the Mom's Day events and activities such as the mani/pedi and entrance to the Butterfly Garden in Greenbelt was a special treat for all moms, not just us. Just reach the minimum required spend that day,  and qualified mall goers get the perks for the day.

All photos save for my IG photos are courtesy of photographer Tammy David

Mommy Issues & Virtues

Two Mother's Days ago, I wrote a post on the lessons that my mom taught me. Re-reading it made me appreciate my mom even more, because now that I am a mom to two kids, I realize how difficult it was for her to raise 5 kids, while her husband, our dad, was away most of the time on field assignment.

Let me tell you about my Mom. She sounds frivolous and out of touch with reality at times, but she taught me so many valuable life lessons, that I will share some with you today aka Pamana ni Nanay:

Marrying for love.  One huge thing that I thank my parents for is that they let us grow secure in the fact that they love each other. They have been together for close to 50 years now and they are proof to me that people who love each other will always make it work.

My parents, in their 30s. Taken at their friends' home in Vidalia, Georgia

For one, in this day and age when a long-distance relationship sounds like the scariest thing on earth, my parents carried on a 7 year long-distance relationship (pre-Skype/Face Time/Viber/Whatsapp, etc yan ha) before they tied the knot. I don't know how they managed, but they did. While studying in Manila, she would write long love-letters to my Dad who was then a PMA cadet in Baguio. My dad would reply, writing "newspapers" = letters written in Manila paper with Pentel pen. Telegrams (kids, ever heard of that?) were exchanged. It was romantic stuff. When I was ten, I would pore at their love letters, feeling a mixture of kilig and cringe factor levels. My Mom went on to work in the US for a few years after graduation, before getting married. At the time my Dad was already in Mindanao, living in the jungles, heading a small platoon of soldiers. He would regale us with stories of being in battle, bullets whizzing past his head, he and his soldiers bravely dodging enemy fire, saying it was like a scene from a movie...

Unflinching faith and prayers. If I were in my Mom's shoes, the thought that my fiance was risking life and limb each day would have scared me shitless. But my Mom said she put my Dad in God's hands and prayed and prayed and prayed for his safety every single day. This went on from the time my Dad was a scruffy, ill-fed lieutenant up until my Dad reached the peak of his career as CSAFP. She supported my Dad's dream to be a four-star general, and took the backseat, gamely giving up her career to be an army wife, raising five kids while my Dad was busy serving the country.

Taking on responsibility wholeheartedly. She's the 2nd of four live siblings. Her eldest sister passed away when my Mom was 26, and she suddenly found herself thrust in the role of eldest child. Something that she probably wasn't prepared for, but she stepped up to the plate and took on the responsibility, valiantly. When my grandparents grew old and got sick, she was the one doing the hospital rounds, while managing a household. Even at that, she still found time to drive us to and from school, bringing us piping hot sinigang for lunch, to the envy of my classmates who by then had cold, wrinkly hotdogs in their lunchbox.

Quality over quantity. When I was 7, my Mom, my sister Trina, and I visited my Lola Imas in San Francisco. I remember my Mom only ever shopped twice for herself. One, to buy a strand of Mikimoto pearls and two, to buy a Nikon SLR camera. Quality > Quantity personified. Which reminds me of this lady who was struggling to stuff her bag on the overhead compartment on our flight back to Manila. My Mom tried to help her but she wasn't nice to my Mom because she was being careful daw about the oranges and apples in her carry-on luggage. Baka she had corned beef packed in her maleta too, along with clothes from K- Mart. Uy joke lang ha. Just taking a dig at that nasty woman. Yes, 30 years later and I still can't forget how that lady's mom forgot to teach her good manners and right conduct. Sya na nga tinutulungan, sya pa yung galit. Plus, nobody talks to my Mom like that, ok? Sorry Mom I wasn't able to defend you and give that lady a piece of my mind. I was only 7 then. But I already knew that was no way to treat a stranger, especially one who was only offering to help.

Which leads me to this - we all are a reflection of the people who raised us. And I think, the best compliment a child can ever give a parent is when a child shows his/her appreciation not just in the grandest of gestures but in the sincerest, most heartfelt words ever. Because a grateful child is a constant recipient of God's graces, and will always be a blessing not only to his/her parents but to others as well.

With that, I leave you with this touching video from Ceelin of five children who went beyond their way to show their moms how grateful they are for all the sacrifices and lessons that made them who they are today. Here's what they did to thank them on Mother's Day.

I can only wish my kids will be as proud as me, and will see me not just as a Mom, but a friend whom they can trust and confide in. I hope they will enjoy my company even when they grow into their teens and adult years, and I pray that with our help, they become the person they dream of being, savoring the life they dream of living. 

SM Kids' Fashion Mother's Day Tees + Contest

To commemorate Mother's Day, SM Kids’ Fashion is launching a line of statement tees for your little ones to wear. With colors ranging from soft pastels to punchy brights, these tees are combined with heartwarming messages that will certainly make each day special for moms and their kids.

SM Kids’ Fashion is also hosting an exclusive Mother’s Day contest wherein kids can share their favorite way of saying “I Love You” to Mom.  The SM Kids' Fashion favorite, most creative, and most loving answers win Php 1,500.00 in gift certificates!

To join, simply:

1. Take a creative picture of yourself saying "I love you!" to your mom
2. Like the SM Kids Fashion Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SMkidsfashion
3. Share the photo with SM Kids Fashion by sending a private message on Facebook with the attached photo.

Contest ends on Mothers' Day, May 12, 2013.

Floral Fever at SM Fashion Forum

Floral Dresses from London Times, available now at SM Fashion Forum

Get these pretty floral dresses at SM Fashion Forum for you, or better yet for Mom (and then just borrow if you are lucky enough to be the same size!) for Mother's Day!

But why not get something special for you both? Or get a full outfit with the perfect pair of heels, because, when you spend Php10,000 in a single receipt, you get 20% OFF on your purchase! 

This Mother's Day offer starts today, May 10 and ends on May 14, 2012 at all Fashion Forum boutiques at SM Department stores!

Lots of fresh, new arrivals from Maggy London, Adrianna Papell, London Times, Arturo Chiang and Donna Morgan to shop from too! For sure you'll find something perfect for Mom, promise! ;)