Journey with my Jesus

During the summer of 2015, circumstances led me to take on a full time management role in Lamblight Catholic School. To say that I was overwhelmed by the responsibilities was an understatement.  I was constantly stressed and it even manifested physically when I had thyroid problems.  So when I was invited to a Prayer and Life Workshop, I knew God was calling me to spend more time with Him.

I attended the orientation and felt overwhelmed by the commitment that was being asked.  Sixteen weekly meetings was difficult to commit to, although we were told to take it one week at a time.  I was assured that I could stop attending anytime if I felt that it wasn't for me.  So with that ready escape plan, and with a strong sense that God was calling me to this, I decided to go on to the next session.

God's Fatherhood is that of immense
love and this photo perfectly captures 
my experience of the first session. 
It has been the wallpaper on my phone.

My experience of the first session was that of a profound sense of peace and an overwhelming feeling of being loved by God as Father.  It took only this session for me to decide that I would finish the whole program.

Week after week I found myself looking forward to the sessions and our assigned tasks.  I felt that I was getting to know Jesus more and more as I spent time in prayer.  There was nothing extraordinary about the program.  There were no lavish preparations, deep theology nor emotional activities.  It was in fact, very simple, which I think was what appealed to me.  It was just me and my God, and the practice of giving Him my undivided attention.

I also love the way that the program was true to its philosophy of love and respect.  People were not forced to share nor do anything that they did not feel comfortable doing.  Each one had his own journey to enjoy and I appreciated that.

Through the course of the program, I saw the different facets of God's personality which made me appreciate Him like I never did before.  I just felt so loved and complete, even if nothing about my circumstances changed.  Happiness and peace is truly a state of mind, a choice that we deliberately make every day, every moment.

This was my favorite prayer spot at Nabulao Resort, Hinobaan,
Negros Occidental during one of our family trips. 

My breath taking view at Nabulao Resort, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental.
I would wake up ahead of everyone else just to have this peaceful, 
beautiful moment of prayer with the Lord.

During the last session, which is called the Desert Day, we were given the time to be with the Lord in a beautiful nature setting.  I never thought that I could stay still "doing nothing" for hours.  But during that time, I couldn't believe how I was able to enjoy every minute of that prolonged time of prayer.  I was in complete awe and gratitude for how how my life has become more meaningful, how my faith has grown and how I have become more sensitive to God's love.

This was my spot during our Desert Day where I spent 4 hours of amazing time with
the Lord.  In this spot, I read His word, absorbed the beauty of nature, 
wrote on my journal, prayed and just basked in His presence.

It has been months since I finished the workshop and I feel that I am still growing closer to the Lord. Every morning when I wake up, I look forward to my prayer time which has become the most important part of my day.

Months after PLW, I still regularly spend at least 30 - 45 minutes of daily prayer.
I look forward to the weekends because I can spend longer time in prayer time 
in our garden.  As I do this, I also enjoy getting Vitamin D from the sun.

The Prayer and Life Workshop has changed my life.  Through a close relationship with the Lord, I feel that I am truly complete in Christ and there is nothing else I need.

For those living in Bacolod, there is a new cycle of PLW workshops that's about to start this February.  Like me, just go ahead and attend the orientation and take it from there.

PLW Orientation Days:

Feb 1, Monday, 6PM - Redemptorist (Admin Building)
Feb 2, Tuesday, 6PM - La Salle Faculty Lounge
Feb 3, Wednesday, 6PM - BCBP Center (Hilado-Manalo Streets)
Feb 5, Friday, 6PM - CICM Talisay (Across Nature's Village, behind Impress)
Feb 6, Saturday, 10AM - Queen of Peace Parish Office hall
3PM - Saint John the Baptist Parish, Bago City
5PM - Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chaplaincy, Lasalleville, Brgy. Mansilingan

Ohsmile emoticon

Oh, this program is for FREE.  You will only need to purchase a prayer and song book if you decide to go through with it.  If you would like to get more information regarding this, you may visit The Prayer & Life Workshop website.

Living a lifestyle of prayer is not only for the desperate.  It is for those who seek to live lives that are filled with meaning, peace, joy and love, and I believe that's all of us.

A Mother is God's Masterpiece

TODAY I pay tribute to Mothers everywhere.  Indeed they are one of God's best masterpieces.  My favorite literary piece about moms is Erma Bombeck's "When God Created Mothers".  It is a very moving conversation between God and an angel while God was working "overtime" in creating the mother. 

God tells his angel that the specs are unlike any other.  She can "run on black coffee and leftovers", has "a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair.  She "has six pairs of hands", has "three pairs of eyes - one that sees through closed doors", "another in the back of her head ", and of course the ones 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."  She has to be "soft and yet tough", can "heal herself when she is sick", and "can reason and compromise". God said, " You can imagine what this mother can do or endure".

When the angel tells God to get some rest, God says, "I can't. I'm so close to creating something so close to myself."

Reading those words brings warmth to my heart because indeed, a Mother is God's masterpiece, and yes, I have seen all these qualities truly evident in mothers all around me.    So today I thank God for creating Mothers, especially my own.

It is with this same gratitude that Janice Villanueva, a truly amazing woman and mom (who I seriously suspect has super powers), has founded one of the most established community of moms in the country.  She brings us together through her well-attended events, her revolutionary products created especially for moms, and her other businesses that grew out of sheer passion for motherhood and the desire to help other mothers be super moms like herself.

Janice at the Expo Mom event in Bacolod

Janice with Glenn Garces, EDUCHILD Speaker and Kitkat Lobaton,
GATO VERDE Founder and Managing Director

My Brother in Law Marc Lopez and his son, Anton giving a
talk entitled "My 6-year old invests in the Stock Market"  

"You the Mom" Francine Uy with Janice

Kat, Yols, Dr. Ting and Janice

My Ella and I with Janice

My first encounter with Janice was 9 years ago when I had just delivered my now 9-year-old daughter, Ella.  Breastfeeding in public was not as common that time and so it was very difficult to find locally made nursing wear.  I found out about "Mommy Matters" from my mommy friends and I became a big fan because wearing those fashionable nursing blouses enabled me to breastfeed my baby just about anywhere, in style.  Although I had always wanted to personally thank her and commend her for her ingenious products, I never got the chance to meet her until today, 9 years later, at one of her events that has sprouted in other parts of the country, including Bacolod.

Talking to her was like talking to an old friend even if we had just met.  She is a simple, down to earth mom, who wants nothing but the best for her children, but as she pursued her passion for being the best mom she could ever be, she has inspired thousands of other moms, and now has become a very successful entrepreneur or "mompreneur".

Janice with her beautiful family
(Photo Credits: Stork Studio)

The theme for this year's Expo Mom campaign is "You the Mom", highlighting the greatness of all moms.  In her heart she believes that all moms are wonderful and beautiful and as she has given recognition and a good pat on the back to moms all over the Philippines, her work and her life should as well be very much celebrated.  With the long list of roles that she plays, Janice has been a great blessing to many moms and their families.  But what inspires me most is that above all these important roles that she plays, what comes first is being mom to her 3 children.   This woman indeed is God's masterpiece of a mom in the flesh.  Now it's our turn to say, Janice, You the Mom!  

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section, September 4, 2014)

Check out Mommy Mundo's website to see Janice's wonderful projects and events for moms at  http://mommymundo.com/.  Read her personal blog at http://janicevillanueva.com/ and be very blessed.

Championing Respect

I was seated on my desk, working on my laptop while our School Principal and Academic Coordinator were also working on their desks, when little Kiana (not her real name) lugged behind her teacher who came in to our office to talk to me.

We all greeted her a cheery "Good Morning!" but she shook her head and refused to greet us back. Her teacher urged her to say a simple "Good Morning" but she continued to playfully decline our requests.

This situation could very easily be dismissed and say "that's just the way it is".  Some of us would even say "how cute!" But here, I saw a teachable moment. 

I stepped out of my desk, walked towards her and got on the floor to meet her eye level.  I held her hands and lovingly but firmly said "Kiana, we show respect by greeting our teachers back.  Could you kindly say Good Morning?"  She shook her head.

When I saw that she wasn't about ready to comply, I knew I needed some time alone with her.  I took her outside to a more private area where she and I could talk.  The struggle was coming from her being a playfully defiant child as I respectfully confronted her about her behavior.  I say "playfully defiant" because she can use her charm in a way that you would forget about her defiance!

So I talked to her about the importance of showing respect towards elders by greeting properly.  She said yes when I asked if she understood, but still, she wasn't ready to go in and greet the teachers.  I allowed her to take her time until she felt ready to do the right thing.  I knew it was difficult for her because she was struggling. 

No matter how defiant, children are capable of behavior
modificationwith the right guidance, training and a lot of love.
(Photo Credits: www.therapytoronto.ca)

 She whined and asked me to allow her to go back to her classroom but firmly, I said No, not until you have done the right thing.  So I waited for quite a while, until finally, she said she was ready.

She came in the office and said a very feeble "good morning" to each one of us, shaking each of our hands, as this is the common practice of greeting in school.  I then hugged and applauded her and told her how proud I was of her for showing respect and doing the right thing.

Many times we have very low expectations of our children.  We think that they are not capable of exhibiting certain character traits but with the right guidance and the patience in training them, we will be surprised to see them grow in character.

My friend, our Academic Coordinator happily reported to me days later that Kiana, without being told, came up to her along the hallway, hugged and greeted her.  She was so surprised and so impressed at the change in her demeanor.

I was also very pleasantly surprised yesterday, as Kiana confidently walked into our office with a big smile on her face.  She ran to me, hugged me and shook my hand, looked into my eyes and said "Good Morning Teacher!"

Right there, I knew that we had championed respect in this child.  I felt affirmed that this is what we are here for, to help children such as Kiana to grow not only in academic learning but most importantly in Godly character.

Self-regulated children are happy children
(Photo Credits: www.foothillsnetwork.ca)

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section, August 14, 2014)

Thank you Lord for Yayas!

ALL of us were created by God for a specific purpose.  It is when we find that purpose and live it that we become a great blessing to the world. 

This is what I shared with the caregivers or yayas of the little ones in our school during our Yaya’s Day celebration.  We do this to honor them and in thanksgiving for the love and service of our yayas. 

They are the ones who usually go unnoticed and unrecognized in society.  But in every family, they play a major role as essentially they are our children’s second mothers.  In our society, many of our children are left to the care of the yayas.  In fact many of our households are entrusted to them too.  So it is only fitting that we offer them a tribute. 

During my short talk, I reminded them that they hold a big responsibility in shaping the future as they have a great influence in molding the character of the future generation.  This was to remind them never to say “yaya lang ako” (I’m just a yaya), because the role they play is very important.

No doubt these children one day will be the prime movers of society.  Who knows, one of them may even be the future President of the Philippines, I told them.  So the way we nurture and raise our children (of course, parents and teachers included) will greatly affect the world. 

I also reminded them that just like any other career or profession, it is important to do our jobs with EXCELLENCE, LOVE and JOY, because that is when we attain success.  When we do our work with excellence, love and joy, we BLESS the world and we CHANGE the world.  It is when we are making a difference that we become fulfilled and truly happy with our lives.

As many preschools do, every year we make sure we set aside a special day when the yayas can relax, enjoy and be reminded of how special they are.  Parents and students shared words of affirmation, gratitude and love for each yaya.  It was very touching to hear children say “thank you for taking care of me” to their yayas, that it brought tears to their eyes.

They then played games, as the theme for this year was “Yayalympics”.  It was physically challenging but they were up for it.  They also enjoyed a feast that their employers generously prepared for them.

Yayas enjoying their feast

Sack Race

Kadang Kadang

Yayas who have become friends

Winners of the Kadang Kadang

Kinder students assist Teacher Yeng in organizing the games

Egg throwing game

It was a great way to remind them that they are special, that they are loved and that they are greatly appreciated.  At the end of my talk, I told them that just as we so often remind our students, they too must go and “Let Your Light Shine!”.

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section, August 7, 2014)

The Beautiful Gift of Breastfeeding

WHEN my children were much younger, one of the things that I really enjoyed about motherhood was breastfeeding.  It is a special kind of emotional activity that cements a mother and child relationship right from the very start.  It creates a special kind of attachment that makes the two inseparable. 

My Happy, Healthy, Breastfed Babies

During that time, I made it my main preoccupation.  I was at their disposal 24/7.  I breastfed every three hours and I stored excess milk for times when I needed to be away.  I was obsessive compulsive about my milk storage.  I placed them on little plastic containers that had dates on them.  First In First Out was the rule. 

There was even a time when my stored milk supply was filling up our freezer that I was able to donate breast milk through a breastfeeding advocate who hooked up mommies who had excess milk supply with mommies of babies who were sick and could not breastfeed for some reason.  My milk went to a baby boy with congenital heart disease.  Sadly, he didn’t make it and eventually went to heaven, God bless him.

Breastfeeding meant bringing my children wherever I went.  For me, this was the fun part!  They got to travel, run errands and do grocery with me.  This may be a hassle for some, but since I’m the kind of person who likes having loved ones nearby, I enjoyed it!  I had my trusty baby sling and it was strike anywhere for us. 

At first it was awkward having people stare at you but eventually I didn’t care. My baby was hungry and we had to do what was necessary at that moment.  It also helps a lot that many of the malls now have breastfeeding rooms where moms could breastfeed comfortably.

These are all just MY emotional benefits of breastfeeding as a mother.  For the child, I feel that they become a more secure and confident individual. 

There’s also the invaluable health benefit of building in them a strong immune system.  I notice that my second child who breastfed much longer, is less likely to catch a virus as compared to all of us in the household.

To celebrate the beautiful gift of breastfeeding during this National Breastfeeding Awareness Month of August, the Bacolod Mom & Baby Club (BMBC) and the Institute for Negros Development (IND) has organized a half-day breastfeeding activity called Hakab Na Bacolod 2014.  This will be on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Santuario de la Salle.  The event seeks to promote the importance of providing proper support to all breastfeeding Filipino mothers and families.

This will be held in coordination with the Big Latch On – an annual breastfeeding event where moms gather at registered locations around the world and latch on simultaneously at 10:30 AM.  Last year, there were 14,536 mothers at 845 different locations in 28 countries all over the world.

BMBC Founding Members (Photo Credits: Jireh Poquita)

Breastfeeding moms gathered at Aristocrat, Manila in 2013
(Photo Credits: Keysi Nunez)

Moms and Babies of Cagayan de Oro,
organized by Mommy Bright Side (Photo Credits: Meg Gabe) 

This year, they plan to beat the numbers as the event will be participated in and represented by Bacolod, Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo. 

Here, moms will get to meet and interact with other breastfeeding moms.  There will be various activities and it will be a fun event for the whole family! 

The good news is, registration for this event is free!  All they have to do is text the following information to 0922-4846708: Mothers name, Child’s name and age, mobile number and email address.  Participants may also check updates posted on BMBC’s Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/bacolodmomandbabyclub.

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section on July 31, 2014)

The Power of Gratitude

I DON’T KNOW how I began to gravitate towards gratitude these recent years.  Maybe I picked it up from the seminars and books that I have read, and in all of that I somehow came to believe that having a grateful disposition is the key to happiness in life.

My favorite video that I used to watch with my kids a lot when they were much younger was a VeggieTales episode entitled “Madame Blueberry” and the lesson was on thankfulness.  She was a sad blueberry who acquired an excess of material things yet had emptiness within.  She later on learned from Junior the Asparagus how one could find true happiness just by being thankful and content with what he has.  The theme song of that episode “because a thankful heart is a happy heart…” was forever ingrained in me.

VeggieTales Madame Blueberry Video

Gratitude resonated with me so much that it became my guide, so much so that I coined the phrase “Breathing Gratitude” and made it the name for my blog and my column in Sun Star.

Breathing gratitude is still a work in progress for me.  It is a deliberate practice for me as I still catch myself complaining, worrying and grumbling sometimes.  But when I do, I try to immediately snap out of it, take a deep breath and utter a “thank you” even in difficult situations.  That simple practice instantly makes my mood much lighter.

Another practice that I have always attempted to do was to keep a “blessings notebook”.  This is the practice of writing down blessings or things that I am thankful for everyday.  I’ve started doing this a few times but doing this consistently is always a challenge especially when my days get busy.  This is such a powerful practice in increasing gratitude.

Recently I learned another strategy that could further deepen gratitude.  As I write the things that I am thankful for I also write my reasons behind it.  This makes me even more grateful for each blessing as I realize how my life would be so different without it.

I'm an introvert and I love getting lost in the beauty of Nature

Things that we normally take for granted such as our eyes, will totally change our lives if we didn’t have them.   Can you imagine how difficult life would be without legs?  Think of how unhealthy we will be without exercise, or how inconvenient it would be just to go to the bathroom or take a bath.

Good Health is a wonderful gift that is most often taken for granted

Think of how one family would give anything for a healthy heart to save one member of their family.  Many times we take our fully functioning organs for granted, not remembering that without any of these, life would be oh so difficult. 

Many times we take the people around us for granted until we lose them.  Sadly, that is when we realize how much we should have expressed our love for them.

The list goes on and on from health, to relationships, to blessings of provision, to nature, to spirituality, among many others.  The list is endless as there are just too many things that we could and should be thankful for.

Looking back now I realize that my level of contentment and happiness has dramatically increased since I began practicing breathing gratitude.  This happened even if the circumstances of my life hasn’t changed. 

Teaching is a blessing that is close to my heart

Life still throws challenges and stumbling blocks at me but having a positive outlook and a grateful disposition makes things a lot lighter.  It is my desire to share the power of gratitude, which I know will bring much joy and meaning in your life as well.

RELATIONSHIPS is what I am most grateful for,
especially the gift of my children.

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section on July 24, 2014)

Celebrating Friendship in Style

EVEN the humblest, simplest and most modest woman will agree with me when I say that looking good is important in being confident as a woman.  It’s not the only thing that will make one shine in her giftedness, but it does play a role in empowering women.  Looking good doesn’t mean one needs to wear the most expensive and well-known brands.  All it takes is wearing good quality pieces that are suitable to one’s body type and personal style.

There are many brands out there for us to choose from but it is rare to find a local brand that is up to par with international brands.  So I was delighted when Olivia opened in Bacolod because this is exactly what it is.  A local brand that has set international-quality standards in clothing! It is a brand that believes a woman must look good and be comfortable in whatever occasion – whether at the beach, at the mall or at a wedding.

Last Saturday, Olivia launched its new campaign “Olivia Celebrate Friendship” at the District, Ayala North Point.  The campaign is all about highlighting the gift of friendship and how it is timeless, fun and free, just like Olivia. 

OLIVIA Managing Director, Antoinette Lacson

Friendship plays a great role in a woman’s life.  When she is down, she needs her friends to confide in and cheer her up.  When she is happy, she needs them to share her joy with.  So in every phase of a woman’s life, from her childhood, in her teens, or even in motherhood, her friends are faithfully allies.

Duo Category 1st Place Winner Michelle Benedicto

Group Category 2nd Place Winner Anna Escalante

This is evident in the 300 plus entries that were sent in Olivia’s Celebrate Friendship Photo Contest, where women uploaded photos of their favorite bonding moments with their friends on Facebook and Instagram.  There were funny photos of friends that go way back from childhood, moving photos of mother and daughter who consider each other as best friends, and friends who have nothing but crazy fun at the beach. 

Duo Category 2nd Place Winner Toni Diente

Duo Category 3rd Place Winner Arianna Marie Condo

Together with the launch of the new campaign was the launch of its new collection.  One thing that I really love about Olivia is the choice of fabrics.  They use soft and comfortable fabric, yet the prints and colors are visually pleasing to the eye.  For this collection, there are a lot of shades of lilacs, blues and greens.

OLIVIA Brand Ambassadors Antoinette Lacson, Anya Gamboa,
Martina Quirino, Jennie Garcia and Pam Jalandoni

The 2^nd to 6^th place winners of the Duo and Group Category of the photo contest won fabulous gift bags from Olivia.  While the 1^st place winners of the Duo and Group Categories won P25,000 and P40,000 respectively, worth of shopping spree at Olivia.  These prizes are such a treat to these women who joined in celebrating their friendships with Olivia.

Group Category 1st Place Winners
claiming their prize

Group Category 1st Place Winner Jumpee Tipon

Finding beautiful, good quality clothes that make us look great is one of women’s simple joys, and one can find these at Olivia.  Other brands that the stores carry are Havaianas, Bensimon, Thread 365, Seychelles, Dupe and Praiaz.  Olivia branches are at the District, Ayala North Point, 2^nd Floor Robinson’s Place Bacolod and Ground Floor, Balay Quince.

(Published for Breathing Gratitude, Sun Star Lifestyle Section on July 10, 2014)