30 December 2012

Bebeng's Twelve Isms for 2012

I have asked my followers of my Facebook fan page about their favorite blog post I have written and I will include it on my list of 2012's Bet na Blog Posts ni Bebeng. But only a few responded. So instead of best blog posts, I have listed down the 12 best things/thoughts/what-nots that I have learned in 2012 as a blogger, woman, wife and mother. 

Design by Mye de Leon

Assaulters Made Zambales Kids Smile

In my previous post, I have said that Christmas should always be about who you spend it with. And that expensive gifts aren't that important. Yes, it was once again proven by the kids of Zambales. I am now close to tears as I write this. My heart is swelling with so much gratitude to our Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. I have never felt so contented with my life as what I am feeling right now. I am doing my favorite pastime (read: blogging) in the comfort and security of my husband's room in the camp. Behind me are my snoring and blissfully sleeping loves. Any military wife would wish to be where I am seated right now. Oh, I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world  so please find your own monobloc chair. Sorry.


If we have spent Christmas Day in Marikina, we could've been in my mother's house for lunch or met with some friends or could be at a mall. We could have taught LB to do some extortion practices again. Hehe. But this year's different, aside from a very fabulous Christmas Party that Rhambo's command post had and a cold and simple Noche Buena in the camp, Christmas Day was spent with 300+ kids of Zambales. 

Noche Buena at the Camp

I was not looking forward to a very festive and elegant Noche Buena like what we had last year. I knew that we will be celebrating it here in the camp. Rhambo & I had planned this months ago pa. This is his first Christmas as a Commanding Officer so he has to be in his command post for the holidays. He had spent extra days in the hospital when LB was confined, so we decided to spend New Year's here, too, to compensate for the time he was not around. Yes, it may sound sad and boring for some; but for us, who think that being together is what really matters, it's still special.


R and the Assaulters

I’m one of the fortunate army wives who could spend Christmas with her soldier. I will always be thankful for that. Not all military families are given that chance. And once you are given that rare chance, you have to take advantage of it. Well, we do have lazy days where LB & I didn’t do anything much but sleep, eat, play and be merry; but prior to Rhambo’s command post’s Christmas party --- everyone was busy. Yes my dear mudrabelles, it included me. It was Rhambo’s idea to hold a contest a la Mr. Pogi during the party. It served as the spotlight of the program, which usually has frolics, exchanging of gifts and a lot of inuman. The prizes at stake are worth the kahihiyan (if that’s how the soldiers have put it). The top three winners had cash incentives and a few extra days for their holiday break. I also gave three shirts courtesy of Dennis Dolor of ekoy.was.here.shirts. At first, according to Rhambo, there weren’t any brave soldier who had courage to join a male pageantry. But when they knew about the extended holiday break, there were 10 men who took risk, all for the love of spending more time with their family.



Few hours before the party, Rhambo distributed this cap to his troops. Super happy ako that it turned out really good. And it’s really just affordable. It’s only Php90 per cap. If you want to have caps or any embroidered souvenir done, you may contact Diongco General Merchandise at diongco_gen_mdse@yahoo.com or 0933-1608445.


I’m not really a morning person so I usually wake up at around 9-10 in the morning. The earliest could be 8am, if I need to. So while my lazy ass was still snoring, the Assaulters were already busying themselves with carrots, potatoes, torching the goat and what, designing the stage! Good thing that some of the soldiers have gay friends who helped them coordinate the event. Yezzzz muthers, these soldiers have gay friends. 


See how everything was so pageant-ish? Because these gay friends are so sanay in doing this. Just excuse the banig and plastic flowers, alam niyo na, barriotic. But admit it, it looks bonggelz. I can’t imagine the kaba of the contestants while the stage was being prepped up. Kumpleto pa yan with smoke machine and strobe lights ha. The head of the gay friends even asked me if it looks okay, while I was taking pictures of it. I said yes, of course. I didn’t want to hurt the heart of our kafatid by saying that the banig and straw hats were so bakya. Native chenelin siguro talaga ang peg.


A day before the party, I bought Rhambo a collared shirt from Bench. We first planned to be in matching shirts but since I can't find any pretty top in the mall nearby that matches his, I went back to wearing my little black dress I bought last year in F&H. After all, mauupo lang naman ako bilang judge. Korek, head of the board of judges ang mudra niyo! Kasama ko was Cpt K, Attorney F and 2Lt E sa judges' table. Seryoso kami sa pag-judge ha, kahit aware naman ang lahat na hindi ito papogian kundi palakasan ng loob. Aliw factor was very very important. And when the Magic 5 was called, intelligence was 100% needed. We threw them with serious questions. Unlike during the preliminary Q&A portion, all the questions were casual, somewhat crazy but everything was real. Some of the questions were:
  • Babaero daw ang mga sundalo. Anong masasabi mo?
  • Meron kang matalik na kaibigan simula pa noong CS (Candidate Soldier) kayo, biglang nagtapat sa'yo ng nilalaman ng kanyang puso, at ikaw iyon, ano ang gagawin mo?
  • Ginagawa mo naman ang best mo, pero madalas ka pa ding malasin sa CO (Commanding Officer) mo. Kanino mo ito isisisi, sa kanya ba o sa iyo? At bakit?
  • Sa tingin mo ba, normal lang na maging mabaho ang isang sundalo? Ipaliwanag.
R and I were vying for crazy answers as well when we did these questions, but it seemed that they were too nervous to be funny; hence, got very malalayo and irrelevant answers. 


The program was opened in its usual invocation-followed-by-a-welcome-message flow. Aba, maya-maya bumanat na ang music, smoke machine at strobe lights! Tapos naglabasan ang mga malalangis na sundalo with super kapal na foundation; rumampa, pumosing at nagpakilala. Tawanan, hagalpakan at hiyawan. All the way para sa extended holiday break. Atteeeehn-shoon!


I'm sure this is a first para sa mga mamang kawal na ito kaya ang dami-daming dead air. For a MassComm graduate like me, kapintas-pintas ang dead air. Good thing the band was there to kill those dead air moments. Oh yezzz, hindi ko pinalagpas ang pagkakataon na hindi makakanta with the band. Bumanat ako ng Adele! Someone Like You, mga teh. Eh medyo embarassing kasi mali-mali ang tono ng banda. Haha, sila talaga ang may kasalanan. So I redeemed myself. Bumirit ako to the tune of Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive. Ano pa ba?! So ayun, dahil hindi pa sila mga lasing, naka-smile lang sila sa'kin habang ligayang-ligaya ako sa pagkanta. But I did all the pagwawala sa mic after the judging kiyeme ko. Shempre dapat kagalang-galang. Choz.


And after two hours, the winners were announced. Jay Manalo, Coco Martin and Robin Padilla won. Oo, yun daw mga kamukha nila. Sabi nila.


Like what I said, they also received a shirt from me, courtesy of ekoy.was.here.shirtsA'Coy wears Ekoy! Bagay nga sa title-holder yung Bing, Bob, Bill & Baldo shirt niya eh. Di ba no, he kinda resembles Baldo? Hihi.


The party didn't end there. R gave a pamatay Christmas message to his men. He said, "yang inom-inom na yan, saka na yan. Pumunta lang tayo sa kitchen, pwede na tayo mag-inom eh. Pero ang makasama ang pamilya natin tuwing makakauwi tayo, minsan lang yun." Naks naman my kawal noh. Family guy! Ear to ear ang smile ko niyan, infer. And then they had exchanging of gifts, worth Php200. Pasa-pasa lang sila to the right, to the left. Ganun lang. Ang ending, nakakuha si R ng dalawang face towels from Bench, kapalit ng plastic storage box na may lamang soap, pancit canton, cotton buds at red wine. Soshal, may red wine. Hehe, hello recycling!


The party was well-attended. There were matured (oo, mga thunder cats) guests invited by the matured soldiers. And there were kids of the soldiers, too. Maraming civilian attendees, but most of them are dependents of the men of Alpha Company. Kung meron mang kabit na dumalo eh hindi ko na po inalam.


When my judging job was over, I had the chance to sit with my little behaved princess to have a photo op. Medyo busy ang fadir kaya hindi na namin inistorbo. Buti nga naki-cooperate si Sophia. Pero ang eksena, habang nasa judges' table ako eh nagpapakain ako sa bagets - ng kanin at ulam. Saya noh! Motherhood nga kasi - multitasking. Buti hindi nakiinom sa Tanduay Ice ko. 


R also had to entertain din kasi his fellow officers who attended the Christmas party. They are graduates of the Academy, too. The table had a representative each from classes 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012, respectively. I think hindi masyado uminom si R that night. Practicing what he preached, perhaps? 

A little like 30 minutes after the party, dance, party, booze, eat, party started, Sophia and I went inside the bunks. I felt like it's not for us. It's for the boys. Plus, the boys get a tad wild when they get drunk, right? I don't want my little girl to see that side of the world, yet. Sabi ko nga, there were booze and strobe lights. So talagang party mode sila. Plus the band and mobile sounds pa. Grabe, 4 in the morning na ata nanahimik ang mundo ko at tuluyang nakatulog ng payapa. Really, I have learned to sleep with that noise ever since sumasama kami sa kampo. Well, I'd rather hear them singing their hearts out than listening to gun shots


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our brave and mababangong (sige na, hindi na kayo ganun kababaho) soldiers. Cheers! 

28 December 2012

Her Lesions and Hospital-Hopping

The day after we moved in to our new house, we went out with R for some huge errand. We bought our first car, a pre-loved gray Vios. Sophia already had mean red rashes all over her face that resulted to absences from school since it obviously showed.

Still smiling, despite of.
I didn't know what it was then, so my only reasons why I didn't want her to go to school was for her not to catch more germs. She was actually makulit, malikot and ever a ball of energy but her face said a different story. Nakakaawa talaga. Everything was normal, she even had a cup of strawberry ice cream before going to the hospital. But her nose was somehow rotten na. :(

27 December 2012

Bagong Balur & The Power of Pink Roses

Hello mudrabelles! I can now make kwento how things went on with me & my family since my open letter to my hot army officer. Well, with so many ganaps happening around, I didn't have time to REALLY blog. I think you noticed that. I miss this. So much! Kaya I promised myself tonight na babawi ako sa kwento. Let me start with this photo. Yes yes yes. A bouquet of pink (or peach?) semi-bukadkad roses from the lover boy. He went home on the day of our 2nd wedding anniversary. ♥


When I heard the engine of a car parking in front of the gate, kinabahan ako. As in same kaba that I felt five years ago when he came home from Mindanao, for me. Ang powerful cheek bones ko, unti-unting umaangat to a smile. Aba, pagsilip ko, ang mamang sundalo, may hawak na bulaklak! Hahaha! Napakaripas ako papasok ulit ng bahay. Kalooooooooka. Ngayon niya lang ako ulit binigyan ng bulaklak kaya ganun na lang ang kilig ko. Hindi siya tulad ng kilig na nararamdaman ko everytime I make weewee. Ibang-iba talaga. Shet. Is this love? (Ah eh Denise, asawa mo na siya.)

14 December 2012

Is Cookie-Stealing a Ground for Annulment?

'Di ba I said in my Facebook fan page that this whole blogging thing will be on hiatus for a short while, since Sophia's still in the hospital and that we'll be spending the holidays in the camp in a few days? No. Hindi pwedeng paghintayin 'tong post na 'to. You all deserve to know about this. 

Dahil nga the bagets is in the hospital, she has daily rasyon of food three times a day. Hindi niya bet that rasyon of food. Kaya kami ng pudra niya ang kumakain nito - along with some food bought outside by no less than the person I want to be annulled to. Bakit nga ba? Kasi ganito yun.

10 December 2012

A Mrs. of Two Years: An Open Letter to the Mr.

Dear Rhambo,

Today's our 2nd wedding anniversary. Ta-daah.

Two years ago, I was a mommy with no nanny and we got married in the office of the Mayor of Palauig while my two hot and single girlfriends were chasing our terrific two-year-old. She didn't like us to kiss. She said I was only hers. And that's what I thought of, too --- I.am.only.yours. 


09 December 2012

Rayala Dialogues: That "Aww" Moment

LB became a mini film buff when I introduced Snow White and the Huntsman to her. Napapapalakpak pa siya sa mga fight scenes. And because I'm an X-Men fan (sobrang beki ko na ba, pati pelikula "x-men"?!), we both watched its trilogy. Yung first nga lang napanood niya kasi nakatulugan na niya ang kabaliwan kong mag-marathon. Then the next day, I gave her the chance to enjoy her childhood kaya we watched Toy Story 1. It was only earlier today that we got the chance to watch its sequel, Toy Story 2 and she was so maingay --- a sign that she likes the movie. Human subtitle! While watching, scene na nag-eemote si Woody kasi torn na siya if he will be in a museum in Japan or babalik sa house ni Andy. Ang bagets, nag-senti din...
LB: Nanay, thank you.
B: For what po?
LB: You watch toys with me.
B: (smiled and kissed her forehead) It's Toy Story po.
LB: Why is Woody sad?
At mega explain na naman ako. You think pwede na siya sa sinehan? Baka batuhin kami ng mga katabi namin, ang daldal eh. Hinid siya sa akin nagmana. Char. :)

08 December 2012

Review: Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Pads

Have you remembered my post about having that monthly visitor? Well, as always, I have endured it with a few minor grunts here & there. I just made sure that I drank a lot of water as to make me pee at least every hour, which really helped ease out the bad cramps. Aside from having that mean fiend C during your period, you always have to deal with a bulgy pad and the worst, blood stains. Who didn't get to experience that, especially as a teenager? Oh sister, you're missing out so much about life! Haha! During those heavy days then at night, I tried to wear the smallest size of a diaper to ensure that I won’t have that icky bloody spot at the back of my pajamas. I kind of looked like I was Barney with a protruded behind (because I have enough of it plus the diaper --- awful, awful). Over the years of experience plus some money to buy, I have tried the night pads. Some helped, some didn't.

Thank you, Jeunesse Anion! :)

Update: Back to Square One

Oh, I miss blogging! This is by far, the most bad trip experience I had with Smart Communications, Inc. I called them up around five times already for what, 3 days, and they still haven’t fixed my internet connection. Super duper kairita. Tapos etong Mercy Molina, sumabay pa! Wala na daw siyang career growth sa akin kaya nagpaalam na. Greener pasture daw. Akala mo maga-abroad, yun pala sa Alabang lang. Hmp. Palibhasa nagka-exposure na sa blog ko, kaya lumaki na ulo. Ayun, iniyakan siya ng bagets nang ma-realize na aalis na siya. Okay, samakatuwid, bonggang DH na naman ang peg ko. Mailabas nga ang nag-iisang Charles & Keith habang naglalaba. Chos. 
So … what’s up nga? Na-miss niyo ba ako kahit slight? Ay naku, ako, miss na miss ko ‘tong pink cyber world ko. Naiyak nga ako sa pagkapikon ko sa internet eh. Ang dami kong kwento at reviews at giveaways na gusto i-share sa inyo. And Smart was taking that away from all of us! Boo. Anyway, eto makakalipat na kami sa aming kingdom! Sa wakas. 

07 December 2012

When Rhambo Met Bebeng Part 2: RhamBeng

I know some (or a lot) of you have been waiting for this --- the second installment of how I met LB's father. In the first part of When Rhambo Met Bebeng, I highlighted about our HS puppy love shenanigans, including that of a story about Bagfull's owner. But this time, it's all going to be about him & me. Naaaaks. So where was I nga? Okay, let me start this with thanking the people behind Friendster then, who helped built our relationship. As what I have mentioned in my previous post, I GAVE HIM MY MOBILE NUMBER. Ha! I know some ladies here will find that a bit of ka-cheapan. Haydowntkurr. Eh wala naman akong constant textmate nun, sayang ang load allowance from the office. Char. Actually, there really is something about men in uniform. Watchatink?

Or maybe, it was a naudlot love team kaya I grabbed the chance of pursuing it na? Hay naku, whatever it is, I'm happy I did it. So yun, hindi pa naman siya kaagad nagtext. So nawala din sa isip ko na may pinagbigyan ako ng number. Akala ko nun hindi ako type ni Tinyente! So sabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, kiber. Aba after a few days (or weeks ata --- momnesia, sorry naman), may tumatawag! Suplada ko eh, hindi ko sinagot. Pag hindi naka-register ang phone number at walang text prior the call, sorry talaga. Choz. Pero hindi ko nga talaga sinagot. So, nagtext siya: "akala ko ba..." Naku, nakalimutan ko na exact words. Ayun, takang-taka ko who that was. Mga 3-4 messages, nahulaan ko na siya nga yun. Kasi naalala ko na siya lang naman pinagbigyan ko ng number ko lately.

05 December 2012

Confessions of a Non-Supermom but Aspiring Parent Achiever


When I was a gradeschool student, I knew and was aware that I was a fast learner. Bragging aside, I belonged to the smart pack of the class. I was a consistent first honor and the Top 9 in the National Elementary Achievement Test of our batch. I also joined Regional Press Conferences.

It unknowingly changed in high school, though. I abhorred Algebra and never got to memorize the Periodic Table of Elements and Chemistry. I felt that it was so irrelevant to my life! However, I did what I thought I was good at. I secretly contributed poems to our school paper. I think they published one.

I did fairly in highscool so I kind of took revenge in college, being on the Dean's list twice and once on the President's list. I regretted the fact that I was so close to being a Cum Laude but as fate dictated, I got a low grade in Sociology. Of all subjects! Anyway, I'm still happy I wore that black toga. I once dreamed of going to Graduate School because I aimed to be a professor. But I got pregnant two years after graduating from college and was already a working girl. Things changed.

It's THAT Time of the Month Again!

If you're a male homo sapien reading this and happens to be a bit chauvinist, please do not read after the dotted line. 
....................................................................................................................................................................................................


Pretty ladies in dresses, power outfit, heels; sipping wine (or Martini or a Long Island Iced Tea or Tanduay), laughing and chatting. After a loud, somewhat boisterous laughter over a topic only species with estrogen could understand, there was the evil drop of something unfriendly. And the whole chika-thon was ruined. Sounds familiar? Oh yeah, I know this space is too big for me to discuss about my monthly period but hey! This is something that sets us apart from the creatures who claim to be the stronger sex. Ahem, getting pregnant and giving birth is so overrated. 

04 December 2012

Rayala Dialogues: Mercy Molina Episode

No, Ate Maritess' full name is not Mercy Molina. In our colorful world of bekiness, a helper/maid/nanny can be called Mercy Molina, Mayla Gumila, Yaya Medel or a better term --- ANGEL. And I'm giving my angel a space in my blog because she deserves it! For sure after this post, you will all like her. Basta, don't pirate ha. :)

Last Sunday, I was feeling unwell and asked her to massage my back while watching The Buzz. Ang bagets, busy sa toys niya. The topic was about Julia Barretto, Marjorie Barretto's beautiful daughter. At nauwi kami sa usapang Barretto sisters.
Ate Maritess (AM): Ang ganda ni Julia. Anak nila ni ...
B: Dennis Padilla
AM: Buti nalahian ni Marjorie (Judgmental si ateng!)
B: Younger Claudine nga eh.
AM: Hindi naman mabait si Claudine ,di ba? (Anong konek, teh?)
B: Siguro, nakaaway si Angel Locsin at Angelica.
AM: Tsaka yung sa erport, si MON DOLPO.
B: Ha? Hahahahahaha!
Parang nabiyak ang lupa at lalamunin ako sa kakatawa. Napaka-judgmental mo teh, pero hindi mo kilala ang nakaaway ni Claudine sa erpooooooort??? 


03 December 2012

Babypalooza Bazaar: The Aftermath

This is by far, the most swabe bazaar I have been into. Having this as my 3rd mommy-baby bazaar made it like a comparative study of such. Well, I will not go into gory details though because they all came from a different perspective. Let us only focus on the good things. Good vibes, baybeh. I will just be a bit biased here because I will label this bazaar as my favorite! Ooh, what an announcement. Well, I may not have received a hefty number of  freebies but it made an impact to my lakwatsera spirit because it's nearer and it was the time I got to meet (and had a photo op) with my favorite fellow bloggers. Sweet.


So attending a mommy bazaar wouldn't be complete without my MBF, ME. We met at the LRT-Katipunan station and took a jeepney ride to Arrneyo (Ateneo). I wish we just rode a trike. The 5-minute walk to Walter Hogan Conference Center gave me a tearful armpit. Letch. And ME & I pa were wondering why walang people around. We thought we're lost. And then we saw the signs! Hurray!

Because It's 2nd in 7 Days

When will this waiting be over? I'm shedding a tear while writing this. It didn't only cause me eye bags from trying to bury myself in watching movies and staying up late at night; but also a bulgier tummy from pigging out on anything fatty. Anything rich in calories is not good. But I need to get back in shape again to make my husband feel that it's like the first time we see each other. Darndest.


This exact emotion is difficult to explain to a 4-year-old clueless kid so I don't share. I can't even explain it to myself. Neither will the single, naive & innocent helper can understand the tough situation I am currently into. Let her enjoy the pre-loved Yes! magazines I gave her. Waiting is not a new topic for me. As far as the military wives are concerned, it's second to trust. You got to learn to wait if you wish to marry a military guy. 7 days, 2 weeks or even months. Just wait. No questions asked.

02 December 2012

Review: Russell Stover Chocolates and Candies

Whoever says he hates chocolate is a hypocrite. I mean, what is there to hate about it? Because it could make you fat? Because it might add to your already diabetic-blood that runs in your family? I have discovered mouthwatering chocolates (and hard candies, too!) that are sugar-free. Would that change your mind?
Courtesy of Google Images
Russell Stover is the largest maker of boxed chocolates in the US and is now in the Philippines through Candy Corner. According to its fan page, it has been making chocolates since 1923. They recently joined the Candy Corner Festival last October 26-29 held at the North Court of Rockwell Power plant Mall. 

01 December 2012

Rayala Dialogues: When LB Prayed


Graveyard shift ang peg ng bagets. So nagpapaantok siya habang nagkakalikot ako sa laptop, biglang kumanta with matching actions:
LB: It's a sunny day, and I'm living it for my Lord...
(sumabay ako, namali ang lyrics ko)
LB: Sing properly, Jesus said you sing properleee.
(natatawa ako sa pagka-strikta)
LB: What's fahnee, Nanay? You sing properly.
(at kumanta na nga kami at natapos ng matiwasay)
LB: See, Jesus love your sing properly. (ano daw??)
B: Eh who's Jesus ba?
LB: Jesus, si Papa Jesus. Yung pray mo, Nanay. (at pumikit at umastang nagdadasal)
B: Ano sabi mo po kay Jesus?
LB: I miss Tatay and I want a small puppy. (hugged her)
Aww. Gaano ka-small ang small puppy at bakit puppy ang naisip niya nung ma-miss ang Tatay? Anlabo.

29 November 2012

Mommy Mundo Bazaar 2012: The Aftermath

I first knew about Mommy Mundo (MM) late last year. I immediately applied for the Privilege Passport when I saw it on their website. But busyness, lack of chance and laziness happened that I didn't get to pay for it, which resulted to prolonging the processing to start. Procrastination, I knooow. Don't judge! But when I have already embraced my SAHM life, I made sure I'll be a part of at least any of the many MM events they hold every year.


Ta-daah! My first is the Mommy Mundo Bazaar 2012, which was held at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City on November 24-25. Together with my Mommy Best Friend (MBF) Mommy Evie (ME), we got high over freebies, Priscilla Meirelles-Estrada, new finds, and of course, the most wanted MOM 24/7 PLANNER! Cheers! :)

28 November 2012

A Kingdom Will Never be Complete Without the King

When R and I started dating, we were very sure about our love for each other that we already saw ourselves as husband and wife. But I never really expected that to be his wife entails me to do what I avoided to happen - be a solo parent. Well, geographically. Being a military wife is something I am proud to be. Not all women can achieve to get married, submit to a man, do things by herself and decide on her own all at the same time. Others just get married, you know. ;)

I hope he'll give me a handsome washer and dryer. ;) source
R is currently at "work" and like what his phone told me, "cannot be reached". He's not updated about our moving out/moving in event but he knew that I already found a new place for us. He doesn't know that I bought plastic chairs for our dining area that we could temporarily use along with our glass table. He doesn't know that Sophia recently had her 2nd assessment. He doesn't know that I need him now more than ever (okay - this is an exaggeration). Well, he texted me earlier that I shouldn't wait for him to move out from MIL's house anymore and that I can just hire a closed truck van because he can't come home to help me. Sigh. And what did I just reply? "Okay, ako na bahala."

27 November 2012

Let Go and Let God

Any single human being alive in this messy-happy world we live in gets into trouble one time or another. The only difference it would make is how a person reacts to it. When I was younger, I just easily cry whenever problems arise. I used to sulk in to my emotions. I skip meals and sleep all day. And then when I learned to fight back, that's just what I did - fight, fight, fight - without even thinking about it. As I get older, I feel I get a bit wiser. Since I'm now surrounded with friends and family who have armed themselves with so much positivity, I have tried my best to never jump into my roller coaster of hormonal changes and quickly decide on something then regret it after. 


I have learned to hold on to my faith.

26 November 2012

What Hat Should I Wear Next?


Well, aside from wearing hats of being a wife, mom and blogger, I am at an urge to wear another one. No, I don't want to feel like I'm Wonder Woman (single pa siya and wala naman atang anak) and all, but I want moooore. A new hobby? For extra income? Self-worth? To secure my daughter's future? I'm still deeply thinking about it.

Photo courtesy of Pink Hat Sport

I was with my mommy bestfriend, ME, at the Mommy Mundo Bazaar earlier and while looking at all the booths, we noticed that most of the bazaaristas are pretty. So I was like "nakikita mo na ba tayo diyan, Bez?" And we giggled. We had this daydream one time we were texting (or was it FB chat?) that it's should've been a lot better if we live next door. Or at least live in the same city. We could've open our own business. She could've quit her job in Smart Communications, Inc. to focus on her baby Raine (who will be turning one on January 2013!) and just be a full-time mom like me. But things aren't as simple as that. She lives in Laguna and I'm from Marikina. That's one BIG challenge. But I won't take that as a hindrance. I pinned a note on my mental cork board that I have to schedule a sit-down meeting with her to talk about this vision. We got to brainstorm. 

Well, this meeting of some sort doesn't necessarily mean that it's a hundred percent concrete plan. I'm sure there'll be few bumps on the road, and I bet our friendship would be tested, but I'm very positive about it. So, is a mompreneur hat really the next that I'll be wearing? Oh, let's all pray for that! How about you, what hat do you want to wear next? :)

24 November 2012

When a 15-minute Tantrum Challenges a Fabulous 4-year-old Motherhood

As a human being, I have a love-hate relationship with life. As a woman, I'm into pink, floral, Hello Kitty, chick flicks but I fart aloud and can lift the fridge if I need to. As a daughter, I remembered that I always have something for Mama's birthday when I was younger; be it a 10-peso single white rose or a DIY greeting card but I also answer back when I think I should. As a friend, I'm tactless and sometimes uncaring but when someone hurts one of them, I make sure I'm there not just to back them up but to leave a bitchy speech for the assaulter. As a wife, I can cook good food that R likes, I wash his clothes with and without complaining and I believe love-making is the best exercise. As a mother, well, uhm, I love my daughter. Is that enough?


I am a four-year-old mother.

Isn't it FPJ that said "marami ka pang kakaining bigas"? That's what I am as a mother! Oh, we don't eat rice grains, Mr. FPJ, we eat rice, as in kanin. Hehe. Anyway, I just had one of these mudrabelle kudos moments for myself earlier at school today after Sophia's 2nd individual assessment. She was cheerful to go to school as she was wearing her tiny purple tutu skirt. She played a bit while waiting for her turn. When she was already inside doing the tasks, I saw that she's happily doing it. Whoa, when she got outside asking for more time to play and the routine-conscious soul in me told her she has to wear her slippers first without my help, she went wild - literally. She wailed loud enough for the birds in the nest to fly away and for the cocoons to eagerly transform to be a butterfly. Yes, it was such a scene! One of the teachers who passed by told me to never give in. When Ate Maritess tried to get the slippers as I am ignoring my little drama princess' telenovela-worthy monologues, one of Sophia's teachers told her not to. I think it took her 15-20 minutes to finally stop from her what-seemed-to-be-endless bout of tears. 


23 November 2012

Review: Beauty Soaps by Droplets of Nature

If we are going to ask 100 Filipino women on their definition of beauty, more or less, we'll get 20 different answers with the same thought. And one of it is being fair-skinned. Another could be being young. In the advent of technology, along with the instant existence of multifaceted gadgets, humans never got tired of discovering new things to improve one's life. Though old folks feel that these technology trends had somehow ruin the true essence of an industry, we can't avoid but to be amazed at how we could benefit from using it. 

Taken for example are Methatione capsules that could whiten skin for 4 capsules a day. A lot of Filipino people had tried taking it, since most of us are born with beautiful sunshiny skin, and they weren't contented with it, because they think that to be beautiful is to be as white as Kristine Hermosa. Some of them had settled for a monthly beauty inject. Others through a slow but safe process by using whitening soaps. Anything just to get fair skin. 


One of the fast-rising beauty soaps in the market today is from Droplets of Nature. Right now, they have Beauty & Bright Skin Lightening Body Soap and Anti-Aging Serum Bar and Beauty & Bright Facial & Body Lightening Moringa Soap. 

21 November 2012

Review: Kid StarMaker's Ballerina Princess Book

I haven't met a parent, or a mom per se, who do not give so much pride about having her child. I know you know what I'm talking about! Like what my former guy (& single) assistant told me when it was Christmas season in  the office last year, when you get to be a parent, all you got to brag are your kids' achievements. Or your kids themselves. When LB wasn't born yet, it was my boyfriend (now husband) that I was so proud to talk about. I have "branded" him as the best boyfriend ever despite our endless fights & arguments. I always sounded like I am selling Rhambo to my friends & family, dishing out to them the juiciest stories about how he made me feel like a natural woman! Okay, that's a song. But yeah, I think it's really my nature to get that "marketing/PR" vibe in me. Now that I am a mother of a 4-year-old drama princess, I never changed that. Well, for some parents, they find it not so nice. It's like I'm pushing my two loves (Rhambo & LB) to limelight, which they weren't really asking for. But that was not my point, I wanted to let the people see & know how wonderful they are! 

Thank you so much Kid StarMaker for my little girl's book & CD!
Her AWESOME face just proved how happy she was. ;)
I have learned my lesson though. Rhambo's not really the type of guy who wants so much spectacle about him so I minimized the details on his what-seemed-to-be-my-husband-press-kit. I just let myself be the proof of his being the great man that he is. How? To be a fabulous woman that I am! Charot. But really, he takes good care of me very well. And yes, he spoils me like a baby. Alright, enough. But LB? Ooh, she loves it! Being the only girl grandchild of my mom (Lola Leny or LL has 5 grandsons from my sisters), she gets to be cooed a lot. Though it's not the case in my MIL's side because she's the 3rd granddaughter already, she has still kept that BIDA COMPLEX alive, as being the unica hija of MIL's only son. 

20 November 2012

Bebeng's Bet na Balur

Aside from giveaways, reviews and press releases, I also blog about how my usual life goes. And what? What am I up to? Sensha na mudraks ha, medyo serious mode ang peg ng blog ko lately bilang ang mga pending ay inaagiw na sa drafts. But yes, I will make a short kwento before bumorlog with this snoring froglet. Pramis, short lang 'to. Eto nga, R & I decided that it's time to build our own kingdom. No, hindi kami kumuha thru Pag-Ibig at lalong hindi kami nanalo sa Lotto (dahil hindi kami tumataya) para makabili ng bahay agad-agad. Magrerenta kami ng aming humble balur. Bubukod kami for the 3rd time! 

Perpol House with Mister Suave. Mwah! ♥ 
You heard it right. We first lived with my mudra nung ako'y hindi pa Mrs. Rayala. Then siyempre, nanaig ang pagmamahal sa isa't-isa kaya bumukod kami at tumira sa aming old-school apartment sa Marikina!

18 November 2012

A Letter From a Bipolar Parent


Dear Sophia,

Let me vent out. I just want to tell you how pissed I am at how you always cling to me even when I want to poop. It irritates me when you ask me to teach you how to play the games on my 2-year-old C3. It can never be as good as your Tatay's iPhone so don't whine if the characters don't move as you slide the screen. My nape aches when you insist to eat banana instead of rice and monggo.

Today, we went with Lola Leny and visited the apartment for rent that she recommended. It's painted in pink, just like what you wished for. But when we were there, you don't seem happy about it. I will get it in the blink of an eye, not because it's pink but because it doesn't flood there. It's near everywhere - hospitals, supermarkets, wet market, ride going to malls. The only problem is, it only has one bedroom, which Tatay will surely disapprove of. Now I'm so torn. I just want to give us our own kingdom.

And yet you stress me so much about your 4-year-old issues.

When you threw up in the dining area earlier tonight and I saw bits of chocolate, I wanted to scream. No, I wanted to poke my tonsil and throw up, too. You just made me feel like a bad mother. I bought you that chocolate-flavored wafer because I know you could have made a scene if I didn't buy it. And now, it caused you a suicidal cough. As far as my migraine is concern, that was such a show. I felt the back of my head throbbing and your little voice seemed so far away as I saw you hugged the toilet and puked for eternity. I wanted to faint but I know you needed me. A sudden thought passed: A 20-year-old you getting drunk and hugging the toilet. I can't even.

You said it's us when you saw this.
Babe, as you peacefully went to sleep tonight after a book about monkeys and a prayer about your cough, I realized I shouldn't be this to you. What, this? This - strict but spoiler. Damn (sorry for the word, young lady)! But it's hard to be a military wife. I am your father most of the time. But should act like a mother 'cause I am. That makes me a Bipolar parent. I am a mix of two at the same time. And I despise it. As much as I want to coo you when you're sick just like any doting moms do, I need to be firm and stern in making you take your meds. I needed to use my iron fist as to make you avoid sweet foods to lessen the risk of extreme coughing at night. There are times that I only want peace and quiet with you, reading our books and just sitting beside each other. But your blood has your Tatay's warrior genes, you want some rough play that I can't give. Hence, my patience twine snapping off.

Okay, enough with my rant.

I'm very sorry, my dear girl Sophia. I know you somehow feel insecure as I am always at this computer instead of watching your toons with you. Yes, I will limit my time with this pink evil and dance with your Hi-5 friends. You're only four and don't know how to differentiate EASY from HARD when playing games on my phone; so yes, I will do my best to patiently teach you how to "kill" (ugh! How can you say that to a 4-year-old?!) the red snake in Diamond Rush. Lastly, I will never force you to eat something you don't like. Because I myself can't eat balut, "helmet" (grilled chicken's head) and mussels even if Tatay will tell me to do so. I will respect that.

I only have a request. Please stay as protective as you are when Lola pretended that she's going to beat me up. I was in tears of joy when you did your best to shield me from her and you suddenly cried when you realized you can't do anything because she's bigger than you. I know I'm bad to play with your feelings. I just wanted to let Lola see how much you love me and wants to take care of me even if you're your usual masungit self. It was all part of our theatrics. I just hope I won't go wrong along the way of raising you up, so I know I can make you become a better version of me.

I may have my librarian of a face when I tell you to sleep, eat or clean up; but in the deepest corner of my heart, it always has its best intention for you. I love you to bits. ♥

We'll go to church tomorrow (er, this morning) 'cause I only borrowed you from God,
Nanay

P.S.
Never marry a soldier if you don't want to be a Bipolar parent like me.
But they're hot, I can't blame me if you will. ;)

P.P.S.
No, I'm not really Bipolar - sick and all. I hope I made that clear in the 5th paragraph.

***
Photo courtesy of Kaleigh Somers

17 November 2012

Review: INDIGObaby's Jar of Love

There's no better feeling than seeing your child well and smiling, after being sick for 3 days. LB was down with flu since Tuesday night. I was like a 24/7 roving guard monitoring her fever with my digital thermometer (which I find so awesome as it beeps when it reaches the body's temperature) because she reached 39.8 and it was almost two in the morning. I felt a bit sad for her as she didn't go to school for 3 days, missing out on a lot of activities.


I had her take paracetamol and massaged her back, feet & legs with INDIGObaby's Jar of Love Healing Balm. It was a bit funny though that while I was applying it on her back, my super inquisitive sickly daughter said in her weak voice, "is that your toothpaste, Nanay?" ;)

16 November 2012

Bagfull & the Woman Behind Its Success

I know you've been waiting for this. I just prolonged the agony because I really wanted to share with you how HR is connected to Rhambo & I. We are not just HS batchmates, we were once in a puppy love triangle. Haha! So sino ba si HR? If you have read this & this, you'll get her name. But I don't want you to think like you're solving a Math problem, so I'll give it to you. It's Honey Reyes --- the woman behind the master pieces of Bagfull.

What started out as passion for fashion & selling has now turned into a full time serious bag business. And not just something like what you can say as "extra income". This is HR's bread & butter. Like what I said in my previous post, she took BS Entrepreneurship in Miriam College. According to her, "mas nadevelop na din, passion ko talaga".

15 November 2012

Hawaiian Chicken Adobo with Sesame Seeds

It accidentally happened. I was mixing the spices, had it in low heat first then decided to put in the remaining sugar I got from the suman I bought from the wet market last Tuesday. Lo & behold, it has sesame seeds! I got the shock of my life when I saw them floating. Ano itong tila mga insekto na lumalangoy sa niluluto ko? I wondered if it would change the distinct taste I always give my adobo. But thank heavens, it didn't. Well, why is it called Hawaiian? Answer: pineapple tidbits. I am going to share with you my take on little foodie's ultimate favorite viand: ADOBO.

Provincial Tour Part 1: Nueva Ecija

Two weeks had already passed since LB & I lived the barriotic way, but I haven't shared with you on how we spent it. To make the little girl's sembreak worth it, we went to Nueva Ecija from October 23 to October 27 to celebrate my kumare's daughter's 1st birthday party. Please allow the photos to tell you our story. But wait, dahil madaldal ako by nature, I will make side comments. :D

Super arte. Kanino kaya 'to nagmana?
Thank you Tito Gq (Rhambo's mistah) for picking us up at home.

14 November 2012

When HR Met B

I will put the When Rhambo Met Bebeng love story behind for now as we give room to how HR had hers. Promise, babalikan natin yun. Especially now that I remembered that we'll be celebrating our 2nd year anniversary as a married couple. Anyway, if you read my previous post, for sure you know who HR is. Yes, she was the other girl who had a crush on Rhambo when we were in 2nd year HS. But I heard she was not the only one. There were more that I didn't know of. Haha! Naks Tatay ha, huma-heartthrob. Sabagay, hindi man siya ganun kapogian like that of Dingdong Dantes or Piolo Pascual but he has this alindog. Yane, alindog pa?! Nakikita niyo din ba yun or ako lang? Uy, Rhambo, I deserve a full body massage after this. :*




So eto na nga, what happened to HR naman? I guess nawala din yung pagkagusto niya kay Rhambo nung 3rd year. Nagkahiwa-hiwalay na kaming tatlo. Pinaghiwalay ng tadhana. Charot. Si Rhambo, napunta sa section na may Furniture & Cabinet-making elective; Si HR, sa may Home Industry at ganun din ako, 2 batches lang nga kaya magkahiwalay pa din kami. If my photographic memory serves me right, nagkajowa si HR nung HS eh --- si J. Pero alam ko short stint lang yun at medyo kontrobersyal. Hihi. Ngunit magandang marinig din natin ang panig ng magkabilang kampo regarding this. The Buzz lang?

12 November 2012

Review: Dishwashing Liquid by Droplets of Nature

If there's one thing I least like with all the domestic motherly brouhahas, that is dishwashing. I remember a time when my younger brother & I fought over dirty dishes. You can make me do the laundry (which I love), cook for a feast or clean the house while a toddler is playing, but it would take time to prod me to wash dirty dishes. I abhor the long time to stand while washing, so when I was a maarte kolehiyala (but a state U student naman), I got a chair & sat while doing it. Whenever Rhambo was home & we don't have a helper, he's the sink-in-charge. I know it's weird that I love doing the laundry but I despise being in the sink with a basin full of greasy plates & forks; but that's me. However, when I don't have Rhambo or a helper around, I have no excuse not to do it.


Photo courtesy of Zazzle

When Rhambo Met Bebeng

Whenever people would ask me or Rhambo on how our love story started, we would always tell them that we've known each other since highschool. Pwedeng pang Valentine special ng MMK. That's true. But we became a couple when I was already working at ABS-CBN, two years after I graduated from college & he's a fresh grad from the academy, a 2nd Lieutenant of the Philippine Army. We were never friends in highschool. We used to live in the same village & nakakasabay ko siya noon sa jeep pero hindi man lang niya ako nalibre ng pamasahe. Grabe! Now that we're married, he confessed that he can never pay for my fare kasi nga nag-1-2-3 siya. At umamin din ako, I was praying na ilibre niya ako kasi balak ko mag-1-2-3. Haha! I was kilig pa that time kasi nga "crush" ko siya nung 2nd year highschool kami, the time we were classmates, nung makasabay ko siya sa jeep. Ayun, nalaman ko kung san siya nakatira --- now the house where I currently reside (which we will soon leave).

Left: PMA Alumni Homecoming 2007; Rhambo asked his 1st Class cadet-friends to do that for him. Haba ng hair ko.
Right: I wrote that in the sand of Opol, Misamis Oriental beach when I visited him in Mindanao

11 November 2012

Review: Hand Sanitizers by Droplets of Nature

I never claim I'm Mrs. Clean & not really that of an OC mom, but I always make sure that my hands are clean. And so's LB's. If water is not accessible & there's no trash bin near to throw my used wet wipes after, there should be a hand sanitizer in my bag. And it never fails, I always have one. Well, sometimes it's a bottle of alcohol. I recently discovered a brand that produces hand sanitizers made of natural ingredients, Droplets of Nature. Their hand sanitizers are made from plant-based lactic acid, fruit-based alcohol and essential oils. The plant-based lactic acid acts as the main anti-bacterial ingredient, therefore the scent of the alcohol is not too strong. The lactic acid and essential oils acts as the natural moisturizers. Their hand sanitizer is also safe for the baby's hands.



10 November 2012

Rayala Dialogues: Of Catfish & Carly Rae Jepsen

Here are two episodes of Sophia's Rayala Dialogues.

Inside Save More Supermarket in Marikina City, we were looking for hotdogs & nuggets nung magawi kami sa seafood section. Sa aquarium, may hito...
LB: Nanay, let's go back. I wanna see there!
B: Okay.
Pushed the grocery cart near the aquarium where the catfishes are. (Yes, feeling toddler pa siya. Tired daw to walk.) After a few seconds of staring at the naglilikot na hito, while I was picking up 500gms of TJ jumbo hotdog, I heard her:
LB: Oh no, don't look at me! (at kumuha pa ng resbak)
       Nanay, the catfish is looking at meeee!
Eh 'di ba banlag ang hito?
~ ♥  ~

LB reading her Disney Junior magazine & I was on my laptop, I was humming/singing Call Me Maybe, then...
B: Where you think you're going babyyyy... ♫
LB: Nanay, I'm not going anywhere.
(in her bored tone)
B: ... (nganga)
Wala ba 'ko sa tono at akala niya siya kausap ko?

Baby Carnival Bazaar: The Aftermath

I am very grateful that the event organizer, Ms. Jade Ceres-Dolor, sent me an e-mail few days back telling me about the Baby Carnival Bazaar that was held at the Filipinas Heritage Library yesterday. I was thrilled by the idea that someone really took notice of my blog & invited me. High five! So I came. I tagged along my daughter who will be so kawawa if I leave her at home. And since I know she will be a handful & I'm basically invalid to do super strenuous activities, such as walking around Makati with a hyper kid (to my OB & husband's dismay for sure), I told Ate Maritess to join us.


08 November 2012

Review: Lactation Cookies by Crumbs & Grubs


It was more than a month ago when I received a package from the owner of Crumbs and Grubs, mommy Jeanne Marfal. No, I'm not feeding my 4-year-old Little Bebeng through my breast, but I just wanted to try their products & she sent me the cookies. I might not get the best of the other products (brownies & other breads from its sister company) if it will be shipped to me so she advised me to meet her instead. We have already scheduled a meet-up but we both got busy with some personal things that it ended up her shipping a pack of cookies to me. That was a little after I had my dramatic ectopic pregnancy


07 November 2012

The Teleserye Princess in her Pink World

Today, I was the one who went with Sophia to school & not Ate Maritess. We got an invite yesterday from one of her classmates who celebrated his birthday today in school. Happy 5th birthday, Kyle! So I needed to buy a gift that's why I let some Marikina sunshine touched my skin. The invite that we got was a Spiderman card. Hmm. So Spiderman ang ireregalo ko. I went to a nearby gift store after I made sure my LB's in the safety of her classroom. I looked for a Spiderman toy & saw lots of it. Bumili ako agad-agad. Dinagdagan ko ng marker pens & Spiderman drawing book. Voila! All below Php100. Kasama na ang paper bag. Hihi. Wais na misis. Hello, petsa de peligro. 

This is what she wore yesterday. She wore it the whoooooole day.PINK is my fev-rit, Nanay! ♥ 
When I got back to school, I tapped their glass door to ask for Sophia, who was in the middle of an argument with her Teacher Pau. It looked like she was in her maldita streak again. She went out to get her gift for Kyle. I saw a trace of tear in her left eye. I asked her why she cried. She said she wanted the PINK marker pen. Pinapagawa pala sila ng birthday card for the birthday boy. She said she can't find the PINK marker pen. Howmaygoolay. Bad influence na ba ako sa anak ko? Na hindi siya gagawa ng card kung hindi PINK ang marker pen? Kaloka. Yun lang iniiyakan na? Pag-aartistahin ko na talaga yata 'to. :p