Tree Planting at the Caliraya Watershed: (Mellow Yellow Monday #7, Mommy & me Monday #3, Ruby Tuesday#6)

Just sharing with you the tree planting activity we had with my staff at Haribon Foundation. This is part of the on-going campaign of Haribon Foundation, the Adopt-a-Seedling Campaign in support of the ROAD to 2020 movement.

ROAD to 2020 (Rainforestation Organizations and Advocates) aims to restore 1 million hectares of the Philippine natural forest by planting native tree species.

The Adopt-a-Seedling campaign started sometime in the year 2007. It started simply by encouraging our members to participate and do their share in combating the effects of climate change and global warming. Through tree planting we are bringing back the natural sequesters of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide are harmful by-products of our day to day activity. The most common of which is the use of vehicles. Though we can't stop this practice, we can at least do our share of adding up as mentioned, natural sequesters of carbon dioxide, the trees. In December 2008, we offered the Adopt-A-Seedling campaign to members and patrons as Christmas gifts. Instead of materials gifts, the commitment to plant a tree and support a cause is a good alternative gift. To our surprise, a good number of members and patrons supported the cause and we were able to raise more than 2,500 seedlings, which can cover more or less a hectare of forest area.

@ the drop off point to the planting site with me are Ashley, my niece Gayle, my son Leon, my other niece Joey & my mom Lydia

actual tree planting with my son Leon and niece Gayle

On January 17, 2009 me and my staff volunteered to plant 750 seedlings at the Caliraya Watershed in Cavinti, Laguna. Together with us are our family members and close friends. After the actual tree planting activity, we had a picnic lunch at the Japanese garden, which was just a few minute ride from the site and spend an hour or so at a nearby resort.

me and my staff @ the Japanese Garden

Haribon's Adopt-a-Seedling Campaign is inviting everyone to support the cause. To know more log on to www.haribon.org.ph or visit us at our office at the 2nd Floor, Santos & Sons Bldg., 973 Aurora Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.

a boat ride from the site to pick up point

enjoying nature with my kid before heading home

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Five Question Friday #3: Sept 3, 2010

my answers to this week's


1. What do you do when you have time for yourself?
Sleep. But then, before I really get to sleep, I do cross-stitch or answer a Sudoku puzzle.

2. When you look outside your kitchen window, what do you see?
Mess. A daily reminder to dispose things that aren't useful to us already.

3. Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as?
Butterfly, though it's short-lived, it's purpose to pollinate flowers and help make the surroundings beautiful is just what I want to do and butterflies are good indicator of a healthy environment.

4. What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kid?
Not sharing. I teach my toddler to share whatever he has and then he gets across a kid who doesn't, isn't it confusing for a kid????

5. Regular or Diet Soda?
Regular...I don't see the logic of having the "diet" thing...there's sweet anyway. Besides, me and my husband try very hard to avoid soda. We're into juice or water if the option is there.

Lifetime Gift for our Children (Mommy Moments)

This week's meme brought me into thinking --- what's the best gift for our children?

Material gifts, yes it'll be appreciated and we'll see the happiness on their faces once they open up their gifts and more smiles will be flashed on their faces if the gift they received is what they really wanted. We must admit though that the material things we give them are short-lived. For some time they will be playing, working or using these gifts but when they grow up and mature, most often than not, these gifts will be kept in boxes or will be seen just lying on the same exact spot for so so years...Heirlooms, well, I haven't got one for myself yet, so there's nothing yet for me to pass on to either Leon or Maia. Although there's my Santa Claus collection that goes with Leon's age and an angel collection that is set to be collected simultaneous to Maia's age.

I firmly believe that the best gift to give our children is education - knowledge. I often remember my grandpa's favorite line to us - Knowledge is power. A good education will be our children's window to great opportunities. My husband and I are relatively young couple, we've been married for just 4 years this year and with two kids on tow, I must admit, financially speaking we're likewise as young as we are married.

We can only give so much in terms of material gifts but what we are preparing now is for the education of our children. Leon will start schooling next school year, Maia though still a baby, won't be that long to go to school herself.

My husband and I are products of well known universities in Manila, and inspite of that we still find ourselves wondering why we are a bit on a struggle. We don't want our children to experience the difficulties we went through in life, as an individual and as a couple. Although they will have their own share of life's experiences, armoring them with proper education and the good values in life, we know, our children's future will be brighter than ours.

Helping Each Other (Couple's Corner)

When I first saw my M, I knew deep inside that he was a good person. Aside from being a friendly person, my gut-feel tells me that he's someone whom I can get along with easy. True to it, as an officemate, M was one of the first few people I became friends with which eventually lead to courtship and dating.

Even as a dating couple, we had been supporting each other. In all aspects of life -- physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and financial, in good and bad times, we were there for each other. We supported and criticized each other in terms of individual plans and programs, whether for personal consumption or for the two of us.

Both of us are not perfect persons and we are very much aware of that. Whatever the flaws we see in each other we try to convert it to become an asset, developing and improving each other's character to make us better persons and until now we still do the same to become good examples to our children.

As I mentioned in one of my previous blog (also here at Couple's Corner), our differences compliments each other. Whenever the need arises, we try to fill in to each others shortcomings. Amazingly, there are times that we need not say anything for the other one to feel the need for help. Despite being a young couple as compared to many out there, I am proud to say that we know each other so much. One example would be this, between the two of us, it is me who is more talkative, and when I keep annoyingly quite, he knows there is something that's bothering me. On the other hand, even on the manner of his kissing me upon arriving from work, I would already know that something went wrong or something isn't just right.

As I am writing this entry to this week's topic on Couple's Corner, we are going through a slightly difficult moment concerning extended family members which slightly affects our relationship and the family in general. Instead of sulking, we've discussed the matter and try to find ways to lift each other up and help each other in dealing with the concern. It helps us as also that in situations such as this, we remind each other that we are there for each other. We likewise constantly remind each other of the promises we made during our wedding.

Helping each other is not just during bad times, we also help each other in good times, acknowledging each others strength and being proud of each others accomplishment is a form of help, making us more eager to deliver well in what we do that would translate to better ways in providing for the family.

Sometimes though, we miss being just the two of us. Life is a bit more complicated than before with the presence of our two lovely children. But this complications is what we have been looking forward to before and now that it is here, we are more than willing to help each other more to give our family the good life that we all deserve.

Blogging about this just reminded me of the reason why I fell in love with M and looking forward to growing gray hairs with him. Hmmm...loving the moment :)

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Family Time inTagaytay (Mellow Yellow Monday #6, Mommy and Me Monday#2, Ruby Tuesday #5 )

August 31, was a holiday in the Philippines, it was National Heroes Day. I expected it to be a house chores day for me since my husband did not allow me to go to church the previous day due to the sore eyes I acquired the past week.

To my surprise, my husband asked me where I wanted to go. I really had nothing in mind because I was already set to clean and organize the kitchen cabinets. Our son upon hearing his dad, suggested to go pitnic...hehehe, as what he heard and saw from tv...picnic, with sticks and marshmallows!!!

Good idea, coming from a 3-year old toddler...but the weather outside seems not fit for picnic...

Initially we thought of the La Mesa Watershed but since its a holiday, the idea might not be that good since most of the residents might be thinking just like us. La Mesa Watershed on most occasion is always crowded.

My husband then suggested Tagaytay. Tagaytay is located down south of Metro Manila, a two-hour ride from Quezon City. It is one of the most frequented by most Manilenos because of its cool temperature and proximity to the metro. It is in Tagaytay were you can perfectly view one of the Philippines active volcano, the Taal Volcano.


It was our children's first time to go to place as well as for our two home companions. It was also our first as a couple to visit Tagaytay. The last time I went there was like 7 years ago!


Leon had fun running around the lawn while Maia first experience stepping on a grass barefooted :)
After an hour or so, we went to the Good Shepherd Convent to purchase their yummy strawberry jelly and ube jam. The Good Shepherd Sisters are known for these deliciously-made sweets. There are more produce though aside from what I've mentioned, lengua de gato, choco flakes and peanut brittle are some of them. Purchase of these products supports their schooling.

Though we still wanted to go around, the long ride back home might take its toll on Maia, our four-month old baby. At about 4 in the afternoon, we called it a day but made a few stop along the highway to buy some fruits such as freshly picked pineapples and rambutan.

my entry to:

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Breastmilk vs. Sore Eyes

I came home from work last Tuesday with an itchy right eye. I didn't thought of it as sore eyes because I haven't been infected by it ever since. Yes, I had my first bout with sore eyes on my 38th year of existence in life! hahaha...

It was too late in the evening that I realized rather accepted that I was having a sore eyes infection, because of this, I was only able to buy an eye drop the next morning. Likewise, I contacted a doctor-friend and requested for Rx for my sore eyes.

Immediately on the next day, midday that was, my little Maia's left eye was infected as well...poor little girl, I really felt sorry about it. Of the many people at home, it was Maia who got it! Rx came late too for Maia, so to ease her discomfort, I dropped a few of my breast milk on her eye.

I've heard of breast milk as a good cure for sore eyes. I was hesitant at first what the heck, it was for my little baby girl...so I did. Maia had her infection last Wednesday, I had mine last Tuesday, yet, Maia's eyes are both clear as of today, mine still vampire red!

Here's what I'm thinking...time to shift to breast milk to clear my eyes as well...don't want to spoil the long weekend we're having this part of the globe :)

Another wonderful benefit of breast milk...not just for babies...

Five Question Friday #2: Aug 27, 2010

Here's my share to



1. How many pets to do have?
Pets - I have none really but we do have a guard dog, a local breed, he's actually my father's but since Papang is long gone, we're the ones taking care of him. We too have 4 house cats, all are stray cats that found their home in ours. Last but not the least are my son's pet fish, an angel fish, 5 gold fish and a pearlscale. I do want to have one for myself, a Labrador retriever, but I guess this is not yet the time to care for one...too busy with my wonderful kids!

2. If you could switch places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be? This is hard...hmm...a scavenger with a slight schizophrenic behavior. I want to know what's going in their minds every single minute...

3. What is your favorite money saving tip? Think twice before you spend. This is definitely difficult specially for me who is such a spender but this time I really try hard for my kids and family's sake.

4. What do you want your kids to be when they grow up? To go for their dreams without hurting anyone. They must be God-centered and their values intact.

5. What is your favorite quote? Mahatma Gandhi's: Live simply so that others may simply live - no need to explain, I guess. This I hope I can live through and pass on to my kids