As parents, healthcare is one of our top considerations when it comes to searching for quality yet affordable providers.

A new network of health care facilities in the country was introduced to mom bloggers a couple of weeks ago. Qualimed is set to fulfill the three As–Accessibility, Affordability, and Appropriateness–as they give the best service to its clients.

Qualimed has accessible locations all over the country. We visited one of their facilities inside the PGH compound.

First order of the day was a tour of the facility:

Their main service is providing quality primary care, but they have flagships in each of their facilities. In this case, the Manila branch’s flagship is their Surgery Center. The one opening in Iloilo will be a women and children’s center.

Here are some more facilities in the Manila branch:

Dr. Edwin Mercado of Mercado General Hospital, talked about their partnership with the Ayala Land, Inc. Together, they will provide Qualimed facilities in the next five years in strategic locations all over the Philippines.

Aside from low prices, Qualimed is also accredited by most HMOs, a good news for employees.

With regard to the quality of service, Qualimed assures us that they have competent physicians, specialists, and nurses trained to provide appropriate prescriptions and sound medical advise to their patients.

Put them all together, and you will get quality healthcare service for you and your family.

Visit Qualimed facilities now and experience Alagang Abot-Kaya.

Operational Branches:
Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center (Tanauan, Batangas)
QualiMed Manila (Taft Avenue, Manila)
QualiMed Clinic in TriNoma (North Avenue, Quezon City)

Future locations:

QualiMed Clinic in Fairview Terraces in Novaliches, Quezon City (opening in 3Q 2014)
QualiMed Hospital in Iloilo (opening in 3Q 2014)
QualiMed Hospital in Sta. Rosa, Laguna (opening in 4Q 2015)
QualiMed Hospital in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan (opening in 4Q 2015)

You may also visit their website or Facebook.

~ Touringkitty

One of the things I really am happy about, now that I am a stay-at-home mom, is that my daughter, at 3 years 9 months, is fully toilet trained.

That was one of my goals this year. I gave this stern warning to her two months ago that she should not be wearing any more diapers when she turns four in August. She quickly obeyed.

Prior to toilet training, she was super constipated. Either that, or she was just controlling the urge to poop. Crossing her legs, pooping only with diapers on, and almost passing out because she was just having a difficult time. Anyway, I thought it was the best time to toilet train.

I have set one day in March to deliberately start toilet training. Even if against her will, I immediately put her on her potty the moment I sensed she’s about to go. But after that one day, she has not had a hard time passing out poop, and has done it in our toilet everyday.

I consulted this to her doctor because she’s had this problem despite being fully breastfed. At first, I though she was just grunting as a baby, but the grunting became super difficult for her that she’d spend most of her day just trying to pass out poop. To the dismay of whoever is in charge of her, and to my anxiety when I’m away from her. But now that she’s learned to actually sit down while doing the thing, it was easy peasy for her, and she does this in the morning regularly. She is eating well, even the foods she disliked before, like grape juice.

Likewise, we had her two front teeth fixed with baby caps and her molars had fillings as well. So she has been eating super well. She’s got weak teeth, that’s why we are super careful not to give her chocolates and too much sweets, though sometimes just a little treat would be fine as long as she brushes thoroughly and drinks water or milk afterwards.

Goodbye diapers! You have served us well the past almost four years. We are still using sometimes though, when we go out of the house, but I know sooner we shall give you up totally.

How did you toilet train your littles?

~ Touringkitty

Have passport, will travel.

It can be such a daunting task whether you are applying passport for the first time or renewing it. Just as with any athletic sport, you need all sorts of preparation–mental, physical, financial, and emotional. It can also be a whirlwind of emotions on the appointment day.

A few days ago, I was such a lucky girl being able to renew my passport in less than 60 minutes, from time time I entered the building (7:50 AM) until I came out (8:45 AM). By far, it was the quickest process I have been in a local government facility.

How did I do it? Here’s how I did, and probably you could use these tips as well.

1. If you are not in a hurry traveling and your passport is expiring the following year, schedule your application during summer. I did mine this May, when most people are already on vacation.

Tip: On most months, especially the busier ones, you could probably schedule on a midweek. Tuesdays or Thursdays would prove to be unpopular days, so squeeze your application during workdays.

2. Get the earliest time possible. 7:30AM is the earliest, so plan ahead and arrive at least 30 minutes before your timeslot. The staff are still alert and awake, though one guard was already “masungit” to me at 8:00AM.

Tip: When you have your kids with you, make sure not to bring them during their naptime, or they will be cranky. If they will not apply for passport, better not bring them with you.

3. Needless to say, take care of your personal belongings! One man left his documents folder on one of the chairs in front of me. As we were moving on the queue as if playing “musical chairs,” no one wanted to pick up the folder. So when I approached that seat with the folder, I picked it up and shouted the surname written on the application form. The man turned toward me, smiled (or should I say, smirked), got his folder, without even saying thank you. Such kind gesture you got, man.

4. Make sure you have complete photocopies and original copies of all your documents. Just to be sure. You don’t want to go through the hassle of going out of the line again to photocopy. There’s one, at Gate 1, which charges P3.00 per page photocopied.

TIP: The first and last page spreads of your passports must be photocopied. A lot of people in front of me forgot the last page (well, I almost did), so make sure you have photocopied both spreads.

5. Eat a good meal before your appointment. You don’t want to wait hungry. I actually was not able to eat a decent breakfast, so as soon as I exited, I looked for a place to eat. There are lots of restaurants across the street.

Anything else to add on my list? Share yours on the comments section!

~ Touringkitty

For many years, John Robert Powers (JRP) is synonymous to high quality training in modeling, acting, and personality development.

In an event a couple of weeks ago, JRP introduced to some mom bloggers their newest offerings: The Dynamic Parenting Workshop and the Future Leaders Program.

What I clearly remember about JRP, as a kid, was it was a training ground for future models.

And their latest pride is…

Now, if you think you’re either too old or too young to enrol in JRP, think again. We learned that the oldest student they had is 62 years old!

JRP is glad to offer new workshops for two important groups of people: the parents and the young children.

The Dynamic Parenting Workshop is much like the parenting workshops, only given in a more comprehensive manner, covering ten specific topics, two hours per topic session. This is more studies-intensive, with the goal to educate, guide, and build a core support group among parents.

As a new parent like I am, I had so many questions. With the help of my mom, my aunts, and friends, I was able to pull through the first (almost) four years, and I can’t wait to hurdle more challenges in the future. There’s a saying that it takes two to create and a village to raise a child, and I believe so. The Dynamic Parenting Workshop aims to do that, to create a community of empowered parents who are responsive to the fast-paced life we have now.

Start them young, they say. The Future Leaders Program for 4-6 year olds will not groom your child to be a politician, no. But the program introduces the children the concept of being a leader through fun activities. Activities would also incorporate the signature programs of JRP, like oral communication and personality development.

Being a good leader is being a good follower. As parents, we model what is right or wrong to our children. When the child sees his or her peers doing something good, the more he is empowered to do good. This program might just address that, knowing that kids at this age are still in the stage of imitation.

This is a long-term course, with 30 two-hour sessions.

Their signature programs were also introduced to us, such as the English Language Program and the Multi-Level Curriculum System, especially designed for each student.

We got to take a sneak peak in their classrooms.

These mom bloggers had a wonderful time meeting up (some for the first time), exchanging insights and experiences. Thanks for having us, JRP!

~ Touringkitty

To know more about their offerings:

John Robert Powers

4/F Casmer Building 
195 Salcedo Street, Makati City
(02)8929511 * (63)09175960939

Ground Floor, Cinderella Building, 
825 EDSA, Quezon City
(02)9270465 * (63)09175018295

2nd Flr JJACCIS Bldg. 
1208 Acacia Ave. Madrigal Business Park, 
Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City
(02)6590052 * (63)09178195351

I’m co-hosting The Vanilla Housewife’s giveaway, and check out the prize: Web Hosting for your website or blog from HostingVisa!

The Vanilla Housewife is celebrating her 5th 30th birthday, plus/minus the years she’s not telling us, with a web hosting giveaway!

3 Lucky bloggers will win *1 year of Web Hosting Service from Hosting Visa.

Meet the lovely Co-Hosts!

REALITY Bites – A lifestyle blog of a mom who strives to achieve work-life balance.

Touringkitty – A blog by Em Alcantara, Soprano, Music Educator, Writer and Mom.

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My Mushings – A blog showcasing the lifestyle scene in Manila.

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Happy Easter Monday!

Due to the busyness brought about by the Holy Week, I forgot to post yesterday!

Welcome to my new online home, www.touringkitty.com!

Hooray! After four years I am self-hosting! It was a looooong journey but I am glad to do it. And so, thank yous to the following are in tall order:

Martine, for the blog coaching session. I am still working on my posts but I am happy to have started somewhere. Thank you for guiding me through.

Marge and Jenn of VA Support Pro, for your assistance in setting up my blog and for accommodating my dummy questions! Finally here it is.

To the WAHMderful community and Mommy Bloggers Philippines, for being a source of inspiration and love. These two online communities truly rock!

To my husband and daughter, for funding my blog (teehee) and for loving it as much as you love me. I love you both, too.

To the many groups I belong to–the performing world, choral world, teaching world, mommy world, breastfeeding world, homeschooling world, church world, WAHMing world, mommy blogging world, for being sources of my blog stories.

And to my ultimate source of all this, Touringkitty, my beloved magic wand, for being the beginning of my journey. If not for our travels in the past I would not have had a Touringkitty.

So, enjoy reading! Like my Facebook Page to be updated with more things happy!

~ Touringkitty

A Happiest Easter to everyone! Like what our dear Rector always says, the glory of Easter Sunday must pass through the sufferings of Good Friday.

How did your Holy Week and Paschal Triduum go? Mine was busy as usual at church, the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. For the longest time, I have never been on Holy Week vacation. But I’d rather have it that way. It’s such a fulfilling feeling for my husband and I to serve. Always, Christmas and Easter seasons are the busiest for church musicians, don’t you agree?

Thursday we had the Washing of the Feet and reenactment of the Last Supper. Chosen Apostle Actors took part in the Washing of the Feet. It has always been a challenge for our rector to find apostle actors, and he tells us that he really prays for whoever is chosen. My husband had his turn as apostle actor seven years ago, when we were on our second year serving the Shrine.

Friday, we participated in the Via Crucis for Good Weather organized by Radio Veritas, and participated by the Vicariate of Sta. Clara de Montefalco. The walk took us from San Juan de Dios Hospital to Manila Cathedral, all seven kilometers of it, from dawn to midday. It was tiring and hot but we did not feel it because we were walking with so many people and to trace the way of Jesus to his death and resurrection was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

In the same afternoon, we had the Veneration of the Cross, followed by the Daang Krus sa Kalye, where the Apostle Actors and our priests led by our Rector, Monsignor Bobby Canlas, carried a cross from one station to another. My husband was the assigned guitarist during the Way of the Cross. It was a challenge for all of us in the music ministry cos we had to walk and sing through a throng of people.

Saturday was the Easter Vigil Mass in the evening. The Shrine of Jesus’ Easter Vigil Mass is known for its Resurrection effect productions every year. We even has laser shows in the past couple of years. Mons Bobby makes sure that each Easter Vigil Mass is solemn, unique and special.

Yesterday, Easter Sunday, we had a children’s Mass followed by Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Then a concelebrated Mass was held, usually celebrated by a bishop. This time it’s Bishop Ted Bacani. Masses with Bishop Bacani are truly memorable. Mons Bobby asked for a special blessing from the bishop for the massgoers on wheelchairs. Some of them we regularly see in our masses. They were also given an image of the Our Lady of Lourdes, the patron of the sick.

I thank the Lord for sustaining all of us with good health during the Holy Week. The Shrine of Jesus Rectors Council and volunteers are some amazing people I have met. They come from different places and backgrounds, yet we come together as one in serving at the church the Lord entrusted to us. In this Year of the Laity, I am ever reminded of our role in the church, to be an active part of it. Not only through service but by through example.

Celebrating the Holy Week always brings forth a lesson and a blessing to me. For this year, it was another opportunity to assess what God calls me to do, and to always listen to Him. It does not pay off well when I don’t pray for something and just go with the flow. I am reminded to discern well the choices I am making. And to always keep things real.

~ Touringkitty