Jun
2015

The SOJCC turns nine!

categories: Choirs, Church Life
What better way to celebrate than with food! After a filling lunch and an obligatory photo with our ever supportive Rector, Mons Bobby Canlas, and Youth Ministry Coordinators Gela and Justin.
What better way to celebrate than with food! After a filling lunch and an obligatory photo with our ever supportive Rector, Mons Bobby Canlas, and Youth Ministry Coordinators Gela and Justin.

Nine years. Wow. I am super happy to have served at the Shrine of Jesus all these nine years, along with these super kids! We still have three pioneer members who started in 2006. Many have come and gone, but the group remained steadfast in our duty as church servants.

We thank everyone who have trusted us all these years: wedding clients, organisations, companies, institutions, and to the choral festivals we have participated in (Madz et al, San Sebastian Basilica Musica Sacra Festival)–to whom we have shared our music with. We look forward to working with more people in the future.

We thank our parents for being ever so generous of their time, support, love, and care. For bringing the kids to each and every rehearsal and performance. For selling tickets to our shows. For preparing our costumes.

We thank our Shrine Family–our beloved Rector, Rector’s Council, Organization Officers and Volunteers (especially of the Youth and Music Ministries), for assisting, supporting, and guiding us as we serve the Shrine community. To the pianists who have taken my place when I am absent for Masses, your assistance is much appreciated.

On a personal note, I would like to thank my own family–my mom and sister–for being present in almost all performances of these kids.

I would like to give special thanks to the co-founder of this group, my husband, for seeing this vision with me. We only wanted to continue our church service after years of hiatus, and having our own choir to nurture and teach and starting again with a new community is a good comeback for both of us.

Lastly, the singers, past and present. I know God had a purpose for bringing the group together. I had my own doubts because you come from different schools, communities, and cities. But you managed to be friends, be good to each other, and sing well together. I have been blessed!

The song in our AVP shown earlier was perfect fit for your friendship you’ve built:

You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I’ll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
And you’ll be there
‘Cause that’s what friends are supposed to do.

Here’s to nine years, and beyond! Looking forward to our tenth year next year, and the projects we are about to launch.

And while we’re at it, it is our pleasure to invite you to join us!

AUDITION FOR THE SOJCC!

If you have kids 8-14 years old, we welcome them in our tribe. Message us on our Facebook Account and let’s schedule your audition. Please prepare two minutes worth of two songs sung a cappella–one must be a Mass song.

Let’s sing and serve for our Divine Master and His people!

~ Touringkitty


Jun
2015

www.gobreastfeed.com: A new local go-to site for breastfeeding

categories: Breastfeeding

“Wala akong gatas, eh.”

“Naubusan na ako ng gatas.”

“Masakit magpadede.”

“Gusto ko na magtrabaho ulit.”

These are just four of the most common things I’ve heard (and said so myself) about breastfeeding.

Unfortunately, these phrases can make or break breastfeeding success.

Breastfeeding in the Philippines infographic

 

One mom had a vision: to educate and empower mothers to breastfeed in the most accessible platform nowadays: the internet. And why would she not, with her experience as former country editor of Yahoo Philippines, spreading the news online is easier, and can reach a wide audience.

Thus, Go Breastfeed was born.

Cute logo, right?
Cute logo, right?

“I believe that no parent who completely understands the power of breastfeeding would choose any other way to nourish a child,” says Kate Delos Reyes, creator of Go Breastfeed.

Kate is a trained breastfeeding counselor and my batchmate at LATCH. Her experience as a breastfeeding mom of a two year old and her online expertise is much utilized in Go Breastfeed.

“We want Go Breastfeed to be a platform for breastfeeding advocates to reach more parents online,” she said, noting that the website aims to amplify the efforts of these groups, not to duplicate them.

The website is a one-stop site for breastfeeding concerns. New parents can immediately visit the CRASH COURSE tab for their first breastfeeding course. Read and exchange stories in their Breastfeeding Diaries and Forum sections.

Kate aims to make classes accessible by producing online training materials to make classes cost-free. The website is a good start to gather the attention of most people to support and protect breastfeeding.

To support Go Breastfeed, especially their efforts at making breastfeeding classes available to everyone, please click here. (http://igg.me/at/gobreastfeed).

 

~ Touringkitty


Jun
2015

Organic Baby Wipes: The gentlest and safest for your littlest

categories: Reviews, Uncategorized

Who doesn’t want the best and the cleanest for their little ones?

Germs are everywhere. Chemicals kill germs. But some chemicals harm the environment. Good thing people are now turning to organic.

And what better product to turn organic is baby wipes. I am sure whether for our babies or for ourselves, we’d always want a pack handy.
We checked out Kokopax to find which baby wipes work best. 

We also checked out Organic Baby Wipes.

I like it because:

It has no paraben, no alcohol, no harsh chemicals. We’re sure it’s safe for the little ones.

The material is sturdy and strong, and does not produce excess fiber or himulmol.

Has sizes for big and small hands. It has an extra large size for those tougher stains.

Sanitizes everything in a whip, literally. I am one who is very OC on the eating table, so I make sure tables and chairs or high chairs, especially those used by my kid are clean. My kid always has a pack of wipes in her bag and uses it to wipe her hands before and after eating.

100% biodegradable. And this is the best part for me. Organic baby wipes loves the environment as much as our babies.

Sold? You can get them from these stores.

Thanks for letting us experience these great wipes! Will sure to look for this when our stash runs out.


Jun
2015

Gardenia Bakeries Plant Tour

categories: Food

Just as Mother’s month is about to end, some mommies and kids of Mommy Bloggers Philippines were treated to a fun-filled and tummy-filled half-day in a bread factory in Laguna.

If you’ve been following me on Instagram (you haven’t follow me now! @touringkitty), you’d see my breakfast posts with Gardenia bread. I even took a photo of the truck in Singapore!

Here it is! A Gardenia truck in Singapore.
Here it is! A Gardenia truck in Singapore.

Late #breakfast with our own mugs of warm drinks. #saturday #famfun #weekend

A photo posted by Em Alcantara (@touringkitty) on

Gardenia Philippines, makers of our beloved breakfast/all-day bread, brought us over to their facility in Biñan, Laguna (South of Manila) for a plant tour, and a short program to celebrate Super Moms. And oh, how they knew what would make these moms (and kids) super happy!

Look at that silly kid!
Happy moms with their happy kids. But, look at my silly kid! (Disclaimer: it’s just a photo wall, don’t worry! Some thought already that these loaves are true!)

First, a tourist bus picked us up in the city. So, I had to wake up my little bunny really early. She’s been waiting for this all month! She loves Gardenia. We all love it!

Aria and Touringkitty on the bus along EDSA.
Aria and Touringkitty on the bus along EDSA.

Upon arrival in the facility, we were welcomed by their staff with what else but bread! They served us Mexican Tuna pandesal.

And some juice. And the day was just filled with...bread! Lots of it. Lots of yummy bread!
And some juice. And the day was just filled with…bread! Lots of it. Lots of yummy bread!

Then we watched an AVP of the facility. My kid was fascinated by Gardee, the mascot! The mascot she remembers well because it danced with them on their presentation for a restaurant’s workshop graduation program.

You made Mommy super duper proud, little girl! 🙂 #Ariadne #yoshinoya #yoshikido #graduation

A photo posted by Em Alcantara (@touringkitty) on

Now off to the plant tour! We walked through what they called the 6K Catwalk. Found out that the name is such because the facility can produce 6,000 loaves of white bread in one hour. And look, Ma, no hands! How cool could that be!

And because it's a tour, there should be a tour guide. Here's Quennie, one of their friendly plant tour guides.
And because it’s a tour, there should be a tour guide. Here’s Quennie, one of their friendly plant tour guides.

Tour guide, Quennie, said that there are about only 20 people in that facility who do spot check and quality control. The breads remain untouched by human hands. She also mentioned that the entire process from mixing to packing usually takes six hours. The facility operates all day long with shifting hours. This is so they could produce all those 650,000 loaves per day that goes to dining tables in the whole country!

After that high-tech plant tour, we went back to their conference room for some activities. The kids were taught to create a simple Refrigerator Cake by their in-house nutritionist. They even gave out the aprons as souvenirs!

Say, GARDENIA!!
Say, GARDENIA!!

They also created a dessert/hors d’oeuvre table, all made with bread! Proving that Gardenia can go with any palaman–sweet or savory–or without any palaman at all!

Such a great table set up, and all were yum!
Such a great table set up, and all were yum!

Thank you very much, Gardenia Philippines, for the wonderful treat! All moms had a great bonding time with our children. My kid said she had fun meeting other mommy blogger kids as well.

My kid and I had fun! We all love Gardenia in the family.
My kid and I had fun! We all love Gardenia in the family.

Great news, because you can visit this high-quality facility for FREE! My friends are I are already planning our trip in the coming months.

DROP by for a FREE Plant Tour!Indulge and enjoy goodness of Gardenia breads. Baked untouched by human hands!Bring…

Posted by Gardenia Philippines on Thursday, May 28, 2015

More photos of our tour in the Gardenia Facebook Page.

~ Touringkitty


May
2015

Kumusta ka?

categories: Uncategorized

Have you said a simple “how are you?” to anyone lately?

Such powerful words. One of the things I taught my daughter is to ask a person how he or she has been after not seeing them for quite some time. Or upon meeting an acquaintance for the first time. I get kilig when she asks me that on the phone when I am away. I am excited, meanwhile, to hear her stories as I get home and ask how her day had been. 

My friends would know it. I would send a random hi or hello or how are you via text or Facebook, and the conversation sparks up as if we just last met yesterday. I am also blessed to have a few friends checking on me, whether there is an occasion or not. These few but true friends are the ones who matter. I am glad I have them in my life. 

That’s why my husband and I have been trying to catch up with people dear to us. We hope to do more of it soon. 

The other day, a dear friend from my preschool days sent over this article. It struck me how we have been friends for life despite the academic rivalry. The distance is not a problem, we might have probably been conversing/interacting on Facebook more than my friends who are just here in the country. So, thanks, G, for the friendship we both treasure so much. 

I ask you, dear reader: Kumusta ka? How are you? Wie geht’s? Como estas? Come stai?
~Touringkitty


May
2015

In search of a Mommy bag

categories: Press Releases, Touringkittyps, Working Mama

What’s your current bag, mommies?

Mine is like this.  

 
And that’s my ONLY bag now. For any outfit regardless of colour, any occasion, any…anything! 

During my college days, I have a collection of bags. Not that much, but enough to switch for any occasion. Now that I’m a mom, I want just one bag for everything, so that I don’t have to switch bags and end up leaving stuff behind. I look for these specific qualities of a bag:

1. Spacious yet not too big. So I could dump in everything–make up kit, personal kit, even change of clothes for the little one. 

2. Sturdy. One which can stand by itself.

3. Straps, lots of it. The bag I have now I can sling on my body and on my shoulders. They should be sturdy too. 

I even hook carabiners onto straps which I use to hook grocery bags or water bottle. 

4. Storage slots or pockets in and outside for easy access. 

5. Spill proof. Against rain and water spills. 

About time to search for a new one, with a more neutral color. I always pass by Celine boutiques and been wanting to check their items. 

Good thing there’s online shopping! CLN handbags are available online at ZALORA Philippines.

What do you look for in buying your bags? 
~Touringkitty


May
2015

Harana sa Dapithapon at the CCP

categories: Art and Culture, Concerts

UPDATE: Featured performing artists on June 10 are Miguel Castro, Sweet Sisa Samaniego and Los Lipeños.

 

At this time when we are inundated with too much foreign pop music, a show like this is a welcome respite. It’s only when my husband and I rehearse some Filipino art songs at home that my daughter gets to hear them. Better than none.

Last April 8, I took my daughter and my mom to the Cultural Center of the Philippines for an afternoon of Filipino music, something we rarely hear nowadays.

We were in for a treat. The show featured Lisa Cabahug and Lemuel dela Cruz, accompanied by Augusto Espino on the piano for the first part.

 

The second part featured a guitar ensemble, called the Kabataang Gitarista (click the link for related story). This is one of the projects I have handled when I was working for the CCP. Proud of these young guitarists who played quite challenging and interesting pieces! 

Missed this show? Don’t fret, because another one’s coming our way!

Harana sa Dapit Hapon is an afternoon musicale featuring immortal kundimans, harana, balitaw, danza and unforgettable love songs by great Filipino composers. Featured performers on June 10 are performing artists Miguel Castro, Sweet Sisa Samaniego, and Los Lipeños. Succeeding performances will be held on July 8, September 9, October 7, and December 9 this year. Noted classical singers and performers have been invited for the succeeding shows.

The event is free to the public. Senior citizens, students and the general public are cordially invited.

The project is by the CCP and the Tribung Pilipino Foundation.

Source: CCP Website

 

See you at the CCP!

~ Touringkitty


May
2015

Manila Workshops: Your alternative classroom experience

categories: Education, Reviews
The very first Manila Workshop-organized workshop I attended was with my husband! Real ways to be a WAHM workshop, which was well attended even by non-moms (husbands and singles). Photo credit: Manila Workshops Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/manilaworkshops).
The very first Manila Workshop-organized workshop I attended was with my husband! Real ways to be a WAHM workshop in 2013, which was well attended even by non-moms (husbands and singles). Photo credit: Manila Workshops Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/manilaworkshops).

 

For my husband and I, learning opportunities outside the academe are highly regarded. We both invest in attending workshops, masterclasses (in my case as a classical singer), seminars, and the like.

One of the greatest discoveries we had was Manila Workshops, which has currently a strong lineup of workshop topics, workshop series, which caters to almost everyone already. Their passionate leader, Ginger Arboleda, and her great team, curates and creates these learning opportunities that are not commonly found in the regular university classroom, with the aim to create entrepreneurs out of all of us, and ignite the love for learning.

Here’s why I think you should attend their workshops, too:

1, Unique topics. They have every topic you can think of. Current workshops include topics like make up, calligraphy, storytelling, modelling, design, apart from their usual workshops for work at home people and entrepreneurship. They offer an overall alternative classroom learning experience.

2. Intimate set-up. Who wants a classroom type venue? They hold workshops in co-working spaces or convention centers. And they physical set up of their workshops invite a learning feel everytime.

3. Credible speakers. They invite credible speakers in the workshops, some of them I am able to get in touch with even after the workshop.

4. Reasonable workshop fees. Their fees are reasonable for the value you’ll be getting from the workshops.

5. Network opportunity. I love meeting and making new connections in every event I am in. Attending workshops will widen your network of future clients and collaborators.

I believe in what they can offer, that’s why I also promote chosen workshops over at my blog (see my right sidebar?).

Curious about their current offerings? Follow their social media accounts (Facebook: Manila Workshops, Twitter: @manilaworkshops, Instagram: manilaworkshops) and subscribe to their newsletter to know more about our future events (go to Manila Workshops’ website and subscribe).

 

 

~ Touringkitty


May
2015

Manila Workshops: The Art of Storytelling

categories: Education, Press Releases

For someone who grew up in the Batibot Generation (yes, 1980s, I won’t deny), Kuya Bodjie is everybody’s big brother, telling you stories, singing songs, and teaching lessons.

Wonder how he tells great stories? Then this workshop is for you.

Would you like to be a great storyteller like Kuya Bodjie of Batibot? You can through this workshop!

Workshop Details
Date: Friday, May 29, 2015
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Spaces by Babyland, 2F Babyland Baby Stores, Facilities Center, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City
Learning Fees, inclusive of materials, lunch, snacks, and certificate:

* Early Bird Rate (on or before May 16, 2015): P1300 per participant
* Regular Rate (starts on May 17, 2015): P1500 per participant
* Teacher Rate: P1300 per participant
* Group Rate (group of 3 participants): P3000 per group

Please visit this link and please input TKEAKUYABODJIE2015 in the Referral Code box.

Early Bird rates apply until May 16th.


May
2015

Pinoys shine at Asia’s Got Talent

categories: Uncategorized

There is no doubt, Asia’s Got Talent, but Filipinos got it four times over! Who wouldn’t be proud of that?

Four Filipino acts got in the Grand Finals of Asia’s Got Talent, and is currently up in the running of becoming the grand champion. And we can support by voting for them!

Text AGT3 to vote for Gwyneth Dorado, a ten year old pop singer who gave a soulful rendition of Titanium during the finals night.

Text AGT7 to vote for El Gamma Penumbra, a shadow play group from Batangas, who once again gave an inspiring presentation about Mother Earth during the finals.

Text AGT9 to vote for Junior New System, a hiphop dance group who gave a lively football-inspired dance show on the finals.

But my Facebook vote already went to…Gerphil Geraldine “FAME” FLORES! Text AGT8 to 2929 if you’re in the Philippines!

Good morning everyone!!! REMINDER: today is the LAST day of voting (Monday | May 11, 2015) until 11:59PM 󾍁󾍁󾍁 Time is…

Posted by Gerphil-Geraldine Flores on Sunday, May 10, 2015

I got a chance to work with Fame last year when she took on the lead role for Rusalka. Even if we didn’t belong to the same cast list, I saw how Fame worked on her role, considering it’s her first title role. Such a hardworking and humble lady.

Posted by Rusalka: a Lyric Fairy Tale Opera – Philippine Premiere on Tuesday, August 26, 2014

So, please, VOTE for our Filipino acts. We have until a minute before midnight TONIGHT, May 11! Follow the guidelines to vote. More info for Facebook voting at http://fbvotenow.asiasgottalent.tv/. Whoever wins, we’ve proven already how talented our nation is.

~ Touringkitty