Cervical Cancer

May is cervical Cancer Month and I got a chance to attend a talk by Doctor Riyal and former Binibining Pilipinas – Universe Abbygale Arenas-de Leon last Tuesday at the Davao Doctor's Hospital about Cervical Cancer. The talk was part of the WOMEN FIRST & BRAVEHEARTS CARAVAN. Ms. Abbygale is the president of the Bravehearts Philippines, a Non Profit Organization dedicated to raise awareness on cervical cancer prevention through education, screening and vaccination.

Ahmmmwe looked like Hobbits...My Abbygale was soo tall! 
Photo Courtesy of Vanessa (www.myteenagekidandme.com)

While listening to the talk I remembered our MBA Professor Ms. Christine Rizardo-Omar.  She was one of my favorite professor because I learned a lot from her and had fun in her classes. She was so hilarious and had so many things to share with us. When I was her student she was already battling Cancer but I really thought she would overcome the disease because despite hair loss and being physically weak, she was bursting with life. Even though she was undergoing therapy she would still come to our classes once she's well enough. After I stopped MBA I learned that she succumbed to Cervical Cancer last December 2009. I've heard about Cervical Cancer before but that was the time I knew of somebody who died because of it.

Cervical Cancer is the second most common female cancer worldwide, with over half a million new cases and 250,000 deaths reported each year. In the Philippines, everyday 12 Filipinas dies of Cervical Cancer. This means a Filipina dies of it every 2 hours. 

Cervical cancer at its early stages does not have any signs or symptoms. It is an uncommon type of cancer that develops in a woman’s cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina.Therefore, all women are at risk. 

But there's one good thing about Cervical Cancer....IT IS THE FIRST CANCER THAT HAS A VACCINE! Meaning if you get immunized you will be protected from it. When I learned that our company is offering a discounted fee for this vaccine, I did not hesitate and immediately got myself vaccinated last 2011. It is a bit costly though at P2000 per dose and you need three doses but it is such a small price to pay for securing your health. I want to be healthy and live a full life because I have a son and family to look after. That is why I really want to encourage my friends and everybody else who gets to read this to be vaccinated. Ask your OB Gyne about it.

Human♥Nature's Bug Shield

I have been always paranoid of getting bitten by Dengue or other disease carrying mosquitoes even before I became a mother.I always make it a point to apply bug repellent when I go on trips outdoors. I used to buy one of the popular brands in the market but learned that it contains DEET. DEET is N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide. It is a slightly yellow oil used as an active ingredient in insect repellents  However there are reported adverse effects of prolonged exposure to DEET such as seizures. It kills brain neurons and affects the central nervous system. Sounds scary huh? I don't want to expose myself, my family esp. my son to that kind of chemical.Good thing that I've discovered a bug repellent that is safe to use for myself and especially for my two year old son that is very effective. I use the Human♥Nature Bug Shield. It uses 100% Natural ingredient which is the Citronella.Citronella oil is a renowned plant based insect repellent because of its strong aroma. I was so impressed with Citronella's repellent powers that we planted several of it in our garden.

There are two variants of the Human♥Nature Bug Shield which are the Oil/ Bug Spray and lotion. I used the Bug spray before but when the Lotion came out of the market I instantly preferred it because it smells better than the oil. Citronella smell is similar to Lemongrass but it is a bit stronger. 

Photo Credits HumanHeartNature website

However Human♥Nature released this May an improved version of their Bug spray and added soy bean oil and eucalyptus oil for added protection and better scent. It also has a new look with a better pump.

Photo Credits HumanHeartNature website

I got the new Bug Shield Oil from the Human♥Nature Davao bloggers event and May Magalogue turnover,a big Thank You by the way! I immediately tried the improved Bug Shield Oil and found that it doesn't smell as strong as the old version. Now I am using both the Bug shield Oil before my son goes out of the house and then carry the Bug Shield Lotion for re-application. Well what can I say,I love both variants! 

I know that I can't protect my son from mosquitoes a 100%. I would have wanted to wrap him in plastic  or put him inside a bubble but of course  I can't. But I am more confident now to let my son play outdoors because I know I provided him with the best insect repellent there is.

IDP Australian Education Exhibition 2013

Ever wanted to study abroad specifically in Australia? Well you're just in luck because IDP Philippines is bringing to Davao,Manila and Cebu the Australian Education Exhibition 2013. 

IDP Education is a global company offering student placement and English language testing services. It is one of the world's largest student placement firms with a network of over 80 offices in more than 30 countries. IDP Education is a co-owner of IELTS. , IDP Philippines has become a trusted name for students looking for an education in Australia, USA and UK.

So what is the Australian Education Exhibition 2013? It is an exhibition of Australian Schools and Universities wherein they will be showcasing their courses and programs to us. It is a good opportunity for interested students, who want to pursue college or post graduate degrees, to know more about the schools and requirements. 
Dabawenyos, let us grab this rare opportunity on May 17,2013 (Friday) at Jade Room, Marco Polo Hotel from 11:00 am to 5:00pm. This is absolutely FREE! All you have to do is register at this site(http://idpdavao.eventzilla.net/)  and check IDP Facebook Page for more details.

Below is the list of schools participating in IDP Philippines’ Australian Education Exhibition Davao Leg:

• Le Cordon Bleu Australia
• Whitefriars College Inc.
• Australian Catholic University
• Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
• University of Queensland
• Central Queensland University
• Flinders University
• Wide Bay Institute of TAFE
• Queensland Unviersity of Technology
• UTS Insearch
• Academia International
• AICL/ AIH
• Perth Education City
• Charles Darwin University
• Canberra Institute of Technology
• Murdoch University
• The University of Newcastle
• Victoria University
• ACU – Manila

Meet Tofee! Alpo's No. 1 Fan

Arf! Aw! Woof! I just said in dog-speak, "Hello there and meet Toffee".

Who is Toffee?  Well watch this video so you can also meet the  cutest, smartest, and most adorable dog there is!  

ALPO Philippines launches one of the cutest webisodes to date, which will introduce its newest little ambassador, TOFFEE!  TOFFEE is ALPO’s #1 Fan!

He is a young Jack Russell Terrier who spontaneously tries to come up with the bestest plans to get the real meaty goodness he absolutely deserves. What’s a good tasting meal for TOFFEE? It has to be MEATY! It has to be TASTY! And Toffee wants exactly just that.

TOFFEE also enjoys the cuddles and the huggies from his Mama. Mama is his favorite person in the entire world. Each time TOFFEE gets his bowl of delicious ALPO along with Mama’s furry tickles, he can’t help but sigh and say: “Ahhh! This is the good life!”

Say “Hi” to him on ALPO Philippines’ Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ALPOPhilippines and allow him to show you how you can give your beloved pet dogs a bite out of the good life!

Stay in tune for more of Toffee!

a Happy Mother's Day 2013

My husband has been quite busy this past few days that I really wanted us to bond and spend quality time together on Mother's Day. We went to the Mommapalooza 2013 but sadly the event was finished but the Mommy Bloggers were still there with their kids swimming at the pool. I did not bring any swimming gears for Kulay thinking there are other activities that would interest him but the moment he saw the pool he went wild! I have no choice but to give in and had Kulay swim in the pool butt naked. Afterwards we had Dinner at Coco's at Torres St. This is one of our fave restos when Mike and I were still dating because it is cozy with affordable and good food. We haven't eaten there for a while because the place is located out of the mall and we are often dining at mall restos. We then went to SM Lanang to watch the Waterworks show and we were just in time! 

I am really happy today even though Mike and I had a misunderstanding about our plans for the evening. I am sooo blessed with an understanding husband, a wonderful kid...I am simply blessed because I am a mother.

Happy Mother's day to all supermoms! :-)

Kulay's POV: Davao Bloggers Acquaintance Party 2013 !

Hi I am Kulay and I am 2 years and 5 months old. I am not a blogger but Mom and Dad made me attend the Davao Bloggers Acquaintance Party 2013.  They were really excited about it and I don’t know why. They just told me that we will be going to SM Lanang Premier and that there will be donuts and games. Well I got excited too because SM Lanang Premier means waterworks show and I love watching the lights and water dance and ran around the fountain court.

When we got there, I saw lots of familiar faces from previous blogger events. You see, Mom and Dad let me tag along every now then when Lola and Lolo can’t babysit me. Mom and Dad got busy chatting with old friends and meeting the faces behind the blogs. I was busy kissing some pretty ladies.

I was happy to spot my friend Miel, I attended her first birthday last March. Mom knew her Mommy Miah through blogging. Mom said that the greatest thing about blogging is you meet a lot of people and  you develop real friendships on and offline.

I also saw Dear Daniel (Hello Kitty's friend) at the atrium I thought he was a blogger too!

Miel wasn't in the mood to have our photos taken but Dear Daniel is so game

Just a few minutes after we arrived two pretty ladies offered us Krispy Kreme donuts and beverages. Mom and Dad ate two donuts each! Sssh! 

The program started with a prayer and speeches from sponsors and officers. They had an induction of a new officer Tita Algene as Content Manager. Mom and Dad got called up front too for induction of new official members. They made me raise my right hand too during the oath taking. Does it mean that I am now officially a member of Davao Bloggers Society?

They also had games, I was a bit disappointed it didn't involved cars or balls. It was guessing owners of blogs, name that logo, store and etc. Mom g hyper during the game! She got so excited to write her answers that her handwriting was impossible to read…it looked like my doodles on our wall.

Yep that lady with the wide grin is my mom.

Mmmm what else happened there.. They called up every blogger to introduce themselves and their blog. Mom was brave enough to go up front but Dad suddenly stood up and told me we will be going to the Rest Room. Dad and I were gone for a while just strolling around the mall. When we came back the party was almost over. The people were busy trying to form themselves so they can fit in the frame. I was in the group picture of course.

Can you spot me?

Here's a close up photo of me! 

Mom was feeling nostalgic and showed me an old photo of the first Blogger get together she attended last Feb.7, 2007, six years ago.  I wasn't born that time yet, she haven't even met Dad!

From L-R Dom,Chris,Jun,Andrew,Ria,ME, Doc. Blogie took this photo

There were only eight of them then and mom realized at that time the importance of being in a group with like minded individuals. Fast forward to present,she is really proud to be officially part of the Davao Bloggers Society and of what the group has achieved through the years. Davao Bloggers are more recognized and respected now.Bloggers now play an important role in the Social Media thus with this comes responsibility to be persons of integrity. Whew!  

Mom said that the success of the party was because of Tita Dulce and the rest of the hardworking DB Officers. Kudos to them! She also said that we have to be thankful of the ff. sponsors who made the event possible:

Krispy Kreme Philippines

Smart Communications

Ogilvy Public Relations Manila

Crea8tech Solutions

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc.

Sun Cellular

SM Lanang Premier

SM City Davao

Maxima Aquafun Resort

Wayph.com

Yellow Hauz

I had fun at the Davao Bloggers Acquaintance Party 2013 and if blogging is as awesome as this party then I want to be a blogger when I’m old enough! You know that I am not actually writing this right? Mom is and she’s just trying to channel my thoughts.

xoxo,

Kulay

Blogger In The Making

Photo Credits to My Husband , Lovely and Ace/Cris Nierva.

Mommapalooza Davao 2013: Color Run and More

It is finally the month of May and we have two special days this month, Labor Day and Mother's Day! Mmmm I think both events can be celebrated in one day ...since Moms do the hardest labor of them all right? ;) Anyway I am really looking forward to this Mother's Day because I will be joining the Mommapalooza on May 12 at Fuente de Villa Abrille Club House in Tulip Drive.



This is an event spearhead by Carve in partnership with Lifecasting Philippines to create funds for Ezra Renewal Ministries movement for Teenage Moms. It is a day to celebrate supermoms all over Davao City with fun-filled events such as Color Run, Arts and Crafts by Secuya Art House, Momba and Zumba sessions, Caricaturing and Bubble Shows, Film Showing, Informational and Educational talks by experts, shopping and many more!

The Color Run is a 300 meter dash  marathon where you will be blasted with Color Dust (natural and safe) at every corner.Registration prices: PHP 200 pesos for Mom and 1 kid and PHP 50 per additional kid for a maximum of 3. if you wish to add more or if daddy or another family member wishes to join, PHP 100/person.  Singles are welcome too! You may register at this link. See below photos for more details.

You may check the FB Event Page for more details.