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Momma 'N Manila

Growing through parenting

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Entertaining at Home Parenting

Miguel’s 16th Birthday

Miguel’s 16th Birthday ended up being such a busy day. That meant it was a bit challenging in terms of pulling everything off that he requested for his simple celebration.

Usually, I try not to say yes to any other invitations or activities on my kids’ birthdays, but sometimes this self imposed rule must be bent just a bit.

Whenever I am asked to share about what I do in advocating for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, I almost always say yes. Being given the opportunity to share what I do through Best Buddies Philippines is a gift. It’s a gift I do not take for granted.

It’s also a responsibility. And one that I take pretty seriously. 

If you want to see the radio show, you can visit Miss V’s Youtube channel by clicking here.

Just like my parenting.

Accepting Miss V’s invitation to be a guest on her radio show to talk about inclusion and what Best Buddies Philippines is all about took a little bit of preparing, but it also meant that I had to call on a few people to help me fulfil Miguel’s birthday wishes.

THIS boy….er…young man. So sensitive, intelligent, and handsome. I thank God for him. I’m one lucky momma.

Because my boy, who was turning 16 years old, asked for a raclette party with his friends in the backyard, I had to call on my parenting partners to make things happen.

While I was in my meetings and interviews for the day, I was messaging Joann to see how the set up was coming along.

After calling Brera Delicatessen to reserve one kilo of raclette, I asked my mom to come and pick up a few more ingredients with Gia to prepare for this delicious melted cheese and grilled sausage party. 

Bringing in different elements to the table setting like using my grandmother’s silver lazy susan makes the event feel even more special.

Unfortunately, I also had to attend a pre-prod meeting for an event that Sabrina and I were putting together for the next day, The good thing about managing all these different meetings was that I was able to swing by ALL HOME  for some floor pillow covers. These were the perfect addition to our little picnic in the back yard.

I have always believed that intimate celebrations are better for our birthdays. I get overwhelmed (and so do the kids) with big parties.

While I was doing all this running around attending meetings and radio show interviews, I also asked my long time helper of almost 12 years to go to the palengke for the banig mats, and set up the yard by using the floor pillows, and repurposing our side tables to create the look that Nino suggested for Miguel’s very intimate celebration. 

 

Wherever you are, whatever you do, always bring out the light in you. Rest easy for the weekend and smile always. #LotuspodLaguna, your ideal getaway awaits you. Photo by @ninacorpuz Message us for reservations. #bnb #bedandbreakfast #paradise #familybonding #travelgoals #organic #organicfarm #weekender #agritourism #farmwedding #bestwedding #farmtour #weddingvenue #eventsvenue #agritour #camping #getaway #laguna #manila #philippines #vacation #travelph #itsmorefuninthephilippines #choosephilippines #travelphilippines #wowphilippines #ilovephilippines #meditation #spa

A post shared by Lotuspod Bed and Breakfast (@lotuspodbnb) on Nov 17, 2017 at 2:49am PST

I sent Yaya the peg through What’s App, and also asked her to dig up our Christmas lights which were put away the month before.

Because yaya and I were speaking all through out the day, we decided that the side tables were a better fit for this picnic in the yard.

Doesn’t it look awesome? 

I have enjoyed using our Severin Raclette Grill when it’s an intimate celebration, or even just our family of six. But knowing that I was going to have 8 hungry teenagers fighting for their melted cheese, I had to call on my friends at Colombo Merchants for another Raclette Grill.

Nothing easier than setting up the grill, putting out the ingredients, and letting the kids cook for themselves.

Oh. And you wanna know how much these kiddos loved the cheese and all the fixings? They ate through one kilo without even offering Nino and I, a plate of ooey gooey cheesy goodness! Can you imagine?

I suppose I won’t feel bad about it for too long.

Look at that smile.

We usually order our birthday cakes from The Pastry Cart. Camille makes an assortment of cakes, but this one is our family favorite and we don’t mind driving all the way to Valle to pick it up.

I think he enjoyed this very easy. Very collaborative. Inexpensive. Intimate. Celebration.

And that’s all that matters, right?

Here are some of the details from the celebration and where you can purchase them:

Banig Mats-P350 each from the Alabang Palengke
Floor Pillows-P100-200 each from ALL HOME
Christmas Lights-From our Christmas Tree so no expense
Severin Raclette Grill-P1995 from Colombo Merchants
Assorted Sausages-from Earle’s 
Swiss Raclette Cheese-P2997.00/kilo from Brera Delicatessen
Creme Brulee Cake-from The Pastry Cart

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Hi! Here is where I share my thoughts on yoga, cooking, crafting, raising a special child, exploring, eating, playing, and living in Manila.
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No school yesterday, means pajamas all day at Nina No school yesterday, means pajamas all day at Ninang’s place. I haven’t had the mind to work at all. I lost one of my sorority sisters earlier this week, and someone very dear to our family yesterday morning. I have been doing my best to focus on this little one, keeping her busy, and having mindful conversation with her. Reminding myself to stay present and grateful through this overwhelming sense of sadness and loss. I find myself having these little conversations through out the day with Jesus. Thanking Him for His sacrifice, and for the most meaningful Easter, I have had in a long time. I try not to question the loss and the pain that I know so many of our friends and family are suffering. But I’m human, and well, no one looks forward to loss 😔
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I keep coming back to the idea that there is purpose to the pain God allows for us. And the promise of something beautiful when we have lived a life where we do all we can, for His Glory. In this conversation I had with a Friend late last night, I shared this newfound understanding that recent events provided for me. It is through all of this loss that I have learned how grief and gratitude can both lighten and anchor my heart at the same time. That I can be grateful to have experienced the gifts of friendship and sisterhood yet grieving the loss of a human being who was luminous, generous, and Godly in everything she did. 
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And this little girl reminds me. Reminds me of His Grace. Of how precious each moment is. And how when she sees us full of sorrow, that we may need to dance. And we did that. We danced. We danced for @faithoverfearheal, prayed for everyone who has suffered loss in this very difficult season, and thanked Him for His Grace and His Love. 
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Grief
Gratiude
Grace
Love
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Even through the tremendous loss, I am reminded that God has a plan. And that there is a circle of life. Gelli and I celebrate Savi’s first birthday with his giveaway craft from @antspocketph that @sinfullysabrina sent out last month. We crafted, celebrated, and were able to remain thankful even through the most difficult of times. 🙏🏻🌹💙💛
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#gritandgrace #love #HisPromise #faith #Jesus #ThankYouJesus #loss
I have been so blessed by friends that share their I have been so blessed by friends that share their talents with me. I have never been so talented with paint or the arts, but I can appreciate all the work that goes into honing these skills. Especially, when it reminds me of the reason why I started blogging almost 9 years ago. Thank you @gingdsantos for this #Bespoke #Watercolor #Painting. I am humbled by your gift and the thoughtful note you scribed. This is such a beautiful representation of me and my beautiful @gelliaventajado. 
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Good Morning IG Peeps! Happy Hump Day! What’s on your list to check off today? 
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#gellibean #artwork #bespoke #gingsantosart  #beautiful #motherhood #special #upsyndrome #aintnothingdownaboutit #love #momma #momlife #mywhy #moveph #friendship #watercolor #watercolorpainting #watercolorart
Remembering last week’s brunch that we enjoyed w Remembering last week’s brunch that we enjoyed while watching worship service. Pinwheel sausage from @santisdelicatessen @usblueberriesphl @realcaliforniamilkphl cheese @bountyfreshph eggs salted pretzels from @lartizan @hummingbirdspreads and @ilovewhisk jam was perfect with our ciabatta too. And because I realize that alcohol has been affecting my digestion lately, we switched over to a little sparkling @welchs_ph to add to our meal. 
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Brunch is by far my most favorite meal. We can put anything on the table and it works. What did you serve on Sunday? Did you order in? Did you bake? Cook? Grill? Share your favorite finds with me?
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#lovelocal #brunch #brekkie #food #goodfood #fruit #easy #addeggs #delicious #lunch #imhungry
********GIVEAWAY ALERT*********** Read all the way ********GIVEAWAY ALERT***********
Read all the way to the END!!!
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@strongertogetherevent is a gathering of women from all around the globe sharing the triumphs and trials of their very special motherhood. We will come together because we know there is strength in numbers, in sharing, and how our stories are intertwined and intersectional. The raw gritty parts of motherhood, burnout, and the mountains we face can only be faced with our faith and women by are side who really “get” where we sit, stand, and fight for our children. Women who know that we sometimes struggle to own our own identities, and self care, too. Want to join the LIVE conversation? 
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All you have to do is:
1) Follow @strongertogetherevent 
2) Tag a momma who you know who you know needs this. (You can tag more than one.) 
3) Extra Points for sharing this post on stories and tagging @mommanmanila @strongertogetherevent @justwhenyouthinkshesdown @sineadquinnofficial 
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Up for grabs is a total of 8 tickets to attend the LIVE event which will include panel discussions, talks from celebrated authors, and advocates in the differently abled community!!!!!There will be healing sessions, yoga classes, and talks on wellness and self care to help us navigate our motherhood in current times. I will announce the two winners on Friday, April 9th! Good Luck!!!
Thank you @elle.frazzetta for sponsoring an extra ticket when you purchased your own!!!
Naked Sea Salt Chocolate Cake by @gi.aventajado fo Naked Sea Salt Chocolate Cake by @gi.aventajado for Easter Sunday. She has perfected this delicious recipe. From tweaking the cake to mastering the ganache, I think she has it down right perfect! 👌🏻❤️🍫
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#chocolatecake #cake #dessert #sweet #sweettreat #delicious #onmytable #chocolate #gavinosph #homemade #homebaker
Struffoli. • • • • Little chewy round bal Struffoli. 
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Little chewy round balls of fried dough coated in honey and rolled out with a hint of citrus, generously topped with rainbow non-perils.
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This sweet tower of dough would always come out after Christmas and Easter dinner with the Sambuca or the Grappa, when I was growing up. My mother’s table would have ham and Turkey, stuffing and pasta, eggplant and sweet potatoes. We would celebrate Easter Sunday together with my Titas and Titos, my Nana and my Lola, and all my cousins. My Dad would take his place at the head of the dining room table which was extended into the living room by saw horses and a make shift table top that he built for family gatherings when we had overflow. 
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Our gatherings are smaller now. But they are filled with so much more meaning. I was able to rest. Spend time in the kitchen with my best girls, break bread with my sister, face time my parents, and #BingeJesus by watching @thechosentvseries all afternoon with @manila.gent. 
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Happy Resurrection Day!
Christ is Risen!
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#eastersunday #easter #italianamerican #italian #dessert #sweet #sweettreat #struffoli #frieddough #dough #honey #honeyballs
This is my Team. We are not perfect. But we belong This is my Team. We are not perfect. But we belong to each other. Thank you Lord for making it so. There are so many things happening in this world right now, that may not make sense without our faith. 
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Loss. Suffering. Pain. Sickness. And as the realities of the pandemic are giving us so many more reasons to be thankful, I am clinging to His promise. His Love. And the understanding that He has plans for us. So we will do our part, stay safe, and take this time to reflect while giving thanks, and being mindful. 
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Holy Week has never been so full of reflection as it is for me now. Praying for my friends, my family, our frontliners, and all of those affected by COVID19. 
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Perhaps the wisdom that comes with age and life experience in your faith, involves knowing and understanding that the extreme emotions of pain and loss, grieving and gratitude, joy and happiness CAN exist in the human heart all at the same time. Not taking any of His gifts for granted. 🙌🏻
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#latepost #family #teamgellibean #familyfirst #giamynina #miggymange #jbirdicusprime #gellibean #manilagent #mommanmanila
@bountyfreshph Chicken Fingers and Honey Mustard D @bountyfreshph Chicken Fingers and Honey Mustard Dip made by @migaventajado with ingredients care of our #Easter #Basket from @momzillaph. As March is coming to a close, I am thankful for all the women I have met because I started blogging who are passionate in their purpose. I am thankful for Best Buddies and the successful month of awareness activities we mounted with partners who believe in what we do. And I am thankful that my family is safe and sound. Stay safe IG Peeps. Stay Home. Stay grateful. 
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Praying for all of our friends and family who are struggling with this virus right now. My heart is breaking but I know we have a Big and Mighty God. He can move mountains. Make miracles. And raise Jesus from the dead.
Behind the swirled white chocolate cuff are layers Behind the swirled white chocolate cuff are layers of ube cake, sweet ripe mango, and light tangy cream cheese filling with a chocolate crunch topping. Gahhhh. All those flavors come together so perfectly. Thanks for showing me some ube 💜 @heidimanabat!! It’s my fav!!! 
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We really couldn’t wait until Sunday Easter brunch to enjoy this delicious treat from @grandhyattmanilaph. I’m so glad we enjoyed it yesterday after dinner!! Creamy, light, and balanced in Pinoy flavors with cuteness overload!

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#cakes #cake #cakesofinstagram  #cakesofinsta  #cakesmanila #cakesmanilaph #grandhyatt #cakesph #bgceats #bgc #easter #easterbunny #brunch #carrot #chocolate #ube #mango #ubemango #pinoy
Does everyone go for the ears first? Swipe to see Does everyone go for the ears first? Swipe to see the progression. 😂🐰🤦🏻‍♀️Oh @gelliaventajado, you can always make us laugh....
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@grandhyattmanilaph sent over some treats for Gelli to share with us. Besides this perfect pink bunny, they also sent over a delicious Ube Mango Cream Cheese Chiffon Cake that we almost finished in one sitting. Yes, it really was that good. Check out my stories to see! • 
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There is still time to add to your #Easter #Brunch Table!
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