• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Momma 'N Manila

Growing through parenting

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Nourish
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Cheers
    • Guest Recipes
  • Advocate
    • Autism
    • Best Buddies
    • Down Syndrome
    • Special Needs
  • Gather
    • Crafternoons
    • Entertaining at Home
    • Events
    • Mothers Who Brunch
    • DIY
  • Review
    • 4 KIDS
    • Dining
    • Travel
    • Home & Hearth
    • Health & Beauty
    • Giveaways
    • Fashion
  • Nurture
    • Education
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Yoga
  • MWB

Best Buddies

Playing Catch Up

I’m sad.

I had a bit of a problem last month with the blog.

I updated a bunch of my plugins and did all this technical stuff to keep everything neat and up to date, and somehow something went awry. Turns out some of the updates had bugs, we had to roll back the blog till the last update that was saved and left unscathed, which meant that I lost a bunch of posts on DS awareness.

I had plans of getting everything fixed and back up and running as quickly as possible. But as many of you know, life happens and things don’t go exactly as we plan.

The first quarter of the year is always the busiest for me. January is usually when we focus on Autism Awareness. February is reserved for Down Syndrome Consciousness Month as well as my son’s birthday celebrations. March is always busy because it is Best Buddies Month and believe, you, me, this month is just as busy as the two months that came before it.

I will try and catch up on the backlogged posts. But because there are so many other things going on, I wanted to at least get something out there so that I can tell you all just how much I have missed writing and letting you know what’s going on.

The most devastating thing is that I had a bunch of guest posts published and new ones queued for Down Syndrome Consciousness Month and I lost them too. Because I have those posts saved in other places, I can definitely revisit them and publish them at a later date.

But for now, I will share with you the week that was…

Last week was jam packed with Best Buddies Philippines events and I wanted to share them all with you now. 

It’s as if time escapes me every single day. I’m trying to fit in as much as I can while still managing the home and taking care of the kids. But to be honest, so many things are falling through the cracks.

BALANCE. BALANCE. BALANCE.

On Thursday March 16th, Best Buddies Philippines launched their first art exhibit with over 32 paintings all completed by artists with special needs. These acrylic on canvas paintings featured collaborations done by our Citizen Buddies during Vico Cham’s last birthday.

Since Vico has opened Vico’s Artism Gallery, he has welcomed artists of all abilities to attend art classes with teachers who can further the artistic skills of all individuals.

To learn more about the inclusive art therapy classes that Vico’s Artism Gallery offers, visit their FB page.

The featured artists will be donating 20% of the proceeds to Best Buddies Philippines to further inclusion through our friendship programs

On Friday of last week, we were able to train 8 new ambassadors. These 8 new ambassadors will join Vico, Jessica, and Ian in our roster of self advocates. They will attend Best Buddies events, and be given the opportunity to speak publicly at different events around the metro.

Best Buddies Philippines Ambassadors L-R: Jessica, Ian, Cojie, Randy, Nicey, Dacki, Andie, Clarence, and Vico

On Saturday morning we met with almost 60 new public and private school teachers. Jennifer Allen, our International Programs Director facilitated this training, arming these educators with the tools they will need to bring Best Buddies back to their respective middle and high schools.

How exciting is it that we had teachers from as far as Sorsogon, Lipa, and Valenzuela attend this training?

On Saturday night, Best Buddies Philippines was welcomed into one of Manila’s premier dance clubs for a Teen and Adult Dance Party that would have our Buddies dancing NON-STOP for four hours straight.  

This photo totally amazes me. These are our buddies, our parents, our faculty advisors, and supporters of Best Buddies dancing the night away (which they did for four hours straight) in a place that is safe, secure, and a real live nightclub. Not many of our Buddies have experienced this kind of dancing like you are totally free, and we are so thankful that Prive Luxury Club believes in our mission of social inclusion. They gave our Buddies an experience that they will remember FOREVER. 

The image that remains in my head from this evening?

Watching our Buddies laughing, grooving, and getting lost in the music, the lights, and the truth that everyone in that place “gets them.” We all jammed together. We all let loose and had perma-grin from all the good clean fun that we were gifted for that evening.

That evening? That was social inclusion at its BEST.

All for BEST BUDDIES.

Will still try and play catch up. I have so many hugot posts lined up. This year has been amazing and eye opening for so many reasons. We are coming up on graduation for all of my kids in the different stages of their educational careers. But for now, I will leave you with the fun that we had and our newly trained ambassador Andie who was rocking it out on the dance floor at Privé.

 

 

This is how our Ambassador Andie Cruz gets down during our Teen and Adult Dance Night @priveluxuryclubbing! #inclusion #priveluxuryclub #bestbuddiesasiapac #bestbuddiesdlsz #bestbuddiesph #bestbuddies #downsyndromeawareness #autismawareness #danceparty #dance #fundraiser #foundation

A post shared by BestBuddiesPHL (@bestbuddiesphl) on Mar 18, 2017 at 10:49pm PDT

Happy Best Buddies Month!

 

Best Buddies Philippines
http://www.bestbuddiesphilippines.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bestbuddiesphl/

Unilab Foundation Inc.
http://www.unilabfoundation.org/
https://www.instagram.com/projectinclusion_ph/

Vico’s Artism Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/Vicos-Artism-Gallery

Prive Luxury Club
https://www.facebook.com/PriveLuxuryClub/

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related


« Pixi X ItsJudyTime
Vitamix Philippines »

Hello and Welcome!


Hi! Here is where I share my thoughts on yoga, cooking, crafting, raising a special child, exploring, eating, playing, and living in Manila.
READ MORE

You can also say hi or email me at mish@mommanmanila.com

Twitter

Tweets by @mishaventajado

Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • Our Dental Experience at Affinity Dental, One Bonifacio High Street
  • Waterside BBQ Brunch Buffet at Solaire
  • LUMOS RAY Projector Review
  • A Grapeful Summer with Taste Australia
  • Suite Treat Mommy Weekend at Marco Polo Manila

Archives

Categories

Recent Comments

  • Ran on Waterside BBQ Brunch Buffet at Solaire
  • michelle on Waterside BBQ Brunch Buffet at Solaire
  • Ran on Waterside BBQ Brunch Buffet at Solaire
  • michelle on LUMOS RAY Projector Review
  • Angelie G. Y. Melsbo on LUMOS RAY Projector Review

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @mommanmanila

mommanmanila

It’s December 1st! Is there anything more delic It’s December 1st!

Is there anything more delicious than the smell of Christmas and the new found freedom as we anticipate celebrating the holidays with our families again?

@festivalmall has hosted a series of musical shows since November 5th that include Ace Banzuelo and Silent Sanctuary. Check out Michael Pangilinan on December 10th, too!

With Santa visiting, Christmas parties, arts and crafts and lots of promos, you can even enter for a chance to win a Toyota Fortuner!

Best of all-I love it when the places we know give purpose to their celebrations. Thank you #FestivalMall for partnering with @dsapi1  this holiday season. 

Thank you for sharing all the different ways we can celebrate the holidays with you!

#tistheseason #seasonofgiving #downsyndromeawareness #aintnothingdownaboutit #upsyndrome
I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Th I have always been intimidated by Cornish Hens. Through this learning exercise with @usapeecphl, I have learned a bit more about these little birds that have bigger breast parts, and thank you Chef @ivoryyat for showing me how easy it is to prepare Greek Lemon Roasted Cornish Hens with Roasted Potatoes.
 
Clean and fresh flavors are perfect for these smaller birds that are rich in protein with zero carbs. Try the recipe in the comments section. I’m sure you’d enjoy it as much as I did!
 
Interested in U.S. Cornish Hens? You can buy them in stores near you. #CornishHen #USCornishHen #PoultryPerfection #CookingWithUSPoultry #USPoultry #USAPEECPHL #ad
@gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @pura @gi.aventajado and I played with some of the @puratosph products that they sent over the other day. Ready to use Bavarian Cream made these Cream Puffs easier than ever. I think we have to figure out how to temper our couverture better…

#workinprogress #wasdelicious #giabaked #puratosph #gavinosph #anyonecanbake
@mommymundo always has a way of bringing together @mommymundo always has a way of bringing together just what we need, no matter the time of year. Loving these photos of my first boy that were snapped @expomom.

Anyone else thinking about #HolidayPhotos? I am not one of those moms that has it all together before Christmas. It’s usually a mad dash for us at the end of the year, but if it’s anything that the past few years has taught me, it’s that the little things are what makes the Christmas special.

Many of us haven’t been together with the extended family or even our immediate family in so long. That means it’s the perfect time to document.

@nextbymetrophoto will be hosting one last Christmas Marathon family photo shoot before the end of year. Check them out or shoot them a message. They have some cute set-ups.
****GIVEAWAY ALERT*** 10 things I LOVE about @sed ****GIVEAWAY ALERT***

10 things I LOVE about @sedahotels listed here and on FB!

1. Each property has a Signature Dish. If you can’t make it to Bacolod, you can still enjoy Chicken Inasal in any of their properties.

2. Clean Design. So easy to work and play in a space that is light, modern, and clean in design. 

3. Beautiful views. Every chance I got, I would sit outside at @straightupatseda. 

4. Spacious Rooms and Residence Stays. Staying in the Three Bedroom Premier was perfect for our family. 

5. Attentive Service. Everyone was pleasant and accommodating.

6. Centrally Located. If you are thinking of fun things to do in Makati and want a home base, Seda Residences Makati is near a few of the museums, parks, and malls.

7. Work with ease. Internet service is uninterrupted. Meeting rooms are available and easy to book.

8. Relax and Play. From mid-day tubbies with Gelli to, taking advantage of the pool, or the children’s room, the little girl had more than enough things to keep her busy!

9. #FamilyTime. Spending an extended amount of time outside our own space led to laughter, fun conversations, and opportunities to try new things. We were comfortable and rested in the space we were in, which meant more opportunities for us to connect.

10. Homegrown with a Purpose. A Filipino brand that understands the importance of both work and travel, each property is important to the city & province location. Environmentally aware by adopting Mayumi, a Philippine Bald Eagle. 🦅

Want to win your own staycation at #SedaResidencesMakati?

Up for grabs is one night in a ONE BEDROOM DELUXE for two persons with breakfast!

Here’s how to enter to win:
1) Follow @sedahotels 
2) Follow @mommanmanila & @kitchen143 
3) Tag a friend (or more) who love(s) staycations too!
4) Comment why you should win this staycation treat!

Plus points for people who share this post in stories and the winner will be announced on December 6th.
Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work. Thankful for work that doesn’t feel like work.

@kitchen143 is something I really do love. Sharing a little bit of my kitchen with viewers and followers brings me joy. Even better when I get to work with chefs whom I can learn from and friends who like to spend time in the kitchen too!

#Thanksgiving
Thankful for the gift of music. Wish I caught mor Thankful for the gift of music.

Wish I caught more mini moments from We Will Rock You.

Such a great musical!

@sedahotels 
#sedaresidencesmakati 
#sedaat10
Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. @gelliaventajado j Thankful for @bestbuddies_ph. 

@gelliaventajado joined our family and led me to @bestbuddies. 

Thankful for all the ambassadors who were able to spend time with us. And for @smlpeeps  and @asurionphcareers for helping make magic happen on Saturday afternoon for #Friendsgiving.

#Thanksgiving #bestbuddiesph
Thankful for women who share their faith with me. Thankful for women who share their faith with me. 

#Thanksgiving
Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at Is there anything better than a stuffed turkey at this time of year? Whole turkeys require serious commitment to cook. #IYKYK But because U.S. Poultry is now available here in the Philippines, that also means preparing turkey is a tad bit easier.
 
Frozen U.S. turkey products are available and ready to cook for people who want to dabble with flavors for this bigger bird but aren't sure how.
 
Thank you to Chef @ivoryyat for putting together a medley of my favorite fall flavors. This combination of apples, sweet potatoes, and maple syrup perfectly compliment  the roasted turkey leg and remind me of flavors and scenes from back in New York. 
 
@usapeecphl l has the highest standards that follow USDA requirements which are certified safe before shipping to the Philippines. Get them in stores near you. 

#ad #Turkey #USTurkey #Thanksgiving #PoultryPerfection #CookingWithUSPoultry #USPoultry #USAPEECPHL #ServeTurkey #EatTurkey
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Blog Design by Fancy Girl Design Studio

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...