Water Tipid Tips: Talk Points with Kasambahay

Magkano tubig ninyo?”  A question that crops up once in awhile in my mommy chikas.  Ours is between P 1,500 to P2,000 per month because we have a fish pond.  Kaya naman I am diligent in reminding our kasambahays to be mindful of their water consumption.  I appeal to a higher cause aside from my ever-growing budget and instead tell them “’Wag tayong magsayang ng tubig, nauubos siya.” With that may effect din sa kanila and not just on my budget.

And since we are on budget, Maynilad is adjusting their water tariff rates soon. Relax! Puso ninyo! The increase is necessary para patuloy ang improvements sa water and wastewater services. It’s good to know that the water rate follows a subsidized structure so that those who consume less water are charged lower rates. We consume 54 cubic meters per month, and we are only charged residential rates.  In effect, high consumers (like Commercial establishments) pay for my consumption. So the increase for households will be very minimal.

Water rates are adjusted pala every five years in a process called Rate Rebasing. It is meant to make gradual rate adjustments to cover the advance investments of Maynilad to improve their services.  When it comes to water service, Maynilad does not only bring water to our homes, but they also make sure that the quality of the water that they provide meets the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. Then, they still don’t stop there as they treat the wastewater before discharging it back to the bodies of water.

Thus, the tariff increase will go to projects to further enhance water and wastewater services, which will ultimately benefit us, the consumers. [Read more...]

Decathlon PH: Most Massive and Complete Sports Store in Manila

I was in Alabang for my son's football tournament and I decided to pass by Decathlon in Festival Mall because I needed football socks and a co-parent recommended Decathlon.  I was expecting a store like Toby's or Sports Warehouse and I was in for a surprise,  the store is gargantuan!!!  As in para syang S&R, H&M or Ikea ng mga sports equipment!  Feel nyo ba excitement ko? Outside pa lang my heart was palpitating already!  Just to put it aside, this is not a sponsored post.  Natuwa lang talaga ako sa aking discovery!

Decathlon is a 42-year old French Company and is one of the biggest sports retailers in the world!  They opened their first store last June 2017 and they plan to open more than 30 stores in the Philippines in the next 10 years. They have over 1,300 stores in 28 countries.

The store carries about 74 sports!!!!  Sorry excited much! [Read more...]

DIY Star Wars Party



We recently celebrated the 7th birthday party of our young padawan with a DIY Star Wars Party in Chili's Greenhills.

For any DIY project, I always turn to Pinterest for inspiration.  Sharing with you my DIY Star Wars labor of love for my youngling.  Post includes supplier info in Manila. [Read more...]

DeLonghi Experience: A Gift Guide for the Special People in your List

It is seldom that we get to experience a product before a purchase, especially for kitchen appliances and coffee machines. We just buy it based on ads or the reviews we have read. De’Longhi Concept Specialist changed the retail experience of affordable luxury appliances when they opened the De’Longhi Concept Store at Ayala Vertis North Mall last November 23, 2017.

The store is very cozy. You can sit back, relax and savor some coffee while deciding which machine speaks to your heart best.

The grand opening had A-list celebrities coming in all through out the day. Most of them wanting to have a peek of what the DeLonghi Concept store has. Daphne Osena, who is one of my fashion and home style icons are there along with other celebrities from Angel Aquino, Jackie Go, Lynn Ching, Tin Dychiao, Team Matsunaga among others. If you want to know the other celebrities who are onto DeLonghi visit the official instragram account of @delonghiph [Read more...]

Organizing our Kitchen Pantry

The pantry is an essential part of my kitchen.  In fact everything starts from what my pantry holds.  If I want to make chicken curry, my pantry should have coconut milk.  If I want to make pasta,  my pantry should have linguini and tomato sauce.

That is why I have to make sure to stock my pantry well and keep everything orderly.   Last week, Mothers who Brunch together with Lock and Lock held a wonderful lunch for us moms.   We had a super duper fun cooking competition and were given tips on how to organize our pantries.  Like store by category, not by size and have kid zone where kids can easily access their snacks.

Lock and Lock has always been in my pantry.  My primary reason for having it is that it is air tight.  Alam nyo naman in the Pili-Pines, no matter how well you clean up, ants find their way and I don't like wasting food because ants crawled into them.  Second, is that it comes in sizes that are very functional.  Third,  is that it is a clear container so I can see what is inside.  See how Lock and Lock is very much integrated into my own pantry.

Everything in it's place.  A place for everything!  Everything is much organized if we put them in Lock and Lock containers.  I even have labels for my containers so new maids won't mix them up and I end up wasting precious time looking for ingredients.   [Read more...]

Usapang Labada: Managing our Household Laundry

I have my favorite clothes. Clothes, that no matter how many other clothes are in the closet, I always end up wearing. So when it looks worn out in just a few washes or worst kapag natalsikan ng bleach, gusto ko umiyak.

Plus, I’m not sure kung Amazona ang laundry woman namin because numinipis ang damit. And lastly, when I check my grocery list, a huge chunk of the budget goes into laundry items. I have a detergent bar, laundry powder for washing machine, laundry powder for general cleaning, bleach for whites, bleach for colored, fabric softener and dinagdagan pa ng ironing spray. Sandamakmak!

So when Tin of MFO invited me to an open table laundry exchange hosted by Perla, I thought I could use some advice.

Sharing with you some of the new things I discovered:

  1. Bleach is not always necessary. Dahil may love-hate relationship ako with bleach, I am excited to trade it with a product that will make me reduce if not totally stop using it. It has already ruined too many clothes in our household. [Read more...]

Is a Postpaid Cellular Plan better than Prepaid?

After decades and decades of having a pre-paid line,  I have now switched to Post-paid.  It took years because of 2 things: First I have this weird attachment to my first ever cellphone number.  Weird, right? Second, super tipid ako.  I always felt going pre-paid will be much cheaper.

However,  since I have embarked on a quest to reduce stress in my life,  I have taken the plunge and said goodbye to my good old cellphone number of more than 20 years!  I realised the stress of running out of load,  yes!!! nakakahiya! and carrying 2 phones is something I could do without.  Not to mention my 2nd phone, where I put my PLDT mobile landline is a dinosaur of a phone in terms of size and age!  Stress drilon when it rings in school or when I'm in a fancy place because even my driver's and yaya's phone looks better than it.  Kaya kapag nasa school ako and I'm using it,  I have to pretend to take out my "better looking" phone at baka isipin ng mga ma-mothers na naka-Bottega eh sobra akong ka-chipangahan.

I got the P 799 plan of Globe.  With P 799 a month, I get unlimited calls to Globe and Touchmobile, Unlimited Text to all networks, a globe duo number for landline calls and 3.5gb of data per month.  Not bad at all! It is liberating to use one phone for both my landline and cellphone calls not to mention my now unhurried calls since I'm unli anyway.

My friends, who often tease me that I'm the only person they know who uses pre-paid, congratulated me for finally making the switch.  And in the 2 weeks I have had it, I'm congratulating myself too.

TheGoMom

Review of DeLonghi MultiFry: More than just an Air Fryer

I have been meaning to get an air fryer for the longest time but I want to make sure it serves its purpose of cutting down our oil use in the house. My husband argues that it’s just like a Turbo Broiler only in a better package.  True, one of the advantages of an air fryer is its cool, modern look but I’m more of a function person. I want to keep my kitchen stuff to a minimum therefore each piece of equipment and tool I buy must be used, and used often.

According to my research, my husband is quite right. Air fryers and Turbo Broilers don’t have much difference. Both use air as its primary heating element. However, air fryers are supposed to circulate hot air faster so it can cook, normally, deep fried food with less oil.

DeLonghi blew my mind away last Christmas 2016 when they gifted me with a MultiFry! Smile from ear to ear with a clap, sabay talon! Napakasaya!!!!! Here is my full review. Please note that though I was given a DeLonghi Multi-Fry, the review and opinion expressed here remains to be my own. [Read more...]

“Our” Baby turned 1!

"Our" little baby turned 1!  Nope I didn’t give birth. Although my tummy looks like I just did. 1 year ago, our helper gave birth in our house! in the bathroom! We decided to let mother and daughter stay in the house for a little while, and that while turned to a year. My helper asked me to be the one to pick the name and I named her Gianna, meaning God is good. And God, is indeed good!

I wasn’t able to put up a post last year of our wonderful experience so I thought it is fitting to put it up on her birth month…  [Read more...]

Yummy Home Cooked Meals = Comfort Food

Fried Purefoods Corned Beef

When I think of comfort food I think of home cooked meals that brings me joy.

I remember waking up to Purefoods corned beef with steaming rice on Saturday mornings. I remember my brothers and I fighting over who gets the most Purefoods bacon. Bacon is relatively expensive and since budget was tight then, the rarity of a bacon serving and the squabble that comes with it, made it even more yummier.

There were times when my mom, would serve us another brand and we would eat, yes, but nothing spells special than the classic taste of Purefoods. It’s like those givens, pencil is to Mongol as corned beef and bacon is to Purefoods.

My husband on one hand introduced me to Purefoods Vienna Sausage. He grew up to spaghetti with Purefoods Vienna Sausage on it and wants us to do the same. My kids have not had spaghetti without it.

It’s funny how we pass on to our kids the comforts and happy memories of our childhood. It brings a warm smile to our hearts as our past and present comes into one joyful contact.

A few weeks back, Purefoods Blue Line invited bloggers to a delightful afternoon of Art at Sip and Gogh, Pasig.

Sip and Gogh

I was a little bit worried at first because art is not really one of my talents. I can’t even draw a straight line! As in may ruler na, tabingi pa rin. I was quite surprised because it is not as hard as it seems.

#LoveMarie artist herself, Heart Evangelista, was there to help us out in our creations. She is soooo pretty!

Heart Evangelista Painting

It is nice to know a celebrity like her shares the same breakfast comfort food I grew up with.

Heart Evangelista

Camille, from the funny trio of TheSoshalNetwork got lucky when Heart added a painting of lovers on her canvass.

I’m quite pleased with my artwork as well. Everyone was guided to paint their own rendition of “Down the Blue Lane.” I decided to add what brings me joy, my family.

TheGoMom

In a way, painting is just like cooking. Both entails art and love. I’m not a natural artist nor cook. But I like beautiful things and I like good food. When we try our hand at it, both are not as daunting as it seems. It is relaxing and it warms the heart.

Please do visit and like Purefoods Blueline Facebook page and share with others your comfort food.   Purefoods Blueline has more than the Classic Corned Beef and Vienna Sausage, they also have premium line of Luncheon Meat, Liver Spread, Chorizo de Bilbao and Spaghetti Meat Sauce.   Something to try and start adding to our joyful list of comfort food.

Purefoods Corned Beef

Go, Create Happy Food Memories with the Fam!

 

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Disclosure: Thanks to Purefoods Blue Line for introducing me to the joy of art and for sponsoring this post.

 

 

Kasambahay Pay Slip Form

KasambahayOk, so my notebook where I ask my helpers to sign when they receive their salary is already full. With the kasambahays and a driver sharing in one notebook, you can imagine how used and abused the notebook is. I thought it is time to put more order in organizing my kasambahays pay slips so I came up with a form which I am sharing with you. [Read more...]

Stress Busting Tip for Pinoy Moms #1: Open a Cash Card for your Driver and Kasambahay

Cash-Card-in-the-PhilippinesTo say that traffic in Manila is horrendous is an understatement. And one of my stresses is when I remember I need to buy something, an ingredient or an office supply, but the driver is out on an errand already. What pababalikin ko pa ba? Or when I send money and then something came up like the quotation didn’t include tax etc. Grrr!   With the traffic, it’s not practical to have the driver drive back to the house to come back for the money! Waste of time and waste of gas!

So I had my driver open a Cash Card for himself. Since I have an online BDO account and they have a good number of ATM machines, he opened a BDO Cash Card. Cash Cards are basically [Read more...]

Strengthening Long Distance Relationships Through Digital Connections

Bridging-distance-through-digital-connectionMy husband recently started working in Taipei and the move was quite disconcerting for us considering we have never been apart before. Now, more than at any time of our family life, we appreciate and rely on the power of digital connections to bond as a family.

Apple’s Facetime is our favorite means of communication. We would call dad or dad would call us, as we rehash the events of the day and say our goodnights. Or we would do a Facetime by the poolside and show daddy how long our pre- schooler can stay under water. Or dad would pan the phone to show us the new restaurant he discovered.

Viber is where we share photos, videos and funny links. The photos range from a math problem dad has to help the kids solve to what we had for dinner, from the pouring rain outside or our little boy dressed up in his favorite Darth Vader costume to the gigantic cockroach that mom killed.

It is through these little bits of communication that we try to make the best of what the distance is throwing at us.

And since our means of communication relies heavily on digital connections, it is important that we have reliable internet connection. I may have complained about PLDT in the past, but in the end, amongst all the internet providers in the country, PLDT remains to still be the better choice.

PLDT together with SMART Communications has come up with another breakthrough product to strengthen communications in families.

PLDT speedster plan

PLDTHOME Speedster Fam Plan

  • Plan allows you to share your PLDT Home DSL data plan with your family’s SMART mobile phones.
  • For P 1,299/month the PLDTHOME Speedster Fam Plan offers five times faster speeds of up to 10Mbps and a monthly allocation of 50GB.
  • Share 6 GB of the 50 GB monthly data allocation to up to four SMART mobile phone lines.
  • Home data and mobile data sharing conveniently billed under one subscription.
  • Subscribers can get a SMART mobile line that comes with a free smart phone for an additional P299 per month or with a free iPhone for P799 per month. Or if they have existing SMART subscription, they can enroll their numbers in the plan.

Give your loved ones the family-sized connection they deserve. Switch to #PLDTHomeDSL now and get 50% off your broadband bill for 1 year. Plus, enjoy FREE Installation and a FREE WiFi Modem – no cashout needed! Visit www.pldthome.com now. Promo is valid until March 31, 2016.

Disclosure:  Thanks to PLDT Home for sponsoring this post.

#ShareTheConnection,

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5 Simple Ways to Ensure Safety of your LPG with Petron Gasul

Gasul-Delivery Boy

I'm a very practical mom. Whenever I am buying something for the house I always compare with other products in the market in terms of quality, quantity and price. That is probably the reason why I take 10 years to do my grocery shopping. But there are some things that are already a given. No brainer. Automatic. Take for instance Petron Gasul. It has been my trusted brand of LPG for years.

LPG under the sink

Petron Gasul in my service kitchen.

For me safety of the family must never be compromised. I shudder when [Read more...]

3 Days to Go Before CHRISTmas 2015!

3 days to go before CHRISTmas quoteAnd the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. - Dr. Seuss