A Summer Getaway: Campuestohan Highland Resort

The managers of Bristlecone Branch of Sunlife Financial went to the Campuestohan Highland Resort, a mountain get away that is currently getting a lot of tourist traffic, last January 24, 2014. If you love to commune with nature, Campuestohan is the right vacation spot for you.

Mt. Mandalagan in the background.

Campuestohan is situated right in the boundaries of Talisay City and Bacolod City of Negros Occidental. The place offers breathtaking views. Serving as a backdrop is the majestic Mt. Mandalagan while on the other side is a scenic view of the plains of Negros Occidental, a portion of the sea and a peek of the Panay islands. The weather is very cool which makes it a perfect summer getaway. 

Picking up the Pieces: Typhoon Yolanda Survivors

These are some of the photos taken by my husband Jonathan, of the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda from Northern Iloilo. He was a member of the group called Typhoon Yolanda Story Hub. The group provided some of the photos used in compelling news articles about damage brought by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in history.

Children from Nagpana, Barotac Viejo

Trecia Ann Docejo. 2 yrs old. From Poblacion, Concepcion, Iloilo.

Embers Amongst Ashes: The Different Faces of Typhoon Yolanda Destruction

My husband was one of the few photographers called to photograph the areas affected by Typhoon yolanda in Northern Iloilo. Some of the areas he covered were Estancia, Concepcion and Barotac Viejo. Here are some of the photos he took. 

What's left of Sara Public Market

Boats slammed into houses in Estancia

Estancia oil spill

A public school in Estancia

I am running a donation drive for affected families of Typhoon Yolanda in Brgy. Bagongon, Concepcion, Iloilo. Should you wish to help, check out this link to know more: http://www.gofundme.com/5d0qv8

Helping Rebuild Northern Iloilo - Our Typhoon Yolanda Aid Story

It's been two months since Typhoon Haiyan (Philippine name Yolanda) struck the Visayas area of the Philippines. Some of the hardest hit areas are in Northern Iloilo composed of Estancia, Batad, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Carles and Concepcion. Public structures were destroyed, homes were flattened, livelihood were lost, and some lives perished during and after the storm. 

Remembering Panoy

It's October 30 today. It's a day of the year we always remember. It's my brother Panoy's birthday.

He would have turned 32 this year. But our beloved brother is frozen at age 23. He died a hero in Surigao del Norte on May 2, 2005. The last time I saw him was on October 2004, when he fetched me at the Manila Airport. He was very excited to meet with me then. We had a long talk about life, family, his ambitions and plans as a soldier, and about his girlfriend Deen.

Panoy wanted to spend more time with his sisters. Bonding time, he said since we were not able to really bond during our college days. I spent my college days in Miagao, Iloilo while he spent time sweating it out at PMA. I was her big sister, especially during his elementary years when most of our elder siblings were off to college in Iloilo. I was the one who would bring him to school. Who would attend the PTA meeting when Nanay can't attend. I was the one who would wash their dirty uniforms and help coach him when he joined a declamation contest. 

Oyen's Food Milestone: Pasta with Basil and Olive Oil

Finally, we were able to wean my son Oyen from milk. You see, Oyen was a finicky eater. He would only drink milk from his bottle and eat only crunchy food. Anything that is not crunchy, he won't eat. That meant his diet was pretty limited. No vegetables, no fruits and no soups.

Last month, he underwent a major dental procedure meant to get rid of his decayed teeth and correct his oral sensitivity. Oyen is more or less milk-free now, except for the occasional ice cream and sprinkle of cheese. But ever since we weaned him from milk, he had been eating non-stop. Cereals, GF-chips, biscuits and bread. He looks for food every 15 minutes! He now also explores different tastes which used to turn him off. He used to crinkle his nose on vegetables and would spit out mushy fruits. Now, he eats peach-mango pies, maja blanca and rice noodles (bihon).

Today, I made some pasta for him and I'm glad he liked it. I'm sharing with you my recipe so you can try it. It's a basic pasta recipe and you can prepare it in less than 30 minutes.


PASTA WITH BASIL LEAVES AND OLIVE OIL

Pasta with Basil and Olive Oil. Healthy Yummy.

NAYA AND ME Episode 3

HOW TO BUILD A KITE
October 20, 2013


NAYA: Nanay, I know how to build a kite. 
ME: Really? How do you build a kite? sige be.
NAYA: You follow these steps.

Step 1 - First you think.
Step 2 - Then you eat
Step 3 - Ligo anay kay bahu na ako eh. (I'll take a bath first coz I'm smelly already)
Step 4 - You build the kite
Step 5 - You get a string and tie it.
Step 6 - You go outside the house
Step 7 - Wait for the wind to start blowing
Step 8 - You run!

Me: Baw damu-damu steps ba. (There are too many steps)
NAYA: May ara pa. (There's more)

Step 9 - you smile because you're happy.
Step 10 - Go home na and go to sleep.