Sunday, April 27, 2025

Ferris Wheel

Six and twenty
years. That's plenty!
And still so much a fun ride. 
Like the Ferris wheel
where we fell in love
'neath a starlit, satin sky.

Rising and falling,
and always returning
to each with a kiss and a sigh.
We left behind 
the worlds we knew
and climbed to dizzying heights!

The years flew past,
we spun so fast—
a blur of words and youth.
The heat, the glow,
the dreams of books,
the vows, the dress, the suit!

The perfect home.
The world we roamed!
Then came the wondrous years:
our darling sons
(an astonishment!)
and so we changed our gears.

And still we turn
and still we burn. 
We spin 'to sweet old age. 
Some dreams have rust.
Some dreams still shine. 
We'll always turn the page.

And we gasp at the top,
stare down that steep drop
but still the most breathtaking view
is the love in your eyes
after all this time --- 
oh, darling, there's still me and you.


Happiness at Enchanted Kingdom with our boys

Happy anniversary, Vince! 


Sunday, April 20, 2025

Our After-School Game Plan

In our family, we do presentations. For example, our sons presented their report cards, how they got their grades, their goals for the last quarter of the school year, and their proposal on how we (parents, brothers) can help them reach their goals. 

Here's another one, which I'm sharing with my mommy readers! This is my presentation - an after-school game plan. The boys are aware of this, but since we've never talked about it (just me and their father nagging them forever), the boys don't really follow. So we all gathered round for a quick pow-wow, I made my presentation, and got everyone to agree with me!

Let's go over it: 




My sons always forget to unpack! This really upset me because we forget to wash their lunchboxes and water bottles, we trip over their shoes, and their uniforms and socks are strewn all over their bedroom! I swear they were better at unpacking when they were preschoolers (yes, I'm grumbling).


My sons know how to cook so they can really take over dinner prep. I get home at around 6:50 to 7:15 so I'm usually too tired to cook. My husband usually cooks, but sometimes he has work meetings that go on till 7 so the boys must take over this task. 



My sons bring their gadgets to the bathroom to sing. They love to sing musicals in the shower! They protested this slide haha so I said they need to find a compromise. Their Papa suggested Bluetooth speakers. I really don't like it when they have gadgets in the bathroom. Aside from accidentally getting their gadgets wet, I'm also paranoid about people hacking their cameras, and one of my singing sons will be in the shower and... I shudder to think about it. 




For this part, we discussed (1st quote) how these tasks don't actually take a lot of time. Just minutes every day saves us time and resentment. And to avoid feeling resentful, (2nd quote) we just need to focus on ourselves and our tasks. We shouldn't look at what the others are not doing, or we shouldn't think, "Hey, I'm washing more dishes than him," and neither should we assume that someone is intentionally not doing their chores. We can only control our actions, our thoughts, and our feelings. And that's what matters (3rd quote) - self-discipline! Doing our individual parts helps the whole!  

That's it! Just a 5-minute presentation and a little discussion, and we were all in agreement. No nagging, no arguing. Just a peaceful way to remind my sons of their duties, and a way for me and their Papa to let them know that we have goals, too, and we need their help because if all our time is spent on cooking and cleaning, then we won't have time and energy to make our dreams come true! When they realized we needed their help, they were willing to do their part. So hooray!

I hope this helps you, mamas! 

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Brunch at Antonio’s PGA Cars



When your calendar is usually a jumble of Zoom meetings, school pick-ups, grocery runs, and deadlines, an invite to brunch can feel like a mini-vacation. But this wasn’t just any brunch. This was brunch at Antonio’s PGA Cars—where luxury meets leisure in the most delicious way possible.

Yes, you read that right. Antonio’s, the beloved Tagaytay institution known for its impeccable cuisine and elegant ambiance, has rolled into the city and found an unlikely home: inside the PGA Cars showroom right along EDSA Greenhills. I know, I know—EDSA?! But the moment you step inside, the noise of the world melts away. It’s calm, it’s chic, it’s shockingly serene for a space located at one of Metro Manila’s busiest roads. And did I mention there’s parking? Lots of it. (A mom’s dream.)

I had the joy of sharing the table with some truly inspiring women who juggle businesses, kids, passion projects, and more—Ginger Arboleda, Mansy Abesamis, Pattie Poniente, Dara David Roa, and Kat D. What a treat to take a breather with women who get it—the hustle, the heart, the delicate dance of ambition and gentleness. We swapped stories, laughed (a lot), and yes, planned future catch-ups because that’s what happens when good food meets great company.

 
This beautiful morning was hosted by the effortlessly stylish Vanna Garcia and brought together by the dynamic Emm Sulit of Game Changer agency. The setting was stunning, the conversations were soul-filling, and the food? Let me just say—it was worth waking up early on a weekend, blow-drying my hair, and slapping on makeup for!

We started with Octopus Croquettes—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, like a love letter from the sea. Then came the Raclette, bubbling and golden, which went perfectly with the croquettes.


The Porchetta Sandwich was rich and indulgent, while the Pomodoro balanced it out with its fresh, comforting simplicity. 


The Gratinated Portabello? A mushroom lover’s dream. The Beef ala Planch was smoky, tender, and just the right kind of hearty. 


And of course, no Antonio’s experience is complete without a sweet ending: the Pistachio Cannoli was delicate and delightful, and the Basque Cheesecake—heavenly. All of this was enjoyed with strong, delicious coffee and a little sparkle courtesy of some chilled white wine—because why not?


What I love about Antonio’s PGA Cars is that it doesn’t try too hard. Well, it doesn’t need to. Yes, you’re surrounded by gleaming Audis and sleek Porsches, but the vibe? Surprisingly warm and welcoming. Open from 9 AM to 11 PM, it’s the kind of place where you can have a power breakfast meeting at 10, a romantic date night at 8, or a solo coffee-and-journal moment somewhere in between. No reservations needed, just walk in like you belong (because you do, mama).

Just be warned: with all those shiny cars quietly whispering your name, you might be tempted to leave with dessert and a new ride.

So if you’re a working woman craving a quick escape without leaving the city—or a mama looking for a little weekday sparkle—consider this your sign. Drop by Antonio’s PGA Cars. Because luxury doesn't always mean loud, and sometimes, the best kind of power move is taking a pause with people who fill your cup.

Want more stories like this? Let’s stay in touch. Follow me on Instagram for more snapshots of the working woman life—finding moments of joy in work, books, and laundry!