Truly Rich Tips (Especially for Moms [and Dads!]-To-Be): Attend Talks About Pregnancy and Parenthood {Like Mommy Mundo's Pregnant Pause 2!}

I recently got an e-mail from my friend and "supermom" Janice Crisostomo-Villanueva's "support portal-of-sorts" for moms, i.e. Mommy Mundo. This may be of interest especially to all the expectant moms (and dads!) out there.

PREGNANT PAUSE 2: A TALK FOR MODERN MOMS-TO-BE is coming up this February 4, 2012, Saturday starting 1pm at UCC Rockwell.

Registration to the event is free of charge but pre-registration is a must.
There are very limited slots available so please call 5707827 or text 09178162524 to reserve a slot now.


Topics for PREGNANT PAUSE 2 are:

- Baby Sign Language by US certified instructor Jaymie Pizarro (Baby Signs *as seen on Oprah) (I am a firm believer in the "power" of baby signs! ;-) FInd out more here and here.)

- Positive Pregnancy by childbirth educator Rome Kanapi (I always share how blessed I am to have been able to give birth naturally to both my kids in Timor, without having attended any childbirth preparation classes. However, I do wish I had been able to do so.)

- Breastfeeding Basics for Modern moms-to-be :)  (Let's face it, people. Breast is TRULY best. `Nuff said!)

 (I know I would have jumped at the chance to attend an event like this, ESPECIALLY since it will cover important topics relevant to being a parent, PLUS it's for FREE! ;-) Talks like these are helpful to any parent - but most especially to new ones!)

According to the organizers, "these pocket events, produced by Urban Mom, the only lifestyle freezine for moms, and Mommy Mundo, is a popular activity we have been staging since last year and has attracted quite a following among young, modern, parents-to-be who are interested in the latest trends
in parenting and baby care as well as traditional practices that all expectant moms should know about."

To know more, and get the latest updates, visit the Mommy Mundo facebook page by clicking here.
Please feel free to share this with your pregnant friends and family members! ;-) Remember, although no amount of event-attending, talk-listening nor researching-reading will EVER prepare you for parenthood, equipping yourself will still prove quite useful! ;-) God bless!

*If you'd like to see photos from Pregnant Pause 1: please click the link below:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=Abk1Q&m=3WPkaVJrmh15FZ0&b=KeM8Zp9yB4wWPS3NrdLMgQ

February is PRO-LIFE MONTH in the Philippines!

More than being the "month of LOVE" (because of Valentine's Day), February is the month declared as "Pro-Life" month by Pro-Life Philippines, based on the Presidential Proclamation on the "Respect and Care for Life Week," by former President Corazon Aquino.

This year, we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of this proclamation.

This is the official endorsement letter from the CBCP.

There are a number of activities lined up. As of today, Feb 1, 2012, these are (according to the Pro-Life Philippines Foundation):

Feb. 3-5: Heartbeat Pregnancy Support Services of Asia and the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Health Care in cooperation with Heartbeat International, Commission on Family and Life of Archdiocese of Manila, Serve Life Philippines, and Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation present the "HEART to SERVE" 1st Regional Conference and Training.
Venue: St. Michael Retreat House in Antipolo City. 

(Note: I'm going to be one of the emcees for this - please do pray for God to be glorified through me and all those involved! ;-) Thanks!)

Feb. 5: PRO-LIFE SUNDAY
Eucharistic Celebration
Mass Celebrant: Bp. Jesse Mercado, D.D
Venue: St. Andrews Cathedral, Quirino Ave. La Huerta, Pque.City.
Time: 10:00 AM 

Feb. 9: Mass for Healing (Blessed Margaret of Castello Movement)
Venue: Sto. Domingo Church, QC
Healing Priest: Rev. Fr. Efren Rivera, OP
Time: 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM

MICHAEL VORIS TALKS
(Realcatholictv.com, St. Michael’s Media, USA)

Feb. 13: Cebu

Feb. 15: Bacolod (JPII Conference)
Planta Hotel, Araneta St. Bacolod City , 6 – 8 PM

Feb. 16: Adamson University, Manila
Time: 10:30 AM- 12:00 Noon

Feb. 17: (CFC-FFL Members Assembly)
Christ the King Parish, Green Meadows, Quezon City, 7:00 PM

LUANA STOLTENBERG & KAY PAINTER TALK
(Operation Outcry International)

Feb. 23: Nurses for Life Presents
“Dealing with Abuse and Pregnancy Related-Trauma”
Venue: College of the Holy Spirit, Mendiola, Manila.
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

“Digma ng Buhay” Radio Program Interview
Hosted by Mr. Ansel Beluso
Radio Veritas 846, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM

Feb.24: Our Lady of Beautiful Love Parish,
80 Washington St. Merville Park Subd., Parañaque City
Time: 4:00PM-6:00 PM

Feb. 25: Pro-Life March-Life Chain
Route: St. Paul Univ., QC, Gilmore, Hemady St., Stop in front of FPOP, Prayer Service at Christ the King Church.
Time: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM

Feb. 26: Culminating Activity
Eucharistic Celebration
Mass Celebrant: Bp. Gabriel Reyes, D.D
Concelebrant: Msgr. Nestor Cerbo (Rector, Manila Cathedral)
Venue: Manila Cathedral
Time: 6:00 PM

*Please organize activities to promote our pro-life mission…defend and care for all human life, such as prayer rallies, forums, contests and signature campaigns. For more information, contact the Pro-life Philippines office at 7337027 or 7349425 or text us at 09192337783 or email life@prolife.org.ph. 

Truly Rich Recommendations: Kindermusik with Teacher Suzette and Friends

Our son, Timothy, recently started attending the Young Child program of Kindermusik with Teacher Suzette and Friends. Classes started in November, and so far, he, and our whole family actually, have been SO BLESSED by the experience! ;-)

For ages 5-7 years ;-)

The truth is, ever since I first learned about Kindermusik (KM from here onwards) from friends (through Facebook, of course!), I'd been wanting to enroll Tim there (we only had one child back then). However, two major things hindered this from happening: (1) We were based in Timor on mission; (2) As lay missionaries, we simply couldn't afford it!


When we finally returned to Manila for good, I was even contemplating on studying to be a Kindermusik educator.  However, I ditched those plans for basically the same reason we couldn't enroll Tim in classes, even if we were already based in Manila - our finances wouldn't allow it at the time! KM just became a "dream" for us - something we hoped for, but didn't really consider a priority. After all, figuring out how to pay for all our monthly expenses was more than enough to keep us busy! ;-)



Fast forward to last year. I was talking to a dear friend and fellow homeschool mom whose kids are enrolled with KM, and who studied to be a KM educator herself. She suggested we try letting Tim attend a trial class with Teacher Suzette Kho, a KM educator known for granting scholarships to families "in need" (fellow mommy bloggers Michelle and Neva have blogged about her advocacy in detail before here and here respectively, so I won't "reinvent the wheel," so to speak, and just let you read their posts! He, he!). 

Meet the super-nice-and-friendly Teacher Suzette Kho. ;-)
{Photo source: My Mom Friday (photo given by Teacher Suzette herself).}