Bench enchants with a special collaboration with designer/milliner Mich Dulce.
Mixing quirky and cute with playful influences from the 1950s, Mich introduces easy-to-wear headpieces as well as a nautical, sort of rockabilly, clothing line.

“A lot of my trademark bows are seen on headbands, fedoras, and caps in a red-white-navy color palette,” says Mich of her collection. “The girls’ line is very vintage and sweet while the men’s line is basic and simple, playing with stripes and anchor motifs.”

Her favorite pieces are the puff-sleeve tops with hand-drawn bow prints and the ribbon-buttoned cardigans.
Expect to see high-waist pencil skirts, cardi cover-ups, tops with retro bows and dots for girls, plus nautical stripes for the boys.

The Bench collaboration is a dream come true for Mich.
“I’ve always wanted to do more accessible headpieces as my personal price points are quite high,” says Mich, “so this is perfect.”

Mich Dulce is art and design rolled into one. Having trained at London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in the UK, University of the Philippines, the Philippine International School of Fashion, and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Mich has leveled herself up in the industry.
Her designs have been worn by music icon Adam Ant and Vogue Nippon editor Anna Dello Russo as well as Leighton Meester in Gossip Girl and Freema Agyeman in The Carrie Diaries.

The ad campaign is just as artsy and whimsical with a larger-than-life paper boat shipwrecked in a lost wonderland.
“I wanted to veer away from the usual pin-up clichés associated with rockabilly and nautical. Hence, a play with a newspaper boat,” she explains.

Bench is a brand that is proudly Filipino and like the designer herself, currently works on a global scale.
“I like to think our brands are similar in that we are both Filipino labels gone global,” Mich says.
Wear your art on your sleeve and be sure to check out Mich Dulce’s quirky collection at a Bench store near you.
To know more, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I first heard about the information superhighway (or Internet to you) when I was studying at Parsons New York back in the ’90s. My dad told to me to check it out so we could communicate via email, but I didn’t get it then.
Back the ’90s, Internet was really new. My Mac looked like this

My favorite gadget was the Nintendo Super NES, where I played many games of Super Mario 3.
I remember calling my Dad long distance to ask if it was OK to spend $139 for it.

When I went back to Manila in 1995, Internet still wasn’t a big thing—pagers were!
I quickly subscribed to EasyCall 141. My pager looked exactly like this:

To send a message to someone’s pager, you had to call a 141 number and tell the operator your message.
How awkward it was to say “I love you” to an EasyCall operator. Can you imagine what those people went through, having to hear sappy messages all day long? They must’ve rolled their eyes a lot.
I also remember there were certain words you couldn’t use, like shit or crap. You were not allowed to curse on EasyCall.
My cellphone was a huge Nokia phone with antenna. It was as big as remote control.

Texting wasn’t happening yet, so pagers were still very popular.
I remember the first person I knew who was texting—Ariel Lozada, who directed my first fashion show in 1996.
I would watch in awe as he texted model Joyce Oreña, another early adopter.
When I finally got my phone to text I would text junk to Ariel—that would be the equivalent of people who still send useless email.
So that time, everyone still had the phone and pager combo or just pager and landline.
Take note: the word “landline” was new. Prior to cellphones, we just called it “telephone.” Walang landline.

Death of a pager

Then one day my assistant Melvin Mojica announced he was giving up his pager to buy a cellphone that could text instead. I was shocked because I couldn’t imagine giving up my pager.

We all had pagers: (from left) Rene Perrenoud, Ge Madriaga, Paolo Arévalo, myself, Paolo Raymundo and Melvin Mojica at my fashion show in Fashion Café, Glorietta, in 1999. (Photo: Eddie Boy Escudero)

It turns out Melvin was psychic.
And so it came to pass: more and more people dropped their pagers for a cellphone, and EasyCall, once an enviable company, died a natural death.

(To be continued)

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

In 1997, God gave me the best birthday present: I met Jeroen.
Sixteen years later we are still together as married best friends with three boys.
Jeroen had just arrived from Sydney, Australia and decided to stay after meeting me.

Jeroen at a friend’s house in Mandaluyong, 1997

Luckily my sister was just opening Dôme Café at the Shangri-La Plaza and needed a foreign chef.
Jeroen got the job. Soon after, we got him a pager too.
On his free time he would visit me at home and play Super Mario or watch movies on LaserDisc, which were rented from a store on Mabini Street, San Juan.
When I told our son Ben this story, he asked me to show him what a LaserDisc looked like.
“Oh my God, that’s huge!” Ben gasped, when I showed him this video:

Life was awesome. Here’s Tony Hadley on LaserDisc:

You’ve got mail

Jeroen and I got married on November 25, 2000. He moved in with me, which shocked the hell out of my baby sister when she saw him sleeping on my bed one morning.
“Natulog dito si Jeroen!” she came running to my parents, very upset.

I was already subscribed to a Tri-Isys dial up account, which needed a few tries before getting connected.
The thrill of listening to your dial-up connecting is something today’s kids won’t ever understand, said my Twitter follower.
I still have fond memories of personally going to the Tri-Isys office at Robinson’s Galleria to pay my monthly bill.
We were billed by the hour back then, so we didn’t spend the whole day and night online. And after I went online, I would ask Jeroen, “Do you want to use the computer?” before logging off. Because sayang the minutes!
It was during this time, the year 2000, that I started blogging.

(To be continued)

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Sorry, Part 3 took longer than I planned.
It’s because I didn’t realize life after wifi is actually a cornier story to tell.
I do remember the first time I experienced broadband. It was at my dad’s house. I was surprised when I turned on my sister’s computer and was instantly connected. I couldn’t believe it! There was no dial-up sound with toing, toing, toing. My brain could not process.

In June 2003, Jeroen and I finally moved to our new house, away from the parents, along with our two baby boys, household staff and our family computer—a Mac.
The Mac even had its own room. We called it….the computer room!
Ben started using the computer at 1 1/2 years. Markus started much later. But now at ages 11 and 9, both have amazing Minecraft skills.

I had my own laptop in my room where I blogged.
One day I remember talking to Jay Lozada on the phone, who casually told me about wifi.
Apparently it was a wireless Internet that could be accessed in any part of the house.
“You mean I could write in my courtyard?”
“Yes,” he said.
I could not believe it! This was my Mac in 2007—a hand-me-down from my Dad.

I think we were relatively one of the first homes that had wifi in Metro Manila—so novel it was, we even had wifi parties at home. This was 2007.

Things definitely changed when Jeroen also got his own Mac. It became like his second wife.

And now computers are very much part of our home. My kids say they can’t imagine life without internet. That makes me feel bad because they don’t even know the joy of patintero.
That’s why this summer, they’re required to step out and do exercise or sports hour everyday, be it basketball or swimming, and they follow.
As for everything else that changed, that would require another blog post. But I won’t be calling it Part 4 because I don’t want you to wait again. Meanwhile, let me catch up with all my backlogged work.
Told you it’s a corny story.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The heat is on with Power Plant mall’s sizzling summer raffle!
Get a chance to win a complete travel package to Aman Resorts, Amanpulo.
The 3-day/2-night package includes round-trip airfare, accommodation, massage, yoga class, snorkeling and other relaxing activities in the island.
Also get a chance to win sunglasses care of L.S. Pascual.

You’ll get one raffle ticket for every single receipt purchase (minimum Php 2,000) from shops at the Power Plant Mall, One Rockwell, Manansala and Joya Residences. Or spend a minimum of Php 3,000 single receipt purchase at Rustan’s Supermarket.
To get your raffle stubs, present your receipts at the redemption booth near the R1 level escalator, North Wing of Power Plant Mall.
The winner of the vacation package must be at least 18 years old with a proof of Philippine residency.
The Great Summer Getaway Promo ends on April 30, 2013 while the raffle draw is on May 2, 2013.
For more information, go to http://www.facebook.com/PowerPlantMall.

Per DTI-NCR Permit No.A2-0321, Series of 2013.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Help a Filipino short film win in the biggest international awards show for online work.
Gift of Life , a short film produced by Energizer Philippines in collaboration with Manikako, is nominated as one of five best Online Commercials in the Webby Awards.
Starring the unlikely couple of Blitz and Lily—a robot and a doll—Gift of Life is a classic love story that is equal parts melancholic, idyllic, and heartwarming.

It went live early last year and quickly became the highlight of international art and design sites such as Creativity Online and FWA.
The film contined to rake in accolades, winning metals in the biggest international advertising festivals, like AdFestin Thailand and Spikes in Singapore. This made me cry…

If the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has the Oscars, the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences has the Webbys. While organizers get to choose the Webby winners, online voting will decide the People’s Voice Webby winners.
You can vote for Gift of LifeHERE.
It will require you to sign in using Facebook, Twitter, or Google to prevent repeat votes. And, oh, please spread the word!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Beginning Fall/Winter 2013, the multifaceted, volatile, over-the-top stylist, designer, and social media star, Nicola Formichetti, will become the new artistic director of Diesel.
“I finally met somebody as crazy as I am,” said Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel. “Nicola shares my vision and I find it incredibly inspiring to work with him: two creative planets are colliding to generate fresh, mad, insane ideas. With his help, I want to break more rules and bring the real Diesel to a new generation.”

Diesel founder Renzo Rosso (L) with Nicola Formichetti

“When Renzo asked me, I remembered that Diesel and I are all about the same things,” said Formichetti. “No rules! It’s about being empowered, being free. It’s a positive revolution. We’re going to REBOOT! Hit fresh. That’s our first project: we’re ripping apart everything to re-build something bigger. I want to get the creative young people around the world to be part of the process.”
Nicola Formichetti will start his new role with the DIESELREBOOT project now. He plans to mobilize an emerging global creative community to collaborate with him. The project will live in the unruly, uncivilized, all-access zone of TUMBLR© at http://www.dieselreboot.tumblr.com.

Nicola will oversee all creative activities of the Diesel main line, including areas of product, communications and interior design. He will bring his own interpretation to the Diesel way of living—unpredictable, original, fun—coordinating the existing Diesel Creative Team and his new fresh recruits from different fields.

In the Philippines, Diesel is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) with locations at The Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 3 and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

H&M is proud to announce it will dress the Swedish teams for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi 2014, and the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
The four-year contract with the Swedish Olympic Committee and Swedish Paralympic Committee will see H&M create outfits for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The collection will include a full and extensive wardrobe for all the Swedish teams to wear in the Olympic village for both training and leisure.

The pieces will be developed in collaboration with the Swedish Olympians, who will give their input and test the garments in the collection. They will also be collaborating on H&M’s new expanded sports collection, as H&M strengthens its commitment to function and performance in sports clothing.

The Olympians will also give their input to H&M’s expanded Sport concept, offering their knowledge and experience to create a new and extensive range of sportswear pieces for H&M’s customers worldwide. Debuting in January 2014, the result will mean an H&M sports collection that has been tested by world class professional athletes, where performance and function are paramount, always with great style and at a price that will make it available to all.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The breakup of 2012 Miss Universe 1st runner-up Janine Tugonon and her ex, Jaypee Santos, has piqued my interest because it is the stuff some nightmares are made of.

Imagine that you love eating tapa and have only heard of wagyu beef. And one day good fortune happens to you. You meet the owner of a steak house and wants to serve you wagyu. You try and you find out that wagyu melts in your mouth while tapa has to be chewed until your jaw breaks. So everything they said about wagyu was true! You realize that while tapa is really nice with garlic rice and fried egg, wagyu is what you really want in life.

When Janine Tugonon won 1st runner up in Miss Universe last December 2012, I really thought she should’ve won. I thought she answered intelligently and she looked like a winner.

Then someone on Twitter sent me a picture of her boyfriend. So I looked. And I was shocked.

I had no comment, only thoughts. The same thought I had when Kris married James Yap.
And my thought was: this isn’t going to end nicely.
And so I wasn’t shocked when Janine announced her breakup with Jaypee Santos on Kris TV.
The reason, it appears, is The Script frontman Danny O’Donoghue, who is also a coach on The Voice UK.

Story has it, Janine and Jaypee watched The Script concert at the Smart Araneta last March 31, 2013.
Since Janine won the Miss Philippines crown at the same venue last year, she was chummy-chummy with the Smart Araneta staff, who got her access backstage, where she got to meet Danny O’Donoghue.

Story has it Donny even asked Janine if she had a boyfriend, so she pointed to Jaypee.
Right after this, Donny and Janine started following each other on Twitter. DMs were exchanged, and well, Jaypee got dumped.

Oh, I know some people who once loved nobodies. They dedicated their lives to helping that someone become somebody.
Then years later, when their loved one finally becomes a somebody, they get dumped.
(Luckily it didn’t happen to me.) But this is truly the stuff we like to see in movies or in real life.
While I feel bad for tapa, este Jaypee, I do hope he gets to move on.
As for Janine, I wish her more success, not to look back, and hope that Danny doesn’t pulverize her heart.

What I don’t understand is why is he still hanging around in this video??

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Prior to my blogging about Janine and her boyfriend, I’d never even heard of Danny O’Donoghue or The Script.
But according to my friend Dinna Vasquez, The Script’s frontman looks just like Jestoni Alarcon.

L-R: Jestoni Alarcon, Danny O’Donoghue

Legend has it, when German Moreno discovered Jesus Antonio Pineda Alarcon, Kuya Germs had to think of a stage name for the budding actor.
“What do I call you?” Kuya Germs asked Alarcon in Tagalog.
“Tony. Just Tony,” he replied.
“Ah, Jestoni!” Kuya Germs had a eureka moment.
And the rest is history. A star was born!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The country girl in me (read: Anne of Green Gables) loves anything sweet, printed, and shabby chic.
I get so gigil when I see stores like Cabbage and Roses in Tokyo.

Cabbage and Roses is a Bristish lifestyle brand that started producing fabrics in 2000.
The fabrics became cushions, pillows, dresses, blankets, curtains, wallpaper—basically everything for the home and the ladies. It has a store in Chelsea, London, and many more in Japan.

This kind of lifestyle is but a dream for me

I may not have the lifestyle, but I can have some of the clothes, which I adore

or accessories

As a patternmaker, I love that many of their pieces look like doll’s clothes

Imagine my delight when I found Cabbage and Roses right here in Uniqlo Mall of Asia and SM North The Block (yes, I went to both stores!)

I was surprised to see comfy printed hoodies for only Php 790

I bought three!

I know it’s summer, but I love soft hoodies and wear them at home when my husband turns the aircon thermostat down.
Unfortunately not too many pieces in Manila. Wish they had more of the pieces, but hey, I’m happy with my loot.
To know more about the collab, watch this:

http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Some readers have asked me to review three things: the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, the Samsung Galaxy camera, and Rimowa luggage. Let me start with the luggage before I take on the gadgets.
One of the things I love about blogging is how I get to learn stuff from readers everywhere.
Like Rona, who suggested I convert our hot concrete roof into a green roof, when I wondered how to renovate our roof deck.
Another thing I learned from a reader is Rimowa. First things first, someone told me the German luggage brand is pronounced “ree-mo-vah”, which is a tongue twister to me.
Rimowas are very expensive. I was able to buy my first one using gift checks from Adora. I chose a big black one.
What convinced me were three basic things: sleek design, the convenience of four spinner wheels, and its lightweightness.

Four spinner wheels are great, especially if you have so much luggage. They are easier to handle, push and pull, even without a baggage cart.
Six months after my first Rimowa, I discovered the trunk version, which appealed to me because of how it opens.
Most Rimowas open in the middle, so you have two equal compartments to pack. It can be tricky if one side is heavier.
The nice thing about the trunk is opens on top. Most of the weight can be placed in the bottom, while things I don’t want crushed get stored on top, using a mesh divider.

What I like about the trunk is it’s easier to keep organized if you don’t have time to unpack. It takes up less space than the regular luggage when opened on the floor.

The trunk comes in two sizes. I have both. The smaller one is for shorter trips with no shopping involved (read: Tagaytay). The bigger one is for traveling abroad.
Since I shop a lot, I usually bring three extra Eagle Creek duffels because I don’t like having to buy extra luggage abroad.
The Eagle Creek duffel packs small

and expands to this. They are super durable.

To date I have three Rimowa trunks. The large black Rimowa I gave to a friend.

I have never had a bad experience with Rimowa. Never had it dented. Except one time when I overpacked, I broke its zipper (my fault) but it was repaired for free in Manila.
They are easy to clean. Once in a while I peel off the airport stickers which leave a residue, which can be easily wiped off using Goo Gone (available at True Value).
On my wish list is one more Rimowa trunk, which I’m saving up for. I prefer a large trunk in Pearl Rose, which is extremely rare. I had seen them at Greenbelt before, but someone beat me to it.

To find a Rimowa retailer in the Philippines, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Right now I’m crying from laughing and my eyes are slightly stinging because I had slapped on La Mer earlier.
Funny I was just thinking of Brigitte Bardot, how she used to look then and how she looks now.
See how she still fixes her hair the same way.

Growing old is a gift, but it is also very hard. I need counseling. I think I need to consult Gilda Cordero Fernando.
Personally, I’ve always looked kind of average, so I can’t imagine what it’s like to be beautiful. I don’t think I could handle it either because I’m a shrinking violet. When I was five, when my playmate told his yaya he had a crush on me, I wanted to DIE.
But I digress. Now that I’m middle aged, I feel bad about ageing—what more for those who have been famously known for their looks? (i.e. Brigitte Bardot)
That’s why this video of Dove Real Beauty Sketches talks to me.
In it, they hire a forensic artist to sketch women—first as they see themselves, and then as a third person sees them.

On the other hand, the men’s spoof version is hilarious! I didn’t expect to cry from laughing because I know a few men who are just like that. If you haven’t seen it yet, please watch till the end.
If only I had the confidence of these men.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Following my dad’s advice, I stopped working for a few years after having two children.
During that time I had a real dilemma of what to write under “occupation” on the immigration forms.
I didn’t want to write “housewife” because it sounds unintersting, like something from the ’70s.
That made me decide to get a job. I applied as a writer for the Philippine Star. Millet Mananquil hired me!
Since then I’ve been able to write “journalist” on my immigration forms. That usually means no hassle in the airport—except in China where I would call myself a “writer.”
But more than a writer, blogger, or journalist, I consider myself a house manager.

Here’s what the job entails:
1) enrolling the kids in school and activities
2) buying everything they need, including my husband
3) buying groceries and all sorts of supplies
4) hiring people to repair stuff
5) paying salaries and lending money
6) some charities
7) taking care of the kids when they’re sick (including the hubby)
8) sending the kids to doctors, dentists, haircuts
9) cutting nails and cleaning ears
10) travel agent
11) renovating
12) planning children’s parties and dinners at home
13) ordering uniforms for kids and staff
14) paying bills
15) organizing garage sales
16) hiring people (I don’t fire, I let someone else do it)
17) etc.

I am the last one to sleep in the house and also the last one to wake up
Waking up late is my luxury because late at night is the only time I have that is quiet.
Thank God my husband gives me a good “salary” (apart from my own income).
When I became a mom I had to find to find myself again and it took some time. “Mom” is a great job description but I needed to be something more. For the longest time I envied office workers. But now I consider myself blessed by God that to be able to work at home because the kids bug need me all the time.
Now if only I could find the drive to work out regularly, life would be perfect.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Following my dad’s advice, I stopped working for a few years after having two children.
During that time I had a real dilemma of what to write under “occupation” on the immigration forms.
I didn’t want to write “housewife” because it sounds uninteresting, like something from the ’70s.
That made me decide to get a job. I applied as a writer for the Philippine Star. Millet Mananquil hired me!
Since then I’ve been able to write “journalist” on my immigration forms. That usually means no hassle in the airport—except in China where I would call myself a “writer.”
But more than a writer, blogger, or journalist, I consider myself a house manager.

Here’s what the job entails:
1) enrolling the kids in school and activities
2) buying everything they need, including my husband
3) buying groceries and all sorts of supplies
4) hiring people to repair stuff
5) paying salaries and lending money
6) some charities
7) taking care of the kids when they’re sick (including the hubby)
8) sending the kids to doctors, dentists, haircuts
9) cutting nails and cleaning ears
10) travel agent
11) renovating
12) planning children’s parties and dinners at home
13) ordering uniforms for kids and staff
14) paying bills
15) organizing garage sales
16) hiring people (I don’t fire, I let someone else do it)
17) etc.

I am the last one to sleep in the house and also the last one to wake up
Waking up late is my luxury because late at night is the only time I have that is quiet.
Thank God my husband gives me a good “salary” (apart from my own income).
When I became a mom I had to find to find myself again and it took some time. “Mom” is a great job description but I needed to be something more. For the longest time I envied office workers. But now I consider myself blessed by God that to be able to work at home because the kids bug need me all the time.
Now if only I could find the drive to work out regularly, life would be perfect.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Following my dad’s advice, I stopped working for a few years after having two children.
During that time I had a real dilemma of what to write under “occupation” on the immigration forms.
I didn’t want to write “housewife” because it sounds uninteresting, like something from the ’70s.
That made me decide to get a job. I applied as a writer for the Philippine Star and Millet Mananquil hired me!
Since then I’ve been able to write “journalist” on my immigration forms. That usually means no hassle in the airport—except in China where I would call myself a “writer.”
But more than a writer, blogger, or journalist, I consider myself a house manager.

Here’s what the job entails:
1) enrolling the kids in school and activities
2) buying everything they need, including my husband
3) buying groceries and all sorts of supplies
4) hiring people to repair stuff
5) paying salaries and lending money
6) some charities
7) taking care of the kids when they’re sick (including the hubby)
8) sending the kids to doctors, dentists, haircuts
9) cutting nails and cleaning ears
10) travel agent
11) renovating
12) planning children’s parties and dinners at home
13) ordering uniforms for kids and staff
14) paying bills
15) organizing garage sales
16) hiring people (I don’t fire, I let someone else do it)
17) etc.

I am the last one to sleep in the house and also the last one to wake up
Waking up late is my luxury because late at night is the only time I have that is quiet.
Thank God my husband gives me a good “salary” (apart from my own income).
When I became a mom I had to find to find myself again and it took some time. “Mom” is a great job description but I needed to be something more. For the longest time I envied office workers. But now I consider myself blessed by God that to be able to work at home because the kids bug need me all the time.
Now if only I could find the drive to work out regularly, life would be perfect.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Following my dad’s advice, I stopped working for a few years after having two children.
During that time I had a real dilemma of what to write under “occupation” on the immigration forms.
I didn’t want to write “housewife” because it sounds uninteresting, like something from the ’70s.
That made me decide to get a job. I applied as a writer for the Philippine Star and Millet Mananquil hired me!
Since then I’ve been able to write “journalist” on my immigration forms. That usually means no hassle in the airport—except in China where I would call myself a “writer.”
But more than a writer, blogger, or journalist, I consider myself a house manager.

Here’s what the job entails:
1) enrolling the kids in school and activities
2) buying everything they need, including my husband
3) buying groceries and all sorts of supplies
4) hiring people to repair stuff
5) paying salaries and lending money
6) some charities
7) taking care of the kids when they’re sick (including the hubby)
8) sending the kids to doctors, dentists, haircuts
9) cutting nails and cleaning ears
10) travel agent
11) renovating
12) planning children’s parties and dinners at home
13) ordering uniforms for kids and staff
14) paying bills
15) organizing garage sales
16) hiring people (I don’t fire, I let someone else do it)
17) etc.

I am the last one to sleep in the house and also the last one to wake up
Waking up late is my luxury because late at night is the only time I have that is quiet.
Thank God my husband gives me a good “salary” apart from my own income. It enables me to become an effective house manager.
When I became a mom I had to find to find myself again and it took some time. “Mom” is a great job description but I needed to be something more. For the longest time I envied office workers. But now I consider myself blessed by God that to be able to work at home because the kids bug need me all the time.
Now if only I could find the drive to work out regularly, life would be perfect.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Following my dad’s advice, I stopped working for a few years after having two children.
During that time I had a real dilemma of what to write under “occupation” on the immigration forms.
I didn’t want to write “housewife” because it sounds uninteresting, like something from the ’70s.
That made me decide to get a job. I applied as a writer for the Philippine Star and Millet Mananquil hired me!
Since then I’ve been able to write “journalist” on my immigration forms. That usually means no hassle in the airport—except in China where I would call myself a “writer.”
But more than a writer, blogger, or journalist, I consider myself a house manager.

Here’s what the job entails:
1) enrolling the kids in school and activities
2) buying everything they need, including my husband
3) buying groceries and all sorts of supplies
4) hiring people to repair stuff
5) paying salaries and lending money
6) some charities
7) taking care of the kids when they’re sick (including the hubby)
8) sending the kids to doctors, dentists, haircuts
9) cutting nails and cleaning ears
10) travel agent
11) renovating
12) planning children’s parties and dinners at home
13) ordering uniforms for kids and staff
14) paying bills
15) organizing garage sales
16) hiring people (I don’t fire, I let someone else do it)
17) etc.

I am the last one to sleep in the house and also the last one to wake up
Waking up late is my luxury because late at night is the only time I have that is quiet.
Thank God my husband gives me a good “salary” apart from my own income. It enables me to become an effective house manager.
When I became a mom I had to find to find myself again and it took some time. “Mom” is a great job description but I needed to be something more. For the longest time I envied office workers. But now I consider myself blessed by God to be able to work at home because the kids bug need me all the time.
Now if only I could find the drive to work out regularly, life would be perfect.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Can’t wait for Awkward Season 3 this April 16th!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.