MAGAZINE FOR MODERN MOMS
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015
ANDI
MANZANO-REYES shares the joys of raising Olivia
FAMILIES UNPLUGGED Top Picks for Modern Moms A PUBLICATION www.mommymundo.com
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Publisher’s Memo
Note from the Editor
I love being a modern mama! We can be in touch with everyone wherever they are, run our homes and businesses while on-the-go, read, learn, shop, and share pictures and information with the mere push of a key. Of course, like most moms, I think twice about what I share especially when it comes to my kids.
When our order of a big slab of ribs finally came, my kids and I didn't go on attack mode right away. We instead flipped out our phones, and started taking photos of the mouthwatering feast. We took turns, one by one, so that, you know, nobody cast a shadow on any one of the shots. Welcome to the modern family!
Modern mamas also have a wide selection of cool products that make life so much easier. Some are more necessary than others, but they're all cool and innovative because each one aims to fill a need or solve a problem. Just take a look at the baby shusher I saw in the Singapore Baby Expo! Yes, I'm still a fan of old school, unplugged fun, but I also have the best times playing Just Dance on my kids' Wii. Definitely, we live in exciting times, but like most anything, we should balance things out and use all these conveniences the right and smart way! At the Singapore Baby Fair, I found interesting #topmompicks including this Baby Shusher! You think it works? :)
It's amazing how technology, and social media in particular, has offered us all manner of communication. We have a group on Messenger where we share links or give shout outs. Occasionally, we post our adventures on Facebook, and sometimes, we send each other quotes or photos on our Instagram accounts. But of course, all the juicy action still happens at home when we're all together--when we're watching scary movies, eating pasta, or listening to Sophie sing her latest song. As in all things, moderation is key. And when used wisely and conscientiously, social media can add another layer of discovering, understanding, and bonding with our family. Enjoy!
Hello, Urban Mom! SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015 PUBLISHERS Gary M. Villanueva Janice Crisostomo-Villanueva EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jing Lejano ADMINISTRATIVE Arnel Banares CREATIVE CONSULTANT Jaymie Pizarro LAYOUT Samantha Co PHOTOGRAPHY Stanley Ong Urban Mom is available for free download at www. mommymundo.com/urbanmom. For inquiries, call 470-9925 or 0918 930-0313 or email urbanmom@mommymundo.com. Urban Mom is a lifestyle magazine for modern moms. Material appearing here may not be reproduced in print or electronically without permission from the publisher and without proper credit. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Although considerable care and attention has been exerted to verify the listings, the publishers are not liable for any inaccuracies in the information. Urban Mom is published by MommyMundo of Creative Juice Communications Inc. www.mommymundo.com Follow Mommy Mundo at
Reading your June issue was certainly insightful. I enjoyed reading about Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio's decision to set aside career and continue her studies. Not a lot of celebrities choose that path. She's definitely a good role model for the youth. I'm so glad that you also featured various learning centers for parents and kids, will definitely check them out! More power, Bernice Y. Migrino
WRITE US! The chosen letter sender wins a Cycles product. (Subject to product availability) Email us at urbanmom@mommymundo.com and you might be chosen as the winning letter sending to win our special gift.
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CONTEMPORARY CONVENIENCES The modern mom can count on all these cool gadgets to make everyday parenting so much easier!
Colorful helpers. Safe, functional, and innovative everyday gadgets from Baby Lab give innovative solutions to child care concerns such as this Petal Wash Basin, which makes bath time safe and fun as its made of thick, super sturdy BPA-free plastic and comes in bright colors, and this Faucet Extender, which encourages kids to practice good hygiene habits as they practice washing their hands. www.facebook.com/ babylabenterprises
Pretty footwear. Apart from its cute, iconic designs, Mini Melissa for kids is made from a unique, patented plastic material called MELFLEX TM. It is hypoallergenic, odorless, and 100 percent recyclable. Plus, they're super comfy too! Available in Melissa, Geleia, and Shoe Salon stores in leading malls.
Form it up! High quality construction sets which foster brain development, Magformers feature an intelligent magnetic design offering hours of fun and educational exploration. www.facebook.com/ magformersphilippines
Crafty wonders. Keep those little hands busy with playtime kits by Toy Kraft, exclusively available at Make My Day. Help them make cards to give to family and friends or let them finish quilling projects to decorate their rooms. Toy Kraft products have been specifically developed to inspire children to play, experiment, and discover. www.facebook.com/pages/ Make-My-Day
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Keep food fresh. These leakproof stainless steel food containers from Greenkeeps come with protective outer shells along with snaps to lock the covers in place. Available at the department stores of SM Megamall, SM Aura, and SM Makati.
Chew it up. With Chewbeads teething jewelry, moms don’t just look great, babies have something to play with too that won’t hurt their emerging teeth or sensitive gums. Chewbeads contain no lead, BPA, phthalates, cadmium, or other metals, so you can let your little one chew to his heart’s content. www.chewbeads.com
Animated nappies. These cloth diapers are absolutely the cutest! Fluffy Pwets is the pioneering brand of hybrid fitted cloth diapers made from imported materials and handmade in the Philippines. www.fluffypwets.com
Sip and go! This patented spill-proof spout is made from certified food-safe materials. Perfect for beginning eaters 6 to 24 months, just fill them up with juice and smoothies. www.facebook.com/mumspick
HER STYLISH TAKE ON MOTHERHOOD
urbanmompreneur
Of the many fashion blogs in the country, it's refreshing to see one being run by a mom. Tin Dychiao, the woman behind Manila Fashion Observer, has kept us all entranced with her fashionable take on motherhood. She has also shown us how to dress up in style through Chicify.com. As curator of Chicify.com, Tin helped develop its new look. She says, “We trimmed the brand list down to the labels that fit into our concept of chic, came up with a whole new look for the site that is fresh, fun, and full of great finds, and relaunched with the in-house label, Chicify, which allowed us to come up with pieces we've always wanted to wear, but couldn't find locally.” As a mompreneur, Tin appreciates being able to manage her own time the most. However, she says, “The work never stops! There is no 9 to 5, I end up thinking shop beyond the usual work hours.” Indeed, it's a continuing challenge for Tin to draw the line between work mode and family mode. She says, “I find that what works for me is that I hunker down to business when
the kids are asleep or in school. For matters that need my immediate attention, then I have to work on the go, answering emails on my mobile, and making phone calls.” But ultimately, it is family that keeps Tin grounded, shamelessly declaring that it is the one thing that she is most passionate about. “It's such a cliche, but they're my reason for being. I want to see my kids grow into happy, fulfilled adults, with my husband and working as a team in realizing our dreams for our family.”
#topmompicks
Instant clean! Keep your kids’ pearly whites clean with Spiffies Tooth Wipes, disposable, convenient towelettes that wrap around your fingers. They’re clinically proven to be safe and effective in reducing caries and tooth decay among infants and kids. www.facebook.com/ SpiffiesPhilippines
Thumpity thump. A prenatal education device, Baby Plus is patterned after the maternal heartbeat, introducing your child to a sequential learning process, built upon the natural rhythms of their own environment. Available in Rustan’s, Mothercare, Babyland, Chicco, and Baby & Beyond.
Clean air. Airfree will help improve your family’s health by getting rid of microorganisms in the air such as bacteria, virus, and fungi, among others, when these pass through its TSS ceramic core ducts. www.nurturenook.com
Tea Time! A line of elegant glassware made from highquality materials which can withstand heat and cold, Samadoyo is perfect for me time tea time! samadoyoph@gmail.com
Versatile food keepers. These boxes made of silicone may be used as lunch or snack keepers or as containers to hold food in freezers and ovens. Not only are they BPA-free, Lex N Go boxes are also flexible and collapsible, so they can shrink or expand according to your preference. Available in Common Thread in Greenbelt 5 and Powerplant Mall
Moms and Social Media Top it off! Siliskin Sippy Top stretches over the top of different-sized cups to make an instant, no spill cup. Its shock absorption band helps protect glass and air suction keeps the top in place. www. facebook.com/Bornbabystuff
Magnetic twisters. Designed to promote spontaneity in play, Tegu Blocks are colorful wooden blocks embedded with magnets. Kids can thus build up and out, defying the constraints of gravity and teasing the realm of the impossible. www.toyspecialist.com.ph
PREPPING FOR YOUR BABY’S FUTURE These screen tests will give you important information about your child’s health and well-being. PANORAMA PRENATAL SCREEN TEST The Panorama Prenatal Screen screens for genetic abnormalities and determines your baby's gender as early as nine weeks. It is exclusively available at Hi-Precision Diagnostics. www.hi-precision.com.ph/
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METASCREEN Metascreen is a non-invasive and painless test that can screen for more than 100 inborn errors of metabolism. It is exclusively available at Cordlife. www.metascreen.ph
Social media has taken over our lives. We check it the minute we wake up, before we fall asleep, and every other hour in between. Jaymie Pizarro of the widely popular blog, The Bull Runner, says, “Social media allows you to stay in touch with people wherever and whenever. I like the connection and interaction provided by social media. Initial comments and chats online have led to wonderful friendships over the years for me.”
mommymetime
it hard to respect satire websites that, most of the time, cause alarm and worry, or give people false hopes.” Immersing one's self in social media can also be exhausting. “If you're not careful, it can lead to envy, insecurity, or frustration when you constantly compare your life to what others do or have,” says Jaymie.
Ruth Floresca, writer and blogger behind Write, Breathe, Live, agrees. Ruth has also put social media to good use with regards to her work, sharing her pieces online and getting feedback from readers, clients, and industry partners.
Taking a break from social media is thus essential, as is setting guidelines on its use. Ruth asks her kids not to use their gadgets during family time, adding, “Since my boys are already in their teens and 20's, we just keep reminding them to be mindful of what they post on social media.”
However, there is a dark side to this phenomenon. Bullying and spreading rumors and false stories are quite easy to do through social media. Ruth adds, “I particularly find
Jaymie says, “With a teen and a pre-teen it's a constant battle to have them unplug. Key is to engage them in activities that they enjoy so they voluntarily leave their gadgets at home.”
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coverstory
Text by Jing Lejano Photography by Stanley Ong Clothes from Details Makeup by Eroll Villamor of Lancome Shot on location at Aruga by Rockwell
MODERN FAMILY
coverstory Andi agreed to meet him, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Starting a Family
Like most modern moms, Andi went through her pregnancy journey with ready access to a ton of resources. She read books, went online, and attended a breastfeeding class. Before she went shopping for baby stuff, she gobbled up online reviews and developed a digital inventory of what she has and what she needs. Andi says, “It’s a digital file on my phone. It helped a lot because you tend to overshop on baby things you don’t need.” But the best preparation for pregnancy, Andi found out, didn’t come from any book or class. It came from real life. Being the eldest of five
New mom Andi Manzano-Reyes opens up about life with Olivia and GP.
“When I was pregnant, that’s when I saw how he was going to be. He loves talking to Olivia in my belly... When she came out, she was crying. She was given to GP. When she heard his voice, she stopped crying.”
children, Andi had a good idea of how it was like to be pregnant through her mom’s experiences. It was something very familiar to her, though she was scared to death about the actual delivery, not having been confined in a hospital her entire life. Though people gave her all sorts of advice, it was her mom’s voice which she ultimately listened to. She says, “My mom was very chill about it. ‘You can do anything you want,’ she said.”
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ilar Olivia Manzano-Reyes is only a few months old, but already she is a star! The daughter of radio DJ and host Andi Manzano and club owner and entrepreneur GP Reyes, Olivia has over 40,000 followers on her Instagram account, gushing over her every smile, pout, and milestone. That baby Olivia has an IG account is but fitting, considering that her parents actually “met” through social media. GP had a school boy crush on Andi, and asked Lucky Manzano, Andi’s cousin, to arrange a “meet cute.” Unfortunately, Lucky’s “Hey, my friend GP has a crush on you, can I give him your number?” message didn’t go over too well on Andi, and she refused. That’s when GP found the nerve to send Andi this witty message on Facebook:
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GP (12/13/10 1:13am): You don’t know me... but I figured getting this message from a complete stranger would probably be less creepy than whatever it is Luis must’ve told you.... I told him to be smooth... but all that MMA training has apparently damaged his capacity for social finesse... So, here’s me taking the little flashy thingies those Men in Black guys use, and erasing from your memory whatever it is Mr. Manzano said...We can start with “Hi! I’m GP.”
Her reply came four days later. Andi (12/17/10 11:46am): hahahahaha. hi. im andi.
They continued the conversation online before
Hers was an easy pregnancy, with no trace of complication or drama, except for a bit of bloating. But when Andi finally brought Olivia home, she was overwhelmed. She says, “For the past nine months, you were waiting for the crib to be filled and finally, she’s there! Wow! I’m a mom!” Andi was particularly blown away at how wonderful a dad GP turned out to be. She says, “When I was pregnant, that’s when I saw how he was going to be. He loves talking to Olivia in my belly... I don’t ever talk to her, and he would sing in the middle of the night... When she came out, she was crying. She was given to GP. When she heard his voice, she stopped crying. They had a connection. When GP talks to her, she smiles always. Me, none, or anybody else. She smiles when it’s her dad.” Olivia maybe Daddy’s little girl, but she will always be Mom’s true love. Andi gushes, “I’m so in love with her!”
Andi loves breastfeeding her, amazed at the fact that she could provide all the nutrients that her baby needs. Andi chose not to have a yaya, so she does everything for Olivia. She particularly likes the mornings, before bath time, when she would just lie on the bed kissing and cuddling Olivia. She says, “I love every minute of it, taking care of her. She’s an easy baby. Once, she slept at 8AM and woke up at 5PM.” When GP takes her out to dinner, her mom or her sisters would come take care of Olivia. Andi, however, would miss her so much and would only be too happy to head home. Andi’s in such a bubble of baby bliss that she doesn’t have plans of going back to work yet, and GP has told her that she doesn’t actually have to work anymore. But Andi knows herself too well, saying, “I know I’m the type of person who has to do something. I’ve been working for a long time so I need to do something, but not yet.” Yes, not yet. For now, Andi wants to take things slow and watch her baby grow. GP wants Olivia to grow up to be a Wimbledon champion and study in Harvard. As for Andi, she says, “I want her to become a good person, to inspire other people. I want her to be God-fearing. I hope she meets the right man. I don’t want her to get hurt. I don’t want her to be heartbroken. I don’t want her to experience anything that would cause her pain.” Spoken like a true mom!
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specialstory
classifieds
Baby First It all started with one mother's quest to do what's absolutely the best for her baby. Emily Balajadia's firstborn was allergic to a lot of things. She says, “I remember not being able to eat a lot of food that I like when I was breastfeeding since she would have allergic reactions to those. Aside from food allergies, she also had different allergic reactions to dust, pollen, and other external factors.” Because taking control over external factors would be difficult, if not impossible, their pediatrician suggested managing those elements which the family could immediately act on. So Balajadia and her husband not only took note of the types of food which caused a reaction on their baby, they also observed the effect of products that touched her skin like laundry detergents, baby lotions, and body wash. They tested one product after another until they eventually found better alternatives. Unfortunately, these were only found in the United States. So they took to shipping out balikbayan boxes full of hypoallergenic baby products, from laundry detergents and baby lotion to body wash, every time they were there. When their second daughter was born, she exhibited the same sensitivity as their firstborn. It was then that Balajadia started getting curious about how other parents whose children had sensitive skin were managing their situation. Asking around, she found out that they were shipping balikbayan boxes filled with baby products to the Philippines too. Further consultation with her pediatrician revealed that more and more babies were being born with an allergic reaction to a variety of things. That's how Cycles Mild Laundry Detergent for babies came to life. The first of its kind in the country, Cycles Mild Laundry Detergent is made from hypoallergenic, ultra-mild, and baby-friendly ingredients that are kind to baby's sensitive skin. Unlike other detergents, Cycles is especially made for babies. It does not have harsh chemicals and does not leave soap residue that may harm baby's sensitive skin. Because Cycles was such a high niche product, getting them on grocery shelves was not exactly a walk in the park. Retailers were not warm to the idea of such a pioneering product,
saying that the market was not ready for it. But Balajadia persisted. She says, “The goal was to make our mommies realize that we are here not because we just wanted to launch a brand, but because we went through the same battles and pains with our children and thus, wanted to help fellow parents in ways we can. What we were selling is not just the product, but the story behind it as well. Transferring the emotions to the mommies and making them feel why Cycles was originally conceptualized and what it is for, was more challenging but definitely worth our efforts.” Her efforts were well worth it. Today, Cycles celebrates its 10th year of providing a better, safer alternative to child-rearing for modern moms with an expanded product line including the Cycles Sensitive line of baby lotion, baby wash, diaper cream, and insect repellent as well as the Cradle line of baby bottle and nipple cleanser. Cycles and Cradle have also made inroads in other parts of Asia, gaining the trust and loyalty of meticulous moms in Indonesia. Cycles is celebrating this special milestone by offering Buy 1-Take 1 bundled packs to its customers. Balajadia says, “This is our way of saying thank you to the mommies and daddies who have trusted us for a decade now and those who continue to believe in our mantra that 'when it comes to our babies, there should be no compromise.'” By putting the needs of babies at the core of all its undertakings, Cycles has not only touched the hearts of moms and dads in the Philippines and Indonesia, it has also influenced consumer behavior. Though its success has spawned competitors offering similar products, Balajadia is unfazed. She says, “Their presence reinforces the importance of Cycles in the lives of the new generation mommies.” As the company celebrates its tenth year in the business, Balajadia remains committed to her promise of no compromise when it comes to babies. She says, “We will always be there to help mommies take good care of their little ones by continuously providing better and safer alternatives to modern child-rearing.” Mommy Mundo joins Cycles in celebrating its 10thanniversary. Share your Cycles story and use the hashtags @CyclesBaby, @10yearsofCyclesandCradle, and @NoCompromise
SEAMLESS PADDED
Maternity & Nursing Bra
1 Easy Nursing 1-hand dropdown clips and removable padding 1
2 Ultra Stretchy Cups expand up to 3 cups with great support 3 Structural Support ribbed fabric as support even without wires
Shangri-la Plaza, Level 4 Main Wing | (632) 584-1113 www.mamaway.com.ph
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weekendwanders
GET OFFLINE!
It’s the weekend! Get off the couch and spend a couple of hours discovering new things and playing with your kids in this exciting venues. ART IN ISLAND What It Is: One of the biggest 3D interactive museums in Asia, Art in Island features some 200 illusion artworks that you and your family can enjoy. In front of each painting is a “photo point” on the floor where you can get the best 3D angle and effect. Make a day of taking pictures against larger than life montages, and have fun laughing at the results afterwards. Tip: Bring socks as shoes are not allowed inside. You can’t eat or drink inside as well so go to the museum with tummies full. Contact: 175 15th Ave. Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City; (632) 421-1356; www.facebook.com/artinisland DREAMPLAY What It Is: A DreamWorks-licensed amusement park, Dreamplay is an interactive entertainment venue for the whole family. Apart from the different interactive attractions, there are also 4D theaters, cooking classes, puppet shows, and storytelling sessions. Themed party rooms (think Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda) are available for children’s parties and a cafe serving ice cream and pizza. Tip: Avoid the long lines by coming in early. Dress comfortably too! Contact: City of Dreams Manila, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, Parañaque; (632) 808-0909; www.cityofdreams.com.ph/entertainment/ dreamplay KIDZANIA What It Is: A play city where kids do big things, KidZania offers 8,000 square meters of play space. It’s pretend play at its very best in this kid-sized city where children can “work” in over 40 establishments as doctors, firemen, or pilots. They get to earn KidZos money too, and choose to either save or spend them! Tip: Allot plenty of time for the kids to enjoy their city! Contact: KidZania Manila, Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; info@kidzania.com.ph; http://manila.kidzania.com/en-ph/ KIDZOONA What It Is: It’s a giant playplace inside a mall. Located inside Robinsons Galleria, Kidzoona is very convenient indeed. While you catch up on your errands, your kids can have fun with all sorts of toys and activities. There’s a role play area complete with costume and paraphernalia as well as toy corners for the littles ones. A Jungle Gym gives kids the opportunity to use their physical prowess while the Ball Swim and Cyber Wheel lets them have a bit of fun while they’re tumbling around. Plus, there’s a lounge where parents can wait in comfort. Tip: Kidzoona has a water station so you can refill water bottles. Your kids would definitely get thirsty from all the action. Contact: 5/F Robinsons Galleria, Edsa cor. Ortigas, Quezon City; (632) 631-9830; www.facebook.com/kidzooona.ph
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outandabout JOLLY INTRODUCES DONITA ROSE AS BRAND AMBASSADOR
Jolly Heartmate Canola Oil (JHCO) recently introduced its first brand ambassador since the brand’s inception in 1997, Donita Rose Cavett-Villarama. “Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is a consistent number one canola oil brand in the Philippines and with Donita Rose as our brand ambassador, I believe that she will strengthen our brand further” says Jun Cochanco, president of Fly Ace Corporation, the distributor of JHCO. www.flyacecorp.com
PREGNANT PAUSE 10
Moms- and dads-to-be spent their Saturday afternoon in a most enlightening way at Pregnant Pause 10. Denise Gonzales Bernardo, one of the founders of IndigoBaby, played host to dozens of expectant couples at the F1 Hotel in BGC, Taguig City. She also discussed the various elements of attachment parenting. Lexi Payumo of Urban Ashram Manila gave a demonstration on easy-to-execute yoga moves for both mommies and daddies-tobe while photographer Louie Arcilla shared some of his trade secrets in creating beautiful photographs at home. www.mommymundo.com
Hi-Precision Diagnostics, the largest network of medical examination and diagnostic facilities in the country, recently launched the Panaroma Prenatal Screen, a cutting-edge screen test. The Panorama Prenatal Screen is a safe, noninvasive DNA screen test that can tell you important information about your pregnancy. www.hi-precision.com.ph
Kids had a whale of time searching through Century City Mall's Golden Cave to hunt for golden eggs at the Eggventure Island treasure hunt last Easter Sunday. Kiddie participants were treated to a loot bag, a treasure map, and free entrance to the bouncy ship as well as yummy freebies including popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cone. www.centurycitymall.com.ph
EMPOWERING MOMS AT MPOWERED MOMS
Moms were treated to a one-of-a-kind event as they learned about skills and techniques which can help prepare them for financial issues and medical emergencies at MPowered Moms. A learning workshop sponsored by Mompreneur Manila, Pioneer Insurance, and St. Luke’s Medical Center, MPowered Moms was held at F1 Hotel BGC. The workshops were by administered by Danny Oledan of Pioneer Insurance and Francis Orioste of St. Luke’s Medical Center BGC-HR Training Group. www.facebook.com/ PioneerEmpowered
MOMS GO TO SCHOOL
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Mommy Mundo’s MomSchool Series continued with the participation of Ogalala and PlayWorks at F1 Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. A pioneer of the “System in Play” concept, Ogalala integrates learning into play with educational toys that help develop children’s passion for arts and crafts and curiousity for nature and science. PlayWorks is a learning center which offers a play-based program that follows developmentally appropriate practices for children from 3 months to 5 years old. www.mommymundo.com
Kiddie Fun at Century City Mall photo taken from mymomfriday.com
HI-PRECISION DIAGNOSTICS LAUNCHES PANORAMA PRENATAL SCREEN TEST
KIDDIE FUN AT CENTURY CITY MALL