Lessons Learned
By: Roxanne E. Limjoco

According to Robert Fulghum, all we ever really needed to know we learned in Kindergarten. This is so true and much, much more. I have been a Preschool teacher for only two years but the learning involved exceeded my expectations. I remember each and every student I’ve had. More importantly, I remember the lessons imparted by them. If I didn’t know any better, I would think I was the student and not the teacher.

On the first day of school, I learned to be brave as I saw my students walk slowly towards the classroom while saying a tearful goodbye to their parents and yayas.

As the days turned into weeks, I learned to be adventurous as I saw my students cross the monkey bar, chase the odd-looking bugs and ogle at the various fruit-bearing plants in the campus.

Weeks turned into months and I learned to be a follower as I witnessed my students lead the class in prayer, pretend to be “teacher” and tell stories that would give J.K. Rowling a run for her money.

Before the year ended, I learned to be selfless watching my students give their ‘baon’ away, take care of their sick classmates and say sorry to the people that they’ve hurt.

One thing we all put importance to in our school is raising our children with the proper values and morals. I am proud to say, that for the past year, my students never failed to teach and re-teach me the true meaning of kindness, goodness and honesty through their simple actions and words like “thank you” and “I love you”.

This being said, I would have to apply all that I have learned as I take a leave from teaching. I am not saying goodbye. It is my turn to give back to my ultimate teachers, my parents.

The Summer Challenge Club (formerly the Kiddie Summer Club) offers a series of indoor and outdoor activities for children ages 3 to 13 for a month during the summer school break. This experience, with a fully integrated character curriculum, is designed to give every participant the opportunity to connect with positive influences that will drive them to reach the highest potential. This unique summer program also introduces to the participants and their families the distinctive qualities of the CFS education, to help them in their decision in choosing a school.

At the Summer Challenge Club, participants take part in all of the ff. activities:

* Academics

Our summer academic program blends character development with a creative approach to inspire students as they develop math, reading, writing and art skills.

* Sports

All students will have a chance to master team play and fairness in the sports of soccer and basketball, where effort and attitude are emphasized by their coaches and teachers.

* Performing Arts

Students closely working with the faculty throughout the summer will perform in a mini-production featuring song, dance, and drama.

* Home Economics

Our full service canteen will be open for all to enjoy baking and cooking safely. Of course, we all eat afterwards.

* Outdoor Trips

Our city offers us various locations where the students with our faculty are given a stimulating outdoor classroom. In activities such as hiking and camping, the participants learn the importance of identifying their attitudes that will help them in their personal growth and success.

At Centro Fidei, students learn what it takes to build their confidence. Not from empty praises but from hard work, having the courage to take action, and a willingness to take a deep look at their attitudes. Academics, sports, performing arts, home economics and outdoor exploration are all part of the CFS Summer Challenge Club, where all students discover the best in themselves in a caring and fun atmosphere.

Program Schedule: April 10 to May 9, 2008, Monday to Friday, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Program Fee: 3,500 pesos (inclusive of all materials)
Registration: Please call our business office: Ms. Chat/ Agnes at 045.888.6278

Learning Through Teaching
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

I have a new-found respect for teachers. I never realized how noble such a profession was until I became one. The idea of becoming a teacher dawned on me five years ago when the situation in our country started looking gloomy. I decided to study again with high hopes of landing a job in the States, if not for me then for my children. So, I decided to apply as a teacher.

Difficulties

The first trimester was the most difficult. Waking up early to be in school was one of my biggest adjustments. Meeting the students was another trial. Schools nowadays meant dealing with children coming from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities. Another endeavor was getting along with my co-workers and superiors. I haven’t worked for anyone so my employee skills were zilch. I was used to being my own boss and going home whenever I liked but this time I had hours to put in. And when I got home, I would still be a wife and a mother. Those three months were taxing! Every month, thoughts of resigning would cross my mind.

Rewards

I have learned so much from being a teacher. I have seen how hard teachers work, how devoted they are to their profession and how concerned they are for their students. I have discovered that teachers work not for the money but for the love of teaching. Being with these students keeps me young at heart. I enjoy teaching them, playing with them and learning from them. I’ve learned to be more patient, more understanding, more trusting and more forgiving because of them. More importantly, I’ve learned to be more appreciative. Every little note, hug, smile, kiss, “I love you” and “thank you” would make me want to be a teacher over and over again. At the end of the day, it is not waiting for my paycheck that counts but knowing that in my own little way, I have touched someone’s life.

Plans

Being a teacher is one of the most under-rated jobs in the country. When I hear someone refer to a teacher as “just a teacher”, I feel sorry for that someone because he probably has never experienced having a great teacher. If the teacher thinks himself as “just a teacher” then he shouldn’t be teaching at all! It is time to change our attitudes and views towards teachers. As an educator, I know I can be more. My plans of going abroad have been put aside and instead I want to make a difference here in my own country, in my own community. Centro Fidei, I’m here to stay.

Growing Pains
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

Starting a family isn’t easy. You do not only have your spouse to think about but now you must start making decisions with your future children in mind. It is best to plan each child. One must be mentally, emotionally and financially prepared to be parents. Once the baby arrives, there’s no turning back. You cannot just return it like merchandise because you can’t handle the pressures of parenthood. I learned this the hard way. None of my pregnancies were planned. I had my first baby at 19, my second at 20 and my youngest at 25. My husband is just a year older than me and so we were practically growing with our children.

Growing Up

When our first baby came, we had help coming from our parents and a Yaya. The first few weeks was not that hard; changing his diapers, feeding him, burping him, bathing him. But as the weeks passed we started feeling the sleepless nights and the pressure put on us by the baby. He was such an attention-getter. I had to rock him to sleep every night. His timing was perfect. He would cry when I was about to fall asleep or when I was in the bathroom. To make matters worse, having just gone back to school, I got pregnant again! Having two babies was the beginning of our difficulties. When the new baby cried, the other one would cry as well. When one got sick, the other would surely follow. It was a never ending cycle of diapers, milk and medicines. At night, I would have to study in the bathroom so as not to wake the children. My husband slept on the floor with our daughter while I slept on the bed with our son. We each had our own bottles of milk beside us so when the kids started to cry we would just stick them in their mouths. This went on for over two years. Then the miracle of Barney happened. We now had an addition to our arsenal of helpful finds. When the children were restless or when we were so tired, we would just play a Barney video and we would get an hour or two of peace and quiet. Sleep had become a precious and most sought after activity.

A few tips to parents:
• Do not make it a habit to rock your baby sleep!
• When the baby sleeps, go to sleep as well.
• Give Yaya a good night’s sleep to recharge her for the next day.
• Let the baby get used to sleeping even in a bright and noisy environment.
• Alternate taking care of the baby at night with your spouses.

Growing Older

In a few years’ time, my husband and I felt like experts. We could put on diapers or make a bottle of milk with our eyes closed. We’ve now entered into another zone, not far from the twilight zone. The children can now verbalize their complaints. When this happens, you don’t know anymore whether you want them to go back to crying like before. They now tell you want they want. They walk, they talk and they’re in command. Ronald McDonald becomes their new friend. Romantic dinners in a fancy restaurant would now be replaced by fast-food chains. Going to the malls would definitely have a stop-over at a toy store. Movie dates would include watching animated characters. Putting white upholstery on furniture or car seats would have to be given a second thought. At this stage, a parent should have good convincing powers. You should be careful with the promises you make for kids never forget. Now is the time to make up rules for the children to follow or else you’ll end up being used and abused by them.

Rules could be the following:
• Eat at Mc Donald’s only every other weekend.
• Make promises you can keep.
• Buy toys only on special occasions.
• Make sure furniture is child-proof.
• Watch animated movies as a reward for good deeds.

Growing Together

When I look back, the sacrifices and hardships my husband and I made while raising our children now seem to be insignificant. Every little pain our children felt were magnified ten times more for us. Every time they got sick, we wished it to be us. Every time they got picked on in school, I wanted to terrorize those little bullies. But these experiences made them stronger. These experiences made us stronger too. It is very rewarding to see your children face problems and make decisions on their own. It wasn’t just our children who did the growing up and growing older, we all grew together. This experience in itself is a priceless reward. There is no role in the world as fulfilling as being a parent. There are many things to learn, even from our young ones.

Things I learned from my children:
• I am never too old to play.
• It’s okay to laugh at myself.
• It is relaxing to watch cartoons.
• It’s great to say I LOVE YOU anytime, anywhere.
• It’s not that difficult to say I’m sorry.
• It is fine to be a bum for a whole day.
• It is easy to be happy.
• It is not a crime to say I DON’T KNOW.
• It is not embarrassing to be afraid.
• It is not weird to be weird.

Great Expectations
By: Roxanne Estrellado-Limjoco

I was a mother at the age of 19. I was practically a baby when I had my baby. I was one of the fortunate expecting mothers who didn’t have a difficult time with cravings, sensitivity to odors, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. I enjoyed my pregnancy so much because of the excuse it gave me for pigging out. I also loved dressing up and getting that special attention from everyone! When the time came for me to give birth to my eldest son, I was all set to experience the worst pain I would ever feel in my entire life. This frame of my mind I have my friend to thank, I was able to talk to her right after she gave birth and got this warning. So when it was my turn, it turned out that when you expect the worst, giving birth would be a breeze! When my mother and mother-in-law found out my ease in birth-giving, they assumed that I would probably be pregnant soon. And they were right, 11 months after I was again giving birth to my baby girl.

When I think about my first pregnancy, I couldn’t help but smile. My husband was only 20 years old then so we were like children playing bahay-bahayan. But young as we were, we religiously went to my OB-GYN and followed everything she said. With the help of our parents, we were guided all the way. We bought baby stuff only on the latter part of my 2nd trimester. We only bought yellow or white colored clothes since we didn’t know the baby’s gender yet. On the last trimester, we already had our bags packed for the hospital stay, including the baby’s diaper, receiving blanket, binder, shirt, mittens, booties, baby book and other baby necessities.

The day before giving birth to my firstborn, I was just on one of my regular visits to my doctor. She said I was already 2-3cm dilated and that I should already be admitted to the hospital. I was so relaxed but my husband was so nervous. As we were getting our stuff from the house, he kept asking how I felt. I actually didn’t feel any different, I even asked him to take me out to lunch first before returning to the hospital. On the way to the hospital, he was so much in a hurry that he made a left on a no-left turn road. Of course the police stopped us and he was explaining, more like panicking, that I was about to give birth. When the police looked at me, he said, “E bakit nakatawa pa ang asawa mo?” He did let us go but my husband was so irritated with me for acting so calm. I was laughing the whole time.

While I was in the labor room, funnier things happened. I wore the hospital gown the other way around, with the ribbons in front and my private parts doing a peek-a-boo number for all to see. When the enema was about to be done, they told me to wait a few minutes before going to the bathroom. It was more like a few seconds, as soon as the enema tube left my body, I darted towards the bathroom only to find out that I had to dart back to ask for toilet paper! It was so embarrassing. When I reached 6 or 7cm I was rolled into the delivery room. I remember telling the nurse not to shave it all off and she thought it a weird request but agreed nevertheless. From that time on, I felt like a superstar with the non-stop questioning from different people. From ‘What is your name? How old are you?’ to ‘Is this your first pregnancy? Is this your first delivery?’ But when I started to feel the labor pain, answering became quite difficult. In between contractions, I think I was able to politely tell them to bug off. I know they were only doing their jobs, but I was also trying to do mine.

My water bag never popped, so I was induced by my doctor. Finally, I was fully dilated. This time, I felt the intensity of the pain. My doctor was holding my hand and she told me to only push when she tells me to. I had no idea what pushing meant so I relied heavily on all the movies I’ve seen with women giving birth. This entailed screaming and shouting as hard as you can. I was so ready so when my doctor said “PUSH”, I belted out as hard as I could. I felt like I was shooting a movie. They were so amazed by my acting but my doctor wasn’t. She approached me and said that I didn’t have to yell, I just had to push inside, like I was just doing my thing in the bathroom. Oh I see. I never felt sillier than I did, even with all the pain I was feeling. After a few pushes it was all over. I had a handsome and health baby boy whom my father considers the best birthday present he has ever received. I gave birth exactly on my father’s 50th birthday.

I now have three children. My eldest son is 15, my daughter is 14 and my youngest son is 9. My husband and I love telling stories about all our children’s births. We especially like sharing with our friends how we’ve become experts in child birth. With our eldest, we stayed in the hospital for five days. With our second child, we stayed for three days. With the youngest, it was just an over-night stay. Now my husband teases me that the next time I give birth, I should just be an out-patient! These are the kinds of expectations and experiences that we cherish the most. These are the fun-filled memories that will last a lifetime.


After Birth Tips:

1. Preparation – Prepare your mind and emotions for the arrival of your baby. Have a talk with your husband, parent or friend about your feelings. It is normal to have fear, insecurities, doubt and nervousness.
2. For Mother – Pack the things you need to bring to the hospital on the last trimester of your pregnancy in case of premature delivery. Things a mother needs to bring are: nightgown/pajamas that button in front, robe, slippers, nursing brassieres, underwear, clothes to wear for going home, sanitary napkins, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap and cosmetics.
3. For Baby – You also need to pack some things for the baby, usually things needed for going home: shirts, diapers, sweater, bonnet, mittens, booties, binder and receiving blanket. These should all be placed in a baby bag.
4. Extras – Don’t forget to bring the Baby Book for you and the guests to fill up and sign. Have your camera ready for great shots of the much awaited event. Of course, money is needed for small items to be bought and for payment of the hospital bill.
5. Name – You should have at least two names ready for either a baby boy or a baby girl. The hospital will not release you without naming your baby.
6. Physical Changes – Abdominal pains will occur caused by the contractions of the uterus as it returns to its normal size. This is for only a few days. Also, a strong vaginal discharge which is red in color appears. As it becomes paler, it also becomes lighter. This should not persist for more than two weeks.
7. Back to Normal – Expect difficulty or discomfort in urinating, passing gas and moving your bowels, especially for first-timers. You will not be allowed to leave the hospital unless you’ve done these to know if your system has gone back to its normal activities.
8. Lactation – Your breasts have already changed during pregnancy. They are larger and more sensitive, but now, they will become harder as it prepares for lactation. This begins at the end of pregnancy as the first spurts of milk, colustrum, comes out.
9. Post-Partum Depression – You may suddenly feel miserable and irritable, this is a phase all mothers go through after childbirth. This is caused by all the stress, tension and effort from delivery.
10. Help – Don’t forget to solicit advice and help from your doctor. Don’t be shy or afraid to ask questions.

A True Pinoy (August 2004)
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

“Anything you can do, I can do better,” and cheaper! When I was a young girl, I always thought imported products were the best, especially those from the States. I remember my eldest brother telling me how he would cry when he received anything “Made in Japan.” It had to be “Made in USA!” Whenever there was a balikbayan in our home, I would be so excited waiting for my pasalubong like M&M’s, Nestle Crunch, Barbie Dolls, Shaun Cassidy Jeans, Leif Garret Shirts, Esprit Bags, Sperry Topsiders and Penny Loafers. I loved the smell of freshly opened suitcases from the US of A. I didn’t want to have the clothes washed for fear of removing the American scent.

In my early teens, I tried so hard to look like Madonna, wearing fish net blouses and chunky bracelets and earrings. My elder brother, on the other hand, wore eyeliner and put egg white in his hair to look like Billy Idol. I guess anyone who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s would understand this behavior. Fortunately, we grew out of this stage.

Reminiscing and Missing

When you’re growing up, you start to miss the little things that didn’t seem important when you were a child. In school, I remember buying fishballs and dirty ice cream from the karitelas just outside the school gate. I remember playing agawan base and patintero while waiting for the school bus to arrive. I remember riding the tricycle with my friends, all eight of us! I can still recall my suking magtataho who passed by our house every afternoon. I especially started missing all these when my family and I lived in Japan. Every local product seemed so far away and this made me crave for more.

The true Pinoy that I am emerged. The American Commisaries didn’t satisfy my hunger anymore. When my mama would visit my brothers in the Philippines, I would give her a list of things to buy. The list would include Goldilocks Polvoron with Pinipig, Magnolia Mango Ice Cream, R&M Dried mangoes and Bulacan Sweets Pastillas De Leche. Aside from food, she would also buy me clothes and shoes from Shoemart. It wasn’t called SM then. My brothers would send me Keno, Randy Santiago and Gary V. cassette tapes. I would also ask them to tape TV shows like, “Penthouse Live,” “Kris and Friends,” “See True” and other Pinoy shows and movies.

Not to forget, Mama also bought me and my Yaya, who was also in Tokyo with us, local gossip magazines to keep us updated! I didn’t feel bakya at all. I realized how it felt to be an OCW. No matter how hard you try not to be sentimental, it just happens. Do you remember movies that showed Filipinos clapping and shouting as soon as the plane touches down Philippine ground? Well, that too is true. Been there, done that. And to think I only lived in Japan for less than three years!

True Pinoy winners

I have now entered a new phase in my life wherein I am proud to be Pinoy. I do buy imported products once in a while but there are certain local products that I cannot live without. Every time I see Reese’s, I imagine the peanut taste of Chocnut. When I see Birkenstocks in shoe stores, I replace that with the comfortable feeling of the Beachwalk slippers. When I smell the De Ne Nes cologne, I just put on my ever refreshing Johnson’s Baby Cologne Original Scent. Whenever I lay eyes on those big bags of Ruffles and Lay’s chips in the supermarket, I just grab a whole sack of the garlic-breath-inducing Boy Bawang in the nearest sari-sari store instead.

Lastly, nothing beats the bagoong as my all-time favorite dip! Bagoong is actually very versatile. I use it as dip for manggang hilaw and singkamas. I mix it with vinegar and it’s great with daing na bangus. It also makes eating shrimps a delight when mixed with chopped tomatoes and manggang hilaw. Or just put it on your rice and you have an instant meal!

I have also asked my family and friends what their true Pinoy winners are and here are the results: Star Margarine, Magnolia durian ice cream, siling labuyo, San Miguel beer, Tanduay rhum, Baliwag liempo, Johnson’s face powder, Carefree pantyshields, Her Bench lipstick, Pantene conditioner, Johnson’s baby milk bath, Johnson’s baby milk lotion, Palmolive shampoo, mangoes, Aga Muhlach movies, Tricks styling gel, Barrio fiesta bagoong, bagoong Balayan, San Jacinto pata hamon, Clean & Clear face moisturizer, Zesto dalandan soda, Zesto iced tea, Johnson’s soap, Blue corner white t-shirts, Babes hair lotion, taba ng talangka, Clover chips, Arce ice cream, Serg chocolate, Viva candy, pandesal, calamansi, kutsinta, sago’t gulaman, panghilod, Fibisco chocolate mallows, sinangag, patis, among many others.

True Pinoy winners are local products that can compete with foreign products not just in quality and price but can actually be replacements as well. These are the products that you cannot live without here in the Philippines and the products that you would miss when you’re in another country. As the saying goes, “Walang ganyan sa States.”

When G-Day Comes
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

Have you ever done a garage sale? I do this two or three times a year and it is very fulfilling. My mama always said if you haven’t worn a certain piece of clothing for over six months, then its time to say goodbye to it. I had my first garage sale five or six years ago with the intention of clearing my closet.

I was the type of person who kept all her junk from grade school, high school and college. Every piece of clothing, shoe, bag, stuffed toy, book and whatnot had sentimental value for me. It was so difficult letting them go. I started with really old clothes, shoes and bags. When G-Day arrived, I got the surprise of my life! Almost everything I put up for sale was snapped up by eager buyers and by 3PM, I was P 20,000 richer! I couldn’t believe it.

I told my friends about my initial success and right then and there they wanted me to hold another garage sale so that they could dispose of their old stuff too. Once again, I foraged through my closets and boxes and found more items to sell. It was easier letting go the second time around. This time, I included my husband’s and kids’ clothes and shoes, toys, home décor, books and anything I wasn’t using anymore. It was such a success! Ironically, after years of doing this, I have no more attachment whatsoever to the material stuff I have. I’ve become a pro at this garage sale business!

There’s hardly a downside to a garage sale except maybe waking up early, moving cars out of the garage and flexing those muscles from packing and unpacking and listening all day to endless haggling. However, after all this activity, you will not only have a spacious closet but a thick wallet as well. And the best part – you can easily buy a new set of clothes with the money you’ve just earned to reward yourself for a job well done! Or you can be your frugal self and save up for something really important.

I’ve also learned that having too many shoes and bags is not advisable. No matter how well kept they are, if you don’t use them for many years, the leather and the soles will soon give way to wrinkling, chipping, melting and smelling awful. Please don’t let your eldest son’s shoes wait for your youngest son’s feet. I tried doing that and my son came home from school one day without soles in his shoes! And to think, those were high quality, imported shoes that I paid an arm and leg for several years back. Even clothes are not spared from the ravages of time. When you keep them unused for too long, they begin to develop yellow spots, small holes and molds.

I strongly recommend that you hold at least one garage sale a year. If you don’t have the time or the patience, look for a friend or family member who has. If you seem to have little merchandise to sell, ask other people to join your sale because the more items you have for sale, the more revenue you can expect. So, happy hunting and have a good sale!

Tips on How to have a successful Garage Sale:

1. Village check. The garage should be in a village where there are many houses close together, ideally with a large population of helpers, drivers, security guards and carpenters.
2. Time check. Make sure to hold your garage sale on a payday or at the end of the month. Best time would be during the summer before helpers go on vacation to their provinces or before Christmas when the household staff get their bonuses.
3. Fliers. Ask permission from the village association before giving out fliers. Fliers should be given a week before the sale. Put a sign on your garage too!
4. Search. A month before the event, start going through your closets, drawers, boxes and bodegas to look for items to sell. List down all the items and their prices, label the items and pack them. Ask your friends to do the same. An important reminder – make sure the clothes you sell are still in good condition. Please remember these people did not come to buy your rags.
5. Price. If you are unattached to the material things, it is easier to find stuff to sell and easier to price them low, even if they’re branded. Most of the people you will sell them to are not brand conscious.
6. Preparation. On the eve of the sale, sort out all the items to be sold. Check for unlabeled items. Prepare what you need for the following day: coins, bills, calculator, notebook, pen, cash box, chair, table, plastic bags, etc.
7. Alarm. Always start early so you can catch the workers before their bosses wake up and before other garage sales open.
8. Patience, patience, patience! Expect haggling to the max. You haven’t seen the haggling pros until you’ve had a garage sale. Give in to the hagglers on the last day, so you don’t have a lot of items left.
9. Be alert. Write down all the items sold with their corresponding prices. For those consigned items, write down the owners’ names as well. Be careful in giving change. Put away the big bills at once. Have at least two helpers with you to help in fixing, watching, folding, sales talking and packing.
10. After Sales. Count your total cash on hand. Total your list and see if they tally. Set aside your family or friend’s sales. If your helpers ask for big discounts give it to them. If not, give them something for helping you out in cash or in kind.

Tiangge in Angeles City
By: Roxanne Estrellado-Limjoco


15 years in Pampanga and six of those years living in Angeles City would make you think I’ve been to every shopping place there is here. I’ve been to almost all kinds of tiangge there is: Divisoria, Greenhills, Ukay-Ukay, shopping malls and bazaars. But, there is one place I’ve been hearing about that I haven’t been to. It is actually a 15 minute drive from my house. Just like any other tiangge, you must come to this place very early while there are less people and still more good buys.

Discovery

Right in the heart of Angeles City ’s bayan is what is known as APO , to Capampangans, APU. It is held every Friday from 6am to 6pm. Streets and streets of Angeles City are closed for this weekly event. Hundreds of tents cover goodies from earrings, clothes, bed covers to household items. Just like the streets of Divisoria, the scenery is not that pleasing to your senses. Your sense of sight must be brave enough to look at cracked and muddy walkways. Your sense of smell must be able to block out the scent of sweat, garbage and other indescribable odor. Your sense of feeling must be ready for all sorts of body contact, such as the tapping from beggars, the bumping from other shoppers and the picking from pickpockets! Fitting may also pose to be a problem as there are no cubicles available anywhere. Once you have thrown away all your anxieties and sophistication, you can now scour the stalls of APO.

Mother’s Delight

Why just now? I know you must be asking this question. I have two reasons for this. One is waking up early. I do wake up early for my youngest son but going to APO will require me to wake up earlier!!! The other reason is, I’m sure felt by any other homemaker, I was trying to minimize unnecessary spending. But with many of my friends being pregnant, I have been seeing their weekly APO products for their babies and they were all amazingly cheap and beautiful! I had to go and see for myself. If there is one thing APO boasts of it is being a shopping Mecca for the soon to be mothers. A friend who is expecting to have twin boys in November has been regularly going to APO collecting baby shirts, overalls and jumpers every week. This way, by the time she gives birth she already has completed everything that she needs for her two bundles of joy without feeling the burden of a one time shopping spree. A sister-in-law is giving birth in the States in December and ironically, winter clothes for the baby can all be found here in APO! Can you ever purchase a thick jumper for less than a dollar? I don’t think so.


APO Here I Come!

My friend and I decided to do our bargain hunting on the first Friday of the month. Talk about role reversal, my friend was the expert and I was the rookie. I wore my most comfortable clothes and my ever reliable rubber slippers. I of course had to use my anti-pickpocket bag (zippered and close to the kili-kili) which has been my constant companion to every crowded place I’ve been to. We found ourselves a parking space not too close but not too far in case we were bringing bags of frugal finds. The first stop over was of course, the stall carrying children’s clothes from newborn to toddlers. Prizes were insanely low that I couldn’t resist buying a few items. It is always good to have a few pieces ready for emergency gift giving. I bought baby shirts for P20 each, jumpers for P50 each and jackets for P35 each! I don’t think any other tiangge can top that! Other products for babies are diapers, towels, bibs, booties, mittens, caps and many more. My other finds were pajamas for P90 each, earrings for P50 each and blouses for below P100 each. Given more time I could’ve found more treasures but I only had two hours of scavenging. Nevertheless, I would like to share with you what these are.

For those coming all the way from Manila, you can schedule your visit in the month of October which is the month long celebration of the twin fiestas (La Naval and Fiestang Apu) of Angeles City called Fiestang Kuliat. You can also visit the shrine of the Our Lady of the Holy Sepulcher (Apung Mamacalulu) which has the supposedly miraculous image of Jesus Christ lying in the sepulcher and the Holy Rosary Parish Church which has the image of the Reclining Christ. If you can’t wait for October, the tiangge in APO is a year round affair anyway.

The moral of the story is why go far when things are just right under your nose. Now, I have included APO in my list of shopping places. Check out the tiangge near your place, you might be surprised with what they have to offer. Happy bargain hunting!

The Birds and the Bees and More…
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

One can never be prepared for becoming parents. No matter how many books you read, seminars you attend and children you have, you will never be ready for the surprises your kids will give you. There are different levels for these surprises and most of the time you are caught unaware. Let me share with you what I have experienced from my own children and maybe you can pick up a few lessons on how to deal with them when the scenario arises. Or if you find my ways unorthodox, you may opt not to pay any attention to my actions. 

Toddler Talk

I have often been as open and honest as I could with my children. When they ask me questions, I try to explain as truthfully and carefully as I can. I wanted our lines of communication a no-holds-bar sort of thing. But at the young age of three, my children were already asking me about where babies come from. I didn’t talk about the stork or the gift from above story. I chose to tell them the scientific way of how the sperm meets the egg and forms into a baby. They were very fascinated especially when I drew my version of sperms swim racing to the egg. I told them that they were all winners in the race, Ram sperm, Sam sperm and Red sperm were all the first placers in the finish line. They were so happy and proud of their achievements.

Pep Talk

This explanation remained unquestionable for a few years until they were about eight years old. This time they approached me asking how Papa’s sperms got into Mama’s egg. Trying to appear as calm and composed as I can, I worked out my brains thinking of a solid and non-malicious answer to my very curious kids. I didn’t want my explanation to be too graphic and so I told my children that parents had a special way of showing their love for each other that allows the father’s sperms to migrate to the mother’s egg. Thankfully, they accepted that and didn’t probe further to ask about what this special way was.

Grown-up Talk

Again, this topic rested for a few more years, much to my relief! Since my first two children, Ram and Sam, are of the same age, most of their questions always come at the same time. But with my third child, Red, who was 5 years younger than Sam; I had to go through the exact, same experiences all over again. But now, there are a few alterations to the story because this time my two teenagers reinforce my explanation now that they are older. When Red asked about the sperm and the egg, I of course presented the same tale. When Ram and Sam heard their youngest brother’s query, they eagerly gave their views. Shockingly I listened to their version of how babies are made and without any malice they informed Red about the real deal! The different sexual terms were dropped here and there as if they were talking about how to make a pancake! Need I say more?

Serious Talk

I wasn’t offended or angry with what my children knew. After the shock wore off, I was actually very proud of them. It was good to hear them talk like grown ups. I took this as a cue for more serious talks with my children. This happened even before my daughter hit puberty! Now that Ram is 15 and Sam is 14, I regularly give them talks about sex, sexuality, smoking, drugs, peer pressure and other problems that teenagers may be faced with. I sometimes include Red in the talks that are appropriate for his age; he is now 9 years old by the way. These talks are usually prompted by the experiences my children have. For instance, when my daughter first had her period, I shared with her my own first menstruation story and of course reminded her what this really entails. When my eldest son was circumcised I also talked to him about becoming a man. Of course this was further discussed to him by his father. When my children told me of someone their age that got pregnant, I gave them a talk about premarital sex and the responsibilities of being a parent. I even shared with them my own story of becoming a very young mom and that not all young mothers and fathers are lucky enough to have a happy life together. When my children talk to me about crushes, I do not reprimand them. I react as normally as I can and tell them that it is natural to have crushes. It is more unnatural not to have one.

Reverse Talk

This kind of parenting actually has its advantages. I’ve discovered that what I am doing has reverse effects on my children. It’s as if they are hanging on longer to childhood than most kids their age do. My husband is especially relieved that his only daughter is not yet busy making “telebabad” with boys or asking permission to go to parties. He is a bit impatient though with his eldest son for being a late bloomer but I’m not. I am happy that he still likes spending time with his family because by next year, he will be off to college. I am really enjoying all the time I have with my three children because before I know it, they will all have their own lives to live and I hope and pray that my husband and I were able to get them ready for this.

Tips on Talking to your Kids about Sex:

1. Explore your feelings about sex before discussing it with your kids.
2. Start early by giving the proper names to your kids’ private parts.
3. If your children do not ask, take the initiative.
4. Talk about the love, care, concern and responsibility involved in sex.
5. Give the accurate information appropriate to your child’s age.
6. Talk about the changes in your children’s bodies as they grow older.
7. Let your children know your values about sex.
8. Relax when asked about sex.
9. Be honest.
10. Listen to your children.

Shabby Chic Pinoy Style
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

Shabby chic is defined as “secondhand stylishness.” It means finding an old piece of furniture, fabric or anything worn out, and turning it into something elegant or at least useable.

When I was in high school, my mother would often take me to flea markets, secondhand stores, tiangges and moving out sales. Although I tagged along, I always wore a grimace on my face. The idea of buying someone’s castaways made me feel embarrassed. But my mother never grew tired of taking me on her shopping expeditions. On those forays, she would educate me about the value of money and the thrill of hunting for the things that would prove in the long run to be of good value for money. As I grew older and wiser, my grimace was replaced by a grin and the negative feelings were overtaken by feelings of excitement and fulfillment. I’ve become my mother and I’m proud of it! Turning someone’s trash into my own treasure is now a motto I live by.

Old Homes and Buildings

So where can you find these so called “shabby” items? You don’t have to look far. Start with your grandparents’ house, or any old family or friend’s house for that matter. My grandparents owned a botica in Luisiana, Laguna (the last town of Laguna next to Lukban, Quezon). During those days, my grandparents concocted their own medicines and put them in glass jars of different sizes. I now have ten of these medicine jars and they look great in my home. My mother and I also discovered a white basin and pitcher ceramic set with a blue floral design which my Lola used to wash with since there were no faucets back then. What my mother did after acquiring this set was to go to the basement of Makati Cinema Square where she found the perfect wooden dresser that was a perfect fit for the basin and jar. Mama now uses it as a bathroom mirror and magazine holder at our family home!

In the nearby town of Lukban, Quezon, we found a tsokolateng baterol and a copper jar, which my husband adored. It reminded him of the homemade chocolate drink his Lola would make every Christmas in Candaba, Pampanga. We bought that sentimental piece and when not in use, it serves as a kitchen counter décor.

There are countless things you can discover in an old house just lying around like ‘nail-less’ chairs and tables, jars, religious icons, old electric fans, TV sets, phonographs, sewing machines, cash registers, and other pieces you can use for whatever purpose. The best part about this is, you just ask for it and they give it to you for free!


Antique Pieces

After ransacking old houses, you can proceed to antiques stores. Here you will find treasures that have already been restored. One of my favorite hunts is the basement of Makati Cinema Square. Here, I was able to find a beautiful hanging lamp that holds an esteemed place in my house. Secondhand stores such as those on Evangelista street in Makati is also a good source for secondhand furniture that used to belong to expatriates. In one of the stores I was able to purchase an old wooden breadbox that now serves as a medicine cabinet.

Some villages announce moving out sales too. This is where my living room sofa came from. A little repair and re-upholstery did the trick. Then, when you visit different provinces, always be on the lookout for little stores along the road. On the way to Baguio, there is a row of shops in La Union selling different Filipino woodcraft. At these shops you can find karitelas that can be converted into daybeds, kalesa wheels that may be used as bench stands, gilingans that can be made into side tables, and other indigenous products.

If you don’t want to go that far, you can just an hour and half to Angeles City where you can find similar wooden pieces. But if you enjoy traveling, just brave another three to four hours and drop by Maharlika Mall in Baguio, where there is more wooden furniture. Don’t worry, all these woodcraft shops do deliver!

Preserving What’s Ours

We Filipinos are blessed with a rich heritage and a diverse culture. We should learn to preserve and value what we have. My mother taught me to find beauty in everything, old and new. She saw beyond the dust, dirt and damage brought by time. She had the ‘eye’ for truly shabby chic pinoy style that I wish we could all have!

Privado Means Private
By: roxanne Estrellado - Limjoco

Two years ago, my husband and I discovered an Italian eatery hidden in a remote subdivision in Angeles City. This charming and rustic little place is called Privado Pizza, Pasta & Café. As the name suggests, it is a very private place. No need to worry about traffic, long cues, crowds and expensive bills. And since it is an Italian restaurant, the ambience and the herbs will definitely spice things up for you and your loved one!

Passion for cooking and serving is what drove Rudy “Abel” De Guzman Manlapaz and Edna Sanguyo - Manlapaz in putting up and keeping this restaurant. Unlike any other restaurateur, Abel did not have the early beginnings of a chef. He was a Criminology graduate and had been a court stenographer for 16 years. Edna, on the other hand is a teacher in Angeles University Foundation. She became the director of the school’s Formation House in 1995. This opened the door for them into the food business. Abel began cooking at the ripe old age of 32. For seven years they were a concessionaire in the Formation House. In 2003, an Italian chef trained Abel daily for a month. He was taught the culture, history and basics of Italian cuisine. He learned quickly and was even able to concoct his own flavors. In August 2004, Privado was born. They decided to put up the resto in their own garden (Bonsai done by Edna herself), less costly and more convenient for everyone. It was a family run business indeed. The father was the cook, the mother was the assistant and their five children all helped out from serving to cleaning. Privado brought their family closer. Even on days when no one would come to eat, the whole family supported Abel’s passion and didn’t give up. The children would sometimes be the ones to order themselves just to soothe their father’s longing to whip something up in the kitchen. All their hard work and sacrifices soon paid off.

Three months into operation, they started having regulars, mostly religious groups and the priests. Word got around of the existence of a good Italian restaurant. No marketing strategies were used except for the small signage in front of their house. The once considered a “crazy concept” has been getting clients from Guagua, San Fernando , Mexico and even Manila! The who’s who of Pampanga have tasted and come back for their delicious meals. As you all now, the Capampangans are meticulous food critics! Abel has never taken a day-off since then. The Manlapazes have been getting dozens of offers for a franchise or a partnership to which they, fortunately, declined. Privado now has more helpers but still maintains the homey touch of the family members. Abel personally cooks all the dishes as they are ordered. There is no pre-cooking here so expect to wait a while, but the food is worth the wait!

Buon Appetito!

Preparing For a Summer Family Affair
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

Summer is here once again, the season we’ve all been waiting for. But don’t get your hopes too high because although we parents get a break from tutoring and school expenses, we are now faced by the incessant whining of our children: “I’m bored, there’s nothing to do and let’s go to the beach, the mall, etc.” Now that my kids are all grown-up, they are not just contented with staying at home, they need to get out. When my children were younger, my husband and I didn’t have trouble planning our summer vacation. We could just pack our bags and go to Baguio for a few days or to Subic for a day in the sun. When there was enough budget we could even opt to go to Boracay or to another country. When money was tight we would just enroll our children to summer school activities like cooking, painting, singing, dancing or acting classes.

Pack Away

But of course who wouldn’t want to spend their summer away from home? Staying at home wouldn’t be a vacation at all, as my children would put it. Even if it meant just sleeping over their grandparents’ or cousins’ house, as long as they brought their pajamas and toothbrushes with them, it was bakasyon el grande! Going on a vacation needs extra planning and care, especially if the kids are tagging along! Once you’ve set the date and the venue for the much awaited break, the first thing to do is to make a list of the things to bring. A tip in packing is not to over pack! I am very fortunate that I don’t pack for my husband. My friends would often tease me that I’ve trained my husband well. But really, he is not the typical husband who wants to be waited on hand and foot, lucky me! Years ago I would pack for me and my three kids but now that the two are teenagers, they pack their clothes themselves. It’s important to let your children know how long you’ll be gone because they might just bring their whole closet! Make sure to check what they are bringing as well. One time, my son brought only three pairs of briefs because I told him we would be gone for three days! Another thing to consider is the climate of where you’re going. When we were in Arizona , I was wearing slippers in the snow! Once you’re done with your vacation wardrobe, it’s time to pack the other necessities: toiletries, laundry bag, slippers, vitamins, medicines, first aid kit, sun block, flash light, water, gum, food, backpack/smaller bag, money, identification cards/passports, credit cards, cell phone, charger and camera. If you have younger kids, don’t forget their milk, diapers and their most favorite toy.

Getting Carried Away

When you’ve arrived at your destination, make yourself at home. Unpack all your belongings to remove the creases from your clothes and to check if you didn’t forget anything. Familiarize yourself with the place in case of emergency. Now it’s time to actually relax and enjoy your vacation. When going to different tourist sites, look for the most memorable and safest area that you can call your rendezvous point. In case someone gets lost, that would be your meeting place. Tell your children that you should all go in pairs, one adult and one child per pair. An experience I would never forget was when I lost my daughter when she was six years old. We were in an outlet in Barstow and because I was excitedly shopping, I forgot that I left her with a cousin who was not even a teenager yet. I heard my name called out from the speakers and I found my daughter in a police station 15 minutes away from where I left her! You couldn’t imagine how I felt during that time and the police didn’t help either. I couldn’t blame them though, what I did was unforgivable! I thank God everyday that the three men who found her were actually angels in disguise. Before going anywhere, have a talk with your children about safety and precaution. Now that you’re all safe, take in the sites and have fun. If you’re the type of person who buys pasalubong for their loved ones, do not purchase the bulky kind. And even if they are only meant to show your thoughtfulness, buy pasalubong that is useful. It is vital to make an account of all your expenses. This way you will know where all your pocket money was spent on.

Away We Go

When vacation’s over and you’re done sobbing over it, it’s time to get that list out again. Make sure that everything in your list has been packed. Remember to also keep all the purchases you’ve made. To avoid leaving items behind, check all the drawers, cabinets, closets, safe, under and atop the bed and the bathroom. Refill all that you’ve ran out of for the trip back like gum, food and water. Make a headcount and head back to your home sweet home. To remember the great time you and your family had over the summer, make an album or a scrapbook of the pictures, souvenirs and leaflets you took during your trip. You can even let your children help you work on this so it would really feel like a family summer affair!

Travel Tips for the Family:

1. Make a list for packing.
2. Don’t over pack.
3. A trip is not the time to toilet train or take away a bottle from your child.
4. Medical and First Aid Kit is a must.
5. Bring snacks and drinks for long trips.
6. If you’re flying with small kids, reserve seats in the bulkhead row of the plane.
7. If you’re road-tripping, bring a portable DVD player or something that would make your children stay still for hours.
8. Get your children, especially the teenagers, involved in planning the trip so they wouldn’t complain.
9. Pack extra clothes and essentials in a smaller bag for emergency and easy access.
10. Come up with a family plan of what to do in case someone gets lost.

Priceless Love
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

Many, many years ago, Valentine’s Day was a much-awaited occasion for me. I looked forward to the cards, flowers, chocolates, stuff toys and other gifts given by friends, suitors and secret admirers. It was such an exciting and flattering experience. When I got married at a very young age, I still felt that the 14th of February should be marked by my husband giving me something special. I wanted the works: dinner, a concert, flowers and a surprise gift. Being married for 15 years and having three children, changed all that. I still consider the day of hearts as a special day but not anymore a day of spending or splurging.

The Simple Things

What touches a woman’s heart is not the extravagance or the expensiveness of the gift but the thought and love that comes with it. Among the many Valentine’s Days I’ve celebrated with my husband, my most memorable one is when he asked the kids to pick flowers from the garden to give to me. I was so happy! It is very easy to buy a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates but it takes creativity and thoughtfulness to be truly romantic. Nowadays, what my friends and I do to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to have a get-together in each other’s houses. A regular Valentine’s night would require you to spend a fortune on dinner, flowers and whatnot. What’s supposed to be a relaxing evening with you and your partner stuck in each other’s arms, will eventually turn out to be an evening stuck in traffic! Instead, what we do is prepare a menu, a venue and compute how much we would have to spend. You would be surprised how far your P500 can go. By the way, I meant P500 per couple not per head!

Woman’s Turn

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for women. Women should also make this day special for their men. Men may not be as sentimental and mushy as we are, but only a man of steel would not appreciate an act of love during this day. Why not do a role reversal and see what this does to your relationship? In the many years that you have been together, it is high time to show how much you love your significant other. As I’ve mentioned earlier, being romantic does not require spending or splurging.

10 Romantic & Inexpensive Ideas

1. Love Pills – Empty a vitamin bottle and clean it well. Replace the old tag with a new tag saying “ Take one a day.” Write on small pieces of paper things your partner loves (foot massage, back rub, cake, pasta, etc.). Roll the pieces of paper and place them in the bottle. Tie a red ribbon around the bottle.
2. Box of Love - Empty a box of chocolates and clean it well. Cut out heart shaped paper to replace each space for the chocolate. On each paper write things that you like about your man (the way you smell, the way you take care of me, etc.). Tie a red ribbon around the box.
3. Theme Songs – Make a compilation of songs that mean to both of you. It can be songs from when you were dating, or your wedding songs or both your favorite songs. Personalize the CD case with your picture or by writing a note on it.
4. Kidnapping – Kidnap your husband at work or wherever he may be. Kidnap him for a few hours or even for a few days. Do something that he has wanted to do for a long time (camping, hiking, etc.).
5. Check-In – Similar to kidnapping, pick up your husband from work and drive over to a hotel or motel and spend the night there. Of course don’t forget to leave your kids with someone you can trust.
6. Scavenger Hunt – This should be done when the kids are asleep or sleeping over somewhere. Leave little clues for your husband to find the minute he enters your house. Write poems or little notes until you get him where you want him to be. Candles and lingerie would be a nice touch.
7. Flower Power – Buy flowers or pick some from your garden and arrange them yourself. Send them to your husband’s office or just surprise him at home.
8. Be a Poet – Write a poem for your partner or if rhyming is not for you, write a letter instead. Say the things that you appreciate about him, what you love about him and the things you have hard time saying to him then frame it.
9. Reminiscing – Make a scrapbook of you and your husband from the day you met to the present. Put pictures and write notes on how you met, your first date, what you were wearing, etc. Give it to him on V-Day and start the reminiscing.
10. Breakfast in Bed – This I learned from my own mother. To this day, my Mama brings my Papa breakfast in bed. They’ve been married for 40 years! Should I say more?

Lovely Day

A lovely day isn’t just on Valentine’s Day. What’s more meaningful is remembering your loved ones not just on the special occasions but on the days they least expect. Remember, all you need is a little imagination and creativity. Start making your own romantic memories today for love is truly priceless!

Family Fun
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

My brothers and I grew up in a military base. Although utilities were free, we were still taught to conserve electricity and water. Both our parents worked as employees so we were also taught the value of money.

Loving Memories

My Papa would always recount how in his college days, he would have to walk many, many miles to the theater just to watch a movie. My mama on the other hand, in her first year of marriage, had to ride the bike everyday because they had no refrigerator to keep their meat, fish and vegetables fresh. To this day, my parents would think about how hard life was for them.

As their children, we were sent to good schools with hopes that we would never experience even half the hardship they went through. Eventually their hard work and sacrifice paid off because as a family, we were able to travel and live a comfortable life.

My brothers and I love to reminisce about how we would commute everyday to school, how our fried chicken became smaller as we grew older or how we said goodbye for three consecutive days to our neighbors only to come back because we were chance passengers (my mother worked for the airlines).

Upon hearing our stories, Mama would always feel sad thinking we only saw the bad side but in reality, these memories are part of the good side. We weren’t deprived of what was important in a family. We had love and laughter. These experiences are what molded us into what we are today.

Fun and Money

These are the same lessons that I am now trying to impart on my children. I try to pass on to my children what my parents taught me about the value of money. However, I’ve learned not to overdo it. I took my eldest son grocery shopping when he was five years old and he kept asking me if I could pay for all the items in my cart. He looked so concerned and scared that not once did he ask me to buy anything for him. I told him to stop worrying because I would not get anything I couldn’t afford.

There are many ways of having fun without spending so much. Once, my daughter told me, “I like it best when you play with us.” It wasn’t the trips we made, the toys we bought, the clothes we wore or the house we built, but it was the fun we had. With our busy schedules, we often forget this. The times that we are home, we are so tired that we want peace and quiet in the house. But when will we have time for fun? Children grow up so quickly. I’d like to share with you what my children consider fun and what I consider “frugally” fun.

Dinner Stories – My youngest son’s favorite dinner activity is to talk about how they all were when they were younger. We would talk about their birth to their funny antics. They also love stories about their own parents. Often we end up laughing so hard recalling all our funny memories.

Puppet Show – When my children want to hear stories, I would get one or more of their stuffed toys and make them sing or dance. You don’t have to be a great ventriloquist because that’s what makes it funny for the kids.

Car Games – In the car, we often play a finding game. The child with the most number of finds is the winner. You can look for Volkswagen beetles, which is our favorite thing to find, or anything along the road.

Board Games – As children, my brothers and I enjoyed Clue, Monopoly, Scrabble, Boggle and other board games. I try to introduce my kids to these games so they won’t always watch TV or play computer games.

Camping – Kids can go camping right in their own backyard. Set up a tent, put in sleeping bags and snacks. If they are brave enough, they can sleepover or just spend their time stargazing.

Outdoor Fun – Remember the games we played when we were younger? I taught my kids how to play piko, patintero and step no / step yes. Just supply them with pieces of chalk and let the games begin.

Arts & Crafts – I let my children do whatever they want to in their rooms. They can make their own artwork and stick them to the walls, doors and ceilings. They especially like it when we prepare for the holidays. They enjoy being part of the preparations.

Chef Wannabes – My children love to experiment with food. I let them mix whatever they like as long as they will eat their own concoction. They like making odd flavored milkshakes.

Weekenders – Every weekend my friends and I have a get-together with all our kids in one of our homes. The grown-ups spend time with each other while the kids play until they fall asleep.

Couch Potatoes – When we are all lazy, we just want to be couch potatoes. We would all get our favorite snacks, sit on the couch and watch movies the whole day.

I want my children to remember how much fun they had growing up, in the same way that I remember my childhood. Fun doesn’t come in expensive packages. It comes in spending time with your family.

Exploring Singapore
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

Last January, I was given the chance to attend a press junket in Singapore. I know what you must think, and I feel the same way. For a fabulously frugal person, I am very fortunate to always get trips for free, including hotel accommodation and food! But the real exploration begins when I start looking for pasalubong for friends and family. I don’t think I ever came home from a trip without bringing anything for my loved ones. It didn’t matter where I’ve been, Baguio, Boracay, Cebu, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Australia or USA, that is one Filipino kaugalian that I live by. Some people feel that giving tokens to people is such a waste of time and money, especially with the hard times and all. For me, it’s my way of saying I remembered you while I was away. It doesn’t have to be an expensive token, as the saying goes, “it’s the thought that counts.”

The Amazing Race

When the trip is not for pleasure, the major drawback is its similarity to a reality TV show. With the limited time and resources, you have to make the most out of your stay. A business trip of three days contains an itinerary loaded with activities from sun up till sun down. You have to be really resourceful and creative to squeeze in a little sight-seeing and shopping. You have to be careful though because a hurried shopping spree leads to a more costly set of items bought. You also must remember that you have no time to check out and compare prices because you may only get one chance of purchasing that item. Under time constraint, you cannot afford to go back to the places you’ve already been to. You will have to rely on your scavenger instincts. Once you’ve found the item you really want, buy it. I can still recall in one of my trips when I found something that I really liked. I didn’t buy it thinking I could always go back. I told myself, if it was really meant for me it would still be there when I returned. As it turned out, my sense of direction was really “no sense of direction” at all because I didn’t know how to go back to the shop. I spent sleepless nights wondering who was wearing the pretty skirt I didn’t buy. What makes the situation worse is that it wasn’t even an expensive skirt!

Fear Factor

After considering the time constraint, you must also consider the financial constraint. Like any other economist, our goal is to be very productive using the least amount of resources. To be able to do this, you have to make a list of the people you want to give pasalubong to. You must specify how much you are willing to spend for each person. If you do this, there will be no fear of using up all your pocket money before the trip ends. What I did is to cut back on my list. I used to give to such a long list of people but now, I only put the people I’m closest to and whom I see the most often. You don’t have to buy for each member of the family; it could be a token for the whole family. For my Singapore trip, I only gave pasalubong to my girlfriends, I’m sure their husbands and children will understand. With the money I saved, I was able to buy special gifts for my children, my husband and our parents.

Singapore Finds

A lot of people say that everything in Singapore is expensive. I beg to disagree. If given more time, I could’ve found more bargain items but with the time I had, I still feel I was able to use my time and money in the most efficient way. Word of advice though, no matter how money-saving key chains are, they may not be as well-appreciated as you think they would be. Key chains should be given at least once in your lifetime. Unless your friend is really a key chain collector, how many sets of keys do you think a person needs? There are other items that you can give as pasalubong which are similarly priced and are also more useful. I was able to find these items all in one day during our multicultural tour of Singapore. The pieces I bought in Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam all cost me less than ten Singapore dollars each! Here are some of them:

1. Aromatic Incense
2. Gourmet Tea
3. Hand Painted Shawl
4. Floral Scarf
5. Native Food (candies, nuts, etc.)
6. Native Bag
7. Pillow Case
8. Accessories (bracelet, necklace, etc)
9. Tourist T-Shirts
10. Hand Fans

Finish Line

At the end of the three day adventure and exploration, I considered myself a winner! I was able to finish my list and with money to spare. At the airport, I didn’t let the Duty Free Shops down either. I was weaving the shops like there was no tomorrow. Remember in my whole stay in Singapore this was the longest time I was able to spend in actual shops! I was able to buy books and chocolates for my husband and children. As I was sitting down waiting to be boarded, trying to catch my breath as if I really was in a race, I felt so proud of myself! I couldn’t wait to see my loved ones. I wanted to give them my pasalubong with the hope of being appreciated for the hard-work and thoughtfulness involved in the acquisition of these fabulous finds.

Crossroads
By: Roxanne Estrellado-Limjoco

Going to the States has always been every Filipino’s dream; as an immigrant, as a worker, as a businessman, as a student or just as a plain tourist. The difficulties of getting a US visa is just icing on the cake. Once you get there, the multiplication of 55 pesos to a dollar begins. Every item you pick up turns to gold, be it a can of soda or a plain hamburger. This is what happened to me as my family and I spent our summer vacation in the land of the brave, home of the free.

Exposition

The first month of our vacation was spent touring America from San Francisco, Tahoe, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Arizona to Washington! We’ve experienced all kinds of weather too: the rain, the cold, the heat and the snow. Thanks to a very generous mother-in-law, all travel expenses (gas, food & hotel) were shouldered by her. So the pocket money (thanks to our family for donations!) we were bringing was only for our personal consumption. But two months in the States would require tight budgeting and planning. I had to set aside the money needed for the theme parks and other entrance fees. I also had to make a list of things to buy as pasalubong so as not to overspend. Having set aside a budget for these, I now had to make a list for all the other daily expenses incurred. I also held on to my children’s baon and kept track of their personal spending. I felt like an accountant each night trying to balance the list with the cash on hand.

Building Action

We made San Francisco our home base. The second month was spent touring the cities near the Bay Area, visiting relatives and friends, shopping and sometimes just bumming around in my sister-in-law’s house in Hayward. By this time our funds was dwindling not because of the many outlets and malls we’ve been to but also because of the necessary purchases like buying groceries and the unnecessary purchases as well like eating ice cream at Coldstone & donuts at Krispy Kreme. As our pockets thinned out, our figures expanded. My frugal self was getting desperate.

Climax

As the weeks neared our date of departure, my spirits were down. Of course, I did frequent my favorite shopping places there like Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Old Navy but I still felt unsuccessful with my finds. Plain cotton t-shirts costing five dollars each seemed so expensive for my taste. A good find for me was something fashionable for less than ten dollars. You couldn’t find fashionable blouses in my fave places for less than $20! Multiplying that by 55 made me shiver! I was trying to convince myself that America is no longer frugal friendly to us Filipinos. I was going to come home with nothing to boast about. I was so disappointed.

Then in one of our family dinners, someone mentioned a place similar to our Ukay-Ukay. According to them, there are many second-hand stores located in downtown San Francisco, in particular in Haight, Market, Irving and Fillmore Streets. Since the dinner was in downtown SF, my sister-in-law and I excitedly walked two or three blocks to Irving. The cold weather and my high heels didn’t bother me at all. We were like soldiers out on a mission. And then, the most beautiful sign greeted me, in red neon lights, it said “Recycled Clothes”!!! I couldn’t believe the late discovery since this store has been around since 1991! Entering the store was like a walk in the clouds. The store’s walls were filled with racks and racks of the latest styles from the hottest designers. My spirits were lifted!

Denouement

The store’s name exactly described how I was feeling… “a critical point in time”. Crossroads Trading Company is a shopping destination where you can find recycled clothing, accessories, bags and shoes with name brands and designer labels at very low prices. They buy majority of their inventory from the community and since they are constantly buying, they always have lots of the latest and hottest designs. This is where the “my trash, your treasure” motto applies. You can be a trader, a buyer or a seller or you can be all of the above. Rummage your closet for pieces you haven’t worn for a while, you can take cash for them or you can choose to trade. Or you can be just like me, a regular wise shopper.
Amazingly, they have close to 20 branches already! So many stores so little time. I only had less than two weeks to go so I had to act fast. Together with my troop, we stormed the Crossroads stores in San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. Brands range from Gap to Gucci. Other brands are J.Crew, Diesel, Citizens of Humanity, Blue Cult, BCBG, Seven, Earl Jeans, Paper, Denim & Cloth, Von Dutch, Miss Sixty, Levi’s, Abercrombie, Marc Jacobs, Theory, Tahari, Rebecca Taylor, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Betsy Johnson, Katayone Adeli and Prada. The prices are remarkably low, from $5 for average brands to $40 for designer labels. Crossroads is a mecca for a consummate bargain hunter like me.

Because of Crossroads, the world looks at recycled clothes differently. Whether you’re looking for vintage timepieces, the latest seasonal trends or even the basics, Crossroads is the place for you. Aside from the good buys, it also boasts of a friendly staff, rows of nice fitting rooms and nice architectural design. No smelly and stuffy second-hand ambience in all their stores. Crossroads is also environment friendly. According to them, “Americans dispose of over 4 billion tons of worn clothing and textiles annually and EPA studies show 4.5% of our landfill is composed of textiles. Recycling and reusing clothing keeps them out of the landfill”.

Finale

Now that I’m back home, I can honestly say that out of all the purchases I’ve made in that long vacation, my favorites are those from Crossroads. My spirits have been revived and I definitely am still the fabulously frugal person that I am!


For more information regarding Crossroads Trading Co. visit

Breakfast with the Monks
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco
Special thanks to Dom Martin De Jesus Gomez, OSB and the Benedictine Monks of the Monastery of the Transfiguration


Atop a hill, just a few minutes’ drive from the bayan of San Jose , Malaybalay, Bukidnon is the Monastery of the Transfiguration founded by Fr. Ed Africa. It is run by the Benedictine Monks. It is considered the spiritual center of Southern Philippines because of its quiet, calm and peaceful ambience. It is haven for those seeking retreat from their chaotic city lives. It receives people from all walks of life in the spirit of “monastic hospitality and fraternal service.” It has become a pilgrim’s destination. Its sign at the entrance speaks for itself, “Peace to all who enter.”


The monastery is famous for the Monks’ Blend Premium Coffee, Monks’ Peanut Butter, roasted peanuts, Piniato (peanut brittle), their beautiful church and of course they were most famous for, the now disbanded Monastery’s Boys Choir which was the best children’s choir in the Philippines . Due to the very expensive capital needed for the boys to continue singing, the Monastery’s Boys Choir was discontinued. The Benedictine Monks have also helped tremendously in turning these barren and dry hills into a productive and promising baranggay. The locals now enjoy ample supply of drinking water, electricity, roads and livelihood, thanks to this group of monks.

Breakfast is Served

And now having breakfast with the monks has become a regular event. The magnificent church designed by the national artist, Architect Leandro Locsin, has always been open to Sunday churchgoers. Two years ago, devotees from Cagayan de Oro started complaining to the Benedictine Monks about how far they have traveled to hear mass at 8 in the morning and of having a difficult time looking for a place to eat breakfast. They suggested for the monks to prepare breakfast for them the next time they come back. With a measly capital of P5,000.00 sponsored by the complainants, the monks whipped up a sumptuous meal for 50 people! The refectory of the monastery was used as dining area for the guests. Soon, word got around that breakfast is served in the Monastery of Transfiguration every second Sunday of the month. From 50 people a couple of years ago, they now feed up to 300 guests! These people are coming from places as far as Davao City (5 hours away), Iligan City (3 hours away) and Cagayan de Oro City ( 2 hours).Usually, the monks are not allowed to talk to the guests but during these breakfasts they can now join and mingle with them.

Big Breakfast

According to Dom Martin De Jesus Gomez, formerly Gang Gomez, they started “Breakfast with the Monks” for only P70.00 per person. The following year, it was increased to P100.00 and then P120.00. Now breakfast is replaced with brunch for P150.00 per head. It is still a very minimal fee considering the abundant and delicious food prepared by the monks themselves. The monks try to cook dishes from their own provinces. Some friends and benefactors share their recipes as well. The monastery only has one helper in the enclosure but during these Sundays, they have to hire additional helpers. Also, because of the large number of people who come, the refectory could not sit them all anymore and so 35 huge tents are set up in the sprawling hills of the monastery. Three tents alone are needed for the buffet tables. What is amazing about this is that there is no need for reservations; people who wish to hear mass and have Brunch with the Monks can just come as they please. Some guests even come the night before. An overnight stay with dinner on Saturday night, breakfast before the mass and brunch after the mass would only cost P650.00! Another amazing fact is that all brunches are sponsored by generous people, family and friends.

Breakthrough

Each month’s brunch follows a motif. They have served Spanish, Chinese, Capampangan, Ilocano, Visayan and other types of cuisine. Because of the delicious food, many guests are asking about the recipes. Soon Dom Martin will be coming out with a book covering all the dishes served for the past two years during Brunch with the Monks. Proceeds coming from the affair and hopefully this book are going to be used for the monastery’s maintenance and for socio-economic, cultural, ecological and spiritual development of the community.


The Benedictine Monks of the Monastery of Transfiguration is synonymous to the word self-reliance. They rely on their own capabilities, judgment and resources to be able to help the community they are in. This self-reliance stems from the strong faith, confidence and trust that they have in God and in serving others.

Bora is Bora!

By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

It has been weeks since my last blog. So many things to say, so little time. This summer has proven to be the hottest and busiest ever. Thoughts have come and gone. I just hate it that I wasn’t able to jot them down. So now what comes to my mind is our latest Bora trip…

Just like any other trip, my family and I are always excited to the point of not being able to sleep well and just wanting it to be the BIG day. Woke up at 2:30 in the morning to catch our 6:30 flight in Manila. The only sad part of the trip is not being with our eldest, Ram, who is having his summer classes. Sigh!

Boracay will always be a memorable place for us all. No matter how crowded it may be or how commercialized it has been, Bora will be Bora. It’ll always hold a special place in our hearts. So many fond memories…

Tet’s 1st time in Bora was in 1987. He went there bringing a suitcase, jeans and leather shoes!!! Who can top that?!?! Hehe! I remember my 1st trip to Bora, we just had to do all the tourist stuff like island hopping, paraw-ing, motor biking, snorkeling and bananaboat riding. Island hopping required us to really hop because the other side of the island had so many rocks on the shore! Ouch! An hour of paraw-ing made us seasick and we all just wanted to go back to the island after the sunset and the picture taking. Motor biking was useless for me. I had my eyes closed the whole time since the roads weren’t paved yet and I could just imagine the pain it would cause me should we make semplang! Yikes! Paranoia surfaced during snorkeling. We just kept looking behind for Jaws, not noticing how beautiful the corals and fishes were. Last but not the least; the bananaboat experience was almost fatal! Eight brave souls rode out like COWboys on a bull ride. Shouting for more speed and more sharp turns, ended up with eight drowned rats! After gulping a gallon of salt water, we all rode back to the shore quietly shaking like COWards.

So why keep coming back? I don’t even like swimming in salt water. Aside from the snorkeling and the drowning, the only time I got wet in Bora was when we had to get off the boat to go to the shore! Bora is Bora! I always carry a to-do list whenever I am there. I just have to have Jonah’s shakes, Café Breizh’s crepes, Crystal Sand’s Lechon Kawali, Gasthof’s Baby Back Ribs, Honey Bee’s Pork Chop, True Food’s Indian food, Aria's Pizza, Bora’s Chori Burger & Longganisa, beach massages, beautiful sunsets and of course ice cold SML’s while sinking my feet into the powdery white sand. D’ best din and strolling down D’ Mall, haggling at D’ Talipapa, climbing D’ Wall and riding D’ Chubibo! Haha! Why not??? When in Bora, just do it!

S.O.S.
By: Roxanne Estrellado – Limjoco

I am not really a fan of American food, especially those that need to be seasoned even after it is served. As you know, I have no culinary talent. That’s why Mongolian restos are off limits to me. I can never eat my own concoction even if I religiously obey the directions to a perfect Mongolian sauce. Haay! But even the simplest task of putting salt and pepper to my food is not exempted from such a predicament. So for years, I’ve avoided Mongolian and Shabu-Shabu restaurants unless someone would volunteer to prep the food for me.

I also try to stay clear of American joints which is difficult if you live near Clark Air Base. My family adores this Veterans of Foreign Wars eatery called VFW Post 2485 Canteen here in Angeles City. But I could never enjoy any of my orders thinking they were all too bland for my taste. Plus the all-time fave of my family, the SOS, never looked appetizing to me. Just like its name, “SH*T ON A SHINGLE”, it did look like one! But this Easter morning, I was out voted by family members. They have been away from VFW for far too long. I had no choice but to tag along.

When we got there, there was a huge sign that said CLOSED. As my husband, cousin and children’s faces turned sour, mine was slowly lighting up. SWEET! This relief was gone in 60 seconds for the sign is for tomorrow. We then walked inside the canteen, well I walked, they HOPPED just like Tigger. Without seeing the menu, everyone knew what to order but me. I scanned the menu hoping for guidance from the spirits of the dead veterans. HELP!!! Then I realized, S.O.S. also meant Save Our Ship / HELP. And that’s what I ordered. “One SH*T On a Shingle / SLOP On a Slice, please!” A few minutes later, six orders of SH*T arrived, five of which were immediately devoured while one stood quietly still. There was a comfortable silence between the predator and the prey. Then it happened, after sinking my teeth into the creamy ground beef on wheat bread, I couldn’t stop! Whadda@#$%!!! This SH*T was good!!! And just like the movies, flashbacks of turning down VFW meals occurred. Thoughts of ‘what if’s’ and wasted moments emerged. The regret was short-lived though because it was over-powered by a discoverer’s feeling of triumph. EUREKA! I LOVE THIS SH*T!!!