Cost-Saving Tips for Back-to-School Expenses

Most parents find themselves wishing they could avoid back-to-school expenses. Not everyone are rich enough to buy gold bars anyway, let alone all the required supplies some schools impose on. But there are some ways that can cut costs, big or small.

1) If investing in new uniforms, get a size or two bigger and just get a good seamstress to adjust them for you. Then, you can also just have them re-adjusted to accommodate growth spurts in the coming months or years.

2) Save the crayons. If some have been broken, that's ok. You can use a cheap cookie sheet or microwave-proof mold and just melt crayons of the same color (or maybe even create your own shades) to turn them into coloring blocks.

3) Go over old notebooks and get all the clean pages and bind them. Either they could serve as a new notebook or a scratch pad.

4) Plan a weekley menu of healthy snacks and lunches so you can include them in your weekly grocery shopping. Skip the junk and processed food that  may seem cheap to you but ultimately doesn't provide real nourishment to your child... some may even aggravate cavities. Good meals mean better health, and medical expenses are something parents sometimes forget in their menu planning and budgeting.

5) Insist on healthy breakfasts... so your child will also avoid snacking all day. It doesn't need to be really heavy, some slices of sweet potato or a hard-boiled egg are healthy enough without requiring a long eating time.

6) Use freebie canvas bags as lunch boxes instead of buying one.

7) Make it a habit for your child to clean their shoes and bags at regular times to prolong their serviceability.

9) Walk to school if it's only ten or so minutes away. The activity is also great for better health.

10) Avoid buying themed school supplies... because your child might insist they NEED the extra bag, strap, etc of the same theme. It's a lot cheaper if your child CAN use generic products instead of having to have a Dora umbrella to go with her Dora backpack.

11) Buy products in bulk if you know you'd need them all the time. For examle, parents will be wise to invest in a ream of bond paper since their child is sure to be submitting reports all throughout high school. Make sure they are used properly though, and not wasted.

12) Buy quality for regularly-used items, like bags or shoes. Having to buy another pair mid-year is an additional cost you don't want sprung on you.


A penny (in our case, peso) saved here and there may amount to extra money for extra food, transport fare or other project materials. Plus, it will teach your child that your pool of resources isn't limitless and should be therefore respected and managed.

Family Congress 2012: Building the Filipino Family

A step in the right direction for any society is reinforcing and fortifying the family structure. With the unique problems we are facing now, like the youth culture that shies away from responsibility and the gadgets creating distractions from actual communication and time together, the upcoming Family Congress 2012 is not just timely but necessary.

Happening on August 25, 2012 (from 8 AM to 5 PM) at Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City, the Family Congress is targetting:
1) parents -- who wish to improve their approaches to parenting
2) couples -- who wish to enrich their relationship, and
3) teens/young adults -- who are seeking for answers outside of their peer groups

Experts in various fields are coming together for this event to tackle the following issues while attendees can choose which session they want to attend for the morning and afternoon.

Morning sessions:

1A Migrating and Managing the Digital World by Queena Lee-Chua, Ph.D.

2A Handling the Bully and the Bullied by Honey Carandang, Ph.D.

3A Built for Forever: Preparing Singles for a Lifetime Relationship by Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

4A Teen Talk about Love, Sex, and Dating by Dan and Nabelle Caballes

5A From Wellness to Wholeness (for adults 21 & up) by Harriet Hormillosa, M.A.

Afternoon sessions:

6P Being Friends Forever in Marriage: Learning the Art of Fighting by Allan Dionisio, M.D. & Maribel Dionisio, M.A.

7P Teaching Parents to Talk to Kids & Teens about Sex & Relationship by Michele Alignay, M.A. & Aiza Tabayoyong

8P Managing Teen Emotions by Obet Cabrillas

9P Career, Relationship, and Life Plan for Singles by Pia Nazareno-Acevedo

10P Beyond the Tears: Griefwork by Cathy Babao-Guballa

Aside from attending two sessions, guests will also get to hear inspirational messages from Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and motivational speaker Francis Kong.

Early bird rate is P1400 if you register before June 30. Regular rate is P1500 per attendee. Promo rate: 6+1 (pay for 6, get 1 free based on regular rate). Registration fee is inclusive of seminar fee, meals, and lots of freebies.

For more information, you can call 579-0100, 0917-8972903, 0922-2521896, email familycongress@gmail.com, follow them on twitter.com/FamCong2012 and like facebook.com/FamilyCongress.


I have said it before and will keep saying it.... parents who want to give the best to their children would do better to fortify their marriage and relationship with their children through attendance to such seminars/conferences. Nothing makes you more empowered than seeing others just like you, seeking answers, help and support... and getting it from experts

The Bina Wrap: Multiway Fashion Staple

I will admit to the fact that I am a fan of multiway clothes. When you have something that converts into different styles, then you ca accessorize at will and the money you spent on it will be well invested because it's something that won't grow old... or stale.

So, when I saw the Bina on Youtube, I just really fell in love.

One thing I loved about it is that it's not like those multiway dresses that promise you so many styles but you end up just using it for one or two, because there are issues about the knots and the special bra/chest support you'd require.

The Bina wrap is an accessory, mostly, and was designed to just really spice up your wardobe (but you can wear it as a top). I do not have great pics of myself wearing it (because I've been using it as nursing cover with my baby when we go out) but here's a few thathopefully gives you an idea of its versatility:


worn as poncho


makes for a really long, un-styled scarf (tying it in a knot around my neck isn't for this summer trip)


haha.. here I did the back wrap wrong, but I think it still looked okay (the Bina's just too crumpled here though because y son was wrapped in it just before the shoot)


in the turtleneck style, only I didn't close the snaps


If there's something that convertible, multiway clothes tell us... it's that fashion clothes need never be thrown away. They also need not serve just one purpose or give you just one look.

I love my Bina and want more in other colors. Of course, the price ($42.50) makes me think twice about buying more but I might just order another one come Black Friday sale. Meanwhile, just check out their website at binabrianca.com for tutorials on how-to as well as link to their videos. Supposedly, there are 12 ways to use it so that's about $3.54 per style :)  At least, the Bina wrap won't take up much space.

Wooden Toys and Gifts from Wheelchair-bound Craftsmen

Tahanang Walang Hagdanan has always been the institution for people that are generally wheelchair-bound and it's amazing how they have managed to come up with projects for these people that allows them to earn.

The products I like most are the wooden toys and educational wooden stuff that they sell. Think of different kinds of puzzles and stacking/building toys as well as counting toys. I am considering buying their construction boxes that look like tangram puzzles.

Anyway, next time you're thinking of what to give your kids, or as birthday gifts to relatives/friends' kids... do consider buying from Tahanang Walang Hagdanan instead.  Not only will you get something of prime quality, you also get to support the livelihood of these people and trade in the country.
They also sell novelty items, kitchen wares and other wood items (if you're looking for items that are very particular like wooden switch plate covers, maybe they can customize).

Check out the products here:
http://www.twh.org.ph/oscommerce/catalog/index.php

You may also contact them here:

Tahanang Walang Hagdanan

#175 Aida St., Marick Subd.,
Cainta, Rizal 1900
Philippines

(632) 655-0055
(632) 655-0812

Cocoon Boutique Hotel: A Truly Green Hotel in Quezon City

Cocoon Boutique Hotel has just made Quezon City more luxurious and definitely greener. It is a wonderful idea really, to mix intimate, classy, globally-competitive and yet truly Filipino and use environmentally-friendly materials to build a getaway for the harried and the transient.

The location can't be beat as well. Located at Scout Tobias corner Scout Rallos (streets in this area of Quezon City were named after Boy Scouts who perished on their way to a World Jamboree back in 1963), the boutique hotel is just a few blocks away from the bustling entertainment and food scene that are Tomas Morato, Timog and Mother Ignacia.

Cocoon Boutique Hotel boasts of stylish 5-star amenities with a staff that were extensively trained. Apart from the design of the hotel that maximized natural ventilation and lighting, they also provide a venue for community-immersion for youth with disabilities.

And how is Cocoon Boutique Hotel green? Why, it uses harvested rainwater for toilet flushing, plant irrigation and general cleaning. The building used reclaimed wood and metal from demolished sites and uses 100% LED lighting.

And how is it Filipino? I guess you just have to enjoy the calado woodwork, antiques and paintings in the hotel.

Truly, luxurious cannot be more responsible.

Some of the things you may want to know about the intentional design that went into the hotel include:

It's hard to imagine that they used reclaimed wood for the lobby as well as used lighting fixtures. Notice the skylights for natural lighting.

The use of inverter-type air conditioners make sure that they are non-ozone damaging; notice paintings and woodwork to create an art wall to complement the luxuirous beddings

Water-saving faucets, dual piping for poable and grey water... as well as 100% organic bathroom amentiies (with toilettries made from plasticized cornstarch and packed using stone paper and soy ink).

Adult pool has 4 jets for hydro massage while the kiddie pool has a bubbler

Entertain, do business, party, celebrate, romance or relax in splendor because Cocoon Boutique Hotel offers a deck bar, coffeshop, ballroom, board room, business center, gift shop, Italian restaurant, tea and pastry shop, a salon, travel agency and aesthetic clinic.

For inquiries and reservations, please contact the Sales and Reservations Office: 

Telephone  632-998 3117    
Mobile Phone  0922- 810 4692    
Email   info@thecocoonhotel.com


Cocoon Boutique Hotel - where luxury is responsible :)
 61 Scout Tobias corner Scout Rallos Streets, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City 1103, Philippines
Telephone  632- 9212706 to 08     Mobile Phone 0917- 5567893     TeleFax  632- 4137281  
Website     www.thecocoonhotel.com

Greenlife Soup

I bought this box (20 packets per box) of Greenlife soup during my Waldorf crash course from the brother of the formulator, Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan.

The beauty of this organic veggie soup is that it's just like any instant soup. The funny thing too is that it tastes like the usual instant noodles, without the salt and preservatives.

My husband, however, says that "it smells like fruit and tastes like chicken" :)

Anyway, it consists of eight power vegetables and is perfect for everyday use... or when you're travelling and feel you're not eating right. My son loves it with egg

The eight vegetables that were flash frozen and powderized in this one are:
cucurbita maxima - squash
moringa oleifera - malunggay
abelmoschus esculentus - okra
corchorus olitorius - saluyot
ipomoea batatas - sweet potato
capsicum frutescens - cayenne pepper
centella asiatica - takip kuhol (gotu kola)
spinacia oleracea - spinach

For distributors (you could apply to be one), you can check the Greenlife site:
http://greenlife.ph/

Or their main distributor:
http://www.extremexcience.com

Greenlife also offers a veggie plus juice drink (love it too!), veggie coffee and syrup for kids.

Pirose, Fashion and Nursing Scarf

Used for fashion, the Pirose scarf manufactured by Reno Rose allows for at least 13 looks, from a head scarf, neck scarf (multiple ways!), beach/pool poncho/coverup and something to pin corsages to in really formal occasions.

Used by moms, it can also serve as a nursing cover or a stroller cover for your baby.

I have been in love with the Pirose ever since I saw it on the net but I couldn't justify the price. I have also initiated contact with the manufacturer for possible exclusive distribution here, but I also have doubts as to my capacity as seller.

Anyway, good thing I found an Ebay seller selling it for like half-price so I was able to treat my sister and myself to one. Unfortunately, I ordered the smaller size and it feels a little off. I should have trusted my judgment that Reno was a petite ballerina and I'm not. Plus, I wanted to use it as breastfeeding cover.

That boo-boo aside, I still loved it when I wore it for the first time. My sis is also rocking hers... so I might just order more.

me, breastfeeding in the Mayo

my sis in the Juli (she's a lot thinner than I am but stands 5'8" or so)

During my e-mail exchange with the manufacturer, he suggested to start with the smaller size because he's heard feedback that it's harder to manage the excess fabric of the larger sizes. But if you're using it for nursing and you're around my height (5'4"), I suggest to really go for the larger size (size M or L in the fashion sizes, size 2 in the motherhood sizes).

It's also great to just tie on your bag and really easy to use to accessorize. Will post more pics when I use it in other ways :)

For more info and to see other designs available, just log onto renorose.com :)  The site also has a video tutorial.



Victoria's Milling Company, Negros Occidental

Normally, a sugar mill and refinery will only be in your itinerary if you were part of a school field trip. But when in Bacolod, a visit to Victoria's Milling Company in Victorias City is a must. Yes, it is maybe over an hour away but you cannot be in the sugar capital of the country and not visit one of its oldest sugar mills.

trucks transporting sugar cane to the mills are massive

their load, amazing

sample of the housing provided to the employees by VMC which reminded me of UP campuses

the scent of the air here is that of brown sugar, and it's worth it just to breathe that kind of air... i'm telling you!

going to the Chapel of the Angry Christ, you have to pass by this weigh bridge

they used to be called Iron Dinosaurs, transporting sugar cane and milled sugar across the Negros region

To arrange official tours or for more information, just contact VMC:
VMC Factory Head OfficeVICMICO, Victorias City 6119
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Telefax No.: +63.34.399-3378