Message for my daughter Nica...

Happy  13th Birthday
 to our only daughter "Nica"
13 years ...we've been blessed
with a sweet girl like you!

I know that you got what you wish
a blackberry cellphone on your birthday
not from me...but from your tito jun and tita lei.
for they know how to pamper you.: )


embrace your teen life
for you will pass it only once
facebook, internet  they make your time pass
but genuine friendship do not let it pass.

we will always be here for you
you just have to be true
our love and guidance will anchor you
till we we can let you go.

life will not always be fair
but we will always care
enjoy your special day
may you be happy all day!

Embracing "Unang Yakap-EINC"

Yesterday , i had a 'mixture' of emotions when i attended the seminar...
"Unang Yakap"...from pure excitement... to a grateful awe knowing that
 Dr. Cynthia F. Tan would be coming...( i look up to her as an icon and a strong-willed woman with conviction)
...to great fun for they captured the audience with delight and enthusiasm...no one felt sleepy!!

...i was even shocked with some of the new techniques and policies and procedures in the management of delivery knowing that what i've been doing for the past 10 years is already passe !! .... but yesterday surely was a very fruitful, informative and a blessed day.

This seminar is essentialy for doctors, nurses and midwives who handle maternal deliveries and newborn
care. Procedures taught here were evidence- based  so they were
proven to be safe and effective and may i add...economical and practical.

I was so happy as there were so many participants from the government sector...
.. Bustos Community Hospital led by its active Medical Directress Dr. Luz Aguinaldo...

and Bustos Rural Health Unit..

as well as from private sector..Sto. Nino Hospital

and Magpoc Maternity Hospital.

Everybody was so enthused with the lectures as there were heaps to learn.
I was so amazed with the new protocols which are now being followed by bigger hospitals in
Manila which have embraced "Unang Yakap EINC" in their program.

The program staff Dr. Fay de Ocampo (a neonatologist), Dr Gemma Gregorio (OB GYN) and
Dr. Renee Tana were so energetic and knows their craft by heart.
Each topic were well explained and  there was even a return demonstration.

I salute these young doctors who shared their time and talent despite their schedule . We will do our best to apply what we have learned so your efforts will not be put in vain.

Id forever be grateful to Dr. Cynthia F Tan who made this possible.  I really admire her dedication in the program. Everybody was so attentive as she gave her lecture in "stages of labor"even if it was very lazy time of the day.

Spending time with us is such an unselfish act because as we go back to our work and embraced EINC the knowledge we have learned from you could help save lives....  what could be more rewarding than that!

Id also like to thank my dear brother Mayor Arnel Mendoza... for his commitment to achieve the MDG 4&5 (Millenium Development Goal) of the government for which EINC is included...for his unwaivering support.

We will truly embrace "Unang Yakap EINC "!

Elene's 18

the whole Mendoza clan attended the 18th birthday of  its eldest granddaughter... Elene

it was held at d galilee's getsemane hall. it was a well attended event since dad is the incumbent mayor. grandparents from maternal side flew in from US to attend the event.

i saw elene cried as she danced with her father. i guess it was tears of joy for having a supportive dad all these years.

there was a cotillion, 18 roses, 18 gifts and 18 treasures participated by close friends, relatives and families.

though an only daughter she was raised as a responsible, God fearing and fine young lady by her loving parents.

her dad was sentimental that night reminishing those days when her only daughter was just a baby and he even sang the lullaby he used to sing to her when they were still living in the united states.

i hope that she will be a doctor someday so she can continue the legacy that her grandparents built for them.

however if she decide to follow her fathers footstep and be a politician someday then  its still  fine with us cause she has the blood of a good leader.

cheers to you elene!

Singapura!

Last Friday my son and I together with the TLC students flew to Singapore to attend their first
 ever "Field Trip" outside the country.

Singapore never fails to  surprise me.! This time I was awed with the fast development of Marina Bay area esp the Sands hotel, casino and mall.

Thanks Ate Rona for the dinner treat at Sands

It was really a visual feast as I was mesmerized with the water and light show at the bay area.  It is somehow similar to the  "songs of the sea " of Sentosa ... but with a very personal touching song  "what a wonderful world" amidst techie bubbles and laserlight background.  It makes you feel that this is really an amazing world !

Marina Bay

This trip was also a realization for me that RJ is growing fast and  can take care of himself.

 I enjoyed seeing  him showing independence but I hate it too because it means he needs me
less. : ( It saddens me as a mom to let go of him...  We used to tease him as "Bimby" as he is the baby in the family but this trip proved otherwise.

Im happiest when  I am bonding with my kids abroad because it gives me a chance to be a full time mom...  away from night calls and hospital errands. I have their undivided attention even if only for a few days except for a "me time" which is "shopping time".
,,,its already "an accepted" (not  "unaccepted" ) fact in the family.

Days will pass, seasons would change and before I knew it he'll be a grown up man...but I'll always be an ever supportive mom to him.

Rico's 14

when i was young i used to fancy my birthday 

now that i have children of my own ..

   i get excited on their birthdays and not mine anymore : (

it was a triple treat for my eldest son as we celebrate his birthday!

last thursday we  watched Mamma mia at the CCP. i felt relieved that they actually enjoyed the show because most of the songs were from the 70's. it was a first for them.  

now...we're sharing the same songs...how cool is that!

the following day, we met some of his classmates/friends from ICSB and we treated them at Shakeys. they were a young bunch of boys who looked well- refined and mannered... they even made "mano" in greeting me. in this age of "beso-beso" it feels good to see young men doing this gesture.

with dad & JTY 's

yesterday we all trecked to tagaytay highlands for a double celebration...

im so happy that all my siblings and cousins joined us !

seems to me that rico is enjoying his birthday celebrations by the smile in his face.

happy birthday anak! im so proud that you are growing wiser in years.

rico and cousins

it was also the birthday celebration of my "favorite" uncle..Tata Odie as we fondly call him..

he is the only brother of my father.. he is such a simple yet savvy man.

i am so thankful that he's like a father to me..

i appreciate his advices,  admire his business acumen and has a helpful heart to the less fortunate.

with supportive wife...tita Nora

Happy birthday Tata Odie...i hope that you'll live longer to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

with cousins

Yesterday was  fun-filled day with the Mendoza clan.

I did a half marathon (21k)  at the Condura skyway run at 3:00 am then birthday celebration after.

"Birthdays give us the opportunities to stop and appreciate all the beautiful things we have been blessed with. "