One Step Ahead: Thea's Graduation Day

We're proud to present the graduate! Yasmin Althea Sotto Zaballa, for completing Kindergarten Level of pre-elementary education. Another year of learning and fun has ended. Thea is getting closer to the big school, yay! The past year was filled with challenges and funny comments from her teachers. Though she's not an honor student, she is quite popular in her school for she's a wacky and smart friend to her classmates, schoolmates, teacher, and even parents. Thea is their entertainer, if there's nothing much to do, teacher Julie and teacher Liezl will ask her to sing in front of the class. They are amused by her nonstop stories from her favorite cartoons. I'm pretty sure they will miss each other's company, hahaha. 

Itik-Itik Dance

Itik-itik - According to history of this dance, a young woman named Kanang (short for Cayetana) happened to be the best performer in the province of Surigao del Norte. At one baptismal reception, she was asked to dance the Sibay, and began improvising her steps in the middle of her performance imitating the movements of an “itik”, a duck, as it walks with choppy steps and splashes water on its back while attracting its mate. Because of its unusual steps and fascinating interpretation, the audience began imitating her (Source).

Please Support Earth Hour 2011

I am encouraging everyone to support EARTH HOUR 2011. Switch off your lights and electronic appliances on Saturday, March 26, 2011.  There will be a Ceremonial Countdown to be held at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City on March 26, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Avon, 125 Years of Empowering Women

As a simple woman who barely wears make-up, I can go to the office by just putting on pressed powder and (sometimes) lipstick or lip gloss. When my sister joined Avon as a sales representative last October 2010, I started to buy few make-up and skin care products. I’m a delighted customer because products are friendly to my skin. In fact, I'm on the second week of using Avon Reversalist Night Renewal Cream. This is the second time I use a night cream, and Anew is definitely better than the first one! 

Tsunami Alert Level 2 in Philippine Coastline

Japan was hit by 8.9 magnitude earthquake today and a destructive tsunami followed afterwards. Coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean might also be hit by tsunami anytime today. Tsunami might reach the Philippine shores within four hours. Because of this the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivocs) issued warnings. They are ordering evacuation of residents living near the shoreline of the following areas:

Dora the Explorer, Ni Hao Kai-lan, Team Umizoomi

What do Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer and Ni Hao Kai-lan have in common. For me,

• all of them are Nickjr.com's educational shows of for preschoolers. 
• children viewers are encouraged by their play-along adventure formats 
• these shows help child's increase their self confidence and enhance their problem-solving skills
• and lastly, all of them are my daughter's favorite shows! 

I think almost all moms with children aged 7 and below are familiar with Dora the Explorer, starring the adventurous Latina named Dora and her friends. Kids learn while watching the show because it is designed to actively encourage preschoolers in a play-along adventure and exploration. Thea, my daughter has been watching Dora just before she turned 1 year old. Thea learned a lot of Spanish words from Dora. 

We're Joining EXPO KID 3!

I have lots of plans for Thea to make Summer of 2011 fun and worthwhile at the same time. In fact, I already inquired about ballet class schedule and rates in a dance academy near our place. Since she's also into arts and music, I am also thinking of enrolling her to Arts Class or Voice Lessons. Huh! lots of summer activities to choose from. While browsing my Facebook wall, I've noticed the announcement of Mommy Mundo Fanpage  about the upcoming Expo Kid 3 event. 

Informal Settlements:Breeding Ground of Criminals

The presence of informal settlements commonly referred to as squatter areas or slums is one of the pressing impacts of rapid urbanization. It is one of the major issues being encountered by the government today. The Philippines is among the countries in Asia with a large number of slum dwellers. Presence of such areas also creates  a myriad of problems like poverty, unemployment, crimes and other severe social problems. You will know the reason why I emphasized the word crime in the later part of article. The government is continuously looking for ways to address the increasing number  of informal settlers. The City Government of Makati, for example, has purchased two (2) lots outside the City (in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and in Calauan, Laguna) and being developed as a livable community equipped with decent housing units, paved roads, improved drainage, school buildings and community center. The City will also introduce the sustainable livelihood within the community so that the relocated informal settlers will not go back to the City anymore. 

Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Diarrhea

Yohan got sick last week. He suffered from diarrhea due to viral infection as per his pediatrician's diagnosis. It started last Tuesday, a day before his scheduled check-up and vaccination. So, aside from fever due to 2 shots of vaccine for the 3rd dose of DPT and Hepatitis A, he's pooped 3 times last Wednesday. He cried and hardly slept that night. Worried about his condition, the husband and I brought him to the pediatrician on Thursday. The doctor prescribed 2 different medicines for diarrhea and changed his regular S-26 milk formula to S-26 lactose-free. This is one of the dangers of bottle feeding, if only I can exclusively breastfed him. I feel so guilty. 

Thanks God he's okay now, becoming a happy and active baby. He's turning four months this Friday.