A well-deserved Mom's Day Out

I'm sure a lot of you can relate when I say "Day Out". It's what everyone probably wants even just for a day, especially for MOMS. Every mom would actually want a pampering treat for themselves. But how can they go out? For working moms, weekdays are occupied with work in the office, when they get home, they are still busy preparing meals, got busy with the kids and all the mess around the house while you still need to be a wife for our husbands. Other non-working moms are busy taking care of the kids, cooking for the family, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, ironing... arrrggghhhh!!! A lot of stuff to do at home especially on a weekend, right? What can we do with it?

Sun Life Financial treats us moms with a very relaxing whole body Swedish Massage at The Spa Cebu. After a week load of work in the office and chores at home. I said, "Hey, I need this pampering once in a while, I deserve this." With my co-mommy bloggers, we enjoyed an hour of this great experience. After that comes a fulfilling meal at Laguna Cafe, bonding with other mommies and a very inspiring talk courtesy of Sun Life Financial.

MOM basically stands for "Master of Multitasking." Yes! Moms can handle more than one task at the same time. Cooking while cleaning the house and taking care of the kids while the laundry spins at the washing machine; breastfeeding and doing some office work at home, or writing a blog while commanding your house helper on what needs to be done; doing the laundry or ironing the clothes while guiding the kids on their assignments and projects. All of these and a lot more you can tell and enumerate.

Mommy Michelle Alignay, MA, RP, RGC a Family Life Specialist taught us the "Balanced Motherhood". Of course, motherhood, family, and life happen but we need to "re-balance" everything. Whilst your family is so important to you, you should take care of yourself as well.

According to her, we need the word "Self-Care" --- Self-care is the route to re-balancing and harmonizing life and motherhood. It allows you to pause, sit and be, and find ways to resyore balance. It helps you to be aware of the "message" that your parts may be out of harmony (talking about our body parts which a lot of time are aching - headache, backache etc) some of those we just don't realize that even our body is sending us a message that we should pause and relax. Self-care is re-balancing, re-freshing, and re-charging YOURSELF! Because a well-balanced mom has more to give her family!

How to carve your practical self-care? This is what I've learned.

PERCEPTION

1. Affirm your goodness.

2. Release control (of things beyond you)

3. Saying NO is okay (and needed at times)

4. Feeling happy and satisfied is normal

5. Relinquish some task that stresses you

EMOTIONS

1. During emotional highs: PAUSE

2. Ditch the guilt

3. Choose to love more

4. Be silly with the kids

5. Make your marriage matter

ACTIONS

1. Choose to rest or sleep (over cleaning up)

2. Give yourself an extra 10 minutes shower

3. Put a little color on your face

4. Find a spot to reflect

5. Find a Physical Activity

I'll just have to add the most important thing. Meditate and Pray. 

Bottomline, You need a BALANCED MOTHERHOOD. How? Sometimes you will CHOOSE TO PAY (money) for your duty. Sometimes you give time to your wishes, and sometimes to what you feel you can do. All these parts are capable of stretching, if you are self-aware and balanced, you have a guide to help you make the best choice in each situation. Yes, it is true that "we worry how our life will be tomorrow, yet we forget we are someone today."

   

Mommy Rosario Madonna Rivera talks about getting ready and saving for our future. Sun Life Financial has a TARGET-DATE FUND. To reach your destination successfully, you have to invest your money effectively over time. But if managing your own money for the next 30 years or more seems like a daunting challenge, a target-date fund (TDF) may be the solution. According to them, A TDF automatically resets the asset mix of stocks, bonds and cash equivalents in your portfolio in relation to a selected date closest to the date you plan to retire or maybe for your kids' educational fund. The closer you get to the maturity date, the more your fund will be weighted towards bonds and cash and away from stocks. This is because your investment will have less and less time to recover from any stock market volatility you may encounter, which leads many investors to prefer a more conservative approach as retirement nears.

Thank you so much, Sun Life Financial for the fun-learning and 

a well-deserved Mom's Day Out treat!

Photo credits to Ms. Rea Alducente

Baguio Craft Brewery : Ready to brew in Cebu!

Do you know exactly what your beer was made of? Have you tasted the beer of different brews? Others are curious and would go to Baguio just to see the brewery and taste quality hand crafted beers. Well, you don't have to book for Baguio just to have that kind of taste that you've been looking for. Baguio Craft Brewery is now here and ready to brew in Cebu! 

Read on as they have something for you on their opening day!

Baguio Craft Brewery was created from humble beginnings. A group of friends started it with home brewing in a garage. They all have a passion for craft beer and love for creating something extraordinarily delicious - out of basic natural ingredients. The Philippine based company opened its doors to its first location in Baguio City in 2014. Baguio Craft Brewery is 100 percent Filipino owned and operated. They share their passion in keeping jobs in local to Baguio and promoting a sense of community amongst their staff and customers. Each beer is a masterpiece unto itself.

Why go to Baguio? This July 28th, 2017, Baguio Craft Brewery will now open its first store in Cebu City. Aiming to enhance Cebu's dine in and beer culture. Diners and pub crawlers will definitely have more food and craft beer choices than ever before. Mr. Chris Ordas - Corporate President and his colleagues said that we should exactly know what our beer is made of. Their beers don't have additives, preservatives nor adjuncts. "We brew our beer the way it's supposed to be. This is our passion and promise." 

Christopher "Chris" Ordas
Thirst Prevention Officer III
Chief "Executioner" Corporate President
Baguio Craft Brewery

All beers? No. Baguio Craft Brewery isn't just a place where people go to have a beer. There are timeless comfort dishes and traditional pub favorite mixed with modern fare and innovative combinations. Good food? They have it! 

Here are some of their yummy dishes:

RIBS PLATTER FAMILY
Baguio Craft Brewery's grilled fall-off-the-bone ribs, basted with Zigzagger beer BBQ sauce, accompanied with Cajun spiced shrimp, juicy corn on the cob and crispy fries.

PREMIUM SAUSAGE PLATTER
A platter of premium sausages (Hungarian, Schublig, Kielbasa),
Bruschetta, Caramelized Onion, Cheese and grainy mustard.

STOUT ISAW
Our very own version of Isaw, marinated with stout beer, grilled and topped with corn salsa.

CRISPY RUFFLES
Deep Fried Pork Ruffles (Chicharong Bulaklak), spiced and served with Pinakurat (vinegar).

All of those and more paired with a craft beer and a beautiful rustic interior and great service. You already have a formula that Baguio Craft Brewery has been using to achieve success in a craft beer brewing scene. Baguio Craft Brewery is the Philippines' largest selection of draft beer with over 20 beers on rotating tap. All locations feature a bar with wooden tap handles that are intricately and uniquely carved that was inspired by the wood carvers of Ifugao. This design element has become part of the signature look for Baguio Craft Brewery.

Did I mention that they have great music too? 

Visit them at Garden Bloc, Cebu IT Park, Cebu City.

Like and Follow their page for more updates: 

https://www.facebook.com/BaguioCraftBreweryCebu/

Baguio Craft Brewery is sharing the taste of freedom as it opens its first store in Cebu City. You are invited on July 28, 2017, Friday to be one of the first in Cebu to be able to experience the fresh craft beer that is Baguio Craft Brewery as we also celebrate our 3rd store in the Philippines.

But wait, there's more...

For the first day of their operation (July 29, 2017) their first 100 customers will have a FREE BEER for every purchase.

MECHANICS

The first customer to line up at Baguio Craft Cebu gets a free full glass of beer and a 6 pack burlap. 2nd to 100th customer gets a Half glass of any beer except for Zigzagger 

To WIN

1. The customer must stay in line from the time they lined up until the store opening -5:00 PM on July 29, 2017, at Baguio Craft Brewery Cebu located at the Garden Bloc, IT Park, Lahug Cebu City. 

2. Customers must purchase at least a glass of craft beer at the opening of Baguio Craft Brewery Cebu to qualify. 

Valid for dine in

1. The first customer gets a glass of craft beer and 6 pack burlap. 

2. Second to 100th customer gets a half glass of craft beer except for Zigzagger. 

Other Guidelines 

1. Proxy or reservation in line is not allowed 

2. Leaving the line is allowed only during call of nature reasons only 

3. Customers may only win once 

4. Rewards can be redeemed within the day only.

Ready to Brew in Cebu!

See you all there! Cheers!

Temple of Leah - A Temple Built Out of Love

A temple built out of love... Yes, It is! 

"I constructed this temple in the year 2012 A.D. as a symbol of my undying love for and ceaseless devotion to Leah Villa Albino - Adarna, my wife of 53 years..." 

(as stated on their website) 

- Teodorico Adarna 

Teodorico Adarna was the owner of Queensland Hotel and the grandfather of the actress Ellen Adarna. The massive temple was built with a structure that can withstand the time and can still be appreciated over years. He wanted Temple of Leah to become the landmark of Cebu where future generations of the Adarna clan can trace their roots and heritage. 

He also made a nine-foot bronze statue of Leah wearing a crown. Her wife Leah Albino - Adarna once became the Matron Queen of her Alma Mater of the University of Southern Philippines. Hence, a symbol of a great love of a husband to his loving wife. The place is also a museum of Leah's lifetime collections. Just like India's world-famous Taj Majal. 

The place actually looked like the pictures on my Roman and Greek mythology lesson back in high school. A good view of the city is mesmerizing and awesome since the place is located in an upland area. I like every piece of its architectural design. It has magnificent structures and floors too! 

Temple of Leah was not yet finished but it is already open for guests. An entrance fee of 50 pesos for the adult is required. Senior Citizens and kids, 10-year old and below are FREE! It is also free to take pictures inside. You can bring snacks, food/drinks. They also have a convenience store inside. And they are open until 10 pm. 

How to get there: 

The temple is located in the sloped mountain of Brgy. Busay, Cebu City. From JY Mall at Lahug, there are habal-habal (motorcycles) that will take you up the mountain and finally to Temple of Leah. The price per person varies from 40-70 pesos since you would have to negotiate with the driver. But now, Temple of Leah offers a shuttle service to minimize transportation expenses from Lahug to Temple of Leah and vice versa. 

Round Trip Php90.00 from Tuesday to Sunday

Schedule of trips from Lahug To Temple
2:00 PM, 3:20 PM, 4:40 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:20 PM

Schedule of trips from Temple to Lahug
3:00 PM, 4:20 PM, 5:40 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:20 PM

Pick up point: EL TAQUITO MEXICAN RESTO (Across J.Y. Square, Near Desert Factory)

Exploring South Cebu on a Budget

Want to explore South Cebu on a budget? There are so many things to explore at Cebu especially on the South. If you are a nature lover and you want a DIY travel on a budget, then this blog is definitely for you! Just this weekend my family and I went for a quick trip to explore South Cebu. After a week's work, it's time to refresh and have my Vitamin N - "Nature"!

In doing a DIY travel on a budget, you should consider bringing these items: packed food, snacks, drinks, (just in case you can't find a food stall or "carinderia"), be ready to try different food and delicacies in the area where you're going. Extra clothes are essential too in case you find a good place to swim :), you should have an internet connection on your cellphone for the Waze or Google maps, of course, check the car as well (gasoline, water etc).

From Cebu City, we went straight to our first stop... Baluarte Park. It took us almost 2 hours to get there. You will pass by Cebu South Road (Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga City, Carcar City and finally, Aloguinsan). 

At Carcar City, we passed by a line of locals selling "Bibingka" or rice cake which is cooked under a coconut husk. Priced at 20 pesos for 4 pcs in a pack. If you buy 3 packs, they will give it to you at a price of 50 pesos. So delicious, the sugar is just right. I love its soft and fluffy texture too. 

Carcar's Bibingka (Rice Cake)

The Baluarte Park is just at the back of their Municipal Hall, which is near Aloguinsan Market (you can also buy food there for a picnic). It is a "Park on a Hill" that houses the famous ruins of the Aloguinsan watchtower which is the "Baluarte" or stronghold during the Spanish Era. The park is good for morning or late afternoon strolls either with the family, loved ones or alone to reflect. If you are like me who is fascinated with the sea, mountains, and trees, Baluarte offers nice landscape and a fantastic view of Cebu's blue-green sea! It has a minimal entrance fee of 20 pesos for the adults and 10 pesos for the kids (for the park's maintenance of course.)

Baluarte Ruins

From Baluarte Park, it took us just 9 minutes to get to our next destination... Hidden Beach Resort (still in Aloguinsan). Entrance fee is only 50 pesos per head and we rented a table at 150 pesos where we can eat or lunch. Not an elegant resort but just enough for you to experience and take a dip in Cebu's crystal clear and calm waters. 

After our lunch and taking our Vitamin Sea, heading our way to our final destination... Simala Church or the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist in Sibonga, Cebu. It is an hour and 16 minutes travel from Aloguinsan to Sibonnga via Santander - Barili - Toledo Road. We again passed by Carcar City and they said that Carcar's Chicharon is the best. At Carcar, it was priced at 600 pesos per kilo of a chicharon. I only bought 1/4 kilo for 150 pesos just to have a taste and see for myself. I'd say that it is not cheap because from where I came from, Bulacan, we also have chicharon which is famous in our place. Carcar's chicharon was good, but it was not as crunchy as what we have back in our town (Bulacan). #JustSaying, I still like our very own "Bikoy's Chicharon" as we can buy as cheap as 13 pesos up to 120 pesos for the Backfat Special Chicharon.

While munching the Chicharon, we made it into our last destination. Simala Church at last! We intentionally planned to get there in the late afternoon because during Saturday's, they have an ongoing mass at 10:30 am and we don't to go there with so many people (optional if you want to hear mass). It is a church so there are no entrance fees. We are so amazed by the church's structures! Feels like we're in Rome!

There is a dress code because it is a church, so you should wear pants, jeans or any decent clothes. NO sleeveless shirts, please! You may also buy religious items there such as rosaries, statues etc. Here's is our quick trip at Simala Church:

Now time to go back to Cebu City. And you shouldn't miss buying Carcar's Lechon. We stopped by at Carcar City's intersection and bought a so juicy, tender and delicious Lechon for only 350 pesos a kilo! Cebu City's price for a Lechon is 150 pesos (the cheapest) for 1/4 kilo, while at Carcar, you can have it at 90 pesos! 1/2 kilo is just right for a family of 4 (with 2 kids) and bought Pu-So (hanging rice) for 5 pesos per piece. Bought 8 pcs of hanging rice and it is so filling for a dinner.

Carcar's Lechon

There's so much more to explore in Cebu (South side). If you have a vehicle, the gasoline (diesel) is just 320 pesos for so many kilometer travels. But if you are going to South Cebu via bus, you can ride buses near E-Mall or Elizabeth Mall at Cebu City. I'd say it is much convenient to travel if you have a vehicle because it will save you money from riding buses and habal-habal. 

If you want to experience nature at its best, travel South of Cebu! Follow me on my next adventures as Baliwagenya explores more of Cebu! www.facebook.com/Baliwagenews Tara na, let's explore the Philippine islands!

IG & Twitter: @Switirohsays