Singapore National Age Group 2019

The reason for Singapore as our choice of destination this summer fully relied on the fact that R has a swimming competition there. He swam at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, Singapore Sports Hub for the 50th Singapore National Age Group competition.

Skin Confidence with Strip White

I can't believe it! I have a daughter who just graduated from high school a few days ago!

I just blinked, and here I am, preparing to take her to driving school this summer break. It seems like it was just yesterday when I first brought her to pre-school. Eeeep!

During the last two months prior to her graduation, I have been helping Achi get ready for her numerous parties. A lof of the girls in her batch are turning 18 this year, so maraming celebrations talaga, every weekend meron. Minsan two events pa in one night.

her Senior Ball

When there are numerous party invites, napapadami din ang shopping for party clothes. Of course, along with that comes bookings with make-up artists and hairstylists, as well.

Parents of girls, you know it doesn't stop there...

There are appointments for waxing/sugaring, derma appointments, eyebrow shaping, nail salon... ay naku neverending!

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Super good timing when Strip Ministry of Waxing invited me to try their STRIP WHITE treatment a few days before J's Senior Ball because this girl has been looking for a place to have the slightly bumpy skin on one area of her underarms treated. Not noticeable naman if you ask me, but it bothers her so I brought her along with me so she can try it out.

Strip White treatment is also designed to treat the delicate but most often neglected 

areas of the skin such as but not limited to:

Underarm, Kneecap, Elbow, Buttocks, Neck, Stomach, Bikini, Inner Thighs and Brazilian.

Strip White by Strip Ministry of Waxing

Strip: Ministry of Waxing was born in Singapore, and currently is in 10 major capital cities from Singapore, London, New York, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila and Bangkok.

STRIP was the first salon to introduce the ‘No Double Dipping’ commandment. Each customer receives a new individually sealed pouch containing disposable waxing or IPL equipment including gloves, face masks, pH balance wet wipes and spatulas.

Their newest service, the STRIP WHITE provides a non-invasive rejuvenation while delivering textural improvement, pore size reduction, brightening of skin pigmentation, reduction of fine lines and facial hair/fine hair removal.

Strip uses a top of the line machine that is specially customized for the Strip White treatment. 

It whitens by suppressing melanin formation to lighten uneven skin tone and pigmentation

It has a firming and anti-aging effect by reducing appearance of fine lines and pores and increases collagen production so skin is pushed upward making skin look firmer and younger.

STRIP WHITE aims to lighten the skin by one shade even with just one session and also gets rid of fine lines, bumpy skin and stretch marks. 

The Strip White laser treatment lightens pigmented spots, improves skin texture, rejuvenates the skin, and even reduces pore size. Now, she can put her hands up without a worry!

The procedure started with a gentle cleansing of her underarms. After which, the Strip White machine is passed over the area. An aftercare cream is then applied as a post-treatment procedure to soothe and moisturize the treated area.

Best of all, there's no downtime because Strip White uses a non-abrasive laser. This means that we were able to resume shopping for party clothes right after J's treatment.

They currently have a 50% off promo for select body parts! 

Go and get that beach body ready now!

I want to have the treatment on my face, too. Being in my mid-40s, I am now starting to have problems with my skin associated with aging: fine lines, dehydrated skin, wrinkles and unwanted pigmentation. STRIP WHITE promises to revitalize, whiten and firm-up my aging skin.

They claim that results are usually visible after 3-6 sessions, but it ultimately depends on the severity and condition of the skin,  but like any other skin treatment it is necessary to maintain it at 4 weeks interval for the underarms and 2-4 weeks interval for face and other areas to prevent recurrence of skin problem and stabilize the result.

I'm happy to share with you that they have a Deal Grocer promo available where you can save upto 77% off. From the original price per session of P6,500, you only have to pay the discounted rate of P1,500 for one session of Strip white Treatment for the underarms.

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At the end of her ball, she sent me this photo to let me know that she was the recipient of a special award that night. The Blaze award is given to someone" who has a lot of talents and is willing to share them with her classmates."

No more pit shyness, only skin confidence!

PS: I super appreciate it when my kids send me updates, most especially if they are photo or video updates. I have teens already and expectedly, they will spend more and more time away from me as they enjoy their independence. Whenever, I get an update from them, it warms my heart because it means that they still think of their mama even when they are out having fun with friends.

To know more about Strip: Ministry of Waxing: 

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Funky Summer with Funkita and Funky Trunks

Yesterday, R shared that on the way home from swim training, he was keeping track na in his head the schoolwork that needs to be done when he gets home. Then he broke into a smile as he realized that school's done! Wala nang homework! Hahaha! YAY!

Now he can focus on swimming dahil summer na!

I have water babies! Instead of asking me to buy new summer outfits, the kids request for new swimsuits or swim gear.

Weekend Footnotes: Xavier Ball + A Lesson In Graciousness

This is the last weekend before summer break officially starts for my kids.

But for my graduating girl, she's technically done with school already and so her social calendar is booked solid with parties and hohols with friends. Her weekends are fully booked, so in effect this #tsupermama is also. Maybe it's also because a lot of her friends are turning 18 this year, so they are celebrating that, too!

The weekend that just passed by was no different, she attended a friend's birthday party on Friday, and then nung Saturday I helped her prepare for Xavier Ball. She was invited by the same guy who asked her for Xavier Prom so we kinda know him a bit more na.

NCR Palaro 2018

I am my kids number one cheerleader in their victories.

Also their most ardent supporter + encourager in the challenges they go through.

My Son's Pasalubong from his XCE

My son got back from his out-of-the-country school trip last Sunday night. We picked him up in school at 1030 in the evening.

The first order of business was a quick stop at Burger King. He was so hungry daw.

Our Barenaked Experience

Just last month, J went back to swim training after a hiatus.

She was the first among my kids to swim. She used to be a pretty good swimmer, qualifying for championship meets/finals and competing on a national level during her grade school years. I even accompanied her when she competed for the Palarong Pambansa and the Batang Pinoy Finals

I Don't Really Miss My Son... {A Mom's Xavier China Experience}

... that much!

R is now halfway through his 6-week cultural and language trip. I don't miss him the way I thought I would. Before he left, I thought I would be inconsolable and in misery. He is my fave son, after all! But it's almost four weeks, and I'm fine - because I know he's fine. 

We don't get to talk to him everyday, or whenever we want. The calls are scheduled down to the last minute. Just twice a week. In between those days, no news is good news.

credits to his team mentor, Mr. Moreno, for all the trip photos

Officially a Teenager

When R was younger, he couldn't keep still. He was always moving, running... anything but stay still. He would often tire his dad out. His dad would have to physically restrain him just so he would stop running.

Even when he was in grade school, ang hirap pa din nya talagang kunan ng picture. It has to be a candid shot, a setting where he is allowed to move freely, otherwise I couldn't get a decent photo.

Advice To My Teen Daughters On Finding Their Personal Style

My daughters used to go to me every Sunday to ask my help on what to wear, but they hardly do that anymore. Not that often anyway. They have somehow developed their own sense of style, and are now confident in the sartorial choices they make.

As a mom, I want to teach my girls that style is not just about nice clothes, but ultimately it is a balance about feeling and looking good. About being confident and comfortable in who they are and what they are wearing.

There are a LOT of times where we step out in color coordinated outfits, UNPLANNED. 

This is one of them where we are all wearing navy and Breton stripes.

Phenomenal Tip: What to Expect During An International Swim Meet

I just realized that I wasn't able to write a post about that time we accompanied R to his first international swim meet.

We were in Hong Kong during the last week of April. C decided that since the 2 girls already flew to Hong Kong with their Ahma just a week earlier, we wouldn't take them with us anymore. It would be a great opportunity to spend alone time with our only son.

This is the first trip that we are taking him by his lonesome so it's a double treat for him, as well. Imagine competing in his first international meet and then having mom and dad all for himself. 

I bet that made him feel like a winner already.

Importance of Taking Family Photos

Writing this post made me reminisce about our earlier trips. Napa-punta tuloy ako sa 2015 album ko.

Look at how fast my kids grew.

This photo was taken summer of 2015. Ang liit pa ni fave son jan.

Where To Eat In Baguio 2017

We just came back from Baguio over one of the long weekends that happened in August.

How I Enjoy My Teen Girls

I already wrote about it before... I love having teenagers! I really, really love this season of my life. I like the way my relationship with my kids have evolved throughout the years. I am able to develop the love, trust and transparency in our relationship. The older my kids become, the more I like being with them.

But I know there are parents who consider the teen years to be scary, and it truly is a lot of hard work. Our teens are learning to deal with their hormones which makes our relationship with them characterized by so much deep emotions.

For now, I have two teenagers, my youngest son will still turn 13 late this year.

Coding For Teens

Gadgets are easily accessible to our kids. If left on their own, I am sure kids are more likely to play on their iPads and computers the whole day. I am lucky that my kids are into sports, this way I am sure that the time they spend on their gadgets is limited. But even if they are not on their gadgets for long periods of time, it's important for me that the time they learn to view electronics as tools for productivity, and not just an idle way to pass the time.

Happiest 17th!

My oldest turns 17 today.

I see her walking in my steps in more ways than one as the years go by. This makes me pray that I am intentional and purposeful in the way I lead my life.

That my walk speaks louder than my talk.

This caused me to self-reflect: Have I placed my life under God's control? Do my actions reflect this?

Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. {Deuteronomy 6:7}

 My IG greeting to her goes:  

"Happy 17th to our family's big-sister, style-arbiter, silly laughter-source, spotify playlist-curator, good-natured realist and resident drama-"kween". Today we celebrate you and all the times you make us laugh out loud, thankful to God that we get to keep going - together. Parenting can sometimes be complicated, grateful that you ALWAYS make it seem so simple"

Girl Time + Round-Up of My Current Fave Feminine Care Items

My oldest daughter and I were able to spend so much time together last week. But the reason for it was less than ideal... nagkasakit kami pareho! Both in bed rest nursing a fever, with headaches so bad we were literally in bed the whole day.

If our heads did not hurt that much, it would have been a fun time sana. It was just like hanging with a friend, chika all day! I did not realize until then just how much my daughter could talk to me so freely.

We talked about the most random of stuff. Every slapdash thought that passed her teenaged mind was our topic of the moment. She also shared whatever is the latest chika, and I got so shocked with what some people her age are actually doing that it made my headache worse... doubly worse dahil sa gulat.

Having fun on Snapchat! Taken during a recent Satur-date with my girls

G-League National Champs 2017

Done with the 2017 PhilSwim National Long Course Swimming Championship!

We spent three days cheering for my fave son at the Trace Aquatic Sports Complex from June 2-4, 2017. It's my son's first time to qualify for a meet that had him swim the preliminaries in the morning and if the swimmers are in the top 8, they do a swim-off again late afternoon. It's a swim-off of the best swimmers in each category.

He was awarded the Top FINA Points Achiever for his age group. 

I don't really understand it that well, but my son says it is the swimming counterpart of being MVP.

Of Sons and Daughters

Sons don't really talk much, ano?

Unlike my messages with my girls na full of chismis, my fave son is concise, "gonna shower na" - which is really his way of saying "I'm done training. Please pick me up."

Another Post About My Li'l Man

When he was younger, he had a hard time focusing and would get distracted easily. Study time meant having a "movement" break every 20 minutes. 

When he was 6, he joined the swimming team. The temporary assistant coach told me he doesn't have the potential to medal. 

But I told my son otherwise, I always encouraged him with Philippians 4:13, "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you."

When he graduated grade school last year, I was so proud of him as he went up the stage to be recognized as first honors and as a subject excellence awardee, overcoming his concentration + focus difficulty.

This school year, he's one of the youngest to qualify for Team A of the high school swim varsity. He also consistently medals for his age-group competitions.

When we consistently tell our kids that God made them to be amazing, they will believe it, and they will become it. For nothing can blanket us with complete confidence as the word of God.

If you want to read more about my son, I write about him here:

How To Help Our Little Ones With Their Big Worries

My Not So Li'l Man
How Swimming and Philippians Taught My Son Courage

My Blessing Roll Call


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