Let's find Derek a CebuANNA!

Admit it. Who hasn't LSS'd on that Anna Banana song? For those who have been hiding under a rock, let me share with you a love story.

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Derek who was so in love with a girl named Anna that he poured his heart out to her in public by making this video for her.

All together now.... Awwwww.... Seriously, how cute is that??? Puppy love rocks.

But then, Anna Banana finally gave him her, errrr, not so sweet reply.

In public no less. How heartbreaking is that??? Boooo.

Well you know what we can do right? Let's find Derek a new CebuANNA!

If you have daughters, nieces, neighbors or know any cool, awesome girls 12-16 years of age interested in starring in the next PLDT myDSL commercial then they can be Derek’s new 'CebuANNA'.  Cheer Derek up by singing, dancing or doing anything creative and upload your video to www.dereksnewanna.com. Full details and mechanics can be found on that site too.

For faster video uploading, make sure that you’re on PLDT myDSL which guarantees speeds of up to 10mbps. What’s more, the PLDT myDSL plan 1299 is now at 1 mbps.  Upgrade your Plan 990 to Plan 1299 so you can get 3x faster speed.

Here is how Derek (and his whole family!) found out he got rejected. *sniff* 

So will this story have a happy ever after? Let's wait for the next chapter.

On another note, here is how I see myself in the near future. Total stage mommy to M.



So good luck to the "Annas" in his future. I will hunt you down.

My Breastfeeding Journey

I have long wanted to write about my breastfeeding experience but life got in the way. In celebration however of World Breastfeeding Week (update: okay, I started this before August and never got around to finishing it - story of my blogging life - but since it technically still is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month here in the Philippines, you know what they say right, better late than never), I am finding the time to buckle down (read: blog when the baby's asleep using an iPhone in the middle of the night) and share my journey.

(click on read more)

The ABCs

Mama: Say apple
M: Ahh-pull
Mama: Ball
M: Bol
Mama: Cat
M: aht
Mama: Car
M: Cawh
Mama: Dog...


M: Arf! Arf!

Such a laugh trip. It's really about the simple joys. M now interacts a lot more at 15 months. He mimics a lot and just really entertains us to no end. (click read more)

Call Me Maybe Introducing.....

*To full enjoy the video below, please allow to stream fully before pressing play.

Here's a weekend treat! First there was Bieber and friends, then the Harvard Baseball Team, the Abercrombie & Fitch boys and now introducing... (click on read more)

Throwback Tuesday: Singapore Lah!

Wrote this in 2007. Thought I would repost and share here and also since I have not had time at all to update this blog. Singapore has changed a lot since then. I look forward to the day we rediscover it.

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Edu and I finally went on our first (well-deserved!) vacay since the wedding. A mini-honeymoon of sorts. It was a coin toss between HK or Singapore but since I've never been to Singapore, the wanderlust in me gravitated more towards the latter. Singapore may be very tourist-y and lacking in individual identity and culture due to its multi-racial nature, but what it lacks it definitely makes up for with its modernity -- all in all, it made for a fuss-free experience that was worth the while. This cosmopolitan city felt like a mini- U.S. but only three hours away. (Window) shopping was great as everyone knows. It's not known as the shopping capital of Asia for nothing. It is also a melting pot of cultures -- I mean this is a country where you have a Little India, a Chinatown and even a center in the middle of Orchard Road called Lucky Plaza where the Filipinos converge. Everywhere you look you see different faces belonging to a myriad of nationalities just milling about. Since there was no real culture to immerse ourselves in really--no we did not take one of those run-of-the-mill tours--we couldn't avoid the usual tourist traps simply coz it was the tourist-y thing to do, although you'd be surprised most locals haven't even been to the Night Safari. We asked one cab driver-- who was an engineer by profession and has travelled extensively-- what Singapore's greatest resource was. His answer: their brain. One look around this insanely sanitized thriving albeit tiny island city state, with their advanced infrastructure and impressively disciplined denizens (strictly no smoking in public places; have a look at their cigarette packs in the photos below) and we couldn't agree more. One thing I was so amazed about was their efficient public transport system-- the MRT. Much like Japan's but in English so that made the world of difference. It was soooo easy and convenient to get around that I always looked forward to conquering the MRT ticket machine and hopping on board those nifty trains. Call me shallow but I couldn't really care less :-p It was fascinating. Now if only Cebu had those..oh well, I'll take the fifth on that. Going back to our adventures, although we didn't really go off the beaten track, we did try to up the thrill factor by going one extra step beyond the usual things to do. Reverse bungee jumping anyone? I'd post the video but I'd have to kill you after haha. Instead of the usual Sentosa Underwater World Experience, we went the extra mile and dove with the sharks and rays. Now even if we were technically in an 83-meter tank, talk about living your life in a fish bowl, where else can you cuddle with leopard sharks the way you'd snuggle with your dog, pet whitetip reef sharks and feed the manta, eagle and stingrays, guaranteed and all in one day. Now that was what you'd call the ultimate underwater experience and the highlight of our trip!-- my mind's happy place where I can go back to over and over again when need be. On to the night life: It was awesome so say the very least. Now that's what you call super-clubbing! An ordinary Thursday in Ministry was like your ultra-packed, special event weekend in Cebu. And Zouk was a dream! With Peter Hook of New Order and THE Paul Van Dyk as guest djs for the weekend, we couldn't ask for more. Well worth the 30 minute queue and SD$35. Van Dyk kept the crowd jumping non-stop till past 5 a.m. Sunday was Gmax day. Think reverse bungee jumping at 200 kph. More than enough to turn your insides out but an experience you have to try once in this lifetime. Twas the perfect way to cap off a sensational Singapore trip! :-) Till our next meandering experience. (originally posted September 4, 2007)

Celebrate Independence and Liberate Your Feet with the Havaianas Filipinas 2012 Collection

The Havaianas Filipinas collection is always one of the most awaited styles every year and having the 2012 edition on one's feet definitely speaks volumes about patriotic fashionalism and makes one stand prouder.

The world's best flip flops brand takes fun and fashionable a step further (pun intended of course) with its 'Liberate Your Feet' campaign to further spread and share national pride using Instagram and Twitter. Now this got me all giddy, being a big IG user (@jajarama). 50 lucky snap-happy Havaianaticos stand to win their very own pair of Havaianas Filipinas.

Draw dates are on June 15, June 22 and June 28.

HAVAIANAS “Liberate Your Feet” campaign

Win your very own special pair from the Havaianas Filipinas collection

Ongoing until June 27

In keeping with its fun fashion credo, Havaianas Philippines is also spearheading the ”Liberate Your Feet” campaign for the Filipinas collection as a way of going further in sharing national pride.

By taking photos of the Filipinas posters in all All Flip-Flops stores, these will serve as raffle entries and 50 lucky winners will stand a chance to receive their very own special pair from the Filipinas collection along with a gift box with a personal note. Promo is open to Philippine residents who are 15 to 45 years old who have both Instagram and Twitter accounts that are visible to the public, and who follow the Havaianas Philippines official Twitter account (www.twitter.com/havaianasphils).  In Cebu, contestants must go to All Flip-Flops SM or Ayala, take a photo via Instagram of the official Filipinas poster. In order for the entry to qualify, the Instagram photo must clearly and visibly contain a) the Havaianas logo b) the Filipinas pair in the same frame to be eligible. The photo taken via Instagram must be posted on Twitter with a) a mention of @havaianasphils and b) the hashtag #FILIPINAS2012 in order to qualify as a raffle entry and must be publicly viewable. 

First Draw: June 15, 2012 will generate 20 winners

Second Draw: June 22, 2012 will generate 20 winners

Third Draw: June 28, 2012 will generate 10 winners

The complete mechanics are found on the Havaianas Philippines Official Fan page here.

Celebrate Independence and Liberate Your Feet with the Havaianas Filipinas 2012 Collection

It’s fresh from the summer season, and it’s the perfect time once again for Havaianas to welcome back its patriotic fashionalism with this year’s Havaianas Filipinas 2012 collection, coming to stores nationwide June 9.

In line with the Havaianas celebration of 50 years of happy fashion, summer, and good memories, the world’s leading flip-flops brand is bringing another reason to inspire Filipino Havaianaticos to celebrate and become stylishly loud and proud with a collection that has become close to their hearts.

Since 2006, Havaianas has honored the Philippines’ rich and colorful culture with its annual Filipinas collection. “Our National Independence Day has significantly inspired the brand to bring pairs that convey stylishly patriotic Havaianas flip-flops," shares Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Havaianas Philippines. "This year, what we have in store is a bolder and edgier design in three colors: brown, black and blue. This collection’s style, of course, is aligned with the brand’s much-loved fun and carefree fashion that Filipinos have strongly identified with over the years.” Given that patriotic fashionalism has always been the bright idea behind every Havaianas Filipinas pair, this year’s collection features bold and graphic letters in white and gray, which spell PINAS on its buttery soft soles. Meanwhile, its straps are embellished with rectangular pins thoughtfully created with the Philippine flag’s colors—blue, red, white and yellow.

In keeping with its fun fashion credo, Havaianas Philippines is also spearheading the ”Liberate Your Feet” campaign for the Filipinas collection as a way of going further in sharing national pride. Posters, in three colorful variations, are set up on all All Flip-Flops stores nationwide, along with authorized provincial retailers. By taking an Instagram of the poster from June 6 to 27, a Havaianatico stands a chance to win a Special Havaianas Package. At the promo’s end, 50 winners will be declared (visit www.facebook.com/havaianasphilippines for the complete set of mechanics).

Trendy and exciting, Havaianas Filipinas 2012 limited edition collection is definitely crafted to make every Filipino Havaianatico wear and banner their national pride, in literally, the fun-fashionable way.

Havaianas celebrates its 50th year of sharing summer happiness this 2012. Experience the summer vibe that never goes out style with the world’s favorite rubber flip-flops brand. A.L. Amizade Marketing, Inc. is the exclusive sub-distributor of Havaianas in Central and Eastern Visayas. Take part in the Havaianas story and grab a pair now. In Cebu, the Havaianas Filipinas 2012 Collection is available at All Flip Flops Ayala and SM and Rustan’s. Havaianas is also available in Republik, Maribago Bluewater Resort, Abaca Boutique Resort, Walk In Shoppe at the Imperial Palace Lobby, R.O.X Ayala and LYM Virus Boutique, Paseo Saturnino branch. The Havaianas Kid's line is also available at Playpen at the Banilad Town Centre. For more information, check out www.havaianas.com (PR)

M.I.A

In the past few weeks, we have celebrated our grandmother's 90th birthday, my mom's birthday, my niece's birthday, Mother's Day...
and those were the big moments.

In between and on top of that we had family get-togethers and mini reunions, M's days out, the random night out with friends, playgroups, children's parties, faced some personal battles, gotten busy with work, work, work and even endured another cycle of the common cold. How I wish I could blog more often. But any free time is best spent with the little one and okay fine, catching up with the Gs- Grey's, Game of Thrones and Gossip Girl. Forget the latter. That show jumped the shark a season ago when everyone started dating everyone and their best friends and best friend's partners *cough* Dair *cough*. Gotta still love the fashion though. I digress. Realistically, the best I can do for now and in the interim is post daily photos on instagram (@jajarama).

These last few weeks have felt like a lifetime. But such is life and like I always say, being busy is always a blessing and with each day comes new experiences and learnings. (click on read more)