The joyous and blessed season of Easter calls for a celebration. A special celebration that is best spent with the people who matters the most - our family. It is a season that reminds us to continue to hope in the Lord and let Him shine forth in our family and in our very own lives.

To celebrate, my family and I will visit Resorts World Manila which offers plenty of activities and entertainment options this Easter.

Resorts World Manila (RWM) aims to help families create perfect bonding moments this coming Easter weekend with an array of wholesome activities and staycation options.


Families with kids aged four to 12 may join the Easter Builders’ Playland at The Plaza in Newport Mall from 10AM-6PM. Entrance is free for guests with a P2,000 minimum single-receipt purchase from any Newport Mall shop or restaurant. Receipts from any RWM signature restaurant will also be honored. Only single receipts from transactions dated April 13-21, 2019 will be honored, and each receipt admits one child and one adult.

Kids and their families can enjoy play building activities and sponsor booths all day, and be treated to a special magic show and friendly competitive games from 4-6PM. A special appearance from Dora the Explorer and Boots will surely delight young fans.

RWM signature restaurants have seafood selections throughout the Holy Week, and for Easter Sunday lunch, families can have their pick of the wide array of restaurants in RWM to celebrate the holy occasion. Café Maxims has a delightful selection of Easter-themed desserts and breads such as a giant “Benny Chocolate” egg, Easter cupcakes, Easter egg surprise, rabbit buns, and chocolate hot cross buns.


Families spending the Holy Week in the city can avail of the special summer promotional rates at select RWM hotels and enjoy the easy accessibility of St. Therese of the Child Jesus parish church where they can fulfill their religious obligations.

Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City (HIEx Manila), Belmont Hotel Manila, and Savoy Hotel Manila have special package rates for enjoyable stays at excellent value. RWM hotel guests who are checked in between April 20-21 are also entitled to free passes to the Easter Builders’ Playland. Receipts from dining outlets from these hotels that meet the date and purchase amount requirements will also be honored.

RWM members may pre-register for the event via the RWM Mobile App from April 8 until April 14 and receive a special gift. Early registrants must still present a qualifying receipt when claiming their passes and gift packs at the Easter Builders’ Playland registration booth.

Newport Mall at RWM will be open from 10AM to 12 MN on Palm Sunday (April 14), 12NN to 12MN on Holy Monday until Maundy Thursday (April 15-18) and from 10AM to 12MN on Black Saturday (April 20) and Easter Sunday (April 21). The mall will only be closed on Good Friday (April 19).

Download the RWM Mobile App free on the AppStore and GooglePlay or visit www.rwmanila.com for updates on RWM Holy Week offers and events. Call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 908-8833 for inquiries and reservations.

My go-to baby store, Baby Company always comes up with promos on a regular basis. But aside from offering big discounts, what I like most about Baby Company is how they reward their loyal customers - the Mom Card holders.


For this month of April, Mom Card holders get a free emoji powerbank with a minimum purchase of Php3,000 in participating Baby Company boutiques. In the past, I was able to avail of other freebies such as the portable fan, mighty tumbler, umbrella and even an air purifier by simply shopping for my babies' needs.

I am also very delighted to know that the on-going Babies and Kids Sale this month of April includes some of my favorite brands such as Fisher Price and Chicco.


Aside from the frequent promotions, what keeps me going back to Baby Company is the very accommodating and warm staff. They are always ready to help out, assist and answer my questions. They are also very keen on suggesting new items that they have in store.

Here are some items that are on sale. Discounts range from 10% off to as high as 50% off. The discounts are also offered from small baby essentials like teethers to big ticket items such as strollers.


My top picks from the Babies and Kids Sale are:

1. Fisher-Price Newborn to Toddler Rocker


2. Attipas shoes


3. Chicco Good Night Bear


Luckily, I was able to avail again of a freebie - the emoji powerbank since I shopped in the Baby Company boutique in SM Fairview and presented my Mom Card. Other participating Baby Company stores where you can avail of the emoji powerbank promo are the ones located in SM Aura (Level 3), SM Megamall (Level 2, Mega A), Power Plant Mall (Level 3), SM Cebu (Level 3) and SM Seaside Cebu (Level 2, City Wing).


The Babies and Kids Sale is happening until April 30, 2019.

Never miss a good shopping opportunity! Follow Baby Company via its social media accounts below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/babycompanyph/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babycompanyph/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabyCompanyPH

As millennial moms, we are very lucky to be exposed to a lot of modern gears and technology. Gone are the days when we have to worry that a certain appliance is causing the spike in one's electricty consumption as appliances now have become more energy efficient. They even specify how much electricity they consume and can even prove the savings consumers can get.

Whirlpool and Excellence Appliance Technologies, Inc. (Exatech) recently introduced three new products in the Philippines. These products are not only revolutionary in terms of its cutting edge and unique features but also in terms of energy efficiency. The Whirlpool appliances got a seal of approval for being energy-efficient from no less than the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

Here are the 3 new, innovative and energy-efficient products from Whirlpool:

MWP 305 Vancouver Microwave Oven
Made Not Just to Re-Heat Food

This microwave oven is built with an integrated handle and touch-screen design. which makes it easy to operate for first-time users. It has a 30-liter capacity including the grill and steam function that makes it flexible for all types of cooking needs.


Bloomwash Inverter Plus Washing Machine
Made to Thoroughly Clean Even Nasty Germs

This washing machine is powered by a Zen Direct Drive Inverter Technology that allows a quiet yet high wash performance and ensures high energy savings. It has a Hot Wash feature that heats up water up to 45 degrees Celsius to remove different types of stubborn stains and allergens. This feature was even proven to lower the bacterial count after just one wash cycle by laboratory testings.



Quattro French Door Refrigerator
Made to Store More Food and Keep it Fresh

This refrigerator is equipped with Whirlpool's patented 6th Sense Technology that enables it to maintain the optimal environment for food stock. The Fresh Lock automatically adjusts temperature to maintain the freshness of fruits and vegetables while the Freeze Lock reduces freezer burns. It also has a FlexiFreeze compartment that allows the user to select from three different temperature levels depending on the food to be stored.

"We are happy to see that Whirlpool is always warmly welcomed here in the Philippines. The products are meant to increase the comfort and security of every Filipino. It's our goal to provide energy efficiency along with the high quality performance that Whirlpool has been know for over 100 years." says Mr. Blanco Wong, Whirlpool Southeast Asia Managing Director.

The latest Whirlpool Microwave Oven, BloomWash Inverter Plus Washing Machine and Quattro French Door Refrigerator is now available to the public through all leading appliance stores nationwide. Visit www.whirlpool.com.ph for more information.

Don't you just wish to have these products in your very own home?

Recently, I brought my baby to her pediatrician to have her vaccinated with MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella). The photos of young children most especially babies with measles in social media and even in television made me realize that the outbreak is real. It reminded me that viruses are everywhere and it can hit our helpless babies anytime and it is our responsibility to keep them protected from it. The outbreak is a wake-up call for me to be more mindful of #MaryEliza's vaccine schedule. It then made me practice a lot of preventive measures such as taking vitamins and treating even minor symptoms of diseases immediately. It even pushed me to take the practice of proper hygiene in our family to the next level.

Many people, most especially moms like us, are growing concerned because of the increasing number of individuals stricken with measles or tigdas across the country. The Department of Health (DOH) has raised the red flag and has declared an outbreak in five regions— Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.

In these five regions alone, almost 1,400 confirmed cases of measles have been listed as of last February 7, of this number, 22 have been confirmed by the DOH to have died because of the disease. Several other regions are now also being monitored because of an increase in the number of measles cases reported there. These regions are MIMAROPA, Ilocos, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, and Soccksargen and the DOH is asking them to step up their response to the disease.

Some of the most susceptible to the disease are unvaccinated young children, according to the World Health Organization . But, anybody can be infected including pregnant women, teenagers, and even adults. In fact, DOH data from 2016 shows that young adults aged 16-20 are the second largest group infected by measles .

Measles is regarded as a highly contagious and infectious condition. It can be transmitted by coughing or sneezing or through direct contact with anyone infected with it. Symptoms include high fever that lasts four to seven days, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and white spots that develop inside the cheeks. After a few days, rashes appear and then it spreads all over the body .

Children aged five years old or younger and adults 21 and above are especially vulnerable to complications caused by measles. Some of the common complications are ear infections and diarrhea, while severe complications include pneumonia and encephalitis, the latter two might even lead to death.

Right now, the most effective tool against measles is prevention through immunization, especially in young children. But we can also help stop the spread of measles virus through proper oral, hand, and body hygiene plus the use of Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat and Mouth Care solutions that are proven to effectively kill the measles virus. In a laboratory test conducted by Japanese doctors in 1997, they have proven that Povidone-Iodine is able to kill many viruses, including the measles virus, in a relatively short span of time. Amazing right?


One of the leading and most trusted antiseptic brands of Povidone-Iodine in the country is BETADINE®8,9,10, which also has a whole line of upper respiratory care products proven safe and effective for use inside and outside our homes.

The first product in the line is Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle, which has been proven to kill various types of viruses in as early as 15 seconds7. Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle is perfect for use at home and is effective in addressing not just viruses but also bacteria and fungi11,12.

When outside the house, Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat Spray is a good choice. Like Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle, it is also capable of killing viruses in as early as 15 seconds. It also kills bacteria and fungi11, 12.

I always make sure that I have a stash of Betadine gargle, throat spray and even the nasal spray handy. If I have the feeling that I am getting sick with colds, I immediately use those products to arrest the disease to be a full-blown one. 

To know more about Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle and Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat Spray, see the product information label and visit http://ph.betadine.com/en/ph/throat-and-oral-care. For patients with measles or any of its symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.

Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Gargle and Povidone-Iodine (BETADINE®) Throat Spray are available in drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. Also in Lazada and Shopee.

When I had my first baby, I would casually hear a suggestion from my parents and other experienced moms not to invest so much on baby stuff as the babies easily outgrow it. Well, after having two babies, I can attest that this statement is true. So to get more value for my hard earned money, I learned to invest on toys and gears that can be used longer by my children. When I say longer, it means that it should be something that they can find useful or enjoyable for a longer time and it should be able to withstand years of usage.


I particularly like the Fisher-Price brand, not only because I grew up knowing the brand, but because their products have been tried, tested and proven to be made of safe and high-quality materials. I also like that Fisher-Price always comes up with age-specific products that help the child develop ones sensory and gross motor skills. Lastly, I like that Fisher-Price products are reasonably priced. The products last for years making the investment even more worth it. Bella's Fisher-Price toys are now being used by Eliza.


One Fisher-Price product that I really like is the Fisher-Price Newborn to Toddler Rocker.

Why I like it?

1. It grows with the baby. 
The rocker can be used from newborn to toddler age. That would be an approximate 3 years plus usage for each child which makes it a great investment. It is something that can be used by the succeeding babies as well. And since I have two children, an 11 month old and  a 3 year old, this rocker is something that they both use at present.
 


2. It converts from a stationary chair to a rocking chair.
For my 11 month old Eliza, I use it as a stationary chair. This prevents her from accidentally falling due to the rocking motion.

Ate Bella, my 3 year old, on the other hand loves using it as a rocking chair. She finds the rocking motion too relaxing and amusing for her.

I like that all I need to do to convert it from a stationary chair to a rocking chair is to pull the four legs down.



3. It serves as my child's own safe and happy space.


The rocker sparks joy as it is covered with a very colorful and vibrant pad which makes it very attractive to my children. The moment I set-up the chair, the two kids are automatically drawn to it. A plus is that the cute pad is machine-washable so I need not worry too much just in case the pad gets dirty.

It also has a removable toy arch that has two toy links that always captures the attention of Eliza. Since Bella is older, I remove the toy arch to give her more space to move. Good thing, it can be easily adjusted to suit the different needs of my children.

In terms of safety, the rocker comes with a 3 point seat belt which prevents the baby from falling off the chair. This is a good thing because nursery chairs which are usually stools does not come with a safety feature.


The rocker can also be reclined if the baby wants to take a nap or sleep. It facilitates correct posture for the baby. It can again be adjusted to a seating position when the baby is awake and playing.


And lastly, my fave feature of this rocker is the vibration mechanism. If you lay down a sleeping baby and activate the vibration motion, it makes the baby sleep even more as she feels that she has company. The vibration also soothes and calms the baby which results to a longer and deeper sleep.
  

The rocker can be folded too when not in use!

P.S. Did you know that aside from toys and gears, Fisher-Price also has shoes for babies and toddlers?


Like the other Fisher-Price products, the shoe designs are so cute and made of high-quality materials. It is extremely comfortable and safe for use by our little ones. Just look at that signature Fisher-Price lion!


The shoes has a memory foam insole for superior comfort of our baby's little feet. It has a stitched outsole to make it more durable and it provides a flexible heel support to ensure the safety of our beginner walkers.


To those who want to buy Fisher-Price toys and gears, shop online at Kids Company to make sure that you are buying authentic ones via this link: bit.ly/FPKidsCompany.

Do follow @FisherPriceSEA and @RichwellClubPh in Instagram for updates and promos.

Fisher-Price shoes are also available at the SM Department Store - Children's Shoes Section.