New Partnership for Puregold and Globe GCash

I am not sure with the city that you live in, but I think we have six (6) Puregold branches here in Marikina. As in, there's the regular version, a Jr., and an Extra. So yes, Puregold is everywhere! It is famous. Speaking of fame, one of the biggest telecommunication networks in the country has partnered with Puregold to give its shoppers a better shopping experience. We may have something to say about Globe's intermittent signal from time to time but there's no doubt that we can't just let go of them. I, personally, am a Globe subscriber. This very blog depends on their data service. So when I was invited by these two big brands for a press launch days ago, I happily attended the event with my mini-me.

Priorities

I thought I had everything at its proper place and timing. I thought I could attend events of brands and companies that I'm interested in without compromising my daughter's school attendance. I thought I can blog according to my schedule. I thought my 5-year-old will never get sick. I was wrong.

It was Thursday last week when I went to Manila Hotel for a bloggers' tour. Honestly, Sophia was already feverish then that I told her teacher she can't make it to school that day. I still went to the tour because I felt that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I just couldn't let it pass; I might regret it had I not come. We finished the tour a little after sunset. Manila sunset was breathtaking, as usual; at the back of my mind: Is my daughter still breathing?

That 45-Second Shopping Spree

That's it. These are what I got for 45 seconds from the free shopping spree when we were invited at the press launch of Puregold's latest partnership with Globe GCash.

Rowena, ze Animetric, hoarded tissue, fabric conditioner and panty liners. OK, I'm confusing you, I suppose. Here's a short background: The press launch started with media and bloggers registering as usual; then event host Giselle Sanchez stepped on stage and did her thing. She announced that there will be exciting games on the latter part of the program. To be honest, I was just expecting that there will a raffle contest and that they will give Puregold GCs as prizes. I really shop in Puregold (I think Marikina has more than 6 branches of PG) so to say that I was excited was an understatement. Oh no, no, no! The agency, Virtusio PR, that handled the account surprised us: They wanted us to shop in Puregold for free! Upon hearing her announcement, I was already shaking. No kidding.

8/52

"My daughter's photos, once a week, every week, in 2014."

As much as I'd like to avoid posting sad things here, this photo pretty summed up my little warrior's week. Well, it doesn't look bad, it's actually colorful! We stayed at MIL's house (our former home) for five days. Pia was sick since Thursday morning, she had on and off fever and "tigdas hangin". A day before that, I tagged her along to an event, which I'd tell you more about in the coming posts. Perhaps, the long travel to and fro was when she got the "bad air". On a lighter note, look at this photo: It was so cool that she was on stage with Giselle Sanchez! Funnily and unfortunately, she walked out on her. Hehe. Anyway, even if it helped that MIL has a helper (meaning, I didn't wash dishes and clean house), I haven't relaxed a bit. I kept on checking the girl's body temperature, as in, every.freaking.hour! It's now back to normal though but I hate that she has blisters at the right corner of her mouth, which happened to her before. I'm applying Mupirocin to it, three times a day. So yes, I'm currently a mombie but I'm very, very happy we're home and she's doing good. Thank you to all who prayed for her. ♡

Lovin' My Ash Blonde Hair by Cynos Inside Hair Care

As a stay-at-home mom who tries her best to be as frugal as she can, I rarely visit salons to have my hair treated. Haircut, yes. Treatments? Next question, please. I do care for my hair, don't get me wrong! But I'd rather go DIY than spend thousands of money to reach my mane goal (pun intended). 

Who the hell's the girl in the before pic? Ewwness.

I just got super lucky that this blogging thing happening here paved way for me to meet friends who could help! Cynos Inside Hair Care sponsored this domestic queen a bonggang hair makeover last year! 

My Readers Make Me Feel Like a Rock Star

I checked my stats earlier in the dashboard. My average number of page views per month is 10,000. I'm not so sure if it's good enough so I asked a few people in my community and Marge said it is good enough. She even said I'm already "made" when I posted a status on my personal Facebook account saying that I have been receiving a lot of event invites lately. To be honest, I sheepishly accepted her statement. I don't think I'm in that stage already. I feel like I'm still at step 3 of 50. But yes, I am claiming that I am getting there not just for my ego and self-esteem and worth ― but also for you, my dear royal readers.

It's true when celebrities and actors say that if not for their supporters, they won't be at where they are now. I really believe that readers play a big part on a blogger's (and her blog's) success. Who would comment here? Who would tick that like button on my fan page? Who would retweet? Who would give me a heart on Instagram? Who would make me feel like a rock star when in real life, I'm a non-bra-wearing stay-at-home-mom? YOU.

You, who are real and royal.
You, who paid a visit here giving this blog a +1 hit even if you don't intend to read my posts.
You, who got bored with my current post so you decided to backread.
You, who'd later find out that before all these, I was a giveaway maniac.
You, who liked my statuses on Facebook but never read my blog posts.
You, who would go on "liking trip" on all my photos on Instagram.
You, who loved the way I tell a story.
You, who think I'm such a braggart.
You, who can always relate to what I am going through as a woman, wife and mom.
You, who I call my husband.
You, who roll your eyes when you read something you don't like.
You, who wonder how I manage to do things at home.
You, who wonder why it seems like I'm online 24/7.
You, who left a nasty comment here and got frustrated because I didn't publish it.
You, who actually married a military guy, too.
You, who laughed with me.
You, who cried with me.
You, who want to meet me in person.
You, who want to meet me in person and slap my face.
You, who want to meet me in person and slap my face with lots of make-up because I need it!
You, who think I'm fashionably-challenged.
You, who feel like giving me clothes because I always wear the same thing in photos.
You, who thought of me as a looter.
You, who hate me but actually read my blog.
You, who beki-talked with me.
You, who subscribed to my newsfeeds because you want to stay updated.
You, who joined my giveaways.
You, who read everything I post here.
You, who feel happy for me when I'm happy.
You, who blog, too.
You, who will feel sad if I'd quit blogging.
You, who accidentally landed in this cyber palace.
You, who may be good or bad, are a reader.
You, who make me feel like a rock star.

You, royalties, are the main reason why I still do giveaways! That's the only way I could thank you for reading my blog. When I was in 5th grade, my dream was to become a writer; that kind of writer who actually published a book, which I would sign for the readers. But now, I dream to become a writer, who would actually want to reach out to her readers... and yes, still sign that book. Thank you for reading my blog! You rock! As in... ng bonggang-bongga. ♡

*photo source

7/52

"My daughter's photos, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Last Saturday, we attended Pia's cousin's 7th birthday party at Villa Ronar in Marikina City. With her in this photo is her Ate Angel, her 11-year-old cousin from the Rayala side. I was amazed at how she gracefully attended the event. Dressing up and "being at a party" thrilled her. She laughed at the magician's antics and happily participated in the games. She ate all by herself in the kiddie table without any mess! During the program, she was one of the "7 candles" who gave birthday wishes for the celebrant. As usual, she made us, my husband and I, so proud by saying nothing but beautiful things for the birthday girl. I guess, I have to make sure that we attend children's parties we would be invited to 'cause Pia is a little party babe. ♡