Everyday Adventures: February 2017

Balik-alindog Activities with Your Loved One

By Mommy Donna and Kib - February 23, 2017

At the start of 2017, I planned to go back to "balik-alindog" program. While I didn't really neglected myself last year, I just feel that I need to get back in shape especially that this year I'll turn 40 (yes, I'll be officially in my middle adulthood, waaah!). There are lots of things that I wanted to achieve before I turn a year old this year and it involves a lot of physical activities (you can see my bucket list here).

Doing these activities can be more fun if you'll do it with someone you love <3 <3 <3

Exercising can be fun if doing it your partner or best friend. While most people are allergic to the word 'exercise', if done with partner or best friend, it becomes a great bonding activity!

#couplegoals
#friendshipgoals
#fitnessgoals

Let's get it on!

Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines said that exercising with a partner has many advantages--physically, mentally, and socially. "Working out with someone has been shown to make you happier and more motivated to achieve your fitness goals. When you exercise with a partner, strenuous physical activities can be more tolerable," says Dr. Montoya.

Here are some fitness ideas that you can do with your partner or best friend:

Rock/Wall Climbing--rock/wall climbing is a full body workout that pushes you to use your entire body to climb a wall or a rock mountain. This activity has lots of benefits--it builds muscle, increases endurance, reduces stress, and boosts brain function. This activity also teaches trust to each other. Your friend/partner will be the one to hold the rope and give you enough rope slack while climbing the wall/rock mountain. He/She makes sure that you will be safe should you miss a step.

Cycling--group cycling is more fun than biking alone. Tag along your partner or friend while you go to different places with your respective bicycles. Did you know that an hour of cycling can burn 590-930 calories? It's definitely a great way to help both of you lose weight, increase cardiovascular fitness, decrease stress levels, and strengthen bones.

Zumba--this is the most popular activity done with your pal! Dance your way to a fit body! Zumba is not only a fun and healthy way to bond, but also a full body workout that burns fat, boosts our mood, and increases confidence. Zumba is for all ages and is a great opportunity to meet new friends who has the same fitness goals as you.

Hiking--do you like nature? Hiking is the best for you and your other half. Hiking gives you numerous health benefits such as improved blood pressure and blood sugar levels, increased bone density and a strengthened core. Hiking with a partner for your safety is also a good reason why you need someone with you when you climb mountains. Taking photos on the summit with someone is the best memory that you can build together!

Excited to use this! Another check mark on my #bucketlist ✅ #camping #mountainclimbing #almost40 #balikalindog2017

A post shared by Donna Donor (@donababe) on Feb 6, 2017 at 9:02pm PST

Yoga--if you and your partner are not the adventurous type, you can try yoga. Yoga is a low-impact and relaxing workout. It helps you develop a stronger and more flexible body while doing the physical poses of yoga. It also allows your mind to be calmer and more focused. Yoga provides the means to attune to the body, thus improving overall health. It increases circulation, slows heart rate, and lowers blood pressure.

MediCard Lifestyle Center offers yoga classes. MediCard Lifestyle Center specifically offers Surya Fitness Yoga, which offers hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, and basic yoga classes. MediCard Lifestyle Center is located at 51 Paseo de Roxas cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. You may also visit their website, http://mlc.medicardphils.com, for more information.

Let's burn those calories away with our loved ones! Go to a healthier you this year!

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cradle

Are You A No Compromise Parent? Sign-up Now!

By Mommy Donna and Kib - February 20, 2017

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Chinese New Year

Kung Hei Fat Choi! HOOQ Celebrates Chinese New Year

By Mommy Donna and Kib - February 13, 2017

One of the most-awaited holiday in the Philippines is the Chinese New Year. People would love to know what luck awaits them for the coming year. Binondo is also known as Chinatown, so a lot of Chinese and non-Chinese people flock there to celebrate this event, buying good luck charms and food to symbolize prosperity, good health, and love.

Happy Chinese New Year! Dragon dance to bring us luck

HOOQ, Asia's largest video on demand service, welcomed the arrival of the Year of the Fire Rooster with a free screening of Mano Po 7: Chinoy at the Globe Iconic Store--BGC Ampitheater in Bonifacio Global City last February 4, 2017. This is the fourth HOOQ Hangouts event since it was launched August last year. HOOQ Hangouts is presented by Globe Live in cooperation with Samsung.

So festive! The main entrance to the HOOQ Hangouts event at BGC Ampitheater

Mano Po 7: Chinoy was chosen for their fourth HOOQ Hangouts not only to celebrate the Chinese New Year but to also emphasize that HOOQ Will be first to have the newest local movies after their theatrical run. "Now movie fans don't have to wait for long since we will try to make it available on HOOQ as soon as possible. Mano Po 7 was released last December in cinemas will be on HOOQ this summer," said Jane Cruz-Walker, Country Manager of HOOQ Philippines.

Globe and HOOQ family together with Ms. Jean Garcia and Richard Yap, the lead stars in Mano Po 7: Chinoy

Mr. Richard Yap of Mano Po 7: Chinoy

Ms. Jean Garcia of Mano Po 7: Chinoy

With the increasing number of movies in HOOQ's movie library, HOOQ subscribers can now enjoy over 1,200 Filipino movies spanning almost five decades of film making, and over 4,000 hours of local television leaving other video-in-demand services way behind in terms of Filipino content.

Soon to be available on HOOQ are the following:

Camp Sawi
I Love You To Death
That Thing Called Tanga Na
My Rebound Girl
The Escort
Bakit Lahat ng Guwapo May Boyfriend?
Working Beks
Mano Po 7: Chinoy

In addition, HOOQ subscribers can also watch catch-up episodes of their favorite teleseryes in GMA 7 like Alyas Robin Hood, Someone To Watch Over Me, Meant To Be, Ika-Anim Na Utos and more in the coming months.

But wait, there's more!

HOOQ, as the exclusive presenter of the Metro Manila Film Festival, will soon have the 2016 MMFF top grosser movie Die Beautiful and Kabisera, a movie starred by Superstar Nora Aunor. "The rest of the entries will also soon find its way to HOOQ!" said Jeffrey Remigio of HOOQ Philippines.

While HOOQ showcases thousands of foreign movies and TV series, it also features Filipino entertainment on-demand with the largest library of local movies amongst other video-on-demand service in the Philippines.

Jane Cruz-Walker further emphasized HOOQ's commitment in showcasing Filipino films and TV shows. "Pinoy films and TV shows are closest to our hearts because it tells the stories of our lives and we can all relate to them. That's why it's so important for us to continuously enrich our growing library with more quality local content from the top Philippine production studios," she added.

Erik Matti's On The Job: The Series which is co-produced by Globe Studios, is the first local production to be exclusively shown on a video-on-demand service.

Here are the other movies that we can now see at HOOQ:

Romance: Diary ng Panget by James Reid and Nadine Samonte, One More Chance by John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, Close To You, and The Mistress;
Action: On The Job, Muro Ami, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano;
Thriller: Feng Shui, Sukob, Shake Rattle and Roll series, The Healing;
Comedy: Sisterakas, Kimmy Dora, Wang Fam, My Amnesia Girl, and Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy
Indie movies: Metro Manila, Sonata, Six Degress of Separation from Lila Cuntapay, Zombadings, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros

Apart from the above-mentioned movies, we can also watch the works of the top Filipino directors such as Erik Matti, Peque Gallaga, Aureus Solito, Jade Castro, Real Florido and the award-winning writers such as Moira Lang, Antoinette Jadaone, and Michiko Yamamoto.

Ooopppss, before I forget, HOOQ has an ongoing promo, #HOOQTimeAnytime Hong Kong Getaway Promo!

Win a trip for 4 to Hong Kong!

The rule is just simple: just show where you HOOQ! Whether you do it on bed or while exercising on the treadmill, or while having breakfast in the morning or while stuck in traffic on your way home, just take a photo of your best and most creative HOOQ moments and post them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram, tag HOOQ's official social media accounts, and use the hashtag #HOOQTimeAnytime on your posts. Remember to put your posts in public so that your entry will be counted!

Every Monday, HOOQ will choose the most deserving entries to win awesome prizes. For the grand raffle draw, one lucky winner will win a trip for four (4) to Hong Kong inclusive of a two-day pass to Hong Kong Disneyland, airfare, pocket money and accommodation!

This promo is open to all active HOOQ subscribers (free and paid) who have availed of the service direct from the website or app. For complete details and promo mechanics, you may visit their Facebook page.

Want to get on HOOQ? Sign up at www.hooq.tv for 7-day free trial now! Globe At Home customers can get up to 6 months access to HOOQ with plans 1299 and up, while Globe mobile customers can also get up to 6 months trial on selected prepaid and postpaid plans.

Let's support Philippine movie industry by patronizing our homegrown movies on HOOQ!

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parenting

My Birthing Story

By Mommy Donna and Kib - February 07, 2017

It has already been a decade since became a mom. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to be a mom. Until now, I still look back at the pictures that I had during the delivery day. I am proud to tell my birthing story because giving a birth to a wonderful boy is truly an amazing gift from God.

As expected, the first trimester of my pregnancy was a bit difficult. I didn't have morning sickness, but I always feel sluggish. I don't know what food to eat; this time, I want a particular food, but on the next meal, I don't want it anymore. There are certain smells that I don't like as well.

When I passed my first trimester, my pregnancy was a happy one. I feel proud of showing my baby bump to my friends. I like going to places, doing shopping, just basically doing the usual things that I still do when I'm not yet pregnant. I was also diligent on not missing my doctor appointments as well.

On my last trimester, the whole family was already excited for the birth of my son. He is the first grandchild and nephew. My mom would always prepare healthy meals because she doesn't want her apo to have problems when he goes out of the world. I would also move a lot because I don't want to give birth via Cesarean section.

Me on my 8th month of pregnancy

When I was on my 36th week, I went to my doctor for my regular check-up. It was discovered that I'm already in active labor! My cervix was already 4 centimeters dilated. My doctor got worried and she already asked me to go to the hospital for close monitoring. I said I don't have enough funds so she allowed me to stay at home and have a bed rest and take the medication she prescribed to me.

After I got home, I told my mom that my doctor has already ordered me to go on a bed rest because I'm already having an active labor. I didn't go downstairs anymore to eat meals; my mom would bring me food on the bed. However, I still go to the bathroom when I need to.

After two days of bed rest, I noticed that there was a mucus on my underwear. I told my doctor about it and she said that I really have to go to the hospital already. My father went on a half-day leave so she can drive me to the hospital.

At the hospital, I was instructed to go directly to the delivery room. I was confined overnight at MICU because I'm still on active labor. I was transferred to a regular bed after that and I stayed one more night.

Saturday, July 15th, my doctor was ready to send me home because I was only confined for close monitoring and medication. Unfortunately, the labor progressed to 8 centimeters. Immediately, the doctor and my parents did the necessary things to prepare for my delivery. My parents settled the bill first and the doctor gave instructions that I have to be re-admitted (this was done so I will get two Philhealth deductions).

My water bag didn't break, but I saw some water droplets from the hospital bed as I got wheeled going to the delivery room. All throughout my active labor, I NEVER experienced any labor pains, lucky me, hihihi.

In the delivery room, while the delivery team was preparing, I called one nurse and asked if photos can be taken during delivery. She said yes, so I asked her to get the camera from my mom.

I was still able to smile on the camera while the whole delivery team was preparing

I opted for an epidural anaesthesia because I wanted to be fully awake so I can see my son immediately right after he goes out of my womb. The doctor manually popped my water bag. After the water bag broke, that was the start of my labor pains. It's just like having your monthly period, but more intense. Even if I already started experiencing labor pains, I still took it lightly. "Ayan, sumasakit na tyan ko..." that's what I said inside the delivery room.
I started to cry when the epidural anaesthesia was being administered. I have to be in a fetal position so that the doctor can feel the part of my spine where the anaesthesia will flow. My big tummy was pressed hard, ang sakit!

Yes, I was crying there

Anaesthesia started to take effect from my toes up to my waist. I cannot feel anything anymore. To help me in pushing the baby out, there were some aides who were also pushing my tummy, hehe. They also stroked my tummy so that it will contract.

When Kib finally went out, I didn't know what happened next. The anaesthesiologist administered another kind of anaesthesia to make me feel groggy. But I remembered that I was still talking and asking questions ("Doc, ano APGAR score? Doc, gandahan mo tahi ha?!").

Kib's first picture

The doctor was about to cut the umbilical cord

Kib's first cry

Doctor checking Kib's vital signs

Our first picture together

I was wheeled in the recovery room and that's where I regained consciousness.

When I was brought to the room at around 6:30p.m., I immediately ate papaya and grapes because I wanted to pass gas. Around 10p.m. I had this urge to urinate. I suddenly cannot pee on the bed pan. I asked my tita if she can bring me to the restroom. I had difficulty walking! I was only on a total bedrest for almost three days and I can no longer walk after that.

Kib stayed in the nursery while we were in the hospital (please do not judge me, I didn't know the rooming-in policy plus I was also tired from delivery). The first time I held him was priceless. We had our first photo together inside the delivery room but I was unconscious then and he was held by a nurse. I tried breastfeeding him so that he would learn how to latch.

My first time to hold Kib

I stayed in the hospital for four days.

I thank God for giving me an opportunity to become a mom to this wonderful son. My birth story may not be very unique, but I am happy to share it with the rest of the world. I may not be a perfect mom to my son, but God knows that I'm doing my very best to fulfill all of his needs.

Happy 10th year of motherhood to me!