2nd Jesse Robredo Youth Leaders Camp - February 2014

Jesse Robredo Youth Leaders Camp 2013

2nd Jesse Robredo Youth Leaders Camp

Open to ALL College Students

Review the poster, qualify, submit the requirements, and be one of the Jesse Robredo Youth Leaders. 

Join the loop and make yourself a good, effective and smart student leader. Aim high and excel.

Deadline of applications is on January 10, 2014.

Click HERE for more details.

For more information on how to apply, interested applicants can send an email to jmfryouth@gmail.com.

Visit their page today. 

The 2nd JMR Youth Leaders Camp is scheduled on February 7-9, 2014.

The camp aims to inculcate in the hearts and minds of the young leaders the leadership values and principles that the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo had stood for and had lived out. And that ultimately, the youth leaders become inspired and empowered to be agents for change in good governance towards nation building.

Cheers,

Mommy Mai

My 30th Birthday at Its Best - A Loving Message from my Husband

My hubby and my kiddo made my big day - the happiest.  :)

What else can I ask for? All I can say now is - Thanks be to GOD.

December 13 - I've just turned 30. December 14 - Hubby and I will celebrate our 11 years of being together; 11 years ago when I said YES to our self-proclaimed 'May-December' love affair and began our happy journey to life.  December 16 - We will celebrate our seven (7) of being a husband and a wife - the day that started our journey to life as ONE, blessed by GOD and loved by His people. 

Our life together has always been the happiest, the most blessed one. Oh well, not because it really is it but simply because that is how we see it and we want it to be. Our marriage is 'extraordinarily unique' for not all husbands and wives would do the things we do, talk about the things we discuss during our pillow talks and meals together, hang out to places that we usually go to, and many others. Ours is simply the best and  yes, the happiest (at least for us and our families/friends). 

Yes, modesty aside, we are grateful to GOD and it feels really overwhelming to hear people appreciating our marriage and our 'relationship' ... 

Oh wait, we are not perfect and so as other marriages out there but we know it is in God's eyes, in the eyes of the people closest to our hearts, and most  of all, our own eyes as well as in the eyes of our unico hijo, Eieo. 

We would forever be thankful and grateful to God for blessing us with a happy marriage, loving families, good friends, and a wonderful life. Waking up each morning in between my two boys, my dashing 'debonairs' makes me appreciate and live life to the fullest. 

Here's my loving hubby's message to me on my 30th birthday (as posted on his FB account) : 

It's her day today... The woman who makes me realize my importance; my number one fan and my strength. She who never gives up on me and accepts me despite my weaknesses. The girl who always inspires me to do my best and asks me to pause for a while and to relax at times when I'm discouraged and depressed. Nevertheless, my lifetime partner and my wife who has been the very reason why I'm very much thankful to God.

This was the sweetest and most touching birthday message/greeting I've ever received this day. And a post that has gotten hundreds of 'likes' and 'comments'. Many shared their thoughts as to how sweet it is, how lucky I am and how blessed we are as a couple.

My reply: Such a lucky girl. I am so blessed. This is so sweet, Dad. Wasn't really expecting to read a very sweet message from you, was so surprised and deeply touched (in tears and kinikilig). Very overwhelming, Dad! Love you ALL more and always. Thanks be to GOD. Living and spending a lifetime with you, Eieo, Eiea (in HIS time) and all - PRICELESS. 

I also intended to thank all the people who, in one way or another, have touched and moved our lives...

To our big sons and daughters who are now yuppies : Thanks for the kind words, the love and all. Our family is yours too so always remember that our home is also yours. Worth it lahat ng love and TLC na naiparamdam namin sa inyo. 

As I always say, saying thank you is good, expressing your gratitude is better but passing the good deeds on is simply the best. We are so blessed to be an inspiration and a blessing to many lives. We miss you all so much! GOD speed. To GOD be the Glory!  :)

To all : Thank you very much and may the Good LORD bless us more and always.

WE ARE SO BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING AND AN INSPIRATION TO MANY LIVES.

Thanks be to GOD! Happy Holidays!

xoxo,

Mommy Mai

My Prayer on my 30th Birthday - Blessed to be a Blessing

A Very Beautiful Prayer on My Birthday

On December 13, Sunday at exactly 12 midnight (Manila Time), I

whispered this very special and beautiful prayer from my heart.

Dear Lord, 

I thank You for giving me another year of life, happiness, serenity and good health. I thank You for all the people who have remembered me today, for all the countless blessings you have given me all year round, the achievements, experiences, successes, memories, opportunities and strengths. 

I sincerely thank You for the sunshine, for the laughter, and for the gifts of family and friends that remind me of Your loving presence everyday.

Our Family in Anawangin Islands

I thank You, my dear Savior for all those tests of faith, sorrow and pain that made me stronger and drove me closer to You – trusting You more, holding unto You at all times. These have made us realize how blessed we are and reminded us to always be trusting, grateful and hopeful.

I thank you for another year that has passed and another year blessed with Your kindness and love. Thank You too for touching my life and let me experience Your goodness everyday. The gift of love and life that I receive from You is the greatest blessing that I would be always grateful for.

Forgive me for the times that I sinned against You and Your will and for the times of failure which indeed reminded me of my own weaknesses and of my strong need for you. 

Help me to start this special day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day; to still my mind so that I can hear from You. Lord, help me broaden my mind and faith that I can accept all things You have planned for me. 

Bless me with Your wisdom and knowledge that I can share for Your glory. Let me not whine and whimper over things; please keep me safe, secured and pampered as always.

Our happy family in our Davao escapades - Samal Island

Be with me Lord to give the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can’t pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will and continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me uplifted and inspired that I may have words of encouragement for others.

Lord, I also thank you for your wonderful gifts, my husband, Rainier, our little prince, Eieo and our families, loved ones and friends. Bless us greatly with Your love, divine wisdom and discernment. Keep us committed and bonded with Your great love; We love because You first loved us. Bless also our loving families that Your grace and love may pour forth and overflow on them. Let our families be a testament of Your goodness and blessings.

With all that I am, and with all that I have ...

I offer my everything, my life to You, my God.

This I ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

Deep Fried Tofu - Filipino Style

A must-try yummy fried tofu ... Thanks to my Chef mom, Mama Lorraine Carluen.  
Happy reading! Cheers! 

xoxo, 

Mommy Mai

For a crispier and crunchier tofu texture, increased palatability, golden brown color, consider deep-frying. This is really a very easy, healthy and budget-friendly recipe.

Ingredients:
Quantities and measurements vary on your preference/s.

medium or firm tofu 
tablespoons of cornstarch or flour, as needed
extra virgin olive oil or sesame/canola oil for deep frying, as needed

Preparation:
Wash and drain the tofu carefully.
Cut the tofu into cubes, usually four parts per piece, as desired.

Directions for Deep-fried Tofu:
Roll the tofu in the cornstarch or flour with salt and pepper to taste. 
(Optional: You may also coat the tofu with egg and cracker/bread crumbs.)

Heat wok and add oil for deep frying. When the oil is heated to at least 350 degrees F., carefully add 2-4 tofu pieces into the wok.

Fry, stirring occasionally, until the tofu is golden on both sides. 
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. 
Keep warm while frying the remaining tofu. 

Serve with Soy-ginger Dressing, Sweet and Sour Sauce, or Chinese-Style Peanut Sauce.

Enjoy this yummy treat! Hugs.   :-) Super thanks to my Chef Mom 

Time to Share and Give Back - Help the Victims of Typhoon Yolanda

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Hubby and I went to ABS-CBN yesterday to share our love and blessings to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. We donated and shared what we have, took efforts to make others help too, and most of all, inspire them to pass the good deeds on. Yes, it feels good to help but it feels a lot better to inspire others to help. Thus, it is really overwhelming to see many people doing their share and giving back.

Words are not enough to express how happy we are to experience and witness this ‘unity, love and commitment’. We were in tears to see how united we all could be. These moments are priceless; we are really speechless.

 It’s payback time.

Our sincerest and big thanks to all those who join us in lending a hand.  May the good Lord bless you and your family more and always.

Again, thank you very much… for this endeavor won’t be successful without you and your big hearts.

Si Papa GOD na po ang bahala sa inyo… babalik, siksik, liglig at umaapaw.

A million thanks, everyone.

Shirt for a Cause: Tulong na, Tabang na T-shirts

We went to ABS-CBN store to buy 125 shirts which we intended to give to the orphanage in Bulacan that we support. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, helping the victims of super typhoon Yolanda and at the same time, extending support to our beneficiary, the said orphanage. 

Since there are no reservations for bulk orders of t-shirts, many wish to make it more available to their places, provinces and towns. The ‘Tulong na, Tabang na’ T-shirts are now out of stocks and are available (in limited stocks, maximum of three shirts per person) in Ayala malls.

Marami ang bumili, bumibili at gusto pang bumili ng ‘Tulong na, Tabang na’ T-shirts. Nakakalungkot na marami ang naubusan pero hindi ba dapat mas maging masaya tayo kasi ibig sabihin, marami talaga ang gustong makatulong kaya nauubos ang stocks?

To all those who want to grab the shirts, please watch out for it in Bench outlets and Boardwalk soon.

‘Tulong na, Tabang na’  T-shirt details:

Sagip Kapamilya Tulong Na, Tabang Na, Tayo Na #TulongPH

Color: White - Available in:

Shirt Size : Length x Width x Shoulder (Dimension)

Small  - 66.5cm x 48.5cm x 41.5cm 

Medium - 68.5cm x 51cm x 43cm

Large -  70cm x 53.5cm x 46cm

Extra Large - 71cm x 54cm x 46cm

Where to buy?

Online: ABS-CBN Store and Lazada

Or go directly to the ABS-CBN Store in Quezon City.  

You may also purchase TULONG NA, TABANG NA, TAYO NA SHIRTS in the following AYALA MALLS*:

Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Trinoma, Greenbelt, Market Market, Festival Mall, Harbor Point in Subic, The District Mall in Cavite, and Marquee Mall in Pampanga.

*Limited stocks, maximum of three shirts per person. 

100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO SAGIP KAPAMILYA.

What breaks our hearts?

Yes, it breaks our heart to see the news on TV, knowing how devastating the situation in Leyte. But it is more heart-breaking to know that there are SOME people who are taking advantage of this devastating and critical situation. 

There are now FAKE ‘Tulong na, Tabang na’ T-shirts that are available in many places and even online. Grabe, sana naman makonsensya kayo at itigil na ang pagnenegosyo. Napakaganda nang adhikain ng ‘Tulong na, Tabang na’ T-shirts at sana wag naman po kayong namamantala.

Maraming salamat po.

Buy only from authorized distributors and outlets as mentioned above. 

Let us all continue to give back, be blessed and be a blessing.

God bless us all.

xoxo,

Mommy Mai