When Life is Unfair.

The Philippine Children’s Medical center (PCMC) is one of the main public hospitals for children with cancer. DOH has designated the PCMC to be one of the implementers of the government’s National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management (NCPAM) program, which provides free chemotherapy drugs to indigent patients. The battle against pediatric cancer is huge. The children need the support of everyone—from government agencies, to private companies, down to families and individuals.

I hate it. I hate everything about it. Children with cancer is just WRONG. 

My sister, Joan died of bone cancer when she was 12. I was 6 at that time. I remember kneeling in front of our little alter at home and praying for God to take me instead of her. I knew little about what death meant but I do remember praying for this. After a few minutes, I heard my mom wail. I knew that she was gone. December 10 is her 36th death anniversary. Until now, my heart hurts when I think about how much pain she felt.

So when I received an email from Gizelle Acero, asking me to be part of the Christmas outreach program to 20 children who are dealing with this disease, I did not hesitate.

I was given a list of what they need. 

But I do need help. 
I wouldn't ask if I can handle it on my own but 
I need blood donors. 

If you want to give love (and blood) this Christmas Season, please proceed to PCMC Blood Bank.(One drop, one hope program)

Anyway, I figured that the best way to put gifts together is by these plastic bags that you can buy in the market. They are strong enough to hold heavy things. Big enough for lots of items and cute enough to make the kids excited and happy. The parents love them too!







My sisters and I bought all sorts of activity books. I was told that the kids really look forward to reading and coloring. I am all for it since it keeps their minds active and imaginative.

On a crazy afternoon in 168, I was able to buy them the rest of what they needed. Thank you to my Yap Family for taking me. 

There's nothing fun about this visit but it is joyful to be able to bring about a smile from a child who's in physical and emotional pain. Seeing us also made their parents happy, even for a brief moment. That alone makes it worth every minute of our stay. 

This kid particularly touched my heart. He's three and a half years old. He has renal cancer. His mom told me that he has had numerous chemotherapy already but his body is already rejecting the medicine. She was in tears and when her son saw her crying, he started crying too. I told his mom to stay strong and to not show her son that she is sad. When she stopped, he stopped. Inside, I started to cry, but I too, had to be strong. She told me that they are just waiting. 

I asked her what I could do to help but she had no answer. At that moment, even if I have the capacity to help, I was helpless. It was me kneeling in front of the alter praying for my sister all over again. 

I got his mom's number because I want to help when the time comes. 

Thank you to Gizelle Acero for inviting me to be part of this heart-touching visit. 

Mandarin Oriental Lights Up!

Last week, I was invited to the Tree Lighting Ceremony of Mandarin Oriental. 

The 20-ft Noble Fir tree donated by Ms. Milagros How is from Oregon and was flown to the country just in time for the Christmas Tree of Hope event wherein donations were being accepted for the farmers and the rebuilding of Tacloban City. 

The Metro Manila Concert Orchestra performed favorite Christmas songs and it sounded beautiful in side the MO Lounge. We have Universal Harvester Inc. and General Manager Torsten van Dullemen for organizing and sponoring this special evening of hope. 

Before the lights were switched on.....

Ooohs and ahhhs were heard as the lights were switched on by Ms. Mila How and a farmer from Tacloban. 

Was only too happy to see my Mandarin Oriental family, 

Director of Food and Beverage, Mr. Peter Pysk. 

 Executive Chef, Rene Ottlik and my lovely friend, 

Director of Communications, Ms. Charisse Chuidian. 

YStyle: XXXChristmasParty.

Sadly, there was nothing triple X about the party of YStyle last week. It was quite wholesome. Cupcakes, bronuts, coffee and juice were served along with delicious food. 

It was held at the very posh, spanking new (not even open yet, but opened for one night, shet, ang lakas mo Bea Ledesma!) Century City Mall owned by the Antonio's.

YStyle treated us to a private screening of Hunger Games. 

The cinema, I tell you, is the best exclusive screening area I have ever been to. The chairs are all automatically reclinable with leg support so that you can literally (almost) lie down while watching the film. If you decide to book this in the future for your private parties, make sure you tell your guests to wear a parka, thermal underwear, boots, gloves and a dozen scarves. It's THAT cold. 

My gang took over the upper left hand of the cinema. We were all hoping that we would win all the major raffle prizes. 

Jojie and Dennis. 

JC and yours truly. 

Chelsea and Christian. 

Christian and Candy. Uuuyyy, love triangle daw. 

Happily, it was Chelsea who won the Jul Dizon ring that we gave to Ystyle! I love it! 

The Dizon sisters each won something. We were truly lucky. 

Ria won this cool phone with headset thingy!! 

Photo by Ria Bolivar's Instagram. 

Super cute keychain from Y 3 is one of the giveaways to early birds. 

Photo by Janina Hoschka's Instagram.

When I got home, I laid out the lootbag we were all given after the party. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH Bea Ledesma, Cai Subijano and the rest of the Ystyle team for such a wonderful evening. 

Ruined Out in Pompei.

For my three weeks in Italy, I have seen a gazillion ruins and when I went to Pompei, I think that's when I said, "Enough ruins already!"

Actually, this place is filled with interesting history. The kids learned so much from reading about it. Thank goodness for Ginny for being the educator that she is. She bought the tour book and told the kids everything they needed to know about the place. I have no patience. 

I just kept on taking photos and trying my best to find the exit discreetly. 

It didn't help that it was a sunny day. I was secretly wishing for Teddy, my driver, to come pick me up. 

My Jacqueline liked the place and was patient enough with me when I told her to pose for a photo. 

When Mt Vesuvius erupted, stones, ashes and fumes destroyed Pompei and Herculaneum. This museum inside Pompei are actual remnants of the pulverized city. Yes, that's a real person in the photo, mummified by the volcanic debris and time. 

At the end of the tour, I was so happy to see GREENS!!! The trees, grass, bushes and flowers are such a delight after all those depressing ruins. 

See the contrast in this photo?

 That's why we need to plant more trees in the city. 

The Dizon Family!

Speaking of Pompei, there's a new movie coming out soon that will tell us what happened in this city forever lost. Watch out for it!

Take Me Back to Villa Angelina!

Villa Angelina  is heaven on Earth. Located in Sorrento, Italy, it is definitely where you would want to stay for at least 3 days.

"The elegant Victorian building of Villa Angelina dominates the entire area of 'Capo Massa'. In 1936, the whole building was bought by the Master and Ship-owner Achille Lauro, who felt enchanted by the wonderful landscape.

On the Villas terraces, the views catches the entire Neapolitan Gulf, starting from 'Monte Faito' up to Ischia, Miseno, Capri… meanwhile, the Vesuvio stands out the deeply-blue sea, like a giant."

You see that brick roofed ceiling in between those trees? That's Villa Angelina.