Ms. Salonga was given this prestigious award as she gave the singing voices for Jasmine in 1992 for “Aladdin” and for “Mulan ” in 1998 and 2004. She now rubs elbows with other Disney legends –

• Barton Boyd
• Jodi Benson (as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”)
• Jim Henson who we all know is the creator of the “Muppets” which most of our kids now enjoy viewing.
• Paige O’Hara who played Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”
• Anika Noni Rose who is Princess Tiana of “The Princess and the Frog”.
• Regis Philbin
• Guy Williams of the Zorro series
• and Ray Watson

Ms. Lea Salonga singing "Reflection" during the Disney Legend Awards Night.

For details on the exact acceptance speech of our proud “kababayan”, you can click on the video link provided at the bottom of this post.

Lea was also cited for her “The King and I” role when she was just 7 and for having recorded an album at the tender age of 10. Of course, the night won’t be complete if her international Broadway musical “Miss Saigon” wasn’t mentioned.

Established in the year 1987, Disney Legends is a program that puts a spotlight on men and women who have made exceptional contributions to the company (Walt Disney).

Lea Salonga is the first Filipino to be given this honor so this makes me proud of to be a strong and independent Filipino woman just like her! Kudos to Lea and I look forward to seeing her bring more honor to the country.

THE YOUTUBE LINK:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOwr8GpizLw

Pablo Picasso's "Breastfeeding"

Motherhood can bring about exhaustion, confusion, excitement, thrill, joy, and many other different feelings. But above all this, there’s gratification. Throw in breastfeeding into this whole spectrum of emotions and the mother is out for the ride of her life!

Yet there are millions of moms who would prefer to breastfeed their children. This commitment is laudable, hence, the World Health Organization came up with this week to celebrate the selfless act of breastfeeding.

August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week and this is an annual celebration that centers on the art of breastfeeding. After all, this is the phase wherein the infant feels most secure because he’s in the arms of his protective mom.

Breastfeeding exclusively for six months is a great way to nurture the baby. It is also a wonderful preparation for his tummy for his upcoming solid meals. It is also advisable to breastfeed a baby up until the second year of his life. This way, he gets all the essential nutrients that his growing body needs, not to mention that he’d be protected from infection and many diseases.

It isn’t always easy to set up a breastfeeding schedule especially if the mother is a working mom. Everything has to be carefully mapped out so that the infant would still be able to get the freshest breastmilk in the next few hours.

There is one law that requires employers to provide a space for women who would want to express some breastmilk. There are also health plans that include support and counseling for moms who are planning to or who are already breastfeeding their babies.

This is a great law in the U.S., but then, we’re in the Philippines so I really dunno what laws were enacted when it comes to breastfeeding employees. But kudos to SM for setting up breastfeeding stations in most of their malls. If you know of any other malls or establishments that offer this rare space for women, kindly comment on this blog.

Once again, Happy World Breastfeeding Week to all moms!

Clockwise: Kuya Joseph, Lester, Mommy Perla, and the author.

She was everything Lester described her to be — kind and congenial. I felt at home in her presence right away. I knew that I could relax because she was very gentle. Her family took Lester and I to dinner just so we could chill and get to know each other and chat a bit. I remember Kuya Joseph (Julie’s brother) telling me to sit right next to Mommy Perla because we needed to talk.

It was a lovely dinner (in a restaurant in Quezon City). I also met Julie’s nieces, her sister-in-law (has she had the chance to meet her), and grandchildren(!). The food was great but the Postigos’ warmth was greater. They accommodated everything that I needed in order to set up the said interview for the upcoming book.

After dinner, I thought — this is it! I was finally going to interview Julie’s mom. We sat in her hotel for hours, just talking casually about her long-missed daughter. Lester was there with us all the while, taking a video of the interview, also pitching in an idea every now and then. Of course, a great part of the interview had to center on the events that transpired prior to Julie’s passing and the events that followed right after she was already gone.

As a mother, though I know Mommy Perla is at peace now, I can still feel the longing that she had for her daughter. I felt the pangs of pain when I asked her about Joey’s (Julie’s other brother who passed away two years ahead of her) death also and more so when she had to describe Julie’s last, few months. Back there, I felt two moms’ spirits, just connecting with each other. I even gently told her, “I’m a mom, too, I know that this is painful to discuss but I will have to ask you all over again…”.

I thought then, this is going to be a great revelatory book, one that would give us an in-depth look on what really transpired. After all, the things that we discussed will be included in Julie’s book — one that she’ll be remembered in forever — and ever!

If you take a closer look at most carpets or rugs that can be found in modern homes, you will be able to see binding around the carpet’s perimeter. Area rugs, more often than not, have bindings (also termed as applications) around the edges. Wall-to-wall carpets, on the other hand, usually don’t have bindings on their edges. This is because the edges are already secured with tack strips around the room’s perimeter. This already makes carpet binding unnecessary.

So how is carpet binding actually done? With proper training, a bit of flair, and the right equipment, a carpet binder will be able to produce an economical and functional work of art. Here are the basic steps in binding any carpet:

Carpet binding often begins by cutting your desired shape onto the piece that’s going to be bound. If you’re binding an old carpet, you will need to trim the edges so that they will become straight and smooth.

You can power bevel a thick carpet so that the edges will be tapered. If you have a low grade type of commercial carpet, power beveling may not be necessary.

After this, you can then choose the binding style that’s going to be applied. Low-end carpets often require polyester binding.  High end ones make use of bindings that are dependent on the type of material used on the carpet. It also depends on the aesthetic effect that you would want to achieve.

Carpet binding requires that you stabilize the corners in order to prevent unraveling. You can choose to use hot glue or staples. The latter may be easier to use but hot glue is less likely to loosen.

Other types of carpet binding include: sisal binding (with different widths available); serging with yarn (comes in different colors); string fringe (different styles and lengths).

Carpet binding can be done with portable or stationary tools. With a portable binding, you can easily move the machine around the edges of the carpet. A stationary tool, on the other hand, requires a large table and spacious workplace. If you’re looking into lowering your binding cost, it will be best to use the portable type.

You might ask whether your carpet needs binding or not. First, if you’ve got a carpet that has raw edges (for instance, leftovers of wall-to-wall carpet installation), then binding would come in handy. You could create custom area rugs for your couches or even a cute bed for your canine or feline friend.

You can also repair very old carpets and create new styles simply by binding their edges! Those that come with minor damages could also be easily repaired. If you’ve got a permanent stain on your carpet, then why don’t you just trim it off and have the edge rebound. These are a lot cheaper to do when compared to purchasing a brand new carpet. Let carpet binding beautify an otherwise useless carpet and add pizzazz to an otherwise boring piece.

Talking from experience, my dad never spanked me. This is enough  good reason for me to remember him with respect and awe. It’s hard not to give a kid a good spanking especially when he deserves it — and so many times, as a kid, I did deserve to be hit with a stick (or a broom!). Being a naughty kid, it might have taken all of the patience in my father to not hit me. And yet, in all of the ten years that I’ve spent with him, he managed to discipline me with the best way that he knew — through gentle persuasion.

I’ve lived with this wonderful father for almost 11 years and I would like to dedicate this article to him especially now that his 24th death anniversary is coming. My father is long gone but his memories will forever live in me. He’s just my adoptive father yet I truly believe that he gave more than any father ever could (no offense to all other fathers out there).

I truly believe that I was born out of his heart and that in just a decade, he was able to shower me with love that many fathers will never be able to show in a lifetime.

Be it known to all men that Fernando Tejada is still missed by his daughter even to this day.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fellowship-of-Dads-of-Daughters/140919762614165?v=wall#!/pages/The-Fellowship-of-Dads-of-Daughters/140919762614165?v=wall

I have here, two videos that I would like to both label “CRY FEST”.

Naming a star after your loved one is both an exceptional and a romantic thing to do.  After all, how many people get to have their own star at the beautiful skies, right?  Think of all the special occasions that would be well-remembered because of that special gesture—Valentine’s Day, Anniversaries, Mothers’ Day, Birthdays, Baptismal Day, or even Christmas! 

Where to Go and Find that Elusive Star

For almost three decades now, the International Star Registry has been the most respected organization responsible for the registration of hundreds upon thousands of people who would want to have their own star.  Their most common buyers are celebrities who go after special Star Naming Kits which are uniquely made for every individual.  It’s no secret that Johnny Depp got his own star as a gift from Winona Ryder; Princess Di got two of her own as well.   The price of each kit begins at $54 and they even offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! 

Legally speaking, the star would not really belong to its buyer.  The only proof that a specific star has been named after a person is possession of the naming kit itself.  The custom kit comes with a certificate made with a special parchment which clearly indicates the name of the person on which the star has been named from, the date and also the precise coordinates of the star.  Along with this parchment are a sky chart (12-by-16 inch) which pinpoints the star’s location in bright red; as well as an astronomy book, and a letter congratulating the buyer for this once-in-a-lifetime decision.  After which, the newly-named star will be published and copyrighted in a book.  If the gift-giver would want an upgraded version of the certificate, there are also the deluxe and ultimate packages which they could choose from.

There is no guarantee, though, that once the certificate has been given that the name will be recognized by other organizations apart from the International Star Registry.  In fact, no astronomical group has ever used the names of stars registered at the ISR.

Technically speaking, the ISR is not there to make star-naming official.  As one of the officials at ISR pointed out, it is just the thought of having been named after a star which actually counts and the legality of the act is not a major concern for buyers.  This is also why there are more star-naming companies that have started to sprout because, legally, there is nothing wrong with what these online companies are doing. 

So, naming a star after someone is now as easy as 1-2-3.  Just go online, bring out your credit card, and you should be able to purchase one in no time!

Scientific finding and surveys both agree that spanking children do produce shy or testy children (you would notice that these are on both ends of the behavioral spectrum).  Yet the same surveys and scientific studies have proven that most parents today have been spanked when they were kids.  Thus, they believe that they grew up to be okay and this same form of discipline should be alright.  To put this matter to rest though, a parent must always believe that a relationship is set on mutual respect and values, therefore, spanking should not be resorted to as a form of discipline.
When parents see their terrible two wrecking havoc, it’s certain that they deem toddler discipline as a gargantuan task.  This is why it’s sometimes easier for them to just opt to spanking.  Indeed, disciplining 1-2 year old kids can be a difficult job and as a parent, it is your duty to draw the line and to set up absolute rules that these young minds would be able to comprehend.  If you’re tired of hearing squeals and seeing tantrums, it’s time to read some how-to’s on toddler discipline.

Their Just Testing the Boundaries

Don’t fret if you find out that your toddler likes to test your patience.  This is a normal part of child development and as a parent, you should be glad that your child is on this behavioral stage.  Remember the cardinal rule?  They have to learn that there are boundaries set for them (a.k.a. rules) and once they cross these “lines”, a consequence is set to follow.

Boundary testing is a trial and error process.  Do not expect much on the first few days as there would be much howling and misbehaviors.  The antidote to these wailings is consistency—just learn to stand your ground and tell your toddler that NO, indeed, means NO.

What Works for Basketball Players and Toddlers

Time out.  This is a very simple method of calming the nerves of an irritable child.  You can implement this by setting one room in your house as the “time out corner”.  Once the 2-3 minute time out is over, explain in the simplest language, what went wrong and why they had to be kept inside the room.  Make sure to implement this mode of discipline just as soon as the toddler has committed the behavioral infraction.  This is also one good way of ignoring any tantrum that has ensued, as the child would learn that he will not be able to talk to mommy or daddy unless he stops squealing.

Diverting the Energy Someplace Else

When a toddler is bent on getting what he wants, he will resort to crying and tugging and even to a full-blown tantrum.  These are moments when the toddler’s energy is at its peak and his parent must learn to redirect the child’s energy to a more positive activity.  You can ask your child to help you in watering the plants or doing the dishes instead.  Toddlers want to feel important (don’t we all?) and that’s why this is a good alternative for them.

A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath

Whoever authored this saying on the Bible was definitely a wise man.   It’s better to encourage a child to do something rather than spank him so he would give in.  Learn to use the words “please” and “may you” around them so they would also grow up using these phrases. Never spank or shout at him in front of other people—don’t say you were not forewarned (coz they will grow up hating that moment!).

Always remember that toddler discipline might be difficult but it’s not impossible.  In order to gain your child’s respect, you must know and understand his behaviors and way of thinking.  Remember that you are an adult and you have a sense of right and wrong while your child has yet to learn the ropes.  Strengthen your relationship with your child by setting the example and being firm about your rules.  And above all, love him with all your might and you should be able to reap the reward that only sole loving can give!

A 25-pound weight gain at the end of a pregnancy is a normal occurrence.  The extra fat is needed to cushion the baby while it is in its mother’s womb.  Here are some great tips for you to lose that hideous bulge ASAP:

1. Breastfeed. Do you know that your body has to burn some extra calories each time you have to lactate and nurse your baby?  This, together with a healthy diet and exercise should help you trim down your weight.  It’s like hitting two birds with one stone—you stay fit as your baby gets his needed nutrition—not a bad bargain at all!
2. Sweep away the fat. Start a weight management diet that you could easily maintain.  Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, grains, and vegetables should be on top of your list as they clean up your digestive tract and even aid in preventing diseases such as colon cancer, diabetes and hypertension.  Stay away from foods rich in sodium as they tend to make you look more bloated. Say NO to junk foods and soda.
3. Slow and easy does it. Start a strength training routine and you would soon realize that gaining back those muscles would mean burning all the pregnancy fat around your upper arms, hips, thighs, and yes…your belly.  Remember that weight reduction can only be attained if cardio workout is a part of your exercise regimen.  Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you would be required to do a thousand sit-ups just to zap those saddlebags!  Merely 30 minutes of cardio workout at 3 times each week should do the trick.  There’s a smorgasbord of cardio workouts that you could pick from and you’d be surprised that most of them are free of charge: brisk walking, running, bicycling, swimming, hiking, and playing your favorite sports such as basketball or tennis.  If you want to target just your belly, then you can resort to traditional methods such as scissor kicks (done by lying down and slowly raising legs alternately); pelvic tilts (as its name suggests, you lift your pelvis off the floor and hold for a few seconds); or you can choose belly dancing which is a sexy way to get rid of your unwanted fat.  A word of advice, though, you must consult your doctor before you pursue any particular exercise regimen as the abdominal muscles were contorted and has gone through wear and tear during pregnancy.
4. Do as Hollywood celebrities do it. You are rectified in thinking that Hollywood actresses resort to surgery in order to look sexy again after giving birth.  If your pregnancy belly is just too stubborn, it’s time to jumpstart your weight reduction through other methods such as lipoplasty (commonly known as liposuction) or abdominoplasty (a.k.a. tummy tuck).  The former is a procedure of taking out fat cells from the specified area while tummy tuck eliminates not only fat but also the extra skin from the belly region.  Simply put, tummy tuck is a more complex version of liposuction.  It provides abdominal muscle tightening which is the most brilliant way of making your belly look “flat”.
5. When all else fails… When you’re already killing yourself trying to regain your pre-pregnancy shape yet even the most strenuous exercise just won’t do—what else is there left to do?  You might want to make sure that you do not have the condition called diastasis recti which is common among postpartum women.  This is a defect which shows abnormal abdominal stretching and can only be remedied through physiotherapy or tummy tuck—it’s best to ask your doctor about it.