NILAGANG BABOY FOR LUNCH

Our dad loves cooking! In fact, he cooks better than our mom. He says this is his small way of showing his love to his wife and to his children. We are so lucky to have such a handsome chef in the family!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Beacon of Hope for Child-Survivors

Image
  In the heart of the Philippines, amidst the challenges and shadows of abuse and exploitation, stands Parola Santuwaryo (Lighthouse Sanctuary) - a sanctuary of light and healing for children who have survived the horrors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. This blog post sheds light on the noble mission of Parola Santuwaryo, an organization dedicated to providing a safe haven and professional rehabilitation services to these vulnerable children, empowering them to reintegrate successfully into family life and society.   The Urgent Need for Residential Shelters   In a country where the dark realities of abuse and trafficking cast a long shadow over the lives of children, the need for residential shelters is more pressing than ever. Parola Santuwaryo has emerged as a beacon of hope, filling a crucial gap as the only shelter of its kind in all of Region 1, offering refuge to up to 20 children in need. Another shelter will open up in Tarlac City very soon....
Read more

Our Journey Towards a Zero-Waste, Healthier Lifestyle

Image
Okay, so maybe "zero-waste" sounds a bit intense, even to me. But the idea sparked when I started really looking at our home, at how much stuff we have, and where it all goes when we're done with it. It's not about being perfect, it's about trying to be more mindful.   This isn't a list of things to buy or habits to change (though, let's be honest, there will be some of that!). It's about a shift in how I think about things. It's about letting go of some things I love (yes, it's hard!), figuring out new ways to do things, and seeing if I actually prefer the new ways. Sometimes I will, sometimes I won't, and that's okay!   My big, slightly crazy, goal? To bring nothing into our home that can't be recycled, composted, or buried in the garden. I know, right?  But even small steps in that direction feel good. It's about thinking about the whole life cycle of something before I buy it.   And then there's the food thin...
Read more

Safe Boundaries + Strategic Prevention: Parenting the Latter-day Saint Way

Image
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , we’ve always found strength in the Lord’s teachings about families —He calls parents to be “ nurturers of their children” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25), and that sacred role means more than just providing for physical needs. It means guiding them with love, wisdom, and intentionality. In this blog, we want to share two principles that have transformed how we approach parenting in our own home.   SHOW LOVE BY SETTING SAFE BOUNDARIES   For years, we worried that setting rules would make our children feel restricted or unloved. But as we studied and strive to live the gospel, we learned that discipline is not punishment—it’s an act of love. Just as our Heavenly Father sets commandments to protect us and help us grow, we set boundaries to keep our children safe in a world that can feel uncertain.   When children know they are cared for by parents who are self-controlled, prayerful, and g...
Read more

Why Family Insurance Matters: Securing Your Loved Ones’ Health and Future

Image
In today’s uncertain world, having reliable health coverage isn’t just a personal necessity—it’s a cornerstone of family well-being. KwikCare’s health subscription plans  offer an accessible way to protect every member of your household, ensuring you can focus on what matters most without worrying about medical costs.   Key Reasons Family Insurance Is Essential   - Financial Protection : Unexpected medical expenses can strain household budgets. KwikCare plans save up to 50% versus traditional health plans, with cashless transactions at accredited facilities to avoid out-of-pocket costs. - Comprehensive Coverage : Plans include inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care. For families, this means everyone—from infants to seniors up to 65—can access quality care when needed. - Peace of Mind : Knowing your loved ones are covered lets you face life’s challenges with confidence. As one subscriber noted, having a trusted insurance partner provides reassurance during ...
Read more

Finding Joy in the Little Things

Image
Ever get an email that feels like it was written exactly for you? That’s how I feel every single time Gemma Stone pops up in my inbox! This week’s message hit different – with three simple but powerful reminders that I knew I couldn’t just read and forget:   - Delight in the tiny moments of pleasure ​ - Find all the reasons to celebrate ​ - Choose joy for no reason at all   So I decided to turn these beautiful ideas from screen to real life – and I’m sharing exactly how I did it, including a ready-to-use phone reminder setup you can copy-paste right away! Here it is:   - Delight in tiny moments of pleasure : Pause for 10 seconds at least 3 times a day to fully notice something enjoyable – the warmth of your morning hot choco, the sound of birds outside, or someone's genuine smile. - Find all reasons to celebrate : At the end of each day, jot down one thing you’re grateful for that feels worth acknowledging – even small wins like finishing a task or tryin...
Read more

Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity

Image
FamilySearch Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity Contributed By C Crisanta Estayo Padilla My journey began a long time ago, on the special day of my baptism. It was the very first step I took onto the beautiful covenant path. It was the moment I promised to follow Jesus Christ, and from that day forward, my life was set on a course toward eternal happiness. Years passed, and as I grew in faith and understanding, my journey continued to unfold. The next greatest milestone came when I entered the Holy Temple and was sealed in marriage to my eternal love. That day marked the wonderful continuation of the same path I started as a child. What began with promises made at baptism became even more perfect and complete as we made eternal promises together. In the temple, we were united not just for this life, but for time and all eternity. Looking back, I realize how simple and clear it all is. We do not have to wal...
Read more

Bringing Light and Love: The Power of Sharing Important Messages with Loved Ones in Everyday Life

Image
Can you imagine if you had the chance to share your final thoughts with your loved ones before leaving this mortal existence? Well, that's exactly what the prophet Lehi did when he sensed that his life was coming to an end. He gathered his family for one last heart-to-heart. In our early morning Seminary class, we learned about Lehi and his final moments with his loved ones. It's truly touching how he gathered his family together to share the incredible messages that Heavenly Father had revealed to him. It must have been a deeply meaningful and heartfelt experience for everyone involved. It's amazing that Lehi not only shared his personal testimony of the Messiah but also delved into important topics like liberty, obedience, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the redemption through Jesus Christ. These are such profound and essential teachings that can bring so much understanding and joy into our lives. Here's the thing, though. Lehi's children had the freedom...
Read more

Our First Sunday Service at Home

Image
When the First Presidency announced a new resource to help Church members and their families study the scriptures at home:  Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families,   our family counseled together to include it in our daily family morning devotional as part of our homeschool program. Since we have been studying together as a family in January 2019, we have deepened our testimony that our  home is the best place to live, learn, and teach the gospel. In other words, ministering begins at home. So when gatherings of church members were temporarily suspended worlwide because of conditions related to COVID-19, leaders asked members to hold Sunday meetings in their homes. Our family morning devotional that we do everyday as part of our homeschool program prepared our whole family for this trying and difficult times. We had an added measure of the Spirit in our home when my husband and 12 year-old son administered the sacrament. In our closing hymn, we couldn...
Read more

Stronger Together

Image
Millions of people’s lives have been put on hold because of this COVID-19 pandemic the world is currently battling. It is challenging to stay positive and level-headed especially when we have children to protect. The   effects it’s having on our mental well-being is undeniable. However, my husband, Anatolin and I do our best to stay calm and keep going. In this time of uncertainty and fear, we teach our children that we are stronger together.  Though this virus outbreak is an unprecedented phenomenon for us all, our family had a strong impression that   what’s in front of us may be serving us in valuable ways we don’t even understand right now.  While it is true that the situation is constantly evolving and we are presented with a new set of challenges every day, it also is impacting our communities in so many positive ways. While stargazing the other night, Anatolin shared how grateful he was of our choice to be together 24/7 since the beginning ...
Read more

Suitor and Father Moment

Image
8 October 2023, Recreating moments 25 years ago, while Anatolin was visiting me at home at the age of 15, my father asked to go out with him to buy "ulam" (viand or dish). While walking, it was in this same spot at Callejon St., our old home in Bauang, La Union where my father advised him to go on a mission first. He then served in the Philippines Cagayan De Oro Mission at 19 for 2 years. In October 2003, one month after his mission, we got engaged and eventually married in the Manila Philippines Temple in 2005. Fast forward 2023, our children love listening to that moment of their dad with their grandfather and revisiting this memorable spot.  Talking about the story, our 17-year old daughter Cerah, then asked her dad, "What would you do if someone visits me at home?" It was a long conversation but on the qualities Anatolin is looking for in our daughters’ suitors or boyfriends, he said the top on the list is being Christlike. Our children o...
Read more