Category Archives: Events

[WordCamp Philippines 2012] Government Initiatives Using WordPress

December 4, 2012E-Governance, Events, Technology, World Wide WebReah Padla

This entry is long overdue as it’s been more than two months since I attended the WordCamp Philippines 2012. I plan to write in parts because I don’t want to lose my train of thought. Here goes…

WORDCAMP PHILIPPINES 2012

WordCamps are informal, community-organized events that are put together by WordPress users like you. Everyone from casual users to core developers participate, share ideas, and get to know each other.

That’s how Wordcamp.org describes such event. WordCamps are held in many cities and countries and in the Philippines, the Filipino WordPress community has been holding WordCamp conferences the past four years. I’ve heard of this and I have friends who’ve attended before. I wasn’t as interested but since I decided to go back to blogging, I thought maybe it would be nice for me to join and meet other WordPress bloggers.

More than 170 WordPress users and bloggers gathered at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City last October 27, Saturday. I didn’t know anyone when I came in to the conference so I searched for a possible seatmate. I chose a nice, quiet lady that looks like in her early 20’s. Little did I know Klaris Chua and I would hit it off and would discover we have things in common. (Right, Klaris?:D )

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES USING WORDPRESS
WordCamp Philippines 2012 Keynote by Manuel L. Quezon III

Keynoting the event was Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO). Honestly, because I haven’t been following our local news and government, I had no idea about this group commissioned by the Aquino government. I was ashamed of myself but I soon understood the mission of the PCDSPO as explained to us by MLQ3. It is the “chief message-crafting body of the Office of the President“. I realized that President Aquino is serious about communicating to his constituents and the PCDSPO is expected to help him in that area.

Created by the Executive Order No. 4 last July 30, 2010, the PCDSPO is called to do the following:

provide strategic communication leadership and support to the Executive Branch, all agencies and instrumentalities of government;
lead the strategic communication of government through the formulation and enforcement of a National Communications Policy;
open and extende channels of communication between the government and the people [Source]

Sir MLQ3’s presentation “Government Initiatives Using WordPress” provided me the understanding of the communication strategy of the government. I’m glad to hear that the Philippine government under the Pres. Aquino is making an effort to go digital and use social media to further its many projects. Continue reading [WordCamp Philippines 2012] Government Initiatives Using WordPress →

Yes Mommy: How to Talk so your Child will Listen and Understand

December 2, 2012Events, Family, Motherhood, PromoReah Padla

The year is about to end and I’ve started listing down the things I’ve accomplished and learned. It will be one long list but I can now tell you that the year 2012 made me realize that parenting and disciplining your child isn’t as easy. Taking care of your kid is very much different from raising him up. I, together with my husband, have finally faced the challenge of disciplining our 3-year old Noah.

I realized I cannot just rely on what I know or learned from our parents because everything is different now. All I know is, I still need to hold on to God and trust Him that I can become the kind of mother He wants me to be. By Grace.

I started My Mommy Notebook and shared with you a few tips and my reflections on Disciplining Children with Love. It’s been a challenging year because my Noah is one hyper active kid. Josh and I both work from home and while others think it’s one amazing setup, it has its advantages and disadvantages.

To learn more about parenting, we read books. Husband and I read a book separately and then we meet over breakfast or lunch to talk about what we just read. I have my Moms devotional book that I so treasure. There’s the Bible to read and remind me. Oh the nuggets of wisdom you can find in this book are just too many–all helpful!

And next week, I’m going to attend a seminar on intentional parenting: the Yes Mommy: How to Talk so Your Child will Listen and Understand Workshop. Reading will not be enough and it’s interesting to meet other women who are in this same journey.

YesMommy-WorkshopPoster — By Manila Workshops & Optimommy

DETAILS
Date: Saturday, December 15, 2012
Time: 9:00 am to 4:45 pm
Venue: COWO – Ground Floor, Suntree Tower, #27 Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Rates: Regular rate of Php 1,400 / participant
Early bird rate of Php 1,200 / participant (PAID before Dec. 1, 2012 or via Okayokay.com until Dec. 10)Group discount of Php 1,000 for 3 or more participants * Lunch and afternoon snack included

More details HERE.

It’s been two months since I started blogging again and it’s been very fun! Life has become more exciting and I’ve been meeting a lot of people. It’s interesting to connect with other people who have the same passion as you. I’m excited to meet the other moms. I can’t say that I’m a certified mommy blogger because I have so many interests that I write about. I’m more interested in writing gadget and tech news now so I can’t commit full force with mommy blogging. I guess I’ll just say I’m a blogger who is a wife and a mother who is a bit of geek inside. :p

Would you like to attend the Yes Mommy: How to Talk so Your Child will Listen and Understand Workshop with me? It would be more fun if my current mommy friends from highschool, college, and church come. Let’s? 🙂

UPDATE: Good news! You can join the workshop with a 50% discount on the workshop fee. Just type in OptimommyREAH on the discount code section when you register. See yah!

_____________

Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Super Looloo is coming!

November 17, 2012Apple Fan Girl, Events, Exploring the City, Food Trip, Geeky Chic, World Wide WebReah Padla

Sounds like a new superhero but it’s not. It’s the looloo I’ve been talking about for the past weeks. Remember that Kapitolyo Foodie Map Guide and SPAS 101 I shared? Those infographics were released by a local tech startup to introduce it’s very own mobile app.

looloo is going live on Tuesday, November 20. Apple has finally given the green light to launch the looloo on the App Store. No definite time has been given but expect it to be available in the evening here in the Philippines.

What is looloo?

It’s a friend-powered guidebook to Manila’s best places. At first, I thought it’s just for the foodies but looloo also covers salons, barbershops, hotel spas, nightlife spots, and other places of interest around the metro.

I’ve been beta-testing this app and it’s been fun to use. So you just tried a new resto? Review it. If you like it, recommend it to your friends. More often than not, people go to different establishments as recommended by family and friends. The people who know you best always know what you will like.

It’s launching tomorrow but you can still sign up HERE to win an iPhone 4S. 🙂

ROCK with NOAH

November 9, 2012Events, Motherhood, Music, Noah's Ark, RavesReah Padla

Noah's Rockstar Party — HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY NOAH!

Has it been 3 years?

My son turns 3 today. I wish to share a lot of new things today about my son but one day won’t be enough. I have a number of posts on draft already but I have no idea when I’ll be able to finish them.

I just want to enjoy this day with my son and husband. No big party this year…just a small one at Jollibee with family next week.

Planning a “small party” is more challenging than planning a big one. I could still remember Noah’s 1st Birthday party when I went all out. I promise to feature his Rockstar Themed Party preparations but I can’t find the time yet. But here’s a video to give you an idea:

Music was by 13Needles–my husband’s old emo-rock band- where he was the bassist. Video by my friend Richard Samellano.

That’s only the video invitation. Hee. 😀

And here is 13 Needle’s Cab One video:

Spot my husband. 😀

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1

Christmas Bazaar for the Shopaholic Moms

November 6, 2012Cool Baby Find, Events, Exploring the City, Motherhood, PromoReah Padla

Mommy Mundo Bazaar 2012 Christmas Bazaar — Mommy Mundo Bazaar 2012: The Christmas Bazaar for Chic Shopping Mamas!

You can never strip mamas off their shopping duties. More often than not, shopaholic single women graduate to become shopaholic mamas. One perfect example is me! (Don’t ask how.) I haven’t done my Christmas shopping yet but I know I have to be more practical this year. Unlike many of the couples I know, my husband and I do not have 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses. I used to look forward to December because of such. My husband before even had up to 14th month pay. Oh how I’d love to receive an extra month pay! The only way we could receive such bonus is through some sort of miracle.

I need to be smart and practical because times are changing. Can one still be a shopaholic and save money? Yes, if you will choose what to buy and learn to be wise. You don’t need to splurge on Christmas gifts this year, you just have to be wise.

And so I suggest you go to bazaars such as the Mommy Mundo Christmas Bazaar because you will find great deals. I am a supporter of local products, especially by the mompreneurs (mom entrepreneurs), so I highly recommend this one.

I cringe on going to crowded malls during Christmas seasons but the Mommy Mundo Christmas Bazaar 2012 will be held at the Rockwell Tent so you know shopping will be more efficient and more comfy. (The AC inside the tent really works!)

I’m a regular goer of bazaars held at the Rockwell Tent because it’s near our place. I remember going to one Christmas bazaar there a few weeks after I gave birth. Obviously, I scored really great deals.

So who wants to go shopping with me, mommas?

“In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6

Continue reading Christmas Bazaar for the Shopaholic Moms →