Staying at Quest Hotel: Team and Family Outing

After our Ecommerce Summit, the team had a bonding session at Quest Hotel Cebu. We booked 3 rooms in total - two for the team and one for us.

This was also the first time that we were able to visit the hotel. Here's Dabby doing his Vine thing at the hotel.

Although the breakfast and location was really wonderful, what I wish were there:

That the rooms had bigger beds and that the internet was better. And that they had enough towels in the rooms. There weren't any when we arrived and we had to call housekeeping to help us.

But what me and Dabby were really after was the pool.

Although it was very, very shallow, Dabby and I enjoyed it. My team mates didn't want to go swimming though. It was too shallow for them to enjoy. They did spend some time lounging near the pool area.

Since it's the Christmas season, the decors were wonderful and perfect for infinite pictorials. We had our team pictorial at Quest Hotel.

Throwback: 80s Kids, Remember Visiting Lola's House? #1MCleanToilets

You've probably have stacks of memories visiting your grandparents in the summertime.  I know I have. And they are fond memories.

But my old folks don't have a huge hacienda of any kind. They were merely farmer folks who live in Siquijor who have a small patch of farm that they tend to. It was in the mountains too and we had to travel a long way via foot to get to their house.

Every summer, whenever we visit for a reunion. The whole relatives gather at their place. Imagine all the kids running around - cousins, brothers, sisters - bunched up together in one place to meet their cousins from another city coming to visit once in a blue moon!

And then the toilet, oh my, I remember the kind.

It's the type where you have to squat down when you do your thing.

It's the type of toilet where I wish no one saw me coming in and no one sees me coming out.

It's the type of toilet where I wish there were no peeping toms or silly cousins lounging around because they will definitely get to see a piece of you!

And it's not even lined up with sweet white tiles! Just cement blocks.. just blocks..

from toilet-related-ailments.com

Such were the type we have to struggle with in our vacation to the island of Siquijor.

That was years before and I am pretty sure toilets there would be better today.

This is what I can share to those who are celebrating World Toilet Day today - be happy you don't have toilets like back in the 80s.

It's weird having to appreciate toilets. But why not! Kids before (think: your parents) did not get to have the luxury of putting their shiny bottoms on a very clean toilet. And most probably not airconditioned, as the ones you are fortunate to use today.

So with that, Happy World Toilet Day! :)


=== Press Release ====

Community welcomes arrival of clean toilets in “Fiesta” video

It’s a scene typically played out during fiestas: People rushing to the streets, drawn to the sound of a marching band. Everyone is smiling, eager to see the “star” of the celebration. But instead of showing the face of a movie celebrity, a beauty queen or a politician, the video reveals an unlikely, yet welcome sight—a new, clean toilet facility.

Aptly titled “Fiesta”, the Domex video, produced by Unilever Philippines, is available on Youtube and shows how underprivileged Filipinos welcome the “arrival” of clean toilet facilities in their communities. “The video aims to make people realize the value of a toilet which most of us, unfortunately, take for granted,” said Dennis Chua, Domex Brand Manager.

The “Fiesta” video contributes to the efforts of Domex’s One Million Clean Toilets Movement. Each unique view translates into a pledge for the advocacy campaign which collects pledges from households to conscientiously maintain their own hygienic bathrooms. For every pledge received, Domex will donate P5 to UNICEF’s sanitation program, towards improving access to basic sanitation in deprived areas around the world, including the Philippines.

“By watching the ‘Fiesta’ video and asking our friends to watch it, we are not only raising awareness for toilet appreciation and sanitation, more importantly, we are helping less privileged communities gain access to clean toilet facilities,” said Benjie Yap, Unilever Foods and Home Care Vice President.

Clean toilets, germ-free communities

All over the country, people are welcoming the construction of new toilet facilities and the repair of dilapidated ones, since becoming aware of its role in disease prevention, especially among children.

According to the Department of Health, of the estimated 3,420 diarrhea-related deaths among Filipino children under 5 every year, around 2,000 could have been prevented by access to safe water, improved toilet sanitation and personal hygiene.

“This video should serve as a wake-up call for most of us. The little things we take for granted, like having a clean toilet, could mean the world to others and could definitely help save lives,” Chua said.

Pre-loved Toys? Drop them Off at Jollibee Perhaps?

Believe me, I've been there. 

Toys, toys, toys everywhere!

- me

Yesterday, I just had a huge cleaning session.

I went to Robinsons to purchase these huge storage boxes like 70ish x 50ish x 40ish large. They were expensive. Around 1,300 each. But I purchased 4. I had to organize our stuff.

And stuff - well, there was a lot to organize.

I sorted out new clothes unworn, old clothes too worn, and toys. LOTS of them.

The 4 huge boxes were not enough. It seems never enough. I even planned on buying 6 more. I still have loads of stuff to clean out on our front porch.

But then I realized, there's another option.

With the holidays coming up, why not give it to kids who could you a smile or a heartwarming package this Christmas season?

How about dropping it of at Jollibee?

I am sure you've seen these huge boxes there. These are the boxes where you can drop off pre-loved toys to give out to the less fortunate kids who don't get to receive much this Christmas.

Check out below, Sarah G's even donating toys!

On photo: Asia’s Pop Princess and Jollibee brand ambassador Sarah Geronimo drops off her toy donation at Jollibee Parkmall in Cebu to officially kick-off the 20^th year of the Maaga ang Pasko campaign in the region. Sarah and other brand ambassadors Nadine Lustre, Carmina Villaroel-Legaspi and family, and the original Jolly Toy Scout Aga Muhlach, together with other celebrities like Gary V. and John Pratts participated in various early Christmas activities for the kids, showing their support to the campaign.  They are also featured in a special music video of the re-arranged Maaga ang Pasko jingle to help drive donations for the cause. With Sarah are Jollibee regional business unit head for Visayas Shing Llanos and area manager Nonna Abad.

Now that my kid saw me writing this post, he eagerly said, "How about we give some of my toys. Coz I have a lot of toys!"

True indeed, kiddo. Let's do that.

On Halloween 2014: Costumes and Traditions

My son, Dabby, was talking to his Lala Fely on Viber on the laptop. They were chatting up and catching up. I could hear their loud voices as I look up from Dabby's iPad.

I was suddenly summoned close as they talked about what Dabby was going out as for Halloween. Why? They're going to search for ideas on Amazon and need my technical assistance.

With deft fingers, I brought them to the marketplace I know and love so well.

Dabby typed up the words - soldier costume - and instantly, I knew the motivation behind it.

You see, he has been so mesmerized with Rival Rebels, a mod on Minecraft where he gets to play as a soldier of various kinds - a rebel, a hacker, a nuker, an intel officer.

He is so fascinated by the game that he wants to be any of those and have an excuse to dress up as one.

That was back in June. 

Fast forward to November, he was definitely able to dress up as his favorite character - a soldier.

It has become a tradition for us to dress up Dabby during Halloween. Call it our cosplay-wannabe episodes but we do enjoy the season. We haven't reached the point of dressing up too along with him but that just might happen soon. Hmm! 

So, we went to the office in time for the staff to go home, had pizza (where only Lyrah was left). 

After such, we get him dressed with his uber soldier costume! He definitely looks like someone out of a video game. Like Call of Duty. He could have gotten a better gun, but Lala does not want us to buy any. So he resorted to his old guns and with his Nerf gun.

On the downside, the costume was very warm for him. He was sweating all over and had to get him out of it asap. You can't tell it on the photo, but he just had his shirt and shorts on! 

Our pictorial proved wonderful as friends commented on how nice his costume was. But this wasn't the fun part yet.

We both went to The Outlets at Pueblo Verde where the mall was having a movie night and a midnight sale. Armed with a bag full of candies, we went around to give treats to the kids who stayed up late like Dabby and were still with their parents.

The kids were overjoyed to receive candies. Some of them even stopped to pose with Dabby in his costume.

After such, we went back upstairs with a lighter candy bag but with fuller hearts (and sweatier clothes) knowing we've made kids happy. It's the start of a tradition. :)

Haiku: Frog and Clock

Frog jumping at me

Making us restless last night.

I am still sleepy.

Clock ticking loudly

Not one care in his own world.

I am very late.