“Mom-About-Town
turns 10”
Sun.Star
Davao, October 29, 2016
In 2006, I gave birth to “two
babies”. One was biological and the other, a creative outlet.
I was then a volunteer in the
communications team of Gawad Kalinga and writing press releases to newspapers
for this noble cause when, one day, an e-mail by our super Sun.Star Davao
editor-in-chief Stella Estremera suddenly appeared in my inbox. She asked me if
I was interested to be a columnist for the venerable paper. Who could refuse
such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? In a heartbeat, I replied with an
enthusiastic “yes!”.
Parenting was the topic closest to my heart so I proposed that I would focus on this.
Parenting was the topic closest to my heart so I proposed that I would focus on this.
With determination, I juggled working
full-time at the family business, being a hands-on PTA mom, writing for this
paper, among other responsibilities. It
has not been an easy task but looking back, it was well worth it!
Ten years after, I thank the Lord for
the inspiring people I have met along the way. I am truly indebted that,
through this column, their stories touched other’s lives...and mine, as well.
Among the articles that made a
significant impact on me, and perhaps the readers as well, were the various
parenting seminars featured (I had the privilege of helping organize
most of them through my involvement with the Davao Christian High School
Parents-Teachers Fellowship).
Some of them included “Motherhood….just like a pro” (Nov. 22, 2008);
“Helping Our Children Do Well in School” (Nov. 13, 2010);
“Are You a Tiger or an Ostrich Parent?” (June 4, 2012);
“Practical Parenting”
(Feb. 23, 2013);
“Our Home, Our School” (Dec. 9, 2006) was
about breastfeeding advocate Alex Morris-Hao and her homeschooling advocacy.
Back then, she was one of the few brave Davao moms who homeschooled her brood
of three, namely: Amber (age 9), Ashley (age 6) and Allegra (age 2). A few
years after, the Haos were blessed with their only boy, Nicholas.
How did homeschooling mold the Hao
kids after ten years? All of them turned out to be well-rounded eager learners.
Amber (now 19) got into the Ateneo de Manila University taking up literature
and has found her passion in theater; Ashley (16) is a talented violinist who
has staged her own solo violin recital; Allegra (12) is an avid swimmer; and
Nicholas (8), a soccer enthusiast.
In “Organic Beauty for Less” (March
14, 2009), Human Nature, was then a new line of 100% organic, 100% Philippine-grown and 100% chemical-free
personal care products for the whole family at very affordable prices.
I met Anna Meloto-Wilk and her
husband Dylan, when they came to Davao to establish their Mindanao branch made
possible by Green Kreations, Inc. Through Anna and her sister Camille’s
partnership with Gawad Kalinga, they then envisioned the GK villages to
eventually become capable of producing their ingredients to the highest
standards for the Human Nature line.
Flash forward to 2016. From two kids, the
Wilks are now proud parents of five, with another blessing coming soon. And,
Human Nature has become a global premium brand, sourcing ingredients from world-class community organic
farms in the Philippines; and providing decent livelihood to thousands of our
poorest people.
And,
how could I not mention the insanely imaginative themed kiddie parties, debuts
and weddings staged by our very own Davao event stylists and suppliers and even
Manila-based party professionals? Whether grand or simple celebrations, my
column regularly highlighted the brilliant talents of this growing industry and
I am looking forward to witnessing more spectacular “productions” in the
future.
Readers have been sending me e-mails on how they enjoyed our family adventures in my column. I hope to continue sharing my travel tips on the memorable destinations we have visited. May they serve as an additional guide to your family’s own sojourns as well.
After
a decade writing, you may have noticed that my column icon has been finally
replaced. I may still be sporting the same hairstyle (teehee!), but trust me,
my ten-year “Mom-About-Town” journey has changed me for the better in
innumerable and intangible ways.
My
youngest daughter recently asked me if I always knew what I wanted to be when I
was growing up. Honestly, I had no specific wish lists that I could think of.
But, God would often open doors even without me asking. Wherever He wanted me
to be at that stage of my life, I welcomed it with a grateful heart and promised
to do my best for His glory.
For
their continuous love and support through the years, I sincerely thank my Huang
and Teves families, Sun.Star Davao family, dearest friends, loyal readers, and
interviewees.
E-mail the author at
mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mombouttowndavao.blogspot.com (check
out the blogs’s brand new look!).
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