The Department of Health embarked on Essential Newborn Care , a new program to addressed neonatal deaths in the country. Under the umbrella of the Unang Yakap Campaign, Essential Newborn Care is an evidenced based strategic intervention aimed at improving newborn care and helping cub neonatal mortality.

The Essential Newborn Care package is a four-step newborn care intervention undertaken to lessen newborn death.

1. Immediate and thorough drying to stimulate breathing after delivery of the baby
2. Provision of appropriate thermal care through mother and newborn skin-to skin contact maintaining a delivery room temperature of 25-28 degrees centigrade and wrapping the newborn with clean, dry cloth.
3. Properly timed clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, (1-3 minutes or until cord pulsation stops)
4. Immediate latching on and initiation of breastfeeding within first hour after birth.

Post-natal care required within 24 hours after birth also includes

• Cord care
• Breastfeeding
• Vitamin K injection
• Eye prophylaxis
• Delayed bathing until 6 hours of life
• BCG and first dose of Hepatitis B Immunization
• Newborn screening

The Essential Newborn Care Package aims to reduce newborn mortality rate from 13 deaths (2006 FPS, NSO) to 10 per 1000 live births by 2015.

Is your baby (infants, 0-1 years old) sleeping late or having a hard time falling asleep? Are you becoming an anxious mum because your little boy or girl’s sleep is affecting your quality time with your husband or rules your mood for the next day?

Relax mom, Johnson’s Baby Bedtime is here to be your savior. With their new Johnson’s Baby Bedtime advocacy of a bedtime routine to improve baby’s sleep at night, it’s sure will reduce mom’s anxiety. Johnson’s Baby Bedtime is basically a three-step procedure, done to babies as a routine every night.

Step 1 : a warm bath or “punas”

Step 2: soothing massage

Step 3: some quiet activities

Dr Luis Rivera, MD , a pediatrician and member of the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine emphasized the importance of sleep for infants growth and development. A sound and longer sleep for babies’ means more growth hormones will be released thus influencing bones and muscles to develop.

My three kids, Dianne (20),Jeric (18) and Roxanne (15), were Johnson’s babies. Since I was a working mum, I used to give them a bath at 6 or 7 pm when they were infants.  All along I was practicing the three- step Johnson’s Baby bedtime routine. Massage was applying either Johnson’s baby oil or lotion. At night I breastfeed, so I didn’t have to stand up and mix their milk formula. I swear, I have never experienced sleepless nights taking care of them maybe my body’s warmth and mummy’s Johnson’s baby powder smell was an added help. I can attest that the three- step Johnson’s Baby bedtime routine proved effective for my kid’s health.

For more details about this Johnson’s help to mothers who have growing kids, visit their very informative website.

http://www.babycenter.com.ph/bedtime

I cannot ask for more in 2009, I didn’t ask so much or wished for more, I just moved on and do whatever is apt to do. I have traveled a long journey but at the end, it was a good journey with my kids at the center and me just behind.

You know how mummies are, they never got tired of talking about their children specially if they have achieved something through their own efforts.

First, we have so many bonding activities and likewise shared common interests. One secret that I can share with other mummies is that I am always interested in the things they do, I always try to be involved and be a cool mum. That’s the reason why I got into blogging, and now enjoying every bit of it. I would remind them, “ o bakit ka pa hindi nag blog? Or “ nag blog ka na ba?”, or a text message “ ma meron event sa Tuesday, mag register ba tayo?”

Second, Dianne and Jeric fared very well in their school and other endeavor, Dianne graduating and eventually became an RN, Jeric’s Brinknotes won as best podcast in the Philippine Blog Awards and he is doing very well at UPOU. My youngest Roxanne is 15, she into campus journalism and adept in using IMAC.

Me, I am into a lot of things, very busy but thats the way it is. I just have to deal with my premenopausal symptoms.

I welcome year 2010, it’s a good life, starting the long journey again, but this time, I’ll make sure it’s a light journey; I am leaving excess baggage behind.

Simbang gabi with a twist, attended the last “simbang gabi” in Kapamgpangan  held at San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor, Pampanga with Jeric, and Dianne for the Eden Keso de Gallo. The traditional Misa de Gallo, was highlighted with a featured dish  “Cheesy Squash Puto “ which was served as a treat to the churchgoers after the mass.

San Guillermo Parish, Bacolor, Pampanga

Kraft Eden Cheese aimed to bring back the joy and faith of Filipinos during this festive occasion.  The well-loved cheese brand launched the Keso de Gallo - a nationwide event coinciding with the traditionally celebrated Misa de Gallo (a Catholic Christmas tradition wherein nine dawn masses are held starting December 16, which will culminate on Christmas Eve).

Parallel to the nine-day Simbang Gabi, Eden brought the goodness of Filipino dishes to Pinoys in nine different towns including Bacolod City, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Naga, Butuan City, Laoag and Pampanga.

At least 300 “kabalens” enjoyed the “Cheesy Squash Puto” a recipe done by pupils from the San Matias Elementary School in Pampanga.

Kraft Eden Cheese Squash Puto

Squash Puto (Pampanga)

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cup squash, cooked and mashed

3 ¼ cup all purpose flour, sifted

1 ½ cup washed sugar

4 tbsp baking powder

1 bar Eden Cheese

½ cup margarine, melted

1 ½ cup butter milk

8 pcs. eggs, medium, beaten

1 tbsp. vanilla

2 cups water

Procedure:

1. Combine all dry ingredients together.
2. Make a well at the center and add the liquid ingredients.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Add smashed squash and grated cheese. Mix well.
5. Pour mixture in a molder.
6. Steam for 45 minutes.

“With Eden cheese, we will explore the wonders of our country’s cuisine while providing an extended feast that will bring joy and delight to as many families as possible,” says Alex Tacderas, Category Marketing Manager for Cheese and Spoonables, Kraft Foods Philippines.

For more recipe with Eden Cheese, visit http://www.sarapngbuhay.com.

P.S

This Christmas I had the chance to connect to the roots of my DAD this Christmas. Attending mass said in  Kapampangan dialect  and reminiscing the culture and traditions of Kapampangan during Christmas. How I wish I were fluent in the dialect.

Thanks to Kraft Eden Cheese, and Keso de Gallo, I felt my Christmas was complete. The Keso de Gallo  in San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor Pampanga event will be in our memories for a long time.

The Keso de Gallo experience was our topic during the family gathering we had on Christmas Day.

What is in the minds of Filipino children? Are Filipino kids ready to be independent? A simple task  for 100 kids , what are they going to do with 500 pesos on hand?

One hundred school age children were gathered and were made to choose from a makeshift shopping paradise with extensive range of toys, school supplies, and snacks and other options like a charity box where they can donate the money or the alternative for them to save the money they received.

As they were making their choices, their parents were asked the question “ What do you think your child would purchase? “More than 50 % of the mothers expected their kids to buy toys and snacks, with the belief that they were too young for responsible decisions.

The result …. Ninety-nine out of one hundred children saved most of their money. Many donated to charity. Half of them purchased items for school. One child indeed spent all of his money on food and toys – but to give as gifts to his brothers and sisters.

To learn more, watch Tang’s “Do you know kids?” social experiment video by logging on to http://www.knowkids.org.ph/ and share the surprise!

Looking back….

I used to give my kids their “baon” everyday during their school age years. I try to give them more than enough but not to the point of being luxurious. As I looked back and reflect about this experiment, based on my own experience, my kids really learned how to save and prioritize on how they would spend their money. As I would always asked if they would have peso bills to change my 100 or 500 peso bill, they would have the money. There was never a time when their wallets were empty. This proved that they saving money.

Now that they are grown ups, their “baon” is on a weekly basis, again a little over than the usual but not luxurious and outcome is they don’t ask for extra money to spend on other school needs or money for out of school activities. Fairly they have learned to manage their money wisely.

They have applied for their ATM’s and we are experimenting if they will be beneficial for them and me.

Again, know about the Filipino kid independence, log to http://www.knowkids.org.ph/

It has been the custom of St Mary’s Academy Caloocan my kid’s school to hold their family day affair sponsored by the Family Council. I must admit I am not so much in attending school activities, but come to think of it, it might be one of the last family day affairs that I’ll be attending, since Roxanne, my youngest is in third year high school.

I roam around St Mary’s Academy Caloocan and took pictures of students in their various activities with their parents. I felt quite sad though because I miss those times, when my kids were young. I felt I was not able to capture those years in their life, where I was so busy working singlehandedly in order to provide for them.

On one hand I felt proud, my efforts were rewarded for what they are now.

One afternoon, my son and I decided to go to Luneta (Rizal Park) to stroll. I brought my backpack with cold water, an umbrella, hand towel and a camera and off we go. It was a spur of the moment decision on our part; for the plan was really to go to Fort Santiago. But because of a political rally that day somewhere in Manila, there was a monstrous traffic jam, so instead we went to Luneta.

I braised the long walk from Lapu Lapu Monument, to Rizal Monument, from the Quirino Grandstand trekking Roxas Boulevard, where we sat at the bay to watch the famous sunset at Manila Bay. We were taking pictures along the way.

I have lots of memorable times at Luneta. The only family picnic that we had as a family with my Dad and Mom happened in the place.

One of the last place that we visited as a family was also there, my kids were below 10 years old at that time and that was the last time we visited Luneta.

I remembered during my high school days with my friends, we walked the stretch of then Dewey Boulevard now Roxas Boulevard from the US Embassy to the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It was a long, long walk for us. That was more than 30 years ago and through this day, its still one of the most memorable time for my high school gang.

After the long walk, and we visited Malate Catholic Church, and had merienda at Max’s restaurant facing Manila Bay.

Try this walk one afternoon, it will bring back memories and it was great bonding time with Jeric. It not heavy on the budget, and it’s an alternative to malls.

There was no Halloween party for this year to attend, but I got amazed with the way some establishments celebrated this Halloween, This is in particular one of the banks I patronize, Chinabank, 5th Avenue branch., Caloocan City The bank transformed in one big macabre settings. Bank employees serving you with their outfits! Scary !

Department stores, have their usual trick or treat for kids. My youngest nephew had his day in one of the SM malls. So many amenities for kids these days!

My ultimate event this Halloween This is It movie of Michael Jackson. Who’s gonna beat the King of Thriller anyway? You don’t get scared but you get to swoon him and be entertained.

Eden Cheese wants to set a Guinness World Record for the most number of Filipino dishes made with Eden cheese in a single day. Their target, 5000 dishes out of Eden Cheese , which will be held on December 14, 2009 at Araneta Coliseum.

This also aims to showcase our Filipino food culture in 5,000 dishes as a unique, wonderful and utterly tasty experience. On December 14, cooking enthusiasts, culinary students, kusineros, chefs and foodies for one battle royale featuring cheese, with Kraft Eden products demonstrating their versatility in various dishes, from the savory to the sweet.

I grew up in a family who loves to cook, my lola a certified cusinera and my Dad a Kapangpangan who can dish out anything. I use to attend “handaan” wherein my lola was the cook. I never got tired of watching her prepare morcon , and pastel both prepared with cheese.Everything then was prepared the natural way, all ingredients have to be fresh and of the first class quality. My dad was the one who introduced to me the use of cookbooks and how to experiment on some ingredients. I might not have the time to cook but I can do any common dish.

Be part of history, be involved, lets promote Filipino dishes and join the Eden Cheese Event.
Be a Yumm Member and give your own Eden Cheesified recipe. Join Eden Cheese in setting our World Record attempt to cheesify Filipino dishes! Visit www.sarapngbuhay.com !

Eden Cheese is YUMM , Your Ultimate Meal Makeover! Your Ulam Mas Masarap
Eden Cheese , A yummy and Inspiring Christmas, Cheese possibilities to the Limits

Ang Sarap ng Buhay sa Eden Cheese!

Hurray for Adrian Jeric Pena! His Brinknotes Entertainment Daily Podcast was chosen as Best Podcast in the 3rd Philippine BLog Awards held October 9, 2009 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City.

As I look back through the years when I used to buy him microphone as a toy since he was a toddler, I must have brought him around 20 microphones as each would always break down (you know how kids play) and play with his mini karaoke ( a gift during his nursery graduation).

Two years ago, I was so hesitant to buy him his Samson microphone, as he was telling me that he needs it to improve his podcast recordings. Little did I know that he was doing podcast since 2005, and he was even mentioned as one of the first teen to do podcast based in the Philippines according to an Inquirer article about podcast.

10 years has passed since he was tinkering with our computer. Now, he has really made used of his talent. All I thought is that all of these are part of his hobbies as a growing adult. I never thought this would really make us all proud.

Congratulations Jeric! Once more, you made Mama, Dianne and Roxanne and the rest of the family doubly HAPPY and PROUD.

To the PBA 2009 board of judges, officers and management, thank you for allowing my son to hone his talents and be recognized. This means so much to us.

Here are the list of winners of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards:

SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Blog Design – The Site Guy
Best Filipino Blog Abroad – The Warped Zone
Best Foreign Blog – My Sari Sari Store
Blogger’s Choice – Micamyx
Best Filipiniana Blog – Pilipino Komiks

TEN BEST POSTS OF THE YEAR

Karnabal by Tuyong Tinta ng Bolpen
Finding Your Soul Mate: A Statistical Analysis by Guttervomit
Lost Gems Of Philippine History: The 1896 Board Meeting by It’s true! It’s true!
The Diving Boys of Quezon Bridge by Dennis Villegas
Twenty Pesos by Lostphotograph
The way of the leaf by SMOKE
Portrait of a dramatic highlight in Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by Gibbs Cadiz
Kaya Dumarami ang Bading Kasi… by Manila Gay Guy
The Parable of the Furry White Rabbit by Good Times Manila
The Amazing Bulul: A Story of Epiphany by The Cat Whisperer

BEST BLOGS

Best Technology Blog – Jaypee Online
Best Travel Blog – Langyaw – Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
Best Entertainment Blog – Lessons From the School of Inattention
Best Personal Blog – Writing on Air
Best Food & Beverage Blog – Table for Three, Please
Best Family & Living Blog – Make or Break
Best News & Media Blog – Virtual Journals
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Best Sports Blog – Fire Quinito
Best Hobby & Recreation Blog – Bearbrick Love
Best Fashion Blog – Who is Elyoo?
Best Photoblog – I Am a Documentary Photographer
Best Culture and Arts Blog – magnetic-rose.net: Japanese Pop Culture for Filipino Fans
Best Commentary Blog – The Marocharim Experiment
Best Videocast Blog – Entrepbuff.com
Best Podcast Blog – Brink Notes Entertainment Daily
Best Humor Blog – The Professional Heckler
Best Gaming Blog – Blog Mike Got Game!
Best Advocacy Blog – Autism Society of the Philippines
Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vaINlo