Expo Mom 2013: an experience like no other! (a post-event entry)

Expo Mom is the premier lifestyle event for moms in Manila. It is a trade expo, all-day workshop, shopping destination, mommy party, family occasion, mompreneur lab, all rolled into one!

Yesterday (April 7) my husband, Kevin, and I attended the second day of Expo Mom 2013. It was our first official expo as first-time parents. And while it may sound cliche, I'd like to say that it was an experience like no other! :) 

We arrived at Rockwell Tent in Makati City few minutes prior to the start of the event's programme (10 a.m.)! Thus, we were lucky to take a convenient stroll inside the tent and look through the shopping bazaars with ease! :) 

Of course, I was delighted to see various mommy and baby products!!! I didn't even know where to start looking! Or...if I even had enough money to buy things I wanted to take home :P Haha. But, I ended up buying only three important things: (1) a new sling for Kevin, (2) a nursing undershirt, and (3) a couple of cloth diapers.

I bought my new sling and nursing undershirt from the Tiny Tots store :)

While there were other products that I still wanted to buy, like the Mustela cream for my stretch marks, a meal time set and a book set for Kevin, my husband calmly reminded me to purchase only what's necessary. And so I did :) Besides, it wouldn't hurt to be practical these days. 

Anyway, apart from the Tiny Tots store, we likewise visited other booths in the expo which equally presented wonderful products, some of which are:

• Johnson's Baby Philippines
• Parteizeit (for party needs)
• Cupcakes by Sonja
• 9th Avenue School
• Bummis and Bambino (cloth diapers)
• Mustela
• The Stork Studio

There were, however, two stores that, for me, stood out from the rest because of their unique, practical, and beneficial products; to wit: the Natural Origins and the R-Trevi. 

The first one offers a baby meal (brown rice porridge for baby) made from 100% organic ingredients. What makes this product interesting is that moms can even add their breastmilk in preparing it. Definitely healthy and practical, isn't it? :) 

Baby Natura Brown Rice Porridge :)
[photo source: http://www.babynaturafood.com/Product.php]

Meanwhile, the latter store offers a water-proof bedding protector called the Brolly Sheets. This sheet is absorbent up to two liters, quick to change, and comfortable. Brolly Sheets received a silver star from the Practical Parenting and Pregnancy. No doubt useful when time comes! ;)

Brolly Sheets
[photo source: http://www.thedailybuzz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Brolly-Sheets-Comp-TDB-final.jpg]

Like any other events by moms and for moms, Expo Mom 2013 wasn't just about bazaars and shopping spree. Of course, there were the talks, the most indispensable part of the event, given by experts who are also moms that'd love to share with other mommies the wonders of motherhood. :) 

Jenny Ong of Mama Baby Love and Jen Tan of Next9
on their talk about the "Instinctive Attachment Parenting"

One of the talks we were able to listen to was the one given by Ms. Ong and Ms. Tan. Their talk was about "Instinctive Attachment Parenting". I could still remember what they said: Kapag umiyak ang baby mo siyempre, instict mo na as a mom na buhatin siya. Huwag maniniwala sa sinasabi ng matatanda na sinasanay mo siya sa karga, o sa sayaw. Of course, there are times that babies are bored, or they want to be cuddled. That's just how they are. (not verbatim)

I totally agree with them for I experienced the same with my Kevin. :) This just shows that there's truly the #momtuition, the so-called "mother's instinct" within you—that even if you are young and a first-time parent, you'd know and feel what your baby wants, what your baby needs. Just like what the saying says, "When a baby is born so is a mother".

Altogether, Expo Mom 2013 gave me a new horizon on being a mother. There's more to it that what one sees in a bazaar, or what one hears in a discussion. Simply put, my visit at this event was extraordinary that it gave me empowerment, encouragement, and inspiration to strive more for my little one.♥

To Mommy Mundo, congratulations to yet another successful Expo Mom! :) Special thanks to Ms. Janice, Ms. Angela, and Ms. Rome!

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Expo Mom 2013! (a pre-event entry)

Expo Mom is the premier lifestyle event for moms in Manila. It is a trade expo, all-day workshop, shopping destination, mommy party, family occasion, mompreneur lab, all rolled into one!

Nope! It's not just an ordinary for show that counts as a past-time for those who don't know what to do with their time. All the more, it doesn't refer to just another typical exhibition of mediocre Filipino (or even foreign) products that aims to make a scene in the metro. ;)

Expo Mom Year 6! 

Expo Mom 2013: "The Mompreneur Market" is simply a fertile ground where all kinds of moms—either expecting, first-time, or already a mother of four—are welcome to exchange experiences, celebrate motherhood, have fun, and learn new things that could all the more inspire them to be the best!

First launched in 2008, Expo Mom is organized by Mommy Mundo and the Philippine Association for Childbirth Education (PACE). These two organizations are founded by two mommy friends Ms. Janice Crisostomo-Villanueva and Ms. Rome Kanapi. 

Ms. Rome and Ms. Janice
(photo source: http://expomom.com/about-expo-mom/about/)

With a simple vision to "become the ultimate trade expo of mom and baby products in Manila", Expo Mom, through the years, has endeavored to deliver the best goods to Filipino homes by inviting Partners who are considered major players in helping parents tender their children.

Composed of interactive exhibits, shopping bazaar, and onstage activities, Expo Mom has been a well-received event since it started the ball rolling. And, for over five years, it has made an impact to millions of moms who dream of giving their children everything that's beyond compare.

In my case as a first-time mom, Expo Mom 2013 will be my first mom-event! Of course, I'm excited! :) I look forward to lots of things which stir up my #momtuition:

• Special sales for mom and baby products
• Mom and baby activities
• Interesting and educational discussions

For more of Expo Mom 2013 event features, click HERE.

For more of Expo Mom 2013 exhibitors info, click HERE.

All mommies mustn't miss this year's bigger and better expo for moms under one roof! :)

WHEN: April 6-7, 2013 (Sat/Sun)

WHERE: Rockwell Tent, Makati City

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Welcoming Kevin into the Christian Fold

 Since I previously wrote that I'm gonna write about my baby's baptism celebration, here it goes :)

Last March 24, Palm Sunday, my husband and I, along with our family and friends, welcomed Kevin into the Christian fold (finally!).

With my husband and Kevin after the baptismal rites :)

As first time parents, we weren't really in the know about how baptism goes and what are the necessary things to take note of. Good thing, there weren't much to consider.

We had Kevin baptized at San Antonio de Padua Parish, and as such, we were only asked to submit a photocopy of the child's birth certificate and pay a baptism fee of PhP 300. 

Accordingly, parents don't have to trouble themselves since baptismal requirements are quite simple. Besides, reservations aren't a precondition! Parents have the luxury to go to the Church the day they want to get the child baptized. :) It's that easy. 

Having mentioned these, I'd say that Kevin's baptism went well! There were only few parents who chose March 24 as their child's baptism date so we were definitely lucky—the Church wasn't too crowded and the rite didn't last too long (except for the seminar that I actually deem was beside the point).  

My husband with Kevin's ninongs :)

With our FAME friends who are now our kumares and kumpares :)

Anyway, after getting Kevin baptized, we directed all our guests to go to Shakey's Pizza Parlor — just few kilometers away from San Antonio — for a little soiree. :) And since we expected around 60 guests, we ordered the Shakey's Monster Meal Deal and just asked the resto's crew to serve it in managed buffet style. 

 

All in all, the lunch was okay, considering the amount of food served per plate and the price that went with it. The total expense we paid for the reception, I think, was neither expensive nor cheap. It was just on the average. :) 

Meanwhile, when it comes to Kevin's souvenir, my husband and I decided to have two kinds — one that's edible and one that's not! :P

Here's the edible one—yummy cupcakes by Glam Cakes by Myca! 

We ordered our edible souvenir from my husband's friend, Myca, at an affordable price (of course we got a friendly discount). :) You can check out her other delectable offerings at Glam Cakes by Myca!

This is our inedible party favor, a customized Nike Air Force Rasheed Wallace
with handmade Nike shoe box :)

I definitely love the presentation! :)

For this party favor, we also had a good discount (plus one extra souvenir for free). I'm also very happy of the final output/look of this favor! Credits to Mommy Rhea. :) You can check out her other unique products at Sweetlilsoles Favors FB page. 

Lastly, the photo booth! Since this is our Kevin's first "party", I wanted it to be memorable while being simple. So, I insisted to have a photo booth in the reception venue. I looked for a cheap one that still offers quality product (considering that there's a corkage fee in Shakey's pegged at PhP 1,500). And luckily, I did find one which only cost us PhP 3,500! Thanks again PhotoMocco, managed by Rameil "Popoy" Reonal.

♥

Simply put, Kevin's Christening was a success, and memorable indeed. :) I thank all our family and friends who shared such occasion with us! Thank you's also go to our suppliers who nicely granted our simple requests. :)

To our dear Kevin, once again, we welcome you into the Christian World! ♥