AJ Bacar was riding the bus when he was thinking of a name for his comic series. He was a full-time engineer for a telco company then. As he leaned against the window, watching the rain fall, an idea came to mind.

Siya. Sila. Kayo. Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Sskait.

“I realized that [the series was] inspired by me and the people around me and [the] relatable moments with my friends, family, and even [my brief encounters] with any strangers,” he shared.

AJ left his engineering job a year ago to become a full-time comic artist. His parents were hesitant about his decision at first, but his friends were supportive.

He also recalled how he has always been interested in comics.

“Every Saturday, my mom would always buy me the P15 Funny Komiks after she finishes her grocery [shopping] in the wet market,” he said. “My mom would also give me the comics section of the daily newspapers and I would always read the comics of Pugad Baboy or Kiko Machine there.”Today, AJ runs Sskait online creating daily comics, selling merchandise, and handling events.

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A post shared by sskait (@sskaitcomics)

“Even though my engineering course is far from what I’m doing now, I think graduating as an engineering student gave me the discipline and focus to solve any challenges that I face,” said AJ, who studied BS Electronics Engineering at De La Salle University.

The 29-year-old comic artist said that the rewarding part of being an online comic artist is the way he’s able to touch people’s lives and leave a positive impact on his readers. 

“For just a simple comic that would take less than five seconds to read, we’re able to lift the spirits of some readers and give them joy amidst their busy [lives],” he added.

AJ admits that, like other artists, he also struggles with art blocks from time to time.

“I always have my [notes] with me. When ideas flow, I write everything down. Then when an art block happens, I have a ready list of stored ideas that I can pull out anytime. Sometimes, the ideas [come] from the people around me, and it gives me inspiration on what to write next.”

He also highlighted the responsibility of being an online creator – to be mindful of the materials he puts out online.

When AJ is not drawing comics on his iPad, he usually stays up late at night to play games or watch Netflix shows. In this interview, he also talked about his daily routine, everyday essentials, and advice for aspiring comic artists.

MORNING ROUTINE. Stretch! Afterwards, I check my emails. Sit and ideate comics. Then, talk to Jana (Sskait junior artist) for her tasks for the day.

SKINCARE ESSENTIALS. Dove soap and water. My mom told me to always use moisturizer so I have Olay moisturizer every morning and evening.

WORKOUT ROUTINE. I usually go to the gym at least three times a week. Workout days are divided into chest + tricep, back + bicep, then leg day. Then every after a workout, ab exercises. I also usually do jumping rope after gym or go for a swim for 10 to 15 laps. Though, there are times when I’m too busy or feeling lazy, so I’m not able to follow this religiously.

KOMIKERO LIFE. There was a fan who bought one of each plush design and another fan who bought one piece of each sticker and each design. I love it when they buy lots of Sskait merch. Also, I love it when fans bring good food. I mean, that’s free food, so why not?

Another memorable experience is meeting awesome people like Pol Medina, Manix Abrera, Jiconyo, Gloco Gaming, Lilypichu, and other great personalities during events! Of course, I was able to mingle with my co-online artists friends like Aeonix, Little Things, Libreng Komiks, Hunghang Flashbacks, and more.

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A post shared by sskait (@sskaitcomics)

FIT CHECK. Usually I’m only inside the condo since we work from home for Sskait, so sando and shorts. But when I go out, it depends. Sometimes, just a plain regular fit shirt plus shorts or pants. Sometimes I wear oversized tees, jackets, and pants with matching shoes. But most of the time, you’d see me as one of those people na nakapambahay na gumagala sa BGC.

REST. Swimming, workout, jump rope, gaming, Netflix and chill, and gumala!

ADVICE. The hardest thing is to start it. If you want to be a comic artist, or a content creator in general, just start and create one, have it posted online, then follow through. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just post it and let people know about it and see your work. And for people who are already doing it, my advice is to always stay humble and mindful and to use their voice to leave a positive impact on people. 

AJ also shared the tools and devices he recommends for newbie comic artists and his recent budol finds!

AJ recommends 

• HUAWEI MatePad 11 (₱26,999)
• Apple iPad Air (P44, 690)
• Apple Pencil (P6,740)
• Reusable cable clips (P18)
• Electronics travel organizer (P95)
• Food sealing plastic clips (P7)
• Handheld steam iron (P1,499)

If you love scrolling for memes on your newsfeed, you’ve probably seen AJ’s artworks before. Remember the blue-shirt guy with black hair, and the mischievous ulan and araw? They’re so funny, makulit, and relatable, making you smile and laugh after a long, tiring day.

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A post shared by sskait (@sskaitcomics)

Got someone you want us to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person. – Rappler.com

Follow Sskait on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

It’s no secret that most Filipinos love to eat. With the rise of food-related content on social media recently – from mukbang, cook-offs, to cooking tutorials – we have grown to love watching videos of food and people filming themselves while cooking and eating. 

One of the food content creators that keeps showing up in our feed is Abi Marquez and her mouthwatering recipes and tutorials (not that we’re complaining). We also love binge-watching her videos where she visits local food spots, taking her viewers to exciting food ventures.

When I asked Abi why people call her the lumpia queen, she replied, “. . . because I am not afraid to wrap and transform anything into a hot crispy fried lumpia!” 

@abigailfmarquez Peach Mango pie…but make it Lumpia! What should we try next? #food #foodexperiment #willitlumpia #filipinorecipe #foodtiktok #foodie #filipino #foodieph #cooking #foodlover #yummy #delicious #peachmango #lumpia #foodexperiment ♬ Material Girl – Madonna

This reminds me of the video where she recreated a lumpia version of a fast food chain’s famous peach mango pie. It’s so fun and satisfying to watch!

Abi’s topnotch cooking skills are no surprise since she recently earned her degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management and graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman. 

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A post shared by Abi Marquez (@abigailfmarquez)

“[The course] taught me food theories and real-life practices that inform my content. These include how to prepare food safely, the role of showmanship in food preparation, [and] how to make cooking more efficient. As a result, I am confident that whatever I share in my content is theoretically sound,” the 22-year-old food content creator said.

Growing up, Abi also shared that she looked up to Vanjo Merano of Panlasang Pinoy and found herself recreating his recipes when she was younger. She also talked about Ninong Ry and Kuya Pancho of Foodtrip Ba Kamo.

When she’s not in the kitchen, Abi loves to sing.

“I would literally go to a bathroom and stay there for 30 minutes just belting out my favorite theater and pop songs. I also play the piano and guitar, which I find very cathartic when I am stressed about work.”

It seems like there’s a lot on her plate as she juggles adulting with her content creation duties. How does she do these things all at once? How does she get ready for her busy day?

The lumpia queen herself shares how she gets through each day and lets us take a sneak peek at her life outside of cooking:

DAILY ROUTINE. Usually waking up late, I always check my phone if there are messages or matters that need to be tended to immediately. Afterwards, I brush my teeth and wash my face. I proceed to the kitchen where I find anything to eat. I would check whatever food is on the table. If I don’t like what I see, I make a quick breakfast (usually toast with eggs, Korean instant noodles, air fried hash browns) and Iced Coffee, which I bring to my work desk. 

SKINCARE ROUTINE. My skincare routine is simply washing my face with Ponds White Beauty Facial Foam when I wake up and every time I bathe.

TIKTOK ESSENTIALS. Filming equipment such as a camera (with extra batteries, formatted SD Cards, and Tripods), lights and softboxes, diffusers and reflectors, as well as the ingredients and kitchen tools needed for the recipe.

VIDEO PREP. I research the recipe and review it multiple times so I know what to say and do during filming. I also carefully choose what to wear, do my quick make-up, and give myself a quick pep talk so I don’t feel awkward speaking to a camera in a room all by myself.  

MEMORABLE TIKTOK DISH. Definitely S’mores Lumpia, which was my first lumpia experiment and what paved the way for more lumpia videos. It was a very random idea, but it managed to get the attention of many, including major media companies. 

FIT CHECK. I like to wear casual clothes that are plain and neutral in color, anything that will not distract the viewer from the food being cooked. I also love the vibes that pambahay clothes give off in a video, a more authentic, organic, and at-home feel. After filling my wardrobe with basic wear, I am now on the lookout for cool aprons.

REST. I like hanging out with siblings or friends over a few TV show episodes or a movie. I would also sit down with a piano or guitar and just sing until my throat is tired. I also love a good nap. 

ADVICE. If there’s one piece of advice I would give to people who inspire to be digital content creators is to be your authentic self in your videos. It is the easiest way to stand out and connect with your audience. Do not be afraid to show your personality in your videos! 

I guess what I did not realize when I was in college is that culinary careers are not limited to cooking or serving in restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, and the like. Culinary careers can also be a recipe developer in an online food blog, a food stylist in cooking shows, or a digital content creator! 

Abi recommends

• Vinegar Pusit (P26 per pack)
• Tofiluk (P240 per box)
• Hawhaw (P35 per pack)
• Kitchen knife (P169)
• Nonstick pan (P380)
• Rubber spatula (P120)
• Sony ZV1 camera (P45,999)
• Godox VL150 light (P19,650)
• Samson C01u Pro condenser microphone (P3,690)

Got someone you want us to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person. – Rappler.com

Follow Abi and her food adventures on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

After all the years we’ve been watching them on TV, we know for a fact that good looks, talent, and a healthy lifestyle run in the family of Star of All Seasons Vilma Santos and TV host Luis Manzano. Whether it’s in the field of acting, hosting, or public service, the mother and son duo seem to thrive in the paths they choose. Now, we’re raring to ask: What is the secret ingredient of their success?

Being hardworking and staying committed to one’s craft count, of course. But to be able to sustain success, Ate V and Luis Manzano highlight the importance of practicing healthy eating habits, which starts at home. 

Vilma recalled that she has been eating Quaker Oats for breakfast since she was a young girl, a habit she has passed on to her children. This is why ever since he was a child, Luis has been adding Quaker Oats to his daily meals to stay healthy. Quaker Oats has seven times more fiber than long-grain white rice, essential to maintaining a healthy heart and digestive system. 

Despite their success in their respective careers, the mother and son duo are always open to trying new things and exploring ways to enjoy eating healthy food. Recently, they’ve been combining Quaker Oats with their favorite dishes like congee, and here they share with us their recipe for savory congee.

Savory congee

To make savory congee using Quaker Oats ala Vilma Santos and Luis Manzano style, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

• ½ cup Quaker Instant Oatmeal
• 1 ½ cups vegetable stock
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 5 cloves of chopped garlic
• ¼ cup of sautéed mushrooms
• ¼ cup of bean sprouts
• 2 sliced scallions 
• 1 chopped cilantro
• ½ teaspoon of finely chopped ginger
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice

Once you have the ingredients ready, you can start cooking. Don’t worry, not only is this oatmeal recipe healthy and delicious, it’s also super easy to make.

First, poach an egg and sautée the mushrooms. Then, pour the vegetable stock in a large pan. After the vegetable stock reaches a boil, add the poached egg and Quaker Instant Oatmeal. For extra flavor, add the sautéed mushrooms, bean sprouts, garlic, and olive oil into the mixture. Don’t forget to add the toppings – ginger, scallions, and cilantro. Finally, pour a tablespoon of soy sauce and lime juice. Let the mixture simmer over a medium-low heat and stir until the oatmeal has thickened. Serve and enjoy!

PS: You can enjoy this savory congee oatmeal recipe with the whole family during breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

GRWM recommends

• Quaker Instant Oatmeal 800g (with free food keeper)
• Quaker Quick Cooking Oatmeal 1kg (jar)
• Quaker Flavored Oatmeal Banana & Honey 500g

Eating oatmeal can satisfy both your nutritional needs and cravings at the same time. Adding some fun twists to the recipes also makes it more delicious and fun to eat. What’s more, Quaker Oats has seven times more fiber than long-grain white rice and helps lower bad cholesterol. With Quaker Oats, you know every meal is filled with nutrients your body needs to help you power through your everyday life. – Rappler.com

Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a lot of young people take over the digital space, using their platforms not just to entertain but to educate as well. Through their vlogs, podcasts, and TikTok videos, we learn about different cool topics ranging from fitness, travel, language, to personal development. 

These days, all eyes are on Nicole Alba, a 21-year-old political science student who shares  financial literacy videos on her Youtube channel. She creates explainer videos that make topics like investing and personal finance easier to understand – thanks to her memes and funny facial expressions. 

“I’ve always wanted to make Youtube videos because there were creators I learned from and loved watching when I was growing up,” said Nicole. “I’ve also always had a passion for making videos, so I would make short films, edit mini-vlogs, videos and reels for clubs and organizations when I was in grade school and highschool.”

Among the content creators she loves to watch on YouTube are Ali Abdaal, Thomas Frank, Nathaniel Drew, Matt D’Avella, Elliot Choy, Casey Neistat.

Interestingly, when she was just starting out on YouTube, Nicole didn’t tell her parents about it at first – except for a few close friends. She didn’t promote her channel on her social media accounts as well since she was simply making videos for fun. When she hit 1,000 subscribers, she finally told her parents about it and they were very supportive, especially when Nicole’s channel started gaining traction on the internet.

Recently, the Gen-Z content creator talked about getting insurance from Singlife Philippines, a mobile-first life insurance company from Singapore, Asia’s Technology Hub. 

“Getting insurance is important, but whether it is advisable to get one would depend on an individual’s needs. In order to determine whether one needs to get insurance, it’s important to first gain a basic understanding of how insurance works,” said Nicole.

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A post shared by Nicole Alba 🍞 (@alba.nicoleee)

With all the things going on in her life (she’s also graduating from college in a few months), how does Nicole keep everything together? In this article, she talks about her creative process, her YouTube journey, how she handles her finances, and why she recommends getting insurance at a young age.

STARTING ON YOUTUBE. I didn’t make a Youtube channel because I wanted to teach people about finance. Nope, not at all. Around that period, I was in the process of learning how to manage my finances and it was something that I enjoyed talking about to the point that it sometimes bored my friends and siblings haha. I decided to make Youtube videos to serve as an outlet for processing and applying the things I was learning as well as an avenue for creative expression. In short, I decided to make youtube videos because I wanted to document and share my learnings and experiences as I entered into adulthood

CONTENT PLANNING. I keep a running list of ideas for videos I can make on a platform called Notion. I’ll take note of random ideas that come up throughout the day and I’ll note them down. I’ll usually plan out my upload schedule for a month, then I’ll spend 2-3 days brainstorming, researching, and scripting a video. I still handle everything with my channel from planning, to brainstorming, to filming, editing, making the thumbnails, to uploading. I’m a one-man team so it gets pretty demanding!

ADULTING. Graduating from high school gave me the feeling of needing to prepare for adulthood, so I wanted to start preparing myself for my future. I got interested in financial independence and I started devouring books, articles, videos, and whatever resources I got my hands on so I could start learning what I can do as an 18-year-old to set my future self up for (financial) success. Then I found myself falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of personal finance and created opportunities for myself to apply the concepts and lessons I learned.

PROCESS-BASED GOALS. From the [Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki] book he says that when you want something, instead of saying “I can’t afford it”, you need to instead ask yourself “How can I afford it?” This single question forces your brain to think of ways to work for the things you want to purchase – and it’s how I pursue a lot of my goals, both financial and non-financial related. When it comes to goals, I don’t set specific outcome goals like “I want to buy a car at 25 years old” or “I want to have P1M.” Instead, I set process-based goals like “I will save 70 percent of everything I make.” The reason is that even if I’m not aiming for something specific, I’m still making progress when I consistently stick to a process.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. I’ve actually made several videos on this on my channel! Haha shameless plug. The way I manage my money and track my expenses have evolved through time from when I started learning about personal finance when I was 18. Back then, I made use of a spreadsheet and created my own tracking system because I felt too restricted and confused by the existing apps in the app store. Now, I use a combination of google sheets and a phone app to track and manage my personal finances. Here’s a link to some of my videos where I explain how I manage my finances. An important thing to remember is that there’s no one-size fits all approach in managing your finances. Personal finance is personal, so you need to find the approach that works for you and your lifestyle.

INSURANCE 101. Okay, let’s start with the basics. Simply put, insurance is a form of protection. There are many different types of insurance. There’s life insurance, health insurance, car insurance – but all of these insurance products do the same thing. Here’s a chart that summarizes some common insurance terms:

If you own an insurance policy, you’ll need to pay a small monthly premium. This is like your monthly insurance bill in order to be insured. If you own car insurance and you get into an accident for example, the car insurance company is actually going to help you pay for the repair costs (as long as it’s covered by the insurance policy).

The purpose of insurance is to protect you from being forced to empty out your savings, sell your investments, or worse: mangutang, in case bad things happen like hospitalizations or accidents. 

WHY SINGLIFE? What I like about Singlife is that they’re a technology-driven company, which I think is important in the fast-paced societies that we currently live in. They come from Singapore, which is a financial and technological center globally, so this assures me that they are able to create and innovate on products and solutions that will be able to cater to people’s diverse set of needs. As of now, their products are primarily accessible in GCash and I appreciate the fact that I’m able to shop for insurance conveniently with a few taps on my phone.

GETTING INSURED AT A YOUNG AGE. I’m not a professional, but in general, getting insurance premiums are lower when you’re younger and healthier as opposed to when you’re older and have health conditions. Out of all the types of insurance, I believe that Health Insurance would be the most important one to prioritize to safeguard oneself from potential financial ruin from unexpected medical emergencies. A lot of middle-class families are vulnerable and are often one hospital bill away from getting financially wiped out.  However, it’s also important to think about how to take care of yourself and your family financially in case the injury or illness is long-term like if you get permanently disabled. This is why income replacement insurance is also very important. 

SINGLIFE’S CASH FOR INCOME LOSS. This specific product is designed to replace your monthly income – in case you can’t work because you are permanently disabled because you got into an accident or you got sick, or worse, you pass away – para masupport mo pa din family mo (so you can still support your family). This product will provide a Monthly Cash Benefit that will be your income for the next three years so you can continue supporting your family, and there’s also a Cash Bonus worth twice your monthly income at the end of the payout.

Nicole recommends

• Singlife’s Cash for Medical Costs or Cash for Income Loss product
• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – The financial wokening book

Singlife recommends

Singlife is offering free P100,000 accidents cover for three months. All you have to do is get a quote for Cash for Income Loss on GInsure via GCash. No purchase needed! This way, you can see how affordable it could be to ensure that you and your family continue to have money to pay for expenses in case the breadwinner is unable to continue working due to death or disability. Get yours today by clicking this link or by going to your Gcash app. (Note: Gcash link accessible on mobile device only)

Over 130,000 customers have already claimed this free protection coverage. Get this limited offer until June 30, 2022.

Got someone you want to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person. – Rappler.com

*Responses edited for brevity

Pets are always a blessing to their owners. For the rest of us who don’t have any, we still get second-hand pleasure from watching these adorable companions cling and torment their hoomans in the most loving ways possible.

It also helps if that said pet is as naughty and irresistible as Logan the Welsh, whose antics have earned him lots of followers on Instagram.

So, how did he become an internet doggo? One of his hoomans, Ruth, shared: “We honestly just started the account so we don’t flood our personal accounts with dog photos and videos, but we’re glad we did it because we receive lots of messages saying things like Logan can cheer them up when they’re down!”

Ruth, owner of Fluffy Butt and Happy Rascal, and Mong, a principal architect at RVR Design & Architecture, are Logan’s pawrents. A year into their condo lifestyle, they felt that their living space was “lacking in warmth without a furbaby,” hence, the adoption of the then-9-month-old Welsh corgi.

The partners did their research and braced themselves for the responsibilities of taking another being in. “Corgis are herding dogs so they have more energy, and they’re smart so they’re highly trainable, but need mental stimulation too,” said Ruth, which meant that they had to keep up with Logan immensely. Additionally, more than their humble space, she mentioned that “the biggest practical consideration we had was cleanliness from fur (not even realizing how much corgis shed)!” Their vacuum cleaners certainly came in handy.

Still, Logan is a relatively neat dog. Ruth proudly mentioned that their home smells clean, and went so far as to say that “you wouldn’t think we have a dog,” because their regular morning and evening walks trained him not to pee or poop inside. (They clean up after him, don’t worry!) The only giveaway signs of pet life were the “nibbled area rug corners and baseboards” – glaring ones at that – but these only made their days more colorful.

Ruth also emphasized the need for condo residents like her to closely look after their pet dogs during the puppy stage “because it’s easier to disturb your neighbors from constant barking, for instance.”

“When Logan had a phase of barking while we were out (he was maybe 10-11 months old) we had to leave a GoPro filming to figure out the triggers (it’s stressful to deal with complaints too!). We realized it was from people walking along the hallway or from loud thuds from upstairs, so we started leaving music (on timer to turn off after 4 hrs when most people are out of their homes already!) so he wouldn’t hear those triggers as much.”

“Having a shared responsibility as partners” brought her and Mong closer together, in addition to getting a furry stress buster at home. Logan even paved the way for them to meet more friends and acquaintances. In return, he tagged along with their frequent trips to Aurora, especially before the pandemic, where he took a liking to the place himself.

Trips going there were expectedly fewer, but staying indoors more seemed to have been enjoyable for Logan. “We used to be gone from 7:30 am to 7 pm on average, but now, he doesn’t find himself alone on most days!”

What does a day in the life of a quarantined furbaby look like? Ruth walked us through:

WAKING UP. Stretches. He definitely stretches first; no fail. Haha! Then asks for belly rubs before getting up!

Then it’s his daddyo’s (Mong) turn to walk him. Mommyo is assigned to evening shifts!

TREATS AND MEALS. Even while Logan was in his original home, he was already on a raw diet, so it was quite natural for us to adopt the same. He had kibble for a short while upon adoption, then transitioned to home-cooked meals, until he went back to raw food (we source ours from barf.ph because we’re not confident about our own methods at home in handling raw meals!).

Since he got diagnosed with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis back in Jan 2019 (corgis seem to be prone to digestive issues based on other corgo furiends’ experiences!), we started giving him something light before his first main meal – usually either a chicken or duck foot from Bonapetreat or Treatos by Joey. We also started adding yogurt to each meal.

So far, so good! Hardly any episodes since. 😊 Besides unsweetened yogurt, his meals are simple – for raw meat, we switch around duck, rabbit, pork, beef, and organic VCO from Fluffy Butt.

GROOMING ESSENTIALS. Honestly, we hardly give him baths at home. His grooming session at The Dog Park every 4-6 weeks usually serves as his bath time, but we swear that he never gets stinky!

We’re actually quite minimalists with his routine – I started Fluffy Butt precisely to create our own natural pet care essentials that Logan uses on a daily-weekly basis:

Pre-walk:

• Shoo Flea natural tick repellent (I use it as my own mosquito repellent for our daily walks!)
• We switch to the Tick-minator natural tick killer on Sundays just for good measure.

Post-walk:

• We clean his paws (and when it’s raining, his underside/fur) using Gross Buster paw & fur cleaner when we get back.

When his paws get too dry/rough (usually when it’s been hot outside), we also apply Balm Squad paw moisturizer on his paw pads.

That’s pretty much his routine for almost 5 years now!

GOING OUT & TRAVELING. We’re lucky that Logan doesn’t get car sick even during long car rides. So his travel essentials are quite straightforward. We have a bag containing the following:

• Scratch paper for catching poop
• Soapy water to wash off pee (we use natural dishwashing liquid from Human Nature to make sure it’s safe for the grass/plants)
• Gross Buster paw & fur cleaner transferred to a small spray bottle to clean his butt after #2
• A roll of tissue (we avoid even wet wipes because while a lot of brands are biodegradable now, they’re still individually packed in plastic)
• Car hammock to contain the fur:

• Treatos
• Shoo Flea natural tick repellent (we spray on him generously EACH TIME he steps out of the house!)

For long car rides during the day, we try to tire him out before the trip so he’s asleep during the drive!

COMING BACK HOME. For Logan, we always clean at least his paws with Gross Buster paw & fur cleaner upon getting home. For us humans, we don’t touch anything first and wash our hands well, then “shed” all outerwear!

But except for important errands, we still try to stay at home as much as we can. We haven’t seen most of our friends since the start of ECQ in 2020!

BOREDOM BUSTERS. This has been challenging because he cannot play fetch as much due to his joint issues (common among corgis) so his best form of exercise is actually swimming. But we have some Nina Ottosson puzzles for some mental exercise, which we purchased from Petster.ph. (50% of their profits go to animal welfare efforts!)

And of course, his favorite is definitely our made-up game, “Where’s Daddyo?!” We’re still amazed that he can understand the concept and knows exactly the goal of the game! Here’s one of our fave videos:

We also keep some frozen lick mats for him for longer distraction. (e.g. when there’s thunder!)

FAVE DELIVERS. As a rule, if we can purchase from Petster.ph, we will because it’s our way of contributing to their cause. But here are our staples:

• Treatos: Since we watch Logan’s weight quite closely, we try to stick to dehydrated protein treats, and thankfully, there are so many quality local brands for this! Like Little Lion, Bonapetreat, Pawfect Plate, Treatos by Joey, etc! And when we want biscuits, we still stick to homemade natural baked biscuits like Hachi and Yuki Pet Kitchen and Belly Grubs!
• Hygiene: Unli supply of Fluffy Butt, of course! 😊

TRIPS TO THE VET. For routine shots, we go to BSF in BGC. But for other issues, we trust Doc Racky of Mt. Sinai the most. For both clinics, we love them because we know they can about Logan’s (and any dog’s) welfare first! They’re not the type to have unnecessary tests done just for $$$.

QUARANTINE LIFE. The most felt change for Logan is fewer trips, definitely. Since that’s where he gets to exercise the most (just by having more space to walk around in), we just have to be more religious with his walks around our condo compound.

We have also purchased him a pool that’s deep enough for him to swim in, so we try to set that up at least once a month for his water therapy.

Besides the lack of physical activity, he also lacks social interaction with other doggos besides those we meet during walks. So we’d sometimes still leave him at dog parks for socialization — PetMe BGC Paw Park & Hotel for quick playtime at their indoor dog park, and Dog Coach Francis when we want more extended socialization for a few nights!

Logan’s picks

• All-natural chicken jerky pet treat (P195)
• Air-dried duck feet treat (P150)
• Coco Loco organic VCO (P250 for 250ml; P800 for 1L)
• Shoo Flea natural tick repellent (P230)
• Tick-minator natural tick killer (P330)
• Gross Buster paw & fur cleaner (P1,600 for 1L)
• Balm Squad paw moisturizer (P350)
• Natural dishwashing liquid (P120-P200 depending on the size)
• Nina Ottosson level 1 dog puzzle (P858)

Got someone you want to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person, or furbaby! – Rappler.com

*Responses edited for brevity

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#CheckThisOut: Pawrents, spoil your furbabies on a budget

Anyone who has been in a “Boys’ Love” (BL) binge is most likely familiar with the boyish charms of Elijah Canlas, star of the popular web series Gameboys and its movie sequel. And while the viewers were captivated by the show’s storytelling, the global reception awed him and the rest of the crew.

“It was hard to expect anything because we were literally creating a whole new process that none of us have ever experienced. So, it was such a big surprise when we saw that people were watching and loving the show. Not just here in the Philippines, but around the world,” said Elijah.

He acknowledged, however, the irony of gaining achievements during such a tumultuous time: “It feels like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I’ve been blessed to continue doing what I love to do and I’m getting a lot of recognition for it. On the other hand, this pandemic is affecting so many people, so I wish my ‘big break’ happened during happier times for all.”

Gameboys was not the only good fortune that struck the 21-year-old. His performance in the acclaimed film Kalel, 15 earned him numerous accolades, including the Gawad Urian, FAMAS, and Asian Film Festival, among others. (Talk about a grand slam!) His roles in Edward and He Who Is Without Sin also garnered significant buzz.

Elijah thinks that everything feels “surreal up until now.”

“It’s rare to receive any validation in our craft. And gaining these awards has motivated me to be better as an artist and as a person. It also helped encourage me to believe that maybe I am on the right path.”

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If anything, the rising thespian became more fired up in “being part of meaningful projects and portraying challenging roles.” Aside from the next season of Gameboys, Elijah shared that he is working on a new film, is in talks for another series, and is even “starting to focus on creating music.” 

The long-term goal? “I also aspire to be a director one day,” he said.

But lest we forget, Elijah has some schoolwork to do first. A proud isko (state university scholar), he is currently taking up Philippine Arts at UP Manila, since he wants “to dive into our country’s culture and history.”

As admirable as it sounds, giving enough attention to each side of his double life isn’t a walk in the park. Elijah admitted: “I’ll be honest… it’s really hard to juggle both my studies and work. But I am thankful for my helpful classmates, understanding professors, and also the productions that are considerate about my studies.”

If you’re wondering whether he still has time to take care of himself, fortunately, Elijah has some serious self-discipline. He revealed how he gets through each busy day:

WAKING UP. I usually grab my phone first to turn my alarms off and check my schedule for the day. I have a ton of alarms because it takes me a while to get out of bed. Once I’ve gotten out of bed, I usually go straight to the shower. And after that, I make sure to grab a cup of coffee. Right now, I’ve been listening to a lot of Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar in the morning. But my morning playlist varies from time to time.

SKINCARE ESSENTIALS. I actually shower at least 3 times a day. When I come from a shoot, I use a make-up remover and The Body Shop’s Tea Tree products every night before I go to sleep.

WORKING OUT. I have a coach that helps me train 4 times a week. I honestly just started working out diligently last August. I have my workout gear and equipment here at home. I don’t really follow a rigorous diet. I just make sure to rationalize my meals, eat protein, and not skip meals.

BEFORE I START. I always have at least two notebooks. One for taking down notes and reminders. And another for the weird ideas that I have. I always bring pens, highlighters, and a pencil with me to jot down my notes on the scripts that I have. Of course, I have my water bottle and mug for my coffee. I bring my film camera and video camera with me to hoard memories through photos and videos. And I always make sure to bring my Airpods so I could listen to music or watch movies during my free time. And for safety, because of this pandemic, I learned to always bring extra masks, alcohol, vitamins, and even my own make-up and make-up brushes to use on set.

IF I MUST GO. I usually prefer comfort over style. Loose pants or sweatpants, a loose shirt, and a hoodie for when the weather’s breezy. I did campaigns for Adidas and Havaianas before and I really like wearing the clothes and footwear as well.

COMING BACK HOME. I have to go straight into the shower as soon as I get back home. And everytime before I go out, I always make sure to take my vitamins and have extra masks, and alcohol inside my bag.

IF I’M STAYING IN. When I’m inside my room, I usually just wear shorts and no shirt, just topless haha.

BOREDOM BUSTERS. I do a lot to keep myself productive. I’ve always loved watching films and shows. When I was in high school, it was necessary for me to watch at least 3 films in a day. But now, time doesn’t really permit me to do that as much, but I want to keep learning about storytelling and even about music. I also listen to a lot of music. I usually listen to albums in one go for me to appreciate the artistry behind it even more. And then when I feel inspired, I write my own lyrics and melodies. Sometimes even short stories and the weird ideas in my head.

FAVE DELIVERS. I love pizza, ice cream, chicken, fries, and coffee.

QUARANTINE LIFE. It has changed drastically. Because before the pandemic, I had to go outdoors to gain some inspiration. I also liked seeing and meeting people in the flesh because I was never a believer in online communication. But now, we all have to stay responsible for ourselves and for each other. At first, it was definitely hard and made me feel down a lot of times. But I learned to adapt and make the most out of this situation.

We don’t know up to when this pandemic will be, but I’ve learned that life goes on. I can still keep working on the things that I’m passionate about and continue to make myself better each day. Whether or not we go back to what used to be normal, what’s important is we emerge from this pandemic as better people.

GRWM recommends

• Digital alarm clock (P488)
• The Body Shop Tea Tree facial wash (P595)
• Decathlon toning dumbbells (2kg) (P660)
• Veco pastel notebooks (P105)
• Apple Airpods 2 (P8,490)
• Hydro Flask (18oz) (P1,701)
• Havaianas navy blue flip flops (P1,399)
• Indoplas face masks (50 pcs) (P85)

Got someone you want to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person. – Rappler.com

*Responses edited for brevity

Kids who grew up in front of the TV during the 2000s will instantly recognize Neri Naig as a fresh-faced hopeful from ABS-CBN’s talent search Star Circle Quest, which paved the way to a showbiz career. And as it turned out, Neri Miranda – as she’s known now – would become even more successful after embracing motherhood – a period when an actress is usually expected to lie low.

The Mirandas are some of today’s most adored celebrity families. Even her husband, Parokya ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda, has grown accustomed to his second wind as a dad and co-content creator. And this is all because Neri wanted her followers to be #WaisNaMisis like her.

“It began when I started sharing tipid (money-saving) tips and ukay (bargain) finds on my social media accounts, which were named Wais Kahit ‘Di Pa Misis (practical but not married) but changed to Wais na Misis (practical wife) when we got married. It meant being practical without sacrificing quality, and being open to self-improvement.”

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Neri is busier than ever; in addition to being a full-time mom and creating a variety of content about her family’s everyday life, she’s a hands-on “mompreneur.” Most of us are already familiar with Neri’s Gourmet Tuyo, yet there’s also Ang Paboritong Suka ng Asawa Ko, the Very Neri collection, and the Miranda Resthouse, to mention a few.

She credits her multi-tasking abilities to being a #NanayNaMayLaban, which she defines as “being strong and focused, ‘di lang para sa sarili (not just for yourself), but more importantly, for your kids.”

So how is raising her son Miggy like?

“I’ve learned a lot myself simply by being a mom, especially when it comes to my capacity to love and kung gaano ako ka-strong (how strong I am), more than I could have possibly imagined,” said Neri.

Neri admitted, however, that her 4-year-old son is not only becoming “more active,” but also “matanong kasi nagiging curious na siya about everything” (asks a lot of questions because of his growing curiosity about all sorts of things).

“It’s fun, but it’s physically demanding too kasi bukod sa pagka-hyper ni Miggy (because aside from Miggy’s energy), you need to be focused to engage him on an intellectual level. It’s good that Chito and I are good tag-team partners.”

With all of these on her plate, one would think that Neri has difficulty spending her time wais-ly. She proved otherwise by giving us a peek into their everyday life:

#PamilyangMayLaban everyday

QUARANTINE LIFE. We have more time for our family now, especially Chito, na fully-booked lagi sa gigs bago mag-pandemic (who was busy with his band’s gigs before the pandemic). It wasn’t really a struggle for us to adjust, because we love staying home and spending time with Miggy.

COOL FOR SCHOOL. Miggy is always ready! Hahaha! Lagi siyang excited sa online classes niya. (He’s always excited for his online classes.) His laptop is instantly propped up on a wooden stand for better posture. We try our best to make online school fun, along with his teachers, kaya ngayon, nae-enjoy niya (that’s why he enjoys it now). It helps that we maintain his Laban ng Katawan to ensure that his body’s needs are met at such a crucial age.

BONDING OVER MEALS. We always eat every meal together, mula agahan hanggang hapunan (from breakfast to dinner), since Chito is now always home. Aside from the family’s emotional connection and well-being, it is also very important for Miggy to see that eating together is a tradition we should value as a Filipino family. Gustong-gusto din ni Miggy magluto! (Miggy loves cooking!) Using his manual vegetable chopper, he helps out with cooking, and with preparing the table. Syempre, ‘di kumpleto ang kainan (Of course, meals aren’t complete) without Neri’s Gourmet Tuyo and Ang Paboritong Suka ng Asawa Ko. And for Miggy, a glass of Bonakid Pre-School® 3+ is his staple.

HEALTHY MIGGY. We made sure early on that Miggy is exposed to all types of food and flavors. We also take our time to explain that eating healthy makes him strong. Minsan nga pinagtatanim ko siya ng (Sometimes I let him plant) veggies and fruits to make it more enjoyable and interesting for him to eat them. He even has his own shovel na.

NUTRITION WITH A “PLUS.” You have to make sure na nakakasulit ka (you get the most value for your money), especially for your family. Bonakid Pre-School® 3+ has all the PLUS health benefits for Miggy – with PLUS immunity, PLUS growth, and PLUS energy support nutrients.

PLAYTIME IS A MUST. Never kaming mabo-bore. (We’ll never get bored.) Everyday, we go walking around the village for some fresh air. We go to our nearby resthouse when Miggy feels like swimming. Nagbo-board games din kami, and favorite ngayon ni Miggy ang chess (We also play board games, and right now, Miggy is into chess)! What’s more, Chito is Miggy’s wrestling partner, and they always play rough. Tawag nga sa kanya, “buddy,” eh! (He even calls his dad “buddy!”) Boys will be boys, and Chito needs to be in tiptop shape to keep up with the limitless energy of a 4-year-old boy. We make sure that Miggy has enough exercise, which involves playing outdoors as much as possible.

BEDTIME ROUTINE. A quick shower, toothbrush, a short story or a book, then we pray. With Miggy’s endless energy, kami ni Chito ang dapat mag-recharge (it’s Chito and I who need to recharge)! Haha! After finishing his modules for school, all Miggy wants to do is play ’til bedtime, which – I’m sure – is a result of the PLUS immunity, PLUS growth, and PLUS energy support nutrients he gets from Bonakid Pre-School® 3+.

Neri’s #WaisList

• Bonakid Pre-School® 3+ 1.6kg pack (P792)
• Neri’s Gourmet Tuyo (P200)
• Ang Paboritong Suka ng Asawa Ko (P135)
• Manual vegetable chopper (P98)
• Plastic shovel (P119)
• Wooden laptop stand (P198)
• Chess set (P266)

Got someone you want to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person. – Rappler.com

*Responses edited for brevity

As a 90s kid, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio is forever etched in my memory as an effervescent talent who starred from one teen show to another (Ang TV to T.G.I.S. to Gimik). Though we don’t see much of her on showbiz anymore, she’s still busy inspiring viewers on mobile screens through her own content.

When asked if she misses being under the klieg lights, Rica replied, “I sometimes do. But not so much anymore.” And understandably so. After choosing a life of married bliss with pastor Joseph Bonifacio, a slew of blessings came her way. The actress became an author, rekindled her connection with God, and most of all, bagged the role of a lifetime – being a mother to sons Philip and Manu.

As a storyteller, it was natural for Rica to chronicle her family’s life online, unaware that other moms would start looking up to her.

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“I have never been a ‘good role model,’ so this is pretty new for me. To be influencing people in the valuable things and areas of life, and also using my own vulnerability and weaknesses, is a privilege. I find myself honored to be able to do this.”

As fun-filled as her vlogs are, the behind-the-scenes are even more unpredictable. “It is a mix of good and very very tiring days. We have two active boys, and the firstborn already began his new school year so I am homeschooling him, which makes our schedule a bit busy these days.”

How does she juggle her time between being a content creator, mom, and keeping her family safe during a raging pandemic?

“I don’t know. What I do know is that it is only possible because we have smartphones now and creation has been the most mobile ever. So that enables me to create content in the safety of my own home, in the liberty of my own time – no matter how random our schedule might look!”

photo courtesy of patrick diokno

But as random as it seems, certain things in Rica’s life remain constant. She walks us through her daily routine:

WAKING UP. I get up naturally. And if I do have an alarm, I wake up at once – I almost never snooze.

SKINCARE ESSENTIALS. Hmmm… I use many. I have a Happy Skin collection now, which is about to come out and they are making me try it. The other ones that work for me are Innisfree, Laneige, and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. I have this roller from Happy Skin and I like it! But I usually get so tamad (lazy) in using it after a while. Pang one-step-skin routine lang yata talaga ako (I might just be the one-step-skin routine kind) cause I can be very lazy about vanity stuff.

BEFORE THE GRIND. COFFEE. Haha! Not a workspace essential but it has to be there before all else. Aside from that: laptop and my Notion app. It’s a productivity app and I keep my entire LIFE in there! Haha! From Content Creation folders and notes to Homeschooling Curriculum and Grades.

I do also want to have some rouge on my cheeks and lips after applying a thin layer of moisturizer on my face. I also brush up my brows and try to draw a bit more into it. Then I spray some perfume or cologne, put on deo, dress nicely, and sit on my working chair like a boss.

ON VIDEO MEETINGS. No rituals except that I make the time to be with myself. That means being alone, undisturbed, so I can get into focus. And only if I carry a heavy weight in the leading or talking. If only participating, not much. I just find it nice though to have a little bit of makeup on so you’ll like what you see on screen also.

IF I MUST GO OUT. I usually buy my masks from Toy Kingdom cause my face is so small and only kiddie masks fit me perfectly, hahahaha. OOTD is anything from activewear (so I can jump anytime), to my favorite Uniqlo pieces that are super laid back and minimalist Japanese-y. If the baby is with me, I wear my own bfeedingmum creations! (Check them out here!)

COMING BACK HOME. I practice precautions best when outside! Mask, shield, alcohol, and prayer. So the chances to bring home anything is slim. Also, “alfresco always and forever” is my rule of thumb. I don’t like tight rooms, especially if air-conditioned, when we have to go out, haha. If I got those covered then I am okay about coming home. Less anxious! Honestly, how safe can you get when you go out? Just stay at a distance from everyone and be in faith that God protects you!

IF I’M STAYING IN. Still activewear. Leggings, sports bra, and dri-fit shirts! I seem to stay more active or get really lazy according to what I wear.

FAVE DELIVERS. GrabPabili and GrabFood. I love Jona’s Pastry Shop‘s ube pandesal (supreme version), then The Golden Catch PH for the freshest sashimi ever – all found on Instagram. I will also try Wantusawa Oyster Bar soon since I have fallen in love with oysters very recently.

QUARANTINE LIFE. Hasn’t changed much since I have always been the one to stay at home with the kids all day. But the addition of my husband being home all the time spelled a difference. In the first few weeks of just being home, I was kind of shocked when our food easily ran out. More than usual, I mean. I realized it was because my husband now eats at home! Haha!

We stick to routines better when it’s school season, honestly. We are very poor at following them to be completely transparent! Hahaha.

Rica’s picks

• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (P719)
• Toy Kingdom disposable kids’ masks (P150)
• Bfeedingmum Veronica nursing jumpsuit (P995)

Her skincare brands

• Happy Skin
• Innisfree
• Laneige

Got someone you want to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person. – Rappler.com

*Responses edited for brevity

Beyoncé, a self-proclaimed feminist, was prophetic when she rhetorically asked “Who run the world?” Ten years later – during a raging pandemic, no less – Filipinas are doing their lion’s share of boosting our country’s morale. There’s Leni Robredo, whose actions spoke louder, Angel Locsin, and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who managed to “lift” everyone’s spirits up.

In various industries, there are even more Filipina changemakers. A day won’t be enough to list down all entrepreneurs, executives, and talented professionals, who are not only remarkable because they’re women, but also because they’re great at what they do.

Worth mentioning is Ceb Go first officer Chezka Carandang, who smashed conventions two-fold by being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in an industry largely run by men. And this is all because she wanted to follow her dreams. (Fun fact: She was a flight attendant!)

“Working in a male-dominated profession is challenging, but in a good way! It challenges you towards a better version of yourself. Society already has expectations of being a woman (what one can and can’t do), but it’s rewarding when you’re able to keep up or go beyond these.”

Chezka is confident that the time is ripe for any gender to pursue any profession. “The world is now becoming open-minded. Now is the perfect time to reach for your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do! For as long as you are trying your best, and doing your job well, your peers will help you reach your fullest potential.”

It has been 5 years since she made the big switch, but Chezka only started to charm social media followers at the onset of the pandemic. Besides the limited number of flights (currently, twice a week at most), she “found a new purpose” – to help aspiring aviation professionals through informative content.

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“I felt the need to redirect my attention into something productive rather than dwell on something beyond my control. So I started producing aviation-related content, such as how I became a pilot and helping them become one. I chose this topic because way back in 2015, I didn’t know who to contact or get reliable information about becoming a pilot. So I wanted to be the go-to person they get information from. I know how it feels like to want something but not knowing where to start and who to talk to.”

Chezka hustles like she means it but also has her fun too. She regularly posts sweet moments with partner Clare Inso, also a content creator, which earned admiration from their followers. As carefree as they seem now, however, it wasn’t always easy for the couple to go public.

“We didn’t expect this to happen. It was a tough decision for us to be out on social media because there might be people out there who won’t support us and it might affect our mental health. But at the end of the day we thought, what are we doing this for? We are doing this for ourselves, to share our story to inspire more LGBTQ+ people to come out and to educate people to open their minds.”

Photo courtesy of Chezka Carandang

Chezka wants to pass on this love to other members of the LGBTQ+ community by encouraging them to start with themselves.

“Especially for those who haven’t figured it out yet, we’re here for you, you’re not alone. Take time to get to know yourself. Don’t pressure yourself into knowing what your label is and the type of person you want to love. Just be you and love who you love. At the end of the day, our souls have no gender and we are all one.”

It might seem like Chezka has her hands full. She flies, makes content, and still finds time to be with Clare. How does she keep her life in balance? Here’s a sneak peek of her daily routine:

FIRST GRAB. The first thing I grab or check is my Apple Watch. I always wear my watch to bed to monitor my sleep and it is also my second alarm clock. I’m the type of person who never snoozes my alarm for work because it would really be a nightmare for me if I didn’t make it to work on time. Promptness is my number one quality. After that, I shower and play words of affirmation in the background and drink my coffee afterwards! My favorite part of the day.

SKINCARE ESSENTIALS. Honestly, I’m still figuring out which products are good for my skin. So I just use my Neutrogena HydroBoost Cleanser Water Gel as my facial wash. After that, I apply Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50 PA++++ even when I’m just staying at home.

BEFORE I START. Before I start my work, I set the mood by taking deep breaths, eliminating all the worries that I can’t control for now, and focus on being at the moment and surrendering to the outcome. 

IF I MUST GO. My perfect outfit for going outside is whenever I wear my plain neutral color shirt and stretchable slacks (both from Uniqlo), wear a jacket, and slip-ons from PabDer. I just want my outfit to be smart and casual all the time while being fashionable and comfy at the same time. Perfect for any event. Never overdressed or underdressed.

IF I’M STAYING IN. Well, I love to wear hoodies and cycling shorts! I also love to keep my room cold and cozy all the time because that’s where I work most of the time.

FAVE DELIVERS. My fave deliveries are from Chosun Chicken, Angel’s Pizza, Frankies, Yabu, and Crumberries!

QUARANTINE LIFE. Ever since, I have been a homebody, so staying in is not really a problem for me. It wasn’t really hard for me to adjust. At least, I’m not pressured to go out anymore! Hahaha.

Chezka’s picks

• Apple Watch Series 6 (from P22,990; Apple Store or Lazada)
• Neutrogena HydroBoost Cleanser Water Gel (P383)
• Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50 PA++++ (P210)
• Pabder slip-on shoes TW8222 (P3,880) 

Got someone you want to feature? Just email us at stories@rappler.com with the subject line “GRWM” followed by the name and the designation of the person. – Rappler.com

*Responses edited for brevity

Louise Antonette Santos, who you might have come across as “Mommy Practicality,” has always worn many hats. Aside from being a former program manager for a telco, she’s also a part-time acoustic band singer, event host, TV commercial talent, and even does voice-overs.

Her favorite role, though, is being a mother – a reason more than enough for her to pursue it full-time. “When I resigned from my corporate job, I was 100% ready for it…. My husband stepped up as the main provider, I became the domesticated wife and mother I’ve always dreamed of becoming, and our family relationship became more solid.”

Photo courtesy of Louise Antonette Santos

“It wasn’t an overnight decision” for them, however, as they had to consider a lot of factors before hitting the switch.

“We talked about our potential losses and gains. Financially speaking, we’ll be a one-income earner household, but the savings from regular transportation, food, clothing, and communication expenses I used to spend when I was working offset the income loss. This also made us realize we’ve been spending a lot on things we don’t actually need,” said Louise.

This realization would inspire her brand of motherhood as she became a blogger and a content creator. Without pretenses, Mommy Louise takes pride in being the “everyday mom” – showing others that there are nuggets of joy to be found in being simple and thrifty.

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And just like other families, hers wasn’t spared by the pandemic. In fact, she has recently recovered from COVID-19, but thankfully, their love and faith in God kept her strong and helped her heal.

“We realized a lot more how health, time with family, and being ready at all times are essential. Most of all, having a strong relationship with God makes us all more hopeful no matter what life may throw at us – such as this pandemic.”

How does Mommy Louise do it? How does she make it through each day with positivity and practicality? Here is her routine:

FIRST GRAB. That would be my husband’s arm to put around me! But being cheesy aside, I grab my phone, turn on the Bible App for morning devotion, then spend some minutes checking social media on matters related to my content creation work.

MORNING PLAYLIST. On Spotify, I have a playlist of praise and worship songs to start my day right, positive and hopeful.

NO ALARMS. I don’t have to set my alarm like I used to when I was still working. Should I need an alarm, I definitely have to turn on snooze and wake up on the second snooze within a 5-minute interval. Naturally, I’m nocturnal, so honestly speaking, hirap akong gumising sa umaga (waking up in the morning is difficult). Buti na nga lang (Thankfully), I’m not in corporate anymore so I don’t need to rush in the morning every day.

SKINCARE ESSENTIALS. It’s always been “cleanse, tone, protect, and moisturize” for me. I have different products for these steps for day and night use.

By day, I use Human Nature Balancing Facial Wash and put on my Face Republic Purity Sun Essence SPF 50 sunblock. At night, I wash alternately with SNAILWHITE Gold Whipp Soap and Garnier Pure Active Anti-Acne Scrub on bad skin days. Then I tone with Morrison or Face Republic Toner, use Face Republic Hydro Boost Solution Serum, moisturize with SNAILWHITE Gold Facial Cream, and for my eyes, SNAILWHITE Gold Advanced Retinol Eye Cream.

For my age (I’m 42 by the way), I need all the hydration and anti-aging regimen I can get to properly take care of my skin and address other skin issues. I consider them versatile because the products I use change depending on my skin’s needs. There are seasons when I’m acne-prone (because of stress or slept late or on “red flag” days), and there are moments when it’s all clear.

BEFORE I START. I need to start with a clear desk, so at night, I put away my notebooks and planner in my desk drawer. Yes, I’m an old-fashioned pen and paper gal. I also diffuse Young Living Essential Oils as a pick-me-upper – my favorite day or work scents are Lemon or Citrus Fresh and Peppermint. Then, I take out my notebook to jot down tasks for the day or for the week. That’s pretty much my routine before starting to work.

IF I MUST GO. Aside from essentials like a face mask with necklace holder (so I don’t have to put it down or keep it in my bag) and a face shield, I usually wear comfortable Uniqlo Rayon button-down tops – I have them in different colors – and “skorts” or pants. I also have some dresses and Style Ana PH skirts that are always head-turners, ‘yung skirts ha, hindi ako (I meant the skirts, not me). Those are my meeting outfits. My errand outfit would always be shorts and shirt or any of my Uniqlo tops – I swear they’re really comfortable and always smart-looking! Footwear can be any of my sandals, closed-heeled shoes, rubber shoes, or boots. It depends where I go or what my mood is.

COMING BACK HOME. It’s a non-negotiable for us to immediately take a bath straight from outdoors. Properly dispose used masks or wash reusable masks right away. Wash face shields with soap and water. Separate used clothes and wash them immediately.

IF I’M STAYING IN. I’m really a comfortable shorts-and-shirt lady. Lately, I have purchased coordinated pambahay shorts-and-shirt pairs or essential clothes in different colors. Grabe they are so comfortable and Zoom-able! I attend online meetings in them because they look so decent and well put-together kahit pambahay lang (even for at-home wear). 

GETTING READY FOR MEETINGS. Make-up! Even if I stay at home most of the time, I am faithful to my skincare routine in the morning and I follow it with applying make-up on days when I know I’ll have online meetings, virtual events to attend to, or sariling-sikap (self-made) photoshoots for my partner brands. And of course, the most important of all, my internet connection should be good! That’s why we switched to PLDT Fibr.

FAVE DELIVERS. It’s always food, wala nang iba (and nothing else). If there’s a luho when it comes to deliveries, I spend a lot on food. But the food I order are those I can’t make myself. I always crave the following: Subway Roast Beef Sandwich, palabok, calamansi or passionfruit green tea with pearls, and for a time, takoyaki.

QUARANTINE LIFE. My routine has changed a lot and I love it! I sleep longer. I spend more time with the kids who are schooling from home. I also get to spend more time with my husband whenever he works from home. And when he’s here, he’s in charge of cooking. Not really a downside, but I start working a bit later than usual because I have to prioritize my family’s morning needs.

It has become our new normal already, so just like any routine, you get used to it over time. By knowing everyone’s schedule and understanding my role in my husband and children’s lives, it’s easier for me to know what to prioritize.

Louise’s picks

Skincare essentials

By day

• Human Nature Balancing Facial Wash (P80 or P200)
• Face Republic Purity Sun Essence SPF 50 sunblock (P522)

At night

• SNAILWHITE Gold Whipp Soap (P345)
• Garnier Pure Active Anti-Acne Scrub (P159)

Toners and moisturizers

• Face Republic Toner (P474)
• Morrison Brightening Facial Toner with Collagen (P266) 
• Face Republic Hydro Boost Solution Serum (P570)
• SNAILWHITE Gold Facial Cream (P1,545)
• SNAILWHITE Gold Advanced Retinol Eye Cream (P795)

For the room

Young Living Essential Oils (starts from P375)

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