CARRIE LUPOLI a.k.a "Chief Mum": Up Close and Personal

CARRIE LUPOLI a.k.a "Chief Mum": Up Close and Personal

Fisher Price, the popular educational toy brand that everyone loves brought to the Philippines, sought after International Parenting and Child Development Consultant Carrie Lupoli through Fisher Price Joy of Learning (FPJOL) workshop last June 16, 2013 held at Crowne Plaza Manila. Hundreds of mothers learned a lot from the workshop. 


It is not everyday that we get the honor to met a mother with so much passion and love to share to everyone. In this crazy world, where you hear and watch news about parents who molests their child Carrie Lupoli is a breath of fresh air. 

So, do you know what it takes to be a parent?

Carrie Lupoli a.k.a. Chief Mum is a mother of two adorable little girls. She is also the official "Chief Mum" for MumCentre.com, a family of parenting websites in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Philippines. She is also the founder of Live and Learn Asia in Singapore and a spokesperson for Mattel Fisher Price.

It is a good thing that my blogger friend Glaiza (courtesy of Richprime Global Inc. the distributor of Fisher Price toy) asked me to join her and other selected bloggers to have a brief interview with Carrie Lupoli just before she left the Philippines. And boy was I glad for the chance to be up close and personal with Carrie Lupoli. 

You ought to listen to Carrie Lupoli because she has tons of lessons to share regarding child rearing and being a mother. 

Carrie Lupoli's Helpful Tips on how to properly raise your kids :

• Your goal as parents is to raise independent and responsible adults. 
• You should all leave your kids with a big box containing everything that you wanted your kids to have when they grow old and eventually walk away as adults. You have to make sure that you fill this box with only positive traits and attitude. What things do you want to leave your children with? Love, empathy, respect, faith, hard work, academic skills?Hopefully, all the good things. So that one day when your kids move out, they’ll have these box filled with great things that they can unpacked if they needed. You have what they need to have a great box.  
• A lot of people think that child-rearing should just be left to the teachers or to someone with a degree in child development, but what it takes to be a really great mom to your children is simply to be there for your kids. It’s about the quality of time that you spend with your children, make them your priority. Love them unconditionally. Remember you are raising children, a human being, it takes an awesome lot of responsibility. But it is all worth it at the end of the day.
• Carrie shared that parenting style must be age-appropriate. They are a different kid when they were 0-5 year old and they’d be another kid when they’re around 10 year old.  You should remember to use play based, joyful, child initiating, encouraging and responsible learning. For her daughters age now, she's applying the loving disciplinarian style, which will eventually progress to a different style once they reach a certain age group.
• Use Ipod or Itouch to keep your children occupied after dinner when dining out. But  please make sure to upload only educational apps for your sons and daughters to enjoy and learn from.
• Ms. Carrie Lupoli believes that it is very important for you mothers out there to have your own “me-time” in order to ‘recharge’ and ‘de-stress’ from all the stuff that you do every single day. Whether it is as simple as a coffee break or a luxurious pampering spa treatment, mothers deserve such a break. No question asked! We all deserve some pampering.
• There are key components to her own parenting style. Love is always at the core of it. But she believe that if you truly love a child, you have to make a firm relationship with them, like a mentor. You should let your children know that you are also their friend while setting limits for manners and discipline in a fun way. You must be firm that your children can’t get away with everything but your children must not be afraid to come to you and tell you their problems. This is very cool especially at this time and age where bullying is very rampant.
• For moms and moms-to-be, you have what it takes to be a really great mom. Remember that you are doing something awesome. In those times that you get frustrated, just relax, breath and step back and see the bigger picture. You are raising a human being and this is a tremendous amount of responsibility. And as parents, you need to get ready and prepare early for your children to set them up for success. Responsible parenting is equals to joyful learning.

When asked who her mentors were and how she prepared for motherhood. Carrie Lupoli admitted that she struggled having children and was so occupied of being a mom that she didn't have time to prepare for it.

"I struggled to be pregnant. I had a tricky pregnancy then I had a tricky delivery and then I ended up adopting my second child and I've been fighting so hard to get pregnant that I forgot to even check how to be a parent. I don't even know what to expect on the first year. Because by then I got so busy being a mom that I didn't have time to sit to read."quips Carrie Lupoli.

Carrie Lupoli's experiences made her so passionate on helping moms and wants to give practical solutions on preparing their children when they go out in the real world. She also noted how her mother and mother-in-law helped her in the process of raising her children. In fact, her relationship with her mom improved and grew stronger when she became a mom.

Bloggers(Left -Right) Tin,Vance,Cha,Carrie,Glaiza,Monika, Lai Kwan Wong.

Carrie Lupoli's Final Message to all of us: Live and Learn!

Special thanks to Miss Lai Kwan Wong, Brand Manager of Fisher-Price South East Asia, Ms. Julie, Glaiza and Ms. Liann Eugenio of Richwell Club for setting up the interview.
For more information please visit www.facebook.com/richwellclub.
Know more about the Fisher Price's Laugh and Learn Collection at www.richprime.net

No Expiry Date For Gift Certificates

No Expiry Date For Gift Certificates

To all business establishments:

Ignorance of the law excuses no one.

Please read...

Pursuant to DTI Administrative Order No. 10-04 on the Guidelines on the Issuance, Use and Redemption of Gift Checks, Certificates or Gift Cards in accordance with Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and for other Purposes

Starting 01 July 2012, all suppliers, issuers, distributors and sellers are prohibited to issue and/or sell gift certificates/check/cards with an expiry date. 

However, gift certificates/checks/cards that are distributed to consumers under awards, loyalty, or promotional programs are not covered.

All gift checks/certificates/cards with no expiry dates shall be redeemable until used by the bearer.

Holders of unused and unexpired gift check/ certificates/ cards after June 30, 2012 shall be entitled to replacement after revalidation by suppliers.

Terms and conditions of unused gift checks/ certificates/ cards issued before the effectivity of this order shall be honored; but those bearing expiry dates beyond June 30, 2012 shall be subject to revalidation or replacement.

Goods and services that are paid with gift certificates/check/card are qualified in promotional sales activities, loyalty programs, warranties, return policies for cash purchases, and discounts for senior citizens/persons with disability.

The suppliers cannot be held liable for gift certificates/ checks/ cards under that are: 

(a) lost due to no fault of the supplier; and
(b) mutilated or defaced due to no fault of the supplier and such damage prevents the supplier from identifying the security and authenticity features thereof.

BIR: Extended The Validity of Unused/ Unissued Receipt

BIR: Extended The Validity of Unused/ Unissued Receipt

Attention: Business Owners, Professionals, Any person or Corporation issuing Receipt

Good News folks! The BIR extended the validity of unissued and Unused Receipt!

Circular 2013-014: BIR Revenue Memorandum Circular 44-2013 - Extending the validity of unused/unissued principal and supplementary receipts/invoices printed prior to January 18, 2013, the effectivity date of Revenue Regulation No. 18-2012, from June 30, 2013 to August 30, 2013. However, the deadline for filing an application for the printing of new receipts to replace all unused/unissued principal/supplementary receipts/invoices printed prior to January 18, 2013, shall be maintained as of April 30, 2013, and therefore all applications received after said date shall be considered late application and the penalties for late filing shall be imposed.

You could download the copy of  BIR Revenue Memorandum Circular 44-2013 here.

Source: PMAP

Claudine Barreto: Controversial Instagram Post

Claudine Barreto: Controversial Instagram Post

Claudine's fans were concerned with the instagram photo that Claudine Barreto uploaded on social network Instagram earlier today, June 21, 2013. Claudine's daughter Sabina turned nine(9) years old today. Claudine uploaded a photo with daughter Sabina and two unidentified little girls who attended Sabina's birthday party.

In this photo, the black eye and bruises on her right cheek are very obvious. I think ( I may be wrong ) her right cheek is a little bit bloated. What exactly happened to Claudine Barreto? 

This instagram photo were deleted by Claudine when her fans began asking her why she had those bruises.

Champs: Chewable Vitamins For Mommy's Champion

Champs: Chewable Vitamins For Mommy's Champion

When I was just a little girl, I look like a stick. Believe it or not, I was skinny thin! My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncle are worried that I was malnourished. Good thing, I don't have a  big belly. I am thin because I was a picky eater. I turned out to be undernourished. Under nutrition is a consequence of consuming too few essential nutrients. Infants, young children, and teenagers need additional nutrients in order to be healthy.

Recently, I was invited to a round table discussion on the health and wellness of Filipino children hosted by Chemical Company of Malaysia International Philippines, (CCM) the distributor of CHAMPS Chewable Vitamins. 

According to Dra. Lourdes B. Escobar, Obstetrician-Gynecologist at  Delos Santos Medical Center in Quezon City, even if we train our child to eat the proper food, sooner or later when they start to go out in the real world, these little humans will soon start to develop their own preferences and taste.  

It is a sad fact that parent/s can only do "forced" proper feeding to their child up to two (2) years of age. After that, the child will start complaining and eventually start their own diet. When that happens, the child will most probably have inadequate vitamins and minerals required for proper development. Yes, even if he or she appears healthy. 

What to do when your kids are undernourished?

This is where multivitamin supplements, like CHAMPS, come in.  It is safe for children as long as it does not exceed the recommended daily allowance for any vitamins and minerals. Same statement is true even for adults! Giving double dose of multivitamins without doctor's prescription is a big NO-NO!

Dra. Lourdes gave important tips to mommies and guardians. She advised every mommies not to forget to give their children multivitamins everyday.  She also said that it is necessary to consult a pediatrician for proper evaluation and not just celebrity endorsers! There is also a proper time of taking multivitamins, which is after a meal for proper and best absorption.

It is important to present vitamins to your child with a nice taste or else you have to run around the house just to let your child drink vitamins. With this in mind, CMM formulated CHAMPS Chewable Vitamins in fun shapes that taste and smell like candy! CHAMPS Chewable Vitamins have 4 variants formulated to meet specific needs for the Pediatric age group (2-12 years old)





CHAMPS VITAMIN C





CHAMPS M



CHAMPS M + LYSINE


CHAMPS OMEGA-3 PLUS

Champs Chewable Vitamins are distributed by CCM International Philippines, Inc., the local arm of Chemical Company of Malaysia (CCM), the largest generic company in Malaysia. CCM advocates providing effective medications at affordable prices. Consult your doctor about it.

Travel agencies can no longer process Philippine passports

Aimed at bringing equality among all passport applicants, the move of taking away from travel agencies the business of processing of passport application will now be implemented.

Those who will be hit hard by this move are some travel agencies that derive their income mostly from processing of passport application and renewal.

Starting June 21, 2013, travel agencies can no longer process Philippine passports. The accreditation of travel agencies by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to provide passport-related services will lapse on June 20, 2013, after it was extended from December 31, 2012. 

“All applicants will have to go to the DFA in order to have their biometrics taken and other information that will have to be provided to our passport office so that’s why we have seen that the role of travel agencies will be curtailed because of those requirements,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said.

Travel agencies, however, may assist passport applicants only for the purpose of collating the required documents needed to secure a passport. The DFA accreditation of travel agencies for this limited purpose will start in July 2013 up to June 2014.

Under the new guidelines, “there will be no special privileges for passport applicants who go through travel agencies” according to Hernandez.

He said that the only difference between applicants who go through travel agencies and those who do not is that the former may pay the processing fee at any Landbank branch. 

Gone are the days when travel agencies could give special privileges for their clients, including guaranteed same-day processing and access to passport express lanes. 

Yes, folks. Basically, this means that you have to apply for your Philippine passport or its renewal by yourself. Assistance by the accredited travel agencies will be limited to the facilitation of documents needed for passport application. 

Don't you worry. You can very well do it yourself.

For first time applicants of Philippine passports, click HERE.

To secure Philippine passports for minor children, click HERE.

For renewal of Philippine passports, click HERE.

The Angry Rock

The Angry Rock

Used and abused, the rock is now angry, said Kendrick, the son of a fellow blogger. We saw this angry rock at the United Nations (UN) office here in the Philippines. This is the first time that I saw an angry rock up close and personal.

All the rock wanted to do is to be able to help. In a sudden turn of events, after the rock tried to help, the rock is at the losing end and has lost face because of abusive people who used and abused the rock. Sad but true.

I don't know with you guys but like the rock I hate it when other people used and abused my kindness. Maybe it is easy for some people to utter a vow or promise and never bother to fulfill it after they got what they wanted. Growing up, our parents instilled in us the value of "Palabra de Honor" or "word of honor." We sell goods and services even at a loss if we already agreed upon the price beforehand. In the world of business, word of honor is king. 

Some people has the nasty habit of not fulfilling their promise because they oftentimes get away with it. Yes, by twisting the real story. But what they never realized is the stigma when their company or name is brought up. Now, will you be happy to know that people from yesteryear would say bad words when they hear your name because of an unfulfilled promise? Yes, behind your nasty back!

Since time immemorial Chinese merchants trade and conduct business even in the absence of contracts and written agreements. Why is it so? It is because most Chinese, if not all, has a "word of honor:" How about you? Do you have a word of honor?

Remember this: Once you have voluntarily made a vow, see to it that you fulfill your promise. Walk The Talk! If you’re going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk. Don't promise anything if you could not fulfill it.

In conclusion, all I can say is 'talk is cheap'!

Bato bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magagalit!  

Note: The author is not referring to anyone in particular.  So don't be mad. Be cool!

Lamoiyan Corporation: Pinoys' Pride

Lamoiyan Corporation: Pinoys' Pride

Fully Filipino-owned Lamoiyan Corporation has more reasons to smile as it continues to bring world-class quality yet affordable products that never fail to earn the peoples' trust and loyalty, especially now that the company is in its 25th year of existence.

In perfect time with its Silver anniversary this year, the company now has more than 30,000 fans in leading social network site Facebook, and still continuously growing – a feat that only proves the unstoppable patronage it gains from the local market.

’s Facebook page served as a venue to connect with the brand’s market, most of them Filipino moms. Not only that the site served as a tool for to reach out to its market, but also it served as a page where fans can get practical household tips and useful parenting advice for everyday. And when the page reached its 10, 000 mark, took the chance to hear more from their fans and asked them: "Bakitang toothpaste mo?"

From among the thousands of statements made during the campaign, one of the most convincing ones was that of Daisy Villadores de Belen, who admits that their family already tried almost all the toothpaste brands available in the market and yet they still stuck to for her kids really love the taste that is not too spicy. With this, she writes: "Happing happy kami sa."

The same reason was also given by Era Mae Dagondon, who particularly liked ’s flavorful taste, not to mention its refreshing effect to the mouth and the softness of the bubbles she feels every time she brushes her teeth. Meanwhile, Filomena Villanueva swears that it's "really worth it without the need for a mouthwash”.

Apart from its world-class quality that is comparable to other more expensive brands, what's also keeping consumers loyal to toothpaste is its reasonable price. According to Michelle Talaboc, while prices of some commodities continue to go up, it's good to know that Lamoiyan remains affordable, especially for those who have less in life. This, in turn, gives her a reason to smile amid life’s challenges.

For practical mothers who want only the best for their family, toothpaste is indeed the right choice for them. Belinda Maravilla, who considers herself so meticulous in choosing every product she buys, shares that it's only that her family is very satisfied with given the kind of dental care it provides and yet friendly to the budget.

The self-confessed frugal Merly Onayan, on the other hand, cites that she, who values the hard-earnings of her husband, won't settle for something expensive if there's an alternative that can also give the best result in oral hygiene. Because Rho-anne Repre considers the brand as the "ness ng pamilya ko, ness pa ngbulsako!" she indeed gives the consuming public a convincing statement that they need not have to spend more just to have a beautiful smile.

Beyond the wonders of toothpaste as a product, the legacy behind it also contributes to its big following. It is a known fact that Lamoiyan Corporation is a 100 percent Filipino firm established in March 1998 by no less than its visionary owner, Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro who, despite the unfortunate closure of his first business venture Aluminum Containers, Inc., was not discouraged but instead opted to challenge the big multinationals by introducing a purely local brand that is of the same quality as theirs.

Seeing the company's humble beginnings, Cristina Lim stresses that toothpaste truly reflects the very distinct Filipino quality that is "masikap" or "diligent," which can be at par with the best in the world. Proud of the company and its founder's success, Ria Tacderas Bahri, meanwhile, says that it is but proper to love and patronize a brand made by a Filipino for the Filipino. What's more, Lamoiyan sets a good example as a firm that offers equal employment opportunities for hearing-impaired individuals which, for Ace Mendoza, only shows that it truly cares for the people.

These responses, which also share the same sentiments with the rest, clearly reflect this: That toothpaste is truly a world-class yet affordable brand in the market today made by a homegrown company that is Lamoiyan Corporation, whose mission to produce quality products as well as create opportunities for the people for the betterment of the country, is truly a source of Filipino pride. Visit www.facebook.com/HapeeToothpaste, for more household tips and to know more about toothpaste.