Image was taken from petcaravan.com

When I was young, I remember that the first pet I had was a cute white kitten. But our friendship didn't last long when my parents discovered that I have asthma. (Poor me)

But that was years and years ago and now I can cuddle a cat for as long as I want since I never had any asthma attacks in recent years. But as much as I want to keep a cat or any pet at home, we can't do it since my 1-year old son was also diagnosed with asthma. He must have got it from me (Sorry, Charles)

For those who would like to adopt a cat or a kitten, Hobbes and Landes in Bonifacio High Street in Taguig will host the CARA booth featuring rescued pets that are ready for adoption tomorrow, Oct. 23 from 4 to 9 p.m.

For more information, you can either email cara.adoption@gmail.com or call 0915-8405535. You may also want to visit www.caraphil.org.

Image taken from filstar.com.ph

Christmas is just around the corner. Well in our country, the anticipation starts on the first day of the Ber months.

Just in case you're thinking of a good gift to your love ones, why not consider sending those faraway home with a greeting card. Sure, sending snail mails or post card maybe a thing of a past for some people but many still appreciates receiving cards from love ones because you know that that person who sent that letter pour in his/ her heart out in writing a massage for you. I know because I have worked for two years as an OFW.

Then I read this item from www.filstar.com:

With compassion and hope as its prime driving force, Filstar has teamed up with the Leukemic Indigents Fund Endowment (l.i.f.e.) Foundation to create the charitable venture, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. Since its inception in 1995, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. has brought about the creation of a support system that raised public awareness and generated funds for young leukemic indigents through the sale of specially crafted Christmas cards.

Now on its 15th year, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. renews its commitment to these children whose tomorrows deserve a second chance. The 2010 collection of Hallmark for l.i.f.e. reflects the grandeur and sincerity of the Filipino celebration of Christmas. What has made this collection even more special are the local painters, photographers and art collectors who came together and wholeheartedly contributed their works to this noble cause.

Hallmark for l.i.f.e. Year 15 Collection features the masterpieces of famed artist Manuel Baldemor, Nani Reyes, Jovito Andres, Bernardo Maac, Dr Dan Lerma, Mamerto Ronan Yñigo, Dante Hipolito, Vincent “Bing” Reyes, Ysa Gernale, Charlie Val and Francis Nacion.

Christmas is a perfect time for people to strengthen the bonds with their fellowmen. Hallmark provides an opportunity to achieve that and even more. Through Hallmark for l.i.f.e., anyone can bring happiness, inspire hope and save lives with just a greeting card.

Hallmark cards are available in leading bookstores nationwide.

“There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.”  This Chinese proverb perfectly defines how unconditional mother's love is

It's nice to hear that SM Department Store and ABS-CBN Publishing joined forces in coming up Special Moments bookazine, a compilation of photographs and articles showing the tender and joyful moments between mothers and their children.

Special Moments is a partnership between the two companies that highlights the beautiful time in Mom’s life when she is with her little ones. Featured in the pages of the bookazine are different families that willingly gave their time, talents and energy to share their little yet meaningful experiences.

Making their participation more special is that they also get to support the beneficiaries of this project — the kids of Bantay Bata 163, ABS-CBN Foundation advocacy arm focused on protecting the rights and ensuring the bright future of children. 

The next time you drop by an SM Mall, why not check thic bookzine for a cause which will help a lot of child in need.

As a member of the Aklan Socio-Civic Association (ASCA), I am on the look for any worthy project that we can conduct notr only in the province but also for other areas as well.

While searching onlinbe, I was routed to the official website of Global Volunteer Network who actually has an open call for individual and/ or group volunteers

Here's some info I got from the said website...

Volunteering Projects in Philippines. Join programs in teaching, health, environment, school building and maintenance, and cultural exchange, centered in Manila and in the Romblon province. You can choose from the following programs where you want to engage into:

Children's Program
School Building and Maintenance Program
Environment Program
Teaching Program
Health Program

Interested parties just need to fill-out a form posted in the website and a representative from the group will contact you.

In the Philippines, 60,000 to 100,000 children are trafficked annually (through both cross-border & internal trafficking), and most of these girls are to be sexually exploited.

The Philippines also ranks fourth in the world in terms of countries with the highest number of prostituted children.

Inspired by our founder Anita Roddick and her commitment and passion for justice, The Body Shop is proud to continue her fight against human trafficking, bringing awareness of this modern-day slave trade to world leaders and the global community.

To sign up to this worthwhile campaign to stop sex trafficking, just click HERE.

Guys, anyone there thinking of a great gift for a love one? Here's my suggestion: how about a caricature?

I am posting this to help a friend of Ms. Erlanie Manalo whom I stumbled upon in FB. Here's her actual note:

Hi Friends! I need your help regarding the baby of my High school friend Ren Bautista Chua. Her baby is sick, suffering from heart disease called junctional rhythm and she also have a hole in her heart. She would need a pacemaker to make her heart beat normal. That would cost P200-300k. We have fund raising project to finance Zoe's needs.

Jason, her husband is making caricature. for P1000, and additional P800 for every additional face in the artwork. Just send copy of your pictures... I hope you can help us by ordering caricature and circulating this fund raising project to your friend.

Here’s how to order:
1. Email your photo to zoecaricature@yahoo.com. Send 2-3 photos for reference.
2. Send the following details along with your photo.
...Name/ Contact No./ Specify Details (theme of the Caricature):
ex. Superman, playing golf, dancing queen, wedding, etc.
3. Please allow 5-7 working days for your caricature to be completed.
4. You will receive the artwork printed in 8x10 format.

PRICES:
Number of persons in a drawing: Price
1 P1000
2 P1800
3 P2600
4 P3400
5 P4200

*** Additional P800 for every additional person in the drawing
Add P100 for framed artwork
Add P200 for your caricature to be printed in mug.

NOTE: For orders outside Manila, there will be additional shipping cost.
Please send the payment to her bank account:
Account Name: Morena Amor Chua
Account Number: 658-3-658-15579
Bank: Metrobank Ortigas Emerald Ave.

Note: Email her the reference no./transaction no. once payment has been done.

For other inquiries, here’s her contact detail:
Mobile no. 0929-1156001
YM: chua.ren@yahoo.com
Email: zoecaricature@yahoo.com

In this post is a photo of Baby Zoe along with a sample caricature done by his dad. I myself is a father that's why I know what he's going through right now. I've been there not once but twice. Lost my first child in August 2007 and good thing my second kid survived pneumonia last December after 9 days in the hospital.

I hope this would reach people who can help baby Zoe. She's very cute even with a dextrose on. Pagaling ka agad, baby! Many people will help you!