It's that time of the year again and the past year has taught me so much about myself. It showed me what I can put up with, what I am not willing to put up with, how far I can go for a friend, and what my limits are or hard stops.

For those who are interested, here is last year's post. 36.

I am thankful to be celebrating my 37th birthday with people who matter to me. Time and again, it is always with my family and people who have accepted me, flaws and all. I know that this has been a recurring theme on this blog but I really am just grateful for all of the blessings that I have and it's not even the material things but the gift of family, friendship, and love.

This year, I want to mention some lessons, things, hopes, dreams, and people who have made my life what it is now.

1. Forgive those who have hurt you. It is not for them but for yourself because you do not want the burden of hatred to be on your shoulders. It is heavy and unnecessary.

2. Say "I appreciate you" to people that you do appreciate. It may seem cheesy but what matters is that you told them and they know. Sometimes, words are just as powerful as actions.

3. For someone like me who is constantly on social media, I have learned again the value of just being in the moment. Yes, pictures are important but after snapping a photo, be in the moment and soak in everything.

4. Listen to music that makes you feel good or inspired. It will work wonders for your soul.

5. Cry. When you feel sad, hurt, angry, betrayed, or down ... CRY IT OUT. Crying is good for the soul as well because you release all the pent up emotions. Cry then move on.

6. Make it a point to make time for friends. A coffee here and there, a message, or just send something to remind them you care and that though you may be far apart, they matter. Everyone wants to be reminded that they matter.

7. This year alone, I have been to Hong Kong 2x, Malaysia 2x, visited Taiwan, Laoag, Cebu, Subic and before the year ends, I will also be going to Iloilo and Singapore. Travel seems to have taken a liking to me and I am falling in love with it. It is true that travel introduces you to sides of yourself that you never knew existed.

8. It is my 2nd year with PSST and from a mere 100 views we are now almost at 2M views in just 2 years. How time flies but this proves to me that when you are willing to do the hustle, you will reap what you sow.

9.  Let go of the negative. When something or someone doesn't bring you anything positive or make you happy, let go.

10. Pursue your passions. Let it fuel your life.

11. Learn new things. As long as you are living, learn something new.

12. Friends. Real friends anyway. They remain and the fake ones are removed by God. They accept me for who I am, support me in my crazy dreams and ideas, and ground me when needed.

13. Family. Always with me and will never leave me. They will give me tough love because they love me.

14. Brent. No words.

15. God. He always has an answer and it is either yes, no, or wait. I have learned to have faith in his plans for me. Sometimes I attempt to negotiate but THY WILL BE DONE.

Thank YOU for everything. Cheers to a stronger 37th year.


PS. Special mention to D for being part of my 36th year and teaching me a valuable lesson in life. As I said, I do not regret meeting you for you showed me many things and taught me a lot of things as well as enabled me to do a lot. Also, I will be forever grateful for you accompanying my son.

Thank you for everything and for making my 36th year better. I wish you all the best.

It's that time of the year again and the past year has taught me so much about myself. It showed me what I can put up with, what I am...

There are Korean dramas and then there ARE Korean Dramas. There are dramas that just touches your heart and soul and it leaves a mark o...

Finally, the one event that I look forward to the most in a year has happened and I am so excited to share with all of you the new items that will be out, the new drink, new cards, and of course, the new planner.


First off, I just had to hug this giant mug which also shows the Christmas design of the "red" cups. This year, they opted not to have red cups but rather, one that is more encompassing of everything. Personally, I loved this one since I love doodles and colors.

The merchandise that I liked were the fox mug as well as the YAH Christmas mugs. They just look really elegant.



Thankfully, I already have two of the cards below which are both the Pilipinas card since they are all gorgeous. The Cup card is a must have.


Now let's start with the drinks. This year, Peppermint is making a comeback but with a twist since this now comes with Green Tea whipped cream on top which actually made it better. The Toffee Nut is of course a staple and the newcomer of the season is the Vanilla Nougat which tasted like marshmallows.


I was able to try all three and I have to say that I will be drinking them in rotations coz everything tasted good. This is a first for me since I really hated the Praline drink from last year.

Now, we finally get to the best part which is the planner and because I love you guys, here are a few snaps. So this year, contrary to popular opinion that it would be the same as the SG planner, Philippines decided to have their own design. The 2018 Starbucks Christmas planner comes in a leather cover which is tan and chocolate brown.



The insides are the usual array of colors and doodles.



Now this is the new shocker. Every single planner comes with this Special Edition PILIPINAS card. Yes, you read that right. EVERY. SINGLE. PLANNER.


There are no more lines so for people like me who can't write straight, ouch!


I still love the little doodles though.



It also comes with a stencil so you can personalize everything.


Now this is the best part. When you activate your planner card on January 1, 2018 you get a chance to be one of the 20 winners of a Starbucks beverage drink for the rest of the year. That is ONE GRANDE DRINK every single day for 2018.

Ottoke ottoke! I wanna win this.


We also had the chance to write wishes for ourselves and this is mine.


Cheers to more Starbucks goodness and people who are real.


PS. These are puddings which will be available at Starbucks starting November 2. All merch and drinks are available on the same date.

Who's excited?

Finally, the one event that I look forward to the most in a year has happened and I am so excited to share with all of you the new items tha...

Lately, a lot of my friends have been asking me for recommendations. It used to be just about food but now it's about phones, laptops, where to go, make up, lipsticks, and what not. I've even been asked which school I would recommend.

Over the last month, I have gotten so many products and what not that I don't have time anymore to write a full article about each and I've realized that writing a full article may not be the best way to go about it. I've always loved listicles and so I decided to go ahead and do that. So here you go. This is a list of things that I love this week or things that made me feel good.

Note though not all of these are sent over. A great example is #1 which I just really wanted to try.


I've decided to create a new section on my site for things that I would recommend. I'm hoping to do this on a weekly basis and it will be a combination of different things. I guess you can expect the unexpected.

So let's start shall we?

1. Kiss Me Tiramisu 

So this ice cream place comes from Seoul, Korea and people over there go crazy over it. Long lines and it just boomed on social media so when I saw that it opened here in Manila, I just had to have a go at it.

Verdict: Definitely worth the hype. The Tiramisu ice cream is velvety and creamy. The taste is just sooo good that I wanted to try all 3 flavors all at once. This one in the photo is the Tiramisu flavored one and you can definitely taste the tiramisu in it. This costs Php265 but you get to bring home the cup.



2. Justice League Wonder Woman Shirt 

I am not a big fan of anything comics. I watch all the movies that come out but I'm not heavily invested in it. However I do like Wonder Woman and so when I got this shirt 2 days ago, I knew that I have found the perfect shirt to wear to my talk. It's also very comfy and I love that it just has the logo on it. Minimalist yet empowering.


3. Bloody Murder from Mystic Brew Cafe 

In time for Halloween, Mystic Brew has come up with a drink that combines chocolate and raspberry which in my head is a really awesome combination. If you are not fond of strong drinks though, make sure to mix it before drinking.

Lately, a lot of my friends have been asking me for recommendations. It used to be just about food but now it's about phones, laptops, w...

Yesterday, I was able to give a talk at my alma mater about writing content for new media. It was nerve wracking but I think I did pretty well. My main  basis was the fact that the millenials who attended were barely on their phone and they actually asked questions. They were also responsive and laughed at the right moments which is always an awesome feeling coz a joke that falls flat is just horrible.



To sum up my talk, here are some tips on how you can write content for new media.

1. Be YOU.

Everyone else is already taken. As cliche as it sounds, you can only be yourself and sell that. Yes, people might not buy your brand immediately but if you keep at it hard enough, long enough, and not give up, you'll find your voice and people will start to listen.

If you pretend to be someone, you may get a few audience but how long can you maintain the act?

2. Be RELEVANT.

In this day and age where videos go viral in the blink of an eye, how do you become relevant and stay relevant? How do you make yourself stand out? How do you matter? How do you last longer than 15seconds?

Why should people watch you, listen to you, and follow you? If you can answer these questions, then you will become relevant in this world full of irrelevant things. This is how you will have your voice be heard and how you can stay relevant.

3. Be RELATABLE.

Stories are told for a reason. People read stories because there is something about it that they can relate to. When your content is something that a lot of people can feel a connection to, your story becomes their story and people like sharing their story.

4. Be REAL.

Whatever you do, you need to stay true to yourself. Do not sell yourself for a sponsored post or anything that is just a "for now" kind of thing. Be real and write about the things you actually believe in. Create content for the things that matter to you because you can never sell something that you do not believe in.

Do not be a sell out just to get an invite to an event, a collab with a brand that you don't even like, or advertise something that you don't really like. Continue putting yourself out there on things that you love and eventually, they will start to seek you and the money will follow.


5. Be RESILIENT. 

Create content that will resonate throughout the world. Use your influence to become a voice that should be listened to. Do something that will make a positive impact in the world and never give up. Keep going. Keep fighting. Keep believing. You are meant to shine and to share to the world what you have to say.

Keep writing. The world needs to read what you have to say.

Thank you to Team Communication for inviting me and I hope that I was able to inspire and impart a few things here and there.


PS. The mug is super awesome! Thank you!

Yesterday, I was able to give a talk at my alma mater about writing content for new media. It was nerve wracking but I think I did pretty we...

There are 3 things you never ask a woman.

Her age.
Her weight.
Her waistline.

It's considered in bad taste but times have changed and there are more and more people who seem to think that it is okay to do so. After all, one of the first things people ask through online dating is your age.



However, there are still many women who feel uncomfortable discussing these things especially their weight ... sometimes even to their doctors. It's just excruciating especially when you are overweight because whether people admit it or not, people judge.

Thankfully, we don't even need to go to a doctor to track our weight, body mass index, or even body fat. The mini PICOOC does all these for you and more at the comfort of your home. Do note that for any other health reasons aside from just monitoring your weight, it is adviseable to see a doctor.

There are 3 things you never ask a woman. Her age. Her weight. Her waistline. It's considered in bad taste but times have changed ...

Jodi Sta. Maria has become of the most fashionable actresses of our time. From the red carpet to what she wears on her soap opera and even the time she is out with her child, Jodi manages to look simply fashionable and elegant which is why it came as no surprise that she collaborated with Avon Fashions.

After all, Avon has always been at the forefront of supporting and empowering women to conquer their battles, no matter how big or small because it understands that there are no small battles. In this latest collaboration, Jodi and Avon created something special for the busy and determined Filipina – the Designed by Jodi Accessories collection.

Jodi Sta Maria understands the hassle of toting a bag that looks good but isn’t easy to carry around. For her, you shouldn’t have to be the one to adjust to your bag. The bag should help a woman, not hinder her. This is why her passion project consists of practical yet ultra-trendy bags that are versatile enough to use any time of the day.



We were able to get our hands on the Jodi Travel Backpack and Slng Set which retails for Php1,199. What we loved about this set is that it equips your travels and more because of the lightweight satin polyester fabric. It even comes with a bag tag that encourages wanderlust. It can easily fit your laptop because it has a laptop compartment and zipper in front and on the side which gives you more compartments to use. It also looks very sleek and can go from casual to even office use.





This set will be available soon through your Avon Lady or online at www.avon.ph

Jodi Sta. Maria has become of the most fashionable actresses of our time. From the red carpet to what she wears on her soap opera and even t...

Lately there has been a lot of talks about depression and how people can spot the signs. People are becoming more aware of the realness of depression and almost not a month passes by that you do not hear that a friend of a friend or someone that you know killed himself.

Depression is real.


However, depression does not have 1 face only. There are no sure signs. There are no tangible and valid signs that show you that if so and so person fits the checklist, then he must be depressed. If that were the case, then most people would say "I knew he was going to kill himself eventually. I just didn't wanna deal with it." Instead, most people are shocked, dumbfounded, and in total loss when they hear that someone took their own life.

Why is that?

It is because depression comes in many faces, many forms, many little signs, and many ways. It is never just one look. It is never just one song that someone listens to again and again. It is not a look. It is not a style. It is not something that people who are suicidal conforms to.

Depressed people are not always suicidal. However, most suicides are caused by depression and the feeling of complete hopelessness. So what is depression? Why am I even talking about this? What do I know about it?


My name is Kathy and I have been depressed for almost 20 years. It started when I was 17 and has been a constant visitor in my life. When this photo was taken. I was severely depressed and this was taken September 27, 2017.

Depression never fully goes away. It hides its ugly head and then appears when you least expect it. You could be happy and have things going well for you and then it hits you and you find yourself on the bathroom floor cying because it feels like the world has ended or is about to end.

You could be okay then someone says something really hurtful and you can't get it out of your head. It just repeats itself over and over again then other words come back and you can't breathe anymore and you feel like the shittiest person on Earth. You could be laughing yesterday and today, all you can see is darkness, all you can feel is sadness, and you just don't even know why you continue to live.

It could be a word. A look. A song. The rain. A memory. The wrong touch.

The triggers differ for each person but the feeling of misery that creeps in is all too familiar. It is the same for almost anyone suffering from depression. The feeling that you don't matter ... that you are not worthy ... that if you disappear, no one would even notice ... the feeling of wanting to cease to exist ... of utter hopelessness ... it just hits you and it hits you hard.

For me, I learned to deal with my depression through creative ways. I would play sad music and sing my heart out. I would write. I would cry. I'd ask for hugs. I'd color. I'd clean. I'd pour myself into work.

What does not work is being reminded why I should not be depressed. I already know why I shouldn't be but I AM DEPRESSED. I can't help it. I do not want it. I do not love it. I wish I could throw it in the middle of the ocean and never see it again but I AM DEPRESSED and telling me how blessed I am or that I have people who love me DOES NOT HELP.

Being reminded of those things sometimes actually make me feel more depressed because I feel worse. You just belittled my depression. You just undermined how I felt. I didn't want to feel that way  in the first placec and your judgement is not welcome. It does not not make things better. This is why people who are depressed won't say anything and this is the worst thing that can happen.

To those who are depressed, if you can't reach out to family or friends for fear of being shamed or they won't understand it, reach out to strangers or call a hotline.

Manila Lifeline Centre 
Contact by: - Phone 
Hotline: (02) 8969191
Hotline: Mobile phone: 0917 854 9191

Sometimes, talking to a complete stranger who won't judge you can work wonders. If you really feel uncomfortable talking, then write it down. It doesn't need to be a Nobel peace but just write down what is in your head as a form of release.

What is important for people who are depressed is to find a healthy way to release their thoughts. What is important for people who have family or friends who are depressed is that sometimes, they do not even need your thoughts. They just need you to listen and remind them that you love them no matter how unstable they may seem ... that they are more than their illness.

My name is Kathy. I am a single Mom to a beautiful 12 year old boy. I am the editor of an online portal that has almost 2M hits in just 2 years. I have been nominated for Top Lifestyle Blog. I give talks about parenting on TV and I have family and friends who love me and support me no matter what.

My name is Kathy and I have been depressed for the last 20 years. I am sick but I am treating myself the best way I know how and I am fighting for myself. Fight with me. Do not judge me. The world needs more love and understanding, not judgement or hate.

PS. I wrote this in the hopes of shedding more understanding on what goes on in the mind of someone depressed, someone who by society's standards should not be depressed because there are people who would kill to be in my shoes. I wrote this because if it can save even one life, then I would have served a bigger purpose in this world.

PPS. I wrote something similar back in 2011.

Lately there has been a lot of talks about depression and how people can spot the signs. People are becoming more aware of the realness of d...

It's been almost a month. It's been almost a month since life threw you a curve so hard that you haven't been able to stand tall again. It's been a month since the world as you know it for the past few months has changed.

Yes, things have changed.

It is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer how you knew it to be. It is no longer how you knew things to be and perhaps, it will never be the way it used to be.

Perhaps.

We don't really know anymore ... we simply float now ... letting tide take us where it wants to, not being able to control what happens where, when, how, or why.


Are you okay? Will you ever be okay? Will you be able to recover from yet another part of you being torn away from you so hard that it has left a gaping hole where your heart used to be? Will you be able to smile fully again? Will your eyes sparkle like it used to? Will you laugh heartily and without care? Will things be ever the way it used to be?

Perhaps.

Why do you hold on? Why have you not let go? Why have you not cut ties? Why do you hang on even when you're not sure there is something to hold on to? Why do you keep pretending to be strong and okay when deep inside you are crumpled and broken? Why do you still hope that things will be the way it used to be?



Why do you love?

Perhaps. Perhaps I love because when you take out the bad, there were many good things and moments. Perhaps I love because I choose to look at the good and understand the bad. Perhaps I love because he matters more than my feelings of hurt. Perhaps I love because I know no other way. Perhaps I love because I do not know how not to love him.

Perhaps ... I love because I just do.



I'm just here for you.

Love, ME.

It's been almost a month. It's been almost a month since life threw you a curve so hard that you haven't been able to stand t...