The Simple Life I’m Manifesting for My Family in 2027

I haven’t blogged in a long time.

Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to return to writing. Not just posting snapshots on Instagram or uploading short-form videos on TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts, but actually writing again. The way I used to. The way I used to capture moments, record my thoughts, document the little things happening around me and inside me.

There’s something different about written words. They hold weight differently. They preserve feelings in a way quick posts sometimes can’t. For the longest time, I kept telling myself I didn’t have enough time to blog anymore.

But if I’m being honest with myself, I do.

I have time to endlessly scroll through my phone. I have time to binge-watch series late into the night. So surely, somewhere in between all of that, I can make time to write again. And so here I am. Writing again. Blogging again. Trying to capture this strange season of my life that somehow feels chaotic, clear, confusing, and peaceful all at once. Which sounds contradictory, I know.

How can there be peace in chaos? How can there be clarity in confusion? But somehow, both exist together. So many things in my life have been changing lately. Some good. Some uncertain. Some completely beyond my control.

Work, for example, has been one of those things. I know I’ve been doing well, but sometimes life shifts in ways you cannot predict no matter how hard you work or how prepared you think you are.And during moments like these, I find myself turning back to God again and again.

Because when I look back at every difficult season I’ve survived, every heartbreak, every struggle, every challenge that once felt impossible, I realize there has always been one constant in my life: God carried me through all of it. 

I pray. I trust. I do my part. And somehow, He always provides exactly what I need when I need it. I just need to be ready when the blessings arrive.

Recently, I heard someone talk about manifestation. They said that when you manifest something, you need to be specific. Clear. Intentional. And honestly, I laughed a little because I remember doing exactly that years ago.

About eight years ago, an old woman in an old church told me to pray for the man I was going to marry. At the time, I remember thinking: “I don’t need a man. I need more money.” But apparently, God knew me better than I knew myself. Because somehow, He gave me both: a good man and enough provision to build a life together.

So now, I want to manifest again. And this time, I want to be very specific.

By 2027, I want us to look back at 2026 and say: “We made it through.” Not just survived, but survived with grace. I want us to get through 2026 without anyone in our family becoming severely ill. Without hospitalizations. Without losing people we deeply love. I want our family to remain safe, healthy, protected, and together.

I want Mark and me to still be happily married, still respectful toward one another, still choosing each other every day even when life gets difficult.

I want our kids to continue living normal, happy lives. I want them to do well in school, to grow into kind human beings, and to always feel safe coming to us for anything.

I want B to thrive in school and be surrounded by teachers who genuinely guide and inspire him during his junior and senior years.

I want K to continue learning, laughing, making memories with friends, and growing up surrounded by people who nurture, support, and love him.

I want all our pets to stay healthy too because they are family in every sense of the word.

Financially, I pray that by 2027, we would have paid off all our debts. To people. To institutions. To everyone. I pray for peace that comes from finally breathing without constantly worrying about finances. I pray that Mark continues thriving in his work as chief photojournalist, doing what he loves and being recognized for it.

And for me?

I hope my journaling workshops grow bigger. I hope I get booked at least three times a month by companies for mental health programs. I hope people begin inviting me to weddings and birthdays to host journaling workshops because they see how meaningful and healing they can be. I want to build something purposeful. Something creative. Something that helps people reconnect with themselves.

I also pray that we can finally start saving for the down payment of what will become our forever home. Nothing extravagant. Just a safe home filled with warmth, laughter, pets, conversations, and peace.

I want simple things. Family dinners together. Occasional days out. Slow mornings. Inside jokes. Shared meals. Watching movies together. Being present with one another. I know some people dream of huge things. And maybe this sounds small to others.

But honestly? 

This is the life I truly want. To earn more than enough. To build security for our children. To love my husband well. To raise kind kids. To protect our peace. To grow older with the people I love. To create a home where everyone feels safe, heard, and cared for. That’s the dream.

What about you? What do you dream about? 

PHILSME Business Expo – Where Business Ideas Come to Life This May

What if the next opportunity for your business—or your next big idea—starts with simply showing up?

The 18th PHILSME Business Expo & Conference, happening May 22–23, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, invites Filipinos to step into a space filled with business ideas, connections, and real opportunities.

“While others are pulling back, this is exactly when you should lean in,” said CEO Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla.

More than an expo—an experience

Visitors can explore:

• Business ideas and franchise opportunities

• Tools and services to grow their ventures

• Real conversations with entrepreneurs and founders

Inspiration on stage

One of the most exciting sessions is:

“Market Makers: Women Designing Their Own Tables,” featuring:

• Ace Gapuz

• Wandalyn Tan-Calupig

• Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla

• Atty. Tina De Guzman

They are joined by respected business leaders:

• Boni De Jesus

• Jojo Apolo

• Ed Cervantes

Together, they bring stories, strategies, and insights that reflect today’s entrepreneurial journey.

Show up—and stand out

“If you think staying home saves your business—think again. In volatile times, invisibility is more expensive than participation.”

Visitors can attend for free—or upgrade to a VIP Pass for a more elevated experience, including access to exclusive networking spaces.

Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, you can register for free or upgrade to VIP Pass at:
https://philsme.com/ticket/ 

Judy Ann Santos dishes out her secret ingredient: creamier, milkier cheese for everyday meals

From weekday breakfasts before school to weekend lunches shared with family, many of our best food memories come from recipes we grew up with. They’re passed down, revisited, and refined over generations.

 

Most of the time, cheese is the secret ingredient that levels up a simple meal in just one step. It’s a versatile kitchen staple that can be used as bread fill or grated and melted to add a more flavorful finish into any recipe.

 

For over four decades, Eden Cheese has been part of many Filipino tables, from quick merienda to celebrations big and small. Today, the brand continues that legacy with something new to love: Eden Cheese is now creamier and milkier, adding a fuller bite that makes the meals Filipinos grew up with feel Eden Better.

A trusted celebrity chef and Eden’s long-time brand ambassador, Judy Ann Santos, is known for putting ingredients to the test in everyday dishes. For her, the upgrade shows up where it matters most: in the flavor, texture, and how easily it works with what she regularly cooks at home.

 

“When I’m in the kitchen, I pay close attention to how ingredients come together in a dish. Eden has long been a staple in our home because it complements Filipino food so well. With this new update, I can truly taste that it’s better—creamier, milkier, and richer. It’s also easy to grate while prepping, and it adds depth that can make even simple recipes feel more special,” she said.

 

A Taste That Knows Filipino Families

Eden Cheese has long been part of Filipino food culture, known for its understanding of the Filipino palate and for seamlessly enhancing local dishes. It reflects the warmth, care, and togetherness that define Filipino family life — values that continue to inspire its evolution today.

 “A lot of people know that cooking and preparing food is my love language and I’m always looking for ways to make recipes that my family will enjoy while still feeling good about what I serve. And as someone who has been using Eden for years, it’s familiar, reliable, and bagay na bagay sa panlasa namin.

“And ngayong upgraded na rin ‘yung Eden Cheese mismo, mas lalo niyang na-elevate yung mga classic na Pinoy lutong-bahay, but without losing the taste na kinalakihan natin,” Judy Ann added.

Marketing Director for Mondelez International Philippines Adrian Manlapig affirms that the new Eden formulation keeps the well-loved flavor Pinoys know and trust, while making the texture smoother and the taste more indulgent and comforting.

 

“For over 40 years, Eden has been part of Filipino homes and local food traditions. As the No. 1 Filipino family favorite, we continue to evolve with Filipino families’ preferences and the meals they share. With this reformulation, we focused on delivering a more enjoyable and an ‘Eden Better’ eating experience,” he said.

Making Everyday Meals Eden Better

From sandwiches to saucy classics, Eden Cheese fits naturally into many Filipino kitchens. It melts, mixes, and layers in with ease, adding a creamy, savory lift while keeping the comfort-food feel.

“Grate it over Filipino-style spaghetti, mix it into lumpia filling, or stir it into caldereta for a cheesy twist—Eden is a convenient way to add richness to the dishes being served at home,” said Joan Naranjo, Mondelez International Philippines Category Lead for Meals.

 

“In addition to its improved taste and texture, each serving of Eden Cheese contains Milk Vitamins A, B2, and D, plus Calcium and Zinc, to support everyday nutrition alongside meals,” she emphasized.

 

Watch Eden Cheese’s latest TVC featuring Judy Ann Santos and discover how you can give your home-cooked meals a creamier and milkier upgrade. See the full video here.

Because when meals are made with Eden, they’re always Eden Better.