" ‘Mom’ turns one"
Sun.Star Davao, Nov. 3, 2007


Today is “Mom-About-Town’s” first year anniversary and you are reading my 52nd article!

A year ago, I received an e-mail from Sun.Star Davao’s editor in chief Stella Estremera, “I’m just wondering what’s keeping you busy? Are you interested to write for us? Depends on what interests you though”.

I replied, “It would be an honor to write for Sun.Star!”.

Like most of this newspaper’s columnists, I also have a regular job outside of media. But, I told Stella that I would love to write and take photos during my spare time.

However, I articulated my concern, “I don’t have any “specialization” or claim to be an expert at something though”.

For a few days, I pondered about possible column titles and finally thought of “Mom-About-Town”. Being a mother of two kids, I have a busy life going around Davao doing mommy-related activities, attending kiddie events and parties, among others.

I proposed my title to Stella and she readily agreed, “We would love to have those features on real children, people and your community, what they're doing. Feel good topics from a mother’s point-of-view”.

Anything under the sun

Week after week, I looked forward to finding new topics. Whenever I had an idea, I would consult my sister-in-law Patricia or husband Gary if it would make an interesting subject. I would even ask Gary to proofread and critique my article before submitting it to the editor.

Brainstorming and preparing for the column was a family affair, indeed! It was a labor of love, too.

And, I’m happy to share that from November 4, 2006 until today, I have not missed an article every Saturday.

I have featured anything under the sun: kiddie-friendly establishments, human interest stories, unique parties, “mom-on-the-street” interviews, musicals, shows, culinary courses, pet shops, bazaars, family-friendly destinations, parenting seminars and books, etc.

Whenever I received e-mails from readers or get positive comments personally, it really made my day knowing that people appreciated the column. I hope in my own little way, I have entertained, inspired, informed, educated and empowered fellow parents.

Blog site

Almost the same time as I started writing, I began posting my articles together with the column’s actual lay-out on my Friendster account. I likewise included the photos and captions which I used for the column.

I received a lot of encouraging words from friends and acquaintances living abroad expressing that they were very glad to read my column because aside from the valuable parenting tips, “Mom-About-Town” kept them updated about life in Davao.

In June 2007, I moved my blog to http://www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com. All my articles from November 2006 to the present are posted there.

First year anniversary contest

As a way of thanking the readers, I organized my first year anniversary contest with the generous help of different sponsors.

All the contestants had to do was to answer these questions: “Why do you read Mom-About-Town” and “What was your most favorite article and why?”

I am proud to announce the contest’s winners:

MAJOR PRIZE WINNERS:

AILEEN BRIGOLE-ABADILLA (Ruby St., Phase 4, Ecoland Subd.)
AMY BORRE-SAZON (Victoria Heights, Lanang, D.C.)
HONEYLET CONCEPCION-LIM (Ecoland Subd., Phase I, D.C.)

The major prize winners will each receive the following:

*1 One-Day Lifestyle Course gift certificate from the Center for Asian Culinary Studies worth P1,500;
*1 free kiddie dental cleaning and topical fluoride with consultation gift certificate worth P550 from Dental Point Clinic; and
*1 free movie pass (P70) from NCCC Mall Cinema

1st RUNNERS-UP:

JUDILYN GUTIERREZ-ZAMBALES (Great Britain, UK)
VIVIAN VILLANUEVA-SABULAO (Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.)

1st runners-up will each receive the following:

*1 Blu Gre Coffee gift certificate worth P500;
*1 free kiddie dental cleaning and topical fluoride with consultation gift certificate worth P550 from Dental Point Clinic; and
*1 free movie pass (P70) from NCCC Mall Cinema

2nd RUNNERS-UP:

ANNE MICHELLE ORIGENES-SICAM (Great Britain, UK)
OLIVE HUA TE (Rivera Village, Bajada, D.C.)

2nd runners-up will each receive the following:

*1 Blu Gre Coffee gift certificate worth P500;
*1 Lego kit (P350) from Oak and Acorn; and
*1 bowling pass (P60) from NCCC’s B3

3rd RUNNER-UP:

JACQUELINE DAKUDAO DUMLAO (Lanang, D.C.)

3rd runner-up will receive the following:

*1 scrapbook pack worth P300 from Crafter’s Haven;
*1 Lego kit (P350) from Oak and Acorn; and
*One (1) ½ gallon Allegro Ice Cream

4th RUNNERS-UP:

HENRI ABENIS-MACAHILO (Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE)
CHERRYL CHAN-TABIN (Family Dental Care Clinic, JP Laurel cor. Cabaguio Ave., D.C.)
ALEXIS JR PALANCA RIVERA (Sineguelas St. D.A Pampanga Homes, Lanang, D.C.)
MARDY NAYRE-NUNEZ (La Verna Hills, D.C.)

4th runners-up will each receive the following:

*1 scrapbook pack worth P300 from Crafter’s Haven;
*One (1) ½ gallon Allegro Ice Cream; and
*2 bowling passes from NCCC’s B3

I wish to congratulate and sincerely thank the winners for participating in the contest.

To all the readers, thank you for making the column your Saturday reading habit.

A million thanks to the various sponsors and Sun.Star Davao for wholeheartedly supporting “Mom-About-Town” and its first year anniversary!

Next Saturday, meet the winners and read their answers!

(For your comments and suggestions, you may e-mail me at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com)