JLofied: I Love Being a Mom : The Wrap Up

It took me a while starting this wrap up post, it took me 2 days to be exact. After the event, I started uploading photos and I did not care that I need to do a blog post about the event right away. Yes, the #ibm2014 is just one of my CBSME Module 2 requirements, but it turned out to be more than just a school project.

Where do I begin?

I found myself having a steam bath at The Spa - Trinoma this afternoon after hearing an angel saying "for all your hard work, you need a tap on the back". Then I said to myself, yes of course! I deserve a little pampering, I deserve a 'me' time. This is also the best time to live by with the mantra that I am applying now "Work hard, Give More, and Play Harder", and it is Play Time baby! :-)

As I sip a hot ginger tea while I am having a foot scrub, I didn't noticed that I'm teary eyed. I closed my eyes and thanked the Lord for giving me such a comfortable life, a life that is far different from the girls of Nazareth.

The Girls of Nazareth

Not all people will be given a chance in their lifetime to work with this kind of project. Meeting the girls is an opportunity not just to help but also an opportune time to be thankful that we are blessed.

Nazareth Home provides expectant mothers with a holistic and rehabilitative service which includes food, shelter, medical care (pre-natal, childbirth, post-natal through the hospital), casework & counseling, value formation and spiritual growth, skills training & personality development, and family therapy. The counseling is focused on family preservation and permanency planning for the child.

The I <3 Being a Mom Project

I knew from the start that the project is doable with the limited amount of time to work on it. I also knew that I will face a lot of challenges, and there were times that my patience is being tested and I think I am getting good at it, but working with grace under pressure is harder 'tho.

The projects' main objective is to show that Social Media can be a platform for social change and anyone has the power to motivate others to give back to society. And yes, objectives attained. 80% of the people who worked with me on this project I met only on the day of the event. I am really amazed with the power of social media in generating the buzz about this project, call for bloggers, donors and sponsors were all done on-line.

My desire to come up with this kind of project started 20 years ago but never had the chance to. This project would never been possible without the help of all those who supported me in one way or another. I am fully convinced that volunteerism works.

MORALE BOOSTERS CBSME Mentors (Ms Janette Toral & Mr. Mark Delgado), CBSME Classmates and Friends, Jlofied.com followers, fans and readers

SUPPLIER SPONSORS M Catering and Fine Foods, Partyboosters, Sister's Sweetness, King Sue Ham, KidiKraft, Tickled Moms

SOCIAL MEDIA PARTNER / COMMUNITY GROUPS DigitalFilipino, CBSME, Newlyweds@work, Mommy Bloggers Philippines, Pro-Life Philippine Foundation Inc., Ms. Mae Nagtalon of the Life Change Recovery Center, Dhol@work

MOMMY BLOGGERS Cheryl Chan - The Multi Tasking Mom, Clarice - Tickled Mom Clarice, Denise - Bebengisms, Leira - Pagaspas Family Blog, Joy - Pinions and Plumage of Love, Nadia - Nanay's Trip, Bedalyn - Mami and Family, Nerissa, Camille, Juliet, Lani, Sella

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS Atty. Ian and OCS Staff, Santos Family, Canoza Family, Porras Family, Lloren Family, Diaz Family

THE PROGRAM

I only envisioned it as an outreach program where a group of Mommy Bloggers will just blog about the institution after turning over the donations, but it turned out to be a baby shower, seminar on stress management and breastfeeding, and a mentoring program all in one.

Mommy Blogger Joy of Pinions and Plumage of Love leading the opening prayer

Ms. Cecile of Nazareth Homes gives the Opening Remarks and inform the bloggers about the services of
Nazareth Homes for expectant mothers

Mommy JLo of Jlofied.com introduces the Mommy Bloggers of #ibm2014

Baby Shower Games

Ms. Mae Nagtalon of the Life Change Recovery Center talks about Stress Management and
relaxation techniques

Mommy Blogger Cheryl Chan - Wong of the Multi - Tasking Mom talks about
Birth / Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Full catering service was provided by our generous sponsor M Catering and Fine Foods

Baby Shower Party Details
Rainbow Cake from Sisters' Sweetness
Popcorn and Balloons Set-up from Party boosters
King Sue Ham Give-aways for Nazareth and Mommy Bloggers
Wooden Baskets from KidiKraft