Four (4) Ways on How to Turn Your Birthday into a Party with a Cause

I recently attended an event entitled “Dinner for the Missions” with  Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and John L. Allen, Jr, Senior Vatican Analyst of CNN and author of the Future Church last 13 March 2014 held at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon Avenue. Aside from the talk about the future Church, the event is also a celebration and a fund raising project for the 50^th anniversary of the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City.

Yes I am a Catholic, but unlike other devotees, I don’t hear mass that often and attending that “religious” event was never planned. The ticket was just given to me for free and just for the sake of “wag masayang” and for the free food, I gladly said yes.  I said to myself that it will be an opportune time for me to wear a bloggers hat and practice my event blogging skills.

A MISSION

A thought struck me while listening to Cardinal Tagle’s definition of  Mission. He said that we should stop complaining, instead do something to make it right. We should never complain and rant about the government not doing anything  to eradicate hunger. He said that we should just do our share to help the government. He also expressed his views about Social Media, he said that the Church should maximize the use of Social Media to reach the people.

Conversation with Cardinal Tagle and CNNs John Allen

A VISION

Birthdays can be a platform for social change and anyone has the power to motivate others to give back to society. I encourage you to start your event for a cause campaign now and let us make a difference.

Listed below are four (4) ways on how to turn your birthday into a party with a cause. I shortlisted 4 institutions that you may consider as your beneficiary.

A Happy Birthday Party with the RSCC Kids

Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) is a residential care facility for the abandoned, dependent, abused, exploited, and orphaned children aged six years old and below. RSCC is committed in providing effective programs and services for children victims of abuse and whose life and safety are at risk, developing competence in different discipline in handling cases of child abuse, and providing appropriate placement whether it be with their families or other alternative placement.

Address : Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

Contact Details : 927-4244 / 926-6750

Facebook Page : Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC)

Sponsor a  Feeding Program at Ulingan,Tondo with Project Pearls

Project Pearls focuses its outreach efforts in the slum communities in Tondo, Manila, particularly in ULINGAN and Helping Land. Both communities sit on a dumpsite where children have no choice but to live with garbage, mosquitoes, flies and vermin. Children and families in Ulingan also live on soot and around toxic smoke from the charcoal factories.

Young children work either at the charcoal factories and/or at the dumpsite as scavengers.

Photo Credit : Project Pearls Website

For 2014, Project Pearls will be feeding between 100 to 150 children at the Pearls Day Care Center and will be distributing meals to the children working in the charcoal factories. Budget is $100 or Php 4,000.

Contact Person : Abie Ramos - Laguerta 

                              Birthday Coordinator

                              abie@projectpearls.org

Website             : www.projectpearls.org

Provide Spiritual and Emotional Suppport to Single Mothers at Nazareth Homes (Kaisang Buhay Foundation)

The Kaisang Buhay Foundation also provides services to expectant single mothers a hoslistic and rehabilitative service which includes food, shelter, medical care (per-natal, childbirth, post-natal through the hospital), casework and counseling, value formation and spiritual growth, skills training and personality development and family therapy. The service operates a home for single mothers called Nazareth Home that can accommodate twenty (20) single mothers at a given time.

Address             :  #56 10th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City
Contact Details : 911-4180 / 912-1159 / 421-4075
Email                 : kbf@kbf.ph
Website             : www.kbf.ph

Actress Yasmin Curdi celebrated her birthday with the Single Pregnant Moms of Nazareth Homes
Photo Credit : www.pep.ph

Give the Gift of Music at the Golden Acres, Home for the Aged

The Golden Acres, Home for the Aged provides care to senior citizens aged 60 and above, both and female who are abandoned, neglected and needy. 

Address               : Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

Contact Details   : 929-1187 / 426-685

The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale with the "Young at Hearts"

If you have any other ideas or recommendations, please leave me a comment. Who knows I might consider it for my 40th Birthday this coming October 2014. Thank you for helping.

Feel Like A Star at the Movie Stars Cafe

What is it like performing on stage with Spiderman, Ironman and Green Goblin  and dance to the tune of your favorite 80's dance hits?  Ask me and I tell you, "I feel like a star and it's amazing!"

I had a chance to meet these characters from the big screen live in person when I had the opportunity to dine in at the Movie Stars Cafe located at By the Bay, Seaside Blvd, SM Mall of Asia last April 30.

With husband Mark and my eldest Janelle, together with friends Chris and Jojie, we braved the traffic to get on time with our 7 PM schedule. Shows starts at 7pm, so don't be late!

Chris, Jojie, JLo and Mark

About Movie Stars Cafe

Movie Stars Cafe showcases props from different movies and autographs that surround every corner of the restaurant. It's not just your ordinary restaurant but a place to live up your wild imagination where dreams become real.

Surrounded by your favorite movie characters come alive and interacts as they sing, dance and play their roles just like in a real movie while serving you with the best dining experience of your life.


Meet the Stars of the Movie Stars Cafe

Upon entering its beautifully crafted facade, you will be greeted by the Cast. My husband was so excited to take photos that night, he said that this is the best time to showcase his photography skills :-) 

Who's the Star of the Night? It's Wonderwoman! She's so gorgeous that Mark and Chris immediately asked for a photo op with her. Make sure you have selfies or groupies that is as much as you can with all these characters.

Entertainment 

Movie Stars Cafe has no waiters & waitresses; rather actors and actresses who are all set and ready to serve wearing your much loved Movie blockbusters characters' attire. Be ready to get entertained because you will be experiencing great shows and performances every 30 minutes. That night, the show opened with the performances of the dancing superheroes and villains and followed by performances from  Alodia sisters, Love Marie, Spiderman and the Lion King.

These two mimes really made our night. They produce this unknown squeaky sound that my daughter can't help laughing out loud. For me, they're the best performers of the night. Get to experience them at Movie Stars Cafe and you'll understand what I mean. Funny is an understatement.

If you are a fan of musicale or stage plays, then the Lion King is for you. Filipinos are world class artists, and watching them perform will makes you feel you are watching a musicale in CCP. World class singing from the 3 main characters of the Lion King. Thumbs up!

Dino Buffet or Ala Carte?

Movie Stars Cafe offers diners all-you-can-eat deluxe hamburgers, sandwiches and hotdogs to have been spotted by a screamingly fascinating life-sized T-REX at their Dino Buffet. The Dino Dinner Buffet (6PM - 10PM) costs 699 pesos while the Midnight Buffet (10PM-2AM) costs 599 pesos.

I was expecting more from the Dino Buffet that's why we opted to order selections from the Ala-Carte Menu which I think is more practical. We had the Jackson Five, Magnifico, Asian Cinema and Notebook which my husband loves.

Cosplay Kiddie Party anyone?

Having a hard time thinking of a theme for your kid's party? Then check out Movie Stars Cafe Children's Cosplay Party Packages. The packages comes with 4 to 6 cosplayers with shows already. I think the package is also great for an 18th Birthday Party for a young lady who loves anime.

Get Discounts!

Are you ready to experience Movie Stars Cafe? Then present this Promo Code and automatically get 10% off on you total bill when you dine it at Movie Stars Cafe. What are you waiting for? Visit them now and have fun!

Today is "Araw ng Pag-IBIG"

Happy Heart's Day! Any plans for tonight?

My husband and I have not been celebrating Valentine's Day in the past 3 years for a simple reason : I was always working.

For 3 years straight, I had been a part of the "I Do. I Do!, Araw ng Pag-IBIG"  as a  "wedding singer" . Being a member of The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale allows me to share my talents  to others through my music.

The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale
serenaded the newly weds with heartwarming love songs
Photo Credit. Rovie of HDMF - Imus Branch

Aside from being a singer, I also wore my "bloggers hat" that day. I asked our Public Relations Department for a copy of the Press Kit so that I can write an article about it.

And here is what the "I Do. I Do! Araw ng Pag-IBIG" is all about.

More than 4,300 pairs of couple-participants exchanged their vows today amidst the splendor of popular tourists destinations, including Intramuros in Manila, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, Banaue Viewpoint in Ifugao, Cagsawa Ruins in Albay, Fort San Pedro in Cebu, People's Park in Davao, among others.

1,952 people said I Do. I Do! in the historic Intramuros, Manila
Photo Credit : Dino Lara 

HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund, got its acronym from the Filipino word for "Love". Pag-IBIG stands for Pagtutulungan sa Kinabukasan : Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya at Gobyerno.

Pag-IBIG started "I Do. I Do! Araw ng Pag-IBIG" in 2012. Since then, the event has been successful in generating positive interest in Pag-IBIG, particulary its benefits among potential and current members expected to witness event on-site and through various media. Since it is held in coordination with various LGUs, it further strengthens Pag-IBIGs linkage and cooperation with partner LGUs all over the country.

Watch the Video here courtesy of GMA News Online.

This couple sponsored by the HDMF-Kamias Branch expressed their gratitude
to Pag-IBIG Fund. Their son will finally have the rights of a legitimate child.

It is an honor for me to have worked with the following celebrity wedding suppliers during the event : 

Chinkee Uy Agregado of 

Metro Eventscape Planners

and

Dino Lara

Dino Lara Photography

GIVE. LOVE. CELEBRATE!

- JLofied