On community malls

We all love going to the malls. For Filipinos who live in sweltering tropical country, the mall is a one-stop-shop for all our needs -- from buying groceries and other essentials, dining out, shopping and entertainment.

Unfortunately, most malls are located in the major cities and rarely in the provinces. Provincial residents often have to travel far and wide to experience what 'malling' is.

But thanks to CityMall, this scenario is quickly changing. The fast growing community mall brand is building malls in the country side and provinces so that Filipino consumers can experience what urban dwellers mean when they say 'retail therapy'.

Not only that -- CityMall is bringing the total malling experience to all its outlets. Almost everything you can find in a major mall in the city is now at CityMall -- supermarket, fashion boutiques, banks, restaurants and cinemas!

Watch this video to know what I'm taking about.


Everything you need in a mall is now at CityMall. No need to take that long drive or bus ride. There's a CityMall all over the Philippines. And if there's none near where you live, you probably won't have to wait long for a CityMall to be built in your community.

Running out of time

For quite some time now, it has been a recurring thought at the back of my mind (and yes, also in front!) that I am running out of time. I know, I know, some of you might say we really all are running out because we lose time as each and every moment passes by. But lately, this notion has been a persistent presence. 

I admit it is the reason I made the decision (with my husband of course!) to finally buy a house and lot. I felt at that time that I am not getting any younger and if I didn't get that house, it's possible my husband and I would grow old homeless or perhaps, living with one of our sons. Not that I am already envisioning a difficult relationship with my future daughters in law. It's just that I know they would also want to experience being on their own without me meddling in their affairs. Same goes for me and my husband, I guess. 

It's also the reason why we hurriedly bought a replacement car. I felt my sons are growing up fast (well, they are grown ups expect for Pat!) and I want them to continue to get used to having a car so that by the time they can afford it, they would look at owning a car as an essential.Sort of make them get used to that standard of living so that they would aspire to at least maintain that lifestyle. Not sure if I am making sense. I felt I was running out of time to help mold and influence their lives. 

Is it because of the age I am currently in? I have no idea. I think I am in rather unique stage - I am in my early 40s and two of my sons are working, the third one is 20 and will soon be joining the workforce. Yesterday, I was actually shaking my head unbelievably thinking that my youngest son is about to go to college! Where did all the time go?

I keep thinking I spent so much time focused on other things and then suddenly realized whoa! they've grown up and there isn't much time to be a mom to them anymore.

There also isn't so much time to save enough money to buy the things we need when we retire.  And so I am in a sort of mild panic about the things I need to accomplish so I can settle down and ease into being the mom of adults, refocus from devoting energy into making sure they finish their studies and become good individuals into  planning for  retirement. 

A quick afternoon getaway

It's a holiday today and since I've been cooped up in the house for two days, I had this compelling need to get out. To feel the outdoors, sit under a tree and inhale fresh air - if there is such a thing as fresh air in the city that I live in. I also wanted to feel the soil under my feet.

But I didn't want to go for a long drive or even to dress up for it. 

We found the perfect spot for this sort of mini outdoor adventure, a few kilometers from where I live. 

Hubby and I drove off to that area  called "Engineering" near Marikina Sports Center. There are big acacia trees and a long wall with colourful graffiti. 

The soft afternoon sun, the trees, the cool air - everything was just perfect!

I bought a cup of coffee and we sat down on the sidewalk. I forgot to take off my slippers and step on the soil but no matter, we had a nice time.  

We've gotten so used to going to having to going to the malls, and to the idea that we ought to pay for every little getaway or treat that we can find. But maybe it's just a matter of looking around and finding a little nice spot nearby where you can spend a few minutes and just breathe, look at the sky and bond. 

And that's what we did. It was  a quick Thursdate and we didn't have to spend a cent!

The happy choice

HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE. I've heard and read it so many times but today, when I saw it on a friend's time, I actually stopped and nodded my head.Yes, yes, it is a choice that is available to me. And I choose it. 

This day may not turn out the way I want it to, but I am going to be happy. My kids might frustrate or disappoint me but no matter, I will continue to look at the bright side. 

Yes, I am happy. Because I chose to be.

Getting out of a rut

I am in a rut. I feel angry, anxious and insecure.

Then I remember what the priest last week said. Don't be too harsh on yourself. All those disciples of Jesus were weak, insecure and ambitious before they became holy. 

Of course, those words, even if I do agree with them, do not make me feel better. But maybe I will just bask in all these negative emotions for a while. I will simmer in them. And then maybe when I wake up tomorrow, they will be gone. 

Experience has taught me that sleeping on something isn't such a bad idea. Tomorrow is another day. And it should be better than today. 

Opportunities for kindness

Do you get annoyed when beggars and street children approach you and ask for money?

Except for really old people and PWDs who obviously no longer have the means to earn a living, I have developed a tendency to ignore these people. The street kids because I feel they shouldn't be in the streets so giving them alms would be to encourage them. The adult beggars who, in my opinion, are sometimes just too lazy to work. 

But then I learned a new insight the other week that made me rethink my views. Someone said that maybe, these people were placed there to give you the opportunity to be kind. This made me stop and think. 

I cannot do anything about keeping street kids off the street. And maybe those beggars were just too lazy to work. Clearly, they are not in the best of situations and a little kindness won't hurt. 

Last night, as I was buying my favorite roasted peanut at the corner near our house, a boy approached me and asked for money. I gave him and his friend 5 pesos each. I should have bought them food. And I should have bought medicine for the other boy whose swollen hands were full of lesions and rashes. 

I was still thinking of those kids this morning. I missed the opportunity to do more. Much like how we chase career and business opportunities and take advantage of them, maybe we ought to do the same when we come across situations where we can extend a kind hand to others.  

The present moment is inevitable

We all make plans for the future. Plans for our personal lives, families and work. In my job, plans are the foundation of our business.


But what if, after meticulous deliberation, things do not go as planned?


What I learned from the Happiness Workshop that I recently attended is probably the most true and incontestable lesson of life: The present moment is inevitable.


Some of you might argue, especially when confronted with unexpected and unwanted problems: Oh, but we could have done something to prevent that from happening; if you didn't do this, this could not have happened; I knew this could happen and that's why I planned carefully so nothing like this will ever happen to me.


Well, guess what? After doing everything you could to keep it from happening, it still happened. No matter what you think or how much planning you've done, what is currently happening is inevitable.
This is not to discourage you from making plans. Instead, it's to encourage you to give your 100% whenever you make plans. So that when it doesn't turn out the way you want it to, it's so much easier to let go and move forward. I gave it my best shot but still, it didn't turn out that way.


So just accept it and move on. A bigger hand is running the show. And it will all turn out for the better or if not, the way it should.