UPDATE: Missing In Action

Yaya Diaries: BOOKING A PROMO FARE

Our nanny is going home this summer to officially get married. She's been with her boyfriend for the past 6 years, have two kids (born a year apart), and have been planning this vacation for months!

Photo from thefineyounggentleman.com

Last week, she had asked me to look out for promo airfare. I had asked why, when it is cheaper for her family of four to take the bus, because they pay for two adults and the kids (a 4 and a 5-year old) just sit on their laps. 

"Matagal pag-traking! Kawawa naman mga bata!" 

So today, upon seeing a promo on Facebook, I called her and asked for her final dates. 

K: "Kailan mo bang balak umuwi?"

Y: "April 20, uwi muna ako Bulacan. Tapos sa 24, lipad na kaming Bohol."

K: "24? Eh, Holy Week yan, wala nang promo fare. Hindi ba pwedeng May 20, kasi ayun o, P5,000+ lang, apat na kayo."

Y: "Mabibitin naman kami. Magpakasal pa ako."

So I told her I'd check another airline, and will her call again. Later...

K: "Ya, meron dito, sa ibang eroplano, may April 21, pero P7,000+!"

Y: "Ay, mamamatay na ako sa utang niyan."

K: "E sabi mo hindi pwedeng March, di din pwedeng May, yan yung pinakamalapit sa April 24 na may promo. Yan na pinakamura."

Y: "Pwede bang isa lang muna bayaran ko?"

K: "Ha? Ikaw lang sagot ko no. Hindi ko na kaya kung tatlo kayo tapos uutang ka pa ng dalawang buwan. Kita mo naman enrollment ng mga bata sa May."

Y: "Hindi nga, pwede bang isang ticket lang bayaran sa eroplano, tapos hulugan yung bayad ko sa kanila?"

K: "Walang utang sa eroplano no. Kailangan mo ng credit card!"

Y: "Magkano ba isang ticket?"

K: "Mga P1,800..."

Y: (Thinks for a while then says) "E ba't P7,000+, dapat wala pang P4,000 kasi kakandungin lang namin si A at D!"

K: "Ya, hindi pwedeng ikandong ang 5 years old at 4 years old."

Y: "Ha! E bakit sa jeep at bus, pwede? Wala bang promo na libre ang bata?"

Ay ewan.

REMINISCING: Leona Cakes and Pastries

I had the chance to visit Cebu twice the past year. Work-related visits but nice breaks nonetheless. During these trips, I discovered Leona Cakes and Pastries - an original and Cebu-based bakery and cafe established by the Ong family in 1999. My colleagues from Becca Music (who were then assigned to Cebu, also because of work) were regulars, and spoke highly of this local bakery. I got curious and went to get coffee and a slice of their popular Blueberry Crumble loaf on my first day there.

The beginning of my affair with Leona and their Blueberry Crumble. 

Up close: Blueberry Crumble - check out that blueberry ripple and that delightful sugary crust. ♥

The next day, I made sure I had Leona on my itinerary and grabbed a slice of their Strawberry Sensation loaf. It was equally good - not too sweet, but enough to hit the spot.

Strawberry Sensation - Strawberries, strawberry ripple and a white chocolate-topped crust. So good!

I was hooked. I made sure I brought home boxes of Leona Cake Loaves for pasalubong to family and friends right after that first visit. Forget the danggit, dried pusit, the Cebu lechon and the otap, this was way, way, WAY better!

Bringing home all these boxes of happiness!

When I went back the following month, I was all too excited to introduce Leona to my brother KA (he was there with me because we were merchandising for a concert). We've been craving for Leona Cakes and Pastries ever since. We also love their Chiffon Cakes! Leona's cakes are very affordable. A chiffon slice costs less than P20.00! They also have bread, pies and refrigerated cakes on display. So far, I've only tried their apple pie, but I heard their Strawberry Shortcake is to die for, and their Red Velvet Cheesecake is the best in town.

Cakes, cakes and more cakes!
Photo from R.

R, who was based in Cebu for a while, brings home our favorite Indonesian Bread every time he's here to visit the kids. He also is obligated to bring home a loaf or two of Leona's Banana Bread, because the last time I went to Cebu, I brought these home as pasalubong for his folks, and they now require the same of him each visit. Oops. Hehe.

Indonesian Bread is LOVE! Our favorite! Thank you, R, for bringing these home! 

The thing with Leona's cakes is they do not use any preservatives. And they tell you that each time you try to take their cakes back to Manila. Their Chiffon Cakes were made to last overnight - no extensions. And that depends on the condition they're in. If it's a hot and humid day, they will discourage you from bringing it on that plane ride back home. But we don't mind, they get eaten up right away anyway. Some bread (like the Indonesian Bread my kids love - it's the closest thing to another favorite, HK's Hokkaido Milk Loaf) and pastries last about 9 days in the refrigerator. Longer in the freezer, but again, they discourage it as they do not use preservatives, and cannot guarantee freshness of product once taken on long trips. So far, we've all been successful in taking these back home to Manila. Yay! They disappear in a day or two, so no worries.

The Leona Cakes & Pastries store at the new Northwing of SM City Cebu.
Photo from R.

DID YOU KNOW? David Pomeranz once almost missed his flight back to Manila because the Boss took a sidetrip to Leona Cakes and Pastries - just to bring home a whole Mocha Chiffon Cake for his lovey, J? Well, now you know. 

Bread, anyone?
Photo from R.

That's their popular Indonesian Bread on the lowest shelf (on the left)! About P39/ loaf.
Photo from R.

Choose your cake loaf flavor! Get them sliced or by the loaf (in two sizes, too!).
Photo from R.

Chiffon Cakes in different flavors. Our favorites are Mocha and Ube. ♥
Photo from R.

I can't wait for my next Cebu visit. Meanwhile, if any of you are planning on visiting Cebu, make sure to drop by Leona's and taste the difference. You will forget about other commercial cakes, I promise. This Cebu gem should come to Manila!

I heard though that the owner isn't keen on expanding (well, away from Cebu, that is). Boo! But that's all good, I suppose. This family-owned business is something Cebu can boast of, and a treasure we can always look forward to when visiting the Queen City of the South.


LEONA CAKES AND PASTRIES
Main: 
| 65 Juan Luna Street, Mabolo, Cebu City / Tel. (+32) 233.0386
Branches:
| G/F SM City Cebu, Northwing (under Forever 21), Cebu City / Tel. (+32) 236.1015
| GQS Building, M. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City / Tel. (+32) 232.4450
| G/F, J Centre Mall, AS Fortuna Street, Mandaue, Cebu City

It Never Ends!

Today, I came home to two bickering siblings. One was complaining that his sister was making faces at him (and he was whining to no end), and the other? Well, she was making sure to irk her brother, waiting to see if she could make him cry. And so the little one starts picking on his sister - kicking her, poking her, touching her things, etc. And then the sister cries (pikon din pala). It becomes a crazy cycle! Kulang nalang talaga mag-wresting sila! Kaloka!

I've written about this before. It can be very frustrating when you get involved. Today, I decided to be Spectator Momma. I let them be, and watched them 'til they got tired. Eventually, A went up to sleep. And I finally got some peace. RL's disposition immediately changed - you'd think someone switched on his happy light (if there is such a thing).

I've been told that they will outgrow this phase. And I tell you, I cannot wait 'til that day comes.

Don't get me wrong. I don't want them to grow up just yet. I just pray that the kids learn to get along. The little boy loves and adores his older sister, but A sure loves to pick on her little brother. Did I ever do that to my younger siblings? I asked my brothers and they remember how I used to exert superiority (being the older sister) when we were playing with our Lego sets. "You used to get all the nice pieces to build your village. You had mansions, tapos yung sa amin, squatter!"

Okay, okay, I get it. I was a bully, too.

Two weeks ago, I started a new reading plan on my Bible app - Parenting By Design. I have made it my mission to make sure I pray for my children everyday. There are things out of my control, but it comforts me to know that I can pray for my kids, and that God is very much in control of any situation they find themselves in.

Parenting by Design Daily Devotional.

I love the reading plan because it is a good supplement to my 365 Days Bible in One Year reading plan. Plus, the daily devotions aren't long. I can spend more time praying after. If you want to try it out, you can download the Bible app by YouVersion and search their reading plans for it.

Here's today's devotional:

Each devotional comes with a verse for you to reflect on. I love how the Bible is also a great instruction manual on parenting. I'd be lost without it!

Meanwhile, I pray my kids get out of this season of fighting soon. I am getting old playing the referee! Seriously, you should see all my gray hair. Ack!

~~~ * ~~~

As I've mentioned in my post yesterday, I've had to move this week's scheduled giveaway to next week. The sponsor had asked to move it. Timely, too, because what better thing to giveaway than this...

WWE Rumblers Rampage Devastadium Playset - retails for $25 - $30 in the US!

Yes, win this WWE Rumblers Rampage Devastadium Playset! Can't believe I'm actually giving this away. Okay, it's not an expensive gadget, but it's still a nice prize, right? Hehe. Plus, it's brand new, original and imported.

You know what to do. This week's giveaway will run until Wednesday night, next week. You must have a Philippine address to join. You must also use a valid email address, so I can notify you properly should you win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you do when your kids fight?