Bagong Nanay

Category: #KuwentongBagongNanay

  • Tina Santiago Rodriguez: Parenting with Faith and Intention

    Tina Santiago Rodriguez: Parenting with Faith and Intention

    Hi, Bagong Nanay!

    We’re about to end 2025, and welcome another year. It’s been a season full of highs and lows, of trying and enduring. Give yourself a pat on the back, mama!

    Yung pagiging Bagong Nanay natin is no joke. Mahirap siya because mahirap talaga siya. Whether you have one child or multiple, ibang level ng endurance and patience ang kailangan natin to not just survive, but thrive. It’s important that we know that in motherhood, we cannot and we must not do everything on our own because if we do, we’ll burn out. More than having a village, we need to nurture our faith.

    Kaya naman, to inspire us in our daily routines as moms, I’m very honored to share the Kuwentong Bagong Nanay of Tina Santiago Rodriguez, a mom of six children (plus one in Heaven) from Bulacan. She shares how and her husband Anthony are able do it, one day at a time, and how they incorporate prayer and faith in their routine.

    While she may not be a “Bagong Nanay” 100% because she’s probably one of the more experienced moms in the Bagong Nanay community, Tina believes (and I agree) that with each pregnancy and birth journey, we go back to being a Bagong Nanay again.

    This is how Tina describes herself as a mother: Dependent-on-God, Imperfect, Intentional, Open-minded, Connector, and Community-builder.

    Read on, mama.

    Kuwentong Bagong Nanay of Tina Santiago Rodriguez, mom of six (plus one in Heaven)

    To be brutally honest, life as a mom of six (plus one in heaven!) can be crazy beautiful most days. Sometimes, I find myself “on the go” from the time I wake up because it’s only then that I have more “quiet time” to do stuff. (I usually wake up before everyone else at home).

    Faith and parenting

    So I try to incorporate prayer and Scripture time during this period, then do my tasks related to work and ministry. (Our family serves at The Feast in Robinsons Galleria, and I also lead our women’s ministry.) Try being the operative word because sometimes I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be! Praise God for being so patient with me!

    Tina Santiago Rodriguez and her family | Courtesy of Tina Santiago Rodriguez

    I’m privileged to be working from home (or wherever there is internet, haha!) and it’s a blessing also to be able to unschool / homeschool our kids. I do my best to integrate my/our Catholic Christian faith in our daily rhythm. Besides my personal prayer time, I usually pray with the three youngest kids after they wake up. The three older ones say their morning prayers on their own. 

    “We believe that our faith is better “caught than taught,” so we strive to be good examples to our kids.”

    -Mommy Tina Santiago-Rodriguez

    After morning chores (and some work tasks for me), we usually gather together again at noontime for the Angelus and Protection Prayer (this was taught to us by a Catholic exorcist priest—very powerful!). After lunch, we usually have our own set of chores / work / individual lessons then we gather again at 3pm for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Afterwards, the goal is to do some sit-down homeschool lessons with the younger kids (except our toddler, who is just saling pusa for now!)

    Tina and her husband Anthony at the Catholic Homeschoolers Summit in 2016 | Courtesy of Tina Santiago Rodriguez

    The evening is for dinner, chores (again! Ha, ha! Never-ending!), then we pray together as a family, with my husband leading the prayers. He works from home some days so when he’s home, he usually joins us in our daytime prayers when he’s not in a meeting.

    We believe that our faith is better “caught than taught,” so we strive to be good examples to our kids. We fail (a lot!) but by His mercy and grace, we get up and keep going. I think it’s good for us to model how God’s forgiveness looks to our kids as well—that when we struggle in living out our faith, He helps us to move forward and persevere.

    Tina as a Bagong Nanay for the very first time. | Courtesy of Tina Santiago Rodriguezz

    Intentional parenting and what it means for Tina

    I usually try to define intentional parenting in the parenting talks that we give in this way: “The core of intentional parenting is intentional discipleship. We believe that God has a plan for each of us, and that includes our children. So to be an intentional parent, we want to do our best to live according to that plan, and hope to influence our kids to do the same, too.”

    Essentially, intentional parenting is all about:

    • Having a plan for how you want to raise your kids
    • Beginning with the end in mind: prioritizing character and virtues in your parenting
    • Prioritizing where you and your kids put your time and energy, because your priorities will guide your daily decisions and commitments
    • Being mindful of what you’re doing while raising your children: this includes everything, even what they’re exposed to at home and outside the home, like media, etc.

    You could say that gentle parenting can be considered part of intentional parenting, since one of its definitions goes like this: “Gentle parenting, also known as collaborative parenting, is a style of parenting where parents do not compel children to behave by means of punishment or control, but rather use connection, communication, and other democratic methods to make decisions together as a family.” (Source: parents.com)

    “We need to allow God to heal our inner childhood wounds so that we can be better parents.”

    -Mommy Tina Santiago Rodriguez

    So, should parents go for this parenting style? My husband and I advocate it, for sure, but we also believe that parents should pray and discern well about how they want to raise their kids. We believe that intentional parenting can be one tool to help them build stronger families.

    Top 3 advice for Bagong Nanays on faith and parenting

    We need to remember that our children are not ours—

    They are just gifts from God, lent to us here on earth. Ultimately, they are His children, and He alone knows how they will turn out to be. We just need to do our best in raising them and let Him do the rest.

    There are no perfect parents, there are no perfect families.

    But there is one perfect God who loves each of us perfectly. By His mercy and grace, we can be purposeful and present parents. We just need to take the first steps in being so.

    Our children need to feel safe, seen, and loved when they are with us.

    When we fail to do this, we must take the steps to repair our relationships with them. We also need to acknowledge that oftentimes, we need to allow God to heal our inner childhood wounds so that we can be better parents.

    Tina is a renowned speaker in the field of faith and parenting. | Photo credits: Jewels Conference Facebook page

    I am Tina Rodriguez from Malolos, Bulacan.

    I am the Bagong Nanay of six kids ages 19, 16, 12, 9, 7, and 2 yrs 9 months (plus 1 in heaven!)

    Outside motherhood, I’m a writer, editor, content manager, resource speaker, self-professed “media missionary,” servant, co-author of two books published during the pandemic. I used to be active in the mommy blogging world (some would say I’m one of the “OGs”) but God has led me to a different path now. 

    Follow Tina on Instagram.

    Join Tina and 200+ more Bagong Nanays in our Viber community for moms. Comment “LET ME IN” and I’ll send you the link.

  • Eds Nabong: Mothering with Comfort and Joy

    Eds Nabong: Mothering with Comfort and Joy

    Hi, Bagong Nanay!

    Last month, I received an email from a mom who wanted to share her Kuwentong Bagong Nanay. Ang saya ko with matching kilig, kasi moms are becoming open to share their stories through Bagong Nanay. It’s giving~ sulit ang domain at hosting natin!

    For this month’s Kuwentong Bagong Nanay, I’m honored to share the story of Mommy Eds Nabong from Rizal. She is a mom of a 5-year-old boy named Josiah, and is also the founder of Aimerie, a proudly local cloth diaper brand.

    Here, she tells us what made her give up her career and built her business, and how she’s breaking norms in parenting, one day at a time.

    Kuwentong Bagong Nanay of Eds Nabong, mom of one and founder of Aimerie

    Before becoming a mother, I was totally focused on my career as a licensed mechanical engineer. I wanted everything to go as planned, so I set goals and made plans. I loved being in charge and completing tasks flawlessly. Both my husband and I put in a lot of effort and hoped to create a secure future for ourselves.

    But when I became pregnant for the first time, everything changed. I was filled with love but also with fear. I was filled with love but also with fear. I remember thinking, “Kaya ko ba ’to? Am I gonna be enough?” My husband was always there to reassure me that we would learn together as first-time parents.  Every day felt new, and my only goal was to give our child the best that I could.

    “Many people think that once you become a mom, your dream has to take a backseat. But I believe motherhood can be a start of something new.”

    – Mommy Eds Nabong

    One of my most important decisions was to put my career on hold to focus on our child and start a small business from home. Although it was difficult, I did what I felt was best for our family with my husband’s wholehearted backing.

    Mommy Eds Nabong (center) and her family

    My favorite thing about being a mother is that it taught me to appreciate the small things in life, such as quiet times, changing diapers, and morning cuddles. I discovered that being present is more important than being flawless. I bring that same heart with me to Aimerie, a brand built with Pusong Nanay.

    Reimagining lampin

    When I think of lampin, I remember how my mom used it for my younger siblings. We have a big age gap, so I was old enough to help her take care of them. I would watch her fold and layer each soft, thin, plain white cotton lampin with care. She would change it every time my siblings peed or pooped, then immediately wash it and hung it in the sun. It was part of her daily routine. Tiring, yes, but done with so much patience and love.

    So when it was my turn to be a mom, I didn’t have second thoughts about using lampin again. I wanted my baby to feel the same comfort and care that I saw growing up. Like any other first-time mom, I researched what was best to use for my baby. And that was the time I discovered the rise of cloth diapers here and abroad. I realized times have changed. Many parents today find lampin hard to use or too old-fashioned. But when I saw those modern cloth diapers, I thought, “I like this idea.”

    eds nabong aimerie
    Mommy Eds and Aimerie cloth diapers.

    That became my inspiration for Aimerie, my way of bringing back the lampin I grew up with, but made easier for today’s parents. I wanted to keep its softness and heart, but make it more practical, functional, and a little more beautiful.

    That is how the Aimerie Modern Lampin was born, made with Pusong Nanay and designed for the new generation of moms.

    Why parents should try cloth diapering

    1. Babies need presko time.

    I believe our babies deserve a break from being in plastic all day. Here in the Philippines, where it’s often hot and humid, being presko is something that every family values, especially for babies.

    Cloth diapers help give that comfort. Over time, this simple idea became what we now call Presko Time, a few hours a day when baby’s skin can breathe and mom can relax knowing her little one feels fresh and comfortable.

    2. Cloth diapering saves cost.

    With the prices of basic needs rising, every peso counts for families. Thankfully, cloth diapers can be reused for years, and they can help a lot in saving money. Instead of buying disposables every week, you will only invest once and use them again and again. This becomes a very smart and practical choice for parents who wish to save without having to sacrifice the comfort of their babies.

    3. Cloth diapering saves the planet.

    We all know that the problem of waste worsens in our country year after year. Floods, garbage, and plastic everywhere affect the world our children will grow up in. Cloth diapers might seem like a very small thing, but it has been of great help already. Whenever we wash and reuse, instead of throwing away, we cut down on waste and show our children how to take care of the earth. It feels good to be able to say that as we take care of our babies, we’re doing something nice for their future.

    Parenting traditions or norms I hope to break or rethink

    1. That moms can’t dream big.

    Many people think that once you become a mom, your dream has to take a backseat. But I believe motherhood can be a start of something new. I might have put my career on pause, but it opened doors for me to build something with purpose. Being a mom doesn’t mean we stop dreaming. It simply means now our dreams include our families, too.

    eds nabong aimerie
    In her element. Mommy Eds talks about presko diapering.

    2. That modern means forgetting the old ways.

    I want to remind other parents that not everything old is outdated. Traditions like using lampin may seem old-fashioned, but they still work. They just need a modern touch. That is why I wanted to bring back lampin through Aimerie, to show that some of the best ways are the ones passed down and made with Pusong Nanay.

    “I wish my son will remember that I raised him with love and patience. They weren’t all perfect, but every decision I made was based on what would bring him comfort and joy.”

    – Mommy Eds Nabong

    3. That being a good parent means being perfect.

    It is easy to feel pressure to do everything right as a parent, especially with all we see online. But I’ve learned that being a good parent isn’t about being perfect. It’s really about just being there, loving your child, and trying your best. I figured out that not everything we plan will happen, and that’s fine. Motherhood has its own timing, and the best moments are usually the ones that were never planned.

    What I hope my child will remember

    I wish he’ll remember that I raised him with love and patience. They weren’t all perfect, but every decision I made was based on what would bring him comfort and joy.

    Mommy Eds and her son, Josiah.

    I wish he’ll remember the little things that I took care of him and played with him, that I listened when he needed me. I hope he will see that I am working hard not just for our future, but with purpose and heart.

    Most of all, I hope he will remember how warm and full of love our home is. Even though not everything turned out perfectly, we did everything for him to make him feel safe and cared for.

    I am Eds Nabong from Rizal. I am the Bagong Nanay of Josiah, 5 years old.

    I’m a hands-on mom and the founder of Aimerie, a Filipino brand that brings back the tradition of lampin through the Modern Lampin, made with Pusong Nanay.

    I dream of seeing more Filipino families rediscover the comfort of lampin for their babies. I enjoy designing new diaper patterns and products for Aimerie. When I’m not working, you’ll find me reading books or watching movies.

    Shop Aimerie using these Bagong Nanay exclusive vouchers!

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    Use voucher code: AIMENNY10

  • Jilianne Roylence Francia: Normalizing Breastfeeding Everywhere

    Jilianne Roylence Francia: Normalizing Breastfeeding Everywhere

    Hi, Bagong Nanay!

    August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, that’s why sobrang honored ako to feature the Kuwentong Bagong Nanay of Mommy Jilianne Roylence Francia, the mom behind the local nursing wear brand Valianne’s Trends.

    Mommy Jill and I worked together for Smart Parenting. But before that, when I was still starting my Bagong Nanay online shop, I saw her shop and got insecure why I should start my own, when she is already thriving in the same space. Eventually, we became friends online, and now I am one of Valianne’s Trends mom ambassadors!

    There’s no better person to share about normalizing breastfeeding in public than Mommy Jill. A proud padede mom, she has two daughters, and a baby boy on the way. Here’s how she is helping more moms breastfeed in style, and persevere through the help of products that she lovingly created.

    Why we should normalize breastfeeding in public

    I was a first-time mom in 2018 and I joined breastfeeding communities to get inspiration from other mothers. I try my best to pay it forward to my new mom friends and give them the support they need in their new motherhood journey. I share how it may be hard in the beginning, but it will be worth it.

    However, a few of them still don’t persevere in breastfeeding for a number of reasons. First, they lack of confidence. Second, people around them say they don’t have enough milk. Third, and the hardest, is the societal pressure. Of course, we respect how babies are all fed and we appreciate every new mother’s effort regardless of their choice. Still, I wanted to help normalize breastfeeding because it has been the most rewarding thing I’ve done as a mom. The bond between me and my child is unlike anything else.

    Mommy Jill breastfeeding her second daughter, PV.

    At Valianne’s Trends, we want to share photos and stories of normalizing breastfeeding in public. As a breastfeeding advocate, I want to share my story because I also drew inspiration and strength from the stories of other moms. I believe that if we won’t be brave and consistent in sharing our stories, we might lose the chance to encourage a mom who just needs a spark of hope to keep going.

    How Mommy Jill’s breastfeeding experience evolved

    One thing I am so proud of myself as a mom is that I was able to breastfeed my two children, and I will breastfeed my third child, too. I remember almost giving up when I experienced cracked, bleeding, and sore nipples because of wrong latch. I even unfollowed breastfeeding groups because I thought I couldn’t bear it, but the sleepless nights of educating myself about proper latch all paid off. I’m happy that I did not give up because, right now, my story has become someone’s source of inspiration, too.

    breastfeeding mom pregnant
    Mommy Jill is pregnant with her third child, a boy, and is determined to breastfeed him.

    I want to share to our community that more than just selling clothes, Valianne’s Trends supports them in their breastfeeding journey. We tell them that moms can become confident again after going through hardest days of the postpartum period, or the fourth trimester.

    Breastfeeding is hard work. If you think you can’t, you won’t persevere. Although it’s challenging, it’s a fulfilling journey. When you’re struggling, go back to your ‘why.’

    -Jilianne Roylence Francia

    What helped Mommy Jill in her breastfeeding journey

    Nursing clothes

    Clothes with nursing access has always been a life-changer for me. I remember using nursing cover when breastfeeding in public for the first time and my baby and I weren’t so comfortable with it. It took me a lot of courage to drop the cover and practice wearing our nursing clothes confidently.

    A strong support system.

    Having my elder sister as my number one supporter helped me a lot. She was the one who told me that I have enough milk when I thought I couldn’t produce any.

    The right mindset

    Feed your mind that you can do it. Breastfeeding is hard work. If you think you can’t, you won’t persevere. Although it’s challenging, it’s a fulfilling journey. When you’re struggling, go back to your ‘why.’

    About the Bagong Nanay: I am Mommy Jilianne Roylence Francia from Bacoor, Cavite. I am the Bagong Nanay of QV, PV, and VK. Outside motherhood, I’m a writer, goal-digger, and dreamer.

    Want to share your #KuwentongBagongNanay too? Comment below or send me a DM on Instagram.

  • Roanne Duran-Pascual: Raising a Reader

    Roanne Duran-Pascual: Raising a Reader

    Hi, Bagong Nanay!

    July is National Children’s Book Month, kaya naman I asked a fellow Bagong Nanay to share how she’s raising her toddler son to develop a love for reading.

    I remember interviewing an Ivy League professor and author Gregory W. Slayton, and he shared that children learn how to make sense of the world through reading. He boldly said, “You cannot be a leader if you are not a reader.” No pressure naman sa ating mga nanay, kasi sabi naman niya, even if you are not a great reader yourself, at least, help your child to love reading because it’s through it that they understand how the world works.

    So for our first #KuwentongBagongNanay since our re-launch, I asked my good friend Roanne Duran-Pascual to share tips and book recommendations for parents. Roanne is one of the greatest storytellers I know. ‘Yung tipong kapag nagkuwento siya, feeling mo nandun ka sa pangyayari, ganun ka-vivid. I believe it’s because she reads and writes a lot. That’s why when she became a Nanay, I know she’ll enjoy telling her son stories, and nurturing his love for reading too.

    roanne duran pascual
    Roanne and her son Noah. Courtesy of Roanne Duran-Pascual

    Kaya wala nang patumpik-tumpik pa, here’s how Roanne raises her son to be a reader and a leader. In her words, she’s a Bagong Nanay who is ‘living the prayer, and learning every day.’

    Read on, and share this with another Bagong Nanay.

    Why raise your child to be a reader, according to a reading mama

    I strive to raise a reader because, first, reading opens up a limitless world—and books are passports that take my son to places we never could. I love how books allow him to see, hear, and feel things beyond his everyday experience. How his imagination expands with every new character he meets and new adventure he takes on. This is particularly crucial during children’s foundational years (0-3yo), when their brains are developing at lightning speed. Which brings me to my second reason. 

    Studies have proven a wide range of benefits of reading to child development. From cognitive and communication skills, to focus and critical thinking. Kids learn faster, comprehend better, and analyse sharper. Of course, we can teach all these skills in other ways, but if we can nurture them all just from one regular activity, isn’t that a big win for us parents?

    Reading is one of the best ways to learn empathy.

    -Roanne Duran-Pascual

    Third, and most importantly for me, I want my son to grow up recognizing and respecting others who are different from him. To hear voices and feel experiences other than his own. Reading is one of the best ways to learn empathy. Like why Rainbow Fish won’t give up any of his shiny scales, or how happy Giraffe felt when Porcupine knitted him a scarf—simple stories allow him to learn others’ struggles and emotions.

    Little Noah and his book. Courtesy of Roanne Duran-Pascual

    He may not fully show these traits now, but it’s never too early to teach him compassion, kindness, and seeing the world through the eyes of others.

    How to raise a reader: 3 practical tips

    Be consistent.

    I know, it’s hard for us parents who have endless to-do lists and barely half a brain to keep up with routines. So choose at least just one part of your kid’s day and dedicate that time for reading. It could be before bedtime, after shower, first thing in the morning—whichever works best for you and your kid. It doesn’t have to be long, even just 15 minutes of fully present time, every day, makes a huge difference in the long run. Consistency is key.

    Make it accessible.

    Have books within their reach as much as possible. (Yes, there will be book casualties, but trust me–it’s worth it). If you can, get a toddler shelf so they can pull out books anytime they want (there are pretty decent ones in Lazada/Shopee that are less than P1,000).

    Books don’t have to be expensive. Check with other parents if they have hand-me-downs. Second-hand bookstores are also great places to score affordable gems.

    Roanne Duran-Pascual

    If that’s not an option, just set up a cozy corner with a pile of their books. We also usually leave books lying around in bed, which he can pick up when he wakes up before we do; and we always pack a book in our baby bag as the default “toy” when we go out.

    Make it fun.

    Reading should be something they enjoy, not earned or dreaded. Avoid associating reading with rewards, punishments, or chores. Make it as normal as eating and playing. Bonus: let them see you reading yourself and finding joy in it. 

    little boy with book shelf behind
    Noah: Happy reader here! Courtesy of Roanne Duran-Pascual

    Book and author recommendations

    Noah’s turning two in October and these are the books he engaged well and clearly picked up most from.

    Dr. Seuss beginner books

    They use simple, repetitive words, and catchy rhyme and rhythm. These help kids learn and memorize words more easily, boosting their confidence and encouraging them to read more.

    Adarna board books

    Books from Adarna House are best in introducing age-appropriate concepts in Filipino, like body parts, family members, and food. I especially love their series on Filipino values and mabuting asal.

    Sandra Boynton and Eric Carle books

    Both are engaging series. Boynton’s are short and humorous, often in sing-song patterns, making them super fun to read. Carle’s have vibrant and engaging illustrations with subtle lessons embedded in stories. 

    There are so many wonderful books out there, so feel free to discover what your child enjoys most. And remember, books don’t have to be expensive. Big tip: check with other parents (friends, mommy/daddy groups, online declutter pages) if they have any hand-me-downs. Second-hand bookstores are also great places to score affordable gems.

    About the Bagong Nanay: I am Roanne Duran-Pascual from Marikina City. I am the Bagong Nanay of Noah, 1 year and 9 months. Outside motherhood, I’m a storyteller and development worker, who dreams of opening her own bookstore one day.

    Want to share your #KuwentongBagongNanay too? Comment below or send me a DM on Instagram.

  • Chesca Susmerano: Strong Moms Need Support, Too

    Chesca Susmerano: Strong Moms Need Support, Too

    Hello, Bagong Nanay!

    Kamusta? Because we are celebrating Women’s Month (and hoping it never ends), I invited a very special mama to share her #KuwentongBagongNanay.

    She’s none other than Chesca Susmerano, the creative mama founder of Studio Maria. She is also the co-creator of the Bagong Nanay Club Merch collection, which was released in January.

    This woman – she’ll never know how much impact she has created – with every shirt, every wisdom she imparts to moms online. I remember her posting this – and immediately – I immediately believe that I can dream again.

    And when we worked together for Bagong Nanay Club, I’ve never felt so alive and so inspired to keep doing what I’m doing.

    When another mom inspires you to dream, you just got to keep doing whatever you can to support her. Here I am, sharing her story with you, so that she can inspire you to dream again, and make it happen too.

    Here’s Chesca Susmerano, everyone. A strong mama who supports other strong moms, and admits that she needs support, too. This is her Bagong Nanay story.

    1. Can you briefly share your “How it started” vs “How it’s going” story as a Bagong Nanay to Likha and to Studio Maria? Highlight your top 3 milestones, and recognize what/who helped you achieve them.

    How I started as a mom – newlywed, new career milestone and suddenly pregnant.

    I was enrolled in an 11-month master’s degree program in 2018 when we got pregnant.

    Mommy Chesca to-be!

    I started #momlife learning how important a village is not just to raise kids but to help moms achieve their dreams.

    Chesca Susmerano for BagongNanay.com

    I was always the “strong independent woman” type and because of that, my weakness is also asking for help. Being pregnant, I felt some shame when I had to ask people to make some considerations for me because of my situation. I couldn’t join some of the fieldwork, so I overcompensated by doing extra work for the class. I couldn’t join late nights to overtime on papers because I was always tired. I had to ask my parents if we could stay with them. I had to give birth and I had to ask professors to consider a two-week absence. After giving birth, I had to attend daily classes, catch-up on requirements and finish my thesis. I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it but I did, and I brought my newborn daughter on stage the day of graduation.

    Mama made it!

    This experience has really changed my mindset about independence and success in life. From being so hard on myself to achieve personal goals, I learned to be softer, be more vulnerable and be open to ask for help. I started #momlife learning how important a village is not just to raise kids but to help moms achieve their dreams. I thank my village of kind people from school, work, my own family and my husband for allowing me to dream.

    How’s it going – enjoying the journey

    Fast forward to today, I have embraced being vulnerable and I’m still working on having the courage to seek the help I need to pursue my dreams for our family. Studio Maria is the embodiment of embracing vulnerability while being open to ask for help. Transitioning to entrepreneurship required me to lean on my husband and extended family for stability while I pursue my craft and turn it into a small business. I had to be vulnerable enough to put my work out there and get rejected if no one buys from me. I had to be open to relationships in the mom community online, share my own struggles, find joy in our shared motherhood experiences and discover more meaning everyday.

    Hardworking mama founder of Studio Maria!

    Ask us about our dreams and passions and inspire us to achieve them.

    Chesca Susmerano on how people can support strong moms
    Chesca wears many hats for her business – I mean, all hats!
    Her superpower is to make shirts for mamas to wear so that they can be seen

    Motherhood is still not easy but with being open to receive help from the village that I am continuously intentionally building around me, I am enjoying the journey more.

    2. Why is it important to support strong moms? List three things that people can do to support them.

    1. See us and validate our dreams. There are a lot of us moms who feel that they are no longer seen when the baby comes. It is suddenly all about the baby and we are in the background forgotten. We need validation that in this season of our life we focus on the kids and the family, but we will also realize that season of following our dreams in God’s perfect time. Ask us about our dreams and passions and inspire us to achieve them.

    We’d gladly receive help if it comes without any judgments.

    Chesca Susmerano on what strong moms need help with

    2. Offer help without judgments. Even the strongest of moms are sensitive to comments about our kids and our parenting. We already know that we are not perfect so there is no need to point out where we lack or talk about us behind our backs. We’d gladly receive help if it comes without any judgments. Nakakalat yung mga laruan? Pwede mo na rin iligpit kung gusto mo. 😊

    3. Let us know if we are doing a good job. Us strong moms, we are also our own worst critics! We suffer from mom guilt no matter how hard we try to juggle all of our responsibilities. We often forget to appreciate our own hard work. If you see us doing something well, please let us know. It means the world to know we are doing something right.

    3. This year, what are three things you want to be strong at, and what help do you need to achieve them?

    Being present. I’ve noticed that I am a human doing instead of a human being. To be able to be more “being”, I need some time everyday to just be alone and attune myself to my emotions. As a multitasker, it often becomes overwhelming the amount of things I need to do in the day that I forget what matters – my relationships with the people around me, my connection to God. I need time to be alone so I can always step back and check my priorities.

    Grit. They say the key to success is grit – having the perseverance and persistence for very long term goals. For this, I need a community of believers who will cheer me on but also mentor me in the paths I’ve taken. I have moms who I can turn to for motherhood or parenting advice, entrepreneurs who I ask for business advice, and coaches for business and life goals.

    Balance. I need to be better at balancing responsibilities with fun and growth. I want to be a good role model to my family in terms of health, work ethic, relationships and so on. All of these require a lot of work and the key is balancing them and making it work together.

    4. Who is your female role model and why?

    I don’t have to look very far. I am who I am because of my mom. She is kindness, warmth, grace, beauty and peace – all that I aspire for as I grow older. If I can make my relationship with her be like my relationship with my daughter, I would know that I am already a good mom.

    5. What is your advice to Bagong Nanays who think they can do everything on their own?

    Build your own village. Sometimes we think we have to do everything on our own because there is no one else to listen to us or help us. There are two scenarios:

    1. We do have a village but we’re just afraid of being vulnerable and ask for help. Look around you, Mama. Are there people in your life who are willing to help but we don’t let them? Communicate your needs and let the people you trust in your life to help you.

    This was me. I was suffering 5-6 hours on the road everyday going back and forth to work. I desperately wanted to be with my daughter for the early years of her life but I also didn’t want to depend on anybody for money. But then finally, I swallowed all my pride and communicated my desire to resign and start a small business from home to my husband and brother and they supported me all the way since then.

    Communicate your needs and let the people you trust in your life to help you.

    Chesca Susmerano

    2. We don’t have a village and we have to seek them out. Sometimes we just haven’t found the right people we need in our side. Sometimes, we have to seek them out. And now that we have online communities, we can find the tribe we need for us to bloom to like Bagong Nanay.

    This is also me. When I started Studio Maria, I was not part of any mom community and I didn’t know any mom entrepreneurs. But slowly I started opening up and joined community events, talked to fellow moms and mom entrepreneurs and just slowly built relationships with other moms. I super appreciate how other moms in this community show support through encouraging words, advice and even just a listening ear.

    6. In only six words, describe what kind of Bagong Nanay you are.

    Artsy mama who will make everyone a statement shirt.

    I am Chesca Susmerano from Las Pinas.
    I am the Bagong Nanay of Likha, 3YO.
    When I’m not being a mom and working on the small biz, I meditate and paint flowers.

  • Paula Batalla-Remetio: Bagong Nanay in the New Normal

    Paula Batalla-Remetio: Bagong Nanay in the New Normal

    Hello, #BagongNanay!

    I am so happy that you are still here.

    Ang daming ganap ng 2021, ano?

    2021 tayo nagsimulang mag-share ng mga Kuwentong Bagong Nanay. From Mommy Ericka in Canada, who shared how she’s surviving being a mom of a little boy and a baby girl, to Nanay Esther who happily moved from Manila to Cagayan Valley with her little family.

    Si Mommy Freda in Rizal, inispluk ang secret to juggling three roles as a mom, employee, and entrepreneur. Si Mommy Chee in Laguna, nireveal naman ang perks and trade-offs of being an influencer.

    Andiyan din Si Mommy Rej in Antipolo, who emphasized the importance of taking care of our mental health. Just like Mommy Jo-an, na nag-log off sa lahat ng social media accounts niya for her sanity.

    Nakakainspire din ang kuwento ni Mommy Cy of Mandaluyong, who became a Bagong Nanay at age 39. At siyempre si Mama Mindy, who was inspired to become a postpartum fitness coach and help other Bagong Nanays.

    Eye-opening ang kuwento ni Mommy Erin of Parañaque about her five tattoos. Heartwarming naman ang kuwento ni Mommy Tzarina, who chose to leave her work in Singapore to be home with her daughter in Pasig. At tear-jerking naman ang story ni Mommy Honey of Quezon City, on how it’s like to be a mom of hyper kids.

    And for our last #KuwentongBagongNanay for 2021, Mommy Paula Batalla-Remetio shares what it’s like being a Bagong Nanay in the New Normal.

    Be inspired by her story of constant worry and fear, and also endless love and hope for her dear son, Lati. Lati is the Hiligaynon term for “new moon.”

    May her story inspire you to believe in new beginnings and look forward to a better year ahead. ✨

    Maraming salamat, Bagong Nanays, for sharing your stories that empower other Bagong Nanays.

    1. What were the top 3 challenges you faced as Bagong Nanay during a pandemic?

    First, my family and I got COVID on my 7th month of pregnancy. I didn’t get severe symptoms but even though I was recovered already, it took a while before my RT-PCR came back negative. I was so afraid it will affect my baby in any way or that I will have to give birth in a COVID building. Thank God that on my 36th week (after 3 RT-PCRs), my results came back negative and I was given clearance to be admitted in the non-COVID wing.

    Second, working full time. After my maternity leave, I tried the WFH setup for a while and it was really difficult. I get really guilty that I’m at home and yet, I’m working instead of being in the other room taking care of my baby. Then even when I came back to work on site, I got really “baby-sick” I just miss my baby so much more. 

    It has been 4 months since I came back to work and I’m still adjusting to not being present 24/7.

    Finally, it’s not being able to share your baby to your loved ones. I come from a big family where we are all very close. When I got pregnant, I imagined that once I deliver my baby, I’ll have all my titos and titas and ates and kuyas waiting for me on the hospital room. But of course, it wasn’t possible.

    Mommy Paula and her baby Lati

    It may sound cliche, but I really prayed every single day of my pregnancy. I had a miscarriage before so I was really scared and anxious about getting pregnant again so fast.

    Paula Batalla-Remetio for BagongNanay.com

    2. What’s it like being a Bagong Nanay living in the new normal? Share a day in your life.

    I am very lucky that I have my mom with me. We were like a tag team when Lati was born. We would take turns in taking care of Lati — she’d let me catch up on sleep while she gets  Lati for paaraw. I’d wake up and prepare Lati’s bath. While I feed Lati, she’d wash all of Lati’s clothing. Then she gets Lati for a nap so I can wash and sterilize bottles, then clean up our room. We have developed some sort of routine where in a day, we get to attend to all of Lati’s needs while also doing the laundry, cleaning the room, and ironing all of Lati’s clothing, etc.

    Looking back, I don’t know really how we managed to do everything daily with little to no sleep, but we did.

    3. What are your 3 tips to pregnant moms or those who are planning to give birth at a time like this?

    • If you are not vaccinated yet against COVID, please consider getting the vaccine. Make sure to check with your OB though. I was on my 40th week when I got my COVID vaccine schedule so my OB asked that I postpone until after I give birth so there wouldn’t be any problem with my hospital admission in case I get fever.
    • Join online communities. I for one subscribed to Baby Center app. Like with everything, stay informed through reliable sources so you don’t give yourself unnecessary worries.
    • Pray. It may sound cliche, but I really prayed every single day of my pregnancy. I had a miscarriage before so I was really scared and anxious about getting pregnant again so fast. Praying calmed me, healed me, and allowed me to believe and trust that my heart’s desire is God’s will.

    4. What apps/hacks helped you go through your Bagong Nanay journey?

    1. Baby Center – the best!
    2. Calendar
    3. Glow Baby (at least during the 1st 2 months when I record everything from feeding time/amt to count of pee and poop to duration of sleep/nap)

    5. What are you most excited about 2022 for you and your child?

    Lati be like, “2022, I’m coming for you!”

    With the ease of restrictions, we’re finally able to visit our hometown for the Christmas holidays where my baby was able to meet our relatives. So I’m looking forward to more opportunities like this where I can share to my loved ones my little bundle of joy. Haha!

    Also, we haven’t brought Lati to any amusement park yet because I’m still anxious about visiting public attractions, but hopefully we can this 2022.

    He’ll also be celebrating his 1st bday on 2022 so I’m excited to start planning already.

    Excited for what 2022 has in store for you, Mommy Paula and Lati!

    6. In only six words, describe what kind of Bagong Nanay you are.

    By-the-book but also somewhat laid-back mom

    I like to read and observe, then bombard my son’s pedia with questions on our next visit (if I haven’t already asked on Viber hahaha). Knowing calms me so I don’t freak out easily when I notice something out of the ordinary.

    I am Paula from Mandaluyong.
    I am the Bagong Nanay of Lati, 7 months old.
    When I’m not being a doting mama, I binge-watch on Netfix or catch up on office work that I didn’t get to finish because I was either checking Lati on the baby cam/video calling him.

    Need another Bagong Nanay to talk to? Join the Bagong Nanay Community on Viber and on Telegram. Send me a message for the invite link.

  • Honey Quiambao-Iresare: How to be a Mom of Hyper Kids

    Honey Quiambao-Iresare: How to be a Mom of Hyper Kids

    Hello, Bagong Nanay!

    How are you? I know iba-iba ang struggles natin bilang nanay. And by sharing our unique stories and experiences, we inspire and empower other nanays that they are not alone in this journey.

    Yaaan ang objective ng Bagong Nanay. Our goal is to serve as a platform to reach more moms who might be struggling because indeed, the struggle is real.

    For our #KuwentongBagongNanay, I am honored to share the story of Mommy Honey Quiambao-Iresare. She is known on social media as The Mom of Hyper Kids. Isa siya sa mga first supporters ng Bagong Nanay since 2019, and lagi ko siya nakaka-message about mom life and struggles lalo na sa gabi, pag tulog na ang mga bata.

    I invited her to share her story because it’s also her advocacy to help Bagong Nanays who are going through the same – in her words – surviving the menace.

    She is a mom of two girls, who both have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. And it’s very timely because October is ADHD awareness month.

    Read on, and find out how it’s like to be a mom of hyper kids.

    1. What’s a day in your life like, as a mom of kids with ADHD?

    Stressed. Hahaha. And still overwhelmed.

    I wake up at 4am to prepare to go to the wet market by 5am, para makaiwas sa madaming tao dahil pandemic. I will then prepare breakfast. Minsan full breakfast, pero minsan sapat na yung pandesal and egg with mayonnaise or butter. Request nila madalas yun.

    From 8am to 12:30pm, nagbabantay ako sa mga bagets habang class nila, kasi usually they do Alt-Tabbing (or shifting tabs) to play rather than to listen to their class, lalo na yung bunso ko. 

    Then, we will have lunch, and I will prep for my hubby naman kasi may pasok siya ng afternoon. I will prepare food and set up his workplace. Then, nap time for the kids. Minsan nakikisabay ako, or yun na yung time na pupunta ako sa grocery or mall to run errands or to check the renovations being done in our apartment.

    Dinner time, then magtuturo ako sa kids sa homework nila. Advanced lessons. Usually gumagawa na ako ng reviewer nila and practice exams para pag exam week na nila, meron kaming sample test at hindi na sila mahihirapan mag-review.

    Then, patutulugin ko na sila. It takes 3 hours bago sila makatulog kasi mataas ang energy level nila. Pag tulog na sila, doon palang ako makakapaglinis ng house.

    Thankful naman ako kasi yung sister ng hubby ko nakakatulong ko na sa bahay. Kami din nagpalaki sa kanya since baby siya kaya medyo magaan na din ngayon routine ko unlike dati as in kulang na kulang ako sa time.

    Tapos sa gabi dun ako gagawa ng content ko lalo na pag merong projects. Then sa free time ko, binge-watching habang nagtutupi ng damit. And doing budgeting for the day.

    Mahilig talaga ako mag multi-tasking, nakasanayan ko na talagang ganun, minsan nag-o-online games din ako pero saglit lang. More on MMORPG games ko.

    Basta ang hindi ko dapat makalimutan for myself is skin care, lalo na at lagi akong puyat. Importante sa akin na maganda pa din ang skin ko.

    Mommy Honey Quiambao-Iresare with her kids Izai, 11; and Mamai, 9

    2. Can you share briefly how you found out that your child has ADHD? What were your observations and how was it like when you sought professional help for the first time?

    Actually, it was not me who discovered it. Super proud pa nga ako sa first-born ko kasi as early of 6 months, she can do phonetics, count numbers 1-20, binabaliktad pa nga niya. She can do it.

    Ang hindi lang niya magawa is to construct sentences at age of 1 or 2. Tapos she can’t stay at one place. She has a fleeting eye contact. She can’t focus on you, pero if you ask her, she can answer you right away with correct answers.

    Mommy Honey’s kids 💜

    Her pedia was the one who noticed that, and she recommended to consult a development pediatrician (Dev Ped). Then my daughter was under observation until she was 3 years old. She was confirmed to have slight autism. Her IQ is two steps ahead of her age. The concerns were her EQ and social skills.

    Then my youngest child, although we suspected that she might just be mimicking her ate, had the same signs. She is far more hyperactive than her ate. High level ADHD. She also has a high IQ.

    But these are all now being corrected through their ongoing Occupational Therapy sessions. It really helps them. I also engage them in activities where they can channel their energy, and teach them to socialize.

    As a mom of hyper kids, I use social media to share our journey, which made me somehow an advocate of ADHD parenting. I also love to give advice to parents of kids with ADHD, who are in the state of denial and confusion.

    Mommy Honey Quiambao Iresare for bagongnanay.com

    3. What are the unspoken struggles of being a mom of kids with ADHD?

    Sometimes, I wish I were invisible.

    I find it very challenging already to discipline my kids, then add the pressure and judgment coming from other people. Also the burden of educating others who don’t understand what ADHD is.

    💜💜

    For my kids, I need to be smarter than them. Haha. They have the tendency to use their wit and brains, including their charms to get what they want.

    I also struggle when they are having anxiety attacks and self-pity. Especially when people avoid them or are scared of them because they think my kids will hurt them. My eldest is scared of being left behind. She is sensitive to rejection.

    For now, pina-practice ko sila to do things just like other kids do. Doing chores, letting them make decisions, and helping each other kasi ang mindset ko is they need to know how to survive in the real world. Ngayon, marunong na sila mag-saing at mag-prito.

    Ang mindset ko is they need to know how to survive in the real world.

    Mommy Honey Quiambao Iresare

    4. What or who helped you go through this journey? List your top 3.

    I am grateful for my uncle and my aunt, who help me take care of my kids. They spoil my kids with so much love and affection 

    I am also grateful for their occupational therapist, Teacher Gids, who doesn’t give up on them. Especially at the time that I almost gave up, he guides me on how to manage them. He even talks to my kids even outside of their class.

    Finally, I’m grateful to my cousins and relatives, who always check on my kids and me as well. 

    5. What’s your message to other Bagong Nanays who might have children with ADHD?

    Have more patience! When talking to your kids, learn how to negotiate. Encourage your kids that they will be and do better.

    If you feel that you need to talk or ask advice from a Dev Ped about your child, then do so. It helps.

    Finally, remember that you do not owe other people an explanation for your situation. Never explain yourself to others. I have failed on this, but it’s a learning process.

    Follow Mommy Honey and her kids journey on Instagram: instagram.com/momofhyperkids

    6. In only six words, describe what kind of Bagong Nanay you are.

    Fun-loving. Advisor. Warrior. Sometimes rule-follower, sometimes rule-breaker.

    I am Honey Quiambao-Iresare from Quezon City.

    I am the Bagong Nanay of Izai (11 years old) and Mamai (9 years old).

    When I’m not being an all-around wife and nanay and tutor to my kids, I spend my time on online gaming, watching KDrama, writing, reading, cross-stitching, hanging out, unwinding, and sleeping.

  • Tzarina Gaoiran: Love You From SG, To The Moon, And Back

    Tzarina Gaoiran: Love You From SG, To The Moon, And Back

    Hello, #BagongNanay.

    Probably one of our greatest fears as a Bagong Nanay is to be far away from our baby. I cannot imagine the pain and the longing of having to sleep without her by my side, or miss out on her milestones.

    In our experience, my baby spent her first 20 days in the NICU, away from me. After visiting her and spending time with her in the hospital, my husband and I will go home to an empty house. Those were the hardest days for us. I asked myself: Why can’t we be with our baby? Did we do something wrong?

    That’s why I live to share stories like this: a Bagong Nanay who had to be far away from her baby because of circumstances. I personally witnessed some of her struggles – because our daughters were born two weeks apart.

    Here’s the #KuwentongBagongNanay of Marie Tzarina Go-Gaoiran, on how a mother’s love could be so patient and so kind and so enduring that even with the distance and the pandemic effect – she strives to find ways to show her love for her daughter. A love that is out of this world – to the moon and back.

    Ilabas na ang tissue. Nanay tears will be shed.

    1. What were the circumstances that led you to be in a long-distance relationship with your little one?

    Two months before I gave birth to my daughter Dani in 2019, I flew from Singapore where I work – to my home in the Philippines on my obstetrician’s strict advice. At that time, I was approaching eight years as an S Pass holder in Singapore. Our long-distance situation with my dear daughter began after my maternity leave. 

    The Singapore government only allows non-residents to visit a maximum of a month, regardless of age, even for family members of S Pass holders. I asked about how to apply for a dependent, but I came out ineligible, after an assessment.

    The solution I came up with was to bring Dani to Singapore in alternate months. In the months that she had to stay in Manila, I would fly back for a couple of days to be with her.

    Dani’s First Christmas with Mommy Tzarina

    But our situation worsened when the pandemic started in 2020, which led me to decide to come home to the Philippines for good.

    2. How did you manage being far away from your baby? What are the three things that helped you cope with it?

    Postpartum depression (PPD) + long-distance relationship (LDR) is the worst formula for a Bagong Nanay. I cried myself to sleep – every single night. My husband, who was with me in Singapore, was very supportive and understanding, and for that I’m grateful. We talked things through and came up with ideas that could help me cope.

    Nightly video calls, sometimes even during office hours, made me feel as if I’m next to Dani. Before her bedtime, we read storybooks, which was so comforting. On weekends, calls were much longer. A couple of other stress busters in my routine are cooking and baking. I frequently sent photos of the dishes I made.

    Thank God for technology. Dani and her mommy Tzarina
    Storytime!
    Loving Dani to the moon and back

    Lastly, I put up Bunny Dani Dresses, where I sewed cute clothes and a quiet book for Dani. I surprised myself that I was able to make dresses for my little bunny.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-lipKXJHsq/?utm_medium=copy_link

    3. What was it like when you finally hug her again after a long time of being far away?

    My trip back home to the Philippines in November 2020 was unannounced. My parents and my friends didn’t know about it, except for my husband. It was nerve-wracking because it was my first time to make such a big surprise.

    When I opened the door, my mom shrieked. She couldn’t believe that it’s me. Dani cried, wondering what made her Granny scream. My heart was beating fast, I thought I was going to cry, but I felt so much happiness. I was smiling the whole time. It was a joy to see Dani again after a long time.

    Together, finally!

    4. What activities do you enjoy doing together now that you have each other? List the top 3.

    Somehow, the lockdown lets me spend more enjoyable activities with Dani. She’s my little helper in baking. When I tell her that we’re going to bake, she hurries to the kitchen and grabs the wire whisk, rolling pin, muffin pan, among other things.

    Little baker Dani
    Like baking, if it takes patience and love..
    …It’s going to be good and sweet. 💜

    I also enjoy bathing her in her mini tub. She imagines swimming in the pool with her rubber duckies and other toys.

    And at bedtime, I tell her stories from when she was just a baby, sometimes about our family, and stories from her books.

    Also mommy’s kitchen apprentice!

    5. What can you tell moms who are currently living far away from their children?

    When it comes to your children, nothing can be more important than being with them.

    Tzarina Gaoiran for bagongnanay.com

    I want to send a message to long-distance moms to follow their mother’s intuition. When it comes to our children, nothing can be more important than being with them. I had to battle my nagging fears for months, but my final decision to fly home to Dani was worth it. Regardless of your decision, don’t let anyone’s judgment burden you.

    As of writing, Tzarina and her husband Don are now living together with their daughter Dani here in Manila. 💜

    6. In only six words, describe what kind of Bagong Nanay you are.

    I am more confident and contented.

    I am Marie Tzarina Go-Gaoiran from Pasig.

    I am the Bagong Nanay of Daniele Marina or Dani, who just turned 2.

    I love watching Korean dramas and Netflix, and do some crafts when I am not busy with being Dani’s playmate, cook, and mom.

    Are you in a long-distance relationship with your child too? Share your experience in the comments.

  • Jo-an Liwanag: I’m a Mom, And I’m No Longer on Facebook and Instagram

    Jo-an Liwanag: I’m a Mom, And I’m No Longer on Facebook and Instagram

    Hello, Bagong Nanay!

    When was the last time you posted a photo of your baby on Facebook or Instagram? Two hours ago? Last year? Never?

    As first-time moms, it seems like we are compelled to post updates about our nanayhood journey – starting with a photo of our positive pregnancy test – to videos of the latest tricks our child can do. Some do it because “it ain’t official til it’s Facebook official,” and some do it “for the ‘gram” – wanting to feel some kind of high from the likes and hearts and wows that your post can get.

    But for Bagong Nanay Jo-an Liwanag, things changed when the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020. She shares, some of the social media sites that she used to love are no longer part of her new normal.

    This is her #KuwentongBagongNanay, of logging out of Facebook and Instagram – and logging in as a more hands-on parent to her three kids.

    1. What made you decide to stay off social media?

    I love being on social media, to be honest. It’s where I share my day-to-day stories, updates about our family so that our friends and relatives who live far away can get a glimpse on how we are doing. There were a lot of times that I would go offline on social media just to take a break, but only during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, around May 2020, that I decided to officially bid goodbye to the social media world.

    I was pregnant with my third child then, and it was not easy. It’s the most difficult pregnancy I’ve ever had; I experienced vomiting, nausea, and I was put on bed rest for the entire first trimester because of hemorrhage.

    I was 16 weeks pregnant when the pandemic started, and it made my experience even worse. Anxiety started to kick in, and then fear and panic. I even had to keep my pregnancy from my relatives and our parents, just so I can focus on keeping my baby healthy. I also experienced pre-term labor.

    I couldn’t stand seeing my news feed filled with angry people. No matter how I try to manage my feed, bad news still gets to me. Some people would even post unverified news, and it adds fear to my underlying anxiety. It was a very stressful time for any pregnant woman. That made me decide to finally log out of my social media accounts – specifically Facebook and Instagram – for good.

    How were the first days like?

    I honestly felt better. I got to sleep better. No anxiety or whatsoever. I did not make any announcement to my contacts, I just went offline, and people did not notice it that much. Only my closest friends realized that I was missing in their social media accounts. Honestly, it was easier to let go that way. You leave them puzzled and allow them to think whatever they want to think. People are entitled to their own presumptions.

    Mommy Jo-an Liwanag, with her kids Caitlin, Rafa, and Andres

    2. What can you say are the top 3 pros and cons of a Bagong Nanay who is not on social media?

    The top 3 pros for me are: increased productivity both at work and at home; more time for yourself and your family; and more time to connect with friends and family through private conversations.

    I honestly think the cons are subjective. I think it depends on how easy or hard it is for you to leave social media. For me, the only consequence is that I don’t get to access the profiles of relevant suppliers, and I can’t browse through the marketplace for things I need for work and for my family.

    3. Would you recommend having a social media timeout to other Bagong Nanays? Why or why not?

    Yes, I highly recommend having a social media timeout, not just for Bagong Nanays, but for everyone. Going offline gave me the liberty to regain myself behind the keyboard and my phone screen.

    Mommy Jo-an and Andres

    It helped me regain my sanity. Our mental health is very important. Going offline gave me more time to reconnect with the people around me, and it gave me the opportunity to share ideas and opinions to my friends by having real, private conversations.

    4. Have you noticed changes in you or in your outlook in life with you not being in social media anymore?

    Definitely! I finally learned how to accept the things I cannot change and to celebrate my small wins and big wins privately. I also realized that you don’t need other people’s validation or aim for self-gratification just to make yourself happy. I learned to live simply, and to stop comparing myself to others.

    I finally learned how to accept the things I cannot change, and to celebrate my small wins and big wins privately. I also realized that you don’t need other people’s validation or aim for self-gratification just to make yourself happy.

    Jo-an Liwanag for Bagong Nanay

    5. Where do you spend your time on – now that you’ve saved a lot of time from not being on social media?

    Happy and healthy kids of Mommy Jo-an

    I spend my time on taking care of my health and the health of my family, which is very vital in this time of pandemic. I focus on taking care of my body, and when I can, I squeeze in a 30-minute or a 1-hour workout.

    I spend my time on taking care of my health and the health of my family, which is very vital in this time of pandemic.

    Jo-an Liwanag for Bagong Nanay

    I learned to listen to my body. I don’t workout to regain my pre-pregnancy body. I never workout for vanity. I do this because I want to be strong and healthy for my family, so I can keep up with their demands. 

    I try my best to keep our family healthy by providing them the nourishment that they need, especially at a difficult time like this.

    6. In only six words, describe what kind of Bagong Nanay you are.

    I don’t go overboard. No fuss.

    I am Jo-an Liwanag from Parañaque City.
    I am the not-so-Bagong Nanay of Caitlin 11, and Rafa 10, but a Bagong Nanay to Andres, who is 11 months old.

    When I’m not busy working, washing dishes, cleaning the house, or feeding four bellies that never get full (including husband’s), I workout or binge-watch on Netflix.

    (Hey, it’s the only thing we can do for now since it’s pandemic, but I would love to travel again with family and start to create more core memories with them again).

    Want to share your #KuwentongBagongNanay too? Send me a message, and let’s talk about it.

  • Erin Santiago: I’m a Mom of Three, And I Have More Than Five Tattoos

    Erin Santiago: I’m a Mom of Three, And I Have More Than Five Tattoos

    Hello, Bagong Nanay!

    This #KuwentongBagongNanay is very special to me – because this is just a speck of the amazing nanayhood story of my *drum roll please* big sister!

    I wrote in a long post on Facebook how and why my Ate is an amazing sister, daughter, mom, friend, boss, and human being. But there’s a side that I would like to reveal about her – although her tattoos may be the first thing you see when you look at her, I want her to share the beautiful stories behind each of them.

    Just like my Ate and her tattoos, there are a lot of things that us, Bagong Nanays, need to challenge to break stigmas. And my way of doing so is by shed light on these issues, by providing a platform to tell personal and intimate stories like this.

    Read on, and I hope you’ll look at moms with tattoos differently afterwards.

    1. What made you decide to get inked? How was your first experience like?

    Growing up, I’ve always liked art, and beautiful art on skin is something that I’ve always wanted! I had struggles with weight loss and self confidence, and I thought that having a tattoo would be a great way to commemorate the start of a new discipline.

    My first tattoo was a “Google tattoo” that my amazing artist, Tupe Guillergan, challenged then. I spent hours looking for, and deciding what I want to be first inked with. Alas, I ended up searching “feather with birds” in Google.

    Erin and her first tattoo: a feather with birds by Tupe Guillergan

    Looking back, I kinda regret that I stuck with it as I could’ve gotten a more unique one. But it was meaningful to me at that time, so it’s still good. It meant freedom and liberation for me; birds flying away, escaping. 

    The experience was actually okay; it didn’t hurt as much as I expected, but it really was a good decision (or not) because after the first one, I wanted to come back for more.

    2. What and where are your tattoos, and what do they mean for you?

    After the first one, I had four more tattoos.

    The second one was a set of four small pieces: musical notes behind my left ear, and a matching media tattoo. They symbolized my love for music, and how I see life. It doesn’t have a stop button too – so we keep going.

    Erin’s 2nd tattoo: rewind, pause, play, fast forward and shuffle buttons

    I also have in my arm the name of my son Cyrus written in arabic font, which is also a homage to my dad who was working as an OFW in Saudi Arabia at the time.

    My third tattoo was a unique elephant head, from a different artist this time, Kristoval Art, who is also extremely talented. The design was custom-made for me, and it has a world of different meanings – but for me, mainly it’s how the elephant protects its offspring. It represents my love for my kids.

    Erin’s elephant head tattoo – with her daughter’s birth marks on the left ear – by Kristoval Art

    Tattoo #4 is a ferris wheel on my left chest. The most painful yet. This one was inspired by a quote I love about life: “Life is like a ferris wheel, you have to get past the fear to enjoy the view.” It’s a reminder that even if life has its ups and downs, there’s always a way out.

    Erin’s ferris wheel tattoo

    I placed it literally close to my heart as I love amusement parks, this one in particular was the one in Sky Ranch Tagaytay.

    Wow the details.

    Tattoo # 5 is something I got from a recent trip, two small pieces by finns.film. One symbolizing the beginning and the end, and the other one commemorating a friendship that started in Real Estate Street. 

    Souvenir tattoos from a recent trip by finns.film

    3. What do your kids think about you having tattoos?

    My son, Cyrus, used to say “you have dirty, mommy!” when he saw my first tattoo. It went on for months. Still makes me laugh to this day.

    My daughter, Hayley, doesn’t seem to mind, she sometimes say “may sulat ka oh” in her attempt to make a conversation about it, but she particularly likes my new A/Z tattoo when we practice her ABCs. 🤣

    Mommy Erin with her kids Cyrus, 12, and Hayley, 4

    4. What are the stigmas that women, particularly mothers, with tattoos face, and how would you like to challenge them?

    I clearly remember a scenario when I rode a jeepney from work. I was wearing a sleeveless tank top and jeans (I had a jacket on but I took it off before riding the jeep because it was humid), and when I sat down, I saw the lady across me clutch her bag tightly to her chest (quite obviously) when she saw my tattoo.

    Elephant in the room 🐘

    Had a good laugh about it when I somehow should be offended, but most of the time tattoos are still recognized as something most people frown at.

    Tattoos mean different things for different people, but no matter what, this shouldn’t be a reason for us to judge.

    Erin Santiago for Bagong Nanay

    There may be a story or not behind tattoos, but what the hell, it’s a free country, right? Tattoos do not hurt anyone, but the judgment and discrimination does. Getting tattoos isn’t a vice, it is a form of self-expression through art. I hope more people see that. 

    5. What’s the part of having a tattoo that you think most people don’t know about? 

    Tattoos are a great conversation starter. I’ve had random people come up to me asking what they mean, or how beautiful they are (my elephant head piece is always a winner). It isn’t always a welcome thought, but it is for the most part.

    I can say that I gained a lot of confidence when I had my first tattoo. As a mom struggling with weight issues, I had fun wearing nice clothes and showing them off.

    Erin Santiago

    If you plan on getting inked, it’s important to choose the artist carefully. As it is something that stays on your skin permanently, you would want it to something that you can be proud to show off (or not, your call).

    I would also like to say that it isn’t true that you will never be able to donate blood after getting one. One year and you’re good to go as long as there’s no other reason not to. 

    6. In only six words, describe what kind of Bagong Nanay you are.

    I am a Bagong Nanay who would do anything for family.

    I am Erin Santiago of Parañaque.

    I am the not-so Bagong Nanay of Cyrus, 12, and Hayley, 4. Daniel, my angel in heaven, made me a Bagong Nanay, who would’ve been 16 this year.

    When I’m not cooking, or picking up after my kids, or working as a supervisor in a BPO company, I am a gamer. I love having conversations over coffee with friends, and I also try and imitate Chloe Ting workouts in YouTube on a good day.

    Love her story? Give Erin a shoutout by leaving a comment below!