Tag: love

  • Hello, 2026: Bagong Taon, Bagong Nanay!

    Hello, 2026: Bagong Taon, Bagong Nanay!

    Hi, Bagong Nanay!

    Kumusta?

    I just wanted to write a quick post to do two things: 1) recap our 2025 in Bagong Nanay; 2) invite you to our first Milk Tea Meetup.

    Bagong Nanay’s 2025, wrapped

    I mentioned in a reel that my 2025 was a year of heartbreaks and breakthroughs. The first half of the year was the extension of my maternity leave. I gave birth to my second child via Caesarean section in September 2024, and went back to work in January 2025. I became a Bagong Nanay all over again, and I wasn’t prepared for the reset. I prayed and prayed for God to help me decide what to do next: I love my job, but my son needed me more.

    That’s why in May, I decided to resign from my job as an editor at Smart Parenting.

    July

    In July, I restarted Bagong Nanay. I bought a new domain and hosting, and started writing for my own website. I was scared but also excited for what God has in store for me. And so I kept writing.

    bagong nanay logo
    Bagong Nanay, new logo for 2025 relaunch

    Before the month ended, my good friend and Bagong Nanay Roanne Duran Pascual wrote about how she’s raising her son to be a reader. It was the first Kuwentong Bagong Nanay of 2025.

    raising a reader
    Photo credits: Roanne Duran Pascual

    August

    The next month, God showed His plans for me.

    In August, I signed my first brand partnership. The only milk brand I trust, HiPP Organic Kindermilk tapped Bagong Nanay to be one of their influencers. Not only did I found THE milk for my children, but they helped grow my mom community through their Mommy Meetups.

    Having fun at the HiPP Mommy Meetup with my new Bagong Nanay friend, Gayle Dhillon. | Photo credits: HiPP Organic Kindermilk Philippines Facebook page

    On the same month, another good friend and writer Jilianne Roylence Francia, who also owns Valianne’s Trends, shared how she started her advocacy to normalize breastfeeding anywhere.

    bagong nanay jilianne francia normalizing breastfeeding
    Photo credits: Jilianne Roylence Francia

    I also debuted the Bagong Nanay Biz section, where I feature moms and their businesses. For the first issue, Suzette Goc-ong of Sew Childhood shared how she built her clothing business from scratch.

    sew childhood story
    Photo credits: Suzette Goc-ong

    It was also in August when our family grieved the death of our 16-year-old dog, Lolo Panda. I knew I had to write about it, and it helped that I did.

    I started showing up on TikTok too! Panindigan na natin ‘to.

    September

    It was during this month when I was busy preparing for my son’s first birthday. During his party, my husband and I launched Laro Tayo Kids, an inflatable slide and mobile playground rental business. It was my biggest move for 2025, and it took lots of prayers and sleepless nights to happen.

    I also featured a mom I found on Threads, who sells sweaters and onesies with handsewn prints: Yane Cuarto of Elisha and Eliana. Her story reached thousands, and it was the highest viewed story of Bagong Nanay to date.

    elisha n eliana
    Photo credits: Yane Cuarto

    October

    On my birth month, I finally had the courage to write a vulnerable post about caring for our mental health and staying alive.

    I was grateful to also share the story of Ara Yeung, the Bagong Nanay behind Cuddle and Coo PH, on how her business helped her in so many ways.

    Cuddle and Coo owner Ara Yeung for Bagong Nanay
    Photo credits: Ara Yeung

    November

    The best is yet to come. In November, I had the pleasure of working with Bianca Gonzalez, and becoming part of one of the episodes in her Paano Ba To? The Podcast.

    PAANO BA TO BAGONG NANAY
    Screenshot from YouTube /iamsuperbianca

    It was a dream come true, an answered prayer, and again, God showing how powerful He is. He makes all things new. I didn’t know it yet, but Bianca will invite me to a very intimate brunch in December! Watch it here.

    I also received an email from a mompreneur who wanted to share her story on Bagong Nanay. Sobrang kilig ko when I read her message. Eds Nabong of Aimerie shared how she paused her career and built her cloth diapering business.

    eds-nabong-aimerie-bagong-nanay
    Photo credits: Eds Nabong

    December

    To end the year, Ives Lim Esteban of Tickled Babies shared how she built her business during her tender season as a Bagong Nanay. She’s the mom who brought well-loved brands like HALO SleepSack, NoseFrida, and OXO Tot to the Philippines

    ives lim esteban of tickled babies for bagong nanay
    Photo credits: Ives Lim Esteban

    And the last Kuwentong Bagong Nanay of 2025 was the story of Tina Santiago Rodriguez, a media missionary and mother of six (plus one in Heaven). She shared what and who helps her do it all.

    tina-santiago-rodriguez
    Photo credits: Facebook /Jewels Conference, Tina Santiago Rodriguez

    Hello, 2026! Milk tea tayo, yes?

    What a year that was. I didn’t know that all those things could happen, all I knew was I’ve chosen to surrender to God’s plans.

    That’s why, to start the year, we’ll be having our very first Bagong Nanay Milk Tea Meetup this month! Yes, gusto lang naman nating mga mommies ay mag-me time habang umiinom ng ating dasurv na dasurv na milk tea. Start tayo sa South! Our venue is in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Babies are allowed! Gets na gets namin yan.

    So far, may 10 mom members of our Viber community confirmed! Partner kami ni mother Chesca Susmerano of Studio Maria for the program. We want to make it special and meaningful for the Bagong Nanays!

    If you want to join us, comment below or send me a DM on Facebook, Instagram, or Threads so I can send you the link to our Bagong Nanay Community Viber group. We’ll be having another one in the North and East soon!

    If you made it this far, thank you so much for being here. You matter so much. I hope you remember that. God loves you!

    surrender-planner
    My 2026 Surrender planner from my bestie Cherrie Julian

    Here for you,

    Nanay Judy

    “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

  • 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!

    Tiktok Shop: https://www.tiktok.com/@aimerieph
    Use voucher code: AIMENANAY10

    Shopee Mall: https://shopee.ph/aimerie.ph
    Use voucher code: AIMENNY10

  • Dealing with Grief and Loss: Saying Goodbye to Our Dog Panda

    Dealing with Grief and Loss: Saying Goodbye to Our Dog Panda

    On August 8, we lost a family member—our almost 16-year-old dog, Panda.

    This morning, I caught myself staring at a gaping hole outside our home. It would have been the resting place of our dear Panda,who passed away peacefully in his sleep that day. It’s only been three weeks since he left us, but not a day goes by that we aren’t reminded of him.

    That hole was my husband’s and my attempt to dig a grave for our beloved dog. When we found out that he’s dead at 11AM, our instinct was to dig—under the scorching heat, with the only tools we had at home: a small pick and shovel, and a lot of heart.

    Hello, Panda

    I first met Panda during my then-boyfrend, now husband’s birthday celebration at home back in 2009. He was still a tiny puppy, only a few days old. He had a white fur and black spots, easily, they named him Panda. Since then, we took care of him, and loved him as our family.

    When his sister Pipay died a few years back from slug poisoning, we thought we’d lose Panda too. He showed the same symptoms, but thankfully, we rushed him to the vet at midnight and he was given medicine for his liver.

    When Kevin and I got married and lived in Eastwood, Panda stayed under the care of our tenant in Tandang Sora. We would visit often, usually bringing liempo as his treat. During the pandemic, when our tenant moved out, we took Panda in because he was all alone. Together with our toddler daughter, we survived the lockdown inside our 24-sqm studio unit.

    Our dear Panda.

    We walked him at our condo’s parking lot, as we got our own dose of sunlight and exercise. And when we finally moved to our new home, he had the space to run free again.

    Goodbye, Lolo Panda

    We dug until we reached a rock we just couldn’t break. By then, I was already feeling dizzy, and my husband was drenched in sweat. He took a break from his work, telling his teammates, “I’ll just bury my dog.” My heart broke when I heard him say that. Our kind neighbor saw us and lent us his bigger shovel.

    When Panda died, our instinct was to dig a grave for our dog.

    We took a break for a while because there seems to be no luck in digging anymore. My husband thought, how about we have him cremated?

    On Facebook, we found a pet aftercare provider. When I picked up my daughter from school, I told her what happened. That afternoon, we didn’t play any music during the ride home. We were just quiet.

    They picked up Panda’s remains that same afternoon and gave us a short time to view him before cremation. At around 4 PM, they arrived—just after our 6-year-old daughter saw him and said goodbye.

    By 6 PM, I received a text from telling us we could schedule a viewing at 9 PM. It was an hour’s drive from our home, but it was worth it.

    There, we saw Panda lying on a soft bed surrounded by flowers. Immediately, the tears we’d been holding back poured. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to the dog who had been with us for nearly 16 years.

    Thank you, Panda.

    When I got pregnant with my first child, Panda knew. He sniffed me often, and appear so clingy because he thought we’d love him less. Whenever he escaped from our house, we’d scour the village non-stop just to find him. I remember looking for him in our village while carrying my three-year-old daughter, holding an umbrella, at noontime. Only to find him resting calmly under a parked truck. He never really left us, but we always feared losing him, because he was family.

    Dealing with the grief of losing a family member

    Reflecting on Panda’s death, here are a few things that help us cope as a family.

    1. Feel your feelings.

    Allowing ourselves to sit with the sadness and grief helped. So did telling others we needed time to grieve. I had to refuse from a task that day because I told them we lost a family member. Digging that grave was our way of processing our emotions together. And being able to see Panda one last time, at peace, helped us prepare to say goodbye.

    2. Talk about him.

    He will never be forgotten. Whenever I see a dog, I think of him. In our home where he was a constant, Panda will always have a special place. Having his ashes with us brings peace—we know he’s still home.

    3. Know that it’s not your fault.

    On the day he died, I was very sorry that I wasn’t able to save him. I cried, and I was guilty that I could’ve done something to extend his life. However, I realized how blessed we are to be able to spend almost 16 years with Panda. We were his only family, and he gave us unconditional love. For that, we will always be grateful.

    Our last family photo, before I gave birth last September

    If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

    Run free now, Panda. We love you so much.

    In loving memory of Panda Aladin

    November 2009 – August 8, 2025

    Thank you Precious Paws Aftercare Services for our beautiful send-off to our beloved Panda.