New Bling! Glow-in-the-dark medal for unlocking 12K!

There’s something magical about chasing the sunrise while chasing a milestone, noh? That’s exactly what happened when I looped and logged 12 kilometers for the first time ever during the SCUDS Run 2025. The plan? Simple: walk when tired, run when ready. The result? A personal record, 818 calories burned, and a heart full of pride (and sweat, of course).Very good ka, ghorl! I think I may have pushed myself a little  harder than usual  but that feeling of crossing the finish line was priceless.  I even did a little happy singing and "ho-ho-hoing" along the road… or was it just the pure rush of endorphins? 😄 Either way, I couldn’t be prouder!

The Route: New Starting Point, Familiar Vibes

The race took off from a new starting point , which was a pleasant change. While the route had a few familiar parts, especially from the VL Anniversary Half Marathon, it still had its unique features like a new scenery and elevation for Poppy and me .  The route was well-organized, with plenty of security presence and the aid stations were spaced out nicely, ensuring that hydration and fuel were never too far away. Shout-out to Pocari Sweat for keeping us hydrated with electrolyte drinks!  I just wish some runners were a bit more responsible tho! 🙄 I saw quite a few used cups tossed along the roadside instead of the bins. Come on, guys, we can do better than that!

Before this, Poppy and I have already been training a bit, running around Robinsons Place , trying to improve our pacing, and it paid off! I think nakatulong talaga yung maayos na warm up. It’s these little wins, right? I mean, there was a moment there when I thought, “Waaaa, mabigat na binti ko!” but I kept going, and that’s the beauty of running. It teaches you to keep moving, even when you feel like stopping. Ayoko nga ma-DNF or masundo sa daan! 😄

For someone who once thought 5K was a mountain, hitting 12K felt like reaching the moon. And just when I thought I was slowing down, I accidentally set a PR (personal record) in the 10K. Talk about bonus achievements!

This morning’s run was more than just a workout. It was a celebration of strength, resilience, and my ongoing love affair with movement. It was a reminder that even in your late 40s, you can still surprise yourself ! All you need is  the right mindset, the right shoes (maybe shoeses? Teehee!), and the right kind of self-love.

Today's reward? A nice new bling! A glow-in-the-dark medal! Kewl! But it would’ve been even more special if there were some form of distinction between the 6K and 12K categories, maybe on the lanyard or medal design itself. Just a little something to mark the extra miles because, honey, they were felt! A ticket to bragging rights , di ba? Hahaha!

So here’s to more loops, more U-turns, and more ghorl power on the road!

Congratulations SRC Events!

Keep running. Keep Pushing. One step at a time.  And as always…
Stay chic and keep telling.

Xoxo, 

Mommy Chix 💋

 

 

 

Braving the Roads, Bridging the Gaps: A Day with the Learners of Kinam NHS

 

Last July 17, 2025, I had the opportunity of wearing not just one, but two of my many hats — a beautiful intersection of my passions and advocacies. As Executive Director of the South Cotabato Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and as Vice President for Internal Affairs of the Sox Bloggers Society, I was deeply honored to take part in an outreach mission that brought smiles, slippers, and school supplies to the learners of Kinam National High School in Malapatan, Sarangani Province.

This journey was special for many reasons. For one, it was a full-circle collaboration as our blogging oranization known as Sox Bloggers Society partnered with Gaisano Mall of GenSan, a proud member of the chamber I represent, through their corporate social responsibility programs Tools for Schools and Happy Feet. Together, we set out to bring essential school supplies and brand-new slippers to one of the more geographically challenged yet deeply deserving communities in Sarangani.

Getting to Kinam was no easy feat. We quite literally crossed rivers and navigated elevated roads aboard a Sadam, a modified vehicle uniquely suited for mountain terrains, thanks to the ever-supportive LGU of Malapatan, led by Hon. Jun Sumbo, Sir Jomari Estrera and Sir Mark Christopher Quiño, who ensured our safe transport to and from the mountains. But as we approached the school, with the majestic view unfolding before us and the eager faces of students waiting, every bump on the road faded into insignificance.

 

 

Each learner received a bag of school supplies — notebooks, pens, pencils, and more. Selected students were also given new slippers, a small but meaningful gesture to ease their daily walk to education.

 

As part of the program, I was given the chance to speak to the students about online safety and responsible social media use. With so much of our lives now intertwined with the digital world, the Soxbees believe that teaching digital responsibility is just as important as providing tangible school supplies. Our children must not only be equipped to read and write, but also to navigate the online space with discernment, empathy, and caution.

 

It was a brief talk, but I hope the message stays with them.

We also gathered that this was the first time (as far as their memory could serve ) that the school has received a visit like this. Nakaka-touch naman. It made the journey feel even more significant. My heart swells with gratitude that we were able to reach them, and I sincerely hope there will be more opportunities ahead for us to return and bring even more blessings to the learners here. Thank you so much for allowing us to be your interim CSR arm, Gmall and Sir KG!

It’s days like these that remind me why I do what I do. In every outreach activity, we don’t just give . We receive so much more in return. And as I reflect on this meaningful day, I’m reminded that true service is not about recognition or reward, but about touching lives in quiet, lasting ways.

Here’s to more purposeful journeys.
Here’s to partnerships that uplift.
And here’s to the young dreamers of Kinam ! May your steps be lighter, your minds sharper, and your futures brighter. And to our partners, wag na wag sana tayong mapagod to share because every act of kindness deserves to be remembered, every story of hope deserves to be heard .

Keep showing up, one community at a time.

Keep telling,

 Xoxo, 

Mommy Chix 💋

  

 

 

From Lake Sebu to VL Foods: Fueling My Running Heart, One Rainy Run at a Time

 

The elevated run at Lake Sebu definitely fired up my running love story!

So Poppy and I signed up for the 10K category at the recently concluded VL Foods 29th Anniversary Half Marathon! I must say that the short but challenging 5K elevated run really helped improve my endurance — and it also helped that Poppy and I did some preparation for this 10K run. 

I was sooo excited for this one because aside from running with the Soxbee Run Squad again (Can I just officially christen our blogger group with this name? Hahaha!), my daughter was also running with us! What do you know ! I actually got her to run with us! Hahaha! Nabudol si Engineer!  

 

 Engineer Ysabella, Poppy and Me

 The Sox Bloggers collaborated with VL Foods for this anniversary run, and happy runners we were because Red Fern Pavilions hosted a pre-race dinner to fuel our heels for the next day’s run. Three of us were signed up for 21K, six for 10K, and one for 5K  so we needed a loooot of energy, didn’t we? 

The Soxbees Run Squad at the Red Fern garden.

 

 The Soxbees Run Squad with our host, Soxbee Rain of Red Fern Pavilions

Then the clock went tic-toc! Lo and behold, rain poured heavily before the 21K gun start but the event advisory screamed: RAIN OR SHINE, THE RUN PUSHES THROUGH! So we all laced up our shoes and braved the wind going to the assembly line. Thankfully, the weather calmed just in time. 

 

 

 

My fellow 10K runners and I (plus hubby and daughter) excitedly joined the warm-up, and then — gun start! Off we go! Run… walk… walk… run! We stopped at every aid station for water and yes, helped ourselves to  sashimi and roast pig! Hahaha! Only at a VL Foods run, right? A feast in every aid station! 

And then I saw it! The turning point marker! Hahaha! Halfway through, girrrrl! By this time my legs were already nagging the h*ll out of me! Ta's ang dilim pa rin ng paligid. Waaaa!

I was about 3K away from the finish line when the rain started again ! Ang saya lang! ! The rain made me sooo happy it felt like my energy came flooding back, and I was practically singing in the rain all the way to the finish line!

 

 

I super enjoyed the whole experience ! Ya'know, running through that final stretch, crossing the finish line, getting my medal, and being greeted with a kiss from hubby! Ayeee! Kaki-at! Soaked, tired, yes — but happy and proud! My second official 10K run — looped and logged! Half Mary next? Huuuuuyyy! 

 And as I always tell myself whenever I feel weak and ready to quit:  

 Keep Pushing, one step at a time!

Kudos to VL Food Products and AKBRI Sports Promotion for a well-organized  event and shout-out to all the event lensmen : Manong Bosero, Mark Shutterworks, Vince Pitik Gensan and of course, Poppy for these beautiful snippets!

 Stay chic and keep telling!

 Xoxo, 

Mommy Chix 💋

 

Now Loading: Our Anytime Fitness Adventure!

 If you’ve been following our fitness journey, you’d know that Poppy and I have been regulars at the gym long before we discovered the joy of pounding the road. Strength training has been our love language — from lifting plates to pushing reps, we’ve been hooked on the grind that makes our muscles ache in the best way possible.

 But just this June, we added a new chapter: our running journey. Woohooo! Awaw! Running era, yern? :D What started as a simple gaya-gaya, takbo-takbo turned into an unexpected love affair with the open road and truth be told, I think it’s one of the best decisions we’ve made for our fitness and for each other. Eto yung sagot sa tanong na, "Para kanino ka bumabangon?" Lolz!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before all this, we were blessed to have found a welcoming first home for our bakal buffet. To our first gym family, the Generals House of Fitness — thank you for opening your doors to us, for cheering on our first lifts, and for making us feel right at home. We will always be grateful for where we started and for everyone who cheered for us from day one. 💙

LET THE PURPLE JOURNEY BEGIN!

And now? We’re leveling up once again! Drumroll please! :D

Last June 25, during Anytime Fitness Gensan’s Grand Refresh, Poppy and I were officially introduced as part of Anytime Fitness SM Gensan’s roster of local influencers, along with other inspiring faces from the community. 💜

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then we got our cutesy AF influencer pass — our ticket to unlimited pawis and progress! Our first mission: a body composition assessment at the club using the Evolt360 Body Scanner- a cutting-edge non invasive scan that gives you a detailed breakdown of your body including body fat percentage, muscle mass, visceral fat and body age.   

Coach Jurma walked us through every step, explaining how important it is to know our numbers so we can train smarter and keep growing stronger. She even gave us a quick tour and wow, the place is every fitness lover’s dream: sleek, modern, and brimming with good energy!

You know what? There’s something about wearing that  AF shirt that makes everything feel official — like we’ve stepped into a family that understands the hustle and cheers us on to do more, every single day. It’s not just about the reps or the kilometers; it’s about showing up, staying consistent, and having fun together along the way.

So here we are — officially purple, officially part of the #AFgensanpurplefam, and officially ready to keep pushing our limits inside our new second home. Expect more stories from our daily grind at Anytime Fitness: lifting, sweating, and laughing our way through every drop of sweat.

Here’s to showing up, putting in the work, and loving every bit of the ride. And as I always tell myself whenever I feel weak and ready to quit: Keep Pushing, one step at a time!

Stay chic and keep telling!

 Xoxo, 

Mommy Chix 💋

Didn’t Hit Your Money Goals Yet? Maya’s Here to Get You Back on Track

 

Let’s be honest — you probably started the year with all the best intentions. Maybe you
even made a money mood board, listed your financial goals, promised yourself this was
the year you’d finally save.

Then life happened. Expenses showed up uninvited, those online sales were way too
good, and suddenly, savings? Still pending.

But here’s your mid-year reality check: it’s not too late. Maya, the #1 Digital Bank app in
the Philippines, is here to help you reset, refocus, and make real progress with your
money goals (without making things boring or overwhelming).

Save in a way that actually works

With Maya Savings, you can earn up to 15% interest p.a. — no complicated terms, no
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Save with purpose, not pressure

Want to build that travel fund? Prep for an upcoming concert? Or just feel more in
control? Maya lets you create up to 5 Personal Goals inside the app where you can
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One app, full control

Maya isn’t just for saving. It’s your all-in-one app for sending money, paying bills,
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This is your sign to stop stressing about what didn’t happen in the first half of the year
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mode, Maya’s here to help you make the rest of the year your most money-smart yet.
 

Visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram,
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by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor.
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About Maya
Maya is the #1 Fintech Ecosystem in the Philippines, with Maya, the #1 Digital Bank,
and Maya Business, the #1 Omni-Channel Payment Processor. Maya Bank is a digital
bank regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), with deposits insured by the
Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) up to ₱1 million per depositor. To learn
more about Maya, check out maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Follow Maya at
@mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and
@mayaofficialph on Twitter.   

For more information:
Nick Wilwayco
Head of Public Affairs and Communications
Maya
nick.wilwayco@maya.ph