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Love Is A Mommy: Laureen Jamero-Lejarde on Breastfeeding, Balance and Being Brave
Boholana mom and breastfeeding advocate Laureen “Love” Jamero-Lejarde shows that it’s possible to nurture family, advocacy and self—without spreading too thin. What is life without love? For Laureen “Love” Jamero-Lejarde, the answer is a life half-lived. A Boholana mom and community builder, Love doesn’t just talk empowerment—she practices it. To reach moms across Bohol, she created the Facebook page Love Is a Mommy, a space born from her involvement with Breastfeeding Bohol and Boholana Mommy Tribe. Her goal is simple: help moms with real-life hacks,…
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2024 Cebu Safari Guide: An Experience of a Lifetime
We’re lucky to live in a time where we don’t have to travel far to see the exotic animals usually seen on TV (cue Taylor Swift’s Wildest Dreams MV). While many of us dream of visiting the African Savannah, the chances of turning that dream into a reality often feels out of reach. Fortunately, we can count on the famous Cebu Safari & Adventure Park to bring that unique experience and wonders of wildlife closer to us. Located in the scenic hills of Carmen, Cebu,…
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An Ephemeral Life
I sat there in a daze, empty and broken. It was the longest day of my life. It was three in the afternoon, but we had yet to eat lunch. My husband and I had to finish processing the papers first before the hospital could discharge my dad. Although it took quite some time, it was uneventful and without any problems and we finally settled everything smoothly. And there we were, inside a small food outlet at the mall, about to eat our lunch. As…
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How We Almost Missed Our Wedding: A Funny Tale
Did you know that we almost didn’t get married 5 years ago? My husband and I still talk and laugh about this blooper to this day. Such happy and hilarious memories! But before I dive into that thrilling detail, let me share with you how I met Jan Ray (this is probably my version of How I Met Your Father 🤣). He Had Me at Hello We met through mutual friends: my close friend (PG) made a new friend (Munel) who happened to be a…
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Short Sturya # 1 – Mark Munel
In this first Short Sturya, Mark Munel talks about his passion for art and mobile photography while imparting the lessons that life has given him. This year, he recently lost two significant people in his life who stood as important pillars that molded him into who he is today. As Mark Munel continues his journey in life, he finds comfort and inspiration in his artistic pursuits, specifically in mobile photography. Through his lens, he captures the beauty and resilience of the human spirit, often drawing…
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Ralph Barajan: True Courage in the Face of Adversity
When the M/V Siargao Princess began to sink on November 7, 2019, (former) Philippine Coast Guard officer and registered nurse Ralph Barajan took command—calming chaos, organizing survivors and helping save 62 lives. His bravery later earned the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. It was a bright, sunny morning on November 7, 2019, with clear skies and calm seas. The horizon looked peaceful, promising a smooth voyage to the passengers of the M/V Siargao Princess towards their destination in Sibonga, Cebu. Ralph Barajan was…
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How Jean Found True Love on a Plane: 7 Lessons for a Happy Marriage
A chance seat swap turned into a life partner—Jean shares what really sustains love beyond the butterflies. “It all started with ‘Hi and Hello.’” As soon as Jean Cabatingan-Moore began narrating her story, it felt like I was watching the plot unfold straight out of a romantic movie. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the movie, “Love at First Sight.” Jean was on her way back home for the holidays and the hour-long flight from Manila to Bohol was the last leg of the…
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Sheryl Guir: An Embodiment of a Strong, Resilient Woman
When life gives you lemons, what do you do? The proverbial phrase tells us to make lemonade, but Sheryl Guir chooses to make Margaritas instead. This is how she transforms even the sourest and most bitter moments of her life into sources of strength, becoming the strong and resilient woman she is today. A Multifaceted Woman A single mom of two, Sheryl wears many hats to support her family. She mirrors a bumblebee, diligently pursuing her life’s dreams. She is not just an insurance agent;…
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5 Lessons I Learned When My Dad Was in the ICU
The past month was undoubtedly a roller coaster ride full of challenges and emotional distress for me and my family. My dad was rushed to the hospital with a critical condition, and after a week, his condition worsened. We decided to transfer to another facility since we could no longer afford the bills. We spent another week at a government hospital and tried to remain resilient and optimistic throughout this ordeal. However, the Lord had other plans. My dad joined the Creator on September 4,…
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A Glimpse of Cebu’s Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark
Despite the strong, cold gusts of Super Typhoon Egay (Doksuri) ravaging the whole country, the cold weather didn’t stop vacationers from enjoying countless dips and dives at the Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. When we stepped into this luxury family destination, I was eager to see what this 5-star hotel and resort offered to what seemed like an unending drive of tourists (mostly Koreans). Thanks to the newly built CCLEX, the travel time from mainland Cebu to Mactan Island has been…
