Jill and the Books Talk

Won't last a day without experiencing the warm, aromatic, delicate and soothing (feeling mayaman) effect of tea? Then you must be a TEA-ta! Here are the telltale signs of being a TEA-ta: 1. Tea is your elixir for life You begin and end your day with tea. You take tea like your square meals (see tea time chart). Tea is medicine! A TEA-ta has a specific tea to prescribe for every symptom on earth. Sleepy? Perk up your senses with black tea. Indigestion? Have a cup of fresh peppermint tea. Sleepless? Chamomile will take you to snooze heaven. Early signs of aging? White tea is health-TEA for your skin. Cholesterol problems? Green tea is scientifically proven to unclog your arteries. As you get older, Pu-erh now becomes a staple in your tea box. Kinakabag ka ba TEA-ta? Hetong tsaa! 2. You are maTEApid The stash of tea you keep in your handbag is as valuable as your wallet containing your membership cards (Me rcury Drug, S&R, SM, Rustan's, Healthy Options, Landers , etc.), credit...

It was March 15, 2020, the first day of Enhanced Community Quarantine that I felt like I was being strangled. It finally dawned on me that I cannot just take the next flight to see my family whenever I miss them.  I fared no better in the coming days as I felt like I was being pulled between two opposing powerful forces. I was succumbing to a depressed state while also being very much aware that I had to pull myself together. I had to stay strong for my family (especially my mom who broke down over the phone), my staff (who were with me), our family businesses (we had to close non-essential businesses and had to maximize digital marketing efforts for essential business), my anxious patients (who somehow made me forget my troubles because I had to do counseling as early as 7am and as late as midnight), and the donors who needed my assistance in coordinating aid. Not to mention the responsibilities I had with corporate clients and writing articles for Manila Bulletin. I was read...

We are a unique species of women whose identities are not defined by having our own offspring neither by our ability to bear children nor the choices we make in life about motherhood. Rather we are a group of women who have so much love to give to the little ones in our families. Just like us, do you have what it takes to be a certified Tita of Manila? Presenting the Titas of Manila: (L to R) Vie, Cheshire, Vannah You have to be a certified tita. Meaning you have at least a nephew or a niece whom you perennially shower with love and “blessings.” You are present in every milestone, play nanny when ze parentals need to take a break, play silly games and goof around while sporting your otherwise delicate designer OOTDs.  You are also unfortunately perceived as someone who has a bottomless well of moolah and an all season Santa. Kung alam lang nila gaano kahirap kumita ng pera. Kayod pa more!  My eldest nephew and I. Vannah and her eldest nephew....