Recap! I changed my blog name and its domain last year to ‘The Cheryl F‘ despite the fact that ‘Goddess In Disguise’ was doing well in any terms. Although I wasn’t using the latter officially, I didn’t give up its ownership. I only redirected everything I had to the new one. The Cheryl F is obviously a more personal name. Goddess In Disguise, on the other hand, was originally created because of my love for style and beauty. But as I mentioned in my 2016 highlights post, it’s a love at first choice. And it will always be that way!

Funny Fact! I do not know if you guys really read my blog. Maybe you just click on the link and leave. Lol! I don’t even know if my friends or any of my family know I’m blogging. Although I’m pretty sure most of them are following my facebook page and other social media accounts, I just don’t know if they know what they are all about. Hahaha. I admit I don’t have better English skills than any bloggers out there. Sometimes, writing a post makes me lost for words. And more often than not, I feel like my writing is nonsense. Hahaha. Thanks to Google and Grammarly, though! If you’re using the two, then you know what I mean.

Goddess In Disguise, even before the year 2016, albeit not famous has been on a good track. And it is really a surprise that in less than two months after I decided to finally settle with the name and stick to it, a new recognition came. Being nominated is in no way part of my expectations. Especially here in Cebu. How much more being one of the finalists? Yes, unbelievable! We are one of the finalists of the Best Cebu Blogs Awards under Personal category. We, because I couldn’t make it this far without you.

I am a little puzzled to who nominated me because I haven’t met a blogger in person, or maybe I did unknowingly. Actually, I am still in awe until now. I will be forever grateful to those who keep on supporting my blog. And to those who nominated me, I owe you this recognition. Thank you also to the team behind BCBA, may you continue acknowledging bloggers in Cebu even after the next 10 to 20 years.

The awarding of the Best Cebu Blogs Awards 2017 will take place on December 3 at Parklane International Hotel. I may not be able to attend the event (time will tell) but I hope to see you all there.

Goodluck and Congratulations to my fellow finalists.

What is depression?

According to the Pschiatry.org, it is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Most of its common factors are life events, personality, environment, and genetics. Some of its symptoms include feeling worthless and guilty; loss of interest or pleasure in activities; difficulty thinking, concentrating and/or making decisions; and thoughts of death and suicide. Although it is treatable, some don’t survive.

Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness or feeling down. Anyone can be depressed, anyone can be its victim, including me. Yes, I was battling with the situation for more than three years. Along with that I also struggled with suicidal thoughts. Nobody said it exists. Nobody said it can happen. What’s worst? Nobody explained how to get out of it. I fought the battle alone. And guess what? Yes, I won!

I noticed it the few months after I gave birth to my son. I didn’t seem to understand the real situation at first. The feeling was hard to understand and I was having a hard time controlling my temper. A little misunderstanding became the worst arguments and a little problem became the biggest one. And ‘sorry’ was never enough, always! There was even a time when I thought that the only way to stop all of the negativity in life is to be gone forever. Yes, there were times (like more than once) that I’d wanted to end my life. Jump out of the window from a hotel room, perhaps. Or get a knife and stab my own self. Or get poisoned. Even worst!

This illness got worst day by day. I couldn’t find a reason to be happy anymore. There was a strong feeling of being unwanted. Even worst because my dreams were becoming too impossible to reach, I thought. I got fat, even fatter. Saggy boobs, flabby tummy and I looked so ‘manang’. I couldn’t go out and socialize. Nobody seemed to like and understand me. I felt unloved. Everything was totally different from what it used to be. I was no longer the bubbly one. I was no longer my own self.

It’s quite unbelievable that it took me more than three years to get healed. Three years of feeling down and wanting to die? That’s tough, huh! But I survived. Do you want to know how I did it? There’s actually no secret to that. Everything is just about yourself and yourself alone. Talk to yourself, it sounds crazy but it helps. Be kind to yourself. Give time. Start your day every day with a big smile. Focus on the positive. In my case, my son really has helped me a lot. Whenever I feel down or wary with life, I think of him. Whenever I think my life has no purpose at all, I look at him. Prioritize your own happiness. Life is too short, might as well be happy!

If you know anyone (even you) suffering from depression, please feel free to message me. I’m no expert, but you can always talk to me. xo

Have you ever served your child a plate of steamed vegetables? Did it end well? Unlikely. It isn’t because children don’t like the idea of being healthy, with so much delicious competition in the fast-food world, they simply don’t like the idea of eating healthy.

And while it may seem like you are fighting an unwinnable battle against fast-food giants for your children’s taste buds’ attention, there are a few tips and tricks which you can employ to help ease the transition to healthy eating, such as the ones below.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

Never has the saying been more appropriate than introducing your children to healthy eating. When starting, it’s important to remember that you are playing a long game, not a short sprint, with the goal of your child actively seeking out healthy food and making healthy food choices items when are outside the house.

With this in mind, introduce new items slowly, and don’t’ be offended if they aren’t touched at all. For example, simply introduce one new food onto their plate each week. Don’t replace another item for it, simply add it, say nothing, and see how it goes.  Then, as the week goes on, begging to use it as a replacement for regular items until it becomes a staple on the plate.

Combat the Flavor

Fast-food restaurants use flavors to entice your child’s taste buds, so why not play by their rules? Instead of simply serving up steamed or blanched vegetables, add some butter to the top of the corn or the peas, or make a gravy which you can add to any vegetables to help make them go down easier and more cooperatively.

Once you have successfully used the flavor to introduce your child to a new vegetable or healthy food options, gradually remove the flavor. You can do this by either leaving it out of the recipe when you’re cooking or you can purposefully forget to bring it to the table as you set it.

Make Eating Healthy Fun

Your youngsters are more likely to finish the items on their healthy plate is their favorite cartoon character is underneath waiting! Check out children’s plates from the Groupon Coupons page for Neiman Marcus and grab some fun plates and cutlery sets solely for your child to use and enjoy. You will be surprised by how quickly a child will eat their greens is it means they can see Peter Rabbit causing monoecious on their plate underneath.

Similarly, if your child is at school, buy a selection of colorful and cartoon filled lunchboxes which you can swap between each day and fill with healthy food items in addition to their regular lunch and snacks.

When it comes to transitioning children to a healthier eating plan, it isn’t going to be an easy or enjoyable activity. However, using the tips above can at least make the task somewhat more pleasant and a lot more successful.

Imagine working in a world where time seems to just past by and where almost everything changes instantly. Think of having to keep up with an environment where it costs a lot to stop or even slow down for a while. Sound taxing, right? What more of prioritizing the welfare of everybody in the household on top of it all.

But every head of the family doesn’t mind about it. Fathers are said to be the pillars of our homes. They toil sun up to sun down to give our needs and desires.

Some of them go abroad with tears in their eyes because they will be physically separated from their families. However, there is a certain joy in their hearts knowing that they will be able to provide for their loved ones back home.

To honor these gallant paternal men and let them feel how extraordinary they are and important their sacrifices are for their families, Father’s Day has been a yearly universal event. As we mark again this special occasion on Sunday, June 18, 2017, our applause and recognition will never be enough to show them how grateful we are to have them in our lives.

Our dads, together with our moms, take good care of us the moment we’re born. They are the ones who provide everything we need for our everyday lives. From infancy up to adulthood, they feed and clothe us.

As we take our initial baby steps, our patriarchs guide and lead us in the right direction. When we stumble and fall, they assist us to rise and move on. In times of danger or any threat, they shield us from any harm.

All of these, they do out of unconditional love. Their selflessness, though, has its own toll. Working tirelessly could lead to high levels of stress constantly and problems not only mentally, but physically, too. So better watch out for the signs.

Has tatay been constantly complaining about losing strands and strands of his hair every day? Or maybe has he been searching for a way on how to get them to grow back?

According to the hair loss statistics conducted by Statistic Brain in the year 2016, 40 percent of men experience noticeable mane vanishing as early as age 35. And as per the American Hair Loss Association, there are a couple of different factors that cause excessive hair fall, one being extreme degree of stress.

Nutramedica Inc. introduced a revolutionary product that aims to address this problem: NOVUHAIR, nature’s answer to hair loss. Being the only topical scalp lotion in the country that is made from 19 natural herbs, essential oils and co-factor nutrients all working synergistically, it’s perfect for all the heads of the family out there, be they biological or not.

NOVUHAIR is proven effective and safe to help prevent and stop the progression of hair loss and, at the same time, help promote locks’ growth. Simply spray a liberal amount of NOVUHAIR topical scalp lotion onto the scalp and massage for 5-10 minutes. Voila, it penetrates deeply into the roots, which helps rejuvenate, nourish and maintain the natural moisture of the hair.

Still have no idea on what to give him on his big day? Well, NOVUHAIR might not be the most expensive gift to impress him, but the most valuable present he could ever have. This nature’s answer to hair loss provides him the chance to be ahead already in preventing his “crowning glory” from receding in the near future.

So, head on to all leading stores nationwide and get a dose of this breakthrough product. NOVUHAIR is also available in shampoo and conditioner formats to further complement the benefits of NOVUHAIR topical scalp lotion. NOVUHAIR is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide. You may also order NOVUHAIR online at www.lazada.com.ph. For inquiries, you may call 413-6570 or 0922-8830575, and visit www.novuhair.com.

My little one will turn three in less than a month, and believe me or not, I still do not have plans nor prepared anything. Unlike the previous birthdays he had, this year will be different. His first and second birthday were not the same too, from the preparations to the budget, everything was different. But both birthdays were a grand. Here, I will enumerate few factors on how to achieve grand birthday celebration without sacrificing too much of your budget.

Here, I will enumerate few factors on how to achieve grand celebration without sacrificing too much of your budget. Most of these factors come from what I learned in my son’s first birthday, which I somehow found an alternative on the second birthday.

Decorations. On his first birthday, we chose Cars theme. What I actually was buy everything. I literally just bought everything, from balloons,  cake table decorations to celebrant standee. Not wrong, though. But there’s actually cheaper alternatives for that. On his second birthday, I decided to do everything on my own. I made my own design of letter standees from old newspapers. I bought balloons at a local craft store instead, cheaper than buying from balloon suppliers. And saved almost 3/4 of the budget.

Invitations. If you want to have your own personalized invitations, better design it on your own. There are actually so many beautiful templates you can find online, for free. All you have to do is edit the writings and attach the celebrant’s photo. Print and that’s good to go. You can also make your own envelopes if you want.

Photoshoot. It’s been a trend nowadays to have a pre-birthday shoot. If you want one, grab your own camera, go out and shoot. That’s what I did with my son’s second birthday. A week prior to the celebration, I asked my mom’s help to organize the shoot. If you know how to edit photos, much better. If not, you can play them around online. There are lots of online editors that are easy to use. Play with it. A slideshow of the celebrant’s photos during the celebration is a good idea too.

Food. I’m not against food caterers but if there’s someone in your family who can cook, much much better. It will save you from hiring cooks. Plus, you need not worry about how the food taste.

This is applicable to other celebrations too, not just birthdays. How about you? What’s your idea of having a grand birthday celebration in an affordable way?

In celebration of International Women’s Month this March, Nutramedica Inc., encourages women to speak their mind and know their rights. Be it in society or otherwise, women have excelled over the years, creating a sense of socio-equality that every female across the globe shall be proud of.

This years’ theme is “Be bold for change”, a very subjective manner of approach to the present era where women are called to lead and influence. Novuhair calls for the same thrust.

Novuhair empowers the female population by improving their appearance thru self-help ideas on social media. Channeling their self-esteem and confidence to exude.

Nutramedica Inc. itself is being led by a formidable woman, Sheila Mae Velilla, CEO & President. Ms. Velilla built the company from scratch, exerting much effort in product development and exemplary business & marketing acumen. Founded in 2004, Nutramedica was one of the first companies to market virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the Philippines. Today it is known for its comprehensive range of oral and injectable pharmaceutical lines, food supplements and cosmetic products.

At present, Novuhair has been awarded by Watson’s as the leading Medicated Hair Care Brand in the country for five consecutive years. The effectiveness of the product speaks for itself.

Novuhair is made with 19 natural ingredients that include moringa oleifera, panax ginseng, virgin coconut oil and the natural essences of rosemary and peppermint and almost 100% natural.

Novuhair nourishes the scalp and hair by increasing the flow of nutrients and improving blood circulation to the scalp. Novuhair also helps hydrate the scalp, maintain the hair’s natural luster and prevent early hair graying, hair dryness and itching. It also penetrates deep to rejuvenate the hair follicles, provides optimum nutrition to help combat hair loss and/or thinning of hair, improves blood circulation in the scalp which contributes to the stimulation of hair growth.

Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo, and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural and on Instagram @novuhairofficial. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online at Lazada and regaloservice.com.

I’m not a coffee person. I’m already used to letting people around me especially those who I just met know that I don’t drink coffee. Precisely because it’s becoming part of everyone’s generosity to offer coffee to visitors and the like. Sometimes I’m being mistaken as ‘maarte’ (nitpicky), but I’m not. I just don’t drink coffee, and that’s just it.

I don’t actually have the perfect reason for that, but here are few things why I don’t need coffee.An alarm clock does its job very well. Consider a snooze. But I don’t need caffeine to wake me up in the morning.

Breakfast is perfectly okay and complete without a cup of coffee. I even drink juice during breakfast if I like to. No need for coffee.

A hundred pesos or more worth of coffee is a NO for me. I don’t want to spend that much for just a coffee drink. Let’s get some food, shall we?

Keeping myself up, alive and energetic the whole day doesn’t need the help of a caffeine. Just give me food and I’ll be as jolly as I was the mid-day. I remember when I was pregnant with my son, the smell of a coffee made me sick. I don’t exactly know why, but it smells annoying! Hahaha.

Having a task to get done asap? Coffee won’t help me. In fact, the task alone makes my brain functions like it’s 8 in the morning. And please don’t ask me what I want between tea or coffee, because I don’t drink both. LOL! I have tasted coffee and tea, of course, just not my thing. So how do you I survive? Pretty easy actually! I wake up in the morning and the day begins. There are so many ways to energize without coffee. Music is one thing. Your task for that day is another.

Coffee date? Make sure that coffee shop has other drinks aside from coffee. Else, no thanks. Hahaha.

How about you? Are you a coffee person or not?