Lean In Network Manila, in collaboration with Origins Athletics, is excited to announce a groundbreaking event designed exclusively for moms and their children: The Moms and Kids Self-Defense Workshop. Set to take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 3 PM at Origins Athletics San Juan, this event promises to be an unforgettable adventure of strength, solidarity, and empowerment. About Lean In Network Manila and Origins Athletics: Lean In Network Manila is part of the global Lean In community, inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead." It's dedicated to ..read more

Yesterday was our 17th wedding anniversary. It was also our 25th first kiss anniversary. Vince cooked 3 slabs of steak. medium rare, which is how we like it. I would've made mashed potatoes and roasted some vegetables but I had had a long day at work and so we and our three boys just ate the juicy steaks, had ice cream after, then plopped in front of the TV and had chips and chocolate-covered raisins while we watched 3 Body Problem. And that's how we celebrated our anniversary. I think we're still planning to go out this weekend. So if you see us out and about (which we do so rarely!), please ..read more

To all parents out there, kudos. Juggling between parenting and running an online business is not for the faint-hearted. While the internet has created opportunities for various online businesses, allowing many people to work from the comfort of their homes, it is a tough gig. And when you add parenting (another tough gig) to the mix, it can be challenging. The never-ending duties and responsibilities can consume your physical, mental, and spiritual resources, leaving you running on empty. Are there solutions to make the gig less tough? The trick is working smarter, not harder. In this arti ..read more

I love ChatGPT. It's like my personal assistant. "Research this for me. Compute this for me. Make an outline for me." And now I asked it to decorate my house! My prompt was describing the bones of each room first, colors that can't be undone (like my seafoam green headboard and green bathroom tiles). And then I gave it instructions on what I want for each room. And here's the result! A little too brown and gray, but I love everything else. Maybe I'll choose a navy blue or forest green sofa. Can't go with white because I have sons. Sooo pretty! I like that pale yellow, so elegant. The prom ..read more

Xīnnián kuàilè! Kung hei fat choi! Gong xi fa cai! Happy New Year to all my Chinese readers! In the photo is me and my kids at Binondo, the oldest existing Chinatown in the world. That was yesterday, when Mommy Ginger and I and our families took the Pasig River Ferry to go exploring. It's the Year of the Wood Dragon and I'm a Dragon! Well, I'm a Fire Dragon so it's not EXACTLY my year but I feel a lot of good energy this year anyway. I'm not Chinese and so I don't really follow the horoscope but let's humor ourselves. The predictions say that industries with wood in them will prosper this y ..read more

 Whether you’re a fresh graduate from college or a veteran professional, a solid online presence can do wonders for your career. Many professionals have begun to rely on digital interactions to scout for jobs and, on the flip side, many recruiters are also utilizing the web and social media to get to know viable candidates. In a survey by The Manifest, 98 percent of businesses surveyed admitted to using search engines and social media platforms to perform a background check on job applicants to their companies. If you haven’t already established a noteworthy online presence for yourself ..read more

Whether you’re a fresh graduate from college or a veteran professional, a solid online presence can do wonders for your career. Many professionals have begun to rely on digital interactions to scout for jobs and, on the flip side, many recruiters are also utilizing the web and social media to get to know viable candidates. In a survey by The Manifest, 98 percent of businesses surveyed admitted to using search engines and social media platforms to perform a background check on job applicants to their companies. If you haven’t already established a noteworthy online presence for yourself, now’s ..read more

Magical time when it was just the five of us. When we were all at home. This will never happen again. My eldest boy has gone to school. I've gone back to the office. My two littlest ones who aren't so little anymore will go to school next week. It will be my youngest's first time in a big school.  Buy my book, Not Invisible  Like my Facebook page, Topaz Horizon Blog Follow me on Instagram, @francesampersales Follow me on Twitter, @francesasales ..read more

  Now that modern technology has begun redefining the nature of work beyond the traditional office-based 9 to 5, the life of a digital moment is becoming increasingly appealing to many people. Embracing this lifestyle gives you the freedom to work from anywhere in the world and to choose spaces that maximize your productivity. The quest for the right coworking space is akin to finding a second home whose environment is conducive to doing your best work. Of course, it’s no walk in the park to find the ideal coworking space. You want more than just a workspace that looks pretty—you’ll nee ..read more

As I was very busy with my day job, all the holiday prep, squeezing in sponsored content (previous 2 blog posts) on top of all my usual chores and daily tasks, I totally forgot to put up my Christmas tree. Loyal Readers know I always have the tree up on my November birthday. This year, December 20 arrived and the house was not at all Christmasy. And my kids finally noticed. "Mama, when are we putting up the tree?" "Soon..." "Mama, I took out the boxes of Christmas stuff so you can start putting up the tree." "Thank you. Tomorrow, I'll do it." "Mama, we need the tree for all these gifts." "Yes ..read more