You can contact them at 712-4953 to inquire and to order. As soon as I get more information on the price and location or if they deliver, I will post the information here. The gift that we got was a box of six empanadas. Very yummy.

You can contact them at 631-3450 and 637-1448 in Metro Manila, Philippines. The siopitos come in boxes of 10 (P120 as of the time this blog post was written – prices can change at any time so please call to inquire before placing an order) and boxes of 20 (P240).

One day lead time is needed for orders. Since the product does not contain any preservatives, shelf life is only one day. You can make the product last longer if you put it in the freezer and then you can just steam it when you want to eat it.

Tita Lenn’s delivers to select areas for a minimum order of at least P1,500.00. When calling, you may look for Mayette. Please let them know that you learned about them from atyourword.

They have two additional members: Dale Adeva and Eagle Pacete.

Bing’s contact number is now 0916 494 4556.

If you wish to learn more about the band and where they will be performing, you can visit their website at bailanukayukay.multiply.com

To read what we wrote about them before, you can read our first Bailan write-up.

Childbirth is one experience eagerly awaited by most couples – although most mothers, particularly those who are giving birth for the first time, may feel some amount of fear or uncertainty as their due date nears. Such fear stems from their lack of experience or from incomplete information about what to expect.

Although couples cannot really totally prepare for childbirth, as no one can tell the time nor the hour or the manner, it still helps to get as much information about the birth experience for as they say: “Knowing is half the battle.”

About Chiqui Brosas-Hahn’s Prepared Childbirth Classes and Other Services:

Chiqui Brosas-Hahn offers classes, services, and products to expectant couples, as well as new parents in the Philippines. She holds Childbirth Classes for couples and these can be given on a group or private (one-on-one) basis. One class typically runs for 4 sessions, once a week, every month.

She likewise offers classes covering aspects like baby care, breastfeeding, and first aid. She is also into lactation management and breast and pregnancy massage and sells/rents out items which expectant or new parents may need. These include: baby apparel and furniture; toys; breastfeeding pumps and outfits; and maternity belts. Some of the brands that she carries are: Avent, Medela, Chicco, Pigeon, Chu Chu, Safety 1st, Cosco, Smart Babies Playpen, Step 1, Shelcore, Vtech, Barbie, My Scene, Winxs, and Timelife Books. If you are interested in Cord Blood Banking, Chiqui can also assist you.

Who Can Benefit from Attending Chiqui’s Classes?

Expectant couples, new parents, grandparents, midwives, caregivers, and nannies will benefit from attending the available classes. Aside from having access to useful information and techniques which will make them better and more prepared parents and caregivers, the classes also provide a good time to bond and be together in a worthwhile activity.

Who is Chiqui Brosas Hahn and When Did She Start Her Childbirth Classes?

Chiqui Brosas Hahn is a mother of 5 beautiful children – all breastfed and all born naturally, without drugs and medication. She is a Certified Bradley Instructor, has been a Childbirth Educator since 1991, and is also a Breastfeeding Advocate. She has a degree in International Business Administration and was also Binibining Pilipinas and the 4th runner up in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in 1975.

Chiqui is a firm believer in freedom of choice based on education; empowerment through knowledge; and having passion, dedication, and commitment in everything she does. Her 17-year track record in helping couples have a more pleasant and informed “birth experience” demonstrates her passion and commitment to her mission and vocation.

If you would like to inquire about Chiqui’s classes and product offerings, you may reach her through the following contact information:

Please visit
http://www.chiquibrosas.com/blog/contact

For class and other product details, you can visit her blog at: www.chiquibrosas.com/blog/
If you are on Multiply, you can also check out and invite her at: http://chiquibrosas.multiply.com

We would appreciate it if you will let her know that you obtained her contact information and learned about her Prepared Childbirth Classes and other offerings from http://www.AtYourWord.org

“…So the Lord answers, ‘Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you…’” (Isaiah 49:15 TEV)

Filipinos are fond of getting together. From big family reunions to intimate parties with close friends, Filipinos enjoy spending time together, particularly during special occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and the like.

If you are looking for food to take to your upcoming parties, to give away as Christmas presents, or simply to serve to your family, you may wish to consider calling ‘Zette. The woman behind ‘Zette is Suzette Francisco Custodio. Suzette prepares desserts and pastries and being a mother of 5 kids herself, you can be sure that all her products are homemade and good enough to serve to your own children.

About ‘Zette:

‘Zette offers desserts and pastries which include the following: chocolate turtle cupcakes, choco fudge bars, apple pie bars, chocolate carrot cupcake/loaf, moist banana bread, butterscotch bars, peanut butter and oatmeal bars, double chocolate cookies, caramel tarts, crema de fruta cake, leche flan, cathedral window, and buko pandan salad.

‘Zette began baking in 2006 and started bringing her baked goodies to get-togethers with friends and relatives. A friend inquired about whether she would accept orders for cupcakes for a small party that her friend would have at home and from then on, additional orders started to come in from her circle of friends. To date, she has served several parties with the number of guests ranging from 30 to 100.

With ‘Zette, you are assured that you can personally talk to Suzette for all your orders and requirements and she can give you a good alternative for getting the best value for your money.

Most of ‘Zette’s products need to be refrigerated. If refrigerated, her products will typically last about two weeks. Cookies can last about a month when refrigerated.

Delivery, Pick-up and Payment Details:

‘Zette needs 2-3 days’ notice to ensure that she can serve your order. She can deliver within the Quezon City and Mandaluyong area. Orders may also be picked up from her house located at 130 Iriga St., Sta. Mesa Heights, La Loma, Quezon City or from 837 Tomas Mapua St., Sta. Cruz, Manila. You must pay in cash upon pick up or delivery.

If you would like to inquire about ‘Zette’s offerings, you may reach Suzette Custodio through the following contact information:

Landline: 740-6268
Cellphone: +63 917 528 4374.

We would appreciate it if you will let her know that you obtained her contact information and learned about ‘Zette from http://www.AtYourWord.org

“’I am the bread of life,’ Jesus told them. ‘Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty.’” (John 6: 35 TEV)

Are you looking for delicious food that can be served easily when unexpected guests drop by at your place? Reasonably priced but yummy food items that you can give to your loved ones and friends on special occasions or bring to a potluck party? You may then want to try out Linda Arce’s various food offerings.

About Linda Arce’s Food Business:

Linda Arce is a businesswoman who has always liked food. From 1986-1990, she had already started her food business but this had to take a backseat given other business concerns. Beginning October of 2006, though, Linda has again become active in her food business and is determined to grow it.

Linda offers native delicacies, pastries, and snacks. These include: leche flan, ube, empanada, bibingka malagkit, cassava cake, buko pandan, and cream puff, among others. These products are available in boxes of 12 or in a bilao (round native container).

What makes Linda’s products unique? They are made from original recipes handed down by her still energetic 88-year old mother, Nena Arce. All items are made from the freshest ingredients and are home-made in Linda’s own kitchen. Shelf life of most of the items, if placed in the refrigerator, is 1 week and these can be re-heated in the microwave, if needed. Linda needs a lead time of one day for orders.

Where You Can Find Linda’s Products:

For a minimum order worth P500, Linda may deliver to nearby areas like Corinthian Gardens, GreenMeadows, and Valle Verde. It is best to call and inquire whether delivery can be arranged. Otherwise, all items are for pick-up at 165 Sampaguita St. Valle Verde 2, Pasig City.

Another alternative is for you to pick up her items at the following Shell Gas Stations:

Shell Station
Timog corner Scout Tuazon, Quezon City
(across Yam Cha)

or at

Shell Station
F. Blumentritt corner Valenzuela, San Juan

Specific food (empanada, cassava cake, bibingkang malagkit, biko, and turron) are also available at the Shell Stations on specific days and can be bought on a per piece basis (assuming that you did not place an order beforehand for any specific food). It is suggested that you call beforehand to check which food is available on a certain day of the week.

If you would like to inquire about Linda Arce’s food offerings, whether as a customer or as a prospective dealer (in your respective areas), you may reach Linda Arce through the following contact information:

Address and pick up point: 165 Sampaguita St. Valle Verde 2, Pasig City, Philippines; See above for Shell Station Addresses
Landline: 410-2740/410-2742/371-4615

We would appreciate it if you will let her know that you obtained her contact information and learned about Linda Arce’s food items from www.AtYourWord.org

“…Human beings cannot live on bread alone but need every word that God speaks.” (Matthew 4:4 TEV)

Are you on the look-out for handmade paper-based novelty products? These products can be given away as gifts or you may also use them if you have an interest in scrapbooking and other creative projects. Individuals who are good with their hands, or are interested in arts and crafts, are sure to find a thing or two at The Yellow Violet House.

About The Yellow Violet House:

The Yellow Violet House sells finished paper novelty products. With its offerings, the company aims to promote and enhance an individual’s interest in paper crafts. The Yellow Violet House creates greeting cards, journals, scrapbooks, embellishments, and handmade gift packages which allow people to express themselves in a creative manner. Paper crafting is a therapeutic hobby. It can provide the much-needed “work-life balance” in our busy world and can also serve as a possible source of additional income.

The Yellow Violet House started in early 2004. With its products, the company is able to achieve a good blend between western arts and crafts and the use of local indigenous craft materials.

The Market:

The company largely serves the female market and interest in paper crafts cuts across all age levels. For their cards and scrapbooking lines, teens and working moms make up the bulk of the market. For related tools, kits, and machines, husbands and even groups of friends (barkadas) are targeted, particularly if there is an interest in pursuing the entrepreneurial angle to this hobby.

The Yellow Violet House likewise has “client partners” or those who help promote paper crafting all over the Philippines. These are people who focus on making a living out of the hobby.

About Isabelita de Guzman-Ocliasa:

The woman behind The Yellow Violet House is a BA Economics graduate from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Prior to starting her paper crafts business, she was employed in the corporate world for 15 years, first in the area of banking and then moving on to human resources. While still employed, Isabe pursued creative projects on the side and eventually, decided to pursue her childhood interest and passion by setting up her own business.

Isabe values service-orientedness and always makes sure that clients learn something new when they visit her shop. She is also focused on teaching others how to sell their own creative projects.

Isabe believes in the power of imagination, exploration, and creativity. She is always trying out new things, experimenting, and taking risks. She believes in setting goals for herself and in giving back to others and to the Lord.

If you would like to inquire about The Yellow Violet House’s products and service offerings, you may reach them through the following contact information:

Telefax: 645 5753
Cellphone: +63 917 857 9714
E-mail: yellowviolethouse@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.theyellowviolethouse.com

We would appreciate it if you will let them know that you obtained their contact information and learned about The Yellow Violet House from http://www.AtYourWord.org

“Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15 TEV)

Giving gifts on special occasions to our friends and relatives can be very enjoyable. On the other hand, it can also be time-consuming and nerve-wracking, particularly for people who may be busy but are searching for and wish to give unique and personalized gifts.

About More Than Gifts:

More Than Gifts’ goal is to make their gift products as personalized as possible. Each cake has a unique personality and each gift has its own character and this makes the recipient appreciate not only the gift but the packaging as well – thus, the name More Than Gifts.

More Than Gifts primarily offers diaper/nappy cakes or useful things or gifts for a baby packaged into cute, attractive, non-edible cakes. A diaper cake makes a great centerpiece or gift for baby showers, baptisms, and birthdays for kids aged 1-2 years old. Clients have a choice of buying the items for the diaper cakes themselves or they can also let More Than Gifts take care of getting hold of the baby items to be packaged into a diaper cake.

More Than Gifts also does themed cakes and packaging for adults. They likewise offer useful and memorable give aways and souvenir items (e.g. cosmetic kits, face towels, paper products) for baptisms, birthdays, and weddings.

The Market:

More Than Gifts caters to individuals who are looking for unique, personalized, nicely packaged gifts. It likewise targets busy people who have no time to shop for gifts or package or wrap them in a creative manner.

Each diaper cake has a distinct personality and character, making it a joy to give and receive. For the diaper cakes, More Than Gifts mainly focuses on the 20-35 year old age bracket. Women in this age group are usually newly weds, expectant moms, new moms, and those who are planning to get married. Their friends will usually be having weddings, baby showers, and baptisms and these occasions are perfect events to showcase a diaper cake.

More Than Gifts, however, can likewise serve other age groups and markets, provided that the client discusses his/her needs and/or preferences and requirements for any gift that he/she wishes to purchase with the group.

More Than Gifts offers items at reasonable prices and focuses on personalized treatment of clients, taking into account their specific requirements and requests. Convenience for the client, in terms of delivery of products, and ease of communication for coordination purposes while an order is in process, are also of primary importance.

The Practical Stuff

More Than Gifts requires 2-3 days’ lead time for a standard order. For a highly personalized gift, they would need a week’s notice.

Prices of gift items and/or cakes range from P600 to P3,500. The price depends on the items to be included in the diaper cake, for example, and a client’s detailed specifications. Clients may give More Than Gifts their own design ideas for More Than Gifts to execute or they can also choose to entrust the diaper cake design to the group.

For packaging orders only, prices range from P800 to P1000, depending on how complicated the design is.

More Than Gifts likewise offers several package options to clients, with specific items included in the diaper cake, with prices ranging from P1,000 to P1,500. You may contact Honey Romero or Bernice Olives for details on these but some of the included items would be: bibs, milk bottles, disposable diapers, among others.

More Than Gifts charges a delivery fee of P100 for orders which do not reach the minimum amount of P1,200. Customers may likewise pick up their orders at designated places in the following areas:

Quezon City: Loyola Grand Villas (near Katipunan and La Vista)

Makati City: LPL Manor, 116 Leviste St.

South: Pilar Village in Las Pinas

Once an order has been placed, payment is done upon delivery. In cases wherein the client would like to have the gift delivered to the recipient, the client will have to make a payment via deposit to More Than Gifts’ bank account.

How More Than Gifts Started:

The business started in October 2005. The ladies behind More Than Gifts, namely, Bernice Olives and Honey Romero, first did a diaper cake for an officemate’s baby shower. Officemates, friends, and relatives liked what they saw and started asking the two to come up with gifts which were not traditional and out of the ordinary. Orders started to come in via word of mouth and referrals, as well as via the internet. Both ladies have a day job which is totally different from their hobby cum business.

Some Gift Giving Tips:

Everyone gives gifts at some point during their life. Here are some points to remember:

1. Add a unique character or “stamp” to a gift to make it more memorable.

2. Be creative. The best gifts are not always the most expensive.

3. Give gifts that are both attractive and useful.

If you would like to inquire about More Than Gifts’ diaper cakes and other gift items, you may reach them through the following contact information:

Bernice Olives: +63 917 520 1476
Honey Romero: +63 917 844 6639
E-mail: morethangifts@gmail.com
Website: http://www.morethangifts.tk

We would appreciate it if you will let them know that you obtained their contact information and learned about More Than Gifts from http://www.AtYourWord.org

“Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.” (1 Peter 4:10 TEV)

Traveling is something we do for business and for pleasure. Key to a smooth journey is careful planning and being able to get in touch with the right parties in a particular place or destination. The internet can be a useful resource in planning your trips and in contacting service providers who can make your trip more enjoyable.

About HopAround:

HopAround is a tourism-oriented portal focused on travel around the Philippines. It aims to help create communities of microentrepreneurs as these will help drive tourism development in the country. HopAround will help microentrepreneurs gain internet visibility. Tourists will benefit as service providers will be organized according to locality and areas of interest.

HopAround was conceptualized by Mr. Philip Camara, together with the group of Mr. Patrick Gregorio of the North Philippines Visitors Bureau. Mr. Camara realized the need for a service like HopAround when he traveled extensively around the Philippines and when he traveled to Sabah. He saw a benefit to tourists getting in touch with the micro sector in tourism for a more authentic, unique, and local travel experience.

At present, HopAround is working with 6 bureaus: Cagayan North, Pangasinan, Clark, Subic, Tarlac, and Baguio. The group behind the website is presently conducting workshops for individuals and service providers to learn how to use the HopAround site.

HopAround’s Market:

HopAround will serve foreign and domestic tourists who want to get in touch with owners of small resorts, cafes, restaurants, homes, farms, transportation services, gear, and any other item or service which will be of use to tourists in a particular place. Tourists can tap HopAround to search for information on local cuisine, guided tours, and the like.

About Philip Camara’s Past Projects:

Philip Camara, through RemitCard, Inc., developed a Community Card System that allows a group of people to set up their own card system with account management that replicates what Mastercard and Visa provide for the vast commercial system. RemitCard has also developed a Donation Card System and a Pasabayad System.

If you would like to inquire about HopAround’s services, whether as a service provider or as a tourist, you may reach HopAround through the following contact information:

HopAround (care of Philip Camara)
Address: Unit 206 Raman Condominium, 1130 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
E-mail: pcamara@remitcard.com
Website: http://www.hoparound.net

We would appreciate it if you will let him know that you obtained his contact information and learned about HopAround from http://www.AtYourWord.org

“A well-traveled person with wide experience knows many things and talks sense. You can’t know much if you haven’t experienced much, but travel can make you clever. In my own travels I have seen many things and learned more than I can put into words.” (Sirach 34:9-11 TEV)