Mommy Pehpot, Author at Mommy Pehpot

Cardinal Santos Maternity Package

When choosing between Cardinal Santos Maternity Package and The Medical City maternity package, we choose the former since the people at Cardinal are more compassionate than the people from TMC (saying this based on ER trip experiences). Isa pa, mas masarap food choices sa Cardinal.

My OB, Dr. Solema Granados-Rivera, assisted me on choosing the hospital but I specifically told her that I need the cheapest one possible. Hindi mura manganak no. I trust her fully naman so I know na kahit saang hospital basta andun sya, I’ll be in good hands. She recommended the Cardinal Santos Economized Maternity Package. The room included in the package is a small private room, own CR, with TV and small pantry (with ref).. super liit lang but at least not sharing or ward.

Last December, I already saw the economized room included sa maternity package:

Maliit lang yung room, pero keribels lang yan, importante mura at komfortable.

TMC banyo is way better but since Cardinal is warmer, keribels na ang ganitong klaseng banyo.

I have been under Dr. Solema Granados-Rivera care ever since the “My bladder is full but I can’t Pee!” episode. Dr. Rivera or Dr Granados (as she is known at CSMC) was recommended by my husband’s niece. Eh during that bladder episode, nagustuhan talaga namin ang service ng Cardinal and Dr. Rivera was very warm and all the OB department staff. Kaya dun na talaga ako nag pa check up and we decided na dun na rin manganak even though we’re no longer expecting twins. Prenatal check up for Dr. Rivera is by appointment only, clinic hours at Cardinal is usually in the morning. I can give you her secretary’s phone number for appointment if you want.

My Birthing Experience at Cardinal Santos Medical Center

(Cardinal Santos Maternity Package)

Alam nyo naman kung gaano ako kaiinip manganak di ba? During my check up last February 19, pwede na daw! I’m 3 cm dilated na. Dr. Rivera can strip my cervix na at pwede na i- induce ng kaunti. Hindi na ako pwede i induce ng bongga dahil malambot na daw ang cervix o matris ko because of multiple pregnancies. After my check- up, ayan na ang signs ng labor! By 6 PM that day, nagpunta na kame ng Cardinal.

Giving birth to an 8 pounder is no joke! This is the hardest child birth but the most comfortable one! It really helps that Cardinal Santos OB department is very caring. Alam mo yung feeling na safe ka kahit wala pa ang OB mo?!? Yan, ganyan na ganyan ang naramdaman ko. From the Emergency room to the labor room, alagang alaga ang pakiramdam ko. Hindi ako prepared sa special treatment. LOL

Dr. Rivera arrived while I was in the labor room. Inabot din ako ng ilang oras na nag le labor, nakapanood pa nga ako ng On The Wings Of Love. By 12 midnight, I was transferred to the delivery room… na kinagulat ko din ng bongga! Sa public hospital kase para kang kakataying baboy sa delivery room. Pasensya sa termino eh ganun talaga na feel ko nung nanganak ako sa public hospital. Aside from letting me wear my eyeglasses (sa public bawal) and my socks, they even put leg warmers on my legs. Naiiyak ako sa sayaaaa!

Gaya ng sabi ko.. mahirap iiri ang batang 8 pounds!! But more than 3 people coaching you with the breathing techniques, nailabas din ang batang mataba at 1:04 in the morning, February 20.

Nakaktuwa kase I was awake the whole time… dinig na dinig ko ang lakas ng iyak ni Marius. Until he was given to me and allowed to latch, gising din ako… alam ko nakatulog na lang ako before I was transferred to the recovery room, tapos pagdating dun ginising ako to breastfeed again.

We availed the Cardinal Santos Maternity Package (economized maternity package) that includes the small room pictured above kaso lang there was no room available when I was admitted. Isang malaking kwarto ang bumuluga sa akin! We were advised that we have to transfer as soon as an economized room is available but if we refuse, the economized package will be forfeited. The economized room is 2500 PhP while the bigger room is 2800 PhP. Maliit lang diprensya ng room rate at Cardinal Santos di ba?

Here is the breakdown of the Cardinal Santos Maternity Package (economized package, NSD local anesthesia)

For Mother: P40, 486

Total expenses: P51,286 (includes OB PF, delivery room charge, room and board, laboratories, pharmacy)
Discount: -P7800 (room and board discount)
Philhealth: -P3000

For Baby: P22,832

Total Expenses: P19, 862 (includes Pedia PF, nursery charge, room and board, laboratory)
Xray: P5,120 (OB requested for Xray because she heard a click on baby’s shoulder when he comes out)
Discount: -P900 (room and board discount)
PhilHealth: -P1,250

Total payment for Cardinal Santos Maternity Package: P63,318

Kung hindi kame lumipat sa small room and we choose to stay on the bigger room, mawawala yung discount sa room and board. Mas OK din naman ang smaller room, mas malapit ang CR. Mahirap maglakad pag bagong panganak no.

If you’re planning to give birth, I highly recommend Cardinal Santos Medical Center. The economized maternity package (excluding OB PF and Pedia PF) is 30,700 Pesos only.

10 Things You Need To Know Before Watching Les Misérables Manila

Les Misérables Manila is breathtaking! I have so much to say but I am afraid I might give spoilers. Talaga lang no?!? For a musical that has been playing for more than 30 years, pwede rin pala may spoiler. Pwede talaga.. so I’ll just tell you na it is super sulit!! Mapapagod ang kamay mo kakapalakpak. And to make this post a bit longer, here’s what you need to know before watching the show.. coming from a fan who watched the show on its first run.

10 Things You Need To Know Before Watching Les Misérables Manila

#1 The show is breathtaking but it is OK to breathe.. it is OK if you can’t hold up your sneeze (my boys keep on asking about this eh). Buuuut if you’re not feeling well and you have cough, take something to lessen your coughing.. medyo nakakainis watching with coughing on the background ha. ~~Of course, alam nyo na bawal sumabay kumanta at bawal ding dumaldal.~~

EDIT: well it seems like not everyone knows it is NOT OK to sing along..

So I’ll include it #1.2 IT IS NOT OK TO SING ALONG!

#2 Clapping is encouraged.. and if you need to ask when you should clap, you would know. Trust me. Your heart will tell you if it is time to clap and if you feel like it’s time, clap with all your heart. And when the show ends, STAND and CLAP if you feel like doing soo.. but hey, it’s Les Misérables! You SHOULD stand while clapping (and while crying!)

#3 BE ON TIME! The show starts on time and you will only be seated after a certain performance if you’re late. Sayang ticket if you won’t be able to watch the show from the start. Maliit lang ang The Theatre at Solaire kaya hassle at nakakahiya sa ibang manood kung papasok ka ng late. ALSO! hindi ka makakapag picture taking….

#4 Yes, camera is allowed BEFORE the show, during the interval and AFTER the show. Cameras and mobile cameras are not allowed during the show, even while the cast are saying good bye. May katabi kame, he started taking photos of the cast while taking a bow, bawal yun.

#5 Do not leave early. Do not leave at all! LOL Seriously, leave only when the lights is on. Or leave after taking a hundred photos of you and the stage:

NEVER LEAVE while the show is on! Jusmiyooo! nakakahiya sa mga actors no!

#6 Les Misérables Manila Memorabilia Store. Yes they have one! Yaaaay!!!!!

Mas mura sa UK hahaha

Les Misérables shirts are 1250 PhP each.. may pang bata at pang may pangdalaga! The 24601 shirt is 1500+ (or 1750… argh! I can’t remember!).

Aside from shirts, may Les Misérables ref magnet din (500 PhP), there’s mugs too and an eco bag!!! I wanted to buy the ecobag perooo hindi ko naman pwede i display.. and there is no way that I am going to use the ecobag. Hindi ko ipapamalengke ang mukha ni Cosette no! I opted for this canvass na lang:

#7 What to wear when watching Les Misérables Manila? Wear something nice! From our experience last Friday, most people are wearing smart casual. Bawal ang shorts at pambahay no. My boys were wearing jeans and long sleeves:

And I was wearing a black dress. Bring a coat.. the theater can be cold.

#8 The Age Restriction was there for a reason.. the show runs for more than 2 hours. And the theater is not that big.. Ang hirap no.. ung nasa likod ko na bata tinatadyakan ang likod ng upuan ko. Ang lakas maka istorbo. So don’t bring your kids below 8 years old.

#9 Food are not allowed inside the theater but there’s a place where you can buy around the area… and there’s a food court in Solaire so you can grab dinner before watching the show.

#10 Parking is FREE at Solaire Resort and getting a cab is easy too.

BONUS!

#11 It is ok to watch Les Misérables Manila again and again*! The show is extended until April 24!!! Yaaaay! Book your tickets at Ticketworld now na!

*For me, a true fan should watch the show 3 times:

First show
Gala night
Last show

And I really wish I could that kaso wala akong damit pang Gala Night (which will happen this Wednesday).. I am hoping I can watch the last show on April!!!!

#12 If you’re joining the revolution, Enjolras is raising his right arm and facing front with his head up high. DO NOT commit this mistake:

Ano kayang rebolusyon ang nasalihan ko?!? hahaha

#13 Last na to promise. For photo opps outside, be prepared! Malakas maka Hunger Games ang eksena dito. If I were you, arrive an hour earlier para maka pag photo opps na kayo before the show starts. Huwag mo ng hangarin mag picture taking after the show, mahaba ang pilaaaaaaaa.

Updated: Carbonara Recipe For 15-20 People

Carbonara is the easiest pasta recipe for me. The challenge comes when you need to cook Carbonara Recipe For 15- 20 People.

How much pasta do you need to prepare Carbonara Recipe For 15-20 People? How much sauce? How much is just enough? I’m a fan of perfect ratio and proportions (OCD hello!) and I recently discovered a new recipe for Carbonara that is perfect for 15-20 people. And you know what is surprising? The cost of carbonara is only 36 Pesos per serving (if for 15 people) or 28 Pesos if served with 20 not so hungry people.

Carbonara Recipe For 15-20 People

The recipe I am going to share with you is creamy and tasty..a bit on the sweet side but OMG!! It is soooo good hot or cold!

Here’s what you need:

1 kilo pasta P85 pesos
2 mushroom (150grams) P38 x 2
1 ham (500 grams or 2 220 grams) P80
1 cream of mushroom (300 grams) P60
4 nestle cream P45 x 4
1 small can condensed milk P23
1/2 cheese P22
3-5 onions P10
1 cup water

Total cost of ingredients: 536 PhP

Here’s what you need to do to prepare this creamy and tasty Carbonara Recipe For 15-20 People:

Cook the pasta according to instruction.
Dice the ham and slice the onion into small pieces
Put some oil on the pan and cook the ham, add the onions then the mushroom.
After 5 minutes (with occasional stirring) add the cream of mushroom and the nestle cream and the condensed milk.
Let it simmer for about a minute then add the water and cheese.
Let it simmer for 5 more minutes then turn off fire.
Put the drained pasta and mix.

It can be served hot or cold!