Personally Pehpot Archive

If it's about me, it's in here.

Pregnancy Journey: Aswang Chronicles

I don’t really believe in aswang, kase hello, scientifically impossible sila..

Uhmmm not until I got pregnant with Baby (babies) #5. Tatlo na aswang chronicles ko 🙁 though I never really encountered the typical aswang portrayed on most movies and tv shows, my experiences led me to believe that there really are creatures that enjoy torturing pregnant women.

My Aswang Experiences

1st aswang experience:

It was during my 1st trimester.. maybe between 8-10 weeks. I had an eerie feeling that there is something wrong. That was late at night.. somewhere between 11 PM to 2 AM. The dogs are barking.. not, they’re howling. The kind of howl that seems like they’re chasing something. The howls went on, circling our street and the street parallel to us. Parang umiikot kung ano man ung nakikita nila or tinatahulan nila. It happened twice that night.

2nd aswang experience:

If not for my helper who comes from Roxas, I wouldn’t know all about aswang and how to fend them off.

It happened before a few days before Christmas. Around 10 in the evening, my helper noticed a big dog circling the house. I checked on it on the door and as I move from our back door to the front door, the dog followed me. Parang masyadong maamo ung aso, I even asked my mother kung pinakain ba nya kase parang syang nag aantay na pakainin sya or something to that effect. As in nakatanghod sya sa akin and waiting for something. Usually pag tinaboy mo ang aso, natatakot tapos umaalis na, that one was different. Kakaiba talaga sya and it’s circling the house following me.

Binato ng asin ng helper ko and that’s the only time it left. After the incident my helper said I should be more careful specially after 6 PM. Aswang daw yung aso. She even gave me tips on how to fend of those kind of creatures.

3rd aswang experience:

This happened just this morning. Pagkahatid namin sa mga bata, sa may gate ng bahay may nakaabang na aso. It’s not the same as the one from my 2nd experience but the look in their eyes are the same. Ganun din, sinusundan sundan nya ako.. but this time, hindi sya makapasok sa loob ng bakuran, punong puno kase ng bawang lahat ng bintana namin eh.

It was scary but I always pray to Mama Mary to guide and protect me so I know I’m safe. Even so, there is no harm in practicing some beliefs to fend of this kind of creature.

These are according to my friend (who’s family is from Visayas) and my helper who is from Roxas/ Capiz boundary.

Hide your pregnancy scent. According to my helper, aswangs love the scent of a pregnant women (specially first trim and last trim and babies below one month old).Hide that scent from them by rubbing calamansi extract on your stomach.
Hide your pregnancy from them by wearing black underneath. Wear black panty or black camisole.
Always have garlic on your bag when you go out.
Put garlic around your house, specially on the window.
Put rock salt (not iodized salt) around your house.

Here are some other ways to fend off aswang according to my FB friends:

Aside from bawang at asin, keep something sharp and pointed by your bed side (-Annalyn)
Pag may tiktik, minumura ng Tatay ko para umalis bukod sa may asin din sa bintana si Ate. (-Tetcha)
May asin saka walis tambo ako sa bintana namin. Di ko inaalis, nandun pa din til now. Nung buntis ako may bawang ako lgi sa waist nakatali. (-Kath)
If alam nyo yung tanim na san jose, nabibili sa may Quiapo. Pwede nyio ilagay may bintana nyo (-Grace)
Wear black panty up to your waist to cover your belly button. (-Angie)
Aside sa asin and bawang dapat daw ung attitude mo is mas matapang ka and di ka takot sa aswang/tiktik. (-Audz)

Naranasan nyo na ba aswangin? Heard the famous story of aswangs? Yep the one portrayed by Manilyn Reynes, my helper said it’s a true to life story. Even before the movie came out, my helper already knew about it since it is one of the oldest aswang story in Capiz. Do you believe in asawang?!?

Les Miserables Manila Here We Come!

Currently watching Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert while giving myself a sharp whack for even thinking of selling my Les Miserables Manila tickets! DARN girl! What have I been thinking then? I bought 3 tickets for the first day show during the presale.. that’s how excited I was!

I’m blaming the pregnancy hormones! Upon realizing that my Marius (not Cosette’s) will be just a few weeks old by March 11, I quickly decide not to watch the show. STUPID me! STUPID me!

THIS IS MY MOST SUPER DUPER FAVORITE MUSICAL OF ALL TIME!

And it was voted as the greatest musical of all time! How stupid of me to even think of missing this show?!? Ang tanga ko talaga!

I am not expecting the LesMisManila to be as grand as the 25th anniversary concert. I know getting all four Valjeans to perform Bring Him Home is saved for special occasions.. Have you seen that part? My fave is when it’s time for Alfie Boe’s Bring Him Home segment.. that sigh though hahaha

Or as grand as when the original 1985 cast led the ensemble in a “One Day More” performance!

but I am expecting I’d be awed just the same..

Although my heart still wishes for Ramin! Obviously he’s not part of the LesMis Oz (the one performing for Les Miserables Manila).. can I just dream?!?

Here is the Les Miserables Manila Cast:

Jan Valjean SIMON GLEESON
Javert EARL CARPENTER
Fantine RACHELLE ANN GO
Thénardier CAMERON BLAKELY
Madame Thénardier HELEN WALSH
Éponine KERRIE ANNE GREENLAND
Cosette EMILY LANGRIDGE
Enjolras CHRIS DURLING
Marius PAUL WILKINS

Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine is good enough for me! #ProudFilipino

Noooooow that we’re finally watching it. I need to sort out our accommodation. I’m breastfeeding so I am planning to bring my Marius and the rest of the family near Solaire (or better if Solaire!). It will be my second son’s birthday weekend too.. so a stay-cation is just proper.

And lastly, we need costumes! We need something to wear to watch the Les Miserables Manila show! I’m trying to convince my boys to wear Gavroche. I want to wear Epinone but hellooo post pregnancy figure! Madama Thenardier is the closest!

Love musical too? Are you planning to watch Les Miserables Manila? This is our first time to watch a love musical, any tips?!? Suggestions are welcome!

FYI: Les Miserables Manila opened few more shows!

Buy your Les Miserables Manila tickets at Ticketworld

Korean Skin Care Routine Experience

First and foremost, I am not an expert in Korean Skin Care Routine. I only started the skin care routine a few years back (posted this one year ago: 10 Things You Need To Know About The 10 Steps Korean Skincare Routine). But I noticed a visible change on my skin.. it is softer, less pores and not to mention brighter! And it’s less oily now.. and when it comes to coverage, I only use Olay CC cream and I’m good to go.

My Korean Skin Care Routine Experience

Korean Products To Use

In terms of products to use, it doesn’t need to be 100% Korean brands. I use Safeguard Derma Sense Facial Cleanser as my facial wash. It really helped in controlling my break outs. It’s a bit drying but my moisturizer did a good job in compensating it.

As for my other skin care products, most of them are Laneige. I also use Cure and Dermal for exfoliation and rejuvenation.

On Exfoliation

I have learned that when you exfoliate, you need to rejuvenate. You need to use a mask (or a repair cream)after using peeling gel or facial scrub. The scrub/ peeling strips your skin of its moisture so you need to replace that by using mask or repair cream.

When it comes to exfoliation, it usually comes after toner… usually but not most of the times. Here’s a guide:

Wash> peeling gel/ scrub> toner> emulsion> mask
Wash> peeling gel/ scrub> toner> repair cream (Laneige)> emulsion

You don’t have to rinse facial mask that is why you can use it after applying emulsion. Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repair Pack on the hand needs rinsing so you need to use that BEFORE emulsion.

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Start From Something

If the steps are overwhelming or the products are expensive, you don’t have to do or use it right away. You just need to start something. Start from the basic:

wash
toner
moisturize

Use a toner that is alcohol free. When I was just starting, I use Safeguard Acne Wash> Olay Toner> Olay Moisturizer. It’s a very cheap alternative and Olay is really effective.

From that, I shifted to a more complex routine. I used some products from Tony Moly (toner) and The Face Shop. Then I tried Laneige but since it’s more expensive than TFS products, I started with the their kit. The kit usually lasts a month and it’s only 2000 Pesos. After using 2 kits, I started buying the full size bottle by bottle. Each bottle usually last more than 2 months.

When you’re done with the basic (wash> toner> moisturize), slowly add more routines. Exfoliate at least once a week and don’t forget your eyes. Eye cream are as much important as facial moisturizer. YES, you need an eye cream! The skin under your eyes is different from your face skin.

Other products worth investing

Make Up Remover specially for your eyes.
Facial Mist (gives moisture when you’re out) and Clear C Advanced Effector (brightens the skin!)

Sleeping mask to keep your skin hydrated even when you’re sleeping.

Best lip moisturizer ever! This is always out of stock at my favorite Laneige kiosk.. because hello!?! it is that effective.

That’s one of the best thing I discovered with most Korean Skin Care Brands, they’re generous on samples! You may have noticed that my Laneige Multiberry Yogurt are in sample sizes.. those are samples! I have a bag full of Laneige product samples.

Lastly, the best cotton to use for your facial care is the circle one and this is it should be used:

The edges of the cotton can be rough and creates friction with the skin. I learned that the hard way!

How about you?!? What’s your skin care routine? Have you tried the Korean Skin Care Routine? You should! Or at least try the basic routine. Your face needs water as much as you do!