Mommy Ezie in Canada

Hindi Lang Ito Kahon, ito ay Isang Kwento, at Isang Pagmamahal naming nasa ABROAD✓

₱50,000 para sa isang balikbayan box? ANG MAHAL! 😭📦
Pero kung OFW ka, alam mo kung bakit minsan kahit mahal...

IPAPADALA MO PA RIN.

Kasi ang totoo? Hindi naman talaga kahon ang ipinapadala mo.🥹

Ilang buwan mo iyong pinag-ipunan.

Bawat grocery, may maiisip kang ilagay.

"Paborito 'to ni Mama."

"Magugustuhan kaya 'to ni Papa?"

"Bagay kay bunso 'to."

"Ay, masarap to, papadala ko para matikman nila."

"Ay, kailangan pala nila nito. Isama ko na rin."

At bago mo pa namalayan...Puno na ang kahon. 📦

Pero hindi lang gamit ang laman noon.

May parte ng bawat sahod mo.

May oras.

May pagod.

May puyat.

May puso..❤️

May mga bagay na hindi mo binili para sa sarili mo dahil mas nauna mong naisip ang pamilya mo. At may isang bagay na hindi kailanman makikita sa resibo...

PAGMAMAHAL. ❤️💕

May mga nagsasabi,

"Bakit hindi na lang pera? Mas practical."

Siguro.

Pero may bagay na hindi kayang bilhin ng pera.

Yung pakiramdam na kahit malayo ka... may isang kahon na dumarating sa bahay na parang ikaw na rin ang umuwi.😭❤️

Kaya kapag nakita mong binubuksan nila ang box sa video...

Yung tawa nila.

Yung excitement.

Yung pagbanggit nila sa pangalan mo.

Yung simpleng,

Salamat, anak, Salamat Ate...

Hindi mo na maiisip kung magkano ang nagastos mo.

Hindi mo na iisipin kung sulit ba.

Kasi ITO ay sulit na sulit lahat ng pagod mo. 🥹

Sulit ang overtime.

Sulit ang puyat.

Sulit ang lungkot.

Sulit ang mga gabing umiiyak ka dahil nami-miss mo sila.

Sulit ang mga birthday, Pasko, at espesyal na araw na hindi mo sila kasama.

Dahil sa bawat balikbayan box, may isang OFW na tahimik na nagsasabi...Hindi man ako makauwi ngayon, gusto kong maramdaman ninyong kasama ninyo ako."

Miss na miss ko na kayo at Mahal na mahal ko kayo.

At..."Para sa inyo lahat ng 'to."❤️📦😭

Kaya kung may OFW kang kakilala na laging nagpapadala ng balikbayan box...Huwag mong isipin na simpleng kahon lang iyon.

Dahil ang balikbayan box...hindi lang ito basta basta kahon.

Ito ay pagmamahal na naka-pack, naka-tape, ipinadala namin, at umaasang pagdating nito sa bahay...maramdaman nila kung gaano sila kamahal ng taong matagal nang nangungulila sa kanila. ❤️📦

Higit sa lahat, ang Balikbayan Box ay parang survival kit o outlet naming mga nasa abroad. Parang kapag napuno mo na ang isang kahon, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam at masasabi mo, Finally! Maipapadala ko na ’to sa kanila.” 🥹❤️

Kasama sa kahong iyon ang ngiti, saya, at pagmamahal para sa mga mahal natin sa buhay, isang pagmamahal na walang kapantay.

Kaya kahit MAHAL at hindi praktikal, magpapadala at magpapadala pa rin ng Balikbayan Box sa pamilya. ❤️📦 Dahil para sa amin, hindi lang naman mga bagay ang laman ng kahon, katumbas ito ng aming PAGMAMAHAL at SAKRIPISYO.💕 Ito ang KAHON na May PUSO❤️‍🔥.

Mga OFWs, magkano na ang pinakamahal na balikbayan box na naipadala ninyo?

Kwento mo sa comments. Baka may isang OFW na kailangang mabasa ngayon ang kwento mo.❤️

Emmitt and His Little Helmet✓

“Bakit naka-helmet si Emmitt?” 😂

Ito na po ang sagot sa inyong mga tanong! Marami kasi ang nagtatanong kung dahil ba malikot siya, baka may problema sa ulo, or baka naoperahan.

Nope! Wala pong sakit si Emmitt at hindi rin siya naoperahan. ❤️ He is a happy and healthy baby boy! 👶

So bakit siya naka-helmet?

Ang suot niya ay cranial helmet, also called cranial orthosis, Ginagamit ito sa ilang babies na may flat or uneven head shape para makatulong sa pag-improve at pag-guide ng shape ng ulo habang lumalaki pa sila.

Dito sa Canada 🇨🇦, mas common ang ganitong treatment para sa babies na may certain types of head shape differences. Pero hindi naman automatic na kapag flat ang ulo ng baby, kailangan na agad ng helmet. 😊 Iche-check muna ng doctor or specialist kung kailangan ba talaga, depende sa age ng baby, shape ng ulo, severity, at overall development.

For Emmitt, choice namin ito bilang parents. Gusto lang namin na makatulong sa pag-improve ng shape ng ulo niya habang bata pa siya. Hindi ito dahil may sakit siya or may problema sa brain niya.

Usually, mas effective ang cranial helmet therapy kapag mas bata pa ang baby dahil mas mabilis pa ang growth ng ulo at mas responsive ito sa treatment. Ang timing at duration ng pagsusuot ng helmet ay depende sa assessment ng doctor or specialist at sa individual needs ng baby.

And yes, may regular check-ups and adjustments din para masigurong properly fitted, comfortable, at appropriate ang helmet niya. ❤️

Sa Pilipinas, hindi ito ganoon ka-common dahil maaaring maging magastos at hindi naman talaga kailangan sa lahat ng babies. Extra expenses din kasi ito, dahil mahal sya kung tutuusin. Marami ring babies na may flat or uneven head shape na nag-iimprove naturally habang lumalaki sila.

Kaya kapag may nakita kayong baby na naka-helmet, hindi ibig sabihin na may sakit agad. So ayun na ang mystery! 😂

Emmitt is healthy, happy, and just wearing his little helmet. 🥰

At kung may magtanong ulit kung bakit naka-helmet siya...

“Fashion, anak. Fashion.”😂😂😂 Aesthetic yarn?😁

Pero seriously, we’re just doing what we feel is best for him as his parents. ❤️

And yes, before anyone asks... Hindi rin bilog ang ulo ni Mommy at Daddy. Hahaha! 😂

Traveling With Baby Under 2 ✈️👶✓

Mga mommy, alam nyo ba na may mga perks kapag nagta-travel internationally with a baby under 2?👶✈️

Noong nag-travel kami internationally, and even around Asia, na-discover namin na may mga baby-friendly perks and allowances kahit on lap si baby. Hindi man siya naka-own seat, may mga bagay na puwedeng libre or may special allowance.

Of course, iba-iba ang rules depende sa airline, airport, at country, so always check your airline's policy before your flight.

Here are some things you may be able to enjoy:

1. Free stroller and/or car seat check-in
Most airlines allow you to check in your stroller and car seat at no extra cost. Some even let you use your stroller until the gate.

2. 🧳 Extra baby baggage allowance
Some airlines give infants their own baggage allowance, even if baby is travelling on your lap. Some also allow a separate diaper / baby bag. Check the weight limit because this varies by airline.

3. 🍼 Baby food, formula, and breast milk
Baby food, puree, formula, and breast milk can generally be brought through security even when they exceed the usual 100 ml liquid limit, although they may need additional screening.

4. 💧 Water for baby's needs
Water needed for preparing formula or feeding baby may be allowed, subject to security screening. Just let the security officer know that it's for your baby.

5. 👨‍👩‍👧 Priority or family boarding
Many airlines allow families travelling with infants to board early. This gives you extra time to settle baby and organize your things before takeoff.

6. 🛂 Family lanes at immigration
Some airports have dedicated lanes for families travelling with young children. This is airport-specific, so always check when you arrive.

7. 👶 Baby carrier
You can generally bring a baby carrier through the airport. Depending on the airport's security procedure, you may be asked to remove baby from the carrier during screening.

8. Bassinet seat
Some airlines provide bassinets for infants on selected aircraft. These are limited and usually need to be requested in advance. There are also specific age and weight restrictions, so ask the airline before your flight.

9. 💺Infant fare can be much cheaper
For lap infants under 2, some airlines charge only tax, and some may charge a percentage of Adult fare. In our experience, when we flew to Singapore/Malaysia we paid the baby on lap atleast 90% of the adult's fare. Others have different pricing, especially for international flights.

10. 🤱 Breastfeeding and pumping supplies
Bring enough bottles, storage bags, formula, and feeding supplies for the entire journey, plus extra in case of delays.

✨ Mommy travel tips

📍Pack extra diapers, wipes, clothes, milk/formula, and baby food in your carry-on.
📍Bring an extra shirt for yourself too. Trust me. 😂
📍Keep baby's important items in your hand-carry, not checked luggage.
📍Put a name tag/contact information on your stroller and car seat.
📍If you need a bassinet, request it as early as possible because availability is limited.
📍Check if your stroller can be gate-checked so you can use it around the airport.
📍Make sure baby has all the required passport, visa, and travel documents.
📍If you have a connecting flight, check the requirements of the transit country too.
📍For takeoff and landing, breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or using a pacifier may help baby adjust to the pressure.
📍Most importantly, check the specific airline's infant policy before packing. Rules can change, and what's allowed on one airline may not be allowed on another.

And one of the best mommy tips: ASK!😊
Sometimes may available na service or allowance, pero hindi automatically offered unless you ask the airline or airport staff.

Traveling with a baby can definitely be challenging, but knowing these little perks can make the journey a LOT easier. 💕✈️👶

Picture below were taken during security screening, these were the liquids and baby foods I packed in my baby bag for our 25-hour flight. ✈️👶🍼Hindi na rin nila chineck yung milk powder. 😊

Yung baby food packs na good for about 1 week, binitbit ko na rin para ma-maximize yung weight allowance ng checked luggage namin kasi lagpas na kami sa weight limit! 🤣🤣

Sayang naman yung extra allowance for baby, kaya sulitin na! 😂

Happy travels, mommies!🥰

We Made It, Mama✓😭😭😭

39 years of waiting. 39 years of praying. And finally, Mama, we made it. 😭❤️

There are moments in life that may look ordinary to other people, but to you, they mean everything.💕

This is one of those moments for me.

I was raised by a single mother.

Maaga kinuha ni Lord ang papa ko, and from that moment, life was never easy for us. (This is an emotional long post.)

I still remember being a child and watching my Mama work herself to exhaustion just so we could eat.

Para may pang-ulam.

Para may baon ako sa school.

Para may pambayad sa kung ano mang kailangang bayaran.

As the eldest, I became her kanang kamay.

Naglalabada kami. Nagfa-farming sa sakahan ng iba. Kung ano mang trabaho ang pwede naming gawin para kumita, ginagawa namin.

We didn't have much.

Actually, sometimes, we barely had enough.

"Isang kahig, isang tuka."

That was our reality.

And when you're poor, you learn very early that people can treat you differently.

May mga taong nangmamaliit.

May mga taong nangungutya.

May mga pagkakataon na kahit kamag-anak mo, nahihiya kang aminin na kamag-anak mo dahil ayaw mong marinig ang mga sasabihin tungkol sa pagiging mahirap ninyo.

I remember feeling ashamed.

But now that I'm older, I realize something.

There was never anything shameful about my mother.

She was not poor because she was lazy.

She was poor because she was busy trying to keep her children alive.

She was busy surviving.

And that woman who had so little... gave us everything she had.

Kaya bata pa lang ako, may isang pangako na akong ginawa sa sarili ko.

Mag-aaral ako. Tatapusin ko.

Hindi ko alam kung paano.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako dadalhin ng buhay.

Pero alam ko lang, ayoko nang makita si Mama na ganito habang buhay.

Nakakapagod maging mahirap.

And by God's grace and the help of other relatives, nakatapos ako.

Akala ko, doon matatapos ang hirap.

Hindi pala. Doon ko lang nalaman na may panibagong laban palang naghihintay.

At 19, umalis ako sa amin at pumunta sa Manila.

Imagine, 19 years old, and I have to live independently. Walang alam sa mundo.

Walang kasiguraduhan.

Ang alam ko lang, kailangan kong lumaban.

Kailangan kong magtrabaho.

Kailangan kong kayanin.

And eventually, I became the breadwinner.

Hindi lang para sa sarili ko.

Para sa pamilya.

Para kay Mama.

One day, I finally told her,

“Ma, wag ka na magtrabaho. Ako na.”

And from that day on, I carried that promise with me.

Hindi naging madali.

There were days I was tired.

There were days I wanted to give up.

There were days I wondered how much more I could carry.

Pero kapag naaalala ko kung saan kami nanggaling, bumabangon ako.

Because every sacrifice felt worth it when I knew it was for my family.

And there was one thing I kept asking God for.

TIME.

More time with my mother.

I would pray,

"Lord, pahabain Mo pa ang buhay ni Mama.”

Because I had a dream.

I wanted to take her abroad.

I wanted her to see the places I was able to see.

I wanted her to experience things she never got to experience because she spent most of her life taking care of us.

I would see people her age pass away, some even younger than her, and my heart would break.

Kaya paulit-ulit akong nagdarasal.

"Lord, please. Hindi pa nakakapunta abroad si Mama.”

In 2020, akala namin finally, mangyayari na.

Scheduled na.

Ready na.

Pero dumating ang COVID.

And once again, we had to wait.

So we waited.

And waited.

Until finally...

After 39 years of my life, I finally got to fulfill that promise.

Mama finally went abroad. 😭✈️❤️

To some people, it's just a trip.

Just another stamp on a passport.

Just another place to visit.

But they don't know what this trip means to me.

Because I remember the woman who used to work under the sun just to feed us.

I remember the clothes we washed.

The farms we worked in.

The days when we didn't know where the next money would come from.

I remember her tired face.

Her silent tears.

Her sacrifices.

And now...

I'm looking at the same woman, standing beside me, finally seeing the world.

And I swear, there are no words big enough for that feeling.

Mama, I know we fight.

A LOT. 😂

Minsan parang ako na ang nanay mo. 😂

Minsan masungit ako.

Minsan hindi tayo nagkakaintindihan.

But please know this...

Every single thing I do comes from a daughter who loves her mother more than she knows how to say.

You spent your whole life taking care of us.

Now, let me take care of you.

You spent your younger years working so hard so we could have a future.

Now, I want you to enjoy yours.

I want you to travel.

I want you to eat whatever you want.

I want you to see beautiful places.

I want you to laugh without worrying.

I want you to rest without feeling guilty.

I want you to wake up knowing that your children are okay.

And most of all...

I want you to know that all those years of sacrifice were not wasted.

Look at us now, Ma.

The children you worked so hard for are okay.

And the little girl who watched you struggle all those years ago... finally gets to give something back to the woman who gave her everything. 😭

This is not just a vacation.

This is a promise fulfilled.

A prayer answered.

A chapter of our lives that started with poverty, sacrifice, and tears... and somehow brought us here.

From washing other people's clothes to boarding a plane together.

From wondering where our next meal would come from...

to wondering which country we'll visit next.

From simply surviving... to finally living.

Mama, we still have so many places to see.

So many foods to try. So many pictures to take.
So many memories to make. So please, stay with me a little longer.

I still have places to take you.

I still have dreams to fulfill with you.

I still want to see the world with you.

And if God gives me that gift...

I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you never forget how deeply you are loved.

We didn't have much when we were young, Ma.

But we had each other.

And somehow, that was enough to get us here.

39 years later, I can finally say it...

Mama, we made it.😭❤️

And this time, we're not traveling to escape the life we had.

We're traveling to celebrate the life we fought so hard to have.

To more countries.

More adventures.

More laughter.

More memories.

More life.

More travels with you, Mama.

I love you. Always. ❤️✈️🌎

Cheers to all single mothers out there💕

❤️✈️🌎

The Vlog That Never Happened 😂✓

POV: Nagdala ka ng dalawang camera para maging travel vlogger… pero hindi ka man lang nakapagsuklay. 🤣😂

DJI Action Camera ✅
Pocket 3 ✅
Meta Ray-Ban ni hubby ✅
Travel vlog plan ✅

Actual footage:
Ako, may baby.
May carrier.
May backpack.
May hand carry.
May baby bag na parang may laman na buong grocery store. 😂
Si hubby, overloaded din. 🤣

Kaya sabi ko na lang:

"HEART, picturan mo na lang ako gamit ang Meta. Para may proof na kasama rin ako sa trip.”😂📸

At yung baby bag?
Diapers, wipes, extra clothes, puree, bottles, baby water…

At least 15 kilos ng “baka kailanganin.” 🤣

Buti na lang matibay ang Tory Burch bag ko. worth it ang pagbili😂👏

So yes, walang cinematic travel vlog.
Walang perfect airport shots.
Walang aesthetic mom moment.
At obviously, walang suklay. 🤣

Pero may pagod.
May tawanan.
May chaos.
At higit sa lahat -May memories. ❤️
Memories to be cherished a lifetime.

Would I travel again with my baby?

YES. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.✈️❤️

Because sometimes the best memories aren't the ones you perfectly captured on camera.

They're the ones you were too busy living to record.🥹❤️