The day all the PMN mommies were waiting for finally came. Last May 26, 2007, 12 mommies came together (many meeting each other for the first time) to attend the mommy lunch of the Pinoy Moms Network organized by co-founders Connie Veneracion and Noemi Dado. Venue was Swiss Deli & Bistro along Pioneer St., Mandaluyong.
I cannot describe the feeling when I finally came face to face with the mommies behind blogs I had been visiting. Instead of just a thumbnail picture, here they were in front of me (the likes of Noemi, Dine, Rach, Cess, Feng, Chats, Salen ). There were others who had no pictures in their blogs but as soon as they introduced themselves, we would instantly connect them with their blog alias “Ah, ikaw pala si (blog pseudonym)…!” (like Julie, Lisa, Lynn). What I found amazing was how a group of strangers bonded instantly like long lost friends — and all because blogging brought everyone together through PMN. From blog posts, most of us were delighted to see Nico and the other kids in person. Their faces were long familiar to us,
Right after lunch, I had to run home and finish packing for an overnight trip just outside MM (at Pililla, Rizal) where daughter and her Ateneo friends were spending the night. It was a hectic afternoon for me but I would not have missed that lunch for the world.
The success of this first-of-many (o ayan, nagpaparinig na kami…) lunches, dinners, outings, pow-wows — whatever you call girl friends’ excuses for coming together for more bonding — should be credited to none other than the 2 hardworking mommies behind PMN in the first place…Connie and Noemi. Thanks to you both, you are opening up further the world of blogging to us and showing us that this goes beyond just being an online diary.
To all my new mommy friends: it was so delightful to see all of you. It was well worth it! I am sure we are all looking forward to meeting all the other PMN members in future events.
Thanks for the nice words, Jane. The success of Pinoy Moms Network are the moms themselves so it thrilss me to no end when all of you showed up. We really learn a lot from each other…
hello Jane. finally, your entry re: the Mommy Lunch. i dropped by here last night, around 7PM but it wasn’t posted yet :). thought you might still be out of town. 🙂 anyway, i’m droppin’ to say it was nice meeting you at the meet-up. i had a wonderful time, really. hope to see you and the rest of the PMN Mommies again and again and again. 🙂
@Noemi – It’s great to have blogging mentors like you and Connie (and Dine too!). I am sure there are lots more I have to learn…
@Feng – Yes, when I got back there was a lot of catching up to do (and that was just an overnight trip, ha?). I agree with the “again and again and again”. 🙂
tama mommy jane ! first of many indeed!
Hi Jane! Next time ulit! I’m intrigued with Yoga, will definitely check that one out. 🙂
hi, Jane
twas really nice to have met you and the other moms, and their children, too. there’s so much to share, to learn from each other, so much to talk and plan about.
btw, i like your photo slides.
No more excuses for me next time. I’m joininggg!!!!
Hi Jane. It was indeed a wonderful lunch. I’m happy to have met you. It’s so nice how you reached out to each and everyone. You’re very sweet and bubbly. Looking forward to seeing you again and the rest of the mommy bloggers soon. Have a great week ahead.
Hello Jane. I appreciate your gesture, going around, trying to know everyone. You’re very warm. Maybe next time, one of our activities will be a yoga session. Haha. But why not di ba. I’d like to copy some of the pictures you posted here. Hope to see you again soon. 🙂
@Cess, Lisa, Rach, Lynn – Loved to see you dropped by here! Am still putting our mommy directory together. Am out right now. Will send directly to your email addresses. Lynn, copy away!
@sexy mom – I am learning from all the blogs I visit. That slideshow is Cathy’s inspiration.
@Rhodora – I will look for you next time!
Jane, my daughter is going to school at Enderun Colleges on Ortigas starting this June. She will be staying at a condo unit just across her school. I read here that you go to yoga class on Ortigas? Sana I can join you! Mahirap ba? How much would it cost?
@Rhodora – My goodness! Enderun is just a door or 2 away from Strata 100 where I do yoga. I go Tues-Thurs evenings (Thurs evening is for intermediate students). But if you’re going for the first time, I want to join you. Will email you privately since I am trying to go with other bloggers who are likewise interested. Hopefully we can set up a common time/class. Way to go!
Congrats to your group. Its really nice to finally meet the faces behind blogs. EBs are fun and time seems to stop. I hope to see a tighter bond in your group. May your tribe increase.
@Schumey!!! Finally….a dad comments on a mommy lunch. Hehehe, never thought I’d see that. Am glad you dropped by again. We are looking forward to our next mommy EB. If ever they open up the event to honorary daddies, I will let you know.
Hi Jane! It was great to meet you in person!
And you said it so well (“…this goes beyond just being an online diary”). See you again soon!
Btw, please email me the directory too. Thanks!
@Chats – Of course you’ll be part of our directory! It was such a fun lunch di ba?
Jane, you look so fit! I have read somewhere that yoga is one of the better ways to get fit. Hmmm..should definitely read more about it. Btw, today is a Tuesday and you are going to your yoga session, 🙂
Yes, it is indeed the first-of-many, hahaha. We should try to do these more often, time out for moms. It was nice meeting you.
@Julie – Thanks! I hope to stay fit as long as I can. Yup! Got yoga later! Did you know there is yoga for kids? I wish P.E. in schools would offer this as part of their program….the kids would benefit physically and mentally from this.
Thanks for the invite sis. I would love that.
Hi Jane,
I would like to try yoga kaya lang I don’t have any companion. You said you go to YOga class in ortigas. I’m a working mom here in Ortigas. I’d like to know some other details sana, if you can send me some andhow much does it cost, (i need to check if my budget will allow it). Eversince kasi I gave birth to my 2 wonderful kids, I’ve gained up to++++ pound.
thanks Jane…
@Jo – Hi there! I will be more than happy to send you the information you need. Will just do it through your private email address. Hope we can do a class together!
Hi Jane,
It’s me again Jo, yupI would love that….hope we can have Yoga together..