Philippine Daily Inquirer

Total pampering for all moms– the real bosses

- Follow @seaprinces­s888 on Instagram.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the real bosses in the family! The 24/7 job we have is most challengin­g, yet also most fulfilling and truly gratifying. We raise our children in the best way possible, so we wonderful family nurturers truly deserve one day a year of total pampering.

My hubby Dennis and other hubbies need to search for the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Here are some suggestion­s.

Sweet treats from Auro Chocolate

Chocolates always satisfy a mom’s sweet tooth. The newest chocolate in sweet heaven is Auro Chocolate, a proudly Filipino, bean-to-bar company that empowers local farmers in order to sustainabl­y create the finest single-origin cocoa and chocolate products.

Manila House Private Membership Club was the venue for the launch of this budding chocolate company. This family business is headed by its founder and president Jacki Go and daughter Kelly Go as comanaging director with partner

Mark Ocampo, the grandson of Atty. Estelito Mendoza.

The team pulled out all the stops with Manila House chefs headed by Selena Ocampo to come up with unique savory finger foods and cocktails from Avenue Bar, all with Auro chocolate infusions. Selena, daughter of Ricco and Tina

Ocampo, has also been busy with Manila House’s preparatio­ns for today’s special occasion.

The launch was made even more special with the serving of one-of-a-kind desserts made by four of the country's most sought after pastry chefs, namely Sunshine Puey, Peachy Juban, Miko Aspiras and Richie Manapat. The night ended with the unveiling of a chocolate wall full of spoons, with sumptuous chocolate creations only by Auro Chocolate.

Party fare by Nic’s

For Moms who fancy home dining, consider ordering a sumptuous turkey and irresistib­le desserts from food entreprene­ur Rina Go of Nic’s. Other main courses include Chilean Black Mussels in White Sauce, Salmon Crunch, and Seafood Medley.

Inquirer Lifestyle’s “Best Desserts” book lists Rina’s Peach Walnut Torte in its latest edition. Visit www.nics.com.ph or email

nicsdesser­ts@gmail.com for their complete menu and catering service.

Last week, I tried Nic’s dish- es and desserts at a small lunch for my Red Charity Gala family. RCG cochair Kaye Tinga and I used the occasion to welcome

Joey Samson, this year’s featured designer, to the team. We are so delighted and excited for the Gala at Shangri-la at the Fort on October 14.

Pottery Barn furnishing­s

All mothers love home décor and accessorie­s. From the classic to the contempora­ry, from the rustic to the industrial chic, Pottery Barn has an extensive selection of home furnishing­s and more.

Pottery Barn recently hosted an intimate gathering at its flagship store in Central Square with the esteemed presence of architects, interior designers, and style purveyors. At the event, Anthony Huang, president of SSI Group, and his wife Nina, along with Maritess Tan

toco-Enriquez, director of Rustan Co mmercial Corporatio­n, treated guests to a private tour of the store and introduced Pottery Barn’s newest Designers’ Circle Rewards Program.

Through this members-only initiative, Pottery Barn aims to help designers bring to life their style visions through special rewards, promos and discounts, and access to exclusive products reviews and events.

Although I missed that affair, I was able to attend the private Tea Party of Mia Bor

romeo to launch the Summer 2017 Collection of Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm. Lots of moms enjoyed exclusive offers, special promos and discounts for that day only.

I got a double treat, since Central Square has an ongoing summer raffle promo called Lounge in Luxury. The promo gives shoppers a chance to win exclusive summer getaways to Huma Island in Coron with airfare courtesy of SkyJet Airlines, and Samsonite luggage sets.

My Diamond collection­s

Diamonds are every mom’s best friend! Quite simply, there’s no better symbol of unconditio­nal love and a lasting gift more priceless than a diamond. Our eldest son, Bryan Prieto, and I are featured in the latest Mother’s Day campaign of My Diamond. For the pictorial, I wore a My Diamond set of heart-shaped ruby earrings and pendant and a 14-carat tennis bracelet, both set in white gold from the Classic collection.

At the interview, Bryan shared his appreciati­on and gratitude for me, especially when I was his single mom before marrying my hubby Dennis. It is this selflessne­ss that Bryan, who is involved in the family real estate and food business, most appreciate­s. After all, he knows best the sacrifices I went through in the beginning. It is something he cherishes and is totally grateful for, especially this Mother’s Day.

I was especially touched by his words. “From the time I was working in Singapore for four years to when I decided to come home and go into business here, my mom was always there. She is so much fun, accommodat­ing, and easy to talk to. She’s always been giving and raised me the best way she could, even with her multifacet­ed life and my siblings.”

Thank you, Bryan. And thanks, too, to My Diamond. It’s great that you got Bryan and I to bond even more. It makes me want to rush out and shop at My Diamond.

Or better still, get the hubby to buy me something there. Check out the My Diamond concept stores at Shangri-la Plaza Mall, SM Megamall, Robinsons Place Manila, Festival Supermall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, Lucky Chinatown, Ayala Center Cebu and SMLanang Premier Davao. Check out their Facebook and Instagram account, @mydiamondp­h, as well.

Being a mother is something I really enjoy. I’ve been a mom in my 20s, 30s and 40s! With our youngest Athena just turning 12, I am going to cling to being an overly affectiona­te and cuddly mom until she kicks me out of her room!

In closing, let me also wish my own two moms, Marixi Prieto and Cynthia Valdes, as well as all the great moms out there, a happy Mother’s Day, too!

Diamonds are every mom’s best friend

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Norman Cruz, Tessa Alindogan, Mye Cruz and daughter Maika, Sea Princess, Nova Veluz and daughter Ysa, Julia Cruz, Audrey Cruz, Zaldy Veluz
Norman Cruz, Tessa Alindogan, Mye Cruz and daughter Maika, Sea Princess, Nova Veluz and daughter Ysa, Julia Cruz, Audrey Cruz, Zaldy Veluz
 ??  ?? María José Calvo (wife of Spanish ambassador), Ana de Ocampo, Sea Princess, Mia Borromeo, Anne Arcenas-Gonzalez
María José Calvo (wife of Spanish ambassador), Ana de Ocampo, Sea Princess, Mia Borromeo, Anne Arcenas-Gonzalez
 ??  ?? Red Charity Gala team Ria Prieto, Sea Princess, Ricky Toledo, Chito Vijandre, Kaye Tinga, Joey Samson, Bea Ledesma
Red Charity Gala team Ria Prieto, Sea Princess, Ricky Toledo, Chito Vijandre, Kaye Tinga, Joey Samson, Bea Ledesma
 ??  ?? TESSA! TESSA PRIETO-VALDES
TESSA! TESSA PRIETO-VALDES
 ??  ?? Mye Cruz, Jojo Ongsiako, Nova Veluz, Vina Francisco
Mye Cruz, Jojo Ongsiako, Nova Veluz, Vina Francisco
 ??  ?? Ann Ong , Sea Princess, Susan Joven, Linda Ley
Ann Ong , Sea Princess, Susan Joven, Linda Ley
 ??  ?? Charmaine Lagman, Ricco Ocampo, Sea Princess
Charmaine Lagman, Ricco Ocampo, Sea Princess
 ??  ?? Ines Borromeo, Fiona Malca and Sofia Elizalde
Ines Borromeo, Fiona Malca and Sofia Elizalde
 ??  ?? Pinky Antonio with daughters Patricia and Chelsea
Pinky Antonio with daughters Patricia and Chelsea
 ??  ?? Lizzie Zobel, Mitch Suarez, Mia Borromeo
Lizzie Zobel, Mitch Suarez, Mia Borromeo
 ??  ?? Tessa Valdes and son Bryan Prieto with pet cat Sky
Tessa Valdes and son Bryan Prieto with pet cat Sky
 ??  ?? Edd Fuentes, Joey Samson
Edd Fuentes, Joey Samson
 ??  ?? Marissa Concepcion and daughter Bella
Marissa Concepcion and daughter Bella
 ??  ?? Jojo Ongsiako and daughter Mica
Jojo Ongsiako and daughter Mica
 ??  ?? Rina Go and daughter Madison
Rina Go and daughter Madison
 ??  ?? Marilu Batchelor, Ane Preysler
Marilu Batchelor, Ane Preysler
 ??  ?? Mark Ocampo with Mom Susan Mendoza
Mark Ocampo with Mom Susan Mendoza
 ??  ?? Teacher Georcelle Dapat-Sy and daughter Jaja
Teacher Georcelle Dapat-Sy and daughter Jaja
 ??  ?? Sea Princess with Samsonite Black Label, Python Collection
Sea Princess with Samsonite Black Label, Python Collection
 ??  ?? My Diamond Half Tennis 14-k white gold bracelet
My Diamond Half Tennis 14-k white gold bracelet

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines