Mommy Bares All: Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking Book Launch and Book Signing at Mothercare

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

It's only the first day of February but I'm already overwhelmed with the many blessings that I have received this year! One of my biggest blessings at the start of this year is the book launch and book signing for my latest book Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking last Saturday. Having a book launch and book signing with media coverage in a known store was one of my dreams as an author. I was only imagining this before. Last Saturday, that dream has become a reality.

Dreams do come true! And sometimes, one after another!

I've heard of Mothercare's well-attended Baby and Me events and I liked that they are known to support young families through the products that they carry in their store and through the events that they organize. So, I thought of Mothercare right away when I started planning for my book launch for my latest book that I envisioned to help moms and their families. I also liked that Mothercare has a branch at the Active Fun building in Bonifacio Global City where my kids (my eldest especially) love to play. Thus, I was delighted to learn just before Christmas that they are willing to sponsor the book launch and book signing event for Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking by providing the venue and other logistical requirements. Not only that, Mothercare provided prizes for the raffle during the program.

Mothercare entrance at Active Fun building, Bonifacio High Street

The winners of the prizes raffled off by Mothercare
with Mothercare Marketing Manager, Ms. Mariel Bartolome.

Me and Mothercare Marketing Manager, Mariel.

The event poster/invite

Aside from finding a venue for the event, I was also blessed with other sponsors who helped provide for the other things needed for the event. It was as if one by one, God has moved them to come to me.

Medela Moms, Inc. sponsored the other speaker for the event, Dr. Jamie Isip-Cumpas, whom I asked to talk about the amazing benefits of breastfeeding and breastmilk.

Me with Dr. Jamie and Ms. Maricel Cua of Medela Moms, Inc.

Dr. Jamie discussing the amazing composition of breastmilk.

Mama Chows offered to provide lactation cookies as giveaways. They also provided the cupcakes which were served as snacks for the guests. On top of that, they even gave away 5 gift certificates for a week's supply of lactation cookies.

Yummy lactation cookies from Mama Chows.

Moringana of Organics Asia also provided malunggay giveaways for our guests and a tea station. It was one wonderful afternoon tea party indeed!

Our Moringana giveaways for our guests and their tea station.
Loved the tea, both hot tea and the cold.

Island Rose provided for my rose bouquet and the long-stemmed pink roses for the moms who contributed their stories in my book.

Beautiful roses from Island Rose.

That's me with my husband and two sons during my speech.

Me and my family with some of the moms working outside the home who contributed their stories in my book.

Posing with my husband at home after the event.

Airbrush and Permanent Make-up by Princess Misa-Hernandez sponsored my hair and make-up. She was also the wonderful make-up artist who made me look stunningly beautiful during my wedding around six years ago. ;)

MRLightworkz Photography was our official photographer for the event and Irax Videography helped me come up with a book trailer that we can show just in time for the book launch and book signing.

I'm also grateful to our supportive media partners who helped us spread awareness for our event and my book. I feel that God has orchestrated my life in such a way that I became a freelance contributing writer for The Philippine Online Chronicles and Smart Parenting Online to pave the way for this event in my life. (Click here, here and here for the links to the write ups about the event and the book by our media partners.)

Moreover, I was grateful that we got additional sponsors like Cradle baby bottle and nipple cleanser, Cycles mild laundry detergent for babies, Cycles Sensitive, Wealth Builder and Paper Chic Studio.

With my friends Jana and Ryan of Wealth Builders Asia with Maia Nuguid

Cradle baby bottle and nipple cleanser, Cycles mild laundry detergent for babies, Cycles Sensitive provided giveaways for our guests and raffle prizes. Zalor Maternal Care Massage Services provided complimentary massage services to 3 lucky moms who attended our event and to our 2 guests (Maia Nuguid and Cai Sio) in the Interview with Amazing Moms portion of the programme.

The lucky moms who won raffle prizes from Cycles.

Mommy Ginger and the Manila Workshops team helped me organize the event. There were a big help! My book launch and book signing for my latest book would not be as wonderful as it is without their support.

The Manila Workshops Team at the registration table.

I was also grateful that my fellow WAHM and award-winning blogger, Martine de Luna, was our host during the event. Martine breastfed her son, Vito, also.

Martine hosting the event.

I was honored to have Dr. Elvira L. Henares-Esguerra as one of our guests and that she made time to attend my book launch and book signing and even gave the welcome remarks. She has played a significant role in the breastfeeding movement in the Philippines and she was one of the first IBCLCs in the country. She was the woman who influenced SM Super Malls to put up breastfeeding stations, which later moved other malls to do the same. Her breastfeeding story is also featured in my book.

Me and Dr. Elvira.

I was also blessed by the presence of two good friends of mine - Gemma and Raquel. Gemma helped us check the books that we brought to the event and she took charge of selling them there. Raquel on the other hand helped my husband watch over the kids while I was busy with all the preparations, while the event was going on and right after it.

My friend, Gemma, helping me inspect books before putting them on display and ready for selling and signing.

My youngest son, Mateo, with his Ninang Raquel.

I cannot thank God enough for sending all these people to me at this time of my life to conspire to make one of my dreams a reality. It has been one memorable Saturday afternoon! Praise God for making it happen!