A baby shower for a super mom
I've known celebrity mom, tv host, triathlete, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan since elementary. While we weren't super close friends in grade school (plus she left for the States for High school), we managed to keep in touch in our adult years. We found ourselves with the same passion, doing parenting advocacy work, myself with Mommy Matters and Mommy Mundo while Maricel and husband Anthony, with The Parenting Company.It's always a joy seeing Maricel, even if it's usually because of work-related matters...
Maricel and I with Coach Rio at Make Your own Havaianas, an event which our events agency (Creative Juice) helps organize annually
Maricel readily obliged when we asked her to be on the cover of the early issues of our magazine, Urban MomBecause she's such a warm person, our conversations always end up as engaging chatting sessions between two women-mommy-friends. Though usually brief, I feel blessed to have these occasional talks with her because it's always a joy getting to know her more- about her kids, her life as a runner-triathlete, and a woman of faith.One day, Maricel called me to share with me some news " Janice, i have to drop out of the TBR Dream Marathon (her first 42K marathon which we organize for thebullrunner.com). I immediately asked "But why???" and her answer was a surprise, "….because I'm pregnaaaant!" I answer, "Whaaaa…. woooow!! Congratulations!!!" This was truly happy news! (I didnt tell Maricel then that at the back of my mind i was thinking: Maricel and I are the same age, that means I can still get pregnant too...stress..haha!)This would be this supermom's 5th baby. With this pregnancy coming many years after her 4th child, Benjamin, Maricel had given away all her baby stuff and equipment to friends and family as she thought she was officially 'retired' from the world of pregnancy and labor. So a month before her delivery date, Maricel was putting together her shopping list, and it was turning out to be a long one, she started becoming overwhelmed. Good thing her super thoughtful MomWorks staff rolled up their sleeves and put together a surprise baby shower for her.The result was a warm and intimate party, a literal "SHOWERing of love and generosity for Maricel and her brood.
Ate Ella and her siblings are so excited for their coming baby sisterThe program started with a few fun games. Here I am with my OC friend Kris (check out her blog www.ocmominmanila.com) as we tried to put on a diaper on a doll with one hand each. We lost to another team by 1 second! (Kris, do you think if you weren't so OC we might have been faster by a second and won the game? haha!)
Then on to the opening of baby shower presents. It was a joy seeing Maricel shed tears of joy as she had not expected this Baby Shower at all, much less all the wonderful gifts from friends, family, mompreneurs and sponsors. I think a big chunk of Maricel's layette list had been crossed out that night!:)Check out some of Maricel's loot for her coming baby girl…
Pretty red shoes from The Little Red Shoe
Maricel's sister, Mutya Laxa Buensuceso and her creation, the Butterfly Pillow 
Check out the baby tub! It's the Tummy Tub from Numa:)
The Kuyas stay near Mom as she opens her gifts- from Babinski baby, Avent, and more! Check out that sleek Aprica car seat!
Cool ride from Safety First...
A changing table from Two Tots
My cousin and I gifted Maricel with a "starter set for a fifth time starter" from Mommy Matters.It was a fun afternoon and I was so glad I was there.
Thank you for allowing me to share in your joy, my friend! :)---Update: Last week, Maricel has successfully gone thru delivery via water birth and has brought a healthy beautiful baby girl into the world. Welcome baby, Solana! :)