What to do when parents are caught between tradition and medicine

By Jane Kingsu-Cheng 

When it comes to baby care, many Filipino parents are caught between respecting age-old beliefs and modern medical advice grounded in science. From avoiding baths to ward off “pasma”—a common belief that sudden exposure to cold can cause illness—to applying herbal oils for colds, these folk practices have been passed down through generations.

These beliefs have evolved into a cultural ritual that involves sharing wisdom from elders. But are these truly helpful or could they be doing more harm than good?

A wakeup call

Dr. Jayeanne M. Bihag-Lomibao, a 32-year-old board-certified general pediatrician, has encountered various challenges in her practice. “We had a patient where the grandmother refused to bathe the newborn to avoid ‘pasma.' After a few days, the baby was brought to the emergency room due to lethargy and decreased feeding, only to find a brewing umbilical infection.”

The baby was diagnosed with sepsis, admitted to the hospital, given IV antibiotics, and had to undergo multiple tests and procedures—all because of a well-meaning but harmful belief.

Open communication

Dr. Jayeanne emphasizes the importance of respectful communication with her patients. “I strive to communicate effectively with them,” she shares. “By actively listening to their perspectives, I often see a reciprocal engagement. When I present factual information, I make sure to clear up any misunderstandings and back up my advice with scientific evidence to protect the child’s health.”

There are dangers in delaying medical treatment in favor of folk remedies. “Our children, especially newborns, are not just small adults. Infections can progress quickly, vital organs may be affected, and specialized pediatric treatments aren’t always available locally. Prompt medical care is essential.”

But not all traditional remedies can cause harm. “Some practices, like using coconut oil to massage the baby or herbal teas for breastfeeding moms, can provide comfort—so long as they don’t replace necessary medical treatment.”

Strike a balance

Balancing respect for Filipino culture with evidence-based medicine requires sensitivity and an open mind. “It’s important to show parents that everyone involved wants the same thing—the child’s well-being,” Dr. Jayeanne explains. “Recognizing the significance of traditional practices, particularly regarding psychological comfort or minor symptom relief, is an important consideration. At the same time, we work to educate families about the scientific basis of evidence-based medicine in a culturally sensitive manner.”

Many parents find themselves caught between their pediatrician's advice and an elder’s well-meaning insights. “But this worked for your siblings,” is a phrase first-time parents often hear from grandparents, leaving them unsure of whom to follow.

How to handle

Her advice? “It’s understandable to feel torn between honoring tradition and following modern medicine,” Dr. Jayeanne reassures. “It is often helpful to express gratitude to your in-laws for their concern, share your doctor's recommendations, and prioritize the safety and well-being of your child. Ultimately, it is the parents' love that will shape the child's development.”

For parents who are unsure about the safety of certain practices, Dr. Jayeanne recommends discussing these openly with a healthcare provider. Caring for a child doesn't have to be a choice between culture and science. When approached with openness and empathy, it can be both.

To learn more about newborn care myths, click here. For recommendations on health-related baby care myths, click here.

Breaking barriers, building community: The women behind Leading Ladies

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

Mar 28, 2025 01:08 AM

  

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Rica Peralejo, Cat Ilacad, and Rachelle Stern

Working non-stop for over two decades and experiencing an unexpected slowdown during the 2020 lockdown, Cat Ilacad, founder and CEO of Posh Nails Inc., and Rachelle Stern, CEO of Alphabetsoup Inc., found themselves reflecting deeply and engaging in meaningful conversations.

"During a late-night call, as we washed away our anxieties, Rachelle and I found ourselves talking about what else we could do. I told her how, when I was starting Posh Nails, I wished I had a small group of people to talk to — a place to share suppliers, business ideas, and simply rant about the challenges that business owners face. I never managed to form that group. She also felt the same way,” shares Cat on how the community group Leading Ladies was founded in 2021. 

"At a time when many women were feeling isolated, struggling to launch new ventures, or simply in need of a supportive ear during challenging times, we created this space. Leading Ladies is all about fostering an empowering community where women can connect, share experiences, and support each other’s growth—both personally and professionally,” adds Rachelle. 

Manila Bulletin sat down with Cat and Rachelle as they shared their journey as co-founders of Leading Ladies and how their vision continues to empower women.

The ‘Ladies Who Launch’ event in October 2024 marked Leading Ladies’ first in-person gathering.

The collaborator
Cat Ilacad founded Posh Nails, Inc., a nail salon, beauty, and wellness business, in 2002. Today, the company boasts 35 branches nationwide and offers franchise opportunities to loyal clients who have come to love the salon.

Over the years, Cat has worked closely with many women who face the same challenges of balancing work and personal life while striving to break free from societal expectations. “But I’ve also seen the power of resilience, collaboration, and mentorship. When women support each other, success comes faster and feels more meaningful,” she says.

This belief is at the heart of Leading Ladies. Cat emphasizes that one of their main goals is to provide a community where women can share their journeys, including resources, contacts, and lessons learned—without gatekeeping. 

“Many of us had to figure things out the hard way, and we wanted to remove that barrier. We achieved this by building a culture of generosity and launching events where real conversations happen,” she points out.

The cheerleader
Rachelle Stern, chief executive officer and president of the advertising and marketing agency Alphabetsoup, Inc., has faced her fair share of discrimination at work. “It often takes extra effort to be taken seriously and have our expertise recognized,” she shares—a frustration many women experience. 

She attributes her resilience to her work environment, which celebrates women. “It’s inspiring to see my fellow female colleagues excel in their respective fields. It truly makes a difference when women support one another, rather than pulling each other down,” Rachelle says.

“My hope is that every member feels valued as a woman entrepreneur and leader. Through this network, they’ll discover fresh ideas, exciting collaborations, and new opportunities for growth,” she continues. “At the same time, I wanted this community to foster both personal and professional growth, helping women rediscover their passions and achieve holistic success.” 

The second ‘Ladies Who Launch’ event, held in December 2024, welcomed a new wave of attendees.

The power of three
In 2024, celebrity-turned-advocate for family, fitness, and faith, Rica Peralejo, joined Leading Ladies as its third co-founder. Since then, the trio has had a busy and productive last quarter of the year.

What began as online gatherings during the lockdown evolved into their first in-person events late last year. "Ladies Who Launch" made its debut in October 2024, followed by a second event in December—held by popular demand. Both events sold out in less than two weeks. 

“It’s all about empowering women to turn their ideas into action. It’s a space where we dive into conversations about building meaningful connections, creating sustainable businesses, and learning directly from other women,” explains Cat.

Reflecting on the success of these two events, Rachelle knew they were making a difference, but she didn’t fully grasp the profound impact their efforts had on the community.

“I was blown away by the energy—women who hadn’t even met before came together, and it felt like we were all on the same page. That incredible experience fueled my desire to give even more to our community and push Leading Ladies to new heights,” she says.

Celebrate and empower

Now, three months after their back-to-back sold-out events, Leading Ladies is celebrating Women’s Month this March with their biggest gathering yet. Cat shares, “We knew we had to go bigger. We asked ourselves—how can we truly make an impact?”

Enter “She Shines”—a one-day summit offering attendees a range of activities based on their interests. These include inspirational keynotes, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, pampering sessions, and much more.

Hosting their biggest event this month holds a special significance for Rachelle. “Women’s Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many facets of womanhood. It’s about recognizing that we’re leading ladies—in our homes, workplaces, families, and beyond,” she explains.

Cat adds, “You are stronger, braver, and more capable than you realize. The dreams you hold in your heart are possible, but you don’t have to chase them alone. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, lift you higher, and remind you of your own power when you start to doubt it. Take bold steps, embrace challenges, and trust that every small move forward brings you closer to the life you envision. Success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about lifting each other up and rising together.”

A celebration of happiness in beauty

Happy Skin celebrates 10th anniversary

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

  

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Homegrown beauty brand Happy Skin hosted a fun 10th anniversary party at White Space, Makati, last Oct. 3, 2023. An estimate of 400 guests flocked to the venue to celebrate and reminisce about their favorite beauty products over the years.

Carla Abellana, Verniece Enciso, Kryz Uy

A lot of activities were lined up which included bringing home items from their makeup vending and gachapon machines. The brand gives back by partnering with HOPE to build a new classroom at Bulualto Elementary School in Bulacan. Simply purchase their 10th birthday collectible pins and keychains—all proceeds from the sales will be donated to this initiative.

DJ Christi McGarry, Aryanna Epperson, Ashley Colet

Host Janeena Chan got the party going, introducing CEO and Co-Founder Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez on stage. Also seen celebrating were Carla Abellana, Kryz Uy, Verniece Enciso, Marj Maroket, Jessica Yang, to name a few. Dj Christi McGarry kept the party going all night long with her beats.

Jacqe Gutierrez and Diane Tan

Christiana Collings, Coleen Garcia, Erika Hocson, Sam Pinto and Bella Jaeger

Marj Maroket, Janeena Chan, Jessica Yang

Joize Frilles, Mikay Torralba, Kenn Dayandayan

A fusion of art and design

Dexterton and Kohler celebrate creativity, innovation, and style

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

Oct 23, 2023 09:41 PM 

Dong Ronquillo, Arlene Sipat-Sutton, Ana Amigo-Antonio, Audrey Go, Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, Chat Fores, Stephanie Zubiri

Home and design enthusiasts, as well as architects and interior designers, gathered at Dexterton in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last Oct. 13, 2023. This was to celebrate Kohler’s 150th anniversary and their new showroom at Dexterton. 

Mary Ann Rabonza, Leo Leong, Ivy Almaria, Bee Hong Tan, Cynthia Almario, Audrey Go, Yolanda Bernardo, Noel Bernardo

The theme, “Come All Creators,” invited everyone to see up close the new innovations of Kohler, one of the global leaders in kitchen and design. The venue also featured limited-edition collections of the Kohler artist edition collection, celebrating the fusion of art and innovation. 

Apples Aberin, Marie Lozano, Dong Rongquillo, Pie Alvarez, Stephanie Zubiri,
Phoemela Baranda, and 

Justin Pitt, Miles Roces, Apples Aberin, Cristalle Belo-Pitt, Jeff Saez, Scott Woodward

Guests were also invited to bid on two limited K150 artist edition pieces, which included the "Falling Gently Collection" by renowned street and graffiti artist ELLE, and  “A World on Strings” by Chinese artist Ziling Wang. The Gynecologic Oncology Department of the Philippine General Hospital is the chosen beneficiary.  

Leolino Almeria, Dominic Galicia, Tina Periquet-Galicia, Arlen de Guzman

"We take immense pride in being part of Kohler’s 150th anniversary celebration, and our primary goal is to share with our clients the same artistic fulfillment and creativity that Kohler exemplifies," shares Dexterton Vice President and Creative Director Audrey Go. 

Kat Clemente, Alessandro Trinidad, Audrey Go, Garlic Garcia, Camille Diego

READ: Pia Wurtzbach was told she’d ‘never make it’ to fashion week

Husband Jeremy Jauncey shares how proud he is of her

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

Oct 10, 2023 11:25 PM 

Going after your dreams, no matter how wild and impossible it may seem, can be easily attained when one is surrounded with a strong support system. 

Jeremy Jauncey dedicates his latest Instagram post to his wife Pia Wurtzbach who has been attending fashion weeks all over the globe. “Every story starts somewhere. A chance encounter, a lucky break, a half open door. I’ve always found the best stories have one thing in common—that person with a passionate, relentless, undefeatable drive to achieve, and that ability to push against the odds, to take a risk when others tell them no and to chase a dream no matter how far away it seems.”

He revealed that Pia dreamt of breaking into European fashion three years ago. But despite having no network, no opportunities, and no credibility, Jeremy witnessed how Pia worked hard toward that goal.  “I’ve been with you as you worked every angle, took every meeting, trusted many who promised so much and delivered so little. Setback after setback on a journey that only we knew about.”

Despite the many challenges and failures that she encountered, she continued to work hard to reach this dream of hers. Jeremy even divulged that Pia was told that she would never make it to fashion weeks, and that her best years were behind her. But even so, she delivered. “To a level even we didn’t hope for in our wildest dreams.”

“So while social media only shows the glitz and the glamor, never forget that every story starts somewhere. And I know how far away this story started for you. I’m so proud of you,” he ends his post, addressing his wife Pia. 

In the comments section, Pia left a message, “Thank you, my love. I’ll see you very soon!”

Grandparents are ‘givers’ now living ‘new lives’ for others

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

Sep 10, 2023 00:06 AM

  

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There are millions of “givers” among us and they are doing that while living the “best new lives” for others. They are known as “grandparents,” or the lolos and lolas, who now give most of their time to their families (especially to their apos or grandchildren), community, and church.

There are approximately nine million senior citizens in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, 2020).  Of that number, 3.3 million are still working, while 5.7 million have committed themselves to non-gainful occupations, according to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) qouting from a PSA report. The non-gainful occupations include taking care of apos, volunteering for church or community work, or engaging in regular leisure activities such as travel.

In the Filipino culture, all senior citizens are considered lolo or lola for the strong bond that ties families together, long after children, nephews and nieces included, become adults and have children of their own. 

In an interview with Manila Bulletin, NCSC chairman lawyer Franklin M. Quijano explained that it is “embedded in us to be caring, nurturing, and giving, which is why grandparents are known to be ‘givers’ of their precious time, knowledge, and experiences.”

In this context, “non-gainful occupation” is a stepping stone to being more involved in family day-to-day matters, one of them, caring for the little children.
“There’s a new ministry that you go into. We call that ‘apo-stolate.’ When you take care of your apos (grandchildren), you become even more valuable to the parents, and you also leave a mark on your grandchildren,” he said, noting that child care is a ”job” that most grandparents will gladly take on.

Eighty-eight-year-old Elisa Salayon, a retiree from San Juan City who has seven grandchildren (now adults), agrees that her role as a grandmother is to give what the parents cannot afford to give, which is time since most parents with young children spend most of their time working to make ends meet.
Now that all her grandchildren are capable of taking care of themselves, Salayon continues to be a doting grandmother, still sharing words of wisdom, “I give them advice about the reality of life, that success and failure are part of growing up. They have to choose how they want to live their lives.”

Sixty-six-year-old Angelita Pineda, makes sure to pray and play with her grandchildren, all 14 of them, ages two to 23 years old. “I teach them to pray, especially the Holy Rosary. These will help them have a better relationship with God, and to become good people.” 

President of the senior citizens group in her barangay, 77-year-old Leonora Nicolas Ramos, a retired grade school teacher, bonds with her grandchildren over food, especially local delicacies. “They always ask me how to make puto, kutsinta, and other kakanin. They love to eat.” She has 14 grandchildren whose ages range from five months to 28 years old. The heirloom recipes are proof that grandparents hold so many treasures, waiting to be shared with the younger ones.

“If these grandparents are able to sustain the values, skills, wisdom, experiences, and share them with the next generation, it will strengthen a culture that other people will also value,” Quijano said.

“Senior citizens should start to think of how their lives are connected with society and family governance. They have skills which they learned from their grandparents. We should challenge them to be pillars in nation building—to still be heroes by sharing their skills with the next generation,” he said.
Belinda D. Cruz, 62, enjoys taking care of her two grandchildren who are left with her while their parents work. She also serves her community as a barangay employee. She is considered by people who know her as a true “giver” who dedicates this phase in her life to both her family and the community where she resides.

Seventy-five-year-old Manolo B. Mercado dedicated 18 years of his life to working as a section head of Net Const department of PLDT. “I was the one in charge of outside plant operations, visiting almost all the provinces in the Philippines,” he said. Now at 75 years old, contributing to the community is on his mind, having been recently elected as the president of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines San Juan Chapter, and concurrently the senior association president of Barangay Pedro Cruz San Juan.

In his free time, Mercado enjoys looking after eight grandchildren. “I bring them out and attend worship at our church. We play together and watch movies. They enjoy being together with their lolo and lola,” he said.

To provide more opportunities for grandparents and senior citizens, NCSC continues to encourage LGUs (local government units) to create programs that the national organization can support. “The senior citizens will be more appreciative if the local government can really be on their side,” Quijano said.
He cited a project with District Six of Manila City. Quijano reveals that the senior citizens from that district have been creating during their free time beaded products for selling. “They started with beads, and are now in diamond painting. I called their attention—nasa gilid lang kayo ng Pasig River. Alam mo may dumadaan dyan na kaya niyong kunin at gamitin (You’re just beside the Pasig River. Do you know that there is something that floats by which you can use)?” 

Now, they are producing water lily items such handcrafted woven baskets, he said.

Grandparents, indeed, are living their best “new” life not only as wonderful caregivers to the next generation of citizens but still contributing to society and their respective communities – through selfless actions that will leave lasting impressions, words of wisdom, and good citizens. 

6 reasons why this El Nido resort is family-friendly

And the sunsets in Lime Resort are amazing!

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

Jun 3, 2023 02:30 AM

  

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Traveling isn’t easy when you’re with family, especially with children or senior citizens in tow. More often than not, parents end up saying that they “need a vacation from their vacation.” Sounds familiar, right? 

No matter how bad we all need a vacation from the kids, we prefer to bring them with us so that we can create core memories together. And now that the children are on school break, it’s time to bring them out to explore. 

El Nido in Palawan is a refreshing place to be, and Lime Resort offers its guests a modern tropical abode by the beach. Its all-white interiors with lime accents give the resort a warm and inviting vibe. Read on to find out why this resort, that just opened last year, is family-friendly. 

Choose from six room types


With six room types to choose from, there’s one that will fit your budget. Family rooms or what they refer to as suites are also available with breathtaking sea views. Some of these suites have big, open spaces for the kids to run around, even a jacuzzi for the water babies. All accommodations are air-conditioned and come with a 42-inch Smart TV with cable network, coffee and tea facility, mini refrigerator, safe, writing desk, bath and toilet with separate bidet, hair dryer, slippers, hot and cold shower, bathroom amenities, and towels. 

Swim in their infinity pool with a view

When you have kids, you know having a swimming pool is a requirement. Located on the seventh floor, the pool has different depths for different ages, even six-inch depths for frolicking around or sunbathing. Best of all, it’s an infinity pool overlooking the ocean where the whole family can enjoy watching the sunset. 

Enjoy complimentary soft serve and more

On the same floor where the swimming pool is situated is the Sky Lounge Bar. Guests can have food served while enjoying the ocean view or swimming in the pool. Live music is also scheduled every day 6 p.m. onwards. There’s also complimentary soft serve available for guests from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Let the kids have fun at the play area

Children still energized? Then bring them to the sixth floor to get a work out at their play area. Have endless fun sliding, going up and down, climbing, and more.

Impeccable service by the resort staff
It’s more than fully staffed with friendly hotel crew. Always smiling and ready to assist, they’re more than ready to make your stay a stress-free and memorable one. There is alway someone at the front desk, 24/7, and they also offer island-hopping tours and boat rentals, upon request. 

Use your key card

Exploring the area helps when you get recommendations from the hotel, more so when they have partner hotels and restaurants that give 10 percent discount—just present your Lime key card at Angkla, Panorama, Isla Mara, and Chica Chica, to name a few.

They also have an ongoing promo for four days and three nights—for as low as P17,090 per person with flight via Sunlight Air, minimum of two persons. 

To know more about Lime Resorts El Nido, click here.