• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Mommy Mundo

multi-platform parent resource and community in the Philippines

  • Community
    • MomShare
    • Momfluence Network
  • Learn
    • Events
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Show Search
Hide Search

in Parenting· Self-Care

Onward and Upward! A Recap of A New Way To Be: How to Evolve

by Jojie Garcia


To say that January 1, 2021 couldn’t have come faster enough is an understatement. After the roller coaster of a year that was 2020, the new year held an eager kind of hope, a divine lifeline that must mean something better is coming. But what if, surprise surprise, it is us who can bring our better selves to this new moment? 

On January 23, Mommy Mundo, in collaboration with #BabyDovePH, launched its first event of the year: A New Way To Be: How to Evolve. Led by Kit Malvar Llamas and T. Jeannie Castillo, this timely talk imparted valuable lessons and reminders on how we can transform ourselves and our family relationships for the better. 

Our beloved Mommy Mundo Community Program Director, Kit Malvar Llanas, started the session with the friendly warning “Be careful what you wish for”. Who didn’t wish once or twice before for traffic to disappear, to have extended sleep and wear pajamas all day, to just stay home and have lots of time to spare? But then the pandemic happened and all our wishes came true within a grim reality. What now?

While we’ve seen how the Mommy Mundo community rose to the challenge of adapting to, and even helping each other in the new normal, Kit gave the following encouraging reminders to help us reframe our mindsets so we can keep on evolving through this challenging season: 

 

·    Acknowledge where you are right now and be hopeful for a breakthrough. When Kit showed the DABDA stages and the phases of grief, the event chatroom lit up in agreement. 2020 was really a shared experience of loss and we all went through various versions and degrees of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It’s quite helpful to be able to identify and recognize these valid feelings, as it takes out a lot of guesswork and confusion. It also affirms us that there is hope in the end, that breakthroughs happen, however challenging life may be. As Kit said, things may be tough, but we are tougher! 


Screen Shot 2021-02-11 at 11.48.21 AM.png

·     Parenting is a spiritual partnership. With reminders from Gary Zukav (“A spiritual partnership is a partnership between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth.”), and Pierre Teilhard du Chardin (“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”), Kit emphasized how we must be more conscious of looking inwards, focusing on the essentials, and co-authoring stories with our children who are growing into their own selves too. Being their spiritual guide is not a matter of being older than them and knowing more than they do, as they have a lot to teach us about life as well. It means opening up ourselves to them as equals that they may be inspired to do the same; it means teaching each other important life lessons on the balance of holding on and letting go, as the Rumi quote goes.

·    Be curious, coachable, present, playful, and flexible. Kit discussed each must-build parent attribute in detail, but they all highlighted the importance of being, of the present, of growing as persons so we can help our children grow too. When we are open to learning, we become coachable and coach-like to our children. When we practice how to be fully present through prayer and meditation, we grow in confidence, playfulness, and flexibility in our interactions with them. Kit closed her part of the talk with this stellar reminder: be first, to do more, and enjoy most!

 

Teacher Jeannie Castillo, the founding Director, Owner and Master Educator of Kindermusik in the Philippines, and also a Certified Neuro Development Movement Specialist, continued the session with greater focus on the human brain and how this knowledge can help parents nurture their children’s overall well-being. Here are some important takeaways from T. Jeannie’s informative presentation:

 

·      It’s important to know our hardware. There is great value in understanding even just the basics of neuroscience, and T. Jeannie expertly explained how the brain works and how it commands our children’s growth and development. She also walked us through Paul McLean’s triune brain model (reptilian/ instinctive brain, mammalian/emotional brain, new/analytical brain) and the chronological stages of life that each kind figures prominently in. But while the brain is truly fascinating (imagine, a billion neurons sitting on top of our shoulders, an intricate universe of synapses that become our blueprint of the world!), T. Jeannie emphasized how heart connections affect brain connectivity. Nurturing our children lovingly and consistently literally lights up their brain, fires up connections, and allows for learning and experiences to have greater meaning. And so while we want our children to grow in knowledge and academics, we need to make sure first that we are keeping their brains healthy with steadfast relationships. (And hugs! Lots and lots of hugs!)


Screen Shot 2021-02-11 at 11.05.19 AM.png

 

·      Music is transformative. T. Jeannie’s talk was made richer by her singing and dancing breaks that we can actually do with our kids too! She mentioned how, in her experience as a music teacher, she has seen children grow and thrive when they have songs and movement as part of their learning routines. She also emphasized how important it is for parents to lead those musical moments with their children, and increasing the connection you build by maintaining eye contact with them, hugging and touching them, and for older kids, playfully doing song movements with them.

 

·      SMILE, MOVE, and GROW! While these words are already great reminders, T. Jeannie gave helpful mnemonics in encouraging loving connections with our children, applying neuro-sensory-motor activities in our daily family life, and remembering general pointers for brain and holistic growth.


Screen Shot 2021-02-11 at 11.37.39 AM.png

 

 

Learning from Kit and T. Jeannie was truly a joyful and hopeful experience! With their helpful reminders on new ways to be, it is even more conceivable for 2021 to be a year of significant evolution and transformation.



JPGarcia.jpg

About the contributor

Jojie Perocho-Garcia has been an educator for 14 years now. She keeps her quarantine days busy with preschool and high school tutorials, reading, watching Kdramas, and being MamaJie to her husband Jeb and kids Alba (4yo) and Rogo (1yo). You may find her on Instagram and Facebook as @teachmomsy where she shares education tips, parenting reflections, and homeschooling highlights. 

Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @MOMMYMUNDO

“You are not a bad mother…” 💭 We asked, a “You are not a bad mother…” 💭
We asked, and your answers warmed our hearts. 💖

From missed meals to messy rooms, from tough days to tearful nights — so many moms shared the same fears, the same doubts… and the same reminder:

You are not alone.

You are doing your best. 

You are enough. ✨

And Mommy Mundo is here for you — cheering you on every step of the way. 

Link in bio to join our mailing list for inspiration, support, and updates made just for moms like you — link in bio! 💌

#MommyMundo #MommyMundoMoms #MMmoms #mompowerment #momcommunity
Breastmilk is ✨liquid gold✨ — packed with nu Breastmilk is ✨liquid gold✨ — packed with nutrients, antibodies, and love 💖 Whether you’re a stay-at-home or working mom, knowing how to store it properly helps you keep giving your baby the best, anytime, anywhere.

Celebrate the beauty of breastfeeding with us at the Mommy Milkshake Run on August 3 at Parklinks, Quezon City — a fun, family-friendly event for moms, dads, kids, grandparents, and your pets too! 🏃🏻‍♀️💕

Let’s move, connect, and celebrate the breastfeeding journey together! Register and purchase your kits now at mommymundo.com/mommymilkshake2025

…because when breastfeeding mom runs, milk shakes 😆🙌🏻

#MommyMundo #MommyMundoMommyMilkshakeRun #MommyMilkshakeRun2025 #BreastfeedingAwareness
Our giveaway isn’t just about the goodies (thoug Our giveaway isn’t just about the goodies (though they are ✨amazing✨)—it’s about celebrating thoughtful, quality finds from mom-run brands. Every item is mom-made, heart-led, and meant to be loved. 💖

Swipe through to take a closer look at the giveaway goodies from The Mompreneur Lab Batch 3 @mompreneurstogether 🤗

✨ Haven’t joined yet? Don’t miss your chance—giveaway ends June 30! 

#MommyMundo #themompreneurlab #mompreneurs #giveaway
One day you’re counting down to your due date… One day you’re counting down to your due date… the next, you’re eight months postpartum, wondering how time flew so fast. 💫

Motherhood moves in a blur—from the first flutters to first steps. At Mommy Mundo, we’re here to support you through every stage, starting with one of the most beautiful transitions: pregnancy.

Join us for Pregnant Pause, our signature prenatal program happening on July 19 at Estancia Mall — a day designed to nurture, inform, and empower expecting moms (and dads too!). 🤰🏻

From 2PM to 5PM, take part in a prenatal class guided by Rome Kanapi, beloved prenatal educator for over a decade.

🛍️ All day from 10AM–7PM, explore our Mom Market — a celebration of motherhood and a showcase of heartfelt finds from inspiring mompreneur brands.

✨ Admission is free — just register at mommymundo.com/pregnantpause

Let’s honor your journey into motherhood — one breath, one step, one meaningful pause at a time.

P.S Thank you so much to our sponsors for making this event possible 💖
@anmumph 
@solbac_ph 
@estanciaph 

Video by momma @louissemicah 📸

#MommyMundo #PregnantPause #PregnancyJourney #EmpoweredBirth #MomMarket #MommyMundoPregnantPause
For moms with school-age kids, every new school ye For moms with school-age kids, every new school year brings new challenges — shifting routines, fresh expectations, and big transitions. 💖

Here are 7 Ways to Make this the Best School Year Ever for Your Child — read more bit.ly/MMBestSchoolYearEver

Got questions about school life? 💬 Join our Mommy Mundo Moms Facebook community and ask away — link in bio!

#MommyMundo #BacktoSchool #mompowerment
Spotted: your reminder to sign up for the Mommy Mi Spotted: your reminder to sign up for the Mommy Milkshake Run! 🏃🏻‍♀️🙌🏻

The much-loved Mommy Milkshake Run returns this August 3 (Sunday) at Parklinks, QC — celebrating family movement, outdoor fun, and the gift of breastfeeding! 🤱✨

✅ Fun distances for all — 1K, 3K, 5K (yes, strollers welcome!)
✅ Family-friendly run for moms, dads, kids, titas, lolos & lolas — and even your beloved pets! 
✅ After-run festival with:
🛍️ Mama Market
🎶 Live music
🛝 Kids’ play area
🍴 Yummy eats & drinks
🤱 Cozy spaces for breastfeeding moms

Hurry — slots are limited! Register and purchase your kits now at mommymundo.com/mommymilkshake2025! 

#MommyMilkshakeRun #MommyMundo #FamilyFunRun #MomPowerment #MomCommunity
Pickles and ice cream? Manggang hilaw with bagoong Pickles and ice cream? Manggang hilaw with bagoong? 👀😋 We asked our mom community: What’s the weirdest pregnancy craving you had? 🤰🏻

Pregnancy is a beautiful, transformative journey — cravings and all! 💖 Celebrate this season with us at Pregnant Pause, Mommy Mundo’s signature prenatal program with Rome Kanapi, happening on July 19 at Estancia Mall.

Learn, connect, and shop at our Mom Market — admission is FREE! Just register at mommymundo.com/pregnantpause. 🤗

See you, moms and dads-to-be! 🤰🏻

#MommyMundo #PregnantPause #MommyMundoPregnantPause #mompowerment #pregnantmoms
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · MOMMY MUNDO GLOBAL · SITE DESIGN BY FGD