• 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 Mom Spotlight

Living Fully, Fiercely and Unapologetically

-the Evolution of Dona Tumacder-Esteban

Part 1

By Denise C.S. Gonzales-Bernardo

February 15, 2023

Some of you may have first met Dona in a Mommymundo bazaar circa 2008 with her brand of onesies, Say One Word. These off-white onesies were selling like pancakes! They were made of natural, unbleached cotton (a pioneer in the natural fabric line during that time) and had words like Love, Peace, Joy, Hope and Blessing printed on them, promoting the idea of the power of words for healing and growth. Dona was a new mama to her daughter Carmen in addition to being a yoga teacher, dancer and healer. She has continued to evolve as a woman and mother through the years.

MOTHERING A BABY VS. PARENTING A TEEN

Now a mother of a teenager, Dona shares that the biggest difference in parenting a teenager compared to parenting a baby is the quality and quantity of physical presence. Mothering a baby meant having her little one attached to her most of the day- breastfeeding and babywearing, diapers and sleepless nights. We all know that too well. 

At 14, the tables have turned as Carmen is now individuating and experimenting with different ways of being. One thing that is constant though is establishing that when Carmen needs her mom, she knows where to find her. Mom will always be her safe space. Consent and boundaries have always been respected in their household. These days, for example, Carmen makes sure to remind her mom to knock before entering her room. As challenging as this may be for parents, this is a something that Dona celebrates as well because she can see how she has instilled these values in her daughter. When they are in heated discussions, she reminds Carmen that this is her first time parenting and that this is also the first time Carmen is consciously embodying what it means to be a daughter so they have to be patient, compassionate and kind with each other. Dona has noticed that Carmen is still navigating the in-between zone of being a child and being a teenager. One of the plus sides of the pandemic is that Dona feels that her daughter got to stay younger longer because there was much less influence of social media and peer pressure. 

EMBODIMENT, ENERGY MANAGEMENT and INDIGENOUS WISDOM

Beyond motherhood, Dona envisions a world where we can all become more of who we truly are – fully, fiercely, unapologetically. Dona wears her hair in a braid almost daily to represent three vital strands in her life, as inspired by one of her mentors Carol Cano M.A. who founded Braided Wisdom, a cross-cultural mindfulness organization.

Dona’s passions are Embodiment, including dance as a healing art, yoga and menstrual cycle awareness. These have been the foundations of how she lives her life. She also puts great emphasis on Energy Management, something many women need to become aware of, because we tend to give more than what we have. She shares this through high performance corporate workshops and one-on-one coaching on women’s whole-being. Another aspect that is of great importance to Dona is Indigenous Wisdom with Nature as her teacher and a weekly circle of women Elders as her guides. Braiding these three strands, Dona invites us to become more in tune with who we are and build our capacity so we can fully embody our highest future potential and become responsible ancestors for future generations.

Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @MOMMYMUNDO

It’s week 22 of our #yearofconnection ! Don’t It’s week 22 of our #yearofconnection ! Don’t forget to take time for a fun Connection Question convo with the fam this weekend! ❤️✨

We’re aiming to make 2025 a year of Connection through our weekly activity.
 
The best time to have these casual discussions would be when in relax mode with your children. Sit together, (set aside the gadgets!) remove possible distractions, and be present ✨❤️ Take turns asking each other this question for week 6! Just listen and simply acknowledge the sharing.:) 

Even if tempted to dish out advice or to react, this isnt the time for that. Allow for a safe space, and connections will flow and follow.🫶🏻🙏🏼 

Most importantly, enjoy this time together! 

…

Join us weekly for this activity and after 50 questions, we will end the year more connected and attuned with ourselves and each other. If you just heard about this now, check out our highlights to get started! ✨ 

22/50 #calltoconnect
#mommymundo 
#momconnect
#parenting #family #motherhood
Pregnancy Bingo! 🤰🏻✨ Mood swings? Scent a Pregnancy Bingo! 🤰🏻✨

Mood swings? Scent aversion? Always sleepy? If you’ve ticked off a few of these, mama — you’re definitely not alone! 🫶🏻

Pregnancy comes with all sorts of surprises, and we’re here to help you feel seen, supported, and prepared. 💖

Join us at Pregnant Pause, Mommy Mundo’s signature prenatal event, happening on July 19 at Estancia Mall!

🛍️ Mom Market: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
👶 Prenatal Class with Rome Kanapi: 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
📍 2F Bridgeway Main Wing, Estancia Mall

Expect real talk for expecting moms and dads, expert guidance, and a warm community to walk with you every step of the way. 🌸

Participation is FREE, but registration is required! Sign up now via the link in bio or visit mommymundo.com/pregnantpause 💌

P.S. A heartful thank you to our sponsor for making this meaningful event possible! 

@anmumph
@solbac_ph
@estanciaph

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

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