What a treat it is to be celebrating my birthday today with our precious first grandchild in beautiful Balesin Island Club! Our small family unit received so much love and joy when our son Bryan Prieto became a first-time dad on Feb. 8, when his wife Tinkay Crespo-Prieto safely delivered Louie Malachi.

A month before the first quarantine was enforced, baby Louie came out unexpectedly, five weeks early. Thank goodness, months of full-time breast milk feeding has kept our bundle of joy extremely healthy. At six months, he is now 22 pounds and started eating solids as instructed by his ninang pediatrician Dr. Shara Que-Felix of Baby Wise Clinic (tel. 0917-6251707; @babywiseclinic on Instagram).

For his six-month vaccines, Dr. Shara entertained Louie between the two shots. Both new moms, Tinkay and Dr. Shara delivered just days apart.

Circle of life

Baby Louie is our own personal circle of life. He is named after my late brother Louie Prieto, who tragically died in a motorcycle accident at age 33. My son Bryan was so close and attached to his Tito Louie, who was like a dad to him; I was a single mom at the time. Bryan was only 7 when Louie died, and it was the same month that my brother Dr. Andrew and Myda Prieto had their second baby, Audrey.

We each have our own wonderful stories of family life, and now during these trying times, we reflect on what truly matters most. For many, family is top priority. With this extended “work from home” scenario, we have extra family time, which we may never have again.

For my birthday this year, I thought of improving some skills or starting something new to fulfill a life goal. Reading is a hobby I have wanted to pick up since long ago. I have lined up several books, but I will be starting with the two new books of good friend and insightful author Frances Yu.

Inspirational reads

The books in the “Take a Moment” series are short, inspirational reads that are meant to provoke thought and reflection, and draw the mind and heart to ponder God in the ordinary, everyday lives that we lead. Simple but substantial, short but to be savored, they invite the reader to a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. God is not just the God of Sundays, but the God of every day.

When we invite Him into all parts of our lives, He transforms the mundane into the miraculous. In this time of pandemic, when everything around us seems to be falling apart, we need to hold on to what is good, true, beautiful, sure and eternal. And that is God.

First-time author Frances wrote and published these two books, “Finding God in Our Daily Lives” and “Faith in the Workplace,” during the lockdown. She relates, “It happened very naturally and organically. I didn’t plan on it. I just started writing one day and couldn’t stop.” The end result are two titles that have been selling rapidly since their launch a month ago.

“If even just one person is moved or brought to a closer relationship with God from reading these books, then all the effort behind it would have been worth it.” (Visit www.takeamoment.com.ph to buy your copies. They are also available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format.)

Keeping the faith alive daily is also a practice I would like to work on. Not being able to go to physical Mass daily has made me lazy even with the online Mass. Thankfully, I have time for special Bible study every Thursday with our wedding godparents Dr. Vicki Belo-Kho and Dr. Hayden Kho.

Reminiscing about their dramatically spectacular wedding at the Opera Garnier, their family and so many friends were all in beautiful Paris this time three years ago. Thanks to Facebook memories, all the stunning photos are popping up. My soul sister and Sept. 6 birthday gal, Vina Francisco, was also there with artist friend Michelle Perez.

Virtual beauty event

As I gain another year of hopefully healthy days ahead, I will spend more time on beauty routines. Rustan’s The Beauty Source (@rustansthebeautysource on Instagram) recently launched their Beauty Addict Portal during a Facebook Live session. Hosted by Tim Yap, the virtual experience started with a discussion with some of the country’s well-known personalities from different fields—entrepreneur and Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters, broadcast journalist Marie Lozano, businesswoman and model Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez, and host and social media lifestyle content creator Janeena Chan. From tackling topics about mindful beauty and all-inclusivity, to giving out special giveaways, the virtual event continued its digital journey with a countdown to open the Beauty Addict Portal at the end of the live discussion. Of course, my sharing was for all those in the more mature beauty stage.

Rustan’s Makati in-store shoppers will also get the chance to experience the future of beauty safely at carefully set up beauty areas for customers. This is in partnership with Moss Design House that will provide the virtual backgrounds that will complement this year’s theme, Curate By Moss for the packaging of the beauty care packages for special guests, and Bizu Patisserie for preparing this year’s party box with delectable cocktails for our guest speakers and hosts.

Buy local

Shopping wisely is now part of my #newnormal practice. Support local artisans and crafts; please come and shop at Bench and Katutubo Pop-up Market (@katutubopopupmarket on Instagram, for a complete list of merchants) at the Bench Tower until today only. With the special participation of TernoCon designers, the special pop-up market will also showcase unique local finds that support Filipino artisans who have been hit badly by the pandemic. Admission is free but face masks and face shields are strictly required at all times.

The pandemic has been a blight on our world, exposing us all to significant health risks and causing social, economic and structural disruptions. Just remember to stay positively happy, feel internally and externally beautiful, and remain faithfully secure!