Cheska's blog

Okay, I admit I have been procrastinating on many things and don't know where to start. I guess this should be it. I will start blogging again for I am now inspired by my niece, Cheska who posts 2 to 3 stories daily on her blog. For an 8-year-old niece, that's simply amazing! You can check her blog at www.monicacheska.wordpress.com

SM Little Star Regional Finals

Okay, this is a loooong overdue post.  This is, however my last post of the almost 2 week activities of my niece who stayed with us in Pampanga and who gave me the experience of being a stage mom (I was on backstage during this event accompanying her).  Haha!

She was lucky to be included in this contest as this was her first and was an unexpected representative of it.  If you read my previous post  here , it will tell you why.

Unfortunately, she didn't get the title.  But being part of the SM Little Star regional finals where she competed with the winners of SM Marilao in Bulacan, SM Baguio, and SM Rosales in Pangasinan was already something we are proud of.  For us, she's the winner as she faced the audience and her competitors with great singing voice and answered the questions as smartly as she could.  To add to that, she bravely accepted the defeat.  I just can't imagine how this frustration would add up to her personality when she wanted the title so badly.  I know there were unshed tears that she carefully kept from us.  Two candidates  (a boy and a girl) even cried and  it broke my heart seeing them in that state of emotion.  If I had my way, I would want to give each of them a prize to appease the feeling they had at that time.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pictures as well as my niece's video.  This phase of her life will always be something we will treasure forever.

The candidates - not being biased, but I have to admit she's the most photogenic among the four candidates.  Hehe!

The opening number - dancing a "Glee" song if I am not mistaken.

The presentation of candidates - Cheska introducing herself as the representative of SM Pampanga.

Cheska's talent - a 2-minute rendition of Christina Aguilera's Reflection.  Question and answer followed.

The four girl candidates in their last posing before the winners were announced.  L-R -  SM Rosales, SM Marilao, SM Pampanga and SM Baguio.   SM Baguio got the title.

PS : Cheska - even if your first wish to win the contest didn't happen, your other two wishes are taking place.  You are now popular in your own circle and I know this will become a bigger circle as you are  great "singing" artist where you are always asked to perform as a guest on numerous events.  I love you, sweetie!  Mwah!

Kids Shine At SM

At SM, there are a number of activities that you can enlist your kids to join  to.  Last July, my niece, Cheska was able to join a fashion show for kids.  It was nice to see kids ages 3 to 7  ramp on stage.  It was interesting to know too that even at a young age, you would be able to see the differences of kids - from being shy, smart and even bitchy! LOL.

the practice

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the fashion show - Cheska and Kenet as well as the other winners in in SM Little Stars Northern Luzon area were presented in the fashion show.

Cheska and SM Little Star Audition 2010 @ SM Pampanga

Women at my age have a number of kids already.  However, I am a single lady with no kid so you can see me as a proud aunt and not a mom.

If you are a follower of this blog, you would notice that I blog often about my niece, Cheska.  She's the only baby in the family and thus, pampered by all of us.

Today, I'll share with you the audition she had last July 25.  On July 22, my sister sent me a text - a forwarded one  she received from an anonymous number advising to pass the message to anyone who may have a kid and who's interested in joining the kiddie contest - SM Little Star which is to be held at SM Pampanga.  I replied to my sister on why not have her kid join it.  But before she sign up for that, I asked her to ask Cheska if she's interested and her husband if he would agree.  I also told her to take the opportunity as Cheska is already 7 and that age is the last year they regard kids as "kids" for it is the oldest on the age range for most competitions for kids.  It's a good thing all agreed to travel all the way from Isabela to Pampanga on a weekend to sign-up for the audition as Cheska got in for the audition and was the representative  for girls of SM Pampanga  on the Regional Finals.

Before the audition.

The audition - pictorial, talent (she sang Christina Aguilera's version of Reflection) and Q&A.

While waiting for the announcement of the winners which took a lot of time,  I took the opportunity to take pictures of my niece on stage.  I was then approached by one of the photographers who covered the event and didn't notice he was giving me a cue that Cheska won. Heheh!

Cheska's name was included in the top 4 girls out of 68 girls who joined the contest!

And the winners are Kenet Africano and Monica Francesca Cortes!  They will represent SM Pampanga on the Regional Finals!  CONGRATS!!! :D

Tony & Jackey for kids

About more than a week ago, my niece, Cheska had to attend a fashion show in SM Pampanga.  Her mom wanted to have hair cut specifically her bangs.  I recommended that she have it at Tony and Jackey at Marquee Mall since I was pleased with their service. She agreed and went there before the fashion show.

Cheska was so excited as this is a different salon from what she's used to in Isabela.  She was really happy with the outcome.

Before her haircut in wearing a yellow, venus cut, eyelet dress.

Having her hair shampooed in the ergonomically-friendly chair.

Trimming her hair by a Korean stylist.  The guy who trimmed mine in this post is her senior stylist.

The outcome!  Cheska loved it so much and kept repeating "I love this salon so much!" Isn't she cute?

I thought having a close-up picture of her is enough to capture her new hairstyle.  I was wrong!  She asked me to have a picture taken with Tony & Jackey's logo.  LOL.  A kid who's indeed an OC and very particular with details.

Their haircut is now 300 pesos only as compared to the 500 pesos I had the last time I visited them.  The fee is worth it, be it for a kid or an adult.  :)

http://www.tonyandjackey.net/

Cheska & Jollibee

I believe all kids from different walks of life in the Philippines love Jollibee?  Who wouldn't?  Its mascot is famous not only among the kids but of adults as well.  Its popularity is not just in the Philippines where it was born but of the world now.  I don't know of other nationalities but our Korean friends here like this fast food chain much.  It is our version of Mc Donald's.  I would not elaborate why because I prefer Mc Donald's over Jollibee. Haha!

Anyway, this post is about my niece and Jollibee and not the difference between Mc Donald's and Jollibee.  LOL.  It is amazing how attitude indeed change as years go by.

Look at my niece in picture on her 2nd birthday.  She was so afraid of Jollibee that she wouldn't want to be near him, thus would hold her dad tightly.

A year after, she's enjoying moments with  the mascot as she imitates his moves.  Hahah!

Cheska @ 2 yrs old dancing My Humps

Our only niece has just turned 7 last June 6, 2010.  Before I post her birthday celebration which I intend to finish before the month ends (crossing my fingers still...lol), I decided to share on my site the videos my sister (her mom) has compiled of her when she was still a toddler.  I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did.

She initially wanted to dance the "La Gasolina"  but her mom couldn't understand what she was saying. LOL. So, she settled with My Humps instead.  This is one of my favorite videos of her. Very cute and funny! Enjoy!

For Cheska - Charice's BaBy =)

Checked on my Facebook account and found this video posted by a friend.  It's Charice Pempengco's version of  Justin Bieber's BABY. My niece would love this! She's a fan of Charice and loves the song Baby.  Cool! 

 

By the way , Charice's album with the carrying single, Pyramid ft. Iyaz debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200! More updated information about Charice can be found on her website - http://www.charicemusic.com/

Clawdaddy and Shangri-La Plaza

Last Easter Sunday, after spending Holy Week at Club Punta Fuego, my sister's family and I headed to Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyung. 

Mau's family is based in Isabela.  For them, (especially my niece, Cheska) going down to either Manila or Pampanga meant a lot of shopping. It's like coming from a remote area that have been deprived of shopping in their city.  LOL. Well, I can relate to them particularly when you're used to big malls.

So last Easter, we spent the whole day at the mall doing shopping for Cheska's needs in school.  Too early, huh? Hehe!

Before heading to the different stores and boutique, we had lunch at Clawdaddy.  It was our first time there and we weren't disappointed.  The ambiance and food were great as I felt we were somewhere in the US even if I haven't been there. Haha!

My sister's family - Mau, Mon and Cheska

With my soooo "kulit" niece

Cheska and her orders - fried chicken tenders and shrimp popcorn

Fried Chicken Tenders is nicely presented in a car box.

Shrimp popcorn - a must try! The shrimps are soft and tender and tasty.

A cup of hot green tea is a tandem to a heavy meal. LOL.

Butter Ginger Crabs with Garlic Rice - according to the menu the crabs were simmered in white wine, ginger and butter.  I prefer my chili crabs over this one though. 

Smoked Baby Back Ribs with French Fries and Rustic Mashed Potatoes

A few hours after lunch and doing shopping we lazed for a few minutes at The White Hat - one of the best frozen yoghurt I've tasted. 

Cheska had a waffle dog and tea which she bought herself.  She can't have yoghurt since her mom wouldn't allow her to drink nor eat cold or frozen drinks or desserts.  She has a great voice and her mom wants to preserve that. 

We concluded the shopping at Kashieca where this nice sofa is located.  Isn't my niece so cute with this pose?

Clawdaddy Crabhouse and American Grill
the Ledge, 6th level, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City
Tel. No. 636-5679

http://www.redcrabonline.com/clawdaddy_about_us.htm