Angel Esmerna

Parenting is demanding under any circumstances, and solo parenting just brings an added level of complexity. Such complexity affects nearly every area of your life—from emotional well-being to finances to time management. Whether you are a solo parent by choice, loss, or change, this article outlines the challenges and strengths of solo parenting. It also offers practical tips, updated resources, and useful insights to support your daily life.

Preparedness starts at home, especially when it comes to protecting the family from potential risks and dangers inside the house. As a millennial who witnessed a part of technology’s evolution, there’s a sense of relief knowing this generation can access safety devices. These tools are a big help in lessening the risk of home accidents or their impact. I can’t count the times our CCTV came in handy when there was unusual movement or sound outside our home.

Surviving the sweltering summer heat takes some preparation, like stocking up on cold drinks and filling ice trays. It is also a picture of digging out that long-forgotten swimwear from under your bed. But that is the easy part. The real challenge? Putting together a summer wardrobe that should not only look effortlessly warm days-ready. It should also keep you cool, comfortable, and—most importantly—protected in rising temperatures.
Here are some ideas for building your summer wardrobe, with a focus on function, style, and protection.

The cost of almost every single thing is rising. It can get a bit difficult to picture a good date night without spending a pretty penny. In fact, research found that a date in 2024 can cost a person nearly $60 (around 3,450 pesos) on average!

When people say, “Keep a journal” to keep your mind off of things that make you sad or to help you relax, the idea can sound intimidating. Believe me, that was my initial response before I decided that I needed to unload the things in my brain before they short-circuit.

I am not a big peanut butter fan. Unless you count the rare times I find my jam sandwich too lonely and bland, I often leave the bottle of thick, greasy, and lip-smacking sweet yet savory ground peanut paste alone.

Apart from rice, sweet potatoes are somewhat considered a staple in our household. The orange or purple sweet-tasting flesh is so filling, it could be a meal on its own. Whether they’d be eaten tossed in caramelized sugar or steamed with a side of kimchi, these root veggies are easily one of my most enjoyed food items.

I am one of the many who used to list down the things I would like to accomplish or take as a part of my routine come the New Year.
However, I am also one of the many who have a hard time actually coming through with these resolutions for the brand-new year, so I had to regroup and look into why I am having a difficult time doing these things in the first place.
Here are some of the things I realized that have helped me avoid breaking my New Year’s resolutions and may work for you as well:
Be...

Season changes mean more than a closet revamp for me. As someone who resides in the province, surrounded by trees and other plant species I don’t recognize, the changes could also mean visits from insects and unknown creepy crawlies.
Being a pet owner with this kind of occasional issue makes it difficult to rely on chemicals. While I can douse the house exterior or pet-inaccessible areas with insect sprays or powders, I can’t do the same inside, where these toxic ingredients can accidentally ...

Years ago, I saw a clip from a Korean drama where the female character collected cartons of spoiled milk that remained untouched from daily deliveries. When asked why she was doing it, she simply replied that she washes her face with it. I’d deny having tried dabbing on curdled, sour-smelling milk on my skin before, but I can’t. I have once tested treating cultured milk as a face toner, and while it didn’t have groundbreaking effects, it brightened my skin.
Milk is one of the food items that ...

I am not a parent but believe me when I say I know a thing or two about household chores and why kids tend to roll their eyes at the idea. When I was a lot younger, I dreaded having to do the dishes or having to wash my school shoes or school bag. I felt like these things were taking away my precious free time that I could have spent watching my favorite TV shows or reading my new book.

With cooking as a hobby, I often research about ways to maximize the use of ingredients, and more so, try to find useful tips on how to store each product properly. Not only does this encourage smart and safe kitchen and health habits, but it’s also efficient in terms of expenses.
I’ve had firsthand experience of how costly it is to have little knowledge of proper storage. As health and safety trump cost, I’d rather sacrifice food itself than to risk getting sick or getting someone else ill. ...

The milk tea craze of almost a decade ago continues until today – people just can’t get enough of this delicious ice-cold drink. When I was still in college, every corner outside my university was filled with stalls selling the drink in almost every known flavor and almost everyone had a cup on their hands.
History has repeated itself today and milk tea has now found a good place among all the "it" food items of this generation.
However, what is it about this beverage that makes us want it mo...

When preparing packed lunch, it usually helps to have a variety of food choices available. This makes every mealtime healthy yet enjoyable. This is essentially the concept of bento boxes or convenient boxed meals. While having a selection of small-portioned food items in one container can seem overwhelming, it is quite easy once you understand how bento-making works. But can this work for all cuisines and cultures, such as with the Filipinos' baon? In actuality, yes—as long as the food items ...