Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
I currently live in Manila, Philippines with my husband and two children. We’ve been based here for about two years now. Prior to coming home to the Philippines, we were based in Timor Leste (East Timor) as a missionary family for our Catholic community, Couples for Christ (CFC).
I actually grew up in Brunei (another Southeast Asian country), where my parents worked for 20+ years. In 1997, I went home to the Philippines for my university studies, graduating with a BS in Physical Therapy in 2001. I worked fulltime for CFC’s youth ministry soon after and was assigned to different places, including Manila, Singapore, East Malaysia and Brunei.
What language(s) do you speak?
English is my first language. I also speak Filipino, Bahasa Melayu and Tetum and a few words of Mandarin (Ni-hao?!).
When did you first become a mother?
My first child, Timothy Alan, was born in 2006 in Timor Leste. (His sister, Alyssa Therese, was born in 2009). I have always felt that I have a strong “mothering” instinct, though there was a time when I thought God was calling me to be a nun (even if I already had a boyfriend at the time)! Ha, ha! (That boyfriend is now my husband, by the way! LOL!)
Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work outside the home?
Currently, I am a part-time work-at-home mom as the managing editor of a local inspirational children’s magazine. (I report to the office two days a week.) I also contribute to a few websites and print magazines, based locally and abroad; and occasionally write scripts for videos, TV and radio plugs. I also do a bit of PR and marketing writing.
Why do you blog/write?
To be perfectly honest, I only started blogging because someone told me that it’s possible to earn extra income through blogging. I eventually discovered that it’s not entirely true, in that one doesn’t make money just by posting a few blog entries here and there. After this realization, I continued blogging just as a creative outlet (I wanted to take up writing in college) and to connect with other people, especially moms.
I feel so humbled and awed that my blog now connects me with others in so many different levels and is even able to provide inspiration-of-sorts to some. It has also been a wonderful avenue for more blessings — work-wise, family-wise and friendship-wise! I feel that I’ve been blessed with the core gift to write, and I love that my blogs allow me to bless (hopefully!) others with what I write! 🙂
How would you say that you are different from other mothers?
In a way, I actually think that I’m not at all different from other moms, in the sense that I am sure that most of us are just doing the best we can, the best way we know how, especially when it comes to raising our children.
Here in the Philippines though, I guess you could say I am a bit “abnormal” because I strive to be as hands-on as I can be with the kids (even if we have a helper); I chose a job that lets me work at home most days (or more like the job chose me, LOL! But that story’s for another post!); I advocate extended breastfeeding (my little girl turns three in July and still nurses) and babywearing; I homeschool my children and I used to be a “missionary mom.”
What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?
There are oh-so-many challenges I don’t even know where to start! The main ones would be the influence mainstream media and society at large can have on our kids, if we’re not too careful or intentional about how we raise them; also, the pressure to be “perfect” or “do it all” that some people unwittingly or seemingly place on parents. It’s also challenging when people seem to think that parents who have different philosophies or approaches to parenting are “competing” to see which group is “better” — I mean we’re all in the same boat, right?!
Personally, I also believe that living in a consumerist, materialistic society poses great challenges to not only parents, but EVERYONE. 🙂 Sometimes, less is really best! 🙂 (I am not being judgmental here, I have the tendency to be materialistic, too!)
How did you find World Moms Blog?
This is an original first post to World Moms Blog by Tina Santiago-Rodriguez of the Philippines. She can be found blogging at Truly Rich Mom.
Photo credit to the author.
Welcome, Tina!
Hi, Ms. V! 🙂 Thanks for the warm welcome! 🙂 Super blessed to be part of this awesome group of moms!
Welcome, Tina!
Hi, Ms. V! 🙂 Thanks for the warm welcome! 🙂 Super blessed to be part of this awesome group of moms!
Wonderful article. I love to learn more about bloggers all over the world. Nice to “meet” you Tina. 🙂
Hi, Susi! 🙂 Thank you for the words of affirmation. 🙂 I love meeting other bloggers, too, especially fellow mom bloggers! 🙂 Hurray for WMB!
Wonderful article. I love to learn more about bloggers all over the world. Nice to “meet” you Tina. 🙂
Hi, Susi! 🙂 Thank you for the words of affirmation. 🙂 I love meeting other bloggers, too, especially fellow mom bloggers! 🙂 Hurray for WMB!
Congrats Mama Tina, I love it. GBU
Hi, Veronica! 🙂 Thank you for your support. God bless always!
Congrats Mama Tina, I love it. GBU
Hi, Veronica! 🙂 Thank you for your support. God bless always!
Welcome to World Moms Blog, Tina! Great interview — I learned so much about you!
Jen 🙂
Welcome to World Moms Blog, Tina! Great interview — I learned so much about you!
Jen 🙂
Hey Tina! Looking forward to reading more of your posts soon!
Hey Tina! Looking forward to reading more of your posts soon!
Hallu Mrs. C! 🙂 Thanks for the show of support! God bless us all!
Oh tins! You inspire me! Im so happy for you and the family! Mwah! Hugs lots! 🙂
We love you, Kaka! 😀 God bless always!
Oh tins! You inspire me! Im so happy for you and the family! Mwah! Hugs lots! 🙂
We love you, Kaka! 😀 God bless always!
Welcome Tina!
Thanks, Maman! 🙂 Happy to be on the same team as you all! 🙂
Philippines, represent! Welcome to WMB, Tina!
Halluuuuu, Marts! 😀 So blessed and privileged to be part of WMB with you ladies! 🙂 Welcome back to Manila! (Read your post, teehee!) 😀