The day all the PMN mommies were waiting for finally came. Last May 26, 2007, 12 mommies came together (many meeting each other for the first time) to attend the mommy lunch of the Pinoy Moms Network organized by co-founders Connie Veneracion and Noemi Dado. Venue was Swiss Deli & Bistro along Pioneer St., Mandaluyong.
I cannot describe the feeling when I finally came face to face with the mommies behind blogs I had been visiting. Instead of just a thumbnail picture, here they were in front of me (the likes of Noemi, Dine, Rach, Cess, Feng, Chats, Salen ). There were others who had no pictures in their blogs but as soon as they introduced themselves, we would instantly connect them with their blog alias “Ah, ikaw pala si (blog pseudonym)…!” (like Julie, Lisa, Lynn). What I found amazing was how a group of strangers bonded instantly like long lost friends — and all because blogging brought everyone together through PMN. From blog posts, most of us were delighted to see Nico and the other kids in person. Their faces were long familiar to us,
Right after lunch, I had to run home and finish packing for an overnight trip just outside MM (at Pililla, Rizal) where daughter and her Ateneo friends were spending the night. It was a hectic afternoon for me but I would not have missed that lunch for the world.
The success of this first-of-many (o ayan, nagpaparinig na kami…) lunches, dinners, outings, pow-wows — whatever you call girl friends’ excuses for coming together for more bonding — should be credited to none other than the 2 hardworking mommies behind PMN in the first place…Connie and Noemi. Thanks to you both, you are opening up further the world of blogging to us and showing us that this goes beyond just being an online diary.
To all my new mommy friends: it was so delightful to see all of you. It was well worth it! I am sure we are all looking forward to meeting all the other PMN members in future events.
Posted by Mommy Lunch Meetup » Touched by an Angel - Parenting, Family, Marriage, Netrepreneur, Lifestyle, Health, Fitness and Grief Education and Recovery on May 28, 2007 at 5:43 am
[...] The Pinoy Moms Network Lunch by Jane FILED UNDER: BloggersIf you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to my RSS Feed. [...]
Posted by noemi on May 28, 2007 at 6:19 am
Thanks for the nice words, Jane. The success of Pinoy Moms Network are the moms themselves so it thrilss me to no end when all of you showed up. We really learn a lot from each other…
Posted by feng on May 28, 2007 at 7:32 am
hello Jane. finally, your entry re: the Mommy Lunch. i dropped by here last night, around 7PM but it wasn’t posted yet
. thought you might still be out of town. 
anyway, i’m droppin’ to say it was nice meeting you at the meet-up. i had a wonderful time, really. hope to see you and the rest of the PMN Mommies again and again and again. 
Posted by Jane on May 28, 2007 at 7:41 am
@Noemi – It’s great to have blogging mentors like you and Connie (and Dine too!). I am sure there are lots more I have to learn…
@Feng – Yes, when I got back there was a lot of catching up to do (and that was just an overnight trip, ha?). I agree with the “again and again and again”.
Posted by ladycess on May 28, 2007 at 8:15 am
tama mommy jane ! first of many indeed!
Posted by The sassy lawyer's mommy journals: marriage, family, parenting and kids on May 28, 2007 at 8:15 am
The mommy lunch
Twelve members of the Pinoy Moms Network met for lunch yesterday. Some met the others for the first time. If I remember correctly, it was Cess who was the ice breaker because, according to her, she was not excited at all LOL.
Below are some photos (tak…
Posted by lisa on May 28, 2007 at 8:46 am
Hi Jane! Next time ulit! I’m intrigued with Yoga, will definitely check that one out.
Posted by Connecting Names (rather blogs) with Faces at Pinoy Moms Network : The D Spot on May 28, 2007 at 9:00 am
[...] The Pinoy Moms Network Lunch by [...]
Posted by SexyMom on May 28, 2007 at 9:04 am
hi, Jane
twas really nice to have met you and the other moms, and their children, too. there’s so much to share, to learn from each other, so much to talk and plan about.
btw, i like your photo slides.
Posted by THE PMN MOMMY LUNCH AND THOUGHTS ON BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS « From Dawn Till Dusk on May 28, 2007 at 9:36 am
[...] The mommy lunch by Connie Connecting Names (rather blogs) with Faces at Pinoy Moms Network by Dine The Pinoy Moms Network Lunch by Jane PinoyMomsNetwork Lunch by Julie Lunch with the Mommies of Pinoy Moms Network by Lynn [...]
Posted by rhodora on May 28, 2007 at 9:47 am
No more excuses for me next time. I’m joininggg!!!!
Posted by Rach (Heart of Rachel) on May 28, 2007 at 10:02 am
Hi Jane. It was indeed a wonderful lunch. I’m happy to have met you. It’s so nice how you reached out to each and everyone. You’re very sweet and bubbly. Looking forward to seeing you again and the rest of the mommy bloggers soon. Have a great week ahead.
Posted by Lynn on May 28, 2007 at 10:55 am
Hello Jane. I appreciate your gesture, going around, trying to know everyone. You’re very warm. Maybe next time, one of our activities will be a yoga session. Haha. But why not di ba. I’d like to copy some of the pictures you posted here. Hope to see you again soon.
Posted by Jane on May 28, 2007 at 12:04 pm
@Cess, Lisa, Rach, Lynn – Loved to see you dropped by here! Am still putting our mommy directory together. Am out right now. Will send directly to your email addresses. Lynn, copy away!
@sexy mom – I am learning from all the blogs I visit. That slideshow is Cathy’s inspiration.
@Rhodora – I will look for you next time!
Posted by rhodora on May 28, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Jane, my daughter is going to school at Enderun Colleges on Ortigas starting this June. She will be staying at a condo unit just across her school. I read here that you go to yoga class on Ortigas? Sana I can join you! Mahirap ba? How much would it cost?
Posted by Jane on May 28, 2007 at 3:43 pm
@Rhodora – My goodness! Enderun is just a door or 2 away from Strata 100 where I do yoga. I go Tues-Thurs evenings (Thurs evening is for intermediate students). But if you’re going for the first time, I want to join you. Will email you privately since I am trying to go with other bloggers who are likewise interested. Hopefully we can set up a common time/class. Way to go!
Posted by Schumey on May 28, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Congrats to your group. Its really nice to finally meet the faces behind blogs. EBs are fun and time seems to stop. I hope to see a tighter bond in your group. May your tribe increase.
Posted by Jane on May 28, 2007 at 5:15 pm
@Schumey!!! Finally….a dad comments on a mommy lunch. Hehehe, never thought I’d see that. Am glad you dropped by again. We are looking forward to our next mommy EB. If ever they open up the event to honorary daddies, I will let you know.
Posted by Chateau on May 28, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Hi Jane! It was great to meet you in person!
And you said it so well (”…this goes beyond just being an online diary”). See you again soon!
Btw, please email me the directory too. Thanks!
Posted by Jane on May 28, 2007 at 10:54 pm
@Chats – Of course you’ll be part of our directory! It was such a fun lunch di ba?
Posted by julie on May 29, 2007 at 8:33 am
Jane, you look so fit! I have read somewhere that yoga is one of the better ways to get fit. Hmmm..should definitely read more about it. Btw, today is a Tuesday and you are going to your yoga session,
Yes, it is indeed the first-of-many, hahaha. We should try to do these more often, time out for moms. It was nice meeting you.
Posted by Jane on May 29, 2007 at 8:58 am
@Julie – Thanks! I hope to stay fit as long as I can. Yup! Got yoga later! Did you know there is yoga for kids? I wish P.E. in schools would offer this as part of their program….the kids would benefit physically and mentally from this.
Posted by Schumey on June 1, 2007 at 7:27 am
Thanks for the invite sis. I would love that.
Posted by Jo on June 4, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Hi Jane,
I would like to try yoga kaya lang I don’t have any companion. You said you go to YOga class in ortigas. I’m a working mom here in Ortigas. I’d like to know some other details sana, if you can send me some andhow much does it cost, (i need to check if my budget will allow it). Eversince kasi I gave birth to my 2 wonderful kids, I’ve gained up to++++ pound.
thanks Jane…
Posted by Jane on June 4, 2007 at 6:06 pm
@Jo – Hi there! I will be more than happy to send you the information you need. Will just do it through your private email address. Hope we can do a class together!
Posted by Jo on June 5, 2007 at 8:37 am
Hi Jane,
It’s me again Jo, yupI would love that….hope we can have Yoga together..