Mom we Love: Maricel Lopez-Dioneda

My favorite song is …
Italian song Nella Fantasia by Andrea Bocelli. I also listen to classics like Basil Valdez’s ‘Ngayon at Kailanman’.

The best compliment I’ve received is …
“I love your products!” People of different nationalities say, “This is made in the Philippines? I can’t believe it!”

My signature recipe is …
Beef bourguignon. It’s special because it’s festive and it entails hard labor -- you have to sear it, then you boil it, then you have to wait for the perfect timing when to pour the bourguignon. It takes about half a day to cook. Whenever I cook it there’s so much love that goes into it.

My best shortcut to feeling beautiful is …
Chanel’s #37 lipstick.

My favorite place for inspiration is …
My home office, which is my sanctuary. Everything happens here.

My instant mood booster is …
Chocolates. Flat Tops masaya na ako – proudly Pinoy. But nothing beats Hershey’s.

My most recent purchase was …
Hair care products.

I buy my clothes from …
Anywhere -- palengke, the bazaars, the mall. I like to haggle so I get the best deals.

My best recent discovery is …
FTI weekend market. They have nice stuff, some are branded, some are not, but the ones you will find in this palengke are the same ones you’ll find in bazaars – for half the price! That’s where I found some of my best dresses.

The best advice I ever received is …
“Follow your heart.”

Cel says she wants everything to look nice and pretty - and the same goes for the contents of her bag. Check out what's inside it by clicking "View slideshow"!

Curious about how her award-winning brand Mommypatch started? Get a copy of Smart Parenting magazine's Jan-Feb issue, out in stands now!

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