Write, Breathe, Live

If one of your family members gets seriously sick tomorrow, needs hospitalization, a surgery, and rehabilitation procedures, can you afford to shell out several hundred thousand pesos in the coming days, weeks, and months?

survey says ...

Sun Life commissioned a Social Weather Station survey about Filipinos' preparedness when it comes to health-related and financial concerns. It was found out that 1 of 2 Filipinos are planning to make an expensive purchase within the next two years, such as a house and lot or car, with 9 out of 10 actually prepared to fund it.

At the same time, 7 out of 10 Filipinos worry about uncertainties such as the death of a breadwinner, acquiring critical illnesses, and the inability to pay for huge medical expenses. Please refer to the photo above to see how many Filipinos are actually prepared financially in the event of a grave illness in the family.

Riza Mantaring (left) during the Brighter Life Institute launch

Riza Mantaring, Sun Life President and CEO, observed this disconnect between Filipinos' priorities and concerns and the way they financially prepare for these. "They are worried about their health and possible illness but they do not prepare financially. Most of them rely on their active income or on other people to fund their needs," she described.

"What we need to remember is that wealth and health go hand in hand," reminded Ms. Riza. "By making sure that the right products are availed of to prepare for both wealth goals and health needs, Juan can be more fit to live free."

What's your MONEYrism?

Thus, Sun Life is launching the #FIT2LiveFree campaign this Financial Independence Month of June to address the situation and help Filipinos act on their financial concerns. For instance, digital content are now available to inspire people to take care of both their wealth and health in a fun and interactive way.

Find out your money mannerisms by taking the MONEYrism Quiz on Facebook. You'll have the chance to win minor prizes of FitBit wireless activity wristbands and a grand prize of a travel package to Seoul, South Korea. You may also want to share your fitness journey on Instagram using the hashtag #WellnessWednesday to engage with fellow wealth and health enthusiasts .

Brighter Life Institute

Moreover, learn about personal finance through in-depth modular lessons offered online for FREE in the Brighter Life Institute. Log on to brighterlife.com.ph to start your financial literacy journey and read relevant articles on personal financial planning. The Brighter Life Institute is another pioneering effort of Sun Life to make financial education accessible and within reach to more Filipinos.

Apart from online initiatives, there would be a #FIT2LiveFree Expo on June 20 at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex. There, attendees can learn tips and hear inspiring stories on achieving the balance between health and wealth from bull runner Jaymie Pizzaro, actor-triathlete Matteo Guidicelli, lifestyle blogger Anton Diaz, TV host Edric Mendoza, and financial experts Randell Tiongson and Rose Fausto.

some of the speakers at #FIT2LiveFree Expo

All the initiatives mentioned above are meant to help Filipinos determine the product solutions that can help them achieve the wealth and health goals that they have identified. For instance, there's the Sun Life Prosperity Funds that encourages Filipinos to invest in their financial freedom. For health needs, there's the Sun Life Assure and Sun FlexiLink Assist to ensure that they have the funds to regain their health, in case they are hit by sickness.

"We are here to empower Filipinos so they can truly enjoy a life that's free from financial worries," shared Ms. Riza. "They deserve nothing less."

with Ms. Lalie Novero of Sun Life

Ready to be #FIT2LiveFree? Visit brighterlife.com.ph now and follow @sunlife on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Living a healthy life is a choice. We can't just say we want to be fit. We have to work on it by making good food choices and making time to find physical activities to strengthen our bodies. I personally believe that and make sure my family eats balanced meals while also engaging in sports like running or swimming as forms of recreation.

picture credit to photoman.ph

This coming July, Robinsons Supermarket will be holding a Wellness Festival that aims to encourage everyone to start their journey to health and fitness. The month-long festivity will be filled with promos and activities that will help jumpstart peoples' interest to choose a healthy lifestyle.

#ILoveWellness

Yesterday at Robinsons Magnolia, an event area was set up where mall goers can check out booths of participating health and wellness brands. Nestle, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, Del Monte, Abbott, Fonterra, and Unilab offered exciting activations and freebies that let shoppers enjoy and learn more about wellness.

(from left) Iya, Daniel, Vanessa, Rachel, Barni

The event was hosted by TV personality and fitness enthusiast Iya Villania-Arellano. Also present were sisters Rachel Alejandro and Barni Rennebeck of The Sexy Chef. The two demonstrated how to make three healthy and delicious recipes that are easy to make. I am excited to try them at home. I love their Detox Green Smoothie that uses kangkong leaves! I'll share the recipe here, soon, in a separate blog post once I get to try making it myself.

Unilever's booth offered taste tests on yummy dishes made with Knorr products

What I personally appreciate about Robinsons Supermarket is its continuing commitment to help Filipinos make healthier choices through easier access to good food alternatives and making this as convenient at possible. As soon as you set foot inside a Robinsons Supermarket branch, zoom in directly to the unique Health and Wellness section where you can find products for varied nutrition needs to fit every lifestyle so you can make learned purchases.

I had my Body Mass Index checked at the Ensure booth and they said my body age is 18! :D

Observe also the color coded "Shop Smart" tags to help you easily find items based on their health benefits, nutritional content, and price discounts. For instance, healthy items come with green tags because they meet at least three (3) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute's eight (8) nutritional attributes: low salt, low calorie, low fat, low in saturated fat, sugar free, low cholesterol, low sodium, source of protein, and source of dietary fiber. Good to know, right?

ready to eat fruits are so convenient -- and healthy!

And then there's Robinsons Supermarket's own exclusive line of products called Healthy You, which offers nuts, oats, juices, olive oils, and many more. There's also the ready-to-eat station called Healthy Selections where your can find pre-packed healthy meals called Fit Cuisine or the make-your-own-salad station.

Aja Totanes

Aja Totanes, Robinsons Supermarket Marketing Manager, shared that they, at Robinsons Supermarket, believe that health and wellness is not a destination but a continuous journey. "And we want to be part of that journey in people's lives by being a trusted partner that they can always rely on for all their health and wellness needs."

my hubby and I super love Tipco's broccoli juice!

On July 5, the wellness journey is made more fun with the 8th Wellness Fit & Fun Buddy Run at the Bonifacio Global City where 4,500 runners are expected to join in the 5km and 10km categories. This is the only buddy run in the Philippines that inspires participants to urge their loved ones to also take up an active lifestyle.

with fellow bloggers (from left) Jen M., Lou, Erica, Jenny, Jen A., and Myrns

Brother and sister, Daniel and Vanessa Matsunaga, both active lifestyle advocates, jumpstarted the race to wellness by competing against each other in fun, health-related activities in Robinsons Magnolia. Can you guess who won? :)

the J&J booth is so colorful :)

Make your wellness journey even more rewarding this July by keeping an eye out for the Wellness Festival and its exciting in-store activities and freebies for Robinsons Supermarket customers nationwide. Remember, choosing a healthy lifestyle starts with one small step. Care to read mine? Read this.

be part of the Wellness Festival and start living a healthier lifestyle

Start your wellness journey today by being part of Robinsons Supermarket's #ILoveWellness campaign. For more information and the latest updates, like Facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial or visit www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph. Let's all stay healthy!

In recent years, consumer lifestyle has continued to change dramatically along with the staggering number of smartphone users and improved connectivity. Likewise, effortless online shopping is gaining more ground among busy people who appreciate the convenience of new payment methods and better delivery services.

with Mr. Inanc Balci of Lazada

Cosmic Technologies Inc., the company behind Cherry Mobile, is officially launching its first exclusive online brand, CUBIX. This smartphone is expected to become a significant contributor in the online market given the growing amount of customers patronizing e-commerce.

Later this week, online customers who are planning to buy a new and affordable smartphone with great features will be in for a treat as Cosmic Technologies Inc. makes the CUBIX CUBE available exclusively online through Lazada starting June 26 at 12NN.

Cubix Cube will be available in Lazada starting June 26, 2015

Inanc Balci, CEO of Lazada Philippines, shared that the number of mobile subscriptions is set to overtake the global population this year, which makes it the perfect time to introduce new phones that set the standard for an upscale lifestyle, with an added shopping convenience without the added price. "Now that we are more connected than ever, the only challenge left for most Filipinos is to find the perfect mobile companion that can handle all their lifestyle needs," he pointed out.

"We, at Lazada, are very much excited to be part of this milestone and bring CUBIX to Filipinos nationwide," added Balci. "While there is a growing number of people looking for more affordable phones that promise the same -- or even better -- phone quality, we can offer a whole lot more than what they expect with CUBIX."

what's inside the box (forgot that I inserted the battery already in the phone)

CUBIX CUBE runs on Android Kitkat and has a crisp 5" HD On Cell Display. With a fast 1.4 GHz Octo Core Processor coupled with a 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM, the device is able to handle resource-hungry apps easily.

I am fortunate to be one of less than ten people to own and personally use this smartphone a week before it is launched to the public. Thus, I can share that in the past few days, I have been enjoying the many features of the CUBIX CUBE especially its 13MP back and the 5MP front cameras. It downloaded the apps I needed very fast and the transition from window to window runs smoothly.

yesterday's sunset captured using the CUBIX CUBE

I have the white and gold phone and a couple of friends have already complimented its sleek and elegant look. They found it hard to believe that the CUBIX CUBE will only be retailing for P4,490. That's really affordable given its features! Plus, a custom screen protector is already included inside the box so you won't have any problem finding one that fits.

According to Balci, since Lazada offers cash on delivery payments, anyone can order items online, have them delivered to their homes, and try it out for themselves before paying. In case the customer is not satisfied, he/she has the option not to buy the product! I asked him if that rule applies to smartphones and he said yes. So, yeah, I was impressed about that kind of customer service and appreciated the genuine convenience they are offering their clients.

CUBIX CUBE in gold -- fits just right in my hand :)

In addition, all CUBIX CUBE devices will have the Lazada App to enable online consumers to conveniently purchase other items using their new smartphone. And because the CUBIX CUBE will be released in limited quantity, log on early to www.lazada.com.ph/cherry-mobile-cubix/ on June 26!

I grew up disliking Math. After learning the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, lessons became harder to understand as teachers breezed through the subjects, not really waiting for students to catch up and really understand what they need to learn and why. I see the same happening in many schools today and it continues to negatively affect students -- including my own kids.

parent bloggers who now like Math!

I never thought there'd be a time when I would actually start to like Math … until I got to try solving problems the Singapore Math way. My first thought was, "So there is a better and easier way! Why are Philippine schools not teaching this?!"

Singapore's math curriculum remains top in academic excellence worldwide

Apparently, there are now a few schools in the Philippines that have already started teaching Singapore Math. But there are still so many students, parents, and teachers who need to know about this! In the world of education, Singapore Math has transformed how students see mathematics. From personal experience, I saw that it really is an effective tool in promoting creativity and innovation because it's different (and much more fun) than the traditional ways of learning math and solving equations.

learning should be FUN!

Singapore Math teaches students how to improve their critical thinking skills by finding creative ways to solve math problems. And we all know that children learn better when they are having fun, right? So it is really important that we prepare the young generation for the future.

This coming July 4, Galileo Enrichment Learning Program is staging the 3rd Singapore Math Learning Festival (SMLF) at the AIM Conference Center located at Benavidez corner Trasiera Sts., Makati City. There will be plenary and learning sessions from 7:30AM to 5:00PM.

How does Singapore Math help students?

Topics to be discussed include:

Foundations of Singapore Math by award-winning mathematician, Ateneo professor, psychologist, and writer Dr. Queena Lee-Chua; and Xavier School student, mathematician, artist, and writer Scott Lee Chua
21st Century Learning by Ann Wongchuking-Pato, MA.Ed, of the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore and Director of Galileo Enrichment Learning Program
Connected Educators: Engaged Teachers by Gail Tan, Google Philippines Country Communications Manager
Creating a Singapore Math Portal by Shiarell Loida Cruz, Master Teacher at the Department of Education and scholar of Temasek Foundation
Games that Teach by Maribeth R. Lamis, Operations and Training Head at Galileo and Training-Facilitator of Singapore Math Training for Teachers
The Magic of Model Drawing by Tom Chu, professor at St. Stephen's High School, author of Math textbooks, and consultant and editor of Diwa Publishing and Vibal Publishing
Seeing Math at Home by Homeschool PH's Milona Barraca, homeschool expert and business consultant
Building Blocks to Algebraic Thinking by Ateneo professor and NIE visiting assistant professor Dr. Flordeliza Francisco

new generation of learners should be taught to love math

Education continues to evolve and we really have to ensure that our young generation of learners are equipped to belong in the new global workplace. I believe that the education industry should make a shift such that students are geared towards lifelong learning and having the right skills needed to make them global citizens of the future.

Teacher Beth Lamis showed us a creative way to learn math

Thus, this year's theme for the SMLF is Preparing for the Future: Creativity and Innovation through Singapore Math. It will be a venue to educate teachers, school administrators, educators, and parents with creative and innovative teaching strategies in using Singapore Math for creativity and innovation.

with Ms. Fides Reyes and Ms. Rowie Matti of Galileo

To register, please visit http://www.smlf2015.galileoenrichment.com for more details. You can also call (02) 845.1234 or (02) 553.6193 or email SMLF@galileoenrichment.com. Learning session fee is P3,750 per person. Get one seat free if you register four participants for their 4 + 1 promo.

In case you won't be able to make it to the SMLF, you can also enroll your child for Galileo's after-shool learning programs in English, Math, and Singapore Math. Contact them at the numbers above, email info@galileoenrichment.com, or log on to www.galileoenrichment.com. For more updates and promos like https://www.facebook.com/galileoenrichment, follow @galileoenrich on Twitter, and @galileoenrichment on Instagram.

Time is precious. I am sure many of us acknowledge that in this fast-paced world we now live in. Moms, especially, seem to be always pressed for time because we have to accomplish so many things in a day. Sometimes, we wish for additional hours to the standard 24 just to fit in our responsibilities at home and in the office. Thus, I really appreciate having things that help me save time and effort so I can do more with less.

Easy floor cleaning

For instance, our Electrolux Iron (we've had this for a few years already and it's still very functional) that comes with built-in steam and spray mechanisms allowed us to eliminate the spray bottle from the picture. The work is done faster with lesser effort but the clothes still come out crisp and wrinkle-free. What's more, the iron's light weight prevents my arm from feeling the usual muscle aches that result from ironing a lot of clothes in one go.

I love this iron's steam function!

And then, there's the Electrolux Silent Blender that is a big help in preparing food for my special child's tube feeding sessions. In the past, our previous blenders would only last for a few months because they can't handle the daily use we put them through. The bad thing was, we kept spending for new ones and get the same results!

Thankfully, we discovered Electrolux's heavy duty blender that not only breaks down food fast, but also makes minimal noise so nobody in our family minds when my husband or I would need to prepare James' food when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

our blender that makes very little noise

We also find the Electrolux Dynamica Vacuum Cleaner very helpful in cleaning floors and carpets. It's flexible so you can push it even under the bed to get all the dirt out. I love that the cord can be neatly coiled on hooks behind it plus it comes with a stand so it can be stored upright and take up very little space.

our easy-to-store vacuum cleaner

However, our best and my top favorite home appliance would have to be our Electrolux T-Drive Washing Machine. This was an answered prayer that was delivered to our house exactly on the day of my birthday last month.

my favorite home appliance

Now, weeks later, I can no longer imagine going back to washing clothes using a separate washer and spinner. With the Electrolux T-Drive, we just press buttons on the machine to program water level, time, etc. along with the laundry powder and fabric conditioner in their own compartments, and we can leave it alone for an hour or more to do its own thing.

seriously, this machine makes washing clothes more fun and convenient!

Meanwhile, I get to work on other stuff, such as beating my writing deadlines or cooking meals, without having to stop every ten minutes or so to transfer laundry back and forth from the washer to the spinner before the clothes can be hung to dry. I just wait for the beep beep of the machine to tell me that our clothes are already clean, fragrant, and are ready for the clothesline. Now that's a real time and effort saver!

my son enjoying ironing his uniform on his own

There are many other ways to work smarter, not harder. This includes recycling and upcycling things around the house that we usually throw in the trash can without a second thought. Instead of spending for stuff, check first if there's something at home that can be repurposed for what you need. Learn tips and tricks about doing more with less so you can declutter, save money, and even help the environment!

Like The Electrolux Little White Book page on Facebook because there are a lot of good and practical tips there so you can also Do More With Less at home. They also hold contests and promos where followers get to win cool stuff so make sure you keep updated!

So you are frustrated at having excess fat in various areas of your body. What are you going to do about it? Some of you would probably say you'd like to undergo liposuction while others may prefer to just control what they eat and engage in exercises. Some would think about the hard work and expense it's going to take and give up the thought of getting slimmer there and then.

photo borrowed from Contours' website

If you want less effort and more results, you may want to visit Contours Body Design Studio. This clinic offers Laserfit, a holistic approach to weight loss and body contouring. It is a combination of non-invasive Cold Laser (Zerona) exposure to melt fat, 10 minute workouts to burn fats, and proper nutritional recommendations.

According to Dr. Claudine S. Roura, Contours President and Managing Director, a cold laser treatment will release fat from the body for three days. BUT, to maximize results and capitalize on the effectivity of the cold laser, you should accompany it with 10 minute workouts to burn fats, trim down, and lose weight.

Dr. Roura explaining how Laserfit works

The Laserfit Protocol involves: 40 minutes of Zerona 2-3 times a week; 10 minute interval training workout; 10 minute vibrafit exercises; daily 10 minute workouts at home; 7-inch diet plate recommendations or a structured meal plan; and behavioral modification techniques.

Dr. Roura assured that patients usually begin to see improvement after the second session when you notice your clothes getting looser, an indicator of fat loss. Results, however, may vary depending on a person's weight and fat conditions.

Vibrafit machine in Contours' exercise room

She also added that slimming treatments can only get you so far. If you don't accompany them with exercise and the proper diet, it's not fair to expect that you will remain slim. Thus, Contours also recommends undergoing Acutrim alongside the Laserfit.

Acutrim is a special form of no-needle laser acupuncture. They use a cold laser combined with micronutrient stimulator on specific acupuncture points in the ears and body to suppress appetite and hunger center activity of the brain. It will help control your hunger cravings, speed up your metabolism, and enhance your current diet and exercise program. Acutrim is also said to release the happy hormones (endorphins) that will make you feel a state of well being even while going through the initial stages of going hungry.

Acutrim device

Dr. Roura recommends weekly sessions of Acutrim for 4 weeks with the last treatment extending effects for another 4 to 6 weeks. She explained that this length of time would be helpful in the transition to a healthier lifestyle as your body adjusts to eating smaller meals. Take note though that Acutrim is not designed to be a stand alone treatment.

"This is not a diet, it's simply a tremendous aid to accelerate weight loss," reminded Dr. Roura. "Real change requires a little common sense and a fair amount of discipline and patience. You know the weight didn't come on overnight and you also know it's not possible to lose it overnight." Makes sense!

borrowed from Contours' Facebook page

Know more about Laserfit, Acutrim, and other treatments that may be best for you. Call (02) 556.4878 or log on to www.contours.com.ph for the complete addresses and contact details of their branches in Paseo de Magallanes, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, and SM BF Paranaque. Like Contours on Facebook, follow @contoursadvance on Twitter, and @contours_ph on Instagram.

It was in April 8, 2014 when the hallway of Sky Park in SM Aura began to be filled with long lines of people, day after day, all eager to have a taste of Magnum Manila's Belgian chocolate creations. I was there one week before the store opened and personally experienced how fun it is to Make My Magnum.

preserving a Magnum memory

The concept of bringing the ultimate Magnum brand experience to the Philippines was a big hit. But, like they said in the very beginning, Magnum Manila is just a pop-up store and will only be around for a year. It is a special brand activation that has also previously opened and already closed in London, Paris, Brazil, and other cities around the world.

Crepe de Jour

Make My Magnum allowed pleasure-seekers to take their favorite ice cream bar and turn it into a unique masterpiece according to their liking. Aside from this, customers indulged in Belgian chocolate creations of award winning pastry chef Miko Aspiras who made new ones recently just before Magnum Manila finally closes its doors.

Campfire S'Mores

So make sure to try the Crepe de Jour, Campfire S'Mores, Magnum Popcorn, Make My Heart Melt, and the Magnum Anniversary Cake soon! Each one will awaken your taste buds with various pops of flavors. To date, Magnum Manila has used over 6,820 pounds of chocolate!

Magnum Popcorn

Likewise, there are the savory dishes prepared by Chef Him Uy de Baron. I recently had the Carbonara with Bacon and Sous Vide Egg for lunch and it was creamy and delicious. I would have loved to try the Magnum Burger but I don't think I can finish it by myself. Thus, I'm planning to come back soon with one of my sons so I'd have someone to share a burger with. I heard it is really juicy.

Carbonara with Bacon and Sous Vide Egg

I would definitely miss Magnum Manila with its warm ambiance and the sleek modern interiors designed by Ed Calma. Oh, and did you know that for 15 months, the Philippine store has become a global benchmark for Magnum pop-up stores around the world such that other Southeast Asian pop-up stores have been patterned after Magnum Manila?

Make My Heart Melt

Named as one of the top restaurants of 2014 for dessert, Magnum Manila indeed had an amazing run. But, as they say, all great things must come to an end. The store is due to close by July 26, 2015 and the Magnum team expressed that their greatest pleasure was to have been given the opportunity to create a remarkable experience for everyone who dropped by in the past year.

Magnum Anniversary Cake

If you haven't visited the store yet, it's not yet too late! Be part of the special pop-up experience before July 26 and experience your ultimate Belgian chocolate indulgence. Remember, it's #MagnumNowOrNever!

I was browsing channels on Cable TV last night and caught the first few frames of a movie entitled Sheeba on the FOX Family Movies channel. I automatically opened the IMDB app on my iPad to check what the film is all about. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information. I was about to change channels when the opening song, with beautiful lyrics and melody, caught my attention.

Intently, I listened to the words and tried to catch the song's title. When I thought I figured it out, I went to YouTube and searched for a video. There was none. So I Googled"Last Day of Forever" and, after some hits and misses, landed on Broadjam.com.

It was so nice to be able to listen once again to this beautiful, albeit really sad song. The lyrics are so heartbreaking that they made me think The Last Day of Forever could have been the theme song for The Fault in Our Stars or A Walk to Remember. But that's just me. Although I don't think it's really fitting for Sheeba (the correct title of which, I found out from further research, turned out to be The Crab Orchard on IMDB), I'm glad they used it there because I might otherwise wouldn't have come across it.

Anyhow, do listen to the song. If you have lost someone you deeply loved and are thankful for the good memories he/she left behind, you will definitely appreciate The Last Day of Forever. I just wish there's more information about it online.

Oh, and in case anyone reading this knows Len Handler, please do tell him/her that it would be really, really great if they could produce a music video using the song. I think people would better appreciate it with visuals. Then again, that's just me :)

The Energizer Night Race will always be memorable for me because this is the first fun run I joined last year after deciding I am really ready to pursue personal fitness. You can read my blog on the Energizer Night Race Manila 2014here.

with hubby before gun start

This year, more than 3,000 runners participated at the Energizer Night Race 2015 held once more at the Filinvest City Alabang last night. It is the first open loop run with the purpose to help underprivileged children under the care of Bantay Bata 163.

Runners were encouraged to keep going and going (remember the bunny's tagline? LOL) to share positive energy and run as far and as fast as we could within two hours along the 3km loop. For every 3k a runner makes, P100 is donated to Bantay Bata 163's medical treatment funds.

And because this is one of the most special runs I've been privileged to join, let me share five things I enjoyed about it:

1. We ran as a family. My husband, son, and I finished the race with a total of 13 loops or 39kms. Hubby ran six loops, Gab was able to make four, while I made three. I stopped around 1 hour 32 minutes because my feet were feeling a bit numb towards the end of the third loop but I was glad to have covered a total distance of 9.4km (according to my Runtastic app).

my official race results from Energizer's website

2. We joined a good cause! I celebrate with all my fellow runners and the event's organizers for reaching the target of P1,000,000 worth of donations.

Vincent Lizo, Energizer Philippines' business director, affirmed that this never-before-seen loop run pushed runners further in beating their personal records, with the added benefit of giving positive light to vulnerable children. He said that ever since the Energizer Night Race took form, they saw it as more than being just a simple fun run. "Above all, we used this platform to practice an important Energizer mantra, which is to share positive energy. Ultimately, that is our primary goal."

barefoot runners

3. The route is a pleasure to run in. We covered Filinvest, Corporate, and Commerce Avenues, Parkway Street, and Spectrum Midway, which have fairly flat roads. I've been in other races held in Filinvest before and I have to confess that I really dislike it when the route goes towards The Palms Country Club because the dips on the ground make my legs hurt more and I am also not comfortable running along the very dark parts of the road.

4. The marshals are cheerful and humorous. It's nice to hear an upbeat "Good Evening!" and "Go, go, runners!" when we pass by some of the marshals. They seem to know that they're there, not just to check if anyone's cutting corners, but also to be cheerleaders to flagging participants who are already feeling tired and out of breath. I couldn't help but laugh when one marshal cheekily shouted "Goooo walkers!" when she noticed more people were walking rather than running.

with my second son before gun start

5. There are ample hydration stations. Imagine yourself feeling thirsty, dripping with sweat, and craving for cold water. Isn't it a bit disappointing to be given a cup of warm water or, worse, be told that there's nothing to drink anymore? That happens in some races. But not in the Energizer Night Run. In fact, I deeply appreciated finding a tube of ice on every cup I got from the water stations. That helped a lot in refreshing my energy and made me target more than the 5km I'm used to running.

Runners' time were monitored through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) timing chips, which tracked every 3k loop a runner makes. There were also kilometer markers along the race route. In addition, a battery meter lights up every time a runner finished a 3km run. The battery meter compiled all kilometers covered, reaching up to the one million target.

beside the huge battery meter

"There's no boundary to helping change people's live. All it takes is to go beyond your limits," expressed MJ Tiquia, Energizer brand activation manager. She added that there's no competition involved in the night race. It just required runners to have "the strength to go on to challenge yourself."

"It's always about giving back to the community through more positive contributions," explained Claire Guevarra, senior brand manager of Energizer. "While Bantay Bata heals the scars of the rescued children, we'll help prepare their future through quality healthcare support. For us, that's sharing #positiveenergy."

Many of us keep on expressing how we want to live life to the fullest but are we really able to do so? In this fast-paced society, a lot of people find it hard to find time to exercise and keep fit. I learned though, in the past year, that one has to "make time" for active pursuits if we really want to stay healthy.

balancing ...

Thus, I now work around my scheduled activities to fit in an hour of running at least twice a week and join races every two months or so. When I received an invite to join a yoga workshop at Evolve last weekend, hubby and I said yes because we were curious how this discipline could further help us find a better work-life balance.

prepping for a headstand

Fresh from the Energizer Race the night before, we went to Evolve last Sunday afternoon to join what we found out to be a Vinyasa Workshop with Yoga Tribe. Because we missed the warm up sessions and basic instructions done that morning, hubby and I practically had a crash course on yoga but were inspired to join others in the lessons of inversions (that's yoga term for head stands!).

proper pose is very important

I was very skeptical though if I would be able to do one as I see myself having a very non-flexible body. One of my frustrations, actually, is my inability to touch my toes while bending with legs straight. It's my fault, I know, for being such a couch potato for years. But I am heartened by Ginger Diaz-Serrano's encouragement that I just need practice and repetition. Ginger, Evolve's studio director, added that a lot of their students also started yoga with poor flexibility. Now, that's comforting to hear!

my first headstand!

I'd say though that I was dumbfounded when Dexter Tan, one of the coaches, was able to help me do my first ever headstand without having any yoga background whatsoever! It's funny to recall that I was repeatedly telling him "Don't let me go!"while both my feet were up in the air because I was really afraid I'll lose my balance. My husband, the true sporty one in the family, gamely tried most of the inversion poses and was able to do headstands on his own a couple of times. So yeah, I am envious! You can read his own blog post here.

hubby and fellow blogger, Michelle doing headstands

That is why I am raring to go back to Evolve and try Bikram Yoga so I could start learning the basics and take it from there. Let's see how far this fascination with yoga would take me.

stand off hahaha

By the way, Evolve is formerly known as Bikram Yoga Alabang. The studio has now transitioned to meet the diverse needs of its students and growing community. According to Ginger, who founded BYA in 2010, "Evolve is an important step in our goal of helping more people in their journey to health and wellness. While we recognize our heritage as a Bikram Yoga studio, we believe that we can serve our students better by providing new options in terms of class, learning sessions, and programs that support a healthy lifestyle."

correct position after a headstand

Part of Evolve's launch was the Vinyasa workshop led by Pio Baquiran, a highly regarded yoga teacher who has been practicing Bhakti Yoga for 32 years. This July, Evolve is offering the 30-Day and 4x4 Yoga Challenge wherein students are urged to either do yoga for 30 days or for 4 times a week for 4 weeks. This is one of the studio's most anticipated activities that is also held every January.

prepping for a back bend

"Everyone can achieve a fit body and a fit mind. We're here to help students embrace challenges, focus on what really matters the most, and be better than ever," shared Ginger who completed her training and certification as a yoga instructor in 2007 and has been teaching full time for three years.

the correct back bend

Soon, adding to its popular beginner sessions, Evolve will have classes for intermediate and advanced students. It offers a 10-day (consecutive) introductory package for only P1,000 while special rates are also available for regular students. Evolve now features a range of classes taught by qualified teachers based in Manila and from around the world. Regular students and newcomers can look forward to experiencing Vinyasa, Hot Vinyasa Flow, and Absolute Hot Yoga, among others.

epic fail! the farthest back bend I could do :p told ya I'm not (yet!) flexible

Yoga and fitness fans can also look forward to the opening of a Certified Calm retail area in the studio complete with stylish yoga apparel and accessories from leading brands. Excited to learn yoga, too? Visit Evolve at the 2nd floor of Commercenter, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For more information, contact 846.5496 or 0927.9169909.

I have a JBL wireless bluetooth speaker that I really enjoy using. It gives out clear and crisp sounds and I can bring it anywhere around the house while I do my chores even if I have to leave my phone or my iPod charging on our dining table.

my favorite wireless portable speaker

Now, residents of Fairview, Quezon City and its neighboring areas would have an easier time checking out new offerings from JBL and the Harman group as Beyond Innovations Inc. launches a new JBL / Harman Kardon branch at Fairview Terraces where consumers can find high-end audio, visual, and infotainment products.

Janine Gutierrez

The ribbon-cutting was graced by Kapuso star Janine Gutierrez (who I only found out that day is the daughter of Ramon Christopher and Lotlot de Leon -- sorry, I'm not updated on showbiz news lately!) last May 30.

The new store, located in the mall's third floor, has actually been operating since March 2015 but was now formally introduced to those who live in the North Metro Manila area.

home entertainment system

In line with the launch, the store kicked off with store-exclusive discounts as well as a raffle that was held on May 31. Other great offers included free calibration, trade-in, and discounts of up to 30%.

some of the discounted items

The showroom houses a number of popular Harman brands including JBL, AKG, Harman Kardon, and Infinity among others. You can read more about them in my other blog post, here.

Janine Gutierrez checking out a JBL speaker

The lineup of products includes portable and home speakers, sound bars, audio/video receivers, and headphones, which are unmatched in terms of sound quality and award-winning designs.

For inquiries, you may call the Fairview Terraces branch at 958-5600. Other branches of the store can be found in SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, TriNoma, and Bonifacio High Street.

Get the most out of your audio-visual entertainment by asking for actual hands-on demos of their various products and setups, which their store personnel would be happy to assist you with.

* photos borrowed from trailsunlimited.blogspot.com

Personally, I find it amazing how the Mall of Asia Complex continues to grow rapidly as it unveils new developments year after year. Today, it is known to be a major retail, entertainment, and business hub housing iconic structures such as the E-Com buildings (read a related article I wrote for Manila Bulletin, here), the SMX Convention Center, the MOA Arena (read my blog post and see pictures while it was still being constructed, here), and the very popular Mall of Asia.

a spectacular Manila Bay sunset

SM Mall of Asia AVP for Operations Perkin So shared that SM continuously strives to innovate and provide more and new services for the public's convenience and enjoyment. The launch of their latest project, the Esplanade Seaside Terminal, provides a more accessible and easier gateway to Corregidor as well as a way for guests to enjoy the beauty of the famous Manila Bay Sunset via offerings of partners Sun Cruises, Prestige Cruises, and Orient Craft Cruises.

the MV Eagle Cruiser of Prestige Cruises

MOA patrons would find it very easy to embark on new experiences and adventures via exciting activities such as the Manila Bay Cruise, Dinner Cruise, and Corregidor Tour. The convenient location is very accessible by public or public transportation.

off to a Cruise by the Bay
photo credit: Azrael Coladilla

There is likewise sufficient and safe parking and it is close to commercial areas such as the SM Mall of Asia and SM by the Bay. So moreover disclosed that they will also be developing a certain section beside the parking area. "There will be another cluster that will be built there, which is a lifestyle spa."

my boarding pass

The Esplanade Seaside Terminal is accredited by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to accommodate both domestic and foreign vessels. "We are in talks with some other groups for other vessels as well. We are an open port," explained So. "That means if there are foreign vessels that would like to dock here, we can also accommodate them."

Manila skyline

He related, "In the past, we've had this partnership also wherein the US Navy, with their R&R for their aircraft carriers have done it, kilometers away from land. They would then have water taxis be brought to the shore. That can also be accommodated."

with friends on board the MV Eagle Cruiser

"The Esplanade Seaside Terminal is actually part of the master plan for the Mall of Asia complex to take full advantage of the location, which is the fantastic Manila Bay," revealed So who confirmed that by July 1, Sun Cruises would be transferring from the CCP Complex Terminal to Esplanade. "They already have an office here accepting bookings for tours to Corregidor. I think the facilities in this particular area, including the ease of access for customers, is easier for them as well as for the public."

Esplanade Seaside Terminal entrance

As to safety and precautionary measures, "Even the Coast Guard holds main office here. We're always guided by [them and] the Philippine Ports Authority, which helped us set this up."

Manila Bay at dusk

"Mall of Asia has always been known to attract people from all over, even friends and families of OFWs. Tourists would always go here. So it makes perfect sense for us to actually create this seaside terminal here where everybody goes. We look forward to all the guests to come and visit us here," concluded So.

go visit the terminal dear readers and enjoy cruising!

Esplanade Seaside Terminal is located at the far right side (when facing the Mall of Asia) of the MOA Complex behind One Esplanade building.

I always like encouraging friends and relatives to embark on a wellness journey, if they haven't started yet. We are not getting any younger and having a sedentary lifestyle is really bad for our health. So, given any chance to influence people to do physical activities like running, I'd do it.

with my running buddy, Lou

Even before the 8th Robinsons Supermarket Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run was announced, I was already bugging several friends months ago to start running, too. But, this time, I really needed a buddy to run with because hubby and our son would be running together in the 10k category. So I asked my friend and fellow blogger Lou to be my partner. Thankfully, despite her lack of practice, she agreed.

me and my boys

We joined around 4,500 runners very early this past Sunday morning at the Bonifacio Global City and ran/walked 5k together. Although I wasn't able to run at my regular speed, I readily accompanied my running buddy and adjusted to her pacing while we merrily chatted about a lot of stuff along the way. We finished 5k and crossed the finish line after about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Not bad because the brisk walking still had us sweating like crazy.

before gun start
photo credit: James Orlanda of Speed Magazine

What made this particular run really fun was seeing many friends from the blogging and media industry joining, too. Some of them said they found it hard to finish 5k but taking those steps is already a good start. I hope though that they would continue to run in the coming days.

my barefoot runners
photo credit: Rickpets Lens

Among the thousands of runners were CEOs and celebrities, including triathlete Nikko Huelgas, who recently bagged a gold medal at the 28th SEA Games. Present too were Philippine Volcanoes captain Jake Letts, and Century Tuna endorsers James Reid and Jessy Mendiola.

5k finishers

Jody Gadia, Robinsons Supermarket General Manager, encouraged, "While eating healthy is at the core of a healthy life, we cannot discount the immutable contribution of exercise. And running is always better when done with a partner hence, the Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run." I totally agree! Besides, running doesn't require you to pay gym membership fees. You just have to buy a good pair of running shoes, comfortable running outfits, and find a nice running route to practice in regularly.

three pairs of running buddies
photo credit: Peter Sumile of Commuter Express

The run ended with prizes being given away to the top finishers. Winners in the 5k category were awarded a trip for 2 to Coron, Palawan while the 10k winners bagged a trip for 2 to Yangon, Myanmar. All finishers in 2nd to 5th places received Robinsons Gift Certificates as consolation prizes. Special awards were also given away by Close-up, Rexona, Breeze, Nestle, Milo, and Johnson & Johnson.

runners from the blogging community
photo credit: Peter Sumile

It's good to see Robinsons Supermarket being committed to helping more Filipinos make healthier choices by being a convenient avenue for health and wellness needs. If you missed the fun run, make sure to still join the #ILoveWellness campaign so you can keep updated on more promos and exciting activities. Like Robinsons Supermarket's Facebook page and visit www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph.

* If you ran in this race and want to find your photos, check out the Running Photographers page on Facebook. They have lots of albums from the run!

Who doesn't love the Minions? They're cute and funny, and they sing pretty good, too! Now, these adorable little guys are back and they have officially taken over McDonald's.

Kevin, Stuart, and Bob, stars of the Minions Movie are the highlights of the Minions Banana Festival that are sure to give McDonald's customers a full Minions experience. Get ready to go bananas because there are 10 Minions collectibles in every Minions Happy Meal plus the Minions Combos featuring a variety of Minions-themed desserts.

Honey Banana McFloat

Get the perfect snack combination for you and your friends by pairing a classic, like McDonald's World Famous Fries, with the all-new Minions-themed desserts. For Php65, you can order the Minions Medium Fries 'N McFloat Combo, which includes the new Honey Banana McFloat, a sweet and refreshing banana and honey flavored drink topped with vanilla soft serve.

Banana Crumble McFlurry and Banana McFlurry with Oreo

If you'd rather have a McFlurry, go for the Minions Medium Fries 'N McFlurry Combo for Php95. Choose between the Banana McFlurry with Oreo where a classic gets a banana-licious twist, as banana flavor is mixed with Oreo bits in vanilla soft serve; or the Banana Crumble McFlurry, made with crushed graham and banana flavor blended in creamy vanilla soft serve.

Minions Medium Fries 'N McFloat or McFlurry

And because great things come in threes just like Kevin, Stuart, and Bob, so do the Minions Combos! Select from and enjoy the Minions BFF Fries 'N McFloat Combo (Php165) or the Minions BFF Fries 'N McFlurry Combo (Php225).

BFF Fries 'N McFloat Combo

Aside from all these exciting offerings, McDonald's also introduces the Minions Banana McDip, a delicious vanilla soft serve covered in banana-flavored dip on a blue wafer cone -- one of the cutest dessert items to see and taste for only Php15.

Banana McDip

So go visit a McDonald's store near you and see the Minions Movie come to life! Tag along your family and friends because there's a Minions treat for everyone. The Minions Happy Meal and limited-edition menu offers are available in all McDonald's stores nationwide.

BFF Fries 'N McFlurry Combo

Love your Minions? Share the love via www.facebook.com/mcdo.ph, or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram. Don't forget to use the hashtag #MinionsAtMcDo. Happy eating and collecting!

My family spent part of Father's Day last Sunday at the Papa John's event in Blue Bay Walk. It was my first time to visit this place and we found it really nice. The open, grassy areas make the environment such a good place to hang about in.

Father's Day with the boys

What was special during this particular event was the Dine and Win Raffle Draw for a brand new Mazda 3 Skyactiv car.

waiting for the winner's name to be drawn

But before the winner's name was drawn, guests were asked to join fun activities such as street magic and a pizza eating contest. My husband and youngest son took on the challenge and won!

pizza eating contest winners

News TV personality Arnold Clavio was present to help pick the lucky winner's name. A lady from Tondo named Vibien Estrada was announced the new owner of the Mazda 3. She is one lucky pizza lover!

Papa John's executive and Arnold Clavio with the nice car that was raffled off

Stay tuned for more of Papa John's exciting promos! Make sure to like Papa John's Pizza Philippines on Facebook and log on to www.papajohns.com.ph.

It is so easy to find fault in our government. After all, with all those negative news reports about corrupt officials and worthless projects that waste the taxpayers' hard-earned money, we tend to dismiss the thought that there may be government-initiated activities that do work and are helpful to Filipinos.

examples of structures some poor Filipino families call home

When I was asked to join a few members of the media, civic society organizations, and the academe on a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Learning Visit in the provinces of Batangas and Quezon, I immediately said yes because I wanted to see my for myself what their programs are all about.

a briefing on our learning visit

The program officers of DSWD Region IV-A explained to us that their objective is for us to witness personally what goes on in the project areas. "Rather than telling you about them, we'd rather you visit the sites and talk to the direct beneficiaries so you'd learn that positive changes are actually happening in peoples' lives with the help of the government," they said. I found that a very reasonable explanation.

an enumerator asking a potential beneficiary initial questions

We first went to Brgy. Loob, Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas where we witnessed enumerators doing a Listahan Household Assessment. The Listahan, formerly the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. The system makes available to national government agencies and other social protection stakeholders a database of poor families as reference in identifying potential beneficiaries of social protection programs.

full-length interviews are done inside the beneficiaries' homes

We were briefed that household assessments are done without notice to households so that family members won't have time to hide appliances that may indicate they don't need financial assistance. However, we were also told that material things are not the only factors to be considered whether a family is eligible for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or not.

narrow trails leading to remote clusters of houses

Pantawid invests in the human capital through provision of conditional grants to qualified poor families in support for the needs on health, nutrition, and education of children age zero to 18. A family is given P300/child/month (elementary student) and/or P500/child/month (high school student) for a maximum of three kids. They also get a health grant of P500/family/month.

our group of enthusiastic learners in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas

By now, you must be thinking (as I used to) that these are dole-outs and would only encourage laziness. But, like I wrote in the previous paragraph, the money given are conditional grants, meaning there are rules to be followed before a family gets to receive the money. For instance, children should have 85% school attendance per month. In addition, they have to undergo a monthly checkup and deworming at the health center to help ensure no absences due to health reasons.

a Family Development Session in Sitio Mambog

Parents, on the other hand, have to attend monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) where resource speakers teach them about children's rights, livelihood, budgeting, etc. That afternoon, we went to Sitio Mambog, Cuenca, Batangas where we joined an FDS tackling the topic Pagiging Magulang at Pagiging Responsableng Magulang (Parenting vs. Responsible Parenting). Pastor Louie, a volunteer resource person, engaged the parents with humorous stories in between his pointers. Even we, guests, learned a new thing or two.

one of the mothers sharing what she learned in this month's FDS

Oh, and we also made a courtesy call at the Cuenca Municipal Hall where Mayor Celerino A. Endaya explained to us how they are focusing on social services vs. infrastructure programs because, according to him, it's in the latter where there are corruption and kickbacks. Their Capital Assistance Program (CAP) has earned them a national award because they were able to inculcate in their constituents that they have to pay back what they borrow.

Cuenca, Batangas' Municipal Hall

"We have 100% rollback of payments. Even if they get delayed sometimes, the people are able to pay. Kung nakakabayad ka sa five-six, bakit sa gobyerno, hindi pwede?" he reasoned. "We give them a series of trainings and teach them how to make project proposals before they can be given a CAP." At Cuence, Mayor Endaya affirms that they are successful when it comes to reducing poverty level as well as crime rate. "Dito, natatalo namin ang kahirapan."

courtesy call with Mayor Celerino Endaya

Later, we visited a Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) meeting at Brgy. Dita, Cuenca, Batangas. It's very inspiring to hear stories of members who were able to grow micro-enterprises such as sari-sari stores and piggeries, the capitals of which were partly funded by the SLP. Some of them have also availed loans for home improvement and are diligently paying their dues. They know that having a good track record would be very helpful when they need more assistance in the future.

a Sustainable Livelihood Program meeting

The SLP is a community-based capacity building program that seeks to improve the socio-economic status of program participants. It is implemented through the Community-Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) approach, which equips the program participants to actively contribute production and labor markets by making use of available resources and accessible markets.

an SLP beneficiary sharing her success story

Mrs. Fe Malihan, a 4P beneficiary, shared how she's on her second level loan already and is now paying off P30,000 little by little. Mrs. Lilia Maralit, on the other hand, shared how grateful she is that her kids are now able to go to school and that she can buy shoes for them. Aside from the monetary benefits, she appreciates the learnings, such as gardening, she gets from the seminars.

another Pantawid beneficiary sharing how her SLP loan has helped her family

I'd say the most inspiring story we heard was that of Mrs. Remedios Magadia, who has a small sewing business. She availed of a level two house improvement loan that's payable in two to four years without interest. She told us they have to submit proposals (SLP teaches them how to do that) to prove that their personal projects are viable.

Nanay Remedios does her sewing business at home

We accompanied Nanay Remedios back to their house, a simple structure she proudly calls home because, according to her, it used to be just patches of wood and roofing. She relayed to us how her son got sick, was bedridden, and eventually died in 2004 and they had to scramble for money to pay for medical bills. At the time, she was the treasurer of their group and had P54,000 cash on hand. Nanay Remedios told us that she never touched the money because she believes trust is something you will not gain back once lost. I deeply appreciate that reminder and lesson from someone who is content living a sometimes hard, but simple life.

sometimes, you just have to look up and be thankful for all the blessings you've been given

These are just some of the eye-openers I personally encountered during the first day of our Learning Visit. I'll write more about the other things I learned and the inspiring people I met during the second day in another blog post. Thanks for reading! I hope you also learned something from reading this particular entry.

Ital Design celebrates the renovation of its showroom at MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City by offering premium Dunlopillo mattresses (read a related blog post here) at special prices from July 16-19, 2015.

Compact and Cozy

The innovation of this one of a kind luxurious showroom aims to encourage customers to imagine the possibilities that mattresses and furniture hold. Highlighted in display featuring Dunlopillo mattresses are 10 uniquely decorated vignettes in styles appealing to every type of customer. Ital Design and Dunlopillo will make it easier to create your personal haven whether you’re young professional, a student, or a parent.

Modern Tropical

Customers visiting the new showroom can expect an introductory discount for Dunlopillo’s new model mattress Elena, which will be sold at the special price of 50% off. All-time favorite mattresses Romero Premium and Firmest Luxe will also be included at reduced prices. If you have plans to decorate and furnish your home in the coming days, make sure you visit the new Ital Design showroom to check out their premium goods at reasonable prices.

Crimson Haven

In case BGC is not very accessible for you, Dunlopillo is also available at the Libis Showroom, the Edsa-Cubao Showroom, MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City, MC Home Depot in Pasig, Ayala Center Cebu, and Abreeza Mall Davao. Click here for the complete addresses and contact details of each.

Gentleman's corner

Follow Ital Design on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/ITAL-DESIGN-Furniture-Depot and on Instagram through @italdesignph

Filipinos are known to love good food and if you're always on the lookout for great places to dine in, read on!

say cheese!

I had lunch yesterday at City Garden Grand Hotel and enjoyed my time at Spice Cafe. This beautiful dining place on the 7th floor exudes an elegant yet welcoming vibe. The lighting is superb while the attractive furniture are well-spaced out making it very easy to navigate in between tables while holding a plate-full of delicious offerings.

salad bar

The Spice Cafe boasts of a sumptuous breakfast and lunch buffet hailed as one of Makati's best. Its wide range of cuisines include a variety of international favorites. Aside from the refined class of service by its friendly staff, the pretty arrangements of food items would definitely please your eyes.

roast beef and baked potatoes

Of course, the generous spread prepared by exceptional culinary talents would get your tummy excited and your palate satiated. I started my meal with several kinds of salad and a slice of soft cheese accompanied by nuts and fruits. I'd love to go back for more greens because the vinaigrette is really good but I had to save some space for other equally tempting dishes.

breads

I next went to the Japanese cuisine section and got me prawn and vegetables tempura and a couple slices of roast beef. Because I was having a lively catch-up session with a friend and colleague whom I haven't seen for quite some time, I finished the whole plate before I realized I forgot to take a photo of my choices!

tempura!

The same happened with the plate of dimsum I sprinkled with roasted bits of garlic and savory soy sauce. I figured though that good food is best consumed with good company anyway :)

Japanese station

I wanted to try several more of the many other dishes but my cravings for dessert overcame the thought as I saw other guests getting pieces of colorful fruits, dipping morsels in the chocolate fountain, and relishing slices of pastries that looked really amazing.

prawns wrapped in noodles

It was quite overwhelming to be presented with so many choices but I am glad I was able to savor dishes I really have a fondness for. I believe The Grand Lunch Buffet definitely has something (or lots of things!) to delight any palate.

sweet treats

This July, instead of P988 nett, Spice Cafe is offering this lovely buffet from 11:30AM to 2:30PM at 30% off! To inquire or make a reservation, just call 888 8181. City Garden Grand hotel is located at Makati corner Kalayaan Avenue.

care for a dip? ;-)

Keep updated with the hotel's upcoming promos such as the monthlong feast of Spanish dishes called Cocido de España in August, the Moon Cake Festival in September, the Tex Mex Oktober Fest in October, the Grand Thanksgiving and Trick or Treating in November, Yuletide Season in December, and the New Year Countdown Gala before January 2016 comes around. Log on to citygardengrandhotel.com and like City Garden Grand Hotel on Facebook for further details.

New Era, the world's most renowned headwear brand and official provider of on-field caps to Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL), has just opened its first store in the Philippines last Tuesday.

one of the pretty models present during the store launch

Cap enthusiasts get to choose from over 500 cap styles inspired by different sports leagues and iconic characters, including the much celebrated 59FIFTY fitted cap, which has been considered as the premium cap of choice.

my top choices :)

It's quite overwhelming, actually, to see all the very nice, authentic merchandise displayed all over this flagship store because I saw a lot of designs I like, especially the ones with the Avengers and Iron Man logos.

New Era logo

According to Melvin Lloyd Lim, Chairman and CEO of Authentic Caps Retail Inc., the New Era store opening in the Philippines has been a much-anticipated event. "There are a lot of cap enthusiasts and New Era cap fans in Manila alone. Bringing the brand here and giving it its own store is sure to amplify the resurging interest in caps and headwear in general," he shared, adding that they are ready to fuel a cap revolution.

licensed sports caps

The first New Era store in the country is said to bring the best interior designs from other flagship stores around the globe. Another interesting feature is the cap blocking machine, which helps shape recently-bought caps and freshen up worn ones. In addition to caps, New Era also carries apparel, bags, cap care products, and other cap accessories.

cap blocking machine

As to designs, New Era has an impressive and comprehensive archive with licenses that are among the most extensive in the headwear industry. Choose from beautifully-rendered logos and characters from Marvel, Disney, Star Wars, Looney Tunes, DC Comics, Peanuts, Wu Tang Clan, Flintstones, and Muhammad Ali. Apart from the MLB and NFL, the store also carries sports licenses from the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Basketball Association (NBA).

apparel, bags, and more are also available at New Era

“The brand’s heritage is so rich that it is known in many parts of the world," revealed Jonathan Lau, Authentic Caps President and COO. "We are bringing Filipinos closer to this heritage while providing options for high quality headwear.”

Captain America and Spiderman caps

To those who are not familiar with its history, New Era caps was founded in 1920 by Ehrhardt Koch with a US$ 5,000 capital from his aunt. His small shop became known for men’s casual and uniform caps, including what is known today as “newspaper” or “flapper” caps. Later, he eventually forayed into creating professional baseball caps, catering to pro teams such as Pittsburgh Pirates, the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, and Detroit Tigers, among others. In 95 years, the small shop in Buffalo, New York spawned a multi-national business.

what's up, Doc? ;-)

The flagship store launch was graced by performances by The Crew Dance and Red Bull BC One Philippines Cypher winner B-Boy Haslah while VIP guests included David Guison, Mikey Bustos, RA Rivera, Quark Henares, Jinri Park, Erika Padilla, Kean Cipriano, Raimund Marasigan, and Luke Landrigan, among others.

more sports caps

Daniel Broderick, New Era Cap Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, described that New Era is an American lifestyle brand rooted in sports that translates very well with the Philippines market. "We are delighted to work with an experienced partner like Authentic Caps to assist in growing the brand and delivering New Era products to the Philippine consumer,” he said.

cap fun with blogger friends
photo credit: Ed Uy

Visit the store at the Upper Ground floor of SM Megamall Building B. For more information and updates about New Era Philippines, like https://www.facebook.com/neweracapph and follow @NewEraCapPH on Instagram.

If I remember it right, it was two hundred twenty pesos (P220) -- that's how much hubby and I would set aside every few weeks in the mid-1990s so we can buy a Red Ribbon Chocolate Mousse Cake! We love how its layers blend perfectly into a delicious kind of sweetness that tastes really heavenly.

solid Red Ribbon Chocolate Mousse fan for over 20 years!

We were living at the time in a small apartment in Los Baños, Laguna with our two young kids. Hubby usually buys the cake in Manila on his way home from work. It's too bad that taking pictures then was not as convenient as it is now. If it was, I probably would have dozens of stock photos of us enjoying our favorite cake whether it was a special occasion or not.

Red Ribbon's Black Forest Cake was my
firstborn's requested cake for his most recent birthday

Later on, when the boys started getting bigger, we had them choose what cakes they'd like for their birthdays. Sometimes, they'd prefer Red Ribbon's Black Forest Cake or one of those yummy Cake Rolls.

Red Ribbon's Mango Cake -- another Floresca family favorite

And since mango is hubby's favorite fruit, we also started buying the Mango Cake, which is also lip-smacking good!

one of those extended family celebrations with a Red Ribbon cake

Since last year, we've been buying Dedication Cakes because it's also nice to express love and birthday greetings with words.

Red Ribbon's Dedication Cake was perfect for celebrating
our special child's most recent birthday

Fast forward to two decades later since we first started buying Red Ribbon cakes, the Chocolate Mousse remains one of my top, all-time favorite, sweet treats. I find it amazing that it has been that long ago and I'm so glad this variant is still around for us to enjoy.

bought a Red Ribbon cake earlier today … can you guess what's inside? ;-)

These days, I still buy one for those "just because" days. After all, any day is worth celebrating when you are with people you value most in the world, right? :)

Sun Life Encourages Filipinos to be #FIT2LiveFree this Financial Independence Month

Take a Wellness Journey with Robinsons Supermarket's Wellness Festival and "I Love Wellness" Campaign

CUBIX, a Cherry Mobile Smartphone Brand, To Be Sold Exclusively in Lazada

Take Away Children's Fear of Mathematics with the Help of Galileo Enrichment Learning Program's Singapore Math Learning Festival!

The Many Ways I "Do More With Less" Using Our Electrolux Home Appliances

Contours Body Design Studio on Excess Fat: "We Melt It, You Burn It"

It's #MagnumNowOrNever! Say Goodbye to Magnum Manila Before It Closes in July 2015

A Song That Needs to be Heard: "The Last Day of Forever" by Len Handler

Race Review: 5 Things I Loved About the Energizer Night Race 2015

Journey to a Fit Body and Mind with Evolve Fitness Studio in Commercenter Alabang

Janine Gutierrez Graces Official Opening of New JBL / Harman Kardon Branch in Fairview Terraces

MOA Complex Opens Esplanade Seaside Terminal for More Accessible Cruises in Manila Bay

The 8th Robinsons' Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run: Successfully Promoting Good Health

Go Bananas with the Minions Invasion at McDonald's!

Papa John's Pizza Gives Away a Mazda 3 on Father's Day!

My Personal Encounter with DSWD's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Sustainable Livelihood Projects

Dunlopillo Mattresses Available at Special Prices in Ital Design, BGC for a Limited Time

Enjoy 30% Off This July at Spice Cafe's Grand Lunch Buffet in City Garden Grand Hotel

Iconic Headwear Brand, New Era Cap, Opens Its First Store in the Philippines

My Family's Best Red Ribbon Cake Choices for Various Occasions