Write, Breathe, Live

One of the things I am sure we all want for our families is good health, right? The question is, what are you doing to make sure you have it? For us, steps to wellness mean paying attention to what we eat, engaging in fitness activities, focusing on the positive sides of life, getting enough rest, and avoiding stressful situations as much as possible.

smiling ladies at the registration booth

Early this year, Robinsons Supermarket (RSC) launched its Route to Wellness campaign, which is a series of promos that give customers rewards for making wiser choices for their wellbeing. March's theme was Explore, May's was Learn, while a Wellness Festival was staged last July.

TV personality Kuya Tonipet hosted the program

This month, Robinsons Supermarket highlighted its Celebrate theme by organizing a Wellness Theme Park at Eastwood Mall last August 6. There, families gathered for a fun and learning-filled day via booths featuring a bubble station, popcorn maker, and photo booth with a roller-coaster background, among others.

this made me miss the walls of Power Up!

I participated in some of the activities and got to do a bit of wall climbing, shooting basketballs, and even spinning a huge wheel to win some prizes. If I were many, many years younger, I'd probably be envious of the little girls having a great time in the beauty spa section :D

fairies welcomed little girls to the J&J booth

Don't be disappointed if you were not able to make it to the Eastwood event though. The journey to wellness continues in all Robinsons Supermarket stores this August until September!

P&G's booth gave freebies when you spin the wheel

Throughout the promo period, you can get a FREE portable picnic mat for a minimum of P3,000 single receipt purchase that includes P500 worth of participating products from Unilever, P&G, Colgate-Palmolive, J&J, Coca-Cola, Selecta, Belo, CDO, and KojieSan, to name a few. Choose among blue, green, and purple picnic mats and bring it along the next time you literally "eat out" with the family :)

the very educational Nestle booth

The Route to Wellness will culminate with Give in December where more wellness rewards await customers. Don't forget to collect at least 5 stamps at every promo period to get a P100 Robinsons gift certificate.

booths like this one helped kids to learn more about health and nutrition

Find out more about RSC's year-long Route to Wellness series of promos and activities by liking RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial on Facebook and visiting www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph. If you haven't started yet, join this #ILoveWellness campaign and aim for a healthier lifestyle by beginning your own fitness journey, today!

Ten years ago, Jazz Burila left her job at a multinational firm to pursue a dream. She founded Beauty Elements Ventures Inc. (BEVI) with the certainty that the Philippine market needs a skin lightening product that works.

Jazz Burila with her Kojie San team and partners

Through extensive research, Burila and her collaborators were able to develop a whitening soap that do not contain harmful ingredients. Soon, BEVI was able to launch the original kojic acid soap formulated the traditional Japanese way but added with high-grade virgin coconut oil to make it even better.

Kojie San's Classic Line

From a few dozen orders back in 2007, Kojie San has now sold millions of soap bars, becoming a top favorite among Filipinos. Today, the innovative product is not only available to consumers across the Philippines but is being distributed worldwide as an export commodity.

BEVI's success story is a testament to Burila's undaunted determination to help Filipinas have a lighter, flawless, and more beautiful complexion. Originating from a humble office in a Makati residential area, the company now operates from an entire building. Moreover, its six-hectare of manufacturing facilities in San Pablo, Laguna provides jobs to more than 500 employees.

Kojie San's Dream White Line

During BEVI's 10th Anniversary celebration at Sofitel Manila earlier this week, Burila effusively thanked the people who had been with her for many years and said she looks forward to more successful years to come.

As proven by its numerous satisfied users, Kojie San effectively evens out skin tone and erases dark spots and other forms of skin pigmentations. It also corrects discoloration while providing skin lightening. The Kojie San Classic Line includes the Skin Lightening Soap, Cleanser+Toner, Face Lightening Cream, and Body Lightening Lotion.

Kojie San for Men

For five consecutive years, as a testament to the brand's commitment to quality, Kojie San has garnered recognition as "Bath Soap Brand of the Year" at the Watson's Health and Beauty Awards and Consumer "SM Top Choice" Awards.

This successful Classic Line has given birth to other categories such as anti-aging, acne treatment, men's skincare, cellulite control, sunblock, and fragrances. BEVI has also formulated a new line of skin brightening products called Bellic.

Bellic Brightening Line

Tricia Gregorio, BEVI Marketing Head, expressed, "We will continue to innovate products and expand our distribution to bring the highest level of consumer experience to a greater number of people. We want to be known as the company who delivers quality and effective products."

Any mom who does household chores knows that washing dishes is made harder when you use the wrong kind of dishwashing product. There are those that don't remove grease very well while others may cause skin irritation, or even leave the taste of soap on our dishes.

keeping a home in tiptop shape is already challenging
so an inefficient dishwashing product should not be added to the equation

Having these kind of problems add more challenges that we don't need because we lose more time in keeping our home in tiptop shape, spending time with our families, and taking care of ourselves. Thus, I am glad to have discovered Might Mom Dishwashing Liquid, a line of de-greasing, anti-bacterial, and deodorizing household products developed by KOHL Industries.

Mighty Mom provides value for money, time efficiency, and
a hassle-free, cleaning experience

KOHL was actually founded way back in 2002 and has become known for the Doctor J brand of isopropyl alcohol that is widely used in hospitals around the country. Now, the family-owned company is making itself known to retail consumers who are looking for more affordable but still effective dishwashing products.

Mr. Aton Atilano

I had the pleasure of chatting with Mr. Aton Atilano, KOHL's President and Chairman, who smilingly confided that he simply wanted a German- (thus more internationally-) sounding name when I asked him where the company name originated. He then shared why they are able to keep Mighty Mom's prices much lower than its competitors.

drawing a mighty mom on a plate :)

"We want Filipinos to know that there are other options in the market aside from those being heavily advertised [commercially] so we can pass on the savings to the consumers," he explained adding they are instead relying on the power of word-of-mouth from already satisfied users.

Nina Atilano

Sir Aton's daughter, Nina, who serves as KOHL's Marketing Manager, revealed that Mighty Mom contains non-toxic ingredients such as glycerin (which serves as moisturizer), denatured alcohol (that helps in de-greasing), and natural fragrance (that doesn't leave any smell after rinsing). "We also use highly purified water and follow the same strict guidelines implemented when making beauty products. We are aware of internationally-banned substances and don't use any that are made in China."

make dishwashing easier and more efficient
by trying Mighty Mom yourself!

Mighty Mom, she said, are made up of ingredients bought from countries like Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Europe. The containers, on the other hand, are made in the Philippines. Moreover, they are FDA-certified on Good Manufacturing Practice.

bloggers taking on the dishwashing challenge

During the product launch, event attendees were asked to "draw" on clean plates using mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, and oil. Later, three guests got to experience first hand the mighty de-greasing power of Mighty Mom when they were asked to clean their plates using different dishwashing liquids. Impressively, Might Mom did very well than the other two brands tested!

results of the dishwashing challenge
Mighty Mom (in the middle) was able to remove grease the most!

We've been using Mighty Mom for several days now and I can also personally attest that it is effective in removing grease from dirty dishes without leaving traces of soapy smell or drying the skin. The proudly Philippine-made product comes in traditional lemon fragrance and the uniquely-Filipino kalamansi scent. It ensures value for money, time efficiency, and a hassle-free, cleaning experience.

Mighty Mom is available in lemon and kalamansi scents

Priced more affordably, Mighty Mom Dishwashing Liquid is available in 250ml bottles (Buy 1 Get 1) priced at P49.75, 500ml bottles (with two FREE 250ml pouches) priced at P88.00; and 1L pump bottles (with three FREE 250ml pouches) priced at P149.00. According to the Atilanos, they will be coming up 10ml sachets soon to make the dish soap even more accessible to the masses. Take note that the freebie offerings are regular and not promo items.

Mighty Mom is sold at SM Supermarket, SM Savemore, SM Hypermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, Metro Gaisano, Wellcome, AFPCES, Pioneer Center, Fisher Supermarket, and San Roque Supermarket. It can also be bought online from www.marketa.ph.

Drinking Mountain Dew was part of my childhood. I remember being fascinated by the green bottle and its yellow green liquid that's very different from the dark-colored sodas many of my friends would usually buy.

Mountain Dew's green color is now in neon!

Now, the iconic green color is joined by two new ones as Mountain Dew makes another historic mark by launching #DEWmocracy, a campaign where Dew lovers are invited to take a stand and let our voices be heard.

Choose your favorite between two new and exciting limited-edition flavors. Blue Shock is charged with raspberry citrus and is known to be cool and stunning. The distinct raspberry-like flavor lets action do the talking and leaves you, well, in shock! Conversely, Live Wire with a blast of orange is loud and electrifying. It is said to be the Dew that hypes the crowd before they start jumping.

What's your Dew flavor? Vote now!

The two new flavors were launched recently at Whitespace with two of the country's top influencers to lead each flavor to victory. Ramon Bautista, who heads the Blue Shock team, declared, "Iba talaga ang tama ng #DewBlueShock for me. It's something that competes the excitement of my day."

Sam YG, however, defended his team's flavor by saying #DewLiveWire is something that "definitely hits the spot. Pare, ito na ang bagong drink of choice ko! What a way to be unique!" Sam and Ramon were joined by other influencers in their teams who battled it out with fun challenges.

two teams led by Sam and Ramon

Over the years, Mountain Dew has been known to champion innovation with each campaign focusing on creativity, adventure, and passion to empower Dew drinkers to embrace new experiences and try new things. Be it action, sports, entertainment, art, or gaming, the brand provides refreshment on all levels.

Kay Paras, Mountain Dew Brand Manager, explained that the goal of the campaign is to "listen to what our consumers have to say and to allow them to engage with the brand. With DEWmocracy, every Filipino has a chance to take a stand, be heard, and select the flavor they want. In the end, your chosen flavor will remain."

Vote now and get a chance to win this!

Everyone has a voice! Express yours by voting for #DewBlueShock or #DewLiveWire via Twitter and Instagram from August 13 until October 31, 2016. Voters of the winning flavor will have a chance to win a brand new Mitsubishi Strada that's perfect for your next wild adventure.

Stay updated with DEWmocracy by Liking Mountain Dew Philippines' official Facebook page and following @MountainDewPH on Twitter and Instagram.

"People leave managers, not companies."

"Employees don't leave organizations, they leave bad bosses."

"Workers resign from their jobs because of their leaders."

However one wants to say it, the idea in these statements is the same. Majority of dissatisfied workers resign from their jobs because they couldn't stand their superiors anymore. That happened to me in the past; several times, in fact. This is one of the reasons why I totally love being a freelancer -- because I can choose who to work with.

touring INOZA Feed Mill Plant - a BAVI sister company
more about our BAVI facilities tour in another post

No matter how much we like our jobs, sometimes, we end up leaving a company due to supervisors and managers who don't treat us well. The funny thing is, only a handful of bosses still seem to recognize this truth!

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Ronald Mascariñas, President and General Manager of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) during my trip to Cebu and I learned so many things from him about running a business, the huge benefits of treating employees well, and other interesting stuff about the Philippine economy.

with Sir Ronald who is now in my list of
most-admired Filipino leaders

BAVI is behind the popular names Bounty Fresh Chicken, Chooks-to-Go, and Uling Roasters. The company, he shared, started with people who lost their jobs when San Miguel Corporation acquired Pure Foods in 2001. Having been successful in heading three businesses (poultry, food service, and fast food) under the latter, Sir Ronald opted to leave the company when he was tasked to head another department that wasn't under his expertise.

Before he left Pure Foods, the UP Los Baños alumnus (I just have to include that because we graduated from the same university :D) was able to totally turn its formerly losing poultry business around. His work principles of honesty and fairness gained him the trust of their many partners. Thus, when BAVI started approaching business owners in 2002, doubts were set aside once they found out that those behind the new company were people from Pure Foods that they trusted to help them grow their businesses.

Uling Roasters' efficient and friendly employees

Starting with 50 employees, BAVI's new management swiftly covered the whole country within the first two years, providing working capital and technical expertise to hatcheries, feed mills, contract growers/poultry farms, and dressing plants. "We don't own all of those," clarified Sir Ronald, "but we have a fully integrated system and we're now probably the strongest poultry integrator company in the the country."

With 800+ employees at present, BAVI's Core Value remains the same. "We want to be fair to everybody. Before our partners even start complaining, we should be able to address the problems right away," pointed out Sir Ronald who started this culture of trust in his former company.

employees of BAVI's Hatchery located in North Cebu

What further impressed me about how BAVI is being run was discovering how the company offered to pay fees for Toastmasters International trainings to employees who would like to develop their public speaking and leadership skills. The 300 employees who took on the challenge were even given incentives whenever they reach a new level (e.g. 15% increase in salary for rank and file employees). Sir Ronald proudly revealed one of his people was able to move up to three levels in one year!

He affirmed that his employees' self-confidence definitely increased citing one who used to attend meetings with a bowed head and who wouldn't speak at all. "Ngayon, madaldal na s'ya," revealed the happy boss. Sir Ronald also shared that BAVI has been given the Crystal Globe Award by Toastmasters for having the highest numbers of members enrolled in the program worldwide.

with BAVI executives Sir Alfred Espina and Sir Antonio Utzurrum

Another notable thing about BAVI is its hiring process where applicants undergo a month-long training before taking a final exam that requires a 100% passing grade before being deployed to his/her assignment. Sir Ronald said 99% is not good enough because it means there's 1% that the applicant didn't learn.

"Before, when problems arise somewhere, the usual excuse would be 'Sir, it's because the supervisor there is new.' Now, when a department shows signs of doing exceptionally well, the reason would be, 'Sir, it's because the supervisor there is new." Awesome contradictions, right?! :) In addition, BAVI sends abroad an average of two to three employees a month for further trainings.

BAVI employees at INOZA Feed Mill Plant

There are so many other things that Sir Ronald talked about that I hope could be compiled in a book so that more leaders could learn from them. Perhaps attrition rates in other companies would significantly decrease. For now, let me end this post with, again, a great nugget of wisdom.

When asked what inspired him to heavily invest in people, Sir Ronald mentioned his love of war movies and his admiration of the strength of elite forces. He illustrated this using the ratio of Israeli vs. Palestine soldiers where one Israeli trooper can take on 20 Palestine fighters. "That's what we want for our employees. Over the years, I know they will be a cut above the rest."

It is exciting to shop for kitchen needs especially when you have a lot of dishes in mind that you’d like to prepare for your family or your food business. However, it can be frustrating when you find yourself at the kitchen tools aisle in a supermarket or department store but couldn’t find exactly what you are looking for.

sample of an elegant buffet setup

The solution to this problem can be found at Mall of Kitchens (MOK), a one-stop-shop for kitchen needs for both commercial/industrial and residential use. It is known as the first foodservice mall in the Philippines that’s fully stocked with quality kitchen equipment, utensils, foodservice furniture, as well as laundry equipment.

MOK is a one-stop-shop for homes and the foodservice industry

MOK is a 2,500sqm. facility featuring set-ups (or business models) for a Café/Bar, Bakery, Hot Kitchen, Gelateria, Wine Room, and Show Kitchen. Each module features all equipment, small wares, and furniture needed to set up a business. For instance, anyone putting up a professional hot kitchen could easily find a combi steamer oven, fryer, grill/griddle, wash water commercial kitchen hood with UV light, and a conveyor pizza oven in just one place.

gelato maker

Among the flagship equipment brands at MOK are Convotherm combi oven, Manitowoc ice machines, Frymaster deep fryers, Taylor soft serve machines, Vittore coffee machines, Lincoln conveyor ovens, True Refrigeration equipment, Vitamix blenders, Winderhalter dishwasher, Turbo Air reach in chillers and freezers, Menumaster microwave ovens, Williams wine chillers, and Kolb deck ovens, which are top choices of hotel chefs, quick service restaurants, fastfood chains, coffee shops, and other businesses in the foodservice industry.

MOK's good-looking executive chef :)

If you love watching food demos, go to MOK because even during an ordinary day, you’ll find hotel chefs, entrepreneurs, and even homemakers listening to MOK’s sales and technical teams as they show the features of kitchen equipment and how to use them as well as corporate chefs holding product demos.

kitchen essentials found in one place

According to Norell Ortega, VP for Sales, Foodservice Manila, they have redesigned Mall of Kitchens in a way for customers to know what to expect and what to purchase “in case they’re interested in a start-up business and for those who want to modernize and update their kitchens. All these can be done in a bright, spacious, and a more relaxing customer-friendly and kitchen-like environment.”

cooking tools for every kitchen

Apart from the business modules, there are also gondolas in systematically organized aisles filled with kitchen and dining essentials featuring a wide assortment of small wares. Need inspiration on how to arrange your dining table or prep your buffet for special dinners? Visit MOK to view its stylish dining table displays and elegant buffet set-ups!

Jenny Carlos

“Our products are priced competitively – if not lower, than others. We have principals and suppliers from the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and other Asian countries, “ described Jenny Carlos, MOK’s VP for Sales of Smallwares. “We also attend international trade shows to keep abreast of innovative and up-to-the-minute trends and designs for further customer satisfaction.

pots and pans of different sizes and for various uses

Smallwares brands available at MOK are comprised of world-class products like Rak Porcelain, Athena, De Buyer, American Metal Craft, Table Craft, and Zieher. Customers will also have access to products being used by top hotels that are not easily found in other stores.

culinary haven

MOK is a division under Technolux, the country’s largest importer and supplier of complete lines of foodservice, smallwares, and laundry equipment for 41 years. The Mall of Kitchens was opened in 2012, the concept of which has since been transformed into a fully integrated showroom and culinary haven allowing the Philippine market to be in step with trends in the foodservice and hospitality industry.

beautiful white smallwares

“MOK is not only a showroom, it is also a retail store,” clarified Carlos who added that they have sales executives to serve corporate clients as well as staff for walk-in customers. Additionally, bringing one’s vehicle to put purchases in will not be problem as they have a big parking area for customers.

large equipment for professional hot kitchens

Moreover, some of the value added services clients can expect from MOK include the well-trained and knowledgeable sales executives who can efficiently provide customers with advice and recommendations. Upon purchase of equipment, one can also avail of free consultations with kitchen and laundry designers under the Technolux by Design service.

find design inspiration from various displays

Mall of Kitchens is open from 9AM to 6PM, Mondays to Fridays. It is located at 9703 Kamagong St. corner Lawaan St. San Antonio Village, Makati City. For inquiries, call 890.6758 or 552.3587. You can also visit www.technolux.net and follow Mall of Kitchens Philippines on Facebook.

What do former House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte, Blas Ople, Wigberto Tanada, and Alberto Romulo have in common? All of them are alumni of Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU)! These men, and countless others, are just a few of the Filipinos who helped forge the Philippines' political foundation and the government on which this country now stands.

MLQU's list of notable alumni

MLQU was founded in 1947 as a law school by Dr. Leoncio Monzon and eighteen other lawyers and justices. Formerly known as Manuel L. Quezon Institute, the establishment later received university status in 1958 and started offering several other undergraduate courses such as Architecture, Engineering, Education, Arts and Sciences, and Criminology.

former House Speaker Sonny Belmonte

Decades later, the school developed and grew in population, needing two campuses in Manila. Unfortunately, student population declined, especially at the school of law where the institution was initially founded. Through the dedication of its directors, major developments were planned and realized. In 2014, the university was acquired by New San Jose Builders Inc. and, with after just one year of operation, the number of enrollees doubled, leading to the school's relocation.

MLQU is now home

From the campus on Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila, the new MLQU moved to a more fitting location in Quezon City, making it much closer to the home of the foremost visionary after whom the school was named. Presently, two new departments occupy Victoria Towers situated along EDSA near Kamuning Road. The Victoria campus holds the new MLQU School of Law and the School of Professional Advancement and Continuing Education (SPACE). These two are just the start of more developments to come.

student lounge of SPACE

Apart from high quality law education, one new highlight of SPACE is its partnership with BLOOMBERG Professionals. This is currently the most sought after education partner of more than 700 corporate institutions and universities all over the world that offers cutting edge approaches in teaching Business and Finance. MLQU, as a partner institution, ensures quality education that will equip students and prepare them to face the real world as soon as they graduate.

bloggers re-creating the classroom scene :)

Another new development is MLQU's partnership with the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Association Inc. (CREBA), allowing the university to offer Real Estate Management courses. With the country's booming real estate market, students who wish to pursue real estate development as a profession will have more grasp on the current trends of how the industry works and on the laws that govern it.

representatives of MLQU, New San Jose Builders, Inc., and CREBA

For the upcoming school years, an entirely new campus will moreover be built along Timog Avenue. This new home of MLQU will be quite different from other schools in the city because a game changer of design and concept was integrated in this development. The campus would house a condominium to accommodate residents and students as well as serve undergraduate courses while also featuring unique and state-of-the-art sports facilities.

my hubby beside the huge MLQU seal

As MLQU continues to expand its campuses, more college courses will open up in the coming years. Visit MLQU SPACE in Quezon City for more information and inquiries about the latest programs and certiﬁcation offerings or contact 683-2327 local 122 or 129. You may also log on to mlqu.edu.ph or its ofﬁcial Facebook page at MLQUOfﬁcial.

These days, saying "I Do" has become lavish affairs that couples thoroughly plan for to create a truly memorable event. In the Philippines, Conrad Manila is the latest wedding urban destination to provide soon-to-be husbands and wives with their dream weddings.

Christian Bautista and Venus Raj wearing Francis Libiran

The idyllic venue brings to life dream nuptials with the help of its dedicated and inspired team of individuals who ensure that guests' needs are impeccably met and every detail immaculately executed. Conrad Manila further features pillar-less, high-ceilinged ballrooms and a spacious outdoor garden able to accommodate various kinds of affairs that range from intimate to big social celebrations.

a simple yet elegant wedding cake

But, aside from being conveniently located near the city's grandest churches, this hotel is also perfectly situated such that weddings and other important gatherings could have the romantic detail of the picturesque Manila Bay sunset vista as their breathtaking backdrop.

one of the gowns designed by Patricia Santos

Last September 3, 2016, Conrad Manila opened its doors for soon-to-wed couples who flocked to the hotel's grand Forbes Ballroom where The Journey to "I Do" was held. The bridal showcase, staged in partnership with Wedding Essentials Magazine, provided interested parties all the assistance they need to be on op of their wedding planning by introducing them to some of the country's top names in the industry.

Patricia Santos in between Vanessa Matsunaga and Lovi Poe

An exhibit, which started at 10AM, featured well-known brands and wedding suppliers such as wedding gown designers Francis Libiran and Patricia Santos; jewelers Bvlgari and Jewelmer; photographers and videographers Metrophoto, Mayad Studios, Lito Sy, Nice Print Photography, Nelwin Uy, and Jaja Samaniego; and event stylists Michael Ruiz Events Styling, 7Lily Flowers, Creasperson and Co., Dave Sandoval Event Stylist, King Louie Flowers by Nikki Chato, and Natural Art.

sweets exhibit by Laduree

Also present were cakes and pastries by Cakeshop by Sonja, Pastry Bin by Penk Ching, Piece of Cake by Yumi Castrillo, and Laduree; music by Berny Pasamba Music Consultancy; car by Rolls Royce; and stationery by The Write Impressions.

beautiful designs by Francis Libiran

Topping the bridal showcase was a fashion show at 6PM featuring the works of Francis Libiran and Patricia Santos. All the gowns and men's outfits were impressive! Among those who walked on the runway and looked gorgeous in their outfits were celebrities Lovi Poe, Vanessa Matsunaga, Christian Bautista, and Venus Raj.

one of my favorite gowns featured on the runway

I am sure many a bride-to-be who were there had a very hard time choosing which wedding gown has the most beautiful design. I did and I am not even getting married again any time soon! (Well, maybe when hubby and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary two years from now :D).

table setting by Creasperson and Co.

To further set the bar for contemporary and stylish unions in the city, Conrad Manila offers standard and premium wedding package arrangements, Divine and Prosperity, with well-curated celebrations in a collection of effortlessly chic choices to suit any modern bride.

amazing details!

Couples are assured that they would enjoy their special day because the hotel's experienced team of event specialists would take care of their needs throughout the celebration. Learn more about weddings at Conrad Manila by calling +63 2 833 9999 or logging on to conradmanila.com. You may also view the hotel's wedding packages through hiltonasiaweddings.com.

more gorgeous gowns and a dapper suit

For more information about Conrad Manila, do visit news.conradhotels.com, Like @ConradManilaPH on Facebook, and follow @conradmanila on Twitter and Instagram.

* To see more wedding gown designs and other photos taken during the event, please click here.

It can be hard to imagine how life is with a family member who has special needs -- until, perhaps, you spend some time to take a peek into our daily lives and see how we exactly face the challenges of parenting a special child.

our special needs family (minus our firstborn who was at the office)

But why would you need to do that, you ask? The thing is, a lot of people still find it hard to accept others who are differently-abled and are resistant about including persons with special needs into the mainstream population.

A compassionate society -- this is where the vision and mission of the Center for Possibilities Foundation (CPF) revolves. The organization was formed 10 years ago by Dolores Cheng, whose son Andreas (now 22) was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay when he was three years old. "There were no support groups for his particular type of disability. I didn't know where to go, who to see, where to find what I needed to know," she recalls.

Dolores with participants of a football game organized by the CFP

"I wanted to understand what it meant to raise a child with special needs. So I thought that maybe if I formed a group of my own, I would be able to ring a call to other people who might be in the same boat and need some help." CFP members come from different backgrounds, different types of families and family lives. "It represents how the world is," Dolores describes.

Since its establishment, CFP has gotten involved in teaching skills and promoting inclusion in underserved sectors through support groups, literature, film showing, and orientation. They have also published books about persons with special needs and organized athletic events that allow special kids to shine.

the film's logo

This September, CFP launches its biggest project to date: a film produced by Dolores and directed by Danny Anonuevo. Entitled YAKAP (or Embrace, in English), the film provides audiences a glimpse into a day in the lives of Evangeline "Gelli" Aventajado, a four-year-old with Down Syndrome; Aaron Joshua "AJ" De Quiroz, an eight-year-old with Epilepsy, Autism, and Global Developmental Delay; and Kevin Avelino, a 45-year-old with Global Developmental Delay.

All three stories are narrated mostly from the points of view of the parents and by Kevin who, admirably, is very independent and has a job working with fellow individuals who also have special needs. "Nothing was scripted. Everything that you will see is natural and unplanned," says Dolores.

Gelli and her parents

More than a film, Yakap presents profiles of true courage -- of sons and a daughter whose disabilities are the only reality they have ever known, and who live their lives the only way they know how, in spite of curious stares, pointing fingers, and hidden smiles -- and of parents and family members who may have grown up thinking normal was everything but ended up learning that different can be the new normal.

According to Dolores, "In line with CFP's vision, we wish for all children with disability to be embraced into the mainstream of our lives and to be treated the way we treat each other -- with compassion, respect, dignity, and acceptance."

AJ and his mom

As a mother to a son with Cerebral Palsy who cannot talk nor walk, I can totally relate to my fellow parents' hopes and fears for their children. It's hard not to wonder (and worry) what will become of our child when his dad and I are already gone. But, like other special needs parents, we do our best to keep the faith that God will continue to be there for James as He has always been since our son was born. We also find ways to give him a comfortable and happy life despite our many limitations.

CFP hopes to bring the film to different places and generate more awareness that there is a need to respect the potential and promise of persons with special needs. They are volunteering to do special screenings in schools and to tie up with community organizations.

Kevin teaching another young man who also has special needs

Aside from advocating for a compassionate society, CFP is also on a quest to build and operate Special Education (SPED) Centers for indigent communities where there are children with special needs who are undiagnosed and untreated. As of this writing, a SPED Center is already open in Sagada while another in Norzagaray, Bulacan is expected to start operating later this year. Sometime in 2017, the group also aims to open two more centers in Tacloban and Sorsogon.

The Centers are brick and mortar structures with tables, surrounded with stimulating materials, equipment, and learning tools that are used to teach kids the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Enrollment is free to help alleviate the cost of taking care of special children from families. Each SPED Center will be operated by a teacher trained in the SPED division of Reach International School. The Centers will also include parent support groups.

one of CFP's parent support group meetings

"In many parts of the country, especially in remote areas, there is no government center dedicated to the identification, recognition, much less support and treatment for persons with special needs," explains Dolores. "Many special children are physically mature but have cognitive and behavioral challenges so it is imperative that we create centers of learning that can teach them some skills with which they can live with some form of independence and dignity."

To arrange for a special screening of Yakap and to know more about how you can help in the establishment of the SPED Centers, please log on to centerforpossibilities.asia or call (02)723.1242 or (0918)888.1759.

The rainy (and stormy) days are here again. And I am sure all of us have experienced, at one time or another, having our feet and shoes soaked in puddles and flash floods. Very inconvenient, right? Especially if you have to endure wet socks inside wet shoes while caught in heavy traffic or walking ankle deep in floodwaters just to get to your destination.

wearing my Converse CTAS II Shield Canvas sneakers

Last year, I fortunately discovered the benefits of wearing the stylish and waterproof Converse Rubber Chucks (read my review, here) and I continue to feel grateful when I have them on during rainy days. That pair has saved my feet (and my other shoes) countless times including one Friday night a couple of weeks ago when heavy rain caused so much traffic, the bus I was riding on got stuck on the Skyway for two hours! Because I was wearing my Rubber Chucks, I eventually got down and confidently walked the remaining 2km going to Magallanes, not minding the puddles and mud other people were studiously avoiding.

some of the pairs from the Counter Climate collection

This 2016, Converse launches its Counter Climate line featuring more fashionable and waterproof sneakers that protect wearers' feet from the elements. I feel fortunate to be test driving the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (CTAS) II Shield Canvas with a water-resistant upper and Nike Lunarlon cushioning that provides superior comfort.

Nike Lunarlon cushioning in middle shoe

Like my trusty Rubber Chucks, I fell in love with the Shield Canvas in black/volt/gum colors because it has a very nice design that I can mix and match with a lot of outfits I have. Aside from black, these sneakers come with an extra pair of shoelaces with bits of reflector threads that help keep me visible at night when vehicle headlights strike them.

Converse Counter Climate apparel collection

The CTAS II Shield Canvas (high cut) is available in six color combinations, which you can view, here. It is priced at P4,550 and comes in men's sizes 7 to 11. Unfortunately, my female readers, I heard that Converse Philippines won't be releasing women's sizes in the stores :/

Converse Cons

However, there are a lot of other Counter Climate sneaker designs you can choose from. Just visit any Converse store to scout for a favorite color and design. Plus, stand by for the Pre-Holiday Sale happening this coming September 12 - 18, 2016 in all Converse shops nationwide!

The Dawn sporting Converse sneakers

During the press preview held at Sky High Bar at Ace Hotel and Suites in Pasig City, we not only got to have a sneak peek of Converse's latest and coolest shoes and apparel designs, we also had the pleasure of listening to a live mini-concert by The Dawn whose members, by the way, were also happily wearing Converse sneakers.

Converse Philippines endorsers

Also present during the event were Converse endorsers and GMA stars Julie Ann San Jose, Bianca Umali, and Benjamin Alves.

there are also Jack Purcell pairs in the collection!

So, the question remains … are you tired of having cold feet, literally, every time it rains? I strongly recommend that you grab yourself a pair from the Converse Counter Climate Fall/Holiday 2016 Collection. You won't regret it, promise!

Let's admit it. Very few of us know how to do proper financial planning. On our own, it will take a lot of time to self-educate ourselves on how best to manage our personal finances along with planning for a secure future. Sure, there are self-help books, seminars, and courses we can enroll in to learn more about handling our finances but it will greatly benefit us to get help from an expert we can directly talk to about budgeting, investing, etc.

personal finance planning can be tricky if you don't know how to go about it properly

That's what a Financial Advisor (FA) is for -- to properly guide you in choosing the best ways to grow your money towards financial freedom for yourself and for your family. According to Registered Financial Planner (RFP) Aya Laraya, "Planning ahead with specific goals and getting the help of a licensed financial professional will help you make smarter financial moves and help you take more control of your future."

Last Saturday, my husband and I attended Sun Life's #Money4LifeChallenge seminar where Aya helped us understand the importance of finding a financial advisor who is a perfect fit for our needs.

Aya advised that before beginning this business relationship, one should clearly state expectations by letting the potential FA know the financial goals you'd like to achieve and what you would like him/her to help you with.

a Financial Advisor is someone you can trust and be comfortable with

Don't hesitate to ask questions. He suggests inquiring about the following:

How are you being compensated for this engagement?
How knowledgeable are you about the products you are offering me?
Do you have insurance policies of your own?
What's you location and limitations? Could you meet me any time there's an emergency?
How will you be updating me about my policy and investments?

Likewise, it is strongly recommended that you verify the company the FA is representing as well as his/her license as a Financial Advisor. Do not rush into a relationship after talking to just one or two people. "It's perfectly okay to take the time to talk to several advisors first to know who you will be comfortable to work with for a long time," counsels Aya.

prepare NOT to fail by finding a financial advisor today!

Once you find the best FA who you think suits your needs, "Be transparent as much as possible. It's just like consulting with a doctor. He/she cannot treat you correctly if you do not provide accurate information."

* first two photos borrowed from Sun Life Canada's website and the last photo from Sun Life Financial Philippines' Facebook page

I grew up in the province where adults would usually prohibit kids from playing outside under the sun because they believe we will get head lice if we do. I also heard warnings that kids who won't let their moms or grandmas remove lice from their heads will be flown off towards the mountains once the lice multiplied a thousand times.

the truth is, kids can get lice from direct contact with others who have infested heads

It's funny to find out that celebrity mom, Love Añover, was also told the same things, and more, when she was growing up. Now that we're both mommies, I can totally relate to her story of having her child infected with head lice by their house helper. The same thing happened to my kids when they were still small.

One summer, my boys stayed with their cousin for a week and when they got home, their hair and scalps were crawling with lice! It turned out that my sister-in-law's helpers were infected and passed on the condition to all the kids they took care of. It took me days to diligently remove the nits (eggs) and lice by hand and by suyod from my boys' heads :(

Licealiz brings the KKK campaign to public schools

Parents these days are fortunate because there's already (Pyrethrin) Licealiz, the effective and affordable head lice treatment shampoo formulated by Lamoiyan Corporation, a proudly Filipino company. With September being Head Lice Prevention Month, Lamoiyan recently launched a health education campaign with the aim to help communities around the Philippines address the problem of kuto (lice).

Dubbed Kilusang Kontra Kuto (KKK) in partnership with the Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP) and supported by the UP Manila College of Public Health, the educational movement seeks to spread awareness about lice infestation issues while also preventing and treating head lice.

Dr. Vita explaining the advantages of using Licealiz
and dispelling myths about head lice

Yesterday, we visited the Bagong Nayon I Elementary School in Antipolo where Lamoiyan held a KKK activity. Activations ambassador, Dr. Maria Michelle Vita, who travels with the Licealiz team and gives lectures to parents of public school students about head lice prevention and treatment, explains that they formed KKK to help stop the spread of misinformation and to remove the stigma associated with being infested.

Here are several misconceptions Filipinos have about lice and the real deal about them:

Myth: It's no big deal to have lice.

Truth: The itching sensation lice's saliva leave on the scalp lead victims to scratch their heads, which may lead to development of wounds that can get infected by dirty nails.

truth: having good hygiene is no guarantee you won't get infected with lice

Myth: Having good hygiene prevents lice infestation.

Truth: Lice don't choose their hosts. Whether rich or poor, even the cleanest kids can experience getting head lice if they're not careful. Teach them to avoid objects that can be possibly infected such as other peoples' combs and hair accessories as these can be lice carriers. It's also probable to get head lice from sofas, headrests, shared pillows, blankets, and other items we tend to lean our heads on.

Myth:Suyod (fine-toothed comb used to remove lice), coconut oil, and kerosene are effective in getting rid of lice.

Truth:Suyod can only do so much, coconut oil does not kill lice, while kerosene can be dangerous to health and is a fire-hazard.

truth: lice do not have the capacity to jump or fly

Myth: Lice can jump and fly.

Truth: Lice have six legs and they can only crawl. Having a multitude of them on your head still won't lift you off the ground.

Myth: People with short hair will not get head lice.
Truth: Head lice feeds on blood from the scalp. Having a hair cut (unless you completely shave off all hair) will not make you less prone to lice infestation.

watch this KKK teaser video

Dr. Arlene Bertuso, an entomologist and professor from UP Manila, reveals, "A study by the DepEd in 2009 estimated that 8 million public school students aged 7 to 12 years old were infested with head lice." She shared that head lice can live for up to 30 days in a human head and that females can lay up to 100 eggs in their lifetime.

While a continuous cycle produces more and more lice, itchiness could be the least of a child's worries. Many lice-infected children have experienced being ridiculed, bullied, laughed at, or shunned by their peers and this social stigma can leave lasting psychological damage as well as result in missed school days when the child refuses to attend classes anymore.

the KKK campaign aims to make public school children kuto-free

"This problem affects a huge number of people," attests Balbina Borneo, President of the MCNAP, who revealed that nurses all over the Philippines, especially those assigned in schools, commonly encounter children suffering from head lice infestation.

And since kuto can be easily transmitted through direct contact with an infested person or object, the solution is not just to treat the heads affected but through a joint effort by homes, schools, and communities. Parents, for instance, should regularly inspect their children's hair as well as those of everyone in the household.

moms who blog with Love, Ms. Borneo, and Dr. Bertuso
photo credit: ComCo Southeast Asia

Dr. Bertuso likewise urges communities to start regular programs wherein school nurses or barangay health workers can diagnose people with head lice and advise them on proper head lice treatment and prevention. "Head lice might not be deadly, but the social stigma associated with having them makes kuto infestation a public health problem worthy of concern," she reiterated.

Moreover, Borneo reminds adults to take action in keeping their households kuto free through simple activities such as avoiding the sharing of combs, towels, and other materials that touch the hair and regularly replacing beddings and pillowcases.

a helpful guide to treating and preventing head lice using Licealiz shampoo

This month, Licealiz is holding shampooing programs and activities for public school students all over the country as well as posting educational materials in its Facebook page about head lice and how to fight them. I personally saw how effective Licealiz is when the attendants started combing hair of the shampooed students and out came dozens of (I assume, dizzy and near death) lice clinging to the suyod.

Love discloses that when her daughter contacted lice from their helper, "We wanted to try something clinically tested and proven in removing lice. We tried Licealiz head lice treatment shampoo and, after two weeks of use, my child was lice-free!"

Licealiz is available in 10ml sachets for P12.00 each and 60ml bottles for P71.75 each

Directions for use: It is recommended that Licealiz be used twice a week (leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing) for the first two weeks to get rid of lice as the eggs left on hair strands will still hatch and breed. To ensure that no lice will remain, use Licealiz once a week on the third and fourth weeks.

This Head Lice Prevention Month, do join the Kilusang Kontra Kuto and help change the public's perception about kuto infestation and spread correct information regarding head lice prevention and treatment. For more details and other myths and truths, visit Licealiz's Facebook page.

Our home should be a haven where the family feels safe. Unfortunately, there are household pests that still get to invade our privacy and, worse, bring unwanted diseases that bring us harm. Personally, I strongly hate mosquitoes because they are the reasons why I spent a couple of weeks in the hospital when I was still in college due to a bad bout with dengue. I don't want that to happen to my kids!

a bite from an infected mosquito can have deadly consequences!

Thus, any sign of mosquito activity in our house means war! I feel no qualms about liberally spraying their hiding places with Pest Off! Complete Insect Killer. I like this aerosol spray brand because:

1. It is effective. Besides our bedrooms and the living room, I often spray around our laundry area before I start loading clothes in the washing machine. Since we do laundry outdoors, I make sure I don't get bitten by mosquitoes even while hanging clothes to dry.

2. It is versatile. Aside from mosquitoes, Pest Off!'s special formulation kills other flying and crawling insects like cockroaches, houseflies, fleas, and other insects that also cause many diseases. The spray drives pests out of their hiding places and eliminates them.

Pest Off! Complete Insect Killer
is available in two sizes

3. It is not harmful to the environment. Pest Off! Complete Insect Killer does NOT contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which may be harmful for the environment. Instead, the spray uses hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) that break down before reaching the ozone layer.

4. It has no strong unpleasant smell. Although the can says Odorless, there's still a slight scent but that quickly dissipates in seconds. Still, as with other aerosol products, it is recommended that you do not re-enter a room for 30 minutes after spraying.

compare prices w/ other brands and you'll see
how affordable Pest Off! is

5. It is very affordable and costs less than its competitors. Pest Off! is priced at P129.90 (175g/260ml) and P183.30 (350g/520ml) from Shopwise Supermarket.

If you feel that keeping your family safe from pests is costly, I suggest you try Pest Off! products. You can also read my review of the Pest Off! Rodent Control line, which is very effective in catching mice and rats but is more affordable than other brands.

Pest Off! is available at Shopwise and other major supermarkets nationwide

Apart from Shopwise, Pest Off! Complete Insect Killer is also available at Robinsons Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Puregold, and Cash & Carry as well as other supermarkets nationwide. Keep updated about the latest promos and also check out other products by Liking Pest Off Philippines on Facebook.

A lot of studies have already proven the many benefits of educational play. These activities not only provide entertainment, but more so offer advantages for the many facets of a child's development.

KidZania Manila mascots

Last year, KidZania Manila opened in Bonifacio Global City and it continues to delight thousands of children who loved role playing different "jobs" offered at the Interactive Kids' City.

If your little one hasn't been there yet, here's your chance to win courtesy paZZes for you and your child ℅ Lady's Choice Philippines!

First, you have to buy a Lady's Choice Roast Beef or Lady's Choice Chicken BBQ spread and keep the proof of purchase. TIP: Both flavors are really good! I suggest you try them both :)

choose your Lady's Choice flavor: #ChickenorBeef and join the promo!

For the next steps, please refer to the complete contest mechanics posted at the Lady's Choice website. Make sure you follow the instructions for your entry to be validated. The contest is open to all Moms based in the Greater Manila Area (Metro Manila and parts of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija).

Grab this chance, now! Deadline of submission is on September 30, 2016.

For coffee lovers, this widely consumed beverage is a must-have at least once a day. After all, that caffeine kick can help get us through a busy morning or a tough client presentation. For some, coffee can even serve as a way to ask someone on a date or as a great bonding moment with friends.

City Blends: the third wheel in JaDine's dates

However, famous couple James Reid and Nadine Lustre of the JaDine fame humorously admit that coffee is a constant third wheel when they get together on dates. They also drink it in between shooting TV shows and films. Their choice of coffee brand? 7-Eleven's City Blends.

"I prefer Brewed Coffee. It helps me focus on set where there are so many distractions," revealed James. Nadine, on the other hand prefers her coffee sweet so she loves French Vanilla because, "the creamy taste perks me up."

these hugot lines are funny! :)

City Blends is honest-to-goodness coffee made fresh as you order. It is offered in 7-Eleven, under the Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), country licensee of the leading convenience store chain. City Blends comes in four distinct flavors -- French Vanilla, Mochaccino, Brewed Coffee, and Hot Chocolate. Each one is perfect for every feeling and comes with their own "hugot line" in every cup.

Made from 100% Arabica beans, City Blends Brewed Coffee boasts of an intense flavor that, as James mentioned, perks you up and perfectly complements those moments when you need to focus and get something done right away. But, if you like your coffee frothy and sweet like Nadine, French Vanilla can give you that kilig feeling brought on by its creamy sweetness. Meanwhile, those who prefer a balance between strong and sweet flavors, the Mochaccino is for you (and me 'coz that's my favorite City Blends flavor!) – a perfect combination of coffee and delicious rich chocolate.

there's actually a funny story behind this groupfie
curious? ask me about it when you see me :)

Lee Esguerra, PSC Marketing Communications Division Head, shared, "Starting at Php20, we offer coffee oozing with honest-to-goodness flavors, just like reel-to-real life couple James and Nadine. For a year now, JaDine has been our partner in promoting City Blends. And, with the overwhelming response to the couple’s commercial last year, they will once again show everyone how honest feelings can be expressed through City Blends coffee in our new commercial.”

Last Thursday, 7-Eleven gave us a sneak peek of JaDine's new City Blends TV commercials during the Honest Flavors / Honest Feelings event held at Oasis in Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City. Alongside the TVC are two new promos through the CliQQ rewards program.

reel-to-real life couple

1. Get a JaDine Limited Edition Folder and Sticker Set by collecting City Blends e-stamps on your CliQQ App. Promo runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 22, 2016. Here are 3 ways to redeem:

Earn 15 e-stamps and get the folder and stickers for free
Earn 2 e-stamps and add Php 59, or
Buy it for Php 99

2. Join the Big Bear Raffle Promo as 7-Eleven is also giving away the giant teddy bear featured in the new City Blends commercial! Just collect 30 e-stamps to get an e-raffle entry. Promo runs from Oct. 12 to Dec. 31, 2016.

win this bear in 7-Eleven's latest "pa-oso!" ;-)

How to earn e-stamps with every City Blends cup you buy? An 8 oz cup entitles you to 1 e-stamp, 12 oz to 2 e-stamps, and 16 oz to 3 e-stamps – in the card/app when customers have their unique barcodes scanned.

Enjoy the different flavors of City Blends beverages that are currently available in 740 7-Eleven stores. By the end of 2016, City Blends will be available in 980 stores nationwide, so watch out for more of #JaDinefor711 in the coming months! For more info and updates, follow 7-Eleven Philippines on Facebook, @711philippines on Twitter, and @711ph on Instagram.

Filipinos love watching films and TV series and we have a wide variety of local ones. For many movie goers, seeing a light romantic comedy can already help take a day's stresses away. Others love screaming with friends and scaring each other over Pinoy horror films while some watch teleseryes with stories they can usually relate to.

movie buffs

Whatever your reasons for watching are, I believe supporting Filipino talents and the local film and TV industry is a good thing. HOOQ successfully helped promote this with its second HOOQ Hangouts themed #LovePinoy last Friday night with a screening of Every Breath You Take starring Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban at the Globe Iconic Store in Bonifacio Global City.

Jane Cruz-Walker, Country Manager of HOOQ Philippines, explained, "With the start of the -ber months, everyone is expecting the weather to be a bit colder, so we chose a romantic comedy that's guaranteed to rekindle that warm fuzzy feeling and make our subscribers feel some Pinoy love."

#LovePinoy at HOOQ Hangouts

With close to 1,2000 Filipino movies spanning almost 50 years (1980's to 2016) and over 4,000 hours of local television (teleseryes, comedy, and reality shows), HOOQ definitely has a rich catalog of local content. It is the prime destination for Filipino entertainment compared to other video-on-demand services in the country.

"Pinoy films/TV shows are closest to our hearts because they tell the stories of our lives, that is why we have signed licensing deals with the top Philippines studios including ABS-CBN, Regal, Viva, and GMA," added Cruz-Walker.

Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager

With HOOQ, users can stream or download romantic flicks featuring celebrity couples like James Reid and Nadine Lustre's Diary ng Panget and This Time; John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo's top-billed romantic blockbusters One More Chance, Close to You, and The Mistress; and the melodramatic A Secret Affair starring Derek Ramsay and Anne Curtis.

Craving for Pinoy Action Blockbusters? HOOQ also has you covered with On The Job, Muro Ami, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, Deathrow, and Dugo ng Panday leading the list. For the horror film aficionados, you can scream your lungs out with classics such as Feng Shui, Sukob, Shake Rattle and Roll series, and The Healing.

life-sized movie and celebrity standees for photo-ops at HOOQ Hangouts

If you prefer to laugh, choose to watch Sisterakas, Kimmy Dora, Wang Fam, My Amnesia Girl, and Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy with top comedians Vice Ganda, Eugene Domingo, and Toni Gonzaga as headliners. Want to go further back all the way to the '80s? You can also enjoy watching hard to find classics ranging from Bagets and Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas to Temptation Island, Rizal, and Ishmael Bernal's City After Dark.

In case you missed certain TV series episodes, open the HOOQ app and watch entire seasons of Imortal, Encantadia, Walang Hanggan or play catch-up with those currently airing like GMA's Singungaling Mong Puso and Someone to Watch Over Me.

Piolo Pascual at the HOOQ Hangouts event

Not to be left behind is the rich collection of independent titles such as Metro Manila, Sonata, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, Zombadings, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, and the works of top Filipino directors like Erik Matti, Peque Gallaga, Aureus Solito, Jade Castro, and Real Florido as well as award-winning writers Moira Lang, Antoinette Jadaone, and Michiko Yamamoto.

Last year, HOOQ also showed its support for the Metro Manila Film Festival and short film/animation category by making MMFF movies available on the app. You can find more information about that in my previous blog post.

hanging out at HOOQ Hangouts is fun!

I loved my first HOOQ Hangouts experience this past week because I got to hang out with some blogger friends and finally knew what's it's like to be in an outdoor cinema. Make sure you keep updated on the next schedules via the HOOQ Philippines page on Facebook or by following @hooq_ph on Twitter and Instagram.

In the coming months, HOOQ Hangouts will be featuring more blockbusters and all-time favorites through the massive Samsung LED screens at the Globe Iconic Entertainment Zone. This free outdoor cinema venue provides viewers with beanbags, pillows, and cushions for full enjoyment of the show. There, participants also get to enjoy on-ground entertainment and activities, munch on free popcorn, and win raffle prizes.

stay tuned for the next installments of HOOQ Hangouts!

HOOQ is Asia's largest video-on-demand service with over 10,000 movies and TV shows. FYI, Globe customers can get free access to HOOQ with selected GoSURF mobile data plans as well as Broadband Plan 1299 and up. Get a 7-day free trial by visiting www.hooq.tv. Once the trial expires, continue enjoying HOOQ for a monthly P149 subscription fee charged to your Globe bill. Simply text HOOQ149 to 8888.

Nobody wants to get sick. Not only can illness be inconvenient when it causes a lot of physical pain and missed days from school or work, but more so because it can be very expensive as getting sick often involves expenses such as doctor's fees, costly medical procedures, and medicines.

based on personal experience, Generika has some of the friendliest
and most helpful pharmacists around

Personally, I am very thankful that the Philippines now has R.A. 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008. Since it was passed, a lot of Filipinos, including my family, were finally able to have access to life-saving medicines because we are no longer forced to buy high-end brands that cost a lot of money.

Generika Drugstore is actually a pharmacy my family regularly buys medicine from. Thus, I am glad to learn more about it during a media event recently held at Fairmont Makati. According to its executives, the company is driven by an enduring social purpose: to help create a nation where every family can afford their basic healthcare needs.

Generika Drugstore executives

This mission began 13 years ago when Generika became one of the pioneers in the Philippines' generics industry. Today, they have over 630 stores nationwide that continue to provide Filipinos with safe, high-quality, and affordable generic medicines. Now that it is a part of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc., Generika have the bolstered capacity to provide even better healthcare services to the Filipino people.

At the heart of Generika Drugstore is Gabay Generika, the philosophy behind every single thing that the company does, embodied by the passion of their pharmacists whose aim is to guide and assist customers not just through dispensing of drugs, but also to provide expert advice.

my hubby having his blood sugar tested

At its core, Gabay Generika is a new line of value-adding PLUS services that include free blood pressure monitoring, affordable mobile laboratory offerings, and blood sugar testing. One of the things I likewise appreciate when buying medicines from them is the accompanying Gamot Guide, a printed reminder to help customers understand how to better take the medicine we bought.

The Gamot Guide clearly indicates the medicine's purpose, proper dosage and administration (with vs. without food), side effects, and other reminders. Combined with free patient consultations, customers are equipped with every information needed to safely and effectively use our medications.

the very useful and informative Gamot Guide

This passion for patient well-being is best exemplified by Actimed -- Generika's own brand, which is a line of high quality generic medicines sourced from reputable manufacturers here and abroad. These have passed Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) standards and are guaranteed to be safe and as effective as their branded counterparts. Soon, Actimed will include wellness and nutraceutical products such as probiotics and health supplements all at a price point more affordable than those currently available in the market.

Generika's advocacies for better health care extends with MEDPadala, an innovative digital service that enables Filipinos living overseas to provide for their family's healthcare needs. Through an online platform, migrants and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can buy gift certificates, with redemption instructions to be sent via text messages or email, so they could ensure their loved ones have the means to purchase much-needed medications. The GCs are also available in every Generika outlet and via partners such as LBC, Ventaja PayRemit, PayVenue, Ayannah, Beam and Go, and many more.

Actimed is a line of high-quality affordable medicines
available in Generika Drugstores

Finally, more Filipinos can now improve their overall well-being with Gabay Generika serving as a strong anchor for better public service, MEDPadala as a means to improve access to medication, and Actimed as an expanding line of quality generics. In four to five years' time, Generika Drugstore further aims to have 1,000 outlets in the country.

To know more about MEDPadala, visit medpadala.com.ph. Also, keep updated about Generika Drugstore and Gabay Generika through www.generika.com.ph.

Women power happens when ladies come together and unselfishly share what they know so they can help others. I am glad to have joined a recent workshop at La Creperie Makati conducted by Lysol and Whole Mom PH where guests were treated to talks on home care and self-care by Marilen Faustino Montenegro, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, and Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio.

the Lysol and Whole Mom teams with moms who blog

Here's some of the nuggets of wisdom shared by the three lovely ladies …

Marilen gave tips to Organizing One's Living Room. She gave three pointers that should be easy to remember:

1. Use trays to organize little objects like TV remote controls, small decor, and other living room essentials. Find attractive ones that can help tell a visual story.

2. Invest in decorative baskets that can help hide messy things like toys or keep essentials like living room blankets for those cold days when you just want to curl up on the sofa while reading a book or watching TV.

3. Clean as you go. Put things away as soon as you are done using them and remind family members to be tidy at all times.

learn more about home organizing from Marilenstyles.com

Cheska, a self-confessed OC (obsessive-compulsive) when it comes to cleanliness, pointed out that nothing is more enjoyable than coming home to a clean and organized house that exudes peace and tranquility. She believes, "Happiness is cleanliness -- a happy home is a clean home."

The mom of three maintained that cleanliness is an acquired habit, something that a person does in a regular, repeated way. Here's her 3-Step Process to Form Cleanliness Habits at Home:

1. Set reminders with cleaning instructions. Print them and post behind the sink/lavatory, cabinet doors in every toilets and bathrooms of the house.

2. Start with something easy and make sure to provide materials needed to, for example, clean and disinfect the T/B under the sink and lavatory cabinets.

3. Reward yourself or your family members for keeping up a good habit

Cheska demonstrates how easy it is to organize cleaning materials

More of Cheska's tips:

Organize your cleaning materials in a pail and place it in its designated location (e.g. in the bathroom or under the kitchen sink). Place your reminder to clean the room every day on an inconspicuous spot in the T/B.
Check the pail if it has the necessary products such as disinfectant spray for the lavatory and mirror, toilet bowl cleaner, rag, utility sponge, tile brush, and a mop to go along.
Keep a task chart to keep an eye on daily accomplishments.
Post printed reminders.
Sanitize the kitchen after every daily use. Keep a mop in a pail of water filled with disinfectant and placed in a safe corner.
Keep the living room clean by mopping the whole house 3x a day because nothing else can compensate once your health becomes compromised.

Rica, on the other hand, talked about Keeping a Clean Heart. She began with the Bible verse from Proverbs 4:24, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life." She then shared three things to keep in mind when taking care of one's heart.

1. What we put in our hearts. Be mindful of what goes in. As Luke 6:45, ESV, says, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good; and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil; for our of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

2. What we release from our hearts. These should include: encouragement, confessions, forgiveness, and apology.

3. What we keep in our hearts. Like it says in Proverbs 19:11, "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense."

Lysol's new variants

In line with the topic of organizing and cleanliness, Lysol launched its Disinfectant Max Cover Mist designed to cover and disinfect larger soft surfaces to keep them fresh. The wide-angle spray provides 2x wider coverage for surfaces like a king-size mattress or sofa. It sprays an ultra fine Micro Mist that uniformly reaches nooks, crannies, and crevices with no over-wetting.

The new Lysol retains its trusted formula that kills 99.9% of bacteria while eliminating odors to leave behind unbeatable protection and a surprisingly fresh scent. Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist is available in two fragrances: Garden After Rain and Lavender Field. Each 15 oz. (425g) can has an SRP of P411.00 and is primarily available in supermarkets, hypermarkets, club stores, groceries, and drugstore chains.

* photos used courtesy of Ad Garlic Inc.

One of things I regret not learning early in life is proper personal finance management. I wish I knew more about wise budgeting, saving, and investing when I started working and receiving salaries. I believe that would have effectively guided me and my husband in handling our finances better when we got married and started a family 23 years ago.

we all want the best for our families
the question is: what are we doing about it?
photo credit: www.woodcome.com

Still, it's never too late to learn anything as long as you're willing to do so and we've pursued financial literacy (read my related blog posts, here) with a passion when we were finally introduced to it several years ago. As a parent, I am thankful that I can now to help steer my children towards making good financial decisions while they are still young. The learnings never stop though and I always welcome new opportunities to know more about eventually achieving financial freedom someday.

This coming first week of October, the Philippine Life Insurance Association (PLIA) is marking "Life Insurance Consciousness Week"with a string of activities aimed to further boost financial literacy in the country and help Filipinos understand how life insurance can help us fulfill all our life goals.

PLIA President Gregorio Mercado acknowledges that financial literacy among Filipinos remains low thus the need to constantly address this concern. "PLIA strives to contribute to the Insurance Commission's efforts to propagate the importance of financial literacy," he explained. "Moreover, it's a building block for nation-building, because teaching Filipinos how to manage their finances better with the help of different instruments, such as life insurance, will certainly boost our economy."

representatives of FALIA with Commissioner Dooc (second from left)
and PLIA President Gregorio Mercado (third from left)

Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc pointed out that Filipinos have been so used to borrowing money every time a crisis happens. This, he said, has got to change. He also urged everyone to use credit cards responsibly. As for those who fall for get-rich schemes, "Do not be attracted by promises of high yields. You might be victimized by scams then your savings might be lost because of greed," he counseled.

One of the highlights of this year's celebration of Life Insurance Consciousness Week is PLIA's partnership with the Foundation for the Advancement of Life and Insurance Around the World (FALIA). This is a public interest foundation based in Japan that was established in 1970 to contribute to the development of Asia's insurance industry. PLIA, on the other hand, is the umbrella organization of all life insurance companies operating in the Philippines, which has already been in existence for 64 years.

The two organizations will be holding a series of lectures for students in different public and private high schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) in the coming weeks. I wish we had that when I was still a student!

planning for the future has to be done properly
learn how, now!
photo credit: forbes.com

The lectures will focus on life insurance and how it benefits individuals and their families as well as how it supports the country's national development. There will also be an essay writing competition until December 2016 where three winners will get to enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan while other selected best essays can win up to P30,000 in cash.

The project further seeks to correct the common misconception among young people that life insurance is only for older people by showing that investing can actually help EVERYONE achieve long-term goals and deal with unexpected events.

In the meantime, to supplement the FALIA-PLIA essay writing contest, PLIA will also hold an online Facebook contest dubbed #Lifegoals to extend the insurance awareness campaign beyond the partner schools. Through this initiative, participants can share how life insurance can help them meet their goals and aspirations in life.

beyond saving money, everybody needs to learn how to invest
photo credit: twocents.lifehacker.com

PLIA will also be launching a Financial Education Curriculum for Philippine Secondary Schools that will be available via an online portal soon. It will cover topics such as identifying financial needs over the short, medium, and long-term, and knowing which financial products (including their costs) are most appropriate for individual situations.

It is hoped that the above-mentioned activities will not only raise the level of awareness among high school students on the importance and benefits of life insurance, but also help educate other individuals and their families as well as contribute to the country's national development.

Life Insurance Consciousness Week will conclude with PLIA's annual CSR activities that include a book drive and annual bloodletting drive in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross. Mercado invites everyone to take part in the activities because, "No matter what your life goals are, financial literacy will surely help you get there, and there is no better time to start than now. PLIA is committed to doing its part to make sure that this will see fruition."

Delicious chicken wings at half the price? Why not! At Buffalo Wild Wings, weekdays couldn't get any wilder because its Tuesday treats have been extended until the end of October 2016!

take 50% off every Tuesday of October on the following wing servings'
regular prices: Snack (5 pcs) - P325, Small (10 pcs) - 625
Medium (15 pcs) - P925, and Large (20 pcs) P1145

Every week this month, diners will get the chance to enjoy our favorite wings at half the price every #WingTuesdays at the Estancia Mall branch.

BWW's Tablegating Sampler - P795
traditional wings spun in sauce or dry seasoning served with soft pretzels
and queso, warm pita chips with spinach artichoke dip,
and bacon, cheddar, and mozzarella stuffed jalapeño pepper bites

Choose from wings offered in 12 signature sauces and 5 dry seasonings including the house favorite Asian Zing, subtly sweet Honey BBQ, the buttery Buffalo, the tropical taste of Mango Habanero, and Asian flavors infused in Thai Curry.

the "spice meter"

I love how the menu clearly shows the progression of spiciness from flavor to flavor. It makes it much easier to choose how much heat our individual tastebuds could take!

spicy sauce samplers

Love super spicy food? Get Blazin' by downing 12 wings -- that would get you from smiling' to screaming' -- in six minutes to become a Blazin' Challenge champion. You not only get the wings free, you'll also earn a limited-edition shirt as bragging right. At Buffalo Wild Wings, you can even request to sample the spicy sauces first before making an order.

impromptu photo op with Chef Josh Boutwood of the Bistro Group

Wing Tuesdays runs for a limited time only so plan now when you're going to get that well-deserved meal for yourself. Don't' forget to bring family and friends along to make dining all the more merrier. Oh, and do order other yummy items on the menu like the flatbreads, nachos, and decadent desserts!

Chocolate Fudge Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream - P325

In addition, you'll get to enjoy watching action-packed sports shows broadcasted on the various TVs scattered around the establishment and enjoy the great ambiance while you dine on delicious wings and other dishes.

the sunny and good vibe-y ambiance of the Estancia branch

Me? I love Buffalo Wild Wings'Lemon Pepper variant. It has the right combination of sour and salty flavors. Combined with refreshing Blueberry Lemonade and soft chewy Pretzel with Caramel Dip on the side, this meal already makes me a very happy foodie, indeed! :)

Lemon Pepper wing with Bleu Cheese dip = yum!

* Buffalo Wild Wings' #WingTuesdays is valid on dine-in orders only. It cannot be availed in conjunction with any promos/discounts (BPC, Senior Citizen, PWD, or GEM). For updates and news on upcoming promos, make sure to like Buffalo Wild Wings Philippines on Facebook.

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