Write, Breathe, Live

We all grew up enjoying M&M's Chocolates, right? So what better way to reminisce our childhood than to meet the world-famous M&M's Characters! Yesterday, media and mall-goers got to meet "Mr Know-It-All"Red, cool Blue, optimist Yellow, sexy and confident Green, and worrisome Orange at The Atrium, Eastwood Mall.

Our happy group that couldn't resist posing with Yellow and Red!

Filipino fans of the brand are in for a treat because the meet-the-fans session happens until tomorrow! From April 24th to 26th, patrons of Eastwood Mall are invited to join the M&M's characters as well as Luis Manzano for a fun-filled weekend of activities and prizes.

M&M's Philippine Tour

Get your hands on custom-designed M&M's brand apparel and join the Pose Pinoy Selfinas Contest. Simply catch your favorite M&M's character during the mall show and in store appearances, preserve your encounter via a selfie, and share your photo to your social media accounts. Don't forget to add the hashtag #MMsPH2015 to be included in the raffle to win exciting prizes.

Cute 3D standee

These irresistible M&M's characters are visiting Manila for a first-hand experience of how much fun it is in the Philippines while spreading their own brand of spontaneous fun. It was good vibes all around yesterday when the characters performed a couple of dance numbers and had a Q&A session with Luis. We couldn't help but smile at all the wackiness!

Henry and Luis with the M&M's Characters

According to Henry Azcarraga, Mars Chocolate, Southeast Asia Country Director, the M&M's Philippines Tour will run for one and a half month to reintroduce the much loved M&M's Chocolates. "We are excited for this tour to be in the Philippines as we Filipinos know the true meaning of the word 'fun'," he said.

puzzle game

Luis Manzano, who had the opportunity to show the M&M's characters some of the famous sights in the Philippines, shared how excited he was upon finding out that he was touring with the gang. "During the tour, I made sure that Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, and Orange had a true Filipino time!" he described. "And they made sure I experienced the fun of M&M's, the world's number one chocolate brand."

Me and my new BFF who I was convincing the share half the chocolates he's carrying :p

Keep updated about the M&M's characters while they're here! Visit M&M's Philippines Facebook page now!

The summer heat can be harsh on the hair and scalp, which may lead to having those white flakes brought about by dry skin, among other factors. Clear, the world's number one anti-dandruff shampoo for men, has just launched another breakthrough dandruff solution to address hard-to-beat dandruff problems.

Clear for Women

Dandruff is a recurring problem that causes embarrassment and discomfort for many Filipinos especially during social situations. Women admit that dandruff ruins the natural beauty of hair while men's need for styling using waxes and hair gels can sometimes lead to chronic dandruff.

The new formulation of Clear anti-dandruff shampoo contains Nutrium 10, which is a unique and powerful blend of essential nutrients that eliminates visible flakes. With regular use, you can continuously protect your scalp and hair from recurring dandruff.

Clear for Men

Clear launches this new technology with its Nothing to Hide campaign -- a movement aimed to empower men and women with the assurance of being dandruff-proof. "If you activate your scalp's natural defense, this will prevent dandruff from coming back," explained Dr. Raghupathi Subramania, Unilever's Global Design Director for Scalp.

Whereas dandruff may result from a number of causes, only Clear has Nutrium 10 to help keep your hair and scalp clean, fresh, and free from visible flakes. Clear not only eliminates dandruff, but also prevents it from coming back, allowing you to be ready every day, with nothing to hide.

Clear with Nutrium 10 for men and women

The new Clear anti-dandruff shampoo with Nutrium 10 comes in Cool Sport Menthol variant for men and Complete Soft Care variant for women. They are available in supermarkets, department stores, and drug stores nationwide.

"Especially in this day and age …

I have always believed that great accomplishments

will come without compromise of one's ideals and principles.

To this end, we should always pursue our businesses with honor,

and never waver in our commitment

to the principles of professionalism, integrity, and patriotism."

- Ambassador Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. (RVR)

Don't you just love reading those words? I hope, if you've read it for the first time, you'll be encouraged as I was to keep working hard without compromising principles. RVR passed away in 2008 and while he's no longer here physically, his vision, the values he stood for, and his commitment to nation-building still live on particularly in his most significant institutional legacy -- the Philippine Investment and Management Consultants (PHINMA) Group.

RVR Award 2015

RVR also founded the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and FilOil, the first Filipino-owned oil company. He was also the first national president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manila, and the first Asian world president of JCI.

RVR Award trophy

PHINMA, in pursuit of RVR's vision, has further sharpened its focus on nation building as it concentrated on enterprises that enable Filipinos to achieve a better quality of life. Aside from PHINMA, RVR's legacy is presented by outstanding programs and initiatives of highly respected institutions.

Amb. Tambunting and Mr. Bacani

In 2009, JCI Manila, with the support of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), launched the Amb. Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building. This was designed not only to honor RVR as the Manila Jaycees' founding President, but to likewise keep alive, in the current and future leaders of Philippine businesses, the spirit of nation building through responsible entrepreneurship that was the hallmark of RVR's career.

Mr. Lopez and Mr. Sycip

The award seeks to honor outstanding men and women in business who exhibit traits such as an entrepreneurial spirit, national or global impact of the business, corporate citizenship, and social responsibility. Previous recipients of the RVR Award are Ambassador Jesus Tambunting, Chairman and CEO of Planters Development Bank, and Senen Bacani, Chairman and CEO of La Frutera (2010); Oscar Lopez, Chairman Emeritus of the Lopez Group of Companies (2011); Washington Sycip, Founder of SGV & Co. (2013); Vicente Paterno, Former Philippine Senator (2013); and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation (2014).

Sen. Paterno and Mr. Zobel de Ayala

Nominations of qualified candidates are now being accepted and can be submitted by any person, organization, or institution following the criteria for the award. Composing the Award Committee are members of JCI Manila and AIM's RVR Center for CSR. The recipient of the 2015 RVR Award will be announced in the 3rd quarter of this year.

For more information, please log on to www.rvrnationbuilding.com

It is natural to be conscious of skin conditions. Whether we like it or not, our society today is more judgmental when it comes to physical looks. During the Coverderm launch in Makati recently, we met a girl named Khrys with a large birthmark and chickenpox scars on her face and a guy named Dion with a big tattoo on his chest.

Coverderm products

Both admit to being conscious of how they look. Dion even shared that he found it hard to land a good job because of his tattoo. Thanks to skilled makeup artists, the "flaws" were covered up until they were unnoticeable. The event host also surprised us by revealing a tattoo on her left arm when she removed the Coverderm foundation applied on it. I was impressed by what I saw because I've never seen a concealer that effective!

we didn't know she had a tattoo until she removed the Coverderm foundation on her arm!

Coverderm advanced derma cosmetics have actually been around for 80 years now. It has been helping men and women manage various skin conditions through products that provide unparalleled coverage. It's no wonder dermatologists have been recommending Coverderm to flawlessly correct problems such as vitiligo, melanoma, birth marks, acne scars, and couperose. The products can also help mask the redness resulting from laser treatments as well as temporarily hide the largest of tattoos.

Khris Mae's skin problems

This brand was started in the 1930s by professional American chemist, Lydia O' Leary. Coverderm made history as the world's first camouflage foundation, earning it a US patent and becoming the only make-up brand to do so. Today, Coverderm is developed and manufactured by Farmeco Co., which was awarded by the Global Trade Leaders Club with the 23rd International Quality Prize in 2009.

makeup artist covering Khris Mae's skin imperfections

According to Brady Pharma COO, Tenambhat K. Ramesh, Coverderm has already been available in the country since February 2014 but only through derma clinics. "It is the only brand in the Philippines that can hide all major and minor imperfections naturally for 24 hours," he shared.

Dion's tattoo

Jojo dela Cruz, Marketing Manager for Brady Pharma, added that Coverderm is waterproof and sweat-proof, so it will not easily come off. "[It] has become popular with dermatologists [who] prescribe it to patients with skin imperfections, especially [those] who have undergone laser treatments."

Rome Maglalang of Brady Pharma covering Dion's tattoo

Whether you need major or minor coverage, check out the Coverderm Classic Line that includes:

Coverderm Concealing Foundation - available in 12 shades, it is the ultimate choice for covering serious skin imperfections and discolorations in addition to covering minor problems like acne, age spots, vitiligo, and sunspots

Coverderm Perfect Legs - available in 9 shades, can be used for the whole body and conceal varicose veins, phlebitis, and stretch marks

Coverderm Perfect Legs Fluid - is packaged in an airless dispenser for product safety and hygiene

Coverderm Skin Protector - for added skin defense, it is an ideal make-up base that provides hydration, reduces roughness and scaling, and repairs the skin barrier

Coverderm Skin Basics - is a multipurpose cream that replenishes through the anti-aging action of vitamins A and E and deep moisturization through Hyaluronic Acid

Coverderm Removing Cream - removes waterproof make-up at the end of the day and doesn't irritate skin

Coverderm Classic Line in beige containers; CC line in blue

Aside from the above-mentioned products, there's also Coverderm CC Cream for Face and Coverderm CC Cream for Eyes. They have 12 advantages: brightening, nourishing, moisturizing, and soothing skin; providing anti-blemish, anti-redness, anti-aging, anti-irritant benefits; unifying skin tone; tightening pores; controlling sebum; and providing UVA/UVB protection. Both products are available in two shades.

Coverderm Classic Line

If you are excited to try the products, rejoice because Coverderm is now exclusively available at select Watson's branches. "The availability of Coverderm in the retail chain is very exciting for us as more people will be aware that there is make-up that can flawlessly hide major and minor imperfections," affirmed Mr. Ramesh. "It is very important since many people suffer from a lack of confidence and self-esteem because of these imperfections. They all need simple solutions to their big problems [so they can] have a normal life life and ultimately be happy."

Brady Pharma Executives

Coverderm is exclusively distributed by Brady Pharma Inc., located at 5/F CLMC Building, 259 EDSA, Wack Wack, Greenhills East, Mandaluyong City. It is available at the following stores: Watson's Makati Department Store, Watson's Mall of Asia Genext, Watson's Ayala Cebu, and soon in Watson's Megamall Department Store and Watson's Cebu Department Store.

Flavor is one of the best reasons customers return to a particular dining establishment again and again. That is actually what keeps Wingstop patrons coming back for more. Flavor creates the crave that people have been raving about -- including me!

we thoroughly enjoyed our first Wingstop experience!

I finally had the chance to taste for myself how good Wingstop's offerings are the other day during its official store opening at Glorietta 2 in Makati. The event was graced by President and CEO of Wingstop International Charlie Morrison who introduced us to 9 flavors of chicken wings to choose from and which excite the palate in their own unique ways.

Before I share more about the individual flavors though, let me give you a backgrounder. Wingstop is a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in flavorful wings. It has been around for 21 years and has sold over 2 billion wings to date! The brand has perfected 9 crave-inducing recipes that earned Wingstop rave reviews from national taste tests, 'best of' reader polls, and industry rankings.

MYX VJ Chino Lui Pio interviewing Wingstop's Charlie Morrison

Wingstop has only been in the Philippines for about a year but it already has 7 stores with a quick growth projection of opening 50 more in the next 6 six years. Now, Filipinos can enjoy Texas-sized wings cooked and served in Wingstop's award-winning style. According to a trivia shared during the store launch, a pound of local chicken wings can contain as much as 13 pieces while a pound of Wingstop wings can only fit 6 to 8 pieces because they're bigger and meatier.

Wingstop has a cook-to-order policy so your wings
are served piping hot and bursting with flavors

And meatier they were! I enjoyed biting into delectable and perfectly-cooked chicken wings that actually have meat in them and are not all bones. I look forward to bringing my sons to Wingstop soon so they can try for themselves how delicious the wings are.

guests satisfying their wings cravings

By now, I'm sure you're already very curious about the 9 flavors. Choose from:

Atomic is the hottest flavor so expect some sauce, sweat, and tears because you'll get a habanero-fueled punch in the mouth -- if you are up to that kind of challenge! I didn't attempt biting into one :p
Cajun has all the warmth of Hot Buffalo with a little trance-inducing voodoo sprinkled on top
Hot Buffalo has the classic blend of heat and tang that made Wingstop famous
Lousiana Rub has Deep South Cajun and garlic spices that give this wing a little lagniappe (c'mon, Google this one as your word for the day!)
Mild Buffalo has nothing timid about it for having that classic buffalo spirit without the sweaty brow
Hickory Smoked BBQ will remind you of a summer night's cookout distilled into the sauce, which is smoky sweet but big and bold. I love this one!
Lemon Pepper is unique because it is said to inspire rap lyrics! A creator of cravings, this flavor changes the game with its unreal citrus zing. I also like this variant!
Garlic Parmesan makes for an epic pairing that may have originated in the Mediterranean but was perfected at the Wingstop kitchen. They say some things are worth wrecking your breath over and I have to agree that this is one of those! Garlic Parmesan tops my list of favorite Wingstop flavors.
Teriyaki is monumental oriental. Have a taste of Asian spices mingled into a satisfying sweet sauce. Like the hickory smoked flavor, I think kids would particularly love this one

my top 3 favorite Wingstop flavors:
from left: Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan, and Hickory Smoked BBQ

I don't mind 17 minutes of waiting for an order if the food is as yummy as those served at Wingstop. FYI, the wings are cooked-to-order and are never left under heat lamps. So understand that the great flavors you anticipate will take a little time. Consider the 17 minutes as a pre-crave anticipation that is as much part of your flavor experience. Believe me, the wings are worth waiting for!

more guests enjoying their wings

Of course, you have to try each of these flavors for yourself to find out which one you'll enjoy best. Aside from Glorietta 2, you can get your Wingstop cravings satisfied in Eastwood Citywalk, University Mall in Taft, Fairview Terraces, Starmall Prima in Taguig, Starmall Las Piñas, Estancia in Capital Commons, and Greenhills Promenade.

What are you waiting for? Embrace the crave. Get wild. Get hyped. Get at it! :)

P.S. If you were at the store opening, check out my husband's shots because you just might have a photo there! :)

People close to me are aware about how much I love sunsets. I take photos of them even while inside moving vehicles zooming over elevated roads like the Skyway! I don't exactly know, but there's something about sunsets that makes me want to capture their beautiful hues again and again so I can continue to appreciate them even after they've gone.

waiting for the sun to set

Recently, I had the opportunity to stay in Coco Grove Resort in Siquijor where the sunset views are simply fantastic. It was late afternoon and we've just finished the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Mini Challenge. My friend and fellow blogger, Aleah, and I decided to rest and wait on the beachfront for the sun to set beyond the sea.

beautiful grays and yellows

From bright yellow with touches of calming blue, the sky slowly transformed into a mellow orange that eventually turned bright and red. I don't think I've ever been to another place yet where this rapid change in colors happens. Unless I was too busy in the past to look!

almost orange

So it was with utmost pleasure and gratitude that I sat there, transfixed, while basking in the early evening glow as I repeatedly clicked on my camera shutter to catch the rapidly changing colors as they come.

pink, red, and purple hues

I didn't realize that I was able to get some really good shots until I was home in Manila and transferred the files to my laptop. Although not as breathtaking as seeing them unfold before my very eyes, having these still vibrant pictures makes my first ever Siquijor sunset more memorable and special.

an amazing tropical island sunset

Someday. I wish to go back there with my loved ones, especially my husband. I am positive that they, too, will stare in awe at the majestic sight that God prepares every day to surprise and delight those who take the time to stop and appreciate one of nature's best gifts to man.

sunset view from the Island of Fire

For those wondering, you can travel to Siquijor by taking a flight to Dumaguete via Cebu Pacific Air then booking a ferry ride to the island. Here's ticking this off of my bucket list! :)

Owning and running a business means no longer being tied to the grind that employees are subjected to every day. No wonder many professionals dream of getting out of the rat race. Likewise, many Overseas Filipinos (OFs) want to ensure that their hard-earned money is invested in a self-sustaining, profitable venture that can secure their families’ future.

But, did you know, 7 out of 10 Filipinos who aspire to have a business are too afraid to go for it? While the idea of financial freedom is very attractive, becoming an entrepreneur can be intimidating for several reasons: 1) the lack of capital, 2) inadequate knowing and training in running a business, 3) limited time to work on the potential business, and 4) simply because people don’t know where and how to start.

Unknown to many, the dream of entrepreneurship is very much within reach because BPI Family Savings Bank’s (BFSB) Ka-Negosyo Franchising Loan can provide funding, especially for the initial capital for a franchise, for budding business owners. The terms, assures Ms. Cedoy Roces, Ka-Negosyo Loans Business Division Head, are both reasonable and achievable. “We have customized financing, which depends on the borrower’s cash flow, amount of loan, and payback period of the particular franchise brand.”

Mr. Noel Altamirano, Consumer Loans Product Marketing Head, likewise encourages near-retirees who are already in their 50’s to consider franchising a business, “So they’ll have a source of income for the next 20 to 30 years.”

BPI Ka-Negosyo is making it easier for those who have no prior experience in running a business by linking them with successful franchises that are always looking for potential franchisees to invest in their franchise brand and run their own respective outlets.

One of the advantages of investing in a franchise is that you can get guidance and training from the franchisor. This is essential to the success of the acquisition because franchisees get to know important details such as projection on investment pay back terms; factors that can effectively operationalize the business; and the different types of funding needed ranging from start-up capital to operational expenses, at least during the beginning of the venture.

BPI Family Savings Bank, with strong alliances with industry leaders in reputable organizations such as the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI), is currently the only financial institution in the Philippines that has the Franchising Loan financial solution.

If you are interested in owning a franchise business but don’t know what to choose, let the BPI Family Ka-Negosyo Best List help you. This is a shortlist of accredited brands of BFSB with good financial standing and which provide marketing support for their franchisees to encourage and support industrious, hardworking, and courageous Filipinos to reach their dreams.

BFSB also has ready financing packages for each. These include:

Adobo Connection, Aqua 2000, Aquabest, Aquasoft, Avon,
Bibingkinitan, Binalot, Black Pearl, Bread & Butter, Buko Loco, Buko ni Fruitas,
California Nail and Spa, Caltex Service Stations, Calda Pizza, Crystal Clear
Eastern Petroleum Corporation, Eastern Petroleum –EC Gas LPG,
Farmacia ni Dok, Fiorgelato, Flawless, Francorp, Fruit Magic, Fruitas, Family Mart
Goto King, Generika, Gamot Publiko
Hungry Hippo, Hungry Juan, House of Desserts, HBC, Islands Souvenirs, Inc.
Juice Avenue, Julie’s Bakeshop, Kumon Philippines, Inc. Kambal Pandesal
Laundrybest, Lay Bare, Lots a Pizza
Mango Farm, Medicus Philippines, Inc., Ministop, Mrs. Fields
Minute Burger, Monterey, Mr. Quickie, Mont Albo Wellness Corp., Munsterific
Oxyplus, Panadero, Petron Dealers Association, Phoenix Petroleum,
PTT Philippines Corp., Posh Nails, Potato Corner, PR Gaz,
Rapide Auto Service, Razon’s, San Mig Food Avenue, Seaoil, Subway
The Generics Pharmacy, Total, Unioil Petroleum
Yes Yes Yo, Ystilo Salon, Vente, 7-Eleven

With the launch of the annual gathering of these franchise brands dubbed as “Ka-Negosyo Best List Congress,” BFSB will be inducting to this prestigious list more famous brands such as Max’s Restaurant, Goldilocks, Teriyaki Boy, Pancake House, Yellow Cab, Sizzling Pepper Steak, Dencio’s, Via Mare, and Le Couer de France, among others.

Those who choose to invest in and operate in a franchise that is part of the Best List may avail of a loan to fund their start up at ZERO COLLATERAL, something unheard of in any other transaction.

Let “being your own boss” a reality. Interested parties do not necessarily have to physically visit a BFSB branch. Just log on to www.bpiloans.com, go to the Ka-Negosyo microsite, and click APPLY NOW. Brands are groups according to industry like food, services, etc. so you can easily find something close to your passion.

Like my husband and the rest of our family, I am very conscious about my carbon footprints. We believe that if we all do our part, no matter how small, we can help save the environment. At home, we have been practicing proper waste segregation for more than a decade now. As a result, we only bring out a lot less the thrash than many of our neighbors do when the garbage collectors pass by. As much as possible, we also try to encourage other people to do the same.

yup, gotta stop and take a selfie once in a while :)

Last Saturday, hubby and I joined 5,000 other Earth advocates in Pro Earth Run 2015 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds in Pasay City. We enjoyed and finished the 5k category running side by side that early morning. Because the bibs didn't have timing chips, I used my Runtastic app to record our time and I was glad to have finished the route in 46:55. What made me doubly happy was earning my third finisher's medal, yay!

Protect, Respect, and Oversee Mother Earth

This advocacy run of Earth Day Network Philippines Inc. (EDNPI) was supported by government, corporate, academic, religious, and other allied environmental advocacy institutions. EDNPI President Isagani Serrano shared, "Over the past 15 years, Earth Day Network Philippines has been encouraging people to celebrate Earth Day every day.” And we should! Seriously!

bumped into fellow blogger John, who was running 10k

Bresilda Gervacio, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Officer in Charge and Assistant Secretary for Human Resource Development and Information Systems, pointed out the importance of protecting Mother Earth by citing the benefits she gives to people. “It is the place where we live, we work, and we play. So we need to sustain its resources. With self-discipline, we can make a difference,” she said while addressing the huge crowd of runners that was composed of students, employees, government and business leaders, and even expats.

our time and distance log via Runtastic

Together with EDNPI, the Pro Earth Run 2015 was made possible by the collective support of DENR, United Parcel Services (UPS), and SM Cares – a division of SM Foundation. Pro Earth Run 2015 was also supported by Phiten, Xend, Merrell, The Medical City, Canon, Greenlite Banner – The Reusable Banner, Maynilad, OK Quench, Timex, Gerry’s Grill, Uncle Cheffy, Mont Albo’s Ginhawa Spa and Dining, Kabayan Hotel – Pasay, IWMI, Air Asia, Smart, Rudy Project, Flawless, Farlin, Zim Power Cleanser, C-Lium Fiber, We Run For Good Health, Fern C, Pag-Ibig Fund and. SM Tickets, SM Cinemas, GMA7, GMA News TV, United Neon, 106.7 Energy FM, 97.9 Home Radio, Play FM Radio, Wish 107.5, Malaya Business Insight, Business Mirror, MYX, and ABS CBN Sports + Action.

my third finisher's medal!

Group runners also joined from the following companies and institutions: Cognizant Technology Solutions, GT Metro Foundation, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, MHE Demag, PLDT, PCSO, SSS, Converga, MAPECON, GSIS, DOLE, SPI Global, Heritage Hotel, EXL, MTRCB, Land Bank of the Philippines, Cemex, HP – NPEC, Cathay Pacific, One Meralco, Philippine Carabao Center, GT Capital Holdings, PhilHealth, Manila Water, DOST, DOLE, Comark, Bayer, Salvador & Associates, North Fairview High School, De La Salle University, Informatics, and My World and World We Want.

Brother Philippines has just revealed a new revolutionary line of printers with Refill Tank System Multi-function Centers (MFCs) during yesterday's press con for Brother Color Manila Nite Run: Blacklight Edition.

for P850 registration fee, you'll get a nicely-designed dri-fit shirt,
a backlight head lamp, and finisher's medal regardless of distance category!

With focus on its 'Customer-First' approach, the leader in home and business IT peripherals, further strengthens its line of MFCs with its Ink Benefit series and now, the Brother Refill Tank System. which can yield up to 6,000 pages.

To highlight the 6,000 page-yield feature of the new printer range, Brother came up with the first ever 6k race category for the upcoming night run, instead of the usual 5k, wherein special activities and prizes await the runners. Also open are 3k and 10k categories.

Brother's Refill Tank System

Glenn P. Hocson, Brother Philippines President, expressed how pleased they are for choosing the perfect venue to publicly launch their exciting new product. "The colorful event will not only highlight Brother's Refill Tank System's CMYK refillable ink bottles, but also our competitively priced 6000 page-yield that meets high print volume users' need for lower 'running' costs," he said. "It will also serve as an opportunity for Brother customers and partners to experience the fun run as participants themselves."

The new range, comprised of two 3-in-1 inkjet MFCs: the DCP-T300 and DCP-T500W, is perfect for personal and business users printing from small office home office (SOHO) or small business environment looking for bigger savings. The low-cost ink bottles can yield 6000 pages for the black ink and 5000 pages for the colored inks.

get a Brother pillow if you run 6k

Brother Refill Tank System's smart design also takes the hassle out of ink refilling through a simpler process that minimizes ink wastage. Refill ink by: 1) opening the cover that is conveniently located in front of the unit, 2) remove the tank cap, 3) tilt the ink bottle at a 45-degree angle and gently squeeze to refill the ink tank. The optimized 45-degree fill angle minimizes ink leakage and reduces staining, making it a more user-friendly experience.

The new range's built-in tank's see-through cover at the front also enables users to easily check how much ink is left, while freeing up precious desktop space. In addition, the ink calibration time is also the fastest in the industry at seven minutes.

print up to 6000 pages with Brother's new MFCs

And because the original refill ink is affordable, users can avoid the risk of print head damage caused by using non-genuine ink. This, in turn, reduces repair and replacement costs. Having high-yield ink bottles also makes for less frequent ink purchases for added convenience.

Suggested retail prices are P8,450 for the DCP-T300 and P9,450 for the DCP-T500W. They are now available from Brother Philippines' authorized dealers.

Brother and Color Manila representatives
having fun with glow-in-the-dark powder
which will be used during the Nite Run

Join the public launch of the new Brother Refill Tank System and win exciting prizes by joining the Brother Color Manila Nite Run: Blacklight Edition on May 16, 2015 at Filinvest City, Alabang. There will also be Brother Color Manila Davao and Cebu runs on May 24 and May 31, respectively. Register now at http://colormanilarun.com.

For more information about Brother Philippines, visit http://www.brother.com.ph.

For many women, jewelry are considered precious heirlooms that are more than decorative accessories. Rather, they serve as a fitting remembrance of celebrations and important milestones. A lot of these keepsakes include symbols of love such as engagement rings; of a lifelong commitment expressed through a pair of wedding bands; or of new beginnings via the gift of a dazzling pair of earrings or a lovely bracelet.

PMAP models wearing MYGOLD pieces

Given the Filipinos' penchant for celebrating life milestones and a natural inclination to express love through creative ways, MYGOLD jewelry has become a favored brand when it comes to quality pieces. The brand actually started as a two-display showcase inside a department store, which shoppers from all walks of life found hard not to notice because of the elegantly displayed beautiful pieces.

pretty pieces with pearls

MYGOLD initially offered religious items made from Philippine gold until 1987 when it partnered with another manufacturer from Singapore. Since then, the brand has started producing a more diverse lineup of pieces featuring diamonds, pearls, and today, even colored stones.

religious-themed jewelry

Two decades later, MYGOLD held its first-ever private sale in 2007 through a bank partnership. Clients enjoyed an exclusive viewing of newer and more sophisticated collections that included pieces with diamonds and south sea pearls.

MYGOLD logo

By its 30th anniversary in 2012, MYGOLD proudly celebrated having 15 branches all over the country. It has earned the trust of its clients through the years as it was also able to provide GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certificates for diamond purchases and other jewelry items.

elegant jewelry pieces

MYGOLD has also become the choice of many for everyday pieces that add sparkle to one's looks. If you want customized jewelry, the brand also accepts special orders. More than the tradition of offering beautifully-made jewelry, MYGOLD aims to be part of peoples' lives so they can celebrate life events with attractive keepsakes.

pretty charm bracelets

Recently, MYGOLD has become part of the SM Makati's Branded Accessories Department, which features a select number of local and imported brands. Officially launched last April 30, MYGOLD's first partnership with SM Malls marked another exciting beginning for this jewelry store.

more beautiful pieces to choose from

The ribbon cutting ceremony was graced by MYGOLD's Merrill Gaisano (owner) and Francesca Zosa (Marketing Manager) as well as SM representatives. Live mannequins featuring Professional Models Association of the Philippines' (PMAP) Jach Manere, Kylie Verzosa, and Anna Buquid were also present to wear MYGOLD's finest diamond, south sea pearls, and Italian gold pieces that complemented the elegant designs of Mary Ty-Apares of Very Mary.

from left: Merrill Gaisano, Francesca Zosa, and SM representatives

Discover your own treasures and avail of the big discounts offered for a limited time at MYGOLD's latest branch, today!

I have been running (again) for eight months now and I guess I've gotten better at it because my husband registered me (without my permission) to join Nat Geo Run 2015's 10k category! Of course I was pressured! In all our practice runs, the longest distance I've covered was only about 7k but I took this one as a challenge to see how far my physical endurance could take me. (And this was after running 5k the day before at the Pro Earth Run! Spell C-R-A-Z-Y!)

with husband and wife runner friends Jay and Beth

Since it was my first time to run a 10k route coming from the MOA running grounds going to Macapagal Avenue all the way to Roxas Boulevard, I kept anticipating a U-Turn anytime soon but the road seemed to stretch out longer and longer! I passed the World Trade Center, Star City, the CCP, and the Central Bank until I reached the street going to Malate Church! Honestly, at one point, I thought the route would never end :p

5:30AM gun start for the 10k runners

Thankfully, I finally arrived at the U-turn after about almost an hour since gun start. I kept my eyes open for the 42k runners and spotted my husband a few kilometers near the finish line. He was grinning like crazy when he saw me. I knew this personal coach of mine was happy I didn't look like I was already dying. As their category had to make another turn, I ran straight to the finish line.

unofficial time

I have to admit, I was surprised and pleased that I was able to finish 10k in 1:35:14 (according to my Runtastic app). Later, I found from the official race results that my time was actually 1:34:58 and that I finished 2121 out of 3555 runners. For someone who is not that competitive, I was simply happy not to end up last!

photo borrowed from the NatGeo Run FB page

According to the organizers, having 20,000 registered participants meant P1 million goes to the Tawbuid Mangyan Tribesfolk's Community, which contributes to the preservation of the bangaraws. (Ok, I have no idea what those are and can't find the word via Google. Enlighten me please if you know!) Glad to find out though that each family there will be receiving one solar grid, so yey!

NatGeoRun2015 Baguio leg

For those who still want to run for a cause, join the second leg of #NatGeoRun2015 at Melvin Jones Park, Baguio on May 24. The location's high altitude will decrease the amount of oxygen to muscles so this will be a true test for runners.

All proceeds for the Nat Geo Earth Day Run will go towards providing sustainable energy sources for the Tawbuid Mangyan Tribesfolk Community. Register at runrio.com/nategeorun2015 or at Upper G/F SM Baguio. Let's continue to run for our planet!

Residents of Muntinlupa can now avail of exclusive benefits through the Muntinlupa Care Card (MCC), which was recently launched by City Mayor Jimmy R. Fresnedi. "We hope that through [this smartcard], we can provide each and every member of the Muntinlupeño family easy and convenient access to all programs of the local government," he said.

color-coded cards for different age groups

The advantages of being an MCC cardholder include: 25 to 75%* hospital subsidy at the local health institution Ospital ng Muntinlupa; free insurance for accidental death and disablement, motorcycling accident, and permanent total disability; free ride in the city's electronic jeepney or e-JRF (electronic-Jeepney Ride for Free); and easy access to other city programs.

According to Engineer Allan Cachuela, the MCC is the first care card among all the LGUs (local government units) in the country. The smartcard uses highly secure card technology to organize data. It can be tapped or swiped into card readers resulting to faster and more organized transactions.

Engr. Allan Cachuela

Fresnedi added, "We want to have a dependable medium and cutting-edge card technology to boost and improve the [Muntinlupa's] programs."

To get an MCC, Muntinlupa residents have to attend the registration event in their barangay, present one valid ID and pay the card registration fee of P60 for the Senior Citizens' Red Card, P80 for the Yellow Card (for ages 18 to 59), and P75 for the Blue Card (for ages 7 to 17). Parents should be present to enroll minor applicants. The card membership is valid for one year and is renewable thereafter for only P20. The city government aims to register 50,000 constituents by December 2015.

Muntinlupa's e-JRF

The MCC's barangay registration caravan started last March and will continue until the end of the year. Registration booths will also be stationed at the Muntinlupa City Hall and Ospital ng Muntinlupa. This project is a partnership between the city government and Lingkod Muntinlupa Foundation. For more details, visit www.yanangmuntinlupa.com.

* Up to a maximum benefit of P25,000 only.

There's a saying that goes: "Work smarter, not harder." I agree! I believe that there are a lot of ways to work more efficiently without sacrificing the quality of our output. I think that's where the phrase "life hack" originated. After all, why make doing things more difficult for yourself when there are alternatives out there that can provide convenience and deliver the same, or even better, results?

Rubbermaid reveals a better way to clean

I found this true when I first used the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop. At home, we clean the kitchen floor every night because that is the area of the house where spills and messes accumulate most during the day. Admittedly, it's quite a burden to lug around a bucket full of water or cleaning solution wherever I go so I can rinse the mop and wet it again when the soap suds run out.

convenience + quality in one!

With Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop, cleaning becomes less of a chore because it's an all-in-one tool that provides convenience with great results. This mop is lightweight and ergonomically-designed with a comfortable grip. What's unique about it is the water bottle feature that eliminates the need to bring a bucket around the house!

spray trigger and hook for easy storage

What's the bottle for? Well, you put your preferred cleaning solution there then press the spray trigger at the end of the mop to release the liquid from the bottle. This refillable container allows you to have different formulations (e.g. a stronger solution for the kitchen and just plain water in the bedroom to remove dust). Just change bottles to customize the way you clean!

Rubbermaid Reveal can also be fitted with dry and wet mopping pads. The dry dusting pad refill is great for dusting and sweeping while the highly absorbent wet cleaning pad protects hard wood floor from excess moisture better than other regular non-microfiber mops.

microfiber pad

In addition, the ultra-thin microfiber filaments capture and retain 50% more dirt, leaving no streaks or dirt behind; and because it's extra wide at 15", this pad gets the job done more quickly. The microfiber pads are machine washable and reusable. You may want to purchase extra pads if you have a lot of different areas to clean.

360-degree swivel head

The Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop can be used for all types of floors whether they're made of vinyl, hardwood, laminate, or tile. I love the 360-degree swivel head that reaches into cracks and crevices easily because it ensures a deeper and more efficient clean. This durable mop's hook on the handle also makes for hassle-free storage.

You can find the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop at the Department Store Home Section of selected branches of SM, Robinsons, Metro Gaisano, and MC Home Depot, as well as through www.lazada.com.ph. Avail of special discounts from May 1 to 31, 2015!

discounted prices all month of May

Rubbermaid products are exclusively distributed in the Philippines by KLG International Inc. For more information, please log on to www.klginternationalinc.com or inquire at marketing@klg.net and telephone numbers 852-2511 to 17.

I love Welch's 100% Grape Juice because it is a refreshing drink especially when served very cold. I've read that this product is made from 100% Concord Grapes found only in the US and that they are pressed into juice within 8 hours of harvest. That's good to know because it means consumers get the best quality and freshness we deserve!

Welch's 100% Grape Juice

Welch's 100% Grape Juice (which has been around since 1869!) is packed with anti-oxidants called polyphenols and Vitamin C that may help promote a healthy immune system. This all-natural juice does not contain any preservatives, no added sugar, no coloring , no flavoring and no cholesterol. Each 8 oz serving contains about 40 pieces of Concord grapes.

Welch's is made from 100% Concord Grapes

I was sent a recipe for Grape-Banana Smoothies using Welch's 100% Grape Juice and can't wait to try it at home. Here's sharing it with you, too:

Ingredients:

•1 small banana, peeled and sliced

•1 cup seedless red grapes

•1 cup Yogurt

•1 cup Welch’s® 100% Grape Juice made with Concord grapes

•Small pinch ground cinnamon

Grape Banana Smoothie

Preparation:

1. Place banana and grapes in freezer until firmly frozen (in plastic bag if not using soon).

2. Combine frozen fruits, yogurt, grape juice and cinnamon in blender and blend until combined and smooth. Divide between 2 large glasses.

Makes 2 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING: Calories 227, Total Fat 1.5g, Saturated Fat 1g, Sodium 22mg, Cholesterol 3mg, Carbohydrates 50g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 6g

*This recipe is contributed by Cabot Creamery Cooperative and falls under Cabot's recipe category for: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, and Low Sodium

There are only a few days left until Closeup Forever Summer happens on May 16, 2015 at the MOA Concert Grounds.

This year, Closeup is taking things to the next level by combining indie and EDM in one music festival - Angus and Julia Stone for an indie afternoon, and Martin Garrix to headline for EDM at night.

Martin Garrix headlines EDM night

DJ Eva Shaw, Sinyma, Autotelic, DJ Nix Damn P with Motherbass, and BP Valenzuela will be completing this year's line-up for Forever Summer.

FAQs

Unfortunately for me and lucky for you guys, I won't be able to make it due to a schedule conflict. So, I'd like to give away 5 GOLD tickets (valued at P2500 each) instead to one of my readers who can bring 4 of his/her friends to the event!

5 Gold tickets up for grabs!

This #WBLgiveaway will only run for 2 days. Entries will only be accepted until 11:59PM of Wednesday this week (May 13) so I can announce the winner's name ASAP. The winner, who will be determined via Rafflecopter's electronic raffle, must be willing to claim the tickets from an office located along Ayala Avenue in Makati on Thursday or Friday (May 14 or 15). I will email him/her the complete address and contact person once the giveaway has been concluded.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! :)

Personal finance-savvy people know how to spend wisely. Even if they have the money to buy a lot of stuff, it doesn't mean they should already stop looking for great deals. At Watsons, I personally get to splurge a bit when I shop for various products because I find good products at really affordable prices!

frequent Watsons shopper here!

Watsons' Switch and Save campaign helps its customers save as much as 80 percent off on personal essentials so we could set aside the savings for other things we'd like to pay for. I like shopping at Watsons because it has a wide range of personal care items, beauty essentials, and even medicine under its own label. This gives shoppers a lot of value-for-money choices without having to compromise on quality.

The irresistible deals have even caught the attention of popular Philippine personalities who already switched and saved. These include Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Patty Laurel, Iya Villania, and Christian Bautista.

Watsons SM Aura Premier

Last May 2, shoppers at Watsons SM Aura Premier had the pleasure of being served by saleslady-for-a-day Tessa Prieto-Valdes who added pizzaz to her Watsons uniform with colorful head accessories that made her very easy to spot anywhere in the store.

Tessa, known as the SeaPrincess of Twitterverse, is a great example of someone who can mix style and practically. Although she's often seen at the grandest parties and most exclusive events, she remains a very wise spender when it comes to her personal items. "A smart shopper knows when she is getting a good deal, that's why a lot of us are always here at Watsons," she pointed out. "You'd be surprised with the savings you get just by choosing Watsons Label products!"

Tessa Prieto-Valdes

I am actually interested to try some of the Watsons products she uses. Here are Tessa's choices:

Watsons Body Serum Whitening to instantly lighten and reduce dark spots and visible imperfections
Watsons Body Lotion Whitening Mulberry to nourish and help provide whitening effects for fairer and more radiant skin
Watsons Cream Handsoap Strawberry and Yogurt to effectively cleanse and protect hands from dryness
Watsons Scented Cream Body Wash with Goat Milk to gently slough off dead skin cells and help hydrate and brighten the skin
Watsons Milk and Salt Scrub Whitening to help enhance the skin and exfoliate dead skin cells
Watsons Glutathione to lighten skin and prevent skin darkening caused by UV exposure
Watsons Vitamin E to prevent eye disorders and help protect against a number of diseases

Tessa is the second Switch and Save ambassador to surprise shoppers at a Watsons store. Last April 11, it was Christian Bautista who made the switch from singer to store supervisor for a day in SM Mall of Asia. According to Christian, he has been buying regularly from Watsons even before he became part of the campaign. He shared, "Shopping at Watsons is very convenient. Their store layout is very organized so it's easy to find whatever you are looking for and, of course, they always have those great deals on the products I often buy!"

stuff I bought from Watsons that day

Watch out for Patty and Iya's surprise appearances at other Watsons stores in the coming days! Just like them you can also maximize your purchasing power by spending more on the things you really want in life by choosing to Switch and Save the Watsons way.

I am happy to know that Watsons Label believes in giving every Filipino getting more savings and more value from our hard-earned money through its quality affordable products. Through this, we get to enjoy the other important things in life with our loved ones!

a photo op with Tessa who complimented my Freeway Art Bag

Enjoy more savings with "Shop to Save" promo! With a minimum single-receipt purchase of P1500 from participating Watsons Label products and exclusive participating brands, you'll get a free P300 coupon that you can use for other purchases! This promo runs until May 20, 2015 so visit a Watsons branch now!

Moms are often described as the "queen of the house" and yet, we seldom get to feel like royalty. That's okay, actually, because we know we willingly take on the many things we do for our family for love. However, it is always a welcome reprieve when we do get treated like a queen once in a while :)

flowers for mommy

This year, being a mom just became doubly memorable for me because, aside from also celebrating my birthday on Mother's Day weekend, I experienced The Peninsula Manila's indulgent and awesome MomMeCation package!

chauffeured!

The staycation actually started the moment I set foot outside our house because The Peninsula sent over a car with a uniformed chauffeur to pick me up and take me to Makati. When I was dropped off at The Peninsula's entrance, I was surprised to receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a lot of enthusiastic Happy Birthday greetings before getting escorted to my room by the hotel's very gracious Director of Public Relations himself who even insisted on carrying my overnight bag! I wish there were photos of those moments because they would probably show my big grin and wide eyes.

The Peninsula Manila's Premier Suite

My room turned out to be a suite and I immediately felt overwhelmed by the huge space. Mr. Mariano Garchitorena smilingly told me that I may want to call my family and have them come, too. All thoughts of having a solo mommy me-time flew out the window in my excitement to share the gorgeous room with my hubby and kids. I called and told them to pack their overnight stuff and join me. I breathed a prayer of thanks for the many unexpected blessings.

sweet treats for mom -- fyi, that door sign is made of chocolate!

I got a few more surprises when I further explored the room. On the dining table were various types of sweets including a Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial champagne! I'd definitely need my husband with me when I drink that!

my bedroom with special personalized touches

Inside the bedroom, I found a fluffy white robe on the big bed with my initials on it! But the best surprise of all? A framed photo of my family displayed on my bedside table! That, alone, strongly reminded me that sometimes, much as we'd like to have some mommy me-time, we can't help but still tag along our loved ones because their presence would make the memories created even more exceptional. After all, there are other and simpler ways to have a mommy's day off. Staying at The Peninsula, for me, is an exception and I'd rather share the experience with my family :)

thoughtful surprises by The Peninsula

After getting my stuff settled in my room, I met with fellow moms at The Lobby. It was nice to find out that some of them also can't wait to have their hubbies and kids over. We do think alike! Soon, we proceeded to Rustan's in Glorietta where we had a Murad treatment each. The facial was so relaxing! We all came out feeling and looking very refreshed, with our skin literally glowing with health.

glowing, without makeup, after a Murad facial
from left: Jaymie Pizarro, Jackie Go, myself, and Shen Cala-Or

Later, we had a delicious dinner at Spices (more about the food in a separate blog post). Once again, I've proven that there's nothing like great food and good company to complete a very satisfying meal. The stories that were told around our table generated a lot of laughs and camaraderie, which made for a really fun night.

inside Spices

By the time we got around to having a yummy dessert, I was once again given a blush-inducing surprise when one of the restaurant staff came out holding a cake and my companions started singing Happy Birthday. In the past, I seldom get to celebrate my birthdays with people outside my family while I was growing up (because May 8 always comes during school breaks!) so it has become a novelty for me when I do get to have a "party" outside our home once in a while. Again, I couldn't help but say a prayer of thanks for the blessings of old and new friends in addition to wonderful opportunities.

a birthday cake from The Peninsula!

Before we retired to our luxurious rooms, we hung out for a while at Salon de Ning for cocktails and to enjoy some music. My fellow moms and I were invited to dance but we were all too shy to join those who were already in full swing. Instead, we enjoyed swapping more stories about motherhood and family life as typical moms usually tend to do when we get together.

mommies night out at Salon de Ning
there's a good explanation why I didn't have time to change into a nice dress
but more about that in a different blog post :)
from left: Jackie, Jaymie, Janice Villanueva, Neva Santos, me, and Shen

It was around 11PM when I finally got back to my room and joyfully found hubby and our special child already there. Soon, two more of our sons arrived after watching the Owl City concert in BGC. Our firstborn, unfortunately, couldn't join us because he was on nightshift at the office. Still, having most of my family there to enjoy the staycation with me filled me with happiness. After a warm and comfy soak in the bathtub, I slept with a grateful heart surrounded by people I dearly love.

with my favorite breakfast buddy

The next day, hubby and I had breakfast at Escolta while the boys were still sleeping. I appreciated the wide food selection and chose items that I have been craving to eat but didn't have the chance to buy or cook in recent weeks. The Peninsula really knows how to tickle its guests' palates!

excited for a much-needed massage!

Later that morning, I also had one of the most wonderful massages ever at The Peninsula Fitness Center. It's located near the hotel's well-maintained pool area that's very, very ideal for photo ops. The blue water was so inviting but I had to choose the massage over swimming to get some of the knots out of my back. I was so glad I did!

The Peninsula's pretty pool area

Lunch was held at the famous Peninsula Lobby. I love hanging out in this airy and high-ceilinged area because it has such a vibrant vibe that always lifts my mood. My fellow moms and I once again enjoyed the company of the hotel's public relations team who are very pleasant to be with. They made us feel very welcome and made our stay as comfortable and memorable as possible. I couldn't thank them enough for the warm hospitality.

Seafood Angel Hair Pasta for lunch

Back in the room, I already felt a hint of nostalgia when I was fixing our things before checking out. Suite 732 is, hands-down, one of the best hotel rooms I've had the pleasure of staying in. I am positive that other mothers who will avail of the MomMeCation package and stay in that room would also find so many things to love, be happy, and create memories about there.

mommies deserve a break
let The Peninsula take care of that :)

The good news is, the special MomMeCation package is offered until December 31, 2015! Check out the rates and inclusions here. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 (2) 887-2888 extension 6630, or email reservationpmn@peninsula.com. Keep updated with new offers and promos by liking The Peninsula Manila on Facebook and following @thepeninsulamanila on Instagram and @thepeninsulamnl on Twitter. Guys, if you feel that your wife or your mom deserves a well-deserved me-time, give her this precious gift any time (how about her birthday?!) during the year. She will surely thank you for it! I am! :)

A lot of cybercriminal stories seem like stuff we only get to see in movies. But I had the privilege to listen to a real life story of how Kaspersky Lab was able to record a rare and unusual example of one cybercriminal attacking another. Read on because this is interesting …

There was this small and technically unremarkable cyberespionage group called Hellsing, which targets mostly government and diplomatic organizations in Asia. In 2014, the group was subjected to a spear-phishing attack by another threat actor and decided to strike back.

Naikon's targets

Kaspersky Lab believes that this incident could be the beginning a of new trend in criminal cyberactivity: the Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) wars. This discovery was made by Kaspersky Lab experts while researching into the activity of Naikon, a cyberespionage group that also targets organizations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Naikon’s targets were extremely wide-ranging but includes institutions in the Philippines like:

Office of the President
Armed Forces
Office of the Cabinet Secretary
National Security Council(s)
Office of the Solicitor General
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency
Civil Aviation Authority
Department of Justice
National Police
Presidential Management Staff

One of Naikon's targets spotted an attempt to infect its systems with a spear-phishing email carrying a malicious attachment. The target replied to the sender to question the authenticity of the email. Dissatisfied with the reply, the target did not open the attachment. Shortly after, the target forwarded to the sender an email containing the target's own malware.

Vicente Diaz, Principal Security Researcher of Kaspersky Lab's Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) shared that the move triggered an investigation, which led to the discovery of the Hellsing APT group. The counter-attack method indicated that Hellsing wanted to identify the Naikon group and gather intelligence on it. Upon deeper analysis, Kaspersky Lab revealed a trail of spear-phishing emails from Hellsing that have malicious attachments designed to spread espionage malware among different organizations.

Vicente Diaz

If a victim opens the malicious attachment, their system becomes infected with a custom backdoor capable of downloading and uploading files as well as updating and uninstalling itself. According to Kaspersky Lab's observations, Hellsing has been targeting close to 20 organizations.

With most of the victims located in Malaysia and the Philippines, Kasperksy has detected and blocked Hellsing malware in both countries as well as in India, Indonesia, and the U.S. The attackers were found to be very selective in terms of what types of organizations to target and attempt to mostly infect government and diplomatic entities.

Hellsing’s infected email attachments related to the Philippines found by Kaspersky Lab experts had the following file names:

Letter from Paquito Ochoa to Albert Del Rosario,the Current Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.7z
PAF-ACES Fellowship Program.scr
Update SND Meeting with the President re Hasahasa Shoal Incident.scr
Washington DC Directory November 2012-EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES.zip

Costin Raiu, Director of Global Research and Analyst Team at Kaspersky Lab, finds the targeting of the Naikon group by Hellsing as fascinating in what he describes as some sort of a vengeful vampire-hunting 'Empire Strikes Back' style. "In the past, we've seen APT groups accidentally hitting each other while stealing address books from victims and then mass-mailing everyone on each of these lists," he shares. "However, considering the targeting and origin of the attack, it seems more likely that this is an example of a deliberate APT-on-APT attack."

Hellsing's targets

According to Kaspersky Lab analysis, the Hellsing threat actor has been active since at least 2012 and remains active. So, to protect against Hellsing attacks, Kaspersky Lab recommends the following basic security best practices:

Don't open suspicious attachments from people you don't know
Beware of password protected archives which contain SCR or other executable files inside
If you are unsure about the attachment, try to open it in a sandbox
Make sure you have a modern operating system with all patches installed
Update all third party applications such as Microsoft Office, Java, Adobe Flash Player, and Adobe Reader

FYI, Kaspersky Lab products successfully detect and block the malware used by both the Hellsing and Naikon actors. Learn more about the Empire Strikes Back espionage campaign by visiting Securelist.com.

According to Diaz, almost half or 44.1% of Kaspersky users in the Philippines have been infected by viruses this year, placing the Philippines 47th among 176 countries surveyed. Kaspersky Lab’s data also revealed that the Philippines hosted a total of 6,043 incidents during the first quarter of 2015, putting the Philippines at the 78th place worldwide.

“When we talk about hosted malware, we have around 6,000 incidents in the Philippines for 2015. What is hosted malware? It means that some websites are infected and these websites are here in the Philippines. The servers are physically here,” Diaz explained.

Web malware, on the other hand, was able to infect a total of 19.6% users in the Philippines. This percentage put the country at 83rd place worldwide.

Jimmy Fong with Diaz

On the other hand, Jimmy Fong, Channel Sales Director of Kaspersky Lab Southeast Asia, noted the economic growth of the Philippines and its possible implications to the future of cyberthreat landscape of the country. “As you see, Philippines is becoming richer and I see the value in the Philippines as well. The Philippines is calmer and the financial institutions are not aware of this kind of cyberthreats but someday, they will be for sure. This is why we’re starting to promote awareness about threats that may come to the Philippines in the future. Or maybe it’s already here but nobody knows,” he said.

Fong also said that Kaspersky Lab, as the leading provider of security solutions in the B2C market in Southeast Asia, is focusing more on the B2B sector amid recent cyberattacks against financial institutions. Recent reports showed the cybercriminal group called Carbanak stole almost $1 billion from 100 banks around the world.

How Carbanak was able to steal $1B from banks

“I think these kind of incidents actually happen everywhere in the world as long as there is money. So I don’t think that this may not happen in this area. It can happen everywhere. It happened in Moscow, it may happen in Southeast Asia and it may happen in the Philippines as well,” Fong said.

Spend more time with your loved ones and less time doing household chores! This is actually possible if you have a resourceful and creative attitude as well as have the right home appliances to help you out.

Home is definitely where the heart is!

Filipino moms are very practical when it comes to recycling and upcycling stuff at home. We find satisfaction in transforming leftovers into a new dish for breakfast in the morning to finding ways to reusing old containers and basically maximizing our resources at home.

Do More With Less using Electrolux Appliances

Electrolux, a global leader in home appliances, recognizes this capacity of moms to Do More With Less, and encourages the whole family to be more creative and resourceful at home. "Moms are inventive," affirms Andrea Pionilla, Marketing Manager of Electrolux Philippines. "Leave it to them to find a way to recycle something that seems unusable.

from left: Andrea Pionilla, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Chef Rosebud Benitez-Velasco,
Chef Bruce Lim, and host Issa Litton

The Do More With Less campaign was appropriately launched during Earth Day in Abenson Global City where its managing director, Winston Q. Lim, shared, "We are happy to be part of Electrolux's new campaign for cleaner and healthier living. Their efforts to redefine the modern kitchen perfectly mirror Abenson's commitment to bring the best life into Filipino homes."

Chef Rosebud shared she stores food properly in the refrigerator to reduce wastage,
"Once your food spoils, you have to throw it away and we don't want that.
I also have what I call Leftover Makeover recipes."

Electrolux brand ambassadors Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Chef Rosebud Benitez-Velasco, and Chef Bruce Lim were present during the event. Professional basketball player and hands-on dad Doug Kramer was also welcomed as the newest addition to the Electrolux family. Through a video, he expressed being thrilled to be part of the meaningful campaign.

Cheska says she regularly does spring cleaning to sort clothes, which they pass on
to her nieces, give away to their helpers' children, and donate to an orphanage.
"I've also started teaching my eldest, Kendra, who's already five, how to take care of the environment
by reminding her to turn off the light and aircon in her room when she's going out, and
not to keep the water running. Global warning is a cause and effect of the way we live
so it's so important to teach our children how to help save the Earth."

"As a practical dad, I've always been a believer that with the right tools, you can always do more with less," said Doug. "I love how Electrolux appliances help us accomplish more things at home so Cheska and I can spend more time with the kids and less time managing the household."

Chef Bruce revealed that he uses the microwave at home to cook quick
and delicious dishes so he can spend more time with his kids.
"I also use clean empty cans as ring molds. You can use them in different ways inside the kitchen."

Did you know? According to the Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies, Metro Manila produces 5,600 tons of trash per day and 75% of this comes from households. It's sad to find out that half of the daily household waste is composed of food scraps and leftovers. As per a study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation, one of the reasons behind food wastage among developing countries is wasteful consumption habits.

Examples of upcycling stuff at home

Many of us run on a tight budget, the bulk of which goes to buying food. And yet, there are times we have to throw away food because we didn't plan our meals well, leading to unused ingredients and leftovers. This is why making a week's meal plan can help make minimize food costs and reduce wastage.

Event guests got to take home herbs planted in pretty mugs

Creativity in recycling and up cycling stuff can also help us save money. All it takes is imagination and resourcefulness. For instance, you can turn coffee grounds into soap and orange peels into a natural home deodorizer!

I now have my own Rosemary plant to nurture!

Do you have lifehacks you do at home? Share your tips on transforming used items into something that's useful again and get a chance to win exciting prizes. Join the Reduce Food Waste Challenge on Facebook by liking The Electrolux Little White Book page and following @ElectroluxPH on Twitter and Instagram.

Summer is still in full swing this middle of May. The temperature remains hot and the heat of the sun definitely can even cause sunburn. For my readers who have had too much sun and unwanted skin darkening, here's a giveaway to help lighten back your skin!

Win 1 of 2 GlutaMAX gift packs that each contains: Instant White Lotion with Glutathione (SPF 35), a bar of Instant Lightening Soap with Glutathione, and a bottle of Light and Tight Feminine Wash. All products have been awarded with the Superbrands Seal.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get chances to win through the Rafflcopter widget above. Giveaway ends on 11:59PM of May 24, 2015. Please take note that you have to be able to give me a Metro Manila mailing address in case you win. Good luck! :)

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National Geographic Holds Successful NatGeoRun 2015 with 20,000 Registered Runners

Muntinlupa City Launches a Breakthrough Benefit Card for Residents

Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop Makes Cleaning Floors Easier!

Cool Down This Summer with Welch's Grape-Banana Smoothies

Birthday Month Giveaway #1: Win 5 CloseUp Forever Summer GOLD Tickets!

Switch and Save with Watsons Label Products and Get As Much As 80% in Savings!

Mother's Day Can Be Every Day with The Peninsula Manila's MomMeCation Package!

Kaspersky Lab Shares the Chronicles of Hellsing: a Spy vs Spy Story

Electrolux Empowers Moms to "Do More With Less" at Home

Birthday Month Giveaway #2: Win One of Two GlutaMAX Gift Packs!