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Sunday, March 31, 2019

Yeah Yeah Chinese Cuisine now open to give you multisensory experience

It has been months since I stopped eating Chinese dishes because I don't find anything "extra" anymore. Like siomai, siopao, hakao, mantao, Chinese noodles, sweet and sour dishes, and other Chinese foods taste the same from one restaurant to another. I want a gastronomic experience that I could really exclaim "WOW!!" from the first bite which is why I visited more Japanese, Korean, American and European cuisines in the past months. I am really looking for something that I haven't tried in my more than three decades of existence.

A prelude to an elaborate feast, the cold cuts platter in Chinese literally means “meeting or welcoming dishes”

Until one day, I was invited to try Yeah! Yeah! Chinese Cuisine. Since I was free on that date and I just want to chill, I went to the resto with a few of my friends.

Nothing grand with the interior of the resto, even the storefront is simple - ah just another Chinese resto in town serving the same Chinese dishes I have eaten before - I said to myself.


The long table was filled with lots of Chinese foods and I don't know what to pick first since I don't have any favorite among the dishes, but like how the traditional meal should start; I tried first the soup from the Beef Brisket Noodle Soup. "Hmmm, flavorful." I have tried a lot of dishes like this but this one stands out. While some tastes too sweet, too salty, some taste like the soup is made from bouillon - this one is authentic. The beef broth tastes so natural. 

Beef Brisket Noodle Soup - tender beef meat, flavorful borth, really authentic taste

Then I tried the Spinach Seafood Soup. It is a thick soup generously served with seafood such as squid and shrimp. Being a seafood lover, I really enjoyed it because it is well seasoned and very comforting.

Then I tried some appetizer which is the Hot Prawn Salad. It is made up of a fried prawn - yes, coated prawn not shrimp, with cabbage slices and fruit cocktail mixed with their special sweet-sour sauce. This one is a WOW! (with an exclamation point). I admire how the prawn was coated carefully that its natural taste and flavor will not be affected by the coating. This really stimulate my appetite.


One of the most surprising dishes is their Crab Roe Siomai. I was about to snob it because it might just be another siomai filled with meat and extenders, but I gave it a try because it is huge and got me curious why. It never disappoint me. The siomai is meaty - filled with pork meat and shrimp - no extenders! It was heavenly prepared. It is unexpected to a siomai especially the name doesn't give you  of any hint what is inside, but only the crab roe which is on top of it.


I also have to commend their fried rice - while other Chinese restos have dry rice, theirs is different, rice is sticky; mantao, cake and their refreshing fruit juices and shakes. They all taste good and you'll never regret giving them a try.


I know there are a lot of good food in Yeah Yeah, but I was really full - my tummy and heart were full - because of the satisfying dishes I tried; which is why I only selected a few and haven't tried some of the meat dishes such as the Pig Leg Misua, Dong Po pork and Soy Chicken.

Their menu is inspired by the personal concept of the owners and their in-house chef, so we’re assured that every dish they produce is made with love.


Yeah Yeah has just opened last July 2018 and is located in Hemady Square in E.Rodriguez Sr. Ave in Quezon City.

Their specialty includes Cantonese dishes with Hong-Kong style cooking. The Crystal Hakaw (P138/four pieces) doesn’t get gummy at all, even if they spend some time in the bamboo steamer—though you do want to pop these morsels in your mouth immediately. The tender wrapper easily gives way to the fresh shrimp, and the whole dumpling has a satisfying bite. Meanwhile, the Crab Roe Sio Mai (P120/four pieces) is chock-full of umami flavor, with an earthiness reminiscent of Shiitake mushrooms.


If you’re craving spice, though, Yeah Yeah has new entrées that to heat things up. Don’t expect regular squid rings in your Sizzling Squid With Ginger Onion (P580)—instead, you’ll get thick slices that are still surprisingly tender, with fresh ginger and onion to spice things up.

They currently have Promos for Lunch and Dinner Buffet, please see poster below :



The next time you would like to celebrate with hearty, sapid, toothsome, aperitive dishes - you don't have to look so far or do hard searching cause Yeah Yeah is open to serve you from 10:30 am to 10 pm daily.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

28 new Premium Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus Service Routes to roll out soon

Memorandum Circular 2019-010 of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) opens 28 new Premium Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus Service routes for the benefit of the commuters to and from Bulacan, Batangas, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo and La Union.



Here are the packages, routes and corresponding fare :


Package 1

1. Angat, Bulacan – North EDSA, Quezon City

Route Length: Approximately 59.5 kilometers

Authorized Units: 19

One-Way Fare: PHP240


2. Angat, Bulacan – Lawton (with Special Stop at Tutuban)

Route Length: Approximately62 kilometers

Authorized Units: 19

One-Way Fare: PHP248


Package 2


3. Balagtas, Bulacan – North EDSA

Route Length: Approximately 30 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP120


4. Pandi, Bulacan – North EDSA

Route Length: Approximately 43.3 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP175


5. Plaridel, Bulacan – North EDSA

Route Length: Approximately 42.7 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP170


Package 3


6. Calamba, Laguna – Makati (with Special Stops in Cabuyao, Laguna)

Route Length: Approximately 54.5 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP220


7. Calamba, Laguna – BGC/Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City (with Special Stops in Cabuyao, Laguna)

Route Length: Approximately 55.2 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP220


8. Calamba, Laguna – Lawton (with Special Stops in Cabuyao, Laguna)

Route Length: Approximately 60.4 kilometers

Authorized Units: 16

One-Way Fare: PHP240


Package 4


9. NAIA/Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) – Baguio

Route Length: Approximately 269 kilometers

Authorized Units: 48

One-Way Fare: PHP1,080


Package 5


10. Clark – Baguio

Route Length: Approximately 176 kilometers

Authorized Units: 30

One-Way Fare: PHP700


Package 6


11. Cebu City – Lapu-Lapu City (with Special Stops in Mandaue City)

Route Length: Approximately 20.5 kilometers

Authorized Units: 20

One-Way Fare: PHP80


Package 7


12. Cebu City – Danao City (with Special Stops in Mandaue City, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela)

Route Length: Approximately 78.8 kilometers

Authorized Units: 45

One-Way Fare: PHP315


Package 8


13. Cebu City – Sibonga (with Special Stops in Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar City)

Route Length: Approximately 75.1 kilometers

Authorized Units: 45

One-Way Fare: PHP300


Package 9


14. Iloilo City – Iloilo International Airport

Route Length: Approximately 20.2 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP80


Package 10


15. Iloilo City – Caticlan

Route Length: Approximately 229 kilometers

Authorized Units: 50

One-Way Fare: PHP920


Package 11


16. Iloilo City – Kalibo Airport

Route Length: Approximately 180 kilometers

Authorized Units: 45

One-Way Fare: PHP720


Package 12


17. Philippine Arena – Clark

Route Length: Approximately 75.8 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP300


18. Philippine Arena – Calumpit, Bulacan (with Special Stops in Bocaue)

Route Length: Approximately 27.4 kilometers

Authorized Units: 15

One-Way Fare: PHP110


19. Philippine Arena – La Union

Route Length: Approximately 244 kilometers

Authorized Units: 36

One-Way Fare: PHP980


20. Philippine Arena – Central (Quezon City)

Route Length: Approximately 24.7 kilometers

Authorized Units: 20

One-Way Fare: PHP100


Package 13


21. Batangas City – Alabang

Route Length: Approximately 80 kilometers

Authorized Units: 19

One-Way Fare: PHP320


22. Batangas City – Lawton (with Special Stop at Buendia)

Route Length: Approximately 104 kilometers

Authorized Units: 40

One-Way Fare: PHP420


Package 14


23. Batangas City – Ortigas

Route Length: Approximately 103 kilometers

Authorized Units: 21

One-Way Fare: PHP410


24. Batangas City – Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)

Route Length: Approximately 100 kilometers

Authorized Units: 27

One-Way Fare: PHP400


Package 15


25. Lipa, Batangas – Alabang

Route Length: Approximately 62 kilometers

Authorized Units: 20

One-Way Fare: PHP250


26. Lipa, Batangas – Lawton (with Special Stop at Buendia)

Route Length: Approximately 86 kilometers

Authorized Units: 35

One-Way Fare: PHP340


Package 16


27. Lipa, Batangas – Ortigas

Route Length: Approximately 84 kilometers

Authorized Units: 35

One-Way Fare: PHP340


28. Lipa, Batangas – Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)

Route Length: Approximately 82 kilometers

Authorized Units: 25

One-Way Fare: PHP330


The filing of qualification documents was closed on March 22 and the new routes are expected to roll out in the next few weeks.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Lucio Tan, Jr. On Why Sustainability is Important in Business

As it celebrates the success of its 165 years, Tanduay Distillers, Inc. (TDI) looks to the future by doing its share in protecting the earth's resources. TDI President and Chief Operating Officer Lucio "Bong" Tan, Jr. sees the company continuing the green initiatives it started years back and looking for ways to make its operations even more environmentally friendly.


"We always strive to find a healthy balance between environmental development and operational efficiency. We have realized this long ago in Tanduay, we never stopped in looking for better ways to ensure we do our part for the sake of the environment to ensure the future of our business," he said.

According to Tan Jr., stakeholders do not only demand strong business performance, but for business organizations to champion socially and environmentally sustainable as well as responsible business practices.

Sustainability should be part of the company’s corporate DNA, he said, emphasizing how the transformation to a zero-waste facility of TDI’s distillery in Batangas has provided greater value for business over the years.

“Businesses need to level up our game in making environmentally sound decisions in our operations. As a result of transferring into sustainable business practices, we were able to derive, direct and indirect values, that improved our processes and our relationships to our stakeholders,” he added.

Under Tan, Jr., TDI has taken on various green initiatives through its award-winning distillery, Absolut Distillers, Inc. (ADI), in Lian, Batangas. These include the following: the establishment of a bioethanol facility with an expected production volume of 3 million liters per month; the operation of a 2.04-megawatt solar power plant; initiating an orga-ponics operation where it makes use of its distillery effluent (slop) as the main fertilizer of its plants; registering in the Anaerobic Digester Project of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol (a UN-sponsored program that aims to reduce harmful gas emissions into the environment).

These initiatives were recognized by various environmental organizations. In 2011, it received the International Green Apple Environment Award from the Green Organisation at the British House of Commons in London, England. ADI was cited for "viewing their waste products as commodities." The distillery operation of TDI has, likewise, been lauded and has received multiple awards from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). I

"As a company that operates a manufacturing plant, we are very much aware of the role we play in making sure that the products we make should not be to the detriment of the resources we use. We want our operations to be environmentally sustainable not just for our own benefit, but for the good of the community and people we serve," Tan Jr. concluded.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Kids learned and had fun at the Robinsons Kidz Club Fair at Robinsons Townville

For the whole month of March, the first Robinsons Kidz Club Fair is happening across the Robinsons Townville malls where kids can  play, learn and have fun. Robinsons Kidz Club, the membership club of the Robinsons Townville malls offer kids 3 to 12 years old exclusive access to the various kiddie events of Robinsons Townville including the Robinsons Kidz Club Fair, and a free birthday gift each year.


The Robinsons Kidz Club Fair was a massive hit among kids at the Robinsons Townville Buhay Na Tubig last March 23. Various activities were prepared for Robinsons Kidz Club members wherein they learned the science of colors through interactive games and activities which include coloring activities, color wheel making and a special light & color science presentation. They also had fun putting their creativity into action by mixing and matching colorful beads during the friendship bracelet making activity.

“We believe that children best learn through fun and play that’s why we are continuously coming up with events and activities that will not only entertain children but would serve as a platform as well for our Robinsons Kidz Club members to learn,” says Joel Delfin, the AVP for the Robinsons Townville malls.

There are a lot of events in store for the Robinsons Kidz Club members this year continuing with the grand event this April 21 entitled ‘A Magical Easter’. Members can expect fun games and a whole lot of fun as they are invited to come in their cutest unicorn costumes. That’s a magical and one of a kind Easter celebration for the Robinsons Kidz Club members.

Sounds exciting? Register to Robinsons Kidz Club in the link below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctpIDAbsnvKziM3kbiEHFU7sN-1EeHzWZDPyQ6MpZ5mJmHBQ/viewform

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Converge ICT gives you the FREEDOM in mobility

Missed your favorite shows? Want to catch up with the latest and trends on air but no time to do it at home?

Now you can watch what you want, when you want and where you want with the Converge FREEDOM. Converge ICT Solution’s newest service in mobility - Converge FREEDOM -revolutionizes the way you watch and access content. Powered by their pure fiber internet, Converge FREEDOM is a streaming service designed to access your content at your own pace and convenience.



FREEDOM is accessible thru any streaming device for as long as you are connected to Converge internet. The app can be downloaded for free via Playstore and Appstore. It features not just the local shows but other international programs from Fox, National Geographic, and more. There's also Pay-per-view shows but you need to pay for the service on top of your FREEDOM subscription plan. You may also enjoy it on your TV via the Set-Top Box (STB) which you can purchase with your Converge FREEDOM Subscription plan.

“We’re very excited to launch Converge FREEDOM today as we give our valued subscribers the full power over what they watch, when they watch it, and where they watch it,” says Jesus Romero, Converge ICT Chief Operating Officer. “This is the first of the many new offerings we’re introducing this year and we’re starting off with what Filipinos enjoy the most: access to entertainment. You will no longer be limited to watching your favorite programs on your TV. With Converge FREEDOM, you can watch anytime, anywhere in your home with its on-demand functionalities.”


Entertainment at your own pace, at your own place

Converge FREEDOM gives you access to premium channels perfect for whatever passion or interest you may have.

Whether it is movie, music, sports, food, news, or events, you won’t have to worry about missing out on your favorite show. Converge FREEDOM comes with four main features that allow you to enjoy content as you please: Time shift, Playback, Multiview, and Movability.

With Converge FREEDOM’s Time Shift functionality, you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward your content for up to four hours. You’ll never have to wonder what happened on your favorite show too because you can watch previous episodes up to seven days before via Playback.

For subscribers with family members with different interests, Converge FREEDOM’s Multiview feature lets you watch shows simultaneously through different devices. For those without a Set-Top Box, Converge FREEDOM can still be enjoyed in your devices via the FREEDOM app. This allows you to access content wherever you may be within your house.

As a leading provider of fiber internet in the country, Converge FREEDOM runs on pure end-to-end fiber internet. It has a minimal bandwidth consumption of 2 to 2.5Mbps for Smartphones and Tablets and 4.5Mbps for TV Set-Top Box for high-definition content



Get it for as low as P299 monthly

To start enjoying your own Converge FREEDOM, existing Converge subscribers and businesses may visit https://freedom.convergeict.com/ to subscribe. Non-Converge customers can access Converge FREEDOM by switching to Converge fiber internet first.

As a treat, Converge ICT is giving its existing subscribers a FREEDOM App 30-day trial period from March 29, 2019 to April 30, 2019.

Converge Freedom Plans are initially available in these areas: Metro Manila (Navotas, Parañaque, Quezon City, Taguig Pateros, Valenzuela, Marikina, Caloocan, Muntinlupa) and North Luzon (Angeles, Mabalacat, Tarlac).

Converge FREEDOM can be enjoyed by Converge FiberX subscribers with Plans 1500, 2500, and 3500; Converge Fiber Xtreme subscribers with Plans 4500 and 7000; Converge Microbiz subscribers with Plans 2000 and 3000; and Converge iBiz subscribers with Plans 9000, 12000, and 15000.

“We hope to upgrade our subscribers’ entertainment experience by maximizing convenience while providing premium content. We’re planning to extend this service to everyone in the country as Converge continues to revolutionize the way Filipinos experience internet and access content,” adds Romero.

For more information on Converge FREEDOM, visit freedom.convergeict.com.


About Converge ICT Solutions

Converge ICT Solutions is the leading fiber internet and digital consumer-centric services provider in the country. Established in Angeles, Pampanga in 2015, it is the first to run a pure end-to-end fiber internet network, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable internet connection. Converge ICT Solutions is ISO and CE2.0 Certified.

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Over 200 Bonsai Creations Gathered at the Sanib Pwersa 2019

Bonsai, a Japanese word for tray planting is an Asian art form using cultivation techniques to produce small trees in containers that mimic the shape and scale of full-size trees. This Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years.

In the Philippines, the first one-of-a-kind exhibit of precious bonsai trees in pots, viewing stones, and ikebana arrangements and workshops by Masters of the craft was set at the Sanib Pwersa, a show that puts the spotlight on over 200 bonsai from Jaai trees, suiseki viewing stones, and ikebana creations. It is also the first time these three Japanese art forms and culture was featured in one big Philippine show.


Located at The Block Atrium, SM North EDSA last March 22 to 25, the show was the biggest, grandest, and most attended exhibit because of its lineup of distinguishes lecturers - National Bonsai Association of Taiwan Bonsai Master Amy Liang, Bonsai Master Kunio Kobayashi from Japan, Bonsai Master Yen Zi Jing from Taiwan, Bonsai Master Wu Jian Zhang from Taiwan, Expert on Viewing Stones Thomas Elias from USA, Expert on viewing stones Hirpmi Nakaoji from Japan, and Ikenobo Professor Rpmeo Balderrama, Jr. from the Philippines.


Through the continuous efforts of SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Philippine Bonsai Society (PBSI) and major organizations such as the Natural Stone Society of the Philippines, and Ikebono Ikebana Society of Manila #67, nature lovers experienced yet another 'green' malling adventure.

SM and PBSI continue to hold events in support of their shared advocacy for the environment. Just last month, a memorandum of agreement was signed by SM Supermalls and PBSI so that all PBSI shows and exhibits will be held exclusively in SM Malls nationwide.

Watch the video coverage for the launch of Sanib Pwersa in SM The Block last March 22, 2019 :


Watch out for more bonsai events at your nearest SM Supermalls.

Sarah G has found a New Love ----- in the Kitchen

Just when you thought Sarah Geronimo can do it all, she reveals that she also learned how to cook. Speaking at the launch of Phoenix SUPER LPG, the Popstar Royalty shared that although it took her a while, she really wanted to learn how to whip up culinary hits in the kitchen.

"Ginusto ko po talagang matutong magluto. Parang ang sarap kasi sa pakiramdam na kaya mong ipagluto 'yung pamilya mo and friends mo." (I really wanted to learn how to cook. It feels good to be able to cook for your family and friends.) Sarah said.


Having discovered the joys of cooking, Sarah took culinary classes to further her newfound passion. She started with little experiments - from whipping eggs correctly, to cooking simple dishes. Eventually, Sarah learned to make Filipino favorites such as adobo and sinigang.

"Marunong na rin po akong gumawa ng iba't ibang sauces." (I also know now how to make different sauces.) Sarah equipped in between laughter.

HER SECRET RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

For Sarah, nothing beats preparation and hardwork when it comes to pursuing any interest. This has always been her magic formula to succeed in whatever she chooses to do. She also emphasized the importance of having help or assistance available whenever needed. For this, she counts on her mentors who help bring out her best, whether she's  performing on-stage or acting on-screen.

Even whn it comes to cooking, Sarah admits to getting some assistance. She admitted, "Syempre kailangan natin ng safe and simple tool to help me, 'di ba ? Especially when I was just starting, medyo kabado po ako magluto." (I need a safe and simple tool to help me, right ? Especially when I was just starting, I was really nervous.)



THE TASTE OF DISCOVERING MORE JOYS

Sarah swers by Phoenix SUPER LPG, which promises a safe, sigurado and simple cooking experience. It uses a German-made SRG regulator with an inlet safety valve, a reserve indicator, and snap-on mechanism.

"Using Phoenix SUPER LPG makes me feel more at ease kasi ang dali n'yang gamitin, making cooking  even more enjoyable and hassle-free. Sarap pala magluto !" (Using Phoenix SUPER LPG makes me feel more at ease because it's so easey to use, making cooking eve more enjoyable and hassle-free. I realized how much it feels great to cook.) She said.

With features that highlight safety, certainly and simplicity. Phoenix SUPER LPG helps Sarah pursue her new passion and discover the joys of cooking.

"We re are happy to be partners with Sarah as she expands her passion from the stage to the kitchen. Just like anyone who cooks, she needs a reliable partner to make this experience more enjoyable. With Phoenix SUPER LPG, she's sure to find more joy in cooking." phoenix Petrolium Assistant Vice President for Brand & Marketing; Celina Matias said.

During the event, attendees were taught by Chef JM Sunglao a simple five-minute easy to make meals, so they too can make their own dishes using the all-new Phoenix SUPER LPG.

To order your own Phoenix SUPER LPG, please call #SUPER (#78737) for nationwide delivery.

Friday, March 22, 2019

Mega Prime and Masflex come together to serve more Filipino homemakers

In a mutual interest to serving the Filipino homemaker, leading canned food manufacturer Mega Prime has partnered with kitchenware giant Masflex. Recognizing the need for affordable and quality products for their consumers, this partnership will allow both brands to continue empowering Filipino families when it comes to their kitchen needs.

Haresh Mirchandani, Masflex Cookware President; Ram Mirchandani, Masflex Cookware VP for Sales; Marvin Tiu Lim, Mega Global VP for Sales and Marketing; Michelle Tiu Lim-Chan, Mega Global VP for Finance, Export and Support Group

“Mega Prime has always been committed to turning everyday dishes into extraordinary meals through our full line of premium products. We are always looking for companies like Masflex that share our goal of enhancing the kitchen experience by helping moms to become savvy homemakers. Through this partnership, we can

continue to provide activities and offerings that will benefit our consumers,” remarks Mega Prime’s Sales and Marketing Head, Marvin Tiu Lim.

Before Masflex, Filipino consumers were forced to buy very expensive global brands which majority couldn’t afford, and some were forced to deal with the lower-quality locally-made recycled scrap material cookware that posed a health risk. Masflex recognized these extremes in the market and decided to provide a range of affordable products that still had a standard of quality for homemakers. To answer the needs of the Filipino homemakers love for their cooking, the Masflex brand was born.

Now, Masflex has become the country’s leading provider of affordable, easy-to-use, and high quality kitchen and dining solutions, and has been supportive of the same cause as Mega Prime.

“We are looking forward to this partnership with Mega Prime and are very excited about exploring different sales and marketing initiatives and advocacies that will further enhance our consumers’ brand experiences,” explains Ram Mirchandani, Masflex’s VP for Sales and Business Development.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Kickstart the Summer on Shopee with flash deals from ₱44, ₱4 million worth of coins on Shopee Quiz, and huge prizes to be won

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, kicks off the Summer season with Shopee 4.4 Summer Bazaar from March 21 to April 4. Shopee will fuel the Summer excitement with special contests and activities lined up across Shopee platforms, offering huge prizes including four free round-trip tickets to El Nido and ₱100,000 in cash. In addition, users can enjoy over 1 million deals, flash deals from 44 from top brands and retailers, and ₱4 million in Shopee coins on Shopee Quiz.


Martin Yu, Associate Director, Shopee Philippines, said, “Summer is one of the most awaited times of the year in the Philippines, and we are thrilled to kick it off with the Shopee 4.4 Summer Bazaar. Summer is a time for fun and adventure for Filipinos and in line with this, we have introduced challenges and activities across all Shopee platforms to engage and entertain users at Shopee 4.4 Summer Bazaar. In addition, users can enjoy over 1 million deals on Shopee from leading brands and sellers to enjoy greater cost-savings. We look forward to a fun Summer at Shopee and we invite all Filipinos to join us at Shopee 4.4 Summer Bazaar.”

Score Huge Prizes for Summer at Shopee

From March 25 to April 5, Filipinos can fuel their Summer hype with the brand-new in-app game, Shopee Summer Quest. Users can accumulate points by completing various activities daily on the Shopee app, including checking in, playing Shopee Shake, and purchasing selected products. The top-ranking users on the live in-app leaderboard will receive a grand prize of ₱100,000 cash, as well as prizes worth ₱4,000 from top brands, namely Anker, MET Tathione, Maybelline, The Playbook Store, Silverworks, Huawei, Honor, A&S, Unilever, Mossimo, Mass, Snail White, Black + Decker, Stanley, and Meizu.

From March 22 to April 4, Shopee will also launch the nationwide Shopee Human Flatlay social media contest. Users stand a chance to get four round-trip tickets to El Nido by posting creative photos of them and their friends featuring Summer products from Shopee on Facebook and Instagram, with the hashtag #ShopeeHumanFlatlay.

15 Days of Sizzling Promotions with over a Million Deals


The Shopee 4.4 Summer Bazaar promises offers 15 days of promotions and games from March 21 leading up to the highly-anticipated big sale day on April 4. Users can look forward to over 1 million deals from leading brands and sellers across all categories. Key highlights include:
  • Up to 90% off leading brands from all categories, including Maybelline, Dove, Surf, Realme, Huawei, Pedigree, Hanford, and Seaoil.
  • Flash deals starting at ₱44 across all categories from the hottest brands and sellers. Up to 10 rounds of flash sales will be available daily to give users greater cost-savings on their favorite items.
  • 4M worth of Shopee coins to be given away on Shopee Quiz. Users can participate to earn coins daily with upsized sessions on Shopee 4.4 Games Day on March 26; Shopee 4.4 Quiz Tuesday on April 2; and the peak on April 4.

Win an iPhone XS Max by buying load and data on Shopee

Finally, users can also score a brand-new iPhone XS Max at Shopee 4.4 Summer Bazaar. Users stand a chance to win by spending at least 50 on prepaid mobile load and data on Shopee from March 21 to April 4.

For more information about Shopee 4.4 Summer Bazaar, visit http://shopee.ph/4-4 starting March 21.
Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Behavior Change Strategies + Social Support: A Scientific Approach to Weight Management

Breaking bad nutrition and fitness habits can be complicated. Through constant repetition, they become part of our lives. Furthermore, when you add pleasure to those unhealthy habits –like how good pizza tastes– the pleasure centers of the brain will create the craving to repeat that stimulus.

Following a brief, scientifically referenced discussion of the widely accepted psychological principles of behavior change, several published studies from third-parties and independent from Herbalife Nutrition underpin social support in weight management. These studies were held over varying time periods and with various groups but all suggest that when it comes to weight management, the combination of two approaches is most likely to work for substituting bad habits with healthy ones: behavior change strategies reinforced by social support.


Habits are, essentially, patterns of behavior, so by tackling a pattern, you are working on breaking the habit itself. Scientific literature stresses three specific behavior modifications techniques that work when trying to manage weight:


1. Self-monitoring

It’s not about accuracy, but about being aware of what you eat and how much you exercise. Research has consistently demonstrated that self-monitoring is associated with improved treatment outcomes, and patients report that it is one of the most helpful tools in weight management.


2. Stimulus control

Identifying and modifying cues associated with overeating and inactivity can make it easier to maintain healthy habits. Controlling cues associated with overeating or a sedentary lifestyle can be helpful for long-term weight maintenance because exposure to these triggers may cause weight regain.


3. Stress management

Stress is a primary trigger for overeating, Deep breathing, muscle relaxation and meditation are proven stress reduction techniques and can reduce distraction from stressful events which can interfere with the adoption and maintenance of new behaviors.


Social support can make a difference when trying to lead a healthier and happier life. We know that good habits are tough to establish, so having a community around you for support, guidance and encouragement can be critical.

Several independent studies show that higher levels of social support are associated with greater success in achieving and maintaining weight loss. A key finding is that groups do not need to be primarily oriented toward weight management. Peer support can help people to become more self-accepting, develop interpersonal skills or new ways to manage stressful situations, all of which, in turn, might help with weight management objectives as a secondary positive consequence.

It’s also important to note that nowadays, social support comes in different shapes and sizes. It can be exercising with a friend, joining a supervised attendance program, engaging on weekly e-mails with tailored feedback and lessons, or even posting regularly on social media. High online activity, positive votes or likes received per post and engagement in discussions that might provide social support are associated with greater weight loss.

While more research is needed in this area, these initial findings are promising. Whatever the motivation to be in better shape may be, engaging in a weight management journey entails many positive outcomes, such as having more energy to be with your loved ones, better overall health and getting to know like-minded people. That is why this important decision should be undertaken with discipline, joy and any tool for behavior change that can be helpful. Remember: no effort is too small or dismissible.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Understanding more about financial success for families

What is financial success?

For some, financial success is owning their dream house and dream car, or having a lot of investments or bounty of savings.

But for me, being financially successful means being in control of your money instead of it controlling you. Your income doesn’t necessarily determine how financially successful you are – your choices and priorities do.


It doesn't matter how much investments you have, how much money you saved in the bank, if you don't know how to properly manage them, then you will not be able to enjoy them in the long run.

If you are struggling, financial success may seem like a distant dream, but thanks to Mommy Matters Philippines and Ms. Karen Pacia (www.karenpacia.com) for organizing the event, Tools of Financial Success for Families.

This seminar provides the basic tools to help families openly discuss money matters and gain the critical life skills needed to make smart financial choices. Key content includes understanding wants versus needs, setting savings goals for different NEEDS & STAGES OF LIFE, investing, shopping wisely, and budget planning.

Attendees also had a chance to conduct a Financial Needs Analysis with licensed financial executives to help them understand what they really need and HOW they can address these needs depending on their budget or current situation.

The event was indeed an eye-opener and a big help for families who wants their dreams come true and secure the future of each and every member.

 If you want more tips and FREE Financial Planning talks and more from the A-Team, pls check out https://www.facebook.com/mommymattersph.

Monday, March 18, 2019

Celebrate Black Saturday with Music by the Beach at the Zambali Summer Festival

Zambali Summer is a celebration of love, life, and faith and the freedom to enjoy all of that. It is a music festival that would showcase mainstream bands from the Metro and up and coming local artists from Zambales, with the beautiful beach coast of Zambales as its backdrop.

Zambali is derived from the word “Sambali”, which is the original name of Zambales; and also refers to the Zambales’s original natives, the Sambals. 


Every summer, most residents of the Metro and Filipinos, in general, spend their Holy Week away from the city for a well-deserved getaway and spiritual rejuvenation – usually at the beach. For some, this has ripened as tradition. Year after year, major beaches outside of Metro Manila are packed with both locals and tourists alike. Usually, Maundy Thursdays and Good Fridays are spent reliving the true meaning of the Cross, and our salvation. Black Saturdays, on the other hand, has always been the official day when families and friends go out of town to spend time together and unofficially celebrate the resurrection – and have fun!

This year, beach-goers from the Metro can experience Holy Week the Zambali Summer way! The perfect way to experience the summer heat by listening to a wide variety of live bands while bathing in the sunshine, the funky feel of the sand and a cold drink on your hand, all that while supporting the local music scene, advocating for the environment, and supporting the campaign against dangerous drugs.

Why Zambali Summer?

This music festival aims to showcase the local music scene to the mainstream, and empower local artists to organize and take center stage by sharing their music. The force behind the event is purely the collective effort of the local community because it is only thru this collective action that we can truly make an impact in promoting local tourism, effectively advocate for the environment, and support the government’s unrelenting campaign against dangerous drugs.

Also, Sambali is the original name of Zambales, which is known for its long stretch of beautiful and pristine beach and there is no better way to bring people together, than thru good music by the beach!

This beach music festival is headlined by one of the most sought-after rock bands in the country today, Mayonnaise. Other bands who will also join the celebration are Switchblade Manila, Whiskey Version, Gin Rum and Truth, The Black Wolf Gypsies, Hey Moonshine, and many more.

Zambali Summer will be held on April 20, 2019, Black Saturday, in Brgy. La Paz, San Narciso, Zambales.

For tickets online, beach-goers and music lovers can search for Zambali Summer in www.Eventbite.com, or they can visit the Facebook Page “Zambali Summer 4.20.19”.

Sunday, March 17, 2019

MAG Business Center opens its door for distributorship

I have always believed that a business is better than an employment. Having your own business is more stable than being employed for a long time. There is financial stability and more quality time when you manage your own. But the question is, how to start a business of your own? Where to get the capital for the business?

Contrary to popular belief that we need a huge amount of capital to put up our own business, there are actually a lot of ways to have own business with minimal or little capital yet earn as much as you're earning from your employment or even bigger than that.


This is actually what MAG is all about. MAG which stands for maximum Alliance marketing Group (MAG), Inc., is a direct selling company which was conceptualized by 3 visionary Filipino entrepreneurs who are fueled with strong passion, have a genuine desire to uplift the lives of their fellows and be an inspiration to other entrepreneurs and to others who want to be an entrepreneur.

Mag's vision is to be a dominant player in the direct selling of perfumes and organic and all-natural skincare products by providing opportunities for all budding entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence and a comfortable standard of living.


All their products are :

► FDA approved
► Very affordable for as low as Php350.00 per 90ml bottle
► Very safe to use
► 23% oil-rich perfume
► Long-lasting, scents last up to 48 hrs
► High-quality;  Imported raw materials from France and Spain

MAG's own business center located in Malate, Manila was opened last March 15, 2019. The soft opening was very intimate, where the guests are mostly friends and friends of the owners and their business partners. A few celebrities were also in full support during the launch which includes - singer Moira Lacambra, TVC actor Chris Fong, rising GMA star Josh Thompson, WCOPA Gold Medalist Renz Fernando and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist, Madonna Decena.


Why you should invest in a perfume business?

Aside from the low capital being offered by MAG, for as low as Php1988.00 - the perfume business is not hard to sell. Your product will speak for itself. If you are confident that your product is of good quality or is better than others of its kind then, you can just show it to people, let them try and see the goodness for themselves.

Perfume is part of our household necessities. Who doesn't use perfume anyway? Who doesn't want to be fragrant, to smell good and be confident? It's easy to find your target market when you are into the perfume business because people of any age, size, gender, color, and race use perfume.


This is your chance to a life-changing opportunity. Here is something locally made that we could all be proud of. MAG is waiting for you to and is willing to help you in your journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. You could even earn millions here if you will just start now and believe you can.

For inquiries, pls call or text 09177605815 / 09062252520.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

2019 National Food Fair Highlights

National Food Fair tradition continues on its 6th year at the Megatrade Halls 1-3, Building B, 5th Floor of SM Megamall beginning March 14 until 17. After the success of its previous editions since 2013, a new iteration is back to celebrate the best of Philippine food products with exciting new additions as well as old time favorites. Following are the event highlights to watch out for:

A beautiful tablescape with a backdrop of Philippine Cacao

Top Chefs at the Island Kitchens (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao)

Promoting the joy and innovation in their cooking during the 4-day event are some of the country’s most respected chefs, namely: Cherry Tan, Gabby Prats, Anton Abad, Vince Garcia, Boy Logro, Raymund Yabut, and Don Edward Quito. Attendees will be treated to live and simultaneous cooking demonstrations of Kapampangan cuisine and other regional specialties as well as ingenious recipes using special ingredients like bamboo, sugarcane, cacao and other local ingredients.

The hands-on cooking demos will include mouth-watering recipes on Beef Tapa Muscovado, Chocolate Scotch Eggs, Humba with Chocolate Sauce, Chicken + Mango Sugarcane Chutney, French Toast + Sugarcane Cinnamon Glaze and Sour Cream Pancakes with Muscovado Syrup plus fresh fruit coulis, among others.

OTOP featuring our local wines

Design Solutions

Branding and Packaging

The Design Center of the Philippines explore playful and innovative packaging ideas in retail and gifts that counter a consumer culture inundated with upfront product information. Targeted to capture consumers who value authenticity, the initiative puts prime on narrative and storytelling as a mechanism in presenting a business’ value proposition and creating a strong brand identity. Featuring specialty rice, banana chips, atsara (pickled vegetables), and cane vinegar, the packaging concepts weave together the brand story with cultural and social cues reflective of its context while empowering consumers through choice and variety.

Some of my favorite products, specially the sardines in olive oil

OTOP Hub

An integral part of the National Food Fair is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Hub. This will feature OTOP’s next generation products in a retail store environment. These offerings can be found in pasalubong centers, airport terminals and tourist spots, supermarkets, weekend bazaars, public markets, Go Lokal! outlets, Negosyo Centers, and other consumer-frequented locations, including shopping malls. Catering to the general mainstream market, these stores offer quality, transformed, and standards-compliant OTOP products.


KAPEtirya/Coffee Pavilion

KAPEtirya, a coffee pavilion will showcase quality Philippine coffee blends and coffee brands together with suppliers of native delicacies and bakery products that pair well with coffee.

Gatas ng Kalabaw with yogurt

Participation of Farm Tourism Destinations /Tour Operators

Farm tourism destinations and tour operators accredited with the Department of Tourism join the NFF for the first time.

The National Food Fair is a project of the Department of Trade and Industry –Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion in cooperation with the Regional and Provincial Offices and with the support of the Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture and La Germania.

For more information about the NFF, please call the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion at tel. no. (2) 7513223 or email bdtp@dti.gov.ph. For regular updates, please “Like“ the Facebook page www.facebook.com/DTI.BDTP and follow us on www. twitter.com/DTI_BDTP and www.instagram.com/dti. bdtp. Please use our official hashtag: #NFF2019, #KainTayoPilipinas, and#iamdtiph in all your social media posts related to the National Food Fair – Philippine Cuisine & Ingredients Show.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Clark Global City Hosts this year's Frontrow International Hot Air Balloon Festival

The eye-popping visual of larger-than-life gathering of hot air balloons in all shapes and sizes from all over the world is happening at the Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga on March 12 - 14 2019.

This year's Frontrow International Hot Air Balloon Festival promises to be even bigger, bolder, busier, and better. You will witness the sky be dotted with giant animals, happy faces, and other improbable flying objects alongside the classic striped hot air balloons. That moment when they all rise up to the sky in the sunrise is one of the most IG-worthy moments we'll see once more.


The event boasts of a bigger and more accessible venue at the Clark Global City - a thriving hub of industry and commerce that you can literally get to by air, land, and sea. Clark Global City is also a place with a heart for the environment where efficiency is the new business norm and gold LEED is the standard. Around 50,000 to 70,000 people from all walks of life are expected to come - from families with young children, teens, students, tourists, to various groups such as motoring clubs, foodies and travel enthusiats, even real estate, and government groups.

This year's Hot air Balloon Festival at the Clark Global City will not just dazzle spectators with amazing aerial attractions but high-energy ground festivities you sure don't want to miss.

This year's participating countries are Philippines, Korea, USA, Belgium, Malaysia, Netherlands, France, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, Vietnam, and India. There will be a total of 20 balloons, 15 of which has regular shape and 5 with special shape. Entrance tickets is worth P350/person/day, 3ft below is free of charge. Gates open at 5AM.



Unlike the previous years, the balloon ride will be tethered for everyone's safety, meaning the balloon is tied to the ground with 3 or 4 very strong ropes to keep the balloon from flying away, but you will still experience going up the air off to 50-70 meters high. Each ride costs P500/person.

The festival will also feature activities earthbound. There are over a hundred of food and shopping choices . There are fun activities for kids and families such as inflatable attractions and slides, shows for kids with their favorite cartoon characters. The country's hottest music acts, along with the best of Pampanga's bands will take the stage every night over the weekend with the country's hottest acts - Slapshock on Friday, Kamikazee on Saturday and Ely Buendia and Hale on Sunday.

Car and motor enthusiasts will gather together for several major events that include the National Drift Championship, Slalom Racing, Philippine Auto Cross Championship Series, Philippine Rally Cross Series, and Suzuki Motorcycle Philippines Stunt Show.

You'll also set to witness groups dancing and grooving to the beat this summer as 20 dance groups from different cities compete on April 13, 2019.

Don't forget to make #Summer2019 even hotter with the #FrontrowHotAirBalloonFestival!