I was about to win a cool gadget but I need to go (A daddy blogger’s dilemma)

Have you ever experienced watching your favorite TV program where the protagonist is about to reveal a secret that has puzzled you for months and then all of a sudden your area got hit by a black out? How about eagerly waiting for the last play of your favorite basketball team in an attempt for a winning basket then you got an important phone call that you really need to take?

‘Tis the season that moments like this happen since almost everyone has a lot of stuff to attend to during these times.

Well, I got hit with one of those moments a couple of weeks back when I attended the Bloggers Night 2011 – Brands that Clicks in Astoria Plaza in Ortigas, Pasig City where some of the well-known tech companies not only exhibited their coolest and latest products, they also raffled away a lot of “goodies” that will make any tech geek salivate.      

The presenters were Archos, ASUS, BenQ, Cooler Master, JBL, Kingston Technology, Power Color, Razer and Sandisk. Below are the products that were presented that night.

Bloggers got to try out some of these products and a few lucky ones were able to take home a gadget  because organizers raffled out at least one gadget from each of the nine presenters that participated in the event.  It was a fun-filled event where we were able to discover new stuff about the latest technology in the market today.

Just like in other events, how you’d wish your name will be called in the raffle at the later part so you have a great chance of getting a “big” prize.  Although in this event, the first surprise that was given away was an Archos tablet that really made quite a lot of ohhhs and ahhhs. 

Then, minor prizes were thrown in to hype up some other “big” stuff to be given away to lucky attendees.  I was not called when they raffled dozens of optical mouse, usb drives and other items.  Just when it was the time to pick the winners of bigger prizes, I got a text message from my wife asking me to go home already since our son Charles has been vomiting the whole evening (Later, his pedia found out that he was inflicted with gastroenteritis). 

I was a little hesitant to go out of the room since I have a gut felling that I will be called during the raffle in any given moment.  But the image of my son vomiting and calling out my name was playing in my head that made me decide and go home without waiting for the raffle draw to finish.

And just what I thought, my name was called.  Not once but TWICE.  A fellow blogger texted me to inform me about this. 

Oh well, there’s always a next time.  After all, parties come all year round.  I may not able to bring home any cool gadget that night, I got to meet and had had fun with my blogger friends. Also, I was able to comfort and take care my son who even though looked exhausted in vomiting several times that night, he still tried to smile while repeatedly asking, “Charles sick?”    

All I have to do is to tell him that he’ll get well in no time if drink his medicine and we’ll play with his toy helicopter in the morning.  He’d hug me and tap on my shoulder gently as if saying, “I’ll be okay daddy” 

Now that's my first prize!

(After a week, Charles got back his groove) 

Fim-Am Midwife is 2011 CNN Hero of the Year

Just when we thought that this December is such a forgettable month, a good news for the Pinoy will comes out like a fresh breather.

Amidst the showbiz controversies, unbelievable heavy rains and a freak plane tragedy that hugged the spotlight, 2011 will end with a sweet victory for the Philippines.  Robin Lim, an Fil-Am midwife based in Indonesia has been named as the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year today.

Image taken from news-website.info

Robin Lim, an American woman who has helped thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth, was named the Hero of the Year on Sunday night.

54-year old LIm was recognized for helping thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth. CNN described her as a community crusader who is affectionately called by people touched by her foundation as “Ibu Robin” (Mother Robin).

Born to an American soldier and a Filipino mother, Lim is a certified professional midwife affiliated with the North American Registry of Midwives and the Ikatan Bidan Indonesia.

“Eleven years ago, I witnessed it working high in the Cordillera mountains. I feel it can work the world over,” Lim said during an interview by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

She spent her time in the Philippines by providing free natal services to relatives and friends she met in Baguio and other Cordillera provinces before she and her husband Willaim Hemerle were based in Indonesia. The couple has five children.

"Every baby's first breath on Earth could be one of peace and love. Every mother should be healthy and strong. Every birth could be safe and loving. But our world is not there yet," Lim said during "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," which took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and recognized Lim and the other top 10 CNN Heroes of 2011.

The CNN Hero of the Year was chosen by the public after an 11-week vote on CNN.com. Lim will receive $250,000 for her cause. That's in addition to the $50,000 that she and the rest of the top 10 Heroes each received for making the top 10.

CNN has given this award in the last five years, with the help of entertainers and other celebrities, have honored everyday people changing the world. This year's presenters include TV and movie personalities J.R. Martinez, Chris Colfer,  Laura Dern, Mary-Louise Parker and Sofia Vergara, comedians Jerry Seinfeld and George Lopez; actors; musical artists Ice Cube and will.i.am; model Christy Turlington Burns; and former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.

In 2009, social worker and educator Efren Peñaflorida became the first Filipino to be named CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2009.

Mr. Imperfect

While browsing on the updates on my FB home page, I can't help get notice wall posts from some friends and contacts about sentimental thingies (videos, photos, quotes and links) about spending Christmas as a member of the SMP or Samahan ng Malalamig and Pasko.

I can only sigh and say thank you that I have already graduated from that stage since I am just blessed to have a very loving wife and happy kid.  During my SMP days, I even shared my thoughts via Philippine Daily Inquirer's Young Blood section for a couple of times years ago.

Last Tuesday, I was reminded again of my SMP moments when I read contributor Georgina Angsanto's longing for a man she can her own. This 26-year old lady describe herself as someone who writes ads for a living but is really a full-time aunt and “yaya.”

Here's the full text of her heart-felt writing which I'm sure any single lady, beki and even men can relate too. This was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (November 22, 2011 issue).

Mr. Imperfect
By: Georgina Angsanto

One day I hope to meet an imperfect man who will seem perfect to me from time to time.

He will not be the best I have ever met, but he will be great when I need him to be. He will hold my hand when we cross the street and make sure I stay on the safe side of the road. He will kiss me goodnight before I go to sleep, and he will kiss me torridly when I don’t want to sleep. He will wake me up with a pat on my leg and once in a while surprise me with breakfast in bed. He will argue with me, taunt me, frustrate me, but he will also let me win without having to tell me.

He will cradle me when I need to be babied, respect me when I need to feel big, and scold me when I make a big mistake. He will sing to me when quiet makes me lonely, and remain quiet when noise makes me mad. He will not always read me correctly, but he will always make his best guess. His timing will often be off when calculating my moods, but when he does find that perfect moment, he will make it one that I will never forget.

He will touch me when my heart is cold and cool me down when my head is hot. He will see through my Tupperware expressions and detect my tears before they fall. He will understand many things I am saying with my eyes, but sometimes he will pretend he doesn’t see them at all. He will hurt me time and again, but he will ask to be forgiven just as often. He will lose his temper because he is human, but he will always strive to become a better man.

He will falter and fall and make mistakes, but he will also rise above himself. He will hold open a door for me, although sometimes he will forget. He will order me around, but will bow when I resist. He will take me to a bar, dance with me, go wild with me, but he will also escort me to the theater to watch a play he never really wanted to see.

He will go shopping with me, but he will roll his eyes only when I am inside the fitting room, not when I can see him. He will stand by me at the cosmetics corner, and pretend he’s not bothered by the shade of purple I am trying on. He will laugh at me, not just with me, to remind me not to take myself too seriously.

He will tell me the whole truth when I am ready for it, but he will be ready with his half-truths when that’s what I should hear. He will make me realize that I need him, but only up to half as much as he needs me. He will make me admit that I want him, but only after he professes how he feels about me. He will bring out the best and the worst in me, but he will stick with me always.

One day I will meet an imperfect man. He will love me, and I will love him wholeheartedly.

A Day with Sarah

Bigla ako kinilig when Sarah smiled back as I call her name for this shot

It's not everyday that I got invited in a presscon for a movie so I did found my self inside the Dolphy Theater at the ABS-CBN compound one Saturday afternoon.

Well, I went there for a lot of reasons anyway.  First, bonding time with fellow bloggers. Second, met with my best friend who works for the TV network. Third, checking if someone I know from Viva Entertainment (my former employer) is present in the occassion. And lastly, Sarah Geronimo will be there.

I'm not really a big fan of Sarah but she's Sarah Geronimo.  I'm sure anyone who hear her sings will be easily be an instant fan.  Plus, she's also a decent actress especially in romantic-comedy films.

with Direk Raz dela Torre

During the presscon, the spotlight is on Sarah and Gerald although they are joined by a couple of co-actors, Director Raz dela Torre and the writer and producer.  The lead stars were asked questions about the film but more on their personal lives. Both were grilled by movie reporters who would not stop throwing questions until one of them would give a "non-promo promo" answer.

But even without any promotional stunts or gimmick, this movie will be a hit.  After all, Sarah is Sarah Geronimo. Plus, you also have fans of Gerald who can also packed the movie houses. 

Come November 30, I might find again myself inside a theater but not to attend a presscon but it's still about Sarah.  I hope my wife will accompany me in watching Won't Last a Day Without You which stars the Pop Princess and Budoy aka Gerald Anderson.  One thing I'm excited about this movie is how my idol Joey de Leon  is like as Sarah's father in the film.  I can sense riot... and of course, love!

One Hyundai Club Life in Style

It's still a month and a half to go before we say goodbye to 2011 and yet many companies have already unwrapped some surprises in store for their customers for next year. 

A good example is Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI).  They have announced that they will be starting the year with a blast as it holds the ultimate lifestyle event of the year come January.

One Hyundai Club Life in Style is a grand lifestyle event that celebrates the good life that all One Hyundai Club members and Hyundai customers truly deserve. Happening on the 14th of January, 2012, this event is HARI's way of thanking OHC members for their continued support and patronage throughout the years.

The event will feature the launch of the 2012 One Hyundai Club Life in Style Journal and will bring to life a taste of the various shopping, dining, beauty and wellness, travel and leisure activities and promos that the journal has in store for OHC members. Primarily intended for OHC members who will enjoy special perks and the chance to win exciting raffle prizes, the event is also open to other Hyundai car owners and guests.

One Hyundai club members and existing and potential Hyundai customers get the opportunity to experience the good life they deserve with the different activities lined-up that will surely cater to their various interests.

Log-in and register at www.ohclifeinstyle.com.ph, for more details, and like us at facebook.com/OneHyundaiClubLifeInStyle.

Don’t just live your life, live it in style.

A great food experience at Tokyo Cafe

I love Japanese food.  I love coffee.

Call it coincidence or what but I just feel lucky to be invited in a blogger event organized by Tokyo Café, the only Japanese style family restaurants that offers Western dishes with the distinct Japanese touch and prides itself with genuine Japanese hospitality and services in the country. The event was held at Tokyo Cafe SM Megamall branch and bloggers were treated to an afternoon of great food and quality service. Thus, I would love to share my latest food discovery.  Actually, it's more on the food that I'd like to recommend.  The dining experience was such great that I will definitely comeback here with my family and friends.

During the event, we were privileged to meet Mr. Atsushi Yoshizawa, Japanese Executive Director for Restaurant Development of Tokyo Cafe, along with Marketing Manager Kate Paredes.  Mr. Yoshizawa is a native of Tokyo, came from a reputable Japanese coffee shop. With his background with restaurant operations, he adapted the same method and ventured into the food business here in our country. At the same time Ifoods Exchange Incorporated with its growing brands was able to partner with Mr. Yoshizawa that provide him a team that was able to develop and conceptualize the dishes, the restaurant look and the entire brand.

Mr. Atsushi Yoshizawa and Ms. Kate Paredes ofTokyo Cafe

Among the many mouth-watering dishes in the menu, I tried the Ten-Ju, a big serving of fried shrimp tempura with signature tempura sauce on steamed rice.  You just have to taste it for yourself to experience how delicious and satisfying the dish is.

A big serving of Ten-Ju

I also found out that Tokyo Café is not just your regular coffee shop.  Tokyo Café with its 6th branch coming soon on the south has been a sought after Japanese coffee shop in the country. The restaurant’s cozy ambiance is a welcoming sight for me and my companions.  Serving not only coffee but delicious food and unique Japanese beverages is a delectable combination that you wouldn’t want to miss. Combine with other western menu, you don’t need to skip from one shop to another be able to get a taste of all the cuisine and desserts.  And you might be happy to hear they don't have service charge.  Nice, right?  It was such one great food experience that I want to repeat!

Here are only some of the promotions that Tokyo Cafe is offering:

Tokyo Cafe branches are located at SM Mall of Asia; SM The Block; Mckinley Piazza; Go Hotel; SM Megamall and NAIA Terminal

For more details and information, you may visit www.tokyocafe.com.ph and like their official FB fanpage at facebook.com/tokyocafe.

Going Gaga over Gargling

You know how significant and dependable a brand is when it becomes synonymous to the product.  Take the case of Colgate.  You'll definitely think of toothpaste when you hear the name, right?  I suddenly remember a high school meeting for our camping, our scout master reminded us, "Bring your own soap, shampoo, toothbrush and Colgate."  And just last week, my office mate while holding a toothbrush approached and asked me, "Sir, pengeng Colgate, ha?"  

That’s how trusted the brand is.  And that's why Colgate is my brand of choice for many years now whenever I buy any oral hygiene products like mouth wash.

For people on the go like me, a bottle of Colgate Plax has been a necessity for both work-related and leisure trips.  I usually have meetings with colleagues and clients after lunch time.  I’m pretty sure the last thing these people would like to know during our conversation is what I had for lunch.  No matter how great the burger or tuna grill I ate, it will not be pleasant to their noses during our meeting if I don't take "necessary precautions".

I also meet my friends and former classmates for after work gimmicks from time to time.  Most of the time, I spend an hour inside a cab on the way to our hangout with my mouth closed during the whole trip especially if the driver seems to be a snub.  When I arrive, I make beso-beso with my female friends, talk face to face with my other buddies because the bar’s sound system is just too loud and then I’ll suddenly sense that my breath smells like egg sandwich even if I did skip meryenda that day.  This are just some of the embarrassing moments that I want to avoid that’s why it came to a point that I was like going gaga over gargling.

Thank God for Colgate Plax and I need not to gargle all the time.  Colgate Plax is an advanced antibacterial protection for longer lasting fresh breath.  It’s clinically tested by dentists, helps prevents cavities with no burning sensation, kills bacteria by up to 99.9% and a mouth protection for 12 hours. Wow!

Now that’s what you call mouth confidence.  I made a list of my top reasons why one should not gargle all the day long.  And so I say: with COLGATE PLAX, no more PLAQUE:

People might think that you have a facial nerve disorder because of your constant gargling habit anytime and anywhere.  Imagine if your office crush sees you, you’ll never get even on first base.  Who wants to kiss a pair of moving lips up, down, up, down, left, right, left right?

Longer bathroom time spent during work hours.  If you’re so OC and gargles an average of once in every hour, you will spend 15 minutes going to and from the CR and another 15 minutes inside the room. That’s a total of 4 hours of bathroom moments just for gargling. That’s more time spent on your work since you also spend an hour doing Facebook and another hour looking for lost files.

Allotted budget for gargling habit becomes costly.  Instead of just buying a hotdog sandwich and an energy drink in a convenient store during break time, you’ll also get a small bottle of mouth rinse.  You don’t need to be an accountant to know you’re spending too much.

Questions will be raised about your personality.  You gargle a lot that you have whiter teeth than your boss and fresher breath than your dentist.  But no one wants to talk to you in the office because people think that their mouth and teeth are not worthy in your standard.

Unexpected things may happen while you’re gargling inside the bathroom.  A unicorn appearing in the HR office… a flying pink elephant landing in the parking lot… DPWH officials checking the seawall in front of your office… and you all missed them because you’re too busy gargling.

Explaining to people why you gargle a lot is such a hassle.  This, I think, I need not explain.

If you are looking for fun stuff other than gargling but still has something to do with gragling, you should visit the Colgate Plax website and the try the cool and easy to use Colgate Plax Gloo Gloo application.

I just uploaded my photo doing the two thumbs up for Colgate Plax while wearing my Speedy Gonzales costume because, as I said, I am always on the go. Andale Andale! Arriba Arriba to the best mouth experience since first kiss!

Please click the image to view my funny gloo gloo animation

Stellar: A Brighter Vision for the Future

Mr. Edmund Macaso, CEO of Stellar Philippines, Inc. (second from left) and Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio of the Department of Trade and Industry (second from right) during the ribbon-cutting ceremony

A joint venture between Stellar Global and Paxys, Inc., Stellar Philippines was formed to be the main outsourcing facility for cost-effective offshore services and solutions provided by Stellar’s Australia, US, Canada and UK offices.  Since its incorporation over 4 years ago, Stellar Philippines has become one of the country’s fastest-rising call center and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.  

The entire Stellar network is composed of more than a dozen outsourcing centers strategically located in business districts of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Queensland and Western Australia, Montreal, Canada, Irvine, Scotland, Colorado and Texas, USA. These centers showcase the formidable strength and expertise of Stellar in providing superior voice and non-voice, back-office services to its global clients covering a wide range of industries such as telecommunications, utilities, transport, finance, government and manufacturing.

To deliver its brand promise, “Excellent People deliver Excellent Results,” Stellar Philippines engages a relatively rigorous learning and development approach which includes a “Near Hire” training program, designed for applicants who might have some minor flaws. This program aims to convert these applicants into “new hires.”

A unique feature of Stellar is its corporate culture which revolves the “Open Book Management” philosophy. In a nutshell, OBM is about making employees feel like ‘business owners’ and letting them in on the company’s financial reports. This type of management aims to develop the employee’s entrepreneurial spirit wherein they also share in the company’s profit.

And now that Stellar Philippines is charting a new chapter in its storied existence, the company is leaving no stone unturned to make its dream as a topnotch BPO company in the country a reality. Expanding further, Stellar Philippines recently launched a new facility that will showcase the company’s remarkable growth in its operations.

Housed at the MDC 100 Building along E. Rodriguez Avenue (C5) in Libis, Quezon City, the new Stellar Philippines corporate headquarters and BPO facility will be a true sight to behold. Operating in a strategic BPO location that also houses some of the best names in the BPO industry, the new facility features state of the art equipment and technology .

“It has been our dream to move to this present area in order to showcase our capabilities and make sure that we are in the radar of clients looking for the best outsourcing options on this side of the world. Being the world’s top outsourcing capital, we have always believed that the Philippines is truly ready to meet the increasing global demand for voice and back office outsourcing,” explains Mr. Edmundo Macaso, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Philippines.

Aside from operational efficiency, Macaso said that Stellar Philippines places high value on its integrity and the commitment to excellence to meet business goals. Lastly, it gives credit to employees, which he describes as the cornerstone of its operations. “At Stellar, we value each individual’s merits and contributions that’s why we make sure that they have a comfortable, safe and healthy working environment in order for them to manage customer relationships effectively.”

Stellar is a leading global provider of call center and BPO solutions. It operates outsourcing centers around the world manned by more than 5,000 employees that collectively manage over 300 million customer interactions and 100 million transaction processes annually.

Manny Pacquiao is a boxing world champion and PLDT myDSL Watchpad is a Knockout!

I used to hate watching boxing matches.

My tatay would always spend the whole weekend scanning almost every boxing card on TV and just bribe me with a few coins for me to get a snack and a bottle of soda while I sob because I missed another episode of my favorite cartoon show.

Also, I find the matches boring compared to those exciting sequences in WWE where people fly out of the ring, hit one another with steel chair and make someone die for a few moments and rise again when the audiences started to chant the grappler’s name.

But my impression about boxing changed because of one man --- the People’s Champ and eight division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. There is no single adjective to describe this Filipino icon who is considered by many as the greatest boxer who ever lived. Aside from being a great athlete (he also played amateur basketball as a member of MP Warriors in PBL-Liga Pilipinas last year, btw), he has also a string of self-produced films and hit songs (deny or it not, but you have sang with one of his popular tunes either inside a sardine-like FX or while watching his post-fight concert). Of course, we should not forget that he was elected as the Representative of Saranggani province in the most recent national election.

Pacquaio is like a magnet (right, Jinkee?) that can attract even non-believers wherever he goes. He brings the crowd up into the rafters of the venues of his fights whether it’s in Dallas or Vegas (not to mention the local gyms and basketball courts converted to mini theaters for the live broadcast of the Pacman’s exploit against just about anybody who has the balls to share the ring with him. One of the few times that we feel that our Mayor is really doing something after all). Manny indeed is the Big Ticket of the Philippines. He is the face of boxing who has given fans of all ages some of the most exciting fights in the last 10 years. Thus, earning him the “Fighter of the Decade” award from the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

This coming November 13 (Sunday), Pacquaio will again showcase to the world the fighting heart and world-class skills of a Pinoy fighter as he battles for the third time Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, the current WBA Super, WBO and The Ring Lightweight World Champion, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I will definitely watch this fight and have to drop any schedule that will come that day. Everybody takes a day-off when Manny fights. Even hoodlums and criminals keep their guns and ice picks under their pillows during the most anticipated match-up in boxing this year.

One way of getting the best seat watching the Pacquaio-marquez fight is via PLDT myDSL Watchpad Big Ticket. Watch LIVE with no commercial breaks.  Free for myDSL Plan 1995/ 3000 subscribers who are registered to Watchpad. Sign-up now for PLDT myDSL now at 10Mbps and be one of the first to catch this mega fight and celebrate what many predict will be another rousing victory for our very own the People Champ--- Manny Pacquaio. For more information, log on to www.myworldmydsl.com.

Entertainment is better than it’s ever been, it’s awesome! This guarantees that you'll be spared from the almost endless strip of TV commercials after every round of the fight when you watch the delayed telecast with faster live streaming online courtesy of  PLDT myDSL Watchpad, it's a knockout!

Radii, set, go for a perfect fit for my feet!

I love looking at other people's underwear.

Whether they're just sitting around or lying on the floor, these stuff makes me pause for a while and examine their details in every angle.  Of course, I prefer if I see them while being worn by their owners.  Well, many people can be showy sometimes especially if what they're wearing is branded.  Some flaunt theirs subconsciously, especially in public places and transportation. I would often take a peek without their knowledge.

Actually, it has become a hobby for me to have a glimpse on what my co-jeepney passengers are wearing.  Some are plain while others stand out with vivid colors.  You can notice if its new, old and faded even if they are slightly covered.  My eyes have became experts on this after hundreds of jeepney rides in my lifetime.

Ooops... I hope I am not misleading you with this post.  I am actually talking about shoes.  I hope we are on the same page.

I don't know with you guys but I consider shoes as underwear.  It covers the lowest part of the body and even Merriam-Webster agrees, "underwear is an article worn next to skin (we sometimes wear shoes without socks) and under other clothing (like cover shoes)."

My fascination with shoes goes back when i was in high school.  I would nag my mom to get me the latest pair of Michael Jordans then with the hope that I can improve my vertical with it during basketball games.  I even imagined myself as the male version of Imelda Marcos.  But instead of stilettos and dancing shoes with lights, I'll get a pair of each style and brand of sneakers in all available colors and keep 'em in a room as big as the shoe section of a department store. Nice dream, right?

Well, I may not able to realize this dream for now (or ever) but at least I can wish to Urban Athletics and Pinoy Urban Music to give me a new pair of Radii this Christmas.  What I love about Radii's line of footwear is its futuristic designs and durable materials combined with classic styling and detailing. Each shoe exudes confidence for people on the go like me. It's a perfect fit for my feet anywhere I go from blogging events to barkada gimmicks and weekend dates with my wife. It's definitely in my wish list for this year's holiday season. And so i say, Radii, set, go!  I know that they are not the foot fairies (if there is such a thing) but I'm very sure Urban Athletics knows how to make shoe fanatics like me happy.

Inspired by the raw originality of the street, Urban Athletics is a store that brings modern urban lifestyle to the forefront as it bravely combines athleticism with urban fashion.

As new fashion forms broke out across the globe, we saw how sportswear evolved into streetwear, and vice versa. This fashion phenomenon led them to bring together elements from skateboarding, parkour, music, street culture and everything in between to allow every urban hipster invest new styles and make a statement on the streets.

Through the synergy between authentic sports and street wear brands like Adidas Originals, Vans, Zoo York, Nike Sportswear, MarcEcko, and more, forms a cutting edge store that infuses attitude with style. Urban Athletics features sneakers, apparel, gear and alternative accessories. Visit their store at the 2nd level of Greenbelt3.

Want to get updates about cool stuff, products and events? Log on to Facebook and like Urban Athletics and Flipclan.com.  You can also follow @urbanathletics and @flipclandotcom via twitter.

Confessions of a Soyami-holic

 

I have a confession to make and I want the whole world to know about it.

I have a new GF!

We met in a grocery store one afternoon during my office break.  Honestly, I did not see anything different with her looks at first glance.  Seems like just like the others waiting to be picked up.  Call it destiny perhaps that I took off my hand from my pocket and accidentally hit her by the body but was able to catch her before she fell flat on the floor. It was then that I saw her real beauty face to face.  I noticed something special with her that was written all over her body—low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free. Umm-umm… sexy!

We clicked instantly and were seen together frequently.  I would have her on my lap, beside me or even under my desk while working just to avoid unfriendly remarks from others.  But I'm pretty sure my officemates knows about it. At first, they can’t understand the “madness”.  But soon, they realize what’s about her that kept me coming back for more. 

It took awhile before I was able to introduce her to my wife, thinking that she too won’t understand.  You know how wives are when they found out their spouses are hooked into something new.  They’ll dissect you!

But to my surprise, she’s fine with my new GF.  My wife told me, she already know her since she’s been hearing a lot of good stuff about her.  But the downside is, we often had petty arguments from time to time about her.  Actually, it’s like a little “lambingan” when we share a pack of this GF as in Good Food.  Sometimes, a pack of Soyami is not enough for the two of us that we often end up “fighting” for the last chips.

Soyami Soya Chips is your healthier choice to snacking! It is made with Real Soya, no MSG, high in Protein and Calcium and 0% transfat.  It’s available in 3 flavors: Original, Pizza and White Cheddar.

Most people say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  This could be the reason why I love Soyami.  The good thing about it is that it’s a healthy snack.  There are also other snacks in the market that are packed with protein but of poor nutritional quality, more fat than (and nearly five times the sodium of) potato chips, pork rinds meet the common criteria for junk food.  I admit that I was once hooked with junk food as well but why continue eating such unhealthy stuff if I can do snacking without guilt with Soyami.

How healthy is Soyami? You might be asking this question.  Below are some of the benefits that we get from eating soya.  So if you want to be healthy, just remember SOYAMI:

Smoothens and improves skin complexion.  Soy is such an amazing tonic and helps promotes healthy skin texture, making it smoother, fairer and softer.

Okay for the intestines.   Soy contains a useful substance called FOS which could increase the good bacteria in human intestines.

Your defense against cancer. Soy has a substance called soyasaponin that helps destroy the formation of tumor cells while suppressing their growth.

Aids in protecting your kidney.   Soy protein is more beneficial to the kidney since it does not add more of a workload to the kidneys causing them to be overburdened like animal protein does to the kidneys.

Makes the bone strong. Soy has a common range of essential nutrients, particularly phytoestrogens which can effectively help prevent calcium loss, enhance the body absorption in calcium as well as increase bone density.

Improves memory.  It has been proven that a diet high in soy contributes to better learning capabilities, brain performance and vitality while enhancing brain memory.

Indeed, Soyami is so yummy and healthy for my tummy!  Try it now and start discovering the health benefits you and your family can get from it.  This healthy snack is available in leading groceries and supermarket nationwide.

The good food that is close to my heart

I’m sure one of these days, you’ll bump into a pack of Soyami.  And when you do, lucky healthy you!

This is my snacking without guilt with Soyami.  For more updates about Soyami promos and events and healthy snacks, please like Soyami Facebook fan page and follow Soyami on Twitter.

I'll Take Care of You

Philippine Volcanoes team member Andrew Wolff with a Finesse Shampoo representative

What comes to mind when you hear the words, "I'll take Care of You."

Assurance... guarantee... safety?

Well, what if a hunk like Andrew Wolff, a model/ actor and member of the Philippine Volcanoes, whispers those words to you?

Kilig? Well, that would be a normal reaction from a girl or a "beki" but if you claim to be a male and felt even a little kilig... hmmm. That's another question.

Actually, the last time I encountered those assuring words is when I attended an event organized by Finesse Shampoo at  TRC in 1880 Bldg., Eastwood, Quezon City last week.

Finesse is the brand that really takes care of your hair. It has a self-adjusting formula. Your hair suddenly becoming silky smooth and so manageable with just a small application of Finesse shampoo and conditioner. Hair when disheveled easily falls right back into place. You can curl parts of your hair even just with your bare hands while hair is still a little wet  because of the high level of manageability of Finesse-shampooed and conditioned hair. What's more, hair looks shiny and feels soft to the touch.

Finesse launched its “I'll Take Care of You” Call Center Invasion where Finesse hunks with local rugby hero Andrew Wolff. They went to various call centers to give agents tender, loving hair care. The Finesse Hunks shampooed more than a hundred call center agents using Finesse Self-Adjusting Shampoo. This product targets young professionals just like the call center peeps. Being in this industry is not easy – I bet you! It is a day to day basis that you will meet Mr. and Mrs. Stress and one obvious manifestation of it is dry hair and dandruff. And Finesse specialized their products to the needs of Filipino young markets.

Finesse Self-Adjusting Shampoo is the intelligent shampoo. Its self-adjusting formula provides only the nutrients your hair needs, thus preventing build-up or weigh-down. Regardless of your type of hair, there is an appropriate Finesse variant: one is Texture Enhancing for normal, healthy hair. Another is the Moisturizing dry, for coarse or damaged hair, and Volumizing for fine or thin hair.

Participants to this ‘I’ll take care if you’ call center tour will have a chance to win an Ipad 2 and Samsung Digicams during the remaining raffle draws on the following dates:

            November 15, 2011                 Samsung Digicam
            November 30, 2011                 iPAD 2

Get to know more about Finesse. Visit http://www.facebook.com/finessehaircare.

Nuffnang Blog Awards, Here I Come

 

December 16 is a special day to a lot of people.

Payday for the working class. Start of the Filipino 9-day Christmas midnight mass.  And do you care to know that it’s the birthday of music genius Ludwig Van Beethoven?  Well, there’s a Yahoo group for fans of this great composer with a current membership of 500 plus.

For bloggers like me, especially for Nuffies, it’s OUR DAY! Come 16 December 2011, 500 bloggers from around the Asia-Pacific region will flock to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011 in Putrajaya Marriott. The Awards aims to not only honour the region's best bloggers, but also to bring together blogger communities from across Asia-Pacific. The Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards is brought to you by Volkswagen Malaysia and Putrajaya Marriott.

It would really be a blast to be part of this amazing event for many reasons.  Here’s my top 3 Ys on why I want to attend the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011:

You just have to be there.  It’s like the Christmas day of bloggers where all people seem to be jolly and gifts and freebies are everywhere.  It’s the time of the year when we raise a toast and give recognition to the finest bloggers of this side of the world.  So many faces, so many races different voices, different choices--- bloggers of all sorts of shapes and sizes will gather in one momentous event.  And I want to be part of the festivities and witness the The Event at first hand!

Yodel on top of at least one of the Petronas Towers.  It there is one place that I want to see if I’ll be granted a chance to go on an overseas trip, it would be Kuala Lumpur to see the majestic Petronas Twin Towers--- the world’s tallest twin buildings.  The main reason why I want to see this pair of 1500-feet skyscrapers is that I wanted to experience the same joy and excitement that my late brother Jimmy felt when he visited Malaysia a few years ago.  I can still remember the smile on his face whenever he talks about his trip to the country, the awesome towers and the friendly people.  I know with this chance, I can relive some of the great memories my Jimmy told me… breath the same air, walk the same ground and be amazed with the same wonders he got to experience before he left us.

Yell out my blog’s name while walking on the red carpet. This year has been a very great year for me as a blogger for the reason that I have won numerous blog contests and online promotions.  But of all the victories, I am very proud most of my four winnings in the many blog contest conducted by Nuffnang Philippines this year.  I have also won two of their blog contest last year. And I just hope the cherry on top of this very fruitful year is the chance to walk on the red carpet of the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011, meet fellow bloggers from other countries and learn a thing or two from the best of the best.

You see, this yuppie can yank a yammer of a list of why I am yapping and yowling for a yellow ticket to the coolest blog awards of the year.  But yeah, I don’t want to sound that I’m like yelping--- yet.

Posting via Blogger using an iPad 2

If you can read this post, that means that I was successful in my first attempt of using the Blogger app via iPad 2. The said app can be downloaded for FREE via iTunes and it's very user-friendly.  Discover it yourself and I'm sure you'll agree.

Now to explain the dark photo... I am actually doing this post in a dark corner of an apartment somewhere in Proj. 4, Quezon City.

And besides, it's Halloween in two day, rights?

What's a Healthy Deal?

Health is wealth.

How many times have you encountered this saying?  Did you ever consider it as your life’s mantra? Or you just treat it the same way you do with classic phrases like “Time is Gold” or “Love is God?”

It’s kinda sad that sometime most people only get concern with their health when they have symptoms of an ailment or worse, already suffers from a disease. 

Now here’s another motto that I’m sure would a ring a bell--- Prevention is the best cure.

I hate to admit it but I am one of those people who should be a little health conscious but would continue to live with the bahala na attitude. Bahala na if I get soaked wet under the rain… bahala na if I don’t exercise regularly… bahala na if I eat a lot of salty and fatty foods.

Then came a wake up call.  I got a news that a friend from high school was diagnosed with leukemia.  She’s just in her early 30’s and she’s a doctor.  It made me realize how life can be so short and that I am blessed to have a better health that I should maintain.  I should definitely take care of my body now.

Good thing, we are now in the times that health tips and useful information are easily accessed online.  Not only that, we can also avail of healthy deals with just a few clicks of the finger.  Have you heard about Healthy Deals Philippines?  HealthyDeals.ph, is the newest and only group-buying site in the Philippines that offers health and wellness deals, coupons and discounts exclusively.  It’s like I was browsing a mini health clinic online with the many products and services it offers.  The other good news is one can get quality and effective brands at less cost.

One product that caught my attention is the Glow Liniment and Glow rub that can be purchased at the discounted price of Php 60 each per bottle.  That’s 50% off from their original price.  I hate headache, stiff neck, back ache and muscle pain which is what Glow Liniment can take away from your body.  Glow rub is another pain killer that also helps better blood circulation.

This and other great health deals are available online at HealthyDeals.ph.

This is my entry to the What’s a Healthy Deal?” Bloggers’ Raffle Contest.

Did I say that health is wealth?

For more updates on products, events and promotions, kindly follow and like Healthy Deals Philippines’ Twitter account http://twitter.com/healthydeals_ph and HealthyDeals.ph Facebook page.

Got a biz? Multiply!

  
If there is one bible verse that will fit good as a mantra for every businessman, I think it would be "Go forth and multiply!"

One better way of taking it literally is by maximizing what technology and social media is offering today to every entrepreneur is by joining the Multiply marketplace.

I have just launched my very own Multiply store called Bargain Ben with the promise of quality products at less cost. Thus, my battle cry is Less Price, Let's Buy!  Please like Bargain Ben Facebook fan page for more updates. 

Of course, before putting up the said store I made sure that I have checked others store first to have a grasp on how the dealings would be like.  It was fun browsing to the many nice-looking shirts under Multiply Store Philippines which is one of the many merchants  that offers payments via BDO, BPI, GCASH, and PayPal and shipping options through Courier (Philippines) and meet-up or pickup between seller and buyer.

But what caught my attention that I end up buying an item is the store Check in Joy with it's various brand of perfumes at cheaper price.  It's very easy to buy a product. Please see the step by step procedure below on how I bought a Paris Hilton Pink 100 ml. for my wife.
  

Step 1: Choose the product you want to buy and click the BUY NOW button

Step 2: Click the PROCEED TO CHECKOUT button 

Step 3: You will be asked to log in to your Multiply account

Step 4: Choose your payment mode

Step 5: You will be redirected to your Paypal account (in case this is the one that you'll be using)

Step 6: A confirmation message will be sent to you and the merchant

Now, all I have to do is to wait for the merchant to contact me on how we can arrange the shipment of the product that I ordered. That simple, that easy!

You can contact Multiply marketplace through the following:

Telephone: (+632) 655.0937
Globe: (0917) 813.6171
Smart: (0947) 393.3671
Sun: (0923) 967.2875
Email: csph@multiply.com
Inquiry Form: http://multiply.com/info/contact 

The World Will End on October 21... Magkita naman tayo!

Cartoon by Bob Englehart from The Hartford Courant

Whenever I hear news about soothsayers predicting about the end of the world on a certain date, I would just smile and say to my self, “Who the heck are these people to know when our planet will stop rotating.”

The last individual who boldly predicted rapture was evangelist Harold Camping who said in a special broadcast on his radio program Open Forum that May 21, 2011 is THE DAY.  Of course, it did not happen.  After five months, guess who’s back with a new prophecy--- Mr. Camping.

Now he’s saying that October 21, 2011 is the REAL DEAL.  Well, that’s just a few days from now and I bet this 90-year old wannabe fortune teller will again eat his words and hopefully will be fed up with it and just spent his remaining years on Earth drafting his will and testament, or why not make a bucket list instead.

Hmmm… which kinda inspire to come up with my own bucket list for the spirit of fun if indeed, October 21 is the end of the world.

I’ve been known to my friends as a person who easily got stars trucked whenever I meet celebrities specially when I least expect them.  More than likely, I will never leave the venue until I have a photo with the celeb.  So, here are the five local personalities I’d like to have a picture with before October 21:

Vic Sotto.  I am arguably his biggest fan.  I have watched his TV shows and movies ever since.  I even have clippings of news, features and interviews on newspapers and magazines and video copies of his films when I was a kid only to loose a lot of them during a nasty flood that hit our home in Pasig more than a decade ago.  I have watched Eat Bulaga live at Broadway Centrum for a number of times but never had the chance to get near him.  My best Vic Sotto experience happened when he greeted me and my wife on air in an episode of Eat Bulaga on December 2006, a week before our wedding, after he read an article I wrote about him for The Philippine Star.  With Vic Sotto mentioning my name… priceless!

Vina Morales.  I am not ashamed to admit that I have a crush on Vina--- with all her muscles and sometime kinda OA way of singing.  I don’t care what other people say but the moment I heard her sing “Perslab” during the Wednesday edition of That’s Entertainment, I was just swept away and still a fan until today.  I had so many chances of meeting her since I worked for three years with the VIVA Entertainment Group, his mother studio then, but it never not happen.  My best Vina Morales experience was on my 25th birthday.  I was in the shooting of our company's TV commercial when I got a call from a well-wisher.  My office mates who were left in the office manage to ask Vina to call and greet me on that special day.  I still keep the autograph picture of Vina which she left on my office table with the note, “Hope to meet you someday”

Ronald Tubid. I am a certified Ginebra fan ever since I learned to love the game of basketball.  When I was young, I sometimes end up in a fight with other kids who would say bad words about my all-time basketball idol, former Senator Robert Jaworski (who I also want to meet).  When the Big J left the PBA, I looked for another cager to follow and I found Tubid--- a former school mate at the University of the East Manila.  He was known as “The Saint” in the early years of his career after being tapped as the face of the next Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod.  But because of his rugged plays and dare-devil attitude towards the game, he was christened as Mr. Fearless.  My wife knows this, I have skipped countless dinners and some important occasions just to watch Tubid and the Gin Kings play. Uber but true.

Ely Buendia.  I don’t know if I would ever enjoy college life that same way I did if Ely and the Eraserheads were not able to penetrate the local music scene in the 90's.  Thank God, it did not happen.  Eheads’s music was my anthem during the time I was looking for inspiration as a working student who has only enough money in my pocket for the cheapest meal and jeepney fare to go home on a day-to-day basis.  On my first year in college, the band scored a hit with “Ligaya” from their first studio album and the rest is history.  They are the only artists, local and foreign, whose songs I will never get tired of listening to.  Until now, I still can’t believe how I manage to buy all their albums since the cost of the tape then (a little over Php 150) was already my one week allowance.  Huwag mo nang itanong sa akin.

Ricky Lo.  If only I have the look of Piolo Pascual, height of say, Dingdong Dantes and the voice of Martin Nievera… I could have been a movie star.  Well, I thought then that being a movie fan is the nearest thing I can be until Ricky Lo, Editor of the Entertainment section of The Philippine Star opened the doors to writers who wants to contribute articles and movie reviews.  I don’t know if Ricky knows how people like me feels seeing our names going side by side with the newspaper regular columnists like Boy Abunda, Joey de Leon, Venus Raj and other veteran writers.  Feeling celebrity na rin ako for a day.  I have a dozen of my articles Ricky has allowed to be published in the newspaper which I will forever be thankful.  Thank you so much, Sir Ricky!

I really have a long list of the people I want to meet but since October 21 is just within the week, I'll have a short list for now.  Oh well, I can make another list after the said date. That is if the prediction is wrong.