The Philippine Beat

My Cebuano is a bit rusty but "lingaw lingaw kaon" to me means "enjoyable eating". The Cebu restaurant that coined "lingaw lingaw kaon" is now here in Manila - Choobi Choobi.

Some of my mommy blogger friends had already been to Choobi Choobi and were posting about their food adventure so when I received an invitation to try their menu out, I immediately said yes.

It was a very early day for me. I had dropped off my son at school and arrived in Choobi Choobi while they were still fixing up the place for the blogger event. No worries. I brought work! The Choobi Choobi staff were so nice. They even offered a heaping plate of breakfast for me but I declined because I knew we were in for a lauriat-style lunch and I wanted to reserve stomach space for all of it. Hahaha...

The table setting was unique, with our utensils wrapped in what looked like plastic, transparent kitchen globes. When I asked about the gloves, the staff answered that it could be used by those who would rather not eat with their hands. Not me! I will go kamayan anytime! I think it is one of the best ways to whet one's appetite and really dive into a unique seafood gastronomic experience.

My fresh Pineapple Organic Kale juice and utensils wrapped in kitchen gloves

Choobi Choobi owner Stan Tanchan told us the story of the restaurant. Their family started out with a shrimp farm in Cebu which they operated for over 20 years until they decided to branch out into other related ventures. He first began exporting his shrimps to restaurants worldwide. But Stan had a passion for cooking and there began his creation of different dishes for Choobi Choobi, where shrimp was a specialty. Today, Choobi Choobi does not just offer shrimp dishes. They offer other delectable seafood dishes and meat-based dishes as well.

Our first dish was Cha Tao Miao - crunchy and tasty stir-fried snow pea sprouts. I found it quite unusual to start off our appetizers with a vegetable dish but surprisingly, it was a refreshing and light way to start our lunch.

Cha Tao Miao (PhP 180)

Seafood Barkada Bag came next - a mix of imported shrimps, mussels, corn on the cob, and Cebu longganisa. The whole lot was cooked in and generously served up with Choobi Choobi's cajun sauce. I focused my appetite on the shrimps (these stood out for me because they looked so different from local shrimps - they had much bigger heads but smaller bodies) and mussels, which are always a favorite choice. I left my tablemates to finish the corn and longganisa. The best way to eat this is really with one's bare hands, soaking them in the cajun sauce before popping them into your mouth.

Seafood Barkada Bag (PhP 645)

Choobi Choobi, while specializing in seafood, is not all seafood. They have meat dishes. One that is a must-not-miss is their Choobi Pata -- crispy on the outside, juicy soft on the inside. And that is no exaggeration. Although all their tables were packed full of bloggers at the event, they managed to serve this dish up with the skin remaining crispy for a long time! I must confess...I have not been eating crispy pata for a long time already for health purposes but I did not regret trying this one.

Choobi Pata (PhP 445-medium; PhP 465-large)

Back to seafood, our next dish was Shrimp in a Bag. A whole pound of shrimps -- that goes into the Shrimp in a Bag. Also, it can be cooked in various ways. The one served us was a Singaporean style of cooking with salted egg shrimp but you can also opt for the shrimps to be cooked in butter garlic, sauteed in garlic spicy gata, or cajun sauce.

Shrimp in a Bag with Salted Egg Shrimp (PhP 440)

My favorite dish of all was Stan's Fried Black Pepper Shrimp, a pound of crispy shrimp cooked in the owner Stan’s special black pepper sauce. This is a personal recommendation from me if you plan to dine at Choobi Choobi. The shrimps are so crispy that you could almost eat the entire shrimp, head and shell included. I kept drizzling the sauce onto the shrimps so they would really soak in when I ate them.

Stan's Fried Black Pepper Shrimp (PhP 440)

By the time the Flying Pla Pla came, I was almost full and since I eat a lot of fish at home, I ate sparingly. Still, it's good to know you have this option if you want to order seafood that is not shrimp-based.

Two more meat dishes were served up. Choobi Choobi's signature dish Lola Pepang's Chicken -- a chicken recipe handed down 4 generations of the family, and Pork Barbecue. The chicken was very tender and the barbecue was juicy. But maybe because I splurged my appetite on the shrimps, I could not take in too much of both anymore. We have chicken a lot at home and I hardly eat beef and pork anymore.

Lola Pepang's Chicken (PhP 345)

Pork Barbecue (PhP 30 per stick)

Choobi Choobi doesn't miss out on a dessert menu. We were served their Choco Molten Kiss (PhP 175) -- decadent brownie topped with vanilla ice cream. Yum!!! Their menu has other dessert items so take your pick when you dine there.

Choobi Choobi can be found here: Capitol, Mabolo, Mactan Newton, SM NRA, SM Seaside, SM Manila, Panay Avenue Quezon City, SM Iloilo, SM Bacolod, SM Lanang Davao, Limketkai CDO and Centrio Ayala Mall.

Find Choobi Choobi online too:

Website: ChoobiChoobi.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ChoobiChoobi
Instagram: instagram.com/ChoobiChoobi

Dear kababayan Overseas Foreign Worker (OFW):

Distance won't matter anymore. You can extend your love and care for your loved ones' health care in the Philippines with iRegalo, a service that lines up comprehensive health care packages -- medical, dental, and eye care -- that you can purchase to meet your family's specific healthcare needs.

You may ask...why would I even use iRegalo when there are remittance centers?

1. Sending money or gift items take time (It is estimated to take about 60 days if item is sent by ship).
2. Balikbayan boxes run the risk of mishandling at the postal or Customs end and many times, are charged additional Customs fees.
3. Delayed shipments mean you also miss the occasions when you want to extend help or send gifts.

iRegalo is still expanding its services but its foremost priority now is to allow OFWs to provide healthcare to your loved ones. iRegalo has arrangements with over 350 clinics nationwide to provide medical, dental, and eye care.

The concept is really quite simple. You purchase medical, dental and eye care packages, depending on your budget and need, from the iRegalo website. Once your loved one receives confirmation of the purchase here in the Philippines, he/she can proceed to the nearest iRegalo partner clinic to redeem the health package.

Purchases of packages can be done via the following payment methods: PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, UnionPay, and Discover Network. The iRegalo team assures that their payment options are secure. They say they use encryption that has been rated A+ by Qualys SSL Labs, an independent testing service.

So, dear OFWs, when your parents, siblings or kids need any medical, dental or eye care, you need not go to a remittance center. Instead, just go online to iRegalo.ph and immediately send them your love and help. That's peace of mind!

iRegalo can be found online here:
Website: iRegalo.ph
Facebook Page: facebook.com/iregalo.ph
Twitter: @iregaloph

BlueWater Day Spa is that oasis in the city known for its unique spa treatments that come from different international origins. I was at a recent event of theirs to reintroduce their brand ambassadors, launch new ambassadors, as well as show us their latest massage treatment.

It took a while before the event began but I didn't mind because I sat with two good friends, Chats and Roch. I had not seen Chats in a long, long time so it was great that we were again bumping into each other at events. The waiting was filled with catching up stories.

With Roch (left) and Chats (right)

For this launch, Kim Chiu was added to the ever-growing roster of brand ambassadors that include faces from the Mercator talent agency: Brazilian heartthrob Fabio Ide; Sam Ajdani (Mr. World 2015); Philippe Escalambre, model; Mark McMahon, actor/model; Amadeo Leandro, international model; Brent Javier, model; and Bianca Guidotti (Miss International 2014).

Newest BlueWater Day Spa brand ambassador Kim Chiu rendering a song

Besides these model-ambassadors, we were also introduced to GMA-7 talents who were also their brand ambassadors -- Mike Tan, Ervic Vijandre, Benjamin Alves, and Aljur Abrenica.

The event also launched BlueWater Day Spa's latest massage treatment - the Balinese Four-Hand Massage.

I was curious what four-hand massage meant. It turned out that you would have two therapists simultaneously performing the massage on you IN SYNC! I want to try this one very, very soon!!!

Balinese body massages are so great because it involves the use of thumbs and palms making long strokes as well as focusing on pressure points to relieve tired, aching muscles. Hypoallergenic warm oil is used during the massage for both curative and soothing purposes. What makes the Balinese Four Hand Massage even better is that the four hands of the two therapists work in sync to give you that sensation of continuity of touch as they work on different sections of the body.

As a yin yoga teacher, I appreciate the wellness benefits that regular massages give. Not only do they loosen up tight kinks in the body but they also stimulate the meridians, the energy highways running throughout the body. Its natural ability to destress and put you in a relaxed state is why I try to go as often as I can. You bet...BlueWater Day Spa's Balinese Four-Hand Massage is my next MUST TRY.

It's summer and what a hot, hot summer it is! That's why as I'm writing this, I am sitting comfortably in one of the armchairs at a Starbucks outlet, drinking one of the summer offerings of Starbucks - the Summer Berry Panna Cotta Frappuccino. Yay! I loved this the first time it came out and now I'm sooooo glad it's back. But there's not just one, but two, summer beverages.

The Roasted Marshmallow S’mores Frappuccino is one that will easily evoke images of summer outings with family and friends at the beach. It is made of roasted marshmallows, sandwiched with chocolate between graham crackers. The Summer Berry Panna Cotta, on the other hand, combines Panna Cotta with different types of berries to create a layered frappuccino beverage topped with whipped cream and a tart berry drizzle.

You can get both beverages from April 19-June 6, 2016. Both beverages are priced at PhP 180 (Tall), PhP 190 (Grande) and PhP 200 (Venti).

Summer-Themed Starbucks Cards

Not to be missed are the summer-themed Starbucks cards too! And there are 3!

For a load of PhP 300, get the Summer Beach Card -- a sand-and-beach design with cool palm trees and surfboards to make you feel like you're ready to hit the waves in flipflops and swimwear.

For an initial load of PhP 500, get the Wave Mini Card -- an artist's rendition of that perfect surf wave.

A real collectible for an initial load of PhP 1,000 is this mini Frappuccino Card. Now you can order your favorite frappuccino beverage using this teeny weeny frappuccino-shaped card. (Note: This is a barcoded Starbucks card).

You can purchase only a maximum of two (2) of the same designed card each day, per customer.

More Starbucks Fun Activities and Contests Ahead!

1. Starbucks Frappuccino® & Friends Photo Contest - Upload your photos to the Starbucks Philippines Frappuccino website (http://www.starbucksfrappuccino.ph) from April 19 to 30, 2016 for a chance to win a pre-loaded Starbucks Frappuccino Card.

2. Meet Me at Starbucks for a Summer Frappuccino Party - From April 26 to May 31, 2016, enjoy live summer music, a One For You, One To Share (Buy One, Get One) promo on the Roasted Marshmallow S'mores Frappuccino blended beverage, 10% off on summer mugs and tumblers, and other exciting treats. For details, check out the Starbucks Philippines’ Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines/) for more details.

It is one thing to admire beautifully created flower arrangements. It is another thing to try to do it yourself, haha! But I did! Thanks to a workshop by the School of Styling Philippines recently at Glorietta 5 on how to make boutonnieres and corsages.

The entire atrium of Glorietta 5 was transformed into a flower wonderland. Every working table had summer blooms of different varieties as well as a basket filled with the tools one would need.

A stall to one side was selling beautiful Ecuadorian flowers from Kay Flowers Manila that came in vibrant colors -- deep red, royal blue, baby pink, and a variant that mixed all colors! I was already getting excited to work with these flowers, with a bit of trepidation mixed in. There's always a first time!

Mommy Em Sulit, organizer of the workshop, gave us a briefing on what to expect during the workshop.

The workshop began with a Basic Photography lecture by Geunice Burgos of Lightkeeper Studios, the event photographer. I was happy that this topic was part of the workshop because the tips given were very useful for a blogger like me who needs clear and well-composed pictures to go with my posts.

Geunice gave us several tips, including:
* Being meticulous about getting that perfect shot and 'clean' angle
* Quality-checking photos
* The rule of thirds, negative space, contrast, rule of odds, flatlays and other composition techniques
* How to edit photos

Next, we were introduced to Indy Ycasiano who demonstrated how easy it was to make a boutonniere and a corsage. How I wish I knew this when my kids were still at the age of proms! I've bought so many of these corsages and boutonnieres from flower shops.

Indy Ycasiano, our teacher for the day

We began by familiarizing ourselves with the tools needed to make a boutonniere or corsage:
* Floral wire
* Floral tape
* Ribbons or lace (colors, prints and styles depend on your taste)
* Glue sticks and glue gun
* Fresh flowers
* Fillers such as baby's breath or leaves
* Cutter or scissors

Basket filled with the supplies you need

Some tips I learned in making my very first corsage and boutonniere:
* For the corsage, choose combination of flowers that won't be too heavy to wear on the wrist
*

And here is my first attempt at a corsage.

Whew! I survived! But at least now, I carry with me some knowledge on how to make my own corsage or boutonniere when the occasion calls for it. And as they say, practice makes perfect!

Class picture!

Thanks to my friend, Em, and to the School of Styling Philippines for such a fun and educational morning.

Follow the School of Styling Philippines here:
Website: schoolofstyling.ph
Facebook Page: School of Styling Philippines
Instagram: SchoolofStylingPH

What kind of lights do you use at home?

Lighting experts now strongly recommend the shift to LED bulbs. These may be more expensive than the bulbs we have been used to but their life is so much longer than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs (up to 3x longer!). The standard also these days is no longer the number of watts but the lumens (the amount of light visible to the eye). LED bulbs may have a low number of watts and yet its emitted lumens is far brighter than incandescent bulbs.

Orbik is a new lighting brand that gives homeowners different lighting choices and designs for a wider choice of lighting effects throughout your home. Although it was the first time for me to hear about the brand, I found out by talking to the owners that it is already available in different hardware shops.

At the Orbik event, I got to go around to see the different ways their LED bulbs can be used.

Even a 3-watt Orbik bulb emits as much as 230 lumens

LED bulbs are not hot to the touch even after hours of use, making it energy efficient

Beautiful and subtly lighted wall decor using Orbik lights

At the event also was Conrad Onglao, a well-known architect (yes, the beau of Zsa Zsa Padilla!). I got to chat at length with him while waiting for the event to begin and noted that his architectural style uses a lot of natural light while using light bulbs to add more highlights, depending on the time of day or night. A room can be made to look different in the daytime and transform its look at night just by putting in the right kind of lights.

Architect Conrad Onglao

One truly unique Orbik light bulb was the one that came with a bluetooth speaker!!! I have never imagined that a bulb would come with a speaker and yet there it was, combined by Orbik! We tested it and it streamed music from my friend Noemi's mobile phone. Here's a sampling.

Here are some tips I picked up from the event coming from both Conrad Onglao and an interior decorator with regards to lighting:

* Accent lighting highlights artwork
* Create moods with indirect lighting
* Use clear light on desks or above kitchen counters to clearly light your tasks
* Bedrooms should have soft, warm lighting while an office should have bright, white lighting to keep one alert
* For a more sophisticated look in a room, play around with positioning lamps in certain areas to highlight key points such as a bookshelf or accent piece of furniture
* When selecting a light fixture, consider the size of a room and the intended function
* To get the right amount of illumination, focus on the lumens and not the bulb's wattage

Here's a sampler kit I got of different Orbik light bulbs.

The sampler kit contains 6 different Orbik bulbs...

...and here's the legend for the sampler kit above.

Check out Orbik's LED lights catalog here (prices subject to change):

ORBIK: The Light Experts Vol. 2 by Jane Uymatiao

Follow Orbik online here:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/orbikledlight
Instagram: @orbikthelightexpert
Twitter: @OrbikLedLight

A saying goes, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating".

Let me tweak that a bit and say, "The proof of truly wearable shoes is in the walking!"

And that's exactly what the people behind Butterfly Twists made a group of us do one pretty humid afternoon at Bonifacio High Street (BHS) to launch their Spring/Summer 2016 Collection. They challenged us to do an artsy walking tour around BHS wearing our very own pairs of Butterfly Twists.

I got my Butterfly Twists the night before our walking tour. The box was so tiny!!! Look, my pair of shoes came twisted and folded in half inside the box. And it came with its own pouch too! Imagine, I could bring this pair in my bag and change shoes even when I'm out. I always have flip flops or sandals in the car when I go out in heels so having a foldable pair like this in my bag allows me that flexibility to give tired feet a respite without me having to lug a shoebox for my spare footwear.

Anti-slip soles!

Okay, they were soft enough to fold. But were they comfortable? Yes!!! Soooo cushiony comfy!

The next day, our group of lifestyle bloggers and journalists met up at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at Bonifacio High Street where we chatted while waiting for the rest and compared Butterfly Twist styles.

Fil-Am graffiti artist Dee Jae Paeste (that's Dee-Jay Pa-Este) was our tour guide extraordinaire for the afternoon. Dee Jae is originally from California but also lived in New York and Tokyo before settling down here in Manila. He told us that he would show us the artsy side of BHS especially its hidden secrets.

Dee Jae Paeste

In all honesty, I thought the art he was referring to were the huge sculptures and artwork on the grassy area of BHS. Imagine my surprise when Dee Jay brought us to inner lanes and parts of BHS to show us art that were not always on eye level and were likely missed by passersby like me.

Have you seen this huge mural by Anjo Bolarda, located on Lane P, BHS 2 side? There are actually several such murals on BHS if you explore the BACK or SIDE of buildings.

Pangako, by Anjo Bolarda

Beside a small part of Anjo Bolarda's wall-sized mural with my Butterfly Twists

Now, from huge, wall-sized murals, let's go to the tiny, tucked away art that is almost always missed. Check out the bird art below. I would never have seen this if Dee Jae didn't point it out to us. This one is located on Lane O on the BHS 1 side.

Near ROX, along 7th Avenue, is this artwork by Nate Frizzell, featuring a huge bear and a lifelike boy.

Boy and bear artwork by Nate Frizzell

Dee Jae brought us to his own artwork, entitled Mother Nature, which filled two intersecting walls.

Showing how my feet were still surviving with Butterfly Twists
at the Mother Nature two-walled mural by Dee Jae Paeste

Crossing 7th Avenue to the other side of Bonifacio High Street, BHS Central, we spotted another huge mural -- Araw + Ulap + Laro = Saya by The Mighty Bhutens.

Araw + Ulap + Laro = Saya artwork by The Mighty Bhutens (and my Butterfly Twists are keeping me alive!)
I also admired the beautiful mosaic mandala behind!!!

Marjorie and I turned out to be wearing twin Butterfly Twists shoes so that deserved a picture....

...as well as this group picture....of our Butterfly Twists!

Our tour of BONIFACIO High Street would not be complete without taking a look at the Andres Bonifacio mural at BHS Central.

Bonifacio mural

And to cap off our tour, because by this time, we were sweating from the humid weather, we were treated to a merienda cena at Earth Kitchen. A display of all the Butterfly Twists styles were laid out for us to ogle and inspect more closely while being treated to a healthy, organic mix of food and drinks.

Here are some of the styles that personally appealed to me (product photos courtesy of Butterfly Twists).

Cara, navy white stripes (PhP 2,099)
There is also a black/tan stripe version

Charlie turquoise sandals, cobalt snake (PhP 2,099)
Also available in black and raspberry

Chloe, silver leopard snake (PhP 2,399)
Also available in stone snake iridscent and black gasoline iridescent

Heather Stone (PhP 2,399)
Available in black, chestnut, and stone

Izzie, cobalt (PhP 3,099)
Available also in black, slate grey, and white

Lilah, gold stardust (PhP 3,799)
Available also in black/pewter metallic

Olivia, cream and navy (PhP 2,099)
Available also in black/black, cream/black, navy/navy
pewter/black, and nude/cream

Portia, black zebra (PhP 2,399)
Available also in leopard/chestnut and silver leopard snake/nude

Only the ballet flats and peep-toe shoes are foldable. The rest, like the sandals, are not. So if you are like me, interested in tote-able pairs, go for the foldable variants. They also have rain boots, by the way. That information would come in handy with this upcoming La Nina rainy weather that everyone is talking about.

Imagine, after that whole afternoon walking, I still had to go to a TV studio in the evening for an interview. But I did not feel tired at all. My feet were still feeling great. Since then, I have worn my pair over and over again to different events and they are really a blessing because they have helped me stretch my energy even further.

I truly loved that walking tour of BHS too. It opened my eyes to many things around that totally escaped me. I think I will try to do a full-blown artsy walking tour in the near future...

Get more information about new and upcoming styles from Butterfly Twists by following them.
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ButterflyTwistsPhilippines
Twitter/Instagram: @BTwistsPH

My kids may be carnivores but when it comes to seafood, we are a heavy sardine-eating family. It is something that everyone looks forward to especially during breakfast and we take it in different ways - with pan de sal or with eggs and rice. So how could I say no when Mega Creations invited me to an intimate lunch with its owners and team to try its premium sardines product? Besides, it's always a pleasure to return to Pio's Kitchen, knowing how good Chef Chin's specialty paella (regular and negra) is.

The four Mega Creations Premium Sardines

The whole Pio's Kitchen was bedecked in dainty English tea sets with tables that had a lot of fresh flowers, lace, and wine. Even our menu and brown kitchen apron were personalized with our names.

Best of all, the sumptuous lunch menu created by Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis made use of the different variants of Mega Creations' Premium Sardines. Just look at this menu (click image to enlarge).

My very own personalized apron and menu!

I happened to be seated with the Mega Creations owners and executives and over lunch, I learned that what made Mega Sardines really special was that it took only 12 hours from catching to canning/bottling. Aside from that, the entire process from catching to canning/bottling is done with no human hands touching the sardines. Each can or bottle bears their Seal of Freshness to remind consumers about this 12-hour freshness guarantee.

See that Seal of Freshness? It's in every can or bottle of Mega Creations products!

To show us how easy it is to whip up Mega Creations sardines dishes, we had a little cooking game. We were paired up into 5 teams to replicate one of Chef Chin's sardine-inspired dishes -- the Tomato Arugula and Sardine Pasta.

Chef Chin briefs the cooking teams

Cook the garlic first in olive oil. When brownish, toss in the sliced tomatoes.

Add the sardines and sliced chili to the spices.

Add 1/2 cup of pasta water. Continue stirring.

Add the cooked pasta to the pasta sauce and mix well. Top with arugula

Chef Chin with my cooking team and our finished dish

And if you cannot imagine how else sardines can be incorporated into dishes, look at some of the other things Chef Chin came up with.

Creamy Spinach and Sardines Bake with Wheat Pita Chips

Sardines and Potato Croquettas wrapped in lettuce and tartare sauce

Open-Faced Spicy Cheesy Sardine Quesadillas

Thank you so much to the people behind Mega Creations Premium Sardines for a wonderful, gastronomic intimate lunch. I'm looking forward to testing some of Chef Chin's dishes at home.

The Mega Creations team

With Mega Creations' Lady Reyes and Chef Chin

You can find more information about Mega Creations here:
Website: megaglobal.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MegaCreationsSardines
Twitter: @MegaCreationsPH
Instagram: @mega.creations

What better way to introduce banking to small children than to design an experience for them that is non-intimidating and fun as well.

This is exactly what Security Bank aimed for when they launched their Smart Saver Kiddie Camp which kicked off last May 19 and will continue to run in various areas.

Many years ago, when banks were more focused on high-income individuals, corporate accounts and working professionals, I had no other way of educating my small kids about the importance of saving. So what I did then was just to open "In Trust For (ITF)" accounts for them when they reached 7 years old. I maintained their accounts till they were older. Eventually, I gave them full control over their own money.

I am happy that banks like Security Bank are now focusing on financial literacy for kids at much younger ages than 7 years old (when I began with my kids). The right investing mindset, when inculcated while they are young, will become a habit that will carry till they become adults. And the best way to motivate kids to save is to teach it in a fun, creative, and engaging way.

This is what the Smart Saver Kiddie Camp aims to do. I had a glimpse of how it will be run through different areas of the country when I joined my much younger mommy bloggers in an afternoon of Smart Saver Kiddie Camp.

Each camp session lasts three hours and comes in two parts.

The first part involves a short talk from renowned financial experts. These experts will discuss basic financial management concepts in a very simple way so that the young kids can understand.

One of the best financial experts I know is my friend Rose Fausto. Her background as a former investment banker AND mom makes her the perfect resource speaker. Rose spoke first about her journey from investment banker to stay-at-home Mom, and how she reinvented herself to be one of the sought-after financial speakers, together with her banker husband Marvin and their three sons who are also resource speakers in financial literacy. What a family!!!

Rose Fausto

After the formal talk comes the second part - the FUN part! The kids will have a lot of colorful arts and crafts materials to play with as they design their own coin jars, learn the basics of Singaporean Math, or even participate in a shopping scenario where they learn to manage a "budget" and design a savings plan that they can use even after the session.

Of course, the best part of the Smart Saver Kiddie Camp will be an actual bank visit where the kids get to tour a Security Bank branch, open their own Junior One accounts, and queue to make their first deposit. By treating them like special clients, kids will really feel that their money is important to the bank (a very good idea -- building high self esteem for them) and they become comfortable and familiar with banking. I remember that I had my kids fill up their own deposit slips and present these to the teller themselves to get them comfortable also with the process.

The Junior One account is Security Bank's savings account product for kids 18 years and below. It offers an interest rate higher than regular savings accounts and only requires an opening and maintaining balance of PhP 100. Once the account reaches PhP 4,000, it starts earning 0.5% interest.

Do you know what often happens when the kids are introduced to financial literacy by camps such as Smart Saver Kiddie Camp? Eventually, the parents become even more financial literate themselves. Yes, there is a domino effect within the family! When parents attend the fora with their kids, they naturally end up learning more also about the benefits of saving AND investing. After all, kids tend to follow the examples of their parents.

At the Smart Saver Kiddie Camp, parents will be encouraged to participate as well. Security Bank prepared for this by lining up banking products geared for the parents like AllAccess - an all-in-one checking account meant to be a transactional bank account. It comes with a passbook for tracking of transactions, a checkbook for payment disbursement, and an Everyday Debit MasterCard to enable parents to shop locally or abroad without bringing cash.

If you are one of these parents and you are not yet ready to dive into opening an account but decide to do so after the camp event, Security Bank has The Human Switch Kit - a personalized banking service. Can you believe that you can just make an appointment at www.securitybank.com/switch-kit/ and someone will call you to schedule a visit from a Sales Associate? You got it....they will help open your account FROM YOUR HOME! I have not heard of any other bank offering this kind of personalized home service! I'm actually tempted to try this service with my kid.

Hurry, let your kids join this summer camp that does not just benefit them now but sets them up for life till their adult years. To learn more about the Smart Saver Kiddie Camp program, camp schedules and other details, visit any Security Bank branch. You can also log on to www.securitybank.com or call their hotline at (02) 88-791-88.

Follow Security Bank also on their social media sites:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SecurityBank
Twitter: @SecurityBankPH
Instagram: @securitybank

Asthma is not a joke and I personally know why. All my kids had asthma as kids. My sister and I also suffered from asthma as kids. An aunt died of asthma complications. And I had a scary episode with one of my kids because of an asthmatic episode.

Asthma is NOT to be taken lightly.

For these reasons, I am always supportive of campaigns that draw attention to asthma and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. That is why, as World Asthma Day was being celebrated a few weeks back, I lent my support to GSK's ASTHMAlaya Campaign.

Here are some things that one must know about asthma. The more we know, the more prepared we will be to recognize it and seek early intervention.

* Asthma is a chronic inflammation disorder of the airways

* The cause of asthma is still unknown but several predisposing factors to consider include genetic history with asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, weight and smoking history. Look at the slide below for symptoms of asthma.

* 11 million Filipinos suffer from asthma and 98% of them are uncontrolled. Many asthma patients resort to medication only when they have attacks because they think that they are okay when they do not experience such attacks. As children grow up, regular doctor visits also lessen. Many rely on online resources on as-needed basis and this could lead to sub-optimal treatment and poor asthma control.

* Asthma cannot be cured BUT it can be controlled.

GSK's campaign. "ASTHMAlaya Ka Ba Talaga?" is an initiative that seeks to encourage asthma patients to be more proactive in consulting their doctors on how to control their asthma better. This campaign is participated in by advocates from the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) and the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Inc. (PSAAI).

Watch this short video about the ASTHMAlaya campaign.

For more information about asthma awareness, visit GSK's website, health.gsk.ph, or go to their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/winagainstasthma.

Knowing how busy Cabinet secretaries are, I accepted an invitation to be one of the bloggers to meet and greet Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin. It was probably one of her last acts under the Aquino administration but it was good to know what health programs were carried out under her watch and which ones she will be endorsing to the incoming administration.

A little background on Sec. Garin

Sec. Janette, I found out, is a native of Leyte and married to an Ilonggo. A kababayan!

Although a physician by education, Sec. Garin comes from a political family. She began with campus politics, then SK. After one term in politics, she decided to pursue her medical studies and fulfill her dreams as a doctor. But after medicine, she helped her husband's campaign in Iloilo. A few days before the election, one of the candidates had a stroke and she was pushed as a substitute candidate. She became a Board Member of Iloilo.

Her plans to do full medical practice was interrupted when circumstances again pushed her to run for Congress. She was elected Representative of the 1st District of Iloilo for 3 years (2004-2013). In that time, she was a large part of the Magna Carta for Women, Cheaper Medicines Law, the Responsible Parenthood, and Reproductive Health Law

In 2013, she was appointed Undersecretary of the DOH. When then DOH Secretary Ona left DOH, she was appointed DOH Secretary. She served in this position for 19 months under the Aquino administration.

A Review of DOH's Health Programs

Sec. Garin filled us in on the different programs of the DOH, starting with a history of health reforms of the department (Fig. 1). She said that under different administrations, the health reforms were very similar but were just called different names. But under the Aquino administration, they focused on 3 main reforms: Financial Risk Protection, Access to Quality Health Services, and Attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Fig. 1

Financial Risk Protection

Sec. Garin showed a slide on DOH budget from 2012-16 and how much of the budget each year was utilized (Fig. 2). It struck me that the 2016 DOH budget was significantly higher than all previous years at around PhP 120-B (more than double that of 2015). Unfortunately, the year is not yet over so we still have to see what key projects the increased budget was for and if the budget utilization will be as high as previous years at an average of over 80% and that the premium subsidy for indigents will be a healthy ratio to the budget.

Fig. 2

Most of the poor and 5.8M senior citizens are now covered by PhilHealth (Fig. 3). However, Sec. Garin explained that the 100% coverage in the slide can be a bit misleading since there are those who do not fall under eligibility under the present scheme where a family member designates beneficiaries. Once a beneficiary reaches 21, or gets married and has children, he ceases to be covered by PhilHealth unless he also becomes a member and designates his family as beneficiaries. She plans to recommend to the next administration that PhilHealth membership be made individually.

Fig. 3

Access to Quality Health Services

DOH is defining certain health care services such that there is no competition among clinics, district hospitals, and tertiary/specialty hospitals by aligning the service delivery network (Fig. 4). The "gatekeepers" or primary health facilities are the barangay centers, urban health centers for direct patient care. LGU hospitals are for the basic hospitalization. Tertiary/specialty hospitals are for the more complicated health services needing specialties. Instead of competing, the aim is to make them complement each other.

Fig. 4

DOH under Sec. Garin also set up the HFEP Management Office. This is meant to ensure that the DOH plans continue from one admin to another. This office will allow continuity of all programs and coordinates all involved offices including IT, HR, patient matrix, etc.

She also mentioned that, nationwide, drugs is a big problem. Drug rehabilitation centers are now being put in the regions to decongest Bicutan and to ensure that these drug users are rehabilitated and returned to society.

Finally, Sec. Garin is a huge believer in utilizing valuable assets in the medical field who were underused before but are being deployed now (Fig. 5). DOH is now making use of public health associates (nursing graduates who did not pass the board) who work side by side with licensed nurses and doctors. Even during rapid nurse turnover, public health associates carry institutional memory with them that will help health centers while they are still trying to augment the gaps. DOH is also crafting a TESDA course where public health associates train for skills needed in countries abroad looking for professionals for senior care. Universal health care (UHC) implementers, doctors who did not pass the board, are also being utilized in the medical industry. DOH also highly encourages these UHC implementers to retake the board. In 2015-16, DOH also focused on deploying midwives, dentists and medical technologists to augment those from the provinces.

Attainment of MDGs

Sec. Garin enumerated several areas that addressed health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):

* Maternal mortality ratio has dropped from 129 in 2010 to 114 in 2015.

* Fully immunized children (covering rotavirus, IPV, dengue, PCV 13, influenza) has risen to about 90% of those in the school-based immunization program

* While HIV-AIDS cases are on the rise, there is also an increase in anti-retroviral treatment. There are now 40 testing centers and 22 satellite clinics nationwide. Because of regional testing centers, more are being tested locally instead of having them go to Metro Manila. Being sensitive and discreet to protect those who may test positive, many of these tests are done as part of a blood drive which includes tests for other conditions like Hepa B or Hepa C.

* Introduction of vaccines against dengue, polio (Inactivated Polio Vaccine), cervical cancer, measles-rubella-tetanus-diphtheria, and rabies (full dose) to the greater public. Previously, this was only available in the private sector.

* DOH has now shifted to buying maintenance medications (Metoprolol, Amlodipine, Losartan, and Metformin) for diabetes and hypertension. DOH is also starting to look at mental health drugs and cancer drugs (cancer of the breast, leukemia, childhood cancer, prostate, stomach, colon).

* DOH has provided the flu vaccine to 2.1M indigent senior citizens

* Creation of a DOH Academy, a competency building unit established May 2015. It is linked to Ateneo School of Government, UP courses, and potentially, Lee Kuan Yew University in Singapore where trainings count as credits towards masteral units or continuing education credits.

* Hospital scorecard (cleanliness, availability of medicines, availability of human resource, service delivery network, and PhilHealth utilization) -- a performance measurement tool to incentivize improvement of quality of health services and guide performance-based budgeting. A team evaluates and hospital gets funding based on scorecard.

While Sec. Garin is in transition now as part of the turnover to the next administration, it looks to me like all these programs are already set in motion so that the next DOH Secretary just needs to continue what has already been started. I am looking forward to a much better health care system for our country in the future.

Some of the bloggers with Sec. Janette Garin

Slides courtesy of DOH.

Two awesome, must-have Starbucks cards are available: one was released this June and another is coming in July.

Vivienne Tam Starbucks Card

The Vivienne Tam Starbucks Card
Available July 1, 2016 with initial consumable load of PhP 1,000

Vivienne Tam is a fashion designer based in New York City. She is of Chinese descent, born in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

By David Shankbone - Own work
CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15074409

Vivienne designs Eastern-inspired clothing for celebrities and fashionistas globally. Her Eastern-inspired style has also found its way to fashion accessories like bags and Vivienne has even designed several of the HP Mini's cover and look with matching mouse. Now, she has placed her signature stamp on a Starbucks Card as well so this is a sure collectible!

The Vivienne Tam Starbucks card will be available in all Starbucks stores in the Philippines by July 1, 2016 for an initial consumable load of PhP 1,000. (Note: Limited to 2 Vivienne Tam cards per customer per day)

The Scales Starbucks Card

The one released last June 7 was one that my two girls and I had to have. We seem to have this affinity with anything sea-related, haha. In my case, I already have previously released cards that had something to do with the ocean - the Surf Wave card and the Siren card. Now, taking inspiration from the Siren, Starbucks has come up with the Scales card that features special blue fish scales that reflect back different colors as light hits it when you move the card in different directions. I love it!

Get this one while stocks are available. You can get it for an initial consumable load of only PhP 300. (Note: Limited to 2 Scales cards per customer per day)

Scales Card
Available with initial consumable load of PhP 300

My other sea-themed cards: Wave Starbucks Mini and Siren

Every time I hear the word "McCormick", what comes to my mind are the rows upon rows of green spice bottles in the supermarket and in our kitchen. We grew up with McCormick's different spices which my Mom always bought. So.....being invited to a McCormick event got me excited....

Yes!!! McCormick launched a new product (and it wasn't a new spice!). Can you guess what?

McCormick Noodle and Seasoning Mixes

Five favorite Asian dishes became the inspiration for McCormick to develop noodle and seasoning mixes that any of us can whip up in our own homes.

Each seasoning mix comes in its own large pack which already includes all the ingredients you would need to whip up the dish including the noodles. No need to go out to the supermarket for them. The cooking process is easy because it can be done in 4 steps and completed in just about 30 minutes. You have the option to add other ingredients to make the dish suit your personal preference.

Here are the 5 seasoning mixes:

1. Laksa - This is a Singaporean dish which combines Chinese and Malay cuisine. It is made of rice noodles or rice vermicelli served with chicken, prawn or fish in a spicy soup. When I think of laksa, I think of the coconut milk-based one (this McCormick variant is coconut milk-based) but I found out that there are also laksa dishes that are tamarind-based.

Click to enlarge image

2. Chap Chae - This Korean dish is a favorite even among Filipinos. Made from potato noodles, it is stir-fried in sesame oil with vegetables. Sometimes, beef is added. It is also flavored with soy sauce and sweetened with sugar.

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3. Birthday Noodles - A popular dish usually ordered from Chinese restaurants on special occasions like birthdays, Birthday Noodles are made from wheat noodles plus a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and shrimp stock. Meat and vegetables are added to your preference.

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4. Pad Thai - A Thai dish, this is a stir-fried noodle dish usually seen as a street food and served in casual eateries in Thailand.

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5. Palabok - Our very own Palabok cannot be missed, of course. Made from rice noodles, it is usually topped with a very thick orange sauce flavored with shrimp and smoked dried fish (called tinapa).

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The event would not be complete without all of us actually trying the dishes. We all got to taste each of the 5 dishes, made from the seasoning mixes.

Dishes made from McCormick noodle and seasoning mixes

Working couples and busy people can have these Asian favorites without spending too much preparation time. McCormick has leveled up beyond just providing the spices which they are famous for. Now, they are making the dining experience extra special as well without much hassle.

Follow McCormick Philippines and find even more inspiring recipes and ideas.
Website: www.mccormick.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/friendsandflavor

Did you know that...

* Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas?

* 7 Filipino women die DAILY of cervical cancer?

* 2 out of 3 Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within 5 years?

While that may sound like a death sentence, IT ISN'T.....if we know how to harness our power over cervical cancer.

A Quick View of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus. Persistent infection, brought about by human papillomavirus (HPV), a cancer-causing virus, causes cervical cancer. HPV infections come and go. Some clear up spontaneously. However, when the immune system is weak, HPV infections may persist and eventually develop into cervical cancer.

Who are at risk?

HPV is transmitted primarily via sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin genital contact. Those most at risk are young girls who had their first sexual experience at a young age; those who have given birth multiple times; have or have had sexually transmitted diseases; have HIV or has a weakened immune system; a smoker; used oral contraceptives for 5 years or more; and those who rarely or have not yet had any pap smear. The thing about this type of cancer is that it is a silent killer. By the time it manifests, the woman is usually in the late stage of cancer already.

The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) recommends that young girls get protection through HPV immunization before their first exposure to HPV through sexual contact. For older women, the risk of persistent HPV infection increases with age and is highest when a woman is over 66 years old.

Screening for early detection allows treatment to start much earlier when cervical cancer progression can be arrested. It is also so much less expensive than cancer treatment, which easily runs into hundreds of thousands of pesos at the very least, not to mention its significant impact on one's permanent health and well-being.

Using your Power over Cervical Cancer

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has always pushed its advocacy to create cervical cancer awareness and it is doing it again in 2016 with its "You Can & You Will" campaign.

Cervical cancer survivors, including the mom of Andi Manzano (a well-known TV host and actress), as well as OB-Gyne doctors, are encouraging Filipinas to wield our power to protect ourselves as well as our dreams through early screening (recommended starting age is 21 years old) to detect cervical abnormalities and to go for regular gynecological checkups and doctor consultations.

The Q&A portion with the doctors was very educational for me. Here are additional, important things to remember, including the myths around cervical cancer.

* You CANNOT get the HPV virus by using public toilets. It is only transmitted via sexual contact or skin-to-skin genital contact.
* Wrong use of sanitary pads and pantyliners DO NOT also cause you to have the HPV virus
* Even boys/men need the cervical cancer vaccine because they can be HPV carriers or get infected by their sexual partners. HPV is associated with penile cancer.

To know more about cervical cancer, visit the Power Over Cervical Cancer Facebook page (www.facebook.com/POCCPh) and the Pangarap Mo, Protektado YouTube page (www.youtube.com/ProteksyonPortal). These sites contain information and short films that convey how to protect one's self against vaccine-preventable diseases like cervical cancer.

Question: If you could save up to 80% on body lotion, 60% on body scrub, and 55% on a hair iron, would you switch brand?

I would likely consider it strongly. After all, as a mother with a large family and a limited budget, little savings here and there mean I can use the savings for other things or just keep it for a rainy day.

Watsons also aimed to answer this question as they conducted switch tests in major cities around the country with unbranded booths and making customers try out two products per category -- a Watsons brand and a leading competitor. So we could experience the Switch Test ourselves, they also made us go through several brand tests at a recent event.

I went through 3 brand tests: for a toothpaste, a body scrub, and tissue.

I chose A - the bristles were softer and shorter (easy to reach teeth at the back)

I chose B - the grains were finer and smelled better

I chose A - it was stronger and harder to tear

It was so amusing that my friend Noemi and I chose exactly the same product samples. This isn't the first time we have chosen the same things (or even worn the same color of clothes), haha.

Christian Bautista and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, two of Watsons' ambassadors, chose some bloggers onstage also to try the tests, including some additional products like a hair iron.

Christian Bautista, a Watsons ambassador, talks about the Switch Test

Trying to tear tissue apart. He chose B because it was softer. It tore apart more easily vs A though.

Trying the body scrub. She chose A because of its scent.

Trying out the hair lotion. She chose A as it ironed her hair better.

Testing lotion. She chose A because a small amount went a long way.

It turns out that all the A's were Watsons products while the B's were leading brands. The bloggers, including us, chose a mix of A's and B's but it really did not matter. Because this was the point.

If you chose A, lucky you! Your first choice was also the more affordable Watsons brand!

If you chose B (the leading brand), that was okay too because it meant you had personal reasons to prefer it. However, you also had the choice to select Watsons products which were up to 80% cheaper on some items! This switch can happen if the difference between both brands is not so wide, making it easier to switch to the more affordable one.

The Watsons team and ambassadors

In the end, there are times when quality trumps savings. But really, does it have to be one or the other? Can't one have the best of both world and have both quality AND savings? Watsons products say they can give you both.

Check out some of these Watsons brands that we tried during the Switch Test.

Watsons Milk & Salt Scrub

Watsons Slim Soft Charcoal Toothbrush

Watsons Velvety Tissue

Watsons Whitening Mulberry Lotion

About the Watsons Brand

Watsons is Asia's leading health and beauty retailer, currently operating over 4,800 stores and more than 1,400 pharmacies in 11 Asian and European markets, including China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

When a brand celebrates 25 years of existence in the Philippines, you know that not only are they here to stay but that they have grown and expanded throughout the years to provide even better options for their customers.

At a recent celebration of Masflex's 25 years of cookware and kitchenware innovation in the Philippines, I feasted on the wide variety of cookware that was laid out in a long table to showcase just how much Masflex cookware and kitchenware has already evolved since its humble beginnings in 1989 when it began with chrome organizers and nonstick fry pans with wooden handles.

That day, I arrived at the event quite early. Perfect! I had a lot of time to myself to check out the different cookware collections Masflex had developed over the years as well as personally meet Nancy Reyes-Lumen, Masflex's brand ambassadress, whose name and face is very well known in the culinary industry and who, as we all know, comes from the famous Reyes clan that owns The Aristocrat restaurant. She actually approached me to say hi just before the event formally started (see why the early bird catches the worm?). :-)

With THE Nancy Reyes-Lumen

Nancy Reyes-Lumen is the perfect Masflex Ambassadress. She fits perfectly into Masflex's ideal for an ambassador -- one who has a genuine passion for cooking and can relate to the wide demographic base of Masflex's consumers. That's not all. Nancy brings in even more to Masflex that makes her really shine. She is a home-maker, grandmother, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, multi-media personality, singer (Yes!!! And I have a video to prove it!), band member, home cook, restaurateur, commissary operator, food writer, editor, food stylist, food show host, lecturer, Filipino food advocate, healthy food advocate, food researcher and a true blue cook -- all rolled into one. To top it all off, she has also been a loyal user of Masflex cookware and kitchenware so her endorsement cannot get any more authentic than this.

Nancy showed us different ways to use Masflex cookware to cook easy-to-prepare dishes. With some dishes, she was assisted by her group of "nanay cooks" and for others, select celebrities came up on stage to help her. I really enjoyed listening to her. I think her experience in front of the camera makes her so bagay (suited). She is funny, very casual and intimate, and her advice is super solid!

Enjoy one of Nancy Reyes-Lumen's videos. I'm putting it here so I do not forget the steps when I try it out.

Here's one for Braised Mechado

And look!!! Bloggers even got to do Pancake Art!!! Can you guess what that is?

Using several Masflex crepe pans and plastic icing containers filled with batter in different colors, bloggers tried their hand creating pancake artwork that are candy to the eyes and yummy to the tummy.

In 25 years, Masflex has come up with a wide range of cookware that takes advantage of the technology of the times.

In 1996, Masflex added the colored non-stick cookware line. Today, you can go with their basic non-stick cookware or opt for their higher-end forged aluminum cookware with Daikin Japan non-stick coatings such as Ceramic, Marble or Stone.

Ceramic non-stick cookware

Up close -- forged technology -- a marble coated pan

Marble line of cookware

In 2006, Masflex introduced induction cookware as induction stoves came into the market. Masflex is the first to have a complete line of induction-ready cookware -- from frying pans to sauce pans, casseroles, stock pots, woks and more specialized cookware such as crepe pans.

Induction-ready cookware

Ten years later, in 2016, Masflex introduced the Diamond line of cookware from Korea. We know how hard diamond is. Imagine that this cookware line has FIVE (5) layers of diamond coating!!! That provides superior non-stick performance! Aside from that, the handles of this diamond line comes with a Thermochromatic Heat Sensor on the handle -- a first in the Philippines and serves as a guide to the cook when the pan is at optimal temperature to start cooking.

A pan with a 5-layer diamond coating

Now, Masflex also offers aluminum cookware that comes in both basic (3mm) and premium (5mm) encapsulated aluminum bottoms. This aluminum line is extremely durable, light, easy to clean and has a rich shine.

You can find more details about Masflex on these sites:
Website: www.masflex.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MasflexCookware
YouTube channel: MasflexCookware

You can now see the world on ridiculously affordable prices as Singapore Airlines and MasterCard, together with SilkAir, the airline's sister carrier, launch the largest nationwide Mid-Year Travel Fair from July 8-31, 2016. By availing of this promotional deal, you also get a chance to win a trip to Germany or South Africa. But I am getting ahead of myself....be sure to read till the end.

Singapore Airlines has always been one of my favorite airlines. When I was still in corporate, if I had a choice, this airline was top of mind in my choosing which airline to take. They had a very good safety record and customer excellence was par excellence. It was always a pleasant experience flying with them. Now, this experience is going to be even more affordable to travelers.

First things first so we get this promotional deal right.

This is going to be open to KrisFlyer AND MasterCard members only.

If you are not yet a KrisFlyer member it is so easy to be one. Just go to krisflyer.com, register some details, and you are a member. As for being a MasterCard holder, most everyone with a credit card is, anyway.

Walking around the Singapore Airlines exhibits at our blogger event, this caught my eye -- PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS. That's an entirely new class recently introduced in all Singapore Airlines flights! When you travel, especially on long haul flights, it is those little extra touches that make flying a lot more tolerable and pleasant...like more leg room, a larger display screen, calf- and foot-rest, priority check-in, and extra baggage allowance. Those are just some of what you get from Premium Economy!

The Premium Economy Class. My favorite feature? 35kg baggage allowance!!!

The Awesome Promotional Deals

When Singapore Airlines prices its flights, the rates are ALL-IN! That means no invisible costs, no surprises. What you see is all you pay. And....I was told that these promo deals still earn KrisFlyer miles that can count towards your next trip!

Promo Period: July 8-31, 2016
Travel Period: Covers all-inclusive, round-trip flights out of Manila, Cebu, Davao and Kalibo from July 8, 2016 to March 31, 2017

Imagine, for as low as US$ 180, you can already fly to Singapore (I am sooooo tempted!). And rates are even better when you book for two because on some destinations, rates are even lower for Two-To-Go.

ECONOMY CLASS promo rates (Click to enlarge)

PREMIUM ECONOMY promo rates

BUSINESS CLASS promo rates (Click to enlarge)

Singapore Airlines also announced it will be flying TWICE DAILY to San Francisco and Los Angeles beginning Oct. 23, 2016.

How to Book Your Tickets

There are several ways to book your flights:

1) Online via singaporeair.com using your MasterCard credit card

2) The Singapore Airlines and SilkAir ticket offices

3) SIA Reservations at 756-8888, SilkAir Cebu at 6332-505-7871, SilkAir Davao at 6382-227-5301, SilkAir Kalibo at 6336-500-7226 or any participating travel agent

4) At the Singapore Airlines booth during the Travel Madness Expo on July 8-10, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center.

Be a Winner Twice Over with a Chance to Win Travel Packages

This promotional deal on economy, premium economy, and business classes makes you a winner already. But there's more!

You might just be a winner the second time around because with each promotional ticket you buy, you automatically earn raffle entries where you get the chance to win these prizes from MasterCard's Priceless Package:

* A pair of Business Class tickets to Dusseldorf, Germany

* A pair of Premium Economy Class tickets to Cape Town, South Africa

The number of raffle entries earned depends on the ticket class:

Economy Class - 1 raffle entry
Premium Economy Class - 5 raffle entries
Business Class - 10 raffle entries

Start planning your vacation because these promo deals will go like hotcakes when it is launched in a few days.

Follow Singapore Airlines here:
Website: singaporeair.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/singaporeair
KrisFlyer website: krisflyer.com

The portal to a Vietnamese casual dining experience is in Metro Manila. Located in the Eastwood area, Annam Noodle Bar (Annam, for short) is right in the hustle and bustle of the residential and commercial area.

Annam's origins are in Singapore (surprisingly!) where it is called Namnam Noodle Bar, after its owner Chef Nam Q Nguyen or Chef Nam. Here in Manila, known as Annam, the noodle bar's concept is based on the original Namnam in Singapore -- trendy Vietnamese cuisine. Annam is also the first franchise outlet, a clear sign of confidence that it will appeal to Filipino foodies.

Just looking around Annam, it was not hard to notice the merging of the old-world concept and the new. I learned this was done on purpose by the interior designers. The counters, where orders were being taken and prepared, looked somewhat like our old carinderia-style eateries in downtown Manila with food displayed behind glass. Even the tables were placed close to each other to give that tight, communal seating feel.

Food is displayed behind glass, typical of old-style Vietnamese food stores

Rows of spices and an old neon sign reminiscent of how advertising used to be in the 60s and 70s

And yet as I looked around at the decor, I saw the modernity in the lighting and decor. Industrial-looking light fixtures, beautiful murals on walls, and a giant TV screen on one wall, with what seemed like a Vietnamese documentary on loop, adorned the place.

A mix of the old-world and the modern world

Annam is a health-conscious person's kind of cuisine. A lot of the dishes combine ginger, cilantro, star arise, lime, cloves and cinnamon - spices that are known to have some medicinal benefits. A huge plus is their NO MSG policy in all their dishes.

I was so happy to see a mommy and beauty blogger friend, Shen. She has been so busy with mommyhood that I haven't seen her in a while. We took a table beside other bloggers and chose our dinner.

It was a good decision to order different dishes and share among ourselves. I was actually relieved I did not have to eat one whole dish by myself since I try to limit my dinner portions already and I wanted to try out as many dishes as I could. Here are the dishes we ordered:

Small Plates - These are dishes served in small portions. Perfect as appetizers or for those with small appetites.

A must try - Crispy Imperial Rolls, PhP 200

Caramelised Chicken Wings with Shrimp Paste, PhP 200

Green Papaya Salad with Beef Jerky, fresh herbs and peanuts, PhP 250

Hanoi Pho - A collection of rice flour noodles (called pho in Vietnamese) with intense broth boiled over 24 hours, garnished with fresh herbs and spring onions.

Pho Australian Beef Steak Slices, PhP 320

Viet Desserts - Favorite Vietnamese desserts, both hot and cold. The two that we tried below are popular must-try's. Watch out when biting into the Crispy Fried Banana. It is quite hot on the inside but definitely a yummy treat.

Crispy Fried Banana with Coconut Sauce and Sesame Seeds, PhP 180

Chilled Dried Longan, Lotus Seeds,
Water Chestnut, and Seaweed Dessert, PhP 180

Besides these 2 categories of dishes, they still have 2 others:

1. Banh Mi (or Viet sandwiches), usually toasted baguettes stuffed with savory meats, chicken pate, mayonnaise, hot chili peppers, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, and fresh cilantro.

2. Other Noodles - Other classic Vietnamese noodle recipes from Southern and Central Vietnam

Don't forget to try their Viet Coffee Ca Phe. Viet coffee is dark roasted and brewed using top-grade coffee beans. I would have loved to try their coffee but I do not take coffee after noon (it keeps me awake). Just a note for caffeine-sensitive people -- Viet coffee is VERY STRONG. I think it is even stronger than our local barako coffee so be forewarned, haha!

You cannot miss their unique beverage concoctions either. You can have Iced Soda Tamarind Drink with Peanut & Sesame Seeds, Freshly Pressed Sugarcane Juice with Kaffir Lime Leaves, Lychee-Pandan Iced Tea, Pineapple-Coconut Lime Iced Tea, Lemongrass-Ginger Iced Tea, or Mekong Fresh Young Coconut.

And there's more to love. There are value meals at different times of the day.

From 10AM to 2PM, there is a value lunch set (for a limited time only!)

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From 2-5PM, it is caphe (break) time with a Banh Mi and Dessert at lower prices.

Click to enlarge image

About Chef Nam

Chef Nam's story is quite unique. His first 7 years of life were spent in Saigon but his family had to escape to Denmark in 1979 during the Vietnam War. Despite growing up in Scandinavia, his parents kept their Vietnamese traditions, culture and food.

Chef Nam

Chef Nam began his culinary journey at the Copenhagen Culinary Institute. He joined the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway in 1997. He then moved to Michelin-star Le Canard Oslo. Two years later, Chef Nam joined New York’s premier Scandinavian restaurant, Aquavit, before he transferred to The Lighthouse, a concept in Singapore by the Les Amis Group, where he honed his fine-dining French cuisine. During his tenure from 2000 to 2002, Chef Nam picked up a Rising Chef of 2002 award at the World Gourmet Summit that year. His other culinary experiences include Raffles Hotel International in London and Bali’s The Legian Hotel. His last work experience before putting up Namnam Noodle Bar was with the award-winning luxury hotel, The Sukhothai Bangkok as Executive Chef.

Annam is located at Unit 1880-4 Ground Floor, 1880 Building, Eastwood Ave., Eastwood City, Libis. By end of 2016, we should be seeing another Annam outlet in the Resorts World Manila area.

Find Annam online here:
Website: www.namnamnoodlebar.com
Facebook Page: facebook.com/AnnamNoodleBar
Instagram: @AnnamNoodleBar

In celebration of its 3rd anniversary in the Philippines, Starbucks is launching on August 8, 2016 two (2) beautiful Starbucks cards that will showcase the rich history of the Philippines plus a Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card.

The two Philippine-themed Starbucks cards are the Manila Starbucks Card (available only in Manila) and the Cebu Starbucks Card (available only in Cebu).

Manila Starbucks Card

Cebu Starbucks Card

Inspired by “Summer Night in Manila,” the Manila Starbucks Card design focuses on the iconic Philippine commuter jeepney travelling the busy city at night. The colorful and intricate designs on the body of what is dubbed as the king of the roads in Metro Manila represent the vibrant culture of the Filipinos. For those in the queen city of the south, the Cebu Starbucks Card features the exquisite scenery of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and Mactan Mandaue Bridge as if viewed from the hilltops of Cebu that are decked with the Sinulog flower.

Both cards are available starting August 8 for an initial load of only PhP 300 each. Both cards also come with matching tumblers.

Aside from these two cards that portray Filipino culture, Starbucks is also releasing a Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card highlighting the Siren as the heart of Starbucks. It tells the story of Starbucks rich heritage, representing the brand’s loyalty to its roots as it evolves. This card is also available for an initial load of PhP 300 starting August 8.

Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card

A Starbucks Anniversary Treat

As an anniversary treat, customers who activate any of the featured qualified Starbucks Cards with at least PhP 1,500 from August 8 to 10 will receive a complimentary Starbucks mini green apron card carrier or any Grande handcrafted beverage.

Note: Qualified Cards are Manila Starbucks Card in Metro Manila, Cebu Starbucks Card in Cebu and Special Edition Siren Starbucks Card in all non-Metro Manila and Non-Cebu stores.

Also, from July 26 to August 1, customers who reload their My Starbucks Rewards account through www.starbucks.ph/card with at least PhP 1,000 will earn three (3) complimentary Beverage Stars.

Many beauty tips say that one should be conscious of "aging" not at 30 or 40 or 50 but as young as one's 20s. So true!

Just think.....why do some young women already look old while some much older women do not look their age? One big factor is how their skin looks.

Our skin is the largest organ in our body, covering our entire skeletal system. The extent of care we give it will show up starting in our 40s but we can minimize those effects if we begin taking care of our skin much earlier. We can prolong the suppleness and elasticity of our skin, prevent very deep wrinkles, lessen those fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and even keep our pores closed much longer.

In my yoga practice, we learn that what happens inside the body manifests outside. So aging skin is a manifestation of what is inside. Calcium deficiency and lack of collagen are just some of the culprits. Sleep deprivation wreaks havoc also on the organs in many ways. Chronic stress and rollercoaster emotions produce cortisol (a stress hormone) that contributes to disease.

I'm a golden girl and although I think I have been blessed with relatively good skin, thanks to good genes and yin yoga (which I believe is also good for the skin), I already see the telltale signs of aging. There are the lines on the sides of my eyes, especially when I smile. The forehead is starting to show wrinkles. It doesn't help that pollution affects the skin. So does sleep deprivation and diet. So as much as I try to take care of my skin, I know I need EXTRA help.

Watsons is helping women like us.

From August 4 till September 21, 2016, Watsons is holding a Kiss Aging Goodbye campaign where you can avail of discounts on anti-aging products. You will recognize some brands - Celeteque, L'Oreal, Ponds, Dove, Neutrogena, and many more. Of course, the Watsons brand will also be there with its beauty line as well as their generics. Some brands will offer topicals and creams while others will offer food supplements and ingestible beauty aids.

Some participating anti-aging products in Watson's Kiss Aging Goodbye campaign

Patty Laurel-Filart, Watsons brand ambassador

Look at this new brand I found at Watsons -- the Collagen brand. I was drawn to the ingredients which include collagen peptides - critical in maintaining the elasticity (and youthfulness) of the skin.

Collagen anti-aging line (this one I'm holding is their Corrector Cream)

We need to take care of our skin, no question about it. We can do that by changing our lifestyle, eating healthy, and living well. But for that extra help, anti-aging products will help. We can have them without spending on full price if we avail of Watsons'Kiss Aging Goodbye campaign these next few weeks.

30 is the new 20; 50 is the new 40. In fact, with regular care, I believe that 60 or 70 and beyond can become the new 50. One can continue to look young with the right mindset and right personal care. Let's do this!

Visit the nearest Watsons outlet nearest you till Sept. 21, 2016.

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New Starbucks cards feature Manila, Cebu and a special edition Siren card

Watsons' Kiss Aging Goodbye campaign helps women fight aging signs