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New Best Barista Named During the 13th PGBC Championship

The grand winner of the 13th PGBC, JC Landicho of Magnum Opus with the judges, friends and the president of Allegro Beverage Corp., Mr. Leo De Leon.

The best of Filipino baristas gathered once again for the annual Philippine Grand Barista Cup and Grand Latte Art Throw down by Allegro Beverage Corporation where finalists had to prove their espresso and latté-making skills. Held last September 12-13 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the 13th PGBC has been a success.

This is my first time to witness a barista contest and it was certainly unlike any other as they’ve been entertaining audiences too with some fun games like my all-time fave “Bring Me.” Before this grand finals event, I was also invited last September 5 in their Milk Lab Challenge where the 6 finalists had a pre-face off, creating 3 drinks for the judges. There was also a showdown on latte art creation.

This year’s event placed champion baristas from different cafes in different places of the Philippines. The finalists had to strive to balance acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and aromatics of coffee. During the presentation, participants were also asked to explain why they chose their particular coffee creation as well as the basic roast profile, major taste elements, espresso blend structure, other ingredients, and the philosophy behind the drinks served.

Entries were judged according to taste, presentation, and the baristas’ technical skills.

The 13thPhilippine Grand Barista Cup required baristas to prepare 3 kinds of concoctions under the following categories: Espresso, Cappuccino and their own six beverages. After the competition, the following winners were declared:

2nd Runner up– Karl ZourielLat, an independent competitor from Makati

1st Runner up– John Richard Co of Chapter Coffee Roastery and Café

Grand Winner – JC Landicho of Magnum Opus

The grand champion took home prices including a PGBC trophy, P100,000-worth Franke fully automated espresso/cappuccino machine, Expobar Barista kit worth P15,000, and a coffee class at the UGC Coffee Academy and Local Coffee Appreciation and Farm tour in Atok, Benguet by Beviamo Coffee and Beverages. He also got several Milk Lab products and buffet vouchers from Marriott Manila.

The event is organized by Allegro Beverage Corporation, the exclusive Philippine distributor of Expobar espresso machines, DaVinci Gourmet Syrups and Sauces, and CaffeMoak.

The event’s goals are to promote the profession and to help develop world-class Pinoy talents.It is also meant to standardize the preparation and processing of espresso-based drinks like cafe latte, cafe mocha, cappuccino, and espresso.

This year’s panel of judges consists of masters and experts from other countries including Mr. Marco Poidamani, Mr. Fabian Fredriksson, Mr. Tristan Destura and Mr. Fernando Menendez. Local Experts such as Mr. Sherwin Halasan, and Mr. Ernie Mesina.

Allegro Beverage Corporation partnered with several sponsors to make the 13th Philippine Grand Barista Cup possible. These sponsors include Exposer Espresso Machine, Mahlkonig Grinder, Franke Coffee System, Moan Italian Coffee, Allegro Gourmet Syrup, Milk Lab, UCC Philippines, UCC Coffee Academy, BDO, Lotus Bischoff and Far Eastern University.

September 21, 2019 by
Fashion, Lifestyle

Rainy Season’s Almost Out But These Fashion Items Are Still In

The seasons in the Philippines seemingly saw changes. For the past few years, we’ve been experiencing typhoons even in December and what makes it worse is that we can’t be on the getup we want to look stylish during the holidays. But fret not because the top apparel brands made their waterproof footwear looking more fashionable than ever so they can be useful through all kinds of weather.

First up is Keds which is one of my fave sneaker brands. But instead of its vintage white canvass sneaker, I’m putting another of its variants into spotlight today. The All-season boots and sneakers of Kedsis perfect not just for the rainy season but also for the upcoming holiday when it’s a bit colder.

Crafted with silhouette features, these waterproof shoes are also stain repellant to make them always looking new even after they get soaked and dried up and soaked again.

Keds Scout Trek Splash Canvas in white (PHP 3,295.00); Scout Boot II Matte Canvas in Black (P4295); Boot II Matte Twill in Burgundy (P4295);

And to those who just can’t let go of the white canvass trademark of Keds but have to go on treks, you can still be fashionable in the Keds Scout Trek Splash Canvas pair. But for a rougher path, you can opt for the Scout Boot II Matte Canvas or Boot II Matte Twill.

Captain’s CVO Washable in grey for men P4295, Captain’s CVO Washable Sneaker in Rose for women P4295

Next is Sperry who released a washable shoe that makes shoe cleaning a bit less hassling. The brand’s Sperry Washable Collection now comes with a colorfast and washable nubuckplus it was intentionally designed to be lightweight through its breathable canvas material.

Sperry Striper II Storm Water Proof Chukka (P 4995), Sperry Striper II Storm Cvo Duck Canvas (P 3590), Bahama II Storm Duck Canvas (P 3995)

Another collection to check from Sperry is its Weather Ready Collection. The classic Striper II is made of water-resistant heavy canvas with gusseted tongue while the Bahama II has a heavy-duty duck canvas. The Sperry Striper II Storm CVO Duck, on the other hand, is made with waterproof suede, leather, and wool uppers in a seam-sealed waterproof construction to make sure your feet are warm and dry during the cold and under the rain.

Up next is the king of outdoor apparels – Merrell.

Merrell MOAB Adventure Lace (P P5495) Merrell Siren Edge Q2 WATERPROOF (P4895)

Everyone who loves to hike is well acquainted with the Merrell shoes and why not? These shoes are heavy duty, sticky, and made to survive through all kinds of weather.

Its Wet Weather Adventure Shoe collection boasts the Merrell MOAB Adventure Lace for men which is equipped with FIT.ECO blended EVA contoured footbed for comfort. The shoe also has the brand’s Vibram® outsole for traction in all weather and temperature conditions.

Ladies also get their own treat through the Merrell Siren Edge Q2 WATERPROOF for women. This pair is designed for the way women move, offering support, alignment, and stability. Aside from the weatherized material, it is outfitted with  the Q FORM™ 2 insole and midsole technology for comfort.

Want a more breathable but fashionable footwear that you can use under the rain or across waters? Then the Merrell Easy-to-style Sandals are what you should shop!

Merrell Choprock Strap For Men (P4495), Merell Siren Strap Q2 (P3895)

The Merrell Choprock Strap sandals for menis packed with materials that dryout fast, have strong grip on slick  terrain (Vibram® Megagrip™ outsole), and protect your feet from debris. It’s certainly the perfect sandals for a long holiday hike.

Second up is the Merrell Siren Strap Q2 which isdesigned for wet adventures. This comfortable strap-insandals is engineered with the active woman in mind, offering support, alignment, and gender-specific stability. It also has a waterproof nubuck and webbing upper, plus Merrell In-Board Compression molded EVA footframeto provide extra cushioning that will make you safer during your all-day walk.

Skechers Merlin-Rosney (P2095); SkechersNextwave Ultra (P2295)

And last but won’t allow to be the least in this list – Skechers!

Skechers has always made its footwear collections very funky but despite the fashionable looks, they all have quality that other brands can’t compete with.

The Skechers Merlin-Rosney for men is a cool sporty sandals but it surprisingly gives warmth to the feet because of its cushioned footbed. The upper is made with leather-textured synthetic, making it perfect for casual getaways.

And for women, there’s the SkechersNextwave Ultra.  This surf-ready flip flop is designed with soft flexible jelly material with ombre color design, silhoutteGoga Mat® footbed, and ULTRA GO™ cushioned sole.

And here’s a final treat to keep you warmer through the coming months, Rain gears from No Fear!

No Fear Saul Biker Jacket (P2199.75) No Fear Preston Hoodie Jacket (P1599.75), No Fear Stephan – Bomber Jacket (P1669.75)

The No Fear Saul Biker Jacket,No Fear Preston Hoodie Jacket, and No Fear Stephan – Bomber Jacket are all ready to give you extra warmth while adding to your stylish look this colder seasons. No Fear’s signature badass jackets feature windbreaker type material and water resistant finish. The Saul Biker jacket is a great addition to any casual outfit while the Preston Hoodie or Stephan Bomber jacket is the perfect getup for those who wish to keep themselves warm.

KEDS:

Visit keds.com.ph and Keds stores located at Glorietta 3, U.P. Town Center, SM North Edsa – The Block, SM Megamall, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Manila, Festival Alabang, SM City Baguio, Robinsons Ilocos, Ayala Center Cebu, SM City Bacolod, SM City Iloilo, Gaisano Mall Davao, and Centrio Cagayan De Oro.  Also available in Complex Lifestyle Stores at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, TriNoma Mall, Eastwood Mall, Fairview Terraces, Uptown BGC, Glorietta 5, Alabang Town Center, Festival Supermall, Solenad-3 Nuvali, Marquee Mall, and Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

SPERRY:

Sperry is available in Sperry stores located at Bonifacio High Street, SM Aura, Glorietta 3, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Place Manila, Estancia Mall, UP Town Center, Trinoma, Estancia Mall, Festival Mall, SM North Edsa The Block, Sperry SM Fairview, SM Southmall, SM Lipa, SM Baguio, Robinsons Place Ilocos, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Seaside Cebu, SM City Cebu, SM Iloilo, SM Bacolod, SM Lanang, Centrio Mall, and online at www.sperry.com.ph

MERRELL:

Shop online at merrell.com.ph. Merrell is also available at Glorietta 3, TriNoma, SM North Annex, Market! Market!,  Robinson’s Place Manila, SM Southmall, Festival Mall Alabang, SM City Dasmariñas, Marquee Mall Pampanga, Harbor Point Subic, SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Iloilo, SM City Davao, SM Lanang, Abreeza Mall Davao, Gaisano Mall Davao, Limketkai Mall, Centrio Mall, and selected specialty stores and department stores nationwide.

Visit Merrell on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MerrellPhilippines and follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @Merrell_PH.

SKECHERS:

For more Skechers sandals, visit skechers.com.ph, like Facebook.com/SkechersPhilippines and on Instagram @SkechersPH.

Visit Skechers concept stores located at Glorietta 2, Trinoma, SM North Edsa – The Annex, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Gateway Mall, Ayala Malls The 30th, SM East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Market Market, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Place Manila, Lucky Chinatown, Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, SM Dasmarinas, Robinsons Gen Trias , SM Lipa, Fairview Terraces, SM Fairview, SM Marilao, SM Pampanga, Marquee Mall, SM Clark, Vista Mall Bataan, SM Cabanatuan, Robinsons Place Ilocos, Ayala Malls Legazpi, SM Legazpi, Ayala Center Cebu, SM City Cebu, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, SM Iloilo, SM Davao, Limketkai Mall, Centrio Mall.

NO FEAR:

No Fear is available in leading department stores in the country.

 

 

September 19, 2019 by
Lifestyle

Perfume Dessert Could Be The Best Affordable Frangrance in Town

It provides an instant confidence boost with one simple spritz. But finding your signature perfume can prove somewhat challenging with the abundance of musky, floral, citrus or even woodsy notes to choose from.

This is my first time to own a Perfume Dessert London and I am going to share with you my take on the fragrances that I got from them. They generously gifted me with 5 perfumes of different scents which you will see below:

Ok, before I start, let me clarify that I am no perfume expert but I have a special taste on perfume. I love perfumes and I have a decent collection (18 bottles of different scents) of popular brands of women fragrances like Dior, Prada, and Gucci which are all with strong scents. For that, I always prefer eau de parfum (EDP) over eau de toilette (EDT) so I was really excited when I saw that the Perfume Dessert bottles I got are all eau de parfum.

For those who don’t know yet, EDPs have more essential perfume oils and concentration of up to 15-20 percent plus less alcohol. Meanwhile EDTs are made up of only five to 15 per cent oils.

As eau de toilettes contain less perfume oils, you’ll find that their price is usually a lot lower than that of an eau de parfum. Just keep in mind – since EDPs are more potent, you can get away with applying less; whereas an EDT may take a couple of spritzes to get your desired intensity.

…Which again is another impressive factor for Perfume Dessert London as their 30 ml perfumes only cost 280Php each! It is waaaay more affordable than my usual perfumes which cost around 3,000-4,000 pesos for every 100 ml bottle. Now that’s 900-1200 pesos if they are on 30 ml bottles.

But is it worth your 280Php?
After using the perfumes for 5 days, here are some things I found are Perfume Dessert’s best qualities:
• Original and High in Quality – Based on Perfume Dessert’s FB page, their perfumes are 100% UK-made and their ingredients are all legit. Of course, I wouldn’t know if that’s true but they do have a manufacturing facility in London as I checked. The barcode in the packaging will also tell you about its origin and authenticity. Plus, the perfume’s smell itself will tell you whether it is made of real scent or just an alcohol.
In this case, I graded it LEGIT.
• Feminine Packaging – The canister-type of packaging with floral designs is lovely and could be a great gift to your girl friend, colleagues, and relatives. It also instantly gave me an idea on the smell of the perfume being sweet. And indeed, when I opened the perfumes, they smelled very closely to the Victoria’s Secret scents.
• Long Lasting Smell – It’s definitely eau de parfum! I only sprayed a few puffs on my shirt and wrist and it, indeed, lasted for over 6 hours so there’s no complaining in that part.
• Affordable! – Like I already mentioned, 280Php is very affordable for eau de parfum. And to think that the packaging in nice and smell lasts longer than you expected, this is definitely worth the penny!

And for the smell you say?
I got 5 different smells namely Peach Bourbon Popsicle, Black Raspberry, Raspberry Smoothie, Cotton Candy Unicorn, and Piña Colada.
The PEACH BOURBON POPSICLE was 100% with a sweet peach smell and I think it is a good perfume for the teens who aren’t so much into active lifestyle. As you know, sweat and sweet isn’t really a pleasant combination.

The BLACK RASPBERRY is with a bit stronger smell compared to others, making it among my faves. The smell is still sweet like vanilla ice cream berries and might be perfect for teens and young adults.

RESPBERRY SMOOTHIE has a little bit playful smell with and addition of a caramel scent on top of the juicy berry fragrance.

The COTTON CANDY UNICORN perfume is milder with a very feminine scent. I’m not actually a fan of this fragrance but I can compare it with the popular fab con brand that we have here in the country.

And lastly, PIÑA COLADA has a bit fruity smell. It’s also on the milder category and it’s perfect for the younger ladies.

Overall, the best scents for me are the PEACH BOURBON POPSICLE, BLACK RASPBERRY, and RESPBERRY SMOOTHIE.
If you want to smell differently every day, this is your perfect chance!
Check them out on:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Perfume-Dessert-London-720410571416583/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/perfumedessertlondon/

 

September 15, 2019 by
Lifestyle

YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY GETAWAY IS JUST A REDDOORZ AWAY

It’s the ‘Ber months and it’s time to plan that holiday getaway with friends or family. What’s holding back most people from going all out to make their dreams get real is budget concerns. Now, RedDoorz with its all-out traveller perks and budget-friendly rates will make this the most memorable holiday vacay ever.

This Holiday Season, why not target these new places where RedDoorz has opened up and making a big difference in the travel scene?

Davao

If your dream vacay is a nature trip, with some history, exotic scenery, shop-till-you-drop shopping and glorious, inexpensive food, mark Davao for your next adventure.

The Crocodile Park, the Philippine Eagle sanctuary, the Davao Butterfly House, Eden Nature Park and Resort, zipline adventures and more, are what make Davao a heaven on earth for thrill-seekers and adrenaline-junkies. Climb the summit of the “King of the Philippine Peaks,” Mt. Apo and get a 360-degree view from the country’s highest peak. Or go island-hopping and take a dip in the waters of world-class beaches.

Vacations are never complete without feasts. Enjoy native Dabawenyo dishes like sinugbang tuna (grilled tuna), inato (grilled chicken), pasayan (deep-fried shrimp), kinhason (baked scallops), and imbaw (clam soup). Sample their pomelo and durian products ranging from fresh fruit to candies to ice cream and shake. There are 22 RedDoorz hotels in the heart of this big city that will be your launch pad for your holiday adventure.

Palawan

For indelible memories, Palawan is Ground Zero for you. The natural beauty of its beaches, rivers and caves plus the tropical vibe that this island brings will mesmerize you.

Here’s where you’ll find its most popular attraction – the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the world’s longest navigable underground river – that has made it one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The Ihawig River is a perfect place to commune with nature and just feel good to be alive. A visit to this historic river will not be complete unless you experience its most famous tourist attraction, firefly watching.

And to complete your magical experience in Palawan, experience the sands of the popular Honda Bay. You can use the site as a jump-off place for a lot of other islands to travel to. Choose from any of 13 RedDoorz hotels in Palawan to be nearest the island attraction you want best.

Tagaytay  

Sometimes you don’t need to go far to escape the stress of the city. Only a few hours away from the noise of Manila, you can find solitude and a much-needed break whenever you want.

Enjoy the City’s varied attractions, from the mind challenging and jaw-dropping Puzzle Mansion where you can find the most extensive collection of Jigsaw Puzzles in the world. The lady who completed all the 2D, 3D and 4D puzzles here – some as big as murals – is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the unmatchable number and kinds of puzzles she completed.

Enjoy Tagaytay’s cool breeze and chilly evenings with a romantic dinner or even just a hot sip of healthy Tagaytay Bulalo.

Don’t miss its most famous attraction – the People’s Park in the Sky. It stands at the highest point of Tagaytay and lets you have a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape, the best vantage point to see Taal Lake and Volcano. If you want rides and kiddie adventures, visit the Sky Ranch for rides and panoramic views. You can find the best branded items at outlet stores in Sta.Rosa where you’ll find quality, outlet-priced gifts to give for the holiday season.

RedDoorz at the Ridge, Mahogany and Sta. Rosa are all just minutes away from all the best Tagaytay landmarks.

But whatever location you choose, booking your RedDoorz hotel will be easy as pie because the RedDoorz App is your go-to companion for your discovery adventure. This user-friendly, 100% safe app allows you to compare hundreds of hotels, get real time prices, read traveller reviews so you can plan your trip in detail. Once you’re there, RedDoorz will pamper you with free Wifi, clean beds, clean sheets, free toiletries, unlimited water and a pleasant experience – all for very affordable rates. Even paying is easy! You can use credit cards, Dragonpay or pay-at-hotel without need for credit card guarantee.

Just one RedDoorz away should also mean that entire discovery, booking experience is just “one-app” away and few clicks

So for the holidays, don’t be afraid to pursue your adventure. There are RedDoorz Hotels – RedDoorz, RedDoorz Plus or RedDoorz Premium – that fits your budget. You’ll be glad to know that a RedDoorz Hotel is just “one app and a few clicks away” in whatever city you choose.

 

 

 

 

 

September 8, 2019 by
Food, Lifestyle

Allegro Beverage Corp Held 13th Philippine Grand Barista Cup 2019

Allegro Beverage President, Mr. Leo De Leon

Undeniably, the aromatic smell of coffee is a form of ‘low cost’ therapy. If you are looking for ways to drive away the Monday blues or to kick start your day with a bang, it’s almost a no-brainer to go for a cuppa. The aroma of coffee seems to carry a ‘feel’ good factor and it creates a positive psychological effect of calmness. Also, we are all aware that caffeine has the effect of perking you up.

It’s simply irresistible and having been able to be at a barista event was a glorious experience. I even got the chance to try joining a latte art contest!

Once again, Allegro Beverage Corporation staged a grand competition joined in by professional baristas from different regions in the country. It has already been their annual event to challenge pros in the Philippine Grand Barista Cup (PGBC), while the Latte Art Throwdown can be joined in by amateurs. This was where I was able to participate. Unfortunately I lost to others, but being able to stand up there creating a mug of my daily staple is an experience really worth sharing.

The event this year saw international panelists like Marco Poidemani (2019 Italian Barista Competition), Fabian Fredriksson (Marketing Manager of Crem, APAC), Tristan Destura (1883 Maison ROUTIN Brand Ambassador), and Fernando Menendez (Franke  Coffee Systems Asia Sales Director). Local connoisseurs were also, of course, tapped to join the panel, including Ernie Mesina, Joe Marie Lichangco, Kevin Israel, Errol Martin, Robert Ian Paguiligan, Vanessa Caceres, Rezeneil Bernardo and Paul Vincent Asuncion and Sherwin Halasan.

Participants of this year’s PGBC competition included baristas from different cafes like Karl Zouriel Lat, John Richard Go, JC Landicho, Kenneth Prado, Essamuel Casablanca Jr. and Clark Daniel Bernales.

Winning participant will be taking home tons of prices including a PGBC trophy, a P100,000-worth Franke fully automatic espresso/cappuccino machine, Expobar Barista kit worth P15,000, plus a coffee class at the UCC Coffee Academy and Local Coffee Appreciation and Farm tour in Atok Benguet by Beviamo Coffee and Beverages. Grand champion will also take home Milklab products, buffet vouchers from Marriott Manila and other exciting prizes from other sponsors.

Allegro Beverage aims to have the barista profession be recognized in the country. The country has honed some expert baristas who already made it to the top places at the Word Barista Championship, but none of them has taken the beans home yet. The preferred coffee solutions company also looks forward to having specialty coffee, especially the Philippine Arabica beans, be appreciated.

ABC partnered with renowned brands this year like Expobar Onyx Espresso Machines, Franke Coffee System, Mahlkonig Coffee Grinder, Caffe Moak, and 1883 Syrups. The event was sponsored by popular brands, too, like Milklab by Grand Nourriture, UCC Philippines, UCC Coffee Academy, Blizzard Refrigeration, BDO, Lotus Biscoff, and Far Eastern University.

The grand championship on the 6th Grand Latte Art Throwdown will go down on September 12-13, while the 13th Philippine Grand Barista Cup championship will happen on September 13. Both competitions will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Apart from these contests, Allegro is also geared up to launch the Allegro Gourmet Syrups featuring 10 delicious syrup flavors for your coffee. Five of which are described to compliment any hot or cold coffee including Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut, Almond, and Chocolate. The other 5 syrup flavors are said to go with any tea, cocktail, or mocktail including Strawberry, Peach, Lychee, Mint, and Green Apple.

For more information visit their website: www.allegrobeverage.com

September 6, 2019 by
Lifestyle

Barefoot Wines Prompts Kindness Among Every Juan in New Campaign

There’s a new wine in town and it comes not just with a crisp feel and delightful aroma, but also with a launch that pushes some kind of advocacy.

In a press launch held at the Gourmet Gypsy Art Café last week, Barefoot Wines started a social media movement advocating kindness and positive change. In a campaign they called Barefoot ARK (ACTS OF RANDOM KINDNESS), the company aims to promote and motivate people to perform small acts of kindness wherever they are. And to inspire the whole nation, they encourage people to post and share any acts of kindness they happen to witness on Barefoot ARK’s Instagram and Facebook accounts.

It’s true indeed, in a time and space where we hear about crimes, watch calamities, experience indifferences, a little act of kindness is all we need to bring back our faith in humanity. And Barefoot Wines is reminding us all about it in their social media campaign.

Barefoot ARK Press Briefing

The wine company believes that to make a difference, we should start by doing little deeds of kindness. Whenever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity to help and be kind. After all, we are made kind by being kind. And later, all these little generosities will add up and change the chaotic world we are currently living in.

To prompt people to share their experiences of kindness, Barefoot also started a monthly search for ARK of the Month winner where they’ll choose what they think is the most touching deed among the entries posted on their social media pages. Of course, there will prizes given to the selected heroes of the month.

Barefoot Playbook

Barefoot Wines is a specialty wine brand from California known for its distinctly fun personality, and for pioneering worthy-cause marketing. It uses its values and advocacies to create America’s Most Beloved No.1 wine brand. Brought to the Philippines by Emperador Distillers, Inc. and exclusively distributed by S&R Membership Shopping, Barefoot Wines brings its tradition of worthy causes to our country, starting the Barefoot ARK movement.

To find out more about Barefoot Wines, like and follow Barefoot Wines Philippines/@barefootwinesph on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

September 4, 2019 by
Health and Wellness, Lifestyle

Eye Mo Challenges Youth In Eye Care Awareness Month Campaign 2019

Eye Care Awareness Month is commemorated from 21 September to 18 October to raise awareness about the importance of eye health, specifically around the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness.

Seventy-five percent of all cases of blindness is avoidable either through prevention or through treatment – which is why is important to get your eyes tested at least once per year.

Symptoms of eye conditions can include:

  • vision loss
  • altered eye movements
  • eye pain
  • visual field loss
  • bulging eye.

Countries are already starting to promote the importance of eye and vision care by participating in some or all of the observances listed by the World Council of Optometry. Different campaigns are actually spread throughout the year to attend to different issues that affect the eye.

In the Philippines, we are only in our 3rd year of holding an eye care campaign and we do it on a different timing. Spearheaded by the leading eye drop brand Eye Mo, the nationwide campaign highlights the company’s strong commitment to spreading eye care awareness by combating the five signs of eye irritation, namely, sore, itchy, red, watery, and dry eyes.

This year, they ran the campaign for the whole month of August, they appropriately dubbed #EyeCan – Join #myREDvolution.  This is actually a continuation of their original campaign launched in 2017 which they called “Eyes Mo, Care Mo.”

Their 2019 stint aimed to challenge the so-called millenials in the society to be aware of their social responsibility in spreading awareness on eye care. In line with this goal, Eye Mo appointed the youth to actively participate in their series of activities which included lectures, arts, charity environment, and health events. This goes in symphony with Eye Mo’s advocacy for proper eye education and eye care, which are crucial to a person’s overall health.

Eye Mo Philippines’ Marketing Head, Earl Jayona, shared about the new challenge:

“We launched the first eye care awareness campaign in 2017 to educate people on the importance of healthy eyesight. Every year, we want to build on what we have achieved, so that we can reach out to more people and educate them on proper eye care. This year, we are spreading the advocacy further by taking it to communities, through a series of CSR initiatives that can help push the message forward and inspire millennials to promote social awareness and positive change.”

Also a part of the program is the launch of NECAM which serves as a team to make rounds on Ph schools via concert tours, using music to spread awareness on eye care. A short documentary film will also be launched featuring five outstanding millennials who have contributed positively to society. Of course, the stories are geared towards inspiring all other youths to contribute to changing the nation for the better.

Giving away free Eye Mo products that people can use is still a part of this year’s campaign. Free eye check-ups are also being given to help address the neglected signs of possible eye diseases.

#EyeCan – Join myREDvolution won’t be short of doing community services too. This is to eliminate all the eyesores in the community through clean up drives. Tree planting will also be done at the Baseco Compound with the support of government and non-government organizations. The company urged numerous communities through school orgs and SK groups to push the activities as well as painting the towns with murals to beautify communities in the Philippines.

Finally, Eye Mo is partnering with TV5’s AlagangKapatid Foundation on a feeding program.

Photo shows from left: Ms. Liza Po, Senior Manager for Finance; Mr. Edwin Palacios, General Manager of IMS Asia Philippines; and Earl Jayona, Marketing Manager for OTC, Personal Care and Healthcare.

For more information, please visit www.eyemoph.com or check out @EyeMoPH on Facebook.

 

September 3, 2019 by
Fashion, Lifestyle

KEDS EMPOWERS WOMEN IN NEW CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY

Photo shows from left: Reese Lansangan, Gabriela Pangilinan and Abbey Sy.

This month of August saw Women’s Equality Day and Keds is kicking off its Ladies Unite campaign featuring fearless women who found their deserved spot in their respective industries. But this annual celebration won’t be complete without its collection dedicated for this special occasion.

Keds has been around for more than 100 years now and since its launch, it has placed women first. Its shoe collections are mainly crafted to give women comfortable footwear they can use to run the world. It’s indeed a shoe for the empowered women. And I, myself, got tons of pairs of Keds shoes.

Keds has launched its extended Ladies First Since 1916 platform. The brand has been supporting and offering stylish shoe options to women since its inception, hence the name of the program. This lifelong campaign is both a celebration of women’s ambition and of the brand’s longevity.

Some amazing women have been Keds fans through the years too, like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Yoko Ono, and Marilyn Monroe. But locally, we have a couple who are worth it to be recognized too. And this week as we celebrated Women’s Equality Day, Keds hosted a brunch where it introduced this year’s most amazing Pinays including singer-songwriter and designer Reese Lansangan, artist Abbey Sy, and theatre actress Gabriela Pangilinan.

This year, Keds aims to unite all ladies to go for their goals as professionals. As you know, ladies are no longer caged in the idea that they should be stuck at home doing the laundry and dishes. We too, have talents and we are intelligent. We deserve to take the limelight too.

During the event, our group was able to exchange stories with the beautiful Abbey Sy. And coming from me, who’s also an independent career woman, I’d say that she has a lot of admirable traits can truly uplift women from the younger generation. Abbey rose to popularity for her skills on Calligraphy. She talked about going to different countries where she picked up inspirations for her art. And this DLSU alumnus is just grateful that people in her niche praise her craft.

Abbey Sy wears the Keds Double Decker Empower
Video link: https://www.facebook.com/259636830724913/posts/2488255714529669/

Also present at the event was Reese Lansangan who’s a new darling in the OPM world. She released songs like “Grammar Nazi”, “Exploration No. 5,” and her latest single “An Opportunity to go to the Moon” which garnered over a million views on Youtube.

Reese Lansangan wears the Keds Double Decker Empower
Video link: https://www.facebook.com/259636830724913/posts/2488272537861320/

The third woman has a name that clearly defines her fighting spirit – Gabriela Pangilinan. And it’s not just her name. All of her roles in her theater acts depict stories of real woman. She starred in “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” and was part of the other shows like “Sideshow and Beautiful”, and “The Carole King Musical.” This was how Gab became a darling of the stage.

Gabriela Pangilinan wears the Keds Double Decker Empower
Video link: https://www.facebook.com/259636830724913/posts/2488254914529749/

These ladies wear their Keds sneakers with pride. There’s a new shoe that was released to show love to all women and these 3 trailblazers are wearing it. It’s called the Keds Double Decker Empower.

Abbey Sy wears the Keds Ace Leather, Reese Lansangan wears the Keds Double Decker Empower, and Gab Pangilinan wears the Keds Champion in Red

Boasting a black theme with printed “Empower” all over its face, this slip-on Keds pair is something you should add to your collection.

It’s comfy and it’s light. It’s perfect for all women who are on the go every day and every night.

A woman deserves a pair of good shoe to take her to her spot to success and this is it. Priced at P3095, the Double Deck Empower shoes are now up for grabs.

 

This pair joins the all-time favorite Ace Leather which wears different heel color. Its polished face adds to its appeal and is perfect for just about any outfit from Dresses to shorts, pants or leggings. A little bit pricier at P3995, but not for a career woman with an empire that can provide for her little luxuries.

But let’s not forget the classic shoe that started it all. The champion sneaker is a pair that every woman should have. For over a century, it has been around and many famous female celebrities have been wearing this same pair.

The white canvas on rubber sole has been an instant hit when it was released in 1916. It has been the iconic footwear of women who wanted to do more and become more. It’s soft on the inside but sturdy on the outside. The Champion Canvas Red worth P2795 and also available in yellow.

For more of the Keds, visit keds.com.ph and Keds stores located at Glorietta 3, U.P. Town Center, SM North Edsa – The Block, SM Megamall, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Manila, Festival Alabang, SM City Baguio, Robinsons Ilocos, Ayala Center Cebu, SM City Bacolod, SM City Iloilo, Gaisano Mall Davao, and Centrio Cagayan De Oro. Terms and conditions apply.

August 30, 2019 by
Lifestyle

SKECHERS, MERRELL, AND SAUCONY ARE IN AUGUST SALE!

Great news for shoe lovers! For the whole month of August, Merrell and Saucony will be giving a special treat to its customers with up to 70% OFF on select shoes! Meanwhile, Skechers fans can cop their new shoes with up to 50% OFF! Now you have 6 days more to catch up!

All these sales are NATIONWIDE and available online at the brands’ websites:

SKECHERS – Fans who love the brands’ wide collection of the most comfortable and stylish footwear can cop their next pair. Want to shop at the comfort of your own home? Simply visit skechers.com.ph, too! Not sure what to get? Worry not as Skechers have shoes ideal for walking, running, everyday styling, and more! Shoes for kids are available as well so you can take the whole family shopping this month. All shoes on sale are designed with advanced comfort technology and a broad range of stylish designs so there’s a perfect pair for everyone! Head to the nearest Skechers concept store and treat yourself, the barkada, and the entire family to comfortable, stylish footwear with this great bargain! Check your nearest store at www.skechers.com.ph/stores. Visit Skechers concept stores located at Glorietta 2, Trinoma, SM North Edsa – The Annex, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Gateway Mall, Ayala Malls The 30th, SM East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Market Market, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Place Manila, Lucky Chinatown, Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, SM Dasmarinas, Robinsons Gen Trias , SM Lipa, Fairview Terraces, SM Fairview, SM Marilao, SM Pampanga, Marquee Mall, SM Clark, Vista Mall Bataan, SM Cabanatuan, Robinsons Place Ilocos, Ayala Malls Legazpi, SM Legazpi, Ayala Center Cebu, SM City Cebu, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, SM Iloilo, SM Davao, Limketkai Mall, Centrio Mall.

To learn more about Skechers, visit www.skechers.com.ph, www.facebook.com/SkechersPH and follow @SkechersPH on Twitter and Instagram.

Merrell –  sets a great case of wanderlust and invites you to kick off the second half of the year in top-notch shoe tech and style. The sale is on-going in all Merrell concept stores at leading department stores, and even online at merrell.com.ph! Whether you’re looking for shoes or sandals perfect for rainy days, or gearing up for your next travel adventure, keep your getaway safe and in-style with Merrell footwear. No matter where you are in the country, you can get the chance to score great shoes with the jaw-dropping discounts. Merrell concept stores are located at Glorietta 3, TriNoma, SM North EDSA Annex, Market! Market!, Robinsons Place Manila, Festival Mall, SM Dasmarinas, Marquee Mall , SM Southmall, Harbor Point, SM City Cebu, SM Iloilo, SM City Davao, SM Lanang, LimKetKai Mall, Centrio Mall, and Ayala Center Cebu. You can also grab these deals when you shop online at www.merrell.com.ph!

Follow Merrell on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MerrellPhilippines and on Twitter and Instagram: @Merrell_PH, to get the latest updates on new drops and releases.

SAUCONY  – 120-Year old performance and lifestyle footwear brand and everyone can cop their newest pair of award-winning Saucony shoes for a GREAT DEAL. This is the best chance to add a new pair of running shoes or casual footwear to wear every day. As a treat to fans as well as beginner and pro fitness enthusiasts. Plus, you may also shop at the comfort of your own home by simply visiting saucony.com.ph. Looking for your next running or gym shoes? Or just on the hunt for your next casual hangout pair? Whether you’re new to the fitness grind, a pro, or just want to get stylish kicks laced with innovative technology, check out Saucony’s great collection of shoes with a heritage and get them with the best discount.

Drop by the Saucony stores in in Glorietta 3 and Trinoma, Saucony stands in department stores, or online at www.saucony.com.ph.

Don’t miss all this great deals!!!

 

 

 

 

 

August 26, 2019 by
Lifestyle

An Overview Of The MSIG Travel Insurance (TravelEasy)

Traveling in flight delays, baggage or money loss, accidents, and illnesses are common predictions experienced by travelers. Pack a travel insurance that really has your back and explore the world with greater peace of mind. MSIG travel insurance is one of the most popular brand insurance in Singapore. MSIG features tiers of travel insurance plans in each category to meet different levels of coverage for all types of travel destinations and travel duration.

TravelEasy has the choices that best suits your travel needs.

Plan Type Cancellation Medical Coverage (Overseas) Bags/Belongings
Standard $5,000 $250,000 $3,000
Elite $10,000 $500,000 $5,000
Premier $15,000 $1,000,000 $7,500
Pre-Ex Standard $ 5,000 $75,000 $3,000
Pre-Ex Elite $10,000 $100,000 $5,000
Pre-Ex Premier $15,000 $150,000 $7,500

Key features

  • Comprehensive cover with over 50 benefits
  • Adventurous activities cover now includes dog sledding, tobagganing, sledging and ice-skating
  • Increased limits for Terrorism Cover

Plan highlights

Maternity-related Overseas Medical Expenses                                                                                                                                                            Covers medical expenses incurred overseas due to pregnancy-related illnesses such as nausea and giddiness.

Replacement of Traveller
Pays for the charges incurred for change of traveller should the insured person suffer from serious injury, illness, death or that of their family member or travel companion 30 days prior to their trip.

Emergency Medical Evacuation
Increased cover from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for the Standard Plan

Insolvency of Licensed Travel Operator
List of travel operators expanded to include travel agencies registered with the Singapore Tourism Board (includes NATAS registered travel agencies).

Delayed Departure
Pays for additional administrative and travel expenses incurred to book alternative transport to the same destination should there be delays to the public transport due to strike, riot, civil commotion, poor weather conditions, natural disasters, breakdown of public transport or closure of airport.

Standard Plan is a free package for individuals who are budget conscious or who already have other personal insurance. However, the Standard Plan excludes some benefits:

  • Maternity Medical Expenses Overseas
  • Overseas ICU Hospitalization Daily Benefit
  • Wedding Clothing and Accessories
  • Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
  • Credit Card Outstanding Balance
  • Legal Expenses for Wrongful Arrest or Detention, etc.

Elite and Premier Plan caters to travelers who wants a wider range and those who travel for specific purposes such as a bridal shoot or sporting activities.

TraveEasy Pre-Ex Plan is tailored to the unique needs of travelers with pre-existing conditions. It also offers pre-existing coverage of medical conditions for competitive premiums and is stocked with various peace benefits that individual travelers may find.

Leisure Activities and Covered

The important thing to note is that the cheapest Standard Plan is limited in scope if you are planning anything other than a normal city flight. It does not cover most outdoor activities.

The higher-tier plans cover a whole slew of outdoor activities, including those commonly listed here:

Outdoor activity Covered by MSIG
Hot air balloon Elite & Premier only
Scuba diving Elite & Premier only (up to 30m)
Skiing and other ice/snow sports Elite & Premier only
Hiking or trekking Elite & Premier only (up to 3,000m)
Mountaineering or outdoor rock climbing Elite & Premier only (up to 3,000m)
Marathons or other competitions Elite & Premier only (marathon up to 42.195km)
Jet skiing Elite & Premier only
White water rafting Elite & Premier only (up to Grade 3)
Skydiving and Bungee Jumping Elite & Premier only
Paragliding, hang gliding or parachuting Elite & Premier only

Promotion

Although MSIG’s listed prices of travel insurance plans may seem daunting at first glance, there is usually a promotion to keep their prices competitive, such as the current 50% discount on travel plans is now 60% discounts for Pre-existing medical conditions cover and regular MSIG’s plans and 20% off Annual plans. This offer ends on August 16, 2019.

As long as the continuation is 60%, I would say it’s worth buying travel insurance from MSIG. Price is competitive against different travel insurance plans here in Singapore.

If you would like to learn more about the MSIG Travel insurance plan in more detail, you may refer to the insurer’s official documentation.

Policy Wording Document Read Now

Policy Brochure Read Now

MSIG travel insurance is extremely affordable after a generous promotional discount. Also find the list of MSIG Travel Insurance . If you would like to compare MSIG’s Travel Insurance Plans to other plans on the market, you can go to Insurance Market, to pick the best travel insurance policies in Singapore that is right for you.

Insurance Market is a market place where we are serious about insurance and where professional parties come together to transact insurance only in the best and most responsible manner. Insurance Market offers a wide range of general insurance products (such as travel insurance, maid insurance, pet insurance and more) online and life insurance through personal advice from our qualified brokers.

 

August 22, 2019 by