Sunday, September 30, 2018

Nescafe Gold Collection

Nowadays, coffee has become such a staple in our daily lives that one can no longer live without coffee. The rise of 3rd wave coffee shops can be seen all over the metro but the popularity of coffee brands such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons are not swayed as well. This goes to show that the clamor for coffee is real.



Nescafe understands this which is why aside from their classic, they have upped their game and brought the Nescafe Gold Collection. If you think that this is just another instant coffee, you need to think again because this is definitely one of the best instant coffee that you will ever have.

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Expertly crafted using a deluxe blend of the finest, handpicked Arabica and Robusta coffee beans then combined with exquisite milk for a rich, velvety cafe forth, this concoction from the Nescafe Gold Collection lets you experience an elevated coffee experience like no other.

What's even better is that it comes in 3 different flavors. You can choose from three delicious flavor and discover which one suits your taste: Latte Macchiato, Cappucino, and
White Espresso.

The Latte Macchiato is a little bitter and would go well for serious coffee lovers. It slaps you in the face with it's full on flavor which is great if you really need that caffeine fix only coffee could provide.

The Cappucino on the other hand is a little bit more mild and is good for those who enjoy drinking coffee because it has become a ritual of sorts. This is the one you serve during meetings of late afternoon sessions where you just need to perk up your brain a little bit.

The White Espresso is the one that's good for those in the middle. It still has that punch but at the same time, it is pretty safe to consume even after dinner coz you'd still fall asleep before midnight.

See the difference. Smell the difference. Taste the difference. Appreciate the difference of the Nescafe Gold Collection. Let us know which one is your favorite on the comments below.

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Saturday, September 29, 2018

Review of Fenty Beauty STUNNA in UNCUFFED

We already reviewed UNVEIL so here's a review of the newest shade from the STUNNA line of FENTY BEAUTY, UNCUFFED.

This came with the standard hard box packaging which I have already come to love. It's sturdy and it feels like a thousand bucks.



This is the bottle and you can see the rose color lip paint. I really love this because it's very feminine.



This is how it looks like when swatched.


This is how it looks like on my lips.


If I'm going to be honest, I like this one better than Unveil but only because I feel like I can wear this anytime, anywhere. Unveil needs a bit more pizzaz. Uncuff can be your go-to daily lippie.

As always, it's not drying, easy to put on, and stays for more than 12 hours. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

You can buy this via Sephora Online. A new shade has also been released called Unbutton which will be the next shade we will review from the Stunna line.

Friday, September 28, 2018

Gelare Ice Cream

Everyone loves ice cream. This is a fact. Rare are the people who can say no to ice cream and when presented with a big bowl of at least 3 scoops of the yummiest ice cream this side of Manila.

However, did you know that regular ice cream actually consists of 50% air while gelatos have 25% air. Air actually dilutes the taste so imagine if you can have a scoop of ice cream that is absolutely airless? Can you just imagine how creamy and good that will be? Well, no need to imagine because with Gelare Ice Cream, you get exactly that: 100% airless ice cream that will make you question all the ice cream you have consumed before.

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Coming all the way from the land down under, Gelare started back in 1986 and has become Australia's most loved dessert cafe. Gelare offers more than just ice cream though so no need to fret. You can have great tasting waffle or tuna melt among other things.


The best thing about Gelare though is not jut their ice cream. It is the fact that you can turn any ice cream they have into shake. Yes, you read that right. Most ice cream places will limit your choices as to what can be turned into a shake but with Gelare, you can request any favorite flavor that you have and turn it into this delicious ice cream shake.


The first Gelare branched recently opened at the 3rd floor of UpTown BGC. Gelare is an Italian word which means to freeze or congeal. Congeal is the final step in the ice cream making process.

Gelare currently offers 24 different flavors and some of the more popular ones are Blueberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, as well as Peanut Butter and Honey Malt.



To vegan lovers as well as those looking for Halal, there is also something for you such as Banana Caramel Swirl, Lychee Lane Sorbet, Mango Passion Sorbet, Lemon Lime Sorbet, and Matcha Green Tea.

You can end your stay with a cup of coffee because Gelare also offers a variety of coffee to cap off your perfect stay.

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Thursday, September 27, 2018

Fenty Beauty's Stunna UNVEIL

We've all seen it. A new shade from Fenty Beauty's line has been released and it is called UNVEIL. Initial thoughts on my end included something like this:





Oh, it's brown.
No, it's more chocolate.
I wonder if it will look good on me.
It's supposed to look good on me right?
It fits any skin color.
Ooohhh it looks really good.
Hello, I'm buying it. What're all these thoughts for?


I bought one of course because I had the first variation, Uncensored and I SUPER LOVED IT.

Packaging is the same as the first stunna line. I love it. It's different and it stands out amongst all lippies. The box is also hard so it's not easy to bend and you won't worry about the delivery. They can't bend the box unless they intentionally do so.

Seriously, it is one of the best lippies that I have ever had and it really does last the entire day regardless of how many drinks you've had and no matter how oily your food is.

It glides smoothly and dries fast but not too fast that if you make an error, you'd need to use makeup remover to fix it. It also does not dry up your lips which I really love. It's not too hard to remove at the end of the day so you won't need to scrub it off your lips.

It smells nice and the texture is just right. It's not too thick but it's also not watered down. You'd really feel that you got your money's worth when you buy this.


I had an event and I donned this beautiful chocolate shade.


My Mom hated it on me and my older sister said it was too dark. My friend said it made me look more fierce which she totally loved. A lot of people were surprised because it's not my normal shade. For me, I actually liked it. It's definitely different but isn't that what life is about? We should be able to try things out and add more color to our lives.


Here is a closer look.

I've already ordered UNCUFFED and UNBUTTON so reviews on those will be up soon. Let me know what you think. Yay or nay?

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

4 Laptops You Need in Your Life

Changing laptops is not as easy as changing phones, clothes, or partners. A laptop entails more commitment as this is the one item that houses different components of your life. This is where you work, relax, store important information, and the like. To some people, a laptop is a means of livelihood and without it, a lot of things can go wrong.

Having a powerful but light laptop can make or break your career. When you need to always be on the go, sometimes, a smartphone just doesn't quite cut it. You need a laptop to have a better presentation with clients, to give a clearer view of things, as well as share a movie night with your loved one at home.

This means you need long battery life, sleek looking aesthetic, yet power and functionality that packs a punch. This is where the Zenbook from ASUS comes in. If you are someone who is always on the go, creative, and needs a laptop that can keep up with today's fast-paced lifestyle but can also deliver relaxation when needed, here are the 4 laptops that you need in your life.

ZenBook 13/14/15: The world's most compact laptops



The ZenBook 13, 14 and 15 introduce the stunning new frameless ASUS NanoEdge display, with ultra-slim bezels on all four sides for an unrivaled screen-to-body ratio of up to 95% and a near-borderless viewing experience. The ultra-compact design, which incorporates the unique ErgoLift hinge mechanism that tilts the keyboard for comfortable typing, gives each of these laptops the world's smallest footprint in its class.



ZenBook 13 and 14 also introduce include the exclusive new NumberPad, an innovative LED-illuminated numeric keypad built into the touchpad. The new models feature a full complement of high-performance components including the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor with integrated Gigabit Wi-Fi optimized for Intel® Wireless-AC 9560, and up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Max-Q graphics.

ZenBook Pro 14: Performance to go, with the revolutionary ScreenPad



The ZenBook Pro 14 is a highly mobile alternative to the 15.6-inch ZenBook Pro 15, featuring the futuristic new ScreenPad — an ASUS innovation that revolutionizes the way users work and interact with their laptop. ZenBook Pro 14 delivers extreme performance in a slim, lightweight and supremely elegant package.


 Powered by up to the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8565U processor featuring integrated Gigabit Wi-Fi and up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q discrete graphics, the ZenBook Pro 14 handles the most demanding tasks with ease. The all-aluminum design features the exclusive ErgoLift hinge, and its ultra-compact dimensions are enabled by the 14-inch NanoEdge FHD display, with ultraslim bezels that provide an expansive, distraction-free viewing experience.

The display is also factory pre-calibrated and PANTONE validated for superb color accuracy. The ZenBook Pro 14 features fast face login and built-in support for Windows Cortana and Amazon Alexa voice services.

ZenBook S (UX391FA): 20-hour battery life



The ZenBook S (UX391FA) is a premium 13.3-inch ultraportable Windows 10 laptop now upgraded with power-saving components that enable a remarkable 20-hour battery life, along with the latest 8th Generation Intel Core processors for enhanced performance.


These new improvements make the ZenBook S an even more compelling choice for discerning on-the-go users, offering effortless portability, powerful performance and no-compromise connectivity, combined with military-grade (MIL-STD-810G) toughness.

VivoBook S15 (S530): Beyond the Edge



ASUS today announced VivoBook S15 (S530) and S14 (S430), a pair of stylish and lightweight laptops designed for the young, and the young at heart. Both laptops feature bold color-blocking designs, with five vibrant color options and several textured finishes that let users fully express their personalities.



The ErgoLift hinge replicates the feel of typing on a desktop keyboard for more comfortable typing, while the new three-sided NanoEdge display design provides an immersive viewing experience. S15 and S14 are powered by up to an 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, with NVIDIA® GeForce® MX150 discrete graphics. Both laptops feature dual-storage designs.

ASUS’ latest ZenBook product line will be locally available in Q4 2018.

Be Passionately Pink with Crimson Hotel

It's the time of the year once again where awareness for Breast Cancer is at an all-time high.

Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila is painting the town pink this October as it commemorates National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with “Passionately Pink,” a month-long campaign that aims to spread awareness about breast cancer and bring together every mom, daughter and sister to take action against the disease.

Crimson Hotel Filinvest City’s “Passionately Pink” campaign will include special promotions, events and activities for the benefit of STAGEZERO by Project Pink Support Group, a non-stock, non-profit organization that provides assistance and support to cancer patients and their families. STAGEZERO aims to encourage and empower patients, families and the community to conquer cancer through knowledge, emotional, social and spiritual support.

supporting this advocacy

“We have started our awareness campaign against breast cancer last year in line with our efforts to give back to our community. It is also alarming to know that the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia with three out of 100 Filipino women are at risk of getting it in their lifetime. Both mom and the daughter are at risk of getting a breast cancer. However, cancer prevention is possible if they know how to beat it. In addition to spreading word of mouth for this meaningful cause, our main goal is to raise funds that will benefit our partner foundation -- the Stagezero by Project Pink Support Group,” Mr. Gerhard Doll, General Manager of Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila, stated.


In line with the “Passionately Pink” campaign, the hotel will stage “In the CompanY of Pink,” a concert for a cause featuring renowned vocal group The Company and acoustic act MYMP on October 12, 2018, 7 p.m. at the Crimson Grand Ballroom. Ticket rates start at P 2,500 net inclusive of cocktails. Proceeds will benefit STAGEZERO.

Guests may also avail of special “Bloom in Pink” room packages from October 1-31, 2018. Overnight stay is available at P4, 999 net for Deluxe Room, P5, 999 net for Premier Room. Overnight stays with breakfast will be at P5, 999 net for Deluxe Room and P6, 999 net for Premier Room. Both packages include Pink Surprise room amenity and a donation to STAGEZERO by Project Pink Support Group.


The hotel is also offering “Think Pink Meetings” packages for October meetings booked at the hotel inclusive of pink lemonade, Passionately Pink edition of Fil the Bear, pink-themed snacks for coffee breaks and a donation to STAGEZERO.


Various special “Passionately Pink” activities and promotions will also be held at Crimson which includes Pink Kisses Corner at Café Eight featuring pink dessert cart stuffed with Café Eight’s pink-inspired sweets, Pretty in Pink Afternoon Tea sessions at the Lobby Lounge from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the whole month with Art and Sip sessions happening every Friday and Saturday, and guests can also check out Drops of Pink at the bar featuring an array of dainty drinks such as pink beer, sparkling wine and cocktails.

Other events include Health and Healing: A Mother-Daughter Retreat on October 13, 2018 which includes Breast Cancer 101 discussion, meditation as well as mindful eating and weight management tips; Share Hope Fundraising Dinner on October 18, 2018 which combines a culinary experience of five-course dinner, the finest wines and a silent auction for breast cancer awareness; Passion Forward Exhibit from October 1-28, 2018  which brings fashion and art together with collections from Francis Libiran, South Arts Festival and other talented designers to inspire creativity and being passionately involved with breast cancer awareness; and finally, Crimson Hotel Filinvest will also play host to Tickled Pink Pool Foam Party where you can have a fun night out and make a difference at the same time on October 27, 2018, 6 p.m.

Ride Stronger with Shell Bike Fair

Kicking off at Baguio City last July, Shell Bike Fair wraps up this year’s festivities with a bang this Saturday, September 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.

The biker community in the Philippines has grown exponentially as more and more riders consider two-wheeled vehicles as a more practical and convenient mode of transport. Based on the latest statistics from LTO, the number of registered motor vehicles in the Philippines has grown to 10.5 million as of 2017.


Pilipinas Shell, a reliable partner of the biker community, in making their rides better celebrates the courage and resilience of bikers as they take their daily journeys despite the difficulties that they face in weaving through obstacles on the road.

“This day is really to express how grateful we are for the support that we received from the Filipino biking community,” said Shell V-Power Brand Manager, Mark Malabanan. “As our theme says, together we ride stronger. We are honored to be chosen as their partner on the road, being there with them through the years. And, as we have for more than a hundred years, Pilipinas Shell continues to strive to make life’s journeys better for all motorists.”


Participants were treated to special offers from Shell and event sponsors as well as exciting games and booth activities. Performances by Rico Blanco, Rocksteddy, and other local acts also rocked the event alongside celebrity guests Daiana Menezes, Yam Concepcion, and Phoebe Walker. 

Five winners each brought home scooters or motorcycles that were raffled off as major prizes: Honda CBR150, Yamaha Mio i125, and Suzuki Raider J115. The biker community was also given the chance to express their creativity through the Modified Bike and Helmet Design contests.

The highlight of the day was the announcement of the big winner of Shell Outriders: the nationwide search for the best bike club.

A total of 17 finalists representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were picked out through careful screening of hundreds of entries received over the past two months. The chosen clubs set up creative displays at the convention hall to showcase their love for riding and how they exhibit personal and social courage. The champions received a cash prize of PHP 100,000.00 and fuel vouchers worth PHP 50,000.00.

“We put up this search because we want to recognize bike clubs who exemplify the brand values and ideals of Shell. We were amazed to see how passionate they are for what they do and how they push to continue to outride anything.” said Shell Advance Brand Manager, Lorrie Ramirez.

This year’s Shell Bike Fair was made possible by Shell Advance and Shell V-Power, led by their passion to be the most reliable partners on the road. As a global leader in power and energy, Shell continually works to deliver smarter products and cleaner energy solutions.

Shell Advance motorcycle & scooter oils and Shell V-Power premium fuels work together in providing complete engine protection and world-class performance and efficiency on the road. With these, riders are empowered to outride the challenges that they encounter on the road.

For more information, visit www.shell.com.ph.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Make Moments Happen with Cebu Pacific

Experiencing first moments always leave a big impact in everyone’s lives. Among these cherished moments is that exciting feeling one can get from traveling for the very first time. For today’s young Filipinos, flying off to a destination is a realization of their long-time hopes and dreams. Accompanying them in their journeys, the country’s leading local carrier, Cebu Pacific, opens a world of possibilities where everyJuan can create their life’s most memorable moments.


Cebu Pacific inspires more Filipinos to travel and gain more experiences with its Make Moments Happen campaign. The airline is touching on relatable stories that perfectly capture the interests of the viewers, especially the frequent and first-time fliers.


In support of its campaign, Cebu Pacific is releasing a series of digital videos that showcase real-life situations which are worth capturing as it happens. It focuses on first time moments that define everyone’s lives and shows how the airline plays a role in elevating the experience.


The first episode, Leah (First Break), follows a hardworking Manileña who is looking for a break from her busy reality. As her birthday comes near, she decides to take a leap and book that much-awaited vacation to a local destination, alone for the first time in her life.

Following Leah’s story, Cebu Pacific will also share an uplifting narrative of first achievement and a heartfelt tale of first welcome.


What other first moments are you waiting for to happen?

Monday, September 24, 2018

Science Olympics 2018

6am on a Saturday is normally a time when I would still be fast asleep. However, last Saturday saw me waking up at 6am and preparing everything for B because he had a Science Olympics (which I kept mistaking for Robotics, I don't know why) activity.

The Science Olympics Activity was held to help build teamwork between students from Bloomfield. Students from different levels were teamed up and put into different Houses: House of Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire. Since it was a combination of students from different grades, teamwork became key to ensuring a win.

B was part of House of Fire.


They had group competitions but they also had grade-level competition. B and his classmates were tasked to turn dirty water into something drinkable. I loved how focus and dedicated B was during this session.


He was also part of the cheering competition and I loved how comfortable he was dancing in front of a lot of people. As a stage Mom, I was so happy seeing how he seems to be thriving in his new environment. He just started school here and I was worried that he might not fit in or have friends. Thankfully, I was wrong.

He seems to love being in this school minus all the drama that seems to plague teenagers.

Here's a shot of B when he found out that his team won. I'm so happy M was able to get this shot. Pure joy!




The Stage Parents. We made sure to not embarrass him too much though and stayed away most of the time. LOL.


Afterward, we had milk tea and crepe at Rocky Crepes inside our village while waiting for K. I really love the hot rock salt milk tea here. It is heaven. I can't say much about the crepe since B demolished it in just a minute after telling us he wasn't hungry.


We had our real celebration at Buku Buku Cafe because B loves their Carbonara.


It was tiring but a lot of fun. I'm glad that I was able to support my son in his activity. I hope that I will be able to support him in all his school activities so that when he grows up, he will have great memories of us.

Things to remember when starting a Business

It's a scary thing having to start a business in the Philippines. There are so many factors that you need to take into consideration. There's demographics, politics, bureaucracy, taxes, inflation, and the like. It's not just about finding the right product to sell. You also need to check everything else to ensure that your business will actually be a success.

One of the things that confuse me is property insurance here in the Philippines. Though there are many insurance companies here in the Philippines, there are very few that you can really trust and would be willing to help explain things such as property insurance to newbies like me.

With so many confusing things like this, here are a few tips to remember when you want to start a business.

1. Make sure it's legal.

2. Make sure the name you have chosen isn't being used by someone.

3. MAke sure you have at least 5 other choices for the official names in case someone already has the business name that you want.

4. Decide whether you will be a sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation.


5. Get an insurance and make sure that it's one that will be your partner. Malayan Insurance is one insurance company in the Philippines you can trust.

6. Put everything on paper. You may be forming partnerships with people you trust but at the end of the day, this is a business and we all need to protect ourselves.

7. Whatever you invest in, make sure you have 5x in savings so that if the business does not work out, you will still be okay.

Whatever you may choose to start a business on, if you keep these things in mind, you shoud be able to pursue and forge on.




Sunday, September 23, 2018

Finestra, not just an Italian Steakhouse

Imagine having this view while sipping a cocktail or coffee, whatever floats your boat. Imagine looking at this beautiful sunset at the end of a long, tiring day and just lounging in one of the beautiful couch chairs of Finestra at Solaire.

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Doesn't it make you feel relaxed? Rejuvenated? Empowered? Chill AF?

Finestra, one of the restaurants that can be found at Solaire Resort gives you this view and more when you dine with them. Aside from feeling like a million dollars the moment you step in, you get to bask in the beauty of nature while feasting on sumptuous dishes.



A few recommendations from our team would be the Giant Burrata which is composed of heirloom tomatoes, home grown herbs, and modern balsamic vinegar. If you look at it, it may seem like nothing but the moment you take a bite, you would want to eat the whole thing by yourself.

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The octopus carpaccio was also another scene stealer. It may look simple but once the cherry tomatoes, olive, spring onion, basil, ligurian extra virgin olive oil, and amalfi lemon zest combine with the thin octopus slice, it is heaven in every bite.

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The cacciatore and steak are another must try at Finestra. The Josper grilled USDA beef tenderloin was cooked to perfection and the porcini mushroom that went with it complemented the taste. The cacciatore chicken is definitely one of the best in the metro. It was just PERFECTION. Sheer perfection. There is no other way to describe it. It is a must have in your Christmas or New Years menu.

Finally, end the night with the Baked Alaska which is a dreamy creation made of hazelnut, coffee, and chocolate ice cream. There are no words to how good it is. You just need to try it yourself.

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If you are looking for a new place to try or just want to feel pampered like a princess, dine at Finestra and have a taste of what good food is truly all about while enjoying a majestic view. You definitely won't regret it.

Other dishes we had are shown below.




Visit https://www.solaireresort.com/dining/fine-dining/finestra to make a reservation now.

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