Monday, June 4, 2012

Kuppa Roastery and Cafe invades Manila!


Kuppa (pronounced as kap-pa) Roastery and Cafe opened its second branch in Manila. 
Their first branch is located in Bacolod City.  They aren't connected to Kuppa coffee in Bangkok, Thailand. I am one of the invited bloggers to attend its Kupparific Food and Coffee Pairing Bloggers Event last Saturday, June 2 at at the booming business center - The Fort.

Kuppa Cafe'



corner table and chairs

Menu Board @Kuppa

cakes and pastries


fresh coffee beans

PROBAT Coffee Roaster

Bloggers watching the coffee roasting

coffee beans being cooled for 5mins

Second floor interiors


Paradiso Melange and Green Tea with Cucumber Syrup


Lunch Menu and Coffee Pairing with Dessert


Push Button To Call Server


Insalata Kuppa
Prosciutto and Pumpkin

Pizza Cristina
Prosciutto ed Arugula Pizza



Frutti de Mare Pasta

Crispy Pata with 3 Dips

Pan Seared Snapper



Bloggers having lunch
assorted tea leaves

Gyoruko and Jasmine Dragon Pearl Teas

Kuppa Promo: Have you unlocked our check-in on Foursquare yet? Check in with your friends, and for a minimum order of P800, you get a Matt's Chocolate Cake on the house!

Matt's Chocolate Cake
Apple Tart
Ben's Cappucino

Strawberry Kiss






Serenitea Sunday

I love Serenitea, usually I visit their Robinson's Place branch but it's always crowded with their customers.  This is my first time to go at Serenitea in their branch at Scout Rallos near Tomas Morato.  It was recommended to me by my sister Sophia :)


Serenitea Tomas Morato

Me and my boyfriend arrived at exactly 11AM, which is just about their opening time 
(yey! I was the one who opened it up for that day, buena mano as we call in Filipino)

Serenitea OPEN sign


My bf - Alfred

I like Serenitea because as their tag line goes, it's not your ordinary cup of tea as you have the option on how you can customize your teas.  

not your ordinary cup of tea
 
Customize your tea

You can choose from their tea selection, you can choose your sugar level (or no sugar at all), and last but not the least choose your sinkers.
Besides the teas, they also serve snacks such as hashbrown, pepper corn, pepper tofu, potato round, chicken chop, and mochi buns.  


Catherine (myself)

I was still full at that time so I really just went there to buy refreshments. 
I will probably order I ordered Green Apple Yakult w/ Crystal and aloe vera sinkers.
This is the flavor me and my bestfriend are addicted to and since I am a lactose intolerant person, this tea fits me (Yakult is the only milk that my tummy can tolerate). That is also one thing i loved about Serenitea, because not all milk tea houses offer yakult-based teas.
The counter had my sinkers wrong she had put pearls instead of crytals, but had replaced it as per my request without any problem.


Green Apple Yakult w/ Crystal and aloe vera sinkers
 
I love the interior design of the place as it feels so cozy.  It is as also well-lighted and well-ventilated. In one word, the place is serene (calm, peaceful, or tranquil) which matches the name of the store - Serenitea.

Serenitea interiors

lighting decors

corner table and chairs

Serenitea Scout Rallos is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 11AM-11PM 
and on Fridays to Sundays 11AM-12AM.

Serenitea Store Hours

Sunday, June 3, 2012

GARNIER: No to Crazy Pimple Remedies!

In a country that takes pride in its traditions, bad skin habits are a dime a dozen. Many people have experienced following weird skin care practices just because they were told to, or because everybody’s already doing it. For drying out their zits, some of the wrong advice given includes the ever common use of toothpaste, lipstick and even calamansi.  
Because of this, world-trusted beauty brand Garnier, with brand advocate Georgina Wilson, makes it their mission to educate more Filipinos on the importance of following a proper skin care regimen.
With the launch of its newest line—Pure Active—Garnier presents a more reliable solution for fighting the six skin problems that Filipinos face.  These problems include pimples, whiteheads, oiliness, impurities, enlarged pores and unevenness. With a breakthrough solution of natural pimple-fighting ingredients, Garnier Pure Active delivers visible results from DAY 1.

With beauty advocate Georgina Wilson on board, Garnier aspires to disprove the use of crazy pimple remedies and give a better, safer, more reliable option—the Pure Active range.
 
“Look at it this way: your skin is your first layer of presentation. Would you want that layer treated with a shady substance? Of course not! Resorting to the use of weird home remedies is like a zit-fest waiting to happen. It only shows people that you don’t care about your face. Because let’s face it, looking good matters. Having a healthy skin matters. You won’t attract opportunities if you don’t care about how you look,” says Georgina.
 
A lot of factors come to play when facing the daily grind. With burdens thrown left, right and center, it’s hard for the busy Filipino not to neglect caring for his features. It’s a given fact that in a professional environment, and also in life in general, one needs to look presentable in order to be taken seriously.
This is where the stress comes in: most of the naive youth who are given the wrong skin care advice end up following it because it’s easier, not realizing that the use of these crazy home remedies might put the skin at risk and even cause potential damage.

For blemishes and acne marks, Garnier Pure Active works wonders. It’s made up of two products: the Multi-Action Scrub and the Cooling Pimple Roll-On. The line's active ingredients include Salicylic Maximum Concentration at 2%, a powerful anti-bacterial ingredient with oil control and pore clearing properties; and Natural HerbaRepair™, a natural extract that repairs and regenerates the skin to prevent scarring—a better way to fix zit problems than using crazy pimple remedies.
 
“Using calamansi is like putting condiments on your face. And obviously, toothpaste is meant for dental purposes—something I overlooked when people told me to use it in the past. It’s embarrassing! And lipstick! Lipstick is for the lips, not for pimples! It’s just plain crazy. I have no idea where people got it from!” says Georgina. “I cannot stress enough how important it is to use the right product for your skin. Trust me on this; using skin products specially formulated to fight blemishes is the right thing to do. After all, once it’s your skin that’s on the line, you wouldn’t want it taken for granted, right?”
       
“Whether you’re about to meet a hot date or have a fun night-out with your girls, next time you’re bothered by a pimple, don’t be a hot mess, use Garnier Pure Active—It’s way better than using crazy pimple solutions!”

Garnier combines the best of science and nature to bring out the natural beauty in anyone no matter what the age or lifestyle. Built around the value of taking care of oneself, the brand’s product portfolio includes a spectrum of products for specialized beauty purposes and formulated for Asian skin.  Learn more about us by liking us on Facebook  Garnier Philippines
You can also ask us about skin care questions and get answers real-time by following us on Twitter @GarnierPH

FREE Haircut for Students

Media Advisory

WHAT: Mayor Lani Cayetano joins TESDA  Sec. Joel Villanueva  and Education Sec. Armin Luistro in giving Taguig elementary students a free haircut treat.

WHEN: June 4, 2012  Monday 9:00 A.M.
VENUE:  Tenement Elementary School, East Service Road, West Bicutan, Taguig City


Mayor Lani Cayetano will join TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)  Sec. Joel Villanueva  and Education Sec. Armin Luistro in welcoming students back to school by giving them a free haircut.

Mayor Lani Cayetano supports the program dubbed as "Libreng Gupit sa Mag-aaral Ngayong Pasukan"


Handog ng TESDA and similar other initiatives to keep students interested in going to school.


Media Coverage is requested. For inquiries contact: Lito Laparan  0920-9281185

Balitaan sa Tinapayan: June 3, 2012

Topics of the day
- School opening June 4, 2012
- Obesity on students
- Ban smoking and  soda drinks in schools
- Health in Southeast Asia
- K12 Program 

It was my 4th time to attend the Balitaan sa Tinapayan earlier today. Most of the time, the topics are socio-political issues though earlier today the topic was mixed with lifestyle diseases awareness which is good since I am also blogging about health and wellness. 

The guest speakers were Dr. Anthony Leachon, M.D., Internal Medicine -Cardiology of Manila Doctors' Hospital and Benjo Basas, National Chairperson  of Teacher's Dignity Coalition (TDC) 


According to Dr. Anthony Leachon, M.D:  

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has implemented smoke-free schools in New York City. 
He is now working on to ban 16oz. soda drinks which causes obesity on students. 
  
Many people die because of  lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases like:
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiac Arrest
Dr. Anthony Leachon, M.D
Diabetes is increasingly common (some authorities claim it is the fastest-growing “epidemic” worldwide, making serious inroads in developing countries) but it doesn't need not be debilitating. 

“People are dying quietly due to NCDs,” remarked Leachon. While these diseases—heart ailments and strokes, diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung illness—are most often described as “lifestyle” diseases ascribed to lack of exercise, a diet rich in fats and sugar, and bad habits like smoking, the reality is “NCD death rates are highest among poor countries in Asia,” he said. 
 
Facts: 
  • 2. 5 million cases of non-communicable diseases in Asia by 2005
  • 300,000 death caused by non-communicable diseases
  • more cases in poor countries like Philippines, Malaysia,Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia
  • 15 years old to 59 years old Filipino citizens are dying because of non-communicable diseases and makes lower life expectancy due to lifestyle.
  • Philippines will be #9 in 2030 with most number of Diabetics in Asia

Causes of Non-Communicable Diseases:
  • tobacco smoking
  • no exercise
  • unhealthy diet
  • poverty
Non-Communicable Diseases is a poverty disease, why?   
Poverty is one of the causes of non-communicable diseases and because of poverty the people will have: 
  • no access to prevention
  • no access to treatment
  • higher risk of non-communicable diseases
  • higher morality
2 Reasons why we fail:
  1. Ignorance and lack of education
  2. Ineptitude (knowledge exists yet fail to apply correctly) 
Last May 26, I attended the Diabetes Awareness and you might be interested to read about it for more details regarding Diabetes. 
 
Speakers: Benjo Basas and Dr. Anthony Leachon, M.D

Benjo Basas tackled the Mass Intention earlier today around 9am at Caloocan City. 
TDC Teachers' Prayers for SY 2012-2013
  1. Enough funds for K12 Program or postponement of its implementation.
  2. p3,000 additional COLA (Cost of Living Allowance)
  3. Upgrading of teachers' salaries thru the enactment of p9,000 increase (Additional Support and Compensation for Teachers Bill)
  4. Repeal of Compulsory Poll Duties of teachers.
  5. Provision of Socialized Housing and other benefits for teachers.
  6. More funds to Kindergarten program with just and compensation to Kinder teachers.
  7. End of contractualization of teachers both in public and private schools.
  8. Successful school year for the Filipino children, teachers and the entire nation.
Sophia Cabantog


Balitaan sa Tinapayan is a weekly news media forum held every Sunday at the 2nd floor of Tinapayan Festival Bakeshop coordinated by Lito Laparan and forum host Ricky Velasco of DZMM. 

This socio-political event is sponsored by: Tinapayan Festival Bakeshoppe

Tinapayan Festival Bakeshoppe
1650 Dapitan Street corner Don Quijote Streets, Sampaloc, Manila
#732-2188

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Get Laud End of Season Sale



GET LAUD, the quality ladies' apparel, makes use of the finest imported and trendy fabrics throughout all their creations. Stylishly cut and locally sewn, GET LAUD clothing not only gives superb comfort but makes its customers instant fashionistas as well. GET LAUD also won the "Marketing Excellence" Award for 2010 and the "Most Promising Retailer" Award for 2007 from the Ayala Malls. Consecutively, in 2005 and in 2006, GET LAUD received the "Seal of Excellence" Award as the "Best Spandex Apparel Retail Store" given by the National Shopper's Association of the Philippines and the National Shopper's Choice Awards.




To end the summer with a bang, Get Laud will be having an End of Season Sale, which will give its customers up to 50% off on selected items. The sale will run from June 1 - June 17, 2012.
  
Per DTI-NCR Permit Number 3315 Series of 2012.

 

Taylor Dayne and Edwin McCain: Back2Back Ultimate Concert

Yesterday, I am one of the ten bloggers selected as winners of 2 Lower Box tickets for the Back2Back Ultimate Concert: Taylor Dayne and Edwin McCain at the Mall of Asia Arena
Concert poster



2  concert tickets
I was misinformed at first, I thought I will be getting 1 ticket only. To my surprised I got 2 concert tickets instead!  Wow!
The Lower Box ticket is worth P2,970 each but I got the 2 concert tickets for FREE.
I tried to ask my sister Catherine to come with me to the concert since her office is just near the area. She refused because she needs to go to work that night, she's a call center agent.
I asked my girl friend Drexie to come with me instead, she's from Marikina but she doesn't mind going the distance! 

We arrived early around 7:15pm at the Mall of Asia Arena and we should be going to the Lower Box section but we were asked to enter the Patron section! Instant upgrade! 



Around 8pm when the show started with some Filipino talent singers. They aren't famous but they are good singers as well.  The foreign singers maybe are not yet ready for the night so they came first. I didn't get their names really, sorry.
 

Geeky looking Filipino singer

Filipino singer #2

Around past 9pm when Edwin McCain came up to the stage and started singing without any introduction. Maybe its a surprise for his audience?! I heard some Filipino audience asking "Si Edwin McCain ba yan? Siya na ba yon?" (Is that Edwin McCain? Is that him?)


Edwin McCain on stage
Edwin McCain singing
After singing 3 songs, Edwin McCain suddenly tell some things about him, he said he's from South Carolina. So he's from the country side and that's why his music are mixed with country songs. He even introduced his music partner (sorry I forgot his name) which is the guy holding the saxophone. He said they've been together for 22 years! I think that's much longer than his marriage with his wife?!

Sax player
What's the best part of his performance, Edwin McCain came down the stage and went to the center aisle where we were seating. Its good that I got a shot of him :)
The audience got crazy when he sang his famous single - I'll Be
Almost everybody was recording his performance with their digital cameras except for me.
He sang for an hour with his great and inspiring songs. He finished singing about 10pm.

Edwin McCain downstage
There was an interval so the guest singer came in with the opening song Amazing, Philippines' #1 R&B singer, Jay-R.  It's sad because his name wasn't on the poster though his face pic was posted and he looks different than before so I didn't recognize him at first sight. He sung 4 songs and mostly are the famous songs in the past few years.

R&B singer Jay-R
The much awaited singer of the night, Taylor Dayne went onstage around 10:30pm. Taylor Dayne was a new wave singer of the early 1980s and in the early 1990s including "Tell It to My Heart" and the #1 Billboard hit "Love Will Lead You Back". Overall, she has had eighteen individual hit songs reach the top ten in Billboard magazine.

Taylor Dayne
At her age 50, she's still hot. She has gained weight now but she's sexy and curvy unlike when she was younger, she was skinny.  She sang Tell It to My Heart lastly at her performance. People were standing and dancing to her music. Others were recording her performance.  Thanks to Ferds Bondoy of Tatak Digista, who has invited me to this event.  
It was a rare and great opportunity for us to grace this concert with two foreign singers in one night :)

Taylor Dayne singing "Love Will Lead You Back"