Tropicana Coco Quench: Healthy and Delicious Beverage

TROPICANA has spurred the hype for coconut water in the Philippines with its new breakthrough drink, Tropicana Coco Quench. 100% fresh and made from real coconut water, Tropicana Coco Quench is touted as the new, must-have drink for health and lifestyle enthusiasts of all ages.

“The upsurge in demand for coconut water is remarkable. This phenomenon has drawn global attention to the Philippines as one of the leading sources of coconut water in the world. Tropicana Coco Quench leverages the expertise of Tropicana to come out with a revolutionary product from locally-grown coconuts that addresses the need for better and healthier choices for consumers,” shared Partho Chakrabarti, president for Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PPCPI).

A Hip and Healthier Lifestyle from Tropicana

Tropicana Coco Quench brings the natural goodness of coconut water closer to local consumers, infusing “fun” and “freshness” into the lifestyle of Filipinos. Coconut water is known for containing electrolytes similar to the human plasma, making it naturally hydrating with less sugar and calories. Coconut water is also a rich source of iron, calcium and magnesium. It has 4 times higher potassium content than bananas. The regular drinking of this amazing juice from nature can significantly help reduce food cravings and flush out toxins to boost health and aid in weight loss. It’s the perfect drink for consumers who lead an active lifestyle, like super model Charo Ronquillo who was aptly chosen as the brand ambassador for Tropicana Coco Quench.  A homegrown beauty, Ronquillo has walked the runway at prestigious New York and Paris fashion shows. She has appeared on the cover of international fashion and beauty editorials like Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. Active, healthy and beautiful, Ronquillo embodies the Tropicana Coco Quench lifestyle.

All-natural and Fresh-sealed

Tropicana Coco Quench is the first locally-produced drink with an 8-month shelf life. It capitalizes on the advanced technology of Tetra Pak packaging to replicate the protection of coconuts. This allows Tropicana Coco Quench to stay fresh as the real fruit without the need for preservatives and added flavours. It is also the only drink that utilizes a hip, octagon-shaped packaging for easier grip. The 330 ml pack (SRP at Php30/pack) comes with a pull-tab mechanism and allows consumers to conveniently drink the coconut water straight from the pack. Tropicana Coco Quench is also available in a 1 Litre pack (SRP at Php80/pack) with a reclosable and 100% resealable cap for sharing with friends and family.

PCPPI brings a strong portfolio of exciting beverage products for the Philippine market with the launch of Tropicana Coco Quench.  Other brands under PCPPI include Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, and Premier.

About Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. is the exclusive bottler of PepsiCo beverages in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 65 years. Lotte Chilsung, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea, is the lead shareholder of PCPPI as an independently-listed company and co-manages it with PepsiCo. It is co-owned by Lotte Chilsung, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea. PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, and Premier. It has established manufacturing facilities across the country, serving at least 440,000 outlets and providing employment through its extensive distribution network. PCPPI was awarded “Pepsi Bottler of the Year – Asia” in 2006. 

Visit here: www.pepsiphilippines.com
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/TropicanaCocoQuench?fref=ts

Pelicula: 11th Spanish Film Festival

The 11th Película Spanish Film Festival, the largest celebration of Spanish and Latin American filmmaking in Asia and the Pacific, announces the line-ups for this year’s Official Selection, Documentary and Short films and Latin-American film gems program.

A selection of dramas and the hilarious sit alongside unabashed popular blockbusters - the celebration of Spanish and Latin American films will be delivered yet again at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas from October 4 to 14. Specific times and ticketing information are available on the Festival website, www.pelicula.ph or in the Instituto Cervantes Facebook page.

The films in this year’s competitions include several Asian premiers and the audience choice winner will be announced at on October 14. Alongside the movie screenings at the Greenbelt 3 mall will be a meet-and-greet with Filipinos by renowned Spanish director Alberto Rodríguez on October 8. Considered to be as one of the most widely-known directors in Spain, Rodríguez directed 7 vírgenes in 2005 which premiered in the San Sebastian Film Festival, receiving positive reviews and ultimately garnering 6 nominations for the Goya Awards.

Official Selection

Festival organizers selected 16 films remarkable for their original concept, striking style, and overall excellence. Multi-awarded films like Arrugas, Madrid 1987, and the Spanish horror thriller film Mientras duermes (Sleep Tight) make their Philippine premier at the film festival.

Other films include the contemporary film noir No habrá paz para los malvados (No rest for the wicked) and the gritty realistic thriller Grupo 7 (Unit 7) about a group of cops who break all the rules to clean up Spain’s ghettos in the 80’s. The film has also made it to Spain's three-pic shortlist for its foreign-language Oscar candidate this year.

This year’s official line-up are:

Donde el olor del mar no llega by Lilián Rosado
Un cuento chino by Sebastián Borensztein (Argentina, 2011)
Dos Hermanos by (Argentina, 2012)
Arrugas by Ignacio Ferreras (Animation, Spain, 2011)
No habrá paz para los malvados (No rest for the wicked) by E. Urbizu (Spain, 2011)
Grupo 7 (Unit 7) by Alberto Rodríguez (Spain, 2011)
After by Alberto Rodríguez (Spain, 2009)
Mientras duermes (Sleep Tight) by Jaume Balagueró (Spain, 2011)
Katmandú by Icíar Bollaín (Spain, 2011)
Lo mejor de Eva (Dark Impulse) by Mariano Barroso (Spain, 2012)
Madrid, 1987 by David Trueba (Spain, 2011)
Pa negre by Agustí Villaronga (Spain, 2010)
La chispa de la vida by Álex de la Iglesia (Spain, 2012)
5 metros cuadrados by Max Lemcke (Spain, 2011)
18 comidas by Jorge Coira (Spain- Argentina, 2010)
80 egunean by Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga (Spain, 2010)

Documentary and Short-Films Entrees

Película organizers have also selected two films for this year’s documentary line-up that are both unscripted and uncut. The Festival will also feature an unparalleled line-up of nine contemporary Basque short films. This year’s entrees are:

Hollywood Talkies by Oscar Pérez
Jacques Leonard, el payo by Chac Yago Leonard
Ámár by Isabel Herguera
Artalde / Rebaño / Flock by Asier Altuna
La cortadora de margaritas by Enrique García, Rubén Salazar
Exhibition 19 by Alaitz Arenzana, María Ibarretxe
La gran carrera by Kote Camacho
Korosho (Todo Bien) by Miguel Ángel Jiménez
Un novio de mierda by Borja Cobeaga
Ondar Ahoak (Bocas de arena) by Angel Aldarondo
El premio by León Siminiani 

 About Película Spanish Film Festival

Película, The Spanish and Latin American Film Festival is part of the month-long celebrations known as Fiesta, the Spanish Festival for Culture and the Arts. It is organized by the Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish Cultural Center in Manila, together with the Embassy of Spain. This year’s ¡Fiesta! features a stirring array of films and dance and music as presented by leading international artists. The month-long festivities are meant to highlight the commemoration of Spain’s National Day on October 12.

Película is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID), Film Development Council of the Philippines, Greenbelt, Ayala Malls Cinemas, San Miguel Corporation, Sony, and Manila Contemporary.

Special thanks to Alba, Espa-Fil, Qatar Airways, Indra, Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Picasso Boutique Hotel and Centunion.

 
Contact Details:

For more information, please call (63 2) 526-1482 or visit: http://manila.cervantes.es or www.pelicula.ph

Comida Villas and Spaoay: Ilocano Food and Massage

Last September 15, me and a group of bloggers were invited for a night of pampering and food. We headed into Comida Villas, it's an Ilocano boutique restaurant located along the bustling road of Timog Avenue in Quezon City. That night seems to be Ilocano theme since the restaurant and the spa were both Ilocano inspired.  Both of the establishments are being manage by Chef Danny Dela Cuesta who hails from Northern part of the Philippines - Ilocos.

Even it was a rainy night, everybody was present at the venue though some bloggers came early and some came late because of the bad weather. The restaurant was a full house indeed. The interiors of the restaurant was mixed from traditional to modern interiors like the wall decorations of an old window from bahay na tisa.  

While waiting for my food, I ordered Champola as my drink. The drink that has a different name on the menu that made me interested to order it. It is a sparkling drink made from Guyabano (Soursop) and Pineapple fruit juices. No regrets, I love it! :)

Adobo Pâté with sliced Pandesal and Pandesal with Vigan Longganisa and Kesong Puti was served to everyone as an appetizer. 

Pâté is a mixture of cooked ground meat and fat minced into a spreadable paste.

The dishes in Comida Villas were made with a distinct flavor and international fusion which makes it special. The starters are already a winner for me! 
Even the sliced Pandesal, I have mistaken it as a Crosstini! 
It was so good and not an ordinary Pandesal. It was from a family heirloom recipe. 

Adobo Pâté with sliced Pandesal

Pandesal with Vigan Longganisa and Kesong Puti

For the main dish, I ordered their Bagnet rice meal that comes together with Pinakbet and Binurong Mangga for salsa.  Bagnet is a deep fried pork's meat. 

Chef Danny said that he spent 3 days for the entire preparation of Bagnet. A day was spent for marinating the meat, a day for slow cooking and another day for deep frying. 

His Bagnet was cooked then frozen and reheated in the microwave oven before serving but the result is C-R-I-S-P-Y. It was really good like it was cooked on the same day.

Another food blogger has tried the Vigan Longganisa Bento meal. This is good mainly for 2 persons but if you have a big appetite, then a bento meal is the right one for you.
It has hefty servings of Plain Rice, Vigan Longganisa (sausage), Pinakbet and Ensaladang Pipino as salsa. It was also served with Sukang Iloco personally concocted by Chef Danny.

Chef Danny quoted that Ilocano food is the almost perfect food since for every dish, it has the different variations of taste that were combined- sweet, sour, salty, bitter and hot (spicy).

The menu of Comida Villas

After our dinner we were treated for a pampering at the Spaoay, an Ilocos themed Wellness Spa, which term lay claim to Spa and Ilocos town, Paoay. Spaoay offer time-honored therapies from the Ilocos region that has a strong belief of the healing touch which is just right next door of Comida Villas. 

 

We were treated first for a foot spa at the second floor near the massage room area. 

They have male and female therapists whom are professionally trained and accredited by TESDA. They are also courteous in the same time.

I had the chance to take a hot shower before getting a massage since I sweat so much earlier that day. However, there were no lockers for the customers to put in our bags. I just left my bag inside my massage room while taking a shower. Each one of us had a separate massage room. A privacy for every prospect customer, which matters to me most. 

The traditional 1-hour body massage in Spaoay costs P350 only which is fair enough. 
I  don't like going to a famous spa in Manila worth P1,000 for a regular body massage and you are being massaged in a big room with 14 other people (7 customers+ 7 masseuse=14) .

Spaoay offers traditional Ilocano treatment for massage and facials make use of herbs- tea tree, mint and coffee. Their body wraps, scrubs, and baths draw on mountain clays, sea salts, and balsamic vinegar. These treatments not only smell delicious, they are also very beneficial for your body.

After the full body massage, we were served with teapot of Salabat (Ginger Brewed Tea) to help remove toxins from the body. It tastes great and also refreshing. 

I felt so revitalized that I fell into short nap before dressing up again. My masseuse is really good, she knows what she is doing.

 

Body Scrub Room

Facial Area

It was a great night of comfort indulgence - food and massage. Food is the most primitive form of comfort. I will come back to Spaoay and try their other services like the Body Scrub but not only that, I will definitely recommend this spa to my relatives and friends as well.

Spaoay is open daily to give alternative and natural healing. Spaoay also provide exclusive hotel and home services. Located along 33-D Timog Avenue in Quezon City, you can call (02)9947596 or 09189256603 for reservations.

LIKE Spaoay on Facebook: Spaoay 

World Animal Day Philippines 2012

Celebrate WORLD ANIMAL DAY with PAWS on October 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall with a whole day event for pets and animal lovers alike!

Activities include :
530am Six-Legged Walkathon for dogs and owners
330pm Dog Kinetics Agility Demo by BetterDog
430pm Launch of Justees for PAWS advocacy shirts
600pm Concert for the Animals

Plus there will be a free pet grooming booth & vet consultation by Pet Express, an art and photo exhibit, the World Animal Day souvenir photo wall and animal-themed activity booths by the Nido Science Discovery Center, Earth Island Institute and The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. 



Don't forget to register for the PAWS-Sassa Walkathon!

WALK THE TALK AND HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR PAWS!
Get your walking shoes ready for the "Six-Legged Walkathon", a fun activity for a cause to celebrate World Animal Day! See you and your doggies at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on October 6 (Saturday)!

Registration begins at 5:30am or you can pre-register at the PAWS Shelter or at select Animal House Branches.
For more details, check out the Sassa Facebook page :
www.facebook.com/sassa.com.ph 

 

Cybercrime Act Forum

SEN GUINGONA FILES SC PETITION VS CYBERCRIME ACT
PETITION SEEKS TO VOID QUESTIONABLE PROVISIONS

Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III on Thursday filed a petition before the Supreme Court that seeks to void questionable provisions in the Republic Act 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 that infringe on the Constitutional-guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.

Sen. Guingona made the petition to correct the overly vague and oppressive provisions on libel, which makes a fatal step backwards.

He opposed the passage of the bill in the Senate but was outvoted. Now, he is pushing to strike the contested provisions in the newly-enacted law through the Supreme Court.

However, the Senator clarified that a cybercrime prevention act is necessary in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the recently-passed law contains confusing and vague provisions that suppresses the citizens’ right to freedom of speech and expression.


Video streaming by Ustream

Sen. Guingona pinpointed that he is contesting the particular law, first due to its vagueness where there is no limitations against liability,” he said.
“Without a clear definition of the crime of libel and the persons liable, virtually, any person can now be charged with a crime –even if you just like, retweet or comment on an online update or blog post containing criticisms.

Second, Sen. Guingona added that the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 is unfair because cyber-libel gets graver punishment. It also demonizes technology and sends the message that the computer user is more evil than those who write on traditional media.

Punishment for traditional print media libel is up to four years and two months while online libel is punishable by 12-year imprisonment period.

Third, Sen. Guingona said that this new law is oppressive. A person can be prosecuted for libel under the Revised Penal Code and libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. This is contrary to the 1987 Constitution which protects its people against double jeopardy.

He encourages the online community to join in the protest in order for their voices to be heard against the new oppressive law.

INFORM YOURSELVES! These are the possibilities that can happen with the current Cybercrime Act. For just sharing or retweeting something online that contains criticisms - you can get jailed for 12 YEARS.

Let me just point out that we need a Cybercrime Prevention Act. However, the inclusion of these problematic provisions on cyber-libel will just curtail a fundamental principle of good governance: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.

The last time I checked, we were still a democracy—we want empowered citizens, not scared and passive ones.
 
*For those asking, I was outnumbered in the Senate vote to pass this law. The vote was 13-1.  

- Sen. TG Guingona

Makati Street Market: Thriving with Makati’s Dynamism

How can an urban street market flourish and become a must-visit destination for city goers with varied tastes?

The generous dollop of hard work and the exceptionality of the dining and shopping finds do count, as evinced by the continuous success of the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati. For seven consecutive years, the weekend street souk—a must-visit stop in a dynamic city spearheaded by propitious entrepreneurs and artisans—remains a place where international cuisines, organic finds, hand-made products, green items, and local products can be found. Complementing the array of lifestyle possibilities in Makati, the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati evidently showcases more of what Makati has to offer.

Meanwhile, GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc. (GMCI), a Makati-based transformative social marketing company, and the Legazpi Sunday Market organizers realized that what the street market currently presents to its customers can, in fact, further develop to nurture the promising businesses of the artisans and highlight the escalating stature of Makati.

“Being a Makati denizen and as a long-standing communications partner of the most distinguished industry players for years have given us a perspective on how staying relevant to the ever-changing lifestyle of your market matters,” notes Amor Maclang, Director for Communications of GMCI. “It’s one of the ideals that make us challenge ourselves to produce new, transformative, and game-changing ideas that serve as our inspirations to generate exceptional campaigns.”

Hence, GMCI, together with its partners and sponsors, are transforming the Legazpi Sunday Market into the Makati Street Market, the first and biggest artisanal market of its kind in the Philippines. Enthused by the verve of the renowned outdoor lifestyle markets in Barcelona, Berlin, Helsinki, and Paris, the Makati Street Market will retain the Legazpi Sunday Market’s open-air venue laid-out in a dazzling urban backdrop, which allows people to take pleasure in dining and shopping amid the vivacious Makati atmosphere. Furthermore, the enhanced street souk will be adapting the idea of artisanal market concepts, where purchasers will deal with the food artisans themselves.

To further foster the thrilling vibe of the district, where the street market is located, the market organizers will set up pocket events for four consecutive Sundays starting September 23 to October 14. The said activities include grilling competitions, adobo festival, dance and cocktail events, and even biking workshops highlighting Makati’s landscape as a city that boasts of accessibility.

A Destination that Marks the Spot

Geared to become the biggest of its kind in the country, the upcoming Makati Street Market is truly a grand scene, which will highlight not only the selection of good finds and good food in Makati, but also one of the reasons why the city is a dynamic address of endless lifestyle possibilities. Nonetheless, facades and environs aside, the main goal that the initiative truly aspires is to uphold and support more of the country’s local products and homegrown services, which will arguably lead to the growth of budding artisanal businesses like Mantequilla, Budbud Gourmet Suman, and Pinoy Ordurvz Foods for delicacies; Patika Beads and Wiresworks for fashion accessories; and Creative Definitions, Bicol Sweetgrass Handcrafts, and All in Red Clay Factory for crafts and home decor.

One of the known sponsors of the event is one of GMCI’s long-standing partners known for being at the helm of fostering the leisure and lifestyle options present in Makati. 

Alveo Land—Ayala Land Inc.’s benchmark of lifestyle innovation—is joining the said market transformation since the location of the market itself is pivotal to the thriving dynamism in the district, where two of its landmark projects are located—The Lerato and Kroma Towers.

Apart from this, Makati Street Market also complements the Make It Happen! Make It Makati! campaign, an ongoing project initiated by Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), Makati Commercial Estate Association, Inc. (MACEA), and the local government of Makati, aiming to underscore the opportunities for the changing lifestyles of the city’s denizens. To date, the market’s location—Makati North—is being highlighted by the abovementioned groups as a lifestyle spot for young and creative denizens, since this district is landscaped with a range of bars, shopping spots, museums, and concept stores.

Evidently, the ongoing success of the Legazpi Sunday Market was no fluke, despite the fact that Makati already houses a wide-array of dining and shopping spots. And with the exceptional lifestyle concept that will be adapted and enhanced by the amplified Makati Street Market, the initiative will further strengthen Makati’s dynamism as an ideal address for today’s evolving urbanites, as well as the flourishing business of our fellow countrymen.

The Makati Street Market is located at the Legazpi Park in Makati City. 
The pocket events will run for four Sundays (September 23, September 30, October 7 and October 14), from  7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 
Interested sponsors may contact 0917-521-4624 or  makatistreetmarket@gmail.com

AirAsia Philippines: Free Seats promo is back!

Better than a big seat sale, Philippines’ AirAsia today rolled out its Free Seats promo where guest can travel from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Davao and Kalibo with an all-in fare of P275 pesos one way.

“The P275 seat sale is actually a zero-fare promo where the seat is totally free and the guest is actually paying only P275 to cover the fuel surcharge, processing fee and government mandated fees such as aviation security fee and VAT,” AirAsia Inc. CEO Maan Hontiveros announced at a press conference in Makati City.

The Free Seats promo will be available online at www.airasia.com from 18 - 23 September 2012, and guests will be able to travel from 1 April to 30 September 2013.

“AirAsia continues to change the landscape of low-cost travel. With our promos, planning a trip is easiest with our fares and rates all clearly laid out to our guests,” Hontiveros added.

AirAsia flies daily to Davao and Kalibo (twice daily) and Puerto Princesa City (four times/week). These services provide accessibility for local and international tourists to visit the world famous Boracay beach, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Davao’s Philippine Eagle Sanctuary and other exciting tourist attractions.

Hontiveros also hinted that the zero base fare promo will also be offered on the Filipino carrier’s international destinations.

Currently, AirAsia flies daily to Hong Kong, Macau and Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Inc. is a Filipino Low Cost Carrier (LCC) established to serve the Philippines’ regional and domestic air travel market. For inquiry and to receive real-time updates on latest promotions, interact via facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines and twitter.com/AirAsiaPh.

Philippines’ AirAsia call center also accepts booking of regular fares via +632 588 9999 from Monday to Sunday at 0800hrs to 2100hrs (GMT +8). Guests from Metro Manila may also purchase seats through AirAsia Travel & Service Centers (ATSC) located in SM North EDSA in Quezon City, in Mall of Asia in Pasay City and in Gaisano Mall in Davao City.

A Day of Korean Culture, Food and Film

Yesterday was such a fun-filled day, a different experience indeed- a day of Korean culture, food and film. Two relevant Korean events in just one day, Chef's Noodle Grand Launch in the morning then Korean Film Festival Opening Night :)

 

I'm a Chef's Noodle Fan!

Chef's Noodle Grand Launch was flocked with fans (customers), media people both from traditional and online media, celebrities and even the guys behind the successful franchise company that flew from Korea! 

The program started with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Chef's Noodle Phils franchise owner, Chef's Noodle Korean owner, Celebrity Chef Choi In Sun and the celebrities - Grace Lee and the Semerad Twins.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Korean visitors - the Korean owner of Chef's Noodle and Celebrity Chef Choi In Sun being interviewed by GMA News.

The Semerad Twins - Anthony and David. 
OMG! They are so tall!  
Their height?!  6'5"

The Semerad Twins had a Demigod tattoo on their pelvic area, both of them have it and I wonder if they really consider themselves as a Demigod?!

Demigod - a mythological figure of a half God and a half human.

Chef's Noodle Philippines Endorser Ms. Grace Lee with the Korean owner and Celebrity Chef Choi In Sun

The very important persons of the event sitting at the press conference table. 

Autograph signing of the celebrities on the t-shirts given to the attendees of the event.

Time for a Korean lunch!

Everyone had a satisfying lunch!
Thank you Chef's Noodle Philippines and Korea :)


Late in the afternoon when we headed into the Korean Film Festival Opening Night held at the Cinema 4 of SM Megamall. I started attending the film festival since 2009 so I am an avid fan of Korean films as well! Since it was still early and not yet too crowdy, I had the chance to get my photo ops of the event at their photo booth :)

Things get a little hot after 30 minutes as the invited guests and media were also coming up in the event.

The ambassador and other people from the Korean Embassy were also present in the opening night. 

A dinner of Korean and Filipino dishes were served before the film screening.

A long queue for dinner and the photo booth! 
Can you spot me in the crowd?! ;)

Leaflets of the Korean Film Festival with the schedule and film synopses. 
Jeon Woo Chi was the Korean film screened during the opening night around 7:15pm and it was a 2-hour movie!  I really like the film since its a drama/comedy-fantasy genre that even other film buffs and K-Pop fans enjoyed it watching too!

It was a long day of Korean culture but it was all worthwhile and fun :)
I look forward into the Korean Film Festival next year! 
Kamsa hamnida!