Tristan and Athena Goes to #VitaCubes2Good Fun Day at Active Fun BGC

Aside from sharing tips and being able to relate to other mommies out there, one of the many things  I love about blogging is that I get to have fun with my kids through mommy and kids related events.

And last October 22, 2016, Vita Cubes the healthy jelly candy that we love held it's #VitaCubes2Good Fun Day at Active Fun BGC. It was an afternoon filled with fun #VitaCubesMoment that Mommy Bloggers such as I enjoyed together with our kids. 

My kids love Vita Cubes jelly and I don't worry at all because aside from it being a delightful treat, it's also good for them because it's fortified with vitamins and minerals. You can find out here the healthy goodness that comes in every pack of Vita Cubes candies. 

My dates for the #VitaCubes2Good Fun Day was Tristan and Athena, too bad Brianna was sick that time so she stayed in the house with Daddy. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the goodies her Ate and Kuya brought home for her. 

The #VitaCubes2Good Fun Day was jam packed with exciting activities that kids and kids at heart enjoyed. It was a time for the mommies to meet and bond with other mommy bloggers and so with the kids. The event started with a few talks from the Vita Cubes team and some guests then the fun started to unfold. 

Tristan joined one of the games that afternoon, although he didn't win but at least he tried which is a good thing. 

The function hall was filled with colorful balloons and unlimited samples of Vita Cube candies which the kids surely took advantage of. 

Tristan and Athena enjoyed decorating their own rainbow cakes with mini marshmallows, sprinkles, and vita cube jelly candies then ate it afterwards. 

A special magic show was prepared for all of us and we were all amazed watching it. I can definitely see the amazement on Athena's eye. Other activities such as the photo booth with a flip book as a souvenir was also available at the event. Then we were all served with  sumptuous snacks and drinks. Above all these, we were all given a generous loot bag containing Vita Cube Candies, pillow, and other sweet treats. 

Each kid was also given one-hour play pass at the active fun playground. It was our first time there and since Athena is just 4 years old, I need to accompany her inside. It was tiring following them up and down, and around the place but there's nothing compared to seeing them having fun, at least I also got to take their photos.

Having fun at the colorful ball pit!

I can't believe how brave Athena is, she ain't scared of the big slide and actually did it many times. On the contrary, Tristan was the one who's scared and didn't even tried sliding. 

Thank you so much to Vita Cubes and Mommy Bloggers Philippines for organizing this event, Tristan and Athena had a blast. It melts my heart as both of them kept on thanking me for bringing them with me on the event. I do look forward to more fun events like this with my kids.

For more promos and updates, you can follow Vita Cubes on their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VitaCubesPH/?fref=ts

Vita Cubes: Jelly Candy Has Never Been this Healthy!

My kids love candies and that's one thing I can't take away from them. So with a guilt feel on the side, I still give them candies. I just constantly remind them that candies are only "sometimes food" because  too much candies can cause tooth decay and may not be good for their health. I also remind them to always drink water after munching on this sweet treats. Most of the times they listen to me but kids could sometimes be tricky, next thing you know they could be sneaking out candies from the refrigerator or worst buying candies at the school canteen. How I wished there's a healthy candy. I know a lot of mommies could relate to this.

And then here comes Vita Cubes, it was like an answered prayer! I learned about Vita Cubes for the first time when I attended my first ever Mommy Bloggers Philippines Christmas Party last year and they are one of the sponsors. 

Vita Cubes is a product of Rebisco, a dominant player in the Philippine snack food industry with a growing global presence. It's a cube-shaped jelly candy that comes in five different flavors- strawberry, apple, grape, orange, and mango. Vita cubes is not just any candy, aside from being a delicious treat, it's fortified with essential vitamins and minerals that are important for growing up children.

Curious about the vitamins and minerals that come in every piece of Vita Cubes? Here they are:

• Lysine-  Contains 70% of the child's Recommended Energy and Nutritional Intake (RENI). Aids the body in proper growth and energy production. Also helps in calcium absorption

• Zinc- Contains 70% of the child's RENI. Zinc is known to help in proper functioning of the immune and digestive systems, energy metabolism, and in increasing the rate of healing for wounds. 

• Vitamin A- Contains 40% of the child's RENI. Helps in increasing the body's immunity to fight infections. Also plays an important role in ensuring healthy eyes and bone development.

• Vitamin B- Supplies 30-70% of the child's RENI. Promotes growth and strength. Stimulates child's memory in their formative years. Also helps boost the oxygen circulation in the body, especially the brain which in turn will improve concentration. Helps convert carbohydrates and fats into energy.

• Vitamin C- Supplies 30% of the child's RENI. Helps form and repair red blood cells, bones, and tissues. Helps your child's gums stay healthy. Strengthens your child's blood vessels, minimizing bruising from falls and scrapes. Helps cuts and wounds heal, boosts the immune system, and keeps infections at bay.

• Vitamin E- Supplies 45% of the child's RENI. Boosts the immune system and helps the body fight germs. Keeps blood vessels open wide enough for blood to flow freely. Helps the cells of the body work together to perform many important functions.

Now that's one yummy and healthy candy! And, it's an exciting feeling to know that I finally found the perfect treat that will cater to my kids wants and needs. You feel me, mommies, right?

And, last October 22, 2016 Vita Cubes held it's #VitaCubes2Good Fun Day at Active Fun BGC for Mommy Bloggers and their kids. I was one of the invited and I brought Tristan and Athena with me. 

You can read more about this fun filled #VitaCubesMoment here.

Remember the saying, when something's too good to be true it usually is? But not this time! Now you'll never feel guilty about giving your kids candies ever again. Besides it's already Haloween, Vita Cubes is the ideal candies to give out to kids for Trick or treat. So mommies stock up those Vita Cubes at home!

Vita Cubes is available in all Mercury Drug outlets, SM supermarkers, Robinson’s Supermarkes, Waltermart, Landmark, Puregold, and other leading supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide. It is also available in Mini Stop outlets.

Vita Cubes may be bought per box (which contains 10 pieces of 50g packs) or per individual 50g packs and the suggested retail price for a 50g pack is at PHP12. It's also available in singles for PHP1 per individually wrapped piece and may also be bought at sari-sari stores.

Top Performers of [24]7 Recognized during the LMVP Awards Night

Decent compensation, accessible, conducive working environment, compassionate employers, personal growth are some of the factors people consider when seeking for a job. In reality only a few are lucky enough to have found their dream job, others struggle and are not really happy with where they are while some don’t have a job at all. Sadly, unemployment is rampant here in the Philippines Good thing the IT-BPO prospered and it has opened opportunities to just about every Filipinos from all walks of life.

Despite the many stereotypes against the IT-BPO industry, there’s no denying that it is one of the most lucrative and fastest growing industries here in the Philippines. This industry in fact once helped me earn a living for almost 2 years in the past before I settled down, and I can say that it is not a walk in the park in contrary to what others are saying. The BPO industry recognizes their employee’s dedication and hard work with incentives, promotions and many other programs that provide personal and career growth; growth; but just like any other job you have to work hard, be persistent and passionate.

Last August 12, 2016 [24]7- a prominent IT-BPO company recognized its top performers during their 2016 LMVP awards night. LMVP stands for League of Most Valuable Performers. It’s actually a yearly recognition of their top performers from each department, but for the first time this year they held the awarding outside the company. 

Awardees from their Makati and Ortigas centers gathered together at the Bay Leaf Pavilion, McKinley Hill for this exclusive event. At first, I thought the LMVP awards was for agents only, but I was wrong, it’s for all employees from agents to management positions who have exceeded expectations and have shown a great deal of dedication and hard work. Perhaps it’s one of the biggest and the grandest awarding event that I was able to witness. 

That night I was also able to interview two LMVP awardees, Eleazar Basila and Anna S. Agregado.

Eleazar is a Team Leader Apprentice for almost a year now and has been with [24]7 for 6 years and 6 months. When asked how he got included in this year’s roster of LMVP awardees he said “Maintaining good score and outperformance that’s basically it. “

We also asked him how he handles the stereotype comments against the call center industry and he answered; “No matter what other people say, like those people in Facebook looking down on call center agents, I just don’t mind them. This job lets me pay my bills and the money that I give to my mom so why would I underestimate my job. For me it’s an honourable job, it’s a good job.”

Also, he describes [24]7 as his second home, it’s the longest company he’s been with and has no plans on leaving anytime soon.

Anna on the other hand is a Recruitment Manager and has been with [24]7 for 10 years already. She joined the company as a Recruitment Specialist and is now one of their team’s Senior Managers.

According to her being an LMVP awardee feels absolutely great. “I’ve been with the company for 10 years and i feel that year after year no matter how big the company has grown i don’t feel forgotten by the company. I feel that all the stuff that i work hard for was validated then i was rewarded for it and not just that i get to enjoy it as well seeing my team being rewarded that’s actually one of the greatest feelings in the world as a manager so i feel really honoured to be an awardee.” She added. 

We also asked her to describe [24]7 in one word, she answered; “It’s family and the reason why it’s family is because i love it so much, i love the people here, that I’ve brought my own family here, my brother took his practicum here, my sister works as a facilities manager, my neighbours I refer them so they are now working for the company and you know if you like the people around you and you want them to experience what you’re experiencing, the fun, the camaraderie, and that family like environment, then of course you bring them to where you’re at right? And you want them to experience the same thing so that’s why i constantly even in the 10 years that I’ve been here i still refer people to work in [24]7 because of that family-like environment.” 

She also has a message to fresh graduates and undergraduates, “a lot of young people today, i know that they are looking for something exciting to do with their lives, and the BPO industry is the most ideal place for them to do this in and that is because there’s so much to learn, there’s so much growth happening. And they can bring their lives over at [24]7 and that’s why we have the hashtag #247life because there is life within this company and we want the younger people to feel that they can THRIVE here in this company.”

It was such an inspiring event. There’s nothing like being recognized for your hard work and seeing the smiles from these awardees I can say that they are genuinely happy where they are now. It only proves that with [24]7 work-life balance is indeed possible. 

American Stratocaster Recreated

The comeback of the Fender American Vintage '65 Stratocaster is an authentic recreation of the classic model. It's made with a lightweight alder body and has a new Fender Flash Coat Lacquer body finish. It comes with a rounded C-shaped neck profile and a round-laminated rosewood fingerboard. It also has a vintage accurate pickups wound to period-correct specs and sound, has a three-ply white pickguard with 11 holes. Accessories are also included with every purchase such as the Vintage '65 Strat Strap, Cable, and Cloth; Vintage 3-Position Switch, '60s Strat Information Kit, Owner's Manual, Saddle Height Wrench and it also come with a New Deluxe Vintage Black Case. So order your American Stratocaster now with the no-risk assurance of Total Satisfaction and Low Price Guarantees!

PRESS RELEASE | Choosing Universities: Setting up for Success

One of the biggest decisions, students will make in their lives is choosing where to go after high school. For parents, even taking the job of guiding their children tends to become a daunting task. With so many possibilities and choices in today’s ever more globalized world, it’s easy for anyone to be overwhelmed when considering all the options available to them.

It has long been conventional wisdom that a good college education will lead to a good career and a good life. However, nowadays, the demands of the markets are constantly evolving, and relying on old advice for a brave new world may not always produce the best results. Consequently, education has also been adapting to catch up to the needs of the globalized economy.

Choosing a course for tertiary education happens at a young age for students, so it’s very common for them to have a change of heart in the middle of it. Of course, changing directions at any point is never the end of the world, but you can minimize risks by being well-informed, and having a clear plan from the very beginning.

Consider the following points when coming up with your plan for a student’s future:

1. What are your Strengths and Interests?

When students evaluate their interests and career prospects, they might find that what they want to pursue might not always line up with what their high school grades reflect. However, tertiary education allows for a fresh start, and it’s better to start with a target that they will enjoy pursuing, rather than pick a course that seems convenient. Passion drives a student to chase their goals and should be a top priority to consider to avoid regrets later on.

2. What School should you choose?

When considering a school, keep in mind that it is more than just a name on a diploma. Primarily, the academic offerings of the school should line up with the student’s goals. The environment a school provides not only helps build the skill set of a student for a future career but also helps shape the character of a maturing adult.

For some that may be uncomfortable with traditional colleges, students may want to consider attending a creative arts institute or a vocational school that specializes in specific skills. With globalization and the rapid development of tech and media, more and more career opportunities have opened up to these alternative paths.

Established institutions should also have a track record of taking care of their graduates after completing their education. Picking the right course at the right school should strengthen a student’s chances of starting off with a good career track.

3. What are your financial capabilities and resources?

Finances are the one thing most people want to avoid talking about but are very serious issue to consider. Tertiary education takes several years to complete, and plans made without calculated financial roadmaps can easily be derailed. This also makes a change of heart in the middle of a course very costly and risky. However, you can expand your limits by considering the many scholarships and financial assistance options now made available to many. These options may even extend to allow a student to study abroad.

With so many factors coming into play, it’s easy to see why so many students and parents might not be able to make an optimal decision. Often, they resort to sticking with “what they know,” for schools and courses - even if it is a bad fit for the students’ goals or personalities. By expanding your knowledge of potential options, you allow yourself to make well-informed choices. A good start with the right choices can set a student up for success in life.

To help students and parents explore their options, World Expos & Concepts (Worldexco) is holding the Expo for Higher Education 2016 on October 21 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Exhibitors from many local and overseas schools will be present to offer students possibilities that they might not have considered before. The three-day event is the perfect opportunity to inquire about tuition fees, scholarships, test schedules and new course offerings. Aside from exhibitor booths, several institutions will also be providing interesting and creative presentations every hour to the expo’s attendees.

“The information that you can get from a brochure or website can be quite limited. This event will make it easier for students and their parents to collect information directly from the different institutions for higher learning without having to physically visit each campus which can be time-consuming and expensive,” says Raquel Romero, President and General Manager of Worldexco. “Under one roof, we’ve gathered a great mix of traditional and non-traditional schools of different sizes that offer a vast array of courses. Expo for Higher Education is really an easy way to jump start your college search.”

Check out  the video of the expo with Kuya Kim Atienza. You may click on the link below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a1w1tinbpem68o2/EXHEDTVC%2030s.mp4?dl=0%5C

Entrance to the Expo is free of charge, so make sure you aren’t left behind! To learn more about the event, as well as register for free, visit www.expoforhighereducation.com.

PRESS RELEASE | MILO’s Champanalo Milyon-Milyon Raffle: Helps Public School Children Become Champions

“For many years, MILO has been at the forefront in building champions who best embody the winning energy of our brand. We are very grateful to everyone who continues to support our mission of empowering children to achieve an active and healthy lifestyle,” says Ellen Isturis, Consumer Marketing Lead for MILO Philippines. 

MILO’s commitment in building champions is raised to a new level with the MILO Champanalo Milyon-Milyon Raffle Promo. The nationwide raffle offers over PhP 20,000,000 in prizes, and empowers the winners to build future champions by helping a public school of their choice. The raffle promo is already ongoing, with the next Weekly Raffle set on October 8. The Grand Raffle is on November 6, 2016.

“The MILO Champanalo Miyon-Milyon Raffle Promo is our way of thanking our young and grown-up champions and allowing them to also build champions through public schools as beneficiaries.” Ellen added.

The promo will have 10 Weekly Draws of four winners each, held in 22 radio stations. The weekly winners will each receive PhP 2,000. There will also be Special Draws in each Regional Leg of the MILO Marathon, with five winners each leg receiving PhP 10,000.00 cash. Non-winners of the Weekly and Special Draws will automatically qualify for the Grand Draw.

In the Grand Draw, a total of 36 winners (four each from nine areas nationwide and eight from the National Capital Region) will not only win cash, but can also help fulfill the dreams of public school children. For “small pack” entries, winners will get PhP 300,000, while the public school of their choice will win PhP 100,000 worth of Champion Fund. For “large pack entries”, winners will receive PhP 400,000, while the public school of their choice will win PhP 100,000 worth of Champion Fund.

MILO’s grand giveaway is open to all Filipino residents 18 years old and above. To join, participants must purchase the participating brands: MILO Tonic Food Drink or MILO NUTRI UP 3 in 1 Chocolate Malt Drink for Adults or MILO Ready-To- Drink Tonic Food Drink. (See the complete required packs at www.milo.com.ph/Champanalo). Then, on a clean sheet of paper, participants must write their whole name, age, address, contact number, and the public school of their choice. Participants can choose the school from the Master List of Public Schools found in the official website of the Department of Education (www.deped.gov.ph).

Insert the sheet of paper and the MILO pack into a white, legal-sized envelope. At the back of the envelope, write MILO CHAMPANALO MILYON-MILYON RAFFLE PROMO plus the pack that’s included in the entry (example: MILO CHAMPANALO MILYON-MILYON RAFFLE PROMO, MILO 22g). Dropboxes can be found in participating supermarkets nationwide and in DZRH, Love Radio, and Yes FM radio stations.

Join the MILO Champanalo Milyon-Milyon Raffle Promo now and help build a nation of champions!

For the complete mechanics of the promo, visit the website (https://www.milo.com.ph/Champanalo) or MILO’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/milo.ph).

PRESS RELEASE | Ipanema opens more stores in time for the holidays

Brazil’s fun, chic and colorful brand of sandals and flip flops- Ipanema, has opened its latest outlet at SM City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna as part of its expansionary thrust in time for the holidays. The new store is one of the new outlets that the company is eyeing to open this year in time for the holiday season.

With the opening of this latest branch, residents within the area can conveniently shop for the latest Ipanema footwear, especially for gift giving this Christmas. 

The new store carries the latest Ipanema styles and collections, each one inspired by the spectacular coastal neighborhood of Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Our expansion in this part of the South couldn’t have come at a more opportune time as the holiday season is just around the corner,” explains Cecille Loretizo, Head of Marketing, ELRO Retail Corp. 

“This new store which carries Ipanema sandals exclusively, boasts of a wider selection of the latest footwear from this iconic Brazilian brand.” she added.

Aside from the newly opened Ipanema outlet at SM City Sta. Rosa, Ipanema store is set to open in SM City Dasmarinas and more stores on the upcoming months, signs of ELRO’s strong outlook in the market as it aims to further grow its retail footprint in the country.

The new Ipanema store is located at Level 1, SM City Sta Rosa. Ipanema stores are also located at SM City Lucena, Clark-Angeles, North Edsa, Bacolod, Pampanga, Cauayan-Isabela, Gensan, Iloilo, Roasales and Cabanatuan; as well as at SM Lanang Premier in Davao, SM Seaside Cebu, Ayala Centrio Cagayan de Oro, Ayala Abreeza Davao and Robinsons Place Antipolo.