Friday, October 28, 2016

Jigsaw Puzzle: Mind Entertainment and Exercise

Who’s not familiar with Jigsaw Puzzles? I’m positive that we all know what it is and have played it once in our life. Some people may have the perception that jigsaw puzzles are just for kids while others might still enjoy a good puzzle game once in a while. Jigsaw puzzle is actually an ideal game that is a good mental entertainment and exercise for both children and adults alike.


Most of the times, we play jigsaw puzzle to beat the boredom, to kill time, to de-stress or basically just to relax and entertain ourselves, right? Aside from entertainment, solving jigsaw puzzle is also a mental exercise. As we try to put the puzzle pieces together, we are stimulating our brain which is a good thing because just like our body, our brains need exercise too. And just as exercise does well for the body, mental exercise also gives us many benefits such as improved memory and heightened creativity. Solving puzzle games also teaches us to be more patient and focused. 

I used to own several puzzle boards before and I’ve also got a few for my kids. However, the puzzle tiles wear out easily, especially when played with often or sometimes my kids lose it. But that doesn’t stop us from enjoying a good jigsaw puzzle game because right now we can still play one even without the physical board. Yes, you read it right! 

I recently found out about JS Puzzles, an online website that allows you to play jigsaw puzzle online for free. JS Puzzles offer new sets of puzzles everyday under different categories such as Scenery, Animals, Art and a lot more. Jigsaw puzzle lovers will surely rejoice! 


Playing jigsaw puzzle at JS Puzzles is as easy as pie, you can play as a guest or create an account so you can save, upload your own puzzles. Once you've chosen your puzzle design, you have the option to customize it however you want. You can select how many puzzle pieces, the shapes and if you want it small or large. You can also turn on competitive mode and compete with other players. When the competitive mode is turned on, you can see on the right side of your screen the time to beat and once finished you can see your name on the leaderboard if ever you made it to top 10. You can turn it off if you just want to play for fun. 

Given the many benefits of playing jigsaw puzzle, it surely is an ideal and worthwhile activity to engage in. Don't have a jigsaw puzzle with you? Worry no more, you can entertain and exercise your brain anytime, anywhere with JS Puzzles.

Celebrate Life, Say Yes To May!

We don't have to wait for any occasion to celebrate, because life itself should be celebrated right? While you're at it, why not celebrate it with May Sparkling Juice, a non-alcoholic drink that you can always pop open to toast to life’s daily success. 


Learned a new language? Aced your chemistry class this morning? Or your boss complimented your report? Whether it’s a simple event or an occasion that rolls around once a year, make sure to pop the cork of a bottle of this sparkly concoction and get the party started!

Available in white or red grapes, May Sparkling Juice gives a more inclusive atmosphere that allows everybody to get their fill of this fun and fruity drink.  It's a high-quality product of Belgium and made of freshly pressed grapes, this bubbly treat is only 80 calories per serving and provides the fun fizz that instantly boosts any celebration. It’s a great blend too with cocktails and mocktails, so you can always add a variety of delicious blends with May Sparkling Juice just in case you’re looking for ways to surprise your guests. 


Days after my birthday, I received a bottle of May Sparkling Juice together with other Fly Ace Corporation products. No I'm ready to say "Yes To May" as I appreciate and celebrate life, that's one of the many secrets of individuals who are always in a good mood! 


So don't wait for a big event to celebrate, as each day can be a party. And just because a celebration isn’t really a party without a good drink in hand, make everyday a party with Non-Alcoholic May Sparkling Juice that’s filled with lighthearted cheer! The perfect celebration centerpiece in the spirit of happiness and thanksgiving; don’t miss to say “Yes to May!” as your perfect starting point to signify a party that everyone can truly enjoy!

May Sparkling Juice is available in leading supermarkets, and groceries nationwide. For more updates, visit and like its official Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/MayPhilippines.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

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. 


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.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

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.