Win P50,000 with Ever Bilena’s BIG Beauty Challenge

Big cash prizes await make-up lovers, budding artists and video bloggers like Week 3 winner Christine Gem Anicas (shown) at Ever Bilena’s BIG Beauty Challenge!

Ever Bilena, the leading local cosmetics brand, that carries Ever Bilena Advance, a full range of make-up essentials for young professionals; Ever Bilena Naturals for skin care; Careline cosmetics for teens; Blackwater for fragrance and other personal care products; dares you to unleash your inner artist and win big cash prizes. Experiment with different looks through The BIG Beauty Challenge – a weekly make-up tutorial video contest following different themes.

Open to video bloggers, aspiring and professional make-up artists residing in the Philippines, the contest requires participants to create a tutorial video on how to do a complete make-up look, following a specific theme, using only Ever Bilena products.

The contest, which began on the first week of December and will end on the last week of February, will test the creativity of the participants as they create their versions of Ever Bilena’s weekly theme which will be announced every Monday on Ever Bilena’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics. One winner will be announced every week and will take home P10,000 cash.

Weekly winners will qualify for the grand finals where the grand prize winner will take home P50,000 along with three winners who will win P10,000 for Special Award; P15,000 for 2 nd runner-up; and P30,000 for the 1 st runner up.

Entries must be public and uploaded on Facebook with hashtags #EBBigBeautyChallenge and #EverBilena and tag Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc.

Participants will be judged based on the following criteria: 40% most number of Ever Bilena products used in the video; 30% creativity; 20% make-up executions and skills; and 10% most number of views and shares.

Show off your inner artist and join the biggest and most beautiful challenge this season!

To know more about Ever Bilena and The BIG Beauty Challenge, visit Ever Bilena’s website, www.everbilena.com.ph and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics.

Splash Your Cash: How And How Not To Treat Your Kids

Just like any other mom in the world, my kids are the most important people in my life and that we only want what's best for them, right? So if you have a little spare money, maybe from an inheritance or a bonus or some other kind of windfall, then it makes sense that you’d want to treat your kids. and of course you want to ensure that they always have the best of everything so that they have the best chance of growing up into well-developed rounded human beings. At the same time, you don’t want to let them grow up spoilt. Here are some suggestions about how – and how not – to treat your kids.

DON’T: Toys. With young kids especially, their tastes will change very rapidly over the years. If your older kids want a certain games console or you’d like to treat them to new cell phones – fine. But there’s no point in blowing a huge amount of cash on a Barbie playhouse that your youngest daughter will grow out of very quickly. Make sure you think about longevity and the future

DO: Activities. If you’ve always been a little low on funds, now is the time to send your kids to ballet or art or soccer classes so that they can learn a new skill, make some friends, and have a great time. This will help contribute towards your kids’ future as well as giving them a chance to learn and enjoy something in the present.

DON’T: Craft supplies. Although craft supplies are almost always a great creative gift for kids, there isn’t any point in spending a huge amount of money on them, simply because it’s very easy to get good deals that will ensure you won’t go broke buying paints, crayons and paper. If one of your kids is a fine arts student then go crazy and buy them oil paints and an easel – but if you’re just spending hundreds on stacks of paper and coloured pencils for your little kids to use in the future, your money would be best spent elsewhere.

DO: Clothes. Admittedly, clothes are sometimes more of a gift for you than for your kids – but we all know that it’s great and that it fills us with pride to see them looking smart. If you want to spend a little money, look for good quality brands like baby Versace for clothes that will last a long time – just make sure you buy them a size up so your kids don’t grow out of them too quickly.

DON’T: Whatever they choose. One of the best ways to spoil your kids is by giving them absolutely everything they want without them having to work for it. Appreciating the value of hard work is one of the best gifts that you’ll ever be able to give your offspring.

DO: Vacations. In the long run, people value experiences far more than any material goods. Using your windfall to take your family on vacation will provide invaluable memories in the future and photographs that you’ll love looking back on when your kids are adults and far too cool to go on vacation with you.

Merry Cheesy Christmas: Cheesy Buko Salad Recipe

Our not-so-little family

Christmas Day may be over, but I'm still feeling the Christmas vibes and yea the coming New Year! Oh how time flies. Anyway, how was your Christmas? I hope you were able to celebrate it with your loved ones, which is what really matters. As for me, it was a bit sad, but nevertheless I'm glad that I celebrated Christmas Eve with my family over a simple Noche Buena feast. On Christmas Day, we went to attend the mass which is our family tradition and then we had dinner at Dampa with my in laws. 

Okay so right now, I'm really curious about what you prepared for the Noche Buena. I believe that in festivities like Christmas, Pansit, Spaghetti, Fried Chicken and Buko or Fruit Salad are staples in most Filipino families. We all had those 4 dishes last Christmas Eve plus we had ham and fruits. I've been cooking creamy tuna spaghetti ever since I learned how in 2013, but this time around, I cooked Carbonara for the first time. At home, we love buko/fruit salad, we even make some even though there's no occasion and for the first time ever, I tweaked my original buko/fruit salad recipe. This time, I added Eden Original Cheese in it.

#bloggermail matchy-matchy with our #ChristmasTree and decors 🎄🎁 #shesthemomblog #MerryChristmas #gift #Christmasgift #holiday #package #instapost #instadaily #igersph #igersdaily #igersph #igerspinoy #mommyblogger #lifestyleblogger #mommybloggersph #bloggerph #blogger

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Dec 13, 2016 at 9:09pm PST

About two weeks ago, Eden Cheese sent a Christmas gift beautifully wrapped in a Christmas package. It contains ingredients for buko/fruit salad and Eden Cheese original. It may not be new to some, but cheese in a buko/fruit salad is something we've never tried before, so I was quite surprised and excited at the same time. And, surprisingly, it turned out great! It was, cheesy and creamier!

Thank you so much @edencheeseph and #OgilvyPR for the beautiful package filled with #bukosalad #recipe na mas pina-creamy at special with #original #EdenCheese perfect Ito for #NocheBuena 🎄🎁🍽 #EdenPaskongHinahanap #Christmas2016 #Christmas #bloggermail #mommybloggersph #mommyblogger #lifestyleblogger #foodblogger #bloggerph

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Dec 14, 2016 at 11:28pm PST

 If you also haven't tried it before just like me, it's not too late, you can prepare this on your Media Noche this coming New Years Eve or any occasions! So I'm sharing with you its super easy recipe, below:

Cheesy Buko/Fruit Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups, Coconut, shredded
• 30 oz, Fruit cocktail, drained
• 1 cup, Pineapple tidbits, drained
• 15 coz, Sweet corn kernels, drained
• 12 oz, Kaong
• 12 oz, Nata de coco
• 14 oz, Condensed milk
• 14 oz, Cream
• 1/2 cup, Eden Cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup shredded Eden Cheese - for garnish.

PROCEDURE

1. In a large bowl, combine young coconut fruit cocktail, pineapple, corn, kaong, nata de coco, Eden cheese, condensed milk, and cream. Stir gentle to distribute.

2. Chill for a few hours or freeze until firm.

3. Garnish with shredded Eden cheese when ready to serve.

There you have it! Enjoy :)

Affordable stay options with eGetinnz the newest accommodation rental booking site!

I've always dreamed of travelling, but being a parent consumes most of our time and not to mention the expenses. So now, travelling is more of a luxury for us. But lately, my dream of travelling is slowly coming into fruition. Within the last 3 years, Jaear and I was able to travel to some of the beautiful places here in the Philippines. We are looking forward for more travels and if budget and time permits, this time hopefully we can travel with our 3 kids. 

Without a doubt, travelling has become amongst the top industries in the world, it’s no wonder that there are many services to pop up offering us many travel options. Joining the fray is eGetinnz, a new accommodation booking site offering more than its counterparts. It has a unique take not only offering travel booking and vacation rental but being an all in one portal for your travel desires. 

eGetinnz gives affordable stay options that suit your needs in almost any place of your choosing. Be it by a beach, the outdoors, on a waterfront, in the city or in the country, 

With eGetinnz you have the option to immerse yourself in any place you travel to by staying in a local home amongst the local folks. Vacation rentals are cost effective allowing you to pay for only a fraction of the cost you would have spent at a hotel. With this, you won’t have to miss those creature comforts when you’re traveling. 

eGetinnz also provides a guide of recommended places from attractions to dining options allowing you to discover what the city offers with their suggestions!

eGetinnz looks promising and I have yet to explore it, just in time for my planned family getaway or a staycation this coming 2017. 

Visit eGetinnz at http://www.egetinnz.com/ to start your journey. Create an account as a guest or host and navigate through our site with ease. Be assured of verified reservations, unlimited access to your rentals and privacy through our protected payment gateways.

You can also follow them on their social media pages below:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/egetinnz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/egetinnz

IG: https://www.instagram.com/egetinnz/

No-Fail Classic Holiday Dessert Recipes from Jolly Cow Condensada

Can you believe it, just 7 more days and it's Christmas Day! How time flies! Probably by now, most of you have completed your Christmas shopping and have gifts under the Christmas tree already. Now its time to think about the sumptuous feast to prepare for the Noche buena. And, for the season of feast and festivities, nothing beats the classic and decadent Filipino desserts! Find joy and comfort from these incredibly affordable recipes that’s made creamier and perfectly sweeter with Jolly Cow Condensada, the all-time favorite dessert ingredient to round out your holiday meal.

Fiesta Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

1 can Jolly Cow Condensada

1 can (850g) Jolly Tropical Fruit Cocktail, drained well

1 cup Shredded fresh buco (young coconut)

1 cup Nata de coco, drained well

1 cup Jolly Peach halves, drained well

1 cup Pineapple tidbits, drained well

1 cup Slices of fresh fruits like apple and seedless grapes (optional)

½ cup Cheese, diced (optional)

1 can All-purpose cream

Garnish:

1 cup Mini marshmallows (optional)

Jolly Maraschino cherries (optional)

Directions:

1. Drain all the water from the cans of the fruit ingredients.

2. Combine all ingredients (except for the marshmallow and cherries) in a large mixing bowl and blend well.

3. Place in a container and chill for 2 to 3 hours before serving.

4. Serve with mini marshmallow as garnish on top and put a cherry if desired.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Pinoy Leche Flan

Ingredients:

1 can (390g) of Jolly Cow Condensada

1 can (370ml) evaporated milk

10 egg yolks

1 teaspoon of grated dayap or lemon peel

1 cup of white sugar

Procedure:

1. Put sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over low fire until the sugar caramelizes.

2. Pour the caramelized sugar equally into three llaneras. Evenly coat the caramelized sugar on the bottom of the llanera. Set aside.

3. In a bowl, gently mix together the Jolly Cow Condensada, evaporated milk, egg yolks and the grated dayap. Make sure to gently mix so as not to create bubbles on the mixture.

4. Gently and evenly pour the mixture on the llaneras containing the caramelized sugar.

5. Cover each llanera with aluminum foil.

6. Steam for about 30 minutes or until firm (steaming time may depend on the thickness of the llanera).

7. Cool and then refrigerate.

Tip: You can tell when the leche flan is fully cooked by inserting a knife in the middle of the mixture--if the knife comes clean, it is fully cooked. 

Makes three llaneras. 

Jolly Cow Condensada is available in leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide. 

Fly Ace Corporation is one of the leading food and beverage consumer goods companies in the country today. Propelling limitless multiple-category growth by bringing the best of the world closer to Filipino homes, Fly Ace Corporation’s portfolio of food and beverage products includes house brands and exclusively distributed brands. Learn more at www.flyacecorp.com.

Five Must-do Annual Exams for Every Woman

Christmas Season is upon us, the most wonderful and glorious time of the year. It's a time for thanksgiving, celebration, and the ripe month to fully enjoy the fruits of your labor. And just because you think your 13th month pay and bonus are just a cherry on top, aside from Christmas shopping, these hard-earned cash deserves to be saved and spent well on things with lasting impact on your health and sanity. With this in mind, let these 5 must-do lists from Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkins and Liners’ OB-Gyn Faith Suluen serve as your guide to encourage you to make time and set aside a budget for these screenings.

1. Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam

Since it’s the quick screening test/procedure and the gold standard that detects precancerous or cancerous cells from papillomavirus or HPV, it’s essential to catch early any possible abnormal growth whether you’re sexually active by age 21 or the disease runs in the family. If you haven’t had a cervical vaccination, don’t hesitate to talk to your OB-Gyn or employer/health card provider to check if it’s part of your package, which according to Dr. Faith, is especially advantageous for women without a prior sexual contact.

2. Transvaginal ultrasound

Ensure your reproductive system (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and vagina) is on its absolute best. Highly recommended for checking irregularities or possible cysts, pelvic pain, unexplained vaginal bleeding and more, the ultrasound probe allows the doctor to see a bird’s eye view of the organs with more accurate results.

3. Mammogram and Breast Ultrasound

Although breast cancer is deemed as one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide, it’s totally curable and controllable with the help of early detection and regular screening. Both mammogram (for 40 years old and above) and breast ultra sound (for 40 years old and below) is powerful tools even before a woman experiences its symptoms, so consider these tests as your major partners in prevention and to ensure full mammary health throughout your lifetime.

4. Blood Chemistry Test

Make a point to regularly monitor blood pressure and cholesterol, which are lifesavers from heart disease and stroke. Remember that the tender age of 20 should be a starting point of your biannual blood pressure monitoring habit with cholesterol checking every four to six years, but perhaps more frequently if age, weight, lifestyle habits, and family history are major factors of developing your risks.

5. Routine Urinalysis

Considered as one of the simplest yet most powerful screening tests that detect UTI, kidney disorders, liver problems, and diabetes, it also helps to diagnose specific disorders such as endocrine diseases and bladder cancer. Even if you don’t feel any abdominal or back pain and abnormalities in your urine, it’s a preventive test that will keep your urinary system at the pink of their health.

The budget and time you set aside for wellness will determine whether or not this old adage rings true for you. So as a grown-up woman who’s also fussy about your sanitary pads, choose quality and mull over a brand that can do more for you, like Jeunesse Anion. Since its anion strip feature is uniquely on its own that greatly helps in reducing feminine discomforts like dysmenorrhea, cramps, and icky odor, consider this to be one of your most valuable essentials as a smart and wellness-conscious woman. Available in 5 variants from panty liner, ultra day pad, ultra day non-wing, ultra night pad, to all night pad, these choices ensure that you’re covered throughout every stage of your red days and helps relieve the not-so- pleasant side effects of being a lady.

Philippines Gets First Taste of La Dolce Vita with the New Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut

Last night, Swiss Miss launched the new Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut here in the Philippines. We Filipinos are the first in the world to taste this new and exciting flavor that is inspired by the Italian's flair for passion, romance and life's luxuries! Experience la dolce vita in every cup, grab your @swissmissph #ChocolateHazelnut now ☕️ #SwissMissPH #SwissMissMoment #SwissMissLaDolceVita #MediaLaunch #AnneCurtisforSwissMiss #AnneCurtis #celebrityendorser #Event #EventBlogger #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #mommybloggersph

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Nov 25, 2016 at 5:58pm PST

Late last month, Swiss Miss, the world-famous chocolate powder drink, launched their newest flavor-Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut. The newest flavor draws inspiration from this luxurious Italian lifestyle that evokes the romance and passion of Italy. And, what better place to host the event to than in Venice Grand Canal Mall, Taguig which gives the authentic Italian feels.

In Italy, “La dolce vita,” which literally translates to “the sweet life,” celebrates the Italians’ flair for passion, romance and life’s luxuries – from savoring sumptuous meals with family and spending moments with friends and loved ones to listening to passionate music and donning the latest fashion pieces. Indeed, in this wondrous country, every day is truly La Dolce Vita!

Made from premium, imported cocoa and real milk, Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut fuses the aroma and flavor of roasted, buttery hazelnuts with silky, creamy and frothy chocolate. It’s truly a feast for the senses. It's an affordable indulgence with the right balance of creaminess and sweetness, the new Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut can be consumed hot or cold, at home or even on-the-go. 

“We’re proud that the Philippines is the first country in the world to try this new flavor. The new Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut flavor is truly a very exciting flavor because of hazelnut’s unique taste and aroma,” said Cathy Castro, Swiss Miss Asia marketing manager. 

Just in time for the holiday season, @swissmissph gives us a taste of la dolce vita (the sweet life) with the reveal of their latest flavor, the Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut together with their first ever global celebrity endorser, the beautiful @annecurtissmith 💙😊 #SwissMissPH #SwissMissLaDolceVita #SwissMissMoment #AnneCurtis #MediaLaunch #ChocolateHazelnut #EventBlogger #bloggerph #mommyblogger #mommybloggersph #lifestyleblogger

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Nov 25, 2016 at 8:00am PST

The launch of Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut coincides with the launch of their first ever global endorser, Anne Curtis. Aside from hosting a top variety show, the princess of all media, is also an actress, host and award-winning endorser whose daily activities on social media garners millions of followers. 

“Work is important, but we should also allow ourselves the well-deserved indulgence by enjoying life and rewarding ourselves after hard-won victories – big or small. With Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut, this is possible anywhere – at work, at home or even while travelling!,” said Anne. 

Living "la dolce vita", Anne embodies the essence of the brand by finding time for leisure and travel in spite of her busy schedule and rewarding herself for her successes. Her recent trip to Italy showcased her passion for life’s pleasures, such as food, fashion, and love. 

Experience la dolce vita by enjoying life’s little pleasures and rewarding yourself with the new Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut. 

Experience la dolce vita by enjoying life’s little pleasures and rewarding yourself with the new Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut.

 

Swiss Miss Chocolate Hazelnut is now available in leading stores and supermarkets nationwide. For more updates, visit Swiss Miss Philippines on Facebook and follow them on Instagram @SwissMissPH.