Make Miracles Happen with the Miracle Machine

Posted on by jane

Kraft, through Miracle Whip, wants to whip up miracles outside the kitchen for this Christmas. It is inspired by the collective efforts during Typhoon Ondoy last year when many people turned to social networking sites like Facebook to mobilize rescue, feeding and rehabilitation efforts.

Out of this inspiration, they created the Miracle Machine, a Facebook application whose objective is quite simple: to get people, their friends, and their friends’ friends working together to make miracles happen for the less fortunate.

11 beneficiary organizations were selected after a screening process. Each organization was asked what their Christmas wish was. Beginning December 1 and every day thereafter, an organization will be featured by the Miracle Machine with a list of tasks that volunteers like us can fulfill if it is within our capabilities.

The idea is that each of us is a working part of this machine. For every task that each of us can do for any or all of these beneficiaries, your name will be put on a cog and added to the Miracle Machine. If all tasks are fulfilled by the end of the 12 days, the Miracle Machine will work perfectly and all 11 beneficiary organizations would have their Christmas wishes fulfilled.
Will you help whip up miracles for these 11 beneficiaries? It’s very simple.


1. Join the Miracle Machine on Facebook and click ‘Like’ to be a follower.
2. Go to the Miracle Machine tab. To go to the Miracle Machine application, click the image of the machine (similar to the one above). When prompted, click ‘Allow’.
3. Check the tasks under each beneficiary’s page and see which is do-able for you. Most are not difficult at all. The task could be as simple as donating something needed which you have at home already. Or rallying friends to donate or support. 
(Note: When you volunteer to fulfill a task, someone from the beneficiary organization will contact you to verify the task you wish to fulfill and make arrangements if logistics are needed.)
If you get your friends on Facebook to join the Miracle Machine as well, we can collectively grant the wishes of these beneficiaries. The more people who join and become part of the Miracle Machine, the more amazing things can happen.
Below are the wishes of the 11 beneficiaries as well as the tasks needed to make them come true. Do look over the tasks and see which ones you can volunteer for or donate to. Or which ones you can get family and friends to pitch in for. I’m sure you can pick out several from the list that you yourself can fulfill.

Krispy Kreme’s Ho-Ho-Holiday Doughnuts Are Here

Posted on by jane
This was the surprise that arrived today. Krispy Kreme‘s holiday doughnuts are out!!!
Kids really love the way Krispy Kreme celebrates events and special occasions because they come up with the most creative, yummy-looking doughnuts. My own kids love Krispy Kreme a lot.
There are three variants this year. First is Mr. Snowman. He was around last year too with his red and green scarves but they gave him a slightly new look this year. Next is the vanilla-frosted square-shaped doughnuts decked with green and red icing ribbons. They almost look like tiny presents. And third is the round-shaped doughnuts with vanilla frosting and green and red sprinkles.
My Christmas doughnuts came in a very simple but elegant-looking metal Krispy Kreme can in Christmas-y colors. 
If you are still wondering what to give family and friends for Christmas, look no further. Your yummy present will look great packaged in a KK box like this one.
And yes, I had to hurriedly take pictures of the doughnuts before all my kids come home from school and devour them all. 🙂

Visit any of the following Krispy Kreme Branches: Bonifacio High Street, Greenhills Shopping Center Drive-Thru, SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma Cinema Level, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia Drive-Thru, Ayala Avenue, Robinsons Galleria, Gateway Mall, Glorietta 4, SM City Annex (North EDSA), Annex 2 SM Fairvew, Eastwood, Marquee Mall Pampanga, SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Robinsons Place Manila, Paseo Center (Makati City) and Valero (Makati City) or call 0917-8053000. Also, be sure to log on to www.krispykreme.com.ph and be a Friend of Krispy Kreme to get updates.

Penshoppe Style Closet Goes on a Mobile Tour

Posted on by jane

A makeover is coming to your office or school!!!

Penshoppe is stepping out of its stores!

That’s right. The Penshoppe Style Closet will be traveling to selected schools and offices in a few weeks. It is a real walk-in closet with several cubicles and rows of clothes and accessories. Stylists will assess your style, skin color and body physique and recommend a combination of outfits that suit you.

Here’s how the mobile tour will go:

1. On announced dates, the Penshoppe Style Closet will travel to a specific school or office. Their “spotters” will choose students/office workers who will get a VIP pass. (Hint: if you want to increase your chances of being “spotted”, dress up a bit more on the day they visit your office/school)

2. If you are one of the lucky ones given a VIP pass, it entitles you to a makeover from a Penshoppe stylist. That means you get to try out recommended outfits inside the Style Closet. As a token of appreciation from Penshoppe, you will get a free pair of jeans.

3. Those given VIP passes may also be given up to two more VIP passes that you can give to your best friends so they can also enjoy the experience like you. (Hint: if a spotter did not choose you to get a VIP pass, at least befriend someone who did so you also get a pass, hahaha)

4. Those who are not chosen to receive VIP passes but are interested in buying Penshoppe items will be given 10% discount.

My stylist, Mia, dressed me up in a black tank top, draped a circular, black & white scarf around me (I love the versatility of this type of scarf!), and black bead accessories.

(Mia)
And this was how she dressed me up!
Mobile Tour Schedules
As of this posting, here are the schedules for the mobile tour of the Style Closet as provided by Penshoppe:
1. Nov. 22, 23 and 24 – UA&P (confirmed)

2. Nov. 25 and 26 – St. Benilde (confirmed)
3. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 – UP (confirmed)
4. Dec. 2 and 3 – UST
5. Dec. 6 and 7 – ATENEO
6. Dec. 9 and 10 – Pacific Star/PBCOM
7. Dec. 13 and 14 – Pacific Star/PBCOM
8. Dec 15, 16 and 17 – Teletech

Watch for the Penshoppe Style Closet on these dates. Who knows? You may just get an instant clothes makeover.

One Day Only: Goodles Pasta for P100 Only

Posted on by jane

Some time back, several of us bloggers were treated to the soft launch of Goodles, a new concept in pasta-to-go. Gourmet pasta, the kind you normally have in sit-down fancy restaurants, are now available in to-go tubs that you can take with you into the moviehouse.

Goodles uses traditional imported Italian pastas and handcrafts its deliciously rich sauces using all natural farm fresh ingredients, pure dairy products, hormone-free meats, extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs and spices.

My favorite of all the items is Grape Carbonara, carbonara with a twist — it had grapes!

On November 24, 2010 (take note, just this day and no other), Goodles will drop their prices on select popular Goodles pasta to only P100 in celebration of its 1st anniversary. Promo is good for dine-in and take-away (delivery not included).

(click to see enlarged photo)


From 11AM to 2PM, Pesto Cream al Funghi, which is a creamy mix of pesto, mushrooms and farfalle noodles, will be sold for only P100 (regularly at P175). Seven Layer Lasagna (regular, P140) will be sold at P100 from 3PM to 6PM and Grape Carbonara (regular, P165) will be sold at P100 from 6PM to 9PM.

Bulk orders for this promotion will be accepted and may be ordered in advance by calling the Goodles hotline at +63922.8737758 beginning November 22.

Those ordering via the Goodles delivery hotline 2121212 will not be able to avail of the P100 promo but instead will get 1 order of Free Iced Tea for a minimum P500 purchase.

Goodles has a website (www.ilovegoodles.com) and is on Facebook. Check them out for details of this promo as well as upcoming ones.

Live Curious, NatGeo and Regatta Say

Posted on by jane

When my kids were small, they’d pester me with so many quetions. Why is the sky blue? Is there really a man on the moon? How does Santa distribute the gifts all over the world in just one night? 

As they grew older, curiosity continued but this time the questions had to do with more mature topics. Why is my body changing? Why is breakfast important? Even the proverbial — Why do we have to have homework on weekends?

Studies have shown that curiosity is what leads to experimentation, discovery and more learning. When a child asks a lot of questions, it is because that child is thinking about things that don’t make sense to him at that age. This is the start of what will later become research – a longing to find the answer.

The National Geographic Channel (NGC) recognizes that living the curious life leads to myriad possibilities for adventure and knowledge so it wants to continue promoting this trait in the young people of today.

NatGeo, as it is called for short, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. It has produced beautiful magazines that take you on adventures as you turn the magazine pages, teaching you more and more about places you have never been to, making you aware of the environment, the wonder of archaeology, appreciation for natural science and better awareness of geography. With the advent of cable, NatGeo created its own channel, showing the beauty of our world and its creatures. Truly, NGC is one of my favorite TV channels.

NatGeo has tied up with Regatta, a leisure wear brand that offers high-quality casual wear, as both of them share similar values, i.e., promoting the love for a good life as well as love for adventure.

They’ve launched the “Live Curious” campaign which believes that no matter what country we live in and regardless of the language we speak, “Everything deserves a ‘Why'”. This slogan is now one of several statement shirts launched and available at all Regatta boutiques nationwide when you sign up for a National Geographic society membership.


National Geographic has also chosen Filipino personalities who, in their view, live curious and have excelled in their chosen professions and endeavors. These ambassadors are:

1. Joey Reyes (filmmaker and writer)
2. Francis Flores (marketing executive)
3. Daphne Osena-Paez (TV host/producer and advocate for children)
4. Norman Agatep (advertising executive)
5. Gang Badoy (RockEd Philippines founder)
6. Maribel Garcia (The Mind Museum curator)
7. Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan (WWF-Philippines CEO)
8. Mitzi Borromeo (educational media producer)
9. Bryan Benitez McClelland (social ecopreneur)

The “Live Curious” statement shirts are available at Alabang Town Center (ATC), Greenbelt 3, Glorietta 3, Ayala Trinoma, SM The Block and Gateway. 

Get yours now. Here’s mine.

The Pacman Up Close

Posted on by jane
The whole Philippines stands still today. Very few vehicles were on the road when I went out earlier. Almost the entire country is at home, at pay-per-view establishments or on the internet intently looking for livestreaming links.
I had the chance to meet Manny Pacquiao a few months back. He was shooting a TV commercial for a pain-relieving drug, Alaxan FR, and I stayed quietly in the background watching him go through the shoots, joking with the staff in between takes, and noting how lean and muscular, absolutely no excess fat, and lithe his body was (a sign of the rigorous training and care he had for his body).

After his commercial takes, Manny came to the room where a few of us were waiting, and eagerly sat down on a sofa to field our questions. I was just an arms-length away from him — the closest I probably could ever get. Question after question was shot at him and he answered them all, even discreetly evading having to answer the then controversial issue between him and a lady actress.

I threw some questions at him (and yes, my speaking in Filipino was challenged, hehehe).

On how politics will affect his being a spiritual person and on how leading a Congressman’s life will affect his family, this is what Manny has to say:

My first closeup impression of Manny? What you see on TV is how he is in real life. He is humble. Low profile. Always smiling. Comes across as sincere in wanting to help his constituents in Saranggani. Loves the Philippines and God.

Today, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will go for his 8th title. Physically, he is way disadvantaged compared to Antonio Margarito in terms of height, reach and weight. But that has never stopped Manny Pacquiao from going for his dreams.

Today, everyone in the Philippines wishes him well and will be praying for him. And if he does get to win this fight, he will come back to the Philippines an even greater David who overcame (literally) the giant Goliath. And an even greater idol in everyone’s eyes.

We’re rooting for you, Manny!

(HAPPY UPDATE (sorry for spoilers for some people if you’re not on pay-per-view): Manny Pacquiao won the fight!!! This is boxing history in the making. It will be a happy day when the Pacman returns to the warmest welcome ever.)

Oh Baby! All Natural Baby Food

Posted on by jane

All my four kids grew up on imported and locally available baby food. I guess I could say I had no choice then. I was a working Mom and had no time to osterize or blend baby food on demand. I just had to trust that the people behind these baby food lived up to the quality standards appropriate for baby consumption.

Recently, I was invited to an intimate gathering of mommies and bloggers. A locally made line of all-natural baby food was being launched – Oh Baby!

My curiosity was piqued. My kids are all teens and adults so why did I want to go to this launch? Mainly because I am a Mom and I know that many of my younger friends and blog readers are moms or soon-to-be Moms and if this product was any good, I want to put it out for them to have a choice as to what to give their youngsters.

I got to meet the two mommy chefs behind Oh Baby! — Christina Trillana-Lagdameo and Rebecca Disini-Gomez. Tina studied at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She has an Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary and is Safe Serve Certified. While there, she worked as a line cook in Tabla Restaurant and Catering Manager at Dean and Deluca. Rebecca pursued her passion for food in Le Cordon Bleu in London and graduated with a Cuisine Diploma. She is Food Safety and Hygiene Certified by the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene. She also got to work for Unilever as Regional Chef for Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Mommy Rebecca (L) and Mommy Tina (R) with their babies

Both mommies were high school classmates who pursued culinary courses abroad. When they got married and had kids, they began wondering what preservatives were inside the jarred baby food and teething biscuits they’d buy in the grocery especially since they knew there had to be some amount of preservatives in it so it could have a longer shelf life.

It wasn’t long before they figured that putting their culinary skills to task to produce tasty and nutritious meals for babies was the next step. And why stop at giving these to their own babies? They could also make these available to other moms who had no time to prepare these food and would end up buying commercially available ones. Thus, Oh Baby! was born.

Their Young Palate line of jarred baby food and teething biscuits for babies who are just starting on solid foods. They offer Stage One (for very young babies) and Stage Two (for older babies) varieties just like those in supermarkets where you have baby foods that come in different stages. Flavors available are apple, carrot and squash, potato and apple, and tomato.

Young Palate line
Their line of Oh Baby! Teething Biscuits were carefully formulated. Not too crumbly, or else it could choke baby. Just the right size for tiny hands to grab and hold firmly. Texture just right to soothe baby gums.
Teething Biscuits
Their Grow n’ Go line consists of healthy, kid-friendly snacks that can be easily put into lunchboxes or taken on trips.
Grow n’ Go snacks
Tina and Rebecca told us that right now, they make baby food in small batches. This ensures that each batch is always fresh and made out of the fruits and vegetables that they pick out themselves. Their baby food has absolutely no preservatives in them so they carefully label each bottle with an expiry date. 
For now, they are not yet in supermarkets so distribution is via pick-up points. 
To order, call mobile 0918 9478462 or email ohbabyph@gmail.com. Orders must be placed 3 days in advance.
Pick up points are as follows:
1. Makati
    a. 2101 Regency at Salcedo Tordesillas corner Sanchez St., Salcedo Village
    b. 2278 Magnolia St., Dasmarinas Village
    c. 1 Arguilla St., San Lorenzo Village
2. Fort – 33D North Pacific Plaza Tower, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
3. Alabang – 221 Balayan St., Ayala Alabang Village
The Oh Baby! website also has an online order form. 

Have You Kik’d Anyone Yet?

Posted on by jane
Got an Android, iOS or Blackberry smartphone? Then you need to check out Kik Messenger, the latest viral app that allows free texting crossing all 3 platforms.
It’s FREE. It’s pretty fast (real-time). And it’s VIRAL! 
According to the Kik blog, they launched Oct. 19, 2010 with 0 users and hit 1 million in just 15 days. If that’s not viral, I don’t know what is!
I downloaded it just tonight after reading a Tech Crunch article about it being viral. Then I posted notices on my Plurk and Facebook accounts. In just a few hours, several of my friends and family have already joined my network. Here’s what the screen looks like.
(Source: Kik Blog)
I also got to text back and forth with friends using all 3 platforms and it works. Beautifully! The user interface is very simple and a new feature it has that was not present in Ping Chat which I used to use (only good among iPhone users) is that it has 3 icons that change status beside each of your posts. S = Sending. D = Delivered. R = Read. Woot!
To download Kik from your smartphone, click HERE.
Congrats to the entire Kik team. I really hope you guys can sustain the amazing exponential growth and keep downtime or lag to the barest minimum.
As for me, if Kik works as they tout it, this might just be my solution to this carrier that did away with their unlimited text promo for Christmas and New Year. Cheers!
The Kik Team celebrating the 1M crossover
(Source: Kik Blog)

Contest: Win a Ticket to See the Pacquiao-Margarito LIVE with Alaxan FR

Posted on by jane

This coming November 14, our very own Manny Pacquiao will once again do battle. This time, the crown at stake is the vacant WBC Super Welterweight Championship and his fight will be against Mexican Antonio Margarito, former WBA Welterweight Champion.

Once again, this fight can be watched live in different Pay-Per-View (PPV) locations around the Philippines as fans and kababayans empty the streets to watch Pacquiao go up against Margarito.

Alaxan FR is hosting a contest that will give you a chance to win one (1) FREE PPV ticket to see the Pacquiao fight at selected SM Cinemas. And you have 5 chances (5 days) to win that prized ticket. It’s simple. Here’s how.

Contest Mechanics (Updated)

1. Buy 20 Alaxan FR capsules from participating drugstores* and get the brand new limited edition Alaxan FR Pacman Tshirt

2. Add yourself as fan of Alaxan FR Facebook fan page.

3. Take a picture of you wearing the new Alaxan FR Pacman Tshirt and make that photo your profile picture as soon as you get the Alaxan FR shirt.

4. From Nov. 8 to 12, wait for the announcement of Alaxan FR Fan Page when you can post words of encouragement for Manny Pacquiao. The first 5 posts each day will win one (1) free pay per view ticket of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito fight at SM Mall of Asia ONLY.

* List of participating drugstores is in the Alaxan FR Facebook fan page.

NOTE:

Each winner will win one (1) free ticket. A person can win ONCE only in this entire Promo.
Winners will be contacted via Facebook. The Alaxan FR fan page will send notice via Personal Message.
Winners must confirm within 24 hours after the message has been sent. If winner hasn’t replied after 24hours, Alaxan FR fan page shall choose the next winner in line.
Winners can claim their tickets/prizes at 6th floor, Cambridge Bldg., 108 Tordesillas cor. Gallardo Sts., Salcedo Village, Makati. Winners will be notified as to when they can get their prizes.

Sunsilk’s Co-Creations Shampoo Line

Posted on by jane
Have you gone to the supermarket lately and checked out the shampoo aisle? You probably will notice a whole new line of Sunsilk shampoo products. This is their Co-Creations line.
Why “Co-Creations”? Well, Sunsilk has partnered with some of the best international hair experts to come up with a range of shampoo products that address just about every type of hair concern consumers have. These experts have done the tresses of top models and celebrities in different fields and by partnering with Sunsilk, they bring their expertise and knowledge of hair into each of the products in this Co-Creations line.
Our hair can no longer be handled by just one type of shampoo and conditioner. Situations change. Sometimes, we have hair that is limp and dry due to sun exposure. Other times, we suffer from dandruff. Still other times, hair could become damaged due to color treatments or other hair chemicals applied. In each instance, hair needs a different treatment to squarely address the concern at hand. This is why Sunsilk has this whole range of products, each one with a formulation targeted at a particular need.
Sunsilk sent me their Co-Creations line (plus the complete Creamsilk conditioner line to match as well) to try over the next few months. My kids and I just finished our old bottles of shampoo last night so we are excited to see how this Sunsilk line will work for us.
To help you out with your choice of shampoo next time you’re at the supermarket, let me walk you through a short guide. 
Please note that the shampoo descriptions, representations as to what it can do for the hair, as well as contents of its formulation were lifted from Sunsilk’s press kit.


Damage Repair

Too much styling, too many different products and intense heat from frequent blowdrying can lead to damaged hair. Sunsilk teamed up with Bobsoho Salon of London, founded by Thomas Taw, famous for resuscitating damaged hair, to co-create this formulation to give back extreme smoothness and health to damaged hair. This particular shampoo has Olive Serum Nutri Complex that gently cleanses and gives care to the most damaged hair, while reconstructing beneath the hair surface and filling damaged cracks deep inside – layer by layer, strand by strand.

Hairfall Solution

I use this currently to prevent hairfall since I have long hair. I am happy with how it somehow minimizes breakage and amount of hairfall. Sunsilk teamed up with Dr. Francesca Fusco from NYC, world-class dermatologist and expert at understanding skin and scalp care, to co-create this formulation for visibly less hair fall. Enriched with Soya Vitamin Complex, it gently cleanses weakened, easily-broken hair, while reinforcing hair from roots to tips.

Strong and Long

Sunsilk teamed up with Paris-born Teddy Charles, creator of some of the world’s latest runway and premier fashion magazine looks, to co-create this formulation for strong (against breakage and split ends due to combing) and smoother hair. Enriched with Active Fruitamin Complex, it gently cleanses and refreshes hair, while penetrating it and fortifying hair fibers so it becomes up to 10x stronger and 3x smoother with boosted shine.

Soft and Smooth
Sunsilk teamed up once again with Bobsoho Salon, founded by Thomas Taw, famous for resuscitating dry hair, to co-create this formulation to make hair silky soft to the touch. Enriched with Ceramide Macadamia Complex, it gently cleanses and conditions even the driest and roughest hair, while acting as a softening agent to rebalance hair condition. 
Smooth and Manageable

Sunsilk teamed up with Yuko Yamashita from Japan, creator of YUKO Hair Straightening, turning hair from unruly to manageable, to co-create this formulation for extraordinarily smoother hair. Enriched with Keratin Yogurt Nutri-Complex, it gently cleanses and coats hair strands to smoothen fluffy hair.

Anti-Dandruff

Sunsilk teamed up with Dr. Francesca Fusco from NYC, world-class dermatologist and expert at understanding skin and scalp care, to co-create this formulation for a dandruff-free scalp and beautiful hair. Enriched with ZPT Citrus Complex, it thoroughly cleanses and refreshes while purifying your scalp to start eliminatig dandruff from the first wash and protect the hair’s natural condition from dryness.

Straight and Sway

Sunsilk teamed up with Paris-born Teddy Charles, creator of the world’s latest runway and premier fashion magazine looks, to co-create this formulation for straighter hair full of natural movement. Enriched with Amino Collagen Complex, it cleanses your straight hair and gently relaxes your hair bonds, providing softness and suppleness to give it natural movement.

Each Sunsilk Co-Creations shampoo retails at approximately P89.00 per 200ml bottle.