Feel Good Inside and Out

Be closer to health inside and out with Facets of Wellness.

When people hear the word “wellness”, the first image that pops into their minds is usually a doctor in a spotless white coat, examining a patient in the hospital. However, health is more than just about the physical. It is over-all feeling great in body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

Promoting this is Facets of Wellness, a two-day exhibit and conference on holistic wellness slated on September 14-15 at Function Rooms 1 and 2, 3^rd level, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. It’s part of the Manila International Book Fair, the country’s largest and longest-running book fair.

The conference will run from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm on both days of the event. Each day will be divided into an afternoon and evening session wherein a different aspect of wellness will be highlighted.

Featured on the morning session of September 14, 2012 is financial and occupational wellness. Dr. Francisco Colayco, a well-renowned entrepreneur and financial adviser, will speak on the topics “Be Your Own Boss” and “Healthy Money Attittudes and Habits”. The afternoon session, on the other hand, will focus on physical and environmental wellness with topics such as “Lifestyle Diseases:  A Silent Disaster” by cardiologist Dr. Anthony Leachon, “Sports and Fitness for a Healthy Lifestyle” by Prof. Hercules Callanta of University of the Philippines-Diliman’s College of  Human Kinetics, “Steps to Fitness” by renowned sports journalist and TV host Dyan Castillejo, and “Positive Nutritional Habits” by nutritionist Dr. Sani Rose Orbeta.

The morning session of September 15 is all about emotional and spiritual wellness with topics such as “Are You OK?” by clinical psychologist Dr. Teresa Gustilo-Villasor and “Do You Have a Sacred Space?” by Rev. Fr. Ruben Tanseco, SJ”. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to mental and social wellness with talks on “Am I People Smart?” by licensed family counselor Ms. Harriet Hormilosa, and “How Do I Take Care of My Brain?” by neurologist Dr. Pia Banico.

On the other hand, the exhibit will feature various booths from different industries such as medicine, beauty, fashion and lifestyle, fitness, relaxation, food, and books. It will run from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on both days.

For more information on The Facets of Wellness or for interested exhibitors, please contact Primetrade Asia at wellness@primetradeasia.com or call (02)895-1706 or 896-0682.

Otakus unite at Best of Anime 2012

Anime lovers, cosplay fanatics, and 

Japanese culture enthusiasts, unite! 

The Best of Anime (BoA) 2012 is back with more fun activities on Sept. 15-16, at Function Rooms 4 & 5, 3^rd Level of the SMX Convention as part of the 33rd Manila International Book Fair.

This year’s Best of Anime will be bigger and better with a line-up of exciting events for cosplayers, figure collectors, photographers, artists and even foodies.

Event highlights include: The Best of Anime Cosplay Duo, where cosplayers will compete in pairs; All-Star Cosplay Singles; Otaku’s Got Talent where otakus can belt or bop their way to fame; Quickdraw Challenge for artists and illustrators; SuperClicker! where photographers can show-off their skills; The Ultimate Maki Showdown for foodies who want to be named “The Ultimate Maki-Eater” ; A fashion show to give otaku fashionistas inspiration on how to pull-off certain runway looks to the street; Cosplay and Figuart Photography 101; Cosplay Make-up and Wig Styling Tutorial to level up styling skills; Japanese Culinary Workshop where participants may learn to cook their favourite Japanese meals; and a blogging workshop under Japanese culture blogger Magnetic – Rose.

Visual Kei fans will no longer sulk that certain bands do not visit the country to do concerts or just to show-up. This year, otakus and Japanese music enthusiasts should also prepare for Japan’s V-Kei band Uchuu Sentai Noiz as they will be making an appearance at Best of Anime 2012 convention.

Whole day activities include: the Manga Library where bookworms can find exclusive manga collections directly from the shelves of Japan, Sam’s Maid Café where the hungry and the tired can replenish their energies for the long day ahead, Sam’s Beauty Corner can offer to make any con-goer don the Harajuku and Lolita styles, and a lot more.

For more information about Best of Anime 2012, contact organizer Primetrade Asia at 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail info@primetradeasia.com.

Helping Kids Be Super at Superkids 2012

Don’t miss two whole days of fun and learning at Superkids 2012.

In educating and raising little children, the effort it takes is anything but little. You have to prepare these young minds for the needs of an ever changing world. After all, the ages of 0-11 are a child’s formative years; the skills they’d learn during this crucial period would be the foundation of their knowledge base for life.

Helping equip educators and parents for this tough job is Superkids 2012, a two-day interactive conference on early childhood education set on September 14-15, Friday and Saturday, at Function Room 3, 3^rd level of the SMX Convention Center as part of the 33^rd Manila International Book Fair. Superkids has been a part of the country’s largest book fair and has been successful in gathering parents, teachers, school administrators, and people who work with young children to give them the latest information on educating young minds.

This year’s conference features noted author and educational consultant Dr. Thomas Armstrong from California as the main speaker. He will focus on topics such as “Exemplars of Best Schools (from Early Childhood to High School)” for his September 14 session and “The Power of Neurodiversity and Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom” for his September 15 session.  He will also conduct a book signing in his Saturday session.

Aside from Dr. Armstrong, other high caliber speakers from all over the country will share their perspectives, tips, opinions, and expertise on early childhood education and provide discussions in between sessions. Dr. Didi Manahan, Directress of Explorations Pre-School and Keys Grade School , Ms. Anna Franchesca Lacanilao, Directress of The Learning Tree Pre-School, and Ms. Ani Rosa Almario, Directress of Raya School will speak on “Alternative Forms of Learning Environments and Institutions” on September 14.

Meanwhile, for the September 15 session, clinical psychologist Dr. Teresa Gustilo-Villasor will share her expertise on “Issues and Trends in Learning Styles in the 21^st Century”. Developmental and behavioral pediatrician Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta, on the other hand, will enlighten conference goers on “Developmental Pediatrics: Evaluation and Assessment of Different Types of Learners”. Lastly, Ms. Ma. Carolina Gustilo-de Ocampo, an early childhood education expert, speaks on “Creative Innovators: How to Develop Young Children Who Will Change the World.”

 For more information, contact organizer Primetrade Asia Inc. at 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail info@primetradeasia.com.

What A Wonderful World With David Attenborough

Cesar Montano and Angel Aquino stars in a new suspense drama movie, "Biktima"

Cesar Montano and Angel Aquino stars in a new suspense drama movie, "Biktima," directed by RD Alba.

Cesar talks about different challenges in making his first Indie movie "Biktima." This was fully shot in Bohol under Director RD Alba , a long time friendship with Cesar.

He said that he was so surprised just how quickly the film was shot.  RD told me 'I just need a few days from you'."

"I said that I had four to five days in Bohol  and he said that was good enough. Sabi ko, mabubuo ba yang pelikula na yan? Napakasimple lang talaga ng shooting namin, parang may binili lang ako sa tindahan! Hindi ko ma-imagine na mabubuo 'yung pelikula na ganito kaganda," Cecar narrated this during a mini press conference last Tuesday, September 4 held at Cesar's restaurant Belissimo in Scout Rallos, Quezon City,

The movie' “Biktima” is about the relationship between a husband and wife, played by Cesar and Angel Aquino.

Angel Aquino plays Alice de la Cruz, a local KVTV news reporter who travels on assignment to the island of Kamandao who becomes a victim of an ambush. She was with another reporter named Fred (portrayed by Lloyd Samartino) and a little girl named Emma (portrayed by Isabel Garsuta) when the tragedy occurred.

Cesar Montano plays Mark de la Cruz, the husband of Alice who has to deal with the devastating effects of his wife's ordeal. As a result of this ambush, Alice will go through a psychological disorder known as post traumatic stress disorder, causing her to be confined in a mental institute.

Mercedes Cabral plays Sandra Guzman, a lounge singer who has just moved into town. She eventually becomes involved with Mark.

Cesar's wife, Sunshine Cruz, is cast in the film as Jane, the TV executive who assigns Angel to report on the incidents in Kamandao. Hollywood actor Philip Anthony is also part of the film as a hostage named Houston. He has been held captive for four years. Philip previously worked here in the Philippines when he was cast in Cesar's previous film Panaghoy sa Suba.

Completing the cast are Ricky Davao, Scarlet, JM Ibañez, Disi Alba and Cesar's brother, Rommel Montano.

Cesar said that there are plans of submitting Biktima to foreign film festivals. "We're going to submit to Sundance this month.”

“Biktima” produced by Alba Productions and distributed by Star Cinema, opens on September 19.

With Actor Cesar Montano during the "Biktima" Press Conference 

With "Biktima" Director RD Alba

NESTLÉ's Changing Innovation with Maggi Magic Meals

NESTLÉ launches another game! Changing Innovation with  MAGGI MAGIC MEALS.  I am one of the lucky people who witnessed the grand launch of the MAGGI MAGIC MEALS at the Blue Leaf Pavillion in McKinley Hills, Taguig last August 29.

It is a first-in-the-world recipe solution designed for use in a rice cooker. A steaming while rice and a hearty serving of viand (“ulam”) means a complete meal for an average Filipino.   Nothing spells home-cooked meal more than the image of generous servings of tender meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a rich sauce, the latter inevitably to be spooned over a hefty mound or two of rice. To help the country rediscover the magic of meals prepared and enjoyed at home, NESTLÉ introduces one of its game-changing innovations to date---MAGGI MAGIC MEALS. 

“With today’s busy lifestyle, many are finding it hard to sit down to a hearty, wholesome, balanced meal at home,   much less cook one themselves,” says Star Estacio, Senior Vice President and Business Executive Manager for Food at NESTLÉ. 

“MAGGI MAGIC MEALS offers a solution not only through mouth-watering recipes guaranteed to gather the whole family around the table, but more so through an  innovative and modern way of cooking that is so easy and efficient, it’s going to make Filipinos want to cook at home more often.”

Not just a recipe mix, MAGGI MAGIC MEALS not only offers a recipe flavoring, it also offers a simple and effective method of cooking using the most ubiquitous cooking appliance in Filipino homes—the rice cooker.  The MAGGI MAGIC MEALS pack has a dual chamber containing the MAGGI MAGIC RECIPE MIX and the MAGGI MAGIC COOKING BAG. It is a most unique cooking kit. The MAGGI MAGIC RECIPE MIX guarantees a complete and proper blend of flavors, there is no need to add anything else except the fresh meat and vegetables.  

The MAGGI MAGIC COOKING BAG, on the other hand, guarantees that the “ulam” can be cooked together with rice using a rice cooker.  Once in the rice cooker, the cooking bag ensures that the meat and vegetables cook in its own juice at the proper doneness, and the sauce develops into a thick and hearty consistency. There is no need to keep checking for doneness or to keep correcting the sauce for the right “timpla.”  After 45 minutes, one can say that he/she has prepared a wholesome, balanced meal complete with rice. 

With MAGGI MAGIC MEALS, anyone can gain instant know-how in cooking some of the most complex Filipino recipes.  Pinoy favorites like Bicol Express, Afritada, Lechon Paksiw and Chicken Pastel can now all be prepared in a method that is as easy and as simple as cooking rice.

Just follow these 5 simple steps to prepare the dish:

      1.  Place your chicken or pork pieces together with thinly sliced vegetables inside the MAGGI  MAGIC COOKING BAG (chicken has to be scored or sliced lightly  3 times per side to ensure thorough cooking; pork pieces need to be sliced into thin strips)

      2.    Add the MAGGI MAGIC RECIPE MIX which contains a complete blend of flavors to       create a delicious stew. No need for additional ingredients, except the fresh meat and vegetables.

       3.   Add 6 tbsps. of water into the cooking bag.

4.   Massage the bag gently to dissolve the mix, then seal the bag by tying a knot.

         5.   Place the cooking bag flatly on top of washed rice, then start cooking the rice as you normally would. After 45 mins, both rice and “ulam” are  ready to serve! I tried cooking this Chicken Afritada! 

Make the most of your resources. With an innovation such as Maggi Magic Meals, Maggi  seeks to respond to needs of the modern- day homemakers with a solution that will put their resources to optimum use. With MAGGI MAGIC MEALS, homemakers now have a new method of cooking that helps save on the cost of ingredients, gas, water and soap (less pots and pans to wash). It also frees them from the fuss and too much effort of cooking an otherwise complicated dish, and instead boosts their confidence that the end dish will be delicious. 

Most important of all, it enables homemakers to make wise use of their time. Cooking with Maggi Magic Meals means that with a few smart and ingenious moves, one can devote more time for one’s family or self while cooking.

MAGGI believes that cooking and eating at home is the foundation of many positive things for the family -  developing healthy food habits, strengthening family bond, deepening  family traditions. For this reason, we are committed to keep offering products and services that will enable homemakers to bring back the habit of cooking and make their meals and meal experiences truly magical.

The Maggi Magic Meal is consists of the following:

1. Maggi Magic Cooking Bag , which is made with a Food grade material and safe for cooking, heat resistant, but can use it only once. It is Approved by US and EU FDA.

2. Maggi Magic Recipe Mix in 4 delicious varieties: Bicol Express, Afritada, Chicken Pastel and Lechon Paksiw.

Bicol Express

Afritada

Chicken Pastel

Lechon Paksiw

The Maggi Magic Recipe Meals are available at all SM, Robinsons, Shopwise, Rustans, Waltermart and Puregold Price Club branches, and other leading stores nationwide, for only P35.00.

These days, anyone can cook ! Try these and enjoy the wonderful world of Maggi Magic Meals! MAGGI MAGIC MEALS will make cooking and eating such an easy and enjoyable experience, we will want to cook at home over and over again.

Check out more photos in Enjoying Wonderful World Facebook Fanpage.

Enjoying Wonderful World of SM City Manila- 3Day Sale!

SM City Manila is my second home ! Living near here , me and my family always visit SM Manila, to buy almost everything we need, for the house , for personal things and for my kids’ school requirements, for gift items , home decorations, appliances, gadgets and for our food, meals and everything we want to have! And of course, with the budget.

This weekend, August 31 Friday, September 1 Saturday and up to September 2 Sunday, my family enjoy the world of SM City Manila! There were so many buys and there were sale, sale, sale everywhere! 20%-50%-70% off!

We got rounds and rounds and I was really exited to have my personal things! After shopping for my daughters, we get back to, honestly, my favorite place in SM City Manila is the department store - where I always shop quickly and comfortably, my bags, shoes, accessories, and clothes. And, with amazing discounts, the amazing sale prices and using my SM Advantage Card. 

Everytime we see awesome food restaurants, specially new ones, we just felt hungry and wanting to try their yummy food! 

We indulged ourselves and eat our launch and after the tiring shopping, our snacks and had our takeouts! We have many exciting choices!

Before we get home, we had this yummy and refreshing Chatime Chocolate Milk Tea.

Thanks! It's a great 3Day Sale at SM City Manila! We'll always be seeing you SM Manila! 

Checkout for more photos on

Enjoying Wonderful World Facebook Fan Page and more updates in SM City Manila Facebook