‘Aawitan Kita’ star Armida Siguion-Reyna launches biography : “Armida: Unfinished Memoir –The Singer And The Song”

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Best known for her multi-awarded musical TV show “Aawitan Kita, veteran actress-singer Armida Siguion - Reyna launched her highly anticipated biography last Tuesday (February 24) at Whitespace, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.

Each page of "Armida" is filled with rich details of her vibrant life told by Armida heself side by side with an account penned by Nelson Navarro titled "The Singer and the Song."

The strong woman spent most of her life sharing the joys of music to her fans, Armida, is a Filipino celebrity, singer, film and stage actress, producer, television show host, and former chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board during the Estrada administration. 

Her long-running musical TV show “Aawitan Kita,” has bagged numerous awards. With her lawyer-husband, she formed Reynafilms.

The unveiling of Siguion-Reyna’s biography, the book “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” serves as a celebration in honor of her legacy as a pillar in both show biz and public service. 

Looking back at a wonderful life, a homage to this inimitable woman, “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” is written by journalist Nelson Navarro and edited by her daughter Monique Villonco. 

“It gives readers an inside view of her private thoughts about her public and professional relationships with behind-the-scenes revelations; her one true love, her fears, her strengths. It’s her backstory,” she said. The book includes anecdotes on Armida’s childhood, her first relationship, her marriage and her family.

“It’s like a back story of her life. While I was editing the book, I saw her strengths, weaknesses and how passionate she is with her work,” Monique shared.

“My mom has always been surrounded by controversies, left and right, but she was fearless, she will always fight and stand for what she believes in. She would also always defend us and her friends no matter how unpopular they were,” Monique said.

Monique said, the book “breaks the rules of how traditional biographies are presented, just as my mom has been doing throughout her life.”

Armida’s biggest strength is her love for her children and her late husband Atty. Leonardo T. Siguion-Reyna. Monique noted how mom was driven by being “independent-minded.” “In the family, she has been the disciplinarian (but she) will always support us in all kinds of journey we want to achieve. Daddy was mom’s true champion. He would always say ‘yes’ to her requests,” Monique added.

The book launch was a reunion of the most respected names in entertainment and also in politics. Apart from family and friends, present at the event were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Manila Mayor Joesph Estrada, Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero with wife Heart, Irene Marcos- Araneta,Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Lily Monteverde, Marichu Maceda, Tony Boy Cojuangco and Gretchen Barretto.

Also spotted during the launch were celebrities Susan Roces, Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Tirzo Cruz III, Ricky Davao, Bimbo Cerrudo, Pen Medina, Amy Austria, Lucy Torres and Gina Alajar.

The book will allow the public a glimpse of the real Armida. Looking back at a wonderful life, the book “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” is published by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.

It is available at ABS-CBN Store and in National Bookstore branches.

More photos at Arts Travel Magazine facebook page.

Techbox Salutes Graduates With Up To 60% Discount As Graduation Blowout

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Graduation time is near. Student finishing up their studies, courses, and want their graduation to be a special. This marks a momentous occasion in the lives of graduates.

In celebration of graduation season, Techbox Philippines will be offering a 60% discount on LG G2 and a 50% discount on Nokia Lumia 620 handsets on all Techbox branches from March 1 to 30.

“These days, graduating is a real challenge. The workload is incredible, and the pressure to do well not only on academics but also on extra-curricular activities cannot be underestimated. Those who successfully hurdle all the challenges truly deserve recognition,” said Angela Gutierrez, Business Unit Head for Techbox Philippines.

 “This is our way of celebrating with them,” she added.

Customers interested in the promo can go to the following Techbox stores: Alphaland Southgate Mall, Riverbanks, Tanay Town Center, Victory Mall Caloocan, Pavilion Mall in Binan, Tutuban Mall, Robinsons Dasmarinas, Xentro Neo Calapan, Mindoro, Robinsons Forum, and Metro Pacific in Lucena. 

For offering trusted handset brands and cellphone accessories at an affordable price, Techbox Philippines has become the fastest growing gadget retail chain in the country.

To get the latest Techbox deals, visit www.techboxhub.com. 

Business venture turned philanthropic crusade to help, educate the poor

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Helping people, the less fortunate, is natural for Filipinos, particularly those who have achieved their success from humble beginnings. 

Nilo S. Gret, a former Bank Executive and native of Tiaong, Quezon province, is one of those Filipinos. He pioneered the first technical school in Tiaong, Quezon, where it is helping local students pursue paying careers with TESDA backed certified training.

Nilo and Zenny Gret during AITE's 8th Commencement Rites

It started in 2008, when Nilo was approached during a social gathering by a closed business colleague from Tiaong, Quezon, who openly suggested to him the opportunity to be part of running this technical training school based in their hometown province. Nilo was hesitant at first, but with his educational background and working experience, he agreed to be a business partner of that school.

Nilo invested in what is now The Asian Institute of Technology and Education (AITE). "I decided to be part of that school (AITE) in the hope that it would be a vehicle for myself to help other young people get a better education locally, where most people would normally travel to Metro Manila to pursue a college degree," recalled Nilo Gret.

But there was more to AITE that met Gret's business expectations. "AITE, the time I started investing on the school, was on the brink of closure, and it was only a matter of time before it ceases operation. I had to do something about it," said Gret.

The initial investment Gret put up to AITE, because the school needed to fill in the resources for its regular operational expenses, was short-lived. "It (investment) paid for the salaries of the employees, rental of the building, maintenance of the school's facilities, etc. Everything went on to those immediate expenses the school needed to pay off."

AITE School Building

Gret, with the school's depleting resources, had considered backing out of the business partnership. "My business partner, with the state of the school, backed out first, saying that he could no longer keep up with the school's expenses." AITE's fate was left hanging with Gret, who, at that time, knew little how to manage a technical school more so that it was in the brink of bankruptcy.

"We only had a few months to graduation, and with very limited funding to lean on, Gret decided to manage the AITE himself, slowly addressing the school's mismanaged operation. With over 100 students expecting to graduate with training certification, Gret worked to downsize the school's operation, keeping it to manageable levels.

"With my management, we were multi-tasking, keeping the school functioning for the remainder of the school year. It was a fresh start for AITE," said Gret.

Gret saw the bigger potential of AITE, not just as a technical school that offers vocation training, but a long term opportunity to help his townmates get proper education. Students could now get TESDA training or CHED’s 4-year education at a very low spending and without needing to sell a property so a family member can travel to Manila to get college education," said Gret.

Gret, with the help of his wife Zenaida, who is also now the Vice President for Finance and Administration of AITE, began focusing their time in the school's day-to-day management. "It was a difficult period for AITE, but sooner or later we were able to find benefactors willing to sponsor our students." AITE, with Gret's leadership and the school's trained technical trainers, began offering new courses and skills development training program.

By 2009, from the initial 100 students, along with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) formal recognition of AITE in that same year, the school started offering new courses and skills development programs. It now included four year courses namely: Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (BSED) (with majors in Mathematics and English) together with Bachelor of Science course in Information Technology (BSIT), Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology (BSAct), Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BSEntrep) and Bachelor of Science in Office Management (BSOA).

As a recognized TESDA partner, AITE added more technical courses in bookkeeping, driving, massage therapy, tile setting, mobile training in tile setting and driving, and two (2) year ladderized program leading to BSIT.

With Gret's objective of providing opportunities to more low-income group families desiring to have their children courses that would lead to immediate employment after graduation, AITE, which is now affiliated with various employment agencies, said the initiative is his way of sharing the success he has experienced from training and hard work.

In 2010, AITE moved to its own building with improved training facilities and equipment. The 3-storey building, located along Maharlika Highway in Tiaong was constructed to house the school growing number of enrollees from the province.

"AITE is developing, offering certified and four year college courses. We want this development to continue helping more Filipinos from Quezon get the right education so they can be employed, help contribute to the family's meager income locally," said Gret.

For 2015, with new expansion plans set in motion, AITE is set to open another 4-storey building to accommodate the increasing demand for education and in preparation for the introduction of the government's K to 12 program through the Department of Education (DEPED).

What’s cooking: TV5 resident chef’s recipe for a healthier lifestyle

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Having dealt with food for most of his life, chef turned host Jeremy Favia never imagined seeing himself hosting his own show on television.

Cooking show host, Chef Jeremy Favia says he feels lighter since he started using C-Lium Fibre

Growing up, Chef Jeremy always knew that he was born for the kitchen; not necessarily as a chef, but someone whose work involves food—be it a restaurant manager or an owner.

Unknown to many, however, the 29-year-old chef had different dreams. At one time he wanted to be a doctor; as a little boy, he wrote on his yearbook: “I want to be a priest!”

Years after, he now finds himself in front of the camera doing some hosting jobs for different cooking shows as TV5’s resident chef. Armed with his killer smile and natural charm, Chef Jeremy has gained popularity not only because of his culinary skills, but also because of his looks and the positive aura that he exudes.

TV5 resident chef Jeremy Favia says C-Lium Fibre helps him meet the daily recommended fiber-intake.

While hosting a cooking show is something he truly enjoys, Chef Jeremy says he’s now more focused on his job at The Center for Wellness and Aesthetics of The Medical City in Ortigas, Pasig. It’s an immensely fulfilling job that allows him to help empower people who are suffering from various ailments to improve their health.

As the Wellness Center’s in-house chef, Chef Jeremy prepares special meals that are planned around an individual’s health problem, like hypertension or diabetes. The goal is for a client to cut down on his maintenance medicines as he benefits from the nutritional contents of the food Chef Jeremy cooks. Absolutely hands-on with his job, the chef even delivers the food right to their clients’ doorsteps.

“Isasabay mo ‘yung specially prepared food sa medicine mo hanggang sa mabawasan ‘yung tini-take mong gamot,” Chef Jeremy explains. “I have a client na diabetic, who subscribed to a meal plan for thirty days. After he completed his subscription, nagbawas na siya ng gamot.”

The venture inspires Chef Jeremy to be creative in doing the special meal plans, knowing that he plays a crucial role in setting his clients on the path to recovery.

Believing that the secret to a healthier lifestyle is smarter food choices, Chef Jeremy advises people to include fiber like C-Lium in their daily diet.

“Fiber naman talaga is very good for your digestive system and over-all health. May times na magluluto ka ng hindi ‘ganun ka-healthy so you’ll need fiber to help flush many of those unhealthy foods,” he says.

Believing that the secret to a healthier lifestyle is smarter food choices, Chef Jeremy Favia advises people to include fiber like C-Lium in their daily diet.

Chef Jeremy also relates that he used to eat a lot whenever he was stressed out. In such times he takes fiber supplements, specifically C-Lium Fibre, to help make him feel lighter.

“’Yung C-Lium hinahalo ko siya sa juice. I always feel lighter whenever I use C-Lium and there are times na kumakain ako ng ‘di ganun ka-healthy so C-Lium helps me to have enough fiber in the body,” he says.

C-Lium Fibre is made from natural psyllium plant, which is a good source of soluble and insoluble fibers. According to the National Fiber Council, the soluble fiber in psyllium absorbs water, turns into a gel, and attaches to food, sugars, cholesterol, and fats in the stomach and helps to expel these from one’s digestive system. A high-fiber diet also lowers the risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, certain forms of cancer, diabetes, and stroke. 

Chef Jeremy likewise says that with proper diet and active lifestyle, almost anyone can achieve optimum health.

Wellness Center’s in-house chef and cooking show host Chef Jeremy Favia says that any diet should be paired with regular exercise for best results.

This conviction is what drives Chef Jeremy to handle a new cooking show and other ventures outside television. Being in his best shape ever, he looks forward to even more opportunities coming his way.

C-Lium Fibre comes in two formats--husk powder and capsule form-- and is available in leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

Jollibee Kids Club welcomes the Voice Kids Top 4

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The Voice Kids Top 4 Darren Espanto, Darlene Vibares, winner Lyca Gairanod and Juan Karlos Labajo have signed up as the newest members and Jollibee ambassadors of the coolest club for kids—Jollibee Kids Club (JKC).

The young talents were formally introduced as JKC members during their second major concert held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Photo shows The Voice Kids with (from left) RBU Head Executive Secretary Aine Aira Tomada, Regional Business Unit Head-Visayas Shing Llanos, Management Associate Beatriz Cruz, Visayas Trade Marketing Manager Nelson Judaya, Store Development Officer Marcos Arnie Presas, Trade Marketing Officers Leah Sausa and Orven Zaragoza, and HR Manager-Visayas Katherine Quesada.

Darren, Darlene, Lyca and JK had a meet-and-greet session with 20 lucky JKC members, signing autographs and taking photos with their fellow kids.

In a special segment during the concert, the four also sang the JKC theme song “Dito, Masaya,” dancing with everyone’s favorite friend, Jollibee.