Thursday, September 30, 2010

Enchanted Kingdom Celebrates 15 Years of Magic

When was the first time you visited Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna? I remember going there in December 1995 when my second son was only five months old. He just turned 15 last July. Through the years and two more kids later, we continue to visit EK with family and friends whenever possible.


This October, Enchanted Kingdom will be celebrating its 15th year with lots of exciting activities. Watch out for the following highlights and time your visit during these scheduled events:

EK’s EKstreme Tower Ride – Towering 150 feet into the sky (10 feet for every year of EK’s existence), this spine-tingling thrill ride will surely bring an adrenaline rush to all those who dare take the plunge. This spanking brand-new ride manufactured to the highest safety standards in the United States, is another Philippines’ first and will be ready to take on all the brave souls by the second week of EK’s October Anniversary Month.

Happy Feet: Mumble’s Wild Ride at the Rialto Motion Simulator Theater at the Brooklyn Zone

First Enchanted Kingdom Asian Sky Wizardry Competition – EK will host an international fireworks competition on the grand night of October 23, preceded by local elimination rounds on October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 (A lucky treat for park goers that will guarantee a minimum of two fireworks displays per night on each of the above dates mentioned!)

Annual Search for EK’s Little Prince & Princess 2010 – Little kids will showcase their talents and wit during the elimination rounds on October 3, 10 and 17, and in the Grand Finals on the 24th.

Princess Victoria’s Dream Shop by Careline – A beauty parlor cum retail store for pretty young lasses who sometimes dream of becoming a “princess for a day” through make-up and adorned in regal gowns and accessories.

Eldar’s Specialty Shop – Know more about everything and anything that is about Eldar the Wizard, Enchanted Kingdom’s lovable signature mascot.

Simon & Silver Magic Show – Prepare to be mesmerized and enthralled by a completely new spellbinding show from EK's resident illusionists.

EK-BiKi WaterWorld – Watch out for the reopening of the improved water park after its short hiatus during the rainy months of August and September.

Celebrity Storytellers for October  – Joross Gamboa (October 9), Marco Alcaraz (October 10), Mr. Fu (October 17), and Luis Alandy (October 31). They will read the story of the Frog Prince, as it is brought to life by EK’s Circle of Artists, to a select group of children from their chosen charities.


*Enchanted Kingdom is open Thursdays and Fridays from 12NN to 7PM and from 11AM to 9PM on Saturdays and Sundays until December 17. Fireworks display is staged at 8:30 PM. For more details you may call (632) 584-3535 or 584-4326 to 29. You may also log on to www.enchantedkingdom.ph.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Robinson's Warehouse Sale on Oct. 1 - 3

Another sale alert! Robinsons Warehouse Sale at the World Trade Center this coming weekend ...


Just click on the photo to enlarge :)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Help Shelter Haiti Through One Simple Step

While researching for something I'm writing, I chanced upon the Eureka tent website and saw this video:



By just being a Eureka fan on Facebook, (no purchase necessary!) we'll get to help give families in Haiti clean and comfortable places to live in while they rebuild their lives after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the country last January.

Please join this worthy cause. It would only take a few minutes of your time. Thank you.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Reasons to Buy MoneySense magazine's Sept-Oct issue

Hi everyone! Learn more about handling your personal finances from MoneySense magazine's September-October issue. There are so many (and I mean MANY!) tips and advice inside that I guarantee you'll find very useful.

I wrote the cover story on Sir Francis Kong and I really came out of the interview very much encouraged and inspired from the numerous things he shared. I'm sure you'll also have some "light bulb moments" when you read the article.

Also inside this issue are sound tips from Piolo Pascual on how to secure one's financial future. I enjoyed interviewing him because he was so articulate and very, very charming ;-)

Here's a rundown of articles I wrote for this issue:

"Health Insurance Designed for Women" p. 12
"Agnes Reyes: An Entrepreneur, Then and Now" pp. 38-39
Cover Story "Francis J. Kong: Inspiring Excellence" pp. 42-45
"Home for the Active Retirees" p. 52
"Travel Tipid Tips" pp. 78-79
"Piolo Pascual on Securing Your Financial Future" p. 80

I'm promoting this mag not just because I write for it, but because it is also my advocacy to help fellow Filipinos realize that we all need to let go of the mindset that we have to work so we can spend. Maybe, just maybe, if everyone makes a 360 degree turn to being more conscious about how we manage money for our and our families' future, it would also make a difference in improving the Philippines as a whole.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Because it's Saturday ...

... let's make it #sentisabado day! :)
 

Have you encountered this trend the past few weekends yet? If you haven't, please go check out my writeup about it at HerWord.com and see what the fuss is all about.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Movie Review

I was invited to the press screening of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole last Wednesday night at the IMAX theater in North Edsa. I enjoyed the movie more than I expected!

If you're looking for a good film to watch this weekend, do check out my full-length review in HerWord.com. Take your kids along. This is a good movie for the whole family!

To whet up your appetite, watch this cool music video that features the foot-tapping song To The Sky by Owl City and some very nice clips from the movie.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Cartoons Really Don't Go Out of Style!

Last Sunday, my son and I dropped by SM MOA’s Music Hall to check out SM’s Rock Toon Fest Grand Fashion Show. I was surprised when my 11-year old expressed an interest in joining the parade for walk-in participants and *gasp!* walk on the runway after. I thought it would be difficult enough to convince him to join the other kids in the parade but, to my amazement and delight, he did walk on stage later. (More about his experience as a “model” when his article about it comes out in Manila Bulletin’s Funpage section around October.)

It was a fun afternoon for more than a hundred kids. Many, like us, were instant sign-ups. Although my son was already wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt and had an extra shirt with Looney Tunes characters in his bag, he asked me to buy him a black and white Snoopy shirt from the merchandise being sold inside the activity area. In fairness, the new shirt did look cool.

After the walk-in kids’ time in the limelight, the Grand Fashion Show began. It featured the top 20 winners of SM’s nationwide Rock Toon Fest Model Search. The audience was treated to lots of new toon-inspired outfits showcasing characters such as the Disney Princesses, Tinker Bell, and Barbie for girls; while boys can get into the fashion action with tees, hoodies, and jeans from Cars, Garfield, Snoopy, and Mickey Mouse.

The Original Cartoon Apparel for kids is now available at the Children’s Wear section of the SM Department Store.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Cool Toys with Jollibee Kids Meals this September

One week left for kids to get these latest collectibles from Jollibee. My youngest son enjoyed playing with the toys for boys while my niece enjoyed tinkering with the cute items for girls.

Press Release:

Jollibee Kids Meals feature Mighty Power Rangers and the Secret Wings fairies


Awesome action mobiles and fashionable fairy accessories are up for grabs this September as Jollibee Kids Meal launches its newest toys! From September 1 to 30, get the latest collectibles from Jollibee, and let the little ones have a wonderful playtime.

Fun-loving young boys can unleash their inner explorer with the premium Power Rangers Operation Overdrive toys. They can have a blast playing their favorite action heroes like the Gyro Driver Zord and Dump Driver Zord toys, which have the same powerful weapons that the Power Rangers use to fight evil forces on Earth. They can search the world for the magical jewels of Corona Aurora with the back-flipping Gyro Driver Zord, or see the Dump Driver Zord fight by raising its powerful front wheels off the ground!



Young girls can live out their magical fantasies with the Secret Wings Fashion Fairies collectibles. Those who prefer playtime to be more stylish can enjoy the cool Lily Brush-Up Beauty and Honey Lip Gloss. Aside from providing lovely fairy inspiration, these fairy dolls can also double as a young fashionista’s accessories. The Honey Lip Gloss’s wings “open up” to unveil the gloss to add shimmer to their lips. They can also put on makeup using the applicators that come with the toys. What’s more, little girls can pull the wings apart of the Lily Brush-Up Beauty to get a dainty comb and a fashionable compact mirror at the back of the toy. With these fashion fairy friends, playtime can make little girls feel pretty all the time.






These toys come with every Jollibee Kids Meal. Kids can choose from their favorite treats like the Yumburger, Spaghetti, 1-pc Burger Steak and the 1-pc. crispylicious and juicylicious Chickenjoy meals.

Monday, September 20, 2010

A Day of Pampering for the Ladies on Saturday (Sept. 25)

Get free beauty treatments!

I was given a flyer about this event during the Franchise Expo last Friday. The lady at the Bioessence booth said anybody can pre-register to get in for free. Just call 8-BEAUTY (8-232889) for free invites.


Sunday, September 19, 2010

The Big Outlet Sale 2010 at the Mega Tent (Sept 24 - 26)

To those who love attending sale events :)


BIGGEST BRANDS at the LOWEST PRICES!

SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2010
10am - 9pm
The MegaTent,
Meralco Ave., Ortigas

Freebies, prizes and additional 5% discount on select brands, exclusive to BPI Edge cardholders!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Support YouthVotePhilippines This Saturday (Sept. 18)

To those who'll be in the Makati area early evening on Saturday ...

Press Release:

YouthVotePhilippines will mark its second anniversary with the official launching of www.MyStreetPhilippines.com on Saturday, 18 September 2010, in a free concert to be held at the Glorietta 4 Park, Ayala Commercial Center, Makati City (fronting The Intercontinental Hotel).


The concert will feature Kjwan and celebrity performers Duncan Ramos, Isabella Gonzales, Robin Nievera, Zia Quizon, Karylle, Paolo and Gabriel Valenciano and KC Concepcion, among others. The event is part of the United Nations’ Stand Up Take Action campaign activities.

Free Flights from PAL!

A friend posted this Philippine Airlines promo in Facebook. If only there are no tuition fees to worry about this second sem, I would be sorely tempted to take this offer. Three of my kids could avail of the promo! Alas, even if they could get free airline tickets, hubby and I would have to spend on our (his, mine, and son #4's) fares and the whole family's accommodations. Tsk!

*Personal mantra for the week: Learn to prioritize,  prioritize, prioritize!!! (Yep, have to remind myself we can't afford a vacation right now.)

Still, you guys with extra moolah  may want to go. Enjoy! :)


From PAL's website: A person who will be celebrating his or her birthday within the months of September, October and November 2010 and will fly a domestic sector flown by Philippine Airlines from 16 September 2010 to 30 November 2010 will be entitled to get a Free of Charge (FOC) ticket on the same domestic sector. 

For general conditions and more info, just visit PAL's promo page.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Hobbes and Landes Warehouse Sale (Sept 16-18)

Sale alert to those who are now ready to buy Christmas gifts for kids!


Pre-Christmas offer at the Hobbes and Landes’ Warehouse Sale in Libis, Quezon City.

Shop for toys, baby items, pet items, collectibles, board games, etc.

Schedules of Activities for Kids This Week

Aside from the much anticipated Manila International Book Fair 2010 that will start tomorrow, there are a bunch of other events you might want to bring your kids to based on their interests.

Here are several choices:

 Super Kids 2010 at the SMX this Friday and Saturday
More details here.

 Jolibee Kids' Dance Fever Dance this Saturday.
To know how you can reserve slots, visit Jolibee Kids' Facebook page
You can also read the Press Release on previous events here.
 

The Best of Anime 2010 at the SMX this Sunday
More details here.


Rock Toonfest Grand Fashion Show this Sunday 
At the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia
Visit the free makeover area and side activities on the event grounds

Sunday, September 12, 2010

700 Sundays

I first became aware of Billy Crystal’s existence in the movie When Harry Met Sally with Meg Ryan. That was a long time ago. I also remember laughing at the funny things he said and did during his Academy Awards hosting gigs and a segment with Miley Cyrus in an American Idol finale once. And who can forget the voice of the one-eyed, hilarious character Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc.?

I became intrigued enough to pick up his book, 700 Sundays, while browsing titles in a bookstore a few weeks ago. I’m glad I bought it. The book is about Billy’s dad who worked six days a week and could only spend quality time with his family on Sundays. Sadly, Mr. Crystal passed away suddenly when Billy was 15. The book’s title is an estimate of the number of Sundays Billy got to create memories with his father.

Although Billy shared a lot of poignant moments throughout the book, I appreciated how he injected humor in the pages which made the volume such a good and entertaining read. Here’s an example:

Sunday Number One. I’m born. “Oh there’s the little guy who almost split his mother in two.” “Billy, don’t take this personal, but your mother didn’t sit down until you were twelve years old.” I didn’t take it personal.

Sunday Number Two: my circumcision. This I took personal.

Sunday Number Three. I got a gun. I was only two weeks old, but if somebody was coming near my d*ck again, they were going down.

See what I mean?

I found out from the Acknowledgments page that 700 Sundays was actually made into a Broadway show. I wish I could have watched it. I can relate to Billy although my father died when I was already 29. My dad was also a weekender because he worked in Manila and our house is located in the province around two hours away. Yet, I also felt that I haven’t spent enough time as I wanted to with my dad especially since he died when my kids were still very small and he was such a doting grandfather.

It is very obvious from the way Billy wrote about his parents how proud he is of them and how much he loves them. The book is such a nice tribute. As a parent myself, I wish my children would remember me and my husband the same way in the future when we’re no longer with them.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Simple Surprises from Nature

Despite my ever busy schedule, I make sure I still take time to appreciate little things around me which mostly have something to do with nature. They always remind me that God spends time designing even the smallest details. It's just up to us to notice them or not.

To help me remember such encounters, I try to take a photo of whatever elicited that child-like wonder that I still feel every now and then. The other night, while I was preparing ingredients for Chicken Tinola, I was delighted to find "stars" inside a papaya fruit. My youngest son was disappointed that I had to cut it up for our dinner :p


A couple of months ago, I also saw these beetles in the backyard on my way to hang clothes out to dry. I immediately went back inside the house to get the camera. And no, this photo is not meant to be sexually suggestive LOL


* Note: In case you'd like to "borrow" any photos in this blog that I personally took, it would be much appreciated if you ask for my permission first (leave a comment under the post) and also link back or mention where you got them if you're reposting them online somewhere else. Not all my photos have watermarks lately as the computer where Photoshop is installed is out of commission. Thank you for understanding :)


Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Become a Bedtime Believer Too!

In the past few months, I've written several blog posts on the importance of sleep for babies:

Baby Sleep is Not Just Rest

Bedtime Activities for Baby

Happy to be a Bedtime Believer

Based on experiences with my kids when they were still small, I do believe that they benefited a lot from having enough sleep at night. This is why I'd also like other moms, new ones especially, to learn more about giving their babies the gift of faster growth through better sleep.

Thanks to Johnsons Baby and Nuffnang, moms who will answer the survey (just click the photo below) may win special gifts especially made for your babies! After receiving the email notification, you can claim your token at the Nuffnang office in Bonifacio Global City starting Sept. 27.



* Please take note that all those who answer the survey can only answer once. Even if you answer multiple times, it will still count as one entry.

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Coupons for the 31st Manila International Book Fair!

One of the trade expos/exhibits/fairs I, and my kids, always look forward to every year is the Manila International Book Fair. Since all members of my family are readers, we really love finding good books at lower prices that we normally wouldn't prioritize buying if they are sold at standard retail prices.


My youngest son will definitely ask me to add more Hiyas books to his collection of Mga Kwento ni Tito Dok and Oh Mateo! series. On the other hand, my eldest would probably be buying books on drawing Manga again while I plan to buy several of Ms. Grace Chong's inspiring books.

If you'd also like to get in for free and avail of discounts from the OMFLit booth at Aisle G, download printable coupons found at the OMFLit website. Or, like it in Facebook to get the YouSendIt download link at its wall.

Sunday, September 05, 2010

"Pagbabago" (Changes)

Every time I encounter discussions about life changes, I always think that becoming a mom remains the biggest change that has happened to mine.

I owe a lot to my kids who I am today.  Because of them, I have more reasons to strive harder and become the best wife and mother I could be. Because of them, I learned to speak up against injustices. Because of them, I also keep desiring better things for my country and the world.

When I read about Goldilocks' contest at the Nuffnang website, a lot of memories suddenly rushed in. I remembered the very first Goldilocks cake my husband and I bought together for our firstborn's first birthday. That was a long time ago. Early this year, that same baby boy attended his senior prom and is now a freshman in college.


Three more kids later and we're still buying Goldilocks cakes for our children's birthday celebrations. Here are two more photos, this time of our youngest son celebrating his first birthday with a Goldilocks cake plus a "grown up" picture in one of the media events he attended with me.


For the past seventeen years of marriage, and counting, I just realized how much Goldilocks has been a part of my, my husband's, and our children's lives. We've been buying Goldilocks cakes for birthdays and other celebrations, bringing Goldilocks goodies (brownies, polvoron, ensaymada, cathedral window, etc.) during family outings, and dining in at Goldilocks stores (fresh lumpia, puto and dinuguan, etc.) when we go malling.

In several of Dingdong's TV commercials, he keeps saying, "You're the one Goldilocks!"

Not surprisingly, when it comes to our family, I could honestly say that also holds true :)

Friday, September 03, 2010

Travel Expo at Megamall Until Tomorrow

Was at Megamall yesterday and happened to drop by the 21st Philippine Travel Mart Expo at the 5th floor. Lots of nice travel packages. Didn't buy anything though. Not a priority right now.

But hey, you guys who sorely need a vacation might want to check this out. There are lots of brochures on various beautiful Philippine destinations as well as good deals on airfares, tours, and accommodations :) 



Going the Distance Movie Review

Last Tuesday, my husband and I went to the press screening of the Drew Barrymore/Justin Long romantic comedy movie Going the Distance at the Power Plant Cinema. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the film!

Please read my full length review of it at the HerWord.com website. Going the Distance opens today in Philippine theaters. Catch it with your special someone or with friends this weekend. Just DON'T bring the kids as there are scenes not fit for very young people.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Sale Alert: Mega Brands @ The Mega Tent (Sept 2 - 5)

MCT Events in cooperation with BDO, in partnership with HerWord.com presents Mega Brands @ The Mega Tent on September 2 - 5, 2010 from 10am to 8pm at The Mega Tent, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig.

Enjoy big discounts from your favorite brands up to 70% off.

Free admission to all BDO Credit Cardholders

September 2 is exclusive only to all BDO Credit Cardholders.
September 3 - 5 is open to the public.

For inquiries, please call 6435490, 5766362, 7011759 and 3309004 or email mct_events@yahoo.com, mctevents@gmail.com.