How busy are you? Would you agree that with our many responsibilities, we tend to forget giving ourselves some much-needed TLC? Unfortunately, by wanting to accomplish as much as possible, we end up spreading ourselves too thin, which takes a toll on our overall wellbeing.

It’s time to revitalize our youthful vigor and bring back the vitality we need to live life to the fullest! To help us get back on track, Watsons launches the Time to Renew campaign so we could more easily restore our beauty and recharge our health.

Ruffa Gutierrez and Iza Calzado

This campaign focuses on three things that people often set aside when running on tight schedules:

• Restore beauty for proper skin care

• Revitalize hair to bring life back to dull tresses

• Recharge health for a more energized and healthier body

In case you still don’t know, busy schedules leading to poor sleeping habits not only affect the mood but also result in dull skin, making it prone to blemishes, dryness, acne, or oiliness. Combat these with helpful products you can find at Watsons: Pond’s, Olay, L’Oreal, Belo, Celeteque, Neutrogena, Snow, St. Ive’s, Suave, Bellic, Glutamax, Shulammite soap, Cosmo Skin, and Nivea Men crème.

More than the skin, however, we also have to protect our hair. Simply shampooing and conditioning are not enough to prevent greasiness/dryness, hair fall, or graying. Hair needs intensive protection from the sun and heat styling products. So, make it a point to revitalize your hair with products like Tresseme, L’Oreal, Dove, and Moringa.

As to recharging health to achieve a 100% you, make sure to mind your eating and exercise habits because skipping them lead to lack of energy and nutrition. Supplement a healthier life and get in tip-top shape with Watson’s healthy solutions such as Cosmo Cee, Poten-Cee, Met Tathione, IVI Collagen, Myra E, Stresstabs, Belo Glutathione, Snow Caps, and Kilo-off.

During the recent campaign launch in Podium, celebrities Iza Calzado, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Alice Dixson shared their beauty secrets using helpful products available at Watsons. Like them, you can restore your beauty and recharge your health while also enjoying big discounts and great deals at Watsons stores and the SM Store Beauty Section. 

In addition, get a chance to win revitalizing packages when you use your SM Advantage Card, BDO Rewards, or PriMo Card when shopping. Every P500 single-receipt purchase of any participating product entitles shoppers to one raffle entry.

There will be 35 winners of Spa Pampering Packages at The Spa; 10 winners of Full-Year Gym memberships at Fitness First, and 10 winners of Overnight Weekend Wellness Packages at The Farm at San Benito resort.

If you’re not yet an SMAC member, make sure to join now because the “Members Get More” program (read my other blog post about it, here) makes shopping more rewarding than ever before. 

Definitely, it’s Time to Renew at Watsons as well as time to get MORE POINTS, MORE SAVINGS, and MORE VALUE! Visit the store nearest you, now!

Many of us are audio-visual learners who absorb lessons better when we personally get to see and hear stories we can easily relate to. This June, join Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) as it marks the 4th Financial Independence Month by finding out how to break free from the cycle of financial shortage and security.

In 2012, I wrote an article for Rappler about how Sun Life uses the power of film to educate Filipinos on financial literacy. I enjoyed watching those clips, especially the one featuring Angel Aquino, because they depicted realities many Filipinos have gone, or are going through, and were able to creatively promote insurance and investment products without being pushy.

This month, Sun Life launched a new collection of Sun Shorts to once more inspire Filipinos to pursue financial freedom. Here are three reasons why all three short films are worth watching:

1) You will see yourself in one of the characters. Whether you are young or old, single, a parent, or a retiree, you'll find something in those films that would make you go, "Yes, that could be me!"

2) You will feel that push to explore why you need to invest and be insured. Each film will lead you to think about improving whatever financial situation you are in at the moment.

3) You could better visualize how to realize your dreams. We all have aspirations but, many times, we have vague ideas how to reach them. By having plans and knowing what steps to take, you'll get closer towards making your goals a reality.

According to Chief Marketing Officer Mylene Lopa, "Sun Life shines a spotlight on relationships to inspire every Filipino to keep chasing their dreams. Through Sun Shorts, we hope to show Filipinos how life insurance can help them ease their life's burdens and celebrate their lives' triumphs giving them the opportunity to show the people they love their commitment to a brighter future for them."

All three films were inspired by stories of Sun Life clients:

• Waves by Zig Marasigan gives a peek into the lives of millennials who are often criticized for adhering to the YOLO (you only live once) mindset and not preparing well enough for their future

• She Said, She Said by Nic Reyes highlights a mom's journey on juggling work and single parenting while trying to raise her daughter to the best of her abilities  

• Sayaw by Mihk Vergara delves into the reality of coping with a long-time marriage that has gone cold and seemingly way past redemption

Access the films at www.sunshorts2.com or through Sun Life's Facebook page. Each mini movie comes with a complementary video where Sun Life brand ambassadors Matteo Gudicelli, Judy Ann Santos, and Piolo Pascual share their thoughts and have discussions with friends to shed light on how insurance and investments enable us to protect the relationships that matter to us.

"The people we love make us a better version of ourselves. So it is important to nurture these relationships because they define us as a people," reminded Ms. Charo Santos-Concio during the Sun Shorts media launch. "We should be able to express our love by securing a bright future for our loved ones and Sun Life will help us make that happen."

Learn more about life insurance and mutual funds by also joining Sun Life's series of activities throughout the month to boost your financial journey. For more details, visit @sunlifeph on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Meanwhile, if you prefer to learn at your most convenient time, there are also basic financial planning courses online at the Brighter Life Institute. Just log in at www.brighterlife.com.ph.

Lastly, Sun Life is launching PA Armor, an affordable personal accident protection that can be easily bought through Sun Life's partnership with Voyager Innovations, Inc.'s online marketplace Takatack.com.

Ms. Mylene sums their advocacy by assuring Filipinos, "Life insurance is a gift of commitment, life, and hope. For as long as [you] have dreams to pursue and relationships to care for, Sun Life will be here as [your] partner in this journey." 

Anybody who's into music would definitely know who Justin Bieber is. We've seen him grow from a very young talented teen into the famous celebrity he is today. With millions of adoring fans always on the lookout for new songs, concerts, and Bieber merchandise, it's a given that anything related to Justin would catch a lot of peoples' attention.

This June, global Filipino fashion brand, Oxygen, launches a collection of licensed merchandise in partnership with Bravado and MCAA Universal featuring cool graphic tees, pullovers, bomber jackets, caps, and hoodies that take heavy inspiration from the pop star himself and his hit album, Purpose. 

"As a brand that is inspired by both streetwear and music, we believe that Justin Bieber would be the perfect partner for this collaboration as he is globally known for his music and his fondness for streetwear," shares Oxygen Brand Director Jeff Bascon. "And he constantly reinvents himself, just like how Oxygen continues to evolve in fashion to keep up with the youth's edgy but relaxed style."

So, have you gotten curious how pieces in the Oxygen x Bieber Collection look like? Here are a few you should definitely check out:

Bomber jackets are the MVPs when it comes to timeless street-style hacks and the Oxygen x Bieber nylon jacket in jet black brings back the classic cool aesthetic while sporting a set list of JB's Purpose hits. Wear this with sweatpants and a comfy pair of sneakers for some legit swagger vibes.

Tees, which are casual staples for both certified Beliebers and those who just love hanging out with the squad, best paired with a cap, ripped denim, or skinny jeans from the collection can surely help you rock the effortlessly cool look.

The collectible hoodie, featuring songs from JB's album, will let you hit the streets with the relaxed style of a true-blue New Yorker while the pullover can be paired with light chinos for a chill look that has a touch of edginess to it.

Whatever pieces you choose, you'll definitely find a street style look that will fit you. After all, Oxygen always comes up with something for everyone! For updates on the Oxygen x Bieber collection, visit oxygenfashion.com, Like Oxygen Clothing on Facebook, or Follow @oxygenclothing on Instagram and Twitter.

Having healthy skin is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. It takes away the worries, stress, and expenses of treating a lot of skin conditions that are easily prevented with proper care. This 2017, Galderma proudly celebrates Cetaphil's 70th year of helping people have healthy skin through its dermatologically formulated skincare range that is clinically proven to strengthen and protect even the most sensitive skin. 

celebratory toast (from left) event host Suzi Abrera, Jade Ponoc, Raghavendra Sadashiva, and Cathy Dilanco

"We are very glad to be one of the biggest names in skin care in the Philippines," said Galderma General Manager Raghavendra Sadashiva during the 70th year celebrations held at Makati Shangri-La. "We are proud to carry the same formula created by a pioneering Texas pharmacist in 1947. Right now, one bottle of Cetaphil is sold every minute across the globe!"

Presently, Cetaphil is available in more than 70 countries worldwide and offers a wide range of everyday products from cleansers, moisturizers, sun protection to baby products and solutions for sensitive skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea. Since it is specifically formulated to provide effective skincare for a variety of skin types and conditions, Cetaphil is highly recommended by dermatologists and other healthcare professionals across the world. 

"Maintaining healthy skin completes the healthy lifestyle goals," affirmed Jade Silva-Netto Ponoc, Consumer Business Unit Head, who promised that Galderma is committed to conducting more innovative and groundbreaking research.

Catherine Palma-Dilanco, Cetaphil Senior Brand Manager, described, "Cetaphil has consistently delivered its promise for 70 years. Its cleansers have pH5.5, making them gentler than water, which has pH6-6.5. Cetaphil also has the most powerful moisturizer that provides skin with 24 hours moisturization." Cetaphil Baby, in addition, also provides a tear-free bath time for babies and their mommies.

Cetaphil endorsers, the beautiful family of Edric and Joy Mendoza, acknowledged how they love Cetaphil's products because there are variants for each of their skin needs. "We represent the average family because we're not celebrities, so we're relatable," reasoned Joy. 

If you're wondering about the brand name's origin, 'Cet' comes from cetyl, the fatty alcohol that is used as an emollient, while 'phil' means love. Thus, Cetaphil basically means the love of softening and soothing skin. 

"With its gentle and clinically proven formulas, Cetaphil reinforces and protects the structure of the skin - even in people with the most sensitive and delicate skin," explained Dr. Eszter Baltas, a dermatologist who contributed to developing Cetaphil products and now Associate Professor at the Department of Dermatoloy and Allergology in Szeged, Hungary. "Thanks to its long heritage, based on in-depth understanding of dermatology, Cetaphil offers reliable, scientifically-tested solutions."

Neil Popplewell, Nestle Skin Health's VP for Consumer Business, pointed out that Cetaphil has been used by people with sensitive skin for more than three generations. "Over the last 70 years, we have worked closely with medical experts to better understand people's skin needs. This has allowed us to provide different solutions adapted to these needs, and to make the Cetaphil range what it is today."

He further illustrated that like regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, maintaining healthy skin is essential for one's overall wellbeing thus Cetaphil completes one's health routine. "We will continue to develop the brand and make it more accessible to consumers worldwide. We look forward to the next 70 years."

As Dr. Baltas concluded, "When you choose Cetaphil, you're choosing the best for your skin."   

It's very common nowadays to see a rainbow of hair colors among a crowd of people. And why not? For many individuals, coloring their hair is one way to stand out or express their uniqueness. Some, on the other hand, go for beautiful hairstyles that make people look their way twice.

The good news is, whatever your hair goals are, Watsons Philippines has got your covered! Gone are the days when you have to go to a salon just to have your hair colored. Now, there are DIY kits that makes it possible to color one's hair at home. Last Christmas, I gave my mom a couple of boxes and she's happy to save a lot on hairdresser fees. The bottom line is to make sure you get the right products for coloring your hair and for maintaining its health afterwards.

However, hair color is not the only way to achieve hair goals. There are now a lot of trendy hair fixing styles that both men and women can experiment with. From a high pony and a deep side part to a short messy shag, undone waves, and messy braids, anybody would definitely find something that would help enhance their features.

Yesterday, Watsons held an event at the SM Mall of Asia Activity Center to encourage shoppers to go out of their hair comfort zones by discovering different hair colors and hair style trends. #Hairgoals aim to introduce a whole new world of color and style options / alternatives through the vast spread of hair products available in-store.

During the event, guests were given a chance to try out new hairstyles and colors at various booths to help each individual uncover a more gorgeous version of themselves by simply doing a few tweaks to how their hair looks. Hair color was provided by L'oreal, Revlon, Kolours, Bigen, Beautylabo, Lolane, Liese, and Revia; styling tools and products were covered by JML, W. Elite, Babybliss, VS Sassoon, Tresemme, Aquanet, Finesse, and Suave; and hair products were taken cared of by Dove, Pantene, and Creamsilk.

If you don't live in Metro Manila, worry not because a Watsons Color Your Hair Day Sale will be happening nationwide! The one-day sale on all hair color products would give shoppers 50% off on many brands. Mark this in your calendar and make sure to visit any Watsons store or the SM Beauty Section on May 27, 2017!

Plus, if you're an SM Advantage Card member, you can go from trendsetter to jetsetter because every P500 single-receipt purchase of participating products entitles an SMAC member to one e-raffle entry that can win you a trip to Bali, Guam, or Sydney as well as snag a free iPhone 7 or an iPad Pro!

In case you're wondering, I honestly haven't attempted to have my locks altered yet as I feel I won't have the luxury of time to properly maintain a healthy colored mane. But, I do plan to start coloring mine when my silver strands start to show more prominently. Until then, I'm content to admire my more daring friends' hairstyle adventures ;-) 

Summer is the season of endless adventures and possibilities. Make sure it isn't spoiled by getting painful sunburns that can take the fun away! Don't worry, too, about getting your skin too dark. As Watsons Philippines says, don't hold back and make the summer yours!

Watsons' "Make Your Summer" campaign encourages everyone to stop hiding from the sun and instead focus on creating the perfect summer according to your rules. Did you know? There are now a lot of products that you can use for all the fun activities you've got planned so, as long as you know how to take care of your skin, feel free to do whatever you want without any worries!

With Watsons, you can get protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays because it's so easy to find sun-proof items that would help defend your skin from burning and sun damage. Check out amazing sunscreens from Nivea, Vaseline, Banana Boat, Beach Hut, Solstice, Biore, Sunplay, Belo, Neutrogena, Cetaphil, Celeteque, Kojie San, Hawaiian Tropic, Dermplus, Ponds, and Olay!

Also available at Watsons are slimming products for those who want to plan to wear bikinis as well as vivid hair colors for anyone who likes to make summer even more colorful. Choose from fabulous browns and fantastic blondes to fiery reds, and more!

To top these off, summer is made more exciting with a super exclusive treat for all SM Advantage Card (SMAC) members who will get a chance to explore the wonders of the Philippines with getaways for four to Batanes, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, and Palawan. Just buy participating products to get an e-raffle entry for every P500 single-receipt purchase. Promo period is until April 26, 2017.

If you're not yet an SMAC member, now is a great time to join because the new "Members Get More" program makes shopping more rewarding than ever before. So go and earn more points, more savings, and more value by using your SMAC card at Watsons and other SM partner stores!

  

Penshoppe, the international casual wear brand, welcomed the New Year with an all-new flagship store at UP Town Center, bringing the popular store nearer to fashion aficionados in that part of Quezon City. 

Christened Penshoppe Capital, the 800-square meter fashion haven promises a pleasurable shopping experience with its edgy yet minimalist layout that features white walls, floors, and ceiling. Plus, in place of display windows, the store sports giant LED screens that play the brand's latest campaigns.

Jeff Bascon, Penshoppe's Brand Director, explained that one of their biggest considerations when designed Penshoppe Capital is to make it a destination. "We thought about playing with space. The store is laid out in such a way that shoppers can easily move from one section to the next and allows everyone to have a clear view of the brand's offerings at a macro perspective."

Home to the biggest selection of fashion pieces, Penshoppe Capital is where fashionistas can find everything that the brand offers at a specific time from fresh drops to classic favorites like essential shirts and DenimLab pants. Personally, I am always drawn towards the jeans area because I love how the Power Stretch Jeans fit me very well!

Penshoppe Capital was launched last February 10, 2017 along with the brand's 2017 Spring-Summer collection, mostly composed of functional yet trendy pieces that would be perfect for making the most out of summer. 

The new collection is said to be inspired by the free spirit of music and arts festivals and features various summer staples given a fashionable updated via mixes of muted and neutral tones with subtle intricate details and dynamic tropical prints.

Penshoppe's Spring Summer 2017 collection was created to remind everyone of the true spirit of summer. Get the look of being young and carefree while wearing functional, flattering, and undeniably trendy outfits. "These are the kind of clothes that allow you to go more places and do more of the things you love without having to worry about how you will look like," concluded Bascon.

Watch the video to see summer looks modeled by Penshoppe's star-studded line-up of global ambassadors.

    

I used to dislike doing strenuous physical activities when I was younger. I thought ocassionally walking the whole length and breadth of a mall while window shopping or moving around the house doing chores every day were enough to keep me fit. 

I was wrong and I honestly regret not starting my fitness journey earlier. I started running about three years ago and found how much it has improved my endurance as well as my body. I am now seldom sluggish and am no longer afraid of very long walks or climbing long flights of stairs. More importantly, it comforts me to know that I am taking concrete steps to be here longer for my family.

Having experienced the benefits of regularly working out, I really want to encourage people I care about to also be more mindful of their health as well as their diets. It's hard to backtrack when you're already diagnosed with lifestyle diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure but you can still do something to improve your fitness level. You just have to start NOW!

Personally, I feel sad about the findings of this year's Sun Life Financial Asia Health Index because the Philippines, along with Thailand and Malaysia, topped the list of countries in the region where people don't exercise regularly. It's ironic that Filipino respondents were found to be the most optimistic about their state of health and yet 61% do not make a lot of effort to engage in physical activities! In addition, 30% feel less healthy than they did three years ago. 

Launched in 2014, the Sun Life Financial Asia Health Index is a periodic study of health trends in Asia. The research is based on the findings of an Ipsos survey conducted in August 2016 involving around 4,000 Asians from 25 to 60 years of age and with middle class incomes. Respondents from Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam were interviewed online about their attitudes towards healthy and active living, their health concerns for the future, and expectations on access to healthcare.

According to Ms. Mylene Lopa, Sun Life Chief Marketing Officer who delivered the report, survey respondents identified several barriers from living a healthier life: 57% of Filipinos blamed it on their lack of time due to work, 47% admitted to "lack of personal motivation," and 47% said it's due to "distractions of modern life" which, I presume, include too much time on social media. Other key factors named were cost (45%) and lack of accessible venues to engage in sports and recreation (36%).

Let me tell you right now that IT IS POSSIBLE to exercise at home if you can't afford gym membership fees or don't have a place nearby where you can go running! Buy a jump rope or yoga mat (they are not as expensive as you think, promise!), watch YouTube videos you can follow, and you'll soon be on your way to developing a simple fitness regimen for starters. 

Please don't remain part of the population dubbed as "Generation O" or people who are overweight, overworked, or overwhelmed. Last year's Health Index identified six health segments in the Philippines. Find out where you belong by reading my other blog post, here, and see where you need to make adjustments.

Sun Life President and CEO Ms. Riza Mantaring reminds, "With all the things that demand our time and attention, it's usually our health that suffers because it's relegated to the least of our priorities. However, this should not be the case. This is why we at Sun Life have been boosting our suite of wellness products and mounting events that would help Filipinos to pursue their health goals." 

FYI, despite her very busy schedule, Ms. Riza finds time to do practice runs every day and has finished marathons in various countries! "You just have to schedule exercise like any other activity," she advises. 

Speaking of wellness products, Sun Life recently launched SUN Fit and Well, which offers comprehensive life and health protection from childhood all the way to the golden years. While most products offer benefits only when an illness strikes, SUN Fit and Well covers policy holders' needs from prevention to diagnosis to treatment, all the way to rehabilitation. 

Ms. Lirio Torres, Sun Life Health and Accident Head, shares that this new generation wellness product covers 114 critical illnesses (major and minor) that encompass conditions across life stages. She describes, "SUN Fit and Well is comprehensive health protection and savings from childhood (starting at 30 days old) up until age 100." 

For prevention, SUN Fit and Well provides Gold membership access to GoWell, Sun Life's wellness program. Here, members can enjoy special privileges that will help them keep mind and body fit. According to GoWell advocate, Ms. Jaymie Pizarro, this includes easy access to health and wellness information, fitness and wellness events, advice from nutrition and health experts, and more.

The good news is, even if you're not yet a SUN Fit and Well policy holder, you can still be a member of GoWell. Just log on to www.gowell.com.ph so you can pre-register and join activities like zumba and yoga sessions, running clinics, and more for free! "We make sure to cater to all people so that a vast majority of Filipinos could start exercising now, get fit, and have fun," assured Jaymie.

"Sun Life remains committed to helping Filipinos face a brighter tomorrow by being in the best of health," shares Ms. Riza. "The results of the Asia Health Index reiterate the need to promote a healthier lifestyle, and Sun Life wants to be the Filipinos' partner in pursuing the journey."

For those who need that extra push, I pray that after reading this, many of you would finally find time to exercise. However, if you have an existing medical condition, make sure to ask your doctor for advice first. Please do share with me in the comments section if I was able to encourage you. I'd love to hear your story! 😊

Filipinos are known to value our families much more than those from other nations. This is evident in the way we try to take good care of our elderly and the efforts many of us make to give our children the best lives possible.

This 2016, Pru Life UK launched Asia’s first Relationship Index, a study across ten (10) Asian countries that measured peoples’ satisfaction with their primary relationships and what can be done to improve them. These pertain to relationships with partners, children, family, and friends.

Results showed that the Philippines ranked second (next to Vietnam) out of 10 Asian countries in terms of relationship fulfillment with a satisfaction score of 79/100. This means Filipinos’ primary relationships, on average, fulfill 79% of their desired relationship needs.

“Relationships are at the heart of our business. We know our customers buy our products to protect the people and relationships they care most about. We also know that good relationships are crucial to our happiness and good health,” explained Pru Life UK CEO and President Antonio de Rosas during the Index’s media launch held in Dusit Thani, Makati City.

Angelina Jolie lost her mom, grandma, and aunt to cancer. Three years ago, the famous actress and director chose to undergo a double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene. She confirmed her estimated 87% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk for ovarian cancer.

"Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness," wrote Jolie in her 2013 New York Times article. "But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action."

The good news is, genetic testing is now available in our country through Asia Genomics Philippines. Last week, I attended a talk by Dr. Marcelo Imasa, medical oncologist at St. Lukes Medical Center, held in Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy in Makati. 

Dr. Imasa revealed that global incidence of breast cancer has risen by 256% in the past 30 years with South East Asia increasing by 479%. Unfortunately, the Philippines has the highest incidence rate of the disease in the region. Did you know that 1 out of 13 Filipino women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime?

I haven't been to the Divisoria area for years so when I had the chance to visit the place last week, I excitedly looked forward to the trip, knowing quite well there will be shopping involved. After all, the area is known for its really affordable merchandise items.

the revitalized Tutuban Center

That morning, my husband and I went straight to Tutuban Center, the bargain hunter's paradise. It recently underwent a number of renovation work and building improvements just in time for the coming Christmas season and the changes are really good!

Here are five reasons why you should go there to do your Halloween and Christmas shopping:

1) Re-live history at the Tutuban Center Main Station, a heritage building with the Bonifacio Shrine across its entrance. This is where the original Tutuban train station built in the 1800s first stood. I love that steps were taken to preserve its history, which included repainting based on the heritage color palette as well as improving lighting for its facade's details. The building has also retained features like brick walls and century-old wrought iron pillars that lead all the way to the food court.

in front of the heritage building