Shopgirl Jen

Being a mom is not easy. Aside for being the "ilaw ng tahanan", taking care of kids, making sure the house is in order, cook, clean, they're also their family's teacher, helper, yaya, playmate, storyteller, doctor, nurse, baby whisperer, and so on. I could go on and on why being a mom is not that easy. Some of us mommies also have a day job to support our family. I really have high respect for mommies who not only served her family but also know how to empower their workplace.

So, when I was invited to the media presscon of Mrs. Philippines Globe held at SMX Aura, I was not surprised that these dedicated mommies are also conquering the beauty pageant. And I'm glad that Filipinos now are embracing the idea of mommy pageant instead of pageants just for singles only.

Out of hundreds of applicants from all over the country, twenty three single moms and married women have been chosen to compete for the prestigious crown of Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2014.

A nationwide search for women of substance fit to be the face of Mrs. Globe, Mrs. Philippines-Globe is a platform to empower married women of substance and single mothers as movers of society.

“These are women who do not let age and civil status get in the way of fulfilling their dreams, and whose achievements, charitable acts and life stories serve as inspiration to others forming a community and sisterhood of empowered women. Women are usually stereotyped to skills confined inside homes but Mrs. Philippines-Globe tries to change how married women and single mothers perceive themselves,” said national pageant director Morena Carla Cabrera-Quimpo.

These hot mama's are working it out on the stage! When I saw them up-close parang grabe I can't believe that they are all mommies just like me! Pwede pala akong maging kasing sexy nila, hehe! :D

For this year, the lovely candidates who made it to the finals are — Eizza De Baron, Fe Saligumba, Sarah Jane Real, Jedalyn Sator, Grenjen Madridejo, Marie Charmaine San Luis, Melissa Esguerra, Jemmy De Leon, Aileen Jane Cavas, Sonia Mendoza, Marianne Bitara, Stephanie Sitoy, Winlove McLaren, Fritzie Lexdy Noche, Mary Rose Cariazo, Chiara Valerie Lizana, Maria Andrea Geronimo, Ivy Macalalad, Velinette Quiat, Janice Trillo, Czarina Cheloe Ylaya, Marie Claire Briones and Jay Angelique Wang.

Ranging from 26 to 44 years old, this year’s finalists are composed of women from diverse fields of expertise: hotel and restaurant management, academe, dentistry, pediatrics, speech and language pathology, business process outsourcing, direct selling, civil service and real estate.

The winner of Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2014 will receive up to PhP 300,000 worth of prizes. She will also represent the Philippines in the prestigious Mrs. Globe 2015 World Finals at Shenzhen, China in November.

I really loved their swimsuit!

Aside from the title of Mrs. Philippines-Globe itself, the candidates will also vie for the coveted Woman of Substance title alongside other special awards such as Achievement of the Year, Advocacy of the Year, Best Talent of the Year, Career Woman of the Year, Most Beautiful Face, Darling of the Press, Entrepreneur of the Year, Mrs. Body Beautiful, Karimadon Super Model Mom, Nikon Tough Mama Life Story Award, Most Elegant Woman / Designer of the Year, Personality of the Year, Husband of the Year, Celesty Shinagawa Mrs. Celestial Beauty and Solane Mother of the Year.

The aspirants are also set to wear stunning cocktail wear and evening gowns created by top designers Chico Estiva, Jonti Martinez, Nikki Martinez, Pablo Cabahug, Nino Angeles and Concordio Sajorda.

Mrs. Philippines-Globe is the local franchise of Mrs. Globe USA, an organization strongly affiliated with The Women In Need Foundation, which aims to help abused women and children recover their self-esteem. Mrs. Globe emphasizes that women have the right to be heard, loved and respected.

I would like to congratulate my fellow mommy blogger Marie Charmaine San Luis #6 for making it this far! Let's all support her, owkie? ;)

The Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2014 coronation night will take place on May 17, 2014 at SMX Convention Center Taguig, SM Aura Premier. For ticket inquiries, log on to www.smtickets.com or call SM Tickets at 470-2222 or email us at mrsphilsglobe@eventvisions.com.ph. This pageant is organized by EVI Marketing Communications.

Mrs. Philippines-Globe is presented by Solane and Celesty Shinagawa. In cooperation with 96.3 Easy Rock, SMX Convention Center Taguig, Datem, Galderma, Restylane, Cetaphil, Slimmers World. Special thanks to Nikon Tough Mama, Wacoal, Calchews, Working Mom, Venice Piazza, SM Tickets, Dezire, Karimadon, Tamayo’s Catering, Kopiko, Godiva, Island Rose and Glyderm.

Will you support me if it's my turn? hehe! :P

Kudos to all mommy contestants at Mrs. Philippines Globe! To me, you are all winners for braving the pressure of being a beauty contestant! :) Congratulations to all and Good luck! Happy Mother's Day!!! :)

Up to 50% off on summer’s hottest home furniture and accessories. Mandaue Foam Furniture Store offers the hottest furniture pieces and decors at up to 50% off in their

Awesummer Sale happening on April 26 to May 11. Bring the fun summer vibe into your home with printed bed sheets and throw pillows, chic and funky sofas, modish lamps, breezy curtains, wooden or colorful side tables, and many more at unbelievably low prices. Mandaue Foam Furniture Store has 19 conveniently-located showrooms nationwide.

To know more, visit Mandaue Foam on Facebook or www.mandauefoam.ph.

Sweetness overload!! myKaffe recently launched its newest line of cupcakes that are sure to tickle your sweet tooth. New yummy flavours include Oreo, Salted Caramel, Nutella, Kitkat, Cream Cheese, and Tiramisu. With price ranging from Php55 to Php95, myKaffe cupcakes can be afforded even by students.

Tiramisu

Nutella

Oreo

Kitkat

You may order just one cupcake, two, 3, 6 or even a dozen. They have smoothies and hot drinks to partner with your cupcakes. They also offer breads, pastries, cakes, and personalized cupcakes. You just need to order 5 days in advance.

myKaffe Bakeshop is located at 88 4th Avenue corner P. Sevilla street, Caloocan City. You may contact them at (632) 5797940, or at mobile numbers 639209137730 and 639434801934.

Please like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/myKaffe-Bakeshop/185834211594713

To be honest with you, I've only heard of wheatgrass from what I saw on tv. All I know is since grass nga sya (yeah, I took it literally), I assumed that they taste grass-y too. Judging the book by it's cover to say the least, haha! But, when someone asked me to try the new wheatgrass max from intercare, I asked myself if I really want to taste and try it, and after 5 minutes of thinking I said yes. Haha! Maybe it's high time for me to try something that's health beneficial and put something healthy in my system.

Since I'm new to this and probably some of you are not also familiar with the benefits of wheatgrass, let me enlighten you with what I've discovered with Wheatgrass Max.

What Wheatgrass Max can do for you:

Improves Power and Stamina - The deep-green Wheatgrass powder in Wheatgrass MAX contains a number of important nutrients available in the natural synergistic form that makes Wheargrass MAX a complete food that the body requires daily to enhance Power and Stamina. Among the major nutrients in Wheatgrass MAX are high percentages of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, chlorophyll and insoluble fiber.

Wheatgrass MAX also has an astonishingly high amino acid content including the eight essential amino acids. Leucine promotes the healing of muscle tissue, skin and bones and aids in increasing growth hormone production. Methionine is a powerful anti-oxidant and assists the breakdown of fats, thus also helps in preventing build up of fat. Valine is needed for muscle metabolism and coordination, tissue repair and for the maintenance of proper nitrogen balance in the body.

WheatgrassMAX also contains Vitamin C, E and K, biotin, choline, lycopene, beta-carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folic acid, calcium, cobalt, copper, alamine and arginine.

Reduces symptoms of Chronic Fatigue and increases energy level - It's highly alkaline chlorophyll content helps restore the body's acid-alkaline balance that is essential in maintaining normal body functions Chlorophyll also increases oxygen uptake in the blood which increases energy and helps relieve fatigue.

Boosts the Immune System against Diseases - Wheatgrass MAX's powerful antioxidant's, Vitamin A and C, enzymes and phytochemicals shield the body's healthy cells from the destructive free radicals' oxidative damage thus fortifying the body's natural protection against common health threats.

Detoxifies the Body - Wheatgrass MAX's powder contains insoluble fibers that effectively ease the daily elimination of body wastes and toxins.

There are 16 sachets in a box and it contains over 90 minerals, including alkaline, minerals, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium.

The deep green color along with the aroma and taste of fresh wheatgrass indicates the superior quality and process used in making WheatgrassMAX. This ensures that each glass of WheatgrassMAX contains all the health enchancing nutrients found in top-quality wheatgrass.

One teaspoon of wheatgrass powder is nutrionally equal to an entire spinach salad weighing a full 50grams.

Did you know that Wheatgrass MAX has more vitamin C than oranges and has more than twice the vitamin A in carrots? Yep! And with wonky weather like ours, we are prone to colds and coughs, that's why 1 glass a day of Wheatgrass MAX will be one of our weapons to boost our immune system.

And about the taste, I guess I expected worse. But, this one is bearable. Just pour 1 sachet in a glass and put cold water over the powder and that's it! I guess if it's really cold, you won't feel the taste of the grass-y thing. It's not bad as I expected, haha! If you drink this everyday, you'll get use to it. Just think that you're getting all the benefits Wheatgrass MAX has to offer.

Instructions for use: One sachet daily. Each sachet contains 3 grams of Wheatgrass Powder. Empty sachet's content into a glass. Pour tap or cold water over the powder. Stir well and enjoy.

Warning: If you are pregnant or nursing or allergic to Wheatgrass, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Wheatgrass MAX is a product of Herbcare.

For more product info check out their https://www.facebook.com/WheatgrassMAX.hc

Are you one of those people who love taking photos of your food? Well, I do! My hubby always tells me na "are you done taking pictures? We're hungry!". And si Sofi din will say na: "mommy, is it ok if I touch the food na?". Can you relate? haha! I dunno why, pero feeling food photographer kasi ako. Even if I'm only armed with my cellphone but when I take food pictures, with different angles pa sya until I'm satisfied with the photos. From bread to peanuts, I have photos of them in my gallery. Haha!

And now that I have collection of food photos in my gallery, now what? That's why I'm so excited to share with you my latest discovery that I'm sure food lovers will love! :)

I had a pleasure to attend the OpenSnap App media launch at Edsa Shangri-La and I instantly downloaded the app in my cellphone right then and there. And read on to find out why!

OpenRice, Asia’s Premier Dining Guide has launched its brand new mobile App called OpenSnap in the Philippines. OpenSnap is a revolutionary mobile application for iOS and Android smartphone and tablet users where they can find popular restaurant spots through food photos uploaded by friends and families. It is the first and unique food photo app in the Philippines and Asia that allows users to create a personalized food albums and share their dining experience with friends and families wherever and whenever!

Of course, more food photos! hehe! :P

Connected to the OpenRice database, OpenSnap allows users to locate over 1 million restaurants in the Philippines and in Asia, share dining experience, and identify OpenRice members, as well as Facebook friends and Celebrities. It allows Filipinos to enjoy local and worldwide cuisine on their fingertips with the support of advanced i-cloud technology.

OpenSnap offers a user friendly and convenient approach to creating one’s own food photo albums, photo sharing, hash tag locations, photo filtering and use of stickers in photos. OpenSnap users can also tag their friends in their photo uploads, as well as share the information to their personal social networking platforms, such as, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Weibo.

The major features of OpenSnap include:

1. Use food photos to search nearby restaurants - Users can search nearby restaurants by browsing photos uploaded by friends. It helps you to save the time to locate alternate dinning locations while lining up long queue at the designated restaurants.

2. Create and share your personalized restaurant albums - OpenSnap provides users with personalized restaurant albums and easily share their dining experience wherever and whenever! Users could check the restaurant details by clicking the food photos, with more supplementary information for a perfect dining experience.

3. Browse over 1 Million restaurants in Asia - OpenSnap has an advanced search function to reach out dinning photos and restaurant information of other Asian regions such as China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and HongKong.

4. Photos come with a wealth of information – Each food photo provides the user with restaurant address, map, contact details, reviews and comments.

And here's an easy step on how to use the OpenSnap App:

mirror + camera phone = group selfie :)

Download it Now! OpenSnap is now available in the AppStore and Google Play. Don't forget to follow me at Shopgirl Jen! You will now have more reasons to photograph your food escapade and at the same time share it to the world of your food discovery! Cool, right? :))

Thank you Open Rice and OpenSnap for the invite! I really had a great time!

Having good teeth indicates how healthy and hygienic a person is while providing the confidence needed to face the world. A flawless smile is achieved by practicing proper dental health like religious brushing of teeth and regular visits to the dentist. However, no amount of oral hygiene can prevent crooked or misaligned teeth. This condition is usually caused by problems during a person’s formative years.

Crooked or misaligned teeth are usually corrected by wearing braces—long the traditional remedy for crooked teeth. But have also been a bane because of the inconvenience and pain they usually cause.

Fortunately today, braces are no longer the only remedy for crooked teeth. Clarity Aesthetics offers a revolutionary treatment called Invisalign, a hassle-free, non-invasive procedure that guarantees perfectly aligned teeth in no time.

Dental health innovation

In the same way that conventional braces and retainers work, Invisalign incrementally corrects misaligned teeth. However, what differentiates Invisalign is that it offers all the benefits of a corrective dental procedure without any of the pain and hassle that come with traditional braces.

Invisalign corrects dental deformities with a series of custom-made clear aligners engineered to gradually and gently shift teeth into place. This set of customized aligners, made of a smooth, comfortable, durable, and BPA-free plastic, are easily removable, which allows for easy cleaning. Invisalign provides aligners that follow a gradual corrective procedure that is mapped out using state-of-the-art 3-D imaging technology. The process, which involves X-rays, pictures, and impressions, is used to create a virtual image of the teeth that is used to present how the teeth are responding as the treatment progresses. This way, patients can visualize what their teeth will look like after the procedure while providing doctors a clear framework within which to execute the procedure.

Also, by applying advancements in the field of dental health and aesthetics, Invisalign provides solutions to a slew of other dental issues, resulting in better clinical results. The procedure has proven effective in repairing a range of dental problems like gapped teeth, overbite, under bite, open bite, cross bite, and overcrowded teeth.

Make the right choice

Choosing Invisalign over traditional braces is simple because of the three Cs: comfort, convenience, and confidence. Invisalign provides patients a level of unprecedented comfort unmatched by conventional orthodontics. Unlike braces, the procedure does not involve wires or metal brackets that could be painful and irritating to even the inside of the cheeks and gums. Invisalign’s aligners are easily removable, allowing patients to enjoy hard or chewy foods, which is virtually impossible with braces or retainers.

Invisalign also offers convenience because of the no-fuss process involved in sustaining the treatment. Aligners are replaced with new ones every two weeks or until the inconspicuous Blue Dot Wear Indicator reaches a certain point, signaling patients that it's time to get the next set. Also, dental problems like stains or plaque buildup usually associated with braces will never be an issue. More important, patients can go out with confidence. Keeping aligners on for the recommended 20-22 hours daily is not a problem because the aligners are smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible. These can be worn throughout the day without people even noticing they're on. The benefits of Invisalign's novel and modern procedure allow Clarity Aesthetics to go the extra mile in ensuring that each person gets only the best.

Visit Clarity Aesthetic Medical & Dental Center at the 5th Level Wellness Zone, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, EDSA corner Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. For more information, contact their office through telephone number (02) 638-1294 or 0917-8525014, or visit www.clarity.com.ph.

LINE, the world’s leading mobile messaging platform with 420 million users, introduced a new collection of vibrant stickers featuring 2NE1 (CL, DARA, BOM and MINZY) as K-pop fans eagerly await the concert of the South Korean girl group at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 17.

Filipino LINE users can now download the free 2NE1 set with 24 stickers (download available for 90 days, for unlimited use) on LINE Sticker Shop. The special paid collection with 40 stickers (available for unlimited use) is scheduled for release on May 22.

“LINE is happy to reach out to more fans through this opportunity, enabling more vivid and lively communication with the dynamic 2NE1 stickers,” said Greg Kim, Head of LINE Philippines.

In addition, LINE will host an activity booth during the group’s much-anticipated concert at Pasay City. Any concert attendees who show their LINE account at the booth can receive free Brown and Cony character fans on a first-come-first-served basis. They can also win LINE character giveaways through playing games such as roulette, download 2NE1 paid stickers for free, and take photos with the beloved LINE mascots.

LINE will continue to bring more fun and dynamic features for all LINE users to enjoy for the ultimate communication experience.

You can check out these links of LINE for more news and updates:

LINE Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/Line.Philippines

LINE Official YouTube Page

www.youtube.com/lineappglobal

LINE Official Blog

http://en.lineblog.naver.jp/

It was my 1st time to attend a beauty pageant for kids and tweenies and wow! I was so amazed that these kids really know how to pose, walk the runway, smile and be courteous to people who wants to take their pics and answer the q&a from the media (and some are difficult questions too!).

Little Miss Solane held a media presscon for bloggers and media people where we got to know the contenders up-close.

After a long yet exciting search throughout the country, Little Miss Solane 2014 presents the 24 girls with the most promising wits and abilities. On its second year, Little Miss Solane is a talent and personality search where young ladies can discover, develop and nurture their potentials at an early age to help them grow into empowered, responsible and successful women in their own right.

Little Miss Solane 2013 winners and runner-ups

Unlike other children’s competitions that focus merely on physical attributes, Little Miss Solane 2014 endeavors to enhance talent and potential and build character and personality. By giving them a good sense of accomplishment this early, the pageant aims to mold these young misses into successful women who create positive change in the society. Little Miss Solane 2014 is an avenue where young misses can meet new friends, learn new things about themselves and more importantly, improve their talents, skills and well-being.

Little Miss Solane 2013 cuties category. She sang Let It Go for us. And yes, na LSS na naman ako. haha! :) Good job to this kid! Galing!

Little Miss Solane 2013 teenies category also gave us a special number. She's now a talent artist of GMA 7. Congrats, girl! :)

These young ladies will represent their respective regions and compete during the national pageant set on May 17 at the SMX Aura Convention Center, Taguig City.

Judges will choose one winner for each category and will crown them as Little Miss Solane 2014 Cuties and Little Miss Solane 2014 Teenies. As grand winners, they will each bring home P50,000 cash plus P50,000 worth of scholarships and developmental programs. The title holders also will have the privilege of joining Solane activities like outreach programs, trade shows and client appreciation events where they can further showcase their talents.

Meanwhile, the first and second runners-up will take home P30,000 and P20,000 cash, respectively. Aside from these titles, finalists also stand a chance to get a sash and P5,000 cash prize for the following special awards: Best in National Costume, Most Elegant, Most Beautiful Child and Most Beautiful Teen, Little Miss Talent, Little Miss Sporty and Healthy, Little Miss Intelligence, Little Miss Bestfriend, Child of the Year and Teen of the Year, Solane Mom and Daughter of the Year, and Darling of the Press.

The cuties category (6 to 10 years old)

The contenders for the teenies category (11 to 14 years old).

Made possible by Solane, the country’s leading LPG solutions company and the organizers of Mrs. Philippines-Globe, Little Miss Solane is sponsored by Monde MY San Corporation, Peerless Marketing, Mister Donut, Oishi Bread Pan, Fres Candies, Yupangco Music Academy, Tiddletots, Ozar, Island Rose, and Dayzinc Vitamin Syrup.

For more details, like Little Miss Solane on Facebook (www.facebook.com/LittleMissSolane) and for ticket inquiries, log on to www.smtickets.com or call SM Tickets at 470-2222 or email us at littlemisssolane@eventvisions.com.ph. This pageant is organized by EVI Marketing Communications.

Good luck girls! You are all winners for making this far! Just have fun and enjoy every minute of it. :)

Lido Cocina Tsina (by Panciteria Lido) is heating up its menu as it introduces a new fresh bite to its collection of Fookien recipes.

Aptly named the Lucky 5-Spice Pork Roll, Lido, the restaurant famous for its Pugon-Roasted Asado and authentic Chinese food specialties, has cooked up an appetizing dish that Pinoy foodies will surely enjoy.

Based on its Fookien Qui Kiam origin, the home-style pork roll dish offers customers simple yet flavorful treat that is made with a variety of fresh ingredients, including pork, radish, cabbage, and carrots, wrapped in bean curd skin.

And looking at this pic makes me hungry! Who can say no to this? I want!!

Bringing back the nostalgia of authentic Chinese cooking, the 5-Spice Pork Rolls are also served with Achara as its side-dish to satisfy the unique Filipino-Chinese taste.

This new delectable treat is now available at all Lido Cocina Tsina (by Panciteria Lido) branches located in key areas in Metro Manila including E. Rodriguez; Alabang Zapote Road, Las Piñas; Shaw Boulevard; Visayas Avenue; Pasong Tamo; UN Avenue; Cainta Rizal; Commonwealth Avenue; C. Raymundo in Pasig; Z-Square in Banawe; Naga Road, Las Piñas; and Bacoor, Cavite.

Visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Lidococinatsina for more updates.

We all know that being a mommy is a 24 hour work, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It's a non-stop cycle. But seeing your kids smile, your house is in order, ah! that's rewarding!! :) And once you're a mom, you can't go back. Your family relies on you. And we don't have formal training whatsoever. It's a trial and error basis, learning from our mistakes, being consistent with our good ones. And with that, we only rely with fellow moms, reading helpful stories on how to raise a family, how to care for little ones, etc etc.

But nowadays, thanks to our technology and modern times, a mom can now rely to this newly launch website that will surely help mommies from all walks of life. From new mommies, to parenting, nutrition, caring for newborn, this new website is like a new portal support group dedicated to all mommies.

Unilab has prepared a very special gift for moms just in time for Mothers’ Day—an online community made by Filipino mothers for Filipino mothers. Hey Mom! is an online portal specifically designed to be a resource for moms to access and exchange relevant information that will help in their everyday parenting tasks. The online community also wishes to foster a sisterhood among mothers.

Hey Mom! provides mothers with knowledge on a wide variety of topics: pregnancy, childbirth, nutrition, raising kids, taking care of themselves, and more. It contains stories from friends—Filipino moms who speak from experience who are sincerely there to help. It is a community so diverse that moms are bound to find a friend who they can share different parenting techniques with, parenting statuses, and many other parenting stories.

Hey Mom had a media launch held at Aracama, BGC. The event was hosted by fellow mom Ms. Bianca Valerio.

Articles for all types of moms—expecting, new and experienced—will be available in the portal. Expecting moms, or moms-to-be, are craving for tips and stories on how to handle their pregnancy since every pregnancy is different. In the same manner, first time moms are both excited and anxious to get as much information about giving birth and raising children. Experienced moms will be able to share their own experiences and provide as much information to the community and, at the same time, would like to know how other moms raise their children. In this community, moms are free to express their own opinions on the topics and share their experiences in the website through the comment boxes.

“Mothers are naturally hungry for information when it comes to parenting and their children but because information is readily available on the internet, it can get confusing for moms. We also want to acknowledge that there is no single rule when it comes to parenting. What worked for one mom may not necessarily work for another and this where Hey Mom! can help,” says Mildred Manansala, Unilab Assistant Media Manager for Hey Mom.

Adding to the uniqueness of Hey Mom! are the mom personalities who contribute to the website. These moms offer their no nonsense advice on motherhood and parenting through their articles.

Actress Mylene Dizon contributes her point-of-view to the portal as single and playful mom. She says, “Motherhood is one of the greatest roles I’ve taken in my life. It has been a challenge raising my kids and there have been times when I doubt my decisions, but I always remind myself that I do what I believe is best for them. This is the same wisdom that I want to share with moms, to show them that they have a strong support system online.”

And with Ms. Mylene Dizon is another mommy blogger and experienced mom Noemi Dado. As an advocate of creating a safer environment for children, she is known to be nurturing to her family.

And lastly, former international model and VJ Amanda Griffin Jacob is one of the celebrity contributors. She has now settled fully into her most exciting role to date: Mommy! These days her projects revolve around motherhood which has proven to be Amanda's passion.

Group pic with fellow moms! :) (photo credit to Millette Sison- thanks ate!)

To further help moms simplify the information that they get, the Hey Mom! portal is customizable to the needs of the members. Upon sign-up, information about the moms and their children will be collected and will be used to tailor fit the topics that will appear on the homepage.

“We take pride in the fact that Hey Mom! does not offer one point of view but explores different opinions and parenting styles. We encourage conversations between our members in our portal as we know that moms usually listen to other moms. Even our celebrity moms offer different perspectives when it comes to motherhood. We want our members to consider Hey Mom! as an online sisterhood that can be their reliable support system in their parenting concerns,” adds Manansala.

So there mommies, we are not alone in this adventure. Thru Hey Mom! we get to experience an online sisterhood who can fully understand what we are going throug. :)

Register now and find out more details about Hey Mom! You can visit heymom.com.ph or like their facebook page for more updates: www.facebook.com/heymomph.

Thank you so much Hey Mom!, Unilab and Ogilvy for having me. :)

I just wanna share with you my Mother's Day kwento that happened a few weeks ago. I was invited to attend a pampering sesh for moms from Nido Fortified. The moment I received the invite parang na-feel ko bigla ang need of a back massage, foot massage and the works. haha! Who can say no to a pampering sesh?

I brought Sofi with me and upon arrival, they told me that all mommies will have their pampering sesh since it's our special day, while the daddies and kids will be swift away to Uncle Cheffy for lunch and fun activities.

Aaahhhh!!! This is what I'm talking about!!! :))) After our foot spa, we had our back massage, hand massage and foot massage. Blue Water Day Spa really knows how to pamper from head to toe! While we were having a massage we get to watch a movie title Friends with Kids. It's a funny, with a touch of reality kind of movie for married couple when you have kids, want to have kids, no time for your spouse. You should watch it!

Anyways, after our well deserved massage, we were told that we are going somewhere and we were asked to blindfold ourselves while going to our next destination. (dito pa lang hinahanap ko na si Sofi, hehe). Sorry, I was seated at the back. I was smiling pa naman pero d pala ako kita sa pic. hahaha! :D

When we arrived at our destination, they counted up to 3 and we removed our blindfold, and all mommies were surprised when we were greeted by our family with party poppers and loud cheers of happy mother's day. I was greeted by my princess (hubby had an overtime work the night before kaya d na sya sumama sa amin-at nag explain daw ako. LOL. if he had known daw na may surprise baka sumama pa daw sya. haha!) while she was holding a yellow rose in front of my Mommy Jen shirt. Grabe, nakakaiyak! Hahaha! Dama ko ang pagiging mommy. And Sofi smiled from ear to ear! It really melted my heart when she asked me if I am happy. She told me that she loves me very much and they practiced a lot. haha! :D

We then proceeded with our lunch at Uncle Cheffy. So yun pala ginawa nila while we were having our pampering time, the daddies and kids had a bonding sesh naman and prepared the ultimate surprise. :)

It is said that the greatest validation that mom will ever receive will always come from their loved ones especially from their kids. - And this is so true!! :))

I feel so blessed that at her age (7 years old), Sofi knows how to appreciate my effort, and everything I do for her she'll thank me na may kasunod na "you're the best mommy ever!". And I know that a smile from Sofi reminds me how rewarding motherhood is. And I'm gonna enjoy every minute of it. :)

Check out this video and watch all the drama and tears of my fellow mommies.

I'll be forever grateful to Nido Fortified and Ogilvy for having me and Sofi. I really felt special and honored. We really enjoyed our time together and we will always remember it. Thank you so much, Leira. :)

And to all fellow moms, here's my fave quote that I would like to share with you, "There will be so many times you feel like you've failed. But in the eyes, heart, and mind of your child You are a Super Mom!". Belated Happy Mother's Day! :)

If you own a Citi credit card, it’s time to discover the convenience of PayLite, one of its most popular value features. You can PayLite your child’s tuition fees to enjoy easy, light payments for as low as 0.75% add-on monthly rate, applicable on 9,12,18 and 24 months installment terms at select schools. For 3 or 6 month terms, enjoy the lowest add-on monthly rate in town of 1%

Ideally, choose the 12-month installment plan or shorter, to ensure no overlap with future schooling needs. To show how light payments can be with PayLite, a tuition fee worth P30,000 paid over 12 months will have a low P2,725 monthly amortization.

This coming school year, stay on top of your child’s school expenses with the help of Citi Credit Cards and PayLite Installment Plan.

PayLite is welcome at the following schools and universities: Colegio de San Agustin, De La Salle Zobel, De La Salle University, La Salle Greenhills, Miriam College, OB Montessori in Fairview, Greenhills, Makati and Sta. Ana, Southridge School, St. Paul’s College in Pasig and Quezon City, University of Asia and the Pacific, and the University of Santo Tomas.

If your school is not listed here, but you want to enjoy PayLite’s longer, lighter payments, you can also tap PayLite After Purchase. Simply pay your tuition fee using your Citi card then call the 24-hour CitiPhone at 995-9904 to convert it into PayLite. Note that this will be subject to credit evaluation and bank approval.

Citi also covers your child’s other school related expenses like school supplies as it gives you 0% PayLite at any National Bookstore outlet. Avail of a minimum purchase worth P1,500 and PayLite using your Citi card. You can choose between 3 to 6 months payment terms. That’s another way to stretch your cash flow, at no interest!

For a complete list of participating schools and educational institutions, visit www.citibank.com.ph. Not yet a Citi cardholder? Time to get one today!

Be Pro-Active about your health. Healthy joint mobility is something we enjoy but sometimes take for granted. Imaging your life if you had difficulty walking, running or doing any number of daily activities due to joint pains. As one ages, the natural glucosamine found in our cartilages and the synovial fluids that lubricates the joints slowly diminishes causing our cartilages to thin out and lose its flexibility to cushion the movements of our bone joints.

Running, weightlifting, basketball and other activities that put constant strain or repeated impact on your joints contribute to the wear and tear of your joint cartilage. This will eventually lead to damaged joint cartilage, joint pains and the loss of joint mobility. Studies show that the daily intake of 1500mg of Glucosamine Sulfate maintains healthy joint cartilage and can also rehabilitate damaged cartilage to regain pain-free joint mobility.

And studies show that the daily intake of 1500mg of Glucosamine Sulfate maintains healthy joint cartilage and can also rehabilitate damaged cartilage to regain pain-free joint mobility.

As young as we are, sometimes we take our joint pain for granted. Thinking na konting massage lang yan e ok na. If you're suffering from joint pain or if you think you have joint pain, or if you know someone who's suffering in this kind of pain, read on and learn on how to prevent and treat them.

What is joint pain?

Joint pain is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint's cartilage causing the bones to rub against each other resulting to various symptoms such as tenderness, stiffness, creaking, locking of joints and even local inflammation.

Causes: Joint pain develops as one ages when or body's production of natural glucosamine slows down. This leads to the thinning of the joint cartilage and loss of its flexibilty to cushion joint movement.

Other factors that may lead to joint pain are:

1. injury of joints

2. being in sports which constantly use particular joint/joints

3. being overweight

4. genetic weakness of joints

5. secondary to other conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and gout

Prevention: Joint pain can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle, careful use of joints and taking Glucosamine Sulfate food supplements early in life to arrest the degeneration of the joint cartilage.

Treatment: The way to treat joint pain is by alleviating its symptoms through lifestyle modification, proper exercise, manual therapy, use of devices, painkillers and Glucosamine Sulfate dietary supplements. Proper advice and guidance from health care providers such as chiropractors, physical therapists and medical doctors are important in join pain management.

What is Glucosamine Sulfate?

Glucosamine Sulfate is a form of glucosamine found in the human body. It is stored in connective tissues such as the bone cartilage complex and is also found in the synovial fluid as a component of hyaluronic acid, a lubricating substance for the joints. Both the cartilage and synovial fluid are essential for healthy joint function. As one ages, the thickness of the cartilage thins out due to constant wear and tear, and becomes a common cause of joint problems such as osteoarthritis which could limit a person's mobility. Glucosamine has been proven effective in easing osteoarthritis pain, rehabilitating cartilage, renewing synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from osteoarthritis.

Benefits of Glucosamine Sulfate based on Scientific Studies:

Based on several randomized controlled studies, glucosamine sulfate when used daily on a dose of 1500mg, provides mild to moderate relief from pain of osteoarthritis which then improves joint function. In some long-term studies, radiographic results of patients with knee osteoarthritis showed structural improvement on joint space narrowing over a period of three years. Glucosamine Sulfate stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycan, proteoglycan and hyaluronic acid which are essential in proper joint functioning.

What GlucosamineMAX can do for you:

Prevention: It promotes healthy joint cartilage, prevents the onset of joint pains and maintains pain-free mobility

Rehabilitation: Retards progression of damage joints, it restores joint cartilage back to health and regains pain-free joint mobility

And if you're into sports, this is how you will protect your joints in training:

You should wear a proper set of training gear, stretch and warm up properly, observe proper posture and movement. You give your body time to rest and rehabilitate and take GlucosamineMAX daily

Prevent damage to the joints and restore the mobility necessary for an active lifestyle, GlucosamineMAX provides the ideal source of the optimum daily dose of 1500mg glucosamine sulfate in a pleasant tasting- once-a-day drink.

There are 16 sachets in a box and each sachet contains the recommended daily intake of 1500mg of Crystalline Glucosamine Sulfate (CGS). Dissolve sachet's content into a small glass of water (about 100ml). For best results, drink once daily after a meal. For best results. drink once daily after a meal.

Warning: if you are pregnant or nursing or allergic to shellfish, consult your pharmacist or a health care professional before taking this product.

GlucosaminMAX is a product of Herbcare.

For more product info check out their https://www.facebook.com/GlucosamineMAX facebook page.

More and more people are now embracing condo living due to its affordability and convenience. But one of the most common trade-offs is comfort. Most condo units are small and do not have enough room for you to create a living space you can call your own.

Below are a few tips and tricks from Mandaue Foam Furniture Store on how you can make the most out of your condo unit without sacrificing comfort and functionality.

Let the light in. Light is a key element in opening up a room. Avoid heavy curtains and draperies and use blinds or sheer curtains instead. These will allow natural light in and still give the privacy you need. Artificial lighting is another option but opt for slim and tall lamps, wall mounted fixtures or light pendants to add illumination and ambiance without eating up too much space.

Beds with pull out drawers at the bottom are a great way to save on closet space.

Use light colors. A lighter hue on your walls and ceiling is another way to open up a room. Blocks of neutral shades like white, cream or pastels reflect light are your best options. Using a single color scheme for the other rooms will also help dissolve the division. Avoid dark colors or patterned wallpapers as these will make a small room even smaller. Accessories would be your best option to brighten up your room and give it personality.

A lighter hue on walls and ceiling opens up a room. Also, keep your accessories to the bare minimum and remember that these are just

Less in More. Clutter and overcrowding makes a room feel small and stuffy. You should first focus on the basic pieces needed in a particular room, like the bed in the bedroom and the dining set in the dining area, before adding decorative elements. Do keep your accessories to the bare minimum and remember that these are just to highlight and not compete with the main furniture.

Go multi-purpose. Nothing can save you more precious space than multi-functional furniture. Go for items that can be used in different ways like an ottoman which can be used for sitting and storage at the same time, or a modular sofa which can also be rearranged as individual seating when you have guests. Beds with pull out drawers at the bottom are also a great way to save on closet space.

Customize! When moving into a new space, we often concentrate on the floor area but another option is to have storage built onto the wall or overhead. This can be cupboards integrated with your kitchen appliances or overhead storage or dresser designed to efficiently accommodate the bed. Customized furniture may be a bit more costly, but the extra space you free up will give you more room to move around and will be worth the extra expense.

Mirrors, mirrors on the wall. One of the best ways to decorate and open up a space is by using mirrors. Large mirrors are effective room expanders. It can lengthen a short room or widen a narrow area. Placed strategically, mirrors can also reflect light as well as attractive elements in the room like a window, another room or a favorite artwork.

Mirrors expands the room by lengthening a short room or widening a narrow area.

Condo living need not be a choice between comfort and convenience. By adapting a few tips and tricks from the furniture expert, and a little creativity, you can definitely look forward to living in a place you can call home.

Mandaue Foam Furniture Store is now one of the country’s top 1000 corporations. It started as a foam manufacturer in 1971 and has since expanded to 19 factories and showrooms nationwide. With over 40 years of providing its customers with quality and value-for-money products, Mandaue Foam now offers a diversified line of products that include a complete range of home furniture and accessories.

After Mother's Day, my celebration got extended until tuesday of last week thanks to Ban Kee Trading's invite. We had an intimate lunch at Cravings, Shangri-La Mall with good food, delectable desserts and sweets and companies of mommies and kids enjoying and learning more about Ban Kee Trading.

Established in 1986, Ban Kee Trading, Incorporated is a leading distributor of toys and baby products in the Philippines. Ban Kee currently represents companies such as TOMY, INTEX, GRACO Children products, The First Years, Bandai, Zhuzhu pets, Chuggington, and Speed Stacks toy line.

Their vision is to be the leading distributor of toys and baby products serving all retail trade categories. It is also to bring in quality toy and baby product brands and to ensure that they sell through by formulating and implementing sound advertising and marketing plans. Lastly, it is to instill a level of confidence among the consumers that they can get the latest, and most popular toys at competitive prices at their favorite local retail outlets.

Super cute lalaloopsy bubbly mermaid. Her hair actually makes bubbles when you squeeze it.

For mommies and babies. One of my fave brands when Sofi was still a baby. :)

Chill factor. I waaaant this!!! You can make your own slushy drink. How cool is that? Perfect for this weather.

Perfect toys for toddlers. It will help stimulate their minds at early age if you expose them in reading and writing materials.

I won this in the raffle. Yay!!!!

The loom band invasion! Sofi and I enjoyed making lots and lots of loom band bracelet and it's one of our fun activities this summer! Choosing the style, color combination, naku deep discussion na yan. haha! :D It's easy lang and it was Sofi pa who taught me. hehe.

And Ban Kee Trading now offers a shimmer n' sparkle cra-Z-loom! You can buy the complete set where you can make different designs and they also sell loom bands lang.

Yes, nagcoconcentrate! hahaha!

You may check all Ban Kee Trading complete list of toys and products here. They're available in all major toy stores and department stores nationwide! :)

Thank you Ban Kee Trading and Ms. Monica for having me! :)

That heavenly feeling when you finally hold, for the first time, something that you have been dreaming about for a long time, like a shiny, new car in your favorite color, red. It truly sweet-- and it’s yours!

Finally owning something that you've worked hard for, long dreamed of, is indeed a reason to celebrate. Whether all by your lonesome or with friends, family, a boyfriend or a girlfriend – it doesn't really matter. What is important is to mark the day with something sweet, and dreamy: and make it sweeter with a bottle of Carlo Rossi Sweet Red.

Rossi Sweet Red is just the perfect companion for such a marvelous occasion. As its name suggests, Rossi Sweet Red is sweet with layers of vanilla, bright cherry and wild raspberry flavors. Unlike your dream car though, Rossi Sweet Red is affordable and won’t break your wallet, or test the limit of your credit card.

Rossi Sweet Red also has a well-balanced palate and a light medium body, and tastes just as great, whether chilled or with ice. It’s not also choosy when it comes to a companion because it goes well with about just anything – cheese, fish, meat, or even the all-time Filipino favorite, the sizzling sisig.

Crafted from grapes cultured in California where the sun nurtured the tiny fruits to perfection to assure you of wines bursting with flavor and aroma, Rossi Sweet Red has just the right amount of alcohol content and therefore won’t leave you heavily drunk even after finishing a bottle with friends.

Because it comes from the Number One Table Wine in the world, Carlo Rossi, you are assured of the high quality that goes with every bottle. Also, because it’s red and sourced from grapes, it is good for the heart when drank moderately.

So what else is lovely about drinking Rossi Sweet Red? Especially when you are drinking it to toast another milestone in your life – that of finally owning something that’s a fruit of your labor!

Cebuana girls crowned as Little Miss Solane Cuties and Teenies. The heritage pageant that empowers girls to be talented and successful women in the future, Little Miss Solane, has crowned Marydee Manayaga and Duchess Blythe Uybengkee as this year’s winners for Cuties and Teenies categories.

Isla LPG Corporation CEO Ramon del Rosario, 1st runner up winners Steph Netthel Redne Yamut (Cuties) and Ma. Dominique Trillana (Teenies), Little Miss Solane 2014 Cutie Marydee Manayaga, Little Miss Solane 2014 Teenie Duchess Blythe Uybengkee, 2nd runner up winners Ashley Kate Arindain (Cuties) and Kyla Angelica Marie De Catalina (Teenies), and Isla Petroleum and Gas CEO Shoichi Watanabe.

As grand winners, Marydee and Duchess each won P50,000 cash plus P50,000 worth of scholarships and developmental programs.

Congratulations to all winners! Congratulations also to all who participated in the pageant! :)

EasyShop.ph’s pre-launch event called the “Sellers’ Night” drew a huge crowd Saturday evening as online sellers, bloggers and others in the web community joined the company’s officials and partners to celebrate the newest online marketplace based in the country at the Green Lounge Events Place at the BTTC Center in San Juan City, Philippines.

Nelson Liao, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of EasyShop Online Inc; Sam Gavino, web development head; and Jerry Pereda, marketing chief were present during the festivities and took turns in convincing the audience why EasyShop is the next big thing in the online buy-and-sell marketplace.

Also present were online bloggers numbering around a dozen, roughly 20-25 online plus other guests including supporters and partners of the fledgling company.

“The data as of May 16th is that we have 2,000 registered users in our website and around 5,000 products already posted,” proudly shared Liao during a roundtable with the bloggers.

The figures look promising indeed as the website’s official launch is still on June 15, 2014 but more importantly, Liao emphasized on the security of the site—using the phrase “scam-free” multiple times during interviews.

“Other online buy-and-sell sites, it’s just a platform; it is not engaged in the transactions of the buyer and seller so there are lots of scams or it’s open to potential scams. They open the platform and then leave the buyers and sellers to their business; that’s the problem they don’t have any sort of monitoring,” said Liao, a graduate of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in 2009.

“The main difference with us is that EasyShop is engaged with the transactions to assure that the money is secure. Unless the buyer has received the goods it’s only then that we release the money to the seller. On the other hand, sellers won’t have to worry about the payments since the money is already with EasyShop even before delivery.”

In between the discourse by the designated speakers for the night, prizes and freebies—from smartphones, tablets to a big screen LED TV-- were given away via a raffle for those who had signed-up in the website and attended the event.

Among the partners for the pre-launch event are SKK Mobile, Mogao BS Mobile, Michaela, CCK Mobile, Yousie and Epson.

EasyShop.ph has a partnership with Nelsoft Technology, Inc. and PoziHongkong Technology Ltd.—two reliable software development entities that handles the website.

I know a lot of people are complaining about the heat the we are experiencing right now. And who wouldn't? It's unbearable, right? The moment you step outside from the comfort of your home, your air-conditioned office, you can feel the heat penetrating your skin. And I am not exaggerating! Sometimes the heat causes headache, being hot tempered, short in patience and so on. haha! So the question is, how are we going to cool down? Aside from hydrating ourselves with lots of water and thirst quencher drinks, we know that eating ice cream is one quick way to cool off. And speaking of ice cream, Swensen's Ice Cream and Sundaes added a new branch to serve us more and to let us experience the ultimate sundae!

I've been invited to attend the grand opening of Swensen's Ice Cream & Sundaes at SM North, The Block branch. It is located at the 2nd floor in between Uniqlo and Forever 21.

Swensen's is an international franchise/ice cream shop born in San Francisco, CA. Since the opening of it's first shop in 1948, there are now over 300 Swensen's ice cream shops worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East, USA and South America. Swensen's has created more than 180 flavors of ice cream that are enjoyed by both young and old.

Swensen’s was the first national Ice Cream Parlor to serve a premium ice cream that is all natural. The business was built and continues to be built on three founding principles that have never changed: Quality, Quantity and Value for Money.

"Ice Cream is my life" The Swensen's story. :)

They also had a face painting sesh for kids while waiting for our ice cream.

Sofi and Maya (Rockstar Momma Michelle's daughter)

Ribbon cutting

Wondering what's on the menu? From their mouth watering signature sundaes, to kids sundaes, fondue, waffle sundaes, smoothies, ice cream float, they have it all! They offer variety of flavors that will suit your cravings.

Fresh ingredients! I'm a nuts lover when it comes to ice cream. The more nuts the better. Haha!

I also love the crunchy waffle! When you order your ice cream in a waffle, literally plate na lang matitira mo. lol!

While they prepare our ice cream, I noticed that they wear cap, apron and gloves. Plus points!

And.. here they are!! Get ready to drooooollll!!!!

Sofi ordered Sweet Princess sundae and after consuming her sundae she told me that it was the best day ever! lol!

Some of the pics didn't do justice on how delicious they are. We satisfied our tummies with all the nuts, fresh fruits, delectable sweetness of ice cream and sundaes! It is indeed an ultimate experience. Can't wait to go back for more!!!

Don't forget to visit the newly opened Swensen's Ice Cream and Sundaes SM North, The Block branch.

You can also visit their other branch at SM Mall of Asia (Ground Floor South Wing-Near SM Department Store)

Follow them on twitter and facebook for more updates, promos and news!

Thank you so much Swensen's for having me and Sofi! Congratulations on the opening! Thank you Aldous for the invite! :)

A world without strangers is an ideal world where people are not divided by race, class, religion or culture. It is a world where everyone welcomes each other as if they are friends or family. This is what Giordano Philippines stands for, and it longs to do so by developing apparel for everyone regardless of ethnicity, nationality or culture.

In celebration of its 25th anniversary in the country, Giordano Philippines invites everyone to join them in this quest for a World Without Strangers (WWS), beginning with the WWS photo booth which will run in selected malls all over the country from May 16 to June 1, 2014.

Catch the WWS photo booth at Trinoma (May 23), SM Megamall (May 24), Alabang Town Center (May 25), Ayala Cebu (May 30) and SM Davao (June 1). The first leg of the campaign took place at the SM Mall of Asia (May 16), Glorietta (May 17) and SM Pampanga (May 18).

The photo booth will be situated in the mall for a whole day. Those who want to participate in the campaign need to sign a form, giving their consent for Giordano Philippines to use to use their photos on social media and other Giordano marketing collaterals. And participants will get to bring home their own copy of the photo.

“The Giordano brand and apparel have always appealed to anyone – from those who shop in Dubai’s glitzy malls to the laidback college kids in Sydney, Australia. Our timeless style and quality materials bring together people of different cultures and backgrounds,” said Beatrice Lim, Giordano Philippines’ VP for Marketing.

“Here in the Philippines people still come from different divides, and through this campaign we hope to break that. We want to show everyone that we can live in a world without strangers,” she said.

For more information about the campaign, please visit www.facebook.com/GiordanoPhilippines.

Empowered Mothers vie for Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2014

Awesummer Sale at Mandaue Foam

Newest line of Cupcakes at myKaffe Bakeshop

What's New: Intercare Wheatgrass Max

OpenSnap is now in the Philippines

Clarity Aesthetics offers Invisalign

LINE Unveils 2NE1 Sticker Collections

Little Miss Solane 2014 Press Launch

What's New: Lido's 'Lucky' 5-Spice Pork Roll

Hey Mom! Media Launch

Nido Fortified's Mother's Day Celebration

Back-to-School Spending Made Lighter with Citi Credit Cards and PayLite

What's New: Intercare GlucosamineMAX

Small space, big impression

Ban Kee Trading's Toys and Baby Products

Rossi Sweet Red from Carlo Rossi

Little Miss Solane 2014 Cuties and Teenies Winners

EasyShop.ph Seller’s Night a Roaring Success

Experience the Ultimate Sundae at Swensen's SM The Block

You're Invited! Join World Without Strangers from Giordano Philippines