by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 19, 2020 | Events
The on-going global pandemic did not stop Filinvest City from making the Christmas season more joyous and meaningful as it recently held its “Be the Light” virtual event, making the community still feel the wonderful holiday vibe even in the comforts of their own homes.
Kicking off the celebration by paying tribute to frontliners and modern-day heroes, Filinvest City’s Be the Light show highlights the true meaning of Christmas — giving thanks, sparking hope, and continuing to inspire possibilities as we all look back at the last few months of community quarantines and unprecedented changes.
Don Ubaldo, Filinvest City vice president for townships
“The year 2020 has made us focus on what is important—the people who matter to us and those who make a difference in the community,” noted Don Ubaldo, Filinvest City vice president for townships. “That is why, this year, we dedicate our Christmas celebration to the people in the frontlines. They are the people who made this celebration possible. With this gathering, we want to inspire everyone that all of us can be the light this Christmas season.”
Filinvest City further encouraged the community to be the light and always look at the brighter side as it hosted a Christmas video-making online contest dedicated to community frontliners. People from the community, who want to showcase their talents in video-making, storytelling, and production, joined the contest and shared stories of inspiring workers in Filinvest City.
Contest winners
During the event hosted by Sam YG, contest winners were announced … Angela Pangilinan, a Muntinlupa resident and professional digital marketer, won the top prize with her video which told the story of the determined, long-time security guard, Arnel Pastor. Her entry was also dubbed the People’s Choice Award for having the greatest number of shares on Facebook. Pangilinan took home a total of ₱25,000 in cash.
Meanwhile, finalist Justine Sarmiento, an HR Manager from Sucat, received ₱15,000 in cash with the inspiring quarantine story of John Christian Bantug, housekeeping personnel in a condo in Filinvest City. Lastly, receiving ₱10,000, Precious Joy Matorre, a frontliner herself from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), dedicated her entry to Queency Reyes, a medical technologist in RITM. The frontliners featured in the winning entries also received a ₱5,000 worth of Noche Buena package from Filinvest City.
Musical performances
The show also featured musical performances from some of the country’s biggest OPM bands. Fans were able to sing along from their own homes as Silent Sanctuary, Gracenote, and Sandwich performed Christmas songs and some of their respective hits including “Ikaw Lamang,” “It’s Okay to Not be Okay,” and “Betamax.”
Filinvest City is known to be the go-to Christmas destination in the metro south and it continues to light up the garden city this year amid the pandemic. Viewers of the show were able to catch glimpses of the holiday decorations all over the township, including the dazzling lights and the 30-foot Christmas tree at the Spectrum Linear Park. And in light of honoring today’s heroes for their courage and sacrifice to serve and protect the community, Filinvest City unveiled its official tribute video to frontliners featuring the song “Kaleidoscope World” by Francis Magalona.
Through the Be the Light virtual event, Filinvest City aims to not only spread even more joy and inspiration this season, but also to initiate a movement that will leave a significant impact on the community as the world navigates through these trying times.
Rewatch clips from the “Be the Light” Christmas event by liking and following @FilinvestCityOFFICIAL on Facebook. For more information, visit www.filinvestcity.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 16, 2020 | Food & Beverage
Growing up I was tall and slim and had a very fast metabolism. I could eat anything I wanted, so I did. Fast food, junk food, home-cooked meals, restaurant food, pastries, bread, pasta, rice, meat, chicken, fish, etc. I ate it all! But as I grew older my metabolism slowed down and I find it isn’t as easy to burn off all the calories I consume so I have to start eating smart. After all, it isn’t about the quantity of food I eat but about the quality.
The meat reduction cycle
It started in my 20s, I would go through this eating cycle:
- week 1 – no beef
- week 2 – no beef and pork
- week 3 – no beef, pork, and chicken
- week 4 – no beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, just veggies
- week 5 – I eat whatever I like
That’s for one whole week each time, no cheat days. I guess I give myself a cheat week, lol! Then the cycle starts over again. The cheat week is not a binge-fest so it isn’t so sinful as all that
Today, the only meats I eat with any consistency are chicken and fish (fresh or canned). I don’t really follow the cycle anymore because of it but occasionally, I get to enjoy pork (like in adobo or bacon) and shrimp and some cold cuts like pastrami and pepperoni (which I looooove!) but they are few and far between.
Healthy food choices
Let’s take a look at an all-time favorite sandwich, the burger. It looks innocent enough but that much meat (even with all the veggies on top of it in the sandwich) cannot be good for our health.
But burgers are delicious, right? And so easy to prepare. Are there healthier alternatives?
A logical direction to go is to replace the burger meat (which is usually beef) with chicken or fish. but what if there was a better alternative? In my personal opinion, here is an easy peasy way to introduce a plant-based diet to our carnivorous family and friends.
For the affordable price of 135 pesos, you get TWO UnMeat burger patties. That is a REALLY GOOD PRICE.
If you want to decide for yourself which kind of burger is better then hop on over to Shakey’s and order the Goood Burger and the Baaad Burger. 🙂 Go there with a friend and share the love. 🙂
The Goood Burger and the Baaad Burger from Shakeys
When I discovered that Century Pacific Food / Swift launched this plant-based product Shopee and Lazada a few days ago at the introductory price of 50 pesos, I jumped at it and ordered 8 packs. Now I think I should have bought more, lol!
I already love Century Pacific Food for bringing Century Tuna into my life and now this! I am so overwhelmed and amazed and happy!
What I like about the UnMeat Burger is that it looks and tastes like a regular burger but it is not composed of meat! And best of all, it is affordable.
The downside of deciding to go vegan
Frankly, going vegan is expensive. I just bought some stuff for a friend last weekend: Beyond Meat sausages for 699 pesos, and that is just 4 sausages in the pack. I also bought Daiya dairy-free cheddar cheese (200 grams) for 329 pesos. Vegetables are also expensive. This means that I need to get creative when I cook dinner for the family … like when I cooked spicy eggplant and tofu last week. 🙂
spicy eggplant and tofu
Is a vegetarian/vegan diet the only answer?!?
Ok, before you get all up in my face, I am not saying that a plant-based diet is the only answer to good health. After all, it isn’t for everyone. I know people who will probably not live as long if they are deprived of meat. Personally, though, I have found that I feel livelier and stronger with less meat in my diet … but that’s just me. I haven’t removed the meat from my diet, I just reduced it.
I got this infographic from forksoverknives.com to show the difference between a vegan diet and a plant-based diet.
Based on the infographic I am NONE OF THE ABOVE, hahaha. Ok, honestly, the way I eat is possibly closest to the plant-based diet but I would say, very loosely because I really like to eat. 😀
I therefore conclude …
That what you choose to eat is totally up to you but, as much as you can without being sad, try to make healthier choices.
Currently, the UnMeat burger is only available at Lazada and Shopee while supply lasts! I am really hoping they bring this to the regular supermarkets soon.
** This post is not a solicited post. I just really like the UnMeat burger. 🙂
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 15, 2020 | Food & Beverage
Food has always been a big part of every celebration. As Filipinos are known for having the grandest Christmas celebration in the world, there will surely be tables filled with unique and festive dishes to match the season’s merriments. Now, to help you get into the Holiday spirit, Solane, the leading LPG brand in the country, shares how to put appetizing and creative twists on some classic Filipino Christmas dishes to level up your Noche Buena.
Glazed Christmas Ham.
A Christmas ham certainly completes a Noche Buena table. But instead of just taking it out of the box and putting it on a plate, make it more flavorful and enjoyable. First, place your ham on a roasting pan lined with foil then score it vertically. In a saucepan over low heat, make your glaze by melting a stick of unsalted butter then mixing in one cup of brown sugar, half a cup of orange juice, half a cup of honey, and two tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Once the sugar has dissolved and the glaze has thickened, pour half of it over your scored ham. Put the ham in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound. Make sure to baste the ham with your remaining glaze halfway through.
Crispy Lechon Roll.
lechon belly roll photo credit to knorr.com/ph
Lechon is another Holiday favorite among Filipinos. First, get a slab of pork belly and lay it flat on a surface. Rub it with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Next, arrange a pile of lemongrass, scallions, garlic, and red onions on top of the pork belly, and then roll it until it forms a spiral shape. Use kitchen twine to tie the meat and brush the outside with annatto oil. Place it on a roasting pan with a rack, then put it in a preheated oven at 350°F for two hours or until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy.
Extra Meaty Spaghetti.
meaty longganisa spaghetti photo credit to knorr.com/ph
No matter what the occasion, Filipino-style spaghetti will always be present! So take it to the next level by adding a surprise ingredient – longganisa! In a pan, start by sautéing minced garlic and onions before adding the ground beef. You can also add finely diced carrots to up the health factor. Once the beef has turned brown, mix in your longganisa and hotdogs. Then, add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the Filipino-style spaghetti sauce of your choice then let it simmer. Now, pour it over your cooked pasta noodles, grate some cheese, and enjoy!
Decadent Queso de Bola Cheesecake.
After a hearty meal, your guests will surely crave dessert. So why not make another Christmas staple with a fun twist — queso de bola cheesecake? In a bowl, start by mixing one cup of crushed graham crackers, sugar, and a quarter cup of melted butter. Once combined, press it down to the bottom of a springform pan then chill. For the cheesecake filling, mix three packs of softened cream cheese and sugar before adding your special ingredient – a cup and a half of finely grated queso de bola. Next, beat in three eggs then pour over the chilled graham crust. Simply bake it for around 40 minutes or until the filling has set. You may also serve it with mangoes or blueberries for added sweetness.
If you want to prepare all those dishes and more, Solane can help you have a stress-free experience in the kitchen with its quality and safe LPG that you can now order online. For more information, visit www.solane.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 10, 2020 | Health and Wellness
Kojie-san has always been committed to making its products better than ever. After introducing the newest kojic acid skin lightening innovation called Zero Pigment Light, this brand is once again pushing itself further to Go Beyond Ordinary with its improved line of lotions.
Kojie-san Skin Lightening Body Lotion with HydroMoist and Kojie-san Skin Lightening Body Lotion SPF25 with HydroMoist are now infused with the Zero Pigment Light technology. Its latest Kojic Acid skin lightening innovation that zeroes in on your dark spots, age spots, scars, melasma, and hyperpigmentation giving you a lighter even skin tone.
Moisturizing the skin is an important step in keeping it soft, radiant, and healthy-looking all day long. Both Kojie-san’s lotions contain HydroMoist, a new formulation that gives hydration to your skin while locking in the moisture. Kojie-san Skin Lightening Body Lotion with HydroMoist has a light, non-greasy formula that’s easily absorbed to help restore and strengthen your skin barrier and minimize the appearance of rough skin and stretch marks.
Kojie-san Body Lotion
What’s more, it delivers on a unique 72-hour moisture lock that keeps skin soft and smooth longer. Meanwhile, Kojie-san Skin Lightening Body Lotion SPF25 with HydroMoist also contains UVA/UVB filters to protect your skin from harsh environmental factors that can lead to skin damage and hasten the onset of wrinkles and other signs of skin aging. Plus, both lotion variants are dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free.
To achieve the full benefits of Kojie-san’s carefully formulated products, it’s best to use either of these lotions with popular soap variants Kojie-san Skin Lightening Classic Soap and Kojie-san Skin Lightening HydroMoist Soap for a softer and more even-toned complexion.
Why settle for something less when you can Go Beyond Ordinary? With Kojie-san’s improved skin lightening body lotions, you can achieve a healthier glow while addressing your specific skin concerns.
Get exciting updates and information at @Kojie-sanPH on Facebook and Instagram at www.kojiesan.com. Kojie-san is available at all leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide, as well as Kojie-san’s official LazMall on Lazada and Beauty MNL.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 9, 2020 | Health and Wellness
Kojie-san may be the country’s number one kojic acid soap, but that doesn’t mean that it’s done changing the beauty landscape. The brand is always evolving and seeking ways to help women Command Beauty by offering high-quality products that give you the power to decide how you want to look.
This is why Kojie-san has created the latest kojic acid innovation, the Zero Pigment Light, that lets you go “all the way light” and achieve an even complexion. This new skin lightening innovation is a powerful mode of action that takes the amazing lightening benefits of kojic acid up a notch by zeroing in on your dark spots, age spots, scars, melasma, and hyperpigmentation for a lighter even skin tone.
You can now experience this new and improved kojic acid with Kojie-san’s dermatologically tested and paraben-free line of soaps Kojie-san Skin Lightening Classic Soap and Kojie-san Skin Lightening HydroMoist Soap, and the new body wash variant Kojie-san Skin Lightening Body Wash with HydroMoist.
With Zero Pigment Light, the brand has made its famed Kojie-san Skin Lightening Classic Soap even better. Clinically proven to lighten skin in as fast as 7 days, this Classic Soap continues to be one of the best lightening soaps in the market, as proven by its loyal following.
If you have dry skin, try Kojie-san’s newest soap variant that combines the skin lightening power of Zero Pigment Light and moisturizing benefits of its latest HydroMoist formula. Kojie-san Skin Lightening HydroMoist Soap helps keep your skin moisturized and well-hydrated for up to 24 hours so it stays soft and smooth all day.
Kojie-san’s new Zero Pigment Light is also infused in Kojie-san Skin Lightening Body Wash with HydroMoist to help eliminate dark spots and uneven skin tone, and keep skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. With HydroMoist, this bodywash deeply nourishes and hydrates skin for up to 24 hours. Dermatologically tested and paraben-free, it gently cleanses and helps protect the skin’s external layers from losing moisture, and leaves you feeling cool and refreshed after.
Kojie-san’s Zero Pigment Light innovation goes with its Command Beauty campaign that helps you shun restrictive beauty standards and embrace your own meaning of beauty. Kojie-san’s highly effective products with Zero Pigment Light give you more confidence to fearlessly pursue your own beauty goals and take charge of how you want to look and to live your life.
Get exciting updates and information at @Kojie-sanPH on Facebook and Instagram and www.kojiesan.com. Kojie-san is available at all leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide, as well as Kojie-san’s official LazMall on Lazada and Beauty MNL.
Let’s take a look at an all-time favorite sandwich, the burger. It looks innocent enough but that much meat (even with all the veggies on top of it in the sandwich) cannot be good for our health.
When I discovered that 
With Zero Pigment Light, the brand has made its famed Kojie-san Skin Lightening Classic Soap even better. Clinically proven to lighten skin in as fast as 7 days, this Classic Soap continues to be one of the best lightening soaps in the market, as proven by its loyal following.
If you have dry skin, try Kojie-san’s newest soap variant that combines the skin lightening power of Zero Pigment Light and moisturizing benefits of its latest HydroMoist formula. Kojie-san Skin Lightening HydroMoist Soap helps keep your skin moisturized and well-hydrated for up to 24 hours so it stays soft and smooth all day.
Kojie-san’s new Zero Pigment Light is also infused in Kojie-san Skin Lightening Body Wash with HydroMoist to help eliminate dark spots and uneven skin tone, and keep skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. With HydroMoist, this bodywash deeply nourishes and hydrates skin for up to 24 hours. Dermatologically tested and paraben-free, it gently cleanses and helps protect the skin’s external layers from losing moisture, and leaves you feeling cool and refreshed after.
You must be logged in to post a comment.