by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 27, 2021 | Work Tips
Is success measured in earnings, popularity, or happiness? I started to blog because I had a lot of thoughts racing around in my head that needed to get out but I hated taking pen to paper and writing it down.
Keeping a diary was so frustrating! Rather than the therapeutic exercise, it was meant to be, it became a source of stress instead. Typing on a screen became my outlet and my thoughts flowed freely from my fingers. I never thought I would be the blogger I am today.
My early blogging years
My early public posts were mostly reviews, which came naturally to me, particularly about books I have read.
Growing up my parents instilled in me and my sisters the joy of reading. Many times you would find the entire family in the living room, each member in their own chair with a book in hand, enjoying each other’s company while lost in our own literary worlds. Every now and then we would look up and share how we felt about parts of the book that we read. This would spark comments and sharings, especially if they have already read the book previously.
Something else I loved to review back in the day were movies and stage plays (particularly musicals). This is what put me on the radar back then. The internet was still fairly new and people didn’t really know much about websites or SEO or any of the fancy terms we take for granted nowadays. Authors and directors or producers would find out about my blog and started inviting me to review their book, their movie, or their play.
Finding a niche
When attempting to identify your niche keep in mind that a niche classifies the kind of content you would be posting on your website. It implies that you are an authority on the subject or, at the very least, more than just a passing acquaintance with it. Take for example beauty blogger, Nikita Charuza, who wrote a piece about influential people and their favorite perfume scents for 2021.
Another example is lifestyle and fashion blogger Alexandra Nicole. As an entrepreneur, stylist, and mother deciding what to write about was a no-brainer. Her lifestyle site, Chic City Living, is geared toward moms and gives advice on fashion, beauty, health, parenting, etc.
In the beginning, I would say my niche was more ENTERTAINMENT, which later evolved into the more eclectic LIFESTYLE. Lately, though, with everyone being stuck at home I have spent a lot of time in the kitchen and my site (while still in the lifestyle niche) is starting to look more like a FOODIE site. Identifying myself as a lifestyle blogger, though, opens up my site to different kinds of content so it is important to know what your niche is.
Working with brands
For many years now I have had the pleasure of working with several brands, big and small. There are those that offer to pay a fixed amount, some ask for my rates, and others offer products or services instead. Ever since bloggers were recognized as a media arm I have had the pleasure of attending many events as part of the media where I received firsthand information which I then disseminated on my site and on social media. It was an opportunity not only to know more about (and enjoy) the product or service but also to hobnob with the company bigwigs and personalities, as well as other bloggers and members of the press.
Oftentimes these brands through their agency partners would send press releases for posting. You do not need to post everything they send you. Consider if it matches your niche or will compromise your own brand.
Write your own material
While I do post materials from brands I work with, I also do my own writing. After all, a blog should be more than a repository of press releases. When you do write, make sure to always, ALWAYS check your grammar and syntax. I can’t describe the level of frustration I feel when I read a social media post or an article with horrible grammar. This is a common problem with people who are not native English speakers but sadly, it isn’t limited to them. Write in the vernacular if you are more fluent in that.
I realize that this limits the audience but there is an easy solution … use grammar tools like Grammarly. I, myself, am not immune to making grammatical errors, especially with homonyms, which is why I use grammar tools myself.
Blog if it makes you happy
It isn’t always about the bottom line. Blog because it makes you happy. Blog because you have something to share. Most importantly, blog because it is something or about something you are passionate about.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 27, 2021 | Bon Appetit
Lent is upon us and for most Christians, this is a time when we abstain from red meat. Instead of preparing the same dish over and over again here are some tuna recipes that can put variety and excitement to our dining table. For part 1 of this series, we will “visit” Italy and Mexico.
Creamy Tuna and Mushroom Pasta
In our household, creamy tuna pasta is a regular weekend dish prepared by my sister. It is easy to prepare and is quite filling! In addition, one can of tuna feeds so many people. Try it yourself.
Creamy Tuna and Mushroom Pasta
Course: Main Course
Keyword: cream-based, pasta dish, tuna
Servings: 6
- 1/4 cup Magnolia Gold Butter Unsalted
- 2 tbsp minced onion
- 1/2 cup sliced button mushrooms
- 1 can (298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups Magnolia Fresh Milk
- 1 can (185 g) San Miguel Del Mar Tuna Chunks in Oil
- 1 tbsp chopped dill leaves optional
- 1/4 kg spaghetti noodles cooked according to package directions
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onion and mushrooms.
Add cream of mushroom and milk. Mix until lump-free and cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in tuna and dill, and simmer until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
Toss the pasta into the sauce.
Tips:
- Substitute dill leaves with chopped parsley or basil leaves.
- Add sliced black olives for a flavor boost.
Tuna Tacos
This recipe is for soft tacos but you can easily change it up into the regular tacos by buying hard shells instead. I would make this for a quick meal. If you have a busy day ahead, this is one of those you could eat on the run as it is essentially a folded sandwich.
Easy Tuna Tacos
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: tacos, tuna
Servings: 6
- 1/3 cup Magnolia Real Mayonnaise
- 2 tsp chopped garlic
- 6 pieces small flour tortillas or pita bread lightly warmed or toasted
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce leaves
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1 piece tomato, sliced 100 grams
- 1 can (185 g)San Miguel Del Mar Tuna Chunks in Oil drained
To make garlic sauce, mix mayonnaise and garlic then set aside.
In the center of each flour tortilla, place 1 to 2 tablespoons of lettuce leaves, cucumber slices, tomato slices, and tuna. Drizzle with garlic sauce.
Fold tortilla to secure filling.
- Keep tortillas in the refrigerator for up to a week and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To warm store-bought tortillas: (1) heat in a dry hot pan over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side, (2) wrap stacked tortillas in a paper towel, then wrap in aluminum foil and bake at 300°F for about 10 minutes and (3) cover tortillas with a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minute.
- Buy salad greens that are bright in color, leaves crisp, free of blemishes, and smell fresh.
The hard taco shell can also be replaced with nacho chips and this tuna taco can be transformed into a tuna taco salad, yum!
Most people don’t have tortilla wraps available in the fridge but most homes have the ingredients to make one. Click HERE for my paratha/roti recipe. FYI, there is very little difference between a paratha and a tortilla wrap so if you can make one, you can easily make the other. 😀
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 26, 2021 | Advocacy
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) — the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country — donated more than 800 COVID-19 Rapid Test kits to Naga City.
PCPPI Bicol Regional Operations General Manager Francisco L. Escala, Jr. turned over the test kits to Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, aiming to help the local government unit maintain its health and safety standards to stop the spread of the virus in the Bicol region.
In the photo are (from left) PCPPI Operations Manager Emmanuel Manaog, Territory Manager Sharmaine Banaag, HR Manager Roxana Ulpindo, Finance Manager Jose Bergonio, General Manager Francisco Escala, Jr., and Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 23, 2021 | Health and Wellness
To celebrate women, women’s month, and new beginnings, Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics launched its new logo and campaign tagged “Beauty Speaks”.
Dr. Em Sevilla
Dr. Emehly Sevilla, or Dr. Em, the owner of Vine Aesthetics, said since the majority of Vine’s clients are women, the new campaign is aimed at celebrating women and their valuable contribution not only to their families, colleagues, and friends but to society in general.
“We have been working on the relaunch of the clinic and we felt that the month of March would be the best time to do so to coincide with the celebration of International Women’s Month,” Dr. Em said. “There’s no better way to celebrate women than to show that we cherish them by pampering them and showing them how much we love them.”
Vine’s relaunch campaign focuses on beauty and how women communicate through their beauty. Through their beauty, women are able to convey their strengths, self-love, fight for equality, service, and freedom amongst others.
“As we celebrate the women in our lives, we would like to give a deeper meaning and value to the self-care,” Dr. Em said. “We want to be there for women so that they can relax, reboot and reset.”
The new logo of Vine Aesthetics’ redefines “beauty by going back to its roots through unfiltered self-confidence.”
“We have decided to adopt a new logo, a new face that will allow the women’s beauty to speak and spread like new vines waiting to flourish,” Dr. Em explained.
To celebrate the new campaign and logo, Vine Aesthetics came up with Beauty Speaks promos that will allow women to “Raise Your Arms High,” “Peel it Away” and “Come Back to Your Shape.”
“We want to give you the best care that you need until your unfiltered beauty speaks for you,” Dr. Em said.
To avail of the Beauty Speaks promos, book an appointment by calling 09178590642 or through PM at the FB page of Vine Aesthetics.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 22, 2021 | Business
The damage of getting your house razed by fire is insurmountable; fires at home can break out anytime and anywhere and can damage livelihood, household appliances, and more. In 2018, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded a total of 14,316 incidents of fire from January until December.
This is why every March is Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines, and BFP’s campaign for this month is safety consciousness among our people every day of the year as a positive preventive approach to a problem that can be solved by more caution, vigilance, sobriety, the exercise of common sense and respect for the law. It is a campaign that focuses on exercising vigilance at home and keeping oneself knowledgeable on the best way to protect your home and family from destruction brought about by fire.
Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier
“Cebuana Lhuillier has always committed to being of help to the Filipinos at all times, and our call for Fire Prevention is a reflection of that, our insurance products that aim to keep our clients protected at all times is a complementary effort to our advocacy for this month,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
PJ Lhuillier’s insurance arm, the Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc (CLIB), has also expressed its support for BFP’s campaign through the years. It has been a staunch advocate of having Filipinos insured, posting almost a 35% contribution to the total number of insured Filipinos through microinsurance.
CLIB has also worked together closely with the Insurance Commission in promoting microinsurance in the country, they have settled over more than 5,300 million claims worth over Php 500 million they have serviced over 16,500 claimants. Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’, Inc. is also the first and only ISO-certified insurance broker in the Philippines.
Also launched this month in conjunction with the celebration of Fire Prevention Month is a promo dubbed “Panalo ka sa ProtectMax” where clients of the ProtectMax product of CLIB get a chance to win Php 25,000. The promo is open to all clients who will purchase 5 ProtectMax COCs; these 5 COCs are equal to the e-raffle entry. For the promo, 20 lucky raffle winners will be selected and will win Php 25,000.
Jonathan Batangan
“This Fire Prevention month, it is very important to drumbeat awareness on fire safety and prevention, and the importance of being protected. CLIB believes that an information and education drive is very important to ensure that everyone is well-informed against conflagration,” said Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’ Inc., Jonathan Batangan.
For clients who are interested to keep themselves protected without having to go to Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches, they may purchase Home Insurance via the ProtectNow app or website, just log on to protectnow.com to see CLIB’s full range of products online.
They’ve also mounted the #SunogFreeWorryFree: ProtectMax Kontra Sunog webinar which aims to highlight the importance of being ready for untoward situations especially fire, and the importance of having protection whenever there are threats of a conflagration.
While I do post materials from brands I work with, I also do my own writing. After all, a blog should be more than a repository of press releases. When you do write, make sure to always, ALWAYS check your grammar and syntax. I can’t describe the level of frustration I feel when I read a social media post or an article with horrible grammar. This is a common problem with people who are not native English speakers but sadly, it isn’t limited to them. Write in the vernacular if you are more fluent in that.
To celebrate women, women’s month, and new beginnings, 
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