by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 23, 2019 | Events
Mastercard today solidified its commitment to ‘Win As One’ at the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games through an event at the Glorietta Activity Center that unveiled the various ways it makes the Games a priceless experience for Filipinos.
Mastercard is committed to creating a priceless SEA Games experience for all Filipinos. Mastercard is powering the official 2019 SEA Games mobile app, which has a payment functionality embedded and has also released a limited-edition commemorative 2019 SEA Games Mastercard prepaid card through its partner Philippine National Bank.
Another initiative to make the games a priceless experience is the Mastercard augmented reality filter on Facebook which allows Filipinos to show support by posting selfies embellished with fun backgrounds, stickers, and music.
As the official payment partner of the SEA Games, Mastercard cardholders will also enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on ticket purchase with a minimum spend of Php 1,000 at any SM Tickets outlet or online via smtickets.com, and through the 2019 SEA Games mobile app.
The Mastercard Jeepney
To get more Filipinos to participate, Mastercard Philippines Country Manager Rowell Del Fierro, together with distinguished guests, proudly unveiled the Mastercard Jeepney, designed by local artist Lou Pineda-Arada.
The jeepney is a well-loved Philippine cultural icon and Mastercard is leveraging it as a symbol of unity – a figurative ride towards the country’s victory. The Mastercard Jeepney also features a volleyball and basketball motion-sensing game, which the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon’s star player Kobe Paras got to play in front of the crowd.
Rowell del Fierro, Mastercard Country Manager
“In the spirit of supporting the government and ensuring the Philippines is a successful host of the 2019 SEA Games, Mastercard has created multiple interactive initiatives encouraging Filipinos to actively participate in the event,” said Rowell Del Fierro, Country Manager of Mastercard Philippines.
With a little over a week left until the opening ceremony, Mastercard and Philippines Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) are asking Filipinos to Start Something Priceless at the 2019 SEA Games.
The Mastercard Jeepney will be stationed at the Glorietta Activity Center until November 29.
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.
Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone.
Follow us on Twitter @MastercardAP, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 23, 2019 | Health and Wellness
Taking a leap towards a more gender-inclusive community, SM Supermalls will begin to install all-gender restrooms in its malls starting with its premier malls across Metro Manila, including SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier, The Podium, and at SM Seaside City Cebu beginning this November.
“With inclusivity and innovation at the core of everything we do, we endeavor to create spaces where all shoppers are welcome,” said SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan.
As the third home of Filipinos after work and school, SM Supermalls will continue to provide a safe community space that advocates inclusivity, equality, and respect for all regardless of gender expression, identity, or sexual orientation.
For more information, visit www.supermalls.com or check out SM’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@SMSupermalls).
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 22, 2019 | Food & Beverage, Yummy Reviews
There are many types of bread in the market but none so special as Hearty Bread which is healthy, yummy, and easy on the budget. This post contains materials provided by Hearty Bread plus my (and my family’s) review of their products.
A special type of diet usually arises from a health condition or a call for a healthier lifestyle. Having to adapt to a new diet is hard enough especially if this is accompanied by medicines in the case of those who have diabetes, cancer, renal failure, and other diseases that call for a Low-Carbohydrate/ Sugar-Free diet.
Why go gluten-free?
Diabetic Cases
diabetes calling image credit to https://www.ormc.org/
The Philippines is considered one of diabetes “hot spots” in the Western Pacific region. It is estimated that 1 out of 5 Filipinos are diabetic. This statistic is very alarming and calls for the attention of the general public. Several cause-oriented groups have already started campaigns to spread awareness in the hope to help hinder the growth.
It was noted that the unhealthy lifestyle habits of Filipinos are the main cause of diabetes. This was also tackled by World Health Organization and they also included sedentary lifestyles as major lifestyle risk factors, stating that 1 in 3 is overweight and 1 in 10 is obese.
Obesity
Obesity cases are another red flag in the country. Those who consume an excess of sugar and carbohydrates lead to accumulating that excess weight over time.
Per record, the Philippines has an estimated a staggering 18 million citizens who are either obese or overweight.
Cancer Cells feed on Sugar
To clarify, consuming sugar does not cause cancer. Studies have been conducted which prove that sugar essentially feeds tumors and encourages cancer growth. Hence, starving these cells from sugar may help cancer patients.
Given these health conditions, a group of young entrepreneurs has decided to develop bread alternatives for those whose dietary requirements need special attention. Evan Dykimching and Vicson Ngo are the people behind Hearty Bread, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free.
How did Hearty Bread begin?
The company started out as a supplier for some of the major hospitals in the Metro. They cater to doctors and in-house patients with cancer or diabetes.
Evan Dykimching
Evan recounts “When one of our family members got confined in the hospital, we were surprised that the price of our bread was quite high due to several administrative fees”.
With the company’s desire to promote affordable and quality health, they created the brand “Hearty Bread” to make healthy bread readily available and affordable to the general public.
To give you an idea, if you are not familiar with the price of the Gluten-Free/Sugar-Free market, other producers are selling at P500 to P600 per loaf. For most people, this price tag is very expensive.
Hearty Bread Almond Loaf Line
Hearty Bread invested in research & development for two years in order to come up with bread that is double the size and sells at half the price. Hearty Bread’s Almond Loaf line retails at only P180 for the plain Almond Loaf while their Cheesy variants – Cheesy Charcoal and Cheesy Coffee are pegged at P250 per loaf.
Hearty Bread Sourdough/Probiotic Line
They also have other products such as their Sourdough/Probiotic line which includes Malunggay Sourdough Pandesal which sells at P40 for 6 pieces, while their other Sourdough loaf sells at P115. Hearty Bread’s Fruit loaves are also in demand, Banana Sourdough Loaf retails at P200, Banoffee Walnut Sourdough Loaf and Pumpkin Carrot Sourdough Loaf sells at P280 per loaf. These are all Gluten-Free/Sugar-free!
A lot of other products are in the pipeline and are being developed which gives those who are into these types of diets something to look forward to.
Pricelist
Here is the price list to guide you. A quick glance will already show you how much more affordable Hearty Bread is than other gluten-free/sugar-free brands. Also, so many choices! This just makes the journey to good health more fun!
The Review
I cook and I bake so I can appreciate the research that went into making these breads. FYI, sourdough is a much healthier alternative to white bread and is better for digestion, too!
Banana Sourdough Loaf
If you like banana bread then this banana sourdough loaf will be something you would enjoy. Instead of lacatan they used saba which has a smoother consistency and comes out sweeter when ripened (aged) correctly. I would have preferred this loaf with walnuts and probably not as sweet. I am assuming that they used artificial sweeteners like Splenda. I prefer the taste of honey.
Banoffee Walnut Sourdough Loaf
The banoffee walnut sourdough loaf is very similar in taste to the banana sourdough loaf except with the addition of two very important ingredients … coffee and walnuts.
I personally preferred this one but having said that I still found it too sweet. My mom, sisters, and the kids really enjoyed it, though.
Cheesy Charcoal Almond Loaf
I confess, for us, this bread was a turn-off but we gave it a shot … several times in fact! We figured, if Hearty Bread would go to the effort of making this bread there has to be something good about it, right?
Well, like my sister, Ginny said … it is like eating Diatabs if Diatabs were baked into bread. My nephews, niece, and daughter said they couldn’t get passed that grainy charcoal taste. My mom saw it and didn’t even try.
I tried it myself and I really, really gave it a chance but, sadly, even with the addition of cheese and almonds, this loaf of bread did not wow me, not even a little bit. But I understand why they did this. Activated charcoal is known as a good ingredient for improving elimination (aka bowel movement) and addressing flatulence. What I would recommend, perhaps, is not to make it so pure. Probably, half charcoal then half premium sourdough then mix it so it bakes into a marbled loaf. It would still have the activated charcoal but not overwhelmingly so.
Ezekiel Almond Loaf
This was easy to eat but we couldn’t find the almond taste … or the almonds. It tastes just like regular bread so the kids could not even taste the difference. Eating it as a sandwich certainly makes it look “normal”.
The taste was also quite mild so this was not difficult for my mom to try. To her, it was just bread, which is a good thing.
Moringa Premium Sourdough Pandesal
For a few years now there has been a campaign to promote malunggay pandesal as an alternative to regular pandesal and, at the beginning people have looked at it with suspicion. Some have tried, and some have continued with what they are used to.
We ourselves have shifted to malunggay pandesal so we had a basis of comparison.
- Hearty Bread’s moringa premium sourdough pandesal is BIG, it is just a little bit smaller than my hand.
- Hearty Bread’s moringa premium sourdough pandesal has just the right level of sweetness.
- Hearty Bread’s moringa premium sourdough pandesal does not have that grainy texture we have come to expect from healthy bread
Multigrain Sourdough Loaf
This was my personal favorite, but then again, I have been known to buy multigrain bread on occasion. At home, I am the only one who really eats multigrain. My parents found it too nutty but I love it!
I would like to request more pumpkin and sunflower seeds, please. 😀
Premium Sourdough Loaf
Of all the bread my family and I got to try this was probably the easiest to try as they couldn’t tell the difference between this and the bread they like to buy in the grocery.
So for someone who is transitioning into a gluten-free/sugar-free diet then this bread is a good way to start.
Hearty Bread outlets
Hearty Bread can be purchased at the following outlets. Find the one closest to you and enjoy!
For more information, you can check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts or visit their website.
Evan also shares the secret to making their bread available at a very low price – “We can really lower the cost of our products since we produce them commercially in volume quantities. We also own the lot where our facilities operate so we don’t pay rent.” He further explains “We make our bread affordable not to kill the market price but to make these healthy bread affordable and help those who are burdened, to begin with.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 21, 2019 | Health and Wellness
The beauty industry is thriving this year, most especially in the Philippines. With so many beauty brands coming into the market this year, more and more consumers want something natural and effective.
Customers are more specific about what they want and are more knowledgeable about how to maintain their skin. With that, Korean Beauty, more widely known as “K-Beauty” is very popular in the Philippines as it focuses more on a healthier skin regimen using only ingredients derived from nature.
And this is why the natural Korean skincare brand “So Natural” is launching in the Philippines. So Natural was founded in 2007, a beauty company that sells its products exclusively online. So Natural focuses on intensive research and product development as well as providing great and effective products for their customers.
So Natural
So Natural believes in strengthening the natural properties of our skin, inspired by nature and formulated carefully. So Natural believes in the philosophy of healthy, beautiful skin is best achieved through using products that are gentle to our skin.
So Natural features 4 beauty lines that everyone should look out for.
- So Natural – Highly functional, dermatological based line
- The Pure – The purest line in naturalism
- Powder 4 Room – creative and unique make-up line
As So Natural launches in the Philippines, here are the best-selling products that are definitely recommended for you.
Facial Design Pink Mud Mask
Out with the toxins and in with the baby smooth skin finish. Create fresh and youthful skin with this mud mask. Take out sebum, dirt, and toxins in one go. It includes activated volcanic ash and a blend of plant extracts. It detoxifies and cleanses the skin as well as providing hydration and a nutrient boost for clear and radiant skin.
Centella Asiatica Ointment
It is the highest level of Centella Asiatica 1% that effectively soothes and calms the skin. It also helps rejuvenate wounded skin and also serves as a powerful micro-thin defense membrane on the skin surface to protect it from external stressors and diminish scars.
All Kill Blackhead Nose Stick
Stop pricking and start swiping away those blackheads with the All Kill Blackhead Nose Stick. It contains charcoal powder and yellow cleansing grains containing silica and vitamins that reduce blackheads and whiteheads while making your skin smooth and clear.
All Day Tight Makeup Setting Fixer
Stay fresh all day with smooth and smear-free make-up with the All Day Tight Makeup Setting Fixer. It helps makeup stay put on the skin and has perfect coverage using a fine mist. It’s also enriched with lemon, tea tree, Centella Asiatica extract that will help make your makeup look more refreshing and hydrated.
With these exciting products coming into the Philippines this year, Filipino customers can get to experience the difference of switching to all-natural products and the best of Korean Beauty all in one website. All of these best-selling products and a huge range of So Natural products and more can be found on the official website of Seoul Unni. It houses some of the biggest natural skincare brands including So Natural on its website.
Follow Seoul Unni on the following social media sites for more information and details about So Natural Products.
Instagram: @seoulunni_official
Facebook: Seoulunni Philippines
#SoNaturalNowinPH #SoNaturalPH #Seoulunni #SeoulUnniPH
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 20, 2019 | Events
Christmas, perhaps no other occasion will better represent happiness, togetherness, and generosity. The flavors and vibe of any Christmas feast have to be memorable. Flavors have to be iconic and satisfying; it should come together in a way that you are able to capture the festive air of the impending holidays.
Because moms are the ones who are inevitably in charge of making all this happen, Mega Prime Quality just made sure that they have everything they need to create an unforgettable Christmas celebration.
In the spirit of empowering moms to be the best home-makers, Mega Prime Quality hosted a holiday workshop, open exclusively to Prime Mom Club members, bloggers, and members of the media.
Santa’s Corner
Hosted at the SM The Block Atrium on November 16, guests started the day off by dropping their kids off at Santa’s Corner where they got their photos taken with Santa. They also let their imaginations run wild at the arts and craft station where they created exciting holiday cards.
The holiday workshop captured Mega Prime Quality’s commitment to helping moms improve their skills as homemakers. Moms were given an opportunity to learn how they can elevate the traditional Christmas feast with Mega Prime’s exclusive programs.
Holiday Recipes with Chef Rosebud Benitez
Celebrity Chef Rosebud Benitez showcased a full spread of holiday treats, from drinks to savory dishes that will be a guaranteed hit for family and friends this Christmas. She also shared with guests how to whip up a new holiday recipe called Vegetable Pasta with Mega Prime Pieces and Stems Mushroom and Mega Prime Green Peas.
To highlight Mega Prime’s full holiday product line, the guests had a mocktail mixing session where they were taught how to make Peach and Mango Mocktail using Mega Prime Peach Halves; and Creamy Fruit and Nata de Coco Dessert made of Mega Prime Tropical Fruit Cocktail and Mega Prime Nata de Coco.
DIY Project with Say Alonzo
Say Alonzo and her son guiding the audience in creating their own Winter Wonderland Terrarium
Guest celebrity mom Say Alonzo made the celebration even more memorable by hosting an exclusive Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Winter Wonderland Terrarium making a class where moms and kids enjoyed holiday-themed bonding time by creating their own Winter Wonderland terrariums filled with fake snow, small Christmas themed figurines and tiny Christmas trees.
And to make sure all the moms’ hard work is preserved for posterity, Instagram-ready photo ops were available at the event’s sampling area where Christmas favorites from Mega Prime have been styled.
The Prime Mom Club
Honorary Prime Mom Club member Marian Rivera-Dantes rounded up the day’s events by giving a short but sweet message to fellow Prime Mom Club members and expressed how happy she is to be part of the community.
“There is so much to look forward to during the holidays that we tend to forget how much time and effort it takes on the part of our moms to make all this happen for us. Through workshops like this, we aim to help take the stress out of the holiday preparations so families can truly enjoy the spirit of Christmas – staying true to the Prime Mom Club’s objective of empowering moms to be the best homemakers,” says Mega Prime Brand Manager, Raymund Alegre.
Among the sponsors of the holiday, edition workshop is Masflex, the official cookware partner of Mega Prime and COOK Magazine, who provided exciting raffle items to delight the participants.
Committed to turning moms into savvy cooks especially this holiday season, Mega Prime Quality provides a complete line-up of fresh, premium, and affordable canned fruits and vegetables that are perfect for every mom’s holiday recipes.
The Prime Mom Club workshop is known for giving moms the opportunity to improve their skills as homemakers within and beyond the kitchen. Combining information and education with interactive and engaging events, Prime Moms are given exclusive access to events featuring experts and celebrities to guide them and privileges.
Be sure to sign up for the Prime Mom Club at www.primemomclub.com to join the growing community of modern home-makers and receive exclusive information on future events and perks. For more information, be sure to follow @megaprimequality on Facebook and Instagram.
Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.
Taking a leap towards a more gender-inclusive community, SM Supermalls will begin to install all-gender restrooms in its malls starting with its premier malls across Metro Manila, including SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier, The Podium, and at SM Seaside City Cebu beginning this November.
“With inclusivity and innovation at the core of everything we do, we endeavor to create spaces where all shoppers are welcome,” said SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan.
Obesity cases are another red flag in the country. Those who consume an excess of sugar and carbohydrates lead to accumulating that excess weight over time.
If you like banana bread then this banana sourdough loaf will be something you would enjoy. Instead of lacatan they used saba which has a smoother consistency and comes out sweeter when ripened (aged) correctly. I would have preferred this loaf with walnuts and probably not as sweet. I am assuming that they used artificial sweeteners like Splenda. I prefer the taste of honey.
The banoffee walnut sourdough loaf is very similar in taste to the banana sourdough loaf except with the addition of two very important ingredients … coffee and walnuts.
I confess, for us, this bread was a turn-off but we gave it a shot … several times in fact! We figured, if Hearty Bread would go to the effort of making this bread there has to be something good about it, right?
This was easy to eat but we couldn’t find the almond taste … or the almonds. It tastes just like regular bread so the kids could not even taste the difference. Eating it as a sandwich certainly makes it look “normal”.
For a few years now there has been a campaign to promote malunggay pandesal as an alternative to regular pandesal and, at the beginning people have looked at it with suspicion. Some have tried, and some have continued with what they are used to.
This was my personal favorite, but then again, I have been known to buy multigrain bread on occasion. At home, I am the only one who really eats multigrain. My parents found it too nutty but I love it!
Of all the bread my family and I got to try this was probably the easiest to try as they couldn’t tell the difference between this and the bread they like to buy in the grocery.
Stay fresh all day with smooth and smear-free make-up with the All Day Tight Makeup Setting Fixer. It helps makeup stay put on the skin and has perfect coverage using a fine mist. It’s also enriched with lemon, tea tree, Centella Asiatica extract that will help make your makeup look more refreshing and hydrated.
Hosted at the SM The Block Atrium on November 16, guests started the day off by dropping their kids off at Santa’s Corner where they got their photos taken with Santa. They also let their imaginations run wild at the arts and craft station where they created exciting holiday cards.
Honorary Prime Mom Club member Marian Rivera-Dantes rounded up the day’s events by giving a short but sweet message to fellow Prime Mom Club members and expressed how happy she is to be part of the community.
Among the sponsors of the holiday, edition workshop is Masflex, the official cookware partner of Mega Prime and COOK Magazine, who provided exciting raffle items to delight the participants.
The Prime Mom Club workshop is known for giving moms the opportunity to improve their skills as homemakers within and beyond the kitchen. Combining information and education with interactive and engaging events, Prime Moms are given exclusive access to events featuring experts and celebrities to guide them and privileges.
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