by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 18, 2016 | Health and Wellness
Do you spend a huge amount of money for health and medical coverage but feel like it’s not worth paying for because you seldom get sick or go for a check-up? And yet getting rid of your HMO coverage is out of the question because, what if you get seriously sick?
MediCard, a leading HMO provider in the country, gives a breakthrough solution for you – MediCard Select.
The most flexible health care coverage
This product allows members of all ages to have flexible health care coverage for a minimal access and service fee and a fixed amount of fund. Also, with the new MediCard Select, members get the best value for their money because they can select for their coverage when needed – whether for maternity, pre-existing conditions, extreme sports, etc.
Dr. Nicky Montoya President of Medicard Philippines
“We at MediCard do our best to bring quality healthcare services to Filipinos. The best part is, members of MediCard Select will get back their funds if unused,” says MediCard Vice President, Luis S. Montoya.
Get your money back!
Medicard Select introduces a breakthrough feature – a revolving fund where the cost of health services utilized is deducted from the amount paid. This means that the balance becomes the revolving fund that members can use again upon replenishment OR … the balance can be returned to the members.
In a nutshell, if you don’t get sick or hospitalized then … you get your money back!
Health benefits for all ages
Medicard Select offers a suite of benefits that give members of all ages the coverage they need. Qualified individuals, families or SMEs will receive coverage for hospitalization, outpatient and preventive healthcare that includes an Annual Physical Exam and the following 8 blood chemistries – Fasting Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol, Uric Acid, Creatinine, BUN, HDL, LDL and Triglycerides, as well as emergency and dental care.
MediCard has more than 29 years of experience in providing quality health care across a range of individuals, families, and small and large corporations. It takes pride in its robust health care providers, which enables MediCard members to choose from its nationwide network of over 1,000 accredited hospitals and clinics backed by more than 40,000 accredited doctors.
Terms and conditions apply. For more information on MediCard Select, please call or email Randy Verde at 891-9629 or rv****@***********ls.com, or Marie Joyce Reynoso at 884-9968 or mr******@***********ls.com, or visit http://select.medicardphils.com/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 17, 2016 | Stories
President and CEO Wins in the Individual Category of the 37th Agora Awards
Quezon City, Philippines – Nutramedica, Inc. President and CEO Sheila Mae Velilla bagged the Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship – Medium Scale at the recently concluded 37th Agora Awards.
Nutramedica is a homegrown 100% wholly-owned Filipino enterprise that manufactures and distributes Novuhair, an acclaimed line of products that addresses hair loss.
Held last October 26 at PICC, CCP Complex, the Agora Awards recognizes individuals and organizations for exceptional marketing skills and strategies. It is touted to be the premier marketing awards body in the country and sets the high standards of excellence in the industry.
From humble beginnings to big winner
Moving in an industry dominated by giant multinational pharmaceutical companies, Nutramedica’s tenacious rise from its humble beginnings as a microenterprise is one for the books. Thanks largely to its creativity and innovation, it has become a major player with a well-established niche in the industry.
Founded in 2004 by Velilla, Nutramedica develops beauty and healthcare products out of natural and mostly indigenous ingredients. It is one of the pioneers in the commercialization of virgin coconut oil (VCO) and gained wide success with its slogan “healthiest oil on earth,” which led to its acquisition by a big company.
It continued to create more VCO-based skin care products and hit the jackpot with its latest, and now banner, product – Novuhair, nature’s answer to hair loss. This breakthrough solution is made of 19 herbal ingredients and comes in topical scalp lotion, herbal shampoo, and herbal conditioner that effectively battles the effects of hair loss and helps enhance and restore one’s crowning glory.
Launched in 2009, Novuhair enjoys tremendous success until today. It is widely accepted not only here in the Philippines, but also in other countries. It is set to enter the international market, starting with the United States (US), in December of this year.
Such bold, yet timely, move of the company to export Novuhair to the US and eventually the Middle East also opens the opportunity for proudly-made local products to penetrate the global arena.
Novuhair’s popularity and market leadership may be attributed to the company’s initial market study coupled with the right timing, as well as smart use of resources by coming up with an effective tri-media campaign best described as low-budget yet high-impact marketing.
Leveraging on its organic growth from a microenterprise to medium scale with over 30 employees in a span of 12 years, Nutramedica continues to further develop, market and distribute high-quality goods that could bring honor to the country.
The firm raises the bar in entrepreneurship with its faithful adherence to best business practices, such as provision of high quality products and excellent services, adaptability to market trends, constant innovation, diversification of trade, and giving back to society.
“Great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people”, Velilla quotes Steve Jobs when asked what’s her secret to success in this competitive business of beauty and healthcare.
“We at Nutramedica also adhere to our core values of integrity, trust, fairness, discipline, humility, leadership, teamwork and faith in God. That’s our winning formula,” Velilla further adds.
Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural and on Instagram @novuhairofficial. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at 4136570 and 09228830575 and order online at Lazada and regaloservice.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 13, 2016 | Stories
Late night shoppers started very early to take advantage of Lazada’s 2016 Online Revolution. Customers looking for the best deals from trusted brands started coming in from 12 midnight today. As of 9am, www.lazada.com.ph recorded 100,000 items, 29% of which came from the health and beauty category, with electronics as a close second.
Shoppers relished in the choice of products available to them at amazing offers –all at up to 95% discount. The very first order came from a customer in Tarlac City, who ordered a KDS Beats-0022 100dB Stereo Subwoofer Over-the-Ear Headphones.
Inanc Balci, Lazada CEO
“Lazada’s Online Revolution excitement started much earlier this year,” said CEO Inanc Balci.
“We’ve had an exciting and long night, with crowds of late-night owls turning into early-bird shoppers snapping up the best deals from Samsung, L’Oreal, P&G, BUM, Starmobile, Mamy Poko, among many others. Watch out for more deals coming later today and in the next 4 weeks for your Christmas shopping.”
The Online Revolution sale continues until December 12. Following 11.11, and during the next 4 weeks leading up to 12.12, Lazada is focusing on satisfying its customers’ interests with a weekly curated selection of products for beauty fans, supermoms and families, techies and fashionistas.
Beauty Fanatics (November 14 to 19)
Family Superstars (November 20 to 24)
Trendsetters (December 3 to 6)
Techies (November 29 to December 2)
Be part of history as Lazada kicks off the Christmas shopping season with the best brands and wallet-friendly deals. Get a chance to win an Isuzu D-Max and Turkish Airlines international roundtrip tickets for all your shopping. Visit www.lazada.com.ph or download the Lazada mobile app for free.
About Lazada Online Revolution
The Lazada Online Revolution is the biggest online shopping and selling event in Southeast Asia bringing brands and retailers, and consumers together in six countries.
Lazada started the Online Revolution on 12 December 2012 (12.12) to educate consumers on online shopping and its conveniences. The one-day sale sparked a shopping frenzy that grew it into an annual month-long event.
Since then, Lazada Online Revolution has proven itself to be Southeast Asia’s busiest online retail event. In 2015, US$40 million in Gross Merchandize Value was recorded in its three-day finale.
Lazada Online Revolution 2016 will see big retail and marketing brands participate to create an unmatched assortment of popular, quality products, and the best deals for Southeast Asian consumers.
About Lazada Group
Lazada Group operates Lazada, Southeast Asia’s number one online shopping and selling destination, with presence in Indonesia (www.lazada.co.id), Malaysia (www.lazada.com.my), the Philippines (www.lazada.com.ph), Singapore (www.lazada.sg), Thailand (www.lazada.co.th) and Vietnam (www.lazada.vn).
Launched in March 2012, Lazada is pioneering eCommerce in the region by providing customers with an effortless shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, extensive customer care and easy returns. Lazada features a wide product offering in categories ranging from consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment.
Lazada offers brands and sellers a marketplace solution and an ecosystem of partners providing direct access to about 560 million consumers in six countries online.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 12, 2016 | Video reviews
Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I LOVE musicals, and of the many musicals I have watched (and/or listened to) over the years Miss Saigon is quite possibly on the top of the list. I love it so much that I often find myself singing duets of songs from the soundtrack on Smule. 🙂
One of the first duets I did on Smule was The Movie In My Mind with a wonderful singer called Falsetto Musika. I could only wish I had his range. I know I could have done better but I think I did a decent job considering I had laryngitis at the time so I couldn’t really belt … and the dogs outside were barking in the background (hopefully not at me). 😀
Enough about me, though. Let’s talk about Miss Saigon.
The Movie In My Mind
I have wanted to watch Miss Saigon from day 1. When it first ran, they only performed in Drury Lane in London miles and miles away … beyond my powers to watch. The desire to watch it only increased with the samples we were given such as Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman’s performance of Sun and Moon and The Last Night of the World.
Sun and Moon
The Last Night of the World
And after watching those and other videos and listening to the soundtrack the desire to watch Miss Saigon became even stronger and with the passing of the years my desire has not waned.
Later it finally made its way here to the Philippines (with Lea Salonga as Kim) and I really, REALLY wanted to watch but just couldn’t afford the tickets. And I thought once again … “I hope they come up with a movie version of this so I could watch it”.
And after 25 years of waiting the movie in my mind is finally the movie I can watch.
25 years of waiting for Ms. Saigon
I rushed to SM Megamall from my class to meet my friend, Kasuy, and catch Miss Saigon in Megamall’s Cinema 5 before the show started at 5:05 pm. Since I took an Uberpool instead of UberX the trip took longer than expected but I made it! Huffing and puffing, I made it with a few minutes to spare before the movie curtains rolled up.
The cramps, the mild asthma attack … it was all worth it. I was transfixed on the screen and singing in my head with all the songs as I finally got to watch MISS SAIGON.
The cast was different and there were a few adjustments to the lyrics but the story remained the same. The 25th-anniversary performance of Miss Saigon met my expectations and then some.
Miss Saigon is a retelling of the story of Madame Butterfly which was set in feudal Japan. It tackles, instead, the trials of war during the Vietnam war and revolves around the characters Kim and Chris. I was so involved in the story that I often found myself chuckling in amusement or choking in sadness with my tears streaming down my cheeks.
I was awed at the cinematography, the lighting, the set design. I was equally awed at the choreography, the singing … and suffice it to say I was awed by the acting.
The actors
Being the super fan that I am I couldn’t help but compare the actors with the original cast, after all, Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman are tough acts to follow.
In my personal opinion, Eva Noblezada (who plays Kim) did an excellent job and sounded a lot like Lea back in the day. She has a very sweet voice and she acts like she isn’t acting, which made it easier for us to relate to her character.
Now and then, I caught a glimpse of Kim’s Lea which for me was a good thing because it meant that I focused more on the character and not on the actress.
Chris was played by Alistair Brammer and he perfectly depicted the “sensitive, disillusioned soul” who fell in love with Kim. Vocally I would say he actually sang better than Simon Bowman. 🙂
The phenomenal acting of Rachel Ann Go, as Gigi, came as no surprise. While part of us wished Isay Alvarez who was the original actress in the role was in the cast, Rachel did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, she was so good she made my arm hair stand on end.
Jon Jon Briones as The Engineer
Jon Jon Briones as the Engineer did a bang-up job and Jonathan Pryce would have been proud. His depiction of the role was definitely very Asian and, in my opinion, was more sleazy and playful. Each person who has played The Engineer has placed their own unique stamp on the role and Jon Jon has certainly made himself memorable to me.
Was it better than Jonathan Pryce’s? I wouldn’t say that. I would, however, say, it is different … in a good way. As Jonathan Pryce even said in the song when Jon Jon asks “am I good?” and he responded, “yeah, you learned it from me.” Cheeky! Lol!
The Gala Finale
After the 2nd intermission, the screens start to brighten and we see the silhouette of Kim, the same pose she had when the play started. But this time when she raised her head and removed her hat we (the audience) saw … Lea.
Lea Salonga at the 25th Anniversary performance of Miss Saigon
The gasps, the applause, the joy! I will confess that I had hoped she would appear and the show did not disappoint. After she sings a duet with Rachel Ann Go … The Movie In My Mind, which brought the house down.
Rachel Ann Go and Lea Salonga sings The Movie In My Mind
Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman reunite for the 25th anniversary
And then Lea goes into a little spiel and says (I paraphrase) … in playing Kim for Miss Saigon she has performed with many Chrises but we never forget our first … and from the wings steps out Simon Bowman – to the hoots and applause of the audience. They then proceed to sing (and re-enact) The Last Night of the World, complete with smooches. 😀
Out of the darkness steps out Alistair and Eva, and they join Simon and Lea in the duet (yes, including the smooching, lol!) At the high point of the song, the couples switch partners and Lea ends up with Alistair and, yes, the smooching continued, while Simon and Eva settled on hugs. 😀
The Kims and the Chrises
It was hilarious and unexpected! But I don’t think anyone took offense. I certainly wasn’t offended. I was even laughing along with my friend and said, “nakakarami na si Lea ah!” 😀
The Engineers, Jon Jon Briones, and Jonathan Pryce
The last song of the night was by Jonathan Pryce as The Engineer singing The American Dream. Halfway through the song, Jon Jon joins him and from the back in a car enters Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg, and Cameron MacIntosh.
Miss Saigon is on a LIMITED RUN
If you would like to catch it you can buy your tickets at smcinema.com or the ticket counters of selected SM theaters. When I say it is a limited run, I mean it. You can only catch this phenomenal movie today, November 12, and tomorrow, November 13, 2016.
Still unsure if you should watch or not? Maybe this trailer will convince you.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 9, 2016 | Food & Beverage
Philippine coffee (locally sourced coffee) can compete with coffees from other parts of the world … this is something that most people do not seem to be aware of. Most filipinos are aware of the barako coffee from Batangas, known for its kick and flavorful aroma. A few are familiar with the Bukidnon coffee grown by the trancendental monks.
And then there is Bo’s Coffee — a staunch supporter of homegrown coffee, this Christmas they are promoting the coffee of Benguet.
Christmas Treat at Bo’s Coffee
This Christmas season try out the Christmas offering of Bo’s Coffee.
The Benguet Minty Cold White Brew and the Queso de Bola cheesecake are the perfect pairing.
The Benguet Minty Cold White Brew and the Queso de Bola cheesecake are the perfect pairing.
The Christmas Beverage
Given a choice between hot or cold brewed coffee I often opt for the cold brew. My reason? I’ve burned my tongue more times than I can count when drinking freshly brewed hot coffee. 😀 I guess it is safe to say I’m not very patient, hehehe.
This made Bo’s Coffees Benguet Minty Cold White Brew the perfect drink for me. Benguet coffee is not very acidic and the sprig of mint made this iced beverage extra refreshing.
Iced coffees are often sickly sweet. In contrast, the Benguet Minty Cold Brew’s sweetness level was right on the money. As my cousin, Teddy Boy would have said when he was a kid … not to sweet, not too bitter, just right on the groove.
The Christmas Cake
The Queso de Bola Cheesecake
To the Filipino family Christmas = queso de bola. And most Christmas celebrations come with cheesecake. Therefore, it makes so much sense to make a cheesecake made with Queso de bola.
Queso de bola is a sharp, hard cheese, wrapped in red wax often served with ham at noche buena and other Christmas parties. Made into a cheesecake, this luscious dessert is tart and sweet at the same time.
In my personal opinion, the Queso de Bola Cheesecake could even be too sweet which is why it pairs up perfectly with the Benguet Minty Cold White Brew. Try it yourself and let me know what you think.
Introducing: The Bo’s Coffee Starter Kit
The Bo’s Coffee Starter Kit
The Bo’s Coffee starter kit contains the following:
- clear glass cup wrapped in a cosy
- V60 dripper
- paper filters
- booklet with recipes inside
- a small pouch of coffee grounds
- postcards
- gift bag made of indigenous material like a sack cloth with Bo’s logo stitched on it
It will be available for sale early next year. In the meantime, how can we avail of this kit?
Download the Bo’s Coffe app on the Appstore and Google Play.
The Bo’s Coffee app can be downloaded from both the appstore and on Google Play.
The app is akin to a stamp card or sticker book. With every visit where we purchase food or a drink worth P250 we show the app to the barista and they “shoot” the barcode to register the sale. Each registered sale is equivalent to one voucher used plus points!
On our 10th voucher we get a free Bo’s Coffee cup. On the 15th voucher we can get the Starter Kit … for free! Yey! Yes, I said free!
The stamp card concept is not new. Many establishments do this … from sandwiches, donuts, chinese restaurants … it is their way of tracking loyal customers.
Whether you are a loyal customer or just trying it out, make your way to Bo’s Coffee this holiday season and try out their holiday offerings.
Quezon City, Philippines – 
Moving in an industry dominated by giant multinational pharmaceutical companies, Nutramedica’s tenacious rise from its humble beginnings as a microenterprise is one for the books. Thanks largely to its creativity and innovation, it has become a major player with a well-established niche in the industry.
“Great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people”, Velilla quotes Steve Jobs when asked what’s her secret to success in this competitive business of beauty and healthcare.
Shoppers relished in the choice of products available to them at amazing offers –all at up to 95% discount. The very first order came from a customer in Tarlac City, who ordered a KDS Beats-0022 100dB Stereo Subwoofer Over-the-Ear Headphones.
The 
Lazada Group operates Lazada, Southeast Asia’s number one online shopping and selling destination, with presence in Indonesia (
If you would like to catch it you can buy your tickets at 
To the Filipino family Christmas = queso de bola. And most Christmas celebrations come with cheesecake. Therefore, it makes so much sense to make a cheesecake made with Queso de bola.
The Bo’s Coffee app can be downloaded from both the appstore and on Google Play.
The stamp card concept is not new. Many establishments do this … from sandwiches, donuts, chinese restaurants … it is their way of tracking loyal customers.
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