by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 17, 2016 | Events
The first ever STYLECON, held last September 10 where bloggers, influencers, and industry insiders were treated to informative and inspiring talks.
Lazada Stylecon Panelists: Sassa Jimenez, Patty Ang, Kelsey Merritt, Bea Constantino, and Angela Yeo
The event brought together today’s brightest young names in the different fields of style, such as makeup, couture, styling, and modeling. Talks revolved around style and beauty in the age of social media and digital shopping.
Quotes for Stylecon panelists
Bea Constantino
Bea Constantino, one of the most celebrated fashion stylists in the country, shares how sometimes the most unexpected things turn out for the best, “Fashion was never my thing when I was young. But through the years, I fell in love with it. Inspiration comes from all over – from people to places and experiences. Surviving this industry is all about respecting those who came before you, learning relentlessly and finding your best self in the process.”
Patty Ang
Seeing fashion accessories as an investment was also a highlight in the discussion. Patty Ang,designer for Andi Eigenmann’s Cannes scene-stealer dress, said; “Invest in good jewelry. It’s a great investment because it stands the test of time. You can even pass it on to your children. Quality pieces, be it jewelry or leather bags, are great ways to add a sense of class to your wardrobe without feeling the need to update constantly.”
Sassa Jimenez
As for online shopping? Haute Couture designer Sassa Jimenez gave the most practical tip: “Online shopping is great because you don’t have to decide (and spend) on the spot if you want to purchase an item. In fact, you can make a wish list when shopping online. Add the items in your cart. Sleep on it. Come back the following day and assess if you still want to push through with the purchase.”
An interesting topic during the discussion was the effect of social media on fashion trends and individual style. Most of the audience, comprised of bloggers and online influencers, realized that even the experts in individual fields were always on the lookout for inspiration from other people. In a truly social world, we inspire each other with our own unique style.
Kelsey Merritt
Nowadays social media is an avenue for people to express their passion for fashion through images, and maybe even live their passions as well. “I have to thank the internet because social media gave me my big break as a model,” was Kelsey Merritt’s sentiment on how her fame sky-rocketed due to Instagram. From her stylish clothes to gorgeous make-up, Kelsey’s Instagram account garnered enough traction that an NYC-based agency signed her as one of their models.
Angelo Yeo
The roundtable discussion was followed by a makeup tutorial sponsored by L’Oréal. Angela Yeo,celebrity make-up artist and owner of beautylista.com, showed the audience how to achieve an easy “office chic” look – an everyday dilemma faced by majority of working women. The tutorial was broadcasted through Facebook LIVE via Lazada’s account. As a vlogger, Angela stressed the importance of product reviews when shopping online.
The most important learning from STYLECON was best summed up by Bea Constantino, “Find your passion, always update yourself, and build your brand.”
With more and more people passionate about fashion, Lazada has continually increased inventory with a wide assortment of fashion and health & beauty products. Lazada believes in empowering people to find their passion from the comfort of their homes, be it in fashion, photography, make-up, or the arts. Check out new and exciting finds by visiting www.lazada.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 17, 2016 | Food & Beverage
Papa John’s Pizza University Mall branch. Photo credit to www.vozzog.com.
The first time I heard about Papa John’s was when they opened a branch at the University Mall (U-Mall) on Taft near my place of work and I treated my daughter there for lunch. Sadly, that branch is no longer around but then … good news! There are more branches of Papa John’s Pizza now, and even more are opening soon!
Papa John’s current branches
All over the world there are 4,700 branches. Wow! That’s a lot of branches. In the Philippines alone there are currently 16 branches with more to open very soon. So where are these branches in the Philippines, you may ask? Here’s a map and a list for your convenience.
Some of the pizza markers may not appear at first glance as they are in areas outside of the immediate scope of the map. However, rest assured they are there. You just need to either zoom out or drag the map up and down. 😀
Check out the BLUE pizzas.
- Antipolo
- Emraud Square Plaza
- Shell Marcos Highway
- Quezon City
- Banawe (corner NS Amoranto)
- Cubao (20th Avenue)
- Tandang Sora (Berkeley Square, Commonwealth Avenue)
- Tomas Morato (corner Scout Rallos)
- Visayas Avenue
- Xavierville (Nueve Uno)
- Las Pinas (Dona Nena Business Center Building, Alabang Zapote)
- Makati (Jupiter Street)
- Mandaluyong (SM Megamall Building A)
- Marikina (PACLEB Building, Bayan-Bayanan Avenue)
- Paranaque (Don Bosco, Dona Soledad, Better Living Subdivision)
- Pasig (Julia Vargas corner Shell C5 Road)
- Rizal (Ortigas Extension, Taytay)
- San Juan (Wilson Street)
And more branches opening locally are opening soon!
Check out the RED pizzas.
- Baclaran (September 21, 2016)
- Kalaw (September 21, 2016)
- Nangka (September 21, 2016) – 2 branches
- Caloocan (October 2016)
Whew! That’s a lot of branches! You’re sure to stumble into 1 or 2 branches as you traverse through traffic in Metro Manila. 😀 My favorite branch, though, is the one on Tomas Morato. Probably because they have more space (multiple floors, people!) but basically, because it’s near where I live, hehe.
Papa John’s at Tomas Morato corner Scout Rallos Street in Quezon City
Now that you know where to go it’s time to know what you can enjoy while you’re there.
House Specialties
Pizza, pizza, pizza! That’s what Papa John’s is all about. But there are 6 flavors which they proudly say are their specialties: All The Meats, Cheesy Bacon Melt, Chicken BBQ, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Super Papa, and Texas Heat.
The last one I tried was the Chicken Bacon Ranch and I really enjoyed it! Call me weird but I think salad dressing on a pizza is just plain yummy. 😀
Chicken Bacon Ranch … Papa John’s Specialty Pizza
I could be deluding myself when I say this but … one other reason I like it is because it seems the healthiest choice of the 6. 😀
Sides
Pepperoncini
All Papa John’s Pizzas are served with a side of pepperoncini and garlic butter sauce. When I first encountered this I was surprised. That isn’t something that happens in other pizza restaurants. And these are big peppers, similar to the one used in sinigang. I love spicy food but even I approached it with caution.
The first time I took a knife and sliced a small piece and bit into it … and it was good! Spicy yes, but also tart, and crunchy! Then I tried cutting it up and putting it on my pizza and dribbled some hot sauce … even better! In the end I just picked up the next one and munched on it like chips. 😀
Now, if you (like I) can munch on a pepperoncini then you are sure to enjoy this.
Pepperoncini Dynamite
The pepperoncini dynamite! Ta-daaah!!! You’ve likely eaten many pepperoncini in your life whether you’ve realized it or not. But I assure you, they’re nothing compared to Papa John’s Pepperoncini Dynamite. This goodness is bacon wrapped pepperoncini stuffed with cheese sauce for a melt-in-your-mouth surprise.
Personally, I think everything’s good with bacon. 😀
What’s new at Papa John’s?
A lot! Let’s see now… There’s
- chicken popper pizza
- mexican ole – for those who REALLY like it spicy!
- pepperoni buffalo
- fried chicken goodness – which is currently only available at the Jupiter branch
- vegetable stromboli
Not included in the pics above is the pineapple caramel stromboli, which, incidentally, is not yet available in stores but will be soon.
Does seeing all that food make you hungry? But at the same time does it make you worry about your wallet? Not to worry! Papa John’s loves the fact that Filipinos love to eat together and so they have a bunch of promos made especially for groups.
The Promos
I confess, I LOVE promos! Especially when the whole family comes together at home and everyone wants pizza … promos are there to save the day! 😀 Here are Papa John’s super duper awesome promos.
Grab 2 side items for free
Two is better than one! Buy any 14-inch pizza and get 2 sides for free from Friday to Sunday only. Choices for free side items are: 4 glasses of iced tea (dine in only), pepperoncini dynamite, cheese sticks, herbed parmesan breadsticks, single served featured pasta and season wedges.
This promo can only be enjoyed in the store and not for delivery.
Super Duos
Double deal! Get 2 Party Featured Pizzas for only P695.
SINGLE FLAVORS: Cheese Trio, Mexican Ole, Island Spice, Papa’s Deluxe, BBQ Bacon Lovers, Crabmeat Marinara, Pepperoni Buffalo, Bacon Cheeseburger Surprise, Honey Chicken Poppers Pizza.
HALF & HALF: Mexican Ole & Papa’s Deluxe are not available for Dine-In.
Pizza Holiday Mondays
Start your Monday with a bang! Grab our selected regular sized pizza for only P129 every Monday only.
Variants included are Bacon and Cheese, Simply Cheese, Italian Sausage and Cheese Trio. Not available for delivery.
P299 Pizza Party Tuesday
Come to our Happy Tuesdays. Experience our freshest pizza ingredients. Selected party sized pizza for only P299 every Tuesday only.
Variants included are: Chicken Bacon Ranch, Texas Heat, Simply Cheese, Garden Special, The Hawaiian, Pepperoni, Cheese Trio, Cheesy Bacon Melt and Cheesy Margherita.
Available for dine-in, take out, and delivery.
At the end of the day, though, I must confess, these are my favorites.
Creamy crab meat pasta
Pepperoni Pizza
Somedays, I just don’t want to think about what I will eat and these two are no brainers. Guaranteed happiness in every bite. 😀
But the best way to enjoy Papa John’s is with fellow foodies. 🙂
Papa John’s Pizza. Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.
I think I’m going to hop on over to Papa John’s now. Doo dee doo …
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 16, 2016 | Health and Wellness
What if, in the middle of your routine eye check-up, you ended up face-to-face with Philippine leading man Piolo Pascual?
I would be speechless and I may even forget to breathe for a few seconds there. And then at some point I may just go all fangirl on him and hug him (to get a feel of those beautiful abs :P) and then ask for a selfie, hopefully with his arms around me. 😀
But that’s me. What would be your reaction? Watch the video below and share the surprised reactions of patients during a vision screening set up by Essilor’s flagship brand Crizal®.
The new video is part of the brand’s campaign to encourage patients and customers alike to stay present in every experience of your life – or, better yet, to create your own precious moments with the clear vision that only Crizal® can provide!
So many people nowadays suffer from poor eyesight which means that many have need for glasses. Instead of getting ordinary lenses opt to spend a little more and get clearer vision with Crizal® lenses.
Crizal® lenses are available at leading optical shops and through eye care professionals nationwide. For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 10, 2016 | Stories
Firefly Mobile took the smartphone industry by storm through launching their flagship unit they call AURII Envy. It has been hugely successful in the Philippine market as over 320,000 Filipinos have liked the product on Facebook. And now, Firefly Mobile has released their latest hit model, the AURII Secret Lite available at Lazada.com.ph.
Its first impressions are striking. The attractive colors and metal design will surely captivate you. If you’re up to some classic looking hue, then the Icy Champagne color is for you but if you are fascinated with darker shades, the Deep Ocean color would be a perfect choice.
My personal take …
- Deep Ocean for the gentlemen
- Icy Champagne for the ladies
Design-wise, its compact body sports a curved back making it easier and more comfortable to hold. With OGS (One Glass Solution) technology, the 5.0” HD Display is fused with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for added protection and an immersive view.
Deep in its heart lies a 1.3Ghz Turbo Quad-core processor that runs with 1GB DDR3 RAM promising smooth, fast and lag-free performance. It comes with an 8GB Flash Memory expandable up to 128GB through MicroSD. Surprisingly for its price at Php 3,499, the phone is powered by a very feature packed and streamlined Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
And of course, the most raved camera. Its 13MP rear camera is powered by SONY IMX149 Exmor image sensor that comes with Dual color flash ensuring clarity and brightness for more accurate colors and details. For selfies, the front camera works with a 5MP wide-angle lens and on-screen flash.
Firefly Mobile’s Aurii shares it’s power with other phones
What’s more amazing is the Power Bank Feature of its fast-charging 3450 mAh Lithium Battery. This means that with a USB OTG connector, you can transform the phone into an instant power bank to charge up other smartphones and devices.
The Aurii Secret Lite is priced at P3,499 is available at Lazada. It comes with a free protective Armor Case and Tempered glass.
Visit www.lazada.com.ph or download the mobile app now for free. Check out the Durability Test Video:
This is an official press release.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 8, 2016 | Stories
I confess, I am a big fan of James Reid. Not only for his looks but also for his abilities as an actor.
But then, I am also a HUGE fan of Century Tuna. My all-time favorite is the Century Tuna Hot and Spicy Tuna (a favorite of my family as well). We have it over rice, with pandesal, on a salad, made into a sandwich spread, eaten as a viand AFTER it was made into a spread, lol! The list goes on. But my favorite baon treats are the Century Tuna Vienna Sausage and the Corned Tuna.
Century Tuna products
So when I was invited to the presscon of Century Tuna I immediately said yes. And when I found out that James was going to be there, I decided to arrive at the venue early. 😀
After a big reveal that showcased a body reinvented by Century Tuna, stopped EDSA traffic, and sent fans on a social media frenzy, top actor James Reid appears anew in a TV commercial that gives a glimpse on how thinking like a champion has brought him to where he is now.
There’s no denying that James Reid is one of the hottest young actors today. He’s a social media phenomenon—with millions of followers online, not counting the various fan accounts that his devoted followers set up.
The highly bankable love team JaDine, in which he is paired with his reel and real life partner Nadine Lustre, has sent their legions of fans in a frenzy, whether in mall tours, concerts, meet and greets, and even online where they are constant trending topics.
There are his chart-topping albums including Reid Alert which hit certified platinum level status last May. Then there are his box-office film successes—the 2014 romantic comedy and his launch movie Diary ng Panget; and Talk Back and You’re Dead, the teen romance flick that followed a year later. No doubt, his biggest hit to date is On the Wings of Love, the top-rating primetime series with Nadine that kept viewers glued to their TV sets until its sensational finale.
Clearly, James Reid is on a winning streak and his steady career path is one that is marked by a succession of winning moves. Recently, he joined the ranks of Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsey as endorser of Century Tuna, the country’s number one tuna.
Derek Ramsey and Anne Curtis – celebrity endorsers of Century Tuna
#BodyoftheCentury James Reid stars in the newest commercial of Century Tuna now airing on primetime TV.
Becoming part of the Century Tuna family has certainly paid off for the young hunk. He is presently at his fittest—sculpted abs, toned muscles, firm biceps—which can be attributed to a rigorous fitness regimen and a proper diet consisting of good protein that Century Tuna can provide.
It’s no surprise then that James headlines their latest campaign, where he appears in a series of sizzling television commercials: the first, a TV spot focusing on metamorphosis that sent his fans in a frenzy and created a sensation; the second, which is presently airing, revolves around the idea of commitment and loyalty.
Century Tuna couldn’t be happier for having James in its roster of celebrity endorsers. From the very beginning, they already saw a champion in him. “His story is truly inspiring,” said Greg Banzon, Century Tuna General Manager. “It speaks of transformation, the relentless desire to improve oneself. It’s a winning formula that brings many positive lessons for everyone: perseverance, keeping the faith, while staying humble and true to yourself—qualities that make James a true role model.”
Meanwhile, for James, it’s really all about trust. “I liken it to a championship game,” he reveals. “If you want to win, you naturally want to surround yourself with a teammate you can put your total faith into. That to me is Century Tuna, and I can’t think of any other name that I’d trust to keep my body fit.”
With bated breath, we watch as James continues to transform—from a teen heartthrob to a more mature actor with the determination, the attitude and the body to conquer and win in the challenging world of show business.
Its first impressions are striking. The attractive colors and metal design will surely captivate you. If you’re up to some classic looking hue, then the Icy Champagne color is for you but if you are fascinated with darker shades, the Deep Ocean color would be a perfect choice.
And of course, the most raved camera. Its 13MP rear camera is powered by SONY IMX149 Exmor image sensor that comes with Dual color flash ensuring clarity and brightness for more accurate colors and details. For selfies, the front camera works with a 5MP wide-angle lens and on-screen flash.
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