by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 4, 2023 | Health and Wellness
Self-made entrepreneur Marzen Salazar remembers the many moments when she would catch her grandmother in front of the mirror, filling in her eyebrows faded over time.
Humans are said to be capable of nearly 10,000 facial expressions. The slightest twitch of a facial muscle, the direction of the eye, and the movement of eyebrows all mean a plethora of emotions – the non-verbal cues that make up the unspoken daily chatter.
Yet as one grows old, it becomes more difficult to do so; the muscles loosen, but most significantly, the eyebrows thin along with the lashes.
“My grandmother always draws about her eyebrows. She would try it but (I) would never be satisfied,” remembers Marzen. “When I was growing up in the ‘90s, eyebrow tattooing was a popular solution to the fading of the brow for the elderly and people with thin strokes – but even tattoos have their limits.”
Today, as Marzen recalls her time growing up in Laguna with her lola, Marzen is gradually and decisively building her own business to provide a better solution for eyebrows, lashes, and other facial care woes.
In 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic, Marzen boldly launched Miss Derm – a clinic specializing in eyebrows, lashes, and facial treatment services, including microblading.
A relatively new technology for Filipinos, microblading uses small needles to create soft and subtle hair-like strokes and deposit pigment on the skin. It is a form of cosmetic tattooing but, unlike the traditional tattoo that embeds pigment deep into the skin, microblading only injects pigment superficially on the body and thus is only semi-permanent.
At Miss Derm, microblading is only done by certified microblading artists. Artists undergo intensive training to provide the highest level of quality and care for customers.
More than just a business
From one clinic in Makati, Marzen expanded Miss Derm to two more locations: Las Pinas and Quezon City – one additional business address each year. Despite travel restrictions, Miss Derm’s number of patrons has grown through word of mouth, attracted by the quality of premium services to help customers with their facial care needs.
“I’ve always been motivated by the fact that the services we do at Miss Derm directly affect our customers’ disposition. If eyes are the windows to the soul, eyebrows, and lashes are the frames that help define what you want to express and how you want to be seen. We want to help our customers increase their confidence and wear a brighter face every day,” says Marzen, a former wedding photographer-turned-communications manager in Oman.
Aside from its popular Elite Brows/Lips Package, Miss Derm offers a wide range of microblading, microshading, eyeliner, and blading solutions. Customers will also find a menu of no-needle procedures, including Brow Lamination, Lash Lift, Lash Extensions, and HIFU Skin Tightening for the face, neck, and body.
Miss Derm’s complete facial care and skincare solutions prove to be perfect for customers who desire convenience and a highly personalized level of care. At Miss Derm, artists converse with customers about their needs and suggest ways to achieve how they want to look.
This level of service and hospitality is the product of Marzen’s entrepreneurial instincts, of putting customers at the heart of the process, and ensuring that employees are taken care of.
Despite Marzen’s location in Oman, she has overseen the growth and initial success of Miss Derm with flying colors remotely, flying to Manila to visit the clinics when needed, but talking directly with her clients daily. “When customers chat with our social media channels for feedback or bookings, they’re likely talking to me. I always had a passion for talking with customers, especially women. As a wedding photographer in Laguna and Oman, I deal with women regularly. One should listen and be attentive; they know what they want. When you delight them with great service and you build a positive working relationship, they will come back for more and they will treat you like family,” says Marzen.
Miss Derm is located in Makati (9/f Centuria Medical Makati), Las Pinas (304 Aurora Bldg, Zapote-Alabang Road), and Quezon City (20 Shorthorn Street). To stay updated about Miss Derm, follow https://www.instagram.com/missderm/
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 3, 2023 | Book Reviews
Craving His Virgin Mate by Sam Crescent is the second book of the Poison Wolves MC series that revolves around Agatha, a human, and Bayon a member of the Poison Wolves MC. Even without reading the first book, I still got a sense of what happened there since the author made sure to reference back and make short explanations. Although it does not erase the fact that I wish I had read the first book first. Seems like a lot happened in that story!
In comparison, Craving His Virgin Mate by Sam Crescent appears tamer. (I cannot give you 100% assurance on that since I haven’t read the first book yet.) There is no big bad but there was still a mystery that needed to be solved.
Agatha is a solitary creature. Growing up she mostly kept to herself, did not make any friends, and spent most of her time with her adoptive parents or taking long walks in the forest. When her adoptive parents died she decided to uproot and travel with no particular direction or place in mind. She found herself in a town called Poison.
For whatever reason, the people of Poison seemed to hate her, they were not at all welcoming, not even a little bit! Despite that, something about Poison made her want to stay. Poison felt like home.
Poison is actually a pack of werewolves. Boyan is a member of the Poison Wolves MC that protects Poison. The Poison Wolves MC is made up of men who are all technically Alphas but decided to band together instead. Their club president is called Alpha. I don’t know if that is his club name or his designation as the leader. He seeks out Agatha to find out why she seems adamant about staying despite being mostly ignored or rudely spoken to by the pack members.
And then he discovers that she is his mate. This is problematic because of events that happened in Book 1 where they discover that humans cannot become werewolves so a mating between a werewolf and a human is likely not feasible. Despite this, Boyan could not help seek her out, in the guise of finding out more.
But there really is something mysterious about Agatha. Aside from her not wanting to leave, her scent also disappears into the pack! How is that even possible? Is she a regular human or was she one of those that was experimented on by Dr. Milton? Curiouser and curiouser!
The way Agatha and Boyan are with each other is hot, to say the least. From the title, you can tell that Agatha starts the book with her virginity intact so part of me was curious to see how the author would have them jump that little hurdle. In my personal opinion, it was perfect! I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Craving His Virgin Mate by Sam Crescent could be classified as quick and light reading. There is enough going on to keep me engaged and enough chapters to give me something to sink my teeth into. Since it was written so well, I couldn’t help but look for the first book, Hard For You, just so I can get the complete story firsthand.
I recommend this book, definitely! But better if you read the first book also. You can get a copy of Craving His Virgin Mate by Sam Crescent on Amazon. The Kindle version is $3.99.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 1, 2023 | Book Reviews
I’ve reviewed a story by Caroline Above Story before and I enjoyed the book (which is still ongoing) so I thought I would give another one of her stories a shot. I scanned through her books on Goodnovel and stopped on My Professor Is My Alpha Mate by Caroline Above Story. “Taboo” romances are often interesting if written properly and I was curious to see just how taboo this story would be.
The book begins with Lila turning 18 soon but already in college/university (yep, a smart egg) and an art student. When she catches her boyfriend in a liplock with another woman, she turns to the nearest male and kisses him, not realizing that the person she kissed was a teacher. Oh, boy!
Enzo is the youngest Alpha (in his early 20s) and was tasked by the council to teach combat in the shifter school. When Lila kissed him randomly in the corridor, he didn’t react or kiss her back. His expression remained stoic but inside he was shocked.
Lila decides to switch classes to one her cheating boyfriend is not a part of and discovers that she kissed the professor. Talk about embarrassing! It isn’t until a few days later when she turns 18 that they discover they are mates. Enzo has a lot of things going on and while he acknowledged the mate bond he was not willing to claim her. Interestingly, he was not rejecting her either! Poor Lila. I honestly wished at first that she would just reject him.
But things are not as simple as that. There are so many things that are getting in the way … pack issues, uncontrolled powers, friends with issues to resolve, “mortal enemies”, and thirsty she-wolves lusting after Enzo.
Their romance is frustrating as it is a slow burn but I still feel compelled to read the new chapters as they come out, lol! Are there spelling and grammar issues? A few, such as not always remembering how things are spelled (is it MONRO or MONSTRO?) which is frustrating but I choose to just read it however I want to and move forward as there are more interesting things happening anyway.
So far, I am enjoying My Professor Is My Alpha Mate by Caroline Above Story. Classification: light reading, slow burn.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 31, 2023 | Events
The stage is set for the most anticipated event of the year — the biggest sports gathering in the country — the Philippine Sports Expo, happening on June 30 to July 2, 2023, at the iconic Crystal Pavilion. It is a grand celebration of athleticism, perseverance, and prowess, where sports stakeholders and enthusiasts from all corners of the country will gather to witness the spectacle of talents, teams, associations and federations, and sports brands.
The Philippine Sports Expo is an annual gathering of our country’s sports athletes and stakeholders and a celebration of their significant contributions to our sports industry. The 3-day event will draw in over 20 associations and federations, teams, icons, and celebrities and will showcase extensive collections of notable sports brands, from apparel, shoes, wearables, gadgets, and equipment to sports nutrition, clinics, medicine, supplements, and the latest advancements in fitness and sports science and technology.
The expo is set to take place at the sprawling Crystal Corridor Okada Manila, which will be transformed into a vibrant sports paradise. The venue will be adorned with colorful banners, showcasing the various sports disciplines that would be featured during the event. Inside, there are multiple brands and booths of sports associations and federations, each dedicated to a specific sport.
On the day of the expo, the doors swing open, and a wave of energy sweeps through the crowd. Athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts, and families will flood into the Crystal Corridor, ready to experience the thrilling world of sports.
In one section, basketball courts will be set up with hoops of different heights. Budding young basketball players will dribble and shoot, emulating their favorite Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars. Coaches from renowned basketball academies will offer tips and guidance to aspiring players, nurturing the next generation of Filipino basketball talent.
Across the way is a stage where our official national sports and martial arts of the Philippines, also known as “Kali” or “Eskrima,” will be situated to create buzz and intensity in the venue. Children of all ages are welcome to join the demo and learn about sports from renowned coaches and players from the Philippine national team. Special appearances by gold medalists in the sports are also planned to inspire young players as well as aspirants and enthusiasts.
In another hall, martial arts will take center stage. The air crackles with anticipation as spectators gather around the elevated platform where local and international martial artists will display their mastery of different disciplines. From the lightning-fast strikes of Arnis to the powerful kicks of Taekwondo, the crowd will witness a mesmerizing showcase of the Philippines’ rich martial arts heritage.
The expo isn’t just about traditional sports; it will also present emerging sports and recreational activities. In one hall, a rock-climbing wall will tower over the crowd. Climbing enthusiasts, both young and old, will test their skills and conquer new heights.
Amidst all the action, some booths will promote health and wellness and showcase the importance of proper nutrition, fitness routines, and sports-related products. Display the latest sports equipment, clothing, and technology, enticing visitors with their innovative offerings.
There will be interactive sessions throughout the expo where attendees can participate in workshops and try their hand at different sports. From billiards to table tennis, volleyball to badminton, the expo provided a platform for people to discover new passions and explore their sporting potential.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 25, 2023 | Video reviews
I had the opportunity to watch The Little Mermaid (2023) on May 24 at Robinson’s Magnolia’s Movie Theater 5 with my family and it was beautiful! It was like watching the animated version that first appeared in 1989 but with some variations in scenes and added songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you’ve watched Hamilton, In The Heights, Vivo, you will immediately recognize the songs he wrote as Lin has a very distinctive style. In an interview with Collider, this is what Lin had to say:
“So much of my work on The Little Mermaid was that wish fulfillment. I actually didn’t write any new songs for Sebastian the Crab because I love his songs so much. I was like, “I can’t. Nope, not me. I can’t do it.” I did get to write for some of the other characters in that movie. Every song you love in The Little Mermaid is still in The Little Mermaid, we just found some new moments to musicalize. That’s really tricky.”
The songs we know and love in the original Disney cartoon that was written by Alan Menken are still there, including my favorite song from the movie, Part of Your World, originally sung by Jodi Benson.
Halle Bailey as Ariel
Halle Bailey as Ariel (aka the Little Mermaid) confused me at first because I thought that Halle Berry would be too old to play the role of a teenage mermaid. The similarities in their names are definitely cause for confusion. I’m glad that got cleared up in this article on movieweb.com. I don’t know why there was such a hullabaloo about her playing Ariel, she was fantastic as Ariel. Maybe I’m just color-blind because, to be honest, the fact that Halle is not white was not the first thing I noticed about her in the movie.
It is possible that this was not a great concern for me since I grew up watching stage plays in school and then later in the bigger theaters. I attended an all-girls Catholic school and when the drama club put on a play they didn’t usually match the perceived appearance of the character role. Whoever was the best in playing the character, was the one assigned to play it. In this rendition of The Little Mermaid, the best person happened to be Halle.
Other notable performances
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric was a great choice. His acting was on point and he certainly has the singing chops for the role. I also thought it was perfect that his physique was not like romance book male leads. It made him seem more … attainable, perhaps the word I am looking for. He’s fit, just not buff, which I felt was appropriate for the character.
Before watching The Little Mermaid, I had never heard of Jonah Hauer-King. To be fair, I also haven’t been watching a lot of movies lately. This movie certainly put him in the leading man category for this and future films.
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula is surprising but in a good way. I know her best in her comedic roles so seeing her acting villainous and not trying to draw a laugh is refreshing! I’m glad to know she has more than just comedy in her toolbelt.
She looked so much like the cartoon Ursula but better! More glam, way prettier, and somehow more menacing. The way she modulated her voice was so on point, I got chills. By the way, I chose a pic of her as Ursula because I was just really amazed at how she looked in this movie.
A question that is often asked about Ursula is whether she is an octopus or a squid. Based on the dialogue where she referred to King Triton as her “squibling” (wordplay of squid and sibling) I think it is safe to safe she is a squid. However, no matter how many times I count it, she only has 8 tentacles so that should make her an octopus … unless we count her arms in the limb count.
Daveed Diggs as Sebastian
Daveed Diggs plays Sebastian is certainly a far cry from playing LaFayette in Hamilton. Nonetheless, he was able to deliver the role of stodgy majordomo, unwilling babysitter, and later, desperate matchmaker to a tee.
I don’t know what an authentic Jamaican accent sounds like, but he carried one off pretty well to these uneducated ears.
Awkwafina as Scuttle
Awkafina plays Scuttle, the kooky seagull that likes to tell Ariel stories about humans and their gadgets and things. Even though the original voice actor in the animated version was male, I don’t think it was ever really stated that Scuttle had to be a specific gender so it worked. If at all, I think it worked better with her in the role, because she easily gave that busybody vibe I was expecting from Scuttle.
Awkwafina is not a name that is easy to forget. 1) She’s like Madonna or Prince … doesn’t use a last name so that makes her stand out. 2) Her voice is distinctive … raspy and loud and full of character. I think I saw her for the first time in Crazy Rich Asians and after that, it felt like the name Awkafina became synonymous with funny female Asian.
Sebastian and Scuttle have so many scenes together and their dynamic is fun! Not counting Ariel’s solo, I think my favorite songs in the movie are Scuttlebutt and Kiss the Girl, which they sang together.
My thoughts on the movie
Thank you, technology, for making it possible to have underwater scenes without actually being underwater all the time. I loved watching the way their hair moved as if they were underwater. Was a lot of the underwater scenes wirework? Even in the scenes where we see Ariel swimming I had to look closely to see if she was actually in the water or in the air on wires. Movie magic is awesome! However it was done, I applaud it.
I think my favorite action sequence was at the beginning with the shark. That was scary! I’m glad we opted not to watch on 3D. As for musical numbers, it will have to be Kiss the Girl, hands down. The harmonies, the choreography, the special effects … they all worked together to create that masterpiece number.
I think this movie bears repeating. Maybe next time I will watch it in 3D.
In comparison, Craving His Virgin Mate by Sam Crescent appears tamer. (I cannot give you 100% assurance on that since I haven’t read the first book yet.) There is no big bad but there was still a mystery that needed to be solved.
The book begins with Lila turning 18 soon but already in college/university (yep, a smart egg) and an art student. When she catches her boyfriend in a liplock with another woman, she turns to the nearest male and kisses him, not realizing that the person she kissed was a teacher. Oh, boy!
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