by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 10, 2022 | Events
In line with the 81st anniversary of the Fall of Bataan in 2023, Philippine Veterans Bank calls on bikers and other enthusiasts to support and join the upcoming Ride for Valor 2023. The annual event, a non-competitive 160 kilometers long bike ride and will trace the original route of the Bataan Death March. The ride commemorates the camaraderie, bravery, and sacrifice of Filipinos and Americans who fought for our freedom.
Aside from rekindling heroism, Ride for Valor slated on March 5, 2023, aims to bring to consciousness the historical significance of the Death March in the struggle for freedom of brave Filipinos during World War 2.
Mariveles is one of the two starting points of the infamous Bataan Death March and will be the same site where the Ride for Valor will kick off.
“Ride for Valor aims to be an instrument for today’s generation to rediscover the role of Bataan during World War 2,” said Mike Villa-Real, PVB’s First Vice President for Marketing & Communications. PVB is a commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and their families.
The “Ride for Valor” was initiated to raise funds for the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME) to enable them to save our heroes’ historical markers so that we may remember their sacrifice. About 10,000 brave soldiers died along the route; many of the bodies were never identified or recovered.
The Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME), is a non-government organization that maintains the kilometer markers of the Bataan Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac. In the past, Bataan Death March markers had been destroyed, uprooted, and neglected due to accidents and other road projects.
The format for 2023’s ride is Gran Fondo or “Big Ride,” where each participant will have a “passport” that they need to bring to three stops: Mt. Samat in Bataan, San Fernando Train Station in Pampanga, and the Death March Memorial Shrine in Capas, Tarlac.
A mechanic will be on standby to help those who will experience mechanical issues, and roving marshals to monitor the progress of the participants. Support vehicles are allowed, but participants should not ride the vehicle unless they decide to withdraw from the bike ride.
Interested participants may register by clicking HERE or via the Ride for Valor Facebook page. Only bikes with brakes are allowed in the event, and participants must be fully vaccinated.
Around 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers and prisoners of war were forced by the Japanese military to march 69 miles from Bataan to Tarlac during World War II. Around 54,000 reached the camp while 20,000 died due to starvation, dehydration, disease, and brutality of their Japanese captors.

Bataan death march. Photo credit to https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 10, 2022 | Book Reviews
Auctioned to her Stepbrothers by Stephanie Brother was first published as Room Twenty-Eight: Their Willing Victim as part of the Club Sin: Chicago Session 1 collection. It was a collaborative effort by various authors that all happen in the same place … Club Sin.
Even before opening the book, I had an inkling that there would be BDSM in this story and I was curious just how deeply into the lifestyle these characters would be.
Honor is a sweet, beautiful girl with simple dreams. But when she finds herself buried in debt with no feasible way to get out of the hole a lifeline was thrown her way and she grabbed it. She signed up on a website where men bet on women to be their plaything. Her beauty and innocence make her highly desirable. In the end, the highest bid was from three brothers.
From the start, the three men made it clear that they were making just one bid … that their bid meant that she would be shared by all three. Kylian, Nate, and Lyle are billionaires who can well afford to bid on her individually but in this instance chose not to. All of them wanted her and they were okay to share.
When Honor was a young girl her mother married the father of Kylian, Nate, and Lyle, a ruthless businessman with a vicious temper. The four of them spent many happy moments together. But their parents’ marriage was anything was wonderful and eventually Honor and her mom left. Their leaving made life for the boys go from bad to worse.
It’s twisted but Honor realizes that her feelings for the brothers are not filial and if it takes BDSM to heal them and bring them all back together then so be it.
The transformation is amazing to “watch”. Are there triggering scenes? Yes. Are there instances of sexual violence? Yes. Are they in context? Yes! Is this story worth reading? ABSOLUTELY. Their blossoming love is worth witnessing. You can grab a copy of Auctioned to her Stepbrothers by Stephanie Brother on Amazon for 2.99 or free with a Kindle Unlimited account.
After reading this book you can read the bonus content here.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 9, 2022 | Book Reviews
I don’t know why it has taken me so long to start reading The Irresistible Wrong by Elsa Duke. Every time I opened the book and read the first few lines I would lose interest. Sometimes it is the cover art that didn’t attract me, but often if the opening lines don’t engage me, then it isn’t happening. Today I decided to push past page one and was finally able to read it and finished it in four hours.
When Piper’s dad and Oliver’s mom got married, Oliver was already an adult while Piper was still a kid. Their ages are ten years apart and while Oliver annoyed Piper often, she couldn’t help developing secret feelings for him as she grew older.
On her 18th birthday, she decides to seduce him. Lo and behold, Oliver is not immune to her charms. He succumbs but tells himself it will never happen again. Piper on the other hand decides she wants it to happen again and again and again.
Is it just a case of a horny teenager and a seduced adult? It certainly would seem like it if we didn’t have a front-row seat to their thoughts.
Some details are not very clear like Oliver is supposed to be a firefighter (I think) so far he is a buff desk jockey. I don’t know how at 28 he could be chief or director of anything. Piper’s dad owns a resort/s and despite being a firefighter, Oliver is working there, too.
Piper has just graduated from high school and is getting ready to go to Columbia in the fall. For the summer, she decides to take care of Oliver’s daughter. Yes, there is suddenly a daughter in the picture.
Long story short … they hook up, realize they are in love with each other, and they live happily ever after. Any conflict that happens in the story are moments that pass by quickly but they do move the story forward.
The Irresistible Wrong by Elsa Duke is on Amazon for 0.99 and free with a Kindle Unlimited account.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 8, 2022 | Lifestyle
Bidet sprays are becoming a common sight in bathrooms, and they are typically used in more ways than one. Most trigger sprays in the market come with only one spray pressure, which does not serve the dual functionality required by consumers as a bidet and as a bathroom cleaning tool. The spray pressure on these trigger sprays ends up being either too harsh for intimate cleansing or too weak for effective bathroom cleaning.
To address these different needs in one purposeful product, American Standard™ has innovatively combined both functions into one sleek hygienic spray with two different spray pressures for both personal and bathroom hygiene. This creative conception has since earned the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray the Red Dot Design Award 2022.
Whether you are using it as a bidet spray for a gentle cleanse on the skin, or as a robust bathroom jet spray for a thorough bathroom wash, the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray with its revolutionary dual pressure features performs both jobs effectively, for everyone in the family.
Gentle on the Skin, Tough on Stains
Personal cleansing is all about gentle comfort, particularly for intimate areas. With Petal Pressure™, the specially designed nozzles are optimized to deliver a gentle, yet robust personal cleansing experience.
However, a stronger jet spray is required to eliminate stubborn bathroom dirt and stains. The purposeful design of the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray delivers both functions. With the cap on, the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray turns the water pressure into a gentle yet robust spray for a comfortable personal cleanse. And with a simple twist, the cap can be removed for a powerful Jet Spray to get at dirty bathroom corners.
Human-Centered Design for Ergonomic Use
Featuring a removable cap that can be fitted in either direction on the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray, users can easily and ergonomically operate the spray button with either the thumb or index finger. This thoughtful FlexiFit™ design takes into consideration individual user preferences during personal cleansing and enhances ergonomic comfort for both feminine and posterior cleansing. Furthermore, the integrated design of the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray ensures minimal gaps to prevent dirt buildup and its EasyClean™ feature means the cap can be easily removed for targeted cleaning – all in the name of better hygiene.
FlexiMatch Finishes for Any Bathroom Style
The DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray comes in a chrome body and is available in either a glossy white or a matte black cap. This chrome version offers a premium look that will fit harmoniously into any bathroom style, and the glossy body surface effectively repels dirt and stains.
If you are looking for enhanced hygiene protection, the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray also comes in a full glossy white version with HygienePlus™ that offers total anti-microbial protection and a touch of contemporary charm to your bathroom.
Whatever your choice is, the DuoSTiX™ Hygiene Spray makes for a gentle cleanse and a thorough clean in one handy hygienic spray.
About American Standard
As one of the most iconic brands in sanitary ware, American Standard has earned the trust of its customers by constantly delivering style, quality, and reliability to their bathrooms. Today, backed by more than 140 years of pioneering legacy, American Standard continues to raise the bar in delivering dependable bathroom solutions that combine thoughtful designs and innovative technologies to create inviting bathroom sanctuaries offering ultimate comfort and performance to its customers.
About Lixil
LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high-quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry-leading brands, including LIXIL, GROHE, American Standard, INAX, and TOSTEM. Over 70,000 colleagues operating in 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day.
LIXIL Group Corporation (TSE Code: 5938) is the listed holding company for LIXIL’s portfolio of businesses.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 8, 2022 | Book Reviews
My Best Friend’s Triplet Brothers by Rebel Bloom is the story of a girl who gets reunited with her childhood tormentors at her best friend’s wedding. It couldn’t be helped since the triplets are her best friend’s brothers. Warren, Lucas, and Andrew Stickland are gorgeous and single and definitely off-limits! That wasn’t a casual mandate … the bride outright said it, too!
So what happens when Sara accidentally walks in on Warren in the shower in all his glory? Obviously, sanity flew out the window and passion took over.
Personally, no matter how hot these guys are, I can’t see how she could so easily spread her legs for her bullies. As the story progresses and they get reacquainted and catch up on each other’s lives it is easy to see the unusual relationship between the four of them developing but at the back of my mind I’m still thinking … they’re your bullies.
It actually takes many, many chapters for that issue to be addressed and for the triplets to explain why they did what they did when they were kids. Personally, their explanation on the one hand seems sweet but mostly I was angry for Sara because they ruined her childhood. She was a pariah because of them. How is that a good thing and so easily forgiven?
If you are looking for a good sex romp with hot triplets this is a good book to read. If you are willing to overlook their callousness and cruelty growing up and accept Warren, Lucas, and Andrew for the gentlemen they are now then read this book.
I had difficulty being okay with their bullying but I’m not Sara. I don’t know if I could let bygones be bygones just because they’re good in bed and don’t mind sharing.
My Best Friend’s Triplet Brothers by Rebel Bloom is available on Amazon for 2.99 and is free with Kindle Unlimited.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 7, 2022 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways
Don’t fret thinking about your Christmas gift for a loved one this Yuletide season anymore. Taiwan Excellence has got a complete range of excellent lifestyle products you can choose from for that all-important present you can give in this most important and joyous season.
Take Acer, for example. One of Taiwan’s best IT brands that completely took the world by storm, Acer makes unboxing during the holidays a truly exceptional experience for the whole family.
Just buy any participating Acer products and be ready to get a free Digital SM Gift Pass worth up to P8,000. Promo runs until December 31, 2022.
Shop Acer products now to get up to P8,000 worth of Digital SM Gift Pass
Ready to give the gift of beauty this season of giving? Try giving away Annie’s Way products from Taiwan through their “Buy 5, Take 1” promo. You can buy any five of their popular Jelly Masks such as their Honey + Lecithin, Arbutin Hyaluronic Acid, Lavender, Aloe + Seaweed, Anti-Aging, Calendula + Chamomile, Charcoal + Vita-C Pore, Snail Secretion Repairing and get another one absolutely free! Now, how about that for Christmas beauty?
Learn more about the Annie’s Way Buy 5 Take 1 in Jelly Masks promo here
Here’s another one of Taiwan’s outstanding products on information technology devices. ASUS has its “ASUS/ROG Share 2022” promo, where you can receive up to P11,000 worth of wonderful freebies through the purchase of participating ASUS products. ASUS made it even sweeter where the freebie you’ll get depends on the price range of the ASUS product you will buy. Of course, the higher-priced products get a premium freebie, which is logical. But then again, get whatever ASUS product your heart desires because every ASUS product is marked with excellence.
The ASUS/ROG Share 2022 Promo also offers limited-time exclusive bundle packages and discounts for select ASUS and ROG products such as laptops, mobile phones, and others.
Better hurry since the “ASUS/ROG Share 2022” is only up to December 31, 2022. Learn more here.
Are you worried about your loved one’s thinning hair? Give the gift of Aromase and its Anti-Hair Loss Set to give your man (or woman) that extra boost in confidence. Aromase’ Juniper Scalp Purifying Liquid Shampoo, softens and removes unnecessary sebum on the scalp and regulates the health of the scalp ecosystem for hair growth, moisturizes the scalp, and effectively relieves scalp itchiness.
On the other hand, the Aromase Anti-Hair Loss Essential Shampoo for Hair Loss helps strengthen the protective mechanism of the scalp and maintains hair visibility, and makes it even more vital.
With the Aromase Anti-Hair Loss Kit as your Christmas gift, you can never go wrong.
Looking to upgrade your computer hardware this season? Give yourself that gift of Transcend solid state drives, the leading brand in digital storage and multimedia products. The Transcend SSD225S, for example, is a 2.5-inch solid-state drive that’s designed for both desktops and laptops. Enjoy fast application processing times to greatly enhance your computer’s performance. Plus, with up to 2TB of storage capacity, saving your music, documents, movies, and photos will be such a breeze, a better choice than the usual hard disk drives.
Meanwhile, the Transcend MTE250S SSD features the 3D NAND flash, an 8-channel controller, and a DRAM cache that delivers sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,200/6,500 MB/s (R/W) and ample capacity of up to 2TB. Its ultra-thin graphene heatsink guarantees stable performance despite working non-stop, with proven performance that gamers, content creators, and software developers will surely love and enjoy no matter what their game is.
Another award-winning Taiwanese IT product is MSI which you can consider giving as a Christmas gift for an exceptional family member or friend. Be full of joy with MSI’s “Joy-Full Christmas Sale” where you get special discounts and freebies worth up to P28,500. Whether for gaming or business productivity needs, trust MSI to give your computing this Christmas a big boost. And you only have until December 31, 2022, to avail of the MSI “Joy-Full Christmas” Sale so hurry up!
Avail of the MSI “Joy-Full Christmas Sale” here.
So, forget about buying products that can be like a box of chocolates where you wouldn’t know what you’re going to get. When buying Taiwan Excellence products, you have no doubt that what you get are quality and excellence.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 5, 2022 | Business
Maxicare, the biggest health maintenance organization, has inked a partnership with Pin-An Holdings and the Gokongwei Group’s JE Holdings to launch Maxilife, the newest member of the Philippines’ dynamic life insurance industry.
According to Insurance Commissioner Atty. Dennis B. Funa, MaxiLife is notable for being the first domestic insurer to be founded as a new domestic life insurance company under Section 194 of the Insurance Code of the Philippines as amended by Republic Act 10607.
The newly-formed company will offer various life insurance products that will complement the existing HMO services of Maxicare.
MaxiLife is a comprehensive life insurance company that will offer new innovations in customer experience, affordability, and availability, as it leverages the technological advantages of the Pin-An Group as well as the ecosystems and leadership experiences of Maxicare and the Gokongwei Group.
According to Maxicare President and CEO Sean Argos, “MaxiLife provides us with an opportunity to reach beyond what traditional HMOs offer and to give Filipinos next-level benefits that they have not seen before. It fulfills our mission of helping Filipinos live their best lives.”
The country’s newest insurance player MaxiLife has a 2 billion peso capitalization, the fourth-highest paid-up capital in the insurance industry this year. This is 100 percent more than the 1 billion pesos requirement for capitalization set by the Insurance Commission for new insurers.
“This new investment in the insurance industry marks a growing confidence in the manner by which the industry has been regulated over the past six years,” said IC Commissioner Funa.
The capitalization is built on the resources of Maxicare, the Gokongwei Group’s JE Holdings, and Pin-An Holdings Corporation — the parent company of Maxicare.
Appointment of New President and CEO
Mr. Jose Pastor Puno will assume the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of MaxiLife. He was formerly the President and CEO of Maxicare, a position he held for ten years.
“This is an opportunity and honor that I cannot pass up: heading a new venture that will revolutionize both the healthcare and insurance industries in the Philippines,” Puno said. He added that combining both MaxiLife and Maxicare will allow them to offer life insurance and HMO coverage within one ecosystem.
MaxiLife aims to offer insurance coverage to the current Maxicare members who are afforded treatment, prevention, and wellness benefits through their HMO agreements with the company. As such, it will be embedded into the Maxicare group plans. This will make it convenient for members since they will only need to deal with one ecosystem and ensures that they are given the best possible care.
“In the traditional health or life insurance model, risk has to materialize first before the consumer becomes entitled to any sum. For us, the value is not in waiting for a health risk to materialize but rather in reducing that risk. No other insurance company right now can claim this,” Puno explained.
Mr. Lance Gokongwei, chairman of JE Holdings and MaxiLife Chairman, expressed that the new venture will have a huge impact on the country.
“We have always been proud of the way our group has revolutionized and transformed industries to make lives better and provide better choices. MaxiLife provides us with an excellent platform to create meaningful breakthroughs in the delivery of healthcare services to Filipinos who wish to invest in their physical well-being.”
Puno mentioned that they will be offering Filipinos competitive pricing to provide them with more access to insurance products.
“Aside from more accessible price points, we will also leverage modern technology so that we can offer better customer experience, given that we will be packaging insurance and HMO together as symbiotic products.”
MaxiLife will be offering Basic Group Life Insurance, Group Critical Illness, and Group Critical Illness Accelerated Life as its initial products.
When asked about his vision for MaxiLife in the immediate future, Puno said, “While Maxicare will continue being the dominant HMO in the country, MaxiLife will certainly soon become a significant player in the life insurance industry.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 5, 2022 | Book Reviews
Never Say Werewolf Again by Violet Vaughn was such an enjoyable story to read! From the beginning an important fact is established … Brindle and Katie love each other. They were high school sweethearts. They loved each other so much that they felt that it would last forever.
Brindle is a werewolf. For once, a story about a regular werewolf … not an Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, etc. He discovers that the girl he has loved for a long time is his true mate.
Katie is human and when she discovers that Brindle is a werewolf she was ok with it and even asked him to turn her into one, too, so that they could be together forever. But somehow, after her first shift, she got scared and changed her mind, and ran away.
Brindle finds her again at university a year later because she is in heat. No matter how many men she goes through no one would be able to satiate her except for her mate. While things between them are still unresolved he is still there to help her.
Something to look forward to in this story … not a lot of angst but a good narrative. It is a quick read and entertaining. 🙂 Never Say Werewolf Again by Violet Vaughn is on Amazon and is the first book of the Winter Valley Wolves series. Best of all, it is absolutely FREE! The succeeding books are 2.99 a pop. If you enjoy this one you may end up getting the next books (like I did, lol!)
Enjoy this freebie!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 4, 2022 | Business
Quality assurance and food safety are at the core of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.’s (PCPPI) operations. The organization recently reinforced its commitment to uphold excellence in line with PCPPI and PepsiCo’s observance of World Quality Month this November.
“Customer satisfaction drives our commitment to excellence at PCPPI. We encourage employees to perform beyond expectations in line with our vision to be the country’s leading beverage company,” said PCCPI president and CEO Frederick D. Ong.
Compliance with stringent safety regulations ensures quality at PCPPI. All facilities received the Safety Seal Certification from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), certifying all plants and offices practice public health standards and occupational safety and health standards set by the government. PCPPI was also recognized for its compliance and enforcement efforts of COVID-19 health standards.
Accreditation and Certification
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is among the various organizations conducting regular audits of PCPPI’s facilities. Aside from ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, the FDA reviews PCPPI’s implementation of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and compliance with the provisions of the facilities’ Licenses to Operate.
Currently, six PCPPI plants have retained their Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) V5.1 through a comprehensive audit by reputable testing, inspection, and certification authority SGS in early 2022. PCPPI’s plant in San Fernando, Pampanga also completed the first McDonald’s Social Welfare Accountability (SWA) and Supplier Quality Management System Audit (SQMS).
Quality and Food Safety Training
At PCPPI, development programs are in place to support ongoing learning for employees and business partners. Since 2015, over 1,800 employees and partners have enrolled in Level 1 Capability Building Program courses to broaden their understanding of quality assurance and food safety. Courses include Food Fraud Mitigation, Vulnerability Risk Assessment, and Statistical Process Control.
PCPPI’s pool of PepsiCo-certified site expert trainers has also conducted nearly 5,000 training hours. Certified training leaders have also completed courses focused on improving product quality and productivity.
Fostering Values through Engagement
Among PCPPI’s initiatives to further enhance the company-wide commitment to excellence are regular communication on policy updates, as well as best practice sharing across teams. Employees also undergo refresher courses on managing customer feedback in compliance with national regulations.
The organization’s focus on ensuring product and service quality goes beyond mere process. PCPPI upholds excellence as one of its core values. “Excellence is a shared responsibility. By holding ourselves accountable to our standards, we aim to continuously inspire our employees to remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering the best value to all our stakeholders,” added Ong.
PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. It sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Milkis, Aquafina, and Premier.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 4, 2022 | Book Reviews
Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée by Tara Brent is supposed to be an age gap romance but as I was reading I did not really feel the age gap. If there is a gap, it does not seem significant. Either that or Kelci is just really mature for her age. I don’t recall it being mentioned but I would probably put her at about 24. Nolan’s age was never mentioned either, only that he was in a relationship years ago and has not been in one since. If I had to guess I would probably place him in his early 30s tops.
Falling in love was not something either Kelci or Nolan planned. Trust does not come easy for Kelci … not after the disaster of her last relationship. For Nolan, it was all about work, work, work. But interest is piqued from the moment the two of them meet. Nolan was very proactive and actively “courted” her but with her mindset, Kelci couldn’t trust his intentions.
As the story progresses Nolan finds himself in a pickle when a business deal he wanted to close required him to be a family man and he got it into his head to ask Kelci to pretend to be his fiancee so that he could close the deal.
To be honest, there was no reason for them to fake anything because it is obvious from the start that their feelings for each other are real. That and the fact that when they are behind closed doors they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other, lol!
Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée by Tara Brent is an easy story to read. There isn’t a lot of drama and there is a lot of love. You can find it on Amazon for 3.99 but if you have KU then it’s free!
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