by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 8, 2018 | Stories
From salt-powered lamps to the legendary karaoke machine, stories of Filipino ingenuity and creativity have always inspired us, as well as people all over the world. Now, we take a look at the latest among our countrymen to be recognized on the international stage for his brilliance.
Last September, Elmer Padilla made headlines when his handmade action figures, made of recycled tsinelas, were posted on Facebook. He has since made an appearance on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, and his work was even handed to Thor: Ragnarok actors Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, who praised Elmer’s depictions of their characters.
Elmer has always loved action figures, though he could never really afford them as a child. He turned to his creativity at a young age so that he could make his own.
“Nine years old po ako noong magstart ako sa paggawa. Hindi pa po character ang mga ginagawa ko noon. Bangka-bangka lang po gamit ang mga tsinelas na sira hanggang sa nakakabuo na ako ng mga robot sa sarili kong imahinasyon. Hanggang sa nahilig ako sa mga action figures sa movie. Sinubukan ko na po gumaya ng mga action figures. (I was nine years old when I started making these. At the time, I didn’t make characters. I just made boats out of broken flip-flops until I was able to make robots of my own imagination. Then, I began taking an interest in action figures from movies. At that point, I tried imitating action figures.),” he said.
Originally hailing from Samar, Elmer, his wife, and two daughters recently moved to Imus, Cavite to try and fulfill his dream of making and selling action figures. It was here that he was discovered selling his tsinelas action figures on the streets, and from there, his fame skyrocketed.
Today, Elmer receives guidance from Jerry Santos, a toymaker who makes life-sized statues for his store, Jerry’s Life-Size Statues and Collectibles. Orders for his work have piled up so much, he can barely keep up with demand.
“Actually, sa isang araw, nakakatanggap kami ng 70 orders. Yung iba hindi na niya nasasagot sa social media dahil nga medyo busy na rin talaga. Akala nila suplado si Elmer pero talagang marami lang talagang dating ng order. (Actually, in a single day, we can receive up to 70 orders. He can’t respond to the others on social media because he’s really busy. They think Elmer is being snobbish, but really, there are just so many orders coming in.),” Jerry Santos said.
Elmer’s primary expense in making his action figures has been the purchase of MIGHTY BOND. Sometimes, when he runs out of money, he’d just buy ordinary shoe glue, but this lowers the quality of his work.
“Kapag ordinaryong shoe glue lang talaga, madaling matanggal ang dikit kapag natutuyo na. Kapag MIGHTY BOND ang gamit ko, mabilis dumikit at matibay kahit na yung sa mga parte pa ng action figures na mahirap dumikit gaya nung mga wires at plastic. (When I use just ordinary shoe glue, the stickiness easily fades when it dries. When I use MIGHTY BOND, it sticks quickly and it stays sturdy, even with the parts of the action figures that are hard to glue like wires and plastic.),” he said.
Right now, Elmer’s income from his craft remains a little slow, as it’s just him working on fulfilling the orders. Already, though, he’s being courted by international flip-flop brands hoping to become his supplier. And in the coming days, he’s going to personally hand action figures to President Duterte and President Trump, during the ASEAN Summit.
In spite of rising fame and fortune, Elmer’s dreams remain squarely grounded at home. He wants to be able to buy a house for his family, and buy whatever they need. With all the hard work he puts in for his family, he truly is as good as the superheroes he depicts.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 7, 2018 | Lifestyle
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FOR PLATINUM KARAOKE KANTAHAN 2018: The All New PLATINUM CELLO MIC KARAOKE!
Be one of the first to own this one-of-a-kind unit that can Transform your smart phone as a Karaoke Monitor, a Karaoke remote control and a songbook in one via the all new Platinum Link App!
Enjoy singing while traveling with a digital wireless microphone and its car ready 5V power source! Sing your heart out with our extensive song catalogue that has over 17,000 songs!
Freebies:
- Platinum Karaoke Kantahan 2018 E-ticket
- Maine and Alden’s book
- Maine and Alden Standee
- Group Photo Op with Maine and Alden
#PlatinumKaraokeKantahan2018
#PlatinumKaraoke
#Ikantamoyan
#BringMusicToYourLife
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 6, 2018 | Stories
AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance companies in the country, recently held a basketball clinic for children ages 5-13 in partnership with the University of Makati and the Makati Youth Development Center.
Nearly 40 kids, representing three different barangays in Makati, participated in the training session which culminated in a friendly game. AXA chose the 10 most outstanding players from the group, and will support them as they participate in the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska — the NBA’s global youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship, teamwork, and an active lifestyle.
AXA Philippines, through its corporate social responsibility arm, continuously spearheads and participates in similar development activities to help empower communities to live better lives.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 6, 2018 | Lifestyle
Get exclusive freebies along with your FREE ticket to Platinum Karaoke Kantahan 2018.
Get Maine and Alden’s books along with a mini-standee with your purchase from www.platinumkaraoke.ph/kantahan2018. Ilang tulog na lang kantahan na kaya ano pang hinihintay niyo?
#PlatinumKaraoke #BringMusicToYourLife
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 5, 2018 | Health and Wellness
Earlier this year, Maxicare Healthcare Corporation launched its TeleConsult service, a 24/7 hotline exclusively for Maxicare members and their dependents, that allows them to connect with Maxicare-accredited doctors any time they need a consultation.
What do you get out of using TeleConsult? Let’s take a look at some of its most important advantages.
It saves you time.
A chest pain in the night, a stomachache out of nowhere – without the advantage of consultation, these ailments often lead us to take a trip to the nearest emergency room. While it’s definitely a good idea to see a professional whenever something feels off, these trips will eat up your time, especially if you have to take a day off work for them.
With TeleConsult, a quick – call is all you need to get in touch with a doctor, explain your symptoms, and hopefully get an answer to your questions about how you feel. Of course, there will be times that your consultation will lead to a recommendation to head over to the hospital anyway, but at least it won’t be every time you have a mild headache!
It saves you money.
The aforementioned ER trips and consultations aren’t just time sinks – they eat up your benefit limit as well, which could be better used for when you have an actual disease. TeleConsult is a free service that doesn’t consume your benefit limit, leaving it open for more urgent healthcare concerns.
You get peace of mind.
There’s an old joke about self-diagnosing with WebMD: Whatever your symptoms are, you always have cancer!
Self-diagnosis is never recommended, especially if you have no medical training – and even doctors with years of experience will still seek a second opinion if the patient is themselves!
However, it’s still tempting to look up your symptoms online and end up with a laundry list of potential diseases, fixating on the scariest ones.
If you use TeleConsult, however, you’re assured that your symptoms are looked over by a Maxicare affiliated physician and that you receive a professional diagnosis in turn.
A complement to traditional healthcare channels
There’s no replacement for a face-to-face trip to the doctor, and that isn’t the goal that TeleConsult wants to achieve. Instead, it’s where you go before heading over to a specialist, or where you go if you need immediate advice for a medical condition.
Over time, the TeleConsult service aims to evolve into an important part of the healthcare system, with intelligent connections to wearable health technology, health management platforms, data analytics, and more, all in the name of serving up personalized, efficient, and effective healthcare services to every member.
Are you ready for your TeleConsultation? Call these numbers whenever you need to talk to a Maxicare physician:
- [Landline] (02) 5821980
- [Globe] (0917) 8190840
- [Smart] (0998) 8430754
To know more about Maxicare and its products and services, check out www.maxicare.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 4, 2018 | Events
Mga Ka-Platinum Kantahan Year na dahil ilang tulog na lang bago ang #PlatinumKaraokeKantahan2018! Don’t miss the chance to see the first event of Maine and Alden this 2018! Just buy Platinum Karaoke Junior 2 for only P3,999 at makipagkantahan na with them this coming January 25! But wait there’s more!
You also have the chance to be the ONE LUCKY WINNER na mag-uuwi ng Grand Prize na iPhoneX, The all new Platinum Karaoke Cello with 2 wireless mic and an Outdoor Speaker worth 120K!
Oops! If you didn’t get the chance to win the Grand Prize may chance ka pa maiuwi ang 2nd Prize na Oppo F5 and The all new Platinum Karaoke Cello! Kaya naman Ka-Platinum magpapahuli ka ba? Get your Platinum Karaoke Junior 2 now at http://bit.ly/2CQFIke. Kitakits!
#PlatinumKaraoke #Ikantamoyan #BringMusicToYourLife
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 3, 2018 | Health and Wellness
It’s true that a diamond is forever—time cannot break its brilliance and elegance. For whatever season or occasion, there’s always a reason to wear diamonds. As it lasts for a lifetime, the sparkling beauty of diamond jewelry can complement any outfit—for day or night; from casual to formal—adding flair and sophistication.
Since acquiring diamond jewelry is a precious investment, it helps to have a jeweler who understands your inclinations and personal style. My Diamond offers only the best quality pieces.
Each of My Diamond’s exquisite pieces is meticulously made by internationally-trained craftsmen using diamonds of top-tier cut, clarity, color, carat weight, and with the assurance of authenticity. There is surely a diamond perfectly suited to every woman despite varying interests, tastes, and personalities that are fitting for any celebration and activity.
MyDiamond 18K Yellow Golf Cocktail Ring with 32 pieces .66 Carat Diamonds
MyDiamond 18K Yellow Gold Adjustable Tennis Bracelet with 35 pieces 2.1 Carat Diamonds
For the dynamic individual to achieve an exceptional daytime look there’s the modish 18K yellow gold Cocktail Ring with 32 pieces .66 carat diamonds. Complement this with the adjustable Diamond Bracelet, an 18K yellow gold adjustable Tennis Bracelet with 35 pieces 2.1-carat diamonds.
MyDiamond 18K White Gold Tennis Necklace with 70 pieces 6.15 Carat Diamonds
MyDiamond 18K White Gold Stud Earrings with 2 pieces Square Emerald 1.3 Carat Diamonds
As you transition to evening and shift to dressier affairs, go with classic investment pieces that will elevate your look and put you in a festive mood. Pair a Tennis Necklace in 18K white gold with 70 pieces 6.15-carat diamonds with 18K white gold Stud Earrings with 2 pieces square emerald cut and 1.3-carat diamonds.
My Diamond jewelry polishes off any outfit, at every occasion, and season, adding sparkle and refinement to your wardrobe because you deserve to shine brilliantly everyday.
Visit a My Diamond concept store at SM Megamall, Robinsons Place Manila, Festival Supermall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Ayala Fairview Terraces, SM Lanag Premier Davao, or follow and like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyDiamondPH/ and on Instagram: @mydiamondph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 21, 2017 | Health and Wellness
So you’ve got your festive outfit set and the fancy gift wrapped for your “monito” or “monita”. All that’s left undone is a party season-perfect hairstyle.
The fresh out of the shower look can be seductive yet temporary. Blame it to tropical climate, it can spoil your appearance, besides making you feel sweaty and stale. The heat and humidity brought about by extreme weather condition, likewise, dries out the locks easily and make it more fragile.
Adding damage to your delicate strands are the chemical contents of various products on hand. From shampoo to conditioner and hair treatment, down to styling goods to groom it to your liking, their harsh synthetic materials jeopardize the natural oil and luster of your mane.
Because you are what you eat, the fate of your crowning glory is in the plate. Your diet must have the correct balance of vitamins and minerals to supply hair with all that it needs to become shiny and strong. So don’t overindulge, especially this time of the year when gastronomic feasts are spread almost everywhere you go. Be careful of what you take in, thinking that it’s also what you feed your ‘do.
Even stress can wear off the beauty and health of the tress. And that’s exactly what you should avoid this Yuletide season. Never put pressure on yourself just to please everyone. Just take it easy, let your hair down and party all night long.
Watsons and Novuhair Christmas and Yearend Promo for 2017
In this time of gratitude, NOVUHAIR makes everyday “a good hair day” for its valued patrons like you with its Christmas and Year-End Promo. Get an extra NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo 200 ml. worth P1,040 for FREE if you buy a NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack at participating WATSONS stores nationwide (DOH-FDA CCRR Permit No.: 967 s. 2017).
Packed with 19 natural ingredients—mostly standardized herbal extracts, essential oils and co-factor nutrients—NOVUHAIR Topical Scalp Lotion does not only help prevent the hair fall malady, but also aids in stimulating hair growth. NOVUHAIR helps prevent hair loss, improve overall appearance, promote nourishment and rejuvenation. It is clinically-tested and proven safe and effective.
Opt for the best with this Christmas and Year-End promo. Whether it’s a luxury gift for your loved ones, or a self-indulgent treat for you, NOVUHAIR has the perfect gift to inspire and keep you party-ready this Holiday season, while providing you with the ultimate styling result.
For inquiries, please call 413-6570 or 0922-8830575. You may also visit www.novuhair.com or Novuhair’s Facebook page – Novuhair Official.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 21, 2017 | Health and Wellness
Variety is the spice of life, and this is what the new Ever Bilena Lipstick sets offer. For the Christmas season go for polished and corporate chic with three nude lip essentials from High Heels during the day and switch to the bold and vivid colors of City Romance at sundown.
These limited-edition lipsticks are quick-dry and transfer-proof. Wear these shades with confidence. Available exclusively at Watsons and SM Department Stores. To learn more about Ever Bilena and its products, visit www.everbilena.com.ph, and follow www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 20, 2017 | Business
MANILA, Philippines – Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce company, Lazada Group, wrapped up its month-long Online Revolution campaign by crushing the region’s online sales record. The 12.12 final sale rang in USD 250 million in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), more than doubling last year’s sale. It also shattered the 11.11 record of USD 123 million, set only a month ago.
The massive sales volume is a clear sign that the month-long Online Revolution campaign, on its 6th year, is Southeast Asia’s biggest shopping phenomenon that has grabbed the attention of millions of consumers and provided them unprecedented access to products they want, love and need.
Lazada customers came from all over Southeast Asia – from big cities like Bangkok and Jakarta to far-flung locations like Alabel in the Philippines, Jayapura in Papua Indonesia and Điện Biên province in Vietnam. Due to the spikes in volume, Lazada had to charter flights to Indonesia and Thailand to deliver goods ordered from international merchants. About 50,000 local marketplace sellers also saw massive sales increases.
Lazada constantly pushes the limits to better serve its customers and sellers to win in the region’s crowded eCommerce industry. To feature unique products and offers, it has entered into several exclusive partnerships with world-renowned brands like Apple and Unilever.
Furthermore, through the recently launched Taobao Collection service, it is offering a curated selection of international fashion, tech and lifestyle items. By investing heavily in its fulfillment operations, including warehouses and delivery hubs across the region, the company is continuously improving the shopping experience by reducing delivery lead times.
Supported by the expertise of Alibaba, Lazada is also deploying cutting-edge technology solutions, that range from search and personalization to logistics optimization, to ultimately benefit both customers and sellers on the platform.
Filipinos Revolutionize Digital
Filipinos have embraced the convenience of shopping online this holiday season. Close to two hundred thousand Online Revolution parcels coming from both brands and merchants get delivered from the Lazada sorting center daily. Cities such as Negros Oriental, Benguet and Laguna recorded the most number of items ordered during the campaign.
Interesting to note that aside from the usual tangible buys,majority of customers bought their prepaid mobile load on Lazada – a clear indicator that Filipinos are more comfortable buying almost anything beyond the realms of the physical store.
The holiday rush and last minute shopping also existed online. Items ordered broke records during the last day of the sale. Over 140,000 fashion items, over 15,000 lipsticks, and over 12,000 automotive gift items were ordered in just one day. Christmas trees of different sizes and home decorations were also top picks of customers.
“Our record-breaking performance during our Online Revolution campaign is a testament to the hard work our team has put in, but also that of our sellers, brands,logistic providers, and other business partners, over the last 6 years” said Lazada Group Chief Executive Officer, Max Bittner. “The Online Revolution has just begun and it will continue to benefit consumers as well as the entire eCommerce ecosystem” he added.
About Lazada Online Revolution
Online Revolution is the biggest shopping event in Southeast Asia. It was started on 12 December 2012 (12.12) to introduce consumers to the convenience and value of shopping online, sparking a ‘shopping frenzy’ that has grown it into a highly-anticipated annual event.
Every year, more and more consumers from capital cities to remote villages shop from a wide range of deals from international and local brands previously not available to them. Last year, shoppers ordered two million items in just the first day of the event.
This year, the highlights of Online Revolution will be on 11.11 (11 November) and 12.12 (12 December). Themed ‘Shop the Universe’, shoppers in six countries can look forward to millions of products from around the world – from branded cosmetics, apparel and fashion accessories, to TVs and other nifty electronics, household essentials and even pet food – at ‘out-of-this-world’ prices.
About Lazada Group
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the number one online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia – present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
As the pioneer of the eCommerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia, Lazada helps more than 135,000 local and international sellers as well as 3,000 brands serving the 560 million consumers in the region through its marketplace platform, supported by a wide range of tailored marketing, data, and service solutions.
With over 210 million SKUs available, Lazada offers the widest range of products in categories ranging from consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion, sports equipmentand groceries.
Focused on delivering an excellent customer experience, it offers multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery, comprehensive customer care and hassle-free returns through its own first and last mile delivery arm supported by more than 100 logistics partners. Lazada Group is majority owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA).
Be one of the first to own this one-of-a-kind unit that can Transform your smart phone as a Karaoke Monitor, a Karaoke remote control and a songbook in one via the all new Platinum Link App!
Get Maine and Alden’s books along with a mini-standee with your purchase from 
A chest pain in the night, a stomachache out of nowhere – without the advantage of consultation, these ailments often lead us to take a trip to the nearest emergency room. While it’s definitely a good idea to see a professional whenever something feels off, these trips will eat up your time, especially if you have to take a day off work for them.
The aforementioned ER trips and consultations aren’t just time sinks – they eat up your benefit limit as well, which could be better used for when you have an actual disease. TeleConsult is a free service that doesn’t consume your benefit limit, leaving it open for more urgent healthcare concerns.
There’s an old joke about self-diagnosing with WebMD: Whatever your symptoms are, you always have cancer!
You also have the chance to be the ONE LUCKY WINNER na mag-uuwi ng Grand Prize na iPhoneX, The all new Platinum Karaoke Cello with 2 wireless mic and an Outdoor Speaker worth 120K!
The fresh out of the shower look can be seductive yet temporary. Blame it to tropical climate, it can spoil your appearance, besides making you feel sweaty and stale. The heat and humidity brought about by extreme weather condition, likewise, dries out the locks easily and make it more fragile.
Even stress can wear off the beauty and health of the tress. And that’s exactly what you should avoid this Yuletide season. Never put pressure on yourself just to please everyone. Just take it easy, let your hair down and party all night long.
Packed with 19 natural ingredients—mostly standardized herbal extracts, essential oils and co-factor nutrients—NOVUHAIR Topical Scalp Lotion does not only help prevent the hair fall malady, but also aids in stimulating hair growth. NOVUHAIR helps prevent hair loss, improve overall appearance, promote nourishment and rejuvenation. It is clinically-tested and proven safe and effective.
“Our record-breaking performance during our Online Revolution campaign is a testament to the hard work our team has put in, but also that of our sellers, brands,logistic providers, and other business partners, over the last 6 years” said Lazada Group Chief Executive Officer, Max Bittner. “The Online Revolution has just begun and it will continue to benefit consumers as well as the entire eCommerce ecosystem” he added.
Online Revolution is the biggest shopping event in Southeast Asia. It was started on 12 December 2012 (12.12) to introduce consumers to the convenience and value of shopping online, sparking a ‘shopping frenzy’ that has grown it into a highly-anticipated annual event.
Launched in 2012, Lazada is the number one online shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia – present in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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