Glitteringly Yours

If you're looking to find affordable and aesthetic holiday ensemble, online clothing shops are your best friend. Ordering online is very convenient, and saves you time without costing too much.

A lot of brands have their stocks within reach of the average consumer via smartphones and computers, from thrifts (I own one) to the most luxurious brands. With a wide range of garments available across the web, it's easy to have a full wardrobe filled with online discoveries this Christmas season.

In the Philippines, Taytay Rizal is the go-to place for stylish RTW all year round, and getting there especially during this coming festive season may be a hassle considering Manila traffic. The good news is that a friend of mine owns an online shop that sells RTW straight from Taytay!

Now if you're thinking that they must be expensive, fret not because they're priced very affordably. The name of the shop is Luna Bella. Here are some of the items sold on its Facebook page:

Imagine craving for milk tea, but the nearest store to get your fix of wintermelon is 10 minutes away. It's worse if you live far from the commercial area, 'cause milk tea shops, albeit very common, can be a rarity in some places.

Now imagine if you have milk tea in your pocket that you can put in your mouth, anytime, anywhere!

Thanks to the people from Jack n' Jill who are awesome enough to put bobba into our pockets and made it more affordable!

XO Candy Milktea Flavor is your best option if milktea is impossible to arrive in a jiffy.

Vitasoy Plus Milky is thick and creamy, unlike our ordinary soya milk. That's why it's perfect for smoothies! Here are 5 refreshing beverage recipes using Vitasoy Plus Milky that are sure to take off the summer scorch from our bodies.

Pineapple Strawberry Smoothie

This drink is your fresh source of much-needed vitamins. With protein, calcium, and vitamin C in a glass of pineapples, strawberries, and Vitasoy Plus Milky, this smoothie will be your new favorite.

Ingredients: 1 pineapple, chopped 8 strawberries 1 1/2 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 3 tbsp sugar, raw

Melon Soy Milk Shake

Melons are not only refreshing; they’re also high in vitamins A and C, which are essential in boosting the immune system and in keeping the skin healthy. Try this nutrient powerhouse with Vitasoy Plus Milky that gives calcium and protein.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup ice 2 cups sliced melon 1 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 1 tbsp honey

The Immunity Booster

Stay strong and healthy by upping your immunity with this drink. With the Immunity Booster smoothie, you can get your daily dose of Vitamin C and potassium, plus the nutrients of Vitasoy Plus Milky in a glass. Ingredients: 1/4 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 1 frozen banana 1/2 cup frozen mangoes 3/4 cup orange juice 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4-1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional) 1 cup ice (optional)

Avocado Banana Soy Smoothie

Get both anti-inflammatory benefits plus the essential vitamins and minerals in a cup of yummy Avocado Banana smoothie made creamier with Vitasoy Plus Milky.

1 cup sliced avocado 1 cup sliced banana 1 tbsp honey 1 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky 1 cup ice

Banana Oat Smoothie

Working from home and taking online classes can get really stressful. Start your day by boosting your energy with this filling and nutritious smoothie.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup oats, blend until fine 1 banana 1 tbsp honey 1 cup Vitasoy Plus Milky

Beat the summer heat with these refreshing drinks! Feel good and strong with these delicious, easy-to-prepare, nutrient-rich smoothies, and oh-so-creamy, thanks to Vitasoy Plus Milky.

K-drama binge-watching has been a favorite form of R&R for many even before the lockdowns. Its high production value and bite-sized stories make it so enjoyable to watch and finish. It has become a beautiful form of addiction and while it's fun to sneak a peek on our phones or PCs while at work, nothing beats watching K-drama on TV at home with a bowl of snacks.

Samsung knows you want quality TV for quality binge watch. That's why from now until March 31, 2021, every purchase of Samsung TV comes with FREE 1-Year Viu subscription.

Here are some of the K-drama shows on Viu that will entice you to go for quality binge-watching:

The Penthouse 2

Succeeding the fiery first season and first on Viu, The Penthouse 2, featuring Lee Ji Ah and Kim So Yeon, follows the existences of society's super upper-class and how they'd successfully keep up their status, even if it requires framing and conspiring.

I'm almost done with Penthouse 1, so I'm pretty excited for this.

Mouse

A criminal investigator gets attached to a chronic murder case that appears to associate with his own dark childhood. This spine chilling drama, featuring Lee Seung Gi and Lee Hee Joon, will keep you at the edge of your seat thinking who the killer might be.

Times

A time-traveling political mystery drama featuring Lee Seo Jin and Leo Joo Young, this story gets going with Seo Jung In who gets connected to journalist Lee Jin Woo from five years prior through a call. A menacing truth disentangles driving them to cooperate to stop a homicide.

Beyond Evil

Featuring Yeo Jin Goo from Hotel Del Luna and Shin Ha Kyun, this drama highlights two investigators researching a serial homicide case that happens in a little, serene city. They exert efforts to get the beast behind it, while questioning whether they've become beasts themselves.

I know you're excited! And I tell you, watching them is better with a good TV!

In light of the most recent Google Search Trends and the Entrepreneur.com study done toward the finish of 2020, 76% of CEOs detailed that their organization's profitability was either kept up or even expanded as an aftereffect of working away from the office. The review showed that 70% of CEOs lean towards having some of their workers keep on having things done remotely even after their workplaces resume to their normal operations.

To help people achieve success at work, business or school, Samsung presents its most recent, Samsung Smart Monitor. This is the world's first "Do-It-All" screen and it is exceptionally capable in completing a wide range of demands for work, gaming, entertainment and pretty much anything in the middle, without the need for a PC.

The Samsung Smart Monitor is stacked with profitability highlights, for example, Remote Access, Office 365 and Samsung DeX. Remote Access permits clients to have full access to their office PC or laptop through the Internet. With Office 365, reports and introductions can be seen, altered, and saved in the cloud, while with Samsung DeX, Samsung Galaxy smartphone users will actually want to handily associate with the Smart Monitor and open a workspace.

It also has Netflix, YouTube, and other Smart TV applications, including AirPlay 2, Tap View, App Casting, and Screen Mirroring. It also has a built-in speaker, remote controller, and voice-help through Bixby. Its adaptability is likewise positive as it comes with a USB type-C port on the 32" UHD M7 model, along with other USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. Thus, in addition to the fact that it is an adaptable work and study screen, it additionally fills in as a full amusement center point for the entire family.

With regards to e-learning, the Samsung Smart Monitor additionally has amazing highlights including Adaptive Picture which perceives its environmental factors and to provide its user the best visual experience.

The Samsung Smart Monitor comes in three sizes and designs: a 27" Full HD screen estimated at P18,999; 32" Full HD screen estimated at P22,999; and a 32" Ultra High-Definition (UHD) screen evaluated at P28,999.

I checked Samsung Philippines’ website and found that they’re offering discounts. Just take a look at the price at the top right of the screenshot below.

Also, from March 5 to 31, 2021, prompt purchasers of the Samsung Smart Monitor will get a premium Logitech MK120 console and mouse set worth P1,000, in addition to a 1-year premium membership to video streaming supplier, Viu!

There are people who drink soy milk just because of its nutritional benefits, but aren’t really into its raw taste. If you’re one of them and you find alternative brands too sugary or too artificial – here’s your good news! There’s Vitasoy Plus Milky, a product of Vitasoy-Universal Robina Corporation (VURC). It’s made with the finest ingredients and it conveys the natural goodness of soy, but with a much milkier taste! It’s so creamy and tastes heavenly that it’s almost addicting. I actually made some snacks using Vitasoy and everyone at home loved it. It’s satisfying to think that not only are my siblings eating something pleasurable to the taste, but they’re also becoming physically stronger, given the benefits of soy.

1 liter is just Php85 and available nationwide via leading supermarkets and grocery stores.

The “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila” online concert held last December 13 was a resounding hit! Aiming to promote Manila’s cultural heritage sites, the highly anticipated virtual concert succeeded in taking both local and international audiences at the edge of their seats for a unique and totally breath-taking spectacle. Hundreds of thousands of viewers of “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila’s” live online broadcast were thrilled to watch and listen to great local artists perform the groundbreaking Manila sound of Hotdog, at different Manila heritage sites. Bras Pas Pas Pas Pas and Bing Austria performed the song “Annie Batungbakal” at the intimately charming Paco Park, Raymund Marasigan and Yeng Constantino gave an animated performance of the song “Beh, Buti Nga” at the Museo Pambata, Bea Lorenzo showed off the walled city of Intramuros as she sang “Langit Na Naman”, and Nicole Laurel Asensio provided an elegant rendition of Hotdog’s “Panaginip” at the gloriously restored Jones Bridge. Equally magnificent were Ebe Dancel and Blaster Silonga who serenaded viewers with the Hotdog classic “Ikaw ang Miss Universe” at the National Planetarium. Gary V and Armi Millare regaled audiences with the Hotdog standard “Manila” at Rizal Park, Luneta and,Team Vibe dancers who performed to “Bongga Ka ‘Day” at Manila City Hall’s Kartilya ng Katipunan, Lagusnilad and Kapetolyo in the finale. The mastering of the music was made possible by Rubber Inc and the foundation of all the songs, instruments, and arrangements were played by Bras Pas Pas Pas Pas, who also performed their rendition of “Una Sa Lahat”, “Pandesal Sa Umaga” and their own original tribute to Manila sound, “Disko Na.” The music videos presented at the concert’s satellite locations were creatively directed by Juno Oebanda, RA Rivera, Paolo Valenciano, Jason Tan, Alco Guerrero and Quark Henares. The concert was produced by Juno Oebanda, Dindin Araneta and Jezreel Apelar with Department of Tourism Culture and Arts of Manila Chief Charlie Duñgo and National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Cecille Lorenzana Romero at the helm. Tourism and the creative industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the support of the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, City of Manila, Juancare Foundation Inc., and Viva Music Publishing Inc. working together with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM), National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Intramuros Administration (IA), National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), Nayong PIlipino Foundation (NPF), and Museo Pambata to mount concerts like “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila”, revitalizing the Philippine tourism sector is well within grasp. If you missed “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila” or simply can’t get enough of it, check out the entire concert by visiting this link.

Remember the events with exhibition booths that we used to attend? Soya milk brand Vitasoy has just taken theirs to the next level by making it pandemic-proof!

Vitasoy’s Milky Town website features engaging content such as recipe videos, health and kitchen tips, and raffle draws.

Check out Vitasoy Milky Town, a virtual fair dolled up to look like a pleasant town, where everyone can find a variety of information and entertainment on Vitasoy Plus Milky! 

Residents in town include known personalities like Danica Sotto-Pingris, Thea Sy, Isha Borromeo, Hazel and Haidee Quing, and Team Malunggay.

Vitasoy Plus Milky online ambassador Danica Sotto-Pingris shares how she cooks Milky Sopas using Vitasoy Plus Milky

Get ideas for your next kitchen adventure by streaming this soy milk tea recipe clip, and many other recipe videos at Vitasoy Milky Town website.

Thare are a lot of things to do in this town. Learn easy recipes made with Vitasoy like milk tea, banana bread and noodles, say your shoutouts on the Freedom Wall, have your awesome moments captured at the Photo Booth or win GCs at the Playground!

Ticking all activities earns you points, and collecting 100 points automatically gets you an entry to the weekly raffle, where there will be 14 lucky winners of Php1,000 worth of gift vouchers!

To make sure that the online town's excitement is really felt by everyone, Vitasoy hired "Milk Men" to physically roam around Metro Manila in a Milky Truck, handing out free Vitasoy Milky kits.

Vitasoy Plus Milky has been giving away samples of its healthy soy milk drink through its milky truck.

Keeping myself busy and amused while staying at home keeps me sane. Since I am a teacher by education, one of the things that keep me busy is tutoring my siblings and nieces. For amusement, I occasionally indulge in my cravings for bobba. If you crave for bobba too, I recommend C2 Milk Tea because it’s easy on the pocket, which is perfect in this time of uncertainty. It may not have the pearls that other milk tea brands costing 4 times the price have, but it’s good enough to quiet those longing taste buds!

C2 Milk Tea comes in two different flavors - wintermelon and chocolate, and is made from real creamy milk and 100% natural tea leaves. A visit to your nearest supermarket or convenience store is all you need to get the most affordable milk tea in a bottle!

I'm so glad to know that URC now has a virtual mall in Shopee! The place where I have been quaranpigging at lately requires a 10 minute walk to the closest sari-sari store, or a 5 minute drive to the nearest grocery store for one to be able to enjoy a cup of Great Taste coffee. Yep, getting coffee when you run out of stock used to be daunting task for me, but not anymore!

With URC partnering with Shopee, our favorite snack treats like Chippy, Mr. Chips, Piattos, Nissin Cup Noodles, Cream-O, Presto, Magic Flakes, Cloud 9, Hello Chocolate, Swiss Miss and many more are conveniently delivered right onto our doorstep, reducing the risk of getting exposed to Covid19 and increasing the risk of uniterrupted Kdrama marathons!

Wanna order? Visit Shopee's Universal Robina page. To learn more about URC products, visit urc.com.ph or facebook.com/urcphilippines.

Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) continues to strengthen its digitization efforts by improving its online banking platform with the implementation of the Sterling Bank QR Pay. Among the BSP-supervised financial institutions, SBA is one of the first thrift banks that has adopted the National Quick Response Code Standard (QRPh). “The advantage of using QR code is that it facilitates instant payment or fund transfer without the need to manually key in the account details,” said Mr. Cecilio San Pedro, SBA's President and CEO.  This lessens the errors and makes fund transfers and payments fast, safe, and convenient. QRPh makes QR codes of different banks and e-wallets interoperable. Through Sterling Bank’s mobile app, the QR Pay is now accessible to clients -- offering a convenient alternative to sending funds to, or receiving funds from, other QRPh-compliant local banks and e-wallets. "Now that our customers' financial needs are evolving and transactions are shifting more in favor of e-payments, we want to ensure that our digital platform addresses their banking requirements," added San Pedro. The bank’s online banking facility also allows fund transfers via Instapay and Pesonet. Fees for these transactions, including QR Pay, will remain free until December 31, 2020. In November 2019, BSP and the payment industry participants launched the National Quick Response (QR) Code Standard. With the growing acceptance and use of contactless payments, it is also set to introduce the person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions via QRPh soon to complement the person-to-person (P2P) transactions. For more information and updates about Sterling Bank of Asia, visit www.sterlingbankasia.com and download the Sterling Bank Online App to experience secure and convenient banking.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought uncertainties and disruptions in the lives of most Filipinos, including businesses nationwide. When the National Government mandated all business establishments to implement COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) complied and implemented immediate and essential changes in its operations in order to ensure the safety and well-being of its people. PCPPI created a playbook that contains action points, polices and procedures, and served as a primary guide to the company’s “new normal.” “This playbook aims to help our employees, or our Bravehearts, get and stay on track. It offers easy-to-read tips and measures as we return to work and live under the new normal. This also reminds us to continue caring for ourselves and one another. I hope that with this playbook, our employees will be able to re-build their momentum and work with renewed strength, so we can help sustain our organization and continue its growth during and beyond the new normal,” PCPPI President and CEO Frederick Ong said. PCPPI believes improving one’s health and well-being is fundamental in the country’s fight against COVID-19. This playbook is also meant to promote mental health awareness through effective people management. “Aside from educating and enforcing the new working protocols that both the government and science prescribe on the new normal, that includes frequent hand washing, social distancing, and wearing of face mask/shield, in PCPPI, we understand that our employees’ health and welfare start mainly with self-care and their mental well-being,” Ong added.The company encourages its employees to practice self-care. Their own health and well-being must come first before anyone and anything else. The playbook also provides mental health care tips, as mental health is as important as physical health, especially during this time of a pandemic. It is important to stay socially connected while physically distanced. Here are PCPPI’s pieces of advice in mental health care: • Maintain connection with friends, family and loved ones. Leverage on technology.• Develop coping skills.• Seek medical and professional help when needed. Embracing changes PCPPI welcomed changes through three interdependent focus areas in the playbook. The first focus area dubbed “Great to be back,” highlighted the importance of getting correct information and guide on the new normal; the second focus area called “Great to be Pepsi” talked about setting the right mindset as employees embark on the new normal; and lastly, the “Great for others” focus area is about taking action for others and the environment. The company also conducted a series of webinar on COVID-19, with Dr. Yvonne Ferrer of DLSU Department of Pharmacology; and on Stress Management for employees to deal with the effects of the pandemic, work-from-home set-up, and preparing them for the new normal. “It is our goal to maintain a healthy balance to support our employees, the community, and the business. The company is committed to remain responsible in delivering our obligations in service to the Filipino people,” Ong added. “Let us make it a social responsibility to look after ourselves, customers, families, friends, organization, community and the environment, all pulling together to move forward.”

Lockdowns may have been less stricter these past few months, but it doesn't mean it's safer now. With the coronavirus still on the spread and vaccine for everyone is unlikely this year, it's still best to go shopping online.

Safety is priority, that's why we have to keep our gates and doorbells busy receiving knocks and presses from the hardworking riders of different logistic companies (salute to you, Kuyas and Ates) instead of physically going to crowded places. Shopping and food apps and social media platforms have made all sorts of stuff available at our fingertips so there's no need to worry.

I'm really happy to know that Universal Robina Corporation (URC) joins this trend for the safety of the masses. If you're craving for snacktime favorites such as V-Cut, Piattos, Vitasoy, C2, Great Taste, Dewberry, Nissin, Swiss Miss and many other beverages, chocolates, candies and snacks, you just have to search for them via Zalora app, and add to your cart!

I just received mine, and got to share them with my family in quarantine. Not only that grocery delivery is safer, but it is also very convenient especially if your suking tindahan or grocery store is far.

For more info on this, please visit urc.com.ph or facebook.com/urcphilippines.

There was a time in my corporate life that I just felt good about my work and the friendly love among us that I gave out bars of Cloud9 in the office. I really think feel-good moments and experiences are best celebrated with Jack 'n Jill Cloud9.

Cloud9 urges individuals to treasure and appreciate extraordinary instants and simple wins with its #EnjoooyThatCloud9Moment campaign. 

Along with this, our well-loved nutty chocolate propelled a crisp, new packaging! 

Now wrapping the caramel- peanut- and nougat-filled chocolate bar is a more stylish foil. All 4 variants of Cloud 9 – Classic, White, Choco Fudge and Overload – seem trendy and exquisite with its new look.

See Cloud9’s new packaging in all leading supermarkets, convenience stores and groceries nationwide.

If you wanna get updated on Cloud9’s promotions, please follow its awesome Facebook page (@JacknJillCloud9PH).

So, you decided to explore the world of makeup -- and if to some extent you feel overwhelmed, it’s totally understandable. For one, even extreme beauty junkies are always on the lookout for anything that will give them the right knack to up their makeup game.

Bobbie Cosmetics offers quality value-for-money beauty products suitable for young women, as they search for that signature look that enhances the beauty they already have. So, if you are new to makeup and want to learn the basics of cosmetics wizardry, consider this as the ultimate step-by-step guide on how to apply makeup.

Step 1: Do your skincare

First and foremost, makeup applies better when the skin is well-prepped. The essential steps of skin preparation are cleansing, toning, moisturizing, applying sunscreen, and priming. It’s important to religiously protect your skin not only to avoid skin issues down the road, but also to keep a youthful and glowing complexion (your future self will thank you for it!).

Step 2: Apply foundation, color corrector, and concealer

If you’re looking to cover up pimples and dark spots, a full-coverage foundation is your best bet. However, for an everyday look with a more natural fashion, you can totally skip the foundation, and go straight to color corrector and concealer. Bobbie Cosmetics Don’t Go With The Flaw Color Corrector + Concealer palette (Php 299) has a cream formula with 3 different shades fit for every skin tone, to create a flawless and evened out complexion.

 STEP 3: Do your eyebrows 

 Kilay is life, we know, so it’s important to do this in the early part of your routine. Bobbie Cosmetics Retractable Eyebrow Pencil with Brush (Php 165) has a pigmented and creamy formula that’s easy to glide on. Just follow the natural shape of your brows, then start filling in lightly from the center, creating a gradient. For budding beauties blessed with thick eyebrows, a simple brow gel will do to put the hair strands in place.

STEP 4: Contour and blush

Contouring may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. For starters, powder formula is more suitable for sculpting the hollows of the cheeks, the sides of the nose, the hairline just above the forehead, and jawline. Bobbie Cosmetics Gleam Squad Contour & Strobe (P399) has an easy-to-blend powder formula, with shades that flatter morena skin tones. For blush, Bobbie Cosmetics Poppin’ Cheeks (Php 115) has 5 sheer cheek stains for stunningly-flushed looks. To put on blush, smile big to catch the apples of your cheeks, then apply and blend from there.

STEP 5: Highlight on fleek

Give your natural radiance a boost! Highlighters are designed to accentuate the high points of your face, mainly the center of your forehead, nose bridge, cupid’s bow (the curve on your upper lip!), cheekbones, and brow bone. Bobbie Cosmetics Glow Obsession (Php 299) is a liquid illuminator in shades of Candlelight, Sunset, and Blossom, to give you that lit-from-within glow for a fresh and youthful look.

STEP 6: Glide your lipstick 

 To complete the look, swipe on a statement lip based on your mood for the day. Bobbie Cosmetics Matte About Hue lip colors (P165) teems with a collection of 23 shades to give budding beauties a sophisticated allure. Tip: For those of you who love matte lipsticks, dab a thin layer of baby powder over your lips, and watch any lipstick finish with a mattifying effect.

 So, there you have it! An easy step-by-step guide for all budding beauties out there. For a fool-proof makeup brand that offers good quality and value-for-money products, buy Bobbie Cosmetics from your nearest drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets..

There's no stopping for Robinsons Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run as it gathered, once more, hundreds of pairs in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to encourage people that getting strong and healthy is a journey best shared with a fitness buddy.

The fun run is now on its 12th year and this is a strong proof that Robinsons Supermarket has been very successful in promoting not just its wellness brands, but also the idea of getting a partner when working out.

What I like about the run is that after the finish line, loads of grocery items are given to participants. Moreover, freebies abound in booths' area; one just had to register via paper or play an exciting game.

Among Robinsons' generous partner brands are: Wyeth, Abbot, Nestle Philippines, Del Monte, Johnson & Johnson, and Unilab. I am now enjoying their products as I was able to take home a lot. The Fit 'n Right drink is what I love the most! I dig it!

The post-run event was hosted by celebrity couple Drew Arellano and Iya Villania. Awardees for the 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer tracks were called onstage and were given Robinsons grocery items and gift certificates.