Toy Convention 2014 : Epic Launching and Exhibition

Newport Plaza , Newport Mall – Pasay City – Philippines

Newport Plaza

Hundreds of people attending the press conference and epic launching. This is indeed one of the biggest gathering of pop-culture enthusiasts, toy collectors and cosplayers converge at the country’s one-stop, nonstop tourism destination , the Resorts World – Manila .

press conference

Exhibitors included Toy Kingdom, Arigatoys , Big Toys Toy Store, Filars, Pacific Licensing, War Gaming and Cherry Credits.

cosplayers

This year’s TOYCON will highlight the 75th Anniversary of DC Comics’ caped Crusader, Batman with a huge Batman display area, a life size Batpod, a kids’ activity area, exciting new Batman merchandise, and a gallery of art and collectibles of the Dark Knight Detective.

Pinoy Sixth Scale Club exhibits

 Aside from the big toy companies , cosplay event . There will be wonderful exhibits, product launching and limited collectibles items during the exposition.

Maleficent- cosplayer

There were several cosplayers  which attended in press conference. It also serves as a teaser for the event proper .  One of the invited online site writer had dubbed Newport Mall as ” THE Event Launching Site for Toy Convention ”  I must agree with the observation,  It was a crowd drawer and eager guests which also includes foreign expats are very happy taking photos with the cos-players and the main exhibit area located at the ground floor level.

poster of the event

The year’s highlights include the much-anticipated movies, Transformer:Age of Extinction, Jupiter Ascending, Guardians of the Galaxy and Rurouni Kenshin movie 2.

 13th Philippine TOYCON
June 20-21-22, 2014
Megatrade Halls 1-2-3, SM Megamall
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
10am-9pm
Ticket price: PHP 130 per day 

Please try to visit the website: http://www.toyconph.com/

 

 

Yamaha Motors Philippines forges partnership with UAAP schools

Yamaha YZone Lot 8 Block 8, ADB Avenue corner Opal Road Ortigas Business Center ,  Pasig City- Philippines

 Yamaha Motor- Philippines one of the world’s biggest in the motorcycle industry and the The University Athletic Association of the Philippines ( UAAP ) the most popular athletic league in the country  for the upcoming college sports season at the Yamaha YZone in Pasig City.

 

The event started with a short introduction from Mr. Rico Robles

 

 

UAAP President Mr. Rodrigo Roque of the University of the East and ABS-CBN channel 2 Licensing Officer Ms. Karen Coloma joined Yamaha representatives Mr. Romy Tan, Mr. Ryan Camus, Mr. Toru Osugi, and Mr. Kaoru Ogura in signing the memorandum of agreement that formalized the partnership.

 From left) Mr. Romy Tan, YMPH Sales General Manager; Mr. Kaoru Ogura, YMPH Sales & Marketing Director; Mr. Toru Osugi, YMPH President; Mr. Rodrigo Roque, UAAP Board Member; Ms. Karen Coloma, Head, Licensing Division, ABS-CBN Corporation and Mr. Ryan Jude Camus, Yamaha Motor Philippines-Marketing Section Manager.

 

In line with the partnership, the motorcycle company, according to Yamaha Marketing Director Camus, will visit each of the eight member universities to put up booths promoting its latest AT motorbikes. Camus also bared plans of going to the schools’ respective sister campuses and even to non-UAAP member colleges.

 

He also revealed plans of having specially-designed UAAP-themed Yamaha Mio Sporty motorbikes in the market soon.

 

 

Student athletes Mr. Michael Jerremy Mabanag from the Ateneo De Manila University,  Ms.Alyja Daphne Santiago from National University, Ms. Bernadette Pous from Far Eastern University, Mr.  Jason Varilla from the University of the East , and Moriah Gingerich from University of the Philippines also graced the partnership event.

 

 

 

 

  ” There is a growing demand from students to use motorcycle in going to their classes ” according to Mr. Rodrigo Roque. This is to avoid the heavy traffic congestion within  the University Belt area  . It is where six ( 6) out of  the eight ( 8 ) UAAP schools are mostly based.

 

 

 Yamaha Motor Philippines: http://www.yamaha-motor.com.ph/yzone/index.html

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ph.yamaha

 

Summer Kiddie Cooking Workshop at Robinson’s Place -Magnolia

Robinson’s Magnolia, Quezon City-Philippines

It was quite a hot day when we arrived at the venue place, The event was organized by Brainpoint advertising , Jolly Food Corporation, Purefoods , Masflex Cook ware products . It was a fun filled afternoon with celebrity chefs .

The children were group into 3 to 5 people each wearing  colored cooking hats with their apron vest .

There was also an area where sample of Jolly products were given to passers-by.

2-4pm baking session w/ chef Hasset Go and 4-6pm cooking session with Chef DJ Santos. 

gift packs from the sponsors of the event

However, a sudden downpour in late afternoon caused some power interruptions inside the mall.  The children learned at lot and have a first hand in baking and basic cooking lesson from leading chefs in the country.

 

 

Qaldi : Coffee and Pasta Restaurant in Alabang , Muntinlupa City

facade of the restaurant

Qaldi – ( Pronouced as ” Kal-dee” ) which came from the word ” KALDI”

Kaldi was an Ethiopian who discovered the coffee beans according to popular legend. Kaldi, noticing that when his flock nibbled on the bright red berries of a certain bush they became more energetic (jumping goats), chewed on the fruit himself. His exhilaration prompted him to bring the berries to an Islamic monk in a nearby monastery, but the monk disapproved of their use and threw them into a fire, from which an enticing aroma billowed.

Arizona ice tea with different flavors

The roasted beans were quickly raked from the embers, ground up, and dissolved in hot water, yielding the world’s first cup of coffee.

dilmah tea

This restaurant also takes pride in their coffee which is at par or even better compared to the more established coffee shops in Metro Manila. It also had a wide selection of teas from Sri Lanka, India and other parts of the globe.

Website: http://www.dilmahtea.com/

the outdoor patio area can accommodate up to 25 people

How did the Coffee and Restaurant Started ?

Inspired by the story , Mr. Joon Tianzon and his partners decided to name their budding coffee shop as Qaldi Coffee Bar and Cyber Cafe’s. The restaurant opened its doors last November 2013 and its  ultimate goal is to let everyone feel energized lively , inspired and refresh every time they visit the place. The ground floor area can accommodate up to 50 people at any given occasion and the coffee restaurant had 2 function areas ( left side ) and ( right side)  at the second floor which can be turned into a small meeting place, board meetings or team building .

stylish interior

everyone loves the stylish atmosphere, good lighting  and spacious area of the cafe.

Berry sensation tea

Berry Sensation Tea– is one of the “Best Sellers” of the restaurant . The red tea is imported from Sri Lanka . The tea is mildly favored and the scent is therapeutic. It can be compared with the ( Lipps ) red candy which is very popular among students and teenagers because it can make your lips colored-RED !  It is not that expensive Php95 per order . The tea can be shared with 2 to 3 people !

 blue berry cheesecake, black forest and  lava cake

The restaurant also takes pride of their mini-cakes , ideal for sharing . The ingredients are fresh and  creamy, sweet texture and soft !

egg and cheese wheat bread with potato chips

I must say that the egg and cheese wheat bread blend perfectly , it is not salty and the wheat bread is finely made with garlic and herbs. The potato chips is not your commercially available chips which is quite salty. This is a complete meal and perfect for twin sharing ! Php 95

tuna sandwich

I must also recommend the tuna sandwich , The sandwich is made from wheat bread , tuna spread ala Qaldi style , fresh lettuce leaves, topped with pickled cucumber and with potato chips . Php 165 per serving

chicken clubhouse sandwich

Chicken clubhouse sandwich is made from wheat bread,  chicken breast bits with mayonnaise, scrambled egg , ham topped with lettuce leaves, cucumber with potato chips . Pretty classic sandwich though.  Php 165 per serving

reuben clubhouse sandwich

Reuben clubhouse sandwich had wheat bread , cheese, corn-beef , lettuce leaves, ham and egg with potato chips .  Ideal for 2 to 3 people sharing . I liked the way they mixed all the ingredients ham and corn beef .  Php 165 per order.

sweet tomato pasta

Sweet style tomato pasta is ideal for children and people with sweet taste. It had hotdogs, sweet tomato sauce and sprinkled with cheese. The pasta had 2 slices of  wheat bread in garlic and herbs ! Php 170 per serving . Ideal for  1 to 2 people.

seafood marinara pasta

Seafood Marinara Pasta with shrimp , slices of bell pepper , tomatoes, with meat and topped with Parmesan cheese.and 2 slices of  wheat bread in garlic and herbs ! Highly Recommended

carbonara pesto

I also like their carbonara pesto . The pesto is creamy and thick , i liked the bits of tomatoes , sliced- button mushrooms, ham . Php 170 per servings . The pasta is ideal for 1 to 2 people. Highly Recommended

classic pesto

Classic pesto is good made from the choices ingredients , herbs , mixed them with olive oil , topped with Parmesan cheese.  The pesto is of good quality and the olive oil is not the usual commercial olive oil that are found in the local market . We suggested that they can sell bottled pesto . Highly Recommended

fish fillet meal

Aside from the yummy pasta, cakes and drinks, one must also try their lunch meal packages . The fish fillet meal is cream dory fillet and deep fried.  There is also side dish of vegetables which consist of fresh lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes and cucumber with a doze of mayonnaise. Php 140 per order .

 

five spice beef

Five Spice Beef – The beef is tender and had been marinated with 5 essential spices. The beef is carefully cooked to its perfection and is a must try if you want to eat at the restaurant. Php 150 per serving

spicy chicken with special qaldi sauce

Spicy chicken with special qaldi sauce . The spicy chicken is marinated with chili powder and with mixed vegetables like carrots, corn and green peas and with special sauce.  This is a complete meal with side garnish of fresh lettuce leaves, sliced tomato and cucumber.

Greek pork with oregano and special herbs

This pork is tender and the pork is marinated in oregano with special sauce and herbs. The meat is tender and with oregano and  had a distinct aroma. Php 110 per serving

grilled chicken breast

Grilled chicken breast is healthy and it was grilled , it does not have the smoky flavor which characterized most of the grilled chicken . the meat is tender . Php 130 per serving

qaldi caffe special frappe

Qaldi is also known for their cold , hot coffee and frappe . A taste of their famous frappe is a must if you are visiting their establishment . I hope to come back and savor their other meals and smoothies !!!!  The company also accepts reservations and catering !

I must recommend foodies and people especially living in the south particularly Ayala-Alabang- Muntinlupa ,  San Pedro and Binan  in Laguna to try this place. For the ambiance, food, service and quality of the food, I will give 8.90 out of 10 !

 Note: I would like to ” Thank” Ms. Kathy Kenny -Ngo and Mr. Joon Tianzon for the warm accommodation extended to the group .

Life is Kulayful.com : http://www.lifeiskulayful.com/

Address:

Qaldi Coffee Bar and Cyber Cafe , Barangay Putatan , Muntinlupa City 1772 Muntinlupa City

Contact :0915 -472 -2126

Store Hours: 10:00 am to 2:00am Monday to Sunday

How to Get There:

There are many ways on how to commute :

1.) From Star Mall ( Metropolis Alabang station)   –  Take jeepney route which ply Alabang ( National Road) – Katarungan village, Binan – National Hi-way  , then get-off at PureGold – Agro or Max’s restaurant .  It is just Php 8.00 minimum fare.

2.) From South Terminal : Take Alabang jeep which ply City-hall . Minimum fare Php 8.00

Please try to visit and LIKE their page:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsgoqaldi

 

Ms. Abby Asistio fought against Alopecia and Self Confidence Back with Novu Hair

Quezon City , Philippines

Ms. Abby Asistio is one of the brand ambassadors for Novu Hair

Ms. Abby Asistio a song writer and singer  has been suffering from alopecia areata, a type of hair loss condition that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles resulting in partial or complete loss of hair on the scalp and the rest of the body. Alopecia areata can be hereditary; it affects both men and women at any age. She recounted that she experienced the situation when she was 4 years-old.

Ms. Abby Asistio during her childhood ( from her website)

Website: http://abbyasistio.com/latest/my-name-is-abby-i-have-alopecia-and-im-coming-out-bald-this-september-25th/

Baldness, which is a result of the condition, can have its emotional toll on the patient. In a society where hair is considered an essential part of self-imaging, having thick hair in men and women is considered as added plus points in one’s level of attractiveness. Shampoo commercials, for instance, always play up having long and lustrous hair as vital in defining how a beautiful woman should look like.

Dr. Maria Cecilia Catapang

Abby shared her own anxieties as a woman who was going bald due to alopecia, “I learned how to cope with having alopecia though I’ve been wearing wigs and hats.

Because of her situation , She became a spokesperson for people who have alopecia.  She prefers to be  called ” Alopecia Warrior“.

Alopecia Warrior

I remember that i have a classmate with similar situation during my elementary days, but  my classmate situation is much better. When i last saw her in college several years after, Her hair grew thick and it was due to hair treatment . That was my first time to encounter the medical term Alopecia.

Ms. Abby Asistio being interviewed by media

Ms. Abby revealed during the press interview  that she lived through the entire process of experiencing hair fall: Alopecia Areata (partial bald spots on the head takes place), Alopecia Totalis (total hair loss on the scalp), and Alopecia Universalis (all hair body hair is lost). She even tried other hair loss remedies including chemical-based products that have resulted in negative side effects. She was just starting to finally embrace her “baldness,” when upon prodding from family and friends, Asistio decided to give Novuhair a try. Barely 1 year had pass since trying  the product and she began noticing her hair to grow back.

Natural Ingredients:

Novuhair is made from all-natural ingredients and helps in preventing excessive hair fall. It also aids in stimulating hair growth, improves the overall cosmetic properties of the hair, helps eliminate dandruff, prevents hair-graying, and alleviates scalp itchiness. The product has 13 mainly active ingredients and herbal components that rejuvenate and nourish the scalp and hair.

Moringa oleifera or malunggay is one ingredient that helps restore the skin’s condition and prevents falling hair. Sweet almond oil, another ingredient, is a moisture-rich oil that contains vitamins A, B1, B6 and E, as well as minerals such as magnesium and iron. Scientifically known as prunus amygdalus, sweet almond oil easily penetrates the hair shaft and follicles, relieving hair dryness and itching and providing nourishment to the hair to promote hair growth.

Lavender helps relieve itching, and like rosemary another ingredient, it contains properties that help combat dandruff and disinfects the scalp. Lemongrass helps clean the scalp’s pores, while peppermint is known to slow the growth of bacteria and fungi, aside from having a relaxing effect on the muscles. Other ingredients are Zingiber officinale (ginger), Panax ginseng (Ginseng), Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola), Biotin (hair and nail vitamin), Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry), Dexapanthenol (Vitamin B-5), Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Cocos mamillaris (Virgin Coconut Oil), Mentha piperita L. (Peppermint oil), and Carthamus tinctorious (Safflower). The product is available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide.

Ms. Abby Asistio Website: http://abbyasistio.com/latest/my-name-is-abby-i-have-alopecia-and-im-coming-out-bald-this-september-25th/

Novuhair : http://www.novuhair.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/NovuhairOfficial