Friday, May 25, 2012

Lady Gaga's The Born This Way Ball Live in Manila

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Thanks to @SmartCares and Abbie for the tickets to the #SmartLadyGaga The Born This Way Ball at the newly opened SM Mall of Asia Arena last May 21. It was a 2-day sold-out concert, which had its own controversies and exaggerations, but it went so incredibly well, no one could have stopped Lady Gaga's awesomeness. I didn't expect it to be that good - the opening (DJ Zedd), the production, the set, the effects, Lady Gaga herself, her costumes, her moves, everything. Good job and congratulations :) Here are some photos we took during the concert.

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Surf's Up! Experience highest SPF with SunPlay

I recently came across SunPlay, a sun block lotion with the highest Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and Protection Grade for UVA (PA) out there in the market with SPF 130, giving maximum protection against UVA and UVB rays. I tried it out last weekend during my Puerto Galera trip, and both my friends and I can attest to this sun block's claims. It totally works! :)

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SunPlay is the ultimate sun protection/ sun block lotion one could have, and should bring, especially during summer. What's good about it besides getting more protection against the sun, it is super sweat and waterproof, for longer hours outdoors and for water activities. It uses a new revolutionary Japan Watery Liquid formulation specially formulated for Asian skin, which is easily absorbed by the skin, and is non-greasy. You can enjoy more time under the sun! :)

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There's a contest right now over at SunPlay's Facebook page. If you want to experience the highest SPF with SunPlay and have a non-stop summer adventure, either surfing, snorkeling, island hopping or simply beach bumming (like I did), try to design your own surfboard and get a chance to win a special SunPlay giftpack.

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SURF'S UP! - Surfing is a great sport and the Philippines has many wonderful surfing destinations. Dare to be the surfer you've always wanted with SunPlay's Surf's Up Contest! Design your own surfboard and share the thrill and excitement on your FB wall. A SunPlay Surfboard of the Week shall be chosen starting May 4 to 31, 2012 and shall win a special SunPlay gift pack.

How to Win:

Friday, May 18, 2012

New Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino

Have you tried the new Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino blended beverage? It's the newest addition for the season to Starbucks' Frappuccino Blended Beverage line-up. It combines chocolate cookie bits with Starbucks' signature Frappuccino Roast coffee for an intensely yummy twist on the classic Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee. This new recipe is made with rich mocha sauce, vanilla syrup, milk and ice, finished off with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and a cookie crumble topping.

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If you are not the type who does not like coffee that much, try Starbucks' Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino blended beverage, which is made of a classic recipe from strawberry sauce, milk, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream. This beverage can be free from dairy, when you order it without whipped cream. :)

Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino Blended Beverage

You can enjoy more of the classic and new Starbucks' Frappuccinos with Starbucks' newest promo, the Frappuccino Happy Hour. All Mondays from April 30 to May 28, you can enjoy half-priced "However-You-Want-It" Frappuccino blended beverages from any Starbucks branch from 2pm to 6pm. So this May 21 and May 28, head out to any Starbucks branch and enjoy your favorite Starbucks Frappuccinos. "Customers can personalize their Frappuccino blended beverage just like their favorite hot drinks at Starbucks. With thousands of options, choose from a variety of milks or soy, request the coffee intensity and pick any combination of syrups or toppings."

Frappuccino Happy Hour Standee

Monday, May 14, 2012

SMART's Live More Anthem - "It's Your Life"

SMART has recently launched the Live More anthem entitled "It's Your Life" (formerly "It's Your Time"), which was used in the Smart Live More TVC. SMART, the country's biggest network, actually commissioned international composers James Banbury and Pete Davis, who have previously collaborated for other popular brands such as Marriot Hotels, Tropicana and Cathay Pacific, to make the song.



Inspired by the Live More message, the Component Music artists, based in Hong Kong (Banbury) and Sweden (Davis), worked across time zones to deliver the stirring soundtrack to SMART's new campaign, as shown in the SMART TVC. Pete Davis also worked on scores for popular movies such as Moulin Rouge while James Banbury worked on Coyote Ugly. James has also arranged strings for artists such as U2, Depeche Mode and Snow Patrol, while Pete has programmed and performed on records by Gwen Stefani, Bjork and The Spice Girls. And because of their experience and skill, they've come up with such a nice and catchy song for the SMART Live More campaign.

After watching and hearing the song, I can't help but play it again, and again, because the song is catchy and the lyrics is simply inspiring. When SMART launched its Live More campaign, with the message of "living your live to the fullest," and seizing the opportunities, it instantly clicked for me. Because I can identify with it. That's what I have been doing. Sometimes, it's really about trying new things. Don't be afraid to try new food, go and travel to new destinations, meet new people...because you will never know, unless you let go, and live more.

Living More and Conquering Batanes | Photo by Rommel Natanauan

I got hooked to the this message, and I wanted to share this attitude not only to my friends, but also to you. Just like with SMART, let's stop waiting and start living. We can count on the nationwidest coverage it offers, so that we can spend time on the important things. Live the present. Discover. Enjoy. Live life. Live More :)

LYRICS:

My love is always the same,
It shines forever.
Shoot across the sky tonight,
(It’s your time)
I don’t want you to change,
It’s enough that you’re always there.
(It’s enough that you’re always there)

(It’s your time)
Feel the love
Shine forever
Here we go…

It’s your time
It’s your life

My life is more than a game,
(Calling out your name)
I don’t want you to change,
Yeah, I know that you’re always there.

Time’s your life
Make the most of every moment
Here we go…

It’s your time
It’s your life

HOW TO GET A COPY OF THE SONG?

The song is FREE and EXCLUSIVE to SMART Subscribers. You can download the song or you can download it as a ring back tune for your phone. Get a copy of the full song, "It's Your Life" for free by simply logging to http://m.smart.com.ph/livemore and click download. You can also download it as a ring back tune on your phone by simply texting LIVEMORE and send to 2728. Enjoy the FREE "It's Your Life" ring back tune for 30 days (before it auto expires). I am sure you will get hooked to the song, as I did. Live More with SMART :)

Friday, May 11, 2012

Chef Sau del Rosario's Culinaria Capampangan at the Diamond Hotel

Diamond Hotel's Corniche celebrates grand Filipino Food Festival with a Capampangan (Kapampangan) twist with Culinaria Capampangan prepared by famed celebrity chef Sau del Rosario of Villa Cafe. Chef Sau hails from the Culinary Capital of the Philippines - Pampanga. He will bring distinct flavors and savory treats at the buffet from May 10 to 19, 2012. 

Diamond Hotel Culinaria Capampangan

Last night we tasted the spread of Campampangan culinary wonders by Chef Sau, which proved to be a superb dining experience. The buffet boasts of flavorful and creatively done Capampangan dishes such as Lamb Chops Ratatouille in Kaldereta Sauce; US Beef Rib-Eye and Portobello Confits in Bistek Sauce; Begukan (Binangoongan Pampanga style) with Crispy Pork; Crispy Pata Kare-Kare with Farm Vegetables and Bagoong; and Gule Marangle (Pinakbet with Tuyo Flakes).

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He will infuse the Corniche lunch and dinner buffet with local dishes from Pampanga prepared with a modern flair. Sau is a French-trained chef, who took his professional training in Nice, Southern France, under the guidance of Michelin Chef Christian Plumail of Restaurant L'univers. He took the job as Chef de cuisine of the famous Raffles Chain's Equinox, one of the best restaurants in Singapore. He opened M Cafe in 2005, and later on Chelsea, Madison Grill, Le Bistro Vert and the upcoming Toro.

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To add more excitement, guests availing of the buffet will get a chance to win a round trip airline tickets for two to Bohol with accommodations. The Culinaria Capampangan food festival is in partnership with Philippine Airlines, Crosover 105.1 and Avis Rent-A-Car.

Diamond Hotel's Corniche gives you the opportunity to rediscover and enjoy the uniqueness of Capampangan cuisine for only Php 1,600 nett per person. You can also enjoy the buffet with free flowing tropical juices at Php 1,888 nett per person.

Monday, May 7, 2012

adidas Originals presents DJ Neil Armstrong

adidas Global Brand Ambassador, DJ Neil Armstrong, who is also a Filipino, will be coming to the Philippines this week, May 12, to launch the newest line for adidas Originals. Check out the details below if you want to come. See you there! :)


DJ Neil Armstrong is adidas' Global Brand Ambassador (2010). He was the DJ of Jay Z's tour (2008 and 2009); founding father of the DJ Collective the "5th Platoon;" spinned alongside artists De La Soul, The Roots, Kanye West, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean and more; member of critically acclaimed two-time Grammy-Nominate jazz band Russell Gunn and Ethnomusicology; made an indelible mark in the sub-genre of Hip-Hop known as "Mixtape Culture;" NBA's DJ of choice for the Rookie Shootout since 2006; rocked 100,000 fans at the Glastonbury Festival; anchored performance in the Letterman show; spun for adidas at the Olympic Games in Beijing; shared the stage with Rihanna, Beyonce, Kanye West, Swiss Beats, Puff Daddy, Timbaland, Memphis Bleek, EPMD, Method Man and more; played alongside Slayer, Interpol, The Cool Kids, Neil Young, Mark Ronson, Coldplay, Linkin Pak and NER; and HE IS A FILIPINO! :) #reprezent

Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Philippines brings "FUN" to CNN

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has released a new TV commercial (TVC) via global media giant CNN as part of its international campaign. The 30-second TVC material starts off by saying “We asked people why it’s more fun in the Philippines….” and then features several creative memes, all of which were made and contributed by the public.



“We were inspired by the number of memes generated online, so we decided to make a TVC material out of them. At present, there are already 12,000 versions of the campaign. When we started, there were just three. This is an astounding response from the public, and we wanted to showcase some of the best memes in our TVC which we felt represented both the beauty and fun in our country and people,” Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.

The phenomenal and viral success of “It’s more fun in the Philippines” is greatly due to the people who have participated in the campaign with their catchy and witty versions, each proving to the world how it is indeed more fun in the Philippines. “This material is based on genuine photos of real fun experiences in the Philippines,” says Jimenez. The new TV ad is just but one of the initiatives that DOT is planning to roll out within the year as it targets 10 million tourist arrivals in 2016.

In keeping with the campaign’s interactive theme, the TV ad ends by asking the viewers to come explore the Philippines and challenging them with the question: “What will you come up with?” The material’s fun factor is aided by the soundtrack, which takes off from Boney M’s “Gotta Go Home,” after the DOT secured the clearance to use the same. The TVC soundtrack is not based on the popular dance hit “Barbra Streisand” of Duck Sauce and also does not involve Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas. However, Apl is a very strong supporter of Philippine tourism as he reaches out to Filipino-Americans with various projects.



The TVC is currently airing on CNN, which is very timely as CNN also features the country through a special segment called “Eye on the Philippines.” The roll-out also coincides with the Philippine hosting of the 45th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank Board of Governors, which will be held from May 2 to 5 in Manila. Both the TVC and “Eye on the Philippines” are being aired worldwide.

The Department of Tourism would like to thank the following photographers who gave the rights to use their images for free: Joey Rico (Street fashion meme), Abby Yao (Stretch limos meme), Gutsy Tuason (High fives meme), La Venta 2012 (Underground meme), Henson Wongaiham (Tour guides meme), George Tapan (My humps, Going upstairs, and Commuting memes), Company of Ateneo Dancers (Meetings meme), Darwin Dumaraos (Bananas meme), and Bottle School (Stargazing meme).

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