Valda Pastilles featuring Rico Blanco

Valda Pastilles has been taking care of us since 1902. From it's early years, they have been having rounds of soothing and cooling cures for sore and itchy throat. They have been here since the galleon trade I hear and the perfect thing to have this time is a collaboration with him and Valda Pastilles in the Philippines. He represents a refreshing brand with a new look, a new feel and he's also going to come out with new commercials this month. 

"It's really the product, we all have experiences taking this. From the time I tried it up until now, it's a no brainer for me. It's a well loved brand, a heritge product and I use it" says Rico Blanco.

"The track they used for the advertisement is actually a real song. The core of the song is getting soothed, if you're having a tough time, and if you hear this... everything will be alright. That's how I want people to think of it. He wants this to be his most chill song, not perfect but that's his goal..." he adds.

As for his music, he's going to release more in the digital front other than making an album. He's not going to wait and just release it right away because he doesn't want people and his music to get stagnant. He thrives to have it now, and that's what we got after the interview. Check this out!

He's glad he's part of Valda Pastilles now. They're even planning to have huge events real soon. You better watch out for that!

For more information about their stores:

Valda Pastilles

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Visit their official website

http://www.aspen.ph/

Unilab Foundation Helping One Click at a Time

Have you seen www.unilabfoundation.org? If not, this might be the opportune time to do it. Their mission, is to build a healthier Philippines and they believe that every Filipino has the right to complete holistic health. They basically build programs to effectively address health gaps and use replicable techniques so it can be done by others, making it possible for them pay it forward and enlarge their scope and affect a greater number of people and make a BIG difference one person, one community at a time. They have created a system of partnerships, by tying up with other organizations, subject matter experts that would benefit and teach others in achieving their goal of a healthier Philippines.

Their Programs:

Play It Forward - It's comprised of three segments: Post Disaster, On The Move and Hospitals. It addresses specific health issues in different child development stages, different cases like trauma, stress and rehabilitation of the psyche. The first is building facilities like play areas and make a corresponding curriculum that get children from disaster or war stricken places some needed psychological support. The second deals more on volunteer work on dealing with the kids and victims directly. The program also trains facilitators so that they'd be able to do it to more people. The third one concentrates on clinical spaces and making it fit to cater to pediatric patients, making it kid friendly and better for them to recover. They even have this already running on 4 places in Metro Manila which has clearly benefited a lot of people already.

Leadership Journey - Doctors, health workers who want to have self-confidence and leadership training can undergo this developmental program specifically designed for them. It's the Unilab Foundation Leadership journey made in partnership with Except One Pte, Ltd from Singapore. Definitely top notch.

Project Inclusion - One of the nicest things I've seen that evening is this particular program. Project Inclusion speaks about having differently abled people to find sustainable employment and integration to the mainstream society. There's a law in particular that gives them protection but still, it's a long way before this actually gets enacted as some companies still do not hire PWD's. They also have published a book entitled "From Exceptionality to Exception: Inclusion of Differently Abled Persons in the Workplace" together with De La Salle Publishing House. Getting information and educated in this realm would be beneficial for corporations who would want to know the right means in employing PWD's.

Ideas Positive - Aimed to address and transform communities with the help of the Filipino youth sector. Recruitment for this project is on going, join and get more information about Ideas Positive Run 5 by visiting www.ideaspositive.org.

Bayanihan Sagad (Collaborating to the fullest) - This is one of the social programs implemented by Unilab Foundation for the more elderly citizens of the country. It basically aims to build a healthier Philippines too for Senior Citizens and make their quality of life better, and empower to be better citizens of the country. No matter what age, they would still be productive and be part of building the community.

Director Rhodora Fresnedi, the Director of UNILAB Foundation Inc. says "Digital Media might be an entirely different world but it is powerful but it bleeds transparency. Unilab Foundation wants to be there and perform "Bayanihan" with experts becaue we can't reach all of them. Our goal is to have 100 Million healthy Filipinos and we need magnifiers and amplifiers like you to help us relay the message one person at a time, and that includes you. Each time you write, it can make someone think, and I hope this would be a start of a conversation."

Roanne Duran, UNILAB Foundation's Communications Officer says "The portal is a digital hub of different volunteer projects and activities. Every share, tweet and blog will be an act of volunteerism. We'll make it easy and fun by making a full web based online game on the portal. Just make a Voluntar or a Volunteer Avatar. Each activity will win you items, each time you use it, you win points. Don't worry about not having so much time because we've got lots of future activities to come. Sharing, Tweeting and  Accumulating points will rank you up until you become the alter-reality world version of the President of the Healthier Philippines."

Health Is Happening with Unilab Foundation!

We had the privilege of actually seeing the first salvo of this nice little campaign to make small changes you can commit to be a reality. While playing and registering on the site, you can volunteer on the project called #healthishappening by following the rules listed there. It's just 21 days of committing to a small goal, it'll be easy and you'll see hundreds of people doing the same thing. It's healthy, just stick with it for 21  days and you'll be free, who  knows, you might win an iPhone in the process too.

I learned a lot from the site and the programs they're running. I love the people behind it too. Now, would you want to join me in my 21 day journey? :)

For more information about their cause:

Unilab Foundation

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Visit their official website

http://www.unilabfoundation.org/

Diana Stalder Opens New Branch In SM Megamall

We were able to visit the new Diana Stalder skin center last Sunday. It was my first time there and I've seen all the new rooms, face, skin and body center equipment that they have to service the public in the Eastern part of Metro Manila. This center does actually differ from the ones I've seen because together with the establishment is a small area for what they call the DS CAFE. They have a similar one that is set up in Eastwood City. It's there to cater to the more health conscious public, specifically indicating the nutrition facts in every meal. This will make each person aware of what they are eating or specific intakes which is important for those undergoing a strict diet. Aside from that, everything that they prepare on these stores are healthy by default so you're never shortchanging yourself if you drop by their branch  in SM Megamall's 5th Floor. They even change menu everyday and introduces well balanced meals that won't disappoint in the flavor department.

The event was graced by Diana Stalder's endorsers.

Dimples Romana

 

Sam Milby for Diana Stalder Skin Care

Ladies went a little crazy on Kapuso Ruru Madrid

Please do visit their new branch in SM Megamall's 5th Floor. They can take care of your face, skin and body... as well as your dietary needs all throughout the day. Follow their social media channels below if you want to check out what they have in the cafe for lunch or dinner. Pretty good I tell yah!

For more information about their clinic:

Diana Stalder

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Visit their official website

http://www.dianastalder.com/

Japanese Curry Fit For Filipino Palate: Eri Curry

It looks like a new player is in town. Eri Curry, a local brand set to ignite your taste buds with their own version of Japanese curry at the atrium of SM Megamall's building B. The owners have been journeying Japan and other countries, seeing great potential on a staple food item in Japanese specialty restaurants and thought Filipinos would absolutely love this!

They did it with a pretty festive and grand way that afternoon when Geishas performed modern dance numbers inspired by Japanese themes. I loved what they did on stage because it felt like Cherry Blossoms season once again.

One of the owners is Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, the Chef and other executives opened and blessed the store a few days ago. Then we went inside the quaint store to get a taste of their specials.

This is Sakana Warm and Tender. It's Sole Fish wrapped in rice and slightly spicy Japanese mayo. It's a little heavy because it's deep fried with Tempura batter if I'm not mistaken. I would have wanted this to be a regular maki instead.

This is their Ebi Futo. It's Shrimp Maki with Romaine Lettuce, Cucumber, a dab of Japanese Mayo and light soy dressing. It's sweet, I like this a lot because it's refreshing and it's like you're eating salad on a Maki roll. It's better than the Sakana Warm and Tender.

This is their FIERY Katsu Curry. It's Pork Tonkatsu sitting on a bed of premium Japanese rice and a flooding of Curry Sauce with streaks of soft egg. They have three levels of spiciness on the curry but I find it still moderately spicy on the Fiery level. It's a 5/10 but you can use the chili powder available on the table to make it even more spicy. The dish is also pretty heavy, one that can probably feed two women. Men can have it on their own. In Japan, they usually have this after a night of drinking. If they are woozy, they want something ultra flavorful and make them sweat a bit so this is perfect. The price point is a little high at 320, but you get the premium ingredients for your food so I don't think you are getting shortchanged. 

It's time for you to experience it at the third floor of SM Megamall's atrium. Come with your friends and family, the place can probably seat up to 50-70 people as some seating is also available outside the store. Make this your next curry destination since it's a really good place to try it.

For more information about their stores:

Eri Curry

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Visit their official FB

Eri Curry