Live Blog: Andre Paras Celebrates Birthday in Tahanang Walang Hagdanan

We went to Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta Rizal today to celebrate Andre Paras' birthday. The Kapuso hunk who stars in afternoon rater Half Sisters wanted to do it small and intimate with the SPED children and Paralympic athletes in the center. 

Andre is so tall, he probably worked out a lot judging from his physique. In the show, he's facing a lot of problems because Barbie Forteza's character has been thrown out of their house together with her grand mother. He tried to help by pulling out his savings and giving that to her and hope it would help. Derrick Monastero aka Baste also gave what little allowance he has so he could also help.

In the center, the event was hosted by Arianne Bautista. Andre started by inviting a few ladies to a short singing contest, they gladly obliged.

It was also cute because they serenaded Andre one by one. These ladies were so nice and they didn't hesitate to do this live and in acapella. They won cash prizes from Kambal Pandesal and goodies from Monreo Biscuits and Active White beauty products. 

They continued with another game for the guys from Tahanang Walang Hagdanan. The longest greeting turned into a singing contest too, they had fun and laughed because they were cracking jokes too. 

Andre then he also danced with the kids then gave away products from Cherifer, Magnolia, Thai Tea and Mogu Mogu. The kids had a blast! 

Andre pretty much didn't wish much for himself but said he wishes them well in the center. He played with them later on using wheelchairs made from Tahanang Walang Hagdanan too. These guys are athletes and craftsmen, would you believe? 

They started teaching Andre how to play basketball while in a wheelchair so he could get to experience how it is playing in this state. These guys really played hard and I could see he did shoot quite a bit because he's a fine player too. I kept updated because they called him Paras throughout the game much like an announcer would do it in PBA.

He was humbled, touched by these guys accepting him to their circle. He said these guys were very serious about winning. It's hard so just imagine how they do it in real paralympic games. Andre thanks everyone who made this possible especially GMA Artist Center!

Thanks GMA for letting us tag along! :) 

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Pure Love Bids Farewell

It looks like Pure Love is ending real soon. As of this writing, they're in their last two weeks and will expire on November 14. It's bitter sweet for the stars of this show which includes Alex Gonzaga, Yen Santos, Joseph Marco, Matt Evans and Arjo Atayde. Since they aired last July 7, they've been consistently topping the charts. 

"Pure love comes in many forms, like family, we even have it on the show and we have to do our best so our show comes out real good" says Yam Concepcion. 

Matt Evans adds "Pure Love is about sacrifices, you do everything to make the show better and accepted by many."

"Pure Love is family, true love comes from them" says Arron Villaflor.

Alex Gonzaga said "I remember the scene where I did pity my character because Yen was already being loved in some way by Dave. I felt all the effort was done by me but she's the one getting everything, I cry sometimes about that."

Yen says "There were a lot of people who didn't believe in me the first time I had scenes with the cast. Now, it's so nice to hear seeing them praise how I could cry on cue. I worked hard for it. I prayed and asked for guidance. I studied a lot."

Anna Luna

Arjo Atayde

You will see something real good in their last two weeks as Diane and Ysabel continue to find their own true love in the series. How will the truth change their feelings towards the guys in the show? Will the situation be enough to make Diane live again? 

This is directed by Ms. Veronica Velasco and also stars Arron Villaflor, Joseph Marco, my crush Yam Concepcion, Sunshine Cruz, John Arcilla, Ana Capri, Bart Guingona, Dante Ponce, Shey Bustamante and Anna Luna. The show talks about true love and strong family ties in a Filipino setting and the management has plans to probably have this sent to other Asian countries too.

Watch as Pure Love try to resolve things in their last few weeks. Will they be loyal to the ending seen on the Korean counterpart of veer away from it like most of the parts of their story? Make sure you watch them 5:50 PM right before TV Patrol.

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TIMEX Launches Fall-Winter Collection

One of the most popular watch brands in the world TIMEX has just launched their Fall/Winter collection at the CAV Wine Bar and Restaurant in BGC Taguig. The premise is to see classic and modernly designed watches on ordinary consumers like you and me, but to see us "Wear It Well". Easy as you may have figured because TIMEX has made time pieces that have already surpassed decades, trusted even by the Olympics itself if there's any doubt. 

 

There were several celebrities from Star Magic and one of them was Enchong Dee. There were part of a bunch that enjoyed the newest designs and some of them modeled for the event. They wore these time pieces and showed how they can wear these classic ones and the modern Indiglo (which is my favorite) in all occasions. 

Do you remember those first few digital watches in the 80's? Well they're making a comeback with Timex's 80's. The decade that had us wear crazy hair wasn't bad in the watch department because it's construed to be a decade that started something timeless, something that would be a treat to remember. It's available in Gold, Black and Silver. The metallic shine just coincides with New Wave that started in that era. Isn't it nice?

Part of their new collection are these watches, they call it TIMEX Shock. It's toughness done in a watch but they made sure it's made to last. They also got this on Green camouflage but I like the Yellow one better. I think Enchong got this too, who wouldn't love to use this on the outdoors. Looks so good eh?

For the classy guys who want it manly, leather is a must. This one is part of TIMEX Waterbury. It's a place in the US where they made the first Timex timepieces and since they're in the mood to get the classics in, Waterbury presents an offering for the most discriminating man who just want it simple, nothing too fancy and works like what it's supposed to. Roll up your sleeves and show it off, it's not a problem with the Waterbury line.

 These two are also part of the Timex Waterbury line. The one on the right has a more stretchy strap but still looks classy even if you put them side by side with the leather strapped models. The watch designs are the same but the strap would fit any user who would want it more personal, Timex does give you choices.

One of the most liked things in my Instagram account is this one which had the Mickey Mouse Wrist watch on it. This is still part of the 80's pieces that Timex has come out with. Like what I said during that afternoon, you probably had a sad childhood if you've never had a Mickey Mouse watch and TIMEX is bringing this back for the ladies that want to be cute, or your kids too.

The crowd favorite is this one, the Timex Indiglo. With it's cool design and good looking straps, it would be the perfect gift for your man or the teens. The face of the watch lights up at a press of a button making it easy to see when it's dark outside. I wanted this aside from that yellow Timex Shock watch that I showed earlier but overall, any of these two would be absolutely fit for me. I want one for Christmas actually.

For those who would want to look good, feel good and be stylish, check out these new Timex time pieces available at all Timex Watch stores and distributors nationwide! It's perfect for me, I'm sure it'll work for you too.

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Cravings Group x Di Bella Coffee

I've gone to several beer, wine and food pairings but I haven't gone to one that does Coffee and Cake. Perfect timing had me going to a place in Epicurious at the East Wing of Shangrila Mall for an occasion that officially takes this beverage a step further - because this time, it's not going to be something for survival anymore. The Cravings Group who makes some of the best dessert pieces in the metro has now partnered with Australian brand Di Bella Coffee to give their clientele their dream of the ultimate coffee experience. 

Since October 28, all Cravings group restaurant chains have officially started to serve Di Bella's specialty coffee line which means all the coffee you'll get from places like Cravings, Epicurious, Lucia Ristorante, Lombardi’s, C2 Classic Cuisine, B&P, The Blackboard by Chef Michel and The Coffee Beanery (TCB) outlets nationwide will be fully supplied with coffee from them. Phillip Di Bella, the founder and managing director of Di Bella Coffee was there and he said "One of the few factors that got us interested in this partnership is because Di Bella Coffee and the Cravings Group have something similar. Both corporations started small, humble and family based. We pride ourselves with products that you wholly take care from the farm to the cup, the Cravings Group always has freshness and quality in mind and when this talk started with our partners, we never hesitated and we find this as an opportunity to grow in the Southeast Asian market. I guess we found our perfect pair with the Cravings Group."

Also present in the occasion was Ms. Annie P. Guerrero, the President, Badjie G. Trinidad, CEO both from The Cravings Group, Giuseppe "Joe" Molinario, the partner of Phillip Di Bella and Michael Anato Di Bella Coffe's Crop to Cup specialist.

The Cravings Group showed us what they were made of and got busy preparing the freshest bread and desserts they could whip up on their live kitchen.

Seeing these savory and sweet creations on the table top just made our mouth water. The line did actually not stop for these treats and I got so indulged in the Yema Balls covered in thick caramel candy shell. The freshly baked croissants? They took that away then smothered it with melted chocolate. The small canapes were like small vegetarian pizzas filled with mushrooms, bell peppers and melted cheese. Shall I continue? I don't want to torture you.

Di Bella prepared coffee for us and brought along their experts to do it.

Impressed? Not yet!

I must say, this is Instagram worthy.

Di Bella and The Cravings Group will not only make these extra ordinary cups in their stores. They have bigger plans with this happening. Ms. Marinela G. Trinidad says "With this partnership, the Philippine coffee industry also stands to gain so much. Di Bella is very intent in supporting The Cravings Group educate and train local farmers with ethical, sustainable coffee bean-growing practices. By learning and adapting such renowned leadership, excellence and expertise, Filipino coffee farmers will have the opportunity to learn and eventually harvest the best-quality, locally-grown beans which in turn give Filipinos the best cup experience. The Cravings Group is proud to partner with Di Bella.  Not only do we raise the bar of café concept by presenting customers with new world-class coffee choices; we are also more than happy to create positive impacts to Filipino coffee farmers" the CEO added.

Fruitful partnerships never had it this good. With the mighty ensemble of food items from The Cravings Group and the excellent coffee from Di Bella, we're assured of quality products in the coming years and it'll benefit us consumers in the end.

For more information about their stores:

The Cravings Group

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