WOOLWORTHS Now in the Philippines

Having the healthy stuff and everyday treats has always been a battle in my grocery list and some of the best ones... I've had the opportunity to get courtesy of my cousins and friends who send it all the way from Australia. The largest grocery chain down under is WOOLWORTHS and they've grown significantly even more throughout the EU, South Africa and the United States. But now, we in the Philippines will get to enjoy the same products too as all the same things they have will be sold online and physical stores starting today.

This includes some of the top brands in Australia and their very own home grown ones which they've developed through the years. Now, the journey there (OZ) would probably cost a lot, but we're not gonna do that just to have their products. Special lanes and sections will now be available in branches of Shopwise, The Marketplace at Rustans and Robinsons Supermarket branches nationwide. It'll also be available online via the GoRobinsons App (which you can download on the App Store and Google Play) and existing delivery apps that cater to these grocery shops. 

Now those WOOLWORTHS products like pastas, fish and chicken spreads, grains, breakfast cereals, pancake shakers, wine and salad dressing are not just good, but really convenient. They're priced reasonably too, now think about the possibilities no? Oh and if you're in the mood to shop, they'll throw in a FREE foldable shopping basket for every 3K worth of products from WOOLWORTHS. Now go ahead and take your favorites from the shelves because they're here!

Don't say I didn't tell you huh! Can't wait to try Australia's best right here in the Philippines, see you at Woolies!. 

Send Help to PGH Today

I couldn't sleep last night as fire broke in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. When the fire was put out, patients were out of the upper floors and some of the babies were temporarily sheltered in the hospital's chapel away from the smoke and debris that could put them in harms way. 

Ms Rina Navarro, the CEO of Unfiltered Skin Essentials and co-founders of I AM HOPE, an NGO, with Bea Alonzo and Ms. Vina Morales responded as they saw the pedia and new born sections have been greatly affected. They hurried onsite, brought diapers, milk, snacks, drinking water, juices and electric fans so they could help and sent it directly to PGH Pedia resident Dr. TJ Ablaza. Some of her friends are also chipping in and anonymously donating 20 more fans, 100 blankets, 50 more diapers and more boxes of potable water. 

If you would want to help, you can course it through I AM HOPE and their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/iamhopeph/ or through contact details here. The kids and patients of PGH need our help and they hope to see more people doing the same til they all get back on their feet and resume normal operations in the public hospital. Bless their hearts for doing this!

David Chua Shares Oppa Skin Care Routine

I've seen David Chua in ABSCBN shows like Love Thy Woman, My Binondo Girl and several other movies too. He's got real acting chops, whether he plays the good guy or anti hero, anybody would admit how he looks perfect on screen. Aside from being pleasing to the eyes, I've seen him on YouTube this morning via John Fedellaga's Omegle videos. In it, he's very funny, playful, charming and quite easy to talk to.

Now what do actors like him do to get their skin like that? How do they achieve and have it clear when they have to do scenes in the wee hours of the morning and experience the stressful constraints of work? David shares "I started working in show business when I was 15 and I've had my share of horrible skin conditions because of usual puberty and sleepless nights. My management got me to a skincare clinic where I started to realize how science could help me get my skin to look fresh and supple, and look good on camera."

He says "I've observed how Korean actors have good skin. They often have less oily viands, more veggies and grilled meats. They also drink lots of tea which are rich in anti oxidants. Their climate also is quite cold and not too hot and humid like in Manila, which I think is one of the reasons why they too look fresh every day."

 

He's thankful that he might have shared a lot of his Mom's genes (who's Eurasian) and shared "I often use mild soap after a work out and need to freshen up. I choose specifically those that are gentler on the skin. I also use cream based makeup removers since they often use heavy make up in shows and on movies." He added "After removing makeup, I wash it away with mild soap and use a light water based moisturizer because I often get breakouts when I use heavy lotions. I make sure I also a healthy regimen, diet and exercise as it is very important. I take in lots of greens, quinoa, steamed fish, bananas, avocados and water to keep myself hydrated. I swim, box, run quite often too and make it a part of my lifestyle."

These days, the lines of skin care routine are blurred as men take strides to have their own hygiene kits. David has seen lots of other guys who even have longer skin rituals compared to women, and not surprised how there is an increase in consumption of men's skincare products. He jokes "they just wouldn't admit that!". He believes being vain and serious about skincare should not be frowned upon and says "Everyone should respect individual choices. What's important is that you're happy with that guy when you look in the mirror every morning. how you look. Your body is your decision!"

That all makes sense to me. No wonder people often compare him to Gong Yoo and Lee Min Ho!

Kean Cipriano Outs Solo Album CHILDLIKE.

Last night was one for the books (actually two nights ago!). I took a break from press conferences and writing because a very talented guy was launching his own album, Kean Cipriano. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

This was sort of a listening party, over the internet, over wine, food and awesome conversations in between. The front man and vocalist of Callalily finally had a chance to showcase what he's been doing in the past few years, so in a way I'm witnessing history, art, taking its form.

Kean says "This album has been 3 years in the making. Suppressing what I felt was already hard - and waiting for the others to release their albums first was equally daunting (he kids) . The album is just something so good, quite surreal. This is like saying your age without saying your age, my era when a CD was medium in making albums. I had to use one of course even if processes meant I had to be fully digital. It was a long time. It's been 6 years when I last released an album with Callalily, so in a way, I feel like I'm a kid again, like I'm starting... hence the title of the album Childlike."

The album includes several singles which has been written and kept in notes he's been holding onto for several years. Some of it has been reworked and masterfully done with other artist friends. He also included a few new ones with wife Chynna which I liked as it had a bit of storytelling. When I listened to Childlike., it felt more of how fatherhood had changed him as the lyrics delved more on his love and will to sacrifice for his kids which I think was so endearing. It kinda served what I felt with the bits of photos they share on social media (and how I got to know them over the years). 

 

 

The album includes songs like

Childlike.
Took Me Out
Eye Contact
Make Me Fly
Sa Ibang Mundo 2021
Tonight I Break Some Promises
Sulyap
Later When I'm Drunk
Tangina
Walk on Water

The single Took Me Out on the other hand felt like an ode to someone who saved you from a bad kind of life... the one with "no sense of direction" and swept him off his feet kind of relationship. I'd be afraid if all these songs are personal experiences because some of it are extremely mellon collie inducing like T@ngin@ which screams of a heartfelt confession of a man struggling to make his partner fall in love with him. That song tore me into pieces as it tells how he realized his shortcomings, how disappointed he feels as he's not able to become the man she wants him to be. He's also sad that he sees how distraught and tired she is and where their relationship is heading, which I felt was a bit like me a couple years ago (scratch that lol). Though honestly, I really dig that track and it is my personal favorite.

The single Eye Contact had artists Liezel Lopez and Jon Lucas on its music video. Both the song and the vid had an 80's vibe on it as Kean says "We played a lot with that. It's like a reveal, a twisted imagination, and we just played with visuals. The concept is about a guy stalking the lady. This was written a long time ago, I think it was around 2012, but it was just stored in my notebooks. I just released it in the solo project, I did a demo at home and Chynna figured that it would be good to release it with the other songs. The feeling is surreal as the the directors for this music video are my mentors, I know I'm in a safe place doing these concepts because Direk Oddy and Direk Jay, they collaborate with me. I'm not the director, I am not acting or singing in the video. I took the producers hat, I want people to get the message, that it's not just about love, it has a deeper meaning, our existence in the world where we have lots of people to interact with, and disguised it into a love form. This is under OC Records (their label)." 

During the listening party, Kean also had some of his friends perform and share their music. I couldn't believe the amount of talent in that room especially the powerful songs that William Elvin did and the cool numbers that Martin Riggs added. For aspiring artists, Kean had one advise. He says "Go all in like this guy Mark Thompson of Project Moonman (with his lovely wife too in the conference). In the eve of pandemic, creative people can survive, I can't wait to see Project Moonman live. "

Make Me Fly is another single that got me really interested. The music video for it was done with really good and impact driven animation which I'm sure most would enjoy. Tonight I Break Some Promises was all about breaking hearts, killing memories, things that you shouldn't say to a person you're leaving but worded straight forward. It'll ruffle feathers especially if you're a bit emotional, Filipinos do love hurtful songs no matter how that sounds weird. Sulyap on the other hand was more like a profession of love. It tells a story of a man ready to sweep a woman he loves off her feet. It's also for a person she prayed for, and the guy assures her that she's in good hands. The single "Later when I'm drunk" are for those awkward opportunities of going up to introducing yourself to someone (like in clubs), more like a hookup, and the music feels has a bit of country/western vibe and the chances of getting drunk - and refused. Lastly, Walk on Water was another track with wife Chynna. It felt like an anthem of two starstruck lovers who would want to make the impossible possible because you are with the one you love. 

Seeing these songs made me realize how powerful songs are as a medium in relaying emotions. Kean's songs might have been a hodgepodge of experiences in different times, with different people, but one things for sure, it shows a part of him. Too bad I didn't get to catch the man perform a number during the last sequences because of writing deadlines, but surely, I enjoyed every bit of it. If you want to see and hear what Kean Cipriano has up his sleeves, go stream his music over at Spotify and other digital streaming platforms. He also has several of the audio uploaded recently on YouTube, go take a short break and listen to him sing. This is his solo album, and it's mental!