3M PIZZA SPECIAL TREAT TO THE QUEEN OF THE DAY

This Mother’s Day, treat your mom like a queen, after all, she’s the Queen of the Day. Make sure she stays away from the kitchen. For at least a day or two each year (the more the better), pamper her and show her some TLC (Tender Loving Care) by not letting her wet her hands doing kitchen chores or anything tiresome. Let her dress up for the day ready to meet the entire family for lunch, dinner or merienda get-together in celebration of Mother’s Day. It’s going to be one ‘heaven’ of a reunion, where each family member gifts the light of the home with flowers, cake and, of course, the favorite family pizza Filipino homes have known for generations—3M.

For sure, 3M Pizza rings a bell to you and to your parents, uncles and aunties, and even lolos and lolas. This pizza brand has been around a long, long time—as far back as 1969, in fact. So 3M Pizza and almost every Pinoy home must really have come a long way inseparably observing traditional and modern celebrations.

Mother’s Day is one really good occasion to partake of 3M pizza because it’s the day you’ve all got to keep Mom away from cooking. It’s sufficiently gratifying to share 3M pizza with the rest of the family on this day. The new 3M pizza flavors further boost this pizza’s Pinoy image. We’ve now been been given truly Filipino flavors for us to broaden our choices. According to the top honcho behind 3M, Noel Sun, the company plans to expand their pasta and snacks line to supplement their spaghetti, lasagna and pizzadog. All are truly Pinoy na Pinoy to the palate!

Surprise Mom, too, of 3M’s now beefed-up yummy offerings that include an assortment of pastas, salads and complete meal packages. One inspired Filipino dish that will surely bet your queen’s liking is the spicy Bicol Express pizza, which proved to be a big hit. The pasta line will also be expanded to include new variants that are uniquely Filipino. What about parading before her mouth-watering lasagna and crunchy fried chicken? Or stack up the meal table with an assortment of salads instead—for health! Mom will be surprised to learn that 3M is now not just a pizza parlor but one that serves an assortment of yummy treats for meals or snacks. There’s a wide array of sumptuous food to choose from. Drop by at 3M closest to home and in a jiffy, drive home with pizzas, pastas, salads, fried chickens, etc. etc. etc.–enough to feed the whole family.

“Currently, 3M, which has been around since 1969, has 44 outlets of which four are company outlets, the rest, dealers,” Sun said.

We all practically grew up with 3M as the only pizza parlor in the country. Back then it was a byword especially in middle to upper-income families. It was a Sunday bonding meal and a party fare as well. This writer and her siblings reminisce: “The times our parents brought us to parks after the Sunday mass we would usually pick up a big box of 3M pizza along the way and feast on it for that perfect family picnic.”

But if your queen seems bored staying home most of the time, then sweep her off her feet and drive around town with her, showing the latest gig places, and when she’s hungry, take her to the surprise of her life by treating her to 3M pizza. She’d really get the surprise of her life to see how 3M has ‘changed’ image to keep up with the times and how its menu today is a far cry from yesterday’s. Watch Mom’s face as she’d likely exclaim: “Transformed!” Uh-huh, 3M pizza has indeed transformed but the elements that came with the 3M pizza that Mom and Lola used to know are still very much around—and surely, Mom can discern those. Wanna bet?

Anarchy on the rise: Axe set to host metro’s sexiest cops and robbers game

Every man’s dream will be fulfilled because the Axe Anarchy Raid is here! Axe is set to hold country’s sexiest cops and robbers game with Anarchy Raid.

Axe pumps up the pleasure of the predator-and-prey pursuit with the Axe Anarchy Raid, the metro’s hottest game of cops-and-robbers that features 100 of the Philippines’ sexiest ladies chasing a hundred ordinary guys for a two million peso cash prize, to be held on June 9, 2012 at Eastwood Plaza, Libis, Quezon City Philippines. For the man’s man, only a few things on earth can prove as exciting as the thrill of the hunt.

The Axe Anarchy Raid is open to all men of legal age who are bold enough to be part of the 100 contenders. Playing the role of robbers, the shortlisted men will be handcuffed and assigned a number. The ladies will play the role of cops and will also be assigned certain numbers each. Braving a host of wild obstacles and challenges, the “cops” must hunt down the “robber” with the same number as hers. The first pair to make a successful arrest will clinch the coveted prize in this no-losers game of fun and adrenaline-filled pursuit.

The explosive event is presented by Axe Anarchy, the first fragrance from Axe for both men and women. With its stimulating scent that fires up the senses, Axe Anarchy releases uncontrollable appeal in every hunk and babe and takes attraction to a new level.

Give in to the new order of insatiable attraction. Try out the new Axe Anarchy and join the year’s most exciting high-stakes chase. Check out www.facebook.com/axephilippines for more details and watch out for updates on the list of female celebrities who will enlist in the hunt.

Meanwhile enjoy this:

                             

BEAUTY BREAK TIME AT BIOESSENCE

"The beauty of your face and physical outlook is the mirror of your heart"

Sometimes this quote is untrue. Why? With today's level of pollution, bad genes and stress one needs a back up to remain beautiful. Facial is a popular de-stressing option.

So when I was given an invitation to try Bioessence Beauty Break Time I immediately grabbed the opportunity to have a relaxing beauty facial. 

 

Bioessence Beauty break time is very timely because Facial rejuvenation can effectively reduce wrinkles, treat sun spots, tighten loose skin, improve skin tone and color, remove blotchiness, plus it eliminates damaged blood vessels.

Imagine for only Php 350.00 you will received 30 minutes of facial pampering. That includes cleansing, steam, extraction of blackheads, Vitamin C Cream plus a back massage! Grab this opportunity to have the most relaxing BB (beauty break) ever!

 

The first thing I noticed when I entered Bioessence is the welcoming smile of the staff, the refreshing smell of peppermint essential oil and the beautiful ceiling lights. Did you noticed how I almost always insert beautiful lamps and lighting pictures on my posts? Ha ha ha! I'm such a sucker for beautiful lamps everywhere I go.

 

Bioessence offers a wide array of medicines that caters to every skin type. For me it`s always more pampering to have someone do the facial for you. Plus a facial increases your face value in the workplace.

 Several wall paintings welcomes guests as they ascend the stairs.

You'll feel instantly at home at Bioessence. If you happened to come early for your appointment, they have a television at the second floor to entertain you. Plus the latest issue of magazines and newspapers.

A facial basically involves cleaning the face, extracting pesky blackheads and whiteheads, treating pimples, and closing the pores with a laser treatment.

The very relaxing ambiance at Bioessence and the very light hands of the one doing my facial made me doze to dreamlandia. Yes! Facial need not be painful. Facial at Bioessence almost always has a tranquilizer effect on me unlike in other salons where I end up crying. I've been to so many dermatologists and facial salons in Metro Manila and in our province and Bioessence is one of the few facial salons that really left a good impression on me. I really really love Bioessence Facial.

After the esthetician ushered me to the room and asked me to lie down, she started cleaning my face with a cotton pads or was that a sponge? and applied a product she chose for my skin type. She then covered my eyes and take a good look at my skin through a brightly lit magnifying lamp that reveals various skin conditions. She then began exfoliation using a mechanical exfoliant. Mechanical exfoliation has a gritty texture while a steam vapor is directed at my face. Then she did an extraction. Note: Please be warned though, that an extraction can cause broken capillaries and discoloration if done on sensitive skin, or done improperly. People have different pain tolerance for extractions. Extraction can be uncomfortable, especially on thin or ruddy skin. A professional esthetician would ask you whether you like to have an extraction or not. So kindly give them a reply when they ask you.

Then she began facial massage using classic strokes like effleurage that relaxes and stimulate my skin and facial muscles at the same time. That is when I doze off to dreamlandia. He he he.

A facial mask is targeted to your skin condition and type whether dry, oily, combination, sensitive or mature. During the facial, the esthetician should stay with you in the room and give you a scalp massage or some other services. I know for a fact that they apply toners and protective creams as a final touch. But I was busy dreaming that I never felt the final touches.

She showed me what she excavated from my face after I woke up- a gazillion whiteheads. Yucks! Ha ha ha!

Anj told me that Bioessence have a Mother's Day promo that will only cost you Php 740 only. Inclusive of a cute tote bag plus a gift certificate for Facial pampering for one (1) full hour plus a special soap and facial milk cleanser. Available until May 31, 2012.

Whoa! This is such a steal because ordinarily a basic facial itself will cost you P600 plus the facial milk cleanser will cost Php 240 and the special soap Php 150 equals Php 990. That is a whooping Php 250 discount. Panalo!

With 18 years of excellent service in health and wellness and 52 branches nationwide, you can be assured Bioessence will not only make you feel good and beautiful, but will also help enhance your total well being. Call 376-7106 or 0918-8-BEAUTY for inquiries and appointments.

Travel on a shoestring would like to thank BIOESSENCE and staff plus Miss Anj for the beauty break opportunity.

Note: This is not a paid post. My story is based on my actual facial and hand paraffin treatment experience at Bioessence.

Ferris Wheel at SM MOA

The Ferris Wheel at SM MOA is aptly called SM MOA Eye Wheel. The Mall of Asia Eye is a 55-metre (180 ft) tall Ferris wheel which opened to the public at the SM Mall of Asia complex last December 18, 2011.

The tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines, SM MOA EYE wheel has thirty six (36) air-conditioned gondolas. Each Gondola is able to carry up to six (6) persons, giving a maximum capacity of Two Hundres Sixteen (216) passengers.

Derek Ramsay confirmed on Twitter his Break up with Angelica Panganiban

Derek Ramsay has finally confirmed that he and Angelica Panganiban had ended their six-year relationship.

Derek Ramsay tweeted on Monday: “Guys we truly appreciate all ur concerns. Even though Angel and I are no longer together we still have the utmost respect for one another.”

The Kapatid hunk also appealed for understanding from his fans on behalf of the Kapamilya actress who, rumors say, has found a new love in ABS-CBN matinee idol John Lloyd Cruz.

To it’smelagreta, he pleaded: “Huwag n’yo naman bastusin si Angel.” 

To addicted2mk, he explained why he remains protective of his ex-girlfriend: “Angel has always been supportive of everything I do.”

@justAfan08 I'm not proud of the breakup! How I wish things were different. I can't be selfish and consider only my feelings.

It seems the breakup happened around the time Derek signed up with TV5 and left ABS-CBN, where Angelica remains a contract star.

Derek has steadfastly denied speculations that a third party on either side was involved. He also dismissed the rumor linking him to Sam Pinto.

Speculations of a breakup started last  April 29, 2012 after Derek failed to mention Angelica’s name when he accepted his Box Office King award at the Guillermo Mendoza Awards.

He admitted then that he and Angelica were having a rough time in their relationship.

“Angel and I are working things out. We’re talking. May pinagdadaanan kami,” Derek revealed after the awarding ceremonies.

He hinted at a happy resolution by saying, “Pinagdaanan na rin namin ito before. So we’ll see. ‘Pag nag-usap na kami doon kami magsasalita.”

Two days later, he sent Angelica this intriguing tweet: “Be strong. We all know who you are and that there is no truth to what’s being said. I’m here for you if you ever need anything.”

Angelica Panganiban  just ignored the tweet and did not issued any statement regarding the breakup and the rumors linking her to John Lloyd.

"Huwag Maging Dayuhan sa Sariling Ice Cream" Video

Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling ice cream (don’t be a stranger to your own ice cream brand), has become the unofficial tagline for Magnolia.

"Huwag Maging Dayuhan sa Sariling Ice Cream"
Magnolia Ice Cream's Best of the Philippines Collection TVC

Featuring flavors from:

• Laguna - Macapuno Banana and Macapuno Langka
• Batangas - Coffee Crumble and Tsokolate Tablea
• Guimaras - Mangoes & Cream
• Baguio - Ube Keso

                                

Note: This is not a paid post natuwa lang ako sa video

Cebu Pacific

Sale Period: May 14 to 17, 2012

Details

• Quoted fares are one-way and have limited availability.
• Fare are exclusive of government fees and taxes.
• International fares are exclusive of fuel surcharges.
• Fares are non-refundable.
• Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
• CAB approved terms and conditions of carriage apply.

Domestic Flights	Go Lite Fare
Cebu to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Clark, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao, Tacloban, Zamboanga or Kalibo	P1
Manila to Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo or Roxas	P288
Manila to Boracay (Caticlan), Dumaguete, Kalibo, Tacloban or Tagbilaran	P488
Cebu to Boracay (Caticlan), Puerto Princesa or Surigao	P488
Travel Period: June 1 to September 30, 2012
International Flights	Go Lite Fare
Manila to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai or Xiamen	P888
Manila to Hong Kong or Macau	P1,088
Manila to Taipei	P1,288
Travel Period: May 15 to September 30, 2012

Click here to book Cebu Pacific now!

BPO Yield Higher Contribution to the Philippine Economy

I have written about the BPO industry in the Philippines several times in the past. Its contribution to the economy and how young people were given an opportunity to find jobs because of BPO.

No one could deny the fact that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is growing rapidly especially here in our country. Technological and communication advances help realize the wide-spread adoption of BPO, due to their quality and cost improvements. Technology applied in BPO through the adopted software, applications and platform has a substantial long-term impact on the whole process, affecting the quality, cost and associated risks of the operation of outsourced activities.

Technology enhances the value of BPO from perspectives of enabling and leveraging the values of

• standardization
• automation
• integration
• flexibility 
• and innovation. 

 

Here is a quality framework of a BPO service including seven quality dimensions:

1. reliability
2. tangibility
3. conformance
4. responsiveness
5. flexibility
6. assurance
7. and security

Four quality enablers: 

1. standardization
2. integration 
3. automation
4. innovation.

$11B / 638K employees = $17,241 injected into the Philippine economy per employee.
$24B / 8M OFWs = $3,000 remitted into the Philippine economy per OFW.

It is clear that BPO gives much much higher contribution per person than OFWs.

As Pinoys, we should focus on our strengths which is not always finding greener pastures abroad. BPO jobs abound in the Philippines today.

Moi Favorito Croissant

Yes! Croissant is one of my favorite breakfast. When we were in Thailand I always devour this meal because it's not only cheap but also very delicious.

Croissants are made of a leavened variant of puff pastry. The yeast dough is layered with butter, rolled and folded several times in succession, then rolled into a sheet, a technique called laminating.

Crescent-shaped food breads have been made since the Middle Ages, and crescent-shaped cakes (imitating the often-worshiped Moon) possibly since classical times, The croissant in its current form was invented in Vienna after the victory of the Holy League against the Turks in 1683.

Croissants have long been a staple of French bakeries and pâtisseries. In the late 1970s, the development of factory-made, frozen, pre-formed but unbaked dough made them into a fast food which can be freshly baked by unskilled labor. Indeed, the croissanterie was explicitly a French response to American-style fast food,and today 30–40% of the croissants sold in French bakeries and patisseries are frozen.

This innovation, along with the croissant's versatility and distinctive shape, has made it the best-known type of French pastry in much of the world. Today, the croissant remains popular in a continental breakfast.

Luckily, I again had a chance to eat my favorite croissant at the Unilever's event. Unilever donated Php 400,000 to the United Nation's World Food Program. See entry here. Php 400,000 means food to 40,000 children in Mindanao. You see each and everyone of us should realize how lucky we were. We don't have to beg for food or shelter.

Anyway, back to my favorite Croissant. At the registration table of Unilever they asked us to filled up a form as to what type of bread do we like, they further instructed us to indicate toppings and other ingredients and ornaments that we like in our sandwich. I put croissant as my bread of choice with ham, cheese, tomato, lettuce, catsup and mayonnaise.

They then asked us to pick one paper from the fish bowl. We had to prepare a sandwich for the name indicated on the paper. A gentleman journalist prepared my sandwich. I, on the other had prepared the preferred sandwich of a Manila Times reporter. It was fun, because we get to meet other participants in the event and we had so much fun posing for photos when we presented the sandwich to our lucky pick.

I am so happy :-) I love Croissant!

A third person Complete Account of the Airport Brawl involving Claudine Barreto, Raymart Santiago and Ramon "Mon" Tulfo

"Anna" a woman who claims to have witnessed the Sunday airport brawl involving columnist Ramon 'Mon' Tulfo and celebrity-couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto is corroborating the claims of the actors that Tulfo had kicked Barretto in the moments just prior to the melee.

                              

The woman, who had also arrived at the airport's Terminal 3 within the same hour as Tulfo and Santiago and Barretto, said she was within 20 meters and "hearing distance" of the three personalities last Sunday when the fight - captured and made infamous by a video posted on YouTube - erupted. By the woman's estimate, up to 100 other people - airport workers as well as mostly passengers from various flights standing around baggage carousels - also witnessed the incident.

"We saw this woman ranting at these personnel over what I presumed was lost baggage," the alleged witness going by the pseudonym "Anna" told InterAksyon.com over a phone interview. "But what really made me turn and take notice was when she started addressing this man in a photographer's jacket."

Anna says she did not recognize Barretto, her husband, Raymart, nor Tulfo, and did not realize who they were until she got home and some hours later saw news reports and the YouTube video of what transpired next.

"The woman started shouting, 'Abusado yan!' and 'Are you taking photographs of us?'" She said she saw "the man in the gray shirt" - apparently referring to Santiago - approach "the man in the photographer's jacket" - Tulfo - asking, "Ano 'yan? Ano 'yan?"

Tulfo, she said, started making "fast" movements, "not really punches the way a boxer would do, but more like kung fu moves." He jabbed and "pushed with a kick" - a hand and a foot moving forward simultaneously - apparently trying to create space and ward off the approaching Santiago. Tulfo has acknowledged shoving Santiago, saying the actor was trying to confiscate his cellphone. "Sinapak niya," Anna said, though she could not say exactly where Santiago was hit.

Claudine then started approaching as well, Anna said. Tulfo again moved with his arms and legs, while Claudine was shouting, "What are you doing?" the witness said. "Tumili si Claudine, and at this point, security was rushing," Anna said. She then noticed how Tulfo hid his phone in a breast pocket, and, with empty hands waving the air, "mocked" Claudine. "Wala, wala akong cellphone," Anna quoted Tulfo.

At this point, Anna said, "we had thought that the whole thing was about this dirty old tourist who was taking pictures of this lady. And so we were actually trying to support her." She admits she wasn't aware of Tulfo's own claimed context behind Sunday's confrontation. The Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist, radio commentator and TV5 talent says he was taking pictures to document Barretto's behaviour towards the Cebu Pacific ground crew, which he suggested had gone from being rude to being abusive.

In any case, Anna said, they could only make out how Tulfo had hidden his phone and was denying he even had one on his person. "Nasa bulsa ang cellphone! Nasa bulsa ang cellphone!" Anna said. Santiago and Barretto supposedly asked aloud if there were any policemen or security personnel who could compel Tulfo to give up his cellphone. Anna quotes Barretto as saying, "Hanapin niyo ang cellphone. Pakita niyo sa akin." Within arm's length, supposedly, of Tulfo, she was egging on security personnel to get Tulfo's phone, ostensibly to verify whether or not he had taken pictures of Barretto.

Then, Anna said, "We saw him assault Claudine." She said Tulfo "pushed and kicked" again. "Natamaan si Claudine. I can't say where exactly, but sa may thigh area," she said. That, Anna said, is what caused Santiago and his companions to pounce on Tulfo. "The video that we saw and that everybody has seen, that was the end of the whole thing na." She insists that Tulfo's account of the incident, as she's seen in the news, "is not correct."

Meanwhile, In her sworn affidavit, airport security guard Eden Modejas said she saw Barretto berating Cebu Pacific ground staff Cid Charisse Bocboc and Kristine Anne Ilagan. Modejas said Barretto was shouting at the 2 Cebu Pacific personnel, catching the attention of airport staff and other passengers.

Modejas said it was during Barretto's tirade that she noticed a commotion about five meters from where she was standing. She used her two-way radio to call for back up because Barretto’s husband, Raymart Santiago, was attacking a male passenger despite the presence of other security guards pacifying the scuffle.

Modejas did not mention anything about Tulfo allegedly kicking or shoving Barretto. Santiago earlier said he attacked Tulfo when he saw the veteran journalist kick and shove his wife. Meanwhile, Bocboc and Ilagan, in their handwritten statement submitted to airport police, said that Barretto was fuming mad and was demanding for an explanation for their missing luggage.

They said the actress wanted to get the name of the Caticlan manager as to who offloaded their luggage. Bocboc said Barretto did not want to listen to their explanation on why her luggage was offloaded. They said Barretto demanded a round-trip ticket in exchange for the delay of her bags. Bocboc and Ilagan said they were talking to Barretto in front of the passenger assistance counter when they noticed Santiago assaulting a male passenger. The two (2)airline staff made no mention of Tulfo allegedly kicking or shoving Barretto while they were at the passenger assistance counter.

Airport sources said this is not the first time that Claudine figured in a “drama” at the airport. Two years ago, when she and Raymart Santiago missed their Los Angeles flight because they came late and the counter was already closed, Claudine allegedly confronted one of the supervisors and told him “baka gusto mong mawalan ng trabaho kung di mo kami pasasakayin, isang tawag lang iyan.” The supervisor called the gate and asked the pilot to spare a few minutes before pushing back from the tube to accommodate the showbiz couple.

Source: ABS-CBN, GMA News and Interaksyon

Elegantly Timeless American Standard Launches New Luxury Line of Bathroom Fixtures

As far as I can remember my family's bathroom toilet and fixtures is always American Standard. You can find in our home the very sturdy, time tested American Standard toilet, lavatory, soap holder, tissue holder shower heads and faucet . Through the years American Standard had never failed my whole family. It remained on top of the game! 

 

American Standard is synonymous to good quality, durability and reliability. Every American Standard that you purchase comes with a warranty. Only American Standard offers to its customers an after sales service for up to two(2) years.

 

Luckily, I was among the chosen bloggers who were invited by American Standard when they launches their new New Luxury Line of Bathroom Fixtures. I actually had another invitation from Tang at the Manila Hotel but I opted to go to the American Standard event instead.

Yes, the elegantly timeless American Standard Launches new products every now and then to keep up with competition and the modern times. The company collaborated with leading designers across the globe to conceptualize five lifestyles of the modern era: 

1. Enchanted
2. Alchemist
3. Time Traveler
4. Wilderness 
5. Illusionist.

Enchanted (CONCEPT)

The enchanted is for the driven individuals on the beginning of their life’s journey. They may be single or just starting out a family of their own. The CONCEPT design for the enchanted is strong yet oozing with simplicity. The soft rims of the edges make it suitable for children. It can also be played with funky a colors that entail the young spirits of the individuals in their early voyage.

Time Traveler (NOBILE)

The time travelers are those successful enough to get back in time and bring pieces of history into the present. They are the ones who are content and desire the rich stories of the past. International designer Ronen Joseph’s NOBILE is the perfect artifact for time travelers. The design concept plays with historical curves of a lady’s shoes and the roman pillars. This design is for the wise, the established and the curator of one’s own life. 

Alchemist (VENTUNO)

The alchemists are the people who already set foot on their turf. They are strong and powerful enough as the leader of the pack. And their bathroom is not shy to reveal that sense of accomplishments. The VENTUNO design by Italian designer Franco Bertoli expresses that pride without apprehensions. The VENTUNO is the Lamborghini of Bathrooms. You cannot simply let the possessor of this bathroom as someone meek and docile. It is an absolute choice for cosmopolitan consumers as it reflects the patterns of today’s urban architecture and elements of modern style. Designed with the sophisticated urbanite in mind, the Ventuno’s rounded, essentialized forms and geometric edges create sensations of pure harmony in every bathroom.

THE VENTUNO COLLECTION. One of American Standard’s newest luxury line of bathroom fixtures, designed by award-winning designer, Franco Bertoli.

Wilderness (LA VITA)

There is a point in a person’s life when we reach that sense of wisdom. We already understand that no matter which road you took in the past, it will always lead back to nature where we all came from. And for the individual who already grasped this reality, it’s inevitable not to live within it. LA VITA is the Mother Nature-inspired concept of American Standard. The rims and trims of the fixtures imitate the slender lines of nature. The whole line will simply turn any bathroom into a natural paradise.

Illusionist (EUROZEN and SATIS)

The illusionists are the individuals who possess the power in the likeness of a royalty. They are beyond limited with life’s struggles and pressure and they are not afraid to be different and to take risks. The illusionists can get whatever their heart’s desire and one of which may be the EUROZEN and SATIS. The two most hi-tech designs do not only possess superb creativity, but it delivers comfort beyond expectations. It’s a bathroom rockstar who wouldn’t just give you music but also a great time even in the most intimate spot of the house.

One of the leading makers of high-quality bathroom fixtures, American Standard launches its latest and most luxurious line of products that promises to make any home the envy of the neighborhood.
                                
Mr. Noel Tolosa, Marketing Manager of American Standard Philippines said that “these new product lines represent American Standard’s uncompromising belief in the growing sophistication of the market. These products are here because of extensive product research into what the consumers want and what they need.” As a trendsetter in the design and innovation sector, American Standard has always ensured that its designs remain relevant to the needs of today’s families and to today’s times.

The company launched the Concept Cube, a line of compact but beautiful and stylish bathroom fixtures. The Concept Cube seamlessly blends the sleek modern lines with innovative technology, using strong and simple lines for a contemporary look. A signature soft inner rim that lends architectural style beautifully balances this and is ideal for even small bathrooms so common in today’s condominium housing. The Concept faucet series, on the other hand, complements the modern, compact and sophisticated styling of the water closets and lavatories. Made of high-quality chrome, these faucets make even small bathrooms chic and stylish. The faucet allows better water saving because it provides better control for users and being leak free.

It is said that the evolution of the water closet is a reflection of how civilized human living has become. This philosophy is reflected in the Satis Asteo water closet collection, which features amenities like LED dim lighting, soft music, automatic seat open and flushing, twin nozzle bidet, and air purification system that eliminates bad odors and airborne fungi and bacteria. The Satis Asteo reflects American Standard’s mantra of innovating on products to meet its customers’ changing lifestyles.





 

The EuroZen, on the other hand, brings the most innovative and convenient functions to bathroom hygiene in a sleek and compact water closet. With functions like siphon jet tornado flushing, powerful massage/cleanse function, deodorizer, warm dryer, nozzle with automatic cleaning, anti-bacterial nozzle, seat heater, and lift-off and slow- close seat cover, the EuroZen gives new meaning to luxury, comfort and high-tech to water closets and will make any bathroom a conversation piece.

Looking at the company’s new line of shower heads, it is clear that the inspiration came from Summer Vibrant Colors. The iColor Hand Showers evokes a fantasy world of plastic and bubble. Through a fascinating and playful concoction of art, science and technology, the iColor Hand Shower is well suited to today’s fun-loving and imaginative homeowner. The line of products pushes the boundaries of the human imagination—with refreshing results. There are more vibrant colors mean more fun in the shower!

American Standard has always been setting trends in bathroom fixtures, not just in the aspect of technological innovation but in design as well. This is made possible by a highly creative team whose members are also into other industries such as automotive, fashion, home and furniture, and luxury items, among others.



                                      
American Standard employees with Miss Rose Ong of Wilcon Builders. Taken during the American Standards Bloggers Briefing held at Wilcon Builders Depot Balintawak, Quezon City last May 10, 2012.

                                              

Some of the world’s most creative and award-winning industrial designers who design for American Standard are David Chipperfield, Ronen Joseph, Achim Pohl and Tomas Fiegl (Artefakt), Mark Sadler, Khumtong Jansuwan and Franco Bertoli, all of whom have earned awards from prestigious award-giving bodies.

American Standard’s unrelenting dedication in responding to the needs of both the
mind and the body has placed it at the forefront of the global bathroom product
market, a commitment perfectly reflected in the newly launched Luxury Line of Bathroom Fixtures collection.

American Standard products are available at all Wilcon Depot and other leading home improvement stores nationwide. For more info, you may visit  their website www.americanstandard.com.ph.

20-year old Villar Foundation paving the way out of poverty in Las Piñas City

Little did I know that an opportunity like this will come my way. I am fortunate enough to be invited to learn what Villar Foundation is all about and see with my own two eyes its different livelihood projects for the people of Las Piñas City.

A day before the tour, I was actually having second thoughts whether to join the tour or not because of an earlier commitment scheduled later in the afternoon of the tour but boy am I glad that I gave in to the Villar Foundation invitation. I have learned a lot from our tour. Our itinerary's first stop is the Coconut Coir facility at Barangay Elias Aldana Las Piñas City.

We were welcomed by Engineer Dexter Gonzalez at the Las Piñas Coconet Weaving Livelihood Project Facility of Villar Foundation at Barangay Elias Aldana, Las Piñas City. Engineer Dexter Gonzalez is with the Villar Foundation for more than 16 years now. He told us how the livelihood project started 20 years ago. The Villar Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to support projects geared toward helping our less fortunate countrymen break free from the clutches of poverty.

We learned from Engineer Dexter Gonzalez that Las Piñas sidewalks and rivers used to be littered with coconut husks that clog the river, thereby resulting to floods during rainy season. This was the situation until Congresswoman Cynthia Villar met Agricultural Engineer Dr.Justino Arboleda, Dean of the Bicol State University Department Of Agriculture. The good doctor shared his technology to solve the problem.

Dr. Justino Arboleda, who helped alleviate Bicol's poverty with coco fiber ropes which you could make from the coconut husks, happily shared his technical know-how with the people of Las Piñas. He designed a decorticating machine for Las Piñas City. This machine helps Las Piñas City residents to be able to make coco nets.

This is the decorticating machine that separates the coco fiber and coco dust.

Afterwards the residents collected the coco fibers.

Yes, Coco net is a superior and more cost-effective alternative to concrete rip rapping to prevent soil erosion. It was used within Las Piñas City and near the Zapote River to avoid floods in those areas.

The coco fibers are prepared for twining by shaking and filtering the fibers.

After the coco fibers were cleaned, all you have to do is attach a little fiber, not too thick and not too thin, on the rolling bicycle hub. Then pull the fiber towards you and walk backwards while adding more fibers at the end of the twine to form a rope. Why do I know it? It is because I tried it! It is so easy! :-D!

As shown in the pictures below, as the woman rolls the wheel, her granddaughter Glaiza attaches the strands of coco fiber at the hub of the wheel and then walks backwards while adding more coco fiber strands to form the rope.

They need a maximum of six hundred (600) ropes to make one (1) Coco Net.

Twining at three (3) years old. She is said to be the youngest twiner. She is Glaiza's (5 yrs.old) younger sister, they help their grandmother to make coco fiber ropes. Twining is really easy that even a child can do it.

Glaiza resting for a while. They have a reversal of roles. Lola is now twining while Glaiza is rolling the wheel.

Dr. Justino Arboleda's erosion-controlling coco nets allow road builders to create longer-lasting ripraps at a fraction of the cost of concrete.

The coco nets help plants grow on the riprap. The roots of the plants hold the soil tightly, thus preventing landslide.

Weaving the Coco Net

The Villar Foundation provides the raw materials and machines to the Las Piñas City residents then buys the coco rope at Php 1.50 each, coco net with a size of 1x50 meters are bought at Php 1,100 each. A family can make an average of three (3) coco nets a week. Providing an income of P3,300 per week per family.

Vista Land buys coco nets from Villar Foundation for their slope protection and soil erosion requirements, they buy one (1) roll for Php 2,000 each according to Engineer Dexter Gonzalez.

The profit from Coco Net was used by the Villar Foundation on its second project which is The Handloom Blanket Weaving Enterprise which happened to be our second stop over. It is located at Bernabe Compound in Barangay Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas City.

Engineer Dexter Gonzalez waiting for us to get inside the handloom weaving center.

Whenever there is a disaster or calamity the staff of Senator Manny Villar purchase China-made mats in bulk for distribution to the affected families. When Congresswoman Cynthia Villar learned about the said purchases, she thought of making their own handloom blankets so that the Villar Foundation can help the idle women of Las Piñas City to do something productive instead of chit chatting or playing tong-its the whole day.

The Villar Foundation provided free training to forty women. In three months’ time, seventy-five percent of the trainees dropped out . After another three months of training, each of the ten women could finish as much as three blankets a day.

Producing three blankets a day means that each weaver could earn up to Php 4,680.00 (approximately US$105.00) a month. The ten women weavers became models for the others in their barangay.
   

News spread fast and soon women from other barangays requested to be given the opportunity to learn and earn from the craft. 
   
                                                                Hand woven blanket 
    

This is how they do the personalized hand woven blanket. Do you think you can do it too?          

 I did not try it on the electric fan because I was afraid I might mess up her thread. But I think I can do it! It looks very easy.            

                                                                                                                                  

On the other hand, I got to try the handloom weaving machine which requires hand and foot coordination. Driving is much easier, I tell you, ha ha ha!

Ms. Rhoda Lodronio, the Livelihood Project Coordinator of Villar Foundation, said that they pay Php 65.00 for each single size blanket. The average output of one worker is three ( 3 ) blankets per day. In a month each weaver can earn up to Php 4,680 net. That is already good according to Congresswoman Cynthia Villar since the weavers don't have to pay for transportation because their houses are just around the corner. Besides, they can still look after their children while they are working because the children are free to come and join their moms.

At the moment there are currently seventeen looms distributed in five barangays with a production output of 800 blankets a month or a total of 10,000 blankets a year.

                 
Our third stop is the Solid Waste Management at Barangay Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City. Its Brgy. Captain Roberto Villalon, a fellow Bicolano who migrated to Las Piñas City, welcomed us. He is Mr. Pure Energy in explaining with so much passion each step in recycling and Vermi culture initiated by Villar Foundation.                 
This poster welcomes guests as you enter the Solid Waste Management Center in Barangay Pamplona Dos Las Piñas City.      
               
Brgy. Captain Roberto Villalon explained to us that they educate Las Piñas City residents to segregate their waste from wet (basa) and dry (hindi basa) since it is easier to use wet and dry terminology than biodegradable and non-biodegradable.

According to the kind hearted Brgy. Captain Roberto Villalon, to compliment the regular collection of the city's garbage trucks,"bio-men" conduct a door-to-door collection of the household wet garbage or kitchen waste (kaning-baboy) starting at 7 o' clock in the morning daily from Monday through Saturday. The "bio-men" are Las Piñas City residents who work part-time under the barangay payroll. Everyday the "Bio-men" have to finish the collection at twelve noon sharp to avoid the foul smell.

The Bio-men then run the kitchen waste ( kaning baboy) thru a mechanical compressing machine present in every composting facility to remove the excess liquids.

They then transfer the compressed garbage to the mixing plate with coco dust that came from the coconut coir center.
                                      

                       They have to thoroughly mix the kitchen waste with the Coco dust.
                                          
The kitchen waste and coco dust mix will then be crushed using the hammer mill.
                                        
                                         It will then be put in a composting machine 24/7.
                                      
               They will then air dry and filter the compost and pack it in desired pack sizes.
                                       
The compost is used in producing organic vegetables and regreening and tree-planting programs all over Las Piñas City. Barangay Pamplona Dos also sells to other barangays at Php 700.00 per sack.
                                              
For the waste in yards such us fallen branches, yard trimmings and plants, these will go to the Vermicomposting Facilities. Vermicomposting is the process where earthworms are used to process organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
                                       
Plastics and shredded plastic bags that are not being bought by junk shops are mixed with sand and cement to make hollow blocks and pavers. They do this to attain zero waste in Las Piñas City. Isn't that great?
                              
Steps in producing Hollow Blocks from Trash:

1. First, put non-biodegradable and nonrecyclable items into the Shredder or Pulverizer. 
2. Collect the shredded pieces. 
3. To produce 75 hollow blocks or 150 paver blocks, mix 10 kilos pulverized pellets with 40 kilos cement and 250 kilos of sand.  
4. Mold.

                    
According to Brgy. Captain Roberto Villalon, they use the paver blocks in Barangay beautification projects. Wow! That's a lot of savings!     
       
We then went to see the River Station where all these projects started. It used to be called Molino dam near San Nicolas. The one who had the dam repaired in 1885 is said to be Saint Ezekiel Moreno. The roadway on top of the dam connects Bacoor and Las Piñas City. You can transport from one place to another for only 2 pesos per person. Amazing, isn't it?
               
Zapote to Bacoor Cavite at Prinza Gate cost two (2) pesos only. The only requirement is for you to have a BFRVHAI Prinza ID for proper identification and for the security of all the villagers.
                   
                                    Photo taken in front of River Station in Las Piñas City.
                    
                              Someday this river banks will be a tourist attraction like Bohol.
                    
The last itinerary in our tour is the Las Piñas Arts & Crafts. Abundance of water lilies poses a problem to the river’s ecosystem.

The local government of Las Piñas City, through the efforts of then Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, has come up with a solution that preserves the river’s ecosystem and at the same time provides a viable source of income to the constituents.

Hundreds of Las Piñas residents were offered livelihood training seminars on basket weaving using water lily stalks.

“While our main objective with this project is to prevent flooding and preserve the river’s ecosystem, we also examined ways where we can take advantage of the over-abundance of these plants in our rivers,” the lady solon said.

Water Hyacinth is turned into wonderful native products such as waste basket, fan, laundry basket, lamp shade, chairs, tables, cabinets and a lot more native products through the initiative of Villar Foundation and then Congresswoman Cynthia Villar.
Villar Foundation is creating green social enterprise in Las Piñas City.
                  
                                        Arts and Crafts of Las Piñas from Water Hyacinth.
                                               Baskets weaved from Water Hyacinth.

The livelihood program is a follow-through to the highly successful Sagip-Ilog Project of then Congw. Villar, which has seen the massive rehabilitation of the Zapote River.

“This livelihood project has already produced amazing results for our constituents. This provides people a feeling of self-pride and self-worth, and more importantly security especially during these difficult times,” Villar added.
                                      
                                                  Cabinets from Water Hyacinth.
                   
We had lunch at the ancestral house of former Congresswoman Cynthia Villar after the educational tour. Former Congresswoman Cynthia Villar joined us there and while eating, she answered our questions. Former Congresswoman Cynthia Villar doesn't want to waste time so she eats while she answers questions from the bloggers.
                   
Cynthia Villar said that every Filipino should change their mindsets, habits and appreciate and improve cultural traits and develop a deep sense of nationalism.

Mrs. Villar is willing to help any barangay, town or city who would like to learn and emulate the livelihood projects of the Villar Foundation and the city government of Las Piñas as long as the people are willing to learn and and their local government counterparts are willing to fund the various livelihood projects and dedicated to do the job to help the environment.

I admire the Villar Foundation on its livelihood projects in Las Piñas City. Now on its 20th year, Villar Foundation is still very active on its main advocacies to alleviate poverty and help the environment. It addresses one of the main problems of the Philippines today which is poverty and garbage. Recycling Water Hyacinth, Coconut husk, plastic bags into something worthwhile, not only attains zero waste for Las Piñas City but also gives employment to idle men and women in Las Piñas City.

Villar Foundation is slowly but surely paving the way out of poverty for Las Piñas City residents.

                           
I believe that if all the cities and towns in the entire Philippines emulate Las Piñas City it will have a huge impact in our environment. Lives will be saved from destructive floods and people will have some hope because of the employment generated by the different livelihood projects of Villar Foundation.
                 
Kudos to the Villar Foundation and staff, Former Congresswoman Cynthia Villar and the local government of Las Piñas for doing a great job.