#JaDine perfect fit for 7-Eleven, City Blends Coffee

It cannot be deny that #Jadine is the loveteam for reel to beat this season. The moment I posted pictures of them to my instagram account @jlougar, the likes increases from 1 to 500 for one picture alone in just 45 minutes. Their tweets and instagram selfies are trending from the minute they uploaded their pictures, either from On The Wings of Love scenes, #JaDine selfies or from some brand they're promoting.  Let alone for the 7-Eleven  City Blends Coffee exclusive presscon for these celebrity ambassadors. When they appeared up front, you could feel the love and positive vibes sending your way, instantly. May kilig factor, talaga.



Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), country licensee of leading convenience store chain 7-Eleven, present James Reid and Nadine Lustre as the new faces of City Blends coffee.

With James and Nadine staying atop social media trends due to their undeniable charisma as well as the relatable kilig that they bring to fans of all ages, 7-Eleven has really found the honest and down-to-earth personalities that are the perfect fit for City Blends coffee.

Fan response to the selection of the two has been positive across the board, with Reiders and Naddicts alike sharing the teasers, memes, as well as lines from the TVC on social media causing #JaDineFor711 to trend on Twitter.

The overwhelming fan response has prompted 7-Eleven to release an exclusive never-before-seen footage from the TVC and print shoot plus the alternate endings that fans – what James could have said to Nadine. This is also 7-Eleven’s way to thank JaDine fans for the unexpected support, as well as for integrating the hugot lines in their social media posts. Apparently it’s hard to move on, especially when we’re talking about James Reid and Nadine Lustre. And that’s a good thing for #JaDineFor711.

Honest-to-goodness Coffee
With #JaDine as the new endorsers, City Blends gets its well-deserved turn in the spotlight. The coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans, with each cup made fresh as you order. The City Blends machine grinds the beans on the spot, giving you unparalleled freshness: the secret to quality coffee. Even the pricing is great, with City Blends starting at 20 pesos, honest!

To excite fans even further, 7-Eleven is releasing limited edition City Blends cups with photos of JaDine! The 8oz cup features Nadine, the 12oz cup features James, and the 16oz cup features the couple. The JaDine cups do not only have hugot quotes from the TVC, they are also interactive so customers can have fun writing their own honest hugot as well. The cups will be available in City Blends stores by November 4, 2015.

Aside from its brewed coffee, City Blends also offers other flavors such as French Vanilla, Mochaccino and Hershey's Dark Chocolate.

Try the new 7-Eleven City Blends coffee currently available in 565 7-Eleven stores nationwide.
7-Eleven will end the year with 712 City Blends stores! Watch out for more of #JaDineFor711!
Facebook: facebook.com/711philippines
Twitter: @711philippines
Instagram: @711ph

Reimagining the Filipino City through the lens of Environmental Planners

The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP), the national professional organization of licensed environmental planners (EnP), will hold its 24th National Convention at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center, Benavidez corner Trasierra Streets, Makati City on November 6, 2015.

Given the mandate to promote and ensure the professional development of national and local planners, and pursue related policy and advocacies on sustainable development, PIEP conducts an annual National Convention which is attended by its members, as well as other professionals and aspiring environmental planners.

Lara Togonon -De Castro, President, Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners

According to EnP Larisa Togonon-De Castro, PIEP President, “this year, PIEP is committed to engage delegates through an energizing and informative program of speakers. With the theme Reimagining the Filipino City, five relevant topics will be presented through panel sessions that bring together EnPs and experts in various fields, as well as advocates, policy makers and program implementers from the public and private sectors.”

The Filipino Identity session is an opportunity to reflect on characteristics of the city dweller, with focus on Filipino culture and heritage. It aims to examine the foundations that influence how Filipinos shape their city, and how we can build on—or challenge—them in the pursuit of inclusive, resilient, safe and sustainable communities. Among the speakers for this session are Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje Jr, Ateneo de Manila University Professor and PH NatCom for UNESCO’s Dr. Fernando Zialcita, and Tomeldan, Allia and Molina Planners or TAM’s EnP Michael Tomeldan.



In the panel session entitled (Re)defining Sustainable Development for Filipino Cities, UN Habitat’s Chris Rollo, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council or HUDCC’s Avellino Tolentino III and EnP Veronica Arcilla will share fresh approaches to sustainable development, recognizing global frameworks while advancing a distinct Filipino perspective to urban planning and development policies and practices.

A session is also dedicated for Mobility and the City to tackle access, transport, and mobility. Led by panelists Department of Transportation and Communications senior adviser, Mr. Robert Siy, UP School of Urban and Regional Planning’s former dean, Dr.Primitivo Cal, and Inclusive Mobility’s Julia Nebrija. EnPs will reflect on the current state of transport in the Philippines as an integral part of urban development, as well as opportunities and directions for the future.

The speakers of the Planning Tools for the Future: Data Democracy and Urban Planning session will discuss technologies, approaches, and best practices to equip planners with relevant tools that are critical in achieving sustainable development goals. Ms. Giann Karla Gaoiran will present the action plan of Open Data Philippines. Sudesh Mudaliar will share about the Flood Modeling tool of XP Solutions, and Mr. Sunil M K will discuss how Autodesk has been working on Mapping for Smart Cities around the world. Autodesk is PIEP’s co-presenter of the 2015 PIEP national convention.

Six students from Grades 10-11 of Singapore School of Manila won this year’s Young Mayor’s Competition. They bested several schools from around Asia with their proposals for the City of Manila. They will be opening the session on Alternative Urban Futures. The final session presents an array of alternative futures for the Filipino City, incorporating culture, innovation, technology and sustainability. Among the panelists for this session are: Environmental Planner and Architect Joel Luna of Ayala Land, EnP Architect Mark de Castro of EnPraxis-LUGAR, and BCDA President, Atty. Arnel Casanova. Dr. Mary Racelis of the Institute of Philippine Culture rounds up the full day of discussion.

PIEP Vice President and Convention Chairperson, Karima Patricia Palafox reveals that “during the National Convention, PIEP will offer the unique opportunity to connect licensed environmental planners who work in government, non-government, and private sectors, and to facilitate opportunities for partners through an interactive exhibition and a program of social events.”

Among the National Convention’s major output is the Call to Action which translates PIEP’s advocacies into a collective approach to sustainable development .

Finn spends his Halloween at Cartoon Network Intergalactic Halloween Party!

What better way to spend your Halloween than dressing up your kid to their favorite superhero or Cartoon Network character?  Halloween parties aren’t just events where you get dressed up though. Its about bonding with the kids and spending quality time with them. Its that time of the year for the trick or treating once again as Cartoon Network celebrates Intergalactic Halloween Party.


I had the best Halloween date with the love of my life, Finn at a recent Cartoon Network Intergalactic Halloween Party coinciding with Ben 10's birthday bash last October 31 at SM Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall. Since Finn is a fan of Adventure Time and Ben 10. I decided to surprised him with his favorite Cartoon Network characters.

The Halloween party would not be complete without the costume.  We stopped by at SM Megamall and looked for Adventure Time's Finn. But the SA told us right away that it was out of stock. So Finn opted for Spiderman, instead. I knew no one would stop him wearing Spidey, the first time he laid his eyes on the mask he told me "I want that mask on me".

Off we went to the party, the venue was filled with intergalactic entities along with our favorite Cartoon Network characters such as Finn and Jake of Adventure Time, Gumball & Darwin of The Amazing World of Gumball, Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bare of We Bare Bears, and many more.

Finn and I went around the venue and took on the spooktacularly fun games and challenges at the character-themed booths such as Jake's webb, wherein Finn crawled his way out to Jake's tangled arms and was awarded with candies! You could have seen the smile on his face when he told me "I did it"!

He had his face painted with his favorite Jake of  Adventure Time, and proceeded to other booths for fun, adventure and more candies to fill up his tote bag.

The birthday boy Ben 10 celebrated his birthday coincided with the Halloween party, along with his Cartoon Network buddies, wowed the crowd with a special dance number. After which, everyone joined in singing Ben 10 a “Happy Birthday” song.

While media guests and visitors  got the chance to ramp up their annual trick-or-treating with exclusive prizes fattening up their loot bags.

It was, indeed, a fantastically, spooktacular, intergalactic Halloween and birthday bash from the number one kids’ channel, Cartoon Network.

This event was presented  by Scooby Doo, Toy Kingdom, McDonald’s, Selecta Moo, Ceelin Chewables, Jack n’ Jill Chooey, UFC Color Crazee Catsup and Lipps Pop Stix. Media Partners: SKYCable, K-Zone and TotalGirl.

SMALL BITES, BIG LIKES FOR GOLDILOCKS’ POLVORON BITES

Sweets are a delightful companion to any activity. Whether it’s watching a movie, reading your favorite book, or just simply hanging out with friends, sweets are the perfect snack to give you an instant pick-me-up. While we are spoilt for choice with candies, nothing comes quite close to the inimitable goodness of polvoron. Of course, when Filipinos think of polvoron, they immediately associate it with Goldilocks.

Indeed, it is the country’s number one bakeshop that imprinted this creamy, sweet, and powdery treat in the hearts and stomachs of generations of Pinoys. Now that the original Goldilocks polvoron lovers are all grown up and have children of their own, they can pass on the experience to their own kids – albeit in a new and more convenient package via the new Goldilocks Polvoron Bites.

This new generation of polvoron may seem smaller than most of us remember, but what it lacks in size, it still makes up for in taste and convenience. These bite-sized pieces are easier to store and share with friends and loved ones. They also come in two flavors, namely the Signature (and best-loved) Classic polvoron and the new Choco-covered variant.

Grab the Polvoron Bites from your nearest Goldilocks branch. For more details, follow Goldilocks on Twitter or Instagram at @GoldiclocksPH; or visit the Goldilocks Facebook page, and at the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph []

I survived the Pioneer Travel Buddy Challenge

"Buhay ka pa ah, pinatay na kita diba?"  Well sorry to disappoint you, dear friend, but it  turns out I was a lot tougher than I thought.

Okay, given that I've had more hospital visits than the regular Maria Clara, surviving an appendectomy cholecystectomy and tonsillectomy, physical challenges were still a different thing especially since my last serious activity was a 5K fun run a few months ago.

I never thought I could the endure the physical challenges that I have gone through at Kampo Trexo, Cavite last October 26.  I wasnt prepared and I thought my muscles would give up, given my age and lack of any semblance of physical training for the past few months .Unless you count the daily stair climbing at the North Avenue and the stretching and tugging inside the train, I guess the only strenuous activity I do regularly is banging away on the keyboard of my laptop.

But I guess my thirst for challenges and a Cherry Mobile Flare 4 far exceeded any of my fears. After travelling for 2 hours, 5 hour of physical challenges, I can proudly say that I survived the Pioneer Challenge and Our Blue Team won the physical challenge with Team Leader Rodel Flordeliz and team mates Cristelle Torres, Rey Belen and Sef Gutierrez.  

Flashback, 3 weeks ago,  I got an invite from one of my PR friends asking me if Im up for an adventure I said game! Not even asking what kind of adventure it would be. I felt I gained a lot of weight and looking and desperate for any way to shed off some pounds.

The reason for this adventure was to introduce Pioneer's Travel Buddy, I think this is perfect for people who loves to travel and search for adventure.

With team mate Cristelle Torres before the exhaustion and physical challenge

As we work at least eight hours a day and five days a week, most of us look forward to two things: travel and adventure. However, we often hold back as we worry about safety and risks. Now, get peace of mind with just one click, thanks to Pioneer’s InsureShop, which provides us with easy-to-access insurance coverages so we can live our life without worries.

Whether you’re camping in Anawangin, Zambales or food tripping in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Travel Buddy that is available on InsureShop will get you covered. For P100, Travel Buddy provides you accident insurance for 30 days regardless of how many trips you take.

Meanwhile, thrill seekers can now enjoy going on more daring activities with Travel Buddy Adventure. This P200 insurance product covers the expenses that may arise in case accidents happen while doing adventurous activities and hobbies such as spelunking, white-water rafting, and windsurfing. Here’s the complete list of activities covered by Travel Buddy Adventure:

Aside from safety, one other concern while you’re enjoying your adventure is your health. According to news reports, Dengue fever is considered one of the deadliest seasonal diseases that hit the Philippines every year. In fact, in 2014, the World Health Organization has recorded almost 60,000 Dengue cases in the country. While this figure may be lower compared to the 300,000 cases documented in 2012, this epidemic still persists to this day, as 92,000 Dengue cases were recorded from January to September of this year.

Pioneer has you covered against this disease with MediCash Dengue Insurance, which is also available on InsureShop for P350. This plan provides one-year coverage with P10,000 cash assistance upon diagnosis of Dengue for individuals from 1 to 70 years old.

Aside from being a trusted local insurance company in the Philippines, Pioneer is also one of the top five companies that offer non-life insurance coverage. Pioneer has been in the business for over half a century and has helped millions of Filipinos become financially prepared for the unexpected.

Find out more about InsureShop and its products at www.shop.pioneer.com.ph

Snowcaps launches celebrity ambassador Alden Richards

The #Aldenatics for the Aldubnation #Aldub must be very happy with what is happening to their Pambansang Prince Charming idol Alden Richards. It is Alden's most productive year to count together with his screen partner Maine Mendoza of Eat Bulaga's Kalye Serye fame.  The bedimpled actor recently partner with Snowcaps Glutathione as Snowcaps brand ambassador , he reveals that his skincare routine consists of taking Snowcaps as his antioxidant to keep his skin fair looking and glowing.

The launch was held at Plaza Ibarra on October 29 and graced by media and Snowcaps executives. He sang his chart topper "Wish I May" his hit single as of this writing. Alden started showbiz five years ago, it is with his screen partnership with Maine Mendoza for the Eat Bulaga's Kalye Serye segment that he becomes popular through Twitter.

2015 is indeed a big year for Alden Richards. With a string of TV shows, a new chart-topping single, and a swarm of product endorsements under his belt, one could really say that the Philippines’ Pambansang Bae is now the hottest male celebrity in the country today.

At the Winter Christmas-themed launch for oral glutathione brand Snowcaps, Alden’s most recent
product endorsement, the heartthrob wasn’t coy in sharing his struggle during his early years as an actor.

"It’s no secret the challenges I had to go through to get to this point. Maraming pagsubok early on in my career pero ngayon, napatunayan ko talaga na hard work pays off. I can definitely say na dumating na talaga ang moment ko,” quips Alden.

He has the Filipinos’ cult following of the ubiquitous Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye to thank for his massive success as an actor. His hit single "Wish I May” recently topped the iTunes PH Top Singles list during its pre-selling period and with over'two million followers in Twitter alone, there’s no denying that there’s no other way for this talented actor but up.

Alden continues to display humility and gratitude despite his overnight success. He shares that his past experiences helps him keep his feet on the ground and he has no problems showing it with, his tearful EB Kalye Serye stint.

"I just can’t help but be overwhelmed by the love and support I am getting. now from my network, the ALDENatics, and of course my friends in the industry. Thinking about these really makes me emotional kasi matagal-tagal ko din ’tong hinintay,” Alden said.

It’s no wonder why millions of Filipinos here and abroad take inspiration in Alden. Alden’s story is proof that wishes do come true. It’s his determination and success that made him the perfect embodiment of Snowcaps.

Snowcaps is the first oral glutathione in the Philippines and is among the leading skin whitening supplements in the market today. As a brand which in the past managed to gather and sustain a strong following through word of mouth, Snowcaps today rises to the occasion — and is ready to play alongside the bigwigs - by partnering with one of the hottest stars in Philippine showbiz today.

Snowcaps contains the premium, FDA-approved 500mg of L-Glutathione formulation, also known as the miracle enzyme, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C for safe and effective whitening in as fast as six weeks. It also contains 50 percent more glutathione than more expensive brands.

Glutathione is also a compound naturally produced by the liver and is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants which inhibit the production of toxins and free radicals caused by stress and other external lifestyle factors - perfect for busy individuals like Alden who not only want to maintain luminous and fair skin but also a sound and healthy body.

Belkin introduces new line up of in-car and charging solutions through Belkin Academy

Belkin, the leader in tablet and smartphone accessories, launches the first Belkin Academy in the Philippines and introduces a new line up of in-car and charging solutions available in www.lazada.com.ph last October 27 at F1 Hotel.  The Academy offers four courses: the Third Party Products (3PP) Research and Development, Autobahn Safety, Type “C” Certification and the study of Herpetology.

"Belkin’s mobile solutions meet the highest standards in the industry, and are certified to safely charge a variety of devices," said Melody Tescon, Director of Product Management. "Whether you are at home or on-the-go, our solutions are designed to aesthetically fit your personal style. At Belkin, we make people-inspired products and solutions. For nearly 30 years it has been our passion and our mission to create products that make people’s lives better, easier and more fulfilling."

SPLICE IT BREAK IT AND WE’LL REPLACE IT!
Belkin introduce the new metallic colorways for the MIXIT↑ collection which includes auxiliary and charging cables, and a range of car chargers. One of the best-selling MIXIT↑ cable is the Black mamba, with its matte metallic finish and braided cable jacket, this cable sports a sleek and modern look. It is available in metallic black, pearl white, gold, silver, and gray, so you'll be able to choose a cable that matches your personal style. Belkin’s online distributor, Macpower Marketing Corporation is offering a replacement policy if you accidentally break it.

IN-CAR SOLUTIONS
Belkin has also unveiled their new line up of in-car solutions. It includes different kinds of car mounts specially designed to be compatible to some of the biggest smartphones on the market. Belkin has also unveiled a new line of car chargers that powers up your devices with ease while on the go.

TYPE C Cables
With new technology comes new challenges and USB-C, also known as USB Type-C, is no exception. The capability of the USB-C Cable and why it is the most reliable, highest grade and safest cables on the market were also explained in the academy.

The USB-C port offers users the ability to rapidly charge, take advantage of USB 3 data transfer speeds for connecting to external devices and peripherals, and connect video output such as HDMI, VGA, and Mini DisplayPort.

One of the most notable features is the reversible design, which eliminates the annoyance of trying to figure out which way to plug the cable into your peripheral.

Earn GetGo points and redeem flights to #BuyMoreFlyMore

Who would like to travel for free? The great news is P&G, Robinsons Supermarket and Cebu Pacific partner for the "Buy More, Fly More" campaign, the more participating P&G products you buy, the more chance of you flying to your dream destination.

This is good news for shopaholics, housewives, and travelers who love to shop. For every p500 worth of groceries, for the following P&G brands: Safeguard, Olay, Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Pampers, Ariel, Tide, Downy and Joy the shopper is entitled to one travel sticker. Collect 12 stickers to be able to get a GetGo Card worth P150 for free. The card upon activation will be loaded with 2,600 GetGo points. The promo runs from November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016 while the
redemption period runs up to June 30, 2016. The "Buy More, Fly More" is exclusive to Robinsons Supermarket.

The "Buy More Fly More" campaign was launched last October 26 at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel. The exclusive press conference was hosted by DJ Schneider and graced by Jody Gadia, General Manager for Robinsons Supermarket, Cebu Pacific executives and media.

P&G takes its purpose of touching and improving consumers’ lives to new heights—now, shoppers have a chance to fly with their P&G purchases!

BUY MORE, FLY MORE! Promo Mechanics

1.) In a single transaction, every P500 worth of at least 4 different P&G participating brands in Robinsons Supermarket is equivalent to 1 sticker
2.) Collect 12 stickers and get a Cebu Pacific GetGo card with 2,600 points (GetGo card P150 membership fee waived) *2600 points is usually equivalent to a one way-trip to Cebu
3.) Open to all Robinsons Supermarket shoppers
4.) Maximum of 12 sticker redemptions per day per shopper
5.) Sticker card, stickers, and GetGo cards are redeemable at the customer service of any Robinsons Supermarket branch where purchase was made upon presentation of valid receipt
6.) Sticker card, stickers, and GetGo card are non-convertible to cash
7.) To claim their GetGo card customers must surrender the sticker card with 12 stickers to the Robinsons Supermarket customer service.
8.) Participating brands: Safeguard, Olay, H&S, Pantene, Pampers, Ariel, Tide, Downy, Joy
9.) Promotion period: November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016
10.) Redemption period: November 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016
11.) Promotion excludes wholesale transactions

For more information, visit www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph .

Know the secret behind the seamstress in "The Dressmaker"

Its been two weeks since a movie this good. I swear it was worth all the late night snacks and milkteas. This is a movie about mother-daughter bonding, and the love they had for each other. They have been on the hatred since day 1, but they fought together as a family. Watch out and discover for yourself what is with the dresses.


                Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) can create, transform people and can bring to life every body’s assets hidden beneath the wrong sheets of fabrics and patterns.  In “The Dressmaker” Academy Award winner Kate Winslet and Academy Award nominee Judy Davis star alongside as mother and daughter in a story about revenge clothed in exquisitely surprising creations.

                Tilly/Myrtle was then ten years old when she was sent away and separated from her mother Molly (Judy Davis), accused of a crime she herself couldn’t understand. Twenty years after, armed with a Singer sewing machine and courage to come back to care for her mother and uncover the truth behind the accusations thrown at her.  Tilly reconnects with the townsfolk one stich at a time as she finds herself closer to the truth behind her past, eventually falling for the town’s
local football hero, Teddy McSwiney (Liam Hemsworth) whose family has also looked after Molly in her absence. Most importantly, she forms an initially volatile but finally tender reconciliation with her mother Molly.

                Based on the highly-acclaimed book by Rosalie Ham, the character of Tilly seems drawn, at least in part, from Rosalie’s mother. “My mother was one of the dressmakers in Jerilderie. She happened to be divorced, and so there was a certain amount of scandal that was attached to that. She had to make a living as a seamstress. And I saw the difference in her role as the seamstress as opposed to the other ladies who were in the hierarchy of the town that wanted beautiful frocks made by her.

                The casting of Tilly’s mother Molly Dunnage was crucial, but it had secretly been decided from the outset.  Director Jocelyn Moorhouse says: “Judy Davis is a brilliant actress, one of the world’s best. In Woody Allen’s Husbands And Wives, she was so funny and I thought she will nail Molly, but she won’t just be funny, she’ll be really beautiful as this woman who’s had to put up with so much pain in her life but still has a great sense of humour.”

Judy Davis’ range, gravitas, wit and edge would be the perfect counterpoint to Kate Winslet. Sue says: “From Jocelyn and my perspective, you could not ask for anything more than to work with two of the greatest actresses working in the world today, Judy Davis and Kate Winslet and to put them together in a movie and see the magic.”

Molly Dunnage, or ‘Mad Molly’ as she’s casually known, is Tilly’s acerbic, unpredictable, and not-as-mad-as-she-seems mother. Molly says things, hurtful things, particularly to her daughter, which she may or may not mean. Like her daughter, Molly is sharp and forthright, she tells the residents of Dungatar how she sees it.

Sue Maslin says of the importance of Molly to the fabric of the film: “The thing that really helped right from the beginning was that Jocelyn said, ‘You know, all these things happen to Tilly, and yes there is a love story (with Teddy McSwiney) but the real love story is a mother-daughter relationship.’ And I thought, she’s so right - the relationship between Tilly and Molly is actually the emotional heartbeat that anchors everything else that happens in the film.”

Liam Hemsworth points to the special bond that Teddy McSwiney and Molly share.   “A lot of people in Dungatar will talk behind people’s backs, Molly doesn’t do that, she’s upfront, she’ll call people out when it’s deserved and Teddy likes that. She’s got a lot of spirit.”

The film is replete with beautiful creations – sumptuous, elegant, even startling ones, depending on who’s wearing them and what the intended effect is on the part of the creator, as well as the wearer. Of the end results, and of her own character, who avoids transformation, Judy Davis says: “I think the costumes are absolutely wonderful. Given the size of the film, and limited time, Marion Boyce did a tremendous job. Molly didn’t have much of a wardrobe thank God, so that was pretty simple!”

“The Dressmaker” opens in theaters this November 4 from Axinite Digicinema.