McDonald’s invites you to its 5th National Breakfast Day on March 13!

McDonald’s invites you to have the ‘best Monday ever’ by stopping by your nearest participating McDonald’s restaurant from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM.

This year, close to 450 participating restaurants nationwide will be giving away free breakfast sandwiches via dine-in, takeout, or drive-thru. Each customer can either get an Egg McMuffin, a Sausage McMuffin, or McDonald’s newest breakfast offering, the Burgerdesal.

Burgerdesal 

The Burgerdesal is McDonald’s twist on a Filipino staple - the pandesal. The Burgerdesal is made with a soft pandesal, paired with a tasty burger patty and is topped off with a sweet, creamy, and flavorful sauce. Other breakfast sandwiches that will be given during National Breakfast Day include the iconic Sausage McMuffin, a juicy and savory all-beef sausage with melty American cheese finished off with perfectly toasted English Muffins and the classic Egg McMuffin, made with lean Canadian bacon, American cheese, and Grade A egg in between English Muffins.

Sausage McMuffin

Egg Mc Muffin

“As we enter the 5th National Breakfast Day, we want our customers to know that they can count on us to make their mornings extraordinary,” says Kenneth S. Yang, McDonald's Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer. “We hope that this one-of-a-kind breakfast experience will provide Filipinos with a warm and happy smile on their faces that will keep them going throughout the day.”

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the biggest National Breakfast Day yet. Share your National Breakfast Day experience and tag @McDo_PH on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #NationalBreakfastDay. For more details, please visit www.mcdonalds.com.ph

John Herrera wins Britain’s Top Designer Competition for a collection digitally-printed by Epson

Epson would like to congratulate John Herrera for his win as of Britain’s Top Designer 2017 at London Fashion Week.

The winning collection, a result of the collaboration between John and Epson, is inspired by the Aguila, the protected Great Philippine Eagle.

“We would like to congratulate John on his recent win at Britain’s Top Designer competition. Epson is truly happy to have supported this achievement through digital textile printing. We hope that this inspires more fashion designers to make their vision into a reality,” shared Ed Bonoan, Senior General Manager and Marketing Head, Epson Philippines.

“The feedback from the judges was fantastic – particularly about the incredible quality of the fabric. One said that the eagle designs that I had drawn and printed were so clear and crisp they appeared almost 3D. Digital printing with Epson technology has enabled me to experiment with fabrics and choose the very best for my designs. It’s been a dream of mine – and most designers in fact - to be in control of the whole design process: from producing the fabric design, to choosing the fabric and printing it and creating the finished outfit. Epson has enabled me to realise this dream and I’m not going back now,” said John Herrera.

John’s runway collection was first unveiled in the Philippines last 1 February 2017 for an exclusive show for local journalists, Epson executives, partners, celebrities and several representatives from the fashion industry.

Mirrorless camera market surged with over 40 per cent growth in volume and value across Southeast Asia in 2016

The mirror less camera market segment in Southeast Asia* expanded by 45 per cent in volume to reach 421,000 units in 2016, corresponding to a growth in value by 51 per cent that reached US$287 million. On the contrary, the compact point-and-shoot camera segment registered the sharpest decline in both volume and value, by 38 per cent and 28 per cent respectively. The digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) segment took a slight dip of 8 per cent in sales volume while market value remained flat throughout the year.

The market trends point towards a bullish segment for mirrorless cameras within the overall digital still camera (DSC) market across Southeast Asia.

In the Philippines, the overall DSC market contracted by 20 per cent in volume but expanded in value by 33 per cent in 2016, with the mirrorless camera segment increasing in volume and value by a whopping 375 per cent and 440 per cent respectively. The Philippine DSC market is expected to remain relatively stable due to the increase in the average selling price of cameras sold, echoing the same trend seen across the region.

“Many consumers today, especially the Millennials, are already very much accustomed to using smartphones to stay connected and access their social media platforms instantaneously. With smartphones offering the convenience to upload photos straightaway onto social media platforms, the overall sales of compact digital cameras will continue to be adversely affected,” said Gerard Tan, senior director, Technology Retail Tracking, GfK Asia. “Camera manufacturers therefore need to rethink about their product and value differentiation.”

With the world’s largest retail panel, GfK tracks products and delivers insights based on both retailer and reseller actual sales data, to help customers align product availability with the expected market demand, as well as to optimise product assortment, distribution and pricing strategy.
GfK was a key participating company at CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2017.

Visit the event website for more details.

*Southeast Asia – consisting of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines

FILIPINA SINGING SENSATION ELHA NYMPHA JOINS LITTLE BIG SHOTS S2

DIVA’s hit series Little Big Shots returns for Season Two on Monday, 6 March at 7pm with a fun, entertaining premiere featuring Filipina singing sensation Elha Nympha. Steve Harvey hosts the feel-good, family-friendly series, executive produced by Harvey and Ellen DeGeneres.

As well as performing, Elha goes toe to toe with Harvey in a hilarious interview. Paranaque-born, 12-year-old Elha is best known for winning season two of The Voice Kids Philippines in 2015. Recently, she was a guest performer at the grand finale of The Voice Kids Indonesia in December 2016, winning the hearts of many Indonesians. Little Big Shots is Elha’s first appearance on a U.S. TV series.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, DIVA and MCA Music Inc. have partnered to treat the members of the media from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia with a special live performance by Elha and a sneak preview of her segment on Little Big Shots at a press conference held in Privato Hotel in Manila, Philippines, last Friday, 3 March.

In Little Big Shots, viewers will be treated to never-before-seen acts, including everything from a pintsized cowboy and snail whisperer to a professional animal caller and remarkable young experts in anatomy, geography and even Shakespeare. Adding to the fun will be kids who are incredibly gifted in music – ranging from opera to pop to rap, on instruments that include piano, guitar, drums and more.

Little Big Shots will also showcase kids who took the Internet by storm with viral videos, guaranteeing lots of comedy and surprises in this engaging series that celebrates phenomenal children from all over the globe. In addition to Elha, season two will also feature talented tykes from Romania, Costa Rica, Brazil, India, England, Russia, Japan, China, Canada, USA and the Netherlands.

In the 6 March season premiere, Elha will be joined by adorable 5-year-old Lucy (Pleasanton, California), who is a huge fan of Abe Lincoln and can recite the Gettysburg Address; charismatic 4-year-old worship leader Caleb (Greensboro, North Carolina); and 6-year-old science wiz Mason (Sherman Oaks, California), who enlists Harvey’s help with an explosive experiment.

Also wowing viewers will be 6-year-old basketball phenomenon and You Tube sensation Jaliyah (New Orleans, Louisiana), who gets a very special surprise on the show, and 4-year-old anatomy expert Brielle (Salinas, California), who impresses Harvey with her knowledge of every bone in the human body. Harvey shines a spotlight on their special talents and even participates in some of the acts with the kids.

Catch Elha Nympha as she takes on Steve Harvey on the season two premiere of Little Big Shots, premiering 6 March, Mondays at 7pm (Encore at 10:25pm), only on DIVA. Share and post your favorite show highlights by using #LittleBigShots

DIVA is available on SkyCable Channel 37, Destiny Channel 40, Cignal TV Channel 125, Cable Link Channel 32 and other cable operators nationwide.

The full telecast schedule of the Little Big Shots season two premiere on DIVA is as follows: 

6 Mar, Mon 7pm (Premiere) 

6 Mar, Mon 10:25pm 

9 Mar, Thu 8pm 

11 Mar, Sat 5pm 

12 Mar, Sun 11am 

12 Mar, Sun 9pm

When scallop meets cheese: Shakey's Scallop Primo is now available from March 1 to May 31 only!

When seafood and cheese can indeed play nicely in a pizza.  It's really about finding a balance.  I never thought scallops could taste this good with Shakey's Scallop Primo. Because I have only eaten scallops as a meal.

I was invited to the launch of Shakey's Scallop Primo last March 3 at the RD of Y2 Residences, Makati together with blogger friends. We were the first ones to try Shakey's Scallop pizza. My verdict? It was good, tasty and crispy, but I wished they have put more chili to spice it up a bit.

The New Shakey's Scallop Primo has perfectly captures the taste of summer with its combination of succulent scallops, thinly shredded crab sticks, aged cheddar cheese, fresh herbs of basil and parsley, and dash of chili flakes. Perfect with an icy cold Coke!


Get a refreshing surprise this summer as Shakey’s introduces an all new pizza featuring a main ingredient that has never before been tasted in any Philippine pizza. Ever. Discover the mouth-watering flavor of the Shakey’s Scallop Primo!

This summer, you don’t have to go far to taste the goodness of the sea. You can now enjoy it right at the comfort of your home or your favorite Shakey’s branch thanks to the fresh flavor of the new Scallop Primo pizza.

It is made with the exciting combination of fresh scallops and tasty kani. This latest seafood pizza craze perfectly captures the taste of summer with its combination of succulent scallops, thinly shredded crab sticks, aged cheddar cheese, fresh herbs of basil and parsley, and dash of chili flakes.

“We just can’t wait for everyone to try our very special, limited edition Scallop Primo.” says Ghena Austero, Shakey’s Marketing Manager.

“Scallops have never been included in any pizza variant before because it’s very premium. But with the new Scallop Primo, they can already experience and enjoy the goodness of this refreshing seafood flavor in an affordable price,” Austero added.

Austero notes that “If there are two things Filipinos love to eat, its seafood and pizza. But we wanted to give our customers something new to get excited about and look forward to this summer, so we decided to combine these two with the surprising twist of choosing scallops as the main ingredient.

“The result is one refreshing and unforgettable flavor everyone will surely enjoy,” Austero added.

The Scallop Primo is a welcome surprise treat not just for seafood lovers, and for everyone who’s on the lookout for a new food experience this summer season.

Don’t be left behind. So grab your families and friends to the nearest Shakey’s branch because this must-try summer delight is available from March 1 to May 31 only.

Price starts at Php 294 for a regular thin crust and Php 344 for hand tossed. The Scallop Primo  pizza is also available in Great Meal Deals and can be ordered through Dine in, Carry Out and Delivery in all Shakey’s restaurants nationwide.

For more information, go to https://www.shakeyspizza.ph/

Lenovo K6 Note offers power, form and function for an excitingly flexible mobile experience

Lenovo launched the all-new Lenovo K6 Note on March 2 at Society Lounge, Makati, a power packed smartphone that delivers endless fun and entertainment in the palm of the hand. It features a massive battery, blazing fast processor speeds, enhanced 4GLTE connectivity and smooth performance. The Lenovo K6 Note enables users to keep up with today’s fast-paced digital lifestyle.

Don’t let a dead smartphone ruin the day. Built for entertainment, theLenovo K6 Note’slarge 4000mAh Lithium-polymer battery givesusers enough battery capacity to stream their Spotify playlist all day and Netflix videos all night. Enjoya more immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos, which complements the LenovoK6 Note’s5.5-inch full-HD IPS display.

Take share-worthy photos with theLenovo K6 Note’s 16MP rear camera with Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF) for sharp details and vivid colors.TheCorrelated Color Temperature (CCT) dual-LED flashautomatically adjusts to create natural-looking skin tones and consistently vibrant colors. With the Lenovo VIBE K6 Note’s 8MP camera, taking clearer and sharper selfies uploaded on social media will earn more likes and followers.

Breeze through theday-to-day tasks without a hitch with the Lenovo K6 Note’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 64-bit 1.4GHz octa-core processor, Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS and4GB RAM. With the phone’s built-in fingerprint reader, there’s no need to worry about unauthorized access to one’s data, photos and other files.

“We want to bring the modern Filipino smartphone user infinite entertainment everywhere with the Lenovo K6 Note through its outstanding pro-mode camera features, Dolby Atmos (R) speakers and a long-lasting 4000mAh battery,” said Dino Romano, country manager of the Lenovo Mobile Business Group.

The Lenovo K6 Note sports a sleek, all-metal unibody design in sophisticated dark gray, gold and silver versions. Get a free Bluetooth audio headset with every purchase of the K6 Note, available at Lenovo stores and authorized dealers nationwide for only P11,999.  Buyers can also enjoy financing options such as six months zero interest via credit cards or low monthly payments via Flexi Finance through selected dealers.

Cream-O Flix Fest gathers Creamoholics and families for Cream-O-filled movie marathon

Creamoholics and their families, friends and barkadas are in for a unique bonding experience as Cream-O gathers them for an afternoon of outdoor movie watching and munching on their favourite cookie treats.

Bringing Creamoholics together through the love of movies and eating cookies, the Cream-O Flix Fest will be held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Saturday, March 11, 2017, starting at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Family movie marathon
The Cream-O Flix Fest promises to keep the whole family entertained throughout the exciting afternoon with three movies in a row. Kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy watching “Minions” while the teens can sing to “Pitch Perfect 1”. Capping-off Cream-O’s first-ever outdoor movie marathon event is well-loved romantic-comedy “50 First Dates”.

More than watching the family-oriented flicks, Creamoholics can indulge in munching on Cream-O cookies and even in making their own personalized Cream-O cookies in “Cream-Ofied Creations”.

Personalize your Cream-O
The activity encourages Creamoholics to jazz-up their Cream-O cookies in four easy steps: choose, dip, sprinkle and drizzle. First they can choose their favorite Cream-O variant (Vanilla, Choco Fudge, Deluxe, Crinkles, Chocolate Chip, Cookies ‘n Cream and Choco ‘n Berries) and dip it in rich chocolate (milk, dark or white), peanut butter or whipped cream. They can add extra color, texture and flavor to their creations with a wide variety of toppings and even drizzle on some delicious chocolate, caramel or strawberry syrup.

Other activities to look forward to include “Unlock the Popcorn Stash”, “Guess the Movie” trivia game and “I Love Cream-O” photo booth where Creamoholics can personalize the experience by putting up their names. There will also be pocket games, live acoustic band performances and raffles in between the movies. Prizes to be given away include Robinsons Gift Certificates and Fujifilm Instax mini cameras.

Get the latest from Cream-O on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at /creamoholicsph. Official hashtags: #HappinessofCreamOholics #CreamOFlixFest

Lose weight to gain health with Capsinesis

What do James Yap, girlfriend Michelle Cazzola, Ara Mina, Edu Manzano, Rita Avila, Roxanne Barcelo, Kitkat, Aubrey Miles,  Troy Montero, Maria Isabel Lopez, Evangeline Pascual and Nonie Buencamino have in common?

Answer:  They the value of good health and  exercise to stay fit. 

They’re also brand ambassadors of Capsinesis, a natural food supplement whose main ingredient, cayenne pepper, helps in losing weight and gaining health.

Rita says it promotes faster metabolism and weight  loss.  In his Instagram post, Edu describes Capsinesis as “your weight loss partner.” Roxanne takes two capsules when working out in the gym with boyfriend Will Devaughn.

That’s because the six to 10 chili peppers (equivalent to 500 mg)  in each capsule, along with green tea and wild berries join forces to burn fat faster than usual.

Coach Jim Saret, who heads FIT Filipino Movement, which aims to make one million Filipinos fit, says that Capsinesis, combined with healthy diet and exercise, works four ways.
• It boosts your metabolism (fat burner)
• It crashes food cravings (appetite suppressant)
• It cleanses your body (antioxidant)
• It helps you train better and longer

”You can take it before  working out,” he says. “This way, you induce sweating faster.  When you’re sweating, your metabolism moves up. You can even mix it with your favorite protein shake,” Saret adds.

It also fast tracks urine rate and bowel movement, thereby cleansing the body even further.
The brand ambassadors not only look good, because their skin glows and they have enviable figures.  Thanks to diet, exercise and regular intake of Capsinesis,  they feel good inside.
Here’s why:
• They have more serotonin, which keeps their spirits up and lets them sleep better
• Their blood circulation is better
• They’re less prone to heart attack
• They can ward off headache,  pain from migraine and arthritis, hemorrhoids, heartburn and peptic ulcer
• They can control their blood sugar level
• They can fight convulsions, epilepsy, and aging

For details, check out Capsinesis’ Be Hot Stay Hot FB page and the Capsinesis Healthy Transformation support group.

Capsinesis is available at Mercury and Watsons drug stores, SM department stores, South Star Drug, Rose Pharmacy and Three Sixty.

Perfect for Summer! Goldilocks’ Milk’ n Matcha and Milky Choco with Jelly

The recent change in the weather signifies the end of the ‘Burr’ months and the beginning of the summer heat wave. The Chilly winter breeze has now been replaced with warm and oftentimes, humid summer air.

To combat this seasonal change, Goldilocks’ the country’s number one bakeshop is happy to introduce two new drinks to its varied beverage menu. Introducing Goldilocks’ Milk’ n Matcha and Milky Choco with Jelly drinks!

Equally priced at Php 40 for 14oz and Php 50 for 16oz, these sweet thirst quenchers are not only affordable, they are also made with Goldilocks’ premium ingredients giving you the best quality for your budget.

Grabe these sweet drinks at any Goldilock’s branch nationwide.

For more information, you may also follow Goldilocks on Twitter or Instagram at @GoldilocksPH, on the Goldilocks Facebook page, or at the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph

The URGe to Travel in Style

When I am travelling for an out of town or abroad. I always choose a bag or backpack  which is lightweight and big enough to hold all my essentials. It should be versatile and could fit my things while also being easy to carry. I try to avoid the hassle by packing all my things in one single bag and bring only the necessities that I need. I am still on a haunt for a stylish and sturdy backpacks until I attended the URGe launch. One of their exclusive brands at URGe is called Mission Workshop. Originally designed for urban cyclists in San Francisco. Mission Workshop is the only brand of bag I know which offers a lifetime guarantee, that's why they say its the only bag you will ever need in a lifetime.

URGe  (Urban Rugged Gear) launches on Feb 27 at Greenbelt 1 branch. It was attended by URGe execs headed by Anthony Kierulf, Jay Tengo, Mia Tengo celebrities and media.


URGe, the lifestyle shop for the mobile urban warrior,  unveils the latest lineup of products and accessories from their premium active lifestyle brands.  I saw several types of bags in the store such as backpacks, messenger bags and duffel bags but the one that caught my attention the most was the Arkiv, its a modular backpack which means you can easily add or remove compartments depending on your need.

URGe, which stands for Urban Rugged Gear (URGe) is the official distributor of renowned brands such as OtterBox, Goal Zero, YurBuds, LifeProof, GoPro, LeefiBridge and B & O Play.URGe is also the sole distributor of Mission Workshop, WaterShot, Ethnotek, and Drifterin the country.

Jay Tengo, President Tenkiebox.

“Backed by the latest technology and world-class standards, URGe brings you innovative products that are designed to take your active lifestyle to greater heights,” says Jay Tengo, president of Tenkiebox.

URGe brings innovation, style and convenience in one destination to cater to the needs of people who live an active and diverse urban lifestyle.

“So whether you have a demanding job that takes you out of the comforts of your office, a road warrior who is always out working on the field, or a weekend wanderer in search of a new adventure URGe has the perfect products that best suits and protects your precious gadgets.”

URGe Founder, Anthony Kierulf

Get to know the brands you can find at URGe including:

OtterBox- Froma simpleboxthat started in 1998, Otterbox has evolved into producing innovative protective solutions for leading global wireless carriers and distributors. Otterbox’s commitment to innovation, durability and style makes them the perfect go-to brand for all your gadget needs.

Goal Zero- Take charge and stay connected wherever you are with portable solar power systems designed for utmost convenience, reliability and user-friendly. Every Goal Zero product can power a wide range of USB, AC and DC devices anytime and anywhere.

B & O Play- For the ultimate audiophile, nothing comes close to the audio experience from Bang & Olufsen. Known for its legacy of superb craftsmanship, design excellence and innovation from Bang & Olufsen Group, B & O Play brings you world-class products designed to make your audio listening a blast every single time.

YurBuds- Powered by JBL, Yurbuds takes your listening habits to new heights with earphones that are guaranteed never to fall out even under rigorous physical activity.Made from high-grade and flexible silicone, these ergonomically designed earphones are ultra-s0ft and comfortable to use for hours.

LifeProof- Live your life without worries with LifeProof. LifeProof brings sleek, elegant, and reliable products designed to ensure that you’ve got the freedom to enjoy what you love whenever and wherever.

GoPro- See life from a new perspective and capture life’s awesome experiences with the first name in action cameras. Apart from taking awesome photos and videos, Go Pro products are user-friendly, waterproof and durable – making it the perfect gadget for all your adrenaline-filled adventures.

LeefiBridge- Say goodbye to deleting files and running out of memory on your phone. LeefiBridge is made from high-grade material to ensure that your data is protected from water, dust and other accidents. LeefiBridge products are available for iPhone, iPad and iPod.

URGe Exclusives: The brands you can find only at URGe stores

Mission Workshop- Make your way around the urban jungle in style with Mission Workshop bags and accessories. Crafted from finest technical and industrial materials in the United States, Mission Workshop offers a vast selection of bags that is both stylish and functional.

WaterShot- Underwater shots are always awesome but getting an underwater camera isn’t as convenient. With WaterShot, you can turn your regular phone into professional diver’s camera in a snap.

Ethnotek- Quality, style and cultural diversity comes together through the stylish and durable laptop and travel bags from Ethnotek. All Ethnotek bags are made of handmade textiles from artisan villages in Ghana, Guatamela, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. Every purchase of Ethnotek bags also helps sustain the employment and ensure that the art of hand printing, weaving and embroidery remain for years to come.

Drifter- What began as a parachute rigging business has now become a brand known for its bags made of the highest quality materials. For almost four decades Drifter Sport and Travel Bags, Inc. has continually grown and adapted to the changes, but their commitment to create sturdy, durable, and lightweight bags remains the same.

“Stylish, durable and convenient to use – that is the URGe guarantee. Whenever you purchase a product from us, you know that you are getting the best! Let URGe be your adventure buddy as you pursue your passions and quench your thirst for adventure without any worries”, adds Tengco

URGE Summer Blast Raffle

As part of its official launch, Urban Rugged Gear is holding the URGe Summer Blast Promo.

Get a chance to win any of the following: (1) Mission Workshop Messenger Bag Monty, (1) Ethnotek Backpack – Raja, (1) OtterBox Case – Defender Series, (1) Yurbuds Earphones, (1) Lifeproof Case, and (1) B&O Play Headphones for every purchase at any URGe store or website (1 receipt = 1 raffle entry). Promo runs from Feb. 15 – March 15, 2017.

Want to get up close and personal with their products?  Visit the URGe showrooms at the 2nd Floor, GREENBELT 1, Ayala Center, Makati City and 2nd Floor, THEATER MALL, Greenhills Shopping Center or check out their website atwww.urge.ph .