Tips on how to make your home #ElectroluxSummerReady

Leading home appliances brand Electrolux is here to help moms get ready for the summer.

Now that summer is here and most of us are eager to beat the heat by going to the beach, enroll in a swimming class, hit the gym, book an out of the country summer escapade, or to just simply stay at home and prepare indoor fun for the hottest summer days with the kids. I prepare tips to make your summer enjoyable with your children in tow.

These activities are not only exciting, but yield some incredible keepsakes and memories with your loved ones

Make an iced candy or frozen ice pops together.

I remember the time when my mother and I make some iced buko for us kids every summer.  It was fun and at the same time delicious and healthy.

Who doesn't love a cool, refreshing frozen ice pop?! Pick up some of your kids favorite fruits like a ripe mango, buco or some avocadoes. Just puree them and add yogurt or yakult for that extra kick in flavor. Scoop into ice pop molds or cups with sticks, or to an ice candy plastic, freeze until solid, and enjoy!

I love a strawberry yogurt ice pop -- mash strawberries and add yogurt, . Watermelon alone works well, too. Or just freeze a banana for a frosty treat.

 Assign a "Clean the pantry" task with your kid

Go get a big trash bag and start removing all the canned and dry goods that have expired or has foul smell or molds  in them. Get a damp sponge and clean away any debris that has accumulated. Organize the remaining items and check on dates and labels.  Donate or give away cans that aren’t going to be used. This would teach your child hardwork and  to get rid or dispose things that are not necessary in the house.

Electrolux PH launches Make Your Home Summer-Ready on March 29 at Happy Garden Makati. It was graced by celebrity guests Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Janice Villanueva and hosted by Patty Laurel Filart and Electrolux PH executives headed by ‎Country Marketing Manager Ms. Andrea Pionilla. 

Electrolux PH ‎Country Marketing Manager Ms. Andrea Pionilla

Guests presented tips on summer home design, as well as cleaning and organizing the home, and shared news on its latest appliances designed to help make your homes #ElectroluxSummerReady.

Electrolux Summer-Ready guest speaker Amina Aranaz-Alunan, founder, executive director and teacher of SoFA Design Institute, and Creative Director of fashion accessories and bag label ARANÁZ, shared her ideas on how to give homes a summer touch. I love how Amina is hands-on her home decoration. Her tips included accessorizing with items that have a hint of the sea or beach or adding a woven piece.

Another great way to give homes a summer makeover would be to bring a touch of nature. Aranaz described that moms can bring in tropical throw pillows, bedding, tropical indoor plants or even botanical wallpaper! She also suggested some stylish DIY projects that moms can do with the family like framing a tropical print, creating a bar cart or summer vignette.

Meanwhile, Janice Villanueva, successful mompreneur and founder of Mommy Mundo, a community of moms dedicated to making motherhood easier, shared her Summer-Ready Checklist, with hacks on keeping the home clean and clutter-free and fun summer activities for the family.

For the kitchen, Villanueva talked about the importance of cleaning out the refrigerator, including all compartments and interiors, throwing out expiring food and restocking on fresh food, including a mix of different kinds of foods that kids will like.

She advised moms to put these in easy to access containers so the kids (if age appropriate) can help themselves when they’re hungry.

Villanueva also reminded moms to sit down with the helpers to plan a menu since kids will be home all day – and to make sure they have healthy morning snacks and a filling merienda so kids don’t grab junk food in between.

When it comes to cooking, homemakers should make sure to clean the kitchen stove top and oven to make sure things are running properly. Cooking or baking sessions with the kids are also a great summer activity that teaches them a new skill while allowing moms to bond with them.

Moms can be #ElectroluxSummerReady with their latest line of appliances: (from l to r) the Electrolux UltimateCare Front Load Washing Machine, the Electrolux UltraFlex Vacuum Cleaner, the Electrolux Vita Inverter Split-Type Air Conditioner, the Electrolux NutriFresh Inverter Refrigerator and the Electrolux Cooking Range with Induction Cooktop & Electric Oven.

Hot and humid weather also means more allergens so moms should make sure to vacuum sofas, curtains, the rugs and even the bed and stuffed animals! Moms can even teach the kids to vacuum. “It’s actually a lot of fun for them and you can also reward them for doing chores,” Villanueva said.

Aside from providing summer-ready tips, Electrolux also launched their latest products that can help moms achieve a summer-ready home.

The Electrolux UltimateCare Front Load Washing Machine

The Electrolux UltimateCare Front Load Washing Machine gives families clean and soft clothes that look vibrant and new for longer, perfect for summer days where kids are more active and washing happens more frequently.

Electrolux Product Manager Erika Depositar talks about the features of the Electrolux UltimateCare Front Load Washing Machine.

Packed with energy-efficient features, the Electrolux UltimateCare Front Load Washing Machine provides expert care for every kind of fabric, to make laundry a pleasure, not a chore. It was designed with the exclusive UltraMix™ System to deliver exceptional deep clean and better colour care. It effectively pre-mixes the detergent with water, dissolving it before they reach the laundry and fully activating its cleaning power.





The Electrolux Vita Inverter Split-Type Air Conditioner

The Electrolux Vita Inverter Split-Type Air Conditioner is the perfect aircon to cool homes this summer and keep the air clean. It has Active Plasma ion that helps eliminate viruses and bacteria and Inverter Technology that delivers energy savings with its advanced technological features, making the units energy efficient and eco-friendly. This gives remarkable advantages: low noise, energy savings and optimal temperature without sudden changes.

The Electrolux UltraFlex Vacuum Cleaner gives families high performance clean and an ergonomic design that makes it really easy to use. It has a Turbo Cyclonic Design that efficiently separates the dust.

Electrolux Product Manager Gwen Suegay demonstrates the power of the Electrolux UltraFlex Vacuum Cleaner.

It’s also ideal for dusty summer days as the Electrolux UltraFlex comes with a HEPA13 Washable Exhaust filter, which seals 99% of dust and allergens, and a Replaceable Carbon Layer. It has received 5 Stars SLG on Filtration Efficiency and was also awarded the Allergy UK Seal of Approval from the British Allergy Foundation.

ZUF4306DEL Electrolux UltraFlex Vacuum Cleaner

EHE5200AA NutriFresh French Door Refrigerator

The Electrolux NutriFresh Inverter Refrigerator 

The NutriFresh Inverter Refrigerator keeps food fresh for up to 7 days, ensuring that families have fresh ingredients for healthier and more flavourful meals this summer!

The NutriFresh Inverter Refrigerator features a FreshShield Crisper which comes with a unique tight seal for 5x higher humidity and more stable temperature to keep your fruits and vegetables stay fresh for up to 7 days.

Electrolux Product Manager Ria Dionisio explains how the Electrolux NutriFresh Inverter Refrigerator keeps food fresh for 7 days. 

The Electrolux Cooking Range with Induction Cooktop & Electric Oven gives moms the advantage of induction and oven cooking at the same time.

Rivianca Del Rosario-Berroya explains the advantage of induction cooking with the Electrolux Cooking Range with Induction Cooktop & Electric Oven.


Induction is faster than other cooking technologies, boiling one liter of water in three minutes, allowing families to enjoy tasty meals in no time. The Electrolux Cooking Range with Induction Cooktop & Electric Oven also comes with Precise Temperature Control that allows one to go from high to low heat instantly so one never undercook or overcook again.

                           

Get your home summer ready with the latest products of Electrolux. For more #ElectroluxSummerReady home care and healthy living ideas, please visit www.electrolux.com.ph and follow @ElectroluxPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram or @ElectroluxPH on Twitter.

Dengue Vaccine is now available in select Watsons stores

The worst feeling if you're a parent is when your child get sick. You have no control of what is happening around you.  You'll get paranoid googling symptoms, complications and contraindications regarding impression and diagnoses concerning your child.  You would experience anxiety attack and pray that its nothing serious to worry about.

I remember when my kid got hospitalized when he was still a baby (he was 7 months old) and was diagnosed of Dengue fever. There was no medication given except for some paracetamol , IV hooked for dehydration and every 6 hrs blood extraction to check his platelet count. His confinement lasted for a week. But after 20 years he was admitted for the same diagnosis, (Dengue) this time it was aggravated with chills, rashes all over his body, and blackening of bednails. The worst part is I was not around to comfort him. I was abroad. I was terrified and prayed the whole time.  He was discharged after 2 1/2 week of admission.

I am still afraid of Dengue and its complication and wishing that there would be a vaccine soon. Watsons, the leading health & beauty chain in the Philippines,  announced the availability of dengue vaccination (Dengvaxia) in select Watsons stores nationwide.

Watsons PH recently launched Dengvaxia on March 31 at Makati Shangri-la . The launch was attended by Danilo Chiong, Director for Watsons Trading Health, Dr. Rontgene Solante, Ms Sai Pascual, Senior Manager for Watsons Trading Health, Vicki Encarnacion, Watsons Marketing Director and Dr. Jez Lazaro, and media.

Watsons is the first retailer to offer Dengue vaccine to the public.

The dengue vaccination was launched in the country by the Department of Health (DOH) together with the Department of Education (DepEd), and later on was made available in medical clinics last year.

“As part of our commitment to improve the lives and health of Filipinos by making health care more accessible to them, we decided to offer dengue vaccination in our select stores nationwide. Dengue is a recurring epidemic in the country, that’s why we recognize the importance of protecting Filipinos against this deadly disease through the vaccination”, says Watsons Trading Health Director, Mr. Danilo Chiong.

Watsons Trading Health Director, Mr. Danilo Chiong.

The first vaccine against dengue, Dengvaxia, was created by leading multinational pharmaceutical company and an expert in the development of vaccinations, Sanofi Pasteur. The vaccine took more than twenty years to develop and has been thoroughly tested, based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Studies of the vaccine included more than 41,000 people and were carried out in 15 countries including the Philippines. The results were fully reviewed by a committee of independent experts and has also been recommended by WHO.

Dra. Jez Lazaro Medical Specialist in San Lazaro Hospital, Dr. Rontgene Solante President of PSMID and Dra. Ria Abungan Medical Specialist in San Lazaro Hospital

Dr. Rontgene Solante President of PSMID

Sai Pascual - Senior Manager for Watsons Trading Health

Viki Encarnacion - Watsons Marketing Director

In the Philippines, the DOH together with DepEd launched the much-awaited administration of the dengue vaccine through school-based immunization approach. This aims to vaccinate about one million Grade 4 pupils aged 9 years old and above enrolled in public schools in several regions of the country.1

As of February 2017, the vaccine has been approved in 14 countries where dengue is endemic including Singapore, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines.

The dengue vaccine has also gotten the endorsement of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) and Philippine College of Physicians (PCP).

According to a study by the University of the Philippines National Institute of Health, the vaccine is expected to reduce dengue cases in the country by over 24 percent in a span of five years. 2

There are more than 200,000 reported dengue cases in the country in 2016 with around 1000 reported cases leading to death. 3

Besides the health risks, dengue also has an impact on public health costing billions of pesos of tax payers money with treatment costing tens of thousands in pesos per patient.

The dengue vaccination, to be taken in three doses at 0 - 6 - 12 months interval, can protect the individual from all four strains of the dengue virus. This can be administered to people aged 9 to 45 years old.

The dengue vaccination is the latest addition to the vaccines offered by Watsons. It will cost P4000 per dose or P12000 for all 3 doses, which is a reasonable price given the high incidence of dengue and high cost of treatment in the Philippines.

“Watsons also offer Cervical Cancer, Flu and Pneumonia vaccination at scheduled intervals throughout the year. We will have a doctor in store during vaccination dates to administer the vaccination”, adds Mr. Chiong.



The first scheduled dengue vaccination will be on 

April 30, 2017 (1st dose), 

October 29, 2017 (2nd dose) and 

April 29, 2018 (3rd dose); 

Second scheduled dengue vacation will be on May 14, 2017 (1st dose), November 12, 2017 (2nd dose), May 13, 2018 (3rd dose). This will be available in more than 100 stores nationwide.

1 Ph Succesfully Launched The First Dengue Vaccines In Public Schools  http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/5716
2 World’s first dengue vaccine now available in PH http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/02/11/dengue-vaccine-Dengvaxia-Philippines.html
3  WHO, 2016 Dengue Fact Sheet: DOH Epidemiological Bureau Morbidity Week 52 http://www.doh.gov.ph/statistics

Trust your skin to Cetaphil

They say men are from Mars and women are from Venus. We all acknowledge that each person has his or her own little quirks. Just as our fingerprints are different, so are our personalities and needs. But the good news is, despite our uniqueness, we can all trust just one skincare line to respond to all our different skin types. The Cetaphil line of skincare products employs the Science of Gentle. They are non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and moisturizing. This means each product is mild and leaves your and your family’s skin smooth and soft. It moisturizes effectively but does not leave any pore-clogging residue.

It turns out that skincare that responds to your teenager’s breakouts, your daughter’s sensitive skin, your husband’s hardy skin constitution and your own thirsty skin can be found in just one line. That means: no more guessing and especially, no experimentation that can leave indelible results on your skin. We’ve all experienced products that dry out our skin or moisturizers that cause too much oil and shine. Cetaphil even soothes some skin problems with its dermatologically tested formula.

“Cetaphil is non-soap, non-alkaline and clinically proven safe for all skin types. It is all your family needs to have healthy skin,” says Catherine Palma-Dilanco, Cetaphil Brand Manager. Buying Cetaphil for your family shows that you care for each of them. This also makes shopping for your family’s skincare easy and hassle-free. With a healthy skincare regimen, there is less damage on your skin.

Use the entire line of Cetaphil products for best results: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, and Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. Cetaphil is available in drugstores, department stores and supermarkets nationwide.

Gen Korean BBQ House is coming to the Philippines

Gen Korean BBQ House is the All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ restaurant phenomenon that has taken the US by storm. It has become a popular place for both locals and visitors.

Gen Korean BBQ is a big hit for many Filipinos living on the West Coast and is a must-visit restaurant if any friends or family are visiting from home.

Those looking to experience (or re-experience) Gen’s amazing food and service don’t need to book a trip to the US because Gen Korean BBQ House will soon be opening its first international location right here in the Philippines.

Gen Korean BBQ House explores the art of Korean Barbeque, using only the finest cuts of meat and combining them with unique and varied flavors from all over the world. Coupled with an energetic and modern ambiance, Gen Korean BBQ makes for a totally unique dining experience.

This unique concept offers All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ that doesn’t compromise on food quality yet gives you the most bang for your buck. A tough balance to perfect but Gen KBBQ has the recipe for success.

The Excello Restaurant Management Group, headed by top restaurateur Raymund Magdaluyo, will be in charge of Gen Korean BBQ House’s Philippine operations. The group is working hard to give the authentic experience of Gen KBBQ to ensure that customers, especially those who have eaten at Gen before in the US, will see, feel, and taste no difference.

“We’re very meticulous about how we will go about operating Gen Korean BBQ House here in the Philippines,” said Leina Bolinas, Excello’s Managing Partner. “From the premium meats, the excellent service, to the exciting atmosphere, it will be a mirror image of the US locations. It’s like we brought the West Coast to you,” she concluded.

Gen Korean BBQ House Philippines will feature a 1,000 square-meter dining area that can seat over 500 people. The first location is planned to rise along SM by the Bay at the SM Mall of Asia midyear of 2017.

Ai Ai delas Alas bagged The Best Female Actor at Queens World Film Festival in Astor, Queens, New York

Kapuso Comedienne  Ai Ai delas Alas was beaming with pride  and excitement clutching her trophy during her presscon and thanksgiving at Limbaga Restaurant on March 30 regarding her winning the Best Female Actor in the movie "Area".

Ai Ai delas Alas was named Best Female Actor at the conclusion of 7th Queens World Film Festival in Astor, Queens, New York on March 19, 2017 for her dramatic portrayal as an aging prostitute in the indie film "Area," besting Karin Hanczewsk for Lotte, Amy Redford for Hate Crime and Dorothea Hagena in Mann Im Spagat - Pace, Cowboy, Pace.

" Hindi ko ineexpect na mananalo ako dito sa "Area" for Best Actress. Yung pinakamabigat na eksena sa pelikula ay nung nawala yung pera ko na pinaghirapan ko sa buong buhay ko,  ayun yung breakdown scene na alam kong nagpanalo sa kin" Ai Ai told us.

"Nalaman ko na lang po na nanalo ako ng Best Actress ng makita ko yung mga text sa kin na kino congratulate ako at sa social media. Nakakataba po talaga ng puso". Ai Ai added.

When people are asked what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Ai Ai Delas Alas, you will be amazed they have the same answer- Comedy Queen and a great actress.

Indeed. There is no question about that. She has traveled far and wide to be where she is now. The Comedy Queen.

Ai Ai has become a household name. People laugh when she laughs. They cry when she cries.

Ai Ai has the power to make you roll when she cracks jokes, and cry when she does. She can be both serious and playful. On screen, she can switch roles with ease - from serious to funny, tragic to happy.


“Area” is about a place in Angeles, Pampanga where prostitutes nestle like hungry birds.

Ai Ai is truly a queen. Countless times she has proven her grit that she is a bombshell wherever and whatever instance she maybe.

Jurors of the Queens World Film Festival were spellbound by her portrayal in the movie. Her character showed the real truth of the state of prostitution in the country and even in other parts parts of the world.

Ai Ai says that she was not optimistic to get an international award because there were 156 great international movies in the competition.

But truly as the old saying goes, "when it rains, it pours." And with Ai Ai, everything is rosy in the home front, in her love life and in her career.  (Ai Ai stars in the forthcoming Regal Films Mighty Yaya and will be working in a movie under Star Cinema soon.  She is a mainstay in GMA 7's Hay Bahay and Sunday Pinasaya)

But through all these years, her stardom never consumed her totality.  She is still the same Martina Eileen family and close friends knew, the same Martina Eileen who just wants to be happy and be surrounded with people she loves.

And everybody knows she works hard for her family, who not only is an inspiration, but the reason for being.

Celebrate your Magical Easter Sunday at Buddha-Bar Manila

Buddha-Bar Manila, a world-class resto-bar-lounge that offers fine dining and entertainment experience, levels up the fun and excitement of the Easter Sunday celebration as it sets its exquisite place for a Magical Easter this April 16, 2017.

“We are glad to invite everyone to come and celebrate with us at Buddha-Bar Manila with our Magical Easter event. We’ve always been doing this to celebrate the Easter Sunday; and this year, we made sure that it’s more magical, different, and spectacular,” said Bernadette Castillo, Sales and Marketing Head of Buddha-Bar Manila.

Buddha-Bar Manila’s Magical Easter features an exciting lineup of activities that promises to make the celebration of the Easter Sunday for families more memorable than ever before.

Among these is the Easter Bunny Trail that kids will surely enjoy. Participants of these activities will receive exciting prizes and giveaways. Magical treats will also be given away for the first 30 reservations.

Aside from these, Buddha-Bar Manila also offers a sumptuous spread of delicious cuisines that will be served at the Easter Lunch Buffet. It opens from 11am to 2pm with free-flowing non-alcoholic drinks.

The Buffet with Magical Play Pass is priced at PhP475 for kids, (ages 10 and below), and PhP950 for Adults.

Part of the Easter festivities is the Search for the Magical Egg (Easter Egg Hunt), which will happen in the Magical Program at 1pm. The program also features magical shows and exciting games. Kids can watch this magical extravaganza if they purchase a Magical Play Pass priced at PhP250 only.

“This event is our way of treating our customers to an event that makes the most of the upcoming Easter Holiday. We encourage them to join us and spend a quality and fun time at Buddha-Bar Manila with their family and friends,” Castillo added.

Since it first opened in 2012, Buddha-Bar Manila has been dedicated to offering different themed events for its customers. It also carries the sophistication and the world-class service offered by the Buddha-Bar International franchise, based in Paris, France. It has also brought the luscious taste of Modern Asian and Western cuisine.

Buddha-Bar Manila is located at Picar Place, Kalayaan Ave, Makati City. For inquiries and reservations, please call 8566719, 8566859, or 09989833918.

Pop Icon Britney Spears is Live in Manila on June 15!

Breaking News: Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop icon Britney Spears is coming to Manila on June 15, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena for her first-ever and much-awaited concert in the Philippines.

Iconic pop sensation Britney Spears is one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history with nearly 150 million records worldwide. In the U.S. alone, she has sold more than 70 million albums, singles and songs, according to Nielsen Music. Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Spears became a household name as a teenager when she released her first single “…Baby One More Time,” a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash and international hit that broke sales records with more than 20 million copies sold worldwide and is currently 14x Platinum in the U.S.

Her musical career boasts countless awards and accolades, including six Billboard Music Awards and Billboard’s Millennium Award, which recognizes outstanding career achievements and influence in the music industry as well as an American Music Award and the 2011 MTV Video Vanguard Award. So far, Spears has earned a total of six No.1-debuting albums on the Billboard 200 chart and 22 top 40 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 — four of which went to No. 1. Spears has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and won for Best Dance Recording in 2005.

Her cutting-edge pop concert Las Vegas residency, “Britney: Piece of Me,” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has been voted “Best Show in Las Vegas” and “Best Bachelorette Show in Las Vegas.” Spears has also been creating fragrances for over ten years, and currently has 21 fragrances available in over 85 countries around the world.

Tickets to Britney Spears – Live in Manila will be on-sale beginning April 5 at 10AM. Book online at SMTickets.com or call 470-2222. Presented by Bench and Wilbros Live.