Starbucks Teavana Full Leaf Tea Sachets: Perfect for every mood

A cup of tea is a cup of peace. ~Soshitsu Sen XV

The first thing that I grab before going to bed at night is a hot cup of youthberry from Starbucks Teavana. It calms and relaxing plus I love the taste. Inspired by super fruits, this drink blends acai fruit with tropical pineapple and mango flavors with high quality white tea. I love its aroma.  It is definitely a key to a perfect night sleep. I always have a stock of Starbucks Teavana Full Leaf Tea Sachets in the kitchen.

These days, we all need a little down time at home to recharge from our hectic work schedule. With everything going at a fast pace, sometimes we need to just stop and reflect on how we should go about our day and our responsibilities. Good thing, one of the most refreshing and soothing drinks from Starbucks, the Starbucks Teavana, can also be enjoyed at home.

Immerse yourself in a modern tea experience in the comfort of your own home with Starbucks Teavana Full Leaf Tea Sachets. Here are some of Teavana variants perfect for every mood:

1. When you need a refreshing drink.
Hibiscus Herbal Blend’s bright tropical notes of juicy papaya and mango combined with citrus lemongrass makes for a refreshing naturally caffeine-free blend. Aside from being an invigorating drink with a slight tartness, it also has extraordinarily deep fuschia color coming from the Hibiscus flowers that makes it more exciting.



2. When you need to slow down and unwind. Emperor’s Cloud & Mist is not your ordinary green tea. It is exclusively harvested during the month of April and grown 3,500ft above sea level on the steep, windy slopes of Huangshan Mountain in China. With a rich body and a naturally sweet flavor, this drink is pleasant to the palate and perfect for those moments when you just want to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

3. When you need a renewed sense of purpose.
Sometimes, life gets the best of us. With all of the things that we need to do at the office or at home we often find ourselves worn out. For times like these, Starbucks Teavana white tea blend, the Youthberry is perfect. Inspired by super fruits, this drink blends acai fruit with tropical pineapple and mango flavors with high quality white tea, this refreshingly delicious drink is perfect for moments of contemplation and relaxation.

4. For those perfect mornings.
If you want to start the day right, the English Breakfast Black Tea is the one to pick.  A handcrafted blend of Indian Assam, Sri Lankan Ceylon and Chinese black tea, this full-bodied tea with rich and malty undertones is the perfect accompaniment to a hearty breakfast and can be taken with or without milk.



Enjoy a modern tea experience for every mood in the comfort of your home. Starbucks Teavana Full Leaf Tea Sachets are available in boxes of 12 in all Starbucks stores nationwide.

DERMAX Professional helps fight aging and promotes even-toned skin

Many consider the skin on our faces as one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and yet it is one of the most exposed. Our face is exposed daily to harmful UV rays from the sun, pollution from different sources in our surroundings, and can even be affected by internal factors such as stress.

Because of its inherent sensitivity, many beauty experts are deeply concerned about whatever product goes on their face. It really pays to know what ingredients go on our skin to keep our faces looking young and revitalized. Because using strong chemicals can be very detrimental to our skin and may do us more harm than good in the long run.

This has led more people to search for natural beauty products that are made from food material or organic sources to ensure that it does not negatively impact those who use it. One of the materials that is gaining popularity with the beauty-conscious is peptides.

One of the ingredients that has been gaining popularity among the beauty conscious is peptide. Peptides are a type of amino acids, often regarded as the building block of protein which makes up our skin. Peptides, specifically, are short chain amino acids. And because peptides are smaller and shorter they are perfect to be applied directly on our skin because it can go down to the deeper layers of the skin and aid in skin rejuvenation and regeneration.

Different types of peptides can help in addressing some of the most common skin problems, from effectively smoothing out wrinkles, increasing firmness and hydration, to repairing the skin's natural barrier functions—peptide is a very potent ingredient.

This regenerative power of a proprietary blend of advanced peptides is now available here in the country through DERMAX Professional. DERMAX Professional comes in an airless injection packaging in two variants: anti-aging and whitening.

DERMAX Advanced Peptide Whitening Serum lightens the skin through a proprietary blend of advanced peptide complex with whitening and antioxidant ingredients that promise to even out skin tone while enhancing protection of the skin. Meanwhile, DERMAX Advanced Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Serum has advanced peptide complex partnered with protective ingredients that help in regaining skin elasticity and boost the natural production of collagen.

For more information regarding DERMAX Professional, visit SkinStation or DERMAX Laser Center branches nationwide.

John Herrera and Epson team up for Eagle-inspired haute couture collection at London Fashion Week

At the John Herrera x Epson Preview Showcase in Manila Fashion designer John Herrera (www.johnherreracouture.com) has partnered with Epson to produce a 30-piece collection digitally printed with Epson’s digital textile dye-sublimation printers. The collection for men and women is inspired by the Aguila, the protected Great Philippine Eagle, and was showcased at the recent London Fashion Week 2017.

The collection won John the position of Britain’s Top Designer 2017, a competition organised by Fashion’s Finest and held during London Fashion Week. John, based in Manila, Philippines,was also previously a winner at the London Emerging Designers (LED) Awards in 2015.

John works closely with Epson in the Philippines and is at the forefront of taking fashion to the next level through digital textile printing using Epson’s SureColor F-series dye-sublimation digital textile printers.

“This partnership with Epson is very exciting. There are so many things you can do with printing compared to just buying fabric. Before, all collections by designers were created painstakingly by hand. Many of the outfits, such as 3D items that are worn by the models can only be attached by hand, so what was presented on the runway cannot be worn again and again. With digital printing, the clothes in the collection can be worn in real life,” said John Herrera. “The collection I will be presenting will be impossible to create without the Epson digital textile printer. Without them I would have had to paint the designs myself and, with only a month to prepare, it could not have been done,” he added.

On his win at Britain’s Top Designer 2017 competition, he said, “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.”

John adopts a “no-waste, no plastic” approach and puts a lot of importance on reducing waste in his work. “With digital textile printing, we only use the exact volume of fabric. Instead of wasting five yards of fabric to do a lay out for a dress, we use only one and a half yards of digitally printed fabric. Digital textile printing significantly cuts fabric wastage. Faster, more intelligent, almost zero wastage - that’s what Epson brings to the table,” he said.

Epson’s digital textile printing technology is driven by the company’s Precision Core printhead technology, one of the fastest inkjet delivery technologies in the world. Its print nozzles deliver ultra-precise control of ink droplets for superior image sharpness across a wide range of ink and media producing outstandingly vivid and unique prints.

Digital printing shortens turnaround time and enables printing in small volumes for customised prints, compared to traditional printing techniques, which require high volumes and long lead times. As a result, digital printing helps designers such as John Herrera to achieve their artistic vision by translating their ideas to a range of fabrics quickly, easily and in the highest quality.

“Epson digital textile printing is inspiring more and more fashion designers to explore the creative and production potential that this technology enables. There is much potential in the region for digital textile technology to revolutionise the way designers work and create. With this, the designers are only limited by their imagination,” said Shuji Hamaguchi, Regional General Manager (SE Asia), Professional Printing Division, Epson Singapore.

“We would also like to congratulate John on his recent at Britain’s Top Designer competition. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support his achievement, and we hope that this inspires more fashion designers to make their vision into a reality,” he added.

Watch the John Herrera Collection preview in Manila.

Celebrities battled it out with #VivoPerfectSelfieCup for Habitat for Humanity

After the first ever #VivoPerfectSelfieCup, top five premium global smartphone brand Vivo1 fulfilled its promise: donating all proceeds of the promo (a total of Php 101,980) Habitat for Humanity Philippines, a non-profit housing organization tacking poverty by building and renovating homes for families in need.

(L-R) Vivo brand executives Charisma Buan and Christian Jocson, Vivo brand director Annie Lim, Habitat for Humanity partnership manager Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity individual giving manager, Rowena Kakilala and Vivo digital specialist Nelson Perez pose for a photo after Vivo gave its donation to Habitat for Humanity. 



Vivo brand director Annie Lim and Vivo brand executive Christian Jocson handed over the donation to Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity Philippines partnership manager, and Rowena Kakilala, Habitat for Humanity Philippines individual giving manager last March 22 at the non-profit organization’s headquarters in Makati City.

Also present in the event were Vivo brand executive Charisma Buan, Vivo digital specialist Nelson Perez,  Habitat for Humanity Philippines individual giving officer Tricia Abrigo and Habitat for Humanity Philippines direct marketing officer Mateo Bautista.

In the #VivoPerfectSelfieCup, celebrities battled it out with a goal of garnering the most number of likes for their perfect selfies.

Selfies of Yeng Constantino, Erich Gonzales, Jessy Mendiola, Enchong Dee, Andrea Brillantes, Jane Oineza, Sue Ramirez, Miles Ocampo, Maris Racal, and Loisa Andallo were posted in the Vivo Philippines Instagram account (@vivophil), captured with the brand’s newest flagship phone, the V5 Plus, equipped with the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera and the most advanced selfie technology to date.

Tricia Abrigo, Habitat individual giving officer, Annie Lim, Vivo brand director, Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity partnership manager, Mateo Bautista, Habitat for Humanity direct marketing officer, Christian Jocson, Vivo brand executive and Rowena Kakilala, Habitat for Humanity individual giving manager.


These selfless stars asked netizens to like their selfies on the Vivo Instagram page (@vivophil), with every vote equivalent to a one peso donation to Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Teen star Andrea Brillantes emerged as the Vivo Perfect Selfie cup winner, with a total of 18,848 likes.

Although only one star emerged as the triumphant #VivoPerfectSelfieCup victor, every like for each celebrity photo was converted into one peso, raising Php 101,980, all given to Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Annie Lim, Vivo Philippines brand director, expressed her gratitude to all the participants in the #VivoPerfectSelfieCup. “Vivo thanks everyone who joined our contest. Above all else, our brand always aims to help Filipinos have a better life and through participating, we gave hope to homeless families in the country,” she said.

Aside from the donation to Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Vivo also awarded brand new Vivo V5 Plus phones to ten lucky likers.

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit the Vivo website at vivo.com/ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts. #

1according to International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (http://www.idc.com/promo/smartphone-market-share/vendor;jsessionid=7595C1498F4F0FBF496CC767E273121B)

7, 641 islands without leaving the city

Craving for a taste of your favorite Filipino dishes but you’re stuck in the Metro? Worry not for this April, several hotels and restaurants are giving you the chance to savor the Flavors of the Philippines with special dishes that are available for this month.

Flavors of the Philippines 2017 is the third year of the month-long gastronomic celebration of Filipino cuisine mounted by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board.
Check out this list to not miss out on this special culinary experience.

Alta’s Spanish X Pinoy set menu

Enjoy the medley of the flavors of Spain and the Philippines at Alta in Bonifacio Global City with
their Spanish X Pinoy set menus until April 30. Choose which set to treat yourself with: Huevos X Kabute, Rabano X Pipino, Pulpo X Camote X Balatinao, and Totija X Pomelo X Cocoa.
Alta is at 2/F Ascott BGC, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Grace Park’s unique menu offerings
Sample your taste buds with the sumptuous delights of the Mediterranean with some helpings of chorizo in a blanket, spaghettini with gulas, sun-dried tomatoes, calamarata, or callos in a palayok at Grace Park. Wash down all these flavors and cleanse your palate with a complimentary glass of red wine, white sangria, or a bottle of San Miguel beer.

Visit Grace Park at G/L One Rockwell, Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City

Jamon Iberico at Lusso
Allow yourself to indulge after the Holy Week and devour the prized treasure of Spain—the Jamon Iberico. Pair this heavenly goodness with some baby olives, Lartizan baguette, or salad tomatoes. You can also try their Croqueta Bar and eat your heart out with bacalao, Jamon Serrano, and lechon.
Head to Lusso at Space 1-115B G/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Brgy. San Lorenzo, Makati City

Drinks at The Pantry

Taste the new cocktail menu during the Happy Hour at The Pantry which presents an ingenious fusion of traditional and innovative flavors using exclusive vintages and limited edition spirits and liquors combined with homemade cooked ingredients. But if you plan to stay sober, you can drink your way to a healthy lifestyle with flavored fruit and herb water concoctions like lemon & coriander, lime & orange, orange & mintleaf, malunggay & dalandan, and kiwi, lemon, & basil.

The Pantry is at the Dusit Thani Manila in Ayala Center, Makati City

Halo Halo smoothie and bibingka at Café Janealo

Your favorite summer treat just got a makeover at Café Janealo as an iced milk snack with sweetened fruits topped with the glorious ube, ice cream, rice krispies, and grated cheese. Pair this rich smoothie with a steaming serving of bibingka and merienda just couldn’t be more perfect.
Visit Café Janealo at 398 Cabildo Street corner Beaterio Street, Intramuros, Manila

The country’s flavors at Barbara’s

Dine at Barbara’s to taste a menu of sinaunang potaje inspired by the cuisine of the different regions in the Philippines such as Ilocos, the Tagalog, Bicol, Visayas, and Mindanao. Have it for lunch with a serenading trio or at dinner with a Filipiniana dance troupe performance.
Head to Barbara’s at Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila

Merienda Fiesta at MilkyWay Café

Here’s a reward for eating some of your Filipino favorites. For every order of pancit luglug and tokwa’t baboy combination at Milkyway, you’ll get a scoop of Milky Way ice cream in avocado, cheese, or ube.

MilkyWay Café is at the 2nd Floor of the Milkyway Building in Arnaiz Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

Ilustrado’s Inaugural Feast
Savor culinary masterpieces that showcase the Malolos heritage cuisine and a fusion of Filipino and international recipes prepared by the hotel’s master chefs.

Visit Ilustrado Restaurant and Café at 744 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila

Bistro Trasierra’s Fiesta sa Amin

Experience a culinary feast featuring some Filipino home-cooked dishes from the different regions of the Philippines. Allow your mouth to enjoy a party of rich flavors with food Filipinos love to eat for almusal, tanghalian, merienda, and hapunan.
Bistro Trasierra is at the AIM Conference Center Manila in Benavidez Street corner Trasierra Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City

Seafood of the Philippines at Mama Rosa
Taste our seas bountiful natural resources with authentic Filipino dishes in Mama Rosa’s scrumptious menu of appetizers, main course, vegetables, pasta and noodles, and rice. Help yourself with some servings of kinilaw na isda, halaan soup, sinaing na tulingan, tuna adobado, seafood habhab, and pakbet—perfect for when you’re extending your Lenten diet.
Mama Rosa Filipino Restaurant and Deli is at 9 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Merienda Buffet at Seda
Have your fill of your merienda favorites in a modern Filipino twist with extraordinary taste and creative presentations in this festive buffet. From mini sandwiches and pastries, pancit bihon and palabok, champorado and arroz caldo, a variety of kakanin, fusion pizzas, to halo-halo and more desserts, it’s a carnival of flavors that will definitely make up a delightful afternoon.

Head to Seda at 30th Street corner 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Taste Luzon at Café Ilang-Ilang
Take a trip to the gastronomic spots of Luzon in this rollercoaster ride of dishes from Café Ilang-Ilang. Eat your way through the island with famous authentic Filipino recipes Bulacan’s rellenong manok, Ilocos’ poqui-poqui, Isabela’s pancit Cabagan, Quezon’s hardinerang baka, and Tuguegarao’s pancit batil-patong to name a few. Satisfy your sweet tooth and indulge into some desserts to cap your filling meal like maruya, ginataang halo-halo, minukmok, yema, tocino del cielo, and balinsasayaw.
Café Ilang-Ilang is at The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila

Flavors of the Philippines 2017 is a nationwide culinary festival wherein different regions and provinces will showcase their unique cuisines through various events ranging from food tastings, specials meals and buffets, to community-wide fiestas, bazaars, and fairs. 

It is the local component of Madrid Fusion Manila, Spain’s famed culinary event and leading international gathering which brings elite international chefs and food experts in one venue to discuss evolution of tastes, trends in food, and food habits.

Treat your kids to a #PrimeSummer experience with easy-to-prepare refreshments!

Summer has always been the perfect season for the ultimate family bonding experience, especially since the kids are on vacation. While you may plan and do a lot of summer activities, there are some activities at home, which can let you have a #PrimeSummer experience.

One of the activities that your kids will surely enjoy is to let them help you in preparing some fun and exciting summer refreshments. It allows them to learn new stuff while satisfying your family's craving for cool drinks and snacks, as a way to beat the summer heat.

Here are two must-try goodies that you can make using #MegaPrime Whole Kernel Corn and Cream Style Corn.  


Mega Prime Corn Ice Pops.

 If there is one thing that kids and the kids-at-heart will truly enjoy this summer, it’s the delectable corn ice-pops. These refreshments are easy to make, especially with the easy to-open Mega Prime Cream Style Corn.

What you need to prepare:  ¼ cup water 1 pack plain gelatin ½ cup condensed milk ½ cup coconut cream 1 can 425g cream style corn   5 easy steps to follow: 

 1. In a pot, pour ¼ cup of water and one pack of plain gelatin. Mix well until the gelatin granules are dissolved. 2. Heat the dissolved gelatin mixture and pour in the rest of the ingredients: ½ cup condensed milk, ½ cup coconut cream and 1 can 425g Mega Prime Cream Style Corn. Make sure that you and your kids wear pot gloves or use pot holders for safety purposes. 3. Mix well and let it simmer.    4. Remove pot from the stove and let it cool.  5. Pour mixture into ice pops maker and chill overnight. 

Mega Prime Sweet Corn Smoothies Summer and smoothies are a match made in heaven. These smooth blends not only quench our thirst, they are also comfort food for some people. So, if you want to treat your family with an easy-to-prepare and satisfying homemade smoothy, with an exciting twist of corn kernels, here’s how to prepare this:

What you need to prepare:  1 can Mega Prime Cream Style Corn 1 can Mega Prime Whole Kernel Corn ½ cup fresh milk ¼ cup plain yogurt 2 tbsps. sugar 2 tbsps. honey 3 cups crushed ice 

Three simple steps to follow: 1. In a blender, add all the ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy. 2. Pour into a glass or tumbler and sprinkle Mega Prime Corn Kernel on top. 3. Serve immediately. 

These exciting summer coolers are made one-step easier with Mega Prime Whole Kernel and Cream-style Corn, in 425-kg easy-open cans. It is an ideal partner for moms to create refreshing recipes and still have enough bonding time with their loved ones this vacation season, so that families can enjoy a #PrimeSummer!

Mega Prime is a complete array of high quality products that are bursting with freshness. Aside from canned corn, Mega Prime also has canned green peas and mushrooms that can turn the simplest of recipes to hearty, delicious and delectable meals for the entire family.

To learn more about Mega Prime, visit their website at http://megaglobal.com.ph/megaprimequality/. Facebook and Instagram: Mega Prime Quality 

Welcome to Moe's Southwest Grill in Uptown Mall, BGC

Moe's Mexican Pizza

When you are craving for tex-mex food this summer. Think Nachos, Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas, Pizza, Stacks, Chipotle, Salads and Sauces to partner with everything in their menu. Satisfy your craving with the Most Popular Mexican Restaurant in the US by visiting its first branch in Uptown BGC.

Yes, Moe's Southwest Grill is right here in Manila!

I got an invite to try out Moe's Tex-Mex food last April 6 at Uptown BGC.

Who is Moe and why Moe's?

Moe is an acronym for Musicians, Outlaws, and Entertainers. It is located on the 3rd level of Uptown Mall in BGC. The place has a nice interiors with Mexican upbeat vibe to it. Not to mention,  the food is deliciously affordable.

Since Nachos is one of my comfort food. I ordered it together with Moe's famous quezo, Chicken stacks and Chicken Chipotle. Too bad, chicken chipotle was not available during that day.

Chicken Stacks

I love that they have come up with sauces to partner your nachos, buritos, tacos and pizza. I swear Moe's famous quezo is addicting and good to partner with almost anything in the menu. Its a pick-me-upper kind of cheese sauce. I love how creamy it is and not salty. Its my personal favorite sauce from their menu.

There are combo meals in the menu like  (think tacos + burritos+ nachos), solo orders of chicken and  pork dishes,  pizzas, enchiladas.

If you’re craving for tacos, here are Moe's delicious choices: 2 Bundle Taco Rockin Combo, Chicken Taco + Chili Con Carne and Chicken Taco + Quesadilla.

 For Burrito lovers! Grab Moe’s Burrito + Nachos Rockin’ Combo, Burrito + Quesadilla or the Burrito + Taco. These combos also come with free chips, salsa and garlic sauce.

Chicken Chipotle

Pork BBQ Ribs Chipotle

Pork Belly Chipotle

Then there are Solo Meals that include the perfectly grilled Chipotle Lime Chicken marinated in chipotle chili, lime juice, garlic and cilantro;  the luscious Pork Belly;  and the fork tender Pork BBQ Ribs. Remember, Moe’s completes these solo feasts with Southwest Rice and Roasted Corn Pico de Gallo.

Chicken Stacks

Expect only honestly good food made with quality ingredients. And guests can now enjoy all these dishes in a full service, casual dining concept.  No more queues while ordering at the counter. Choose your table, sit and relax while you’re food is being prepared. Then,  your  order will be served stamped with the signature The Bistro Group kind of service-  friendly and efficient.

Snacks with that Southwestern flavor are also yours to savor. Imagine ground beef, pico de gallo, grilled bell peppers, grilled onions, queso sauce, colby cheese and mozzarella cheese on a crispy flour tortilla... It’s Moe’s Mexican Pizza.

Just when you thought you’ve tried everything,  there’s the Enchilada stuffed with grilled onions, bell peppers and ground beef then covered with hot enchilada sauce plus the signature queso. Every bite is also perfect buddy with a bottle (or two!) of cerveza.

What’s more! You can now use your Bistro BFF Card for great discounts and privileges.  Enjoy automatic 30% off  your total bill every Monday, 20% discount Tuesday to Sunday, coffee or hot tea  with an entrée purchase, vouchers and birthday discount! That’s a whole new dining experience right there!

So, get your family and friends ready, have your BFF card handy and meet up at Moe’s Southwestern Grill where big, bold, rich and zesty flavours come together to give you a dining experience that rocks as hard as you roll!

Host a party that’s sure to be the talk of the town with #MoesPH party takeaways for 20 persons!

Enjoy free delivery to Uptown office towers and Uptown Parade, and minimum delivery fees around Bonifacio Global City. For inquiries, please contact  805.2246, 0916.239.2048 or visit store at 4/F Uptown Mall.

Moe’s is located at the 3rd level, Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City (tel numbers : 805-2246; 09162392048); FB- Moe’s Philippines; IG-moesphilippines.