The must have card for the PRO Makeup Maven

I first learned how to do my own make up when I started working at a hospital. 

Hospitals aren't exactly known for being a happy place and I'm pretty sure its the last thing you'd want to be in (unless of course you are having a baby)

Somehow you get a sense of gloom from all the pale and sickly patients waiting for their turn to talk to their doctors. 

SM Beauty Section

Lifestyle Blogger Martin Andrade and SM Top Makeup Artist/Influencer Jigs Mayuga

I was assigned at the admitting section then, and I would always put on a red lipstick--make that a shiny bright red lipstick--Think MAC Russian Red. A swipe of NARS Orgasm on my cheeks, and a Maybelline mascara to wake up my tired eyes. 

I didn't do it on purpose at first, but when I started getting compliments from the doctors and even from the sick patients, I knew that my red lips somehow kinda lifted their spirits and put a smile on their faces.

Back then i could only afford drugstore makeups and it was my sister who introduced me to high end makeups like  MAC make up palette and lipsticks, CLINIQUE Black Honey lipstick when she got me some as a pasalubong.  

As the years went by, my knowledge and fascination for makeup grew, and I started to collect at least one piece from my favorite brands. I spent more time in the beauty section carefully studying each item and soon I discovered affordable and quality drugstore makeup finds like NYX, BYS, Pixi, Sleek and OFRA lipsticks. 

Now the good thing is that I dont have to buy them from different stores or order them online or from friends abroad as I used to before, all thanks to the renovation of the SM Makati Beauty section. 

The entire section was given a facelift and its become a destination of sorts for women who are looking for the latest in makeup from the most affordable to high end brands such as like MAC, Clinique, DIOR and (my favorite skincare brand!) Kiehls.

The SM Store Beauty has become my one-stop beauty department store and since there is also a Watsons store where I buy my vitamins like Berocca, Fern-C, and Cosmoskin glutathione, i dont have to go anywhere else.

Recently I discovered that I wasnt the only one fascinated by the sheer number of brands at the Sm Beauty store. It seems even the most popular celebrity stylists also choose SM for all their makeup needs.

I got to meet some of my favorites such as Jigs Mayuga, Jing Monis, Gela Laurel,  Bambbi Fuentes as SM launched the SM PRO CARD thru SM Beauty Glam Session.

Gela Laurel-Stehmeier

Model Irina Zinchenko, Make Up Artist ... Nubla, Sandra Ma and Zidjian Floro

The first SM PRO CARD is a discount card for makeup artists which entitles them to a 10% discount for purchases at the SM Beauty Section.

Glam Session Host Shamcee Supsup

The launch was attended by the Top Makeup Artists, celebrities, beauty bloggers and hosted by Ms. Bianca Valero and Shamcee Supsup.

Makeup artists know where to go when they need something for their clients and that’s The SM Store Beauty Section, the Philippines’ biggest beauty retailer. From the dazzling interiors to the sheer amount of global brands at your fingertips, SM Beauty lives up to its status as a haven for women longing for a unique beauty experience.

For 2017, makeup artists took part in a fabulous Glam Session at the SM Beauty Section of SM Makati. Guests got a peek of what’s hot right now and what to look forward to in the coming seasons in terms of makeup. Over 200 of the best makeup artists in the Philippines were in attendance during the event, which also served as a shopping party for them.

SM Beauty Glam Session was more than an event filled with beauty and glamor. It celebrated the long and solid relationship and association between SM Beauty and these makeup artists. Each makeup artist present during the event received an SM Beauty PRO-Card, which entitles him or her to a 10% discount for purchases at the SM Beauty Section. Further, the PRO-Card holders enjoy perks from the store, such as first dibs on new collections and exclusive invite to events.

Alexa Ilacad

The SM Store Beauty Section is the biggest beauty store in country offering “So Much Beauty” with the widest range of cosmetics and fragrance products in the country. The flagship store in SM Makati spans almost 2,500 square meters, housing almost 200 of the most esteemed local and global beauty brands.

The Cosmetics and Skin section are aglow with brands like Dior, MAC, Clinique, Aveda, Kiehl's, Glamglow and so much more. The luxury fragrance line up boasts of Prada, Nest, Lalique, Atelier Colognes, Thiery Mugler, Guerlain & Jean Patou among others. At SM Beauty, you can also find your favorite masstige brands, including BYS, Happy Skin, Pixi, Ofra, K-Palette, Nyx, The Body Shop and more.

Explore the world at SM Beauty, which offers the best of the best from makeup to skin care to fragrance brands. Play with textures and colors as you find your perfect look.

SM Advantage, Prestige and BDO Rewards Card holders also get exclusive discounts and promos at the The SM Store Beauty Section.






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SM Beauty Glam Session was co presented by BYS Cosmetics. Other brand sponsors include LA Girl, Max Factor, Covergirl, Maybelline, NYX, Features & Shades, Happy Skin, Burts Bees, Hask, Real Techniques, Eco Tools, Watsons, Purederm and Miine. The event was also presented by Guerlain, Elizabeth Arden and Shiseido.

Follow SM Beauty on www.facebook.com/smbeautyph and @smbeautyph on Instagram.

#SMBeautyPROCard

Market Basket Alabang: The Modern take on Dampa dining

If you are living down south of Manila and have this craving for fresh seafood "paluto dampa" style, you don’t need to brave the SLEX traffic to get to the bayside restaurants. All you need to do is take a short trip to the Riverside Park? of the Festival mall and check out Market Basket.

Market Basket takes the paluto concept up a notch providing you the freshest catch from the sea, but with the ambiance and setup of a casual dining restaurant.

Market Basket serves fresh fish (tuna and salmon), fresh crabs, shellfish and other seafood—plus their sizzling lechon sisig is just amazing!

Market Basket only uses fresh ingredients to satisfy your paluto with their signature filipino dishes whipped by their resident Chefs headed by the owner's daughter Chef Jinelle Juson and her assistant Chef Arnel Arjona.

 Chef Jinelle Juson and Chef Arnel Arjona

Market Basket is located at River Park at Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa. 

You have to choose over the fish seafood counter downstairs and have it cooked according to your liking.  I love how fresh everything is including the "lato", The last time I ate "lato" was 5 years ago.

All ingredients, from vegetables to seafood to meat, are sourced from farms around Manila, so customers can be assured of freshness.

Lato and tomatoes

Market Basket is a restaurant offering modern takes on traditional Filipino food. I love how homey the interiors inside with the shabby chic feels to it.

Located at River Park at Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, one of the hottest dining clusters in the South, the restaurant concept marries together the freshest produce from farms around Manila, the sophistication of European food, and Filipino favorites.

We were seated upstairs with the nice view overlooking the river. It was relaxing and you got the "probinsya" feels to it. No to mention that I love their food. If you are watching your diet, you can order the Pomelo salad or Fruits and Nuts salad. (My favorites!)These are sooooo good and delicious without the guilt.

It was indeed a cheat day for me.  I never had anything after the sumptuous lunch.

We had "Sinigang na Ulo at Belly ng Salmon" for our soup.

We were served Fish Ceviche, Crispy parmesan tacos, and sizzling lechon kawali sisig for our Appetizer.

For the mains, we had Seafood Hotpot, Prawn Thermidore, Chili Crab, Steak and Shrimp, Mussels Mariniere, and Sweet Lapu Lapu. 

Pomelo Salad

Fruits and Nuts Salad

Tinapa Rice

Crispy Parmesan Tacos

Fish Ceviche

Chili Crab

Shrimp and Steak

Sweet Lapu Lapu

Market Basket also takes pride on their desserts. If you're craving for cheesecakes and smores. You should definitely include those on your visit.

Smores and cheesecakes!

Sizzling Fruit and Ice Cream

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

Plus they are serving cocktails anytime of the day! You can choose from Sangria to Pinacolada.

Cocktails!

Market Basket is best known for its seafood dishes. Specialties include their Sinigang na Ulo at Tiyan ng Salmon, their Fish Ceviche, Kinilaw na Tanigue with Lato, and grilled seafood dishes. However, the restaurant doesn’t only limit itself to Filipino food. Executive Chef Mauro Arjona, Jr., with his training under Chef Billy King of Le Soufflé fame, also dishes out takes on European classics such as Prawn Thermidore and Steak and Shrimp, the restaurant’s version of Surf and Turf.



Market Basket is part of the Chef’s Quarter Group, one of the most successful restaurant groups in the country. Owned by another Le Soufflé alum Larry Cortez, the Chef’s Quarter Group also boasts of restaurants such as Chef’s Quarter, Old Vine, Uncle Cheffy, Chef’s Barrel, and Kusé.

Starbucks Philippines supports PETA's annual Summer Workshop

This summer many kids are taking time off from school, and it’s the perfect time to take up a new hobby and hone their talents further. Countless workshops are popping left and right, from cooking to dancing. Kids nowadays can spend some time to pursue their passion and develop their skills. One of the most popular workshops this time of the year are theater workshops which allow kids to discover their unique and creative talents. Not only that, children who enroll in a program like this also get to learn more about our rich culture and artistic heritage.

This year, PETA brings its annual Summer Workshop to more Filipinos as part of its celebration of the company's 50th anniversary. The workshops will be conducted in various satellite venues in the cities of: Makati, Quezon, Angeles and Tacloban. Recognizing the vital role of theater arts in communicating our identity and our highest ideals, Starbucks Philippines supports this program aimed to shape a new generation of artists.

“Starbucks believes in supporting organizations that create opportunities and promote positive change. Since 2015, we have partnered with the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA) as one of the beneficiaries of our planner promotion. We are inspired by their use of theater to raise awareness of important social issues while nurturing the creativity of Filipinos.” said Noey Lopez, president, Starbucks Philippines.

PETA's Summer Workshop started last April 17 and will run until May 28. Courses include Children's Theater, Integrated Theater Arts for Teens, Theater Arts and Creative Musical Theater. In its classes, PETA uses the Integrated Theater Arts approach, a method that PETA has developed since the 70’s. This method uses group dynamics, drama, creative dance and movement, creative sound and music, visual arts, and creative writing and is the company's main foundation for all the trainings it provides.

Children from ages 6 to 8 and older kids from ages 9 to 12 can enroll in the Children's Theater courses that aim to enrich the child's creativity and imagination. Teenagers aged 13 to 16 will benefit from the Integrated Theater Arts for Teens. As they learn to work in a team, they discover their talents and their self-confidence and communication skills are enhanced.

For aspiring actors aged 18 and up, the Theater Arts course gives fundamental knowledge of theater history and appreciation and skills in improvisational theater production. Meanwhile, the Creative Musical Theater course gives students the opportunity to learn more about the fundamentals of musical theater. The program provides comprehensive training that is aimed at enhancing the enrollee's musical theater skills.

The highlight of the course is a final recital: an original work created by each class whose participants get to perform on the PETA - Phinma stage.

"For the past 50 years, PETA has provided Filipinos with meaningful entertainment through theater productions, but aside from that we have also provided much needed theater arts education for the youth. This summer workshop is aimed at unleashing and nurturing the creativity of young people and adults through a unique and holistic process which allows them to shine whether on or off stage," says PETA curriculum director Dr Brenda V. Fajardo.

Starbucks Philippines and PETA have been working together since 2015 to advance the theater community in the country. Starbucks has primarily done this by sharing a part of the proceeds from its planner promotion.

To join the PETA Summer Workshop, visit their website at www.petatheater.com

B Hotel QC: A Concept Whose Time Has Come

Find a most unusual look and design for a hotel at the newly opened B Hotel QC. The mid-scale businessman’s hotel lodged at 14 Scout Rallos St. possesses its own brand of style and gloss that one must see to appreciate.

Stark and Bold
Credit goes to the fast-forward thinking of B Hotel’s managing director Ryan Chan who approved the architectural and interior design proposal of multi-awarded architect Edward Co Tan for the hotel.

 “We wanted something different for the aesthetics of our new branch.  The hotel’s distinctly rugged texture will surely be a welcome change for businessmen and the locals,” Mr. Chan said.

 The main concept behind B Hotel QC was based on “Brutalism,” a profound movement in architecture—a modernist style prominent from the 1950s through the 70s.  Monolithic, geometric sometimes jarring, blocky in appearance, fortress-like—these mostly describe this concrete-based style of architectural design.  The Cultural Center of the Philippines and the PICC (or the Philippine International Convention Center), both designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, are perfect examples.  Essentially, brutalist architecture is a no-nonsense style—plain, no mystery, no romanticism.

At B Hotel QC, one will get to see walls of fair-faced concrete, cogwheels at the elevator lobby, and signage made of raw black iron sheets with allen bolts.  Modern furniture, the use of wood and glass complements, carpets of striking colors and patterns, and red-painted walls, however, add a touch of warmth and buoyancy.

The Unbeaten Path
Notwithstanding the hotel’s distinctive ambiance brought about by its extraordinary interiors, the 11-storey B Hotel has a lot of things going for it.  Its location, for one, is very advantageous as it brings one ever closer to his favorite shopping malls, restaurants and coffee shops in Quezon City as well as transit stations for traveling outside the city.

 Local businessmen and traveling executives as well as so-called “weekender tourists” (people living nearby and in adjoining cities that are always on the lookout for their next staycation) welcome the opening of the mid-scale hotel.

After-Hour Convenience

B Hotel QC has a complete roster of in-house amenities:  An al fresco lap pool with a stunning view of the North Metro, a refined ballroom with a 200-seating capacity, and the Jing Monis salon, the newest branch of the sought-after beauty stylist, can all be found at the third floor. Fitness buffs can get their workout fix at the modern, fully-equipped gym at the fifth floor.

Entering through the main entrance, one can immediately see the options for quenching one’s thirst or hunger: The Lobby Café for a taste of the hotel’s creative take on cuisines, the Pastry Corner where one can indulge in decadent sweets, or the Mezzanine Bar for unwinding with friends or associates.

The Business Center has two function rooms for private group meetings.  Shuttle service to the airport is available as well as car rentals.  For guests with cars, parking will not be a problem as two levels of the basement are allotted for the purpose.

Guests’ safety and well-being is assured with CCTV; every care has been taken to ensure that there are no blind spots on the property.  Security personnel are top-notch yet discreet.

Beyond the Basics
B Hotel’s managing director Ryan Chan believes that a great business hotel should go beyond the basics. “We believe that focus on guest experience and satisfaction is the new business amenity.”

The measure of an outstanding hotel experience dwells not only in the appreciation of its outward beauty, but in its brand of personalized service.  Mr. Chan assures the entire family of B Hotel QC is dedicated to "raise the brand's commitment-to-value to a new level."  The entire staff of B Hotel QC is dedicated in providing guests the ultimate living experience through sincere personal attention to their needs and expectations.

The new B Hotel QC is predicted to create a great impact in the hospitality world. For more information, call the B Hotel Q.C. at tel. no. 990-5000.

5th UPAA Carillon Concert – Musikalikasan features UP Concert Chorus

The UPAA Board of Directors, in partnership with the Alpha Phi Beta Chancery, is presenting the 5th UPAA Carillon Concert – Musikalikasan – featuring the internationally acclaimed UP Concert Chorus, on Friday, May 5, 2017, 6:30 p.m., at the UP Carillon Plaza, in UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The UP Concert Chorus (“Korus”) took home the Grand Prix at the 6th International Krakow Choir Festival in Poland in June 2015. In 2012, they won First Prize in the Folk Category at the Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros in Catalonia, Spain, and the Gold Diploma and Audience Prize at the 9th Cantemus International Festival in Hungary. For these, Korus was accorded the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Aliw Awards Foundation; PARI Awit Achievement Award, and the 2013 and 2016 Ani ng Dangal Award by the NCCA. Musikalikasan, a tribute to the Green Movement, will be their farewell performance before embarking on yet another international concert tour.

Staged free for the UP Community and all music-lovers, the UPAA Carillon Concert Series, which features award-winning UP artists, aims to heighten awareness for the UP Carillon and its maintenance and conservation needs. Its ringing “voice” constantly resounds to remind us of our responsibility.

We look forward to the pleasure of your company at the Carillon Plaza!

Enjoy 70% off on Estancia Summer Sale

Estancia at Capitol Commons is having a Summer Sale from April 28-30! Enjoy 70% off on your favorite selected items from participating stores. 

Plus, get a chance to win a staycation at El Nido Resorts.

Contest Mechanics:

Get one raffle entry for every php2000 single-receipt purchase from April 28-30 from participating stores and restaurants.