Ayala Land, Inc. partners with The Walt Disney PH in bringing a magical holiday through "Reimagine The Magic: A Festival of Lights"

If youre a fan of Disney's soundtrack such as “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Let It Go”. Then youre in the right track as Ayala Land partners with The Walt Disney Company, Philippines in giving you the best light show this holiday season. All the kids and the kids-at-heart will surely love “Reimagine The Magic: A Festival of Lights ” in all Ayala Malls. Go check them out.


Christmas celebrations in the Philippines are filled with traditions and a visit to Ayala Land’s Festival of Lights is among those that Filipinos have come to love. Now on its 10th year of lighting up the Philippines, Ayala Land, Inc. teams up with The Walt Disney Company, Philippines, in bringing a magical holiday to remember through “Reimagine The Magic: A Festival of Lights.” 

The magic of Disney is reimagined in this year’s light show featuring well-loved Disney soundtracks such as “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Let It Go” in orchestral rendition arranged by the seasoned composer and former musical director of Hong Kong Disneyland, Mr. Rony Fortich. The medley is complemented by the spectacular lighting effects once again by Mr. Voltaire de Jesus.

Senior Vice President of Ayala Land Meean B. Dy shares, “The whole country is always at its most festive this time of year and we at Ayala Land continue to find ways to elevate our customers’ holiday experience. The partnership with Disney comes at a most momentous time for us as we celebrate our 30th year as a company and the 10th year of the Festival of Lights. Disney’s music and stories span generations and there is no better soundtrack to define the well-loved traditions that mark the Filipino holidays and Ayala Land’s commitment to nurturing vibrant communities.”

“It truly excites us at Disney Philippines to kick-off the Christmas celebrations in the country through this collaboration with Ayala Land. Being able to reimagine the annual Ayala Land Festival of Lights with Disney’s brand of world-class entertainment is truly a great experience,” shares the Country Head of The Walt Disney Company, Philippines, Veronica Cabalinan. “By weaving our well-loved soundtracks to Ayala Land’s festivities, we hope to bring magical moments to families and Disney fans of all ages. This forms part of our commitment to build lasting memories and powerful connections with Filipinos.”

Reimagine The Magic: A Festival of Lights will be present in six Ayala Land estates all over the country starting on these dates:
• November 9 – Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati
• November 9 – Ayala Malls Centrio, Cagayan de Oro
• November 10 - Ayala Center Cebu
• November 15 – Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City
• November 24 – Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
• November 29 – Vertis North, Quezon City

“We reaffirm our commitment to further evolve and innovate through meaningful experiences and traditions. This is our way of giving back to the community and co-creating the future with our customers,” said Meean Dy. 
 
The 10th Ayala Land Festival of Lights is made possible through collaborations with Master Card, HSBC, SunLife, and Globe Telecom.

To know more about the Festival of Lights, visit the website of Ayala Land at www.ayalaland.com.ph or follow the Facebook accounts of Ayala Land and each of the estates (Make It Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Nuvali, Vertis North, Ayala Center Cebu, and Ayala Malls Centrio) for more updates. Use the hashtag #ReimagineTheMagic to share your magical experiences on social media.

Try U.S. Dehy on your next dish

Prior to writing this article, the only potato products I purchase at the supermarket are the fresh potatoes (usually Russets), the frozen variety (straight cut, hash browns, and the like) and potato chips (yep, I have cravings from time to time!).

Turns out, there is another potato product that I initially thought was just an “instant mix”, but it’s not, it’s actual real potatoes.

I’m talking about U.S. Dehydrated Potatoes or U.S. Dehy. It is a true blue U.S. product made of premium potatoes!

U.S. Dehy are typically made from creamy white-fleshed Russet potatoes that undergo an advanced process to create premium dehydrated potato products. The plants in which U.S. potatoes become dehydrated products utilize state-of-the-art technology so that the rehydrated product retains the texture and flavor of fresh natural potatoes.

Choosing U.S. Dehy saves you time, money and storage. You don’t need to wash, peel and boil them! With U.S. Dehy, you get a versatile ingredient at your fingertips with minimum preparation. This convenient ingredient is easy to store and ready for use at any time of the day.



Instead of a bulky sack, your kitchen space will be taken up by just a box. You can pull the product out and use the desired amount easily. What’s even more convenient is that it has a longer shelf life, and you can stock it for up to two years.

They can be used right out of the package, or quickly rehydrated in recipes. It’s so versatile that you can even use it as a blank canvas for innovative meals.

There’s also more value for money when you use U.S. dehy. One kilo rehydrates to as much as five kilos, giving you a larger yield for less!

But don’t let that intimidate you, just because you’re not familiar with it, doesn’t mean it’s difficult to use. Quite the contrary, really!

The product has such a great number of applications that you will want to explore it and try it on your own recipes. As a first step, you can use them for different flavored mashed potatoes. Use various cheeses, seasonings and spices.

You can also try U.S. dehy for creamier soups, sauces and stews. Potato chowder, whether with clams or bacon, makes for a great, filling soup on a rainy day. U.S. dehy can also be used in breads, cakes, pastries and even native delicacies like Halaya!

I can’t wait to get my hands on U.S. Dehy. Imagine the possibilities… from savory dishes to desserts? The potato recipe option are endless!
Here’s one I’m planning to try this weekend. I’ll use rehydrated U.S. Dehy instead of Russet potatoes.

Mashed Potato Fries
https://www.potatogoodness.com/recipes/mashed-potato-fries/



Interested in U.S. dehy? Contact your local Potatoes USA-Philippines office at +632.534.8534 / info@synergyasia.biz.



For more information on US potatoes, visit www.potatogoodness.com or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/.

The Blend is the Magic as Starbucks celebrates Christmas Traditions

Christmas begins with the Starbucks year ending treat. The kid in me is always looking forward to what christmas drinks they are about to offer. The aroma alone reminds me of childhood with my kids, parents and siblings. And what is christmas without their much awaited planner? they match it up with a travel organizer. That you can bring with you everywhere you go to document/scribble your trips in and out of the country.

Its always a delight spending and feeling christmassy with Starbucks all over again as they celebrate the holidays in style and traditions with their newest beverage and food offerings.

This time around they celebrate the magic of the christmas season with nostalgic traditions at the SM Moa Music Hall last Oct. 27.

Every year, we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with our own unique traditions that complete our holiday experience – singing carols and playing Christmas tunes, decorating our homes with the brightest lights and the biggest trees, just to name a few. These traditions spent with loved ones become our most cherished memories and heighten our anticipation for the season.

At Starbucks, welcoming the season with delicious beverages that deliver the holiday cheer in each sip has become the tradition. But beyond these cozy cups, it brews something even more heartwarming. This year at Starbucks, the blend is the magic - it’s where all the things we love about the season come together to make our Christmas experiences extra special.

Starbucks hosted a grand Christmas launch with a magical blend of nostalgic traditions, merry activities, and festive food at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. Two giant nutcrackers stood at the lighted entrance of the enchanting Christmas world and as guests stepped into the village, they were welcomed by a massive Christmas tree made with Red Cups and adorable Starbucks Bearista Bears, as well as a Starbucks Express train that circled around the Christmas village.

Guests further exploring the village discovered that it was brimming with exciting stations including a charming gingerbread house where they tasted the latest Starbucks offerings and saw the newest Christmas merchandise on display. There was also a larger-than-life Red Cup installation where guests scribbled their pledges to spread cheer and goodwill for the holidays. To capture their magical holiday memories, there was a cool Snow Globe 360º photo booth that had a magical virtual snow effect.

Cheer and laughter were in the air as guests participated in the fun games at the venue such as the ‘Starbucks Christmas Traditions’ game where they matched life-size Starbucks planner stickers and the ‘Snowy Cranberry’ game where they tossed toppings on the giant Snowy Cranberry Drinks. And it wouldn’t be Christmas without the traditional caroling which was held at the ‘Christ-Must Carol’ game station. Guests even got a chance to see Santa himself inside his cozy home and shared their Christmas wishes through his Mailbox.

Sips of Cheer
In the spirit of Christmas traditions, Starbucks is serving up delightful beverages for the season such as returning favorites; Toffee Nut Crunch Latte and Peppermint Mocha. Customers can enjoy comforting sips of sweet and buttery toffee nut flavors with the Toffee Nut Crunch Latte or delight in the festive chocolate and peppermint flavors of the Peppermint Mocha. All Starbucks Christmas beverages will be available in hot, iced and blended format.

Starbucks is also introducing their newest holiday treat - the Snowy Cranberry White Mocha, a delectable blend of roasty espresso, velvety steamed milk, toasty white chocolate sauce topped with whipped cream and cranberry sugar sprinkles.

For those looking to brew the familiar Christmas flavors from their homes, Starbucks is bringing back the Starbucks Christmas Blend and Starbucks Christmas Blend Espresso Roast. The Christmas Blend has expertly roasted and blended aged Sumatra beans and lively Latin American coffees that make for a sweet cup balanced with its cedary spiced layers while the Christmas Blend Espresso Roast is customized for espresso with a deeper sweetness and a hearty spiciness.

Festive Eats
Start your days merry with treats that go perfectly with the Starbucks holiday beverages, like the light and fluffy Almond Matcha Doughnut with its white chocolate matcha glaze and almond slivers, the soft Choco Peanut Butter Bun filled topped with crushed roasted peanuts and a chocolate and peanut butter drizzle, and the buttery and flaky Baked Cheese Tart with a cream cheese filling and a sugar glaze drizzle. Another breakfast delight for those on the go is the rich and creamy Cereal Milk Pudding topped with cereal flakes which comes in mini cups.

Those looking for meatier pairings can delight in the mouth-watering Mexican-style Chicken Fajita Roll which makes a special return this year, the Cranberry Pistachio Turkey Flatbread loaded with chicken, turkey sausage, spinach and cheese, and the Baked Burrito filled with savory Mexican flavor rice.

In this season of family reunions and Christmas parties, Starbucks offers delectable treats for sharing at gatherings. Chocolate-loving guests will enjoy returning favorites like the seventeen-layer Chocolate Crepe Cake with Belgian chocolate cream filling and the moist Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf along with new offerings like the Chocolate Oat Cheesecake made with layers of dark chocolate, milk chocolate and vanilla white cheesecake on a chocolate oat crust and Christmas Barks with a combination of dark, milk and white chocolate barks with cranberries, strawberries and pistachio.

Another sumptuous dessert is the chiffon-light Vanilla Blueberry Cake finished with milky cream frosting and blueberry cookie crumble. Customers can also share some holiday cookies like the Choco Chip Overload Cookies with milk and dark chocolate chunks and chips and decadent Chocolate Cracked Cookies covered in confectioner’s sugar.

Starbucks Cards
Gift giving is made easy with the Starbucks Holiday Gift Card Collection, a series of cards depicting lovely Christmas moments to spread the joy of the festive season. These cards are the Snowman card, the Holiday Tree card, and the Maligayang Pasko card for a P300 activation.

This Christmas, the blend is the magic at Starbucks - a blend of cheerful music, décor and service to inspire moments of connection, a blend of styles, cultures and traditions to bring the common joy of the season, and a blend of espresso, flavor, care and attention in each cup to deliver a holiday moment just for you.

Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway SPF 50+ Review

Protecting skin against UV damage is a year-round commitment. Regardless of the weather we have,  we should always wear sunscreen before leaving the house.

Incidental sun exposure,   that infrared from your laptop or computer screen, and your phone screen. Those has a cumulative effect that results in fine lines, sagging skin and worst skin cancer.

That's why I always have my favorite sunscreen with me. Rain or shine, a sunscreen is a must have whether Im in or out of the house.  If you’ve already got a favorite moisturizer like I do, try layering that with a blot powder or mix it with your liquid foundation.  It work wonders to your skin. Just remember to re-apply when youre out in the sun.

 5 Reasons Why You Should Wear A Sunscreen

1. It shields you from harmful UV Rays
Applying sunscreen actually blocks these harmful rays from penetrating the skin and triggering skin cancer.

2 . You can layer it with your favorite foundation
What I do is that I always mix my Petal Velvet Sunaway sunscreen with my favorite oil-free liquid foundation. Perfect partner for our kind of weather. It smoothens fine lines too

3.  Prevents Premature Aging
This is the time to start using sunscreen. Start early to reap the rewards of younger screen when you are around 40.  It shields your skin from developing signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. Studies reveal that people below the age of 55 who used sunscreen had 24% lesser chances of developing these aging signs than non-sunscreen and occasional sunscreen users.

4.   Always apply sunscreen half an hour before you come into contact with the sun.

5 . Enhances Health of the Skin
The essential skin proteins, such as collagen, keratin, and elastin are protected by sunscreen. These proteins are required for keeping the skin smooth and healthy. Make sure your sun block has titanium oxide in it for endowing these benefits to the skin.

Since I ran out of sunscreen, I use Althea's Petal Velvet Sunaway SPF 50+. It is never greasy and my skin absorbed it well. The good thing is its good to mix with your liquid foundation. It goes on smoothly. It never breaks me out and it gives that velvety finish.

Enjoy amazing K-Beauty products at the lowest prices, plus free shipping!
To order the Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway SPF 50+/ Check out https://ph.althea.kr/

Meet and Greet with Senatoriable Angelo Castro De Alban

Senatorial candidate Angelo Castro De Alban is the youngest to run for senator this coming election. He is running as an independent candidate. De Alban is a Professor and Lawyer by profession.

In 2019, Angelo De Alban intends to serve the public consistent with his advocacies on bio-health, agriculture and education. He would be the voice of the ordinary people often neglected because of under representation. He intends to be their champion at a time when the Philippines is facing crisis, one after the other—a divided nation, a country threatened with terrorism, a high inflation rate and rising cost of living.

Senatorial candidate Angelo Castro De Alban was raised in Bulacan and grew up surrounded by people who are underprivileged. Due to his natural curiosity to heights, he had to undergo two head stitches surgeries for falling from three-floor high tree house and a mango tree.

Angelo is from a family of lawyers and teachers. His grandfather is a lawyer while his grandmother is a public school teacher. His father is also a lawyer and his mother, a former flight stewardess and purser with Philippine Airlines, is now a public school catechist. All his three other siblings and sister-in-law are all teachers.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND , Angelo graduated as the High School Student Council President of St. Marys College of Meycauayan, Bulacan in 1998. He proceeded to attend the University of Santo Tomas for his Bachelors Degrees in Journalism, Law and Masters of Law.

While attending college, he was a member of the Chorale, varsity player for both basketball and football teams. He had his on-the-job training with The Manila Times. He was also a working scholar in UST and a part-time freelance ramp model during his college days. He also sold discount cards, writing articles for different magazines and rendering paralegal assistance to earn a living.

He was a writer for The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST. He had his law on-the-job training with now Supreme Court Justice Lucas P. Bersamin.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND 

As a Lawyer: Angelo handles criminal-and civil cases around the country traveling to Cebu, Palawan and Cagayan De Oro regularly. He was the lawyer for a group of public school teachers in Laguna victimized by loan sharks and lawyered for at least 200 security guards and won almost Php 4 million settlement for them.

As a Teacher: Angelo started teaching Philippine Constitution, Taxation and Tourism Laws in the University of Santo Tomas in 2008 up to the present. He married his former student.

As a School Co-founder/Vice-President: In 2008, few months into teaching, Angelo co-founded with his family members a school for children with special needs. St. Philomena School: Kid's Comfort Zone, Inc. St. Philomena School is the only private school for special education recognized by the Department of Education in entire Bulacan.

To know more about Atty De Alban. Visit his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Atty.AngeloCastroDeAlban/