Its raining men at Ayala Malls Style Origin Fashion Runway at Trinoma

Ayala Malls’ Style Origin Lights Up the Runway at TriNoma

I love it when a man dress confidently, according to what the fashion dictates him or just what makes him comfortable. It's hot when a guy is at ease with his fashion picks. I like mismatched looks and loud pieces that are put together. Think about loud pocket,  blue polo shirt on a mustard colored jeans / skinny blue jeans. Today's men's fashion is all about mismatched looks that goes easy on the eyes. If a man could pull this out, then he is in my check list.

The country’s leading lifestyle and shopping destination re-energizes the local fashion scene, as Ayala Malls presents Style Origin, a lifestyle series that will cultivate each shopper’s eye for style.

Ayala Malls, in partnership with the Philippine STAR and Starworld, and in collaboration with the country’s top lifestyle magazines MEGA, Meg and Chalk, empower men and women with inspiring trends in clothing and cosmetics. With landmark trunk shows especially compiled by the country’s leading style authorities, Regina Belmonte of Philippine Star, Peewee Isidro and Rainier Dagala of MEGA Magazine, Bianca Gonzalez and Patrick Galang of Meg Magazine, and Kate Paras and Elaine Carag of Chalk Magazine, Style Origin opens up a remarkable setting where timeless, impeccable style is bound to be experienced.

Regular male patrons of Ayala Malls, on the other hand, will be treated to a display of designer wear at the Mensweek fashion shows, with sharp and sleek menswear staples imagined by global Filipino tastemakers that are bound to make their wardrobe every bit dapper. Assembled by its impressive roster of renowned Filipino designers, Gian Romano, Ivar Aseron, M Baretto, Joey Samson, Don Sevilla, Renan Pacson, Rhett Eala, Jerome Lorico, Jeff Rogador, Anthony Ramirez, Avel Bacudio, Bang Pineda, Chris Diaz, Dennis Lustico, Herbert Custodio, Jaggy Glarino, James Reyes, Jeffery Rogador, Jerome Ang, Joel Escober, Johann Manas, Nixon Marquez, Noel Crisostomo, Norman Noriega, Proudrace, Regine Dulay, Roland Alzate, Sassa Jimenez, Tonichi Nocom, Ulysses King, Willar Matteo, Y. Quisimbing and Ziggy Savella staging their own specialized shows and exhibitions, this momentous fashion spectacle aims to delve in the origins of style, by focusing on details, handiwork, and lush materials that add that definitive dose of glamour to everyday dressing and grooming.

Following its successful launch at Greenbelt last May 22, Ayala Malls’ Style Origin unfurls the most enchanting runway for the lifestyle destination’s legendary list of international brands and local design stalwarts in twelve premier Ayala Malls. The campaign makes its way to TriNoma on June 21-22 with the Mensweek Fashion Show happening on the first night and the High Street Fashion Shows the day after.

The latest trends from established and up and coming Filipino designers will be at the forefront of the Mensweek Fashion Show on June 21, 6pm, with Ariel Lozada at the directing helm. Robby Carmona directs the High Street Fashion Shows with celebrated personalities from the Quezon City community on June 22, featuring global brands at 4pm and homegrown labels at 6pm.

With Ayala Malls’ Style Origin 2014 opening its doors to the world’s finest fashion selections, the country’s most celebrated tastemakers, and the fashion industry’s foremost names and voices, Ayala Malls becomes the destination where style is best discovered.

Continue the style conversations online by tagging @trinomatweets on Twitter and @ilovetrinoma on Instagram with the hashtag #StyleOrigin. For inquiries, please call the TriNoma Concierge Hotline at 901-3000 or visit www.facebook.com/TriNoma.AyalaMalls

FERRING PHARMACEUTICALS STRENGTHENS PHILIPPINE PRESENCE

Ferring Pharmaceutical Phils.

In an industry as competitive, challenging and risky as the pharmaceutical business, Ferring Pharmaceuticals distinguishes itself from the rest by putting people ahead of profit.

Established against the backdrop of the Second World War, Dr Frederik Paulsen, fled from Germany as a student, eventually arriving in Sweden where he established Nordiska Hormon Laboratoriet in 1950. The company would later be known as Ferring with Dr Paulsen and wife Eva becoming the first scientists to synthesize peptides by producing adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH), or stress hormone.

Jane Villablanca-GM Ferring Phil. and Michel Pettigrew Pres and COO Ferring

This discovery made the company a pioneer in developing and selling pharmaceutical products based upon natural, pituitary-produced peptide hormones.

Choosing to remain under the radar of “big pharma” (referring to companies with revenue in excess of $3 billion, and/or research and development expenditure in excess of $500 million), it was only in 1988, when Dr. Paulsen’s youngest son Frederik Paulsen, assumed the position as chief executive and led the company’s worldwide expansion.

Ferring first established a research group in San Diego in 1996, recognizing the vibrant opportunities in the region.  Since establishing a presence in San Diego, Ferring has been able to assemble a world-class peptide research organization and establish collaborations with leading academic scientists.

The Ferring Research Institute moved to its new home in San Diego in February 2009 with the opening of a 38,000-square-foot facility in Sorrento Valley. The new state-of-the art facility research houses expanded research laboratories for peptide medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, bioanalytical, and pharmacology.

Female medical representatives of Ferring Phils with Alex Chang SVP Ferring Asia Pacific

In recent years, Ferring has expanded beyond its traditional European base: with over 4,500 employees worldwide, it operates subsidiaries in 55 countries and makes its products available in more than 100 countries.

Now based from a global hub in Switzerland Ferring develops innovative products in the four therapy areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and orthopaedics.

As a private, research-driven specialty biopharmaceutical company Ferring is committed to building a portfolio of novel, innovative peptide therapeutics to address areas of high unmet medical need..

Ferring's expertise

The World Health Organization estimates that there are about 60 to 80 million cases of infertility around the world.

As opportunities arise in their careers, more women are waiting longer to have children. Due to this trend in the delay of pregnancy until an older age, up to a quarter of all couples may experience problems in conceiving a child.  

Treatment of infertility is one of Ferring's key areas of expertise and it is committed to progress in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

Ferring's female healthcare portfolio consists of traditional highly purified and standardized human-derived products at every stage of the reproductive cycle to ensure better maternal health and safe child birth. Clinical studies and years of use have shown that Ferring's hormonal therapies are effective and offer a good safety profile. Ferring looks to become the market leader in reproductive health care through its products for infertility and obstetrics. 

Ferring in the PH

Now, Filipino couples who are having problems conceiving children need not go abroad, or spend more on acquiring Ferring’s products as the Company opened its Philippine offices at the Ecotower building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. 

The formal inauguration was graced by Michel Pettigrew, President and Chief Executive Officer who flew all the way from Switzerland together with other esteemed Ferring executives Ralph Diehl, trusted Consultant, Alex Chang, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific, BingMei Hao, Regional Finance Controller, Jareen Yao, Associate Director of Business Excellence, and Ming Yip, Regional Senior Director for South East Asia.

They were formally welcomed by Ferring Philippines General Manager, Ms. Jane Villablanca together with industry partners and key opinion leaders from the various specialty medical societies. 

The company’s philosophy is ‘People come first at Ferring’. “We live it every day of the week,” said Pettigrew. “We have a respect for all stakeholders – whether the patients, to ensure they get the care they deserve; the medical community or our employees. We expect our employees to take on a lot of responsibility – it’s a great place to work.”

It has been more than six decades, yet that same passion of Dr. Paulsen continues, as Ferring Pharmaceuticals proudly carries on a culture of enterprise driven by science, not profit..

“We’re privately owned by one man who has a strong belief that science must advance,” shared Pettigrew, his father’s vision still guides the company’s business today, and science remains at the heart of what it accomplishes.

For more information about Ferring, visit  www.ferring.com

TRESemme mounts the first runway fashion show

Tresemme rules the runway from gorgeous dresses to salon ready tresses, the hair matches the outfit, be it formal, streetwear, or casual. The show featured 200 runway ready models on June 5, 2014 at the PICC.

TRESemmé mounted the country’s first backstage to runway fashion show where top hair professionals revealed the styling secret to salon gorgeous and runway ready hair!

Joey Mead King

Over 800 top and aspiring models from all over the country joined the Grand Casting Call for a chance to grace the catwalk of TRESemmé’s 2014 Runway Ready Fashion Show. These models had to prove that they were worthy to strut the runway, sport the latest hair trends as well as don the hottest ensembles from top retail brands and the country’s most celebrated designers.

Myrza Sison and Apples Aberin

Marrying top trends with the hottest hairstyles, this show is set to be a fashion first, one excitedly attended by the who’s who of the fashion industry. In unique runway ready fashion, the show brings to life behind-the-scenes action from the backstage straight to the runway.

Road To The Runway 
As anticipation built up for the country’s first backstage to runway fashion show, TRESemmé ambassador, Asia’s Next Top Model mentor, and veteran host Joey Mead-King, took the stage to kick off this fashion first, one that is touted to be at par with the hottest shows as seen in this year’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Hair professionals—Jing Monis, Lourd Ramos, and Victor Ortega—used TRESemmé to help the models achieve the latest in hair style trends, which complemented this year's hottest looks on the runway.

Victor Ortega, created three looks that perfectly complemented the street-style trends for the show’s High Street segment, featuring top label from luxury brand retailer Stores Specialists, Inc. Stradivarius highlighted the high-street Prints, duly punctuated with Ortega's playful waterfall braids, feminine side braids, and elegant fishtail braids.

Apples Aberin and Liz Uy

 Minimalist Chic was the trend in focus for the collection of Kenneth Cole. Ortega paired these streamlined styles with a sleek, side-part do, showing that less can be more. Kate Spade and Marc by Marc Jacobs played with punches of color and texture for the Paper Dolls trend. These looks were punched up with the bumped up pony, which played with volume that added a bit of contrast and drama to the regular street look.

Robby Carmona

Next on the runway, TRESemmé hair professional, Lourd Ramos, highlighted three Prêt-à-Porter fashion trends with spruced up tresses. Geometric Shapes led the segment, featuring the structural designs of Mark Bumgarner, Charina Sarte, and Cesar Gaupo. These structured shapes were balanced off with gorgeous, one-sided mermaid waves. For Fluid Lines, which characterized the billowy and femme collections of Jojie Lloren, Pia Gladys Perey, Vania Romoff, and Dennis Lustico, faux bobs with short waves created an elegant look for the night. As for the embellished Textures of Gian Romano’s, Eric Delos Santos’, and Lulu Tan Gan’s collections, Ramos created slick center-parted ’dos as simple accents to the multi-dimensional styles.

The finalé showcased Haute Couture creations from renowned fashion designers Albert Andrada, Jun Escario, Francis Libiran, Rajo Laurel, and Ezra Santos. These pieces demanded no less than dramatic hair from TRESemmé hair professional, Jing Monis. Monis took to the stage his own rendition of volumetric curls that emphasized the elaborate designer creations.

The Styling Secret Used By Professionals
Achieving the envy-worthy do’s seen on the runway of TRESemmé’s Runway Ready Fashion Show was an easy feat with TRESemmé’s Keratin Smooth range which infuses Keratin into every strand as it keeps hair frizz-free for up to 48 hours.

And to keep those strands in place, our hair professionals used TRESemmé’s Salon Finish Extra Hold Hair Spray which offers long lasting extra firm hold, so you can control your style all-day long even in damp or humid condition, giving the models salon gorgeous hair that’s perfect for the catwalk.
With salon gorgeous tresses by top hair professionals, the country’s first backstage to runway fashion show reveals that the secret to runway ready hair is the one and only TRESemmé.

Learn more about TRESemmé's salon innovations at     @TRESemmePH or visit www.tresemme.com.

MARK WAHLBERG REBOOTS “TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION”

Academy Award-nominee Mark Wahlberg (“The Fighter”) gets to show off his fatherly protective side in Paramount Pictures' “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” the fourth installment in director Michael Bay's summer blockbuster franchise.

Walhberg plays single dad Cade Yeager who the actor describes as "a very ordinary guy who has to do extraordinary things in the face of danger to protect his family — anyone can relate to that. It's a little more intense, but there are great moments of humor infused."

Fans can expect a lot of boom from the Michael Bay-directed film, which will introduce a new breed of Transformers — ancient aliens that transform into dinobots. "Michael is always pushing boundaries, but here we're creating new boundaries," Wahlberg says. "This is going to be a very cool ride."

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” begins after an epic battle left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history…while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs.

With help from a new cast of humans (led by Wahlberg), Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.
“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” the fourth film in director Michael Bay's global blockbuster franchise, stars Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Sophia Myles, Li Bingbing, Titus Welliver and T. J. Miller. Produced By Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. Based on Hasbro's Transformers Action Figures. Written By Ehren Kruger. Directed By Michael Bay.

Mark Wahlberg earned both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his standout work in the family boxing film “The Fighter“ and Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed drama “The Departed.“ Wahlberg has played diverse characters for visionary filmmakers such as David O. Russell, Tim Burton and Paul Thomas Anderson. His breakout role in “Boogie Nights“ established Wahlberg as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

Wahlberg’s remarkable film career began with “Renaissance Man,“ directed by Penny Marshall, and “The Basketball Diaries,“ with Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by a star turn opposite Reese Witherspoon in the thriller “Fear.“ He later headlined “Three Kings“ and “The Perfect Storm,“ with George Clooney, and “The Italian Job,“ with Charlize Theron. Wahlberg then starred in the football biopic “Invincible,“ with Greg Kinnear, and “Shooter,“ based on the best-selling novel Point of Impact. He reunited with “The Yards“ director James Gray and co-star Joaquin Phoenix in “We Own the Night,“ which he also produced. Other projects include “The Lovely Bones,“ “The Other Guys,“ “Contraband“ and “Ted.“ Most recently, he starred in Michael Bay’s “Pain & Gain“ with Dwayne Johnson, “2 Guns“ with Denzel Washington, and “Lone Survivor“ for director Peter Berg.

Opening across the Philippines on June 25 in IMAX 3D, Digital 3D and 2D cinemas, “Transformers: Age of Extinction” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

BEGIN AGAIN: KIERA KNIGHTLEY takes on ADAM LEVINE

Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine may have won several Grammy Awards, sold millions of albums worldwide and judged the hit TV series The Voice, but in the movie BEGIN AGAIN, he gets upstaged as the spotlight turns to actress Kiera Knightley.

“I’ve never done anything like this,” admits Knightley who is best known for her costume dramas and period films such as “Pride & Prejudice,” and “Atonement,” as well as the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

“My character has pretty much died in everything I’ve done for the last five years,” she jokes. “I decided I’d like to do something where I didn’t have to go through heavy emotional turmoil and die, if at all possible.  There’s a touch of emotional turmoil in this, but in the end I found it to be incredibly hopeful. It’s rare to find pieces of work that are so full of hope.”


The latest film from writer-director John Carney (ONCE), BEGIN AGAIN tells the story of two lost souls who meet and make beautiful music together. Gretta (Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But the trappings of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to stray, and a reeling, lovelorn Gretta is left on her own.

Disgraced record-label exec, Dan Mulligan (played by Mark Ruffalo) is facing a failing marriage, a career he can’t keep up with, and a daughter he can’t connect to.  But at his most desperate moment, he hears a powerful song by Gretta, an unknown musician on the brink of giving up her musical dreams after unexpected heartbreak and frustration.  An unlikely pair who are brought together by equal parts inspiration and desperation, the film follows them as their musical partnership develops into a deep friendship, and their lives take unexpected turns.

Bound together by their mutual determination to bring Gretta’s music to life by recording her songs outdoors – with the sounds and rhythms of New York City as a sonic backdrop – they ultimately find themselves enmeshed in one another’s emotional lives, unsure of how the boundaries between friend, partner, and potential lover are supposed to be drawn.  “It’s an odd-couple type of relationship,” observes Knightley.  “These aren’t necessarily two people who would find each other, but this happens at a very strange moment in their lives, and they end up being exactly what the other needs.”

“Well I know that I’m not horrendous, and I really enjoy doing it in the shower but there is singing and there’s SINGING, I suddenly found myself in the studio and thought I have no “f—ing” idea how to do this. Fortunately, my character doesn’t actually like singing in front of people. She likes writing and performing on her own, so that was quite useful,” Knightley said in an interview with Glamour magazine.

“A lot of the music wasn’t finished until I got to New York.  I had been working with a vocal coach to find a sound that would work for the character, but two or three of Gretta’s songs were just handed to me on the day we recorded them, so there was been a bit of flying by the seat of our pants and hoping for the best.  There’s an old stage saying: ‘It’ll be all right on the night.’ So far, it all seems to have gone all right.”

Her modest impressions of her own talent were also playfully contradicted by her costar:  “Keira is fantastic,” says Ruffalo.  “She’s fun and game for anything and a talented singer.”

Keira brought an extra dimension to the script,” says Carney.  “We suddenly had an English-American relationship which added a dimension of charm, and allowed us to have a very different tone from a cast of all Americans or all New Yorkers.

 In a way it reminded me of old films like CHARADE, where those two cultures meeting is part of the story’s appeal.  I think as a filmmaker I need to play to the strengths of the actors, so Mark and Keira really shaped the film.  As a director, I use the skills the people have, rather than what I wrote. Not to take advantage of that is a crime.”

Also discovering her musical talent is Hailee Steinfeld, who earned an Oscar nomination for her scene-stealing role in the Coen Brothers’ TRUE GRIT opposite Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon.  Wisely deciding to only pursue roles that will offer her a challenge and not interfere with her everyday teenage life, Steinfeld was excited to be part of BEGIN AGAIN.

“There was never a minute when I felt bored.  It’s not easy to find a group of people like that,” she says.  “John really helped me out – when you see your director speak so highly of what you are doing, it’s really great.”

Steinfeld also picked up some guitar to play the part of Violet, who moves from being a sullen teenager to mending bridges with her father thanks to the kinship she forges with Gretta. “Music is important in this film,” says Steinfeld.  “And music is a very big thing in my life. It really came in handy with the work that I did in the film.  The vibe was just so great.”

BEGIN AGAIN opens on July 9, 2014 in theaters nationwide and is distributed locally by SOLAR PICTURES.

Check out the trailer here http://youtu.be/URgf_qOvb08 and Lost Stars Feature at the Solar Pictures YouTube channel: http://youtu.be/prXttiueTdM

Robert Downey Jr.'s The Judge orders new poster and teaser trailer

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures comes “The Judge,” starring Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr., Oscar winner Robert Duvall and Oscar  nominee Vera Farmiga . Take your first look at the film's main poster and teaser trailer which has just been released by the studios at
http://youtu.be/o3AkVYmiirs.

Directed by David Dobkin (“Wedding Crashers”), “The Judge” stars Downey as big city lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge (Duvall), is suspected of murder. He sets out to discover the truth and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before.


Starring alongside Downey, Duvall and Farmiga are Vincent D’Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shephard, and Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton. The film also stars Oscar winner Melissa Leo, Leighton Meester, Ken Howard, Emma Tremblay, Balthazar Getty, David Krumholtz, Sarah Lancaster, Grace Zabriskie and Denis O’Hare.


“The Judge” is being produced by Susan Downey (the “Sherlock Holmes” films), David Dobkin, and David Gambino (“The Brave One”), with Herbert W. Gains, Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Kleeman and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Nick Schenk (“Gran Torino”) and Bill Dubuque, story by Dobkin & Schenk.


Dobkin’s behind the scenes creative team includes Oscar winning director of photography Janusz Kaminski (“Lincoln”), production designer Mark Ricker (“The Way Way Back”), editor Mark Livolsi (“The Blind Side”) and costume designer Marlene Stewart (“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”). The music is by 12-time Oscar nominee Thomas Newman (“Saving Mr. Banks”).


Opening across the Philippines on Oct. 22, 2014, “The Judge” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Experience New Zealand and its scenic vistas

Promo fares to top New Zealand destinations offered in trade fair

Auckland

It’s Middle Earth to some, and home of the fascinating Maori culture to many.  There is no better time to visit New Zealand than now, as the Experience New Zealand trade fair kicks off with promo package offerings from Singapore Airlines, Destinations Unlimited and 11 participating travel agencies.

Experience New Zealand will be held from June 20-22, 2014 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive.  The trade fair features sales and exhibits of the country’s food and wine products, as well as tour packages covering Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, North Island, South Island and sites such as the Hobbiton movie set and the Lord of the Rings Edoras location.

“This presents a great opportunity for Filipinos to explore the vast attractions New Zealand has in store. Whether it’s the stunning scenery, adventure tourism, the great wine and food, or even the Lord of the Rings locations, there is something for everyone,” said New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore.

H.E. Ambassador Reuben Levermore, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, New Zealand Embassy

With its top visitors from Australia, China, US, UK and Japan, New Zealand will soon be part of the Filipino’s travel wish-list.  The abundance of sights and experiences is now within reach.    

  Tours range from four-day, three-night packages to seven-day, six night packages, including roundtrip airfares via Singapore Airlines.  Packages start at only $1,071 upwards, providing every kind of adventure for every kind of traveller.

Nature lovers will embrace the scenic vistas from a tour of Auckland, the “City of Sails.”  The beautiful Christchurch city is revealed on tours given on a classic double-decker bus.  The spectacular Milford Sound, dubbed as the 8th Wonder of the World, is enjoyed via a boat cruise to see waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife.  In Rotorua, visit the Waimangu Thermal Valley, considered the newest geothermal system in the world. 

 The valley houses Frying Pan Lake and Inferno Crater.  At the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour, take a boat ride through caves illuminated by thousands of glowworms.

In Queenstown, visitors can choose a number of optional adventures such as river jet boat tours, a helicopter scenic flight with alpine landing, the bungee jump, skydiving, guided nature walks, 4WD tours or a winery tour of Central Otago.

No visit would be complete without a deep appreciation of Maori culture at Te Puia, a living Maori arts and culture center located in Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. 

 Te Puia is home to 500 natural geothermal wonders, such as geysers and mud pools.  The center also features native flora and fauna, live kiwi birds and unique Maori arts and architecture.  It houses the National Carving and Weaving Schools of New Zealand which preserves the traditional arts.  In the evening, visitors enjoy a feast of food and friendship with a cultural performance and a banquet of modern and traditional cuisine.

For diehard Lord of the Rings fans, tour options include a visit to the Hobbiton set and Edoras location.  Some 37 hobbit holes, the mill, double arch bridge, Bilbo’s party tree, Bag End and the Green Dragon Inn are included in the Hobbiton tour.

From Christchurch, fans can also journey to Edoras via a 4WD ride.  The trip brings visitors to the beautiful Mt. Potts high country station to see where the set of Edoras, home of the Riders of Rohan was built.

 Aside from an informative and entertaining commentary, enjoy a short guided walk, champagne picnic lunch and handle movie replicas of swords, Gandalf’s staff and the flag of Rohan.

Sightseeing, adventure travel, food and wine, cultural appreciation, indulging movie fandom and just basking in New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery are the many choices available to travellers. 

Visitors to the Experience New Zealand fair can inquire from SIA Holidays (753-5151), Rakso Travel (812-9667), Travel Specialist Ventures (928-7487), Trends Travelmart (478-5401), Interlink (524-0016), Allpoints Travel (410-1527), Swire Travel (817-1082), Citimiles Travel (523-2881), Corporate International Travel (631-6541), The Marvels of Travel (842-7548), Best Wing Travel (Cavite) (425-4203) and Ecozone Travel (Pampanga) (045-887-0332).

Powerpuff Girls return to Cartoon Network

Get ready to save the world before bedtime as Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup return to TV screens worldwide with an all-new series, slated to launch in 2016.

“The original Powerpuff Girls was a franchise phenomenon for Cartoon Network, paving the way for a new generation of innovative storytellers and enthusiastic fans worldwide,” said Rob Sorcher, Cartoon Network’s chief content officer, at the 2014 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. “We are calling these girls back into action based upon an overwhelming demand for sugar, spice and Chemical X.”

One of Cartoon Network’s most enduring original series, The Powerpuff Girls has earned two Emmy Awards along with five nominations and countless animation honors throughout its 78-episode run which ended in 2005. The series also inspired a feature film in 2003, a 10th anniversary special and a re-imagined CG special, The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed, which aired on Cartoon Network in January 2014 and featured Ringo Starr. The new series will be produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

The Powerpuff Girls, which debuted on Cartoon Network in 1998, was created by Craig McCracken and centers on three sugar-coated superheroes whose mission in life alternates between going to school, fighting crime and winning at hopscotch.


Get the latest updates on your favorite shows and characters by following Cartoon Network on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CartoonNetworkAsia or visit www.cartoonnetworkasia.com.

The Michelin starred Tim Ho Wan has found its way in Manila.

I have never been to a Michelin starred restaurant before.  I googled what makes the restaurant earned its Michelin Star and I was awed.  When I heard that the cheapest Michelin One Star Tim Ho Wan would make its way here in the Philippines,  I cant contain my excitement. I like anything dimsum, I am a fan of Machang and all kinds of anything Chinese food and would like to take a bite on their star dish Baked bun with BBQ pork.

The lines at Tim Ho Wan SM Mega Fashion Hall

 Baked Buns with BBQ Pork (3 pcs. - P145)

This is what the baked bun looked like, in all its simpleness. Their star dish, the baked bun with BBQ pork was baked to perfection. It was soft, chewy, crusty and ohh so tasty with braised sweet lean pork inside the crisp golden dough, it has a similar taste to "asado" but better. Actually, I could eat the 3 buns in one seating. Best to consume after serving.

Tim Ho Wan's menu

  

Glutinous Rice with Lotus Leaf (P190)

My favorite is their "machang"or Glutinous Rice with Lotus Leaf. It is a complete meal itself, I love the sticky rice and the generous meaty fillings inside. This is the best tasting "machang" in Manila. 

Prawn Dumpling (P160)

The prawn dumplings which were served fresh bursting with shrimp from its thin wrapper. Among the best I've had, because I could eat the dumplings without the chili and sauces. That is how tasty their dumplings are.

Cold Barley (P50

Their refreshing cold barley is best to consume with your dimsum. I like that this should be served with ice.

Steamed Egg Cake (P85)

Their steamed egg cake has the fresh faint taste of a mocha cake, it is fluffy and has the right amount of sweetness. I could have this anytime of the day.

Wasabi Salad Prawn dumplings (P140)

Their Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumplings are crunchy and has the right amount of Wasabi as braised toppings. The prawn are tasty and its complimenting the wasabi.

While prized for its savory pork buns- a crumbly, fluffy pastry packed with lush, sweet and savory barbecued pork, which in itself have not failed to lure a lengthy line, Tim Ho Wan also reserves quite the acclaim for its Big 4 Heavenly Kings.

Tim Ho Wan's other dim sum heavyweights such as Fried Beancurd Skin Roll with Shrimp, Teochew Dumpling, Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin, Steamed Pork Dumpling with Shrimp and many more, complimented by a refreshing wash of Barley Milk, transcend the Tim Ho Wan experience to the realms of the otherworldly.

Executive Chefs of Tim Ho Wan

Much of Tim Ho Wan's allure is credited for its premium quality ingredients, prepared fresh and from scratch upon every order. Its founder and chef, Mak Kwai Pu, mastered the art of dim sum for almost four decades was able to pick up the craft in the tender age of 15. He leads an army of refined dim sum masters, most of which, like Mak himself, hailed from Hong Kong. Together, the Tim Ho Wan team, like a well-oiled machine, as complimented by its well-trained wait-staff, makes sure that you get your freshly-prepared specialties in almost an instant, without compromising its passion and taste for excellence.

Proof that while, at times, its flavor and flair commands a lengthy attention that can very well be an exercise to one's patience and hunger, the end destination where all lines lead is surely worth it: an exceptional dim sum heaven that serves up quite the stellar experience. The Manila franchise is a partnership between Ricky Dee of Mesa Filipino Moderne and Todd English Food Hall, and Felix Ang of Cats Motors.

Tim Ho Wan
Upper Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall
SM Megamall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Store Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00am to 10:00pm

Health is wealth at Robinson's Supermarket Wellness Festival

Celebrate family healthy living with Robinsons Supermarket’s Wellness Festival

Team Kramer

 Living a healthy, active lifestyle is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Eating the right food should be one of your main goal to live healthy and exercise a lot. There are dietary strategies for supporting total wellness. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar which can help keep appetite in check. In lieu of this Robinson"s Supermarket launched the Wellness Festival.  Explore the produce aisle at Robinson's Supermarket and eat your way to wellness.

Robinson's Supermarket launched the Wellness festival on June 19, 2014 at Robinson's Magnolia with Team Kramer as guests, promoting a healthy lifestyle by eating what your body needs, and refrain from eating sweets and preservatives, and one should exercise to achieve a healthy way of living.

Aside from having a health and wellness section, Robinsons Supermarket is holding a series of three-day Wellness Festivals, starting at Robinsons Magnolia from June 19-22, to encourage Filipino families to eat healthy and make more educated nutritional decisions.

On its 7th year, the Wellness Festival showcases more fun and engaging booths that will enable people to try out healthier options and practices. This includes Unilever’s Dove consultation booth, and Nestle’s general wellness booth that includes fat analysis check, BMI check, and nutrition counseling, to name a few.

Believing that a family’s healthier life starts from well-aware and educated purchases, Robinsons Supermarket has also employed “Shop Smart” tag labels that color codes items based on health benefits, nutritional content, and price discounts. It further established its position in promoting health and wellness by partnering with the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), to provide up-to-date information on food and its nutrient contributions.

“We wanted to shift the paradigm of grocery shopping, so we decided to place all our efforts behind helping consumers get the adequate attention, support and education they need to make meaningful and long-lasting improvements to their health through smart purchases,” said Jody Gadia, Robinsons Supermarket general manager.

Families who want to know how they can start living a healthy life can visit the Wellness Festival which will also be held at Robinsons Ermita from July 18-20 and Robinsons Imus from July 25-27.

Robinsons Supermarket is not just about eating well but about living well. Visit its official website at www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph to learn more about the Wellness campaign, or “Like” its Facebook page www.facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial to get the latest updates.