Merry Christmas from The House of JCJEE

The House of JCJEE wishes everybody a Merry Christmas! 

Christ is the reason of the season. God gave His Son to save the world and redeem us from our sins. 

May all of us find the reason of the season in our hearts and may this season us all success, happiness, and good health. 

Party Time at Victoria Court

I remember two years ago, my husband and I received an invitation from the wife of one of our friends to grace the golden birthday of her husband. Of course, we were more than delighted to attend the event. His wife told us that it will be a surprise party and a private party so we have to keep quiet about the whole plan. But upon learning that it will be held at Victoria Court, I was the one who got more surprised! How can we party inside Victoria Court? 

I Won! I Won!

Last Thursday, I received a message from the event coordinator of Impressca, the restaurant I blogged about last month. The message said I won a special prize from Impressca, based on the review I made on their restaurant after their advocacy launch. I got really excited! 

More than the prize itself, the fact that my writings are read and recognized, it brings more honor to me and I really appreciate it. It gives inspiration to write better as well as motivation to write more. 

Today, I Am Thankful For...

Today is Thanksgiving Day for our family and friends in the United States. I can smell the roasted turkey on the dining table. Thanksgiving dinner is very special as they enumerate the things they are thankful for the year. 

Though I am not in the US, I would like to share my list of the things I am thankful for. In random order, I am thankful for... 

Holiday Runway Picks by SM-Southmall

SM-Southmall is one of the first malls south of Metro Manila. My family loves to hang out here because of its proximity in our place plus the availability of the products we need, which makes our shopping more fun and convenient.

When I went there last Friday, I was able to witness the biggest fashion show event in the South Metro. The Holiday Runway Picks showcased its holiday collection for men, ladies, teens, and kids. Several international and local brands participated in the runway event, including Bayo, Terranova, For Me, Folded & Hung, Payless Shoesource, Levi’s, Celine, Regatta, Fitflop, Maldita, Petit Monde, Just G, Le Jean De Marithe Francois Girbaud, Shubizz, Accessorize, Tomato, Michelis, The Travel Club, Oxygen, Tibal, Onesimus, Our Tribe, Penshoppe, Arrow, Peppermint, Periwinkle, Oshkosh B’gosh, and Gingersnaps. 

The SM-Southmall Holiday Runway Picks showed that holiday celebrations are all about parties and get-togethers with the entire family and friends, starting from day until night, and up to the wee hours of the morning. This fashion event not only proved that fashion in South Metro is very laid back but it also featured the latest collections for the entire family, a fashion that can go from laid back casual to hip and trendy and dressy in an instant. 

Sweet, Final Quarter for Candy Pangilinan

My kids love to watch Daldalita, an afternoon show in GMA, while they are having their after-school snack. They enjoy watching Daldalita and her animal friends. Earlier today, I watched the show with my children. I realized that the voice of Mother Daisy, the duck, is Candy Pangilinan's. It was then that I asked myself what is the latest with her. The question prompted me to do my research. Gee, I am glad to find out that she is still around even more than  two decades in the entertainment industry. 

Candy Pangilinan has joined the roster of talents of the fast-rising TV-5 network, where she is currently a part of the television adaptation of the classic 1980s teen film Bagets. Candy plays the challenging role of a single mom who has three bi-racial children: a Filipino-Japanese, a Filipino-Korean, and an Afro-Asian. Under the direction of Mark Reyes, Bagets airs on TV-5 every Sundays at 3 PM, after Paparazzi. 

Candy is also set to appear on upcoming television adaptation of another classic 1980s film P.S. I Love You where she plays the role of Dina Bonnevie's best friend. Despite the many best friend role she has portrayed, Candy is challenged how she will give the role a fresh and different twist that will set it apart from other best friend roles that she has portrayed. 

Stellar-Philippines Opens Its Second Office

I used to work in a call center. I spent the last eight years of my life in the industry before deciding to work at home and be a full-time writer and blogger. I felt a sigh of relief as I submitted my resignation letter to our HR Department. No more calls... no more queues... no more metrics... and most of all, no more bosses. 

Despite the eight long years, I could not stop myself from asking former colleagues and bosses about updates and events on the industry every now and then. Would you blame me? It fed my family for eight years! So, when a friend invited me to grace the opening of the second office of Stellar-Philippines, a call center located in Quezon City, I did not hesitate and immediately confirmed my attendance. Somehow, I know deep inside me, I miss life inside call center. 

Pacquiao wins over Marquez on their third fight

Manny Pacquiao, the world's greatest boxer in history, has once again proved his boxing prowess after defending his WBO Welterweight Division title against Juan Manuel Marquez today on Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. 

"Ang Babae sa Septic Tank" Goes to Oscars

The Film Academy of the Philippines chose the movie "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank" to represent the Philippines in the 84th Academy Awards Best Foreign Langauage Film Category. Written by Chris Martinez and directed by Marlon Rivera, the movie features Eugene Domingo, Kean Cipriano, JM De Guzman and Cai Cortez. 

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank narrates a day in the life of three ambitious and passionate but misguided filmmakers as they set out a short pre-production meeting at Starbucks to create what they think to be a wonderful independent film, dreaming of international film festivals and awards, such as the Oscars. Producer Bingbong (JM De Guzman), Director Rainier (Kean Cipriano), and Production Assistant Jocelyn (Cai Cortez) are graduates of topnotch film school who believe they have the energy and the drive to produce an award-winning movie and turn their dream into reality, no matter what the cost may be. 

Impressca: Healthy Choices, Healthy Pleasures

Aside from supporting the fight against cancer and campaigns on environment protection, I am also a supporter of healthy lifestyle. Healthy living has been one of my advocacy since I was young. I do not drink coffee because we learned in grade school that it is not good for the nervous system. And despite the information campaign that coffee helps the fight against cancer, I still do not drink this beverage. Perhaps, it has something to do with the taste this time. I prefer to eat fish and vegetables because I believe they are healthier for both our body and the planet. I even grow a mini-herb garden in our terrace to help reduce the air pollution and create a greener environment.

Thus, when I received an invitation to attend the advocacy launch of Impressca, a restaurant located in the heart of Quezon City, I immediately confirmed my attendance without any hesitation. Impressca is an Italian word that literally means "freshly served".  

A Visit to LAC Farm: An Organic Lagundi Farm

It has been raining the past couple of days and the cold weather has caused cough and colds to my husband and children. Fortunately for me, I have a strong immune system so I don't easily get sick.

I always keep medicines for fever, cough, and colds for these kinds of emergency situations. However, the bottle of cough syrup we have on our medicine cabinet has gone out but their cough has not yet releaved. A friend recommended Ascof cough medicine saying that it is better for the kids because it is more natural and it does not contain any chemical ingredient. We decided to try it and found out for ourselves that it is indeed effective. 

A week later, I received an invitation to visit a lagundi farm. Remembering how the lagundi cough syrup helped my family a lot, I did not hesitate to accept the invitation. When I received the itinerary, it was only then that I realized we will be going to Ascof lagundi farm! I can feel the excitement ran on my blood! 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This is a repost from my old blog as my contribution to the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

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I came across an advertisement about Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer yesterday. When I checked the post and looked for more information, I got sad! The event is already finished. It was held last October 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds. How did I miss it?

Aside from being eco-friendly, I am also a breast cancer supporter in my own little way and I have been waiting for this event to show my support to this advocacy. I have seen relatives and family members of my friends passed away because of breast cancer. However, when I personally saw how my friend Marivic Pebte battled and left us because of this dreaded disease, I promised myself that I will contribute to the awareness of this illness.

Domino's Pizza Opens in SM-Las Pinas

When I heard the news that Domino's Pizza will open in SM-Las Pinas, I got really excited. I miss Domino's Pizza! It has been several years ago since I had a taste of their delicious toppings and crunchy pizza. 

The excitement even rose higher when I received an invitation to grace their opening day, I knew I have to be there! After all, it is only a few blocks away from our place. Hence, after picking up the kids from school last Friday, I proceeded to SM-Las Pinas and met other bloggers while waiting for the formal opening ceremony.  

Mideo Cruz and Polytheism

An art installation of Catholic religious symbols at the Cultural Center of the Philippines opened last week. Unexpectedly, the artist Mideo Cruz created scandal and heated debates on his exhibit. 

We got intrigued by his work. What does this exhibit show that so many people got upset with it? Why did it create uproar with the Catholic conservatives? 

My husband finished Fine Arts in college so art appreciation is a thing for him. One night, my husband said he will be going out with some of his college friends to see the highly-criticized exhibit. I insisted on going with him. I may not be an artist like them, but at the very least, I know how to appreciate artists and their works. (I got 1.25 in Humanities 101! LOL.) Besides, I would also like to personally see what Cruz calls his “artwork”. 

Cruz, a 37-year old visual and performance artist, called his art installation “Poleteismo” or “Polytheism”. According to him, polytheism refers to the worship of relics and how idolatry evolves through history and modern culture. The art installation displayed is a blend of Christ and common symbols of pop culture.