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".