Monday, April 30, 2012

Sueño de Espadrilles Finds Its Solemate

It's always nice to hear about companies that create Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs to support their chosen advocacy. I was glad to find out the other day that Sueño de Espadrilles has tied up with YesPinoy Foundation, an organization founded by actor Dingdong Dantes in 2009, with the goal of helping underprivileged children achieve their dreams.


Sueño de Espadrilles, established in 2007, is a store where you can find authentic, handmade espadrilles from Spain. The materials used in making the shoes are sourced from different Iberian regions including Barcelona; La Rioja, Spain's shoe capital; and Menorca. The soles are made from high quality jute and shaped to perfection by Spanish manufacturers to ensure foot comfort. 


I liked what I saw when I entered Sueño de Espadrilles' branch located at the Podium. Seeing the classic designs brought me back to my college days when I would usually roam my beloved UPLB campus wearing espadrilles because they are very comfy to walk in. It's nice to rediscover them again.


I'm not surprised that the splash of colors, the wide selection, and variety of styles has given the brand a certain distinction which has led the concept store at the Podium to become a hub for teens, yuppies, and even celebrities searching for the perfect pair of cool-looking and comfortable shoes.   


The tie-up of Sueño de Espadrilles with YesPinoy Foundation aims to impart values education to public school youths and underprivileged children. For every pair of espadrilles bought, regardless of the price, PhP100 will go to YesPinoy. That's a big contribution especially when pooled! 


This partnership will help out-of-school kids in four specific areas across the country and rehabilitate them to become contributors to society. One project, for instance, plans to help musically-inclined, out-of-school Badjao children who play around the Manila Bay area using instruments made out of trash. The seed money from YesPinoy and Sueno can fund their education under a renowned music teacher. Other projects lined up include children from Rizal, Cebu, and Davao.


Buy a pair of authentic espadrilles today! There are so many colors and designs to choose from, and there are even sizes that will fit kids as young as babies! Help empower underprivileged children, step by step, through the Soles of Hope promo which will run from May to August 2012. 


Sunday, April 29, 2012

NBA.com Philippines to Launch During NBA Playoffs

Filipino fans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) would be glad to know that there will now be a first-ever official online site specifically designed for NBA enthusiasts in the country. The new online destination called NBA.com Philippines will go live during the NBA Playoffs and will feature local content from Filipino journalists and bloggers, extensive video highlights, integrated social media elements, and online community features.


The website is made possible through the partnership of NBA with X-Play Online Games Inc., a subsidiary of Philippine online IP e-Game Ventures Inc. (PSE:EG) and Philstar.com, the online arm of the Philippine Star Group.

According to Carlo Singson, Country Manager-Philippines, NBA Asia, the Philippines is in the top three (next to the US and China) in the world to drive traffic to the NBA website and Facebook page. "Filipino fans are some of the most passionate fans in the world," he attested. "The NBA has a long history in the Philippines and we are always looking to deliver bigger and better experiences to our Filipino NBA fans." 


Singson described that the new website will provide a good blend of local commentary, global content, and event information. Basketball aficionados can expect to find NBA.com Philippines as their one-stop shop for all things NBA. The site will feature commentary from longtime Philippine Star columnist Quinito Henson (also known as 'The Dean') and Rick Olivares, one of the country's most popular sports bloggers. In addition, information on NBA events in the Philippines will be highlighted on the site.

"By launching a localized NBA.com website, we aim to enrich the experience for NBA fans in the Philippines, as well as expand the overall fan base," said Enrique Y. Gonzalez, CEO of IP Ventures Inc. who affirmed that the Philippines has a growing internet user population of close to 30 million people. "NBA forms the core of this offering supported by Philippine Star's reach and strong editorial coverage, and E-Games community and retail base of close to 8,000 internet cafes." Singson further acknowledged that IP e-Games' expertise and reputation in the market make them them the perfect partner.


Kevin Belmonte, President and CEO of Philstar.com, shared, "It's a great honor to be a part of this endeavor, knowing that we will be helping Filipino fans get their regular dose of NBA content - this time through NBA.com Philippines." He added that being a basketball-crazy nation and one of the major markets for the NBA in the world, "The Philippines deserves to have its localized NBA website - a place on the Web that Filipino NBA  fans can call their home."

With the NBA Playoffs about to tip off, video features will bring fans closer to the action via game highlights, top plays from around the league, and interviews with players and coaches. Fans will furthermore get a chance to participate in polls, follow the @NBA_Philippines Twitter feed, and connect with the NBA Philippines Facebook fan page. Other features found in the site include player pages, statistics, photo galleries, game recaps, and real-time scores.


During the event the other night where the partnership was announced, excitement reigned over avid basketball fans when Luc Longley (whoa! such a tall guy!!!) came up on stage to answer a few questions and share his experiences as a longtime player. He even gamely helped award some of the raffle prizes to several winners. Later, Luc patiently signed memorabilia and posed for photos with event guests. 


With the launch of another localized website, the NBA now features 13 international web destinations. In case you don't know, the NBA was the first US sports league to offer something like this for their followers with the first NBA.com/Japan being launched in 1999. NBA's marketing partners in the Philippines, including Adidas, Coors Light, Gatorade, and KFC will be supporting the website and the site's launch activities.

* Photos borrowed from Orange Magazine TV's NBA Website Launch album on Facebook


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Karylle Releases Music Video of Found My Smile Again

Fun and inspiring -- that's how I'd describe Karylle's third single from her latest album Roadtrip, which already earned a gold certification early this year. I got to hear and watch the music video of Found My Smile Again for the first time last Monday during a press con at Center Stage in Tomas Morato, Quezon City and found it such an upbeat song. 

The video features Karylle's different looks that range from simple and pretty to dressed-up and gorgeous. I love most of the clothes she wore and like how she projected the image of a girl who is ready to take on new adventures armed with her irresistible smile.


Karylle, who composes songs, shared with us how she considers her creations as 'babies'. "Kailangan, i-nurture mo sila hanggang umabot sa college, hopefully magkaroon ng career, at sariling buhay," she described hypothetically. "It's knowing that these songs are your babies and you have to let them grow. Otherwise, sayang naman kung andoon lang sila sa bahay."

Since she produced Roadtrip herself, Karylle said she had the freedom to choose which songs would make the cut. "Mahirap kasi na hindi i-risk yung songs especially since I worked hard enough to save some money. Yung savings ko, dun ko na lang nilabas para maging masaya ako and fulfilled as an artist," explained Karylle who has recently been nominated Outstanding Actress in the Monte Carlo Festival 2012 for her role in Kitchen Musical.


She added that her work sometimes requires her to be in different places on some days which also means not getting enough sleep. "Minsan, natutulog kami sa van ... diretso [ang trabaho] eh. Sayang naman lahat ng pagod ko if, artistically, I am not fulfilled. Going indie gives you a chance to do so kung meron kang naipon. So 'yun," she expressed.

Where does she think her music is headed next? "Hindi ako maka-decide kung ano yung pinaka-love ko na music. Every time people ask me what's my favorite genre, hindi ko din talaga masagot. I can't deny that I'm happy singing fast songs like OMG but there's also that side of me that loves to shout and just really be dramatic. So hindi ko talaga ma-separate yung one from the other."


Whatever she decides to go for next, Karylle's talents -- whether in singing, hosting, or acting -- would definitely bring her far. Find your smile too by listening to her album. Roadtrip was released under PolyEast Records and the video of Found My Smile Again was directed by highly-acclaimed photographer Raymund Isaac.

You can digitally download the single and the album from the following online stores:

Be updated with Karylle's activities by liking her Facebook page and/or following her on Twitter.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

IP e-Games Celebrates 6th Anniversary with Domination 6

Last Saturday, thousands of gaming enthusiasts filled the spacious interior of the World Trade Center to participate in IP e-Games Ventures Inc.'s 6th year anniversary with Domination 6, the biggest single-day gaming event of 2012.


Domination is where gamers and enthusiasts come together to celebrate the joy of gaming in a day filled with tournaments, fun offline activities, and entertaining stage performances from cosplayers and some of the country's hippest bands.


Heidi Mendita-Garayblas, IP e-Games Chief Operating Office, described Domination as a venue for their company to thank its loyal gamers for their continued support and enthusiasm for its top gaming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) titles such as RAN Online, CABAL Online, Point Blank, Audition Dance Battle, and Bandmaster.


Finals were held in Domination 6 to conclude the year-long RAN Online MatiraMatibay Tournament, CABAL 3v3 Carnage National Tournament, Point Blank Mega Bakbakan, Audition Dance Battle Master of Eight Keys, and Bandmaster SOS Bagsakan.  Winners of the Point Blank competition not only gets the top prize but will also earns the privilege of representing the Philippines in the Point Blank International Competition -- one of the most prestigious gaming tournaments -- to be held next month.


Another highlight of the festivities was the presence of Level Up! Inc. to complete its merger with IP e-Games which was inked last March 30. Domination became the launch pad for the combined gaming activities of the two, big online publishers. 


Aside from the tourney finals, freebies, and awesome contest and raffle prizes, gamers had the time of their lives as more than 200 top-of-the-line PCs were provided for free-play. Guests also enjoyed performances of several bands with radio disc jockey Karen Bordador and actor JC Cuadradoare hosting on stage. 


In addition to the already overwhelming line-up of activities, Domination 6 offered gamers the chance to land their dream jobs via a job fair. IP e-Games VP for Marketing, Miguel Bauza, expressed that IP e-Games, in its own way, is always finding ways to look after their loyal gaming community. "This job fair will hopefully provide them with opportunities to grow professionally as well." 


Domination 6 was co-presented by Axe Anarchy and Smart Communications with major sponsors Cobra Smart, PLDT, Redfox, and Razer. Minor sponsors include Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, SteelSeries, Bitdefender, Fatboy's, Uno Pizzeria, and Binalot.

For more information, visit www.e-games.com.ph or portal.e-games.com.ph/domination6 

* Photos borrowed from Orange Magazine TV's Domination 6 Facebook photo album


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Discover Delicious, Discover Friendship at Greenwich

One of the most fun things to do is to be able to unwind at the end of a long day with family and friends. Sure, there are times, it's very relaxing to simply stay at home and watch a great movie on DVD or cable, or read a good book. But there are also moments when it feels nice to just go out and enjoy good food with good company.


The other night, several of my friends and I were invited to join other groups of friends at Greenwich Pizza and Pasta's Katipunan branch to try out their latest offerings. One of these is the Greenwich Spaghetti Supreme. In the Philippines, it's common to find the classic red spaghetti in restaurant menus because Filipinos usually look for it. After all, we have embraced this Italian fare and made it our own in more ways than one. 


Pinoys have come up with a lot of variations to the ubiquitous red sauce which, in general, now has a uniquely sweet twist (definitely Filipino!) and is loaded with a generous serving of meat. I'd bet the women in your family have their own spaghetti sauce recipes. I have!


But when outside the home, you can get your dose of red sauce and al dente noodles craving with Greenwich's new and improved Spaghetti Supreme. Jo Anne Ingalla, Greenwich Assistant Brand Manager for Pasta, described. "We added more of what our market loves in spaghetti and the result has made our product even better." Aside from tomato sauce made richer with fresh ingredients plus quality ground beef topped with freshly grated cheese, each meal comes with a piece of tasty Garlic Stix. Customers can order this dish a la carte for just P49 per serving.


Aside from the very filling Spaghetti Supreme, we got to sample several pizza flavors, crunchy onion rings, lasagna, buffalo wings (quite spicy so I only took a small bite and downed half a glass of iced tea immediately :p), and sweet dessert.


In between bites, my friends and I got to catch up on the latest news, had some good laughs, and listen to guests who stood up to sing with the live band provided just for the event. I'd say it was one great Barkada Night for everyone and Greenwich was a perfect venue to do all that.


Before we left, we were gifted with a couple of awesome American Idol limited edition items. My kids and I tried them at home and liked how the microphone-shaped speakers sounded. The earphones are comfortable to wear and also produces good sound. 


Unfortunately, I've just found out that the speakers are no longer available but the AI earphones are! So, if you're an AI fan, you might want to grab one of these before the items run out. They come free when you order the Overloaded Barkada Feast worth P649 or can be bought at P99 if you get the Lasagna Supreme Feast worth P399 or the Barkada 6 Pc. Bucket Feast worth P499.



Wednesday, April 18, 2012

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Set to Open on May 11

The New Yorker must be right in describing Forbidden Broadway as "the funniest show in New York" because I caught a sneak peek of it the other day during the press con at Chihuahua Mexican Grill in Makati and am looking forward to laughing more when I watch the show in full next month.

Forbidden Broadway, the off-Broadway smash hit is presented by Upstart Productions. It is a cabaret revue sharply spoofing show tunes, characters and plots of contemporary and current Broadway musicals. It has mocked popular shows like The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia!, Cats, Hairspray, and Rent, to name a few. 

The show, which was conceived, written, and directed by Gerard Alessandrini also targets famous Broadway personalities such as Julie Andrews, Mel Brooks, Kristin Chenoweth, Bob Fosse, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman, Jennifer Holiday, Elton John, Angela Lansbury, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh, Idina Menzel, Ethel Merman, Liza Minelli, Bernadette Peters, Stephen Sondheim, Barbra Streisand and many others. 

Gerard Alessandrini was an unemployed actor who assembled some of the musical parodies of Broadway shows he had written since childhood into a nightclub act. The show, in its various editions, has received  over 9000 performances and had been seen in more than 200 U.S. cities as well as in London, Tokyo, Singapore, and Sydney. It has won awards from Tony and Drama Desk, Obie and Outer Critics Circle.

I had the pleasure of hearing the Philippine cast sing three songs which include funny renditions of the Mamma Mia song, and Rent's Seasons of Love. Watch this video so you can see better what I'm talking about :)


Forbidden Broadway, Philippine edition, will showcase the versatile talents of the following exceptional actors:

OJ and Liesl
Liesl Batucan, a two-time Aliw Award winner for Best Actress, has appeared in over 100 theatrical productions for Repertory Philippines and has also appeared in Tanghalang Pilipino's critically acclaimed productions as well as in shows in the U.S., Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Budapest.

Caisa Borromeo, one of local theater's most talented young performers, recently won the award for Best Female Lead Performance in a Musical at the 2010 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for her portrayal of Jo March in Repertory Philippines' Little Women. 

Caisa and Lorenz
OJ Mariano also won the Awit Award for best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist in 2006. A prolific recording artist, OJ has been performing more and more on the stage and actually remains my favorite Tom Collins of Rent. 

Lorenz Martinez, who I've last seen as the best Snoopy ever in 9 Works Theatrical's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, is an international talent who was part of the ensemble and played the Engineer for the Netherlands production of Miss Saigon. He has a long list of shows under his belt including being the voice of Stitch in Hong Kong Disneyland and being the only male Asian performer in the Cinderella Asian Tour.

Joel
According to the show's director, Joel Trinidad (the sensational guy who starred in Defending the Caveman), he has handpicked all four because, "More than just great singers, dancers, and actors, I needed performers who could be funny without trying. Comic timing is something you're born with: you either have it or you don't," he explained. "I'm happy to say that my cast members are all great performers who were definitely born with it."

He shared that he loves Forbidden Broadway because it pokes fun at all the big Broadway hits in a good-natured way that's never petty or mean. "It's like watching 20 or more Broadway musicals in one go!"

Asked if people, who are not too into theater much, would also enjoy the show, Joel assured, "You don't even have to be familiar with any of the featured musicals to appreciate the show -- that's how well-written it is. It's an amazing show, one of the funniest I've ever seen." He adds that those who have seen Forbidden Broadway before would be pleasantly surprised with what he's got planned for the Philippine version.


Aside from the "fantastic four", audiences can look forward to guest performers like Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, and many more. 

Forbidden Broadway will run from May 11 to May 27, 2012 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00PM. All performances will be at the C.P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

For tickets, inquiries, and other information, call Upstart Productions at 0917.5285678 or email upstarttickets@gmail.com or upstartproductionsinc@gmail.com. Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Visit upstartproductionsinc.com, add Upstart Prod on Facebook, and follow Upstart Productions or joel_trinidad on Twitter.


Ogie, Regine, and Baby Nate Alcasid Experience "Love under the Sun"

Having a baby for the very first time is a life-changing experience. You are no longer just responsible for yourself; you are now accountable to making life better for another human being. 

I've just seen Sun Life Financial-Philippines' (SLFP) latest TV commercial featuring the Alcasid family and I must say this short clip has a lot of heart in it. How lovely to witness an intimate moment where sunlight fills a room while a precious baby seems to attentively listens as his mom promises him a future as bright as the morning light.


It is not surprising to see Regine and Ogie continuing to marvel at their little miracle. As Regine said in the commercial: "Buong buhay kitang hinintay, and you are so worth the wait." During the shoot, Regine shared that "Nate really changed my life," as she stared intently at her son's face. Beside her, husband and fellow music luminary, Ogie Alcasid, can't help but smile. And when their gazes met, the room was described to get warm with affection. 

The new TVC, titled "Experience Love", explores the triumph of fresh starts as it captures the dawn of a new day with the hopeful beginnings of a family. It perfectly illustrates how having a child can compel parents to redefine their priorities. 

“Before I had Nate, I didn't even believe in life insurance. Now, I know it is one of the most rewarding and secure investments you can give for your child’s future,” mused Regine. When asked why they chose Sun Life, Ogie harped on the importance of trust: “It’s a company that has been around for more than a century, and we also have our full trust in our Sun Life advisor.”


This new TVC came at the heels of Sun Life's grabbing the top spot in the local insurance market, heralding a new era for the country’s first and longest-standing life insurer. SLFP's rise to the top is based on its 2011 gross premium, which amounts to P14 billion, an increase of 31% as compared to the previous year’s figure.

Mylene Lopa, SLFP Chief Strategic Marketing Officer, acknowledges, "As parents, our greatest love is our children. Thru our new TVC, we show how Sun Life can help families protect the ones who matter the most.".

Also poised to further serenade Filipinos, the company’s new jingle, ‘Experience Sun Life,’ will be sung by their new advocate Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

“In Sun Life, we are passionate in our mission to provide financial freedom for every Filipino," affirms SLFP President and Chief Executive Officer Riza Mantaring. "Sun Life has had many impressive achievements but we are proudest of the trust given to us by our clients thru all these years."  

For more information about Sun Life, call 849-9888 or visit www.sunlife.com.ph. Also like them on facebook.com/sunlifeph.


Sunday, April 15, 2012

Subic Bay Hosts Commodore's Cup Regatta 2012

Sailing enthusiasts from all over the world gathered last week under clear blue skies in sunny Subic Bay not only to enjoy the beautiful waters and picturesque views but also to compete in the ultimate nautical race of the year -- the much-awaited Commodore's Cup 2012 international regatta event.


The affair came right after the prestigious Rolex China Sea Race 2012 which ended last April 8 after a 565-nautical mile race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, Philippines. The Commodore's Cup Regatta officially started on April 10 with the registration and skippers' briefing as well as the welcome party for participants and guests at the Lighthouse Marina Resort


The race proper began on April 11 with the participation of some 30 international boats from the US, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore according to Mr. Federico "Ricky" Sandoval II, President of Watercraft Venture Corporation. Daily awards and socials were held at the Lighthouse from April 12 to 13 and culminated in the grand Awards Night on April 14 at the poolside of the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC)


Four of my friends and I were invited to cover the last day of the race. We saw with our own eyes how beautiful the waters and scenery of Subic Bay are and had so much fun watching the sleek boats vie for places. The weather was perfect for sailing that windy afternoon. We got on a Subic Bay vessel with other media practitioners and shot photos of the boats (and ourselves! LOL) while we enjoyed the cool breeze that blew despite the heat of the sun.



Later, we got to chat with some of the event organizers and found out that a career in sailing is actually better than nursing! Sir Ricky told us that there are sailors who have not finished high school but are some of the most-trusted and well-paid workers in the world. Thus, they are planning on opening a school for sailors where students can get in for free "as long as we get sponsors to help maintain the boat," he shared.

Mr. Jose Maria Vargas (General Manager - Subic Bay Yacht Club),
Mr. Federico Sandoval II (President - Watercraft  Venture Corporation),
Mr. Jesus Avecilla (President - Lighthouse Marina Resort),
Mr. Raul Marcelo (Dep. Admin. for Tourism - SBMA)
Mr. Raul Marcelo, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's (SBMA) Deputy Administrator for Tourism, reported that tourist arrival in Subic has grown by 190.43% since 2006. He described Subic Bay as having a unique combination of tourist attractions which makes it an ideal eco-tourism destination. Visitors can discover some of the best dive and bird-watching sites, go sailing, and perform other water sports. Moreover, Subic is now also a cruise ship destination. "The first one docked here in February of this year." He added that they, moreover, have the best search and rescue team in the Philippines.



That night, we also got to witness who bagged the coveted Skipper of the Year award and overall winners in the IRC Racing Class, IRC Cruiser/Racing Class, IRC Premier Crusing Class, and Crusing Class categories. Fireworks lit up the night sky as the jovial crowd of sailors celebrated each other's victories.


The Commodore's Cup Regatta was first convened in 2008 by then SBYC Commodore Ricky Sandoval. It has grown since in terms of following and prestige and eventually became part of the Asian Yachting Circuit in 2010. It also turned out to be one of the most anticipated regatta events in the country and one of the world's top offshore racing competitions.


Past winners of the Commodore's Cup include JO De Ros with skipper George Hackett in 2008 and 2009; Hi Fi with skipper Neil Pryde in 2010; and Subic Centennial in 2011.


"This year's Commodore's Cup is truly a momentous event. With Subic Bay playing this year's host, we aim to showcase the Philippines as among the world's top sailing destinations with its clear waters and fine sand beaches," concluded Mr. Sandoval.

* For more photos from this event, please visit this album in Write, Breathe, Live's Facebook page :)

Friday, April 13, 2012

Carla Abellana Guests in GMA's Kusina Master: Season 2

I like watching cooking shows but sometimes end up frustrated when the ingredients shown are either unavailable or hard to find in Philippine supermarkets. It’s great that, in recent years, more and more local cooking shows are being aired on TV.


Kusina Master, a program on GMA 7, has garnered a loyal following during its first season because the dishes look easy to make and the host, Chef Boy Logro, is very engaging. I was invited to watch the show’s taping the other day and saw for myself why the program continues to soar in ratings.


I caught the first episode of Carla Abellana’s one-week guesting stint. She’s very lovely in person and appeared to have a good sense of humor as she easily bantered with Chef Boy when she assisted him while he cooked a lengua dish.


Kusina Master airs for half an hour from Mondays to Fridays. Audiences will have a treat learning how to prepare gastronomic treats and mouth-watering recipes. Each week, Chef Boy will be joined by a guest celebrity who will lend a hand in guiding the viewers to step-by-step food preparations along with practical cooking tips added with special techniques in making quality and scrumptious dishes every day.


One highlight of the show that I personally find fascinating is the time-bound challenge where Chef Boy must finish a particular recipe before time runs out. I think the audiences find that exciting as well.

Wanna learn how to prepare good food for your family from the cooking master himself? Go “Yum! Yum! Yum!” and catch the appetizing episodes of Kusina Master’s second season, weekdays, before Eat Bulaga on GMA 7.


Sunday, April 01, 2012

Exciting New Scents from Zen Zest this Summer!

I've been using Zen Zest products for years and, I must admit, the brand keeps on surprising me by coming up with great products that I usually come to love.

Some of the very first ones I tried were the Sparkling Sugar Collection back in 2009. Up to now, I still use the Watermelon Sorbet variant because of its very yummy scent I never get tired of sniffing. 


I also love Zen Zest's room and linen sprays particularly those in the Tim Yap Collection that are playfully called "Nothing Happened Here" and "Something's Gonna Happen Here" respectively. (You can read my old blog post about the product launch here.)

In addition, I continue to use the complete set of Zen Zest's Foot Care products (soak, scrub, lotion, and spray) with the pepperminty feel. (I tried digging through old blog posts and found my a review I wrote back in 2007!) Try those on your feet at the end of a tiring day and see how refreshing it is. 


Another set of Zen Zest products I love using is the Talc line. I really enjoy being in a cloud of fragrance after bathing with the body scrub and applying the lotion before spritzing on the body spray. Talk about a heavenly smell that lasts for hours! 

Women know that putting on the right scent always puts us in a better frame of mind. It not only adds confidence but a certain lift to our disposition. I agree with a lot of ladies that perfume contributes to one's mood and that it has the power to invoke certain thoughts and feelings. I'd bet there are certain scents that can also make you remember a particular person or moment in the past. I do, a lot of times!


What's makes Zen Zest great is that you don't need to shell out a lot of moolah just to be able to smell as gorgeous as you want to. Walk in a cloud of fragrance every hour of the day with the brand's fast-selling line of Eau de Toilette (EDT) sprays that are, hands-down, easy on the pocket and so worth your money.

The EDTs are formulated with a concentration of 12% fragrance oil which will keep you smelling great for up to six hours. What's more, each fragrance has a unique scent that definitely stands out. With so many variants now available to choose from, it's actually hard to decide which ones to buy!

Me (rightmost) with Nana Nadal (left) and Michelle Fontelera (center)
In case you don't know, Zen Zest is the brainchild of Michelle Asence-Fontelera, a lady who has been collecting perfumes since she was eight! Eleven years ago, she started a business that has grown to be the well-known brand it is today. The secret to Zen Zest's success is that while they are locally concocted, the products' formulations follow global standards with quality at par with international signature brands. 

With the EDT, for instance, all components are imported: the oil is from France, the alcohol is from the USA, and the bottles come from Germany. It is hypoallergenic and non-irritating. It contains aloe-vera extract so as not to dry the skin. Users won't need to worry about leaving stains on clothes either.


One thing you will notice with all Zen Zest products is that the packaging looks very stylish and not something you'd be ashamed to be seen using.

I love how nice-sounding the EDT names are and found out that Michelle got them from the range of hues found in the big, 72-piece box of Crayola. A wide array of variants are available for both men (Aquamarine, Bullet, Celadon, Cobalt, Periwinkle, Teal, and Turquoise) and women (Indigo, Magenta, Marigold, Mulberry, Scarlet, Tangerine, and Thistle) with a scent for every personality and occasion. I love the Indigo and Tangerine scents! My husband uses Bullet.


This April, stay tuned for four new scents to look forward to. There would be Silver, Black, and Blue for men and Coral for women. I've smelled them all and found Coral really lovely. If you want to read the descriptions for all 18 EDT scents, click here.

How much is a bottle? The 50-ml EDT retails for only P200.00 and is available in any of Zen Zest's one hundred plus outlets nationwide. Indulge and enjoy! :)