Press Release: SM Mall of Asia’s Grand Festival of Lights 2017

The magic lives on as SM Mall of Asia launches the most anticipated holiday tradition with the brightest, biggest, and most magical Christmas parade – The Grand Festival of Lights 2017!

Now on its 9^th year, The Grand Festival of Lights boasts a one of a kind Christmas story featuring Santa and his magical friends as they bring the magic of the season of life.  Six over the top floats decked with colorful dancing lights are ready to enchant mall goers and bring awe to kids of all ages.

Parading with these captivating floats is an entourage of Christmas dancers, and characters clad in glowing costumes, all dancing to your favorite holiday tunes.  Catch Leo the Lion, Cyril Squirrel, Gerry Giraffe, Hanna Panda, Hailey Hippo, Elly Elephant, Macky Monkey, and Benny Bunny as they the parade for a truly magical spectacle.  This year’s festivity is set to be the most memorable parade ever as it is set with SM Hypermarket, The SM Store, Toy Kingdom, PLDT, Ladies’ Choice, and SMART.

Staying true to its promise of being the best destination for families and friends this Christmas season, SM Mall of Asia has so much in store for all holiday goers.  So catch the magic at the schedule below.

This season also marks longer mall hours with awesome activities like its holiday display featuring the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree, Santa Mail where kids can send wishes to the North Pole, Meet and Greet with Santa Claus, and the spectacular Fireworks Display.  Follow @SMMallofAsiaOfficial on facebook to stay updated on the many activities and surprises that await you this holiday season.

Spiral Buffet For Lunch

Eating on buffet restaurants has always been a treat for me.  Whenever I eat at buffets, it means I am celebrating something.  But there are certain buffet restos that I haven’t tried no matter how good the recommendations are.  Cost would be the major reason.  And Spiral Buffet at Sofitel would be one of those buffets.   

Therefore, I was so grateful that Promil Four treated us, moms, to a hearty lunch buffet at Spiral.  It was included in the program that we ate a sumptuous buffet there. 

Spiral is famous for its 21 Dining Ateliers.  Because it is so plenty, most of the cuisines you are looking for are present in Spiral.  There are French, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, and Filipino cuisines.  Salads, appetizers, cheeses, creamery, chocolaterie, and a lot more are also present.

I always feel that hotels serve very delicious foods.  And Spiral did not disappoint.  All cuisines served in Spiral are delectable and mouth-watering.

Different types of chocolate fountains.

Various cheeses from the famous Cheese Room.

Spiral’s ambiance is very sophisticated.  There are classy dining tables and comfortable couches.  A tandem of a singer and guitarist serenades the guests while eating. 

During our visit, Spiral celebrated its 5^th birthday.  I wasn’t sure if there was an on-going promotion to celebrate it, but cakes were all over the place. 

Overall, I think the price you pay for dining at Spiral is worth every penny.  The delicious food with so many selections and the very sophisticated ambience gives justice to the cost of dining in Sofitel’s in house buffet restaurant.

PS: Spiral buffet prices differ per day and per time of visit.

PPS: If you are an Accor member, you get 50% discount at Spiral if you dine in for two J

Press Release: Mober Launches In The Philippines

Last year, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) noted that there are almost 150,000 delivery vehicles for goods.  According to the data, delivery vehicles now make up to 15% of the total motor vehicle count.  These delivery vehicles add to the already infamous heavy traffic in Metro Manila.  With this, moving around certainly becomes more difficult and tiresome.

Mober Technology moves forward with a solution.  Mober is a Filipino tech start up that believes in reducing the growth of new vehicle ownership can help ease the traffic on streets.  Mober wants to do this by activating underutilized vans and trucks and hopefully leading to lighter traffic and lesser air pollution.  Also, Mober Technology seeks to improve the livers of Filipinos by moving truck and van owners to use their vehicles in providing streamlined delivery services for business and companies.

Keeping this initiative in mind, Mober Technology developed Mober, a smartphone app that lets users book vans and make deliveries on demand.  This makes Mober the first and only Filipino tech startup that provides logistics services.

Aside from making a positive contribution to the traffic situation, Mober also aims to help Filipino drivers.  Through the app, the company offered out-of-line drivers a legal and more stable source of income. 

Mober Technology believes that they are moving towards a better future for the Filipinos. Through Mober, they are able to help the society move forward while also moving lives of Filipino van and truck drivers.

Press Release: Chem Expo 2017

International Chemical Products and Specialty Chemical Exhibition and Conference, ChemExpo 2017, would bring together the biggest gathering of chemical producers, processors, and manufacturers in the Philippines and around the globe, on November 24 - 26, 2017 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The event will focus on major industries in manufacturing and related services such as Agriculture, Petrochemicals, Plastic and Rubber, Waste and Energy, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive and Electronics, Construction, and Water Treatment.

ChemExpo 2017 aims to reach both local businesses and global markets by showcasing the Philippine Chemical Industry’s potential for optimal exceptional and quality products customer care value. The Philippine chemical industry sees a bright future for investment in the country as present demographics point to a promising market base for pharmaceuticals, personal care products, cosmetics, and other chemical-reliant merchandise.

The industry is committed to continually improve its growth process through responsible and sustainable practices that would greatly contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development. Over 100 foreign participants from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Europe will be joining the Expo making it a veritable international trade scene.

For more information, visit ChemExpo 2017 website at www.philippinechem.com

A Day Of Fun At Sta. Elena Fun Farm

Last February, the Department of Education declared that Educational Tours (or Field Trips) are temporarily banned.  Following that decree, Neo’s school no longer scheduled an Educational Tour for the school year.   And since the school year is one activity down, the PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) decided to make an activity that would be memorable for the kids.  Enter the Family Camp.

The Family Camp is a fusion of the Educational Tour and Family Day.  Students, together with their parents, teachers, and school administrators went to Sta. Elena Fun Farm, where the Family Camp was held.  Sta. Elena Fun Farm is located inside Sta. Elena Golf Club at Cabuyao, Laguna. 

Sta. Elena Fun Farm is full of activities catered to kids.  There is an entrance fee of Php400 (both for kids and adults) good for 4 hours of stay at the Fun Farm.  This includes payment for usage of facilities, use of pavilion, and for trying different activities.  Two years old are free of charge.

Now, let me list down to you the different activities you and your kids can try at the Fun Farm.

There are different obstacle courses located at a huge area at the Fun Farm.  The kids and adults can have an enjoyable time finishing several obstacle courses.

Several Rope Course are located inside the Fun Farm.  This is a nice way to build those leg and arm muscles while having fun.

The Sand House is perfect for little kids who can’t participate in some activities.  Just be careful with the sand as it can be a bit rougher than the ordinary sand.

Relax around the Fun Farm while riding the Carabao-pulled cart.  We weren’t able to try this as the Carabao was eating during our time to try it.  No one should disturb meal times hahaha :D

You can also try Horseback riding inside the Fun Farm.  Their horses are huge but very tame and the caretakers are nice.

Be one with the animals by feeding them.  You can feed goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.  The staffs will provide you with grass for thee goats, and carrots for the rabbits and guinea pigs.  They are generous in giving out grass and carrots for animal feeding.

The kids can enjoy the mini row-boating.  The mini boat will sail in a small pond that’s just perfect for kids to enjoy and for moms not to worry.

You can also try Mini Fishing.  They will provide you a fishing rod with worm as a bait.  The fishes are small and the ones you caught will be thrown back to the pond.  The kids will surely have a nice time here while they learn the art of patience.

Last but not the least, kids and parents can do a tandem zip line.  It was my and Neo’s first time to try the zip line.  It was honestly very low with the maximum height of 3 meter (perfect for kids), but was very fun for us.

That’s me and Neo after our zip line.

Those are the activities Sta. Elena Fun Farm offers.  But you need not be limited by those activities.  Since the place is so huge, you can create family bonding and team building activities.

Just some notes though.

·         Sta. Elena Fun Farm doesn’t have any restaurant so you need to bring your own food and drinks.  They sell drinks at the admin office and a drinking fountain is available at the Pavilion.

·         It is a private place inside Sta. Elena Golf Club and there is no public transportation available.  You need to hire a private transport to go here.

·         It is open for walk-ins but reservation is highly encouraged.

Sta. Elena Fun Farm is a very nice place for family bonding and team building.   The place is good for recreation and relaxation. With all the activities and facilities you get to enjoy, the fee (for me) is very cheap.  You get your money’s worth and more.

Sta. Elena Fun Farm is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 8AM – 4PM.

Press Release: SM Southmall Unveils The Christmas Town

Witness that magical tale of the true meaning of Christmas as The Christmas Town is unveil at SM Southmall.  The launch showcases this year’s thematic centerpiece with a musical production by Stages. 

The wonderful tale of Christmas Town is about Elle, the Christmas Town’s event organizer for its annual Christmas celebration, and how she put together all important characters of Christmas: which includes Sparkle and Glitter, Snow, and Gifts. 

Aside from the Christmas launch, SM Southmall has other holiday activities in store.  Kids can experience the magic of Santa’s Workshop when they purchase a pair of Bears of Joy teddy bears at the event center from November 9 – December 17.   Every Sunday of November and December, Santa Claus himself will be at the event center and kids can meet him and take pictures.

Join SM Southmall’s 100 Days of Christmas countdown by posting your most festive holiday photos in social media with the hashtags #SMSouthmallChristmas #100DaysofChristmas.  You will get a chance to win exiting prizes!

Event: Promil Four Partners With Parents In Nurturing Every Child’s Gift

Do you know that the last week of November is when we celebrate Gifted Awareness?  Promil Four took an initiative and help celebrate the Gifted Awareness Month for the whole of November.   That is why in partnership with the Philippine Center for Gifted Education (PCGE), Wyeth Promil Four conducted a Learning Workshop for parents that features several keynote speakers and workshop facilitators.

The learning workshop was something very memorable for mommies (and some daddies too).  This is because we learned a lot on how we nurture the gift that each and every child has.   We learned and we apply. 

What are the things I love about the whole afternoon of workshop from Promil Four?

I love that there were several keynote speakers who are experts of different fields such as Dr. Christia Padolina for Obstetrics and Health, Dr. Tippy Tanchanco for Pediatrics, and Dr. Leticia Ho for Clinical Psychology who imparted important knowledge to participants.

 I love that I learned that it is not just by academics that we nurture our child.  We have to help them develop the three Rs: Reasoning, Resilience, and Responsibility.  And with these three Rs comes a subset of learning. 

o   Love for Learning, Skill at Learning, and Communication to build Reasoning.

o   Self-Knowledge, Worldliness, and Comfort with Complexity to build Resilience.
o   People Sense, Goal Setting, and Open-mindedness to build Responsibility.

I love that I also learned that not all milk are created equal and there are milk brands that supports our kids’ gifts.  Wyeth’s Promil Four has nutrients that help kids achieve their full potential.

I love the workshops itself.  We were asked to free our mind and act like 5-year old kids.  We exercise our creativity and painted to enhance our mental health.  We played with other mommies (who were acting like 5-year-olds too) to build our social and communication skills.  And we developed our physical strength through yoga.

We built this “castle” while forbidden to talk to each other.  Teamwork.

Strengthen the body through yoga.

The painting of 5-year-old me.

I love that we were treated to a sumptuous buffet at Sofitel’s Spiral.  Mommies had so much fun chatting away while indulging into delicious foods.

 I love that before the end of the program, mommies were given a single-stemmed pink rose while being serenaded by Tawag ng Tanghalan kids.  This is how Wyeth showed appreciation to mommies who nurture the gift to each and every child.

Such a sweet surprise! 

It was such a lovely afternoon.   Promil Four would like us to encourage other moms, and dads, to nurture the gift in each and every child.  Let us support our kids’ mental, physical, and social development.  Every child has a gift.  It is our responsibility to help them achieve it.

La Fiesta: A Filipino Buffet Experience

Eating will always be a part of any celebration for our family.  Since it was the hubby’s birthday last October, we decided to eat out at La Fiesta at SM Mall of Asia.  La Fiesta is located at SM by the Bay where most of the buffet restaurants are located.

We have tried some of the buffet restaurant at SM by the Bay: Vikings, Buffet 101, Movie Stars Cafe, and Four Seasons (you can click the link for reviews).  We wanted to try La Fiesta as it seems to have unique buffet offering.  We didn’t avail of their birthday promo but instead bought vouchers at Metrodeal. 

La Fiesta offers mostly Filipino foods.  They have the regular Filipino viands we cook at home like Pinakbet, Sisig, Kare-kare, etc.  The soups they offer are Bulalo and Sinigang.  The desserts are Halo-halo and Kakanin.  

Lechon, the star of the Filipino fiesta, is also available.  This made me very happy.  I love eating lechon J

Since most of the foods are Filipino inspired, there are street foods available too (which we didn’t try since we can try this on our own). 

There’s also a sorbetes (dirty ice cream) booth but I think it is empty and just for picture only.  But if you like to eat ice-cream, it is available at the dessert counter.

Even though La Fiesta has mostly Filipino foods, they also offer some international dishes like sushi and maki, steamed bun, pizzas, etc.

If you will be visiting La Fiesta, ask to be seated at the couch in front of the stage.  This is because La Fiesta has a small stage where performers sing while you eat.  There are cultural dances too during weekends. 

During our visit, La Fiesta has very few customers.  Maybe because it was weekday.  But compared to the other buffet restaurants are SM by the Bay, La Fiesta has fewer customers though they have a big area.  La Fiesta has fewer food choices too compared to the other buffet restaurants, though it is a little bit cheaper than the rest.

This little guy ate rice with Sinigang and ice cream only.  Not sulit for Php380 no?

Lunch at La Fiesta starts at 1130 AM.  Buffet cost Php630 for weekday lunch.  Children below 3.5 ft get to eat for free, while kids 3.5 to 4.5 ft (like Neo) pay Php380.  Go visit La Fiesta if you are craving for a Filipino fiesta like food and a celebratory vibe to go with it.