SM Toonfest is Happening This SUMMER!

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Expecting a deluge of kids and kids-at-heart with their families at the SM Supermalls this summer, the country’s largest chain of malls is launching the biggest and only gathering of 40 cartoon characters in 44 malls nationwide on April 12. Dubbed “ SM Toonfest”, the summer-long festival that ends May 31 will feature a never-seen-before number of activities and cartoon-related toys and interesting finds for the whole family and the cartoon-lover to enjoy.

The SM Toonfest will showcase meet and greets with beloved characters such as Spongebob and Patrick, Dora and Boots, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Polly Pocket, Monster High, Big Bird, Bugs Bunny, Barbie, Green Lantern and many others. Fun activities include face painting, coloring contests, exciting raffle prizes, scrapbook making, cartoon film showings, arts and crafts shows and one-of-a-kind play centers and game areas. Special discounts will be available for toys and other character items on sale.

SM’s Toonfest is supported by Bates/Nickelodeon, Richprime, Pacific Licensing, Honeybarn, Solar, Click Licensing and Astroplus/Magnavision, among others. With all the beloved cartoon characters in the malls this summer, SM can truly say, Everything’s Here.

Watch out for more details on SM Toonfest events and promos at www.facebook.com/smsupermalls.

SM Supermalls Celebrates Easter with Carnival-themed Party

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Customers who will troop to any SM mall nationwide this coming Easter Sunday, March 31, will be treated to various fun activities for the whole family as SM Supermalls holds a grand celebration dubbed “Easter Carnival”. SM malls are especially decorated for sight-seeing and photo opportunities, with giant Easter installations available for the public to enjoy.

One of the highlights of the Easter Carnival includes “Circus Fun”, which features a circus show with magical acts and performances by clowns. There will also be a grand parade of mascots and  a costume contest where kids can play dress-up with their cutest, most colorful and wackiest Easter costumes to get a chance to win cool prizes. Egg-hunting tradition will be held through “Eggstream Hunt” in select SM malls. Another interesting event to watch out for is the “Easter Fair” where booths will be set up for fun activities and food that kids will enjoy, such as hotdogs, popcorn, ice cream, and many others. Activities include face painting, balloon twisting and egg painting.

Details on the schedule of events is available here.

For more information about SM Supermall Easter celebration schedule of activities, visit SM Supermalls facebook account at facebook.com/smsupermalls or www.smsupermalls.com , tweet via @smsupermalls,  or call (02) 470-2222.

MAGICAL EASTER LAND AT Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila

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Treat the children and the whole family with a passport to a magical adventure.  This Easter, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila will not only keep the magic alive – it is a family celebration complete with glorious elements, including food, games and activities meant to fire up the bliss and excitement.

For only PHP 800 net for both children and adults (PHP400 for in-room and dining guests) from 11 am to 3 pm, Le Salon is transforming into a magical enchanted garden where everyone can look forward to meeting candy fairies, wizards and dwarves.  Not only are these characters a surprising delight, the afternoon buffet snacks are pouncing with sweet and savoury choices personally hand-picked by Executive Chef Josef Miklavc and his team. Fruit Magic’s refreshing fruit shakes are also available featuring their most popular concoctions.

With careful eyes and a steady hand, activities such as face painting and meringue egg decoration will surely satisfy everyone’s penchant for arts and crafts.  Plus, the line-up of interactive activities, such as balloon twisting, pin the magic wand, magic hat, eggs in a pot and an exhilarating show by a wizard performing feats of magic and illusion, serve as the ultimate icebreaker and bewitching features of the party.

Of course, it would not be an Easter party without egg hunting, so all children get to “eggs‑plore” for many eggs in the Mystery Egg Hunt, with carefully tucked away incredible prizes, including an overnight stay in a guestroom with breakfast buffet for two at the Market Café.

Since no one is meant to leave the party empty handed, prizes and surprises that await include Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket, Sqwishland, ShellCore, Faber-Castell Philippines novelties and IFEX notebooks, ABS-CBN publishing’s Working Mom, Spiders, and Cars magazines, plus Worlds of Fun and Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila gift certificates.  For goodies and snacks, Oishi, Chips Delight, Smileys, Egg Bites, Trolli Gummi Candies, Yakult, Selecta Moo chocolate and milk drink, Lucky Me Special, Monde Specials, Nestle Professional, Purefoods Fun Nuggets and Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Magnolia Ice Cream, San Miguel Foods Inc- Great Food Solutions, Clara Ole, Smuckers,  Treetop and Jack N’ Jill Snacks such as Star Pops, Coca-Cola soft drinks, Quake Bars, Star Fruits, Wiggles, Yammy Chocolate Chewy Candy, Cream-O, Magic Creams Junior and Presto bring their most-loved products as a take-home gift.

To kick the Easter party up a notch, families can combine fun and feast by dining at any of the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila restaurants and taking advantage of the special rate of PHP 400 net!

Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila is located at 1588 Pedro Gil cor M.H. Del Pilar St., Malate, Manila.

For more information, please call the Food and Beverage Reservations Centre on +63 2 247 8666 or make a booking online by visiting www.manila.casino.hyatt.com.  Alternatively, email cath.mn@hyatt.com.

Mabuhay Restop - Good Food, Sweet "Manila Vanilla" and Gawad Kalinga Advocacy

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At least once in our life, we've dined in a Filipino restaurant that promotes and celebrates our culture.

Savory food, inserts of traditional Filipino folk dance, serenading; I'm sure you get the picture.

When I was on my way to Mabuhay Restop, my expectations were set. But I was totally surprised when I got there and experience first hand the sweet, witty and totally entertaining set of Manila Vanilla and the homey comfort food you know were made with love.

Mabuhay Restop is owned by a UCLA-educated California lawyer and GK (Gawad Kalinga) advocate Rose Cabrera. "We don't offer just great food and entertainment; we also offer voluntourism tours and other avenues to provide visitors with an opportunity to create better lives for communities who need it most", says the fabulous and generous lawyer.

 This museum, travel cafe and social enterprise in one is devoted to promoting our rich culture and heritage in creative and entertaining ways while making a difference. Mabuhay Restop has committed to give 30% of theirnet income to Gawad Kalinga, a Filipino nation-building movement dedicated to eradicating poverty and restoring human dignity through building empowered and sustainable communities.

I have to apologize that I wasn't able to take photos of their food. I got there a little late, so the show was just about to start. I was so engrossed with the show that I forgot about the food and just laughed my ass off with the modern comedic take of our culture and heritage.

Mabuhay Restop’s Manilla Vanilla is a unique musical comedy directed by Nestor U. Torre, with music composed by Ryan Cayabyab. The show tells the story of a Filipino family as they prepare to open their home as a bed & breakfast. Served with deliciously self-deprecating humor and lighthearted song and dance numbers, the show will tickle your funny bones and serve as an enjoyable introduction to those new to Filipino culture. 

Mabuhay Restop’s Manila Vanilla! stars Celine Fabie of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers and Spotlight Artist Centre's "Katy: The Musical," Astarte Abrahan of Resorts World Manila's "The Sound of Music" and Repertory Philippines' "A Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino"; singer and comedian Andy Bais; and entertainer and Gawad Kalinga volunteer Edward Fernandez.
 Manila Vanilla is definitely the best cultural show that will entertain everyone: the young, young at heart, Filipinos, Filipinos at heart.

Other activities both locals and tourists would enjoy:

Mga Kwento ni Tita Beauty, also written and directed by Nestor U. Torre. A spin-off from Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang, the show features creative and theatrical storytelling featuring 6 original Filipino and English tales imbibed with valuable moral lessons.


For a different Philippine travel experience, Mabuhay Restop offers the Voluntourism or Kalinga Tours. They provides visitors a totally different Philippine travel experience by taking them not just to beautiful tourist spots in Bicol, Bacolod, Palawan, and Davao, but also to several Gawad Kalinga villages, where they can experience the warmth and hospitality of the Filipinos, practice compassion in action, and understand the soul of bayanihan. 

This tour features the one-of-a kinds "I am Filipino" art exhibit with 12 Filipino artists like Ugu Bigyan, Nemi Miranda, Ramon Orlina, Ryan Cayabyab, JC Buendia and Ernie Francisco, and Albert Badz Magsumbol.

Mabuhay Restop also offers the Bayan Tour, a 3-hour guided and interactive tour in Rizal Park for visitors who wish to learn more about the Philippines and the Filipino.

If you want a fun and entertaining Filipino cultural show, if you want to munch on awesome homey Filipino food while helping out communities that need it, come to Mabuhay Restop.

Like Mabuhay Restop on Facebook!
Visit their website for more info. :)

*Italicized texts were taken from PR materials

Korean Beauty Brand: iWhite Korea Loot

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Have you ever wondered how those gorgeous Korean actresses in your favorite Koreanovela get that perfect fair skin?

I've always admired their beauty, and how youthful they look. They don't wear much makeup, and they really don't need to. How I wish I can have a skin like that! Well, there's nothing wrong with trying, right? And maybe with a great help from iWhite Korea products, I'll be that close to achieving such. :)

I got this loot of fab iWhite Korea products a couple of weeks ago. I'm sooo overwhelmed and grateful for all these, and I honestly can't stop using them.

The iWhite Aqua Moisturizing Cream has been a part of my daily routine, and the iWhite Whitening Pack saves my skin from stress at least twice a week.

I thought they're so awesome I also went out and bought their facial wash, facial cream and their nose pack! I haven't tried their GlutaBerry soap, but after I ran out of my favorite Snoe soap, I'll use it.

This is the cutest note, ever!

Anyway, a full review of the whitening pack and aqua moisturizing cream will be posted soon. ;)


Like iWhite Korea on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Flormar Long Wearing Lipstick in L34 - Review, Photos, Swatches

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Flormar Long Wearing Lipstick in L34 is a purple shade with hints of magenta. It looks a little crazy purple and intimidating on the tube, but its actually gorgeous and wearable. I find this a little sheer compared to the first Flormar lipstick that I own, so a little bit more swiping is needed for a full opaque look. It has decent hours of wear, and left a stain on my lips. Its formula is creamy, leaning towards glossy so it tends to slide. I would say the formula is like a combination of MAC's amplified creme and lustre.

Flormar Long Wearing Lipstick in L34

PROS: not the usual shade you'll see available locally, can be worn as sheer or build it up, 2-3 hours of wear, doesn't have a distinct smell, locally available, reasonably priced
CONS: it tends to slide because of the glossy lipstick formula, would have loved it more if it was matte, opacity can do some improvement

VERDICT:

  I will definitely repurchase!


Where To Buy:
Flormar Long Wearing Lipstick in L34

PHP350, SM Megamall, SM Makati and SM MOA

Majolica Majorca Perfect Automatic Liner in Black - Review and Photos

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Though I'm fully aware that I have a LOT of eyeshadow palette, I would rather extend my sleep than to work on an eye makeup look (especially on a workday).

If I have a signature makeup look, it would be a done brows, MAC Candy Yum Yum on my lips, and a winged eyeliner. But having a hazel-shaped hooded eye, I need a good waterproof, smudge-proof and sweat-proof eyeliner. Japanese makeup is know for their longevity in wear, and this eyeliner certainly didn't ruin that reputation.

Majolica Majorca Automatic Liner in Black is my current HG eyeliner. It never disappointed me! It never gave me a Raccoon eye. Never smudged nor budged, even after a rather hot day. I love the fact that its a pen that you twist when you have to use it, so a dried out tip is highly unlikely. Also, the tips is a brush. Neat, right? You just need to shake it a couple of times, twist it 1-2 times and line galore!

The only problem I have with it is the precision. Since its tip is a brush, its a little hard to control the thickness of the liner. I almost always end up with a dramatic thick liner even when I just want a subtle line. I also read some complaints about its opacity. I also experienced the same issue when I first applied it. It's all gooey and grey. But then I realized I need to shake it, like how we'll shake a marker before using it, just so the formula will be more opaque. Problem solved. :)

Majolica Majorca Automatic Liner in Black

PROS: long wearing, didn't irritate my eyes, the applicator is a brush, smudge-proof, waterproof, sweat-proof, locally available, coms in different colors, reasonably priced

CONS: precision needs work, you need to shake it first before you can get an opaque formula, may need to apply a little more if you want a really opaque black line

VERDICT:

  I will definitely repurchase!

Where To Buy:

Majolica Majorca Perfect Automatic Liner in Black

PHP695, SM Department Stores and Watsons

Majolica Majorca Brow And Lash Colorist BR333 - Review and Photos

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If I have to limit my makeup routine to 3 steps, my eyebrow routine would be one of the 3.

I believe that having a shaped and done brows will help frame my face well, so I don't go out without doing them. I've been using a cake powder for my brows for the longest time, but I notice it eats a lot of time, so I looked for something else. Something that will do the job in a shorter amount of time.

Majolica Majorca Lash and Brow Colorist is basically a tinted mascara for your brows and lashes. I prefer using this on my brows. I chose the shade BR333 (vanilla brown) because its something close to my current hair color. I was initially scared in using this product because there is a learning curve. I used too much on my first try, so I had to learn how to apply it properly. Just like everything else, a little goes a long way. Its so much easier to add more than to remove excess product.

The formula is superb. It gives you just enough time to 'blend it out" before it dries up. It's also very, very long wearing. Even on a very hot and humid day, this didn't budge. I also love the fact that its so handy, easy to tote around and I don't have to bring a separate brush to use it. It's perfect for those who wants to sport  lighter brows but are afraid to do it with a permanent hair dye.

Majolica Majorca Lash and Brow Colorist in BR333

before

after

PROS: superb formula, long wearing, won't make your brows crunchy, handy, locally available, reasonably priced

CONS: there is a learning curve when using this kind of product, only comes in 2 shades

VERDICT:

  I will definitely repurchase!

Where To Buy:

Majolica Majorca Brow And Lash Colorist BR333

PHP595, SM Department Stores and Watsons

Watsons Haul - Cheap Thrills For My Feet

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Since I went back to the corporate world, I've been back to walking crazy distances again. It's probably the major reason why I don't wear heels; they're not very practical for someone like me who commutes everyday. But even when I wear the most comfortable (and fabulous, I must say) flats, my feet still hurts (and looks a little..well, not cute? lol) with all the walking I do. As much as I'd want to have my feet pampered in Dashing Diva, Nail Tropics or Beauty & Butter regularly, who can keep up with the price? I sure can't. So I went to my favorite beauty haven, Watsons, and grabbed these super affordable treats for my feet. :)

Foot Treats and Watsons Cheap Thrills

Foot Soak

Foot Spray

Foot Lotion

 

Fortunately for me, I don't have smelly feet so I can get away without foot powder. ;) But just in case you need a foot powder, Watsons carry lots of them, and in different scents. I'm pretty sure you'll find one that you would like.

So what are your cheap thrill for you feet?

Let me know by dropping a comment! :)

Be Em-Flowered - FLOWER Beauty by Drew Barrymore

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I"m really glad that I get exposed to a lot of makeup and sin care brands because of my (full-time) work (in publishing). Most of the brands I encounter, I've never even heard of. That's probably because most brands don't even tap Philippines or even consider this country as a market. Bummer.

Drew Barrymore is probably one, if not my most, favorite actresses, ever. I think she's beautiful, sexy, smart and talented. She's a blonde who literally kicks ass. She may have a rough phase, but that's a part of her life I'm sure she now considers an "educational" phase. I also applaud her for signing up with CoverGirl and represent a brand that caters to everyone. But I got more excited when I heard she's coming out with her own brand, Flower.

The main goal of Flower is to give women quality products (from face, eyes, lips and nails) without breaking the bank. I believe that their products won't go above $20 (correct me if I'm wrong). Flower is available at Walmart.