Mother's Day goes beyond showering our moms and the mother figures in our lives with gifts, it's about nurturing our connection with them and showing appreciation for the invaluable role they play in our lives. 

The most priceless gift we can give them is time -- time well spent with their loved ones, time to show our appreciation for everything they do for us, and time spent on themselves and their passions as they age gracefully.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, here are four heartfelt ways to give Mom the gift of time and honor her love, strength, and unwavering dedication.

1. Time to Say “Thank You”

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the countless sacrifices and selfless acts of love that our mothers make for us each day. This Mother's Day, let's take the time to express our heartfelt appreciation to them. Whether it's through a heartfelt card, a handwritten letter, or simply sending a text with a few words of gratitude and taking the time to acknowledge everything she has done and continues to do will mean the world to her.

2. Time to Treat Mom

As moms, they juggle a lot of responsibilities and obligations – keeping up with work, her family, her friends, and maintaining a household, just to name a few. There’s a tendency for mothers to neglect their own needs and well-being. On this special day, let's encourage Mom to carve out some much-deserved time to unwind. Whether it's booking her a spa appointment, indulging in her favorite hobby, or simply taking her to a nice cafe, giving Mom the gift of time to relax and decompress can work wonders for her overall well-being.

3. Time to Embrace Wellness Together

For mothers, who often prioritize the needs of their families above their own, their personal needs and even their health take a backseat. LAC (Leader in Antioxidative Control™), the leading health and wellness supplement retailer in the Philippines, believes we can also give our moms more time by supporting and encouraging them to maintain good health. So to celebrate Mother's Day a little differently this year, LAC encourages families to engage in activities that promote holistic wellness together, from going for a swim, to practicing yoga, or simply going on a nature walk. By doing an activity, you’re reminding moms to prioritize their health and how much you value their overall well-being.

4. Time to Revitalize Her Youth

In today's fast-paced world, mothers encounter challenges that may cause stress, accelerating the aging process. Aging impacts every aspect of well-being, from appearance to function. LAC believes incorporating high-quality supplements can support holistic well-being and slow down the aging process. 

LAC StemC® is the perfect choice for mothers seeking rejuvenation. Derived from premium thoroughbred horse placenta and synergistic ingredients, it offers cellular regeneration and improves physiological health to support recovery from the demands of motherhood. Its potent blend developed in Japan promotes skin elasticity, elevating vitality and restoring strength, ensuring that mothers feel their best inside and out.

Additionally, incorporating supplements like LAC FullCal® which contains a Calcium Magnesium ratio 2:1 for optimum absorption with co-nutrients such as Vitamin D3 and more. This convenient on the go melt-in-the-mouth powder for strong bones and teeth helps ensure optimal nourishment, supports healthy muscle function, and aids muscle contraction and relaxation, making the journey smoother for experienced moms. LAC Joint Protec™ Glucosamine Chondroitin + Collagen, on the other hand, can provide daily relief with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, essential for managing the physical demands of daily motherhood activities and boosting mobility and flexibility crucial for active and agile mothers caring for their families. Its jelly form makes joint health support easy and enjoyable for busy mothers, offering a convenient alternative to caplets. 

Our goal is for moms to feel their best every day, so what better gift to give them this Mother's Day than the gift of vitality?

This Mother's Day, let's celebrate the extraordinary women who have shaped our lives by offering more than just greetings or material gifts.  Let's take the time to remind them and show them how much we genuinely appreciate their strength and timeless love.

Remember those epic snack adventures you had as a kid? Whether it was running off to the playground with a snack during recess or packing all of your favorite treats for a picnic at the park with the family, snacktime back then had a certain kind of magic. 

Now, snacktime can be more fun and exciting—both for the young and the young at heart—with Jack ‘n Jill Pretzels Stick Snacks’ new, oh-so-savory flavors: BBQ (barbeque) and Cheddar & Sour Cream.

Here are three reasons why the new Jack ‘n Jill Pretzels Stick Snacks is a must-try:

1. It comes in two bold and exciting flavors that might just rock your taste buds

Jack ‘n Jill is offering pretzel lovers more delightful flavor options with the release of the first ever savory flavors of its Pretzels Stick Snacks. First is its BBQ flavor, which offers that burst of spice and smoky flavor. Think of it like a backyard barbecue adventure in snack form.

If you’re a fan of cheese and sour cream-flavored snacks, there’s the Cheddar & Sour Cream variant to satisfy your cheesy cravings. These pretzel sticks are all about that cheesy goodness with a sour cream twist that will have you and your kids hankering for more.

2. It’s snackable fun for adults and kids

The new Jack ‘n Jill Pretzels Stick Snacks is a yummy snack option to share and enjoy with your kids. It’s light, bite-sized and crunchy—great for anyone who’s craving a quick snack. This munchable pretzel snack can be enjoyed by the whole family be it as snack companion for when you’re at home watching a movie, as a recess treat for the kids during school days, or even as yummy baon for weekend road trips.

3. It’s amazingly pocket-friendly

The new Jack ‘n Jill Pretzels Stick Snacks won't break the bank. You can get a 28g pack for only P8.50 (SRP), making it a delicious and budget-friendly choice for families.

Are you and your kids up for a new, fun-filled flavor adventure? Check out the new Jack 'n Jill Pretzels Stick Snacks in BBQ and Cheddar & Sour Cream today.

Head to your nearest grocery store and grab a pack of Jack 'n Jill Pretzels Stick Snacks in BBQ and Cheddar & Sour Cream, or shop online. For more snacking ideas, fun activities, and exciting surprises, follow Jack ‘n Jill on Facebook.

The ‘ber months are in full swing and Filipinos are already feeling the Christmas breeze. ‘Tis the season when families plan for the most anticipated holiday in the Philippines. But as with any event, timing is everything in making Christmas the most magical celebration of the year!

As the trusted partner of Filipinos in the kitchen, MAGGI understands that food – and sharing it with the family – is the heart of the holiday season. “Christmas is a time when homecooks bring out the most special recipes – those that they love to cook and that their families enjoy sharing together, especially during Noche Buena. MAGGI is here to help empower Filipino homecooks na gawing mas magical ang Pasko as they prepare, cook and transform their dishes into the most delicious Noche Buena spread,” said Ms. Raine Calma, Food & Dairy Culinary Recipe Marketing & Digital Lead.

From choosing recipes and buying ingredients to cooking and welcoming guests on Christmas eve, MAGGI shares 7 secrets to enjoying a stress-free holiday season!

1. Explore menu-making hacks – Homecooks need a game plan and MAGGI (https://www.maggi.ph/magicalpasko) is here to serve some menu inspiration. Noche Buena cooking is made easier with access to over 100 recipes that make holiday meals extra special. It's best to lock in your headcount so that you can modify the recipe based on the number of servings you need. 

2.   Make a list and check it twice – With a menu in place, it’s time to check the pantry and do an inventory of ingredients. List down the quantities of items needed before heading to the supermarket. A quick check in the grocery's online shelves can help ensure stocks and availability. Holiday traffic is real and so grocery runs should be planned in advance.

3.  Do a test run if cooking a recipe for the first time – Trying out a new dish can be overwhelming. With enough lead time, homecooks can do a trial and have loved ones give comments to improve on the dish. By using only the best seasonings like MAGGI Magic Sarap and its variety of Savor and cube products, they can transform any dish from pwede na to sarap-sustansya and magical levels. 

4.  Make ahead whenever possible – Cooking everything all in one day can be tiring. Homecooks can start pre-cooking certain components of the dish to help lessen their kitchen load on celebration day. Meat stews, marinades, embutido, pasta sauces and cookie batter can be prepared a few days ahead. This means planning for fridge space will be crucial to ensure dishes keep well until it's time to serve them.

5.  Save the fresh for last – Fruits and vegetables can be purchased in the morning to retain its freshness. Adding fresh pineapple to an all-time favorite fruit salad will elevate the dish. 

6.  A little help goes a long way – This is the perfect bonding time for the family, when homecooks pass on their cooking techniques and share their passion for food with their children. The joy in cooking will translate in your dish, too!

7.   Give your Noche Buena table setting an added flair – Adorn the dining table with bits and pieces of Christmas to make the Noche Buena gathering even more memorable. It can be as simple as a red ceramic platter for your chosen entrée, scattering a few Christmas balls or adding candles with gold ribbons for an added touch of magic.  

According to Calma, these simple tips from MAGGI are aimed at helping homecooks manage their time, resources and energy. “The holiday rush can get the best of us because we only want the best for the people we love. Proper planning can make all the difference and allow the whole family to spend more time together, celebrating and enjoying their most magical Noche Buena yet.”

If you’re thinking of updating your home appliances and getting new ones, make the most out of the savings of up to 60% offered by the Beko Sends Love promo from October 1-December 31, 2023. You also get freebies on selected appliance purchases.

Beko Sends Love is an annual promo by leading global appliance brand Beko for its customers in the Philippines during the holiday season.

Beko split air conditioners have low operation noises so you’ll get a restful sleep. Save Php15,999 on the BSEOG 180/181 2.0HP Split-type air conditioner, which has a cash price of Php 38,991. It has a ProSmart Inverter Motor and an Energy Label of 5 stars so that means more and bigger energy cost savings.

The 1.5 HP BPVOW 120 is a Window-type air conditioner with a ProSmart Inverter Motor and an Energy Label of 5 stars so that means more and bigger energy cost savings! Save up to Php 6,599 from Php30,990 to Php 24,391.

Beko refrigerators have HarvestFresh Technology that helps keep your vegetables and fruits fresh for longer periods of time. This is perfect for the upcoming holiday season, when we have an abundance of food. The 16.7 cu.ft GNO480E40HFGBPH is a multi-door refrigerator with a cash price of Php51,891 (savings of Php9,099). You also get a free rice cooker worth Php5,490

This multi-door fridge also has a unique feature called NeoFrost Triple Cooling, wherein separate cooling systems for each compartment maintain ideal air flow and optimal temperatures with a high level of humidity in both the freezer and the fridge.

The 16.6 cu.ft RDNT470E50VZK with HarvestFresh and NeoFrost Dual Cooling has a cash price of Php37,391 with savings of Php8,599. For top-mount refrigerators, you get a free rice cooker worth Php5,490.

Beko’s new line-up of freestanding cookers have energy-saving and other features that make preparing meals for your family easier and more convenient. The KDVI90, which has an electric oven and grill, five induction zones, and triple oven cavities, has a cash price of Php119, 992 with savings of Php 29,998. You also get a free stainless steel cooking set worth Php4,300.

The BRC916GCR has four gas burners and one wok burner, multifunctional oven, and electric grill. It has a cash price of Php 107,992) with savings of Php26,998. You also get a free non-stick cooking set worth Php2,500.

The BCR916GCM has four gas and one wok burner, a multifunctional oven, and an electric grill. It has a cash price of Php 107,992 with savings Php26,998 and comes with a free non-stick cooking set worth Php2,500.

Beko’s built-in induction hobs have energy-saving, safety, and other exciting features that would make them worthy additions to any home. The HII64205F2MT has a  cash price of Php26,392 with savings of Php6,598. You also get a free range hood worth Php 5,490.

Beko is also giving freebies for other appliance deals / discounts such as free dinnerware set and detergent tablets when you purchase Beko’s dishwashers, garment steamers, selected front load washers, and steam iron in Beko’s twin tubs.

Check out the Beko Sends Love 2023 catalog in appliance stores nationwide and on Beko’s social media accounts.

Beko appliances are available at Abenson, AC Marketing, All Home, Anson's Asian Home, Automatic Centre, BHF, Echo Appliance, Fair N Square, Fiesta Appliance, Fonts Home, GB Prime, Great World, J Marketing, JVValeroso Marketing, K-Alwin'z, Lazada, Lucky 4 City Appliance, Magic Appliance, Manhattan, Mike's Department Store, NB Marketing, Ocampo's, Our Builders Warehouse, Plusign, POS Marketing, Pricewise, RJ Homes, Robinson's ,Tiongsan, Trinity Appliance, Triple NM, United Motoliance, VPR Marketing, Western Appliances, Savers Appliances, SaveYour Home, Shopee, Solidmark, SM Appliance Center, SVCAppliance, and 1st Megasaver.

For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to http://beko.ph or visit https://www.facebook.com/bekoph and https://www.instagram.com/bekoph/

Check out SM Beauty's Color Play Festival That Launched Last Monday, July 31

Colors make the world happier and brighter and SM Beauty launched the Color Play Festival from July 31-August 4 to showcase its wide and amazing range of makeup, skin care, and hair care products.

The festival, which is all about playing with color and being proud of it, was formally launched on July 31 at the Mall of Asia Main Atrium with content creators, influencers, and members of the media present.

In store for shoppers are games, freebies, entertainment, and even a digital beauty pageant.

Flaunt Your Coachella Festival Look With SM Beauty

As part of the Color Play Festival, SM Beauty launched an engagement-driven, digital pageant to help spread awareness about SM Beauty products while emphasizing on the idea of "Create Beauty." Participants are urged to post their most dazzling Coachella Festival look on Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook. The post must include #SMBeauty and #ColorplayFestival2023 in the caption.

Entries will be judged based on the following criteria: Makeup, Hairstyle, Originality, and Engagement (likes, comments, and shares). The top 10 winners will receive exclusive hair and makeup, skincare, and other SM Beauty products.

Throughout the Color Play Festival, there will also be a "ferris wheel" gondola and photobooth. customers can have a chance to win SM Beauty products with Ferris-Win, and a snapshot of them with their friends and family members in the photobooth. To have the chance to win the contest, consumers just need to buy any variant of SM Beauty lipstick and show proof of purchase. The photo booth will be available on July 29, 3pm-7pm only. This promo is also exclusive to SMAC members only.

On July 29, there were also lip balloons and pop sockets in selected SM Department Stores.

Check out BTLA's beauty products and deals

Participating Brand L'Oreal in the SM Beauty Color Play Festival

Participating Brand Y.O.U in the SM Beauty Color Play Festival

Participating Brand NARS in the SM Beauty Color Play Festival

The participating brands include MAC, NARS, Drunk Elephant, Shiseido, LOOK At Me, Tsubaki, Extra Care/GOT2B, Tressemme, L’Oreal Hair, Liese, Hairfix, Y.O.U, QuickFX, Barenbliss, Dazzle Me, Flormar, BYS, KISS New York, Maybelline, Happy Skin, Shiseido, Drunk Elephant, BLK, Chic Bobbie, LA Girl, Vice Cosmetics, and Issy & Co.

SM Beauty Color Play Festival 2023

Go to your nearest SM Beauty Store or shop online at ShopSM  from July 31 to August 4 and enjoy big discounts on a wide variety of beauty products. Visit “Color Play Festival” at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium until August 4 and create beauty with colors.

In Filipino households, the kitchen isn't just a utilitarian space designed for meal preparation—it's a hub for family bonding and often the very heart of the home. Meals prepared in a Pinoy kitchen strengthen familial relationships and celebrate the country’s rich culinary culture just as much as they nourish the body. The kitchen is so important to daily life that it only makes sense to invest in upgrading it from time to time. When your appliances start reaching the end of their lifespan or the space begins to look a little run down, it’s well worth it to consider a makeover.

The idea of a kitchen upgrade can often conjure images of sky-high expenses, making many homeowners shy away from even contemplating it, but that's where a common misconception lies. Upgrading your kitchen doesn't necessarily mean investing in a total overhaul. Sometimes, all it takes are smart changes that enhance functionality, elevate aesthetics, and ultimately, increase the value of your home—all within a budget that suits your needs. To start with, have a look at these five strategies for a budget-friendly but impactful kitchen makeover:

Invest in Multifunctional Furnitur

When looking around online for quality kitchen furniture for sale, keep a particular eye out for multifunctional items—these are lifesavers if you’re dealing with limited space and resources. For example, a kitchen island isn't just a workspace or a dining area. An island designed with built-in storage for your pots and pans or an under-the-counter space for your wine bottles or recipe books could very well become your best friend. This way, you not only save on floor space but also cut down on the need for additional storage furniture.

Similarly, consider dining tables that can serve as additional prep areas or bar stools that open up to store small kitchen items. It's all about maximizing what you have, and multifunctional furniture allows you to do just that. The secret is to choose items that blend seamlessly with your daily routine, so you can enjoy a more organized, efficient, and spacious kitchen without the high costs.

Optimize Storage Space

Proper storage helps keep your kitchen neat and organized, which can,in turn, also drastically transform the room's visual appeal. To optimize your kitchen storage, start by taking a good look around and identifying underutilized spaces. That empty wall could be used for hanging pots and pans, for instance, while the side of your cabinet might be able to host a spice rack.

Try vertical solutions like installing shelves or hooks, which create visual points of interest in addition to providing additional storage space. Consider rolling shelves or storage units on wheels that can be tucked away when not in use. The space above your fridge can be optimized with baskets for storing items you don't frequently use, while the area under your sink can be equipped with pull-out drawers for cleaning supplies. The best part is that these storage solutions don’t need to be expensive. With a bit of creativity, you can make the most of your existing space while adding a touch of unique style.

Upgrade Lighting

With the right lighting, you can transform an old, drab kitchen into a vibrant and atmospheric space—and make food preparation much easier in the process. Begin updating your kitchen lighting by considering the general overhead lights first. LED lights are a fantastic, energy-efficient solution that offers a wide range of styles, from bright daylight bulbs for task lighting to softer, warmer tones for ambient light.

Afterwards, you can consider installing under-cabinet lighting. It’s a cost-effective upgrade that significantly improves the functionality of your workspace by illuminating shadowy countertops. For a touch of elegance, add pendant lights over your kitchen island or dining area. Even something as simple as replacing outdated fixtures with newer, more stylish ones can significantly uplift the aesthetics of your kitchen. 

Replace Essential Appliances

The thought of buying new appliances may not seem synonymous with a budget-friendly kitchen makeover, but remember that older kitchen appliances tend to consume more energy and may thus be even more costly to maintain in the long run. So, while it might seem like a large outlay at first, investing in energy-efficient appliances will earn you some generous electricity savings down the line. As long as you do your research, compare brands and models, and prioritize based on what you use most frequently, you should enjoy a significant return on your investment before too long.

Think of appliances that you use daily, such as your refrigerator, stove, or microwave. Replacing these with energy-efficient models will benefit you in many ways, from increasing your kitchen's overall efficiency to saving on energy costs to reducing your carbon footprint. For instance, an induction cooker heats up faster and loses less heat in the process compared to a traditional gas stove.

Repaint the Walls and Cabinet

Nothing refreshes a space quite like a new coat of paint. If your cabinets are looking dated or your walls are showing signs of wear, repainting them can instantly breathe new life into your kitchen. Repainting is also one of the most cost-effective home improvement options available, making it a popular choice for homeowners on a budget who’d still like to make a noticeable difference.

Start by choosing a color scheme that complements your existing appliances and furniture. Lighter shades can make your kitchen appear larger and brighter, while a bold color can create an accent wall for dramatic effect. Don't limit yourself to just the walls, either—painting your kitchen cabinets can significantly alter the look and feel of the room. Whether you opt for a trendy two-tone effect or keep it classic with white or cream, freshly painted cabinets can make your kitchen look brand-new.

Ultimately, a budget shouldn't be a deterrent to having a kitchen that you love. With thoughtful planning and creativity, it's entirely possible to achieve a beautiful and functional kitchen space that suits your lifestyle and reflects your tastes.