Who among you grew up knowing Ever Malls as a family hangout or a place to go to after school?   When I was in college and studying in one of the schools in the University Belt, I frequented an Ever Mall near the campus with my classmates to eat or find something unique to buy like accessories or gift items or buy something we needed for school.  It had been always a happy hangout experience.  After all, it's known as the pioneer shopping destination and a neighborhood "second home" that offers variety of food, fashion, and fun shops for over 23 years!

Today, with the revamped Ever Malls, they bring genuine value, leveled up shopping satisfaction with ‘EVERday is a Happy Day’!  Ever Malls is transforming to become the ultimate destination for retail shopping, entertainment, and leisurely enjoyment.

Fun shopping ‘community’ within reach
With so many big malls in the metro, Ever Malls offers something that reaches out to the community.  We all know those small communities like where I live always look for fun and fuller shopping experience, happier and better customer service, and an engaging retail environment.  This is what the new Ever Malls' campaign is all about.

Chie Arao-Santos, Head of Corporate Marketing of Ever Malls, says "EVERday" aims to instill every day positivity in life as shopping should be one of life's delightful experiences.  I agree to this because not just a mom sho finds leisure in grocery shopping, I like going on window or actual shopping as my me-time, right?

“We want Ever Malls to continue to be known not only as a retail haven but also as a happy place that’s worth coming back as customers would love to be here, to discover something new and exciting any time of the day. We want them to fully enjoy whatever is it that they need to do, whether it is shopping for daily essentials, hanging out with friends for food trips, or strolling leisurely with their family for relaxation,” says Arao-Santos.

She adds: “Our malls are strategically located. For example, our Commonwealth branch is within the vicinity of subdivisions and villages thus, accessibility and convenience are a strong point and this makes it possible for Pinoys to visit Ever Malls every day.”

Their campaign was made more exciting with positive "community-feel" and happy images and colors when you experience shopping at an Ever Mall.  They even have catchy jingle and giveaway during their launch held last March 24.

Customers both old and new will also experience better shopping convenience courtesy of the newly renovated Ever Supermarket, including an assortment of casual dining foodie hubs via the new lifestyle strip Calle Bistro.

Genuine customer satisfaction

As the campaign is designed to offer shoppers real value and satisfaction-guaranteed experiences, Ever Malls also infuses entertainment and amusement elements in its retail spaces by hosting interactive social events like live band performances, food pop-ups, celebrity bazaars, and many more.  And because customers love a good deal, incentives like promos and prizes, special discounts, as well as freebies and giveaways will be regular treats for loyal mall goers.

“Everyday visit to Ever Malls is an EVERday happy shopping experience because customers will have a grand time exploring a vast array of offerings from upcoming new tenants with products ranging from branded items to affordable novelty products. Alongside a more diversified retail lineup is the enhanced in-store customer experience and engaging social activities that will delight people of all ages”, concluded Arao-Santos.

Experience the new shopping pleasures and exciting thrills that await at these Ever Malls locations: Ever Commonwealth and Ever Manila Plaza. For updates, like and visit Ever Malls FB page and use the hashtag:#EVERdayHappyDay.

Some may think sometimes that being a mom of boys don't require a careful or meticulous selection for what we use for their skin.  Others may say, pwede na yan or lalaki naman.  Actually, it's not the gender but the sensitivity of baby's skin that is always at stake whenever we choose skin care products for our kids.
I learned a lot about baby's skin and why it really needs skincare that's gentle but thorough in cleaning without stripping off the natural moisture or by locking the moisture in.  This was explained by a renowned dermatologist and blooming mom-to-be Dr. Mara Padilla Evangelista-Huber during the recent launch of Cetaphil Baby Gentle Cleansing Bar.  Here were some of the other learnings I took with me on truths about baby's skin:

• Cleansing can be the most damaging step in baby's skincare routine.  That's why we should be discerning in choosing the right brand of cleanser.
• Skincare in babies should focus on supporting the barrier function meaning it should thorough in cleaning yet not strip off moisture plus should even lock it in.
• A good baby cleanser should reduce the risk of irritation and infections.

The cleansing bar is Cetaphil's extended baby line of products which is targeted to toddlers. The program was hosted by Patty Laurel-Filart and graced by mom celebrities as well such as Mariel Padilla and Andi Manzano-Reyes who both shared challenges of raising toddlers and how they've used Cetaphil since they were born.
Also in attendance were editors Bianca Santiago-Reinoso and Georgia del Rosario, actress Helga Krapf, author Joy Tan-Chi Mendoza, designer Nicole Hernandez de los Angeles, entrepreneur Rene Rose Rodrigo, photographer Sheila Catilo, and many of society’s career moms and their babies.

“Cetaphil Baby Gentle Cleansing Bar is our way of growing with the babies who started with our signature brand of gentle cleansing,” says Abe Mationg, Brand Manager of Cetaphil Baby. “We want to give every toddler the right foundation for healthy skin to ensure that it is protected, now and in the future.” 

After all the skin talk, the moms, together with their kids, enjoyed the rest of their night and treated themselves to sumptuous food and delightful conversations with other mothers. The moms also bonded over their common stories, exchanging mommy tips throughout the night’s affair.

The event also became an impromptu playdate for all the youngsters present for the launch, hanging out by the play areas with the new set of friends they made by the end of the night.  The night ended on a high for the mommies and their kids, taking home with them the new Cetaphil Baby Gentle Cleansing Bar and a lot of new knowledge about taking care of their toddler’s skin.

For information, visit www.cetaphil.com.ph

So many kids today want to be seen on video, be in their mom's or dad's phone or tablet/iPad while some kids want to be seen on social media especially YouTube.  These kids are very much knitted in the digital culture and are very comfortable talking in front of the camera and feel confident seeing their videos get published.  This new generation of content creators using videos, it's called VLOGGING by the way, should be properly taught how to do it properly, securely, and safely.  Moms and dads of these talented kids, could support their children, the future potentially earning YouTubers, by attending a workshop next weekend, Vlogging 101 for Kids: How To Start Your Own Channel organizes by The Manila Workshops featuring the honest sweet couple speakers Omni & Bryce Larrossa of #TheClingyFam.
Happening on June 22, 2019, from 9:00am til 4:00pm at Richprime Global, Inc. office in Quezon City, learn the ins and outs of Vlogging for Kids.  For parents who have many questions about this millennial trend and activity called Vlogging, this is your perfect chance to ask the expert parent/family speakers and vloggers themselves all.

The speakers Omni & Bryce are my personal friends and I vouch for their authenticity, their desire to educate and help others, their selflessness in sharing their skills, and in ensuring they say and teach the correct techniques and lessons about good and safe vlogging.  With this, I can assure you that you and your children will get so much more than just vlogging stuff.

Here's what you will learn from the VLOGGING 101

• Doing it right the first time.
• The right mindset, purpose, and equipment that can help kickstart your vlogging career.
• Youtube Basics: On Branding
• How to properly present yourself and make your vlog standout
• Youtube Basics : Setting Your Channel Up
• Creating your channel art and other items needed to attract more viewers
• Youtube Basics : Building your content
• Crafting your content plan
• Monetization 
• Turning your passion into profit through the different ways of monetizing your content

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Omni & Bryce Larrossa with their three children: Zia, Zela, and Zed

Omni and Bryce Larrosa is the couple behind the fun and quirky family vlog dubbed as Omni & Bryce or #TheClingyFam. They started their channel in March 2017 with the aim to capture their children's milestones on video. Little did they know that people are looking forward to relevant family content and they realized this when their channel reached 3000 subscribers in just 4 months after launch and receiving thousands of heart-warming and encouraging comments from Filipinos all over the world. Since then, their passion to inspire more people that having a happy family life is possible by sharing their story grew bigger day after day.

Their story was also noticed and featured on different TV shows such as Social TV's FamBam,
ABS-CBN's Tapatan ni Tunying and GMA's Reel Time reaching an even wider audience both on traditional and digital entertainment channels.  Today, Omni and Bryce has garnered over a million watch minutes with over 400,000 watch views and more than 6,500 subscribers and counting in just less than 2 years of existence, making them one of the country's fastest rising family vlogs. They are also trusted by over 30 companies to execute branded content for their brands including Babyzen, Foldaway, Ergobaby, Baby Dove Cheez Whiz, Eden, The Araneta Center, and many many others that cater to moms, dads or families in general.

LEARNING RATES:
Early Bird Rate: Php 2,499.00 (Adult + Kid)
Early Bird Group Rate: Php 2,999.00 (Group of 3)
Regular Rate: Php 3,499.00 (Adult + Kid)
Group Rate: Php 3,999.00 (Dad + Mom + Kid)

**Workshop Fee is inclusive of handouts, certificates, giveaways and snacks!**
You may buy your tickets at: https://manilaworkshops.com/events/vlogging-for-kids-2019
For more details contact: VENI – veni.anabo@manilaworkshops.com | 09272816651

Did you know that there are many types of intelligence?  Not all intelligence are measured in school by high grades, certificates, and medals around a child's neck. The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. Often times, what's measured or given more focus or attention in school are linguistic (word smart) and logical-mathematical (number-reasoning).  But other intelligence types take a backseat and are often read as underachievement or attention deficit disorder in some kids who possess these. I wish more schools, organizations or institutions take equal focus on other types which make kids the next architects, artists, musicians, designers, dancers, and even entrepreneurs.

A recent event I was a proud media partner of, BIZ KIDS 2019, was held in Commercenter Alabang.  It's an awesome event for the next-generation entrepreneurs who got their real-world business experience last May 18-19!  In the first-of-its-kind event in the South, the participating youngsters brought and sold various self-made products to a new and bigger customer base — which even included Filipino rock music icon Bamboo, who dropped by at the event!
For its second year, BIZ KIDS provided free expo space for a total of 14 businesses — 2  more than 2018 — run by kids with a strong entrepreneurial flair over the two-day fair. This allowed the budding young entrepreneurs to focus their energy and brainpower on making their products and thinking of creative ways to sell.
At the end of the weekend event, the standout kiddie ventures were honored at the BIZ KIDS Awards. Lois Faith Berino bagged the Best Booth Design Award for her biz, Lois Faith Gourmet Recipes, which offered pasti-mallows, crispy mushrooms, and yema spread.
Little tycoons Hidde and Rinke Bartlema and Lucius Manalac, the trio behind homemade skincare brand Flubber Blubber Soaps and Scrubs, received the Most Innovative Biz Award.
The biggest-selling businesses were also recognized with the Sales Genius Award, which was given in four categories: Desserts, Snacks, Handicrafts, and Arts. Beatrice Veloso’s Grand Slam Cookies, Zac and Zion Jimenez’s Yummy Bites, Natalie Sumagpao’s CLAYThings, and Christine Yenko’s Sandy’s Little Nook topped each segment, respectively.
A new award was added to the original lineup: theAsianparent Philippines Biz Kid 2019 Award, which was given to the venture whose photo posted on The Asian Parent Mobile App garnered the most number of likes. Crisps Gourmet Snacks, helmed by Aria Gacutan, Anree Ignacio, and Almond Wong, bagged the honor, which was awarded by Commercenter Alabang’s Bianca Pabello together with Richelle Morana, Community Manager of The Asian Parent Philippines.
“The event was a very good opportunity for the kids to experience what it’s like to run a business,” shares Maria Flor Bueno, mother of kiddie entrepreneur Chelsea Bueno of DMC Sweet Treats. “We’re grateful for a chance to be part of this.”

Before last weekend’s expo, BIZ KIDS also hosted the future tycoons on a two-day workshop that introduced them not only to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship but also to the basics of stock market investing — either as a means to raise capital or an alternative venture.

“BIZ KIDS is about empowering kids with real-world experience and with basic business and finance concepts that will help them realize their potential,” notes Tagle-Dinglasan. “We’re thankful to everyone who helped us do that by dropping by last weekend to support the participating kiddie ventures. We hope to see everyone again next year!”

BIZ KIDS 2019 is presented by Commercenter Alabang, and is supported by media partners theAsianparent Philippines, Inquirer.net, InqPOP, Manila for Kids, CNN Philippines, Pop Life TV, Yuneoh.com, ClickTheCity.com, WhatsHappening.PH, WazzupPilipinas.com, Mom Center, Mommy Practicality and Mommy Levy.

When my second child was born, I already saw a flyer of Cordlife in the clinic of my OB-GYN.  Cordlife was fairly new in the market at that time.  I got so curious but I didn't get a chance to know more about it by asking.  Six years later, when I was pregnant with my youngest, I finally had the courage to ask about it, talk to a Cordlife agent and when the time came that I was about to meet her to sign up, I had pregnancy complications and had an emergency CS.  In short, I regret to this day that I wasn't able to avail of their cord banking service.
Now, Cordlife is celebrating its 10th year in the Philippines with its headquarters in Singapore.  I had the pleasure to attend their celebration with my other mom friends.  I learned more about their services and why it's one of the lifesaving investments a family could do.  Through testimonies of their clients, celebrities and regular parents, and discussions with a doctor panel, I fully understood how it's beneficial for the family.  If ever I'll have another child, I'll make sure to really go for it.
Our family has a history of cancer, diabetes, and high blood.  Having cord blood banked could have done so many miracles especially with the list of stem cell treatable diseases that continuously grows ar a rapid pace.  Through this development, many illnesses that were deemed incurable now have cures, and cord blood banks have started to be set up all over the world.
Cordlife is amongst the leading players for private cord blood banking services in most of the markets it operates in, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines.

It All Began with a Chance and a Choice
This year, Cordlife Philippines has reached a significant milestone of 10 years in the consumer healthcare industry. But the greatest breakthrough in their journey began with a decision they made a decade ago. A chance they took and a choice they made back then that proved to be right.

Their cord blood banking service was first introduced to the Philippine market in April 2009, and was headquartered in Antel Corporate Centre in Ortigas.

Their cord blood processing and storage facility in UP AyalaLand Technohub in Quezon City was established in 2010. It has a storage capacity for 30,000 cord blood and cord lining units and is built in accordance to global gold standards to give local families peace of mind.

It is the first and only stem cell bank to be registered with DOH and to be certified by ISO in the country since 2012. Cordlife is also the first in the Philippines to earn the prestigious AABB Accreditation in 2017.

A Decade of Quality Cord Blood Banking and Beyond
During the past 10 years, Cordlife Philippines has built a tradition of delivering the highest of quality standards in service and product offerings to every Filipino family. From less than ten, their team of highly talented and dedicated workforce grew to almost a hundred nationwide.
To provide families with more treatment options in the future, they launched their cord lining banking service in 2013. And to ensure that their clients’ health is well taken care of in the most holistic way possible, they introduced Cordlife Care360° Safeguard Program, Cordlife Shield, Cordblood Network, and Cordlife Transplant Care.

Now, more and more families are gaining access to cord blood and cord lining banking as the company extends their services in Visayas and Mindanao with the opening of their Cebu and Davao satellite offices.

Their prolific years of experience in umbilical cord blood banking pushed them further to offer more quality services. Hence, the introduction of their umbrella brand, Genscreen®. With Genscreen®, they launched genetic screening services such as: NICE and Prevue Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests and PlumCare DNA Advisor, the first and only family genetic testing in the Philippines.

More than just a Cord Blood Bank
With the power of cord blood stem cells in their care, Cordlife Philippines values great responsibility to their community as well. That is why in 2017, they pioneered a national advocacy called One Blood. The CSR program grants free cord blood banking to qualified pregnant moms with family history of diseases that can be treated by cord blood stem cells.

In celebrating the first ever World Cord Blood Day in the country, Cordlife Philippines joined hand-in-hand with healthcare professionals, celebrity brand ambassadors, and Cordlife moms to spread awareness about cord blood and cord blood banking through informative talks and lectures.

And as a gesture of gratitude to their clients, Cordlife introduced their Privilege Card that offers discounts and promos from their trusted partner brands.

Their journey in saving lives does not end here. The gift of giving chances and choices in securing precious stem cells will continue as they remain steadfast in providing reliable healthcare solutions and delivering excellence in cord blood banking and more.

With a firm belief that their services may offer life-changing and life-saving therapeutic options for families in the future, their commitment to continuously offer quality services will never be compromised. Because after all, Cordlife is really all about celebrating the gift of life!

Moms are the ultimate homemakers.  Moms are managers of the household.  Moms handle the budget.

Agree ba kayo dyan?  That being said, moms are the major decision makers when it comes to prioritizing and scheduling expenses, purchasing grocery items, and even buying from the wet market (because she also has the meal masterplan).

When we handle and manage the hard-earned money for the family, it's a no-brainer that we always choose products and services which are value-for-money but not sacrificing quality.  Personally, that's my definition of practicality.  Lahat ng ito, I saw in Super8 Funfest 2019: Bayan Ng Mga Bida, when I went there during the first day of the expo!
I've been doing groceries even before I became a mom.  I love doing groceries because it has become my me-time and it's a therapeutic activity for me.  So you could say that I am a well-versed grocery shopper.  And as a consumer myself, I can say that Super8 Grocery Warehouse is where you'll get big savings with all the bundles (like Buy1 Take1 deals) discounts and promos in their stores.
Just like last year, Super8's Funfest 2019 was a fun and eye-popping experience because of all the in-booth activities and jaw-dropping discounts of different participating brands that resellers and end-consumers or momshies like me would go crazy for!

Take a look at some of the booths I got to visit in the photos below.  Some of the awesome things I observed which were consistent with almost all the booths were the following:

• Participating companies or brands took booth set-ups to great heights.  They're not your normal square plain booths with their products on display.  There were moving mechanisms, colorful lights, light boxes, and were all distinctively noticeable.
• All the items featured were on huge discounts.  Super8 really means it when they said Discounted Na, Discounted Pa! :)
• Each booth has its own gimmicks like having its own show host managing their programs, celebrity appearances, dance contests, singing contests, variety shows, roleta, pick-a prize, sales professionals in costumes, free tastes, and many more!
• People really patiently lined up to get dibs on discounted products for sale.  It was inevitable that some of the offers became out of stock quickly!  It was a sure hit for personal or family consumption more especially for business owners.

• Attendees to Funfest 2019 don't have to worry about getting hungry for the shopping they did because there's a dining area where a number of good food stalls were located.
• It was spacious and the dining area was well-kept by maintenance personnel.

• Super8 do not only have sales in their minds but they have sincere customer service at heart.  They had designated booths for Help Desk, VIP Customer Relations, Customer Service, Rewards Cards Registration, and even for those using Debit or Credit Cards in their shopping transactions.

A Look At Super8 Great Buy
I'm not surprised that they have their own brand of goods and merchandise like how other supermarkets have.  What surprised me was the price points of the items available during that time.  I gave it a second look and a third visit (fist was for photo op, second was official tour, third for personal shopping time!) to fill my reusable bag for items on sale such as the following:

• Medium Eggs
• Raw Sugar
• Mushroom Pieces and Stems
• 2ply tissue rolls
• Cooking Palm Oil
• Distilled Water (their fast moving item)
• Macaroni/Spaghetti noodles
• Pancit Canton
• And many more!

SUPER8 NEGOSYO CARD LAUNCH
This year, the growing supermarket business has also grown its market with a healthy split of almost 50-50 resellers/business and end consumers.  This just means that more than reaching out to their main target market which are the sari-sari owners and mini-grocery owners, the emerging end-consumer - mostly tayo mga nanay, have now became a large part of the pie. 
This then was one of the reasons for the launch of their newest NEGOSYO CARD, an exciting program for their resellers that enables them to earn up to 2% Negosyo Rebates and avail exclusive reseller promos!

What's more, the Discounted Na, Discounted Pa Super8 Grocery Warehouse gave away a brand new Toyota Avanza car to one lucky bidang shopper!  They also showcased thrilling performances by the HEROES and HEROINES of Philippine Entertainment: the BIDAs like Jericho Rosales, Vhong Navarro and more. Indeed, led by the high-flying, resourceful and wise SUPER 8 BIDA herself, all the Bidas in the Suoer 8 Universe shopped and were entertained.
I was one of the selected guests to get a chance to interview Mr. Alvin Lim, CEO of Super8 and Mr. Armand Mendoza, Super8's Business Group Director to talk more about Super8's history, successes, what sets it apart from the competition, and where they intend to be a few years from now.

He shared that when they put their customers first, there will be returns inevitably.  When a company makes their customers happy, like in any relationship, they will stay loyal.  That's why Super8 keeps on expanding to serve more customers and spread their genuine customer service to both resellers and business owners.

A lot of these business successes stemmed from his experience as a young Alvin who grew up surrounded by their family grocery business (Suy Sing Corporation), took his vast experience in grocery distribution and trade, and bringing all these to Super8 and become the Philippines' leading supermarket and grocery operator.

He said,

“A local retailer, Uniwide, became insolvent and I rented out seven stores from them. That is how simply and quickly Super8 began. At the time there were not that many retailers around, but there was plenty of demand. Because I began by renting and only supplying the staff and goods, we broke even after 6 months.”

“From day one, we kept investing in the future,” he says. “I have never taken anything out of the company. This challenge was never about maximizing profits but more about doing the right thing from the onset and investing in our team and our infrastructure.”

He also shared that what makes Super8 reach its status today is because of these three Cs he inherited from his family- Character (keeping a good name and reputation), Culture (being fair and keeping a corporate discipline in the company), and Competence (employing highly competent people).

When we asked about what to expect from Super8 in the future:

• Faster and more direct delivery options through the help of a number of couriers to make it happen.
• Warehouse-to-customer business model
• Expect more automation in grocery services
• May possibly have a mobile app
• Yearly Funfest Trade Events
• More stores