Category: Views & Opinions

Tickles Flagship Store is now open in SM Megamall! If you’re looking for unique and novelty gift items for your friends or for yourself, this is the place to be. I remember visiting Tickles for the first time many years ago and found myself like a kid in a candy store. Everything looks very colorful and all goodies warrant attention. At 80 sqm, the size of the flagship store is about three times the size of any Tickles regular shop. This gives extra fun to shop around here, especially since Christmas is just a few months away. There are really lots of things waiting to be discovered! I went home happy with my purchases: large banana pillow (picture below), notebooks, sticky notes and memo blocks.

My top three favorite sections are:

1. Food-inspired plushies, pouches, slippers, and accessories (well, of course) 😛

2. Animal dolls

3. Animal pillows

Also worth checking out…

Wrap Up

The Tickles flagship store in SM Megamall is fitted with a retro-European circus theme. With cute items from Japan and the US, this store is packed with exceptional finds for both kids and adults alike. Every corner has something to offer: anything to make you smile. So get your eyes ready for a feast, and welcome to your happy place. 🙂 Come visit Tickles at the Lower Ground Level of SM Megamall Building A (near the food court, beside Blue Magic).

Other branches of Tickles in the Philippines: Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 1, Power Plant Mall, SM Megamall A, TriNoma, UP Town Center, Alabang Town Center, Market! Market!, Marquee Mall, Fairview Terraces, and Ayala Center Cebu. Follow @tickles_PH on Twitter and Instagram and Tickles_ph on Facebook.

In every bridal fair we attended, we have seen all sorts of wedding vendors but none of them had presented or offered wedding shoes. So I wonder, why is that? Faced with numerous styles of wedding gowns and suits for the groom’s attire, the challenge is to find the perfect pair of wedding shoes to match our outfits. Nowadays, traditional wedding shoes are so passé. Some brides even consider wearing trendy sneakers, ballerinas, flip flops or flat slippers (with rhinestones, jewels, and Swarovski crystals), etc. instead of pumps, stilettos, and slingbacks.

The sheer variety, including textures, colors, patterns, and accessories is overwhelming. Is it style, comfort, or both that we should be looking for? I thought it over and came up with my own top five criteria in choosing the perfect pair of bridal shoes for my wedding. 🙂 You may want to reflect and consider the following for your big day as well.

My Top 5 Criteria in Choosing the Perfect Pair of Wedding Shoes

1. Re-wearable after the wedding day

I’m all about being practical. Getting a beautiful pair of shoes only to wear it once on my wedding day does not seem sound. The design and color must go with a ton of stuff in my wardrobe, so I will be able to wear them on other occasions without looking too formal or too dolled up. It should be easy to wear without sacrificing glamour, style, or elegance.

2. Doesn’t have to be boring

Though we are progressing towards modernity and go along with much bolder options, most wedding dresses accepted as “decent” are still in the shades of white, cream, beige, and ivory. Bridal gown designers just have to be more creative to make cuts and silhouettes that make a statement.

Hunting for wedding shoes, on the other hand, is where we can really get to play. Colors such as purple, red, and blue will look trendy and fashionable; animal imitation prints like zebra or snake will look attractive; and floral prints will add to the feminine grace of the outfit. The point is that exploring these vibrant selections can be easily part of the fun. 🙂

3. Fit in nicely with the wedding dress

Last weekend, I took the time to try on some wedding gowns to have an idea on the length and tail that will make me feel like a queen. 😛 After fitting, I just realized that the height of the wedding shoes’ heels should fit in nicely with the wedding dress. The rule is: the longer the dress, the higher the heels should be.

Kitten heels and ballerinas will allow me to walk smoothly on the church’s aisle and on the reception floor without a worry in the world. However, for better posture and added height, I think I’d love mid-heel wedges that include an open toe with a purpose to flatter my posh pedicure.

4. Comfortable (a no brainer)

The wedding shoes will be worn from early in the morning until the last thing at night. Because of this, a pair of skyscraper heels is at the bottom of my list. My idea of the perfect pair of wedding shoes is something I can dance in and walk around all day, not killer shoes which can literally kill my feet.

Proper wedding shoes are specially designed with comfort in mind. Buying cheap shoes that lack padding and comfort is simply not tolerable. Limping around because of uncomfortable shoes is a surefire way to look ungraceful. Enduring the pain while smiling to guests and for the camera will be difficult.

For some, it’s wise to wear custom-made wedding shoes in the Philippines because the size, fabric, embellishments, color, design, and style will all be tailor-fitted to the bride’s personal choice. One of my friends who’s getting married soon this year had her wedding shoes custom made by a shop in Marikina. Production time takes three to six weeks. I found one vendor in Bridestory also producing personalized shoes.

5. Not too expensive

Designer wedding shoes—is the price worth it? Well, not exactly all the time, according to respondents in online forums. Paying a fortune for that ultra chic pair of wedding shoes may not be worth the investment if it does not have the perfect balance of style, comfort, and functionality. The quality of materials in designer shoes can be better, but this doesn’t automatically translate to “best buy.” Each brand and each pair of shoe is different.

Some Pegs

1. Kate Spade New York Isadora Wedges; 2. Badgley Mischka Cashet II Wedge Sandals; 3. VALENTINO Rockstud 65 leather courts; 4. Ivanka Trump Wyle2; 5. Badgley Mischka Thora 

We’re now right about smack in the middle of March, and everyone can feel that summer in the shape of heat has arrived! For many of us, the hot season will be filled with outdoor everything. It’s about to get cooler with C2 Cool and Clean’s refreshing offerings. If you have a planned excursion or vacation in Boracay, Baler, or Baguio, why not relax, recharge, and listen to summer beats in the C2 summer booths? 🙂 C2 will be setting up booths in these upcoming dates:

• Boracay and Baler – March 24 to 27 and April 28 to May 1
• Baguio – March 24 to 27

With every purchase of an ice-cold C2 bottle or any of the limited edition C2 premium item bundle packs, you can relax in the C2 lounge and enjoy free Wi-Fi access and mobile phone charging. Vacationers at Boracay can even win tickets to water activities in C2’s mini raffle draws. Meanwhile, free surfing lessons await lucky raffle winners in Baler.

Guests at the C2 booths can also avail of the refreshing goodness of a C2 Slush that comes in limited edition C2 tumblers. They can take a break from the summer heat with this ice blended C2 beverage available in Red Tea and Apple flavors.

Drop by with your friends at the C2 Cool and Clean booths at Boracay, Baler, and Baguio. Add C2 to your summer for a cool and refreshing experience like no other! 🙂 Get updates from the brand by liking its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/C2CoolandClean. C2 drinks are produced and manufactured by Universal Robina and are first manufactured in the Philippines.

In the past two weeks, I have been searching for large wedding reception venues in Metro Manila that can accommodate our guests and provide the best possible experience for us on our big day. Those who know me as a PM will surely get how I’m strict about time, budget, scope, and quality. A wedding is another event that takes a lot of organization and planning to complete. In this regard, like projects I handle, there are also resources to control and deliverables to fulfill at certain time points before the wedding.

Deciding on the wedding reception venue takes utmost importance, as this should really be an ideal place for the celebration. Advanced booking is a must. By “advanced,” I mean one or over one year ahead. Otherwise, there’s a huge chance that your dream spot is already taken. Trust me, I learned it from experience!

There are so many factors to consider when choosing the finest wedding reception venue. For us, the size of the guest list and the kind of food offered by the place are the two biggest determinants.

After days and days of searching, we have finally chosen and booked both the church and reception area. 🙂 Since it took me some time and effort to research and review decent locations (hotel grand ballrooms and restaurants in banquet setup), I thought it will be pleasant to share the result of my research already consolidated in one page.

I hope that this will make it easier for engaged couples, especially those who have over 400 guests, to contact the establishments and shortlist options as well. 🙂

Top 22 Largest Wedding Reception Venues in Metro Manila

1. Hotel Jen Manila
Contact Number: (02) 795 8888
Location Address: 3001 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, Metro Manila
Capacity: 420
Facebook Page, Website

2. Gloria Maris
Contact Number: (02) 570 0921
Location Address: Missouri St, San Juan, Metro Manila
Capacity: 420
Facebook Page, Website

3. The Peninsula Manila
Contact Number: (02) 887 2888
Location Address: Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City, Metro Manila, 1226
Capacity: 450
Facebook Page, Website

4. Raffles Makati
Contact Number: (02) 555 9744
Location Address: 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati, 1224
Capacity: 500
Facebook Page, Website

5. Pan Pacific Hotel
Contact Number: (02) 318 0788
Location Address: Malvar St, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Capacity: 500
Facebook Page, Website

6. Midas Hotel and Casino
Contact Number: (02) 902 0100
Location Address: 1501 Roxas Boulevard, 2702 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, Metro Manila, 1300
Capacity: 500
Facebook Page, Website

7. Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila
Contact Number: (02) 800 8080
Location Address: Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, Parañaque 1701, Manila, Philippines
Capacity: 500
Facebook Page, Website

8. The Heritage Hotel Manila
Contact Number: (02) 854 8888
Location Address: Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Pasay, Metro Manila
Capacity: 500
Facebook Page, Website

9. Hyatt City of Dreams Manila
Contact Number: (02) 691 1234
Location Address: Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, Parañaque 1701, Manila, Philippines
Capacity: 500
Facebook Page, Website

10. Fairmont Makati
Contact Number: (02) 555 9888
Location Address: 1 Raffles Drive Manila, Makati, Metro Manila, 1224
Capacity: 550
Facebook Page, Website

11. Dusit Thani
Contact Number: (02) 238 8888
Location Address: Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Makati, Metro Manila, 1223
Capacity: 600
Facebook Page, Website

12. EDSA Shangri-La Hotel (Isla Ballroom)
Contact Number: (02) 633 8888
Location Address: 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong City, 1650
Capacity: 800
Facebook Page, Website

13. Novotel Manila Araneta Center
Contact Number: (02) 990 7888
Location Address: Gen Aguinaldo Avenue, Araneta Center, Quezon City, 810
Capacity: 800
Facebook Page, Website

14. The Century
Contact Number: (02) 524 1821 / (02) 528 8888
Location Address: GF, Century Park Hotel, 599 Pablo Ocampo St, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila, 1004
Capacity: 840
Facebook Page, Website

15. New World Makati Hotel
Contact Number: (02) 811 6888
Location Address: Esperanza St, Makati, Metro Manila
Capacity: 840
Facebook Page, Website

16. Manila Marriott Hotel
Contact Number: (02) 988 9999
Location Address: No 10 Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City, Manila, 1309
Capacity: 900
Facebook Page, Website

17. Makati Shangri-La Hotel (Rizal Ballroom)
Contact Number: (02) 814 2580
Location Address: Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, 1200
Capacity: 960
Facebook Page, Website

18. Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria
Contact Number: (02) 633 7222
Location Address: Ortigas Ave Corner Asian Development Bank Ave Ortigas Center, Quezon City
Capacity: 1000
Facebook Page, Website

19. Holiday Inn Galeria Manila
Contact Number: (02) 633 7111
Location Address: One Asian Development Bank Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig, 1655
Capacity: 1000
Facebook Page, Website

20. Manila Hotel
Contact Number: (02) 527 0011 local 1274
Location Address: One Rizal Park, Bonifacio Dr, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, 0913
Capacity: 1000
Facebook Page, Website

21. Solaire
Contact Number: (02) 888 8888
Location Address: Aseana Ave, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Capacity: 1300
Facebook Page, Website

22. Sofitel
Contact Number: (02) 551 5555 loc 6999/7018
Location Address: CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Manila
Capacity: 1500
Facebook Page, Website

English is our second speaking language in the Philippines. Speaking and writing well in English indeed help in a lot of everyday situations. This applies not only at work when we need to present to clients, vendors, and internal teams, but also when we have to communicate with family and friends effectively. If you want to understand the rules of English grammar, pronunciation, and punctuation without thinking of it as “rocket science,” Don’t Speak Good. Speak Well! (The “Nosebleed” Edition) must be a healthy and smart read.

Book Review: 3 Reasons I Recommend Don’t Speak Good. Speak Well! (The “Nosebleed” Edition) to All Filipinos

1. Small and easily portable

Don’t Speak Good. Speak Well! gives the basics of using the right English words, expressions, and conversation strategies for practice and learning. It provides easy-to-follow, practical information for improving your command of English grammar. Reading this book will remind you to brush up on your proofreading abilities. I like that it’s small and portable. You can take it as a good book to read during travels or carry it in the office for reference and professional needs.

2. Especially relevant for Filipinos

Don’t Speak Good. Speak Well! has less than 120 pages and it has broken down the major topics to short chapters. It offers quick and clear explanations that I’m sure many Filipinos can relate with. Its first section opens up to Filpinism, pointing out inaccurate and awkward expressions Filipinos are used to use. The examples in each of the chapters are down-to-earth and they drive each point home.

3. Clear and simple

Don’t Speak Good. Speak Well!‘s directives do not go around in circles. This book is well structured, strict to the point, and meticulous. I appreciate that it sheds lights on the most common pitfalls and errors in grammar usage. People who experience difficulties with English grammar should find this book extremely useful. This is a must for those whose goal is to become more effective and proficient communicators and writers.

Wrap Up

The fact is that multilingualism is highly valued these days. In the Philippines, people who are good in English are presented mostly with more job opportunities than those who are stuck in “carabao English.” Don’t Speak Good. Speak Well! is a great contribution to Filipinos who want to get better at English…nosebleeds and all. For more information about this book, please visit this Facebook page.

Just last October 27, 2015, our company has celebrated its 20th Year Anniversary at the EDSA Shangri-La Isla Ballroom. Many of us had started to go on a diet months before the big day to achieve a svelte figure, get into our ideal weight, and ultimately be able to fit into our gowns—and in the case of gents, pants and tuxedos—perfectly.

I also rode the bandwagon and tried eating less sugar, less processed food, less carbs and also trimmed down my intake of chips to zero.  It was during this time that I noticed how food affects mood and emotions. In this post, let me share with you some findings.

1. Our diet and our emotions are dramatically connected.

Eating the right food boosts mental health, as anything we consume can affect our body’s metabolism and hormones. In addition, the nutrients from the food also influence our emotions, concentration and energy because they send chemicals to our brain.

For instance, have you noticed how eating a candy bar or a sugary donut gives you a spike of energy and later crashes it low? This is because consuming sugar, particularly fructose, contributes to insulin and leptin resistance and impaired signaling. In other words, fluctuations in the blood sugar trigger a poor mood.

Avoiding sugar is no easy feat, and this is true for those who have a sweet tooth. However, saying no to it may be the best way to increase focus and turn your mood around. Alcohol has the same effect of leaving you with a short-lived burst of energy followed by a tired, cranky feeling, since it’s a depressant and can disturb sleeping patterns.

2. Eating often enough is important.

I eat breakfast at around 6:30AM and hunger strikes again 30 minutes before our 12NN-lunch break. I found out that this is normal because our body should be fuelled with food every four to five hours. Eating at this suggested regular interval helps to keep blood sugar levels steady and assists in keeping our mood stable. There’s more to maintenance of emotions than eating the right foods. Being too hungry will also strike a bad mood.

3. Certain key nutrients impact our emotions.

When feeling stressed, eating whole-wheat pasta which contains magnesium may reduce stress. Pairing pasta with salmon or any fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help decrease anxiety symptoms. To improve mild depression and reduce anxiety levels, have a meal with red meat, whole grains and legumes. These food contain selenium and selenium keeps your happy hormones balanced.

Getting enough Vitamin C and iron is also key to sustain a healthy and happy mood. Seafood such as clams, oysters, mussels, octopus and liver will aid in iron absorption. Combine these with vegetables such as spinach, bell peppers, and tomatoes that are rich in Vitamin C to help relieve mood disorders.

4. Dehydration contributes to poor concentration and low energy.

Given different lifestyles, the general rule is to drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Because of busyness at work, I could hardly complete the requirement to keep my body hydrated. To solve the problem, I bring a reusable water tumbler to work and refill it at least four times throughout the day to make sure that I reach my daily quota.

Recently, I found a newly launched product by Lock & Lock which replaced my old plastic tumbler. It’s the Lock & Lock Emotion Tumbler that’s made of stainless steel. What I like most about it is that it can be used both for hot and cold liquids and it looks so stylish and hip (available in three colors: black, white, and pink). Mine is pink! 🙂 It’s also easy to clean by the hygienic separable strainer.

Now is also the best time to take advantage of Lock & Lock’s promo: “Bring any used cookware (any brand) and get 50% off your purchase of any Lock & Lock cookware item from Nov 6 to 15, 2015.”

Participating Lock & Lock Boutique Stores are as follows:

• SHANGRI-LA PLAZA MALL – 6F EDSA Shangri-La Plazacorner Shaw Boulevard, Manila
• EASTWOOD MALL – 3F Eastwood Mall, Bagumbayan, QC
• GLORIETTA 4 – 3F Glorietta4, Office Drive, Makati
• BF HOMES – 114 Aguirre St., Paranaque City
• ALABANG – Upper GF AlabangTown Center, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa
• FISHER MALL – 3F Fisher Mall, Quezon Avenue, QC
• QUEZON AVENUE – Megastate Bldg., AranetaAve., corAgno St., QC
• FAIRVIEW TERRACES – G/L Fairview Terraces Mall, Paranaque City

To know more, please visit its Facebook Page: fb.com/LocknLockPhilippines.