I recently got into a Facebook debate with a friend over the viability of Universal Health Care in the US. Universal Health Care (UHC) is defined as a health care system that provides all citizens of a country with equitable health care and financial protection. Some people argue that the country’s health […]
I have an American client who is currently based here in the Philippines. He lives with his family in a subdivision located in Pasig. When they first moved in, the area had a guarded gate. For some reason the gate now remains open and there’s no one guarding it. Worse, the government demolished a nearby […]
On May 26, 2018, I had the pleasure of witnessing the unveiling of Greenfield Development Corporation’s new developments: Trava and Zadia. They form part of Greenfield City, a master-planned community in Sta. Rosa, Laguna that is envisioned to be the best alternative place to live, work, and play outside the congested Metro Manila. It’s […]
Jesi Mendez Salon invited a few bloggers for a day of pampering at their newly opened branch at Fort Pointe Building in Bonifacio Global City. Operating in the industry for more than 40 years now, Jesi Mendez Salon boasts a remarkable track record that generations of loyal salon-goers can attest to. The salon […]
When braving the summer heat, we try to make sure our skin is protected against harmful UV rays. What many fail to realize is that our hair needs just as much protection. As a matter of fact, our hair is three times more vulnerable to sun damage! Exposure to UV rays can cause […]
Together with a blogger friend and some media peeps, we traveled to Bataan to take part in a media tour organized by the Provincial Tourism Office. It was my first time to be in the province, so I didn’t really know what to expect. Discovering Bataan proved to be a delightful experience. Saverde […]
Practically everyone loves summer. It spares us the inconvenience of the wet season, and gives us an excuse to hit the beach and be out and about. But the idea of summer is not all that sunny when you consider the humidity and scorching hot days that go with it. This is especially true […]
Together with a blogger friend and some peeps from media, I got the chance to experience a hidden paradise resort in Bataan. Called Playa La Caleta, the resort is a cove that has a long stretch of white sand beach, a lush mountain jungle, and three waterfalls. There is also a nearby islet called […]
Our hosts at the Provincial Tourism Office of Bataan treated us to a stay at Playa La Caleta. This was part of their media outreach to promote the festivities that commemorate the Philippine Veterans Week and Day of Valor. The site of one of the most vicious and impactful battles in the history not just […]
At around the same time several decades ago, our fellow Filipinos were battling it out against militarily superior foes in Bataan. Called the Philippine Scouts, Filipino soldiers enlisted in United States Army units fought to hold off the advance of the Japanese forces. Standing their ground in defense of Bataan, they endured harsh terrains […]
On March 20 at Valkyrie Night Club in Bonifacio Global City, Whisper hosted a big coming out party for its Curvalicious Movement. The movement celebrates the modern woman – fierce, fearless, and playfully bold. Smiling for the photographers. Yours truly, Tahna de Veyra of Urban Ponder with Nana Jover of A Not So Secret […]
The first medical mall in the Philippines is here. And you’ll find it right in the heart of Makati. It all started six years ago when Jose E.B. Antonio, Chairman and CEO of Century Properties, cooked up the idea of providing world-class outpatient care in the Philippines. He was banking on his company’s […]
Abby Asistio – a singer-songwriter who first got her chance at fame by auditioning for the first season of “The Voice of the Philippines – shares her lifelong struggle with a hair loss condition that left her completely bald. Called Alopecia, the condition started to affect her when she was only four years old. […]
Hotels are still the best accommodation option for people who prioritize privacy and convenience. With the right travel hacks, you won’t have to sleep on someone else’s couch or a hostel room full of strangers just so you could save a few extra bucks. From finding hidden discounts to knowing the best times to […]
We all have one of those days when nothing seems to be going right. You keep trying to get out of the mess only to be buried deeper into trouble. In times like these, it gets tempting to throw in the towel and consider yourself cursed beyond redemption. But don’t give in just yet. […]
I was one of the bloggers who took part in the launch of BancreaHomes.com. The newly formed Bancrea Homes worked hand in hand with its partner developer 8990 Holdings, a mass-housing advocate, in launching the website. Available 24/7 online, the site provides innovative features not offered by traditional brokerage firms. Bancrea Homes is optimistic about […]
Do you have what it takes to succeed? In his new book, Robert Tan talks about the seven lessons life has taught him. Find out what you can learn from his life legacy. Robertson Sy Tan is the founder and CEO of Blade Auto Center, the top automotive accessories retail chain in the Philippines. […]
I was one of the BGC Business Club members who joined the exclusive advance screening of an upcoming reality TV show called The Final Pitch. I have to say it’s now one of my favorite shows. I loved that it was both engaging and inspiring. The show is ideal for entrepreneurs and those who […]
I remember this one time I was having dinner with my pregnant sister and her boyfriend. My sister’s boyfriend, who is a cook, was talking about the distinctive taste of different spices, such as cayenne, chili, Spanish paprika and the like. He was talking about the kind of spicy flavor he liked when he […]
K-Pop has been making waves the world over. Hallyu Wave (Korean Wave), the term used to refer to the invasion of Korean culture in other nations, has been noticeable in the Philippines. You would see it in the people’s apparent addiction to Koreanovelas, their affinity to K-Pop fashion, and the pinoy’s newfound love for […]
I had the privilege of experiencing a tarot reading session with the renowned Master Hanz Cua. You’ve most likely heard of him, as he regularly appears in the country’s top publications and on TV shows. Everyone at home knows him, as a matter of fact (Ironically, I was the one who did not know […]
I had the privilege of taking part in the Fundr Fest II: GAPalooza, a gathering that brought together online influencers and bloggers, local bands, and the Graphic Artists of the Philippines (GAP) community. We had a fun night of camaraderie over great music and unli-booze. We were introduced to a new startup brand called […]
Home to famous Filipino dishes, Pampanga is rightfully hailed as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines”. One of its most iconic dishes yet is “Sisig”, which consists mostly of a pig head’s parts (cheeks and ears and all that) mixed with chopped liver and seasoned with onion, chili and kalamansi. … I am hopelessly […]
I joined my brods at the Wine Club for some wine tasting over dinner. The invitation was sent out by Jun Que, one of my fraternity brothers from Tau Omega Mu, a university-based organization with most of its chapters established at the University of the Philippines campuses. He taught me the proper way of enjoying […]
I am the type who takes pride in buying cheap clothes, mainly because it is cost-efficient. Also, I feel that it is reflective of a healthy ego that does not find the need to seek higher social standing through expensive clothes. But it turns out, clothes that cost less than a cup of Starbucks […]
Join the fourth annual Partakan Festival happening April 14-15, 2017 at Anguib Beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. It is the first and only ride and rock festival in the Philippines. The event is especially ideal for motorcycle enthusiasts and their families. Participants get to enjoy the “Boracay of the North”, as they take on […]
I got invited to an exclusive media discussion on the topic Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). One of the event’s key resource persons was no less than the renowned sexual therapist and psychologist Dr. Margarita Holmes. You would probably recognize her from her advice column on Rappler. The press release invitation immediately caught my […]
Guys, come join us for a party at the City of Dreams Manila on the 1st of April! 🙂 It will feature a great line-up of artists, including International DJs from Korea, Top DJs from the Philippines and a lot more! The party is brought to you by Comma Entertainment and Hite Jinro Co. […]
I had the privilege of being one of the bloggers Don Soriano personally chose to write a review for his new book (I get to have a copy before it hits the shelves. yey! :D). It’s called “Break Free”. The book discusses eight principles that will help you achieve financial freedom. I initially had […]
I got invited to a bloggers/press conference hosted by Ad Asia Conventions & Exhibitions International Corp., and I am excited to share their coming event with you. They will be holding the The Philippine International Entrepreneur Conference and Expo (PIECE) 2017 this month. It will feed your entrepreneurial spirit, help you network/make new business […]
Follow my blog with Bloglovin Did you miss the Bakery Fair 2017? Held every two years, the Bakery Fair is an international exhibition on bakery, confectionery, food service equipment and supplies. I had the privilege of being part of it this year. It was held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Organized by […]
Are you looking to start the year right and finally become the woman you have always wanted to be this 2017? Belle de Jour (BDJ) Power Planner hosted an event for its community of ‘bellas’ (BDJ is a planner/journal provider that offers a community for its users to come together). And there’s much we can […]
It’s late in the day. The ravenous girl that I am, I’ve already finished four different meals throughout the day. Early morning breakfast. Late morning quick meal. Heavy lunch. Afternoon quick meal. I look at my sullen friend. “Have you eaten yet?”, I ask. “No, I haven’t been hungry the whole day,” she says. […]
This is a continuation of the previous post: Staycation at Sea Residences! Oasis in the City and New BFFs (Part 1). We had our dinner at the nearby Seaside Macapagal (Dampa sa Pasay), located only a walking distance from the Sea Residences … if you’re not lazy. Dampa is a must experience in the […]
I had just woken up and was still lying in bed when my phone rang. It was my friend/sorority sis KC. She told me she was about to go swimming and asked if I wanted to join her. Feeling a little smothered at home and eager for KC’s company, I immediately said yes. I later […]
After days of numbness spent under the covers, Heidi Hough forced herself to do some serious reflecting, looking back to the last time she lived through a society founded on fear and fantasy. She’d gotten through it before, she could get through it again. For the past months, she’s been watching what appeared […]
“For as long as I can recall, I’ve been an easy mark for the pitches of peddlers, fund-raisers, and operators of one sort or another.” The Social Psychologist Robert Cialdini, a self-described “patsy”, or a person easily manipulated or tricked, wanted to understand what makes one person comply with another person’s “request”. To find answers, […]
On November 9, 2013, I found myself stepping out of a hotel into the pitch black darkness of the night as I tried to find my way to a drugstore located just across the street. I was with ChinChin Chua, the owner of the hotel, and a few other people I didn’t really know. […]
A recent conversation with one of my friends keeps coming back to me. We were talking about the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. With the death toll at 4,700 and counting, people have started to raise their concerns on how it is being handled, on whether people of authorities are overstepping their […]
A term hurled around in magazines and on television, Fashion Victim is a characterization we wouldn’t wish to be associated with. Coined by the internationally acclaimed designer Oscar de la Renta, Fashion Victim refers to people who follow trends regardless of whether they look good or feel right, falling victim to the material interest of […]
You may have already encountered the term Fashion Victim in magazines and on television numerous times. What exactly does it mean to be a fashion victim, and are you one? Coined by the internationally acclaimed designer Oscar de la Renta, the term refers to people who follow trends even if what they are wearing […]
Michelle Goldberg, a columnist for Slate, wrote recently about a so-called national nervous breakdown, pertaining to Trump-induced anxiety suffered by a number of Americans. More and more patients, it appears, are checking with their therapists regarding problems with insomnia, jitteriness, nightmares, headaches, digestive problems, chest tightness, and other such anxiety-induced problems that they attribute […]
The GoT makers gave us quite a show, not only with its impressive plot, aesthetic appeal and visceral effect, but particularly with its showcase of intriguing personalities. More than just a battle between armies, the Battle of the Bastards was a battle between personalities. And not just the personalities of the bastards, but those of the many key players on the […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … A website is made of an array of intricacies that come together to create the full picture – from visual appeal to marketing to load time to navigation and much, much more. Therefore, if your website is failing, it can often be difficult to discover why this […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … Any modern business is going to need a plan for success. For starters, you need to have a strong marketing strategy. You can’t hope to get any real level of success out of running a modern business unless you have a strategy to attract customers and make money. […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … You might have been working behind the scenes for years. On your brand, on your professional development, on your networking. You might have been chipping away, slowly but surely, at that idea you hope will gain some traction. You might have full confidence in that idea. You […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … China has a number of significant constructions, including the world’s highest bridge and second-tallest skyscraper. Soon, China will also be home to the world’s highest sky bridge and first horizontal skyscraper, named “The Conservatory”. The Conservatory will link four 250-metre towers of Raffles City Chongquing, a […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … Outsourcing has been an increasingly popular solution for businesses that want to get more done without spending too much. Instead of spending more resources to look for and interview candidates for full-time positions, outsourcing is presented as a better solution since there is less time and […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … Nursing is about as tough as it gets on the job front. The shifts are long, and the workload is grueling. Is it any wonder, then, that nurse burnout is such a common issue? Still, those of us who have dedicated our lives to the cause wouldn’t have […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … Studying abroad could be just the renewed flavor you need for your academic career. Taking the jump to do so can feel a little overwhelming at first, however. Not only must you figure out your studies, but you must also feel comfortable being in a new environment, […]
This is a contributor’s blogpost … The advice that organizations promote is that you should keep your personal and professional lives separate, but really, sometimes we know that that just isn’t possible. Humans aren’t machines capable of flicking a switch and suddenly entering ‘business mode’ when they’re going through a tough time. So […]
