One of the best highlights of my blogging career, ones in a lifetime opportunity of having an interview with Senator Gringo Honasan. I would love to have it framed and place it in my room. Greatest achievement i must say. Thank you Sir! 😃Gregorio Ballesteros Honasann
How innovation and technology can help fast-track your way to a healthier you
We, Filipinos, love food. From exploring new culinary spots to enjoying a good home-cooked dish, we have a reputation of knowing how to appreciate a good meal.
But how can you exactly pursue a healthy eating lifestyle in a culture where fast food are so accessible and ordering—instead of cooking—is so much easier? The answer: Get the right kitchen partners that are designed to be convenient on top of being health-friendly.
Upgrade your kitchen to fit your lifestyle
“Ready-to-eat meal options are friendlier to those who have hectic schedules. Often, homemakers prefer just paying because they feel stressed over the process of buying groceries, preparing their food, and cooking them,” says Cris Llamo, VP & General Manager, IAJ Wellness Corporation distributor of Breville products in the Philippines.
Kinetix Twist Superstar Blender or BBL405Jaffle Maker or BSG 1974
The thing is, home cooking potentially plays an important role in the idea of pursuing a healthy lifestyle. In fact, a study suggests that people who cook their meals eat healthier because they have more control on specifics like the calories they consume.
“The hurdle lies in the way people perceive cooking. They see it as a laborious task, especially since most homemakers lead hectic lifestyles now,” says Cris Llamo.
How the right kitchen partners can help change the way you eat
The right kitchen partners play a big role in the quality of the food we prepare. One way of reversing the general perception about home-cooking is to make it an experience, rather than a task.
Smart Grinder ProThe Multi Chef or BR 600
Breville, an Australian premier brand of kitchen products engineered in Australia and exclusively distributed in the Philippines by IAJ Wellness Corporation, believes in the concept by offering smartly-designed kitchen products equipped with the latest technology to help users create healthy food.
Froojie Fountain or BJE 520
What makes the line different is that its kitchen partners are designed to complement the different lifestyles of individuals. It merges the top concerns of anyone who wants to eat healthy by incorporating into their products features that match users’ food preparation behavior, type of lifestyle, and in general, health and wellness trends.
“We call it the Breville-lize your lifestyle campaign. It’s an approach where we help people change their lifestyle from the inside out. So our kitchen partners not only help make food and beverages taste better, they also make them more nutritious as well. On top of that, we turn the process of cooking much more pleasant,” says Cris Llamo.
Breville® is exclusively distributed by IAJ Wellness Corporation and available in all leading appliance and specialty stores nationwide. To know more about Breville products, visit www.breville.com.ph or Facebook.com/brevillephilippines
Breville offers extensive kitchen solutions. There is the Juice & Blend, a line of juicers that offer both domestic and commercial functionality; the Coffee and Kettle line which encourages coffee and tea lovers to create their own (and therefore fresher and healthier brew); the Food Preparation collection which makes achieving well-prepared meals easier with its technology; and Hot Kitchen, a collection of kitchen items perfect for busy homemakers with its heat technology that makes cooking much more faster.
Llamo Cris closes, “Changing the way we eat is not just about altering our diet. It actually involves a process, starting from how we prepare it to when we finally cook our food. You won’t be inspired to eat well if you’re already dreading the food preparation process. Getting the right kitchen partners designed to fit your needs and lifestyle requirements is a good start.”
Breville® is exclusively distributed by IAJ Wellness Corporation and available in all leading appliance and specialty stores nationwide. To know more about Breville products, visit www.breville.com.ph or Facebook.com/brevillephilippines
Rizal Commercial Bank Corporation (RCBC), one of the leading universal banks in the Philippines, today unveils its new corporate logo and tagline “We believe in you,” which signals the start of a new era of providing excellent and trusted banking services for Filipinos.
Top executives of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) led the ceremonial toast to celebrate the unveiling of the bank’s new logo and corporate philosophy “We Believe in You”, during a formal ceremony held in Makati. The toast was led by RCBC Chairperson Mrs. Helen Y. Dee (middle); and RCBC President & CEO Mr. Gil A. Buenaventura (2nd from left). They were joined onstage by Bankard President & CEO Simon A. Calasanz (1st from left); RCBC Savings Bank President Mr. Rommel S. Latinazo (2nd from right), and RCBC Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Ces F. Natividad (1st from right).
“This milestone signals the arrival of a more committed, refreshed and re-energized RCBC, that is ready to meet the demands of the ever-changing Philippine banking industry,” said RCBC President and CEO Gil A. Buenaventura.
RCBC unveiled its new logo and corporate philosophy “We Believe in You”, during a formal ceremony in Makati. The new logo and tagline usher in a new era of excellent customer service and unparalleled commitment from the bank, which celebrates its 57th year this year. Present during the celebration were RCBC Chairperson Mrs. Helen Y. Dee (middle) and RCBC President & CEO Mr. Gil A. Buenaventura (2nd from left). They were joined by Bankard President & CEO Simon A. Calasanz (1st from left); RCBC Savings Bank President Mr. Rommel S. Latinazo (2nd from right) and RCBC Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Ces F. Natividad (1st from right).
“We believe in you” is not just a tagline for RCBC, but a battle cry to show our unwavering support and trust to the indomitable Filipino spirit. At the same time, this new corporate thrust is meant to encourage Filipinos not only to dream, but to pursue their passions and dreams, and turn them into reality – whether it’s traveling to your dream destination, venturing into a new business, or purchasing a new home or car,” Buenaventura stressed.
The simpler, younger and more minimalist logo embodies RCBC’s new mission of being more accessible to younger Filipino depositors, who are looking for better ways to save and grow their money, the RCBC president added.
RCBC Executives led the unveiling of the RCBC Lifestyle Experience Zone during a formal ceremony meant to celebrate the bank’s new corporate logo and company philosophy “We Believe in You”. The Lifestyle experience zone represented easy shopping and payments using the new RCBC Debit Cards. The unveiling was led by RCBC President & CEO Mr. Gil A. Buenaventura (2nd from right). He was joined by (L-R) RCBC Retail Banking Group Head for Deposit Products Mr. Emmanuel Valdes, RCBC Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Ces F. Natividad, RCBC Digital Banking and Operations Head Ms. Margarita Lopez, and RCBC Retail Banking Group Marketing Segment Head Mr. Ishmael Reyes.
Ces Natividad, RCBC Chief Marketing Officer, reveals that the new logo and corporate tagline are the bank’s response to the changing market.
“We wanted to know what products and services today’s depositors actually need, and we strived to understand what makes them believe and trust a particular bank. We realized that today’s depositors need an approachable bank that responds to their needs, and believes in the value of their dreams and aspirations,” Natividad shared.
RCBC Savings Bank (RSB) Executives led the unveiling of the RCBC Home and Leisure Experience Zone during a formal ceremony meant to welcome the bank’s new corporate logo And corporate philosophy “We Believe in You”. The Home and Leisure Experience Zone inspires customers to own their dream home through RSB’s Consumer Loans. The unveiling was led By RSB President & CEO Mr. Rommel S. Latinazo (middle). He was joined by RSB Chief Operating Officer Mr. Richard C. Lim and RCBC Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Ces F. Natividad.
“RCBC wants Filipinos to know that the bank believes that there is no limit in the things they can achieve if they decide to start building their future early, especially with a strong banking partner, ready to advise them every step of the way. We are providing more emphasis to younger depositors, who need more guidance in managing their money,” Natividad added.
RCBC Chief Marketing Officer Ms. Ces F. Natividad shares the inspiration behind the bank’s fresher, younger new logo, and new corporate Philosophy “We Believe in You”. The new tagline serves as the new credo of the bank, assuring Filipino customers of reenergized customer service from RCBC.
Estimates from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that 1/3 of the Philippine population are millennials. A 2015 Labor Force Survey, also by the PSA, showed that 47.1 percent of the 42 million labor force belongs to the 15-34 age group. This means that more and younger Filipinos need bank services to manage their finances.
Natividad cited a wide array of RCBC products that allow customers to save and conveniently manage their finances. These include RCBC’s Debit Cards, which depositors can get when they open an RCBC savings or checking account. She also emphasized RCBC’s product portfolio which customers can manage online such as the Unit Investment Trust Funds and iSave, an automatic deduction from existing RCBC accounts, done every payroll, which helps depositors to set aside money for future use.
Natividad also cited the unli 0% option of RCBC Bankard, which gives cardholders the flexibility to manage their expenses.
The bank’s brand refresh comes as RCBC enters its 57th year of excellent business in the Philippines. The bank reached a consolidated net income of P1 billion in the first quarter of 2017. It also showed more strength as assets increased to P526 billion as of March 2017. RCBC’s total number of branches also increased to 489 while ATM terminals increased to more than 1,500 nationwide as of the first quarter of 2017.
RCBC President & CEO Mr. Gil. A Buenaventura delivers the opening remarks during the bank’s formal unveiling of its new logo and corporate philosophy “We Believe in You”. The new philosophy is part of the bank’s efforts to give back to its 8 million customers, who have patronized RCBC over the past 57 years.
“We are confident that the new brand logo and new corporate tagline, and the re-energized service of the bank, will resonate with more Filipinos. We believe that they can accomplish great things if they put their hearts and mind into it, and RCBC will always be their partner to help them succeed,” Natividad added.
What’s the big deal about seed oils and their ‘secret’?
Filipinos are becoming smarter when it comes to food choices. According to international consumer knowledge Kantar WorldPanel, people are now shifting to foods that are lighter and more nutritious despite their busy schedules.
While the shift is slow, there is a gradual improvement on both the food and beverage choices of Filipinos. But what really constitutes healthy eating? A lot of food and lifestyle merchants are taking a step towards offering nutritious meals, but how truthful is the term ‘healthy’ in the nutritional table of our favorite store bought ingredients?
According to the University of Washington, preparing and eating homemade food has a number of benefits over buying from the store. Many commercially prepared foods and ingredients, for example, can be high in salt, fat, and sugar. In addition, certain grocery items can trigger food allergies and sensitivities because of hidden ingredients.
However, when you create homemade food, you have more control over what you eat, particularly on the ingredients you use. There is also better portion management, unlike ready meals available commercially.
Perks of Going Homemade
Chef Louise Mabulo, Culinary Ambassador and Chef Chad Datu, R& D Officer of IAJ Wellness both campaign for the use of natural ingredients. During a cooking demonstration championing easy homemade dishes, both chefs elaborated on the benefits of DIY dishes, particularly homemade oils.
Chef’s Chad Datu & Louise Mabulo, R&D Officer & Culinary Ambassador of IAJ Wellness Corporation, distributors of Breville & the new MISSO® s2o Seed-to-Oil Wonder Extractor at the recent media cooking demo using the naturally extracted seed oils from MISSO® s2o Wonder Extractor.
“You make your food healthier since you know where your oil is coming from as compared to buying store bought oils, where you don’t know the process,” explained Chef Mabulo.
Chef Datu added, “It’s natural, it has no preservatives, and additives that you don’t know.”
Extracted oils are making a statement in the culinary world because of their range of benefits. For example, flaxseed oil has been said to help improve skin texture and reduce inflammation because of the Omega-3 fatty acids it offers. Chia seeds provide support for the heart and cardiovascular systems, and black sesame oil is proven to be good sources of energy, help with aging, and decrease the risk of cancer.
In addition to the health and beauty benefits of extracted oils, they also offer something special for the palate as well. “Natural oils amplify the flavors of the dishes. You get a really rich and natural flavor,” said Chef Mabulo.
She also explained how the addition of extracted oils can add an aesthetic appeal to food. Black sesame oil, for example, looks visually pleasing when creating vinaigrette for salads, one of the dishes they prepared during the demo. “When a food is colorful, it becomes more delicious,” she finished.
Making homemade cooking easier for all
One of the challenges of homemade cooking is the effort that often comes with it. With the hectic schedules of Filipinos nowadays, people find it easier to just buy ready-made dishes or ingredients.
The good news is that a lot of leading kitchen manufacturers are listening and catering to the shift to healthier lifestyles of consumers nowadays. IAJ Wellness, specifically, has brought the MISSO s2o Seed-to-Oil Extractor to the Philippines, an innovative kitchen partner that lets anyone enjoy homemade fresh oil. With a safe and durable design, the Oil Extractor can extract up to 50% oil from any small seeds.
In addition to being a user-friendly partner in the kitchen, the MISSO s2o Seed-to-Oil Extractor can also be used to enjoy the beauty benefits of extracted oils. The kitchen tool, which originated in Korea—a country known for being one of the leaders in beauty trends—is a 2017 Korea Superb Brand Awardee as well.
Pursuing a healthy lifestyle is a big decision to make, but it must be followed with a definite change in direction when it comes to kitchen and eating habits. With a tool like the MISSO s2o Seed-to-Oil Extractor, this has become achievable more than ever.
MISSO® s2o Seed-to-Oil Wonder Extractor is exclusively distributed by IAJ Wellness Corporation. IAJ Wellness Corporation is also the distributor of premium brands like Australian appliance brand, Breville, Matstone & Goodsphere, the air-revitalizer and is a proud member of the WOW Group. To know more about Misso s2O, visit www.misso.com.phor find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @MissoPH.
Thinking about quality bread and deliciously healthy options? Here’s what you need to know about one of Gardenia’s health bread options – Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf – that will surely make it another favorite among health buffs:
Made with finest, premium and healthy ingredients. Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf is made from premium whole wheat flour and sweetened dried cranberries. Consumers get to enjoy the benefits of fiber – which may aid in boosting digestive health—and the benefits of cranberries, which are natural antioxidants which help slow down the effects of ageing.
Packed with nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. It contains Vitamin A, an important vitamin needed by our eyes and Calcium, needed for stronger bones and teeth. This product also contains Iron which contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells. Wheat cranberry loaf also contains Folate, which is particularly important in pregnant women to prevent birth defects, particularly aiding proper brain and spinal cord development.
Provides daily dietary fiber and Folate needs. Two slices of Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf contains 10% of your daily dietary fiber needs and 29% of your Folate requirements. Moreover, it contains zero trans-fat and is cholesterol free. Having a low-fat and cholesterol free diet, as well as living an active lifestyle, gives us many benefits. These benefits include lowered blood cholesterol and lowered risk for heart disease.
Apart from all these benefits, Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf also offers you a very unique and delightfully delicious experience. Just the right combination of tangy and sweet dried cranberries with moist and soft whole wheat bread will surely leave you craving for more! So, what are you waiting for? Head over to supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores near you, and grab a Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf today!
For more information about Gardenia and more healthy bread options, visit http://www.gardenia.com.ph and like @Gardenia Nutrition&Wellness on Facebook.
Dark clouds hovering over the sky have always been frowned upon by most people whenever they are doing their laundry. And with the monsoon season coming in, keeping clothes fresh and dry after laundry will definitely be a challenge. Nobody wants to go to work or school with their clothes still smelling as if it were just taken out of the tub. While there are some who go to the laundromat to get their clothes washed, this option costs as much as Php 40,000 a year— money that could have been saved for a really good washing machine.
While there are skeptics who find it hard to believe that modern washing machines have become more energy efficient and easier to use, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of appliances, Midea has been offering Filipino households with home solutions that could take their anxiety off from getting higher energy bills from using washing machines. And they have a lineup of washing machines that are easy to use, which could give everyone at home more time to spend each other’s company and bond over numerous activities.
Midea offers a fully automatic top load washing machine with a One Touch Wash Feature. With just a push of a button, it can wash, rinse, and spin dry clothes at just Php1 per wash load. It has smart sensors that only put the right amount of water in the tub, which also results to 37% in water savings. One very helpful tip though in washing clothes is to prioritize items that need to be washed as soon as possible, such as school or work uniforms, corporate attire, and underwear. Having a separate hamper for those items could also help lessen the time finding them through the laundry.
Midea’s Front Load Washer on the other hand, could save as much as 70% on water consumption for a complete wash, rinse, and dry cycle by using its Daily Wear setting. This could be paired with Midea’s Front Load Dryer, which could sit on top of the washer saving more space especially for condominium dwellers, and dry clothes as fast as 40 minutes at Php 10 in electrical consumption. This will keep clothes fresh for the rainy days without the need of hanging them in a clothesline. If one opts for more convenience, they could also get the iAdd Front Load Washing Machine which does all the dosing, saving more laundry products for use at a touch of a button.
For a more budget friendly option, Midea also offers their Single Tub Washing Machine that is also tough with ABS plastic lid and more energy efficient with their 20-cent energy consumption per wash load. With its multi-spoke pulsator, it is gentle on the clothes which makes it always fresh looking. A little help from fabric conditioners could make a big difference in hanging the clothes dry indoors. It doesn’t hurt to invest on an indoor rack, especially when the season brings in all the typhoons and heavy rains. Just make sure that the clothes are placed in a well-ventilated area at home to keep the unwanted smell away.
If a single tub is not enough, they could always go for the twin tub that does all the wash, rinse, and dry cycles. Its dual cleaning motion gets all the cleaning the clothes need with lesser tangles. It is energy efficient just costing “Piso” per wash load for the complete wash and spin cycle. With its Spin Air Dry Feature, Midea has made it possible to dry clothes faster and more efficient to prevent any unwanted smell from drying clothes indoors. It is also helpful to note that in spin drying clothes, it is better to fill the tub to its capacity than spin drying in small batches. With less spin cycles, the household could save more from their energy consumption while they are effectively drying most of their clothes.
With Midea’s lineup of washing machines that could provide cleaner and fresher clothes for everyday without having to worry about the weather and some of the tips that could help them get ready for the monsoon season, people could actually enjoy the confidence with their clothes whenever they go to work or school. And at the same time, families could actually enjoy more time together, even if it is their laundry day.
Midea, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of appliances, covers a complete range of products from electric kettles, washing machines, microwaves to large commercial air-conditioning systems. Thriving in over 150 countries, Midea has now arrived in the Philippines! Midea is also a part of Forbes Fortune 500 companies with a market cap of $31.5 Billion as of May 2017.
In partnership with Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC), Midea’s global strength in the appliance industry infused with CIC’s Integrity, Excellence and Total Customer Satisfaction give the world class brand a better understanding of the Filipino’s needs.
YouTube and music senasation Donnalyn Bartolome endorses White Flower, continuing as the brand’s active ambassadress. “I’m so happy and grateful to be working with White Flower Embrocation, the No. 1 embrocation in the country. Over the past 90 years, White Flower has become a household name, bringing soothing relief to the many Filipinos. My grandmother and mother used it all the time, and so now, nakasanayan ko na rin gamitin palagi. It’s the most potent, effective and soothing liniment I’ve ever tried in my life And you know it’s true because it is patronized by many, even until today,” shares Donnalyn, the young star who rose to fame because of her adorable youtube video “Gwiyomi” and her smash hit, “Kakaibabe.”
“What I love about White Flower is that it’s such a powerful handy tool, especially at work. It has become my trusted go-to for a soothing relief from headaches, colds, and stress. The potent formula has remained unchanged throughout the years, which is impressive! So White Flower has become a trusted friend by the many Filipinos of different generations,” shares Donnalyn. “That’s why I use it whenever I feel unwell. And I keep it handy with me wherever I go kasi you know na, with all the hectic schedules at work, I’m sure I’ll be reaching out for the nearest White Flower bottle I can find. White Flower is like my security blanket, I must say.”
“It’s been truly humbling to see how much White Flower Embrocation has become an integral part of the Filipinos’ everyday life, so much so that it has been passed on to the next generations since 1927. And as White Flower grows into a new chapter, we see that Donnalyn becomes an excellent ambassadress to represent our brand, because she’s an empowered millennial who seeks the best in life. While she and others her age are inclined to experiment and explore, they also appreciate the value of trusted, quality products that really deliver their promise,” shares Mitch Lao of JELMA Philippines Inc. the official and exclusive distributor of White Flower in the Philippines. “White Flower has been able to gain the loyalty of its patrons – from the matured adults to the young adults – because it has always been consistent in its quality and in delivering on its promise of soothing relief,”
Her brother James adds, “Millennials are driven and hardworking in their own way. And despite the challenges that they come across in their journey, they fully embrace them and find ways to get through them. For many like Donnalyn, White Flower has become their ‘partner’ in success, offering comfort and relief in their everyday lives.” Thanks to its soothing blend of essential oils that consists of eucalyptus, lavender, menthol and camphor, White Flower has become the most trusted liniment of the many Filipinos. With just 2 to 3 drops of the product, you can immediately discover wellness and relaxation in a bottle!
White Flower is the tried-and-tested embrocation that gives us the luxury of timeless relief.
It is going to be an “oppa-tizing” July as Marriott Hotel Manila presents Korean Food Festival this month. While many would hop on a plane for that ultimate K-pop experience, the hotel serves it hot and authentic through a flavorful immersion. No visa needed, just an appetite!
In partnership with the Korean Cultural Center, they flew in a team of 4 chefs from one of the largest and famous resorts in Seoul, Elysian Gangchon. Both K-pop fans and foodies can’t miss out on the biggest culinary fete at their Marriott Café buffet for this year.
Marriott Cafe
Seoul-Spree Feast
There are so much to love with Korean cuisine and it would be very hard to choose. So, Marriott Café spreads out a bounty of popular classics and rare Korean dishes starting July 11 to 31. Aside from the best sidekick, kimchi, indulge on appetite-filling entrees like bibimbap, bulgogi, samgyeopsal, and Korean barbecue. Spot healthy finds suchs as namul (seasoned vegetable dish), sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew), kimchi stew, and mandu (dumplings). This special buffet experience is only Php 1,900 for lunch on Mondays to Saturdays and Php 2,100 for dinner on Sundays to Thursdays.
After a filling buffet experience, swing by the Greatroom to unwind. Popular Korean liquor, Soju, takes over the bar that will get you into the K-Pop groove. Soju cocktails starts at Php 295 only.
Soju Cocktails at Greatroom
Cook the Gangnam Style
Whether a fan or just culture curious, learn how to enjoy Korean food at home in cooking class facilitated by their Korean guest chefs. There are two dates to choose from, July 18 (Tuesday) or 19 (Wednesday), from 10am to 2:30pm at Marriott’s The Hub. Discover swift Korean meals-to-go and even elaborate ones to impress on your next party. Inclusive of a sumptuous lunch, chefs gear, equipment and ingredients for only Php 1,250. Quickly pick your schedule because classroom seats are limited.
Korean Guest Chefs (L to R): Lee Yong Taek, Lee Youn Chul, Byung Eok An, Jeun Gi Nyeo
For more information, please call 988 9999 or visit http://www.manilamarriott.com. To join ongoing conversations, like Facebook.com/MarriottHotelManila, follow @marriottmanila on Twitter and @manilamarriott on Instagram.
Thinking about quality bread and deliciously healthy options? Here’s what you need to know about one of Gardenia’s health bread options – Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf – that will surely make it another favorite among health buffs:
