Gatorade No Sugar fuels Filipinos forward this summer.

Hello, summer! Hello to fun activities under the sun!

With the bright and sunny weather, more Filipinos embrace the great outdoors to spend time with family and friends or learn new skills and sports. But with the sweltering heat, the body loses not only water, but also valuable nutrients to regulate basic functions are used up at quicker rates.

Medical journals and health experts warn that the likelihood of getting dehydrated is high during summertime. If not addressed immediately, the effects of dehydration may be irreparable and require lifelong treatment. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminds everyone to hydrate regularly and pay close attention to how much sugar is consumed during the dry season.

Photo credit: Enric Cruz on Pexels.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, supports this call by encouraging Filipinos to fight dehydration while staying fit and active with Gatorade No Sugar. This electrolyte drink helps recover the body’s lost minerals without the unnecessary calories from sugar.

Electrolytes are key to one’s physical performance and overall well-being, as they help balance the amount of water and nutrients in the body. They regulate nervous, motor, and cardiovascular functions so that mind and body perform as they should.

“We lose more than water when we sweat, and we must take the necessary steps to continue nourishing our bodies to keep healthy. Gatorade No Sugar is packed with electrolytes and essential nutrients to replenish our bodies’ supply especially during the humid Philippine summer,” said PCPPI president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong.

Gatorade No Sugar.

Gatorade No Sugar helps ensure that more Filipinos get to enjoy being active this summer without compromising their health. It is available in leading convenience stores, supermarkets, and drug stores nationwide.

Aside from Gatorade, PCPPI also manufactures and distributes well-loved brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Sting, Tropicana, Lipton Iced Tea, Milkis, Chum Churum Soonhari, and Premier Purified Water. For more information about PCPPI and its products, please visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.

Wordless Wednesday #140 | Little Baller!

Something tells me I need to buy proper basketball shoes next season. Haha! :)

Wordless Wednesday #129 | Hello, Summer!

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® | Creating a Benchmark for Volunteerism and Social Responsibility.

Long before corporate social responsibility and volunteerism became a buzzword for brands and corporations, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has already made it an intrinsic mission and company philosophy.

It’s a commitment that they took on back in 2008, when they started the Give In To Giving, 12 Cups with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® campaign, an initiative designed to share this mission with its loyal customers.

“It began by taking something that was relevant to customers at the time—the “planner craze,” if you will— and creating something more meaningful that could be an extension of our commitment as a brand to giving back. What spurred out of this intention was a Commemorative Notebook that became a medium for us, and our patrons, to support advocacies in need and share their blessings. It was and continues to be the only journal that encourages more purposeful action towards ones’ social responsibility,” explained Paolo del Rosario, Vice President for Marketing of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.

Customers were asked to collect 12 stamps and choose from any of the 12 advocacies and organizations that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was supporting. These ranged from women’s groups, to children, animals, the environment, indigenous people or those with disabilities and illnesses. Completing all 12 stamps meant the customer could bring home the commemorative notebook that featured artworks from contemporary Filipino artists and proceeds collected went to each customer’s chosen organization. The original artworks featured in the covers of the Commemorative Notebook were also auctioned and were donated to the charities. The entire campaign was such a success that not only was it well received by loyal patrons; it also won numerous awards.

The following year, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® introduced its follow up with 24 Cups of Goodwill, where proceeds from the campaign were given to its 24 partner organizations. In 2010, for Changing Lives with Every Cup, they shifted their focus on sending scholars to school by partnering with Real Life Foundation and their Adopt-a-Scholar program, where the company was successfully able to send 8 scholars to university.

In 2012, they continued their efforts with the iBuild campaign, which helped raise sustainable housing solutions for impoverished families. And by 2014, they introduced the Brew Your Best Year campaign, which evolved their efforts into giving back to their loyal patrons by helping them give back to themselves as well. Through this initiative, they hope to help each person in their journey towards becoming the best version of themselves. Their efforts through the years prove how a brand can become meaningful in addressing social change.

Is it naïve to expect businesses to take on a responsibility as great as this, the way The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® did? Not necessarily.

Companies today, locally and worldwide, are putting more focus on developing a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility—recognizing how working together can make a real difference in the community, while at the same time opening up opportunities for learning, cooperation and leadership within the organization.

What makes The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s efforts stand out however, is the sincerity that drives their initiatives, where they have managed to uplift the true essence of what it truly means to care.

Case-in-point, expanding annual efforts to now cover a full year of advocacies. Consistently, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® brings people together to participate in various community outreach events. “We place great effort into putting such events together not only for the sole purpose of helping the community, but also to encourage our own Customers and Team Members to spend meaningful time bringing joy to others in an impactful and sincere way,” explains Nella Lomotan, Engagement Marketing for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.

These pocket initiatives, held monthly, are part of the Caring Cup series. And whether it’s a simple story telling event in a hospital, a physical fitness session with public school students, a tree planting project, an art workshop for children with disabilities, each event is designed to foster the spirit of volunteerism and giving among its participants.

In fact, last February 14, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® made sure to create an avenue to give love and receive love as they mounted the 'Paint the Town Red this Valentines' event. Volunteers spent the day of love giving love to children with disabilities at AIME home via a t-shirt painting activity with the intent of giving kids something that they will always remember.

“The Caring Cup is a way for us to expand and uphold a vision that we have long established for the company, where we hope to cultivate the spirit of volunteerism in our Community. We strongly encourage everyone who wants to be a part of something that impacts the life of others in a meaningful way to visit our stores and sign up for our next events.” ends del Rosario.

Follow The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s social media pages and subscribe to www.brewyourbestyear.com to stay updated on their Caring Cup events.

A Very Merry Christmas with Disney on Ice!

Where will you be on Christmas Day? If you're thinking of doing something fun with your kids (after all, Christmas is for the children), then why not watch Disney on Ice? :)

The much-awaited Disney on Ice season is back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on December 25 to January 4! This year, Pinoys are invited to join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy as they follow four of Disney’s most inspirational princesses on their adventures to fulfill their dreams in Feld Entertainment’s newest ice spectacular, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream. Combining the contemporary stories of two modern-day princesses, Rapunzel and Tiana, with the classic elegance of Cinderella and Snow White, Dare to Dream whisks audiences away on exciting journeys where dreams really do come true.

Your favorite Disney characters on ice!

Audiences begin their magical, musical voyage in New Orleans celebrating the story of The Princess and the Frog with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, and then escape into the enchanted forest with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The trip continues to Cinderella’s kingdom in her search for true love and follows Rapunzel as she discovers the world beyond her tower on her quest to see the floating lanterns. The Disney Princesses then come together for the first time on ice during the finale, to welcome Rapunzel into their royal court in the ultimate princess experience.

“There’s something within each of the stories ofTangled, The Princess and the Frog, Cinderella, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that speaks to women and girls and families around the world,” says Producer Nicole Feld. “Each of these princesses is searching for what truly makes them happy. And I think that’s very reflective of what audiences are like today.”

Rapunzel and Flynn.

Disney’s Tangled 
In adapting Tangled to the ice for the first time, Director Patty Vincent was challenged with how to convey all of Rapunzel’s hair without interfering with the skating. During the segment, 2,000 feet of silk representing Rapunzel’s magical, golden tresses winds throughout the rafters of the arena and drapes down to the ice for use in a heart-stopping aerial act never before seen in a Disney On Ice production. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider escape the tower, flying 25 feet up in the air and performing daring acrobatics.

Under the direction of Choreographer Cindy Stuart and Aerial Trainer Anna Kaminnik, the performers mastered the blend of ice and aerial choreography in which Rapunzel and Flynn fly above the arena floor and slowly descend to the ice in a fluid motion, creating a feeling of constant movement.

The adventurous nature of Rapunzel’s story allowed Costume Designer Ivan Ingermann to incorporate unusual fabrics and silhouettes into his costumes. Rapunzel’s world is mainly full of rich colors and textures and romantic silhouettes.However, during the Snuggly Duckling segment, Ingermann designed costumes for the pub thugs using faux fur and faux leather, materials not normally seen in an ice show.

Another distinctive design element of Dare to Dream is the revolving set, an idea conceived by Scenic Designer Stan Meyer. By designing a rotating piecethat transforms to specifically fit each of the unique settings of the stories, Meyer was able to create one major centerpiece with four entirely different environments. When the set morphs into Rapunzel’s forest, a paneled backdrop of pastel flora and butterflies opens and a majestic tower slowly emerges, rising from the ice as golden hair falls from the window.

Snow White and the Prince.

Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 
In contrast to the colorful and playful world of Rapunzel, to set the mood for the story of Snow White, the lighting had to take on a darker and more mysterious quality. As the story begins, the lighting dims and a thin layer of fog fills the ice. Soon a flash of light and dark shadows appear signaling the arrival of the Evil Queen.

When it comes time for Snow White to flee into the magical forest for protection from the Queen, Morse focused on the use of black lights to highlight her frantic pace. As she finallyescapes the forest and arrives at the door of the Dwarf’s cottage, the ice is bathed in rich golden colors, signaling the calm after the storm and her newfound safety.

Being the Princess who started it all, the costume design for Snow White is a classic silhouette that will be easily recognizable by audiences young and old. The traditional yellow and blue dress was made for swift, yet graceful, movement on the ice, twirling and flowing as Snow Whiteglides through her world.

Audiences will also be delighted to see all Seven Dwarfs make an appearance in Dare to Dream, each outfit as uniqueas the Dwarf wearing it.

Walt Disney’s Cinderella
As the story shifts to the romantic tale of Cinderella, a glittering purple and blue castle stands majestically in the background with a white and gold grand butterfly staircase framing the clock tower. Cinderella is joined by ball attendants regally dressed in bright, colorful gowns sparkling with the help of sequins and glitter. Below the castle, glistening stars and swirls of soft blues and pinks fill the ice when Cinderella skates to classic songs such as “So This is Love” and “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

In addition to the pair skating and elegant ice dancing showcased in Dare to Dream, Cinderella features synchronized skating by a team of 20 performers portraying the palace guards searching for the owner of the glass slipper. More than half the cast performs this fast-paced and complex precision number, creating lines, formations and constantly moving patterns on the ice.

Lighting plays an important role in telling Cinderella’s story, and a key component of the lighting design is the ability to feature the skaters themselves.

Princess Tiana.

Disney’s The Princess and the Frog
Popular color palettes and designs from the Harlem Renaissance became a major source of inspiration for The Princess and the Frog. When Dare to Dream opens in New Orleans, vibrant orange and golden yellow light fills the arena, matching the bright colors of the costumes inspired by the period. Set against a French Quarter backdrop painted in rich reds, purples and greens, flappers and banjo players revel on a balcony while page boys and other townsfolk dance on the ice below, creating a multilayered street party.The opening number, “When the Saints go Marching In,” combines jazz-influenced choreography and the Charleston to create a vivid and energetic street scene.

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream seamlessly merges the classic with the new, maintaining the timelessness of some of the most cherished stories of all time, Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, while also incorporating popular songs and unforgettable scenes from Disney’s newest fairytales, Tangled and The Princess and the Frog. From the lighting and scenery to the music, choreography and costumes, each element of Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream magically combines to create a memorable show for the entire family.

To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911 55 55 for inquiries.

Wordless Wednesday #93 | Kab Scout!

The little man and his classmates fall in line as the Investiture Ceremony begins.

Lighting the candles.

Scout Brandon, salute!

Shopping for ice cream as soon as the Ceremony was done. 

The Mind Museum Keeps the Wonderment of Science in Summer.

The Mind Museum may be known for having galleries with interactive science exhibits, but not many know that it is also a place that offers unique and fun summer learning activities that tickle the scientist in each child. From simulated crime solving activities, to a behind-the-scenes look on being the museum’s ‘Mind Movers’, to learning about the science behind soccer, The Mind Museum can keep your eyes and minds widening in wonder.

The Mind Museum’s Summer Programs
Known as the Philippines’ first world-class science museum, The Mind Museum continues to provide extraordinary learning and exploration to kids and kids-at-heart. This summer, The Mind Museum, with the help of JPMorgan Chase & Co., brought an array of activities that will make you appreciate and love learning even more.

In the Crime Scene Investigation 101 (CSI 101) program, young inquisitive minds were tasked by the museum’s Mind Movers to examine a crime scene and figure out what could have possibly happened by doing evidence gathering, fingerprinting, odontology and blood splatter analysis. Kids even presented their cases to a panel of investigators, and winning participants were given badges as their award. It was truly an exciting experience for them to try their hands at solving cases and on being crime scene investigators.

CSI 101; Shoe impressions as evidence.

The Mind Museum also partnered with the scientists of the California Academy of Sciences and offered a Marine Science Camp to young wonderers. Held in Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Anilao Batangas, adventurers gained a deeper appreciation for marine biodiversity through interactive activities including a “wet” show & tell of critters & corals, outdoor survival training with tents, sleeping bags and coolers facilitated by Coleman, and stargazing at night with the museum’s resident astronomer. Highlight was the snorkeling activity in the resort’s well-preserved house reef, and identifying the different forms of marine life that they learned about from the scientists of the Academy.

Marine Science Camp outdoor challenge by Coleman.

Meanwhile, other budding science prodigies were given the chance to be like the museum’s resident scientists or ‘Mind Movers’. Through the Junior Mind Mover (JMM) program, participants learned about the story of the museum and its galleries, and even performed experiments in front of museum guests. Through the program, they got to explore different fields of sciences in interactive and creative ways.

Junior Mind Mover experiments.

For kids who both love sports and science, the Soccer Science Program was the perfect activity to enjoy. Held at The Mind Museum and BGC Turf, participants learned the physics behind this sport including the science of curve balls, soccer statistics and soccer anatomy to prevent injuries. This program, made possible with the help of the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, Uratex and Mitre, had participants from a select group of sponsored Taguig public school kids, and soccer enthusiasts from all over Metro Manila.

Soccer Science drills.

Unending Wonderment from The Mind Museum
Even if summer is over, they can still expect a lot more mind-blowing educational programs. Watch out for exciting science parties or ‘MindBurst’ events such as the Experiment Circus - travel into the past towards the future of Physics; or take part in the Halloween Special: Myth-busting and Ghost-busting and discover what is this spookiness behind “ghost-busting” activities. For more details about the museum and continuous flow of events, visit The Mind Museum website at www.themindmuseum.org.

Wordless Wednesday #85 | Last Hurrah for the Summer!

One last summer activity for the little man before he goes back to school next week!

Looking great in his uniform.

All smiles at the event!

Happy and proud Crew Member!

Showing off the cupcake that he decorated.

Photos from last Saturday's McDonald's Kiddie Crew Grand Graduation Day. :)

The NCeries Space Science Roadshow.

There's a space show happening right now at SM San Pablo, and the little man and I were there the other day to check it out.

Yue at the Space Show!

The event is actually called 'NCeries Space Science Roadshow', a mobile interactive educational event that features exhibits, interactive shows, and state-of-the-art equipment to bring space science to life.

Little man learning about meteorites.

A complete resource provider for space technology and astronomy, the NCeries is founded by former Senator Nikki Coseteng, who is now an educator and president of the Diliman Preparatory School.

Rocks from space!

He just can't get enough of the meteorite/rock display.

Astronomical binoculars.

A fragment of the Allende meteorite.

The space show features three major activities - the Space Science Exhibit, which showcases a rare collection of authentic meteorites, state-of-the-art equipment, and photographs that highlight the solar system and space explorations; a Film Showing, featuring documentaries on space science and astronomical breakthroughs; and the Space Dome, a digital mobile planetarium that stimulates a 360-degree display of celestial objects in a unique digital environment.

The Space Dome.

The Space Dome can accommodate up to 120 people inside for its 30-minute interactive show. We paid Php100 each for the tickets to the Space Dome - that's Php50 off from the original price. All the other activities in the Space Show are free of charge.

Planetarium, here we come!

In certain occasions, the Space Show also offers solar viewing and stargazing sessions using high-powered telescopes. I reckon they do this during school visits, provided that the weather is good (i.e. no rain, clear skies).

My little space explorer!

My little man, who is an aspiring aerospace engineer (that's what he wrote as his ambition in his yearbook), enjoyed the Space Show a lot - from the rocks and instruments on display, to the planetarium and the interactive show. Seeing all these made him all the more interested in rocket ships and astronauts. I won't be surprised if he asks me to take buy him a telescope one of these days. Haha!

If you're in San Pablo or living nearby, do visit the Space Show with your kids! They'll be at the SM City San Pablo Atrium until this Sunday (May 25) only!

NCeries Space Science Roadshow
Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City
(02) 215 7477

The McDonald's Kiddie Crew Workshop + Giveaway!

After the Holy Week, my little man embarked on another summer activity - the McDonald's Kiddie Crew Workshop. He took part in this workshop last year, and he even won gift certificates (plus bragging rights, lol) for being the 'Cutest Kiddie Crew of the Week'. But because the little man wanted to become a 'Kiddie Crew' again and seeing how much he enjoyed the experience last year, I decided - on a whim - to sign him up for the workshop again.

Kiddie Crew year 2 for my little man!

And so on the morning of April 21st, the little man and I trooped to McDonald's Rizal Avenue, together with his other crew mates (and their parents) for Batch 4 of the Kiddie Crew Workshop. As I've mentioned before, this workshop is done in batches, with each batch going on-board for five days, 2 hours per day. Registration fee costs Php 595, which includes the Kiddie Crew uniform (shirt, bag, cap, chef's hat, apron, ID with lace), workshop materials, plus meals for the kids.

Clockwise from L-R: Chef's hat, shirt, cap, bag, ID with lace, apron.

Now I bet you didn't know that McDonald's has been hosting this summer program for 21 years now. Yes, the first Kiddie Crew Workshop was actually held way back in 1991!

More Kiddie Crew adventures, plus a giveaway after the jump! :)

Swimming with the Royal Dolphins.

With school out and long days to fill, summer is the perfect time to engage kids in fun, educational activities. And because I don't want my son to spend the entire school break playing video games and watching the telly, I signed him up to several workshops that will keep him busy and active all summer long.

First on the agenda is the Learn to Swim program. Facilitated by the Lake City Swimming Club (also known as the Royal Dolphins), this 10-day program is divided into three classes - Toddler, for kids age 6 and under; Basic for kids age 7 and above; and Advance for kids age 7 and above. The fee for all three classes cost Php 1,700 each.

Warming up before the swim.

Eager beaver!

Take the plunge, and see more of our swim class photos! :)

Summer Fun at the 2014 Globe Adventure!

Heading to Boracay for the Holy Week? Then be sure to check out Globe's fun summer activities while you're there!

This week, Globe Telecom will be launching the 2014 Globe Adventure on Boracay Island. This exciting and fun-filled race-like activity happens on April 17 until April 20, and will start from 11:00 AM until  9:00 PM. In this event, participants can secure stamps from finishing tasks in each of the stations around the island, with a chance to take home Globe freebies upon completion of the activities.

The Globe Store in Boracay.

Participants who complete the stamps will automatically get exclusive VIP passes to the Globe Wave Party. on April 17 and 19 at the Wave Bar. The passes include free drinks, plus a chance to win handsets from partner brands.

On top of the wonderful summer adventure, Globe subscribers are also entitled to a free multi-cab ride from Cagban Port to Budget Mart. Non-Globe subscribers can still take advantage of the free boat ride by purchasing a Globe prepaid SIM or activating a new Globe postpaid line.

Apart from a more intensified network complete with Long Term Evolution (LTE) coverage, Globe also presents the Globe Store located at D-Mall in Station 2. Opened last March 2013, the store offers live demo units of the latest and top-of-the-line gadgets and accessories, as well as superior customer service and after-sales support.

Wordless Wednesday #72 | Graduation Photoshoot!

In just a few more weeks, my little man  will be saying goodbye to preschool!
Here's a sneak peek of his graduation photoshoot! :)