SM 3-Day Sale Begins Friday

The SM Stores at SM Cubao, SM Southmall, SM City Manila, SM City Fairview, SM City Taytay, SM City Pampanga, SM City Tarlac, SM City Bacolod, and SM City General Santos will be having a 3-day sale on March 1, 2, and 3. You shoppers will enjoy big discounts on your favorite items come the weekend. 

Aside from the sale, the SM Store will also be having a 3-Way Save on the same period. You can get more discounts through this promo. First, if you own an SM Advantage Card, you can get an additional 10% off if you bought your items within the first two malling hours of Friday. Second, for every PHP2,000 single-receipt purchase you made on Saturday and Sunday, you will get a PHP100 shopping coupon free. Lastly, if you shopped for the entire duration of the sale using your BDO credit card, you can get a 5% rebate.

Also, you can have a chance to win one of seven IPad Minis to be given away in the raffle promo. Each IPad Mini comes with a free Globe prepaid SIM with free Powersurf 99. Every PHP1,000 worth of purchased items entitles you to a raffle coupon for a chance to win an IPad Mini. What are you waiting for? Shop now at SM Cubao, SM Southmall, SM City Manila, SM City Fairview, SM City Taytay, SM City Pampanga, SM City Tarlac, SM City Bacolod, and SM City General Santos! Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 7190 Series of 2012 and DTI-NCR Permit Nos. 0311, 0345, 0560, and 0566 Series of 2013.

Zoocolate Thrills: The Newest Hangout in Bohol

Zoocolate Thrills is the newest theme park from Zoomanity Group under Yupangco Group of Companies (zoomanity.com.ph).

Zoomanity owns 6 parks like our amazing Zoobic Safari at Subic, Zambales, Zoocobia at Clark, Pampanga, Residence Inn and Paradizoo at Tagaytay, Cavite, Z Planet and Virtual Zoo at Manila. In rediscovering the famous Chocolate Hills and our Loboc River, the Zoomanity team offers different activities for this year and the developments they have to sustain and continuously develop a world class Zoocolate Thrills at Bohol with a tour to view the biggest and largest zoological park and international standard developments.

2013 Zoocolate Thrills activities

1. ZooMajestic Greyhound race

2. ZooSpectacular Bird show 

Credits: Engr. Grace Nicolas

3. Meet Hello Tiggy

4. Choco loco Animals parade

5. ZooOrganic farming 

6. ZooBearcat photo contest

7. Zoocolate Thrills Zooperb! Chocolate Hills replica

Credits: Engr. Grace Nicolas

8. ZooM! Loboc

9. Our Pride for Bohol

10. ZooSweet kisses

So join the group and let's all make one green theme park. For more information, call +639155618885. See you!

Lenovo Launches Z Series Laptops

The new Lenovo Z Series

Lenovo introduced the new IdeaPad Z Series Laptop Computers at a press launch at the EDSA Shangrila Hotel in Mandaluyong City. The new Z400 and Z500 laptops are designed to take PC users' interaction to new heights. Lenovo Philippines General Manager Vicky Agorrilla described the new laptop series, powered by Windows 8, as "a testament to Lenovo's long-term commitment of driving innovation." She added, "The Z series blends fashion, form, and function to address the evolving needs of Filipino consumers looking for a slim, versatile, and intuitive personal computer with great multimedia and multi-touch features at a competitive price point."

The Lenovo IdeaPad Z Series laptops are 25% slimmer than standard notebooks, but the new laptops contain the same graphic and processor qualities as standard notebooks. The Z400 is powered by Intel Core I7 processors, while the Z500 is powered by I5 processors. They can also store up to 1TB of HDD storage.

The Lenovo Z400 can be purchased for as low as PHP29,995, while the Z500 is as low as PHP37,995. They are now available at Lenovo Exclusive Stores and authorized business partners. For its introductory promo, for every purchase of the Z series laptops, you can get the Lenovo P720 headset, the M060 speaker, and the N3903A mouse for free. You will also get a chance to win a barkada gimmick at the Aracama Filipino Cuisine and at the Budda Bar along The Fort in Taguig City. Promo runs until March 30, 2013.

Zoo in Pampanga Cooks Up Late Valentine Treat

Zoocobia, a zoo located in the Clark Field area, showed everyone that it's never too late to celebrate Valentine's Day as the zoo successfully staged the post-Valentine's event "Love is in the Air". Zoocobia owner and Zoomanity Group of Companies president Robert Yupangco, together with Clark Development Corporation head Arthur Tugade and Mabalacat City Mayor Boking Morales, did the ribbon-cutting to open the festivities.

Former That's Entertainment star Chuckie Dreyfuss (L) cut the ribbon to for-
mally kick off the operation of Zing.

Zoocobia's newest feature, the Zing, a zipline and swing in one, was officially launched at the said event. That's Entertainment alumnus and former Survivor castaway Chuckie Dreyfuss graced the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the said ride. An animal show took place before the formal opening of the Zing.

In the nightcap, the culture of the Aetas in the Metro Angeles area was showcased in a tribal show followed by dance performances. The event culminated with a Night Lantern Festival. Sumptuous meals were also offered to the guests during the event. For more information about Zoocobia, you may visit www.zoomanity.com.ph or you can call 09155618885.

Giant Slides Add Color to Clark Zoo

Giant Fun Slide, a unique, fun-filled ride for all ages, is now playable at the Zoocobia Fun Zoo at the Clark Field in Pampanga. GFS has three different slides of 20 meters of length and two storeys of height each. Each slide had a unique animal print design (giraffe, elephant, and snake). To ensure safety in landing, the bottom is filled with small soft balls. Zoocobia also offers various activities to interact with zoo animals. For inquiries, please call +639155618885. You can also visit www.zoomanity.com.ph.

Barkadang Makulit Graduation Blowout Video Contest

If you're planning a graduation gimmick this summer, why not do it at Enchanted Kingdom? PRC INC presents the Barkadang Makulit Graduation Blowout Video Contest. Here are the full mechanics:

1. Create a "barkadang makulit" video of you and your barkada (maximum of 5 members only) with the theme “graduation”. The video participant along with the entry sender must be a part of 2013 Graduating Class to be eligible for this contest. 

2. Like the PRC INC page and share the PRC INC sample barkadang makulit video on your wall (Make sure that the post is in public visibility setting).

3. PM us a link of your "barkadang makulit" video (via Youtube) with your names & ages, name of school, and graduation date. For entry sender and video participants younger than 18 years old, please provide/submit a parent/guardian consent letter (scanned copy with signature and copy of identification) along with the entry.

4. All videos entries must be an original material fully-owned by the sender and must not exceed two (2) minutes

5. Entries may be submitted until March 5, 2013 only. Approved entries shall be posted and open for voting until March 31, 2013. 

6. Video entries shall be judged based on the following criteria (to be judged by three (3) representatives from PRC INC):

Creativity-30%

Kulit Factor-30%

Votes-30%

Relevance to the Theme “Graduation”-10%

7. The three winning videos will receive the following prize/s:

3rd Prize-TeamPRC Merchandise Set

2nd Prize-TeamPRC Merchandise Set with GC

1st Prize-Five (5) Ride-all-you-can Tickets to Enchanted Kingdom with Food Allowance (GC/Coupon)

8. Contest is open to all Metro Manila and Greater Manila Graduating students (Elementary, High School, or College level). Prize/s may only be picked-up from PRC INC office in Greenhills, San Juan City or through a special appointment with the company’s representative/s). For entry senders (video participant) younger than 18 years old, must be accompanied by a parent/guardian upon pick-up of prizes.

9. Contest winner/s shall be notified through email on or before April 5, 2013. Prize/s may be claimed by an authorized person (with an authorization letter from the winner with other identification documents).

10. Employees of PRC INC, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their immediate family members, and/or persons living within the same household as the employees (related or not) are not eligible to submit photo entries.

11. PRC INC reserves the right to use the submitted videos for any promotional or publicity efforts related to the promo.

What are you waiting for? Join now!

Fitness Camp Launched

The MediCard-Meta Fit Fitness Boot Camp team -Koko Tamura

The media people were given a treat as they took centerstage in the trial run of the MediCard-Meta Fit Fitness Boot Camp at the MediCard Lifestyle Center in Makati. The team headed by The Biggest Loser finalists Hazel Chua and Raffy Tan led the media people in doing the dry run of the month-long fitness course.

The media were given four minutes to complete as many sets of ten jumping jacks, ten squats, ten push-ups, and ten lunges as they can. Then some returned for another workout in which each was given 50 seconds to complete as many reps of either burpees, lateral movements, high-knees as they can and 50 seconds to plank.

Most of the people who registered for the boot camp also graced the event and witnessed just a prelude of what to expect in the Metafit camp which begins on February 25. The boot camp will run until March 22.

Medicard-METAFit Fitness Boot Camp On

Left to Right: Hazel Chua (Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Finalist), Coach Jim Sar-
et (METAfit founder),  Dr. Nicky Montoya (Medicard President), and Kate
Joaquin (Medicard Marketing Manager).

Last February 7, 2013, one of the leading health maintenance organizations, Medicard Philippines, represented by Dr. Nicky Montoya, officially signed and joined hands with METAFit founder and famous Sports and Fitness Science specialist Coach Jim Saret to create the Medicard-METAFit Fitness Boot Camp. Present in the contract signing were Ms. Kate Joaquin, Medicard Philippines Marketing Manager, and Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition finalists and METAFit coaches Raffy Tan and Hazel Chua.

“We (at Medicard Philippines) are trying to be pro-active in promoting health…” shares Dr. Montoya, President of Medicard Phillipines. “Here’s a real program where we ask our members to join; that should promote a more active and healthy lifestyle.”

“If you have the nutrition, the exercise and the psychological motivation, putting that together, it fits into what we are trying to promote.” Dr. Montoya further expounds.

In fact, Coach Jim Saret believes that the Medicard-METAfit Fitness Boot Camp is the first of its kind when it comes to fitness programs. “It’s a really good match to have the physical with the medical side, for any fitness and wellness program of any person… METAfit together with Medicard is the first one to offer all components of a total health and wellness.”

Left to Right: Grace Siongco (APEX-Metafit) Hazel Chua (Biggest Loser Pinoy
Edition Finalist), Coach Jim Saret (METAfit founder) Raffy Tan (Biggest Loser
Pinoy Edition Finalist), Coach Toni Saret (APEX-Metafit), Dr. Nicky Montoya
(Medicard President), and Kate Joaquin (Medicard Marketing Manager).

METAfit and Medicard Philippines are known in the country to help Filipinos reach their health goals, whether to lose weight or to be medically healthy. Before the partnership, these two industry movers are doing great works on their own, but they felt there was something lacking. Coach Jim couldn’t agree more, “It’s a perfect combination for a METAfit program because we are providing the physical, the motivational and the nutritional program but what’s missing basically is the medical side of this.”

The 12-session program is designed to cater to all types of individuals and fitness backgrounds. The idea of the program is to acquaint participants with basic work-outs; and depending on their capacity and determination, they will progress to more advanced routines until they graduate. Fitness goals will also be laid down, however, as Coach Jim states, participants should not be worried as he, and his team will support them every step of the way, under the medical care of Medicard. Coach Jim guarantees that at the end of the course, many would be surprised by their own bodies’ capabilities.

Joining the METAfit team are Raffy Tan and Hazel Chua. They will work as motivators and facilitators of the boot camp with Coach Jim’s lead.

The sold-out Medicard-METAfit Fitness Boot Camp will start on February 25, 2013 at the Medicard Lifestyle Center in Paseo De Roxas corner Buendia, Makati City. Medicard members, as well as non-members who signed up for the boot camp couldn’t wait any longer; they are very excited and looking forward to maximizing their body’s potentials.

Not even on its first session yet, many are already inquiring about the next boot camp. With that, the team behind the Medicard-METAfit Boot Camp couldn’t wait to get started… for sure; people can expect many more boot camps in the near future!

For inquiries and added information, please visit the Medicard Philippines website at http://www.medicardphils.com.

Line Goes Live in PH

Line's Senior Manager Lee Jin-Woo introducing the mobile app to the Filipinos.
-Tam Noda of The Philippine Star

NHN Corporation, the innovators of mobile messenger Line, debuted the said mobile app in the Philippines at a press launch at the F1 Hotel in Taguig City last night.

Launched in June 2011, Line is currently serving more than 110 million users in 231 countries, making it the world's number 1 mobile messenger. Continuing this trend, Line is tapping into this momentum to further expand its service worldwide, especially in the Philippines, the "Texting Capital of the World".

"Through the continuous release of features, Line has become wildly popular in Asia and is also rapidly growing in North America and Europe, as well in Spanish-speaking countries. Line is an ideal communication tool for the Philippines," said Line Director Kang Hyun-Bin.

As a leading innovator in the mobile communication field, Line offers not only basic services but value-added features like Line Stickers and Line Games. In fact, some media people tried one of the games, the Line Pop game.

Line will continuously offer a communication service that enriches user experience between friends and family worldwide. You can download the app at its official website: line.naver.jp/en.

Suaveng Ahit, Gwapong Schick Barangay Tour Launched

Watch out for the Suaveng Ahit Gwapong Schick team in your area.

Looking and feeling good is not just about taking care of yourself; it’s about caring for the things around you and the world you live in. This is precisely what razor brand Schick strives to promote with its ongoing Suaveng Ahit, Gwapong Schick Barangay Tour.

As one of the most trusted personal grooming brands for both men and women, Schick goes all out in pushing its advocacy by reaching out to their valued patrons. Through this project, the brand hopes to continue its goal of imparting positiveness and self-confidence not only on a personal level but on the community scale.

The tour got off in on a rousing start last December when the caravan rolled into Salamalabanan Subdivision in Imus, Cavite, where the group initiated different activities focused on engaging and educating the community on proper physical grooming, healthy and active lifestyle, and community awareness.

The project was well received and garnered positive feedback from the community—something that Schick hopes to replicate in other locations within the metro. “We could not have asked for a better start to this tour,” says Claire Guevara, Schick senior brand manager. “The Salamalabanan community here in Imus, Cavite was very gracious and receptive to what we were trying to accomplish as a brand. We greatly appreciate the effort and the participation put forth by the community and we hope that the same goes with our next destination.” 

The tour will continue to visit designated locations throughout 2013. This Sunday, the Suaveng Ahit, Gwapong Schick team will be at the Parang Covered Court in Marikina City.

As part of the brand’s continuing mission to make people feel good both inside and out, the tour’s initiatives include activities such as giving free shaves and haircuts to residents, as well as conducting clean-up drives that help encourage community awareness of health and safety among the youth (check out the video).

In the first leg the tour also hosted competitions that included a three-on-three basketball game, a free-throw and half-court shootout, as well as a dance showdown, all of which promoted good sportsmanship and camaraderie within the community. The winners and participants received cash prizes and gift packs from Schick.

The group stayed true to its promise of reaching out to the grassroots level. Together with celebrity host Regine Tolentino, the caravan visited tricycle terminals, groceries, and sari-sari stores and immersed themselves in the community while handing out free Schick products.

For more information on other tours, prizes, and promos, visit Schick’s website (www.schick.com.ph) or connect with the company via Facebook (facebook.com/schick.ph). For Twitter updates, follow @schicksuave.

A Trip to UPLB Part 3: The Fair!

File photo from unibersidadngpilipinas.tumblr.com

Everyone in the University of the Philippines, no matter which campus he is in, would love to celebrate his Valentine season, whether he has a date or not, at the UP Fair. Even those from other campuses make a habit to go to a particular campus to have fun. Not to mention those who are not part of the academe.

But as the photo above says, celebrating the UP Fair is more fun in Los Baños! From the UPLB Grange Association's mini-carnival...

...to the foods...

...to even the toy stores...

...to the free (and I mean free admission) concerts every night, the eLBiZens express their advocacy through the activities happening every night.

Update: Silent Sanctuary was the featured band in Razzmatazz, one of the ev-
ents in the UPLB Fair. Their set started at exactly midnight earlier.

A good thing this year is that one should not fret if he can't make it to the LB Fair. UPLB has put up a live streaming so that everyone can still enjoy the LB Nights while away! Check it here:

A Blog Award Nomination in a Flash!

Wow! I only have two articles so far in my Stu Traveled blog, but I received a nomination for the Liebster Blog Award, an award for emerging bloggers with at most 200 followers. Thanks to Hainhiri's Discoveries, I got an instant nomination. As a token of appreciation, I gained the power to nominate 11 emerging blogs (those who also have 200 or less followers as well). For those who I will nominate, here are what you will do in your next blog article: List down 11 random facts about you, and then answer the 11 questions that I will post below. If you're done, you can nominate 11 more blogs, but make a different set of 11 questions that you will ask to your nominees. Here we go!

Random Facts

1. I'm a southpaw (if you're not into boxing, that means a left-handed person).

2. I play basketball, and I'm usually the tallest in our crew. However, I play more of a stretch 4, a power forward who plays like a guard.

3. I also play ultimate.

4. I took the UPCAT just because I want to play for the Fighting Maroons. I passed it, but not enough to make the cut in the Quezon City campus. Turns out, it's a blessing in disguise 'coz I'm having a great ride here in Los Baños.

5. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior on January 20, 2000, exactly a year before Former President Joseph Estrada was "impeached" by the people.

6. I had near-death experiences (I'm not scaring you).

7. I own jerseys of Kaya, a professional soccer team here in the Philippines, and Brazil's national soccer team.

8. I'm finishing my degree in Mathematics here at UPLB, but I'm considering a second degree in journalism.

9. I'm one of the organizers of the 1st Laguna Blogging Summit last September.

10. I love to wear street clothes more, so you would not believe that I'm a UP student, even if I'm at an event where everyone is wearing their "Sunday's Best".

11. I never have a girlfriend.

11 Questions from HD

1. Favorite genre of music-I like rock, rap, and Christian music.

2. Do you watch anime? If so, what's your favorite?-I watch anime (but not recently), but I like the action animes more.

3. Favorite makeup item? I love lip makeup.-Ahhh... I'm a boy!

4. What's one gadget you can't live without?-My cellphone!

5. Ice cream or cake?-BOTH!

6. Do you play any musical instrument?-I tried playing the drums. Still learning.

7. Any 'weird' habits?-If the going gets tough (whether in basketball, ultimate, or even in online games), I tend to get so emotional. This year, my resolution is to not get "hysterical" in the game.

8. If you were to make a 'soundtrack' of your life, what song will you include?-FlipTop English version rap battles! hehe

9. What country would you like to visit?-No plan of going abroad (for now).

10. If you could change your name, what would it be?-Hmm... I'm sticking to Ivan.

11. Dream job?-A sportswriter maybe?

11 Questions from Me to My Nominees

1. LeBron or Kobe?

2. Do you want the MBA (Metropolitan Basketball Association, the defunct home-and-away pro basketball league) back?

3. Which team do you want to win the NBA Finals?

4. How long do you think will it take before the Azkals will win the World Cup?

5. Favorite UFL team?

6. UFC or WWE (take away the "scriptedness" of the WWE)?

7. Ateneo or La Salle?

8. Para kanino ka bumabangon? hehe

9. Abra or Shehyee?

10. Who do you think is the real villain of the 1897 boo-boo, Aguinaldo or Bonifacio?

11. Pro or anti-divorce?

I respectfully nominate...

Little Miss Gege

Purple Peaches

Maybe two is enough. Can't think of nine more.

Bloggers Celebrate Social Media Day in Manila Mall

Zheyme Manahan received her brand new O+ cellphone during the SM Day
raffle draw.

Bloggers and mallgoers attended the Manila Social Media Day celebration at the Isetann mall in Quiapo, Manila. Organized by the Filipino Bloggers' Hub, the Isetann event was the first of two SM Days that will take place this year.

The attendees participated in the Social Media Quiz Contest where they used the internet, the main tool in social media, to help them in answering the questions asked by the emcees. The winning pair won PHP10,000. Also, one lucky blogger got a new O+ cellphone. Zheyme Manahan was the lucky recipient of the mobile phone after her name was drawn in the raffle draw.

Residence Inn: A Nature Trip While on Stay

Aside from Paradizoo, the Zoomanity Group has another fun place situated in the Metro Tagaytay area, the Residence Inn. Located right in the heart of the city, the Residence Inn offers another a wide range of fun while hanging out there.

For PHP 299 per person, you can enter the Residence Inn. You can get a glimpse of the renowned Taal Volcano at the hotel restaurant.

The restaurant also serves sumptuous meals that will delight your appetite. You can also check out their stuffed toy store where you can buy parrots stuffed toys.

Another cool feature of the Residence Inn is their zipline...

Credits: Zheyme Manahan

...and cable car which will make you feel like you're flying.

Credits: Grace Nicolas

There is also a mini-zoo where you can see tigers, monkeys, lions, and other animals. Since it's a hotel, you can also stay overnight here. For more information about Residence Inn, call +639155618885. It is located along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road, Tagaytay City.

Paradizoo: A Paradise Inside a Paradise

In the cool paradise of Tagaytay, you will find the best places to get a view of the Taal Volcano, but inside its suburbs lies an even more beautiful paradise, the Paradizoo. Situated in the nearby town of Mendez some five minutes from the Tagaytay city proper, Paradizoo showcases the pleasant nature that we don't usually see here in Mega Manila.

At the entrance, I and my two homies were treated to a welcome drink, and as a way of saving the environment through cleanliness, they turned old mayo jars into glasses.

One for the road! -Grace Nicolas

Inside the welcoming area is a stuff toy store where you can buy one that you can give to your kids.

Then, the main attraction, the zoo's flora and fauna. The plants and the animals are well-taken care of, like the bees...

...and the butterflies.

Also, kids and adults alike can also learn how to milk goats and cows here. In fact, Paradizoo is also selling goat's milk products.

Inside Paradizoo is a special fishpond where you can pamper your feet while the fishes do the massage and rejuvenation of them. For just 60 bucks (for the fish food), drench your feet (or your arms if you want), feed the fishes, and let them take care of the rest.

For PHP 299 per person, you can enjoy Paradizoo. For those who plan of having an eco-trip at Paradizoo, feel free to call 09155618885.

Prelude to the Traveling

Sakay na!

Welcome to my third blog. In this blog, I'll take you to places which you may have already went to or not. Of course, emphasis will be on places that only a few go to or at least you're yet to see. But also, you will see some very familiar places here, but with some things I found out that maybe you don't know.

Just a disclaimer: Don't treat this as a hate page for LeBron James. It doesn't mean that the title of my blog is a known meme comment in various basketball Youtube videos implies that I hate LeBron James. I just really love to travel. LeBron fans (whether you're a bandwagon or not) are most welcome to see the sights (hehe).

Another thing: Except for those with credits, the photos posted here are mine. You can use my photos for your social media sharing (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) if you want, but please cite me as the owner of the pics. In short, "Credits-credits din!"

So if you're ready to travel, hop on!