A trip to ALA Skin Care

RIGHT at the outskirts of Welcome Rotonda is Wellness City, a fitness gym and a beauty clinic that is strategically located right at the boundary of the cities of Manila and Quezon.

The beauty clinic goes by the name ALA Skin Care. ALA is named after the initials of its founder, dermatologist Alberto L. Adrales.

What makes the skin clinic unique, however, is that it has treatment specially made for men, and that was something I tried when I paid a visit there.

Because I had to attend a soccer coverage that time, I failed to meet Adrales in person, but the staff present still provided me with the facial treatment.

First, the usual things being done in a facial, like sprinkling your face with warm water and the removal of the pimples.

But what makes this facial unique, however, is the inclusion of a mask machine that aims to revitalize your face.

No! I'm not trying to cosplay Jason Voorhees for Halloween.

Unlike the other facial treatment that I've been, my face became clearer here at ALA.

Aside from the basic facial, ALA also offers specialized facials like the oxygen-revitalizing facial, the cryptofusion diamond peel and facial, and platinum peel and facial.

ALA also offers a fat-burning treatment called the multi-shape radiofrequency and thermal blanket.

ALA even offers fitness-oriented life coaching. After all, ALA's mission is "to provide complete healing of the body, mind, and soul."

ALA Skin Care--and the entire Wellness City area--is located at 4 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Quezon City, just beside KFC. For inquiries, call (02)2561940 or 09178446060 or go to its Facebook page (Wellness City) and its Twitter page: @wellnesscityph.

FlipGeeks organizes geeky Christmas party

FlipGeeks, the number one portal for everything geek culture, The Appraisery and Rumpus Room is holding a "Geek Xmas Party" at Cubao Expo on Sunday, December 21, 2014 from 3pm to 12am. There will be various activities including raffles, board games and video games for the geek community, bloggers, and media people to enjoy. Registration to join the activities will start at 3pm and those registered will be entitled to one ticket for the raffle.

Together with FlipGeeks, owners Victor Prieto (The Appraisery), and Kiko Aquino(Rumpus Room) joined forces to bring us the "Geek Xmas Party" to help develop the local geek community by instilling a deeper sense of community between geeks – helping bridge the gap and enhancing the geek experience. This is made possible by the various members of the geek community, bloggers and media people bringing together various audiences of geek culture from comic book fans, moviegoers, video game fans, etc.

FlipGeeks' partners, The Appraisery and Rumpus Room, are also hosting activities for everyone. Get ready to be introduced to board games through The Appraisery and enjoy it with your friends. If the virtual world is more to your liking, let Rumpus Room show you how it's done.

Dulaang UP presents "The Country Wife"

Acclaimed director Tony Mabesa adapts and directs Dulaang UP’s fourth offering for its 39th season, the Philippine premier of William Wycherley’s The Country Wife. A classic sex comedy written in 1675, it satirizes hypocrisy and human judgment that dominated the Puritan Regime, issues that still hound contemporary society. DUP also stages Ang Misis Kong Promdi, a direct Filipino translation by Nicolas B. Pichay.

The Country Wife's plot revolves around the lives of men and women of high society; lives that are entangled in a paradox of love, marriage, reputation, mores, sexual conduct, and politics. A notorious philanderer’s homecoming ignites a series of infidelities and indiscretions. An innocent young woman from the countryside speaks honestly of her thoughts and desires posing a challenge to the gendered norms and moral codes of 16th and 17th century London. 

An ensemble of seasoned theatre actors headlines the cast- Martha Comia and Sue Prado alternate as Mrs. Margery Pinchwife the “country wife” of the title, who visits London for the first time and there slowly loses her innocence. Neil Ryan Sese and Jay Gonzaga take turns playing the lecherous and manipulative Harry Horner. George de Jesus and Tarek El Tayech play Jack Pinchwife, the jealous and potentially violent husband to country bumpkin Margery. Issa Litton and Karen Gaerlan essay the role of the intelligent and morally upright Alithea. Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino suits up as Mr. Sparkish, a dimwitted and narcissistic playboy, together with alternates RS Francisco and Arvin Trinidad. Ian Ignacio and Carlo Tarobal take the stage as Frank Harcourt, a rake who falls in love with the admirable Alithea.

Completing the stellar cast are Leo Rialp, Jacques Borlaza, Adriana Agcaoili, Dolly De Leon, Brian Arda, Sigmund Pecho, Bea Paloma, Rizzy Alejandro, Joanna Lerio, Ron Biñas, CesAldaba, Francis Mata, Aurora Yumul, Chona Fernando, Gian Carlo Patelo, Regina Mendezona and Yvonne Ricaro

The artistic team is a collaboration of some of theatre’s most creative minds. Lights design by Shakira VillaSymes, sounds design by Jethro Joaquin, technical direction by MelitonRoxas Jr., set design by Clint Ramos, costumes by Eric Pineda, dramaturgy by Joanna Lerio, and photography and posters by Dino Dimar.  

The Country Wife runs from November 19 to December 7, 2014 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman. For tickets, sponsorships, and show buying inquiries, call Samanta Hannah Clarin or Camille Guevara 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com.

Team effort pushes Eco to win in Tamron Goes Wild

Klienne Eco took the grand prize for taking the best macro photo in the first Tamron Goes Wild photography contest at the La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City.

Eco braved the rainshower and took a beautiful picture of a snail walking through the park.

Eco walked away with a Tamron 90 mm VC lens as the first prize.

In the interview, Eco said that it was a total team effort for the photo as he and his two friends collaborated for to be made possible.

Roms Lopez won second place, while Marty Marcedo was third.

Both Lopez and Marcedo received Tamron non-VC lens.

On the other hand, Anthony Balbin won the Bird Man Race after taking photo shots of 30 different bird species at the park.

Balbin won a Tamron 150-600 mm lens.

Easy Taxi partners with Belo, WeChat, Smart; unveils new cabs

Ross Del Rosario/Wazzup Pilipinas

Easy Taxi has partnered with four of Manila’s biggest brands as it aims to give Filipinos a unique, fast, and safe riding experience with the launch of the Easy Taxi Product Cars.

As the world’s biggest taxi booking application to date, Easy Taxi allows passengers to easily request for a taxi and track it in real time- all in just one click. Founded in Brazil last 2011, the startup has since expanded globally as it is made available in 4 continents, 34 countries, and in more than 170cities. Serving over 15 million users worldwide, with as much as 300 thousand drivers registered, Easy Taxi continues to grow globally at rate of three cities per month. Backed primarily by the largest e-Commerce incubator in the world, Rocket Internet, including other investors such as Millicon and iMENA, Easy Taxi is able to secure its foothold in emerging markets that it seeks to cater to. 

Beginning October 31 until December 31, Easy Taxi Product Cars will be roving around the streets of Manila, giving free rides to Easy Taxi users while offering a one-of-a-kind in-cab experience. The campaign was launched last Thursday evening at The Eastwood Open Park, with various celebrity endorsers of the different brands (Belo, Smart, and WeChat) gracing the event. Among the personalities spotted in the event were Crystal Belo, Phoemela Baranda, Chino Lui Pio, Luigi D' Avola, Vernice Enciso and other top executives from the business world. The night unveiled the four product cars, each with a distinctive offering for its passengers from freebies to free Wi-Fi in every vehicle. A short presentation, interview and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, with a sky full of fireworks to cap off the evening.

Affordable steaks available at Brickfire

First and foremost, Brickfire is a budget-friendly steakhouse. Its flagship dishes are The Duke and the Cowgirl Annie, which are generous cuts of tender local beef classically seasoned with salt and pepper.

That is where Brickfire stops being your typical budget steakhouse and becomes so much more.

One of the biggest differences with Brickfire is how the beef is cooked. Instead of the steaks being grilled, they are baked in a Brickfire oven, keeping the steaks tender and sealing in the flavorful juices, which is key to that irresistible beefy taste often found lacking in thinly cut, grilled steaks.

Brickfire does not just stop differentiating itself there. It takes further steps into the diverse art of preparing steaks by offering two additional playful flavors: Honey Mustard and Wasabi. The Honey Mustard Steaks are made with the famous Filipino sweet tooth in mind and are a nice alternative to the traditional salt and pepper flavor.

You can try them out at Brickfire Katipunan at the second floor of the Xavier Residence Bldg., R. Alvero corner E.Abada Sts., Loyola Heights or at Brickfire SM North EDSA at the ground floor of the annex building of the said mall, both restaurants in Quezon City.

Philip Abadicio Now a Kapuso with Brand-New Show

Add lifestyle host Philip Abadicio to the growing list of hosts of GMA News TV programs as he formally launched his new show entitled "Fun with Philip" at the Livestock Restaurant in Quezon City.

The program, a spin-off of his two previous shows aired on TV5 and sister station Aksyon TV, takes on a different twist as it will now have different segments tackling different lifestyle topics.

Also, a group of "Funkicks" will join Abadicio in his tours. Former Kablog host Lucky Mercado makes a return to the Kapuso station as a Funkick together with model Hilda Ehrenberg, fitness expert Bryan Santos, and fortune teller Madame Venus.

According to Philip, the new show will be totally different from his previous shows but will keep the same way those shows, "It's More Fun with Philip" and "Philip Lifestyle Guy", became hits.

“Fun with Philip” is produced by The Lifestylers Media, directed by Tootoots Leyesa and written by Rod Divinagracia. It will air on GMA News TV every Saturday and Sunday, from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. starting on June 14, 2014.

Bloggers Unite Anew for 10th IBlog Summit

Ivan Saldajeno discussed the rise of sports blogging in the Philippines du-
ring the 10th IBlog Summit. Nestor Domingo

Bloggers from across the country gathered once again at the 10th Philippine Blogging Summit or IBlog at the Malcolm Hall of the University of the Philippines College of Law in Quezon City.

Past IBlog speakers Carlo Ople, Noemi Dado, Grace Nicolas, Jonel Uy, Fitz Villafuerte, Jeoff Salas, Mannix Pabalan, Brad Geiser, Tonyo Cruz, and Francis Acero highlighted the first day of the two-day event as they returned to deliver talks about what bloggers have become recently.

Azrael Coladilla, Jinoe Gavan, and Vince Golangco also made a panel discussion on the same day about how blogging communities became in.

First-time speakers ruled Day 2 as Ivan Saldajeno, Jayson Bagio, Bien Nillos, Genesis Reodico, Sonnie Santos, Vanj Padilla, Lace Llanora, and Christian Blanquera made their IBlog debut.

Saldajeno told the rise of the Philippine sports blogging scene, while Bagio talked about link building. Nillos, a physician by day, gave some reasons on why professionals should enter blogging.

The troika of Reodico, Santos, and Padilla discussed entrepreneurship through blogging, while Blanquera taught bloggers on how they can lead the way for other entrepreneurs. Llanora talked about crowdsourcing and its impact in business.

GMA newscaster Howie Severino, a past IBlog speaker, headlined the second day of the summit as he discussed online journalism and blogging.

Atty. J.J. Disini and Janette Toral, the head organizer of IBlog, capped the event by sharing their insights on the Cyber Crime Law and the future of the internet in the Philippines respectively.

IBlog 10 Set on April

The Philippine Blogging Summit, popularly known as IBlog, will return for a tenth installment on April 4 and 5 at the Malcolm Hall of the University of the Philippines College of Law in Quezon City.

As the summit celebrates its tenth year of being held annually, speakers from the first nine stagings of IBlog will return to speak again.

When In Manila main man Vince Golangco, advocacy blogger Grace Nicolas, who headed the organizing of one of the offsprings of IBlog, the Laguna Blogging Summit, and one-time TedX speaker Tonyo Cruz will headline the returning speakers.

Also, first-time speakers will also grace the event. Dr. Bien Nillos will discuss how doctors, lawyers, and other professionals can take advantage on having their own blogs, while mathematician and Dugout.PH sportswriter Ivan Saldajeno will tackle on how sports bloggers multiplied quickly in recent years.

Website owners and those who are curious about blogs and social media are welcome to participate. Admission is free, but you can now confirm your slot for the said event. Just go to http://iblogph.org for details.

PETA ARTS Zone Project Launched

A scene in the musical play "Rated PG", which was revealed during PETA's
ARTS Zone launch. PETA

The Philippine Educational Theater Association or PETA launched the Advocate Rights to Safety Zone or ARTS Zone at the PETA Theater in Quezon City.

The ARTS Zone project teaches positive discipline for children. PETA hopes that any form of child abuse will be eliminated especially at home and at school, making safe spaces for children. The project also aims at ensuring a child's positive growth toward his/her full potential.

"We want to bring about a culture change for Filipino families," said ARTS Zone Project Director Marichu Belarmino. "We believe that it is best to discipline children in ways where they too can participate so that they may understand what they are being disciplined for."

"We want [the parents and the children] to know that [saying that it is right to hurt others for a lesson to be learned] is not true, that true love does not hurt.

In the launching event named "Love Does Not Hurt", Dr. Liane Alampay spoke to the media about how discipline can be implemented without someone getting hurt.

Also, PETA's musical act entitled "Rated PG", a story about a mother and a father's strife to discipline their children in a positive, was launched.

Vizio Bar Opens on Thursday

As we welcome 2014, join us on Thursday, January 9 as Vizio Bar opens its doors to the public!

Vizio Bar is located at Tomas Morato Ave. corner Scout Castor St., Quezon City (on top of 7-Eleven).

The food at Vizio Bar aims to equally delight and surprise the senses of taste and smell and is an integral pillar of the overall Vizio Bar experience.

The bartenders have one, and only one, mission: to surprise their guests with unexpected combinations and refresh their spirits.

Dance to the latest and greatest hits in House music, Electro, Top 40, Latin Pop, Hip Hop, and much more!

Vizio. Dance club, entertainment venue, social club, and a bar.

Experience QC's most visually and musically stunning megaclub and dance the night away!

Vizio Bar is the first 3D bar in Quezon City.

Tiago Restaurant: Bringing Progressive Filipino Foods

The South Triangle area is home to the more well-known hangouts in Quezon City. However, inside the place where you can find the likes of Zirkoh, Vizio, and Amici is a place called Tiago. The restaurant serves "progressive Filipino cuisine". You may ask, "What is progressive cuisine?" I and my crew went to check the place out.

As I mentioned above, Tiago brings you Filipino cuisine, but the resto brings it to the next level. According to owner Sigrid Buendia, they intend to deliver a different kind of Filipino dining experience by fusing our favorite dishes with other dishes. That's what she calls "progressive cuisine".

Tiago owner Sigrid Buendia (R) with homie Grace Nicolas

One example of this progressive Filipino cuisine is the chopsuey salad, in which the well-known veggie dish is turned to a dessert or even an appetizer.

Also available at Tiago is the appetizer tilapia rolls--slices of fried tilapia and some rice rolled into mustasa leaves.

If you want more "fishy" jawbreaking, check out Tiago's tinapa rice, where your favorite sinangag is added by tinapa flakes.

If this fried rice is not yet enough for you, you can check out its other rice dishes like the adobo rice.

Also available at Tiago is the ever well-known sisig. It's delicious even if it's not on a sizzling plate.

The last main dish we tried at our visit was the pork humba.

Of course, what's our dining experience without some dessert? Tiago offers leche flan and a different kind of suman--unwrapped!

Aside from the desserts above, Tiago also serves flavors of ice cream different from the commercial ones. Here's the restaurant's ice cream menu (Yes! You can only find these types of ice cream at Tiago.).

Tiago Progressive Filipino Restaurant is located at Scout Fuentebella St. cor. Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City, infront of Bellagio Square. It's open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM except on Mondays. For more inquiries, call (02)4130616.

SM Store North EDSA 3-Day Sale "Tweet-Day Sale" Blowout

The SM Store North EDSA is giving away P50,000 worth of shopping certificates!!!

Join the SM Store North EDSA 3 Day Sale "TWEET-DAY SALE" Blowout!!!

Ten lucky winners of PHP5,000 worth of gift certificates each will be picked to shop at the SM Store North EDSA! Let's go guys!!!

How to join:

1. Simply follow @thesmstore (http://twitter.com/thesmstore) on Twitter.

2. Tweet "I wanna win @thesmstore North EDSA Tweet-Day Sale for the 3-Day Sale!"  

    with the hashtag #TheSMStore3DS.

3. Attach the promo poster when you tweet.

4. Winners will be announced on July 18, 2013, 12:00 noon.

5. Claiming of Shopping Certificates will be on July 19, 9:00 am at the SM Store North 

    EDSA Prestige Lounge.

5. Validity of Shopping Certificates is from July 19-21, 2013 only.

6. Shopping Certificates are valid at the SM Store North EDSA only.

7. The promo runs until July 18, 2013 at 11:59 AM so tweet @thesmstore now!

Jose, Wally Team Up Anew in Charity Concert

If you missed their sold-out concert last year and even its sequel last summer, here's another chance to watch Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola tickle your bones out.

The Philippine Society of Nuclear Medicine, in cooperation with Mang Inasal and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, presents "Juan Night with Jose and Wally", which will happen this Saturday at the Crossroads Center in Quezon City.

Anton Diva and Ethel Booba will also be there to join the comedy duo in bringing laughs to the audience. The said comedy concert is in celebration of the World Thyroid Day, and ten people with thyroid problems will benefit from proceeds of the said event.

For ticket inquiries, call TicketNet at (02)911-5555 or go to the concert's Facebook page.

Three-Day Sale Rocks Megamall, Other SM Stores

The SM Stores at SM Megamall, SM Harrison, SM City Novaliches, SM City Baguio, SM City Bacoor, SM City Batangas, SM City San Fernando, SM City Naga, SM City Davao, SM City Consolacion, and SM City Delgado will be having a 3-day sale on May 3, 4, and 5. 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 Megamall, SM Harrison, SM City Novaliches, SM City Baguio, SM City Bacoor, SM City Batangas, SM City San Fernando, SM City Naga, SM City Davao, SM City Consolacion, and SM City Delgado! Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 7190 Series of 2012 and DTI-NCR Permit Nos. 0311, 0345, 0560, and 0566 Series of 2013.

QC Comedy Bar Celebrates Anniversary Through Awesome Show

Two performers danced to the beat of "Harlem Shake" while doing a "The
King and I" themed number.

The Fahrenheit Cafe along E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. in Quezon City celebrated its 10th anniversary with a dance-comedy show featuring the comedy bar's line of performers.

The show, entitled "A Decade of Fantasy", kicked off with an entertaining dance number followed by impersonations of various singers like Charlene, Sharon Cuneta, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.

Also, the members of the Fahrenheit Cafe and Fitness Center were in full force in watching the show alongside a good number of walk-ins.

The anniversary show was a way of Fahrenheit of expressing gratitude to those who continue to patronize the said comedy bar and gym.

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.