Triumph Inspiration Award 2011 (Berlin Beckons)

Global leader and lingerie giant, Triumph International, is set to break records this year with the Triumph Inspiration Award 2011. Now on its 4^th consecutive year, the competition is at its biggest with 37 participating countries, with the grand finals taking center stage at the opening night of the Berlin Fashion Week in July no less.

Poised to capture design talent from around the world, Triumph International worked hand in hand with local prestigious fashion and design schools to bringing the competition at the grass roots level. Triumph International Philippines, in partnership with the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFa), has geared up for the Triumph Inspiration Award 2011, with ten students vying to represent the Philippines in the international finals.

Judging this year’s national competition to be held on April 13 at Members Only, are some of fashion and design luminaries, which include Rissa Mananquil, Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Dong Omaga-Diaz, joined by 2008 Triumph Inspiration Award National Winner and now fashion designer, Ralph Ng, and Head of Sales & Marketing of Triumph International Philippines, Lorelei de Leon.

As if things cannot get any bigger this year, 2011 also marks the 125^th anniversary of Triumph, to which the young designers will be creating their interpretations of the theme “125 Years of Celebrating Women.” Admittedly quite a challenge and pressure for the contestants, the top ten final designs ranging from romantic, tribal, down to avant-garde, did not disappoint. CREATIONS Salon, by top hair and make-up artist Lourd Ramos, lent its creative expertise in enhancing each and every peg from the look book, making the judging quite a feat with all the entries now equally strong contenders to be the Philippines’ official entry in the finals.

With the competition tougher as ever, Triumph has taken the match online and making your votes count to determine the People’s Choice Award. Visit the Triumph International Philippines fan page to view the final designs and cast a vote for your favorite pieces.

It would be too ambitious to say that we will win in the finals, but one thing is for sure, the Philippines is in it to win it, and we are taking Berlin by storm.

PGHI: Ready to Serve.

Pacific Global Hospitality Institute(PGHI) opens its doors to the hospitality and restaurant management industry and gears up to be recognized as a leading school and training institution in the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the globe.

PGHI aims equip its students with knowledge and skills to meet the international standards in five-star hospitality services-making them competitive in the industry. The Learning institute uses a three-pronged approach: quality learning; five-star equipment, materials and technology; and international accreditation and partnerships.

“We are bent on making PGHI as a major learning institute in the industry,” boats Luis Tiu, President of PGHI and Tri-Place Hotel. “That’s why we tap international expects to be part of our team giving our students the best learning and training they need.”

One of them is Raymond Chan, who was formally introduced during the press launch held at the Tri-Place Hotel in Quezon City on April 9, 2011. Chan has over two decades of expertise in the fields of Culinary and Food & Beverage Services. He also served as a Senior Lecturer and Administrator of the Hongkong Vocational Training council. And tucked under his belt are his Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management from the Sheffield Hallam University and other certifications from various notable organizations and institutions most notable of which are the American Hotel and Motel Associations, Hongkong Polytechnic University and Institute of Hospitality.

Mr. Tiu further stressed that the courses offered are handled by competent instructors who are experts in their respective fields. These courses include Certificate in Food and Beverages Service ( two-months Intensive Program), Advanced Certificate in Professional Food and Beverage Service( one-year Full-time Program)and Certificate in Professional Culinary Arts( one-year Full-time Program). He also noted that simulation and actual client services are integrated in the curriculum giving the students hands-on experiences and practices.

Aside from quality learning, PGHI also provides the students with the state-of-the art equipment and high technology-immersing them to a five-star environment. That gives them the total learning experience they deserve.
“Of course,” quips Tiu, “we want our students to get employed upon finishing their course at PGHI”

PGHI prepares and helps its student to take the City and Guild accreditation recognized by major players in the industry as well as by the government here and many parts of the world. The training institute will also assist its students in linking them to reputable employers through its career counseling arm.

We train them for employment. That’s why we also offer a ‘study now, pay later’ scheme for we really want to generate more jobs and opportunities here and abroad.

Ponds Flawless White..UNRIVALED POWER

For one evening, Pond’s presented “The Unbeaten Whitening Experience’” and proved once again that Pond’s is the country’s no. 1 skin lightening product. With the help of nine of the country’s leading beauty bloggers and their friends, they took on the challenge to solely use the complete Pond’s Flawless White range and to confirm that it is truly unbeatable. For three weeks, teams blogged about their experiences as they witnessed how their skin became visibly lighter and their dark spots were reduced.

Pond’s together with some of today’s top editors-in-chief and the public’s online votes, the grand winner and special prize winners were recently presented. Special awards were given to the team who was able to obtain the highest number of votes and to the pair who received the highest scores from the editors of some of the most prestigious magazines – Cosmopolitan’s Zo Aguila, Mega’s Sari Yap, and Metro’s Michealle Torres. For the People’s Choice Award, this was given to Ginger Arboleda and Reena Sarmiento. For the Editor’s Choice Award, Sophie Uy and Nikki Tiu took home this prize.

For the grand prize, Ginger Arboleda and Reena Sarmient
o was the unbeaten team! They will present their fairer and smoother radiant skin in a Pond’s Flawless White magazine feature in Cosmopolitan, Mega, and Metro. They also won a full makeover from Plains and Prints, and from CREATIONS by Lourd Ramos salon.

The affair also showcased the milestones of Pond’s Flawless White since its inception with a living testament of beauty, Pond’s Flawless White ambassador, Mika Lagdameo-Martinez. For years, Mika has remained the face of Pond’s Flawless White here in the Philippines and around the globe. The epitome of romance and beauty, Mika discussed how Pond’s had contributed to the many milestones and success in both her professional and personal life.

With the recent challenge that the bloggers and their friends took on, and the personal experience and testimonial of Mika Lagdameo-Martinez, Pond’s Flawless White provides women the confidence to achieve radiant and flawless white skin, and maintain the beauty and romance in their lives without it having to be expensive.

Learn more about “The Unbeaten Whitening Experience” at http://ponds.com.ph/unbeaten.

GEARING UP FOR SUMMER WITH TOMS

Have you ever done anything that pushed yourself to the limit? Whether it is to summit a peak, dive under the ocean or visit an exotic country, summer seems like the perfect time to do it.

A man named Blake Mycoskie traveled to Argentina for a vacation in 2006. During this trip, he saw firsthand that having shoes can be considered a luxury for some children. He was inspired to build a sustainable business model that gave as much as it got.

After selling the first pair of TOMS after returning from Argentina, Blake has given over a million pairs of shoes to children all over the world. How was this possible? With the commitment that for every pair of shoes sold, another pair will be given to a child in need.

Mixing fashion and philanthropy makes perfect sense for longevity in the shoe business. Sure the advocacy sounds great, but fans of TOMS all over the world also love it because it’s easily one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes one will ever own.

Because TOMS keeps on raising the bar for style and design, the TOMS Summer shoe collection features the classics, cordones, wedge and stitch out models splashed in delicious colors of yellow and apple green as well as vibrant colors of the ocean, coral and aqua. Mixed materials of crocheted fabric and canvass are carefully woven into the TOMS Summer Collection.

Explore the world in style and comfort with TOMS shoes and make the summer one that will be unforgettable.
The TOMS Summer Collection will be available by May 2011 in all authorized retailers: Nothing But Water outlets including Boracay, Swim in Rockwell, Adora in Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la, Rustan’s Gateway, selected Shoe Salon outlets and Trilogy Boutique.

Rock with GOOD CHARLOTTE at the AYALA MALLS

Once again, the Ayala Malls brings you the best live entertainment by showcasing and presenting your favorite international musical performers here in the Philippines. This summer, Filipinos will get ready to scream and shout as Glorietta invites you to see one of America’s favorite punk-pop, Good Charlotte!

Inspired by a Beastie Boys performance, this east-coast Good Charlotte band was first assembled by frontmen and identical twins Joel Madden and Benji Madden in 1996. Later on with more band members joining in the group, they launched their musical career in 2000 with their self-titled debut album. Their popularity was later on jumpstarted as they gained mainstream popularity with their second studio album, The Young and the Hopeless, which sold over 4.9 million copies earning them triple platinum sales and achieving hit-charts topping all over the globe in both the pop and rock genre.

Now after more than ten years of performing for the music industry, Good Charlotte members Paul Thomas (Bass), Joel Madden (Vocals), Benji Madden (Guitar and Vocals), Dean Butterworth (Drums), and Billy Martin (Guitar and Keyboard) have provided memorable hits such as “The Anthem”, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, “Hold On”, “Girls and Boys”, and “Keep Your Hands Off My Girl”. Known for the pop-punk style, Good Charlotte has had the honor to win Best Rock Video for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” for the MTV Music Video Awards, Best Rock Video for “The Anthem” for the MTV Video Music Awards Japan and Best International Rock Groups for various awarding ceremonies. They have been on the cover of Rolling Stone and Alternative Press, have been featured in the New York Times, and have been seen on CNN and The Today Show. Inspiring so many fans all over the world, Good Charlotte truly has made a name for them and is a force to reckon in the rock and rock world.

Their most recent album, Cardiology, their 5th studio album and their latest first single “Like It’s Her Birthday” was recently released last 2010. Good Charlotte says that this album was very much inspired from their hearts and at the same time is very different from their previous albums. Going back to sounds to where they all began, fans can expect this album to have a fresher sound and more focused on the heart and soul of rock and roll instead of the usual pop music sound. Today, Cardiology has been recognized to be the best album that Good Charlotte has produced so far.

With the post-grunge and pop-punk outfit, fans will get to rock hard as Good Charlotte performs up and close at the Glorietta Activity Center on April 6 at 6:30 P.M. Witness this one-night only live performance and listen to Paul Thomas, Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Dean Butterworth and Billy Martin plays some of their newest and greatest hits here in the Philippines.

Coleen and Martin for BNY

Nobody embodies the most up-to-date trends in casual wear better than the youth themselves. It’s all about what they wear and how they wear it. It’s about attitude spunk, and self-expression.
Coleen and Martin, both blessed with good looks and great sense of style, BNY is most pleased to welcome them both, yet again, to the company as its teen image moels. Indeed, they are the perfect embodiment of what is hip, trendy, and shouts, “We are the youth of Today!”

On Boracay, ceding receding hairlines, and entrepreneurship with a heart

Why you should try Escondido Beach Resort Boracay!

Escondido Beach Resort Boracay boasts of an ambiance unique to those of the island's other resorts, located in the mountainside and yet still close to the white beach in Station 1, where the island's sugar-fine white sand can be found. Just a minute's walk from the beach and the hottest bars and restaurants in the area, it's a resort that offers you both tranquil privacy and accessibility.

Escondido also exhibits Filipino heritage through its interiors, with furnishings made in different regions of the country and rooms representing different regions in the Philippines. Opt to cozy up in any of their ten deluxe rooms, three suite rooms, and one family room, all of which are equipped with airconditioning, cable TV, a mini bar, in-room safe, electric thermos, and a telephone/intercom system. The two suites also have a mini kitchen with a microwave oven and a bathroom with a jacuzzi.

Guests can also enjoy dining at Escondido's Boracay Club House and trying out the activities that they offer, such as island hopping, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, banana boat rides, motorbiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and golf. The hotel also arranges airport transfer services, ticket reservation and reconfirmation, laundry services, and room/outdoor massages.

Call the Escondido Beach Resort Boracay Manila Office for more info: (02) 376-4535

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With Novuhair, say g'bye, hair fall and receding hairlines!

Check out Che Sauza before:

And after!:

Baldness and hair fall? With Novuhair Herbal Shampoo and Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, these are things of the past. Novuhair, made from natural herbs, essential oils, and co-factor nutrients, stimulates hair growth, prevents hair fall, and improves overall hair appearance.

"We introduced Novuhair to the local market last year and we got very positive feedback from our users. We are proud to say that Novuhair is the only product available in the country today that successfully solves hairloss problems. Our thousands of users will attest to that," said Mae Velilla, President and CEO of Nutramedica, product developer and exclusive distributor of Novuhair.

Novuhair uses a unique combination of hair growth stimulators including virgin coconut oil, panax ginseng, and lavender oils, to name a few - and it is the only brand in the market to do so.

Novuhair accelerates blood circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth. It also eliminates drandruff and itchiness by maintaining moisture and providing nourishment to the hair and scalp.

Within a week, Novuhair users may notice a decrease in hair loss. Of course, hair growth becomes evident with regular use.

"Novuhair products may also be used for cleansing and detoxifying the scalp. It is safe to use and does not cause any harmful side effects," said Velilla.

Once desired results are achieved, Novuhair may still be used for hair and scalp maintenance.

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WOW: Advocacy in social and business entrepreneurship

Wealth in wellness is the essence of the entrepreneurial opportunity offered at Wow World of Wellness Direct Sales.

The business was conceived primarily to provide the general public easy access to high quality and truly beneficial natural health, beauty and wellness products that are very affordable. Launched in December 2010 as a spinoff of the existing Cory Quirino chain of wellness stores, WOW WORLD OF WELLNESS was established by popular showbiz personality and healthy, beauty, and wellness guru Ms. Cory Quirino together with Ms. Sheila Mae Velilla, a prominent figure in the pharmaceutical trading business.

WOW is not about quick fix and is not a get-rich-quick scheme. WOW believes in consumerism and general fair trade practice. It keeps its margins low to offer; firstly, a commission plan reasonably competitive in the Direct Sales Industry, and secondly, a very affordable mass market price for premium quality products. This is part of WOW’s advocacy in social and business entrepreneurship.

To date, WOW World of Wellness has three wellness centers in Pampanga, Bulacan and Pasay City, and over a hundred social entrepreneurs in the metropolis. It will open two more wellness centers (Isabela and Makati City) by April and a branch in Star Mall EDSA Shaw in May.

“It’s time to make health, beauty and wellness available and affordable. Be well, be wealthy, join us in our WORLD OF WELLNESS today,” said Ms. Quirino.