Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Derek and Ann's A Secret Affair


"Kaya Querida kasi kiri... kaya mistress nakaka-stress"

Another classic line from what could be the run-away blockbuster movie of the year.

Why?

You have Derek Ramsay again as the man in between the tug-of-war of two georgeous woman which one happens to be somebody named Ann Curtis. You can only expect hot, sizzling and exciting sequences that any drama-sucker and the likes love.

The pair just scored big with No Other Woman last year with  another hottie Cristine Reyes as their co-star. Now, the duo who plays the role of a loving couple who became the subject of Andi Eigenmann's home wreckin' ways in the film.

No Other woman holds the title as the second highest grossing Filipino film of all time having a gross of P278 million.This new movie with a similar theme might hit it big since people these days seems interested in complicated relationships.

Now, here's the movie trailer of A Secret Affair courtesy of a former officemate in VIVA:




Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I can exceed my limitations!


I am never too old to play. I will forever be active.

When I was a kid, one of my dreams is to become a professional athlete someday.

I tried swimming and swore I will be better than Eric Buhain but my illusion was washed away after a traumatic experience in a creek near our place--- I almost drowned while racing with my friends.

I stayed away from the water and found joy in cycling. My father bought me a brand new BMX bike and I stepped on the pedal towards my goal of joining the Tour of Luzon until I got involved in a road accident.

Just when I thought of hitting the brakes on my dream, I fell in love with the game of basketball. I eat, breath and live the sport and wanted to have a career in it but soon I noticed that my height was stuck at 5’3” at age 21.

Then, I heard that a midget just became a world champion in WWE so I fantasized of being a pro wrestler. However, my effort of undergoing tedious workouts did not give my tummy a six pack abs but six bruises instead.

Today, I am a thirty something family guy who thinks he's a stud but is actually stout. I hate to admit it but am slow, out of shape and the only thing “athletic” about me is my athlete’s foot due to the recent flooding in our place.

Now, can somebody give me a bar of Safeguard? My wife bought a couple of whitening soap last week which she wanted me to try. I can let her get away with the indirect insult but to live without the brand of soap that I basically grew up with is something unbearable.

Speaking of Safeguard, I just find it cool that my favorite athletes can actually be compared with the brand in different aspects.  Below is the list of my sports idols and why I think they are super like Safeguard!


Manny Pacquiao: Pro-Family. I think I don't have to mention how Pacman is considered by many as arguably the best boxer who ever lived. Everyone has witnessed his exploits and know his rags to riches story. From being a cigarette vendor who watched fights of boxing legends like Larry Homes, George Foreman and others along the street, he dreamed and exceeded his limitations and became the first and only eight-division world champion in boxing history. He is a dedicated family man who was able to overcome intrigues and saved his relationship with wife Jinkee and their home. Safeguard is a family bath soap that is affordable and offers great savings from the household budget.


Ronald Tubid: All-around guard. Once known as “The Saint” in the local hoops circuit after being tapped to be the face of the second Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod, this energetic shooting guard from Barako Bull has emerged as one of most athletic players in the PBA because of his all-around game. He maybe just 6'1 but he can score, rebound and dish out assists in the offensive end as effective as guarding his bigger opponents in the defensive side. Because of his never-say-die attitude (something he embraced from former team Barangay Ginebra), he got a new moniker and is now known as Mr. Fearless. Safeguard gives an all-around protection and kills 99% of germs that cause skin infection, bad odor and illnesses.


Phil Younghusband: Fresh and clean. With a face that launches a thousand screams every time he kicks a football (and butts), Younghusband and the rest of the Azkals catapulted the game of soccer in becoming a popular sport among Filipinos. Even with issues of language barrier because some of the players came from different countries,  the Philippine team has proven that there is another team sport in the country worth-watching other than basketball after some upset wins over stronger soccer-crazy nations. With this babyface fresh-looking striker leading the way, expect fans of all ages to continue to troop the arenas for some fast-paced action. Safeguard has a fresh and clean smell that many Filipinos have grown accustomed to. Even if you blindfold me, I can still tell which is Safeguard among soaps.


Paeng Nepomuceno: Certified and recognized greatness. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for three amazing feats: (1) for most Bowling World cup wins, 4, in three different decades; (2) for being the youngest ever to win the Bowling World Cup (at 19 years of age), and (3) for having won the most number of bowling tournaments (124 career titles). All of these milestones were accomplished by Nepomuceno despite of little support from the government. He still actively competes up to this day and is the only bowler to have won titles in Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Safeguard is accepted and recognized by the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) and it is proven effective in removing skin germs.

Coach Rio Dela Cruz: Trusted name. When you talk about local running, it’s impossible not to mention the name Coach Rio in the conversation. His name has become synonymous to the sports. But before he became the running demigod that he is, Coach Rio has gone through a tough life. At 12 years old, he beat everyone in the tryout while running barefoot on his first attempt at joining his school’s track team. A neighbor took pity on this barefoot runner and gave him a pair of sneakers. From then on, he never stopped running and has become an icon and inspiration to many runners in the country. Safeguard has been the trusted germicidal soap in the Philippines for many generation since it was first introduced in the country in 1966.

Today, Safeguard continues to evolve into a more effective soap as we enter a more active and fast-paced lifestyle. Personally, I may have given up with my dream of becoming an athlete but I still play the sports that I love. I still try to exceed my limitations and prove that age is just a state of mind, that I can still be competitive in every game I enter.  


Good thing, there’s the new Safeguard Active that gives me a 12-hour odor protection every time I engage in sports and fitness activities. Safeguard Active won't let bad hygiene distract you from exceeding your athletic limitations and in beating your personal best.

Here's an inspiring video that you should watch with an invitation to  be one of the many voices in the field shouting, “I can exceed my limitations!”  


Image credits: Pacquaio (latinorebels.com); Tubid (inquirer.net); Younghusband (allstarpics.net); Nepomuceno (jatps.hubpages.com) and Dela Cruz (running.journeyingjames.com).    
 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Let’s Move & Let’s Love

Image credit: www.coy-dreamer.deviantart.com

One thing that has kept my relationship with my wife Leah stronger than ever is our ability to make one another laugh--- from corny jokes to sweet surprises to silly things that we do.

We are a fun-loving couple who have lived, breath, got use to and grew with each other's sense of humor. I lost count of the jokes we have traded, senseless debates on just about anything, and moments that we feel like we are just kids playing ‘bahay-bahayan.”

Leah also tries to understand and like my interests even though she doesn’t have a clue of what she’ll be getting into. She had accompanied me to the two occasions WWE superstars wrestled at Araneta Coliseum and when NBA Madness came to Manila. She didn’t mind the rowdy crowd instead she screamed and cheered with me throughout the event.

For that, I want to express my love to her in as many and creative ways I can.  I have sent her a love letter before full of "I love you" written and translated in different languages. Tonight, I'll make her a love note (something I have not done in a while) full of love ala-United Colors of Benetton style--- a list of countries with sweet meanings behind their names, all lovingly dedicated to my wife!

What's the reason behind this sudden lovestruck me? A promise from my wife that my favorite chicken adobo will be waiting for me on our dining table tonight. Now that's one tummy love fest I'd love to celebrate again and again.

AUSTRALIA - Adoring & Understanding Someone's True Reasons About Loving Intimately Always.
BURMA - Between Us, Remember Me Always
CALGARY - Caress And Love Grow Always in Relationship Yearly
CANADA - Cute And Naughty Action that Developed into Attraction
CHINA - Come Here I Need Affection
EGYPT - Everything's Great, You Pretty Thing
FRANCE - Friendships Remain And Never Can End
GERMANY - Great Emotion Really Makes Any Nerd Yell
HOLLAND - Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies
HONGKONG - Hug Only Nice Guys, Kiss Only Naughty Girls.
INDIA - I Nearly Died In Adoration
ITALY - I Trust And Love You
JAPAN - Just Always Pray At Night
KENYA - Keep Everything Nice, Yet Adoring
KOREA - Keeping Optimistic Regardless of Every Adversity
LIBYA - Love Is Beautiful; You Also
MANILA - May All Nights Inspire Love Always
NEPAL - Never Ever Part As Lovers
PHILIPPINES - Pure Hugs I Love It Please Please I Need Some
POLAND - Planning Our Love, A New Dream.
RUSSIA - Romance Under the Sky & Stars Is Intimate Always
THAILAND - Totally Happy Always In Love And Never Dull
VIETNAM - Very Intimate Emotions Towards Non-Appreciative Males

Speaking of Benetton, I just found out that the company is present in 120 countries today. Its network of over 6,500 stores, offers high quality customer services and top of the line products that has been part of many love stories worldwide.

As love is being celebrated in many parts of the world, Benetton lunches two of their newest fragrances, Let’s Move for men and Let’s Love for women. Love will never smell this good with such pleasant news.

So what's your story? Share what makes you smile, capture your heart and completes your day. Tell the world of that one great love story you have kept within because the perfect time to do it is now. Let's Move & Let's Love!



Friday, September 7, 2012

Vitamin for kids that pops

 

Chase scenes... chairs and tables knocked down... someone begging for mercy.

A nice sequence for a sure hit action thriller in the silver screen. But you don't have to pay for movie tickets and a tub of pop corn to see these things unfold. Just got to our house and might catch me and my wife doing the villain roles to our son Charles who will do everything he can to stop us from giving him his vitamins.

There are days that we wish that are better alternatives in giving gives their daily dose. There are moments we would research online and join parenting forums on how to handle picky kids like our little Charlie. There are times we get wonderful suggestions and clever ideas.

One of those times just happened to be today. I received a parcel from Unilab this morning and it contains something my son might be interested--- a new vitamin like no other.

The name is Vitapops, the first and only pop rocks vitamin C in the country.  Here's what this innovative vitamins for kids in a nutshell:

1. First and only pop rocks Vitamin C in the country.
2. Parents can give both a  fun and healthy dose of vitamins to their kids.
3. It comes in Sodium Ascorbate form of Vitamin C so it is tummy-friendly and can be taken on an empty stomach.
4. It contains only 1/5 of the sugar content of normal vitamins preventing tooth decays
5. It comes in single dose sachets which make it convenient for moms to give to kids. It can even be given as part of their everyday "baon."



The only downside is that the vitamin is good for kids 7 years old and above thus, Charles have to wait a little over three more years before he can get popin' with it.  Good thing I have some nieces and nephews old enough to try it. The verdict? They love it and were asking for more. 

Vitapops is now available in drugstores nationwide. Now your kids don't have any more reason to be an action star wannabe when it comes to taking vitamins.


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Business as usual at Tutuban Mall


I had an amusing chat with a colleague this afternoon.

She was a little upset why nobody informed her that a fire hit Tutuban Mall where she just spent almost half day just to buy some supplies for our office. She said that if she was only informed, she could have gone to another marketplace and avoided the horrendous traffic jam in Divisoria.

Well, it’s just an irony since she is the first and last person to get a hold of our newspaper subscriptions every day. For two days, an image of the burning mall is printed in the front pages.

All she has to do is R-E-A-D. Or not even read. Just stare at the photos of the broadsheets and you’ll definitely know’s the “hottest” thing happening in Manila today (no pun intended).

But the good side of all her forgettable afternoon, she was able to purchase what’s on her grocery list since it’s business as usual even though the fire in one of the buildings is not yet completely got rid of.

I am sharing the  official statement of Tutuban Properties Inc. in regards to the Cluster Building Incident as of today, September 06, 2012, 10 a.m.:

Collective efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and volunteer firefighters have not ceased since the fire broke out early yesterday morning at Cluster Building. At 10 am today, BFP officials have declared the fire to have been under control.

So effective 10am today, Centermall 1 and 2 and Prime Block buildings have resumed normal or "business as usual" operations, including the Robinsons department store and supermarket. Safeguards are in place to ensure that the resumption of operations will in no way hamper fire control efforts.

We believe that the current situation is but a minor setback in the redevelopment of Tutuban Center. Management affirms its commitment to move towards a new and revitalized Cluster Building.

Hopefully by tomorrow, the headline would go something like, "Tutuban Mall fire under control."

Now, that's one good news for bargain bin hunters like me.