Candles by Ysa

Lorenz and I got my mom the @candlesbyysa x @dayysakitchen candle and cookies gift set for valentines! We love their eco friendly packaging aside from their yummy cookies and aesthetic candles 🕯 order here: @candlesbyysa @dayysakitchen 💕

Lucky In Love With Pocky

“In order to find love, you have to be open to receive it”, says my fortune slip from my @glico_ph Pocky box. When I started loving myself, I noticed that I attracted more love and opportunities into my life! So, what can you do today to be more open to love? 💕 Buy Pocky Sakura today as it’s the perfect Valentine’s gift for you and your loved ones! Shop here: https://shp.ee/mxa7a5r 🌸#LuckyInLoveWithPocky

Tiffany Circle Taro Milk Tea

Tried @tiffanycircleph’s taro milk tea and OMG it’s sooo good! I had it hot, and it was like a hug in a mug 💜 It was perfect before my trip to IKEA to buy plants 🪴 Buy Tiffany Circle Taro Milk Tea here. 💜 #tiffanyhabit

Hikaru Utada Shares “Face My Fears (A. G. Cook Remix)” Music Video on YouTube Premiere

Album BAD MODE debuted at #1 on digital charts in Japan and also significantly ranked in various charts in 21 countries and regions around the globe. The album will soon be available on CD, including the Single-run Limited Edition, on February 23.

While we wait eagerly for the CD release, Hikaru has shared the music video for one of the bonus tracks from the album, “Face My Fears (A. G. Cook Remix),” on February 10!

The music video has been released to celebrate the launch of the KINGDOM HEARTS series cloud versions on Nintendo Switch. Created by the video production team from REAL ROCK DESIGN, it features famous scenes from the series edited anew to sync with the music. Aworld-wide audience has been sending rave comments since the video release was announced, as proof, once again, of the global popularity of the Kingdom Heartsseries and its theme song

The original “Face My Fears (English Version) / HikaruUtada & Skrillex　“KINGDOM HEARTS III” Opening Theme Song” charted in the US Billboard Hot 100, and the new version was remixed by A. G. CooK, who co-produced “One Last Kiss” and “Kimini Muchuu,” also on the album BAD MODE, turning out the brand-new banger.

The album will include three versions of the song: Japanese and English versions of the original and the A. G. Cook remix. Check out all of them!

※Face My Fears (A. G. Cook Remix)　YouTube URL:https://youtu.be/SbT55Ggd__E

KINGDOM HEARTS Series Official Website: https://www.kingdomhearts.com/home/us/

Source: Japanese Culture PR Team

Day 10 of my #tiffanyhabit

Day 10 of my #tiffanyhabit was about drinking my @tiffanycircleph coffee to power me through a day of errands! I wore an upcycled top from @craftcha.ph and a Sailormoon mask 😷 for good vibes 💝 Buy Tiffany Circle coffee here. ☕️

Israel Turnovers COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits to DND

The Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel through the Israeli Embassy in Manila, donated 16,000 units of antigen test kits to the Department of National Defense of the Philippines to help its fight against COVID-19.

Israeli diplomats Ambassador Ilan Fluss and Defense Attaché Mr. Raz Shabtay turned over the antigen test kits to Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana.

“Friends support each other in times of need. Israel is a friend of the Philippines and will continue to assist and share its expertise in various fields. I am proud to deliver this Israeli assistance today to support the Department of National Defense of the Philippines in keeping this country safe and secure,” Ambassador Fluss said.  

“The relationship between Israel and the Philippines, particularly the relationship between both defense ministries, is never as strong as it is now,” Mr. Shabtay said. “We are delighted to be able to support once more, in the form of contributing 16,000 antigen test kits, to help the Defense Forces of the Philippines in fighting this current Global Pandemic,” he added.

Israel continues to assist the Philippines in combatting COVID-19. In 2021, the Israeli government turned over personal protective equipment to the Department of National Defense and the Philippine National Police, two Israeli delegations of medical experts assisted the country’s national vaccination campaign and shared Israel’s local clinical guidelines for COVID-19 infection control protocols and hospital management. Israel also continues to share its experience and knowledge in emergency and pandemic response with the Philippines through webinars, courses, and joint meetings.

The handover ceremony was held at the DND Headquarters in Quezon City on February 9, 2022. In attendance were Asec. Jesus Rey Avilla, Usec. Ricardo Jalad, Director Franklin Gali, BGEN Edgar Cardiñoza, Usec. Raymundo de Vera Elefante, and staff members of the DND and the embassy.

Source: EMBASSY OF ISRAEL MANILA

Day 9 of my #tiffanyhabit

Day 9 of my #tiffanyhabit ☕️ I had @tiffanycircleph coffee to power through my Wednesday! I donated my book to the Filipinas Heritage Library, which is an honor as a published author. Make your dreams happen with coffee and hard work! Buy Tiffany Circle coffee here. ☕️#10daychallenge @lilyhanachan @soleandreaocampo @jade.ofall.trades @elle_of_tiffany

Speak Write Live At FHL

I donated my second book, #speakwritelive, to the Filipinas Heritage Library 🇵🇭 As a young author, it is my duty to ensure that my work contributes to research and training. Since my book is about the systems that worked for me when I wrote my first book, I believe that it can help aspiring writers find their groove and create their own works ✍️ Never give up on your dreams!✨ Buy a copy of my book, Speak Write Live here. 📖 #authorlife

QuielSam

Hi guys! I am proud to be a #quiellebaby or brand ambassador for local handmade accessories brand @quielle_! Here I am with their author necklace, which is non-tarnish and made in the Philippines! Please use my promo code QUIELSAM to enjoy 5% discount with every Php500 purchase! Bili na kayo dito. ✨

Mag-Ingat

Attended the Ben&Ben x Google - 'Mag-Ingat' Virtual Press Con! I had the best lunch, and a lovely time as always with one of my fave local bands. Thank you for having me, @nyouconsultancy! 🥰

Day 8 of My #tiffanyhabit

Day 8 of my #tiffanyhabit was about spending the day at home. I took a coffee break with Tiffany Circle PH. Did you know that their coffee has vitamin C and that it is sweetened by stevia? Buy it here. ☕️ #10daychallenge

Day 7 of my #tiffanyhabit

Day 7 of my #10daychallenge with Tiffany Circle PH coffee!☕️ Buy Tiffany Coffee here. ☕️ #tiffanyhabit

Google, Ben&Ben release Mag-ingat music video to promote internet safety

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, February 8, 2022–Google, together with Filipino folk pop band Ben&Ben launches a new song to promote internet safety and digital responsibility. Entitled “Mag-Ingat” (Be Safe Online), the song is part of Google’s commitment to helping Filipinos use the internet safely and responsibly. 

The two-and-a-half minute Filipino song addresses online threats today including scams, misinformation, and catfishing, and the importance of critical thinking and verifying information using trusted sources to protect oneself and others. It also reminds netizens to be wary of bad actors who lurk in the online space, just like in the real world. 

This newest single from the young band ends strongly with a bridge conveying that online safety is a shared responsibility–people are all stewards of the digital world. It’s all in the hands of netizens to use the internet right and care for the online safety of one another. 

The catchy and lively tune was written and performed by Ben&Ben, the Philippines’ #1 local artist of 2021. The award-winning nine-piece act is known for mixing Filipino folk music with pop to create songs about hope, love, and positivity. 

“Filipinos are highly social people and most of us interact with one another digitally. In such a world, it’s no wonder that while the internet brings so many advantages, it also opens us up to many dangers if we are not careful enough. With ‘Mag-ingat,’ we wanted to use our music to spread awareness on such a timely and important issue–because all of us are responsible for making sure that the internet is a safe and positive space for everyone,” said Miguel Benjamin of Ben&Ben.

“Internet safety is so important to Google. Beyond tools, products, and policies that enable us to help people stay safe online, we deepen our local partnerships to promote digital responsibility. By partnering with Ben&Ben and through their music, we believe that we can teach internet safety to more people in a way that deeply resonates with and becomes part of their everyday lives,” said Mervin Wenke, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Google Philippines. 

Google’s holistic approach to digital responsibility is helping millions of people to stay safe in the online space. Aside from security measures including the two-step verification process, and security and password checkups, it also introduced programs such as Be Internet Awesome with the Department of Education, and supported NGO campaigns like the Cyberpeace initiative of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement. 

“We thank Google for being a steadfast partner in promoting and upholding the digital safety of Filipinos, and Ben&Ben for creating an anthem that will remind every Filipino who listens to it to ‘mag-ingat’ and take steps into becoming responsible netizens,” said Atty. John Henry Naga, National Privacy Commissioner. 

The “Mag-ingat” music video is already available on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel. "Mag-ingat" is also available on all digital music services worldwide.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

Speak Write Live: An AlumnA’s Work

Thank you, UA&P Office of Alumni Affairs! My second book, Speak Write Live, is available for purchase here. 📕 Please buy a copy!💕 #authorlife

Israel Tourism Minister Razvozov and Philippine Ambassador Alberto to promote two-way tourism

Israel Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov held a meeting with Philippine Ambassador in Israel, H.E., Macairog S. Alberto in the Ministry of Tourism, Jerusalem. 

The two, discussed about the great potential of both Philippines and Israel to see the tourists in each country. They also talked about the matters regarding the direct flights and how it will be a game changer to boost two-way tourism for both countries. During the meeting they conversed about the MOU of Tourism with regards to the Filipino workers for the tourism industry and is already in the final stages. 

"It was a pleasure meeting the Ambassador of the Philippines to Israel HE Alberto. I raised the importance of launching direct flights and mutual recognition of vaccination certificates for out travelers" Yoel Razvozov, Israel Minister of Tourism. 

Also present in the meeting were Hassan Madah Israel Ministry of Tourism Director for Americas & Asia, Nira Fisher Director of International Relations Israel Ministry of Tourism, Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov Economic Affairs with Asia and the Pacific and Euro-Asia countries Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel Judy B. Razon Third Secretary and Vice Consul Embassy of the Philippines in Israel in Tel Aviv and Erich George F. Oquendo Protocol Officer and attaché Embassy of the Philippines in Israel. 

A record-breaking number of 34,000 Filipinos visited Israel in 2019 data from the Israel Ministry of Tourism. On the other hand, data from Department of Tourism that 22,851 Israelis visited the Philippines. 

Israel reopens its borders to vaccinated and some recovered foreign tourist last January 09, 2022. Philippine passport holder is visa free to Israel up to 90 days. 

Source: ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM Philippine Office

Day 6 of my #tiffanyhabit

It’s day 6 of my #tiffanyhabit #10daychallenge! I decluttered my room! I donated my pre-loved clothes and books to charity 💜 Then, I relaxed with @tiffanycircleph coffee! Buy it here. ☕️

Let Me Dine Alone

Transit Dialog has published my essay, Let Me Dine Alone. Here is my essay:

“𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵.”

𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲

𝘉𝘺 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘎𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴

“𝘛𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘔𝘢’𝘢𝘮?”

“𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦, 𝘔𝘢’𝘢𝘮?”

“𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦?”

It’s 2022, and yet these questions are still commonly asked to me by both restaurant staff and people I know. I am aware that I should not take these queries personally, but it still fills me with wonder how dining alone as a solo lady in Manila can be a crucial judgment point.

So, in the year of Our Lord 2022, let me dine alone.

I am an only child who grew up with pretty solid opinions about the food that I liked. I enjoyed being a foodie from the get-go. I found it amusing to be asked why I was dining alone when I was younger, to which I would reply, “I am alone, thank you.”

But as I grew up and had more years of experience as a solo diner, I realized that I was seen as a social liability. Others looked at me with pity, as if I could not attract a man. There were those who asked me where my boyfriend was, and when I got older, where my husband was. Still, there were others who asked me if I was expecting anyone for business. I always had the same answer: “I am alone, thank you.”

I currently have a partner who also enjoys dining alone. He grew up with siblings, but he learned to enjoy his own company due to the demands of work. I found a kindred spirit in him, and our relationship remains to be a work in progress. Naturally, there are more days when I dine without him, and that is fine. I have a book, a bunch of playlists and podcasts to entertain me, and the occasional crochet project to keep my hands busy while my order is being prepared. I am alone, but not lonely.

Sure, we wear masks now to protect ourselves during a pandemic which has transcended all our expectations and perceived possibilities. But would you believe that I still get asked why I dine alone? I still reply that “I am alone, thank you.” And a global pandemic will not drive me to seek the company of others when I am perfectly fine eating alone.

Why do women like me have to answer so many questions when we choose to dine alone? We can afford to do so. We enjoy eating alone. We have people in our lives to dine with, but the pleasure of dining alone is incomparable.

There is no match to the peace that comes with people watching. There is the calming effect of planning my week ahead while savoring some pasta. There is the joy of sipping my coffee alone while writing in a notebook. There is the efficiency of replying to my emails as I wait for my bill to arrive. All of these can be done by myself, and the meals that I enjoy while simply being me are just a controllable variable in my frequent experiments with solo dining in Manila.

Abroad, I observed that I am not judged whenever I eat alone. The few times I did so was fun. People simply minded their own business. I was able to eat in peace. I was able to avoid saying, “I am alone, thank you.”

Dining alone makes me say, “thank you, I am alone.”

Because I owe it to myself that I am strong enough to dine alone in a society that questions that simple act. I am liberated by my skill to enjoy my own company and order my own food. I am my best self whenever I dine alone. I am able to share myself to the people and things that I care about more because I get to enjoy dining alone.

It is 2022. I am thankful for the gift of life, and the happiness behind enjoying my favorite food. Let me dine alone.

I hope that you will also try it soon.

𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘎𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘉. 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦, 𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘺 2017 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳 2021, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2021.

Source: Transit Dialog

Day 5 of my #TiffanyHabit

It is Day 5 of my #tiffanyhabit #10daychallenge with @tiffanycircleph, and I did combat cardio! I had Tiffany Circle Coffee after my workout, along with a healthy brekkie ☀️ Buy this healthy coffee here. 🤎

Day 4 of my #TiffanyHabit

Drink the coffee, then do the work! ✨ It’s Day 4 of my #tiffanyhabit #10daychallenge with @tiffanycircleph 🌟I looove their coffee! I did some writing ✍️ because I am already a published author of two books (buy my books here!), and my goal is to produce more output this year! Not pressuring myself though, as I’m simply doing my best 💕 Buy Tiffany Circle coffee here. ☕️

Day 3 of My #TiffanyHabit

Day 3 of my #tiffanyhabit #10daychallenge! I went to the derma to prioritize my skincare, then I had some kimchi rice! I finished off my day by buying natural toiletries for me and my loved ones. And of course, I had @tiffanycircleph coffee so that I could keep up with my tasks!☕️ Try their healthy coffee here. 💕