Barkin’ Experience

I have been a regular customer of Barkin’ Blends for five years now, and my weekly visits have been a constant source of happiness. It is my hope that more people will go to any of their two branches because of the following reasons:

• Their resident dogs provide warmth and cheer to those who cannot have dogs at home like myself.

• They have the sweetest dogs who are trained to cuddle and socialize with humans.

• Their dogs have helped me cope with grief, and I know that they can also help other people going through personal challenges.

• Their cafe has awesome burgers, pasta, and coffee for humans!

• They sell treats for dogs.

• If you have a date or a meeting, the dog cafe is a great alternative to the typical coffee shop as their dogs can provide comic relief and even zen.

I hope that you can visit Barkin’ Blends soon and experience the joy that I feel whenever I hug their dogs. You won’t regret it!

Carousell 13th Month Sale

Yesterday, I attended the kickoff dinner of the Carousell 13th month sale at Max’s Scout Tuazon. I got to meet fellow Carousellers and learn selling tips from the team. I enjoyed my night, and I do hope that you will support my shop! Visit my Carousell store for some fabulous finds from my own closet. Shop now!

Cafe Libertad

Yesterday, I got to catch-up with my high school friend Dani at Cafe Libertad. She partly runs it, and I’m really proud of her space! I had their sausage and tomatoes pasta, which was delicious. Their flat white was also amazing.
I also met some of her friends who were dining at the cafe. It was a relaxing hipster vibe, and I enjoyed my visit.
Do check them out as well and have a cuppa with some magnetic poetry and great company!

Filipino Freelance Marketplace Made Convenient

Nowadays, it is challenging to look for full time work. I should know this, as I am also a job seeker myself. The job market is very competitive, with the rise of technology and the skills that it demands. The corporate sector is still the most stable job to work in, but business process outsourcing has also resulted in a highly skilled workforce that is well-versed in remote work and specialized shared services. This has also brought about more options for job seekers, as online opportunities are literally just few taps away.

The rise of freelancing among Filipinos is no longer surprising, as many factors have prevented job seekers from committing to a full-time role. Circumstances such as family priorities, health, and traffic are just some of the leading reasons why freelancing has become the norm for many. To cater to this market, Rakuboss.ph was created. It is a Filipino freelance marketplace where project-based work can be accessible to many online, and where clients can hire freelancers to suit their requirements. Categories such as art, design, IT, programming, writing, translation, lifestyle, photography, videography, and even love advice can be found on the platform. Registration is free for both freelancers and clients, and this provides an avenue for more Filipinos to earn at their own pace, at their own time.

So whether you are a freelancer or a client in need of a specific service, consider registering at Rakuboss.ph and enjoy the convenience of getting things done!

#LetsCarousell

One of the ways that I have dealt with my father’s recent passing was setting up my Carousell shop. I needed an additional income stream aside from my freelance work and Human Nature online shop, so a buy-and-sell online platform sounded like an exciting opportunity for me. I had a closet filled with pre-loved objects which I have worn with great care. I knew that there were other fashion-forward individuals out there who could find joy in owning my things, which were all in excellent condition. I started with just a few items to test the market, until I was able to sell some things and learn more about customer service.

Most of the customer service in Carousell involves price negotiation with clients, and discussing payment and shipping options. To simplify my life, I only offer two payment options, and one shipping partner. This has saved me time, and streamlined my selling process. Carousell also has an in-house customer service team that handles reports regarding abusive users. I recently reported a buyer who has falsely accused me of shipping a defective item, when in fact I have sent her a pair of eyeglasses in excellent condition. I felt safe in the app despite the accusatory review left by this particular customer, because I knew that I am protected as a seller. I also learned from this incident. I realized that some buyers have the tendency to make false accusations, so it pays to take photos of the item prior to shipping. This is something that I will practice moving forward, to ensure my buyers that I am sending out quality items, and to protect myself as well.

Nothing beats the joy of selling items from my own closet, and cleaning my room in the process. I feel lighter and more at peace whenever I sell something that is attached to a memory of mine. I know that all my belongings deserve a new lease in life, so if that means being sold to another fashionista, then so be it.

Having said that, I hope that you will check-out my Carousell shop here: www.carousell.app.link/samblucas13. Feel free to chat with me should you have questions regarding my items!

I hope to serve you on my shop soon!

He Cares This Christmas

Yesterday, I got to help out at the feeding party at He Cares Mission. It is a nonprofit that serves food to street children every Saturday, while conducting values and worship classes. I like serving food to the kids because I feel grateful that I can brighten up their day somehow. It gives me all the warm fuzzies to see them smile while eating nutritious food.
Please consider serving and volunteering at He Cares Mission too! Please message them on their Facebook page so that you too can feel blessed and happy in their ministry.

Fisher Supermarket Black Out Sale 2019

Get your shopping carts ready for Fisher Mall’s Black Out Sale 2019 happening this November 15-17 at both Quezon Avenue and Malabon branches!

Enjoy up to 70% OFF and BUY 1 TAKE 1 DEALS on selected items at Fisher Supermarket!

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No.19160, Series of 2019.

Other Promos & Activites:

• Buy 1, Take 1 Deals

• 70% Price Off on Selected Items

• Hourly Raffle

  • Be one of the lucky winners of Fisher' Supermarket’s Hourly Raffle! Just shop at Fisher Supermarket from November 15 to 17, 2019 for a chance to win a SPECIAL TREAT!

• Mascot Appearances

• Fisher Elite Promo

  • Get FREE ONE (1) 15g of Hershey’s Cookies & Cream OR Creamy Milk Chocolate for a minimum purchase of Php2,000.00 at Fisher Supermarket, when you present your Fisher Elite card upon payment on November 15 to 17, 2019!

Per DTI Fair Trade No. 21687 Series 2019.

Be a Fisher Elite member now for only Php120.00! Enjoy special discounts, luxurious treats and rewards exclusive only for members!

• Paluto Promo Alert: Free Paluto Voucher

  • KNORR

    For every purchase worth Php100 of any participating Knorr products, get one Paluto Voucher worth Php50! See poster for full details.

  • LEA & PERRINS

    For every purchase of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce 290ml, get one Paluto Voucher worth Php50!

If you love big sales and promos, you surely do not want to miss the RED BOAT SALE and the BLACK OUT SALE which happens every year. Huge discounts and awesome deals of Buy 1, Take 1 items can be expected during this mall-wide sale.

For more fresh announcements and updates, you may follow Fisher Supermarket’s Facebook pages for their Quezon Avenue and Malabon branches.

FRESH FROM THE OCEAN TO YOUR PLATE!

Fisher Supermarket’s Seafood Section have aquariums containing an extensive selection of live fish and seafood to cater to the customer’s convenience to freely select their desired live and fresh seafood.

Some of the varieties of fishes that you cannot find in other markets are Lapu-Lapu, Curacha Crabs, Salmon, Pampano, Asugon, Sea Bass, and many more!

Customers can have their fish cleaned and deboned at zero cost.

Fisher Supermarket also brags its Paluto Section which lets customers have their freshly bought seafood, chicken, meat or beef, personally cooked by the chefs.

The paluto section is already within the supermarket which is more convenient to the customer.

Another twist to the Paluto Section is the Ready-to-Eat dishes offered such as Fish Sisig, Suahe Siomai, Sweet n’ Sour Fish, Fish with Tofu and Tausi, and many more!

HOW TO PALUTO

Here are three easy steps to Paluto:

Step 1: Choose your catch

Customers may choose from the fresh selection of fish, seafood, chicken, pork, beef, and exotic meat.

Step 2: Pick your Paluto

Customers may pick their desired Paluto for as low as Php18 per 100 grams for the charge. Items may be classified into steam, boil, fry, grill, stew, and braise. The minimum paluto must be 500 grams. Customers may approach the chefs for special requests on dishes. Food preparation usually takes 30-40 minutes, depends on the type of fish.

Step 3: Select Your Add-Ons

Customers may select their add-ons whether it is extra rice or sauce for only Php15. For additional food utensils and container, customers will be charged Php15.

HAVE A FRESH DAY!

Mood Cookies

I enjoyed my Thursday at SM North, where I got to buy my favorite local chocolate cookie from Mood Bake! I got myself a double chocolate chip cookie and had a selfie taken with owner and stylist, Liz Uy.

I can finally enjoy my usual treat near my house! No need to go to Greenbelt during the holiday season for my cookie fix.

Here’s to more sweet treats to come!

A Nitro 7 Christmas

I was recently invited by Nitro 7 to try their coffee and Christmas drinks at their Megamall cafe. As a coffee lover with GERD, I was curious because their coffee is low in acid but rich in flavor. I was up for the challenge!

According to Nitro 7’s founder Richard Torres, the brand was borne out of a mutual love for coffee between the owners. The were challenged to “think of something new”, and they stumbled upon nitro, which was was invented 2012 in the US. Nitro is a method of preparing coffee, using nitrogen. In this case, air nitrogen is utilized. Pressurized air makes the taste of the coffee better and more flavorful. Beer brewers actually invented the nitro way of brewing, and the process is similar to draft beer.

Nitrogen will make your coffee a little thicker in the mouth. It subdues the bitterness of the coffee. Hence, the sweeter notes of the coffee emerges. 

Nitro coffee is best enjoyed black, but Nitro 7 offers ice blended drinks to cater to the sweet palate of Filipinos.

The brand emerged in 2016, and it is 100% Filipino owned and operated. Their selling point is affordability. Their completion sells nitro coffee for Php180, while Nitro 7 offers their signature Black Nitro for only Php120. The relatable price point does not compromise the quality of their coffee, though. Richard says that they pour two days of process or two days of love in every Nitro 7 coffee.

They also introduced their 16 oz. Christmas drinks just in time for then holidays! The Chocolate Berry Snow has no coffee and will surely appeal to chocoholics. My personal favorite is the Magical Cherry Mocha, as the rich coffee taste personally appeals to me. Their Orange Joy Milk Tea is also delicious, with its refreshing flavor.

Their drinks are best enjoyed with their pizza, which is freshly baked onsite. I have tried their pepperoni and Italian sausage pizzas, and they were both superb! 

They also have delicious hot-pressed sandwiches. I have tried their tuna, corned beef, ham and cheese, and my personal favorite, three cheese! They definitely go well with their coffees.

Lastly, I have tried their Nitro black, and I have not experienced hyperacidity with any of their drinks! It was also the best cold brew I’ve ever had in my life.
With Nitro 7, it is possible to enjoy a better tasting cup within reach!

Nitro 7 currently has 7 branches, 8 of which are franchisees. They are open for franchise.
They also do onsite catering at events, where they bring their coffee cart and pizza oven.

They are also available on Grab Food, Food Panda, and Zomato.

Instagram: @nitro7.coffee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nitro7.coffee/
#Nitro7coffee

Foodie Therapy

Yesterday, I had lunch with my mom at Abbiocco, an alternative Filipino restaurant at Timog Avenue. It was my second time to dine there, and I had a delicious meal as always. Their baked chicken parmesan was perfect!

For dinner, I went to UP Area 2. I had Iskomai and Bacsilog. Both were yummy and comforting. For dessert, I had a fresh banana and chocolate chips shake.

My dinner fueled me for the feels as I watched Denise O’Hara’s Tayo Muna Habang Hindi Pa Tayo. It was a beautiful movie, which I highly recommend.

I hope that there will be more opportunities for me to continue enjoying my foodie and film-loving life!

Digital Transformation

Yesterday, I got to attend the Rocket Boosting your Business through Digital Transformation conference at the Luxent Hotel. It was hosted by GEP Solutions. It aimed to impart new views and insights, teach new business trends, and allow industry disruption.

It was an honor to meet fellow blogger Loida of Happy Pinay at the event. One of the perks of attending industry events is networking. I am really blessed to meet like minded individuals every time.

It is important to know now that we are in the dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution that change is inevitable. Thus, we have to innovate in order to survive. As keynote speaker Andrew Chow from Singapore said, “technology is our friend, not the enemy”. We must learn to embrace the resources available to us in order to digitally transform our business and improve the quality of our lives.
My key takeaway is that digital transformation is a journey. It doesn’t happen overnight. With GEP Solutions, it is possible to have an infrastructure that is capable of operating in and adapting to the rapidly changing FinTech landscape.

Many thanks to GEP Solutions and to Rotary Club of Commonwealth for having me!

Shopee Unveils New Christmas Jingle with Jose Mari Chan on Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special

Shopee Unveils New Christmas Jingle with Jose Mari Chan on Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special

On November 11, Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will offer all-day sitewide free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend

MANILA, NOVEMBER 10 2019 - Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, kickstarts the festive season with star studded performances by Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza and Jose Mari Chan on the Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special aired on GMA and Shopee Live. During the TV Show, Shopee brand ambassador Jose Mari Chan amazed viewers with an exclusive live performance of the newest Shopee Christmas jingle. Shoppers can look forward to the official launch of the Christmas jingle on all online channels on November 12.

The newest Shopee Christmas jingle is a fun rendition of Jose Mari Chan’s highly popular original “A Wish on Christmas Night”, and was specially composed to welcome Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing, Shopee Philippines, said, “We’re very happy to once again work with the Father of Philippine Christmas Music, Jose Mari Chan, for our new Christmas jingle. Last year, our Christmas jingle with Jose Mari Chan received great success, garnering over 19 million views online. This year, we are bringing him back with a new jingle to bring more fun and joy for our shoppers as we usher in the year-end celebration. Together with Jose Mari Chan, we look forward to celebrating the festive season and invite everyone to lookout for our upcoming Christmas sales.”

Jose Mari Chan, said, “I am excited to be working with Shopee again to bring joy and laughter to Filipinos during this festive season. Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations in the Philippines and I am thrilled to be given an opportunity to work with Shopee to release a new jingle. I always have an enjoyable time with Shopee and hope my fans will look forward to what we have in store throughout the holiday season.”

Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale with discounts up to 95% off

On November 11, Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will offer consumers unbeatable deals including all-day sitewide free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend. There will be up to 95% off from leading brands including Pampers, Silverworks, Bosch, Unilever, Maybelline, Olay, Pantene, Globe, Anker, Safeguard, Watsons, Huawei, and more. Viewers of Shopee Live can also tune in to a 12-hour livestream session with non-stop prizes including vouchers and iPhone 11 giveaways.

Catch these crazy deals during Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale on November 11:

● Silverworks: Users can score up to 80% off on all Silverworks products including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

● Maybelline: Users can enjoy up to 60% off Maybelline best-sellers such as Maybelline Sensational Liquid Lipstick, Superstay Full Coverage Foundation, and Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara.

● Unilever: Users can get up to 50% off popular products such as Dove Intense Repair Shampoo, Ponds Cleansing Balm and Surf Detergent Powder at Unilever Official Store.

● Huawei: Users can anticipate exciting discounts and special bundles on Huawei products such as Huawei Band 4, Huawei Mate 30 Pro, and more at Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale.

● Bosch: Users can look forward to up to 55% off on Bosch power tools and accessories such as cordless drills, hammers, and more.

● P&G: Users can watch out for discounts of up to 50% on favorite P&G brands like Pampers, Olay, and Safeguard.

Find out more about Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale at https://shopee.ph/11-11.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Human Nature Christmas 2019

Yesterday, we had the launch of the Human Nature Christmas boxes. It was also the release of our much-awaited solid shampoo bars! If you want to buy presents that provide jobs for the needy and also help me earn an income, please support my online store!
Maligayang Pasko!

Filta Shopify Meetup

Yesterday, I attended the Filta Shopify Meetup at their HQ in Ortigas. It was nice to meet fellow tech enthusiasts and learn more about e-commerce. If you want to work in a company that champions tech and commerce, please check out Filta! And do join their events in the future.

The Perfect Hook

I just received my new Susan Bates ergonomic hook from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. I got a 4mm one to accommodate my Baguio yarns. My current hooks are snagging the threads, so I consulted with the ladies behind The Attic to know which one suits my needs. They told me about the Susan Bates ergonomic hook, and it really works well with my current project.
I buy almost all my notions from The Attic because they have helped me in my crafting journey by giving me tips on the right tools to use. Do check them out for all your knitting and crocheting needs!

Morissette Joins a1’s Ben Adams on new Christmas Anthem

Nothing heralds iconic holiday tune more than having two established stars collaborate on one festive anthem. 

Ben Adams, the lead singer of chart-topping boyband a1 and now a prominent producer based in the UK, teams up with Filipina singer Morissette on “This Is Christmas,” a potentially timeless bop that will surely have a warm place in our hearts this Yuletide season. 

Released under Sony Music, the song was originally written for a Dutch artist, but the BRIT awardee and multi-platinum star changed his mind and took the material as part of his own. “I loved it so much I couldn't give it away,” states the British singer-songwriter and producer. “So I decided to take it back. Once I recorded the whole thing I was like, it sounds magical but I'm sure I can squeeze some more magic out of it - so I began searching for the best person to collaborate on it with me.” 

After checking some links and recommendations from friends, Adams found the perfect duet partner in Morissette, one of the biggest and best-selling Filipina pop stars of her generation. 

Roslyn Pineda, Sony Music’s GM Philippines & VP Business Development Asia, even referred the Akin Ka Na Lang singer to Adams as a potential duet candidate. Having worked with Ben Adams during his boyband phase and personally recommended Morissette to co-host Asian singing competition Bolt Of Talent with two-time Grammy winner Michael Bolton, she was confident that the two would hit it off together as singing partners for the new Christmas track. “a1 was the first boyband I ever worked with, so I know firsthand how popular they are in Southeast Asia.  When I saw Ben’s post asking his fans who to collaborate with, I messaged him about Morissette.  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one!”

“As for Morissette, it’s always a pleasure to work with her.  I thought of her for Bolt of Talent because she exemplifies the best of the Philippines,” Pineda shares.

“Well for starters, she has an amazing voice,” says Ben Adams. “I was blown away by her performances. So we started talking, and I sent her the song online. We facetimed to work out who wanted to sing what.”

Being no stranger to epic collaborations, the Asia’s Phoenix has brought the holiday spirit to effervescent heights with her soaring vocals and charismatic interpretation, giving Adams’ self-penned earworm the effortless joy it needs.  

“When Ben Adams of a1 first reached out to us about possibly working on a Christmas track together, we were just thrilled and thought It would really be an honor to be working with him,” shares Morissette about the team-up. “All the more when he first shared the song to us, it got me more excited because of the danceable vibe and fun feel the song had.”

“This Is Christmas,” is an upbeat tune about “enjoying the holiday season with your loved ones, looking forward to coming home and making the most of the Christmas season.” 

Ben Adams and Morissette’s Christmas duet is now available on all music streaming and download platforms worldwide.

3rd Asia Finance Forum Day 2

Yesterday, we had the second day of the 3rd Asia Finance Forum. I learned about preparing for the future even when the technology of the present is still limited. We have to go from science fiction to science fact in this rapidly evolving world to become more financially inclusive. Because of that, risk management as a controlled framework to prepare for the future has been discussed during the forum. By working to regulate risk management practices, more people will have access to financial services that will equip them to face the future.
It was a privilege to be part of this forum. Thank you for having me, ADB!

3rd Asia Finance Forum Day 1

Day 1 of the 3rd Asia Finance Forum was all about inclusion. Technology must be used to provide access to the unbanked and those located in remote locations. At the same time, finance must be made easy to understand for everyone. The future of finance has already been made, and it’s up to us whether we will adapt or remain stagnant.

Shopee Holds its First-Ever 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special

MANILA, NOVEMBER 5 2019 - Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, will be holding its first-ever televised show, the 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special on November 10 at 10:30 PM, aired on GMA7 and Shopee Live. The star-studded show will feature performances by popular GMA stars, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, and Heart Evangelista, in an exciting live countdown to the finale of the Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale on 11 November. In addition, it will also include the premiere of the latest Shopee’sjingle, exclusively composed by Jose Mari Chan for this year’s festive season. 

Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Christmas is an important holiday for Filipinos, and we are thrilled to kickstart the celebrations in the biggest way possible with our very first televised Christmas concert, the Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special. With this, we hope to deepen engagement with our users by bringing them closer to their favorite stars and brands, and also to foster the festive spirit in the Philippines. We invite everyone to join in the excitement on 10 November as we count down together to our 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. ”   

Key highlights of the Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special 

● Debut of Shopee’s latest Christmas jingle: Catch a live performance of the new Shopee Christmas jingle by Jose Mari Chan, which was exclusively composed for this year’s festive season.

● Star-studded show: Watch top celebrities such as Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, and Heart Evangelista perform all-time favorite Christmas songs. Also, enjoy special guest appearances by Gabbi Garcia, Lani Missalucha, Julie Anne San Jose and many more popular homegrown stars.

● Over ₱11 million worth of prizes, deals, and discounts including a house and lot: Stand a chance to win exciting prizes including a Rusi Mojo 200 motorcycle, Toyota Fortuner, and a house and lot from Avida by tuning in to 3 special Shopee Shake sessions during the program.

● Score amazing deals and vouchers: Enjoy amazing discounts of up to 70% from leading brands like Unilever, Pampers, Maybelline, Anker, and Perfetti van Melle during the show.

 Exciting promotions, giveaways and  discounts on November 11

Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will culminate on November 11 with exciting promotions including:

● All-day sitewide free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend.

● Up to 90% off deals: Score up to 90% off deals during the finale of Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, such as the Xiaomi Redmi 7 and Redmi 7A. Consumers can also get the HUG 32” LED TV LT32, and the Rapoo V600 Gamepad XB360; both available at only ₱11.

● 12-hour non-stop live stream: Look forward to non-stop challenges and vouchers during the exclusive 12-hour Shopee Live session from 12 noon to 12 midnight, andwatch out for five iPhone 11 giveaways.

● Exciting giveaways via Shopee Shake and Shopee Catch: Stand a chance to win from a pool of 2 million Shopeecoins and an iPhone 11 by playing Shopee Shake. Shopeewill also be upsizing its latest Shopee Catch, with a total of 6 game sessions and a 1 million coin pool to be won.

● Exclusive deals from leading brands: Shop exclusive deals from leading brands such as Pampers, Silverworks, Bosch, Unilever, Maybelline, Olay, Pantene, Globe, Anker, Safeguard, Watsons, and Huawei.

● Special promotions from industry players: Get an additional 12% off when checking out with a Metrobank card. Also, enjoy two months’ worth of load for free when buying Cignal Ultimate Prepaid HD at only ₱2,290 during the sale.

Find out more about Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale at https://www.shopee.ph/1111. 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Shopee 11.11 2019

Last night, I had fun at Shopee Philippines’ Media Dinner for their annual 11.11 sale. I had a wonderful time as I got to watch their ambassadors Jose Mari Chan, Julie Anne San Jose, Gabbi Garcia, and Alden Richards. It was definitely a highlight to watch Jose Mari Chan sing “Christmas in our Hearts” live, as it used to sing that as a child!

Please tune in to their 11.11 TV special on GMA this Sunday, 10:30pm. It will be headlined by Manny Pacquiao and other Kapuso stars. Also, make sure to “add to cart” those items you’ve been eyeing for on 11.11! Free shipping and big discounts await us all.