Barkin’ Sunday

I spent my Sunday afternoon with the dogs of Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. As usual, it was a lovely time to reflect on the past week and move forward with my plans for the upcoming one. These dogs help me stay thankful for all the opportunities that come my way, and hopeful for the days to come.

In a world where negativity thrives, I choose to stay positive with creatures whose job is to make me happy.

If you also need a place to unwind, visit Barkin’ Blends! If you have your own dog, they have healthy doggo meals and treats available for dine-in and takeout. Hope you can visit soon!

Aero Winner

Yesterday, I won two awards at the Aerosports 2019 Zumba marathon at Quezon Memorial Circle. It was thrilling to win awards as I didn’t expect this. I have been exclusively working out at home for the past year, and yet I was able to dance for three hours straight. I also enjoyed the event and sang along to the retro songs.
I won Ms. Gorgeous and Ms. Aerosports. It felt awesome to win something and have fun in the process.
Here’s to continuing my fitness journey, and to more wins to come!

Bach vs. Beatles

It was a pleasure to attend the Bach vs. Beatles concert last November 29 at the Grand Ballroom of Seda Vertis North. I’ve been a long time fan of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, and I’ve been watching their concerts at the Ayala Museum before. To watch them near my home was a lovely experience.

My favorite Beatles song is Something, but I can easily listen to their entire catalog as I am a huge fan of the band. My late father has influenced me to appreciate their music. To this day, I still listen to them whenever I am driving or commuting.

To support the MSO, visit their website. They are truly amazing.

Lambana!

Last Wednesday night, I got to watch Lambana by Tipsy Tales at Eastwood Mall. I celebrated my reunion with my college best friend Janis with an immersive theater experience, and we weren’t disappointed!

It was my first time to encounter actors who talked to us during the show, and asked us what we wanted to do next. It was really my thing as I am a natural extrovert! I felt like I was part of the show. The characters were part of Filipino folklore, and it was totally aligned with my love for anything local. My favorite character was the duende, because she wore local textiles in her costume. Oh, and the kapre really scared me!

Here are some things to keep in mind when watching Tipsy Tales:

• You are not allowed to take pictures of the play, and lockers onsite are provided to keep your bags and gadgets safe

• They sell local publications onsite! Support local literature.

• They have three experiences: child-friendly, regular, or scary. We got the scary one, and I was blown away by the acting.

• The play can either be in English, or Filipino.

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be walking around the huge set.

• Bring a jacket as it can be quite cold inside the theater.

• Restroom breaks are not allowed while the show is ongoing, so do your thing prior to watching the play.

• Pictures with the cast are allowed after the show. It was fun chatting with them!

I highly recommend this theater experience as it made me and Janis happy and entertained. This was so much better than watching another movie or concert. I love the whole concept and the actors were amazing. Do check out tipsytales.ph for more details!

Hotel Sunnies

Yesterday, I got to swing by Hotel Sunnies, the Christmas design pop-up experience of the Sunnies Studios group. I got to take a ton of pictures, hang with girl crushes Martine and Coco, and have a good time. The best part was getting a feel of my favorite brand up close and personal.

I will never forget this day, and I am also thrilled that 100% of ticket sales will benefit MovEd, which is a charity that’s close to my heart. I hope to see more design experiences in Manila that will not only feast the senses, but also pay it forward.

Israeli Outreach

Last November 27, I was invited to join the outreach of the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines in Manila. I was honored to receive the following prior to the event:

EMBASSY OF ISRAEL MANILA

PRESS RELEASE

שגרירות ישראל שגרירות ישראל

מנילה, פיליפינים מנילה, פיליפינים

The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, in cooperation with the Jewish Association of the Philippines and the City of Manila, will visit the Sta. Ana Elementary School for an outreach event.

A story-telling session and gift-giving program will be held together with the teachers and kindergarten pupils of the Etz Ha-Haim from the Jewish synagogue. The Jewish Association of the Philippines will also donate books for the school as an early Christmas gift.

Sta. Ana Elementary School was specifically chosen because of Angela Briana Alforque, a five-year-old Filipina, who showed her love for Israel by dressing as Miss Israel during the United Nations Day celebration in Manila. She chose to dress as Miss Israel following the crowning of Israel’s Noy Ben Artzi as Miss Congeniality at the Miss Asia-Pacific International pageant in the Philippines on October 9.

This was my second time to be a invited by the Embassy. The first one was during the opening of the Common Ground art exhibit at UP Diliman. I was eager to be a part of this event as I also love volunteering. It was a perfect opportunity to merge my advocacy and friendships in the diplomatic corps.
The theme of the event was Israel and Manila: Reaching Out to Strengthen Relationship, and I saw firsthand how it was implemented. Students from both Israel and Manila were able to interact with each other when they had the storytelling session. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and I know that this is just the beginning of this relationship.
This may have been touted as an early Christmas offering, but I know that this initiative will spark a cultural exchange that will last beyond the holidays.

It is important to continue to strengthening relations between Israel and the Philippines. The two countries have common faith origins and values such as hospitality and friendliness. To start the cultural exchange with the children will instill in them the power of acceptance and inclusion. This will then bring forth a lifelong passion for openness.

To end this article, Amb. Rafael Harpaz has mentioned that this gift-giving is simply a celebration of the long history of the close relations between Israel and Manila. Israel and the Philippines have a government to government agreement to accept overseas workers with no placement fees, which he greatly appreciates. This gathering which started with Angela’s costume as Miss Israel has really touched him and he hopes that Israel will be a part of more cultural exchanges between the two countries.

It was an honor to be a part of this day, and I hope to witness more exchanges between Israel and the Philippines.

Promoting Gender Equality

Yesterday, I was at the Asian Development Bank for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The theme was Promoting Gender Equality in the Workplace through Elimination of Harassment against Women. It was an encouraging forum as I got to learn that the ADB has been a continuous supporters of gender equality initiatives such as the Safe Spaces Act.

Other significant initiatives include:

• Inclusion of interns, volunteers, apprentices in the labor space as far as gender rights are concerned

• Inclusion of online workers and home-based employees in the sexual safety space

• Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment: one of our services is to allow our members to measure their internal policies to ensure fairness in employment life cycle and guidelines against sexual harassment.

• Both men and women are responsible in tackling sexual harassment issues

• Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment: we try to assess our members’ corporate communications to assure that they are inclusive for all genders. We also help our members become more gender-equal to attract and retain young talent, who are more likely to stay if their employers are inclusive.
  

I had an insightful day as usual at the ADB. I also got to have the best crinkles ever once more.
‘Til next time, ADB!

PhilPop partners with NQC on Quincentennial Celebration

As part of the multiple celebrations commemorating an important milestone in Philippine and global history, the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) partners with PhilPop to mount music events and activities that mark the 500th anniversary of Victory of Mactan in 2021.

Under the partnership agreement, the country’s premier songwriting competition will be the screening committee responsible for curating a 9-track compilation album that pays tribute to the triumph of Lapulapu in the famous Battle of Mactan.

Underrated gems

Instead of relying on star power and mega-hits, Dinah Remolacio, the Executive Director of PhilPop highlights the importance of empowering underrated musical talents from all over the country whose artistic blueprint and songwriting talent stand out from the ordinary. “With guidance from our distinguished crop of industry professionals and award-winning mentors, this year’s selection strikes a balance between theme and form. I’m proud to say that the compilation record serves its function in discovering the future of homegrown music.”

National Artist and PhilPop Music Fest Foundation Board Member and Bootcamp Master Ryan Cayabyab feels the same way about the songwriters and interpreters behind the compilation record. “It’s an honor to discover promising new acts who are capable of writing compositions that could impact people’s lives. Not only are they defying and challenging trends; these songwriters are also finding ways to develop their own artistic stamp while making sure that the material adheres to specific requirements of NQC in terms of content and vision.”

As an esteemed institution that provides a world-class and sustainable songwriting curriculum, PhilPop has handpicked eight songs from the PhilPop Bootcamp 2019 that it hosted on various venues such as Batangas, Tagum and Lingayen. The final song, which will be a collaboration among PhilPopcoaches, will be launched soon.

“PhilPop was one of the institutions that came to mind when asked who we want to work with in producing the Quincentennial songs,” says NQC Head of Secretariat Ian Alfonso. “This time, we want to come up with a streaming playlist that best represents the collective musical taste of this generation, while also taking into consideration the Filipino-ness of pop music and the celebration of the quincentennial.”

Future plans

Aside from the National Quincentennial Commemorations Playlist which will be out on streaming and digital platforms soon, NQC and PhilPop is currently looking into producing music shows and concerts as part of its efforts to promote the 500 years of achievement in circumnavigating the planet for the first time. “One of the objectives of the National Quincentennial Committee is to have multi-disciplinary activities, and to have PhilPop among our partners is also a way of support to OPM industry,” Alfonso points out.

Alfonso recently shared the partnership’s plans to join the international community in celebrating a 500-day countdown to the Victory of Mactan in Lapulapu City, Davao City and Manila. “As we approach 2021, expect activities that will elevate public's interest to the World our ancestors had, debunking misconceptions and myths that they were savages and uncivilized. Our very own Lapulapu will be the heart of the celebration, for he was among the rallying Symbol which Rizal and the heroes of the Philippine Revolution evoked as our nation was being founded in 1898.”

PhilPop Bootcamp 2019 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year's PhilPop boot camp is co-presented by Maynilad and Meralco with Smart as a major sponsor.

source: PhilPop

Helpful Hugs

Yesterday, I went straight to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe right after my mural painting at Navotas for MovEd. I experienced the joy of hugging the resident dogs while sipping coffee. I am fortunate to spend time with them because my family is allergic to dogs! I found an alternative place where I can unwind and be with these creatures who never fail to make me smile.
Visit them soon so you will know what I mean! For more information, drop by their website and discover their healthy dog treats, food for doggo dine-in, and pawty packages.

See you there!

Colorful Walls

I spent my Saturday painting walls at the Navotas Learning Lab of MoveEd. It was inspiring as I was able to make a pre-school in an underserved community more colorful. I also enjoyed being in the community for a day. Simple joys like buying a soft drink from a variety store was worth the early call time and traffic.
To volunteer or donate to MovEd, please click here! They are willing to partner with anyone who believes that education is a tool to nurture our future. I hope to see you in future MoveEd events, and may we all work together to help others learn, share, and grow!

Freelancing Pizza

Yesterday, I met up with some fellow freelancers for lunch. We discussed the joys and pains of freelance life over pizza, and I realized that I’m not alone. Here are some insights that I have gathered from our conversation:

• Freelancing does not mean having a lot of free time. We even work doubly hard and spend more time just to earn enough.

• Freelance work is about choice: the power to choose when and where to work, and the ability to choose which projects to work on.

• Freelance work gives us more freedom to pursue our passions, such as volunteerism for me and graduate studies for them.

• Freelance work is about interesting but also hard work. It is important that one establishes self-discipline before embarking on any freelance project.

I hope that there will be more conversations on freelancing and support groups on the topic. If by any chance a freelancer is reading this and needs help on anything related to being a free agent, feel free to message me! I would be more than willing to connect.

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