What Happened at the Star Movies Marathon

Why so serious? Movie Marathoners inside the Star Movies Movie Marathon Cinema at Resorts World Manila.

Salingkit, I dropped by Cinema 3 of Resorts World Manila for the Star Movies Marathon. Been seeing the TVC for days calling for challengers, and every time I kept on imagining myself seating in the cinema battling it out for Php 100,000.



But did you know? Star Movies take the term "movie marathon seriously". No bathroom breaks, no standing, no kidding!



Scary. Inside the cinema, it was freezing - almost below zero. I am sure the 100 challengers did not expect this. They were also given Selecta Icecream, seriously - and they had to finish it or else. Also, they were given food from Greenwich and Minute Maid which they MUST consume. There is no bathroom break. Earning Php 100,000 is not easy afterall.


Chilled outside the cinema with Nicole, A, and Glaiza because we are too chicken to join


Picture picture at the Star Moview Photo Wall.

Yet it is one buzzworthy marketing effort from Fox Channel International (FIC) who also brought to us the worldwide television event from National Geographic, the heart breaking / tearjerker - Great Migrations.



Fox Philippines showed us the awesome changes and shows coming our way. For one, Star World is changing. Anyone seen Georgina Wilson? And there's going to be a more family friendly movie channel - Fox Family Movies.



I am not sure who won the marathon's 100,000 peso bounty but whoever you are, congratulations! You are the first ever Star Movies Movie Marathoner Champion!

Fashion: Cartoony High Wedge Shoes

My first high heeled shoes after giving birth. I hope this counts because this is not really "heels" but "wedges". Compared to heels, these are much easier to wear though they don't seem like it. I got these from SM Parisian at the department store.



Wore them all day and caught my husband tweeting "Lace is so hot and tall today". He also shot this photo. Why not coconut. I think I want one in black too.

I also love the Penshoppe Eco Bag from the last Fashion Week. I know, I know. But it's just so roomy and big <3

Thank you Santa Claus.

Tried and Tested: Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup Foundation

Photoshop in a compact. Price Php 995

Read this: 3D makeup! I swear, new products and innovations are just too cool to ignore and when I chanced upon this "3D" makeup I have been seeing print ads of, I just had to try it just like Halle Berry.


Your makeup is 3D. The Revlon PhotoReady compact has a magic screen that turns cream into liquid foundation.

The reason why many call it 3D makeup is because it catches light in all angles making your face "PhotoReady" at all times. I think PhotoReady is synonymous to Photoshop, as in this product will no longer require pictures to undergo photoshop or photo manipulation to improve people's faces. I am sure many makeup artists use this already especially for weddings and photo shoots.

I tried it for myself and here is my review in bullets:

- the cream turns into liquid

- it is better to use your beauty finger than the sponge

- the product completely disappears or blends with my skin tone, I chose Rich Ginger but I think this is not yet the right shade for me. I will buy another one.

- it completely covers acne scars, blemishes, and uneven skin tone. I skipped applying my Body Shop highlighter/concealer.

- the product evolves from cream -> liquid -> powder = magic! and I do not feel the product on my face at all. Sometimes, I feel the warmth and heaviness of make up but not with this one. Feels like wearing skin, no kidding.

- Although it covers the skin very well and feels and looks natural, I am not used to an un-mattified face so I dusted a bit of mineral powder above the PhotoReady cream/liquid/compact. It looked great!

- Make sure you spread and blend the product evenly :) A little goes a long way when you use your beauty finger :)

I am tempted to use this product everytime I go out. It is just so easy to wear, so far it is friends with my skin but I'll have to see how regular use might affect my sensitive skin. I think it is worth the Php 990 price, considering the time you save from skipping concealer and just using this one product that provides the perfect coverage while looking au naturale.

Revlon PhotoReady Compact is available this November at Watsons, Beauty by SM, Robinsons, Landmark, PCX, Gaisano Metro, Sta. Lucia East, Unimart and other major retailers nationwide.

Food: Can You Top This Pizza? A Slice on Greenwich Top That Pizza

I've been seeing these Greenwich Billboards featuring intriguing pizzas. The pizzas look like they have crowns, actually they remind me of birthday cakes x.x I told a friend the only thing missing is a candle on the center.



So one day I dragged some fellows to Greenwich at Robinsons Galleria and had the opportunity to see these curious pizzas for myself.


Buffalo wings topped pizza with Onion Rings


Meatballs topped pizza with French Fries

Ahhh...now I get it. Seems like every pizza brand is re-inventing themselves every now and then. Greenwich has launched a number of pizzas including the Overloaded Pizza and now, the Top That Pizzas. I know because I frequent them for my favorite and affordable "best-ever" lasagna.


Ordered Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dip separately

Eating Top That Pizzas from Greenwich feel like playing because I enjoyed picking on the toppings first and eating the pizza itself afterwards. Think of it as free "pika-pika" for the barkada. I liked the Buffalo Wings top that most, and you can order Buffalo Wings separately too. It comes with a blue cheese dip, sounds expensive but it's very affordable like Greenwich is.


Pizza is drizzled with at least 2 sauces for the buffalo wings and onion rings

My mates said the Buffalo Wings were spicy, of course it is! I am a spicy person and I think it could even get hotter haha :) The wings are best to enjoy with the hands and fingers so you can get to every nook of each juicy wing.

One thing I noticed though is the cheesy pizza used for Top That. Because it is overloaded with toppings, the pizza itself is a bit plain but tasty because of the cheese used. I am not sure if they used 4 cheeses but it tastes like it.

The toppings don't come with their own dips but the pizza is readily drizzled with some sauce. If I order this again, I'll ask for extra dips (not sure if you can buy it separately but I will try) becuase I think that would make eating even more fun.


Most sinful coffee? Butterfinger Coffee from Greenwich

I guzzled down the new Butterfinger Coffee of Greenwich too and was thinking of getting this:


Pizza Cookie topped with Icecream (hu-waw)

Maybe next time. Hungry yet?

Starbucks Cheer Party - Stories are Gifts, Share!

Every year, I know it's Christmas time whenever I get my invitation for the Starbucks Cheer Party. It's always the first Christmas party I attend and last year, they also celebrated on November 3 - same date I found out I was preggers :)

Now like Starbucks, I have more things to be grateful for - including this Starbucks 2011 Planner *evil grin*


And these newly baked holiday ginger based cookies and pastries you can enjoy this yuletide season with your favorite houseblend.



At every Starbucks Cheer Party, patrons and guests are offered unlimited tastes of Starbucks pastries. Among all the things I ate, I highly recommend this:



White Chocolate Berry Cookie



Because these polar bear ginger bread cookies are too cute to eat

I enjoyed taste-testing the pastries with a hot Toffe Nut drink which is only available during Christmas Tree season. It tastes like coffee blended with chocolate bars. It's already sweet so you may want to choose a not-so sugary pastry with this.



Other holiday drinks that are now brewing include: Praline Mocha and Peppermint Mocha

Choose your weapon to deal with this heavenly Almond Roca cake. My sister and I used to fight over bars of Almond Roca, if she was here I'll give her a box of this. A whole cake costs aroun Php 1,100 ++. Give this to your female boss *wink*


Almond Roca Cheesecake



Would you believe this? Cookie dough + Cheesecake!

The Starbucks Cheer Party was even better than last year just because of this:



Wacky photo wall complete with accessories by Pose and Print. Here's me with bloggers Fran and Rowena.



Last year, Azrael won a blue Bearista for the little boy. This year, I won a kiddie tumbler! Perfect as his school jug once he goes to prep. heehee :)

There will be more Starbucks Cheer Party! This was just the first, held at Ayala 6750. I will post the upcoming cheer parties and which branch they will happen here. Stay tuned!

Philippine Fashion Week 2010: Penshoppe Has Arrived!

Penshoppe has arrived! *applause, applause* most brands have reinvented themselves and one brand we all grew up with, Penshoppe - has revealed its new direction with aspiring outfits that say sexy - sophisticated.

From the looks of the runway, the Holiday and Summer Collection of Penshoppe is inspired by travel, and Paris. First elements to walk down the runway are sequined tops, skirts, and sequined shorts which I have seen for the first time. Thank you very much Penshoppe.

Here are some exceptional ensembles from the collection:

Shiny Sequins

Still, Military inspired Overcoats

Flirty and Preppy Skirts

Noted how Penshoppe used scarves as head accessories. I wish I learn how to tie scarves around the head, the right way.

This collection makes me want to pack my luggage and travel. What do you think?

PLACES: Ecoliving Weekend at NUVALI

Ride this bus to Nuvali

Here's another road trip for you and your friends or family - head to Nuvali in Laguna for a one of a kind nature tripping. From Makati, it only took us an hour to reach Nuvali - the latest development of Ayala Land. Read: bird watching, man-made lake, boat riding, fish feeding, and Bonifacio High Street style of a resto hub.


The future EDSA

I did not expect Nuvali to be so huge, according to our guide this will be the new metro manila. We were actually passing through the future EDSA, 6 lanes of a road that was carved from the mountains. Although, everything will be finished in 40 years but with the pace of development, it could be much sooner than we think.



Let us wish Ayala Land will keep its promise of sustainable development. Because who better take care of the environment than private units and NGOs. They are working together with the Haribon Foundation to ensure that bird counts do not decrease. In fact, more species are being discovered in Nuvali.


Nuvali Bike

I am excited at the idea of two bus lanes which will be operated by Nuvali (same idea as The Fort bus which is ideal), one walking lane, and two bike lanes.


Bird Watching Point

First stop was the watch out point for birds. A tall nipa hut that is overlooking wide greenery can be climbed up together with your binoculars. Spot for a number of bird species or take photos of a rare sight of trees and shrubs, I heard this spot can even be rented out for events as long as they happen when the sun is up. Since the area is mountaneous, the atmosphere is cool and breezy. I wonder if you can setup a picnic here?



Before we headed to lunch, my husband and I checked out some houses including a "green" house where it is naturally cooler because of green technology implemented. This could be as simple as having the right number of windows, having double-sided walls which protects from heat, and having plants to naturally provide shade and fresh oxygen.


Couldn't help but play house.

There are many choices of residencial areas in Nuvali, each subdivision/village varies on land cuts and affordability. Whichever area you please, all the attractions are within your reach. According to our guide, bike trails will be plenty and that means fit family time. Though, you can also enjoy Nuvali without buying a property (like us).

Boat ride, around Php 30

And off we went to ride the boat on a man-made lake. This will be the same boat that will transport workers and residents of Nuvali to places they want to go to. It's also the same boat that will let you feed these guys:


Fish feed about Php 10



Fish feed is available, lots of hungry Japanese Cois! I can't wait to let Ashton experience this for himself. These days, we can't hardly connect with nature and fish feeding will make anyone beam and release all tension.



When the fishes are full, it's time for us to get lunch. Lots of choices here near the boat dock such as Pig Out, Kanin Get It, and Italianni's. Of course, Starbucks is just at the corner. My husband and I enjoyed an awesome Crispy Pata at Pig Out.


Pig Out Staff. They break into cowboy dances during lunch time! :D fun fun fun


This Crispy Pata's skin is like a peking duck's. Thin, crispy, easy to eat and sinful!

Definitely coming back for more of this food and this trip. That's what you can expect from a trip to Nuvali. To know more about Nuvali and how to get there, visit http://www.nuvalievoliving.com/

Style Scene: At Fashion Week

Stefan, me, and Mikhael

Mikhael is Toxicdiscoboy now he has a shop called Paradigm Shift, so proud of you! :) I hope to see your creations on the runway soon.


"I am Queen Elizabeth"

I met young Stefan near the registration and he also plans to start a fashion blog soon.



They also have a cool friend in red - Gelo Arucan, He carries a treasure chest in silver. cute!



Last night, just got in time for Penshoppe. Lucky I always spot my blogger friends - Earth who's been living in SMX and Iris who is lovestruck. That's me wishing I was as thin as the mow-dels.