Baskin Robbins in the Philippines

Loving this paper-made ice cream invitation for the opening of the Baskin Robbins store in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig---wait, WHAT?! =D

WRITER DIARIES: Are you a #GoodyGirl?

#GoodyGirl Soft clips

Calling all mommies of kikay toddlers! 

It's time to say goodbye to "Ouchy" clips that can hurt your babygirl's sensitive scalp, because these soft, painless and easy-to-wear clips are already out for grabbing and are just perfect for your little #GoodyGirl

WRITER DIARIES: Lessons from Ms. CEO

When Ms. CEO stepped down to take my former boss' position with the intent to be hands-on in training me,  things in my career started to go beyond the what I expected. Suddenly, I moved fast-paced in terms of my career, opportunities boomed here and there and my sphere of influence and network of connection webbed larger and larger--way more than I can ever only dream of!

Here are the things she has taught me so far:

1. Know your worth. Don't microscope your work into only your job description. Look at the bigger picture! See how your work contributes to the company and to the society. Be involved with how the company as a whole wants to succeed and you'll find yourself motivated to go to work everyday, without thinking of the usual work cycle. Know that this company NEEDS you!

2. Everyone must think like a marketer. Don't look at marketing as if it's only a department, encourage and train all your employees to think like a marketer!

3. Be best friends with your market. Personify and individualize your market and name it. Then it's time to get to know her, know what she wants, know what she needs, give it to her. Fall in love with the market! Keep the market in mind--all the time. At all times. Like what you do when you're in love.

4. Ssshhhh! More sales are made by listening than talking. Don't just do sales-talking, also do more sales-listening.

5. Hire journalists. People just love and rave for stories. They just do.

6. Take care of your name. Your name is your brand, once you're published, you're there already. Stick to your core values! And always look good. And by good, she meant GOOD...like. Fabulous!

7. Stick to your moral values. As I quote her, “When you don’t do things the right way, they enchain you—you go to jail, get into all sorts of scrapes, shady business deals, drugs; kung ano-ano ang mangyayari sayo. If your principles are good and your moral values are intact, somehow you will be successful. The foundation is firm.”

8. Never allow yourself to be bullied. In this (show business) industry, you will definitely find yourself in a situation where you are intimidated and pulled down by people on purpose. Don’t let them—but don’t stoop down and fight. Just smile, keep your chin up and let them know that you are not a rag to step on, by speaking up in a way that is FIRM and fierce but is also GRACEFUL and sweet.

There's just too many nuggets of wisdom that she has shared with me and the whole team and these are just some of the things I can remember as of "press time"--but I'll be sure to post more CEO lessons soon. Hahaha!

And hey, happy weekend!

PHOTOSHOOT: Forever Young (July Issue)

Photographed by Mike Cuevas of Studio100 for One Mega Group Inc.

SPOTTED @ Mega Pinoy Pride Ball 2014

MEGA just never lets Independence Day pass without throwing one of the country’s grandest and most exclusive annual celebrations—The Pinoy Pride Ball. This year’s ball (being the fourth one since 2010--and being my second Pinoy Pride Ball from my first one last year) was set in Makati Shangri-La’s Rizal Ballroom on the 12^th of June.

Here I am, all set to interview and work ala Guliana Rancic on the red carpet. 

Oh, green carpet!

Thank you to Ms. Angel and MAC Cosmetics for my makeup. BenchFX for my hair. And my mom's closet for my dress. hahaha!

SOULBITS: In God's Light, I Sparkle

They drip in diamonds

They glitter with fame

Come and go in limos

Everyone knows their name

Nameless I come, just a pure string of pearls

The pendant of my heart is the light of His Word

Shining brighter than the best of their jewel

Because.........

APPETITE TALES: "Going Loony for Luna Cafe"

Taguig City Representative and Film/TV director Lino Cayetano pays homage to Pinoy food and coffee through his passion for his business—Luna Specialty Coffee!

In the world of film-making, it is almost unheard of that the role of “taga-timpla ng kape” would be given to someone as highly-respected as the director—but not anymore! I was fortunate to have Direk Lino himself make and serve me coffee (specifically, the Piccolo latte) as his way to warmly welcome me to his sweet hidden spot in NAC Tower along the 32^nd Street of Bonifacio Global City.  And by the way, if you are a coffee aficionado like Direk and I, check out this place where they serve the best brews which you will surely go crazy for. Promise.

REAL TALK: Sometimes you just need ALONE TIME

WRITER DIARIES: My First Coverstory..."The June 9 Issue"

"Yes, Chard and I are parents."- Sarah Lahbati

From ThePulse.ph

"The June 9 Issue

Inside Showbiz Magazine’s Most Gutzy Issue Yet

 It’s been a week since the pilot episode of E’s It takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez and Richard Gutierrez’ confirmation that he is indeed a ‘proud father.’ But the public still craves some answers. Why did they hide the pregnancy? How did their families react? Who does Baby Zion look like? All these questions and more will be answered in the June 2014 issue of Inside Showbiz magazine. Dubbed “The June 9 Issue” the issue will hit newsstands a day after the second episode of the reality show airs.

In a 26-page tell-all cover story, we go on a luxurious Asian cruise with one of the most iconic families in showbiz. We travel with them as they shoot their reality show in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. And on the cruise, we sit down with the elusive couple Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati and with their adorable baby, Zion, in their arms they answer all our burning questions. In a no-holds-barred interview, we found Richard and Sarah, candid and relaxed, content with their decision that the time is right to reveal their nearly 2-year-long secret

Why now? It’s natural to wonder. Richard and Sarah wanted to introduce their child to the world on their own terms and what better way to do it but in a reality show Inside Showbiz Magazine’s It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez where they have committed to welcome the public into their world. A world that has been made much more colourful by the addition of another member to the growing Gutierrez brood."

SPOTTED @ It Takes GUTZ to be Gutierrez Launch

at 71 Gramercy 

                                 with our CEO Ms. Sari Yap and Associate Editor Bianchi Mendoza

 with Inside Showbiz publisher Ryan Calmante, Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez