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This is a late post. But as they say, better late than never!

For the second time this year, I was lucky enough to get invited to the Blogapalooza. I have been going to the event since  2013, or was it 2014? Anyway, I was excited when I got the invite for so many reasons.

First, I will be forced to write a new blog post, which will keep my blog active. Nothing like being duty-bound to have new content on your site, eh?

Second, I will get to spend some time with my fellow blogger and friend, Hits and Mrs. Ever since she changed careers and left me at our old jobs, I haven't seen her. It will be nice to catch up with some gossip and political stuff (God knows I have so little to share in the department, but I'm willing to listen to other people).

Third, I'm not going to be a hypocrite and deny that I'm looking forward to the freebies I will be getting. It doesn't really matter if it's a pen or notepad, I just like to hoard freebies and give them away to friends and family.




Fourth, I feel like it's a tradition now. I've been going every year since 2013 or 2014 and I'd be sad to miss one.

Last, it's a great chance to meet other bloggers, although, I'm really too shy to just exchange information with some other bloggers. I probably should try, though.

So, how did the event go?

Well, to start with, the venue--Novotel in Araneta Center, Cubao--is convenient for me since I live in Quezon City. I was expecting it to be in one of the function rooms like previous events. But I was surprised that it was an outdoor setting, beside the hotel's swimming pool.




Don't get me wrong it was a nice place, but it was too hot for an outdoor event. I didn't even linger in some sponsor booths because the sun was simply scalding! I was there from about 11 am to 1 pm. I could've stayed longer if it wasn't so hot!

There was an air-conditioned tent though, which was reserved for talks from the sponsors. It was a welcome reprieve to be in there from time to time, but it's really bad for my migraine. It's one of my triggers. So, I had to remember to keep it to a minimum.




One of the things I noticed is that the number of sponsors are dwindling. I think it was an improvement from the earlier Blogapalooza event, the one in Centris. But comparing to previous years, it certainly has dwindled.






There were the usual sponsors like Victoria Court, Chemworld Fragrance Factory, Skin Station, Tag, and even Krispy Kreme came back! But there were new players as well, including ShapeCloud, Pangalan.com, GoMoto, MyCure, and My Marianas PH.








Going to this stint alone without my blogger-in-crime, Dompy, was a bit daunting. But I put on my go-get-'em attitude and played the many games the sponsors offered. Some I won prizes, some I lost, but I had fun all the same. And despite the heat.

I didn't take a picture of the loot I've gotten during the event, but I thank all the sponsors. I hope to see a bigger, more exciting, and COOLER Blogapalooza next year!
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DISCLAIMER: This is a sponsored post. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my client.

People say that as you grow older you also get wiser. What they don't want to tell you, though, is that as you grow older, you'll also notice physical changes to your face. The youthful, plump and smooth skin you used to have slowly disappears as your years add up. You have a more noticeable bag under your eyes, or that line on your forehead is suddenly deeper and visible.


As a mother and woman in her 40s, I've had days when I look in the mirror and notice that my pores seem larger or there are more lines at the corner of my eyes than the year before. I've always resorted to topical creams and solutions and even supplements because it's easily accessible, and cheap. Go to a drugstore or supermarket and you'll find something: an eye cream, moisturizing mask, anti-aging serum, or even a temporary lip plumper.




It takes time to see any results and you need to be religious in your application. Patience is a virtue, they say. But for those who want instant gratification, they choose to go under the knife and get this or that nipped and tucked. I say they are brave people, and if they can afford it, why not?

A far easier and less painful procedure is available, though, through some very affordable Health, Beauty & Wellness Groupons. With so many options to choose from (even non-evasive ones if you are squeamish or have very low tolerance to pain), you don't have to worry about busting your budget to get a little bit of self indulgence After all, you've worked hard enough and you deserve a little pampering once in a while.
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It's good news for homepreneurs and long-time customers of Chemworld Fragrance Factory! The premiere go-to store for perfumery supplies recently opened its 17th and  flagship store at the 5th level of Megamall Building A.

 Present during the opening were Cong. Leopoldo Bataoil of the 2nd District of Pangasinan, Patricia Fernandez 2008 Bb. Pilipinas-International, Fred C. Reyes CEO of Chemworld, and Gerard Cedric Reyes COO

A buffet of pica-pica after the blessing of the flagship and 17th store of Chemworld Fragrance Factory

The store is bigger, brighter, and packed with fragrant goodness it's hard not to fill a cart (to the detriment of your pocket and wallet) with merchandise. Lucky for me and my fellow blogger and friend Dompy from Hits and Mrs., and a few other bloggers and media outfits, we was given the opportunity to be part of this momentous event. We also got a gift certificate for a starter kit or equivalent amount in products, plus a bottle of perfume to try out.

The Wordsmith and the Mrs.

What's In Store


For those who still have no idea, Chemworld Fragrance Factory sells everything you could ever need to mix and create your own perfume at home. Different types of bottles, fragrance oils, premix scents, essential oils, and even mixing equipment that will remind you of chemistry class.

Rows of bottles in a variety of colors, sizes, and design is available at Chemworld. Glass bottles prices start at PHP 15 per piece.
Ready-to-use perfume mixes of popular scents come in 250 ml bottles.
Premixes are ready-to-use fragrances you can transfer in spray bottles. They come in 250 ml dark amber bottles and have two varieties: regular and premium mixes. You'll love not just the array of scents available for these premixes, but the price only costing PHP 350 for the regular and PHP 450 for the premium.

Just a few of the fragrance oil scents Chemworld Fragrance Factory sells in the store.

Feels like a chem lab in here. Glassware you would need in measuring the ingredients for mixing perfume.

But if you want to mix your own scent, you can buy the raw materials for making perfume. This includes the fragrance and essential oils, fixative, DPG (dipropylene glycol), distilled water, and PGA (pure grain alcohol). You would need to "cure" the perfume for 7 days in the refrigerator or 14 days in a cool, dark place before it's ready to use. If not, the mixture would smell more alcohol than perfume.

The basic ingredients you need to create your perfume, cologne, or body spray--the long way.

Perfume-making Workshops


Chemworld also conducts a "no-secret" workshop on perfume making in all of their branches. They have been doing so since 2004, and have trained more than a thousand entrepreneurs.

During the event, interested bloggers were given a chance to create their own perfume in a short but fun class. A video with an intro on the differences between perfume, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, body spray, and after shave plays. This is followed by the step-by-step instruction on perfume making itself. We were also given a table of formulas for making the different types of fragrances.

The graphics zone where you can have your perfume bottle labels designed and printed

The seminars also include discussions on street-smart marketing strategies, defining market niche, costing, and pricing. As with the mini-workshop I was able to attend during the event, Chemworld provides all the supplies needed as well as a variety of packaging materials. They also offer label design and printing services to help you market and sell your perfume.


Reviving the Ylang-ylang Trade 


Part of Chemworld's mission is to revive the ylang-ylang trade in the country, starting in President Fred C. Reyes' home province of Pangasinan. Project Ylang-Ylang aims to put the Philippines back on top of the ylang-ylang essential oil chain, as well as providing technical training, equipment, and a means of livelihood for many households in Pangasinan.

With the help of 2nd District Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, who pushed for the project, the Philippines can once again a top exporter of ylang-ylang essential oil to the world's top perfume makers.

Here's a bit of trivia to highlight the importance of the ylang-ylang project. Did you know that many of the world's top perfume names uses the ylang-ylang essential oil in their products? Some of these include Chanel No.5, Chloe, Estee Lauder's Beautiful, and even Calvin Kline's Escape.


Get in Touch With Chemworld

If you're interested in attending one of their workshops or want to know more about their products, you may connect with them via Facebook, or visit their website: www.fragrancefactory.ph.

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The Arla booth at the 2016 Blogapalooza


One of the exhibitors at the last Blogapalooza--and the one with the most elaborate set-up--was Arla. The Danish company manufactures high-quality delicious and nutritious dairy products made from all-natural ingredients. Arla goes back to the basics to bring consumers delicious, wholesome goodness in every mouthful.

Bringing all the dairy magic at affordable prices to the Filipino table, Arla offers a range of milk, including organic, lactose-free, full cream, low-fat, and skimmed. Arla also produces cream cheese spreads--this I personally like--which comes in natural, light, lactose-free, and flavored in pineapple and herbs & spices. 


Or course, there are also these lip-smacking cheese products perfect for your gourmet or picnic spread. Arla has Gouda, Mozzarella, Emmental, and Havarti.

#Hashtagging at the Arla booth


But did you know that Arla is also magician behind that creamy, luscious Lurpak and Castello butter brands? And also behind the brand Cocio (that pricey but delicious chocolate drink)? Bet you did not know that. This just means that Arla, though new to our ears, has been around our supermarket chillers for a long time, providing us with top-notch brands we all equate to quality and fantastic taste.

That's because Arla products are free from additives or preservatives, and the milk they use comes directly from farmers who pour every effort to producing high-quality dairy.

If you want that dairy goodness in your life, go pick up an Arla product from your local supermarket.
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For years, I've only ever watched cable shows. For years, I've ignored all the teleseryes that have come and gone on the local channels. Even the then-hit and uber popular Forevermore--no offense to LizQuen fans. I just didn't find that spark of interest that would compel me to watch any of the shows. And I'm not being a snob. I just don't like the drama. The painstaking wait for all the hardship, humiliation, and abuse of the antagonist to end. As well as the comeuppance they deserve.

Until On the Wings of Love, or OTWOL to fans. The very first time I caught the advertisement for the show I felt it's a show I should try watching. The premise was not new for a teleserye. A marriage of convenience for two people who--with the help of destiny--suddenly and urgently needed each other. Leah for the green card and Clark for the money.

But what I believe made it different was the setting and the tone of the whole teleserye. It had none of the elements typical of a local teleserye. It was funny, it was fast-paced, and best of all it had "kilig". In short, it was a feel good series. Something I needed a lot of after a long and hard day at work.


I often said this during the first few weeks of the show: OTWOL had the power to make me feel better after a really tiring day at work and the horror that is the MRT. I could go to sleep smiling because watching the show made me feel good.


Of course, a show couldn't be all about roses and chocolates and rainbows, because that would be totally boring. The writers and directors have to mix it up. Would you want Clark and Leah to be lovey-dovey the whole dang time? No? Right, because you'd probably get tired of just feeling "kilig" all the time.

And so enters the other characters of the show, all of whom play important roles to expand the story and make it more interesting. Of course, the main antagonist--if you can even call him that--is Jigs. Leah's ex-boyfriend and the most annoying person born on the planet! I exaggerate, but in the OTWOL world he is. You can't help but hate him every single time he appears on the screen. He has issues, I know, from being left behind by his mother and being spoiled thereafter. I'm pretty sure it's not Lola Pachang's fault because the other kids left under her care (aka Clark's siblings) didn't turn out bratty.

Then there's Tita Jack. The woman responsible for bringing Clark and Leah together. The one who insisted that they get to know each other really well. BUT. Of course there's a but! But not to fall in love with each other. There. The biggest BUT there is, right?

Manang Tiffany is the supportive sibling I can actually relate to in terms of sisterly bonding (secrets that you keep from your parents, shenanigans, girl stuff, etc.). Her life, though, is a story of sacrifice. Foregoing her own education so that Leah can finish hers, and forced to grow up too fast and take the place of their mother who (supposedly) died in the United States.

Meanwhile, Tatang Sol is the strict but honest and kind father. His principles in life are iron-clad and he's made sure that he passed it on to his daughters. He spews out words of wisdom and he's the typical padre de pamilya who believes it's his sole responsibility to provide for the family. Until a serious illness befell him. Has to accept the fact that he needed help not only from his family but also from his neighbors. Which brings me to...

The best neighbors you could ever have in your life--Tenement Uno! I've never seen bayanihan at work and in full force than at Tenement Uno. These guys help each other like one big family. Tatang Sol doesn't accept payment from neighbors who ride his jeep, and in turn they helped raise funds for Tatang Sol's heart bypass operation. It's really heartwarming to see.

I believe all these elements and characters make OTWOL a fantastic teleserye you'll want to watch night after night. Indeed, if I could quote Cake Evangelista of Inquirer, "OTWOL made be believe in Filipino series again."
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About Me

Hi! Welcome to my personal blog. I'm a 30-something mom who likes to travel, try new places to eat, read books, and watch movies. I also happen to love fashion, Asian dramas, animes, Studio Ghibli, and Hayao Miyazaki.


If you are passionate about the same stuff, then you'll maybe find my posts interesting, if not, thank you for dropping by.


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