Poliform, one of the leading brands in Italian furniture, recently launched its 500 sqm. showroom in Bel-Air, Makati.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was led by guests of honor, former President Joseph Estrada, His Excellency Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari with his wife, Madame Silvana Novelli Fornari.

Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari, Perry Lim, Madame Silvana Fornari, Timothy Tan, Gec Chia, President Joseph Estrada, Jacques Ian Lee, Anna Go Chia

The launch was graced by Architect Ed Calma, Architect Arlen de Guzman, Architect Manny Miñana, Interior Designer Stephanie Siy, Tektite’s Gerardo Lanuza, Ortigas & Co.’s Ignacio Ortigas, Cinderella’s Richie Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Paolo and Ria Prieto, Mr. Rodolfo V. Feliciano and many others.

Poliform President Mr. Alberto Spinelli and his nephew, Mr. Marco Spinelli

Gec Chia, Timothy Tan, Architect Ed Calma, President Joseph Estrada, Jacques Ian Lee

Gec Chia and Stephanie Siy

Gec Chia, Marco Spinelli, Alberto Spinelli, Timothy Tan, Perry Lim and Jacques Ian Lee

Dr. Gerard Henson DJ’ed while guests enjoyed overflowing Manny O. Wines, dalandan and lychee bellinis, Chef Jill Sandique’s freshly baked desserts, along with Margarita Fores’s truffle pasta, pasta arburro, beef carving, parma ham, plus a wide array of Italian cheeses, Villa del Conte chocolate, and Cebu lechon flown in specially for the event.

The flagship showroom carries the complete range of high-quality sofas, wall systems, coffee tables, dining tables, dining chairs, sideboards, wardrobes, and walk in closets Poliform is known for, as well as the Varenna kitchen range which are a showpiece in itself.

(Showroom photos: Tammy David)

Poliform is now open at 219 Nicanor Garcia St. Bel Air 2, Makati City.
For inquiries contact Gec Chia at gcchia@poliform.ph
or Anna Go Chia agchia@poliform.ph (0920) 923-2320.

http://www.poliform.it

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

TRESemmé, the authority in salon-quality hair care, celebrated Philippine fashion with a thanksgiving dinner at the Grand Showroom of SMDC.
The venue was transformed into a dramatic black haven of calla lilies, stargazers and white roses, and white and silver table settings with ghost chairs.

Unilever Philippines Head of PR Personal Care Apples Aberin welcomed guests with TRESemmé Brand Manager Ann Esteves who introduced the TRESemmé Style Team of Kelly Misa, Liz Uy, Raymond Gutierrez, Tinette Puyat, Victor Ortega and Jing Monis.

Luke Jickain and Apples Aberin

Liz Uy

Carlos Fernandez and Kelly Misa-Fernandez

Highlighting the brand’s partnership with the biggest fashion shows this year, designers Cary Santiago, Francis Libiran, JC Buendia and Jun Escario showcased five of their latest creations, complemented by various hair styles co-created by the TRESemmé team.

Jessica Yang in Francis Libiran

Guests enjoyed a four-course dinner by Margarita Forés and her team, while Robby Mananquil entertained the crowd.

Also spotted at the event were celebrity makeup artist Jigs Mayuga

Mike Concepcion

Nix Alañon

Paolo Villavicencio and Ileana Garcia

Nicole Andersson and Sean Go

Robbie Carmona, TRESemmé Brand Manager Ann Esteves and Rajo Laurel

Ignacio Tambunting, Sam Nepomuceno, Mia Borromeo and Joey Puyat

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Forget Sosy Problems.
Some people are saying One More Try is worth seeing in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, and I quote:

@piedpipergirl @ancalerts I was with MTRCB member who says it is a masterpience. I will watch it.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) December 22, 2012

While the trailer looks typically Star Cinema—with the annoying voice-over and giving away of the entire plot (not to mention Carmina Villaroel’s acting, where she appears to be joking)—I’m just relieved they opted out of using bad wigs in the flashback scenes.

But as Interaksyon pointed out, it just seems to be a Filipino version (copycat?) of 2007′s In Love We Trust.
Your thoughts?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

You know I’m a big fan of Apple TV. What I’m not a fan of is when the Apple remote controls my Mac as well.
It happened in a hotel in Paris. The Apple remote drove me crazy every time it played music and videos on my Mac when I just wanted to watch Apple TV.

Thanks to Googling, I found a way to stop the Apple remote from communicating with my Mac.
1) Go to the Apple menu on your Mac and choose System Preferences.

2) Choose Security & Privacy.

3) Unclick the lock to make changes.

4) Unlock.

5) Click Advanced.

6) Click on Disable remote control infrared receiver.

To end, just click on the lock again, and voila, your Apple remote will no longer drive you or your Mac crazy.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Last Christmas, while waiting for the clock to strike 12, some of us were left talking to relatives we don’t normally converse with.
I overheard my young niece talking about her friend who sold a water bottle Zac Efron drank from when he was in Manila.
So I bragged that I stole Harry Connick Jr.’s Coke can after his PICC concert.

Last March 2008, Harry Connick Jr. had a can of Coke brought to him during his Manila concert.
I watched it like a hawk. After the show, I snuck up to his roadie and asked for the can of Coke, still cold, and drank from it.
“Yuck!” my nieces squealed as I told them the story on Christmas eve.
“Anong yuck? That’s his DNA!” I explained that the Coke was especially delicious since it was flown in from the Coke plant in Atlanta.

As a Coke expert, I can tell you Philippine Coke is nothing compared to Atlanta Coke.
Japanese Coke is also one of the world’s best.

But I digress, my teenage niece went on further to say Harry Connick Jr. is also “yuck!”
To which I replied, “Are you kidding me? Zac Efron is like the grossest thing on earth!”
Not being an old hag here, I happen to get Justin Bieber. I think he’s crushable. Unlike Zac Efron.
And it’s not about having a generation gap. One of my biggest crushes to this day is the late Montomery Clift, who was dead by the time I discovered his films.

Which leads to this poll:

L-R: Zac Efron, Harry Connick Jr.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

You may have felt that I have lost my mojo to blog.
I started blogging 12 years ago in 2000, when I was stuck at home, pregnant with my first child.
By 2004, the blog became popular and took off. People became interested in buying ads and putting out press releases, and I was excited to accept them.
By 2012 I was earning more than a Cathay Pacific Second Officer. But all the work kind of ate up my soul.
I found myself writing about things I’m not particularly into, though I tried very much to write about things that mattered to me.
One of the things I’ve been fighting for—the renovation of NAIA—has yet to happen, even though the President has promised it would happen last year.

Lately I’ve been thinking of Market Manila and how he has consistently refused monetizing his blog.
A few years back he surprised us when he announced he would stop blogging, but got back to it after a few days.
As of now I have no desire to open my laptop. Not interested in emails.
I prefer watching mindless downloads and Apple TV, reading books, or fixing the house. I’ve also been fixing my studio with the help of Kellyn See and Rex Gapuz, which should be done by February as I wait for my customized wallpaper from the UK.
This is a work in progress. I wonder if I could blog better here.

My friend Victor in Paris said I have out-Starcked myself. I think I can out-Starck Philippe Starck. I can work for Yoo!! I am kidding.
But years of staying in nice hotels have taught me a thing or two about what makes a nice room design. Thanks to my Philippine Star editor Millet Mananquil, whose assignments have changed the way I see hotel rooms, and architect Ed Calma, who changed the way I view bathrooms.

But I digress. This 2013 I have made a few goals for myself:
1) to get down to my ideal weight. This obsession with weight loss has made me sick since November 15th by the way.

2) To choose my blog sponsors and write more about things that matter to me.
3) To go back to God and the church.
4) Renovate our house.

A brief CV:
My first job was at the Philippine Daily Globe around 1989-1991.
I left the job to study fashion at Parsons, New York from 1991-1995.
I worked as a fashion designer and shop owner in Manila from 1995-2000.
Met Jeroen in 1997, married in 2000, became a mom in 2001 and quit retail to become a stay-at-home mom. I also started blogging.
In 2004 after my second baby, I applied for a job at the Philippine Star, which opened many doors. My blog took off after this.
In 2008, Pepper Lunch opened, which changed my life forever.

Now that 2013 is just around the corner, I feel tired and menopausal. I feel the need to step back and think about what’s important to me.
I feel the need for less attention. I want to simplify, step back and think about what’s next for me.
I do believe in constant evolution. I am not sushi chef Jiro Ono who can do the same thing day after day, year after year.

And with that I would like to take a short blog break until I get my mojo back and choose carefully my sponsors for 2013.
I do thank you for your readership. I read every single comment and take note of both positive and negative feedback. I may not act upon them instantly but I take many of them to heart.
Here’s wishing all of us a healthy and happy new year, with God’s blessings.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

“Father Reuter is our lucky charm,” I told Jeroen as we held hands, looking at Father James B. Reuter in his coffin.
Jeroen smiled and kissed me before we left the venue.
“For more luck,” he said.

Jeroen and I, November 25, 2000
Basilica of San Sebastian, Manila

More than 12 years ago, a Jesuit priest refused to officiate our wedding when he found out then-President Joseph Estrada—who was facing an impeachment trial—was going to be our wedding sponsor.
Jeroen and I were in shock. We had our mind set on this Mary The Queen priest we really liked.
Then one fateful day I saw my Tita Barbara “Bay” de los Reyes in my lola’s house. I told her about our problem and wondered aloud if Father Reuter—a priest I have loved since high school—could marry us instead.
Tita Bay whipped out her cellphone and made a call to Father Reuter, who immediately said yes.
But first we had to meet him.

Jeroen and I paid a visit to Father in his quarters at Xavier House in Santa Ana, Manila. At that time, he was already 84 years old.
Back in the year 2000, I didn’t have any digital camera, otherwise I would’ve captured our meeting in pictures.
I do remember taking down the advice he gave us that day: the secrets to a lasting marriage.
Simple really, just three basic things.

1) “Let not the sun go down on your anger.”
Don’t sleep without settling a fight with your spouse.
In our 12 years of marriage, I can probably count on the fingers of one hand how many times Jeroen and I have slept in the middle of a fight. If he tries to sleep on me, I poke him until we resolve the problem.
Oh, and this a great thing I love to remind Jeroen. Father Reuter said, in case of a fight, the husband should say sorry first, hehe.

2) “Do not spend time alone with the opposite sex.”
It can cause gossip or grief to your spouse, among other things (use your imagination).
A married man or woman cannot be best friends with the opposite sex. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can go into a platonic relationship with the opposite sex if one or both of you are already committed.
This I’ve followed through the years. I don’t do coffee, lunch, or dinner alone with a man—unless they are gayer than springtime.
At that time, Facebook wasn’t invented yet, otherwise Father could’ve said, “Do not go Facebooking with your old flame.” As you know, lots of divorces are attributed to Facebook.

3) “Do not sleep on separate beds or lead separate lives in separate rooms.”
Meaning, if Brad Pitt is filming on location, Jennifer must come along.
Father expressed sadness over the OFW situation where many Filipinos leave their families to work abroad. Oftentimes, these overseas foreign workers carry on extramarital affairs while living abroad, resulting in destroyed marriages.

I have more stories about Father Reuter, but I’ll save those for later.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I don’t usually cry at wakes. I don’t like dramatic scenes you see in Filipino movies.
I dunno, that’s just me. Sometimes I think the most painful things are so painful you can’t even cry. It’s like your tearducts are paralyzed. But at Father Reuter’s wake, I just cried.
Just a few days before Christmas, my gift for Father Reuter arrived from Amazon. My friend Biden told me they were looking for DVDs of John Wayne and Frank Sinatra.

I was planning to visit Father and make a donation for his healthcare. But the holidays were insane. Traffic everywhere, I was even scared to go to Makati. It turns out he was confined at Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Parañaque.
He died on the last day of 2012.
I found out when Jeroen came home from lunch. He had seen it on Twitter.
I showed him the DVDs and cried a little before shoving food mechanically in my mouth.
On January 2, Jeroen and I finally went to St. Paul’s University in Herran, Manila.
It was my first time there. It looks time-warped and charming, with hallways that look like dead people walk there at night.
Jeroen and I fell in like with a row of trees trimmed to form a shed

We found this church in the middle of the campus.

I loved the staircase

which led to the wake

Only a handful of mourners when we arrived mid-afternoon

And I cried as we approached the coffin and saw the pictures

He actually looked good in the coffin, with the makeup and all. He looked so frail.
I first met him in 1984. He was the priest during our high school retreat in Assumption.
I remember him riding the tourist bus with us going to Baguio. I liked him on sight.
At that time he was already 70 years old, and I was worried he might not live long. Little did I know he had 26 years to go.
Our class spent three memorable days in Baguio. I listened carefully to his lectures. I made a confession and he hugged all of us.
The rest of the events, I keep in my heart.
It was my dream to get married with Fr. Reuter as the priest. I got my wish on November 25, 2000 when I married Jeroen at San Sebastian Church.
It just seemed right to be with Jeroen as we said goodbye to our beloved priest.

He didn’t please everybody. Father Reuter had his share of haters.
I consider myself his jeje buster. I get really emotional when I read bad things about him. I really believe he is a saint in heaven.
At the right moment, an old man walking with a cane began to sing “Ol’ Man River” from the 1927 musical Showboat and I just lost it.

I cried uncontrollably and until my eyes couldn’t see. I think Jeroen cried too.
I never cry at wakes.

Jeroen and I had a long chat with Sister Sarah Abraham, who was at his side when Father died.
I gave her the DVDs and a donation for the hospital that took care of him.

After the wake Jeroen and I kind of explored the old building.
I wondered where these stairs originally led to.

I saw a most beautiful Lady of Lourdes downstairs

I saw the creepy uniform display through the years

You can’t pay me enough to sleep here at night

Check out the famous alumni—how many can you ID?

Jeroen and I left Herran and joined the horrendous traffic, ended up at Robinson’s Magnolia and shared a double burger at Pepper Lunch Express.
Overall a good day. Thank you Father Reuter. We are blessed to have known you.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

After last month’s siomai horror story in NAIA, I made a plan not to starve while waiting in the airport.
Jeroen and I had a 12:25 noon flight to Hong Kong. Which means we would have to leave the house at 10 AM.
Since I don’t eat breakfast and I don’t eat in the plane, I knew I should eat before boarding the plane.
We all know there are no decent food choices in NAIA, so I made a quick decision to sneak in Jollibee inside my bag.
I got the idea from a Japanese tourist, who my sister and I saw hand-carrying a bag of Max’s fried chicken in NAIA in 2011.

Drawing: Ana Zamora

We passed by a Jollibee drive-thru near the airport—so near there was no time left to eat it in the car.
So I snuck it in my bag. It passed through all the X-rays.
Thirty minutes later, I was sitting in a secluded corner of the Cathay Pacific first class lounge (less tao).

I transfered the contents to normal plates and threw out all evidence of Jollibee packaging.
Thank God nobody saw and nobody cared.

Unfortunately no regular Coke in the lounge, so I had to step out and buy one.
I found some young Korean tourists looking around in the pathetic siomai booth and felt sorry and embarrassed for them.
When oh when will NAIA have decent food?
P.S. This is not a sponsored post by Jollibee. Next time I will probably sneak in McDonald’s.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Condé Nast Traveler just named Philippines one of the Top 2013 Holiday Destinations.
Isn’t it time to do something about NAIA, with its collapsing ceilings, hideous bathrooms, and disgusting food choices?
Sayang naman now that Travel & Leisure, Lonely Planet, and Condé Nast Traveler all say 2013 is our year!
Anobah, who is in charge of NAIA??

Destinations to watch in 2013

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Just say no to bad wigs, Sarah Geronimo.
If you’re not sure about what the director is telling you to wear, consult a stylist.
Consult Liz Uy, Millet Arzaga, Alodia Gosiengfiao, or something. Consult a woman.
If they wanted to hire someone who looks like Eugene Domingo, they should’ve hired Eugene Domingo.
I enjoyed your other movie with John Lloyd (A Very Special Love) but this one, I’m just gonna say no.
P.S. John Lloyd can also say no. He can say, “I’m not gonna kiss that bad wig. Hell, no. Not doing it.”

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

In the 2004 movie The Terminal, Tom Hanks stars as an eastern immigrant who finds himself stranded in the JFK airport.

His country goes into revolution while he’s en route. Upon landing in New York, he finds himself without a country—or at least one that the US government can recognize. He is denied entry, but cannot be deported until his status is fixed.
Though he doesn’t speak English very well, he somehow adapts to his temporary residence in the airport.

The film was partially inspired by the 17-year-stay of Mehran Karimi Nasseri in the Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Terminal I, Paris, France from 1988 to 2006.

If I were to get stuck in an airport, I would choose Hong Kong where I can eat tonkatsu

buy clothes at Zara or Giordano

or hang out in the Cathay Pacific lounge, where there are decent restrooms and showers, and hopefully they won’t kick me out.

One of my goals this year is to visit Seoul as well as experience the number one airport in the world, Incheon.
Wouldn’t mind being stranded there.

Now imagine you are stuck in NAIA.
British citizen Gary Peter Austin, a 52-year-old former horse jockey from England, has been stuck in the departure lounge of NAIA Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport since December 17, 2012.
Austin told reporters he arrived in Manila from England via Bahrain on board Gulf Air last Nov 29, 2012, and went to Cebu for sightseeing and to meet his Filipino friends.
He returned to Manila last December 17, where he tried to check in at the NAIA Gulf Air counter for his return trip to England.

But airline staff said they cannot accommodate him, as his e-ticket was already cancelled by his travel agent.
Unfortunately Austin had run out of money, so he decided to stay at the terminal as he tries to figure out how he can raise money to fly back to England.
Without money to buy a return ticket to England, barred from leaving the airport, and virtually forgotten by the airline that flew him in, Austin will have to make do with terminal 1 as his temporary home.

(Source: Rappler.com)

Listen, the thought of being stuck in NAIA just makes me want to cry.
We want to pay for this man’s ticket to go home. But how to do it?
Can Edwin Llobrera/Rappler/Maria Ressa help us make a donation?

UPDATE: We have been in touch with Rappler’s Bea Cupin and Maria Ressa and have contacted Mr. Austin.
Let’s hope he catches his Emirates flight tomorrow PM.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

It was my friend Biden who told me to watch the reality show Extreme Cheapskates which made my husband, son, and I all cringe as we watched all seven episodes.
When I was young my dad told me a rich cheapskate is as good as someone who’s broke. He taught me not to hold on to money so tightly because giving it away or spending it actually makes it go back to you in a good karmic way.
Of course you’re not supposed to spend more than you can afford.

My friend, fashion designer Mich Dulce has the best cheapskate stories, a lot of which has to do with her travels abroad.
Mich is deathly afraid of overweight luggage, so every time she checks in and is 10-15 kilos overweight, she pretends to speak no English and adapts a Japanese accent.
The frustrated passenger service agent will usually let her go without paying due to loss in translation.
Mich got away with it a couple of times. But a third time, the airline employee finally called in a Japanese translator, so Mich panicked and had to pay.

One time, Mich and her assistant Kitty traveled to Bali with her fashion collection. Upon checking in for their return flight to Manila, Mich was told they were 10-15 kilos overweight. Her solution: Mich and Kitty wore the entire collection in layers—including platform shoes. “As in, ang init!” Mich said.

As someone who can’t hold on to money, I have to say I learned a few lessons from watching Extreme Cheapskates.
Last week I was really thirsty at the Podium mall, and instead of automatically buying bottled water, I entered Starbucks to see if I could get a free sip of water. Unfortunately I did not see any cups next to the pitcher. So I ended up ordering a crepe at Café Breton to get a free glass of ice water.
This year I want to cut down on my spending. I am not allowed to buy any makeup, shampoo and conditioner due to all the press freebies I have amassed these last couple of years (I should take a picture!).
I should probably try to squeeze more toothpaste out of a tube, like Roy below:

Jeroen wishes he could unsee the video of this woman who doesn’t use toilet paper

And I really got sick to my stomach watching this man cook goat’s head for his wife.

While some of the cheapskate practices featured in the show are really disgusting (such as eating food from the dumpster bins), some of the things they do are actually good for the environment.
To know more about Extreme Cheapskates, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Meanwhile, back in Manila, Pat and Rik of Proudrace have concocted ’90s streetwear looks for their 1990Nile Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Separates reflect their love of athletic uniforms, focusing on the baseball jersey.
Nylon, stretch black denim, and custom-made hieroglyph graffiti fabric are used to create jumpers, track pants and backpacks.
Lookbook photos were shot by Everywhere We Shoot, modeled by Pauline Prieto and not Luke Jickain Alex Omiunu. Makeup is by Sam Unson Gallardo.

http://www.proudrace.com/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I’m a sucker for merchandise. If there’s a gift shop—whether in a posh hotel or even a Cathay Pacific office—I’m there, looking for something to buy.

I’ll even shop in a plane (sorry can’t help it)

One of the cool shops I recently discovered was the newly opened St. Luke’s gift shop in Bonifacio. It has to be the best hospital gift shop in the Philippines. I was amazed at the selection—it feels like a museum/hospital/airline gift shop all in one.

St. Luke’s is known for its art collection, thanks to Dr. Joven Cuanang who has a say in what art goes into the hospital’s private collection.
The art is reflected in a series of note cards and sketch books depicting medical scenes through Philippine history.

This sketchbook features one of my favorite paintings in the hospital

I’m a sucker for good pens. I have to say St. Luke’s offers really smooth-writing cheap pens!
I told them to sell these in a variety pack, like those cute writing kits found in Narita airport

I love paper and notebooks. I just have to say no because I still have a stockpile at home.

Very cool credit card-size USB thingies

I’m inclined to buy the cup and saucer set for my studio

All kinds of folding nylon bags and dopp kit

Quality towels

and baby merchandise

Whoever’s in charge is doing a great job!
I spoke to someone in the shop about designing a decent hospital gown because I have memories of seeing patients looking undignified with hospital gowns that open in the back with their butts hanging out.
There must be a cool way to design these things, cool enough they can be sold in the gift shop.
What you think?

To know more about St. Luke’s, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

“Roosevelt and Churchill saved Western civilization, but President Quezon of the Philippines—and so few people know that—saved 1200 Jewish souls—as many as Schindler, maybe even more. And that is the epitome, basically, of Judaism. It says if you save one soul, you save mankind.”

Alex and Herb Frieder with President Quezon in 1940

I have read a few versions of Anne Frank’s diary.

I have been to her hiding place in Amsterdam.

In Houston, I went inside this train used to transport Jews during the Holocaust.

Schindler’s List and The Pianist never fail to make me cry.

What I didn’t know until this night was the Philippines became a safe haven for Jews during World War 2.
Washington-based independent filmmaker Noel M. Izon has made a feature-length documentary called An Open Door: Jewish Rescue in the Philippines, which tells an uplifting story of how our small Asian nation was able to save over 1,200 Jews as they fled from Nazi Germany.

Once upon a time our country was major a afam (foreigner) town.
Just check out these LIFE magazine photos of Manila Polo Club in 1942.

Jewish refugees in a party at the Frieder’s home in Manila, 1940

In this extended trailer, you’ll see how the Jews and afams lived in Manila during World War II.
It is 15 minutes long, and as the story unfolded, I cried as the Jewish survivors spoke fondly about the Philippines and its people. You will too.

http://www.anopendoormovie.com/

Meanwhile, Rescue in The Philippines, is a one-hour documentary “of the previously untold story of how five Frieder brothers, Cincinnati businessmen making two-for-a-nickel cigars in pre-WWII Manila, together with Manuel Quezon, the charismatic first president of the Philippines, Paul McNutt, US High Commissioner and former governor of Indiana (preparing for his own presidential campaign) and an ambitious Army Colonel named Dwight Eisenhower—helped 1,200 Jews escape the Nazis and immigrate to the Philippines.”
Here’s an excerpt:

To know more, go to http://rescueinthephilippines.com/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

“Mahirap maging sikat” is a Filipino expression that means “it’s hard to be famous.”
When you’re on top and the world is at your feet, people constantly bug you that you just learn how to say no.
Like when Justin Bieber refused to autograph a NAIA employee’s CD.
In this clip, it appears that Justin Bieber slaps the CD out of the autograph seeker’s hand, sending it to the floor.

Madonna can be pretend to be gracious as she accepts flowers given by a fan, but really hate it.

Or worse, you’re given five minutes to interview the hottest star in Hollywood, only to find out she hates all your questions.
In fairness, Anne’s handlers should’ve screened the questions before Ricky Lo interviewed her. It would have spared him the humiliation of what happens below.
Lesson from Anne: keep on smiling while being a bitch.

P.S. She was much nicer to Matt Lauer who asked similar questions, minus Lea Salonga.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

“I had the choice to come back… or not. I chose to return when I realized that heaven is a state, not a place…”

I’m scared. What if you died and had a choice to come back? Would you?
When I was asked to blog about Anita Moorjani’s talk in Manila, I became interested when I found out she is the New York Times best-selling author of Dying to be Me, a remarkable account of her near-death experience and almost instant recovery from Stage Four Cancer (Lymphoma).

Anything about cancer and recovery touches something in me.
Papa, Chelo, Tito Yoyong, Ricky, Margarita, Wil, Gerdie, Rita, and Trisha are some relatives and friends who have had cancer. Some of them have died, some of them are fighting, and some of them have survived.
In fact three of of those names are my first cousins, so cancer hits very much close to home.

Anita Moojani’s healing has remained one of the most amazing ever recorded in Medical History. Her new found perspective on life, death, and her moving message of hope continue to bring much comfort to cancer survivors, their families, and numerous followers.
She inspires her audience to transform their lives by living more authentically, discovering their greatest passions and purpose, transcending their deepest fears, and living always from a place of pure joy.
If you have been touched by cancer or someone with cancer, don’t miss this life-changing opportunity.

Anita Moorjani will be in Manila this January 26 and 27, 2013 for a talk at the RCBC Plaza Theater and the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
I’ll be there on the birthday of my cousin Chelo, who lost her battle with leukemia in 2008.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

If my Dutch husband had a choice, our boys would be playing soccer.
But the Filipino half of the kids made them take to basketball naturally—what with a basketball court in every park in the villages.

Before he could even talk, our son Markus was expertly dribbling his baby basketball.
Now that they’re tweens, they’re still obsessed with the sport—as well as their gadgets.
As soon as they’re done with school, tutor and homework, I let them to use their gadgets to help them unwind.
Of course I would rather they pick up a book like I did when I was younger and had no Internet.
But they boys need their toys—among them, the cool headphones.

So the Skullcandy NBA collection is finally here and available in over 100 retail stores in the country.
Skullcandy, makers of cool, quality headphones, collaborated with the NBA to showcase the names and team logos of six of today’s hottest NBA players, like Kobe Bryant

Derrick Rose

Kevin Durant

Rajon Rondo

and Dwyane Wade.

For those who prefer earphones, the line features logos of the LA Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, NY Knicks, and Miami Heat.

The Skullcandy NBA headphones are priced at Php 4950 while earphones are Php 1550.
Skullcandy audio products are available at The A.Shop, AstroVision, Bratpack, DC, Gadgets in Style, Mobile 1, Ambassador Appliance, R.O.X, Tribu, Robinson’s Department Store Ermita and Galleria, and online at Zalora.ph.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Due to popular demand, the outrageously hilarious smash hit show Potter Potter returns to Manila this January 30 to February 3, 2013 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza.

During its first season in Manila last August 2012, Potted Potter played to sold-out audiences as the comic duo of Jesse Briton and Gary Trainor took on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into 70 minutes.

The show will feature all your favourite characters, including a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic.
Since visiting Manila last year, more than 28,000 fans have subscribed to the Potted Potter Manila Facebook page which still continues to grow.
Producer James Cundall, Chief Executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions said, “With an utterly great reception of the audiences, we did not have second thoughts on bringing back the show in Manila.”

POTTED POTTER in Manila is produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Potted Productions, Concertus Manila and Hi Definition Radio.

TICKETS:

WEEKDAYS (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 5 PM)
Orchestra (Open) PhP 2,808
Orchestra (Covered) PhP 2,600
Orchestra (plastic chairs) PhP 2,392
Loge Center PhP 2,080
Loge Sides PhP 1,872
Balcony PhP 936

WEEKENDS (Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 7:30 PM)
Orchestra (Open) PhP 3,068
Orchestra (Covered) PhP 2,912
Orchestra (plastic chairs) PhP 2,704
Loge Center PhP 2,080
Loge Sides PhP 1,872
Balcony PhP 1,040

FAMILY PACKAGES AVAILABLE

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or click HERE.

http://www.pottedpotter.com.au/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.