Flawless is an aesthetic beauty clinic which was created in 2001 with a vision of providing superior and medically-supervised skin care treatment to its clients. Eight years later and with 32 branches nationwide, it underwent massive re-branding has emerged as a valuable beauty solution for many women and men in the country.

Picture Flawless, the search for the Forever Flawless Face and Body Center’s next endorser, was culminated at the Eivissa Bar in Tomas Morato, Quezon City where the 23 Flawless Finalists were presented to the media. The event was hosted by Butch Francisco and Tess Bomb, with a dance number performed by Flawless endorser Alyssa Alano and the finalists. Lorna Tolentino, another celebrity Flawless endorser, announced the winners of the contest.

Robert de Claro and Julieanne Arcenio the search’s first prize winners were each awarded a year-long endorsement contract, billboard and Php800,000 in cash. They are shown above with Butch Francisco, Lorna Tolentino, Rubby Sy Coyuito (Flawless CEO) & Tess Bomb.

With their tenacity, verve, and exemplifying Flawless values through and through, Aris Corrales and Doris Cheong landed the first runner-up positions, while Rafael Nanquil and Abigael Arazo grabbed the the second runner-up positions. The following finalists also received special prizes from Flawless:

Apple Seva whose common sense and bubbly personality quickly made her a crowd favourite, received the Flawlessly Photogenic award.
Jenny Regaspi who is a loyal Flawless patron and mother bagged the Forever Flawless award.
Iloilo’s Trina Espia, who is a determined and beautiful woman got Flawless Beauty Bod award.
Keina Fawaz, a gem with a big sense of humour, and plenty of intelligence and affection received the Flawlessly Witty award.
Johnru Villamor, whose loyalty integrity, sincerity, and genuine concern for others endeared him to all, was the Flawless Personality awardee.
Cebu’s Serafin Letim, who is a thoughtful and generous example of southern hospitality, took the Flawless Sweetheart award.

Images:

Keina Fawas & Robert de Claro

Jayson Ryan Sumang & Catherine Santos

Jennifer Regaspi & Eric Akhaton Eleazar

Julieanne Susie Arcenio & Paolo Antonio Jereza

Stephan Schielmann,Rubby Sy Coyuito & Rose Carmel Pagtalunan

Food was served by Bravo Ristorante Italianno.

I figured this would be another awesome SM experience since it will be the first time I will really get to know Batangas-based bloggers (or would-be bloggers). I already met some lovely people last year when we had our WordPress Pinoy‘s EB’s when Ate Kengkay and Ate Beng came to the Philippines.

SM (or what I usually called Shoemart when I was still little) has been part of my life even before I started to go to school. I remember fondly going to SM Cubao a lot when I was little because my grandmother on my Dad’s side lived in Cubao. We’d stroll around the mall to find new toys that caught my fancy and just spend some family time together on Sundays there.

A few years passed and I started going to school in Tanauan. I always got excited when the month of May would roll by because it was time for new school supplies. It meant we would go to SM Cubao and shop for school supplies there. Then when they opened SM Southmall, shopping became easier for us because it was nearer. Dad started working in Alabang that time so we would visit him in Southridge, then we’d head off to Southmall after he was done with the things at work so we can eat and shop around.

A few years later, more malls popped and since ATC was nearer than Southmall, we’d opt going there. I missed SM by then but it was easier to go to ATC and Festival especially when the rush-hour starts. After a few more years, Robinson’s Lipa came and I was hoping we’d get an SM there as well because I grew up with SM. So when SM Lipa was opened, we were really happy that we can go there again as a family.Whenever we had extra funds, we would go out and eat together in SM. These were taken in Flavor’s of China and the other 3 ones were taken at the food court on another family bonding:

Then here are a few snapshots of our team’s get together in Yellow Cab and Greenwich early this year:

These are just part of my awesome experiences in SM malls. I have a lot more of them stored in my hard drive and my old school film photoalbums but it will take so much space. I had my birthday a couple of years ago in MOA with two of my friends and I’ve had other meet ups with blogger friends there as well apart from lunch and dinner dates with my sister.  SM has been a part of my life and will continue to do so because my life’s journey has been made more special with the memories I’ve had in SM malls.

If you haven’t seen yet this adorably sweet viral video going around the internet, you should.

I seriously love this clip. It was so sweet and cute that I was going, “Awwww!” and smiling seeing her throw a foul ball back on a Phillies game and then getting a bearhug from her Dad after. Some people might have freaked out but its really adorable how Steve Monforto hugged her daughter Emily Monforto after she threw the ball. I kind of had a feeling she would do that because children has a tendency to throw especially when given a ball. My younger siblings used to do that when given a ball when they were little.

If it weren’t for her throwing the ball back, they wouldn’t get to appear on the “Today Show“, get a ball signed by Jason Werth and get personalized Phillies jerseys from the team. Her cuteness and throwing reflex definitely paid off. Who knows she might even become a softball player in the future.

Wow. Just, WOW!

I am seriously amazed at the video for Oprah’s kickoff party. xD I saw it earlier when someone shared it through Facebook and I was really speechless while watching it. At first I thought, what’s up with the girl in front cheering madly? Then when the other people started dancing, it reminded me of that train station dance I saw in YouTube.

They said it was 2100 fans who were taught the dance a day or so before the kickoff party to surprise Oprah. If I was in Oprah’s place, I’d be very surprised too. I really am amazed at how they were able to successfully pull it off with the huge amount of people in the crowd. I think it would have been more amazing if you were personally there. I wish I was. xD

The second time I watched it, I was more observant and realized that it was practiced because the crowd wasn’t relaxed and moving with the music like one usually would when there’s a group singing/performing on the stage. Still, the whole dance was amazing.

I was just hopping around websites earlier because I was Googling Lumix LX3 which is the camera I am aching to get right now when I stumbled on A Bugged Life’s blog and seeing one of their posts mention that their friend got into the Mabuhay Guides program of the Department of Tourism which naturally upped my curiosity and made me click the link thus ending up in Carlos Celdran’s blog and finding the purpose of this blog post. I think that was a very long sentence and I’d be followed by the grammar police now…O.o

Being the curious and stalkish (yes its not a normal word..haha) person that I am, I decided to read more about it and followed all the links I can find. So what exactly is the Pacific Rim Friendship Park? Well based from Looking for Juan:

The idea is to bring together architecture and art students from different parts of the world who, together with counterpart Filipino students, will design and build a Friendship Park under the artistic supervision of leading artists, architects and urban planners – all in 30 days.

That was what they posted back in December 2007 when they announced that they were building the park in 2009. Fast forward to 2009, the project’s construction will be started next month, May, which is just a couple of weeks from today. On May 3rd, 25 students from China, South Korea, the United States, Russia, Mexico and the Philippines will be converging in Manila to leave for Palawan on the fifth. The launching of the Philippines’ Pacific Rim Friendship Park in Puerto Princesa will be on May 30.

That’s wonderful news, isn’t it? What’s even better is that they are asking for help from artists and writer’s alike to create their own original works with a theme of “What It Means to Be Filipino.” These works will be featured as well in large tarpaulin banners that will be exhibited in a public park or space aside from being exhibited in the Philippines’ Pacific Rim Friendship Park on May 30th. The used tarps will then be donated to Trashe Bolsas which is a livelihood project that creates unique and durable bags by recycling used tarpaulins.

Aside from that they are looking for someone who can help document the building of the Philippines’ Pacific Rim Friendship Park. This individual will get to spend the entire period (May 2-31) with the group to document the progress by taking pictures and videos of it as well as blog about it each day to share to the world what’s happening behind the scenes of the Philippines’ Pacific Rim Friendship Park. He/She will be able to talk and interview the participants as well as create highlights that showcase Palawan and of course the Philippines as one of the best travel destinations in the world. Although his/her main responsibility is to document the whole project, he/she is also expected to help with the building of the park’s design. This experience will enable the chosen individual meet new people, learn about new cultures and take part in a wonderful project. Now who wouldn’t want to line up for that?

If you’re worried about expenses, CANVAS will cover your plane fare from Manila to Puerto Princesa and back to Manila, your hotel stay in Manila and Palawan, board and lodging for the whole month in Palawan and a stipend of at least around P10,000. Who else can offer you that great package where:

you can meet new people
you can experience the beautiful view of Palawan for a month for free
you can get a stipend of P10k
you can add a unique experience in your resume

Just to snoop around, take pictures/videos then blog about it which you already love?

What’s the catch you might ask. There are two.

1. You need to have your own equipment such as your camera and lenses and tripod at the minimum. They may be able to lend you a laptop in case you don’t have one.
2. They prefer to see your online portfolio and blog-writing experience (and a following).

So after listening or reading to everything I’ve been blabbering about, do you think you are the Juan for it? In case you(or someone you know) might be remotely interested in this adventure, do drop them a line at info@canvas.ph.

P.S. I would apply if I had the equipment plus a following. At the moment I only have a point and shoot camera and blog-writing experience scattered around the web. Hahaha. So even if I wanted to apply, I know there are other individuals more qualified than I am based from the equipment and following alone. ^_^

This summer well-know places are making noises again such as Boracay, Palawan, Puerto Galera, Bohol and the beaches in Batangas. Taking a vacation to these spots were a no-brainer especially with the Cebu Pacific flight promos they had back in March. Who wouldn’t want to travel with those low (and I mean LOW) low rates? To those who didn’t choose to fly (well Batangas/Puerto didn’t need flying but I digress), many visited Baguio, Sagada, Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpod as well since many people like heading to the north during the Holy Week season. Even our family used to do that before.

My sister has an upcoming trip to Caramoan Island this end of April where they will also visit the CamSur Watersports Complex more known as CWC. Basically CWC is summed up in their website as:

The Camsur Watersports Comlex is the first world-class watersports complex in the Philippines and in Asia. CWC aims to bring cable skiing to a whole new level and attract watersports enthusiasts from all over the world with its top of the line facilities and relaxing environment. This six (6)-hectare complex, with its 6-point cable ski system, is sure to draw guests, riders and spectators by the thousands. Because of good weather conditions, cable skiing in the park can be done all year round.

Since my friends are a little busy this summer we have decided to go somewhere near home which is Puerto Galera. We chose May since its not as packed up as April and our schedeules only permit us to do it in May. You really can’t afford to not take a vacation in this intense heat. If you don’t have the cash to spare for out of town trips, you can simply head on to resorts near your place. To some, its not really the place but the company that makes your vacation a winner.

Are you an avid viewer of AXN Asia’s new channel AXN Beyond? The channel that brings the best of sci-fi, fantasy, horror and suspense shows in Asia that will take you beyond the realms of imagination, or so they say. If you like “out-of-the-ordinary” story lines and themes, AXN BEYOND has come up with a programme line-up that includes several movies, drama and reality series which run across genres such as sci-fi and fantasy, horror and suspense, paranormal and supernatural.

They’re having an exclusive party this coming August 1 at the Embassy Club.

Quoting from their site, AXN BEYOND:

AXN Beyond offers a blend of the best thought-provoking entertainment that will stretch your imagination and transport you to a mystical world. With a strong programme line-up of drama series, movies and animations that have great mass appeal and yet have a niche of its own, it is the destination channel for entertainment that is truly “out-of-the ordinary”!

* Beyond the Ordinary – get immersed in the alternate reality where supernatural powers and unseen forces blur the line between “reel” and “real” world, in top-rated global hits like Lost and Supernatural.
* Beyond Reality – be transported to the parallel universe with these sci-fi and mystery/fantasy series, where your imagination is the only limit e.g. Pushing Daisies and classic favourites like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
* Beyond Imagination – witness the unbelievable to the unexplainable with shows that never fail to thrill and captivate, and leave viewers gasping in amazement and disbelief e.g. all-time favourite TV series The X-Files.

Now I do like these kind of shows. I like getting the chills and getting my imagination run wild with mysterious stuff so I enjoy their line up. Though I am not into parties so I wouldn’t be lining up for their exclusive party. If you’re the kind who enjoys parties you might be interested to join their Out of This World Party.

AXN Beyond Out of This World Exclusive Party Details:
Be the first 100 to come dressed in your most out-of-this-world outfit, be it fantasy, sci-fi, the supernatural or horror, or even your favorite character from any of the series shown exclusively on AXN Beyond to Embassy Club at 7pm on August 1.

And get free entry into Embassy Club for the exclusive AXN Beyond party and free entry into Embassy Club for the next three Saturdays, plus and exclusive AXN Beyond goodie bag.

Log on to www.axnbeyond-asia.com for more details.

Calling out all bloggers and web graphic designers who might be interested to join the upcoming WordCamp Philippines this coming September 6, 2008 at the Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez Theater located at the 5th Floor of the Mutien Building of De La Salle – College of St. Benilde (DLSU-CSB) in Taft Avenue, Manila. Registration has been opened and one of the nice things about it is that its for FREE.

Seriously.

All you have to do after registering is make a little post in your blog if your a blogger to get your camp badge and kit, if  you are not a blogger you don’t have to do this step. Isn’t that easy?

If you’re new to blogging but have been making websites before and is interested to learn more about WordPress and its capabilities then the WordCamp is one event you would definitely be interested in attending. WordPress is used by many individuals and institutions not just as for their blogging needs but also for their content management systems. WordPress has a vast array of plugins and themes available that enables users to fully customize their websites, even to the point of it not resembling the default WordPress install in the outside.

Theme designers have revolutionized the way default blogs look through their innovative themes that not only showcase wonderful and creative designs but also enables WordPress to act as a full content management system. These wonderful theme designers have helped many WordPress users achieve great blogs and websites because of their theme’s great functionality and usability. One of the best things about WordPress aside from the multitude of free and paid themes available is the vast amount of plugins that exist for WordPress users. Each week tons of plugins pop-up all over the internet which enable users to further enhance their blogs/sites. Its easy to say that you wouldn’t get bored easily with WordPress because there’s so much you can do.

Give WordPress a try and then you’ll understand what I mean. I’m running several blogs and I use WordPress for it. Its easy to use, its free and most of all, its fun.

So please check out the main site for the upcoming WordCamp Philippines 2008 to learn more about the event. If you want to head straight to registration, click here. Also, there’s a good chance that Matt Mullenweg would be there to speak as well so I am definitely going. He’s just too cute. Before I get derailed from the topic, I’d like to thank the Mindanao Bloggers who organized the event. Thank you so much for your initiative and hard work in getting the WordCamp here in our country.

So in case you attend, maybe we can meet each other and get some pictures together. Hopefully many members of WordPress Pinoys would attend so I wouldn’t feel all shy and scared. I registered in the WordCamp using my personal blog so you’d be seeing me there as the girl of Clay Pots and Wooden Spoons.

See you there!