Swiss Family Film Festival: Free Movie Screenings for the Family at the Shang

As part of the celebration of the 60th year of good diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Philippines, the Swiss Embassy Manila proudly presents the first ever Swiss Film Festival which will feature family-friendly quality Swiss films with English subtitles. It's another reason for movie buffs to be happy about. What's more, the Swiss Film Festival, just like other annual international film screenings will be held open and FREE to the public! 

Yes, you're reading this right. Shangri-La Plaza, the metro's lifestyle and shopping destination and the home of international film screenings, will once again be the venue and host on the upcoming first Swiss Film Festival in the country. 

Swiss Ambassador the the Philippines, Ms. Andrea Reichlin

In partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland and Shangri-La Plaza, the first ever Swiss Film Festival will be held for two consecutive weeks beginning from April 28 to 30, 2017 and from May 5 to 7, 2017 at the Shangri-la Mall's Cineplex Cinema 4. 

It will be featuring three of the best Swiss films with family-themed movies such as Heidi, the award-winning film Vitus and Rascals on the Road. Shangri-La Plaza and the Swiss embassy Manila presents these inspiring and timeless classic stories for kids and kids at heart to enjoy and be able to relate with.

Mega Prime Golden Corn Kernel and Cream Style Cream Makes Summer Fun and Exciting

With summer's arrival, the pursuit of refreshing drinks to quench your thirst has never been more urgent. I'm sure most moms will agree that we can all feel the debilitating heat of the sun. Well, I've recently discovered Mega Prime Whole Kernel Corn and Mega Prime Cream Style Corn. These are new products which we've found out can help us alleviate the heat by coming up with a refreshing summer drink/smoothie. 

Forgo those dangerous detox cleansers, all you need is a blender to begin with and a can of Mega Prime Cream Style Corn. Your kids might also be able to lend you a hand while doing this special smoothie. Corn are known to be loaded with nutrients such as Ferulic acid, cancer-fighting beta-carotene, vanilic acid, coumaric acid, caffeic acid and syringic acid as well as other key phytonutrients provide by corn. Corn is also a good source of panthothenic acid, phosphorus, niacin, dietary fiber, manganese and vitamin B6.

Shangri-La Plaza's Chocolate Wonderland

One of the many attractions at the Shangri-la Plaza's Chocolate Wonderland is a huge chocolate decor fountain

If you're a chocolate lover, you'll surely be amazed with the ongoing Shangri-La Plaza's Chocolate Wonderland happening at the metro's top lifestyle destination, the Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong. Upon entrance, you'll be welcomed by a gigantic chocolate fountain decor along with a huge ice cream on for lots of photo opportunity. Be ready to be transported to the wonderful world of chocolates that kids and those kids at heart will surely enjoy.

Huge ice cream great for photo opps

Another place where you can have your photo taken

Chocolate is a food derived from the beans of the tropical cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), much of it grown in western Africa where high temperatures and rainfall provide perfect growing conditions. The chocolate you eat is produced from cacao beans in a multi-stage process. After harvesting, the beans are allowed to ferment, then dried, cleaned, and ground to produce a paste. This is then pressurized to form two ingredients known as chocolate liquor (also referred to as "cocoa liqor" or "cacao liqor") and cocoa butter. Different types of what we call chocolate are made by blending the liquor and the butter in varying proportions. The finest dark (plain) chocolate is made with at least 70 per cent cacao liquor and butter, while milk chocolate is made with only 50 per cent. White chocolate is make from cocoa butter without added cacao liquor.

From imported one like Marks and Spencers, chocolate bars are made available for everyone

You’ve probably read that chocolate affects your brain by causing the release of the “happiness neurotransmitters” – serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. Just like coffee, chocolates are good source of polyphenol antioxidants. 

Shangri-La's Chocolate Wonderland began last Easter Sunday and you better hurry because it will end this coming April 23, 2017! It's really worth checking out. The festival is filled not just with chocolatey goodness to sink our teeth in but stuff to keep you entertained like jugglers, musicians, magicians, stilt-walkers and dancers to add more magical experience to the Willy Wonka-chocolate-one-of-a-kind-place. 

Villa del Conte chocolates in their signature orange and brown boxes

Almond Roca from Candy Corner

Specialty truffles in chocolates

Shangri-La's tenants Candy Corner, Epicurious, Marks & Spencers, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Rustan's Supermarket, Villa del Conte and Wicked, including Shangri-La's premiere hotels EDSA Shangri-La Manila, Makati Shangri-La and Shangri-La The Fort, as well as international brands Toblerone, Cadbury ans Kinder Chocolate Cereals also participated in the said chocolate fair. 

Kid's favorite Kinderjoy Mascot

Chocolate Polvoron

Local chocolate enterprises and chocolatiers are also very much represented in the chocolate fair. The country's very own Theo & Philo, Malagos Chocolates, Coco Dolce, Hiraya Chocolates, Cacao de Davao, Chocoliz, Top Chefs, ChocoATBP, Cocoa Monster, Machiavelli and Manila Chocolatier, NIJI Desserts, Choco-Liquor Cakes by celebrity Maricar Reyes-Poon, BiteSize PH, Truffles by K, Hungry Pac, Agueda Manila, Raneese PB Cups, TsokoFino, Ginto Premium Chocolates, Shorts Gourmet and CMBV Confectionaries. 

Matcha lovers will be glad they've got Matcha Oreo Barks being sold too.

Cacao from Davao is also a hit

There will also be games and free sampling of chocolate confections, activities, demos and workshops to look forward to. You may join the workshops on April 22 with the Chocolate Praline Making Demo by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts at 3:30PM, Truffle Making Workshop by Wicked follows at 5:00PM; Chocolate Tasting Workshop by Hiraya Chocolates at 6:00PM. And on April 23, there will be another Chocolate Praline Making Demo by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts at 3:30PM and Matcha Chocolate Making Workshop by Top Chef follows at 5:00PM. 

Also in line with the CSR of Shangri-La Plaza, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Shang also took the chance and treated children from 4Peace Mandaluyong Chapter with special lunch, goodies, plus a delicious brownie decorating workshop. 

So, what are you waiting for, grab this chance to visit the Shangri-La Plaza's Chocolate Wonderland from April 16-23, 2017! See you there!

Ice N Cream by Novotel Manila Opens

Ice N Cream by Novotel opens this April 16, 2017

Ice cream lovers unite! Ice N Cream by Novotel gives ice cream fans an exciting news to be happy about. Novotel Manila Araneta opens Ice N Cream, the newest ice cream destination to beat the summer heat! Starting this April 16, 2017, which falls on the Easter Sunday--Ice N Cream launches their awesome flavors and they're so generous that they're giving free complimentary scoop of ice cream for every ice cream scoop purchase. This promo begins from the store opening, April 16 up to April 29.

The delightful way to create your ice cream at Ice N Cream by Novotel Manila

My Keratin Hair Treatment at Serendipity Elite Salon & Wellness Center in Victoria Tower, Timog corner Panay Avenue, Quezon City

Serendipity Elite Salon is located at the Ground Floor of Victoria Tower in Timog corner Panay Avenue, QC

A few weeks ago I received a Keratin Treatment in time for my birthday. In all honesty, I’ve never been too concerned about my tresses as I had never paid attention on my hair. I went to visit Serendipity Elite Salon & Wellness Center located in Victoria Tower, Timog Avenue corner Panay Avenue, Quezon City. For a change, I decided to try some hair treatment instead of the usual haircut and hair coloring/highlights. I was surprised to see its dramatically different results. If you’re interested in trying out this treatment, I’m here to let you know how this Keratin Hair Treatment performed just as it claims and most importantly, how my frizzy hair was held up. And to remove any doubt from your mind, this article is an honest account of my experiences—nope, I wasn’t compensated for it. 

Spacious salon for your mane and tresses.

Comfy chairs for every guest

Facial Treatments are also available

Private massage rooms

Sterilized for customers' safety is their utmost concern

They make sure they are using sterilized tools for your safety.

Private make up room for those that seek privacy.

Posh spa for your bridal shower and pampering parties are also made available.

Private shower and bath for body scrub treatments etc.

They also offer other services such as massage, foot spa, nail art, eyebrow threading, eyelash perm (they have mink and real human lashes) among many others. There are also available eyelash serums. Eyelash serums are one of the beauty products in the market today. The influx of eyelash serums in stores that promise to strengthen and grow those tiny hairs. And you’ve probably seen the before-and-after pictures on Instagram and Amazon. But how do these serums really work, and are they safe to use so close to your precious eyes? Sure, there are plenty of temporary lash-lengthening options, like mascara and false eyelashes. But growing thick hairs naturally is the ideal option. Consider these side effects before trying Latisse. 

This is how my hair looks before the Keratin Treatment

Okay, I had to admit I wasn't exactly your 'kikay' type of person. I seldom brush my hair because I would always wear them swept up in a bun because I hate getting all the sweat from this tropical country (read: I can't stand the debilitating heat!). 

Introduction to Crystals: How Crystals Help Empower You

Money Magnet Charm

Interested in crystals and curious about how you can harness some of their power in your own life? Join Ms. Sylvia Mariano of Minex Crystals—a leading expert on crystals—for an exclusive seminar to learn how to use crystals to attract true love, be a money magnet and give solutions to other problems. Just register on their Facebook page to snag your free spot. 

For thousands of years, ancient civilizations have used crystals to release mental, physical and spiritual blockages. Since crystals come from the earth, when they're placed on your body, they help you connect to the planet's healing energy, leaving you feeling more relaxed and balanced. Each crystal has unique properties and energies to heal different aspects of your life.

Amber

Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser: Go deep with the science of gentle Not all skincare brands are made equal

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

I have a very sensitive skin. My skin pretty much reacts almost anything I slather on it. Skin reactions such as skinbumps or skin erosion. During the summer and the cold holiday season, I'd experience skin flushing with itchy overly dry skin. After consulting with m derma, I've found out I have this skin condition called rosacea. That's how I discovered Cetaphil. Since then, it's been part of my daily beauty routine. My dermatologist then had recommended for me to use Cetaphil cleanser because it won't be harsh on my sensitive skin.

BANANA PEEL NEW KIDS COLLECTION OF COLORS: THE NEXT NEW ATTRACTION

With four new eye-catching colors, Banana Peel flip flops, the local flip flop concept store in the Philippines, introduces its next new attraction—the Hopscotch Collection for kids.

The Hopscotch collection is all about fun as kids get to choose from a variety of bright colors (Knucklebones/Mustard Yellow, Spud/Black, Simon Says/Bezique Green and Cariboo/Pink) to match their personalities and energy. Kids are always up for excitement and adventure and Hopscotch flip flops are designed to go along with them, wherever they go.