25 February 2015

Essilor launches the Seeing The World Better campaign



I started to wear prescription glasses when I was in my first year law proper, although I felt like there was a need to wear prescription glasses already as early as when I was in high school. Generally, my poor vision has something to do with my reading habits. Back then, I would read books while lying down under bad lighting. It became worse in law school when all I did everyday was to read books. I wasn't really excited with the thought of wearing glasses because I find it unattractive and hassle. I guess this negative idea people have with wearing glasses is what prevents them from having their visions corrected. During Essilor's launch of the Seeing the World Better campaign, I further learned the importance of healthy vision and vision correction as early as possible.

Piolo Pascual is Essilor’s brand ambassador for its Seeing The World Better campaign

Founded in 1972, Essilor is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, lens coatings and dispensary technologies. Premium eyeglass lenses from Essilor are the result of more than 150 years of advanced research, innovation and technology. A true leader in innovation, Essilor revolutionized the vision correction industry in 1959 with the invention of the world’s first progressive lens. The brand provides consumers and the eye care professionals with quality spectacle lenses, diagnostic tools, services and support in business. 

From design to manufacture, Essilor develops a wide range of lenses to protect and correct eyesight.  Its mission is to enable everyone in the world to see well using lenses tailored to their needs.  The company devotes 150 million euros a year on research and development to offer increasingly efficient products.   


 “Across the globe, 4 billion people need visual correction, and in the Philippines, over 20 million individuals need visual correction. As a leader, we feel it is our responsibility to do something to alleviate the situation and this is the reason we are doing this campaign,” said Dr. Emelita Roleda, Essilor general manager. 


“Essilor's ‘Seeing the World Better’ campaign is our company's way of helping the world see better by raising awareness about the importance of healthy vision and address the alarming number of visual impairment cases in the country. We also hope that through this campaign, Filipinos will start paying more attention to their eyes so they can see the world in a clearer and brighter view,” Dr. Roleda added.


Headlining the campaign is top actor Piolo Pascual who will appear in Essilor’s latest TVC and educational materials. A sportsman and a known health buff, Piolo believes prevention is the first step towards healthy vision.  “Good eye health is a serious matter because it is essential to performing practically all our daily tasks. Without good vision, we can only do so much and this limitation can stand in the way of achieving our goals.” 


To effectively raise awareness, Essilor launched its latest infomercial featuring brand ambassador Piolo Pascual performing various activities – swimming, reading, driving – and how good vision helps him accomplish these tasks effectively. The newest TV ad will air on March 1, at primetime slots on select cable channels. 

The campaign will drive three important messages: Prevention: Essilor lenses help prevent age-related eye diseases, 2) Protection: It also helps provide everyday protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays and harmful blue light 3) Correction: promote the initial purpose of Essilor which is to help correct eyesight.


Dr. Roleda cites the plethora of electronic devices that we are exposed to everyday, which emits harmful blue lights that damage the retina. “Repetitive exposure to blue light posts threat to our eyes. It may cause oxidative damage, and may be responsible for causing age-related macular degeneration, which can result to blindness.”   Wearing protective lenses like Crizal Prevencia, she adds, can do a lot in preventing the detrimental effects of harmful blue light. Crizal Prevencia is the only clear lens that selectively filters harmful blue light from gadgets, LED and UV light while letting through the healthy blue light.


Ultraviolet (UV) rays, on the other hand, contribute to the development of cataracts. Wearing Crizal Forte UV lenses can protect our eyes from these harmful rays. 

For those starting around age 40, our eyes can gradually lose the ability to focus on nearby objects; this is an unavoidable condition but it can be corrected, says Dr Roleda. “Essilor Varilux progressive lenses offer a smooth transition from distance vision through intermediate vision to near vision.  This means that instead of having just two different viewing zones (near and distant), like with bifocals, Varilux provides the most natural vision correction,” said Dr. Roleda.

Honestly, wearing glasses may be quite a hassle sometimes but it definitely helps a lot. I am able to see things clearer and I actually feel safer. No more headaches, too! I wish I started wearing glasses before my vision got poorer. The best thing about wearing glasses nowadays is that there are now more frames to choose from and lenses that would match your lifestyle. And that is what Essilor's wide range of products do for us. Don't forget to ask your eye doctor for Essilor lenses!

XO, Mish


20 February 2015

Oral-B and UP Dental Alumni Association launch Smile Pilipinas



A program that aims to bring back the healthy smiles of Filipinos has been launched by the UP Dental Alumni Association (UPDAA) in partnership with global oral care brand Oral-B. The program, called SMILE PILIPINAS and launched in time for the 100th year of the UP College of Dentistry, aims to uplift the deteriorating state of oral health in the country through an extensive campaign that enjoins the support of each and every Filipino. 


According to UPDAA President Dr. Jocelyn L. Tan of the UPCD, the program was conceptualized in response to alarming results of a study that revealed 9 out of ten Filipinos suffer from dental caries and worse, the Philippines has the  2nd worst rate of decayed, missing and filled teeth in all of Asia. “We cannot let this happen to our citizens and our children,” added Dr. Tan. “We need to do something but we, the oral care professionals, cannot do it alone. We need the support and cooperation of everyone – the parents, the educators and ordinary citizens. And that’s the reason we launched Smile Pilipinas.”

The movement has found a strong supporter in Oral-B, the brand known worldwide for its commitment to promoting healthy smiles. “When the opportunity to be a key partner for Smile Pilipinas was offered to us, we knew we had to be a part of it.This is a great opportunity for Oral-B to do something concrete about improving the quality of oral health in the Philippines, kick-starting a movement that will involve both the professional body as well as regular consumers.’ said Suranjan Magesvaran, Procter & Gamble Vice President, Home Products, Power and Oral Care, Asia. 


During the launch which coincided with the centennial celebration of UP College of Dentistry (UPCD) and spearheaded by UPDAA, the three focus areas of the program were presented, namely, Advocacy, Public Good and Fund Raising. 

Under communication, Smile Pilipinas will call upon Filipinos – inside and outside of the Philippines -- to get onboard and help spread inspiration for better oral health. The program has  five fundamental messages: 1) Our smiles are fundamental to our identity, 2) Let’s bring oral health within reach of all Filipinos, 3) Everyone can easily help improve oral health in the country, 4) We need to take care of our children’s teeth, and 5) We should all practice better oral health care habits.  


Its Public Good initiatives include Unang Ngipin Patibayin and SuperSmileCon2015. Unang Ngipin Patibayin is a public health initiative organized in partnership with Pateros and Pasig to provide oral health education and preventive measures for children and parents.  SuperSmileCon2015, on the other hand, is an oral wellness fair for kids with free dental consultations, dental varnish application, games, stage shows, and dental health education.


Top actress and Oral-B brand ambassador Iza Calzado, who graced the launch of Smile Pilipinas, likewise thanks both partners and echoed the concern over the country’s deteriorating oral health condition. “Let’s not take this important aspect of our health for granted. As our oral health professionals have repeatedly said, oral health is a vital part of over-all health. It’s part of our personality, our heritage as a Filipino. Let’s maintain the warmth and beauty of our smiles by learning how to care for our mouth, gums and teeth.”


With the country’s top oral health professionals joined by the world’s leading oral care brand in launching the Smile Pilipinas, there may yet be hope for the state of oral health in the country. But, as Magesvaran stressed, there’s a lot of work to be done. “It’s very important that Filipinos across the country understand the importance of good oral health that leads to a beautiful, healthy smile. That’s why we enjoin everyone to support this project so it can attain its mission of “100% Healthy Smiles for every Filipino.”


For more information about this campaign, visit www.smilepilipinas.com!

XO, Mish


09 February 2015

When in Baler - Sabang Beach and Akkaw Inn



A few weeks back, my family and I went to Baler, Aurora for an impromptu vacation. It wasn't actually planned but we decided to go anyway since it's just a few hours drive from my grandparents' place in Nueva Ecija. Anyway, here are some of the photos I took during the trip plus some info on where we stayed and the places we visited. Some of the photos were taken with my phone (obviously the pixelated ones lol) and others were taken using a Nikon D5000.

When in Baler Aurora

Most of the time, travelling by road could be boring especially when passing by the expressway. However, travelling to Baler is such a great adventure in itself. The scenery is breathtaking and amazing. Before passing through Sierra Madre, everything seems dry and brown. But after going through the mountains, it is as if you're in a new place with the scenery all green. The roads are better as compared to 10 years ago when we went there. Some parts are still aren't cemented, but these are just very few and tolerable. The zigzag roads are kind of scary so it's better to have your vehicle tuned up before heading there. 

When in Baler Aurora

One of the cons of travelling without reservations is looking for a place to stay. During that weekend, it's as if most of Manila was there. We had a trouble looking for a place to stay since most of the hotels by Sabang Beach (near Costa Pacifica) were already fully booked. Nevertheless, we were still able to find a place near the beach. The hotel's called Akkaw Inn. We got a room for 6 people (3 beds, one bathroom) for P2500 a night. I definitely recommend the place. It's very clean and neat and the staff is really accommodating. The room we got was fronting the beach, too. The only problem we had was that the only room available was at the third floor and we had a kid and a senior citizen with us. Other than that, that place was amazing. If you're looking for a cheaper place to stay though, there are nipa huts which only costs P700 per night. Around 3 to 4 persons could stay in one "kubo" but the place is only good for sleeping and there's only one toilet and shower room for everyone.

When in Baler Aurora
View from Akkaw Inn's balcony
When in Baler Aurora

Baler is known as a surfing destination. Since the beach is fronting the Pacific Ocean, the waves are indeed bigger. Beginners could take surfing lessons for only P300 to P350 per hour. That includes rental of the surf board and an instructor to guide you. There are numerous surfing schools in the area so you wouldn't have any problem looking for one. Swimming skills aren't really necessary. You could take surfing lessons even if you can't swim. The surfing area is probably just waist deep and you'll have an instructor with you all throughout the session. 

When in Baler Aurora
When in Baler Aurora

Swimming at Sabang Beach is also a fun activity. Sabang is definitely not your ordinary beach cause everyone's in their rash guards. It's not really wise to go away from the shore cause the current's really strong. I had to hold Zack the whole time cause the current's pulling him into the sea. I haven't noticed any lifeguards, too. And swimming at night is not recommended. I am not sure though if that's entirely prohibited though. By the way, there are several resorts by Sabang Beach which have their own pools. 

When in Baler Aurora
Triangl Milly insipred swimwear from Romwe.com
When in Baler Aurora

Aside from swimming and surfing, there are also other tourist spots in the town. For only P30 per head (free for young kids and senior citizens), you could visit the house of President Manuel Quezon and the Museo Baler. These said tourist attractions pretty much show Baler's very rich history. Manuel Quezon's presidential car was actually even restored and displayed in his old house. These establishments are open from 8am to 5pm and are just walking distance from each other. You could also drop by their old church which is in between the two establishments.

When in Baler Aurora
Having lunch at the Quezon's lol

I cannot recommend any place to eat though except for Yolly's Ihaw-ihaw restaurant. The place is always packed, so parking's quite difficult. Nevertheless, the food's worth it and relatively affordable. We weren't able to explore other restaurants during our trip because we only stayed for the night. But I am definitely looking forward to going back and trying out several dining destinations in Baler.


Aside from Sabang Beach, most people also visit the Dicasalarin cove. In my opinion, the latter is a better place to visit if you just prefer to swim and lounge at the beach since it has nice white sand. Other destinations at Baler are usually visited if you have availed of a tour guide. Otherwise, you could actually DIY your itinerary especially if you aren't commuting and you have have researched well as to how to get to the place and other relevant details. 


I have actually been to Baler when I was still in grade school. From what I can recall, there has been so much different and improvement as compared to what it used to look like 10 years ago. There were actually still fishermen's boat by Sabang Beach before. There were only several hotels. No tourists yet except for us. And the bus ride from Cabanatuan was crazy through the rough roads. After this comeback, I am definitely looking forward to visiting Baler again as this place is indeed evolving. There's always something new to try out and discover every time.

Hope I could come up with more travel posts in the future! :) 

XO, Mish

06 February 2015

Ready, Set, Go! Spin to Greatness with the Infinity Nado



I got seriously addicted to anime when I was in elementary school. Aside from watching anime TV shows, I remember playing with Tamiya and Beyblade. I used to have battles with my sisters whom are a few years younger than me and until now I find it amusing that we had complete racing and battle equipment back then. So when the concept of Infinity Nado was introduced to me, it definitely felt like something I've known before. However, this digital top supposedly has an edge over the previous tops that got popularized in the country. And that is what I discovered during the press conference held by Infinity Nado last week.


Infinity Nado takes gaming to a whole new level with its precision fighting tops that feature the latest in battle technology. Made by popular toy-maker Auldey, Infinity Nado tops are designed using advanced physics that revolutionizes and increases game play and competition.


The digitally advanced top is based on a popular Anime series of the same title that focused on battle, justice, & friendship. The story features the adventures of Jin and his mates as they enter the center of the Gyro-type tower to stop its rotation and overcome the evil forces to save the world. The hit Anime series currently airs weekdays at 9:30am on TV5.

Mr. Nel of Infinity Nado explaining to us the ranking system behind the game

The games are likewise built on the same principles promoting non-stop, action-packed fun. Its tournaments and regularly sanctioned competitions have been happening in different parts of Asia and the rest of the world, gaining more fans and gamers, young and old alike, all eager for a NADO battle.

Infinity Nado Coaches Jessica, Angel, and Gem

Built for strength, stability, and speed, Infinity Nado tops are mechanical spinning wonders perfect for tinkering, thrill-seeking tots. It is composed of five interchangeable layers that manipulate the top’s center of gravity. This makes for precision control whether you wish to play at a lightning-quick pace or a hard-nosed attacking style. Currently, there are four kinds of Nado tops - Balance, Endurance, Attack, and Defense. You could mix and match the layers of these tops so you could build your own Infinity Nado top.

Infinity Nado’s sophisticated gameplay features the world’s first RFID (Radio Frequency ID) smart chips that store fight stats and data using a state-of-the-art digital scanning system. The smart chips store gamers’ personal information and keeps real-time track of level certification, accumulated score, and fight history.

Activating the Infinity Nado top

Setting up the Infinity Nado is easy. Follow the directions on how to piece together the parts. Once assembled, activate the digital scanner, by yourself through a personal computer or with the help of Infinity Nado coaches who will be touring different toy stores in Metro Manila to spread the good word about Infinity Nado. After that, you can start keeping tabs on game history and progress to earn points to steadily climb up the ranks.

Coach Gem and Jessica conducting a demo on how to play the Infinity Nado top

Infinity Nado Coaches Jessica, Gem, and Angel will be visiting major malls to interact with gamers and help newbies find out the ins and outs of this new and thrilling game. They will also be on hand to award serious gamers with their very own Nado Passport, a badge that serves as entry to sanctioned tournaments and into the world of Infinity Nado.


Infinity Nado will soon be hosting weekly and monthly competitions where avid gamers can meet and bond. Not only that, but competitors also stand the chance to take home a brand new car if they win the Infinity Nado’s grand battle.


Watch out for Infinity Nado spinning tops such as the Infinity Nado Aspis, Infinity Nado Jester, Infinity Nado Cyan Spout, Infinity Nado Furious and more. You can now grab your Infinity Nado toys in Toy Kingdom, Toy Town, Toys R’ Us and other toy stores in Metro Manila.

The Infinity Nado tour kicks off this weekend of January 31 and February 1 with a visit to Megamall in Ortigas Center, Pasig. The team will soon visit major malls near you, so watch out and keep those tops spinning until then.


Being something that I used to play when I was a kid, this is definitely one of the toys that I would like to impart with my son. Not only will this be a nice game to discover instead of playing with tablets and other gadgets, this would also be a great bonding between kids and parents. 

Like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/infinitynadoph and keep posted to find out more details on Infinity Nado products and information about their weekly and monthly tournaments.

XO, Mish


04 February 2015

A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness



For some reason, I have very vague memories of my childhood. Nevertheless, I have few things that I can remember vividly growing up in the 90s and one of which is the TV commercial of Promil Pre-School. Who could ever forget one of the most memorable television commercials of the 90s? It is in that TV commercial where the concept and realities of gifted children were introduced in the personalities of Kiko Galura, James Flores, and Shaira Luna. 

A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness

At an event held last week at Makati Shangrila, I was able to witness these three gifted alumni and how their life has been almost 20 years after their TV commercial. What has become of the three gifted kids featured in the brand’s most prolific commercial yet? The budding poet? The promising astronomer? The medical marvel? 

A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness
A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness
A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness
A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness

First of all, they’re all grown up now and second, their accomplishments as adults are just as impressive as what they were able to deliver as kids. Shaira, James, and Kiko were present at the event to personally share their experiences as gifted children - being different, the pressure that comes with being gifted, and their journey to success.

A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness

The young poet, Kiko Galura, has an established career as a publisher in one of the country’s biggest publishing houses. From making words come to life in his poems, he now provides an opportunity and a voice to other storytellers.

James Flores, who was known for his proficiency in astronomy stayed within the sciences, albeit in a different field, taking his masters in clinical psychology. From his love of the stars and their radiance, he helps bring out the brilliance in every child through outreach programs in music for children.

And finally, Shaira Luna, who was poised to enter into the medical world, grew up to become one of the most talented photographers of her generation. From her mastery of the human anatomy, she now captures the best in human form with her photography, building a successful career around her passion.

A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness

To celebrate the current success of the gifted alumni, Promil Pre-School brought back together the famous trio, almost 20 years after their commercial first aired on national television. The brand’s heritage on giftedness is further exemplified through their achievements and their journey towards becoming valuable gifts to society.

“Throughout the years, Promil Pre-School has been encouraging parents to keep nurturing the gifts of their children. As we usher in a new year, we encourage others to become advocates of giftedness as well,” says Dian Yu, Product Manager of Promil Pre-School.

Parents always envision the best for their children –From providing expert care, to the highest quality nutrition, to supporting their children’s interests and endeavors. Whilst some parents are deeply involved in their children’s development, the idea remains to be unsupported and uncelebrated by most.

A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness
A Look Back at the Gifted Alumni: Inspiring a New Generation of Giftedness

In 2015, Promil Pre-School is launching their Gifted Movement campaign, which is a movement to supporting and celebrating giftedness in the country. The brand aims to spark interest and gain the commitment of moms and consumers to take an active role in advocating giftedness and nurturing it.

“Promil Pre-School, as a catalyst for the Gifted Movement campaign, puts focus on discovering and bringing out the inherent talent of today’s youth, by way of providing the proper nutrition, and proper care,” says Yu. “Combined with the support of parents to continuously encourage kids to find their passion and make learning enjoyable, there’s no end to what this new generation can accomplish, ” she adds.

And as a testament to this, one only needs to look at how these alumni successfully grew to become the passionate, well-rounded individuals they are today.

XO, Mish