Valiente Returns on Primetime at TV5

Valiente had been such a hit soap opera series in the early 90’s that even if it has moved from one network to another, followers of the said soap had been loyal to the said program that it lasted for five years.  I remember my relatives watching the soap while I was growing up, but I could not comprehend it then why they had been so glued on our television set each afternoon watching Valiente. 

It was only during my college years at my television production class that I began to understand why Valiente had captivated millions of Filipino viewers.  It tells a story about how love, deceit, hatred and revenge affects friendship. The plot was simple yet many people can easily relate to it. But the scenes had been pretty complex that it can very well be compared to watching a full-length film on the silver screen. 

 

On February 13, 2012, Valiente makes a grand comeback to once more win the hearts of Filipinos like me who grew up watching the series as well as to give chance to the new generation of viewers to see this classic story two decades after.

Now airing on primetime for the first time with no less than multi-awarded film and television director Joel Lamangan, TV5’s Valiente relives the epic tale of two families whose lives are intertwined by their desire to claim what they believe is rightfully theirs. The compelling story is given new life by a powerhouse cast lead by Oyo Sotto (Theo Braganza) in his first offbeat role, Nadine Samonte (Maila Braganza), Nina Jose (Leona Braganza) and JC De Vera (Gardo Valiente).

Oyo Sotto as lead/villain Theo Braganza

Nadine Samonte as Maila Braganza.

Nina Jose as Leona Braganza

JC De Vera as main lead Gardo Valiente.

 

Joining the new generation of Valiente cast are some of the most respected and highly-acclaimed actors in the industry: Mark Gil, Jaclyn Jose, Gina Alajar and the original Valiente himself, Michael De Mesa.

Valiente also proudly presents an exceptional rendition of its original theme song as performed by its original singer, Vic Sotto. Highly acclaimed scriptwriter Gina Marissa Tagasa originally wrote the story of Valiente. 

Personally speaking, I am excited to watch the new Valiente series, not only because I’ll be able to reminisce a lot of my childhood memories, but more so because I’d like to see how the production team was able to show the previous soap’s highlights in this new generation. We were informed that for this new Valiente, they used color-grading system. I used to work as a researcher for another TV network and I know that you do not use color-grading system in any ordinary show. Given the fact that Valiente had used that, I guess one can be assured that it is like watching a high definition movie on the boob tube; that’s how special the new version of Valiente is. 

Here's a sneak preview of this promising soap opera soon to invade our television sets beginning February 13, 2012:

 

As we anticipate and welcome the new version of Valiente, prepare to be glued on your TV sets on primetime (to be aired after Wil Time, Big Time) as Valiente promises to be spicier, more exciting and more intense as the most successful teleserye premieres this February 13 on TV5.

 

For exclusive Valiente updates, be a fan on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Taking a Shot to Save a Life

I just heard the sad news today: Our neighbor’s two-month-old baby had just died. My heart bleeds upon knowing that an angel was immediately sent back to heaven.

Parents be alarmed: don’t dismiss diarrhea as a trivial inconvenience. Based on a recent research, in the Philippines and worldwide, diarrhea is the second leading killer of children aged less than 5 years old. Those who escape death may not be so lucky as well, because diarrhea affects nutrient absorption, it leads to lasting impact on the growth and development of a child. 

With the reduction of child mortality as part of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations, saving children from rotavirus-related disease is highly preventable through vaccination.

The World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recommends that rotavirus vaccines be included in all national immunization programs, particularly in countries where diarrhea deaths account for more than 10% of deaths in children younger than 5 years. In the Philippines, it is really alarming that deaths account for diarrhea is for at least 12% among children aged five in the country.

Considering that one of the key health policy directions of Aquino administration is the attainment of MDG4 specifically reduction of infant mortality rate, rotavirus vaccination is imperative to achieve the Philippines’ goal to lower this mortality rate. By preventing diarrhea deaths among children thru rotavirus vaccination, the country will be able to substantially reduce overall child mortality in the Philippines towards achievement of the fourth Millennium Development Goal by year 2015.

We need to be serious about saving our children from the grip of this burdensome by highly preventable disease,” says dr. Salvacion Gatchalian, Clinical R & D and Medical Affairs for GlaxoSmithKline Philippines,” “And there is no better way than to vaccinate our children to protect them from rotavirus, the most common cause of diarrhea which accounts for 12% deaths among children under five in the country. If properly implemented, the Philippines may be the very first country in the Asia to include rotavirus vaccine in our national immunization program.”

As parents, let’s all pray that rotavirus be included in our country’s immunization program. And while it is not yet made available in the public hospitals yet, we should learn to allot some budget for rotavirus vaccination so that our babies and kids won’t have to suffer and go through what my neighbor’s baby just went through. We surely want them to grow old and finish college don’t we? With a rotavirus vaccine, millions of children do not have to suffer the same fate. 

Soyami Blogging Contest: Snacking without the Guilt

 

I’ve been with Soyami Chips from the time it was launched in Active Fun SM North Edsa, even before it became available in the market. I’ve been blogging about its health benefits as compared to munching on regular potato chips for as long as I can remember. I’ll never grow tired writing about Soyami because of three things: 1. I sincerely believe in the product, 2. It has health benefits and 3. I like Ms. Apples Morales, owner and President of AM Soyami. She’s got a really good heart and a ready smile for everyone.

So when I received an invite for another Soyami event, given the fact that I did not join their blogging contest (I knew it was some sort of an awarding night), I immediately confirmed my attendance, never mind if the venue was at Tourne Restaurant in The Fort Strip (far from where I live in Quezon City). I knew it would be a wonderful night with all my blogger friends there.

As usual, my fellow blogger friend Milette Sison of http://www.luckyfinds-shareapic.blogspot.com and I came earlier than expected. We were the ones who arrived early, with the staff still setting-up. It was my first time at the Tourne Restaurant and I’d have to say it had given me a good impression. It had WiFi access to all its guests; they practice slow food (not the usual fast food), which for me is synonymous to Zen style of eating anyway. It was cozy and perfect for family and friends. 

 

Anyway, going back to Soyami night, I even tweeted on my Android mobile phone about healthy night with Soyami on Twitter because Tourne owner and Chef Sandralyn told us that she’d be serving healthy dishes with Soyami as ingredient for dinner that night. It was exciting to eat healthy foods as I’ve been seriously trying to lose a couple of pounds by totally giving up on rice (I’ve been on this diet mode since Christmas 2011), and so far I’ve successfully eliminated rice on my meals. 

 

Marc Nelson hosted the Soyami night, giving the chance for a photo opportunity with both male and female bloggers, my Mom included. But I did not bother to have a photo with him as I’m not really into celebrities. There were talks about physical fitness and healthy eating by guest speakers. A few products were introduced such as Treehugger (pencil and ballpen made from recycled materials such as old newspapers), Qlife’s Face One (acne, whitening and anti-aging products made from Swiss Apple Stem Cell) and Haribon Foundation. 

Seeing my own Mom getting giddy like a teenager in front of Marc Nelson was something.

 But the real highlight of the night was the awarding of the Soyami Blogging Contest where Alleluia a.k.a. Paige San Juan, who came all the way from Pampanga, emerged as the Grand winner, taking home P10, 000 and 3 months supply of Soyami products. Fellow bloggers  Melanie Cortez-Abuel and Richard Mamuyac won the 2^nd and 3^rd place respectively, both receiving cash prizes and a month’s supply of Soyami products as well.

The Grand Winner Paige San Juan with Ms. Apples Morales and Marc Nelson.

 

Going back to Soyami, I am glad that they have new products aside from the chips and sticks. For one, they have baked soya oatmeal cookies and soya puto seko. These are good for the kids’ baon in school although I’d still go for Soyami’s White Cheddar chips and Basil Sticks at the drop of the hat anytime.

Soyami Chips (original, pizza and white cheddar), sticks (garlic, spicy and basil) and Soyami Oatmeal cookies and puto seko are now available in leading supermarkets.

Congratulations to all the Soyami Blogging Contest winners and more power to Soyami!!!

Purple Plum Fairy thanks AM Soyami, Ms. Apple Morales and Mr. Mc Richard Paglicawan for the invite.

 xoxo,

Make Someone Feel Special with PHGifts Roses Bouquets

 

Sending someone flowers is a great way to express one’s feelings. But the question is, are you sure that you’re sending the right message?  Roses are your best bet. But they come in different colors too which also meant they have different meanings.  And to be safe, most guys would usually just buy a bouquet of red roses thinking it all meant the same, however, love gurus and psychology experts around the world would think otherwise. To make things easier for you, here are some ideas for you to know which is the perfect rose color for that significant someone:

Give her white roses to show that you have nothing but clean intentions. White symbolizes purity and innocence. It is also the best color to give when you’re sincerely saying sorry after a recent spat or an LQ (read: lover’s quarrel).

Pink roses are meant to make her feel beautiful. If you intend to make her feel her that you wouldn’t have eyes for any other girl, then you should give her pink roses. We can assure you, her cheeks would soon be blushing in pink once she receives her pink colored bouquet of roses.

Only a few people know that there are blue roses. No, we do not mean the stained ones, but genuinely blue roses (usually imported ones).   If she’s an extraordinary girl, she truly deserves a bouquet of blue roses. Blue colored roses also spells calmness and peace of mind. When you send someone blue roses, it meant that you are secured with her.

Sending her a bunch of yellow roses is great if you’re still in the process of getting-to-know-each-other and you’d want to express that you’d want to know her more. Yellow is a bright color; it’s like saying that she makes your day, giving you some ray of sunshine in the middle of your somewhat chaotic life.

Of course, red roses shows how passionate you are about her Red roses meant that you’ve been truly, madly, and deeply in love with her.

Now that you know what exact color to send her, your next predicament goes, where will you buy roses bouquet?  You’re so busy these days that you don’t have the time to drop by the nearest flower shop. Fret not PHGifts.com is here to help. PHGifts is Philippines' online gifts and flower shop.  It is a reliable and secured online gift shop. There’s no need to worry even if you’re currently involved in an LDR (read: Long Distance Relationship) because PHGifts have flowers and gift delivery anywhere in the Philippines. You can be assured that she will receive whatever present (be it a gift or a bouquet of flowers) it may be and for whatever occasion that it will be sent to her on time.

For this month of February, you could send your love and order Valentine’s gifts for that significant other. Or better yet, shower her your love and buy roses bouquet. A bunch of flowers are guaranteed to create a smile on her lovely face. PHGifts will take care of everything you’ll ever need to express your love and make her feel special. 

So what are you waiting for? Go and visit PHGifts.com for roses delivery now. You’ll be in good hands as they are one of the leading online flower shop in Manila.

Moulinex You Cook Video Challenge Year 2 Grand Winner

Last January 28,2012, eight student chefs from top schools in Metro Manila had a cooking showdown, held at the Concourse area of SM Makati. These student chefs were the grand finalists for the Moulinex You Cook Video Recipe Challenge Year2.

The aspiring chefs went head to head in their last showdown, where they were able to use their acquired culinary skills, creativity and passion as they cooked the most delicious recipe they can produce, given a set of random ingredients such as pork liver, crab, salmon, squid, milkfish, blue marlin, shrimp, and catfish.

Contestants were judged according to the following criteria:

Palatability (25%)

Creativity/Originality (20%)

Visual Appeal (15%)

Ease of Preparation (15%)

Optimization of Moulinex products (15%)

Audience Impact (10%)

At the end of the said cooking competition, it was Leonelia De Castro of MOST Institute emerged as the grand winner with her Spicy Crab dish. She also won the best in plating. She won P40, 000 from Moulinex, Stay-and-Learn Scholarship and Internship Program from InterContinental Hotel Manila, and she’ll be joining the Demo Tour along with the Moulinex Marketing Team bringing her to some parts of Manila and the provinces as well. The school she represented and her mentor also received lots of prizes from valued sponsors and partners. Halson Lapuz of First Gourmet Academy was the runner-up. He also received prizes from the sponsors. 

Leonila De Castro of MOST Institute receives her Best in Plating & Presentation.

Runner-up Halson Lapuz from First Gourmet Academy smiles triumphantly.

Leonila De Castro bags the Grand Prize!

During the Grand Finals, the Moulinex You Cook Video Recipe Challenge Year 2’s People Choice award was also given to Joemary Grace Balza from Maligaya Institute of Culinary Arts and Residential Services, who garnered the highest votes online via the Moulinex Philippines Facebook fan page. The winner also received prizes from the sponsors.

Lucky audiences also received prizes in a raffle held as they wait for the winner to be proclaimed during the competition. The Grand Finalists’ respective teachers and classmates were also present to cheer them and give the participants moral support.

Congratulations to all the winners of the Moulinex You Cook Video Recipe Challenge Year 2!  Kudos and thanks to Moulinex Philippines for coming up with contests such as this, giving culinary students a chance to showcase their talents. We sincerely hope that one day culinary students from the provinces could also join this contest.

The Spicy Crab dish which made Leonila De Castro of MOST Institute the Grand Winner.

 

Purple Plum Fairy thanks Moulinex Philippines and Brand Marketing Head-Moulinex and Krups, Ms. Yovilyn Valenzuela for the invite. 

xoxo,