Kinder Joy Fun Activity for Kids: A Fun-Filled Treat for Kids Ages 3-12 Years Old!

Kinder Joy invites all mommies to register their kids to three Kinder Fun Activities happening on August 2 and 3, 2014 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Atrium, G/F Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It promises to be a fun-filled learning day for the kids. Activities are as follows:

Book Reading 1st session 11:15AM-12NN

                        2nd session 1:45PM-2:30PM

                        3rd session   4:15PM-5:00PM

Art Attack       1st session 12:00NN-2:30PM

                        2nd session 2:30PM-3:00PM

                        3rd session  5:00PM-5:30PM

Quiz Time      1st session 12:30PM-1:00PM

                        2nd session 3:00PM-3:30PM

                        3rd session 5:30PM-6:00PM

Registration is FREE! To register, log on to http://bit.ly/backtoschoolph 

Registration closes on July 31, 2014 at 6PM. The said event is open to kids 3-12 years old. 

One time registration only please. Each registered child is allowed to bring 1 parent/guardian to the event area. Limited slots are available. First come, first served basis. 

For more information, like Kinderjoyph on Facebook. #Kinderjoyph

So, save the date mommies, I'm sure your kids will be enjoying this activity. See you there! 

SkinTrends: The Acne Authority-Review: Acne Treatment at its Best

I could vividly recall how acne almost ruined my prom night. After months of planning, finding that perfect gown, complete with dinner reservations, being asked by my dream date...then comes the dreaded last-minute acne flare up right on top of my nose! Arrgh! If you're the parent of an adolescent, "heartbreak by acne" is an all-too-familiar scenario, making your emotionally fragile teen want to hide under her bed until semester's end.  It's such a crushing blow from this notorious villain that manages to crash every momentous adolescent event. Teens are luckier these days because help is now within reach. SkinTrends-The Acne Authority is here to help acne sufferers zap those pimples away. Known for specializing in acne treatment, SkinTrends is out to help improve the lives of acne patients. 

Let's face it, acne affects about 85 percent of Filipinos at some point in their lives and is the most common skin disorder in the country today. It also affects the majority of adolescents worldwide to some degree, and is a major source of embarrassment for many.  Experts report that many people underestimate the self-consciousness and social stigma that come with having acne. Acne is one of the most common skin problems for which people seek the advice of a dermatologist. For such a common condition, it is astonishingly misunderstood and mistreated by some medical professionals.  

But it isn't just teens who are afflicted—roughly around 4 million Filipino adults also suffer from acne, and its psychological toll is no less significant. Typically, those suffering from acne feel self-conscious, embarrassed, and helpless. For many acne patients, the embarrassment can lead to low self-confidence, feelings of alienation, and social withdrawal. It's not hard to understand, then, why many people spend so much time and money trying to find a solution to their acne affliction. After trying a slew of ineffective over-the-counter products, many look to their physician for an answer. Sadly for most people, acne self-medication is the answer which not only have potentially harmful side effects, but an attempt to treat acne's symptoms while completely ignoring its underlying cause will not really solve the problem. It's such a good thing that there's The SkinTrends--The Acne Authority whom we could count on. 

Founded by Dr. Herbie Joy Mongcal in 2006, SkinTrends became a hit to its loyal clientele simply because satisfied clients would spread it through word-of-mouth and referrals. Now, on their 20th year of acne expertise, SkinTrends continuously serves it clients through its eight branches in Laguna and Metro Manila. SkinTrends offers many other services but for years it's really been the go-to skincare center for those who have acne. 

When treatment after treatment fails and acne keeps reappearing, it's likely your doctor will call your acne condition "chronic." What this really means is, the treatments are the wrong ones! The underlying cause of your acne problem has not been addressed…Other skin clinics does not totally address the cause of your acne, but rather in merely managing it. Managing it means ongoing visits to your dermatologist, and continued profits for the medical and pharmaceutical industry. But certainly it's not the case with SkinTrends. 

My Mom and I have tried the acne treatment services at SkinTrends. Unlike other facial centers we've previously tried, their facials aren't painful. Dr. Mongcal has stringent standards for her clinic. For one, before a therapist does a client's face, she has to personally try on Dr. Joy Mongcal's face first. She has to pass the dermatologist's standards, because only then will she be allowed to work on the actual client. Thus, expert pricking of acne, blackheads and whiteheads are done at SkinTrends clinic and are guaranteed painless. SkinTrends also offers treatment with topical anesthesia for optimum results for those with less pain tolerance. 

"At SkinTrends, we treat acne in a holistic manner. We have to rule out gynecological causes of acne in female patients. We suggest our clients to OB-Gyne for a workup. If findings point out to hormonal cause, these underlying causes are corrected. Patients are also advised of lifestyle changes with regards to their diet and sleeping patterns," stresses Dr. Mongcal. 

Aside from excellent acne treatment services and well-trained and friendly therapists, one more thing I like about Skintrends is that they hold their treatments in private rooms and not in a common area unlike other clinics I've previously tried. It gives each client convenience not to mention some privacy. They guarantee each acne full cycle treatment package. If you aren't satisfied, SkinTrends give more additional treatments free of charge, as follows, depending on the case:

Mild (6 weeks)

Moderate (12 weeks)

Severe (18 weeks)

Treating acne should not be a burden. SkinTrends made sure that availing of their treatments won't put a hole on your pocket. All their treatments are reasonably priced and treatment packages are made affordable. 

SkinTrends are located in Fairview, Quezon Avenue, Eastwood, Alimall Cubao, Festivall Mall Alabang, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

The Brow Studio: Threading and Waxing Spa Review

Growing up, I was told not to do anything with my brows. Someone said that if I shave it thin, I'd look old and when it grows back, it'll look bushy like a caterpillar. So the obedient lass that I am, that's exactly what I did. Back in college, my classmate Amy Gines (who grew up in the US) plucked a few strands off my "virgin" brows. I remember how painful it was but after she was done, I did liked what I saw--it made me look pretty. Too bad, I wasn't able to maintain the shape of my brows which Amy did. Then, when my good friend, Ronna Apostol came back for a brief vacation from the US, she also tried her magic hands on my brows using a tweezer. My brows looked really good after that. But then again, I didn't know how to use a tweezer nor shave my brows properly once it has all grown back. So when I was invited by another friend to try a threading and waxing spa called The Brow Studio, I immediately said yes because this is exactly what I need! I need to tame my brows again! 

The Brow Studio is a threading and waxing spa salon that guarantees a high level of expertise in the shaping and grooming of one's eyebrows. When you come to them, they eyebrow experts will assess and advise the best eyebrow shape based on your facial features, they'll even give out an Brow Rx prescription later with a personalized brow blueprint as well as tips and reminders on how you can take good care and maintain your brows. And they've been in the business for the last four years and counting, and since they've opened in 2010, their clientele and loyal patrons has indeed grown in number. 

The Brow Studio is the first Filipino-owned specialty threading and waxing spa for eyebrows in the country. It has been giving the utmost care and attention to one's eyebrows without burning a hole in your pocket because it's made affordable so that Filipinos can easily maintain the condition of their eyebrows. 

I immediately fell in love with the interiors of The Brow Studio--it has my fave purple/lavender color mixed with some pastel sunny yellow. There's an elegant chandelier as centerpiece which attracts attention and adds some chic vibe to the place. Best of all, they have these super comfy lounge chairs for each customers while their brows are being made. All these simple details are enough to let you know that they really give their customers some TLC. 

The cozy and comfy chairs at The Brow Studio

"Our brow designers go through rigorous training with a combination of classroom and hands-on sessions. They are trained to master the rudiments of handling the thread and eyebrow arch creation. They are taught how to conduct facial shape assessment. The best training is constant practice so each brow designer is made to thread over 100 pairs of eyebrows prior to starting the job," shares Ms. Kristine Tobillo, owner of The Brow Studio.

The Brow Studio also has waxing services. They use two different warm wax, namely Caramel Warm Wax and Gigi Wax (US brand). Caramel wax is an all-natural wax made from sugar, honey and calamansi (Philippine Lemon). Gigi on the other hand, is a US brand that prides itself with removing body hair quicker. Both produce the same hair-free results and remove dead skin as it naturally exfoliates the skin, leaving it whiter and more radiant. 

For those who aren't happy with their current brows because maybe for some reason they had overdo plucking and tweezing, fret no more! The Brow Studio also have the innovative Brow Vitamins sold for only Php425 per 10ml easy-to-use roll-on bottle. It's great to use to achieve healthier, fuller and thicker brows. Proven to be safe and effective. My Aunt had been using this product for months and this had been a fan since then.

The Brow Rx Prescription on the left with some of the staff at work.

Now, it's time to try their services! I haven't actually tried the threading method until I came to The Brow Studio that afternoon. Threading is a hair removal method where unwanted hair is removed from the roots with the use of cotton threads quickly and effectively. This is designed based on the ancient art of hair removal used by Asians for centuries. At first, I was kinda scared so I told Ms. Emy (The Brow Studio eyebrow expert) to be extra careful as it's my first time to try threading. She had assured me that because she's been doing their job for several years and therefore has mastered the job, all The Brow Studio staff are able to bring down the pain to a very tolerable level. 

Your author looking scared during threading.

After assessing my eyebrows, using an imported 100% anti-bacterial cotton thread, Ms. Emy (The Brow Studio staff), began to do a combination of threading, tweezing and cutting to define and clean my eyebrows. At the Brow Studio, they also use imported and specially formulated eyebrow tints to fully define eyebrows. 

True enough, the pain was indeed tolerable.Threading is much tolerable than plucking or tweezing. She plucked and threaded my brows with care and attention that I was surprised when Ms. Emy said I'm good to go. Yes, grooming a pair of eyebrows takes usually only 15-30 minutes. My beloved nephew took a photo of my brows before and after threading. After uploading them on my Instagram account, likes and comments came, quoting a friend who made a comment, "I must say, I love your brows! I love how they didn't trim a lot of it--like what usually happens when you let "unexperienced" work on your brows." Of course, at The Brow Studio, you can be assured that only professionals will touch your brows.

   Here's my instagram account showing the comment.

    Left: Friendly staff at The Brow Studio and the owner and the author

Interested to try the services at The Brow Studio? They have ten branches nationwide, visit the branch nearest you:

The Brow Studio-Eastwood City

2nd flr. Eastwood Citywalk 2, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

02-3413356

The Brow Studio-SM Megamall

5th flr. Bldg. A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

02-7184796

The Brow Studio-SM City Manila (franchise)

5th flr. SM City Manila

02-3847258

The Brow Studio SM City Lanang Premiere

Lower Ground flr, Sm Lanang Premiere, Davao City

(082)321-0754

The Brow Studio-SM City Baguio

3rd flr. SM City Baguio, Luneta Hill, Baguio City

0932-8834055

The Brow Studio-Shopwise Araneta Cubao

2nd flr. Bridgeway, Shopwise, Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City

0932-8663224

The Brow Studio-SM  North Edsa The Block

5th flr. SM North Edsa, The Block, EDSA, Quezon City

02-9216672

The Brow Studio-SM City Clark

2nd flr. Wellness Zone, SM City Clark Expansion, Clarkfield, Pampanga

0925-8898388

The Brow Studio-SM City BF Paranaque

3rd flr. SM City BF Paranaque, Dr. A Santos cor. President's Ave, BF Homes, Paranaque

0925-8993399

The Brow Studio-SM City Fairview

Lower Ground Floor, Annex 2 SM City Fairview

0932-8834033

For more information, please follow them on Instagram @thebrowstudioph and you may follow them on Facebook too, The Brow Studio. 

Special thanks to Ms. Kristine Tobillo and Ms. Nana Nadal.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

FEEL THE MAGIC AT WORKING MOM MAGAZINE’S ALL ABOUT KIDS BAZAAR

Working Mom magazine will be bringing moms and kids to experience a fun and magic like no other as it launches the All About Kids bazaar at the Rockwell Tent on August 9. 

The All About Kids bazaar offers that perfect dose of family fun, along with incredibly HUGE discounts to boot. There will also be a lot of surprises in store for everyone: there will be games and demos for all kids to enjoy with their families, while parents can dig into all their favorite kiddie brands as they go on sale for up to 75% off.

For the kids' enjoyment and for the parents' convenience, the All About Kids bazaar will also have a play pen, a book nook, a bubble show, street magicians, and balloon twisters. Even a mom and kid pampering booth will be set up to give moms on the go that perfect chance to be pampered and have their much deserved "me-time". 

This year’s All About Kids bazaar will also be where Working Mom will hold an online photo promo. To join, simply visit and like Working Mom’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/workingmom.magazine), take a photo during the event, and tag Working Mom with the hashtags #workingmommag and @allaboutkids. Special gifts will be given to selected photos.

All this and more will be happening on August 9 at the Rockwell Tent from 10:00am to 6:00pm. So Mommies, save the date, it promises to be another red letter day for the whole family. To enter, simply present a copy of Working Mom’s latest August issue, which is available at leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. 

Do You Have ADHD?

A generation ago, when one sees a hyperactive child, he was immediately dismissed in vernacular as either malikot, matigas ang ulo, makulit, adelantado, pilyo, if not mahina or worse bobo. Often, a parentsl reprimand was the answer to unbridled energy. Chances are, the child grows up with a wounded sense of self along with overwhelming confusion about why he is the way he is, limiting his chances of a promising future, when he should have been taken to the doctor for a diagnosis or an assessment and prompt treatment. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is considered and recognized as childhood developmental problems characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. It usually affects males at a higher percentage than females. It is not known that these symptoms continue into adulthood for about 60 percent of children with ADHD. However, few adults who were never diagnosed as children are identified or treated for adult ADHD. 

"Adults with ADHD may have difficulty following directions, remembering information, concentrating, organizing tasks, or completing work within a given time frame. If these difficulties are not managed appropriately, they can cause associated behavioral, emotional, social, vocational, and academic problems." 

Common behavioral problems that are associated and may stem directly from ADHD includes anxiety, chronic boredom, chronic lateness and forgetfulness, depression, difficulty concentrating when reading, difficulty controlling anger, employment problems, impulsiveness, low frustration tolerance, low self-esteem, mood swings, poor organization skills, procrastination, relationship problems, substance abuse or addiction. 

These behaviors may be mild to severe and can vary with the situation or be present all of the time. Some adults with ADHD may be able to concentrate if they are really interested in or excited in what they are doing. Others may have difficulty focusing under any circumstances. Some adults look for stimulation, but others avoid it. In addition, ADHD in adults can be withdrawn, introvert and antisocial, or they can also be the exact opposite--they can be overly social, going from one relationship to the next. 

According to mayoclinic.com, ADHD is not an adult-onset disorder and symptoms begin during childhood. ADHD has a strong genetic component. If a family member has been diagnosed with it, odds are high that one experiencing the symptoms listed suffers from it as well. In the past, the first treatment typically offered to adults with ADHD has been stimulant drugs. Studies show that approximately two thirds of adults with ADHD who are given these medications show significant improvement in ADHD symptoms. 

Adult ADHD can be treated with one or more of the following individual cognitive and behavioral therapy to enhance self-esteem, relaxation training, anger and stress management, life coaching to help set goals and develop strategies for organizing home and work activities, job coaching or mentoring to support better working performance, and improve relationships.

If you think you've got the symptoms, it's alright. You're actually in a pretty good company: Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Thomas Alva Edison, Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Bill Cosby, Jack Nicholson, Donald Trump, Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Jamie Oliver and Robin Williams-they all have ADHD. The key for them was to learn to harness all that extra energy into something productive.