Jollibee, the Philippines’ number one fast-food brand, has always been the dining destination of choice among Filipino kids and kids-at-heart.
The latest TV commercial for the best-selling Jolly Spaghetti, which began airing last March 26, 2017, features the British-Filipino child star Xia Vigor enjoying the product and how its timelessly appealing tamis-linamnam flavor will always bring out the jolly kid in everyone.
Xia is the latest celebrity endorser to join the ever-growing Jollibee family. She was given the official welcome in a media event held at Jollibee Biopolis Macapagal last April 22, 2017. Invited attendees were given a jolly treat with passes to DreamPlay, a DreamWorks-themed activity center at the City of Dreams Parañaque.

“Since its launch nearly four decades ago, the Jolly Spaghetti has remained a favorite among Filipino children from different generations and walks of life,” said Luis Berba, Jollibee Brand Manager. “Our newest TVC illustrates that unforgettable sweet-sarap feeling that Pinoys get whenever they eat Jolly Spaghetti. It’s like being a jolly kid again, when every moment is filled with fun, good food, and the company of our loved ones.”
“Xia’s genuine love for Jolly Spaghetti and her cheerful and articulate personality are why we believe she’s the best choice as kid endorser of our product.”
Sweet-sarap moments with Xia Despite the recent national and global attention the young child actress has been getting through a slew of successful TV shows and viral videos, Xia remains to be like any other Pinoy child. She loves spending time with her family and, of course, eating at Jollibee.




“I like swimming and watching movies with my Mommy and kuya,” the child actress said. “Even when I wasn’t in showbiz yet, Jollibee has always been my favorite place to eat Jolly Spaghetti with my Mommy, kuya, and cousins.”





When asked why she loves the Jolly Spaghetti, the adorable Xia gamely answered. “I love it because sweet-sarap, tamis-linamnam siya talaga and it has a lot of hotdogs and cheese. Sana more kids like me will keep eating and enjoy Jolly Spaghetti!”

The Pinoy spaghetti

Jollibee pioneered the introduction of the sweet-style spaghetti in the Philippines. The brand took all the basic elements of a spaghetti dish and elevated it into a treat that Pinoys will definitely love. The rich tomato sauce is carefully seasoned to achieve peak tamis-linamnam goodness. Generous amounts of beefy and juicy hotdog slices are added in for a filling meal. Finally, creamy shreds of cheese are sprinkled on top to complete the one-of-a-kind Jolly Spaghetti taste.

“The Jolly Spaghetti is the Pinoy spaghetti,” added Berba. “Our recipe is tailored to fit the Pinoy palate, which leans toward the sweeter side. It also has that well-rounded flavor that delights the taste buds. Jolly Spaghetti has become a comfort food for many Pinoys and it evokes all those wonderful memories of childhood.”

Enjoy the best-tasting, sweet-sarap Jolly Spaghetti for only P50.00 Solo and P55.00 for the value meal with drink.. This sweet-sarap treat is available in all Jollibee stores nationwide and through #87000 Jollibee Delivery.

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo makes grand TV comeback via newest season of Bet on Your Baby. New fun games and exciting prizes await the cute kids and their parents in the newest season.

“I’m so excited to be working on TV again,” she beamed. “I was gone for more than a year so it feels good to do a show again that is close to my heart. I hope one of your kids can join us in the Baby Dome.”

Since it premiered in 2013, “Bet on Your Baby” has been a well-loved show in the Kapamilya network because of its grand prizes, exciting games, and the moving stories of the contestants.

The Queen of Drama, who above all, is the queen of her family took a leave after having given birth to her daughter Luna now teases the audience with the new things to watch for this season.

One of these is her newest sidekick--- the digital mascot named Piggy Bangs. Juday, as she is fondly called by her fans, together with the cute and adorable kiddie players will be interacting with Piggy Bangs the whole season. All kid contestants will also be automatically part of the Baby Club which gives them exclusive perks and access to the program.

For its pilot week, five celebrity babies will compete together with their mommies and daddies. The game starts with the Game Round, where the kids face mini challenges while their parents will place their bet on how far their children can go in accomplishing the challenge. If the parent gets it correctly, they win Php 10,000. If don’t, they still get a consolation prize of Php 5,000.

The elimination happens on the second round called “Watcha Makulit.” The first family to get the correct answer advances to the jackpot around.

In the final round, mommy, daddy, and baby get three chances to find and smash the piggy bank that holds the Php 1 million.

“Bet on Your Baby” has changed a lot of lives, especially after it named a total of 11 kid millionaires or called Babynaryos since it started airing.

Give your mom the best gift this Mother’s day by cooking up these sumptuous pasta dishes, courtesy of El Real Pasta.

Your mother will surely feel your love when she tastes the creamy goodness of Elbow Macaroni with Chicken and Wild Mushrooms, and Flat Spaghetti with Creamy Sausage and Chicken, made more satisfying with the “yumayakap ang sarap” goodness of El Real Elbow Macaroni and El Real Flat Spaghetti.

Elbow Macaroni with Chicken & Wild Mushrooms
Ingredients:
250 g. El Real Elbow Macaroni
1/4 cup salted butter or margarine
1/2 cup thinly sliced white onions
1 tbsp. crushed garlic
250 g. chicken breast fillet – cut into 1-inch-long thin strips
4 pcs. fresh or canned oyster mushroom, thinly sliced
8 pcs. shitake mushrooms – soak in 3/4 cup water (15 minutes). Save mushroom water. Remove stems. Slice thinly.
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh or canned button mushrooms
1 cup frozen peas – thawed
1 cup all-purpose cream
1 tbsp. rock salt or 1 tsp. fine salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1/4 cup chopped green bell peppers
1/4 cup chopped red bell peppers

Procedure:

First, cook the El Real Elbow Macaroni according to package directions, drain under faucet water and set aside. In a 12-inch skillet, melt the butter and sauté onions and garlic. Add chicken and cook until it changes color. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes. Add peas, salt and pepper. Stir until boiling. Add cream and simmer. Top with bell peppers. Turn off fire and toss in the macaroni. Serves 4-6.

Flat Spaghetti with Creamy Sausage and Chicken
Ingredients:
250 g. El Real Flat Spaghetti
1/4 cup salted butter or margarine
1/4 cup minced white onion
1 cup Italian sausage
1/2 cup chopped chicken breast fillet
1 tsp. fine salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper
3 tbsp. Continental All-Purpose Flour
2 cups fresh or full cream milk
10 fresh or frozen broccoli flowerettes

Procedure:

Cook the El Real Flat Spaghetti according to package directions, drain under faucet water and set aside. Cook 10 fresh or frozen broccoli flowerettes in boiling pasta water for 10 minutes, drain and set aside. In a 12-inch skillet, put butter and sauté onions until soft. Add sausage, chicken, salt and pepper. Stir until half cooked. Then add Continental All-Purpose Flour and mix well. Lastly, add milk, stir and simmer. Place pasta on a serving platter, top with sauce and garnish with broccoli flowerettes. Serves 4-6.

Fans of a certain luscious, chocolatey, and crispy Jollibee dessert pie can finally rejoice—the much awaited return of Jollibee’s Choco Mallow Pie is finally here.

“There has been a lot of clamor for the Choco Mallow Pie, with customers from all over the country wondering when it’ll be back,” said Kay Segismundo, Jollibee Marketing Manager for Complementary Products. “But this classic favorite is not just back—we’ve improved the recipe to make it more of an indulgently sweet ending to a meal or a rewardingly delightful snack treat.”

The original Choco Mallow Pie is a sweet treat that many sweet-toothed Filipinos cannot easily forget, with its creamy marshmallow and rich chocolate filling inside flaky pie crust. This 2017, the new and improved Choco Mallow Pie is chocolatier inside and out. The mouthwatering combination of imported marshmallow and a mixture of dark and milk chocolate that delivers an explosion of flavors with every bite, complemented by a crispy chocolate-colored crust. This hits the right spot for chocoholics!

“It’s definitely a sweet, sweet summer at Jollibee with all our exciting dessert offerings that satisfies a wide range of cravings,” added Segismundo

Catch the highly anticipated return of the Jollibee Choco Mallow Pie this May 8, 2017 for Metro Manila and Luzon, and May 29, 2017 for Visayas and Mindanao to make your day a whole lot sweeter and chocolatier!

The Choco Mallow Pie will be available for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru in all Jollibee stores nationwide, for only P32.00* (solo) and P89.00*(pack of 3 Pies-to-Go).

* Prices may vary across different locations.

Allianz PNB Life in cooperation with the Henry Moran Foundation and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will be holding the National Youth Futsal Cup on May 6, Saturday, 7am to 5pm, at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

The event will mark the beginning of the selection process for the Philippines’ participation to the Allianz Junior Football Camp (AJFC). Allianz, the official partner of FC Bayern Munich, is host to an annual international football camp held in Munich, Germany. The camp gives teenagers (between the ages of 14-16) from across the world a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with the FC Bayern Munich coaches.

Rei Abrazaldo, Allianz PNB Life Branding Communications and Digital Director; Gae Martinez, Allianz PNB Life Chief Marketing Officer; Danny Moran, Henry Moran Foundation President; and Ake Pastoral, Philippie Football Federation National Grassroots Officer

This is the first year Allianz PNB Life will be sponsoring five male players from the friendly tournament to the AJFC to be held this July in Bali, Indonesia. Two winners out of the five players will be given the chance to represent the Philippines in the global camp this year in Munich, Germany.

One of the leading causes of death in the Philippines is leukemia. Around 3,977 were diagnosed with the disease in 2012 alone. The mortality rate is at an alarming 5.3%. It is a silent killer among us that needs to be addressed.

Stem cell transplant using cord blood is one of the treatments for leukemia.
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after birth. It contains the healthiest stem cells that can replenish blood, regenerate damaged bone marrow, treat blood cancers and correct genetic defects. It is also a potential source for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine.



Through cord blood banking, families now have a chance to survive fatal genetic diseases like leukemia and other blood-related diseases.

Cordlife Group Limited is an international provider of umbilical cord blood and cord lining services. It is also among the first to offer this service and technology in Asia. In February 2010, Cordlife Philippines was officially launched. It is the country’s first and only private cord blood processing and cryopreservation facility aimed to give the Filipino the chance to benefit from the advantages of having a readily available supply of cord blood.
To create awareness on cord blood banking’s importance as an available standard option for families who may need stem cell transplant, Cordlife recently launched One Blood.

This national advocacy is in partnership with the Philippine Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (PSMFM).
Under One Blood, free cord blood banking will be given to chosen pregnant mothers with family history of diseases or with family members with disease/s that can be treated by cord blood and who might be a candidate for stem cell transplantation.
Other services that will be extended to the beneficiaries include: Transplant Care, Cord Blood Network, and Cordlife Quality Guarantee.

To know more about One Blood, call Cordlife at (02) 3321888 or log on to www.cordlife.ph #

It always starts with a possibility of an encounter.

Garnering over 4 million views on Facebook and still counting, the latest Doublemint commercial about Sarah & Juan’s love story has touched the hearts of many Filipinos. It’s a love story filled with simple gestures of Sarah, offering Doublemint to Juan, and the latter, sketching the moment onto the wrappers.


Netizens have expressed their kilig for the couple and their story
“Oh, I love this commercial, so much feels! Good job for creating this wonderful commercial Doublemint.” says Vera Reyes. Inchet Flores complimented Wrigley’s Doublemint Team saying that the commercial is perfect and she loved the story of the commercial.

Being the sentimental lot we are, one can't help but document moments like these--the first conversation, first date, anything that is a memory worth keeping. The story of Sarah and Juan has reached through our deepest feelings of finding love in the simplest things. We watched their story unfold and were glued to our monitors just to see how the story ends.
Now imagine if you could put your love story in those wrappers and share it to the world, just like what Juan did.

This April, Doublemint will make this possible through LoveWraps. LoveWraps is your sweetest kilig moments turned into sketches on Doublemint wrappers.
Just log in to www.mylovewraps.com, upload three pictures that best tell your love story, and voila, your DoublemintLovewraps are ready! If that isn't enough, the best entries of the promo can win a trip to Boracay, giving a new moment for the winners to share.

Your favourite celebrity couples have already taken part and have shared their love stories through LoveWraps.

“It’s the little gestures that get me all the time,” says Ruru Madrid, Encantadia Star of GMA7. “Yung mga simpleng bagay na will make your day brighter, like those surprise texts and little notes that make your heart melt. What more if they were drawings of your love story?”
LoveWraps will be Doublemint’s most romantic activation to date, which will run from April 17 to May 21, 2017.Visit www.mylovewraps.com now and start sharing!

This coming May Fourth, let’s celebrate one of the most inspiring and breathtaking movie franchise of all time—Star Wars. Regardless of what you do or where you come from, you probably have had an encounter with at least one of the movies from the franchise.

In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, kick start your May Fourth celebrations with the Best of Star Wars playlist on Spotify!

From Yoda’s Theme (The Empire Strikes Back), to the Duel of the Fates (The Phantom Menace), to The Imperial March (The Empire Strikes Back) and to everyone’s favourite the Main Title (A New Hope), not only would you be taken back to the movies, but you would also be reminded that the force is strong with you, always.

But the excitement does not stop there! As we have learned from the movies, one should never be complacent—or too adventurous, unless the dark side is around. That’s why there are also the Epic Battles playlist and the Dark Side playlist to help you avoid any awkward moments (or just from falling asleep!) in the office or in school.

Here are some fun facts about Star Wars that you might want to know:

●“Luke, I am your father.” was never the real statement. If you were to go back to the original conversation, you would hear the following:

Darth Vader: Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father. Luke Skywalker: He told me enough! He told me you killed him! Darth Vader: No. I am your father.

●“May the Force be with you” has been misattributed to Obi-Wan Kenobi. But really this celebrated statement was quoted by General Dodonna before the Death Star battle in a New Hope.

With that, we hope you have a fabulous May the Fourth and “remember...the Force will be with you, always.”

I am a typical Mommy that performs so many tasks that opted me to rarely read books. Before, during my teenage years, I read a lot of books. I don't know the reason why but when I got Sarah Lahbati's book I immediately got the urged to read it. Maybe because of her being a Mom just like me. I am curious to know about her motherhood experiences, or maybe I just missed reading books.
Reading Sarah Lahbati's book entitled "TRUE BEAUTY: How to Glam Your Life Inside and Out" gave me some understanding and realization about being a woman and of course about life. With that understanding and realization I've learned 3 things of which I am going to share with you as you read this blog.

1. "My Parents were there every step of the way during my pregnancy. Here are photos of them with me at the hospital prior to my giving birth". (Chapter 7 under Mommy Matters page 87 to 88)

I do relate with this passage from her book because of my 2 labor and giving birth my husband was not with me or beside me. Well, for the reason that his work area is out of town that would really takes time going to where I'm giving birth. It was great that my Parents were always there when I gave birth to my handsome children. Just like Sarah, I am very thankful to have my Parents, despite of some circumstances, they are still there that I can hold on to.

2. Fashion should be a personal thing. Don't be obsessed about following all the newest trends. "Kung anong bagay sa iyo at kaya ng budget mo, stick to that". (chapter 4 under Personal and Practical page 40 )

Happy to hear it from her. I didn't expect that a woman on stature can say things like that since she is into fashion and a showbiz personality. But thank you for giving that inspiring message. We do believe that most of us want to be "in" fashion regardless of the status in life. But for me, be simple and be true to yourself. Not all trendy fashion matches your personality, wear what fits you as long as it is affordable and your comfortable.

3. You have the power to do anything. Just put your mind and heart into it. "Yung mga pangarap mong feeling mo hind mo kayang ma-achieve, matutupad ang mga yon! Basta maganda ang iyong hangarin, basta wala kang natatapakan o nasasaktan, at basta maging masipag ka, tutulungan ka ng Diyos". ( Chapter 11 Love Yourself page 126

For me this is a very powerful message and the topic is very appropriate at this time. Good thing that Sarah placed this passage on the last part/ chapter of the book.It is much easier to put into mind. All of the things that happens and happening to you all boils down to one thing, you loving yourself more than anything else. I will definitely keep it my mind. I have a lot dreams for myself and for my family. Yes, I will hold on to it and never hurt anyone in achieving my dreams. And have faith that God is always there to guide me and help me in all my endeavors.
Thank you so much Sarah Lahbati for your inspiring book, because of that, I will start reading again lots of inspiring books just like yours. And hopefully you could have your 2nd book. For sure I will have one of it and read it as well and I'll wait for that.

Mommies, if you want to know more about the book of Sarah Lahbati, just read HERE .
             

Better yet, get a copy of her first book, True Beuaty: How To Glam Your Life Inside and Out. In it she details all the difficulties, struggles, and hardships she has gone through from her awkward childhood days to her tentative teen years and beyond. And she shares all the triumphs she has had in overcoming self-doubt as well as the lessons she has learned that helped her become the confident young woman that she is today.
Beneath the glamor, Sarah's life has not at all been trouble-free. She may have emerged as the ultimate winner in the TV talent search that launched her career, but the journey getting there started out in the most heartbreaking, catastrophic way as her audition fell on that fateful day of Typhoon Ondoy. In this book, Sarah recalls the devastating sights she witnessed, the emotions she felt, the things she endured, and what made her trudge on in spite of it all.

In one of the 11 chapters, you'll also find a story about her encounter with a bully and how she prepared herself to stand up against anyone who would pick a fight with her. Then, she talks about her "ugly phase", and gives tips on how to feel confident about your looks regardless of your age, height, weight, and complexion.
There is a lot to learn about fitness and fashion in "True Beauty", but it doesn't stop there. Sarah gives a visual treat of the places she has visited. Her love for traveling started when she was a child, thanks to her parents who took her on holiday trips outside Switzerland and the Philippines. She sees the importance of traveling in widening the mind - learning about people, cultures, nature - and she shares her must-do things to make the most of every trip she takes.
Sarah's book will not be complete without her love story. How did her friendship with Richard Gutierrez turn into courtship? What was it like meeting his family for the first time? How did her own parents react to her relationship with the man who would become the father of her child?

Sarah proudly and lovingly describes Richard beyond his boy-next-door charm, thus making us see what she values most in a man who is trying to sweep you off your feet is truly "The One".
"True Beauty" also touches on Sarah Lahbati's passion for performing, the lessons she learned from life's challenges, finding inspiration and spreading positivity, and many more. It shows why she is now a picture of happiness.
Everyone is invited to get a copy of this fun and insightful read. Use it to celebrate your beauty and to further glam your life inside and out.


True Beauty: How to Glam Your Life Inside And Out is now available in all National Book Store and Powerbooks branches nationwide for only PhP 295.00. Only from VRJ Books.

VRJ Books is the publishing arm of Viva Entertainment. It's titles include the best selling books by James Reid and Nadine Lustre (Team Real), novelist and online sensation Marcelo Santos III (Para sa Hopeless Romantic, Para sa Broken Hearted, The Iwas-Sawi Project), comedienne Ethel Booba (Charotism) and blockbuster movie director Wenn Deramas (Direk 2 Da Poynt)