Contest: Win a Personalized Storybook from When in Manila and Look It's About Me!

Hello, it is June. The next thing we know, people are already preparing for Christmas. I have something here that might be best as Christmas gift!

First, apologies for the lack of updates. I had been very busy with my day job (actually night job if you are reading it from Manila). There are just so much happening, so much stories to tell but so little time to blog.

I just want to share this awesome give-away we are holding in When in Manila! 

Who wants to win a personalized storybook for his/her kid (or for himself?)? Lookie, Look It's About Me is so nice to give-away one personalized story book to one of our lucky readers!

What is Look It's About Me? Check out this article I published in When in Manila.

Are your ready to win? Please join!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be announced on this article at When in Manila

When in Manila, Win in Manila ;)

Good luck!

If you like this post, click the like button or the Facebook Share button! Spread the love. Like my Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/ruthiliciousblog or follow my updates on Twitter @ruthilicious.

If you are reading this post somewhere, it is originally written by Ruth and published in www.ruthilicious.blogspot.com.

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A Larger Than Life Tribute

I just want to share this awesome surprise by Ceelin during Mother's Day event. Too bad I missed the actual screening, as I was out of the country.

Ceelin, the leading children’s Vitamin C brand, came up with a Mother’s Day tribute that highlighted their campaign for this year: Pamana. With the word’s direct English translation being inheritance, Ceelin’s Pamana campaign highlights the sacrifices moms have made, as well as the values and lessons they have left their children to help shape the people they are today.

And last Mother’s Day, Ceelin helped mothers and children relive and celebrate the Pamana during a very special screening at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas.

It all started with the Pamana stories of five people: a yuppie in the advertising industry singlehandedly brought up by his mom; a doctor who is a daughter to fellow medical professionals, and is new to motherhood herself; a woman born differently abled and raised selflessly by her mother; a fashion designer whose mom had to keep the family together from thousand of miles away; and a celebrity who  On Mother’s Day, these people brought their moms to the cinema as a Mother’s Day treat. Little did the mothers know that the treat wasn’t the movie. They would soon discover that the treat was what was going to be shown on-screen. The mothers watched on—stunned, surprised, and touched, as their children on screen paid tribute to their moms in a way that’s truly larger than life.


It was, after all, a tribute that these mothers truly deserved, for everything they’ve left, sacrificed, or done for the greatest legacies they have—their children.

Watch the heartwarming Mother’s Day Surprise on Ceelin’s YouTube page at youtube.com/user/ceelinphilippines

If you like this post, click the like button or the Facebook Share button! Spread the love. Like my Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/ruthiliciousblog or follow my updates on Twitter @ruthilicious.

If you are reading this post somewhere, it is originally written by Ruth and published in www.ruthilicious.blogspot.com.

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[Kota Kinabalu Travel Series] Borneo Reef World Underwater Experience

I thought this summer would end without me having the chance to experience the sea. It only takes a big company like Fleishman Hillard to actually make me grab my bag and two-piece swimwear.

Zest Air flew us to Kota Kinabalu for a weekend familiarization trip, and I am now on my fourth post, and I am so excited to share with you about the Borneo Reef World.

The Borneo Reef World in Kota Kinabalu is the biggest pontoon in South East Asia. What is a pontoon you ask? It is a floating structure, like a flatboat that is used to support a bridge. The pontoon has a dining hall, upper deck with sun beds (with the magnificent view of the sea), smoking area, changing rooms and well-maintained comfort room (my biggest concern! as always!).

Ms. Jen and I were actually joking about holding my wedding reception here. Well, interestingly, there are several weddings that had happened in the pontoon, as this can accommodate a capacity of 500 pax. The area is 888 square meters which is believed as a lucky number. Disclaimer, I am not getting married anytime soon. ;)

If you are new to sea activities, Borneo Reef World is a great place to start. The experience is as if you are cruising. There are 5 sea level platforms for different sea activities.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, Borneo Reef World has everything for every sea adventurer:

If you:

• Want  to see the fish but don't want to get wet and don't know how to swim.
• Want  to see the fish but don't want your head to get wet
• Want  to see the fish but don't know how to swim but is willing to get wet
• Want to see the fish, and get totally wet

What are the things you can do here? Click Read to know more.. 

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[Kota Kinabalu Travel Series] Quick Guide - What to Know, What to Do, and Where to Eat

And.. I am back with more stories about Kota Kinabalu!

My first blog entry is here where I talked about the maiden flight from Manila to Kota Kinabalu, and in here you can read about the Pacific Sutera Hotel where we stayed.

There are so much stories to tell, and to make this post more valuable to the readers, I made a quick guide so your visit to my blog will be much more worth-while.

Flying to Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu has an international airport which makes visiting from different parts of the globe easier - most of the carriers are from the other Asian Countries. In the Philippines, you may now fly directly from Manila to Kota Kinabalu through Zest Air. Flights is every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. You can check out the flight schedule here.

Flights are housed in Terminal 4, which is the old Domestic Terminal.

Immigration

For most of the countries, it is a requirement to have a passport valid for more than 6 months at the time of arrival and departure in the host country. The rule is the same for Malaysia. Do not risk traveling with expiring passport. You might be lucky to get a departure stamp but re-entry to Philippines might be a problem. There was once a traveler who denied re-entry or departure from the host country because his passport is less than 6 months valid. He was held up until he was able to secure a new passport from Philippines - which means additional expenses and trouble.

Depending on the country of your passport, you might as well check what documentation would be needed to enter Malaysia. For Philippine Passport holders, no VISA is required to get to Kota Kinabalu.

  

Don't mind the Visa picture, that one is for my work permit in Indonesia :)

Click Read More to know what else you need to know about Kota Kinabalu..
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[Sale Event] Crocs Mega Sale 2013 - Up to 90% Off!

You might have already read my blog about the new Crocs Beach Line, and no, don't be envious of my new comfy pair. Crocs is having a mad sale this end of the month slashing out prices at 90% off!

The Crocs Megasale 2013 is happening once again at the grounds of NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, The battlefield will open on May 31 to June 2, from 10am to 8pm. 

Free entrance for all Citibank cardholders, minimum fee of P50 entrance fee for all non-Citi shoppers. Cash and all major credit cards will be accepted.

What to Bring?

Umbrellas
Fan
Bottled Water
Face Towel
Lots of Shopping Bags
Money, and Credit Card

What to Wear?

Your comfortable clothes and comfy Crocs pair!

Food stands will be set up by McDonald’s, Racks, Shakey’s and Saibachi.

For more information, check out Crocs Philippines and follow @crocsph  on Twitter.

If you like this post, click the like button or the Facebook Share button! Spread the love. Like my Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/ruthiliciousblog or follow my updates on Twitter @ruthilicious.

If you are reading this post somewhere, it is originally written by Ruth and published in www.ruthilicious.blogspot.com.

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Daniel Padilla Reveals His Hairstyle Secret

Teenagers must be loving Daniel Padilla like the greatest artist of this generation. I previously wrote about Daniel Padilla here, and how my niece denies that she adores him. Well, I forgot to mention that my nephew idolizes him and that he plays his song every single moment of the day. I am not surprised that he is also copying his looks and hairstyle. 

I admit that I like the Bad Boy look - if I were a teenager, I would have lined up to see him in person. His husky voice, spunk and different hairstyles are his attributes that attract the girls. Here's a little secret that you might want to know (boys out there!) - 

Click Read More to find out.. 

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[Kota Kinabalu Travel Series] Pacific Sutera Hotel: Our Home in Kota Kinabalu

Good morning! It is mornings like this that I thought of our home in Kota Kinabalu. How about waking everyday to see the beautiful Mt. Kinabalu and a peaceful sea with grandeur boats from your bedroom window? 

That's the experience that the Pacific Sutera Hotel has brought us during our 3 days, 2 nights stay in Kota Kinabalu. Pacific Sutera Hotel has been our home, or should I say, sleeping quarter (as we made the most of our time exploring Kota Kinabalu) that we just come back to the hotel to change clothes and sleep. You know how they say you should not get a good hotel when traveling? Because you will end up choosing to stay in a hotel than go out - and staying in a hotel such as Pacific Sutera, you have all the reasons to stay (I will tell why in the coming posts..). 

After a safe and almost festive flight from Manila to Kota Kinabalu care of Zest Air Flight Z2 501, we were welcome by Philip in the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Philip had been our tourist guide for the 3-day familiarization trip to Kota Kinabalu. He's the most awesome and funniest tourist guide I ever encountered. He has so much stories to tell. 

Click Read More to see how beautiful our hotel is!

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Carlo Rossi Sweet Red Wine

While everyone went to see Sarah Jessica Parker at SM Aura opening, I had a date with Carlo Rossi at Gallery, Richmonde Hotel, Eastwood. 

Carlo Rossi has become fine, sweet and red. He does know what's best for the ladies. He is with me during rainy nights. Okay, I am talking about Carlo Rossi Wines. 

While waiting for the event to start, they started serving us glasses of wine. I was actually shocked to see ice cubes on the glass.. I got one glass and tasted it. I had to admit it is good. It is sweet, and refreshing. It is more like drinking a soda or juice. Perfect for bonding with friends, and celebrations - the kind of event that doesn't require you to wear a gown or suit and tie.

The Carlo Rossi Team and Gallery prepared really good food for the guests. I just had to say that this is one of the few food selections that I enjoyed. It is not even a set dinner, more of snacks and pica foods - but I enjoyed it. It could be because of the Carlo Rossi Sweet Red Wine that serve like an aperitif?

Click Read More to know more about Carlo Rossi Sweet Red Wine..

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Crocs Beach Line x Run Sailor Run Launch

You might be awaiting for my next story about my recent Kota Kinabalu adventure. Before I start sharing with you the food that we ate, and the new things I got to experience, I want to write about first about the new Beach Line from Crocs.

The night before our flight, I attended the launch of Crocs Beach Line at White Moon, Ocean Park. The venue was perfect - boats, sunset, and summer.

I know it sounds funny but Crocs always remind me of the usual Chef's shoes (its most popular design), which kind of makes me think twice in getting a pair - plus, I felt helpless and clueless on how I would style or wear it, so I just totally dismissed the idea of a pair no matter how many people testified that Crocs has the most comfortable shoes in the world.

I saw a lot of good sale events for Crocs here and abroad, but the markdowns have never convinced me to take a look. How can I be so stubborn? What made me go to the event is the new exciting designs and its launch of version of top-sider.

I salivated when I saw the new designs! I want to get them all!

Click Read Mote to see more of the collection..

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Zest Air Flew Us to Kota Kinabalu!

Oh hello, yes, I am back! Back to Manila, back to work, back to reality. We always say "back to reality" with a pinch of sadness. But now I am saying that with enthusiasm, because I am sooo happy about my recent weekend trip. Reality gave me a chance to go to Kota Kinabalu!

As you have seen in my updates,  last blog post, and probably in my Facebook, I had been to Kota Kinabalu for a 3 days, 2 nights familiarization trip. Zest Air invited bloggers to be part of its Maiden/Inaugural Flight from Manila to Kota Kinabalu and I am happy to be part of the pool.

I honestly don't know how to start this blog post. I can probably start with gazillion exclamation points out of excitement! Allow me to...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, that spells excitement!

So how did flying from Manila to Kota Kinabalu become possible?! Well, Zest Air has a strategic partnership with Air Asia. It was also the same day the first flight to Manila to Kuala Lumpur was marked.  I know most would think twice in flying to Sabah where Kota Kinabalu is. My mom was also even worried. I assured her that we were not being sent there to serve as Reserved Officers, it was even the Malaysia Tourism Board which invited us to come over and explore its beautiful city.

I honestly didn't know how I managed to work the night before the flight (even attended another event) and to pack all my stuff - as usual, I brought a lot.

Click Read More to read the start of this great adventure..


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Hello from Kota Kinabalu!

Here's the secret that I have been meaning to tell you all. I am flying now with Zest Air for the maiden flight of Manila to Kota Kinabalu with other travel and lifestyle bloggers, travel agents and guests for a 2-day familiarization tour! How exciting!! By the time I have published it, we would have been checked in in the hotel.,  preparing for our day 2.

Law of attraction and the forces of universe are good to me. I intentionally didn't book any travel this summer no matter how enticing the Piso Fare Sales were. So imagine my surprise when I received an invite to be part of this tour?!

It was a normal Monday morning for me when the good news came like a telegram. WE needed to fly on Friday, which is today. I thought of my work, and the ten thousand other things that I needed to do - but then again, the forces are good to me. I am ecstatic that my manager approved my vacation today and even expressed excitement over this trip! Yahoo!!!

To tell you honestly, I haven't even had a decent sleep yet. I was up at 2PM yesterday (Thursday), and looks like I would get to bed by 9ish tonight.


This is really exciting because this is my first time to travel with bloggers (most part of the team are my friends) - there are actually two sets of bloggers which Zest Air and Malaysian Tourism Board have invited for the tour - so there is Team Kuala and we are Team Kota (but we would love to call ourselves #TeamPannaKota in Twitter - please follow us! Although the wifi connection is intermittent.


Please just follow me at @ruthilicious -  I will try  post updates. ;)

 To be continued..

We are off to Day 2 Adventure!

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Mother's Day Contest: #PamanaNiNanay

It is Mother's Day this Sunday, what are your plans?

I will be out of the country (if the plan pushes through), and unfortunately, I will not have the chance to be with my mom on Sunday - but that is okay. It only means quality time for her and dad. And besides, I try to make everyday a mom/family day.

How do you show your mom that she is special? I, personally try to make her feel special everyday, as simple as making her laugh, and not giving her much headaches, especially at this  my age. She is my favorite companion when shopping - as she also makes most of my clothes - she knows what fits perfectly, and she is not that conversative. She is okay that I wear minis, sleeves, and even shorts. She makes me feel like I am still a kid - preparing my meals and packed lunch everyday. She still does most of the things for me. She listens to my stories and laughs at my jokes. I can go on and on and tell you about the things she does. Now thinking of her makes me worry that I can never be like her. Oftentimes I think that I am not ready to be a mother yet - probably because she has sheltered me and still makes me feel like a baby. That's the beauty of motherhood. Every kid will always be a mom's baby. No matter what age you are.

Last year, I sent my mom flowers

I wish to take her to beautiful places that I have seen and let her experience the things I have experienced. It is always the same feeling - when I see beautiful things, I thought of the people I love and think that I wish, they were seeing these things too. I remember our first out-of-the-country trip together. It was fun. We both discovered new things, and I feel guilty that I sometimes get impatient with her questions and her curiousity. How can I be soo bad?

We all have hectic schedules, but all of us have access to internet - so Ceelin, thought of paying tribute to our dear moms through social media.

Here are the schedules and wish you could participate:

         Upload memorable photos together with your mother. The uploaded photo will have a caption where you need to answer the question “What did your mom do to make you who you are today?”

All photos will be shared across your online assets (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) with the use of the hashtags #ThrowbackThursdays or #tbt and #PamanaNiNanay. Follow @Igersmanila as they are the ones conducting the contest and will choose winner.

        Post one tweet about Mother’s Day using the hashtag #PamanaNiNanay, or comment in the Ceelin Facebook Fanpage. Ceelin will choose a winner to receive some goodies.

        
I am excited to see the posts and know what are your moms' greatest legacy (pamana) is. I want to read some feel-good stories.

Please don't forget to like:

http://www.facebook.com/CeelinPlus

http://www.facebook.com/CeelinPH

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Aerosmith's Steven Tyler in Epic

Epic. I think most who will watch the Aerosmith Manila Concert tonight will describe the experience as such.

Poor me, I didn't have the money to buy tickets to watch the concert. I will just probably drown myself with Aerosmith songs and bang my head until it hurts.

When did I first encounter Aerosmith? I was young. I was in gradeschool. Thank you to my sister and brother who discovered this band and played their song in the component (yeah, the music machine was once called component!), while the radio DJ played the song "How Gee! (American Express!).

Few decades ago, the band was already 

sporting my long hair!! Rock and roll!

Aerosmith had been making music and a name even before I was born - with the young heart and mind, I was already listening to the squeeeky voice of Steven Tyler. He was first in my mind when I learnt rock and roll. I knew them even before came Armageddon, and even before people sing I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing like a national anthem for lovers.

So, I might miss the band tonight, but I will set a date to catch Steve Tyler's voice give life to an animation character! Can you imagine this rock and roll star talking like a cute character in a film?

Click Read More to know more about Steve Tyler's gig..

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The Piso Fares - How To Get 'em!

I once got addicted to piso fares some two years ago. My flights to Beijing, Hong Kong, Boracay, Palawan and Ilocos are all because of Piso Fares. My friends didn't first believe it until I showed them my tickets and itinerary. I remember waiting for the sale event which usually opens at midnight. Good thing I work at night shift, and I have access to the internet that booking flights were such a breeze. Airlines didn't require passport details then. I remember I booked a flight to Hong Kong and missing that my passport would not cover the 6-month validity.

Then, boom! Everyone seems like anticipating the event. Because more and more people are probably booking the airline sites and setting up their alarm in preparation for the big booking battle, it is even harder to book your preferred dates. Oftentimes, you just book whatever date, and worry about your vacation leave approval after.

Here are some tips that can help you book and get those Piso Fares!


Click Read More to read my tips!
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Room Clean-up and What's in the Mail?

Oh hello, friends! I miss you!

There had been just so much going on in my life last month - but the good thing is, I am back!! Here is one post that talks about what kept me busy aside from the loving bonding I had with my niece and nephew.

I spent my weekend again cleaning my room. I meant to reconnect with my friends but I couldn't stand the chaos in my room. Surprisingly, I had fun rediscovering myself once again through old letters, planners, and stuff that used to mean something to me.

Some stuff I shared on Instagram (gosh, I cannot believe I am enjoying posting pictures on instagram!).

Time and time again, I remember having second thoughts whenever I would do a major clean up - should I throw this thing away? Should I keep it? Yesterday, I had finally let go of some stuff and still kept the ones that mean something to me today. I know I am such a packrat. Maybe the next time I uncover and unbox my things, I can finally make a decision.

I have such a small room, and I try not to keep as much items as possible. I purposely do not buy extra storage because it would mean more space to keep things - to be more sentimental?

Anyways, I just want to share the things that I got from the mail. It is always nice to receive something from the mail - virtual or not. The unexpected ones are always the best!

Click Read More to see what's in the mail!!

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