Disney’s Maleficent – Best Seen @ A Trinoma Cinema ☺

Earlier this week, I received a random invite (for bloggers) to watch Angelina Jolie’s latest flick, MALEFICENT at Trinoma Cinema 1 via block screening. It was an answered prayer since I really wanted to view this awesome movie on opening week with my family. To my advantage as well since I live near the mall. The widely-anticipated film opened nationwide here in the Philippines yesterday May 28, 2014.
Prior the scheduled 5PM viewing, we were served yummy cocktails courtesy of TGI Friday’s and Fish & Co. which my mom and I enjoyed some chicken, brownies, fish fillet carbonara and cupcake servings. It certainly satisfied our hungry tummies!

The email invite I received indicated that we will have a great time and part of that were some raffle items given out before the movie started. I got extra lucky on the Find A Sticker Under Your Seat & Win a Prize part and in exchange, got a couple of gift certificates for The Mind Museum! Yeyyyy! Thank you thank you! Some got GCs from Rack’s restaurant and a Swatch watch.

Mom & I did not mind if the Maleficent we’re about to see isn’t the 3D or 4Dx version. The 2D but digital surround-sound feature of a Trinoma cinema makes up for the visual treat. I remember the first time I stepped into their cinema many, many years back that it got me impressed with their reclining high-back seats and adjustable arm rests. And that Trinoma cinema also combined the orchestra and balcony portions. They also offer food trays to avoid spillage of food & drinks while watching.

And when the Maleficent screening finally rolled, all eyes were glued to Angelina Jolie’s rare and challenging portrayal of one of Disney’s interesting fairy tale character based on a well-loved classic 1959’s Sleeping Beauty. Who would have thought, Jolie was perfect for the villaness role? Make-up, costumes and production designs were elaborate. The CGI effects were made to perfection. Acting was fluid and the comedic punchlines funny & ticklish. I’ve always been impressed with Disney’s soundtrack. Never a dull moment. Kudos to James Newton-Howard.

Elle Fanning (younger sis to Dakota) was refreshing as the 16 year old Princess Aurora. Liked the way she smiles. But perhaps one of the best scenes I adored most was the mother-daughter portion of Jolie and 5 year old daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt! She’s got her mom’s eyes and great locks from Daddy Brad who must be really proud of his daughter’s film debut.
The film was under 2 hours and it gave me enough time to meet up with blogger friends Sol and Dems (who also watched) outside the cinema for post-movie chat. Clicked more snaps with the grand Maleficent herself (even from a pop-up board)! ☺ Mom & I had had uber fun! Even my sister Mic showed up to join the fun as well. Two thumbs up! ☺

Maleficent has a very nice “twist” in its story and you’ve got to see it to find out! What better way is seeing it at a Trinoma Cinema…now! Relax & happy viewing lovees! ☺♥☺

***Many thanks for the kind invite Jonas de los Reyes & MJ Sazon (Socialytics Inc.) and to Trinoma Cinemas for always providing us movie afficionados awesome viewing pleasure at all times… ☺☺☺

Follow Trinoma Cinemas on IG @ilovetrinoma
#MaleficentAtTrinoma

Under Armour finally in PH #IWill

To all UA Fans in the Philippines… Under Armour has finally landed! Your fave logo and merch can be bought at its Bonifacio High Street (BHS) store outlet beside New Orleans restaurant. You can’t miss it!
5.28.2014

#UAph #iwill #underarmour #bhs #PH #apparel

What is your favorite Under Armour sports apparel and why?

Make Way for Disney’s #Maleficent

Perhaps this will be one of Angelina Jolie’s BEST protagonist role everrrr! With special & debut cameo role of daughter 5-year old Vivienne Jolie-Pitt as the young Princess Aurora.
Maleficent’s regular showing here in the Philippines is May 28, 2014

Gameday Weekend – More Exciting Season 2

When Gameday Weekend was launched by Balls Channel last year, it promised to give sports and fitness enthusiasts a lifestyle-oriented show which highlights popular athletes, the latest in sportswear, exercise routines among others.

And now let’s welcome Season 2 to be bigger and better and with a third host, in Boom Gonzales!

The former Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles standout Gretchen Ho  and veteran host and producer Mia Cabalfin will be joined by Boom Gonzalez who is also a popular radio DJ and a regular commentator of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) games and the NBA Finals.

Learn from them as they interview experts about sports nutrition, sports-related injuries, treatment, and prevention in the segment “Quick Fix.”

Get to know the weekend warrior side of celebrities who “do more” than their showbiz engagements in the (Rexona) “Do More” segment.

Meanwhile, Boom, Gretchen, and Mia go up-close and personal with famous athletes and sports champion in the segment “Gamechanger.”

Try out a new sport or revive your interest in an old one as the “Gameday Weekend” hosts learn and try on different sports with a guest athlete or coach in the segment “Playbook – Showdown.”

Finally, get to know the latest trend in sportswear, gears, gadgets, accessories, and more in the segment aptly named “SWAG.”

Don’t miss out on the first episode of “Gameday Weekend” on Saturday (May 24) at 7:00 p.m. on Balls Channel (SkyCable channel 34) and on ABS-CBN Sports+Action on Saturday (May 24) at 10:00 p.m.

And the new American Idol is…

Woooooooohhh! You have chosen well, America! Hoooray for #TeamCALEB !

Super congrats to 22 year old CALEB P JOHNSON for being crowned the new American Idol of Season 13 held May 21 2014 at the jampacked Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles seen and watched LIVE by billions around the world! I screamed and clapped so hard when your name was called! You’re the Comeback Kid Caleb after your failed attempt for the title when you last auditioned on Season 12. And this season was your vindication… yeah! Never ever give up on our dreams.

Great shout out to Runner Up Jena Irene Asciutto who put up such a good fight and at 17 has a really long way ahead of hear singing career. Awesome start of the journey for the rest of the finalists who are very excited with the Idol Tour kicking off on June 24th. Special shout out as well to a personal fave, Sam Woolf. Did anyone also notice the no-show of MJ?
To this year’s judges Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr. and the ever gorgeous Jennifer Lopez, thank you for making this season another amazing one! Fantastic solo number by Ms. Lopez as I was super impressed (as always) with your mastery and prowess of dancing on heels on #FirstLove Super liked the group performance with mentor Randy “Dawg: Jackson. For the books! That’s how you do it!
Love love love to you all ♥♥♥
I guess the other highlight and surprise of the night was that after 13 seasons, Ryan Seacrest finally sang on Live TV plus a quick duet with Richard Marx! Congrats Ryan, you pulled it off! With lots of push and loving back up from his dear family on its cute appearance. And speaking of appearance, it was also nice seeing producer Simon Fuller in the mad crowd.

Kudos to the guest performances of Jason Mraz, Paramore, Richard Marx, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, Aloe Blacc, Demi Lovato, Lady Antebellum, Idol alum Season 11 champ Philip Phillips and the legendary KISS! Triple yeah!!!
American Idol is for all those who believe they can be given a chance to reach out for their dreams and making it happen! Nothing is impossible!

So what does Season 14 bring? Who could be the next set of Judges? We will all soon find out!

Photo Credits:  Online, Twitter and American Idol. Many thanks!

AffiniTea Says Hello to CEU-Beda Branch ☺

The Tea That Binds  In just a span of two years, this healthy milk tea place grew from its original main branch along Leon Guinto in front of St. Scholastica’s College to now as far as Tuguegarao up north totalling to 15 branches to date! Most branches are franchised and only a handful company-owned. WOW!

AffiniTea owner Mark Anthony Liu together with his family, relatives and friends recently opened their CEU-Beda branch along Legarda St. in Manila. And yours truly together with some bloggers were there to witness this happy occasion.

“The CEU-Beda branch is going to be managed by my youngest brother Bert,” proudly shared Liu.

Upon entering the place, you will notice the dominance of the yellow and green hues since it connotes relaxation. Every customer who orders their delicious milk teas is guaranteed a refreshing feeling. This branch is equipped with Free WiFi and what an interesting password it has. Find out for yourselves!

Before the store blessing proper, Mark served us brewed Basil Iced Tea and looking from the outside of the glass, it will quickly quench your thirst. Basil is also known to be spicy so the its spicy coolness effect is simply perfect on a hot summer day.

A priest from nearby San Sebastian Church officiated the grand opening blessing saying a few personal remarks to continue its owners and families to become closer despite being busy in business and to always put God first in everything they do.

Ribbon-cutting was led by doting parents Sir Emerson and Ma’am Helen. The grand launch also coincided with the patriarch’s 64th birthday making it a double happy celebration. Great meeting you both!

Mark later on personally handed over his exciting frozen cupcakes in banana, mango and Oreo flavors which is a first of its kind! Super yummy! I found the mango flavor very tasty and so natural to taste. After which AffiniTea’s sweet spaghetti version did not escape our palates and did not disappoint.

I asked Mark, what made them decide to come up with pasta, burgers and cupcakes in their menu? He replied, “It’s the suggestion of our customers.” And with that idea, dropping by AffiniTea makes the experience more complete. Mark adds that right now these options are only being served at their major branches in Cavite and Makati.  As Mark and his team continue to open more AffiniTea branches nationwide, expect healthier milk tea flavors to be concocted and additional food options to dominate the growing list.

“From the start, we wanted to encourage people to live a fit and healthy lifestyle thru the milk teas that we have as best options. And we are very thankful for all the blessings that have come our way and these would not be all possible without Him. Always to Him the praise and glory,” Mark concludes.

Definitely, AffiniTea is today’s fastest-growing healthy milk tea place and for the love of a better lifestyle, and true to its slogan, The Tea That Binds, we are giving this one a double thumbs up! They even have their own AffiniTea jingle! ASTIG na ASTIG!

To find out more updates and promos from AffiniTea, just visit and Like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AffiniTeaPhilippines . Share your experience and photos there as well. You may get a special shout out!

Many thanks fellow runner-friend Mark Anthony Liu for having us! It was cool meeting your family. Good luck, God bless and more AffiniTea branches to come! ☺☺☺

Weekend Races – Etude Princess / NTDR III Trilogy

Etude Princess Run
May 25, 2014
BGC
3K 5K 10K

1st Leg NTDR III Trilogy Championship
May 25, 2014
Tanay, Rizal
5K 10K 21K 50K
Trail Running