3 Major Takeaways During Personal Collection's ALFA-1 Launch

It was an honor to be invited by one of the biggest direct selling companies in the Philippines, Personal Collection, during the launch of their advanced men 's care line called ALFA-1. It was held at Blue Water Day Spa in San Juan. Here are my three major takeaways from the event.

1. A complete set of ALFA-1 products. ALFA-1, as a brand, encourages all men to use only products formulated for them. They say that men have thicker, tougher skin than women because of higher levels of testosterone and larger amounts of collagen and elastin. They say men also tend to have larger pores and oilier skin. As a product, ALFA-1 is infused with CoolActiv Technology, a unique formulation that gives a superior overall clean, a fresh scent and an extremely cool after-feel. During the event, I got a shampoo, facial wash, body soap, body lotion and body spray. How's that for a loot bag, eh?

2. Opportunity to meet ALFA-1's endorser. Albie Casino is ALFA-1's newest endorser. I may not have been able to really talk to him but my fellow bloggers liked him so much. They said he was nice, down to earth and approachable. No wonder why he was chosen to be the endorser of this important brand by Personal Collection.

3. Awesome experience at Blue Water Day Spa. Though it was only the first time for me to attend an event by Personal Collection, I would say that they already have the knack for making a blogging event really fun and enjoyable. Although they could have done the launch at just any events place but they chose to go the extra mile and decided to hold it at the heavenly Blue Water Day Spa. We were offered foot, back and massage at the theater room while we were watching Captain America. It was my first time to experience something like that as I was accustomed to going to regular spas. I really like the experience and I'm definitely be going back to Blue Water Day Spa!

Overall, it was an awesome experience. I can't wait to be invited again to the next events of
Personal Collection!

To know more about the brand, please like their Facebook Page.

3 Reasons Why You Should Give Perfumes As Gifts

1. The recipient will remember you every time he/she uses the perfume. Did you ever wonder why certain smells evoke some emotions and bring back old memories to us? Well, there’s a science behind it. A smell travels through the olfactory bulb which is responsible for processing smells. And the olfactory bulb is part of the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain. This is why some smells bring back old memories as well as emotions. Consider this. The moment the person opens the gift and discovers that it is a perfume, there is a fat chance that he/she will try it right away. And guess what’s the last thing on his/her mind before he/she opens it? You. So if you want to make a mark on somebody, consider giving him/her a perfume.

2. Filipinos (among other people in the world) are crazy about perfumes. This one needs no rocket science to confirm. The reason why the perfume business in the Philippines (e.g. Prescripto, Aficionado and the like) is such an awesome industry is because Filipinos like feeling good and smelling good. We are among the races who practically take a bath every day. For us, smelling good is a very basic thing.

3. Perfumes are non-expensive, easy to carry and are considered as luxury items. There are expensive perfumes and there are affordable perfumes. Aside from this, perfumes are very easy to carry so it’s less hassle for you and the one you want to give the perfume too. Also, perfumes are considered as luxury items. Just make sure to pick the good ones.

Hey guys! I’m selling perfumes called Grances. It’s available at 12ml, 30 ml and 60ml. We have gift packs too composed of (a) 2 bottles of 60ml; and (b) 2 bottles of 30ml variants of your choice. You can choose from Green Apple (bestseller), White Lace (bestseller), Rain Kiss Leaf, Dew Happiness, Santorini Blue (Men) and Navy Coast (Men). For orders, please send me, Mark Delgado, a message at 0998-367-0545 or at 0915-339-4455.

Here is the price list:

• 12ml - P199
• 30ml - P299
• 60ml - P399
• 2 bottles of 30 ml with basket and ribbon - P599
• 2 bottles of 60ml with basket and ribbon - P799

I have testers. Let's meet up! Just contact me using the numbers above.

3 Reasons To Shop At Island Rose

Roses for your Ms. World? No problem. Island Rose is the
official flower sponsor during the Ms. World Philippines
2014 pageant.

1. Quality.

The very website of Island Rose is about quality. (Check it out at www.islandrose.net.) It's one of the most navigable e-commerce websites I have ever visited -- no kidding here. It's fast and simple. Less frills. Less clutter. It's ideal for people who know exactly what they want and want it quick -- without sacrificing the quality. Since the first touchpoint of most customers is through online, you can already say a lot how the people behind this business do it. And true enough, as I click through the pages of the website, one thing is impressed on my mind -- Island Rose is about quality. You can say that you can get roses and other gifts anywhere else but there is no denying that it is Island Rose that had perfected the art and science of "delivering fresh roses to the ones you love". And you know too well that when giving to the ones you love, quality is of utmost importance. I believe this is what Island Rose is about.

2. Great business idea.

The awesome website of Island Rose.

It was last year when I first heard about Island Rose in a webinar about best practices in e-commerce in the Philippines. When I first heard about it, I knew that it was a great business idea. First, it's unique in its own niche. Before and after I heard about Island Rose, I've never heard of any other business that delivers fresh roses to anyone anywhere which can also be ordered online. There can similar businesses to Island Rose but they haven't reached me yet. Second, it's focused. By its name, you will know already what it's all about -- roses. By focusing on the most popular flower in the market, it has become an excellent business in its own respect. Where there is focus, there is excellence. And third, it's revolutionary. In its website, it was said that in the year 2000 the business sparked a revolution in the Philippine flower industry and e-commerce retailing. This means when I was in Grade 6 and long before Lazada and Zalora, Island Rose is already doing e-commerce. Being a digital marketing consultant myself, this blows my mind incredibly.

3. Love.

A screenshot of their Deals page. My favorite items are
all here especially "Forever" which is found at the
upper right hand corner.

If there is yet another great reason why you should get flowers for your sweetheart from Island Rose, I believe that it is love. You can be a Filipino professional who is working abroad and is looking for a way to send roses to your sweetie-pie here in the Philippines. Or you can just be here looking for a way to make your honey-bunch feel extra special by having her favorite flowers delivered at her office. I believe Island Rose is the one for you.

Check out their website at www.islandrose.net. My favorite item so far is "Forever" which can be found at their Deals page.

The Declaration

Japz Cadelina's personal declaration

is "forgiven".

November 17, 2012. Taguig City. Mercato Centrale had declared its new location at 30th Street in 9th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City. Oxfam and Dakila also declared that day its advocacy for eating Brown Rice and for supporting the local farmers who grow it. Many bazaar concessionaires and customers also declared their support for these 2 coinciding events and among them is the Japz Cadelina. But his is a declaration of another kind.



Japz Cadelina is the owner of the Declaration Shirts. He created its concept for his thesis during his college days in the College of Saint Benilde. He took Multimedia Arts. After graduation, he joined a real estate company as a Graphic Artist. On his 6th month, when he’s about to be regularized, he declared his resignation.



He was already doing bazaars back then and was doing pretty well in it. Now he’s focusing full time in his business and also taking freelance jobs on the side.



Declaration Shirts is unique in its kind. One thing that attracted me to it is its simplicity. All shirts are in black and white only. The fonts used for the statements are uniform in style. The words imprinted in front of the shirts describe the different emotions a Christian feels on his or her faith. There’s “inspired”, “happy”, “changed” and “blessed”. I got “forgiven”. There was a certain kind of feeling that went with that word when I saw it. Japz said that it was also his personal declaration. He was wearing it that day.

Shirts may be bought along with this sleek box  for only

PhP10.00 each. It's a perfect gift for  Christmas!

Being a son of a pastor at their local Christian church, Japz may have taken his inspiration from his dad. He openly shared to me that when his dad died a couple of years ago, his uncle took over and now he’s also a member of their music ministry as a drummer.



It’s amazing how Japz was able to do these things. At an early age, he already has an up and coming business which even celebrities like Enchong Dee, John Prats and Jericho Rosales support. Then again, I really don’t wonder why whenever I think of this verse from the Bible.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13

INVITATION: Let us support Japz’s Declaration Shirt! It’s a perfect gift for yourself and for your loved ones this coming Christmas. For more information, please check out Declaration’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/declarationshirts. Or you may contact them directly at 0917-5279-768 or declarationshirts@yahoo.com.

Greatness starts at home

My parents were the earliest witnesses of my insatiable thirst for blogging and social networking. I had been blogging since 2005 and I even used to blog at Tabulas back then. I also used to be online in Multiply and Yahoo! Messenger every day, especially during summer, chatting and having fun with my friends. My mom is usually the last person to go to bed (after finishing the chores) and usually is the first person to rise in the morning to prepare for breakfast. And in both instances every day during summer, she can’t fathom how I manage not to get any sleep at all and how I can stay wide awake in front of my laptop from dusk till’ dawn.

“Di ka ba natutulog?” she used to ask me every time she catches me in the morning clicking and typing in front of my laptop. I used to provide her a lot of explanations such as, “Ma, I’m nocturnal.”, “Ma, it’s summer. I have so much reserved energy.”, “Ma, this blog post can’t wait for tomorrow. This has to be posted already otherwise I’ll lose it.”

Despite my parents’s little worries about me having too much online activities and less relationship with my bed, I am so glad that they never planned, not even once, to have our internet subscription at home cut. In fact, they even bought me and siblings one of the early versions of Globe Broadband Tattoo which I am still using until now whenever I need internet outdoors.

My old but still very reliable Globe Tattoo Broadband had always been with me especially during my travels. It had been the partner of my laptop for the longest time. I use this for blogging and connecting to my social networks.  

My greatest moment of achievement started last year, 2011, when I was lucky enough to be picked to attend the online classes in the Ateneo-DigitalFilipino Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program  (CBSMEP) for FREE! I won this from a writing contest wherein I needed to answer the question, “Why do I want to become a Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur?”

My greatest moment!

Last February 2012, I created a blog activation campaign called Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012. My objective is to promote tourism in Intramuros, the Walled City of the Philippines, through blog and social media. The idea is to let the bloggers experience Intramuros through (a) food- during a free dinner at Barbara’s Restaurant, the only restaurant in the Philippines that holds daily cultural presentations; and through (b) travel- during a one-day walking tour with top-caliber tour guiding groups in Intramuros such as Celdran Tours, Castillan Tours and Mabuhay Guides.

This photo was taken during my briefing with the bloggers before the walking tour inside the exclusive Club Intramuros. This project was supported by the Department of Tourism and by various private organizations. To know more about Intramuros Bloggers Challenge, you may click here.   

It was none other than Ms. Janette Toral, an internet marketing guru in the Philippines, who selected my work from among the many entries that participated in the writing contest. And to top it all off, she, herself, became my mentor for the nine-week intensive training in blog and social media entrepreneurship certification.

I am thankful for this program. Because of this, I am now starting to learn how to earn from a hobby that I only used to enjoy doing at home- seven years ago. I am thankful for my parents too for being an inspiration for me to continue doing what I love to do, for reading my blog from time to time (my biggest fans) and also for giving me and my siblings the great gift of being “connected” with the world- through the world wide web.

The coolest parents!

This photo was taken during the summer of 2011 in the beautiful island of Boracay. Actually, my parents are heavy users of internet too. My father had been working in Mexico for a couple of years now and he only returns to the Philippines once a year- during summer. The only way for my parents to stay in touch with each other is through Facebook and Skype. Thanks to the power of the internet! My dad seems to be closer- even though he's miles apart from us.

I am now only less than two weeks away from attaining my dream of becoming a Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur. I know this is just the beginning of my journey towards achieving more accomplishments in the future. I wish more and more parents will be able to realize the great gift that they can give their sons and daughters by just merely giving them the advantage of staying connected, at the comforts of their home, with the bigger world that is out there- the internet.

Greatness starts at home.

Part of the perks of being a blogger and a social media entrepreneur is meeting famous celebrities and notable personalities during "work". Posing with me is Carlos Celdran during the first premiere of his disco-themed play entitled "Livin' La Imelda Loca" last February 7, 2011 at Silverlens Lab where I was invited as a blogger.

Carlos also sponsored my blog activation campaign for the Walled City, Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012.

[Source:  http://blog.globe.com.ph  ]

About the Author
Mark Joseph Delgado is a Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur in the making. He maintains three blogs namely, www.sleekinthecity.com, www.intramurosmanila.asia and www.bloggers4change.net under his online marketing company called Think Marketing Group. He is madly in love with Thai dishes and loves to cook pancakes.

Strawberry Fields Forever: My Baguio Strawberry Farm Experience

It had always been a dream for me to go to the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet. I had been to Baguio a couple of times but I never had the chance to visit the famous farm. But during my last visit to Baguio during the third week of February 2012, a few days before Panagbenga Festival, I swore I won't miss it anymore. And so I went.

Tip #1: Never leave for the Strawberry Farm later than 7:00am. Traffic can be ugly in Baguio. The farm opens as early as 6:00am. As much as possible, be there at that time for maximum farming experience. It's fun seeing the dew on the leaves you know?

We arrived at the farm of my dreams at around 6:30am. Not bad. This morning photo of the strawberry field as well as the houses and hills in La Trinidad relaxes me a lot.

When we arrived, we were greeted with a smile by the kind-faced caretaker of the strawberry field we went into. There are actually a lot of them in here but he was the first one we met so we decided to pick in his field. That morning, he had already harvested this basket full of "Festival" breed of strawberries. Festival strawberries are the elongated shaped and bloody red colored strawberries growing in La Trinidad.

Tip #2: Notice that every other walkway in between rows of planted strawberries are wet. Some are dry. This means you can only walk upon the dry ones. Don't get slipped ok? 

Sole Service Spring/Summer 2012

Inspired by international street style and the outdoors, Sole Service found its niche as a unique source of footwear for Manila’s hip and trendy. Sole Service reinvents classic pieces and creates a wide variety of designs with fresh and modern shapes, fit and feel.

Sole Service Manila recently released its S/S 2012 dual campaign featuring back to back day and night theme.

Apples & Almonds Cupcakes

Hear ye! Hear yea! Cupcake lovers! There's a new sweetie in town.

(Drum roll here.)

Apple & Cinnamon and Banoffee! Perfect for Valentine's or anytime. =)

Up above are the delicious cupcakes made by Apples & Almonds. I am so proud 'coz it's made by a senior from college and it's nice to know that she actually ventured to this kind of business which I am such a big fan of-- sweets!

A nice pair of shoes and how I reached the Golden Age of Consumerism

Above is a photo of a simple-looking but extremely stylish shoes I bought for as low as PhP199.75 at a huge mall in Metro Manila. Never in my imagination I will be able to put into use a PhP199.75 in my pocket to purchase such a lovely merchandise like this. This is pure bliss- especially during times that I'm really looking closely at how I spend my money without necessarily depriving myself.

It's perfect how Ms. Kris Aquino put it in her latest milk commercial. Sulit (a Filipino word), according to her, is getting more than we pay for.

Today I had just reached the Golden Age of Consumerism!

Bow.

My Perfect Hair Wax: A Panic-Buying Story

Many guys will agree with me on this. Finding the perfect hair wax for our hair is not easy.

Our hairs- though made of dead skin cells- have proven to be one of the “vainest” parts of the human body and a source of a gazillion of ideas and inspirations for the creation of the many hair products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair styling aids, accessories and etc.

Pardon the vanity.

My Top 5 Picks from Pixics Online Store

Tired of the run-of-the-mill online stores selling run-of-the-mill stuffs? Try Pixics!

I have recently stumbled upon this sleek online store selling stuffs that can be described as indie, retro, vintage or hipster. It’s perfect for people who are looking for rare stuffs that sometimes we can only find in flea markets or maybe Etsy. Pixics offers a wide variety of merchandises for both male and female- accessories, wallets, bags, shirts, blouses, toys and even handmade products!

Take a look at their website and products by clicking on the photo below.

Bandung: Indonesia's Factory Outlet City

When a travelling Juan says he’s been to Indonesia, one thing that hits the mind first is BALI. Bali is a very famous tourist destination known for a beach paradise. Jumping to a much closer view of Indonesia, it is also home to a city filled with good quality clothing at around half the price compared to our hometown.

[Photo Credits: http://inyaka.net/]