Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Drum Tao - Samurai Drum Rock Live in Manila


 “DRUM TAO – SAMURAI DRUM ROCK”, the return of the Japanese troupe with a spectacular new show on April 19th – 22nd, 2018 at the Kia Theatre, Quezon City.

World-renowned Japan martial arts and drum-playing extraordinaires, Drum Tao, have an exciting stage show for 2018 with costumes created by fashion designer Junko Koshino.





After playing to audiences of more than 7 million, in 400 cities in 23 countries that include Switzerland, Denmark, Israel, USA, Australia, Spain, Belgium, UK and Germany, critically-acclaimed Drum Tao, will explode onto the Manila stage with its eclectic mix of dance and martial arts as the dynamic and innovative Japanese performers beat their Wadaiko Drums.



Drum Tao is world class entertainment at the highest level.  It is an innovative contemporary Japanese production that has thrilled audiences with this ground-breaking presentation and one-of-a-kind show.

The two-hour extravaganza features super human efforts by the highly disciplined crew of Japanese Taiko drummers, who spend eight months of the year touring the world, giving it their all in the 500 shows they perform a year.



Audiences will be captivated by an evening of rhythm, beats, melody and extraordinary precision which is inspiring, uplifting and theatrical. Tickets go on sale to the public 15 January, 2018. Don’t miss out!

Check their promotional video here:


Brought to you by: Powerline Events, Supreme, Hills & Dreams Concepts, Co Presented by: FOX in association with Travelife Magazine. Major Sponsor: Daiso Japan, Supported By: Ippudo, JLCG Creative, JTB
Media Partners: Otaku Asia, Primer, Mellow 94.7fm, Ripples Daily, GEM TV, Animax, Jam 88.3

For more details and online booking you may check:
Website: Ticketnet.com.ph
Landline: 911 5555

Ticket Prices: From P800, P1500, P2500, P3500, P4500 (excludes ticket service fee)

Hope to see you there!


Time to work and play with Taiwan Excellence


The Philippine Statistics Authority reported last March that eight million Filipinos are overworked. They work well beyond the required 48 hours per week—equivalent to one additional day, which inhibits quality time with family, adequate sleep, and general well-being. These statistics suggest that Filipinos should take a step back and strive to strike a balance between their professional and personal lives.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is pleased to present innovative products that have been developed to help achieve a better work-life balance. Through its Taiwan Excellence campaign, TAITRA introduces wonderful products that boost quality of life.

Every day is an opportunity to get active

Our daily commute can consume so much of our time. Consider switching up your mode of transportation.

Check out Tern’s Verge X10, a portable bike that disassembles in just 10 seconds. Its wheels are ultra-light, giving city riders a great biking experience. If you’re traveling long distances, try Heartway’s lightweight and compact S21 EasyMove Scooter. It can travel as fast as 4 miles per hour, and is easily transportable through its remote-controlled folding feature. It comes with a travel case so you can take it with you on your next trips.

Tern’s Verge X10

Heartway's S21 EasyMove Scooter

Learn something new

Weekends are a good time to reward yourself for the week’s accomplishments and to reenergize for what’s ahead. However, this doesn’t mean cozying yourself up at home to sleep, reading or binge-watching your favorite TV shows. Discover new, relaxing, and revitalizing hobbies to enjoy on your days off. 

Test your athletic abilities and push yourself physically by joining a triathlon. And make sure you have essential gear like the Revolution Tri-Max Fabric from AROPEC Sports’ Triathlon Compression Lycra Suit. It’s made with a special super-stretch fiber that supports muscles and keeps you comfortable during and after cycling to optimize performance.

AROPEC Sports’ Triathlon Compression Lycra Suit Revolution Tri-Max Fabric

If you prefer stress-relieving activities, golf is a great alternative. Hono’s The Best Caddie Putter can help you master the game faster. It has a built-in Slope Detector to improve your aim and a non-slip rubber grip to enhance your comfort. Or bring the Step2Gold’s Ta-Da Chair on your next trip to the golf course. It transforms a walking stick into a chair in just a few steps and enables a convenient way to get a breather on busy days. 

Hono’s The Best Caddie Putter

Step2Gold’s Ta-Da Chair

Find time to de-stress

Unwinding is crucial and allows you to boost energy levels for your next activity.

Photowalking is a physically less demanding hobby and the PaperShoot Hinoki Digital Camera is a great companion. A first-of-its-kind, this digital camera is made of wood, uses a one-button system for hassle-free control, and comes with wide-angle and fisheye lenses, a micro USB port for effortless exporting, and a 5 MP CMOS image sensor.

PaperShoot Hinoki Digital Camera

It’s easier to achieve a work-life balance with these Taiwan Excellence-approved products. For more information on Taiwan Excellence accredited products, visit the interactive Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone 3 at the Glorietta Activity Center on November 24 to 26. 

The three-day event is lined up with exciting activities such as product showcase, mini concerts, booth navigation tours, fashion shows, games, and raffle draws. 

You can also log on to taitra.org.tw/ and like Taiwan Excellence on Facebook.

Taytay Tiangge: Cheapest Shopping Market


When you start working without a required uniform, there might be some pressure when it comes to not repeating clothes too often or at least in 1-2 weeks time. One must learn how to mix and match to avoid looking having only a few pair of clothes in their closet.
That's why when there are sales, it gets so tempting to purchase anything! Admit it, it's hard to resist when you pass by a store with a big red sign saying SALE. Besides if it's branded and you can get it for Php 800 from its original price that's Php 1,500, then it's already a great deal! That's what I always I tell myself to feel less guilty spending (or more like splurging).

A few weeks ago, my colleague Marga discovered this famous tiangge in Taytay that sells clothes cheaper than your wildest imaginations (even cheaper than Divisoria!). Imagine an (almost) ukay priced clothes but brand new. Yes, that's how cheap it is. We watched several vlogs about it and it made us more excited that we had to go there that same week.

To know more about Taytay Tiangge, just keep scrolling. For now, here are a few of the stuff that I got during our Taytay trip:







The schedules in Taytay Tiangge are very tricky, some say it opens at 8 PM - 2 PM, 5 AM - 7 AM. Initially we thought "Wow effort talaga!", until we realized the schedule always changes.
We decided to go for the 8 PM schedule, because it would be impossible for us to wake up at 3 or 4 AM just to shop somewhere that's at the other side of Metro Manila from where we reside.

Last Thursday, we left early just to beat the traffic and thought we could just relax somewhere within the area. We got there at 4:30 PM, and surprisingly some stalls were already open! There are a lot of tiangge areas, so make sure you know where you want to go and which one your standing on.

(Apologies for the low quality photos that you are about to see, as I only used my mobile phone to take photos.)



We wanted to visit Bagpi, My Seoul and Mayora.

I gave myself a Php 1,500 shopping budget not expecting so much, but to our surprise it was more than enough to buy yourself outfits for an entire week or two! Tops/blouses are as cheap as Php 35.00!

It took took us 4 hours to finish shopping. After finishing going around Bagpi, Mayora and My Seoul, we decided to head back to Bagpi to go back to the stalls we wanted to spend our last couple of bucks on.



Schedules as of September 2017:
My Seoul Tiangge
Monday - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday - 5:00 PM - 12MN
Thursday - Friday - 5:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Saturday - 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday - 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Bagpi Garment Center
Monday - Tuesday - 8:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday - 5:00 PM - 12:00 MN
Thursday - Friday - 8:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Saturday - 5:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Mayora
Monday - Friday - Open the whole day
Saturday - Sunday - Closed

Tent
Monday - Tuesday - Open the whole day
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - Sunday - Open the whole day

Here are a few points you need to consider when going to Taytay Tiangge:
1. Wear something casual and comfy. Stay as simple and as light as possible because it gets really hot.
2. Use a small bag that you can keep close to you. It can get really crowded and no one wants getting hit by someone else's bag.
3. Bring an ecobag where you can put all the stuff you'll be buying.
4. Don't bring too much valuables.
5. Always ask for the retail price, because they normally give you the wholesale price.
Wholesale -  A few bucks cheaper than the retail price, but you need to get at least 3 of the same item (can be in different colors) to avail the discount.
6. Check the items for stains, holes and such just to make sure.

Overall, we are really happy with the experience - most especially with all our purchases. And we are looking forward to going back!

If you want to see our Taytay shopping trip, you may also watch Marga Banaga's blog here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIR8RJFDZcc

Thinking of visiting Taytay Tiangge?
Here is the address:
Manila E Rd, Taytay, Rizal, Philippines

Landmarks: 
Beside Taytay Fire Brigade, Across McDonalds
Near Taytay Public Market and Club Manila East.

Start the Christmas Vibe with Taiwan Excellence

As the countdown to Christmas begins, looking for the perfect gift for our loved ones can be a challenge, especially when we want to give them an upgrade from what we've given them a year ago. Fortunately, last September 29, I was able to visit the first day of Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone 2 held at the Main Atrium in SM Mall of Asia. The 3-day event (September 29 - October 1, 2017)  showed Taiwan’s best brands, which earned the Taiwan Excellence seal, in this interactive product showcase.

Sponsored by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) organized the Taiwan Excellence campaign to promote innovative and superior-quality products, and encourage Taiwan innovators to continue transforming current technologies.


Taiwan Excellence gave a spotlight to its sports and leisure products in this area. Visitors got a first-hand experience of the products that maximize active lifestyles, such as the Johnson S3+ Spinner Bike, which parallels the rigors of a spinning workout, while at home. Meanwhile, a Revolution Tri-Max Fabric can be the perfect gift for your athletic and sporty friends. This suit is made from special super-stretch fiber to support muscle, boost performance and reduce body soreness after exercise.
There’s also a plethora of options for the ride you and your loved ones have been looking for — the Verge X10, with its ultra-light wheels getting you places in style, the Strida LT making riding, carrying and storing your bike superbly convenient, as it folds in 5 seconds tops, or a Kymco Xciting 400 motorcycle, which makes riders feel completely safe, while enjoying the pleasures of driving.




Beyond the booths and presentations, the 3-day event gathered the thrill-seeking crowds for activities, performances, fashion shows, games, and raffle draws. The first 50 registrants got into a draw and won a signed basketball from the one and only, Philippine Basketball Association player Doug Kramer. The Gosiengfiao Sisters and Inigo Pascual also made an appearance last October 1, while other performers include Angeline Quinto who graced the event last September 29, 4th Impact was at the event last September 30, and the Judy’s Harmonica Ensemble.


About Taiwan Excellence

The symbol of Taiwan Excellence honors Taiwan’s most innovative products that provide tremendous value to users worldwide. All products carrying this symbol have been selected for specific Taiwan Excellence Awards based on their excellence in design, quality, marketing, Taiwanese R&D, and manufacturing. Started by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), R.O.C. in 1992, the symbol of Taiwan Excellence is recognized by 101 countries.

Sponsored by Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), MOEA

The Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), R.O.C. implements policies and regulations governing foreign trade and economic cooperation. Established in January 1969, the BOFT's role and position adjusts regularly to meet the needs of the ever-changing international economic and trade environments. The BOFT has been guiding and working with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) in numerous promotional trade projects and activities both internationally and domestically. Having worked with TAITRA for many decades, the BOFT continues to commission TAITRA for various critical government projects relating to business, trade, and investment, while promoting Taiwan internationally.

Organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)

Founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is the foremost non-profit, semi-governmental trade promotion organization in Taiwan. Jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and several commercial organizations, TAITRA assists Taiwanese businesses and manufacturers with reinforcing their international competitiveness and in coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets. TAITRA boasts a well-coordinated trade promotion and information network of over 1,200 international marketing specialists stationed throughout its Taipei headquarters and 50 overseas offices worldwide. Together with its sister organizations, the Taiwan Trade Center (TTC) and the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), TAITRA has created a wealth of trade opportunities through effective promotion strategies.

If you want to know more Taiwan Excellence, you may check the links below:
Website: https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph/

Le Cord: Premium Lightning Connectors



In our present generation, the most of us are usually on the go. With our mobile phones now being counted as one of our necessities to stay connected and updated, it has been an issue to many when your mobile phone runs out of juice; not to mention the other applications that we use that drains our battery faster than a typical text and call.

People are charging their mobile phones several times a day, at home, in the office and even outside with the help of their powerbank which may cause an overuse of their cables.


As to my own experience, I have changed cables several times this past few years due to the same reason. I have purchased a few, trusting that it is of high quality simply by basing it to the amount presented, which I admit wasn't a good idea at all. 2 of which I have previously purchased took at least 2 hours to completely charge my phone, and even gets dysfunctional after a couple of months of usage.

The other day I had my morning planned out, which began with a visit to the gym then to the pool but wasn't able to charge my phone before leaving the hotel room. Just in time before heading out, I received the Gold Edition of Le Cord and brought it out for a trial run. I realized why they called it the premium lightning connector, as it does not disappoint and does not keep you waiting for a long time for your battery to be fully charged. The product is of high quality and charged my mobile phone's battery in an hour or less. Along with it's effectivity, it also fashionably designed to fit your taste. 


Every Le Cord product is certified and approved by Apple Inc. This means they only use original Apple parts and components which guarantee secure flawless future performance with Apple products.

Worth knowing is that Le Cord cables can never be of less good quality than an original Apple cable found at your local Apple reseller. The original parts and components they buy from Apple and use in their products are exactly the same that you will find in an Apple original cable.


Le Cord was born in 2013 as a project under Local Electronics (LE), which is a Stockholm based design and research studio. The collection of premium charge & sync cables currently holds a wide style range made of various materials like textiles, leather and wood. All the items have undergone a detailed visual design and engineering process to meet the best durability and a fashionable appearance.

Le Cord's retail network has in a short period of time reached out to many of the world's most famous fashion and lifestyle resellers including Harrods, Conran Shop, Galeries Lafayette, Colette, Merci, WoodWood and SoHo House among many others. You will also find Le Cord products at selected Apple Resellers around the world.

Le Cord represents the perfect combination of studio individuals take on artistic details for the masses. Even though their main focus has been fashionable Apple certified charging cables, we are looking forward to the release of new exciting products in the future.

You can visit their website to view their designs, plus they offer free shipping!
For more information, you can visit https://lecord.se.

#IAmUrbanBrave


If you know me, or have read my previous write-ups, you know that I am involved with team sports, specifically Ice Hockey and Ultimate Frisbee.

Being a full-time employee and mom, I do my best to squeeze everything (sports and friends) in my day or week.

With a lot on my plate, my schedule gets demanding and all I can do is practice time management and learn how to juggle everything at the same time. This might be your case as well.


No matter how crazy my schedule gets, I always make it a point to attend trainings or at least hit the gym three times a week. This is why I always encourage my family and friends to do the same, for them to know and appreciate the effect of exercise in their health. Now, as you read through this blog post, I am also encouraging you.

We need to remind ourselves, that above all the hustle and bustle, we need to take care of ourselves. If we get sick, all of the attributing factors in our lives will be highly affected, work, family and other activities.


Physical fitness is important in staying healthy, and being healthy has a lot of benefits. It helps prevent a lot of medical conditions, boosts your energy, relieves stress and so much more. I've proven that with as simple as walking, it instantly helps boost your mood and helps clear your mind.

We might take simple exercises for granted, but being healthy makes us appreciate and live our lives to the full extent. Being and staying fit doesn't really require hours in the gym or killing yourself with workouts that you searched through the net, it's about keeping your feet moving, heart pumping, joints intact and muscles working.



TRIVIA: Exercising releases Endorphins, a chemical that is commonly known as our Happy Hormone. Endorphins promote a positive feeling in our bodies that also causes an energizing outlook in life.

Having an active lifestyle, we need brands that can keep up with us. That's why I'm really glad that we have a one stop shop for all urban adventure needs, such as Urbanize. It's a store that offers a variety of products perfect for the modern Urbanites, the urban dwellers, the weekend warriors, the bus gymnasts, the railway athletes and the multitasking experts.


Switching from smart-casual to dri-fit clothes and sneakers or cleats, requires a bag that can go with my day-to-day outfit and can also fit all of my work and workout clothes. Most especially for someone like me who doesn't drive and doesn't have her own car to store her other stuff,  imagine traveling or attending a meeting with a corporate outfit and a bulky duffel bag. It sorts of ruin the whole look. I highly appreciate brands that can go with both.

Most especially that I play on the ice and on the field, I need my stuff to be as reliable as Hydrapak (Yes, I'm using it as word replacement for "Possible"). Visit any Urbanize PH branch and ask for a demo to know why I love Hydrapak.


Urbanize offers a variety of top brands perfect for the Urban Dwellers. You can choose from brands, namely Pacsafe, Elecom, STM, Urbanize, Cabinzero, Artiart, Swisstech, High Road, Loqi, Espro, Hydrapak, Aevor, Key Gear, Qliplet, UST, Pinq Ponq, Wenger, Jelt, National Geographic, Yay, Kiko, Dosh, Hellolulu, Fjallraven, Sherpani, Focused Space, Allet and Lewis N' Clark.

For more details, you can visit their stores in  Gateway, Shangri-La, U.P. Town Center, Solenad Nuvali, Glorietta 3, Uptown Mall BGC, Alabang Town Center, Serin - Tagaytay City, The District - Cavite and Kiss & Fly - NAIA Terminal 3.

You may also like and follow their website and social media accounts:

New JBL Concept Store Opens in Festival Mall


Just in time for the holiday season, Beyond Innovations Inc. in it's 16th year in business opened another addition to JBL concept stores in the Philippines.
JBL recently had it's grand launch in Festival Mall last December 16, 2016. Located at the Upper Ground Floor, New Wing, JBL Festival Mall, offers award-winning products from legendary brands such as JBL, Harman Kardon and AKG. They offered big discounts on JBL and Harman Kardon bestsellers and new releases, as part of the exclusive treat to all their shoppers. 


Being known as one of the top-notch audiophile sound equipment makers, JBL, makes it accessible for their consumers to experience their products beforehand. With their best-selling array of earphones, headphones and speakers, it is a good way for us to know and identify which product suits our lifestyle best.


From what I know, most of JBL products are waterproof, and that's what I was looking forward to try most. During my first few minutes in JBL Festival Mall, I saw a glass container partially filled with water. I asked one of the staff if I could test if it's really waterproof. Without hesitations he instantly removed the wire connected to the JBL Clip 2, played music through bluetooth then dropped it in the water. We saw that it played music continuously as it floats in the area where it was dropped.

Music by pool? No problem! JBL does not only produce high-performance audio, but it makes us feel more secure with their waterproof products as to what I have seen. Now, you don't have to worry, if someone accidentally drops your speaker in the pool, pile of water or if the rain suddenly pours. You can still use and listen to music without the fear of your headphones or speakers getting short circuited. 

If you also want to try it for yourself, just visit any JBL concept store and you can both try and experience the quality of their products. You can test both the audio and also the waterproof capability to know what you're actually paying for. (Just don't forget to ask for assistance, as the wire if pulled too much can cause an alarm.)


After spending an afternoon of trying (and being amazed with) several products, I have listed my top choices that are available in JBL Festival mall. If you don't have anything to give to your music enthusiastic family and friends yet (or yourself), you might also want to check these out, since Christmas is just around the corner. *wink*

JBL Charge 3: 

A portable compact waterproof stereo speaker with room-filling sound allowing you to listen wirelessly in rain or shine for up to a full 12 hours. 


JBL Everest 300BT:

Bluetooth 4.1 enables wireless connectivity, with a dynamic listening experience and sculpted ear cushions that allows unprecedented fit and comfort. With a rechargeable battery that could last up to 20 hours of performance, with ShareMe 2.0 for wireless sharing of music to other bluetooth headphones and a built-in microphone for an easy call access.

This has to be my favorite one! Given that I have an active lifestyle, this is the perfect pair of headphones for me. I need and prefer wireless headphones that can keep up with me and my activities. There were instances when the wire gets tangled while I'm running, and a lot of times when I had to remove my earphones because there are several workout routines that require both my hands and I had nowhere to place my phone that is directly connected through a wire. Of course, music is essential to my workout. It keeps me pumped up. JBL Everest 300BT, makes me listen to music and answer calls wirelessly. 


JBL Cinema SB450:

The recently released soundbar, fills the room with theater-quality sound and music providing powerful bass with it's wireless 8-inch 200W wireless subfooter. Users can also stream bluetooth audio to SB450 and other JBL Connect-enabled speakers at the same time by connecting JBL Connect-enabled speakers to SB450. 


Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3:

A compact free-standing speaker system incorporates two woofers, two tweeters and two passive radiator cones for rich and realistic four-channel sound. Connects wirelessly to bluetooth enabled hand-held device and has a rechargeable lithium battery that allows up to five hours of playing time. 



Most of us spend a lot looking for the best pair of earphones, headphones and speakers, without actually realizing it. We must know that to have the best quality, it also comes as an investment.

With that being said, and the products being tried and tested, I would have to say that I am very glad that I took the time to visit JBL Festival Mall. I would definitely recommend JBL, Harman Kardon and AKG to my sound aficionado and music lover friends.

JBL being the leader in revolutionary sound, continues to push audio boundaries through innovation and personalized sound technology. 

Drop by the new JBL store in Festival Mall to learn more about their products and promos, or you can visit http://ph.jbl.com and http://ph.harmankardon.com.

You can also follow and like their social media accounts:

Facebook: JBL Philippines
Twitter: @JBLPH
Instagram: @jblph