Old Navy Philippines has celebrated its 10th anniversary with the grand opening event of its One Ayala store in Makati City ealier today.

Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable, and high-quality products.

During the One Ayala store launch event, celebrities and media members were indulged in a unique shopping experience, by having them personalize their t-shirts of choice with their own screen printing designs.

The store opening came just in time for summer, featuring a wide array of stylish essentials for the season.

Located in the heart of One Ayala, the new Old Navy store invites customers to experience a curated selection of summer outfit essentials. You may shop from the variety of jeans for women’s from skinny, straight, wide leg, loose and baggy fits, as well as versatile jeans for men with slim, straight and athletic fits.

The One Ayala branch also offers polished and casual workwear pieces with Pixie, Taylor Pants, OG Chinos, Blazers, Luxe and Bestee Tees for Button Down Oxford Shirts for women. Report to the office in style with our men’s Ultimate Tech Pants, Chinos, Polo Piques, Button Down Shirts, Loose and Boxy Tees, and our Pro Signature Shirt with a Go Dry moisture wicking technology perfect for the scorching weather. As summer approaches, kids can enjoy playdate approved pieces with Old Navy’s mix and match tops and bottoms, tees, shorts and dresses. 

Cute styles for little girls and boys are also available in the Kids Section of the store.

The anniversary is offering exciting promotions and special offers, such as Buy 1 get 1 on all tees, and 30% off storewide and a 40% off on 3 or more regular-priced items from April 26-28. This offer is not only available in One Ayala, but also in their stores in Bonifacio High Street, Shangri-la and oldnavy.com.ph, making it the perfect opportunity for shoppers to update their summer wardrobes.

In the Philippines, Old Navy is exclusively distributed by Specialty Lifestyle Concepts, Inc. (formerly Casual Clothing Retailers, Inc.), a member of SSI Group, Inc.

For more information about Old Navy and the One Ayala store opening, you may visit www.oldnavy.com.ph or follow Old Navy Philippines on social media.

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Have you tried incorporating meditation into your beach vacation? Wouldn’t it be exciting if your trip includes indulging in the magic of the sea and taking care of your well-being?

Muni Muna: Yoga and Dive Weekend Adventure by Muni Yoga Studio is redefining the way you do your ocean holiday as you embark in a weekend with a diving adventure and yoga retreat.

Muni Yoga Studio is located in Angono in Rizal, and offers yoga classes that follow the Satyananda lineage. The Satyananda kind is purely based on the traditional and holistic yoga from India, with deep positive effects on mental health and well-being. They emphasize a balanced approach to physical and mental well-being. These are a rare kind in the Philippines, and far different from the common yoga offerings in other studios.

Founded by Cherryl “Che” Villaflores, Muni Yoga is backed up by teacher Che’s over 20 years of yoga practice and teaching experience. Her initial training in teaching yoga took place in Rishikesh in India, where she was introduced to the Bihar Tradition of yoga. This experience sparked a further interest in pursuing a lifestyle that benefits both people and the environment.

Che continues to expand her knowledge and practice in Bangalore in India where she’s learning with the esteemed teachers of this lineage. Her yoga journey came from a strong interest in mindfulness, meditation, and a keen love for exploring the mysteries of the universe. Her goal is to make yoga accessible to all in her community, leading her to establish ‘Muni Yoga’ during the pandemic.

Currently, Che is deepening her yoga sadhana (lifestyle) and teaching skills through a 2-year Teacher Training program facilitated by Atma Darshan Yogashram in Bangalore, India.

Originally from Talim Island, Che’s love for nature, the water, and the mountains deeply influences her teaching style, making her classes peaceful and rejuvenating. She also has a strong bond with her dogs and the local community.

In partnership with Cove 88 Dive Resort in San Luis, Bauan in Batangas, the Muni Muna yoga x dive adventure aims to offer you the tranquility of yoga with the exhilaration of diving in a unique weekend adventure for both novices and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

Meanwhile, you will be guided in the diving side of the weekend getaway by Lawrence Zyrick Lopez, PCGA. A highly skilled and experienced dive instructor with a passion for the underwater world, Lawrence, or Zy to friends, has over nine years of experience in the field of diving, with a dedication in the art and science of teaching others how to explore the depths of the ocean safely and responsibly.

Since obtaining his Open Water License in 2015, Lopez has been actively involved in introducing the wonders of scuba diving to new enthusiasts. He specializes in ‘Introduction to Diving’ courses, where he lays the foundation for safe and enjoyable underwater adventures. His expertise does not stop there; for the past two years, he has also been a pivotal figure for students aspiring to obtain their own Open Water License, offering advanced training and guidance to help them achieve their goals.

Set against the backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty, Muni Muna offers participants the opportunity to explore the depths of both the ocean and their own inner peace. This ocean vacay is designed not only to provide relaxation and adventure, but also to foster a deeper connection with oneself and the surrounding environment.

“‘Pause Muna, Muni Muna’ — it is all about hitting the pause button for my students and other participants, and taking a break to really reflect — or ‘muni’ in Tagalog. It’s setting up this chill space in a hidden-away dive resort where we can step back from the rush of everyday life and spend some quality time with ourselves,” Che shared in an interview with Stylish.

“Choosing a secluded spot helps us see everything with fresh, excited eyes, like through a kid’s perspective. The whole vibe of ‘Pause Muna, Muni Muni’ is to keep it super relaxed and stress-free. Both yoga and diving are about slowing things down, breathing deeply, and just watching the world around us. They encourage us to be present, notice the little things, and become aware again. It’s the perfect opportunity for everyone to breathe, observe, reflect, and recharge, rediscovering the simple pleasures in life.”

The Muni Muna Weekend Adventure includes the following:

• Expert-Led Yoga Sessions: Guided by experienced instructors, participants will engage in yoga practices that are perfect for all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. These sessions are designed to improve flexibility, strength, and mental clarity.
  
• Thrilling Diving Experiences: Explore the underwater world with safe and professional diving sessions. Whether you’re taking your first breath underwater or you’re an experienced diver, these dives promise stunning sights and an incredible connection with marine life.
  
• Mindfulness and Connection: In today’s fast-paced world, Muni Muna offers a chance to slow down, be present, and reconnect with nature and oneself through guided mindfulness practices and group discussions.
  
• Community and Culture: Join a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for adventure, wellness, and environmental consciousness. This weekend is more than an escape; it’s an opportunity to form lasting bonds and memories.

Muni Muna is dedicated to creating an experience of total wellbeing that combines physical activity, mindfulness, and environmental awareness. The mission is to provide opportunities for individuals to explore new activities, connect deeply with themselves and others, and foster a greater appreciation for the natural world. Each slot ia valued at 8,800php inclusive of yoga and diving sessions, transportation and accommodation, and meals. The Muni Muna: Yoga and Dive Weekend Adventure by Muni Yoga Studio is a two-day weekend getaway on June 8 and 9, 2024.

To join the Muni Muna Yoga and Dive Weekend Adventure, you may get in touch with Muna Yoga on Facebook at facebook.com/muniwithme or register HERE.

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We’ve heard it a lot of times before: when it comes to investment in business, it is smart to put your eggs in a number of baskets and not just in one. Marites Novis, founder of Australian-based fashion boutique MNovis, has experienced first-hand the benefits of this business strategy.

From real estate, fashion, to now beauty — Marites has pretty much done it all.

“I got married at the age of 19, so super early. Then I started my own business at 28 years old. We built QFirst Property Investment Group, a construction company with my husband who is an electrical engineer. We did it for 8 years in the Philippines until we finally brought it in Australia,” the female entrepreneur shared in an exclusive interview with Style Visionary Network and Stylish Magazine. “The goal has always been to offer cost-effective yet top quality contractor requirements be it residential and commercial.”

In 2008, the Novis family decided to migrate to Australia to expand QFirst internationally.

“Let me tell you, it was super challenging. I thought it would be easy to apply our strategies in Manila to the market in Sydney, but I was wrong. It took us 9 years, I’d say, before we truly understood and mastered our Australian market.”

At first, Novis was still co-managing the Philippine operations. Marites decided to study and get her real estate broker license in Australia so she can better cater to the needs of their new market in Sydney.

In her first two months of being a licensed real estate broker in Sydney, she was able to sell 18 properties. 

“On my fourth month, I was able to sell 16 more properties. It really is about building the trust, and of course, relationships,” she said.

Today, the QFirst Property Investment Group Australia office has a group of real estate brokers and agents in Sydney under their belt whom they constantly train and nurture. 

Diving in Fashion

Just like any other Filipino abroad, Marites wanted a taste of Filipino culture in her new home in Sydney. That’s when she decided to franchise the famous Filipino clothing brand Plains & Prints in Australia.

“I’ve always loved fashion. Growing up, I always expressed myself through my style, and one of my favorite clothing brands is Plains & Prints. So I decided to offer the brand to the Australian market, and of course, the Filipino community. Even Filipino entrepreneurs and OFWs from the countryside will visit us in Sydney just so they can shop at our Plains & Prints store. It feels great to be able to give them that sense of Filipino pride through fashion and shopping in our store.”

Marites saw right away that these same visitors would turn into QFirst clients because she’s inevitably building relationships with customers.

“I’ve always been a people-person, I can easily build relationships with anyone. My goal will always be to cater to the customers and their best interest all the time, be it in real estate investments or fashion, and maintain a good relationship with anyone,” she shared.

“In business, when you focus on the value you are giving to your clients and customers, as well as maintaining good relationships all the time, the money will follow,” she added.

Fashion as Enterprise

Aside from her own Plains & Prints franchise store in Sydney, Marites had also eventually ventured in fashion show production.

“I brought Filipino fashion designers to Sydney through fashion show presentations. So I would produce fashion shows for designers such as Rocky Gathercole. I did that for three years, until Rocky and I decided to open our very own clothing brand. That’s how MNovis fashion boutique was born. Too bad, he passed on already, but I planned MNovis with Rocky.”

Today, MNovis Fashion Boutique is located at the Westpoint Shopping Centre in Blacktown, New South Wales in Australia, catering fashion pieces to customers.

“Our goal with MNovis is to offer both ready-to-wear (RTW) and couture to both Filipino and Australian markets in Sydney– from Gen Z, millenials to Gen X. I have a very good relationship with Chico Estiva, another avant garde and formalwear Filipino designer, so he helps us sometimes with couture offerings. It feels good to offer quality fashion pieces through our very own fashion brand, aside from our franchise brand. “

New Venture in Beauty

Marites is hard at work these days preparing to launch her direct selling company, as she tries her hand in the beauty industry.

“We have a huge pool of real estate brokers and sellers in Sydney, and when their sales performance is taking a hit, I’d like to think I can still offer them business and income opportunities, since I have nurtured them in sales through the years. I want to empower them even more as we introduce our new beauty brand and direct selling company called MariNova,” the visionary added.

“After all, as an entrepreneur, it is important that we build new streams of income, or put our eggs in a number of baskets, and not just focus on one,” she said.

“Of course, I want to offer the market something that I am passionate about, and something I personally use and need. I have a very sensitive skin growing up and even now, so my team developed skincare products that can truly solve my skin issues.”

Novis and her team of professional chemists, formulators and manufacturers took two years to perfect their beauty products, which range from facial serums, pimple-fighting facial wash, to sunscreen. The goal for MariNova beauty brand is to empower more people through direct selling and business in the fast-growing industries of wellness and beauty.

“Since we are offering top quality skincare products, I am confident that my team and even incoming direct sellers can really make profits and extra income from our MariNova products.”

MariNova already soft launched in Sydney with a fun yacht party last March.

“We are set to officially launch MariNova in Manila in April,” she added. “We are excited to offer income opportunities to our Filipino kababayans. We have various direct selling packages to choose from.”

“It is important to build various income and business streams so if one is not doing so good seasonally, then you have a fallback,” she concluded. “The same thing when you are a full-time employee– it is a good thing to have a side hustle, and direct selling is a great opportunity for extra income.”

Note: This article is also available in our lifestyle-business platform Style Visionary Network.

The post Female Visionary: Founder of Australian-Based Fashion Boutique MNovis Shares Why Diversifying In Business Is Important appeared first on .

Anna Magkawas, CEO of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group, is probably one of the recognizable faces among the new generation of entrepreneurs today. From luxury fashion to wellness and beauty industries, the female visionary has shown the world that her business leadership goes beyond the social media hype.

In an in-person interview with Stylish Magazine and Style Visionary Network, Anna shared her humble beginnings from childhood, and how she discovered her business acumen at such a young age.

“During my childhood, lumaki akong malayo sa parents kasi nasa Manila sila for work. (I was raised away from my parents because they were in Manila for work.) My siblings and I were raised by our grandparents in Tiaong, Quezon Province. I think the first people to influence me though when it comes to business were my parents, because we had a small eatery in Boni, Mandaluyong. I stayed there during kindergarten before I studied gradeschool in the province. We had a canteen and a videoke hub there. My father was also a jeepney driver,” she said.

“I think ever since I was a kid, I’ve always known that I wanted to have my own business someday when I grow up,” Anna shared.

“I remember me and my cousins used to gather around before to watch TV together, and what I would do was go to a sari-sari store to buy snacks that I could sell to them. I would buy a snack for 2 pesos each, and would sell it for 2 pesos and 50 centavos. So in my head, I would have 50 cents for myself for each one I’d sell. I was already so happy with that because I would have savings. Then at school, I would use my lunch money as my capital to sell snacks. Sometimes I would ask my grandmother to cook champorado that I could sell to my neighbors. So I enjoyed doing that, gaining profits, even as a kid.”

The businesswoman shared she was always into sales, which confused some acquaintances because she was a shy kid.

“People who knew me were always wondering how I could pull off selling anything because I was always a shy person. I was too shy I could not even say hi to people unless they say hi to me first. I was too shy to approach people, but then when I would sell, my confidence would come out,” she said.

By high school, she became the president of YEX, a youth organization of aspiring entrepreneurs. “It’s fun because it was like we were being prepared to run a business. I was the leader. We had a store in our school and I’d choose what products to sell there. I was doing the inventory and all the sales. Somehow, it was my stepping stone in business because I learned a lot about cash flow,” she explained.

It was in college that Anna really felt she needed to earn money as she was faced with the financial struggles of her family. She was transferred from a private school to a state university.

“During college, I went back to Manila and I was really struggling in school, especially with tuition fees. So I needed to get my hands on more side hustles. I decided to do direct sales for companies like Boardwalk and Natasha. My board mates would buy items from me like shampoo, clothes– you name it.”

She was trying to finish her degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering. “I knew the course was far from my career now. But I just really wanted to finish a college degree so I can pursue a better future for myself. I was a working student and really worked hard to have good grades. It was during this time when I first discovered that I wanted I really wanted to start a business in the future. I became a part of a direct sales company from Thailand too, so I would so multi-level marketing on the side for more extra cash. I would literally give flyers to students to make sales. My mindset was I could do business on the side, even if I was studying.”

“After college, I didn’t take the board exam. I was so decided I wanted to have a job right away, so I worked as a call center agent, then as a sales agent for a photocopier machine brand. I also became a medical representative. I did all I could to make money as a full-time employee because in my head, if I would choose to take the board exam first, I would need to shed out money again instead of earning money already.”

In one of her full-time jobs, she decided to sell bags for extra income.

“I was selling low-end bags at first. But there was one client who was asking me for a Louis Vuitton purse. She told me her budget was 25,000 pesos. And I was thinking, ‘do people really allot this much money for a bag?’ So I researched where can I buy this particular Louise Vuitton bag and I found this Japanese store of pre-loved bags. I saw other suppliers of various designer bags along the way. So I found this pre-loved LV bag and I got it for 20,000pesos, and sold it for 25,000php.”

“I eventually opened my bag store in 2015. I really became an expert in determining genuine designer bags from replicas.”

It was the birth of her now successful designer bag store: LuxOnlinePh. The store brand now has branches in a number of malls in the metro.

Anna eventually grew her audience online as she would share her expertise in designer bags in her social media, particularly through her vlogs on her YouTube channel dubbed as Bag Talks by Anna. She would share her hauls, her hacks to determining real from fake designer bags, to even bag raids with celebrities.

By pandemic though, when the malls were shut due to lockdown, she would start hearing comments from her social media fans that she should start her own wellness brand so they can support her.

“Our social media followers would encourage us to start a beauty or wellness line so they can support me during the pandemic, particularly those who expressed they could not afford buying designer bags from me anyway, so they would rather want to show support by buying wellness or beauty products.”

By 2021, Anna launched the Luxe Group, a beauty and wellness direct selling company.

She first introduced Luxe Skin, a beauty brand first introduced with its skin essentials line as anchor products. Today, Luxe Skin offers over 12 different skincare products raved by celebrities and influencers.

After the successful launch of Luxe Skin, Luxe Group then ventured to another product line called Luxe Slim, which specializes in products designed for those who want to live a healthier life and more active lifestyle.

In 2023, Anna’s company launched Luxe Cosmetics, a brand of high-quality cosmetics and personal care products.

Her high quality products have earned the trust and loyaty of beauty and wellness aficionados, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs. The good reputation of the quality of her wellness offerings have made it easier for her direct sellers to maintain their good sales performance, following and business. Luxe Group has provided opportunities for aspiring businessowners across the Philippines to start their own enterprise selling the products– which then has quickly spread across the USA, UAE, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Hongkong, Hawaii, Singapore, Germany, Japan, and Sweden.  

Anna takes pride in empowering women and entrepreneurs by providing economic and business opportunities through her company. She shared with us what she thinks are the strenghts of women just like herself in business.

“Maybe for us women, our being more expressive is a strenght in business. We women are not afraid to say more, to explain more what do we want to do in business, or what is the purpose of what we are doing. We are more expressive in encouraging our staff, our clients and the people around us. I think, being emotional is good for women in business too, although it has pros and cons. Being emotional can help us relate more easily to people and then translate that to what we can offer.”

This story is also available on our lifestyle-business platform Style Visionary Network.

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Filipina actress Angelica Panganiban may have redefined the way we view island and beach wedding style with her sartorial looks during her second wedding with Filipino-Aussie businessman Gregg Homan at Inara Resort in Siargao Island recently.

Angelica indeed had the bridal glow with her two gorgeous bridal looks, both from the classic Spanish bridal atelier Rosa Clará.

Chosen for her by Stylized by Liz Uy, Angelica stunned in her first white dress during the bridal welcome dinner. The stunning dress featured pleated details, as well as braided straps and sheer drape back accents.

The actress wore the Calera dress from the 2023 Rosa Clará Couture Collection of Rosa Clará.

Meanwhile, for her bridal walk, the star wore a more intricate couture gown, with beadwork on the corset-like top, and a see-through skirt with high slit. The bridal frock exuded a tropical vibe as it was paired with a pearl anklet, as Angelica walked down the isle barefoot.

The Mayol dress was from the 2024 Rosa Clará Couture Collection.

If you’re planning to check out some Rosa Clará bridal gowns, you may book an appointment at thei brand’s atelier at Esperanza Street corner Greenbelt Drive in Makati City.

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After officially conquering Hollywood with her debut movie “Lisa Frankenstein,” Filipina-American actress Liza Soberano continues to make her global presence known as she served as a jury member at the first-ever Ho Chi Minh International Film Festival. And the girl totally served a classic fashion statement.

On April 13, Liza joined the jury panel for the prestigious film event with other esteemed individuals in the cinematic world, including Nguyen Thanh Van (jury president), Luong Dinh Dung, Tom Cross, Samuel Jamier, John Badalu, and Trinh Dinh Le Minh.

Liza effortlessly stunned in a black classic, elegant staight-cut gown with sheer details by Filipino fashion designer Anthony Ramirez.

The look was accessorized with Tiffany and Co. jewerly pieces for added sophistication, as styled by go-to fashion confidante Perry Tabora.

For her glam look, her classic pulled up bun was done by hairstylist Renz Pangilinan. Her soft, nude makeup was by Mickey See.

The actress took to Instagram her delight about the new feat, writing, “So thrilled and honored to have served as a jury member for the first ever Ho Chi Minh International Film Festival. Was such an amazing showcase of talented filmmakers from all over the world!! Truly so inspired to continue working in an industry that encourages freedom of expression and challenges the way we think. “

What do you think about her look?

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BGC, Philippines — The lush greenery, vibrant blooms, natural textures, and sophisticated displays at Rustan’s this summer season remind us why the shopping destination is the ultimate spot for luxurious finds and finest gifts.

Shoppers can expect nothing less than an oasis that invigorates their youthful, carefree spirits, as they can revel in a serene space inspired by the beauty of the outdoors for relaxation, rejuvenation, and wellness.

The country’s premier luxury department store seamlessly integrated nature into its indoor spaces with the use of natural elements and matcha green as the main colorway for the store’s visuals and design. All these to present a lineup of events and activities including its official summer launch dubbed “Summer A State of Mind” at Rustan’s Makati on April 17, with a travel fair on April 17, 20, and 21, and Rustan’s Shangri-La festivities on April 27 to 28.

A Summer State of Mind Launch event

Last April 17, Rustan’s kicked off its summer season with a grand tropical event at its flagship store in Makati City. Fun, immersive activities were hosted on every floor to highlight the mall’s finest summer selections.

On the 5th floor, the space came alive with a variety of outdoor settings, each curated to showcase Rustan’s finest selections with the elegant atmosphere of a country club, where classic styles meet leisurely vibes. Fancy a garden party? Guests were able to dive into a floral wonderland filled with chic dresses and accessories. Prefer cozy vibes? Glamping awaits with rustic decor and earthy tones. And for the free spirits, Bohemian Outdoors offers eclectic styles inspired by nature’s beauty. 

All these were complemented by interactive fashion vignettes and personalization booths. Adding whimsy to the summer vibe, guests participated in the 3D jelly cake demonstration and the DIY bohemian hair styling activity, while some dove into the captivating world of the LED Immersive Cube.

Then for a touch of cozy and adventure, mouthwatering smores were served while other got to enjoy at the mini golf area. Of course, the party was not complete without live beats by DJ Kate Jagdon, setting the mood whilst guests enjoy sumptuous bites and desserts. Some celebs got to ring for some beer or bubbly at the Philippine Wine Merchant’s (PWM) “Ring for Bubbly” wall—adding an extra spark to your summer soirée!

On the 4th floor, Rustan’s invited guests to immerse in the spirit of summer living with a range of engaging activities at their Home area. Guests uncovered their crafty side at the Color Board game, or participated at the glassware painting session and creating their own grazing cones. For those who want a bigger challenge, they can try their luck at the Ring Toss area. Additionally, patrons have a chance to win prizes at the Spin-the-Wheel booth for every Php 10,000 single-receipt purchase at Rustan’s Home. For a delightful treat, they can enjoy tart flambees, coffee, beer, cocktails, and green juice—all hosted by a variety of partners including SMEG, Nespresso, Breville, Delonghi, PWM, The Farm at San Benito, and Nutribullet.

On the 3rd floor, a world of adventure awaits in the Kids’ area, inspired by backyard fun. Among the attractions are DIY and arts activities, a basketball challenge, LEGO building, yoga, as well as scooter / bike / and go kart showdowns—perfect for hours of active play. And to beat the heat, refreshing snacks and summer coolers will be on hand, keeping the whole family cool and energized throughout their visit.

On the 2nd floor, inspired by a Country Club Pool ambiance, guests can sip refreshing cocktails at the Women’s area while dancing to the DJ’s live spins or interacting with activity booths such as the live digital portrait illustration, personalization counters, and games including Flip Cup, Water Pong, Ring Toss, and more. For a sweet treat, head to Rustan’s Silver Vault, where Gelato Manila is offering complimentary scoops!

On the 1st floor, both the Men’s and Beauty areas offer a delightful array of activities and experiences.

For the gentlemen, the space transforms into an outdoor golf course-inspired setting, where guests can partake in various activities. From leather foiling services to create-your-own-cocktails with Tamnavaulin—there’s something for every discerning gentleman. 

Meanwhile, in the Beauty area, expect a complete getaway experience marked by beauty, fun, and relaxation! Among the many attractions to be found is the Beauty Playground, where guests can participate in an obstacle relay to win exciting prizes.

The course features various obstacles including a foam pit and spin-the-wheel. For a more relaxing escape, try the complimentary Scalp Analysis and Hand Massage by Aveda, or engage your senses in the intriguing Secret Scent Challenge by Gucci. Amidst all these, snap-worthy backdrops and decorations add to the festive atmosphere, while the Summertime Swirl by Pinkberry provides a delicious frozen yogurt treat. With DJ Uggo setting the scene, your summer experience promises to be truly unforgettable!

As for Rustan’s loyal customers, FSP members can earn a whopping X5 FSP points for purchases of regular-priced items on April 17th. What’s more, new members will receive a Tote Bag upon signing up, while existing members can seize bonus FSP Points by simply checking in and completing a Puzzle Quest during the launch event at Rustan’s Makati. 

Rustan’s summer promos extend even further: from April 18 to 21, FSP members can enjoy triple FSP points for every minimum purchase of 5,000 pesos!

Plan your next summer destination at the Rustan’s Travel Fair

Dreaming of your next travel adventure? Look no further than Rustan’s Summer Travel Fair til April 21 at Rustan’s Makati, and then at Rustan’s Shangri-La on April 27 and 28. Explore exclusive deals and exciting offers from top travel agencies, hotels, resorts, and airlines.

It’s time to seize the day and bask under joyful sunny skies! Embrace the summer spirit with Rustan’s A Summer State of Mind.

Be the first to know about the latest updates and amazing offers on your favorite brands by joining the Rustan’s LIVE Viber Community.

Follow RustansPH on Instagram and Facebook, and visit their website on www.Rustans.com

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Every single day is always a fresh start we can give to ourselves. And the more we acknowledge and embrace that fact of life, the more power we’re actually giving ourselves to start over and get a hold of our lives. We have to admit though that it’s not every day that one can have a consistently optimist mood to regularly live that philosophy and execute that mindset. That’s why you need an inside push– a daily reminder that’ll keep you on track towards the person you want to be and the goals you want to achieve. Enter: your vision board.

A vision board should be where you can pull your strength from to get up and kick ass when it comes to fulfilling your long-term goals. Here are 5 ways a vision board can help you be more in control of your life:

1. Vision Boards Help You Get Real With Yourself

Once you start working on your vision board, you are forced to sit down and truly take the time to actually meet your inner self. It gives you the time to thoroughly think what you truly want in your life.It is called a vision board for a reason. You have to intentionally envision what kind of person you aspire to be and really visualize the things you want to achieve.

2.Vision Boards Make You Identify Your Aims More Clearly

As you cut out beautiful magazine photos that best represent your dreams, you get clearer about how you feel about each one of your goals. Sure, you may have always known what you like out of life generally. But through creating a vision board, you can break down these broad aspirations into quantified and more doable objectives that you can specifically work on in your daily life.Have you always wanted to travel more? Have you always dreamed of starting your own business? You get to identify your ambitions more particularly with a vision board. The more specific you are with your intentions, the more you can put into bullets the actions you need to do to achieve them.

3.Vision Boards Remind You of Your Daily Goals

If you made a vision board and tucked it away in a corner that you don’t see as much every day, then it could be pointless.Vision boards are meant to excite you about your life aspirations, and remind you that you have to do specific actions and make particular decisions daily towards achieving your goals– slowly but surely.  

4.Vision Boards Keep You Moving

Whenever you look at your vision board, you see for yourself that every simple, small thing you’ve taken and achieved can lead you towards completing big tasks and eventually accomplishing your life-long dreams.Committing to your vision builds the discipline and grit you need along the way to see the fruits of your hard work.

5.Vision Boards Attract Great Vibrations

Your vision board can make you feel inspired in an instant, especially if you make it as motivating, authentic and passionate as how you feel about your dreams.You get to constantly envision inside your head a better version of your life. Law of attraction is always working to your advantage because you get to visualize beautiful thoughts and intentions in your mind that can make you feel great about life. It helps to make you stay grateful, motivated and focused on working towards your goals each day. It reminds you to keep the faith. Before you know it, the life you’ve always dreamed of is truly unfolding right before your eyes– just the way you’ve seen it in your vision board.    

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What separates successful, well-rounded and happy people from the rest is emotional mastery. Most of us were programmed in such a way that we do not realize that our success in relationships and career all come down to how well we handle our emotions. 

Uncontrollable impulses, mood swings, as well as negative emotions such as fear, doubt, anxiety and anger have a tendency of being volatile which can impact the quality of our lives. When you work on skills that improve your emotional mastery, your self-concept will not be easily affected by other people’s opinion of you,and you would not allow your well-being to depend on other people’s behavior towards you. 

Here are some emotional skills that you should consciously and actively work on to maintain a healthy well-being:

Working on self-awareness

This is really the mother of all the other emotional skills because you cannot control what you’re not aware of. Unconscious people interpret situations through the veil of their mental and emotional conditioning. And our lack of awareness of this conditioning from our upbringing makes us unable to differentiate between what is, and our own interpretation of it.

Only when we become more aware of our emotional and mental conditioning that we are able to see things for what they really are. Through this, we are then able to separate our own perception of things. We are then able to have a more realistic assessment of any given situation by simply being more aware of our conditioning.

When we have better self-awareness, our actions no longer have to be dictated by temporary emotional or mental states, but rather can be based on an unfiltered and more accurate perception based on reality. In other words, through developing awareness, we will be able to control our actions properly despite our emotional state.

There are many ways we can work on our self-awareness. One useful way is self-reflection and the practice of silence. Practicing in silence allows space for us to hear the whisper of our emotions. The more silence we practice, the louder our emotions become, and the more aware we become of them.

You can make a weekly or even a daily practice of sitting in a quiet room by yourself for 30 minutes, and allow yourself to notice what is happening inside of you. Day after day, you will start noticing how you feel, and you may even feel some emotions for things that happened a very long time ago, and better process them.

Self-reflection is another practice which is very useful, which you can do through journaling. Reflect back on past events, especially those that cost you a lot of pain, triggered you or made you lose control, or induced a lot of intense emotions in you. Take notes of how you feel, reflect and reverse-engineer what exactly caused you to feel the way you did, go back to your notes every now and then, and reflect how you can make better decisions, choices and actions based on the lessons you got from your self-reflection.

Embracing your emotions

There are no right or wrong emotions. All emotions have a valid reason to exist, and every emotion needs to be listened to because it is trying to tell us something about what is going on inside of us. 

Being judgmental or dismissive of our emotions is not really helpful. Instead, being curious of our feeelings and their roots, be it negative ones like insecurity or doubt, can help us get to know ourselves more.

Asking ourselves why a particular emotion induced something in us can be beneficial. We can use our emotions to learn deeply about ourselves, and to make better decisions to improve our state.

Don’t act on your emotions 

Accepting your emotions does not mean deciding what to do based on how you feel, and letting your emotion take a hold of your life. 

If you look back at some of the mistakes and wrong decisions you made that led to negative consequences in your life, you will find that a lot of them were mainly driven by an intense emotional state you were in at the time that overtook your mind and your rational thinking. This weakness can prevent you from assessing your options properly. It is very important to be aware of the fact that emotions are to be felt, but not to be acted on. 

Using your emotions as the main input to your decisions can lead to being impulsive and to jumping into situations that are not good for you. This can also lead you to avoiding trying new things that could benefit you.

Emotions are very useful for self-development purposes because they tell you important things about you, your values, your past traumas, and your programming. That kind of insight can be used to work on yourself. 

Empathy

Empathy is a very important emotional skill to develop. It is the ability to see the world through the lens of other people’s perspective and emotional state. This skill can help you connect with other people better, show compassion, make good social choices, and ultimately develop lasting relationships.

This emotional skill allows you to respond to other people and their needs adequately, which then can lead to better relationships and elevated quality of life.

This skill is also very useful when it comes to uncovering a person’s true intentions too, which can help  you identify people who have harmful intentions toward you. Having this skill can save you from a lot of drama and troubles.

Work on being self-reliant 

It is important to teach ourselves to be in charge of our lives in general, and self-reliance is a much bigger concept that goes beyond emotional mastery.

Taking full responsibility for our choices and the consequences of them in our lives comes with a huge emotional component to it. It can be a road traveled alone, because it triggers a range of negative emotions such as fear, anxiety and pain, but the effects of it are worth it.

Self-reliance means you do not rely on external sources to feel good about yourself. You do not rely on a partner to make you happy, you do not always expect your friends to make you feel better, and you don’t even depend on material things such as new clothes or new shoes to make you happy. Self-reliance means working on diminishing unhealthy dependency on others. We are social creatures who need to connect with others, but some aspects of our lives should depend on us.

Self-reliance also means you make your own decisions. You may seek other people’s opinion or inputs but the final decision is always yours. This also means accepting the consequences of such.

Working on your self-reliance can lead to better decisions based on your inner moral compass, set of values, own reasoning and intuition to assess situations.

Not taking life too seriously

While it is smart to be cautious about major decisions in life like making money, finding a life partner, improving your spiritual life or honing your passions, it is important that you know how to enjoy the ride because no one comes out of life alive anyway!

Life is better when you accept that sometimes bad days happen for you to learn some essential lessons and elevate your character, so you can appreciate and maximize the good days when they are there! Do not miss out on life and its beauty just because you are too overwhelmed with temporary emotions. Take it all in, reflect, let go and truly live.

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BGC, Philippines — In celebration of Filipino Food Month, the currently ongoing KainCon 2024 event is exploring the Philippine food culture, history and traditions. This year’s 3-day conference is themed “All Things Filipino Food: Community, Culture, and Economy” that runs from April 15 to 18, with Day 1 held at the Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila.

“The Story of Kari-Kari” by Ruston Banal, an interdisciplinary artist and Filipino culinary history expert with art exhibits mounted in New York, Paris and the Philippines, explored the history of one of the favorite Filipino dishes: kare-kare.

“I am from Pampanga, and I’m sure alam niyo ang attitude of Kapampangan. Bina-bash namin ang naglalagay ng itlog sa sisig,” Ruston opened his presentation in jest.

“I was actually young when we started doing ‘kare-kare’ as our household dish,” he shared.

His interest in kare-kare started when a friend wrote about the dish ten years ago, stating that the viand originally came from Pampanga.

Ruston described kare-kare as “an extremely popular dish in the Philippines that is produced with an orange-brown sause as a result of the annatto oil, and this sauce is commonly made with ground rice and ground peanuts as the main ingredients.”

The protein added in kare-kare is traditionally portions of beef, oxtail or tripe, but modern versions may have pork, chicken, seafood and fried tofu. “Bagoong” or shrimp paste is used as a side dish and a complement to balance flavors.

Banal tried to dig in if “kare-kare” is indeed a Kapampangan invention.

Apparently, in some history and media anecdotes, it was stated that Kapampangan cooks were called “magkakari” or experts in “kariyan” or the term for places that cook and serve “kari” from way back, and the history claims that the Kapampangans brought their own “magkakari” or chefs in Intramuros, Manila and opened the first “carinderia.”

Kariyan, which was apparently written in the Spanish orthography as “carijan” later became “carinderias” which is the famous term for Filipino eatery that we know today. The root word of carinderia is Spanish word “kari” or “cari.”

Kapampangans apparently arrogantly called the Filipino (Tagalog) version of their dish kari-kari (curry-like), a poor copy of Kapampanga “kari.”

“I was never comfortable with this narrative because it has a little micro-aggression,” Banal said. “It is like dividing the (Filipino) communities between Tagalog and Kapampangan. Because of that discomfort, I started asking culinary history experts.”

His research led him to discovering “The Sepoys” or Indian recruits tagged along by the British army who tried to colonize the Philippines and fought Spain over our country in 1762. The complex history of “kari-kari” actually has its origin traced back to the British invasion of Manila from 1762 to 1764. The Brits eventually left the Philippines after a couple of years because of the Treaty of Paris, and the Sepoys got left behind and stayed in the country and sold “curry” in carinderias.

The term “kari” comes from Tamil, meaning “sauce,” and is associated with Indian curry dishes.

The evolution of kare-kare showcases the fusion of Indian and Filipino culinary traditions, adapting to local tastes and ingredients. One might say that the “kare-kare” we know today is a collection of multicultural influences, indigenous adaptations, and language change. In some Spanish books, “Kari” is described as a culinary preparation that is owed to “the Filipino Indios,” with a rich history that dates back to the 18th century and found in various regions of the Philippines, including Pampanga.

KainCon, an academic conference that delves into Philippine food culture and traditions, is aimed at unifying chefs, gastronomic experts and Filipino farmers in their mission to influence local food cultivation and establish preservation initiatives to revolutionize the Philippine eating landscape. The research conference is part of the celebration of FFM, which was established under Presidential Proclamation 469, signed on April 13, 2018.

Collaborating organizations during the KainCon 2024 include the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement, Slow Food Youth Network Philippines, and FEU Manila. KainCon’s first day at FEU Manila Auditorium highlighted Philippine Culinary Heritage Education.

The event also featured Felice Prudente Sta. Maria’s presentation, “Putting Food History to Work,” which mainly talked about Philippine food history, especially during the Spanish colonial era. The food historian put emphasis on the fact that the Battle of Mactan happened not only because of territorial, power, and political struggles. Food was also a major factor in the conflict between the troops of Lapu-lapu and Magellan.

“The Impact of Social Media on Food Ways” by Erwan Heussaff is a sneak peek at FEATR’s creative process for making visual representations and documentaries of our indigenous and heirloom recipes. The celebrity chef empowered the youth to discover and know more about the country by exploring each region and its culinary treasures.

Meanwhile, the“Tara, Kape tayo” presentation is about “Brewing the Future with Philippine Coffee,” which highlighted the country’s coffee consumption exceeding production. Rallying the advocacy of planting local coffees instead of importing, Juan promoted GForest, a feature of GCash where you plant digital trees in the app, and the mobile payment service and its local partners will plant the actual trees for you. Ending on a positive note, Juan left an empowering insight: “One day, that coffee you plant may be the coffee in your cup.”

Mixed with humor and food experiences, “Cavite Cuisine: Bridging the Past to the Present” by Ige Ramos emphasized the importance of roadways and transport in exploring, food mapping, and preserving our culinary dishes and traditions. A DIY tour called “Sampalan ng Side Mirror sa CaviteX” on Facebook sparked the Viaje Feliz x Lasa ng Republika, a collaboration with Ige Ramos, cultural advocates, and CaviteX to explore the local gastronomic and cultural communities of Cavite via its main roadways. He also introduced the Ugnayan Center for Filipino Gastronomy, a learning center in Silang, Cavite, that aims to connect Filipino gastronomy to the country and globally.

You may watch the entire event from KainCon 2024 Day 1 here.

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