Rochelle Rivera

Tallest Christmas tree and biggest, hippest bazaar usher in the holiday season

Christmas is just around the corner and it promises to be extra bright at Circuit Makati, home of the tallest Christmas tree and the most exciting bazaar in the city.

In partnership with Mastercard, Alveo, and Samsung Air C onditioner, Circuit Makati officially welcomes Christmas by lighting up the magnificent, fully immersive, 56-foot tall Christmas tree which towers majestically over the city’s most upbeat lifestyle and entertainment destination.

Illuminating the skyline with a burst of bright color, the Christmas tree’s lighting also coincides with the opening of the biggest and hippest Christmas bazaar, Pop Up Town, which is taking place at two locations this year – Circuit Makati and Arca South. Set to kick off on November 17 to 19 at Circuit Makati, and December 2 to 3 at Arca South in Taguig, the bazaar is on its fourth year at Circuit Makati and promises to get everyone into the holiday vibe.

Adorned with over 250,000 sparkling lights that form intricate patterns of native Filipino weaves such as the Inabel and Burdado of Luzon, Banig Tikogo of Visayas and T’Boli, Ukol and Yakan of Mindanao, the Circuit Makati tree is an extension of the Christmas wonderland now found at the Makati thoroughfares Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue.

For added excitement, the giant Circuit Makati tree can be accessed from inside and out, giving a more immersive experience for all. People can walk through and explore the insides of the Christmas tree. Sitting next to it is a giant Christmas ball, creating a visual feast that will delight everyone.

Co-presented by Mastercard and Fox Life, in cooperation with Grab, Pop Up Town’s wide array of offerings will definitely evoke the spirit of Christmas cheer. It will feature over 200 curated shops to thrill gift buyers, dining options for those who seek bonding moments, and assorted activities for the whole family.

Consisting of four zones: Pop Up Shop, Pop Up Market, Pop Up Gallery, and Pop Up Local, it is sure to delight every Christmas shopper.

Shopee is giving away free giveaways if you show that you downloaded their app

Chocoliquor Cakes by Maricar Reyes-Poon

Perfect for flatlays

Ara Mina's Booth

Try Ara Mina's Yummy red velvet cupcakes

Ara Mina demonstrating her Ara's secret lightening body scrub to a lucky shopper

Marissa Sanchez's booth

Danita Paner is selling her preloved clothes and accessories. I bought so many branded clothes for only Php50 :)

The LolliCake Factory LJ Moreno

Miss Buttercream by Nikki Valdez

Nikki Valdez with her husband

Mom 24/7 planner

Babyzen Yoyo

Santino's gourment salted egg chips

Pop Up Shop offers a variety of well curated goods and pre-loved items from Karl Edwards, Passion Fly, UP JMA, Mommy Mundo, and big discounts by Folded and Hung. At the Star Avenue section, fun brands and pre-loved items will be available from the likes of Janice De Belen, Kaila Estrada, Inah de Belen, Ara Mina, Danita Paner, Maricar Reyes Poon, Marissa Sanchez, Nene Tamayo, Nikki Valdez, Christine Babao, Maria Lopez, Mara Lopez, Gretchen Fullido, MJ Marfori, Aubrey Carampel, Cherry Lou Damaso, Denise Joaquin, Mike Agassi and Miriam Quiambao.

What’s Christmas without food? A dizzying array of Christmas favorites will be at the Pop Up Market with Mercato. For those who love art , the Pop Up Gallery features works curated by Para sa Sining. Home grown, locally-sourced and locally-made products will be showcased under Pop Up Local.

For a fun holiday vibe, there will be outdoor movie screenings, art workshops, battle of the bands and live acoustic performances. Kids can have hours of fun with an inflatable obstacle course dubbed as Wacky Obstacle Run.

For those who love Christmas surprises, Mastercard holders will have the chance to win prizes during the bazaar, aside from enjoying free entrance to both bazaars.

What’s more, Grab will offer discounted Grab rides heading to and from venue using promo code Grab50, free shuttle rides from Park Square to Circuit Makati, free parking and the option to shop cashless with your Mastercard credit card.

Indeed, Christmas is all about indulging your loved ones with fun memories and lots of bonding time. Drop by Circuit Makati on November 17 to 19 and Arca South on December 2 to 3 to get a headstart on a magical Christmas!

"When you feel like quitting, think about why you started."

This quote summarizes my ride towards my fitness goals this year. I embarked and committed to this journey encouraged and with a positive mindset.

Before the end of last year, I knew that I really need to push myself even more to be able to reach my goals. If not, at least, get very close to it.

So, since we’re about to wrap 2017 up, I think it’s high time that I evaluate how I faired in terms of the efforts I have put in to invest in my health and wellness, and whether the results were favorable. Also, I’d like to share some tips that may hopefully help and inspire moms like me to start working on their fitness goals as well.

Start with an activity that you're interested in or already enjoy—it doesn't have to be what your friend said helped her lose weight or what the group-class trend of the moment is. What matters is that you like it. If you don't want to do it, you will make an excuse to skip it tonight (and tomorrow, and the next day).

As for me, I love feeling like Superwoman in a good kickboxing class or boxing session.

I love how it feels like a party rather than a workout with Zumba.

Cycling makes me feel like a kid again.

1. Awareness is key.

Know your body and health status before anything else. I constantly go to my doctor for regular check-up and consultation to help me determine whether a certain activity that I’d like myself to get into is safe or not. As a mom who’s undergone three pregnancies and been diagnosed with PCOS, I want to make sure that what I eat and do will definitely be beneficial rather than detrimental for me. Being cognizant and aware about your own physique is important as this will be your basis or foundation for your fitness goal setting. Aside from physicians, you can also talk to a gym instructor or fitness guru (or any other health experts) to assist you in planning. I have been doing these in the past couple of years, and I always learn something new. They keep me informed, and inspire me as well.

2. Eat healthy. Do healthy.

Being fit does not only entail food intake. Some would fall into crash diet thinking that being fit equates to simply losing weight. And they end up being unhealthy. Proper food intake and a healthy diet must come hand in hand with the right amount of exercise or physical activities. I have realized in my experiences that there should always be a balance, especially when it comes to taking care of ourselves. It’s all about balance.

3. Discipline and determination to keep going.

Once you have established your fitness goals and started working on them, you have to be consistent at what you do right. The result you want to see at the end of this journey is not the result that you want to see after the first, second or even the third time you executed your plan. You have to have the will and persistence to work really hard. Yes, it will not always be easy. I tell you, most of the time, it’ll be very difficult. Just like other goals we have set for ourselves, they will involve sacrifices.

You will be all swollen and sweaty, but you have to keep going. I remembered having to run kilometers, but still felt beautiful and smelled fresh afterwards with the help of Downy Anti-bac!

The cause of bad odor is when the germs from our sweat spreads on our clothes called malodor. It’s basically when clothes start smelling bad moments after you put them on because dirt and odors get trapped deep down in the fabrics of workout clothes but Downy Anti-Bac actually fights off up to 99% germs/bacteria that causes malodor on your clothes from spreading and that’s why I still smell fresh after a sweaty workout.

This entire journey is absolutely challenging to start with, and fulfilling as you reach the end.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with what I have accomplished. I have been very active all throughout this year, and checked almost everything in my checklist to achieve a healthy and strong body. How about you? Did you get a good grasp of your fitness goals this year?

We, moms, are no doctors - except, of course, for those who are really licensed in the medical field. However, it doesn’t mean that we cannot take care of our own kids when they are sick. Mother’s instinct, as what they say. We use our warmth and our loving hands to ease their pain and make them feel better. Sometimes, I want to believe that having three kids becomes handy when you’re a nurse. I just can’t help but be worrisome at the slightest symptom or indication of fever.

Yes, it is highly recommended to see a physician or pediatrician whenever our children are not feeling well. We always want to seek the experts’ opinions when our health, our life, is at stake. Although, there will be times, after a series of tests has been done and infections were ruled out, when the doctor will send you home and give prescriptions and out-patient recommendations. Staying in the hospital or having any family member get confined there for days has always been on my least-favorite-things-to-do list.

In this case, you may take note of the following ways to manage fever at home.

1. A thermometer is a must-have in your first-aid kit.

Document the fever pattern. This is important as this will indicate whether you have to go back to the doctor for more tests or not. There are different types of thermometers. Tympanic thermometers are not usually recommended because their use outside the clinic is unreliable. Glass thermometers work well but may break, and they take several minutes to get a reading. I keep a digital thermometer as recommended by our doctor. It is inexpensive and can obtain a reading in seconds.

2. Do not overdress

I used to make my kids were pajamas, socks, and thick clothes under their sweatshirt when they have fever. They complain of feeling cold when their temperature spikes. This is not a good practice though. Overdressing keeps the body from cooling down naturally. Dress your child in a single layer of clothing, and then cover him/her with a sheet or light blanket.

3. Sponge bath in warm water

Usually, we don’t give our children a bath (and they don’t like it either) when they are sick. Since they’re just indoors and in bed rest almost the entire time, they might not need it anyway. However, this may more quickly reduce the fever. Put him/her in a few inches of warm water, and use a sponge or washcloth to wet the skin of the body, arms and legs. The water itself does not cool the child. The evaporation of the water off the skin does. So, do not cover the child with wet towels, which would prevent it.

4. Hydrate by drinking lots of fluids

I trust that we all know this. Even when there’s no fever, we have to always hydrate. Plus, humans lose extra water from the skin and lungs during a fever. So, encourage your child to drink clear fluids, not only plain water. Water does not contain the necessary electrolytes and glucose. Also, make sure that he/she urinates light-colored urine at least every four hours. That means, your child is well hydrated.

5. Always be ready with paracetamol to effectively reduce fever

The primary goal in managing your child’s fever is to lower it down to make him or her comfortable. CALPOL is a doctor-recommended paracetamol and my one and only trusted brand for my kids. Do not use aspirin to treat fever as it has been linked to liver failure in some children. CALPOL is best when it comes to pain and fever associated with headache, teething, earache, cold & flu, immunization, and sore throat. Always read the label for dosage and frequency.

If your child’s condition does not improve after reducing the fever, there could be a more serious problem that may need further medical attention. Immediately go to the emergency when this happens.

I hope these tips may help you when the situation calls for it. For now, take care of yourselves momshies, and always put our child’s health on top of our priority.

Cole Haan, the iconic American lifestyle accessories brand and retailer of premium men’s and women’s footwear and accessories, is excited to announce the unveiling of two more stores located at Festival Mall, a premier shopping mall in Alabang and Ayala Malls Vertis North, a lifestyle district in Quezon City, respectively.

The design and interior of both stores feature a series of rooms, which is inspired by a residential layout that showcases the brand's new innovative lifestyle products. This new layout allows for a wider range of footwear and accessories to be elegantly displayed.

Coinciding with the unveiling of these two new stores is Cole Haan’s 2017 Fall Extraordinary Women, Extraordinary Stories campaign featuring fashion icons Christy Turlington Burns and Karlie Kloss, captured by acclaimed photographer Cass Bird. The campaign magnifies these extraordinary women and their unique relationship and shared desire for purposeful change.

Burns and Kloss have been both inspired to transpose their success in modelling to work towards creating extraordinary impact on women’s lives through their respective initiatives: Kode with Klossy, empowering young women and girls to learn to code as well as become leaders in tech and, Every Mother Counts, providing support to mothers around the world with access to essential maternity care.

“When someone is extraordinary,” says Karlie Kloss, “they are being genuine to their unique passions and chasing their dreams.” Christy Turlington Burns notes, “What any of us do on any daily basis is very ordinary, very routine. Extraordinary is really born from being your best possible self in any of those given moments.”

Cole Haan Philippines recently launched the 2017 Fall GrandEvølution collection, a direct evolution from the first Grand franchise, ØriginalGrand, which adds traction and a modern look to the original outsole fluting.

Additional collections include GrandMøtion for men,

and the next generation StudiøGrand collection for women, designed for an active and multifaceted lifestyle, ideal for running from street-to-studio and everywhere in between.

“Cole Haan is a rare leader among fashion and lifestyle companies in that we continuously seek to invent or reinvent footwear and accessories through beautiful design, research-based engineering, and with a thoughtful eye to style. For the launch of Cole Haan Collection and the release of the newest silhouettes in our Grand Series of products, we sought two equally rare individuals. What makes Karlie and Christy beautiful isn’t what they project on camera; it’s what they choose to do off camera. Living extraordinary lives filled with purpose is something everyone can aspire to have in common with them,” said David Maddock, Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager of Business Development at Cole Haan.

Situated at the heart of Filinvest City, Cole Haan’s 8^th store in the Philippines is located at the Upper Ground Floor of Festival Mall which which is an 82-square meter space that opened last September 22^nd.

Meanwhile, located at Level 1 of Ayala Malls Vertis North, Cole Haan’s 9^th store will offer a much bigger space of 89-square which opened September 30^th.

“We are delighted to launch these two Cole Haan stores in the country that will further give customers more access to Cole Haan’s stylish and innovative collections for men and women. This echoes our goal of further expanding and allowing astute customers to find extraordinary footwear and accessories,” said, Greg Dinges, Executive Vice President and General Manager, International at Cole Haan.

These Cole Haan collections are available at Festivall Mall in Alabang and Ayala Malls Vertis North in Quezon City.

To find out more about Cole Haan and its full range of innovative designs and outstanding collections, customers can visit more Cole Haan stores here:

COLE HAAN Metro Manila:

· G/F 144 Glorietta 4 Ayala Center Makati City

· Level R-1 113 Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center Amapola Street, Brgy. Poblacion Makati City

· Unit 366-367 3rd Level, Main Wing, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Edsa Mandaluyong City

· G/F Ayala Malls The 30^th, Meralco Ave., Pasig City

· Mall of Asia Brgy. 076 First Level Conrad Manila Seaside Blvd. Corner Coral Way Pasay City

· G/F SM San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila

COLE HAAN Cebu

· Ayala Center Shopping Mall, Level 1 Stall L138 Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park Cebu City

For further updates, make to visit Cole Haan Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s an extra bright Christmas at Circuit Makati

How I lost Weight || My Fitness Journey

Tips in Managing Fever at Home

EXTRAORDINARY CONTINUES: COLE HAAN PHILIPPINES UNVEILS Stores in Festival Mall and Ayala Malls Vertis North

RCBC Savings Bank’s Debit & Win Raffle Promo!

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