A Royal Christmas Parade at SM City Masinag

I've never seen a Christmas Parade before and I was glad to have enjoyed the chance to bask in one during SM Masinag's Royal Christmas Parade. 

So, just picture it, a marching band dressed in Christmas colors playing Christmas songs ala Marching Band style. I found myself humming and singing to their songs, who wouldn't? The infectious Christmas Spirit was in the air! Of course a parade is not just made up of a marching band...

40 well loved characters from Fairy tale's and Christmas lore prances the hallways of the mall in the afternoon of November 30, 2015. Santa Claus, his dwarves and a giant Gingerbread man plus fairies, princesses with their princes, even giant snowflakes and giant boxes spread cheers to shoppers kids and adults alike with their dance performances and photo opportunities.

Aside from the Christmas Parade, shoppers were also visually treated as Cinderella's magical carriage (which is HUGE!) plus the three Disney Princess figures - Cinderella, Belle and Snow White take center stage at the mall's atrium. Spectators can take photos and selfies at strategic spots around the centerpiece. 

"We are really delighted to see our shoppers enjoy this event, even the adults and the children took selfies with the characters. We look forward to having this parade again next year," said Vaniza Pachoco, Public Relations Manager of SM City Masinag. 

The Royal Christmas Parade is just one of the many holiday offerings of SM City Masinag to their shoppers. There will also be meet-and-greet with Santa Claus and a toy fair courtesy of Toy Kingdom until January 10, 2016. For more updates of the mall events this Holiday a Season, like SM City Masinag (Official) on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and Instagram @SMCityMasinag

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5 Tips to Boost your Immunity during the Holidays

Going on "Immortal mode" is a term that Paul and I have come up with, ever since going on back-to-back events and gigs, sometimes right after work. There are even days when we go on 24 hours and that is no joke.

December has proven to be extra busy with more clients booking photo shoots and event coverage's on that month as well as more frequent events to cover and bog about, plus the usual Christmas errands to run and Christmas gatherings to attend. December can get pretty crazy.

A lot of people ask how we do it, well here are some tips on how to stray strong and stress free during the Holiday season.

1. Have a Schedule and Stick with it. 

Let's face it, with the many event invites and errands to do, it's almost impossible to do it all.  Well it is actually, and all you have to do is plot is all down on your calendar! Whether it is a planner you can't go on your day without or your handy dandy smart phone, you can easily put down your busy schedule and by having it plotted down, you have an idea what your day or week looks like. If you have more than one event/errand for a day, make sure you also indicate the time and venue, just so you won't forget anything.

2.   Have a to-do list.

I've always felt a sense of satisfaction whenever I would cross our things on my to-do list. Sometimes, I get inspired to keep on working just so I can cross out every item on the list. Having a to-do list keeps you sane during the hectic weeks leading up to Christmas. Whether it is a list of gifts to buy for loved ones or making sure you get everything you need for a party.  Having a to-do list can save you from having a complete meltdown, because I've seen holiday meltdowns and they are not pretty.

3. Be Always Photo Ready! 

Christmas means parties and reunions and that in turn means lots of picture taking and in our social media savvy generation that means everyone gets to see those photos. I believe having a stress-free Christmas means looking stress free as well! If you look it, you will also feel it :)  Make sure you get as much beauty rest as you can, always touch up on your make up before you arrive for a party or gathering.  

4.  Divide and Conquer 

Christmas holidays also means getting together with family and friends and you should take this as an advantage, with your loved ones helping out during parties and events, don't take on everything alone. Even if you have a detailed to-do list, you can always enlist the help of your family and friends to take a few things off your plate. Don't be a hero and try to take on everything on your own. 

5. Take Vitamin C! 

   
I've seen my mom get sick during the holidays, which is why I make sure that we (Paul and I) take Vitamin C, not only during the Christmas season but during hectic weeks. There's nothing worse than falling ill and sick when you have so much to do and missing out on all the parties!

Because sometimes surviving the Christmas Holidays is kind of like
Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse. 

There are many different kinds of Vitamin C available in your drug stores but did you know that there is actually a big difference between them? Sodium Ascorbate and Ascorbic Acid are types of Vitamin C which are available for purchase over the counter. While both help build resistance and helps strengthen the immune system, Sodium Ascorbate is not acidic and is more soluble than ascorbic acid, which is a piece of information I consider every important since I have hyperacidity and I don't need any additional stomach irritation. Fern-C is an ideal source of Sodium Ascorbate and aside from not causing stomach irritation, it is also an immune-system booster and a potent anti-oxidant. I bet you didn't know of these and just bought any other Vitamin C right? 

Well, now that you know, you can learn more about Fern-C by checking out their website and you can also follow them on their social media accounts, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

Make sure to stock up on Fern-C for a #StressFreeChristmas and a #HealthyHoliday

#FernCSubokNa

Taking Gifting to the Next Level

Attendees during SM Masinag's Fairytale Christmas. 

Last Friday, November 6, 2015 Paul and I were fortunate enough to have been invited to the grand Christmas launch of SM Masinag through a "Fairytale Christmas" where children dressed as princes and princesses themselves awed and cheered as they witnessed a beautiful dance from Disney princesses Snow White, Cinderella and Belle.

During the program we also got a chance to hear all about SM's Give A Bear of Joy Today campaign, it is an annual charity program of SM Supermalls wherein shoppers can also participate by buying a pair of Christmas Teddy Bears for P200 from the Bears of Joy booth. One of the two bears will be donated to a selected charity of SM City Masinag, while the other one can be taken home by the donor. For Christmas 2015, the pupils of City Gates Academy in Cogeo, Antipolo will receive the donated bears. 

Screenshot of SM's Give A Bear of Joy campaign from SM City Taytay's Instagram account. 

You can check with the SM Supermall near you what their charity is :) 

-and that actiually got me thinking that, while Christmas is the time for giving gifts, family-get-togethers and parties. It is also a time and chance for us to get to do good and spread the Christmas cheer to our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

While some people are loosing their minds over a plain red coffee cup, we can actually do something and make a difference this Christmas. 

Writing about this has gotten me in the mood for the festivities and makes me want to take gifting to the same level - so here are some gifting thoughts:

For myself - I'd get a book, a record, CDs, DVDs and some clothes probably. I've been good and worked hard this last year and I think I deserve a little treat :)

For my loved ones -   It could be framed photos that we took of them during special occasions. We could easily have them printed in SM Supermalls and purchase the frames in the department store :)

Snow White and a little Princess during the Fairytale Christmas launch in SM Masinag. 

I would like to give back - and share my blessings, I'd be sure to keep an eye out for toy drives or ways and means to spread the Christmas cheer :) Actually, SM's Give A Bear of Joy Today campaign seems to be a great idea! The bears are so cute and by purchasing them you get to do your good deed already - so plus points!

I notice that we spend a lot of time in the malls whenever Christmas is around the corner, it's  like an endless list of Christmas choirs that need to be done, gifts that need to be bought etc.

Good thing - SM Supermalls make it easy with their wide selection of products and stores and it definitely helps taking gifting to the next level :) 

For more updates about this year’s “Merry SM Christmas” campaign, visit SM’s official Christmas microsite (https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015) and follow its official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls), Twitter (https://twitter.com/smsupermalls), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/smsupermalls/); and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through Viber (http://chats.viber.com/SMsupermalls). Shoppers can actively share their holiday merriments inside the SM Supermalls by posting their photos on social media and adding the hashtag #MerrySMChristmas2015.”

#MerrySMChristmas2015 #SeasonOfGiving #EverythingsHere

Christmas Officially Begins in SM Masinag's Fairytale Christmas

November 6, 2015. SM City Masinag- 

It really was like a Fairy tale Christmas as Cinderella, Belle and Snow White danced with their princes in SM Masinag's official launch to the Christmas season. 

Children attended the royal festivities dressed as the little prince and princesses that they are in our eyes. They smiled, danced, waved and cheered as performers in beautiful ball gowns danced the waltz with gallant gentlemen in dapper suits. The little girls were even given tiaras to complete that Princess feel. As a special treat Santa Clause was a guest of honor and the kids eagerly said hello to 'jolly old St. Nick' and had their photos taken too! Special candy-filled jars were given to kids as gifts t celebrate the occasion. 

I loved it when the traditional waltz dance gave way to a modern dance number with everyone dancing to the tune of Walk The Moon's 'Shut Up And Dance' which is one of our favorite tracks of 2015. :) 

The most joyous season of the year comes with merry markdowns for all shoppers' delight. Restaurants are ready to serve the sumptuous holiday feasts for all diners. Kids can also indulge on the massive Christmas Toy Fair with Toy Kindgdom. 

The Grand Christmas Launch SM City Masinag also marked the beginning of another year of Bears of Joy, an annual charity program of SM Supermalls wherein shoppers can also participate by buying a pair of Christmas Teddy Bears for P200 from the Bears of Joy booth. One of the two bears will be donated to a selected charity of SM City Masinag, while the other one can be taken home by the donor. For Christmas 2015, the pupils of City Gates Academy in Cogeo, Antipolo will receive the donated bears. 

So make sure to drop by SM Masinag for a wonderful experience wherein everything's here for Holiday Season fun! 

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