MEComposing

Pascual Consumer Health Care Corp. (PascualLab) recently invited bloggers as it launched its first line of health supplements that are specially made for women last June 9, 2011 at Tian-di Heaven and Earth Urban Spa in San Juan, Greenhills.

I actually had no idea what the product was and was happily surprised that they were health supplements from all-natural ingredients targetting women on the go. Briefly, they launched the following:

A!life Control - carbohydrate blocker for those who likes their rice or pasta. It contains Phase 2 (a white bean extract proven to minimize carb absorption). Supplement is best taken 2 hours before or after a carb-ladden meal. "Block carbohydrates. Get Slim."

A!life Posture - has Ostivone, which stimulates the formation of new bone cells and inhibits the loss of healthy bone cells. As brand ambassador Shawn Yao put it, "You can be as slim and pretty all you want but if your bones cannot support you, then everything will be pointless" (not exact words). She's got a great point, right? We do tend to forget about our bones and usually focus more on our skin. This is best taken with Calcium. "Stronger Bones. Better Posture."

A!life Energy - now, this is the Calcium supplement and it's all from Malunggay. The best part of this is that Malunggay also contains zinc, vitamin C, amino acids and other nutrients. With malunggay supplements, you really cover a lot of bases because this particular plant/food product is so good. "Natural Power. Extra Energy."

A!life Protect - this contains Pylogenol, a super antioxidant that helps protect the immune system defend against free radicals and facilitates skin lightening. Perfect for times when you can't get your eight hours of sleep or this rainy season. "Protect Health. Be Radiant."

A!life Restore - this is the anti-aging supplement of the bunch, with Hyaluronic Acid (HA) that restores moisture from within. Prevent wrinkles and fine lines by using sunscreen, moisturizing, hydrating and popping this pill! "Restore moisture. Look young."

A!life Trim - contains ampalaya and banaba and helps lower blood glucose levels which is helpful in this day and age of processed foods and easily-had sweets (I think I ate 14 cookies yesterday! gaah). "Control Sugar. Be trim."

Some pictures I took (and two from OMD Philippines) include:

the host Bianca Valerio was soooo perky and refreshing, I felt her talents were wasted on us bloggers who didn't respond so much to her (mostly because I think the bloggers weren't comfortable in the standing room only setup with camera crews in front)


some of the ambassadors for A!life and Pascuallab representatives


"We make time for what we choose to have in our life." and "It sometimes really gets exhausting but I would rather have this than empty days." (Lucy Torres Gomez, who was absolutely luminous!)


Everybody takes a pose. Brand Ambassadors were also officially presented to the public too. A!life Protect Brand Ambassador Ms. Lexie Schultze, A!life Control Brand Ambassador Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Pascual Corp. Communications Vice President Ms. Mia Pascual, St. Lukes and Veterans Hospital Oncologist Dr. Christina Galvez, A!life Sr. Brand Manager Ms. Diana Gener, A!life Restore Brand Ambassador Ms. Patty Bettita, A!life Energy Brand Ambassador Ms.Lorraine Lapus, and A!life Posture Brand Ambassador Ms. Shawn Yao


Erika Paredes was sooo cute! Again, if we bloggers weren't standing, it would have been a more interactive and dynamic session for sure. It just felt awkward to be gathered round her, standing like that, hehe. But I loved her tips on creating slimmer silhouettes.


There were several mini-talks for the bloggers who attended as a treat and I attended the Makeover one. There was also a yoga class, one about making healthy drinks, and one on beauty regimens and exfoliating. After all these classes, there was a short dance class where everyone was invited to dance to varied energetic and sexy Latin dances.

So, yeah... this blogcon was fun. Illuminating too, aside from providing everyone that reality check to embrace a healthier lifestyle. The ambassadors did not just pitch for their brands but also reminded guests to exercise, eat well, manage stress as we all perform the many roles we play.

All bloggers got to take home some samples of the supplements (most were looking for the carb blockers, haha) and a spa certificate at Tian-di Heaven and Earth Urban Spa. Nice!

Look good, feel good, perform better... all possible with A!life :)

*~*

Thanks to Yehey, PascualLab and OMD Philippines, Inc. for the invite!

This picture is deceiving because I think I look lean here when I'm really not. Last weighing said I'm 142 lbs. still (which is still a lot of weight lost, yey) but I am far from toned and firm :)

But the heat is killing me. I have severe acne again all over my face. I cannot exercise because I have been nursing rhinitis ever since the heat really gripped the country. I have also had headaches and muscle pain.

Argggh.

And now, I also have sore throat because I ate too much ice cream one really hot day. Yes, I blame everything on the heat. If I can go around naked, I will!

And no, I cannot imagine how I survived summer last year...

I recently managed to reconnect with childhood friends, one of which is now based in the States and shares my sister's name, Grace.

I heard she's taking up Nursing now too and I was happy to tell my old friend that our Grace, meanwhile, is reviewing for the NCLEX. That will be two Graces in medical nursing uniforms, hopefully, in the near future.

If it were me, I wonder if I could get away with cotton scrubs in shades of pink, orange/peach or lemon. Hehe. Maybe I should check out http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/ to see if such shades are common.

Anyway, I used to play older sister for this Grace. I used to defend her from all the teasings, especially when she had to have her hair shaved for a while due to persistent irritations on her scalp. I watched her grow from a toddler to a young child, then watched her be adopted by their aunt. Then, we bid adieu as they migrated to the US. I know she has a kind heart, just like my sis, and will make a great, really caring nurse. So, yes, I wish this other Grace good luck too. I hope my prayers that they make it will help.

I have been discussing education, in general, with fellow Moms. Parents, after all, stress over where and when to send their kids to preschool... and which big school to aim for.

I told them, same thing I told my husband, that I/we will/should play this one by ear. For one thing, online courses are already pretty common nowadays. Kids as young as 16 are taking distance education programs from UP's Open University. My professor friend is in charge of online degree programs in education at PNU. It's not anymore important to really attend the usual colleges because now, kids can just attend specialized institutions for design, culinary, etc.

Too bad we don't have anything remotely resembling Free Application For Federal Student Aid (like the one at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) for students who may be looking for such opportunities. But still, my point is, who knows where education and other upheavals/technologies will take us? :)

With the inflation nowadays, it's really kinda stupid to just keep your savings/money in a bank. Even if it was put on time deposit. The interest is just not enough to cover the money value lost due to inflation. Unless you're investing in, I don't know, the Australian dollar and Chinese Yuan? Or maybe delving into mutual funds.

Enter investments in precious metals like jewelry and IRA gold. I think they also have gold 401k accounts in the US, which supposedly yield more for the same level of investment.

So, I guess when my sister starts earning regularly, I will ask her to look into 401k gold investments so that by the time she retires, she can maybe have a bigger resort made than our uncle, who has recently cashed in his 401k returns.

Or at least, she'd just really be comfortable in old age.

I have just recently finished watching the first two seasons of Top Chef Masters. Gave my husband a challenge because there weren't enough people seeding the episodes... but yeah, he found a way to get me each one of them.

My fave for Season One was Hubert Keller. He's just so sweet and dignified, gentle and calm. So, it was really a bummer that he got the lowest scores in the finale. Then again, even if I haven't really tasted it, I also think truffles are overrated.

My fave for Season Two is Susur Lee, mostly because he's Asian. Same reason I was also rooting for Anita Lo from the first season (but I think, she just really went downhill after winning one of the elimination rounds). Again, a bummer that he got the lowest scores in the finale, haha.

I loved Season One because I think most of the contestants there were really dignified... except the batch with Ludo Lefebvre (though, he's really, really yummy!). They exuded the Masters aura :)

But the challenges for Season Two were really tougher. I couldn't sit still, considering the season has ended!

And now... I am looking forward to Season Three, which premieres tonight! I will miss Kelly Choi though (and her stylist's preference to dress her in shades of red and purple).

Now... hopefully, hubs can also finish downloading Top Chef Just Desserts too.

I am blessed. But I am also at a point where I don't know what's next aside from raising a family.

I am sad about something but I am not sure which, nor why.

I am praying the tears will stop from flowing and I will be engaged in more doing instead.

An unhappy me cannot be a good wife and mother... so, what's wrong with me?