Musings of a COO: Keeping Up With Life

My work life is full .  Full of fulfillment and blessings, yes .  But filled with a busy, busy schedule as well, which brings with it a dose of stress and frustration.

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Sometimes I wonder, “how did work life get to be so complicated and fast-paced?”  I always feel like I have to catch my breath!  Don’t you also always feel that there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything you’ve set out to do? And my favorite, “I can’t believe it’s already May!  Didn’t we just start the year?”

The not-so-good news is that it looks like this warp-speed pace is here to stay.

The good news is, we need not be “victims” of our heavy work loads, and the challenges that come with it.  There are actually things that we can do to counteract the effects of stress!

There is so much to live for–family being the biggest reason of all.  Isn’t it incentive enough for us to make sure we live longer, happily and healthily so we can enjoy a better quality of life?

I always believe that everything in life is a choice–even the way you see things. You can either see the glass half empty or half full, bad or good, negative or positive.  And trust me, it is much better to see the lighter side of things rather than to be consumed by feelings of anger, sadness, or wallowing in a pool of self-pity.  It’s actually quite unproductive too.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t honor your feelings–it’s definitely detrimental to keep them bottled up inside.  But once you’ve had a chance to grieve, to cry, to shout, to throw a tantrum, or to talk about it for the nth time, just let it go and move forward!

While I know that is easier said than done (trust me, letting go is very difficult for me!), certainly, developing a healthier outlook towards life and knowing that setbacks only make us stronger and better, has helped to ease the stress, and has made me a happier person.  Coupling this with a lot of prayer and faith, has truly helped me to become a more peaceful person too .

Aside from a positive attitude, squeezing in some exercise and taking the proper vitamins can also help us deal with the effects of stress.

I’m happy I found the kind of work out routine that not only challenges all the muscles in my body, but also gives me the benefit of mental and emotional release.  My excercise of choice?  barre3!  I love it!  At first, I was pretty skeptical (I’m really more of an aerobics person), but once I tried it, I was hooked!

And for vitamins, its Poten-Cee Forte all the way!  Ofcourse, I gotta love my own, right?  Hahaha!

To be honest (and biases aside ), Poten-Cee Forte is the only Vitamin C brand in the market that not only has 1000mg/1g of ascorbic acid, but also has a time-release formula.  What does this mean?  This means that our bodies are protected much longer than your regular Vitamin C in the market. Poten-Cee Forte was “designed to dissolve gradually over time, maximizing the capability of our digestive and circulatory system to absorb the available Vitamin C.”

“Because of this time-release formula, a steady amount of Vitamin C is delivered into the bloodstream—the right amount at the time we need it—making us enjoy its full range of benefits.  There is less anxiety over getting the right amount of Vitamin C in your body, and less worry about sustaining the supply of this immunity-boosting vitamin throughout the day.”

Other vitamin brands actually only offer 500mg.  While the usual dietary intake is from 150-500mg, because of poor eating habits, exposure to environmental toxins, a stressful, busy lifestyle and the prevalence of diseases, augmentation of our daily dose of vitamin c is necessary.

On the days that I forget to take my Poten-Cee Forte, my body feels really lethargic and heavy.  I already feel tired early in the afternoon, and feel like I struggle to make it to the day’s end.  No joke!  But when I do take it, I can really feel the difference in terms of my energy level!  Not only do I feel like I have enough energy to last me the entire day, but I also feel like I can keep up with my full schedule!

And I can’t remember the last time I got sick either .  While the rest of my friends get plagued with colds every time the weather becomes schizo, I’ve been sniffle and sickness free for so long, thanks to the protection of Poten-Cee Forte!

Ask Chris Tiu, too .  He feels the same way .  He’s our current endorser, and he’s one to endorse only the products he believes in (and who wouldn’t trust that face?  Hahaha!  Isn’t he such a cutie pie?).  Just read about it in his blog :).

And here’s the Poten-Cee TVC with Chris and his mom, Leanne, that we released last month.

So there you have it.  My advice on how to keep up with life?  A positive attitude, exercise, and Poten-Cee Forte!

The stresses of work and the demands of a busy schedule should definitely not keep us from living happily, healthily, and more fully!

Dreaming of My Happy Place

Seriously, I. WANT. TO. GO. TO. THE. BEACH!!!

Yes, I am having a major hang-over from my trip to Palawan last week .  And despite the scorching heat, I cannot help but long to be in and dream about my happy place .

*Sigh*

I just love the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Or how mesmerizing it is to watch the water as it creeps up the sand.

Ofcourse I wouldn’t mind sipping a cocktail and losing myself in my thoughts as I watch the clouds and sky stretch endlessly for miles either…

*Sigh* I love the beach.

 

Just in case you’re wondering, these photos were taken by me at the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Sabang, Palawan.  Home to the Underground River, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

Musings of a COO: Health 4 Humanity

Being able to bring the gift of health to underprivileged communities is such a blessing .

Last week, volunteers from our company conducted a medical mission at the KarismaVille Subdivision in Malabon.  It’s a project we have in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

It was such a wonderful way to spend my day .

My IG post that morning: It’s a wonderful day for a med mission!  Let’s get these people healthy!!!

You can’t imagine how many people–kids especially–are sick nowadays.  Unfortunately, most people in the community can’t afford to buy medicines to help them get better .

Days like these are both fulfilling yet humbling.  It makes more obvious how my world is very different from theirs, and how I’ve been very fortunate in my life.

It kinda puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

Definitely, it makes me think twice before I start ranting about my problems .

I am truly thankful for the generosity of our employees who helped make the med mission a success!

Their willingness to serve and to lend themselves to this cause is so inspiring!

Musings of a COO: A Night Out With My Girls

My girls and I have been working so hard lately, that I totally feel we deserve a break–a break from the stress and madness!  Hahaha!

As timing would have it, we were recently invited to WWF’s (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) Partner’s Night at Chef Jessie’s in Rockwell.  This event is held yearly, and is an opportunity for WWF to award the different companies that they work with, and that support their environmental advocacies.

We were not only honored to be one of the evening’s awardees, but we were also very excited at the chance to kick up our heels, get dressed in fancy clothes, and just be away from the confines of our office.  Hahaha!  Never mind that it was a work-related function–we were all just so thrilled to be able to have a night out! Hahaha!

We arrived at Chef Jessie’s just in time to find our seats, have a quick bite, and make the rounds of greeting our friends at WWF.

Soon after, we heard the name of our company called, so I had to go up the stage and accept the award.

The best part of the evening (aside from receiving the award, ofcourse!) was being able to meet Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson, WWF’s brand ambassadors, and the hosts of that evening’s shindig.

Here is my team posing with Rovilson and Marc, as well as with WWF’s Chairman, Vince Perez, and President, Lory Tan.

Haaaaay!  To be in the presence of such cuteness!  Hahaha!

Seriously, though, I am very proud of the work my company has done with WWF. This year, we collaborated on a project called Kalakasan, Kalikasan, an environmental life skills program aimed at educating children aged 9-11 about the effects of climate change on health.  It taught them about the causes of global warming, and how we play a huge part in saving the environment even through small lifestyle changes. Students were also taught how to keep themselves healthy in the midst of the ever-changing weather patterns, and the increasing incidence of weather-related diseases.

The nice thing about the program is its trickle down effect.  It began with the teachers, was passed on to the students, who in turn shared the information they learned with their families.

It was a very successful collaboration so we will definitely be doing it again with WWF next year!  Hooray!  And it will be even bigger and better, with more schools enrolled in the program !

It’s initiatives like these that really make me proud of the work that my team does.  To be able to affect lives positively and to be a proponent for change is not just fulfilling, but it is also such an honor.  Especially lately that we can really see how “damaged” Mother Nature has become, and how we are feeling the effects of global warming, it makes every contribution to saving the environment all the more valuable.  And I’m glad that through this effort, our company is able to do its share .

Okay, enough of the seriousness…Let me end this post with my final photo of that evening–a souvenir of the cuteness that is Marc Nelson. Bwahahaha!

Tadaaaaa!

Yes, ladies, that is my arm around his waist  Hahaha!  Yes, I have no shame. Hahaha!

It was definitely a fabulous night .

Musings of a COO: “Extra” for a Day

My job definitely keeps things interesting for me .  I can be doing something creative one day like working on a new packaging design with our artists, or I can be conducting a press conference on another day with a famous celebrity.  There are times when I’ll be handing out medicines in a medical mission, or attending board meetings for a good portion of the day.  Whatever it is I’m doing, it is always guaranteed to be productive and out of the ordinary.  In fact, there are hardly ever days that are alike!

Recently, I had the opportunity to be an “extra” in one of our commercials . While I’ve made cameos in some of our other commercials in the past, this is the first time that my face actually has screen time, and is quite recognizable!  While I find the experience to be quite nakakaaliw, I’m also quite embarrassed about the exposure.  To be honest, I thought that only my back, or at most, my profile, would be seen.  I didn’t think that the director would be taking from another angle, and it was that other angle that made it past the cutting floor!  Hahaha!  Oh well.  I guess I’ll just have to chalk it up to another one of those experiences that I can live to tell my grandkids about.  Hahaha!

Anyway, just wanted to share with you some of the photos from the TVC shoot, as well as the final product, ofcourse!

The Set

Mareng Winnie and the “extras”!

Lights, Camera, Action!

With ASCOF Brand Manager, A

The production crew

With our director, Raul Ona

These were the “real” talents! Hahaha!

And finally, the TVC!  Please click on the link below .  That’s me in the green blouse .  No judging on the acting, please!  Hahaha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdYwnbOzvHk

At the end of the day, I feel really blessed to have a challenging, at times unpredictable, but definitely very interesting job that I love–I’m really thankful for this.  But more than that, the best part is being able to contribute, to enable, to inspire and to support my colleagues in whatever way I can, and for myself, that I never run out of new things to learn, and experiences that make me a better me.

My Ms. World Experience

In my entire life, I never would have imagined that I would one day be on stage, presenting an award at the Ms. World pageant.  And last Sunday, that is precisely what I did!

In front of hundreds of people, I handed over a sash, a bouquet, and a check to Candidate Number 17 aka Ms. OraCare Confidently Cool .

While I’m not one to enjoy being in the spotlight, I must say that having my 15 minutes of fame on stage was actually pretty fun!  Ofcourse prior to my appearance I was really nervous of tripping or falling flat on my face.  But I guess I was just so fascinated by the entire experience that when it came to my part, instead of feeling fear, I was actually quite excited!  Hahaha!  And I’m pretty sure no one was paying any attention to me anyway–they were probably so busy looking at the 25 beautiful contestants!  Hahaha!  So I guess there was less pressure on me to do what I came to do .

I still can’t quite get over how surreal that night was .  While it’s not something that is listed on my bucket list, it’s definitely a story that I would love to tell A and the grandkids .

I am Loving…

…the Proenza Schouler PS1 Tote!!!

Oh Em Gee!!!  Not another bag to obsess over!!!  It’s not like I don’t have a gajillion bags in my lust list already!  Hahaha!

As I was looking for the Celine Canvas Phantom Luggage bag (which was totally out of stock in the US, by the way), I came across the PS1 tote.

I immediately fell in love with the classic design, the soft buttery leather, and the yummy bold color (it comes in several other cool colors, btw).  And the size?  Just right to be taken from morning to night, especially for a working gal like myself.

*Sigh*

I wonder when you will be mine?

Paging Hubby!!!  Hahaha!

Hope you have an awesome weekend, folks !

Instagram Friday

I love days like these that are busy and full of interesting experiences!  Despite the fact that I was exhausted to the core, Friday was such a wonderful day for me and I just wanted to share some snippets of it with you .

First off, I attended and spoke at a press conference for one of our products, Ascof.  We introduced our two new powerhouse endorsers: Winnie Monsod and Winnie Cordero.  Our brand ambassadress, Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez was also there to show her support .

My second event was the launch of Daphne’s Home Fragrance at Dimensione Bonifacio High Street.  I was touched that I was invited by Daphne herself .  Relations aside, I’ve always been a fan of hers and her products.  I love how she has grown her brand, and admire the projects she has chosen to pursue.  Let’s just say, I am living vicariously through her experiences .  Maybe one day I’ll have the courage to pursue my own passions as well .

The set up of the event was like that of a tea party.  It suited Daphne’s personality to a tee (no pun intended ;P).  Very old world, sophisticated, and feminine .  I love how her chairs were displayed too.  Bench really did a wonderful job!

On a side note, Daphne’s Home Fragrance is available at Dimensione and bench stores. There are 3 scents to choose from: Jasmine Mint Infusion, Acres of Lavender and Homemade Lemon Tart. At Php348, I think it’s a steal!

Finally, my day ended with another company event.  While the first two were very lifestyle, this one was a bit more business-like and formal, and involved entertaining a lot of doctors.  Thank goodness the venue was very near home as I was thisclose to collapsing from exhaustion!!!  Hahaha!  It was a fun event, though, and it was nice to see everyone enjoying both the food and the entertainment .  I particularly loved the event design which carried the theme Filipino fiesta, as well as the song numbers of the “Dalagang Bukid”.  Very old school Pinoy!

So there you have it–my busy, busy, but incredibly wonderful Friday .  What a great way to end the work week, and to start the long weekend!

Getting Crafty

Am I excited, or am I excited?  I just read about the collaboration between Todd Oldham and Target for an exclusive arts and crafts collection! I am beyond thrilled that I will be in the US when it is made available in stores on May 20^th.  Woohoo!  Hoarding time!  Hahaha!

The 50-piece collection is based on Todd Oldham’s best-selling book, Kid Made Modern, wherein it is said that he “created a mini revolution in the world of arts and crafts.”  Through this book, he wanted to inspire kids to become more creative and let their imaginations run wild by introducing 52 easy-to-do projects inspired by the works of influential mid-century artists such as Marimekko, Ray Eames and Alexander Calder.  All the projects can be done at home, and are meant to be enjoyed with the child’s parents or friends.  They provide very hands-on experiences, using a combination of easy-to-find household items and store-bought crafting materials.

Through this collaboration with Target, Oldham extends his influence in inspiring creativity by making available various art supplies and kits for any and every creative soul—young and old alike.

The products are beautifully made, and each individually tested by Oldham himself.  They are packaged in recyclable boxes, and are priced quite affordably—each item costs less than $20!

I really cannot wait to get my hands on some of these art supplies not just for myself but for A too .  Here are my favorites:

Can you believe these beauties are actually crayons?!?  I just loooove the bright colors!

Aren’t these space stone jewels the best? I am stocking these for A for when she gets older .

I am totally digging these whimsical design duct tapes!  I can already imagine using them in my gift wrapping!  Sigh!

I thought these were really interesting–crayon discs!  I like how each disc has a mixture of two or more colors!

This crazy crayon is perfect for A’s little hands!

These colored pencils are for moi!  I adore the not-your-usual colors!

This paint-with-numbers set totally takes me back to my childhood!  I want one!

Uh oh.  Looking at this wishlist, it looks like the H and I are gonna have to lug some balikbayan boxes home!

Images via: blog.2modern.com, twitter.com, howaboutorange.blogspot.com, blogs.babble.com

Musings of a COO: Lose More, Live More

I’ve always been a chubby girl.  Boo .

What can I say–I looooooove to eat, and I don’t really like to exercise . Unfortunately, I’ve not been blessed with “thin genes” either.  How I wish I could be one of those girls who could eat anything they want and not have to gain a single pound or inch on their waist.  *Sigh*

Eating...

...again...

...and again...

...and again!!!

Losing weight has always been a challenge for me, especially now that I’m older and my metabolism is as slow as a turtle .  Haha!  I’ve tried several types of diets that have helped me to successfully shed both inches and pounds, but once I got off the diet, both inches and pounds returned with a vengeance!  Hahaha!

It’s not just about the weight loss anymore, though.  It’s about looking good, feeling great, living more, and opening up the possibilities for myself.  When I feel healthy, it definitely makes me feel like I can do anything and everything!

Especially now that I  have a very active one year old, health plays such an important role so that I can keep up better with her, without getting tired easily. I’ll probably have more energy as well to pursue other activities or projects that I’ve been putting off either because I’ve been too tired or feel too heavy.

Another bonus is fitting into all my old clothes again!  What would I give to be able to wear my old jeans, or my tucked-far-back-in-the-closet size 4 dresses! Yes, I confess, I have a hard time parting with my old clothes because I secretly dream of fitting into them again one day.  Hahaha!

I know, I’ve heard the spiel many times before–I MUST change my lifestyle, I MUST get off my butt and start to eat healthy!  IT’S TIME!!!  Haha!  And what better time to do it than now, the start of a new year!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I tried a barre3 class with my sisters last year. Even though I’m more of an aero kind of gal, I think I’m gonna give it another whirl.  Who knows, I may learn to love it!  Hahaha!  I am both excited and apprehensive for my first class.  Most of the girls kasi are so skinny and are really good at the poses already! Uh, pressured, much?!?  Hahaha!  On the other hand, I’m soooo looking forward to getting active, and being more fit too!  Am not exactly aiming to be super thin, but just to tone up a bit, and to feel more energized .

On eating healthy, while I’m not about to start having damo aka salad for my meals, I thought the best approach would be to take baby steps.  I noticed also kasi that when I start taking extreme measures and deprive myself of my favorite food, I end up not being able to sustain this kind of diet. What works for me is doing things in moderation.  This translates into having a little bit of everything–”little” being the operative word.  So I will allow myself a piece of chocolate or two, and maybe brown rice for lunch, but then have a sensible and well-balanced dinner without the carbs and dessert na.

Another lifestyle habit that has been extremely helpful for me in the past that I’m going to resurrect is taking C-Lium everyday.  For those of you who are not familiar, C-Lium is my company’s psyllium fiber brand.

Fiber is very important, not just for overall stomach health and to regulate bowel movement, but more so to help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and to aid the removal of excess fat in our bodies.  Translation:  not only does it remove all the “bad stuff” in your body, but it can also help you lose weight!!!  You don’t know how many success stories I’ve heard from family and friends regarding the wonders of C-Lium .  Not only do these testimonies affirm the effectiveness of the product, but it’s a huge encouragement for our company that we have a wonderful product in our hands .

One of the contestants from the show The Biggest Loser, Angela Lupango, lost 78 lbs. with C-Lium!

Another contestant, Art Mendoza, lost 129 lbs.! Wowowee! Ofcourse, he achieved this not only with C-Lium, but with diet and exercise as well

Personally, what I especially love is that C-Lium is all natural, and it does not cause any unwanted “accidents”.  I just take it in the morning or at night, 30 minutes before my meal, then the next morning…voila!  Literally, all the toxins and bad stuff are flushed away!!!  I feel “cleaner”, lighter and healthier!  It’s a great way to start my day .

While it is also possible for me to eat foods that are rich in dietary fiber–nuts, wheats, cereal, vegetables, etc.–unfortunately, fiber can be easily depleted when cooked. Also, these sources may not be enough to provide the amount of fiber that my body needs daily.  C-Lium is actually one of the richest sources of fiber and has up to 14x more fiber than oatmeal or cereal!

I also love that C-Lium comes in 2 formats–husk or capsules–so that I have a choice on how to take it .  I usually prefer the capsules, though, even if I have to take 10 a day :0.  And because I have to drink a lot of water to help ease the capsules down, I feel fuller and tend to eat less .

When I run out of capsules, the husk, however, is not a bad alternative.  Because it is tasteless, I can just mix it with orange or pineapple juice, or sometimes iced tea.  I kinda like how the husk coagulates, and it feels like I’m drinking pulp bits Hahaha!

So I am crossing my fingers that 2012 will be THE year for a healthier me.  There is certainly so much for me to look forward to in life–for myself, with my little girl, and with the H–so it makes sense to live in the healthiest way possible starting now!!!  I know, in the end, this relies heavily on my ability to make wiser food choices, to be more disciplined in exercising, and taking my fiber.  All I can say is, I am up to the task!!!

Wish me luck!!!

C-Lium Fibre is available in major drugstores and supermarkets nationwide