I was invited to  attend and cover Coke Studio’s benefit concert for the refugees of Marawi at the Mall Of Asia Concert Grounds on December 9, 2017.

And I must say that it was a blast! Everyone from Generations X, Y (Millenials) and Z united that night to bring music back to Marawi. Admission to the event was free and attendees were encouraged to bring PET bottles for recycling.

Aside from the overflowing and seemingly unlimited supply of Coca Cola products being given away for free to all attendees, there were also Coke Studio Modules that let you sing your favorite songs and give away free Coke merchandise such as personalized Coke Studio bottles and photo prints.

Concert-goers may also visit the Food and Bazaar Christmas Village or take pictures with friends and family against the Coke Studio Christmas Wall.

Prior to the main event, college bands played in Coke Studio’s Tune Bayan, a social hall where college bands can perform their original songs and mingle with other college groups from different schools.

Ang lakas lang talaga maka-millenial!

All Coke Studio artists gave high energy performances:

The Ransom Collective
Gab and John of Urbandub
Abra
Gracenote
Moonstar88
Autotelic
Ebe Dancel
Franco
Reese Lansangan
BP Valenzuela
Sandwich
Noel Cabangon
Curtismith

I tried to capture the performances on video with only what my micro-SD cards and power bank could accommodate. Here are some of them:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKYPm8OnNlI]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZGWvFhCY_8]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=336ygS6-rPw]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhwhkEDR2hU]

I hope I get to be invited again to cover the next Coke Studio Live and will make sure to bring lots of micro-SD cards and juice. Lols.

Signing out for now. Peace!

The post COKE STUDIO LIVE: BRINGING BACK MUSIC TO MARAWI appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Let me share with you my Discover Scuba Diving with Arkipelago Divers when I visited Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera is a town located in Oriental Mindoro, south of Luzon island. It is one of the top choices of SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) Divers. It boasts of 32 dive spots:

Odie’s Dingding
Manila Channel
The Hill
Secret Bay
Batangas Channel
Dry Dock
La Laguna Point
Small La Laguna
Alma Jane
Fantasea Reef
Sabang Wreck
Sabang Point
Monkey Beach
Monkey Wreck
Ernie’s Point
Ernie’s Cave
Dungon Wall
Wreck Point
West Escarceo
Hole In The Wall
Canyons
Fish Bowl
Horse’s Head
Pink Wall
The Atoll
Kilima Steps
Kilima Beach
Sinandigan Wall
Turtle Rock
Coral Cove
The Boulders
Japanese Wreck

The waters off the beach of Small La Laguna teem with live corals and  diverse marine life. This is where I had the amazing opportunity to do Discover Scuba Diving last week. Thanks to Arkipelago Divers.

Arkipelago Divers

Arkipelago Divers is a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Resort located  on the quiet beach of Small La Laguna, Sabang, Puerto Galera owned by Pedro and Amy Magsino. Click here to watch a short video clip about Arkipelago Divers.

For booking inquiries, call 0917 310 0768 or visit their Facebook Page here or their website here. You may also follow them on Instagram here.

Pre-Dive Lecture

Arkipelago Divers offers PADI scuba diving courses and programs for all levels of divers.

They also rent out equipment and can arrange day trips to other nearby beaches and islands.

How To Get to Puerto Galera

Getting to Puerto Galera from Cubao is easy and affordable. You need to take a bus to bring you to Batangas Pier and a bangka (boat) to take you to Puerto Galera. There are a number of buses servicing the route of Cubao to Batangas Pier.

I took a JAM Liner Bus. The bus left at 8 in the morning. Traffic was smooth and easy. It was a Sunday. On regular days, the trip from Cubao to Batangas would take an average of 3 hours. I got off at the Batangas Grand Terminal, instead of the Batangas Pier, by 10 AM to meet Mike Zuniga of Katooga.ph. We needed to do some errands in SM Batangas. Click here for that blog post.

From Batangas Pier, it would take an hour to an hour and a half ferry trip to get to Sabang Port. The Ferry ticket to Puerto Galera is 230 pesos. By the way, there is an Environmental User Fee of P50 for arriving passengers, a Homeland and Tourist Safety and Security Fee of P 20 and a Terminal Fee of P10.

Coming home

On the way back, Mike and I left Sabang Port at 1 PM. We arrived in Batangas Pier by about 2 PM. Then, Mike took another bus to Alabang while I looked for a bus to Cubao.

The traffic on the way back home was so bad. Fortunately, I had the chance to ride a premium bus operated by Gold Star Bus Company with plane-like seats, television and toilet on board. The bus left Batangas Pier at about 3 PM and was caught in the grueling EDSA rush hour traffic by 6 PM. I got home by 8 PM.

That is the whole story of my Discover Scuba Diving with Arkipelago Divers. I will be uploading a vlog soon with aerial and underwater shots. Stay tuned!

Signing out for now. Peace!

Click here to watch a short video clip about Arkipelago Divers.

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Acuatico Beach Resort, a premiere resort south of Manila, is lighting up stars to share the hope for a bright future to deserving students of the Laiya National High School K-12 Plus Curriculum, San Juan, Batangas. Hotel guests may purchase stars to decorate the Christmas Tree in the Oceano Restaurant for only P50 (small), P100 (medium) or P200 (large). Proceeds of which will be used to provide the necessary materials and resources to support the the K-12 Plus Program.

During the launch dinner of the Light Up A Star Charity Program last November 28, 2017, Ms. Simonette Gusi, owner of  Acuatico Beach Resort, shared that the main objective of this program is to ensure the youth’s future job placement in the resort. Last year, Acuatico Beach Resort was able to provide workbooks for the Food and Beverage Service and linens for the Housekeeping Service curricula. There are plans to expand the program to include a Kitchen/Culinary curriculum.

According to Ms. Tess Samaniego, MarCom Manager, the Light Up A Star Charity Program is already on its third year. Currently, there are nine Grade-12 students and six Grade-11 Students who are undergoing training in the hotel.

Mr. Marcel Haessner of the German Development Program, who just flew in from Germany with his family, said that he is amazed at the Filipino hospitality, a trait that is sought after in the Hospitality Industry. Through this K-12 Plus Program, students in training would  have the opportunity to further develop skills that will be value-adding when they finally join the workforce. He was happy to see how the already deployed students in the resort have developed over time. They have become more confident and personable. He admitted though that there are challenges especially so that year on year the number of students is growing.  Currently, there are almost 300 students enrolled in the program.

Ms. Josephine Rosales, Principal of the Laiya National Highschool, said that all 256 students who underwent the assessment last school year for the Housekeeping Curriculum passed. For this school year 2017-2018, there are 120 Grade-11 students and 160 Grade 12 students who will undergo the assessment for Food and Beverage Curriculum. She is hopeful that all 280 students will pass and be placed across the 60 participating resorts in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.

Further,the Light Up A Star Program was instrumental in training teachers during the launch in 2013. Twenty of whom were supported by Acuatico Beach Resort. Aside from the Laiya National High School, three other Senior High Schools are included in the program: Palahanan National High School, Buhaynasapa National High School and San Juan Senior High School.

What a better way to usher in the Yuletide Season than sharing one’s blessings? Light up a star when you visit the Acuatico Beach Resort! Donate and decorate.

Merry Christmas from Acuatico Beach Resort and Hotel Inc. #acuatico #AcuaticoLightUpAStar

For more information, please visit the Acuatico Beach Resort Facebook Fan Page. 

For booking inquiries, visit http://www.acuaticoresort.com.ph/

Follow Acuatico on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/acuaticobeachresort/

Thank you for reading. Signing out for now. Peace!

The post DONATE & DECORATE |ACUATICO’S LIGHT UP A STAR CHARITY PROGRAM appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

VERDICT: HIT

I would like to share with you one of my greatest finds: Dr. Labella Intensive Whitening Waterfull Toner. Watch the full vlog on my youtube channel here.

I have been using this wonderful toner for about a month now. So far so good! Just clear and moisturized face. It has helped me get rid of the dark spots on my face. Thanks to its main ingredient Glutathione. Also, it has Hyaluronic Acid or Sodium Hyaluronate, probably one of the best moisturizing ingredients that I know. Each molecule holds up to 10 times its weight in water. This Korean-made toner comes in a premium looking 150 ml bottle.

It is in liquid form, translucent and smells good. After washing, I apply it on my face using a cotton ball, gently smoothing it from the center out. I do not use a moisturizer anymore after using the toner. I just put on a sunblock before going out and about.

Below is the complete list of ingredients of this wonderful toner. Just all the good stuff!

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glutathione, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Oryza Sative (Rice) Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Arbutin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Glucose, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Andansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

For inquiries on how to get this product, please visit www.facebook.com/DrLabellaPhilippines or www.drlabella.com.ph

Have you tried this product? Let me know in the comments section below. You may also suggest products that you would want me to review.

Like me on www.facebook.com/jaws.andrada or www.facebook.com/theskincareaddictofficial

Signing out for now. Peace!

The post HIT OR MISS? | DR. LABELLA INTENSIVE WHITENING WATERFULL TONER appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

In recent news, the Philippine government under the Duterte administration is eyeing to implement a total log ban without exemptions nationwide to protect the country’s watershed. Apparently, it was reported that despite the total log ban, several companies still managed to get licenses to cut down trees under the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) and the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) contracts.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvETjusHx18?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=540&h=304]

Personally, I think it is about time that Filipinos, not just the government, start taking care of the environment. Lately, places that never got flooded get flooded. It is sad.

Not totally related to this is the topic of my second vlog. I am slowly but surely getting the hang of it, vlogging I mean. Above is my second vlog contribution to humanity on proper personal hygiene and good grooming.

It is high time that men realize the need to trim those unsightly nose hair to be in tip-top shape. In this vlog, I will be sharing various options and will be featuring one of the essentials I have in my man-bag or merse. Merse is an urban term for men’s purse, Special thank you to Ryan, my brother’s colleague, and friend, for introducing this millennial term to me.

Hope you Pinoy guys (and girls) enjoy watching. Do let me know what you think by sending feedback. Let me know, too, if you have any topics in mind that you would want me to cover aside from the remaining items in my merse.

In my upcoming blogs and vlogs, I will be sharing my daily skin care regimen. I will be featuring four items. These are the facial cleanser, facial toner, facial moisturizer with SPF 15 and evening moisturizer.

Till next time. Thank you!

Signing out for now. Peace!

The post MY 2ND VLOG │ NO TOTAL LOG BAN appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Last Christmas, I got to spend quality time with my siblings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with minimal costs. It was their treat! See how happy I am in the photo below? Yes, I am blessed to have them. My brother is based in Sharjah and my sister lives in Dubai.

With my siblings at Carrefour in Deira City Center, Dubai.

At Jumeirah Beach Residences’ The Walk which stretches along the beach of the Dubai Marina of the Persian Gulf. 

To shuttle to and fro Sharjah and Dubai, I would take the Dubai Metro. It is still the fastest means of transportation. Taking the cab can be expensive and challenging during rush hour.

Lining up for a taxi in Deira City Center.  

Whenever possible, my sister would drive us all the way to Sharjah. Sometimes, she would let me drive her car, too. Before coming to UAE, I got an International Driver’s License from the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). And yes, I got it in a jiffy!

For more information on how to secure an International Driver’s License, visit http://www.aaphilippines.org/products.aspx?pages=international-driving-permit

At the Coral Beach Resort in Sharjah. Me trying to achieve that looking-to-the-horizon-Instagram worthy shot and then the little brother sneaks into the frame.  

It was my first time in UAE and first time to see and swim in the Persian Gulf.

Based on my A1 sources (hehe), I learned that the Persian Gulf is one of the most important bodies of water in the region and, in fact, the world. Located in the heart of the Middle East, the Persian Gulf serves as the primary means of transport for gas and oil from Middle Eastern countries to supply the world’s energy demand. The gulf is thought to contain close to 50% of the world’s oil reserves.

Sources: 

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/persiangulf.htm

https://www.reference.com/geography/bodies-water-middle-east-156523492bcfdd3a#

https://www.reference.com/geography/persian-gulf-located-84afd58a415d267?qo=contentSimilarQuestions

There is another body of water that is closer to home and as important in the world (the universe rather). And that, my friend, is the human body.

Pasok ba sa segue? Pwede na?

The human body is a body of water in that it comprises about 60% water. As it operates, it continuously loses water through sweat and urine. Hence, keeping the body hydrated is vital. Below shows what water can do to keep the body in winning form:

Source: https://water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html

Water helps keep the body oxygenated, skin included being the largest organ.

Just how many glasses of water per day is recommended?

Also known as the Rule of 8, the health authorities’ recommendation is to “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day.” Note that it states fluid and not water. All fluids count toward the daily total. Food and other beverages also contain water.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

My brother enjoying his Japanese Ramen Noodle Soup and a glass of water during his last visit to the Philippines.

Just how big is 8 ounce or 236.588 ml?

Well, during my younger years, an 8 ounce would mean a bottle of a popular soda. This size, I believe, is phased out. Hint. Hint. I am not that young anymore. LOL.

Anyway, the point is, 8 ounce is less than half of the commercially available 500ml bottle. Sisiw!

Photo lifted from http://www.terapeak.com/worth/embossed-coca-cola-classic-chattanooga-tn-8-oz-empty-coke-bottle/322023596141/

In addition, below are the best times to drink water:

• Two glasses of water in the morning after waking up to help activate the internal organs
• One glass of water thirty minutes before a meal to aid in digestion.
• One glass of water before taking a bath to help avoid high blood pressure
• One glass of water before going to bed to help avoid strokes and heart attacks

Source: http://www.lifehack.org/359591/drink-water-the-correct-time-stay-healthy

Talk about timing is everything.

I must admit though that drinking four glasses of water before leaving for work can be challenging. Just imagine being stuck in Manila traffic en route to work and Mother Nature calls. LOL.

Just the same, stay healthy and hydrated. Drink up and keep that good-looking skin!

The upcoming posts will be about the skincare essentials in my Billabong man-bag. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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