Demand for Filipino drip coffee is on the rise because they are perfect for those who want their coffee strong, simple, and local. These little bags of joy are conveniently designed to give you freshly brewed coffee without the need for a coffee machine or elaborate equipment. Using the pour over coffee technique, brewing is as simple as tearing the sachet, pouring hot water, and letting the coffee drip.
Local drip coffee bags come in different variants from the staple Kapeng Barako to flavored blends such as caramel, hazelnut, butterscotch, and many more. The local coffee market is thriving and a number of shops have added drip coffee bags – or single serve pour over coffee, on their product offerings.
Social media and e-commerce have made it accessible to purchase and support local coffee producers. Here’s a list of where to can get good quality local drip coffee bags.
Cebu is one of the dream destinations of many vacationers and even people who are looking to relocate to a warmer and more relaxed environment. The allure of Cebu is in the balance between beautiful natural wonders and modern high-technology infrastructure.
Anyone who has ever been to Cebu knows about the magnificent beaches, lakes, waterfalls and other natural beauty of the islands. What makes it even better is how all of these are interspersed within a bustling and vibrant city that has all the technology and conveniences that comes with city life. For instance, Cebu has its fair share of huge shopping malls that sell everything you will ever need, while also providing you with much needed entertainment for you and your family on those times that you get tired of too much sun and beach activities.
Filipino leather bag brands strive to deliver world-class quality products that every Pinoy can be proud of. Each piece lovingly created by Filipino artisans is made with excellent craftsmanship, passion, and hope for the industry.
Here are five Filipino leather bag brands that stand out the most because a good bag should be well-made, practical, and does not have to be designer.
With today’s ever-growing demands and necessities, women can easily blow their budget with never-ending household needs, family’s daily consumption, children’s education funds, and personal expenses.
Whether you’re a career woman or a stay-at-home mom, personal finance experts share a couple of targeted advice for women to help you overcome financial obstacles, save up for that grand family vacation, or grow your business. Aside from managing your funds and boosting your retirement savings, here are other creative wealth building tips that women like you can follow to improve your financial health.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, now streaming on Netflix, is a three-part animated film adaptation of the Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash novel series. Set in Universal Century – the most developed timeline in the Gundam Universe, Hathaway opens the story in space slowly descending to Earth and eventually landing onto a futuristic Davao City, Philippines.
A good portion of the story – about 45 minutes long, unfolds in Davao. Filipino cultural references are beautifully depicted with a special cameo of the most famous Pinoy mascot – Jollibee. Gundam Hathaway provides a glimpse of an alternate, modern Davao where Mobile suits and Earth Federation Officers patrol the streets lined with electric cars and mobile suits. Key highlights are listed below.
Davao City, Philippines in Gundam Universal Century timeline. Netflix screengrab
Children are natural explorers. You cannot lock them in a room and expect them to behave like tamed, mindful adults who can patiently wait until something eventful happens. Whether you like it or not, our little ones will always look for fun activities for kids whatever the time of the day is.
During normal circumstances (a.k.a pre-Covid life), keeping kids occupied and entertained at home is already a challenge. Thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, the creativity and patience of parents have been strongly tested when children were forced to stay at home at all times. There is never a perfect time to say that parenting is hard.
Keith Haring’s ubiquitous prints are made even more accessible and wearable with a number of brand collaborations. Three of the most notable partnerships available in Manila include a customizable capsule collection by Converse, a wide range menswear collection by H&M, and a staple unisex UT Collection by Uniqlo.
Limited edition pieces from accessories (bucket hat, pendant, bag), to intimates (trunks, socks), apparel (shirts, hoodies), and footwear are available for you to choose from so you can wear your Keith Haring icons loud and proud. These are available in Manila through the brands’ physical shops, official websites, mobile apps, and major e-commerce platforms.
Beauty and wellness have been put on hold during the pandemic. Filipinos have tried their best to limit mobility by cutting back on non-essential activities which includes pamper and self care sessions. Now that more industries are slowly and safely opening up in Manila and the rest of the country, aesthetic clinics are going the extra mile to ensure their clients can get back to their regimen confidently.
Avignon Clinic is a full service dermatology and luxe aesthetic center with world-class FDA-approved equipment, premium beauty treatments, and wellness programs led by expert doctors to ensure delivery of top notch services for its clients. I bravely visited their Flagship Clinic at Quezon City after a more than year of a self-imposed no beauty clinic, salon, and spa rule – and oh boy, they did not fail to impress! Let me share my experience so you can gauge if the health and safety provisions they have in place are enough for your personal level of comfort.
Laura Mercier has created a number of iconic beauty products and is well known for introducing the “Flawless Face” technique – prime, cover, conceal, and set. It is definitely a staple brand for those who are big believers of the “no make up” look from pros to anyone who wants a fuss free enhancement of your own natural beauty. Here are my top 5 picks among the many well-loved beauty products of the brand.
Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder shades from L-R: Translucent Honey, Invisible, Translucent, Translucent
This holy grail powder may arguably be considered the most loved Laura Mercier beauty product by makeup enthusiasts. It has won many major Beauty awards worldwide and keeps on doing so year after year. The light powder is finely milled and instantly blurs fine lines and pores without interfering the shade of your foundation. A small amount goes a long way to set my makeup for the day and helps keep unwanted shine at bay. If you happen to love extra lighting when you take your photos, you should definitely have one handy (they have pretty mini and travel sizes for you to try and test) as this powder has withstood the no photo flashback test! Try their pretty mini and travel sizes.
Swatch from L-R: Translucent Honey, Invisible, Translucent, Translucent
Pure Canvas Primer
Laura Mercier Primers from L-R: Pure Canvas Protecting, Foundation Primer Radiance, Pure Canvas Hydrating, Foundation Primer
Laura Mercier has long been associated with the Primer category it pioneered. Its Pure Canvas Primer Collection provides a selection of trusty primers in variants of Illuminating, Blurring, Hydrating, Perfecting and Protecting. What sets these primers apart is that they not only prime the skin before makeup application but also seal in your skincare to lock all the goodness in. I have large pores as a result of my teenage acne years and have oily to dry combination skin which makes the blurring primer the best bet for me.
Swatch from L-R: Pure Canvas Protecting, Foundation Primer Radiance, Pure Canvas Hydrating, Foundation Primer
Caviar Stick Eye Color
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in full and travel sizes from L-R: Sand glow, Rose gold, Amethyst, Metallic taupe
This long-wearing creamy eyeshadow stick is the perfect choice for your morning makeup routine as it is effortless to use. It glides on smoothly, easily, and is a multitasker. Its versatility is what I love the most – this stick is super easy to use and can be smudged, blended, and even line, highlight, fill, or define the eyes. The caviar stick line has a variety of shades from neutrals to vivid bolds that you can layer or mix and match. Unlike your regular cream eyeshadow this is transfer-free, crease-free, and stays on during entire office hours.
Secret Camouflage Concealer Duo
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in shade 3W
The newly released reiteration of its iconic Secret Camouflage Concealer is fast becoming a cult favorite! The multi-tasking dual-ended wand allows it to be more hygienic and makes application easier. This concealer can be used stand-alone, if you prefer to skip the foundation, or its intended 2-step correct (blemishes) and brighten (under eye) purpose. The Correct Tip of the stick allows you to conceal imperfections, dark spots, and blemishes while the Brighten Tip reduces dark under-eye circles.
Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector
The recently reformulated variant in white tube is packed with more ingredients – oils, extract, vitamins, for better hydration, anti-oxidant protection, and enhance the skin to achieve a no-makeup dewy finish without the heavy feeling. It has higher SPF protection too. What I love most is that it is very lightweight with a buildable sheer coverage that instantly brightens my complexion and lasts me from day to night. It does live up to its award-winning status and is my go-to for that everyday radiant glow.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector shades and swatches
Where to get?
Shop Laura Mercier
If you haven’t found your HG yet, you have definitely got to try any or all of the Laura Mercier products listed above. For those who are afraid to make the commitment to full-sized beauty products, you’ll be happy to know that Laura Mercier has a great selection of mini, deluxe, and travel sizes for you to experiment with. These are especially perfect for those who prefer their makeup sheer but buildable. Most importantly you’ll love the brand’s lightweight formulation and infused with ingredients that are good for the skin.
It is comforting to know that Laura Mercier is easily accessible to us in Manila – and now nationwide, thanks to online e-commerce shops. Their cult best sellers are readily available at the counters of Laura Merciers in Rustan’s Makati, SM Megamall Fashion Hall, and SM Aura. You can also get them online through Rustan’s, The Beauty Source,Trunc.ph, and My Mercier Concierge. It’s also worth following their social pages for they never run out great promos, gift with purchases, and more!
Chef Luis Chikiamco of Discovery Primea Makati has bravely launched a business amidst the pandemic. He allows us to play Chef with his beautifully-packaged DIY Yakiniku curated boxes filled with premium beef and special homemade sauces through his Yakiniku Ikouze brand.
