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.
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.
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!
Pinoys are falling further in love with anything K! K-pop, K-drama, K-skincare – you name it, we stan it! Even more so when any of these K-worlds collide for a collab. The latest of which is the launch of Deoproce Philippines’ ambassador for its newest K-Skincare line. Heartthrob Song Kang of Netflix’s Love Alarm fame is exclusively endorsing Deoproce Philippines’ Natural Green Caviar line.
“Though beauty endorsements are still dominated by women, it is quite refreshing and inspiring to see a male celebrity give marketing a makeover and democratize beauty for men. With Song Kang as its latest muse, Deoproce remains at the forefront of the skincare industry, blending the gender lines while still delivering innovative and effective products”, according to Deoproce in its press release.
What is Green Caviar?
Green caviar or sea grapes is locally referred to as Lato – commonly served fresh as a salad with tomato, onions, and green mango to complement all-time pinoy favorites grilled fish or pork.
As a key skin-care ingredient, Green Caviar helps fight signs of ageing by boosting collagen production and keeps skin hydrated by retaining moisture. It is rich in vitamins, minerals to help brighten and strengthen the skin.
The Deoproce Green Caviar Line has 6 products to complete your 6-step K-skincare Routine. As a rule of thumb, you should use start from the product with the thinnest to the thickest formulation.
The Green Caviar 6-step routine
Step One (1)
Green Caviar Cleansing Water (Php690) to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oils. A soaked cotton sheet was able to get rid off my liquid eyeliner in 2-3 strokes.
Step Two (2)
Green Caviar Cleansing Foam (Php590) to completely remove dirt and provide gentle exfoliation. The tightly packed matte foam has super fine microbeads that turns into a rich creamy lather. Most cleansers make my skin feel tight after a good wash but this one made my skin feel softer.
Step Three (3)
Green Caviar Toner (Php 790) to hydrate and prepare the skin for the serum and moisturizer phases, as well as get rid of stubborn traces of makeup or dirt. Listen to the pop of frizz when you remove the seal of freshness on your first use.
Step Four (4)
Green Caviar Vitamin C Ampoule (Php1,490) to brighten, moisturize, and protect the skin with its highly concentrated active ingredients. The formula has the right viscosity for a serum – it’s not runny, nor thick. Also, it has the faintest scent among all the products despite its yellowish color, which I like.
Step Five (5)
Green Caviar Cream Moisturizer (Php1,490) to hydrate the skin without the sticky heavy residue. The whipped light cream gives an immediate boost of hydration to the skin. I use this at night and wake up to plump hydrated skin in the morning.
Step Six (6)
Green Caviar Skin Perfecting Tint with SPF 30 PA++ (Php790) to even out your complexion and give extra protection against the sun’s harmful rays. This is a great base to add to your makeup routine but can we worn alone if you want go for a lighter feel or more natural effect. I’m an NC30/35 and it is perfect for my skin tone. Important: this is meant for your morning routine.
The verdict
I enjoyed using all the products from the Deoproce Green Caviar line and especially love that the scent is kept very mild – reminiscent of fresh watermelon juice. Most importantly, it stayed true to its promise of skin hydration. I highly recommend the Deoproce Green Caviar line to those with dry to normal skin. Those with oily skin may benefit from the toner and cleansing products.
Where to get?
Deoproce products including the complete Green Caviar Line is available in Watsons, SM Department stores, Amorfia PH, and Lazada. Deoproce is an established Korean skin care and cosmetics manufacturer. Apart from its own brand, Deoproce manufactures products for well-known Korean beauty brands and specializes in exotic natural ingredients such as snail mucus, spider web essence, pig collagen, and more.
The times, they are a-changing— more quickly in some ways than others. With the global pandemic still underway and an already delayed school year close to starting, students and learners in the Philippines have been forced to reckon with online learning. While the provision of courses and certificates online is nothing new, it’s certainly never been at the forefront of national and international conversation like this. Even top universities in the Philippines are struggling to find ways to offer online courses and distance learning options to students.
As the country attempts to settle down into a new normal, it’s time to take a look at learning options that exist outside of a school’s four walls. College courses aren’t the only opportunity for further education, and there are a surprising number of options available for Filipinos who want to do more skills development online. This brand new world has closed some doors but opened others, and there’s no better time than the present to take a chance. Here are a few of the best online learning platforms in the Philippines for both students and professionals.
Though it is still a hard pill to swallow, we have to address the fact that discrimination continues to be a way of life for a lot of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) employees. A well-written piece by GLAAD’s Michaela Krejcova explains that over 40% of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals have gone through employment harassment and mistreatment at some point in their professional lives. We have not even mentioned the 90% of transgender people who have experienced the same ordeal – if not worse. In essence, this is not only bad for LGBTQ workers, but also bad for companies as a whole.
