GSM Blue’s Flair Idol Finale: It’s Flair Time!

During college, one of the courses I’m considering at that time was HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) because I wanna become the chef of my own restaurant.  I also dreamt of becoming a barista, bartender, and a flairtender.

But I think it’s not really meant for me.  It’s for my brother’s.  Yes, he’s the one taking it right now.  So when I got an invite for the GSM Blue Flair Idol Finals, I shared this to him as this was a  free event at SM Mall of Asia.

With the wits, drink mixing skills, flips, and tricks of the 15 promising young finalists from different universities…

I know my brother learned a lot from them.

Now, back to the show… and the winners are…

Flairtending -- performance art that features flamboyant bartenders who flip,  throw, and juggle liquor bottles in the air, and oftentimes even dance to pulsating beats and perform close-up magic tricks.

On a mission to find the most exciting flairtenders in the country, leading liquor brand GSM Blue launched the annual Flair Idol competition in 2007. This year’s grand finals at the San Miguel by the Bay in SM Mall of Asia saw a very exciting conclusion, as Donn Mark Celestino of De La Salle University Dasma emerged as the winner, besting 14 other hopefuls to bag the grand prize of P30,000 plus an all-expense paid trip to  an Asian country.

Donn Mark Celestino of De La Salle University Dasmarinas

The Flair Idol competition, once limited to the Greater Manila Area, became a nationwide event this year.  The tilt is part of GSM Blueniversity roadshow campaign, which brought a team of professional bartenders to hundreds of colleges and universities across the archipelago in the past year. In each road show, the GSM Blueniversity mentors gave training sessions to third year and fourth year HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) students and budding flairtenders on the various aspects of bartending.

“This year’s GSM Blue Flair Idol was our biggest one yet,” remarked Nelson S. Elises, Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. VP for Marketing. “We really went the extra mile to ensure that we find the most promising flairtenders in the country, who can best represent their schools in this competition. And we definitely found what we were looking for in Donn Mark Celestino, as well as the rest of the finalists.”

The most promising young flairtenders of the campaign were selected as contestants of the Flair Idol regional legs, where their drink mixing skills, originality, and style for performance were put to the test.

Leading up to the big showdown, the finalists underwent a special six-day training to further hone their skills and expertise in flairtending and the bartending business, and develop their individual performances for the finals. They then showcased their skills in a special demo performance at the GSM Blueniversity Bar in San Sebastian College-Recoletos prior to the finals.

“The training that the finalists went through goes beyond the technical aspects of their performances,” said Mr. Elises. “An important X-factor in being chosen as Flair Idol was stage presence, and that requires confidence and the ability to excite and connect with the audience. After an exciting night filled with excellent performances, the judges picked the one who has it all—skills, bravado, and charisma.”

Aside the awards given to Flair Idol 2010 winner Donn Mark Celestino, a cash prize of P20,000 was given to 1st runner up Leonard Ian Dee of St. Joseph Tech Academy, Davao, while P10,000 was awarded to 2nd runner up Robert Jorge Dela Cruz of St. Joseph Tech Academy, Davao. The school of this year’s Flair Idol, DLSU, Dasma also received a special prize from GSM Blue: a fully furnished HRM laboratory cum mock bar.

GSM Blue Flair Idol 15 Finalists

GMA

1.       Mari Tonie Galanon                                - STI COLLEGE

2.       Greg Santiago                                            - NATIONAL TEACHERS COLLEGE

3.       Dan Wico                                                     - UNIVERSITY OF MANILA

NORTH

1.       Gino Carlo Simbillo                                  - WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY CABANATUAN

2.       Dan Carlo Besa                                          - HOLY ANGELS UNIVERSITY PAMPANGA

3.       Paul Ramuel Casingal                              - UC BAGUIO

SOUTH

1.       Donn Mark Celestino                             - DLSU, Dasma

2.       Christian Tuason                                       - DLSU, Dasma

3.       Bryan Bonifacio                                         - UPHSL, Binan

VISAYAS

1.       Andrew Gregorio                                     - ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY, DUMAGUETE

2.       Francis Angelo Nolasco                          - SOUTH WESTERN UNIVERSITY, CEBU

3.       Jerome Macapar                                      - WESTERN INSTITUTE, ILOILO CITY

MINDANAO

1.       Robert Jorge Dela Cruz                          - ST. JOSEPH TECH. ACADEMY, DAVAO

2.       Jor-rel Avala                                               - UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO, DAVAO

3.       Leonard Ian Dee                                       - ST. JOSEPH TECH. ACADEMY, DAVAO

EVENT PHOTOS:

Anne Curtis, Juggy and the Kitty Girls graced the vent.



And GSM Blue for this year 2011 will be searching for the next...

GSM Blue Mix Master!

Who knows it might be YOU!

 

Athena Milk For Women: Beauty Plus Nutrition

Om my previous post, I have found the right milk for my foster kid brother, and now I’ve got the right one for me.  Medical transcriptionist during the day and a multitasking blogger who attends gatherings later in the day and blogs at night, and sometimes spruced up with home chores.  Whew, really tiring!  I think I have compromise my health more than once.  So good thing that Athena Milk for Women understands the needs of the modern day Filipinas, who always want to stay fit and attractive.

“Beautrition” for the modern-day Filipina

Today’s Filipino woman is a multi-tasker who faces professional and personal challenges every day.

Athena is the only milk that understands modern-day Filipino women and helps them win their daily battles. Athena promises more benefits than any other skimmed milk brand in the Philippines by offering Beautrition – a combination of beauty and nutrition that gives women a triad of benefits to help them win their everyday battles:

• Beautiful Skin. Athena provides anti-oxidants (Vitamin A, E & Zinc) to help women’s skin become healthier and more beautiful.
• Strong Bones. Athena is high in calcium to help strengthen women’s bones.
• Slim Figure. Athena is low in fat to help women maintain a slimmer figure.

Athena is available in leading supermarkets, groceries and drugstores nationwide.  Also available in chocolate flavor.

PRESS INFORMATION:

Unilab Nutritionals introduces Athena, the Philippines’ first milk brand for women

Athena helps women fight their every day battles with a triad of health and beauty benefits – a first of its kind in the milk category

Unilab Nutritionals launched Athena, the country’s first and only milk brand that understands women. The event, held last November 26, 2010 in the Grand Ballroom of the New World Renaissance Hotel, introduced Athena’s triad of benefits, a first in the Philippines, and its endorser, Bianca Araneta-Elizalde.

Bianca Araneta-Elizalde is the Athena Woman

Bianca Araneta-Elizalde was introduced as Athena’s endorser for the way she has been able to successfully manage the different aspects of her life. Amid her various roles as model, TV host, entrepreneur, environmentalist and philanthropist, she still has time to be hands-on mother to two children and a caring wife to Juan Elizalde.

Bianca’s believes that Athena is the milk that perfectly complements her lifestyle. “The Beautrition benefit from Athena is unlike any other. I love it! Athena helps me get through my everyday challenges,” she said.

Three Women, Three Benefits

Event-host Bianca Valero also introduced three brand influencers that represent, through the active lives they lead, Athena’s triad of benefits: Lia Cruz who embodied strength through her career as a TV host, Sandra Seifert who embodied body as an active health buff, and Rissa Mananquil who embodied beauty through her successful international modeling career and fashion icon status.

Each shared about how they were able to successfully manage their busy schedules while still finding time to do the things they love to do.

“Women were looking for a milk product that provides not only health benefits but beauty benefits as well,” said Unilab Nutritionals Division Head, Brenda Miranda. “Athena with Beautrition answers that need and we’re proud to have launched the first and only milk in the Philippines that truly understands women.”

AyosDito.Ph: Working Homebased, Laptop or Desktop?

If you frequent my blog, you will know by then that I work as a BPO agent, a medical-slash-legal transcriptionist in particular.   Most of you might think that I work homebased, but I'm not.  I work in an office environment.

Last year my mom left us, so I have difficulty managing my time between work and family.  I also began to have financial difficulties.

During those moments, I started thinking of doing something on my own, a homebased job.  I first researched on the ups and downs of working at home and the things needed to start with.

First thing on the list, of course, is a desktop computer or a laptop.  I do not own one now, guys, so please help me weigh those two.

With nothing to lose, I searched the net one day for cheap laptops, and by chance, I landed on AyosDito.Ph.  I find it easy to browse the items because the sellers have pictures of their items, and just below the products you can the prices immediately.  I always look first on the price (price matters even when I go to grocery stores, haha).

Look what I found, guys.

On the pink corner, a Sony Vaio worth P22, 000.

And on the other side, a black desktop pricing P10, 500.

Would it be a laptop or a desktop?  Which do you think is more comfortable to work with for a homebased job?  I need your expertise, techie readers.  Help me in my entrepreneural journey.

It's The Little Fockers' Turn

We first "Meet the Parents" and laughed out loud with Jack and Greg in 2000 until we "Meet the Fockers" in 2004.  And now, it's time to meet the "Little Fockers".

Yes, one of the all-time favorite comedy films has released its third installment.

A funny movie is a great way to start the year.  Yes, yes, yes, my first movie to watch this 2011.  Bloggers (including me) were invited to the special screening of Little Fockers last January 6 at The Director's Club in SM Mall of Asia.

It was also my first time at The Director's Club.  Sittin' at the lazy boy while eating popcorn.  So relaxing...

A lot of "firsts" this January, huh?  So, guys, why don't you start your year right by watching this movie. (",)

Thank you very much for inviting us, SM Cinema!!!

Visit SM Cinema on Facebook for movie updates.

Pioneer Sparxx Max iPad Giveaway

Ever heard of an insurance plan that offers P100, 000 Personal Accident Insurance, P50, 000 Cash Burial Assistance, and P300 start-up savings all for just P550?

One of the country's leading and well-known insurance companies, Pioneer Life, now offers Sparxx Max!

 

Sparxx Max's personal accident insurance and cash burial assistance are valid for one year upon registration while the P300 start-up savings has guaranteed interest and can be topped up or added to with Sparxx cards that come in varying amounts of P300 - P5, 000. Sparxx Max also requires no medical records whatsoever. The insurance-bearer just has to purchase Sparxx Max, activate the one-year coverage, and he/she is insured!

Sparxx Max can be purchased both online and offline for your convenience. Online purchases can be made via Sparxx Max’s official website and the Pioneer Life’s website. Sparxx Max updates and purchases can also be made via the Pioneer Sparxx Like Page on Facebook. Offline purchases can be made via select 7-11 branches and Pioneer offices.

If you decide to purchase Sparxx Max anytime soon, you may also stand the chance of winning 1 of the 12 iPads being given away in The Sparxx Max Christmas iPad Giveaway. A purchase of Sparxx Max is all you need to qualify for the raffle.

You may also call them at 750-5433 (LIFE) (for Globelines and inquiries within Metro Manila) and their toll-free number 1-800-10-750- 5433 (LIFE) (for Smart and Talk n’ Text subscribers and landlines outside Metro Manila). Their office - Pioneer Life Inc. is located at Pioneer House Makati, 108 Paseo de Roxas Legaspi Village, Makati City Philippines, 1229.

Thank you very much Pioneer Life Inc. for our free Sparxx Max!!!

Registering my Sparx Maxx online (",)

Ms. Leirs waiting for her e-mail confirmation.

To find out more about "The Sparxx Max iPad Giveaway", Sparxx Max, and Pioneer Life and its other products and services, feel free to check out our websites:  

http://www.facebook.com/sparxxtothemax

http://www.sparx.com.ph/max/index.html

http://www.pioneer.com.ph/