Health and Comfort in a Shoe

Everyday comfort is one of the things that we hope to have as we brave through our busy schedules.

Comfort is one of the things that people shouldn't sacrifice. Health is always a serious issue, and we should never compromise the well being of our body. With that said, wouldn't it be a relief to have an everyday pair of shoes that brings comfort and health together?

Hong Kong shoe brand Dr. Kong held a small gathering, inviting its founder Raymond Ng to come over to Manila and share more details about his brand. Raymond Ng has had this earnest pursuit to inform everyone and stress the importance of foot health. He explained that the shoes we wear create an impact on our knees and joints, therefore affecting what we feel and how we walk. Even the slightest problems in our footwear can cause pain and discomfort that affects not only the knees and joins, but even areas like our back and upper parts of the body. It was informative and got most of us aware of what to consider in buying a new pair of shoes.

After the talk and interview, all the guests were invited to try their one of a kind "Check and Fit" foot examination. The Dr. Kong team is trained to determine the feet's health and its current condition. Through this, the sales of Dr. Kong can assess which among its selection of specialized insoles is the right type for your feet when you buy a pair from their store. These machines are available in all Dr. Kong stores in Manila, ready to use when you need to know what you need for your feet.

Of course, I had to try it out. For the first test, it was to check wether or not my feet were aligned. It was great to hear that my right foot was normal, but was a little concerned that my left was slightly unbalanced.

  

The next test was to determine what type of feet I have. This was something I was so curious to know since I've always heard people having flatfeet, but with no idea how it is determined. I was asked to step on the gel-like surface of the device for ten seconds. Afterwards, green footprints came out and it was determined that I had pronated feet.

Dr. Kong has an extensive shoe line that includes leather shoes, loafers, sandals, and even rubber shoes for both men and women. They also have baby and kids shoes, proving that it's never too early to take care of your feet. A definite must, these shoes should be considered by the older folks when buying a new pair as they might already experience difficulty in walking. 

Everyday comfort goes a long way and Dr. Kong shoes might make walking and working a lot easier for you.

Dr. Kong

https://www.facebook.com/DrKongPH

Attempting To Race

I've always wondered what makes driving or riding fast cars exhilarating.

Some weeks back, the uber fab PR Frank Briones invited me to the launch of the Lotus F1 simulator in Manila. This got me all excited since I've never driven a fast car before. This improvised experience is probably the closest that I'll get to trying it, knowing how bad traffic is in this city. Other than that, it was an opportunity for me to see in person, the globally renowned racer Marlon Stockinger.

Guests from the media were first treated to a heavy afternoon snacks before the official press conference. Sitting in one of the tables, I was able to observe Marlon's reserved personality - one that I found a contrast to his passion for a high-energy sport like racing. He was quiet, yet very polite and accommodating, talking to the media people and sharing his experiences as an international racer.

Afterwards, we were all escorted to the lobby of the newly opened area of Glorietta. From there, a horde of people surrounded us, trying to have a glimpse or take a quick snapshot of Marlon. The people who were there might not all be racing enthusiasts, but I'm sure that they all wanted to extend their support to a pride of the Philippines.

I was with my friend Geolette Esguerra during the simulation and we were both so eager to try it out. It may seem like another video game but this was more precise. A wrong turn or bad break timing can get you off the road or driving in the opposite direction. Trust me, it wasn't easy at all. I don't know how these racers drive at fast speeds, still keeping their mind on the turns while trying to be ahead of everyone else. They make it seem so easy on tv! 

Geolette and I were laughing afterwards and we both enjoyed our fun challenge. Well, I'll leave the race car driving and winning to Marlon. While at the presscon, Marlon's mother briefly sat in our table and I saw a woman who was genuinely friendly and was sincerely proud of her son, as he stood in front and addressed his guests. I hope Marlon achieves more success in his career, as he continues to make his fellow Filipinos proud of who he is.

 

One Bejeweled Afternoon

Jewelries add a sparkle and allure that can turn someone into a standout among a crowd of people.

Local fine jewelry label VERO offered a private viewing of its recent collection, inviting friends and a number of people from the media. VERO signifies genuine in Italian, fusing style and luxury in its aesthetic. For Gladys Young, the talented designer behind the brand, VERO pieces offer a captivating, enigmatic, and bold allure with its design. Each piece is crafted either in Hong Kong or Cebu, but are available in Manila and Cebu. Adding to this, customized pieces may be created to suit the personality and taste of its client.

The latest "Under the Sea"collection take inspiration from the hidden treasure of the deep. Each piece unearths the landscape of the sea, highlighting the beautiful creatures living in it. From oysters, fishes, anemones and corals, the uniqueness of the collection is sure to intrigue the many patrons of fashion.

 

 

Mannequins styled with VERO pieces

Guests Of The Private Viewing

 

Me, VERO's Gladys Young, and Fashion Designer Jun Escario

VERO

2/F Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center, Makati City (Inside Jun Escario)

www.veroconcept.com

http://www.facebook.com/VEROfinejewelry

Ocean's Harvest - Freshest Bounty From The Sea

Situated in the middle of vast bodies of water, one of the things that the Philippines can pride on is the abundance of seafood that's ready for the taking.

Marriott Hotel Manila came up with the wonderful idea of incorporating a Filipino family favorite. If you've not heard of "dampa", these are places in Manila where a wet market is situated close to restaurants. You can buy your seafood fresh from the wet market, and have it cooked to your desire in the nearby restaurants.

At Marriott Cafe, they launched a weekend delight that is sure to entice more people to wine and dine in the resto. The Ocean's Harvest buffet lays out the freshest and best seafood ready for the picking. Afterwards, be creative and choose from different stations that will lead you to a gastronomic adventure on how you can have your seafood of choice be served. From teppanyaki, grill, saute, or bake, all options bring a different taste and flavor to your seafood of choice. 

Executive Chef Meik Brammer gave a brief speech during the launch and I was astounded with the big and fresh fishes that were delivered to the hotel on that same day. I've always admitted to having a love for seafood and this dinner experience was a wonderful evening spent. The Marriott Cafe outdid itself once more and I already have plans of bringing my family over to indulge in all these culinary treasures from the sea!

Marriott Cafe

Newport City Complex, Pasay City

988-9999

http://www.facebook.com/marriotthotelmanila

A Syoss Hair Day

Wouldn't it be nice to wake-up every morning and have a perfect coiffure for the day?

Well, we could only wish that our crowning glory will be at its best everyday. Unfortunately, it can take a lot of maintenance and vanity investments to make it become as manageable as possible. Recently, a new haircare brand was introduced in Manila, hoping that it can be the solution for the usual hair conundrums that most people have.

One sunny morning, Syoss haircare from Japan recently had a media launch. It has become a challenge for me to wake-up early in the morning but I was interested to know about this global brand. International hairstylist Akira was in Manila for the launch, showcasing the different products of the line, while giving a "how to" guide on the application. 

 

 

 

After the demo and introduction of the products, a short video on Akira's studio and the behind the scenes of the hair show of the event was shown. Before ending the launch, guests were invited outside to see the Syoss Bus. This interesting bus is actually a mobile salon that will travel around the metro to give salon experience using Syoss products to different people. Inside were three chairs with hair experts who are supposed to show how beautifully maintained hair can be done right in one's home. To be fair, I asked my mom to try the Syoss Straight and Shine Glossy Jell. She's been raving about the product and already has plans to get some more when she sees the product in the market.

 

Briefly, I was able to congratulate Mike Huang on his company's new product. Henkel Beauty Care's Mark Chan - standing in the middle of Akira and Mike Huang - was also present during the launch. Chiaki Kuriyama, known for as one of the main villains in Kill Bill Volume 1, is one of the brand's endorsers. Her photo was also outside the Syoss Bus and in all the commercials played about the brand.  

Try Syoss out and it may become your hair's new bestfriend.