Ipanema, the world’s most fashionable Brazilian flipflop brand, has launched its latest summer collection--the Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection--at the SM Prestige Lounge in SM Megamall last Tuesday, February 22, 2011.


Event host Ms. Shanen Torres


Mr. Patxi Elizalde, Managing Director of ELRO Corporation

The new collection was launched via a fashion show featuring young models wearing Coco Cabaña’s summer outfits complemented by colorful, summery and stunningly beautiful flipflops from the Ipanema Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection.








“The collection embodies the best of Brazil and its locals: warmth, optimism and great joy in living, a country that keeps its eyes on the future and always reinvents itself. This carefree and joyous lifestyle is the inspiration behind the collection—each piece celebrates the beauty of nature, making it the footwear to complement the sunny season of summer,” said Patxi Elizalde, managing director of ELRO Corporation. ELRO Corporation is the exclusive distributor of Ipanema in the Philippines.


Hot Sands Kirey Fem (White Gold)


Hot Sands Thong Fem (Black Silver)


Hot Sands Fem (Purple Lilac)


Hot Sands Fem (White Clear)


Hot Sands Plat Fem (White Gold)
Gift packages were given to ten lucky raffle winners after the fashion show. Models Bianca Valerio, Kelly Misa and Ornusa Cadness were also spotted at the event.


Ten lucky raffle winners


Patxi Elizalde, Bianca Valerio, Kelly Misa, Ornusa Cadness and Eugene Saw (Vice President of SM Department Stores Ladies, Teens and Bags Group)
Other mommy bloggers were also present, which made attending the event more fun and exciting. I tell you, when mommies are around, unending chit-chat abounds. LOL! We can talk about almost anything—kids, work, beauty tips, latest showbiz gossips and even cheap auto insurance--but that’s beside the point.


Tetcha, Czaroma, Lynn, Teacher Julie and Pehpot


Tina, Michelle, Pehpot and Tetcha
The Ipanema Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection also supports the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), a Socio-environmental Institute in Brazil that advocates the Fight Against Climate Change Central Strategy, a program that proposes that we all think about what we can do right now to improve our lives.

Know more about these stylish nature-themed sandals by visiting www.ipanemaphils.com. Visit also Ipanema Philippines on Facebook and send an eco-saving tip for a chance to win a free pair of Ipanema GB footwear.

Ipanema Gisele Bundchen Hot Sands Collection is available at SM Department Stores, Bambu and other leading boutiques and stores nationwide.

Last Saturday, February 19, we went to Makati Medical Center very early for my husband’s routine checkup with his endocrinologist. We were done by 9am, but because malls would not open until an hour later, we had to make an impromptu decision: where were we taking the little boy after this? Hubby suggested Manila Zoo, and because the little boy liked it, off we went like giddy children!

My first trip to Manila Zoo was before I turned 7 years old. I have no recollection of that trip; in fact, I only learned about it through a picture of me at the zoo that I brought to school for an assignment. This was also my husband and son’s first trip to Manila Zoo, so we were all excited.

There were lots of students having an educational field trip at Manila Zoo that day, and that added to the festive mood at the zoo. Entrance fee for adults is Php40.00, while for kids below 4 feet is Php20.00. Below are some of the animals we saw at Manila Zoo.






Aside from looking at the animals, the little boy became preoccupied with a lot of things. He blew bubbles, played the flute, rode the swing at the playground and ate ice cream.


There were also a lot of merchandise being sold inside the zoo mostly catering to kids. Silly me for thinking they have tattoo removal cream, too. After eating ice cream, the little boy went to a nearby stall to see what he could buy (as if he has money! LOL!). He finally found what he wanted: a mechanical winged horse. Too bad, I wasn’t able to take a picture of my son playing with this toy inside the zoo.

As we prepare to leave the zoo after more than two hours of endless walking and picture taking, we chanced upon this photo booth that offers souvenir pictures with an albino Burmese python for Php100.00. We were all afraid, but we had to try it for experience sake.


On the way to the mall, I asked the little boy if he enjoyed our trip to Manila Zoo, and he responded with a resounding “Yes!” and he followed it up with this question: “When are we coming back?”

I therefore conclude that our unplanned trip to Manila Zoo was a success!

In a couple of weeks, I will have to visit my cardiologist again for the results of my repeat lipid profile done last January. By then, I hope all the bad cholesterol I ingested during the Christmas season has been flushed out of my system already. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

I’m also contemplating on having a repeat electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Being hooked up to EKG machines isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, but hey, it pays to have our heart checked, too, right? So yes, that will be included in my agenda, too.

How about you? Have you had your cholesterol levels checked lately? How about your heart? Have you experienced undergoing EKG before? What was your experience like?

Our four-year-old son (five this July) is a very sweet boy. He likes to hug and kiss, say “I love you,” and write love letters for both Mommy and Daddy. Here’s the most recent love note he’s written for his Dad:


His Dad is the one buying our son toys whenever we go to the mall. Justin charms his way into his Dad’s heart whenever he wants a new toy, like he’d tell his Dad he’s behaved today or he did well in school or he packed away his toys on his own. Ergo, my son is not only sweet; he’s also smart!

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I was one of the lucky mom bloggers who were invited to the first anniversary of Joy Mendiola’s blog Occasions of Joy last Sunday, February 20, at Baby Nathan’s Kitchen, One San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

The invitation said we needed to be there by 8am because it was supposed to be a “Pandesal Party,” but I arrived a few minutes late because I still had to wait for my little boy to wake up and give mommy a good morning kiss. I know Mommy Joy could forgive me for that!


That’s me and Joy!


Mommy bloggers at the photo booth courtesy of Jes


Group picture from Jes
True enough, there were lots of yummy pandesal for breakfast courtesy of Walter Bread, and those pandesal went well with tasty frozen foods (ham, sausage, chicken nuggets, etc.) from Mom’s Breaktime and freshly brewed coffee from Love Blends.

To start the celebration, Jem Garcia gave a lovely violin rendition of “The Prayer.” Guest speakers, such as Pehpot Pineda and Jonel Uy, likewise graced the occasion. Pehpot talked about how she manages to blog (Note: She has more than 10 blogs!) and care for her 4 kids at the same time. Jonel, on the other hand, discussed the etiquettes for bloggers.


Jem Garcia with her violin rendition of “The Prayer”


Happy 1st blogversary, Joy!


Pehpot on “The Diary of a Mommy Blogger”


Jonel Uy of NomNom Club
Of course, an event is not complete without games. Two couples were called on stage to play the “Eat my “P” (Pandesal)” game, then the mommies participated in the “Pass the Pandesal” game.


Honey and Arnold vs. Jeff and Melody during the Eat My “P” (Pandesal) game


Mommy bloggers playing the “Pass the Pandesal” game


Joy with Josie, the winner of the “Pass the Pandesal” game
The following event sponsors were also acknowledged: Walter Bread, Svelte, ELRO Corporation, A-Z Direct Marketing, Clarity, Love Blends, MOD Magazine and Doña Maria Premium Quality Rice. Other sponsors include Funlipix for the photo booth, Enjoy, Me and U, Johnson & Johnson's, Nesvita and Mr. Rafael Mendiola, Joy's better half, who shouldered the expenses for the food and venue.


Ms. Shirly Balgua, Walter's Marketing Officer


Ms. Ruth Fungo, Operations Manager of Svelte


Ms. Cel Mabalot of ELRO Corporation


Timmy Del Agua of A-Z Direct Marketing


Julius Barbero of Clarity


Joy with Ryan De Vera, owner of Love Blends


Imee Plateja, intern writer of MOD Magazine


Joy with Doña Maria Premium Quality Rice
Joy also gave a special gift to the first guest to arrive, Ms. Nora Aquino.


Joy with Nora, Early Bird awardee
Joy also gave away gift certificates to all moms present for one free session of Intense Diamond Peel at Clarity, which costs Php1,000.00 I like this very much, and can’t wait to have it done right away!


Then it was chow time again! As much as I’d like to get a second serving of the sumptuous foods, I resisted the urge to do so because I didn’t want to be looking for the best diet pill afterwards. Moderation is key, right?


Lunch time!
Before going home, the guests were given loot bags, too!


All in all, Occasions of Joy’s first blogversary was a success! Everyone had a great time, and I’m sure the guests present are already looking forward to the second year anniversary. What do you think, Joy?