Vibe: Vibal Foundation's e-Bookstore

The first e-bookstore in the Philippines has launched. Vibe, a project of Vibal Foundation, launched recently and was introduced to bloggers at a gathering at the Filipinas Heritage Library.

Vibe is the e-bookstore's name as well as the name of the reading app that is downloadable FREE on PCs, Macs, Android devices as well as on iPhones and iPads.

Vibal Foundation's goal was to make available to the reading public the widest number of newly published, out of print or public domain book titles, including magazines and newspapers. This is good news not only for academe who will have digital access to many books that have long been out of print but Vibe is also a way by which budding authors and bloggers can get their dream book/s self-published in cyberspace. And earn from it as well.

Tell me what you're thankful for and win 1 of 30 license codes (updated)

It's Thanksgiving Week! And before anything else, I want to thank Digiarty Software for providing me with 30 license codes to give away:

1) 10 license codes for WinX DVD Ripper Platinum Thanksgiving Edition

2) 10 license codes for MacX DVD Ripper Pro

3) 10 license codes for MacX DVD Ripper Pro for Windows

This is a good time to be thankful for blessings that come our way, whether they be the people around us, a good job, a happy event and more.

So to get a chance to win a license code, here are the mechanics and it will be easy:

1. Post on the comments section of this article what or who you are thankful for, tell me which of the 3 software you prefer to win, and give an email address.
(For ex: I am thankful for my parents who sacrificed so much to send me to school. I want to win software #2. My email address is myname@gmail.com).

2. Promo ends on Friday, Nov. 25, 10pm Manila time. I will email license codes to winners by Nov. 26, Saturday and names of winners will be added as an update on this post.

Entries will be grouped according to software category and winners will be chosen via Randomizer. To give more people a chance to win, I will only consider one entry per email address for this giveaway. If there are multiple entries from same email address choosing different software, I will only include the first entry posted.

Note: these license codes allow you to run all features of the applications but they don't entitle the users to upgrades or tech support. The license codes also have to be activated not later than November 30, 2011.

I also invite you to join me on my Facebook page and Google+ page. 


Features of WinX DVD Ripper Platinum Thanksgiving Edition

No.1 fast DVD ripper software capable of ripping both homemade and commercial DVDs to popular videos, such as rip DVD to AVI, MP4, H.264, MPEG, WMV, MOV, FLV, 3GP, etc. It can also help users faultlessly rip and backup DVD to iPhone/4S, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Android, HTC, Samsung, XOOM, Galaxy Tab, Kindle, ThinkPad, DELL Streak, PSP, etc. One of the few DVD rippers that support the latest encrypted DVDs such as Thor, Transformers 3.

For features of MacX DVD Ripper Pro, click HERE

For features of MacX DVD Ripper Pro for Windows, click HERE

So tell me, WHAT/WHO ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

(UPDATE: Well, looks like I have enough license codes to give away to all those who entered so congratulations to all who posted their thanksgiving messages before my cut-off message. You will all get a license code for the software you chose. Please wait for my email.)

MacX DVD Ripper Pro Thanksgiving Giveaway

Not many people celebrate Thanksgiving here in the Philippines but that's what's nice about an online community. Wherever in the world you are, you can avail of Thanksgiving promos and giveaways.

Digiarty Software is at it again this Thanksgiving and guess what they are giving away until Nov. 29, 2011 or till supply lasts:

10,000 whopping FREE copies of MacX DVD Ripper Pro

Last year, I was able to download my own free copy of MacX DVD Ripper Pro so for Mac users out there, this is your chance to get your own.

You must hurry. Promo stops when they've given away the 10,000th free copy! I just checked and they've given away already over 9.600 copies! Less than 400 copies are left!

One note. Since this is a free copy, it does not come with a free upgrade or tech support service.

To download your MacX DVD Ripper Pro, click HERE.


For description of MacX DVD Ripper Pro features, click HERE. (Note: This page is NOT where you download for free.)

If you are a Windows user and want a similar free download, you need to LIKE Digiarty's Facebook page and download MacX HD Video Converter Pro for Windows from there.

Book Launch: "Home-made for the Holidays"

Wondering what to give for Christmas to someone who loves to bake? Or are you yourself wondering what new treats you can bake and give away as presents to friends or serve up at your family reunion?

Authors and chefs Aileen Anastacio and Angelo Comsti combined their efforts to produce a book they lovingly call "Home-made for the Holidays". Published by Marshall-Cavendish, the book features over 60 treats. Each dish's recipe comes with vivid photographs and a complete list of ingredients.

Aileen Anastacio and Angelo Comsti

I enjoyed looking around a table filled with some of the treats featured in the book. Just take a look at all these goodies. 

Smoked Salmon Spread

Rosemary Breadsticks

Chocolate Mint Cupcakes

Cheese Torta

White Toblerone Cheesecake

Caviar Pie

Whisky Brownies

Olive Tapenade

Holiday Sugar Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies

Holiday Snowballs

Mini Cups

Cake Popper

Home-made for the Holidays is available exclusively at National Book Store and Powerbooks for PhP 895.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Brunch Series features Randell Tiongson

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf recently launched a new concept "Out with the old and in with the new" through a new brunch series - Small Talks for Big Changes. And its very first expert guest speaker was none other than my friend, Randell Tiongson, Director of Registered Financial Planners of the Philippines.

About two months ago, I spent a whole day in a financial planning workshop, "Steps to Financial Peace" where Randell and some of his friends spoke. My post on that can be found HERE.

At this first-of-three brunch series attended by people from all walks of life, Randell once again pursued his advocacy to improve people's lives by changing their financial habits. His easy-to-grasp, personal style that included personal stories, aimed to empower people through a more conscious approach to their finances.

It never ceases to amaze me when Randell presents startling statistics about savings in the Asian region. Countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand average about 30% savings while the Philippines does not even reach 20%. And even if we do save, it is often not enough to provide for us when we retire. Randell is hoping that through his talks and workshops, more people will learn to get a grip on their lives and map out an effective financial plan that will adequately provide for them and their families.

This series is part of CBTL's Great Exchange program, an ongoing trade event that highlights its Single Serve Beverage System which coffee aficionados have dubbed as the future of coffee and tea.

While listening to Randell from the back, I actually got to see how the Single Serve Beverage System works. The barista had me pick out my kind of coffee (or tea) from over 70 varieties and he was able to brew me my very own single serve coffee in no time at all. Nice. I think I want one for Christmas! I can have my very own cappuccino any time of the day.

Catch the last of the series on November 19 at Shangri-la Mall where Preview Magazine's Associate Editor, Eunice Lucero, leads a fashion talk and make-over session.

Goldilocks Launches a Bakebook

Goldilocks was the name I grew up with when it came to cakes and pastries. The popular fluffy mamon and ensaymada were staples during my growing-up years.

When I started my own family, it was a regular trip for me to cross from Unimart to Goldilocks (where Gloria Maris restaurant is now) and buy mamon, ensaymada, and polvoron (both classic and pinipig) for the kids' baon (school snacks) the following week. And during my kids' birthdays, I remember poring over Goldilocks' various albums filled with different themed cakes trying to decide what kind of cake I'd order for them.

So when I was invited to the launch of Goldilocks' bakebook, I made sure I'd drop by even if my day was packed with events. I was curious as to why Goldilocks would, after all these decades, share its successful recipes with the world. And I was hoping that I'd meet the people who made Goldilocks a household name.

The ladies behind Goldilocks are sisters Mrs. Milagros Leelin-Yee and Mrs. Clarita Leelin-Go and their sister-in-law Doris who first opened Goldilocks along Pasong Tamo, Makati in May 1966. The two sisters eventually carefully developed each Goldilocks recipe to make it what is now.

To celebrate 45 years of Goldilocks, both sisters are now sharing the very recipes that built Goldilocks into what it is now with us through a bakebook. I asked one of Goldilocks' executives if they did not think it risky to share these recipes. I was told that the recipe ingredients were tweaked so that it is a lot easier to prepare at home. Their original recipes are meant for commercial preparation. So I guess you shouldn't expect the results to be exactly the same as what you can get from Goldilocks. But close enough...

A selection of goodies whose recipes are in the bakebook

The Goldilocks Bakebook contains 108 recipes in 211 pages that includes beautiful photos as well as an overview of the company's beginnings. The last part of the bakebook contains actual stories from Goldilocks customers including my friend Noemi's story about how Goldilocks played a part in her son's birthday party.

This bakebook is not meant to be a coffeetable book or simply a collection for one's library. This bakebook is meant to be kept in the kitchen, its pages used and re-used, with pages that probably show stains from dough, butter and other things that a baking mom usually uses.

Here's what Goldilocks calls its Winning Recipe:

The Goldilocks Bakebook retails at PhP 799 and is available in all National Bookstore branches and select Goldilocks outlets.