Bono Artisanal Gelato comes to the Podium

Gelato is Italian ice cream. There are many different brands of gelato in the Metro but one that stands out is Bono Artisanal Gelato which recently put up a branch at the Podium in the Ortigas Center.

Rea Gomez-Harrow, one of the cool people behind Bono Artisanal Gelato

Bono Artisanal Gelato is located on the ground floor of the Podium along ADB Avenue in Ortigas Center. It's right behind the escalators, fronting the side entrance of Podium leading to SM Megamall.

New Human Nature Products: Clarifying Shampoo, Peppermint Strengthening Conditioner and Pocket Hand Soap!

Recently, I received samples of 3 new products from Human Nature.

100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo

Even if you love a particular shampoo brand, hair experts have always recommended the use of an anti-residue or clarifying shampoo which scrubs out all the residue on your scalp from chemica shampoos, styling products, environmental pollution and the effects of stress. The Human Nature 100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo, as its name suggests, is 100% natural -- made of natural fruit acids, betaine, and aloe vera.

PhP 149.75, 200ml; PhP 319.75, 500ml

Most anti-residue shampoo products can only be used around twice a week because the chemicals, while great for stripping away impurities and build-up on the hair, are quite strong that they also strip away the hair's natural oils. But since Human Nature 100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo is entirely natural, it is safe to use daily without damaging hair or overdrying the scalp.

The Green Apple scent is very pleasant and makes hair smell really fresh. What you will find surprising with this shampoo is that it actually is very foamy. We know that the foamy lather in cleaning products, like shampoos and laundry detergents, is chemically induced by the ingredients sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). But the researchers of Human Nature have discovered that coco fatty acid sulfates are able to create that very same foamy lather WITHOUT the harmful chemicals. Not only are the coco fatty acid sulfates non-toxic but they are also fully biodegradable. And of course, they are sourced totally in the Philippines.

Watch this video.

Get Your Starbucks Card: A Stored Value and Loyalty Card Rolled into One

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com

J.Co opens its 12th Philippine branch in Glorietta 2

Aside from being a very popular donut shop, J.Co is marked by another feature readily observed in the Philippines in practically all its branches - long queues!!! That is the mark of the popularity of this Indonesian-based donut and coffee chain operating throughout Southeast Asia with 125 branches in Indonesia, 12 in Malaysia, 4 in Singapore, and 2 in China.

Just recently, J.Co inaugurated its 12th branch in the Philippines - located at Glorietta 2 (for those old enough to remember, it is in the old location of National Book Store, right across SM Makati).

Occupying a spacious 236 square meter corner location, J.Co Glorietta is conveniently located in the heart of Ayala Center. All around its two store sides are ceiling-to-floor see-through glass walls since there are al fresco dining areas. This allows diners in the al fresco area to enjoy laid-back dining while enjoying the brightly lit, colorful and modern interiors of the store.

View of the ordering station

Stage area during the launch

Family Bonding with Globe MyRewards

I just discovered a new way to bond over food and recreation with my family without spending a cent - Globe MyRewards!!!

To be honest, I never paid much attention to telco reward points. Every so often, I'd get a text saying I had these much points but I was really never interested in redeeming them because the redemption options at that time were not really relevant to me. So those points sat on my phone for quite a long time.

But at the launch of Globe MyRewards some time back, I was totally surprised that they had reworked the rewards program so that it was now more relevant and meaningful to subscribers. New Globe MyRewards partner stores included Petron, Figaro, Enchanted Kingdom, Rose Pharmacy, Wendy's, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Sunglass Hut.

Both prepaid and postpaid subscribers in Globe and TouchMobile (TM) can earn points. How? For prepaid subscribers, every load earns points. For postpaid subscribers, points are earned based on billed amount.

Unlike some other reward programs where several points are equivalent to PhP 1, each point you earn under the Globe MyRewards program is equivalent to PhP 1. So if you have 500 points, that's PhP 500 worth you can spend any way you want at any partner store.

Using Globe MyRewards points is a no-brainer actually. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. To check your available points - Text BAL to 4438. You will get an SMS with the info.

2. Go to any Globe MyRewards partner store and the cashier will willingly assist you.

3. To use the points as cash payment - Text BUY(space)<10-digit no. of cashier>(space)<points needed> to 4438.

4. You and cashier both get confirmation of points transfer. THAT'S IT!

One day in June, my older son and I were 'trapped' inside Promenade in Greenhills due to a very heavy downpour. We had already 'cased' Fully Booked as well as other shops, our feet were killing us, and we were hungry. Since we were right in front of the cinemas at that time, the only cafe in sight was Figaro.

As we were ordering, I spotted the Globe MyRewards poster on the counter. Savior! I hurriedly checked how many points I had (I had a lot of accumulated points to spend!). We ordered our food. I texted the number of points to be deducted using the given syntax, and almost immediately, the points transfer was done. Just like that. Our entire Figaro merienda was on Globe MyRewards.

With that very successful and burp-ful experience, I was excited to try using my points on another family bonding moment.

2013 Midyear Offerings at Starbucks -- Beverages, Sandwiches, Desserts and Contests!

It's the middle of 2013 already and it's time once again for some things new from Starbucks.

This time, its more exciting because not only are they offering a new concoction of beverages and food items but there are exciting digital contests for Starbucks fans to join.

First, the yummy beverages.

Something's different with these two frappuccinos you'll get to try from July 16 to September 9, 2013. Starbucks has introduced a white chocolate pudding as a twist to the usual frappes. I tried both of them and the pudding has the texture of the pudding in the milk teas I've tried. But....this one's white chocolate-y!!!

Dark Mocha (Tall- PhP 190; Grande - PhP 200; Venti - PhP 210)
Green Tea (Tall - PhP 180; Grande - PhP 190; Venti - PhP 200)

The Dark Mocha Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino combines the deep flavor of dark chocolate with the velvety smooth white chocolate pudding, the signature Frappuccino Roast coffee of Starbucks, chocolate chips, milk blended with ice topped with whipped cream and chocolate powder.

The Green Tea White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino, on the other hand, combines premium green tea with white chocolate pudding for a soft creamy texture, and tops it with whipped cream.

They're both yummy, trust me. But if I had to recommend which one to try first, it would be the Green Tea variant!