Optimum Beauty and Wellness at Vietura, Aesthetic Lifestyle Center

 

Early morning of May 13, Wendy and I trooped to our different precincts, casted our ballots and got our index finger inked.  We made our votes count that day and we also made that day count by getting some needed RnR and lady love bonding.  Parked our cars about the same time at Sofitel and walked towards Vietura, an acclaimed aesthetic medical institute with every bit and feel of a relaxing spa.

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After layers of make-up and the harsh effects of camera lights while shooting until wee hours of the morning, Wendy looked forward to decongest the skin and I did too, my non-celebrity corporate slave work hard play (Frisbee) harder lifestyle casts me looking and feeling tired by the end of the week. Leading very active and dynamic lifestyles, it’s not startling that we get fatigue on full throttle.

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House of Obagi Blue Peel Radiance

In my whole life, I have never had a chemical peel… or any peeling for that matter.  It always scared me and I’ve seen the actual peeling from girl friends who have taken it some years back and the white skin tissues were really shedding off their faces.  My trip to Europe last month had me slow-baking under the sun for long hours.  Their sun doesn’t set around 6pm like in Manila.  It sets around 9-930pm so can you imagine the hours of sun exposure on my face?  I noticed a bit of sun damage on my face.  These tiny pinkish reddish dots and unevenness started bothering me.  

 

Blue Peel Radiance

Walking the Streets of Florence 🙂

I had a chat with Sophie of beautynomics.com during a dinner at Sentro and she suggested getting a professional opinion from House of Obagi.  She also mentioned that Blue Peel Radiance treatment might just be the answer to my worry but advised to consult with an expert first.

 

I set my appointment three Saturdays ago and visited House of Obagi (HOO) branch in SM North EDSA.  I first had a consultation with their in-house derma.  She checked my skin and talked about skin care habits.  We were of the same age so we easily related to each other’s skin issues and future concerns.  She went on to explain about the different kind of peels and what treatment will be good for my specific skin concern.

 

Just as Sophie thought, the dermatologist recommended Blue Peel Radiance, House of Obagi’s newest peel treatment.  Compared to Blue Peel and TruPeel that are more pervasive chemical peel, Blue Peel Radiance is a lighter peel that has zero downtime and is low maintenance.  Low maintenance just means washing your face with facial wash, no applying of creams or anything else (lessening make-up use), and regularly using sun block for at least 1 week.  This suits me best since lately I barely have enough time in the morning or evening for an extensive skin care regimen.

House of Obagi Blue Peel Radiance 

Blue Peel Radiance treatment (Php 4,500) is a lighter version of Blue Peel that works almost like a diamond peel but more effective. 

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Miss Universe 2010 Winners in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

 

 

The Official TOP 15 and TOP 10

 

The OFFICIAL final 15 contestants announced:

  1. Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paola Vicente (21)
  2. Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska(23)
  3. Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete (22)
  4. Miss Belgium Cilou Annys (19)
  5. Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell (20)
  6. Miss South Africa Nicole Flint (22)
  7. Miss France Malika Menard (23)
  8. Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell (19)
  9. Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps (24)
  10. Miss Russia Irina Antonenko (18)
  11. Miss Albania Angela Martini (24)
  12. Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro (23)
  13. Miss Guatemala Jessica Scheel (20)
  14. Miss Czech Republic Jitka Valkova (18)
  15. Miss Philippines Venus Raj (22)

 

 

 

-o-

 

 

MISS UNIVERSE 2010 TOP 10

 (LIVE in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas)

 

Ireland

Albania

Philippines

Jamaica

Mexico

 

Ukraine

Puerto Rico

South Africa

Guatemala

Australia

 

-o-

 

Miss Congeniality – Miss Australia

Miss Photogenic – Miss Thailand

National Costume – Miss Thaliand

 

-o-

 

Miss Universe TOP Five

 

  1. Mexico (pretty Mexicana with so much appeal)
  2. Australia (girl next door beauty)
  3. Jamaica (looks like Jada Pinkett Smith with a sharper feature)
  4. Ukraine (soft beauty like a porcelain doll)
  5. Philippines (ethereal beauty and charm!!!)

 

 

 

Miss Philippines Question:

What is the one big mistake that you did in your life? And what did you do to make it right?

 

Miss Philippines Answer:

Thank you for that wonderful question.  Good evening Las Vegas! 

In my 22 years of existence, I don’t think I have a major major problem done in my life. 

I’m very confident in the love my family has given me.  And I’m so happy to be here!!!

 

 —

 

TOP Five Final Standing

 

4th Runner-up:

Miss Philippines

 

3rd Runner-up:

Miss Ukraine

 

2nd Runner Up:

Miss Australia

 

1st Runner-up:

Miss Jamaica

 

 

Miss Universe 2010 WINNER:

 

Miss Mexico!!!

 

 

Miss Universe 2010 winner is Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarette.

 

 

Congrats Miss Mexico!!!!

and congrats Miss Philippines, Venus Raj!!!! 😉

 

xoxo

 

Between Bites Featured in Manila Bulletin

 

 

May 17, 2010 –I was surprised to get hits from a certain link of mb.com.ph.  I checked it out and saw that the Blog-o-Rama’s feature of Between Bites came out already.  It was a manic Monday at work but I was so thrilled to start that week with a silver lining 😉

 

 

Annalyn Jusay-Zoglmann writes for the Blog-o-Rama space in Manila Bulletin where it features different online interests, particularly blogs and bloggers.  Even before I ever met Ajay, I’ve been a regular reader of her site, Ajay’s Writing on the Wall.  She knows this because without warning in one of the events I attended as a newbie blogger in 2007, I recognized her, approached her and told her myself 😉 

 

 

That evening when I got home, I went inside my room and saw the Manila Bulletin newspaper clipping of the Blog-o-Rama piece placed neatly on my table.  A few minutes later, my youngest sister Joanne rushed to my room and told me in an animated energy how she chanced upon the feature.  I never told my sister that I had that “interview.”

 

 

She was in my dad’s office for her “summer job” and for some odd reason she decided to pick up the Manila Bulletin newspaper sitting on his desk.  It was something she wouldn’t normally do, she kept telling me.  She was browsing through it and was about to stop but decided to see the Tech portion (which again is really unusual because that’s not her interest).  She is not the type to bother but eventually flipped through the page where she read my name.

 

 

She did a double take.  What a coincidence!  She showed my dad and both of them read it.  More than anything, that’s really a proud moment for me –my family chancing upon my name on a local major broadsheet by themselves.  Big deal?  Yes, it’s a big deal to me.

 

 

BIG, BIG, BIG THANKS Ajay for giving me a space on your Blog-o-Rama column in the Manila Bulletin broadsheet!!!

 

Congrats to you and Matt on the safe delivery of baby Lucy! 🙂

 

To my wonderful shobe, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! 🙂  Achi LOVES YOU.

 

Manila Bulletin Blog-o-Rama Link

 

xoxo,

Janey

Between Bites

www.janedchua.com

 

Glutamax Unveils Its New Endorser in La Greta

 

 

Photo Credit:

http://www.earthlingorgeous.com

http://www.yousaytoo.com 

http://www.carloscpalma.com/

 

Glutamax revealed its new endorser last Wednesday at the Eastwood Central Plaza.  Gretchen Barretto is now the new face of Glutamax, replacing Jinky Oda “Jacqui O.” who the brand originally launched with.  The TV ad campaign was also presented in the same event showing Gretchen taking off make-up, jewelry and pricey dress signifying that she shines without all of that only attributed to one reason… what she referred to as her “hidden wealth” –beautiful glowing skin (“Kutis Mayaman”).  That “hidden wealth” she mentioned is a sharp line to end the ad with, biting yet witty.

 

 

And according to her, what helps her maintain that beautiful white glow is Glutamax.  More of her interview during the event, she shares that she is very happy to be part of the new campaign and be part of the Glutamax family.

 

 

Before the big reveal, the first part of the event was the awarding of “The New Me” Blog Contest.  Jose Paul Legaspi, Healthwell president and CEO, partnered with Nuffnang (www.nuffnang.com), Asia Pacific’s biggest online community network company to stage this blog contest about “personal transformation”, which is part of their global promotional campaign for Glutamax.

 

Learning about the contest from the Nuffnang’s site, I joined with my “The New Me” entry.  Before they announced the winners, a string of wonderful music filled the event venue with Nyoy Volante, Julie Ann Santos (I’m not sure if I got the name right) and popular Filipino violinist Jon Lesaca taking the stage.  A segment of the program also showcased a slideshow of the contest participants flashing their “Before and After” photos in the wide screen.  Mojo and Suzie of Magic 89.9 hosted that evening’s Glutamax event.  Friends from the media were also present.

 

 

The esteemed Glutamax team went on stage and welcomed Gretchen Barretto to their family.  Jon Lesaca went back on stage and serenaded the new endorser at the pleasant request of the latter.

 

 

The night ended with a big buzz when Gretchen supposedly “walked out” of the mini-press conference that was held after the event.  The alleged “walk-out” happened after Gretchen was asked how she feels about her “Maalala Mo Kaya” back-to-back shows being pitted against Claudine’s show in the rival channel.  She vibrantly replied that she was extremely happy and proud that the Barrettos occupy that specific timeslot on Saturdays –implying that there’s more gain than loss for both sisters.  I think the media wasn’t satisfied with the answer and kept prying about how she really feels that made her storm out of the conference apparently with tears in her eyes.

 

—-

 

 

And on a different note, they announced the winners.  Congratulations to:

 

5th Prize: Lizz of http://lizzbuenaventura.com 

http://www.lizzbuenaventura.com/2009/12/new-me.html

4th Prize: Sophie of http://www.beautynomics.com 

http://www.beautynomics.com/blog/2009/12/31/the-new-me/ 

3rd Prize: Jeff of http://www.aspacio.net 

http://www.aspacio.net/2009/12/new-me.html

2nd Prize: http://jonnieanzures.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-me.html 

 

 

 

Until now writing about this, I have butterflies in my stomach remembering the moment they announced the first-prize winner.  I heard Mojo say Jane and say Chua and Sophie cheering and congratulating me… I think in my joy, I even hugged Sophie!  In my mind and heart, I felt like I did hug her (she was beside me) but I’m not really that sure now because everything felt like a blur.  I walked to the stage (shaking) and accepted the prize.  My mind was completely in pieces and when asked the question, I just stuttered my way through the answer –still in disbelief that I won the Mac Book.

 

 

Another highlight of the night for me was my bonding moment with Jed.  Jed is the cute, smart, and sweet son of Jeff and Jen Aspacio who was feeling bad because he thought I left without saying goodbye.  Bubba was so huge that he was covering Jed’s view.  I walked over to a pouting Jed.  I explained that I didn’t leave yet and I would of course say goodbye to him if I left.  I hugged him and said sorry.

 

 

He was quietly pouting for one whole minute… then he suddenly hugged me tight and broke down to tears saying he thought I already left.  After that, we talked about his favorite color and mine, butterfly kisses and his flat whistle and both of us left in a happy, beaming mood.

 

 

Thanks again Nuffnang for holding this contest and Glutamax for picking me as a winner.  I enjoyed writing the piece and I hope the entry truly inspired others take a step towards their own transformation –inside and out.

 

XOXO,

Janey

 

Related Entries:

Nuffnang’s Who’s the Fairest of Them All?

Earthlingorgeous’

Marriage and Beyond’s

Literary Bulimia’s

Yousaytoo’s

The New Me

 

GlutaMAX – The New Me

 

Friends, even newfound ones, often remark that I’m noticeably such a happy person.  I wasn’t always like this before.

 

 

 A Vibrant and Visibly Happy Change!

(35 lbs and a couple of shades lighter and happier)

 

Switch to a Lighter You!

 

What’s my beauty secret? 😉

 

Growing up, my dreams were countless.  There were so many things I wanted to do with my life.  At 21, I was already going through a mid-life crisis –castigating myself for not finishing law school.  Feelings of being unappreciated and identity loss in a previous relationship also gave a jarful of insecurity, inadequacy and anxiety.  I was stricken with fear of trying new things at the risk of failure again.

 

  

It didn’t help that I gained almost 30 lbs during a month-long study program in Osaka and Tokyo Japan that brought me to slip to this unhealthy and unhappy persona.  Since I am not supermodel tall (fine, I’m not even average tall 😀 ), being 132 lbs was not the comfortable weight for my height. 

 

 

I had a hard time buttoning my pants, my shirts/tops/dresses became too tight and much emphasis was put on my mid-section that people usually mistake me for being preggers.  My skin also started deteriorating.  Uneven skin tone and dark spots loom on my face.

 

 

I used to dress up in pricey cloaks that I thought covered the untidy chaos within me.  They say shopping is retail therapy –but no amount of shopping can silence the noise inside.

 

One day, I stripped myself naked of the things that were weighing me down.  No more excessiveness, no more self-doubt and fears, or discontentment.  No more measuring myself up to others.  I wrote every word that was negative in me on different rocks and pitched them out the distant sea. 

 

 

It was like taking it out of my system and hurling it away from me.  It was symbolic and therapeutic.  Try it, it is quite a release.  A creative one in fact.  Very ceremonial.  The healing began.

 

 

I even let go of the relationship that I felt impeded my growth.  I welcomed the independence and newfound strength.  I didn’t find the need for striking clothes or late night drinks either. 

 

 

Setting a goal

I started working out diligently at the gym, boxing, cardio-running and toning.  It was very therapeutic to sweat out at the gym and sauna.  I was slowly returning to my comfortable weight. 

 

 

Detoxify

I scheduled a fruit diet day at least once a week to cleanse my digestive system.  Living a healthy lifestyle is the way to go.  Fast foods are excessive in oil.  Junk food only supplied unnecessary calories. 

 

Craft

No matter how difficult life can be.  Happiness is a choice.  The happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the best of everything.  They just try to make the best of everything.  Shaping your body is achieved by working out.  Happiness is achieved by shaping our mind to be positive and see the best in life and in people.  It is very lifting to observe all the wonderful things around us.  An honest smile.  Tender hug.  A family to come home to.  A peso in your pocket.  An old photograph.  Another couple in love.  I even greet my problems with a smile –it is an opportunity for me to learn and grow and test the mettle of my strength.  Yes, I feel low from time to time, but it’s no big deal.  I know that in due time, I will be happy again just as surely as the sun rises in the morning.

 

 

Knowing yourself

Self-realization sets in and instead of distinguishing who or what I am not, I began appreciating who I actually am.  Loving yourself is the wisdom to loving other people.  Self-esteem frees us from self-consciousness and self-doubt.  A sound self-esteem allows us to experiment, innovate and try and try again to achieve our goals.  Failures won’t be the gauge anymore of accomplishments, but self-worth is by now my claim of victory.

 

 

The less I care about seeking approval, the more approval I seem to get.  People are drawn to those with a quiet, inner confidence, people who don’t need to make themselves look good, or be “right” all the time, or steal the glory.  Most people love a person who doesn’t need to brag, a person who shares from his or her heart and not from his or her ego or image. 

 

 

It was quite the breakout year for me.  Sheer confidence got me trying out adventure races and a new career path. 

 

 

I took up new hobbies like photography.  I found my wanderlust spirit and traveled to different local and international destinations. 

 

 

And the most wonderful of it all, Love also found me. 

 

                     

We became each other’s source of friendship, inspiration and companionship.  We always enjoy the time when we are together –even to something as ordinary as standing in line or listening to music in the car.  He makes me feel like a natural woman –loving me for every flaw and appreciates me for every inch of my being. 

 

 

The Secret – Clarity

Beautiful skin starts from within.  With a peaceful mind and a happy heart, natural beauty will radiate easily off you.  While staying content, we always strive for excellence.  In the pursuit of perfection, I was introduced to a product that knows skin best.  The new Glutamax Lightening Soap scrubs away my unwanted spots and blemishes while it gently whitens the skin, leaving me feeling fresh and smooth (and smelling great too!).  Taking OUT the dark in me, the transformation turned complete when my skin became lighter as well.  It is so in sync when I feel lighter both inside and outside.  Glutamax effortlessly matches my fresh and vibrant outlook in life. 

 

In mind, body and skin, be completely transformed to the NEW YOU! 

 

Feed the world good energy and good things will gravitate toward you.  Shine with a positive attitude and attract the cheerful vibe.   Glow in love and in beautiful skin too… with Glutamax, lovely and vibrant white skin is at our fingertips. 

 

I fill my heart with love and my mind positive things, and I see the face of success every time I look in the mirror.

 

 (The secret to clarity: Glutamax -Reduced Glutathione Dietary Supplement 500mg. 

Pop it and Radiate 🙂 )

 

Glutamax, see the results! 😉

 

———————————————————————————————–

 

*This is my official entry to the Nuffnang/Glutamax The New Me contest.

 

 

 

Miss Universe 2009 Winner

 

 

Miss Venezuela won the 2009 Miss Universe crown giving a back-to-back title to their country.  It is also Venezuela’s sixth time bagging the coveted beauty crown since the pageant’s creation.  Very young at 18, Stefania Fernandez, dressed in a flowing tiered red evening gown, jumped in joy (rather not so gracefully) with fellow Miss Venezuela 2008 winner.  As the crown was passed from one Venezuelan beauty to the next, the two cheered and teetered in elation that made the crown briefly fell to the floor. 

 

 

Personal bet Dominican Republic Ada Aimee de la Cruz was the first runner up.  Dominican Republic had the toughest question being asked whether or not HIV test should be mandatory.  Another personal bet in the top 15 didn’t make it to the next cut, Miss South Africa.  Our Filipina bet didn’t also make it to the Top 15 cut.

 

 

The other finalists were Miss Kosovo, Droga Ganusha; Miss Australia, Rachael Finch; and Miss Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos Perez.  Miss China, Wang Jingyao, was named Miss Congeniality and Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej, won Miss Photogenic.

 

 

The new Miss Universe is from the city of Merida in the west of a beauty-obsessed South American country where hard-fought pageants are something of a national sport, with contestants widely dissected by the public and the media.

 

If there was one gripe about the whole worldwide-televised event, it’s the production.  The prestigious pageant included musical performances by Flo Rida (whose music I listen to and like but it felt inappropriate to have him sing in the pageant with a background of “glamorous/model” women clad in bikinis jump in Hip Hop music), Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland.

 

Related Post

Miss Universe LIVE on ABS-CBN

 

 

Fountain of Youth in Celeteque Advanced Moisturizer

 

 

Usually 30-55 year old women worry about fine lines especially the wrinkles around the eyes known as crow’s feet.  I still have some years left in me before I hit that considerable calendar birthday age (30 or 31), but I am at that stage where I should be taking steps to prevent or delay the inevitable –or at least, it was a foreseeable facial occurrence before Celeteque’s newest product.

 

 

Last Saturday, Celeteque revealed the results of their latest product challenge test.  Earlier this year, the Céleteque Advanced team created the True Results Challenge, wherein over 50 Filipina women, aged 30 to 55 years old coming from all walks of life, became part of an amazing experience that resulted in roughly around 92% of their fine lines gone in 6 weeks.

 

 

These women were present during the event and gave their own testimonies regarding their experience with the product.  Results vary but for most of them, they felt an amazing youthful transformation.  Their skins feel smoother and younger and for some, it was 92-95% less fine lines since May this year!

 

Jennie, Between Bites, and Lace

 

For 38-year old Cecile Yatco, taking part of the Challenge was one of the best things she has ever done in her life. “I was really excited to join the True Results Challenge, because it was something new” she said. “Besides, I was really curious about their claim of up to 92% less fine lines in 6 weeks. I was thinking if it could really be true.”

 

 

 

Johanna Huang, a 43-year old interior designer, was also amazed by the product’s efficacy. “In my third day of using the product, I actually saw my embedded white heads start to come off. By the first week, I noticed that my freckles and sunspots were getting lighter” she reminisced. “And after a month I could actually see my fine lines diminishing. It was really amazing.”

 

 

The new Céleteque Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Facial Moisturizer has the Double Peptide Complex, which penetrates deep into the skin, and helps stimulate the formation of collagen. Collagen is the natural protein that plumps up skin thus diminishing fine lines and wrinkles and renewing outer layer of damaged skin. 

 

 

Seeing is believing, especially for women at this day and age who have tried so many products in the market.  There was also an assessment portion during the event where a dermatologist verifies the number of fine lines a woman has.  With the number of lines examined and recorded, the women attendees are now going to take on the “True Results” challenge and see the honest to goodness truth for themselves.

 

 

Now, smoother and younger looking skin can be yours.  Try the new Céleteque Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Facial Moisturizer and see the honest to goodness truth for yourself.

 

(Thanks Az for some of the photos!)

 

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Make-up Buys

 

 

Reminiscent: Anawangin 2008

Francis is right.  It’s only a matter of weeks before the anniversary of our Anawangin trip.

 

To celebrate the Anawangin trip, let me repost some of my favorite photos/moments from the trip:

 

First afternoon in Anawangin Cove

 

Sunset

Frisbee

 

Red sky beckons the evening

Madz and Chris working their way to the Bangus dinner

My first camping trip

Drinking sesh

The bathroom

Grandpa chair

Hopping to Capones Island

 

Yummy Mangoes

Day 3 at Camara Island

 

Morning has broken

 

 

 

 

Drinking Sesh Part Deux

Singing E-heads

Dancing partna: Madz

 

 

Related Post

 

In the Beginning Link

JC Anawangin Cove Album

Francis Zambales Album

Night Canoe Beach Album

Night Canoe Album 

Capones Island Album

Camara Island Album

Brian Set Album 

Ced Set Album

Camara Island Album 

Anawangin Link

In the Beginning Link

Jitters at Anawangin Link

 

DKNY Event

DKNY Event

 

November 26, 2008

Vapor Room, Alchemy 

 

Racquel Lalo

 

 

With Chaifer

 

 

 

DKNY Delicious Night models

 

Image source Chai Talag

 

 Image Source Racquel Lalo