John Estrada Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Glutamax Unveils Its New Endorser in La Greta

April 9, 2010 by Janey

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

2^nd 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

Earthlingorgeous’

Marriage and Beyond’s

Literary Bulimia’s

Yousaytoo’s

—

19 Comments Filed Under: A Taste of Manila and Other Things Tagged With: 2010, ABS CBN, actual result, alleged, Apple Mac Book Pro, April 7, Asian skin, awarding, back to back shows, Bar, beautiful skin, beauty, Before and after, best contest, best glutathione, best in the market, best skin, blogger, buzz, camera, capsule, change, channel 2, Claudine Barretto, Contest, controversial, crying, dark, drama, Eastwood central plaza, Entry, event, extension, fair, First Prize, gift pack, Glutamax, Glutamax new endorser, Glutamax whitening soap, Glutathione, GMA, Gretchen Barreto, HK trip, Hong Kong trip, Hong Kong trip prize with pocket money, how to use, hurt, import, Interview, John Estrada, Jon Lesaca, laptop, list of winners, Local, Maalala Mo Kaya, Mac Book, MAC Book Pro laptop, media, Movie, new product, Night, no side effects, Nokia phone, Nuffnang, Online, other winners, photos, Press Conference, prize, prizes, production, Products, question, register, result, safe, See the results, series, Show, showbiz, sisters, skin, spots, tablet, tears, teleserye, The New Me, The New me contest, The New Me contest results, tone, transformation, travel, unveil, User, walk out, Watson, where to buy, white skin, whitening, whitening soap, who won, win, winner, winners

Ladies Night at Metro Card Club: Last Lady Sitting

March 3, 2010 by Janey

“Oh, it’s Ladies Night and I’m feeling right. It’s Ladies Night and what a night! (ooh, what a night)”

Yes folks. It was “Ladies Night” but this all-girls fun didn’t involve drinks or a bar. Metro Card Club staged an all-female poker tournament for three Thursdays. I was only able to join last Thursday and I learned same night that it was its last run.

It was difficult to make creative plays early on because:

Good or mediocre hands were hard to come by (esp. on a later position).
The more seasoned players were just grinding it.
First-timers were calling any bet on the flop even if they only hit bottom pair.

I reached the final table as the second chip lead. Chip lead was Ms. Tournament-Virgin who eventually lost her stack to Jen. Jen became the chip lead. I capitalized on heads-up plays against the short stacks.

Image Source: Metro Card Club website

Four players left. A good poker friend Trish, Jen and one other. Two players folded and it’s down to the battle of the blinds between my small blind and Trish’. I had to raise with my Jack-8 because either it’s a mediocre or good hand that she can push all-in too (which is good for her) or throw her hand away. I didn’t want to do it against her but I also needed a heads up play and gain some chips because the other two have built their stack.

Trish: J? 9c

Jane: Jh 8s

She was even ahead pre-flop.

Flop: 10s 6d 7c

She was ahead on the flop.

Turn: 9?

It was a lucky turn as I hit my straight. The River didn’t make any difference.

It was down to three players and I changed gears. Aggressive play all throughout.

When somebody raises all-in on my big blind or small blind, I let go of my blind and fold my trash hands.

On the button, I had Q-10 suited and raised all-in. Small blind called immediately. Big blind Jen folded.

I showed my hand. She slammed her Pocket Jacks on the table with another J –joy.

Flop: Qc 6d 9d

I flopped my queen. Turn and River didn’t help. It was down to two players.

First hand I had Jacks and went all-in. After a long night, Jen called with a shrug.

Image Source: Metro Card Club website

Well, the cards fell my way. A stroke of good luck.

I was really ecstatic about winning a tournament. The last time I won a tournament was back in 2005? It was more of the game than the cash prize really, but the additional ka-ching doesn’t hurt. And yes, I secured myself a seat for the 3-Million Poker Tournament this month. YEA BABY! \m/

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5 Comments Filed Under: Manila Poker Tales Tagged With: ABS CBN, Aces, address, Allan Escano, ante, bacolod, Bar, best, best of the best, big blind, blind, blinds, BMW tournament, buy in, camera, cameras, card, card room, card sport, cards, CCPMG, Cebu, celebrities, champion, Channel, commercial, competition, cost, CPI, Creative Programs Inc., date, davao, Day, dealer, dealers, event, exclusive, extra, Filipino, Filipino blogs on poker, filipino poker tour, fpt, fpt.com, fpt.com.ph, free roll, free to air, gambling, groups, guideline, Hi-5, Hi-5 Million, house player, house players, house rules, how much, how to locate, Iloilo, image, John Estrada, landmark, limited, list of schedule, Local, location, Maike Evers, Malate, Manila, Manila best, Manila Poker, Maxxx channel, Maxxx channel SKY Cable channel 51, metro, metro card club, Metro Manila, metrowalk, Neil Arce, on air, organizer, organizers, owner, owners, Philippines, Photo, pinoy, player, plug, plugs, pocket, Pockets, poker, poker blog, poker group, poker night, Poker Room, poker tour, popular, Priscilla, Promo, reception, restaurant, Restaurants, rival, rooms, rule, rules, safety, schedule, seats, security, service, Sky Cable, small blind, sponsor, sponsored, sport, stage, story, strategies, strategy, studio 23, tale, tales, Television, texas hold 'em, tight, Tips, top 5, Tour, tournament, tournament guideline, tourney, tutorial, TV, Venue, what channel, where to go, win a free seat, www.fpt.com

Poker Tales: A Diamond Cuts Like A Knife

September 10, 2009 by Janey

Cash Game: 25/50 blinds

Minimum buy-in: 2K

Got my stack to 3,300 after not getting a bad beat with my rockets during a heads up game. It’s not hard to win with a pocket of aces pre-flop but it does not mean it’s unbeatable –depending on how you play it, it’s easy to get your aces beat too. So make sure that the bullets hit their target.

I was sitting on the big blind position when 6 players call the 50 blind. In my hands are 8 and 10 suited diamonds. I was tempted to raise the bet because I love an 8 and 10 on my hand but I decided to play conservatively and just checked.

Flop: 8s 9d Qd

I hit a favorite number of mine and gave me bottom pair.

First to act, I bet 100 to test the mettle of the table and have a feel of what the other players have. The one under the gun folded. Gary re-raises to 400. Joy in middle position calls. Right beside Joy, Gervais unfalteringly pushes two stacks of 100 on the betting arena and raises to 2K.

My move.

2K, that’s committing more than half of my stack and his hand might already be made. I requested for time and calculated the situation. I was also flush draw and gut shot straight draw –which means 13 outs, plus I might hit my trips with my bottom pair. Looking at Gervais and that betting move –it was either he was 2 pairs (Q 9 or Q 8 or 8 9 or more dangerously, he might be straight, meaning he must have J 10. If he had 2 pairs, I can kill that with trips if an 8 lands on the board. However, if his 2 pair included a number that gives me trips then that makes him full house. Abandon ship on the trips. I have to have a winnable 5-card hand. I’m more inclined to believe he has a straight.

That move showed he was scared of the flush draw. He couldn’t have flush draw with his hand because I had the 10d. He feels his hand was strong enough to duel with at least one other player.

Now, what about Gary –he was the initial re-raiser, it means he’s also confident with his hand. I look at Gary. I put him on Ace high flush draw. If he’s flush draw then we both have lesser outs –plus I was only 10 high flush draw. Any Jd, Kd, and Ad mixed with any #d can flush me out. Another diamond might prove to be more damaging.

But Gary was playing tight earlier. He couldn’t be re-raising my bet to triple with just a flush draw. He could be top pair or also two pair. More than anything else, I was straight flush draw –second in line next to the unbeatable royal flush. But that gives me only ONE out. One card that can spark this coal mine.

I’ve only invested 150 in the pot to risk 2K of my stack, while I’m bottom pair with 13 outs that may never come or with 6 outs that can give my opponent a higher flush. There’s only one card that can buy me out of this jam. JACK diamonds. Betting 2K means I’m only risking 700 of my money because 1,300 were won anyway. It is after all for a huge sizable pot.

Gervais called time. I had to clear with the dealer if that means 1-minute. It does. 30 seconds into my time, I pushed the 2K inside.

Certain: 13 Outs

Uncertain: What they have on their hand.

I like the fact of 13 outs better than my assessment of their hands.

Gary calls also. I don’t remember if Joy called or folded, I was eager to see the turn.

Turn: Jd

I pushed all in quickly with my 1.3K. It’s now up to them to decide whether or not I’m only “representing” the flush without the hand or I really hit it.

I have the nuts but I shouldn’t slow play it and give them a free river card if they don’t bet.

Gary thinks about it considerably. Gervais called time again. Finally, Gary calls reluctantly. Gervais went all in, which means Gary has to add some 1K more.

Flop 4s

Show time for side pot:

Gary’s Hand: 10s Jc

Gervais’ Hand: Qs 8c

Gary wins their side pot.

Show time for main pot:

I show two sterling diamonds of 8 and 10. Straight flush.

It was my best cash game to date.

Diamonds are truly a girl’s best friend. 🙂

“Diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure.” ~Henry Kissinger

—

1 Comment Filed Under: Manila Poker Tales Tagged With: ABS CBN, Aces, address, Allan Escano, ante, bacolod, Bar, best, best of the best, big blind, blind, blinds, buy in, camera, cameras, card, card room, card sport, cards, CCPMG, Cebu, celebrities, Channel, commercial, competition, cost, CPI, Creative Programs Inc., date, davao, Day, dealer, dealers, event, exclusive, extra, Filipino, Filipino blogs on poker, filipino poker tour, fpt, fpt.com, fpt.com.ph, free roll, free seats, free to air, gambling, groups, guideline, Hi 10, Hi-5, Hi-5 Million, house player, house players, house rules, how much, how to locate, Iloilo, image, John Estrada, landmark, limited, list of schedule, Local, location, Maike Evers, Malate, Manila, Manila best, Manila Poker, Maxxx channel, Maxxx channel SKY Cable channel 51, metro, metro card club, Metro Manila, metrowalk, Neil Arce, October 2009 Hi 10 million, on air, organizer, organizers, owner, owners, Philippines, Photo, pinoy, plug, plugs, pocket, Pockets, poker, poker blog, poker group, poker night, Poker Room, poker tour, popular, Priscilla, Promo, reception, restaurant, Restaurants, rival, rooms, rule, rules, safety, schedule, seats, security, service, Sky Cable, small blind, sponsor, sponsored, sport, stage, strategies, studio 23, Television, texas hold 'em, tight, Tips, top 5, Tour, tournament, tournament guideline, tourney, tutorial, TV, Venue, what channel, where to go, win a free seat, www.fpt.com

Reminiscent: My First Ever Poker Tournament

August 19, 2009 by Janey

Flipping through my old emails, I found an email from my good friend Paolo, who forwarded an online news bit he found about the JW Poker Bar Tour that happened sometime March 2006.

I was playing free Texas Hold ‘Em online games around Q4 of 2005. Celebrity Poker and David Foley’s smart funny hosting got me interested in the card game. In the real world, Paolo from time to time tagged me along to our former professor’s condo unit to play house poker with other college friends. I’ve played more or less 10 games with them in total. That’s why I was hesitant to join when Paolo mentioned about the Johnny Walker Poker bar tour. But poker wasn’t that big yet in Manila at that time. I shrugged and said what the heckle jeckle.

Image Source: Bing Fabricante

I think there were 2 or 3 tables that night, with two other girls in the tournament. I was amazed that I made it to the final table… and even more surprised to win that leg. I never played again after that tournament.

My poker days were only revived after this event.

The past two months have been nothing but a poker slump. Instead of playing more, I’ve played less. In June, I only played twice I think. In July, I played in the FPT and got busted out with my big slick suited. The poker morale is really down. With work schedule and events, there’s not much time to practice lately. I was invited to another group’s house poker this week. I hope I play well. Like I said, I take bad beats over bad decisions any time. But here’s crossing my fingers (bad beats hurt too).

Well, I need some poker cheering up so I’m posting this.

Jane Chua’s aggressiveness all throughout the night paid off as she became the bar leg winner of the Johnnie Walker Poker Bar Tour leg at Ice Vodka Bar Tuesday Night night. Chua had to play Marco “Cardinal” Aventajado during the heads-up portion of the tournament. Chua applied pressure on Aventajado who didn’t seem to catch any cards, parlaying her 2-1 chip disadvantage to a 4-1 advantage. Aventajado tried to double up with King-ten unsuited but Chua quickly called with Nine-eight unsuited. It seem to be a misstep on the part of Chua, being behind pre-flop 2-1. But with the flop coming two-two-eight, Chua suddenly jumped to become a 4-1 favorite to win the hand. The five of clubs gave Aventajado some hope reigning in Chua back to 2-1 favorite with because of his flush draw. But it was Chua’s night as the seven of hearts came in the river and Chua became the leg winner, besting 9 other players in leg of the Poker Bar Tour at Quisine.

Poker Bar Tour is produced by Pit Boss Events and Cardinal Entertainment. Stay tuned tomorrow for highlights of the Johnnie Walker Bar tour leg at Bagaberde Pasig. The Johnnie Walker Poker Bar Tour begins registration is at 8pm and the tournament begins promptly at 9pm.

I am quite happy to share that during last Sunday’s Metro tournament at 300 buy-in, I was able to again reach the final table. 7 tables and it was trimmed down to 1. It’s a bit of a morale booster too.

How are your cards dealt lately?

Johnny Walker Poker Bar Tour Album

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1 Comment Filed Under: Manila Poker Tales Tagged With: ABS CBN, Aces, address, Allan Escano, ante, bacolod, Bar, best, best of the best, big blind, blind, blinds, buy in, camera, cameras, card, card room, card sport, cards, CCPMG, Cebu, celebrities, Channel, commercial, competition, cost, CPI, Creative Programs Inc., date, davao, Day, dealer, dealers, event, exclusive, extra, Filipino, Filipino blogs on poker, filipino poker tour, fpt, fpt.com, fpt.com.ph, free roll, free to air, gambling, groups, guideline, Hi-5, Hi-5 Million, house player, house players, house rules, how much, how to locate, Iloilo, image, John Estrada, landmark, limited, list of schedule, Local, location, Maike Evers, Malate, Manila, Manila best, Manila Poker, Maxxx channel, Maxxx channel SKY Cable channel 51, metro, metro card club, Metro Manila, metrowalk, Neil Arce, on air, organizer, organizers, owner, owners, Philippines, Photo, pinoy, plug, plugs, pocket, Pockets, poker, poker blog, poker group, poker night, Poker Room, poker tour, popular, Priscilla, Promo, reception, restaurant, Restaurants, rival, rooms, rule, rules, safety, schedule, seats, security, service, Sky Cable, small blind, sponsor, sponsored, sport, stage, strategies, studio 23, Television, texas hold 'em, tight, Tips, top 5, Tour, tournament, tournament guideline, tourney, tutorial, TV, Venue, what channel, where to go, win a free seat, www.fpt.com

FPT’s The Metro Hi-5 Million Countdown Begins

July 28, 2009 by Janey

The FPT is drawing near.

The countdown begins…

3 days to go for Day 1 A (Friday)

4 days to go for Day 2 B (Saturday)

July 31 – August 3, hear the chips make noise on the table.

Image Source: Metro Card Club website

Have you signed up yet? I’m sure you have! Burning the midnight oil at PokerStars.com for the free seat?

See you at the table! Good luck and good pot!

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Manila Poker Tales Tagged With: ABS CBN, Aces, address, Allan Escano, ante, bacolod, Bar, best, best of the best, big blind, blind, blinds, buy in, camera, cameras, card, card room, card sport, cards, CCPMG, Cebu, celebrities, Channel, commercial, competition, cost, CPI, Creative Programs Inc., date, davao, Day, dealer, dealers, event, exclusive, extra, Filipino, Filipino blogs on poker, filipino poker tour, fpt, fpt.com, fpt.com.ph, free roll, free to air, gambling, groups, guideline, Hi-5, Hi-5 Million, house player, house players, house rules, how much, how to locate, Iloilo, image, John Estrada, landmark, limited, list of schedule, Local, location, Maike Evers, Malate, Manila, Manila best, Manila Poker, Maxxx channel, Maxxx channel SKY Cable channel 51, metro, metro card club, Metro Manila, metrowalk, Neil Arce, on air, organizer, organizers, owner, owners, Philippines, Photo, pinoy, plug, plugs, pocket, Pockets, poker, poker blog, poker group, poker night, Poker Room, poker tour, popular, Priscilla, Promo, reception, restaurant, Restaurants, rival, rooms, rule, rules, safety, schedule, seats, security, service, Sky Cable, small blind, sponsor, sponsored, sport, stage, strategies, studio 23, Television, texas hold 'em, tight, Tips, top 5, Tour, tournament, tournament guideline, tourney, tutorial, TV, Venue, what channel, where to go, win a free seat, www.fpt.com

Watch the Filipino Poker Tour on Maxxx

July 24, 2009 by Janey

Filipino Poker Tour is just around the bend. Yesterday the free roll at Pokerstars.com reached 1,000+. This must be due to the on air presence of their plugs during the Filipino Poker Tour show.

If you’re on SKY Cable, you can also catch their replays on Maxxx channel, one of my favorite channels this year. The channel has augmented their program line-up and there are now a lot of not to miss shows plus reruns of old favorites.

I caught the FPT show last Tuesday night and yesterday afternoon. I like the format of the show and I simple love the plugs of Pokerstars.com particularly those of Daniel Negreanu.