It's Halloween fever again and time to take out and wear those scary costumes. There was a time when I donned scary outfits (when I was still a member of the noble teachers) during Halloween and my students would not recognize me at all under my thick, dark and frightening mask of terrifying make up. Well, those were the days. I found myself in the company of monsters again, young and old, when I happen to be at the mall in Fairview by accident because my laptop acted up and was feeling anywhere between irritation and amusement by the throng of Halloween merry-makers around me.



A young Dracula joined the trick or treaters. Majority of the stores participated in the trick or treats activity so young Dracula probably looted a lot that his teeth would all fall off before he reaches maturity.



Since when did superheros become relevant during Halloween? A young Batman searches for his sidekick Robin from among the throng of monsters.



Monsters pose for the mall-goers. It doesn't matter whether you are in a vampire costume or Snow white's, as long as you are in one, you are welcome to the monster's circle. Happy Halloween everyone!!!

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It's the Philippines' National Thank You Day today! Have you thanked someone yet? Thanks to Toblerone, this special day became possible. Do cast your votes as to who among the many personalities who have brought pride and honor to the Philippines should we give a resounding thanks to by going to

www.thankyoudayphilippines.com.

If I were to create a list of Filipinos I would thank, I would write the following down, though not necessarily in the same order.

1. Cory Aquino - In my opinion, she was the Philippines' greatest contribution to the world. Standing up against a dictatorship and restoring back democracy as well as respect towards our nation was really admirable.

2. Manny Pacquiao - His is a real story of success. Never mind if he got involved in many different rumors, I truly believe he has a generous heart and the real determination to try to excel at many things, including speaking English.

3. Brillante Mendoza - For obvious reasons.

4. Lea Salonga - She's a real national treasure.

5. Arnel Pineda - Again for obvious reasons. World-famous Journey found the voice of Steve Perry in our very own kababayan and has been doing their concert tour since then.

The list could go on as there is not shortage of Filipinos worthy of gratitude as well as emulation. YOu too can make your own. Do visit www.thankyoudayphilippines.com and cast your votes now.

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Marquee Mall, which is the new addition to the Ayala chain of malls was inaugurated September 23, 2009, it is located at the Angeles City exit of NLEX. And true to the Ayala tradition of chic and posh department stores, Marquee has the ambience of Glorietta and the high-endness of Greenbelt. It's definitely a place to go for your shopping needs when you are traveling up north.



And while you are there, don't forget to drop by Greenwich Pizza and Pasta and try their new Philly Cheesesteak Overload...the pizza with no tomato sauce. It's base is cream cheese and topped with thick mozzarella cheese. If you are a cheese junkie, this is the pizza for you.



The centerpiece needs no description...



Guests of Greenwich got a surprise visit from Jollibee.

Greenwich is one of the pioneers of the fast-casual dining and stores are being renovated in order to promote this image. I particularly like the branch along Regalado Avenue in Fairview as it has a relaxing atmosphere, you could stay forever as you won't notice the passing of time because you will enjoy the comfortable surroundings as well as the excellent service of the well-trained staff. You'd be impressed at how they bring and take out the plates and other table stuff. Try the deserts after your meals, and I especially recommend the Chocolate Orange Truffle Cake with their signature coffee. Visit the Greenwich branch nearest you now and try their Philly Cheeseteak Overload.

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Toblerone enjoins Filipinos to think of creative ways to spread the gratitude fever by inviting people to say, "thank you." This is in conjunction with the upcoming National Thank You Day Awards which will be held on October 20, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, an event spearheaded by Toblerone beginning in 2008 to debunk a Reader's Digest survey which claimed that the Philippines is one of the least courteous nations in the world (how shocking!). (The survey did not take many things into consideration, if I may say so)

The National Thank You Day was first proclaimed by the incumbent mayor of Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim to make citizens aware about this not so positive trait (basing from the survey, of course). Manila was the first city in the country to do so. This year, Toblerone hopes to extend this spirit of thankfulness through out the country and hopes that many Filipinos can participate.


To join the contest, please read the mechanics at

www.thankyoudayphilippines.com.


One notable Filipino personality to which an entire nation will bestow a resounding "Thank You" will be unveiled on October 20. Who will it be? Your guess is as good as mine. Visit the link for more info.

Let's prove that we are a grateful country and we do it with sincerity. Special prizes await the lucky entries.

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This modus of theft and robbery first came into my knowledge when a close friend was almost victimized on her way to SM Fairview on board a public utility jeepney. She was carrying a laptop which she needed to purchase a new battery for. Upon embarking, three medium-built, middle-aged men also came up: two flanked her while another one, sat directly across from her. All of a sudden, they exclaimed: “Miss, may dura ka, oh? (Miss, there is a spit on your back”) Of course, it caught her by surprise, who wouldn’t be with a disgusting thing like that? She was shocked and looked over at her right and left. True enough, there were three disgusting, tiny, and fresh saliva on her back. She rummaged for something to wipe them with when one of the persons, volunteered to wipe them for her. She handed him a piece of paper, but he demanded for a hankie. All of the men were trying to distract her, by talking simultaneously about the saliva at her back. While all these was happening, she held on to her bag and never let anybody carry her belongings while she was wiping off the disgusting stuff. The other passengers were also alarmed and were trying to observe what was happening around them. Finally, when the three men sensed that she was a difficult victim, they got off at the intersection of Regalado Avenue and the entrance to Lagro. When the men disembarked, the other passengers told her, “sila ang naglagay ng dura sa likod mo?’’ (They placed the saliva at your back). The jeepney driver said another passenger was victimized just a week ago. She was shaken by the experience and felt very nervous after that but thankful that her valuables were not taken. If she did not have the presence of mind, the thieves might already have run off with her laptop and other stuff. Her presence of mind saved her.

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If you are fond of playing online games and are used to the heavy, masculine and rough graphics of Ragnarok, Starcraft and other games with similar theme, you'd be amazed at LUNA. Luna, is a cute and fast-paced computer game, that made its debut online in August 14. To play Luna, one must totally socialize, therefore, thou shall not be a stranger. Of course, aside from overcoming the challenges in order to rank higher and get rare items (the usual theme in online games) Luna has more features that allow players to fully immerse in it's world.

During the press conference in August 14, guests were allowed to try out the game at the Phi Restobar in Metrowalk where the winner took home an Ipod.



Guests from the media got a treat from these eye candies.



You may now enjoy this entertaining and exciting computer game by dowloading it from http://www.luna.runup.com.ph. So join, play and socialize and start protecting Blueland now.

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GlaxoSmithKline, one of the leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company all over the world, launched the new vaccine, which will just be what parents need to prevent their children from being infected by all sorts of flu virus strains. In a press conference attended by no less than Senator Loren Legarda, Chairman for the Committee on Health and guests from the press, GSK presented the vaccine after it was registered in the Philippines in July of this year. PHID-CV Vaccine primarily protects children from Invasive Pneumococcal Disease, a leading cause of children mortality. It is the only vaccine that offers protection against common bacterias that cause otitis media, or luga (gasp) in the local language. Supporting this research-based product are Prof. Lulu Bravo who is the Vice Chancellor for Research and Executive Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, University of the philippines, Manila and Chairperson for the Asian Strategic Alliance for Pneumococcal Prevention (ASAP)who said GSK's new pneumococcal vaccine provides a broader and more relevant coverage since it was developed to fight off viral strains that are more are common in our environment. I guess, for parent readers, you better head off to your pediatricians and inquire about this preventive vaccine in order to save you from costly hospitalizations and your child, from infections.

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