I Blog, Therefore I Am.

Smart launched last Wednesday, through the Talk 'N Text brand, the Internet.org app that would allow access to millions of unconnected Filipinos. We've been preparing for this launch and partnership for months and I must say that this is one of our "heartwarming" offers for the year (Filipino Translation: "May kurot sa puso!"). 

Smart is a strong advocate of providing Internet For All and Internet.org is one of the initiatives that would further strengthen this. This effort gives FREE web access to anyone who owns an Internet-capable mobile phone in the Philippines IF they are on the Smart cellular network (this includes Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk 'N Text brands).

Internet.org

Internet.org is a project of Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook's Founder/CEO/Superhero Extraordinaire - in case you don't know him) with the intent to make mobile Internet services available to the 2/3 of the world population who are not yet connected. Smart is the first telco to launch the Internet.org app in the Philippines and South East Asia. The first countries that launched the app were Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Colombia, Ghana, and India.

Mark posted a message on Facebook on the introduction of Internet.org in the Philippines through Smart:

I only use my TV for three things: disaster-monitoring, Smart Gilas games, and beauty pageants! It came handy this evening because I wasn't able to watch live The Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Coronation Night at Smart Araneta Coliseum. So here I am blogging my thoughts in between commercial breaks.

It's another day of beauty in the Philippines!

We will crown tonight five (5) beautiful Binibinis who will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Supranational, and Miss Tourism Queen International 2015 editions. 

I've been a fan and follower of Binibining Pilipinas ever since I can remember. I was able to watch the pageant live last year and had a fun time predicting the winners and live tweeting the event. I even drafted a lengthy post on "why Pia Wurtzbach was robbed" but forgot to publish it (let's not have a similar controversy this year, please?). 

I've decided to be an armchair judge once more since I'm becoming quite an "expert" on this pageant thing - haha! (I was able to predict 11 out of the Top 15 at the Miss Universe 2014/2015 edition). This batch of 2015 Binibinis is quite hard to figure though. It's easier predicting last year's winners compared to this batch. There's a lot of stand-outs and girls who are worthy of the crowns so I will have some alternates and "dark horses" in my predictions.

Top 15

There are 34 Binibinis who will compete for five (5) crowns and two (2) runners-up position. They will all compete in the Evening Gown and Swimsuit Competitions live. Other awards like the National Costume and Miss Jag were already competed on and showcased in pre-pageant events. The Top 15 Semi-Finalists will be announced after the completion of the evening gown and swimsuit parade.

Here are my predictions for the Top 15 (according to their pin numbers).

Clockwise: #6 Toni Alyessa Hipolito, #8 Kimverlyn Suiza, #10 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
#11 Janicel Lubina, #11 Kylie Verzosa



Clockwise: #13 Mae Liezl Ramos, #19 Christi Lynn McGarry, #21 Alaiza Flor Malinao
#24 Ann Lorraine Colis, #25 Rogelie Catacutan

I went to the Brides & Beyond Wedding Fair at the Rockwell Tent last February 21. The fair is a bit different from all the other bridal fairs I've been since it mostly featured high-end and non-mainstream suppliers. It was also not crowded compared to the others. 

I'm now picky when it comes to wedding fairs. I've been to five (5) fairs already and I'm already an expert on what to do, what to expect, and what I should spend my time on. I pretty much covered all our big suppliers so I am no longer "actively hunting" during fairs. However - I did find a couple of new wedding ideas and suppliers that are worth considering for the big day. Read on!


Calligraffi
Calligraffi designs and engraves on wood, glass, and acrylics. Their most popular items are the personalized wine glasses and champagne flutes with engraving. This is a nice personal touch for the bride & groom toast at the reception; and a good wedding day token for the new home.

The lack of healthy and delicious food in the metro bothers me. The lunch box diet deliveries are okay but it lacks variety and "yum" on it. I love restaurants and eateries that offer fresh and organic options for our weary cholesterol-laden bodies. Among my favorites which provide healthy dishes are Corner Tree Cafe in Nicanor Garcia,  Faburrito at The Columns, and just recently, Sprout Fresh Convenience in Valero St. 

Sprout is a newly-opened "healthy convenience store" which offers fresh, healthy and non-processed food that are good alternates to our usual fastfood fare. They offer rice bowls, salads, sandwiches, chips, desserts, and healthy drinks in their store. It's your 7/11 grab-and-go store but in a a very good and healthy way. 

Sprout just opened last month and I was able to try it for 6x already! Aside from the rice bowls - what I love about it are the nutritional labels attached to each food. It clearly states the ingredients and the carbohydrates/fats/sugar/calories on the food it serves. This is very helpful for me since I can readily choose food that are low in sugar and carbohydrates. 

The interiors of the store is also very minimalist, inviting and refreshing. I just wish that they have more tables and chairs to accommodate quick lunches among friends and colleagues.

I was invited to cover the Samsung Unpacked 2015 event yesterday at Solaire for Smart. The event featured the launch and livestream of the Mobile World Congress Unpacked 2015 event in Barcelona, Spain. There was also a preview of the devices from our friends from Samsung Philippines. 

Samsung introduced two flagship models this year: the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. The two are quite similar in power and features except for the added sexy curve design of the Galaxy S6 Edge on its side panels. 

The new Samsung Galaxy S6 in White Pearl

The National Costume show of Binibining Pilipinas is one of my favorite pre-pageant activities. I love the Filipiniana gown and it's always interesting to see how designers interpret it to make it modern and creative. 

Here are my favorites this year:

Binibini 34 - Teresita Sen Marquez

I simply love how the lace meshed with each other on this modern terno.



Binibini 16 - Marvi Ann De Lima
The mermaid design is very usual but the over-all fit and look is really good.
The head accessory is also a very nice touch.