SEGUNDA MANA Set To Hold 3 Day MEGA BAZAAR 2025 at TRINOMA

Looks like stars are taking out their well loved things and outfits to make sure you get the chance to have it, but proceeds will support youth education and in some way, you'll practice sustainability when you participate in the MEGA BAZAAR 2025 at Ayala Malls TRINOMA's 4th Floor at the Cinema Lobby this coming June 6-8, 2025.

This event is under Caritas Manila which is the social arm of the Catholic Church and it'll include donated goods to finance the education of countless guys and gals who benefit from the program. Some are pre-owned and some are brand new, and as someone who frequent thrift stores, this is something that I've been looking forward to all year.

I took several plushies the last time and this year, celebrities and companies will be participating to get their apparel, home products, all donated to fund the Youth Servant Leadership Program. They also are partnering with Caritas Margins that does projects with marginalized communities and micro businesses, you can be sure this is inclusive too. They are also getting help from PMG, one of the country's leading marketing agency to get the message out there, and also organize the event.

Father Anton CT Pascual the Executive Director of Caritas Manila dubs this as the new way of giving. By buying these goods, you are repurposing and helping causes like education and the environment. But be reminded, this will only happen for 3 days, make sure you drop by early so you won't run out of items in the store! The event will be graced by Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, and celebrity donors include beauty queen Winwyn Marquez, hearthrob Donny Pangilinan, Jiggy Manicad, Donna Cariaga, Jackie Lou Blanco, Suzi Entrata-Abrera, Maxene Magalona, DJ Robin Sienna of Love Radio, Mr. Fu, Imago Band, Stephanie Sol, Kapuso singer Julie Anne San Jose, Gretchen Ho, Camille Prats, Ms. Jamie Rivera, Ariella Arida, and Blackwater Elite Players.

This is the handy work of Caritas Manila who has been doing charity work since 1953. If you want to be part of their efforts, you can donate or participate in this event. Yes, you can drop off donations too during this 3 day event. You may check their official website caritasmanila.org.ph or their social channels Segunda Mana on FB and TikTok.

STARPRENEUR Bazaar at the Fifth at Rockwell

I saw a lot of smiles coming out of vendors from this event. I couldn't blame them because aside from the fact that this is a full bazaar, it's certainly a way to prove that there's a lot of potential for MSME's in the country. This is the STARPRENEUR Bazaar held at the FIFTH at Rockwell in Makati. This is organized by Bela Padilla and Filipino entrepreneurs Ms. Lanie Tañedo and Mr. Dennis Valbuena. If you are familiar with the brand Bela by Bela Padilla, they are the same folks who started her cosmetic, product and perfume line with her a couple months ago. This time, they're working with young Hollywood star and PH showbiz royalty Iñigo Pascual.

Iñigo says "It's something that I wanted to do for a long time. I've dreamt about it since college but I never got to finish my course in entrepreneurship. I've been involved in acting and music, and I wanted something different from that. Before I met them (Ms. Lanie Tañedo and Mr. Dennis Valbuena) I really wanted to start something but I didn't really know what to do and where to start. They showed me the ropes on how to start a business. They also showed me technology because it's different now. You really have to learn what's on trend, and for me, they really are the ones who guided me."

He adds "A lot of the products we have in herzy. is mentholated, and if you just got out of the shower, some complain from the heat, and they're already perspiring. I wanted folks to still feel fresh and clean after trying our products. The difference between men and women is, we want everything to be simple, less fuss, when you try it, it's really nice and smells good. It's easy to use and carry around. The ingredients are also natural, I even styled my own hair with it, and admit that sometimes men are even more vain about hair. We hope you love these products! I hope you love the Brow Serum which they initially designed to grow and nourish hair, last minute, we thought of using it for the brows because people often ask me about it. This was named after my Grandfather, we just turned the Herzig into Herzy to make it easy to pronounce."

Mr. Dennis Valbuena replied "We really appreciate that. Now that you've learned from us, it's your turn to guide others about the business. He was very hands on. We saw his potential right from the start."

At the event, they also took time to talk to entrepreneurs about their businesses and how they started. It was a very nice way for other entrepreneurs to learn from each other and perhaps network so they could also improve their businesses. The Runway Atelier also got their cute models on stage sing and walk for the event. Seeing kids there was super cute!

Here's a short chat we had with him at the venue:

 

 

Meanwhile, I have also managed to use the herzy. products this week and so far, I'm loving the herzy. Hairstyling Stick the most. Like him, I've got pretty wavy hair which gets uncontrollable after a few hours. It made my dilemma of looking well put together easy because you can get rid of those frizzy fly away hair in just a few seconds with it. The herzy. Body Wash not only smells good, but a bit minty. It feels fresh even in the hot afternoons in Manila. They've really made a very promising line of products designed for men (that can also be used by women). Best of all, men don't have to smell like flowers LOL.

 

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There was a bit when Inigo Pascual sat down and talked to other MSME's. The chat included Mr. Dennis Valbuena of DL Wear Private, Mr. Nio Siggaoat and Ms. Valerie Lim of beauty brand Ready.Set.Glow (RSG), Twin CEO's Mark and Spencer Elimanco of LINKIT (who introduced high tech calling cards), Ms. Audrey Ong of Sweet Kamote, Ms. Jana Berenguer of J&A The Label (of TikTok fame, you should check out their story), Ms. Rich Garceron and Mr. Jed Homar Sison of Anytime Fitness Hemady Branch (whom you might want to check out to have no excuse to go to the gym) and Ms. Elvira and Eleanor of Thermomix.

The event also featured Dani by Bela (fragrance of Dani Baretto under Bela Padilla's brand), Bela by Bela, The Runway Atelier, AY Clothing Shop, Get Spotted, Sweet Kamote, Kittly Manila, Show Idea Mayumico, iWhite Korea, Hiraya Pilipina, Pan de Carpio, Prints FX and Signs, Miruku, Duchess The Label, alas hot sauce, FizzStop, Nutral, Developers HideOut, Luka's meat products, and a lot more.

The STARPRENEUR BAZAAR was so much fun, and I hope folks not just the consumers learned a lot from the business owners who shared their stories on stage. Congratulations to Bela, Ms. Lanie Tañedo and Mr. Dennis Valbuena. Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeves this year and beyond!

MYRTLE SARROSA is the face of TIMEZONE Philippines

Went down south today (at Ayala Malls Manila Bay) for the biggest announcement of TIMEZONE, the biggest chain of arcades, fun and entertainment in the country. They've already had milestones in the 28 years they've existed in the Philippines, and today they announced their BIGGEST revelation yet. See, they've never ever had a face represent them in this era of endorsers and brand ambassadors... But that's about to change today as they managed to get the nod for one of the biggest creators, cosplay and gamer girl in the country to represent them. She is MYRTLE SARROSA, a pretty apt person to do this right?

Myrtle fondly remembers when they opened a branch in Iloilo City years ago and she happened to join the event at a mall in the capital. She went back every week and made sure to play a drum arcade game with the amount she got to save from her allowance from school. She remembers how much fun she had there with friends and family, and being a legitimate gamer who often goes to TIMEZONE, she felt so honored to represent a brand that she personally loves. 

TIMEZONE Philippines President Rafel Prats Jr. recognized Myrtle's energetic and playful personality, some of which represents what TIMEZONE is as a brand. They see these as great qualities for a brand ambassador so there was no question Myrtle would certainly fit the role. They plan to have Myrtle to be present in activations, more store openings and in paraphernalia of TIMEZONE branches today and in the future ones. 

They also announced several promos designed to encourage even more people to purchase Powercards from TIMEZONE. The BLOOKES BUNDLE so when you buy 650 pesos load you can get 800 worth of Powercard Load. The STRAIGHT TO BLUE BUNDLE on the other hand costs 2950 pesos and will get you 4000 Powercard Load value. The STRAIGHT TO GOLD on the other hand is 9950 pesos, but will get you 14,000 Power card load. They also have blind boxes and RC Cars to be given with the tiers, so make sure you get them fast because they may run out soon.

Congratulations Myrtle Sarrosa and TIMEZONE! It's definitely going to be more fun when we visit the arcades because of these new stuff!