MYCHIP & Road X Trail by Finishline
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On December 1, 2010
A lot of my friends and colleagues are addicted to running. It seems they are not the only ones joining the craze. There has been a lot of running events recently and it’s good news actually! Everyone wants to be healthy, everyone wants to be fit and strong through running.
Last saturday, Finishline presented a new product to us runners & new media called MYCHIP. MYCHIP is the 1st multi-sport timing chip in the Philippines. It uses MYLAPS Championchip technology, a worldwide leader in mass race timing. A technology that is used in the largest races in the world such as Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore, Berlin Marathon, Madrid Marathon, Boston Marathon, Hong Kong Marathon, Nairobi Marathon and Melbourne Marathon.
This was totally new to me. I never thought that technology has already caught up with our beloved sports events. Just as I thought that the only high-technology thing in running are products like sports watches, pedometer and other stuff that are mostly for personal tracking. I was wrong.
Using MYCHIP, it can send code to the Finishline timing mat which in turn can capture thousands of runners per minute! How efficient! We listened intently while Finishline explained to us what the product is about. Having Rovilson Fernandez as host made it even more awesome. I was actually seated next to him before the event started and I made a lil comment that it was him who caused him and Marc Nelson to lose the Amazing Race Asia competition 😛
Anyway, Finishline has been arranging lots of events (running, cycling, aquathlon, swimming, triathlon and duathlon). With MYCHIP, you will instantly see your results through finishline.ph. It doesn’t stop there, you can also use the gadget in MYLAPS Championship timed events worldwide. It costs only Php 2,500 and is good to use for life. Why? It’s shockproof, waterproof and most of all, no batteries required!
There were 2 videos shown to us presenting how MYCHIP is being used. MYCHIP contains the chip, bike clip and ankle strap. We can use the ankle strap for running, duathlon, aquathlon and triathlon.
While we can use the bike clip for cycling
To make things more exciting, the organizers arranged a game for us to participate in. One table is one team. We were asked several questions and the team with the most # of correct answers wins a MYCHIP for each of the members.
Unfortunately, we didn’t win. History is definitely not my favorite subject but I enjoyed the game. Learned quite a bit too! While I wasn’t able to own a MYCHIP that day for myself, I was able to check it out for a short while. It’s truly just a chip, but boy that small chip is useful especially for active people like us!
Lastly, Finishline also shared with us their upcoming events this December 2010. They have cycling (February 13, 2011), Running (January 15, 2011) & Duathlon (January 16, 2011). All will happen at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna and is called Road X Trail. If you own a MYCHIP, you get discounts with the registration fee. That doesn’t end there, all future events of Finishline, as long as you have MYCHIP, you get discounts!
I have registered for the running event originally set on December 18. It was rescheduled to January 15, 2011. Well, let’s see. I hope I can see some of you there! Race on!
Is it Hot in here or Is it Me Book Launch
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 30, 2010
I was a bit hesitant when I got an invite to attend RJ Ledesma’s book launch. Why? Because RJ’s newest book is entitled ‘Is it hot in here or is it me? RJ Ledesma’s Imaginary Guide to Flirting, Body Language & Pick-up Artists‘. I thought that the book was meant for guys. I’m obviously a girl. It doesn’t make sense for me to read such a book.
But I was curious! I know of RJ Ledesma as a Filipino child star (remember Tru-Orange commercial?). I also know RJ as part of the team behind Mercato Centrale & UNO magazine. It was only when I got invited to the book launch that I discovered that he’s also a writer, and a witty & funny one too!
I wanted to get hold of this book and read RJ Ledesma’s works. I’m glad I went to the well-attended and successful book launch. RJ Ledesma’s family, friends and fans were in full support. VIP guests including RJ’s wife was there to perform ribbon cutting at Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4.
I just finished reading the book and gee, RJ Ledesma is definitely a man with many talents. I never knew that he was such a funny, funny man! The book gives hope for single men and no girlfriends since birth. hahaha! Now, I know that not only girls do read a lot of self-help books, RJ does it too! He refers to a lot of relationship books while inserting a lot of jokes which we can relate to, makes it really so fun to read (not to mention, educational too!).
He shares what kind body language that women send out to men. He clearly mentioned that it’s actually the girls who make the 1st move. It’s just hard for men to pick up the signals thus letting the opportunity go. As a girl, it’s enlightening to read that we do actually perform such actions. Unconsciously so, sometimes 😉
RJ also shares and elaborates the 5 Stages of Flirting:
- Attention Getting Stage a.k.a. ‘Kulang sa Pansin’ Stage
- Recognition Stage a.k.a. ‘Closer You and I’ Stage
- Talk Stage a.k.a. ‘Words get in the way’ Stage
- Touch Stage a.k.a. ‘You’ve got the Touch!’ Stage
- Total Body Synchrony a.k.a. ‘Your Body is a Wonderland’ Stage
At the last part, he talks about professional pickup. The book is definitely a good, fun read. Actually, a lot of guests were already laughing so hard just listening to RJ explain what the book is about. Some had read a chapter while waiting for the event to start and I saw how successful RJ was able to make people laugh by reading his works. I myself find it informational and a lot of people can truly relate.
RJ Ledesma was very nice in person. We patiently queued to get his autograph with the book. He asked each guest some questions so he can address us better with his autograph. He graciously accepted our request for photo op too!
If you notice in the picture below, he was wearing the same clothes as the cover of the book. Hilarious! LOLz!
By the way, here’s an excerpt. Just to give you an idea what you can expect in the book. I swear, you’ll laugh your heart out while reading! I did!
After years of countless knife injuries, researchers from the Social Issues Research Center have actually computed the appropriate distance you can maintain with a woman whom you flirt with for the first time. When you are four feet from her (about 2 small steps away), you are on the borderline between what is known as the “Social zone or the Willie Revillame zone” (within 4-12 feet) and the “Personal zone or the Jojo Alejar zone” (between 18 inches to 4 feet). This is the average distance that you maintain where she can still reject you without having to resort to bodily harm. If you are more or less certain that she is not concealing any bladed weapons, you can move into the “Arm’s length zone or the Vic Sotto zone” (about 2 feet 6 inches. I’m not kidding. About Vic Sotto). Do not attempt to cross the Sotto zone and move within 18 inches of her unless you are her gynecologist. The “intimate zone” (a level that few mortals have achieved, so I have labeled this as the legendary “Dolphy zone”) is reserved only for lovers, family members, close friends and domestic animals.
You can buy your own copy of Is it hot in here or is it me book by RJ Ledesma at your favorite book stores for Php220.
Planner People
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 28, 2010
As 2011 is fast approaching, more and more companies are releasing their own versions of personal planners. Most have too much stuff going on with the planners: too many ads, too many coupons, too many photos, etc.
I recently discovered a new planner which is quite the opposite compared to what we see with other personal planners today. I had to have a copy myself before I wrote this blog post. And now that I have it, I understood why the people behind this initiative created Planner People.
The goal is pretty simple. They wanted to create a basic planner that we can just put in our bag, write important schedule and notes on. I believe it’s exactly what the 2011 planners they created are.
Here are the reasons why:
- It’s lightweight at 5″ x 7″, very small indeed. Not much to worry about with regards to space in our bags.
- It has yearly and monthly views which are things needed in a planner. Sometimes, we just want to see, in one glance, all the dates in that year. Or for a summary of important dates in a month, we don’t need to see page per page for the information, the monthly view can give us such information at 1st glance.
- Weekly views and notes section. For more details on certain events in a day, the weekly views provide sufficient space for us to put information on. The notes section, on the other hand, provides us space for any thoughts we want to take note of. Plain and simple. Truly consistent with the goal.
- It has a ribbon marker so you can always go back to the page that you last written on.
That’s it. No extras! Old school planner in a modern world. If you’re the type who wants a no frills, straight to the point planner then Planner People’s 2011 planner is for you! It’s very affordable at only Php 200.
I’m not surprised that my ex-colleague Mela is one of the people behind Planner People. She’s smart and very creative! She and her 2 friends-Kris & Reg created the 2011 planners as they didn’t like any of the planners out there in the market.
You might share the same sentiments with Planner People. If you do, then better go to their website and order. The planners do come in 9 different designs that are very unique, choose the ones that fit your personality and you’re good to go for an organized 2011! 🙂
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Planner People
+639174905875
http://planner.wedgienet.net
plannerpeople@gmail.com
Make Miracles Happen with Miracle Machine
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 27, 2010
Companies usually invite media people for product launches but Kraft has done something different this time around. When I made it to Cantinetta last wednesday, I was pleasantly surprised that the event was for a cause! There’s something about helping people that really make us feel so fulfilled.
Since Christmas is fast coming, it would be so nice that we can be part of something that would help our less fortunate countrymen be happy in this holiday season. Kraft has come up with something inspired by their product, Miracle Whip. It’s called Miracle Machine.
If you didn’t know, Miracle Whip is made from eggs, oil & sugar but it was a bit tricky to blend the emulsion to the desired consistency. Thus, a Kraft engineer developed a machine that could blend the ingredients properly and thus it was called Miracle Whip.
Miracle Whip is taking the miracles outside the kitchen too with its Miracle Machine. As I listened to the speakers explain the cause and what Miracle Machine is, I was thinking that I would check out the application as soon as I got home. To experience it myself. It really sounded so promising and I wanted to really be a part of it. Considering my mom and I have so many things like clothes and books to give away, I felt we’ve finally found the means to do it.
Miracle Machine is a Facebook application where the goal is to get all of us and our friends, as well as all of their friends to work together to help the less fortunate. Let’s face it, most of us are internet addicts and Facebook is the most successful social networking site. Why not spare a few minutes and resources to help out via Miracle Machine then we can continue on with playing Farmville or checking out our friends’ status updates.
As Kraft launches Miracle Machine, they wish to whip up 12 miracles in 12 days through Facebook in time for the Christmas Season. Each miracle hopes to help 1 group. For the 12th miracle though on the 12th day of December, a fully functional miracle conduit will be made available to organizations who need it and people with something to give.
- Kythe Foundation hopes to help Angelalyn Magalano, a 13-year-old angel who suffers from Nephoric Syndrome & psoriasis by making her wish come true of meeting a pilot and talk about flying.
- Jamboree Mountaineers hope to make the indigenous tribes’ Christmass in Wawa, Montalban merrier by trekking there and delivering food for Noche Buena.
- Childhope Asia hopes to keep street children warm this Yuletide Season by providing them with new underwear & clothes.
- Kaeskwela hopes to fill the empty libraries of public schools in far-flung areas in the country with educational books.
- The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) hopes to find abandoned dogs & cats new families to take them in by making them adoption-ready through grooming.
- Sagip Buhay & Philippine General Hospital hopes to provide medical assistance for those who don’t have the means & access to proper healthcare with new blood pressure devices & Thermoscan thermometers.
- Firefly Brigade & Tiklop Society hopes to collect 10 bikes and bike safety gear for people in urban communities to help them get from one place to another faster and safer so they can be more productive in their work.
- Tahanang Walang Hagdan hopes to give back to the 326 volunteers who have selflessly devoted their time to the organization by giving them gifts this Christmas.
- Resources for the Blind hopes to record an audio storybook for blind children to bring them to the world of wonder & imagination.
- Museo Pambata hopes to make 2,000 children happy this Season of Giving by gifting them with pre-loved storybooks and toys.
- St. Martin de Porres Charity Home hopes to spread the holiday cheer with a potluck party for the underprivileged kids under its care.
So how does this work? How do we help through this Facebook application? To start, go to the Miracle Machine Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WhippingUpMiracles and click on the Miracle Machine Tab OR you can go directly to the Facebook application at http://apps.facebook.com/miraclemachine.
You’ll see the Miracle Machine in action as illustrated below. You can click “Pitch In” on your chosen miracle and you’ll be given options on how to help.
Like for me, I was interested in helping out PAWS. I was then brought to this part of the machine where they explained what the organization is and what help they need from us. There are choices and we can act on the one that we can make happen. In this case, the choices were:
- volunteer to groom pets
- donate grooming tools
- refer a friend
- share this miracle
- pledge money
I chose ‘share this miracle’ as I know a lot of my friends would love to help PAWS. As I clicked on it, I immediately saw a new status update on my Facebook profile. After a short while, I saw some friends comment and said they wanted to help and are interested. It’s that easy.
In this world we really do leave only a few things that last. It’s how we give back to the next generation, how we treat the least fortunate amongst us, and how we are able to give of ourselves and our time, that will ultimately determine if we lived a life of great fulfillment and difference. I’d like to think that great initiatives such as the Miracle Machine is one of those things that can really provide a difference in the lives of so many people.
I’m checking out the other organizations and options as I write this, I’m thinking of providing books to Kaeskwela, toys and dolls to Museo Pambata & clothes to Child Hope. How about you?
Gotti’s Ristorante
Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 26, 2010
It was another lunch together with Christina and Wendy and I just love it! It’s always nice dining with close friends, bonding and sharing stories together. Last week, we decided to try out Gotti’s Ristorante located at the Atrium of SM Megamall. Gotti’s is an Italian restaurant and I’m not usually a fan of pizza and pasta but what the heck, anything new, I’ll try it at least once.
Gotti’s Restaurant definitely didn’t disappoint. Their food were good, prices were definitely affordable & cheap and ambiance was just perfect. You will definitely enjoy the dining experience especially when coupled with the restaurant’s great service.
There’s real stiff competition out there though when it comes to the restaurants at the atrium. The whole atrium is basically surrounded by restaurants. When you walk around the area, you have representatives from different establishments trying to convince you to dine at their place. The owners don’t have to worry about this though, first time visitors is one thing but returning visitors is definitely another thing, a more important one IMHO. Does Gotti’s restaurant have what it takes for customers to go back? Yes, definitely! Well, especially if you are an Italian food fan.
Here are our orders:
- Cream of Pumpkin Soup (Php 90)
It’s November! So why not order pumpkin soup? We did! So funny that we actually shared this soup among the 3 of us. We didn’t wanna order too many as we had pizza, pasta & rice coming for the rest of our orders. It just wasn’t complete without soup though. I’m honestly really glad that we decided to try out this soup. Indeed, it’s one of those seasonal soups, but the nuttiness, the sweetness, and the creaminess and the perfect seasoning really made this soup stand out.
- Mediteranean Fish Fillet (Php 255)
The one covered in red sauce was the fish. The sauce that covered the fish was puttanesca sauce which turned out to really have strong flavors. Puttanesca sauce is actually something that you put on pasta, not fish. I guess sticking to their Italian theme, they experimented a lil and put it on the fish. It worked though, I loved it! Spicy and a bit salty, full of flavors though. This dish made me so full that I wasn’t able eat a lot of our other orders.
- Garlic Shrimp Pasta (Php 290)
My 2 friends shared this pasta as I’m not really a fan and I have my own order of fish fillet with rice. This particular pasta is cooked with shrimp, white wine, garlic, black olives & mushroom. They told me it was good plus the bread they put was focaccia bread. Very nice. The one that we ordered is ‘to share’ which is a bit bigger than their regular size (Php 198).
- Triple Sausage Pizza (Php 320)
We got this dish at 50% off as we ordered ‘to-share’ size of pasta. It’s their current promo and we just had to grab it. Php 160 for a 12-inch pizza! Where else can you find that? This pizza that we ordered was stuffed with 3 kinds of sausages namely: schublig, hungarian and italian sausage. It was a bit salty though, I guess that’s the effect of having too many sausages in 1 thin dough.
- Fresh Dalandan
My cousin doesn’t drink iced tea but would usually get dalandan juice. It’s not on the menu but the restaurant was able to make it for her. Hot and fresh as requested. Wow! That’s what you call service! Rarely do you find that kind of service in a public establishment in the Philippines.
- Gotti’s Frozen Iced Tea (Php 75)
Gotti’s best seller drinks! They have 2 flavors for their iced teas, either dalandan or strawberry. I ordered the dalandan one while Christina ordered the strawberry flavored. We both loved our orders! The dalandan tasted just right, not too sweet like the strawberry one. It really depends on your preference. Both are good, take your pick.
Too many good restaurants to try out these days which is why I always make it a point to at least try out new restaurants every so often. Honestly, you can really find some nice and wonderful gems out there in the big sea of restaurants. Gotti’s is definitely one of them. Glad we tried it. So, if you haven’t tried it out yet, maybe you should try it out today.
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Gotti’s Ristorante
The Atrium, SM Megamall, EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 634-0348