Disneyland is truly the happiest place on earth! Even with more than 40 years between our youngest daughter Athena and I, this magical place warmed our hearts.
Enjoying a short vacation in Hong Kong, we joined my favorite aunt Mary de Leon and family for two entire days in HK Disneyland—which was all decked out with Halloween décor, and had one attraction dedicated to spooking visitors: Mystic Manor.
The street parades had the Disney villains as main characters, with Maleficent the most applauded.
Apart from the Disney characters, Star Wars Stormtroopers were present throughout the day to delight all. Several of the Disney cast members are proud Filipinos.
HK Disney’s musical director Rony Fortich, who has been with the Park before it formally opened, took us around and shared wonderful insights on the shows.
His partner, my cousin Jon-jon Rufino, was delighted to take his adorable twins Lilith and Lucian to almost all the attractions.
Athena and I want to visit Tokyo Disneyland next year and keep the child in us alive a little longer. Age is just a number, and we should learn to live wisely and healthily.
Partner in wellness
Filipinos now have a bright partner in their wellness journey, as Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. launched GoWell, a community that offers credible information and exciting events to help one achieve the best of health.
“Sun Life has always envisioned a brighter life for every Filipino, and that requires not only financial security but also being in the best of health,” explained Sun Life chief marketing officer Mylene Lopa.
“Once in a while, we’re able to champion wellness through special events and CSR initiatives, but now, with GoWell, we will be able to really partner with every Filipino on their wellness journey.”
To join the GoWell community, visit www.gowell.com.ph and register for free. The site offers fitness and wellness content with articles from experts, such as 360 Fitness coach Chappy Callanta, sports nutritionist Harvie de Baron, yoga instructor Monica Manzano and The Sexy Chef’s Barni and Rachel Alejandro, among others.
A GoWell membership also comes with several benefits, including discounts in partner establishments such as R.O.X., The North Face, Newton, Runnr, New Balance, Hi-Precision Diagnostics, CW-X, AQ Support, Urban Ashram, Anytime Fitness and Garmin, and access to community workouts such as Zumba, cycling classes and yoga.
GoWell is led by The Bull Runner, Jaymie Pizarro, who is Sun Life marketing manager for health and wellness.
To further inspire Filipinos in their journey, GoWell tapped celebrity ambassadors apart from Jaymie. Passionate about our wellness activities, I join Rovilson Fernandez, Bubbles Paraiso and Piolo Pascual in the promotion of fitness in our hectic lifestyle.
At the GoWell weekend at beautiful Shangri-La Resort Boracay, GoWell ambassadors and media friends enjoyed different activities like Sweat Dance Class, running in the beach, yoga and Zumba.
Jaymie welcomed everyone and encouraged all to live life to the fullest, because a healthy life is definitely a brighter life.
Volvo’s new flagship vehicles
Sun Life has been a partner of Red Charity Gala for several years now.
Weeks after the gala, I was back at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La at the Fort for the unveiling of the flagship vehicles of Volvo—the 90 Series.
The two new models, the XC90 luxury SUV and the S90 luxury sedan, represent Volvo’s new design direction and showcase Volvo’s latest technologies on powertrain management, safety and connectivity
“Tonight we launch the Volvo XC90 and S90, each a masterpiece, where every little detail is there for a reason. Where everything we know about technology, design and safety are brought together to take your journey to the next level,” said Alberto B. Arcilla, Volvo Philippines president.
The event was a feast for the senses. Guests were treated to a sumptuous five-course dinner specially crafted to bring out the flavors of Sweden, Volvo’s home country.
Hosted by the first lady of musical theater, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, the show featured a slew of talents, with acclaimed artists Nicole Asensio, Kettle Mata, Daryl Ong, Opus One, Manila String Machine and Triple Fret regaling the crowd with outstanding performances to accompany the true masterpiece of the night, the Volvo 90 Series cars—Volvo’s magnum opus.
With over 118 awards since its global launch, Volvo’s new XC90 SUV has earned accolades the world over. Garnering votes such as Car of the Year, Best Luxury SUV and Overall Best in Class, among others, motoring institutions, publications and associations all gave top marks to Volvo’s reincarnation of its world’s first seven-seater SUV.
The S90 is Volvo’s new premium four-door, five-seat flagship sedan.
It is built on the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), Volvo’s advanced modular product platform that will underpin all new Volvo cars in the 90 and 60 Series.
In closing, I would like to congratulate Briccio Santos, president of Film Asean and former chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), who was recently conferred the Order of the Star of Italy (Ufficiale nell’Ordine Della Stella d’Italia) by the Italian government, through the Embassy of Italy led by Ambassador Massimo Roscigno.
The equivalent of a knighthood, it recognizes select individuals in various special fields for their outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of friendly and cultural relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries.
Held at the residence of the Italian ambassador, the event had friends and family of Briccio witnessing this conferment, along with guests from the Department of Foreign Affairs and diplomats from Asean and the European Union.
It will be noted, too, that in 2013, the French government also acknowledged Briccio’s advocacy of promoting Philippine culture through cinema when French President Francois Hollande knighted him as Chevalier dans l’Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight in the French National Order of the Legion of Honor), one of the highest distinctions conferred on individuals by France.
