The Girl Behind the Pen

If you're someone who is already thinking of taking a leap of faith into the world of business or someone who already did and just want to learn more about the industry, I bet the Franchise Asia 2019 is for you.

Philippine Franchise Association brings to Manila the biggest international franchise expo in Asia. It will be held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay on March 29-31, 2019.

Franchise Asia Philippines 2019 will be presented with two themes, “Growing Businesses, Building Legacies” for the Conference and “Be the Boss” for the Expo. 

PFA Executives from left to right: Chris Lim, Director for ASEAN and Special Projects, Richard Sanz, president and Director for Ways and Means, Sherill Quintana, Director for MSME Development and Homegrown Franchises (Non-Food), Dr. Alan Escalona, Chairman and Director for Innovation and Fred Moreno, Director for NCR

"With a high success rate, franchising proven itself to be a reliable model for embarking on a business even for newbie entrepreneurs," says PFA President and Bibingkinitan founder Richard Sanz.

For more information, visit www.pfa.org, www.franchiseasia.com, or www.facebook.com/franchiseasiaph. You may also contact the PFA secretariat at (632) 687-0365 to 67 or email pfa@pfa.org.ph.

If there's one thing that comes to mind when you hear about Korean desserts, bingsu tops the list. But don't you know the country of oppas is also famous for its ice cream? Kiss the Tiramisu is the living proof. 

If you happen to pass by a cafe in Hongdae, Seoul with a long queue, it must be Kiss the Tiramisu. People line up for their eccentric but delicious soft-serve ice creams made with premium ingredients including the mascarpone cheese which stands out as the one element that binds everything together into a one sweet symphony. 

And instead of putting the ice cream in cones or ordinary cups, the soft-serve comes in gold-rimmed plastic goblets that you can take out of the store and reuse, which takes the ice cream experience to the next level.

Because it easily caught the hearts of many, the brand has grown to 14 branches all over South Korea and 20 franchises overseas including Australia, China, Canada, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, soon in Paris and of course, the Philippines.

Shirley Vy-Wong, CEO and President of Foodeology, Inc., brought this famous Korean dessert shop to the Philippines last year, making its first branch in Makati. Since then, many Filipinos have fallen in love with Kiss the Tiramisu's famous soft-serve ice cream and other desserts.

Shirley Vy-Wong, CEO and President of Foodeology, Inc.

Shirley Vy-Wong with Jiro Kim. founder of Kiss the Tiramisu

But how about those who live in the North? This question from those who live far from the central business district prompted Shirley to open another branch of Kiss the Tiramisu. Thus, they opened one in TriNoma Mall in Quezon City. Now, every Filipino can experience the hype of this luxury Korean dessert. 

Sure, tiramisu ice cream is no stranger but Kiss the Tiramisu will give you a different delightful form of experience! They pride itself with its perfect and melts-in-your-mouth layers of vanilla ice cream made only with milk—no water added, mascarpone cheese, mocha and butter cookie crumble, coffee sauce, and dark chocolate shavings. 

Original Tiramisu, P265

It has almost the exact list of ingredients as the Original Tiramisu, only replacing the coffee sauce with matcha sauce and adding a fine dusting of matcha powder.

Matcha, P285

They say, no Korean dessert is complete without its famous delicacy injeolmi or sticky rice cakes dusted with roasted soy bean powder. This flavor serves you a sweet part of Korean culture. If you like your desserts sweet and savory, you'll find this more than enjoyable.

Injeolmi Ice Cream, P265

This is an exclusive flavor offered only in the Philippines. It's like a different take on the famous pinoy dessert halo-halo. This dessert is crafted by Chef Kat Diploma. What's in the goblet are the layers of ube cake, leche flan, crushed barquillos and soft-serve vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce and an edible 24k gold that makes this dessert an Instagram-worthy feature! This is also known as the Billionaire's ice cream.

Midas Touch, P295

Aside from the ice creams, Kiss the Tiramisu also offers cakes to satisfy your sweet cravings. They have the Classic Tiramisu Cake and Matcha Tiramisu Cake. And because the holiday season is here, they have their specialty Christmas cakes namely Peach Cheesecake and Oreo Mousse Cake (a personal favorite).

Kiss the Tiramisu is located at the Ground Floor of the Mindanao Lobby Entrance of TriNoma Mall, Quezon City.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Safilo, an Italian brand eyewear since 1934, makes its way to the Philippines as it launches its line last October 11, 2018 at the Manila House Private Club in Taguig.

The brand is known for its finesse line of eyewear promising fit, finish and comfort that is built to last. This year, Safilo is establishing its presence in the Philippines in an effort to expand their global mark in the industry through its official distributor, Ark Trends Inc., for the Filipinos to get the look that matches their personal styles. 

Vincent Cleme, Safilo's Asia Pacific Asosciate Director for Brands, introducing Safilo's collection to the Philippine press

Vincent Cleme, Safilo's Asia Pacific Asosciate Director for Brands; Ramesh Dargani, CEO of Ark Trends, Inc.; Rajiv Dargani

Safilo has brought world class and luxurious eyewear labels including its statement brand, Carrera, alongside Jimmy Choo, Fendi, Hugo Boss, Max Mara, and Dior to feed the Filipino's classic taste.

Part of Jimmy Choo collection

Safilo and Ark Trends selected a few artists and models to represent the six (6) brands. Singer and artists Miggy Chavez of Chicosci and actress Mara Lopez represent Safilo's own, Carrera.

Miggy Chavez of Chicosci sketching her model Mara Lopez

Mara Lopez in Carrera

Isabelle Daza for Fendi

Carlos Celdran and Atticus King for Hugo Boss

Coleen Garcia in '70s fashion by Dior

Rhian Ramos in Max Mara

Soleil Ignacio and Bubbles Paraiso in Jimmy Choo. The brand's latest collection embodies the young women

With its undeniably classic fit to style and purpose, Safilo is one brand to look forward to that will streak to the top in the Filipino market.

Fendi

Hugo Boss—the eyewear for the businessmen

Carrera

Ermita, Robinsosn Magnolia, and Trinoma; Optical Works in SM Lucena, SM Lipa, Festival Mall, SM Dasmariñas, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, Shoppesville, SM North Edsa, SM Marilao, and SM

Pampanga; and George Optical in Solenad Sta Rosa.

Dry season is yet to come, officially, but we can already feel the humid weather in Manila. So, that calls for sleeveless and short bottoms—anything that is perfect for summer.

While there's nothing wrong with keeping our exterior body parts well-maintained, let us not forget that there's something inside us that also needs attention. So, is there anything that we, women, need to learn about health and wellness? Apparently, yes. 

Before you read on, this is not about sexual intercourse as the title could have suggested but this is about the expression of our femininity—the vagina. I know, most of you already cringed just by reading the V-word because it's a taboo subject. Can't blame you on that, girl but the fact that it is part of us and is the most significant element in a woman's body, we have to discuss it one way or the other.