Sky Cable Beauty Buffet 2014: Beauty radiates from within

Again, I am so proud and honored to be this year's Sky Cable Beauty Buffet Event Host, held at the SM North EDSA. I absolutely enjoyed everything about this Beauty Affair, for it featured all of my favorite brands in one exciting activity area! We had Pink Parlour, The Face Shop, Etude House, Tony Moly, Maybelline, just to name a few. They all offered amazing services and even showered the participants with tons of prizes and freebies! 

The affair had ongoing pocket activities such as free massage, hair and eyebrow makeovers, nail art and polish, plus exciting game and photo booths! While I onstage emceed the main festivities, which consisted of exciting games and tons of beauty talks - inspiring women of all ages to embrace who they are - for who you are is beautiful! 

 

I thank Ms. Jean de Rama of Niche Play Events for getting me for this very splendid event! I also walked away with my own beauty loot, such as Ponds items and face masks, which I actually use, and which I need for I live a very hectic and stressful life. Caring for myself doesn't mean I am vain, but looking good is always vital to feeling great. And I cannot host events if I do not feel good and confident! More so will I not be able to excel in my day job as Leasing Manager which I value and I enjoy so much, if I do not have enough trust in myself. 

Thanks again, Niche Play and Sky Cable for making me a big part of your wonderful Beauty Buffet this year! I had so much fun, and I learned so many insights on how to better care for myself. 

-Marylaine Viernes

Jo and Jae: A Night of Love towards Forever

So honored to be the host of Mrs. Jo Alano-De Monteverde and Mr. Jae de Monteverde's breathtaking wedding held at the Bellevue Hotel Alabang. That night I shared my passion for words while the couple and their loving family shared their love! 

This hosting gig was nothing short of a blessing as the organizer just called me a week before, and instantly, this sweet couple and I clicked. I had a blast as I emceed for their short yet solemn wedding reception, and since this night, I understood that Love always prevails. There was so much love that night! Love, Light and Life! 

Thanks, beautiful Jo and dashing Jae for trusting me with your special night! 

Indeed, Love comes in different forms. Sometimes, they are not always what we aspire for. That is why I would like to share a very short yet meaningful Christmas story, my favorite Christmas tale, the story of the Three Trees: 

Once there were three seeds who dreamed of what they will become when they become trees, and their wood cut down to become something great. The first seed said that it wanted its wood to become a treasure chest within which the most precious stones will be held, residing in a grand King and Queen's palace. The second little seed hoped to become part of a magnificent ship with the greatest Captain steering it through the most frightening storms. And the third thought it was most grand as it dreamed of becoming a great edifice upon a mountain top, part of a magnificent sanctuary that all the world please drop on their knees and pay homage to. 

Time came the seeds became big magnificent trees, and afterwards came the time they were cut up into wood. The first tree wept at its fate for it did not become a treasure chest in a magnificent palace but simply became a lowly feeding box of hay for stable animals. But one day, a Virgin woman with Child and her husband found that lowly feeding box within a manger, and there laid their newborn child. While the first never held any precious diamonds, pearls or rubies - it held the most magnificent treasure of all - the Word that became Flesh, the Baby Jesus. 

Years passed and the second tree wept at how it did not become part of a magnificent ship, but only that of a poor fisherman's boat. But it was on this very boat that the greatest of all Captains came to calm the storm - it was Christ Jesus who performed a miracle by calming a perilous tempest. 

And lastly, the third tree grew sullen at how it can never be part of a great edifice or castle, for it was just chopped down to became a cross, and he heard for miserable thieves to be punished with. He was dragged for hours only to stand erect in Mount Calvary... and on this Mountain, the Messiah was Crucified. 

Indeed, Life is not always how we wish it to be, but only when we look deeper into our hearts will we understand that God gives us more than what we deserve. Merry Christmas! 

-Marylaine Viernes  

Hooray for Cosplay Animania 2014 !!!

From a string of corporate & brand launches, I now splash into a world of fantasy and color for the first-ever Cosplay Animania, thanks to Eventastic Consultancy's head, Ms. Tiny Garner whom I have known since I was very young. I will always be indebted to her for she gave me a kick start at event hosting - by getting me as the resident events host of Enchanted Kingdom. 

This was one truly mesmerizing party where I saw my favorite characters and Anime characters (that I never even knew existed) alike all come together in one stage for a fashion show and friendly competition. 

To kick-start the event, we awarded Manga enthusiasts for a pocket event consisting of an art competition where three winners walked away with fabulous prizes! The event also featured up & coming bands which literally brought the house down! I loved everything about this event - from the intense energy of the audience - mostly Anime/ Manga enthusiasts who came to cheer for their bet Cosplayers, and of course to the cute Cosplayers who did not only share the backstage dressing room with me, but also their life stories. Some were students, others were professionals - each of them coming from different walks of life, all brought together by one passion - Anime Fashion! 

Congratulations to all the winners and participants of this year's highly successful Cosplay Animania 2014! 

"Imagination is the pair of wings that lets your ideas fly toward reality... just fly with the winds of hard-work, honesty and optimism, then you will surely be led to Success..." 

-Marylaine Viernes 

Hooray for Kidzooona: Loved by Kids around the World!

My life only revolves around 4 things: my day job, Church service, hosting (my passion) and the most important, which is spending time with my sweet boy. I need a perfect balance of these 4 to maintain my sanity. When I am immersed in one of these facets I make sure to give it full focus and energy. Especially when it's playtime with my son and li'l best friend; we take PLAY seriously! 

Discovering Kidzooona is nothing short of a miracle. I feel so blessed to sign them up in the two SM Malls I handle, SM Masinag and SM Angono Rizal. And of course, signing them means loving and knowing them. So I let loose to learn more about them, at their first, newly-opened branch at Galleria! Check out this 800+ sqm wonderland, AEON FANTASY KIDZOOONA!

First Stop: Role Play Land! I love how Kidzooona lets our little ones imagine, explore and live the shoes of adults for a few hours. Above is my son and his friend fighting fire with fun, as cheeky little fire fighters! Below is a snap of the sprawling ball pool and that humongous soft slide! Can you spot my adorable son and my pretty sister in the photo below? 

That big smile on my son's face says it all! 

Kidzooona is unique because of Role Play town, but it is great that they maintained other awesome elements that we loved and improved them! Every kid and kid-at-heart such as myself love bouncing, sliding, going on the jungle gym, swimming in the ball pool, and winning in the arcade! (More on the amazing arcade features on my next post.) 

This inflatable race track got me bouncing up and down with excitement! I even have a video of me and my son hop-skip-racing like bunnies but let's save that funny video for next time! 

Photo above shows me with the President of Aeon Fantasy Kidzooona, Mr. Takeshi Kyogoku, and on my left is the beautiful Ms. Julie Ann Ingua, Kidzooona Philippines' lovely overall head. Thank you so much for such a spectacular time. Playing, learning and having fun inside Kidzooona (which is a big hit in several countries including Japan, Thailad, China and more) is truly an honor! I cannot wait for you to open in SM City Masinag by March 2015. We love Kidzooona! You better not cry now, 'coz Kidzooona is coming to town!!! 

PS: Excuse my sweaty, haggard playtime photos. Who cares about my hair as long as I am having a ton of fun with my son! 

-Marylaine Viernes