My PAN-tastic Big Screen Adventure!

A friend flatteringly remarked on my birthday that I don’t seem to be ageing to which I retorted that it was because "I ate fairy dust for breakfast..." (although I cannot say the same now as I am becoming stouter by the day and so I need to get my diet and exercise act straight). And just imagine my excitement upon learning that fairy dust was actually the secret of Captain Blackbeard’s might, strength and youth, in the movie, PAN! I still cannot get over the thrill after watching PAN last night, thanks to Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox Philippines, who invited us to the premier night screening of this delightful film, which was truly special to me, for it had the two essential elements that for me make a memorable film: Spirit and Heart. This truly stirred awake the child in me who believes that someday, I will be able to fly!

First of all, the baby Peter was just so adorable and as this lad grew into Peter, he was absolutely a lovely boy who was perfect for the part! His lovely eyes are like the mermaid lagoon which can drown you in its brightness, beauty and depth! And I can definitely say the same for the rest of the cast, especially Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara), the mermaid (Cara Delevigne) and Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman). And while I agree that even Captain Hook (Garett Hedlund) was definitely not how I had expected him to be, he was well cast and endearing, getting me hooked! This movie mounted this classic villainous character into a whole new light that I actually appreciate and admire Hook now! And… I totally need to be Tiger Lily this Halloween!

Best of all, I absolutely loved the Christian undertones as I am a sucker for everything relatable to the Catholic faith. Apart from the classic religious subjects such as “true love,” “sacrifice,” or “free will and its consequences”, I was gripped with themes like how Peter Pan was the prophesied boy who shall return to free his people when the time is right… how he grew up in poverty and hardship… that he was half man, half fairy… and most of all, that he was the son of Mary… I am sure that there is no explanation needed there!

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I enlist all of you to catch this high-flying, ship-sailing magical journey before they sail back to Neverland and Never return! It will most certainly awaken that part within us – the little boys (or girls) – who, like Peter Pan will remain young, hopeful and faithful. All you have to do is to fly to the theaters (by thinking of happy things) and it doesn’t get any happier than this movie! Believe me when I say that every bit of this movie is magical! Take the family along because this adventure is so much PAN! I mean, fun!

- Marylaine Louise Viernes (Click Me) 

It's a Jungle (and an Adventure) out there!

So many takeaways indeed from my recent hosting gig from Friso Four, the highly-anticipated and well-attended, Friso Fun Raiders activity, held at the Podium Mall! Here are my brief learnings from this exciting Mommy & Kid adventure: 

1. The world is a magnificent, yet dangerous place. Thus, it is always important to stick close to the pack. And by this, I mean your family - the people who truly love and care for you - who will be by your side no matter what. It is important for kids to know that they are backed by a loving - though imperfect pack - who will be there to support them always. And for moms and dads, it's awesome to know too that we can also have our packs outside of our homes, like-minded moms and dads who can be the community that helps build our little kids. I love my family and small group of friends - this small pack that I belong to. The world is totally a scary place, but you will need your family's support to get you through. And I pray that my son will always find himself secure with us. 

2. To lead the pack, you gotta learn how to listen. I think this tenet applies not just to parents who need to learn to decipher their kids' needs, but also everywhere else - at the workplace, day-to-day living and most especially among our country's leaders. It can't just always be roaring about your might - you must also know what your pack (your family) needs, to arrive at the proper solution. Just like me as an event host, while I keep talking on stage with my energy up, I must also learn how to be sensitive to the needs of my audience, the client, the production team and of course, my new-found friends - the moms and dads who came there to enjoy and learn more. Oh, and let's not forget my little boy who likes to tag along to my events. I have to learn how to balance my work as a professional events host, while making sure that he is always safe, and happy. And that leads us back to having people in our pack, who we can rely on and momentarily entrust our little ones to. 

3. Just be happy, and give it your all. I am really so fortunate to be able to host events - to do what I love to do - while fulfilling my obligations as a manager in my day job, and of course being a mom as well. I have finally learned to live in the moment, to appreciate what I have now. I have grown out of my terrible habit of looking back or sometimes wishing to be somewhere else or leading another person's life - when I have my own imperfect yet still so blessed, wonderful life to take care of, and appreciate. 

- Marylaine Louise Viernes 

Love and Passion come alive at 'The Longest Ride'

I am so blessed to attend the press night of Warner Bros. and Fox Philippines’ latest box office hit, “The Longest Ride,” and was pretty much everything you’d love in a movie – superb, breathtaking, heartwarming, inspiring – except that I found its title very ironic for it wasn’t a long ride at all; in fact you won’t get enough of this gripping story of life and love, it will leave you applauding with tears in your eyes, asking for more! Those hours were just short yet sweet and mesmerising. The movie unraveled the beautiful foundational layers of love, such as respect, humility and sacrifice.

PHOTO ABOVE PROPERTY OF WARNER BROTHERS

“The Longest Ride” is adapted from the novel of the same title but Nicolas Sparks – who never failed to make me cry since I met him (through his books) during my college days – really produced a winner in this one. This movie is so delectable with a zesty twist you never expected! It resonates the truth of how love is a seed that grows love really starts with just the seed of pure, simple intentions, and definitely, as it grows, it leads you to something beyond your wildest imaginations.

The characters were powerfully given life in the movie. The beauty and charm of Sofia (played by Britt Robertson) simply grows on you. Shy yet spunky, she unwittingly finds her prince without looking for him, only because she is destined for him (and she shows how destiny is synonymous to sacrifice and selflessness). And you can’t help but take a second, luke her bull-riding prince, Luke (played by Scott Eastwood). With his Clint Eastwood-solid-faced good looks, laced with gentlemanliness, you can’t help but gush every time they share the screen!

Everything about the movie was simply spellbinding, the generations of love in the film, and the different forms that Love takes. Beyond the romantic love between Sofia and Luke, they also meet Ira after they save his life but it turns out that it was he who saved their love as he walked the young couple through consummate love and solidarity. I loved how the story spoke of how simplicity – of simply loving and sacrificing without demanding the same, of simply helping without expecting praises or monetary rewards, of simply listening without expecting any gratification in exchange, of simply letting go for the simple reason that you love the person and you want her to be happy. Indeed, the story tells of how Love and Life should never be complicated. That all it takes to find lasting greatness is a pure, selfless heart. This movie is the epitome of subtle perfection and as I do not yearn to spoil the plot for you, to excite you let me quote a line from the movie that simply summarises this beautiful tale: “A story like so many others, except Ruth happened to have an eye for art while I had eyes only for her and somehow this was enough for us to create a collection that became priceless to both of us.” 

- MARYLAINE LOUISE VIERNES 

Total Glee with Total Girl!

I love being a girl again! I feel that I have finally evolved into a woman, with the different roles I treasure as a mom, a corporate girl, and striving entrepreneur, but it is essential to always keep that little girl inside of me. As a mom, I enjoy playtime with my adorable boy. At work, I always have to keep churning new ideas out. I also help out with my parents' small businesses, and of course there are still those dreams I have yet to fulfil. 

In the meantime, I try my best to juggle it all, and that is why I am thankful that my hosting work - especially with Total Girl Magazine events - help me develop new ideas, and I get to savor some of the indefatigable good vibes from all the beautiful and smart Total Girls I meet. So let's look at the recent - totally awesome and exciting - Total Girl event held at Elizabeth Seton School: 

 Total Girl and 3m (Post It and Scotch) made sure that the girls unleashed their creativity with awesome activities that made their imagination run wild. 

My college degree is BSE English Linguistics. I am a licensed teacher too! Although I am not a full-time professor, I get to teach and enjoy during my hosting jobs. I am also my baby boy's teacher (we are trying to get serious with Basic Mandarin, he can now say 'Hello,' 'Good Morning,' 'I love you,' and 'Good Night,' in Mandarin) but perhaps we save that for another blog post! 

 Total Girl Big Sis, Beam Mariano all smiles as she wows the Setonian Total Girls with her impressive handcrafted products! An artsy entrepreneur with a big heart (and a big smile too). Visit shopartwine.com to see more of her crafts!

 And of course our other beautiful TG Big Sis, Ines Bautista - Yao below, talking about she fulfilled her magnificent dreams. You can tell most of the kids in the crowd look up to her (especially the biggest kid there - me!)

Loved the well-rounded activity that talked about reaching for your dreams, overcoming your fears, making and keeping great friends and more. I have come to learn that DREAMS need BFFs too, in order to come alive. They are: 

Determination. Never stop, no matter how hard it seems to be. Everything is hard at first, so commit to your vision. Stay focused, always. Responsibility. You need to be accountable for everything you do towards your dreams. Own up to your mistakes, learn from them and continue to better yourself! Energy and Excitement. To keep the dream alive, you must continue to believe in it, even if nobody does at first. Never give up! Action. Turn that energy into something good. Don't wait for the perfect opportunity for it never comes. Make it. Carve it. Chase it, right now! 

Mentors. Okay, so you have an awesome idea, all the 15-year old energy in the world, but are you heading on the right path? Listen to wisdom of people who have been there, and who  genuinely care for you, to help ensure you are on the right track.  Simplicity. So I really wanted to put in HUMILITY for I have seen how important true humility is. So be simple and humble always. HUMILITY is the foundation of all the other good values that you will need for the journey. (D.R.E.A.M.S.)

Thank you so much, Total Girls! Stay sweet, joyful and don't stop believing in your dreams! - Marylaine Louise Viernes

Let's get it on with EPSON!

Thankful for the chance to be the master of ceremony once more for EPSON's annual business review and partner recognition night, this mesmerising event was held at the Shangri-la Hotel EDSA, with their very apt and simply phenomenal kick-off theme, "Partners in Excellence." For the amateur video, please click on link below:

EPSON 2015 at Shangri-La Hotel

This year proved to be more fabulous and exciting for the generous EPSON team led by President & Country Manager Tanaka San, along with Sirs Cris, Ipe and Jeffrey, along with the beautiful ladies Ms. Macy, May and Melai (plus the rest of their amazing team) made sure the program was unpredictable and peppered it with raffle draws where one lucky guest won an Iphone 6! 

But more than just the fanfare and the prizes, was really the recognition ceremony, where top-performing partners were honoured while EPSON also rallied all their partners, both the long-term and the promising abecedarian ones to continue with hard-work, creativity and unfailing commitment for EPSON Philippines has really got so much in store for them all - from sales incentives to overall operations support. 

Indeed, I feel so blessed to be working with EPSON again as emcee for their business preview, and I look forward to working with them for the years to come. And I am extremely happy for all their business partners in attendance, for they get to work with such a renowned global brand, the forerunner in technological equipment and service, coupled with amazing people to keep the company and its products flourishing. EPSON is indubitably number 1, today and for the years to come. - Marylaine Louise Viernes