Always a Fairy Happy Halloween at SM Makati!

Growing up, I would frequent SM Makati. I loved everything about that mall - its convenience, proximity to my home back then, plus the fact that it was in the middle of everything. And now, I have more reasons to love it, since I have hosted their exciting Halloween Party for the second straight year! Last year, I was a WINX Club Fairy, and this year, I rose up a notch as a Fairy Queen! Donning my same pair of lovely, shiny wings as last year! Only this time, I had a silvery crown! 

I am always thankful each time I get to host for SM Makati, one of my most favorite SM Malls and SM Store branches, because not only do they let me soar on my fairy wings and spread my giggly loud happiness and game ideas; I have also made a ton of lovely friends! Above are the awesome marketing team of the SM Store Makati, and special shout out to Ms. Nikki Angela Cruz, the Marketing Manager, and of course the handsome Prince Miami Santos (above) who continues to trust me with their events. Plus my friend and former high school classmate, Jonner Galerio a.k.a Blue Cabanlig, all part of the efficient & talented SM Makati team. 

The place was packed! We had fun games, a dog show, a costume parade and of course, trick-or-treat! Everyone took home loads of fun... and Candy!!! 

So here's my son's stash for this year... How can we ever gobble these all up??? And so, to end my blog, I would like to share a photo that is very, very special to me. The very first time my little sweet joy went trick-or-treating with me (yes, he enjoyed Halloween even before he could even walk!) Here he was, I believe only a year old or less... I was dressed as Maid Marian and he, as my very own Robin Hood! My first year as a mom, but you can never take my love for Halloween away from me. Indeed, so many reasons to love this time of the year; it is totally a sweet season, and I am not just talking about Candy!

-Marylaine Viernes  

Day 2 of the Monster High Freaky Fusion Howl-o-ween Party!

The show, the prizes, candy during the exciting Day 1 wasn't enough, for more little monsters came back for Day 2 for another Howl-tastic time at SM Megamall! I still had my Nefera De Nile look but this time my dress was all ghoul-den (golden) glam! 

For the second day, we had more games and surprises, plus another fab round of Meet & Greet and Photo Op with the favorite Fusion Monsters from the latest hit movie! 

 

Thanks so much to my awesome friends at Richprime Global Inc., partner of Mattel for all the best toys in the world, and for making me part of these claw-some events that lets our toys and imaginations come to life! And thanks, Badette (photo above) for helping me fix my royally misbehaving mummy lace! 

I just love Monster High! And I also love this adorable Skelita girl here, who came back to have fun with me and our skeleton crew on Day 2! 

- Marylaine Viernes  

Day 1 of the most Fang-tastic Halloween Gig ever!!!

This year, I got to host not just one but two Monster High Shows at SM Megamall. And as I always say, "Halloween is the one time of the year when I can be myself again..." Indeed, even as a young girl, I have always loved Halloween, from those fun trick-or-treating activities with my childhood friends, and now even as an adult, I still get to take part in this fabulous fun time.

The stage is set! Look at that HUGE Crowd at SM Megamall! And this was just Day 1! It was really so fang-tastic, monsterrific and ghoul-ectrifying to be there! 

 

For the 2-day Monster High Meet & Greet Howltastic Howloween Party, it was all about the latest Monster High movie, "Freaky Fusion." I chose to get dressed as one of my many favorite characters - Nefera De Nile, big sister to her royal highness, Cleo De Nile, captain of the Fearleading Squad, and daughter of The Mummy. And well, among all of the characters, Nefera is oldest and it is apt to take on an older character. This calls for a MEGA MONSTER SELFIE! 

Top photo shows the winners for the Day 1 Freaky Fusion Costume Contest. I had so much fun, probably more than the kids did! LOL. From dressing up, putting on makeup and accessories and totally leading the party, I got to do what I love to do most, while being my "true" self. And of course, my sweet son had to tag along. Here is his photo as CLAWD WOLF, and I as his "Mummy."

And here I am with my very own dear sweet young skeleton crew. I first met these three lovely gals at our summer event held at SM Aura Premier. They are dressed as my favorite, Jinafire Long, Draculaura and the popular Frankie Stein. Hope to see you again girls!

And to end my post, bet you didn't know these cool Halloween Trivia: 

1. Halloween is known to begin in Ireland back when Irish people were known as the Celts. This tradition was first known as Samhain. - Thinking of Ireland makes me remember by very special friend, John, who is half-fairy just like me. 

2. Did you know that some people actually fear Halloween? This condition is called Samhainophobia. Again, this term has its root word, "Samhain", which harks back to the first days in Ireland. 

3. Among kids all over the world. 93% go trick-or-treating per a survey done last year. What happened to the 7% they truly are missing out on a lot! But thanks to super cool establishments like SM Malls, Halloween is able to reach out to more kids, and thus pepper their childhood with fond (scary) memories, and tons of cavity from candy! 

Thanks for dropping by, and Happy Halloween, Beautiful Monsters!!! Here's my photo with the Monster High SKELETON CREW; fabulous COSPLAYERS dressed up as ( From L-R): Lagoonafire, Cleolei, Clawvenus and Dracubecca... With yours truly, Nefera De Nile, big sister to her royal highness, Cleo De Nile, descendant of Pharaohs. And don't you forget that. So, don't you wanna be a Monster too?

Please watch out for my Day 2 post, plus my awesome hosting gig for SM Makati too, dressed as a fairy queen! 

-Marylaine Viernes

Total Empowerment with Total Girl and 3M's Post-It & Scotch

Totally had a fun time at Colegio de Sta. Rosa for the Total Girl Talk, with Summit's Total Girl Magazine, presented by Post-It and Scotch, by 3M. I totally loved the fact that I got to bond with creative tweens as they showcased their dreams and passions through the Dream Boards, thanks to Post-It and Scotch products, which I have loved using ever since I was a little girl, a student and now as a professional. But more than that, I was over the moon when I saw my friend from way back, when we used to live in Alabang Hills - the ever beautiful, Miss De Rivera who is now the brand manager for 3M! Loved seeing her again, truly everything about this event harks me back to the time when I was just training, hoping, praying for my dreams - the foundations, I'd say, for a lovely and bright future. Also I cannot forget my good friend and Ate Beth, who used to work with me for the Mattel (Barbie, Monster High and La Dee Da events) but now got me when she transferred to Summit! I am so thankful indeed; I have yet to really achieve all my dreams, but I can definitely say that I am certainly getting there! 

I am so at peace where I am now. I know I am going somewhere great. I am no longer in a rush, going in circles the way I used to. Plus I get to do the things I love most - hosting for fabulous events every single weekend non-stop, while working for a prestigious company, where I recently got promoted as Senior Manager! But while I am happy and ALWAYS, ALWAYS busy, on the flip side of the daily buzz is that I barely have time for myself, there's just so much to do and I tend to have so many things on my to-do list daily. After I accomplish a building-load of things, there's another truckload coming in! But good thing I never forget, thanks to my Post-It Pads which I love! 

Okay, I am already getting carried away with day job and my own life's milestones, so let me get back to the fab Total Girl Talk again now. For this event which I hosted, we also featured two inspiring ladies, in the persons of Ms. Beam Mariano and Ms. Ines Bautista. Both ladies are very talented indeed, and they taught the lovely Total Girls how they too can one day achieve their dreams! 

The best part was having the bosses of 3M including my friend the beautiful Missy De Rivera and the Publisher of Total Girl, Ms. Leslie Bulatao - judge the winners for the Dream Board design activity using the best and coolest new products from Scotch and Post-It! 

Indeed, we all had a mesmerizingly wonderful time and I am just so happy to be part of that Total Girl Party! Watch out for the next Total Girl Talks coming in your campuses soon! 

Love, 

Marylaine Viernes 

La Pergola Verde: Manila's hottest new events pavilion

It truly is a pleasure and a blessing to be working with the amazing Romero family for the past 5 years, through their events firm, Worldexco, thru which they have mounted the most prestigious events and the most monumental trade shows and expos. This time, I get the honor once more not just working with them as master of ceremony for their recent event, but also to see their triumph as a family - in their latest venture - La Pergola Verde. 

I have been working with the two lovely Romero sisters, but here I am now with Noel Romero, their younger brother whom I have met for the first time in the past years I have been working with their family. He is also very hands-on with La Pergola Verde.  

Situated at the heart of Pasay, near the boundaries to the cities of Manila and Makati, La Pergola Verde now rises as an elegant and awe-inspiring events hub, perfect for weddings, birthdays, debuts, graduation parties, and of course corporate events. It can house over 500 guests and can perfect accommodate your event needs with state-of-the-art amenities. 

It was truly an affair to remember, attended by the who's who of the events industry, and also they gained the support of only the best caterers in the country! In fact, Mr. Steve Tamayo, president of Tamayo's Catering, known as Caterer to the Stars & Celebs was not just there to support the event, but to also let us savor their best culinary offerings. Best of all, he also gave one hit dance number with his waiters! Wow, talk about Talent! 

I am thankful and blessed indeed to be working with the wonderful Romero family. I hope to work with them for the years to come and I wish them all the best in all their endeavors!

To all my beloved friends and readers, should you have special events in life soon, please make La Pergola Verde your venue of choice! Here is where you can create lasting, beautiful memories!  

- Marylaine Viernes 

Four Hour Zumba Fun at the GNC Fitness Marathon!

I can never forget the blaze of colors, the shrieks of joy and excitement, and the warmth of the Zins and my newfound Zumbanatic friends at the GNC Z-Dance Fitness Marathon 2014! I was, of course the proud emcee slash Zumba dance trainee! All the Zins (Licensed Zumba Instructors) were simply amazing, and the big crowd of over a thousand Zumba fanatics were just so fantastic! Please check out my opening spiels, and I hope you appreciate it. Kindly excuse my crazy mismatched Zumba outfit - it's a fashion crime I know, (discotheque meets neon sporty), but what the heck? Nobody cares as long as we all did our best and had fun! Check out the video by clicking this link: GNC Burn 60 Fitness Marathon Event Video.

I think that of all the events I have every hosted, this would be the largest! Over a thousand came to dance their way to fitness and make history as we mounted the first-ever, four hour Zumba dance fitness marathon! I would also like CRIZOR Photography for these wonderful pictures! 

So, there we were, dancing for four hours (okay, so I only participated in like 5 songs) but I was staring in amazement the whole time. Zumba was really a fun way towards a healthier lifestyle! Kudos to GNC for coming up with a groundbreaking, one-of-a-kind activity to raise awareness towards wellness. 

Would like to thank the events extraordinaire of Sixth Sense, Mr. Alec Pang and Manny for trusting me to host this fun event. They are also fabulous dancers and Zins, known as the TwinZ!  

With the many things I take on (a day job, event hosting, church service and my son), I am reminded that "Time is Gold... and so is our Health. Use both wisely, for these are the fundamentals to everything else that we aspire for in life."  

- Marylaine Louise Viernes

A ton of fun at the Dolan I-Learn School Caravan!

I have been blessed to take on many projects from Unilab, which is a trusted name when it comes to health and wellness. I was at the Forti-D launch of Unilab and also in their Kidney Care campaigns. This time, I got to work for Dolan! As a mom, I personally use Dolan every time my son suffers from fever. It gives me peace of mind, and it really helps my son heal quickly! 

Meet my friend, SPEEDY! He moves so fast, similar to how quick Dolan helps kids, and gives moms peace of mind... 

That is why I was so glad to be part of this year's Dolan I-Learn School Caravan, with their first leg held at Canossa School in the South. It was really such a fun-tastic event, and very special too since I got to work again with a long time friend, Ms. Tiny Garner who used to get me for many Enchanted Kingdom events when I was very young, and starting out as an events host. I am happy that she now has her own events firm, which you may check out at The Eventastic Website . 

Also, I met a ton of amazing people including Ms. Genevieve Tan the very lovely brand manager for Dolan, and also other friends: a doctor, entertainers who all contributed to making the event a success! I learned so much indeed, and more importantly, had a lot of fun! 

To end, I would like to share a few photos of myself and my energetic boy: One is a recent photo of me and my son, at a fun party in his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume. I also have my throwback photo below, where my adorable son, was barely a year old! Please excuse my filthy clothing in my crazy throwback photo. We just love to play all the time! IN fact today, we even had a long cleansing bath in the rain! I was shivering from the cold, but he had the best time of his life! Now, I need Dolan, too!!! 

"Youth may vanish... the warmth of Love turns cold... the leaves of Friendship falls... But a Mother's Hope outlives them all, and her fervent Prayers prevail throughout her Child's Life..." - Marylaine Louise Viernes