Proud to B a Barbie Girl!

We love Barbie! Such is the battle cry when I lead my legions of pretty little princesses in Pink, all loving and looking like Barbie! I can definitely say that I have grown up with Barbie, as the little Barbie girl in me will never outgrow her pretty fab pinkness, and the idea that we can B anything we dream to be (in my case, I continue to discover that this is true!) 

Here's my look back to the recent fabulous holidays I've spent with Barbie - the memories of fun and her endless Barbie jingles still ringing in my head today! All of these fun times are best described with my favorite letter, B! Brilliant... Bedazzling... Beautiful... Breathtaking... Bright... Bravery... Bliss... Bountiful... Blessed...  

First was the launch of Barbie Dolls of the World where we had a fabulous Meet & Greet session at the SM Mall of Asia, with beautiful Barbie dolls on display, and Barbie Philippines came to life as we played a ton of Pink-tastic games and danced ballet! The MOA crowd... 

A week after, we celebrated the Magic of Barbie at the SM North EDSA featuring Barbie The Secret Door where we had a fun and delectable cooking workshop with the beautiful Chef Sabrina Artadi, plus singing and modeling activities too with Center for Pop. We also awarded the Barbie collectors for sharing their awe-inspiring Barbie doll collections and their love to everyone during the holiday season! 

Much love to my Richprime family who has let me live out the child IN me, whose spirit grows braver through the years... for letting me "B" who I really am (sometimes a mermaid, a selkie but often a fairy... sometimes even a mummy!) Love 'em all plus Richprime's Mia and Gilbert...

Summertime and Halloween when I get to become a Fabulous Ghoul with my Monster High gals and of course, almost all year round I get to be Ate Barbie! What a Magical year it has been and I am so thankful! Looking forward to a much brighter and more Pinktastic 2015! Where I have come to learn (like what Barbie says all the time) "Nothing is Impossible as long as you Believe." (Except having a Real Prince. So below shows me with my pretend Princes Charming, but just for that day only...) Here below we had a Prince Cosplayer during the Barbie Princess event (but the shoe didn't fit) plus my handsome peers from SM North EDSA, both Mall Managers) 

Remember that the Best is yet to come! This calls for a Barbie Self-We! 

- Marylaine Louise Viernes 

A Wedding to Remember...

This December proved to be so fabulous as I had a week of hosting Weddings! And who said that February alone was the love month? Love is everywhere everytime! This time I got the honor of hosting the beautiful wedding of Chad and Che (last post I emceed the wedding of Jae and Jo, I guess to be married nowadays meant that you have to find a partner with a name that starts the same letter as yours huh?)

This breathtaking wedding with a lovely coral pink theme was attended by an intimate number of family all of whom witnessed the ten years of the couple through thick and thin. We had our usual program a bit of the games, a bit of trivia about the usual symbolic parts and a ton of well wishes and meaningful messages and prayers for the beautiful couple!

Thanks for trusting me with your beautiful December wedding and more blessings to come for you both! - Marylaine Viernes

Kicking Off 2015 with Convergys Libis

I welcomed 2015 with my first-ever hosting gig for the year! Got the pleasure of being the host of Convergys for their New Year kick-off party. It was a crowd of almost 500, and every bit of it was fun and the program reflected the talent and passion of the people working for this esteemed BPO company.

What I loved most about the party was that the festivities were so grand and yet people were so humble and basically laughed and clapped along with me all the time and my corny jokes were sold out at this event! Theme was Glow and Growth, so excuse my amateur dark photos! We were all shining bright like diamonds that night.

Highlights of the part apart from the usual Star of the Night awarding was the "Let it Glow," where a representative per team would belt out this famous Disney song but replace it with lyrics reflecting their teams' values and goals. 

The other one which was called "Glow and Show" was a freehand talent show and this fun activity proved that these hardworking people were not just resourceful and hard driven, but also very thankful to the company. In everythig we must give thanks as I believe that positively and gratitude is the indefatigable Stream of Heavenly Grace. 

What a great start! I'm looking forward to a 2015 brimming with joy, blessings, good health and energy (despite tons of work and activities) and so much love and wisdom! Thanks, Convergys CVG for letting me crash your awesome party! Keep Growing and Glowing! 

- Marylaine Viernes 

Broadway & Glitz: The 2014 SM Metro Malls Christmas Party!

What a great way to give thanks to the company I have been with for the past 3 years (and will stay here for as long as I can), than to emcee for the SM Supermalls' Corporate Christmas Party for the Metro Malls division. It was one fabulous affair, and while it was different from my usual hosting stints because this had all my bosses, and even the Sy family present in this affair - I still had so much fun that night! Now this is what you call a SY-lfie - when you get Mr. Hans Sy, President of SM Prime and Ms. Annie Garcia, President of SM Malls join you for a fun group-fie!!! SY Cheese!!!

This year's theme was Broadway, and I got the honor and pleasure of co-hosting the party with another SCMC employee, Sir Jason Alvarez, the Group Marketing Head of the Central South region of SM Supermalls, and of course, DJ Show Suzuki whom I have known for quite some time now not just through hosting gigs, but also because he is a tenant at my first SM Mall, SM Center Pasig! Talk about multi-talented! 

Photo below shows me giving the guys, my male co-hosts a headache... 

This was held at the SMX and every single bit of it was fun - it wasn't just the fact that I was one of the emcees, but it was more of meeting old and new friends from this company that is my second home (or even perhaps my first now since I spend so much time in SM Malls, not just in the ones I handle). The only sad part was that I did not win in the raffle when I had been concentrating on bringing home the Ipad or even a Juicer this year. Why? Because the HR said I was not qualified for the raffle draw because I just got transferred to non-Metro SM Mall, and I was emcee that night, so they didn't even put my name in there. Shoot. So here I am below just eating my sorrows away. Lol. 

It was one fabulous 2014, I am so thankful for my SM Life, which has opened so many doors for me! Most importantly, is because even if I live a very hectic life with my day job at SM, I still get to emcee so many events every week, can you believe that? Plus I get to still devote quality time to everything else that mean so much to me - my family especially my growing son, my Church family/ Lector service, and everything else in between. My hopes are clearer than ever, and I look forward to an even brighter 2015!!! #Excited #LookingForward 

Photos below with my loving bosses: Women of Wisdom and Integrity. They are Ms. Annie Garcia, President and Ms. Liza Silerio, Vice President. I owe them a lot and they are among the reasons I stay despite the challenges, and in spite of myself. I also can't thank my other bosses SNL, BDH, GPJ, RLC, RMM, my partners & good work pals enough! (Can you imagine how many bosses I have and people I have to contend with? Lol.) But seriously, these two lady superiors below have always believed in & encouraged me, that is why I want so much to be successful, to prove that their faith in me is another one of the many reason why they are BRILLIANT.  

Lastly, thanks Mr. Hans Sy. He and his family have been inspirations not just to me or the SM Family, but to every Filipino who believe in Hard-work, Integrity, Creativity and Dynamism. So many things I've learned in this company, that I can never find elsewhere.

Thank you Lord for all the opportunities that come my way and for the energy to take on them all. Sometimes I wonder why you throw so many challenges my way. Is it that you have so much faith in me? Again, I Thank You, Lord. Amen. #BringItOn2015 #Faith

- Marylaine Viernes 

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