Train or Shine: Fun with Thomas & Friends!

Even as the storm hit the country, rain or shine (or should I say, Train or Shine?), there was no stopping me from emceeing the most exciting party! The world's most-loved tank engine, Thomas the Train, finds its way to SM Southmall, where he was greeted by his adorable little fans some who even came in their Thomas-best outfit! But these little boys all went crazy as the Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt went onstage and danced with his awesome engineers! It was just Choo much fun! 

It was also a post-birthday bash as Thomas celebrated his 70th birthday this year, after first being welcomed in the Railway Series... Here were the four winners for this event's costume parade: 

And let's not forget the talented train engineers who danced alongside the Fat Controller, they are so well-TRAINed in dancing indeed (plus, they were also the guys underneath the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mascots who showed off awesome ninja dance skills too!)

Tank Choo for dropping by; have a train-riffic day! Happy Birthday to Thomas, may you and your friends have many more years of smiles and fun! 
*****

- Click Here for Marylaine Viernes Website
- Click Here for Marylaine Viernes Hosting Portfolio

Sportsmanship at its finest: the Manila Polo Club Awards Night

Please watch my opening spiels for this wonderful, awe-inspiring event; just click on this link below to view the video on my Youtube Channel:

Marylaine Viernes for Manila Polo Club Event Awards

I just feel oh-so-blessed to have glimpsed Manila's crème de la crème as they partook in the most prestigious annual sporting event, the Manila Polo Club Grand Athletics Awards Night. It was only my second time to enter the exclusive club, and boy has it become grander than what I have imagined. That is why I am just so proud and thankful to be the master of ceremony this year. I apologize for my far-from-artistocratic-photos, but let me tell you that I just had so much fun during that memorable, extraordinary evening! 

I felt so welcome that night; everyone was genuinely warm and helpful! And like me, they also found every single part of the festivity simply special and unforgettable... 

Thank you for the faith. Everyone in the MPC management team (Sir August Samala, the Committee Heads, everyone) were just awesome! Special mention to the lovely head of PR & Communications, Ms. CJ Bismark and officer, Ms Joanne Lacsina. I am so stoked they only found me through my online blog and portfolio, at www.marylaineviernes.org.

 With lovely guest Maxene and Sir Ale, a Club Member and one of the Sports Committee Heads...

Come and Let your Colors Burst... Yup. And we ushered in the magical fireworks display on cue! It was a magical moment indeed! I was as enthralled as everyone as we gazed out the Zobel garden.

 And sorry.. I couldn't resist striking a pose in the trophy room... gives off Harry Potter Hogwarts vibes! My fiction fancies come to life... now, that's my kind of sport... 

That night made me realise that I need to hustle some more to buy me some shares in that club! But if I do get to achieve that, I will be Nouveau Riche (new rich, why not?) so I guess this will at least be for my son who is so much into sports and athletics! Ah, I really pray for the sweet life someday... 

- Marylaine Viernes, Events Host

The TURTLE-y Awesome Day 2 of the TMNT Turtle Up Party!

Videos Up, Turtle Up! Please click the links below for my videos; thank you! 

Marylaine Viernes Hosts TMNT Turtle Up!
Marylaine Viernes Hosts the TMNT Cosplay Parade

I am TURTLE-y (totally) thankful to be this year's April O'Neal for Nickelodeon's TMNT Turtle Up Party! I enjoyed dressing up in my ninja-inspired outfit with the yellow signature-April kimono-sash-accent as much as I loved hosting every bit of it! April rules this month of October!!! 

IT'S MY LOCK-Y DAY. Yep, I survived the The Laser Lockdown, one of the event's awesome features, a TMNT-inspired game arena where you must ninja-move your way without hitting the laser beams otherwise the laser slices your limbs off and won't get an awesome turtle mask prize! 

Here's the totally tubular Laser Lockdown team! 

DONATELL me that you don't love DONATELLO! Because he has always been my favorite turtle back then and until now! With my hair, I get to channel my beloved genius and whiz of a ninja turtle! Like him I am a nerd, and gosh I can only wish that I was half as tech-savvy as he is! 

BOOYASHKA! Look at you, naughty Mikey... Ok, ok I like you too... but Raphael, with that stare doesn't seem to believe what I am saying... And the katana-wielding leader Leonardo here is business as usual and ready to fight!

Feel the Rat... I mean, Feel the Wrath of Master Splinter. Here is my favorite boy, who won back-to-back Best in Costume during the Kiddy Cosplay tilt... for Day 1, he came in as Raphael, wielding his double sai daggers and on day 2, he was none other than... the greatest of them all: Master Splinter!!! 

Here are the two other winners for the Cosplay segment... Leonardo and Michaelangelo! They are brothers in real life too... they were lean and green but certainly sweet, not mean! Way to go Turtles; Congratulations! Now, let's all grab some yummy pizza and celebrate!!! Totally shell-tastic dudes!

So you said I wasn't a Ninja? Here I am in my true Ninja Turtle form, but in the art of ninjitsu, I am more like April... with the microphone as my greatest weapon. Commanding the crowds. Watch out, Leonardo! I just might be the next leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... Booyaskha!!! 

I cannot wait to live out my dream... and it involves going to Manhattan, New York! But for now, I will be helping in the fight against crime and will be striving to make the world a better place in my own li'l way, armed with the microphone as an events host and the pen, as a writer... Can't wait to see you New York.. and I come there not just to search for the Teenage M. Ninja Turtles and their hideout... but to someday soon, fulfil the greatest of my dreams... 

Marylaine Viernes, Events Host & Ninja (Click Here)

Shell-shocked and stoked at the TMNT Turtle Up! (Day1)

I am still rocking and shell-shocking the house down, showing off my ninja moves as I simply cannot shake off the awesome experience of being this year's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Turtle Up event and party host with Nickelodeon for it was totally tubular and tu-good-tu-be-tru!!! It was simply TURTLE-Tacular to bring the house down with Raph, Leo, Donnie and Mikey! This year, I got to be April O'Neal or should I say April O'Yeah! Loved my yellow top, but excuse my fat turtle shell of a tummy... But who cares, I am friends with the Ninja Turtles! Yeah!!! 

As a child, I have always loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in fact and now as a mum, it's just become a lot more fun as my kid loves it 4 times more than I did! Check out my boy who was ten times more excited than I was. And trust me, I was SOOOO Excited! Here he is on the way to the event, first as Michaelangelo, and then Donatello... 

 And now, check out my very own little Raphael! A true TMNT kid just like me! 

And check out this other cute little Raphael I met there too... so many cute turtle boys there! Ninja Turtles unite! See you all for Day 2!!! It doesn't get more TURTLE-tastic than this! 

 

- Marylaine Viernes, Events Host & Ninja (Click Me)

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!

 ***

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) 

Glam up and go: Our Pink-tastic Runway Party with Barbie!

I am still buzzing with doll-light (delight) as I recall sharing the stage with Barbie girls from all over the country who answered the call to glam up and go sashaying down the pink carpet! Yes, Barbie girls unit once more for another memorable party with Barbie! Check out my #BarbieSquadGoals photo: 

PAINT THE TOWN PINK. Yes, Pink is the new red, and it is also Rad! Barbie girls came and conquered - in their cute little Barbie heels, too! 

BARBIE STEPS. Yep, the world is our runway and we can conquer the world with each small baby Barbie step... you just have to always step up, keep going and be better than you were before! 

One small step for Barbie... one giant leap for Barbie-kind! Yes, Barbie girls the world over are kind, helpful, sweet, smart and optimistic! The world loves Barbie girls!!! 

PINK POSITIVE. It was good, pink vibes all over! All of our Barbie girls who walked down the runway shared the biggest glowing smiles! Ah, it's so wonderful to live in a Barbie world! 

PINK UP THE PIECES. Yes we had so many awesome games, most of these involving pink trinkets; here Barbie girls got to design their very own Barbie tees and brought home glam prizes! 

PINK HAPPINESS IN A BOX. Got my dose of happiness boxed in today! It's not everyday that you get to be Barbie, and so, I am happy to share my honorary Barbie doll pose at the Photo Box: 

BOX OF 3S: Check out my Barbie crew... who says you cannot have three Barbie dolls in one box? Spell F-I-E-R-C-E! You KEN be anything you want to be, with Barbie! 

PINK PLATFORM. Just check out the cool set-up before the event began! The Toys R Us Girls Fair is magically fabulous! Loved the tiara arch that made the Barbie girls feel like runway royalty!

 

- Marylaine Louise Viernes (Click for more Pics)

Celebrating my memorable birthday with Thomas and Friends!

I spent every day of this week with a-TRAIN-aline (adrenaline) rush, as it had been so fantastic turning a year older - but still staying a child-at-heart! I greatly believe that my son and my work as an events host really keeps me young at heart and spirit and hopefully I won't look as old as I really am, too! May the good times remain and become greater!

This year was indeed special - for I celebrated the eve of my 17th birthday alongside Thomas the Train aka Thomas the Tank Engine's 70th birthday at the SM Mall of Asia! (Yes, I am only 17! Alright, fine... It's my 17th birthday for the 12th time!) I spent the day hosting with my son and his adorable little friends as they choo-chooed along the fun tracks with Thomas and Friends! We played games, listened to stories and even sang Thomas a Happy Birthday song!

Above: These adora-boys aboard the story express... and below I play more games with the kids and hope that I didn't disappoint them in my Train Conductor outfit... though I do need to lose weight otherwise, I will soon be Miss Mary Topham Hatt - the Fat Female Controller! 

And here I am below with the adorable Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt! 

Lastly, Thank you so much to my wonderful Richprime Global Family and welcome back, Ms. Julie! Glad you are once again Fisher Price's beautiful, hard-working and dedicated brand manager! 

Lord, Thank You for giving me another year of life and the chance to become better than I was before. I am grateful of Your endless mercy that even with the mistakes I've made, you have blessed me with so much more, and make me hopeful that I can look forward to a brighter Life with You and the people You bring into my life who let me feel Your Love. Bless me and my family always that I may be able to do what I love to do, and be enriched in all aspects, and protect us from all evil as we grow in You. Lead me closer to my dreams each day, and remind me always that I am nothing without You. Amen.

- Marylaine Louise Viernes (Click for more photos)