Blogapalooza Blast-Off Event at Fully Booked

A few weeks back, I was invited by a friend to sign up on a particular web page about a Blogger's event named Blogapalooza. It's an event where top influential Bloggers and Businesses meet. So just to try out if I can be included, I signed up. I was even surprised to get an invite on my inbox because I don't consider myself as "influential" or anything synonymous to that word but since I got it, I said yes.

September 17, 2011 at the 5th Floor of Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street, I came to the event from my last day of work. Honestly, I am having a hard time comprehending some of the stuffs since I haven't slept well. but I tried my best to stay on focus and absorb all the things that I still can.

I saw familiar bloggers there like Cheryl Golango of littlerunningteacher.com , Sir Rene Villarta of jazzrunner.wordpress.com, Coach Carina of flyingboar.blogspot.com and CJ Paran of runadoboking.wordpress.com.

Proud of my blog link posted on the Photo Wall! ^_^

I arrived just in time for lunch (lol!). We had nice food from Italiannis and a very tasty natural fruit juice from Healthy First. Before the event actually started, we had some wiggle time to get to meet and greet fellow bloggers, and even get a chance for a free photo courtesy of the roving Photobooth! I think this concept of roving photobooth is great so event visitors won't need to pile up in long lines just to get their photos taken.

He takes our pictures and print it real time from the printer that is on his back...

...and he takes great pictures like this! Cool huh?

After a few minutes, Vince Golangco or commonly known as DJ Vince from The Wake Up Show with Vince and Tracey sounded the start of the event. Everyone was so excited as great brands and products will present their stuff in a very creative manner, most of them made visual aids as they present in the stage, and I find it cool!

Lay Bare has this visuals of showing the effects of plucking vs. waxing. After seeing what it looked like when it is plucked, I think I'll be a frequent customer now!

There were 50 brands who presented their stuff and everyone is given around 5 minutes on the stage. All of the presenters were good but some really got my interest on them.


PHITEN

This thing I always see being worn by runners, and triathletes around their neck is quite interesting because I know they won't just wear it to accessorize themselves. As the presenter gave a short information about the product, I got more curious about it. This Titanium thing that helps in alleviating pain from the body and improves circulation? this is really something!

Phiten Booth at the event. Besides necklace, they got other stuffs too!

Aqua Titanium, the active ingredient on this product is proven to ease pain, improve circulation and many other health benefits that one can enjoy of.

Right now I am wearing the necklace that they included in my loot bag for a week now. What I noticed is that I feel more energized and I get to have a better sleep when I wore them. Also, my sleepiness at work were lessened. I don't know if it's Psychological or what but if it works, who cares?

I plan to wear it on my weekend LSD's (Long Slow Distance) Runs and let's see the effect...



ORYSPA

I avoid eating simple carbohydrates like rice, but for sure I cannot resist this rice bran product called Oryspa.

My baby loves this!

The Baby Powder smells so calming. I tried putting some on my palms and it feels like cornstarch, but a finer, much acceptable version. I tried putting some on my face (I have a very, very oily skin) and let it for about 2 hours and I was surprised it kept my face matte. If only this powder covers up like foundation I will use it as a make up, or I can also try it as a retouch powder? Hmm, I'm gonna give it a shot!

Mom took it, and she never let go!

I tried the Meditation Balm and it was a great for perking up whenever I feel so sleepy at work. I also put it on my skin when I got mosquito bites or itch and it makes it go away. I also tried to put it on my dry skin and it acted a as a cool moisturizer. The smell is so naturally lemongrass and the texture of the balm is not greasy, lube-like feel. When my Mom saw me putting some on my forehead while watching tv, she gave it a shot and since then, I lost my precious balm. Now, where can I buy this stuff?

What surprises me the most is that this product is "Filipino Made". I swear if I haven't heard the presenter beforehand that this is a Pinoy Brand I won't even suspect it to be. It's not that I don't like Filipino products, I patronize, really, I do! But the packaging of this is really world-class! This product can be put on the line of imported products and I swear it will stand out! Classic and simple designs will always be a hit.


360 FITNESS CLUB

As a runner, it is a necessity to get in shape and because of my new work that has a crazy night shift schedule, I hardly even train. The result? I am gradually gaining in the fats that I've already lost from hardcore training I did months back. So devastating!

When I heard about a 30-minute total, overall body workout I said, "This is something I need to try!". The presenter showed us the Circuit Training and how it is done. I've heard some friends who have tried and benefit from this workout and I can see its effective on them.

Since I'm a busy bee and I hardly find time to do some stuffs I think 30 minutes won't be much if I'll invest it on getting into shape. I'm gonna try out this gym soon!


AVIRA

I consider myself a semi type techie since I spend most of my time on the computer and I also work using it. I am very particular with Antivirus stuffs because I have experienced being attacked by Trojans (The virus, not the person from Troy) and other types of viruses. I spent hours fixing it and at the end, I just clean installed a new OS (Operating System) on my computer, erasing all the files on my hard drive. Bad news is, I lost all my precious files including my old, cherished photos. So I won't let that happen again! :(

 

I used to have this a free Antivirus Software that I find effective in filtering and blocking these viruses. But I know that's not enough. There are times when I experience some glitches on my PC that I know was brought about by those strong viruses that the free ones cannot or don't detect since they just offer limited protection. When Avira was presented to us, I didn't doubt about trying it on my PC.

I just installed Avira Enhanced Surfing and Email Protection software on my PC and so far it's working well. The interface is user friendly and it doesn't take much of my attention since it's working on the background. When I did a scan it detected around 20 Trojans and other stuffs I am not familiar of.

I think this one works for my needs as a blogger. I'll be keeping this one as my PC virus protector.

FARMER JOHN'S PREMIUM POTATO CHIPS

Before I became a fitness sensitive person and before I was diagnosed with Diabetes, I used to be a professional couch potato. From candies, chips, sodas and other munchies that you devour on the couch while watching a favorite movie and tv shows, name them, I've tried them! But now that I am getting myself into a fitter, healthier lifestyle, I have forgotten all of those and now I chose what I eat. It was so hard at first but eventually you'll get used to it.

Healthy alternatives for snacks has become an instant hit to health conscious consumers. I, for instance, have been so thankful when the sugar-free chocolate bars and candies were made available in the market. Low fat chips were created as well. I've been a frequent customer of a well known health store since then but these products are so pricey that I even thought of not buying because they are really hard on the budget.

When I saw this chips on the booth at the back, I interviewed the lady on the booth and asked her about it. This product is made by Leslie's, one of the major makers of chips in the country (I love Clover Chips!) is the one who brought Farmer John's Premium Potato Chips. It is naturally made from Atlantic American Potatoes, which is the best tasting potato breed. Zero Trans Fat, Low Sodium, Low Carbohydrate and has Protein, Calcium, Vitamin C and Iron. Wow! For a chips like this, It's really something!

I've tried various flavors like Cheddar and Sour Cream, Mesquite BBQ and the one that I like most, the Simply Salted.

For just 12php for the 20 gram pack and 45php for the 90 gram pack it really is budget friendly and the taste will keep you opening a pack again and again.

Don't take my word for it. Try it! (I hope they're already available in major grocery stores now).


HUMAN NATURE

Besides being conscious about my health, I am also an environmentalist. I always support products that are natural, biodegradable and non toxic.

Human Nature is a natural product that is paraben free, petrolatum free, naturally scented by essential oils and is 100% free from harmful chemicals. I have tried their All Natural Hand Sanitizer which smells so naturally citrus. It comes on a spritzer so it's easy to use and unlike other alcohol-based hand sanitizers that leaves the hands squeaky clean, my hands feels moisturized and soft.

The Lip Balm, Oh! I so love it! It keeps my lips so moisturized and plump. It really ended my dry lip struggle! To think that this has no petroleum, it moisturizes like one. And it's tasteless! One thing I hate about Lip Balms and Gloss are the awful plastic-like taste when you accidentally taste them, and I heard its bad for the health so now I have no worries.


TREEHUGGER

I am a Tree Hugger (I love hugging huge trees because I feel they're hugging me back!) and being an environmentalist that I am, I also patronize recycled products. I have bags made out of flour bags and rice sacks and I love them. Another one recycled product I started loving is the Treehugger Pens and Pencils!

What I like about this is that it's 95% recycled! Made out of used carton, newspaper and believe it or not, corn cobs! The plastic is made out of it. I don't know how they did it but I am amazed that it can be done. Why do plastic makers not even thought about this? Can we suggest them to use this as raw material for making one?

Anyway, proceeds from buying this pens and pencils will go to the restoration of our country's indigenous trees through Haribon Foundation. at the bottom of the pack it says "You just did your part in saving the world". Sweet! ^_^

These are just some of the products I love. All those 50 products were equally amazing as well.

Thank you so much Cheryl Golangco for sharing to me this opportunity that opened me to a lot of great products and most especially to Vince Golangco of wheninmanila.com for choosing me as one of the top influential bloggers and letting me join this great event and oh! Congratulations for the successful kick-off! I am so looking forward to the next one, and I hope I will be invited again.

Proud to be a member! ^_^

"The Blog is mightier than the sword", "We came, we saw, we blogged" - here are some of the quotable quotes I saw posted around the venue, and I so agree with this. I started blogging about my experience in running with Diabetes just so to let out my thoughts and ideas, but never did I imagine I could reach lots of people across the country and the world. I can't even imagine I even touch hearts through my story of living a sweet life regardless of having a diseases, which they find very inspiring.

Now more than ever, I am hyped up to write more and share more of my experiences. To continue to prove that nothing can hinder us from doing the things that we love, not even Diabetes.

As what I always say, "I run not to win over other runner, I run to win over Diabetes."

Good Vibes everyone and Sweet Running! ^_^