I believe that scents can affect moods, which is why I always carry perfume with me, have tons of candles, diffusers, and lotions at home, and keep different kinds and varieties of essential oils next to my bed and on my desk. For essential oils, I rely on lavender to relax and peppermint to help me with my concentration at work. Now I’ve just expanded my collection because Danarra just launched six variants that are perfect for any occasion!

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I love pizza but I’m not adventurous when it comes to it. I usually only order the pepperoni or the Hawaiian, and only eat unconventional flavors when someone orders it. I believe that you shouldn’t fix what ain’t broke, and those two variants are more than enough for me.

So I was skeptical when Yellow Cab invited me to try their new line of pizzas, named the 5 Boroughs Pizza, inspired by the five legendary boroughs in New York City: Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. And boy was I wrong. Whatever happened to trying something new every now and then? I’m glad I did because I ended up loving them.

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I like it when institutions take art out of the intimidating space of the museum and gallery and put it in high-traffic areas for everyday people to see. Not only does it make a space more beautiful, it allows people to see how talented Filipino artists are. It makes my heart swell with pride when I hear record-breaking visits to Art in the Park and Art Fair Philippines.

SM is joining the movement to bring art to everyone with Art For Everyone, a week-long exhibit across 23 SM Malls to showcase the talent of local artists. I got to visit the exhibit in SM Aura, where they featured works curated by the Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS), a non-profit aimed to promote children’s literacy, explore national identity, and deepen public appreciation for Philippine art, culture, and the environment.

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I have to admit something. I’m half-Japanese but I wasn’t always a fan of ramen. I thought it was glorified noodles and I didn’t understand why they were so expensive. I’ve tried some of the popular ones but couldn’t understand the hype, until I tried the really good ones. One of those is Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen.

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Just after the successful Philippine Readers and Writers Festival and the AsiaPOP Comicon Manila, it’s another great week for readers because of three events that’s going to be held in Manila. There’s the much-awaited Manila International Book Fair, the second Book Binge Bazaar, and the Manila visit of actor and author Nico Tortorella!

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One of the things I notice in a man is how he grooms himself. No matter how handsome or stylish you are, a lack of hygiene can break that. I’m not even talking about luxury perfumes or a 12-step skincare routine. Sometimes, all it takes is a good deodorant.

Old Spice has transformed boys into men with their line of deodorants, bar soaps, shower gels, body sprays, aftershaves, and colognes. Ask anyone about the brand (regardless of generation) and they’ll talk about its inherent masculinity. After all, Old Spice is the manliest grooming brand on the planet.

Besides Old Spice, one of the things that conjure images of masculinity is a motorbike and the brand has partnered with Ducati for the Spice Up Your Ride raffle promo, where a lucky guy can win an exclusive Old Spice edition of a Ducati SuperSport!

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The Philippines may only have two seasons, but the latter part of the year brings cooler air, overcast skies, and a buzzing excitement for Christmas. When it comes to style, it becomes time to replace the short shorts and the tropical prints for layers and darker colors. I love this time of year so it’s no surprise that my uniform is made up of “fall” colors like black, white, gray, and blue!

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I love burgers and one of my favorites is Jollibee’s Amazing Aloha. Its unique flavor combination of a burger and a pineapple is so unforgettable that even Anthony Bourdain was smitten, calling it a “very tasty burger” when he tried it for his show Parts Unknown.

The Amazing Aloha Yumburger is set to return for a limited time only and I’m super excited for it!

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