Make Your Summer Sexy, Colorful, and Sun-proof with Watsons!

It's summer time! Make your summer more interesting and exciting with Watsons! Make the most of your summer, go out and enjoy the sand, sea, and even the sun! This year, Watsons says, make the summer yours.

Watsons’ “Make Your Summer” campaign wants you to stop hiding and create the perfect summer according to your rules. With all the products available in stores, Watsons surely has something for all the fun activities you’ve got planned so you’re free to do whatever you want without any worries.

This summer, make your road trips around Davao! As most tourists know, both local and global, it’s a hot vacation spot because of all the places you can go to and the things you can do!

Make your summer sexy and flaunt your bikini body for everyone to see with our safe and effective slimming products. Visit the nine majestic islands of Samal, and enjoy its beautiful white sand beaches and exotic wildlife while you’re at it.

Make your summer colorful and be fashion forward with all the vivid hair colors we have—from fabulous browns, fantastic blondes, to fiery reds. Show off your beauty like the amazing array of pearls found in the tranquil Pearl Farm.

Make your summer sun-proof and be confident to go anywhere! Go hiking in Mt. Apo, the highest peak found here in the Philippine Archipelago.  There’s no more need for hiding from the sun because at Watsons, we know that it’s important to get protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays. That’s why we have all the sun-proof tools you need for a safe and awesome summer. Defend your skin from burning and sun damage with amazing sunscreens like: Nivea, Vaseline, Banana Boat, Beach Hut, Solstice, Biore, Sunplay, Belo, Neutrogena, Cetaphil, Celeteque,  Kojie San, Hawaiian Tropic, Dermplus, Ponds, and Olay.

Make your summer more exciting with this super exclusive treat for all our SM Advantage Card Members. Get a chance to explore the wonders of the Philippine islands with getaways for four to Batanes, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, and Palawan.  Just buy our participating products and for every PHP500 single-receipt purchase, you get 1 e-raffle entry. So, go to any Watsons store or The SM Store Beauty Section now and get summer ready as the promo is from February 23 – April 26, 2017.

And if you’re not yet a SMAC member, now’s a great time to join. The new “MEMBERS GET MORE” program makes shopping more rewarding than ever before. Time to get MORE POINTS, MORE SAVINGS, and MORE VALUE!

Isn’t it so exciting? Watsons has several stores in Davao so that they can always prioritize the health and personal care needs of Davaoenos! Have fun and make your summer perfect! Dali na, adto sa pinakaduol nga Watsons store!

Fire & Ice : Dinner Buffet at Marco Polo Davao's Poolside

The Deck at Marco Polo Davao opens it's Fire & Ice dinner buffet every Friday and Saturday night for only Pphp1,300 per person. You can enjoy sumptuous grilled items like lamb chops, tiger king prawns, sausages, pork, and chicken with unlimited serving of local beers. You will also be entertained by the Subak Fire Dancers while you enjoy your food and drinks at the poolside.

Aside from the grilled items, different kinds of salads, appetizers and ready-to-eat food are also available for you to try. A couple of desserts and slices of fresh fruits are available for desserts.

Both you and your kids will surely enjoy your Friday or Saturday night this summer season at Marco Polo Davao. So, visit The Deck at Marco Polo Davao and make your Friday or Saturday night memorable.

Seafood Buffet at Marco Polo Davao

Looking for seafood buffet? Visit Cafe Marco at Marco Polo Davao every Friday and Saturday and enjoy a seafood dinner buffet! Their promotions has already started and will end until April 29. For only Php1,500, you'll get an abundant choice of seafood favorites like crabs, shrimps, oysters and other shellfish as well as different kind of fishes prepared according to your preference.

Had a chance to try Cafe Marco's seafood dinner buffet and it was a blast. There's just a lot of seafood items to try.

The best thing about this buffet is you can have the seafood items cooked the way you like it. Be it grilled, fried, sauteed or eat them fresh.

So, what are you waiting for? Dine at Cafe Marco every Friday and Saturday and satisfy your cravings for seafood!

Paskris Tree Ceremony: A Meaningful Start of Easter at Marco Polo Davao

Around 2000 eggs were hand-designed by Marco Polo Davao associates and their family to mark the Easter celebration!

A triathlete’s adventure

A student of Ateneo de Davao University, and a triathlete, JJ Sarona manages to excel both in sports and academics. What's his secret?

“It’s just a matter of time management. We all have 24 hours a day to manage and I usually plan out my week in advance and adjust it accordingly. Planning the week helps me keep track of the time and make sure everything is balanced,” said Jj Sarona, a 20-year old young man who’s thinking is mature beyond his years.

He was valedictorian in elementary and high school at Philippine Women’s College. In college, he’s consistently on the Dean’s List and won in minor academic contests.

Even before entering the tertiary institution, he became a dedicated athlete.

At 15 years old, he caught an edition of the Durianman, a triathlon that features cross channel swim, bike and run legs. There was an instant attraction to the sport.

“Even as a spectator, I was able to feel the thrill and excitement of the sport. I fell in love with triathlon because of the variations during everyday training. Training always involves a new adventure day by day.”

He joined the Triathlon Association of Davao (TRIAD), the same group that hosts the prestigious local triathlon event that got him interested in his sport.

The variation of the sport is what excites him. There will always be something new every year, something unique will always come up around the corner, a new adventure, said this young thrill-seeker.

Triathlon in Davao has a tight-knit society. The camaraderie and support, no matter what team one belongs to, make the sport fun. Competition is tough but it is fun.

“I train 4 to 6 times a week during race season and off-season, 3 to 5 days to maintain my fitness level. By myself on weekdays and with my teammates from TRIAD during weekends.”

Just like the achiever he is in school Jj excells in his sport. He marks “the youngest triathlete to finish the 2015 Ironman 70.3” held in Cebu as his greatest feat. But given the training involved for each contest no matter the distance, he sees every finish as great feat in itself. He has raced in Subic, Bohol, and Phuket for the Ironman 70.3 Thailand, his first race outside the Philippines. Actualizing that commitment into action is already a big achievement, he said.

When asked how education complements athletics, he replied, “School can be quite demanding and sports balances it out, since this is where I can release stress. We all need some kind of release from all the stress in life that’s why it’s recommended we all take some sort of hobby, even if it’s not necessarily through sports.”

Jj cites that one thing in common with the two roles he play is grooming. He prefers to keep his hairstyle short for very practical reasons—it lessens the drag when racing and it adheres to the university requirement, plus, it feels fresher and cleaner. Short hair works for him since he’s not fond of taking time just to fix my hair in the morning. “Less shampoo and no styling wax needed. that takes off time from my morning routine.”

Haircut is every two weeks at Rocky’s. “Rocky’s and I have the same birth year,” he revealed.

“I grew up with Rocky’s. My father and I go to the SM City branch. I tried out another barbershop but since I am starting to have a more hectic college schedule I went back to Rocky’s SM since it’s nearer and more accessible from our home.”

“Besides keeping my hair short to feel fresher, I always make sure I have a bottle of fragrance with me everywhere I go.”

Living an active life and staying in school almost all day long, especially with evening classes, takes a toll on odor. A long lasting fragrance will do the trick.

Recently, Jj discovered Adventure, one of the fragrances of Rocky’s

“I tried out Adventure perfume and the smell really describes the name. It has a very distinct smell I like, and the scent can excite the senses, just like an adventure. It also lasts long throughout the day.”

“It delivers to my senses the feel of a triathlon – it’s not boring, it stands out from others, and it endures.”

Rocky’s for his haircut and Adventure as his fragrance of choice, Jj personal grooming will leave a good impression on the people he interacts with daily in the sports arena and in the school campus.

“In triathlon, we all have their photos taken and these serve as memorabilia for races. No matter how tired we are after the race, we put our best smiles forward for the photographers to commemorate. Grooming helps me look fresh in the midst of strenuous physical activity. And wow that I found Adventure, a scent in an easy-to-carry bottle, to look, smell, and feel fresh is no problem.”

What is Jj’s adventure?

My adventure is to continually be better than my old self – may it be doing better in school, or beating my personal records in triathlons. Life is an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride but I believe I can always do better and that I can achieve what I want to achieve.

Adventure perfume, from Rocky’s new fragrance line, is available in all Rocky’s Barbershops at Victoria Plaza, Abreeza Mall, GMall, SM City & SM Lanang Premier in Davao City, and Centrio Ayala Mall and SM City in Cagayan de Oro City.

Easy & Tasty Jolly Summer Recipes

It's summer once again! I am pretty sure you are already planning for your summer getaway with your friends and family. But of course, aside from outing, you might think of things to do this summer season. Well, think no more. Cooking is the answer. Hahaha. You don't have to worry for recipes because we're giving them away. Here's I Love Davao and Escape Manila's food recipes to try and enjoy this summer.

Creamy Jolly Corn & Asparagus Soup

Ingredients 

1/2 can of Jolly Whole Corn Kernel

1/2 can of Jolly Cream of Corn

1 Medium Onion - chopped

2 bundles of fresh asparagus

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon plain flour

1/2 tablespoon chicken stock powder

2 cups water

1 small can of evaporated milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the onion and stir until onion is transluscent.
2. Add the Jolly Whole Corn Kernel and Jolly Cream of Corn.
3. Add the chopped fresh asparagus.
4. Add the flour and cook for a further minute. 
5. Pour the water in slowly while stirring to ensure mixture does not become lumpy. 
6. Cook stirring until the mixture thickens and boils. 
7. Add stock powder. 
8. Simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. 
9. Pour in the milk, salt and pepper. 
10. Bring soup back to the boil and serve.

Jolly Beef Rice Bowl

Ingredients

Neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil

2 medium onions, very thinly sliced

1 lb very thinly sliced beef (fatty beef chuck or ribeye)

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 cup chicken stock

4 cups cooked short-grain or medium-grain white rice

1 bundle of fresh asparagus

1/2 can of Jolly Whole Corn Kernel

Procedure

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, and cook the sliced onions for about 10 minutes, stirring often.
2. Add the beef and sugar, and cook until the beef is slightly browned.
3. Add the soy sauce and the stock.
4. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10-15 minutes to reduce the stock into a thin sauce. 
5. Add the sliced asparagus and Jolly Corn Kernel.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Divide the rice among 4 bowls, and top it with the simmered beef.

Maja Blanca ala Ilongga

Ingredients

1 can of Jolly Coconut Cream

1 can of Jolly Coconut Milk

1 big can of evaporated milk

1 can of Jolly condensed milk
2 cups shredded young coconut (buko)
2 cups nata de coco

¾ cup sugar

1 can of Jolly Whole sweet corn, drained

2 cups cornstarch

½ cup hot water

Chopped peanuts

Procedure

1. In a large pot, combine coconut milk, Coconut cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk and sugar. Stir well until blended and sugar is dissolved. Over medium heat, bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add corn, shredded young coconut, nata de coco and continue to cook for about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch. Stir well until cornstarch is dissolved. Add hot water to the cornstarch mixture.
3. Gently add cornstarch mixture into milk mixture, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, whisking continuously, until mixture thickens to a paste (mixture will thicken fast). 
4. Transfer mixture into prepared dish, smoothing top with a lightly oiled spatula or knife. Allow to slightly cool, topped with chopped peanuts, cover and refrigerate for about 1 to 2 hours or until completely cooled and set.