LIST: 10 monsoon season must-haves

MANILA, Philippines — “Preparation is the key to success," scientist and inventor Alexander Graham Bell once said.

This rainy season, the following stuff can help you prepare to tackle any storm.

Enhancing TV viewing

Entertainment for the whole family

Since the rainy days might call for a longer stay on the couch, EasyTV by Solar Digital Media aims to level up one’s TV viewing with the new Super Digi Box, which avows to provide quality shows without commitment to expensive bundles.

A DTT service, the Digi Box offers local free to air and international channels with exclusive content.

Solar Digital Media Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Solar Entertainment Corporation, one of the largest content providers and channel operators in Southeast Asia, is bringing EasyTV to viewers so they can have access to quality entertainment at a more affordable price.

“Easy TV offers consumers a convenient, practical and affordable means to access and enjoy great television content. By combining premium channels with local free to air broadcasts, EASY TV delivers quality entertainment in one small but very powerful super digibox,” said Rene Esguerra, Chief Operating Officer of Solar Digital Media.

EasyTV offers 15 premium local and international channels that provide multi-genre programming, ranging from general entertainment and kids, music and sports, to travel and lifestyle.

Apart from Solar entertainment networks ETC, JackTV, Solar Sports, BTV, and NBA Premium TV, EasyTV is also packed with a channel line-up that includes MTVph, BOO, K Plus, Zoo Moo (world’s first children’s network channel devoted entirely to the animal world), Aniplus, Outdoor Channel, Gone Viral TV (popular online videos now on TV), Zee Sine (Bollywood entertainment), Shop TV, and History channel.

“As viewing habits are changing with the times, we believe that EasyTV will also be a game-changer, not only in the viewing experience, but also in the digital media industry in the country,” said Wilson Tieng, President and CEO of Solar Entertainment Corporation.

The Digi Box comes with a free one-year subscription. After that, you can continue enjoying live NBA games via NBA Premium TV and BTV and other premium channels with a one-year subscription. It will soon be available all over Metro Manila.

Packable rain boots

Rain boots that look like normal boots for rain or shine

With the unpredictable weather nowadays, one must always be ready if not only with an umbrella, but also with a raincoat and a pair of reliable boots.

For those who think that carrying boots every day can be cumbersome, French apparel brand Aigle recently introduced its new line of Macadames boots that come in styles that aim to blend with everyday wear, come rain or shine. These include rain boots in different cuts: riding boots, knee-high, ankle boots, and with fitted calves or decorative lacing, in in-trend colors, flower prints, and lollipop shades for men and women. Among the collection’s key pieces are foldable Miss Marion boots that can be tucked into any bag.

Available at The Podium, Uptown Mall, and Ayala Malls Vertis North, the brand has been known for hand-making rubber boots in Châtellerault, France since 1853.

Candy-smelling plastic footwear

From left: Rina Santos, Shaira Luna, Janeena Chan, Thea de Rivera, and Tessie Singson

This rainy season, plastic footwear is a must-have. First introduced in 1979 with the release of the Aranha, Melissa Shoes was inspired by sandals often worn by fishermen in the French Riviera. By developing plastic into classic designs using modern touches and aesthetics, the brand soon became a favorite among young Brazilian women.

The brand started in the Philippines in 2007 and was officially distributed by Istila Companhia Inc. Today, the brand has 20 stores across the country, with branches that include Makati, Cebu, Alabang Town Center, and Shangri-La Mall. This year, the brand seeks to strengthen its presence in the Philippine market through its first-ever localized campaign.

“The campaign was inspired by current and past collections,” shared Hazel Imperial-Tan, Marketing Manager.

The online campaign showcases a number of style mavens, which includes photographer Shaira Luna, who will highlight the brand’s latest collection, Open Vibes, which invites Filipinas to portray themselves as confident women.

“It’s about a new consciousness and mindfulness – attention to the self and the outside world that is more personal,” said Bridgette Jose, Assistant Brand Manager. “Styles from this collection are more laidback and carefree, as if inviting one to be true to herself.”

Slay all day

The 10 new shades from the collection comes in hues of browns to pinks

For lipstick that lasts all day come rain or shine, Maybelline New York introduced earlier this year its new range of long-lasting matte lipsticks in bold and bright shades of pinks and reds. The collection claims to have a staying power that lasts 16 hours without having to re-apply throughout the day.

As an expansion of its successful matte lipsticks line, the brand has recently launched the Superstay Matte Ink Un-Nude. The 10 new shades from the collection comes in hues of browns to pinks with the same long-wearing and water-proof formulation with a lightweight matte finish. As a treat, the brand has released a discount code, MNYUNUDE, for those ordering the collection from online portal Lazada.

Sunscreen for rainy days

Waterproof sunscreen can provide protection even on rainy days.

The weather could be very unpredictable nowadays—one minute, the sun shines so bright, the other minute, it rains and floods.

To stay protected from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays given the erratic weather, Japanese brand Biore recently introduced its new UV skincare line, which includes a water-proof and sweat-proof spray sunblock with anti-aging properties. Made with sebum-absorbing powder, the sunblock comes in a non-greasy, matte finish and SPF 50+ and PA+++ blockers that prevent UV rays from causing dark spots, freckles and sunburn.

Online safety

Dragonpay Corporation officials

Safety is paramount, whether it rains or not, online or not.

To reduce online shopping risks like not receiving orders or payments, alternative payment solutions Dragonpay Corporation recently launched SureTayo, an innovative person-to-person payment service that makes paying and receiving payments between individuals who do not know (or trust) each other safe and convenient. The service performs the role of a trusted third party who will hold onto funds until both the buyer and seller are satisfied with their transaction.

Robertson “Dick” Chiang, Dragonpay founder and chief operating officer, said the service was created to address the concerns of online buyers and sellers in the Philippine setting.

“A lot of shoppers here don’t have credit cards or even bank accounts, so how do you get them to shop online? How do you ease their worries that their money might go to a fraudulent seller? And for online retailers, how do you gain the trust of buyers? How do you make payment more convenient for potential customers?” he said.

Huggable plushies

Winnie the Pooh fan art

During rainy days, it would be nice to have something (or someone) to hug and keep one warm.

Jack ‘n Jill cuddly collectibles, created exclusively by Toys“R”Us Philippines, are now available in the toy store’s branches nationwide. The entire plush pillow line features Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) popular Jack ‘n Jill snack brands: Nova, Chippy, Vcut, Chiz Curls, Piattos and Calbee Honey Butter. Watch out for more exclusive merchandise from Toys“R”Us and URC.

Spinal care from down there

Cat Arambulo-Antonio (center)

Besides waterproof shoes, reliable footwear with health benefits is helpful come rain or shine.

Wife, mom, interior designer, fashionista, reality show judge, social media influencer, and blogger are just some of the hats the multi-talented Cat Arambulo wears on any given day.  A former stylist and now an interior designer by trade, Cat is very active in social media and blogs about her life and style.

Cat’s “love affair” with Dr. Kong started even before she began working with the brand. It was her mother who introduced her to the shoe brand with foot and spinal care. Hence, the brand is proud to announce its collaboration with Arambulo. Officially known as DK x Cat Arambulo Spring/Summer 2018, the five- shoe collection is composed of casual footwear in neutral colors, including Cat’s signature black and white.

“It’s important to have good shoes for your growing child because this will affect them forever,” she said. “Stability is important!”

The limited- edition collection is exclusively available in the following Dr. Kong branches: Uptown BGC, Greenbelt 5, Ayala The 30th, and Robinsons Magnolia. Established in 1999, Dr. Kong prides itself with arguably being the first brand to provide free foot checking in-store in order to better recommend the most suitable foot care products needed by customers of all ages. Its shoe range includes slides, sandals, pumps, loafers, and athletic shoes for men, women, and children of all ages. Its product line also extends to ergonomically designed bags, as well as foot care products.

Love the country, love the skin

Photo release

Heritage skincare brand Kiehl’s, in collaboration with a New York-based illustrator, has specially designed limited-edition products for the Philippines. The limited-edition products will be available portraying designs that depict aspects of Philippine culture. These designs aim to capture the country’s atmosphere and energy as seen through the product design’s playful and colorful illustrations with bold expressive lines.   

Rainy season washing, drying 

Photo release

To ease moms’ laundry load especially during the rainy days when it is harder to wash and dry clothes, global appliance company Electrolux Philippines, together with its supply chain partner CEVA Philippines, has donated 200 washing machines to mothers, communities and organizations in the Philippines.

Called “Love You Loads,” the program was designed to help lighten the loads of Filipinos through modern appliances. The washing machines will go toward Gawad Kalinga’s and GMA Foundation’s beneficiaries and programs.

“Mothers have so many concerns to juggle – from work to taking care of their children and the house on top of that! Laundry should be the last thing they need to worry about. Having a washing machine in their household can make this chore faster and easier so that she can move to more important things and families can spend more time together,” said  Electrolux Philippines Country Marketing Manager Andrea Soto-Pionilla.

Through the advent of technology, modern appliances have helped to transform the home life of Filipinos, allowing homemakers to do chores more efficiently and giving them more time to enjoy with family.