Womanly Touch to Success

Her demeanor exudes femininity. It may be man’s world out there but Annette Gozon-Abrogar, the President of GMA Films, Inc. and GMA Worldwide, Inc, proved that caring your femininity in the workplace can be an asset. Her womanhood transcends to the network’s TV programming and movie offerings and that is where her success lies.

Formally known as Atty. Anna Teresa M. Gozon-Abrogar, Annette has both degrees in law and management engineering from the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University, respectively, both with honors as cum laude. She got her Masters degree in law from Harvard University. She became a junior partner in Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila and an Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines, College of Law where she taught taxation. “I was a full-time lawyer before but with GMA, I became a part of the team that makes the final decision when it comes to content and program schedules. That is where I started,” Annette explains.

Currently, the GMA Kapuso Network enjoys top ratings on most of their shows during prime time and daytime viewing in Mega Manila and the rest of Luzon. Interestingly enough, a number of the network’s top rating shows headline women as protagonists. “Most of our viewers are women. They are our main target audience. Having a perspective of a woman provides a lot of benefit. We do not have to second-guess what our largest audience wants,” shares Abrogar. “For GMA, we want to portray the woman in her entirety, so we will be able to show the realities surrounding women in an inspiring way. We would like to show their strength as modern women and empower them to be the best women they can be.”

“We often show women as heroines, as fighters, as strong people in celebration of womahood. The best example would be the four sangres of Encantandia that showed different strengths of women yet, also the bonds of sisterhood, of the mother and child relationship, among others. That show encompassed the many facets of womanhood.” Most shows on QTV11, co-produced with GMA Network, are also geared toward women audiences, “but we also target the whole family”, adds Annette.

As one of the network’s executives, Annette Gozon-Abrogar is very comfortable being herself and a woman and her position further boosts her confidence. “There are a lot of females in the (media) industry. As to gender issues, I particularly did not have any difficulties. I would say we have a woman-friendly environment.” True enough, she credits her feel of the market to her innate, womanly attributes. “Being a woman is advantageous. Women are naturally more emotional speak more than what the mind says. We are more in touch with our emotions and that is needed in programming.”

Definitely, Annette is passionate about her work but she equally shares that passion for her family. As a mother of two children, ages five and nine, she makes sure she attends to them whenever she is at home. “Being a mother is fun and at the same time exhausting. My children are demanding of my attention and of course, I give in. We play and cook together and go malling. For me, a successful woman is happy and content with herself and her family. Women today play a lot of roles in the workplace and at home. But whatever role she plays, as long as there is happiness at home, there is already success. The key is to find the right balance between work and family.”

Speaking on top of her game, Annette Gozon Abrogar shares her vision for the Filipina, “I want the Filipina to be empowered. Given any situation, they should always find strength within themselves. But they should also not lose that special feminine touch that enables them to be caring persons…be it as mothers, co-workers, relatives or friends. As for GMA, our audience can always expect that we would exert all our efforts to give them the best programming possible.”

Where’s the giraffe?

From an old sepia photo taken of me, newly-weaned from diapers, Tatay and Kuya, I had this passive affinity with Manila Zoo. As a true testament of family-bonding, I cherish that photo with an adult giraffe behind high fences at the background. During the recent family visit to Manila Zoo, I sought to capture the nostalgic tugs, relive them and share that with my kids. Dampening my romanticized purpose was the sorry state of Manila Zoo that was once the family destination before the advent of shopping malls.

Located along Adriatico Street, Manila Zoo today tries to educate and entertain visitors with a host of animals ranging from elephants, reptiles, horses, monkeys, tigers, birds and other endemic species. Aside from viewing the caged animals, there are now the Pet Zoo and horse rides for interactive activities. The mini park has picnic areas, a playground and small pond for boat rides. The entrance fee is pegged at P40 per head.

Manila Zoo showcases varieties of animals to the thrill of pre-scholers and early primary students. Older visitors, like me, can either be disappointed, pitiful and resigned to having a city zoo that could really use a lot of fund, work and inspiration from people who would care enough to share their passion time, and imagination. Least to say, cages are cramped and are poor imitation of the animals’ wild habitat. As for their health, the animals seemed to be well-fed since they do not look famished or emaciated. While famous zoos in other countries are making headway in providing natural sanctuaries to their ward of animals, Manila Zoo seemed to have been locked in a time capsule given the limited resources the institution had to work with.

In response, support initiatives have been shown by private individuals and companies. The MyZoo Volunteer Group was formed on January 2000 to transform zoos as effective educational institutions towards conservation of biodiversity. They raise funds and hold activities at Manila Zoo to improve its image and facilities. Through the recently-launched Baryanihan project, SM Hypermarket Adriatico enjoins shoppers to voluntarily donate their loose change for the purchase of various supplies to augment Manila Zoo’s cleaning and animal feeding.

Our last trip had me missing a giraffe. Its afforded enclosure was empty and left me to my feeble memory prompted by the old photo. On July 25, 2009, Manila Zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary. Manila Zoo has the following years to evolve and serve as a natural sanctuary capable of hosting imported and endemic species and preserving wildlife given the right kind of support from the public, private and government sectors. And may be then, I would not have to ask, “Where’s the giraffe?”

Carla Mortel is a dog-person but does not own one, and yet feeds the neighbors’ cats. In a not so distant past, she applied for a position in PETA Philippines because she is against animal cruelty. She is open for discussion on vegetarian diet, zoos and livestock. She, however, dislikes having nude celebrities campaigning for animal rights. She plans to revisit Malabon zoo with the family soon.

Home Spa Treatment

Nu Skin Enterprises, one of the largest and most successful companies in the direct selling business, continues to introduce innovations that make healthier lifestyles accessible for today’s consumers.

Nu Skin offers specialty skin care, body care, and nutritional supplements for best results that can be demonstrated. This billion-dollar corporation also manufactures and sells non-invasive health devices that compliment their current product lines.

“First introduced in the Philippines in 2004, the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa System II is making a strong presence in the market today,” declares Tania Bliss, Director of Product Marketing for the Americas, Europe and South Pacific Regions.

Galvanic skin treatments, the use of soft electrical currents to cleanse and introduce ingredients into the skin, have long been a dermatological procedure that used to be available only in beauty clinics and spas. With the Galvanic Spa System II, one can have a spa treatment and achieve the same results right at the comforts of their own home.

Shrunk into gadget size, this revolutionary beauty kit carries a patented beauty instrument with four interchangeable conductors that deliver electrical impulses to micro-cleanse and rejuvenate the skin, tone the body and enhance the regrowth of hair.

This hand-held device works with treatment gels that improve blood circulation and delivery of skin-beneficial nutrients. Automatic self-adjusting galvanic currents enhance absorption of key ingredients from the specially formulated products.

Based on studies conducted, each five-minute treatment with the Galvanic Spa System II can achieve increased skin permeability up to 70 percent or more that lasts up to 24 hours. Coupled with Nu Skin care products or any other beauty regimen, the skin receives full benefits from these topical beauty creams.

Remarkably, results are visibly pronounced with less noticeable lines, fairer complexion and smoother skin just after a single treatment. “Many of our customers even share to us their emotional experience with this product. The positive response is overwhelming,” shares Tania Bliss of Nu Skin.

With a simple change of conductors, the same Galvanic Spa treatment can be applied on other parts of the body and the scalp. Flabby arms and thighs get an instant tone with the use of the Galvanic device and Nu Skin’s Body Shaping Gel. With increased blood activity due to the electrical stimulation, fat cells are released from the treated areas while pro-collagen peptides initiate the firming action.

For a healthy and abundant hair, Nu Skin’s Nutriol Hair Fitness Treatment, with sea minerals and other active ingredients are introduced to the scalp via the Galvanic Spa System to encourage hair growth. With continuous treatment, visible results, however, can be discerned after 90 days.

The Nu Skin Galvanic Spa System II offers not only the look of wellness but also an opportunity to earn and make your financial standing recession-proof. As a Nu Skin distributor, special prices and discounts can be availed upon purchase of the Galvanic Spa System II packages.

For part-time income, one can receive retailing rewards when you introduce this system to family members and friends. With a single purchase of the Galvanic Spa System package, one can also qualify as an Executive Distributor and earn more.

Nu Skin Enterprises is known to have paid billions in commission to its part-time and full-time distributors worldwide. To date, Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines, Inc. has paid out almost P1 billion in commissions to its distributors and created more than 50 millionaires in the country. There are more than 7,000 active and independent distributors who buy and sell Nu Skin products.

The Philippine subsidiary of the Nu Skin Enterprises was created in 1998 and is one of the biggest markets in Asia. Other Asian markets include Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

Flower Power

With scant resources, they say “Make do with what we have.” The women of Cainta, Rizal did just that with water lily.

One hardly notices the water lily except when they have clogged canals, rivers and waterways of the Pasig River, Laguna de Bay, and other coastal areas. The water lily, more appropriately called the water hyacinth, is known as a “nuisance” by most fishing communities but now, this aquatic plant is considered as an important source of raw material.

Processing of water hyacinth involves scouring, cutting, harvesting, drying, dyeing, bleaching, treating, waxing, and finishing of the indigenous fibers. The material then can be used in the production of bags, wall décor, table runner, pouches, mats and slippers.

When the innovative “leather look” was introduced to the fiber cloth, local producers have started to supply this raw material to international bag makers like Cora Jacobs.

Aside from consumer products, the water hyacinth’s fibrous stem can be turned into charcoal and organic fertilizer.

Among the communities that has benefited from harnessing the water hyacinth are the families from Bagong Cainta, Cainta, Rizal. With the help from Manila Electric Co., 32 women recently attended a livelihood program on the production of the water hyacinth fiber cloth. The said program was aimed to assist families adversely affected by typhoon Ondoy. The training was conducted by Cesar Pasco, founding chairman of Samahan para Gabayan ang Nayon ng San Pedro, San Pablo City and proprietor of Sarilikha Handicrafts.

Reinventing Upscale shopping at the malls

Shopping for Filipinos has evolved to many facets of experience throughout the years. From the simple chore of buying stuff, the shopping experience at the malls have expanded from entertainment, health, beauty, and recreation to other practical needs. Mall goers cut across demographics and malls are in constant innovation to cater to the sophistication of this urban activity.
 
Strategically placed at urban centers, malls have become the bonding venue for families, friends, co-workers, classmates and even for owners and their pets.  Here we have several featured malls that brings to forth exciting possibilities for the next shopping trip.

SM Prime Malls

Mammoth complexes, accessibility, state-of-the art movie houses, fine dining and vast array of recreational possibilities gives SM Prime Malls on top of the list. By the Manila Bay Area, the Mall of Asia has an outdoor explanade, sprawling viewing decks, rows and rows of restaurants and cafes. With 600 hundred shops, MOA can provide the kind of shopping experience with vast choices of purchases. Different entertainment offerings can be found at the first IMAX theater, 3D theaters, Director’s Club, Premiere Cinema and CenterStage Cinema. There is also the Philippines’ first Olympic-sized ice skating rink. Pyrotechnic displays can be seen during weekends and holidays. Shopping amenities introduced here are the electronic mall directories, shuttle services, breastfeeding stations and the SM Business centers.

As one of the most popular malls, SM North EDSA remains the mall to visit with Sky Garden, the second IMAX theater, the Sky Garden and The Block. The mall has more 500 retails shops, service stores, restaurants and 12 movie houses. Al fresco dining and watering holes provide opportunities to unwind and relax. With its accessibility, entertainment options and convenience to nearby cities, SM North EDSA is the one mostly visited and mostly densely populated malls in the country.

SM Megamall has two wide wings with five floors of shops, stalls, and boutiques for the vast source of products, endless hangouts, and 12 movie houses. The Megatrade Hall is a favorite venue for trade expos, job fairs and conferences. The huge arcade, number of karaoke bars and activity areas provides entertainment to shoppers from the Ortigas business district. The art boulevard houses different galleries that showcases contemporary works of art as well as antique finds.

For the upscale crowd in Ortigas area, The Podium houses mostly foreign brands with fine dining restaurants and two theaters. With Singapore style and design, upscale shopping can be found on all six floors with 120 shops and boutiques. The atrium at the center of the mall features different events such as art galleries, fashion shows, signings, performances and recitals.

Eastwood Mall
 
Covering 16 hectares of Libis area, this mall introduced innovations to redefine the shopping experience. The Eastwood Mall is the country’s first mall that has full concierge with butler service. While shopping, the butler acts as a personal assistant to the shoppers in any way he can to make the experience more convenient and enjoyable. Message handling, bill payments, wheelchairs and emergency kits are also availabe at the concierge.
 
Fine-dining restaurants are manned by no less than the chefs with bold and unique flavors to offer. Retail shops carry high-end brands with key local brands. The cinemas boast of the latest 3D technology to date. The Ultra 7 Cinema has full reclining chairs and serves bottomless drinks and popcorn with a single ticket purchase.
 
Entertainment at the Open Park feature outdoor exhibits, fairs, concerts, advocacy-oriented events, tourism, and pet-related activities. There are also citywide sales and travel and lifestyle promos. 
 
As a pet-friendly mall, owners with their pets can stroll and shop around at Eastwood Mall with no worries at all.  The pet pass, issued daily, entitles owners to be accompanied by their at certain shops.  There are pet stations positioned conveniently around the park that provide tissue papers and plastic containers for cleaning and disposing wastes. As a fitting tribute, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society chose Eastwood Mall as home to Seb Chua’s artpiece, “The Silent Companion.”
 
 A free shuttle service makes its rounds through Eastwood City to assist customers to Eastwood Mall but soon to open is a bridgeway that will connect Eastwood Mall to City Walk.
 
The vibrant Eastwood City Walk boasts of hip and trendy stores and a wide display of restaurants, disco, bars and cafés for the young crowd. The Manor Superclub features pure clubbing experience with the most popular disc jockeys in town and Circa Superclub gives that energetic party vibe with its ultra modern LED lightings.

Greenbelt

This three-hectare area is marked with ingenuinely-designed buildings surrounded by greenery and flowing waters. The park is carefully landscaped that is adjacent to the al fresco dining spots and mall entrances. World-class retailers is mixed with acclaimed Filipino designer shops. Every avenue offers something different to after-office hours and weekend shoppers. At the Greenbelt 5 and 4, is the fashion avenue for those who have sophisticated tastes and high-end lifestyles. The younger crowd can be found at Greenbelt 3 with coffee shops, fashion-forward boutiques, cinemas and clubs. There is also a line of restaurants featuring local and foreign cuisines. For different dining experience, there is Greenbelt 2 for a mix of restaurants. Greenbelt 1 houses local retailers and food outlets along with Rustan’s supermarket.

Shangri-La Plaza

They say that the Shangri-la is the only mall one will ever need. With the upper market as its main target, one can make high-end luxury purchases and dine at the Metro’s best restaurants at the top floor overlooking Ortigas Central Business District. For clients who do not have time to shop and those who do have time but is in need of assistance, there is the personal shopper on hand for expert advice and personalized service. By request, they do wardrobe coordination, gift selection, image styling and makeover, home and lifestyle consultation, trend forecasts and merchandise selection. Set apart from the rest with its shapely architect, the Shang is easily a premier shopping and lifestyle destination this side of town.

Power Plant Mall

A favorite watering hole nowadays for expatriates and young professionals, the Power Plant Mall is easily found at the Rockwell Center. Rockwell was an actual thermal power plant before it was decommissioned and demolished. While the names still stands, the Rockwell Center continues to be a magnet for foreigners and the local elite who would like to hang out and shop. The four-level mall carries special brands from the international and local scene, a supermarket, posh retailers, signature mini-anchors, themed restaurants and cinemas. Easily found at Rockwell Center, the Power Plant Mall is said to be the place for those who know their fashion and lifestyle.

Gateway Mall
Gateway Mall sets the standard for upscle malling experience at the Cubao area. The five level mall offers the sophisticated shopper a wide range of options in shopping, dining and entertainment. With more than 200 shops, one can find internationally-known brands and local signature shops anchored by Rustan’s Department Store. This premier upscale shopping destination is supported by five-star customer service to make Gateway Mall the lifestyle destination at the heart of the Metro.

Trinoma
With Trinoma, the Ayala mall experience is now no longer confined at Makati and Alabang. Divided into several zones, over 500 stores can be found with the additional attraction of Landmark Department store and Crossings. For moments of relaxation after shopping sprees, there is the Trinoma Park at the fifth floor with restaurants and coffee shops ready at hand to serve hungry shoppers. There is also fine dining restaurants, cinemas and activity area at the center of the mall. The Triangle North of Manila or Trinoma covers 195,000 square meters with major inter-modal public transport hubs.