Belle de Jour (BDJ) Power Planner encourages Filipinas to believe in the Magic of Dreams

Viviamo! Inc., the company behind Belle de Jour Power Planner, reinforces the importance of having a dream in its campaign called “Magic of Dreams.”

Launched this month, the Magic of Dreams campaign is geared towards inspiring the Filipino youth to dream again and chase after them. This came into existence when BDJ founder and president Darlyn Ty-Nilo came across a study by volunteer-based organization Dream Project PH, headed by its main founder Prim Paypon. The study was done among the Filipino youth, which has concluded that 7 out of 10 Filipino teenagers don’t have a dream. It covered 614 Filipino teenagers of every socioeconomic class across the country. The question they were given: “Do you have a dream in life?” While many would assume that poverty is the main reason for this, it turns out that the most common reason for this is discouraging words from others, followed by the lack of self-esteem, lack of passion, lack of opportunity, and lastly, poverty*. This was the result of a carefully executed study, and a painful reality that BDJ wants to do something about.

Abbie Victorino

Arianne David

Alessa Lanot 

Given the company’s mission for more than a decade to help Filipinos live to the fullest, BDJ drew a list of successful women who can inspire younger Filipinas to have dreams and work towards achieving them. They sat down with and interviewed these successful bunch from various fields to talk about their dreams. “We believe that through their stories, we can spark change and start conversations on dreams among young women, and Filipino youth in general,” shared Darlyn Ty-Nilo.

For the past 13 years, BDJ planners have been constant companions to young Filipinas―coaching and cheering on them to be their best selves and reach for their dreams. All year round the company provides content and events that equip Filipinas with knowledge, confidence and self-appreciation through topics covering lifestyle, career, beauty and fashion as well as social issues affecting women today. Through the years, BDJ has evolved into a community for ordinary women who share their stories and inspire other women in a positive, accepting environment.

Apart from these efforts, the launch of the Magic of Dreams campaign has become a platform for the company to reach out to more Filipinas. And starting this week, BDJ has released its first batch of inspiring short videos in hopes that young Filipinas who were discouraged and hopeless will once again believe in the Magic of their Dreams. You can check out the videos on Belle de Jour Power Planner’s official Facebook and Instagram pages--@bdjbuzz.

The Magic of Dreams campaign was made possible by its production partners After Six Club and Creative Style Group; official venue partner ACE Hotel and Suites

; and brand partners Celeteque, Parisian, Revlon, Wacoal, and Zenutrients.

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*For more information about the study by The Dream Project PH, read more on: http://www.techshake.asia/articles/58-the-dream-project-ph

BDJ Women's Summit 2016 Highlights

A few weeks back, Belle de Jour Power Planner held its first ever BDJ Women Summit as part of their 10th year celebration as a community empowering women. And I am honored to be part one of ilovebdj.com's MVP Bellas hence got the chance to have a free seat plus 2 other bellas, Ate Zhai and new bella Joan!

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Be an MVP Bella!

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For the millennial women of today, this kind of empowerment is the right effort on the right mark, a push to live life to the fullest. This event was fun-filled learning experience for me as it tackled success stories, personal social causes and inspiring initiatives on self-proficiency, anti-intellectualism, legacy-building, and meaningful social impact. 

The program was subdivided into four plenary: 1 - Boosting Curiosity and Intellectual Discourse, 2 - Working Towards Financial Freedom, 3 - Finding the Courage to Lead, and 4 - Nurturing Passions to Inspire Good.

The program was started by a huge raffle and games portion. Sponsors and brand partners includes Manulife, Maynilad, Strip, Keds, Flawless, Daily Grub, AwardExtremes, BrowHaus, Canon, Goldilocks, Coca-Cola, Haier, Lipault Paris, Jergens, Subic Grand Seas Resort, Sharpie, Vedette, CBTL, Bayani Brew, BG and Serenitea.

Formal program begun with the Keynote Speaker Ms. Amina Rasul-Bernardo, President of Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy and an International Women's Advocate. She talked about the Mindanao conflict, of Islam and democracy.

"Literacy is a bridge between misery and hope" - Kofi Annan

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Check out ilovebdj.com's HALL OF MVP BELLAS!

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Plenary 1's first speaker was Ana Santos. She was really set to perform and inspire modern Filipinas.

Ana Santos is an internationally-awarded journalist and an advocate of Reproductive Health, Gender, Population and Development. One of her best articles awarded her an international reporting grant by the Pulitzer Center in WDC about the series of stories of Filipino nannies working in Dubai, entitled, "Who Takes Care of Nanny's Children?"

What I like about Ana? She's a straight-forward, practical, smart girl. Her job as a sex columnist has a lot of occupational hazard (if you know what I mean) and despite the shame slamming and awkward instances, she was never silenced.

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Booth Hop: G Stuff, DAWN, Rappler

 

G Stuff

Facebook: gstuffph

Website: gstuff.ph

Tejo

Facebook: TejoThreads

Website: tejo.ph

World Vision

Facebook: wvphilippines

 Website: worldvision.org.ph

The Spark Project

Facebook: sparkprojectHQ

Website: thesparkproject.com

Development Action Network on Women (DAWN)

Facebook: dawnphilippines

Website: dawnphil.org

Grace to be Born

Facebook: GraceToBeBorn

Website: lightfarm./com/index.php/ministries/grace-to-be-born

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Working Towards Financial Freedom Inspire Speaker was Myrna Padilla and the Act Speaker? Salve Duplito. Salve exceeds my expections, I just can't get enough of her financial wit. What she does? Aside from inspiring, she's pushing women, mothers in particular, to act wisely when it comes to their finances -that brought tears to them and her, too. Salve is a TV Anchor and writer, ABS-CBN News Channel and an award-winning print and broadcast financial journalist. She pushed for cultural revolution on how people should handle their finances including the wise ways of getting of debt.

 

Women's Financial Action Plan should include learning finance with friends and family, starting financial Saturdates with your SO (Significant Other), Buy luxury item if you can afford 10 of it, Say no to bullying (from your kids or the sales representatives), Invest in yourself.

How women feel about financial matters?

92% are eager to learn about financial planning

47% only are confident talking money and investments with a professional

8 out of 10 confess they have refrained from having financial conversations

60% worry about having enough money to last through retirement

74% are proactive about saving for the future

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Aside from the talks, this was a hair-raising, really moving special performance.

Up Manila Varsity Dancers

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On Finding the Courage to Lead, Myrza Sison talked on dealing with fear.

People buy so many things with money they don't have to impress people they don't like.

#youwanttowantitbad

Courage is resistance to fear. Mastery of fear, not the absence of fear. - Mark Twain

Myrza Sison has been the editorial Director of Summit Media for more than a decade, won a Palanca Award in 2006  for her short story "Sink or Swim". And I believed her when she admitted that she's the queen of quotes. There is power in soft strength. How to deal with fear?

1 Name the Fear (Self Assessment) - What is your fear? Criticism? Disapproval? Failure? Success? Being found out? Working hard?

If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough.

2 Face the Fear (Recognize the Problem) - FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. All problems are illusions of the mind.

3 Stop the Fear (Solution) - If you have to go against the flow, do it. As long as your dignity is intact and you are not stepping on someone else's foot.

Other speakers includes Risa Hontiveros' daughter, Myrna Padilla - an OFW turned into Businesswoman, Josephine Bundoc - Leni Robredo's sister-in-law, and Plenary 4: Nurturing Passions to Inspire Good Speakers, Susan Afan of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya foundation and Jen Santos of G-Stuff.

With the program host, Atom Araullo

Too bad I didn't finished the entire program, bellas who finished the whole day got a certificate. I really enjoyed learning from these inspirational women. Now, in my own little way, I'm ready to help other women while helping myself, family and friends along the way.

#PerksofaBella: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Belle de Jour power planner and coffee are my life buddies- more like life savers!

They boost my potential - organized my timeline and stimulate my gray matter.

What's surprisingly awesome? They're hand-in-hand in giving me #PerksofaBella.

Belle de Jour Power Planner helped me manage my schedule - hence I'm a bit earlier than our client, Mr. Architect

while the BDJ coupon let me have one of my Coffeebean favorites for free and supersizing my cup with BDJ Lifestyle card!

Ahh, to be the ultimate itgirl! Thank you Belle de Jour Power Planner! I'm sure is excited to get my hands on the next BDJ planner for 2016!

Belle de Jour Power Planner 2015

Its been more than three months since I officially use this as my daily planner and as always, I feel very organized, "neat" and girly - all at the same time.

Over Php40,000.00 worth of coupons
192 full-color pages
Matte-laminated hard cover
Expandable back-pocket
Stickers for special dates
5.7 x 7.9 inches

BDJ Box Beauty Social: Tres Chic on March 23, 2014!

Save the date for the first BDJ Box Beauty Social for 2014! Celebrate your most gorgeous self together with BDJ Box's premium skin care, makeup and hair care brands! BDJ Box Beauty Social will happen at the Samsung Hall at SM Aura Premier on March 23, 2014.

BDJ Box is a beauty product discovery subscription service for women. Brought to you by the makers of the Belle de Jour Power Planner, BDJ Box aims to help every Filipina unbox her own beauty. For Php580 a month, subscribers receive a mass-customized beauty box with at least 5-6 of the best beauty products delivered to their doorstep.

This 2014, they’re holding another Beauty-Filled event, celebrating your most gorgeous self with the top and premium skincare, makeup and hair care brands under one roof for you to enjoy the whole day.  Their lineup of beauty brands -- (brands) – will definitely excite everyone who goes to the BDJ Box Beauty Social!

To pre-register for any of the talks, simply email events@bdjbox.com the following:

Subject: BDJ Box Beauty Social Registration

Name:

Mobile Number:

Your answer to the question: “Which makeup look you prefer: dark smokey eyes or brightly colored lips?”

Top 3 choices for talks

1.

2.

3.

The event is open to everyone but only pre-registered girls will be allowed to participate in the talks, get a loot bag, and have their picture taken at the photo booth.  Slots will be given on a first come, first served basis.

For more details check our Facebook Page: facebook.com/bdjbox

To get your very own BDJ Box, visit our website: www.bdjbox.com

Be a Tres Chic! See you at the BDJ Box Beauty Social!

#ChooseToShine With Pantene!

First off, thank you so much Belle de Jour Power Planner and Pantene for these amazing products I received last year! :)

I've been using this for quite a while now, and I'm actually on my 3rd bottle of Pantene Conditioner and both of these will actually be included on my February empties! Yes, that only means I use it e-ve-ry-day!

This is my after (colored and rebonded)  treatment hair. Aside from my previous treatments, my hair is exposed to chemicals like hair spray and heat although I'm not using hair straightener, I'm always exposed to the sun especially when we're doing our rounds of site inspections. Normally, my hair is straight, naturally thin, easy to break, brittle and always ready to mingle with each other aka tangle and I'm aware that my hair is damage now. I want it to rest, give my hair a break and pamper it! Rejuvinate its lost glory and I'm happy to tell that for a months now, I've been doing it with Pantene!

I'm actually afraid of using conditioner because most of the time it leaves my hair oily, and with my thin hair I felt looking like I have flat oily hair sticking on my face. Little did I know that all I need to do - the little secret - to successfully pulling off soft moisturized straight hair is by using Pantene conditioner starting on the tips of my hair upward, concentrating the formula on the tips as it is the most dry part!

I love that the orifice looks like a cake decorator nozzle - conditioning hair has never been so fun! lol

Afterwards, while still wet, I apply ten full pumps of miracle water on my palm, hand combing my hair from tips to the root!

Air dried hair after Pantene Conditioner and Pantene Miracle Water!

Comb and/or blow-dry hair as usual

and apply another pump or two to smoothen out my hair for that total shiny, good-looking, yummy-smelling hair!

:) Like I said, Pantene Miracle Water and Pantene Conditioner both were included for my upcoming February empties and so I would like to share to you some of my photos using these Pantene duo!

Say hello to my shiny straight hair!

12pm, still looking fresh with my gorgeous hair thanks to my little travel buddy - Pantene Miracle Water!

Hair spray for my curly ends + Pantene Miracle Water on the top = Gorgeous hair!

My shining selfie moment! Thanks Pantene!

Happy as can be! I choose to shine with Pantene! #ChooseToShine!

Pantene Pro-V Daily Intensive Conditioner

Pantene Daily Intensive Conditioner gives you 80% MORE conditioning ingredients than the regular Pantene Conditioner. Strengthening hair from roots to tip. It's the perfect product to add to our daily hair care regimen especially to prevent and treat hair breakage and split ends.

It will nurture hair back to its natural beauty all the way to tips.

Since this is an intensive conditioner, I would prefer using this twice or thrice a week unless you're treating a hair problem like breakage, split ends and coarse dry hair.

Sometimes, I rinse my shampooed hair with warm water yo open up pores.
As usual, gently squeeze hair to remove excess water preventing dilution of conditioner.
Squeeze ample amount to palm and soak conditioner to hair. Focus on ends as it's where it usually needs more moisture. Spread conditioner on strands by combing hair from roots to tips
I wait 3-5 minutes to let the hair absorbed the moisture
Then, I finally rinse my hair in cold water. :)

Get yours for free! All you have to do is sign up at http://group.ilovebdj.com

Thank you so much Belle de Jour for this yummy hair treat!

I made my girlfriends including mom, aunts, and cousins to join the ilovebdj.com too and guess what?
They loved the site and their new shiny hair thanks to Pantene and BDJ Beauty Box.

Belle de Jour Power Planner 2014 + BDJ Fair 2013

This was a long due post as it was actually stored somewhere in my 60+ drafts to post. Also, I was busy telling tales of our BDJ Veterans night, here. Hi hi hi.

If you don't have any planners for the next year yet and is planning to get one. Get the planner that'll help you organize your schedule and reach your goal.

On to the fair. The Belle de Jour Fair 2013 was held last October at the Music Hall, SM Moa. Booths hopping, bungee jumping, mountain climbing and freebies are just some of the fun activities the BDJ Team created. Aside from that, this is where they will first launch the BDJ Veterans video that yours truly stars!

Part 4: The Final Output - We Are The BDJ Veterans Video

Part 1: Painting Nails

Part 2: Lulu Nails and Dry Bar Interior and the Buffet Table

Part 3: Video BTS

I said that I would be posting the BDJ Fair 2013 as the fourth and final installment for this segmented article but decided to just end this with the final video itself. It's more appropriate, right?

So enjoy my seconds of fame. :)

Just click the link below for the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Kqb6Jwnzs

Thank you so much Belle de Jour Power Planner masterminds (hihi) and staff!

I really enjoyed this wonderful experience. <3 More power!

xx

bella G.

Part 3: BDJ Veterans BTS at Lulu Nails and Dry Bar

I was starstrucked and teary-eyed! I finally smelled, err... met her in person! #owemji I felt like a creepy bohemian chic with uneven lipstick and unwashed braided hair right about now. But who cares, that's how much I like love her! #myheroine Can we be like bffs? With girly dates and slumber parties and movie nights and dirty chipped nails? Okay, I'm going overboard and not to mention talking way too much than what's maximum for humility... *stop!

Let's start my story part three on the part right after I get my nails done, shall we? Ms Em asked us if we could help her out on our props and we gladly said yes.

P.S. This blog post contains a LOT of smiling (more like laughing) girls on their colorful attires and freshly pressed nails.

with bella Mizi

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If you're reading this and don't know what on earth I'm blabbering about, then my friend, please get off here and drag yourself there --- Part 1.

Check out Lulu Nails and Dry Bar aka Part 2 here. (Catch you later!)

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BDJ Veterans

We sharpie-d the words we were going to dance with while waiting for the other bellas to get their nails done too

I started with shy bold blocked letters and then warmed up and art the letters away! :)

As we finished words, more bellas got their nails done and now ready to mingle! Woohoo! I'm one of those who initiate conversations PJ-Lanot style (#wywttt)

Bellas Beth and Lala Rose

Mizi, Rita, Emily, Lala, Alyson, JM

bella Rochelle with beauty ministry Kate

BDJ Team

I also get to learn who I'm dealing with on emails in Bdj planner and Bdj box.

The ladies who were stucked in my mind were these trio aka "The Charlie's BDJ's Angels" right here:  Ms. Maf, Ms. Hazel and Ms. Eds

Eds - the cute chinita with her signature Asian hand gesture, Hazel - was surprisingly bubbly, Maf- looks conservative and she couldn't do so much about Hazel flipping her hair out. hihi

and these two right here:

(i know the photo is blurred, but this is one of my favorite stolen shots among the girls aside from the photo above)

All of them were very friendly and warm and sincere. I wish I could work with good-looking smartypants girls everyday too!

My First Impressions: The BDJ Planner Masterminds and the BDJ Box Beauty Ministry

"Masterminds"? Really? Oh I'm so short for words can someone lend me a brain full of vocabularies? I'm getting rusty! Founders would be too serious, and BDJ is fun, it wouldn't fit and it'll only make the masterminds look old and saggy on a toga and a white cap with tassel with straight line for lips who isn't capable of smiling... blabity blah...
Okay, moving on... since my excitement scale is still broken, and I need to buy a spare tire to make it run again, I decided to give my first impressions and personal say to these young ladies instead. First impressions are self-explanatory. Get it? Good.

Disclaimer: I might be wrong about them or maybe I'm not. #whatever! #donthate

Ms. Dar - I am always at awe with mouth hanging when it comes to her. She is all over the place, even carrying equipments here and there. She is hands-on and very friendly. She's the boss but forever far-fetched to being bossy. She's like Matilda's teacher on a Roald's book, Glinda, the white witch of Oz or the Princess Diana of BDJ (without the sporty Egyptian boyfriend and the royal ex husband prince). I wouldn't freak out if she confess of talking to animals especially birds and cats.

Ms. Em - is like a Magnum ice cream. Expensive and worth it. Yummy hard on the outside and soft in the inside. I like how "strict" she is like a mother. I bet she's a hardcore pro on beating due dates and deadlines. She can see when something is wrong and deal with it asap. I picture her on an action film, a hired assassin leaving authorities with no clue. She also appreciate good work and put you on the pedestal especially when you deserve it.

Ms. Barbi - I like her videos. I always watch her makeup tips on the BDJ website. I never thought she's even better in person, on makeup and personality. She is fun, bubbly and I personally think her bag holds more than a pair of sunnies. I would say she's a Russian doll, porcelain white or a gay-sha as they joke around. Hey, she's light physically and emotionally but heavy on gray matters. You've been warned.

Ms. Nicole - is intimidating! It makes me think that there is an invisible laser wall around her than when you come close enough you'll be electrified or worse, zinged out! She looks kinda snobbish and I was afraid of asking for a photo for fear of being slapped twice or shout at! Silly me! But before that, I love staring at her (of course, when she's not looking! I'm a creepy bohemian chic with uneven lipstick and unwashed braided hair, remember?) She looks like a paper doll. All the girls were actually. But I'm particular about her. I think because I'm hinting she's a cat. Or maybe I was just being the paranoid me?

Ms. Tara - is actually the reason I'm two hours earlier. I so wanna handshake her. (I did see her couple of times before but I'm too shy to introduce myself - it's either I thought I didn't spray enough perfume to smell good next to her and make her cringe her nose and cover her mouth, or didn't comb my hair which I always didn't do, or I did too many makeup rule mistakes and fashion pet peeves all at once that she abhors which btw, I would never ran out of, or I decided to dressed up as a walking rag which I sometimes do or I'm just too wide, too big, too fat for her liking which I could do something about but I lack discipline #ohdear! ). If you asked me why now? I'll answer you, "why not now?" :) and guess what, (well, isn't it obvious?) I had the courage to #finally introduce myself! Seriously though, I wish I could have a day with her. #crossingfingers

Sad that Ms. Tricia Abad, Ms. Jasmine Mendiola, Ms. Candice Lim, Ms. Erika Paredes and Ms. Kat Dy didn't make it. I'm about to match them on which Disney princesses they were except for

Ms. Karen - she is the vixen Disney Princess Pocahontas. Body, built, hair and complexion. I'm not so sure but I think she could talk to trees too especially on the radio.

Ms. Kate - is none other than the Disney Princess Brave girl. She is proud of her curls and ready to flaunt it. I think she's one of those I wanna be with on a hot summer afternoon with books scattered all over and hot cup of freshly brewed coffees on our hands while discussing the weather. (The thing is, I'm not so sure if she feels the same? lol) There is more to her than meets the eye. Mysterious and calm.

P.S. - I punched my gut twice to make myself stand before these ladies. (Insecurities knocked down and face harder. If you get me, then you can relate. #highfive If you didn't. good for you!)

Belle de Jour Planners - First Dibs

Sorry, I won't tell my favorite pages for now. Just watch out for part 4 aka the BDJ 2013 Finale: #makeithappen Launch of BDJ Power Planner 2014!

Of course, I'll end this post with group (some stolen) pictures.

I could have divided this post into two or more but decided not, and make part 4 the event itself. (To avoid myself from blabbering about what's not and spare you from the gruesome scenes inside my head.#scary)

Watch out for part 4 - #MakeItHappen: The Launching of Belle de Jour Power Planner 2014!