Ever wanted to raid a certified fashionista’s closet? Or have you ever wanted to strut the streets of Manila wearing a Hermes, Rhett Eala, Michi Calica, Religioso, Kate Torralba,Jun Escario, Chanel, or 7 for All Mankind?

You know you want to and in 14-days, these could all happen to you -- if you win in NESTLE FITNESSE’s 14 Days to Show off Your Shape, that is.

Here, fashion and fitness come together to give style mavens a crack at their dream ensemble— handpicked by the country’s top fashion editors no less—while getting in tip-top shape. “This is the first of its kind in the country,” says Myra Garcia, Consumer Marketing Manager, Nestle Fitnesse. “After all, there’s no better motivation than walking the streets of Manila while looking fashionably fit.”

Editors Pick the Ultimate Wardrobe

“ For the prizes in NESTLE FITNESSE’s 14 Days to Show off Your Shape, we found out what some of the country’s most stylish people want to have in their closets,” shares Myra Garcia, Consumer Marketing Manager, Nestle Fitnesse. “And in doing so, we were able to shortlist what’s arguably the most coveted designer wardrobe to hit Manila.”
Donna Cuna Pita, for example, believes Chanel to be a true fashionista must-have saying that the iconic designer “blazed the trail for all female high-fashion designers.” On the local front, Kate Torralba and Rhett Eala emerged to be among the top favorites. “Her quirky dresses and colorful palettes make you feel like a Barbie doll. I can almost swear they come with invisible heels that make you feel like you’re 5’11,” quips Isabel Roces about designer Kate Torralba. On the other hand, Rissa Mananquil describes Rhett Eala as “fashion’s big innovator, thinker and provocateur.”
Jenni Epperson, Joyce Fernandez, Audrey Carpio, Bianca Consunji and Pauline Juan are the other top mavens that Nestle Fitnesse consulted in assembling the Ultimate Wardrobe.

14 Days to Fitness and Fashion

So what do you have to do to get a crack at Manila’s most coveted designer wardrobe?

Simply form a team of 2-8 members, and using Nestle Fitnesse’s 14-day meal plan, everyone in the team has to lose at least 2 pounds in 2 weeks. “No, 2 pounds is not that daunting, it only needs a few diet tweaks,” quips Myra Garcia. She explains that participants only need to replace breakfast and one of the main meals – either lunch or dinner--for 2 weeks. She adds that to exercise as well as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and low-fat, carbohydrate rich foods is the best way to complement the 14-day regimen.

And as part of the challenge, participants also need to chronicle their 14-day regimen via an online “fitness diary” accessed at www.fitnesse-14days.com. The Top 10 most popular FITNESSE 14-day diaries will make it into finals.

The Nestle Fitnesse 14 Days to Show off Your Shape will kick off on November 14, Saturday, 9am at the Greenbelt Park in Makati, with the voting period lasting from November 15 to December 3, 2009. And as adjudged by Manila’s top style icons the winners will be announced on December 10, 2009 in a special fashion show.

“People who’ll join this challenge will have nothing to lose but pounds,” jests Myra Garcia. “Not only do they win the fashionista closet of their dreams, but they walk away with health tips, tweaks and tricks during their 14-day challenge and continue on living a healthier, fitter and a more runway-ready lifestyle.”

For more information about Nestle Fitnesse’s 14 Days to Show off Your Shape, please log on to www.fitnesse-14days.com.

When cooking is not possible, affordable ready-to-eat food which can be consumed immediately comes very handy. Your favorite local Pinoy dishes are now available in convenient, ready-to-eat canned pang-ulam. Pacific Meat Company, Inc., (PMCI), the maker of the number one corned beef, Argentina , introduces WOW Ulam, a ready-to-eat canned food that is perfect for the budget-conscious Filipinos.

WOW Ulam is made of flavorful chunks of sausage and luncheon meat in popular pinoy sauces. It comes in the following variants: Adobo, Asado, Afritada, Caldereta, Lechon Paksiw, Mechado and Bicol Express. Each variant is prepared using authentic Filipino ingredients, comparable to home-cooking.

“According to an AC Nielsen study conducted in 2008, two out of 5 Filipinos ranked rising prices as the number one issue affecting their lives. Through WOW Ulam, PMCI hopes to provide Filipinos with a delicious, ready-to-eat and affordable meal in can that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere,” says Dutch Rodolfo, Senior Product Manager.

WOW Ulam is affordably priced at P13.50. One can of 155g is enough to feed a family of four. It is available in supermarkets, groceries, sari-sari stores and public markets stalls nationwide.

New K-Swiss models now available in the Philippines

Do you remember that fashionable footwear that stood out in the ‘90s? Those tasteful white sneakers that grabbed everyone’s attention?

Newsflash: K-Swiss is back and once again ready to take on the top spot for that classic and trendy footwear. As an opening salvo, it is introducing new designs that are sure to excite loyal patrons and entice new followers.

A brand known for innovation, quality, performance, and style, K-Swiss is integrating the classic look with contemporary touch to suit the new generation’s taste in apparel. Just think K-Swiss Classics. First introduced in 1966, this K-Swiss signature design with its characteristic five stripes and the D-rings still holds that elegant and fashionable imprint 40 years later. A timeless piece that represents style, authenticity, and individualism, the K-Swiss Classics has transcended from being the first leather tennis shoe to being a fashion staple both on and off the court.

Joining the Classics is the entry of the Surf and Court design, another timeless offering that complements K-Swiss’ originals collections. The Surf and Court design is sure to style women up anytime, anywhere. With its nautical classic design, soft full-grain white leather, and nautical stitching, Surf and Court epitomizes the elegance of the K-Swiss sailing shoe. Heritage K-Swiss details like the iconic five stripes, D-rings, and discreet script are likewise included in this design.

K-Swiss also touches on performance in its 2009 lineup. Runners may want to check out K-Swiss’s K-Ona model. Its 9 oz. ultra-light, stable running shoe with its exceptional cushioning makes it a perfect partner for training, road races, and triathlons. They may also want to try out K-Swiss Run One miSOUL Tech model. A versatile running shoe that features a modular, interchangeable sole system engineered for customized performance.

Completing the lineup is K-Swiss Grand Court, an athletic-inspired shoe made with a fashionable design. It features wider stripes on the side and the classic K-Swiss elements plus synthetic leather upper and a rubber sole.

Check out the Classics and the new K-Swiss designs. Now available at all Planet Sports outlets, Athletes Foot stores, and Olympic Village stores nationwide.