A record breaking 25 Million peso opening day plus a premier night that sent thousands of moviegoers flocking to theaters the next day just spelled the success of "Starting Over Again". This film stars Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga. They will be flying a few thousand miles to go to San Francisco Bay Area to meet their fans and launch a US premier of the same movie. Sounds amazing? Oh they probably are!
This is a Valentine’s Day offering from well loved network ABS-CBN, Star Cinema and TFC@TheMovies. The US Premier is set on February 15, Saturday with two screenings at 1:00pm and 6:30pm. It will be held at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City.
For more information about the event, please visit tfc-usa.com/AtTheMovies.
These ladies were keeping something in their back. I could see it slightly peeking on the middle but they didn't let me check it out. For whatever reason, they asked me to go back when it's a little around 3PM because something big is happening. Something GOLD is appearing for the first time in Philippine shores; and no less than SM Supermarket is giving us a peek at what seems to be something luxurious and decadent... I was tempted to push these girls away but I'm a gentleman.. I had to find out later on.
I went in SM Supermarket to buy a few things for my personal consumption. I forgot to buy stuff for myself when I went to the grocery the day before so I went ahead and splurged on chips, plus Vanilla Coke and Cherry Coke. Oh I know what you are going to say! Don't judge! :P
The kind ladies on the counter helped me sort out stuff and I paid for it.
Then a person from their Customer Service desk approached me and said STOP! She handed me a golden ticket and said CONGRATULATIONS because I'm one of the few who would be able to get to taste tentenenen!!!
MAGNUM GOLD!
Imagine rich thick Vanilla Ice Cream with a salted caramel swirl then coated two layers of mouthwatering, sweet, sinful and addicting Belgian chocolate. I already surrendered whilst listening to the ingredients being mentioned LOL!
Aside from getting that Ice Cream bar, I was also told that if I could open the vault using the secret code, I could win a brand new spanking iPod Shuffle or an iPad Mini (in the day's raffle)! Since it starts at 3PM, I did the next best thing to kill time.
I asked my blogger friends to come along and eat MAGNUM GOLD with me.
There's definitely more where that came from and we all enjoyed this new MAGNUM GOLD flavor since it retails at Php 55.00 only! Now, there's no reason not to enjoy it this summer when the heat comes back right? Aside from that, we went ahead and lined up to get our chance opening the vault to win the iPod Shuffle!
A commotion ensued when it was already 3PM and I even saw customer Erdy Tumapon win the MAGNUM Gold Ice Cream MP3 Player! Funny thing is... when it was my turn.... I entered some numbers on the vault and pressed the enter button.... and you know what happened?:D
I am now a proud owner of this iPod Shuffle! =) I couldn't believe I guessed right. The number was XXXXXX hahah of course I won't tell you! :) I haven't won anything for a long time and opening this great prize was just the icing on the ice cream. I too struck GOLD in MAGNUM GOLD! This wouldn't be possible if I didn't go to SM Supermarket in Megamall! =) Thanks guys!
As you can probably tell by my name, I have Spanish lineage. I've attempted to trace our family tree and the last bit I got is that we hail from Valencia. It's a long story. Valencia is the third largest city after Madrid and Barcelona. A few days ago, we were invited to a dinner party over at Manila Peninsula and see product updates about Spain. I didn't know countries could come like a product but when I listened to their people a couple of nights ago, it all made sense. I've got to go to España!
Arturo Ortiz, Director of Spain Tourism Board side by side with Ms. Vien Cortes, Market Analyst from the Spain Tourism Board.
The National Tourism Office of Spain and Embassy representatives provided information that would highlight the best from their country. It all boils down to our affinity to culture and our historical ties. We could not just throw away what's common between the Philippines and Spain so they are really banking on that.
Spain's aggressive stance in the tourism industry didn't just come overnight, because as of now their yearly tourist arrivals amount to around 58 million. It definitely provides a chunk of their economic and business activities and since there are untapped Asian cities like Manila plus our other neighbors, we would be something that they have found interest especially in the religious - pilgrimage tour sector since our countries ties involve Catholicism. Their churches and real deal saintly locations doesn't only provide sustenance to the spirit, but even awe struck you with architecture spanning ages you weren't born or thought about yet, that long. Aside from that, they've also got one of the most modern art, architecture and engineering centers in the world! I was pretty close to booking a ticket when they showed Madrid. Then when we were also told about other regions in the country, I envied the lady who spoke about the Andalusian region where she showed some parts of Córdoba, Granada, Jaén, Málaga and Seville. She hasn't even started yet because as she was telling us about the places, she went in and dosed us with Spanish Gastronomy!
This is my kind of Paella! =)
There must be a hundred of these concoctions that are similarly called in Filipino and Spanish cooking but yes, Spain does have their own gustatory pleasures in and around Madrid. Their Paella no matter what way or form it goes just looks so good. Each region much like ours have their own version. Meaning that goes the same with Ensaymada, Adobo, etc. I also envy their wine and olive oil sources especially when they treat EVOO with such regalness since they never would want to put it elsewhere (not even on a pan) but on a plate!
Ms. Lisa Dinh, Business Development Manager for International Marketing & Tourism,
El Corte Ingles
Then this gorgeous lady right here also told us something husbands would never appreciate. Spain is actually lethal for shopaholics! They've got hundreds of shopping malls and arcades in Spain that would be the perfect venue to swipe your cards. They've got one of the biggest tax exempted shopping venues in the world. They've got a system to get refunds for most retail shops and all you have to do is fill up the appropriate forms for it. If you're looking for original labeled bags, they bet you can even get it cheaper in Spain than in other European countries since it is duty free! Now that's a shopping haven you wouldn't want to miss!
The Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq
Ambassador Jorge Domecq proudly says that there are around 54,000 Filipinos who visited Spain last year and they are gunning to increase that this 2014. Spain has it all and all you have to do is take a look at this bright spot in Europe once more. I've always wanted to go and see if there's a Bueno clan in that part of the world, who know's I might just get the chance to do that this year!
Since we needed to immerse ourselves further with what Spain has to offer, we got our dancing shoes ready for a spirited Flamenco dance!
I did actually get to experience Flamenco when I was a kid (I kid you not!) and it's one of the most exhilarating dances I've ever done. If you wish to see more of Spain, watch this!
Viva España!
P.S. Oh if you're looking for flights, go with Qatar Airways. I've seen their lounges and it's like a five star hotel. You've got to stay there a bit if I were you! LOL
Chinese New Year was a tad nicer when we celebrated it in Sofitel Manila. Aside from the scrumptious food served on their restaurant Spiral, Manila's best buffet, they went ahead and got it up a notch to put in a whole fashion show courtesy of world renowned royalty designer Albert Andrada. His collection called "Shanghai Nights" sashayed as onlookers were struck in awe of this 15 piece collection. Let's take a look at the scenes a few days ago!
Present during the occasion was Sofitel Manila's GM Adam Laker with Philippine Social Butterfly Tessa Prieto Valdez and ANTM World renowned designer (personal friend of Albert Andrada) Michael Cinco.
Ice sculptures, arrangements, calligraphic artists made their own Year of the Wooden Horse impressions. Everything was exquisite at Spiral.
Spiral's own Chefs created a special menu for the occasion and the Chinese host also serenaded the crowd with music in Mandarin if I'm not mistaken.
Albert Andrada opens up the show with black numbers, skirts in different lengths with gold accents here and there. He pulls this off without looking tacky, I am not surprised. This is why he's making raves in the middle east scene. The drapery, the placement of the gold would not take away the elegance he wanted to exude in these black dresses.
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