Music, Milk Tea and Gabbi Garcia at the “Panahon sa Taiwan” Event

Spent quite a few hours at Glorietta 2 Activity Center as the Taiwan Tourism Bureau gave Filipinos a taste of how it feels like in Taiwan these days. The folks treated us to a few song numbers courtesy of artist Unique Salonga in the afternoon while the folks got acquainted with the multitude of airline and tour operators offering the best flight deals, hotel and destination packages right on the spot.

This definitely spurred from the recent developments of giving visa free privileges to Filipinos, making it so easy to go to and from the country formerly known as Formosa. I was certainly even more excited about the street food that they have, the Lantern Festival, the sweet tangy pineapple cakes and one of the most tallest buildings in the world Taipei 101. 

 

They also got us to see Kapuso star and international endorser Gabbi Garcia, the official celebrity endorser who was just in Taiwan to experience Cherry Blossoms, Shopping and just about every food item she loves.

 

Gabbi was just ecstatic telling us about how patient and helpful people were during her trip, that even if you're a first time traveler, it wouldn't be difficult to actually take public transportation (she took the MRT), or eat on the streets, have some wonderful tea amidst the majestic views of the Taiwanese countryside. This is also the second time that they are holding "Panahon sa Taiwan" which was graced by Ambassador Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines and Abe Chou Shih Pi who is the Taiwan Tourism Bureau KL Office Director.

Ticket promotions were available for Taiwan's China Airlines, STARLUX Airlines, our very own Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. Some of the travel operators like Touristique Travel and Tours and Jeron Travel and Tours Corp. offered not just hotel and tour packages, but a meet and greet with Gabbi Garcia in Taiwan on some dates in March.

The event was hosted by Chuckie Dreyfus

Unique Salonga was quite a talented chap!

Here's what happened during the event on video, please enjoy!

 

Gabbi also participated in a DIY Milktea activity where she made her own drink in the venue courtesy of the folks from Tea Melody. They also announced that they will be getting her to appear in a meet and greet in National Taiwan Science Education Center on March 19 at 12PM for the Filipino and Taiwanese community. You may visit eng.taiwan.net.tw for more details about it. Else, you can also check facebook.com/tbrockl for updates since they post regularly there.

I guess it's time we do visit Taiwan! :)

How Does It Feel to "Live Like a Panda!"?

Took time off the weekend and headed to a foodpanda event as they introduce to us a new campaign to encourage people like YOU to #LiveLikeAPanda. It's for the ones who have PAUssion for winning, who loves a challenge and things that matter to us.

Foodpanda PH's E-Commerce Lead Roj Tirona says "Today we will know how it is to Play Like a Panda. It's not with bamboos, or lounging around the whole day, but just taking time to those that matter to us, more of experience. We want consumers to know the things that matter to them, like food, groceries, things that make life enjoyable. Hopefully, once you play like a panda, you're gonna discover your passions much like Paupau in Foodpanda."

To start off, we got ourselves a few lanes and played bowling for a few hours. Some people started slow, but have played and got the groove after a few minutes. I played a few games and won tickets to trade for plushies, all in all, it was so much fun! When we got hungry, a simple order via foodpanda came in handy. Got myself a few ice cream halo-halo and much loved chow for family.

I think living like a panda seems easy for me. If it's bowling, arcade games, food, doing what matters to us, is what I've been doing in the last few years. panda has been a symbol for them, it's special because they eat whenever they want, sleep, and don't really care, they have inner peace by default and it's what they strive for in every customer. To have that freedom, to have the perks, pandas can inspire us to live a little. Pretty good thing no? 

Oh and before I forget, they plan to actually have a few merch issued in the Philippines within the year. From plushies, to pillows, to mugs and different paraphernalia, loyal foodpanda customers will soon get their hands on them for sure!

For now, we have time to become more enthusiastic in things that we do. Being a panda ain't that bad after all. Take time to do what matters to YOU most!

Sibuyan Townsfolk Plead Help as Mining Scuffle Happen in the Island

Sibuyan Island Mining Situation (Photo Credits belong to Cort Catajay as published in Romblon News Network social channels.)

Things have certainly gone pretty violent at Sibuyan Island in Romblon when environmentalists and townsfolk have tried to stop trucks from going out to port and faced personnel who tried to dismantle their barricade. Videos have already been shown in GMA News Online as published last February 3rd and social posts on Twitter when tensions from parties increased.

According to recent reports this February 10th, the Philippine Ports Authority GM Jay Santiago confirmed that they didn't give permits for ports or ship docks to Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (supposedly owned by William Gatchalian)  in the said island. This was said during the Dos Por Dos program of Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja. He also had instructed the local Port Management Office in Batangas who has jurisdiction in the province and require no permits be issued until resolution be made with the mining company's operations in Sibuyan Island. It would also require them to get DENR clearance, approval from local government too with regards to its foreshore lease. Santiago also confirmed they had previously applied for it but no requirements have been submitted to this date. Any operation without it will be deemed illegal according to the General Manager as their facilities are unregistered.

A local Barangay official was reported to also be handcuffed during the date of the protest but later released. According to reports, they are part of the residents of the island who have seen nickel being transported from the area - this of which they have heavily resisted since late January 2023. The government should certainly intervene with the situation and see how the resources in the area be not abused, and restraint be exercised for the safety of those who live in the area. Pretty sure they only want flora and fauna be saved for them and their children's children.

DAVID LICAUCO and SHAIRA DIAZ Does Open Relationships in WITHOUT YOU

Ever felt curious about having yourself involved with 2 or more people? It's happening a lot these days and this is something what the movie WITHOUT YOU is tackling this coming February 15th. This project under heavily missed OCTOARTS FILMS stars man of the hour David Licauco and gorgeous actress Shaira Diaz.

This isn't the first time that the two are being paired as the ShaiVid love team started in a TV series a couple of years back and got immortalized in a 2019 movie made by famed director Joel Lamangan. It was about millennials and this time, they're discussing a very matured subject like OPEN RELATIONSHIPS. David Licauco recently had remarkable success playing Fidel in the hit show "Maria Clara at Ibarra" while Shaira Diaz also confirmed a Book 2 for "Lolong" where she plays Elsie Dominguez.

This entailed they had to also level up in the acting department because it wouldn't be easy to tell the story without being a sexy. This is the reason why even David's Mom didn't want him to take the project, but felt he had to make the decision so he could start taking on roles that could challenge him as an actor. Shaira on the other hand laughed a little as she was totally on board because she's already twenty something but still doing "pa-tweetums" roles on screen, she felt she needed to change her game now because obviously, this isn't a romantic comedy.

 

The two will also be joined by beauty queens Riana Pangindian (Miss World Philippines 1st Princess 2021) and Dindi Pajares (Miss Supranational Philippines 2021) who will both play a vital role in the lives of these two.

 Here's what happened during the press conference:

For those who want to see David Licauco and Shaira Diaz in a different light, WITHOUT YOU is certainly going to make you want more. Their pairing has been proven in the past already, and now that they have booming separate careers, wouldn't it be interesting to see them in a more matured state? This was made by Director RC Delos Reyes under OCTOARTS Films and will premiere in February 15. Make sure you support this if you love their recent roles on TV!