HSMA Offers Vouchers on September Online Sale

The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International just recently held their membership meet at Kingsford Hotel in Parañaque City. They also announced the annual September Sale, where member properties will offer vouchers that's offered in very attractive prices and can be used in different dates of the year (without expiration). This initiative has been done by the organization and their members to help stimulate local tourism including properties outside Metro Manila.

Ms. Lolet G. So of HSMA "Our events have been supported  by our media friends and the DOT. Thank you to all the members for being here today from the hospitality industry. The past 7 months have been very busy, we had a lot of relationship fostering with agents and clients. Amy and Tep has been working hard on our September Online Sale. We also will have a summit to guide everyone for what we will be doing this 2024. The next few months will be busy for the association and the members as we meet targets before the year ends. Thank you to our partners for always supporting HSMA. She has been with us since the pandemic and the DOT initiatives, she will also be discussing their efforts, our keynote speaker RD for DOT Shailyn Batin."

Ms. Sharlene Batin says "I would like to start with a baseline so you understand where the DOT is coming from. The transfer and control of the national government to the local government so there's more participation from stakeholders. We need to work together to make sure the culture of tourism is good in your area. The concept of decentralization means it is shared responsibility, accountability and am pleased to tell you training was done for 70k in our industry, more soon. The pandemic taught us many things, to create policies and guidelines, have more engagement, collaboration and partnerships, economic growth. People are in a constant state of movement no matter what the situation is and we will create an environment where businesses could grow. Most of you know we now have hop on hop off hubs in the country. We will be launching the Parañaque hub soon and hope we capture the layover market. We saw numbers and hope they see the Philippines on October 15. The objective is to make a DIY, tourist experience in here and other major cities. Devolution needs technology, we understand that we need digital solutions, as these hop on hop off services are common in Europe."

If you would like to get these offers, simply visit their website HSMA.ORG.PH/SOS to get great deals that's not on other platforms. 

I'm personally booking a few, see you there!

Breville Launches New Espresso Maker to Make Fine Brews at Home!

Tried Latte art for the first time, let's just say it needs work LOL! 🤣

My love for coffee just like a lot of Filipinos, it's just undeniable. To say the least, you're bound to see me in coffee shops while working because I love the ambiance and that certain smell when they grind coffee from the beans they recently roasted. It's addicting, but very good for the soul.

These days, you don't need to spend the whole day at coffee shops, because let's face it, drinks in that place often cost an arm and a leg. The folks at Breville Philippines had us experience how it is to have our own coffee machine at home, not the kind that just has a coffee pot and filter, but the those machines you often dream of having. They showed us the Breville Express Impress, and the Breville Barista Pro.

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Ms. Haj Cortez-Flores the F&B Business Unit Manager of Breville Philippines welcomed us all and said "I want to welcome everyone, thank also my own team for today's event. We have lots of activities for you and lunch, you will certainly enjoy this! Please enjoy the company over a cup of coffee, thank you so much for being here today!"

Chef Joseph Datu, the Breville Corporate Chef

Chef Joseph Datu the Breville Corporate Chef adds "We replicate the good machines in commercial establishments and put them at home. Our Breville Express Impress has lots of features that also tamps on its own, it's the perfect thing for beginners. The Barista Pro on the other hand has all the information set on screen, it's like the Barista Express on steroids, as it takes 3 seconds to brew because it's built fast and reliable. It's not too big, perfect for that coffee nook you've been planning to construct at home."

The Breville Express Impress is an espresso machine that has the Impress Puck System to make sure you get that cup and dose you need for the day. The tamping gets 10Kg of pressure and 7 degree barista twist without the need of measuring it yourself. From the coffee content, to the temperature and steam, it just needs your hands to whip up a cup. It only costs Php 69,999 and is available in stores Breville is available. You can also trade your older Breville machine and get this new one from the line. 

Thank you for the tons of activities you had us try Breville! Plus the entertaining song and dance numbers that came right after!

If you're up to it, visit the Breville website and social channels to know more about it!

SKYGARDEN Set To Release First Single Under GMA's altG Records

If you haven't caught their videos yet, you must go and check SKYGARDEN on YouTube to see how these 3 Japanese guys (Ryo, Iwa and Hiro) ended up in the Philippines. Today, they announced signing with GMA's altG Records (an arm of GMA Music) and will be releasing their first single called KOKOA in digital platforms this coming September 1st. They've been doing a lot of covers on YouTube, Facebook and social channels . They have been also gaining attention in recent months because of their hit long form videos about pranks, their efforts in doing Fiilipino things, and also pretending to be BTS in some of their videos which has gained millions of views.

SKYGARDEN signs with GMA's altG Records and releasing their first single KOKOA

I've met them this afternoon and they're a pretty fun bunch of guys. During the pandemic, Ryo saw his 2 best friends who lost their jobs and struggled with their mental state in Japan. It was then when he bought two tickets for them to bring them to the Philippines so they could experience the culture, and how it is to live here. They ended up adoring Filipinos, their couldn't believe how some of the people they met were generous, welcoming and kind despite their economic stature. This is just one of many reasons why they now choose to live here, and now they're not just content creators, and chose to make their brand of music. 

 

If you get to listen to KOKOA, you'll see how it is a bit of a JRock experience, with the choice of using Filipino for the lyrics. So in a nutshell, it's a combination with Japanese rock with OPM. It'll remind you of those intros and outros of anime shows you've been watching online. It's something they are heavily influenced with. With their success, they plan to actually put it to good use and do a lunch movement, it'll be like CSR programs to feed those who can't by adopting schools. Aside from that, they plan to still continue to create content together to make sure they pay back those who supported them all these years.

Here's our conversation at the mediacon this afternoon.

They're funny, good looking and pretty driven about what they want to do in the content creation industry and music. They're in it full time and plan to do more of it in the next few months. You'll definitely see more of them in radio, different shows, online to promote their new single, which they hope you'll love. You can already pre-order it on Apple Music buy buying it now, then it'll alert on September 1st when you can play it. For the other platforms, you can start purchasing it on the same date. I like how they mentioned how supportive their parents are with their chosen careers. They really wanted them to follow their passion. This is under altG Records of GMA Music.

Congratulations Ryo, Iwa and Hiro. Keep on doing what you love!

KULTURA MANILA To Hold Fashion Show at Jones Bridge

It's been a while since a major fashion event has happened in Manila. That's about to change this coming September 8 as Manila sets the stage for Manila International Dance Festival aka MIDFest 2023. A fashion event called KULTURA MANILA will happen around October, utilizing an unfamiliar runway at the Jones Bridge. Yes, you've read that right. If you're not aware, much of these happen in Paris, Milan and New York, but the plan is to do it at one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city of Manila which I feel is pretty awesome.

This project is spearheaded by Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo. When the MIDFest 2023 event was announced, he also bared news about Kultura Manila, Mister Manila and a Sports event for Manila policemen and government personnel. The city is a historical and cultural hub and it's important to not forget that while we get back on track after the pandemic. Several of Manila's top Fashion Designers will dish out their best pieces showcasing inspiration from the pre-colonial and also those from the Spanish era. Think of it as a travel through time, which makes this even more exciting!

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 Fashion Designer Norman Penaflorida had us see a couple of pieces he's done worn by some of Mister Manila's contestants. Sure enough, we've seen nicely formed jackets and clothing, all of which look very current and wearable despite it being couture. He actually had a show prior which showcased non conventional textile drawn from flour bags of local bread makers. He's the house stylist for mostly all the shows at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, a little iffy about the designer title but if you think about it, he's been doing this for years. Aside from that, he's done work with the National Center for Culture and the Arts and done Production Design, Stage Management, Hosting, beside being an accomplished Actor and Singer. He held off on constructing his new atelier in Sampaloc, Manila as Kultura Manila preparations went underway. I mean, look at those fabrics he used as accents to these uni jackets! (He says he'll be using them extensively on the show).

There's going to be more designers to be featured in October, which makes me feel all the more excited about what's about to happen. This is part of the projects of Vice Mayor Yul Servo and heavily supported by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna together with the council, Verde Creatives and the men and women behind the Manila International Dance Festival. They also plan to do this yearly, so imagine the scale of these events unfold in the city including Rizal Park, several Manila based universities and different locations around the metro. If you want to partner up, they're very open to that. Get in touch with them via midf2023(at)gmail.com.

See you on the runway!