Entries Tagged 'Affairs' ↓

Starbucks Planner 2013 Philippines

It’s that time of the year again when Starbucks Philippines releases their annual Starbucks Planners. Now on it’s 10th year, the Starbucks Planner 2013 set comes in 3 symbolically fiber leather cover colors representing their brand – black, white, and green. If you’d notice, it’s the 3 colors of their continually evolving logo.

This year’s theme of the limited edition Starbucks Philippines 2013 Planner is “Moments of Connection.” They chose to highlight this throughout the planner to emphasize shared moments over coffee as a form of genuine connection to uplift someone’s day.

Inside Pages: First Calendar Month – January

Here, I have also compiled 13 reasons why you should get the Starbucks 2013 Planner:

1. White & Green Covers

Apple aficionados and La Sallites would rave about this, no doubt. The white one will surely complement my white iPad and imaginary white iPhone. The Starbucks La Salle branch along Taft Avenue would surely always run out of the green one.

Although I found the blackl one generic, it’s for the ‘classic‘ lovers who want to keep it low, plain, and simple. The white and green ones just stand out, they are for the creative-types who doesn’t mind the extra attention…like me. LOL

Starbucks Planner 2013: Green, White, Black

2. Textured Pattern Cover

Front-facing, the jagged-polygons / star-like pattern on the cover start from the left fading to right which lends a textured feel while not leaving the impression of being overly designed nor too plain, externally. Two thumbs up for this.

Textured Planner Cover

3. Environment-Friendly & Inside Cover Flow Design

The external pattern was intrinsically reiterated on the first page upon opening. It reminds us of the environment-conscious efforts of Starbucks traditional in their planners every year. The same goes for this year’s planners which are 70% made of recycled materials.

4. Reusable Notebook Cover (Refills maybe?)

Awesome is awesome. I never thought SBX would make a planner with a reusable cover like this. I only see plastic reusable notebook covers in standard bookstores. But Starbucks was able to consider about making this awesomely designed covers (refer to reasons #1 & #2) actually reusable.

Reusable Planner Cover: Notice the attachments of the paper notebook and the cover in the photo.

I’m just not sure if this is a preemptive move in preparation for Starbucks Planners 2014. Maybe the future ones would even be more environment-friendly as refills? I don’t know, this is just a hunch. 😛

5. Charity: SparkHope

Customary as well with the journal is a charity beneficiary for the project. Every redeemed Starbucks Planner 2013 comes a donation for the children of SparkHope – an early childhood care and development program. It’s Christmas season after all and it would be great to be of help with every sip of your favorite coffee.

Charity beneficiary: SparkHope

6. Weekly and Monthly Calendars

Of course, since it’s a planner, there are calendars (lol). Weekly and monthly calendars are there for you to actually fill and somehow organize your life schedule beyond just lugging around these awesome planners.

7. “Moments of Connection”

In line with their “Moments of Connection” theme, inspiring ‘connection‘ notes are placed in random dates to remind the planner aficionado to give a friend a pat at the back or to say ‘hi’ to a relative.

“Moments of Connection”

8. Post It notes, double adhesives & Postcards

To further enhance reason #7, built-in post-it notes and postcards are inserted in different months to share special thoughts and moments with someone you care for. It’s similar to your Facebook like and share button, only offline. 😛

Make an effort to make that someone feel extra special by giving him or her something non-digital (this reminder goes for me as well). 🙂

Post-Its & Postcards

9. Magnet Lock

I hate buttons for binders, they usually don’t last long and easily gives up to wear-and-tear even before the whole year is over. Solution – magnets! It makes that interesting tapping sound as well. Tap!

(See top photo)

10. Magnetic Bookmark

Remember the previous Starbucks Planner bookmarks with strings to divide the page? This year, they’re out. Magnet bookmarks are in. It’s a back-to-back hot beverage single-attached magnetic bookmark. However, since it’s basically two magnets, they tend to be too tight sometimes.

Magnetic Bookmark

If magnetic bookmarks are not your thing, you can cut it and viola, you have two Starbucks ref magnets! 🙂

11. Coupons

They’re calling them “kindness cards” this year. Call it whatever you want – freebies, discounts cards, promos, coupons!

Starbucks Planner 2013 Coupons

12. More Coupons

As they say, you can never have enough. So, you have a second page of more “kindness cards!”

More Freebie Coupons

13. Flip Book Style
Again, awesome is awesome, the inside pages have a Starbucks cup on the lower right side which starts empty in January and fills-up through the days and pages to a fully-filled beverage by December! An instant Flip Book!

Although I thought having the reverse would be more cute depicting ‘time running out‘, mine is a pessimistic way of looking at it. This one’s better, more positive. 🙂

Flip Book Pages

So how do you already have one of the 2013 Starbucks Planners? Click here to see how to get a Starbucks Planner 2013!

The 2013 Stamp Card which is more of a ‘paper’ than a card. 🙂

2013 Starbucks Planners

For my final verdict – the 2013 Starbucks Planners are the best Starbucks Planner set they have released in the Philippines in all 10 years. Reasons #1, #4, #10, and #13 are the major turn-ons for me which contributed to its minimalist and modern look. I love the green one best, followed by the white.

One day to go and Starbucks is officially releasing their Starbucks Planners 2013 in the Philippines; something much anticipated by coffee lovers and planner aficionados every Christmas season at about this time of the year.

Starbucks Planners 2013

But together with this announcement, it has been Starbucks Philippines‘ custom to launch festive parties in their coffee shops as well. They used to call it ‘Cheer Party‘ in the previous years. This year, they’re calling it the “Christmas 2012 Kick Off Party.“

Happening on November 3, 2012 in the open area fronting Starbucks Bonifacio High Street, you are all invited to this festive celebration from 5pm to 8pm and be ready for treats, activities, and freebies such as the following:

• Buy 1 Christmas beverage, get a second one FREE!
• 30% discount of selected merchandise.
• Food tasting and samples of new Christmas beverages
• Photo Booth
• Live Music Performance
• Partners Cup Design Contest
• More

NomNom Club Joins Partners Cup Design Contest as Judge

As mentioned above, one of the activities in the Christmas 2012 Kick Off Party is the Partners Cup Design Contest where 23 baristas will turn the Starbucks white cup into a Christmas cup by artistically drawing on it.

NomNom Club is honored to participate in this activity as one of the judges joining Nelz Mali of WeeWillDoodle and Starbucks’ Learning and Development Manager.

Starbucks Christmas 2012 Kick Off Party

Let us enjoy an early holiday season and see the new 2013 Starbucks Planners at the Starbucks Christmas Kick Off Party on November 3, Saturday, from 5-8 pm at the open area in front of Starbucks Bonifacio High Street. Cheers!

Magnolia Cookie Monster was first released in the market a few months ago together with the Magnolia Ice Cream Best of the Philippines collection. It is endorsed by Philippine teen celebrity Elmo Magalona, son of the late Filipino celebrity rapper and music icon Francis Magalona.

A few months after and with an aggressive marketing, Magnolia, through a media event held at Magnolia Flavor House in the new Robinsons Magnolia mall, announced two new flavors or variants of the Magnolia Cookie Monster in addition to the Choco Classic. The two new flavors are Choco Caramel and Choco Hazelnut. A grand fans day for the  followers of Elmo Magalona was also held afterwards.

Magnolia Cookie Monster,Choco Classic

Magnolia Cookie Monster Choco Caramel and Choco Hazelnut

Yours truly was invited as a blogger to the launch and was able to try the new products.

The packaging design is generally the same as that of the Magnolia Cookie Monster Choco Classic but in yellow and red colors for the caramel and hazelnut flavors, respectively.

It’s main thrust is its over-indulgence with chocolate having been made with four different kinds of chocolate from coating to filling. The coating would remind you of the classic Pinipig Crunch because of the rice balls in the coating. I’m not sure if they are also rice crispies (pinipig) and they just changed the name for marketing reasons. You may also be briefly reminded of the Magnum craze, only more conservative (thinner coating).

Magnolia Cookie Monster Choco Hazelnut

Moreover, Magnolia Cookie Monster is filled with a fudgy center filling on the inside, surrounded by chocolate ice cream.

As per the taste, I found the caramel variant too sweet and was not even able to finish the whole choco-stick. For an ice cream lover such as I, my friends would be surprised of this rare occurrence.  🙂

Magnolia Cookie Monster Choco Caramel

On the other hand, the Choco Hazelnut (Top Photo) gets the thumbs up for it’s interesting twist on the flavor. It’s not common to find a hazelnut flavor in a choco ice cream bar which retails for only P20. However, the Choco Classic retains it’s top spot on my favorites.

Magnolia Cookie Monster TVC

Tomorrow – October 28, 2012 – the Magnolia Cookie Monster television commercial will be released in major television networks (watch the TVC video in advance here).

Elmo Magalona is still it’s endorser effectively catering to the young market, specially the ladies who usually succumbs to the impulse of buying one of the best comfort food known to man – ice cream. 🙂 And also, the play of words with ‘Elmo‘ and ‘Cookie Monster‘…Sesame Street, anyone?

If you haven’t tried the Magnolia Cookie Monster ice cream bars, you can find them in major supermarkets nationwide specially in Rustans Supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, and Ministop outlets. Try their new flavors too – the Magnolia Cookie Monster Choco Hazelnut and Choco Caramel and see if my verdicts are right. But of course, don’t miss the Choco Classic which is a NomNomClub.com recommendation for a price-busting P20. Follow Magnolia Ice Cream on Facebook at Best of the Philippines & Magnolia Cookie Monster and Twitter as well at @MagIceCream & @MagCMonster.

Rockeoke Dinner with the Greenwich Barkada and Crispy Chicken

Greenwich Barkada

It was a fun night of music, good food, and bonding. It was my second Rockeoke Night with the Greenwich Barkada a few weeks ago at the Greenwich Katipunan branch in celebration of the successful campaign of the Greenwich Crispy Chicken.

As expected, the program started with hesitant singers who just need some prodding before they gave in. I’m always game for these things but not that night because I think I was about to get the flu. But just  like in high school, we sometimes give in to peer pressure. 🙂 I was actually with my fellow blogger and fiance Marjorie so we gave a duet just like what we did the first time a few months ago, but with a more daring song this time around.

The Greenwich team was also very game as they joined us in taking turns with the microphone. Thanks to “Ang Banda Ngayon” who supported us all through the fun night. The lady DJs also  joined us in the rockeoke.

Greenwich Rockeoke Night @ Katipunan Branch

Congratulations again to Greenwich for their successful Greenwich Crispy Chicken campaign. May Greenwich continue bringing about innovative a great-tasting products for its customers. Check them out at http://www.greenwich.com.ph/ ; Greenwich delivery is 5-5555.

***********************************************************************

School Spirit Boost with new Jollibee University Floats Flavors

When it comes to displaying school pride, students will go the extra mile to stand out and be creative. This is how Jollibee adds fun to its refreshing twist of the all-new refreshing flavors of Jollibee University Floats.

Jollibee University Floats

DJ Gino Boi

Upon invitation, we had a sort of fun ‘braniac’ trivia game with other blogger teams last week. I was assigned to the green team representing the Green Honeydew Float. The other teams are Blue Berries Float, Yellow Pine-Orange, and Red Apple Float. Unfortunately, we lost; nonetheless we had a fun afternoon.

Jollibee Float

The Jollibee University Floats are available for only P28 (regular) or P38 for a giant size. You can also upgrade any regular value meal to Go Float just by adding P21.

For delivery, call Jollibee Express Delivery Service hotline at 8-7000 or log on to www.jollibeedelivery.com. Also available are Jollibee Coke, Sarsi, and my favorite Jollibee Coffee and Chocolate Floats.

Figaro Enterprise Building

As part of its continuous expansion of branches and franchise, Figaro opens yet another branch this time at the Enterprise Building in the Makati Central Business District – Figaro Enterprise.

The launch started with the traditional Catholic blessing  in the morning followed by, of course, a brief food tasting while it’s already open to the public.

Figaro Enterprise Branch Blessing

Figaro Coffee Shop Counter

Figaro Enterprise also serves as the pioneer branch for its updated store interior design incorporating a bar counter and a function table to maximize the space. For the regular Figaro customer, you would also observe that the branch is more lit in contrast to the usual dim setup.

Bar Counter

Figaro Meals

Figaro Pastries & Cakes

Figaro & Starbucks Neighbor

I love the new cushion pillows complimenting the sofa chairs which serves as a good laptop support. I am actually using it while typing this article while inside Figaro Enterprise sipping on a Cappuccino Frost and Smoked Salmon Sandwich.

I asked the franchisee how he considered the competitors literally surrounding the new branch – Starbucks in front, Coffee Republic at the back, Oliver’s Sandwiches across, and Ministop on the side – and he gamely answered that they are all friends.

He was also banking on Figaro’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals which differentiates Figaro from the pack.

Figaro Enterprise Crew

Congratulations to the franchisers and new owners of Figaro Enterprise who are a very young group of friends in their 30s. Kudos on your new business!

Although our editor-in-chief has been to previous UTT, Clasrissa and I were first-timers and excited to be “food critics” for a day in the recent Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2.

The Fruit Garden

Knowing that there would be 40 different food stalls to try at the Rockwell Tent, we had to craft a plan so we can try everything just like how our EIC made it in last year’s Ultimate Taste Test. I couldn’t imagine how to go through each and every booth so I told Clariss that we should start with main dishes such as pork, chicken, and other meat down to the desserts and beverages.

Frisch Liquor Ice Cream

We were given a set of food tray, a pen, and a map with a grading sheet with the names of the participating vendors. It’s actually our passport to every food stall. We don’t have to finish all the stalls but it would be an awesome experience if we do!

The Scoring System:

• 1 – Thanks, but it could be better
• 2 – It’s Okay
• 3 – We had a good time!
• 4 – I love it!
• 5 – Awesome! I would recommend!

Bayani Brew

The UTT management has made it very comfortable for the “food critics”, there’s enough space, drinking water dispenser and disposable plastic cups.

On my list, I actually had 12 different food stalls with a grade of 5, but will shorten it the Top 10. Let me share our great food finds with a grade of 5 at UTT2.

1. Hillside Ranch
o This is one of the most scrumptious meat entrée in UTT2. To be honest, I’m a little picky when it comes to meat. I always want it juicy, moist, flavorful but definitely not salty, and most of all tender! Available in two variants, the corned beef brisket an my favorite  slow roast beef belly. Unfortunately, they are not available in major supermarkets but you can buy them at Trellis in QC and Essel Supermarket in San Fernando, Pampanga (the province where they came from – a place famous for good food).

Hillside Ranch

2. Carlo’s Kitchen
o The crispy, crunchy goodness of Carlos Kitchen pork belly goes very well with a bottle of San Miguel Beer! I got to try it when I visited Mercato Centrale about few months ago. The flavour, which is not too salty, and the crispiness remain the same. Crunchy belly is good for “pulutan” (finger food or appetizer). I almost forgot my favourite Bulacan chicharon!

Carlo’s Kitchen

3. Baked by Anita
o Known for their delicious cupcakes, Baked by Anita surprised us with their newest offering – a flavourful savory pie called the “Wild Mushroom Gruyere & Truffle Oil”. The truffle oil made it more appealing to the palate.

Baked by Anita

UTT would not be complete without dessert such as creamy and irresistible ice cream, cakes, pastries and smoothies. Here’s my take on their dessert & beverage section.

4. Blue Togue
o When it comes to desserts, I highly recommend Blue Togue! Initially, I was hesitant to try the cakes and pastries since I had some cheesecake overload the past few days. As of this writing I still have two boxes of Conti’s cakes in my fridge. Nonetheless, their Nutella Mouse Cake looks so divine I can’t resist! And yes, I was bewitched with its moist and creamy chiffon. I highly recommend Blue Togue!

Blue Togue’s Nutella Mouse Cake

5. Matasami Flavoured Shave Ice
o This one is definitely different from other flavoured shave ice I tried in the past. I never thought it would be so smooth, so luscious, so creamy and so delicious! I tried two flavors – the Swiss Cheese and Langka, in favor of the former. The owner was very generous offering us to try other variants but I had to refuse. Perhaps on my next visit, I will try the Hawaiian Shave Ice and their liquor syrups.

o Matasami can be found in: SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Galleria, Glorietta 4 Cinema Level and soon at Robinsons Magnolia.

Matasami

6. Villa Del Conte
o I’m already familiar with Villa del Conte as boyfie once gave me a box of these luscious, rich, premium chocolates.

Villa Del Conte

7. Saint Alps
o They served us their refreshing Blueberry Double Chocolate which was outstanding!

Saint Alps

8. Bayani Brew
o Bayani brew offers interesting and healthy beverages. I tried their Lemongrass Pandan Iced tea and Purple leaf tea Iced tea. Guess what is a purple leaf tea? It’s actually “talbos ng kamote” (kamote tops)! Interestingly, it doesn’t taste like kamote tops. However, the lemongrass pandan is just like a regular brewed iced tea but I liked it nonetheless! Each bottle costs P35.

Bayani Brew

9. Pinkberry – They served us Coconut Pinkberry and made us choose 3 toppings. It had a good balance of tanginess and sweetness to crave for.  Check out my separate post on Pinkberry.

10. Mochi Sweets

o A soft and not-too-sweet mocha dessert goes well with a cup of hot tea. Since we’re already full, I paired it with Nescafe Dolce Gusto Cappuccino.

Mochi Sweets

With a wide variety of food, I never thought I would be spending almost four hours at UTT2.

Other interesting food items are the Hokey Pokey Ice Cream from New Zealand Natural, Frisch Liquor Ice Cream, Maria’s Ilocos Empanada, Chef Anton, Lulu Belle, & the Plaza.

Bake Buddy

The Plaza

Nutella Rocks

On the other hand, there were two food stalls that I had to visit twice because they run out of food – Chief Wings and Chow Fun. The latter offered us their interesting chocolate butchi.

* Story and photos by Marjorie Pineda of www.livingmarjorney.com

New Zealand Natural

Maria’s Ilocos Empanada

Nescafe Dolce Gusto

Those are my Top 10 food items from Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2! I was so full I had to skip dinner that night.

Medicard Clinic in Makati

Five weeks, 35 sachets of C-lium Fibre, and one Crossfit session after, I’m still alive; and healthier too! 🙂

September 7 came when we had to undergo the second blood test and stress test at the Medicard clinic in Makati  The activity intends to measure the results and difference from whence we started to include C-Lium Fibre in our diet as part of the ‘C-Lium  Lose More Live More Journey‘. To get accurate results, we had a light dinner the night before of the Laboratory examination ( 10–12  hours fasting ).

We had a weigh-in followed by a nutrition  assessment and counselling.

Weigh-In

Nutrition Assessment: Lost 2 lbs, lost 2 inches from waist, light diet @ 2200 kcal/day

Regular Exchanges of Food / Day

Treadmill Stress Test

All was going smooth but I was already in a hurry during my Treadmill Stress Test because I had an academic class to catch by noon somewhere in Quezon City. My students were waiting for me as I am also an IT instructor, aside from being a social media consultant and blogger.

The tests were the same as before where the treadmill started at a slow pace whose speed gradually increase in time. The incline also increased as the test progressed while a medical doctor observes on the side. (top photo)

Treadmill Stress Test

Blood Serum

Blood Test Results

A few days later, I got the blood test results.

In summary, the general outcome of my blood test were well within the normal ranges. The highlight of which was that I lost about 2 more pounds from the initial 63.4 kilos a month ago.

Little did they know that I have a belly problem (love handles). It’s getting some mass and I want my 6-packs back! 😛

With my slim built, the others were kidding that they were surprised I actually had something more to loose. 🙂

Blood Test Results (from 1st examination)

I myself was surprised. I thought I might have gained weight since even though I was taking C-Lium in the mornings. I was generally still carefree of what I eat during the day and just a bit conscientious of my carbohydrates intake at night.

To put it visually, here are some of my before and after photos.

‘Before‘  (in Singapore King Crab) and ‘After‘  (in Legoland Malaysia) Photos

As per the insights I have gained in participating in this activity, blood results aside, I can truly say that C-Lium has improved my digestion and daily bowel movement.

With regards to continuing the ‘Lose More, Live More‘ with C-lium, I suggest you continue on this daily morning breakfast routine:

• Take one sachet of Clium Fibre Husk daily (best time to take it is 30 minutes before breakfast)
• Hydrate! Drink at least 10 glasses of water throughout the day (we are a tropical country, the 6-8 glasses work for the colder countries)
• You may mix C-lium Fibre with your preferred beverage (water,juice, coffee etc.) and you should drink it immediately.
• 

  C-Lium Fibre Breakfast 

  Other drugs, medicines or vitamins are preferably taken in separate administration times from Clium Fibre.

• Check out more C-Lium Fibre information at  http://www.clium.com.ph/LM/faq/Faqs.html, Facebook facebook.com/Clium, and Twitter twitter.com/cliumfibre

Thank you to C-Lium Fibre for accompanying us in this journey and to Medicard for making sure everything was going well from the inside. I hope this series of Live More-Lose More Journey was able to inspire at the very least, some of you, in living the healthier life while enjoying it as well!

San Mig Coffee Super

Anne Curtis further reaffirms her status today as one of the entertainment industry’s most visible and most successful stars as she becomes San Mig Coffee‘s newest brand ambassador.

“I am a regular coffee drinker and drinking coffee helps me a lot during a very busy day. The good thing about San Mig Coffee Super Packs is that there seems to be a variant for any time of the day…” says top celebrity Anne Curtis Smith.

This latest development form San Mig Super Coffeemix Co. Inc. is a step forward as they introduce new variants in launching the San Mig Coffee Super Packs – its newest line of coffee mixes. With the city’s super busy individuals in mind, the San Mig Coffee Super Packs contain energy-releasing B vitamins such as B1, B2 and B6.

San Miguel Super Coffeemix Co. Inc. General Manager Michael Allan Castro with Anne Curtis

San Mig Coffee Chococino

The four variants are:

• San Mig Coffee Super (20g)
• San Mig Coffee Brown (25g)
• San Mig Coffee White (28g)
• San Mig Coffee Chococino (25g)

San Mig Coffee Brown

I’ve tried all four with my breakfast recently and the first one is aptly named “Super” for its strong & bold coffeemix with full-bodied taste. The ‘White‘ one is on the creamy side with a smooth taste while the ‘Chococino‘ is cocoa with a blend of coffee.

But among the four, I liked the ‘Brown‘ most for its rich coffee taste and the distinct taste of brown sugar.

San Mig Coffee White

San Mig Coffee Super Packs

How about you, which of the four San Mig Coffee Super Packs would you be most interested to try?