Meet Jaga and enjoy the #BestoPotato experience ever with Jack 'n Jill Calbee!

The  Calbee snacks that we used to love abroad is now here in the Philippines.  Calbee brings snacking to a whole new level as Universal Robina Corporation partnered with Calbee, Inc. a major japanese snack food maker as it launches Jack 'n Jill Calbee at Glorietta Activity Center last March 13. The event was hosted by Gelli Victor with execs from Universal Robina Corporation, headed by Mr. Lance Gokongwei.

Jack ‘n Jill Calbee Potato Chips made from real potatoes comes in 3 variants Classic Salted which is my favorite, Cheddar and Sour Cream, and Wasabi variants, and available in 28g and 170g packs. Its japagood to share with everyone.

Jack ‘n Jill Calbee Pizza Potato snack captures the taste of real pizza with the melted cheese on top and is available in 28g and 65g packs.

Jack n Jill Calbee also brings you the goodness of fries through their Jagabee Potato Fries.  Real potato fries packed with a flavorful crunch, it is available in Classic Salted, Cheese, and Garlic, sure to fulfill every taste. It comes in  40g pack which is perfect for personal munching, while the 90g is good for sharing with everybody seeking the best potato flavors.

From March 13 to 15, the  first Jack ‘n Jill Calbee Pop-up store located at the Glorietta Activity Center brought exclusive premium items for the public to enjoy inside the pop up store.  Consumers get to test their ninja skills at the Potato Ninja booth, or dress up as giant potatoes and face off in the Sumo Potato Arena. They can also head to the photo booth and capture a “First Taste” selfie.  The store’s main feature is the line-up of limited-edition merchandise including mugs, ballpens, pencils, notepads, stuffed toys and T-shirts that feature the brand’s super spud mascot, Jaga.

Go catch the the colorful pop-up store in the following dates and venues: March 21-22 in Eastwood; March 28-29 in Alabang Town Center and April 18-19 in Bonifacio Global Center.

Takeru Satoh and the cast of Rurouni Kenshin held its presscon at Glorietta

 Japanese action-epic movie Ruruoni Kenshin with its lead actors Takeru Satoh, Munetaka Aoki and its director, Keishi Ohtomo held its presscon at the Glorietta Activity Center last August 7, 2014.  The show was hosted by Sam Oh and attended by the media and fans all over the Phils. Takeru Sato thanked everyone for the warm welcome he and the cast of Rurouni Kenshin got from all the fans and  media. The fans got wild everytime Takeru talks, winks and waves. While  Munetaka Aoki, his sidekick in the movie greeted the audience "Magandang Gabi and Mahal ko kayo and repeated the word "astig" three times, much to the adulation of the fans. Warner Bros. Japan releases the film and starts its regular showing in the country on August 20, 2014.

Keishi Ohtomo, Takeru Satoh and Munetaka Aoki

Two years after the release of the shocking prologue: Rurouni Kenshin, the time has come for the great climax to begin. The first half of an epic two-part finale, "Kyoto Inferno" finds the reformed assassin desperately trying to avoid the violence promised in the next film “The Legend Ends”.

Based on the Kyoto arc of the popular manga series written & illustrated by Watsuki Nobuhiro, the sequels follow the story of reformed assassin Kenshin Himura going up against pure evil Makoto Shishio who is attempting to overthrow the Meiji government. The fate of the country hangs in the balance as Kenshin Himura takes up the sword that he vowed to never draw again.


Returning as director is Keishi Otomo, highly respected around the world for such works as Ryomaden and Platinum Data. Gathering his production staff from the first Kenshin movie, he combines painstaking attention to detail with spectacle on a grand scale in his single-minded pursuit of a world-within-film like no other. The theme song is by the internationally popular band ONE OK ROCK, who has written two individual songs for both films.

Experience New Zealand and its scenic vistas

Promo fares to top New Zealand destinations offered in trade fair

Auckland

It’s Middle Earth to some, and home of the fascinating Maori culture to many.  There is no better time to visit New Zealand than now, as the Experience New Zealand trade fair kicks off with promo package offerings from Singapore Airlines, Destinations Unlimited and 11 participating travel agencies.

Experience New Zealand will be held from June 20-22, 2014 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive.  The trade fair features sales and exhibits of the country’s food and wine products, as well as tour packages covering Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, North Island, South Island and sites such as the Hobbiton movie set and the Lord of the Rings Edoras location.

“This presents a great opportunity for Filipinos to explore the vast attractions New Zealand has in store. Whether it’s the stunning scenery, adventure tourism, the great wine and food, or even the Lord of the Rings locations, there is something for everyone,” said New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore.

H.E. Ambassador Reuben Levermore, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, New Zealand Embassy

With its top visitors from Australia, China, US, UK and Japan, New Zealand will soon be part of the Filipino’s travel wish-list.  The abundance of sights and experiences is now within reach.    

  Tours range from four-day, three-night packages to seven-day, six night packages, including roundtrip airfares via Singapore Airlines.  Packages start at only $1,071 upwards, providing every kind of adventure for every kind of traveller.

Nature lovers will embrace the scenic vistas from a tour of Auckland, the “City of Sails.”  The beautiful Christchurch city is revealed on tours given on a classic double-decker bus.  The spectacular Milford Sound, dubbed as the 8th Wonder of the World, is enjoyed via a boat cruise to see waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife.  In Rotorua, visit the Waimangu Thermal Valley, considered the newest geothermal system in the world. 

 The valley houses Frying Pan Lake and Inferno Crater.  At the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour, take a boat ride through caves illuminated by thousands of glowworms.

In Queenstown, visitors can choose a number of optional adventures such as river jet boat tours, a helicopter scenic flight with alpine landing, the bungee jump, skydiving, guided nature walks, 4WD tours or a winery tour of Central Otago.

No visit would be complete without a deep appreciation of Maori culture at Te Puia, a living Maori arts and culture center located in Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. 

 Te Puia is home to 500 natural geothermal wonders, such as geysers and mud pools.  The center also features native flora and fauna, live kiwi birds and unique Maori arts and architecture.  It houses the National Carving and Weaving Schools of New Zealand which preserves the traditional arts.  In the evening, visitors enjoy a feast of food and friendship with a cultural performance and a banquet of modern and traditional cuisine.

For diehard Lord of the Rings fans, tour options include a visit to the Hobbiton set and Edoras location.  Some 37 hobbit holes, the mill, double arch bridge, Bilbo’s party tree, Bag End and the Green Dragon Inn are included in the Hobbiton tour.

From Christchurch, fans can also journey to Edoras via a 4WD ride.  The trip brings visitors to the beautiful Mt. Potts high country station to see where the set of Edoras, home of the Riders of Rohan was built.

 Aside from an informative and entertaining commentary, enjoy a short guided walk, champagne picnic lunch and handle movie replicas of swords, Gandalf’s staff and the flag of Rohan.

Sightseeing, adventure travel, food and wine, cultural appreciation, indulging movie fandom and just basking in New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery are the many choices available to travellers. 

Visitors to the Experience New Zealand fair can inquire from SIA Holidays (753-5151), Rakso Travel (812-9667), Travel Specialist Ventures (928-7487), Trends Travelmart (478-5401), Interlink (524-0016), Allpoints Travel (410-1527), Swire Travel (817-1082), Citimiles Travel (523-2881), Corporate International Travel (631-6541), The Marvels of Travel (842-7548), Best Wing Travel (Cavite) (425-4203) and Ecozone Travel (Pampanga) (045-887-0332).

Shoppers Get to Experience New Zealand for Three Days

Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines

 The New Zealand Embassy, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines and Ayala Malls, recently launched a mall-wide promotion, giving shoppers a chance to experience the beautiful and scenic sights of New Zealand. The promo will run from May 23 to June 22, 2014, leading up to the exciting three-day Experience New Zealand Fair from June 20 to 22 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive. The fair offers mall-goers a taste of the finest food and beverages New Zealand has to offer, as well as the best deals en route to this picturesque destination.

To join the promo, shoppers may simply purchase a Singapore Airlines return air ticket to either Auckland, Christchurch or both, plus a P2,000.00 single and/or accumulated worth of receipts from any Glorietta 1 to 5, The Link and/or 6750 merchants. Raffle tickets may be claimed at the concierge at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive upon presenting the aforementioned requirements. Two lucky winners will stand the chance to win an ‘Experience New Zealand’ tour package for 5 or 6 days to Auckland, New Zealand, inclusive of a Singapore Airlines return ticket from Manila, Cebu, Davao or Kalibo, accommodations and tours. Tickets can be purchased from www.singaporeair.com, SQ Mobile App, Singapore Airlines/SilkAir Ticket and Reservations Offices, and travel agents. Ayala Mall’s AMORE and VIPinoy card holders, as well as Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer members may also double up their chances of winning by simply presenting their membership cards along with the proof of purchase to increase their raffle coupons.

Participating travel agents are also offering tour packages to New Zealand starting from USD 1,197.00 per person, for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together. Shoppers availing of the tour packages are also entitled to join the raffle promo. For more information, you may contact the following agents: RAKSO Air Travel and Tours, Inc at 812-9667 (Makati)/ 353-4809 (Manila) or email at support@raksotravel.com; Travel Specialist Ventures at 928-7487/373-1449/9210580 or email atrowena.coloma@travelspecialist.ph ; Trends Travelmart at 478-5401/478-5654 or email at marissa@trendstravelmart.com; Interlink at 524-0016 to 18 or email atditsalcain@yahoo.com; Ecozone at (045) 887-0332/332-8961; The Marvels of Travel at 842-7548 or email at lilianne6500@yahoo.com; Land and Sky Travel at (032) 254-5434 or email at richelle.landskytravel@gmail.com; I Love Travel at 232-1366/242-7281/340-3034 or email at ilovetravelntours@yahoo.com; Log on Travel at 313-6319/313-6337 or email at log_ontravel@yahoo.com; or the Singapore Airlines Tours Desk at 753-5151 to 52 or 756-8899 local 7001/7002 or email attours_mnl@singaporeair.com.sg, cc reservations@siaholidays.com.ph.

For bookings and more details, visit www.singaporeair.com. You may also contact the Glorietta concierge at 752-7272 for more details on the promo

Explore New Zealand via Glorietta with Singapore Airlines

Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines

The New Zealand Embassy, has partnered with Singapore Airlines and Glorietta as they bring together this year’s ‘Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines’, a fair to be held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive from June 20 to 22, 2014. The fair will give Filipino travelers a foretaste of the finest New Zealand has to offer, from a variety of delicious food and fresh produce, to the best travel deals to New Zealand’s picturesque cities.

In line with Ayala Malls’ commitment in providing innovative and rewarding experiences to shoppers, Glorietta shoppers will also be given the chance to experience New Zealand for themselves as Singapore Airlines and the New Zealand Embassy are giving away two ‘Experience New Zealand’ packages to Auckland, one for 6 days and 5 nights, and the other for 5 days and 4 nights, inclusive of round-trip economy class tickets via Singapore Airlines, accommodations and tours.

Photo of the contract signing shows (from left, standing): Myrna Fernandez, Ayala Land Assistant Vice President; Hernando Banal, New Zealand Trade Commissioner, New Zealand Embassy; Rita Dy, Manager for Marketing Communications and Services, Singapore Airlines; (seated): Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Land Vice President and Head of Operations and Support Services, Commercial Business Group; H.E. Ambassador Reuben Levermore, Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, New Zealand Embassy; Ranjan Jha, General Manager, Singapore Airlines .

To avail of a raffle coupon, shoppers must present P2,000.00 single and/or accumulated worth of receipts from any Glorietta 1 to 5, 6750 and The Link merchants, plus one purchase of Singapore Airlines/SilkAir Ticket from Manila, Cebu, Davao or Kalibo to Auckland or Christchurch from May 20, 2014 to June 22, 2014. Tickets can be purchased from www.singaporeair.com, SQ Mobile App, Singapore Airlines/SilkAir Ticket and Reservations Offices, and travel agents. AMORE and VIPinoy card holders, as well as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members may also increase their chances of winning by presenting their cards along with the proof of purchase to double their raffle coupons. The promo will run from May 20 to June 22, 2014, with the grand draw on June 24, 2014.

For bookings and more details, visit www.singaporeair.com. You may also contact the Glorietta concierge at 752-7272 for more details on the promo.