Starbucks Philippines supports PETA's annual Summer Workshop

This summer many kids are taking time off from school, and it’s the perfect time to take up a new hobby and hone their talents further. Countless workshops are popping left and right, from cooking to dancing. Kids nowadays can spend some time to pursue their passion and develop their skills. One of the most popular workshops this time of the year are theater workshops which allow kids to discover their unique and creative talents. Not only that, children who enroll in a program like this also get to learn more about our rich culture and artistic heritage.

This year, PETA brings its annual Summer Workshop to more Filipinos as part of its celebration of the company's 50th anniversary. The workshops will be conducted in various satellite venues in the cities of: Makati, Quezon, Angeles and Tacloban. Recognizing the vital role of theater arts in communicating our identity and our highest ideals, Starbucks Philippines supports this program aimed to shape a new generation of artists.

“Starbucks believes in supporting organizations that create opportunities and promote positive change. Since 2015, we have partnered with the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA) as one of the beneficiaries of our planner promotion. We are inspired by their use of theater to raise awareness of important social issues while nurturing the creativity of Filipinos.” said Noey Lopez, president, Starbucks Philippines.

PETA's Summer Workshop started last April 17 and will run until May 28. Courses include Children's Theater, Integrated Theater Arts for Teens, Theater Arts and Creative Musical Theater. In its classes, PETA uses the Integrated Theater Arts approach, a method that PETA has developed since the 70’s. This method uses group dynamics, drama, creative dance and movement, creative sound and music, visual arts, and creative writing and is the company's main foundation for all the trainings it provides.

Children from ages 6 to 8 and older kids from ages 9 to 12 can enroll in the Children's Theater courses that aim to enrich the child's creativity and imagination. Teenagers aged 13 to 16 will benefit from the Integrated Theater Arts for Teens. As they learn to work in a team, they discover their talents and their self-confidence and communication skills are enhanced.

For aspiring actors aged 18 and up, the Theater Arts course gives fundamental knowledge of theater history and appreciation and skills in improvisational theater production. Meanwhile, the Creative Musical Theater course gives students the opportunity to learn more about the fundamentals of musical theater. The program provides comprehensive training that is aimed at enhancing the enrollee's musical theater skills.

The highlight of the course is a final recital: an original work created by each class whose participants get to perform on the PETA - Phinma stage.

"For the past 50 years, PETA has provided Filipinos with meaningful entertainment through theater productions, but aside from that we have also provided much needed theater arts education for the youth. This summer workshop is aimed at unleashing and nurturing the creativity of young people and adults through a unique and holistic process which allows them to shine whether on or off stage," says PETA curriculum director Dr Brenda V. Fajardo.

Starbucks Philippines and PETA have been working together since 2015 to advance the theater community in the country. Starbucks has primarily done this by sharing a part of the proceeds from its planner promotion.

To join the PETA Summer Workshop, visit their website at www.petatheater.com

Starbucks PH inspires people we love for 19 years

 I remember meeting my mother at Starbucks SM San Lazaro 6 years ago over  a large cup of coffee jelly.  We met there and talked about relationship (mine),  heartache (mine). Since then, Starbucks SM San Lazaro became our "tambayan",   from there we always catch up on everything that is happening in our lives, at least thrice a month.

I was the one who introduced her to coffee jelly. She loved to partner it with corned beef pandesal. Starbucks SM San Lazaro is the only place that my parents love to go to for coffee, they love how the resident barista concocted their signature hot mocha (coffee).

Good things happen when people get together. This is why, for 19 years, Starbucks Philippines has made it a mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup, one neighborhood at a time. Its stores serve as the venue where people meet to spend unforgettable moments together.

Starbucks stores located across the country have been a witness to inspired moments of the Filipinos. It is where friends get together, families bond and workmates relax after a long day’s work. It’s a place where people spend their first dates, study for the gruelling final exams and meet prospective clients. “We want our stores to inspire people to create memorable moments. We want the stores to be somewhere they can visit in different phases of their lives – be it for celebrating milestones or even simple gatherings. A third place between work and home,” said Noey Lopez, Starbucks Philippines president.

Maybe it’s the familiar interior across all stores, the inviting atmosphere, or the unmatched professional yet personal service that, for 19 years, Filipinos tend to spend their time there. It’s the Starbucks Experience – the tradition of warm hospitality, constant need for connection, and love for coffee –that make Starbucks Coffee and the Filipino people a great culture fit.

“Since the opening of the first Starbucks store at 6750 Ayala on December 4 1997, we have been committed to providing Filipinos with uplifting coffee experiences not only by celebrating coffee and its rich tradition, but also bringing  a feeling of connection” said Lopez.

Today, Starbucks is present in 20 provinces and 58 cities across the country. The 300th store opened last December 2 at SM City East Ortigas, Pasig City.

“We serve as a gathering place for our customers and we couldn’t be happier about it. We’re not just passionate purveyors of coffee, but everything else that goes with a full and rewarding coffeehouse experience,” said Lopez.

To share your moments of being together at Starbucks, visit www.meetmeatstarbucks.ph