Tea Time in "FunTaipei 2018"

"And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it's a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end." Pico Iyer

Whenever I travel abroad, I make sure to include a stop at the best pearl milk tea / brewed tea, and most popular tea shops in that country.

Which is quite obvious judging from the name of this blog right?

It has become a routine--second only to my skin care hunting expeditions.

I don’t know why, but Tea somehow completes my day.  A good cup of tea is a mood changer for me. The last time I was in HongKong, I drank 3 large cups of milk teas in a day just to differentiate taste and aroma. I can differentiate jasmine from say oolong, black tea, wintermelon and my fave lemon green tea, with just their aroma and one sip.



I also associate countries that I visit with their milk teas. So far, Hongkong is still on the top of my list because of their tapioca and pudding toppings, and second is Malaysia. I don’t know about you, but I think I can survive just drinking milk tea/brewed teas.



So when I was thinking of our next trip, I made sure there would be lots of tea shops I could try—that’s why I picked Taiwan—the home of the first pearl milk tea. And because food always tastes better in the country where they are originated. I can’t wait for November!

I already did a research on the best places for pearl milk teas and am secretly trying to create our itinerary around it. First is Chun Shui Tang at 30 Siwei Street, Taichung where it all started and has become a well know tourist destination.

The other day when I attended the Fun Taipei event launch I was able to try KqTea Pearl Milk Tea which gave us free samples. And it was goooood!  I actually got two! KqTea's pearl milk tea has the right amount of sweetness to it partners with the best chewable tapioca pearls they call jenju.

Aside from pearl milk teas, I’d love to check the following restos they introduced at the event--Ning Chi's Mala Spicy Hot Pot, Smoothie House for their iced shave desserts.  My Warm Day for their breakfast offerings as well and the Fried Chicken Master.

I would also buy the must- gift pasalubong Asha Noodles.

Hopefully we’d be able to book a room at Amba Hotel.

Since Taiwan extended their free visa until July 2019. What better way is to book your travel with your loved ones as early as today.  To get a feel of what Taiwan has to offer, Taipei City Government partners with EVA Air for the "Fun Taipei 2018" campaign and travel seminar  which aims to promote the best of Taipei when you visit the city .

Accordingly, the number of Filipino visitors has hit new highs, with the number reaching 290,784 since Taiwan approved the visa-free program for visitors from the Philippines in November 2017, which is just extended until the end of July, 2019. This is a staggering 68.59% increase from the same period in the previous year, which attracted 172,475 people in 2016.

Filipino Youtube star Mikey Bustos graced the event with his music video "My New Crushie" featuring Taipei's amazing food scene.

Deputy Commissioner of Taipei City’s Department of Information and Tourism Chen Yu-hsin said that the comedian-singer is the first foreign celebrity to be invited as Spokesperson to promote Taipei as perfect city for foodies and shopaholics and expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos for choosing Taipei as one of their favorite travel destinations.

The launch also featured delegates from Taipei's famous food and beverage service providers, My Warm Day, hottest Mala Hotpot, bakery and pastry house Sunmerry, Smoothie House, KQ Tea, Amba Hotels, Asha Food and Fried Chicken Master. 

Meanwhile local travel agency Jeron Travel also launched its travel promotion: an airfare and hotel deal with EVA Air, including a ticket for the Taipei double decker sightseeing bus. Ticket sale starts on July 5 at a minimum price of USD400 per person. They also announced the availability of the limited amount of Fun Pass Taipei and “FUN TAIPEI” surprise package to give Filipinos a series of super deals once they board the flight until they return home.



The FUN TAIPEI 2018 media launch and travel seminar was held to promote their upcoming event  at Activity Center of Glorietta 2 on Friday July 6, 2018. It will be open to the public and they can sample different food stations featuring some of the best dishes from Taipei. There will also be a DIY session and an interactive photo studio. Capping off the series of promotional events for Taipei City is the 2018 Travel Madness Expo at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, happening from July 5 to 8.

For more details, pls contact

Tourism Devt Div.,Dept of Information and Tourism, Taipei City
Ms. Yihsuan Lee +886227208889 ext 6902
Ms. Hunglin Lin  +886227208889 ext 7562

Goldilocks hosts the first "Mamon Face Party"

Goldilocks recently launches its first "Mamon Face Party" at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura  gathering the most adorable kids sporting a big round cheeks who were all cute aged 1 to 5 at the concluded event.

Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop, is always on the lookout for ways to bring out Pinoy Pride. As it proudly offers Filipino favorites and celebration essentials, Goldilocks makes sure that you don’t forget to celebrate little bundles of joy in your lives.

At the recently concluded Mamon Face Party, parents around the country proudly posted photos of their cute, chubby and cuddly children aged 1 to 5, via a Facebook photo contest. Out of over 8,000 participants, 50 lucky children were chosen to attend the Mamon Face Party, recently held at the SM Aura Samsung Hall.

At the event, the children got to play various games, learn the dance steps to the latest Goldilocks song Mamon Face, and even win exciting goodies. Lucas Arkin Garcia, the Mamonline Favorite with over 6,000 Facebook likes, got additional premium Goldilocks Goodies.

Bring on the sun, sand and good vibes with Starbucks x ban.do collection

Get your hands on Starbucks x ban.do’s tropical flower prints, rainbow waves and mouthwatering fruits mug and tumbler collection now!

Starbucks brings back the Asia-exclusive partnership with Los Angeles (L.A.) based lifestyle brand ban.do in select Starbucks stores today.

The collection will bring L.A.’s fun, relaxing and fashionable summer scene to the Philippine market. Sporting ban.do’s tropical flower prints, rainbow waves and mouthwatering fruits, the collection of drinkware and accessories will energize and add a stylish pop of color to anyone’s day.

“We are big fans of ban.do’s colorful palettes and the laid-back L.A. style and are thrilled to work with their creative and inspiring design team to bring this popular lifestyle brand to Asia,” said Keith Cole, head of marketing for Starbucks Philippines.

“ban.do’s global presence has grown significantly, and there is no doubt the continued success with Starbucks has been an integral part of that growth,” said Lana Hansen, Chief Growth Officer at ban.do. “It’s an honor to be invited back to the program and we’re happy that we can deliver more ban.do products to anyone who missed out on last year’s collections.”

Starbucks will continue to seek inspiring artists and collaborate with great brands to surprise and delight our customers in Asia Pacific. Follow our journey to discover the next big collection here - www.Starbucks-X.com.

*images c/o ban.do

Discover the world of Ant-Man and The Wasp at SM Cinema

Ant-Man may seem invisible to the naked eye, but the Earth’s tiniest hero is making a giant comeback and now with his partner, The Wasp! Experience the lives of our heroes as SM Cinema unveiled the Ant-Man and The Wasp’s Not the Actual Size interactive exhibit at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia.

In line with SM Cinema’s Reel-to-Real Experience, the largest cinema exhibitor in the country together with The Walt Disney Company Philippines, brings another fun and exciting exhibit inspired from the latest movie offering of Marvel Studios, Ant-Man and The Wasp. 

As you enter the exhibit area, witness the world of Ant-Man and The Wasp by crossing a binocular-inspired tunnel making you feel you are the same size as our tiny heroes. Get ready to be like Ant-Man and The Wasp as you plan your day and talk to your colony in the gigantic table and chairs. You can also explore the bigger world in the blown-up ball pit and the massive puzzle area.

Feel the Ant-Man and The Wasp experience with the Not the Actual Size exhibit at SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium on June 28 – July 4 and at SM North Edsa – The Block Atrium on July 6 – July 12. You may also share your tiny experiences online with the hashtags #SmallIsBigger and #AntManAndTheWasp.

In the aftermath of ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) faces the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father. But as Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) asked for his help, he will once again be the Ant-Man and fight together with the Wasp.

An action-packed adventure, Ant-Man and The Wasp movie experience becomes even better at IMAX theatres because the movie was digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. This means that only in IMAX will the movie fill more of the screen, and fans will see 26% more picture!

Catch Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp in IMAX, Director’s Club and SM Cinema branches nationwide starting July 4. For more convenient experience, book you tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!   

Enjoy Dalawang Linamnam sa Isang Ulam with Jollibee Burger Steak

When it comes to a satisfying lunch, nothing can beat a classic kanin at ulam combination like Jollibee’s Burger Steak. This best-selling offering has captured the hearts and taste buds of generations of Filipinos through two-in-one savory goodness with every bite.

Made with 100% pure beef, the Burger Steak patty is a winning ulam on its own—a beef patty cooked just right and seasoned to fit the Pinoy palate. Add the mouth-watering mushroom gravy—a flavor-packed sauce with real mushroom slices that complements and amplifies the beefy patty—and you’ve got yourself dalawang linamnam sa isang ulam that goes perfectly with a steaming serving of white rice!

“For those who love rice, a good savory—or malinamnam—ulam is definitely the best partner for every meal. With Jollibee Burger Steak, we’ve taken the two beloved savory flavors of beef and mushroom gravy to serve dalawang linamnam with every bite,” said Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee Marketing Director for Core Products.

Best of all, you get to enjoy this explosively delicious beefy-saucy combo at prices that will make you crave for more! The Burger Steak is available at all Jollibee branches nationwide for dine-in, delivery, take-out, and drive-thru for only PHP 50.00* (solo).

Like Burger Steak aficionado and endorser Anne Curtis in her latest Jollibee commercial, sing your heart out for your dalawang linamnam sa isang ulam fave anytime, anywhere!