The Philippines hosts the first Sesame Street Run Tour

PASAY CITY, Philippines – Sesame Street, the famous and well-loved children’s television program in the world, turns 50. As part of its golden celebration, Heroes Pte Ltd has partnered with Sesame Workshop, debuting the first-ever Sesame Street Run Tour on August 17, 2019, at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

Entitled “Sesame Street’s 50 Years and Counting Run”, this historic running event’s first kick off will happen in the Philippines. The revelry will continue as Sesame Street goes to other Southeast Asian countries – Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. 

In line with the five splendid decades of Sesame Street, the run will feature a five-kilometer family fun run across all ages. On its 50^th birthday, witness Sesame Street Giant Birthday cake blowout before the flag off with a special countdown by Count Von Count. Get showered with Abby’s Magic Dust before running into a fun-filled 5KM Sesame Street Run. Meet Sesame Street characters like Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the gang at the starting line and relive childhood memories. 

After the run, Sesame Street will treat its participants to many exciting activities that they will surely love. For five decades, we have seen how Sesame Street made learning fun for children.

Learn road safety as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will take the participants to an engaging obstacle course activities. Recently, Sesame Street has forged ties with the MMDA to help disseminate proper information regarding safety concerns in a child-friendly manner. This partnership with the MMDA has also aimed at heightening public awareness of the agency’s key functions – road safety, traffic education, environmental care, solid waste management, and public safety.

Joining this once in a lifetime race will give its participants exclusive access to Sesame Street’s 50 Years and Counting’s irresistible merchandise items. Get these limited-edition products – smart scarf which can be worn in different styles, light and breathable drifit shirt, a functional bag, a trucker cap, and sunglasses by signing up for any of these runner’s entitlement: Go Cute with Elmo (P1400.00), Go Hungry with Cookie Monster (P2300.00), Go Magic with Abby Caddaby (P3100.00), or Go Big with Big Bird (P4000.00). Avail of a group discount by signing up five (5) or more friends to get a 10 percent discount. For children who are born on August 18, 2015, and after, they are eligible to FREE admission (without any entitlement). They must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Participants will also receive free healthy cookies from Cookie by the Bucket, the official cookie partner of Sesame Street Run Tour. There will be a traditional Piñatas courtesy of Piñata Party PH to complete the birthday party. Get to sing and dance with Sesame Street’s furry friends during the meet and greet. Interact with family and friends at several booth-sponsored activities from its generous sponsors. Savor fondest memories of this run by having photos taken at Sesame Street’s photo booth. 

Participants can also purchase these Sesame Street’s 50 years design merchandise separately by ordering online or with our Official Timer and Registration Partner - Garmin Philippines. Sesame Street Run Tour’s on-site registration is now available at selected Garmin Philippines branches – SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Glorietta 5, SM North EDSA, and Alabang Town Center.  Meanwhile, online registration is still ongoing. Visit www.sesamestreetrun.com and sign up to experience Sesame Street’s exciting birthday treats. 

Registration ends on June 30, 2019.  Claiming of the race kits and limited-edition merchandise will happen one week before the event at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

The Sesame Street Run Tour in the Philippines is brought to you by Heroes in partnership with the MMDA. Special thanks to our official venue partner, SM By the Bay and SM Mall of Asia, official registration partner and timer, Garmin Philippines, official cookie partner, Cookie by the Bucket and official piñata, Piñata Party PH.

  

This run is also powered by Aldenver Marketing, Inc., the local event agency partner of Heroes.

For more information regarding the Sesame Street Run Tour in the Philippines, please contact Ms. Veronica Ramos of Aldenver Marketing at 0927-8484533 or 0998-9565231 or e-mail her at aldenver.veronicaramos@gmail.com.  For other announcements and updates, visit Sesame Street Run Tour on Facebook and Instagram.

Image credits: Sesame Street Run Facebook page. Sesame Street Run Tour Facebook page

Invitations By Ten: Office Launch at The Common Space, Pergola Mall

When every single detail is lovingly handcrafted, from the calligraphy to the colors, and the paper - you'll know that you have Invitations by Ten.

How I met the artist, Kristen Ramos (Ten)

At the coworking space that I go to in the Pergola Mall, BF Homes, Prnq, among the many who work online, there was this lady who was doing artwork, or so I thought, at first. She would have her materials on the table, and I, being a crafter who believes life is Pintersting, would sometimes just watch her from afar.

At that time, a little over a year ago, she would spend hours on her table, creating her work, and made thick, lovely, eco-friendly scrapbooks for sale. I would see her get clients and they would pour over the designs for their wedding invites, happily spending the time together, planning what to do. Ten also took the time to teach calligraphy. After a long while, when I saw that she had a bit of free time, I spoke to her and asked what she was making. She was making invitations and I saw that she was also making the envelopes. Oh, how I love seeing her work!

Office Launched

Her expanded office recently launched at The Common Space, Pergola Mall. It was Saturday, June 22, 2019 and they had a blessing with the family and staff attending. They have been preparing for this opening day by decorating their new office space and setting up their work tables. 

For a table at the coworking to larger office space, with a staff, and computers, and more things, her business is blossoming. There have been many changes and improvements in her business, such as  the invitations is the primary product, as there are many other items such as handmade paper and Bespoke envelopes. 

Family and friends:Ten is in the white shirt while Nikka is wearing blue. 

In that short period of time, Ten has devoted herself to her craft. She is an inspiration to me and should be also recognized by other crafters and artists. If you want invitations, and other paper creations...

For more information: 
Facebook https://web.facebook.com/invitationsbyten/
krisnik.kristenramos@gmail.com


Invitations by Ten
The Common Space
Pergola Mall
Aguirre Ave, BF Homes Prnqu

CAPA Summit delegates immerse in Mactan Cebu heritage

CAPA LCC delegates immerse in the rich history of Cebu City visiting the famous landmarks of the destination

CEBU – Delegates of the CAPA Centre for Aviation Low-Cost Carriers (LCC) in North Asia Summit 2019 immersed in the rich heritage and culture of Mactan, Cebu as part of the pre-event tour.

Among the historical landmarks visited were the Magellan’s Cross, which serves as the reminder of the power and pervasiveness of the Catholic Church in the country, and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, which is considered as one of the oldest churches in the Philippines built on the spot where the image of Sto. Niño was left behind.

The tour group also visited Fort San Pedro, the smallest and oldest triangular bastion, and the first Spanish fort established in the country. The fort now serves as a vestige of past colonial command.

The Heritage of Cebu Monument shows the symbolic events of the Cebu history back from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr, Pedro Calungsod

Another landmark toured by the group was The Heritage of Cebu Monument, which is a tableau of sculptures made of concrete, bronze, brass, and steel showing symbolic events in the Cebu history as well as the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, which is the first Chinese House built outside of China constructed between 1675 and 1700.

The last stop of the tour was the Casa Gorordo, a historic house that offers an intimate glimpse of the Filipino society from the colonial period up to the outbreak of World War II. 

More than 260 senior executive and industry experts will convene from June 24-25 to discuss the key challenges and strategic issues of the LCCs industry in the region.

Delegates at the Magellan’s Cross during the Mactan Cebu Heritage tour 

Tagaytay: A Tale of Trust Betrayed

Tagaytay provides the best view of the world’s smallest volcano. This volcano has the crater in the middle of the lake of the Taal. Local and foreign visitors visit Tagaytay which about 55 kilometers away from Manila, to stare in awe at Taal volcano, to enjoy the cool crisp air, and the hospitality of the people of Tagaytay.  

How a stranger would come to Tagaytay to stare at its beauty is probably one of the most unknown tales about Tagaytay and how the name was derived. Most of the names of the places in the Philippines were given because of what is distinct to the area, such as the small town of Balisong in Taal, which makes the unique knife that has a split handle that closes to cover the blade, and this can be opened to expose the blade with just a flick of the wrist.

The tale of how Tagaytay got its name is very interesting. Tagaytay can be broken down into 2 Filipino words which are “taga” meaning to hack with a sharp instrument and also is the name of a kind of large knife for use in the fields, and “Itay” which means father. Here’s the tale:

A young and beautiful woman who belonged to a wealthy Tagaytay family, met a good-looking, charming man at the ridge who was not from this place. He courted her and often visited her. One day, she had fallen in love with him, believing his flowery words - she had allowed him to kiss her.

After she was kissed, being pure, she asked him when he plans to make her his wife. The man scoffed and said that he had no plans to marry her. In her anger, she started running towards her home, shouting the words, “Itay, taga!” repeatedly over and over so that her father could hear her. "Taga" means to chop - specifically meaning to do so with a large knife, such as that for cutting wood or a butcher's cleaver.

The father did come out with his large knife, and so did some other people. The man saw what was happening, started running away to save his life from the angry mob. As they chased him, the young woman was crying in despair because she was considered as disgraced, and continued to scream, “Taga, Itay, taga…”  

The man was quick and was able to escape by running down the hill towards the lake. There were rocks that he had to clamber as that was the direction that he was cornered to run to. The people of the place stopped chasing him after he climbed the rocks, and just stood there. The reason why they no longer followed the man is that the rocky area was very dangerous, and he will not survive his escape and fall off the ridge.

Even during these modern times, there are still many Filipina women who save themselves for marriage, and the Filipino father is typically protective and does have a strong influence on who the daughter will marry.
Note: Tagaytay's Department of Tourism has a strict "Honesty Policy" for all establishments, facilities, and transportation operators. This city is also one of the cleanest in the Philippines and the local government has imposed a number of ordinances to make sure that the air quality is kept as pure as possible.

Author's note: I can write tales and stories, as I am the granddaughter of Jose Villa Panganiban, and he used to tell me so many about our country.  

Seriously Coworking: The Common Space Is A Comfort Zone Of Peace and Quiet

You'll want to stay in a place that is as seriously quiet as possible and where you don't have to dress up. Instead of being greeted by clowns and cajoled into distraction, there is networking but on a subdued level. There is social interaction yet it is organized. There is a chance to find that kind of peace and quiet that you need to focus on work and that so very important comfort zone.

There is a place that'll help you make work get done as there is no time to waste. However, there is also the space to lounge, and if you are a slow starter, who refuses to make work feel like work or one that wants just to get away from being stuck at home to have an office, you have got The Common Space.

Bring out the OCD in you. As we all want a clutter-free place that'll make our surroundings nice, this place is it. Neat, with all necessary things in the right place, you'll take care of it like it was your very own.

The Common Space is a coworking space where they offer different platforms of workspace for freelancers, startups, students, and ventures of all types. Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, often an office and independent activity

​​In this Coworking Space, these core values are supported

COMMUNITY. COWORK. CREATE. COLLABORATE.

Rates 

The rates: When you compute how affordable it is and practical, as you no longer have to set up an office, get a landline, get a receptionist, own a coffee maker, have a printer, get a ref, and even down to drinking water as it is all included and more...
when you get a coworking space at The Common Space

All you have to do is bring your laptop and sit, and you are ready to work!

The Common Space is located at the 2nd floor,  

The Pergola Mall, Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes Paranaque. 

Click the links for more information 

The Common Space website 

The Common Space Facebook page 

Hands n' Mind: A Dream Play Place Come True

Children learn as they play. In the world that we live in, we realize that as much as we wish to give them the best of everything, there are many things that we might not be able to afford and for practical reasons. You can give them their dream play place come true, and it is affordable, practical, and one of the best things you can do for them to play and learn.

Even if we can afford to buy them fabulous toys, there are new ones that come out often. Plus, the selection that we ideally should provide to them must be that which is safe and eco-friendly.

We all have busy days, be it that we are a stay-at-home parent or someone that has a 9 to 5 grind. There are many who work graveyard shift and struggle to wake up to spend quality time with our kids.

What can we do for our children so that they can play and learn?

There is a skills learning place that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Many children's schools like that for toddlers cost as much as a college education. This is the better option as though we want to send our little tikes to school, we know that it might be too early, and it is shocking to have to pay so much for an hour or two of learning - but at Hands n' Mind, it only cost less than 400 pesos for the whole day!

Place aside that budget for the quality time for them to learn. It'll give you a day off, knowing that your child is in safe hands.

It is a place that will address the needs of our children to play, a safe environment, with eco-friendly toys, the latest and the classics, and aid them in developing their skills. The skills that a child learns by playing include that of motor skills. They also learn how to role play.

If you have one child and even a bunch of them, they also must learn how to interact with their peers. It is also important that they have the proper behavior, such as learning how to share, be polite, and play together. Such social interaction will lay down the foundation for their future, as interpersonal skills are vital.

All these skills, and even more, such as their intellectual development, can be made even better with the right environment such as that of Hands n' Mind, a dream play place come true.

Hands n' Mind Wooden Toys and Play Area

Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/HandsNMindToys/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handsnmindtoys/

Located at the 2nd floor, 
The Pergola Mall
BF Homes, Paranaque

Child in the pictures is my grandchild, 
Renee Quema, of Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Blogger and Instagrammer 
for Hand's and Mind. 

DOT reports 12.15% increase in foreign tourist arrivals for April 2019

International tourist arrivals in April 2019 reached 662,987, registering a 12.15 percent growth vis-a-vis 591,137 received last year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported. 

The top five markets with their respective volumes and growth rates are: China with 139,177 (+26.77%), Korea with 130,707 (+13.68%), USA with 87,710 (+2.5%), Japan with 57,724 (+17.75%) and Australia with 28,683 (+13.41%).

Meanwhile, foreign visitor count for January to April 2019 totaled 2,867,551, or an increase of 8.57 percent over 2,642,241 of the same period in 2018.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat remarked, “With the heightened marketing initiatives with the private sector and travel trade counterparts in the various markets, improved connectivity arising from new flights, additional frequencies and expanded capacity brought about by new and upgraded airports, we anticipate more visitors to keep this upward trend sustained.”

"We also attribute increased travel movement and consumption to continued efforts in developing new and existing tourism circuits all over the country in pursuit of sustainable tourism.", she added.

Visita Intramuros: A Tour Program of The Manila Hotel

VISITA INTRAMUROS, a tour program of The Manila Hotel, unveiled on  June 12, 2019, in time for the celebration of the country's 121st Independence Day. In partnership with the Intramuros Administration, the tour program is designed to enable the hotel guests to experience the rich history of the Great Walls of Intramuros and the Grand Dame, The Manila Hotel.

The launch of Visita Intramuros began with a press conference hosted by Manila Hotel President Atty. Joey Lina, Intramuros Administrator Atty. Guiller Asido, and Department of Tourism Asst. Sec. Roberto Alabado.

The Visita Intramuros is an exclusive tour that features the following attractions starting from 

The Manila Hotel.

The Manila Hotel Heritage Museum - A newly curated museum that houses the collections of the Manila Hotel that reflects the rich history of the Grand Dame.

The MacArthur Suite - The two-bedroom MacArthur suite, decorated with rare paintings, photographs, Asian antiques, and Filipino crafts

Champagne Room - Long favored by the fashionable set, it is well-known for its impeccable service and lavish decor. A favorite venue for elegant gatherings, it best embodies the Grand Dame's decades of tradition and devotion in providing guests with only the finest dining experience.

Fort Santiago - One of the oldest fortifications in Manila built in 1571 on the site of the native settlement of Rajah Soliman. It is notable for being the headquarters of the armies of several foreign powers in Philippine history, including the Spanish, British, Americans, and the Japanese.

Museo de Intramuros - The newly-opened museum that houses the collections of the Intramuros Administration.

Baluarte de San Diego - Standing the test of time as a bulwark that defended not only its land but also the stories of the past. This historical concrete structure withstood cannon fires, earthquakes, and the battle of Manila.

Destileria Limtuaco Museum - The museum of the oldest distillery in the country features the actual process of making rum and whiskey, from fermentation to bottling.

Bahay Tsinoy - A museum that showcases the tangible imprints and lasting influence of the Chinese whose presence in the Philippines dates back long before the Europeans sought alternate routes to the Moluccas.

Casa Manila - A colonial lifestyle museum which features the domestic life of the upper class in the 19th Century Philippines. The three-story building is a replica of the house of Binondo merchant Don Severino Mendoza.

This tour package may be booked with the Concierge department of The Manila Hotel. It is best experienced on a siklesa — a motor-drawn kalesa. Tour prices start from PHP2,250, with three options to choose from: a vehicle with driver, vehicle, driver and guide and vehicle, driver, guide and all in pass, In-house guests will enjoy a 15% discount off the tour prices, and also of the Filipino High Tea at the hotel's lobby.

Visita Intramuros, a hop on and explore the legendary walled city of Manila was launched on June 12, 2019. This is in line with the direction of the Department of Tourism to strengthen cultural tourism by expanding tourism products and engaging a specific market to increase revenue. Partnerships such as this is a testimony that the successful partnership of the private and public sectors is imperative to preserve and promote our heritage.

For more information, The Manila Hotel can be contacted at 527-0011

Father's Day June 16: BUY ONE-GET ONE CHACHAGO PEARL MILK TEA

Visit us at any Chachago branch (Metro Manila) on June 16, 2019 from 10 AM to 6 PM only.

The newly-opened ChachaGo in BF Homes is the place to be, to linger and enjoy milk tea and free WiFi. Located at the building where Robinson's EasyMart Aguirre is, the parking is easy, and the place is so totally convenient. 

With this promo going on, if you haven't tried it yet, it's time to go for it! 

Buy One- Take One details: 

1. Visit any Chachago branch (Metro Manila) on Father's Day, June 16, 2019.

2. Avail our BUY ONE GET ONE promo on our CHACHAGO PEARL MILK TEA beverage.

3. One transaction per customer only.

4. Promo is valid on June 16, 2019 only.

5. Promo is valid on 10 AM to 6 PM only.

6. Promo is valid both for dine in and take out customers only.

*Grab Food is NOT applicable*

7. Promo cannot be used together with any other promos, discounts including Senior Citizen discounts and PWD discounts.

ChachaGo milk tea 

ChachaGo milk tea is rich and creamy, and it has roasted black pearls. If you have tried it, then. it's good for you to know that this is where you can go take your father for a treat - or take yourself for one, and share another with a family member or a friend, or keep it for later! 

Roasted pearls 

Soft and chewy, these make a difference as the texture alone is so good, and it has the tapioca healthy goodness. It makes the beverage much more filling and adds texture to the over-all mix. These pearls are easily digested, as you can bite through them. Comparing the roasted pears to the others I have tried, it does make it tops as the cooking process of ChachaGo pearls take 45 minutes. However, if you prefer to skip out on the pearls, there are other choices such as fruit pudding, grass jelly, nata de coco, and coffee jelly. 

Milk tea 

 When it comes to the taste, it has the TEA. Undisguised, as it ideally should be, the milk compliments the blend... and there is more to it than what looks so great, you might be the one to consume the free one that you'll get for the Father's Day 2019. 

Sugar level choice 

You can pick how much sugar will go into your drink, be it 25 percent, 50, 75, or 100. That is a good option to have. Going for 50 percent is my choice, and it is up to you to have the measure that suits your palate. 

The staff is highly efficient and the service is fast. Comfy seating, there is the al fresco area and the airconditioned dining space at ChachaGo, BF Homes Paranaque. 

 Let's go ChachaGo.