Jollibee Kids Club Happy Plus Card Launch

Kids from all over the country now have more reasons to be happy and become a member of the Jollibee Kids Club (JKC) as it has recently launched the JKC-Happyplus card--the Philippines' first ever electronic wallet and rewards earning membership card for children. Now with the JKC Happyplus card in hand, each time kids come and visit their favorite Jollibee stores, not only will they be able to eat their well loved Jollibee foods but they'll also earn points. 

Moms and Dads along with the whole family all trooped to the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati and joined in the fun as the Jollibee Kids Club Happyplus Card was launched. Hosted by celebrity mom Bettina Carlos, the said event was packed with lots of fun, games, surprises and activities for kids and those kids-at-heart. Kids who came had a blast with a number of booths within the area where kids enjoyed hands-on experience of what Jollibee Kids Club is all about. There were also multiple intelligence stations where kids learned about social skills, arts and crafts, reading, performance arts and so much more! There were loads of perks and freebies where kids were treated to such as free face painting, glitter tattoo, photo booth and cotton candy. There were also on stage games and programs which delighted and entertained all the guests. 

Child actress Xyriel Manabat also graced the program and wowed the crowd when she performed two songs, Katy Perry's "Roar" and "Let it Go" from the Disney animation "Frozen".  And of course, a Jollibee event won't ever be complete without our beloved mascot, best friend Jollibee and his friends Hetty, Yum, Popo and Twirlie performed special dance numbers. 

It was also fun to see other celebrity moms bonding with their kids at the said Jollibee event like TV host Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Sports anchor Patricia Hizon together with husband former PBA basketball star player Vince Hizon and family, and actress Danica Sotto-Pingris with her daughter. Commercial model and GMA Kapuso actor Mikael Diaz  also took sometime off from his busy schedule to spend time with the Jollibee Kids Club members as he became the guest storyteller at the Inquirer booth during Jollibee Kids Club Happyplus card launch.

So what makes the Jollibee Kids Club Happyplus Card special? It ain't like any other card as it is especially made with kids in mind. The Jollibee Kids Club is the country's largest club for kids to date. With over 440,000 members and counting, it promotes multiple intelligence through a variety of fun activities and workshops. Signing up is easy and upon registration, each Jollibee Kids Club member will b receiving a JKC-Happyplus card and the privilege to attend activities exclusively for JKC members. 

Mommies, Here's how the JKC Happyplus card works:

Each card costs Php100 (load not included) and is available in selected Jollibee stores for kids 12 years old and below. It entitles the bearer to a 3-year membership at the Jollibee Kids Club. Once loaded, the card can be used by the JKC member to pay for any Jollibee treat. Every correspondence/transactions made corresponds to points earned. 

For example: Php50 food purchase = 1 point = Php1

Jollibee Kids Meal purchase = Double points

Earn points by attending the JKC workshops. Php50 ticket spend = 1 point = Php1

Benefits and Freebies: 

Upon purchase of the JKC Happyplus card, your child instantly gets awesome freebies which includes 1coupon for a FREE Vanilla twirl, Php250 worth of discount coupons redeemable at Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking and Red Ribbon. And your kid also gets a chance to win up to Php100,000 in the monthly raffle. Additional raffle entries can be earned each time you reload. 

Load of Php100-200 = 1 raffle entry

Load of Php300-400 =5 raffle entries

Load of Php500-900 =10 raffle entries

Load of Php1,000 = 25 raffle entries

In excess of Php1,000, in every Php100 = 5 raffle entries

And all JKC Happyplus card holders can also have a chance to win one of 5 Jollibee Kids Party Gift certificates worth Php6,000 in the monthly raffle. Additional raffle entries can be earned for every reload. 

So Moms, all these reasons are enough for you and your family to frequent more at your favorite Jollibee store! It's like hitting two birds with one stone--you're kids will be loving the fun activities, enjoy their all-time favorite Jollibee treats and at the same time, earn rewards. Get your kids into something creative, interactive, entertaining and fun by making your kids join the Jollibee Kids Club so they can enjoy all the perks, freebies and priveleges of being a member and show off their Jollibee Kids Club Happyplus card and gain instant rewards! 

To learn more about the Jollibee Kids Club and the Jollibee Kids Club Happyplus card, log on to www.jollibeekidsclub.com

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions and impressions imposed are my own. 

Discover the Wonders of Spain

I'm often associated with Spain. I've been teased and called "Ms. Spain" a lot of times and my teachers could easily remember me because of my surname--Madrid. Yet I had to admit I know very little of Spain--well, except maybe Barcelona, since I remember being an avid follower of the 1992 Summer Olympics games held in Barcelona, Spain. So what is it about Spain that makes it so special? I was surprised to know there's actually a lot more interesting things about Spain that most people probably don't know. I got to learn all these when I was invited recently to attend an event organized by Embajada de Espana en Filipinas about the said country's product update for 2014. 

For the record, Spain receives a whopping record of 60.7 million tourists in 2013! Wow! This makes Spain one of the top three most visited destinations in the world. Why is this so? No big surprise there as Spain's tourism industry had always been at the top of the world. Spain consistently holds strong and extensive attractions for tourists and guests, from its excellent cuisine, awesome destinations and such a shopping haven for shopaholics. Not to mention, there are many Spanish tour packages that have been put together with the help of valued local travel agents. 

There's a wide range of activities available to tourists and visitors in Spain from theme park visits of places such as Warner bros. Isla Magica, and Xanadu; shop until you drop shopping spree at the country's best shopping places like El Corte Ingels; Spain also houses the largest concentration of luxury brands at low prices like Gucci, Bulgari, Prada, Cartier, Lladro, Zara, and Mango--all have flagship stores in both Madrid and Barcelona. Add in Spain's nightlife, gastronomic adventures, honeymoon and romantic getaways, religious pilgrimages and visita iglesia, golfing, beach and cultural immersions. 

The Huffington also had a post which cites 20 reasons to drop everything and go to Spain. I'll give you here a few reasons why a visit to Spain this year is a must:

Jerez de la Frontera had been chosen as the European Wine City for 2014. Jerez is a city rich and diverse in wine culture. The Jerez Festival is on full-swing from February 21-March 8--they also put on the spotlight the passionate dance of flamenco. 

Spain won the bid for the World Cup Fever for the Year 2014! Yes, amigo! All eyes will be following their favorite teams at the World Cup 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this June 2014. FC Barcelona will surely keep the fire burning at the football field. Make sure to transit in either Barcelona or Madrid.

Spain is world's third destination in meetings, incentives, congresses and exhibitions in 2012. With more than 50 conference centers, located in a wide variety of different places and a broad range of infrastructure in continual growth and renewal, in response to the promising future of the sector in Spain. 

What makes Spain different is the establishments (modern ones) which co-exists with remnants of history. It is a melting pot of races and cultures brimming with diverse entertainment options, exciting attractions and a comprehensive transportation system. For these reasons and so much more, these are enough to make you fall in love with Spain, thereby making Spain as your top choice in your next travel destination. 

For more information, visit www.spain.info 

Like them on Facebook www.facebook.com/SpaininSingapore

Watch its beauty at www.youtube.com/spain

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions and impressions expressed are my own. 

Fork on the Road TV Special: Explores the Wonders of Spanish Cuisine

Hola! Get ready to taste and savor a month of culinary goodness featuring restaurateur and cookbook author and renowned Chef Myrna Segismundo as she takes you on culinary tour around two of Spain's remarkable cities--Barcellona and Madrid. 

Fork on the Road is a TV special that delves into Spain's celebrated food culture and discover why the country is popular for its outstanding cuisine and learn why it generates the freshest and purest produce and ingredients. Take a sneak peek into the cities' hole-in-the-wall restaurants, best kitchens, cellars, farms and wineries. Learn and indulge in chef Myrna's interviews with shop owners, chefs, locals and other members of the Spanish food industry.

Join Chef Myrna as she takes you to rediscover the Philippines' own culinary traditions rooted from the Spanish culture, which has influenced us for almost 300 years. 

Catch Fork on the Road on the Lifestyle Network at the following dates:

Episode 1

Feb 16 9:30 PM

Feb 17 1:30 AM

             6:00PM

Feb 20 11:00PM

Feb 21 2:00PM

Feb 22 10:00AM

Episode 2

Feb 23 9:30PM

Feb 24 1:30AM

            6:00PM

Feb 27 11:00PM

Feb 28 2:00 PM

Feb 29 10:00 AM

When Marriages Falls Apart Parents Must Spare the Kids

I feel sad each time I hear stories about couples drifting apart. Coming from a broken family myself, my heart goes out to all the children within the family as they will surely be the ones to suffer. But as they say, what good would it do for both parties if they no longer love each other or they would just be hurting one another? A long time friend recently had parted ways with her husband of 12 years. Nobody said it was easy. After all, she had made her ex husband her whole life in the past twelve years. A long time ago, my friend had set aside her own dreams to play the role of a young wife. She became a loving homemaker and a 24/7 mom to her children. Her children makes her happy.  Although it all seemed that everything had been wonderful, her life wasn't exactly a bed if roses. But she had tried her very best to make their marriage last, to keep her family intact--in fact, she had given her whole to it--leaving nothing for herself--for her children's sake. Still, it ain't just enough. 

Her children's father is no longer the man she fell in love with. He became insensitive even to the needs of his own children. Sure, he used to be a good provider, but never a good father to his children. He became a gaming addict--constantly online, he's so into it to the point of forgetting his own hygiene and would often engage in petulant quarrel with either his children or his wife resulting in domestic squabbles. She hated seeing him completely immersed into online gaming that he forgets his responsibilities to his own family. She no longer knew who this man had become. And just like that, one day, he decided to leave--with his wife not knowing what to do to survive. My friend is groping in the dark to look for clues on how to get her act together and be able to stand with her own feet to raise her kids on her own. 

The sad part is that, their youngest daughter has leukemia--and needs monthly treatment, chemotherapy and other medicines. He knew how much his daughter needs money in order to survive. The daughter's only five years old and she's fighting for her dear life. Too bad, the father does not even seem to even care for his youngest child. And so, my friend pulls all the strings she could muster and tries her best to move mountains to make sure her youngest child maintains her medicines and treatments without her ex husband's help. 

When marriages falls apart and collapses, we need to spare our dear children. No matter how much the couples hate each other, they need to talk and iron out whatever kinks it is to be at least be civil with one another, just for the sake of the kids. After all, the two of you were happy making these kids therefore you should be together in raising them as well. These kids need all the help and guidance as they grow, and as parents even if you're no longer together, the support you've given to your kids should not stop. 

Manila Hotel Welcomes the Auspicious Year of the Green Wooden Horse

Filipino-Chinese community recently welcomed the Year of the Green Wooden Horse, Manila Hotel started the new Chinese year with its annual dragon and lion dance held at the Manila Hotel lobby. The Manila Hotel's posh lobby was bursting with the three auspicious colors in the Lunar New Year: hues of red, gold and green. A prosperity booth in a corner where a scent of incense wafting in the air, and the different round fruits as an offering. Roll out boxes upon boxes of tikoy, special niam gao (tikoy), sticky rice cakes, prosperity cakes--which are believed to keep the family together the whole year. Manila Hotel's lobby was literally transformed into a chinatown. Red lanterns fill the posh chandelier filling the ceiling with golds and charms adorn every corner. Drums and a vivid display of colorful fabrics were also featured. 

Guests also get to send their wishes for the year of the wooden horse by writing them down and sealed on Manila Hotel's red ang pao like envelopes and hang them on to The Grand Dame's dedicated peach trees at the grand lobby. The vibe and feel of a Chinoy (Chinese-Filipino) community is indeed contagious at the Manila Hotel. Thus, it comes as no surprise that more and more people, especially those of Chinese descent come to visit and stay at the Grand Dame--where they can both be in touch with their roots and at the same time enjoy the conveniences of a luxury hotel. "The Manila Hotel has been home to many important traditions celebrated by Filipinos, including the Chinese New Year. We ensure that our patrons leave our halls with a smile on their faces because of the memories they create and relive whenever they step inside the Hotel," said Manila Hotel Executive Vice President Dr. Enrique "Ricky" Yap, Jr. "From Mabuhay Palace's signature dishes to the visual feast in our Grand Lobby, we eagerly delight our guests with the way the Grand Dame celebrates the occasion."

The Grand Dame's Chinese New Year celebration is a gesture of solidarity with and respect for the Filipino-Chinese community. Aside from the long-standing tradition of welcoming the Chinese New Year, Manila Hotel invited Dr. Charlie Chau, a geomancer and Manila's top Feng Shui expert and professor at the International Institute of Chinese Esoteric Sciences Studies Center and his son, Hong Kong based Feng Shui Master, Vittorio Chau who blessed all the guests, the media as well as the Manila Hotel personnel during the said event. 

"Real estate is still on top of the most in demand amongst all the other business. Tourism will also flourish," says Dr. Chau during his speech at the Manila Hotel's Mabuhay Palace--one of the best restaurants that serves excellent authentic Chinese cuisine. Dr. Chau also mentioned the forecasts for the different animal signs in the lunar calendar. 

Manila Hotel will continue to offer the Imperial Chinese New Year room package until February 9 for as low as Php 10,408.00 per night (for a maximum of two adults and two children per room). Patrons can stay at a Superior Deluxe Room, enjoy a special complimentary buffet breakfast for two at the Cafe Ilang-Ilang, use vouchers worth Php2,000.00 at the Mabuhay Palace in commemoration of this special holiday. 

For inquiries and room reservations, please get in touch with Manila Hotel at 527-0011 local 1175 to 1179, while guests booking for tables in any of the Grand Dame's restaurants may call 527-0011 local 1261. For updates and promos, visit www.Manila-Hotel.com.ph 

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