Author: Press Release

Women YouTube content creators on “Breaking barriers online and beyond”

Hosted by Miss Trans Global 2020, actress, writer, and content creator Mela Habijan, the intimate gathering delved into the different stories of YouTube creators Lyqa Maravilla, Candy Pangilinan, Chezka Carandang, Jozelle Tech, as well as Habijan and Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario themselves.

Helping an entire society break barriers and achieve their full potential

Lyqa Maravilla

Lyqa Maravilla was inspired to start creating educational content in 2015 by her own grandmother, who only managed to attain a Grade 3 education, as well as a group of women who could not pass the Civil Service Exam because they were also juggling their responsibilities as homemakers and mothers.

Eventually, more people found her content and were able to apply her lessons to other similar exams, and the momentum she gained from this support gave her the confidence to create more content on study hacks, workplace tips, and many more videos that simply were able to help Filipinos, especially those who were disadvantaged.

Not only were the barriers in many Filipinos’ ways broken, but more importantly, heavily disadvantaged women were now gaining an edge. “We’re able to help so many people get jobs—actually, our current average is three to five people, mostly women, reporting per day that they land jobs and get promoted,” said Maravilla.

Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario, Chezka Carandang, Mela Habijan

In the same vein as Maravilla’s highly helpful educational content, commercial pilot Chezka Carandang’s YouTube content goes a long way in opening an entirely new horizon of possibilities for women.

Starting her own YouTube channel during the pandemic, Carandang—who had always wanted to be a pilot but had to figure out how to do it herself—simply wanted to share the process and her own story of how she managed to soar to the skies.

“That’s why I started my YouTube channel. Before, I was the one who had a hard time learning and becoming a pilot, now, I want to be the one aspiring pilots turn to to learn how to become a pilot,” said Carandang.

“It all started with one video on how to become a pilot, and after that, I was able to build a community. I get so many comments saying ‘Chezka, I became a pilot because of you. I didn’t know it was possible to become a pilot.’”

YouTube as a way to inspire

Beyond education, because of the multitude of diverse voices on the platform, for many people YouTube is also a source of inspiration.

Jozelle Tech & Lyqa Maravilla

Take for example Jozelle Tech, a CEO, entrepreneur, consultant, and content creator who also has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, leaving her to rely on a wheelchair—a natural barrier.

Being differently abled has certainly not stopped Tech from doing what she does best, which is helping businesses reach their full potential. Her YouTube content generally focuses on business, branding, and marketing tips and advice.

“These physical challenges are a huge barrier in living a full life. What’s harder is that I’m part of two marginalized groups–I’m a woman bound to a wheelchair. As a child, I had so many dreams, but people would always tell me no, don’t be ambitious. But I am ambitious, and I couldn’t accept that this was going to be my life. I couldn’t walk, so that’s why I decided to run a business,” said Tech defiantly.

Lyqa Maravilla, Candy Pangilinan, and Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario

Meanwhile, comedienne and actress Candy Pangilinan, whose YouTube channel features her daily life raising her son Quentin, who has special needs, found herself becoming an inspiration to fellow mothers in similar situations.

“I never imagined people would come to me wherever I am, telling me, ‘Ms. Candy, thank you so much for what you do. I learn from your vlog and follow what you do on your content,’” said Pangilinan.

“The support is overwhelming. People asked me what I do with Quentin, so I asked him if we can show the internet our regular lives. Eventually, it grew. Now people are asking, people are coming to me. Honestly, my burden 19 years ago has become my blessing today. YouTube really helped me a lot in developing my son.”

Mela Habijan

As for Habijan herself, who educates people on all things transgender on her YouTube channel, credits the platform for the full realization of her hosting dreams, as she announced she will be hosting shows on YouTube including Rainbow Bench, a YouTube-first talk show focused on LGBTQIA+ stories and allyship.

“It’s my dream to be like Oprah,” said Habijan. “There are so many possibilities being realized by YouTube. I cannot fathom the fact that we’ve really neared this age where everyone can. And we all can, right now.”

Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario

Sharing her very own breaking barriers story, Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario said, “I’ve been in tech for over 30 years now and my journey in the industry is not easy! Back in the early days of tech, there was a time when I was the only woman in the boardroom full of men. It was daunting at first but I didn’t let this hold me back! I stood my ground and believed in myself. I showed them that women can and women will! Women’s ability to lead not just with data but with empathy makes us effective leaders.”

Be inspired by the #PinaysWhoBreakBarriersOnYouTube. Listen to their stories on the replay of Breaking Barriers Online and Beyond on the Google Philippines YouTube channel and Facebook page.

April 4, 2023
Go On A Wacky Adventure This April to Celebrate ‘Looney Tunes ACME Fools’

Are you ready to dive into the most mischievous month of the year? This April, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote and the whole Looney crew will spend the month celebrating with Looney Tunes ACME Fools – an animated out-of-the-box moment dedicated to mayhem and laughter.

This year’s ACME Fools also lines up with Warner Bros. Studios’ 100th anniversary on April 4. In true Looney Tunes style, they will be amping up their silly shenanigans and playful pranks, this time across some of Warner Bros.’ most iconic and prized franchises. From April 1 onwards, animated mashups featuring your favorite toons, inserting themselves into Scooby-Doo, Superman, The Flintstones and The Wizard of Oz, will go live on the Cartoon Network Asia social pages.

There will also be an ACME Fool’s dedicated livestream on Cartoon Network Asia’s YouTube channel where fans can go on wacky adventures with Cartoon Network’s best jokesters. Stay tuned to Cartoon Network Asia’s social pages on April 4from 10am-6pm to catch a Looney take on some of the most iconic Warner Bros. moments – every hour, on the hour! These will be amplified across DC Asia and HBO GO pages as well.

https://youtu.be/ObCojVjW0Fo

Cartoon Network and streaming service HBO GO will also be giving top billing to the Looney Tunes with weekend marathons and specially-curated episodes of Looney Tunes Cartoons, Teen Titans GO! and Tom and Jerry. Cartoon Network is available on Cignal Channel 74 (SD), Channel 220 (HD) and Sky Cable Channel 43 (SD), Channel 178 (HD), while HBO GO is available to download in the Play Store and App Store.

To top it all off, several regional brands are partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery including Skechers, which is launching a Looney Tunes apparel range, and mobile phone cases and accessories from Rhinoshield.

Looney Tunes ACME Fools runs for the whole month of April. Keep up to date on all of the hijinks on social: @CartoonNetworkAsia @HBOAsia @DCAsiaOfficial. @LooneyTunes on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter / #ACMEFools #WB100.

April 4, 2023
New World Makati Hotel Kicks Off Earth Month with “Tea for Trees” Afternoon Tea Promotion

New World Makati Hotel is excited to announce the launch of its “Tea for Trees” Afternoon Tea Set, available until April 22, 2023, from 2 to 6PM daily. To kick off Earth Month, the hotel is donating PHP500 to the Million Trees Foundation for every Tea for Trees set availed for their tree-planting programs dedicated to conserving Philippine watersheds.

The Tea for Trees set is designed to highlight local ingredients and includes a selection of both sweet and savory bites. Guests can enjoy Calamansi white chocolate pralines, Barako chocolate mousse, Pili nuts and chili pepper 72% dark chocolate clusters, Kesong puti cheesecake, Ube puto flan, and Mango chocolate napoleons.

For savory options, guests can indulge in Ilocos mini empanadas, Chicken adobo mousse in wonton cup, Crab and aligue Bicol express in malunggay pandesal, and Kesong puti and tuyo flakes in rice paper roll.

“Together with all Rosewood Hotel Group properties worldwide through our Rosewood Impacts program, New World Makati Hotel is proud to support the Million Trees Foundation with the Tea for Trees Afternoon Tea. We believe in giving back to our community through not only sourcing local ingredients and products that support the livelihood of our farmers and suppliers, but are likewise committed to doing our own part towards contributing to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint,” said General Manager, Nantha Kumar.

Join New World Makati Hotel in celebrating Earth Month and enjoy a delicious Tea for Trees Afternoon Tea Set, while supporting a great cause.

For inquiries and reservations, guests can call (63 2) 8811-6888 or e-mail fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com. They can also visit the website https://manila.newworldhotels.com/en/ or check out the hotel’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.

April 4, 2023
Dream Theater Top Of The World Tour

Dream Theater, comprised of James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung, and Mike Mangini, were in the middleof a sold-out world tour in support of their last release, Distance Over Time, and the 20th anniversary of Scenes From A Memory whena global pandemic brought the world to a stop. The musicians found themselves at home with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they’d just finished construction on DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters), a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage facility, and creative hive. With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via Zoom on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined himself, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album, A View From The Top Of The World, ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency.

“We just love to play our instruments,” observes Petrucci. “That never goes away. I love to be creative, write, and exercise that part of my mind. We’ve been able to do this for a long time, and we don’t take it for granted. Whenever we get together, we know we can’t disappoint ourselves or our fans, so we manage to try even harder.”

“We approach every album like it’s our first,” adds LaBrie. “It’s been such a great ride, but we’re not going to stop.”

“My takeaway from Manila, for the first time, is that “it was incredible” and I really don’t know how to describe it better than we have. We didn’t know what to expect; we did get there, and finally, we’re doing the concert. It was an amazing experience; the fans were absolutely fantastic, and we could tell that they were having an amazing time and a great experience. Go, the first time there was phenomenal, and that’s why we’re coming back. Absolutely!” answered Labrie when asked about their takeaway from their first concert in the Philippines.

Their “Top of the World” tour in the Philippines will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on May 4, 2023 (8:00 p.m.), presented by Ovation Productions. Tickets are available at ticketnet.com.ph. Tickets are priced at PHP 2,750 (lower box), PHP 4,750 (patron C), PHP 5,750 (patron B), PHP 6,750 (patron A), and PHP 7,250 (VIP).

For more details and updates about the concert, please check the official website and Facebook page of Ovation Productions at https://ovationproductionsmanila.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/ovationproductions/.

April 4, 2023
Travel giants PHILTOA and HSMA join forces to ‘jumpstart’ tourism in the biggest industry event of the year

As part of its recovery efforts for the travel and tourism industry, the Hotel Sales and Marketing (HSMA) of the Philippines sealed its partnership with the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) to kick off preparations for the upcoming Travel Exchange 2023, which is designed to be this year’s largest platform for hotels, resorts, theme parks, tour operators, and agencies to create innovative travel experiences for both Filipinos and visitors from other countries. The inaugural B2B fair is slated on March 28-29, 2023 at the MGBx of the Manila Marriott Hotel.

“Our membership is basically nationwide; be it a business hotel or a leisure resort, we have that in our portfolio. In PHILTOA, they have all sorts of travel agents that cater to different markets, and I think it’s such an opportune time for this partnership because the global market is starting to breathe again,” said Loleth So, HSMA president and area director of Sales & Marketing, Belmont & Savoy Hotel Manila (Megaworld Hotels & Resorts).

The partnership is a first for both HSMA and PHILTOA, which saw fit to merge their organizations together to also further help industry players affected by the pandemic recover and restart their businesses.

“Tour operators and hotels are a perfect click,” said So. “As far as the hotels are concerned, we will encourage them [to offer special packages] because this is the market that we want to already talk to; we won’t have to go out anymore on sales calls!”

So added that the event will also help them come up with offers that will truly give their guests the local flavor that they want during their stay since many of PHILTOA’s members are small tour operators who are experts at creating these kinds of experiences.

“As an association, we really want to help our tour operators, especially those who are just starting and don’t know whom to talk to in the hotel side of things,” said Fe Abling-Yu, PHILTOA President. “During the pandemic, these operators really grew the local market–everybody learned to sell domestically.”

The PHILTOA partnership and the Travel Exchange are new additions to HSMA’s annual roster of exciting activities, the most famous of which is the group’s flagship September Online Sale (S-O-S)—also established as a response to the impact of the pandemic on travel and tourism. Also coming up this year is the 9th HSMA Virtus Awards, the most prestigious recognition given to outstanding sales and marketers of the group’s member hotels and resorts.

About HSMA Philippines

The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) is the premier organization of hotel sales and marketing leaders in the Philippines. Its members were heads of sales and marketing executives of accredited hospitality properties located in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Currently, HSMA has over 130 members nationwide.

About PHILTOA

The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc. is an organization of tour operators and allied members actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism. Founded on 12 June 1986, non-stock and non-profit organization. The membership includes travel agencies, hotels, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and associations.

April 3, 2023
Ayala Malls Celebrates Bravo! Filipino

BRAVO! Filipino, a festival that celebrates local heritage and culture in the fields of arts, food, fashion, and style, was conceived by Ayala Chairman Emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala back in 2008. Believing that Filipinos have a wealth of untapped world-class talent, Bravo Filipino was formed to discover and honor emerging and seasoned artists within the country, garnering national support that will eventually aid their rise to international recognition.

This year, Ayala Malls is once again putting Pinoy talent at the forefront as BRAVO! Filipino makes a more resplendent and impactful comeback kickstarting with two must-see events: the Ternocon III Exhibit and a series of ballet shows featuring Cecile Licad with the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company.

“Filipinos are passionate, creative, innovative, resourceful. There are so many ways to describe local talent, and that’s why we initiated BRAVO! Filipino. It is an avenue to display our heritage and culture. It shows and communicates our history and our hopes, our present, and our future,” shares Ayala Malls President Christopher Maglanoc.

Rediscover what makes the country’s homegrown talents so exceptional. With the campaign launching in April, witness a truly BRAVO! Filipino moment at the country’s leading lifestyle mall.

An exhibit of the country’s national dress

View the winning and most iconic looks from Ternocon III on April 12 to 16 at Glorietta Activity Center, Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, Greenbelt Gallery, and the Ayala Museum Lobby. The event, which aims to showcase the Philippine national dress in contemporary society, headlines the works of all 13 contestants and the established designers that guided the finalists during the competition.

Find the works of all 13 contestants at Glorietta Activity Center, featuring Cheetah Rivera (Quezon City), Yssa Inumerable (Paranaque), Geom Hernandez (Batangas), and Dee Javier (Manila) from NCR; Amor Albano (Ilocos Norte), Glyn Alley Magtibay (Oriental Mindoro), Bon Hansen Reyes (Rizal), and Gabbie Sarenas (Rizal) from the larger region of Luzon; Bree Esplanada (Cebu), Karl Nadales (Iloilo), Al Rey Rosano (Negros Oriental), and Marc Carcillar (Iloilo) from Visayas; and Glady Rose Pantua (Zamboanga) from Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the works of designers Joey Samson and Hannah Adrias will be exhibited at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center; while designer Dennis Lustico’s works will be at Greenbelt Gallery; and style-duo Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo’s works can be viewed at the Ayala Museum Lobby.

Showcasing world-class Pinoy talent

Internationally renowned institution American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Studio Company is once again taking the Philippine stage through a series of enthralling performances as part of a fundraising effort hosted by the Ayala Foundation, STEPS Dance Studio, and Ayala Malls. Considered one of the greatest dance companies in the world, ABT Studio Company strives to cultivate the growth of talented and enthusiastic individuals while expanding the reach of ballet to a broader audience. STEPS Dance Studio Founder Sofia Zobel Elizalde shared “We’re beyond grateful for ABT’s unwavering support in this noble cause. Art transcends beyond language and culture, and there are countless talented young individuals who deserve to refine their gifts. This show is a testament to our shared mission of nurturing and developing the next generation of artists.”

Returning to the Philippines to join the show is award-winning Filipina classical pianist, Cecile Licad. This will be her first live performance since the pandemic, making it a memorable experience not only for the audience but for the renowned artist as well, whom The New Yorker termed as “a pianist’s pianist”—a truly honorable title for the Filipino native. Also raising the Philippine flag are Filipino-American Prima Ballerina, ABT Jackie Onassis School Artistic Director, and ABT repetiteur Stella Abrera; and STEPS Dance Studio’s pride and one of ABT Studio Company dancers – Vince Pelegrin. “I’m ecstatic and proud to see one of my former students, Vince, up on the big stage as a performer of one of the most prestigious dance companies globally. He is a living manifestation of our company’s mission, and we’re excited to see where the future will take him.” mused Sofia Zobel Elizalde.

The gala show will commence at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati on April 20th. To foster a wider and more diverse community of art enthusiasts, this will be followed by public shows and first performance outside of Metro Manila at Ayala Center Cebu and Ayala Malls Abreeza on April 22nd and 23rd respectively. Select students from Cebu and Davao will also have the opportunity to participate in a Masterclass led by Stella Abrera and the Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company Sascha Radetsky.

This is just the beginning of Ayala Malls’ celebration of local talent. Expect more amazing experiences in collaboration with a new generation of Filipino innovators.

Experience BRAVO! Filipino at Ayala Malls. For more information, visit www.ayalamalls.com or head to @AyalaMalls360 on Facebook and @iloveayalamalls on Instagram.

April 3, 2023
Garmin Celebrates 20 Years of the Forerunner, The World’s First GPS Smartwatch

Garmin is commemorating 20 years of Forerunner, the world’s first GPS smartwatch designed to help runners adopt accurate and sophisticated data to train safely, achieve personal bests and reach new heights.

Garmin first set foot in the aviation industry with cutting-edge GPS navigation products in 1989 and expanded into automotive, marine, outdoor products and subsequently fitness wearables in 2003, with the launch of the world’s first running smartwatch – the Forerunner 201.

Every Run Starts Here – Forerunner for Runners

For the past 20 years, the Forerunner series has been providing runners with precise data analysis – the running smartwatch tracks a runner’s precise positioning while analyzing data including distance, speed, elevation gain as well as heart rate, blood oxygen and more.

In 2022 alone, there were over 320,000 new Forerunner users across Asia. Despite the global pandemic, running activities clocked by Garmin users in Asia grew by 24 percent from 2020 to 2022, with Vietnam, Indonesia and India in the lead with the most growth, demonstrating the unstoppable love for running in Asia.

“From the first time a Garmin engineer awkwardly strapped a GPS device to a wrist, the Forerunner series has evolved into a trusty companion for all runners around the world. We remain committed to achieving our personal best by delivering innovative technological breakthroughs to push users to their personal bests,” said Mr. Scoppen Lin, Assistant General Manager, Garmin Asia.

Likening runners to planets tracing their own orbit, revolving around their common passion for running, every runner is in pursuit of their individual fitness goals and to take on bigger challenges.

Empowering Runners with Running Science

Committed to expanding on Garmin’s expertise in GPS navigation technology and combining it with industry leading smart technology, Garmin has utilized Firstbeat Analytics for more than a decade before acquiring the industry-leading physiological analytics companies in the world.

Developments through the years include Heart Rate Variability (HRV) sensor data to provide the most advanced analysis and metrics in the areas of stress, sleep, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 Max), training status/load, training effectiveness, and respiration rate.

This allowed Garmin to empower users with the most advanced and accurate health and performance data to make more efficient and data-driven decisions during training and recovery.

In conjunction with this momentous celebration, Garmin has released their most powerful Forerunner smartwatches yet, the Forerunner 265 and 965 today.

Forerunner 965 Series

The Forerunner 965 is equipped with a titanium bezel, a 1.4-inch AMOLED display and an amazing battery life of up to 23 days on smartwatch mode. It currently holds the record for having the world’s longest battery life for a running watch with an AMOLED display.

Unique to the Forerunner 965, the watch comes equipped with the Stamina and Acute Chronic Workload Ration features to track and help users manage their physical exertion throughout a run, to prevent “bonking” by overexerting too early in a run and to determine overall training load metrics for proper training scheduling respectively.

This smartwatch is designed for marathon and triathlon enthusiasts who will benefit from features like Wrist-Based Running Dynamics, where users can access detailed metric through on-wrist running dynamics including stride length, vertical oscillation directly from the watch in real-time.

The forerunner 965 series will be available in the Philippines starting April 2023.

Forerunner 265 Series

On the other hand, the Forerunner 265 comes with a Ground Gorilla Glass 4 lens, with an option of 1.3-inch AMOLED display, featuring a battery life of up to 13 days or 1.1-inch AMOLED display (on the Forerunner 265S) featuring a battery life of up to 15 days. Forerunner 265 includes performance monitoring tools from Garmin Firstbeat Analytics like VO2 max, performance condition, training effect and more.

Rigorous and Comprehensive Testing Procedures for Quality Assurance

Designed for runners, by runners, Forerunner 965 and Forerunner 265 series are purpose-built in both form and function to help athletes better plan, prepare, perform and connect.

To ensure that Garmin’s products can keep up with users’ vigorous training regimens, the products are put through diverse extreme tests to simulate real-life usage scenarios, including but not limited to low and high temperature tests, 10-bar stress tests, acceleration detection tests, altimeter tests, repeated drop tests, watch band wear cycle tests. The variety of tests would ensure that customers would experience superior product quality and build.

Getting Runners from Zero to Hero

Garmin places great importance on community – building run communities throughout key Asian cities through Garmin Run Club activities to bring people who love running together.

The Season 3 of the Garmin Run club’s Manila leg started last February and will run until May 2023. Garmin welcomes everyone to join the run club every every Monday and Thursday at 7pm held at Toby’s Sports Bonifacio Global City.

The program is led by three Garmin-accredited Coaches: Precious Que, Jules Aquino, and Jasper Tanhueco. Discover new friends, experience a well-planned running program and run with the Garmin running community!

Run with Garmin and experience their most powerful smarwatches out in the market. The Forerunner 965 retails for Php 37,660.00 while Forerunner 265 is at Php 28,250.00. For more information about Garmin Philippines, visit their website or Facebook page.

April 3, 2023
Experience the Hamilton Revolution in Manila with Spotify’s ‘Best of Hamilton’ Playlist

Just a day after Lin-Manuel Miranda greeted us with “Kamusta Philippines!” and “What’s up, dude pare?”, Miranda confirmed that the award-winning musical will kick off its first-ever Asian tour in the Philippines.

From its multilayered historical backdrop to the cast’s high-energy dances and the showcase of a wide variety of musical styles, including hip-hop, pop, and jazz — this theatrical sensation is definitely not one to be missed.

If you’re already hyped up like us or a Hamilton first-timer wanting to study up ahead of the experience, Spotify has got you covered. Check out Spotify‘s 72-track ‘Best of Hamilton playlist ‘, which features all of the Hamilton music coexisting in one place, including songs performed by the original Broadway cast. Plus, you can also listen to Playlist Stories featuring Miranda and music supervisor Alex Lacamoire as they share the inspirations behind some of the fan favorites like My Shot, Wait For It, Satisfied, and One Last Time..

Get ready to experience the Hamilton revolution in Manila and feel even luckier to be alive right now!

April 3, 2023
The Splendors of Easter at City of Dreams Manila

Families can relish the joyous occasion with a fun-filled Easter event at DreamPlay or a splendid Sunday brunch at Nobu Manila and complement their revelry with Eastertime chocolates and delicate pastries and cakes at Café Society. A staycation also beckons with a special welcome Easter amenity.

DreamPlay’s Ultimate Easter Eggstravaganza 2023

To amp up the season’s celebration, DreamPlay, the world’s first DreamWorks inspired family entertainment center, presents the annual Ultimate Easter Eggstravaganza. This exclusive Easter event for passholders will be held on April 9, 10 AM to 3 PM, and registration starts at 9:30 AM. The facilities will be open to the public from 3 to 8 PM.

Especially curated for children, the VIP pass (P3,999.) allows participants access to egg-citing activities and 12 attractions, a brunch buffet, and a meet and greet with well-loved DreamWorks characters –Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, Master Ping Xiao Po, Mei Mei, Tigress, King Julien, Alex the Lion and Trolls Poppy and Branch. The activities include chocolate egg hunt at 11 AM; a separate hunt for DreamPlay special eggs to win prizes; magic show with balloon twisting; egg mold coloring; and parade at The Shoppes at the Boulevard.

For parents and guardians accompanying their children, non-participating pass (P1,999.) comes with access to the Easter event, a brunch buffet and meet and greet with DreamWorks characters.

The brunch buffet at Chez Gingy will be open from 11 AM to 2 PM. The kid-friendly Easter event at DreamPlay is open to only 150 VIP and 100 non-participating passholders, for an engaging and immersive experience for. Activities are for ages five years old and above. Children below five years old with a VIP pass must be accompanied by an adult with a VIP pass to participate in the activities. Reservation is ongoing. Terms and conditions apply.

Easter Sunday Brunch at Nobu Manila

Over at Nobu Manila, the restaurant hosts an Easter edition of its popular Sunday brunch that indulges diners into the “Nobu experience” featuring the innovative new-style Japanese cuisine globally popularized by the famed Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and some dishes with local flavors.

The Nobu brunch concept combines an all-you-can-eat dishes in an a la carte menu with a buffet spread of: freshly prepared Nobu sushi, sashimi and maki rolls; a selection of salads; hot dishes; chilled seafood bar; live carving and action station for kushiyaki (grilled skewered meats and vegetables); and a dessert corner with a chocolate fountain, cakes and an ice cream section.

Taking the Nobu Easter dining experience up a notch, the seafood bar offers fresh oysters, blue crabs, shrimps and slipper lobster; The carving station will feature two specialties, roasted whole wagyu beef leg with choice of wasabi mushroom or creamy wasabi sauce, and smoked wagyu beef brisket.

The indulgent Nobu Easter brunch is open from 11:30 AM to 3 PM and price starts at P4, 303. net per person for the Regular package, inclusive of non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails.

Whimsical Easter treats at Café Society

Until April 9, Café Society will delight chocoholics and the sweet-toothed with a selection of Easter treats and showpieces that are almost too cute to eat. Handcrafted chocolates masterfully prepared by chocolatiers showcase Easter bunny and duck chocolates, oversized chocolate eggs containing eight praline eggs, whimsical egg chocolates with bunnies, and chocolate chicks.

The visually appealing Easter cakes consist of: Carrot Flower; Chocolate Basket with Easter chocolate eggs as toppings; Mango Egg Hunt decorated with fresh slices of mangoes and Easter chocolate eggs; and Chocolate Basket with Easter chocolate eggs and a fanciful bunny with its head burrowed in the cake.

Other equally delightful Easter goodies are comprised of chocolate fudge loaf, white chocolate cranberry loaf, Easter egg sugar cookies, rabbit sugar chocolate cookies and meringue lollipop; and an assortment of pastries: bunny cinnamon twist, chocolate hot cross buns, egg bread, Nutella danish bread and ube bun rolls

A Lenten Staycation at Nuwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Manila

Guests availing of a luxurious staycation experience at the three Forbes Travel Guide-rated hotels Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel and Hyatt Regency Manila, from Maundy Thursday (April 6) to Easter Sunday (April 9), will be treated to a special welcome gift of Easter meringue lollipops. The Easter welcome amenity is available for bookings made via direct channels and applicable Best Available rates or Rack rates should be booked to avail of the amenity. Terms and conditions apply.

For inquiries, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com. Explore more of City of Dreams Manila’s promotional offers, rewards, or instantly check Melco Club points with the new Melco Club App, available for free download on iOS and Android.

April 3, 2023
Hop on to the Easter Fun in the City at Shangri-La The Fort

Celebrate Easter in style at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, where the city comes alive with a vibrant and bountiful celebration.

Easter Flavours and Treats
Get ready to indulge in the egg-citing seasonal menus specially prepared by the culinary team:

–       Enjoy your afternoon with High Street Lounge’s Tea o’ Clock offer. The afternoon high tea set includes savoury and sweets good for two and comes with Alexander Easter special cocktail.

–       Expore the egg-stra special international buffet at High Street Café from April 7 to April 9, 2023. Your favourite neigbourhood café will be open from breakfast to dinner.

–       The flavours of Peru come alive at Samba on April 3 with Semana Santa Easter Specials ala carte menu.
–       It’s a show of grit and grace in special ala carte menu offers at Raging Bull Chophouse and Bar starting April 3 to April 9, 2023.

–       Celebrate with Spring at Canton Road’s special set menu for 5 persons for only PHP 16,888 starting April 3. On top of that Canton Road offers special Catch for the Week ala carte menu.

Don’t forget to visit Bake House booth at the hotel lobby to purchase Shangri-La The Fort’s exclusive Easter treats.

Easter Holiday in the City

Make the most of the Easter holiday and Enjoy panoramic views of the metro with its Hoppy Staycation promotion at PHP 21,000++ or our Egg-citing Luxurious R&R offer at PHP 20,045++. Both offerings include a well-deserved off-the-grid celebration, hearty breakfast at High Street Café the morning after, and complimentary access to Kerry Sports Manila.

Make sure to book your table and room in advance. For more information, please call (632) 8820 0888 or visit https://www.shangrilafortexclusives.com/. Feel free to follow Shangri-La The Fort, Manila on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

April 2, 2023