I’ve never done it - an omnibus post about a huge corporate entity - but I think it’s about time I send this one out of draft. It’s been sitting here for weeks. The reason mostly was because I had burned my fingers from the Fearless Cooking Challenge, went to Singapore for Nokia Connection and got food poisoned on the last 2 days, and then huge cramps from Lazer Tag which really made me feel like a lolo.
But anyway the fog has cleared up and I now have some time to write about my experiences with Unilever. You see, I’ve had strong epiphanies before but owe it to the timing of several Unilever events in the span of a month and you can really get immersed in the brand.
Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas is coming to the Philippines this July 5 to 8 to endorse Adidas and make an appearance at the UAAP Ateneo-La Salle game (where both teams are conveniently sponsored by Adidas — hehe!).
Arenas has scheduled visits at various Adidas concept stores on July 6 such as Mall of Asia at 11:00 a.m., Rockwell store at 2:00 p.m., and TriNoma at 5:00 p.m. This will be followed by the Agent Zero Tour 2008 statement show at the TriNoma Activity Center where fans and sports buffs alike can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet and greet Gilbert Arenas. Guests will enjoy the activities surrounding the venue and may just get lucky by winning the chance to have their Gil Zero jerseys autographed through the Agent Zero raffle promo.
Not really a basketball fan - but these shoes are hot! They actually remind me of turfs.
Okay, first off, do any of you remember this cartoon that used to air back in the day?
Laser Tag paled in comparison given that the selection of Saturday AM cartoons included hits like M.A.S.K., The Disney Hour, Silver Hawks, Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, etc… But Laser Tag, for all intents and purposes was by itself a huge marketing campaign to sell …. Laser Tag merchandise and to convert kids to play the game (in the same way that Fred Savage’s 1989 hit, The Wizard sold Nintendo’s Power Glove and Mario Brothers 3).
So can you imagine, a few years later in the mid-90’s when Q-zar (and there was another one - Laser Quest was it?) opened in Shangri-La and Mega Mall? This was a huge mind f*ck to kids my age - we could actually play Laser Tag!!! Finally!!!
Then just like that the Lazer Tag phenomenon imploded as Q-Zar closed - perhaps because the rates were too expensive back then since this was “new technology.”
But wait. There is hope. 10 years later - today, Laser Tag is back.
Hello LazerXtreme! LazerXtreme is everything we loved about Laser Tag, and it’s back! It is located at the 4th floor of Market! Market! beside PC Express and conveniently located across Healthway.
In a nutshell, these are my observations after playing two team games:
## Laser technology is obviously so much better now as the guns are lighter and the vests are less bulky. The guns are VERY ACCURATE and you could actually see the laser beam shooting out of your phaser. I remember how inaccurate the ones at Q-Zar were.
## The playing field is very similar to Q-Zar except that it is loads bigger and the levels are more dynamic. There are a few camping spots for snipers but this doesn’t guarantee a full view of the area. You’ll be compelled to change locations often.
## Several modes of play. Each game is 15-20 minutes long. We played teams of 2 and teams of 3. Some went for the bases. But most just went for the bloodbath.
## Bases still exist and they’re still the same huge circular sensor on an odd part of the room. destroying a base gives you 2,000 points and can make or break your ranking. I honestly think bases yield too many points unless it really is an in-game objective. It’s actually more fun to run around and shoot other players than to camp the base and shoot it after it regenerates. Nonetheless, I can see where Destroy the Base can be really fun but for first timers it’s a lot more challenging to run and shoot the other organics.
## There are set call signs on your guns (mythological and comic book characters) but these can be changed for special events. I think the only reason why they didn’t do it for us was because this takes up time. Your phaser also displays the name of the guy who shot you.
## I didn’t notice any in-game marshals. Remember before when marshals had a huge light saber that could power down your outfit if you were caught running? The LazerXtreme staff is very forgiving with stuff like this (I guess, except for physical contact) as it is nearly impossible to not run or crouch. for concerned parents on their child’s safety, even though it was dark, the place is very safe as there were no sharp objects or things you could trip on.
Laser Tag is back in the Philippines thanks to LazerXtreme. Will this be another fad or will it grow into the next craze? I say the latter! Thanks to Benj for setting this up!
LazerXtreme Rates and Packages:
Games cost P170.00 on weekdays and P190.00 on weekends. It operates during mall hours. The venue also has a function room for events and team building activities.
Birthday Party Package
Weekday Rates P320.00 per head for 2 games
Weekend Rates P360.00 per head for 2 games
Birthday celebrant plays for free
Additional games is P150.00 for weekdays and P170.00 for weekends
The function room can be rented out for 2 and 1/2 hours for events. LazerXtreme caters as well (they have decent burritos) for P3,000 on weekdays and P6,000 on weekends (consumable).
I’ve been a yearly regular to the insane Mid-Year Microwarehouse Sale. Here are some tips I’d like to share with my readers to help manage expectations when it comes to buying that gadget you always wanted.
When: June 20-21, 2008 // Friday 12nn to 12mn // Saturday 12nn to 8pm Where: Eastwood City (behind 7-11, beside CyberMall)
The price list is not always accurate
It has nothing to do with the prices - but with the availability of the items. In previous years, there have been complaints from people who have been waiting in line for hours and didn’t get what they want. I guess buyers should really manage their expectations with what’s out there.
It is hard to predict the movement of items. Last year, I was amazed to find a lot of leftover iPods from the sale as well as bunch of Macs. Almost all of the Apple Care plans were wiped clean as the discounts for these warranties go for about 50%. By the end of the sale, a lot of the external speaker solutions for iPods were overstocked and were selling for about P2,300.00. So yeah, you can’t really predict how things will move.
Early geek catches the gadgets!
If you want the bet guarantee that you’ll get what you’re hoping for, be prepared to line up. Microwarehouse has made it more convenient each year by making the venue more comfortable and spacious even for those who are waiting in line. Last year, only a limited number of people were allowed inside the sale area at any given time so those in line could wait outside the booths. It was still very convenient as they provided chairs and the entire hall was airconditioned.
Bring cash!
Credit cards were accepted last year but it’s a no brainer that cash on hand is still best for transactions especially if you don’t want to wait in line. Withdraw cash early on and never on the venue area because by the evening, you’ll be out of items.
Pool resources
If you have friends who are going earlier than you, give them your shopping list and ask them to check on availability. I’m not sure if Microwarehouse can afford to hold items for you so it would be best to give the early bird friends your cash and have them buy for you than to wait for your turn when you do get free time. If you’re working with a 9-5 job, best to have your freelance or management level friends (they are on flexi-time!) to drop by first thing on Friday, which is 12 noon, so still - expect a lot of competition from the offices nearby. Your friends can line up early. You will expect heavy traffic by Friday lunch which will peak in the evening and on the weekend.
I hope these tips help! Most importantly, don’t forget to have lots of fun with your friends on the great deals!
Wow, Equinox Club (photo). That’s as far as I went to seeing the night life of Singapore last year. This year it’s going to be different! Realized that I’ve been so burned out from a lot of things going on with work, so I asked a favor if I could extend a business trip on my expense. Nokia Connect 2008 is happening on the 16th and 17th in Singapore and knowing how that goes, the party is going to be a blast. The funny thing was that I almost got double booked — LG scheduled me to go for Communicasia but I had said yes to Nokia already. With that, the famous and ever reliable proprietor of TechnograPH is going to Communicasia 2008 to cover the latest phones and services!
But June 2008 is also the month of the Great Singapore Sale and yes, I’m going to get lost in this great sale, as well as get lost in the huge shopping list of my beauty blogger partner as well as her friends.
In terms of what I’m looking to get, well nothing fancy. I’m on the lookout for camera accessories such as a semi-ball tripod which allegedly sells for only P2,500.00 and a Nikkor remote for only P600.00. In terms of brands I’m curious to check out the Giordano store as I’ve noticed that Giordano Singapore has one of the best - if not the best selection in Asia, in the same way that Zara’s selection in the Philippines is a hundred times better than Malaysia, Indonesia or Singapore.
I supposedly booked myself at a little place in Little India but Mia came to my rescue and offered my nephew’s bed as the kids are back to school in Manila. Mia, you’re a lifesaver, and you can have all the Pure Foods hotdogs and corned beef I can carry!
So Calvin wrote about the sale, a head on collision with the first few days. Well, I’m going to be there right smack ready for the PC Show (I missed Toy Universe! and seeing Kung Fu Panda in person) and Calvin’s post was very helpful. Between shopping at Orchard Road to Sim Lin Square, I’m also trying to make time to meet up with some of my dad’s former classmates from AIM, and do a whole day Zoo and Night Safari tour…
Is this madness? No, it’s just Microwarehouse! So it’s that time of the year again! Last year, I lost my chance at a 50% off AppleCare for the MacBook as these - alongside the P30,000.00 Mac minis went by really fast.
June 20-21, 2008
Friday 12nn to 12mn
Saturday 12nn to 8pm
Eastwood City
(behind 7-11, beside CyberMall)
Cash and credit cards accepted.
NO reservations. First come, first served.
Amidst the controversies on blogger related events, we can’t deny that blog events are some of the most fun extra-curricular activities that can make or break our day. Have you ever thought about it? What was the most memorable blog event you’ve been to? I’m not looking for the best - because that’s relative. I’m looking for something memorable - and maybe in the comments section, you can say why.
So let’s vote! I started a list here but anyone can add events as they deem fit. It could be a media event they attended as a blogger, an all-blogger event … whatever. Just vote! I’ll have this poll open for the next two weeks, which will close on the 20th of June.
Oh god. When was the last time you bought a Collezione shirt? I’m VERY SURE that at one point in our lives (maybe during the late 80’s, teehee) we owned a Collezione branded tee. Because I guess that was the in thing then: a plain collared polo shirt. Hah! That was nostalgic.
So the nostalgia faded until about last week when I started to see “Collezione C2″ ads being displayed on the blogs. I first thought that Collezione was launching a partnership with the tea drink brand but as it turns out, Collezione C2 happens to be the new division of Collezione that’s well … not stuck in the 80’s really very innovative with keeping up with the times! Here is a photo of me wearing one of their shirt. Skeptical I was at first but it really fit well when I put it on. The tela isn’t thin and though it isn’t stretchable like my Threadless tees, they’re warm and comfy.
Other than that I haven’t seen more of the designs. More designs here! But this isn’t their new line that will be unveiled on the 11th of June.
Well, if you’re curious to check out Collezione’s new line, there are a series of two events that will be happening next week:
On June 11, Wednesday, 6:00 PM at CAV Restaurant in Bonifacio High Street, Collezione C2’s Creative Director Rhett Eala unveils My Pilipinas the Series. What a neat-o URL www.mypilipinas.org — makes me wonder why nobody had that parked. If you’re interested in coming you can confirm with Sara at 0917-5334624.
If you can’t go, there will be an open exhibit from June 12 to 14 at The Spa @ Bonifacio High Street from 12 noon to 10:00 PM.
* CAV is that wine bar in front of mag:net. The place caught my eye the first time I tried it because they were serving wine ala dispenser! There have been mixed reactions to this from wine lovers because it might “cheapen” the experience as you don’t get a bottle. Customers are given a card which they have to punch into the machine and choose between full glass, half glass and “sample.” Personally, I think the concept is geeky and CAV allows you to appreciate wine if you just want to taste.
Recovering from the flu, I bravely joined Acer’s 2008 Media Power Fest in Cagayan de Oro. While last year had an army obstacle course to offer, this year was an amazing race around the city capped with a white water rafting race - we paddled for 2 hours!
This video was made by one of our teammates, Kit Joaquin.
And of course, the winning shot ….
No presscon. No product briefings. Just pure, unadulterated adrenaline for 2 whole days!
So Animoto launched their referral program a few days ago - refer a friend for a full pass sign up and you get 3 months free! So far I’ve had two successful sign ups I was able to try out the full length video production and was able to churn this show out from the David and Goliath Little Losers launch last Tuesday. Boy that was fun!
I made a little “mistake” with the video and will try to correct if I could just add more photos. If you do get to try out the full video feature, you really need to do about 40 to 50 shots for anything more than three minutes of video. That’s, well a rough estimate as photos will tend to double in a single screen if you don’t. But oh well, it still looks great!
