Discovering Taiwan's Best Brands: Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone Event in Trinoma

It's the third leg of Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Mall Event this weekend in Trinoma.  The event first happened in SM Megamall last June 3-5.  Mallgoers will once again be able to witness a wide selection of high quality products from Taiwan's best brands through Taiwan Excellence.  This event is happening at Trinoma mall in Quezon City on August 19-21, 2016.

Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone, led by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and in partnership with the Taiwanese government, is an interactive product showcase featuring brands that bear the Taiwan Excellence seal which assures customers of superior quality products.

There will be 140 products from 54 Taiwan Excellence-accredited brands that will be seen on this event.  This wide range of products covers needs for Information and Technology, Home and Living, Sports and Leisure.  Included in this products showcase are STRIDA's durable bicycles which is designed for ease and reliable urban transport, SH-RD's protein cream that prevents hair damage and makes hair softer and shinier, and FECA's storage products which helps in maximizing home space.

Guests and visitors will not only enjoy the Taiwan Excellence product showcase, they will also be entertained by performances, fashion shows, games, and raffle draws.  They can watch out for surprise number from local bands such as Silent Sanctuary on Aug. 19, Callalily on August 20 and Up Dharma Down on Aug. 21.

The Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone will also have brand presentations to make consumers aware on the featured products and how it can complement their lifestyle.  There are also booths from brands such as Tatung, MSI, Feca and Asus.  Consumers can also avail huge discount from featured brands such as Kymco, MSI, Pacific, Tatung, Tern and Thermaltake.

This Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone is happening this weekend only.  So hurry! Be in the know on the latest gadgets, home appliances, fitness gears and many other treats.  Head now to Trinoma this weekend!

Taiwan Excellence: Showcasing Superior Products through Experiencing Zone Mall Event

Last June 3 to 5, Taiwan Excellence, a campaign that promotes high quality products, showcased their amazing wide array of Taiwan’s product design and innovation through the Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone Mall Event held at SM Megamall Event Center.  The event drew attention to mall goers with its attractive experiencing zone which allows them to see how Taiwan Excellence products can complement and enhance their lifestyle.

The Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone Mall event is one of Taiwan Excellence’ activities to showcase their high quality innovative and game changing products.  Organized by Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) of Taiwan and undertaken by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TIATRA), Taiwan Excellence has helped Filipinos appreciate the products that have been engineered and manufactured to the highest standard of Taiwan.

Joining this event were some of Taiwan’s brand partners where they exhibit their products’ superiority such as Acer, Asus, D-Link, Tatung, Heartway, KYMCO, MSI, Johnson Tern and Chanson.  All of these brands proudly bear the Taiwan Excellence Seal which ensures consumers of highly superior, quality and innovative products.

Keeping the event fun and pleasant, a Formosa bear mascot greeted guests happily and gamely posed for photos with them.  The event not only exhibit Taiwan Excellence products, it also features a lively dance number from Conven PH and a soothing song number from singers Christian Bautista, Julie Ann San Jose and Yeng Constantino.  Adding entertainment and excitement to the event was a fashion show of products and fun games lead by blogger and vocalist, Saab Magalona and Cosplayer sisters, Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao.  Several lucky draws were also provided to keep guests entertained.  Each brand partners also shared the best features of their products to make it more interesting to the guests. 

Formosa Bear

Coven PH

Yeng Constantino

Saab Magalona

Cosplayer sisters Ashley and Alodia Gosiengfiao

 

Fashion Show of TIATRA’s highlighted Products

TIATRA Deputy Executive Director, Scott Yang, said: “Every year, we strive to bring best Taiwanese products to the Philippines and its experiential activity allows people to see these things up close.  We’ve made everything in this experiential exhibit fun, captivating and different.  We hope to do more projects that would help Filipinos discover how we can help enrich their lives with Taiwan’s superior products.”   

(From left) Taiwan External Trade Development Council Deputy Executive Director of Strategic Marketing Department Scott Yang, Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office Minister Samuel Chang, Taiwan Trade Center Manila Director Harrison Koming Lan

Not only the guests have benefited from this event, even the brand partners appreciates TIATRA’s effort in helping them spread awareness and strengthen visibility of their products in the Philippine market.  Such brand partners as Asus products where their Product Marketing Commercial Solutions, Ruemer Allan Santillan, takes pride in embodying the Taiwan innovation by having high quality and technology that keeps up with the needs and lifestyle of its consumers.  Likewise, Heartway’s Supervisor and Far East Medical’s Jailyn Macamay shared that linking their products with TAITRA gives their product a reliable impact to the public.

Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone Event does not end here.  Other upcoming events are scheduled as follows: July 8-10 in SM Mall of Asia, August 19-21 in Trinoma and October 21-23 in Market! Market!  For more details, just visit their website at www.taiwanexcellence.ph.        

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

Why I Love Being Single

You get to attend a single's party!
I was one of the lucky cosmo chick who got invited by Cosmo.ph to their 2nd Cosmo.ph Singles' Bash this year.  I never expected to won since I just got back to cosmo website just a week ago.  Still I joined their contest by clicking the singles bash logo.  Luckily, the winners to score a special invite to the party was drawn by an electronic raffle.  And so I got in!  When you're single, you wouldn't hesitate to join similar contest.  And you wouldn't hesitate to party all night!

You get to mingle with and meet other single women 
Well, of course you can meet and mingle with any woman whatever your relationship status is.  But being single may be a little different.  Different being you get to share same interest in attending a singles party.  And of course what do you expect from a singles party? Meet men!  I get to meet new single friends namely: Elaine, Tricia, Florence, Verlyn, sis of Verlyn, Reg and friend of Reg.  Sorry I forgot the two names.  I'm so glad I met them.  They all have their cameras! I no longer need to bring out mine.  I hope they get to tag me on facebook with pictures.  With these new found friends, we also decided to meet up again real soon.

Of course, you get to meet MEN!!
Most of the men at the singles bash were from Cosmo's hot hunks.  I get to meet some of them and take pictures with them.  I also had a handful small chit chat with a few of them.  I can't recall all their names but there are really a lot!  Maybe after I get a copy of some pictures from the official photographer and from my new friends' camera, I'll post it here and try to identify them via cosmo's website.  And oh, by the way, not only chat and picture taking, I also get to dance with them!

There is no curfew nor obligation
The supposedly 7pm party started at about 9pm already and it ended at around 11pm.  But we get to stay a little past midnight.  If the party falls on a weekend, I'll surely stay a little longer.  Luckily, my new found friends also doesn't have a curfew (except for some) that's why we still stayed at 7th High even after the party.  There were still a few cosmo people and hunks at the venue and we danced with them.  I also had a few drinks which luckily didn't made me turn red, which normally happens to me when I drink alcohol.

I'm really glad I was able to attend this party after a little hesitation of going because my companion suddenly couldn't make it.  Even though I had a little nerve-wracking experience with the cab driver along the way, I can say I truly enjoyed the night.  It is my first time to attend a Singles' Party and it is my first time to attend it all by myself.  I'm happy to say that I made it and I really love being single :)  But I hope it won't be forever (the being single that is) ;)

Incubus: Live in Manila

It was a last minute decision when I decided to buy tickets for Incubus concert. I bought the ticket a day before the concert date. When I first heard they are going to perform again here in the Philippines for the 3rd time, I am eager and determined to watch them. I wanted to be at the front seat or at least near to it but the ticket prices were quite high. Many things have happened months before the concert date and I really need to tighten my budget. Even the cheapest ticket at the General Admission, I'm having seconds thought of buying it as this will affect the budget that I am holding. But nevertheless, I wouldn't want to pass this concert as this is already their 3rd time to visit the Philippines. I'm not sure if there will still be a 4th time. They've been in the music industry for years. We don't know if they can and still able to record albums in the succeeding years. So I thought, If Not Now, When? The same title of their newest album got me inspired to finally buy a ticket. I am so happy I did.

I was once again alone when I decided to watch the concert. Doesn't matter as this is already my nth time in watching concert alone. But it's quite different this time. I will be meeting a few people from Girltalk who share the same passion and who will also be watching the concert alone. At least soloist people will later be a company. It will be a sort of a small EB for us. I will only get to meet 3 new people. All of them are also fond of watching concerts.

I arrived at Araneta Coliseum at exactly 6pm. I immediately fall in line at the Gen Ad area. I just texted the people I am to meet of my whereabouts. With or without them, I must find a good seat. Unfortunately, the first person I texted left her ticket at home so she needs to go back. She was already in Araneta area when I arrived. So when its time to go in, I go in anyway and just texted the other two of my whereabouts. I was inside the Araneta at around 7pm. My seat was already in the 2nd to the last row but the view of the stage is directly in front of it. There are quite a number of people already in the free seating section at that early. At about quarter to 8pm, two other girls already met me at my seat. Finally, I'm no longer alone.

The concert started at 8:15pm with the front act, Franco. I don't know them but their music good. They're a good band on my first impression. And it seems their songs are good as well. They sang 4 songs as front act. After they performed, Incubus staff are still preparing the stage: sound check, mic test, musical instruments test, decor, etc. It took about 15-20 minutes to finish. Incubus' concert finally started at around 9:20 pm. It was a long wait, but worth it. First song, Megalomaniac. I can see from my seat that the expensive standing area in the front row are jumping uniformly while this song is being played. Quite a nice sight to see.

The songs in their concert are combination of old and new songs from different albums. That's a good thing as I am not quite familiar with the songs from their new album. I already googled the setlist of their concert based from previous country (Indonesia and Malaysia). At least somehow I know what songs will they be playing. It's unfortunate they will not be singing Are You In, Stellar, Dig, The Original (new album) and Thieves (new album). But I'm very much content with their setlist especially they sang my current favorite, In the Company of Wolves, at encore. Again, I don't know or memorize the lyrics of all of their song. Another mistake I should've already learned!

Here's their setlist:

Megalomaniac
Wish You Were Here
Consequence
Pardon Me
Anna Molly
Love Hurts
Circles
Look Alive
Promises, Promises
The Warmth
Drive
Sick Sad Little World
Isadore
Glass
Talk Shows On Mute
Adolescents
A Crow Left Of The Murder

Encore set:
I Miss You
In The Company of Wolves
Nice To Know You

They always have pause after each song and Brandon keeps on saying Thank You. This somehow bore some of the audience as some of the people at my surroundings sat if they don't know the song or if they're at pause.

I love how they ended the concert with the song, Nice to Know You. Really fits the situation. It was sad (at least for me) that Brandon didn't take off his shirt on his 3rd time concert in the Philippines. Although, he teases people by attempting to remove his shirt at the final encore set. But that's ok. At least they sang and perform really good even if they're quite old already. I feel like I was just listening to my mp3 player. That's how good they are. Brandon was still able to reach those high notes with ease and without difficulty. His voice is still the same. I'm really glad I was able to watch this concert. This is another one of the best concerts I have attended.

To Incubus, it's Nice to Know [Hear] You and I [Will] Miss You and will always Wish You Were Here.

Bag Essentials: What's in Your Bag?

It was raining cats and dog the whole afternoon until the evening yesterday.  Well, the rain isn't strong but the wind is.  From my understanding, the tropical storm "Falcon" will not set foot in Philippines but it will carry strong winds.  And yes it does.  There was no storm signal announcement but the continuous pouring of rain make it seem like there is a typhoon.

With constant rain experienced during the week, I always brought with me my small, foldable umbrella.  I am also using my Longchamp Le Pliage bag being waterproof.  I decided to wear my wedge ankle boots since I don't want my feet to get wet.  I also have my multi-way shawl in my bag just in case I get cold.  I thought these are enough to keep me warm, protected and getting wet from the rain.  I thought I was prepared for the rain.  But I was wrong.

At around 6.30pm, rains never stopped pouring.  I know I need to get going already from the office as the lines in the terminal will definitely be full.  And surely, there will be floods in the south area that will cause traffic.  So I immediately left the office and went straight to the Edsa Carpack terminal (underneath the Ayala MRT station).  I was in the terminal about 7:15pm.  Whoa! The place is jammed-packed!  The queue for the van in my area was so long, the longest I've ever seen.  So I decided to get some snacks first at Jollibee before heading to the line to buy chips (you need these chips as your "ticket" before boarding the van).  I got stranded at the shuttle terminal for almost 3 hours!  Good thing I was able to have my snack already.  This was the longest time I have waited for the van to arrive.  

Waiting for almost 3 hours, I get to realize the essential stuff one should carry in her bag during these times.  I've listed them here which you may find useful.

• Umbrella - I realized that it will be best to have a bigger umbrella when the rain gets strong and with winds blowing.  I had experienced my small umbrella getting carried by the wind and even I, myself, thought that I will be "blown away" by the wind.
• Waterproof bag - Good thing my Longchamp is waterproof.  I don't know how my bag got wet even if I have an umbrella.
• Jacket - A waterproof jacket is better during these times.  Because of the strong winds, I got wet from my waist below.  Having a jacket could protect my clothes from getting wet, thus keeping me warmer.
• Slippers - If you'll be crossing or passing by some flooded area, it's best if you're wearing slippers or flip flops.  I was wearing an ankle boots to keep my feet from getting wet.  This is also ok since I know I won't be crossing any flooded area.  My only mistake was it is a wedge shoe.  My feet and legs got tired wearing it for almost 3 hours of standing.
• Foldable ballet flats - This may come in handy in case you don't have slippers in your bag and you are wearing a shoe with heels.  I know coming from the office, many are wearing office shoes, meaning a quite formal shoes with heels.  This ballet flats can be your alternative foot wear once you're already outside the office.  You can also replace your shoes with these once your feet got tired.  It is a closed shoe making it still appropriate (and matching) for your office attire.
• Gadgets - Essential gadgets such as your mp3 player, game consoles or even your cellphone games can keep you company anytime while waiting.  I forgot I had movies installed in my cellphone.  This could have been my companion while waiting for the shuttle.
• Snacks - I'll try to make it a habit to bring along biscuits or cookies in my bag.  Having this in your bag can keep you from starving in case you cannot leave the line in queue.  A menthol candy is helpful too in case you feel a little dizzy, just like what I had experienced.

I have all of these in my bag except for the jacket and slippers/ballet flats.  I really didn't expect the weather to be like this.  If I only knew, I should have brought my jacket and slippers from the office.  So the next item in my shopping list would be a foldable ballet flats.  Care to add more bag essentials during this rainy season?

All Concerts Should be Held in Araneta Coliseum

And nothing else.  Well, I haven't seen concerts in SM MOA concert grounds and SMX Convention Center but in my opinion, these two are not the best choice for concerts to be held.  Why?  Simply because their offer is not as convenient as that of Araneta Coliseum.  Let me state my 2 basic points:

1.  From side view, the seating arrangement of the venue in Araneta Coliseum is slope type.  So even if you're on the farthest area, you can still get a nice view of the performers even if they seem to be very  tiny people.  When I say performers, this includes the drummer (if it is a band) which is often situated at the back of the stage.  You can see what they're all doing.
2.  You get what you pay for if you're in Araneta.  That is, to get a good seat.  In Araneta, you can choose your choice of seat upon purchase of ticket up to the Lower Box Area.  That is about up to 2 or 3 levels starting from the ground.  You don't need to rush to the venue and line up to get a nice seat on a first come first serve scheme since you already paid for your chosen seat.  All you have to do is be at the venue at about 10-15 minutes before the show.

I have tried watching concerts in open fields and it wasn't good as well, especially if you're in the farthest area.  You're only chance to see what the performers are doing is through the wide screen or projector they're providing.  It is like just watching them on TV.

My rant came about when I learned that the 2nd expensive concert ticket price of Maroon 5 is just a free seating.  This is going to be held at SMX Convention Center.  Imagine, 2nd expensive and yet it can still be inconvenient for you especially if you still need to fall in line just to get a good seat?  What's more, the ticket is considered as "Gold" ticket but the treatment wouldn't be "royalty".  I'm really really pissed!  I also heard that the Justin Bieber concert initially have reserved seating for Gold tickets only but later on the organizers decided that the silver ticket holders shall also have reserved seating.  This is to be held at SM MOA concert grounds.

I can't understand why they can't provide reserved seating to those expensive tickets.  Can't they be a little bit considerate to those who paid a lot for the concert?  I was happy that now I can afford to be near the front seat for Maroon 5's concert with its price almost half than their previous concert here.  But if it isn't going to be reserved seating, I'm having second thoughts of buying it.  My major reason is that, the concert date falls on a Monday.  I will be coming from work in Makati.  I cannot tell how bad the traffic can be from Makati to SM MOA.  If I leave at 5:00pm in Makati, the latest time that I will be arriving MOA will be 7:00pm.  Concert starts at 8pm.  Do you think I can still get a nice seat if I arrived late?

I'm really really pissed.

The Script: My experience

Remember my previous blog when I say I won't be able to watch The Script's concert?  Well, here I am, blogging about my experience from the concert.

It wasn't really a planned activity for me.  I only decided that I wanted to watch the concert, 5 days before the concert date.  I got curious with all those reminders, announcements and advertisements of the concert from Facebook.  It was all publicized that made me think, this may be a good concert.

When I called up Ticketnet, the concert tickets are already sold out.  Well, 5 days before the event, where else will I get tickets? So my friend and I sourced out "connections" just to get tickets.  General admission is ok with us as we're not really die hard fans of them, well at least for me.  As I've mentioned in my previous blog, I just like their songs and I just want to hear them perform live.  Good thing, the Manila Concert Scene fan page from Facebook announced that they'll be having a contest about The Script concert and the prize is free ticket for 2.  Without hesitation, I joined that contest.  Also, the fan page mentioned that Araneta Coliseum, the venue of the concert, will be selling Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets for the upper box A, B and General Admission on the event day iteself.

Unfortunately, our connections don't have any tickets for sale.  I didn't win the contest as well from the fan page.  So my last option is the SRO ticket.  Even if its "standing room", the area are all free seating.  And so you have to be there early if you want to be seated.  First come first serve.

The fan page announce that tickets will be sold by 3pm.  So my friend and I decided to be there around 2pm.  My friend arrived earlier than me that's why she was able to fall in line with only a few people in queue.  By the time I got there, people are already piling up.  We waited in line until about 4pm and no ticket is being sold yet.  There were rumors that only tickets for upper box A and B are to be sold.  We're already quite hesitant as we are only after the Gen Ad tickets.  But we still waited.  When the security asked us to line up properly and direct people to line in front of the ticketing window, that's the time we asked and confirm the rumors.  Well, the rumors are quite true, considering we're in the queue for upper box ticket selling!  The queue for Gen Ad ticket selling is on the other side of the coliseum.  The security informed us there are only less than 100 people in line.  So we hurriedly went to that Gen Ad ticket booth and luckily the line is quite short.  Then within seconds, people are also lining up behind us.  These are the same people from the upper box ticket booth.  I guess we all got confused as to where to line up.  When we got there, there's already a line going to the Gen Ad entrance.  People are really excited about this concert.

They started selling the tickets at past 5:30pm already.  Upon receipt of ticket, we immediately went up to line to the entrance of Gen Ad area.  Another line.  We've been falling in line since 2pm!  By around past 6:30pm, gates were already open.  But still, we have to fall in line again on the last door at the entrance of the coliseum itself.  One last line and this is it!  We got in by around a little past 7pm.  Whew!  What a long journey!  And finally this is it.  Lights closed at about 8:30pm and The Script were already on stage.

It was an entertaining concert.  I can feel that The Script is very happy with the Filipino's appreciation of them.  It was fun that the band even took pictures of them with the audience.  The Script also mentioned how the Filipinos love to sing along.  I thought they will flash the lyrics "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" from their huge screen background.  But instead, Danny let the audience sing some parts of the song.  With sold out tickets and standing room tickets, the whole Araneta Coliseum is occupied.  People are all singing to almost all of their songs.  This is what I've learned from the concert.  It's SOP to memorize the lyrics of at least 3 songs of the artist/band so you wouldn't be left out!  As for me, I just hum as I don't know the lyrics :)

Here's the setlist from the concert:

You Won't Feel A Thing
Talk You Down
We Cry
If You Ever Come Back
Before the Worst
If You See Kay
The End Where I Begin
Science and Faith
The Man Who Can't Be Moved
I'm Yours
Nothing
Dead Man Walking
Rusty Halo

The band bid goodbye but of course we haven't heard their famous songs yet.  And so "the script" is people will shout "more" and the band will come out again and play.

Encore:
For the First Time
Breakeven

Of these, my favorites are For the First Time, Nothing, Breakeven and The Man Who Can't Be Moved.  I didn't have much pictures and I didn't even bother to take videos as we're seated on the top of the world.  Overall, I enjoyed the concert.  It may not be the perfect concert I've seen (with a pause of about 10-15 seconds before the next song is played) and Danny has a little difficulty performing live but it was entertaining.  The long queue was worth it for just Php 850 :)
  

Concerts / Foreign Performers

What have I been doing?! I'm already missing concerts! I missed out the concerts of Stone Temple Pilots, Chippendales (haha!), Yellowcard, Anberlin and Far East Movement.  And now, I think I won't be able to catch the concerts of Bruno Mars (April 8), The Script (April 16), Switchfoot (April 30) and Maroon 5 (May 23).

I'm not a big fan of Bruno Mars but I like some of his songs.  So missing this out will not be too painful for me.  For The Script, I'd like to hear them play live but unfortunately I might have an out of town trip by that time.  I still can't decide.  I might ran out of tickets for this.  For Switchfoot, I think this will be their 3rd visit to the country and I'm gonna miss it again! Well, I'm not yet so sure but Phil. Sports Arena is way to far (and inconvenient) for me.  Maroon 5... At first I thought I can miss their concert this time since I was able to hear them last time they were here.  But on second thought, I wanna see Adam Levine up close and personal!  But the ticket might be sky rocket high again.  I remember their last concert here, ticket prices was as high as 10k.  I think I wouldn't spend that much just to see them.  And also, I don't like the venue for their concert this time.  I read somewhere that only VIP and Gold ticket holders have seats, correct me if I'm wrong.

 Sigh.  Expensive.  Oh well.

Maybe I'll just check out Cirque De Soleil instead?  I heard they're amazing performers.  But I'm sure its also expensive.  They'll be here sometime end June to July.

Care to join me in any of these concerts? :)