Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner

After CBTL released their 2013 Giving Journal 3 days ago, it's Starbucks turn to release theirs. And we've been waiting for this since Christmas season started. Apparently, the one who started it all won't be left behind. They've been a mixture of good and bad in designing their planners. But this year is no difference, chartering on the good side. I pretty much like the overall design which still comes in three colors: black, white, and apple green. The planner itself may be removed from the faux leather/plastic case (somewhat similar to the covers found in tablets and smartphones) so that you can use it still come 2014. It has the usual monthly and weekly calendars, notes pages, flap insertion for loose papers, and the monthly coupons. So why don't you drop by the nearest Starbucks and see for yourself the brilliance of their 2013 planner.

Mechanics:

1. A customer can avail of a Starbucks Christmas Traditions Promo card from Nov. 3 to Jan. 28 with no purchase required.
2. One sticker is awarded for each Starbucks handcrafted beverage purchase. A customer must accumulate a total of 17 stickers to redeem one Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner. Holiday Featured Beverages (Toffee Nut Latter, Peppermint Mocha, Dark Cherry Mocha) - 9 stickers. Any other Starbucks Core Beverage of your choice - 8 stickers.
3. Customer must present the Starbucks Christmas Traditions card to the barista upon purchase to get the corresponding number of stickers.
4. In case of the Holiday Featured Beverages are not available, customers can substitute it with any of the remaining holiday featured beverages. Should all three not be available, only then can customers substitute with any espresso-based or Frappuccino blended beverage of their choice.
5. A customer must complete the required number of stickers to qualify for the redemption of one Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner. A combination of up to 2 promo cards will be allowed, provided that the 9 featured plus 8 core beverages will be satisfied.
6. Once all stickers are completed, customer submits the Starbucks Christmas Traditions Card/s to redeem one Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner from any Starbucks Coffee store nationwide.
7. Tampering with and/or transferring of stickers to obtain the required number of stickers will render all promo cards null and void.
8. Promotion starts on Nov. 3. Stickers may be obtained from Nov. 3 to Jan. 8.
9. Redemption of the Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner starts Nov. 3 up to Mar. 8 at Starbucks stores in the Philippines only.

PS: Looks like I'll be eating my words. I want the white or green planners!

CBTL 2013 Giving Journal

And so the battle of the 2013 planners starts with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 2013 Giving Journal. Officially started October 31, this year's edition only requires 12 beverage purchases. Unlike the previous year of 14 (if I remember it right).

Mechanics:

1. A minimum single-receipt purchase of any Original Ice Blended, Coffee-based, or Tea-based Beverage, or Frozen Swirl, qualifies a customer to get a stamp card and one stamp.

2. Each card consists of 12 circles, with corresponding drink assignments.

3. Stamp card must always be presented so that a circle may be stamped whenever its corresponding assignment is purchased.

4. Once all 12 circles are stamped and completed, the customer will be able to claim The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 2013 Giving Journal at any CBTL branch. Combining of stamp cards is not allowed.

5. The completed stamp card should be presented and surrendered to the branch where the 2013 Giving Journal will be claimed. The cashier will punch the stamp card to prevent reuse.

6. Promo period is from October 31 to January 6.

7. The 2013 Giving Journal may be claimed all throughout the promo period until 60 days after the promo has ended.

Happy Giving!

The Secret's Out

Just heard... the secret's out...

First my director, then a colleague. And just now a college buddy. I know the intentions are good but still...

Anyways, since it's out in the open then I'll give the details. Haven't blogged in a long time due to my busy schedule and me being disorganized lately. It's sad to be blogging again with this topic in mind. So here it is...

I've been doing MRI's at least once a year after I got sick last January 2010. Just a routinary measure to keep me sane that my brain's in normal condition. The last MRI I had was last December. Initially my neuro wanted to schedule it this February but I insisted, without her knowing, to do it last December since I've been having a series of headaches. When I got the results I was relieved that the supposedly blood clotting reduced in size. But was alarmed of the remark "slight fullness of sinus". Allergic rhinitis runs in the family and during the time I had my MRI I was having colds. So I disregarded that remark and proceeded to my normal routine. But when a college friend's dad passed away due to stroke last April, I got worried. What if it happened to me. So I immediately visited my neuro and showed her my MRI results. She was a bit alarmed with that same remark so she advised me to see an ENT just to be sure. The next day I had an appointment with an ENT at My Health in Shangri-La. He was at first clueless since my nose is normal and the only thing that I've been complaining were the nasal drips. So right then and there he proceeded with laryngoscopy. In the video clip caught, he showed me a mass in my nasopharynx area. It was really surreal since I haven't been feeling anything that would even give me a hint that a mass was already forming behind my nose. And so I decided to get a second opinion.

The following week I went to St. Lukes Global to see another ENT. He scheduled another laryngoscopy the following week just to be sure. And it was confirmed. A huge mass was really in my nasopharynx area. And he was also surprised that it doesn't obstruct my breathing. The only symptom evident is my loud snoring. So he gave us options. Actually just an option. What he can say is that it appears benign but if asked if he's sure, he can't say anything other than biopsy. Biopsy is the only way to confirm if it's cancer or not. Nanay died from pancreatic cancer last 2005 and she didn't undergo biopsy. Aside from her cancer being complicated, she's already weak. But here I am still on my toes and strong. So to relieve all worries and stress, I said yes to biopsy. Last Saturday, I underwent biopsy at SLMC Global under local anaesthesia. Now, I'm waiting for the results. For now all I can do is pray that it be benign. But whatever the result may be, I will fight it. I still want to live and spend time with my family and friends. So to whoever might be reading this, I ask for your prayers. I know my friends' intentions are good and am thankful for having them. But my Dad still doesn't know so I hope we can keep this to ourselves until I get the courage to tell him of my situation. But for now, prayers will be very much appreciated. =)

MYOH 2012

I used to be a fan of Havaianas but changed my mind when the Nike flops came here in Manila. I thought the soles of Nike were more comfy and the colors were more of my style. But after my 5th pair, one by one the straps got cut. So I reunited my love for Havs. Can still remember "our" mutual pair.

Anyways, been wanting to visit the Make Your Own Havaianas event but schedule really doesn't permit me. Besides, I have no patience of falling in line for hours. But this year was different. When I learned of this year's schedule, I told myself that I'd drop by whether I like it or not. Fortunately I had a scheduled check-up yesterday at SLMC Global. I dropped by immediately after, hoping that the line isn't that long since it's still office hours.

And thank God I did! Had my first personalized pair... 

then came my second pair. Addicting!

Make Your Own Havaianas Official Website

30th and still counting...

Time to relive the memories and see familiar faces. Let's support UP StatSoc's 3rd Alumni Homecoming for its 30th Anniversary! 2 days to go!

Chico & Delamar Book Signing Day

A not-so-good-but-thank-God-it's-not-serious news surprised me early this morning from my gall bladder. But I didn't let that ruin my day. I have an appointment with Chico and Delamar in the afternoon for their book signing. A quick visit at the gym and this welcomed me at the Robinson's Galleria activity center...

Upon seeing the short line, I decided to grab a quick bite. And when I returned after 10 minutes...

Fell in line for 2 hours but when they got on stage, everything's worth it. #323! Got my book signed around 4PM.

I pity Chico & Delamar for staying up until after 7pm just to sign 450 books. It's past 7pm and look at the crowd!

And so, KALOYSTER indeed got TMR'd! Woot!

Chico & Delamar Book Signing

Save the date!

2nd Tat DONE!

Eversince I got my barcode tattoo a few years back I had this urge of having another. But I really can't think of a worthy design that could beat the barcode etched in my lower abdomen. So the plan was put to a halt. But when I saw this online ad from Ensogo last October, I immediately purchased a voucher. It was a good deal as compared to what I paid to Gene Testa when I had my first tat.

Voucher validity is good for 3 months which means that I need to use this before January ends. And as soon as the first week of January came, I was cramming for a design. I first thought of a portrait of Jon Angelo but then again that's kinda hard to do and maybe too painful for my tolerance. Then I considered an ambigram with my name read upwards and Jon Angelo's downwards. But our names weren't compatible. So I got back to the alternative design when I had my barcode tat...a Yin-Yang.

The inside of Mafioso Ink shows a lot of plaques and recognition from different tattoo competitions.

The blueprint of my Yin-Yang etched on my left arm.

The stenciling of the design took us about 2 hours. Longer than the actual inking.

And the finished product. Now contemplating on my next design. LOL

#ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines

Yesterday, the Department of Tourism unveiled their new tourism slogan. And in a few hours, it was a trending topic at twitter and many people joined in the bandwagon and created their own Meme's for the slogan.

For International press release...

For local release...

Meme's from DOT's official campaign website.

And even Fil-Am Rob Schneider did his own thing in support of this new slogan...

And here's my favorite! Credit goes to the owner.

2012 NY Message

Thanks 2011. We've shared a lot of tears and laughters, success and disappointments, inspirations and desperations, losses and survivals. A bittersweet combination that helped mold us into who we are now. Claiming for a better 2012 not only for me but especially to those who fell victims to different circumstances in the past year. Let's pick up the pieces and start with a positive outlook. Cheers to a clean slate! Cheers to 2012!