Wednesday, July 31, 2024
With the devastation brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina, Bulacan has been identified as one of the hardest-hit provinces in Central Luzon, following the severe flooding and damages to its infrastructure, agriculture, and livestock. At present, the province is placed under a state of calamity as recommended by the local authorities.
In response, SM Supermalls and SM Foundation Inc., through the Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, initiated a series of relief operations to provide urgent aid to the communities affected by the typhoon in the province.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2.jpg)
Rounds of relief operations were conducted by SM City Marilao in afflicted barangays in Bulacan. In Marilao, at least 8 barangays were given “kalinga packs,” including Lambakin, where a great number of displaced families were reported as flood water reached the roofs of most houses. Additionally, relief packs were distributed in flooded areas and evacuation centers in Obando. A total of 2,400 beneficiaries were given help during the respective relief distributions.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4.jpg)
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3.jpg)
In the city of Baliwag, five barangays received truckloads of relief packs. With the combined efforts of volunteers from SM City Baliwag and the help of the rescue team from each barangay, a total of 1,000 families were given aid in areas like Tiaong, San Jose, Sta. Barbara, Poblacion, and Tibag.
SM Center Pulilan, on the other hand, carried out the distribution of relief packs in Barangay Tinejero and Poblacion, benefiting at least 300 families in the town.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/6.jpg)
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1_5.jpg)
OPTE, a social good initiative of the SM Foundation in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, is designed to quickly deliver essential supplies to communities affected by calamities and crises. With a focus on vulnerable populations, the program ensures critical aid reaches those who need it most.
SM is dedicated to expanding its relief efforts to reach more communities in need as the situation evolves.
CJ Alegre, Head of Sustainability
GCash recently announced 20 groundbreaking product innovations at GCash FutureCast 2024, offering Filipino users a glimpse into the future of fintech. As the country’s top finance super app, GCash continues to revolutionize the face of digital payments, after its revolutionary launch in 2017 and the introduction of a more secure and reliable app in 2023. This year, GCash shifts its focus on enhancing the user experience and empowering Filipinos to achieve financial progress with its latest features.
With innovations in payments and lending, to advanced security and AI capabilities, GCash is providing its users even more ways to optimize their financial journey. In addition, these innovations are aligned with the company‘s commitment to combat climate change, paving the way to a greener future. With GCash, users can now be at the forefront of both financial and environmental progress.
GForest: Do your part for the environment
GForest gives users the chance to actively contribute to helping the environment by simply transacting via GCash and reducing their carbon footprint.
By collecting and using their green points on GForest, users contribute to planting real trees through GCash’s partner organizations. These partners work closely with local farming communities to ensure the success of the tree-planting initiatives in areas around Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
As of 2024, GForest has planted nearly 2.8 million actual trees and is on track to reaching its goal of 10 million digital trees by 2025. To further this commitment and empower more users to practice sustainability daily, GForest introduced GImpact and GFarm.
GImpact: Create a Greener Future With Every Transaction
GImpact is a feature that allows users to track their reduced carbon emissions with every transaction they make. With a detailed breakdown on a new user-friendly dashboard, GCash users can now track their impact from digital transactions.
Reduced emissions are converted into green points, which are used to plant digital trees in GForest. Users simply need to collect their green points within 24 hours of their transaction and accumulate enough to plant a tree of their choice.
GFarm: Support local farmers, one tree at a time
The planting of nearly 2.8 million actual trees through GForest has not only helped fauna thrive again but also sustained the lives of local farming communities that planted these seeds. With the launch of GFarm at this year’s FutureCast, GCash can continue these efforts–which are present in Benguet, Cebu, and Cotabato, ensuring that 100% of the proceeds go directly to the farmers providing them with a stable source of income.
Through GFarm, farmers can plant various fruit-bearing trees, such as guyabano, jackfruit, and avocado, and get extra income from the sale of their produce.
With these new sustainability efforts, GCash continues to foster the restoration of the country’s forests and help smallholder farmers nationwide. By keeping up with GForest activity, users can actively contribute in the rediversifying of our forests, which helps in the upkeep of our environment and maintain livelihoods of local farmers. Create an impact with every transaction – use GForest today!
Learn more about the new innovations on the official GCash page: https://www.facebook.com/gcashofficial/ and experience the future of fintech today when you download the GCash app, available on the Huawei App Gallery, Google Play Store, and the App Store.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
- Acer Day 2024 marks its 8th consecutive year of being celebrated across the Pan Asia Pacific (PAP) region.
The Acer Day 2024 theme, “AI’m Limitless”, aims to inspire people to push beyond their limits and explore new user experiences with Acer’s vast range of PCs and lifestyle products.
The event kicks off with the release of the official Acer Day video together with the Acer Ambassadors Mission videos featuring local personalities from across the PAP region, inviting users to join Acer’s social challenges and encourage them to explore new possibilities.
The Acer Day 2024 concert, which will be held on August 4, 2024, at the SM MOA Arena, will feature Acer ambassadors Sandara Park, SB19, G22, and other artists.
Philippines, 30 July 2024 – Returning for its eighth straight year, the annual Acer Day celebration is back with the theme ‘AI’m Limitless’. The event encourages users to discover the latest Acer products, all designed to enhance user experiences and unlock the untapped potential to do more. Acer Day 2024 will showcase Acer’s AI-enhanced products that help push the boundaries of technology and foster new creative ideas and capabilities among its users.
AI has become a significant influence in people’s lives, expanding the realms of creativity and imagination. Acer recognizes these shifts and has committed to providing individuals with the tools they need to explore limitless possibilities and bring their ideas to life.
“As Acer continues to transition into a lifestyle brand, it is dedicated to enriching everyday experiences through innovative technology. This year’s celebration aims to highlight how Acer’s AI-powered and diverse range of products elevate users’ experiences and unlock boundless opportunities for creativity and achievements,” said Andrew Hou, President of Pan-Asia Pacific Regional Operations, Acer.
Acer Day 2024 will kick off with the release of the official video, accompanied by the Acer Ambassadors Mission videos on Acer’s social channels. The event will begin on August 3 and will span across the PAP Region with celebrations to be hosted locally. Users are invited to participate in social challenges and explore their limitless possibilities.
It will be a night of spectacular performances as international superstar Sandara Park, Kings of P-pop SB19, and Female Alphas of P-pop G22 lead the Acer Day 2024 concert on August 4, 2024, at the SM MOA Arena. Other artists featured in the concert are Cup of Joe, TJ Monterde, Ebe Dancel, and Rico Blanco. Concertgoers can expect top-notch performances and even surprise numbers, including a never-before-seen stage featuring Acer’s ambassadors, and it will be a moment to remember.
In addition to the concert, SB19 and G22 also teamed up for the “Acer U: Charged to Lead” Back-to-School promo, which offers discounts on the latest Acer tech and the best athletic gear from Under Armour. You can save up to Php 10,000 and get an Under Armour voucher worth up to Php 14,000 for every purchase of a participating Acer product. The promo runs until August 18, 2024. The purchased product must be registered for warranty at warranty.acer.com.ph to claim the voucher.
For more information about Acer and Acer Day, visit Acer’s official website and follow its social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Calling all BLINKs in the area! Get your black and pink outfits and light sticks ready because SM Cinema brings you Jennie, Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo with BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS. Celebrating their 8th anniversary with sensational performances that have captured hearts worldwide, this concert documentary showcases the group's record-breaking tour with exclusive arrangements of their iconic hits.
Experience the electrifying energy of BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS at SM Cinema.
‘Pretty savage,’ comfortable seats
Make your concert-movie experience incredibly comfortable as you sink into plush, spacious seats designed for maximum comfort. Whether you're ready to dance to "Boombayah" or get lost in "Lovesick Girls," you're sure to enjoy every moment in ultimate comfort. “How You Like That?”
Kids under 13 must be with a grown-up for this epic BLACKPINK concert movie experience.
Sing, dance, and scream your heart out with BLACKPINK for a non-stop 93 minutes on the big screen.
Host a big BLINK party
Gather all your BLINK besties to see and support your biases! Host your very own exclusive watch party at SM Cinema with its world-class cinemas, Director’s Club, IMAX, and Events Screen--all offering state-of-the-art Laser Projectors on wide screens and superb audio technology. Experience a full range of sounds, from powerful bass beats to delicate melodies, and the same energy of your idols’ performances as if you were front row Very, Very Important Persons (VVIPs) at the live concert. From the pulsating rhythm of "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" to the explosive beats of “Kill This Love," the sound quality at SM Cinema will make you feel the music in your bones.
Gather your squad and book a block screening of the much-awaited BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS.
BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS is set to take the nation by storm, playing across SM Cinemas nationwide from July 31 to August 5 only. So, get ready to sing, dance, and cheer along with BLACKPINK as they take over cinemas worldwide. Baby, you deserve a treat, so book your tickets now and be part of the BLACKPINK revolution! Visit https://bit.ly/BLACKPINKBornPinkAtSMCinema or get your tickets via the SM Cinema app or SM Cinema ticket booths near you.
Catch BLACKPINK’s record-breaking BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS on the big screen for 5 epic days, July 31 to August 4, at SM Cinema.
Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. (Sun Life) once again bags the number one spot in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) for having the highest number of financial advisors in this exclusive and prestigious organization. Having 540 financial advisors as members of the MDRT last 2023, Sun Life bested the competition, eclipsing the closest contender by 172 members.
MDRT is an association of life insurance agents and financial advisors that aims to promote ethical standards, best practices, and the promotion of the sales profession for life insurance as well as the health and long-term care industry. To become a member, a financial advisor must pass stringent membership requirements. With this, MDRT has become a hallmark of excellence in the life insurance industry and the financial services sector.
As the only Philippine-based company to land among the top 50 MDRT companies around the world, Sun Life ranks number one in the Philippines and the 41st globally for having the most MDRT financial advisor-members in the life insurance industry.
“Excellence is a cornerstone of Sun Life’s commitment to its clients and the Filipino nation as a whole,” says Alfonso Quitangon, Chief Distribution Officer of Sun Life. “This recognition from such a prestigious and exclusive association inspires us to further outdo ourselves in offering exemplary service and care to our dear Clients.”
Sun Life Philippines CEO & Country Head Benedict Sison likewise lauded the Sun Life advisors who have achieved MDRT status. “They not only bring to life our purpose but do so with such passion and dedication,” he said. “They make us proud and remind us that going the extra mile to help Clients secure their future will always be a rewarding pursuit.”
To know more about Sun Life, visit www.sunlife.com.ph.
Monday, July 29, 2024
Music video directed by Gia Coppola
Written by and starring Halsey
GRAMMY® nominated, genre-blending artist Halsey has released her highly anticipated new single, “Lucky.” The song, produced by Michael Uzowuru (Frank Ocean, SZA, Rosalia), features an interpolation of Britney Spears’ “Lucky” in the chorus, as well as the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Hit, “Angel of Mine” in the track’s production.
Alongside Halsey’s first single in over 2 years, she shared the video for the new track. Directed by Gia Coppola (Palo Alto, Mainstream) with cinematography by Alexis Zabe (The Florida Project), the video stars Halsey and features a cameo from actor Simon Rex.
Last month, Halsey shared that she had been diagnosed nearly 2 years prior with Lupus and a rare T-cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder, and has been struggling with her health privately. After the announcement, Halsey issued a statement thanking her fans for their overwhelmingly positive support.
Halsey has amassed more than 50 billion global streams, with over 75 million RIAA-Certified adjusted singles and all 4 of her previous albums RIAA-Certified. She is one of the only artists ever to have four different songs hit 1-BILLION streams on Spotify. As well as have 2 RIAA-Certified-Diamond records.
WHEN Taiwan Excellence was established with the combined efforts of the Taiwanese government, mainly the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Taiwan’s prime nonprofit trade promoting organization, the objective was simple: to represent the island-country’s primary principle of incorporating ingenuity, creativity, and innovation in every product that comes out of the country and sold into the world.
It is because Taiwan firmly believes that it is only through innovation that a better and more prosperous life can be achieved, not just for Taiwan but for the whole world, where people can live a better life not just today but for the succeeding generations, a dream life rooted in excellence every day.
This is why the MOEA established the Taiwan Excellence Awards in 1983, to empower Taiwan-based companies to pursue and achieve a higher plane in product manufacturing, to create outstanding products that boast not just of high innovative value but will also proudly proclaim to the world “made in Taiwan” as something synonymous to excellence and innovation.
Taiwan Excellence Awards is often considered the “Oscars” of product excellence. Products undergo a rigorous selection process evaluating their innovative value across four aspects: R&D, Design, Quality, and Marketing. Winning products receive the Taiwan Excellence Award, a prestigious recognition. The government then promotes these products internationally, enhancing the global image of Taiwanese products and businesses.
“We believe the Taiwan-made products can make a huge contribution in making products that are not only innovative but of high value. Taiwan Excellence’s firm commitment is to use wisdom, creativity, and cutting-edge technology to make sure that the best of the best of Taiwan’s products become part of people’s lives every day, everywhere, leading to a better future,” explains Director Alex Lai of Taiwan Trade Center – Manila.
Since its establishment, Taiwan Excellence has been able to provide the world with top-class products for a higher quality way of life for many people, carefully choosing excellent products that will allow them to live an excellent life each day while creating an effective network within markets and countries around the world.
To date, Taiwan has been able to establish linkages with countries like India and the Philippines, for example, fostering win-win collaborations to develop effective business strategies when it comes to promoting Taiwan products available in these countries.
On the consumer side, some of these Taiwan products in various categories, from IT and digital devices to beauty and personal care to home appliances. Products like D-Link, MSI, Gigabyte, Acer, Aorus, Zyxel, ROG, Tatung, Asus, AOPEN and Derma Angel Philippines, are now available in the Philippines through PC Express.
Aside from promoting excellence in products, Taiwan Excellence made sure that it is the perfect partner in terms of excellence in initiatives that aim to promote culture and love for the environment.
Go Green with Taiwan is an example. This initiative shows the world that Taiwan “walks the talk” in caring for the environment and product sustainability. It welcomed the participation of the best and most innovative solutions from around the world that made use of Taiwan-made products that will enable mankind to help build a sustainable future that will benefit the whole world and future generations.
In the Philippines, Taiwan Excellence has held its cultural excellence promotion efforts called “Your Song of Excellence,” which is already in its fourth season. “It aims to bring out the best and the brightest among Filipino singers and songwriters to create songs that will ably display the ingenuity of Filipinos when it comes to music while showcasing and espousing world-class and excellent talent, which is among the principles of Taiwan Excellence,” according to Director Lai.
Taiwan as a nation has been the hallmark of excellence and product innovation, something that it steadfastly likes the world to know so that all people will experience a splendid way of living, now and in the years to come.
To know more about Taiwan Excellence and what it can offer to change the world one innovation at a time, visit https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/en, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taiwanexcellence_ph .
Whether it’s hiking a challenging trail, exploring a new city, or simply relaxing on the beach, traveling with friends is always an opportunity to create shared experiences that not only strengthen bonds but become cherished memories that you can reminisce about for years to come.
Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan are excited to launch their Beach Buddies promotion. These premier resorts managed by Discovery Hospitality, are celebrated for their top-notch hospitality and offer the perfect setting for a memorable beach escape with friends.
The Beach Buddies promo aims to enhance summer escapades, providing an unforgettable beachside vacation with a range of exclusive perks and activities. It includes roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast buffet, one-time lunch for four, complimentary drinks per night, and more.
Relax and Unwind at Discovery Shores Boracay
Enjoy the two-signature bedroom of Discovery Shores Boracay with your beach buddies
Get your vitamin sea fix with your besties at Discovery Shores Boracay! Nestled on the pristine shores at Station 1 of the world-famous island, this Discovery property offers an unforgettable tropical escape that combines relaxing accommodations, exceptional service, and a breathtaking setting to create a perfect vacation experience.
Book Discovery Shores Boracay’s Beach Buddies promo for Php 25,134 nett per night for 4 persons with a required minimum of 2 nights stay until October 14, 2024. Stay period is until October 17, 2024, subject to availability and black-out dates apply.
Get away from it all at Club Paradise Palawan
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Enjoy20the20island20vibes20with20your20beach20buddies20at20Club20Paradise20Palawan.jpg)
Enjoy the island vibes with your beach buddies at Club Paradise Palawan
Enjoy some much-needed beach therapy with your friends at Club Paradise Palawan.
Offering an unparalleled experience of luxury and nature, Club Paradise Palawan is a private island resort located on the pristine Dimakya Island that offers true paradise for travelers seeking an intimate and serene getaway.
Book Club Paradise Palawan’s Beach Buddies promo for Php 22,184 nett for 4 persons with a required minimum of 3 nights stay until October 14, 2024. Stay period is until October 17, 2024, subject to availability and black-out dates apply.
For more information about the Beach Buddies promo, visit https://www.clubparadisepalawan.com/special-offers/beach-buddies for Club Paradise Palawan and visit https://www.discoveryshoresboracay.com/special-offers/beach-buddies for Discovery Shores Boracay.
Holiday Factory, UAE’s leading tour operator, launches in the Philippines and aims to revolutionize the travel industry.
Manila, Philippines. July 29, 2024, Holiday Packages for Filipinos at Half the market rate! Holiday Factory is offering Filipino travelers a chance to experience amazing holidays at half the market rate coupled with high service standards. This means travelers can now get more for less!
“To celebrate the launch as the first tour operator, Holiday Factory is hosting a Mega Giveaway of 100 holiday packages to 100 lucky Filipinos. Everyone can participate for Free by registering on www.holidayfactory.ph” says Sandra Daemmrich, General Manager at Holiday Factory.
This award-winning, online tour operator carries out bulk purchasing of flight tickets, hotel room nights, and other services, allowing them to pass on significant savings to their customers, ensuring they receive the best possible deal.
“Research on the Philippines market indicates that more than 1/3 of the population is seeking affordable holidays but is underserved due to the lack of real tour operators. That’s why Holiday Factory is entering the market as the first real package tour operator” says Hakan Bakar, Business Development DirectorInternational Markets at Holiday Factory. “With us, holiday packages are now affordable for everyone.”
Therefore, Holiday Factory is all set to revolutionize the travel industry in the Philippines by making a grand entrance offering exciting local and international destinations.
Among the standout offers is a package to Boracay for just PHP 3,699. This package, like all Holiday Factory packages, always includes return flights, hotel accommodations, return airport-to-hotel transfers, travel insurance, airport welcome, tour guide and more. International destinations like Dubai, Hong Kong and many others are also available at similarly attractive rates.
Customers can easily book these packages online by visiting www.holidayfactory.ph making the entire process easy and hassle-free as a one-stop-shop.
In Europe, the USA, and some Asian countries, most leisure travelers prefer package tour operators for their cost-effectiveness and comprehensive service offerings. Now, for the first time, Holiday Factory is bringing this esteemed western tourism model and high standards to the Philippines.
Today, Holiday Factory proudly becomes the first true package tour operator in the country. Filipino travelers can now effortlessly book their dream vacations with unmatched ease and affordability. Welcome to a new era of holidays. Welcome to Holiday Factory.
For more information, visit our website at www.holidayfactory.ph
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1_1_20An20SM20Center20Sangandaan20employee-volunteer20extends20a20helping20hand20distributing20essential20supplies20to20those20in20need.jpg)
An SM Center Sangandaan employee-volunteer extends a helping hand, distributing essential supplies to those in need.
As Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon unleashed torrential rains and widespread flooding across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, SM opened their doors to thousands of displaced residents. Serving as vital lifelines during this crisis, not only shelter was provided but also essential relief and support through the efforts of SM Supermalls and SM Foundation’s Operation Tulong Express (OPTE).
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/120Free20coffee20brings20a20moment20of20warmth20to20a20typhoon20victim20at20SM20City20Marilao.jpg)
Free coffee brings a moment of warmth to a typhoon victim at SM City Marilao.
More than 23,000 Kalinga Packs filled with essential supplies were delivered to hard-hit communities across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Rizal, and Cavite. SM Supermalls employees have been instrumental in packing and distributing these relief packs.
To provide immediate assistance to those affected, SM have opened their doors to evacuees, offering temporary shelter, comfort, and basic necessities such as free overnight parking, WiFi, and phone charging stations. Help desks have been set up to assist those in need, while ample supplies of water, food, and essential items have been made available. Beyond providing physical shelter, SM is committed to supporting the emotional well-being of evacuees. By creating a safe and comfortable environment, SM aims to alleviate the hardships faced by those affected by the floods.
![]() |
SM City East Ortigas becomes a haven for flood-stricken mallgoers, thanks to the Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) Command Post.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/420Persons20with20Disabilities20PWDs20and20the20elderly20find20solace20and20assistance20at20the20Operation20Tulong20Express20OPTE20Command20Post20in20SM20City20Marikina20as20heavy20flooding20inundates20th.jpg)
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly find solace and assistance at the Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) Command Post in SM City Marikina as heavy flooding inundates the area.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1_2_20SM20City20Grand20Central20offers20free20meals20to20typhoon-affected20mallgoers.jpg)
SM City Grand Central offers free meals to typhoon-affected mallgoers.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/620A20donor20contributes20to20relief20efforts20through20the20Operation20Tulong20Express20OPTE20Red20Cross20cash20donation20booth20at20SM20City20Bataan.jpg)
A donor contributes to relief efforts through the Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) Red Cross cash donation booth at SM City Bataan.
SM City Baliwag employee-volunteers deliver essential Kalinga Pack relief supplies to affected residents.
OPTE, a social good initiative of SM Foundation in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, is designed to quickly deliver essential supplies to communities affected by calamities and crises. With a focus on vulnerable populations, the program ensures critical aid reaches those who need it most.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/820An20SM20City20San20Mateo20employee-volunteer20offers20words20of20encouragement20to20struggling20residents.jpg)
An SM City San Mateo employee-volunteer offers words of encouragement to struggling residents.
SM is dedicated to expanding its relief efforts to reach more communities in need as the situation evolves.
On a mission to showcase the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines to the world, Poblacion’s Bizarre Bar recently hosted friends from various embassies for its highly praised cocktail degustation. Foreign guests were treated to an extraordinary blend of Filipino heritage and innovative mixology, enhanced by the warm Filipino hospitality. The atmosphere was enriched with original Filipino music, creating a truly authentic ambiance.
Yukari Koike, Political Officer of the Japanese Embassy and a seven-year resident of the Philippines, was particularly impressed. “I’ve experienced Filipino cuisine in many restaurants, both modern and authentic, but Bizarre Bar’s creative presentation of local flavors and ingredients is truly unique. A big ‘arigato’ to the entire Bizarre team for this exceptional experience. The high-class Filipino cocktails and dish pairings were incredibly distinctive. I will definitely return with colleagues and friends to share this wonderful experience,” Koike said. Other foreign guests echoed Koike’s sentiments, praising Bizarre Bar for its unique tasting experience and expressing their intent to return with friends and colleagues to further explore the art and elegance of Filipino fine drinking.
Leading Bizarre’s cocktail degustation was Beverage Director Ian Libang, a decorated mixologist with numerous international accolades. Libang, integrating his globally recognized skills into Bizarre’s mission to showcase Filipino culinary heritage shared, “The whole goal for Bizarre is to do something different. We don’t just transform Filipino ingredients into a cocktail. We incorporate our local traditions and culture. We have a whole concept of storytelling featuring common ingredients in a Filipino kitchen, sharing to our dear guests how it is to be Filipino in a very unique and refined way.”
Libang was joined by renowned culinary chef and Bizarre’s Founder, Mikel Zaguirre. Through delectable bar bites, Zaguirre complemented Libang’s cocktails, expertly guiding the guests’ palates without overshadowing the drinks. Their culinary synergy has proven them to be a formidable duo. Zaguirre shared, “The term Filipino is loosely tagged to different things like food. I would rather call our approach ‘Pinoy’ because it encapsulates the heart of our heritage rather than just our local ingredients. By building Bizarre in a Pinoy way, people will see and feel our FIlipino-ness through our menu. This makes us unique.”
For the cocktail degustation, Libang and Zaguirre presented “The Roots,” a five-course menu described as a “celebration of the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines through timeless flavors infused with contemporary twists.” Guests were welcomed with “Quezo,” a tapioca snack paired with kesong puti, signaling the beginning of Roots.
The cocktail degustation commenced with “Atchara,” a vibrant orange cocktail inspired by the popular Pinoy sour side dish, mellowed by Aperol spritz, spices, and ripe papaya. This first cocktail, tagged as a favorite by Libang and Zaguirre, was paired with “Inihaw,” premium-quality roasted kurobota pork, tenderloin, and chicken thigh.
Next was “Sawsawan,” featuring patis (fish sauce) and topped with calamansi sorbet. This sour-driven treat became the crowd favorite of the evening. “Kinilaw,” seasoned raw tanigue with leche de tigre and fried shallots, completed the flavorful sea adventure.
“Binhi,” the main course, followed. Inspired by rice grains, this malt whiskey-driven cocktail was garnished with chocolate bitters. Paired with a creative twist on kare-kare, the “Kinunot” ox-tail pie with a bagoong demi sauce was the crowd’s most-loved food pairing of the evening.
![](https://www.chasingcuriousalice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bizarre20Founder20Chef20Mikel20Zaguirre.jpg)
“Ni-yog” introduced the dessert portion of the night, a piña colada-esque cocktail featuring tequila, leche flan, and coconut, blended into tablea colada foam and torched for a delightful temperature contrast. Paired with “Nilupak,” a cashew-coconut tart topped with pineapple and coconut cream, salted by artisanal asin tibuok from Bohol, it was a delightful conclusion to the meal.
“Ampaw” capped off the degustation, a celebratory toast inspired by the local deep-fried tutong (burnt rice) treat. This cocktail featured mesoyi and ampaw sorbet in milk-washed bourbon, exquisitely washing guests’ palates and cementing their enjoyment of the elevated Filipino drinking and dining experience.
Libang and Zaguirre, champions of Filipino culinary heritage, offer a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience that ranks among the best in mixology and cuisine. Their unique approach has garnered praise from international guests, solidifying Bizarre Bar as a must-visit destination for cocktail connoisseurs and gastronomes alike.
Experience cocktails and bar bites at their finest at Bizarre Bar, located in the heart of Makati: Poblacion. Book a table today through http://www.thebizarrebar.com.
Search