Parkfest at Nayong Pilipino

(SHE)

My memories of Nayong Pilipino are pretty vague. I was very young when our class went there on a field trip, and it all went by so fast that I only really remember the demonstration of how to use a malong. I have no picture beside any miniature wonder of the Philippines that the place was known for.

Last I heard, Nayong Pilipino was moved to Clark, Pampanga. Sloan even went on a field trip there two years ago. I'm not sure if that one still exists, but as it appears, a new Nayong Pilipino is now situated in Luneta Park, where the Manila Orchidarium used to be; and it was re-launched via Parkfest, an arts and crafts event organized by Common Room and Type Kita. The two groups are the brainchild of Popjunklove's Roma and Maan Agsalud.

We checked out Day 2 of Parkfest, and were extremely pleased with what we saw. The art installations and crafty designs were wonderful, and the lovely park - with its majestic trees, ponds teeming with fish, and small playground - provided a perfect backdrop. Sloan had wonderful time checking out the typography-laden Sarao jeeps, playing on the see-saw with Michael and I, and crossing the hanging bridge. Some artists and crafters were selling their wares, and I bought some to give as gifts to friends.

By the end of the day, Michael, Sloan, and I were all sweaty (it was the tailend of summer) and dirty (we got down on the floor to do some chalk art). Sloan wanted to stay longer but Michael and I were already famished, and I was worried about the dark clouds looming in the horizon. Still, it was a Sunday well spent - unplugged and surrounded by nature and art.

 

 

 



Oishi Snacktacular 2015

(SHE)

When I learned that the events team at work was invited to the opening of this year’s Oishi Snacktacular at Trinoma, I immediately asked if I can join them. I wasn’t able to check it out last year but I knew that it was going to be fun, having read about it in the papers. Moreover, I am actually a fan of how they turned their brand around. Oishi has been in existence since I was very young (my favorites were Kirei, Rinbee, and of course, Oishi Prawn Crackers), and how they’ve reinvented in recent years and made the brand hip and cool again is definitely impressive.

They had a lot of fun activities for the guests, like the Snack Catcher, where they hoist you up then dip you into a pool of assorted Oishi snack products, and you can get as much as your hands and legs can hold. Then you get to take everything home!

I tried this and managed to get a total of 43 bags of chips. However, I will not post a photo because it was such a wa-poise moment hahaha. I will just share a photo of my officemate Issa, who was the first have a go at it and was so graceful (not to mention strategic!) that she set the bar high for the rest of us!

The Snack Shack was much easier. You just have to grab as much Oishi products as you can in 60 minutes to fill a giant bag designed with the packaging of their popular brands. It seals with a Velcro strip and anything that goes beyond the bag’s capacity is taken out, so you must make sure that your favorites are at the bottom lol. We weren’t given a special stub for this so I had to pay P295. To make sure I got my money’s worth, I grabbed a lot of drinks like the Oishi Choco Chug and Smart-C which cost more hehe.

What’s great about Oishi Snacktacular is how they not only showcase their different products via fun activities, but also introduce a new way of enjoying them. For instance, the Oishi Choco Chug was made into soft-serve ice cream, which you can top with their other products like the Wafu wafer sticks and Sponge chocolate rings. The Smart-C lemon and pomelo flavors were turned into slushies.

The fun didn’t stop there. We also got to create our own snacks in the Make-A-Snack booth! You can choose your pellets and combine flavors. I chose potato fries and potato ridges, which I flavored with cheese and nori. It was sooo good! To further personalize the experience, you can choose the color of your snack bag too.

Oishi has a lot of celebrity brand ambassadors, like Ramon Bautista, Slater Young, and Elmo Magalona, who hosted that morning’s event. Bloggers, media people, and more celebrities roamed the around and also checked out the activities. 

I wanted Sloan to experience some of the activities as well so Michael and I brought him to Oishi Snacktacular the very next day. It was already open to the public by then, but despite the huge crowd, Sloan still enjoyed. He made his own snacks, chose the toppings for his Choco Chug ice cream, and even insisted on having a photo op with Oishi’s mascot (whom I think badly needs a fresh new costume, and maybe a whole new look lol).

Awesome fun. Looking forward to next year’s Oishi Snacktacular!

14th Philippine Toycon

(HE)

Drowning in a sea of toys, I try hard to control my emotions. No, I wasn’t all that sentimental. Well, maybe just a little. After all, having attended Philippine Toycons for the better part of its 14 year-existence, I have witnessed how much it has grown over the years.

What I was trying to control more specifically however was the ridiculous urge to splurge on collectibles. It was an all too familiar feeling, and is also the reason why I have boxes of toys and comic books at home that are taking up too much space in our humble abode.

Being at the 14th Toycon, though, has made me realize that I have not only collected countless detailed, articulated representations of imaginary heroes over the years. More importantly, it made me realize how these toys have helped solidify bonds with people from all walks of life.

Through collecting, I met and continue to connect with a geologist, an art director who also happens to be the son of legendary Pinoy rock guitarist, a TV and film director, an art critic, and so much more. Stepping inside the convention hall reminded me of those times when we would bond over despising and shaming hoarders and speculators. It reminded me of those times when we’d give each other gifts, just because. And it reminded me of the times when we would exchange stories, over a few beers, of some improbable crazy incident of how hoarders would literally tear a figure off a customer’s hand and rush towards the check-out counter.

Filled with such rush of memory, it was easy for me to ignore my urge to spend. Indeed, some things are worth more than money.