If you can’t beat the heat, you might as well have some fun in the sun!

Last weekend, our youngest Athena had two 10th birthday parties. Although there was a storm in the vicinity, both weekend afternoons were clear and sunny, perhaps due to our offerings to Santa Clara Parish.

The first party was a full day of active fun at the first-ever DreamWorks-theme interactive area, DreamPlay, a 5,000-sq m space at City of Dreams (COD) Manila. This unique entertainment adventure features DreamWorks’ animated movies “Kung Fu Panda,” “Shrek,” “Madagascar,” and “How to Train Your Dragon” as inspiration for the 12 attractions throughout the indoor theme park.

Educational activities

DreamPlay integrates the attractions with educational activities, such as a working kitchen for baking classes. Both challenging and exciting, some of the more physical activities include the Vertical Wall of Destiny, Furious 6 Academy and DinoTrux Spheeros Game.

At DreamPlay, kids can create their own 3D-animated movies, build their own toys, learn how to cook, and listen to creative story-telling sessions. Between all the action, the park’s Chez Gingy café serves noodles, pizzas, burgers, dim sum, ice cream and many more treats.

We arrived at COD on board the coaster of good friend Sandy Uy. Athena and her gang went straight to DreamPlay, where they were tagged as they darted off around the attractions. It is a virtual impossibility to keep track of kids in a theme park, but the tagging system of DreamPlay ensures everyone is safely tracked.
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Shakey’s Bus

The following day, we held a smaller, tiki-themed party in my parents’ house. The highlight of this party was the Shakey’s Bus, which served freshly made pizza, mojos and fried chicken.

Also turning a decade old is Make Your Own Havaianas. Held at the Glorietta Activity Center, the 10th #MYOH was a smashing success in the flip-flop kingdom, with the Hawaiian theme in every corner of the venue. Havaianas means “Hawaiian” in Portuguese, so it was fitting to choose that theme.

Anne Arcenas-Gonzalez, owner of Havaianas Philippines, was thrilled to be celebrating with many friends who have been with the Havaianas family since day one. This year’s commemorative sole features a snapshot of a Hawaiian beach and 27 pins of different iconic Hawaiian symbols.

34th anniversary

Svenson, the trusted name in nonsurgical, antihair loss solutions, also celebrated its 34th anniversary by opening Svenson in BGC. Its newest branch is at 15/F, RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, 25th and 26th Streets in Bonifacio Global City.

After the ceremonial ribbon cutting, headed by owners George and Mimi Siy, guests toured the beautiful new center, which has a spectacular view of BGC. Svenson clients-turned-endorsers Allan Caidic and RJ Ledesma were the guests of honor, joined by Angeline Fiechter, Hale frontman Champ Lui Pio, and RX 93.1 DJs Chico Garcia and Gino Quillamor. Also present were chefs Rolando and Jackie Laudico.

From Svenson BGC, I headed over to Svenson at GT Tower Ayala Avenue to join the anniversary celebrations. My therapist Liza Castillo has been keeping my hair healthy for many years. Svenson trichologists, or hair and scalp experts, are best at diagnosing hair and scalp issues and treating these with their technologically advanced, nonsurgical solutions.

Call 8924247 for a free consultation.
Card partnership

Also celebrating a milestone is Citi credit cards, together with Mastercard. Their silver anniversary celebration was held at the ballroom of the Fairmont Makati hotel. Citi country officer Batara Sianturi led the ceremonies, thanking all the people who have been part of Citi credit cards’ amazing, 25-year journey in the country.

Poch Villa-Real, country manager of MasterCard Philippines, was joined by Saleh Anam, MasterCard account leader for Citibank Asia-Pacific. The shared history of the two companies is a testament to a partnership that has withstood the test of time.

Bea Tan, Citi consumer business manager, told me how much fun it is to be working on the Citibank MasterCard team, providing a superior payment tool with rewards that no other bank can offer. The occasion was also the launch of Citi’s “My Unforgettable Story” promotion, a six-month treat to Citi cardholders that gives them a once-in-a-lifetime experience to create new memories in various travel destinations including Japan, Bali, Palau, China, the US, Egypt, Maldives and many more. The launch featured lovely models dressed in the various national costumes of the country destinations, with matching cuisines.

Citi head of consumer banking for Asean and India Anand Selva led the ceremonial toast, and among the many others who flew in for the celebrations was Citi credit payment products director Dave Stoughton.

Culinary twist

Let me end with a culinary twist. “The Gourmand Market” is on again. Its second run is May 22-24,  11 a.m. to midnight, at C1 Park, Boni High Street Central.

The Gourmand Market was born from a passion for fresh and novel food products. Just like its original incarnation last month, the second event aims for us to “Eat Well, Live Well,” to awaken our senses, and create within us an insatiable desire for all things delicious. A delectable array of artisanal foods awaits all visitors.

The market was conceptualized by nawwTy’s Kitchen and is presented by Globe and Tattoo Platinum. Check it out and have a delicious weekend!

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