Paw-some Party of The Year: Celebrating 15 Years of Mouse-terful Storytelling at the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0

Press Release:

MANILA, MAY 15 : Holey cheese — the worldwide bestselling children series Geronimo Stilton by Scholastic is celebrating its grand 15th anniversary! Marking the historic occasion, the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0 is coming to town on May 25, 2019 from 1pm – 4pm at Atrium 1, Level 2, The Podium. So put those party hats on and get ready to have a “mice” time, because everyone is invited!

Exclusive for one day only, the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0 offers families all around a wholesome experience with plenty whisker-licking-good activities. Kids can bring their inner Picasso in the On-the-Spot Art Contest or stand a chance to win the Cosplay Contest when they come as their favourite Geronimo Stilton character. For a jumping-good-time, kids can spend the afternoon in the Bouncy “Cheeseball” Pit, an inflatable castle ready to be conquered!

Also not to be missed is the Book Discussion of “My Favorite Geronimo Stilton Adventure” for kids to share their own unforgettable Geronimo moments with other fans of the series. Packing a paw-erful punch, the fun continues with Face-Painting, Photo Booth, Parlor Games and a yummy Snack Bar. The party of the year will also feature a Celebrity Appearance of Geronimo and Thea Stilton in a special musical number, shaking and grooving with their “cheesy” dance moves. As a memento, fans can also get their book copies stamped by Geronimo and The Stilton themselves!

An award-winning Ratitzer Prize author, Geronimo Stilton runs The Rodent’s Gazette, Mouse Island’s most famouse newspaper. Geronimo can be a scaredy mouse at times, but that does not stop his daring escapades across the globe (and other realms too)!  Geronimo writes the Geronimo Stilton series to share his funny adventures with young readers around the world.

Each book is fast-paced, filled with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love. Commenting on his book, Geronimo said, “They are whisker-licking good stories, and that’s a promise!”; his eyes gleaming with excitement. Plus, it sure makes learning English as enjoyable as chewing off a large chunk of cheese!

The series was first published in 2000 in Italian with the English version being published in 2004 by Scholastic Corporation, and since then has been entertaining children the world over with his amazing adventures. Together with his sister Thea, cousin Trap and nephew Benjamin, Geronimo Stilton exposes kids to different cultures in his quest for the latest scoop. To date, Geronimo Stilton has written seventy-two (72) internationally bestselling books and 7 spin-off series titles all based on his most exciting escapades. His sister Thea also has her own popular books based on her life as a photojournalist!Don’t miss the paw-some party of the year! To join the Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0, simply present any Geronimo Stilton book purchased from National Book Store, Powerbooks, NBS Express and online at www.nationalbookstore.com; upon registration at the venue. The Geronimo Stilton Convention 2.0 is co-organized by Scholastic Asia, National Book Store, Powerbooks and The Podium.

How I Saved Money and Time Booking Ace Hotel and Suites Through the Traveloka App

Life has a funny way of making sure that all the great things that happen are all squeezed together!  At least that’s what often happens to us.  Take August, for instance, when we had two full weeks jampacked with activities and preparations for the first Homeschoolers Science Exhibit and the kids’ very first portfolio review.  This February was not much different!  A week before their third quarter portfolio review was the 21st Hot Air Balloon Festival.  That was one full day of fun with friends and one full day of sleeping all day (for the kids) and cleaning up and laundry (for me).  This was followed with days of putting together their “book” (kids’ task!) and encoding their grades (my task).  Aside from that, the kids also had activities with other homeschoolers – Engineering for Kids, Challenge Island, Learn Group, etc. So, yes, it was a crazy two weeks again for me!  (Ain’t all weeks crazy for that matter?!)

Well, I needed a break! We all did! So for their end-of-quarter reward, we decided to stay at Ace Hotel and Suites for one night because “we’ve not been back to Ace Water Spa for ages!” Uhm…our last trip there was June last year, so “ages” is about right. In the kids’ calendar, I’ve been living for centuries!

I’ve heard great reviews of the Traveloka App from a friend and decided to give it a try booking our staycation.  I’m definitely glad I did!  I saved not only time but also money doing so.

It’s FAST and EASY TO USE!!!

I opened the Traveloka app at 7:05pm and by 7:22 pm, I had already received the e-voucher.  I also simultaneously received a text message and an email confirming our booking.  That’s about 17 minutes but that also includes several minutes away from my phone because …”Mama, I need help please…”, “Mama, I need to poop…”, “Mama, please check this…” and a few other “emergencies”.  I think I actually spent only 5-10 minutes on the Traveloka AppThat’s 10 minutes max!

It’s very easy to navigate through the app.  In choosing the hotel, I just needed to choose the city or country (yes, it can be used to book international hotels!!!) and the dates we wished to stay.  It took about a second or two to show a list of available hotels which I could sort according to price, popularity, or rating. I was also able to filter the list according to my accommodation preferences, budget, and required facilities.  There’s also a map that shows where all the hotels are located so it’s easier to choose the one that’s most convenient for us.

I, of course, choose Ace Hotel and Suites as the kids requested.  After choosing the hotel, I filled in the needed information, confirmed the details, then paid online.  Traveloka uses Dragonpay which accepts VISA and Mastercard from most major banks.  You can also choose to pay over-the-counter at 7-11, M. Lhuillier, or BDO.

I surprisingly received my e-voucher and email confirmation just a couple of minutes after.  I also received a text message with my hotel voucher summary.  Now I didn’t have to anxiously wait whether the transaction went through properly or not.

It Offers EXCLUSIVE DEALS and PROMOS!

Aside from saving me so much time, booking through the Traveloka App also saved me money!   Our overnight stay at Ace Hotel and Suites costs only 4,774.19.  That already included taxes and surcharges.  There were no transaction fees and no hidden charges. There were no additional charges to be paid upon check-in.  Of course, we had to comply with the standard room deposit for incidental charges but that was promptly returned upon check out.

The published rates for the room we booked ranges from 6,000 to 7,000 so we saved more than 1,000 pesos using the Traveloka App!

Aside from the already money-saving exclusive deals, Traveloka also offers promotions that offers varied discounts both on flights and hotel accommodations.

It Could Be Your Best Travel Buddy!

While relaxing on Saturday morning (I didn’t have to cook breakfast and wash the dishes, Hurrah!!!!), I browsed through the Traveloka App again and found out that we could book flights there as well. Imagine that – just one app to search for and to book both flights and accommodations!

For flights, you just need to choose your place of origin, destination, travel dates, and passenger numbers.  The app then gives you a list of all airlines that have available flights. You can sort the list according to price, departure and arrival times, or duration.  It’s really very easy to scroll down the list.  It’s really very handy when you’re on a budget and are looking for the cheapest flight.

For hotels, you just need to specify the area or city with your preferred dates.  You can also filter the choices according to the facilities you require and your budget.  It’s also very easy to scroll through the list.  Moreover, you don’t have to go to another website to complete your booking.  Everything is done through the app.

Would I use the Traveloka App for our next vacation or staycation?

Definitely, yes!  You should try it too!

From Privileged to VIP with My New Robinsons Card

Before all the hustle and bustle of summer activities, a quaint little red box was delivered to our house.  Inside was a glimmering gold card – my new Robinsons VIP Card.  It couldn’t have come at a better time because my Robinsons Privilege Card had just expired.

VIP Gold Card

I know frugal moms like me would agree that membership and privilege cards provide us tons of savings.  I have a cardholder full of such cards but it’s often cumbersome to have to always carry so many cards.  This is among the many reasons why I love my Robinsons VIP Card.  With just one card, I get to enjoy tons of perks and discounts from over 600 tenants of Robinsons Malls, Robinsons Movieworld, Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Handyman and True Value.

New and Improved Robinsons Card

What’s better than having privileges? Being a VIP! We all know that VIPs get all the nice stuff and are treated like royalty.  This special treatment is what Robinsons Malls had in mind when they rebranded the Privilege Card to the VIP Card.

Aside from the host of privileges given to loyal patrons, the new rebranded card now promises to make them feel like the true VIPs they are in Robinsons Malls.  All the features and benefits have been upgraded and improved to provide us with utmost shopping satisfaction. [Read more…]

Jasmine’s Top 5 Fave Disney Princesses

“A bow. And arrows!”  This was what my daughter replied when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas.  Was I surprised? Nah! She had been asking for a “REAL” bow since she first saw the movie BRAVE.

Ask her who her fave Disney Princesses are and Merida will always be the first one she’ll say.  My little girl definitely isn’t the prim and proper little miss princess type who loves dressing up and playing with dolls.  You can say that she’s quite the opposite of that. This is perhaps why she relates well with Merida’s character.  Her other princess choices are also not your typical “damsel-in-distress” “pretty-as-a-bow” princesses.  Here’s her top 5 list and the values that she has learned from each princess.

5.  Tiana

So, I’m trying to think of any other child I know who has Princess Tiana on her fave princess list and …. I can’t think of any!  Jade says she likes Tiana because she looks like her.  Although I told her that she looks more like Mulan,  she still thinks her skin color is closer to Tiana’s color. Also, she can relate with her because Tiana comes from a poor family and had to work hard to make her dream come true.  Tiana is 5th on her list because she likes her story a lot. 🙂

Jasmine’s Learnings: Work hard for your dreams to come true.

princess tiana

4. Mulan

“I want to fight the Huns! And I want a lucky Cricket even if it doesn’t really bring good luck.”  My daughter may be afraid of cockroaches and other small flying insects but she’d courageously fight bad guys much bigger than her! Like Mulan, she wants to be a soldier so she could protect her family and her country. 🙂

Jasmine’s Learnings: Do not leave your family. Do not be afraid of big bad people.

princess mulan

3. Anna

What’s not to like about this bubbly princess?! She may have been naive and gullible to the false pretenses of a dashing prince but  other than that, you have got to love this princess’ bravery. Imagine everything she had to go through just to reach her sister and to save Arendelle.

Jasmine’s Learnings: To be kind. To love your sister or brother always. 

princess anna

2. Elsa

She’s Queen Elsa now but she was a princess before that so she still gets to be on the “princess” list. ;D She comes second on Jade’s list because ……  she can make an awesome ice castle and create snow!

Jasmine’s Learnings: Never run away. Face your fears.

princess elsa

1. Merida

Need I say more about this? Jade loves Merida because she’s good at aiming targets and because she’s not afraid to go into the forest.  I find Merida too strong-willed though. But my li’l Jade is definitely as brave and as spunky as the Princess of DunBroch. I just hope she won’t ever wish for me to be somebody – or something – else, ever!

Jasmine’s Learnings: Don’t talk rudely to your mother.

princess merida

As you may have noticed, my little girl’s fave Disney princesses are all brave and they all love adventure.  This is why we are not missing this year’s Disney On Ice!  Merida may not be there but Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle promises to delight us with their adventurous and comical stories. Moreover, we’ll be seeing Elsa and Anna on ice for the first time.  The Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival will definitely be a great Christmas gift for our kids (and for the kids at heart!).

2015 DOI flyer 9x6in back

Watch your Favorite Disney Stars LIVE in Disney On Ice

(press release)

The touring show that enchanted audiences from across the globe is back with yet again another exciting run of Disney On Ice at the Big Dome.

Starting December 25 until January 3, Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival will feature magical moments from across the kingdom with a superstar lineup of Disney royalty.

2015 DOI poster

See your favorite Disney characters from The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, and for the first time ever – the Academy Award® winning and number one animated film of all time Frozen.

“This year’s Disney On Ice is truly magical with Disney properties that are packed with heart and personality. We have princesses that are exuberant and strong-willed, but we’ve also expanded the roles of spirited supporting characters, so that they’re more prominent in the show,” says Producer Nicole Feld.

D33_20120907_00180-Edit-PR

Expect a spectacular production filled with adventurous and comical segments shared by well-loved Disney princesses Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle, and never-before-seen characters Anna and Elsa!

“We are taking a fresh new spin on how we’re presenting the Disney stories. We are weaving together the four worlds of royal sisters Anna and Elsa, Ariel, Belle and Rapunzel as they each embark on their own epic journey,” says Producer Juliette Feld.

Sing and dance to popular Disney tunes with interactive and playful segments for kids to be led by Disney superstars Mickey and Minnie.

D33_20120907_00280-Edit

Also join Anna as she fearlessly sets off on an epic journey, together with Kristoff and reindeer Sven, to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in perpetual winter.

D33_20120907_00084-Edit

Dazzling costume designs, spectacular set elements, and jaw-dropping stunts are also what make this year’s show even more exhilarating.

In Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest,” the theatrical elements of the glitzy napkins and silverware costumes will astound audiences. “The costumes are designed to emphasize the overwhelming amount of table décor that appears in the movie. The napkins unfold to increase their size and the forks tower over the heads of the performers. This is a big moment for Belle; the costumes need to reflect that,” says Costume Designer Cynthia Nordstrom.

D33_20120907_01542-Edit

Moreover, lighting plays a crucial role in giving the overall production a truly magical feel.

“The colors really pull you into the different worlds of the princesses, but it’s how the lights are arranged that command your attention when the characters are performing their acts. For example, when the Daughters of Triton are introduced, the lighting individually highlights each of them. Your eyes follow the spotlights,” says Lighting Designer Sam Doty.

D33_20120906_00410-Edit

Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival features an astounding display of creativity and talent, with spellbinding Disney stories we have all come to enjoy and love! Buy your tickets early and visit TicketNet website or call 911-5555 for more details.