PAL Introduces the New Mabuhay Miles Travel Card

Philippine Airlines (PAL) the country's flag carrier recently launched the new Mabuhay Miles Travel Card, the industry's first membership and prepaid card in one! Now, you can fly, shop, dine, drive, and unwind anywhere in the world with your Mabuhay Miles Travel Card. You no longer have to worry about fluctuating currency conversion rates or the hassle of changing your local currency before flying. All you have to do is to load up your card and voila you're ready to explore the world. Your Mabuhay Miles Travel Card can be used to any establishments both online and offline, as well as thru ATMs in over 150 countries where UnionPay International is accepted.

The new Mabuhay Miles Travel Card was launched at Shangri La Mactan in Cebu. It was attended by a number of bloggers from Manila, Bacolod, Cebu and Davao as well as the PAL Team headed by its President and COO, Mr. Jaime Bautista. 

Pinoy Travel Bloggers at the Launching of Mabuhay Miles Travel Card

Davao Represent!

During the launch, Ms. Mayette Cassanova, AVP of Loyalty Program revealed the exciting features of the new Mabuhay Miles Travel Card. She shared that it is a multi-currency prepaid card and it's the first of its kind in the Philippines. It provides more options  to earn and redeem miles. 

It was a night full of surprises. There were lots of prizes and miles given to the bloggers. 

Experiencing the Mabuhay Travel Card

The day after the launch was the most exiting part as we were able to use the card to shop at SM Seaside City Cebu. We're lucky to be the first ones to use the card. It was such a great experience. It worked! Hahaha. Make sure you remember your PIN as you will be required to key it in when you use the card.

Aside from shopping, we also swiped our cards to stay at Marco Polo Cebu. Yes, you heard it right, you can swipe your card and use your miles to stay and relax in any of Mabuhay Miles partner hotels.

How you can get your Mabuhay Miles Travel Card?

The Mabuhay Miles Travel Card is issued to registered (able to login online) and active Mabuhay Miles members who are at least 13 years old and above. For registered members, download the Mabuhay Miles Travel Card Request Form here and send a scanned copy of the following to travelcard@mabuhaymiles.com 

a. Accomplished and signed Mabuhay Miles Travel Card Request Form 
b. Government ID with photo ( Driver's License, Passport, Unfied Multi-Purpose ID, etc)

If you have not yet registered for an online account, you may do so here: https://www.mabuhaymiles.com/RegisterAccount. If you are not a member yet, you may enroll here: https://www.mabuhaymiles.com/Enrollment or you can visit any PAL Ticket Offices to enrol. 

The card will soon replace the Classic Mabuhay Miles Card. It will be an additional card for the Elite and Premier ELite members and Million Milers.

Yes, it's that simple and easy. Fly with Philippine Airlines and get your Mabuhay Miles Travel Card! With Mabuhay Miles, life gets more rewarding!

Thank you @flypal for a wonderful experience. See you again, Cebu! #MMTravelCard

A photo posted by Glen Santillan (@escapemanila) on Apr 19, 2016 at 11:07pm PDT

Feeling Ms. Universe! My answer to the question '"Why should every Pinay travel?"

You probably missed it by I am in the current issue of Cosmopolitan Philippines, the one with Queen Pia Wurztbach on the cover! I was given a little corner on the contribs page for which I am very grateful. Many thanks to the Cosmo ladies!

Queen Pia Wurtzbach on the cover of Cosmopolitan  Philippines April 2016 

Feeling Ms. Universe din, with the Tiara on my head.
Photo taken by Chum Kabiling at Amalienborg in Copenhagen, Denmark

For my write up, I was asked the question, '"Why should every Pinay travel?"
To which I replied, 

"Traveling takes you out of your comfort zone, far from anything familiar to your everyday life. It makes you rely completely on yourself and shows you that anything is, indeed, possible. Traveling takes you - your ego - off the center of the universe.  It lets you know you're quite insignificant in what really is an immense world." 

Didn't I sound like I, too, was being interviewed for a beauty pageant? I do hope that with that answer, I could've won whatever crown was on the line. But on a more serious note, if I had more time, I would've added more to my answer, 

"But what to take from that is this – what part do you want to play in light with what you’ve seen? What mark do you want to leave on it? How can you make this world – or your home country - a better place?" 

I thank you.
Bow.

Marco Polo Davao is Awarded as Best Hotel in 2015

It was another success for Marco Polo Davao as it received the 2015 Hotel of the Year, Bold Leadership Award from Marco Polo Hotels. As a way of sharing the good news to its partners and friends from the media, Marco Polo Davao held a Thanksgiving event entitled, "Celebration of Colors" at the hotel's ballroom.

The event was led by Marco Polo Davao GM Dottie V. Würgler-Cronin and the hotel’s owning company, Halifax Davao Hotel,Inc. (the hotel’s owning company), represented by its Senior Vice-President,  Francis R. Ledesma.

Mr. Francis R. Ledesma and GM Dottie V. Würgler-Cronin

“We are very honoured to achieve this prestigious milestone, as this is a manifestation of our team’s hard-work, commitment and dedication to provide the best service quality and accommodation to our guests. This event is also our way of expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the people behind our success; which are clients, guests, associates, our owning company HDHI, and our management company, Marco Polo Hotels. Without their support, this achievement won’t be made possible” says GM Dottie V. Würgler-Cronin.

GM Dottie V. Würgler-Cronin

Mr. Francis R. Ledesma also expressed his gratitude on behalf of Halifax Davao Hotel,Inc. to the MPD Team and their honoured guests.  “Thank you Dottie for being steadfast and consistently at the helm of things. Thank you to all the officers and associates for the hard work and dedication. Thank you to all our valued guests and friends from the media who are truly part of the Marco Polo Davao family”.

This meaningful celebration also included the awarding of the 2015 Associate-of-the Year Award to the hotel’s Executive Secretary, Ms. Regina Francia Cueva; who is also fondly called as “Boodie” by her associates. “Boodie has been a great asset to the team, and she should serve as an inspiration to the younger generation of associates” says GM Dottie.

The evening was filled with great food, live music, raffle prizes and the much-awaited dance number by the hotel’s Associates of the Month who were also acknowledged during the celebration. The hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Pearl Peralta- Maclang, also surprised the guests with a short video clip of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’swell-wishes to Marco Polo Davao.

FOOD: Tiendesitas Food Village

It was like seeing an old friend who has undergone a transformation – the one who lost several pounds or the one who ditched the good for nothing boyfriend.

The last several months, Tiendesitas have undergone major transoframtions. Owned by Ortigas & Company, this former al-fresco shopping and entertainment center in the heart of Frontra Verde is now enclosed and have air-conditioning. Which in this record-breaking summer heat could only be described as lifesaving. They’ve also added more parking slots by elevating the structure on stilts which by the way is a tropical architecture feature.

But at its heart – as it has always been - is the Food Village and they have kept it in all its alfresco glory. Now on the second level, the Food Village affords guests with a good view of the trees across the road. There’s also a bit of a breeze now, keeping things rather cool. The monoblock chairs are gone, though, and in their place are colorful metal chairs.

Thankfully, they have kept the Vinta sails hanging from the ceiling, the manong sorbertero offering “dirty ice cream” and of course, the yum Filipino favorites.

I must confess I always had a soft spot for Tiendesitas. It has always strived to celebrate the best in Filipino culture. From the tropical architecture to the Philippine-made goods for sale, it has – always to me – tried to incite pride in the Filipino. And yes, why shouldn’t we be proud of the good things that we do have?

Tiendesitas, #ditonatayo .


Visit their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/tiendesitas/timeline , for the latest happenings in the area.

Can you spot the Tiendesitas Mamang Sorbetero?

Love that they kept these colorful "layags" reminiscent of  Zamboanga's vintas.
Also, alfresco means "We need a HUGE ceiling fan!"

This comes alive at night when bands light up the stage.

Tiendesitas opted for a halo-halo of chairs for the dining area.

Girls wanting to cool off with some Fruitas.

Apparently,  Claire de la Fuente also knows how to cook. 

I  spy JT Manukan.  Inasal love.

Aysee Sisig. Sisig. Sisig. 

Seems to me the device that zaps bugs. Am I right?

Kapitolyo Institution Three Sister's Barbecue is in Tiendesitas. 

View from the second floor Food Village; Light Traffic along C-5.

ARTS AND CULTURE: Fine Art in Madrid

I was a fine arts student back in university. And while I did encounter the names of Goya, Velasquez, and Picasso in my readings and lectures, for a reason that completely eluded me, I completely forgot that they were Spaniards!  I was so excited to see the works of Gaudi in Barcelona that I almost missed out on the chance to see the masterpieces along Madrid’s golden mile of fine art. I would advice that you wouldn’t too, so carve out the time to set foot inside these three. They are all so near each other, so it’s hardly a trek. 

Lonely Planet put it perfectly when it said that “Madrid has three of the finest art galleries in the world and if ever there was a golden mile of fine art, it has to be the combined charms of the Museo del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and the Museo Thyssen Bornemisza.” 

As a former fine arts student who has encountered Goya, Picasso, and Dali in the course of my studies, visiting these museums was a realization of a dream for me. But even if you’re not an artist or an art enthusiast, do yourself a favor and carve out the time to set foot inside these three. Your soul would thank you. 

Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

The first thing to catch your eye is the impressive marriage of modern and old world architecture at the front. Lots and lots of works of 20^th century painters like Picasso, Miro, and Dali. And of course, how could you possibly miss Picasso’s Guernica? Take note though that taking photos is prohibited in this room. I took a shot of the room, having completely forgotten to turn off the flash, which got me into a row with the attendant.  I profusely apologize but I could barely understand her rapid Spanish. She set me off and I walked to the Guernica, where I stood meshed into the little crowd infront of it and couldn’t help myself… and quietly cried. 

I immediately knew I was in the right place, thanks to that glass box. 

Official Website: http://www.museoreinasofia.es/en

Museo del Prado

I am not being overly dramatic nor cliché when I say that I got goosebumps when I entered the Prado. Back in college, the only way I could see painting done in a “European” style was to go to the national museum, Metropolitan Museum, and the  a “European” style painting was if I go to the National Museum, Metropolitan Museum , or the Lopez Museum. So just imagine when the halls and halls of the such paintings in front of me. Thank God for Mikel, who patiently showed and explained to me the more important works – that of Las Pinturas Negras of Goya.  And the royal paintings of Velasquez.

Photo grabbed from https://www.musement.com

Official Website: https://www.museodelprado.es/en

Museo Thyssen Bornemisza

The museum has a little bit of everyone – from Caravaggio to Vincent van Gogh to Roy Lichtenstein. And when I say, a little, I mean that sometimes it only has one piece by the artist. But if you’re really not an art student or an art enthusiast, that’s actually better as you wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the sheer number of works by one artist. 

photo grabbed from http://www.spainisculture.com/

Official Wesbite: http://www.museothyssen.org/en