The Metropolista

24 April 2024

EK Brings Back An Enchanting World Pets Day Event This April

Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, will hold Ogg’s Pet Day Out on April 28, 2024, exclusively at the Enchanting Events Place Reception Lobby in celebration of World Pets Day. This event will provide a magical experience for guests and their pets, particularly dogs and cats.

This event will feature a pet blessing, a biscuit eating contest, a pet fashion show, an online photo contest, and more activities specially curated for pet owners and their furry friends. Additionally, the City Veterinarian Office of Santa Rosa, Laguna, will provide and administer 50 anti-rabies vaccines to raise awareness of the importance of pet vaccination.

Ms. Cherina Consunji, Head of the Merchandise Division, shared that EK will introduce a range of merchandise especially made for pets and their owners. To bring home the magic of EK, special treats and gifts also await all participating guests.

“We are very excited to bring back this enchanting World Pets Day event since we first held it in 2019. This event is dedicated to our guests’ furry companions as we acknowledge how their unconditional love improves human lives,” Ms. Consunji added.

In partnership with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), participants will also learn more about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership during the said event.

Ticket booking is available online (EKOS) and onsite (walk-in). An event pass that includes a pet and pet owner starts at Php 1000, while an event pass with park and ride access starts at Php 1,900. For safety purposes, park-and-ride access is only allowed for hoomans.

For more information about Ogg’s Pet Day Out and upcoming events at EK, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts, @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and Tiktok, and @ek_philippines for Twitter and Instagram.

22 April 2024

Beat the Heat with these Budget-Friendly Staycation Ideas!

Sometimes, the best vacations are the ones closest to home, especially if you want to escape the scorching heat these days. It doesn’t have to break the bank. It can be even more cost-efficient, depending on how well you plan your quick escape. It’s a good thing there are now tools that can help you scan through the best deals, like AirAsia MOVE.

With staycations, you can skip the hassle of long travel time on the road or at the airport. Whether you’re out to work or relaxing, there’s a suitable accommodation for your needs.

Here are some recommended staycation hotels:

For the Work-driven and Tech-Savvy

Red Planet BGC The Fort & Red Planet Cubao Aurora Boulevard

Stay connected with lightning-fast Wifi 6 and enjoy in-room entertainment with Google Chromecast.

Book your stay at Red Planet BGC or Red Planet Cubao Aurora Boulevard at 50% OFF or for as low as PHP 1,675! Get an additional PHP 400 discount using promo code “EXCLUSIVE” upon checkout. promo code is valid until April 30, 2024.

For the City Explorer and Party Lover

One Cristina Suites

Situated at the heart of the Makati’s party hub, Poblacion, One Cristina Suites offers chill and fun vibe for a great price. It’s also a few steps away from Makati’s premier shopping malls, like Power Plant Mall, Glorietta Mall, and Greenbelt Mall, This hotel is also ideal for retail therapy enthusiasts and food lovers.

Book a room at One Cristina Suites via AirAsia MOVE for as low as PHP 1,497!

For Families and Fun-Seekers

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

If you are staying in Cebu, indulge in the fun vibe at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino. Avoid the hustle and bustle on the road, and have everything you need in one place, from casinos, concerts, restaurants, to cafes.

Book your stay at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, and get a PHP 400 discount using promo code “EXCLUSIVE” upon checkout. promo code is valid until April 30, 2024.

Solea Mactan Resort

For the kids and kids-at heart, this resort is perfect for you! Dip and splash with your family with 8 pools and an exhilarating inflatable waterpark.

Book your stay at Solea Mactan Resort via AirAsia MOVE. Get a PHP 400 discount using promo code “EXCLUSIVE” upon checkout. promo code is valid until April 30, 2024.

For the Beach Lover

Shore Time Hotel Boracay

Whether you’re living on the island or in it for an indefinite stay due to Boracay’s pristine sands’ irresistible charm, check out Shore Time Hotel Boracay. There’s a wide range of hotel selections that suit your budget. Choose from affordable rooms for solo travelers or spacious bunk bed options for your barkada. Enjoy a restful sleep with comfortable orthopedic mattresses and pillows.

Book a room at Shore Time Hotel Boracay via AirAsia MOVE for as low as PHP 2,700! Get a PHP 400 discount using promo code “STAYNOW” upon checkout. promo code is valid until April 30, 2024.

Visit AirAsia MOVE and get exclusive discounts on hotels perfect for your staycation needs. Download the AirAsia MOVE app today and start planning your perfect staycation!

Stay updated with everything from the AirAsia MOVE by following @airasiamove.ph on Instagram and AirAsia MOVE Philippines on Facebook.

For a seamless and enhanced experience, download your AirAsia MOVE from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei AppGallery.

22 April 2024

City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas Mayor starts the ball rolling for NJLA-LGU English Proficiency through Literature project

The City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas is the first local partner of the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA)-Local Government Unit (LGU) Advocacy for English Proficiency through Literature project.

The NJLA-LGU project is the brainchild of Philippines Graphic, the initiator of the NJLA and the Philippines Graphic Reader, the only monthly magazine completely devoted to publishing short stories and poems written in English by budding and veteran Filipino writers and poets.

At signing the Memorandum of Agreement here between the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas Mayor Arth Jhun A. Marasigan, and Philippines Graphic Executive Vice President-General Manager Loida S. Virtudazo, city officials, said that the project will benefit Grade 9 and Grade 10 students in the city’s five public high schools.

“Introducing to Grades 9 and 10 students the short stories and poems written in English by Filipino writers and poets can be a highly enriching experience,” Mayor Marasigan said.

He added that “reading the works of Filipino fictionists and poets can inspire Tomasino students to explore their own creativity and express themselves through writing. It can spark their imagination, encourage them to experiment with different writing styles, and instill a love for literature and the arts.”

Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez said that the City of Sto.Tomas, Batangas, has five public high schools and 24 private high schools. “There are a total of 3,189 Grade 9 students and 3,103 Grade 10 students,” she added.

For her part, Virtudazo said that through the Student’s Corner section of the Philippines Graphic Reader, students will be able to study and appreciate the published works of Filipino short story writers and poets, while learning good English.

“This is the beginning of a long-range NJLA-LGU-public high schools project to promote English proficiency and literature appreciation through the Philippines Graphic Reader. and it starts with popularizing the works of Filipino poets and writers in the hearts and minds of young readers,” she said.

Named after the late National Artist and former Philippines Graphic editor-in-chief Nick Joaquin, the NJLA is the jewel event of the Graphic, where the best short fictionists and poets of the year are feted and awarded cash prizes ranging from P15,000 to P50,000.

This year, NJLA 2024 will expand the reach of Filipino short story writers and poets by putting their works in schools.

NJLA 2024 will be held on May 7 at the 6th floor, SM Aura Premier, 26th Street, corner McKinley Pkwy, Taguig, Metro Manila.

“We and our LGU partners will be announcing the schools where the featured short stories and poems in the Graphic Reader will be studied and appreciated,” Virtudazo said.

26 March 2024

Discover ASEAN with AirAsia MOVE’s New Travel Subscription Plan — Now Available for a Limited Time

For a limited period, AirAsia MOVE is offering the ASEAN Pass at zero base rate for flights departing from Manila to Bangkok, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuala Lumpur.

Discover exclusive deals on hotels and transportation.

AirAsia MOVE (formerly AiAsia Superapp) introduced the Asean Pass, a revamped travel subscription service, today. Save money on airfare, hotel stays, and transportation with this new travel subscription plan’s special discounts.

AirAsia MOVE builds on the success of AirAsia Super+. In December 2022, an impressive total of over 80,000 airplane seats were reserved for both the Lite and Premium categories. Highlighting the tremendous value offered, the typical member also saved over RM1,500 in redeemed flights during their subscription time.

Subscribers to the Asean Pass can take advantage of ZERO-base fares on all international Asean flights operated by the AirAsia group of airlines, as well as unlimited use of a special promo code that can save you up to 50% on hotel bookings across our inventory of more than 900,000 properties. Members also get a free AirAsia ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airports (Terminals 1 and 2) and RM2 off all trips on AirAsia Ride. New members additionally get 5,000 AirAsia Points upon registration; these points can be redeemed for airfare, transportation, and hotel stays.

Subscribing is highly suggested for those interested, as there are limited passes available for purchase from today until 2359 hrs (GMT +8) on March 31, 2024. Just head over to the AirAsia MOVE app and find the “Unlimited” icon to buy more.

An amount equal to

These amounts are for several countries: RM 1,188 in Malaysia,THB 8,888 in Thailand, PHP 14,888 in the Philippines, IDR 3.988,888 in Indonesia, SGD 388 in Singapore, and USD 288 elsewhere.

“We are pleased to finally bring back a new version of the popular travel subscription pass—with a refreshed name, Asean Pass—ensuring travelers a seamless and affordable travel subscription plan while exploring Asean,” claimed Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE. This product, which unites AirAsia flights and AirAsia MOVE’s offerings under one Unlimited subscription, reinforces our commitment to providing customers with a seamless travel solution.

Flying with your Asean Pass is possible for a full calendar year* after your membership date (e.g., 25 March 2024–25 March 2025), with travel beginning on 8 March 2024.

Government taxes, fees, add-ons, and other costs may apply to flights redeemed using Asean Pass. Flight reservations are subject to the embargo period and other terms and limitations; they must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure. The number of available seats fluctuates according to demand and supply for a specific route.

If you want to know what’s happening with the AirAsia MOVE in the Philippines, you may follow @airasiamove.ph on Instagram and AirAsia MOVE Philippines on Facebook.

To enjoy a more streamlined and improved experience, get the AirAsia Superapp—soon to be called AirAsia MOVE—from the App Store, Google Play, or Huawei AppGallery.

Some rules and regulations are in place. If you would like to know more, review the FAQ.

An embargo period is in effect.

* The availability of seats on an unlimited flight is subject to the supply and demand of that route.

21 March 2024

Best Retail Visual Merchandise Display: Enchanted Kingdom Chosen for International Recognition

At the IAAPA Honors 2024, which took place last March 3 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Enchanted Kingdom—the Philippines’ first and only world-class theme park—won the prestigious Brass Ring Excellence Award for Best Retail Visual Merchandise Display category. Recognizing “innovative contributions that have propelled the global amusement and attractions industry forward,” the IAAPA Honors 2024 were presented.

The world’s leading trade group for amusement parks and attractions is the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, more often known as IAAPA. The IAAPA has been around for over a century and is based in Orlando, Florida, USA. Its membership includes prominent businesses, consultants, and individuals from over a hundred different countries, and it includes all the major players in the industry, like Disney, Universal Parks, and Enchanted Kingdom.

This accolade strengthens our resolve to become the premier Asia-Pacific destination for integrated attractions. Mr. Cesar Mario O. Mamon, Chairman and President of EK, shared that as the company prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025, it is dedicated to providing guests with new, exciting, and innovative attractions and experiences. Its goal is to further solidify its position as the leading Philippine attraction for healthy family entertainment and the country’s first world-class theme park.

“Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe” is EK’s official entry, and it’s the main store where you may find Eldar the Wizard, EK’s own friendly and knowledgeable resident wizard. “This delicate jewel of a shoppe infused a lot of elements, arousing the interest of deeply curious millennials, the incredibly tech-savvy Gen Zs, and all other guests across various generations,” remarked Ms. Cherina S. Consunji, EK’s Head of Merchandise.

Eldar the Wizard, Princess Victoria, Princess Madeline of the Enchanted Kingdom, and other characters from EK’s original musical, The Enchanted Kingdom Story Musicale, are on display at the specialized shop.

Visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph or follow EK on social media at @enchantedkingdom.ph on Facebook and TikTok, and @ek_philippines on Twitter and Instagram to learn more about Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe and future events at EK.