Araneta Center Grand Santacruzan Today

It's mid-May, and it's open season for the Santacruzan. The Santacruzan is one of the Philippine festivals that defines us being Filipinos. To be part of the Santacruzan is seems to be more prestigious than religious because people really spend to take part of it. 

Araneta Center is hosting the Grand Santacruzan around the complex and you will get to see the Binibining Pilipinas Beauties parading the route this afternoon at 4PM.

Who’s afraid of SM Aura?

SM Aura Premier, located at the edge of Bonifacio Global City, is finally opening its doors to the public this Friday.

The curved superstructure built by the Miami-based Arquitectonica and the Philippines’ own WV Coscolluela & Associates, marks a first for the SM Group which, for this project, has taken an out-of-the-box approach – creating an innovative recreational and leisure space complementary to BGC’s fast-changing landscape.

With a mall, an office tower, a convention center, a premier trade hall, and other features that make up a civic center for the city of Taguig, plus a trade and investment forum,  Aura fosters lively activity with its wide-ranging facilities designed for the convenience of its patrons.

SM Aura, a breathtaking combination of indoor and outdoor activity, keeps a strong focus on design and sustainability, offering a complete experience to upscale residential and office tenants. It is confident about getting a Gold LEED certification from the US Green Building Council – the first commercial center in the country to do so.

At the top of Aura is SkyPark, an expansive and lush green space for lunch break retreats, al fresco dining and leisurely walks.

Aura’s seven floors of retail space include apparel brands such as Uniqlo, Forever 21, as well as retail and dining space. Setting up shop for the first time in the Philippines are Stefanel, Paul Boulangerie, the Food Hall by Todd English, and Asia’s first NBA Café. Anchors SM Department Store and SM Supermarket have also leveled up their design and merchandise offerings for the thrilling new space.

The SM Group is also stepping up its game for recreation. Not only does Aura carry four new digital cinemas and an IMAX Theater, its strong focus on becoming a great place for friends and family has also paved the way for a modern chapel named after Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod as well as the Samsung Hall, a dome designed for events, exhibits and performances.

From morning coffee to happy hour, from every day to holidays, Aura promises to be a center of convenience with a total pleasure experience that is both light and fulfilling.

Getting there, however, is particularly difficult. At the edge of the BGC lays a long unpaved portion of McKinley Parkway, incidentally right on Aura’s doorstep. A barricade wards off pedestrians on their way to Aura. It’s a pity since Aura is an exciting space suited to the lifestyle of those who reside and frequent BGC. Otherwise, getting there should be easy.

But why isn’t it? Who’s afraid of Aura?

SALE-riously!?! Gadgets, Phones, Computers!

25 tech brands in one place for three days. May 17 to 19 at White Space Makati. Here's the direct link at Facebook.

Here are some on-site promos.

O+ giveaway:

• We will be giving O+ 6.3 phones once we reach the following number of people “going” to the event:
• 1,000 – 1pc.
• 2,000 – 1pc.
• 2,500 – 1pc.
• We would announce the winner on both the event page and the fanpage

Sonic Gear Speakers giveaway:

1. We will be giving 20 Sonic Gear Tatoo 101 speakers to the 20 people who posts on the image (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=513638915362484&set=oa.161076354060661&type=1&theater)
2. The top 20 answers we will crown judge will get the speakers
3. Announcement of winners will be posted in both the event page and the fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/SaleRiously).

For on-site promos, we have the ff:

O+ giveaway:

• We will be giving away (1) O+ 6.3 phones per day to random shoppers who are present

Sonic Gear Speakers Giveaway:

• We will be giving away (10) Sonic Gear Tatoo 101 speakers per day to random shoppers who are present

Samsung Tab P7300:

• We will be giving away (1) Samsung Tab P7300s per day to random shoppers who are present

Sandisk 4GB Cruzer Giveaway:

• We will be giving away (30) Sandisk Cruzer USBs per day to the first 30 shoppers who are present

Dockers Iron Free Sale

Let’s face it clothes look better when ironed. But not all would agree to do the labor that goes in to it, most especially for men who does not want complicated tasks.

Ironing may sound easy but is complex at the same time – meaning the iron doesn't just pass one time on your shirt or pants. Rather, to make sure that you would have that crisp, straight press, no wrinkle look, you would have to offer more by simply pressing harder and extending patience on the crease.

Here are some ways to never iron clothes again.

1.     Buy Dockers® Iron Free Shirts in styles that take you from the office to the restaurant without a wrinkle.  One won’t be enough, so pick a few from classic plaids, stripes and solids.  It's Iron Free technology lasts up to 30 home launderings.  Available in classic fit.

2.     Pair your Iron Free Shirt with Dockers® Never Iron Essential Khakis, a press and ready, wrinkle-resistant fabric with a clean silhouette.  This khaki is pristine and professional.  You’ll be prepared for business meetings and boardroom presentation with this refined style.  Also available in classic fit that seats naturally on the waist and eased through the seat and thigh with permanent crease. It's Color Bond® technology ensures that the color won’t fade.

All these and more at the Dockers® 20% OFF SALE!

Dockers® the most loved khaki will be holding a Special Sale on ALL IRON FREE and NEVER IRON KHAKIS.  Participating branches are – Trinoma, Rockwell, Glorietta, Festival Mall, Robinsons Ermita, Ayala Center Cebu and Centrio Cagayan de Oro.

Buy 1 Dockers® Iron Free or Never Iron collection and get a straight 20% off on your purchase.  Promo will be until May 15, 2013 only.

For more information about Dockers® and its promotions, Like Dockers® on www.facebook.com/Dockers, Follow DockersKhaki_PH on Twitter and add DockersKhaki_Ph on Instagram.

About the Dockers® Brand

The Dockers® Brand has embodied the spirit of khaki for more than 25 years. Since their introduction in 1986, Dockers® has been perfecting khakis—and the essential goods to go with them—for men and women all over the world. No compromises in quality. Just versatile, essential style. Day to night. Monday to Sunday. Wearing the pants has never looked so good. For information on Dockers® and its products, please call +632-889-9301 or visit www.Dockers.com

L.E.N.S blog logs this week

For everyone's information, L.E.N.S. blogs is not just one blog. Besides this one, it is composed of blogs with specific topics like movies, food, music, sometimes travel and my geek interests. I am now backlogging what's new this week.

Poster photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

It was also the week of Iron Man 3 when it broke record of the opening day sales. Here's my review of the movie from a geek fan perspective. No spoilers guaranteed.

Last weekend, I was able to attend the opening of the 3rd Coca Cola Football Fest at Alabang Country Club. It was wicked to see 2,700 youths play the sport. 

After the football, I got to see Taiwan Travel Expo at Glorietta. Not only there are great booking deals, but I found out that there are places that are interesting to visit. I learned about their leisure farms in one of their booth workshops. The have some interesting artwork like making a silkworm out of tissue crawl on a pencil. I also tried their spicy rice noodles.

Scene photo courtesy of HBO Asia

For those book fans, the TV adaptation of Game Of Thrones returns to HBO Asia on its 3rd season. This much awaited series already gathered many awards.

Richard Poon

In the music scene, Richard Poon launched first pop album under a new record label. Psy's new single, Gentleman craze continues. Another international artist is coming to Manila. AVICII is going to perform at The Arena.

For those without two left feet, Manila will be hosting a Tango Festival and some of the known international tango stars are coming to Manila. For more updates, visit and like the LENS blogs on Facebook.

3rd Coca Cola Football Fest

This summer, not only that Coca Cola Philippines organizes the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars League 2013 for the Philippine youth, they are also organizing the Coca Cola Football Fest in its third year. This 2-day event(May 4 and 5, 2013) participated by 2,700 youths from Vigan to Masbate and the rest of the Luzon regions.

Since 1978, Coca Cola sponsors the World Cup since there is a huge representation of interest in football worldwide. After the growing interest of football or soccer here in the Philippines thanks to the national team, Coca Cola is using football to reach out the Philippine youth.

Mr. Aponte and Atty. Tamano

It is Coca Cola's social responsibility to promote a "active and healthy living" among the youth, says Mr. Guillermo Aponte, The participants' age ranges as young as five to seventeen. It is their vision that when the time comes, they will get the chance to participate in the national league but for now, it is not their plan to form one.

Mr. Aponte adds that this event is "inclusive to everybody" especially if they have passion for the sport. There are also girls and different nationalities who are also based in the country are participating in the games. This passion also exists to the families and friends who shows up to support their players. As a native of Columbia, his children are also into football and they are also participating in the event.

Darryl Anne talks about the game and her experiences

During the media conference, I got to hear testimonials from selective players of the event.After the conference, I got to ask a couple of these players. Jervie Magat of Magdalena, Binhi, Laguna is 17 years old and has been playing for three years. Although it was a curriculum in their school PE program, Jervie got hooked with the sport and it's his first time to compete in the Coke event.

Mr. Aponte talking with Darryl Anne, one of the participants.

15 year old Darryl Anne, on the other hand, is much more competitive and driven. She played in the previous football fest and also been playing for three years. She told me that even though she is a girl, she was able to play the sport well that she was part of the mixed team with other boys and was even their team captain before being part of an all-girl team. She told me that last year, they were first place and now they are determined to win the championship.

"While we have the flagship brand like Coke, we also have Powerade, the official sport drink of the event that replenishes minerals consumed during the intense activity and water like Wilkins for basic hydration", says Atty. Adel Tamano, Coca Cola Phils. Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications. The 3rd Coca Cola Football Fest is held at Alabang Country Club and is a collaborative effort of Coca Cola Phils., Makati Football Club, Alabang Football Club and the NCR Football Association.