Starbucks Teavana launched in Asia including the Philippines

Starbucks is launching Starbucks Teavana Handcrafted Beverages and Full Leaf Tea Sachets as a core offering in more than 6,200 Starbucks stores across China and the Asia Pacific region, including the Philippines starting September 14, 2016.

Who would have thought that Matcha and Espresso is one of the best combinations ever?!

Starbucks Philippines' introduction of this modern tea experience with the world’s finest teas and botanicals is great for its growing customers looking for new, different and exciting tastes and experiences from Starbucks.

Starbucks Teavana Full Leaf Tea Sachets

This modern tea experience provides all of their custimers the opportunity to enjoy a range of unique iced and hot tea beverages with bold, layered flavors, handcrafted the way only Starbucks can. Starbucks is offering three new Starbucks® Teavana™ Handcrafted Beverages:

1. Iced Shaken Hibiscus Tea with Pomegranate Pearls (Tall ₱130, Grande ₱145, Venti ₱160) - The combination of the hibiscus Starbucks Teavana tea and busting pearls of real pomegranate juice gives a  refreshing beverage that has a kick of flavor. Pomegranate juice is a good source of antioxidants.
2. Iced Shaken Black Tea with Ruby Grapefruit and Honey (Tall ₱130, Grande ₱145, Venti ₱160) - Combines a traditional western black tea experience with a creative twist that is delicious iced with bites of pomelo fruit, grapefruit and honey for a touch of added sweetness. The beverage contains star ruby grapefruit, which is a good source of vitamins A and C and is rich in bioflavonoids and antioxidants
3. Matcha & Espresso Fusion (Tall ₱155, Grande ₱170, Venti ₱185) - Easily my favorite, this drink combines Starbucks' Matcha powder layered with milk and our Espresso Roast creates a beautiful layered beverage and is an inventive combination of coffee and tea, to be enjoyed hot or iced. Matcha is full of catechins, which are some of the most potent and beneficial antioxidants.

Also coming out in the Philippines this September 14, 2016 are the new Starbucks Card, the Autumn Leaf Cards and the Mid-Autumn Festival Card. In a press release Starbucks welcomes "another change in season with these delightful leaves in every shade of the autumn spectrum - red, yellow, orange, brown and green. These cards are available for an initial consumable load amount of ₱500 per card. On the other hand, in celebration of the Moon Festival or the Mid-Autumn Festival, where the time of the year when the moon is at its brightest and fullest, Starbucks celebrates with everyone with the release of a card dedicated to the festivities. The card is available for an initial consumable load amount of ₱300.

Purchase limit of two (2) activated Autumn Leaf Cards and (2) activated Mid-Autumn Festival Card per customer per day.

Jinjiang Inn brand from China opens in the Philippines

Jinjiang Inn, the first franchised Chinese hotel brand to operate in the Philippines under the Hotel of Asia Inc. group. Hotel of Asia is envisioned to have a total of 5,000-room portfolio by 2020 under different hotel brands such as Jinjiang Inn & Hotel 101.

Jinjiang Inn - Ortigas' Business Suite

The first Jinjiang Inn brand opens in the Philippines with 95 rooms in Jinjiang Inn – Ortigas, and 59 rooms in Jinjiang Inn – Makati. Jinjiang Inn will operate in the Philippines as a three-star business boutique hotel, offering value for money accommodations, focused on conveniences that will cater to the real needs of fast paced travelers today.

Jinjiang Inn - Makati's Deluxe Suite

Strategically located at main business centers, Jinjiang Inn – Ortigas is conveniently located at San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, while Jinjiang Inn – Makati is accessibly situated at A. Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Complex, Makati City. Its location in thriving and vibrant financial and business districts provide close proximity to business hubs, shopping malls, and dining options.

Pillars of Conveniences

Jinjiang Inn is positioned to feature a strong housekeeping brand that is mindful of guests’ convenience. As the facilities are simple and straightforward, addressing the basic needs of the traveler, the hotel’s housekeeping makes sure that each room is comfortable and the guests pleased about their whole stay. This Jinjiang Inn brand of housekeeping will be felt through the quiet hands that work behind the scenes.

Jinjiang Inn - Ortigas' Triple Room

Another first in the Philippines, and similarly a conscious effort to provide convenience to its guests, Jinjiang Inn offers its in-room minibar at a reasonable price. Each product is priced exactly or around as much as it would be in the local convenient stores, for example, a can of Coca-Cola is priced at Php 27.00, Oishi potato chips cost Php 24.00, while a can of San Miguel Pale Pilsen is Php 43.00.

Moreover, Jinjiang Inn values connectivity as something integral and crucial to every businessman and traveler alike, as a necessity to communicate with their businesses and also their loved ones. Jinjiang Inn will be investing in providing strong Wi-Fi connection to its guests, in both the lobby and in every guest room. The hotel understands the need to be online, as one of the conveniences the modern traveler needs. Every traveler will find strong Wi-Fi access in every Jinjiang Inn.

Another strong suite of the Jinjiang Inn brand is the openness and promptness of communication lines of the hotel to and from its clients.

Guests often get disappointed or complain because of slow replies through hotels’ social media networks, like Facebook. Jinjiang Inn understands the needs of every traveler and guest, who are always mobile and on the go. 

This is why another convenience Jinjiang Inn offers is accessibility with its guests through the website, http://www.jinjianginn.ph/, through major online travel agents, or through social media networks. With Jinjiang Inn’s presence both online and offline, guests can reach any Jinjiang Inn at ease, book a stay, or join a conversation.

Putting Its Mark in Philippine Tourism

Jinjiang Inn traces its roots from the largest hospitality conglomerate in China, and the 9th largest hotel chain in the world – Jin Jiang Hotels. Through the newest Filipino-owned hotel and real estate development group in the Philippines, Hotel of Asia, Inc., Jinjiang Inn comes to the Philippines, attracting both local and international business travelers, especially those coming from China.

Hotel of Asia, and its subsidiaries, secured the master franchise to operate and franchise the popular Chinese hotel brand Jinjiang Inn in the Philippines. As visitor arrivals from China continue to grow and the Philippine tourism market projected to develop exponentially, Hotel of Asia is geared to put up more Jinjiang Inns in key cities in the country, after the opening of its first two hotel in the Philippines.

The Jinjiang Brand

Jin Jiang Hotels established the Jinjiang Inn brand in 1996, following the demand of a value-oriented fast paced traveler in China. Since then the brand built its position as the largest affordable hotel chain in the country, with premium on location, customer service and accessibility – a vision similar to what Jinjiang Inn in the Philippines is offering to the market.

Lobby of Jinjiang Inn - Makati, along A. Arnaiz Avenue

In 2014, Jinjiang Inn received international recognition as one of the Top 11 hotel brands in the world to have achieved the highest guest satisfaction. Jinjiang Inn brings years of experience in the tourism industry and its dedication in providing its guests with value and convenience to the well-established brand of Filipino hospitality.

Jinjiang Inn in the Philippines will be a notch higher than its counterpart in China, as it provides guests with a full-serviced 3-star business boutique accommodations, with comfort and convenience in mind in all its hotels strategically located all over the Philippines.

Hotel of Asia Inc. (HOA), through its subsidiary, Hotel 101 Management Corporation, manages and operates the Jinjaing Inn hotel brand in the Philippines. Similarly, it also operates the 194-room Injap TowerHotel located in Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, and the newest and upcoming 518-room Hotel 101 – Manila located at EDSA Extension, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

#LetThereBeBright A Starbucks Philippines Christmas 2014, and the Starbucks Philippines 2015 Planner

It is the most wonderful time of the year again! Starbucks Philippines unveiled last night "Let There Be Bright," the new Starbucks Holiday/ Christmas campaign, and the new offerings which will all be available starting November 3 in all your favorite Starbucks branches nationwide. 

Christmas at Starbucks is not complete without the Christmas beverages. The return of the iconic Red Cup, together with delicious holiday espresso and coffee beverages that have delighted customers around the world as we celebrate this special time of the year. Starbucks Philippines invites everyone to celebrate the wonder and joy of the holidays with new and returning Christmas beverages, beautifully crafted with flavors of the season to inspire them to share the joy with family and friends -- making everyone's Christmas just a little more "merry and bright."

CHRISTMAS COOKIE LATTE



Inspired by the traditions of the season, the Christmas Cookie Latte is a buttery creamy latte infused with shortbread cookie sauce, topped with whipped cream, shortbread cookie drizzle and butter cookie crumbles. Starbucks unique shortbread cookie sauce has a sweet buttery flavor and aroma.

TOFFEE NUT LATTE



The rich, buttery flavor of toffee with the warmth of toffee nuts, combined with our smooth espresso and velvety steamed milk. This Toffee Nut Latte is made even more special with NEW espresso caramel whipped cream and toffee sprinkles.

PEPPERMINT MOCHA



Rich, bittersweet chocolate, combined with peppermint, sweet espresso and velvety steamed milk. Topped with whipped cream, mocha drizzle and peppermint-flavored candy bits.

Hot or Iced - Short – ₱ 150; Tall – ₱ 160; Grande – ₱ 175; Venti– ₱ 185
Blended - Tall – ₱ 170; Grande – ₱ 180; Venti– ₱ 190

Starbucks Philippines HOLIDAY STARBUCKS CARDS

 

Starbucks Philippines will also be releasing two (2) cards, the Holiday Tree and Snowman Cards, available at an initial consumable load of Php300. Together with the new cards, Starbucks Philippines will also be releasing the first-ever Starbucks Mini Card in the Philippines. Available at an initial consumable load of Php500.



There will also be a Starbucks Card Activation Promo:

1. Promotion will run from November 3 to 5, 2014 in all Starbucks stores in the Philippines.
2. Customers who activate a new Starbucks Card within the promo period with at least ₱1,500 will receive an additional ₱300 load.
3. This promo applies to newly activated Starbucks Cards (any design including mini card) and not reloaded Starbucks Cards.
4. Customers cannot use a Starbucks Card or Gift Certificate to activate a Starbucks Card.
5. There is no limit to the number of Starbucks Cards a customer can activate.
6. The additional ₱300 load must be loaded on the same Starbucks Card activated.
7. If a customer would like to activate a Starbucks Card with ₱10,000, the customer should only shoulder the cost of ₱9,700 while the ₱300 balance will be complimentary.
8. This promo cannot be availed in conjunction with other promotions.

Besides the Starbucks Card Activation Promo, Starbucks Philippines is rolling out the Starbucks Card Gift Pack, which will run from December 1 to 3, 2014 in all Starbucks Philippines stores nationwide.



A gift pack of six (6) Starbucks Cards each loaded with Php300 can be purchased at a special price of Php1,500 within the promo period. A Starbucks Cards Gift Pack will include the following designs: Holiday Tree Card, Snowman Card, Philippine Eagle Card, Cold Cups Card, Coffee Cups Card (2pcs.). Starbucks Cards within the gift pack cannot be sold individually, nor can it be interchanged with other designs. Customers cannot use a Starbucks Card or Gift Certificate to purchase a gift pack.

But probably the most awaited part of the Starbucks Philippine Christmas Tradition is the return of the Starbucks Planner. Now on its 12th edition, the Limited Edition Starbucks Philippines 2015 Planner will feature four interesting designs/colors.



Every coffee has a story. And so does the Philippines Starbucks Planner. "Whether you’re still finding your favorite drink or enjoying your “me” time with your favorite coffee at your third place, we want to make sure that we continue to give you an extra shot of lift in the heart with some daily inspiration," Starbucks Philippines said in a press release.



And so, in 2003, Starbucks Philippines thought of creating something to keep everyone company as we begin our day with a fresh cup of coffee. Something to plan out our the day with or cherish our moments with. Something that will tell the Starbucks story. And keep our stories as well. Since then, Starbucks Philippines put passion in telling stories one planner (and cup) at a time.



This November 3, Starbucks Philippines annual Christmas tradition returns with the 12th edition of the Starbucks Planner. The Limited Edition Starbucks Philippines 2015 Planner will be available in four water-resistant apron cloth covers (green, black, red and brown) with a name tag bookmark, a coffee pin bookmark and a chalk pen with highlighter.



It has fifteen (15) coupons with Starbucks treats that can be shared with family, friends and loved ones throughout the year. A customer can avail of a Starbucks Christmas traditions planner promo card from November 3, 2014 to January 8, 2015. One sticker is awarded for each Starbucks beverage purchase. Holder must accumulate a total of eighteen (18) stickers - nine (9) Christmas beverages plus nine (9) core handcrafted beverages to redeem one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Philippines 2015 Planner.



See the Starbucks Philippines Planner Promo Mechanics below:

1. A customer can avail of a Starbucks Christmas Traditions Promo card from November 3, 2014 to January 8, 2015 with no purchase required.
2. One sticker is awarded for each Starbucks handcrafted beverage purchase. Holder must accumulate a total of eighteen (18) stickers, to redeem one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2015 Planner.
3. Customer must present the Starbucks Christmas Traditions card to the barista upon purchase to get the corresponding number of stickers.
4. In case any of the Holiday featured beverages are not available (ex. Toffee Nut Latte), customers can substitute it with any of the remaining holiday featured beverages (ex. Christmas Cookie Latte or Peppermint Mocha). Should all three (3) not be available, only then can customers substitute with any espresso-based or Frappuccino® blended beverage of their choice.
5. A customer must complete the required number of stickers to qualify for the redemption of one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2015 Planner. A combination of up to two (2) promo cards will be allowed, provided that the 9 featured plus 9 core beverages have been purchased. Excess stickers for combined cards will be forfeited.
6. Once all stickers are completed, customer submits the Starbucks Christmas Traditions Card/s to redeem one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2015 Planner from any Starbucks Coffee store in the Philippines.
7. Tampering with and/or transferring of stickers to obtain the required number of stickers will render all promo cards null and void.
8. Every purchase of a handcrafted beverage using a Starbucks Card will be awarded one (1) sticker and one (1) Beverage Star. Terms and conditions that apply to the Starbucks Card are available on www.starbucks.ph/card.
9. Single receipt bulk purchase of food and other retail items (merchandise, whole bean, Starbucks VIA®) worth at least ₱7,000 will entitle the customer to one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2015 Planner. Combination of receipts is not allowed.
10. Bulk purchase of gift certificates and Starbucks Card load/reload of at least ₱7,000 will not entitle the customer to a planner.
11. The following transactions and discounts are qualified for this promotion. (Senior Citizen discount; Handicapped discount; VAT Exempt; Personal Cup/Tumbler ₱5 discount)
12. The following coupons and discounts are disqualified for this promotion.

• Service Recovery Coupon
• Free Tall Beverage Coupon
• Customer Voice Redemption
• Rustan Coffee Partner discount
• Rustan Group of Companies discount
• Starbucks Card Registration Treat and Coupon
• Starbucks Card Beverage Treat Redemption
• HSBC Redemption

   13. Promotion starts on November 3, 2014. Stickers may be obtained from November 3, 2014 to
         January 8, 2015.
   14. Redemption of the Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2014 Planner starts November 3, 2014 up
         to March 8, 2015, at Starbucks stores in the Philippines only.

I am one happy Starbucks cardista! Thank you Starbucks Philippines Team! :)

Starbucks Philippines releases new Autumn Card, Seasonal Lattes

The Starbucks Autumn Card, or more commonly called "Burst of Fall" in other countries, has reached the Philippines. This September 16, Tuesday, the new Starbucks Card will be released in all Starbucks Philippines stores nationwide. "Capturing the colors and coziness of fall, this card is a great gift to give for any occasion or an addition to your own collection," Starbucks Philippines noted.

Together with this, they are rolling out a Starbucks Card Load promotion. From September 16 to 22, every ₱300 loaded onto a Starbucks Card will automatically receive one (1) Beverage Star. This promo applies to newly activated cards and existing cards for reloading.

Moreover, also on September 16, Starbucks Philippines will be offering new seasonal beverages, the French Vanilla Latte and the Dark Caramel Latte. Starbucks wants us to embark on a journey into espresso bliss as they invite us to rekindle our love for the perfect latte. Both the French Vanilla Latte and the Dark Caramel Latte are delightful in taste, and are available hot or iced.

The Dark Caramel Latte is made of espresso, steamed milk and creamy dark caramel sauce, finished with whipped cream and a custardy caramel flan drizzle make for a delicious treat. Available in Tall (₱145), Grande (₱160), and Venti (₱170). The French Vanilla Latte, on the other hand, is made of steamed milk and creamy French Vanilla sauce with mild custard notes complement the roasty, sweet taste of our signature Espresso Roast. Whipped cream, vanilla bean specks and dark chocolate curls top this indulgent beverage This beverage is available in Tall (₱165), Grande (₱180), and Venti (₱190).

These new drinks will be available until November 2, 2014 in the Philippines.

PH goes ‘5G’: Smart fires up LTE-Advanced

 

 

PH goes ‘5G’

Two years after it pioneered the deployment of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or 4G technology in the country, wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) announced that 5G wireless technology LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), is now running in the Philippines’ largest and strongest network.

Smart switched on LTE-A at the Smart Jump Center in Mandaluyong City recently, setting the next phase of mobile communication technology beyond 4G LTE standards.

LTE-A, also referred to as ‘5G’ by reports on leading global mobile operators AT&T and T-Mobile, delivers data from between 100 megabits per second (mbps) to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), or ten times faster than 3G services and more than twice as fast as 4G services.

By firing up LTE-A technology on its network, Smart joins only a handful of carriers around the world with an LTE-A network, along with leading mobile operators in South Korea, United States, Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong.

“Even as our 3G and 4G networks continue to be unrivaled, Smart becomes the first operator to leap into the future and put the Philippines at par with the world’s most advanced countries in terms of mobile communications technology,” said Orlando B. Vea, founder and Chief Wireless Advisor of Smart.

With LTE-A, a 10MB file takes less than a second to download, YouTube videos no longer have to buffer, and video calls are almost lag-free. But beyond speed, LTE-A’s main feature is also its capability to allocate more network resources to users when the need arises. Smart started testing LTE-A across the country in August last year, delivering results of more than 100Mbps in Makati City, in Boracay, and in Davao City during the Kadayawan festival. 

Co-founder and Chief Wireless Advisor of Smart Orlando B. Vea (first from left) during the tests of 5G LTE-A in Smart last year, where speeds reaching 209.66 mbps were recorded.

Internet for all

Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs head for Smart and its parent company the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), said that the recent development is part of the company’s multi-pronged approach in addressing the various needs for internet and data services in the market.

“The PLDT Group’s strategy has always been to create solutions that address the varying needs of all segments of our customers, to bring fixed, wireless and mobile broadband services where they really matter. They may be delivered at different speeds and volumes, using a variety of technologies, and meant to respond to a wide range of needs of the market – but all of it is aimed at bringing the benefits of the internet to every Filipino,” explained Isberto.

This strategy meant deploying a combination of Fiber-to-the-Home, Next Generation Network, Time-Division Duplex LTE, Frequency-Division Duplex LTE and vDSL to bring internet to every Filipino home, and 3G, 4G, and 5G or LTE-A for mobile subscribers, according to Isberto.

“We are able to deliver all these high-bandwidth services and applications on the strength of our transmission backbone network, which is the most extensive and most resilient in the country. Aside from allowing us to commit to speed, our unmatched network resources give us the edge in terms of efficiency and reliability,” added Isberto.

Smart’s nationwide coverage is backed by PLDT’s fiber optic cable connection which has now reached nearly 90,000 kilometers, or more than four times than competition. To further strengthen this domestic fiber optic network (DFON), PLDT also set up third legs in its fiber loops in key areas nationwide, the latest of which is the Bohol DFON project that provided redundant links between the Visayas and Mindanao.