Convergys 'HEROES WITHIN'

Dear readers,

I'm sharing with you a video from Convergys entitled “Heroes Within”. The video aims to share inspiring stories of people from the BPO industry who made a big difference in their own lives and the lives of many. I watched the full video and it has quite moved me in a way to be a better person in whatever circumstance I am in currently. 

These are four of the thousands of inspiring stories in Convergys. People who have made a difference in their own lives and the lives of so many. They also play a major role in lifting our country's economy together with the entire BPO industry. They are truly the unsung heroes of our time. 

Share your best Sinulog photo with a Bo’s Coffee drink, and get a chance to win two round trip tickets to Bohol!

Are you starting to hear cheers and drumbeats with a couple of ceremonial dances? Then it’s definitely one of Asia’s largest festivals again!

It’s time to enjoy this year’s Sinulog festivities, and what better way to be part of it than to win round trip tickets for two to Bohol, with accommodation at the Bellevue Hotel! This year, the Philippines’ homegrown coffee shop encourages Sinulog 2013 participants to share their best Sinulog 2013 photos.

How to Join:

1. Like the Bo’s Coffee Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/boscoffee.
2. Upload a picture of your best Sinulog 2013 Getaway, and tag Bo's Coffee on the photo.
3. The photo must be taken with the participants holding any Bo’s Coffee beverage, at one of the Sinulog 2013 Cebu activities (ie. Cebu Marathon, Grand Parade, Photo Contest, Short Film Festival, Fireworks Display, Choral Competition, Sto. Nino de Cebu Parish Mass, etc.).  You may refer to this link for a full list of Sinulog 2013 activities:http://www.sinulog.ph/index.php/events/sinulog-2013-schedule-of-activities.
4. Write a caption on the photo, which answers this equation: “Sinulog 2013 + Bo's Coffee =”. Photo caption must be in one to three sentences only. Only one promo entry will be allowed per person.

We’ll be announcing the Top 20 entries on February 1, 2013 at 6 pm! The Top 20 Sinulog photo participants will each receive P800 worth of Gift Certificates from Bo’s Coffee.

Wondering how you'll win?

Here's how we're going to be choosing from your awesome photos:

1. From all entries submitted, an official panel of judges will select the top 20 photos as finalists, following these criteria*:
• Representation of the Sinulog Festival theme - 30%
• Creativity and connection with the Bo’s Coffee brand - 30%
• Audience Likeability (via Facebook Likes at 20%, and Online Feedback at 20%) - 40% 
• *The mentioned criteria set will also be used in selecting the Grand Winners on February 18, 2013.
2. The selected Top 20 photo entries will have an official Bo’s Coffee Facebook posted comment.
3. Duration of photo submission will be from January 16 – 30, 2013.
4. Official Announcement of the Top 20 Sinulog photo entries will be on February 1, 2013 at 6 pm. All selected Top 20 photo entries will each receive P800 worth of Bo’s Coffee Gift Certificates.
5. Top 20 photos will be open for official fan voting starting February 2 until 16, 2013. Participants may invite their friends to have the photo entries liked on Facebook.
6. Announcement of the My Sinulog Getaway Photo Contest Grand Winners will be on February 18, 2013. Prizes can be claimed at Bo's Coffee, Cebu Central Office located at R.E Benitez Bldg. F.Ramos St. 6000 Cebu City. If the winners are not Cebu residents, special arrangements will be made in coordination with the winners and Bo’s Coffee. You may claim your prizes within 60 days, from day of notice.
7. Prizes may be transferrable, but not convertible to cash.
8. This contest is open to all residents of the Philippines

And are you also wondering what you’ll win?

Here are the prizes for the Top Three Winners for the Sinulog Getaway Digital Photo Contest:

1st Place

• Two round trip tickets to Bohol with accommodation at the Bellevue Hotel
• P5,000 worth of GCs
• Bo’s Coffee Planner 2013
• Limited Edition Mug
• Any Bo’s Coffee Grande drink

2nd Place

• P3,000 worth of GCs
• 2 Coffee Beans (250g) of your choice
• Any Bo’s Coffee Grande drink

3rd Place

• P2,000 worth of GCs
• 1 Limited Edition Mug
• Any Bo’s Coffee Grande drink

Once again, here are the important dates you have to remember for to get a chance to win exciting prizes:

• Submission of Photo of Entries: January 16 – 30, 2013
• Voting Period for Shortlisted Photos: February 2 to 16, 2013
• Announcement of Winners: February 18, 2013 at 4 pm

Good luck and we look forward to seeing your entries!

To submit your photo entries, check out:

www.facebook.com/boscoffee

Also visit:

www.twitter.com/boscoffee

www.boscoffee.com

Spectrum Cafe and Restaurant - the newest intimate buffet restaurant in the middle of Makati City!

Inside the bustling metropolis of Makati City shrouded in towering skyscrapers where shopping, business, partying and dining envelopes the area, it’s good to know that there is a place where you can put your mind and body to relax and savor the appetizing selection of provisions only at THE SPECTRUM, located inside The Fairmont and Raffles Hotel.

Spectrum’s main philosophy is simply straightforward. What you see is what you get! And that they assure you, you are getting the freshest of the freshest!

Located inside the newest lavish hotels Fairmont and Raffles Makati, the Spectrum Buffet (now on its soft-opening) offers a wide selection from Western, Asian to local delicacies all taking their freshness to the next level. With an open kitchen that expands throughout most of the dining area, you could see that your choice is cooked right in front of everyone while maintaining the delight conversation from the sweetest and nicest chefs I've ever met!

Let me put it this way, this buffet restaurant is unlike any other buffet restaurants you've encountered before. Considering it has a smaller area with a vast selection of foods that presently lives with the quality over quantity saying, you could guarantee the intimacy and coziness while munching your favorite fresh choice in here. The bustling energy outside whilst having intimate dining experience inside!

Freshly-baked breads served daily!

Spectrum's awesome Pizza station! Choose from their offerings, they'll prepare one for you in a solo serving plate! Hefty and yummy!

Executive Sous Chef Gregory Georges preparing a fresh brick-oven pizza!

Tandoor Station -- cooking the right and fresh way!

The Seafood and Sushi Bar -- notice the fresh seafoods piled up in a tray full of ice? Just get your choices and let them cook it the way you want it! Buttered, grilled, steamed or even sinigang, buttered..the list goes a long way! Just as long as they have the ingredients, they will happily make one for you!

Although I'm not much a sushi fan, I dared myself to try just one because it looks scrumptious! From the preparation to the final product, I told to myself that I should it and to my joy, it was real yummy and wonderful!

Roasted Turkey and Pork Loin! On some days, they serve prime ribs, lamb chops etc.

While I was entering the halls of the restaurant, I noticed on one corner a bizarre-looking rectangular box and saw that there are tiny movements inside. Considering the low-lighting of the room, I walk nearer to it and I realized that there are bees inside -- and they are alive! I was startled because I might knock off the box and the bees might fly everywhere. But they assured us that it is super safe. A honeycomb with the bees and the queen might scare the wits out of me but the wide variety of honey selection from that honey table sure made Winnie the Pooh jealous.

Let me roll the delectable, lip-smacking dessert photos for you!

Mango Station -- YES! Mango everywhere! Spectrum believes that the Philippines holds one of the most abundant mango producers in the world and thus, the wide selection of mangoes! Everything from this photo are my favorites!

Chef Didier Derouet amazed us with his special banana toffee crepe with toasted marshmallows! Our favorite moment? The blowtorch moment!

Ice cream, sorbets and halo-halo using their flavored ice!

From the dining experience to the most welcoming and courteous staff I've encountered, let me simply put it it this straight to everyone --- it was worth it! Imagine the feeling I got when my tummy was fully satisfied together with the warm and welcoming ambiance of the restaurant and the people everywhere inside. I'm proud and happy to dine at Spectrum, and I am definitely going to dine out more in the future with them!

Price starts at Php1,300+ for breakfast, Php1,500+ for lunch and Php1,800+ for dinner.



Spectrum Cafe and Restaurant
Fairmont Hotel Makati
Makati Avenue corner Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City
For Dining Reservations, please call +632 5559840
Email: makati@fairmont.com
Website: http://www.fairmont.com/makati/

Writeup by Jo Arce for WhenInManila.com and vivajosephine.blogspot.com

Photos taken by Jo Tan for WhenInManila.com and jotan23.blogspot.com/