Oishi brings out the child in everyone

MANILA, Philippines – It was a weekend of bringing out the child in anyone who loves snacks and loves an amusement park challenge, as Oishi set up the Mall of Asia Music Hall in a fun, fun fashion.

The whole event was designed after some of the more favorite arcade-style 8-bit games. When I entered the Music Hall I got to choose what challenge I would accept by either creating my own Oishi snack in a Super Mario-inspired stall, and then proceeding to the different games in store for them.

The Hall was packed with folks, young and old alike, who ventured off to a Donkey Kong-like game where Oishi snacks were placed on shelves that looked like the different levels in the game. Others ran to a Galaga-like game where they had to get a lot of snacks within the time limit. Those who wanted refreshments had to act like Pacman to get their own Smart C+, and a few tried out a classic game of Tetris with a sweet twist — pick out favorite flavors to make a good ice cream snack. The last game on the list got everyone wearing Velcro suits and catching balls from a crazy Oishi cuckoo before time ran out.

Finally, those who made it past all the games had a photo opportunity at the photo booth with an Oishi Spicy Prawn crackers pack for a frame.

The Main Event

The Snacktacular event also showcased Oishi’s brand ambassadors, as well revealed a new member of the team. The ambassadors are Alex Gonzaga, Daniel Padilla, Elmo Magalona, Kathryn Bernardo, Ramon Bautista, and Slater Young.

It was a three-day weekend for the fans of each celebrity as they got a chance to sneak in a selfie with them during their meet-and-greet session.

On Sunday, it was the day for the big reveal as Maine Mendoza was launched as the newest endorser of Oishi Ribbed Cracklings.

“I’m very happy to be part of Team O,” said Maine. “It’s definitely an Oh, Wow! Moment to be part of such a fun group.”

Maine was her usual wacky and fun self as she greeted the many people who came out to meet her that hot Sunday.

“Unang unang po sa lahat, mahilig ako sa chichirya ( First of all, I am fond of snacks), so I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to be one of the ambassadors for the brand,” she added. “And, honestly, I really prefer local snacks over the international brands.”

Who would you share her Oishi snacks with? I asked.

“I would share my Ribbed Cracklings with my friends — and syempre with Alden Richards,” Maine shared.  “But it is really more fun to share snacks with as many friends as I can.”

Maine took time out to have some fun as she joined the Donkey Kong game, where the challenge was to get as many Oishi snacks as she could, fill the a giant Oishi bag and be able to close the bag when it was filled. Maine was helped along in the game by a few friends.

“My favorite Oishi snacks are the Ribbed Crackling, kasi mahilig ako sa maasim,” she said. “ I also like the spicy Prawn Crackers.”

The next challenge for Maine was the Snack Catcher. Here, she was strapped on to a harness and lifted above a container filled with Oishi snacks. The challenge was to grab as many snacks as she could when lowered into the container. She could use any part of her body to carry the snacks.

Gamely, Maine did the challenge twice, and got 92  packs on her first try and 102 in the next.

“Gusto kong i-share sa inyo mga nakuha ko,” said Maine when she got back on stage, as she opened the bags filled with Oishi snacks and threw the snacks out to her fans.

“Snack time for me is nighttime, ’pag movie night,” she added. “And, of course, when I am in the barangay during Eat Bulaga’s Kalya Serye.”

Oishi sums up the three days in three words: delicious, spontaneous, and heroic — just like everyone’s favorite Oishi snacks.

Stay updated with the latest #OishiOWOW news on Facebook and @oishiph on Instagram and @oishi_tweets on Twitter.

Snack Time Is Chat Time With Maine Mendoza

PHILIPPINE STAR: What books do you like to read?

MAINE MENDOZA: Favorite book? I prefer romantic novels — one of my favorite authors is Nicholas Sparks.

Do you have a favorite singer or band? My favorite band is Coldplay — kahit anong chips, kahit anong kakainin, basta makapanood ako ng Coldplay.

Fave celebrity couple?

My favorite celebrity couple … AlDub (laughs)

Dream concert?

There is nothing yet in the works for a concert for me. Di ko pa naiisip yon. But, if there were a dream concert I’d want to watch, that would be a Coldplay concert.

How do you choose what to post on IG, Twitter or Snapchat?

I like posting wacky photos on IG.  Like, if am holding an Oishi snack it would be a photo where I would be mukhang nangangasim or  mukhang anghang na anghang.

I also like posting IG photos that have meaningful hashtags. Like my last post on IG.

Do you have a formula or fixed idea of what you post on Snapchat?

I don’t have any fixed formula for what I post on Snapchat (@divinaursula). I just post the first thing that comes to mind.  Although I am not able to post as often as I’d like to because of my busy schedule.  But when I do post I make sure that it is something that is meaningful and also entertaining.

Your most memorable O Wow moment?

When we hear people say that we have changed their lives and how we touched their hearts — that goes for both Alden and me.

Greatest challenge?

I don’t look at the things that come my way as challenges. Everything that has happened in my life, I consider them as blessings.

Life-changing moment?

When I was accepted into Eat Bulaga, that has been so life changing for me.  Hindi na yon mare-replace because doon nagsimula ang lahat na nangyari para matupad ang aking mga pangarap (This can never be replaced because this is where the fulfillment of my dreams began). It turned my life around.

Words you live by?

You can choose to be miserable or motivate yourself — the choice is yours.