A pleasant ‘switcher’ surprise!

When Watsons launched its “Switch and Save” campaign last year, it was evident that there were cheaper and better options available for Filipinos in the health and beauty department. By switching to the Watsons label, customers were able to save money for things that matter most to them.

The company recently introduced its “Switcher Surprise” campaign to reward 10 lucky shoppers, who made the switch and saved. During designated hours of the day, shoppers who purchased specially marked Watsons Label products got the chance to win prizes. After their purchase, the lucky shoppers were escorted to the booths near the entrance of the store where they were asked to choose a curtain to reveal one of the celebrity ambassadors — Lorna Tolentino, Iya Villania, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Patty Laurel-Filart and Christian Bautista — who awarded them with a prize, which included an LED TV, an iPhone, a MacBook, travel packages, gadgets, shopping money and a grand cash prize of P50,000.

Iya Villania, who revealed that she and husband Drew Arellano were planning to have a baby this year, said, “With Watsons I don’t have to scrimp on my personal essentials to get the things I want. Plus I get the same quality as branded ones.”

Practical mom Patty Laurel-Filart added, “You have to be very practical especially when you have a growing family. With Watsons, you can find all the personal items you need at the best price!”

Tessa Prieto-Valdes said she has long made the switch to Watsons products. “A smart shopper knows when she is getting a good deal, that’s why I’m always at Watsons, you’d be surprised with the savings you get just by choosing its products!”

As the newest addition to the Watsons’ family, Lorna Tolentino shared she has switched to Watsons Generics for her medicines and vitamins. “Women at any age need to keep themselves looking and feeling healthy and with Watsons Generics, one is guaranteed to get quality medicine and save as much as 80 percent!”

“On top of the savings they get from purchasing Watsons Label products, our loyal shoppers have also gotten used to receiving cute items and tokens. So, this year we decided to raise the stakes and reward them with something truly unforgettable,” said Karen Fabres, group marketing manager of Watsons Philippines.

Angie Mendoza, one of the campaign winners, never thought that her purchase of a Watsons Herbal Mouthwash would reward her with P50,000. The retired nurse was greeted by Christian Bautista, who gave her a symbolic check for P50,000. “I still couldn’t believe it. This is the first time I won something this big!”

Contract nurse Esther Blanco, from Houston, Texas, was on her way to the airport but decided to do some last-minute shopping at Watsons. She purchased Watsons Generics Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and a few other personal essentials. For this purchase, she was awarded a Hong Kong travel package!  “I came home for a reunion with my classmates at FEU, now I have another reason to take a vacation! Thank you, Watsons for this wonderful surprise!” she said. 

Balikbayan Julie Mamhot, a pharmacist based in Edmonton, Canada, was then planning a Boracay trip. Thanks to her purchase of Watsons Twin Blade Disposable Razor, all she has to do now is choose a date as she won a travel package to Boracay!

Jennifer Ariesgado asked her fiance Andrew Wray to stop by Watsons to get some Watsons Wipes and were shocked to bring home a Samsung LED TV.

Call center agent Loralyn Campos said she drops by Watsons almost every day before going to work at one of the BPOs located near her workplace. She was looking for a hair conditioner when one of the beauty specialists asked her to try Watsons Naturals Argan Oil Hair Conditioner. As a long-time user of Watsons products, she didn’t think twice about buying the product. That purchase won her a P20,000-worth of shopping spree at Uniqlo!

Student Mary Jane Ko was almost late for school and was rushing to the cashier when she was stopped by the Watsons staff for purchasing Watsons Vitamin E. Ko was rewarded with a GoPro Hero. “This is perfect for my summer adventures!” she said.

Housewife Jaycee Dualan was on one of her regular shopping runs for toiletries and personal essentials and she brought home a new Technomarine Watch. Other winners included Melinda Canada (iPhone 6s), Jonalyn Pano (MacBook Pro) and Elsa Amoncio, who won P20,000 Watsons gift certificate.

Karen Fabres added, “Our customers shop at Watsons to save on the things they really want in life, and the Switcher Surprise campaign brings to life the idea that by switching to the Watsons they might just bring home that thing they’ve saving up for with just a single purchase.  It’s definitely a lot easier to enjoy what life has to offer when you choose to Switch and Save the Watsons way.”

In addition to Switcher Surprise, Watsons also has the Watsons Buy 2 Take 1 Promo on selected Watsons Label Products ongoing until March 2016.

Master mixologist visits Manila

Bacardi puts the spotlight on the fun vibe of the Filipinos through its rum-dedicated party series called True Rum Nights. This global campaign features top international bartenders showcasing their skills — then serving their award-winning signature cocktails — in some of Manila’s best bars. The occasion also becomes an opportunity for people in the industry to mingle and learn from each other, elevating the local bar scene to global standards.

The series’ third leg, held at Niner Ichi Nana in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, featured renowned mixologist Luca Cinalli with his signature and best-selling cocktails as the highlight of the night.

Being part of London’s Top Bar Nightjar, Luca, an Italian-born mixologist, has outstanding qualities — keen to his mixes, presentation and story, bar set up and speedy service — that make him one of the most respected bartenders in the industry. He has also gained recognition for being the Top 3 in Nightjar’s 50 Best Bars in the World. After this global success last year, Luca opened his second bar Oriole.

Luca served three unique and special cocktail selections named Alcazar, Road to Hanoi and Zapotec. Alcazar — a sweet drink made of Bacardi 8 Años, chervil and rue sherry, aloe crème anglaise, lemon and cork smoke — was the night’s crowd favorite. With a warm and rich taste, it was hard to miss out Road to Hanoi, which was a mix of Bacardi 8 Años, almond gin, sake, Campari and shimeji mushroom. Also served was a sour cocktail with a kick of spice called Zapotec, which was made of Bacardi Superior, roast chili, sundried tomato paste, lime, mandarin and tonka syrup.

Last year, Peter Chua of 28 Hong Kong Street and Shingo Gokan of Angel Share New York showcased their mixes in the Philippines for the True Rum Nights’ first and second legs. The fourth and final leg will be held on Feb. 26 featuring Kamil Foltan of Tippling Club Singapore.

(For more information, visit Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition Facebook page.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)