#BigbysPERKS

[mikkomahinay-blog]

Squad Goals On Fleek

My dearest friends are pretty radical human beings. 

Contrary to the presumed illusion of over-sharing online, not a whole lot of my actual personal life ends up on social media (unless it’s hysterical). There’s always a line. To stay sane, you need the separation of your emotional perspective and the outward facing persona you present to the world. That is not to say that your character is to be completely split – the thought processes are still exactly the same. Some things are more exciting if they’re all yours, undiluted by millions of faceless opinions hiding behind phone and computer screens.

All that said, my dearest friends are pretty radical human beings, and I’m so very proud to know them. They’re the real deal: I could sit and talk to any of them for hours on end over toast, and still have more to say and learn when we’re half asleep and incoherent. They’re wildly intelligent, kind, and tolerate my dad jokes. The best part is that this is not some squealing and exclusionary girl squad. We’re all in different fields, at different stages of their lives, and scattered across every corner of the globe.

For a new campaign for the Bigby’s PERKS card, the card I had designed and created to fit the needs & wants of the modern day millennials, I personally handpicked the team to get behind the campaign, including the models who are, at the same time, my best friends #squadgoalsonfleek. No, it’s not nepotism but to exude modern swag, I just couldn’t afford not to have epitomes what the PERKS card represents. 

Unofficial, Behind the scenes from my camera, stay tuned in for the brand new Bigby’s PERKS card and the countless improvements and new merchants that we have in store to keep everyone feeling pampered. And who we’re bringing in soon (Remember our time with David Guison and Laureen Uy?)

Official Photographer: Jacob Castille

Styling: Kevin Abdala

Video: Florence Velasco

Hair and Make-up: Keith Bryan Asok

Models: Alanna Sambaan, Maristella Baang, Alexa Llacuna, Robbie Carpio and Chuck Alic

All Through-Out: 

Wardrobe from Mags

Shoes and bags from Spruce

[mikkomahinay-blog]

#LaureenXBigbys

                    I've probably exhausted enough adjectives to constantly remind everyone that life has a way of giving you surprises. Although the plot twists are not as intense (or worst, in retro continuity) with mid-western TV series, you can't bother but give a chuckle every now and then when saturation points arrive during muted moments. 

                    When my boss at work asked who I was planning to bring in to Cagayan de Oro for the second installment of our PERKS card campaign- I immediately (& unconsciously) responded "Laureen Uy!" And it wasn't until I left my boss's office that the other half of my brain slapped the other side for being so reckless. You see, the very thought of having Laureen Uy as our guest initially frightened me. And it had to fall on my birthday- unintentionally.

                    Having over 700,000+ followers on Instagram (as of this post), countless daily hits up on her travel & style blog http://breakmystyle.com and being the youngest sibling of 2 other style powerhouses, Liz and Vince; Laureen was a force to be reckoned with. 

But most importantly, she was a lady. 

                    And as a gentleman, I had to make sure every lady has to be treated appropriately and with extra care- they are as fragile as they look. I was frightened I may not raise the bar up to Laureen's expectations, even on the simplest, blatant things such as opening the door for her; that I had to secure that she had to be treated well- regardless if she was or was not a top celebrity blogger. 

And do this for 5 straight days. 

                    From our digital conversations thru e-mail, until she finally arrived with a big, vibrant smile on her face, until we left for Camiguin and until we finally did all her meet & greets in Cagayan de Oro city and until we dropped her off at the airport for her flight back to Manila- Laureen was actually really laidback, fun (a bit boyish type of fun!) and an aura that makes you just love her more with every smile she would radiantly give. Most importantly, she constantly thanked me in public and even on her social media posts how much fun she had and how I managed to make her trip even more fun. 

                    No, I am not trying to brag about my ability to host a celebrity guest- but rather, just the idea at how a simple thought of taking care of a lady (as how every woman should be treated) could lead to the most amazing things a man could ever imagine.

Trivia:

Craziest moment was on the day of her meet and greet. Laureen and I would have to be at the activity center by 6 pm and the mayhem before that (although unknowing to Laureen) was chaotic, but beautiful. Laureen finished her shoot at Boy Zugba by 2:30, had her hair and make-up done and finished around 4:35- which we had to drive uptown for a quick shopping spree and welcoming party hosted by Mags. Arrived uptown at 4:50, thru unknown means of speed driving- finished by 5:18. Laureen wanted to shoot an OOTD at the Lifestyle District; arrived at the location by 5:25. Done shooting her OOTD by 5:45. She had to go back to the hotel room before going up on stage for some prepping up. But for some enigmatic twist of fate, we finished on time and managed to be up on stage by 6 pm.

Special thanks to Mags, for partnering with us and giving Laureen a shopping spree. Seda for the hotel accommodation. Boy Zugba and Missy Bon Bon, too! Thank you Spruce PINKed for sponsoring a special pre-event party at Boy Zugba especially just for Laureen.

[mikkomahinay-blog]

Bigby’s Cafe’ and Restaurant, Cagayan de Oro City’s leading homegrown food establishment for 17 years, gives its loyal and younger customers another reason to celebrate more at Bigby’s. Presenting the Bigby’s PERKS card!

Must watch the really fun commercial we made!

PERKS stand for People, Events, Rewards, Know How and Shopping. Perfect for the needs and wants of today’s generation; the Bigby’s PERKS card gives every card holder privileges, discounts, freebies and information- making every loyal Bigby’s customer that they’re special! the card is FOR FREE when you simply attached your one time or accumulated receipt worth Php 3,000 (dine-in or take-out) at any Bigby’s branch!

People 

- Get passes and be able to meet & greet, attend workshops and inspirational talks with today’s hottest influencers.

We officially launched this last March 2, 2015 with no other than the country’s most influential fashion, travel, food and lifestyle blogger, David Guison! (More about his 3 day trip to Cagayan de oro, soon!)

EVENTS

- Cardholders are qualified to get invited to the exclusive and hottest events, launchings, openings and parties in the city! 

REWARDS

- Probably my favorite part! Haha! Cardholders get a ton of freebies! Such as free two(2) 2D movie tickets at Ayala Centrio Cinemas EVERY MONTH, for ONE WHOLE YEAR. Cardholders also get a free Hillbilly Cube Toast at Bigby’s (For a minimum purchase of Php 700), free leche flan at Boy Zugba (For a minimum purchase of Php 500) and a free small cup gelato at Missy Bon Bon (For a minimum purchase of Php 250) 

Now talk about getting rewarded for being a loyal customer!

KNOW HOW

- Get updated on the latest sales, promos and openings from Bigby’s and our partner merchants via text blasts! Bigby’s definitely doesn’t want anyone to get left behind!

SHOPPING

- Another one of my favorites! Haha! Bigby’s PERKS card holders get exclusive discounts from our partner merchants! These include 

*10% off at Mags on all regular items

*10% off at Andre by Mags on all regular items

*5% off at Yosi Samra (for a minimum purchase of Php 3,000)

*10% off at Yosi Samra (for a minimum purchase of Php 5,000)

*5% off at Spruce on regular items

*10% off at Spruce on regular items during your birthday

*5% off at Keds on regular items

*10% off at Keds on regular items during your birthday

*5% off at Havaianas on regular items

*10% off at Havaianas on regular items during your birthday

*5% off at Sperry Topsider on regular items

*10% off at Sperry Topsider on regular items during your birthday

Special thanks to our other partner establishments such as Lim Ket Kai Luxe Hotel, Illest at the Lifestyle District, Dahilayan Adventure Park and Great White River Rafting!

Special thanks to Kistler Caculba, Keith Bryan Asok, Franklin Tongco and Paola Paladio for doing the hair and make-up for our models for the campaign shoot!

Wardrobe provided by Mags and Andre by Mags

and Spruce!

Now don’t you just want to go grab the card? Enjoy a good dinner with friends or family at Bigby’s now and get to enjoy even more after!

For inquiries etc., drop by the Bigby’s Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/Bigbys