Archive
The Coffee Master (February 5, 2019)
So the Starbucks aprons arrived yesterday though the mail but I only got a chance to take a closer look at them this evening.
The Red Apron
I found the red apron–which I assume is the one that the Starbucks Partners use during the Christmas holidays–to be the more functional of the two. It is equipped with two waist high pockets that are located on each side of the apron. There is also a pen holster hidden behind the left sleeve of the apron–no doubt meant to host the writing apparatus for those tricky beverage customizations. Read more…
Planning for Halloween 2019 (February 3, 2019)
Starbucks Partner exclusive pin: Certified Barista Trainer
My first package for 2019 arrived the other day but with all of my day-to-day commitments, I only found the time tonight to crack it open.
What’s inside?
Inside the 9×12 LBC Air Packet was this tiny Starbucks pin that is around the size of one Philippine Peso. Not knowing anything about the aforementioned pin, I did some research and found out that it was an SB Partner exclusive pin! Nice, right!
Now, I wonder if a complete list of SB Partner exclusive pins exists somewhere out there in cyberspace.
Kindly let me know if you happen to find any ok? Read more…
Starbucks PH Card Collection: Year of the Pig and Valentine’s Day Hearts (January 8, 2019)
Clockwise: Today’s Starbucks PH Card Haul (with Red 2019 Year of the Pig sleeves) | Coffee Date Anyone? | Damage barrier?
In anticipation of this year’s Spring Festival and Valentines Day, Starbucks Philippines released six new cards in their stores today: Year of the Pig (Lunar New Year Card), Purple Heart (with the inscription, “Coffee Date.”), Red Heart (“Love You Lots”), Pink Heart (“Meant To Be”), Patterns Heart (“You’re Adorable”), and Reverse Triangle Heart (“You’re The Best”).
Heavier on the Wallet
It has been reported for some time that the Valentine’s Day Cards would have an activation cost of P1000 each. I was ready for that. What I didn’t expect was for the Year of the Pig cards to have an P500 activation cost[i]. Read more…
Starting your Starbucks Card Collection [Yoda Style Jedi Training] (December 31, 2017)
Clockwise: Just some of 30+ cards that I have in my personal collection. | My last Frap for the year…and until November 2018 for that matter. They got the spelling of my name wrong but it’s all good.
During the latter part of 2017, I noticed that I’ve slowly amassed a stack of Philippine issued Starbucks Cards. It was never my intention to collect them–it just happened. But I am getting ahead of myself; for you guys to understand the genesis of this collection, we need to go back to the beginning.
2013
Four years ago, I purchased the first two local card designs released in the country with the intention of maximizing their new My Starbucks Rewards Program. The rewards program offered a number of enticing incentives such as a free drink–of the patron’s choice-when they registered their Starbucks Card over at www.starbuckscard.ph; a free Grande drink for every accumulated twelve (12) Beverage Stars; the option of pooling all of your future Starbucks Cards into a single account; and a free slice of cake during the registered card holder’s birthday[i]. Read more…
That Steady Starbucks Diet: Procuring that 2018 Starbucks Planner (December 10, 2017)
Ready for 2018: Pictured are large and pocket-sized 2018 Starbucks Planners and their Special Edition debt cards. They are housed in the brown pouches that came with the 2017 Starbucks Planner.
As I write this entry, I am immediately reminded of Michael Coreleone’s (Al Pacino) famous line from Godfather III,
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
Granted, Coreleone was referring to his waning attempt towards legitimize his business and professional affairs, but I have always felt that my annual quest to procure yet another Starbucks Planner (or two) resonates just as loudly.
Every year it is the same story and—for better or for worse—it usually results in the same outcome…with just a different year on the cover.
The thing is, as much as I like the annual planners, I know that this cannot go on forever. There is only so much joy (and calories) that a watered down Green Tea Frappuccino and Roasted Chicken Pesto and Shitake Mushroom sandwich[i] can bring. Factoring in the financial cost, it makes it just that more difficult to sustain indefinitely. Read more…
The limited edition Starbucks Reusable Cup promo (July 31 – August 13, 2017)
You have 14 days to collect all of them. Will you do it?
Went back to Starbucks earlier this evening with plans of putting the finishing touches on a book that I am currently doing with the immensely talented Randy Valiente.
Then this caught my eye on top of the counter.
The Starbucks Reusable Cup Promo!
The Mechanics
The latest Starbucks promo involves a two-step process wherein patrons who purchase any Starbucks product amounting to P250 or more will be entitled to one (1) coupon. Read more…
The limited edition Starbucks Night Sky Reusable Cup promo (April 21-22, 2017)
Beating the heat with a Grande Green Tea Frappuccino! *Sigh* I miss my old order: Basic Black Iced Tea.
Had an impromptu lunch date with the Fam yesterday afternoon at my local Starbucks branch in Makati and while we were lining up to give our orders. I saw this on top of the counter: A limited edition Night Sky Reusable Cup for only P100!
How could I resist right?
It had all the magical ingredients that only a Starbucks regular would love: Limited edition. Saving the environment. And! Saving money![i]
The Starbucks Night Sky Reusable Cup promo details:
We have a new partner in reducing cup waste. You.
Get this Night Sky Reusable Cup for only P100 or enjoy a 10% off on any merchandise item when you purchase any Grande handcrafted beverage on April 21 and 22, 2017.
Save P5 every time you use your cup for your beverage purchase.
- Except coffee press and other brewing equipment.
Visit http://www.starbucks.ph for details.
Addendum:
I went back today to the same branch and the barista informed me that the cups didn’t last the day. Good thing I had foresight![ii]
The promo is good until today so if you guys are near any Starbucks branch–who knows? They may still have the cup.
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[i] Granted it’s 5 bucks but that goes a long way in the grand scheme of things.
[ii] Enter imaginary pat on the back.
