With Greater Manila placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine once again, 2021 marks the second year that we would not be able to welcome Easter with fun and games for kids such as the most awaited Easter egg hunt. While staying home is the safest and most responsible thing we can do right now, parents can still bring joy into their homes with a simple activity they can do with their kids.

Easter Joy! Mystery Egg

Every purchase of the Mystery Egg for only P2,500 nett from now to April 4, 2021 gives guests a stub for the raffle. The Manila Hotel's major prize is a Chromebook laptop, perfect gadget for the kids' online classes and workshops while other prizes include one set of The Manila Hotel Gelatos, and The Manila Hotel’s Willy The Bear.

The Manila Hotel also partnered with several groups to help make the Easter celebration a little more special for kids. Mystery Egg buyers also get the chance to win passes to online kiddie workshops from Make Believe Productions, like Superhero Art, Groovebeats Dance Workshop, Imaginart: Drawing and Painting for Kids, and Make Believe N’ Yoga for Kids; Activity Kits for kids from Kits For Kids by RC Lab like My Body Care Lab Kit, 25-in-1 Science Bear Experiment Kit, and Fizzy Easter Activity Kits; and also Introductory Visit to The Little Gym online classes.

The Easter Joy! Mystery Egg is available from now until April 4 (Easter Sunday), 6pm, and may be ordered for pick-up or delivery by calling 85270011 or 0998-9501912. Bulk orders must be done in advance. The Manila Hotel’s Deli is also selling various Easter-related chocolates and goodies that can be ordered for pickup or delivery.

 Watch The Manila Hotel's Mystery Easter Egg

Check out this fun video of GMA Network's First Yaya cast featuring Gabby Concepcion and co-stars as they crack The Manila Hotel's Easter Joy Egg.

Note: this is an old post from another blog of mine from 2019. Transferring it here. 

My favorite workout in life is walking. I could walk for long periods of time. Those who know me in real life know this about me. I'd make you walk to get to a place if I could. I once did that even to my boss! LOL! 

Even when I was actively going to the gym, my favorite workout is still walking. And that’s how I discovered Sweatcoin. Just out of curiosity I searched it online one day – apps that pay you to walk – not expecting that there’s actually such a thing now! 

With a little more research online, you know to make sure it’s not some kind of scam or a virus – I downloaded Sweatcoin via Google Play and Apple Store and I’ve been using it for about a month now.

Now I’m doing more than just walking because I’ve actually managed to keep going to the gym but even until now, if you ask me what my favorite workout is, I’d say walking. And that’s how I discovered Sweatcoin. Just out of curiosity I searched it online one day – apps that pay you to walk – not expecting that there’s actually such a thing now! 

With a little more research online, you know to make sure it’s not some kind of scam or a virus – I downloaded Sweatcoin via Google Play. 

What is SweatCoin? 

SweatCoin is an app that will pay you to walk outdoors. It’s basically designed to motivate people to live a healthier lifestyle by encouraging you to get off the couch and move. For every 1,000 steps you take, the app will convert it and pay you a virtual currency that they call SweatCoin. The virtual currency can be used to redeem products such as gadgets (an iPhone XS or a Samsung TV) or if you’re feeling humanitarian, donation to various charities. If none of those appeal to you, you can also exchange your sweatcoins for USD$1000 cash.   

How Does It Work?

The app tracks your movement through GPS and it also needs to keep running in the background in order for it to be able to log your steps. It’s a free app and everyday you can earn up to 5 sweatcoins for a Mover membership. You can earn more from your steps by upgrading your membership which is also free. Okay not free but you won’t have to pay cash. You pay your monthly subscription via sweatcoins as well. 

Different Types of SweatCoin Monthly Subscription

Mover
Price: free
How much you can earn: Up to 5.00 sweatcoins (SWC) per day or up to 150.00 per month

Shaker 
Price: 4.75 SWC/month 
How much you can earn in a day: Up to 10.00 SWC per day or up to 300.00 SWC per month


Quaker
Price: 20.00 SWC/month
How much you can earn in a day: 15.00 SWC per day or up to 450.00 SWC per month

Breaker
Price: 30.00 SWC/month
How much you can earn in a day: 20.00 SWC per day or up to 600.00 SWC per month

The app also allows you to earn sweatcoins with its daily bonus which entails watching an ad or by inviting friends to also sign up. 

Daily you can track the number of steps you’ve taken and how much you’ve earned from it. Here’s a sample of my activity for the day.

It also emails you a weekly payslip to further keep track of your progress. The app tells you whether you’ve been more or less active that week. Here’s a sample of my weekly payslip.

Does it really pay?

Sweatcoins says it will soon be an acceptable form of payment. Intriguing. But I am doubtful of that. I’ve read a lot of articles that says it does. I tried to avail of wireless earphones from the app once though using my sweatcoins. I was redirected to Amazon.com for it. That’s where I realized it’s not completely free redemption. I still needed to pay for the product but at about half the price of what it’s actually worth plus shipping. It wasn’t a successful redemption since it also turns out that the company that carries the earphones doesn’t ship to the Philippines. 

If you’re looking for quick ways to earn money, this is not it. With a Mover membership that earns only 5.00 SWC a day, I know it’ll take me about a year or two at least to reach the 20,000 SWC required to redeem cash. I could upgrade to a Shaker membership but I don’t want to pay even if it’s just with sweatcoins since that’s still a loss income if ever. Plus I did give Shaker a try (there’s a month’s worth of free trial) when I once already exceeded the daily earning limit of 5.00 SWC. I realized it wasn’t worth keeping because I can only do so much walking on a work day which is five days a week! In fact when it’s a work day, I rarely make enough steps to reach 5.00 SWC. 

Should You Download?

If you're after the money, don't download this. It's only going to frustrate you. But if you want an app to motivate you to work more, then Sweatcoins may be worth the space on your phone. 

If you want to read more about SweatCoins, visit their official site. 

Updates as of March 2021

Sweatcoins can now track your steps indoors. Plus aside from the daily bonus, you can also get a daily 2x boost. For 20 minutes  everyday, you can double the amount of sweatcoins you earn from your steps.    

Valentine's Day is synonymous to a time for wining and dining. It's also the perfect time to show your favorite people or significant other your love and appreciation for them. The Manila Hotel is giving a chance to do just that with their sweet offerings this coming hearts day. 

A dinner to remember

As an added treat, lady diners will be given one long-stemmed Ecuadorian rose. Combine all of this with the chic French ambiance and intimate seating, and your Valentine’s Day will be complete.

The gourmet dinner will be available from February 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2021 at Php4,500 nett per head. Don’t wait though—a table for two at our Champagne Room is always a hot commodity. Call us now for reservation and book a table at 85270011.

Sweet surprises

Need the perfect Valentine's Day gift? The Manila Hotel has a range of premium and delicious handcrafted chocolates, a gift that's been a staple for Valentine's Day for decades! Two new items from the Deli will surely make your Valentine’s night all the sweeter. Surprise your loved one with either the Valentine Praline Bouquet or the Chocolate Strawberry Bouquet.

For only P980 nett, the Valentine Praline Bouquet is exactly that—a round bouquet of hazelnut gianduja-based pralines, with highlights of rolled pistachio nuts. Timeless and popular, round bouquets are popular in weddings, but this artisanal chocolate bouquet is one that will surely add a sweet touch to Valentine’s Day.

The Chocolate Strawberry Bouquet, which sells for only P1,380 nett, combines the taste of juicy strawberries and the comforting sweetness of chocolates loved by many. 

Dipped in artisanal Belgian chocolate and interspersed with pink variant, the Chocolate Strawberry bouquet is a perfect gift that says a lot.

These sweet surprise variants can be pre-ordered starting February 8, 2021 from The Manila Hotel’s Delicatessen, or by calling 85270011 or 09989501912.

And just in time for this Sunday, the Valentine-inspired Raspberry Delight heart-shaped cake combines three ingredients that make the perfect combo: Chocolate Mousse brings sweetness and mellowness; raspberries an acidity note; and pistachio biscuit just the right crunch. For only, Php1,300 nett, this indulgent dessert is just what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard. One-day pre-order is recommended.

The Delicatessen also has a host of other chocolate gift items in regular boxes and collectible boxes like heart-shaped sinamay containers. From Belgian chocolate bars to assorted pralines to heart-shaped concoctions, you have numerous options to choose from.