November 2020 – Jellybeans in the City

At Tantea with the #Quarantitas

Hello, #Quarantitas! (Or should I say #QuaranTEAtas?)

While I usually claim that I’m made for quarantine, I know it can be hard to be cooped up and feeling isolated for so long. Sometimes, you long for a change of scenery, for some actual faces to look at while having spirited conversations.

Together with my fellow Titas of Manila (East) – Jen of Sand Under My Feet and Nix of I Eat and I Wander – I ventured up north for lunch date which we capped off by having our post-meal drinks at Tantea.

Located along Tomas Morato Avenue, this flagship store boasts of clean and elegant interiors with an Instagram-friendly rose wall at the second floor where tea-tas can take pictures of their teas.

Thankfully, Tantea’s adoption of sanitation and physical distancing protocols did not detract from its aesthetic and relaxing vibe. It’s still the perfect place to hang out and chat with my friends as we enjoy our drinks, which included:

Popping Boba Strawberry Yogurt (Php140). A blend of sweet strawberries and tangy yogurt with popping boba.

Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea (Php150). Strong black tea mixed with creamy milk accented with black pearls cooked in brown sugar.

Mango Cream Cheese (Php180). I’ve had a love affair with cream cheese for most of my life. Add to that richness the sweet fruitiness of mango and I’m hooked.

For one afternoon with my friends, I was able to leave the stress of working from home and overseeing my kids’ online learning to have a leisurely tea and talk session.

This made the trip so much worth the effort.

This Tantea branch is located at Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Castor Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City.

If you prefer not to leave the safety of your home, you can still get your drinks and more from Tantea by ordering via its website or Facebook Messenger.

The unfettered truth about love: PhilPop releases final batch of songs

PhilPop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, drops the final batch of songs from the South Luzon cluster.

Carefully selected from thousands of submissions, the entries from this particular group reflect the unfettered truths about romantic relationships, disappointments, and heartaches, written based from personal experiences or from the perspective of an outsider looking in.

Distributed by Warner Music and produced by PhilPop, the homegrown tracks are available today, November 27 (Friday) on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide. The entries include “Para Kay Catriona,” composed by Kulas Basilonia and interpreted by I Belong to the Zoo; “Bitaw,” composed by Keen and interpreted by Zsaris; and “Lunod,” composed by Chochay Magno and interpreted by Shaira Opsimar.

Para Kay Catriona: A Beautiful Serenade

“Para Kay Catriona” comes to terms with the painful reality of loving someone who will never be aware of your deep and strong romantic affection. Kulas Basilonia penned the track when he was aboard the bus, seeing Catriona Gray on television as she struts in the runway with her signature slow-mo twirl. “It felt as if my life is in a slow-mo too,” the up-and-coming singer-songwriter quips. “I immediately researched about her and found out that she has a Music Theory certificate from my dream school. I was amazed, and it made me daydream about the possibility of being destined together. But reality check: we’re different in a lot of ways, and I know, it’s never going to happen.”

The intricately arranged folk ballad is interpreted by I Belong To The Zoo, and produced by Caio Cadiz. Instead of synthesized sounds, Cadiz went for real instruments such as classical guitars in his attempt to record a serenade that is both heartwarming and beautifully melodic.

Bitaw: A Soulful Ballad

“Bitaw” is an emotional R&B track that centers around the dissolution of a romantic relationship, and the struggles of dealing with healing and self-love. With slinky beats and soulful delivery, the Keen-helmed song refuses to stick to the time-tested formula of pop music, tapping someone like Zsaris to interpret the material with the right balance of sensitivity and nuance.

“We are confident enough to win the vibe of the listeners,” Keen shares, beaming with so much enthusiasm and confidence. “The production team sauces up the final piece, they’ll be hearing a different approach from the original one that I made.”

Lunod: A Colossal anthem

According to composer Chochay Magno, “Lunod” is about finding merit in quitting, and how it can be liberating sometimes to just give in to loneliness and melancholy. “Sometimes quitting is winning,” the South Luzon finalist shares. “And walking away from those who failed to see your worth is your first step towards regaining yourself back.”

Magno wrote “Lunod” while lying in the sands of La Union. She attests to the power and tranquility that nature gives off, which allows her to hit the reset button and escape the toxicity of work and personal life. “I can cry my tears out without being obvious because when you’re soaked in water nobody knows you’re crying, right,” she explains. “I can shout to the waves without being judged. It’s like the sea is my witness and fortress.”

“Lunod” is interpreted by pop newcomer Shaira Opsimar, who gave justice to the song’s colossal nature and emotional depth.

“Para Kay Catriona,” “Bitaw,” and “Lunod” are are now available on streaming and digital platforms worldwide via PhilPop and Warner Music Philippines.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

Bon Appetea Milagrosa Katipunan celebrates first year

There was a time, before the pandemic struck the metro, when I anticipated visits to milk tea cafes. I find these places quote relaxing to hang out in while sipping my chosen drink.

One such place was the Bon Appetea branch in Barangay Milagrosa along Katipunan.

Located at the crux of Quezon City, Pasig and Marikina, it offers the metro’s denizens a haven where they can de-stress and enjoy their milk tea of choice as well as nourishing servings of comfort food.

Before the pandemic, I dropped by to enjoy a cup of Salt & Cheese Foam Wintermelon (Php135). I’ve long been a fan of salted cheese topping on my drinks and I was glad I was able to get a taste. I also brought home a pair of Nirvana Milk Tea (Php80 regular | Php100 medium | Php110 large | Php140 extra large) for the kiddos. This refreshing combination of assam black tea and wintermelon already came with chewy black pearls.

A few weeks after that visit, the pandemic changed the restaurant scene forever. Bon Appetea Milagrosa was able to transition to this new normal by partnering with delivery platforms to supplement its own delivery service. It applied strict sanitation and safety protocols such as twice-a-week disinfection, footbaths, temperature scanner and alcohol dispensers as well as socially distanced seats for the riders.

With these in place, Bon Appetea was able to continue servings its customers, not just with its signature drinks but also with satisfying dishes such as its Sirloin Tapa (Php149). Tender and flavorful bits of marinated and fried beef sirloin served with garlic fried rice and scrambled cage-free eggs.

It also supported its local community by donating meals and face shields for the medical and security personnel of nearby Quirino Medical Center.

With dining in at restos now making a comeback just as Bon Appetea Milagrosa celebrates its first anniversary, it’s all geared up with a strong WiFi connection and spacious dining areas, ready to receive customers who will visit its premises.

Those who prefer not to leave home can still have their meals delivered via GrabFood, LalaFood and FoodPanda.

As part of its anniversary celebration, Bon Appetea is giving Buy One Large, Get One Medium deals on its House Pearl Milk Tea, Lemon Yakult Tea and Tropical Passion Fruit Tea until November 30.

This Bon Appetea branch is located at YDG Building, 219 Katipunan Avenue, Barangay Milagrosa, Blue Ridge, Quezon City.

Miley Cyrus drops retro-inspired album, Plastic Hearts

After peaking at No.1 on iTunes Philippines with her first single “Midnight Sky” and revamping the ‘80s discotheque with her Dua Lipa-assisted jam “Prisoner,” pop trailblazer Miley Cyrus makes an explosive return with the release of her highly anticipated new album, Plastic Hearts, out now via RCA Records.

Miley’s seventh studio album features collaborations with Billy Idol, Joan Jett and Dua Lipa. In a handwritten letter about the new album, Miley recalls that she began writing the album over two years ago.

“Thought I had it all figured out,” she wrote. “Not just the record—its songs/sounds but my whole fucking life. No one checks an ego like life itself. Just when I thought the body of work was finished it was all erased, including most of the music’s relevance because everything had changed.”

Built around retro-inspired bangers and thumping stadium anthems, Miley’s new sound gives listeners a renewed sense of appreciation for music made in the ‘70s and ‘80s, as seen in her cover art, which was photographed by iconic rock & roll photographer Mick Rock. Rock adds Miley into the list of artists and legends that he has photographed over the years, including David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, and Debbie Harry.

So far, Miley has released two singles from the album: “Prisoner” feat. Dua Lipa, which was accompanied by a shamelessly campy rock video featuring the dynamic duo, and directed by Alana Oherlihy and Miley, plus Miley’s summer hit, “Midnight Sky.”

Image and details provided by RCA Records in a recent press release.

Guiltless goodness for the fam from Koomi

If you want a break from your usual milk teas and coffee frappes, then you might want to consider yogurt drinks from Koomi.

This chain got its start in Australia, showcasing natural probiotic drinking yogurt combined with fresh ingredients in healthy and tasty icy drinks.

Yogurt is definitely good for you: it aids digestion and is high in calcium so it’s good for your bones.

Add in healthy natural sweeteners like fruit honey and you’ve got a wholesome drink to cool you down and nourish you. The drinks have winsome names, too, which will bring a smile to your face as you enjoy them.

In one of the last sweltering Sunday afternoons of November, I decided to treat the fam to Koomi drinks which, thankfully, just became available in our area through GrabFood’s long-distance delivery.

These included:

Avo Nice Day (Php187). Natural drinking yogurt blended with fresh avocado and fruit honey. My perennial order because I love avocado-based drinks so much!

You’re the Berry Best (Php154). For the Hubby who takes over cooking chores for me and always factors my snacks into his food delivery orders, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, strawberry and fruit honey.

Mango Moo (Php143). My daughter #ExhibitA is nuts about mango so she requested for this blend of natural drinking yogurt, fresh mangoes and fruit honey. Here’s a hack: she mixed some crushed grahams from my baking supplies into the drink and made herself a yogurt-y mango float.

Chewy Chewy Oats (Php143). For my little boy #ExhibitB who missed his breakfast cereal, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, chewy oats and fruit honey.

Stick-on-Me Purple Rice (Php138). I introduced my yaya to the wonders of Koomi with this signature concoction of natural drinking yogurt, purple sticky rice and fruit honey.

Since I opted for the Aussie blend for these drinks, they all feature a more pronounced tanginess of the yogurt. If you’re not into that, you can always opt for the Filipino blend which has cream added to the mixture to align the drink to Pinoy tastebuds.

So if you’re in the mood for a different kind of drink that will give you guiltless goodness, do give Koomi a try. It has stores in The Podium, Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Power Plant Mall, SM Aura, Double Dragon Pasay, SM San Lazaro and VMall Greenhills.

You may also course your order through GrabFood like I did.

The Itchyworms brings festive cheer with “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko”

The Itchyworms keeps the holiday cheer going with the simultaneous release of two Christmas songs “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko.” In honoring the time-tested tradition of writing Yuletide-themed originals that are meant to bring people closer to home in feeling and essence, the pop-rock quartet is keen on uplifting our spirits during the pandemic.

Drummer and lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas points out the important of Christmas songs in a very crucial time like this. “We need to be reminded of the joy and hope and the spirit of giving. It’s the time of year when the world falls in love, so it’s important to listen to Christmas songs all year round.”

Kelvin Yu, the band’s bassist, echoes Nicolas’ sentiments. According to him, Christmas songs are those anchors in our lives that we can always expect to be there for us no matter what the situation is. “There will always be Christmas songs: during good times, it further uplifts us; and during not so good times, it can provide us with that warm hug that everyone needs come December,” Yu shares.

Have A Merry Christmas: A Modern Holiday Standard

According to lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jugs Jugueta, “Have A Merry Christmas” is inspired by a meme featuring Jose Mari Chan, inarguably one of the most popular holiday tunesmiths ever. “When the Jose Mari Chan meme first came out, it was funny,” says Jugueta. “But then, people just do it every year and it becomes not as funny anymore. Anyway, one time I posted a challenge to my Facebook friends: instead of posting about Jose Mari Chan, why don’t you write your own Christmas song? ‘Have A Merry Christmas’ is an attempt to do so.”

Intricately arranged with Beatlesque pop harmonies, swoony string arrangements, and catchy, sing-along moments, “Have A Merry Christmas” fills the air with comforting message of joy and positivity. In describing the musical process behind the Christmas bop, Chino Singson, The Itchyworms’ guitarist, envisions a lush template in mind: “The melodies are definitely Britpop, and our classic shuffle a la Akin Ka Na Lang and Chocophotoland completes the aesthetic vibe.”

Written by Jugs Jugueta, “Have A Merry Christmas” is a “smorgasbord of Christmas tropes or cliches all rolled into one song.” Nicolas adds, “When you mix them all together, you get a song that pretty much says, Merry Christmas!”

Maligayang Pasko: A jazzy, tropical-infused jingle

Helmed and produced by Jazz Nicolas, “Maligayang Pasko” takes you back to the ‘70s and early ‘80s era: a laid-back, groovy tune that winks toward Manila Sound and city pop. It’s a nostalgic Hallmark anthem whose groove, to quote Nicolas, “is partly based on a latin or bossa nova beat, mixed with funky guitars.”

The multi-instrumentalist member of The Itchyworms also add a little bit of camp experimentation in the mix in an attempt to highlight the band’s sense of musical adventurousness. Nicolas recalls, “I was very excited to use a combination of a vocoder, which is sort of a voice synthesizer and a text-to-speech type program to sing the chorus harmonies with us. I programmed three tracks of text-to-speech saying ‘mah lee guy young pass koh’ and tuned each them to sing in harmony.”

This organized chaos resulted into a Christmas song dipped in Tropicália and jazzy elements, and serves as an exploration into an unfamiliar sonic territory.

Both “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko” exude the timelessness of holiday songs, and its significance in bringing festive cheer to everyone, despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic. As Kelvin Yu puts it, “I feel that Christmas should still be celebrated this year, especially with the important people in your lives. This year has been tough on everyone, and has made us all appreciate our loved ones, and we can keep them close and celebrate life with them every day, and not only on Christmas.”

The Itchyworms’ “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko” are now available on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Image and details provided in a recent press release.

The Jelly List: Cookies for Christmas!

Whether for personal enjoyment or for gifting to loved ones, cookies are this season’s ultimate treats. Have your sweet bits of joy from enterprising bakers delivered right to your doorstep!

Christmas is just around the corner, foodies!

Who would have thought that the COVID19- caused craziness would last until the end of the year?

Keep your chins up, though. There’s still hope of better things to come.

In the meantime, give yourself reasons to smile by indulging in sweet bits of decadence: cookies, of course!

From their origins in 7th century Persia, their resurgence in the New World in the 17th century, to their domination of the global dessert scene, cookies have grown to become the sweet indulgence of choice foodies worldwide.

If you’re a cookie lover, you’d be happy to know that you won’t have to travel far or even leave home to get your just desserts. You can simply order from these online bakeshops and have your cookies delivered to you.

1. Sugar Creations by Alex

Satisfy your cookie cravings with these pretty confections, particularly that potent combination of cookie and S’mores in pastry: the smookie!

To order, call +63 988 5447945, or send a message via Instagram or Facebook.

2. Inang Charing Cakes and Pastries

I’ve sung praises for Inang Charing’s Triple-Flavored Cheesecake and Strawberry Shortcake in previous posts. However, it also offers a Salted White Chocolate Caramel Cookie that boasts of complex flavors and textures.

To order, send a message via Instagram or Facebook.

3. MDJ Cookies

Cookies can feel like warm hugs that you can eat. At least, that’s what MDJ Cookies strive to be. Get yourself a Loaded Crinkle and you’ll agree that it comes pretty close!

To order, send a message via Instagram or Facebook.

4. Extra Butter

Sometimes, bigger is better! With a palm-sized cookie from Extra Butter, like its fully loaded Double Chocolate Milk, there’ll be a lot of cookie goodness to go around.

To order, fill up this form.

5. Kica Bites

Fancy a return to the homey goodness of an all-time favorite cookie? Grab a piece of Kica Bites’ Original Chocolate Chip and enjoy the sugary buzz.

To order, fill up this form.

6. Bake Boss

Cookies do help in spreading the joy of the season. Take Bake Boss’ chewy and buttery Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, for example, which is perfect to serve to the little ones along with a glass of milk to elicit a few smiles.

To order, send a message via Instagram.

7. Casa Bakes

Christmas is a season for celebration and your cookies can be part of the cheery mood. Get yourself a monster-sized Birthday Cake Cookie and enjoy the festive combination of white chocolate and colorful sprinkles.

To order, send a message via Instagram.

Given the variety of cookie options available this holiday season, you can easily treat yourself and your loved ones with yummy cookie creations. By ordering from these enterprising bakers, not only will you be sating your cookie cravings, you will also be supporting small businesses and the dreams of their owners.

And that’s a sweet thought, isn’t it?

Happy holidays, foodies!

Photo credit: header image by Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash

Check out my other adventures compiled into Jelly Lists:

GrabFood’s wide variety of offers continues to delight by giving you any food, any time

Nothing brings smiles to faces quite like food. No matter the challenges of your day, a satisfied craving is sure to brighten your mood. That’s why Grab, the leading everyday everything app, continues to delight Filipinos by providing any food, any time through GrabFood.

This month, GrabFood celebrates its second anniversary in the Philippines the best way it knows how —by launching a two-week mega sale! Starting November 23 until December 6, customers can enjoy up to 50% off on their favorite eats when they order through GrabFood!

Exciting deals and discounts available from GrabFood’s two week-long mega sale

Start the week right through Milk Tea Monday! Only on November 23, get 30% off on your favorite milk tea orders from Coco, Chatime, Cha Tuk Chak, and more!

Craving for chicken? This November 25, get 30% off from chicken chains JT’s Manukan Grille, Adobo Connection, Wee Nam Kee, and more!

Watch out for GrabFood’s BLOWOUT FLASH SALES throughout the next two weeks to get 50% off from 11 AM to 3 PM only!

November 24 – Foodee Global Concepts Food Group(Hawker Chan, Pound, Tim Ho Wan, and more)

November 26 – The Moment Group (Din Tai Fung, 8Cuts, Ooma, and more)

December 1 – The Bistro Group (TGI Friday’s, Itallani’s, Denny’s, and more)

December 2 – Popeyes

December 3 – Viva Food Group (Wing Zone, Pepi Cubano, Paper Moon Cafe, and more)

Get GrabFood Exclusive Bundles on November 29 and December 6 to save as much as Php199 per order from favorites like Frankie’s, Yellow Cab, Burger King, and more

GrabFood provides any food, any time

Two years since launching in the Philippines, GrabFood has driven the growth of the food delivery industry through consistent expansion and advancement.

Customers can always look forward to GrabFood providing delight and excitement through its wide variety of food options. With its continuous expansion of its merchant-partner base, GrabFood continues to have the widest selection of restaurants and largest operation footprint, serving Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, and more.

Utilizing technology and innovation to further expand the reach of your favorite restaurants, GrabFood also recently launched Long Distance Delivery, a feature that gives customers access to a wider selection of restaurants. With a 10 kilometer delivery range, customers can enjoy even more delicious possibilities for whatever they’re craving.
With the average basket size of GrabFood orders increasing by over 16% across Southeast Asia since the start of the lockdown, GrabFood also launched the group ordering feature, which makes it easier for groups to collate orders and purchase in one go.
First introduced in February this year, GrabKitchen is another way that GrabFood has been making it easier for customers to order their favorites all in one order. Through GrabKitchen, some of the most sought-after restaurants are brought together in one central kitchen, giving customers the option to mix-and match orders from those restaurants— all in one order and delivery fee. Currently, GrabKitchen is available in Glorietta 2, Makati, but customers can look forward to new GrabKitchens cooking up in the Manila area very soon!
Through the resumption of GrabFood’s 24-hour operations across Metro Manila, GrabFood also ensures you can fill your tummy when hunger strikes— whatever time that may be.
Whether you’re ordering for yourself or someone else, do it without a sweat through GrabFood’s Scheduled Orders feature! It’s now much easier to plan your meals or pull off a surprise pakain with the option to schedule your orders on GrabFood!

Continuous growth for its partners is continuous growth for GrabFood

Since the start of the pandemic, the crucial role food delivery services play in the lives of customers has become even more apparent. Recognizing this need, GrabFood remains committed to providing a safe and convenient platform to connect customers with food businesses. Through continuous expansion, innovative solutions, and increased support, GrabFood will continue to grow its platform to uplift more lives.

By providing merchant-partners a digital storefront to help them reach more customers, GrabFood not only gives customers more food choices to satisfy their cravings and fill their appetites, but also provides meaningful livelihood opportunities for its merchant and delivery-partners.

“Food delivery has been an essential service for many of our kababayans – whether it’s to satisfy their everyday cravings, grow their businesses, or provide livelihood opportunities to our communities – and GrabFood is humbled to deliver all these things and more. We are very much thankful to the countless customers, partners, and delivery-partners who believe in our mission and continue to support us. We will continue to build on our strong foundations knowing that with every GrabFood order, we are able to help businesses and provide livelihood to our many delivery-partners” said Grab Philippines Head of Deliveries EJ Dela Vega.

Working hand-in-hand, GrabFood commits to continuing to grow with you, its customer, merchant-partner, and delivery-partner.

About Grab

Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 185 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 9 million drivers, merchants and agents. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food, package, grocery delivery services, mobile payments and financial services across 339 cities in eight countries.

About GrabFood

Operating under the Grab super app, GrabFood is an online food delivery service that connects local food businesses to people. GrabFood presents a variety of food based on what’s available around consumers: Filipino, Western, Asian, European, Fusion and so on. Today, GrabFood’s services are available in areas of Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Cebu, with plans to continue expanding to reach more areas in the country.

Sweet snacktimes with Red Ribbon Bakeshop

Have you ever found yourself craving for cakes and pastries?

Whether paired with your favorite brew during your coffee break time or enjoyed after meals as a dessert, these sweet treats are always a welcome sight.

Thankfully, you don’t have to sweat it out in the kitchen to whip up your favorite baked goodies. You can simply have your cake and pastry choices from Red Ribbon delivered right to your doorstep.

Red Ribbon had its start in Timog, Quezon City in 1979, and over the years, it has grown to having over 450 outlets in the Philippines and thirty stores in the US. Aside from round, square and roll celebration cakes, Red Ribbon also offers a variety of cake slices and pastries for foodies looking for a sweet fix.

And wouldn’t you know it: these desserts come in handy packs that allows you to enjoy more of your sweet faves without have to spend a lot.

The Cheesy Ensaimada, for example, is a fluffy bread topped with sweet butter, sugar and lots of cheese. You can get it at Php27.50 per piece but it’s also available in packs of four at Php110, eight at Php214.50 and twelve at Php330.

If cakes are more your thing, Red Ribbon brings light and airy confections topped with sweet buttercream. You can get individual slices of these cakes for Php28.60 per piece or in a pack of five assorted flavors which include Choco Cake, Chiffon Cake, Double-Dutch Cake, Ube Marble and Red Velvet for Php115.50.

So if you’re craving for something sweet, head on to your nearest Red Ribbon Bakeshop branch, call #87777, send a message via Facebook, or course your order through GrabFood, LalaFood or FoodPanda.

Download the Grab App to have your Red Ribbon treats delivered right to your doorstep!

TikTok Launches Creative Competition to Solve Real-World Marketing Challenges

TikTok invites marketing and creative professionals as well as agencies in Southeast Asia to participate in the TikTok Trendsetter creative competition. Winners to receive up to US$40,000 in prizes and mentorship with TikTok Global Business Marketing (GBM) executives

TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile videos, is calling all marketing and creative professionals as well as agencies in Southeast Asia to think outside of the box and join the TikTok Trendsetter creative competition. Launched last November 9, 2020, TikTok Trendsetter aims to inspire professionals and agencies in the Philippines to harness the untapped potential of TikTok to solve real-world marketing challenges.

“The power of TikTok is clear, but it requires a new and different way of thinking. Utilizing an entertainment-based platform allows marketers to engage with users in a ‘sound on’ environment, opening an entirely new window of opportunity,” said Ng Chew Wee, TikTok Head of Business Marketing. “Just like our users, we invite marketers to be experimental and explore their creative side while addressing today’s brand challenges through the Trendsetter creative competition.”

Running for over the course of six weeks, the TikTok Trendsetter creative competition is divided into three separate categories including:

Individual Category: Individual contestants to submit one TikTok video creative idea that addresses marketing-related challenges for Small and Midsize Businesses (SMBs), and sectors such as Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Government.

Agency Category:Agency contestants to submit a storyboard for at least four TikTok video creative ideas, a media plan leveraging TikTok and one sample TikTok video that addresses marketing-related challenges for industries such as Fintech, Luxury, Automobile, and Telecoms.

Existing Campaigns: Campaigns that have already run on TikTok this year can also participate in the competition.

All submissions will need to be submitted by 24 December 2020 with voting for the most creative ideas taking place from 4 to 22 January 2021. The following panel of judges representing in-house and agency creative executives, as well as CMOs and TikTok Creators, will be determining the winners of the competition which will be announced on 1 February 2021:

Ng Chew Wee, TikTok Head of Business Marketing

Katie Puris, TikTok Managing Director of Global Business Marketing

Dianchen Yao, TikTok Head of Client Solutions SEA

Nguyen Dinh Toan, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Suntory Pepsico Vietnam

Sutirapan Sakkawatra, EVP Head of Marketing at Siam Commercial Bank

Roberto Saputra, Chief Brand Officer at Smartfren Telecom

Jeff Cheong, DDB Group Singapore Deputy CEO and Tribal Worldwide Asia President

Maryzyle Fernadez Galinato, Group Creative Director at Hakuhodo Saigon

Pingkan Rarumangkay, Executive Creative Director at Wunderman Thompson Indonesia

Tay Guan Hin, Chief Creative Officer of BBDO Singapore

Sompat Trisadikun, Chief Creative Officer at The Leo Burnett Group and Publicis Group in Thailand

For each category, regional and local winners will be selected. Agency teams will have a chance to win up to US$40,000 in prizes, while Individual applicants can win a mentorship session with TikTok Global Business Marketing (GBM) executives.

Kantar research shows that in order to tap into the powerful audience response, it is vital to understand TikTok and engage with users on their own terms. To provide a deeper understanding on how to leverage TikTok for marketing purposes, TikTok will also hold a creative workshop on 24 and 26 November in partnership with BBDO Singapore, hosted virtually at https://www.tiktok-trendsetter.com/ for anyone who is interested in learning about leveraging the platform to solve creative challenges.

To enter the competition, view tutorials, best practices and creative playbooks, please visit: https://www.tiktok-trendsetter.com/.

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, Mountain View, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Details provided by Tiktok in a recent press release.