discount code – Jellybeans in the City

Step into the Omniverse, the metro’s ultimate pop culture museum

Imagine a place where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, where you can step into the worlds of your favorite movies, TV shows, and comics. Welcome to the Omniverse Museum, a captivating pop culture haven located in the heart of Makati, Philippines. This unique museum offers a magical journey through alternate realities and parallel dimensions, with interactive exhibits and mind-bending installations that bring your wildest fandom dreams to life.

This Saturday afternoon, I decided to take my boys – Dear Hubby, our son and our nephew – to Omniverse. Let me tell you about my family’s foray into this pop culture haven.

The Birth of a Pop Culture Wonderland

The Omniverse Museum opened its doors to the public on March 8, and since then, it has become a must-visit destination for fans of all ages. The brainchild of Ryan Sison, an avid collector and journalist, this museum is a testament to his 20-year passion for pop culture memorabilia. Partnering with the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corporation, Sison has created a space that is not only visually stunning but also educational.

Ryan’s collection, which began with action figures and comics, grew to include life-sized statues and rare artifacts. Faced with the challenges of space and the stigma of collecting, Ryan dreamed of sharing his passion with the world. The Omniverse Museum is the realization of that dream, a place where fans can immerse themselves in the lore and artifacts of their favorite franchises.

Ryan isn’t resting on his laurels, either. He plans to expand the museum’s collection and open more branches in the future. His vision is to keep the Omniverse Museum fresh and exciting for returning visitors, with new exhibits and updates regularly.

Where the fun’s at

Located in Japan Town on the fourth floor of Glorietta 2, Makati, the Omniverse Museum’s entrance stands out amidst the Japanese restaurants and cherry blossom decor. Inspired by the Sentinels from “X-Men: The Animated Series,” the entrance itself is a nod to the museum’s dedication to intricate and thematic design. It’s very much a portal to another world, much like the wardrobe in “The Chronicles of Narnia” or Platform 9¾ in “Harry Potter,” and marks the beginning of my family’s unforgettable adventure.

Inside the Omniverse

As soon as we stepped inside the lobby, staff members assisted us in checking in and securing a locker for my heavy bag (so I don’t have to walk around while lugging my stuff). Our journey began in the Briefing Chamber, where a giant screen presented a hologram version of Ryan Sison, setting the tone for the wondrous journey ahead.

Spread across 3,500 square meters, the museum is divided into more than 20 themed sections or “worlds,” each meticulously curated to transport visitors into different realms. Here are some highlights:

The Star Wars Collection

We journeyed into the galaxy far, far away and we came face to face with droids like C-3PO, R2-D2, and BB-8, you’ll marvel at busts of Baby Yoda, Darth Vader, and Boba Fett. The interactive Millennium Falcon cockpit offered educational audio and video materials, while exhibits like a model of the Millennium Falcon signed by Harrison Ford and various lightsabers with actor signatures left us giddy with excitement. Of course, we couldn’t miss the life-sized Jabba the Hutt created by Filipino artist Jose Manansala.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Get your wands at the ready when you step into the Great Hall of Hogwarts, complete with floating candles and characters from across the Harry Potter timeline, including The Boy Who Lived (of course!), He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named, Dobby the House-Elf and even Newt Scamander. The attention to detail, particularly in the miniature Hogwarts, will delight any Potterhead, making it a magical experience that reignites the longing for a Hogwarts letter, or at least, an invitation to the next Halloween or Yule feast.

Game of Thrones

Next, enter the world of Westeros. Sit on the Iron Throne and rule over the Seven Kingdoms. You can also check out miniatures of King of the North Jon Snow and Mother of Dragons Danaerys (Stormborn, First of her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, etc, etc), and give good-boy Drogon some well-deserved love (before he engulfs you in dragon-flame).

The Lord of the Rings

Journey right into Middle-Earth to face-off with a fearsome Balrog (nope, he still CANNOT PASS!), check out the iconic displays of Mount Doom and Barad-dûr topped by the Eye of Sauron and peek into a miniature of Rivendell. Gollum fans will be thrilled with three life-sized statues, and exhibits like Sauron’s gauntlet with the One Ring offer a deeper connection to the beloved series.

DC Superheroes

You will find several sections dedicated to the superheroes of DC comics and movies, including a Fortress of Solitude filled with various iterations of the Man of Steel, a snapshot of Themyscira where our favorite Amazonian princess stands guard, as well as the throne room of Atlantis defended by Aquaman and Mera.

When you enter the Bat Cave, you will be surrounded by life-sized figures of various versions of the Caped Crusader, a Batmobile, and Affleck’s Batman suit. The asylum section, with its dimmed prison cell design, houses Batman’s Rogues Gallery of supervillains like Heath Ledger’s Joker, Harley Quinn, and a scary Killer Croc barely restrained behind bars.

Marvel Superheroes

Marvel fans, on the other hand, can step out from magical portals into the Daily Bulgar (our local version of the newspaper Daily Bugle) to rendezvous with Spiderman or assemble with the other Avengers.

Meanwhile, Iron Man takes center stage in The Mechanic, featuring the Hall of Armor with 14 armors, including the Mark 44 Hulkbuster and Iron Patriot.

Anime Heaven

Anime fans shouldn’t feel left out either, as exhibits paying tribute to One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, One Punch Man and Naruto are here as well.

The Horrors

Before you leave, step into a haunted library filled with callbacks to horror-themed movies and shows: from Darkness of Legend (one of Tom Cruise’ first movies), Buffy, Spike and Angel of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Hellboy to the Gremlins.

Afterwards, traverse a graveyard populated by terror-inducing characters such as Freddy Krueger, It, Jason Voorhees, Annabelle, as well as the Vampires and Lycans of Underworld… that is, if you dare!

Beyond the optics

The Omniverse Museum isn’t just about visual spectacle; it’s a place of learning. Infographics and interactive activities are sprinkled throughout the exhibits, highlighting the science and technology that underpin these beloved stories. Dr. Lawrence Li Tan, CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Entertainment Corp., emphasized that the museum’s goal is to stimulate imagination and promote learning in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). It’s a great venue to get stimulate interest among our kiddos for the arts and sciences, isn’t it?

For me, the museum is a place to take part in my various fandoms – from movies and shows that shaped my childhood to pop culture moments that dominate the discussions at the office watercooler. It’s where I can allow my inner fangirl free rein to wonder and live within these wonderful worlds.

Tips for Your Visit

Planning to step into the Omniverse yourself? To fully enjoy your visit, be sure wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as the experience can take about two hours or more. Make sure your phone and/or camera is charged and bring a power bank – you’ll be snapping photos non-stop. Engage with the guides in each station (they’re game to provide you with a snippet or two of insider information about the exhibit or even take your photo). Take your time exploring each world, as you won’t be able to return once you’ve moved past a station.

Book Your Tickets Today

Ready to embark on this epic adventure? You can save Php300 (20% off the walk-in fee) when you book your tickets via TicketWavePH. Here’s how:

Go to TicketWavePH.com/beingjellybeans.
Select Omniverse.
Add your tickets to your cart.
Enter the promo code BEINGJELLYBEANS for additional 5% off.
Make Payment: Complete your purchase using GCash, Maya, Mastercard, VISA, or Amex.
Enjoy: Receive your e-tickets via email and get ready for an unforgettable day out.

The Omniverse Museum is a testament to the power of imagination and the joy of fandom. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious, it promises a day of wonder, learning, and fun. Don’t miss out on this unique experience that brings the fantastical to life.

Disclosure: Complimentary tickets provided by TicketWavePH.

Check out my previous post about TicketWavePH and its featured attractions:

Here’s how you can score discounted tickets to the metro’s top interactive museums with TicketWavePH

Take a bite of classic Kapampangan food at SilverSpoon QC

If you haven’t gotten your fill of food trips over the holiday break, the good news is that you won’t need to leave the metro to get a taste of the best of Filipino food.

SilverSpoon Kitchenette is launching its 2023 Travel Lokal Campaign which highlights dishes that represent regional culinary traditions every quarter of the year.

“SilverSpoon’s mission is to give a spoonful experience to our customers – part of which is to bring something new to the table,” shares owner Decie Montefrio. “That’s why we decided to immerse ourselves and travel to places to understand to understand the culture and tradition of our local dishes and to give homage to our own cuisines.”

From January 6 to April 5, 2023, Pinoy food lovers will be able to enjoy a well-curated selection of Kapampangan dishes.

Pampanga’s culinary heritage is heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine (by way of the Spanish friars and sailors who introduced their way of cooking to the locals during the Spanish occupation), while also sharing characteristics with Malay and Mexican cuisines. Kapampangan cooks also incorporated local produce into the resulting dishes, and pioneered in methods of pre-cooking (“sangkutsa”) and food preservation, earning for their region the moniker “culinary capital of Luzon.”

SilverSpoon’s limited edition menu is a product of extensive research by the SilverSpoon team, made by traveling to Pampanga collaborating with a local homecook who shared heritage recipes and provided insights into Kapampangan cuisine. This menu includes:

Pako Salad. Made with local vegetable pako (fiddlehead fern) tossed with tomatoes, onions and hard-boiled eggs in a honey citrus dressing.

Suam na Mais. Also known as sinabawang mais, this is a healthy and hearty soup made from white and yellow corn kernels.

Pork Sisig. The famous Kapampangan dish made with pig’s face (“maskara”), belly and chicken liver, seasoned with calamansi, onions and local chilis. Traditionally, this dish does not include the mayonnaise and pork cracklings (“chicharon”) that figure prominently in the version present in many Metro Manila restaurants.

Bringhe. Also known as biringhi, it is the local version of the Valencia paella, but uses local glutinous rice (“malagkit”) cooked in coconut milk (“gata”) and turmeric which gives the dish its distinct flavor and color. Giving more heft to the dish are the bits of chicken , chorizo and vegetables that are cooked along with the rice.

Palitaw. Popular local rice cake dessert made with glutinous rice that was washed, soaked and ground then shaped into flat discs and cooked in boiling water. The dish gets its name from the way that the palitaw floats to the surface to indicate that it’s done. It is then topped with grated mature coconut (“niyog”) and served with toasted sesame seeds, muscovado and washed sugar.

Leche Flan. The classic Filipino dessert made with fresh egg yolks, milk and topped with chocolate flakes.

Drinks. To complement the meal, SilverSpoon serves various beverage options which include hot and iced chocolate, as well as mocktails such as Blue Lagoon (citrusy drink made with blue curacao syrup) and Shirley Temple (made with ginger ale sweetened with grenadine and garnished with a maraschino cherry).

So if you feel like going back to our culinary roots and delving into our heritage cuisines, drop by SilverSpoon Kitchenette and take advantage of its Travel Lokal offerings.

Watch out for other local cuisines to be featured later in the year!

Note: SilverSpoon’s regular menu of sandwiches and rice meals is also available.

Silverspoon Kitchenette is located at 81 Scout Gandia Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in, takeout or delivery from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries, reservations or delivery orders, call +63 917 1603327. It also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Plus, here’s a special treat for your food trip!

Scan this code and present your boarding pass when you dine in at SilverSpoon to enjoy 10% off on your bill! (Applicable top dine-in transactions only)

For updates on its latest offers, follow Silverspoon on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting event held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to facilitate an honest review and were not paid for by the attendees.

Check out my previous posts about SilverSpoon:

Sumptuous snacking at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

3 reasons to treat your Valentine to a meal at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

‘Tis the start of the season for fam celebrations with Silverspoon

Olivia’s Touch: Skincare for a Touch of Confidence

I used to pride myself on being extremely low maintenance; in fact, I considered myself a koboy long before it became trendy.

I was not one to spend hours on a skincare routine, nor one who is constantly on the lookout for new skincare products to try.

Being koboy about skincare was a lot easier back in my teens and twenties when I still had the gift of youth to back me up by forgiving the sins I commit against my skin (oh, those times when I refused to wear sunblock!), as well as the sheer luck of escaping my adolescent years mostly unscathed by teenage acne.

However, as I near the more challenging period of my forties, I do realize that I owe it to myself to give nature a helping hand by taking better care of myself.

Self-care is becoming even more important as I age, so I’m glad that Olivia’s Touch makes this easy.

Olivia’s Touch is a line of beauty products which are locally made and produced using the finest ingredients. These are dermatologically tested to be perfect for all skin types and were manufactured in cruelty-free conditions to bring about the fuss-free yet luxurious kind of skincare that’s right for me.

These include:

Signature Minute-White Lotion 250 ml

Now I can welcome the brightest days with much brighter skin, thanks to Olivia’s Touch Signature Minute-White Lotion.

It is enriched with anti-aging and antioxidant ingredients – SPF60 Sun Protect to shield your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays; Arbutin that evens out your skin tone by lightening dark spots, acne marks and scars; Licorice Extract to reduce wrinkles and fine lines; and Niacinamide to reduce pores and treat hyperpigmentation.

After my morning shower and evening bath, I massage this lotion all over my body to enjoy its moisturizing and brightening effects for up 12 hours, giving my skin round-the-clock care.

Niacinamide Serum 20ml

The neglect I subjected my skin to back in my youth does haunt me from time to time in the form of breakouts, hyperpigmentation and (ack!) the beginnings of fine lines.

Olivia’s Touch Niacinamide Serum is formulated to counter these ill effects, thanks to its active ingredient Niacinamide which shields my skin from sun damage, encourages keratin growth to keep my skin firm and healthy and reduces oil production and pore size.

As part of my morning skincare routine, I massage this serum on my face and neck using my fingertips.

Sun Gel SPF 50 100ml

I have known for some time now that the sun, though vital to our survival and day-to-day life, does bring with it some harm in the form UV rays.

Olivia’s Touch Sun Gel SPF 50 helps shield my skin from the sun’s ill effects while minimizing pore blockage and other acne-causing substances. It is also infused with Aloe Vera Extract to keep my skin cool and moisturized, even when exposed to direct sunlight.

Before going out, I spread a small amount on my face and neck using my fingertips to afford me my much-needed sun protection. Reapplying every two hours is not a problem as it feels lightweight and is non-greasy.

Whipped Scrub 200ml

An integral part of any skincare routine is cleansing but how do I gently scrub away the day’s dirt and grime, as well as dead skin cells to reveal the radiant skin that I know (or hope!) is just waiting to come out?

Well, Olivia’s Touch Whipped Scrub is formulated exactly for this: it contains Dimethicone that softens and moisturizes; Carica Papaya Extract which has anti-aging and antioxidant properties; Aloe Vera Extract which soothes dry, damaged and sensitive skin; Arbutin to help with uneven skin tone; Niacinamide which protects skin from the harmful effects of sunlight, toxins and pollution; and Shea Butter to moisturize skin and also prevent aging.

During my evening bath, I gently massage this whipped scrub on my face and neck using circular motions, then leave it on for two minutes (fifteen to twenty minutes for the rest of my body) then rinse off and pat dry before proceeding to my moisturizing routine.

With these initial products, Olivia’s Touch has certainly equipped me with a simple and fuss-free skin care routine – in keeping with my koboy tendencies – but one that that’s all set to protect and maintain my skin so I face growing older with a healthy touch of confidence.

Want to include Olivia’s Touch beauty products into your skin care routine to help out your skin’s radiance? Simply shop at oliviastouch.com and enjoy 10% off your purchase when you use my code “IGINFRAJ10.”

Be sure to take good care of your Olivia’s Touch products so they can also take good care of you by storing them in a cool, clean and dry area, away from direct sunlight and heat.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.