Last Saturday, October 25, I went to the much-awaited British GREAT Ball held at the Peninsula Manila Hotel, a black-tie event that highlighted the Philippine-British Friendship Week this month.
It was organized by the British Embassy in Manila, along with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment, British Chamber of Commerce and the British Council, among others. It was also one of the most important events of the “This is GREAT Britain” campaign this year. The GREAT Ball, likewise, brought together British alumni and important personalities from business, the media and government sectors who have special ties with the UK.
Being one of those fascinated with British royals, I was quite ecstatic to be invited to the GREAT Ball, as I was interested in anything and everything that has to do with Great Britain. It was a fun-filled event, and I got to meet a lot of interesting people that night, including the very amiable British Ambassador Asif Ahmad.
The event was sponsored by Etihad, The Farm at San Benito, TM Lewin, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Dyson and media sponsors.
Also ongoing until November 26 is the British Embassy and its partners’ GREAT British Shopping Contest campaign.
British fashion lovers and fashionistas are invited to participate in this event and have the chance to win a trip to London via Etihad Airways, including a pocket money of £300 from HSBC.
Prizes include a P50,000 shopping spree at Marks & Spencer; three winners of Fitness First gym memberships; two winners each for P10,000 shopping vouchers from Debenhams; P10,000 of shopping vouchers from Lee Cooper; P9,000 of shopping vouchers from MINI Lifestyle Merchandise; P9,000 of shopping vouchers from Clarks; P9,000 of shopping vouchers from Burton; P9,000 of shopping vouchers from French Sole; P9,000 of shopping vouchers from Warehouse; P9,000 of shopping vouchers from Speedo; one winner of P7,500 of shopping vouchers from Mitre; P7,500 of shopping vouchers from Berghaus; P5,000 of shopping vouchers from ROOS; and four winners of Toni & Guy/Essensuals gift certificates worth P5,000 each.
Shoppers using their HSBC credit card double their chances of winning. The more one shops, of course, the more chances to win. Every P2,500 single receipt from the participating stores entitles the shopper to a raffle voucher. Participating brands are Berghaus, Burton, Clarks, Debenhams, Essensuals, French Sole, Lee Cooper, Marks & Spencer, MINI Lifestyle Products, Mitre, ROOS, Speedo, Toni & Guy, Warehouse and British brands housed in Toby’s. For more information, visit the British Embassy Manila Facebook page and Twitter account@ukinphilippines.