PH003 : 18th Anniversary (Magandang Araw)

In line with the celebration of its 18th Anniversary here in the Philippines, Starbucks released a limited edition card design named Magandang Araw.  Magandang Araw means Good Day.  The card features the word Magandang Araw in different (regional) dialects.  Likewise, the card also comes with beautiful card sleeve design.

This card was collected on the very release date, December 4, 2015, in Starbucks-Waltermart, Makati City.

IT_015 : Celebration 2014

It feels wonderful when friends remember to bring something home for you from their trips.  But it feels much much better when the thing they brought home is something that you really like and you thought they are not aware of...

This was my pasalubong from Rex, an office mate and dear friend, who went to USA last October-November 2015 for official trip. (I  didn't thought he knew about my SB card collection!)

Pinas Anniversary

As Starbucks celebrated its 18th Anniversary here in the Philippines last December 4, 2015, it released a new card design.  Likewise, drinks came with cute circular tag featuring "Maraming Salamat", which Filipino means thank you.

IT_034 : Red Cup 2015

I am truly grateful to friends who find time for my kapritso hehehe...

This card named Red Cup 2015 was collected by my office buddy, Katrina or Katz, who went to Hong Kong, China last November 2015 for family outing.

Red Planner

Exactly 10 days after I started collecting stickers, I completed my sticker card and claimed my red daily planner. Bring it on 2016!

just one more!

This was collected from Starbucks- Waltermart, Makati City on November 12, 2015.

my planner came with complimentary macchiato (for completing onlime survey)

PI_017 : Christmas Tree 2015

Another Christmas Season design - Christmas Tree 2015.

This was collected from Starbucks - 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati CIty on November 4, 2015.

PI_016 : Snowman 2015

Together with the comeback of the red cups, Starbucks also released their Christmas Season designs for 2015.  This is one of the 2015 Christmas Season designs released here in the Philippines - Snowman 2015.

The cards also come with awesome sleeve design.

This was collected from Starbucks - Waltermart, Makati City on November 3, 2015.

Red Cup Season

The red cups are back!  This means that the Christmas season has come. And for Starbucks tambays, this marks the start of collecting stickers for planner.

IT_014 : Blue Sheep

This card named Blue Sheep is South Korea's design for the 2015 Year of the Sheep.  I got two of this kind from @sbux_jojo on instagram at US$9 each.

IT_033 : 2015 Year of the Sheep

This is one of the cards I purchased from @sbux_jojo of instagram.  It is designed for the 2015 Year of Sheep in China.  It is a mini card and comes with stuff toy.  I got it for US$14, including the toy.

Sheep Day, it was!

Finally! My package from Malaysia has arrived.  It had been more than a month since it was sent from Malaysia and we were already anxious that it might have been lost somewhere. So, it was really a good surprise (and relief!) when I saw the notice from PhilPost on my table upon return from fieldwork.

It was my first time to purchase SB cards via Instagram, from @sbux_jojo in particular, and I guess aside from the waiting time - I mean the time it took the package in transit, it was okay. Masyado lang akong binitin kakaantay! Anyway, I don't blame the sender for the hassle but I think it's the postal service here in the Philippine which caused the delay.  Based on the online tracking, it already arrived here in Manila on October 1, 2015 and I just got the notice on October 28 - naman dba!

Anyway, these are the cards I received from @sbux_jojo . The mini card from China goes with a mini stuff toy.  What's special with these cards that made me do the transaction? They have 'Year of the Sheep' designs and I was born on a 'Year of the Sheep' (now, you can guess how young I am hehehe) - related!

For card collectors, try visiting @sbux_jojo on instagram for cards on sale.  

JP002 : Tokyo

This is such a wonderful surprise! I knew my friend Leah, whom I asked to buy SB cards for me from Seoul, went to Japan last April 2015 for holiday trip with my godddaughter Aya.  However, I forgot to ask her to collect Japan SB card for me. So I was really surprised when she handed me over this card from Tokyo, Japan.  She remembered buying one for me! <love, love, love>

SK002 : Bongsan Talchum

This is the second of the two cards bought by Leah, a friend from college, during her trip to Seoul, South Korea last March 2014.  It features a traditional Korean masked dance drama originated from Bongsan Region.  Hence, it is named Bongsan Talchum.

SK001 : Dancheong

Finally! After more than a year, I got hold of the cards bought by Leah, dearest college friend, on her trip to Seoul, South Korea with my goddaughter Aya last March 2014.

This card named Dancheong, a traditional Korean decorative coloring , is one of the two cards she got for me.

PI_015 : Coffee Company

In honor of the pioneer store in Pike Place Market which at present, has branched out to many places around the world, Starbucks Philippines launched a new card named Coffee Company last September 15, 2015 (yesterday).  What I like most in this card is the minimal design - it's too elegant!!!

I got mine from Starbucks store at 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Isn't it Amazing?

Last night, Ann and I visited Starbucks at 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati City to collect the newly released card and at the same to try this new drinks with the teaser - "a different kind of amazing".

Iced Dou Cocoa Mocha.

Duo cocoa sauce is combined with velvety steamed milk and our roasty signature espresso to create a smooth and well-balanced beverage. It is then topped with chocolate whipped cream, mocha drizzle, and cocoa nibs sprinkles. (source: http://www.starbucks.ph/promo/featured-beverages )

Personally, it tastes like one of my favorite childhood chocolate drinks. Gusto ko s'ya! :)

IT_013 : Thank You 2010

This is such a wonderful surprise I received from Nanthiya of Bangkok, Thailand with whom I exchange cards last August 2015.  This card is not included in the four cards which I traded with her in exchange of 3 Pilipinas 2nd edition and 1 Thank You 2015 cards from here in Manila. The card features the word "thank you" in different languages and released in 2010. I guess, I am more grateful with this one - khob-kun-Ka!

IT_012 : Easter 2014

My first Easter card!  Thanks to Nanthiya of Bangkok, Thailand who willing exchange cards with me and sent me this card along with four others last August 2015.

CA001 : Canada 2012

Along with four other cards, this card was received from Nanthiya of Bangkok, Thailand who traded cards with me some weeks ago.  This card named Canada 2012 was released in Canada in 2012 (obviously, hehehe) and features maple leaves - just in time for Fall Season which is about to begin at the said place. (I hope I am right!)

TH002 : Thai Girl or Temple of Emerald Buddha

Exclusively released in Thailand, I finally got two of this Starbucks card.  Thanks to Nanthiya who had been wonderful and agreed to trade with me. She lived in Bangkok, Thailand and sent me this card along with four others.  The design of this card features a Thai girl with sketches of the Temple of Emerald Buddha at the backdrop.  There is also something written in Abugida on the card which I can't read. Just a wild guess - it may read as Starbucks or Thailand. :-)

The beauty in trading...

Last September 3, 2015, I received one big surprise.  It's not that I was not expecting it but it came earlier than I thought - a mail from Thailand.  

I started collecting Starbucks card in 2013 and since then, I keep myself updated with the cards that will be released here in the Philippines and those which are exclusively released abroad.  I even bothered some friends/acquaintances going on trip abroad, some relatives coming home from other countries and even friends of my officemates to get Starbucks cards for me.  But never had I been into trading until recently.


Yes, it was my first trading experience and it was indeed a very good one. In exchange of 3 Pilipinas 2nd edition and one Thank you 2015 cards, most recent release here in the Philipines, Nanthiya gave me 2 Thai Girl, Canada 2012 and Easter 2014 cards.  Plus a bonus, she also gave Thank You 2010 card and stickers!!! Isn't she so sweet? :-) I love all the cards and stickers from her!! She really made my trading experience wonderful! I am very grateful to her and looking forward for another trade!




 By the way, Nanthiya is from Thailand and owner of the Instagram account @idreamz .  Try to visit her gallery for wonderful feed and some Starbucks cards available for trade.  She will definitely give you favorable offers. :)

PI_014 : Thank You 2015

Completing my collection of the newly released SB card here in the Philippines is this one named Thank You (2015) card.  As the name suggests it features the words "thank you" in different languages and scripts.

This was collected from Starbucks store at Sun Suites and Pacific Suites along Dapitan St., Sampaloc, Manila last August 16, 2015.

Moreover, Starbucks also has two new designs of card sleeve, the one below and the other one matches with the Pilipinas card.

PI_012 : Front Door

Inspired by the Starbucks Planner - "Go one step further, branch out", I tried visiting one store which I had never been to.  Last August 1, 2015, after our Antipolo Church visit, we dropped by Starbucks Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.  Since it was my first time to visit this store, (syempre) I got one souvenir - one of the newly released SB card, Front Door.

PI_013 : Coffee House Favorite

This is one of the four cards recently released by Starbucks - the Coffee House Favorite.  This was collected from Starbucks Greenbelt 3, Makati City last August 4, 2015.

IT_010 : Black Siren

Among the cards bought by my officemate, Marie, from her vacation in Seoul, South Korea last July-August 2015, this is my favorite - the Black Siren.  The design is very "Starbucks"!

IT_011 : Coffee and Tea Mug

One of three cards bought by my officemate, Marie, who went on a vacation in Seoul, South Korea last July-August 2015.  This card could not be found here in Manila stores!

Honeycomb Crunch

There's a new craze in Starbucks right now!  The Honeycomb Crunch Frappuccino drinks. 

Honeycomb Crunch Mocha Frappuccino

On that same date when both these drinks and the Pilipinas 2nd Edition card were released, me and Ann dropped by Starbucks 6750 to experience the drinks and to collect the card. ^_^

I tried the Mocha version and it was almost like the mocha frappuccino aside from the honeycomb bits which adds sweetness when you crushed one.

Then we also tried the Grilled Lamb Kofta Wrap - grilled lamb meat balls with potato and garlic sauce wrapped in soft tortilla. Parang Kebab :-)

Orange Honeycomb Crunch Cream Frappuccino

Last Sunday, I was able to go out early and so before heading home, I dropped by Starbucks along Dapitan Street and tried the other variant of the honeycomb crunch drinks.  Lakas ng lasa ng orange juice! It was a good starter for the week :-)

SB South Korean Cards

These three were bought by Marie, an officemate, who went to Seoul, South Korea in July-August 2015 for personal vacation.

PH002 : Pilipinas 2nd edition

Starbucks Philippines released its second edition of Pilipinas SB card last July 28, 2015.  Of course, I got mine on that same date at Starbucks 6750.

Pilipinas 2nd edition card features patterns that speak of the festivities celebrated in the country.  To name a few of these festivities that goes into my mind when I first saw the design are Ati-Atihan (Aklan), Dinagyang (Ilo-ilo) and Sinulog (Cebu).  The tagline - "Inspired by Culture" - really suits the design.

HK001 : 15th Anniversary (HK version)

I am really hooked with the card hunting thing that I bother even friends of my friends to buy cards for me.

This July 2015, when I heard about Rodney and Joe's friends coming home from Hong Kong, I instantly asked them to ask their friends to look for the 15th year anniversary design released exclusively in Hong Kong last June 2015.  And luckily, they found one after visiting several stores (parang sa case lang ni Mam Angel when she went to Japan at Raymon when he went to Kuala Lumpur).  I am truly grateful for their patience and generosity in taking home this card for me!!!!

This card is really worth of the effort and the money (expensive sya compared with the usually card which comes in HK$50 as initial load!!)! For one reason, the "15th" and "Hong Kong" are incorporated in the design - which makes the "exclusive"-ness of the card.  And another is the sleeve - it resembles a paper cup! I really love the packaging of this card!

The Siren with Two Tails

the awesome Siren with two tails

One of the things I love most in coffee shops are their interior designs - they bring a very "homey" feeling. Masarap tumambay!  Among all Starbucks I had been to, the one in 6750 Ayala Avenue is my favorite.  I so love the interior of the place.  My favorite spot is the circular post with lot of photos.  And I am also awed with the huge painting of the siren with two tails.

for me, this is the best spot in the store

Just a simple trivia about the 6750 Ayala Avenue Starbucks store:  it is the first Starbucks store put up here in the Philippines.

me with Ann        just to give a picture of the painting's scale

SB Thai Cards

Not just one - but three!

These three were bought by Arlene, my niece residing in HuaHin, and brought home by my cousin-in-law, Manang Belen, when they visited Thailand in April 2015.

IT_008 : Beach

I already got the mini card version of the 'Beach' from here while this one was collected from Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand by my niece, Arlene last April 2015.  Happiness! <3

PI_011 : Celebration 2014

This card was collected last May 2, 2015 at Starbucks - Victoria Park in Antipolo, Rizal and called Celebration 2014.  I guess, the name suits the experience I had during that time.  It was indeed time for celebration because of 2 things:  my first time to visit the Antipolo National Shrine with colleagues and at the same time friends - Banny, Ann, Janet and Mam Lea of CEM - Davao, and we were able to kiss the authentic Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, which was brought from Acapulco, Mexico.

First Saturday of May

Unlike the first Saturday of previous months, some friends joined me in visiting the National Shrine of Antipolo this May 2015.  And since we were a bit early for the 9 o'clock mass, we spent some bonding time at Starbucks - Victoria - just in front of the church.

The Drinks

It's summer and Starbucks has new drinks to offer.  I already tried the Summer Berry Panna Cotta some week ago so I had the other variant - Dark Mocha Panna Cotta.  It was very refreshing and the taste was like the famous Filipino street food - Taho! (di ba nasabi ko na ito?) Anyway, it was so bagay sa umagang mainit!

The Sandwich

We also tried their new featured food: Jalapeno Cheese Turnover.  I love it! I love how the cheese and slight taste of jalapeno combined!