The Nestlé Center: Venue for the new Nestlè Sorbetes campaign launch
I received a letter dated January 4, 2012 from the Nestlè Club inviting me to a “by invitation only” gathering exclusively for Nestlè Club members only. It was a get-together organized by Nestle Philippines for us to witness the launching of their “Sorbetes’ Bongga Ka Nay”.
At first, I was reasonably hesitant to attend afraid it may turn out to be an “all moms” event. I knew there was more than a grain of truth when the letter assured a “morning of fun activities, getting-to-know-you, and…good food.” But what eventually firmed up my decision to be there was the letter’s promise to give all attendees a copy of Nestlé’s centennial cookbook entitled “100 Years of Cooking with Nestlé.” Now that’s a once in a lifetime offer I simply could not refuse.
So off to the Rockwell Center I went that morning of the 11th of this month. Arriving much earlier than the official time (9am) for the gathering to start, I took some pictures of the surroundings outside of what turned out to be the corporate office of Nestlé here in the country.
I didn’t get to take many shots as a security guard told me I wasn’t allowed to take pictures. Why exactly is still a mystery to me. At any rate, I told the guard that I was in fact an attendee to a Nestle gathering and I just decided to come inside the building and wait for it to begin.
Nestlé products display
Photo booth backdrop
The Julius Maggi Kitchen, otherwise called “JMK”
The venue for the gathering was fortunately just on the ground floor, a place named Julius Maggi Kitchen or what Nestlé employees otherwise refer to as simply the “JMK”.
I later found out that the kitchen was named after the Swiss entrepreneur and inventor of the world renowned ready to eat soups and seasoning that Nestlé proudly continues to sell around the globe.
The JMK staff goes to work
Welcome Nestlé Club members!
“Monay” bread
“Adjuncts” for the “suman, mangga at sorbets trio” recipe….
…and ingredients for the “monay ice cream”
Closer view of the kitchen
Event host Laila “Chikadora” jumpstarts the event
The program was formally started by event host DJ Laila known to others as Laila Chikadora. Born Jessica Asis, DJ Laila who recently worked for ABS-CBN is currently a radio dick jockey of 92.3 News FM and an entertainment reporter of News5.
Initially annoyed and embarrassed by some of her tactless jokes, she was able to ad lib herself through the event amidst a number of miscues and lapses along the program.
Nestlé members go through a “getting to know each other portion”
As an ice breaker, participants were asked what favorite ice cream flavors each liked. I think I mentioned several like ube and cheese but I distinctly remember including blueberry as one of them.
Speaking of ube and cheese – the ice breaker was followed by an energizer called “Ube, Queso, Double Dutch game”. Each flavor corresponded to a boy movement which we had to all do (or else!). That game led to a lot of bodies gyrating and maybe some arthritic recurrences.
Freeze frame for a “Filipino reunion scene”
The following game was a group effort. Everyone in their respective tables were formed into teams which gave us the opportunity to know more about each other.
It was a “charade” game where the theme items were all about Filipino gatherings like re-enacting a “Santacruzan” procession, a fiesta scene (where I had to lie down as a lechon or roasted pig) and the typical Filipino family reunion.
Nestlé Sorbetes Brand Manager Angel Maquiling makes a product presentation 
Filipinos love sorbetes (ice cream)!With this natural love of our kababayan for ice cream in mind, Nestlé came out with its Sorbetes Ice Cream. It was nationalistic; had mass appeal and was the fist of its kind in the Philippine ice cream market!
Traditional flavors were first introduced: Queso, Tsoko Peanut and Ube.
Similar to traditional sorbetes, Nestlé’s Sorbetes has a different milky consistency compared to regular ice cream. After eating this product, it doesn’t leave a heavy feeling on the stomach though creamier than the typical sherbet or sorbet.
Nestlé Sorbetes products through the years
Since 2009, Nestlé has embarked on a continuous innovation and research effort to enliven consumers with additional flavors and product concepts. In 2010, with the help of local comedienne Pokwang as product endorser, Nestlé introduced the Sorbetes 3 in 1 (3 flavors in 1 container) while adding three new exciting flavors – Cookies and Cream, Double Dutch and Rocky Road the following year.
(More of my Nestlé Sorbetes experience at the second part of this blog post!)
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