Make the most of this weekend by rewarding yourself or bonding with your family and friends. Here are some great ideas to make your much-deserved time off well spent.

Stop and smell the flowers at Havaianas' Paark

Nope, that was not a typographical error. Early this month, Havaianas Philippines mounted a gigantic installation in the middle of the busy Bonifacio High Street in Taguig in line with the brand's global #BreakTheRush campaign, and they called it Paark (a play on the words "paa" + "park"). The design incorporates a bright yellow Havaianas flip-flop with lush greenery shaped like a foot. It commands attention, but what's even better is that you can actually enter this installation—and there's no purchase required for you to do so! Inside are several areas where people are free to take their photographs, take a break, and instantly get transported to this summery space.

In an interview with Havaianas Philippines co-founder and president Anne Arcenas-Gonzalez, she told Metro.Style, “When the idea of #BreakTheRush came in, it stems from this notion that you can’t run in Havaianas... The mindset now is fast-paced—rush, rush, rush... The idea is, when you put on a pair of Havaianas, instantly, your mind goes to a place that’s calmer, very relaxed, laid-back, vacay vibe.”

Instead of holding the iconic Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) event, Havaianas Philippines went with the Paark concept (fun fact: the structure was built in a basketball court off-site, then two weeks before launching it, it was moved to its current location piece by piece, like "a garden growing in the middle of the city," as Anne put it). Anne explained, “What really surprises people is they think it's just an installation, not realizing that you can get inside. There are different activities inside. Like, what does "break the rush" mean to you? It could be sitting on a hammock imagining yourself in the beaches of Copacabana or anywhere else in the world. It could be about walking on the grass and being amongst trees, or it can be a little more active like you could be having fun playing old games like tumbang-preso or football which is such a big sport in Brazil."

You can still check out Havaianas' Paark at the Activity Center in Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig until March 16, 10 PM.

Photo from @havaianas.philippines

Spend a weekend of fun and exploration at Mind Museum's "After Hours"

The Mind Museum is turning 13! Since it opened in March 2012, science has come alive as the museum welcomed curious minds, young and young at heart, from all walks of life to a fun learning journey exploring our hands-on exhibits and programs.

To mark this milestone, a weekend of curiosity-driven experiences will happen on March 14-16, 2025. With the theme “After Hours,” this celebration promises a unique blend of science, fun social engagement, and discovery, including a special Pi Day celebration, an extended museum experience, and interactive birthday games, all happening at night. 

The Mind Museum is extending its hours for one night! Experience a nighttime exploration at the museum from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for "After Hours: Academia" on March 15, with special birthday games inside the 5 Galleries, priced at regular museum rates.

The "After Hours: Birthday Bash" is happening on March 16. Bond with your whole family and access The Mind Museum’s over 250 interactive exhibits, catch planetarium shows and nature films, and witness special science demonstrations by our resident scientists. Join  Mind Movers on a guided tour of the night sky to learn about the connection between the cycles of the cosmos and cycles of human lives in one of our educational programs, Cosmic Chat.

As part of the celebration, Mind Museum is offering an exclusive birthday admission promo—get 4 AllDay Passes for only P2,200! This limited-time offer is available for purchase from March 7 to March 30, 2025, and valid for visits until June 1, 2025. Get your tickets at www.themindmuseum.org/buy-tickets or at the onsite Ticket Booth. Don’t miss out on this birthday treat!

Trade, donate, and upgrade your luggage at The Travel Club

Give your old luggage a second life while upgrading for your next travel! Trade in your usable luggage or bag, donate it, and enjoy up to 40% OFF on a fresh new travel companion.

Little mindful efforts like this really allow us to travel smart while giving back and making every journey count!

In partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), a government agency under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the preloved luggage that the customers will trade-in in exchange for up to 40% off discount on featured items will be donated for the benefit of first-time overseas Filipino workers who will need reliable travel gear as they embark on their journey of working abroad.

Visit The Travel Club at SM Mall of Asia, Eastwood Mall, or Estancia Mall until March 16, to donate and upgrade for a cause.

Go on a food trip—we recommend checking out Eat Pizza's new branch!

After the success of its first location in SM North Edsa, Eat Pizza, the popular South Korean pizza chain, has now opened its second branch in the Philippines at SM Mall of Asia.

This expansion marks the brand’s commitment to bringing its unique, Korean-inspired pizzas to even more Filipinos. And with more stores planned for this year, Eat Pizza is set to become a favorite destination for pizza lovers all over the country!

Scott Tan (Managing Director of Scottland Food Group Corporation, the team that brought Eat Pizza to the Philippines) said they discovered Eat Pizza during one of their trips in South Korea, where it has more than 100 branches, and they liked its concept. He said, "The Koreans, they invented a new way of eating pizza, mainly starting due to the pandemic because sharing during those times was a no-no. So, this company, they've always been in the pizza industry and they developed a new Korean pizza, and it caught on. Even post-pandemic, especially the new generations right now, they're very personalized; they want it their own way. So, this is a perfect example of pizza for everyone—my style, the type of pizza I want, but we can still eat as a group." 

Eat Pizza is popular for its perfectly-sized 10-inch rectangular pizza called a slide, which is just the right size for an individual meal. This innovative approach eliminates the need to compromise on ordering their preferred flavor, making it ideal for solo dining or group bonding with individual flavor choices.

The new Eat Pizza branch at SM Mall of Asia will offer 10 exciting pizza flavors, from classic options like Aloha, Pepperoni, and Classic Cheese, to Korean-inspired varieties that are sure to excite adventurous taste buds. Meat lovers can indulge in Bulgogi, Hot & Spicy Bulgogi, Samgyeopsal, or Korean sausage, while those with a sweet tooth can enjoy flavors like Sweet Milk, Sweet Corn, and Sweet Potato.

For a complete Korean experience, Eat Pizza also offers five baked sides, including the popular Tteokbokki with Cheese, Sweet and Spicy Corn Cheese, and Sweet Potato Corn Cheese. Traditional favorites like Spaghetti and Carbonara are also available for those who crave comfort food with a twist.

Eat Pizza’s second branch is now open at SM Mall of Asia.

Start shopping for summer essentials—a new pair of sunglasses is a good start!

No doubt, one of the best places to check out in the metro if you want a new pair of sunglasses is Vision Express. The leading premium optical retailer in the Philippines is home to luxury eyewear labels like Ray-Ban, Celine, Loewe, Prada, Gucci, Cartier, Bvlgari, Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Dior, and Vision Express exclusive Tony Morgan London, paired with the World's Best Lens Innovation from Shamir, Tokai, and Opulens—customized based on not just your face shape, but also tailored to your every day, work, or play lifestyle.

Early this year, Vision Express opened a store at the new GH Mall in San Juan City. This new branch offers leading brands such as Dior, Cartier, Bvlgari, Celine, Fendi, Prada, Tom Ford, and Ray-Ban. What's even better is that it also houses four iconic luxury eyewear brands that just joined its product portfolio in January: Tag Heuer, Miu Miu, Off-White, and Palm Angels. 

By introducing these sought-after brands to the Philippines, Vision Express remains committed to keeping Filipinos at the forefront of global eyewear trends, offering a touch of luxury for every discerning shopper.

“Each of these brands brings a unique perspective to eyewear and here at Vision Express, we are proud to offer such a diverse range of styles to our customers. The arrival of these brands continues to solidify our commitment to providing an unparalleled customer experience,” says Vision Express Managing Director Neelam Gopwani.