STEP INSIDE THE CIRCUIT WITH JOHNNIE WALKER

I practically grew up seeing Johnnie Walker almost every night on the dining table with my uncles and older cousins. I recall one of the moments that shaped my life today: One time, my favorite uncle and his son were having one of their nightly sessions. Curious as a cat, I sat with them and tried my luck to taste their favorite drink. I was thinking, they're having it every night, so I'm sure it tastes like milk too-- or better! Eager as a beaver and hopeful that milk won't be my signature bedtime drink any longer, I asked:

"Can I have a glass please?"

Then my favorite uncle let out a laugh and said:

"This is the taste of the good life. You have to earn it. And you're still a baby."

That was a handful of words for a 6 year old. So I just jumped off the chair and went up to my mom's room and watched my favorite cartoons on our Laser Disc system. I was trying to figure that moment what he meant while Mickey and Minnie was on T.V. And I concluded that he meant NO. But still, it couldn't only mean NO. Feeling tired from all that thinking and analyzing, I just turned off the T.V., crawled under the blankets, and dozed off.

17 years after, I have realized what he meant.

Work with passion, love unconditionally, be positive, and follow your heart, and you will be on your way to the good life. That's what he meant when he said what he said. Well, I am doing what he said so I could pretty much say that yes, my life is great! :)

I was honored to be invited to Step Inside The Circuit. SITC is an exclusive gathering courtesy of Johnnie Walker to celebrate and welcome the much- awaited F1 Grand Prix event which will be held in Singapore.

I just had to go to this event because my life has transpired greatly since that Johnnie Walker evening with my uncle. And Step Inside The Circuit is one of the "Tastes of the Good Life."

Starting October, the Step Inside the Circuit party series transpires on selected dates at Opus Restaurant and Lounge in Resorts World Manila and other premier bars in Metro Manila and Cebu which will be transformed into a world of luxury and sophistication that brings to life the passion and lifestyle of Johnnie Walker and Formula One World Champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Access to these exclusive parties as well as many other exhilarating treats will be made available only to those following Step Inside the Circuit on their favorite social networking sites – through Johnnie Walker Philippines on Facebook and Johnnie Walker PH on Twitter and YouTube.

It was a fun night of chats, games, whiskey, and MORE WHISKEY! The selected guests went home tipsy (LOL), with Johnnie Walker loots, and prizes. The grandest prize were two tickets to the F1 Grand Prix. Complete with accommodation and access to the most sought- after night parties in the hippest clubs in Singapore, plus a chance to meet the F1 champions, hunks Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Guests were also asked to play games by Johnnie Walker on iPad 2s for a chance to win a shot of one of JW's exquisite whiskey concoctions and a prize from F1 and Johnnie Walker! I was near the gold but missed the final question! Dang! :p

Photo courtesy of Eon

Diageo Philippines General Manager Arif Esenc and Opus bar owne Eric Cua posing with the Johnnie Walker ladies.

Photo Courtesy of Eon

Host of the night Marc Nelson with the Johnnie Walker ladies. :D

Photo Courtesy of Eon

These guys from Men's Health and Lifestyle Asia won the two tickets to the F1 Grand Prix in Singapore. Talk about BEING LUCKY! :P

Before going home and wasting away in front of my laptop and Microsoft Word, here's a pic with my dear blogger friends! :D

And as of this writing, I am enjoying a glass of Johnnie Walker Black Label with chocolates (as per Phoebe). You're right dear, it tastes mighty fine when paired with chocolates!

"Keep Walking", as the great Johnnie Walker has said. I shall always keep that in mind and will figure again what he meant.