How BEMANI gamers in the Philippines cope up with the pandemic

Almost a year since the Community Quarantine took place in the Philippines due to COVID-19 virus. Entertainment and Recreation establishments are still closed in most places especially in Metro Manila. How arcade goers cope up with pandemic? They bring the game at home, as simple as that! The first BEMANI game that ported to household consumers was first beatmania game in 1997. Since then, it evolved and ported to different consoles, created PC Simulators until KONAMI released an official PC and cloud game service, and mobile app game for Android and iOS. 

I have some friends who play their favorite arcade games thru simulator or console, so I asked my friends to share their game setup or current gameplay at home.

First, a friend from McYongers ordered a customized DDR setup at home thru local DDR pad maker (NUSHATV). He regularly shares his DDR gameplay in his Instagram and Facebook account. Aside from DDR, he has a Yamaha DTXplorer drum kit for drummania simulator. 

credit: McYongers

Also my friend from A Tokyo in Manila shares his way in coping up with the pandemic by playing his beatmania DJ STATION PRO in his PlayStation 2 console. He also have a pop'n music Arcade Style Controller which he loves to play! 

credit: A Tokyo in Manila

My friend with the initials GCOG took a photo of his beatmaniaIIDX controller (from DJDAO) during his downtime at home. He is currently working from home, so after struggle, he can instantly replace his WFH PC keyboard into a IIDX controller! By the way, he recently bought a DDR pad to his arsenal.

credit: GCOG

As for myself, I have different kinds of BEMANI controllers at home, I livestream my gameplay in Facebook page, but recently, I am digging in to pop'n music from PS2. The current pop'n music arcade cabinet (Fantasia?) we have is somewhere in Mindanao(I think?). 

pop'n music 11 with pop'n music ASC

The advantage of playing games at the comforts of your home is, you are safe while you enjoy the game, kills boredom, and cheap of course! 

Currently, only a handful of Game Centers are open nationwide, mostly from areas with lighter restrictions and some from Metro Manila with a green light from the City Government. As vaccination roll out is taking place around the world, I really hope that this pandemic ends soon. As everyone is really wanting to return to pre-pandemic lifestyle, with no mask and shields to wear, no curfews to consider, and go places without limitations.  

Checking out the MOS Burger restaurant!

 Yesterday, I went to SM Megamall to buy a pants at Uniqlo. It was past 3PM when I stumbled a MOS Burger branch. I have tried their burgers before but this is my first time to visit their restaurant. Where they cater burgers in a healthy way. By the way, MOS means Mountain, Ocean, and Sun. They started operation last year before Community Quarantine took in effect.

Welcome to MOS Burger!

I ordered the Family pack of MOS Cheeseburger, usually my mother orders the Yakiniku Burger Family Pack. While I am waiting for my take home order, I noticed that their are a few customers in line and dining in, it seems that Filipinos are really into Jollibee. Pricing might also be the reason, as one burger starts at 200PhP. Or Filipinos might think that MOS burger is fancy restaurant. This is like the Jollibee of Japan trying to snag a market share in the Philippines. 

MOS Burger's menu in display

The ambiance of MOS Burger here in the Philippines is different from ones in Japan, the restaurant here is like a cafe shop that you can chill and chat with your family or friends and well-lighted, while in Japan is usual come-and-go setting. No wonder that most restaurants in fast food in Japan are small and sometimes cramped spaces. 

Dining area

MOS Burger merchandise

Right now, MOS Burger has 2 restaurants open, Robinsons Galleria and Megamall, soon in Glorietta. I think in order gain more customers here they should advertise their products and review price (I think?). For me, the pricing is fair to me because goodness doesn't come cheap.  Because competing where flying bee's home base, will be difficult.

MUJI's Largest store in the Philippines!

 Last March 5, 2021, MUJI Philippines opens its largest store in the country. Located at the East Wing of Shangri-la Mall in Mandaluyong City. The Shangri-la branch had to close down last year as they prepare for the expansion.

MUJI adverts inside EDSA Shangri-la Mall

The opening of the expanded MUJI store is heavily advertised in various social media. Giving away freebies of its opening day to the public (A VIP selling was held a day early). Rushing to the store after work. As I came near to the store, the store was truly expanded, expands almost half of the 4th floor of the East wing and the more spacious unlike before that aisles are very narrow. Placement and display are now similar to the MUJI Ginza store. Customers with 2,500PhP on their bill will receive MUJI tote bag with goodies inside. Also for a limited slots (March 5), for every purchase of any products will give you a complementary 200PhP Gift certificate valid for one year. 

Facade of the store

The largest MUJI not only caters their staple products, they finally added some services that MUJI Japan is currently offers such as MUJI Labo, Open MUJI, and MUJI free water refill station (free, if you bought a MUJI Water bottle). They also added MUJI Advisors where they have an Interior Designer ready to assist.

With all the added services, hoping that they will start offering food products and to add more electronic products. As for electronic products, are limited to digital clocks, light sensors, and USB fans. Another thing, I know that they are regularly reviewing their pricing, let's hope that more products will be almost the same pricing as in Japan. And Lastly, more branches will open, I know the pandemic, stops most establishments to expand, but at least they would open outside of Manila. 

Shopping galore!!

Water refilling station