MANILA, Philippines - “Happy trip!” takes on a sweeter meaning for 31-year-old Rufino Javello Metro, a driver from Rosales, Pangasinan, as he takes a four-hour trip to Manila to stake his claim on the ultimate vacation of a lifetime. Hershey’s recently hailed Metro as the grand prizewinner of the Trip to Happiness Promo, a text-based raffle featuring specially marked Hershey’s products. He has won the grand prize: a trip with a loved one to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, US for an unforgettable chocolate-loaded adventure at the Sweetest Place on Earth.
“We are truly delighted to have a winner from Pangasinan because it is testament to how far Hershey’s happiness reaches chocolate lovers across the country. We congratulate Mr. Metro and his family for this amazing opportunity,” said Jerry Santiago, Hershey’s Philippines president and regional general manager.
Metro and his loved one will experience Hersheypark, a massive theme park that boasts over 60 rides including 11 exhilarating first-rate roller coasters, five “wet and wild” water rides and over 20 kiddie rides. There are live musical performances and parades to charm kids and kids at heart. There is also the brand-new attraction called The Boardwalk, a $21 million addition that offers five interactive water attractions, including the East Coast Waterworks, the largest water-play structure in the world.
Hershey’s also gave away 60 Hershey’s Chocophones and 1,200 prepaid cell phone e-loads worth P500 each during the course of the Trip to Happiness Promo.
Hershey’s is the kind of happiness best shared with loved ones and that’s true of Mr. Metro. In an interview, he disclosed that it was his wife who bought the winning entry, a giant Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar in SM Pangasinan. He says it has always been their habit as a couple to treat their family to a giant Hershey bar on his payday. On regular days, he buys small packs of Hershey’s Kisses from the local convenience store for his wife and kids. Little did he know that a Hershey’s pasalubong would be their ticket to happiness.
At the awarding ceremony, Mr. Metro, together with his three-year-old son Rain, humbly expressed their gratitude. “Maraming salamat po sa Hershey’s sa pagkakataong ito. Napaligaya po kaming buong pamilya (Thank you very much to Hershey’s for this wonderful opportunity. They have made our family very happy).”
The Trip to Happiness Promo is just one of the many ways Hershey’s delights Filipinos. Be on the lookout for more surprises as Hershey’s continues to spread happiness.