Nestea nation: Hawaii

With the scorching heat of the sun, there is no doubt that summer has begun. It is time to hit the beach, go swimming, enjoy the piña coladas and get a sexy tan. I don’t know why, but there’s definitely a Bob Marley vibe to summer where reggae rules the sea and sand.

There is just no better way to spend summer with your friends than at the biggest summer event of 2007, where the Nestea Beach Volley 11 will unfold on the sand court of La Salle Greenhills this March.

"We are very thrilled to bring yet another series of heart-stopping beach volley events in this year’s Nestea Beach, which will feature more competitive matches and bigger prizes," says Tina Samaco, Nestlé AVP and Nestea consumer marketing manager. "We have very competitive teams raring to prove themselves worthy of the title so we are confident that everyone can really enjoy all the exciting games and activities we have planned this year."

Elimination rounds begin on Mar. 21 to 22 for the Luzon teams, Mar. 27 to 28 for the Visayas teams and Mar. 29 to 30 for the Mindanao teams. Winners earn the right to compete in the semifinal and championship rounds in Boracay from Apr. 19 to 21. The great thing is that all the games are sanctioned by the Federation Internatioinale de Volleyball (FIVB).

The focus of Nestea Beach Volley is three key words — destination, mission and action.

For destination, Nestea is giving loyal drinkers a chance to win a free trip to Hawaii with $3,000 in pocket money. There are also three free trips to Boracay for two whenever someone orders Nestea at participating outlets in the ongoing Nestea Beach: Destination Hawaii, USA promo.

For mission, every text entry sent is contributed to the Nestea Beach: Love the Beach Fun. Samaco explains, "That’s where the mission part comes in. Nestea has had the privilege of holding its events at our spectacular beaches and we want to give something back to the beaches. Starting this year, Nestea will be on a mission to make sure that our country’s beaches are preserved and kept clean, that is why we tied up with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to pledge our support for their coastal rehabilitation program."

Action is such a big part of this event that features more competitive beach volley matches from stronger teams with bigger cash prizes for the winners. There are 48 teams from 33 colleges and universities nationwide who will compete. Aside from beach volleyball, there will also be parties in Boracay and a concert by Parokya ni Edgar.

This year’s Nestea Beach will have mall tours in Robinsons Place, Manila on Feb. 25, Festival Mall on Mar. 2 to 4 and Robinsons Iloilo on Apr. 15. Expect beach fun activities like poi sessions, hair braiding and henna tattoos. There will be beach clean-up activities scheduled on Mar. 10 at Puerto Galera and Boracay on April. 22.

Samaco concludes, "We just want to make everyone experience how beautiful our beaches are and to spread the word that we have to take care of our beaches because we have to give back something to Mother Nature."

So, if you are going on a summer holiday, you have no reason not to love the beach.

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Nestea Beach 2007 is sponsored by Speedo, Mikasa, Villa de Oro Boracay Beach Resort Hotel, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Boracay Gold Crowne Club, Microtel Inns and Suites Boracay, Hey! Jude, D’Mall, La Salle Greenhills, Schering Plough Coppertone and Crystal Sand.