The Computer Science Department of the University of St. La Salle held an Inter-departmental Web Design Contest 2007 last September 13.

The contest was held between the Computer Science and Information Management. There were eight themes to choose from and students were asked to design a website based on the different topics.

The winners of the web design contest are:

First Prize - Rics Rojas (IM)

Eden Von Garcia (CS)

Andy Toque – (CS)

Winners received pasalubong treats from Merci Pasalubong Center . Prizes were awarded by Mr. Sheigfried Tan, MCS, the CS Department Chairperson.

Last August 11, 2007, Merci Pasalubong Center sponsored the Piaya Eating Contest at during the weekly activity at the SM City Bacolod Event Center.

Five kids were given regular piaya that they will consume in 3 minutes. The one who consumed the most piaya within the given time will be declared the winner. The winner was Elijah Decena. He got a box full of Merci Pasalubong Treats. Merci representative Rowin awarded the prize.

In its thrust to go global, Merci promoted its Bacolod Pasalubong Treats line at the World Trade Center in Manila during the World Food Expo (WOFEX) held last August 1 to 4.

Entitled “The Ultimate Food Show Experience,” WOFEX is the venue for supply solutions in the food and beverage industry.

The show enabled the company to promote this local brand not only to the national but the international market as well. Through the event, Merci gained new dealers in the Luzon area.

Merci Pasalubong Treats joined the 8^th International Cebu Food Expo last June 28-30, 2007 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug.

The exposition showcased different industries aside from food and beverages, such as packaging and processing technology, bakery equipment and ingredients, confectionery, handling and catering, hospitality industries, franchising and other business opportunities.

It was an excellent venue for the company to promote our pasalubong treats line as well as to offer enticing business opportunities for potential dealers and retailers in Cebu City.

The three-day affair was very successful for Merci. Not only did we sell every pack of pasalubong treats that we brought, we also gained 12 new dealers in Cebu.

For information on dealership, please look for Liezel at (034) 433-8832 or 7081988.

Last July 11-13, Merci Pasalubong Treats supported the 4th Regional Private Schools Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISAAP) meet at the University of St. La Salle.

Merci put up a booth at the university parking lot near coliseum. We sold Bacolod's pride-Merci pasalubong treats-to visitors and gave a 10% discount to those who could present their bus, ferry, or plane ticket to the cashier. We also offered novelty items and T-shirts as well as snack items and drinks.

Guests appreciated the fact that they no longer have to go elsewhere to get their pasalubong needs as they are also busy attending the different events.

Merci continues to live up to its commitment of quality pasalubong treats at affordable prices. Now, the company makes it more convenient for people to find our products.

Merci Pasalubong Center supported Sikat TV during its variety show held at the Robinsons Place Mall last June 9, 2007.

Merci sponsored a game segment entitled "Higher or Lower." Three contestants guessed the prices of the products on display. When they guessed it right, each of them got a box of pasalubong treats from Merci.

After the game, big packages of biscocho were given to people in the audience who were wearing yellow.

Merci representative Boots Dugeno-Lo announced that the good news that Merci Travel Plus promo is staying indefinitely. Travelers to and from Bacolod may continue to avail of a 10% discount off all Merci products at the Pasalubong Centers as long as they present either their used or unused bus, boat, or plane ticket. She added that there are now five branches of Merci Pasalubong Centers in Bacolod City, conveniently located at Singcang, Mandalagan, SM City Bacolod, Gaisano City, and South Terminal.

Now, seafarers to Bacolod need not go far for their pasalubong treats. Merci Pasalubong Center has opened its newest branch at SM City Bacolod. This is the fourth pasalubong center that Merci has established after barely two years in the business.

The store carries the company's complete line of pasalubong treats as well as high-quality products of other Negros producers. It's a one-stop gift shop for travelers. The store is conveniently located at the ground floor, SM City Bacolod Building B, beside the Food Court.

Merci Pasalubong Center also has branches at Singcang, Mandalagan, and South Terminal.

Merci Pasalubong Center continues to grow. With the New Year comes another offering-Merci Pasalubong Center at the South Terminal along Lopez-Jaena Street.

For travelers going back to their hometowns in the south, their take home gifts will no longer be a problem as Merci makes everything accessible and convenient for them.

The South Terminal branch in their third since the company introduced the pasalubong treats line in 2005.