Starbucks Bearista Destination Series 2008 - Macau

While in Macau, I found two Starbucks stores, with one located at Venetian Hotel's casino area and a second branch at Senado Square. But it was at Venetian Hotel where I found what I was looking for: The Starbucks Bearista Destination Series.

Price similar to Hong Kong at MOP 168.00 (Php 924.00), making both most expensive Bearistas. Philippines still comes up cheapest at Php 625.00




Bought the bear with curry beef pie. Yummy and first time saw this food in a Starbucks store so probably just being sold here...

The not too obvious Starbucks store at Senado Square. Shot taken from McDonalds second floor window while I was eating the weird green sundae...

Starbucks Bearista - Hong Kong (and price index)

Thanks to Gigay and my Aunt for getting me this Bearista while they were in Hong Kong last week. Cost is about HKD 168.00. Photo taken at my office desk with Singapore Bearista at background.

With 5 generic (only difference is country flag) Bearistas in my possession (so far, all Asian series to coincidentally match my Asian tour which started on my birthday last June), I now have the means to do a very small scale pricing index to determine which country offers the cheapest products, based on current Foreign Exchange rates and cost of products in its local currencies. Very similar to Big Mac Index where they base and compare prices based on one common product each country has: A McDonalds Big Mac Burger!

Since I reside in the Philippines, price computation will be based on Philippine Pesos at existing market rates:

Hong Kong - Php 924.00 (HKD 168.00)
Singapore - Php 847.35 (SGD 26.90)
Thailand - Php 838.00 (THB 600.00)
Taiwan - Php 630.00
Philippines - Php 625.00

So Philippines still cheapest place to be out of these Asian countries.....

Starbucks Bearista - Singapore

Got another Bearista Destination Series while I was in Singapore. Similar with the other Destination series bears in that it has the same outfit and cap (down to the same color).

Only difference here is that country where bear came from is usually written in two languages on the flag (one English and one in local language) but in this version it is just in one language (why no Singapura???). Oh well.

Costs SGD 26.90

Starbucks Bearista - Thailand (plus one more)

Got a new Bear care of Princess, who just came from visit in Thailand... Thanks Princess.

Collection is growing and it seems I am not the only one with a Starbucks Bearista...

Per also got a bear as 50% off (at only P325 I think) from Starbucks here at Ayala Mall Trinoma.

It is part of 2008 Series but a Valentine's Special bear. It actually has a guy bear partner who has a rose in one hand and wearing a suit, so it is a His and Hers version.

This Starbucks bear has a purse and is wearing blush on (yikes) and has ribbon on one of its ears. Still gives me the shivers whenever I see it but to each one his/her own...haha.

Starbucks Bearista Destination Series 2008

The pioneer bear of this collection, comes from where else but the Philippines!

Upon seeing this at local Starbucks coffee shop, I immediately bought it (costs Php 625). Apparently, most Starbucks stores worldwide issued this Bearista Series at the same time this year. Only difference from each country is the flag the bear is holding in its left paw. This bear was bought in the Philippines, so it has Philippines written on it and Pilipinas written on the other side of the flag. Since this will be harder to collect (as need to be in actual country location to buy specific bear), I have enlisted help from family and friends and see how many I can get in this short period of time.

FYI, Last year's first series of Destination Series Bears featured the bear in classics Starbucks Apron with the country written on apron. All other details are the same per country.

Long time friend Melody got me this Taiwan bear to form the 2nd bear in this collection. Pitiful MOS burger bear not included in purchase.