Coke’s ‘Summer of Surprises’ promo yields prizes for sharing happiness

 Coca-Cola marks 125 Years of Summer with the message of sharing happiness and refreshment whenever and wherever people celebrate with family and friends. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, from the beach party to the backyard barbecue, from the crowded ballgame to the cramped tailgate, devoted Coca-Cola drinkers have always included their favorite drink, as they enjoy fun times under the sun.

In keeping with the worldwide celebration of Coca-Cola’s 125 Years of Summer, Coca-Cola Beverage Company Micronesia, Inc. held the “Summer of Surprises” raffle promotion all summer long. Prizes consisted of limited collector series of iconic Coca-Cola summer memorabilia including tents, patio umbrellas, coolers, baseballs, camp chairs, barbecue grill sets, T-shirts, among others.

At the awards ceremony held recently at the Transpacific Business Center, the winners said that they could not believe they won.

Arlene A. Bercero, a Dandan resident and one of the winners of the three top prizes, the Beach Party Package, said that she did not expect to win. “We bought five cases of soda for our office party and we didn’t expect to win because we submitted our entries at the last minute,” Bercero said.

A sales representative at Westco, Bercero said that she regularly bought Coca-Cola products for office parties and for family gatherings.

Michael C. Villacrusis, a resident of China Town and a computer specialist at the CNMI Supreme Court, said, “I was very surprised when I got a call because I didn’t immediately recall that I joined the raffle. Then I remembered that I put in one or two raffle entries.”

He added that he already used his Beach Party Package. “I brought my prizes to the beach and had a good time with friends,” Villacrusis said.

Completing the three winners of the Beach Party Package was Navy Hill resident and homemaker, Ignatia C. Aldan. “I’m very happy and excited about my prizes. My family and I are planning on going to the beach and having a barbecue,” Aldan said.

The Beach Party Package consisted of an event tent, a patio umbrella, a travel grill, a steel ice chest, a wheeled cooler, three baseballs, three each of medium, and large ringer tees and two camp chairs.

Another winner was pleasantly surprised at the enormity of the collector series that he won.

“If you’re going to win, this is the way to go: Win big,” said James Nelson, general manager of Docomo Pacific, when he won one of two Grill & Chill packages in Coca-Cola’s Summer of Surprises promo.

Unmindful that his winnings were second to the top prize, Nelson was excited at winning for the first time. “I’ve never won anything before. This is my first time to win,” said Nelson, who could not quite believe his good luck when he was notified that he won.

Joe Suico, a Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan staff and Garapan resident, was the other winner of the Grill & Chill Party Package.

A first-time winner, Suico said that he would send home his prizes to the Philippines. “I’m very happy with my prizes. This is my first time to win and this is very memorable to me.”

Suico said that he was reluctant to join the raffle. “The truth is I only had one entry and I joined because the cashier persuaded me to put my entry in the drop box. She said that I might win. And I did. So this prize must really be meant for me.”

The Grill & Chill Party Package was composed of a travel grill, a steel ice chest, a patio umbrella, a wheeled cooler, three baseballs, two camp chairs, and three each of medium and large ringer tees.

The five winners of the Tailgate Party Package were Nuna Macaranas, a resident of China Town; Suzanne Lizama, Koblerville; Imelda M. Santos, Fina Sisu; Rowena D. Java, Chalan Laulau; and Jenypy Sambile, As Perdido.

Each Tailgate Party Package contained a barbecue gift set, three each of medium and large ringer tees, three baseballs, two camp chairs and a wheeled cooler.

In the weeks leading up to the grand raffle drawing, Coca-Cola gave away instant prizes through the “Get Caught Red Handed” giveaway. Consumers who were “caught” drinking any Coca-Cola product at their favorite restaurant or checking out any Coca-Cola beverage at participating stores or supermarkets received a free Coca-Cola collector’s item.

Glen Hunter, group business manager, Coca-Cola Beverage Company Micronesia said, “The “Summer of Surprises” promo is one of many ways we say ‘thank you’ to the people who made Coca-Cola’s 125 Years of Summer possible.”