Manila experiences the Coke Zero Rainfall - 10 June 2008

Being unconventional means not adhering to that which is ordinary. It means refashioning oneself, veering away from the familiar and embracing that which expresses a bold statement. Moreover, being unconventional stands for constant reinvention that will take the world by surprise.

Just when people might think that things have taken a turn for the mundane and the boring, an electrifying change emerges that shatters the limits of convention and of the monotonous.

Coke Zero, the newest addition to the world-renowned Coca-Cola group of beverages continues to dive into the extreme and the unexpected. Already known to all as “A Coke Exactly Like Coke with Zero Sugar,” Coke Zero has defied the bounds of the usual and the ordinary.

After its surprise launch last February that left the nation breathless, another mind-numbing downpour of Coke Zero events has made everyone’s pulses racing.

On June 7, 2008 the public was drenched in excitement as Zero Rainfall, a day of intense action took place and had the hundreds of guests clamoring for more invasion of black.

Initially the public’s curiosity was stirred by a series of teasers on television, radio and the print media, which told everyone that on the seventh of June, it was “Zero Rainfall” day at the Bonfacio Global City. Wondering what this meant, a great crowd flocked to the wide expanse of The Fort’s open field in Taguig. There, they found that a huge playing ground had been set up to house a variety of awesome, heart-racing activities.

Inside the playing ground, there was absolutely something for everyone who has the penchant for the extreme and the unconventional. Players experienced the thrill of virtual warfare and got to unleash their skills in combat inside a huge arena constructed for the Battlefield Laser. The game is an outdoor battle sport wherein rifles fitted with infrared lasers and sensors are used by competing teams of players to accomplish different missions.

Meanwhile, automobile aficionados were left mesmerized as a number of cars were “pimped up” and displayed with beautifully restored bodies and interiors at the nearby Car Show area.

Several mini-stages were also put up where break dancers moved and performed stunts to the rhythm of upbeat music specially mixed by resident DJs. With the break dancers’ infectious energy, guests found that they couldn’t help but groove to the sounds as well and take part in the lively activity.

Avid computer gamers, on the other hand, were given the chance to practice their skill in role-playing and arcade games within the PC gaming zone. Assuming various virtual roles like soldier, mercenary and space crusader, participants were able to live out their fantasies through the gaming zone’s wide selection of hit computer and online games.

As midday approached, the air of excitement thickened as an X-Games Competition officially commenced. Dressed up in Coke Zero’s signature black, red and white colors, the X-Games arena resonated with a look and feel inspiring the guests to welcome the unexpected with breathless anticipation, as another wave of high-energy activities set to soak everyone in nonstop excitement.

Throngs of adrenaline junkies gathered at the X-Games area where BMX (bicycle motocross) riders performed astounding stunts, pedaling across the ramps with guts of steel and defying gravity as they somersaulted above the ground.

Skateboarders, meanwhile, left viewers stupefied as they glided with skillfulness across the skate park and performed mid-air exhibitions with superb precision. The limits of fear were challenged with each skateboarder’s feat upon feat of fearless daredevil aerobatics.

Aside from the flood of exhilarating exhibitions across the x-games area, a graffiti wall was also set up. Here, certified graffiti artists lent their creative flair to participants who wanted to express their creativity through this liberating art form.

At 4:30 p.m. the excitement inside the Bonifacio Global City open field became full to the brim. The sharp and piercing sound of sirens suddenly blasted from out of nowhere. People held their breaths as they waited for what was going to happen next.

The guests glanced up and then pointed towards the sky in sheer astonishment. Four helicopters came rushing into the scene. Amidst the din of the helicopters and the excitement came a shower of several hundred black frisbees which created a never-before-seen aerial show. The crowd below cheered and looked on in amazement using their Coke Zero binoculars, as the discs were sent flying by the men onboard the choppers. They eagerly dashed to the field afterwards to get their own Coke Zero frisbees. As the spectators joyfully brandished their frisbees, a spray of black and white confetti then peppered the sky. It was during these moments when the handle “Zero Rainfall” made sense to everyone.

Simultaneously, at the Clark Air Base field in Pampanga, another spectacular “rainfall” aerial demonstration was taking place that once again made waves in Coke Zero history. Seven men in black called the Zero men parachuted from an aircraft, unfurling massive banners bearing the distinct logo of Coke Zero. The airborne marvel was truly a remarkable sight that took everyone’s breath away.

Even as the parachute jump was taking place, the festivities continued at the Bonifacio Global City. People were thrilled at the 40 frisbee players who exhibited their skills, tossing and catching the flying discs with seemingly impossible dexterity. And even as the frisbee players were doing their thing, the guests were once again caught by surprise when they were handed out Coke Zero cans and bottles by a group of Zero Men.

The string of surprises came one right after another that the events’ guests thought it would never end! Well until the nighttime, they enjoyed all the activities set up at the Coke Zero playing ground.

Coke Zero consistently goes beyond the borders of the commonplace and the average by taking taste and experience to a whole new level. There’s definitely no room for boredom while Coke Zero continues to make the impossible achievable and keeps such excitement within your grasp.

So drink up to Coke Zero and enjoy the Coca-Cola taste you love without the sugar. Be amazed and delight in the unpredictable. Brave the extreme and venture into the extraordinary. Continue to taste, continue to believe.

Coke Zero Press Launch Party - 13 February 2008

On February 13, 2008, Coke Zero was officially launched at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field and Helipad. Hundreds of guests from the media, trade partners, and those from the fields of technology, sports and the arts, attended what had to be the most exhilarating and surprising product launch event in years.

While the guests expected another event which was nothing out-of-the-ordinary, they found themselves in for a big surprise. Having been initially invited to the Bonifacio Global City Community Facility, many of them were shocked and confused when 30 Zero Men, masked and clad all in black stormed through the foyer and called on everyone to vacate the place.

The guests were driven off to the nearby Bonifacio Global City Helipad, tagged Ground Zero — the epicenter of the Coke Zero experience in the Philippines. Gathering in the bleachers surrounding the helipad, they waited for what would happen next. Right then, a helicopter flew overhead carrying and unloading a giant Coke Zero bottle, all to the astonishment of the delighted guests. The chain of surprises continued when some of the Zero Men gathered around the bottle and danced to the edgy, symphonic beats of Capoeira drumbeats mixed with contemporary rock music. MTV VJ extraordinaire Jonathan “Sib” Sibulo hosted the launching event. Quirky and witty, Sib surprised everyone early on in the show when he emerged from among the ranks of the Zero Men, unmasking himself and taking center stage.

Formally introducing Coke Zero to the guests, meanwhile, were Mr. Kandy Anand (President, Philippines Business Unit, Coca-Cola) and Mr. David Lyons (Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines). Mr. Anand and Mr. Lyons also took the guests by surprise when they revealed themselves as the men behind the two Zero Men Big Bosses, who were masked and clothed in imposing trench coats for the show.

The remarkable evening show was made even more special by the great, unconventional sounds of the indie band Up Dharma Down, and the pop-punk rock group Chicosci, as well as electrifying performances from street magicians. Catching groups of audiences unaware with what is known as guerilla-style magic or close-up magic acts, the street magicians left the guests astonished with their unbelievable and totally cool tricks involving sleight-of-hand and feats of mentalism.

Within the next few weeks, Coke Zero is set to make big waves of anticipation all throughout the country with not a handful of exhilarating surprises still to mark the calendar. More and more Filipinos are sure to get zeroed by Coke Zero’s Real Coke Taste and Zero Sugar individuality.

The Coke exactly like Coke with Zero sugar is finally zeroing in on everyone, everywhere. Prepare to get zeroed yourself! Taste it to believe it.

Coke Zero Teaser Billboard - 11 February 2008

People near the Lansbergh Place in Quezon City were stunned yesterday when several men in black rappelled down the building and unfurled a huge billboard with the caption "Get Ready for Coke's Biggest Surprise." People were left intrigued, waiting for what this surprise is. The men left no clue about what will happen next.