Max Giammario never intended to stay in Singapore. He came to the country in 2020 to study for a master’s degree in technopreneurship and innovation. In the same course, he also met an old friend and former business partner. In one of their modules, they worked on a blockchain project. The result was MetaPals, a browser extension that allows users to interact with and nurture virtual pets, similar to the wildly popular Tamagotchi handheld device.
MetaPals is now nearly 2 years old and has grown since those university days. The company has raised over $800,000 with 22 employees spread throughout Indonesia and Singapore from which Giammario continues to grow the company.
Giammario deciding on his next purchase at Montblanc.Photo: Mun Kong 
Giammario browses the shelves at Penhaligon's Raffles City.Photo: Mun Kong
One of the first shopping malls he visited for lunch and coffee was Raffles City Singapore. “I struggled to order char siu (Cantonese for roast meat) and yuan yang (a coffee-tea drink) because the auntie couldn’t understand my Australian accent,” says Giammiario, laughing.
His accent remains, but his taste has expanded. Giammario enjoys more than just local delicacies at Raffles City now. His favourite shops are Montblanc for its writing instruments and leather goods, and Penhaligon’s for its scents.
In December 2022, he even purchased four Montblanc Meisterstuck Gold-Coated Ballpoint pens as gifts for his new business partners to celebrate the culmination of a successful merger.
His love affair with Penhaligon’s began much earlier when he came across the British perfume house as a young adult. “I was looking for a distinctive scent and came across Halfeti Leather, an elegant, bold and manly fragrance on Penhaligon’s shelves. I have been using it ever since,” says Giammario.
Recently, he’s also taken a liking to The Tragedy of Lord George, a woody scent with an iconic stag’s head stopper. “The colognes have depth, giving them a lot of character.”
Giammario is excited with the many new brands Raffles City has in the recent months. As a Raffles Prestige member, he enjoys exclusive perks and privileges at Raffles City. He visits so often now that he doesn’t need to repeat his yuan yang order to the auntie anymore.
THE RAFFLES PRESTIGE MEMBERSHIP
Established as part of CapitaStar and created for a distinguished few, the Raffles Prestige membership offers unparalleled bespoke experiences paired with complementary lifestyle rewards. Enjoy year-long exclusive perks and privileges from its partners and participating brands at Raffles City. Terms and conditions apply.
