Celebrating 30 Years of McDonald’s Lovin’ It in the Philippines

You never notice the passing of time –when you’re doing something you love. A lesson best learned, perhaps from the world’s leading fast food chain, McDonald’s, as it marks its 30th anniversary in the Philippines this year. From its very first store along the busy streets of Morayta, Manila to becoming a 300-strong network of well-loved Golden Arches, McDonald’s has become very much a part of the our lives. And what better reason is there than to celebrate than three decades worth of good times, fun memories and great food with the Filipino and lovin’ it more each day.

McDonald’s Philippines marks a milestone year with much festivity and delight, as it takes a trip down memory lane and revisits its vibrant history, its pioneering innovations, its inherent love for kids and family, and its continued commitment to serve Filipinoswith great tasting, quality food products at affordable prices and excellent service.

Opening Doors

With over 300 stores nationwide and growing, the famous Golden Arches is a welcome sight everywhere. But rewind to 30 years ago, McDonald’s humble beginnings is a story filled with excitement, challenges and many fulfilling triumphs.

 “1981 was the year McDonald’s first opened its doors in the Philippines and it was to welcome in the families and communities of Morayta, Manila and nearby cities,” recalls McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO, Mr. Kenneth Yang. “The response was nothing less than heartwarming and every day since then, we have kept to our commitment to serve nothing but the best-tasting, affordable food with excellent service.”

The astounding reception it received with its first store encouraged the brand to reach out farther across Metro Manila over the years, and eventually to the Visayas and Mindanao in 1992 with stores in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro respectively.

Filipino Flavor

McDonald’s owes much of its success to global iconic products such as the Big Mac, World Famous French Fries, Cheeseburger, and Apple Pie which are well-loved by millions all around the world. But perhaps solidifying McDonald’s in the hearts of Filipinos came with the addition of local offerings that catered to the unique Filipino palette – the McSpaghetti (1986), Chicken McDo (1987), and Burger McDo (1993).

“McDonald’s saw the need to introduce other products that suited not just the Filipino taste but preference and culture as well. Till this day, these products remain to be customer favorites” shares Yang.

Commitment to Service

McDonald’s opened 24/7 restaurants in 2004

More than just food products, it has always been the commitment of McDonald’s to adapt and respond to the ever-changing needs and lifestyles of its customers. It has lived up to the promise of being a true customer-oriented company with the introduction of some remarkable and ground-breaking service innovations throughout the years: the one number delivery hotline 8-MCDO (2002), 24/7 restaurants (2004) and 24/7 delivery service (2005), online delivery website www.mcdelivery.com.ph (2009), no minimum food purchase requirement (2010) and just recently the first cashless mobile ordering system (2011).

”These service innovations allowed McDonald’s to grow with its customers through the years and be there for them every step of the way—our goal is always to make it easy for customers to get great food at affordable prices, anytime, anywhere,” says Margot Torres, McDonald’s Philippines VP for Marketing and Communications.

Love for Kids and Families

At the very heart of McDonald’s is its love for children and with it, the belief in the value of the Filipino family. This is why, providing a fun experience for the entire family every time they go to McDonald’s has remained one of its a top priorities.  The McDonald’s Happy Meal, for instance has become a trademark of this, as featured toys become treasured symbols of fun for kids and joyful moments shared with the family. But through the years, McDonald’s has also pioneered other programs that attest to the brand’s commitment to kids and families - the McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop and McDonald’s Birthday Parties.

McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop

The McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop is an annual   5-day summer program that serves as an avenue for kids 6-12 years old to have fun and meet new friends but also learn important values and lessons along the way. The workshop includes on-floor trainings, values formation lessons, and creative art workshops.

“The McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop is the first of its kind in the country; it has become one of the most much-awaited summer program, with tens of thousands of kids graduating each year,” shares Torres. “In fact, nationwide registration for this year has officially begun and over 15,000 kids are expected to join.”

McDonald’s Birthday Parties

Last but certainly not the least, another popular McDonald’s experience loved by kids and parents alike are the McDonald’s Birthday Parties. Every McDonald’s Birthday Party is special for kids with its fun and exciting party themes but more importantly, hassle-free for parents. With a range of affordable party packages and different exciting themes to choose from, McDonald’s provides all party needs, from venue set-up, party amenities, games and prizes, favorite McDonald’s meals, and so much more, making any child or child at heart’s day truly memorable. “Right now, aside from Ronald and the Gang, we have three Disney Birthday Party themes- Mickey Mouse Club, Disney Princess and Toy Story,” shares Torres.

Speaking from her experience, the newest member of the McDonald’s family is its Kid Ambassador Jillian Ward who shares why she loves celebrating her birthdays at McDonald’s.“Gustung-gusto kopotalaga mag-celebrate ng birthday ko sa McDonald’s kasi nandun na po lahat ng mga paborito ko –mga games, prizes, cute  na themes, at shempre ang paborito ko na mga food sa McDo gaya ng Cheeseburger, Apple Pie at McFloat. Kasama ko pa si Ronald McDonald para mag-celebrate.” (I really like celebrating my birthday at McDonald’s because all my favorites are there –games, prizes, fun themes and of course, my favorite McDonald’s food like the Cheeseburger, Apple Pie at McFloat. Plus, I get to celebrate with Ronald McDonald.)

Whether it’s delicious food at the tip of your fingers, or great activities for kids or the entire family, McDonald’s Philippines has delivered products and services that have woven itself intrinsically in the Filipino way of life. Through 30 years of continuous innovations, there is no lack in the cause for celebrations. And as this milestone year is marked with festivity, McDonald’s looks forward to years and years more of lovin’ it in the Philippines.

Nokia E7, All-in-one business smartphone,

The highly anticipated Nokia business smartphone, Nokia E7 was already available in the Philippines since March 31!

With its tilting 4 inch ClearBlack display, full keyboard and fast access to a wide variety of apps directly on the homescreen, the Nokia E7 is the key to having a successful day in or out of the office. Importantly, the device supports business applications from leading enterprise technology partners including Microsoft and IBM.

 “People are continuing to look for solutions that suit both their work and personal life; in business circles this is known as the ‘consumerization’ of IT. The Nokia E7 gives people the confidence to bring their own smartphones to the workplace to connect securely to corporate messaging servers,” said Benoit Nalin, General Manager of Nokia Philippines. “On the other hand, whether you are an artist, entrepreneur, university student or aspiring world traveller, the Nokia E7 is the only smartphone you will need to get the world’s best mobile navigation and mapping application, thousands of apps, and a rich messaging experience.”

For business users, Nokia E7 provides direct, secure and real-time access to email, calendar, contacts, tasks and the corporate directory through Microsoft Exchange servers, as well as Office Communicator Mobile, developed by Microsoft for Nokia smartphones, which brings presence and corporate instant messaging.

Additionally, the Nokia E7 is the perfect off-duty companion with its built-in entertainment and social services, and a wealth of apps such as Bloomberg, Angry Birds and Sports Tracker available at the Ovi Store.

The new arrival also features drive or walk navigation included in the latest commercial version of Ovi Maps, available immediately via Ovi Store or Ovi Suite. It adds visibility to trains, parking and gas stations, safety alerts, speed limit warnings, and improved search and location sharing capabilities.

Here are more reasons why the Nokia E7 is the all-in-one business smartphone:

• Easy access to private and business email
• Create, edit and share office documents and view PDF files with Adobe Reader
• Fast, secure intranet access with the built-in VPN
• High-resolution photos and HD video with the 8 megapixel camera and dual LED flash
• HDMI connectivity to project files, videos and images onto large screens

·         16 gigabytes of on-board flash memory

·         USB-On-The-Go, enabling easy file sharing by connecting a USB stick to the smartphone

Yummy Roast:Fall in Love with Seriously Good Roast!

Filipinos without a doubt have an intense love affair with chicken, especially when it’s packed with flavor served hot off the grill with a side of rice.

Yummy Chicken with Yummy Rice

This year, Philippine company Yum Roast International, Inc. (YRII) in partnership with Singaporean-based food establishment The Asian Kitchen, introduces a wide range of delicious, authentic and great tasting dishes at Yummy Roast. Understanding the intrinsic values and delicate taste profiles of Asians, especially the Filipinos, Yummy Roast has successfully married advanced technology with the tradition of Asian cooking. Chief Executive Officer of The Asian Kitchen Food Company Cary Gee says, “We really know Asian food and we want the Filipinos to get to know it too. We always keep the traditions in mind but at the same time introduce innovation. For example, we work with classic cooking methods but we re-design them to produce better food, fast.” President of YRII, Mr. Richie Yang is excited to bring the Yummy Roast experience to the Philippines. Having a wealth of experience in the food industry as executive director of Philippine Food Concepts and managing director of a successful Chinese restaurant chain, he says, “We take pride in Yummy Roast’s dishes which are seriously delicious and quick- served without losing the spirit of the traditional recipes.”

Vanilla Yoghurt w/ Strawberry Syrup

Taking on the world with the very first Quick-Served Asian Restaurant, Yummy Roast puts a few of the Filipinos’ favorite meals on the table – Yummy Chicken, Yummy Pork Belly and Yummy Pork Asado all perfectly partnered with their Yummy Rice. Oozing with Chicken Essence, it can even be enjoyed on its own. The aroma of Asian spices and lemon grass will surely keep you coming back for more.

At an affordable price of P98, Yummy Roast’s featured dishes, Yummy Chicken, Yummy Pork Asado or Yummy Pork Belly may be enjoyed with unlimited Fragrant Rice or Yummy Rice for only an additional P20.

For those who have a sweet tooth, Yummy Roast will also delight them with their deliciously refreshing Black Jelly Drink or Yoghurt generously topped with strawberry syrup.

The first and flagship store is located at the heart of Eastwood City in Citywalk 2. The company intends to open more Yummy Roast outlets in SM Sta. Rosa, SM Bicutan, Vito Cruz, and SM Manila. Serving it better, faster and tastier, Yummy Roast will definitely satisfy your craving for flavorful, Asian food while being kind to your wallet.

HAVE A KFC SUMMER!

What comes to your mind when you hear or read the word Summer? Sunlight? Sand? Sea? Travel? Adventure?
Summer and these words should also be synonymous with the word “fun.” When you think about it, it’s actually hand in glove. Perfect. When you’re having that much fun in the sun this summer, it better be accompanied by so good meals. KFC presents A Taste of Summer, a campaign that encourages customers to be in a summer state of mind wherever they go, whatever they do, boosted by new KFC product offerings available only during the summer months.

KFC’s A Taste of Summer campaign was launched recently via a Hawaiian-themed luau at the Seawall Side Garden of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Hosted by DJ’s Chico and Delamar, the launch turned the heat up as fire dancers from Planet Zips, the pioneer Poi group in the country, performed to the music of a live band. Attendees learned how to dance with zips, which were inspired by the Maori dance of poi. In fact, they even had a dance showdown.

The three new products of KFC for summer 2011 were also launched— the Ben10 Bucket Meal, the Fish Twister, and the Summer Krushers. The Ben10 meal comes in a glow-in-the-dark Ben10 bucket with four matching glow-in-the-dark tumblers, all collectibles for families and the barkada to enjoy. The familiar Twister gets a makeover as the new Fish Twister, a crisp fish fillet paired with a creamy dill dressing and served with fresh cucumbers and cheese in a toasted tortilla wrap. Finally, the beloved summer dessert Halo-halo and Buko Pandan becomes easier to drink and to bring around as the ice-cold Summer Krushers drink.

And as if these offerings are not enough, KFC turns the heat up a notch through its KFC Taste of Summer online campaign. This online promo asks customers to take photos of themselves in their favourite summer outfits, holding one of KFC’s three new products at places which desperately need a summer vibe. Then, these pictures will be uploaded and displayed on KFC Philippines’ website at www.kfc.com.ph/summer. Those who feature a Ben10 bucket meal can win a trip for 4 to an Asian theme park like Hong Kong Disneyland, while the Krushers winner can go on a local beach trip for 4 like Coron, Palawan. Last but not the least, the Fish Twister winner gets to pick his destination from the following countries—Bangkok, Hong Kong, or Singapore for an Asian Summer Shopping getaway for 2.

Photographic Passions Find a Home at The Meranti at Two Serendra

Photography presents the opportunity to express and capture the world aesthetically. It’s no surprise that more and more people are finding their passion for it. Taking a good picture however, takes more than a snap of the finger because a beautiful photo will require mastery of the equipment and of processing techniques.

And as they build a home for passionate minds in The Meranti at Two Serendra, Alveo Land continues to feed passions with ‘Snapshots of Perfection’, the third in its Saturday Brunch Series. Professional photographer Joseph Galian from the Federation of Philippine Photography Foundation (FPPF) is the guest speaker for the month, teaching photography enthusiasts of all levels both the science and the art of photography.

Joseph Galian teaches photography workshops at the FPPF, drawing from his solid background as a professional advertising, magazine, and wedding photographer. Since 2008, he has also taught classes under the AB Photography program at the DLSU-College of Saint Benilde.

This is but a taste of what awaits residents of The Meranti, the third and latest high-rise section of Two Serendra. Designed with the pursuit of passion in mind, The Meranti ‘s Living Museum will feature unique amenities that will help nurture and provide a venue for artistic endeavors like photography. Among these interesting amenities is The Stellar Peak, a space where residents can bond over intimate gatherings. Being on the roof deck of Two Serendra, it is also a haven for scenic and landscape photography enthusiasts.

Another special feature of The Meranti will be the Tropical Garden, a glass-enclosed party venue that can accommodate up to 300 people. The tree-lined courtyard and greenery will be a beautiful landscape for special occasions and a perfect backdrop to take photographs of precious moments.

Other spaces at The Meranti will include The Culinary Studio, a spacious kitchen and dining area done to professional standards, where aspiring chefs can share their gastronomic creations with up to 30 family members and friends.

In the meantime, residents will also be able to pursue their passion for health and fitness at the well-appointed Fitness Club, a multi-story gym outfitted with complete exercise equipment.

Those whose interests lie in more intellectual pursuits will enjoy the Discovery Hall, a relaxed setting where parents and children can browse through books, play games, or enjoy other indoor activities together.

“Our vision for The Meranti’s future residents is really to experience the tangible representation of their interests and passions within their homes. It’s our way of translating a very unique lifestyle need and highlighting the innovation inherent to Alveo Land—all with the intent of letting our residents live well,” shares Jennylle Tupaz, Project Development Group Head of Alveo Land.

With these amenities unique to The Meranti at Two Serendra, it is all set to be the address of choice for discerning individuals who value their passions in life.

Hisense launches multipoint Bluetooth mobile accessories and headsets

As the average tempo of urban life increasingly become hectic, more and more people are likely going through juggling appointments, running successive errands and multi-tasking just about everything. How can they make things simpler?

As busy as one’s life could be, making a phone call, or listening to your favorite playlist need not be another task in your to-do list. With the right accessories, living the lifestyle you want, the way you want it, is not only an arm’s reach away—it’s wireless.

Fast becoming one of the market leaders in headset technology, Hisense—a global brand recognized for its multimedia, telecommunications and information technology solutions—has launched a new line of multipoint Bluetooth mobile accessories and headphones.

“We want to meet consumer needs with thoughtful solutions integrated in every product detail and feature. We aim for our products to perform at its best, and overall improve the quality of life our customers want to experience,” says Ehud Shchori, Director of Hisense International Mobile Accessories Division.

Versatile and easy-to-use, Hisense Bluetooth mobile accessories and headphones can function at multipoint simultaneously connecting up to eight mobile devices with different network providers. It gives you seamless wireless connection, freeing you from the hassle of manually connecting to other networks.

It also has a very useful text to speech feature where your text messages are read to you, so you don’t need to take your eyes off the task you have at hand.

Giving you total value for your money, Hisense only offers no-nonsense solutions that complement any kind of lifestyle.

HB420S Sport

For the fitness enthusiast, this ergonomic wireless headset enables you to listen to your workout playlist while taking calls on the go. Sweat-proof and lightweight, the HB420S is perfect for sports and vigorous workout activities. No need to worry about missing that important call, with the HB420S, you are always in touch.

HB440H Stereo

Stylish, hip and comfortable to use, the HB440H’s avant-garde design not only looks effortlessly cool, but the HB440H also sounds incredible with its high fidelity sound and Hi-Fi frequency response speakers. Compatible with any device with Bluetooth 2.1 version and A2DP + AVRCP, experience the power of music while taking calls on the go with the HB440H Stereo.

 

                HB200M 

With its multipoint feature, the HB200M and HB200S can simultaneously connect different mobile phones with different network providers. A magnetic clip allows you to wear your headset with ease. Conversations are now crystal clear. Sleek, lightweight and discreet, the HB200M & HB200S ensures true mobility in every phone call.