Here’s a brand collaboration that you wouldn’t want to miss: Great Taste Cream-O, a coffee mix that offers the signature “aromanamnam” goodness of Great Taste coffee and the yummy cookie crumbles of Cream-O
Excellent teamwork can result in wonderful things. This has been demonstrated by the collaborative efforts of gifted artists to produce beloved music and films. Within the fashion industry, brands also initiate unforeseen partnerships in an effort to offer consumers something fresh and engaging.
Collaboration is essential for both our work and academic pursuits. When we collaborate, we not only complete tasks more quickly but also inspire one another to think of original ideas. Naturally, you ought to pause between duties as well. Trying a different coffee blend like Great Taste Cream-O is one option to add some enjoyment to your free time during this period.
A delectable partnership between two beloved brands, Great Taste and Cream-O brings their trademark “aromanamnam” taste with actual cookie crumbles to add another dimension of delight. This is a novel blend of coffee and cookies that is perfect for people seeking a tasty beverage to sip on during their break.
For just P15.00 (SRP), you may purchase a small twin sachet pack of Great Taste Cream-O, which allows you to keep one pack on hand and easily prepare a delectable beverage to enjoy during breaks with coworkers or classmates.
University students enjoy breaks with Great Taste Cream-O
Guest social media content creators joined the fun during Great Taste Cream-O’s stop at Mapua University Manila
To give students an enjoyable experience at school, Great Taste shared its newest coffee blend to select universities in Manila. Its first stop was at the Mapua University Manila last January 23, 2024, where Great Taste Cream-O set up an exciting booth with a 360-degree photo and video booth they could visit in between classes, and make memories while enjoying Great Taste Cream-O with their blockmates. Making the moment even more enjoyable for the students, the brand collaborated with one of the University’s dance groups, and a guest influencer, to entertain guests with an energetic dance number.
Students enjoyed fun activities at the Great Taste Cream-O booth in Mapua University Manila Great Taste Cream-O booth at Mapua University Manila
This is your opportunity to satisfy your craving for Great Taste Cream-O if you’re a student trying to spice up your coffee with flavor and have a more enjoyable break. In the upcoming weeks, keep an eye out for Great Taste’s possible stop at your campus. In order to receive updates and information, be sure to follow Great Taste Coffee on Facebook.
Organizers and participants of Reimagine Recycling Year 5
The Reimagine Recycling program, a joint venture between Save Philippine Seas and Coca-Cola Philippines, is pleased to announce the awarding of grants totaling PHP 500,000 to five community-based initiatives.
Reimagine Recycling is in its fifth year of supporting organizations that promote solutions for the circular economy, deal with solid waste management, and improve the welfare of the informal waste sector. This year, the campaign also included grassroots efforts and programs to stop waste from leaking into marine and riverine environments.
Through cash grants, mentorship, and capacity-building seminars on stakeholder management and communications, Reimagine Recycling offers crucial reinforcement.
“We have seen how transformative Reimagine Recycling has been for our past grantees. The funding helps them get to the next level in terms of scale and scope, and the networks of Save Philippine Seas and Coca-Cola Philippines also help create connections with other stakeholders in the waste value chain,” shared Anna Oposa, Executive Director of Save Philippine Seas.
Supporting sustainable initiatives
Following a competitive application process that opened in October 2023, the following projects were selected for grant funding from Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, which can help expand and build a stronger foundation for their respective initiatives:
RezBin is an initiative by siblings with backgrounds in the startup industry. Realizing that poor disposal habits, aside from the lack of recycling facilities, are also the main causes of plastic waste issues in the Philippines, the project aims to make plastic disposal easy and enjoyable, fostering positive and sustainable habits among Filipinos
THREADS by PAMMÉ is a training program for informal trash collectors focused on plastic waste recycling. PAMMÉ repurposes plastic waste into sustainable fashion products, contributes to recycling markets, and supports informal livelihoods.
Love for Green Universe addresses inadequate access to fresh food in urban areas worsened by environmental concerns faced by farmers. The project empowers farmers by repurposing PET bottles as durable UV sheets for crop protection, providing a sustainable alternative to commercially available sheets susceptible to adverse weather conditions.
After conducting surveys in the coastal barangays of Naawan, Misamis Oriental, COAST discovered community concerns such as beach plastic litter, household plastic management, and reliance on single-use plastics. COAST takes action through initiatives like regular coastal clean-ups, public forums, and strategic partnerships to raise awareness, empower communities, and lay the foundation for sustainable practices.
Upstyle was founded to transform waste into opportunities for environmental and societal betterment, driven by the escalating waste crisis and economic challenges in certain communities. Their goal is to teach upcycling as a livelihood project, working with dedicated volunteers to create products from waste materials and imparting this skill to communities, providing a sustainable means of earning a living.
Participants of Reimagine Recycling Year 5 discussing solutions to address issues on solid waste management and marine pollution
Coca-Cola Philippines President Tony Del Rosario expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration with Save Philippine Seas in promoting marine conservation. He commended all teams participating in Reimagine Recycling Year 5, saying “Each proposal is truly promising, with a significant impact on the environment and our communities. It was inspiring to connect with brilliant young minds driving change in nation-building through innovative circular economy initiatives.”
Cecile Alcantara, President of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, also affirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting innovations that empower communities and inspire Filipinos to initiate their waste solution programs. “As advocates for positive change, we firmly believe in the transformative power of collaboration and its ability to create a lasting impact in our communities,” Alcantara said.
The Foundation reports that past winners of Reimagine Recycling continue to scale up, expand, and benefit underprivileged communities.
Alon and Araw, which started as a free surfboard borrowing program for local children in exchange for regular participation in weekly beach clean-ups, now work with over 40 underprivileged fisherfolk families vulnerable to threats of climate change. They organize sustainability-related activities for more than 70 children between 5 to 18 years old, whom they call ocean defenders.
According to the Philippine Textile Research Institute, the country generates the equivalent of 303 Olympic-size pools of textile waste annually. To help address this problem, Barrio Studios devised an idea to transform textile waste into higher-value goods. Through their efforts, they champion textile recycling in the country, help businesses become more sustainable, and create more green jobs for women.
Smart Recycle PH helps users connect with verified collection partners for their recyclable materials and get to know and shop for sustainable products and services. They assist consumers in earning Smart Recycle Points and converting them into trees with RAFI One to Tree. The initiative has recovered more than 350,000 kilograms of recyclables, received 1,000 tree pledges, and increased its partners to 60.
The Coca-Cola Company declared in 2018 that it will work toward a worldwide circular economy in order to help reduce waste by continuing to use packaging as a valuable resource.Coca-Cola Philippines is speeding up additional waste management solutions in addition to the Reimagine Recycling program by launching “May Ikabobote Pa,” a consumer engagement initiative that aims to educate and engage customers about the steps they can take to recycle their empty plastic bottles.
SavePhilippineseas.org has more information about Reimagine Recycling. Visit coca-cola.com/ph/en/sustainability to learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability-related projects.
Jollibee Foods Corporation representatives Assistant Vice President and Head of Global Procurement Services Bryan Marc Tividad and Vice President & Head for Network Development Philippines Gerard Paul Filart; together with Republic Cement CEO Roman Menz, Vice President for Manufacturing Lloyd Vicente, and Director of ecoloop (the resource recovery arm of Republic Cement) Atty. Angela Edralin-Valencia, during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement to support the EPR Law, which will help prevent plastic waste from landfills and from leaking into urban waterways and oceans.
In order to promote the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), one of the fastest growing restaurant companies in the world, recently signed an agreement with Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc. (“Republic Cement”).
By adding value or purpose through upcycling or recycling, the EPR law seeks to prolong the life of plastics and decrease the amount of plastic waste generated.
JFC intends to recover post-consumer plastic packaging wastes, divert them from landfills and waterways, and transport them to Republic Cement for co-processing as part of its Joy for Tomorrow’s global sustainability goal.
Republic Cement, a leading local cement manufacturer and the pioneer of co-processing in the country, will use the collected post-consumer packaging wastes as alternative fuel in the cement manufacturing process.
During the MOA signing held at the Republic Cement head office in Taguig City, Republic Cement CEO Mr. Roman Menz emphasized the role of the company in supporting organizations like JFC.
“Republic Cement provides a very important solution to fight plastic pollution by diverting wastes away from landfills and waterways, away from areas where it can negatively affect communities. We are happy to see the commitment of the JFC towards doing their part in solving our current plastic pollution crisis. Republic Cement is with JFC in their journeyfor a greener, more sustainable world.”
Gerard Paul Filart, JFC Vice President for Network Development Group, said that Republic Cement just celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2023, making the relationship significant and appropriate. “We are dedicated to upholding the three primary pillars of our Global Sustainability Agenda: Food, People, and Planet. Through our collaboration with Republic Cement, we are reducing waste and offering a valuable service. We hope that by doing this, we are contributing to more happiness for tomorrow.”
The MOA encompasses Jollibee Foods Corporation’s fully owned brands in the Philippines, which include Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, and Red Ribbon; it also covers JFC’s franchised brands, which are Burger King, Panda Express, and Yoshinoya.
Inclusive Employment Program.The Jollibee Group and the Pasig City Government inked a partnership for the implementation of the company’s inclusive employment program that will provide qualified senior citizens and persons with disability in Pasig with jobs at select stores of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King in the city.
Recently, the Jollibee Group and the city government of Pasig, represented by Mayor Vico Sotto, signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the company’s inclusive employment program, which offers gainful employment to qualified senior citizens and people with disabilities (PWD) in a few Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King locations in Pasig.
Ruth Angeles, vice president of Jollibee Group, head of global organization leadership and culture, and head of human resources Philippines, claims that the company’s commitment to giving all members of society equal employment opportunities while fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace is congruent with the Pasig city government’s partnership.
“We are happy to support the local government unit of Pasig in advancing the interests of our elderly and the differently abled. Through this partnership, we recognize their invaluable role, capacity, and desire to work by giving them the opportunity to become productive members of the community,” Angeles added.
Under the agreement, Pasig City’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) will assist in conducting initial interviews and profiling of the applicants, while the People with Disability Affairs Office and the Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs will provide trainers to assist and instruct qualified applicants prior to deployment.
It’s Time for Pasig. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto personally welcomed the delegation from the Jollibee Group during the MOA Signing ceremonies held at the Pasig City Hall.
In the interim, the City Health Office will act as the authorized medical facility to perform health exams and provide certified “fit to work” certificates to eligible candidates. The chosen candidates will work in customer interactions and other “front of house” tasks.
In order to expand the program’s eligibility for older citizens and those with disabilities, Jollibee Group has partnered with the provincial governments of Rizal, Manila, Antipolo, and Muntinlupa in addition to Pasig City.
Partners for Promoting the Well-Being of Senior Citizens and PWDs. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is joined by the Jollibee Group delegation that includes operations team from the participating brands Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King.
“We aim to form partnerships with other LGUs in the future so we can help uplift more lives and find qualified and reliable staff who can join us in our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone,” Angeles said.
Win amazing prizes, witness epic performances, and enjoy fun activities with the #CokeZeroExcuses promo
Now that 2024 has arrived, there’s never been a better moment to seize fresh chances and make resolutions or goals! With the #CokeZeroExcuses Promo, Coca-Cola Philippines is giving Filipinos the chance to participate and win exciting prizes, among other things.
There’s more to the #CokeZeroExcuses Promo than just a clever hashtag. This is your opportunity to stop dreaming and start acting by proving to both the outside world and to yourself that you are capable of standing up for what you believe in and achieving your goals. People “manifesting” their aspirations on social media are a buzz, bringing their wishes to life via positive thought and deeds. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar supports this movement and invites you to follow suit as we work to promote a sense of accomplishment, self-expression, and self-discovery in 2024.
Opening a bottle or can of Coke Zero Sugar is all it takes to take part in the #CokeZeroExcuses promotion! Just share a 15-second video or picture of your 2024 objectives along with a Coke Zero Sugar product. Using the official hashtag #CokeZeroExcuses, write your 2024 goals in the caption and tag @cocacolaph on Facebook or Instagram. Please remember to publish your post publicly. The best part is that you could win any of the thrilling prizes up for grabs:
Weekly Minor Prizes:
PHP 5,000 GCash Credits
Polaroid Camera (Fujifilm Instax Mini 12)
Fitness Watch (Oppo Band B1)
Major prizes:
PHP 100,000 Gcash Credits
iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB)
The promo runs from January 8 to March 24, 2024, 11:59 P.M. Hurry and don’t miss out on the amazing prizes up for grabs with the #CokeZeroExcuses Promo! Check this link to see the full promo mechanics: https://cokeurl.com/CokeZeroExcusesPromo.
The excitement doesn’t stop online! Coke Zero Sugar is taking over 2024, starting with a bang at the Bonifacio High Street Activity Center. On select dates in January, people can enjoy epic performances, thrilling activities, and the chance to win epic prizes. And get ready, because Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and star Julie Anne San Jose are coming your way on January 27!
We kicked off this series of immersive experiences with Kyle Echarri and Darren Espanto last January 13-14. The two amazing artists serenaded fans with the hottest songs while bopping to the coolest dance moves! Kyle sang his song Dyosa, and Darren performed and invited fans to dance to the tune of his hit Bibitaw Na. The two artists also shared their manifestations for 2024 with Kyle saying that he is manifesting “for a good year this year and more music,” while Darren manifested “Zero Excuses to have a more positive mindset.”
Together with Mark Dee, Senior Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Philippines, Kyle and Darren led the #CokeZeroExcuses toast to manifest for the best 2024!
Don’t let the action pass you by. Follow along for all the surprises coming ahead in the #CokeZeroExcuses campaign.
Let’s tackle 2024 together, full of potential and no justifications! Follow Coca-Cola’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts to get updated on the #CokeZeroExcuses promotion.
Despite freezing weather, hundreds of Detroiters line up to try Jollibee’s signature Chickenjoy
FIRST IN MICHIGAN. Despite sub-zero weather in Sterling Heights, Detroiters flocked to witness the opening of Jollibee’s first location in the state of Michigan.
When they watched the eagerly awaited launch of Jollibee’s first location in Michigan state, in Sterling Heights, Michigan, residents of Detroit seemed unfazed by the snow and the bitter cold.
“We are thrilled to be opening our first store in the state of Michigan, an important milestone in Jollibee’s accelerated North America growth strategy,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, the president and chief executive officer of Jollibee Group. “As the 10th largest U.S. state in terms of population, there is a huge opportunity for Jollibee to grow and thrive with the local communities in Michigan. We’re excited to introduce the residents of Michigan to Chickenjoy and the Jollibee experience.”
The historic Jollibee store may be found downtown Detroit, Michigan’s first capital city, at 44935 Woodridge Drive, in front of the Lakeside Mall. Hundreds of hungry Detroiters who placed orders through the double-lane drive-thru at Jollibee Sterling Heights helped the restaurant surpass its opening-day sales target, even though it had to cancel dine-in service earlier than anticipated due to inclement weather.
“Despite the intense cold on the day of our opening, local Detroiters still came in droves to have a taste of our Jollibee favorites. We are truly grateful for their love and support,” said Maribeth Dela Cruz, the president of Jollibee North America. “We look forward to seeing both familiar faces and first-time customers at our first Michigan location in the close-knit Sterling Heights community, where we can’t wait to create many new joyful moments for those who call the Detroit area home.”
Bestsellers on the first day of business at Jollibee-Sterling Heights include the restaurant’s famous crispy and juicy Chickenjoy fried chicken, regular and spicy chicken sandwiches, and peach mango pie.
A long line of people and cars flocked for the opening of Jollibee’s first location in Michigan state. Despite having to close the store early due to extreme weather conditions, Jollibee Sterling Heights was still able to exceed sales targets.
With its recent aggressive development efforts, Jollibee has officially expanded into 14 states in the United States, with the Great Lakes State being the latest state reached. The Jollibee Group’s overarching goal of ranking among the top 5 restaurant corporations in the world includes Jollibee’s market expansion. Go to www.jollibeegroup.com to learn more about the Jollibee Group.
Interested students may apply until March 1, 2024.
The Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant for 2025 is now available to Filipinos who wish to study abroad in Japan. The program’s goal is to assist worthy people who need financial aid in order to continue their postgraduate studies in human nutrition and food technology. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2024.
A complete scholarship to study for a master’s degree at any of the following esteemed Japanese universities: Waseda University, Ochanomizu University, Institute of Science Tokyo, University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, and Kagawa Nutrition University.
“The annual scholarship program is Ajinomoto’s way of giving back to empower the future of food technology and nutrition in the Philippines,” says Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) General Manager of Corporate Planning and Public Relations Roann Co.
The candidate’s examination, admission and tuition costs, psychological and medical evaluations, Japanese language instruction, flights, and monthly stipend will all be covered by the scholarship award.
“I am very happy and thankful for this rare opportunity to study with a full scholarship in one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The Ajinomoto Foundation and Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation has always been consistent in providing me prompt support and guidance. This does not only provide me academic privileges but also allows me to learn new cultures, enjoy good food and make new friends,” shared 2023 awardee Johndel Obra who is currently taking Masters in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tokyo.
As screening process, the grant requires applicants to have excellent academic records – a graduate or expecting to graduate within the top 5% of their class or with a grade point (GPA) of 3.7 or higher. In return, the chosen scholar is sure to gain a lot from the program in terms of academics as well as life experiences.
“When I was awarded with the 2022 Ajinomoto scholarship, I was very excited because Japan was my dream country to visit. Aside from its advanced technology and innovative research, I found a very welcoming and warm country that felt like a second home to me. The scholarship enabled me to be fully equipped in pursuing my current doctoral research program,” shared Ann Elaine Wagan, a BS Nutrition graduate and the 2022 Ajinomoto Scholarship Awardee now taking up PhD on Applied Biosciences at Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University.
One of Ajinomoto’s main initiatives to improve food science education is the annual scholarship program. The company wants to help people all around the world become more healthy. According to Co., “APC hopes to use the grant to further address food and health issues in the Philippines through innovations led by its passionate scholars.”
On certain days, everything goes according to plan at work or school, while on other days, stress prevents you from being productive. Many people dislike these periods the most since they make it difficult to be in the zone.
Try these easy tricks to improve your mood even on your busiest day to help you get through these days.
Call a friend
An understanding voice and a listening ear from a buddy might sometimes be the salve you need to get through the day. Rely on your network of supporters and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Speak with a friend
Watch cute animal videos
Have you ever watched videos of tiny animals being all cute and silly on your feed? These videos might just melt your heart and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Turns out, studies prove that watching these videos helps reduce anxiety levels by up to 50%!
Schedule something fun after work hours
Try this no-fail hack on your worst work days. Rally your friends and have an after-work karaoke sesh, game night, dinner, or gig night. Having something to look forward to after the day’s battles can really help manage your stress.
Have a snack break
Snack breaks are the perfect excuse to escape your desk, huddle with your teammates, and vent your stress away. You also get to recharge with delicious snacks, and who doesn’t like that?
Speaking of snacks that help you recharge, have you tasted Kropek ni Mang Juan in Spicy Fried Pusit flavor? It offers a “kakaibang” snacking experience with its light and “crispy sarap” texture, and a “saktong anghang at alat” flavor of fried squid. It’s a one-of-a-kind snack that can satisfy your tastebuds.
Try it on your next snack break! Get Kropek ni Mang Juan in Spicy Fried Pusit flavor from a convenience store near your office and share it with your colleagues. You may just discover your new go-to recharge work snack!
Don’t let a bad mood ruin a work day. Next time you find yourself needing something to lighten up the vibe and help you refocus, try one (or all) of these mood-lifting hacks!
#PushLangWithMangJuan! Learn more about Mang Juan’s light and lutong-sarap good vibes snacks on its Facebook and TikTok pages.
Universal Robina Corporation (URC) is the company behind the popular Pinoy snack and beverage brands C2 Cool and Clean, Great Taste Coffee, Jack ‘n Jill Piattos, Magic Crackers, Maxx, Cloud 9, and many more. Mang Juan is one of their snack brands. Visit URC’s website (www.urc.com.ph), Facebook page (@URCPhilippines), and TikTok account (@URCPhilippines) to find out more information.
Savor the delicious Kropek ni Mang Juan Spicy Fried Pusit flavor during your snack breaks.
Kropek ni Mang Juan Spicy Fried Pusit’s “crispy sarap” texture and “saktong anghang at alat” fried squid flavor make for a distinctive snacking experience.
TEM collection bins are placed in front of sari-sari stores and carinderias. Here, consumers can drop their empty bottles and cans for recycling.
Almost 2,200 sari-sari establishments and carinderias in Metro Manila now accept empty PET bottles for recycling from customers. In addition to extending the life of these bottles, the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM): Balik PET Bottle Program of Coca-Cola Philippines and Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) provides cash incentives for store owners.
Promoting environmental sustainability while earning incentives
How does this operate? Empty bottles and cans can be easily dropped off for recycling at TEM collection boxes, which are placed in front of sari-sari stores and carinderias. PET bottles are weighed at each store after collection, and the results are entered into the store owner’s bXTRA app account. Retailers receive points based on how many bottles they buy in a given month, which they may then redeem for cash back. Customers have the option to cash out their points or use them to purchase Coca-Cola goods and items.
“Malaking tulong sa amin ‘tong programa, kaya salamat talaga sa Coca-Cola. Kumikita na kami, nakatutulong pa kami sa kalikasan (We are grateful to Coca-Cola because this program is a big help to us. We are earning while also helping the environment),” said Carolina Catimbang, a store owner in Brgy. West Bicutan.
Store owner Lolita Repia said Coca-Cola Philippines and BEST’s Tindahan Extra Mile Program has helped her grow her business and increase her income while contributing to the cleanliness of her community.
When asked about her inspiration in joining the TEM Program, Lolita Repia, another store owner, shared, “Ang naging inspirasyon ko sa pagsali sa programa ay ang pag-recycle. Ginagawa ko na ‘yun dati pa, nagbebenta ako ng mga bote sa junk shop (My inspiration for joining the program is recycling. I’ve been doing that for a while; I sell bottles directly to junk shops).
“Pero ngayon, mas excited akong gawin ito dahil alam kong ‘yung mga bote na kinokolekta ko, magiging bote ulit. Masaya akong nakakatulong sa kapaligiran (But now, I’m more excited to do this because I know that the bottles I collect will become bottles again. I am happy to contribute to the environment), she added.
Inspiring collective action toward recycling
“Noong una sinasabihan namin ‘yung mga bumibili dito na kapag bumili sila ng Coke products, itapon nila ‘yung PET bottles sa bins. Ngayon, automatic na, eh (At first, we used to tell our customers that when they buy Coke products, they should throw the PET bottles into the bins. Now, it’s automatic),” shared Catimbang who noticed the easy cooperation of their customers in their recycling efforts.
Carolina Catimbang showing Coca-Cola products sold at her store. The packaging of these products are made from 100% recycled plastic.
“Kahit ‘yung jeepney drivers na customer namin, ‘yung trash nila, minsan sila na rin nagkukusang maglagay sa bins. Kaya minsan nagugulat ako, ang dami na (Even the jeepney drivers, who are our customers, willingly put their trash in the bins. That’s why sometimes I get surprised that our bins are filled with empty bottles),” she added.
For PASCO National President Elilyn Gadia and National Treasurer Emma Alvarez, the TEM Program help adults become better examples to children. “Dapat nakikita ng mga bata sa mga magulang nila ‘yung pag-segregate ng basura at paglilinis ng kapaligiran. Natutuwa kami ‘pag may nakikita silang PET bottle sa daan, pinupulot nila (Children should see their parents segregating waste and cleaning their surroundings. We are happy to see children picking up empty bottles on the road).
Gadia and Alvarez said they are happy to see TEM Program members growing with the help of Coca-Cola Philippines, especially as sari-sari stores and carinderia owners continue to recover from the income loss during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For 2024, Coca-Cola Philippines announces that it is expanding the Tindahan Extra Mile program to 2,400 stores.
“We are one with Coca-Cola Philippines in ensuring that our bottles can have many lives by bringing our collected PET Bottles from Sari-Sari Stores to PETValue Philippines, a first of its kind,” said Jan Vincent Mercado, Senior Vice President for Business Development of BEST. “Our commitment to sustainability and waste innovation comes full circle through this partnership. Indeed, it is refreshing to walk the talk in circularity,” he added.
Members of BEST delivering collected bottles through the Tindahan Extra Mile program to the PETValue facility in Cavite
In September 2023, Coca-Cola Philippines launched its consumer engagement program, ‘May Ikabobote Pa’, to educate, inspire, and engage more consumers to return their empty bottles and cans so they can be recycled and turned into new materials. Through this, the company hopes to inspire behavior change among consumers and empower like-minded organizations and communities to continue working together to prevent plastic waste from ending up in places where they are not supposed to be.
In an effort to promote the circularity of plastic packaging, Coca-Cola Philippines unveiled new PET bottles that are entirely recycled. Wilkins Pure (500ml), Sprite (500ml), and Coca-Cola Original (190ml) are currently carrying this innovative container. Since these bottles may be recycled numerous times, less virgin plastic is produced and utilized overall.
Through the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub, customers can find the closest collection locations and learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ recycling programs.
Marks the company’s first foray into specialty coffee, all-day brunch
Ready to cut the ribbon for the launching of the first Common Man Coffee Roasters café in the Philippines.Photo shows (from left to right): Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Business Development for Foreign Franchised Brands, Ned Bandojo; Jollibee Group’s President and Group Head for Greenwich, Red Ribbon, & Foreign Franchised Brands, JJ Alano; Spa Esprit Group’s General Manager for Food Division, Michael Bovell; Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Officer, Joseph Tanbuntiong; Spa Esprit Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Common Man Coffee Roasters, Koon Beng “KB” Chua; Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines, Her Excellency Constance See; Vice Mayor of the City Government of Makati, Honorable Monique Lagdameo; Jollibee Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ernesto Tanmantiong; Ayala Malls’ President, Mariana Zobel de Ayala; Jollibee Group’s Chief of Real Estate and Design Officer & Chief Business Support Officer, William Tan Untiong; Ayala Land Estates Inc.’s Group Deputy Head, Chris Maglanoc; and Common Man Coffee Roasters’ Operations Head, Chynna Ramos.
With the launch of the first Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) cafe in the Philippines on January 11, 2024, at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, the Jollibee Group is off to a terrific start in 2024. The Jollibee Group has ambitious expansion plans this year that include this historic opening, all in line with its goal of ranking among the top five restaurant corporations globally.
“We’re excited to bring the Common Man Coffee Roasters in the country and give the community an elevated café experience,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group’s President and CEO.
“Common Man’s consciously sourced coffee and numerous deliciously healthy brunch options contribute to this experience and help fulfill our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone. We invite everyone to come visit our first ever Common Man Coffee Roasters café,” he added.
Championing specialty coffee & brunch
Established in 2013, Common Man Coffee Roasters aims to champion specialty coffee and the best all-day brunch and has expanded from Singapore to Malaysia, and now the Philippines. It also roasts and sells coffee beans and operates the Coffee Barista Academy in Singapore and Malaysia, which provides coffee training to baristas and coffee enthusiasts.
In the Philippines, the breadth of the café’s menu includes different types of specialty coffee, bannered by the Nitro Honey Oat Latte and Filter Brew. Its brunch is thoughtfully crafted, headlined by the Common Man Full Breakfast that has generous servings of sausage, bacon, portobello mushroom, hash browns, house-made baked chorizo beans, and greens along with artisanal sourdough. The crowd favorite Common Man Beef Brisket Benedict packs an indulging punch of savory in its tender braised beef topped by poached eggs and creamy hollandaise.
The first location in the country, which has a modern, casual, “come as you are” ambiance, also features its own roastery.
“Having a roastery on site for us to showcase the roasting method will not only help the customers understand the coffee process better, but it will also offer a unique dining and sensory experience for them,” said Koon Beng Chua, CEO of the Spa Esprit Group, which operates Common Man Coffee Roasters in Singapore.
Celebrating partnerships
The Jollibee Group announced its joint venture with Food Collective Pte. Ltd. (FCPL) through FCJB Foods Inc. to own and operate Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines in August 2023. The Jollibee Group owns 60 percent in FCJB Foods Inc.
“This is the first café from our partnership with the Spa Esprit Group and we’re looking forward to expanding the Common Man Coffee Roasters experience to more people. The strong collaboration between the two partners is very evident and is greatly rewarded by the enjoyment we see from people upon entering the café and upon tasting our menu selections. We recognize the increasingly discerning palate of Filipinos and we’re here to delight them,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Group Chief Business Officer, during the store’s inauguration and opening.
President of Ayala Malls Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Deputy Head of Ayala Land Estates Group Chris Maglanoc, General Manager Michael Bovell of Spa Esprit Food Group, and Co-Founder of Common Man Coffee Roasters Koon Beng Chua. The Jollibee Group was represented by Ernesto Tanmantiong, President and CEO; William Tan Untiong, Chief Business Support Officer; Joseph Tanbuntiong, Chief Business Officer; JJ Alano, President and Group Head for Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Foreign Franchised Brands; and Ned Bandojo, AVP and Head of Business Development for Foreign Franchised Brands.
A toast to the first brew!The opening of the Common Man Coffee Roasters’ first café in the country brings in consciously sourced coffee and all-day brunch together – aiming to elevate the café experience for Filipinos. Photo shows (counter clockwise): Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Officer, Joseph Tanbuntiong; Spa Esprit Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Common Man Coffee Roasters Co-founder, Koon Beng “KB” Chua; Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines, Her Excellency Constance See; Vice Mayor of the City Government of Makati, Honorable Monique Lagdameo; Ayala Malls’ President, Mariana Zobel de Ayala; Jollibee Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ernesto Tanmantiong; Jollibee Group’s Chief of Real Estate and Design Officer & Chief Business Support Officer, William Tan Untiong; Common Man Coffee Roasters’ Operations Head, Chynna Ramos; Jollibee Group’s Marketing for Foreign Franchised Brands, Paolo Aljibe; Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Technical Services Research and Development, Agnes McDonald; ; Jollibee Group’s Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications, Pauline Lao; Ayala Land Estates Inc.’s Group Deputy Head, Chris Maglanoc; Spa Esprit Group’s General Manager for Food Division, Michael Bovell; Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Marketing for Foreign Franchised Brands Philippines, Jia Du; Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Business Development for Foreign Franchised Brands, Ned Bandojo; and Jollibee Group’s President and Group Head for Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Foreign Franchised Brands, JJ Alano.
Every Monday through Sunday, from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, is when the Common Man Coffee Roasters in Ayala Triangle are open.
Visit thewebsite of Common Man Coffee Roasters Philippines or give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram to find out more information.
