Food

Now that Christmas is almost here, it’s time to celebrate! Racks and Tenya are trying to make Christmas dazzling with these new delicacies, so get your loved ones together and have a feast!

At RACKS and Tenya’s Christmas Product Launch on November 6, 2024, a number of exciting new goods were unveiled, making them the ideal spread for friends and family this holiday season.

I really love RACKS and Tenya; beside that, they serve scrumptious foods that are also savory and filling. Their sauces are divine, and also my favorite baby back ribs is such a chef-kissed dish for me. I also enjoy the different band performances and their polite service crew. Enjoy traditional recipes with a holiday twist and more! With Racks, you and your loved ones will discover the ideal harmony of flavors.

Along with other brand-new items in stock, Holiday Steak & Truffle and Holiday Baby Back Ribs are certain to become your new favorites! This Christmas, the best sides and desserts are homemade tiramisu, truffle fries, and delicious potato gratin. Enjoy traditional recipes with a holiday twist and more! With Racks, you and your loved ones will discover the ideal harmony of flavors.

If Racks is all about comfort food done right, then Tenya, Japan’s No.1 Tempura Tendon, is taking your taste buds on a ride through snowcapped mountains and ice palaces! Take a taste trip to Japan with authentic winter flavors as Tenya brings the sparkling season to the Philippines. With snowflake dishes and sparkling plates inspired by Christmas, this seasonal special is sure to delight.

Snowflake Tendon and Snowflake Teishoku are an explosion of richness with a sparkling finish like flurries on your tastebuds. Pacific white shrimp tempura and pan-seared steak are melded together to excite you with every bite.

Also new is the matcha selection of drinks and dessert such as Yoghurt Matcha, Cold Matcha Brew and Matcha Tiramisu. These twists on the traditional are a taste sensation. Balancing delicate flavors with modern tastes, they are sure to take you away from the heat and into a winter wonderland.

As a kick-off to the Christmas event premiering these treats, Managing Director Leopoldo “Chukri” Prieto III shared a warm welcome to all the guests. “Thank you all for attending and celebrating this special occasion with us. We sincerely hope you’ll love the exciting dishes we’ve prepared for all of you.”

Lively performances followed his words, a band played all the Christmas classics and dancers energizing the crowd with their moves. After, Director of Operations Adele Susana “Denise” Ramos shared a quick message. “Our goal has always been about serving Filipinos with good food. No nonsense, just real, good food that people can enjoy with family and friends.”

After, the crew lined up carrying the new Christmas products offered by RACKS and Tenya, served to each table and met with excited faces all-around. Said by Cavallino, Inc. General Manager Edmundo “Iggy” Ramos, “We’re thrilled to serve you this unique experience only found at RACKS and Tenya—whether it’s the tender, smoky goodness that RACKS specializes in, or the crispy crunch of Japan that Tenya has perfected. We can’t wait for people all around the country to try these new dishes, and we are honored to be the meal people share with family and friends this holiday season.”

Tenya then invited the crowd and customers to spark hope; to spark a light bright enough to be a light in the dark for a child in need. By partnering with ChildHope Philippines Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from these special meals will be donated towards a child’s education and food security for the holidays. What’s better than trying a little taste of Japan while being a beacon of hope for someone else?

Tenya and RACKS have a lot to be excited about with all these new holiday items and the money raised going towards Christmas joy. These new packages are ideal for spending time with loved ones, enjoying delicious cuisine, discussion, and companionship, whether you choose to spend the season at home with friends or planning your next trip. This holiday season, enjoy a feast at Tenya and RACKS with your loved ones!

For additional information about their shop locations and products, visit www.racks.ph and www.tenya.com.ph.

The ideal way to celebrate “Friendsmas,” a time to get together with your closest friends and take in the warmth and joy of the season, is being offered by Seattle’s Best Coffee this holiday season. And what better way to spoil your pals than with Seattle’s Best Coffee’s new Caramel Pecan Collection? With four enticingly decadent beverages that combine rich caramel and nutty pecan flavors, this collection is designed to boost your holiday get-togethers.

For individuals who wish to enjoy the sweetness of the holidays with the people who are most important to them, the Caramel Pecan Collection was created. These beverages give your Friendsmas celebrations a festive touch, whether you’re catching up over coffee, exchanging gifts, or just spending time together.

Iced Caramel Pecan: For a cool and refreshing treat, the Iced Caramel Pecan is your go-to drink. Perfectly balanced with the sweetness of pecan praline syrup, combination of cream and milk, sugar syrup, espresso, and ice cubes, this beverage is a refreshing way to enjoy your holiday hangouts, whether you’re out and about or relaxing at home with friends.

Caramel Pecan Javakula: When you want to impress your friends with something irresistibly creamy, the Caramel Pecan Javakula is the perfect choice. This ice-blended creation combines the exquisite sweetness of pecan praline syrup with the smooth texture of the Javakula, topped off with a swirl of whipped cream. It’s a delightful way to add some extra indulgence to your Friendsmas gatherings.

Caramel Pecan Javanilla: For those who have a sweet tooth, the Caramel Pecan Javanilla is the ultimate Friendsmas treat. Blending coffee ice cream with pecan praline syrup, low-fat milk, chilled water, and garnished with whipped cream, this drink is the perfect dessert in a cup to share with friends who love a little extra sweetness in their lives.

Hot Caramel Pecan: Nothing says cozy holiday vibes like the Hot Caramel Pecan. This warm and luscious beverage, made with pecan praline syrup, combination of cream and milk, sugar syrup, and an espresso shot, is ideal for those cold December nights when you’re catching up with friends and sharing stories over a cup of Seattle’s Best Coffee.

The nicest gifts this Christmas season are the ones you give to the people who brighten your celebrations. To find out more, visit the closest Seattle’s Best Coffee outlet and follow them on Instagram,Facebook,or TikTok. Then, grab some Caramel Pecan with those you love.

Coca-Cola Philippines and the Bacolod City Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) collaborated to promote the collecting and segregation of PET plastic bottles during the 45th Masskara Festival, which took place in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, from October 11–27, 2024. The beverage firm facilitated the collecting and sorting of used PET bottles, educating festival attendees about appropriate waste management methods in collaboration with Yuhum Foundation, the festival organizer, and Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc.

Coca-Cola Philippines urged festival goers to dispose of their empty PET bottles at the Coca-Cola bottle counter and The Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM) exchange booths at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) in order to promote bottle collection and segregation. In order to take part in other games and activities, attendees also traded empty bottles.

One of the highlights was the MassKara mask-making contest, where festival-goers cast their votes for the Best Recycled Mask on display using bottle caps. Artisticrew was named the grand winner, while Bacolod City College and the Negrese Artist Circle received consolation prizes for their participation.

Additionally, attendees took part in the “Dunk, Not Junk” shooting hoops game. As they showcased their shooting skills, players had the chance to win a variety of Coca-Cola merchandise and other exciting prizes.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. ‘s (CCBPI) flagship nationwide collection program, “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!” featured a pop-up collection booth. In its second year at the MassKara Festival, Tapon to Ipon encouraged attendees to drop off used clear PET plastic bottles of any brand, allowing them to win prizes.  

During the festival’s closing program, Ruby Biro, Senior Franchise Operations Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines, commended all the local barangays and partners who helped make the waste management effort a success. She underlined how crucial it is to involve the community and how festival attendees may celebrate while having a beneficial environmental impact.

The Jollibee Group, through its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) in partnership with the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), is reinforcing sustainable business practices and contributes to the improvement of the economy by empowering smallholder farmers. Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines highlighted during his speech at the inaugural Agriculture and Food Security Summit that sourcing directly from farmer cooperatives has become a key procurement growth strategy of the company.

The Jollibee Group  is promoting sustainable business practices and enabling smallholder farmers to boost the economy through its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which it runs in collaboration with the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF).

By giving these farmers access to direct markets, resources, and training, FEP establishes long-term partnerships with them in the supply chain of the Jollibee Group. This program helps Filipino farmers make a better living while simultaneously bolstering the company’s procurement strategy.

“In our pursuit of a sustainable supply chain and our commitment to inclusive business practices, we had to take a close look at how our company can be part of the solution in improving the plight of the farmers.   This is why our social development arm, the Jollibee Group Foundation, created the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines. Tanbuntiong made the remarks during his speech at the Makati Business Club’s Agriculture and Food Security Summit last September 16.

With the theme, “Food is Everyone’s Business,” the summit brought together key figures to address pressing food security issues and to empower the farming sector through collaboration. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel delivered a keynote on the Nine-Point Plan of the government.

Sustainable Procurement in Action

JGF signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces with MBC and other companies to work together in empowering farmer cooperatives to achieve a sustainable supply chain.
 

Jollibee Group brands, including Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal, source various vegetables—such as onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers—directly from FEP farmers. In 2023, 24% of Jollibee Group’s onion supply came from FEP farmers, with plans to increase this to 33% by end of 2024. This sustainable approach ensures a reliable supply while supporting environmental and economic sustainability.

“Intending to strengthen our partnership with them, our procurement team has committed to prioritizing sourcing produce from the FEP farmers to ensure cost leadership, and supply resiliency, and contribute to the development of the local economy,” added Tanbuntiong.

Empowering Farmers Through FEP

Since its launch in 2008, FEP has organized over 1,000 farmers into 30 groups across 16 localities. These farmers have supplied more than 11 million kilograms of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, generating PHP 500 million in sales. Beyond procurement, FEP trains farmers in agro-entrepreneurship, helping them operate as business partners. The program ensures that farmers meet stringent quality standards, such as Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification. Kalasag Multipurpose Cooperative, a key FEP farmer group, became the first onion cooperative in the Philippines to achieve a PhilGAP certification in 2017.

Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainability

FEP’s success is built on strong partnerships with local government units, microfinance institutions and cooperatives, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and academic institutions. Recently, JGF signed a three-year agreement with the DA to train more farmers nationwide in value chain development, further scaling the program.

“Our work with farmers has not been just about procurement. It was a collaborative effort in promoting innovation, process improvement, and benchmarking best practices or new technology in agricultural value chain management. This collaboration across cross-functional teams within Jollibee Group and other like-minded groups has fostered shared responsibility,” said Tanbuntiong.

During the inaugural Makati Business Club’s Agriculture and Food Security Summit, Jollibee Group Foundation President Gisela Tiongson highlighted the need for farmers to earn profitably to make agriculture an appealing long-term career including the youth.
 

At the summit, Gisela Tiongson, President of JGF, emphasized the importance of building strong farmer cooperatives that go beyond financial services to include consolidation, marketing, and other value-adding activities. “Most farmers are not formally trained as entrepreneurs, so they need support to put in place the needed financial, human resource, and enterprise system,” she said.

Tiongson highlighted the need for farmers to earn profitably to make agriculture an appealing long-term career. “The goal is for farmers’ children to say, ‘I will stay in this industry because I can earn well for my family.’”

Transformative Impact

FEP has changed farmers’ lives by giving them access to financial services, steady incomes, and better living conditions. The program has also given farmers access to cold storage and warehousing facilities with the assistance of partners, allowing them to expand their businesses sustainably.

“Reflecting on the past 16 years of Jollibee Group and Jollibee Group Foundation working with cooperatives and farmers, I am reminded of the incredible power of participation and inclusion —what can be achieved when we come together, united by a shared purpose. Our experience with FEP and the farmer cooperatives demonstrate that meaningful change is not only possible but sustainable.” concluded Tanbuntiong.

Jollibee Group employees from various functions planted 1,500 mangrove propagules during a reforestation activity in Brgy. Guinsay, Danao City, Cebu, on August 10, 2024. The activity was held in celebration of the International Day for Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

Through its social development arm, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the Jollibee Group  maintains its commitment to help mitigate the effects of climate change through ongoing mangrove reforestation projects led by committed employees from across the nation, with nearly 7,000 mangrove propagules planted to date.

Mangroves are essential for protecting coastal areas, halting erosion, and mitigating the effects of hurricane storm surges. Their extensive root systems serve as nurseries for a wide variety of species, such as fish, prawns, and crabs, in addition to stabilizing and constructing soils. Additionally, the restoration of mangroves improves marine life and local ecosystems, which contributes to the preservation of food security and the livelihoods of local fishermen.

Rehabilitating mangrove ecosystems supports sustainable aquaculture practices by creating breeding grounds for fish and crustaceans. This can lead to improved yields in coastal fisheries, providing food and income.

The ongoing project forms part of the Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda dubbed “Joy for Tomorrow.” Under its Planet pillar, the company has set goals and initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 2 Zero Hunger.

Mangroves protect coastal areas by reducing erosion and absorbing storm surges during hurricanes.
 

The Jollibee Group has supported the planting of close to 4,000 mangrove propagules in 2023, with the support of partners, such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units (LGUs). It remains committed to sustaining the project this year, planting 3,000 mangrove propagules thus far.

Employee engagement

Jollibee Group employees from different functions and business units together with JGF held a series of planting activities along the coastlines of Alaminos, Pangasinan, Carmen, Cebu, and Lemery, Batangas this year.

JGF’s mangrove reforestation project aims to help restore the country’s mangrove ecosystem and build a resilient future for Filipinos living in coastal communities.

In celebration of the International Day for Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, 30 employee-volunteers from Jollibee Group’s commissary Zenith Foods have also planted 1,500 mangrove propagules during the reforestation activity held in Brgy. Guinsay, Danao City, Cebu last August 2024.

“Our employees have always played a big role in our environmental efforts, and it’s amazing to see them leading the charge in our mangrove reforestation project. Their leadership and participation reflect our vision of reaching out to communities and giving back to the environment,” said JGF President Gisela Tiongson. “We’re also grateful for the guidance from the DENR and the support of our LGU partners, which are key to ensuring the mangroves thrive. Moving forward, we’ll keep tapping into the power of employee volunteerism and working closely with our partners to inspire more people to be responsible stewards of the planet.”

JGF is committed to making this project a national success. The Foundation has already made plans to spearhead other mangrove tree planting events in Cavite and Bulacan during the last quarter of the year, thereby amplifying its influence on environmental preservation and community adaptability.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

Here are some creative food prep ideas from Ajinomoto to make for your kids

Once again, it’s that time of year when children have completed all the summertime activities they have been anticipating. Now that the new school year has begun, it’s time for them to return to the books and add more learning experiences at school. During their vacation, they already experimented with new interests and even tried activities that might soon become regular!

One of the challenges most parents face when classes resume would be having to think about what meals to prepare for their kids. Lunch is also one single meal kids shouldn’t miss, but sometimes, students who’ve had a long morning couldn’t help but look for something different other than their usual packed meals from the house. They may end up exploring different food choices in the canteen. Although flavorful, these meals may not include options that will contribute to the needed energy and nutrients these kids need to get through the day. Good thing, that with the resources we have including the vast information online, the usual questions of “what do I now prepare for my kids?”  no longer have to be left unanswered!

It’s time to make your kitchen the happiest and busiest part of your home as you can now recreate these amazing dishes and make them more special with Ajinomoto products. These are sure to turn packed lunches into packed excitement in a box!

COMFORT FOOD AT ITS BEST

Chicken Adobo with Sarsaya® Oyster Sauce  https://www.cookmunitybyajinomoto.com/recipes/chicken-adobo/

Stir-fried Tofu with Vegetables using AJI-NO-MOTO Umami Seasoning  https://www.cookmunitybyajinomoto.com/recipes/stir-fried-tofu-with-vegtables-recipe/
 

AJINOMOTO Soup & Go®

Draw inspiration from the adventurous spirit of your children! These are just suggestions; feel free to add your own flair or follow them closely! Adapting these Ajinomoto recipes to your own tastes not only makes cooking more enjoyable, but it also improves dining experiences!

Now that school is back in session, comment on our postings on the Ajinomoto Cookmunity pages on Facebook and TikTok to share your thoughts! You can also find more recipes to add to your weekly meal prep for your kids on www.cookmunitybyajinomoto.com!