Food

Being ready to fend off hunger at work never fails to pay off! When you work from home, you may immediately obtain snacks from the kitchen, the closest sari-sari store, or order them through food delivery apps; however, this is not the case when you are back at the office.

It’s great to have ready-to-eat snacks and ready-to-drink beverages in your bag or locker so you always have something delectable on hand. Nobody wants to be that “hangry” (hungry and furious) person whose productivity and energy are affected since there isn’t anything to energize them.

Here are some foods and beverages you may buy at the grocery store to ensure that you never become “hangry” at work:

Jack ‘n Jill Presto Creams

Feel like you’re losing your focus at work because you’re hangry? If lunch can’t come any quicker, you can grab Presto Creams from your bag. Not only is this treat filling, but it can also help give you the mental focus you need at work because it’s rich in B Vitamins! This delicious cookie sandwich has a yummy peanut butter filling so you’ll surely enjoy every bite.

Chicharron ni Mang Juan Espesyal Suka’t Sili

For your mid-afternoon slump, Chicharron ni Mang Juan Espesyal Suka’t Sili is the way to go! This crunchy, tasty snack captures asim-anghang sarap in every bite and will surely push you to keep going!

It’s also good for sharing, too, so might as well get the party pack!

Jack ‘n Jill Cloud 9

During particular busy hours, one snack that can help you pull through is Jack ‘n Jill Cloud 9. This can be your go-to snack during those hangry moments or those times when you simply want to treat yourself for a job well done at the office. Your workdays are bound to get sweeter with this delicious treat!

Great Taste Choco

Calling all coffee lovers! You’ll want Great Taste Choco as part of your workday caffeine selection. It’s an indulgent choco-flavored coffee that can help give you that boost of happy energy as you work. It’s affordable, easy to prepare, and totally satisfying with its delicious, rich chocolate coffee taste.

C2 Milk Tea

No doubt milk tea is one of those drinks you’ll crave when you need a pick-me-up. Happy feels? C2 Milk Tea is all you need! Enjoy it in your favorite flavors: Wintermelon, Chocolate, and Caramel. Each one is brewed from natural green tea leaves and real milk so you know it’s legit!

Filipinos have been delighted by Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) vast selection of delectable and premium snacks and beverages. Don’t forget to stock up on your favorite URC foods so you won’t become “hangry” during lengthy workdays!

Shop for URC items online at Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora as well as in supermarkets and grocery stores all around the country. Get hold of a supply of these delectable snacks so you always have something tasty on hand.

Homegrown Restaurant Chain Jollibee has been named as one of America’s Top 20 Hottest Brands in 2022 by Ad Age.

Global media company, Ad Age, has named Jollibee one of America’s Top 20 hottest brands in 2022.In an article titled “Jollibee Draws Endless Lines as U.S. Demand Surges—Fans Rally ‘It’s Our Turn’ on Social Media,” Ad Age shares that Jollibee offers a “unique combination of flavors” compared to its rivals.

“Last year, Jollibee’s entrance into the notorious chicken sandwich wars helped cement the brand’s place among competitors. As new stores with endless lines appear throughout the U.S., fans have been spreading the rallying cry, “It’s our turn!” on social media in hopes of getting the chain to come to their own town,” wrote Yadira Gonzalez of Ad Age.

“To be named as among America’s Top 20 Hottest Brands is a great honor,” said Maribeth dela Cruz, Jollibee Group’s President for Philippine Brands (Jollibee, Chowking, and Red Ribbon) in North America. “Everywhere we open, we are greeted with incredible warmth and enthusiasm from the local community. We dedicate this recognition to them and our people who continue to live our mission of bringing the joy of eating to everyone.”

Ad Age highlights 20 brands, people, and services from various categories creating a buzz among consumers. Together with Jollibee, on Ad Age’s list are other brands from the beauty and skincare, beverages, and sports and apparel categories. Its editorial committee discusses and decides on which brands would be fit for the list.

Now with 83 locations across North America and over 1,500 restaurants worldwide, Jollibee is on a mission to continue growing its presence in the U.S. and Canada, with plans to grow to 500 stores in the next five to seven years.

Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, thus spreading the joy of eating to everyone.

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

Since 2019, the PUM Netherlands Senior Experts have guided farmers in soil testing and given them advice on soil health. They have also been assisting in varietal trials to test for better crop varieties, and introduce mechanization to improve productivity.

Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has been introducing technologically advanced farming techniques and systems to smallholder farmers to empower them to improve their productivity and gain more income. Together with the experts JGF continues to support smallholder farmers by providing them access to technologically advanced farming techniques for more sustainable agriculture.

“Improving smallholder farmers’ knowledge and capacity for greater productivity and profit will redound to the continued growth of our agricultural sector,” said Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director.

Launched in 2008, JGF’s Farmers Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) empowers and helps smallholder farmers sharpen their technical and business acumen, as well as partnership-building skills. Today, these farmers supply the vegetable requirements used in some Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal favorites.

“By becoming more adept and qualified to participate directly in the value chains of food companies, small producers get assured of a regular market, resulting in their increased and steady income,” Tiongson added. To reinforce support to smallholder farmers, JGF has adopted public-private partnerships to help farmers gain access to agricultural technologies that increase their yield, reduce farming costs, and make them more competitive in the market.

Weather data, farmer efficiency

Since 2020, the Foundation has partnered with IBM’s The Weather Company for a more accurate community-level, 7-day weather forecast. JGF also worked with the Central Luzon State University to interpret the weather data and translate it into the prescribed farm practice for the day. The information is then shared in a private messaging group for faster dissemination among the farmers. The SMS feature of this system is now being developed for easier access.

The Onion and Vegetable Producers Cooperative (OVEPCO) farmers from Barangay Tabulac in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija were among the first to benefit from this system. Through the barangay-level forecasts provided, the farmers can adapt and better decide when to plant, fertilize, and harvest their crops.

“It has been helpful. Now we can prepare for what will happen tomorrow. It has become a guide for our daily farming,” shared Eddie Soriano, OVEPCO Chairman.

This project currently supports 116 farmers in 12 barangays in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija and Alcala, Pangasinan.

Healthy soil, healthy production

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management, JGF ventured into studying soil samples and providing practical recommendations to make the soil healthier and more viable for greater yield.

To help farmers improve their crops, JGF worked with the PUM Netherlands Senior Experts, various seed companies, and Jollibee Group’s own Research and Development team to find appropriate onion and bell pepper varieties that will meet the company’s requirement, and which can be more easily produced by the farmers.

Together with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, JGF is also looking into further increasing the productivity of onion farms. Called “Project SAYA” or Strengthening Agricultural Yield of Allium Cepa L. (Onion) in the Philippines, the project aims to help increase onion production by addressing inefficiencies, gaps, and factors affecting the level of production; as well as to identify potential and suitable areas for expansion.

“These agri-technology efforts are creating a ripple effect of empowerment and opportunities among our partner farming communities and institutions. They have reported greater knowledge on farming techniques, increased yield and income, and the confidence to transact with market players,” said Tiongson. “JGF will sustain these efforts so that farmer entrepreneurs can continue to gain greater pride in their profession and to reap the benefits of sustainable agriculture.”

His mother contracted German measles while carrying him. Jan Aldrin L. Lontoc, 31, was born deaf as a result. Lontoc, however, refused to let his illness stand in the way of his goals in life, which included becoming the best version of himself and contributing significantly to his community. Lontoc worked as a part-time server for a catering firm after completing a two-year course in hotel and restaurant services. Additionally, he worked with Bench and Hapee Toothpaste.

“I learned about the Caravan Food Group, Inc. when I submitted my resume at the UNILAB Office. And that was the start of my working relationship with Elait in 2017,” Lontoc said.

The Caravan Food Group Inc. is the company behind Elait and Overdoughs. Elait offers ice cream where customers can witness ice cream being rolled with their favorite flavors right in front of them. Overdoughs, on the other hand, offers their very own versions of donuts or doughnuts, mouthwatering chunky cookies or Chonky Cookies, brownies or brookies, pizza and fries.

What makes these two establishments stand out is that they provide employment and opportunities for the deaf.

“When I was a teenager, I remember visiting a clothing shop. The employees at the shop were all at the cashier talking to each other. And then there was a guy who approached me but he was not talking. He was trying his best to really assist me and it was then that I noticed that there was a name tag and the word deaf was placed,’ recalled Francis Carl Reyes, CEO and Founder of Caravan Food Group Inc.

That was Reyes’ first experience with a deaf person who he felt was the “epitome of good customer service. No matter who you are, he is going to assist you. No judgement.” That experience made him decide that he would employ deaf partners for his store.

He tried out the deaf partner program initially with Elait. When he saw that it was doing well, he implemented it at Overdoughs. Initially, Reyes started with two able and two deaf partners and he would be observing how they were doing their jobs.

Before he was deployed in Elait, Lontoc underwent training and he said that it was a good experience for him.

“I learned a lot during my training with Elait. I learned how to roll the ice cream properly and serve customers. After a while, my supervisors gave me the opportunity to transfer to Overdoughs. There, I learned to prepare the doughnuts and our best-selling Chonky Cookies,” Lontoc said.

In spite of the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lontoc persevered and rose the ranks to become a team leader in just five years.

“As of now, I am currently in training to be an area supervisor and I am very thankful to my managers because they are very supportive,” Lontoc said.

In the upcoming months, Lontoc will undoubtedly be busy as Reyes plans to turn more of their Overdoughs locations into cafes so that guests can enjoy their other offerings, which include pizzas, fried chicken, fries, and empanadas.

At the moment, Overdoughs has one such location in Greenhills where patrons may not only enjoy wonderful food but also do good.

“I have learned to do my best, to be patient, trustworthy, dependable and reliable. I want to be a successful area supervisor, a position, I hope I can have for a lifetime. Now that I am married, I want to have a stable job for my family,” Lontoc said.