Food

Since the launch of PilipinasKontraGutom last November it has been distributing meals nationwide to provide immediate relief for communities affected by the pandemic and the recent typhoons. With the pandemic and the recent typhoons, hunger incidence has worsened amongst Filipino families.

PilipinasKontraGutom is a multi-sectoral movement of Task Force Zero Hunger with the private sector and non-profit organizations working hand in hand to address the country’s concerns on involuntary hunger including: challenges on food production, food distribution and accessibility, hidden hunger and malnutrition, including immediate food needed during times of crises.

The founding private sector members of the movement comprised of Coca-Cola Philippines, Dole Philippines, J&J Philippines, McDonald’s, Metrobank and San Miguel Corporation have committed an initial 100,000 meals, and 3,000 infant kits to be distributed to areas in most need.

“While the public-private partnership is drawing up how we could address the complex problem that is hunger and malnutrition, we can’t forget those who remain to be hungry today. We are grateful for the private sector members who are committed to provide aid to our fellow Filipinos, especially during times of crises,” says Task Force Zero Hunger Chairman, Cabinet Secretary KarloNograles.

PilipinasKontraGutom movement has been able to provide warm meals to Filipinos in different parts of the country including: Bacoor, Caloocan, Manila, Makati, Pasig, Marikina, Parañaque, San Juan, Taguig, Quezon City, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Tuguegarao, Pampanga and Las Piñas.

The movement has also driven Unilever Philippines, RFM Corporation, DOLE Philippines, Century Pacific Food, Inc., and Lazada to launch Brand-Aid: Noche Buena Para sa Lahat. With Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP) as partner NGO implementer, Brand Aid and its individual and corporate donors aim to provide 100,000 Noche Buena meal kits to RAHP beneficiary families.

Socio-civic organizations, Gawad Kalinga and Kabisig ng Kalahi have also join PilipinasKontraGutom, aligning their programs with the movement’s cause.

PilipinasKontraGutom invites every Filipino to participate in the movement. You may visit www.laginghanda.gov.ph. Private corporations, non-profit organizations and groups who would like to be part of the movement may send an email to [email protected].

Everytime I go to Tiendesitas I don’t miss to eat at their Food Village since many of us, food isn’t just a way to provide us energy for the day, but it’s also a way to socialize, unwind, and enjoy with others while also discovering new flavors and savoring our favorite comfort food. With quarantine making us miss good food and the company of our friends. Good news to every food lovers like me that Tiendesitas is proud to reopen the 2nd floor Food Village starting October 30, Friday – with new food concepts you’ll fall in love with, now in a fully air conditioned space.

Whether you’re looking for a simple meal or devouring a fiesta-like dinner with hearty Filipino dishes or doing an exhilarating food crawl, you’re sure to have a great time at Tiendesitas Food Village. Check out below their new and exciting food concepts available this Friday!

ElverdeFood Trading                                                Fruitas            

Boy Kanin                                                                    LuzvimindaDelicacies

VMJ Greens Trading                                                 Bonanno’sRestaurant

Farinas IlocosEmpanada                                          Jherand Mon Rice Trading

Streat Bites atbp by Leoman                                     Mama Valenciana by Bulacan Lugaw

Rub’s N Spices                                                              Happy Chef

Beer Belly Steakhouse                                                 Chef Sinauna

GatchaaBlendzMilk Tea                                               La Aysee/ Kakanin ATBP by Aysee

Zorro Kitchen by Joyce                                                SamRamRestaurant

Happy Chef                                                                     Franny Bites

Mommy Khay’sKitchen                                                 ZulloCoffee

Pancit Cabagan by Kuyang                                           Ferinos

Ortigas Malls continues to make dining and family bonding more comfortable and convenient for everyone. Check out the fully air conditioned Tiendesitas Food Village now.

For more information you may check their official Facebook pages – Greenhills, Tiendesitas,  Estancia, and Industria.

The National Task Force (NTF), in partnership with McDonald’s Philippines for the initiative to further expand the country’s testing capacity for COVID-19 RT-PCR testing for its company owned and franchised store employees in NCR as part of the company’s continuous focus on health and safety under its M Safe program. This partnership reinforces the collaboration between the public and private sector for testing and isolation programs. The community testing initiative aims to ensure a safe workplace for its employees and dining experience for its customers. McDonald’s has also recently committed to implement the StaySafe.ph app in its restaurants to improve contact tracing protocols.

“The safety of our employees and customers has always been at the core of our operating culture. It is because of this that we continue to explore and partner with the government and the private sector, to keep the public safe. We believe that more than ever, we have to come together to fight this pandemic to re-start the economy safely and protect the employment of more Filipinos,” said McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO, Kenneth S. Yang.

Beginning September 28 in Palacio de Maynila, one of the Mega Swabbing Facilities set up by the NTF, employees of the company have started to get tested. The company aims to test over 19,000 of its crew and managers in four identified Mega Swabbing Facilities at Mall of Asia Arena (Pasay), Philippine Arena (Sta. Maria, Bulacan), Lakeshore Bicutan (Taguig), and Palacio de Maynila (Manila).

McDonald’s will also be donating three (3) testing booths to one of its long-standing community partners, Pasig City, to support their testing initiatives.

McDonald’s employees will be properly guided and assisted by the company from scheduling, conduct of testing to the release of the results. To limit exposure of the employees and to ensure that the restaurant continues to operate smoothly, only a limited number or crew and managers are scheduled per day. Members of the restaurant management team arranges for the transportation going to the Mega Swabbing Facility, provides assistance on-site for the testing and coordinates the release of results.

Should an employee test positive, McDonald’s will remain in compliance with all the government mandated protocols and will support its employees until they are able to go back to work.

“Through this expanded testing program which we are launching today, you shall not only be ensuring the health and safety of your employees, but also their families and those they come in close contact with every day,” says Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr, Chief Implementer of the National Action Plan Against COVID-19 (NAP COVID-19).

“As we combat the virus, we are very grateful for proactive partners in the private sector such as McDonald’s. Their initiative to test their employees significantly helps strengthen the government’s testing and contact tracing program. We encourage other businesses to follow suit in helping to safely reopen the country’s economy,” says NAP COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Secretary Vince Dizon.

Since the announcement of the enhanced community quarantine, McDonald’s Philippines has been reinforcing its commitment towards safety of people. Under its M Safe program, the company introduced new protocols such as dedicating a safety manager in all its stores and implementing a no-touch policy for Drive-Thru and McDelivery services to ensure employee and customer safety.

Several months now since the pandemic has greatly affected our lives and difficult times brings out to everyone, unleashing the bayanihan spirit among Filipinos. This is a phenomenon we continue to witness in this Covid-19 pandemic, as companies step up to help others and continue the awareness campaign to the public.

In response of the COVID-19 the Mega Global, the Philippines’ largest sardine fishing and canning operator. The position of the company since the start of the health crisis has been finding ways to serve the community, undertaking various initiatives intended to ease the burden of its employees, local communities, healthcare institutions, and the government amid the pandemic.

With malasakit embedded in the company’s DNA, the company has partnered with different LGUs, NGOs and other private organizations and has donated over 20,000 cases of Mega Global products and over 22,000 units of personal protective gears and other medical equipment distributed to most affected communities and select hospitals around the country. Through its Mega Malasakit Kitchen and Bayani Care Package, Mega Global was able to provide more than 50,000 meals to the unsung frontliners and grocery supplies to partner merchandisers and supermarket staff.

To further amplify its efforts, Mega Global has partnered with the Department of Health for its  BIDASolusyon sa COVID-19 Campaign. This campaign aims to encourage Filipinos to take an active role in the fight against COVID-19 by promoting the correct behaviors, which are known by their starting letters: B – Bawalwalangmask;  I-sanitize ang mgakamay, iwas-hawaksamgabagay; D – Dumitansya ng isang metro and A – Alamin ang totoongimpormasyon.

As part of the partnership, Mega Global will help in rolling out BIDA information materials on virus prevention among its consumers. As the Philippines’ largest sardine brand, Mega Global enjoys a wide reach, allowing it to bring the message of BIDA to more Filipinos. In addition, the information campaign will also run on the Mega Sardines Facebook page, thereby increasing the number of people that the campaign will reach.

BIDA behaviors are strictly implemented by Mega Global in its own offices and facilities. Social distancing is observed, and new normal kits with personal protective gears have been distributed to all employees to be worn at all times. Hygiene protocols and procedures are in place upon entering the office premises, and disinfection is done daily.  Contract tracing is also in place. Mega Global’s strict protocols safeguard its people, and also ensures the safety of its products.

Marvin Tiu Lim, Chief Growth and Development Officer says, “Malasakit is deeply ingrained in our corporate values, and we would liketo be of help where we are most needed. This pandemic has been hard on everybody, including ourselves, but we have also become resilient and we have realized that we can overcome this crisis faster if we help each other. This partnership with the DOH is just one of many ways that allows us to be of assistance to Filipinos. We believe that we can help by providing correct information that would help protect people by empowering them to help themselves.”

Beyond this, Mega Global continues to pursue a myriad of activities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. The Mega Malasakit Kitchen continues to provide home-cooked meals to our tireless frontliners. Its current beneficiaries are homeless Filipinos and displaced PUJ drivers who lost their source of income due to the quarantine. Mega Global partnered with Autokid and the Department of Transportation for the Mega Care Caravan to reach out to transport service cooperatives, deploying meals, masks, shirts and sardines to the beneficiaries.

The distribution of these care packages is done with help of Mega Employees, who spend a few hours in a day to go around the Metro and give away food packs and canned goods. “The help that we extended, no matter how small, gives them hope that they have something to eat and something to give their families in the next few days. It is this message of hope that we want to bring to people, for them to know that malasakit from fellow Filipinos can still be felt despite the challenging situation we are all in” concluded Tiu Lim.

McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO, Kenneth Yang, supports the IATF-EID’s efforts on contact tracing as McDonald’s stores around the country will be employing the StaySafe app

The spread of coronavirus disease COVID-19 continues to effect lives all over the country, McDonald’s Philippines reinforcing its commitment towards safety by adapting a more innovative means for contact tracing through the use of the StaySafe.PH app in its stores. This is in support of the platform launched and spearheaded by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19.

StaySafe.PH aims to contain the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging users to actively report their health conditions and symptoms as well as that of their family members. McDonald’s stores will be utilizing the locally-developed app as a safer, more convenient and comprehensive contract tracing tool not just for customers but for its employees, too.

“In these challenging times, McDonald’s Philippines supports government initiatives that allow us to continue serving our customers in our restaurants and in other channels like delivery and drive-thru, safely.For us, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our people and our customers”said McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth Yang.

McDonald’s Philippines has been reinforcing its commitment towards safety of people since the announcement of the enhanced community quarantine. Under its M Safe program, the company believes that by keeping its employees safe, they keep their customers safe, too. Each store has a dedicated safety manager to ensure all protocols are followed by employees such as wearing of masks and/or face shields, use of gloves, daily submission of health check forms, temperature checks before and after every shift, and increased hand washing frequency to every 30 minutes, among others. The safety managers also ensure that customers are properly guided on the protocols in the store. McDonald’s also started to offer new convenient ordering modes for customers such as Facebook Messenger to be able to enjoy their favorite meals.

Hendrick Gin – Midsummer Solistice with Cocktail

2020 is nearly ending and within it is a blissful yet exciting feeling we want to both treasure and keep. To catch up with nature’s blessings and blooms, to indulge the taste and magic of  brightness and intoxicating aroma of summer even just before it goes away. Last September 15, well knowned Hendrick’s Gin launches a limited-edition Midsummer Solstice that will let you indulge the summer feels you won’t want to miss.

Following Hendrick’s authenticated and unique style, Midsummer Solstice composes itself with the infusion of deeply floral essences that emphasizes the liquid’s existing botanical bouquet and reveals the mystery of some of nature’s most effervescent blooms. This results to an enchantingly floral and exquisitely refreshing gin that blossoms on the palate while remaining the trademark of a true Hendrick’s. Midsummer Solstice’s fragrance include zesty juniper with an initial brightness that melts to reveal hidden undertones of orange blossom and exotic ripeness. This bright and floral take on Hendrick’s house style makes it as wonderfully perfect for drinking in the sun and can be highlighted in the perfect seasonal spritz. Its deep floral character makes the expression magically refreshing with the right and preferred choice of mixed drinks and cocktails.

All credits of this wonderfully-made liquid creation will to Hendrick’s Master Distiller Ms. Lesley Gracie, at the heart of the Hendrick’s Gin Palace in the Cabinet of Curiosities where she keeps her most experimental and treasured liquids under lock and key. “A deeply rooted respect for nature and its most beautiful creations excited me to capture the aromas and flavours of a midsummer day and I am truly enamored over this first release from the Cabinet of Curiosities” said Ms. Gracie. “Midsummer Solstice is the latest expression in what will be a long line of innovations from Hendrick’s and I’m very much looking forward to not to not only creating new and avant-garde expressions at the Gin Palace, but also sharing them with the world.”

On the other hand, Charmaine Thio, Regional Brand Ambassador for Hendrick’s Gin Southeast Asia, said: “We’re thrilled to share this enchantingly floral incarnation of Hendrick’s Gin with the region and we look forward to introducing more innovations in the near future. We hope to bring some summer cheer with Midsummer Solstice as we toast to new beginnings in the months ahead! Just like a holiday romance or the lifespan of the mayfly, Midsummer Solstice is a poetic expression of temporality; we hope you get to taste the beauty of summer’s blooms before it fades away!”

Explore a sip with your own choice and blendings

With the help of Laureen Uy(@laureen), Issa Pressman (@pressmanissa), and Mike and Nelly (@makingithappenvlog), everyone can indulge in delightfully floral cocktails at your social mixers at home with recipes, as they will share quick and easy to do tutorials on the best ways to enjoy Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice on their respective social accounts this week! In partnership with Hendrick’s Gin, they will also be hosting giveaways of Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Twin Packs that consumers can win simply by commenting on the respective post with the day-casion they’d like to celebrate the most!

For more recipes, head over to the Hendrick’s Gin website and learn how to create your own delightfully floral cocktail creations with Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice!

Take a Stroll in their Midsummer Floral Garden

As you go your way out to grab some much-needed essentials, head on over to your neighbourhood S&R* to stop and smell the roses – literally. Experience a slice of Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice as we bring a dose of floral magic to you through a larger-than-life Midsummer Floral display within the aisles. Take home your very own Hendrick’s Gin Midsummer Solstice Twin Pack or take a stroll and forage for QR codes hidden within the displays to watch some Midsummer magic come to life!

Hendrick’s Gin and Midsummer Solstice Twin Pack
available for sale at S&R stores

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice is the first new expression to come from the Hendrick’s Gin Palace, an engine of innovation dedicated to the exploration and discovery of new tastes and flavours. The Palace is a centre of distilling excellence and a place where Hendrick’s expands the taste spectrum through the creations of new Hendrick’s variants. Over the past two decades, Ms. Gracie has amassed in her Cabinet of Curiosities an array of treasured botanicals, distillates and experimental liquids from around the world. Following Midsummer Solstice, additional new and unique gins will be released, replacing the previous expression and each variant will only be available exclusively during its launch year.

For more information on Midsummer Solstice, please visit www.hendricksgin.com

*Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice is now available for purchase at selected S&R stores. The exclusive Hendrick’s Gin Midsummer Solstice Twin Pack will be offered for a limited time only at selected S&R stores starting next week (w/c 21 September 2020), until sold out.

Appendix: Hendrick’s Gin Midsummer Solstice List of participating S&R outlets

• Congressional: 30 Congressional Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay, BagoBantay, Quezon City
• Libis: Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Calle Industria, Bagumbayan, Quezon City, Metro Manila
• New Manila: 1978-F E Rodriguez Sr. Ave, Quezon City, Metro Manila
• Circuit Makati: Hippodromo, Makati, Metro Manila
• Shaw: 514 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City
• BGC: 32nd St., 5th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig City
• Alabang: West Gate Development, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang-Zapote Rd, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
• Aseana: Bradco Avenue, Aseana Business Park, Blvd 2000, Baclaran, Paranaque
• Cebu: Ouano Avenue cor. E.O. Perez St., Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Cebu
• Dau: Barangay Duquit, Dau Access Road, Mabalacat, Pampanga

In responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Jollibee Group continues food donations to Frontliners from its brands to about 300 hospitals around the country in August 2020.Health care workers have received food packs from Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon, and Mang Inasal.

Jollibee Group Foundation Executive Director Gisela Tiongson says, “The Jollibee Group recognizes that our medical frontliners have made tremendous sacrifice in the past months. The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic gets tougher as days go by.Providing them meals to enjoy is a way to refresh their tired bodies and refuel their heroic efforts. We are more than grateful for what they are doing for our countrymen.”

“Sobrang nakakaboost ng morale at nakakataba ng puso na mayroong kompanya na tumutulong sa aming mga frontliners(It really boosts our morale and warms our hearts that there are companies that send support to us frontliners,)” said Melagros Ancheta, a staff at the Veterans Medical Memorial Center who received food packs from Greenwich Pizza.

While according to Dr. Medina Magbitang, “Your donation made us feel that you are one with us in this fight against the pandemic. (We) truly appreciate your sense of generosity to our frontliners.” Dr. Magbitang is the Medical Director of M.S. Magbitang Hospital of San Ildefonso in Bulacan. The hospital received Mang Inasal meals for their frontline staff.

As of August 2020, the Jollibee Group has mobilized a total of P268-million worth of food packs that have benefited some 4.3 million people in communities and served 1.5 million meals to frontline health and checkpoint personnel. Of this, the company donated P227 million, while the additional P41 million came from business partners, other corporate foundations, and the general public through the Jollibee Group FoodAID Coin Bank.

The public can continue to support the Jollibee Group FoodAID Program to help feed more frontliners and families in need. Interested donors may donate through online bank transfer to the Foundation’s Metrobank (Acct. No: 473-7-473-01406-4; Swift Code: MBTCPHMM) and RCBC (Acct. No. 1253-10519-0) accounts, or via PayMaya (http://pymy.co/jollibee).