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