Enhanced mall activities drive SM's foot traffic growth

A family creates lasting memories at the Pyromusical Competition in SM by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex.

SM Supermalls has reported an increase in foot traffic, reaching an average of above 4 million daily visitors in the first quarter of 2024, up from 3.3 million in the same period last year. This steady growth highlights SM’s commitment to enriching the mall experience with diverse and engaging activities that cater to evolving consumer preferences.

"The increase in foot traffic reflects our steadfast commitment to meeting the daily needs and wants of our customers. Our malls serve as dynamic hubs that blend modern retail services with vibrant entrepreneurial environments. SM continues to innovate and elevate customer experiences. Our goal is to create lasting memories through dynamic destinations that complement traditional shopping." ~Steven T. Tan, SM Supermalls President

A crowd gathers to watch their favorite characters at the Grand Mascot Parade in SM Mall of Asia

Through its integrated property developments, SM has transformed its malls into destinations offering immersive experiences tailored to every member of the Filipino family. 

Amid a shift towards discretionary spending, Filipino consumers increasingly visit malls for leisure and dining experiences. Food tenants now constitute 30% of mall spaces leased, up from 10% a decade ago while non-food tenants including entertainment now occupy 50%. Other service-related tenants complement the diverse offerings. 

The Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison is the first-ever immersive art museum in the Philippines.

 

Recent innovations include the Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison, an immersive art museum featuring 20 themed attractions such as LED tunnels and holographic displays, exemplifying SM’s commitment to blending art with entertainment.  

SM Supermalls also provides a platform in support of fandoms, whether you stan your favorite K-pop group, anime, and artists. SM is excited to support these communities and be the go-to place for these celebrations of fan gatherings of all ages and backgrounds. 

One of the places fans can express themselves is the newly launched Cosplay City at SM City Fairview. It’s a hub for the community where they can be creative and be immersed in this multiple district spot filled with toy exhibits and anime themed zones wrapped with that Tokyo City vibe for Instagram-worthy posts. 

Over 500 cosplayers from Metro Manila excitedly gather at SM City Fairview to check out the Cosplay City.

Additionally, SM Mall of Asia’s flagship Game Park, launched in November 2023, offers a 1,947 square meter indoor entertainment complex with amenities like a bowling alley, basketball court, e-darts, and an indoor archery range, catering to diverse interests.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com 

PH Curling Team Dares to Dream for a 2026 Winter Olympics Bid

Can a team from a tropical country excel in an ice sport like curling?

That’s what the Philippine National Curling Team – composed of four Fil-Swiss players -- are out to prove when they go through the rigorous preparations of vying for a slot in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy.

Alan Frei, Filipino-Swiss entrepreneur, economist, curler and spokesman of the team said the Philippine men’s squad bagged a silver medal in the B-Division of the Pan Continental Curling Championships in Kelowna, Canada in 2023. The team aims to repeat the feat this October in Alberta to move up to the A-Division in the 2025 championships.The top two teams there get guaranteed spots in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Frei, a relative newcomer to curling, joined the Filipino team in March 2023, a year after he sold his Swiss e-commerce business and decided “to become an Olympian”. Sharing his dream are teammates Christian Haller, a two-time world junior championship medallist, and brothers Marc and Enrico Pfister who previously competed for Switzerland in world curling championships. 

All Swiss-born like Frei, Haller, and the Pfister brothers are eligible to play for the country because of their Filipino mothers.

“The sport of curling is like playing chess on ice. It’s a combination of strategy and physical skill. We have a huge advantage in the strategy part because we have the experience of the three guys who have played on the world stage. The curling team aspires to pave the way for future curling athletes from the country in their bid for the Olympics. We are trying to foster [Filipino talent] more and more just by being a role model and having this super ambitious goal. We don't have a plan B. We have only one plan and that is to go to the Olympics.” ~Alan Frei, a Filipino-Swiss Entrepreneur, Economist, Curler, and Team Spokesman

To test their skills further, the National Men’s Curling Team will be competing in an off-season tournament this August, the Baden Master’s in Switzerland where they will face World’s No. 1 Italy in their first game. Currently placed at 51st in the men’s rankings of the World Curling Member Association, Frei said the team is excited to play Italy so they can gauge exactly where they stand.

The Swiss-Filipino team hopes that more Filipinos can become aware of their goals and what they’ve been doing so they can be inspired even more.

Frei said the curling team shoulders all their expenses at present, citing their need to first achieve "success" before asking for financial support from the POC and other possible sponsors.

The Swiss-Filipino athletes are also eyeing a podium finish against top Asian countries like China and Korea in the 2025 Asian Winter Gamesin Harbin to gain national recognition.

Single-minded in their dream to bring honor to the country, Frei revealed they want to achieve what the Jamaican Bobsled Team did in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary. Received as underdogs in a cold weather sport, the Jamaicans competed against all odds and came out the favorites.

Get PC-Like Productivity Minus the Heavy Weight with the New HUAWEI MatePad11.5”S, Yours Starting at PHP 24,999

Huawei is offering exclusive deals for the HUAWEI MatePad 1.5”S, now available in the Philippines. Crafted to redefine user experience with outstanding features, Huawei’s new MatePad tablet is perfect for any household.

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S comes with Huawei’s upgraded PaperMatte Display, delivering clear and crisp visuals while protecting users’ eyes. The HUAWEI MatePad SE 11”, also available now, is a durable device that comes in a sleek unibody design. Customers can enjoy exclusive freebies for purchases made from June 28 to July 31, 2024.

Discover a PC-Level Productivity Experience in a Tablet

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S is a versatile tablet ideal for young professionals, students and creative users. Available in two colors, Violet and Space Gray, this device comes in a sleek design and delivers a powerful performance. It features the innovative

PaperMatte Display, which provides a clear and eye-friendly viewing experience, minimizing visual fatigue with advanced anti-glare and anti-reflection technology. Certified by SGS and TÜV Rheinland for its eye-protective properties, the display mimics the look and feel of paper, enhancing reading and creative experiences on the tablet.

As part of the Super Device ecosystem, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S elevates productivity with its advanced features and device collaboration capabilities. It integrates seamlessly with apps like the newly-upgraded HUAWEI Notes, which now features widgets, Instant Shape feature, and a refreshed user interface. The device also offers enhanced functionalities such as Multi-Window and SuperHub. This ensures users experience high efficiency across various tasks, from work and study to socializing and entertainment.

The upgraded PC-level WPS Office on the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S brings a comprehensive suite of efficient office capabilities. Featuring a PC-like UI layout and advanced editing and demonstration tools, it provides full functionality with an intuitive and accessible menu. This design allows users who are accustomed to PC versions of WPS apps to seamlessly transition to tablet use without needing to adapt their work habits. The native UI experience also features window hovering, zooming, multi-window operations, touch interaction, and keyboard and mouse integration, all of which enhance productivity.

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S leverages its large screen for improved productivity with an updated Multi-Window feature. This enables users to enjoy PC-like window interactions. The App Multiplier feature allows for parallel operation of two app screens in a single window, allowing up to four app screens to be displayed simultaneously. This multi-window capability maximizes the use of the 11.5-inch screen, facilitating more efficient multitasking. SuperHub on the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S simplifies the process of moving content between apps and devices, significantly reducing the steps needed for content management and sharing across Huawei devices.

Creative users will enjoy the paper-like drawing and writing experience on the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S. Pairing the HUAWEI M-Pencil (3rd generation) with NearLink technology with the tablet will allow users to jot down notes or draw artwork as if they were using traditional paper. Huawei offers an even more enhanced creative experience with its all-new GoPaint app, a user-friendly painting app developed by Huawei in collaboration with the China Academy of Art. The GoPaint app offers a wide range of brushes and creative tools, as well as guides and tutorials, making it suitable for both beginners and professional artists.

An All-Around Device for the Family

Also available for purchase in the Philippines is the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11”, a durable, elegant, and user-friendly tablet designed for immersive home entertainment. Available in Nebula Grey, its lightweight, unibody design makes it easy for all family members to handle. Rigorous testing confirms its superior durability. The 11-inch FHD+screen, coupled with TÜV Rheinland certifications for Low Blue Light and Flicker Free features, offers an immersive yet eye-friendly viewing experience. The device boasts a long battery life of up to 21 days and supports fast charging.

Perfect for any users, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” carries a comprehensive app ecosystem including productivity tools like Multi-Screen Collaboration, Service Widgets, App Multiplier, and Multi-Window. It supports the HUAWEI M-Pen Lite, providing a more satisfying and realistic note-taking and sketching experience.

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S, now available in the Philippines, is priced starting at PHP 24,999. The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S 8GB + 256GB is available in two elegant colors: Violet and Space Gray. It comes with an exclusive first sale bundle, including the HUAWEI M-Pencil, worth PHP 5,999; and the HUAWEI Bluetooth Mouse, worth PHP 1,899. This exclusive offer is available on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, HUAWEI Online Store, and HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide.

Meanwhile, the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11”, available in Nebula Grey, comes with special freebies for purchases made until July 31, 2024. The HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at PHP 11,999 and comes with the HUAWEI M-Pencil Lite, worth PHP 2,999; a flip cover, worth PHP 999; and a coffee mug, worth PHP 999.

The HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” 6GB + 128GB variant, priced at PHP 8,999, includes a flip cover, worth PHP 999; and a coffee mug, worth PHP 999. These special offers are now available on the HUAWEI Online Store, Shopee, and Lazada, and HUAWEi Experience Stores nationwide.

Purchase the new HUAWEI MatePad tablets through credit cards or Home Credit, and enjoy special installment promos. The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S is available for 0% installment up to 18 months through Home Credit, and up to 24 months with credit cards. The HUAWEI MatePad SE 11” is available for 0% installment for up to 9 months on Home Credit, and up to 24 months with credit cards.

To learn more about the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5”S and the the HUAWEI MatePad SE 11”, visit Huawei’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).

About HUAWEI Consumer BG

HUAWEI's products and services are available in more than 170 countries and are used by a third of the world's population. Fifteen R&D centers have been set up in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is one of HUAWEI's three business units and covers smartphones, PC and tablets, wearables and cloud services, etc. HUAWEI's global network is built on over 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world.

For more information please visit: this page.

Red Bull Dance Your Style Showcases Cebu’s Dance Scene in Provincial Qualifiers

The city of Cebu came alive with rhythm and energy for the Red Bull Dance Your Style Qualifiers last July 13, at APEX Super Club. Cebu’s finest dancers brought out their impressive skills and extraordinary talents, and went head to head to earn a spot in the upcoming National Finals.

Red Bull Dance Your Style, a global 1-on-1 street dance competition, encourages dancers’ individuality and creativity, and celebrates diverse dance styles from all over the world. Dancers are pushed to show off their insane improvisational skills and freestyle dance moves while dancing to unpredictable songs. The global competition stands out for its unique battle format, with the crowd deciding who moves on to the next stage of the competition. 

The competition was fierce with 16 dancers showcasing a stunning array of dance styles. Finalists at the Cebu qualifier did not disappoint, delivering jaw-dropping performances that left the audience in awe. JPY (Jeffrey Casas Toledo), Nemesis (Sam Rivera), Khlai (Khlai Vargaso Batula), and Baby Titan (Shihan Maui Ricablanca) made it to the Top 4. After a series of intense battle rounds, Nemesis was crowned as the winner. Her flawless performances throughout the competition earned her the top spot and a ticket to the National Finals.

“(It) feels great. Last year, I only won second place so this serves as my redemption. Underground. This year, there are a lot of dancers from outside Cebu; some are my friends and some I just met during the competition. I think one of the highlights for this year is meeting new friends and competitors. Since the competition for the National Finals is already filtered from Baguio, Davao, and Manila, I need to level up my training. Nemesis had really unpredictable moves and undeniable skills.” ~Nemesis (Sam Rivera)

Nemesis shared that what she found to be one of the highlights for this year’s competition was getting to compete with fellow members of her dance crew.

First runner up Khlai, who also secured her spot in the National Finals, expressed her joy for placing in the competition. 

“It feels so surreal, I don’t even know where to begin. Today is the birthday of my grandfather who passed away. The performance that I did was dedicated to my grandfather and grandparents. I don’t really prepare that long or have a specific training, but I’ll try to do cardio for my stamina so that I can keep up with the dancers.” ~Khlai, First runner up

Khlai shared that her motivation to join the competition, despite her long-term knee injury, was her late grandfather. 

In preparation for the National Finals, Khlai said she wanted to work on her stamina stating, 

Philippine All-Stars legends and dance consultants Lema Diaz and Vince Mendoza were seen at the event. 

“All I can say is that (the competition) was full of inspiration and new faces. Compared to last year, we multiplied by a lot. A lot of dancers supported Red Bull Dance Your Style and the skills really leveled up from last year. It’s going to be more crazy. We’re excited for the Manila qualifiers. There’s a lot of dancers and new faces. I’m excited that I can witness that moment. “We always tell them to always have fun no matter what. Win or lose, it’s all about the transformation. If you win, there’s transformation. If you lose, there’s transformation. It’s all about giving love to the community, to the next generation, to the OGs, to our past, present, and future.” ~Vince Mendoza, Philippine All-Stars legends and dance consultant

With the conclusion of the Cebu qualifiers, all eyes are now on the thrilling next round of the competition. The Red Bull Dance Your Style journey continues with the Manila qualifiers set for July 27, 2024, at Octopus Makati. More hopeful dancers across the country will compete for their chance to shine at the World Finals. 

Be part of the excitement! Keep an eye out for the last round of qualifiers and follow the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines journey to the World Finals in India on November 9, 2024. Witness the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals in September. You won’t want to miss this!

For more information and updates regarding this year’s season of Red Bull Dance Your Style, visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok )

About Red Bull

Red Bull gives wings to people and ideas. As a functional beverage, we give wings to people by vitalizing the body and mind – supporting their dreams and aspirations through their passion for dance.

McDonald’s Now Serves McSavers Sulit Busog Meals All Day

Enjoy McSavers Sulit-Busog Meals from breakfast to dinner as McDonald's extends its offers all day long, each at a sulit price of PHP 99 in all stores nationwide.

“Since the launch of McSavers Sulit Busog Meals last April, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Building on that, customers can now enjoy the sulit price of Php99 during breakfast hours as we add two new breakfast offers in the line-up: our Cheesy Eggdesal with Hash Browns and Drink meal and Longganisa with Egg and Drink meal.” ~Yves Nacpil, McDonald’s Philippines Marketing Manager

The two new breakfast McSavers Sulit-Busog Meals join Crispy Chicken Fillet Ala King with extra rice, 1-pc. Chicken McDo, Cheeseburger with fries, and 1-pc. Mushroom Pepper Steak with fries Meals! 

With McSavers Sulit Busog Meals delivering filling meals of McDonald’s best sellers at PHP 99 in all stores nationwide, it’s always a good time to go all in on McSavers Sulit Busog Meals all day! 

About McDonald’s Philippines

McDonald’s Philippines master franchise holder Dr. George T. Yang -who oversees and sits as chairman for 40 years- founded and brought the first McDonald’s store to the country in 1981. Since then, McDonald’s in the Philippines has been a formidable player in the country’s quick-service restaurant industry, having grown a store network of over 700 nationwide. McDonald’s Philippines continues to aspire to make a difference in communities where it operates through its charity of Choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines.

League of Corporate Foundations launches LIFE initiative to target child wasting and stunting in the PH

L-R: Edric Calma, LCF Board Trustee and Vice President, Knowledge Channel Foundation; Shem Jose Garcia, LCF Vice Chairperson and Executive Director, Vivant Foundation; Elena Van Tooren, Managing Director, East West Seed Foundation; Dyan Tee, Assistant Executive Director, Metrobank Foundation; Myn Garcia, Deputy Country Representative, Asia Foundation; Jose Gabriel Dimalanta, Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network Secretariat (SUN Network); Joanna La O, Director for Strategy and Program Innovation, Jollibee Group Foundation; Ramon Derige, LCF Board Treasurer and Executive Director, SEAOIL Foundation; Hon. Jim S. Hataman-Salliman, Governor, Province of Basilan; Angie Sapitula-Evidente, Lead Manager, HAPAGASA Program, Assisi Foundation; Enrique O. Canoy, Corporate Communications Head, RMN Networks; Rina Lopez-Bautista, President and Executive Director, Knowledge Channel Foundation; Sebastian C. Quiniones, Jr., LCF Chairperson and Executive Director, Pilipinas Shell Foundation; Austere Panadero, LCF Board Trustee and President, Zuellig Family Foundation; Patrick Aurelio, CSR Officer, RMN Foundation; Suyin Lui Lee, Philippines Country Representative, Asian Philanthropy Circle; Antonio Lambino, President, Ayala Foundation.

Coinciding with the 50th year of National Nutrition Month in the Philippines, the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) has announced the LIFE initiative—which stands for LCF’s Intervention for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment—at the LIFE launch held on Friday, July 5, 2024, at the CSR Expo at the Glorietta Activity Center, Glorietta Mall, Makati City.

LIFE is the League of Corporate Foundations’ flagship project moving forward into 2024 and beyond. LIFE is a League-wide effort to prevent wasting and stunting.  Stunting can have dire and lasting consequences for afflicted children—as well as Philippine society as a whole—if these concerns are not addressed. LIFE aims to decrease, if not eliminate stunting, wasting and malnutrition—one province at a time, based on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).

The Province of Basilan is one of the League’s first areas of focus. It will work together with the provincial government and other concerned groups to bring the program to the people of Basilan. Present at the launch was Hon. Jim S. Hataman-Salliman, the Governor of the Province of Basilan.

Stunting affects 26 per cent of Filipino children younger than 5 years. Stunted children can struggle to learn, often perform poorly in school, and may miss many days of school due to ill health. The condition is irreversible; stunted children who reach adulthood may be less healthy and less productive and can earn less than adults who were not stunted as children. Stunting results from poor nutrition of both young children and mothers-to-be, including deficiencies in the consumption of vital micronutrients such as iron and Vitamin A. 

LIFE encompasses nutrition specific interventions including supplementary feeding, micronutrient supplementation, nutrition promotion for behavior change, and nutrition during emergency situations; nutrition sensitive interventions such as a “Greenlihood Program” (provision of vegetable seedlings to target FK1D groups) and WASH interventions; and enabling mechanisms such as the establishment of a nutrition office that will undertake relevant activities such as the conduct of trainings in nutrition.

“Concerned members of the League are working to collaborate on LIFE. We also endeavor to identify, reach out to, and work with other like-minded groups, corporates and government organizations, individuals and civil society groups.“ ~Sebastian C. Quiniones, LCF Board Chairperson and Executive Director, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. 

The LIFE launch was held back-to-back with the launch of the inaugural Medal of Recognition, which upholds outstanding corporate social responsibility initiatives undertaken by organizations which are not members of LCF, and as part of the celebration of National CSR Week in the Philippines. LCF is mandated to lead the celebration of National CSR Week on the first week of July by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 299, s. 2000, including through organizing the yearly CSR Conference and Expo.

For more information please visit the LIFE microsite at bit.ly/lcflife, or contact Celine A. Santillan, LCF Executive Director, at execdirlcf@gmail.com. 

National Fried Chicken Day: All the things you need to know about your favorite chicken dish and cooking style!

Celebrating Ajinomoto’s Crispy Fry®’s 20th Anniversary

Chicken cooked in this style has made its way all over the world by simply being that “go to” dish which everybody can enjoy. From variations on the way that it’s made, to the flavorings added, to the simple yet very familiar dish, as well as ways this meal is presented, Fried Chicken, is without a doubt, a meal that everyone knows about. This National Fried Chicken Day is the perfect opportunity to know more about the rich history and global variations of a dish so well-loved.

Fried chicken can be traced back to the Middle Ages, specifically in Europe with the Scottish immigrants bringing their frying techniques to the Americas in the 18th century. Since then, many versions of this dish has been shared. From just simply frying the chicken meat, a variety of spices and herbs have now been introduced to make the traditional recipe taste better.

Fried chicken has also been adapted in various cultures worldwide. The Koreans cook their chicken by double-frying the meat and then later dipping it in sweet and spicy sauces. The Japanese karaage, on the other hand, features marinated chicken pieces covered in potato starch that has light and crispy textures. The style found in Indonesia is fried chicken called ayam goreng, where the chicken is deeply marinated in local spices. Later on, distinct versions were made including the Southern Fried Chicken with its crispy coating and juicy meat marinated in buttermilk and spices. Even fried chicken found its pair, with the dish called chicken & waffles, wherein fried chicken is served with golden waffles with syrup complementing the savory experience.

Fried chicken even became more popular globally with the rise of fast-food chains, having their own take on the comfort-giving dish that truly made everyone find their perfect and favorite fried chicken of choice. Some people even became loyal to one fast food chain because of their version of fried chicken.

This July, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) celebrates the 20th anniversary of Crispy Fry ́®, and just like the many variations of fried chicken that exists all over the world, APC has made sure that there’s one variant of Crispy Fry ́® fit for everybody’s taste.

Crispy Fry® Garlic is made with a more delicious, special blend of flour, starch, and seasoning, for those who ought to enjoy a more garlic-y flavor to their fried chicken, elevating the experience of having that crispy-sarap fried chicken in every bite. The Crispy Fry® Garlic variation is perfect for those who want that right amount of kick of heat. Truly a spicy-food lovers’ partner, this flavor is indeed fiery in all the right ways. Finally, the Crispy Fry® Garlic flavor is one that is dear to the Filipino household which you most probably would find in the cupboards of Pinoy home, waiting to be used, on-call, on-standby for all the best reasons. This product could easily make one receive compliments about their cooking; while also maintaining that home-y and original tasting recipe at home you yearn for after a long day at work.

No matter how many variations of fried chicken there may be in the world, the Filipino household can easily recognize fried chicken made with Crispy Fry®, simply because most of the customers catered by this product have grown up with it, and know how adding Crispy Fry® to their fried chicken dishes is the best option especially when you’re cooking for your family or friends, or even a whole team or barkada! National Fried Chicken Day is an important celebration for APC, given how Crispy Fry® continues to be supported by its market. 

Somehow, it is common knowledge in the Philippines that by adding this special ingredient to a fried chicken dish will make everything fall into place, regardless of if you know your ways around the kitchen or not!

APC wishes everyone a Happy National Fried Chicken Day! Wait, is that fried chicken we smell and hear sizzling in oil ready to give you that crispy-sarap bite?

The Ajinomoto Group is a global company with specialties in the business of food and amino acids, guided by our leading-edge bioscience and fine chemical technologies.

Based on the corporate message “Eat Well, Live Well.”, we have been scientifically pursuing the possibilities of amino acids in supporting the healthy lives of people all around the world. We aim for future growth and continuous contribution to greater wellness by creating value through sustainable and innovative solutions for communities and society.

The Ajinomoto Group has offices in 36 countries and regions, and sells products in more than 130 countries and regions. In fiscal 2021, sales were 1.1149 trillion yen (8.73 billion U.S. dollars). To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com.

New Kitchen Magic Sphagetti Sauce Launches with Philippines King of Talk, Tito Boy Abunda as Celebrity Endorser

Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce launches in the Philippine market today with a commitment to food excellence and flavorful innovations. The brand is thrilled to also introduce Tito Boy Abunda as the celebrity endorser who shares about how Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce will become a new household name that will deliver unparalleled food taste and quality through spaghetti dishes and Filipino favorites such as the Mechado, Afritada, Kaldereta, Menudo, Pochero, and many more. The variety Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce is capable of bringing to Filipino homes is endless, hence the expression that it is projected to bring to everyone…”SuuusSarap!” 

“As someone who appreciates good food, I am truly excited to be part of this milestone with the Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce Family. Sa unang tikim ko pa lang, alam ko na agad, ito ang bagong spaghetti sauce #ParaSaBayan. Their spaghetti sauce is more than just a special mix of naturally sourced ingredients, it is made with love, it is made for the Filipino’s taste—and will surely transform ordinary meals beyond just spaghetti, into extraordinary experiences.” ~Tito Boy Abunda, Celebrity Endorse of Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce

Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce’s culinary team has meticulously sourced and brought together the finest ingredients, ensuring that each pack will deliver a symphony of taste that will delight moms, dads, kuyas, ates, lolos and lolas, food enthusiasts, home cooks and food professionals alike. Not only that, but the product is also naturally rich in Lycopene and is Halal-certified to ensure that everyone can have a taste of this sauce in their meals. 

“We are all excited for every household in the Philippines to get a taste of what Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce has to offer. It took us many months to get us to where we are today, and we are sure that this is the Spaghetti Sauce that Filipinos are looking for, and we are working hard to get this to as many kitchens in the Philippines as possible.” ~Ron Ferrer, Marketing Head of Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce 

In partnership with All Day Supermarkets, Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce will be available in their select stores nationwide. 

As part of the launch, news and updates about Kitchen Magic Spaghetti Sauce can be found in their Facebook and TikTok Pages.

Jollibee Group Reinforces Global Food Safety Standards and Practices

National Sanitation Foundation APAC Managing Director Jyoti Bhasin said food safety is a collective responsibility that requires transparency, commitment, consistency, and communication. Through collaboration, individuals and organizations can improve their problem-solving capabilities, enhance communication processes, and develop consistent food safety standards.

As part of its commitment to serving food that people trust and harnessing a culture of food safety across its global operations and supply chain, the Jollibee Group has reinforced its global food safety standards and practices coinciding with the celebration of World Food Safety Day (WFSD) last June 7, 2024. 

This year’s WFSD, aptly themed, “Food safety: prepare for the unexpected,” underscores the importance of being prepared for food safety incidents where there is a potential or confirmed health risk associated with food consumption. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in ten people worldwide fall ill from unsafe food each year, and over 200 diseases are caused by eating contaminated food. 

“We have always believed in harnessing the collaborative power of our employees, partners, and stakeholders in advocating and adopting solutions that enhance food safety in our organization. We hope to nurture these commitments further. With programs that center on proper labeling, minimizing food waste and loss, as well as food security, we aim to raise awareness on food safety issues that affect not just our stores but also the entire enterprise. Food safety has always been Jollibee Group’s anchor in serving great-tasting food and maintaining customer satisfaction. The Company will continue building on its strong foundation of food safety and quality practices to live its mission of bringing the joy of eating to everyone––now and in the future. To all our JFC colleagues, may our collective efforts pave the way for a resilient and sustainable future, where both our plates and the planet thrive harmoniously.” ~Wally Mateo, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head of Global Quality Management

Commitment to Food Safety. As part of its commemoration of World Food Safety Day celebration in June, the Jollibee Group extended its promotion of food safety standards to its customers through food safety stickers that its brands like Jollibee in the Philippines, Vietnam, and UAE, Tim Ho Wan and Yonghe King in China, placed on delivery orders. The sticker included a scannable QR code that links to the Company’s commitment to food safety.

Jollibee Group Vice President and Head of Global Quality Management Wally Mateo emphasized the importance of collaboration in promoting a culture of food safety.

Cultivating consciousness on food safety standards

The Jollibee Group centered its 2024 WFSD celebration on three focus areas, namely Food Safety, Food Quality, and Transparency & Traceability. These focus areas are guided by the Company’s global sustainability agenda, called Joy for Tomorrow. One of the three pillars under Joy for Tomorrow is on Food––to ensure the Company continues to serve food that people trust. 

Last June 3, the Jollibee Group organized a webinar led by BioMedix Founder and CEO Dr. Claver E. Bundac and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Asia-Pacific (APAC) Managing Director Jyoti Bhasin. 

BioMedix is a biotech manufacturing and distribution company that specializes in food safety testing systems, while NSF is an independent organization that facilitates standards development, product certification, testing, auditing, education, and risk management for public health and the environment. 

The webinar was attended by over 1,800 participants from Jollibee Group operations and support functions, and global suppliers. The resource experts shared insights on sustainable practices and technologies in food processing and the importance of collaboration in mitigating food safety issues. 

During the webinar, Biomedix Founder and CEO Dr. Claver Bundac (top right frame) emphasized the importance of sustainability in food processing to ensure a safe and viable future for subsequent generations. The WFSD activities were organized by the Global Quality Management Team led by Wally Mateo, Vice President and Head of Global QM (bottom center).

Dr. Bundac of BioMedix emphasized the need to integrate sustainable practices in food processing and business operations to ensure a safe and viable future for subsequent generations. For her part, Director Bhasin of NSF APAC talked about how collaboration among enterprises, authorities, and consumers is crucial in enhancing food safety protocols, overcoming challenges, and reducing food safety risks. 

The Jollibee Group has also released an instructional video to its operations teams on the enhanced Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) requirements, integrating the clean design standards for the Jollibee Group’s new stores. 

The brands of the Jollibee Group in the Philippines, China, and Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia (EMEAA) Regions also handed out delivery safety seal stickers with a scannable QR code that contains short information on WFSD and the Company’s commitment to global food safety standards. 

About Jollibee Group 

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. Its mission is to serve great-tasting food and bring the joy of eating to everyone through its 18 brands with over 6,900 stores across 33 countries. 

The Jollibee Group has eight wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); four franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand. JFC also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.

The Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 92% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. The Jollibee Group has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. The Company also established a joint venture company that will own and operate Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines. Recently, the Jollibee Group signed agreements to own 10% ownership in Botrista, a leader in the beverage technology space. The Company also owns a 90% participating interest in Titan Dining Partners II Ltd to further grow Asia Pacific food service brands and/or bring strong global food service brands to Asia Pacific.

The Jollibee Group has launched its global sustainability agenda dubbed Joy for Tomorrow, which aims to strengthen the Company’s commitment to sustainable business practices. The agenda centers on the key pillars of Food, People, and Planet, and consists of 10 focus areas namely: food safety, food quality, nutrition & transparency, employee welfare, farmers livelihood, community support, good governance, packaging & recycling, waste reduction, and energy & water efficiency. Each focus area sets goals and initiatives that contribute and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. The Company is also a three-time recipient of Gallup’s Exceptional Workplace Award and was recently cited in TIME’s List of the World’s Best Companies and Fortune Southeast Asia 500 List. 

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

Exciting New Stores to Explore at SM

SM City Grand Central and SM City Valenzuela are elevating the shopping experience with the launch of exciting new store concepts, providing shoppers with more options and a thrilling shopping adventure.

CLN

For those who understand the importance of good shoes and bags, CLN at SM City Valenzuela is a must-visit. This local footwear brand, a household name for the past 50 years, is renowned for providing stylish, high-quality footwear and bags that are both fashionable and affordable. 

The new store at the ground floor of SM City Valenzuela continues CLN's tradition of delivering fashion-forward products that don’t break the bank. Shoppers are invited to check out the latest collections and enjoy the timeless appeal of CLN’s offerings.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore these exciting new stores at SM City Grand Central and SM City Valenzuela. Whether it's the aromatic delights of Scentsmith Perfumery or the stylish essentials from CLN, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit today and elevate your shopping experience!

SCENTSMITH PERFUMERY

Scentsmith Perfumery, located on the 2nd  floor of SM City Grand Central, offers an olfactory experience that transcends the sense of smell. The perfumery is dedicated to harnessing the positive effects of aromas on human emotions and behaviors. Scentsmith's mission is to promote physical and psychological well-being through carefully crafted scents that evoke relaxation, exhilaration, sensuality, happiness, and fulfillment.

Scentsmith Perfumery prides itself on using safe, premium-quality ingredients sourced from nature. Their products, which include body lotions, washes, oils, shampoos, conditioners, hand washes, aroma mists, reed diffusers, candles, and loo drops, are all formulated without harmful chemicals, adhering to international safety and efficacy standards.

Pop-up café lets you enjoy various Cream-O treats

Cafes can be a go-to for people who want to spend their me time while enjoying sweet treats. Cream-O wanted people to experience that and more with its first pop-up event, the Cream-O Me Time Cafe.

The cookie brand’s cozy pop-up café, stationed at Greenfield District Weekend Market last June 22 to 23, delighted guests with delicious treats and exciting activities. It was an immersive space where visitors relaxed in between errands, while they ate various Cream-O goodies. They also enjoyed the pop-up cafe’s cozy vibe, offering relaxing music, insightful e-books, and exciting games.

Guests at the Cream-O Me Time Café used the Freedom wall to share their favorite me time activities

Cream-Oholics got to try various cookies, cakes and drinks at the Cream-O Me Time Cafe

Cream-Oholics got to try various cookies, cakes and drinks at the Cream-O Me Time Cafe

Guests enjoyed various activities while enjoying fun and cozy music from the Cream-Oholics Playlist booth

In case you missed it, you can watch out for the next leg in the coming months. Here’s a closer look at the fun activities during the pop-up event (and a sneak peek to the next leg):

Cafe memories

Social media has become a personal journal for many people, so Cream-Oholics were encouraged to pose with their Cream-O while enjoying the wide variety of cookies, cakes and drinks. Those who posted on social media were given a free Cream-O pack that they could take home. There was also a Freedom Wall where they could spread positivity and share their best me-time tips to other cafe-goers.

A variety of solo and group games

The Cream-O Cafe’s Great Taste Memory Game tested visitors’ mental prowess. They were given 10 chances to match three consecutive logos within one minute. The prize was more snacks, such as Cream-O Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cream-O Brownie, and a twin pack of Great Taste Cream-O coffee.

Cream-Oholics were also free to try out various board games while enjoying their Cream-O snacks and drinks. They chose from traditional games, like chess and checkers, and popular group games. This brought a whole new meaning to bonding over board games.

Cozy time with books and music

A cafe isn’t complete without a spot to read books and a chill playlist. The Cream-O Me Time Cafe offered a cozy space for bookworms to download and read public domain e-books via the Cream-O Library over delectable Cream-O cookies and coffee. Completing the experience was the Cream-Oholics Playlist, which curated visitors’ favorite songs to listen to while spending their me-time.

Overall, the Cream-O Me-Time Cafe gave many people a venue to unwind after a busy week. It not only made them feel relaxed, but also brought “choco happiness” to Cream-Oholics who were looking for a cozy vibe with delicious snacks.

Stay tuned for the next stops of Cream-O Me Time Café in the coming months. Just follow Cream-O’s official Facebook page to get updates on this.