Hanabishi to Launch Special Edition BT21 Mini Jumbo Fans

Hanabishi Appliances is set to release a Special Edition Mini Jumbo Fan Collection featuring the globally beloved BT21 characters.

“We are excited to announce this partnership between Hanabishi and BT21 and we can’t wait to unveil the products for everyone to enjoy.” ~Cherish Ong-Chua, VP for Marketing and Finance of Hanabishi Appliances

Since its launch in 2017, BT21 has come out with varied products bearing the charming designs of the BT21 UNIVERSE Available in candy colors and featuring a different character for each fan, the Hanabishi special edition mini jumbo fans are not just practical must-haves for staying cool but also collectible items.

Gifted sleepyhead KOYA, Kind and loving foodie RJ, Mini prankster SHOOKY, Expressive faced dancing machine MANG, The pure-at-heart CHIMMY, An off-the-wall curious soul prince TATA, and Brawny hearty rumps COOKY will have their own 7-inch mini jumbo fan.

All the fans have a three-speed option control, 90-degree tilt function, thermal fuse protection, powerful airflow, and turbine grill. Each fan will retail for PhP1,299.

The Hanabishi special edition mini jumbo fans featuring BT21 will be officially unveiled and made available in July.

For more information about Hanabishi products, visit www.myhanabishi.com.

Follow Hanabishi on social media to stay updated on the BT21 mini jumbo fan collection and other Hanabishi appliances and promotions.

About Hanabishi: 

Sa Bahay at sa Business Mo, Hanabishi!

Hanabishi is a Filipino household name for appliances for over 35 years. It is a brand engineered to fit the lifestyle of the Filipino both for homes and businesses.  Hardworking, durable and resilient, are the attributes that personify Hanabishi making it the brand of choice of every Filipino mom and businessman when it comes to value and practicality. Hanabishi is the mark of quality that grows with you through the years.  Built with passion and an impeccable desire to uphold the quality of life in every Filipino home, Hanabishi will remain to be the PRACTICAL choice and KAPARTNER, today and for the many years to come.

For more information about Hanabishi, please visit www.myhanabishi.com/shop and  like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyHanabishiAppliances/

World’s Number 1 Japanese Curry House CoCo Ichibanya Comes to Nuvali

CoCo Ichibanya recently opened its 16th branch in the country at Ayala Malls Solenad in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. It had a soft opening on July 10 and a grand opening on July 20.

“CoCo Ichibanya is expanding, and we thank all our customers for their support. We are excited to bring the food and service that CoCo Ichibanya is known for all over Japan and the rest of the world.” ~Hubert Young, President and CEO of Mugen Group, the company that brought to the Philippines some of Japan’s most popular food concepts

Authentic Japanese Curry Flavors

Japanese curry lovers can satisfy their cravings at CoCo Ichibanya, which encourages customers to customize their orders according to their preferences. They can choose from mild to spicy flavors, vegetarian to meat choices, and their preferred toppings and side dishes.

CoCo Ichibanya offers a variety of curry that range from PhP260 and up which customers can upgrade to a set menu at an additional cost.

Curry meals can be paired with orders of Curry Naan Bread Set, Seafood Basket, French Fries Basket, Fried Chicken Salad, Fried Shrimp Salad, and Mini Salad.

Must-try omelette, seafood and vegetable options include the Pork Cutlet Omelette Curry, Fried Chicken Omelette Curry, Beef Omelette Curry, Kimchi Curry and Eggplant Curry, Fried Fish Curry, and Shrimp Cutlet Curry.

For meat lovers, the Pork/Chicken Cutlet Curry, Hamburg Steak Curry, and Meatballs Curry are highly recommended. Mixed curry options are also available and the Pork Cutlet & Vegetable Curry and Fried Fish, Spinach & Stewed Shrimp Curry are excellent choices.

Also known as CoCo Ichi, CoCo Ichibanya currently has more than 1,457 branches combined in Japan and worldwide. Through the Mugen Group, it established its first branch in the Philippines as CURRY HOUSE CoCo Ichibanya at Estancia Mall in 2015. Last May, it opened its first branch in Bacolod.

Guiding Principles for Ethical Digital Marketing Practices

Photo by The Creative Exchange on Unsplash

The process by which companies give honesty, transparency, and respect for customer rights and privacy top priority is known as ethical digital marketing. By doing this, the company will be able to uphold its good name, develop client loyalty, and establish trust.  

They must give customers useful, pertinent, and accurate information in order for them to be able to make educated decisions. 

After all, modern consumers are more knowledgeable than ever! They examine a company's ethics, transparency, and sincerity in-depth.

To gain and keep that trust, it is imperative that you take the following actions. To guarantee that you uphold and maintain ethical digital marketing strategies throughout the lifespan of your business, here are just a few necessary adjustments you can make:

Be Transparent

Transparency can be exhibited through: 

• Adhering to honest advertising practices - providing accurate and truthful information about products and services. This means abstaining from exaggerated claims, false testimonials, and hidden fees. 

• Disclosing sponsorships - labeling content to notify audiences of the commercial nature of the post. Most, if not all, social media platforms require this of sponsored posts and paid advertisements.

• Staying transparent with data practices - informing customers about how data is collected and how they will be used. This includes providing options for data deletion and opt-out.

Be Respectful of Privacy

Data privacy is a right of consumers, and businesses must respect this by implementing robust data protection measures to protect customer data from unauthorized access, disclosure, and theft. The best security practices include: 

• Using secure servers.
• Adding encryption.
• Regularly updating software and security protocols. 

Commitment to Truthfulness

Businesses should steer clear of marketing practices capable of eroding trust, such as misleading headlines, clickbait tactics, and false claims. Before publishing anything, they should verify the accuracy of their marketing materials to ensure they're truthful and reliable, as disseminating misinformation can have severe consequences (e.g., legal penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust).

Foster Digital Accessibility

Everyone regardless of disability should have access; Therefore, businesses should prioritize the development and design of their websites, applications, and other content with the utmost inclusivity in mind. This implies the addition of alt text for images, closed-captions for videos, and a keyboard-friendly interface.

Promote Diversity and Inclusion

To reflect the real world and reach a broader audience, businesses should strive to showcase diversity in their marketing material. This includes people of different races, genders, ages, and abilities.

Additionally, it’s important to provide it in multiple languages and refrain from leaning into stereotypes.

For example, Nike’s “Dream Crazier” inclusive campaign, features female athletes from diverse backgrounds, and Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, shows names in multiple languages and cultures. 

Practice Sustainability

Sustainability is an essential principle of ethical marketing. It involves championing sustainable practices, such as implementing eco-friendly materials, using renewable energy resources, and minimizing carbon footprints. 

For example, the sustainable marketing initiative of Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” which encourages conscious consumerism.

Partner with Ethical Influencers 

Building trust with consumers goes beyond - it extends to who represents it. So when choosing, follow these criteria to resonate with the audience and build genuine connections:

• Actively promotes ideas you stand behind.
• Aligns with your target demographics.
• Maintains a good overall online reputation
• Demonstrates a history of consistent audience engagements.

Additionally, for a smoother experience, develop clear guidelines outlining your expectations for content creation to ensure the influencer stays in sync and adheres to ethical marketing standards. The guideline might cover aspects like: 

• Tone and messaging of the content.
• Use of brand assets (e.g., logo).
• Video visual style.

To help you with campaigns that may require partnering with such influencers, consider tapping a public relations agency that also has experience in digital marketing and influencer engagement. The commitment to earned media through PR, as well as the sound understanding of an integrated, organic approach to media that PR agencies are known for, will only bode well for your digital marketing strategies.

Practice Consumer Rights and Protection

With the advent of digital technology and its ease of skewing information (or images/videos), safeguarding consumer rights - privacy, accurate information, and fair treatment - is more critical than ever before. So to guarantee a fair and trustworthy online experience, establish a clear-cut system for handling consumer complaints swiftly. This can look like:

• Providing clear and concise responses (e.g., emails, chats, or comments).

• Offering solutions.

• Following through on promises.

• Checking in to see if the remedy met their desired outcome.

• Providing links to surveys or forms.

This will demonstrate the company's unwavering commitment to responsible practices.

Continuously Learn and Improve

Ethical digital marketing necessitates ongoing education and training. For businesses, this means staying ahead of the curve by equipping their employees with the necessary knowledge by subscribing to industry publications, attending reputable conferences, and investing in credible training programs to guarantee marketing efforts remain effective and responsible.

Remember! Marketing that is ethical is a continuous process. It's a journey that calls for ongoing adjustment to market demands and trends while maintaining a commitment to sustainable practices based on openness and decency. This strategy gives a company a competitive edge and positions it for long-term success, all while ensuring that it complies with regulations and does the right thing.

Jollibee Foods Corporation, JGF Partner with YouthWorks PH to Help Youth Become Job-ready

Training for their future. Through the YouthWorks PH project, those who are considered NEET can soon undergo free senior crew skills training that will equip them with the right competencies and experience to secure a job in the food and beverage sector. 

In an effort to increase opportunities for youth employment in the country, the Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), together with its social development arm Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), has teamed up with the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a training program under its workforce development initiative, YouthWorks PH. 

JGF’s President Gisela Tiongson and Jollibee Foods Corporation Philippines’ Chief Human Resources Officer Ruth Angeles, together with the representatives from PBEd, USAID, and Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. – School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, and JFC business units, joined the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement and memorandum of understanding for the YouthWorks PH program last June 6.

The program is geared towards making education and training more responsive to the needs of the economy by working with the government, various industries, and the academe to provide opportunities to youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

“Youth unemployment is at 11.2%, even while we experience a high number of vacancies in different industries. But we want to change this by bringing all our strengths together. Our partnership for the YouthWorks PH program is anchored on our shared commitment with JFC to support underprivileged youth to gain access to relevant education and eventually have an opportunity to improve their lives with gainful employment.” ~Gisela Tiongson, JGF President

A Joyful Training

Start of the journey. The classroom training for the pilot batch of the Jollibee Group Foundation and YouthWorks PH Program officially commenced on July 1 in Cebu. The trainees will have two months of classroom training before starting their supervised industry learning in select Jollibee, Chowking, and Greenwich stores.

Through the YouthWorks PH project, those who are considered NEET can soon undergo free senior crew skills training that will equip them with the right competencies and experience to secure a job in the food and beverage sector. 

 

JFC will lead the program's pilot batch, which will include 26 NEET youth in Cebu City. In addition to providing work-based training and pre-employment support to the participants in select Jollibee, Chowking, and Greenwich stores, JFC and JGF will also cover the participants' training costs, training allowances, and accommodation.

“We are elated to see the pilot batch of 26 out-of-school youth in Cebu City jump-start this opportunity. This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we break down silos and work together. When government, businesses, educators, and communities join forces, we can empower young people, unlock their potential, and build a brighter future for all.” ~Justine Raagas, PBEd Executive Director

Sharing the joyful experience 

 

“In JFC, we Choose Joy, and part of a joyful experience is being able to create a positive influence on the lives of others. We are looking forward to the successful pilot implementation of this initiative in JFC and hoping to replicate the initiative in other areas to be able to reach more youth.” ~Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Foods Corporation Philippines’ Chief Human Resources Officer 

JFC and JGF embarked on this initiative as part of its commitment to the community support focus area under its global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow.   

Partners in full force. Representatives from the Jollibee Foods Corporation and Jollibee Group Foundation, together with the team from Philippine Business Education and the United States Agency for International Development, form a handshake chain after sealing the partnership for the YouthWorks PH project.

The partnership came on the heels of the Company’s successful tie-up with various local governments to provide employment opportunities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and with the Department of Labor and Employment under the latter’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES). All these programs have the common goal of expanding employment opportunities for all Filipinos.

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’s Southeast Asia 500 List.

 

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

Get Ready for 'BGC Brunch': Bonifacio High Street South’s BGC Brunch': Bonifacio High Street South

Picture this: Walking down a scent-filled street with a vast mouthwatering aroma of filling meals, the clinking of glasses, and the sound of laughter from friends and families enjoying the best brunch ever. You know that it does not have to be limited to your imagination, because you can now get just exactly that – the best brunch, ever.

High Street South, BGC’s newest dining destination in the southern side of the city, is turning up the fun of weekend brunches! Kickstarting this August 3, at 11 AM to 2 PM, head to BGC High Street South and take your brunch to the next level with scrumptious bites and specialty drinks, all while jamming to the beats of DJ Honey at Auro on August 3 and groove to the music from the 80s and 90s at Cochi on August 10, and many more!

Participating merchants at Bonifacio High Street South district are also sure to give you a refreshing atmosphere of new dining concepts for all to discover at BGC’s Brunch at High Street South. From Bolero's all-new Spanish concept to Cochi's creative plates, and from Auro's gourmet offerings to Olive Garden's comforting classics, there's surely something for everyone! 

BGC’s Brunch at High Street South will also be featuring crowd favorites such as Wong Place, Dennys, SuperSam, and BCN Las Flores where you can let your taste buds explore new tastes and filling meals; and even your favorite bakehouses and coffee shops like Kiji, Baristart, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Bistro, and The Fat Seed for your must-have brunch fixes! Just as well, Good Neighbor, the district’s latest go-to spot, will have their own selection of brunch offers for hearty meals to enjoy with friends and family.

Sip on your favorite drinks and get a taste of different dishes and cuisines that’ll keep your spirits high all weekend. Brunch at Bonifacio High Street South kicks off this August 3 from 11 AM to 2 PM, located in both Bonifacio High Street South as well as Bonifacio South Street just a few steps away; and will be available to enjoy at a wide variety of merchants every Saturday.

For more information, be sure to check BGC’s socials on Facebook and Instagram.

SB19 SAYS "Atin To?" for McDonald's Chicken McDo

More and more Filipinos are loving the much malaki, much juicier, much crispier, and much sulit Chicken McDo! Now, P-Pop sensation SB19 joins the cause, declaring, “Atin ‘to!” for the new and better Chicken McDo that tastes as good as it looks.

Superstars on the rise, SB19 members Pablo (John Paulo Nase), Ken (Felip Jhon Suson), Stell (Stellvester Ajero), Josh (Josh Cullen Santos), and Justin (Justin De Dios) have just been announced as the quick service restaurant’s newest endorsers, a promising start  of an exciting collaboration.

SB19 made their mark as the first Filipino and Southeast Asian act to be nominated at the Billboard Music Awards for Top Social Artist category. Today, they follow in the footsteps of the unkaboggable Vice Ganda, who last year helped McDonald’s relaunch Chicken McDo to great acclaim. More recently, Kapuso royalty Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes starred in a musical extravaganza that generated even more hype for Chicken McDo, which also became viral for its huge, “dinosaur-size” portions.

“We’re ecstatic to welcome SB19 to the McDonald’s Philippines family. To have this supergroup join us in showing love for our much bigger, much juicier, much crispier and much sulit Chicken McDo is very exciting. It’s a great collaboration, and we look forward to working with SB19 in delivering more feel-good moments to our customers all over the country. Definitely, there’s much more to look forward to in this campaign.” ~Adi Timbol-Hernandez, McDonald’s Philippines’ Assistant Vice President for Corporate Relations and Impact

Days before the announcement, McDonald’s Philippines released a teaser on their social media pages hinting at a new “Ninang” to their next endorser. Loyal members of SB19’s fan base, known as A’tin, quickly guessed it was the upcoming endorsement. Soon after, an exclusive video for A’tin was released, featuring a specially-written single showcasing the band’s love for Chicken McDo and encouraging their fans to try it out and embrace it as their own.

The centerpiece of the campaign is McDonald’s one-piece Chicken McDo Sulit Busog Meal, which includes rice and a drink for the low price of Php99 in all stores nationwide. With their favorite band joining the thousands who’ve discovered the new and better Chicken McDo, SB19 fans will definitely have something to look forward to this August!

For more information on McDonald’s Philippines, visit www.mcdonalds.com.ph or follow their official social media pages at www.facebook.com/McDo.ph and www.instagram.com/mcdo_ph.

Luzon’s Top Dancers Shine at Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifiers

Another epic dance battle took place at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifiers, held last July 27 at Octopus in Makati. The intense competition showcased Luzon's top dance talents. With the conclusion of the series of qualifiers, the country eagerly awaits the grand showdown where finalists will battle it out for the coveted title and the chance to represent Philippines in the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals. 

The unique global street dance competition swept the nation with the regional qualifiers, challenging dancers from Cebu, Davao, and Manila to show off their talent as they freestyle to a random selection of songs. Each city hosted fierce battles, with dancers from across the country pushing their limits and captivating audiences with their unique styles and high-energy performances. Each of them were vying for a spot in the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals. 

Manila witnessed an exceptional level of competition. The competition concluded with an unforgettable performance by Klockwise (Kenneth Martinez), who emerged victorious with his flawless moves and undeniable charisma. Reflecting on his Red Bull Dance Your Style journey.

“I’ve only (followed) Red Bull Dance Your Style via social media, then when it came to the Philippines, I went over to watch it live (and) the (following) year as well. When I was in the audience, I had a vision of myself performing on stage. That’s when I made it my goal that one day I would dance, perform, and show my skills. It’s super unexpected. I just wanted to enjoy, to show what I enjoy doing. I’ll prepare highlights and ground moves, create new patterns of my locking, and of course, listen to new music.” ~Klockwise (Kenneth Martinez)

He shared that his preparation for the qualifiers involved listening to a lot of music and freestyling to it. He also said he will do much of the same leading up to the National Finals.

Kid Magnus (Flourence Lavesores) who won first runner up, shared that the event felt less like a competition. 

“I really just enjoyed it. The crowd was so energetic and happy, which made me feel that I was just dancing, enjoying the music, dancing to the beat. I was a bit pressured because (my fellow) competitors (are) well known, but all of them were very nice.” ~Kid Magnus (Flourence Lavesores)

Tatai, a Japanese dancer who made it to the top 4, expressed her joy and enthusiasm at being able to join the competition. 

“It’s about letting your mind go crazy, expressing your love for dance, and enjoying music.I want to practice more, perfect my favorite dance, and give it my all on the next stage.” ~Tatai, a Japanese dancer

Klockwise, along with Kid Magnus, Tatai, and Q, also secured their spots for the National Finals, joining R3DMAN (Edrian Alcaria) and MSTR PIECE (Regie Harris Lavestre), the winner and first runner-up of the Davao qualifier. Included in the finalists are Nemesis (Sam Rivera) and Khlai (Khlai Vargaso Batula), the winner and first runner-up of the Cebu qualifier, to complete 8 finalists from the qualifiers. The remaining slots for the National Finals will be given to wildcard picks.

Red Bull Dance Your Style dance consultants, Vince Mendoza and Lema Diaz of the Philippine All-Stars, expressed their excitement for the upcoming National Finals especially after seeing the talents from the qualifiers in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. 

“There were so many unforgettable moments. You could tell that everybody brought their A-game and did not hold back. Everybody really wanted to have the top spot to participate in the National Finals. All you have to do is be yourself, show everybody what you’ve got. What makes you different from the rest is your own experience, your own flavor, where you come from. Carry that with you and let the crowd decide who moves on to the next (stage).” ~Lema Diaz of the Philippine All-Stars

On what he looks forward to seeing in the National finals. Vince Mendoza offered as his advice for dancers as they gear up for the National Finals.

“I want to see more identity, creativity, performance, and maturity of the dancers, understanding the message of the music and the crowd. That’s really hard to achieve as a dancer, but for the young generation, they’re really fast at learning and adapting. Listen to new music, different styles, and different genres. Enjoy the music; don't force yourself to train. It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about transformation. Accept your identity, accept your uniqueness, and showcase that uniqueness. Don’t be afraid and believe in yourself.” ~Vince Mendoza  of the Philippine All-Stars

As the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals draw near, the anticipation is reaching fever pitch. Crowds from across the country eagerly await for what is set to be an electrifying and intense competition. The National Finals promises to be a spectacular celebration of street culture, featuring thrilling dance battles, stunning choreography, and a showcase of the nation’s best talent. 

Mark your calendars! Don’t miss the chance to be part of this incredible competition and support your favorite dancers as they compete for glory. Catch the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals live on September 28 and keep an eye out for more details.  Get ready to witness the ultimate street dance showdown! Follow the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines journey to the World Finals in India on November 9, 2024. 

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 dancing.