Palawan Express Pera Padala and Philippine Veterans Bank Seal Partnership for Cash Withdrawal Services

"Our partnership with the Philippine Veterans Bank is rooted in shared values of service, honor, and family. Together, we're committed to enhancing customer service, ensuring convenient access to funds, and ultimately, making a positive impact on the lives we touch. This collaboration embodies our dedication to supporting dreams, ambitions, and livelihoods." ~Lisa Lou Castro-Sabado, Palawan Group of Companies were Cash Management Solutions Director

Executives of the Palawan Group of Companies and  Philippine Veterans Bank  during their MOA signing.

Palawan Group of Companies, the country's leading money remittance & pawning services company, is delighted to declare its partnership with the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). PVB, a reliable institution committed to supporting veterans, their families, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines community, brings with it a rich tradition of financial prowess.

From Left; Renato Claravall, President and Acting CEO of Philippine Veteran's Bank ; Lisa Lou Castro-Sabado, Cash Management Solutions Director of the  From Palawan Group of Companies.

Through this partnership, both PVB depositors, Palawan Group of Companies sukis, and other BancNet ATM cardholders gain expanded access to cash withdrawal services using BancNet ATM cards initially at over 300 company-owned Palawan Pawnshop - Palawan Express Pera Padala branches, ensuring swift access to funds for a wide range of financial transactions. PVB depositors can conveniently utilize the extensive network, strategically located near residential areas, and have the flexibility to visit Palawan branches during holidays and weekends, enhancing accessibility for their convenience. This will enable ATM cardholders to do cash withdrawals from Palawan Pawnshop - Palawan Express Pera Padala branches with the use of Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals, commonly used for payroll and regular cash withdrawals, pension and 4Ps payouts. Both companies have plans to further increase the number of branches with POS terminals in the future.

At Your Service Executives and Officers of the Palawan Group of Companies and Philippine Veterans Bank  commit to providing excellent service for their customers

Both the Palawan Group of Companies and PVB  share a profound respect for the values of service, honor, and family. The Palawan Group of Companies’ mission has always been to serve and bridge families and friends through financial transactions helping to meet their daily needs, fund education, assist with medical needs and hospitalization, as well as build their dream houses and support in starting or expanding their businesses. PVB with its unwavering commitment to serving veterans, their families, and the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines community, has built a legacy of financial excellence.

(L-R) From Phil. Veterans Bank Charina Balanquit, FVP, Chief Digital Marketing Officer;  Geraldine Romano, VP, Head-Branch Banking Group Sales Center; Renato Claravall, President and Acting CEO;  From Palawan Group

The official contract signing ceremony took place at the head office of the Philippine Veterans Bank, attended by key executives from both organizations. Representing the Palawan Group of Companies were Cash Management Solutions Director Lisa Lou Castro-Sabado, Key Accounts Manager Rona Juan, and B2B Department Head Missy Baldemor while attendees from Philippine Veterans Bank included President and Acting CEO Renato Claravall, VP & Head of Branch Banking Group Sales Center Geraldine Romano, FVP and Chief Digital Marketing Officer Charina Balanquit,  and AVP and South Luzon Area Head, Julius Marquez.

“This service, in partnership with Palawan Pawnshop, will allow Veterans Bank to expand its network and customer touchpoints through the use of technology-based innovations. It will also enable the Bank to serve our clients in areas where we do not have branches, especially our veterans and their families.” ~Renato Claravall, Philippine Veterans Bank included President and Acting CEO

Palawan Pawnshop - Palawan Express Pera Padala and Philippine Veterans Bank join forces to expand cash withdrawal services

The partnership with the Philippine Veterans Bank is aligned with Palawan Express Pera Padala's commitment to improving accessibility and convenience for its valued sukis. The introduction of Cash Withdrawal withdrawal services in these branches represents a significant step toward improving financial inclusivity and the overall customer experience for Palawan sukis and depositors of the PVB.

ABOUT PALAWAN GROUP OF COMPANIES: 

The Palawan Group of Companies is composed of products and services such as Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, Palawan ProtekTODO, Palawan Credit, and PalawanPay. A brand trusted by Filipinos for 38 years, PGC  is one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country.  With its strength in remittance and pawning services, the company is the market leader in the industry and has over 25,000 branches, Pera Padala outlets, and PalawanPay Money Shops nationwide.

Palawan Group of Companies offers pawnbroking services, domestic and international remittances, microinsurance, bills payment, electronic mobile phone loading, cash-in of e-wallets, money exchange, ATM withdrawal, and cash disbursements. 

Palawan Group of Companies recently introduced PalawanPay, an e-wallet app that lets you send and receive remittances anytime, anywhere. PalawanPay app is the company’s latest digital solution for faster, safer, and easier transactions and gives users access to other financial services such as bills payment, e-cellphone load, and scan to pay QRPH codes.

Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, and PalawanPay are supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. For more information, go to Palawan Pawnshop and PalawanPay Websites. 

Jollibee USA Opens First Store in the State of Michigan, USA!

“We are thrilled to be opening our first store in the state of Michigan, an important milestone in Jollibee’s accelerated North America growth strategy. As the 10th largest U.S. state in terms of population, there is a huge opportunity for Jollibee to grow and thrive with the local communities in Michigan. We’re excited to introduce the residents of Michigan to Chickenjoy and the Jollibee experience.” ~Ernesto Tanmantiong, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jollibee Group

FIRST IN MICHIGAN. Despite sub-zero weather in Sterling Heights, Detroiters flocked to witness the opening of Jollibee’s first location in the state of Michigan.

Situated at 44935 Woodridge Drive, facing Lakeside Mall in Detroit, which was Michigan's inaugural capital city, the noteworthy Jollibee establishment experienced an early halt to dine-in services due to inclement weather. Nevertheless, Jollibee Sterling Heights surpassed its anticipated opening-day sales, driven by a surge in orders from numerous hungry Detroit residents utilizing the store's dual-lane drive-thru.

Despite the freezing conditions in Sterling Heights, Michigan, the snow did not discourage Detroit residents, who remained undeterred and eagerly witnessed the highly anticipated debut of Jollibee's inaugural store in the state of Michigan.

“Despite the intense cold on the day of our opening, local Detroiters still came in droves to have a taste of our Jollibee favorites. We are truly grateful for their love and support. We look forward to seeing both familiar faces and first-time customers at our first Michigan location in the close-knit Sterling Heights community, where we can’t wait to create many new joyful moments for those who call the Detroit area home.” ~Maribeth Dela Cruz, President of Jollibee North America

Among Jollibee–Sterling Heights’ opening-day bestsellers include Jollibee’s signature crispy and juicy Chickenjoy fried chicken, Chicken Sandwich (both regular and spicy versions), and Peach Mango Pie.

A long line of people and cars flocked for the opening of Jollibee’s first location in Michigan state. Despite having to close the store early due to extreme weather conditions, Jollibee Sterling Heights was still able to exceed sales targets.

The Great Lakes State is officially the 14th U.S. state that Jollibee has reached in the market since it started its aggressive expansion effort in the region. Jollibee’s expansion in the market forms part of the Jollibee Group’s overall vision to be one of the top 5 restaurant companies in the world. For more information on the Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.

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 6,800 stores across 34 countries including the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, and Australia. 

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. Recently, the Jollibee Group has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture company that will own and operate Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines. 

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 two-time recipient of Gallup’s Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the only Philippine-based company to receive the distinction. 

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

Watch The Movie "Migration" and get a chance to Win a Singapore Getaway with AirAisa, Universal Studios, and SM Cinema!

The Mallards are stepping out of their comfort zone out of the woods for the first time ever. Each move they make toward Jamaica leads them on a new adventure with a new chance to grow. 

Embark on an enchanting journey with characters Mack, Pam, Daw, and Gwen as they soar and explore in the film "Migration." Stand a chance to win and partake in the enchantment of Universal Studios Singapore through an exclusive promo by SM Cinema and AirAsia.

Dive into the World of the Millard Duck Family

Immerse yourself in the world of the Millard Duck Family. Mark your calendar for January 17, and be among the first to witness the latest installment in the Migration Movie series, crafted by the brilliant minds behind blockbuster animations like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions, Despicable Me, and The Secret Life of Pets. This movie invites audiences to venture into the unknown and be captivated by its heartwarming narrative of family, dreams, and courage.

Catch Migration at SM Cinema for an extraordinary cinematic experience featuring cutting-edge laser projection for a huge and vibrant display, supreme audio quality in Dolby Digital surround sound, and comfortable seating. Enhance your movie-watching experience with freshly prepared snacks from Snack Time.

Win Your Dream Getaway with Migration Movie

For every purchase of four Migration movie tickets at SM Cinema, patrons automatically stand a chance to win an exclusive trip to Universal Studios Singapore.

The grand prize includes:

• Four (4) one-day passes to Universal Studios Singapore, promising an enchanting day filled with thrilling attractions and magical experiences,
• Round-trip flights to Singapore for four (4) via AirAsia, ensuring a convenient and comfortable journey to the destination,
• Pocket money for your family adventure,
• And 3 days + 2 nights stay at Resorts World Sentosa for a world-class accommodation and a perfect setting of a memorable family retreat.

Act Fast: Book Your Tickets Now!

Don't miss your chance to make this January extraordinary. Grab your tickets for the Migration movie at SM Cinema and boost your chances of winning an unforgettable family vacation. Act quickly as the promotional period spans from January 8 to January 28, 2024, only. Join in on this cinematic and travel escapade and transform your ordinary movie night into a journey of a lifetime!

Fun and Connectivity to reign at Dinagyang Festival 2024 with DITO Telecommunity

"In the Philippines, festivals are crucial in showcasing and celebrating our national identity. Acknowledging the role of these celebrations in fostering connections among Filipinos, DITO is committed to energizing and sustaining Philippine festivals that strengthen the bonds uniting us as a nation." ~Evelyn Jimenez, DITO Chief Commercial Officer

Newly crowned Ms. Iloilo 2024 and Miss DITO Telecommunity Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks

The Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City's most significant religious and cultural event, is set to illuminate even more brightly this year with the backing of DITO Telecommunity. Committed to enhancing connectivity and fostering robust telecommunities across the country, DITO stands as a prominent sponsor for the upcoming Dinagyang Festival, scheduled to take place from January 12 to January 28, 2024.

Dinagyang, recognized as the country's most awarded festival, has garnered prestigious accolades, including the Best Tourism Event by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) for three consecutive years in 2006, 2007, and 2008. With its array of products and services, DITO aims to enhance the experience of Filipinos and foreign tourists during the award-winning festival by proudly sponsoring key festival activities, such as the the much-anticipated Ms. Iloilo Coronation Night held on January 13 at the Iloilo Convention Center. During the event, Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, who was crowned Miss Iloilo 2024, also bagged the Miss DITO Telecommunity special award. 

Adding to the festivities is the “TODO na DITO” sa Dinagyang Roadshow, to be held on January 26-28. The roadshow will allow attendees to explore DITO's Experiential Booths and participate in the “GalingDITO” talent competitions. The festival's lively spirit will culminate with Dinagyang's Official Concert- “TODO na DITO” SA DINAGYANG on January 27. This special event will feature performances by renowned bands like Kamikazee and other homegrown talents. 

Ms. Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks who was crowned Miss Iloilo 2024, also bagged the Miss DITO Telecommunity special award during the much-anticipated Coronation Night held on January 13 at the Iloilo Convention Center.  (L-R) Carlo Reyes,  Area Cluster Manager - Western Visayas, DITO Telecommunity, Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, Miss Iloilo 2024 and Miss DITO Telecommunity, Rea Gregori, Trade Marketing Specialist - Western Visayas, DITO Telecommunity

Other exciting activities to watch are the Ilomination Street Dance Competition, the Float Parade of Lights on January 26, and the Dinagyang Tribes Competition with Galing DITO segments on January 28. 

For a TODO na DITO Dinagyang Festival experience, attendees can now buy their SIM cards at DITO selling areas to avail of DITO's festival tag and redeem exciting freebies at the various experiential booths on January 26-28.  

The festival will also feature DITO's value-packed products from mobile prepaid and postpaid services, DITO Home 5G WIFI prepaid and postpaid. Customers who will apply will receive special promos and freebies.

Immerse yourself in a majestic festival experience in Iloilo with DITO's advanced 5G connectivity. Join us at the Dinagyang Festival 2024 for a regal celebration of cultural pride interwoven with connectivity.

Its a Victory for Blacklist Rivalry and Team Secret as the Champion of Asia Pacific Predator League 2024

“The success of the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 is indicative of the strength of the region’s growing esports community and the Predator brand devices’ ability to support intense gaming sessions when playing the most popular titles. I would like to extend my congratulations to the tournament winners and my heartfelt appreciation to all the players, fans, and staff who make this yearly event possible.” ~Andrew Hou, President of Acer Pan Asia Pacific Operations

The grand finals of Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 served up a day of esports matches and performances from musical superstars for the thousands of fans in attendance at the Mall of Asia Arena and to the many more watching online. Blacklist Rivalry bested local rivals Execration in the Dota 2 tournament, while regional powerhouse Team Secret dismantled Japanese squad FAV gaming to win their first LAN to kick off 2024 in VALORANT.

The Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 came to a close on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines with the crowning of new DOTA 2 and VALORANT esports champions and electrifying performances from some of the Philippines’s most talented artists. This year’s edition of the Asia Pacific Predator League was a major success with sold-out arenas and online spectators tuned in via the Predator social media channels during the two-day event. From the 26 teams competing for top honors in the Dota 2 and VALORANT, Blacklist Rivalry and Team Secret emerged victorious and lifted the prestigious Predator Shield in their respective categories.

“The success of the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 is indicative of the strength of the region’s growing esports community and the Predator brand devices’ ability to support intense gaming sessions when playing the most popular titles. I would like to extend my congratulations to the tournament winners and my heartfelt appreciation to all the players, fans, and staff who make this yearly event possible.” ~Andrew Hou, President of Acer Pan Asia Pacific Operations

 

Dota 2 Highlights

Blacklist Rivalry prevailed over fellow Filipino team Execration in the Dota 2 grand finals. Abed “Abed” Yusop was in incredible form, averaging 8.5 kills and 14 assists in the series to spearhead the offense of his team. They were successful in shutting down Execration’s star Mark “Bob” Urbino, resulting in a heartbreaking defeat for team Execration and another second-place finish in the Predator League grand finals for two consecutive years. 

Blacklist Rivalry crowned as Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 Dota 2 Champion

As this year’s DOTA 2 Champions, Blacklist Rivalry will be going home with a cash prize of USD$ 65,000, while Execration will receive $20,000. Third and fourth finishers in China’s Team Aster and IHC Esports from Mongolia will also receive USD$ 7,500 each for their impressive showing.

VALORANT Highlights

Team Secret came into the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 as the favorites and exceeded all expectations. They were in full control of the Japanese side FAV gaming during the final, with Adrian “invy” Reyes continuing to be the brightest spot for the team. Team Secret, also known as the “The Adobo Gang” among its fans, has won its first LAN trophy and Predator Shield since the inception of its VALORANT team. 

Team Secret lifts Predator Shield as Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 VALORANT Champion

Team Secret goes home with the USD$ 65,000 prize pool, while FAV Gaming wins USD$ 20,000 for their performance. Third and fourth placers BOOM Esports from Indonesia and Team Flash from Vietnam also receive USD$ 7,500 each.

Intel MVP Award

Merits were given to exceptional players who stood out amongst the competition during the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024. For Dota 2, it was awarded to carry player Polo “Raven” Fausto while in VALORANT it was awarded to duelist player Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera. Both players take home an extra USD$ 10,000 prizes as well as the Intel MVP Award Trophy for their individual performances. 

Beyond the live esports action, the audience was also treated to world-class entertainment composed of the Philippines’ brightest stars, including Acer ambassadors SB19 and Sarah Geronimo. There were also meet-and-greet sessions with Predator ambassadors Cong TV and the Team Payaman boys, burg, KuyaNic, Chibiby, Maggiekarp, amaratv, Een Mercado, Kang Dupet, and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao.

Felip and Ylona Garcia were the opening acts for Day 1, exciting the crowd with their exhilarating performance. This was followed by numbers from Urbandub and Al James, and with a special appearance by TV personality Donny Pangilinan. Day 2 was just as impressive with amazing performances from Josh Cullen, Sandwich, Spongecola, Pablo, and KZ Tandingan, who sang the Predator anthem, “It Lies Within.”

Asia Pacific Predator League 2025 Host Announced

 

The next Asia Pacific Predator League will be held in Malaysia, with the qualifiers starting in late 2024 and the grand finals to be held in early 2025.

The Philippines passing the Asia Pacific Predator League banner to 2025 host Malaysia

For more information and updates about the Predator League, visit the official website www.predator-league.com.  

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world's top ICT companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. As Acer evolves with the industry and changing lifestyles, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software and services will fuse with one another, creating ecosystems and opening up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. Acer's 7,700 employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.

Jollibee Group Opens the First Common Man Coffee Roasters Café in PH Marks the company’s first foray into specialty coffee, all-day brunch offerings

“We’re excited to bring the Common Man Coffee Roasters in the country and give the community an elevated café experience. Common Man’s consciously sourced coffee and numerous deliciously healthy brunch options contribute to this experience and help fulfill our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone. We invite everyone to come visit our first ever Common Man Coffee Roasters café.” ~Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group’s President and CEO

A toast to the first brew! The opening of the Common Man Coffee Roasters’ first café in the country brings in consciously sourced coffee and all-day brunch together – aiming to elevate the café experience for Filipinos. Photo shows (counter clockwise): Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Officer, Joseph Tanbuntiong; Spa Esprit Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Common Man Coffee Roasters Co-founder, Koon Beng “KB” Chua; Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines, Her Excellency Constance See; Vice Mayor of the City Government of Makati, Honorable Monique Lagdameo; Ayala Malls’ President, Mariana Zobel de Ayala; Jollibee Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ernesto Tanmantiong; Jollibee Group’s Chief of Real Estate and Design Officer & Chief Business Support Officer, William Tan Untiong; Common Man Coffee Roasters’ Operations Head, Chynna Ramos; Jollibee Group’s Marketing for Foreign Franchised Brands, Paolo Aljibe; Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Technical Services Research and Development, Agnes McDonald; ; Jollibee Group’s Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications, Pauline Lao; Ayala Land Estates Inc.’s Group Deputy Head, Chris Maglanoc; Spa Esprit Group’s General Manager for Food Division, Michael Bovell; Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Marketing for Foreign Franchised Brands Philippines, Jia Du; Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Business Development for Foreign Franchised Brands, Ned Bandojo; and Jollibee Group’s President and Group Head for Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Foreign Franchised Brands, JJ Alano.

Jollibee Group has kicked off the year 2024 on a positive note by launching the inaugural Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) cafe in the Philippines, located at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City on January 11, 2024. This significant achievement aligns with the Jollibee Group's ambitious expansion strategies for the year, reflecting its commitment to becoming one of the top five restaurant companies in the world.

Championing specialty coffee & brunch

Established in 2013, Common Man Coffee Roasters aims to champion specialty coffee and the best all-day brunch and has expanded from Singapore to Malaysia, and now the Philippines. It also roasts and sells coffee beans and operates the Coffee Barista Academy in Singapore and Malaysia, which provides coffee training to baristas and coffee enthusiasts.

In the Philippines, the breadth of the café’s menu includes different types of specialty coffee, bannered by the Nitro Honey Oat Latte and Filter Brew. Its brunch is thoughtfully crafted, headlined by the Common Man Full Breakfast that has generous servings of sausage, bacon, portobello mushroom, hash browns, house-made baked chorizo beans, and greens along with artisanal sourdough. The crowd favorite Common Man Beef Brisket Benedict packs an indulging punch of savory in its tender braised beef topped by poached eggs and creamy hollandaise.  

The first location in the country, which has a modern, casual, “come as you are” ambiance, also features its own roastery. 

"Having a roastery on site for us to showcase the roasting method will not only help the customers understand the coffee process better, but it will also offer a unique dining and sensory experience for them." ~Koon Beng Chua, CEO of the Spa Esprit Group, which operates Common Man Coffee Roasters in Singapore

Ready to cut the ribbon for the launching of the first Common Man Coffee Roasters café in the Philippines. Photo shows (from left to right): Jollibee Group’s AVP and Head of Business Development for Foreign Franchised Brands, Ned Bandojo; Jollibee Group’s President and Group Head for Greenwich, Red Ribbon, & Foreign Franchised Brands, JJ Alano; Spa Esprit Group’s General Manager for Food Division, Michael Bovell; Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Officer, Joseph Tanbuntiong; Spa Esprit Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Common Man Coffee Roasters, Koon Beng “KB” Chua; Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines, Her Excellency Constance See; Vice Mayor of the City Government of Makati, Honorable Monique Lagdameo; Jollibee Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ernesto Tanmantiong; Ayala Malls’ President, Mariana Zobel de Ayala; Jollibee Group’s Chief of Real Estate and Design Officer & Chief Business Support Officer, William Tan Untiong; Ayala Land Estates Inc.’s Group Deputy Head, Chris Maglanoc; and Common Man Coffee Roasters’ Operations Head, Chynna Ramos.

The Jollibee Group is off to a great start this year in 2024 with the opening of the first Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) in the Philippines on January 11, 2024 at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. This milestone is part of Jollibee's event. The group's aggressive growth plans for this year, in line with its vision to become one of the five best restaurants in the world.

“We’re excited to bring the Common Man Coffee Roasters in the country and give the community an elevated café experience. Common Man’s consciously sourced coffee and numerous deliciously healthy brunch options contribute to this experience and help fulfill our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone. We invite everyone to come visit our first ever Common Man Coffee Roasters café.” ~Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group’s President and CEO

Championing specialty coffee & brunch

Established in 2013, Common Man Coffee Roasters aims to champion specialty coffee and the best all-day brunch and has expanded from Singapore to Malaysia, and now the Philippines. It also roasts and sells coffee beans and operates the Coffee Barista Academy in Singapore and Malaysia, which provides coffee training to baristas and coffee enthusiasts.

In the Philippines, the breadth of the café’s menu includes different types of specialty coffee, bannered by the Nitro Honey Oat Latte and Filter Brew. Its brunch is thoughtfully crafted, headlined by the Common Man Full Breakfast that has generous servings of sausage, bacon, portobello mushroom, hash browns, house-made baked chorizo beans, and greens along with artisanal sourdough. The crowd favorite Common Man Beef Brisket Benedict packs an indulging punch of savory in its tender braised beef topped by poached eggs and creamy hollandaise.  

The first location in the country, which has a modern, casual, “come as you are” ambiance, also features its own roastery. 

"Having a roastery on site for us to showcase the roasting method will not only help the customers understand the coffee process better, but it will also offer a unique dining and sensory experience for them." ~Koon Beng Chua, CEO of the Spa Esprit Group, which operates Common Man Coffee Roasters in Singapore

Celebrating partnerships

The Jollibee Group announced its joint venture with Food Collective Pte. Ltd. (FCPL) through FCJB Foods Inc. to own and operate Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines in August 2023. The Jollibee Group owns 60 percent in FCJB Foods Inc. 

"This is the first café from our partnership with the Spa Esprit Group and we’re looking forward to expanding the Common Man Coffee Roasters experience to more people. The strong collaboration between the two partners is very evident and is greatly rewarded by the enjoyment we see from people upon entering the café and upon tasting our menu selections.  We recognize the increasingly discerning palate of Filipinos and we’re here to delight them." ~Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Group Chief Business Officer, during the store's inauguration and opening

The inauguration rites were attended by Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See, Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Spa Esprit Group CEO and Common Man Coffee Roasters’ co-founder Koon Beng Chua, Spa Esprit Food Group’s General Manager Michael Bovell, Ayala Malls President Mariana Zobel de Ayala, and Ayala Land Estates Group Deputy Head Chris Maglanoc. The Jollibee Group was represented by its President and CEO, Ernesto Tanmantiong, its Chief Business Support Officer and Chief Real Estate & Design Officer, William Tan Untiong, and its Chief Business Officer, Joseph Tanbuntiong, along with the President and Group Head for Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Foreign Franchised Brands, JJ Alano, and AVP and Head of Business Development for Foreign Franchised Brands, Ned Bandojo.

The Common Man Coffee Roasters at Ayala Triangle is open every Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. 

To learn more about Common Man Coffee Roasters Philippines, visit their website, or follow them on social media via Facebook and Instagram. 

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 6,800 stores across 34 countries including the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, and Australia. 

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. Recently, the Jollibee Group has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture company that will own and operate Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines. 

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 two-time recipient of Gallup’s Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the only Philippine-based company to receive the distinction. 

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

TCL Honored with Over 40 Awards and Accolades for 115-inch TV and Other Innovative Products Across Categories at CES 2024

TCL Electronics, a leading consumer electronics brand and the world's top two TV brand, today announced that multiple of its products and technical solutions, including the 115-inch QM891G QD-Mini LED TV, smartphones and tablets with TCL’s new NXTPAPER 3.0 display technology, RayNeo X2 Lite AR Glasses and TCL Q Class soundbars have been honored with the recognitions from authoritative media and organizations.

This year, TCL made a spark at CES with a leading portfolio of innovative technologies across multiple categories. Taking center stage, TCL won six accolades at the 2023-2024 Global Top Brands Awards Ceremony (GTB) organized by Asia Digital Group and European Digital Group, with support from International Data Corporation and TWICE. This event was characterized by professionalism and credibility in the global consumer electronics industry. Bill Jiang, Vice President of TCL Industries and General Manager of Global Marketing Center, attended the ceremony and accepted the awards on behalf of the company.  

Notably, TCL’s 115-inch QM891G, the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV, received the "Innovative Display Technology Gold Award of the Year” from GTB for the breakthrough in display technology that it represents. The latest tablet TCL NXTPAPER 14 Pro and RayNeo X2 Lite AR Glasses, both part of one of the industry’s first smart connected mobile devices entertainment solutions by TCL, also took home the “Eye Protection Display Technology Innovation Award” and “AR Glasses Innovation Award of the Year” respectively. 

In addition, TCL was recognized by GTB as “2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 10”, “2023-2024 Global TV Brands Top 10” and “2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 50” for its commitment to “Inspire Greatness” through an extensive line-up of innovative products.  

Aside from the recognitions from GTB, the TCL 40 NXTPAPER smartphone was also honored with a CES 2024 Innovation Award in the “Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps” category.  As the world's first and one of the smartphones optimized for human eyes, TCL 40 NXTPAPER is recognized for bringing a revolutionary full-color, paper-like comfort visual experience to smartphones.

Moreover, many of TCL’s innovative technologies and smart products across categories that were unveiled at CES 2024 received “Best of CES 2024” awards from international media. In total, TCL was honored with over 34 recognitions from authoritative technology media, including Digital Trends, Android Authority, and more.

Boasting best-in-class quality and outstanding innovation in its comprehensive product portfolio, the company has also been recognized by various authoritative organizations. Its pioneering X955 and C755 TV Series were the first in the world to be certified by TÜV Rheinland for their Realistic Visual Experience. The 27R83U/34R83Q Professional Monitor Series received Pantone Validated recognition at CES 2024, which is based on the Pantone Matching System (PMS), the only validation with the real world color testing over 2,000 colors.

Over the years, TCL Electronics has been on a consistent journey of growth and transformation into a globally leading intelligent technology company. With several R&D centers worldwide and strong support from thousands of industry partners worldwide, TCL Electronics is leveraging this global synergy to continuously expand its product portfolio, create further breakthroughs in innovation and empower users to pursue greatness.

About TCL Philippines:

TCL Electronics (HKG:1070) is a fast-growing consumer electronics company and a leading player in the global TV industry. Founded in 1981, it now operates in over 160 markets globally. TCL specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of consumer electronics products ranging from TVs, audio, and smart home appliances. Visit the TCL home page at https://www.tcl.com/ph/en.