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Jollibee offers discount to vaccinated customers

THE Jollibee Group offers 10% discount for its vaccinated customers to make dining in even more rewarding.

SEVERAL brands under Jollibee Foods Corp. are offering vaccinated customers a 10% discount as part of a private sector initiative to encourage the public to get inoculated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“This discount promo is our way to thank our customers for getting vaccinated,” Jollibee Group Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer Jose Miñana said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The vaccine is the solution that we have been waiting for to protect ourselves and our loved ones, as well as help revive our economy and livelihoods,” he added.

Vaccinated customers of Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Burger King, Panda Express, and PHO24 may avail of the discount by presenting their vaccine card along with a valid ID. Specific terms for each discount promo are also available on the brands’ Facebook pages.

The 10% off promo may be availed for as many times as they want when they dine in at the restaurants until the end of August.

More than 150 restaurants in the NCR (National Capital Region) Plus bubble are part of the Smart Bakuna Benefits program of the private sector-led campaign, Ingat Angat. The full list of participating brands is available on www.ingat-angat.com/benefits.

Jollibee shares at the stock market closed lower by 3.81% to finish at P206.80 apiece. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Thai on a cloud

SOM Tam or Papaya Salad

Trying out chef Rob Pengson’s new cloud kitchen chicken restaurant

By Joseph L. Garcia, Reporter

PERHAPS it’s because Thailand was never really colonized by any European power, but nobody quite does Asian-tropical food quite like the Thais. Heavier colonial fare’s influence on its cuisine is minimal. Its dishes hit a sweet spot of being lively and light enough for days under the sun, but with enough heft and gravity to warm up the belly during one of the region’s rainstorms.

We were able to think of this while munching on treats from Miam Miam during a hot day last week. Miam Miam sent over a tray of its fried chicken, pad thai, and bagoong rice, and suddenly, sitting in the heat stopped being a chore.

The name itself isn’t even completely Thai, according to founder and celebrity chef Rob Pengson, who developed the dishes with his team (and especially giving thanks to his chef de cuisine). Miam Miam comes from a French phrase children use to say “yummy,” which Mr. Pengson overheard while in France many years ago, he said during a Zoom call earlier this week.

While developing the menu for different concepts, everybody at the table — partners and staff alike — liked the Thai offerings so much that they pushed the Thai dishes ahead of the others in line: through a cloud kitchen network, Mr. Pengson is developing about five brands at present, with a wings concept coming next. This comes at the heels of his present venture, a tapas bar called Beso Beso, which might open its rooftop for small events; but which is currently offering party trays and private dining at home.

CHOOSING CHICKEN
Going back to the name, its French provenance also allows for some slack when it comes to strict authenticity. “We’re not full-on traditional Thai,” said Mr. Pengson. “It can accept some kind of fusion from other cultures.”

For example, the pad thai, a spicy fried noodle dish, did not have the traditional prawns or chicken as in the original. For weight and flavor, Miam Miam’s version uses mushrooms. This is influenced by Mr. Pengson’s plant-forward diet, having been vegan for a period. “What we wanted was to strike a balance,” he said, citing that while he felt the benefits of a vegan diet on his health and planet’s, the lifestyle is still a bit away from the mainstream, and it wouldn’t be as popular. “We have to be realistic about it.” As a compromise, while Miam Miam is billed as a fried chicken brand, it has vegetarian and vegan options, such as the aforementioned pad thai, and the som tam papaya salad.

Asked why they decided on building their brand on chicken, their own market research via food delivery apps showed that “Fried chicken is very easy. Fried chicken is the number-one seller, everywhere in the Philippines,” said Mr. Pengson. “You have to have a version of fried chicken.”

The pad thai, by the way, was delicious. It was scattered with spring onions and herbs and had a spiciness that flirted with, and not bruised the tongue. The bagoong rice, laden with strips of green mango, was a similarly tasty experience. It’s unfortunate that the vibrancy of these dishes would outshine the fried chicken itself though.

The chicken is good — very good. It’s crispy, and it hits the right notes, and with a dip made from fish sauce, vinegar, herbs, and chili, it feels like a vacation in Thailand. “Every time we eat it here in the office, everyone always goes ‘miam miam,’” said Mr. Pengson.

We also have to commend the brand for delivering the chicken from Makati to Quezon City, and finding it steaming and still crispy. Not even the chicken chain a 15-minute walk from my house could do that. Still, sitting beside more flamboyant siblings like the pad thai, its flagship product takes a backseat.

CLOUD KITCHENS VS BRICK AND MORTAR
“The plan for the F&B brands is eventually to have brick and mortar restaurants,” he said. But of course, this is the plan for when things are safer and better. In the meantime, he and his team are making do with cloud kitchens. Weighing the advantages of a cloud kitchen vs a real restaurant, he said, “Less costs, for sure. But it’s a different game.”

“The pros are lower costs, and you can scale up to as many brands as your operations can handle. But for us, we want quality, so we’re only looking at five brands, max,” he said. On the other hand, “The cons are, everyone’s selling online, so it’s a completely saturated and competitive market. You have to really find ways to stand out.”

Cloud kitchens aren’t the only things Mr. Pengson has picked up from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He gives his observations on how disaster after disaster on the restaurant industry has changed the atmosphere in kitchens. “More people treat each other more like colleagues now, and not like competitors,” he said. “Now, everyone takes care of each other.

“I think the industry gave a lot of attention to things that aren’t — I’ll use the word — essential. There was a lot of luxury, and vanity strategies: trying to get on this list, that award. But in reality, it’s good to be practical.”

To order from Miam Miam, call 0966-795-6709, message @miammiamchickenph on Instagram or @miammiamthaichicken on Facebook. It accepts orders from Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and is located at 257 Don Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati.

Alliance Select incurs losses on weak demand

ALLIANCE Select expects its automation and equipment upgrade to improve the company’s production efficiency. — CORPORATE.ALLIANCESELECTFOODS.COM/

ALLIANCE Select Foods International, Inc. incurred net attributable losses in 2020 and in the first quarter of 2021 due to a slump in market demand caused by the health crisis.

“The prolonged COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has weakened market demand and resulted in higher freight and raw material costs,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Alliance Select posted a $521,006 net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent company in the January-to-March period, a reversal of its $26,990 profit in the same period last year.

The company’s topline amounted to $8.58 million in the first quarter, 46% lower than $15.94 million in the same period in 2020 as higher freight costs led to deferred shipments.

“We have taken several initiatives to improve our market share in Asia and North America. Likewise, our recent capital investment for automation and equipment upgrade should improve our production efficiency and reduce cost,” Alliance Select Chief Executive Officer Raymond K.H. See said.

Last year, the company’s net loss widened to $10.24 million from $5.08 million the previous year.

Full-year net revenues went down by 26% year on year to $62.71 million from $84.88 million due to lower fish costs in other regions, resulting in lower sales prices.

The company said during its stockholders’ meeting on Wednesday that it continued to secure more orders to counteract the decline.

In 2020, Alliance Foods earned the top spot in the Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s Tuna Cannery Ranking Report for sustainability practices. It was ranked first in the Philippines for the second consecutive year, and third in Southeast Asia.

“[Alliance Select] aims to sustain its growth trajectory despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr. See said.

On Wednesday, stocks of Alliance Select at the local bourse went up by 8.06% or five centavos to close at 67 centavos each. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Are Filipinos drinking the same wines the world is drinking?

YELLOW TAIL, Barefoot, and Gato Negro are among the world’s most powerful wine brands.

WHEN I started my wine career working for a huge winery over two decades ago, I got my training in California. Back then, the wine brands I was familiar with were mostly those available in Philippines and those seen in North America as I traveled to both the US and Canada in the mid to late 1990s. I remember that back then, Blue Nun, Mateus, Carlo Rossi, and Gato Negro were among the more visible wine brands in Manila, while in North America, the wine scene was obviously dominated by Californian brands Like Gallo, Kendall-Jackson, Mondavi, and jug wines like Carlo Rossi, Almaden, and Inglenook.

Back in the 1990s, the internet was a relatively new technology, and Google only started in 1998, so it was quite hard to know what wine brands the world was drinking. Bit since then, in my travels to Asia, to almost all of Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Korea, I started to get a better “feel” of what wine brands are popular and available in the different countries.

With the Philippines fortunately having one of the most reasonable taxes imposed on wine, and since almost 100% of wines are imported, there is actually no scarcity of brands, varietals, wine regions, and wine producing countries in our ever-growing selection. This is despite the fact our country’s wine consumption is literally only a trickle (100 ml. per capita consumption) compared to our neighbors like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and even Thailand. Choices galore for a small, albeit growing wine market.

Are you therefore not curious about what wine brands the world in general is drinking, and if these brands are also available locally?

WINE CONSUMPTION DURING THE PANDEMIC
Based on numbers released by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), headquartered in Paris, global wine consumption was down 3% in 2020, the start of the pandemic crisis. While wine consumption in richer First World countries like the US and Australia is slightly up, in rest of the world, including Europe and Asia, it is mostly down, with poorer countries like the Philippines suffering huge wine consumption cuts.

The hospitality (on-premise) sector was a significant reason as this distribution segment was either totally or partially shut down during the pandemic. However, from the demise of on-premise wine consumption, the notable rise of e-commerce and the strengthening of the retail segment made the final number of -3% look tolerable given the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) circumstances.

The Philippines was in the same boat as the global market was since the hospitality sector here was almost non-existent in 2020 — plus we had to deal with liquor bans too. The e-commerce/online wine business became a major wine distribution segment, and retail, when not dealing with the liquor bans, continues to be steady.

Though still less than half way in, 2021 is expected to be a decent recovery year, especially if the world gets a good percentage of the population vaccinated.

THE GLOBAL WINE BRAND POWER INDEX AND ITS METHODOLOGY
In 2018, Wine Intelligence, a London-based wine specialist research company which was established in 2002, started its annual series, the Global Wine Brand Power Index. The initial study was based on inputs from 16,000 wine consumers in 15 key global wine markets, statistically representing 380 million wine drinkers. The initial 15 key markets used as a basis were Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the USA. This was the first study of its kind which was not purely based on sales volumes but also on other factors like awareness, purchase loyalty, and brand connection.

Wine Intelligence created Vinitrac, its patented global survey methodology for wine drinkers, which monitors and tracks the attitudes and behaviors of wine consumers around the world.

There are six major brand health factors taken into consideration namely: brand awareness, purchase, conversion, consideration, brand affinity, and recommendation.

THE 2021 EDITION
Just recently, Wine Intelligence announced the result of its Global Wine Brand Power Index for 2021. This is their 4th report and is much bigger in scope. The 2021 report was collated from surveys conducted with over 25,000 wine consumers in 25 key global markets/countries. The original 15 countries included in the initial Global Wine Brand Power Index of 2018 were joined by Belgium, Columbia, Finland, Mexico, and Netherlands in the last two years, and in 2021, another five additional countries were added. Three of the five new markets added are also staunch wine producing countries like Argentina, New Zealand, and Italy. Key wine markets like Russia and our fellow Southeast Asian neighbor Singapore, made up the last two markets of the 25 countries in this 2021 elaborate study.

The 25,000+ wine consumers in 25 countries surveyed represent over 435 million wine drinkers globally. This study can be purchased at the official Wine Intelligence website https://www.wineintelligence.com/downloads/global-wine-brand-power-index-2021/

It should, however, be noted that wine producing countries in the survey will probably have home-grown local brands topping this Brand Power index, so what is going to be interesting to see is how these big local brands perform outside of their home base and against other international brands. For example, China has Great Wall and Changyu as its top wine brands, both huge wineries predominantly supplying domestic consumption. Yet around 40% of wines in the Chinese market are still imported, so in the Global Wine Brand Power Index, several international wine brands would make the survey conducted in China.

WORLD’S TOP 10 MOST POWERFUL WINE BRANDS FOR 2021
Here are the Top 10 most powerful wine brands based on the Wine Intelligence’ Global Wine Brand Power Index this year. It is not surprising that all the top 10 wine brands are also present in the Philippines. The list below includes the wine’s country of origin and the name of the importer-distributor of these brands locally.

• #1 Yellow Tail — from Australia, Golden Wines, Inc.

• #2 Casillero de Diablo — from Chile, Fly Ace Corp.

• #3 Jacob’s Creek — from Australia, Pernod Ricard Philippines, Inc.

• #4 Gallo Family Vineyards — from USA, Emperador Distillers. Inc.

• #5 Barefoot — from USA, Emperador Distillers, Inc.

• #6 Gato Negro — from Chile, Golden Wines, Inc.

• #7 JP Chenet — from France, BestWorld Beverage Brands, Inc.

• #8 Mouton Cadet — from France, Titania Wine Cellar, Inc.

• #9 Vina Santa Carolina — from Chile, Premier Wine & Spirits, Inc.

• #10 Torres — from Spain, Future Trade International Inc.

Since the start of this series, Yellow Tail and Casillero de Diablo have kept their first and second place power brand rankings respectively, while Gallo and Jacob’s Creek have been contesting the third and fourth spot throughout the four years of this series.

Filipino consumers can easily find these brands in regular retail outlets. Except for Mouton Cadet, the other nine wine brands are selling at below P1,000 per bottle, with most of them — from Yellow Tail, Gallo, Barefoot, Gato Negro, JP Chenet to Vina Santa Carolina — retailing at the sub-P500 per bottle range.

New World wine countries like Australia, Chile, and the US comprised seven of the Top 10 power wine brand origins.

It is nice to know that Filipinos, despite being at the infancy stage of the wine drinking culture, still have access to the most powerful wine brands the world is drinking.

Which brands from the above top 10 list do you drink, or do you have a different preferred brand? Let me know ….

The author is the only Filipino member of the UK-based Circle of Wine Writers. For comments, inquiries, wine event coverage, wine consultancy and other wine related concerns, e-mail the author at protegeinc@yahoo.com or via Twitter at www.twitter.com/sherwinlao

PHL firms focusing on data and analytics amid pandemic crisis

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Senior Reporter

MORE Philippine companies are looking at leveraging on data and analytics during the pandemic, which has spurred digital transformation across industries, SAS Philippines said.

“I think now I would not be able to pinpoint one barrier to entry because all of conversations I’ve had, whether it’s big enterprise, government, or small enterprise, everyone is talking about what else they can do with the data they have,” SAS Managing Director for the Philippines Maria Aileen Rodriguez told BusinessWorld in an online interview on June 10.

“Now is the best time to be in the Philippines working with data and analytics because everyone is curious. Everyone is curious and very open to do things differently,” she added.

Ms. Rodriguez also noted the barriers to adopting data and analytics have been brought down due to the pandemic crisis.

“Before, I would hear budget constraints; however, today everyone would say that as long as you show us value so that we can optimize the data that they have produced because of the rush to digitalization, they are open to hear us. Also, before, there were less people who were looking at the possibilities of software as a service, now it’s a board-level discussion.”

SAS, which has been operating in the Philippines for 30 years, has seen different requests and requirements from local businesses starting last year.

“For example, they sometimes think of SAS as something intended for big enterprises and government units; lately, because of the onslaught of everybody going into some form of digitalization, we had to realign our offerings to make them more easily consumed,” Mr. Rodriguez explained.

“We call this realignment some sort of t-shirt sizing. When you talk of t-shirts, there are small, medium and large sizes, and these are really about creating starter kits — not only for big enterprises, but also for medium and small enterprises who are with us in painting the journey of transformation.”

“Starter kits are not just small in terms of price. That’s not the point. Starter kits are really complete offerings — software services and education that bring everybody to a point where they can imagine the future and start this new kind of work, the way we reimagined things to be for 2021 and beyond as we go through this pandemic.”

Asked if businesses are now more interested in cloud software solutions than on-premise, she said: “Some people still prefer on-premise, while some prefer everything on the cloud; however, there are also some people who are somewhere in between or hybrid.”

“Though cloud has been like one of the buzzwords that you hear for the last few years even before the pandemic, I would say that a lot of people are still approaching it with caution, only because it’s new. A lot of people are dipping into the cloud in bits like they are not dipping the whole enterprise into the cloud,” she added.

AC Energy invests P415M in unit for project sites

AC ENERGY Corp. has subscribed to P415-million worth of shares in Buendia Christiana Holdings Corp. (BCHC) to fund the wholly owned subsidiary’s acquisition of potential project sites, the listed firm told the local bourse on Wednesday.

BCHC is an AC Energy special purpose vehicle that will own the land for its parent firm’s development projects.

In a regulatory filing, the listed firm said that it recently inked an agreement allowing it to subscribe to 75 million redeemable preferred A shares with a par value of P0.10 per share, and 4.08 million redeemable preferred B shares at P100 apiece in BCHC.

The shares will be issued out of unit’s authorized capital stock.

“The subscription will be used by BCHC to fund acquisition of potential project sites,” AC Energy said.

It said that the transaction is subject to the necessary regulatory approvals from the corporate regulator on BCHC’s capital stock increase as well as the full payment of the subscription price.

In December 2020, AC Energy said that it was infusing P350 million in BCHC to fund the acquisition of potential project areas.

In the first quarter, the Ayala-led firm’s attributable net income rose by 54% to P829.32 million from P539.58 million in the same period last year, amid higher revenues from electricity sales.

AC Energy shares at the local bourse improved by 1.2% or 10 centavos to finish at P8.44 apiece on Wednesday. — Angelica Y. Yang

The way to a dad’s heart

CONRAD Manila celebrates Father’s Day with China Blue by Jereme Leung’s Feast Fit for a King.

THERE is a saying that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” so it makes sense that this is so for fathers too. From special manly cakes to tiramisu tubs and cupcakes, from meals to celebrate at home to fancy dinners are newly reopened restaurants, here is a listing of some ways to show Dad some love.

THE PENINSULA MANILA

Give the “man of the house” a well-deserved break at The Peninsula Manila on June 20 – Father’s Day — for a year of hard work. From mighty meaty platters at The Lobby, al fresco dining in Spices, a lavish brunch buffet in Escolta, boozy iced treats, giant tiramisu tubs, to fancy mixology sets, The Peninsula Manila has got the perfect gifts for the perfect man of the house. The lavish Meaty Man’s Menu will be available at The Lobby on June 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday) with an array of rare cuts of meat. The Pen’s legendary Lobby marks the occasion with the 20% Off “We Meet Again” Dinner Promotion on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. Opt for an outdoor table on Father’s Day Weekend, June 19 and 20 with Father’s Day Under the Stars where Dad gets to enjoy a complimentary dinner when dining with three paying guests at P2,490 per person. Spices welcomes back guests with its flavors of India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam at 20% off with the “We Meet Again” Lunch Promotion from Wednesdays to Sundays. Spend Sunday Brunch Buffet with Dad in Escolta over Father’s Day weekend June 20 for P3,100 per person. The Peninsula Boutique, meanwhile, has a Giant Tiramisu Tub Cake — the 8” x 8” tub cake can be shared with 12 people (P2,490 per tub). The Peninsula Boutique also offers a brand-new line of inventive alcohol-infused ice creams and sorbets for Dad to enjoy like Boozy Irish (Brownies and Bailey’s Irish Cream Swirl Ice Cream), Dark and Stormy (Dark Chocolate, Pecans, and Glenmorangie Whisky Ice Cream), Tickled Pink (Grapefruit and Campari Sorbet), and Papa’s Secret (Banana, Passion Fruit, and Don Papa Rum Sorbet) at P490 per pint. Or get him an impressive Peninsula x Urban Bar Cocktail Shaker and Tool Box Set which comes with a one-liter small batch craft cocktail bottle of Peninsula Negroni, Margarita, Aperol Spritz, or Beast of Burden that’s ready to serve (P8,000 per set with a one-liter cocktail bottle). For dining at home, there are Dad-size platters can be ordered in advance for pick-up. The Giant Tiramisu Tub Cake, alcohol-infused ice creams and sorbets, cocktail sets, and Father’s Day Platters are available at The Peninsula Boutique satellite counter at The Lobby from June 14 to 20. For inquiries or further information call 8887-2888 (trunk line), extension 6694 (Restaurant Reservations), diningpmn@peninsula.com, visit the website peninsula.com, or through PenChat, the hotel’s 24-hour e-concierge by using this link: https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook.

CONRAD MANILA

Conrad Manila celebrates Father’s Day with its Signature Feasts for the Man of the House which can be enjoyed at the hotel or at home. China Blue by Jereme Leung offers a Feast Fit for a King, a special set menu with these highlights: Golden roast US duck with BBQ gravy sauce, Sauteed premier US sliced beef and cha tsai, black fungus with dried chili pepper sauce, and Steamed Signature house specialty Red gold long life custard buns, among other favorites. Prices start at P4,200 per person. Bring home a special Father’s Day Hamper from C Lounge that includes a bottle of its signature cocktail Hilario or collectible miniature spirits paired with executive chef Daniel Patterson’s Homemade chicharones, Spiced Cajun almonds, and more. Prices start at P2,500. At Brasserie on 3, Dad is spoilt with an indulgent Takeaway Father’s Day BBQ, ideal for a family of four to six. Menu highlights include Grilled BBQ pork ribs with chili sauce, US Steak, Cajun-style chicken breast, Chili corn bread, and a cheesecake collection, among others. Price starts at P1,850. Bru Coffee Bar’s special Father’s Day Tin Cakes — a selection of sponge cakes topped with premium chocolate, cream or toffee finished with a light chocolate cap — come in four variations: Peanut butter milk cheesecake, Vanilla light macadamia nut, Whiskey and dark chocolate, and Ube coconut. Prices start at P200. For inquiries or reservations, call 0917-650-4043 or 8833-9999 or visit the official e-store at http://bit.ly/conradmestore.

DISCOVERY PRIMEA

The Discovery Primea offers a meal kit for a five-star celebration at home for Father’s Day. Each kit costs P5,000 net, and is good for four to five persons. For an additional P1,800 net, complement the meal with a bottle of Louis Jadot Beaujolais Village. The meal includes six appetizers, with US Angus Beef “Petite Roast” as the main course. Choose from a selection of side dishes, and end the meal with a Tarte au Chocolat with vanilla English cream. Present dad with a special treat made just for him: a box of Brown Butter and Whisky Madeleines. The at-home meal kit is available on June 18 to 20. Orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance. The kit comes with reheating instructions to guide diners on how to properly warm up their meal at home. Detail about this at-home kit may be viewed at https://bit.ly/dpfathersday2021. For orders and inquiries, call 7955-8888 or e-mail primea.restaurants@discovery.com.ph.

HOLIDAY INN AND SUITES MAKATI

Holiday Inn and Suites Makati has prepared a unique Steak Night Kit for celebrating Father’s Day at home. The Steak Night Kit includes 300 grams Premium Black Onyx Angus Striploin Steak with sauces and seasoning and two Hungarian Sausages perfect for grilling or pan cooking. Also included in the kit (already cooked) are a half-slab of baby back ribs, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and buttered corn cob with a mini cheesecake for dessert. The Kit is available for P4,375 net, and is good for two to three persons. Order at least one day in advance. It is available until June 20, for pick up or delivery. For orders and inquiries, call 7506-8132 or Viber 0917-596-8897.

SHERATON MANILA BAY

Sheraton Manila Bay has developed a Father’s Day Takeaway Gourmet Bundle which is a feast for four persons, with four bottles of local craft beer (Stout, Wheat, IPA, Pilsner), and a special Father’s Day Cake that can be personalized. For P3,588 net, pick from two set menus whose highlights are Crispy Pata, Spicy Tuna “Sisig,” Barbecue Glazed Baby Back Ribs with grilled sausages, Slow-Roasted Beef Brisket, and Chicken Wings. Offer is available until June 30. See the Father’s Day menu at http://bit.ly/SheratonDad. To order for delivery, call 5318-0788, 0917-583-7294, 0917-583-7326 or e-mail sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com. Twenty-four hours advance order is required. For a full listing of the hotel’s gourmet takeaways menu, visit http://bit.ly/ccmnlsb. Sheraton Manila Bay is located at M. Adriatico cor. Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila.

EDSA SHANGRI-LA MANILA

Edsa Shangri-La offers a Father’s Day barbeque feast at Al Fresco Dining by the pool. Enjoy its special BBQ à la carte and set menu, available on Fridays, from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 7 p.m. Rate starts at P350 net for the à la carte menu items and P1,750 net for Barbeque set. Edsa Shangri-La, Manila’s all-day Al Fresco Dining also features HEAT and Summer Palace favorites, available daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and a special Father’s Day set menu available for the month of June. From June 20 to 30, set menus from Summer Palace and Senju will be available for the whole family. A five-course authentic Japanese meal at Senju starts at P2,500 net per person, or while Summer Palace’s Abundance and Prosperity sets start at P5,775 net per person with a minimum of four orders. Bring the Shangri-La experience to your home with a special Gourmet On the Move Father’s Day Set Menu for five persons featuring arroz a la valencia, pancit sotanghon guisado, kalderetang baka, lechon belly stuffed with laing, banana heart in coconut cream, steamed rice, Brazo de Mercedes, and bibingka cheesecake. This set is P3,700 net, available for the whole month of June. Or treat dad to a special Gentlemen’s Afternoon Tea Set which includes a selection of cakes, treats, pastries, and savories, presented in a three-tier box at P1,750 net, available for takeaway for the whole month of June. There are also four limited edition Father’s Day 8” specialty cakes at P1,450 net, and other sweets and treats including boozy cupcakes, spiked macarons, a box of pralines, chocolate praline banana bread with chocolate cigar, and personalized chocolate frame with dad’s photo. A variety of Father’s Day bespoke hampers and gifts are also available for the whole month of June starting at P1,860 net. For inquiries or reservations, call 8633-8888 or e-mail reservations.esl@shangri-la.com.Visit www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila.

RICHMONDE HOTELS

Give dad an indulgent treat this Father’s Day with home celebrations prepared by the kitchen teams of Richmonde Hotels. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s Eastwood Café+Bar has an All-Meat Platter Hotbox filled with servings of bacon-wrapped Wagyu beef, roast chicken, braised beef belly, mixed sausages, and mashed potatoes. This takeaway party tray, good for three to four persons, is priced at P3,950 net, and you can add a bottle of Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon or Barefoot Moscato for 500. The first 15 customers to order for Father’s Day will get  As an added treat for dad, get the chance to give him a bottle of Barefoot Moscato White Wine, a PikNik snack pouch, and a souvenir bag from Emperador Distillers, Inc. for free. The platter hotbox is available the whole month of June for pickup or delivery. Eastwood Richmonde can arrange for delivery within Metro Manila at a nominal fee but if you reside within the Eastwood City township, delivery is free. One day lead time is required for orders. For inquiries and advance orders, call 8570-7777 or 0917-821 0333. Meanwhile, order Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ special Father’s Day Hotbox Platter, filled with Sangiovese braised beef short ribs, duxelles stuffed pork tenderloin, kielbasa, and brats packed in a self-heating box for P2,800 net and good for three to four persons. Add P500 for a bottle of Gallo Merlot. This special family takeaway meal is available until June 30 for pickup and delivery within Metro Manila. Delivery is free within San Miguel Ave., Pearl Drive, and Escriva. One day lead time is required. For inquires and pre-orders, call  8638-7777 or 0917-534 4352.

JCUPPACAKES

Pastry chef Julianne Bernardo of Jcuppacakes introduces a selection of Instagram-worthy bespoke signature cakes, customized cupcakes and dessert spreads in time for Father’s Day. The Brownie Mailer Box features dark chocolate brownies complete with a variety of milk chocolate and white chocolate pops, bars, cups and decor. The Father’s Day specials are Chocolate Brownie Tower and Chocolate Art Explosion cake. For a more personal gift, Dad’s Favorite Things contains an array of 12 cupcakes in mocha, chocolate, red velvet and salted caramel flavors. It comes in two styles — Cool Dad or Classic Dad — with the cupcakes decorated with frosting and bite-sized candies that depict a basketball, watching Netflix, charcuterie, shoes, cars, gadgets, a mug of beer or a good bottle of whiskey. Personalized toppers may be requested to fit particular interests. For more selections, visit www.jcuppacakes.com or their official pages on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/J.Cuppacakes/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jcuppacakes/)

MIMI & BROS

Mimi & Bros, a comfort food restaurant situated in BGC, presents the Dad Box which is available for delivery on Father’s Day. For P2,100, the Dad Box includes Mimi & Bros’ signature fried chicken, pork ribs, buffalo wings and a sausage, with sweet corn and pickles as the sides. As a special treat for dads, the Dad Box comes with a free 300-ml bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin. Order via Mimi & Bros Messenger account m.me/mimiandbros one day in advance and the delivery to the preferred destination will be arranged. Mimi & Bros is also accepting table reservations and dine-in customers. The restaurant assures strict safety and sanitary protocols with plenty of room for al fresco or outdoor dining.

RESORTS WORLD MANILA

Resorts World Manila’s (RWM) various hotels and restaurants have special Father’s Day offers. The Casa Buenas Pamilya Package has a special feast (P5,500) featuring Paella de Carne Mixtas (Mixed Meat Paella), braised roasted beef short ribs with Emperador Rum and miso glaze, moist Hineleban coffee from Mt. Kitanglad Bukidnon, and chocolate cake with lychee flan, with a bottle of Tres Cepas. The Pamilya Package is open for pre-order until June 18 for delivery via RWM Delishvery or pick up at Casa Buenas from June 14 to 20. Contact Casa Buenas via 0917-878-8312 or e-mail casa.buenas@rwmanila.com, and Delishvery via 7908-8885 or 0917-878-8856 for bookings and reservations. Log on to www.rwmexclusives.com for P500 off on this deal.  Meanwhile, Hotel Okura Manila has an exclusive Three-tier Bento Box Platter with Sake at P5,500 net and a special Maki Sushi Platter at P3,000 net with Okura at Home. Order more than one week ahead and enjoy 20% off. Available for pick up and delivery from June 15-20. For inquiries and advanced orders, call 5318-2815 or 0917-818-9868. Yamazato Japanese Fine Dining Restaurant’s bespoke three-course Mini Kaiseki Set highlights traditional Japanese dishes like the clear soup with seasonal ingredients and butter-grilled salmon with miso sauce, at P3,800 net. Those who want to experience a la minute teppan cooking can get the seven-course “Tsuki” or “Hana,” featuring top-quality Wagyu (starts at P6,500 net). All set menus include the sake Hakushika Namachozo 300 ml. Available from June 15-20. For reservations, call 5318-2888. Marriott Hotel Manila prepared a Father’s Day Feast at P4,100++ for three to four persons, which includes a whole slab pork baby back rib, four US Certified Angus striploin steaks (180g), four pieces of grilled homemade veal bratwurst, four grilled BBQ chicken leg quarters, four Chef Crafted Sides, and a six-inch Father’s Moustache Cake. Dine with dad under the stars at Sheraton Manila’s Vubble pods. The special Father’s Day four-course dinner is available at P6,000++ from June 18 to 20, 5 to 10 p.m. Or opt for a Korean barbecue and chicken set menu at Oori for P5,000 net for four persons from June 18-20. The King’s Feast dinner buffet at S Kitchen is also available at P2,700 net per pax, from June 19-20. Guests can also enjoy Sheraton Manila’s Father’s Day package at home via takeaway, pick up, or delivery. Pre-order the dining package good for six to eight people at P4,000 net. It includes Cebuchon (4kg of roasted pork belly), chorizo rice, vegetable ginataan, liver sauce, and King’s Cake. For orders and inquiries, contact 7902-1808. Hilton Manila is grilling up a special Father’s Day Poolside BBQ on June 20 from 5-8 p.m. at the Vega Pool Club. This package is available at P5,999 net good for four, which includes a seafood bucket, grilled skewers, side dishes, and a beer tower (choice of local beer and iced tea). For bookings and reservations, call 0917-839-7664 or e-mail hiltonmanila_events@hilton.com. Then there are the Hilton Manila Dad’s Family Platters. Choose from four packages for groups of seven to 10 persons. Rates start at P6,875 net. This offer is available from June 19-20 via takeaway and delivery via Delishvery, Pickaroo, and FoodPanda. For inquiries, contact 0917-826-6442.

The week-long Father’s Day celebration at Savoy Hotel Manila runs from June 14-20. Order the Ribeye Chimichurri served in a Hotbox and get a special gift for dad for P1,200 net. For inquiries, contact 5317-2817 or e-mail dine@savoymanila.com. The Healthy Options Set Meal in the Box is up for grabs for P1,500 net per set until June 30 at Cafe Belmont of Belmont Hotel Manila. This is available for takeaway and delivery. Advance orders are advised for dine-in customers. For inquiries, call 5318-8887 or e-mail dine@belmontmanila.com. For an added unique experience, book a private concert for your dad featuring world-class Filipino artists through the L.O.V.E. Project or Live On-request Virtual Entertainment. A personalized 15-minute live performance from select artists of your choice is available, with rates starting at P600. Visit the L.O.V.E. Project Official on Facebook (www.fb.com/loveprojectofficial) for more information. To know more about the RWM’s Father’s Day offers, visit www.rwmanila.com or follow RWM’s official social media accounts, @rwmanila on Facebook and Twitter, and @resortsworldmanila on Instagram.

NESPRESSO

Nespresso suggests some limited-offer bundles for fathers which are available until June 30 at Nespresso retail stores and at www.nespresso.ph. These are new machines like the Creatista Plus for making latte art. It has an intuitive user interface with its high-resolution display which guides the user on all preparation, setting, and maintenance aspects. He can make his favorite iced cappuccino, macchiato, or mocha easily and keep cool with the Atelier’s cold frothing possibilities. The Essenza Plus can make an espresso, lungo, or Americano. Save P2,250 when with the purchase any of these bundles: Pixie, Citiz, Essenza Plus, Lattissima One, Lattissima Touch, or Gran Lattissima Father’s Day gift bundle with three-sleeve Barista Creations for Ice. Receive a complimentary two-piece VIEW Recipe Glasses and a Monin Syrup kit for every purchase. Save P4,250 when you purchase the Atelier or Creatista Plus with a three-sleeve Barista Creations for Ice, and get a complimentary two-piece VIEW Recipe Glasses, a Monin Syrup kit, and a Cube Capsule Dispenser. If he’s the type who puts in milk in his coffee, opt for the following bundles with the easy-to-use Aeroccino 3 milk frother: save P2,250 with a purchase of  the Pixie Aeroccino 3, Citiz Aeroccino 3, or Essenza Plus Aeroccino 3 with three-sleeve Barista Creations for Ice. Get a complimentary two-piece VIEW Recipe Glasses and a Monin Syrup kit. For more information on Nespresso products and offers, visit www.nespresso.ph, or follow @nespresso.ph on Instagram and or @nespresso.phl on Facebook. Nespresso retail stores are located in Power Plant Mall and The Podium, while pop-up stores are located in Greenbelt 5, One BHS, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Mall, Robinson’s Magnolia, and Trinoma.

Diamond Hotel Philippines 

Diamond Hotel Philippines celebrates Father’s Day on June 19 and 20 with an A la Minute Eat-All-You-Can for Lunch or Dinner at the Corniche. For P1,600 net per person, Dad can feast on cuisines of the world hot and fresh, amd delivered to his table. Meanwhile, Yurakuen offers a Father’s Day Set Menu featuring authentic Japanese cuisine for P1,880 net per person for lunch or dinner. One can also dine a la carte or at the tepanyaki table as Yurakuen also accepts reservations. At Al Fresco By the Bay, the chefs have prepared an outdoor Set Dinner for P2,800 nett per person featuring hand-picked dishes and a setting that encourages conversations to flow like wine. Prefer to celebrate at home? No problem — order from www.onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com. There are three exclusive Father’s Day Set Menus on offer, and if an oriental meal is desired, Chinese Set Menus are also available. For savory platters, the Slow Cooked Beef Belly in Red Wine Sauce is a great choice. The Premium Grazing Box and Sandwich Grazing Box are also recommended best sellers of the hotel. The online shopping site can also satisfy a sweet tooth,  aside from a variety of desserts to choose from, a Chocolate Mud Cake with layers of rich chocolate ganache was created for the occasion. As a memento of the event, Dad will receive a special edition tote bag and face mask for every qualified spend. For restaurant reservations call 8528–3000 ext. 1121 or e–mail restaurant_rsvn@diamondhotel.com. Book table now as seats are limited. Visit onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com or e–mail restaurant_rsvn@diamondhotel.com. Lead time for orders on the online shopping site are mostly one day prior to the date of delivery except for Chinese Platters and Clams Selection which require two days. Payments may be made via credit card, PayPal, or online bank transfers (for Metrobank only). Orders must be picked up at the Main Entrance of Diamond Hotel Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, cor. Dr. J. Quintos St., Manila daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Other terms and conditions may apply. 

Crimson Hotel 

Dine at home without the hassle with Crimson Hotel Filinvest City’s Café Eight All Fired Up BBQ takeaway bundle, which comes complete with a hearty serving of salad, dessert, and assorted meats and sides grilled and glazed. For P2,000 net per order, this deal can serve up to four people and is available from June 18 to 20. Meanwhile, Baker J offers an al fresco dining experience on June 20 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Or should you decide to stay in, Baker J’s Gentleman’s Box is packed with an assortment of homemade cold cuts, croissants, and slices of Baker J’s signature sourdough bread. For P699, get this special package delivered from June 18 to 20. Or choose Firehouse Pizza’s Pizza for Pops – a selection of one signature pizza, one1 classic pizza, eight parmesan fried chicken wings with garlic aioli, one pan of truffle pasta, and Desserts in Jar: Riz au Lait (rice pudding with peach compote) for P2,000. This offer is available for take-away from June 18 to 20, and al fresco dining on June 20. On Father’s Day, raise a toast to dad with the unique Bottled Blends by Alibi Lounge + Bar, a soon-to-open dining concept at Crimson Hotel. Avail of this Iberico–infused bourbon whiskey kit for P550 or get it for free for every purchase of Café Eight’s All Fired Up.Dads will get one free Crimson panama hat for a minimum purchase of P1,500. Chroma also launched the #ChromaBestDadEver social media contest where one can send his or her favorite video with Dad for a chance to win hotel overnight stays in any Crimson Hotels & Resorts, Quest Hotels or Timberland Highlands Resort, a one day drive in a Lexus IS Hybrid car, and ROX merchandise. Visit https://www.facebook.com/chromahospitality for more details. For takeaway orders and table reservation inquiries, visit www.crimsonhotelfilinvestcity.com, call 0998–961–3409, or e–mail bakerj@crimsonhotel.com and firehousepizza@crimsonhotel.com.

JBL releases new headphones, earphones for every lifestyle

JBL LIVE PRO+ TWS IN SAND

JBL has released a new line of sports and lifestyle headphones and earphones suited for fitness, professional, and everyday use.

The 11 new models are made to suit different types needs for their daily activities from working out, listening music, working from home, and distant learning.

“As offices were temporarily close, working from home meant we rely on our headphones, not only to enjoy our playlists but also taking calls and attending online meeting. For students, distant learning brought the classroom together. Headphones became essential not only for music, but for our livelihood and education,” Harman Asia-Pacific Vice-President and General Manager Grace Koh said at an online press launch on June 10 held via Zoom.

“JBL pays meticulous detail to delivering quality sound, technology designed to enhance everyday activities. From features such as wireless, adaptive noise cancelation, voice assistant, to designs that fits everyone,” she added.

ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
Three of the new models are designed for those with active lifestyles. The JBL Reflect Mini NC TWS (P8,299) in-ear sport headphones are an all-around accessory for athleisure lifestyle. With 21 hours of playtime, an IPX7 waterproof rating, and Active Noise Canceling (ANC) feature, these headphones allow you to focus on your fitness. For outdoor or group workouts, the Smart Ambient technology keeps you aware of your surroundings.

Meanwhile, the JBL Endurance Peak II (P6,999) wireless headphones deliver JBL Pure Bass sound while providing comfort and connectivity. It is equipped with 30 hours battery life and a sweatproof/waterproof design.

The UA True Wireless Streak (P8,499) is a lightweight choice engineered to maximize performance while minimizing size and distractions. Designed with Sport Flex Fit ear tips, it provides comfort and secure fit tested by athletes. It is also equipped with 18 hours of total playtime, UA waterproof technology, TalkThru and Ambient Aware Technology.

CREATIVES, CASUAL USERS
For digital creatives and music lovers, JBL Live 460NC (P6,999) on-ear headphones and JBL Live 660NC (P10,999) over-ear headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers to deliver JBL Signature Sound, punctuated with enhanced bass so every track pops. Activate ANC if you need to focus and Smart Ambient for keeping in touch with your environment. It also has a voice assistant technology and a total of 50 hours battery life.

Meanwhile, whether it is used for studying or working on passion projects, the JBL Tune 510BT (P3,299) on-ear headphones and JBL Tune 660NC (P5,599) Noise Canceling on-ear headphones are equipped superior bass sound. They can provide up to 40 hours of streaming with ANC on, as well as convenient pairing technology to connect to Siri or Google devices.

Meetings, classes, events, and social gatherings have migrated to the virtual space. The wireless JBL Live Pro+ TWS (P9,199) earbuds and JBL Live Free NC+ TWS (P8,599) in-ear headphones are designed for teachers, hosts, and employees working from home. Both models deliver JBL Signature Sound with 28 and 21 hours playtime, respectively. They also feature intuitive touch and voice assistant control.

For newbies to wireless technology, the JBL Tune 225 TWS (P7,199) earbuds and the JBL Tune 115 TWS (P4,699) in-ear headphones are introductory pieces fit for one’s usual daily routine as they allow for free movement and various activities. These two products have up to 25 and 21 hours battery life, respectively.

JBL also announced singer and actress Nadine Lustre as its new brand ambassador as it launched the new products.

All the new earphones and headphones are now available in all JBL stores, authorized dealers and online stores, except for the JBL Endurance Peak II, which will be launched later on.

Visit JBL Philippines’ official website (www.jbl.com.ph) and social media accounts for more information. — M.A.P. Soliman

SC rejects Kolin Philippines’ trademark claim

THE High Court has unanimously reversed the Court of Appeals’ (CA) 2016 decision that granted the application of Kolin Philippines International, Inc. (KPII) to own the “kolin” trademark for the company’s television sets and digital video disc (DVD) players.

In the Supreme Court’s (SC) 38-page decision dated Feb. 9 and made public on Tuesday, it said the trademark applied for by KPII might mislead the public that it is the same mark owned by Kolin Electronics Co., Inc. (KECI) due to their similar dominant feature of the word “Kolin.”

Moreover, both marks apply to similar products of the two companies, with KPII’s mark applied to the company’s television sets and DVD players, and that of KECI’s to automatic voltage regulators, converters, rechargers, stereo boosters, regulated power supplies, step-down transformers, and amplifiers.

The court held that “(t)he existence of likelihood of confusion is already considered as damage” to the rights of KECI.

It likewise reinstated and affirmed the decision of the Intellectual Property Office’s director general in 2002 that declared KECI as the sole owner of its “KOLIN” mark under the Trademark Law.

The SC also disagreed with the reasoning of the CA that the High Court’s decision on the 2015 Taiwan Kolin case — or Taiwan Kolin Corp., Ltd. (TKC) versus KECI — was applicable in the present case.

The SC said that its 2015 decision only allowed TKC to continue its trademark application for “KOLIN,” and that the application of KPII in the present case is for a new trademark, which means that “it is going through an entirely new process of determining registrability.”

“Because this involves a new trademark application and there are new issues arising here which were not decided in the Taiwan Kolin case, the principle of res judicata (a matter that has already been decided by a competent court) in the concept of conclusiveness of judgment does not apply,” it said.

KPII is an air conditioning company in the Philippines while KECI manufactures, assembles, and markets power equipment. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Google, Amazon defend home device business in antitrust hearing

ALPHABET, Inc.’s Google and Amazon.com, Inc. defended their smart-speaker businesses as US senators warned the grip the companies have over the market could harm competition and consumer privacy.

Republicans and Democrats at a hearing on Tuesday raised concerns about what they said were anti-competitive practices such as selling devices below cost and promoting their own services over those of competitors on their platforms.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota Democrat who chairs the Senate Judiciary’s antitrust panel, said the expansion of technology giants into more at-home devices risks further consolidating the market, giving an advantage to established players. She cited a scenario of an Amazon device providing customers the option of buying groceries only from Amazon-owned Whole Foods.

“In home technology, we see some of the most powerful firms that dominate tech today poised to dominate the platforms of the future,” she said. “Consumers should choose, not vertically integrated tech giants.”

The hearing marked the latest move by lawmakers on Capitol Hill to scrutinize the practices of the tech industry’s biggest companies as they consider potential reforms to antitrust laws to impose tighter regulations on the companies. Klobuchar and Senator Mike Lee of Utah, the senior Republican on the antitrust panel, have both introduced their own legislation to overhaul and strengthen antitrust enforcement. House lawmakers last week introduced their own proposals.

Eddie Lazarus, chief legal officer for Sonos, Inc., said the business practices of Google and Amazon make it hard for the speaker company to compete. He said the companies infringe on 150 patents held by Sonos, among other complaints.

Amazon Executive Ryan McCrate testified that Amazon makes its technology available to other developers so that competing music services, for example, are available through its voice-assistant service Alexa. He said Amazon founded a coalition of companies committed to ensuring that consumers have access to multiple, simultaneous voice services on a single device.

Wilson White, a senior director of government affairs at Google, said the company prioritizes consumer choice and privacy. On many devices that use Google’s Android operating system, consumers can choose to set up rival voice assistants like Alexa, he said.

Lee cautioned against giving tech companies even more power to steer consumer choices as new products enter the home.

“Why would be want to give big tech more control and more influence over our daily lives? We know they don’t always exercise this power in the best interest of society,” Lee said. “Surely, we know enough to know this isn’t going to end well.” — Bloomberg

Inuman indulgence

INSTAGRAM.COM/PUSONGANDOKS
INSTAGRAM.COM/PUSONGANDOKS

Review
Andok’s litson baka

A BARRAGE of witty hashtags (#BakaNaman) for Andok’s latest release, its litson baka (roasted calf), and the sexiness in its scarcity made me order it.

Friends spoke of driving to up to four Andok’s branches to get a box of litson baka (some ordering two, or more, to make the most of the drive), so there must have been something to it. Anonymous food blogger MasarapBa said it was “Deym, Ang Sarap.” We tend to take her word for anything, and luckily, an Andok’s outlet near my house had it, conveniently delivered via GrabFood at P352, so I was able to try it for myself.

It came in a box, with the meat itself, sliced in little squares about as big as two thumbs, wrapped in foil. The lemongrass and citrus scent, much like the marinade they already use on their liempo and litson manok, wafted out of the box like a dare. I took the scent up on its dare and placed my hand inside the box and plucked a piece with my fingers.

The texture, the unmistakable flavor of good beef, and the light char made me think of Texas barbecue. It wasn’t a plump roast beef — this was a tougher guy, but still with a desirable chew. The flavor notes on its marinade though, were definitely Filipino, and the familiar notes of its citrusy marinade can bring one back to small parties with Andok’s chicken on the table.

The familiar liver sauce wasn’t there, but my vanity got ahead of me, so I made some gravy to go with it (that, and I saw a guy on Instagram order the lechon and serve it like beef stroganoff). The gravy was too heavy for the fatty, charred bits of beef, so I immediately nixed that. The package of litson baka came with two containers of vinegar, but it really wasn’t my thing. Mustard proved to be a good condiment, but I imagine this to be good with horseradish too — speaking of horseradish, Andok’s can take a page from Arby’s and make sandwiches out of this (or somebody should use this as a filling for cua pao buns). Still, the Filipino spirit in me says, eat it with rice. Your inner cosmopolitan might trick you to pair this with a Shiraz, but come on, this was asking for either a nice, cold glass of Coke or San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

It would be a mistake to compare this to a nice, gentle roast beef (you’d have approximately the same amount for about P100 more from another restaurant), because you’d have different expectations for either. Quite frankly, this isn’t the stuff of polite Sunday lunches. It could be, however, the next masa classic. With the right marketing, it could be the next sizzling sisig (meaning, a drinking staple) but it otherwise won’t be a threat to the homegrown brand’s own litson manok (roasted chicken) and liempo (roasted pork). The scrappy-looking meat doesn’t look very festive on tables, so I highly doubt this would be the next birthday centerpiece (perhaps someone with better hands should plate it in the future).

However, it is perfect as a novelty for now, but in the future, it will be a nice inuman indulgence, one that makes a Pale Pilsen drinker feel like a king for a few moments.

Order your Andok’s Litson Manok either through GrabFood, or at Andok’s branches. Andok’s Facebook page has a list of branches of where the new dish is available. These include certain branches (up to four) in Quezon City, Manila, Caloocan, Las Pinas, Navotas, Laguna, Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Rizal, Makati, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, and Cavite. — Joseph L. Garcia

Funeral homes go digital via Onora app

@ONORAAPP
@ONORAAPP

MORE than 500 funeral services homes nationwide have joined the funeral mobile application Onora to offer their products and services.

Onora, which is now available on Google Play Store, brings the funeral service industry online, company officials said at an online briefing on Wednesday.

The funeral application allows users to search, book, and pay for funeral services.

“Aside from the obvious practical advantages Onora’s technology provides by making planning easier, lifting the mental load allows mourners time to grieve,” Onora Founder Benjamin E. Dychangco said.

“Onora means honor in the Gaelic language, and we believe that to honor a loved one should be the only thing that you focus on during this trying time. With Onora, we hope to make the grieving process just a little bit easier,” he added.

Onora said more than 2,000 services are available on the application, including burial, cremation, catering, flowers, obituaries, and photographers.

“Onora has over 500 funeral services homes nationwide that people can choose from,” it also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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