Mekeni: 30 Years of Uplifting Filipino Lives

“A person’s measurement of success is not by how much money he has but by how much the same success affects other people. You cannot only look at your own success but also see that others around you succeed too.  Then you can say that you have succeeded in life.”  These are the words of Tatay Felix Garcia, founder of Mekeni Food Corporation.

For those who have seen the havoc wreaked upon by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 it was devastatingly clear how Porac, Pampanga was almost wiped off the Philippine map. So creating jobs in the lahar-stricken town seemed like a crazy idea to most people.  But Tatay Felix and Imang Meding Garcia weren’t most people. They believed in sharing hope and creating a spark in the darkest moment of their lives. That spark ignited a light for the people of barrio Balubad, and transformed what was then an ashen ghost town into the thriving community that it is today. What they started 30 years ago is now being continued by their children and grandchildren.

More than producing world-class quality food products that continues to bring honor to the country, Mekeni Food Corporation is remembered and recognized as a Filipino family-oriented company that offered employment opportunities to the lesser privileged which contributed in building a happy, committed and productive community despite the major calamity.

Mekeni lives up to its name of always being open and welcoming. Through the years, they have gladly welcomed both challenges and opportunities, relying on their faith in their people and an even stronger faith in God. So whenever awards and recognitions are accorded to Mekeni, it is not only the company that takes pride in its own achievements but also the whole community shares in the joy and honor given. Because Mekeni believes that their best asset are the people who stick with them through thick and thin.

Now celebrating their 30th Year with the theme “30 Years of Uplifting Filipino Lives”, Mekeni continues its mission to provide employment opportunities and contribute to the improvement of life within and beyond the community.

In their recent thanksgiving celebration, Mekeni did not only celebrate their milestones, but also celebrated their employees' achievements. Promoting the value of the 5Rs in their people (Relationship, Respect, Result, Rewards and Recognition), they gave their outstanding employees awards and recognition for their excellent service to the company. Amazingly, some even beyond the call of duty! Group awards and recognition were given for the Best Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Best 5S Practitioners, HACCP/Food Safety Management System Team, Internal Audit Team, Safety & Health Committee, HR Point persons Team, Emergency Preparedness & Response team, 5S team, Mekeni Dancers, MFC Chorale, Best Delivery Team National Category, and Outstanding Factory Outlet Team. Individual awards and recognition were also given to the Most Outstanding Admin Personnel, Best Account Analyst, Perfect Attendance, Outstanding CSLM Support Personnel, Best Delivery Crew/Helper, Best Lead Delivery Crew/Helper, Best Delivery Driver, Best Cash & Goods Model, Service Excellence, and Loyalty Award for those who have been with the company for 10 years or more.

This is what makes Mekeni successful, they value their people and their contributions; showing them that they and their family are always part of Mekeni. In the same way, this is why the employees are happy to stay on, because they are all treated as valuable assets of the company.

In keeping with their thanksgiving party tradition, Mekeni did not let any of their employees to go home empty-handed. Everyone took home a sack of rice, assorted grocery items, and a pack of their Picnic Super Jumbo hotdog, all courtesy of the management. After many decades, Mekeni is still grateful for all the blessings that let the company continue this practice.

Lastly, Mekeni thanks all their valued customers in the Philippines and throughout the world where every Filipino have been served their delicious world-class quality products. It is through them that Mekeni continues to grow not only as a company but also as a community builder that will continue to provide opportunities and uplift poverty in the community that they serve. Truly, Mekeni is committed to be a partner of growth not only in the province where they built their reputable company, but also in the entire country where they have been happily and productively working with their dealers and distributors nationwide.

With their commitment to build people, Mekeni hopes and prays that they would sustain their passion, commitment, loyalty and pride in both triumph and challenges. It is their faith in their people and most of all their faith in God that makes them what they are now, 30 years of world-class quality food products and dedicated people.

McVitie’s: The sweet biscuit with staying power

With more than 120 years of history and still counting, and after other digestive biscuits have come and gone, everyone can count on McVitie’s to stay and serve your favorite digestives. Its success definitely didn’t happen overnight, but thanks to Robert McVitie and his father William, we are now all enjoying a century- old recipe that has been trusted by millions of people around the world including the royals of United Kingdom.

The father-and-son tandem opened a bake shop in Rose Street, Edinburgh, which in time gave Robert all the honed skills and a reputation as one of the better bakers in the city. With that he was able to open more shops and expanded their business. From that point, he passed his family legacy to his sons and sent them to school to study bakery.

Robert McVitie Jr. continued with the family business and focused more on developing biscuits because it was more in demand during that era which was characterized by maritime explorations. It was also during that time that Charles Price joined the business, making the partnership McVitie & Price a household name in Edinburgh.

Not long after, Alexander Grant entered the picture and produced the first and original “Digestive” biscuit, the same original recipe that is still enjoyed today. The rest is as they say, is history.

Aside from being the United Kingdom’s favorite tea time snack, McVitie’s received the royal seal of approval in 1893 when the company was commissioned to bake the wedding cake of Queen Mary and King George V. From then on, McVitie’s has been part of British royal tradition by baking cakes and other sweets for their national festivities. And just recently, McVitie’s added another feather to its cap when it was commissioned to make Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton’s chocolate biscuit bridegroom’s cake.

The health benefit in McVitiie’s Original Digestives must have been also a big factor in its becoming a long time trusted household brand in many countries. Proper digestion and fiber rich food that flushes out toxins really do a lot of wonders to most people, keeping away sickness.

Other variants such as McVitie’s Wholewheat  Digestives offer a healthier option with more fiber which is mostly favored by health buffs and those who are in a fitness program. Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Digestives are made for those with a sweet tooth in mind and let them enjoy the benefits of a healthy and sumptuous snack.

And compared to other biscuit snacks, McVitie’s has fewer calories and contains less fructose corn syrup. It was made even healthier without all the artificial ingredients, cholesterol, and transfats.  Each bite is packed with fiber which is very much needed to gain better health.

Now, with a variant for the young ones, McVitie’s Kids which has the biscuits shaped in their favorite cartoon characters, the digestive formula that has been enjoyed by many for centuries can now be enjoyed by everyone, no matter what age.

With all the rich history and rich goodness in every yummy bite from McVitie’s Digestives, what else is there to look for from a snack? Simple – just look for the name “McVitie’s” on the label and you can’t go wrong.

For more about McVitie’s Digestives, visit www.mcvities.com, or click “Like” on its Facebook Page www.facebook.com/mcvitiesdigestives.

The “Quality Cream-based” Sauces from Clara Olé

From the family that made Pasta Sauces a true and delicious fixture in every Filipino dish, Clara Olé, a leading name in pasta sauces, tomato sauce, marinades, syrups, jams & jelly, dips n’ dressings, introduces its newest line of cream-based sauces that will surely provide delight in every family meal.

There’s no doubt that these “Quality Cream-based” sauces—Carbonara Pasta Sauce, Béchamel White Sauce, and Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce—from the Clara Olé line of products by Sysu International Inc., serves as its latest coup de grâce in the Philippine food industry. 

With this trifecta of sauces, more Filipino families, working professionals and cooking enthusiasts will surely look forward to heading to the kitchen to whip up a non-stop bevy of delectable dishes using Clara Olé’s impeccable, quality sauces.

The Clara Olé “Carbonara Pasta Sauce” is a cream-based pasta sauce that’s immaculately creamy, and fuses salty, smoked bacon and cheesy flavors that will lend your pasta a rockin’ and mind-blowing taste with flavorful creaminess.

You can also use the “Carbonara Pasta Sauce” as an exciting dip for nachos, fries, potato chips, topping for sausages, as burger sauce, sandwich spread, dressing for salads and veggie sticks.

The other sauce in the line-up is the Clara Olé Béchamel, a cream-based white sauce with a masterful blend of butter, cream and cheese. 

But unlike its siblings, the Béchamel, touted as one of the “Mother Sauces” of French cuisine, is primarily used as topping on baked pasta variants like the baked lasagna or baked macaroni, veggies, and can serve as filling for rolled chicken meat dishes like cordon bleu, chicken a la kiev, meat pies, and even sandwiches.

And extend its use as sauce for fried breaded meat and grilled seafood, spread for canapés, and as dip for salted chips. 

Finally, the Clara Olé “Creamy Tomato” is a cream-based pasta sauce that combines luscious cream and vine-ripened tomatoes to provide a succulent smell and heart-warming creaminess that strike every palate.

This creamy, red sauce is used mostly for pastas, and yet can extend its use by transforming to become delicious gravy for roasted or breaded chicken, as dip for fries and chips, sauce for meatloaf and potato dumplings, and even as base for tomato soup or pizza sauce. That’s talking about true variety.

So make those pasta dishes—and a whole lot more—come to life by using Clara Olé’s newest “Quality Cream-based sauces.” Truly, Clara Olé remains true to its commitment of offering value for money, convenience and excitingly delicious products for everybody’s everyday meal. 

Want to see and experience for yourself how Clara Olé can transform an ordinary dish and make it spectacular? Head off now to your favorite supermarkets or grocery stores and bring home the delightful taste of Clara Olé’s “Quality Cream-based sauces” to make your every meal a true spectacle for your family and friends.

Know more about Clara Olé value offerings, visit www.claraole.com or “Like” www.Facebook.com/myclaraole or follow via Instagram @ClaraOlePH and share your unforgettable cooking encounters and dining experiences using Clara Olé Carbonara, Béchamel White Sauce and Creamy Tomato. You can even catch exciting Clara Olé “Pot Sessions: A Cook Without A Book” adventure webisode series via their Facebook app: https://www.facebook.com/myclaraole/app_566691690034303.

Dishes we want to see on our table all year round

Happy new year to everyone!

The last two weeks for most of us Pinoys might have been very busy especially in our kitchen and dining room because of the holiday season. Imagine preparing a feast for our family and loved ones for Noche Buena and then after a week, an equally generous table for our Media Noche celebration at home.

My family loves pasta. That's why I prepared baked lasagna to go along with our special home-made pizza. I tried using Clara Olé products this year since I've been reading a lot of blog posts about the product recently. For the lasagna, I used their Sweet Style because I want my 4-year old son Charles to have a plate of it. Our pizza was uber yummy with Clara Ole pasta sauce Three Chees. Other classic pasta sauces that we will try soon are the Italian Style, Mushroom, Cheesy Pesto, Bacon & Cheese, Chunky Tomato with Three Cheese, and Onion & Garlicto.

Here are some recommendation from Clara Ole, which is becoming a favorite brand in our home now.

Whipping up a tasty and tangy treat for those who love chicken as part of their holiday dinner table will surely find “Orange Glazed Wings” a perfect delicacy. Just take out your chicken wings from the fridge and transform it into a delectable delight using three Clara Olé products: Clara Olé Orange Marmalade, Clara Olé Filipino Style Pasta Sauce and the Clara Olé Spicy Barbecue Marinade.

Care for beef to go with your chicken to wow your guests? Try “Asian Beef Stew,” something tried-and-tested to pump up the holiday dining experience. Just cut your beef briskets and transform it into a more delightful dish through the Clara Olé Kung Pao Pasta Sauce and Clara Olé Chunky Tomato with Basil Sauce, coupled with simple and easily available spices. Watch as this simple dish makes your holiday dining truly memorable.

This generation of food lovers is indeed very lucky, for Clara Olé is now available to help make cooking delicious and appetizing dishes even easier and worry-free even for first-time cooks.

If you’re a pancake lover, especially the kids, try the Clara Olé Pancake Syrups (Original, Maple, which also has a sugar-free version, Cinnamon)or the chocolate-flavored ones like Clara Olé classic Choco and Choco-Nut Syrup, and also Truly Fruity (Banana Apple Cinnamon, Strawberry Bananamia, Blueberry Thrill, and Groovy Strawberry).

For those into marinating their favorite meat or seafood, use any of the mouth-watering Clara Olémarinades (Original, Inasal, Honey Mustard, Hickory, Spicy, Korean, Tapa and Tocino) or you can try Clara Olé Dips n’ Dressings like Thousand Island, Caesar, Honey Mustard, Ranch and Asian, plus Orange, Sesame, Pesto, Parmesan and Mango Vinaigrettes for lovers of salads and greens to watch their weight during the holidays.

Jams and Jellies for your holiday breads? Try Clara OléOrange Marmalade (also with sugar free variant) Pineapple Jam, Mango Pineapple Jam, Mango Jam, Strawberry Jam (also with sugar free version), Blueberry Jam and Guava Jelly.

Salivating about Clara Olé’s value offerings for the holidays? Just visit www.claraole.com or “Like” www.Facebook.com/myclaraole or connect via Instagram @claraolephand share your unforgettable cooking encounters and dining experiences using Clara Olé products.

After all that gigantic gastronomic prepping for the holidays, your next concern must be holiday food leftovers, particularly traditional spaghetti that kids love, so you may need to think of what to do with the leftover spaghetti sauce. Well, don’t fret. You can still use it in so many ways in combo with other food like tacos, nachos, tortilla wraps or even sauce topping for pizzas, too.

Need to find out how? Catch the next exciting Clara Oléwebisode of its popular “Pot Sessions: A Cook Without A Book” adventure series via the Facebook app: https://www.facebook.com/myclaraole/app_566691690034303.

OFF THE GRILL: A decade of Great Entertainment, Good Food, Good Service

What started out in 2003, as a sheer idea of having a homey, garden set-up where you can just serve good food, and have live bands playing in the background is now celebrating its 10^th year anniversary.

Over the years, Boojie, Operations Manager for OFF THE GRILL, is humbled with the kind of following this resto bar has created, “Looking back, we never thought this will hit the market. We were just a group of friends who wanted to have a place where everything is cool- music, ambiance, food.  I guess it’s that kind of “experience” that has brought us to where we are now. And of which the people or the public comes back for- the OFF THE GRILL experience.”

Located at 69 Timog Street, Quezon City, OFF THE GRILL is known for its live entertainment, great ambiance, excellent food. “As you can see from our logo, the three frogs has one holding a bottle of beer; one holding a microphone and the other, holding a fried chicken. This is translated to our kind of service;  great drinks, live entertainment and good food, respectively.” When we asked why the frog icon for OFF THE GRILL? Boojie says “ well frogs, because of their unique sound, can definitely attract people. Frogs bring in good luck.”

Grilled Squid

Crispy Pata

OFF THE GRILL had lots of changes. Changed for the better of course. They have their new menu all set and the all time favourite dishes are still consistently delicious. Special mentions are the Grilled Squid (grilled just right), Spicy Sashimi, Pork Sisig, Crispy Pata, Buffalo Wings and the Bulalo Steak that's just perfect with a bucket of Ice Cold Beer.  Prices on their menu are reasonable enough.

They do have huge events place. The place has cool air even without aircon. Nights were dim as usual and jampacked with cool people. Really entertaining. Nightlife as it is! 

OFF THE GRILL is also one of the pioneers in having live bands and acoustics. In fact, OFF THE GRILL is home to some of the country’s award winning musical artists.

“We are proud to say that some of our country’s top performers in the music industry started their stints here in OFF THE GRILL,” shares Boojie, “the likes of Side A, Freestyle, Paolo Santos, UrbanNation, Richard Poon.  And they are still very much part of OFF THE GRILL.” Through the years, guest  performances from MYMP, K24-7, True Faith, Mocha Girls, South Border, Brownman Revival, Princess Velasco, First Five, Duncan, Jimmy Bondoc and Saia continues to add glitter to this one-of-a-kind OFF THE GRILL nightlife experience!

One of the highlights of the 10^th anniversary celebration is giving recognition to these artists. And this is all happening on all Tuesdays of September, OFF THE GRILL’s anniversary month.

Side A band

Mocha Girls

For the VIPs, have it your OFF THE GRILL way on September 3 and 24.  Followed by a “Media Launch” on September 10, at 5:00 to 7:00 pm. “Supplier’s Night” is scheduled on September 17, while a reunion of sorts for all VIPs and former employees is happening on October 1.  Expect a lot of fun, entertainment, prizes and surprises on all Tuesdays of September at OFF THE GRILL, Timog, Quezon City.

Apart from their main location in Timog, Quezon City, OFF THE GRILL also has an outlet at Brick Road, Sta. Lucia,. 

For its 10^th anniversary celebration, a lot is in store for OFF THE GRILL.

“This year, we would like to spread some more, targeting to have 5 more branches.  South-based. So that more and more people can get to share the OFF THE GRILL experience. On the business side, which is our next big step, is opening our prospects  for franchising.”

A place with great sounds, good food, good service. The place is called OFF THE GRILL!

Sharing this milestone, Boojie  is grateful to the public and their business partners, “We would like to thank the public for their continuous support to OFF THE GRILL;  our suppliers, business partners. We would not have gotten this far without them. And we look forward for more fun, exciting years ahead!”

Let us celebrate a decade of Great Entertainment, Good Food, Good Service!

Check out  OFF THE GRILL at 69 Timog Ave. Corner Scout Torillo, Timog Quezon City, Tel. no 4269773; or at Brick Road, Sta Lucia East Grand Mall, Cainta, Tel. no.  5717531.

Cheers!!!

Perk-up Your Holidays with Yummy Gardenia Treats!

This is the time of the year when the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the everyday gets transformed to something magical.

You see it in homes already dressed up in glittering and bright lights, or in the warm feeling that wafts in the air during family reunions, or perhaps on how we uplift our character and mindset to become better persons.

Indeed, the holiday season is a time to look with fresh eyes on all that surrounds us in our daily lives.

Take the dinner table as an example. While we love to pile it up with all things special for this season like delectable hams or exquisite cheeses, it will not be complete without our bread to brighten up our dining experience and make it even more extraordinary and exciting.

And if you’re one of the millions of households that chooses only the best in breads for your dining table on a day-to-day basis, then Gardenia will continue to remain part of your festive table.

While Gardenia has already proven to be healthylicious with or without palaman, the season calls for turning the bread you love to eat every day into remarkable holiday treats.

All you need are imagination, delight and bags of your favorite Gardenia bread to make the happy, festive change! 

Why not go delightfully retro with Gardenia Chocolate Fondue? Along with cubed apples, bananas and white marshmallows, pick up bags of Gardenia Double Delights Ube & Cheese Loaf and Choco & Mocha Loaf, along with Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf. Cube the assorted breads and watch adults and kids have fun as they dunk them in a bowl of melted chocolate!

Ingredients:
2 slices         Gardenia Double Delights Ube &Cheese Loaf, cubed
2 slices        Gardenia Double Delights Choco & Mocha Loaf, cubed
2 slices        Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf, cubed
1 cup         Melted chocolate
1 piece        red apple, cubed
1 piece        green apple, cubed
1 piece        banana, cubed
1 30g pack    white marshmallows

How to do it? Simply serve all the ingredients using a fondue set.

Or you can get into the amazing festive indulgence mode using any of Gardenia’s amazing loaves like Gardenia Black Forest, that decadent, succulently soft and moist chocolate bread heaping with rich chocolate filling and luscious cherries, or Gardenia’s Amazing Dates and Walnuts, the soft, juicy and freshly baked bread layered with a delectable mix of fruit and nut. If not, indulge on Gardenia's Butterscotch Loaf with its smooth-tasting caramel goodness with rich and flavorful butterscotch chips found in each slice.

Speaking of butterscotch treats, try the special Gardenia Butterscotch Loaf and tweak it a bit to become a rich teatime snack or a true morning indulgence.  In a loaf pan, simply layer the trimmed bread slices with sliced kiwi, almond and nut chocolate, cream and honey and then chill to make the awesomely delicious Gardenia Butterscotch Kiwi Cake.

 
Ingredients:
8 slices Gardenia Butterscotch Loaf, edges trimmed
3 pieces kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
2 bars (30g) almond and nut chocolate, chopped
1 240ml pack all-purpose cream, chilled
3 tbsp. Honey
How to do it: Combine all-purpose cream and honey in a small bowl then mix until well blended. Spread the mixture at the bottom of a loaf pan then top it with 2 slices of Gardenia Butterscotch Loaf, cream mixture and the kiwi slices. Repeat the procedure until the pan is filled. Chill the cake at least an hour before serving.

Indeed, Gardenia remains the best of breads whether you eat it every day or transform it into scrumptious morsels fit for the season of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and the everyday into something magical.

The Gardenia Flavored Loaves are available nationwide at leading supermarkets and convenience stores.

Goya for the Filipinos and Chocoholics by Heart

What exactly is the difference between tsokolate eh and tsokolate ah?

Both were used as code in Noli Me Tangere where tsokolate eh, the “good” thick chocolate drink was for important guests, while tsokolate ah, the “bad” watery version was for nuisances. Both are still used today, but as different recipes rather than a comment on one’s importance. These quirky terms survive as reminders of how we came to our identities as Pinoys through our long-running love affair with chocolate, and the history of our own language, Filipino.

Filipino today is the result of generations of modifying the Tagalog dialect with various Spanish and English influences. It was officially chosen as the national language in the first National Assembly in 1937 because it identified us as Filipinos. In 1946, President Osmeña passed a law officially celebrating it with the first Linggo ng Wika, then held on March. It was in 1997 when President Ramos declared the entire month of August as Pambansang Buwan ng Wika.

Chocolate has its own rich history in the Philippines, and it was the Spanish that introduced us to it. It was love at first bite, and we never looked back. One chocolate brand in particular has captured our love affair with chocolate. And much like other things we Filipinos have inherited such as the jeepney, adobo, and our language, we took chocolate and made it distinctly Pinoy!

In this case it was Goya, when it introduced the Goya Chocolate Bar in 1956. The company’s signature chocolate, the Goya Bar quickly became a favorite amongst Pinoys because it was sweet, simple, straightforward, and undeniably Filipino.

2006 was a big turning point when Delfi Foods Inc., updated the iconic brand, Goya, using the expertise and license of Delfi Chocolate Manufacturing  SA Switzerland. This overhaul included sourcing the best cocoa beans, new and exciting chocolate recipes and variants, a modernized 3-hectare manufacturing plant in Marikina City, and a message that’s as honest and wholesome as the chocolate itself: Enjoy Life, Enjoy Goya!

Goya now has lots of different chocolates, but the Goya Bar remains a Pinoy favorite and the crown jewel of a brand founded over 50 years ago. Mostly unchanged since 1956, the Goya Bar still represents the Filipino and the Pinoy’s love for chocolate. With its history and identity, some might even say that it is the Filipino Chocolate. Loved by all, the Goya Bar does not discriminate, and it is still sweet, simple, and straightforward.

Perhaps most important of all, the Goya Bar has continued to grow with the Filipino thanks to the ongoing efforts by Delfi Foods. Since acquiring the brand in 2006, they have introduced new exciting recipes that cater to the Filipinos cravings for different types of chocolates, including 9 different variants for the Goya Bar!

Aside from the classic Milk Chocolate, Pinoy’s can also have their Goya Bar in rich Dark Chocolate, delicate Cream White, milk chocolate with Raisins, milk chocolate with Raisins and Nuts, milk chocolate with Almonds, Cookies and Cream with real cookie bits, Krispy Krunch—rice crispies in milk choclate, and Krispy Krunch Dark—rice crispies again, but this time in luxurious dark chocolate.
With all of these delectable Goya Chocolate Bars to choose from, Chocoholics everywhere have even more ways to enjoy life and enjoy Goya!

After all, chocolates are far more than just a sweet treat for us Filipinos. Chocolate to us is a gift, a celebration, and a tradition. And as President Osmeña wisely concluded, traditions are best honored by celebrating them.

This August, Goya invites all Chocoholics to stand proud and celebrate Buwan ng Wika with friends and family! Show your wit in the talumpati, your poetic heart in the tulaan, your intelligence in the bugtungan, make old Francisco proud in the balagtasan, and for the fiesta, make sure you’re stocked with lots of your favorite Goya Bar!

Not a certified Chocoholic yet? Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GoyaChocoholics!

Goodbye Bland, Hello Flavorful!

Are you tired of the usual sandwich spread that you put on your bun? Do you want to try a new way of making your family's meryanda time extra tasty and yummy on a budget? or how about cook something special using new products from one of our favorite kitchen companion?

“Goodbye Bland, Hello Flavorful!” as we welcome the newest product line of McCormick - the McCormick Bread Spread. The Bread Spreads come in an exciting array of flavors – Garlic, Herb Parmesan and Pesto – that are sure to delight the taste buds of all mommies and foodies out there.

The McCormick Bread Spreads are as versatile as can be. They are perfect solo, simply spread on bread or crackers or served as a dip with chips. They are also great when paired with a variety of foods from salads to pastas to main dishes. You can be as adventurous as you want!

Since these Bread Spreads have 0g trans fat and come in no-mess squeezable tubes, you can bring them with you anytime, anywhere. No more worries about spills or messes. These tubes are perfect to bring to the office, take to picnics, and even include in kids' baon bags.

The highlight of the event was Celebrity Chef Stephanie Zubiri demonstrating the amazing flavor and true versatility of the line by concocting three dishes using McCormick Bread Spreads.

She prepared a Pesto Orange Balsamic Salad Dressing, Garlic Herb Lemon Zest Carbonara, and Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast with Roasted Veggie Millefeuille.

With the introduction of this latest line of products, McCormick continues to bring passion to flavor. Look for the new McCormick Bread Spreads at your neighborhood supermarkets and put an end to bland.

To know more about McCormick and McCormick products, visit www.mccormick.com.ph and www.facebook.com/friendsandflavor. For delicious recipes, go to McCormick Flavor HQ at apps.facebook.com/flavorhq or mobile.mccormick.com.ph.

What's your Dieter's Quotient?

Much has been said and done about dieting and yet not all diets have turned out to be neither totally effective nor healthily beneficial to some dieters.  That being the case, is there something we should know? Or better yet, why not ask yourself how much do you know? Take this easy quiz to find out!

What’s Your “D.Q”? (Dieter’s Quotient)

                                                                                           True      False

A)         Fad diets are effective for  losing

 weight fast and permanently.

B)          Carbs are fattening.

C)         Delicious foods should be avoided

when dieting.

D)     Skipping meals makes you lose weight.

What you don’t know can make you gain or regain pounds.  If you answered “True” to most or all of the above, there’s a lot you need to know that will perhaps make you re-think the way you diet.  Check out these facts:

Fact # 1:  Fad diets are not really that effective.

 Sure, fad diets can make you lose weight fast, but when you slip out of their required routine, they make you gain back all that weight you’ve lost in no time! It is more advisable to eat in moderate amounts even as frequent as every 2-3 hours because that is easier to sustain. Doing this may help trigger your metabolism.

 Fact # 2: Carbohydrates aren’t necessarily fattening.

It’s eating too much of the wrong kind of carbs that makes you gain weight. You need carbohydrates--- good carbohydrates such as those rich in fiber that will not only help sustain your energy throughout the day but also help you feel full in between meals.   Moreover, fiber can improve digestive health as well as lower your blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. So eat healthy breads instead!

Fact # 3: Skipping meals can make you gain weight.

Studies show that skipping meals regularly slows down your metabolism, making your body store the food that you eat on your next meal as fat! What’s more, whenever you starve or deprive yourself of a meal, you tend to compensate by gorging out next time.

Fact # 3:  You can enjoy  delicious food even when you’re dieting.

Healthy dieting doesn’t mean going for the bland and tasteless. If you look around, tasty, mouth-watering healthful choices abound. It’s a matter of knowing how to differentiate between the good and the bad.

Looking for a sensible way to delicious and healthy dieting? Look no further with Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf.  It’s deliciously packed with flavorful plump juicy California raisins that contain anti-oxidants that may help protect your body against diseases. A slice a day may help in proper weight management,  while providing 9 grams of fiber per serving to meet 29% of your daily fiber needs.

Another bread that is a great diet eats and a healthy source is Gardenia Slim N’ Fit Wheaten Bread. It’s the only bread in supermarkets that contains L-Carnitine, a nutrient that may help you burn calories when combined with proper diet and exercise.

Whichever way you choose to diet, do it right and eat right! Go for healthylicious breads like Gardenia Slim N’ Fit Wheaten Bread and High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf to help you achieve a good figure and fit body!

Goya Radio Tour with Kim Chiu

Goya, the delicious chocolate brand much-loved by many Filipinos, made someone happy when Goya brand ambassadress, popular actress and certified movie queen Kim Chiu, visited popular FM radio stations Love Radio 90.7 and Yes FM 101.

Kim visited Love Radio 90.7 during the program “True Love Confessions” hosted by famous radio DJ Papa Jack, which usually talks about the love problems of callers on-air and get to talk to Papa Jack for his advice. Kim was also at Yes FM 101.1, sister station of Love Radio, as she sat down with DJ Chico Loco during his program “YES! Diaries,” where life experiences of people through letters sent to the station are read on-air.

Both DJs gamely and happily welcomed Goya and Kim Chiu’s visit since both programs have not had any visitors before so for this day, they made an exception.

During her visit, Kim and Goya excited listeners through a call-in radio promo, where one lucky caller who will share his or her experiences would win fantastic prizes from Goya. A security guard who related his fun experiences when he joined a training camp won a one-year supply of delightful Goya chocolates.

The young actress also encouraged listeners to give the new Goya chocolates a try, and added that chocolates are not only perfect as a snack but also an everyday treat or even as a gift to a loved one or special someone.

Kim also brought smiles to the staff of both stations when she and Goya gave away an assortment of Goya products like “Goya Everyday Chocolate Drink,” “Goya Bars” and “Goya Pretzel Twists” as their way of thanking the two stations for accommodating them during their visit.

For her parting words, the actress advised her fans to enjoy life and just relax, saying “Basta always have fun and enjoy life! Enjoy Goya!”

YakitoriQ: A New Barbecue in Town

Here' a great news for aspiring entrepreneurs out there.

Last May 12, the 4th Philippine Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Franchise Expo with the theme “Grow Your Business” was presented by Tradecon Inc. and Esquire Financing Inc. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

For three days, it brought together various businesses and brands which included franchising, direct selling, retailing and networking. Randell Tiongson, business columnist and financial adviser, and Chinkee Tan, TV and radio host and wealth coach, gave motivational talks on how change in the Filipino mindset can help empower each one in attaining our financial goals. Esquire Financing, Inc. also presented its service, providing intelligent funding and strategic guidance with its principle that SMEs should never remain SME’s because every business has the brimming capacity to become large. 

Part of the event was the unveiling of new business ideas to the public. One of the most-visited booths in the venue is the newest barbecue concept in town: YakitoriQ!

YakitoriQ is the brainchild of entrepreneur-business consultant Mr. Jorge Noel Wieneke III, dubbed “Mr. KaAsenso” of PLDT, and known for his advocacy on entrepreneurial education for those who wish to put up their “mini negosyo” or have plans to expand their business.

Mr. Wieneke was a former advertising guy and was responsible for putting up “Potato Corner,” the country’s first flavored French Fries brand that revolutionized the food cart business. He is also a founding member of the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc., one of the biggest franchise associations in the Philippines today, and teaches Applied Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo de Manila’s Center for Continuous Education (CCE).

In April 2008, Mr. Wieneke established First Asian Food Project Inc. (FAFPI) was started  with a dream of bringing the traditionally expensive Japanese Cuisine to the common Filipino. He discovered that Japanese food need not to be expensive, through the help of the Okuya family. FAFPI started with a branch in Makati and in Quezon City, supported by a commissary. Today, it has 6 branches, 3 of which are franchise operated.

Mr. Wieneke heads team of winners, partnering up with successful individuals in their own right. Together, they compose the management team of FAFPI, successfully expanding the business to where it is now.

Yakitori grilled chicken, is commonly a Japanese type of skewered chicken. The term "Yakitori" can also refer to skewered food in general. For only P16 per stick, one can enjoy the real-meat YakitoriQ. One stick with rice is already fulfilling at P26 or you may want to taste the original or American version on two separate sticks with rice for P42. They also introduce chicken isaw, pork isaw and pork tenga in yakitori style.

YakitoriQ stores will open next month in Victory Mall, MCU, Greenhills Shopping Center, Tutuban Center, in Food Street, St. Francis Square and Robinson’s Ermita.