There is nothing more comforting than sipping a warm Tinola soup, especially now that the rainy season is here. Luckily, Kuya J is here to satisfy your cravings as it takes this household favorite to the next level.
(L-R): Popeyes Philippines chief operating officer Rami Chahwan, Eton Properties Management Corporation general manager Engr. John Paul De Jesus, and Kuya J Group marketing director Ton Gatmaitan at the newly opened Popeyes Eton Centris
It’s time to wash the quarantine blues away as Popeyes opens its newest branch in Eton Centris ready to serve its world-famous Cajun-inspired flavors.
This marks Popeyes' first store opening since the country implemented strict lockdown, making it one of the few restaurants in the Philippines to do so. The opening of Popeyes in Eton Centris provides support to the gradual reopening of the Philippine economy.
If there is one thing that came out good this pandemic, is the rise of innovative businesses that continued to thrive despite the tough times. As we adapt to the "new normal", we also continue to look for ways on how to improve the quality of life despite the limitations that the COVID-19 has brought us.
It is companies like Prime Global Corporation (PGC), that took the challenges with optimism as it leverages Filipinos’ rekindled love for home-cooking and the rise of the home-based food delivery business amid dine-out and movement restrictions to boost sales of its Barrio Fiesta products.
Adjusting to a changed food business landscape, Barrio Fiesta has recalibrated its sales approach, upping its online presence as it continues to diversify its product portfolio, from its top-selling shrimp paste to new sauces, spreads, dry mixes and snacks.
Barrio Fiesta Bagoong
“Fortunately for the packaged food category, we are seeing growth opportunities still as people continue to remain at home, opting for home-cooked meals and seeing the rise of ‘home chefs.’ We anticipate that the ‘new normal’ will continue to bring about more interest, creativity and enthusiasm for lutong-bahay recipes, and we want to be there for them,” said Reychelle Ann Gigante, PGC Marketing Head.
Through its social media pages, Barrio Fiesta is providing Filipino cooks lutong-bahay recipes and tips, noting the many that are still locked down at home are shifting their budgets to home-cooked meals while small entrepreneurs have gone into the online food business in place of lost livelihood.
This is where PGC saw an opportunity to help while selling its products in the safest possible way: no on-site promotional events and mostly a virtual interface with its target market.
“All on-ground activities have been cancelled, current digital content efforts have been geared towards engaging our online audience with useful recipes and tips using our products, and recently we opened our Facebook page to online bulk orders for those who would be interested to resell Barrio Fiesta products within their community,” Gigante said.
Bagoong Rice
PGC has also shifted to digital marketing, seeing greater spending on online promotional ventures as the pandemic continues.
At the same time, it maintains presence in physical stores—its primary trade channel—to cater to Filipinos who still opt to shop outside. Barrio Fiesta products are available in supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, drug stores and sari-sari-stores.
“While we very much acknowledge the important role that e-commerce has played during the new normal, we also understand that there is still a great need for general and modern trade or supermarkets and groceries and it is very much essential for us as well as it still caters to Filipinos who opt to shop in brick-and-mortar stores. For us, it won’t be one or the other, as this multi-channel availability will allow us to reach our customers in the most convenient way possible,” Gigante said.
Bagoong Honey Glazed Fried Chicken
PGC counts on the Filipinos’ familiarity with its heritage products to remain as the go-to brand for staple condiments even amid the rise of artisanal, home-made brands, given the scope of its production and distribution reach.
“We are aware that there are small online entrepreneurs selling specialty or artisanal bagoong and condiments, and this just goes to show how huge and dynamic the food market is,” Gigante said. “As for specialty condiments, at the moment, Barrio Fiesta is the only brand able to produce and distribute its products at scale commercially, across local and international markets, while maintaining high quality and authentic taste, made possible with a strong business model.”
Barrio Fiesta commands a 65-percent market share of the local sautéed shrimp paste category and 95 percent of the international market 2019.
“Our goal this year is to further dominate the category in both domestic and international markets. And in the next three years, we aspire to be among the top local companies in the sauces, dressings, condiments and package foods categories,” said Vincent Ace Villa-Real, President and Chief Operating Officer of PGC.
(From left) Vincent Ace Villa-Real, President and Chief Operating Officer of Prime Global Corporation; Dr. Rolando B. Hortaleza, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hortaleza Corporation; and Alexone A. Hortaleza, Vice President for Customer & Business Development - Philippine Operations of Prime Global Corporation
“The Barrio Fiesta retail brand is one of the few remaining Filipino heritage brands whose equity can cut across the broad spectrum of the culinary and food industries. We intend to make the most of the equity. We can’t be a single product company; category expansion whether organic or thru external synergies is a given,” Villa-Real said.
The manufacturing business of Barrio Fiesta sautéed shrimp paste was acquired by the Ang-Hortaleza Corporation through a subsidiary in 2011. The brand is now under Prime Global Corporation, a manufacturing, marketing and distribution subsidiary company owned by the Hortaleza Corporation holding company.
Earlier this year, it released its own version of everyday condiments and snacks: the Barrio Fiesta Gourmet Series Patis (fish sauce), Barrio Fiesta Tubasuk (spiced sugar cane vinegar), Barrio Fiesta Crispy Joy Breading Mix, Barrio Fiesta Peanut Butter Spreads, Barrio Fiesta Chicken and Beef Broth Cubes, and Barrio Fiesta Jumbo Roasted Peanuts.
“We are optimistic because Barrio Fiesta is a very strong retail brand offering products with superior taste, quality and value supported by a vision and a business model that is anchored on strong fundamentals,” Villa-Real added.
How about you? What is your favorite Barrio Fiesta memory?
Exercising at home has become part of our new
normal and it’s probably one of the best things individuals can do for
themselves. But after a hard session with one’s favorite fitness vlogger or
virtual trainer, workout enthusiasts will definitely work up an appetite.
Contrary to what people may think, it’s not always a bad idea to have a snack
after working out. The key is having the right one.
Your favorite Mang Inasal meals now come in Family Size and are available only via takeout or delivery.
To address the growing demand for group meals for stay-at-home customers, Mang Inasal has added to its menu five new offerings: 4 pieces Chicken Inasal Paa Large, in either original or spicy variant; 3 pieces Chicken Inasal Pecho Large; 10 sticks Pork BBQ; and Palabok good for 4 to 5 servings. Prices start at Php199.
Earn rewards faster as you enjoy your Starbucks favorites with the new Starbucks Rewards.
Starting July 17, Starbucks lovers can make every sip even more rewarding with the new Starbucks Rewards program, featuring a world of exclusive benefits. This new program offers members a faster and easier way to collect Stars and redeem rewards.
Those with a hankering for their awesome treats from Universal Robina Corporation (URC) can now satisfy their cravings more easily, as they are now available online through Lazada.
URC, one of the biggest food and beverage makers in the country, has recently opened its official store in Lazada’s LazMall. Piattos, Nova, Cream-O cookies, Cloud 9 chocolate, Nissin Cup Noodles, Great Taste Coffee, C2 drinks, Maxx candies and other snack, candy, biscuit, chocolate, and beverage favorites can be purchased easily in just a few clicks.
To order, simply use the Lazada mobile app or visit its website, enter the LazMall channel, search for URC products, and add them to a virtual basket. Upon checkout, customers can opt to pay cash on delivery or use credit/debit cards—allowing for convenient and safe ways to satisfy food and drink cravings, all from the comfort of their homes.
In just a matter of months our lifestyles have drastically changed, imposing a new kind of normal which included commemorating momentous occasions at the safety of our homes. It might have changed the way we celebrate but it should not hinder us from showing love to our real-life heroes this coming Father’s Day. Century Park Hotel Manila is not one to let this special time pass without giving these awesome men some pleasant and exciting surprises.
Since the Enhanced Community Quarantine has been extended, I have been trying to clean the whole house and disinfect every furniture, just to make sure that the whole family wouldn't get sick. I've already started de-cluttering the bedroom and the living room, so it's high time I move on to our kitchen since all of the food is there, and we have to thoroughly make sure that what goes inside us are clean as well.
