Filipinos have long had a fondness and enjoyment for yema, that classic round or triangular sweet creamy custard, whether as a snack or as a dessert. This love for yema found its way even to the US, when Red Ribbon first introduced Yema Caramel Cake there with much success among our kababayan migrants.
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?
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.
It’s true – the best way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach. So if you’re looking for a sweet treat to show your affection, Popeyes’ Heart Biscuit is the way to go!
Whether it’s for a significant other, friends, or family, Popeyes’ newest offering will surely fill their tummies and hearts. Available for a limited time only, these light and fluffy Heart Biscuits are glazed with honey, giving it the perfect sweet, salty, and buttery taste in every bite. Get it for only Php 45 each, or Php 125 for a box of three.
Did you know that for the past four years now, Mang Inasal has been spearheading a national celebration every March to allow Filipinos to enjoy the creamiest halo-halo in town? Mas Ma-Crema Mang Inasal Pinoy Halo-Halo once more takes centerstage during the one-day National Halo-Halo Sarap Day on Sunday, March 15.
There is a new bida coming to Kuya J that will surely level up your next salo-salo!
Tender, flavorful, and juicy, Kuya J’s newest salo-salo star offers a delectable dining experience. A smoky hunk of grilled meat is a staple in Filipino gatherings making Kuya J Lechon Baka a must-try for all barbeque lovers. Whether you want to eat it as it is or with its complementary sides, you will surely enjoy this treat because of its spice, succulence, and value for money.
Available in all Kuya J stores nationwide, this new delicious offering allows diners to enjoy a full and heavy slab of meat covered in lip-smacking barbeque sauce and char-grilled to perfection. Every bite of the Kuya J Lechon Baka is bursting with the right amount of sweet and tangy flavors leaving you wanting for more.
Diners can choose from three variants: the Lechon Baka Salo for P1,199 which comes with a full slab of beef and kamote fries; Lechon Baka Solo for P499 which is the one slab with kamote fries and 2 cups of rice; and another Lechon Baka Solo for P449 which is also one slab but comes with kamote fries only.
Satisfy your barbeque cravings and visit a Kuya J restaurant near you to enjoy Kuya J LechonBaka!
For more information, visit http://www.kuyaj.ph or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @kuyajresto.
Have a sweeter celebration with Popeyes, home of the world-famous Southern-style fried chicken. as it launches its newest store in Robinson’s Place Manila on Valentine’s Day.
Located at the 4th floor of the mall. the new restaurant opens at a most opportune time as guests can enjoy Popeyes’ special Valentine’s Day offering: the light and fluffy Heart Biscuits, a perfect sweet treat to celebrate the day of love.
Camille Quiambao Cacapit, the Digital Brand Manager of Mang Inasal (second from right), receives the award for Bronze Araw Values Award under the Advocacy and Branded Communications - Love of Country and Respect for National Customs and Traditions. Alongside her are representatives from DDB Philippines as well as from the Araw Values Awards of the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines
Mang Inasal, home of the leading branded grilled chicken, recently took home top plums in the prestigious 2019 Araw Values Awards.
Mang Inasal was recognized for its exceptional work on their Solb ang Pinoy, Gawad PiliPinoy, HoLEAFDay Araw ng Kalayaan, and Buwan ng Wika Pampilipit ng Dila campaigns.
“It has always been our desire at Mang Inasal to cultivate our rich Filipino culture and to promote positive Filipino values by reflecting them in our digital marketing campaigns”, says Camille Cacapit, Mang Inasal’s Digital Marketing Manager. “As a Filipino quick service restaurant with a nationwide presence, we aim to inculcate Filipino pride through our food, services and our distinct brand messaging.”
Photo shows (L-R) Kuya J Group marketing director Ton Gatmaitan, Kuya J Café + Restaurant Rockwell Sheridan franchise owners Cherry Rocha and John Erwin Chen, with Kuya J COO Richard Joseph Li.
Well-loved Filipino restaurant Kuya J launched its third Kuya J Café + Restaurant, giving customers a new spot perfect for an afternoon of relaxation with a warm cup of coffee or a grand dinner of delicious Filipino comfort food with loved ones.
