#HoarderDiaries | ARE YOU READY FOR NATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY 2015?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Yes, friends! It is happening again!

McDonald's is celebrating National Breakfast Day! Now on its third year, McDonald's is sharing the goodness of a McDonald's Breakfast by giving away FREE McMuffins to the first 1,000 customers per participating store.

Remember last year and how RL was first in line for those McMuffins? Well this year, National Breakfast Day is happening on Monday, March 9! Mark those calendars!!!

"Through the National Breakfast Day, we are once again giving Filipinos, along with breakfast lovers around the world, a delicious reason to wake up to better mornings and better days ahead. All these start with a good breakfast, which McDonald's serves to millions of customers daily," said Kenneth S. Yang, McDonald's Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer.

This year, I am extra excited because according to McDonald's, we can avail of the FREE McMuffin even via Drive-Thru (PLEASE NOTE: limited to two McMuffins per vehicle). Yes! That means, I don't have to stand in line while waiting for 6am. I can just fall in line while seated comfortably in my car - after bringing A to school (we leave the house at 530am, and I am usually back by 6 - just in time for that FREE McMuffin).

In case you don't already know, the Egg McMuffin (the star of National Breakfast Day) is my fave breakfast sandwich ever (the limited-time-only Chicken McMuffin with Egg comes a close second, too bad it is no longer available). Last week, this hoarder got a special treat - my friend Cai and I got an exclusive peek into how the Egg McMuffin is made!

Showing off our hairnets (for Monet!) before the tour!

McDonald's prides itself with its commitment in ensuring they use only the highest quality ingredients. Their safety practices are top-notch! We took the tour with a McDonald's Quality Assurance Officer who made sure we weren't in the way of the breakfast crew, and that we learned how much care they take in preparing our fave fast food dish!

Here is how the iconic Egg McMuffin goes from the kitchen to the warmer, then eventually to your order tray and tummy (omnomnom!)...


DID YOU KNOW: The McMuffin story started in 1970, when a legendary McDonald's franchisee named Jim Delligatti, who was still fresh from his success in developing the Big Mac, began experimenting with simple breakfast items to bring more business during breakfast hours. 

Toasting the muffins. They have to be the right toast color each and every time. 

Perfectly-toasted and buttered English Muffins ready for assembly!

McDonald's ensures that McMuffins (and everything else they offer) are prepared fresh and made with quality ingredients. We were witness to how each ingredient is carefully inspected and cooked, making sure each sandwich you get is at par with McDonald's international standards. Your Egg McMuffin here should taste exactly the same as any Egg McMuffin around the world.

Fresh Grade A Eggs from Bounty Fresh ready for cooking!

Waiting for the eggs to cook...

All the ingredients are cooked by a person assigned to a station. Once cooked, the ingredient goes into a warmer where it is kept for a specific time period or until it goes into your sandwich or meal. Once an order is received, it is time to assemble the Egg McMuffin! Yes, each sandwich is made to order!

Please excuse the blurred photos. The person in charge of assembly is an expert and we couldn't ask him to slow down during peak breakfast hour. Hehe.

Hot Buttered and perfectly-toasted English Muffin and an American Cheese slice.

A perfectly-cooked egg goes on top of the cheese. Then we add the lightly-grilled Canadian Bacon!

Plop! How perfect does that look? Mmm...

All done!

Ready for customers!

DID YOU KNOW: The McMuffin as we know it today came in late 1971 on the vision of Herb Peterson who modified an Eggs Benedict sandwich. He combined a slice of cheese with a hot egg, producing the exact consistency he was aiming for. Peter also invented the "Egg Ring," a creative cooking utensil to form the eggs in the shape of an English Muffin. He complemented the egg and muffin with grilled Canadian bacon to create the now iconic sandwich that has made McDonald's a favorite breakfast destination.

Omnomnomnomnom! 

Know more about the Egg McMuffin, check out the video below!

Now, don't you just want to get your hands on an Egg McMuffin? Don't miss the opportunity to get it for FREE! Grab your Egg McMuffin from a McDonald's participating breakfast store on the 3rd National Breakfast Day!

NATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY

MARCH 9, 2015

Starts at 6:00AM 

(until 1,000 McMuffins have been given away per store) 

| McDonalds.com.ph

| facebook.com/McDo.ph
| twitter.com/McDo_PH
| instagram.com/McDo_PH

#LOOK | 2014 McDo Coke Glass Collection!

The McDo Coke Glass Collection is back! This year, McDonald's brings you something classy with the 2014 Coca-Cola Modern Glass Collection! Available in six different patterns - diamond, linear, mosaic, pixel, ripple and steel - the new Coke Glass is only P25.00 with every Extra Value Meal purchased at McDonald's.

I took my dad out to lunch on Tuesday, right on the very day the NEW! Coke glasses were launched at McDonald's. We each had the NEW! Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe Extra Value Meal (omnomnom!). If you haven't tried this new burger, you are missing out! It is perfect!

Dated my dad for lunch!

My officemates and I always look forward to McDonald's annual tie-up with Coca-Cola. Did you know that the Coke Glass campaign at McDonald's is already in its 7th Year!?

"The Coca-Cola Glasses are a much-awaited tradition among McDonald's markets across the Asia Pacific, especially in the Philippines. We are very thankful that our Filipino customers continue to be excited to collect iconic Coke Glasses every year," said McDonald's Philippines President and CEO Kenneth Yang. "The Coke Glass campaign, which is already on its 7th year in the country, is a testament to the strong partnership of McDonald's and Coca-Cola, here and around the world, as both companies continue to connect with customers by injecting fun into everyday experiences," Yang added.

Yes, Mr. Yang, we are hoarders! Hence, we are always excited to collect these special collectible. Hehehe.

The perfect McDonald's meal with my Diamond Coca-Cola glass. Burp!

Don't miss your chance to complete this year's Coca-Cola Modern Glass Collection, available only at McDonald's! What's more, you can get the Coke Glass with purchases of the BFF Bundles and Breakfast Extra Value Meals as well!

The Coke Glass is available at all McDonald's stores nationwide via Dine-In, Take-Out, Driver-Thru, McDelivery (8-MCDO/8-6236 and www.mcdelivery.com.ph) and thru the McDo PH App, all day, including breakfast hours!

COLLECT ALL 6 DESIGNS TODAY!

| facebook.com/McDo.ph
| twitter.com/McDo_PH

My Little Pony at McDonald's!

Look, kids! My Little Pony is back at McDonald's! I... er... my daughter A is soooo excited (in case I haven't told you yet, she collects Littlest Pet Shop toys and includes My Little Pony to the bunch, hehe). Yesterday, the little boy went to McDonald's to take home dinner. When he got home, he proudly announced that he got himself a Happy Meal (because there's a new set available). He mentioned My Little Pony, so I expected My Little Pony, only to find out that he chose a 2-in-1 Bandai vehicle (of course!).

Bandai School Bus/Fire Engine!
Excuse the sticker placements, RL couldn't wait for me to stick them on, so he did it himself.

So yes, folks! My Little Pony is back! And for boys, there's this new set of Bandai 2-in-1 vehicles with keys that make them go.

Collect all 8! Get a toy with every Happy Meal you buy! Truly #Happinessinabox! 

| facebook.com/McDo.ph

#BetterTogether

Photo from the web. 

Real-world connections - that is something we hardly ever have nowadays in the world of digital. Imagine how it is at the dinner table with everyone taking out their gadgets - makes conversation a thing of the past. My mom has a rule, and that is "No gadgets at the dining table." This makes a lot of sense considering we hardly ever get to catch up apart from lunch or dinner, so she makes it a point to restrict anything that has to do with a phone, tablet and the like. Meals are strictly gadget-free.

This is the same premise behind McDonald's and Coca-Cola's new "baby" - their way to encourage people to stay offline a little longer, if only for the duration of a meal, and thus, enjoy real world connections. While they acknowledge that our digital connections make it easier for us to meet and connect with other people (thank you, Facebook, Twitter and the like for getting all of us connected!), McDonald's and Coca-Cola both believe that it is real-life moments that make lasting, meaningful memories. We're talking about warm hugs, face-to-face encounters, etc.

(L-R) McDonald's Philippines President and CEO, Kenneth Yang, with Ronald McDonald, and Coca-Cola Philippines President and General Manager, Guillermo Aponte.

"McDonald's and Coca-Cola have been partners for close to 60 years, together providing millions of customers great tasting food and beverages best share together", said McDonald's Philippines President and CEO, Kenneth Yang. "Today, together as well, McDonald's and Coca-Cola are taking a stand that real-life connections fuel our digital lives and enrich our relationships", added Coca-Cola Philippines President and General Manager, Guillermo Aponte.

Thus, McDonald's and Coca-Cola are celebrating real-world connections with the new McDonald's BFF Bundles - an exciting menu offering designed to be shared among friends and family!

#BetterTogether indeed!

There are two sizes of BFF Bundles:

Group of three (3): only P399

Group of four (4): only P559

You can also choose between a BFF Burger Bundle or a BFF Chicken Bundle. With these bundles, customers get to customize their meals, choosing between their favorite McDonald's products.

Make your own Burger Bundle...

BFF Burger Bundle for 4! 
Choose from your favorite McDonald's Burgers and enjoy them with the new BFF Fries and refreshingly ice-cold Regular Coke!

BFF Chicken Bundle for 4!
You can either get the 1-pc Chicken McDo with Spaghetti or the 2-pc Chicken McDo with rice - complete with 2 BFF Fries and Regular Coke!

Snack time? No problem! You can also get your BFF Fries with 3 Coke Floats for only P150! What a great deal!

The BFF Fries + Coke McFloat Combo. Only P150!

HUGE FRIES!!!

BFF Fries and Coke McFloat time at the office...

Real-time connecting with Jeron at McDonald's... ❤ 

McDonald's BFF Bundles are available for Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru and via McDelivery! Call 8-MCDO/ 86-2-36 or log on to www.mcdelivery.com.ph!

So what are you waiting for? Visit a McDonald's store and celebrate real-world connections!

Yes, there's something new at McDonald's, and I am loving it!

| facebook.com/McDo.ph
| twitter.com/McDo_PH

Super Mario Invades McDonald's!

So late last week, McDonald's announced their new Happy Meal. 

First with this teaser on Thursday...

Then with this one posted on their Facebook page on Friday...

Knowing that this was Super Mario and friends excited the kid in me. My daughter A loves Mario, and this would be something I knew she'd collect. But she is spending the week at my mom's house. So Momma took it upon herself to start the collection. Hahaha! RL was only too excited to get his hands on Mario (the only one he really knows out of the bunch).

Last night, we drove thru for our first two toys. Then again, tonight, for another toy. 

Mario with Pipe. Push Mario inside the pipe, and press down on board (included) and he pops right back up.

Mario with ? Block. Help Mario hit the ? Block and it will ping, just like in the game!

Mario with Goal Pole. The base is a self-inking stamp of Mario's face!

I love it that you can order any Happy Meal with french fries, even McSpaghetti! 

There are eight toys to collect! So head on over to McDonald's and get Super Mario and his friends with every McDonald's Happy Meal you buy!

I can't wait to complete my set! Oh wait, A's! I meant A's set. Hehehe.


| facebook.com/McDo.ph
| twitter.com/McDo_PH

Mr. Peabody and Sherman at McDonald's! #Happinessinabox

RL and his "bro"

We saw the trailer of Mr. Peabody and Sherman during a recent movie we caught at the theatres. When RL saw it, he knew he wanted to catch it. Not because it's a cartoon, but mainly because it's a dog movie - my son has this special affinity to dogs. His relationship with our Shih Tzu, Mickey, goes beyond that of a boy and his dog. They are more like brothers, really. In fact, the dog thinks he's top dog and superior to RL. He has serious insecurity and territory issues when it comes to the boy. But don't tell him I told you that. Haha!

So he, and I mean the boy, was so excited to see that McDonald's is featuring Mr. Peabody and Sherman for their Happy Meal this month.

Only 6 toys to collect this time, but we're ecstatic that they're mostly puzzles! RL loves puzzles and mazes!

I haven't had the chance to take photos of what RL already has, but I will do so when I get home tonight! The mazes take him away from the iPad - good ol' clean fun. I enjoy these toys, too, as they remind me of those from my childhood - blast from the past! 

Meanwhile, if you haven't seen the trailer of Mr. Peabody and Sherman yet, here's the extended one. I think it's a great movie that will introduce a little snippet of history to kids. Wouldn't you want to get on the WABAC and travel through time? 

Catch Mr. Peabody and Sherman in theaters this month! And don't forget to visit McDonald's with the kids, and get them perfect souvenirs for your movie date!  

| facebook.com/mcdo.ph

The Coca Cola Glass is Back!

Yup, where else, but at McDonald's! Get yours for only P25 when you buy any McDonald's Meal (except the Happy Meal)! Hurry and collect 'em all!

Pucci, I can't wait to get mine! Woohoo!

| facebook.com/mcdo.ph

More Than Meets the Eye!

The Transformers are back at McDonald's! Get BumbleBee, Optimus Prime, Megatron or Bulkhead with every Happy Meal you buy! For the girls, there's My Little Pony - Apple Jack, Lily Blossom, Pinky Pie and Rarity!

Order a Happy Meal and get it served in the iconic red Happy Meal box!

Bumblebee!

Our 3rd Lily Blossom. We gave one to our nanny's daughter,
and A lost the other one. 

Yes, I've been having the 4-pc Hotcake Happy Meal.
Look! Optimus Prime can't wait to dig in, too!

My Little Pony and Transformers in your Happy Meal - Collect all 8!
(From L-R; TOP) Rarity, Pinky Pie, Lily Blossom and Apple Jack; (BOTTOM) Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bulkhead.

So far, I've had three Happy Meals myself!

So don't worry, you are not alone. 

| facebook.com/McDo.ph

| Share your Happy Meal photos on social media! Hashtag #McDoHappyMeal

Happiness In A Box!

Have you purchased a Happy Meal from McDonald's lately? 

RL getting his Happy Meal in the iconic red Happy Meal box!
Drive Thru at McDonald's Loyola Heights, Katipunan

That's right! Noticed how the Happy Meal now comes in a red box? It does! McDonald's Philippines has brought back the Happy Meal box! Oh joy!

Ronald McDonald and SVP for Marketing Margot Torres
with the new Happy Meal box!

Launched in 1979, the Happy Meal was designed especially for kids and thus was added to the McDonald's menu. I don't know about you, but I have probably had more Happy Meals than regular value meals - it happens when you have kids. And also when you don't, Haha! Who can forget the historical Snoopy x Happy Meal collection? I remember even trading those Snoopy toys with my friends and relatives.

Today, my kids collect Happy Meal toys like crazy! Momma has to have the occasional Happy Meal lunch just to complete the toys that come with it (read: Despicable Me, Smurfs, Hello Kitty, etc). That is why I am excited that McDonald's Philippines has brought back the Happy Meal box! It is like giving the kids a present! The box adds an element of surprise to the Happy Meal! And my kids have always loved the Happy Meal box! Would you believe that they even bring home the box from McDonald's visits overseas? Yes, we are more than glad that the iconic red Happy Meal box is back - we are ecstatic!

Get McDonald's World Famous Fries with your Happy Meal today!

What's more, McDonald's has created new options for the Happy Meal. You can get the 4-pc Mini Hotcake Happy Meal or the Hamdesal Happy Meal for breakfast. Plus, did you know you now can get fries with your Happy Meal? Yes, the regular Happy Meal options can now come with a serving of McDonald's World Famous Fries. Or without. The choice is yours! Their Burger McDo Meal costs only P85! That comes with a Burger McDo, a drink, regular fries, and a Happy Meal toy!

RL receiving our McDelivery of Happy Meals last Saturday! His smile = PRICELESS!

Surprise your kids with a Happy Meal, and make this day special for them! 

| facebook.com/McDo.ph 
| twitter.com/McDo_PH 
| Share your Happy Meal moment! Use the hashtag #McDoHappyMeal on social media!

Coffee!

I was never a coffee drinker. I only drink it to keep me awake at work. I don't remember drinking coffee in college (okay maybe once or twice during all-nighters) but I never really liked the stuff.

Today however, I cannot live without coffee. I need it to jump-start my mornings, or get me past sleepyhead mode after lunch. I drink it during exam week and even encourage A to drink a cup with me when we have to study past midnight (it helps us focus). I am now a coffee person, and I must say, I love it!

McDonald's has been serving Iced Coffee for some time now. They recently launched their McCafe Coffee Floats, and I must say I rushed off to get one as soon as I found out! But it was hot that day, and I forgot to take a photo (read: I drank it up as soon as I got hold of it). I've been meaning to blog about it, but yes, every time I drive thru for one, I cannot help but take a sip.

Oops! Forgot to take a fresh-from-the-store photo.
The Soft-serve has melted into the coffee! Hehe.

So today, right after lunch at Suzu Kin, I had asked my friend GT to hold the cup for me. Yes, keep it away until we get back to the office and I get to snap a decent photo! LOL! We took a photo with the digicam for good measure. But it made it in one piece when I got to the office so...

Ah! The McCafe Coffee Float from McDonald's! I love it!

The McCafe Coffee Float is P49.00 ala carte (add P25 to upgrade your value meal drinks), and is a refreshing wake-me-upper! It comes in big cup so you're sure to indulge for half the day (ok, maybe not... LOL!) but yes, it's the perfect drink to accompany you on lazy workday afternoons.

Think coffee, ice cream and chocolate. Mmmmm... fresh, cool, creamy and chocolatey - just for me! It has the caffeine kick, with just the right sweetness and creaminess that satisfies that craving for coffee. What a cool way to perk up!

Try it today! Visit a McDonald's store near you or order via www.mcdelivery.com.ph!

Yes, that's right. Stare at this photo. It's calling out to you! LOL!

facebook.com/McDo.ph
twitter.com/McDo_ph