National Breakfast Day - Year 2!

Hooray! It's National Breakfast Day!

After the success of last year's first-ever National Breakfast Day, McDonald's will be celebrating National Breakfast Day once again. Happening on the 17th of March - that's on Monday - McDonald's will be giving away FREE MCMUFFINS!

Yes, that's FREE MCMUFFINS to the first 1,000 customers per participating store, from 6AM until supplies last. This year, close to 320 McDonald's breakfast stores will be participating in this event. Free McMuffins will be given away as appreciation to customers who make it a point to start their day at McDonald's.

“Breakfast is a significant business for McDonald’s. And we know the convenience of a hot McMuffin on-the-go makes breakfast so much more accessible for people who are often caught up in the morning rush,” says Andrew Hipsley, Chief Brand Officer of McDonald's for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

With National Breakfast Day, McDonald's aim is to have Filipinos get the filling meals they need, especially in the morning. We all know how essential a full meal is to anyone. A good breakfast can make or break your day. McDonald's understands this very well, as it has incorporated more and more breakfast items in their menu.

McDonald’s Philippines has been serving breakfast since the 1980’s, but this was re-launched in 2008 to include local products like the Hamdesal. Iconic menu items, like the Egg McMuffin - made with lightly grilled Canadian bacon, freshly cracked Grade A egg, and melty American-style cheese sandwiched between warm perfectly toasted English Muffins - have become a breakfast favorite (it is mine!) for Filipino customers who are on-the-go and prefer a no-fuss handheld meal.

“We continue to see potential growth in our breakfast business – and want to demonstrate that our delicious, quality breakfast is a convenient way to start the day,” says Kenneth S. Yang, McDonald's Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer.

I don't know about you, but there sure is something about starting the day with McDonald's. The smell of hotcakes and syrup or their iconic Longganisa Meal... omnomnom! I overslept last year and failed to make it to a McDonald's store on time. This year is going to be different! A new store opened two minutes away! I'm going to get that McMuffin on Monday. I will!

I can't wait for Monday! I want a FREE McMuffin!

NATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY (YEAR 2)
March 17, 2014
6AM until 1,000 McMuffins have been given away!

For a list of participating stores, click here.

| http://www.mcdonalds.com.ph
| facebook.com/McDo.ph
| twitter.com/McDo_ph
#FREEMcMuffin

The Big Book of Backlog.

I haven't been blogging, I know.
I'm in a spin and my life is a blur.
Let me list down the things on my to-write list.

An easy-to-cook meal helper post.
Forgive me, please, my dear PR friend.
When you invited me, it slipped my mind...
That the brand competes with a brand we own.
And yet I love the product (no longer new, well... NOW),
And I promise I shall write a nice review.

Albeit late.

I hope you understand. I need my day job.

A nice and effective alternative to a great product.
My friend, you forgot to send me that update.

A review on a product I love, but I can't find the photos and the price list.
A new beauty service at a posh salon.
A friend's online store.

Five.
That's not bad
I think.
Plus that talk I attended this week. One I am itching to write about, but just can't because I don't quite have my thoughts in order at the moment.

Am I missing a post I had promised to write for you? Let me know.

In the meantime, I've resolved not to accept any invites to events until I get these out of the way.

OH, TOMORROW, Please be good to me.

FREE McMUFFIN!

I hardly ever get to eat breakfast, but whenever I do, it's usually a cup of coffee with either hotcakes, cereal or toast. When I'm late, which is mostly the case (oops), I usually just swing by McDonald's (a block away from the office) to get myself either Hotcakes (a family fave!), their classic Longganisa Meal (my college comfort food) or an Egg McMuffin. With coffee, of course!

I can now see how important breakfast is. My mom would always tell me that if I'm skipping meals, I shouldn't skip breakfast, regardless if it's the easiest to sacrifice out of breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nutritionists would agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It keeps you going throughout the day, aids in proper metabolism and helps you concentrate. My kids aren't breakfast eaters either, but we've been changing our eating habits lately, and have started to practice eating breakfast on a daily basis.

National Breakfast Day

McDonald's understands how important breakfast is, and initiates the campaign to educate Filipinos on how to start their day right. McDonald's President and CEO Kenneth Yang said, "McDonald’s realizes the importance of breakfast and the role it plays in the lives of our customers—seen with our ‘Hooray for Today’ campaign. With National Breakfast Day, we are taking ‘Hooray for Today’ to a new level by giving Filipinos an opportunity to taste just how good breakfast at McDonald’s really is.”

With that, McDonald's Philippines joins over 5,000 McDonald's restaurants in Asia, Middle East and South Africa in staging the region's first and biggest breakfast activation to date - National Breakfast Day. On this day, over 5 million McMuffins will be given away in celebration of this event.

And yes, Filipino customers will join in the fun and have another great reason to cheer ‘Hooray for Today!’ On March 18, 2013, approximately 300,000 FREE McMuffins will be given away nationwide to encourage customers to start their mornings on a positive note - that is, with a delicious breakfast at McDonald’s.

All* McDonald’s restaurants serving breakfast in the country will be offering 1,000 delicious McMuffins from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. 

MECHANICS:
• On March 18, all McDonald's Breakfast stores* will issue coupons to their first 1,000 customers, which entitles them to a FREE McMuffin, valid between 5:00am to 9:00am on the same day only. 
• Coupon must be surrendered to the crew upon redemption. Redemption does not require any purchase. 
• The coupon is valid for dine-in, take-out and drive-thru only. 
• Only one (1) coupon will be giver per customer. Only one (1) McMuffin can be claimed per coupon. Only one (1) coupon can be redeemed in a single transaction.
• No coupon, No free McMuffin.
• Coupon/Offer is not exchangeable to cash and/or other McDonald's products.
• McDonald's reserves the right to refuse redemption if coupon was found to be tampered with. Only original McDonald's issued coupons will be accepted.
• Free product may vary from illustration. McDonald's reserves the right to replace the free product at its discretion, without any prior notice. 

Come celebrate National Breakfast Day with us! Set your alarm early on March 18 and head over to the nearest McDonald’s breakfast store* from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM! Together, let's enjoy that FREE McMuffin and start our day right!

*For a complete list of participating McDonald's restaurant, click here.


www.mcdonalds.com.ph
Like the official McDonald’s Facebook fan page facebook.com/McDo.ph.

FINALLY! Wilson Phillips LIVE in Manila!

My friend Ganns has been wishing on multitudes of stars for Wilson Phillips to do a concert in Manila. Months ago, we started a petition-of-sorts on Facebook, attempting to convince boss Stan to bring them over.

My little petition on Facebook to get our friend Stan to take notice and maybe bring them in. Hehe.

But Boss didn't take notice and we went back to our wishful-thinking selves. Ganns would say he never lost hope. Yeah. Alas, in July, Random Minds Production announced they were bringing Wilson Phillips to Manila, and Ganns went crazy (an understatement, but you get the picture).

I grew up listening to Wilson Phillips. But unlike Ganns, who owns practically every CD they ever released, I only own three on CD. Please excuse the emancipated adult story, but I took on many responsibilities as a teenager and couldn't afford the luxury. But yes, I love, love, LOVE Wilson Phillips! This has got to be the best news of 2012!

Wilson Phillips LIVE IN MANILA! October 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena!

When I went to the US for 12th grade, I took one CD with me. Just one CD - and it was Wilson Phillips' debut album. Like a crazed teenager, I memorized the songs and sang them with passion.

Today, KY looks at me like crazy when I scour the videoke song list for Wilson Phillips' songs. Not your generation, my dear, but mine.

"I'm not going back to you anymore.
Finally my weakened heart is healing though very slow.
So stop coming around my door, 
'Cause you're not gonna find what you're looking for."

Their song "Release Me" still holds meaning in my life today. I remember listening to this song and promising myself as a teenager that I've had enough of my boy problems. Alas, it still holds true. LOL! Seriously, their songs were part of my life, and I am excited to finally get to hear and see them LIVE!

See Wilson Phillips LIVE in Manila on October 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena! Get your tickets at SM Tickets, prices as follows:

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance of seeing Wilson Phillips LIVE! Kids, this all-female group brought us the popular songs Hold On, Release Me, You're In Love, Impulsive, and many more! The 90s will never be the same without them.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, please call 470.2222.

www.facebook.com/randommindsproduction
Wilson Phillips LIVE in Manila

Aqiva Milk Bar!

Imagine this: you're in the middle of shopping, and your kids are begging you to get them a drink (my kids do that all the time - drink, food, potty, etc - right in the middle of an activity). And of course, there's not a decent drink kiosk in sight (the nearest one sells soda or iced tea). 

Now here's something different - The Aqiva Milk Bar. Launched last month at Toys R' Us in Robinson's Galleria, Aqiva provides moms with the better alternative - MILK. My kids love milk. So this was a welcome treat for us.

"Aqiva has always believed in the importance of balancing a child's unhealthy diet. Through this partnership with Toys R' Us, we help parents realize that they can develop their child's healthy eating habits even during playtime," says Carlo de la Paz, Senior Product Manager of Wyeth's Aqiva.

The milk bar gives parents the opportunity to provide their kids with the healthier choice. With Aqiva, moms are assured that their children can still get balanced nutrition, even with unhealthy eating choices. This has been my worry since RL takes in more milk than solid food (except when it comes to hotcakes, hotdogs and junk). This poses an even bigger challenge when we're out of the house.  So it's great to know that at least, he's getting his fair share of nutrients from milk. Aqiva is a nutrient-enriched milk supplement designed to help fill the nutritional gaps of children 4 years and older. It is formulated with Adequate, Quality and Important (A.Q.I., yes, hence the name AQIVA) nutrients that help ensure balanced nutrition.

I am aware of other moms' advocacy to push for better nutrition. I believe milk to be a healthy option, when effort to provide healthy food is exhausted, to no avail. Milk isn't designed to replace solid food in kids, as they need their fair share of the 3 basic food groups to (excuse the cliche) go, grow and glow. But when all else fails, I go with the healthy alternative. 

RL loves Aqiva's vanilla taste. This has actually increased his daily intake of milk (not that he needs more as he loves, loves, LOVES milk) from 3 glasses to 5 or 6.

Too bad the Milk Bar campaign only ran for a few weekends last month. But the people behind Aqiva promises a second phase, still with Toys R' Us! So do watch out for it! 

To know more about Aqiva, you may call the Wyeth Careline at 81-WYETH (81-99384) for Metro Manila, or via their toll-free number 1-800-10-884-2222 for provinces.

https://www.facebook.com/AqivaPH

God of Carnage!

The last time I caught Lea Salonga on stage was back in 2009, when my good friend and 6th grade classmate JM gave me complimentary tickets to see her Your Songs concert. If you've been following me on twitter, then you should know that Lea is my theater inspiration. Back when I was younger, I did musicals and theater. When I got to college, however, the closest I ever got to theater, aside from watching plays and musicals on campus, was working backstage for "Walang Sugat." Yes, sadly, my theater dreams have come to a halt, and all I ever get to do is watch. My fault, really, as I pursued a different career.

On July 20, I get the opportunity to catch Lea Salonga on stage again, thanks to my friend M. I have been warned, however, that this isn't the typical Lea-musical-sing-song type of show, neither is it a concert, but a play. But it doesn't matter, it's Lea Salonga, and it's God of Carnage - winner of a Laurence Olivier and a Tony for Best New Play. I've read reviews of this play being really funny (nope, I didn't get to see the movie). I can't wait to watch it with my KY.

Menchu Launchengco-Yulo vs. Lea Salonga!

God of Carnage (originally Lay Waste to England for Me) is a play by Yasmina Reza. It is about two pairs of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park, who meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos. The play was a success in its official French language, but has been equally acclaimed in its other English-translated productions in both London and New York.

God of Carnage received six Tony Award nominations and won Best Play, Best Lead Actress in a Play (Marcia Gay Harden) and Best Direction of a Play (Matthew Warchus).

The Manila production stars Tony Award and Olivier Award winning actress Lea Salonga. Joining Lea is Singaporean-Chinese actor Adrian Pang, first lady of Philippine musical theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and The Kitchen Musical's Art Acuña.

Lea Salonga and Adrian Pang were last seen together in Singapore Repertory Theatre’s production of They’re Playing Our Song in 2000.

Roman Polanski directed the film adaptation, Carnage. Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly play Veronica and Michael, while Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet play Alan and Annette.

Art Acuña vs. Adrian Pang!

Atlantis Productions' GOD OF CARNAGE runs from July 13-22, 2012, 8pm at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

FOR JULY 20 (FRIDAY) TICKETS, CONTACT 09175288085.

Prices:
Orchestra Center P1600
Orchestra Side P1400
Loge Center P1200
Loge Side P1000
Balcony P750

Starring:
Lea Salonga
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo
Adrian Pang
Art Acuna

Directed by:
Bobby Garcia

www.facebook.com/GodOfCarnageJuly20

+K to Gourmet!

Have you checked out Kikkoman on Facebook? I have and I just love their new app - the Kikkoman Gourmet-nator! So cool!

You are welcomed by a Refrigerator. Click on it to open, then pick out the ingredients you have on hand.

Once you've chosen your ingredients, click on the "Let's Gourmenate" button...
...and Voila! The app presents you with recipes for your selection!

The app is fairly new (it was launched recently) so there are still a limited number of recipes. But this will be updated in the coming weeks. Kikkoman is adding more and more recipes to this new Facebook app everyday!

I love Kikkoman! Who doesn't? It is a classic! Did you know that the Kikkoman recipe for excellent soy sauce has been around for over 300 years? Their soy sauce is naturally brewed like fine wine. No wonder it is the world's leading soy sauce brand! Most local soy sauce available in the market today are non-brewed soy sauce - made in a matter of hours from hydrolyzed vegetable protein and caramel coloring. Kikkoman, on the other hand, uses the same centuries-old recipe, making sure we get the best seasoning with every bottle we buy. You can actually taste AND smell the difference!

PORK HUMBA

Ingredients:
600 g - Pork Kasim, diced 2 inches
1 cup - water
1/4 cup - garlic, chopped (4 cloves)
1/4 cup - vinegar
1/4 cup - sugar
1/2 tbsp - KIKKOMAN Soy Sauce
1 piece - Bay leaf
1 tsp - whole black pepper corn
2 tbsp - oil
450 g - potato wedges
4 - whole eggs, boiled

Procedure:
1. In a sauce pan, over high heat, brown Kasim on all sides. 2. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to boil, then lower heat to a simmer. 3. Simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.

But Kikkoman doesn't make just Soy Sauce! They also make other sauces to enhance your meals, and help you make easy, gourmet dishes at home. Aside from their many soy sauce varieties, Kikkoman also makes Teriyaki Marinade, Teriyaki Sauce, Sukiyaki Sauce, Tempura and Noodle Sauce.

What's more, Kikkoman recently launched their Soy Sauce in the New! 100ml stand-up pouch! Everyone's favorite soy sauce is now made even more affordable to Filipino consumers. With this new pack size, you're sure to enjoy your favorite Kikkoman dish everyday!

Transform your ordinary, everyday dishes to gourmet dishes with Kikkoman!
Available at leading supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and selected market stalls nationwide.

Kikkoman Gourmet-nator
Kikkoman's Corner
www.kikkoman.com

Launching Next Week!

Integrity Music announces the April release of Heal Our Land, a new two-disc album featuring a 12-track CD and bonus DVD from Melbourne, Australia's Planetshakers band.

Latest release from Planetshakers - HEAL OUR LAND. CD+Bonus DVD, P495.00 

Heal Our Land is the 24th project from the Aussie worshippers since the band's formation in 1997. And it is the second release to be distributed under their new partnership with Integrity, following last fall's release of Nothing Is Impossible.

Originally formed to lead worship for the first Planetshakers conference held in Australia, the Planetshakers band is passionate about uniting generations worldwide through worship. Their goal is to see people encounter God, be transformed by His presence and empowered to make a difference in their world. And though they tour internationally, the team remains based out of Planetshakers City Church, a multi-campus, 7,800-member congregation in Melbourne that is pastored by husband and wife, Russell and Sam Evans. 

Recorded live at last year's Planetshakers Conference, Heal Our Land offers up new songs of passionate, vertical praise and sung prayers including the anthemic title track based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. The project features Planetshakers team members including Sam Evans, Rudy Nikkerud and Joth Hunt, who also produced the album.

TRACKLIST:
CD 
1. Supernatural
2. Good To Me
3. Do It Again 
4. Heal Our Land
5. Strength Of My Life 
6. Hold On To Me 
7. Hallelujah To The Lord 
8. You Have It All 
9. Power 
10. It's You 
11. No One Like You 
12. Running To You

DVD 
1. Supernatural 
2. Good To Me 
3. Do It Again 
4. Nothing Is Impossible (featuring Israel Houghton) 
5. Heal Our Land 
6. Strength Of My Life 
7. Hallelujah To the Lord

Timely release, don't you think? Especially with the Israel Houghton + Planetshakers Concert next Saturday! Get the chance to buy this album on April 21 (concert day) from the event merchandise booths at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It will be made available at all House of Praise stores and kiosks beginning April 23. You may also order this from House of Praise Direct and get Heal Our Land delivered straight to your doorstep!

Praise, Inc. is the official distributor of all Planetshakers albums and merchandise in the Philippines. Heal Our Land and all other Planetshakers releases are available at House of Praise, PCBS, OMF, Odyssey, and SM Recordbars.

http://www.planetshakers.com.
https://www.facebook.com/houseofpraise