Nov 262017
 

The Philippines’ most famous fast-food chain is expanding its footprint across Asia with plans for expansion in Singapore and Indonesia.

Dennis Flores, Jollibee president and head of international business in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia, confirmed that 15 more outlets will be opened in Singapore in the next five years.

Jollibee already has five stores in Singapore: two at Lucky Plaza, and one each in Paya Lebar, Changi, and Novena. The sixth store will open in Jurong East in April next year (2018).

He said the growing number of Singaporean patrons is proof that “Jollibee’s offerings have greatly appealed to the taste buds of the locals.”

In 2013, in a simple blind taste test conducted by Yahoo! Singapore, Jollibee’s chicken joy was found to be the best among several other brands in Singapore.

The blind taste test involved a panel of six–Singaporeans, Malaysians, a Filipino and an Indonesian–who were asked to assess chicken dishes from Jollibee, KFC, Popeyes, Texas Chicken and 4Fingers.

Jollibee’s chicken joy got three out of six votes, the highest given to any other fried chicken in the taste test. Jollibee’s chicken was found to have the juiciest meat, and the skin was said to be thin and crispy.

Mr Flores said Jollibee is also looking into entering the 260-million-strong Indonesian market in 2019.

“It’s a market we can’t ignore. It’s a chicken market. If you’re familiar with Indonesia, everyone there loves chicken. The big players are all ‘chicken players’. We believe with our superior products, our chances are very good,” he said.

Jollibee is hoping to open 150 stores in Indonesia in 10 years.

Oct 152017
 

Six young Filipino actors have been cast in “The Lion King” musical’s first international tour in celebration of its 20th anniversary of the Disney production as a stage musical. The Lion King international tour which will have its first stop in Manila in March 2018 will have young artists from the Philippines performing together with international stage artists. Alternating in the role of Young Simba are: Julien Joshua Dolor Pablo Palacpac and Juan Gabriel Tiongson Young Nala will be performed by: Sheena Bentoy Uma Martin Felicity Napuli The six young Filipino artists join the cast after months of auditions which began in March this year in South Africa. “After six months of intensive auditions, we have been able to bring together a truly international group of performers that will showcase the talent from almost every corner of the world. From seasoned professionals to actors making their professional debut, this company of ‘The Lion King’ will be sure to delight and amaze audiences as we tour this phenomenal production around the globe,” revealed Michael Cassel, producer of the international tour. “Julie Taymor and her extraordinary creative team have brought together a truly diverse company, representing twelve countries in this production of enormous scale, beauty and heart. I cannot wait for new audiences in the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan to share an indelible theatrical experience for the first time, with this talented cast,” said Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions. The young Filipino actors will join the Read More …

Oct 022017
 
PH teams up with China, Japan, and Singapore to ramp up renewable energy projects

The Philippine government is teaming up with Asia’s heavyweights China, Japan, and Singapore, to ramp up the development of renewable energy projects, as economic growth drives up demand for electricity in the country. Bilateral talks were conducted at the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting this week, including talks with the US-ASEAN Business Council on how to speed up the development of clean energy. Bloomberg TV PH reported that Singapore, in particular, committed to helping the Philippines develop the backbone needed for more renewable energy initiatives nationwide. “Singapore very kindly opened their doors to us. There will be a lot of collaboration we will be doing, from micro-grid to e-vehicles, to waste-to-energy, to solar, on top of water. Thank you, Singapore,” says Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi. According to Bloomberg TV PH, there are about four million households in the country still without power to this day. Cusi says the Philippines is presently finalizing policies on natural gas, and may seal agreements with China, Japan and Singapore by the end of the month, “to fully embark on viable liquified natural gas (LNG) cooperation projects.” The DOE is looking at three models on how the country will develop and utilize the natural gas resource: namely, to source indigenous natural gas, like that of Malampaya; to import liquefied natural gas; and to combine both models. Other areas of cooperation are on renewable energies with possible joint ventures with Singapore on waste-to-energy, floating solar photovoltaic and battery technologies; with the International Read More …

Aug 112017
 
UPLB Choral Ensemble bags Grand Prix in Singapore

The University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble (UPLBCE) dominated the 10th Orientale Concentus International Choral Festival held at the School of the Arts in Singapore, beating finalists from five other countries to bring home the Grand Prix title. University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble [via Facebook] The Philippine state university’s official choral group won the following titles from the 10th Orientale Concentus: Grand Prix Champion Category Winner (Gold II) – Mixed Choir Category A2 Category Winner (Gold II) – Sacred Music Category Special Prize for the Most Promising Young Conductor – Roijin Suarez The 26-member choir received a trophy and $20,000 after their winning performance in the Grand Prix finals against choral groups from Hongkong, Taiwan, South Africa, Indonesia, and Czech Republic. The UPLB Choral Ensemble was founded in 1991 by former members of the UP Rural High School Glee Club. It is now composed of UPLB students and alumni. On campus, it is recognized as a student cultural organization and performs regularly at university functions.   The post UPLB Choral Ensemble bags Grand Prix in Singapore appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: UP Madz win Choral Grand Prize in Italy UP Concert Chorus wins Grand Prix in Poland Kammerchor Manila bags grand prizes at Italy and Spain Filipino choir groups triumph in Vietnam choral competition

Aug 102017
 
PHL is 1st overall in 13th Math Competition in Singapore

The Philippine delegation to the 13th International Mathematics Competition (IMC) held in Singapore placed 1st Overall, bringing home 245 medals. Some members of Philippine delegation for the 13th IMC [by MTG/Henry Castro via Rappler] The massive medal haul include 33 gold, 66 silver, and 146 bronze medals for the Filipino elementary and high school mathletes which also brought home 111 merit awards. Robert Frederik Uy of the Philippine Science High School-West Visayas was awarded as the Top Scorer in the Grade 7 level.  Dr. Isidro Aguilar and Dr. Simon Chua of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG) announced the win of the Philippine delegation with a complete list of the medalists and their schools. “The overall results show Filipino students’ high competence in math. We are very happy with their latest achievement. Congratulations to our contestants,” said Aguilar. The champion Filipino math wizards battled against competitors from 13 other countries, including China which came in second, and Thailand at third.   The post PHL is 1st overall in 13th Math Competition in Singapore appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Pinoy students score 4 medals in Bulgaria Math Olympiad Math wizards bag 30 medals, 12 awards in Thailand PH math students wins 2 gold, 2 silver in China Pinoy mathletes bag 12 golds, 138 medals in Hong Kong

Jul 252017
 
Acapellago Grand Prize winners at Vokal Total 2017 Austria

Filipino contemporary pop a capella group Acapellago has again carried out a successful campaign overseas, this time winning 3 major prizes at the Vokal Total 2017 International A Cappella Competition in Graz, Austria. Acapellago [via LIONHEARTV] The internet sensation group received 3 top prizes from the 2017 Vokal Total: Ward Swingle as Overall Champion Gold Award in the Pop Category Audience Award The group of 5 Filipino artists from Bulacan namely, Michelle Pascual (Soprano), Almond Bolante (Counter-Tenor), Joshua Cadeliña (Tenor), Ronnel Allen Laderas (Bass) and Ricky Gavin Laderas (Beatbox), received the top honors and bested groups from Italy, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Taiwan, Georgia, Romania, USA, France, Singapore. The group has been winning awards locally and worldwide like the AKA VIII A Capella Asia Pacific Championship League (APACCL) in Singapore in 2016. Acapellago’s mission according to their bio is to continue “to create, arrange and perform new music, to inspire many young artist in contemporary a cappella singing and contribute to the Philippine’s music and performing arts heritage.” Acapellago won the nod of judges and the audience in Austria with their performances of Christina Aguilera’s Ain’t No Other Man, Gloria Estefan’s Conga, Safe And Sound by Taylor Swift with Capital Cities, and Whitney Houston’s Queen of The Night.   The post Acapellago Grand Prize winners at Vokal Total 2017 Austria appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Acapellago triumphs at A Capella Asia Pacific Championship UP Madz win Choral Grand Prize in Italy Pinopela wins International A Capella Competition Dennis Trillo receives Asian Read More …

Apr 042017
 
Pinoy kids win in S’pore programming tilt

Filipino students won medals at the 20th National Olympiad in Informatics held at the National University of Singapore. The Philippine team to the 20th Singapore National Olympiad in Informatics [via National Olympiad in Informatics-Philippines] All 6 members of the Philippine team came home with medals after competing against hundreds of students in the computer programming competition, announced the National Olympiad in Informatics-Philippines website. Robin Yu of Xavier School led the team by winning a gold medal and placing 5th in the overall competition, and 3 rd among foreign competitors. Andrew James Ting from Xavier School won silver. Farrell Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Academy also bagged a silver medal. The three winning delegates will also be granted a special consideration admission in National University of Singapore as part of their prize for their excellent finish. Bronze medals were brought home by the following: Franz Louis Cesista, Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas Campus Ron Mikhael C. Surara, Philippine Science High School Bicol Region Campus Kim Bryann Tuico, Manila Science High School The Philippine team battled against students from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam in individually solving programming tasks.  The Filipino students won in the second year the National Olympiad in Informatics, known as the “ultimate international competition in computing,” opened the tilt to foreign competitors.   The post Pinoy kids win in S’pore programming tilt appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Pinoy kids win 4 medals in Math Olympics in South Africa Pinoy kids win 16 medals in Read More …

Mar 202017
 
Carlos Hinolan builds successful tech firm from P500

Carlos Hinolan Former radio disc jockey Carlos Hinolan has built a successful startup company with just Php500. Hinolan pioneered sensory branding in the Philippines with AudioWav Media, a tech company founded in 2003 that provides WAV proprietary devices to allow businesses to give the best customer service. Multi-sensory branding customizes audio, visuals and scents for food and convenience stores allowing them to give customers personalized experiences. AudioWav provides audio players, LED screens, and scent diffusers. The AudioWav chief talked to the Inquirer about how he wanted to have his own radio station when he was younger and ending up getting his big break by customizing the sound of a popular fast food chain. Hinolan bought a microphone with the Php500 to create a customized voice content. "You could say I was lucky that we created relevant content for those 238 stores. And they used that content to tell their customers what's for breakfast, what's for lunch, what's for merienda and what they can take home to their families," the AudioWav CEO said about his work for Chowking. The tech entrepreneur said he was able to convince the large food chain to be his client with his belief in the content of his product, "It's not about how small you are … It's about how good your content is. At the end of the day, content will always be king." "Now that we have our own platform and we realize we can do (business) in Singapore and Indonesia, we are looking Read More …