Hype About Magnum Ice Cream In The Philippines

I still don't get it.

A few weeks ago, Facebook and Twitter was flooded with discussions about Magnum Ice Cream finally arriving in the Philippines.

ABS-CBN News reports Magnum Ice Cream was officially launched last February 2012, thanks to a collaborative effort between Unilever and RFM.

Covered with a thick layer of belgian chocolate, the vanilla ice cream bar (on stick) is available in three flavors- classic, chocolate truffles, and almond.

Now I have to admit that I am no fan of ice cream so I couldn't give an expert opinion on what makes Magnum Ice Cream different from the rest, so I decided to send an sms to my wife and asked her if she already heard about it. After 5 minutes or so, she replied that she had actually already bought two variants to try, and quoted, "ang mahal! (it's expensive!)" Needless to say, this better be good, considering that the price is (at P60- contrary to what ABS-CBN report reported that price is at P50) like double the price of a regular ice cream on stick.

On my way home, I decided to drop by at 7-11 (ABS-CBN reports that Magnum is initially offered in 7-11 outlets and supermarkets) and bought all three variants.

We were a bit disappointed, as both of us were asking, "so what's different? have you actually forgotten your name after tasting it?"

In summary, I still don't get why there is so much hype on the arrival of Magnum Ice Cream in the Philippines (or maybe just because we have a lot of foreign an local celebrity endorsers saying that it is really good). I don't find anything spectacular, or anything speciall about it-except that fact that it is so costly at P60.

Or maybe just because i'm no expert in knowing.

Chef d' Angelo: Eat All You Can

We were on a cab going to MRT Magallanes (Mantrade) station when my wife and I agreed have lunch before riding the train. So instead of proceeding directly to the station, we asked the taxi driver to drop us off at the Alphaland Mall.

Our obvious choice would have been Teriyaki Boy (in front of Chowking), but because we have a companion who is a pizza lover, we decided to go for Chef d' Angelo.

There we found out that their Eat-All-You-Can promo is still on the run. If I'm not mistaken, this has promo has been running since early part of 2011. Cost was still P150 per head back then, but now the cost is at P175. The buffet table includes Pizza, Pasta, Salad, Soup, Rice, two sets of viands (last Saturday, the menu was Fried Fish Fillet and vegetables).

It was good for us that there were not a lot of people dining, so we didn't find it hard to line up and wait for our turn to get food in the buffet area.

Overall, the P175 is sulit (worth it). Food tastes great and there are lots of choices (3 diff pizzas, different sauce for the pasta, etc.).

Try Chef d' Angelo's Eat All You Can promo at the following stores- SM Manila, Robinson's Galleria, SM Fairview, Metro East, SM San Lazaro, Glorietta 5, Mall of Asia and Alphaland.

Ciao!

KFC Double Down Sandwich Review

Have you ever tried the KFC Double Down Sandwich?

Truth is, many people have not yet tried this new offering from KFC because they are either always out of stock, or the cashier crew tells you that you have to wait for 10 to 15 minutes before the elusive sandwich gets delivered on your table.

In fact, I have heard an American customer who complained that he has been returning for two consecutive days and the Double Down Sandwich is always unavailable.

The Double Down Sandwich is an original KFC offering that does not use bread for the buns. Instead, the sandwich uses two chicken breast fillets for buns. The filling consists of thin slices of cheese, bacon, and mayonnaise.

I have ordered twice, and twice I was disappointed.

I don't know with you, but I rather think that the package is way too salty for the human tongue. First off, the chicken buns are already salty (original recipe taste). Then you have two thin slices of cheese. To add up, you also have the bacon which is equally salty. The mayonnaise just couldn't neutralize the taste.

Perhaps, after they review and subsequently relaunch the meal, they can put on some leafy greens inside.

(photo credits: Dailymail)

Starbucks' New Logo

In a few months, Starbucks fanatics will get to see some changes when they get hold of their next cup of coffee.

Early this 2011, Starbucks has unveiled a new logo which now drops the words "STARBUCKS" & "COFFEE" that encircles the iconic Siren Lady.

Starbucks leaders say the changes to the logo are in some ways a metaphor for the company dropping the boundaries of its own business and growing into new areas, that is to say, that the company will be expanding into some other wider business lines beyond coffee, and going into more international markets.

My Max's Chicken All-you-can Experience

Chicken Lovers should never miss Max's 65th Anniversary Promo- the Max's Chicken All-You-Can!

Eversince the ads came out in the market, my wife has been constantly reminding me that we should dine and try the promo.

Last July 4, we went out for dinner at the Max's Restaurant, SM Bicutan Branch, and tried on how many quarter chicken servings we can eat.

The promo offering for the Chicken-all-you-can is P165 per person, then you can also add P39 if you want to avail of any bottomless Pepsi Products.

Chicken are served on quarters, then you get a refill after finishing off with your serving. Of course, the usual "no leftovers", and "no sharing" applies.

Promo period runs from June 17 to July 17, at 6pm to 10 pm daily on all Max's branches nationwide.

For more info, you may visit the Max's website.

The Rivalry Continues

Interesting how the two fastfood giants, Jollibee and Mc Donald's, continue to outdo one another in the hope of getting more patrons (needless to say- more patrons = more sales).

Jollibee is, of course, the undisputed leader in the fastfood industry in the Philippines. McDonald's, on the other hand, plays better in the International Market.

So good has the competition between these two that they almost cater identical food to the public, with both serving the best-selling Chicken, Spaghetti, Burgers, and Fries.



In an effort to entice children, Mc Donald's introduced the Happy Meal to the market, while Jollibee presented their Jolly Kiddie Meal. Both packages include meals, drinks, and a set of toys.

This July, Mc Donald's offers the Happy Meal with toys inspired by the movie Ice Age 3: Return of the Dinosaurs, while

Jollibee offers collectibles from the movie, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.

On a side note, Ice Age 3 and Transformers 2 conduct their own rivalry for the Box Office Hit.


Inquirer.net reports:

LOS ANGELES—Animated romp "Ice Age: Return of the Dinosaurs" shot to the top of the North American box office in its first week in theaters, but had to share the spot with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," according to earnings estimates released Sunday.

The kid-friendly "Ice Age," featuring the voices of Queen Latifah and Dennis Leary as prehistoric animals who discover a lost jungle inhabited by dinosaurs, took $42.5 million in box office receipts over the three-day weekend.

That was exact same amount earned over that period by Michael Bay's "Transformers," according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.


No matter how far the rivalry between Jollibee and Mc Donald's goes in terms of customer service and products, one thing is for sure:

Consumer Wins.

Christmas Everyday

It's July, and we are half-way thru 2009, so to say a Merry Christmas would be a bit uncomfortable as we still have about 5 months more before the Christmas Season begins.

It is to be noted however, that Christmas Season in the Philippines begins on September 01 and ends on January when we celebrate the Three Kings. :)

Having been raised in the province, it was customary for us to attend the Simbang Gabi (the catholic mass which is held from December 16 to 24, and are usually conducted in the early morning). To complete the whole 9 days would mean that your wish would come true, as the old folks say.

During then, we look forward to hearing mass not only because we want to complete the whole 9 days but because we all know that right after we hear mass, we would be buying special bibingka (rice cake) before going home. Thus, our old folks jokingly tell us that we are just Simbang Bibingka (that we only hear mass because we want to buy bibingka afterwards).

Back then, the bibingkas were sold only during Christmas season. It is to my pleasant surprise, therefore, when I saw lately in the malls, that there are stalls and carts selling our favorite Bibingka- in and out of the Season!

One fine example is the Bibingkinitan, a cart business that sells freshly baked mini bibingkas for an affordable price.

Fell in love with the idea (and the taste) because it brings back good childhood memories in me. The delightful bibingka is at reach when we long for it.


After all, everyday must be Christams Day.

Cart Business

Perhaps the saying "Small but Terrible" would be an understatement in describing FOOD CART BUSINESS in the Philippines.

For many years now, we have seen an emergence of successful food cart businesses swarming all over the malls and various MRT stations, some of which are Waffle Time (hotdogs wrapped in waffle bread), Bibingkinitan (fresh and hot small bibingkas, a Filipino delicacy), and Sisig Hooray (delicious pork, beef, and bangus sisig, another local delicacy).

Compared to other big businesses, the capital needed to set-up and/or buy a franchise for Cart Business is much lower. Franchise Fees range from 30,000 to 300,000. Additionally, franchisors usually offer free trainings, ready-made carts, and other services for new franchisees.

Why, even big food business players, like Pizza Hut and Red Ribbon has also established their Food Carts within selected malls!

The ROI, or Return on Investment is pretty fast, according to franchisees. Well, of course, a good location and the right business to invest into play very important roles.

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Catch other valuable insights about cart business and other businees tips on the GoNegosyo website.