URC Flour hosts a Feast of Tradition: Sariaya's Pinagong Eating Makes History at the Agawan Festival

(SARIAYA, QUEZON – PHILIPPINES) - The 25th Agawan Festival in Sariaya, Quezon, concluded with a unique and delicious twist this year with the first-ever Pinagong eating activity hosted by Universal Robina Corporation, Flour Division. This exciting event saw a record-breaking 1,800 participants, a mix of Sariaya locals and enthusiastic tourists, come together to celebrate the town's famed "Pinagong" bread.

Led by Mayor Marcelo Gayeta himself, the Pinagong Eating activity added a lively new chapter to the vibrant Agawan Festival. The name "Pinagong," meaning "turtle" in Tagalog, reflects the bread's distinctive shape. This sweet bread, a local favorite, boasts a soft, fluffy texture and a delicate flavor that has won the hearts (and stomachs) of Sariaya for generations.

Naida Ebora, Sales, Marketing and Distribution Director of Universal Robina Corporation Flour Division graced the event together with other URC representatives to congratulate the town of Sariaya as they celebrate their annual Agawan Festival.

“Ang URC ay nagagalak at kami ay kasalo ninyo sa pagdiriwang ng inyong 25th Agawan Festival 2024. Mula ng itayo namin ang aming planta dito sa bayan ng Sariaya na matatagpuan sa Barangay Talaan, pinakita na ninyo ang inyong mainit na pagtanggap. Kaya naman ibinabalik namin ito sa pagiging partner ng Sariaya para sa mas maganda, mas malaki at mas pinasaya na Agawan Festival 2024” said Ebora.

URC’s sponsorship of the Agawan Festival 2024 coincides with the official opening of their flour mills and blending facilities this year, which is located in Barangay Talaan, Aplaya Road in Sariaya, Quezon.

“Tunay ngang kakaiba ang ating pagdiriwang dahil tayong lahat ay kasama na sa kasaysayan dahil sa symbolic na pagkain ng Pinagong Bread kung saan sama-sama, ipapakita natin na marami tayong magagawa pag tayo ay nagkakaisa. Ngayon na nandito na ang URC Flour Division sa bayan ng Sariaya, makakaasa kayo na ang mga naglipanang bakery sa inyong bayan ay makakagamit ng aming mga produkto upang mas lalong pasarapin hindi lang ng inyong Pinagong Bread, kung hindi pati na rin ang iba pa ninyongbread products” added Ebora.

Aside from the historic Pinagong Eating activity, URC also sponsored products and cash prizes for the Pagandahan sa Sayawan where participants get to showcase their creativity as they incorporate used URC Flour sacks in their costumes and the exciting Surpresa sa Bagakay, which allowed Sariayahin a chance to win home appliances and URC products.

Participants of all ages came together, laughing, cheering, and enjoying the camaraderie as they savored the unique taste of Pinagong. The success of the Pinagong Eating activity is a testament to the creativity and spirit of Sariaya. It's an innovative way to showcase the town's delectable local food while fostering a sense of fun and community spirit.

Mayor Marcelo Gayeta who led the festivities with his family and the members of the local government unit of Sariaya has nothing but praise for URC Flour.

“Ang bayan ng Sariaya ay nagpapasalamat saUniversal Robina Corporation dahil ngayong taon, mas pinaganda, pinalaki at pinasaya ang ating taunang Agawan Festival dahil sa kanilang suporta. Makakaasa kayo na ang aming bayan lalo na sa mga kumpanyang nagdadala ng negosyo at investments ay magkakaroon ng maayos at mabilis na transaksyon pag dating sa serbisyong inyong kailangan na magmumula sa aking tanggapan” said Mayor Gayeta.

With this year's overwhelming success, the Pinagong Eating activity will become a permanent fixture in the Agawan Festival calendar, attracting even more visitors to Sariaya and its delightful Pinagong bread.

Highlands Coffee Named Vietnam’s Top F&B Brand in Customer Experience

VIETNAM. June 25, 2024. Highlands Coffee, Vietnam’s #1 coffee chain and one of the global restaurant company Jollibee Group’s brands, has been recognized as the highest-ranked food and beverage brand on customer experience in the 2023 Customer Experience Excellence Study (CEE) by KPMG in Vietnam. 

The CEE report, which was commissioned by global consulting firm KPMG, engaged Vietnamese consumers across eight sectors, including Restaurants & Fast Food, Entertainment & Leisure, and Travel & Hotels. Brands were ranked based on KPMG’s Six Pillars of Experience methodology, encompassing Integrity, Empathy, Resolution, Personalization, Expectations, Time, and Effort, offering businesses valuable insights to enhance customer experience strategies.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, President and CEO of the Jollibee Group, shared: “Highlands Coffee’s recognition affirms Jollibee Group’s efforts to build well-loved brands in their respective markets. We thank our Highlands Coffee team for their passionate commitment to great-tasting products and exceptional customer experiences. We are also grateful to our customers for supporting Highlands Coffee as we accelerate its growth in Vietnam.”

“The voice of our customers is at the heart of everything we do,” shared David Thai, Founder & CEO of Highlands Coffee. “We can fulfill our promise of delivering ‘The Best of Vietnam’ by listening to our guests’ needs and by constantly elevating our product offerings, physical footprint, digital presence, and overall guest experience.”

Key Highlights from the KPMG Study

Highest Ranked Food and Beverage Brand: Highlands Coffee emerged as the highest-ranked F&B brand in the study, surpassing other formidable players in the food and beverage industry. Based on the survey, Highlands Coffee increased its share in the face-to-face channel, with patrons praising the café’s ambiance and diverse drink options. In terms of satisfaction on digital channels, Highlands Coffee excelled across its website, customer inquiries, and online orders, earning the highest satisfaction from multiple age groups .

Climbing 22 Spots: In a notable leap, Highlands Coffee ascended an impressive 22 spots compared to the 2022 study. From the survey, only Highlands Coffee showed an increase in value-for-money score, as other coffee brands experienced a decrease. This trend suggests that even as customers demand greater value from their beverage experiences, Highlands Coffee’s exceptional-tasting beverages rem

Strong Value and Loyalty Scores: Amid market competition, Highlands Coffee maintained robust value and loyalty scores. Survey respondents consistently recognized the brand’s quality, authenticity, and commitment to their well-being. Highlands Coffee also stood out as the only brand with a significant increase in loyalty scores, attributed to its excellence in upgrading coffee spaces and providing a delightful experience with attentive customer service and high-quality products. These have been identified as resonating with customers, instilling in them a strong sense of brand affinity and loyalty.

Highlands Coffee’s Continued Growth

Founded in 1999, Highlands Coffee began with a passion for Vietnam and its rich coffee culture. Today, it not only leads the market but also serves as a community hub across its numerous stores, offering coffee, teas, and food that bring people together.

Highlands Coffee has grown exponentially since the Jollibee Group acquired 50% in 2012, expanding the store network from 56 stores to 723 in Vietnam and 779 globally. With a dominant 35 to 40% market share in Vietnamese coffee, Highlands Coffee stands as the market leader, known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community-building. To date, Highlands Coffee's strategic growth has solidified its presence especially in key urban areas, resonating strongly with both locals and visitors alike.

Highlands Coffee contributes to the diversification and growth of the Jollibee Group’s international portfolio. As of March 2024, the Jollibee Group's expansive store network of 6,885 outlets reflects a 4.6% increase from the same period the previous year. Highlands Coffee forms part of the 18-brand-strong Jollibee Group, with its other iconic brands including Jollibee, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf©, Smashburger, and Tim Ho Wan.

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For more information, visit the Highlands Coffee website or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. For further information on the Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.

CCIP Renews Partnership with Anti-Red Tape Authority to Streamline Cosmetics Industry Regulations

The Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP), the leading voice for the country's cosmetics and personal care sector, announced the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) held at ARTA Headquarters.

ARTA Director General Sec. Ernesto Perez and Undersecretary Gerald Divinagracia welcomed the CCIP Board at the ARTA head office for the signing ceremony. Representing CCIP were President Christine Michelle Reyes and Executive Vice President for External Affairs, Jenny Nunez.

The CCIP, a non-profit organization, champions the growth and development of the Philippine cosmetics industry. It represents a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and service providers.

ARTA, on the other hand, is a government agency dedicated to streamlining bureaucratic processes and eliminating unnecessary red tape across all government departments.

This renewed partnership signifies the continued commitment of both CCIP and ARTA to simplifying regulations and expediting business permits for cosmetics companies in the Philippines.

By working together, CCIP and ARTA aim to create a more efficient and competitive landscape for the Philippine cosmetics industry, ultimately benefiting both businesses and consumers.