New York-filmed Jollibee video offers a perspective of hope and gratitude in this challenging time

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In the future when we look back on today, how would we describe the pandemic? What version of history would we tell?

This is the theme of Jollibee’s first internationally produced film developed by BBH Singapore, which reinterprets the brand’s tagline of “Joy of Family” in the context of the current pandemic.

When the pandemic broke out, everyone was unprepared and had to face an uncomfortable reality – that life as we knew it changed overnight. It was painful, scary, and upended lives around the world. Yet it is in our darkest hours when we see what’s most dear to us - our families. From physically spending every waking hour together in lockdown to long video calls across continents, our family was what got us through. This was the year of the pandemic, but it was also the year of the family.

The 3-minute-long campaign film titled “A Message from the Future”, shot in New York and directed by award-winning director Law Chen, tells a perspective-changing story about the times we are currently living in, which will leave you feeling grateful for the time you have with your family, and how through it all it is the Joy of family that gets us through all the hardships.

In a departure from the brand’s usual campaigns, the current film adopts a sombre and realistic tone as it goes in the future to record a nostalgic and emotional story of a migrant Filipino family based in the US. Set in 2060, the film shows a grandfather recounting his memory of the pandemic to his grandchildren. The story starts off on a bleak note but gives way to hope and joyful family moments that could have only happened because the family spent more time together, a transition highlighted through the film's progression from black & white shots to coloured ones.

Francis Flores, JFC’s Philippines Country Marketing head and Jollibee PH Marketing head, said: “Jollibee as a brand has been all about the joy of family, and while in our current times it may be difficult to focus solely on that aspect, we realize just the same that there’s a silver lining in all this. Coming from a powerful truth that we are spending time with our families more than ever, it has never happened before and may never happen again – we wanted this campaign to acknowledge the grim reality of the current pandemic but still give a positive message of hope. It’s all about appreciating these moments with them and finding the ultimate Joy with family. Our families have been a comforting factor for most of us in these tough times and we wanted everyone to be grateful for that.”

Jollibee is releasing this heart-warming digital short film as the grand culmination of the brand’s new Family Thanksgiving Month initiative. “The Family Thanksgiving Month is not just a celebration here at home. We’re hoping that all families, whether Filipinos living abroad or other nationalities, will be inspired to start a tradition of expressing their appreciation for their loved ones,” Flores added.

You can watch the video on Jollibee’s official Facebook page and Jollibee Studios’ YouTube channel.

Newfound discovery makes some dishwashing liquids effective home disinfectant. Joy PH is one of them.

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In response to the global coronavirus pandemic, Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) commissioned the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) to look into other options for disinfecting homes and workplaces. This was undertaken to mitigate global alcohol shortage, and cope with the sudden surge in demands of alcohol disinfectant at medical facilities as well as home and workplace environments. 

Lab studies conducted by METI/NITE have proven that some cleaning actives also known as surfactants, when used at the right levels, can be effective against SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19. Test findings by Japan’s NITE have confirmed that there is a significant reduction in the virus count on items or surfaces that are exposed to a surfactant diluted to 0.05%-0.2% for twenty seconds to five minutes.

According to the review committee of experts, these seven types of surfactants are commonly found in household products like dishwashing liquids. 

● Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (0.1% or more);

● Alkyl glycoside (0.1% or more);

● Alkylamine oxide (0.05% or more);

● Benzalkonium chloride (0.05% or more);

● Benzethonium chloride (0.05% or more) (newly added on May 28, 2020);

● Dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (0.01% or more) (newly added on May 28, 2020); and

● Polyoxyethylene alkylether (0.2% or more)

With this research confirming more accessible ways to disinfect your homes and workplaces, dishwashing liquids containing these ingredients can benefit Filipinos and serve as a reliable substitute to alcohol-based disinfectant. This would mean convenience and better value for money given the product’s multi-purpose use of disinfecting various items, not just in the kitchen but other household items as well.

New solution to disinfecting against SARS-CoV-2

Japan METI/NITE recommends the solution ratio of one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid mixed in 500ml water. To sanitize, wipe all items or surfaces with a cloth soaked in this solution. Ensure to squeeze excess liquid out of the cloth to prevent the liquid from dripping. Wipe firmly in one direction to prevent spreading dirt and virus. Leave the items or surfaces to rest with the mixture for about five minutes. Then, wipe off the soap solution with a cloth soaked in water. Finally, wipe dry all items and surfaces with another clean cloth. 

To learn more about the research findings, visit this link: meti.go.jp/english/press/2020/0529_001.html. 

Follow Joy Philippines’ official Facebook page at fb.com/JoyPhilippines for more updates on Joy.

Tough Love : Touching moment with Joy, a touch of Olay

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A super fun activity I enjoyed last March 5 at the Blue Leaf- Silk Pavilion in Taguig, with a beautiful and true fun celebrity. The trials of housework are highlighted and refreshed through Tough Love, an event that placed Mariel Rodriguez and members of the media in “tough” household situations, but with the aid of Joy with a Touch of Olay, a new dishwashing variant of P&G Joy.

Mariel and members of the media undergo four different household challenges, including chopping vegetables, squeezing lemons, opening bottles and cans through manual tools, and dishwashing.

Chopping Vegetables

Squeezing lemons

Opening bottles and cans

Dishwashing

All of these challenges simulated the experiences women feel whenever they do household chores.

These stations were also time-pressured to mirror the multi-tasking lives of modern women every day.

Joy with a Touch of Olay helps maintain skin’s moisture, making it all set for “touching moments” as we really feel we wave the softest hands even with the toughest jobs at home - dishwashing, ironing, doing the laundry and cleaning the house. Imagine doing all these things every single day, on top of your demanding career.

This is really - tough love. As we celebrate women’s month, lives and experiences of women are given more importance and thought. This includes the challenges of women everywhere when it comes to doing household chores.

Dishwashing can be a draining task. Just imagine coming home from a tiring day at work, seeing piles of plates on the sink, and getting your hands wrinkled and dry from cleaning the dishes. Joy with a Touch of Olay is especially formulated to help maintain the skin’s moisture while retaining the superior grease-fighting power of all Joy variants. It locks in moisture to create moments of pampering as one does chores. 

“Joy with Olay strives to take care of women. It is formulated with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps repair the skin and nourishes the hands by locking in the skin’s moisture. Joy with Olay does not dry the hands, making them “touching moment” ready,” says P&G Brand Communications Leader Anna Legarda.

Every dedicated and hardworking woman will appreciate even the littlest things that will comfort and pamper her. It helps even more to have a product that will indulge her even while she performs household chores daily.

Feel the difference that Joy with a Touch of Olay makes in your dishwashing routine.

As seen in Tough Love, housework will never be the same again because of Joy with a Touch of Olay. Women can do all the tough jobs, but still be “touching-moment ready”.

Enjoy washing everyone ! This is tough love!

Click Here for more photos. 

Twelve Days of Christmas (hidden meaning)

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Twelve Days of Christmas

By The Lettermen

The Twelve Days of Christmas is an English Christmas carol which a series of increasingly grandiose gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Although it was first published in England in 1780, textual evidence may indicate the song is French in origin.

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree! 

The Song

This period is referred to in the song Twelve Days of Christmas. Twelve Days of Christmas is a traditional Christmas song, or Christmas Carol. The Twelve Days of Christmas are the days from December 25 to January 6 or the Twelfth Night. The date of the song's first performance is not known, though it was used in European and Scandinavia traditions as early as the 16th century. 

The 12 Days of Christmas" is in a sense an allegory. Each of the items in the song represents something significant to the teachings of the Catholic faith. The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help Catholic children learn their faith. The song goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…" The "true love" mentioned in the song refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. i.e. the Church.

1st Day   ---  The partridge in a pear tree is Christ Jesus upon the Cross.

2nd Day  ---  The "two turtle doves" refers to the Old and New Testaments. 

3rd Day  ---  The "three French hens" stand for faith, hope and love. 

4th Day   ---  The "four calling birds" refers to the four evangelists who wrote the Gospels-Matthew,                 Mark, Luke and John. 

5th Day   ---   The "five golden rings" represents the first five books of the Bible, also called the Jewish  Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. 

6th Day   ---    The "six geese a-laying" is the six days of creation. 

7th Day   ---    The "seven swans a-swimming" refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. 

8th Day   ---    The "eight maids a milking " reminded children of the eight beatitudes listed in the Sermon on the Mount. 

9th Day   ---    The "nine ladies dancing" were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

10th Day ---    The "ten lords a-leaping" represents the Ten Commandments.

11th Day ---   The "eleven pipers piping" refers to the eleven faithful apostles. 

12th Day ---    The 'twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of belief expressed in the Apostles' Creed: belief in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, made man, crucified, died and arose on the third day, that he sits at the right hand of the father and will come again, the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.

CHRISTMAS Special : The Meaning of the Advent Wreaths

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Most Advent wreaths use three colors – purple, pink, and white. Some nowadays may use blue in place of the purple.

Purple symbolizing repentance and fasting. It is also the color of royalty, demonstrating the anticipation and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent. Many churches have begun to use blue instead of purple, as a means of distinguishing Advent from Lent.

Pink represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season away from repentance and toward celebration.

White representing purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow. It is the color of the center Advent candle.

1st Candle :  Purple Candle

THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE

We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)

2nd  Candle : Purple Candle

THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION

Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome You, O God! ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘

(Luke 3:4-6)

3rd Candle :  Pink Candle

THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY

The angels sang a message of Joy! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

(Luke 2:7-15)

4th Candle :  Purple Candle

THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE

The angles announced the good news of a Savior.  God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

5th Candle :  White Candle

“CHRIST CANDLE”

The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” 

(John 1:29)

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.‘” 

(John 3:1-8)