McDonald's gives Chicken McDo to thousands of magkapangalan customers nationwide

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For FREE? Yes, for FREE!

McDonald’s held an in-store celebration of its best tasting chicken as it gave away FREE 1PC Chicken McDo to customers with the same name or similar sounding names during the #PaChickenMcDo para sa mga Magkapangalan event held yesterday.

This is McDonald's way of treating more customers with its best-tasting Chicken McDo that is marinated, breaded, and fried to a golden perfection! Magkapangalan customers who dined in select McDonald’s restaurants nationwide confessed that the juicier and tastier Chicken McDo is indeed"McMcMc-Masarap!"

In April this year, McDonald’s treated thousands of Joy to a FREE 1PC Chicken McDo in select stores in Metro Manila. Now, more customers like Carlo, Karlo, Mary, Marie, Jayson, Jason, Paulo, and Paolo, have enjoyed Chicken McDo not only within the metro but across the country!

Like them, you can try Chicken McDo anytime at McDonald's stores nationwide. You can also avail of it via Drive-Thru or McDelivery (86-2-36, www.mcdelivery.com.ph, or the McDo PH app).

Share your photos enjoying Chicken McDo on Facebook, facebook.com/McDo.ph or tag @McDo_PH.

McDonald's crew ready to serve!

Customers enjoying the best tasting Chicken McDo

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This group does the M sign as they enjoy their free Chicken McDo

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Customers enjoying #PaChickenMcDo in Cebu!

All smiles while in line for their Chicken McDo

Excited for their turn to dine-in!​​

Raising the Flag on Labor and Rights : Verité's free symposium on “Overseas Workers in Japan: Promises and Risks.”

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Manila, Philippines—In light of the plight of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Verité is holding a free symposium on the recruitment process and working conditions of migrant Filipino workers in Japan, “Overseas Workers in Japan: Promises and Risks.” The symposium took place on September 12 from 2:00PM to 6:00PM at the GT Toyota Building, Asian Studies Center in UP Diliman.

The same symposium will also be held at the Kawasaki Hotel Nikko in Tokyo on September 28 for the OFW community, labor rights advocates, policymakers, and ethical employment practitioners in Japan. 

The symposium will begin with a viewing of the short documentary titled ”Ijū-sha: Reportage on Filipino Workers in Japan,” written and directed by Harris Guevarra, that features overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their stories of the hardships and opportunities they encountered abroad. 

This will be followed by speeches and remarks from known authorities and labor rights advocates. Among the speakers is Vice President Leni Robredo, known for her involvement in grassroots projects and community service, who will share her views on migration. 

After the speeches, the floor will be opened for the symposium, where guests will be encouraged to participate in a discussion of our OFWs’ respective situations and think of the ways they can help the OFWs through the Philippines’ and Japan’s labor laws. Experts from Verité and representatives from the government and NGOs will lead the discussion and lay down frameworks for improved systems. Refreshments will be served after the discussions and guests will have a chance to build networks and further discuss the topic.

The event is expected to be a milestone in the long battle to secure the rights of our fellow Filipinos working abroad and ensure that they are earning the due benefits they are working for. Key stakeholders and partners from the government, private sector, civil society, and academe are encouraged to attend the event and discuss ways to minimize risks and maximize benefits for our migrant workers. 

IJŪ-SHA: ABOUT THE FILM

Ijū-sha looks into the lives of our migrant Filipino workers in Japan through stories from returned worker, a jobseeker, and a currently employed OFW in Japan. The stories of Filipino migrant workers in Japan are told primarily by three women: Rose, Cecile, and Sugar. 

Their personalities and lives differ from each other, but their stories of life as workers and their aspirations and motivations for working abroad echo the same struggle for livelihood, challenges brought about by foreign culture and laws, and desire for a better future. Each storyteller shares her hardships, those of which we’ve come to associate with working abroad. But these sacrifices also come with hard-earned successes, unbridled happiness, and euphoric reunions. 

The documentary begins with the women sharing their reasons for wanting to work in Japan. Some of them want to experience snow, while some of them want to work with the Japanese because they know them to be kind and respectful people. Cecile cites the most common, yet most important reason: “Nung 18 po ako, kaya ko naisipan mag-Japan, dahil sa hirap ng buhay sa Pilipinas.” (When I was 18, I thought of going to Japan because life in the Philippines is really hard.) These women, like most OFWs, found Japan attractive because of the opportunities it presented. 

Cecile, who worked as an entertainer, recounts how she was always amazed at her friend who worked in Japan and always brought back to the Philippines many goods and expensive jewelry. It was this friend who suggested that Cecile apply as a performer in Japan. “Pagdating ko doon, excited akong maging singer, kinakanta ko si Whitney Houston!” (When I got there, I was so excited to become a singer—I kept singing Whitney Houston songs!) Cecile shared her excitement then. But this excitement is soon replaced by disappointment and apprehension when she realizes that the job and place was not what she expected. The contracts, which should have been theirs to read, were only read by their managers. 

The documentary investigates the exploitation of migrant workers and the unfair treatments and abusive employment they endure. The documentary also features key persons in the government and NGOs involved in the promotion of labor rights and OFW welfare, as well as authorities in Japan: Danilo Navarro, President of the Association of Philippine Licensed Agencies for Technical Internship Program, Inc. (APLATIP); Rose Otero-Yamanaka, Director of Batis Center for Women; Maria Luz Tolentino, Labor Attaché of the Philippine Embassy in Japan; Takeshi Yumoto, CSR Supply Chain General Manager of Teijin; Ellene Sana, Executive Director of the Center for Migrant Advocacy; Virgie Ishihara, Director of the Filipino Migrant Center in Nagoya, Japan; Marie Apostol, Director of FAIR Hiring Initiative and Founder of Verité Southeast Asia; and Takashi Ueno, entrepreneur and greenhorn in the recruitment business.

These social workers and government personnel illustrate the recruitment and migration process and share the loopholes being exploited by agencies and brokers. They also provide solutions and certain actions we can take to help protect our migrant workers from exploitation, such as policy advocacy and crisis intervention. Marie Apostol cites their projects “to demonstrate ethical recruitment standards based on the Verité Manpower Ethical Framework for cross-border recruitment.” All in all, they stress the important role of legislative bodies, lobbyists, policy watchers, and labor authorities in ensuring that our OFWs enjoy fair hiring processes, and safe and clear-cut employment.

The documentary closes with a reminder of why Filipinos seek jobs abroad. There are opportunities in migration and finding work overseas. Writer and Director Harris Guevarra, who followed and interviewed migrants in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka for the documentary, said, “Ijū-sha is a candid glimpse into the lives of our OFWs in Japan—a trunk line for our fellow Filipinos whose stories disappear into language barriers and the vast ocean separating them from home.”

VERITÉ, LABOR RIGHTS, AND FAIR EMPLOYMENT

Since its inception, Verité has been a staunch defender and promoter of labor rights. Child labor, slavery, employment and workplace discrimination, unfair and dangerous working conditions, and insufficient compensation or unpaid work—these span the vast range of labor issues that the organization seeks to solve. 

For this particular event, Verité wishes to shine a brighter light on the problems that OFWs encounter, specifically in Japan where many of our fellow Filipinos go to find work and experience their culture. The organization hopes that the closer and intimate look into the experiences and dreams of our migrant workers, as well as the discussions that will follow, will foster a deeper understanding of the issue and spur other organizations and the government to action. 

Ijū-sha, the documentary that will be shown at the start of the event, was also done in partnership with Verité. Daryll Delgado of Verité Southeast Asia believes that the documentary is not only a window to look into the lives of OFWs in Japan, but also a door of opportunity for us to take action on labor rights and migrant worker welfare: “We are imploring viewers to listen and take to heart the stories, lessons, and ideas imparted by the OFWs and labor rights advocates we interviewed. This documentary should serve as both an eye-opener and an inspiration for us to begin criticizing and improving our labor system.”

Lastly, the symposium is not just an avenue for raising awareness and inspiring action, but also for labor rights advocates to network and build partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations. Through this event, Verité hopes that both Philippine and Japanese governments, along with other NGOs, recruitment agencies, and labor rights advocates, will begin to work together for the benefit of our OFWs today and in the future, as well as their families in the home country.

beep™ card expands usage to RRCG P2P buses

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Mega Manila commuters can count on their beep™ card for rides on another point-to-point (P2P) bus line. AF Payments Inc. announced that it has implemented its tap-and-go payment system in RRCG Transport’s P2P buses from Alabang Town Center (ATC) to Greenbelt 1 (Makati City) following a successful public trial last week.

The route operates from 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM with a bus that leaves every 30 minutes. The promo fare (extended until further notice) is P50, while the one-way discounted fare for senior citizens, PWDs, and students is P40. For concessionary beep™ cardholders, the discount is automatically deducted while students who wish to avail of the discount will have to pay in cash. There will be selling booths stationed at the ATC and Greenbelt 1 terminals for those who want to purchase or reload their beep™ card.

“After our rollout in northern Metro Manila P2P buses, we’re catering now to commuters down south. The RRCG Transport P2P bus service is a welcome option for commuters from the south. We are pleased that riders can use the multi-purpose beep™ card to pay for their fares,” said Peter Maher, President and CEO of AF Payments Inc.

The RRCG Transport premium P2P service aims to provide a more convenient and reliable transportation system to residents of southern Metro Manila. These buses provide free Wi-Fi to passengers and are equipped with CCTV cameras for additional security. Compartments underneath have provisions for storing bikes, wheelchairs, and other equipment.

The P2P bus service system was created by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to help improve traffic as the buses travel nonstop from the terminal to the drop-off point. It also aims to ease commuter woes by cutting travel time compared to normal multi-stop buses. The P2P system currently has routes from Trinoma-Makati and Ortigas-Makati. More P2P routes will be added in the next few months.

The beep™ card is a tap-and-go payment system accepted in all three elevated railways (LRT 1, LRT 2, and MRT 3), select bus lines and at the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX). It can be purchased for P20, is reloadable and valid for four years. Offsite reloading partners are also now available. More information about beep™ may be obtained at the website and on Facebook (beep card) and Twitter (@beep_card).

About AF Payments Inc.

AF Payments Inc. is a consortium of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Ayala Corp. that provides contactless payment solutions in the Philippines through its integrated product and service offerings, thereby enhancing the transaction experience of every Filipino.

Its tap-and-go payment system, the beep™ card, is available for use in all three elevated railways (LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3) and select bus lines.

Website and Social Media

www.beeptopay.com

www.facebook.com/beepcardph

www.twitter.com/beep_card

Globe myBusiness launches more complete online shopping experience with new Shopify partners

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The online community is getting bigger and wider nowadays, and with the help of the rampant pace of social media and technological enhancements such as hi-tech gadgets and online apps to simplifybusiness, it comes to no surprise that even online shopping is now a trend. Entrepreneurs that delved into the eCommerce industry are currently trying to market their brand and products or services they offer the best and most efficient way they can.

Last year, Globe myBusiness has established a solid partnership with Shopify - the number one eCommerce platform in the world. With Shopify enabling business owners to have their own online shop and business eCommerce management platform, this gives opportunity to expand their business without the hassle. This last quarter of the year, they will be offering new add-ons for Globe myBusiness customers through their partnerships with logistics services (Xend), design and set-up services (Ropo), digital advertising services (AdSpark) and payment services.

Aside from Globe myBusiness partnering up with several existing customers to set-up their store inside Globe Gen3 stores around the metro, the existing Shopify sellers no longer need to look for external agencies for services such as the aforementioned add-ons. Everything in the eCommerce world that every SME would need, Shopify has them. It’s an all-in-one package for all Globe myBusiness customers.

Aligned with the Globe purpose, Globe myBusiness is definitely making businesses flourish. Their partnership with Shopify, Xend, Ropo and AdSpark strengthens the business customers by creating an avenue for them to feature their products in a more diversified digital platform.

Neon Island, a Filipino online clothing store founded in 2013 by Aira Medina and Chi Gibbs, together with Craft Carrot Art Tools, Inc., a provider of quality art materials and craft supplies for professional artists, hobbyists, and DIY enthusiasts, are one of the businesses that is featured during WWG at the ICONIC store in BGC, Taguig City. They are able to maintain the small footprint thanks to Shopify. Their inventory is properly stowed and accounted for using the eCommerce app. Selling their products are simplified using a tablet for browsing products to closing the deal.

“The main objective of this project is to reiterate the company’s advocacy to help improve the lives of every Filipino. Through this project, we are able to help our SME consumers / customers to have a better marketing strategy to promote their brand,” said Barbie Dapul, Globe myBusiness VP. “And what better way to market their brand but to put them at one of Globe Telecom’s biggest event of the year - the WWG.” Dapul added.

Shopify, the number one eCommerce platform in the world partnered with Globe myBusiness to help the SMEs tap the eCommerce industry, has launched the smallest store project with other business partners’ stalls in all Gen3 stores and its surrounding locations.

Rev. Fr. Leo E. Schmitt wins the 29th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award

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Rev. Fr. Leo E. Schmitt was given the 29th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award held at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC, Makati Ciity, September 26, 2016

Manila, Philippines --- Saint Teresa's life is “an epitome of grace, compassion and love”. 

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA) is an annual award given to selfless individuals who have served the poorest of the poor as inspired by the life of the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

The 29th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA) recognizes German-Filipino priest Rev. Fr. Leo Schmitt, SVD, as this year’s winner for dedicating his life to helping the marginalized poor communities and informal settlers in the Philippines for the past 40 years. 

Rev. Fr. Leo Schmitt, SVD

Fr. Leo started his advocacy in the 1970s when the worsening economic and political situation in the country has pushed the Catholic Church to respond to the needs of the people.

He founded ‘Action Leaven,’ a non-profit organization that seeks to serve the underprivileged communities in the country, which was adopted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) with Fr. Leo serving as Executive Director for two years, until it was turned over to the Archdiocese of Manila.

“Though restricted by old age, Fr. Schmitt remains a vibrant and enthusiastic inspiration for all the clergy, both diocesan and religious. His life of simplicity, faithfulness, humility and pastoral service is his best contribution to the mission,” Antipolo Diocesan Bishop Gabriel Reyes describes Fr. Leo.

“Through the generosity of various organizations, Fr. Leo receive a trophy and a cash prize of Php500,000. Fr. Leo’s chosen charity will also receive a cash prize of Pho500,000, and an additional Php500,000 worth of goods and services. We believe that these gifts will go a long way in helping Fr. Leo’s chosen advocacy,” says Gio Valencia, 2016 BTCA Chairman.

Mel Aguinaldo, creative artist, designed the 2016 "Saint Teresa of Calcutta" award given to German-Filipino priest Rev. Fr. Leo E. Schmitt

This year is monumental for the BTCA organization as Mother Teresa has been declared a saint by Pope Francis on Sunday at a canonization ceremony held in Vatican City. The canonization on September 4 comes on the eve of her 19th death anniversary. 

BTCA is a joint project of the AY Foundation and the JCI Philippines-Manila, which aims to refocus the public’s attention to those who have dedicated their lives to the service of others.

Rev. Fr. LEO E. SCHMITT, SVD

Fr. Leo, the disciplinarian formator turned social worker…super energetic founder of communities and housing for the poor… with a huge heart for the poor!

He was born in Grunebach, Diocese of Trier in West Germany on May 9, 1928. He studied and was ordained in Germany in 1954. He is now 88 years old, and 62 years as a priest. He still at work, and refuses to be included among the retirees at the Villa Cristo Rey. He has indeed, done incredibly great corporal works of mercy!

After ordination, he went to England and for several years, he stayed at the St. Richard’s College for Foreign Missions before coming to the Philippines. (1958-60).

He was assigned for formation work, first at the Mary Help of Christians Diocesan Seminary in Binmaley, Pangasinan as prefect of the seminarians (1961-62).

Next, Christ the King Mission Seminary became his home for 35 years. (1962- 1997).

He was professor and prefect of the College seminarians (1962-70)

In 1970, his life changed dramatically, as he became more aware of the need to get involved in social work, a post Vatican II development. In the Philippine context, the need was more urgent because of the worsening economic and political situation. This was the time of violent activism, with the onset of the First Quarter Storm. The Church had to respond, and Fr. Leo proposed to start a project called ‘Action Leaven’, a movement for church people, to penetrate society and find out what the Church can do for the poor. The pioneer group of Leaveners was composed of 70 priests, nuns, seminarians, community organizers, engineers and agriculturist among others. It was adopted by CBCP as an experiment for the Archdiocese of Manila. Fr. Leo was its executive Director for 2 years, before it was turned over to the Archdiocese. The timing was unfortunate, because when Martial Law was declared by Marcos in 1972, social work was greatly hampered by government policies. Fr. Leo, however, had been magnetized to work with the poor.

Shortly after leaving the Action Leaven, some 800 families sought his help after being forced to leave the depressed community of Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong. He was thrown into the herculean task of looking for a relocation site for the squatter community. Together with 2 SVD confreres, 2 sisters and 5 laymen, Fr. Leo created a foundation possessing a legal personality that would address the problem of informal settlers. On September 28, 1971, the SAMAHANG BAGONG BUHAY FOUNDATION INCORPORATION (SBBFI) was formally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock and non-profit corporation.

From the time of the foundation’s birth, many housing projects were built: San Antonio Village in Antipolo; San Jose Freinademetz Subdivision in Cogeo, Antipolo; Janssenville Subdivision in Cainta, Rizal; San Agustin Village in Antipolo; San Lorenzo Ruiz in Bulacan and Antipolo; St. Francis Square, Payong, which is also in Antipolo.

Originally, Janssenville was part of the St. Anthony of Padua Parish. When the canonization of the then Blessed Arnold became certain in 2002, Fr. Leo approached the bishop about the plan of making Janssenville the seat of a new parish to be named after the SVD founder. It was eventually approved that a new parish should be erected “to thank St. Arnold for the services of his congregations to the Church, in particular to the Diocese of Antipolo and to promote his virtues.” On 30th of November, 2003 the St. Arnold Janssen Parish was canonically erected. It was the first and only permanent religious parish in the Diocese of Antipolo. On January 15, 2004, Fr. Leo was installed as its first parish priest.

The diocesan bishop of Antipolo, Gabriel Reyes, says, “though restricted by old age, Fr. Schmitt remains a vibrant and enthusiastic inspiration for all the clergy...both diocesan and religious. His life of simplicity, faithfulness, humility and pastoral service is his best contribution for mission.”

Fr. Schmitt renounced his German citizenship and embraced Filipino citizenship to show his commitment in alleviating the pangs of poverty and homelessness among the poor Filipinos. Truly, he is an SVD who not only shared the vision of St. Arnold Janssen, he has also lived a life in mission.

The Society of the Divine Word Philippine Central Province gave the ST. ARNOLD JANSSEN MISSION AWARD to Fr. Leo in 2014, in recognition of his exemplary efforts in integrating and concretizing Mission as vision and action.

Today, Fr. Leo asserts that, “You cannot go wrong if you work on the premise of a Christian value and the development of the total person.” Indeed, Janssenville and the other communities founded by Fr. Leo and the Samahang Bagong Buhay Foundation remains a strong source of hope and inspiration in their community building and the upliftment of every person’s dignity.

(Source: SVD Mission Phlippines, Inc. – Steve Villarosa)

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About A.Y. Foundation, Inc.

The AY Foundation Inc. is a YGC member, tracing back its roots to the Bayanihan Foundation set up in 1970 by Amb. Alfonso T. Yuchengco to administer an educational fund for the children of Grepalife employees and sales associates. It has then evolved to support health related projects, inspire youth to exemplify the virtues of discipline, integrity, self-sacrifice, and courage and instills social responsibility involvement among them. For more information, please visit www.ayfoundation.com.ph or call (+632) 894.9000 or drop by 48F Yuchengco Tower RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City

About JCI Philippines

JCI Philippines is part of a leading global network that of young active citizens that aims to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change in their communities to build as one. For more information, please visit www.jci.org.ph or call (+632) 374.4138, email at info@jci.org.ph or drop by 14 Don A. Roces Avenue, 1103 Quezon City

About JCI Philippines-Manila

JCI Manila is the first and premier leadership organization established not only in the Philippines but also in Asia, where young men join to become better leaders. The organization believes that it is through reaching out to others that you learn more about yourself. 

For more information, please visit www.jcimanila.org or call (+632) 525.6791 or email clubhouse@jcimanila.org