Freezing opening for first Jollibee in Canada

No freezing weather can stop our bestfriend Jollibee from bringing the JOY to Winnipeg, Canada! #1stJollibeeinCanada pic.twitter.com/i0HZuRmnxi

 — Jollibee (@Jollibee) December 16, 2016

 MANILA - Filipinos braved sub-zero temperatures for a taste of home as Jollibee Foods Corp. opened its first store in Canada, the company said Friday.

The Philippines' largest fast food operator is opening 150 overseas stores overseas from this year to 2017, bringing local favorites such as Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti to Filipino communities.

Customers at the Winnipeg branch, wrapped up in winter coats lined up as early as 7 a.m., waiting for their turn to order.

"No freezing weather can stop our best friend Jollibee from bringing the JOY to Winnipeg, Canada," the company said in its official Twitter account.


The company mascot, Jollibee, wearing a light blue scarf, welcomed customers to the restaurant.

Jollibee, founded by tycoon Tony Tan Caktiong, boasts of being one of the few brands to have beaten American burger giant Mc Donald's.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

CFO launches one stop portal for Pinoys abroad

MANILA – Filipinos overseas are known to quickly respond to any crisis may it be within the family, the community or the country as a whole.

This generosity that they take upon themselves as their duty as Filipinos became more evident when the country, particularly central Philippines, was battered by super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan). Donations both in cash and kind were sent through various ways to help their families and kababayans affected by the calamity.

However, not all Filipinos who work abroad get to invest for their future return to the country. Many have come home as empty-handed as before they left for work abroad.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) wants to help Filipinos abroad save up for their future, donate and transact with government agencies while overseas.

"Habang nandoon pa po kayo saan mang bayan, ini-encourage na namin kayo na magtayo ng sariling negosyo ngayon pa lang. Maaring hindi po kayo mismo, o gawin niyo para sa inyong kamag anak," said Raul Alcantara of the CFO.

Alcantara presented last week the BaLinkBayan program of the CFO, a one stop online Portal for diaspora engagement during the International Migrants Day celebration.

The CFO said BaLinkBayan aims to strengthen partnerships between overseas Filipinos and local communities, to achieve sustainable and long-term development of rural and urban localities, toward an economically prosperous Philippines.

The BaLinkBayan portal (http://balinkbayan.gov.ph), gives Filipinos abroad a comprehensive guide for engaging in the development of the Philippines through opportunities in investments, philanthropy, technology expertise and skills exchange, and special government services.

"Iba't-ibang serbisyo ng iba't-ibang government agencies at private organizations na nakatugon sa overseas Filipinos para mag invest, mag donate, mag volunteer," said Alcantara.

In the "Invest" page, the portal assists overseas Filipinos to be an entrepreneur. The "Donate" and the "Volunteer" pages encourage them to share their fortune and skills with kababayans in need. The "Online Services" page links to national government agencies, while it pilot tests local government services.

He added, "Sa online services po namin may serbisyo ng national government agencies saka local government units kung saan sila ang tutulong doon sa itatayo nyong negosyo o kung gusto nyo man mag volunteer sa iba't-ibang mission na kailangan ng communities," Alcantara said.

Alcantara encouraged Filipinos and their families to spread the word about he BaLinkBayan portal.

"So far, sa loob ng 60 days, ang bumisita na po sa amin ay 1,643. Kailangan namin ng tulong ninyo. Sabihin nyo sa mga kamag-anak, kaibigan niyo. Bisitahin nyo kami sa Facebook at nasa Twitter din kami,' he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoys in Europe celebrate PH Independence Day

LONDON - Various Filipino communities in London joined together to celebrate the 115 years of Philippine independence.

Wearing traditional costumes, Filipinos attended mass at Our Lady of Victories church in Kensington.

"Everyone in society has a role to play in ensuring that Philippines prospers and that we really live up to the ideals of our independence. No one person or group can do it alone," said Ambassador Enrique Manalo.

A cultural presentation with Filipino songs and dances concluded the celebration.

Last weekend, there were also various small gatherings of Filipino groups in north west London for an early celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

Members of all ages from the Kapa-Mill Association attended mass at the Sacred Heart and Mary Immaculate Church in the suburban area of Mill Hill.

"We're very happy na nangyari ito ngayon and we're very excited din. Ang dami-daming tao na dumating. We're proud to be Filipinos," said Emir Torta.

"Dito po kami nagkakasama ng mga OFWs ng London i-celebrate namin ang ganitong kaarawan," said choir singer, Emma Granada.

In Italy, Filipino communities with the backing of Filipino businessmen staged a parade.

A flag raising ceremony was also held at the Philippine Embassy in the Holy See. It was followed by a busy program highlighting Filipino songs and dances.

A special guest from the Philippines wowed the crowds.

"It such an honor na pasayahin ko ang mga Filipino. It's nice to be part of their celebration that celebrates that kind of character ng Filipino na talagang matibay, matatag," said actor Jericho Rosales.

In Milan, the Philippine independence was celebrated with a special program showcasing Filipino culture.

The Bayanihan Dance Company impressed the audience with Philippine history, culture, and national identity presented through songs and dances.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com