Category Archives: Business

Why Disneyland Is Not Coming To The Philippines

imageANGELES CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It would have been an iconic proof of foreign investor confidence in the Philippines as has been constantly touted by the Aquino administration, but alas, Disneyland is, after all, not coming to this country in Asia.

In the past few weeks, Filipinos were filled with great excitement after hearing the news that Disney investors have agreed to build a Disneyland resort in the province of Pampanga, former site of the U.S. Clark Airforce Base.

Today, however, Disney told The Adobo Chronicles that the multi-billion company has nixed the idea of a Disneyland in Pampanga.

It has been reported that President Aquino has been wooing Disney as part of his administration’s campaign to increase foreign investment and promote world tourism in his country.

The Chronicles learned that Aquino gave Disney two conditions that needed to be met before it can build the theme park in the Philippines:

1. That the park be built in Tarlac, instead of Pampanga.  Tarlac, of course, is the hometown of Aquino, while Pampanga is the hometown of his nemesis, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

2. That the park be named NoyNoy Aquino Disneyland.  It was Aquino’s last-ditch effort to seal his legacy, and in keeping with major infrastructure being named after his family, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the 22-kilometer paved road network, the Cory Aquino Highway, which will connect the Cagayan Valley to Ilocos Region via Solsona town in Ilocos Norte.

Disney, however, said that Tarlac, unlike Pampanga, was not an ideal site for the theme park because of the presence of the controversial Hacienda Luisita (owned by the Aquinos).  It also said it didn’t want to politicize its business ventures by naming its park after political dynasties.

So for now, Filipinos can visit Disneyland in the U.S. — if they can get a visa — or Japan, where it is much easier to get one.

Mercedes Unveils Its Jeepney Benz

The Mercedes Jeepney Benz (Photo: Adobo Chronicles)
The Mercedes Jeepney Benz (Photo: Adobo Chronicles)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Car manufacturing and sales continue to boom in the Philippines, proof that the country is no longer the “Sick Man of Asia,” but rather, “The Rising Tiger.”

The fact that the German company, Porche, has opened a dealership in the Philippines is a testament that there is a lucrative market for luxury cars in the country.

Now, Mercedes Benz has unveiled its latest  model, available only in the Philippines — the Jeepney Benz. It is modeled after the military-style passenger vehicles which are the primary mode of mass transportation especially in the urban areas like Metro Manila and Baguio.

The first unit of the newly-assembled fleet of Jeepney Benz hit the road last weekend in Baguio City, summer capital of the Philippines.  The launch coincided with one of the largest festivals in the country, the ‘Panagbenga’ or flower blossom festival.

A spokesperson for Mercedes Benz said that by the end of 2016, most, if not all of the aging passenger jeepneys in Baguio will have been replaced by the Jeepney Benz. Mercedes is offering a low-interest loan to jeepney operators to encourage them to trade in their old vehicles for the luxury model.

So, when in Baguio, ride in style.  The Mercedes way.

McDonald’s Now Runs A University In The Philippines

imageBAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – McDonald’s, the American fast food giant, has finally thrown in the towel, realizing that in the Philippines, it just cannot compete with its local counterpart, Jollibee.

But the resilient McDonald’s is not giving up altogether.  It has started to shift its business operations from hamburgers to education.

Ronald McDonald has announced that it is taking over the ownership and management of the University of Baguio in the Philippines.

It is a move that is considered a ‘win-win’ situation because McDonald’s will not only profit from operating a university. Its student cafeteria will still offer the regular McDonald’s menu. What’s more, its revenue from operating the university will be tax-exempt.

If the pilot project in Baguio City is successful, McDonald’s plans to buy other universities throughout the Philippines.

What’s next? Perhaps a Bachelor’s Degree in Fastfood Business Administration?