Category Archives: Business

JOLLIBEE TO PULL OUT OF THE U.S. MARKET; CHOWKING GAINING MOMENTUM

April 7, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

SAN FRANCISCO, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – McDonald’s has all but conceded that it cannot compete with Jollibee in the Philippines. The clown is simply unable to keep up with the popularity of that “fat, stupid happy bee” in the Asian island nation.

But the opposite is true in the U.S.

McDonald’s is outpacing Jollibee in all markets throughout the continental U.S., as well as in Alaska and Hawaii.

As a result, Jollibee has announced it is completely pulling out of the U.S. market.

In the last few years, many have noticed that the Jollibee mascot has become pale and has lost a lot of weight (see photo) due to the declining number of customers and disappointing sales figures.

Jollibee Foods Corporation says it will relocate all of its U.S.-based mascots to the Philippines, where they are expected to recover quickly.

Meanwhile, another Philippines-based fast food restaurant is gaining momentum in the U.S.

download Chowking USA is a quick service restaurant from the Philippines with a Chinese-influenced menu. Chowking, its mother brand, is one of the most recognized and well-loved fast food chains in the Philippines. The brand opened its first store in the U.S. in 1995. Back then, the chain catered primarily to Filipino Americans, bringing them iconic menu items from the original Chowking.

Today, Chowking USA serves not just the Filipino community but the local US market as well by providing a delicious and satisfying Chinese fast food experience. It now has 19 locations in 3 states: California, Nevada, and Washington.

Goodbye Chicken Joy. Hello chow fun!

Business, Tourism

BALESIN ISLAND RESORT CEO: ‘WE ALSO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST OUR STAFF’

April 6, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Balesin Island Club (Photo credit: www.philrealty-showroom.com) — Balesin Island Club (Photo credit:
http://www.philrealty-showroom.com)

BALESIN ISLAND, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The CEO of the exclusive, members-only Balesin Island Club today defended the resort’s yaya meal, saying it is not only being served to members’ nannies but also to the club’s operating staff.’

In a statement posted on the resort’s Facebook page, Mike M. Asperin stressed that the “yaya’s meal” will never be served unless instructed by the guest. He said that the yayas of the Club’s guests have the option—if permitted by their employer—to order any meal they like.

“Any talk of discrimination is inappropriate,” he also said.

The resort came under fire when beauty queen Maggie Wilson-Consunji complained about the “yaya’s meal” in a post on her Facebook account.

She said that their server barred her mother from ordering the same meal her son’s nanny ordered, saying it was a “yaya’s meal.”

Although the management cleared up the matter with Consunji, she said she still found it offensive that Balesin is even offering the “yaya’s meal” as an option.

Asperin insisted that the “yaya’s meals” are not second-rate.

“Incidentally, the yayas are thrilled with their meals because these are deliciously prepared by our chefs, as well, for our operating staff at Balesin,” he said.

Asperin said that the resort cannot be accused of ‘discriminating against nannies or drivers of our members, because we, too are discriminating against our staff.’

There you have it. All things cleared: No steak and lobster for nannies and the club’s staff.

Business, Economy, Politics, Travel

CLASS DISCRIMINATION: A PHOTO ESSAY

April 5, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – History has taught us about the racial prejudices of decades past. Are we better off now than those days when drinking faucets were segregated between whites and colored people, or when Filipinos were barred from entering establishments in America?

The big news this Easter weekend in the Philippines was the discovery of the yaya meal, served exclusively to nannies at the members-only luxurious resort at Balesin island, just miles from Manila.

But discrimination based on class or economic status is more pervasive than what was revealed in Balesin.

For our Easter Sunday edition, we feature a photo essay about social discrimination happening everywhere — in resorts, corporate offices, private condominiums, and yes, even in the U.S. Congress.

We let the photos speak for themselves. (Where available, we included links to corresponding narratives. Simply click on the image/photo.)