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| Jollibee Hong Kong Managing Director Rose Lam (middle) and Senior Brand Marketing Manager Charmaine Leung (left) recently received the Outstanding Food Corporate of the Year award at the Hong Kong Commercial Times Business Awards 2025. (Image Source: Jollibee Group) |
The Jollibee Group continues to spread joy through superior taste and proves that this unique taste indeed transcends borders as Jollibee Hong Kong received several prestigious recognitions this year that celebrate both its products and its growing presence in the market. Among its most recent accolades, Jollibee was honored with two voters’ choice awards: My Favourite Fast-Food Shop at the U Food Favourite Food Awards 2025, and Best-Ever American Cuisine 2025 at the Weekend Weekly Food Awards. These latest consumer-driven recognitions continue to highlight the brand’s enduring appeal and the way its quality resonates with diverse communities in Hong Kong.
Adding to these distinctions, Jollibee was also named Outstanding Food Corporate of the Year (年度最傑出飲食集團) at the Hong Kong Commercial Times Business Awards 2025, underscoring the team’s hard work and the brand’s growth within the Hong Kong business community. “These awards show us that the taste of Jollibee truly crosses borders and cultures, bringing joy to families and communities in Hong Kong. They are the culmination of our hard work this year and a major reaffirmation, not only of our teams in Hong Kong but also of the global strength of our brand built on superior taste,” said Jollibee Group Global President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong. Jollibee Group China Chairman Carl Tancaktiong added, “We are humbled by the continued trust and love from our discerning consumers in Hong Kong. These recognitions inspire us to keep expanding and making Jollibee more accessible to more people, not just in Hong Kong but worldwide.”
These recognitions affirm Jollibee’s unwavering passion for creating joyful moments through great food and experiences. Beloved for its perfectly crispy, juicy Chickenjoy fried chicken and localized offerings tailored to Hong Kong’s tastes, Jollibee continues to blend its signature warmth with local flair — turning every visit into a celebration of community and flavor. Building on this success, Jollibee Hong Kong’s recent citations add to the brand’s growing list of global taste accolades. In the U.S., Chickenjoy was named the #1 Best Fast-Food Fried Chicken for two consecutive years by USA Today’s 10th Best Readers’ Choice Awards while Ad Age has recognized Jollibee as one of the world’s hottest brands.
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Eastwood City Thrills Thousands In Iconic New Year Celebration
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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Eastwood City) |
Eastwood City welcomed 2026 in spectacular style as thousands of guests gathered at the revitalized Eastwood Mall Open Park for the country’s longest-running New Year Countdown celebration — culminating in the Dazzling Star Drop and an extended grand fireworks display that lit up the skyline at the stroke of midnight. Headlined by Rico Blanco, Klarisse De Guzman, and Maki, the highly anticipated countdown delivered a night of electrifying performances that built up to the township’s signature finale, transforming Eastwood City into a radiant spectacle as the New Year began.
Rico Blanco delivered a defining performance that showcased his genre-blending artistry and enduring influence on the Filipino music scene, performing fan favorites like “Antukin”, “Your Universe”, and “You’ll Be Safe Here” which continue to captivate listeners all over the country. Klarisse belted out her soulful, high-range vocals, leaving the crowd in awe of her masterful renditions of songs. Maki painted the night with contemporary flair by performing his chart-topping hits “Dilaw” and “Kahel Na Langit”. The celebration also featured rising P-pop group KAIA and Filipino-Japanese artist Ena Mori, whose distinct sounds showcased how emerging artists are redefining OPM and ushering in a vibrant, evolving era for Philippine music.
As the clock struck midnight, Eastwood City’s iconic Dazzling Star Drop marked the official countdown to the New Year, a tradition that has become a defining moment of the township’s celebration. This was followed by an extended fireworks display that illuminated the skyline, filling the Open Park and surrounding areas with a spectacle of color and light. The Eastwood City New Year Countdown brought the community together, giving families and friends an opportunity to enjoy a seamless blend of high-octane performances, immersive attractions, and festive moments for an unforgettable start to the year.
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NYE At The 5th Seen Up-Close With vivo X300 Series
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| (Image Source: vivo Philippines) |
New Year’s Eve (NYE) has a way of pulling people together. On December 31, 2025, thousands gathered at NYE At The 5th in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), waiting for the final seconds of the year 2025 with phones in hand, eyes on the stage, and hearts set on new beginnings. In a crowd that large, not every moment happens within arm’s reach. The performers are on elevated stages, the fireworks burst far above the skyline, and the countdown clock feels just out of view. But that night, the vivo X300 Series changed how the celebration was seen.
As live performances filled the air, the vivo X300’s 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera captured artists like KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde mid-song, G22 dancers in motion, and every movement of Apl de Ap that usually disappears into the lights from afar. Close-up shots revealed details often missed in a packed crowd, the intensity on a singer’s face, and the movement of hands during Dionela’s guitar solo. It felt less like standing at the back and more like being right on stage with them. The night was more than performances; it was about the shared experience. With a simple zoom, the vivo X300 Series captured candid performances of Parokya ni Edgar live on stage.
Two photos highlight the difference the Telephoto King makes: one from afar showing the full band on stage and a second zoomed-in shot of Chito Miranda, revealing expression and stage presence otherwise lost in the distance. New Year’s Eve is about looking ahead, but it’s also about remembering how it felt when the year turned. At NYE At The 5th 2025, the vivo X300 Series made it possible to hold on to every moment, near or far, exactly as it happened.
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RMA Studio Academy Proudly Shares Its Winning Moments And Collaboration Project For 2026
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/RMA Studio Academy) |
The successful staging of That’s Amore concert last November 2025 led into something bigger and brighter for RMA Studio Academy and its students. In the recently concluded 38th Aliw Awards, the said concert won Best Special Events Production while its director Nazer Salcedo brought home the Best Special Events Director award. RMA students shone brightly and emerged as winners in the Aliw Awards with Theo Tiu as Male Child Performer of the Year and Natalie Grace Yanzon and Zia Dantes recognized as Female Child Performers of the Year for the second time, the first was in 2024. Furthermore, RMA officially turned over the proceeds from the That’s Amore concert to Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP). With the success of That’s Amore concert, another musical extravaganza is about to unfold including a meaningful collaboration for a good cause.
On April 26, 2026, RMA Studio Academy and ASP will reunite in performing on stage to showcase their God’s given talents. This exciting collaboration will take place at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City – a bigger venue, a newer crowd yet with a more caring mission to provide opportunities and understand better the children in the spectrum. RMA continues to transform lives through music, keeping its desire to serve children in the spectrum through performing arts. The love for music and performing arts transcends as the academy pays it forward to children with special needs. Its founder Jade Riccio shares, “Our passion for music and the performing arts become our platforms to give back to others as part of our ultimate mission to transform lives through music.” Being in the industry for a few years, RMA Studio Academy has been honing and training people of all ages, proving how love can become an instrument in creating music and giving inspiration to people especially those who need it. For the last two successful performances they had, RMA remained committed to uplifting lives through music.
The partnership between RMA and ASP grows as it becomes a testament to RMA’s mission of transforming lives through music. “This collaboration allows us to keep inspiring our students to hone their innate talents while leaving a meaningful mark to others,” said Riccio.
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EastWest Rural Bank Marks 12th Anniversary With Outreach Program For Schools In Remote And Typhoon-Hit Areas
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/EastWest Rural Bank) |
EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB) marked its 12th year anniversary with an outreach initiative that reached schools located in far-flung communities and areas affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan. The program ran last November 5-20, 2025, covering selected public schools across Regions 5, 6, 7, and 11. A total of 590 learners and 49 teachers received Jollibee meals, drawing and coloring materials, rice packs, and EWRB giveaways as part of the Bank’s anniversary activities.
According to EWRB President Sheila Marasigan-Bajado, the activity shows the Bank’s intention to stay present in the communities it serves: “Our team wanted to celebrate the anniversary by reaching out to schools that needed a boost after the recent typhoons. We are grateful to the teachers and school heads who welcomed us and allowed us to spend time with their learners.” Teachers, school heads, and barangay representatives assisted in facilitating the distribution activities, which were conducted on-site in each community. Overall, the outreach covered five public schools across four regions: Lipata Elementary School in Masbate and San Isidro Elementary School in Cataingan, both from Region 5; Cudian Elementary School in Brgy. Cudian, Ivisan, Capiz in Region 6; Combado Elementary School in Purok Pagtinabangay, Combado, Bogo City in Region 7; and Cayawan Elementary School in Manay, Davao Oriental in Region 11.
The anniversary outreach continues EWRB’s broader efforts to stay connected with schools and families in the countryside, especially during periods of recovery after natural calamities.
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A Taste Of Quiet Luxury At 18 Jade In Gateway Mall 2
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| (Image Source: thephilbiznews/Araneta City) |
At the heart of Araneta City’s ever-evolving food scene, a new dining experience is quietly asserting itself — with restraint, symbolism, and depth of flavor. 18 Jade, the latest show kitchen to open at World Kitchens, invites diners to slow down and rediscover Chinese cuisine through a lens of refinement. Located at Gateway Mall 2, 18 Jade draws its identity from meaning as much as from technique. In Chinese culture, the number 18 is associated with prosperity and good fortune, while jade is prized for its purity, beauty, and enduring value. These ideas shape the restaurant’s philosophy, from its menu to its manner of service.
At the helm is Chef Zhouping Liang whose culinary journey includes years of professional training and kitchen experience in Singapore. His approach is disciplined and deliberate, grounded in tradition yet attuned to modern sensibilities. Dishes are built around balance — of flavor, texture, and aroma — using premium ingredients handled with precision rather than excess. The restaurant’s centerpiece is its Dry-Aged Peking Duck Two Way, a dish that speaks volumes about 18 Jade’s patience-driven ethos. The duck is gently marinated with sugar, wine, and water, then dry-aged for a full week to deepen flavor and perfect texture. Cooked using custom-designed equipment, it emerges with crisp, golden skin and tender meat, then served in two thoughtful preparations that honor both tradition and technique. Beyond the duck, the menu explores classic Chinese fare elevated through meticulous execution. Premium seafood, wok-fried specialties, and even shark’s fin are prepared using time-honored methods where timing is exact and restraint is key. Nothing is rushed; everything is intentional. What further sets 18 Jade apart is its sense of occasion. Personalized menus are available for intimate gatherings and special celebrations while a custom service cart allows for tableside carving and the presentation of hot dishes straight to diners, turning the meal into a quiet form of theater without breaking its calm, polished mood.
At 18 Jade, Chinese cuisine is carefully revealed; its familiar flavors clarified, its traditions respected, and its pleasures refined. It is dining for those who appreciate nuance, symbolism, and the kind of luxury that speaks softly but lingers long after the last bite. 18 Jade is now open at World Kitchens, Level 4 of Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City. For inquiries and reservations, contact +63 918 939 4537 or wkreservations@aranetagroup.com.
