Author: Press Release

1,200 and counting: Jollibee continues to share joy with the widest store network in the country

From a humble ice cream parlor in Cubao to a global brand that serves joy to millions, Jollibee has captured the hearts of Filipinos for 45 years with its langhap-sarap food items that have been staples in every memorable bonding moment.

With its mission of bringing the joy of eating to everyone, Jollibee continues to expand to more locations nationwide. It remains a dominant market leader, having the widest store network in the quick service restaurant industry with 1,211 stores and counting.

Open to serve customers 24/7, Jollibee Tagaytay Rotonda is the brand’s 1,200^th store in the country

“While the pandemic temporarily put a hold on the growth of our store network, we continue to bounce back stronger than ever. We have been resolute in our commitment to build stores in more locations in the country, including remote provinces, so more Pinoys will be able to experience the joy of Jollibee,” said Ferns Yu Jr., Jollibee Philippines President.

The fast food giant also boasts of the largest network of drive-thru and delivery stores, with more than 450 and more than 1,100 stores respectively. This ensures that families and friends can also enjoy their Chickenjoy, Yumburger, Jolly Spaghetti and other Jollibee favorites on the road, at home, or anywhere they like.

Jollibee Pililla opened in March 2023 with a roof deck that’s perfect for viewing the Pililla Windmills

“We recognize how consumer behavior has changed in the past year or so – that’s why we’re offering more options for Filipinos to get their Jollibee meals, whether in-store, drive-thru or delivery. We want our customers to enjoy Jollibee at their own preference and convenience,” said Dorothy Dee-Ching, Jollibee Philippines VP and Head of Marketing.

Multiplying the Joy

Whenever a Jollibee store opens at a new location, it becomes a cause for celebration among Filipinos who want their favorite meals more accessible. Throngs of people line up to be among the first to dine in and partake in the store opening festivities. In other cases, especially in some rural areas, a new Jollibee store is also viewed as a sign of progress and development of a local municipality.

Customers can look forward to more Jollibee stores opening their doors in the coming months and years.
Photos above feature Jollibee Sipocot, Camarines Sur which opened in March 2023

“Jollibee has been a symbol of joy for our fellow Filipinos, and it’s not just because of our food and the joyful experiences they have in our stores. It is also seen as an indication that a locality is moving forward – driving increased business and commerce in that area and providing employment opportunities to the locals. It’s not simply about serving joy through our food, but more so multiplying that joy to benefit the local community,” said Yu.

Through the years, Jollibee had several firsts across provinces in the Philippines. In the province of Kalinga, Jollibee Tabuk is the first ever quick service restaurant to be built in the area. This brought Jollibee closer to locals in far-flung communities, allowing them a taste of their Jollibee favorites without going far. Another example is Jollibee Manaoag, which is just a stone’s throw away from the very popular basilica and is now a comfortable stop for hungry travelers and pilgrims.

Jollibee and friends joined in the welcoming festivities during the opening of Jollibee Laoag Bacarra in June 2023

Jollibee also opened its first stores in Baler, Siquijor, Guimaras, Camiguin, Moalboal, and Bislig, all of which helped add flavor to the overall experience of locals and tourists wanting to explore the beautiful sights the Philippines has to offer in these areas. Earlier this year, the first Jollibee branches in Sipocot, Camarines Sur and Padre Garcia, Batangas also welcomed locals and delighted them with the brand’s latest store concept. Another first mover is the first Jollibee store in Pililla, Rizal, which boasts of an al fresco area and a roof deck that’s perfect for viewing the famous Pililla Windmills.

As Jollibee celebrates its 45^th year, customers can expect the brand to continue expanding aggressively, bringing more joy to other parts of the country. “Jollibee has become a part of the Pinoy culture and way of life, and we are very happy to continue sharing the joy through our food and unique brand of service. Jollibee has grown a lot since its humble beginnings, and we are excited to grow even more together with our customers, with new stores opening their doors in the coming months and years,” Ching adds.

Whether it’s grabbing a quick bite during a stopover, enjoying dinner after a busy day, or celebrating one’s birthday, Jollibee is sure to give customers a joyful experience wherever in the Philippines they may be.

August 5, 2023
Everyday Great Deals of Up 50% Discount from The Bistro Group Restaurants Nationwide!

There are offers, and there are THESE special offers, only from The Bistro Group!

Guests can avail discounts of up to 50% not only on weekdays or weekends, but every day of the week, across The Bistro Group concepts in some 150 restaurants nationwide. Amazing!

Made possible through Bistro Group’s partnership with some of the country’s leading banks, guests can enjoy an unparalleled variety of choices from diverse cuisines offering practically every imaginable dish to choose from: burgers, pizzas, pastas, ribs, paellas, dimsum, Korean BBQ, all-day breakfast, seafood, sushi, steaks, donuts and more! The selection is impressive, there’s one for every preference.

Take your pick from these credit card offers. Every day of the week, you won’t be left wanting a discount on the day you choose to dine or order take-out.

Mondays to Fridays: BDO

50% off on Bistro restaurants until Aug 31, Mondays to Fridays all day and from Sept. 1 to Nov 26 Fridays to Sundays; 25% off on El Pollo Loco and Randy’s Donuts until August 31 and from Sept. 1 to Nov. 26 (Fridays to Sundays); 50% off on Bistronomia concepts, Mondays to Fridays all day until August 31 and from Sept 1 to Nov 26 (Fridays to Sundays); Bistro Elite 50% August 11 to November 25, all day, Fridays and Saturdays

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Metrobank

50% off, all day, August 1 to September 27

Fridays: Security Bank

50% off, all day until August 25

Saturdays: Citibank

50% off on Bistro and Bistronomia restaurants from 11am to 2pm from July 29 to August 5

Imagine the savings you’re bound to enjoy while feasting on the cuisine of your choice. No deals are like these ones.

For terms and conditions and to know more about these awesome offers, click on the links to take your pick from these credit card offers:

Citi Mastercard http://www.citi.asia/bistro

Unionbank https://bit.ly/3PONGmX

Security Bank http://bit.ly/3D6cr6h

BDO – TBG Concepts, El Pollo Loco and Randy’s Donuts HTTPS://www.deals.bdo.com.ph/deal-welcome/2509 /

Bistronomia HTTPS://www.deals.bdo.com.ph/deal-welcome/2510

Promotions cannot be used in conjunction with other offers such as BFF card and senior citizen’s card.

August 5, 2023
Get a chance to score TWICE 5th World Tour ‘READY TO BE’ concert tickets via SMART

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is giving subscribers a chance to score tickets to TWICE 5TH WORLD TOUR ‘READY TO BE’ at the Philippine Arena on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2023.

The tour is the latest addition to this year’s stellar line-up for Smart Live, which gives subscribers access to exclusive perks and privileges to live concerts and events.

To secure tickets, simply go to these participating Smart Stores: August 18-19, 2023 at the Smart Store in Ayala Center Cebu and from August 25-26, 2023 at the Smart Store in SM Megamall.

Visit the TWICE booth at these participating Smart Stores and avail of Magic Data+ 649 or Magic Data+ 749 offers. Subscribers must top up Magic Data+ offers at said Smart Stores on the promo day to be considered valid. The required number of top-up varies based on your preferred ticket.

Next, present the GigaLife App to show proof of account or mobile number ownership, and proof of purchase of the Magic Data+ offers.

Subscribers may top up Magic Data+ to up to five registered Smart Prepaid numbers per ticket, as long as the required number of Magic Data+ top-up are met. Fans who will top up to more than one number must present proof of purchase on the GigaLife App or e-loading channels such as the subscriber’s number to whom Magic Data+ 649 or 749 was sent, and/or receipt of transaction.

Subscribers may claim one (1) ticket based on the Magic Data+ offer they availed of at the Smart Store. Ticket redemption is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Second concert in the Philippines

TWICE’s upcoming concert is their second visit to the Philippines since 2019.

The Philippine leg is part of the TWICE 5TH WORLD TOUR ‘READY TO BE’ that kicked off in Seoul early this year, which includes shows in Japan, Australia, the US, Singapore, Berlin, Thailand, Paris, and London.

The tour is in support of their 2023 EP – “READY TO BE.”

TWICE, the first Korean group to receive the coveted Breakthrough Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards this year, is a nine-member group composed of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, who made their debut in 2015.

Fans can enjoy the best concert experience on-ground and instantly share their live moments with the rest of the world powered by Smart, the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network as cited by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

Smart clinched this prestigious recognition for three consecutive semesters – Q1-Q2 2022, Q3-Q4 2022, and most recently in Q1-Q2 2023.

To know more, visit www.smart.com.ph/smartlive.

August 4, 2023
Pandora Celebrates Disney 100 Years of Wonder with Two New Charms

Simba from Disney’s The Lion King will be joining Pandora’s line-up to celebrate 100 Years of Wonder this August. The new charm is crafted from sterling silver with solid 14k gold accents and shows the brave and mischievous lion cub in a playful pose, resting his front paw on a lab-created diamond.

In September, another iconic character will join the celebration: Dumbo, the little elephant with big ears and even bigger dreams. The limited-edition charm in sterling silver features solid 14k gold details and depicts the baby elephant soaring through the sky. He holds a lab-created diamond in his trunk, symbolizing the “magic” feather that gives him the confidence to fly.

Each charm in Disney x Pandora’s newest Disney100 series features a radiant lab-created diamond. Lab-created diamonds are identical to mined diamonds but are grown in a laboratory rather than mined from the earth. They have the same optical, chemical, thermal and physical characteristics as a mined diamond and are graded by the same standards, known as the 4Cs – cut, colour, clarity and carat.

Other styles in the Disney100 series launched earlier this year include more beloved icons such as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage and Donald Duck. The designs are accompanied by a dedicated Disney100 bracelet and collector’s box. Pandora will introduce eight charms in total during 2023 to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary.

August 4, 2023
Carlo and Charlie Grapple with Love, Survival in ‘Third World Romance’

Carlo Aquino and Charlie Dizon star as blue-collared workers determined to find bliss in “Third World Romance,” showing in cinemas nationwide beginning August 16 (Wednesday).

Britney (Charlie), an outspoken grocery cashier, and Alvin (Carlo), a laid-back grocery bagger, strive to be content and happy together despite the harsh realities of life.

But when Britney faces a tough choice between family and her own happiness, she realizes that nothing in life comes for free.

Can Alvin and Britney’s love thrive in a world where happiness continues to be a luxury?

“Yung mensahe ng movie namin, mahirap man maging masaya pero hangga’t may kasama ka na dadamay sa’yo magiging magaan ang buhay,” shared Charlie.

Meanwhile, Carlo described his character as laid-back but knows when to fight for survival. He said, “Chill lang siya pero lumalaban pa rin sa buhay.”

“Third World Romance” is directed by Dwein Ruedas Baltazar, the movie director behind “Oda sa Wala” and “Hello Stranger: The Movie.” The project is a co-production of Black Sheep and Anima.

When asked how the ‘hugot of raket’ plays in the film, Direk Dwein stressed that it is at the core of the story. “Mahalaga kasi ang raket ‘survival’ siya. Nakasentro dun ang conflict ng istorya, kung paano sila mabubuhay araw-araw,” she said.

“Ifo-front natin ang pag-ibig habang dini-discuss ang social issues, trabaho, at iba pang bagay na kinakaharap ng ordinaryong mamamayan,” she added.

The film also stars Ana Abad Santos, Gardo Versoza, Arachie Adamos, Iyah Mina, Esnyr Ranollo, Xilhouette, Brian Black, Lady Morgana, and Junjun Quintana.

Before its theatrical release, “Third World Romance” will be featured as Cinemalaya 2023’s closing film.

Witness the unfolding of Alvin and Britney’s “Third World Romance,” showing in cinemas starting August 16 (Wednesday). For film updates, follow Black Sheep on Facebook @BlackSheepABSCBN, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter @black_sheepph, and YouTube @BlackSheepPH and Anima on their social media accounts @animastudiosph.

For other updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

August 4, 2023
Exhibit of feathered fauna also touches on biodiversity

Fresh from a double exhibit held in Los Banos a few months ago, artist Karla Sajona is holding a solo exhibit—her second—at ARTablado in Robinsons Galleria. “Plumage” is a collection of striking and brightly colored paintings of flora and fauna, particularly indigenous and endemic species.

Sajona who is also a visual arts educator creates these intricate pieces, many of which feature pairs of birds preening among leaves and flowers. To further draw attention to these winged creatures, she frames them by painting squares in contrasting colors. She uses assorted media including watercolors, gouache, acrylic paints and colored pencils.

The results are festive and gem-like but there is a deeper reason why she has latched on to this type of fauna. Sajona wants to drive appreciation and interest in local bird life but she also wants Filipinos to become more aware of the need for conservation. In fact, some of the species included in the exhibit have been declared as endangered or near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Her paintings and drawings serve as vehicles in educating viewers about the significance to biodiversity. “These are things we often take for granted but if we observe them closely, one cannot un-see the array of lines, patterns, colors and iridescence they radiate,” she said.

With careful strokes and a studied use of color, the artist is able to bring to life some of her favorite feathered friends including sunbirds, hornbills, kingfishers and roosters. There is even a drawing of a peacock and a peahen clad in what appear to be embroidered collars and jeweled neckpieces.

Her introduction to art came at an early age as she was born into a family of artists where both direct and distant relatives earned their keep as painters and crafters.

“As a child, I used to draw princesses, houses, cartoon characters but as I grew older, I leaned toward botanical subjects, landscapes and portraits, and began experimenting with mediums like watercolor, colored pencils and charcoal.”

She finds inspiration in the works of Van Gogh, Monet and Degas—particularly the latter’s ballet dancer series. Among our local artists, she said she honed her technique by studying the works of National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Vicente Manansala.

Many of Botong’s large-scale paintings have a fantastical, mythical quality and consists of several vignettes while Manansala’s work hews to the idyllic and pastoral.

“My aunt, who also happens to be a painter, was the first one to inspire me to pursue a career in painting. By reading about the lives of Filipino painters, I slowly learned and applied their painting techniques in my own obras. I’ve been practicing my painting style since I was in high school in the ‘90s,” Sajona said.

She’s grateful for the chance to reach a much wider audience with her “Plumage” exhibit at ARTablado which runs from Aug.1 to Aug. 15. “ARTablado offers great opportunities to artists who wish to make a name in society. Having my second solo show here will be a huge breakthrough in my career. The exhibit offers a wide range of lively and vibrant feasts of avian wildlife. If you’re a nature enthusiast, this is the perfect event to visit!”

Established in 2020, Robinsons Land ARTablado, a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado” is Robinsons Land’s very own stage in showcasing the Filipino ingenuity and creativity. This platform allows emerging and established artists to freely express themselves through art and paves the way to greater recognition of their talent and hard work. To date, ARTablado has mounted numerous exhibitions and hosted over 300 artists.

August 4, 2023
Tennis Legend Roger Federer and Leading Fashion Designer JW ANDERSON Jointly Create a New Style of LifeWear

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the launch of the new Roger Federer collection by JW ANDERSON, a collaboration line between UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Roger Federer and JW ANDERSON. Combining Roger’s classic style with JW ANDERSON’s modern and colorful rendition of sports and performance wear. The collection, aimed at those who lead an active and comfortable life seamlessly between sports and the everyday, will be available in the Philippines starting Monday, September 11, 2023.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be launching our new collection designed jointly by Roger Federer and JW ANDERSON. A new style of LifeWear was created by combining the unique talents of a tennis legend and a fashion leader,” said Koji Yanai, Fast Retailing Senior Executive Officer and Head of UNIQLO Global Marketing including Sports. “While developing his tennis wear, we often exchanged opinions with Roger about how it could be worn and enjoyed both On and Off the Court. With this in mind, we immediately thought of JW ANDERSON because he has a deep understanding of sports and performance wear. I am confident that everyone will find something in the new collection that suits their individual daily style.”

Roger Federer commented, “I’ve always wanted to have a collection perfect for playing tennis while also versatile for the other parts of daily life. I’m fortunate that Jonathan shared this vision. Together, we were able to create a stylish and comfortable line rooted in a classic tennis style. Jonathan is talented, creative, and incredibly down-to-earth. It has been a pleasure to work with him on this collection.”

Jonathan Anderson said, “When I was first approached about creating a collection with Roger, I remember being very happy and excited. That’s because I was so influenced by watching Roger play. Thinking a lot about what LifeWear means for all the different people who look up to Roger, we designed a collection that could be worn in an actual match, for a classic look, or just as easily be worn around town. We’ve got something that feels elevated, and it is kind of timeless.”

Collection Overview

Along with polo shirts and shorts in the UNIQLO DRY EX material, the collection, which was created through constant dialogue with Jonathan Anderson, includes many genderless items such as nylon easy pants with piping down the sides as color accents, a striking premium lambswool crewneck sweater with bold colors and knitted, and a fleece full zip jacket accented with a breast pocket in a different material.

Roger Federer Collection BY JW ANDERSON
Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/contents/collaboration/rogerfederer-jwanderson/23fw/

August 3, 2023
Everything is Bigger in “Meg 2: The Trench”, Say Filmmakers

The cast of “Meg 2: The Trench” also got a very welcome addition that helped supersize its cast – global action icon Wu Jing, star of five of the 10 highest-grossing films in China. “To be honest, I’ve always been terrified of monster films,” says Jing. “You can ask me to jump off a high-rise building, and I think that’s easier for me – but fighting a fictitious monster? That is something very hard for me.”

Lucky for Jing, it’s not all about fighting fictitious monsters. Part of the charm of “The Meg,” one of the biggest surprise blockbusters in 2018, was its sense of humor. “Meg 2” producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura admits, “There was a little bit of uncertainty with the first film how the comedy would play for the audience. But they really bought into the notion of ‘Let’s not take ourselves too seriously – let’s have some fun and some scares.’” He adds that for the sequel, everything is more: “This time around, we’ll have some more scares, a little more carnage in and out of the water, two globally popular actors in Jason Statham and Wu Jing, some new cast members, more action… and more Megs. It’s a balance between reminding them of what they really loved and the characters they loved, and then giving them a new experience.”

Looks like it’s mission accomplished for director Wheatley. Producer Belle Avery agrees that “Meg 2: The Trench” is bigger and more. She says that for the sequel, they’re “giving [audiences] more creatures, creating more personalities with the Megs and making more discoveries in the trench. I think that’s pretty important. You know, mankind has a tendency to destroy things, and we touch on that. But, it’s kind of like Jonas [Jason Statham] said in the first film, ‘Meg versus Man is a slaughter.’ So, you’re going to see a little bit of that in this one, too, but fun slaughter.”

In “Meg 2: The Trench,” Statham and Jing lead a daring research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Pitted against colossal Megs and relentless environmental plunderers, our heroes must outrun, outsmart, and outswim their merciless predators in a pulse-pounding race against time.

About “Meg 2: The Trench”

Jason Statham and Wu Jing lead an ensemble cast that also includes Sophia Cai (“The Meg”), Page Kennedy (“The Meg”), Sergio Peris-Mencheta (“Rambo: Last Blood”), Skyler Samuels (“The Gifted”), and Cliff Curtis (“Avatar” franchise).

“Meg 2: The Trench” is directed by Ben Wheatley (“In the Earth,” “Free Fire”), from a screenplay by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber (“The Meg,” “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”) and Dean Georgaris (“The Meg,” “Lara Croft: Toom Raider – The Cradle of Life”), and a screen story by Dean Georgaris and Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber, based on the novel The Trench by Steve Alten. The film is produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura (“The Meg,” “Bumblebee”) and Belle Avery (“The Meg,” “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”), and executive produced by Jason Statham, Cate Adams, Ruigang Li, Catherine Xujun Ying, Wu Jing, E. Bennett Walsh, Erik Howsam, Gerald R. Molen and Randy Greenberg.

Now showing in Philippine cinemas, “Meg 2: The Trench” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #Meg2

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”}

August 3, 2023
From track to screen: Director Neill Blomkamp talks about making “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story”

Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story Director Neill Blomkamp, whose credits include District 9 and Elysium, says that Jann makes a compelling character because his real-life story is an unbelievable series of dreams coming true. Like a lot of young adults, Jann seems more interested in playing videogames than with making something of his life, until he’s given a chance to play for real. “Jann is playing ‘Gran Turismo’ in his parents’ house when all of a sudden – after years – he sees the option for GT Academy,” Blomkamp explains. “Only then did he learn how to drive proper cars – how to hit an apex and exit a corner – everything he’d done intuitively inside the game, but had never been taught.”

Blomkamp’s way into the film was through a longtime love of cars—the merging of mechanics, engineering, art, and design—and that meant the exciting possibility of showing what these cars can do. “With a movie like this one, sometimes the temptation is to go all-digital. Shoot some background plates, do digital cars, drop your actors in from a virtual production environment. But in this case, everything is real, and I mean literally everything is real. When we portray an actor driving the car, they are actually going around the track pretty close to the speed that they should be going.”

David Harbour

Part of doing it for real was getting the real cars and shooting on the real tracks, including the Slovakia Ring in Slovakia, the Dubai Autodrome, the Nurburgring, the Red Bull Ring in Austria, and the Hungaroring; this latter track doubles for both the GT Academy (loosely based on Silverstone, the home of UK auto racing) and Le Mans.

And in the driver’s seat, Blomkamp had one other secret weapon in showing what it was like for Jann Mardenborough behind the wheel – and that was Jann Mardenborough himself, who served as the film’s stunt driver for the character of Jann. “The story is based on him, Archie Madekwe portrays him, and he’s the stunt driver who drives Archie’s car as the character based on him,” says Blomkamp. “It’s amazing – some very interesting meta thing happening there.”

Orlando Bloom

“It’s so surreal,” says Mardenborough. “The last time I was in Hungary, the track was packed with trucks for a race. This time, it was packed with trucks for a film being made about me. That blew my mind.”

Watch the inspiring true story of videogamer-turned-racecar driver Jann Mardenborough in Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story, opening in Philippine cinemas in August.

About Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story

Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, the film is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.

Directed by Neill Blomkamp, screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin, based on the PLAYSTATION STUDIOS video game.

Archie Madekwe & Jann Mardenborough

Produced by Doug Belgrad, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Dana Brunetti. The executive producers are Kazunori Yamauchi, Herman Hulst, Jason Hall, Matthew Hirsch.

The cast is led by David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner and Djimon Hounsou.

In Philippine cinemas August 2023, Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #GranTurismoMovie

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}

August 3, 2023
Red Ginger at City of Dreams Manila Unveils the Art of ‘Wok Hei’ Cuisine

Red Ginger, City of Dreams Manila’s Southeast Asian bar and bistro puts into spotlight the distinct flavors of “wok hei” with the “Breath of the Wok” promotion available until end of August.

Served piping hot, Red Ginger’s Hak Jiu Seafood captures the essence of “wok hei”.

The promotion highlights five piping hot stir-fried dishes that reflect chef de cuisine Sam Kin Hue’s mastery of the fire and wok. Wok hei, which translates to “breath of the wok,” is a cooking method, considered an art and a measure of a chef’s skill that’s perfected through the years. It is characterized by the dishes’ unique smoky and charred flavor that is achieved by cooking fresh ingredients in a wok over searing heat, causing the flavor to develop while simultaneously retaining texture and crunch. Repeatedly stir-frying in small amounts while maintaining the right balance of oil to mix with the water droplets from the vegetables and momentarily tossing the flame in the wok, is the key to a perfect wok hei.

Complex in flavor and aroma, the Siu Yuk Noodles is a must-try item.

The flavors of wok hei come alive in the Pad Thai Beef (stir-fried rice noodles with beef, tofu, tamarind sauce and peanuts), Mak Pin Chicken (wok-tossed chicken thigh with crispy cereals and curry leaves),Gam Jun Tofu (fried tofu with minced pork), Hak Jiu Seafood (wok-fried prawns and squid with black pepper sauce); and Siu Yuk Noodles (wok-fried egg noodles with crispy pork belly and fish cake).

Red Ginger chef de cuisine Sam Kin Hue demonstrates his artistry and prowess of “wok hei” (breathe of the wok) in five stir-fried dishes with distinctive smoky flavors available until end of August.

Red Ginger is located at the upper ground floor and is open from 11 am to 1 am.

For inquiries and reservations call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com. For more information, visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com. Explore more of City of Dreams Manila’s promotional offers, rewards, or instantly check Melco Club points with the new Melco Club App, available for free download on iOS and Android.

August 3, 2023