MEGA Sardines Goes Global: US Market by Storm via KROGER Stores

There's no stopping MEGA Prime Foods as they take homegrown Filipino brand Mega Sardines in more territories in the US as part of their global expansion efforts, and certainly, these are exciting times!

They've been concentrating in the US market and now they're rolling out their products into 2,750 stores of Kroger and their affiliates. This also includes Mariano's, Fry's, Dillon's, Pick and Save, to hopefully have everything in place by mid September.

That means a Filipino brand is competing, growing in the world stage and that is BIG news. Kroger has #2 market share and is a 180 Billion Dollar listed company. The products they have usually are in Asian stores are n various countries but this time, they're going to be in grocery stores US wide, and worldwide. 

Marvin Tiu Lim, MEGA Prime Foods Chief Growth and Development Officer says "As we look further ahead, our dream is to become the world's number one brand of sardines!".

CEO of MEGA Prime Foods Michelle Chan says "Today is an important milestone for us. The US is the biggest consumer markets in the world. There is a demand for healthier, more affordable brands. We believe the humble sardines has a better opportunity in America. Kroger has millions of customers around the US and we came there with a dream. We met with them and learned how to place our product in their shelves. That was in Cincinnati, and Alex Eala was playing in the tournament in the same state at the same time. Filipinos can compete in one of the US biggest retailers. We can only say "Thank you Lord!". Mega Sardines is a Filipino brand , and this is just the beginning."

International Market Partner of Turnaround Artists James Michael Lafferty says "The Philippines then was great, and I told my students to not put your head down with those that have a Harvard MBA. I tell EJ to think beyond the SEA Games, like him, this is a world class company. I flew to Cincinnati and introduced them Mega Sardines. A French lead said it was great, the best he's tasted. This is a great moment, I'm glad to be able to be part of it."

Founders William and Marylou Tiu Lim adds "It's very hard to penetrate the US, usually in the ethnic aisle, but now we can have our fresh catch sardines in the shelves from here on. We are the only ones who have their own ships, and the nutrition you can get is great. With your help, this will happen. When we started, we didn't know how we will introduce the Philippine brand to the US market. Now we have a low cost, sufficient raw materials, and is going to be available in the global market. We have the supply, thanks to Jim for telling us how we can be globally known. Having good sardines and being certified by the WMA, we are the fishing company that can catch, can and distribute quality products. We are exceptional, not just ordinary food, but health benefits are good. The direction is expanding worldwide, and we are proud to represent the Philippines."

Fresh fish, lovely sauce, that's what Filipino people want on their table. Now that there's a bigger opportunity in the US, this in turn will be a good thing and will supplement the price for production in the local market. They also have assured that there will be ample supply as they follow a fishing band made by the government agency. The only way is up, so congratulations to MEGA Prime Foods and Mega Sardines! You definitely are going to get that number one spot soon!

BOTEJYU Introduces TEISHOKU Meals and New Endorsers JERALD and KIM MOLINA NAPOLES

BOTEJYU is currently celebrating their 10th year, and the mark of having 100 stores in the Philippines. To make this even better, they're coming out with TEISHOKU Meals (The Complete Japanese Meal) as part of their efforts to make sure food is affordable at this joint. What surprised me most is that in the past, they knew people have been avoiding them because the restaurant was looking expensive, but if you look at their menu, much of what they have are actually affordable. They're making it more obvious with these TEISHOKU meals so you have protein as mains, soup, rice and a side dish included.

For starters, their Rice Teishoku have Unlimited Rice, Miso Soup and Kimchi (this is amazing!). Their lowest priced one is the Prawn Tempura Teishoku which costs Php 355, that's usually one dish in most restaurants but you get a meal with them. They also have other varieties like the Pork Tonkatsu, Teriyaki Chicken (which I had that afternoon), Diced Teriyaki Beef Garlic Steak, Fried Prawn Katsu, Samurai Sausage, Botekara, and Fried Salmon Teishoku set meals for you to enjoy. If you are more of a Ramen fan, get the Ramen Teishokus instead (these all come with Unlimited noodles) all for Php 495. They have it in Ramen-Amiyaki, Ramen-Botekara, Ramen-Gyoza, Ramen-Tempura, Ramen-Teriyaki Chicken variants, so you can choose what you want anytime of the day.

Check out the food here! 

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JERALD and KIM MOLINA-NAPOLES

Dubbed as the POWER COUPLE, newly weds Jerald and Kim was introduced as the endorsers for the BOTEJYU brand. They were very honored and grateful for this and it was awesome to see them excited to help the brand achieve its goals. They also talked lengthy about relationship changes after the wedding, and a new movie called "PINAKAMASARAP NA PARES SA BALAT NG LUPA" which Jerald Napoles did with Pepe Herrera.  

If you spend 2K in any participating Botejyu branch (with a Teishoku meal included), you get 2 FREE Movie Tickets for the film. Branches include SM Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, Ayala Malls, Gateway). This is for their August 26 screening. Jerald also lauded the folks from Marketing and Viva boss Vic del Rosario for thinking of this, because it's really going to benefit folks that are looking for deals! 

 Here's more of the press conference!

After seeing all that, are you raring to try TEISHOKU meals (The Complete Japanese Meal) and watch the movie? (ANG PINAKAMASARAP NA PARES SA BALAT NG LUPA). Make sure you also follow Jerald and Kim on socials as they're going to come out with more material from BOTEJYU there!

Vice Ganda Signs Pact with MEDIAQUEST: Now Dubbed As "QUEEN OF ALL NETWORKS"

Wednesdays are just supposed to be just a "regular" middle day of the week, but Vice Ganda and Mediaquest made it even more special as they become partners by signing a creative pact between the giant broadcast arm of the MVP group and Phenomenal Unkabogable Superstar. The event was attended by Slingshot Studios Ranvel Rufino, Ricky Vargas, and Manny Pangilinan who represents Mediaquest Holdings Inc.

For those who don't know, Vice and her team has been behind hit shows and concepts for programs like "It's Showtime!", "Everybody Sing!", "Gandang Gabi Vice" and those that come out of different networks. The MVP group sees her value in these, and they wanted to make sure her reach becomes even greater with their assets, and as Sir Manny Pangilinan says, "ANYTIME is the RIGHT TIME to do it with VICE GANDA". There's a huge opportunity now to have her concepts and ideas become a part for the global audience they cater to.

Vice thanked the MVP Group and asked for support from the public. She felt that she still has so much to contribute even though she has done so much in the previous years.

Vice says "I believe that comfortability is the enemy of achievements. It is the enemy of excellence, the comfortability. I still believe I have something to give, I have something more to unleash!"

Vice also touched on previous conflict and addressed it saying "I am glad that even heartbreaks can heal in time. We had learned things, and create great relationships after a heartbreak. The only fear I have is when I won't feel excited. Hope you support us in this partnership!"

Sir Manny Pangilinan says "I think Vice is a very exceptional person, an exceptional talent and I'm sure we as well are all excited about what content you could bring to TV5. The partnership the combination of capabilities will certainly give a new dimension to not only to TV5 but cuts across the Mediaquest group, the various platforms of PLDT and Smart which I think we need to brief you about so that you can generate more ideas."

 

This is just the start of something big. Congratulations Vice! You are worthy of the title, "Queen of All Networks!" 

WILBERT ROSS and ERIC EJERCITO on Korean-Filipino Produced Film "THE GUARDIAN"

Good news to those who love KDramas, action flicks and worthy series as the film called "THE GUARDIAN" will be shown this September 2nd in cinemas nationwide. This film by Jeong Jang-Hwan stars KPOP Idol Nam Woo Hyun, Park Eun-Hye, Han Jae-Suk, our very own Yassi Pressman, Wilbert Ross and Eric Ejercito. 

This is produced by GV Labs and Will Studios of Korea, and Ovation Productions, Parallax Studio, Robosheep Studios and Viva Films of the Philippines. The film will be distributed by Noori Pictures in South Korea and Viva Films here in the Philippines. In a nutshell, this is BIG!

What's good is that this film is entirely shot and made in the Philippines which means we are more than capable of doing it. The film tells a story of a son (played by Nam Woo Hyun) who sacrificed going to the Philippines to be with his mom who then got kidnapped by Korean gangsters. He needs to save her within 48 hours, a feat that may prove to be difficult within that time frame.

Actor Eric Ejercito says "They work on Korean time and they accomplish everything they have on paper. It's a different system but Filipinos could adapt to it. I've done a few action films but we switched with Wilbert, I did the romcom part. We are both nerds and we got to bond off cam. I am also very organized going to this character because it needs a month long shoot, I prepared for it. We also had them try Filipino food, sisig. They had fun here "

Wilbert says "In the action role, I had to go to Davao but I couldn't because I had to train for it. I worked out and did training, had to push my self because I had no martial arts background. The action sequence went smooth. We went out with the Korean actors, even though there was a language barrier, we got to let them experience night life. The character was new to me, I always play dumb roles but being a villain was so much fun."

Here's the media conference on video:

Producers Wesley Villarica of Parallax Studio Inc. and  Micah Fernandez of Robosheep Studios just confirmed today that the film will also be released by Lionsgate for international distribution. They also shared some appreciation on both sides as they learned a lot on this opportunity to not only line produce, but become actual producers of the film. They also mentioned some issues regarding some issues with other LGU's (which they kept secret) who made the production experience miserable. Good thing Quezon City gave them help, a place to do their work more liberally, and an LGU that really cares when they needed it (permits and locations included) which they hope won't happen if they plan to do movies here again soon. Yes, they plan to do more of these productions now that it has been done. Hopefully, it'll be easier to do (with them in the cast maybe?) but who knows, they might be making one already. 

THE GUARDIAN will be out on theaters this September 2, make sure you watch and support them!