Jollibee opens 900th store in Palo to celebrate recovery, rebuilding of Leyte

It was my first time to travel to Tacloban City in June this year. Together with select Manila representatives,  I felt privileged to be invited by the local government and the Department of Tourism-Region 8 headed by RD Karen Tiopes to witness how the province rose from the devastation brought by super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), the strongest typhoon in the world which took place on November 2013.

Tacloban City was celebrating Sangyaw Festival while the provincial government of Leyte was celebrating  Pintados-Kasadyawan Festival of Festivals.

Sangyaw Festival, was organized by Leyte Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos in the 1980s, but it was replaced by the Pintados-Kasadyawan after the 1986.

For years, the original Sangyaw was replaced by the Kasadyawan, organized by the Petilla family, until 2007 when the congressman’s cousin, incumbent Mayor Alfred Romualdez, chose to restore the Sangyaw.

But this year, both families agreed to use the fiestas to spur unity rather than division.

“Today is a time for celebration. We are all happy that we are united,” said Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, scion of the family that organized the first tourism-oriented city fiesta which is Sangyaw.

At least 12 contingents from different towns in Leyte and Samar joined the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals on its grand parade in major thoroughfares of Tacloban and later on performed their cultural dances before a gathering of some 50,000 people at the Leyte Sports Complex.

It was a historical moment for Tacloban as the two political clans meet and greet at the Sports Complex. Gov. Mic Petilla welcomed Rep. Romualdez on stage where he was also greeted by Palo, Leyte Mayor Remedios Matin Petilla and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.

Later on the  evening of June 29, the city government  held its Sangyaw Festival’s “Parade of Lights” with its colorful LED creations. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred and Kring-Kring Gonzales-Romualdez (Tacloban mayor and councilor, respectively), joined the parade together with the business sector, NGOs, and various schools and organizations.

   

Truly in less than two years, Tacloban is alive and kicking! Except for abandoned houses and buildings, life goes on and tourism is picking up. New businesses, hotels and restaurants are mushrooming; flights are fully booked as guests and passengers crowd the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport.

I’m happy to be back in Leyte in October, this time to, witness the opening of the 900the store of the country’s well-loved fastfood chain, Jollibee.

900 Reasons to Smile art competition to highlight Leyte’s renewed hope and joy

This year, Jollibee is one with the nation in celebrating the recovery of Leyte with the opening of its 900^th store in Palo in October, as it aims to bring joy to the people and symbolize the upward outlook of the local economy. In line with its 900^th store, Jollibee is launching the 900 Reasons to Smile Art Competition, a venue where artists from all over the country can creatively depict the  many ways Filipinos can find positivity in their daily lives even in the midst of challenges.

“It has been said that a new Jollibee store is an economic growth indicator in an area, and a sign of positive things to come. And as a brand that promotes the joy of family, we would like to do our part in spreading happiness to the people of Palo. With the 900 Reasons to Smile Art competition, we’re inviting artists across the country to draw inspiration from the events of Leyte, and come up with materials that will showcase the optimism of the Filipino people”, said Jollibee President Joseph Tanbuntiong.

The 900 Reasons to Smile Art Competition is open to all amateur and professional artists, and the medium for the competition will be painting in oil, acrylic, or watercolor. Minimum size for an entry is 3x4 feet, while the maximum size is 4x5 feet.

Entries were submitted by courier on or before September 17, 2015 to Strategic Works, Inc. 2F Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa St., Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229. Submitted entries must be signed by the artist and properly labeled at the back with the following details: artist’s name, address, contact number, title of the art piece, medium used, size, and year.

The winner of the 900 Reasons to Smile Art Competition will be announced on September 25, 2015, and will receive P100,000 while his/her art piece will be unveiled and displayed at Jollibee’s 900^th store during its opening. Jollibee will donate another P100,000to the winner’s preferred charitable institution or advocacy group. For more details, interested parties can visit the official Jollibee Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines).