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07/14/11, 07:56 PM
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http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20895/mdfa.jpg
I still remember [URL="http://www.eyp.ph/search?loc=Metro+Manila&locid=11488&q=McDonald%27s"]McDo (http://www.juice.ph/blogs/dining/mcdo-happy-30th-year-in-the-philippines#)'s opening day in 1981~
my siblings and I were on our way home from a children's party in Dasmariñas Village, and we bugged our dear old Dad to stop by the newly-opened Morayta store on our way home.
What I remember most is the original signage, which actually specified that McDonald's was a "Hamburger Restaurant", to make it clear to the Pinoy market.
I thought everything on the menu was imported, so I ordered MILK (yes, it was on the menu back then), along with a Big Mac (that came in a styrofoam box).
That was the only disappointment that day . . . my anticipated Vit.D milk turned out to be local Magnolia milk!
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/24735/mc-do.jpg
Soon after, the second McDo opened in the old Glorietta in Makati, and it soon became clear that they hired only the cutest girls with the cutest American accents.
It was pretty intimidating, but helpful in the long run: I practiced my English to impress the counter girls!
I could soon comfortably and confidently and loudly order my usual: a Strawberry Sundae and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20835/Untitled.jpg
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20875/quarter_pounder_cheese.jpg
McDo "Filipinized" their menu not too long after, by adding the staple party food of our nation: Fried Chicken and Spaghetti!
To this day, we're one of the few countries where these items are permanently on the McDo menu.
http://www.juice.ph/blog
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20975/08-Philippines-McSpaghetti.jpg
McDo thrived these past thirty years, despite an intense rivalry with Jollibee.
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20935/jollibeevsmcdo-300x256.jpg
And I credit McDo's continuing success to two things:
1. Introducing the concept of "Playlands" for the kids
2. Introducing some of the best TV commercials ever
Even one that starred the Pinay who outlasted Jennifer Hudson in American Idol!
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20955/JTCov%5B1%5D.JPG
And my all-time favorite, which featured my all-time favorite Eraserheads song.
Who knew "Ang Huling El Bimbo" could work in a fastfood commercial?
And who knew that so many of us loved dipping Fries in a Sundae?
Congratulations on your first three decades,
Mc Do~ you truly are the First (foreign fastfood) Love of the Filipino!
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20895/mdfa.jpg
I still remember [URL="http://www.eyp.ph/search?loc=Metro+Manila&locid=11488&q=McDonald%27s"]McDo (http://www.juice.ph/blogs/dining/mcdo-happy-30th-year-in-the-philippines#)'s opening day in 1981~
my siblings and I were on our way home from a children's party in Dasmariñas Village, and we bugged our dear old Dad to stop by the newly-opened Morayta store on our way home.
What I remember most is the original signage, which actually specified that McDonald's was a "Hamburger Restaurant", to make it clear to the Pinoy market.
I thought everything on the menu was imported, so I ordered MILK (yes, it was on the menu back then), along with a Big Mac (that came in a styrofoam box).
That was the only disappointment that day . . . my anticipated Vit.D milk turned out to be local Magnolia milk!
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/24735/mc-do.jpg
Soon after, the second McDo opened in the old Glorietta in Makati, and it soon became clear that they hired only the cutest girls with the cutest American accents.
It was pretty intimidating, but helpful in the long run: I practiced my English to impress the counter girls!
I could soon comfortably and confidently and loudly order my usual: a Strawberry Sundae and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20835/Untitled.jpg
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20875/quarter_pounder_cheese.jpg
McDo "Filipinized" their menu not too long after, by adding the staple party food of our nation: Fried Chicken and Spaghetti!
To this day, we're one of the few countries where these items are permanently on the McDo menu.
http://www.juice.ph/blog
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20975/08-Philippines-McSpaghetti.jpg
McDo thrived these past thirty years, despite an intense rivalry with Jollibee.
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20935/jollibeevsmcdo-300x256.jpg
And I credit McDo's continuing success to two things:
1. Introducing the concept of "Playlands" for the kids
2. Introducing some of the best TV commercials ever
Even one that starred the Pinay who outlasted Jennifer Hudson in American Idol!
http://www.juice.ph/cms_images/20955/JTCov%5B1%5D.JPG
And my all-time favorite, which featured my all-time favorite Eraserheads song.
Who knew "Ang Huling El Bimbo" could work in a fastfood commercial?
And who knew that so many of us loved dipping Fries in a Sundae?
Congratulations on your first three decades,
Mc Do~ you truly are the First (foreign fastfood) Love of the Filipino!