‘Locally’ squeezes the day at the Asean Summit
Juice when the world thinks that it had enough of the juice craze, the Philippines – at the center of the global stage – offered something new (and quirky) to the table.
Refreshing, fruity-licious, and proudly Philippine-made Locally Blended Juice Drink had its international debut at the recently concluded 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila, providing healthier and more flavorful alternative drinks to this year’s participants and delegates.
The drinks, with quirky names and made from indigenous fruits that are organically grown in different parts of the country, caught everyone’s attention, coming as they did in colorful and eye-catching packaging.
Bearing fun and witty names like Guyabano-body But You, Merci Buco, Tamarind My Bell, Calamansi’z the Day, You’ve Dalandan It Again, and Pomelong & Lasting Love, the drinks were instant hits among representatives of local and foreign media outlets who worked on their stories at the International Press Center at the World Trade Center.
The more adventurous ones went for the exotic variants like Mangosteenie Minie Mo, Save the Best for Singuelast, and Kamias You Are.
Radio dzBB reporter Benjie Liwanag enjoyed the Guyabano-body But You flavor that, according to him, tastes like real guyabano juice, while media relations officer Jerrold Paredes loved the taste of Merci Buco, the “all natural” juice from young coconuts. “It is a delightful thirst quencher, its sweetness is just right,” he quipped.
Far Eastern Broadcasting
Corp. radio reporter Haydee Sampang revealed her favorite was Tamarind My Bell, which she found “masarap (delicious)” and tastes like it came from real ripe sampalok.
A reporter from a local network said he took a liking for Merci Buco, which is touted to contain the natural health benefits of buco. He also savored the refreshing goodness of its three variants – Buco, Buco Pandan and Buco Lychee.
A group of journalists from the Middle East also favored the invigorating freshness of Merci Buco, which they found to be healthier than the average, artificially sweetened fruit drink.
As they chased deadlines and hurdled the challenges of covering the ASEAN Summit and related events, some media representatives appreciated the citrusy wholesomeness of Calamansi’z the Day, which they knew helped them ward off colds due to the drink’s high vitamin C content.
It was Communications Secretary Martin Andanar who summed up the positive outcome of “introducing” Locally Blended Juice Drink at the Asean Summit.
“It was a great way of showcasing Filipino ingenuity, coming up, as Locally did, with the most unique flavors in juice drinks.
“We should do everything within our means to promote our local products at big events like the Asean Summit. Clearly, Locally was at the right place at the right time,” Andanar said.