Rochelle Rivera: Coffee

The most perfect day for me is waking up worry free and hassle free in a morning view with my whole family beside me. To start the perfect day, it is always paired with a perfect partner that gives me energy and boosts my entire mood up; no other than taking a good sip on coffee. No matter what, it is the best drink in the morning that lifts my spirit up and energizes me to the max.

Although there have been so many coffee shops around emerging, promoting coffee here and there. I must say I still haven’t found the right one yet. BUT, the arrival of ROJO COFFEE just changed my mind and they proved to me that the most perfect coffee branch has finally been introduced in our country. A good coffee shop paired with good food that would really tickle our tastebuds and will be a very good bonding habit for me and my family.

Rojo Coffee officially opened its doors to customers on July 2, 2019. [L-R] Business magnate and owner of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Mr. Jose “Jerry” Acuzar and Rojo Coffee owners Jovy Acuzar and Khaled Ostwani.

Rojo Coffee was officially launched last July 2, 2019. It is owned by Jovy Acuzar and Khaled Ostwani, introducing local Arabica coffee and classic comfort dishes with a twist on having both Filipino and Spanish menu, from pasta to sandwiches to rice meals to pastries. A lot of varieties to choose from!

Nothing beats a hearty bowl of Filipino favorite with a twist. Rice bowl specialties include Housemade Tapa Bowl, Adobo Flakes, Longganisa Hamonado, Bangus Rice Bowl and more

Being as patriotic as we Filipinos are, they believe local ingredients harvested by Filipinos bring out the best taste and flavors, while also helping our local farmers achieve their goals and prosper their businesses. This way, their coffee shop guarantees that the ingredients are freshly obtained and responsibly sourced from the different parts of the Philippines. Their products are set the “ROJO WAY” ensuring quality and freshness in every ingredient there is from meat to breads, while also promoting the non usage of any flavor enhancers harmful when taken in excess like MSG.

“The extra magic touch that makes your meal and stay with us seamless and memorable, it is what makes us uniquely Rojo,” says Jovy on how they prepare each of their dishes.

But what’s even better is that the brand helps the less fortunate through all their projects and through their small initiatives. “We try our best to reduce food wastage in our kitchen and support charities that aim to solve hunger issues.” For sure, we all want to engage ourselves with a coffee shop that promotes such causes not only for profit but also for the benefit of everyone, mostly the less fortunate.

MUST TRY! Rojo Coffee's ALAMAT COCO JAM

Rojo Coffee is located at Victoria Sports Tower Station 2,

799 EDSA South Triangle, Quezon City.

Stay connected with Rojo Coffee's Facebook and Instagram at @rojocoffee.ph.

For more discoveries, visit www.rojocoffee.ph.

Make sure to visit and bring your family and friends and bond over coffee and good food, the ROJO way.

As holiday cheer begins to fill the air and traditions come alive, so are our hearts called upon by the true message of Christmas. At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, Christmas is not only a time to be merry, but a time to remember that we each are called to live a life in fellowship with others by being generous; by knowing and understanding the needs of others and focusing on those needs above ours, not only during Christmas but throughout the rest of the year. For The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, their holiday tradition has always been rooted in giving and in the outpouring and sharing of the blessings in our lives with one another, and the brand invites everyone to do the same.

Now on its 10th year of the Giving Journal, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® celebrates its journey of giving through the years with a central theme: LEAVE A LEGACY. The brand dedicates its 10th year to its purpose - to empower each individual to live excellently and purposefully by living a life of service to others. They believe that each person has a responsibility to leave a legacy of profound good, impacting the lives of others, and that is why for 2018, the brand encourages its community to not only ask questions such as “What do I want to do?” Or “What are my goals?” but instead, to ask one’s self “What are my roles?” and “What does the world need from me?” As we set our hearts on another year, the The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s hopeful mission is this: to enable its community to expand their vision by including others.

Every word in each page of the Giving Journal is thoughtfully written , meant to enable its readers to reflect on their life’s purpose. An excerpt from one of the chapter articles goes:

“The question for everyone alive today is this: What kind of legacy will you leave behind? Will you leave a beautiful legacy for others to enjoy? Or will you leave a legacy of debt, pain, poverty, and sin that the people who come after you will have to pay for?”

As a socially-responsible company, the legacy The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® hopes to leave behind is one that transforms lives and communities for the better. With a vision of multiplying its impact for its fellow Filipinos, it calls upon its own network of Team Members and Customers to do the same. Every year, those who partake in the holiday tradition of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® by supporting their Giving Journal initiative is able to help live out the legacy of the Real LIFE Foundation, the direct beneficiary of the Giving Journal.

The Real LIFE Foundation exists to serve the poor in the Philippines by providing opportunities for educational assistance and holistic development. Since established, Real LIFE has not only allowed over 300 scholars from all over the country to earn a university degree, it has more importantly empowered these scholars to meaningfully impact the lives of others as productive change agents for good, much in the as way their own lives have been changed. Through the tremendous support we receive each year for our Giving Journal campaign, we have been able to directly support the Real LIFE Foundation, producing over 40 graduates- a number we commit to growing through the years as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® sustains its efforts in nation building.

As we commence the holiday traditions and look forward to a new year ahead with the Giving Journal, it is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s hope that we will all be filled with the spirit of humility, compassion, and generosity, and that we all learn to set aside our self-centered agendas and consider the needs of others as we strive to be persons of value within our own communities and our country.

To make its 10th year even more special, the 2018 lineup of Giving Journals from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® comes with a customizable cover specially made for individuals who use art as a form of creative self-expression.

Three other Giving Journals are available in colors of green, grey, and blue, with designs that reflect The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf ® ’s premium coffees and teas.

To redeem the 2018 Giving Journal, simply collect 12 stamps in any The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® store nationwide.

How to redeem the 2018 Giving Journal:

The 2018 Giving Journal may be claimed at any The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® store all through the promo period from October 21, 2017 to January 14, 2018 or until 60 days after the promo has ended.
The 2018 Giving Journal may be redeemed when a stamp card is completed with 12 stamps for the purchase of the following items:

(1) Original Ice Blended®

(1) Tea Latte

(1) Coffee-based beverage (1) Holiday featured beverage(any flavor, regular or large size) (any flavor, regular or large size) (any flavor, regular or large size) (any flavor, regular or large size) (regular or large size)

(8) The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® beverages*

*Coffee or tea-based beverages, Original Ice Blended®, Hot Chocolate/Vanilla, Cold Brew, Nitro Brew

3. Stamps may also be collected by purchasing the items below:

(1) Ready Coffee Box (any flavor) = 1 stamp

(1) CBTL Capsule Box (any flavor) = 2 stamps

(1) CBTL Single Serve Beverage System (any model) = 12 stamps

4. The stamp card must always be presented UPON PURCHASE so that a circle may be stamped whenever its corresponding product assignment is purchased.

5. The completed stamp card should be presented and surrendered to the branch where The Giving Journal will be claimed. The cashier will punch the stamp card to prevent reuse. Combining of stamps cards is not allowed.

I must admit I once dreamt of getting my coffee done perfectly in just one to touch like magic. Being a coffee lover for quite some time now, I have often wondered how those expensive coffee drinks are made so I can make them myself. Such a caffeine junkie! I think it would be nice to a have my own mix or brand done in the most personal level kind of way.

Icona Vintage - Breakfast Collection Set (Toaster, Drip Coffee Maker, Kettle) [PhP 21,400]

Ice Cream Maker II Gelataio ICK 6000

[PhP 28,800]
- Product Info: http://bit.ly/29cK4qK

Multifry Low Oil Fryer and Multi Cooker [PhP 19800]
- Product Info: http://bit.ly/29g9ZQo

Thanks to Concept Specialist Inc., the official distributor of global brands like De’Longhi, Sanremo Coffee Machines, Thermoplan and Fetco, for coming up with the most innovative coffee machine, PrimaDonna Elite. You can see the brand De’Longhi on top-of-the-edge kitchen appliance like coffee-makers, multicooker, ovens,etc.

On July 20, 2016, De’Longhi’s Primadonna Elite was formally introduced at the new Shangri-La in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Hosted by Suzi Abrera, the event was graced by important personalities including Concept Specialist Inc.’s President Joseph Hung, De’Longhi’s International Commercial Director for Asia Pacific and Americas, Paul Accornero, and De’Longhi’s Regional Manager – South East Asia and Pacific Vincent Cheng. Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo helped unveil the star of the occasion, and celebrities like Inah Estrada, Patty Laurel-Filart and Tessa Prieto-Valdes participated in the demonstration. Singer Aicelle Santos kept the party alive with her performance. It was a huge success. I noticed everybody was so pumped up including myself. More than the coffee, I think the mere fact that you are surrounded by fashionable and futuristic (but actually here now) machines you used to imagine in your dream house is thrilling enough.

The whole thing gyrated on PrimaDonna Elite’s main concept – “Because there’s only one taste: yours.” Coffee or hot choco the way you want! By using the Coffee Link App, which is downloadable from Apple Store and Play Store, this advanced technology allows you to manage and connect digitally through wi-fi for a more convenient and fun coffee-making! The application will allow you to create and visualize new beverage recipes on your smartphone and can wirelessly communicate with the machine to make your very own flavor come to life. Now, that's amazing!

The colored touch display is very simple to use so you can customize barista-like beverage in just one touch. It is designed for people with uncompromised taste to achieve perfect café-quality coffee at home. The best brewed coffee can be attained only from freshly grounded coffee beans. The LatteCrema System, the secret of Primadonna Elite, ensures dense and creamy milk froth with silky smooth texture at the right temperature. It is so smart it can set-up personal profiles by memorizing ideal aroma, temperature and quantity of coffee and milk.

The technical expertise that created this bean-to-cup coffee-maker guarantees satisfaction with style. Your kitchen will not only function better but will also look better with PrimaDonna Elite’s sleek and shiny design, even the buttons are pretty!

I never thought a brand like De’Longhi can make dreams come true. Over the years, it has exceeded expectations and break grounds with something brilliant and delightful. It has out-done itself to be successful in bringing the most stylish, highly functional, and finest product on the table. I am definitely looking forward to their next upgrade and creations!

For more information about Concept Specialist Inc. Like and Follow them on:

Facebook: De'Longhi Philippines

Instagram: @delonghiph

You may also check out their showroom at 72 Sct. Dr. Lascano, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City. and concept store at D&K Kitchen Essentials at L/G East Wing, Shangri-La Mall, Mandaluyong City.

Also available at Rustan’s (Makati, Tower, Gateway and Cebu), SM Home (Aura, Makati and Megamall), Ansons (The Link) and Abensons (Ascott)."

I choose to be great in every decision I make. I believe that our choices define who we truly are. I never settle for less and I work hard to outdo myself all the time. You may have read or heard something similar, only stated a bit differently. This motto I have for myself is no stranger to everyone, even to JL *wink*.

Wait. Who? 

None other than the John Lloyd Cruz. I thought I was just dreaming when I attended this special event, and I saw JL. No, it wasn’t a dream at all, but a sweet reality. I was so thrilled! I have a secret to reveal about myself and JL. It wasn’t the first time I have seen him, but he never fails to amaze me. Remember his unmatched TV series with Angel Locsin, “Imortal”? I was one of the TV talents selected to play the role of one of the wolves or lobo for the show. I met JL during one of our tapings, and I liked him for being humble, natural and simply great. I admired him more, so I have obviously watched all his movies and TV shows.

I’m getting sentimental browsing our photos back then.

spot me :-)

The event was the launch of Great Taste Coffee’s fresh campaign #GTChooseToBeGreat where John Lloyd was announced as the newest brand ambassador. The premium coffee brand highlights the inspiring Filipino values and remarkable traits that make us all great – we don’t easily give up. Great Taste Coffee has confidence in every one of us who strives and explores possibilities to be successful in our chosen fields. From the simplest act of kindness to fulfilling bigger responsibilities, your daily cup of coffee aims to be part of the constant improvement to be the paramount.

We are very pleased to have John Lloyd Cruz as the latest addition to the Great Taste family. As our endorser, we believe he will reinforce our values and philosophy with the same kind of passion and greatness that he has exemplified in his life,” said Universal Robina Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Gokongwei.

It is not unknown to any person who perceives John Lloyd that, aside from being a talented actor, he is indeed one of a kind and a perfect quintessence of greatness. He constantly chooses to be the best by being himself. This new journey definitely shows the respect and admiration that he and the brand have for Pinoy’s amazing qualities. Sometimes I wonder, is Filipino synonymous to greatness?

The coffee shop-themed affair featured various activities where guests like me were able to celebrate and appreciate every achievement from small steps to significant milestones. We were also treated to an exclusive preview of Great Taste Coffee’s latest collaboration with JL. All of us felt boundless and inspired to spread the immensity of what we can do if we #GTChooseToBeGreat.

Be at your best and discover your greatness. Choose Great Taste Coffee when you go to your leading supermarkets, convenience stores, and sari-sari stores nationwide.