President Aquino Visits Jollibee, Mingles with Filipinos in Singapore

Singapore — President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee’s branch at the Lucky Plaza Mall here Wednesday where he had a quick lunch and a chance to mingle with some of his compatriots.

Greeting President Aquino upon his arrival at the store was Jollibee Foods Corporation chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, along with some of the company’s executives, staff, and regular customers.

President Aquino came with some of his Cabinet officials, among them Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Secretary Julia Abad of the Presidential Management Staff, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Undersecretary Manolo Quezon of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairman Cristino Naguiat, Jr.

President Aquino ordered a regular serving of cheeseburger, fries, and soda, and gamely posed for a selfie with some of the Filipino customers.

Located at the 6th level of Lucky Plaza Mall along Orchard Road, Jollibee Singapore is the company’s eighth international branch, according to area manager John Nacional.

The store opened in March last year to a queue of an estimated 35,000 customers eager to taste Jollibee’s signature dishes and other products.

Overseas Filipino workers and residents who frequent the store said they loved going to Jollibee because it reminds them of home. They were also happy to find out that President Aquino was going to visit that day.

There is an estimated 180,000 Filipinos in Singapore. The visit at Jollibee was President Aquino’s last engagement during his two-day working visit here. PND (hdc)

Photo above: Singapore – President Benigno S. Aquino III during the visit to Jollibee Singapore at the Lucky Plaza Mall on Wednesday afternoon (November 19, 2014) for his Official Visit to the Republic of Singapore. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)