Presented by
We Filipinos, boy do we love to eat! And as the old saying goes, food tastes better if it’s free! As much as we like to get treated out, there’s also pleasure in buying the treats for others. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion—it can be overtime at the office, you wanting to impress that new co-worker (Valentine’s Day, after all, is just around the corner), or just a plain show of appreciation for your friends this New Year.
Guess what—making “libre” doesn’t also have to break the bank, nor does it have to look cheap. Coconuts is here to save the day with some ideas that will make it look as if you spent hours and hours planning the whole thing. You don’t even have to go to the mall, the nearest foodcourt, or cook up something at home.
All you need is a nearby convenience store that serves awesome drinks, snacks, and meals. Our choice? FamilyMart. Hey, it’s got well thought-out choices that regularly get replenished, day after day. That means the food is always fresh, and looks great (remember, we eat first with our eyes, so attractive-looking food always gets more props!). It also has more “gift-worthy” choices; we name more than a dozen below, and there are still more to choose from when you actually visit the stores!
Best of all, you can use your beep™ card at FamilyMart, which means you don’t have to make an extra trip to the ATM. Just tap it at the register, and you’re good to go.
Okay, so you’re ready to splurge on lunch with your posse, or accept the challenge of: “Libre ka naman, o!” Here’s how to wow them all and pull it off with convenience store-bought snacks:
1. Package it like a round-the world culinary experience. Buy two or three items, and stick on a card that says: “I can’t afford to bring you around the world, so I’m bringing the world to you instead.”
For example, dishes like Rice-in-a-Box Line featuring the classic and beloved Yang Chow Fried Rice and Fresh Fried Lumpiang Shanghai can be grouped into a “China Package”. Sausage and Pesto Ziti and Solo Pizzas—”Italian Tour”. Soba and Sushi—”Japan Getaway”. Snazz ’em up with those toothpicks with the mini-flags. Sweet, huh?
2. Give him (or her, or them) an ersatz “Lunch/Dinner/Snack” gift certificate in the form of a loaded beep™ card. Hop over to the nearest FamilyMart, and treat yourselves to a filling Pork Binagoongan, Donburi (our pick: Beef Caldereta), or Chicken Galantina (a classic holiday dish). Don’t forget to end it with Strawberry or Mango Taho, Mango Graham, Fudgy Chocolate Brownies and Banoffee dessert cups. Solb!
3. Play overtime good guy/gal. Crunching late hours, and want to spread some cheer before everyone throws their laptops out the window—or at your boss? Throw a FamilyMart Midnight Snack party. Get your officemates snacks like Triangle Sandwiches or Sushi. Throw in some dessert cups, too. Everyone will love you (including your boss!).
Again, you can get all these by simply using your beep™ card. So hassle-free! This nifty little card is great for emergencies and for impromptu libre sessions, or anytime you need to look efficient and resourceful.
By the way, the beep™ card has lots of other features as well: it’s a commuter’s secret weapon – you can use it on all three rail lines (LRT1, LRT2 and MRT3) and five bus operators (BGC Bus, Citylink, HM Transport’s Airport Loop, RRCG P2P bus from Alabang to Makati and Froehlich’s P2P buses from Trinoma to Makati); and it’s so easy to get – no need to sign up, register or fill out forms. You can also reload your card at more than 300 branches of Bayad Center and partner establishments like SM Bills Pay, Tambunting, and Villarica, and—OF COURSE, at FamilyMart, too!
To know more, visit www.beeptopay.com and FB page @beepcardph.
Reader Interactions