Of 888, luck and J.Co Donuts

MANILA, Philippines - It’s been a while since I attended a food event.

I recall it was many years ago when I asked if I could join my editor for an event where they were introducing the latest variants of cinnamon rolls.

I will never forget how, naïve as I was, I tasted every cinnamon roll that came my way. I did not want to embarrass the event hosts by saying no to a sweet. By the time we got back to the office, I had a migraine sooo bad, it took more than one painkiller to cure.

Recently, I was at the opening and blessing of J.Co Donuts’ third store at Greenbelt 3. This time I came prepared to eat only one or two donuts at most, and to make sure that I sampled the Alcapone and Coco Loco.

“What? No one is eating these Alcapone donuts!” Al Capone shouts at the top of his voice, bursting into J.Co with a plastic gun in tow.  “I am going to take a few of them,” he adds as he throws them into his briefcase.

Enter Greentisoy, a lover of the green tea donuts. “Chill,” says Greentisoy. “I love the green tea donuts ’cause they keep me calm.”

Shera Tiu of Oishi, J.Co ambassador Karylle, Heidi Ng and Oszen Chan, president, Contemporain Foods, Inc.

Francheeseka pushes the Cheese Me Up donuts. She begs us to give her our attention and to taste these donuts. 

Coco Luvin, who only has eyes for the Coco Loco donuts, is the last to enter J.Co. He is hyper as hyper can be. He says that the Coco Loco donuts give him lots of energy and are full of antioxidants, making them healthy, too.

There I was, seated in the corner as I had refused the donuts that came my way while deciding which one I would taste.

“What? No donuts here,” says Al Capone to me.

“They didn’t bring us any,” I lie.

Of course, the very generous staff of J.Co had passed by more than once, offering me donuts galore.

“I need an Alcapone, and make it fast,” I call out.

“Off to jail with you, since you have no Alcapone,” Al says to me as he points his plastic gun.

“I have done my time,” I reply.

I am saved from jail by the cool staff of J.Co as they approach me with a plateful of Alcapone donuts.

Eat, eat, eat: J.Co Donuts in lucky 888 form.

But, not that easy — I take a big bite and smile as commanded by Al Capone before he leaves me in peace … and stitches, too.

The donut?

Yummy.

A Chan Encounter

“We used to pass by J.Co every day when we were in Indonesia, “ said Oszen Chan, president of Contemporain Foods, Inc., which owns J.Co.  “We like J.Co because they are not too sweet.”

It was time to relax and chat with Oszen and his dad, Oishi founder, Carlos Chan.

“Bakit di pa tayo magbenta?” asks Carlos Chan to Oszen.  “Ang daming tao na naghihintay sa labas.”

“Di pa tayo bukas,” answers Oszen.

“Negosyante talaga ako, ano?” he chuckles to himself.

Makati Gets J.Cool

Now that J.Co Donuts and Coffee is in Greenbelt 3, people are going to have a new place to hang out and also another option for movie snacks. This is the third branch of J.Co serving donuts, freshly brewed Italian coffee, and healthy J.Cool frozen yogurt treats.

At the opening of J.Co, its brand ambassadors, international TV personality Karylle and model Robby Mananquil, have a J.cool time.

And, as a special treat to mark the opening of the GB 3 outlet, J.Co concocts a truly special treat. The comedic group Spit leaves everyone in stitches with their trademark humor. Portraying characters inspired by best-selling J.Co donut variants, the group showcases what makes these donuts deliciously unique. Among the original J.Co donut variants highlighted in this event were Al Capone, Cheese Me Up, Green Tease, and Coco Loco.

Adding a youthful and dynamic spirit to the event were some of the country’s top campus groups, including the UA&P Fire Starters Cheering Squad, the DLSU lady spikers, DLSU men’s and women’s football team and the Ateneo Football team.

“I go around the stores every day to taste the donuts,” shares Oszen. “What is important is the quality of the dough. If the dough is right, then the donut is sure to be at its best.”

“Nung nasa Jakarta kami pinupuntahan namin yung J.Co Donuts,” adds Carlos Chan.  “Duon nag-umpisa yung idea. May isa pang brand, okay din, pero ito ang pinakamasarap.”

Oszen says that what makes J.Co stand out among the other brands is that it is not as sweet. And he adds that the chocolate really tastes like chocolate. 

We ask Carlos Chan if the round shape is lucky? Or if he has thought that if he joins two donuts together it forms an 8?

“Bagong idea yun, ah,” he smiles.

 “I think J.Co has created its own niche because it is always fresh,” quips Oszen. “When you see the donuts in the counter, they are shiny and that makes them also more attractive.”

J.Co is poised to redefine the lifestyle café scene in the country with its array of signature donuts, soothing brews, and cooling yogurt. In addition to the filling coffee-and-donut tandem, J.Co outlets also offer a relaxing and inviting ambience ideal for cozy get-togethers or simply whiling the time away.

I must confess that I had more than two J.Co donuts. I couldn’t resist them. I also tried the yogurt.

The sugar-rush headache of the past was nowhere to be found.

J.Co Donuts are my new best-friend sweet treats.

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Aside from the newest outlet in Greenbelt 3, J.Co Donuts and Coffee can also be enjoyed in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and will open soon in TriNoma, Alabang Town Center, Eastwood City and SM Fairview.