As soon as I entered the room, I saw a very familiar name on the stage that made me smile, “GOYA”
Each step felt like a stroll down memory lane for a kid who grew up in the 80s and knew chocolate by only one name—GOYA. And when I saw their chocolate buffet which included every Goya product available, I could imagine my former classmates crying tears of joy at such a sweet sight.
Everyone I knew grew up (or big) with Goya. Back then we could buy a handful of chocolates with our “baon.” Goya was affordable, but it tasted just as good as those more expensive brands and that’s why we loved it more.
Their chocolate treats have the kick up taste of cocoa that is perfectly balanced with milk and their variants can satisfy anyone’s sweet cravings for the day. I remember my father would even use Goya Gold coins in his coffee instead of sugar.
We would even joke about our girl classmates who were won over by their suitors who gave them chocolates and would tease them “Na-Goya ka no!”
And through the years, I’m glad that their commitment to create deliciously sweet chocolate for every Filipino continues.
Goya, one of the most enduring chocolate brands shows the way in celebrating life’s simple pleasures as it held its “Celebrate Everyday with Goya,” thanksgiving event at the Circle Events Place last February 20, 2014.
The “Celebrate Everyday with Goya” featured lots of games, fun, prizes and surprises that guests and media surely enjoyed after a hard day’s work covering important events and writing their stories.
But by the end of the night, I think I was the one who had the biggest reason to celebrate as I won the GRAND PRIZE OF THE NIGHT–a 1-YEAR SUPPLY OF GOYA CHOCOLATES!
And I think that’s more than enough reasons to celebrate each day with Goya chocolates! Thank you GOYA! You made the kid in me–with the sweet tooth for dark chocolates—very very very happy!
“Every day we work tirelessly for our family and loved ones and whenever we accomplish something, it is but fitting to celebrate it in our own way, whether alone or with friends. Celebrating our life’s events helps make us more positive and therefore allows us to be even more motivated to continue and pursue our objectives and dreams,” Goya General Manager Josenilo Chincuanco shared over dinner.
Chincuanco explains that the road for Goya was not easy and it took a lot of effort from both management and workers to bring Goya back to where it once was, in a level where it can effectively compete with other more established brands already in the market.
That is why the “Celebrate Everyday with Goya” event is the company’s own way of thanking its supporters and the media for continuing to patronize Goya and recognizing the efforts to uplift Goya’s potential to even greater heights and be able to go head-to-head with competitors in terms of taste but at a wallet-friendly price level.
“With Goya, we now make delicious, world-class and premium-quality chocolates that are within their reach. They don’t have to spend more or wait for their relatives’ ‘padala’ or ‘pasalubong’ to enjoy delectable chocolates. It’s now available right here in our country, the finest chocolate at a price they all can afford. That alone is worthy enough to celebrate,” he relates.
The event also marked the special appearance of Goya’s celebrity brand ambassador, actress and TV host Kim Chiu, who gamely participated in all the games and other activities that night.
Chincuanco also recognizes the fact that Kim Chiu was very much instrumental in elevating the awareness level on Goya, particularly among the younger set who may have not known that there is a fully homegrown chocolate brand that is as tasty as the other imported brands but not as expensive.
“Credit goes also to Kim Chiu for tirelessly helping us in promoting Goya as part of everyone’s lives. Her association with Goya was a big plus factor in increasing awareness about Goya. Our chocolate products, in particular the Goya chocolate bar, is the most preferred chocolate bar in the market. A big thank you to Kim for helping us” Chincuanco relates.
“We strive to become better every day and we hope that in Filipinos’ celebrations, holiday or not, they could make Goya a significant part of their celebration,” he adds.
Goya now offers wide-array of products from chocolates bars, to dragees, chocolate covered-pretzel twists, chocolate wafers and even chocolate spreads. All manufactured using Swiss chocolate-making technology.
For certified chocolate aficionados out there, visit the Goya Chocoholics Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/GoyaChocoholics.