Hello and welcome to my blog! This is my space where I share the things that make me and my family happy. And in doing so, I hope to somehow rub off the happiness on you.

To begin, let me ask you how your Monday is. For most people, it’s always a drag going to the office because of the horrendously heavy traffic in Metro Manila. As if Monday itself is not bad enough. Coincidentally, there was another transport strike this morning. 

While classes were suspended in Metro Manila, the traffic was, again, heavier than usual because number coding was also suspended. Imagine the sheer number of poor commuters, mostly office workers, enduring the heat as they wait and hope

to get a ride along the sidewalks. There was transport aid from the government but, of course, this was not enough to serve all the stranded commuters.

That is why anything that can brighten Monday mornings will be greatly appreciated. Take for example McDonald’s National Breakfast Day which happened earlier today between 7:00 to 8:00 AM. Most people consider breakfast as a great way to fuel their day. All the better if it is free.

Launched in 2013, National Breakfast Day is McDonald’s widely-successful annual tradition of giving free breakfast to Filipinos.

During the second year of National Breakfast Day held last March 17, 2014, McDonald’s celebrated what is deemed as “the biggest breakfast activation” as it served more than 315,000 McMuffin sandwiches to customers all over the Philippines. 

The event started at 6:00 AM and all participating McDonald’s breakfast stores nationwide joined the celebration to say “thank you” to its customers who start their day at McDonald’s. Each participating McDonald’s breakfast store gave away free McMuffins to the first 1,000 customers on a first-come-first-serve basis. As per McDonald’s estimate, that was over 315,000 hot and fresh McMuffins served to customers nationwide via Dine-In, Take-Out, and Drive-Thru.

Customarily, McDonald’s would give out the usual breakfast fare from their menu such as last year’s hash browns and a drink (a choice of either 8oz. McCafe Premium Roast Coffee or 12 oz. Minute Maid Orange Juice Drink) and a free breakfast sandwich (either Burgerdesal, Sausage McMuffin, or Egg McMuffin). This year though, McDonald’s gave out their newest breakfast item — the Longgadesal.

In the Longgadesal, McDonald's put an exciting twist on a Filipino breakfast staple: a longganisa patty topped with a sweet, cream sauce and wrapped in a warm and chewy pandesal bun. Customers have the option to add an egg or not.

Nearly 500 McDonald’s stores participated and gave away free breakfast bundles. Celebrity endorsers such as Alden Richards Maine Mendoza, Tony Labrusca, Maymay Entrata, and Edward Barber handed out the longgadesals in select stores.

The benefits of eating breakfast

Time and time again and countless articles in print and online, it has been said that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast gives you the energy to start your day as well as provides many health benefits such as weight control and improved performance.

Studies show that eating a healthy and filling breakfast can help give you:

While breakfast is important for everyone, it is especially beneficial also for children and adolescents. Eating breakfast helps children perform better, whether at school or in the playground, with improved alertness, analytical skills, and eye and body synchronization.

Were you able to get your breakfast meal from McDonald’s today? If not, I hope you had a good and filling breakfast to help you with Monday blues and get you through the day.

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