By: JOEY A. GABIETA
Photos by: Rommel Cabrera
PALO, Leyte- The opening of the McDonald’s Palo was greeted with a bang and enthusiasm from its customers coming from this town and nearby areas.
No less than the president and CEO of McDonald’s, Kenneth Yang, and one of the country’s most popular actors, Alden Richards, were around to greet the first customers of McDonald’s when it opened on Wednesday(September 27).
Yang said that the opening of the McDonald’s Palo is now the 547th branch of one of the world’s most recognizable brands in the country as he expects more outlets to soon rise in Leyte and other parts of the region.
“We are just happy and very excited to be here in Palo as we provide the best service, good quality of our goods and great foods,” he said.
The McDonald’s president and CEO said that they are optimistic that its branch in Palo will also enjoy a stream of clients just like at their other branches in the country.
He also paid tribute to the resiliency of the people of Palo for their fast recovery when the town was devastated by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ November 8, 2013.
Meantime, Richards delighted the huge crowd who wanted to see him in flesh by accommodating their requests for photo opportunities and even for a hug.
At a certain point, the popular and handsome young actor also served as cashier to the much delight of the customers, young and old alike.
Richards also help promote the opening of the McDonald’s Palo by going around to the main streets of the town during a motorcade.
The store’s famous clown, Ronald McDonald was also all over the place entertaining and delighting the big crowd during the morning opening.
Caroline Lee-Andrade, owner and proprietor of the McDonald’s Palo, expressed her happiness to the people of the town and nearby areas for coming full force during the opening.
“We have a very successful opening and we believe that we can sustain the success considering that aside from having a known brand, we also offer great food and very good service to our customers,” Andrade said.
The McDonald’s Palo is located in Barangay Pawing, fast emerging as the commercial district of the town.
The structure, stuffed with colorful and uniquely-designed tables and chairs manned by 100 jolly and workaholic young staff, was constructed April of last year and was completed days before its Sept.26 grand opening.
It could accommodate 200 customers.
Before its first day of business, the store had its blessings with no less than Palo Archbishop John Du leading it and attended by local officials like Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla and some of the big names in the business and society hereabouts.
Nightly activities like dance and variety shows were also held. A fabulous fireworks display capped the opening of McDonald’s Palo.
