Since the hashtag ThrowbackThursday/tbt (#ThrowbackThursday, #tbt) became popular, a lot of people on Instagram and Facebook have been starting to post old pictures to reminisce their childhood.  Ang sarap balik-balikan ng nakaraan, when things are still simple.  My friends and I talk about those good old days, and sometimes we even tease each other how 'weird' we look then, haha.  These days, I feel that life is complicated and sometimes I am having difficulty catching up.  There are times that I really, really feel tired and wishing that life would be simpler, just like when I was young.  Hay, single mom woes...

Of course, Jollibee is part of my childhood.  I remember my father buying peach mango pie (it was big then, like a size of a regular shawarma, hehe) from work.  When I was in high school, Jollibee would give out discount coupons.  That is the only time that I can personally afford to eat at Jollibee without asking extra money from my parents (my baon in highschool was P15). Those were the days....

Fast forward to the present...

Jollibee recently welcomed Jodi Sta. Maria and her son Thirdy Lacson as the newest brand ambassadors for Jolly Spaghetti during the media launch held at Ortigas Roosevelt branch last May 25, 2016.  On the latest TV commercial of Jolly Spaghetti, Jodi and Thirdy shared their own personal experiences, from happy memories when she was a kid and to how she now enjoys the same bonding moments with Thirdy.  The Jolly Spaghetti Sweet-Sarap Moments event also featured fun games for media guests and their kids.

During the media launch, Jodi confessed on being a certified Batang Jollibee, even before she got into show business.  Her mother worked hard to raise Jodi and her siblings, but made sure that she devotes her Saturdays to her family by bringing them to Jollibee.

Jodi recalls, "Every Saturday, iti-treat niya kami sa Jollibee sa may Landmark food court.  Talagang masasabi ko na kinalakihan ko si Jollibee.  At hindi lang yun, kasi bawat party, bawat celebration, talagang naging part siya ng family namin at ng pamilyang Pilipino."

Jodi would often order Jolly Spaghetti and Jolly Hotdog whenever she and her siblings would go out with their mom.  Now that she is already a mom, she wants to pass the same joyful experience to her son Thirdy.  Thirdy loves the cheesy, meaty, and sweet-sarap flavors of Jolly Spaghetti.

She added, "Wala akong nakilalang bata na gusto ng maasim na spaghetti, especially Filipino children.  I believe na nakuha ng Jollibee yung manamis-namis na timpla na hinahanap-hanap ng bawat batang Pilipino."

Jodi remains simple even with her celebrity status and recent accolades for her stellar TV performances.  Spending quality time with Thirdy is still her priority despite of her busy work schedule.  She tells that they can spend hours of talking about anything.  Whenever they have a chance to eat Jollibee meals either for delivery or drive-thru, they would always order the same thing: C3 (Jolly Spaghetti and Chickenjoy combo meal).

Jodi tells that Thirdy is a very opinionated kid.  She even tells the press that her son can be a lawyer in the future.

Kent Mariano, Jollibee Assistant Vice President for Marketing said that Jodi and Thirdy are the perfect endorsers for Jolly Spaghetti.  The Jollibee family is also equally happy and excited to welcome this mother and son duo.  "Despite Jodi's celebrity status and hectic schedule, she believes in making even the smallest of moments count when it comes to strengthening her bond with Thirdy and her family.  Jodi's own story and personal experiences of bonding with her mom and now with her son is something that many Pinoy families can relate to.  We at Jollibee have always proud to be part of such memorable moments," Mariano added.

Take a look at the photos that we had during the media launch.  All of us had fun!  My son proactively joined the activities, he danced with Jollibee, talked with the hosts, and even tried interacting with Thirdy!

Kib doing some coloring activity while waiting for the program to start

Jodi, Thirdy, Jollibee, and the rest of Jollibee executives for a photo op

Jodi and Thirdy posing for the press during the mom-child activity

Kib with the event hosts, Paolo and Suzi Abrera

Our winning photo on the Instagram contest during the event

Our winning moment, Kib was crying out of happiness