While other Irish celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with alcohol, some Irish government delegates in the Philippines had a glass of Ireland’s no. 1 milk brand Avonmore.
The famous milk brand, which has full cream, low fat, and skimmed variants, is now available exclusively at Marketplace by Rustan’s and Rustan’s Supermarket branches.
Irish Ambassador Geoffrey Keating and Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government John Paul Phelan, TD, were delighted to find one of their country’s most beloved brands on the shelves of a supermarket some 7,000 miles away from Ireland.
“It’s like seeing a bit of home,” enthused Keating. “I haven’t seen Avonmore in the Southeast Asian region before. This is a first and it’s a very nice feeling to walk into the store and see the display.”
Keating and Phelan were warmly received by Rustan Supercenters, Inc. chief executive officer Irwin Lee during the event and joined by a group that included Rustan’s Commercial Corporation president Donnie V. Tantoco, Rustan’s Supercenters Inc. assistant vice president for Marketing Ana Punongbayan, RSCI wine import manager David Brissonnaud, Consul General and Vice-Consul of the Irish Consulate Philippines Robert F. Trota, Irish Food Board Southeast Asia director Ciarán Gallagher, and Avonmore representatives Maria Victoria Fuentes and Ramon Fuentes.
Lee said looks forward to continue forging a solid partnership with Ireland, one that will hopefully see the arrival of its other world-class goods and brands in these shores. Nicknamed Emerald Isle, Ireland boasts a lush, green terrain that supports its thriving meat, fish, dairy, fruit, vegetable, and cereal industries.
“Marketplace by Rustan’s is known for its wide variety of international products, and we want to keep expanding the selection for our customers,” said Lee, who is in talks with the Irish Food Board. “Avonmore is the no. 1 milk brand in Ireland and is our first Irish grocery product, so we’re proud to be able to make it available to our shoppers and offer them a better experience at our stores.”
For more info, visit www.rustansfresh.com.