Jackie Chan's coffee shop to maximize local beans

Instead of exclusively using exotic beans from other countries, the upcoming coffee shop of Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan will source most of its culinary ingredients from Southern Tagalog provinces. Flying in from Hong Kong on Friday afternoon, the Asian celebrity announced that his Jackie Chan's Java store will devote most of its coffee beans from Laguna, Cavite and Batangas. Chan joined his partners in finalizing incorporation papers and endorsement deals for their new venture, through his Kowloon-based Jackie's Java Company Ltd, at the Captain's Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City. Jackie Chan's Java will use only arabica beans, which is preferred by many coffee enthusiasts for its full-bodied flavor. Batangas coffee, meanwhile, is known among local drinkers for delivering an extra strong "kick." The new coffee shop will be the first undertaking of Chan's business group for its franchises that are envisioned to span Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. The incorporators, however, have yet to determine the location of its store in the Philippines. They added that they will also use food ingredients or cuisine from the three provinces, but did not immediately say what these would be. "The [local] flagship store will open before the year ends," said Arlene Calaguian, one of Chan's media handlers. Honored While Chan maintained a relatively low-profile during his previous trips to the Philippines, his publicity run this time around was in full swing. Media crews and avid Filipino fans flocked around Chan on his arrival at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Chan, or Chan Kong-Sang in real life, said he has already visited the Philippines in the past to scout location settings and sometimes shoot scenes for his films. He said he had to endure a "bumpy, roller-coaster ride" out of typhoon-ravaged Hong Kong just to be able to arrive at the Philippines. After waiting nearly four hours because of flight delays, Chan landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 1:25 p.m. on board a chartered private jet Gulf Stream 28. During the press conference, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay presented a beaming Chan with the symbolic keys to the city. Local business institutions also handed donation checks to Chan, who in turn passed on the money to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). Senator Richard Gordon, PNRC chairman, led rites to formally accept Chan's offer to become a volunteer of the Philippine rescue unit. Jackie's pipes Singer Gary Valenciano dedicated a song titled, "Love in Any Language" to Chan. "I'm very glad to be with someone who has compassion for people in need," Valenciano said. Heartened by the gesture, Chan took stood up and hugged Valenciano after the song. After taking his seat, Chan said: "I'm going to return the favor and sing. But wait, give me time to recall the lyrics." Chan, who speaks mostly in Mandarin, stunned the crowd at the end of the press conference by singing a surprisingly impressive a capella rendition of "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You." Chan is scheduled to depart for Europe on Friday evening to begin production on Rush Hour 3. During his arrival at the NAIA earlier in the afternoon, Chan said, "I love Philippines. Mabuhay ang Pilipino." (Long live the Filipino)-GMANews.TV