My Core Jollibee Story Immortalized Through Food Photography
There is always that one childhood story that we carry all the way to our adulthood. This is that story for me. Something that I would consider as one of my core childhood memories.
It was November 22, 2003. Oh wait, that was 20 years ago already? Anyway, it was the day I was given a Jollibee Superkids Club Member card. I was a young boy eating a chicken joy like a hungry and jolly little boy. It’s still with me. To be exact, I happen to have just found it in our old cabinet downstairs. It reminds me of a good and inspiring story that I experienced when I was just a child and I want to share it with you.
I’m the youngest child so most of the time, if my mother needs someone to accompany her, I would be that “someone”. I think during that time I was accompanying my mother to go see someone who we can borrow money from or we might just have finished a Sunday mass. I don’t recall exactly what we did but that’s the usual scenario we have. Either we borrow money from someone or attend a mass. However, I remember exactly what happened after that.
We went to Jollibee, I don’t know why but perhaps my mother just wants to buy me something. We ordered. Just 1 meal. For me. My mother said “Sige kaen ka na.” (translates to “Go on and eat already.”) While I was eating, a crew or a manager (I guess) went over to us to give this Jollibee Superkids Club Member card. Perhaps that person was intrigued by my happy expressions while eating that meal. I mean, it’s Jollibee. It’s one of the best meals that you can have as a child or even an adult in the Philippines. The deal with the card is that you get a meal every year on your birthday completely for FREE. I think it’s 1 pc. chicken joy meal.
Ever since that day, it’s something that I’m always looking forward to do during my birthday. Why? Because I get to eat a Jollibee meal for FREE. Who doesn’t want that? We might not have an actual celebration at home but I have the free meal. Although, it’s only valid until age of 12 so I don’t know what happened after that.
Regardless, it’s a good story and something that I would consider as a core memory of mine. So, I wanted to immortalize that memory aside from having the member card. I want to create an art that I can print out, frame, then whenever I look at it I’ll be inspired and remember that lovely story ~ not the free meal but the selfless love that my Mother has for me.
I listed ideas and sketched them out to help me prepare for a photo session. I’d like to create something that is pleasing to look at, more on pop and bright style, but also is full of rich story of my own. And, it might resemble someone else’s story as well. After sketching and brainstorming, I decided to create 3 photos.
Image 1 - My mother buying a meal for me to enjoy while she enjoys watching me eat.
Image 2 - Me and my mother enjoying our meal now that I’m a grown up and can afford to buy Jollibee for both of us.
Image 3 - Me with my selfless mother.
That’s it. I hope this story somehow inspires at least one person. That’s enough for me. Keep on living and one day, you’ll be able to finally reward the people you love. It doesn’t have to be a grand gift. It can be a simple meal that you both enjoy.
Photography by Renz Dimaculangan
Renz is a still life photographer specializing in creative food & product photography. He helps businesses increase brand awareness that drives sales through his imaginative concepts that showcase the product in a creative and fun way.
When he is not holding his camera, you can find him pulling espresso shots or brewing coffee in different ways.
Renz works in the Philippines and beyond. Send a message if you have any questions.
