Artificial intelligence-driven startups dominated the finalists of South Summit Madrid 2026\u2019s Startup Competition, with Singapore among the Asian markets represented in what organizers called the event\u2019s most international edition yet.
\nSouth Summit Madrid 2026, co-organized by IE University, said in a statement on May 19 that 50 of the 100 finalist startups use artificial intelligence as the core technology behind their businesses, reflecting the growing role of AI in the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
\nThe finalists were selected from more than 4,500 applications across 110 countries, with startups from 26 nations making the final list, up from 22 countries last year. Organizers described the competition as their \u201cmost international, mature, and AI-driven\u201d edition to date.
\nSingapore secured three finalist spots, while South Korea also had one finalist startup in the competition. Singapore-based finalists included OmniShelf in Digital & Tech Solutions, Ailytics in Industry 5.0, and cybersecurity firm Peris.ai in Trust Tech & Data. South Korea\u2019s HISTRANGER was shortlisted under Digital & Tech Solutions.
\nEurope accounted for nearly 77% of the finalist startups, while the United States represented 6% of the total. Latin America also expanded its presence in the competition, increasing to 10 finalists from seven last year.
\nSpain contributed the largest number of finalists with 44 startups, followed by Portugal with seven and the United States with six. France had five finalists, while Italy and the United Kingdom had four each.
\nThe competition also reflected the increasing maturity of startups globally. Organizers said 57% of finalists generate more than $150,000 in revenue, while 35% generate over $500,000 annually. About 60% have raised more than $1 million in funding, and 53% are already backed by venture capital firms.
\nAmong the selected startups, 36 are already in the scaleup stage, while 46 have registered at least one patent. In addition, 38 startups have at least one female founder.
\nThe finalists were grouped across 10 sectors, including climate technology, fintech, healthcare, mobility, enterprise solutions, and trust technology.
\nFinalists in the Climate Tech & Sustainability category included EarthScan, Green Growth, MESPAC, NPHarvest, Ocean Oasis, Phen Olives, PowerUP, Ravenwits, Solfium, and UniSCool.
\nConsumer finalists included Ciudadela, Fibrazo, FindNido, FoodieFame, iCook, Macadam, Manie, Ochy, Qualla, and Tangy Market.
\nIn Digital & Tech Solutions, finalists included Arq Quantum Technologies, Astroteq.ai, HISTRANGER, Lokutor, LunaLift, Oasy, OmniShelf, Spendbase, tranSkriptorium AI, and Ubicuity.
\nThe Fintech & Insurtech category featured Brokerware AI, CryptoMate, Dalatea, Dost, EthicHub, Granter, Initiativ, PagaFactu, Paynest, and VENDY.
\nFuture of Work & Talent finalists included Kincode AI, Diingu, Nova, OneNewOne, Sendsteps AI, Space To Grow, Stemdo, Trainect, Valeria, and Worksible.
\nHealth category finalists included 60Nd, Altum Sequency, FLOMICS, iYoni App, MedicubeX, Miramoon, Moonlight AI, Nanogrow Biotech, PREDICTHEON, and Tissue Dynamics.
\nIndustry 5.0 finalists included A4Radar Vitals, Ailytics, Ainwater, Dairy Tech, Dottir Labs, Floatech, Mapsi, NanoChronia, URAPHEX, and Xplorobot.
\nIn Mobility & Smart Cities, finalists included boxful, DeepNeurotic, DeterCamAI, Mettis AI, Mobi, Nido Constructech, Serp Energy, UP\u2019ONE, Xplora Srl, and ZYON Helmets.
\nTrust Tech & Data finalists included Captain Compliance, Coalex.ai, Judit, Metadataworks Limited, MicelioData, Naltilia, Peris.ai, Riskita, Secrets Vault, and simplyblock.
\nEnterprise Solutions finalists included anyformat, Dealcar, KonvoAI, Libertify, LoopOS, Service Club, Silmaril Technologies, SmarterMRP, Soource, and Wise CX.
\nSouth Summit Madrid 2026 will be held from June 3 to 5 at La Nave in Madrid, where finalists will present their projects to investors, corporations, and technology companies.
\nOrganizers said startups that previously participated in the competition have collectively raised more than $20.5 billion in investment over the past 14 editions. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "Artificial intelligence-driven startups dominated the finalists of South Summit Madrid 2026\u2019s Startup Competition, with Singapore among the Asian markets represented in what organizers called the event\u2019s most international edition yet.\nSouth Summit Madrid 2026, co-organized by IE University, said in a statement on May 19 that 50 of the 100 finalist startups use artificial intelligence as the core technology behind their businesses, reflecting the growing role of AI in the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.\nThe finalists were selected from more than 4,500 applications across 110 countries, with startups from 26 nations making the final list, up from 22 countries last year. Organizers described the competition as their \u201cmost international, mature, and AI-driven\u201d edition to date.\nSingapore secured three finalist spots, while South Korea also had one finalist startup in the competition. Singapore-based finalists included OmniShelf in Digital & Tech Solutions, Ailytics in Industry 5.0, and cybersecurity firm Peris.ai in Trust Tech & Data. South Korea\u2019s HISTRANGER was shortlisted under Digital & Tech Solutions.\nEurope accounted for nearly 77% of the finalist startups, while the United States represented 6% of the total. Latin America also expanded its presence in the competition, increasing to 10 finalists from seven last year.\nSpain contributed the largest number of finalists with 44 startups, followed by Portugal with seven and the United States with six. France had five finalists, while Italy and the United Kingdom had four each.\nThe competition also reflected the increasing maturity of startups globally. Organizers said 57% of finalists generate more than $150,000 in revenue, while 35% generate over $500,000 annually. About 60% have raised more than $1 million in funding, and 53% are already backed by venture capital firms.\nAmong the selected startups, 36 are already in the scaleup stage, while 46 have registered at least one patent. In addition, 38 startups have at least one female founder.\nThe finalists were grouped across 10 sectors, including climate technology, fintech, healthcare, mobility, enterprise solutions, and trust technology.\nFinalists in the Climate Tech & Sustainability category included EarthScan, Green Growth, MESPAC, NPHarvest, Ocean Oasis, Phen Olives, PowerUP, Ravenwits, Solfium, and UniSCool.\nConsumer finalists included Ciudadela, Fibrazo, FindNido, FoodieFame, iCook, Macadam, Manie, Ochy, Qualla, and Tangy Market.\nIn Digital & Tech Solutions, finalists included Arq Quantum Technologies, Astroteq.ai, HISTRANGER, Lokutor, LunaLift, Oasy, OmniShelf, Spendbase, tranSkriptorium AI, and Ubicuity.\nThe Fintech & Insurtech category featured Brokerware AI, CryptoMate, Dalatea, Dost, EthicHub, Granter, Initiativ, PagaFactu, Paynest, and VENDY.\nFuture of Work & Talent finalists included Kincode AI, Diingu, Nova, OneNewOne, Sendsteps AI, Space To Grow, Stemdo, Trainect, Valeria, and Worksible.\nHealth category finalists included 60Nd, Altum Sequency, FLOMICS, iYoni App, MedicubeX, Miramoon, Moonlight AI, Nanogrow Biotech, PREDICTHEON, and Tissue Dynamics.\nIndustry 5.0 finalists included A4Radar Vitals, Ailytics, Ainwater, Dairy Tech, Dottir Labs, Floatech, Mapsi, NanoChronia, URAPHEX, and Xplorobot.\nIn Mobility & Smart Cities, finalists included boxful, DeepNeurotic, DeterCamAI, Mettis AI, Mobi, Nido Constructech, Serp Energy, UP\u2019ONE, Xplora Srl, and ZYON Helmets.\nTrust Tech & Data finalists included Captain Compliance, Coalex.ai, Judit, Metadataworks Limited, MicelioData, Naltilia, Peris.ai, Riskita, Secrets Vault, and simplyblock.\nEnterprise Solutions finalists included anyformat, Dealcar, KonvoAI, Libertify, LoopOS, Service Club, Silmaril Technologies, SmarterMRP, Soource, and Wise CX.\nSouth Summit Madrid 2026 will be held from June 3 to 5 at La Nave in Madrid, where finalists will present their projects to investors, corporations, and technology companies.\nOrganizers said startups that previously participated in the competition have collectively raised more than $20.5 billion in investment over the past 14 editions. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2026-05-20T16:17:34+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-20T16:17:39+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/It-professionals-using-artificial-intelligence-augmented-reality-hologram.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Technology" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749653", "url": "/technology/2026/05/14/749653/ai-defense-tech-to-take-center-stage-at-south-summit-madrid-2026/", "title": "AI, defense tech to take center stage at South Summit Madrid 2026", "content_html": "Artificial intelligence (AI), startup investment and defense technology will take center stage at South Summit Madrid 2026, an international entrepreneurship and innovation forum expected to gather more than 600 speakers, investors, startups and corporations from around the world next month.
\nThe three-day event, scheduled for June 3-5 at La Nave in Madrid, is co-organized by IE University and will focus on \u201cAI Convergence,\u201d highlighting how AI is reshaping industries, venture capital, productivity and business models.
\nNearly 30 unicorn companies are expected to participate, according to organizers.
\nSouth Summit described itself as a global platform that connects startups, investors, corporations and institutions to promote business opportunities within the innovation ecosystem.
\nOrganizers said the event has gathered more than 42,500 startups over the past 14 editions, while its Startup Competition has produced more than 1,500 finalist startups with an 85% survival rate and more than $20.5 billion in investment raised.
\nSouth Summit said AI accounted for 61% of global venture capital investment in 2025, up from 30% in 2022, reflecting what it described as an \u201caccelerated shift in the priorities of investors, startups, corporations and institutions.\u201d
\n\u201cArtificial Intelligence is no longer just a technology: it is a force that is redefining how we invest, how we build companies, how we compete and how we think about the future of Europe,\u201d South Summit founder and President Mar\u00eda Benjumea said in a statement.
\nOrganizers said the conference will examine AI\u2019s impact on investment, entrepreneurship, defense, sustainability, regulation and productivity amid increasing global competition over technological development and innovation.
\nThe event will also feature a \u201cDefense & AI\u201d track involving NATO innovation leaders through its DIANA defense accelerator program, alongside startups and investors working on cybersecurity, autonomous systems, infrastructure protection and dual-use technologies.
\nSouth Summit said the focus on defense technology reflects Europe\u2019s efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on foreign technologies in critical sectors.
\nJuan Jos\u00e9 G\u00fcemes, vice president of IE University, said the event would once again position Madrid \u201cas the world capital of entrepreneurship and innovation.\u201d
\n\u201cFor our institution, as co-organizers, it is a pride to promote a meeting that reflects our strategic commitment to Artificial Intelligence as a driver of transformation, and our entrepreneurial DNA,\u201d he said.
\nJes\u00fas Herrero, chief executive officer of Red.es, said AI has \u201credefined the competitiveness of countries and the ability of our companies to innovate.\u201d
\n\u201cTo lead this transformation, we must train, attract and retain talent, but also bet on entrepreneurship as a key lever to promote a more ambitious ecosystem,\u201d he said.
\nConfirmed speakers include GoogleX founder Sebastian Thrun, investor Kim Perell and Female Invest co-founder Anna Hartvigsen.
\nSouth Summit and PwC also released a report ahead of the conference discussing AI\u2019s growing role in venture capital and startup ecosystems, particularly in healthcare and defense.
\nSouth Summit has also expanded its presence in Latin America, holding events in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
\nOrganizers said the 2026 Brazil edition drew more than 24,000 attendees from 70 countries, alongside 3,000 startups and more than 1,000 investors managing a combined \u20ac250 billion investment portfolio. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "Artificial intelligence (AI), startup investment and defense technology will take center stage at South Summit Madrid 2026, an international entrepreneurship and innovation forum expected to gather more than 600 speakers, investors, startups and corporations from around the world next month.\nThe three-day event, scheduled for June 3-5 at La Nave in Madrid, is co-organized by IE University and will focus on \u201cAI Convergence,\u201d highlighting how AI is reshaping industries, venture capital, productivity and business models.\nNearly 30 unicorn companies are expected to participate, according to organizers.\nSouth Summit described itself as a global platform that connects startups, investors, corporations and institutions to promote business opportunities within the innovation ecosystem.\nOrganizers said the event has gathered more than 42,500 startups over the past 14 editions, while its Startup Competition has produced more than 1,500 finalist startups with an 85% survival rate and more than $20.5 billion in investment raised.\nSouth Summit said AI accounted for 61% of global venture capital investment in 2025, up from 30% in 2022, reflecting what it described as an \u201caccelerated shift in the priorities of investors, startups, corporations and institutions.\u201d\n\u201cArtificial Intelligence is no longer just a technology: it is a force that is redefining how we invest, how we build companies, how we compete and how we think about the future of Europe,\u201d South Summit founder and President Mar\u00eda Benjumea said in a statement.\nOrganizers said the conference will examine AI\u2019s impact on investment, entrepreneurship, defense, sustainability, regulation and productivity amid increasing global competition over technological development and innovation.\nThe event will also feature a \u201cDefense & AI\u201d track involving NATO innovation leaders through its DIANA defense accelerator program, alongside startups and investors working on cybersecurity, autonomous systems, infrastructure protection and dual-use technologies.\nSouth Summit said the focus on defense technology reflects Europe\u2019s efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on foreign technologies in critical sectors.\nJuan Jos\u00e9 G\u00fcemes, vice president of IE University, said the event would once again position Madrid \u201cas the world capital of entrepreneurship and innovation.\u201d\n\u201cFor our institution, as co-organizers, it is a pride to promote a meeting that reflects our strategic commitment to Artificial Intelligence as a driver of transformation, and our entrepreneurial DNA,\u201d he said.\nJes\u00fas Herrero, chief executive officer of Red.es, said AI has \u201credefined the competitiveness of countries and the ability of our companies to innovate.\u201d\n\u201cTo lead this transformation, we must train, attract and retain talent, but also bet on entrepreneurship as a key lever to promote a more ambitious ecosystem,\u201d he said.\nConfirmed speakers include GoogleX founder Sebastian Thrun, investor Kim Perell and Female Invest co-founder Anna Hartvigsen.\nSouth Summit and PwC also released a report ahead of the conference discussing AI\u2019s growing role in venture capital and startup ecosystems, particularly in healthcare and defense.\nSouth Summit has also expanded its presence in Latin America, holding events in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.\nOrganizers said the 2026 Brazil edition drew more than 24,000 attendees from 70 countries, alongside 3,000 startups and more than 1,000 investors managing a combined \u20ac250 billion investment portfolio. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2026-05-14T15:38:50+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T17:06:08+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Maria-Benjumea-President-of-South-Summit.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Technology" ] }, { "id": "/?p=747185", "url": "/property/2026/05/05/747185/robinsons-land-cites-esg-efforts-after-green-recognition/", "title": "Robinsons Land cites ESG efforts after \u2018green\u2019 recognition", "content_html": "ROBINSONS LAND CORP. (RLC) said its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and green building programs were recognized at this year\u2019s Global Good Governance (3G) Awards.
\nIn a statement on Monday, the Gokongwei-led developer said it received the 3G ESG Championship Award (Philippines) and the 3G Excellence in Green Innovation and Solutions Award during ceremonies held in Singapore on April 28.
\nThe awards, organized by UK-based Cambridge IFA, assess organizations based on transparency, sustainability, and social responsibility.
\nRLC said the recognition reflects its sustainability initiatives across its property portfolio, including the use of rooftop solar panels in malls, energy efficiency measures, and renewable energy adoption in office buildings.
\nThe company also cited waste and water management programs, as well as efforts to secure green building certifications.
\nOn the social front, RLC said its programs are implemented through its foundation, which partners with local governments and organizations for reforestation, scholarships, medical missions, and disaster response.
\nThe latest awards mark the company\u2019s fourth consecutive year of recognition from the 3G Awards program. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "ROBINSONS LAND CORP. (RLC) said its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and green building programs were recognized at this year\u2019s Global Good Governance (3G) Awards.\nIn a statement on Monday, the Gokongwei-led developer said it received the 3G ESG Championship Award (Philippines) and the 3G Excellence in Green Innovation and Solutions Award during ceremonies held in Singapore on April 28.\nThe awards, organized by UK-based Cambridge IFA, assess organizations based on transparency, sustainability, and social responsibility.\nRLC said the recognition reflects its sustainability initiatives across its property portfolio, including the use of rooftop solar panels in malls, energy efficiency measures, and renewable energy adoption in office buildings.\nThe company also cited waste and water management programs, as well as efforts to secure green building certifications.\nOn the social front, RLC said its programs are implemented through its foundation, which partners with local governments and organizations for reforestation, scholarships, medical missions, and disaster response.\nThe latest awards mark the company\u2019s fourth consecutive year of recognition from the 3G Awards program. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2026-05-05T00:01:55+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-04T18:39:03+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Robinsons-Land-logo.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Property" ] }, { "id": "/?p=746765", "url": "/corporate/2026/05/01/746765/rlc-unit-eyes-qc-demand-with-mira-condo-project/", "title": "RLC unit eyes QC demand with MIRA condo project", "content_html": "ROBINSONS Land Corp.\u2019s (RLC) residential unit RLC Residences said MIRA is positioned to benefit from demand for housing near workplaces, schools, and transport links in Quezon City (QC).
\nThe project, located along Mirasol Street in Barangay San Roque, is designed to attract homebuyers seeking proximity to key establishments and daily conveniences, RLC Residences said in a media release on Thursday.
\nThe company said accessibility remains a primary consideration for buyers, noting that proximity to workplaces, schools and commercial establishments is a key factor in residential decisions.
\nIt added that reduced commuting time is increasingly becoming a priority for urban residents.
\nMIRA is being offered as a pre-selling condominium development, with completion targeted by 2030.
\nThe development is located near key commercial and transport hubs in Quezon City. These include Ali Mall (about 200 meters), SM Cubao (1.2 kilometers), and the Araneta City Bus Port (around 900 meters), as well as rail links such as LRT-2 Cubao (1.4 kilometers) and MRT-3 Cubao.
\nIt is also situated near major educational and medical institutions, including the Technological Institute of the Philippines (about 200 meters), Ateneo de Manila University (2.4 kilometers), University of the Philippines Diliman (5.6 kilometers), and World Citi Medical Center (800 meters).
\nThe project is expected to benefit from upcoming infrastructure developments such as the MRT-7, which is expected to be operational by 2027, and the Metro Manila Subway, targeted for completion by 2032, which are seen to improve connectivity in the area.
\nRLC Residences said Quezon City remains attractive to both end-users and investors due to its central location and access to multiple business districts.
\nThe developer also cited sustained rental demand in the area, particularly for residential units located near schools, universities and commercial establishments, making such properties viable for leasing.
\n\u201cOur primary goal is to have the unit rented out\u2026 We\u2019re looking for something that can appreciate and eventually become a source of passive income,\u201d Patty Yu, who purchased a unit at MIRA with her husband, was quoted as saying in the press release.
\nColliers Philippines has cited Quezon City\u2019s strong economic fundamentals and enterprise base as supporting long-term residential demand. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "ROBINSONS Land Corp.\u2019s (RLC) residential unit RLC Residences said MIRA is positioned to benefit from demand for housing near workplaces, schools, and transport links in Quezon City (QC).\nThe project, located along Mirasol Street in Barangay San Roque, is designed to attract homebuyers seeking proximity to key establishments and daily conveniences, RLC Residences said in a media release on Thursday.\nThe company said accessibility remains a primary consideration for buyers, noting that proximity to workplaces, schools and commercial establishments is a key factor in residential decisions.\nIt added that reduced commuting time is increasingly becoming a priority for urban residents.\nMIRA is being offered as a pre-selling condominium development, with completion targeted by 2030.\nThe development is located near key commercial and transport hubs in Quezon City. These include Ali Mall (about 200 meters), SM Cubao (1.2 kilometers), and the Araneta City Bus Port (around 900 meters), as well as rail links such as LRT-2 Cubao (1.4 kilometers) and MRT-3 Cubao.\nIt is also situated near major educational and medical institutions, including the Technological Institute of the Philippines (about 200 meters), Ateneo de Manila University (2.4 kilometers), University of the Philippines Diliman (5.6 kilometers), and World Citi Medical Center (800 meters).\nThe project is expected to benefit from upcoming infrastructure developments such as the MRT-7, which is expected to be operational by 2027, and the Metro Manila Subway, targeted for completion by 2032, which are seen to improve connectivity in the area.\nRLC Residences said Quezon City remains attractive to both end-users and investors due to its central location and access to multiple business districts.\nThe developer also cited sustained rental demand in the area, particularly for residential units located near schools, universities and commercial establishments, making such properties viable for leasing.\n\u201cOur primary goal is to have the unit rented out\u2026 We\u2019re looking for something that can appreciate and eventually become a source of passive income,\u201d Patty Yu, who purchased a unit at MIRA with her husband, was quoted as saying in the press release.\nColliers Philippines has cited Quezon City\u2019s strong economic fundamentals and enterprise base as supporting long-term residential demand. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2026-05-01T00:03:12+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-04-30T20:19:11+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MIRA-Facade-Artists-perspective.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=746311", "url": "/corporate/2026/04/29/746311/duty-free-philippines-rolls-out-naia-shuttle-to-moa-retail-outlet/", "title": "Duty Free Philippines rolls out NAIA shuttle to MOA retail outlet", "content_html": "Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC) said it is introducing a shuttle service for arriving passengers and pursuing expansion plans for its airport retail network, alongside promotional activities tied to its 39th anniversary.
\nIn a statement on Wednesday, the state-run retailer said it will offer complimentary shuttle rides for passengers arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to its Luxe Duty Free store in the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay City.
\n\u201cIn partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Love PH, DFPC will also roll out a hop-on, hop-off shuttle service for arriving passengers\u2026 expanding access to duty-free shopping beyond airport terminals,\u201d the company said.
\nDFPC said it is pursuing expansion plans in key airport locations, including larger retail spaces and upgraded store formats.
\nThe company said these initiatives form part of its modernization efforts, which include expanding its presence within international airports and upgrading its retail network.
\nAs part of its anniversary campaign, DFPC said it is offering discounts of up to 30% on selected items from May 1 to 3 at its Luxe Duty Free store, with promotions to be extended across airport stores nationwide from May 22 to 31.
\n\u201cFor nearly four decades, our focus has remained the same \u2014 delivering quality service and real value to every Filipino traveler,\u201d DFPC leadership said.
\nDFPC is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC) said it is introducing a shuttle service for arriving passengers and pursuing expansion plans for its airport retail network, alongside promotional activities tied to its 39th anniversary.\nIn a statement on Wednesday, the state-run retailer said it will offer complimentary shuttle rides for passengers arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to its Luxe Duty Free store in the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay City.\n\u201cIn partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Love PH, DFPC will also roll out a hop-on, hop-off shuttle service for arriving passengers\u2026 expanding access to duty-free shopping beyond airport terminals,\u201d the company said.\nDFPC said it is pursuing expansion plans in key airport locations, including larger retail spaces and upgraded store formats.\nThe company said these initiatives form part of its modernization efforts, which include expanding its presence within international airports and upgrading its retail network.\nAs part of its anniversary campaign, DFPC said it is offering discounts of up to 30% on selected items from May 1 to 3 at its Luxe Duty Free store, with promotions to be extended across airport stores nationwide from May 22 to 31.\n\u201cFor nearly four decades, our focus has remained the same \u2014 delivering quality service and real value to every Filipino traveler,\u201d DFPC leadership said.\nDFPC is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2026-04-29T15:54:20+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-04-29T15:54:20+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Duty-Free.png", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=743528", "url": "/corporate/2026/04/17/743528/energy-costs-weigh-on-hotel-outlook-lpc/", "title": "Energy costs weigh on hotel outlook \u2014 LPC", "content_html": "HOTEL OPERATORS in the Philippines are facing pressure from rising costs and weakening demand as the ongoing energy crisis drives up airfares, disrupts flights, and dampens hotel demand, according to Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC).
\nIn its first-quarter market report, LPC said \u201c64% of hotels report significant to severe operational impact from the energy crisis.\u201d
\nLPC Director of Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure Alfred Lay said the industry is entering a more difficult period as cost pressures intensify.
\n\u201cPhilippine hotels are entering their most challenging period since the pandemic. Occupancy is expected to fall sharply in April and May as the fuel crisis drives up airfares, dampens traveler confidence, and squeezes household budgets,\u201d he said in a statement.
\nEarly 2026 tourism data showed modest growth, although underlying demand remains uneven. Foreign tourist arrivals reached 1.32 million in January and February, up 3.09% from a year earlier, according to LPC.
\nLong-haul markets expanded 9.7%, led by the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and France. Short-haul markets grew at a slower 3.4%, with gains from Taiwan and Japan partly offset by declines in South Korea and China. LPC said a recovery in Chinese arrivals is expected by the third quarter, supported by the expansion of e-visas.
\nHowever, rising costs are beginning to alter travel behavior. The report said tourists are expected to take fewer trips, shorten their stays, and shift to cheaper and shorter routes, while booking patterns are reverting to pandemic-era practices.
\nOccupancy levels showed limited improvement last year. \u201cHotel occupancy in 2025 remained at 60%, flat year on year, and still below the 68% recorded in 2019,\u201d LPC said.
\nPerformance across destinations remained uneven. \u201cCebu/Mactan held ADR (average daily rate) but struggled to fill rooms, with occupancy sliding to 54%,\u201d the report said.
\nIndustry conditions have become more challenging in early 2026 as higher fuel costs drive up travel expenses and weigh on demand.
\n\u201cJet fuel costs doubled within three weeks, leading to airfare increases of 25% to 50% for long-haul routes, and destination transport costs rising by 20% to 30%,\u201d LPC said.
\nHotels are already seeing the effects on bookings, with declines in occupancy already underway or expected in the coming months.
\nLPC noted that \u201c80% of hotels already feeling occupancy declines.\u201d
\nThe meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) segment is also under pressure, which may further affect hotel revenues.
\nIt said that \u201c650 in-person ASEAN meetings are expected to be canceled, dampening room and event revenues.\u201d
\nMr. Lay said the outlook remains uncertain as both international and domestic demand face pressure.
\n\u201cWith international arrivals under threat and domestic spending softening, the industry is bracing for a difficult second half of the year, and the outlook beyond that depends entirely on how quickly the Hormuz crisis resolves,\u201d he added.
\nIn response, hotel operators are adjusting strategies to manage revenues and costs.
\nLPC said that \u201c30% of hotels are offering value-added packages instead of direct discounting, while 28% are choosing to hold rates and absorb the occupancy drop.\u201d
\nThe report also noted that some operators are reducing rates to defend occupancy.
\nThe outlook for the sector remains uncertain and depends on how long external pressures persist.
\n\u201cIn a prolonged conflict scenario, national occupancy could drop below 45%, potentially making a majority of hotels loss-making in 2026,\u201d LPC said.
\nUnder a more moderate scenario, national occupancy is expected to fall between 45% and 50%, while a favorable outcome could see occupancy recover to 50% to 55%, the report said.
\nDomestic tourism is expected to provide some support as international travel becomes more expensive.
\n\u201cDomestic tourism remains the backbone of the industry,\u201d it said.
\nUncertainty is also affecting investment and expansion plans in the sector. Rising construction costs and weaker demand visibility are prompting developers to reassess projects.
\n\u201cMany hotel construction projects are being shelved, delayed, or renegotiated due to surging costs and uncertain demand,\u201d LPC said. LPC said a return to more normal conditions may be possible by the fourth quarter under a favorable scenario. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "HOTEL OPERATORS in the Philippines are facing pressure from rising costs and weakening demand as the ongoing energy crisis drives up airfares, disrupts flights, and dampens hotel demand, according to Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC).\nIn its first-quarter market report, LPC said \u201c64% of hotels report significant to severe operational impact from the energy crisis.\u201d\nLPC Director of Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure Alfred Lay said the industry is entering a more difficult period as cost pressures intensify.\n\u201cPhilippine hotels are entering their most challenging period since the pandemic. Occupancy is expected to fall sharply in April and May as the fuel crisis drives up airfares, dampens traveler confidence, and squeezes household budgets,\u201d he said in a statement.\nEarly 2026 tourism data showed modest growth, although underlying demand remains uneven. Foreign tourist arrivals reached 1.32 million in January and February, up 3.09% from a year earlier, according to LPC.\nLong-haul markets expanded 9.7%, led by the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and France. Short-haul markets grew at a slower 3.4%, with gains from Taiwan and Japan partly offset by declines in South Korea and China. LPC said a recovery in Chinese arrivals is expected by the third quarter, supported by the expansion of e-visas.\nHowever, rising costs are beginning to alter travel behavior. The report said tourists are expected to take fewer trips, shorten their stays, and shift to cheaper and shorter routes, while booking patterns are reverting to pandemic-era practices.\nOccupancy levels showed limited improvement last year. \u201cHotel occupancy in 2025 remained at 60%, flat year on year, and still below the 68% recorded in 2019,\u201d LPC said.\nPerformance across destinations remained uneven. \u201cCebu/Mactan held ADR (average daily rate) but struggled to fill rooms, with occupancy sliding to 54%,\u201d the report said.\nIndustry conditions have become more challenging in early 2026 as higher fuel costs drive up travel expenses and weigh on demand.\n\u201cJet fuel costs doubled within three weeks, leading to airfare increases of 25% to 50% for long-haul routes, and destination transport costs rising by 20% to 30%,\u201d LPC said.\nHotels are already seeing the effects on bookings, with declines in occupancy already underway or expected in the coming months.\nLPC noted that \u201c80% of hotels already feeling occupancy declines.\u201d\nThe meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) segment is also under pressure, which may further affect hotel revenues.\nIt said that \u201c650 in-person ASEAN meetings are expected to be canceled, dampening room and event revenues.\u201d\nMr. Lay said the outlook remains uncertain as both international and domestic demand face pressure.\n\u201cWith international arrivals under threat and domestic spending softening, the industry is bracing for a difficult second half of the year, and the outlook beyond that depends entirely on how quickly the Hormuz crisis resolves,\u201d he added.\nIn response, hotel operators are adjusting strategies to manage revenues and costs.\nLPC said that \u201c30% of hotels are offering value-added packages instead of direct discounting, while 28% are choosing to hold rates and absorb the occupancy drop.\u201d\nThe report also noted that some operators are reducing rates to defend occupancy.\nThe outlook for the sector remains uncertain and depends on how long external pressures persist.\n\u201cIn a prolonged conflict scenario, national occupancy could drop below 45%, potentially making a majority of hotels loss-making in 2026,\u201d LPC said.\nUnder a more moderate scenario, national occupancy is expected to fall between 45% and 50%, while a favorable outcome could see occupancy recover to 50% to 55%, the report said.\nDomestic tourism is expected to provide some support as international travel becomes more expensive.\n\u201cDomestic tourism remains the backbone of the industry,\u201d it said.\nUncertainty is also affecting investment and expansion plans in the sector. Rising construction costs and weaker demand visibility are prompting developers to reassess projects.\n\u201cMany hotel construction projects are being shelved, delayed, or renegotiated due to surging costs and uncertain demand,\u201d LPC said. LPC said a return to more normal conditions may be possible by the fourth quarter under a favorable scenario. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2026-04-17T00:03:58+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-04-16T21:08:50+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Cebu-building-skyline.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=743525", "url": "/corporate/2026/04/17/743525/mreit-partners-with-e27-to-launch-startup-hub-in-mckinley-hill/", "title": "MREIT partners with e27 to launch startup hub in McKinley Hill", "content_html": "MREIT, INC. said it has partnered with Singapore-based media and technology platform e27 to develop a startup hub within a planned Digital Park in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.
\nThe real estate investment trust arm of Megaworld Corp. said the Digital Park is scheduled to open in 2026 and will include about 2,000 square meters of flexible workspace designed for startups and emerging businesses.
\nUnder the agreement, MREIT and e27 will collaborate on a pilot innovation hub intended to support startup firms, founders, investors, and other ecosystem participants, MREIT said in a statement on Thursday.
\nFacilities will include meeting rooms, conference areas, function rooms, and multi-sized workspaces, the company said.
\nThe space is also expected to serve as a community hub for office tenants, students, and residents within the township, while attracting startups from across Asia seeking a base in the Philippines.
\nThe partnership will be implemented in phases, beginning with identifying partners, followed by formal collaborations with investors, accelerators, and corporate groups. This will be followed by programs such as startup-investor sessions, networking activities, and other events.
\n\u201cWe are proud to welcome e27 as our strategic partner for technology and innovation in McKinley Hill. As a thriving hub for diverse local and multinational firms, our township is the perfect setting to ignite growth for local startup businesses. Together, we are building vibrant, collaborative ecosystems to support the Philippines\u2019 next generation of startups, empowering them to scale their ideas and shape the future of innovation,\u201d MREIT President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Arnulfo Batac said.
\n\u201cMREIT\u2019s infrastructure transforms our regional playbook from event-driven engagement to a permanent, embedded presence. By anchoring within township communities, we are creating continuous founder support \u2014 through weekly mentorship, investor access, and skills development \u2014 rather than quarterly engagements,\u201d e27 Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Mohan Belani said.
\nMREIT said the McKinley Hill project will serve as a pilot for similar innovation hubs planned in other Megaworld townships, including Eastwood City, Southwoods City, Capital Town, and Iloilo Business Park.
\ne27, founded in 2007 and based in Singapore, operates a platform that connects startups, investors, and corporate stakeholders across Southeast Asia. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "MREIT, INC. said it has partnered with Singapore-based media and technology platform e27 to develop a startup hub within a planned Digital Park in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.\nThe real estate investment trust arm of Megaworld Corp. said the Digital Park is scheduled to open in 2026 and will include about 2,000 square meters of flexible workspace designed for startups and emerging businesses.\nUnder the agreement, MREIT and e27 will collaborate on a pilot innovation hub intended to support startup firms, founders, investors, and other ecosystem participants, MREIT said in a statement on Thursday.\nFacilities will include meeting rooms, conference areas, function rooms, and multi-sized workspaces, the company said.\nThe space is also expected to serve as a community hub for office tenants, students, and residents within the township, while attracting startups from across Asia seeking a base in the Philippines.\nThe partnership will be implemented in phases, beginning with identifying partners, followed by formal collaborations with investors, accelerators, and corporate groups. This will be followed by programs such as startup-investor sessions, networking activities, and other events.\n\u201cWe are proud to welcome e27 as our strategic partner for technology and innovation in McKinley Hill. As a thriving hub for diverse local and multinational firms, our township is the perfect setting to ignite growth for local startup businesses. Together, we are building vibrant, collaborative ecosystems to support the Philippines\u2019 next generation of startups, empowering them to scale their ideas and shape the future of innovation,\u201d MREIT President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Arnulfo Batac said.\n\u201cMREIT\u2019s infrastructure transforms our regional playbook from event-driven engagement to a permanent, embedded presence. By anchoring within township communities, we are creating continuous founder support \u2014 through weekly mentorship, investor access, and skills development \u2014 rather than quarterly engagements,\u201d e27 Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Mohan Belani said.\nMREIT said the McKinley Hill project will serve as a pilot for similar innovation hubs planned in other Megaworld townships, including Eastwood City, Southwoods City, Capital Town, and Iloilo Business Park.\ne27, founded in 2007 and based in Singapore, operates a platform that connects startups, investors, and corporate stakeholders across Southeast Asia. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2026-04-17T00:01:57+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-04-16T21:06:27+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/mreit-townships.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=743193", "url": "/corporate/2026/04/16/743193/cargoboss-philippines-sees-rising-sme-demand-for-import-logistics/", "title": "CargoBoss Philippines sees rising SME demand for import logistics", "content_html": "LOGISTICS provider CargoBoss Philippines said more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are turning to imports as part of their long-term business strategies, driving demand for logistics services.
\n\u201cMore entrepreneurs are incorporating importing into their long-term business strategies,\u201d CargoBoss Philippines said in a statement on Wednesday.
\n\u201cThe focus now is on making the process more transparent, predictable, and accessible,\u201d it added.
\nSMEs account for more than 99% of registered businesses in the Philippines, generate over 60% of total employment, and contribute about 30% to 40% of economic output, the company said, city industry data.
\nAs competition intensifies, more businesses are sourcing products from overseas markets, particularly China, which accounts for about 20% to 30% of the country\u2019s total imports, it noted.
\nThe expansion of the digital economy, driven by e-commerce and online marketplaces, has also enabled more entrepreneurs to enter retail and distribution, increasing demand for imported goods, the logistics provider said.
\nHowever, importing remains complex for many smaller firms due to challenges such as coordinating with suppliers, managing documentation, and dealing with shipping costs and limited visibility over shipments, the company also said.
\nCargoBoss Philippines, which offers integrated freight services including consolidation at origin and final delivery, said communication and shipment visibility remain critical for businesses, particularly in fast-moving sectors such as e-commerce.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen how important timely communication is for our clients,\u201d it said. \u201cProviding consistent support helps businesses manage their operations more effectively.\u201d
\nThe company also said that import-driven business models are expected to grow as SMEs expand and digital commerce gains traction. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "LOGISTICS provider CargoBoss Philippines said more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are turning to imports as part of their long-term business strategies, driving demand for logistics services.\n\u201cMore entrepreneurs are incorporating importing into their long-term business strategies,\u201d CargoBoss Philippines said in a statement on Wednesday.\n\u201cThe focus now is on making the process more transparent, predictable, and accessible,\u201d it added.\nSMEs account for more than 99% of registered businesses in the Philippines, generate over 60% of total employment, and contribute about 30% to 40% of economic output, the company said, city industry data.\nAs competition intensifies, more businesses are sourcing products from overseas markets, particularly China, which accounts for about 20% to 30% of the country\u2019s total imports, it noted.\nThe expansion of the digital economy, driven by e-commerce and online marketplaces, has also enabled more entrepreneurs to enter retail and distribution, increasing demand for imported goods, the logistics provider said.\nHowever, importing remains complex for many smaller firms due to challenges such as coordinating with suppliers, managing documentation, and dealing with shipping costs and limited visibility over shipments, the company also said.\nCargoBoss Philippines, which offers integrated freight services including consolidation at origin and final delivery, said communication and shipment visibility remain critical for businesses, particularly in fast-moving sectors such as e-commerce.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen how important timely communication is for our clients,\u201d it said. \u201cProviding consistent support helps businesses manage their operations more effectively.\u201d\nThe company also said that import-driven business models are expected to grow as SMEs expand and digital commerce gains traction. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2026-04-16T00:02:26+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-04-16T13:46:36+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cargoboss.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=742562", "url": "/corporate/2026/04/14/742562/eton-tightens-delivery-standards-centralizes-customer-experience-oversight/", "title": "Eton tightens delivery standards, centralizes customer experience oversight", "content_html": "LISTED property developer Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. is shifting its strategy toward tighter execution and centralized customer experience oversight, its chief executive officer said.
\nAt its 19th anniversary gathering on March 25, the real estate arm of LT Group, Inc. outlined plans to strengthen delivery standards, customer experience governance, and operational discipline across the organization.
\nThe company said the shift forms part of its operating direction called \u201cEton in Motion,\u201d which focuses on aligning internal processes and accountability measures.
\n\u201cEton set out to build more than developments. Nineteen years of commitments honored. Standards held. Trust earned \u2014 quietly and consistently \u2014 in the daily work that most people never see. Eton in Motion is not an anniversary theme. It is a declaration of how this company moves: with clear standards, consistent delivery, and the discipline to hold the standard even when it is inconvenient,\u201d said Donna Kristine Salgado, assistant vice-president for marketing, public relations, and corporate communications, in a statement on Monday.
\nEton said it is strengthening oversight of customer experience through a centralized tracking framework managed by its Customer Experience Committee, which will measure performance based on customer feedback.
\nThe company also introduced an internal handbook covering brand and customer experience standards, aimed at establishing a consistent approach across operations.
\n\u201cNineteen years ago, Eton Properties was a promise. Today, that promise is still being kept \u2014 and still being earned. There is a lot of work ahead of us,\u201d said President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle Ellis Tan.
\n\u201cBut we are moving in the right direction. Not because of the milestone. Because we have made a deliberate choice to be honest about where we are and disciplined about where we are going.\u201d
\nEton executives said the company is focusing on improving coordination across teams, reinforcing accountability in day-to-day operations, and aligning internal processes with performance targets.
\nEton Properties Philippines has a portfolio spanning residential, office, commercial, and hospitality developments across key urban areas in the country. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "LISTED property developer Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. is shifting its strategy toward tighter execution and centralized customer experience oversight, its chief executive officer said.\nAt its 19th anniversary gathering on March 25, the real estate arm of LT Group, Inc. outlined plans to strengthen delivery standards, customer experience governance, and operational discipline across the organization.\nThe company said the shift forms part of its operating direction called \u201cEton in Motion,\u201d which focuses on aligning internal processes and accountability measures.\n\u201cEton set out to build more than developments. Nineteen years of commitments honored. Standards held. Trust earned \u2014 quietly and consistently \u2014 in the daily work that most people never see. Eton in Motion is not an anniversary theme. It is a declaration of how this company moves: with clear standards, consistent delivery, and the discipline to hold the standard even when it is inconvenient,\u201d said Donna Kristine Salgado, assistant vice-president for marketing, public relations, and corporate communications, in a statement on Monday.\nEton said it is strengthening oversight of customer experience through a centralized tracking framework managed by its Customer Experience Committee, which will measure performance based on customer feedback.\nThe company also introduced an internal handbook covering brand and customer experience standards, aimed at establishing a consistent approach across operations.\n\u201cNineteen years ago, Eton Properties was a promise. Today, that promise is still being kept \u2014 and still being earned. There is a lot of work ahead of us,\u201d said President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle Ellis Tan.\n\u201cBut we are moving in the right direction. Not because of the milestone. Because we have made a deliberate choice to be honest about where we are and disciplined about where we are going.\u201d\nEton executives said the company is focusing on improving coordination across teams, reinforcing accountability in day-to-day operations, and aligning internal processes with performance targets.\nEton Properties Philippines has a portfolio spanning residential, office, commercial, and hospitality developments across key urban areas in the country. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2026-04-14T00:01:56+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-04-13T20:35:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Centris-Cyberpod-Two.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=739011", "url": "/corporate/2026/03/27/739011/mpif-to-hold-marine-conservation-program-nationwide-on-march-29/", "title": "MPIF to hold marine conservation program nationwide on March 29", "content_html": "METRO PACIFIC Investments Foundation (MPIF) said it will hold Shore It Up! Weekend 2026, a marine conservation program to be implemented across eight sites nationwide.
\nIn a statement, MPIF said the initiative will take place in Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte, Alaminos City in Pangasinan, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, Medina in Misamis Oriental, Cordova in Cebu, Marinduque, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, and Mabini in Batangas.
\nThe program, now in its 18th year, will include coastal and underwater cleanups, as well as mangrove planting activities scheduled for March 29.
\nMPIF said the activities will involve volunteers from local communities, schools, youth groups, civic organizations, and environmental groups.
\nParticipating communities will also observe Earth Hour on March 28 at 8:30 p.m., the foundation said.
\n\u201cShore It Up! has always been about bringing people together around a shared responsibility for our seas and our communities. These efforts may begin with a single weekend, but they reflect a much bigger commitment\u2014to be more mindful of how our actions affect our environment and to take part in protecting it in ways that are both practical and meaningful,\u201d MPIF President Melody del Rosario said.
\nShe added that cleanup activities help raise awareness and support longer-term efforts such as mangrove restoration and marine conservation.
\nMPIF said the program aims to strengthen partnerships with local government units and communities while supporting coastal and marine conservation efforts. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "METRO PACIFIC Investments Foundation (MPIF) said it will hold Shore It Up! Weekend 2026, a marine conservation program to be implemented across eight sites nationwide.\nIn a statement, MPIF said the initiative will take place in Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte, Alaminos City in Pangasinan, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, Medina in Misamis Oriental, Cordova in Cebu, Marinduque, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, and Mabini in Batangas.\nThe program, now in its 18th year, will include coastal and underwater cleanups, as well as mangrove planting activities scheduled for March 29.\nMPIF said the activities will involve volunteers from local communities, schools, youth groups, civic organizations, and environmental groups.\nParticipating communities will also observe Earth Hour on March 28 at 8:30 p.m., the foundation said.\n\u201cShore It Up! has always been about bringing people together around a shared responsibility for our seas and our communities. These efforts may begin with a single weekend, but they reflect a much bigger commitment\u2014to be more mindful of how our actions affect our environment and to take part in protecting it in ways that are both practical and meaningful,\u201d MPIF President Melody del Rosario said.\nShe added that cleanup activities help raise awareness and support longer-term efforts such as mangrove restoration and marine conservation.\nMPIF said the program aims to strengthen partnerships with local government units and communities while supporting coastal and marine conservation efforts. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2026-03-27T00:02:13+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-27T00:52:38+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Poster.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=738430", "url": "/corporate/2026/03/25/738430/firms-policymakers-urged-to-rethink-strategy-as-global-2-0-takes-hold/", "title": "Firms, policymakers urged to rethink strategy as \u2018Global 2.0\u2019 takes hold", "content_html": "BUSINESSES and policymakers must rethink how they operate to stay competitive in \u201cGlobal 2.0,\u201d a new era where resilience matters more than cost efficiency and artificial intelligence (AI) becomes part of everyday infrastructure.
\nAccording to Navigating Technological and Geopolitical Transformation, a report from the inaugural IEX Berkeley Collider Summit co-organized by the IE School of Science & Technology and UC Berkeley\u2019s International Co-Lab, the traditional playbook of globalization is being fundamentally \u201crewired.\u201d
\nWhile the previous era prioritized efficiency and cost optimization, the report said the current landscape is increasingly shaped by differing regulations, national priorities, and tighter control over key resources and technology.
\nFor businesses, this means resilience is no longer just a buzzword but a practical requirement in a world where capital, data, and talent move through channels shaped by regional politics rather than fully open markets.
\nIn response to queries on practical execution, Ikhlaq Sidhu, dean of IE School of Science and Technology, said globalization is not retreating but being redesigned.
\n\u201cThe shift from efficiency to resilience means companies must continuously adapt to changes in AI, supply chains, and geopolitics, rather than optimize for a fixed model. For companies in Asia-Pacific, resilience means diversifying supply chains, understanding multiple regulatory systems, and building the ability to reconfigure operations quickly as conditions change,\u201d he told 大象传媒 via e-mail.
\nAI AS PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
\nA key takeaway for the Philippines, particularly its information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) and manufacturing sectors, is the shift of AI from cloud-based software into embedded, real-world infrastructure.
The report said AI is becoming an integral part of logistics, healthcare, robotics, and energy systems.
\nMr. Sidhu said this shift will change how technology is valued and delivered.
\n\u201cAI is no longer something you buy as software \u2014 it\u2019s becoming embedded into products, infrastructure, and operations. That makes standalone software harder to sell. In sectors like IT-BPM and manufacturing, value will shift to integrating AI into real-world systems \u2014 combining software, hardware, and human expertise to deliver outcomes at scale. The competitive advantage will come not just from using AI, but from embedding it deeply into workflows and going beyond what AI alone can do,\u201d he said.
\nThe report added that the next wave of innovation will come from the convergence of semiconductors, autonomous systems, and digital twins \u2014 areas that may require companies to rethink investments toward hardware-software integration and sensor-based systems.
\nCLOSING THE \u2018AGENCY\u2019 GAP
\nThe report also pointed to a widening talent gap between \u201cpedigree\u201d (credentials) and \u201cagency\u201d (the ability to lead and act in uncertain conditions). As AI spreads across industries, traditional credentials alone are no longer enough.
Mr. Sidhu said talent must focus on human judgment and real-world impact to become more valuable in the job market.
\n\u201cThe bar for talent is rising. It\u2019s no longer enough to have credentials \u2014 people need the ability to do what AI cannot. Companies need to move learning out of the classroom and into real projects \u2014 working with AI, but going beyond it with judgment, creativity, and context. Scale is the new innovation,\u201d he said.
\nTrond Petersen, associate dean at UC Berkeley, said that institutions must shift toward building \u201cinterdisciplinary capability and navigability.\u201d
\nTo address these challenges, the report identified five strategic priorities: promoting adaptable, skills-based education; managing data across different regulatory systems; strengthening cross-border collaboration; improving energy efficiency in computing; and designing systems that can work seamlessly across global markets.
\nThe report also noted that success in innovation is no longer measured by invention alone, but by real-world impact at scale.
\n\u201cThe challenge is not just to innovate, but to ensure systems can work together across boundaries,\u201d said Leticia Cabral Calvillo, executive director of the IEX Research Xcelerator at IE University. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "BUSINESSES and policymakers must rethink how they operate to stay competitive in \u201cGlobal 2.0,\u201d a new era where resilience matters more than cost efficiency and artificial intelligence (AI) becomes part of everyday infrastructure.\nAccording to Navigating Technological and Geopolitical Transformation, a report from the inaugural IEX Berkeley Collider Summit co-organized by the IE School of Science & Technology and UC Berkeley\u2019s International Co-Lab, the traditional playbook of globalization is being fundamentally \u201crewired.\u201d\nWhile the previous era prioritized efficiency and cost optimization, the report said the current landscape is increasingly shaped by differing regulations, national priorities, and tighter control over key resources and technology.\nFor businesses, this means resilience is no longer just a buzzword but a practical requirement in a world where capital, data, and talent move through channels shaped by regional politics rather than fully open markets.\nIn response to queries on practical execution, Ikhlaq Sidhu, dean of IE School of Science and Technology, said globalization is not retreating but being redesigned.\n\u201cThe shift from efficiency to resilience means companies must continuously adapt to changes in AI, supply chains, and geopolitics, rather than optimize for a fixed model. For companies in Asia-Pacific, resilience means diversifying supply chains, understanding multiple regulatory systems, and building the ability to reconfigure operations quickly as conditions change,\u201d he told 大象传媒 via e-mail.\nAI AS PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE\nA key takeaway for the Philippines, particularly its information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) and manufacturing sectors, is the shift of AI from cloud-based software into embedded, real-world infrastructure.\nThe report said AI is becoming an integral part of logistics, healthcare, robotics, and energy systems.\nMr. Sidhu said this shift will change how technology is valued and delivered.\n\u201cAI is no longer something you buy as software \u2014 it\u2019s becoming embedded into products, infrastructure, and operations. That makes standalone software harder to sell. In sectors like IT-BPM and manufacturing, value will shift to integrating AI into real-world systems \u2014 combining software, hardware, and human expertise to deliver outcomes at scale. The competitive advantage will come not just from using AI, but from embedding it deeply into workflows and going beyond what AI alone can do,\u201d he said.\nThe report added that the next wave of innovation will come from the convergence of semiconductors, autonomous systems, and digital twins \u2014 areas that may require companies to rethink investments toward hardware-software integration and sensor-based systems.\nCLOSING THE \u2018AGENCY\u2019 GAP\nThe report also pointed to a widening talent gap between \u201cpedigree\u201d (credentials) and \u201cagency\u201d (the ability to lead and act in uncertain conditions). As AI spreads across industries, traditional credentials alone are no longer enough.\nMr. Sidhu said talent must focus on human judgment and real-world impact to become more valuable in the job market.\n\u201cThe bar for talent is rising. It\u2019s no longer enough to have credentials \u2014 people need the ability to do what AI cannot. Companies need to move learning out of the classroom and into real projects \u2014 working with AI, but going beyond it with judgment, creativity, and context. Scale is the new innovation,\u201d he said.\nTrond Petersen, associate dean at UC Berkeley, said that institutions must shift toward building \u201cinterdisciplinary capability and navigability.\u201d\nTo address these challenges, the report identified five strategic priorities: promoting adaptable, skills-based education; managing data across different regulatory systems; strengthening cross-border collaboration; improving energy efficiency in computing; and designing systems that can work seamlessly across global markets.\nThe report also noted that success in innovation is no longer measured by invention alone, but by real-world impact at scale.\n\u201cThe challenge is not just to innovate, but to ensure systems can work together across boundaries,\u201d said Leticia Cabral Calvillo, executive director of the IEX Research Xcelerator at IE University. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2026-03-25T00:06:11+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-25T00:29:34+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ikhlaq-Sidhu.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=719125", "url": "/breaking-news/2025/12/16/719125/ayala-land-sells-50-stake-in-alabang-town-center-for-p13-5-billion/", "title": "Ayala Land sells 50% stake in Alabang Town Center for P13.5 billion", "content_html": "Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) has signed a share purchase agreement to sell its 50% ownership in Alabang Commercial Center Corp., the company that owns and operates Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City, for P13.5 billion.
\nIn a disclosure on Tuesday, the property developer said the agreement was executed with its existing joint-venture partner and is subject to customary closing conditions.
\nALI said the unsolicited offer provided a premium, allowing the company to recognize gains from the sale and monetize its stake in Alabang Town Center.
\nProceeds from the transaction will be used to support the growth of ALI\u2019s leasing portfolio and to provide a return of capital to stakeholders, the company said. — ALB
\n", "content_text": "Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) has signed a share purchase agreement to sell its 50% ownership in Alabang Commercial Center Corp., the company that owns and operates Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City, for P13.5 billion.\nIn a disclosure on Tuesday, the property developer said the agreement was executed with its existing joint-venture partner and is subject to customary closing conditions.\nALI said the unsolicited offer provided a premium, allowing the company to recognize gains from the sale and monetize its stake in Alabang Town Center.\nProceeds from the transaction will be used to support the growth of ALI\u2019s leasing portfolio and to provide a return of capital to stakeholders, the company said. — ALB", "date_published": "2025-12-16T12:38:47+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-12-16T12:38:47+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Alabang-Town-Center.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Breaking News", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=716526", "url": "/breaking-news/2025/12/04/716526/tv5-serves-abs-cbn-termination-notice-for-content-supply-deal/", "title": "TV5 serves ABS\u2011CBN termination notice for content supply deal", "content_html": "ABS\u2011CBN Corp. said it has received a notice of termination from TV5 Network, Inc. for their television content supply agreement.
\nIn a statement on Thursday, ABS-CBN said it \u201cdeeply regrets that this action has been taken at this critical juncture in our recovery.\u201d
\n\u201cWe have sought additional time to resolve this matter and are working urgently within the thirty-day period we have been given,” the network added.
\nIt said the \u201camounts and manner of the claims remain disputed,\u201d and denied any suggestion of deliberate payment delays. \u201cThere is no truth to any insinuation that ABS\u2011CBN willfully delayed payment,\u201d the company said.
\nThe network said that the financial constraints underlying the issue stem from its previous loss of broadcast franchise, which \u201csignificantly reduced\u201d its revenues and caused continued losses.
\nAt the same time, ABS\u2011CBN said its transformation into a storytelling company has shown \u201csteady performance improvement.\u201d
\nABS\u2011CBN said it remains open to \u201cfair and reasonable solutions\u201d and will continue to find ways to reach audiences should the partnership officially end.
\nTV5 Network is part of MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., whose unit Hastings Holdings, Inc. \u2014 under the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund \u2014 holds a majority stake in 大象传媒 through the Philippine Star Group.– Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "ABS\u2011CBN Corp. said it has received a notice of termination from TV5 Network, Inc. for their television content supply agreement.\nIn a statement on Thursday, ABS-CBN said it \u201cdeeply regrets that this action has been taken at this critical juncture in our recovery.\u201d\n\u201cWe have sought additional time to resolve this matter and are working urgently within the thirty-day period we have been given,” the network added.\nIt said the \u201camounts and manner of the claims remain disputed,\u201d and denied any suggestion of deliberate payment delays. \u201cThere is no truth to any insinuation that ABS\u2011CBN willfully delayed payment,\u201d the company said.\nThe network said that the financial constraints underlying the issue stem from its previous loss of broadcast franchise, which \u201csignificantly reduced\u201d its revenues and caused continued losses.\nAt the same time, ABS\u2011CBN said its transformation into a storytelling company has shown \u201csteady performance improvement.\u201d\nABS\u2011CBN said it remains open to \u201cfair and reasonable solutions\u201d and will continue to find ways to reach audiences should the partnership officially end.\nTV5 Network is part of MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., whose unit Hastings Holdings, Inc. \u2014 under the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund \u2014 holds a majority stake in 大象传媒 through the Philippine Star Group.– Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2025-12-04T11:02:30+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-12-04T11:11:59+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ABS-TV5-LOGO.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Breaking News", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=712157", "url": "/corporate/2025/11/14/712157/villar-land-sets-final-property-fair-value-at-p52-74b-down-from-p1-33t/", "title": "Villar Land sets final property fair value at P52.74B, down from P1.33T", "content_html": "VILLAR LAND Holdings Corp. has set the final audited fair value of its newly acquired properties at P52.74 billion, according to its 2024 annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), sharply lower than an earlier estimate of P1.33 trillion that drew regulatory scrutiny.
\nThe valuation covers 366 hectares of prime land within Villar City, a 3,500-hectare master-planned development spanning Metro Manila and Cavite. Villar Land acquired the properties through its purchase of Althorp Land Holdings, Inc., Chalgrove Properties, Inc., and Los Valores Corp. for P5.2 billion on Sept. 30 last year.
\nIn its filing on Thursday, the company said the properties were initially appraised using the income approach, yielding an estimated value of about P1.3 trillion. After discussions with its external auditor, Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A), Vil-lar Land adopted the market approach for its audited financial statements.
\n\u201cAppraisal reports were obtained from SEC-accredited property appraisers to support the fair value measurement\u2026 The company agreed to use the valuation based on market approach,\u201d the report said.
\nAccording to Note 28 of the audited financial statements, the fair value of investment properties was disclosed at P52.74 billion, while the properties were recorded at P8,759,321,390 cost, in compliance with Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS).
\nP&A identified the valuation as a key audit matter, citing \u201csignificant judgments and high estimation uncertainty\u201d in determining fair values. The audit report noted that the market approach relies on subjective inputs such as comparable sale prices, bargaining allowances, location, topography, and amenities, making valuations highly sensitive to assumption changes.
\nThe auditors said they performed extensive procedures, including reviewing appraisal reports, testing assumptions against market data, and engaging independent valuation specialists to validate the figures.
\nThe adjustment follows a SEC show-cause order issued to E-Value Phils., the original appraiser, to explain its P1.33-trillion valuation. The regulator also imposed P12 million in fines on Villar Land and 11 of its officials in August for delayed submission of audited financial statements, citing violations of the Securities Regulation Code.
\nThe company reported a net income of P1.423 billion for 2024, slightly higher than P1.416 billion for 2023, marking a 0.5% increase year on year. The improvement was driven by higher interment and chapel service revenues, which grew 23% and 43%, respectively, offsetting a 26% decline in real estate sales.
\nTotal assets surged 28% to P35.75 billion from P27.98 billion in 2023, largely due to the Villar City land acquisition and reclassification of investment properties. Investment properties at cost jumped from P76 million to P8.76 billion, an increase of P8.68 billion or 11,462%, while fair value disclosure rose to P52.74 billion.
\nEquity declined slightly by 3% to P13.67 billion, while liabilities rose 59% to P22.08 billion, reflecting higher payables and related-party obligations linked to the acquisition.
\nEARLIER UNAUDITED DISCLOSURE
\nOn March 31, Villar Land reported a net income of P999.72 billion for 2024, up from P1.46 billion the previous year, attributing the spike to fair value gains on investment properties that ballooned to P1.33 trillion from P59 million in 2023.
\nRevenue fell by 25% to P3.58 billion as real estate sales declined by 26% to P3.31 billion due to lower residential unit sales.
\nVillar Land, formerly Golden MV Holdings, Inc., changed its name in November 2024 following an amendment to its articles of incorporation. It is among the country\u2019s largest developers of memorial parks under the Golden Haven brand and mass housing projects through Bria Homes.
\nAt the local bourse on Thursday, shares of Villar Land were down by 29.97% or P688 to close at P1,608 apiece. \u2014 Beatriz Marie D. Cruz and Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "VILLAR LAND Holdings Corp. has set the final audited fair value of its newly acquired properties at P52.74 billion, according to its 2024 annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), sharply lower than an earlier estimate of P1.33 trillion that drew regulatory scrutiny.\nThe valuation covers 366 hectares of prime land within Villar City, a 3,500-hectare master-planned development spanning Metro Manila and Cavite. Villar Land acquired the properties through its purchase of Althorp Land Holdings, Inc., Chalgrove Properties, Inc., and Los Valores Corp. for P5.2 billion on Sept. 30 last year.\nIn its filing on Thursday, the company said the properties were initially appraised using the income approach, yielding an estimated value of about P1.3 trillion. After discussions with its external auditor, Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A), Vil-lar Land adopted the market approach for its audited financial statements.\n\u201cAppraisal reports were obtained from SEC-accredited property appraisers to support the fair value measurement\u2026 The company agreed to use the valuation based on market approach,\u201d the report said.\nAccording to Note 28 of the audited financial statements, the fair value of investment properties was disclosed at P52.74 billion, while the properties were recorded at P8,759,321,390 cost, in compliance with Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS).\nP&A identified the valuation as a key audit matter, citing \u201csignificant judgments and high estimation uncertainty\u201d in determining fair values. The audit report noted that the market approach relies on subjective inputs such as comparable sale prices, bargaining allowances, location, topography, and amenities, making valuations highly sensitive to assumption changes.\nThe auditors said they performed extensive procedures, including reviewing appraisal reports, testing assumptions against market data, and engaging independent valuation specialists to validate the figures.\nThe adjustment follows a SEC show-cause order issued to E-Value Phils., the original appraiser, to explain its P1.33-trillion valuation. The regulator also imposed P12 million in fines on Villar Land and 11 of its officials in August for delayed submission of audited financial statements, citing violations of the Securities Regulation Code.\nThe company reported a net income of P1.423 billion for 2024, slightly higher than P1.416 billion for 2023, marking a 0.5% increase year on year. The improvement was driven by higher interment and chapel service revenues, which grew 23% and 43%, respectively, offsetting a 26% decline in real estate sales.\nTotal assets surged 28% to P35.75 billion from P27.98 billion in 2023, largely due to the Villar City land acquisition and reclassification of investment properties. Investment properties at cost jumped from P76 million to P8.76 billion, an increase of P8.68 billion or 11,462%, while fair value disclosure rose to P52.74 billion.\nEquity declined slightly by 3% to P13.67 billion, while liabilities rose 59% to P22.08 billion, reflecting higher payables and related-party obligations linked to the acquisition.\nEARLIER UNAUDITED DISCLOSURE\nOn March 31, Villar Land reported a net income of P999.72 billion for 2024, up from P1.46 billion the previous year, attributing the spike to fair value gains on investment properties that ballooned to P1.33 trillion from P59 million in 2023.\nRevenue fell by 25% to P3.58 billion as real estate sales declined by 26% to P3.31 billion due to lower residential unit sales.\nVillar Land, formerly Golden MV Holdings, Inc., changed its name in November 2024 following an amendment to its articles of incorporation. It is among the country\u2019s largest developers of memorial parks under the Golden Haven brand and mass housing projects through Bria Homes.\nAt the local bourse on Thursday, shares of Villar Land were down by 29.97% or P688 to close at P1,608 apiece. \u2014 Beatriz Marie D. Cruz and Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2025-11-14T00:11:45+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-11-13T21:39:11+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SDP-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Beatriz Marie D. Cruz", "Corporate", "Editors' Picks" ] }, { "id": "/?p=710821", "url": "/top-stories/2025/11/07/710821/maynilad-shares-stay-close-to-ipo-price-in-market-debut/", "title": "Maynilad shares stay close to IPO price in market debut", "content_html": "Maynilad Water Services, Inc. closed slightly lower on its first trading day on Friday at P14.98 per share from its initial public offering (IPO) price of P15.
\nThe shares slipped by P0.02 or 0.13% after opening at P15 and touching a low of P14.98, data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed. Around 100.81 million shares were traded, valued at P1.51 billion.
\nMaynilad\u2019s debut placed its market capitalization at about P113.2 billion, with a free float level of 30.18%. A total of 7.62 billion common shares were listed under the industrial sector\u2019s electricity, energy, power, and water sub-sector. Foreign ownership in the company is capped at 40%, in line with public utility regulations.
\nIn a statement, Maynilad said the listing marks a \u201chistoric milestone\u201d as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. joined company and PSE officials in ringing the bell to mark its official debut at the PSE Events Hall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
\n\u201cThrough this IPO, Maynilad strengthens its capacity to fund major expansion and modernization programs for water and wastewater infrastructure across the West Zone\u2014further advancing its mission to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater services to millions of Filipinos,\u201d the company said.
\nThe company\u2019s P15-per-share IPO raised P34.3 billion in gross proceeds, which will be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.
\nAt a press briefing following the listing ceremony, Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito S. Fernandez said the results of the IPO reaffirm investor confidence in the company\u2019s fundamentals.
\n\u201cWe believe that Maynilad has very strong fundamentals and a long-term value proposition. We [also] believe that Maynilad is a solid investment, delivering essential water services with very predictable cash flows,\u201d he said. \u201cWe got very positive feedback from both domestic and foreign investors, attesting to the company’s operational performance, capex (capital expenditure) plans, and dividend policy.\u201d
\nDuring the same briefing, Maynilad Chief Financial Officer Ricardo F. Delos Reyes said total demand for the IPO reached 2.7 times the number of shares offered.
\n\u201cAs far as I know, we were oversubscribed, and the geographic distribution was: Asia investors accounted for 53.6%, European investors 14.7%, local investors 29.6%, and the U.S. finally at 1%,\u201d he said.
\nMaynilad becomes the second and last company to list on the PSE this year and the largest since Monde Nissin Corp.\u2019s P48.6-billion offering in 2021 with its IPO price.
\nPSE President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Monzon said during the listing ceremony that Maynilad\u2019s IPO demonstrated renewed foreign investor confidence in the local market.
\n\u201cMaynilad had two foreign multilateral lenders, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Finance Corp. (IFC), investing in this IPO as anchor investors, along with six other foreign investors participating as cornerstone investors. Clearly, this disproves the doomsayers\u2019 claim of foreign investor disinterest in our market,\u201d Mr. Monzon said.
\nHe added that the Securities and Exchange Commission awarded the country\u2019s first Philippine Green Equity Label to Maynilad for its adherence to sustainability standards.
\nIn his remarks during the ceremony, Mr. Marcos said the listing underscores confidence in the country\u2019s capital markets and commitment to public accountability.
\n\u201cWith its IPO, Maynilad welcomes scrutiny and accountability. And in doing so, Maynilad can expand our capital markets and our shared belief that private enterprise can serve the public good,\u201d the president said.
\n\u201cMaynilad\u2019s public listing signals what I have been telling the world: that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to do business with you,\u201d he added.
\n\u201cGiven the market\u2019s prevailing bearish sentiment, it\u2019s not surprising that Maynilad failed to gain traction on its market debut,\u201d DragonFi Securities, Inc. Equity Research Analyst Jarrod Leighton M. Tin said in a Viber message.
\n\u201cThe stock\u2019s current stability appears to be supported primarily by the stabilization fund, which, once exhausted, could lead to further downside pressure. Sentiment worsened following the softer-than-expected third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) print released earlier, significantly missing forecasts.\u201d
\nThe Philippine economy expanded by 4% in the third quarter, the slowest pace since early 2021, bringing the year-to-date growth average to 5%, below the government\u2019s 5.5%-6.5% target.
\n\u201cThe demand and liquidity were robust with MYNLD topping the list of most actively traded stocks, although that\u2019s to be expected with market debuts. We will have to see the next few days if MYNLD can hold the line even amidst the weak market sentiment,\u201d AP Securities, Inc. Research Head Alfred Benjamin R. Garcia said in a Viber message.
\nMetro Pacific Investments Corp., which holds a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of First Pacific Co. Ltd., alongside Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.
\nHastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., holds an interest in 大象传媒 through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.–Alexandria Grace C. Magno and Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "Maynilad Water Services, Inc. closed slightly lower on its first trading day on Friday at P14.98 per share from its initial public offering (IPO) price of P15.\nThe shares slipped by P0.02 or 0.13% after opening at P15 and touching a low of P14.98, data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed. Around 100.81 million shares were traded, valued at P1.51 billion.\nMaynilad\u2019s debut placed its market capitalization at about P113.2 billion, with a free float level of 30.18%. A total of 7.62 billion common shares were listed under the industrial sector\u2019s electricity, energy, power, and water sub-sector. Foreign ownership in the company is capped at 40%, in line with public utility regulations.\nIn a statement, Maynilad said the listing marks a \u201chistoric milestone\u201d as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. joined company and PSE officials in ringing the bell to mark its official debut at the PSE Events Hall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.\n\u201cThrough this IPO, Maynilad strengthens its capacity to fund major expansion and modernization programs for water and wastewater infrastructure across the West Zone\u2014further advancing its mission to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater services to millions of Filipinos,\u201d the company said.\nThe company\u2019s P15-per-share IPO raised P34.3 billion in gross proceeds, which will be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.\nAt a press briefing following the listing ceremony, Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito S. Fernandez said the results of the IPO reaffirm investor confidence in the company\u2019s fundamentals.\n\u201cWe believe that Maynilad has very strong fundamentals and a long-term value proposition. We [also] believe that Maynilad is a solid investment, delivering essential water services with very predictable cash flows,\u201d he said. \u201cWe got very positive feedback from both domestic and foreign investors, attesting to the company’s operational performance, capex (capital expenditure) plans, and dividend policy.\u201d\nDuring the same briefing, Maynilad Chief Financial Officer Ricardo F. Delos Reyes said total demand for the IPO reached 2.7 times the number of shares offered.\n\u201cAs far as I know, we were oversubscribed, and the geographic distribution was: Asia investors accounted for 53.6%, European investors 14.7%, local investors 29.6%, and the U.S. finally at 1%,\u201d he said.\nMaynilad becomes the second and last company to list on the PSE this year and the largest since Monde Nissin Corp.\u2019s P48.6-billion offering in 2021 with its IPO price.\nPSE President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Monzon said during the listing ceremony that Maynilad\u2019s IPO demonstrated renewed foreign investor confidence in the local market.\n\u201cMaynilad had two foreign multilateral lenders, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Finance Corp. (IFC), investing in this IPO as anchor investors, along with six other foreign investors participating as cornerstone investors. Clearly, this disproves the doomsayers\u2019 claim of foreign investor disinterest in our market,\u201d Mr. Monzon said.\nHe added that the Securities and Exchange Commission awarded the country\u2019s first Philippine Green Equity Label to Maynilad for its adherence to sustainability standards.\nIn his remarks during the ceremony, Mr. Marcos said the listing underscores confidence in the country\u2019s capital markets and commitment to public accountability.\n\u201cWith its IPO, Maynilad welcomes scrutiny and accountability. And in doing so, Maynilad can expand our capital markets and our shared belief that private enterprise can serve the public good,\u201d the president said.\n\u201cMaynilad\u2019s public listing signals what I have been telling the world: that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to do business with you,\u201d he added.\n\u201cGiven the market\u2019s prevailing bearish sentiment, it\u2019s not surprising that Maynilad failed to gain traction on its market debut,\u201d DragonFi Securities, Inc. Equity Research Analyst Jarrod Leighton M. Tin said in a Viber message.\n\u201cThe stock\u2019s current stability appears to be supported primarily by the stabilization fund, which, once exhausted, could lead to further downside pressure. Sentiment worsened following the softer-than-expected third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) print released earlier, significantly missing forecasts.\u201d\nThe Philippine economy expanded by 4% in the third quarter, the slowest pace since early 2021, bringing the year-to-date growth average to 5%, below the government\u2019s 5.5%-6.5% target.\n\u201cThe demand and liquidity were robust with MYNLD topping the list of most actively traded stocks, although that\u2019s to be expected with market debuts. We will have to see the next few days if MYNLD can hold the line even amidst the weak market sentiment,\u201d AP Securities, Inc. Research Head Alfred Benjamin R. Garcia said in a Viber message.\nMetro Pacific Investments Corp., which holds a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of First Pacific Co. Ltd., alongside Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.\nHastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., holds an interest in 大象传媒 through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.–Alexandria Grace C. Magno and Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2025-11-07T16:38:46+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-11-07T17:22:28+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image003.jpg", "tags": [ "Alexandria Grace C. Magno", "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate", "大象传媒" ] }, { "id": "/?p=703103", "url": "/breaking-news/2025/10/06/703103/toyota-financial-services-launches-p2-billion-bond-offer/", "title": "Toyota Financial Services launches P2-billion bond offer", "content_html": "TOYOTA Financial Services Philippines Corp. (TFSPH), the automotive financing and leasing arm of GT Capital Holdings, Inc., has launched its P2-billion maiden bond offering to fund asset growth and diversify its funding sources, the listed conglomerate said on Monday.
\nThe bonds will be issued in up to two series: two-year Series A bonds due 2027 with a fixed rate of 5.7725% and three-year Series B bonds due 2028 with a rate of 5.9418%.
\nThe offer period will run from Oct. 6 to 13, according to GT Capital. First Metro Investment Corp. and ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch are the joint lead arrangers and bookrunners for the transaction. Both firms will also serve as the selling agents, alongside Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. and BPI Capital Corp.
\nTFSPH aims to reach a wider investor base that includes both institutional and individual investors, GT Capital said.
\nPhilippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings) assigned TFSPH an issuer credit rating of PRS Aaa with a stable outlook.
\nIn the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, TFSPH\u2019s total revenues rose by 11% to P3.9 billion, while loan receivables increased by 9% to P159.4 billion.
\nTFSPH is 60% owned by Japan-based Toyota Financial Services Corp. and 40% by GT Capital. — A.L. Balinbin and B.M.D. Cruz
\n", "content_text": "TOYOTA Financial Services Philippines Corp. (TFSPH), the automotive financing and leasing arm of GT Capital Holdings, Inc., has launched its P2-billion maiden bond offering to fund asset growth and diversify its funding sources, the listed conglomerate said on Monday.\nThe bonds will be issued in up to two series: two-year Series A bonds due 2027 with a fixed rate of 5.7725% and three-year Series B bonds due 2028 with a rate of 5.9418%.\nThe offer period will run from Oct. 6 to 13, according to GT Capital. First Metro Investment Corp. and ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch are the joint lead arrangers and bookrunners for the transaction. Both firms will also serve as the selling agents, alongside Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. and BPI Capital Corp.\nTFSPH aims to reach a wider investor base that includes both institutional and individual investors, GT Capital said.\nPhilippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings) assigned TFSPH an issuer credit rating of PRS Aaa with a stable outlook.\nIn the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, TFSPH\u2019s total revenues rose by 11% to P3.9 billion, while loan receivables increased by 9% to P159.4 billion.\nTFSPH is 60% owned by Japan-based Toyota Financial Services Corp. and 40% by GT Capital. — A.L. Balinbin and B.M.D. Cruz", "date_published": "2025-10-06T10:40:56+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-10-06T10:40:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/rgentribirthfurd/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9965230d2fd009579b4e8df9a934f6d1021b1ee67e60bcb4cad3b7249a2900ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/toyot_2024-12-18_20-24-50.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Beatriz Marie D. Cruz", "Breaking News", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=690257", "url": "/top-stories/2025/08/08/690257/wealth-of-top-50-tycoons-in-philippines-reaches-86b/", "title": "Wealth of top 50 tycoons in Philippines reaches $86B", "content_html": "THE PHILIPPINES\u2019 50 richest tycoons increased their combined wealth by 6% to over $86 billion (around P4.92 trillion) this year, with nearly half of those on the list now wealthier than a year ago, according to Forbes Asia.
\n\u201cBuoyed by domestic demand and an uptick in infrastructure investments, the Philippine economy expanded by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2025, but US tariffs proved to be a spoiler. The country\u2019s benchmark stock market index dipped 7% since fortunes were last measured, though that was partially offset by a firmer peso,\u201d Forbes Asia said in a statement.
\nThe Sy siblings once again topped the Forbes list of the Philippines\u2019 50 Richest for 2025, despite a $1.2-billion drop in their net worth.
\nThe six Sy siblings, namely, Teresita, Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Hans, Herbert, and Harley, posted a combined net worth $11.8 billion. They are the heirs to the SM Group built by the late Henry Sy, Sr., who was the richest man in the Philippines until his death in January 2019.
\nPorts and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon, Jr. landed on the second spot for the second straight year. The chairman of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Bloomberry Resorts Corp. had a net worth of $11.5 billion, up from last year\u2019s $11.1 billion.
\nProperty tycoon and former politician Manuel B. Villar, Jr. remained in third place with a fortune of $11 billion, slightly higher than his net worth of $10.9 billion last year. This comes as he turned his mass-housing and memorial park developer Golden MV Holdings into Villar Land Holdings.
\nSan Miguel Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang ranked fourth with a net worth of $3.75 billion, slightly lower than the $3.8-billion net worth last year.
\nIn fifth spot was DMCI Holdings, Inc. Chairman Isidro A. Consunji and his siblings with a net worth of $3.7 billion.
\nThe Que Azcona family debuted at No. 6 with $3.6 billion net worth. The family entered the richest list after the Mercury Drug Corp. President Vivian Q. Azcona passed away in April. Her son Steven Azcona took over the drugstore chain.
\nJaime Zobel de Ayala and his family inched up a spot to 7th place with a net worth of $3.4 billion, higher than the $2.6 billion a year ago.
\nTaipan Lucio C. Tan, chairman of LT Group, Inc., slipped a spot to 8th place with a net worth of $3.2 billion.
\nPuregold Price Club, Inc. founders Lucio and Susan Co came in on ninth place with a net worth of $3 billion, while Jollibee Foods Corp. Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong rounded out the top 10 with $2.9 billion.
\nThe Ty siblings, Arthur, Alfred, Alesandra and Anjanette, are 11th richest in the country with a net worth of $2.8 billion. They are the children of late banking tycoon George Ty, who was the founder of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.
\nThe Aboitiz family, who owns Cebu-based conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., are in 12th spot with a net worth of $2.2 billion.
\nThe Po family, who controls Century Pacific Food, ranked 13th with a net worth of $1.9 billion.
\nLance Y. Gokongwei and his siblings, whose companies include JG Summit Holdings, Cebu Pacific and Robinsons Land, are in 14th spot with a net worth of $1.8 billion.
\nAndrew L. Tan, who owns Alliance Global Group, Inc., landed in 15th place with a net worth of $1.65 billion.
\nDennis Anthony H. Uy and Maria Grace Y. Uy, co-founders of broadband services provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc., were in 16th place as their combined net worth surged 74% to $1.6 billion.
\nIn 17th spot was Soledad Oppen-Cojuangco and family with a net worth of $1.15 billion, followed by online gaming, education, and logistics tycoon Eusebio H. Tanco in 18th spot with a wealth of $1.1 billion.
\nIn 19th place were the Campos siblings, Jocelyn, Joselito and Jeffrey, with $910 million. Their father Jose Campos founded Unilab with business partner Mariano Tan.
\nIndonesian-born Hartono Kweefanus, chairman emeritus of Monde Nissin, and his family landed in 20th spot with a net worth of $840 million. He is the brother-in-law of Monde Nissin president Betty Ang, who ranked 23rd on the list with $615 million.
\nA minimum net worth of $185 million was needed to make this year\u2019s list, up from $170 million in 2024.
\nForbes said the net worth of top Philippine tycoons were based on the closing stock prices and exchange rates as of close on July 18, 2025. The list used shareholding and financial information from families and individuals, stock exchanges, analysts, and other sources. It also includes family fortunes, including those shared among extended families.
\nThe list may also include foreign citizens or citizens who don\u2019t reside in the Philippines but who have significant business or ties to the country. \u2014 with Arjay L. Balinbin and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
\n", "content_text": "THE PHILIPPINES\u2019 50 richest tycoons increased their combined wealth by 6% to over $86 billion (around P4.92 trillion) this year, with nearly half of those on the list now wealthier than a year ago, according to Forbes Asia.\n\u201cBuoyed by domestic demand and an uptick in infrastructure investments, the Philippine economy expanded by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2025, but US tariffs proved to be a spoiler. The country\u2019s benchmark stock market index dipped 7% since fortunes were last measured, though that was partially offset by a firmer peso,\u201d Forbes Asia said in a statement.\nThe Sy siblings once again topped the Forbes list of the Philippines\u2019 50 Richest for 2025, despite a $1.2-billion drop in their net worth.\nThe six Sy siblings, namely, Teresita, Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Hans, Herbert, and Harley, posted a combined net worth $11.8 billion. They are the heirs to the SM Group built by the late Henry Sy, Sr., who was the richest man in the Philippines until his death in January 2019.\nPorts and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon, Jr. landed on the second spot for the second straight year. The chairman of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Bloomberry Resorts Corp. had a net worth of $11.5 billion, up from last year\u2019s $11.1 billion.\nProperty tycoon and former politician Manuel B. Villar, Jr. remained in third place with a fortune of $11 billion, slightly higher than his net worth of $10.9 billion last year. This comes as he turned his mass-housing and memorial park developer Golden MV Holdings into Villar Land Holdings.\nSan Miguel Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang ranked fourth with a net worth of $3.75 billion, slightly lower than the $3.8-billion net worth last year.\nIn fifth spot was DMCI Holdings, Inc. Chairman Isidro A. Consunji and his siblings with a net worth of $3.7 billion.\nThe Que Azcona family debuted at No. 6 with $3.6 billion net worth. The family entered the richest list after the Mercury Drug Corp. President Vivian Q. Azcona passed away in April. Her son Steven Azcona took over the drugstore chain.\nJaime Zobel de Ayala and his family inched up a spot to 7th place with a net worth of $3.4 billion, higher than the $2.6 billion a year ago.\nTaipan Lucio C. Tan, chairman of LT Group, Inc., slipped a spot to 8th place with a net worth of $3.2 billion.\nPuregold Price Club, Inc. founders Lucio and Susan Co came in on ninth place with a net worth of $3 billion, while Jollibee Foods Corp. Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong rounded out the top 10 with $2.9 billion.\nThe Ty siblings, Arthur, Alfred, Alesandra and Anjanette, are 11th richest in the country with a net worth of $2.8 billion. They are the children of late banking tycoon George Ty, who was the founder of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.\nThe Aboitiz family, who owns Cebu-based conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., are in 12th spot with a net worth of $2.2 billion.\nThe Po family, who controls Century Pacific Food, ranked 13th with a net worth of $1.9 billion.\nLance Y. Gokongwei and his siblings, whose companies include JG Summit Holdings, Cebu Pacific and Robinsons Land, are in 14th spot with a net worth of $1.8 billion.\nAndrew L. Tan, who owns Alliance Global Group, Inc., landed in 15th place with a net worth of $1.65 billion.\nDennis Anthony H. Uy and Maria Grace Y. Uy, co-founders of broadband services provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc., were in 16th place as their combined net worth surged 74% to $1.6 billion.\nIn 17th spot was Soledad Oppen-Cojuangco and family with a net worth of $1.15 billion, followed by online gaming, education, and logistics tycoon Eusebio H. Tanco in 18th spot with a wealth of $1.1 billion.\nIn 19th place were the Campos siblings, Jocelyn, Joselito and Jeffrey, with $910 million. Their father Jose Campos founded Unilab with business partner Mariano Tan.\nIndonesian-born Hartono Kweefanus, chairman emeritus of Monde Nissin, and his family landed in 20th spot with a net worth of $840 million. He is the brother-in-law of Monde Nissin president Betty Ang, who ranked 23rd on the list with $615 million.\nA minimum net worth of $185 million was needed to make this year\u2019s list, up from $170 million in 2024.\nForbes said the net worth of top Philippine tycoons were based on the closing stock prices and exchange rates as of close on July 18, 2025. The list used shareholding and financial information from families and individuals, stock exchanges, analysts, and other sources. It also includes family fortunes, including those shared among extended families.\nThe list may also include foreign citizens or citizens who don\u2019t reside in the Philippines but who have significant business or ties to the country. \u2014 with Arjay L. Balinbin and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave", "date_published": "2025-08-08T00:32:57+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-07T20:52:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Top-10-Richest-2025-UPDATED.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Revin Mikhael D. Ochave", "Editors' Picks", "One News", "大象传媒" ] }, { "id": "/?p=690082", "url": "/top-stories/2025/08/07/690082/sy-siblings-razon-villar-lead-2025-forbes-list-of-phls-50-richest/", "title": "Sy siblings, Razon, Villar lead 2025 Forbes list of PHL\u2019s 50 richest", "content_html": "The Sy siblings have once again topped the Forbes list of the Philippines\u2019 50 Richest for 2025, with a combined net worth of $11.8 billion, according to Forbes Asia.
\nThe heirs to the SM Group empire held their top position despite a $1.2 billion dip in their wealth.
\nPorts and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon, Jr., chairman of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Bloomberry Resorts Corp., retained the No. 2 spot with $11.5 billion.
\nFormer senator and property magnate Manuel B. Villar, Jr. stayed in third place with a fortune of $11 billion.
\nSan Miguel Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang ranked fourth with a net worth of $3.75 billion, followed by Isidro A. Consunji & siblings of DMCI Holdings, Inc. at No. 5 with $3.7 billion.
\nThe Que Azcona family, taking over from the late Mercury Drug Corp. President Vivian Q. Azcona who passed away in April, debuted at No. 6 with $3.6 billion. The drugstore chain is now led by her son, Steven Azcona.
\nJaime Zobel de Ayala & family of conglomerate Ayala Corp. came in seventh with $3.4 billion.
\nAt No. 8 is airline and liquor magnate Lucio C. Tan, who holds a net worth of $3.2 billion.
\nPuregold Price Club, Inc. founders Lucio and Susan Co were listed ninth with $3 billion, while Jollibee Foods Corp. Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong rounded out the top ten with $2.9 billion.
\nThe minimum net worth to make the 2025 list was $185 million, up from $170 million the previous year.
\n\n
The full list appears in the August issue of Forbes Asia and on forbes.com/philippines.\u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
\n", "content_text": "The Sy siblings have once again topped the Forbes list of the Philippines\u2019 50 Richest for 2025, with a combined net worth of $11.8 billion, according to Forbes Asia.\nThe heirs to the SM Group empire held their top position despite a $1.2 billion dip in their wealth.\nPorts and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon, Jr., chairman of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Bloomberry Resorts Corp., retained the No. 2 spot with $11.5 billion.\nFormer senator and property magnate Manuel B. Villar, Jr. stayed in third place with a fortune of $11 billion.\nSan Miguel Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang ranked fourth with a net worth of $3.75 billion, followed by Isidro A. Consunji & siblings of DMCI Holdings, Inc. at No. 5 with $3.7 billion.\nThe Que Azcona family, taking over from the late Mercury Drug Corp. President Vivian Q. Azcona who passed away in April, debuted at No. 6 with $3.6 billion. The drugstore chain is now led by her son, Steven Azcona.\nJaime Zobel de Ayala & family of conglomerate Ayala Corp. came in seventh with $3.4 billion.\nAt No. 8 is airline and liquor magnate Lucio C. Tan, who holds a net worth of $3.2 billion.\nPuregold Price Club, Inc. founders Lucio and Susan Co were listed ninth with $3 billion, while Jollibee Foods Corp. Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong rounded out the top ten with $2.9 billion.\nThe minimum net worth to make the 2025 list was $185 million, up from $170 million the previous year.\n \nThe full list appears in the August issue of Forbes Asia and on forbes.com/philippines.\u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave", "date_published": "2025-08-07T09:50:00+08:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-07T10:04:06+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/agarwalekwensi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63a6222a994ecdcd0783bb257b7c4e6d18b49dfa789dd168af5420ab8a45082c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Building-skyline-condo.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Revin Mikhael D. Ochave", "Breaking News", "大象传媒" ] }, { "id": "/?p=600871", "url": "/property/2024/06/11/600871/mitsukoshi-eyes-increased-japanese-brand-presence-in-phl/", "title": "Mitsukoshi eyes increased Japanese brand presence in PHL", "content_html": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Corporate Editor
\nJAPAN-BASED department store chain Mitsukoshi is gearing up to introduce more Japanese brands and local partnerships at its Philippine branch Mitsukoshi BGC, a company official said.
\n\u201cWhat we are trying to do in Mitsukoshi BGC is to become a place where you can find and experience a bit of Japan, and where also new value is created through a combination of Filipino culture and Japanese culture,\u201d Momoko Umemura, manager at Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.\u2019s corporate real estate department, said in a media briefing in Tokyo on May 29.\u00a0
\n\u201cMitsukoshi BGC is becoming one of the starting points for Japanese companies to start their business in the Philippines,\u201d she added.
\nSet to delight Filipinos is the Japanese treat anmitsu, a classic chilled dessert featuring white, semi-translucent jelly. This delicacy will be available for P450.
\nMitsukoshi BGC is also expanding its selection of Japanese rice wines. Among the new offerings are the Kakurei Junmai Ginjo, priced at P1,980, and the Gangi Junmai Dai Ginjo Yunagi, which will be available for P2,980.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s not only about Japanese companies. We\u2019re trying to co-create new value and synergy. One good example is the collaboration between Mitsukoshi Fresh and Auro Chocolate,\u201d Ms. Umemura said. Auro Chocolate is a premium bean-to-bar chocolate brand in the Philippines.
\nShe added that the company is also looking to partner with more local suppliers.
\nMitsukoshi BGC, the first Japanese mall in the Philippines established in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, in 2022, recently introduced 15 new brands, bringing the total number of purely Japanese brands to 38.
\nJapanese furniture retailer Nitori also recently opened its store in Mitsukoshi BGC.
\nThe origins of Mitsukoshi trace back to 1673, during Japan\u2019s Edo period, when Takatoshi Mitsui, a visionary businessman, established the Kimono Fabric store \u201cEchigoya\u201d in Edo, now known as Tokyo.
\nIn 1904, the\u00a0department store declaration\u00a0was issued, saying: \u201cWe aim to pursue the improvement of customer satisfaction and convenience by providing the latest business presentations and assortment of cutting-edge department products.\u201d Consequently, Mitsukoshi established itself as Japan\u2019s pioneering department store. Its flagship store is situated in Nihonbashi, a vibrant commercial district renowned for its iconic 17th century canal bridge.
\nMitsukoshi BGC, a commercial facility located in the basement of a residential building, is a partnership between local company Federal Land, Inc., the property arm of the Ty-led conglomerate GT Capital Holdings, Inc., and Japan\u2019s Nomura Real Estate (NRE) Development and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings.
\nTheir mixed-use residential and commercial development project \u201cwas designed based on a Japanese concept and received the highest award in the Residential High-rise Development category at the International Property Awards, recognizing outstanding real estate projects worldwide,\u201d said Masato Yamauchi, director and head of NRE\u2019s overseas business division, during a briefing.
\n\u201cThrough managing this property, we aim to continually enhance the lifestyle offerings in Manila, providing a uniquely Japanese experience to the Filipino community,\u201d he added. The residential tower, named \u201cThe Seasons Residences,\u201d features units named \u201cHaru\u201d (spring), \u201cNatsu\u201d (summer), \u201cAki\u201d (autumn),\u201d and \u201cFuyu\u201d (winter), representing Japan\u2019s four seasons.
\n\u201cAs seen, there are a lot of things to look forward to, a lot of products that will come soon to the shores of Mitsukoshi BGC,\u201d said Charmaine N. Bauzon, commercial business group head at Federal Land\u00a0NRE Global, Inc.
\n\u201cWe will not stop at just these products. I think we will continue to surprise our Filipino customers,\u201d she added.
\n", "content_text": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Corporate Editor\nJAPAN-BASED department store chain Mitsukoshi is gearing up to introduce more Japanese brands and local partnerships at its Philippine branch Mitsukoshi BGC, a company official said.\n\u201cWhat we are trying to do in Mitsukoshi BGC is to become a place where you can find and experience a bit of Japan, and where also new value is created through a combination of Filipino culture and Japanese culture,\u201d Momoko Umemura, manager at Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.\u2019s corporate real estate department, said in a media briefing in Tokyo on May 29.\u00a0\n\u201cMitsukoshi BGC is becoming one of the starting points for Japanese companies to start their business in the Philippines,\u201d she added.\nSet to delight Filipinos is the Japanese treat anmitsu, a classic chilled dessert featuring white, semi-translucent jelly. This delicacy will be available for P450.\nMitsukoshi BGC is also expanding its selection of Japanese rice wines. Among the new offerings are the Kakurei Junmai Ginjo, priced at P1,980, and the Gangi Junmai Dai Ginjo Yunagi, which will be available for P2,980.\n\u201cIt\u2019s not only about Japanese companies. We\u2019re trying to co-create new value and synergy. One good example is the collaboration between Mitsukoshi Fresh and Auro Chocolate,\u201d Ms. Umemura said. Auro Chocolate is a premium bean-to-bar chocolate brand in the Philippines.\nShe added that the company is also looking to partner with more local suppliers.\nMitsukoshi BGC, the first Japanese mall in the Philippines established in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, in 2022, recently introduced 15 new brands, bringing the total number of purely Japanese brands to 38.\nJapanese furniture retailer Nitori also recently opened its store in Mitsukoshi BGC.\nThe origins of Mitsukoshi trace back to 1673, during Japan\u2019s Edo period, when Takatoshi Mitsui, a visionary businessman, established the Kimono Fabric store \u201cEchigoya\u201d in Edo, now known as Tokyo.\nIn 1904, the\u00a0department store declaration\u00a0was issued, saying: \u201cWe aim to pursue the improvement of customer satisfaction and convenience by providing the latest business presentations and assortment of cutting-edge department products.\u201d Consequently, Mitsukoshi established itself as Japan\u2019s pioneering department store. Its flagship store is situated in Nihonbashi, a vibrant commercial district renowned for its iconic 17th century canal bridge.\nMitsukoshi BGC, a commercial facility located in the basement of a residential building, is a partnership between local company Federal Land, Inc., the property arm of the Ty-led conglomerate GT Capital Holdings, Inc., and Japan\u2019s Nomura Real Estate (NRE) Development and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings.\nTheir mixed-use residential and commercial development project \u201cwas designed based on a Japanese concept and received the highest award in the Residential High-rise Development category at the International Property Awards, recognizing outstanding real estate projects worldwide,\u201d said Masato Yamauchi, director and head of NRE\u2019s overseas business division, during a briefing.\n\u201cThrough managing this property, we aim to continually enhance the lifestyle offerings in Manila, providing a uniquely Japanese experience to the Filipino community,\u201d he added. The residential tower, named \u201cThe Seasons Residences,\u201d features units named \u201cHaru\u201d (spring), \u201cNatsu\u201d (summer), \u201cAki\u201d (autumn),\u201d and \u201cFuyu\u201d (winter), representing Japan\u2019s four seasons.\n\u201cAs seen, there are a lot of things to look forward to, a lot of products that will come soon to the shores of Mitsukoshi BGC,\u201d said Charmaine N. Bauzon, commercial business group head at Federal Land\u00a0NRE Global, Inc.\n\u201cWe will not stop at just these products. I think we will continue to surprise our Filipino customers,\u201d she added.", "date_published": "2024-06-11T00:03:59+08:00", "date_modified": "2024-06-10T20:39:39+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mitsukoshi.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Editors' Picks", "Property" ], "summary": "JAPAN-BASED department store chain Mitsukoshi is gearing up to introduce more Japanese brands and local partnerships at its Philippine branch Mitsukoshi BGC, a company official said." }, { "id": "/?p=599322", "url": "/property/2024/06/04/599322/japans-nre-says-philippines-to-boost-overseas-profit-by-2031/", "title": "Japan\u2019s NRE says Philippines to boost overseas profit by 2031", "content_html": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Corporate Editor
\nJAPAN\u2019s Nomura Real Estate (NRE) Development Co. Ltd. said it expects the Philippines, a primary investment focus in Southeast Asia after Vietnam, to contribute up to 30% of its total overseas profit by 2031.
\n\u201cWith our current projections and assuming stable market conditions, we estimate that around 2031, the share of profit from FNG would be somewhere between 20-30% of the total profit of our overseas business we make, which is a substantial share,\u201d Atsushi Ogata, executive officer of NRE\u2019s overseas business division, said in an interview in Tokyo last week.
\nIn 2022, NRE and Federal Land, Inc.,\u00a0the property arm of the\u00a0Ty-led\u00a0conglomerate GT Capital Holdings, Inc., established Federal Land NRE Global (FNG) to develop real estate in the Philippines permanently.
\nFNG, which hopes to create 6,000 job opportunities in the Philippines within the first five years of its operations, said it aims to integrate NRE\u2019s innovation, technology, and design with Federal Land\u2019s knowledge of the Philippine market.
\nFederal Land\u2019s projects include GT Tower International in Makati, Marco Polo Plaza and Marco Polo Residences in Cebu. They also include the Metro Park, a 36-hectare integrated community in the Bay Area, and the Grand Central Park, a 10-hectare township in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), featuring the Grand Hyatt Manila and Grand Hyatt Manila Residences.
\nFederal Land\u2019s first project with NRE is The Seasons Residences, a four-tower high-end residential development in BGC.
\n\u201cFNG has four development sites in Metro Manila and Cebu Island, with a total project cost of approximately $5 billion,\u201d said Masato Yamauchi, director and head of NRE\u2019s overseas business division. The FNG project encompasses an initial lineup of residential, office, commercial, and industrial facilities.
\nThe partnership has also brought the first Mitsukoshi, an international department store chain headquartered in Tokyo, to the Philippines.
\nNRE, currently the largest developer in Japan in terms of condominium unit turnover and the fifth largest in consolidated sales, regards its global business as a significant driver of growth.
\nThe company, with a diverse portfolio including residences, offices, retail spaces, logistics facilities, and hotels,\u00a0 plans to invest approximately JPY 550 billion in its overseas ventures by March 2031 and aims to generate more than 15% of its total profit from its international operations.
\nAs of last year, NRE had an investment balance of JPY 140 billion in its overseas business \u2014 19% for the Philippines, 5% for China, 10% for the United Kingdom, 1% for the United States, and 50% for Vietnam. This makes the Philippines the second largest recipient of NRE\u2019s investments in Southeast Asia.
\nNRE is currently expanding its overseas portfolio into additional countries.
\nIn Southeast Asia, Mr. Ogata said that Vietnam\u2019s earlier market entry and larger population \u201cnaturally\u201d led to higher investment there.
\n\u201cWe started the Vietnam business many years before the Philippines, so it\u2019s natural to have a larger amount of investment. Also, the population of Vietnam is larger, making it a big market,\u201d he said.
\nMr. Ogata also noted the need to recognize the distinct differences between the Philippine and Vietnamese markets when comparing NRE\u2019s ventures in both countries.
\n\u201cBoth are rapidly developing but with unique characteristics. For instance, in Vietnam, we don\u2019t have any capital restrictions, so if we would like, we can invest hundreds of percent into a foreign project,\u201d he said.
\nNRE\u2019s projects in Vietnam include Zen Plaza, Sun Wah Tower, Phu My Hung Midtown, and Vinhomes Grand Park, all in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the Ecopark Project in Hanoi.
\nThe Philippines holds significant potential, Mr. Ogata noted. \u201cThe Philippine market, with its large population, is strategically important for us.\u201d
\nThe company employs the Japanese principle of \u201ckaizen,\u201d or continuous improvement, to refine its business practices and product offerings.
\n\u201cThrough kaizen, we\u2019ve refined sophisticated methods in Japan that we can apply to the Philippine market,\u201d Mr. Ogata said, highlighting the company\u2019s tailored strategy to meet local needs at every project stage, from planning and design to construction and delivery, aiming to enhance overall value and quality.
\n", "content_text": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Corporate Editor\nJAPAN\u2019s Nomura Real Estate (NRE) Development Co. Ltd. said it expects the Philippines, a primary investment focus in Southeast Asia after Vietnam, to contribute up to 30% of its total overseas profit by 2031.\n\u201cWith our current projections and assuming stable market conditions, we estimate that around 2031, the share of profit from FNG would be somewhere between 20-30% of the total profit of our overseas business we make, which is a substantial share,\u201d Atsushi Ogata, executive officer of NRE\u2019s overseas business division, said in an interview in Tokyo last week. \nIn 2022, NRE and Federal Land, Inc.,\u00a0the property arm of the\u00a0Ty-led\u00a0conglomerate GT Capital Holdings, Inc., established Federal Land NRE Global (FNG) to develop real estate in the Philippines permanently.\nFNG, which hopes to create 6,000 job opportunities in the Philippines within the first five years of its operations, said it aims to integrate NRE\u2019s innovation, technology, and design with Federal Land\u2019s knowledge of the Philippine market.\nFederal Land\u2019s projects include GT Tower International in Makati, Marco Polo Plaza and Marco Polo Residences in Cebu. They also include the Metro Park, a 36-hectare integrated community in the Bay Area, and the Grand Central Park, a 10-hectare township in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), featuring the Grand Hyatt Manila and Grand Hyatt Manila Residences.\nFederal Land\u2019s first project with NRE is The Seasons Residences, a four-tower high-end residential development in BGC.\n\u201cFNG has four development sites in Metro Manila and Cebu Island, with a total project cost of approximately $5 billion,\u201d said Masato Yamauchi, director and head of NRE\u2019s overseas business division. The FNG project encompasses an initial lineup of residential, office, commercial, and industrial facilities.\nThe partnership has also brought the first Mitsukoshi, an international department store chain headquartered in Tokyo, to the Philippines.\nNRE, currently the largest developer in Japan in terms of condominium unit turnover and the fifth largest in consolidated sales, regards its global business as a significant driver of growth. \nThe company, with a diverse portfolio including residences, offices, retail spaces, logistics facilities, and hotels,\u00a0 plans to invest approximately JPY 550 billion in its overseas ventures by March 2031 and aims to generate more than 15% of its total profit from its international operations.\nAs of last year, NRE had an investment balance of JPY 140 billion in its overseas business \u2014 19% for the Philippines, 5% for China, 10% for the United Kingdom, 1% for the United States, and 50% for Vietnam. This makes the Philippines the second largest recipient of NRE\u2019s investments in Southeast Asia.\nNRE is currently expanding its overseas portfolio into additional countries.\nIn Southeast Asia, Mr. Ogata said that Vietnam\u2019s earlier market entry and larger population \u201cnaturally\u201d led to higher investment there.\n\u201cWe started the Vietnam business many years before the Philippines, so it\u2019s natural to have a larger amount of investment. Also, the population of Vietnam is larger, making it a big market,\u201d he said.\nMr. Ogata also noted the need to recognize the distinct differences between the Philippine and Vietnamese markets when comparing NRE\u2019s ventures in both countries.\n\u201cBoth are rapidly developing but with unique characteristics. For instance, in Vietnam, we don\u2019t have any capital restrictions, so if we would like, we can invest hundreds of percent into a foreign project,\u201d he said.\nNRE\u2019s projects in Vietnam include Zen Plaza, Sun Wah Tower, Phu My Hung Midtown, and Vinhomes Grand Park, all in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the Ecopark Project in Hanoi.\nThe Philippines holds significant potential, Mr. Ogata noted. \u201cThe Philippine market, with its large population, is strategically important for us.\u201d\nThe company employs the Japanese principle of \u201ckaizen,\u201d or continuous improvement, to refine its business practices and product offerings.\n\u201cThrough kaizen, we\u2019ve refined sophisticated methods in Japan that we can apply to the Philippine market,\u201d Mr. Ogata said, highlighting the company\u2019s tailored strategy to meet local needs at every project stage, from planning and design to construction and delivery, aiming to enhance overall value and quality.", "date_published": "2024-06-04T00:03:02+08:00", "date_modified": "2024-06-03T21:18:31+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FNG-observatory.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Editors' Picks", "Property" ], "summary": "JAPAN\u2019s Nomura Real Estate (NRE) Development Co. Ltd. said it expects the Philippines, a primary investment focus in Southeast Asia after Vietnam, to contribute up to 30% of its total overseas profit by 2031." }, { "id": "/?p=592246", "url": "/corporate/2024/05/02/592246/mpics-cdo-water-unit-seeks-quick-resolution-with-water-district-over-unsettled-accounts/", "title": "MPIC\u2019s CDO water unit seeks quick resolution with water district over unsettled accounts", "content_html": "Metro Pacific Water unit Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water, Inc. (COBI) said it is seeking immediate resolution with the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over the latter’s unsettled accounts.
\n\u201cEfforts to reach an amicable solution with Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over outstanding payments and water pricing have been impeded by a lack of COWD representation,\u201d the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
\nIt said that a meeting took place on April 30 with COWD, which included representatives from LWUA, Metro Pacific Water, Congressman’s office, and COBI.
\n\u201cHowever, only one COWD director was present, thereby not reaching a quorum to provide a needed resolution, which is the outstanding balance of COWD to COBI,\u201d the company said.
\n\u201cThis absence of representation from COWD raises concerns about their commitment to resolving the issue and compromising water supply for their consumers,\u201d it added.
\nThe company noted that LWUA has already intervened to mediate and prevent service disruptions, particularly during the El Ni\u00f1o season.
\n\u201cThey requested a 30-day extension to facilitate discussions between Metro Pacific Water and COWD. Unfortunately, despite multiple negotiation meetings, an agreement could not be reached,\u201d it said.
\n\u201cAt this point, we are still open for an immediate and swift resolution of unsettled accounts.\u00a0 We encourage COWD to work with us to ensure a secure water supply for all Cagayanons,\u201d the company added.
\nMetro Pacific Water\u00a0is a wholly owned water infrastructure investment subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).
\nMPIC is one of the three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific, the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.
\nHastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority share in\u00a0大象传媒 through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.\u00a0\u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "Metro Pacific Water unit Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water, Inc. (COBI) said it is seeking immediate resolution with the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over the latter’s unsettled accounts.\n\u201cEfforts to reach an amicable solution with Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over outstanding payments and water pricing have been impeded by a lack of COWD representation,\u201d the company said in a statement on Wednesday.\nIt said that a meeting took place on April 30 with COWD, which included representatives from LWUA, Metro Pacific Water, Congressman’s office, and COBI.\n\u201cHowever, only one COWD director was present, thereby not reaching a quorum to provide a needed resolution, which is the outstanding balance of COWD to COBI,\u201d the company said.\n\u201cThis absence of representation from COWD raises concerns about their commitment to resolving the issue and compromising water supply for their consumers,\u201d it added.\nThe company noted that LWUA has already intervened to mediate and prevent service disruptions, particularly during the El Ni\u00f1o season.\n\u201cThey requested a 30-day extension to facilitate discussions between Metro Pacific Water and COWD. Unfortunately, despite multiple negotiation meetings, an agreement could not be reached,\u201d it said.\n\u201cAt this point, we are still open for an immediate and swift resolution of unsettled accounts.\u00a0 We encourage COWD to work with us to ensure a secure water supply for all Cagayanons,\u201d the company added.\nMetro Pacific Water\u00a0is a wholly owned water infrastructure investment subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).\nMPIC is one of the three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific, the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.\nHastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority share in\u00a0大象传媒 through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.\u00a0\u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2024-05-02T00:01:35+08:00", "date_modified": "2024-05-01T19:05:43+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Metro-Pacific-Water-logo.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Corporate" ] }, { "id": "/?p=564192", "url": "/bw-launchpad/2023/12/18/564192/shopee-says-live-stream-shopping-spurs-50x-increase-in-orders-during-12-12-sale/", "title": "Shopee says live-stream shopping spurs 50x increase in orders during 12.12 sale", "content_html": "Filipinos are increasingly turning to online platforms for their holiday shopping needs,\u00a0 embracing the trend of live selling for better deals, according to e-commerce platform Shopee.
\nIn an e-mailed statement, Shopee reported a fiftyfold increase in orders on Shopee Live, an interactive live-streaming feature on the e-commerce platform, during its 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale.
\n\u201cWith the gifting season in full swing, the first two minutes of the highly anticipated sale resulted in 12 million items sold on Shopee Live across markets,\u201d the platform said.
\nThe surge in live-stream shopping led to a forty-sixfold increase in new buyers locally, emphasizing the trend\u2019s popularity, it also said.
\nShopee noted that buyers collectively saved P509 million, thanks to partnerships with brands and sellers.
\n\u201cAs the year draws to a close, Filipinos also look forward to year-end bonuses, signaling the opportunity to make major purchases, buy gifts, or reward themselves after a full year\u2019s work,\u201d it added.
\nHome & Living items emerged as the top-selling category during the sale, indicating a consumer interest in enhancing living spaces. This was followed by Women\u2019s Apparel and Mobile Accessories, reflecting diverse preferences among holiday shoppers.
\nAt the same time, both the Fashion and Health & Beauty categories saw a fivefold increase in orders.
\nTop-performing brands with the highest number of orders platform-wide included Uni-Care, Maybelline, and Issy & Co.
\nFurthermore, o.two.o.ph, Uni-Care, and Lovito.ph secured the highest number of orders on Shopee Live.
\n\u201cDespite all the shopping, Filipinos remain frugal, making wise use of their money by stocking up on top-selling essentials such as face masks, organic baby wipes, and 3-in-1 twin coffee packs,\u201d the platform said. \u2014 ALB
\n", "content_text": "Filipinos are increasingly turning to online platforms for their holiday shopping needs,\u00a0 embracing the trend of live selling for better deals, according to e-commerce platform Shopee.\nIn an e-mailed statement, Shopee reported a fiftyfold increase in orders on Shopee Live, an interactive live-streaming feature on the e-commerce platform, during its 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale.\n\u201cWith the gifting season in full swing, the first two minutes of the highly anticipated sale resulted in 12 million items sold on Shopee Live across markets,\u201d the platform said.\nThe surge in live-stream shopping led to a forty-sixfold increase in new buyers locally, emphasizing the trend\u2019s popularity, it also said.\nShopee noted that buyers collectively saved P509 million, thanks to partnerships with brands and sellers.\n\u201cAs the year draws to a close, Filipinos also look forward to year-end bonuses, signaling the opportunity to make major purchases, buy gifts, or reward themselves after a full year\u2019s work,\u201d it added.\nHome & Living items emerged as the top-selling category during the sale, indicating a consumer interest in enhancing living spaces. This was followed by Women\u2019s Apparel and Mobile Accessories, reflecting diverse preferences among holiday shoppers.\nAt the same time, both the Fashion and Health & Beauty categories saw a fivefold increase in orders.\nTop-performing brands with the highest number of orders platform-wide included Uni-Care, Maybelline, and Issy & Co.\nFurthermore, o.two.o.ph, Uni-Care, and Lovito.ph secured the highest number of orders on Shopee Live.\n\u201cDespite all the shopping, Filipinos remain frugal, making wise use of their money by stocking up on top-selling essentials such as face masks, organic baby wipes, and 3-in-1 twin coffee packs,\u201d the platform said. \u2014 ALB", "date_published": "2023-12-18T16:47:02+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-12-18T16:47:02+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SHOPEE.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "BW Launchpad" ] }, { "id": "/?p=557483", "url": "/bw-launchpad/2023/11/15/557483/innovation-in-romance-pioneering-proposal-planning-in-the-philippines/", "title": "Innovation in romance: Pioneering proposal planning in the Philippines", "content_html": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Multimedia Editor
\nCURATING moments of joy and surprise is the driving force behind M Proposals MNL, a wedding proposal planning company that hopes to expand all over the country, its founder Carmela Denise A. Alcordo said.
\n\u201cWe researched this several years ago, and until now, we\u2019re the only one doing this full time,\u201d Ms. Alcordo said in an interview with\u00a0大象传媒.
\nHer journey started during high school in Batangas when a feasibility study project sparked her entrepreneurial spirit.
\n\n\u201cOur teacher asked us to do a feasibility study, and what I did was create an events company. I saw that it was a viable business and something I could do.\u201d
\n\u201cSo I started with weddings, debuts, social and corporate events. And then, right after I graduated, I went to a corporate job, and I saw there was potential in proposal planning because I saw one of those showbusiness proposals, and I saw it usually goes viral (on social media platforms),\u201d she added.
\nThe transition from general events to a niche as specific as proposal planning was not without its challenges.
\n\u201cI didn\u2019t have a business model to guide me; everything I created was based on my experience,\u201d Ms. Alcordo said.
\n\u201cIt was challenging but exciting to really come up with a business that is unique but with a lot of opportunities and potential.\u201d
\nM Proposals also experienced an unexpected surge in inquiries during the pandemic period, reaching an average of 10-20 per day, Ms. Alcordo added.
\nShe said that the demand could be attributed to the hunger for surprise-filled proposals and the convenience the company offers to busy clients.
\n\u201cWe cater to overseas Filipino workers, nurses, executives, CEOs \u2014 people who lack time to conceptualize proposals.\u201d
\nPERSONALIZED PROPOSALS
\nAt the core of M Proposals lies the art of personalization.
Ms. Alcordo detailed the process: \u201cFrom significant details to shared hobbies, we use these elements to conceptualize a proposal perfect for the couple.\u201d
\nShe recalled a flash mob proposal in a busy street, saying, \u201cThe unforgettable moment was the girl\u2019s reaction.\u201d
\n\u201cShe dreamt of this her whole life but didn\u2019t expect her boyfriend could do it to her.\u201d
\nSuch moments, she said, epitomize the emotional impact M Proposals aims for, resonating not just with the couple but also the surrounding audience.
\nDIVERSE OFFERINGS AND INCLUSIVITY
\nM Proposals embraces diversity through ready-made proposal packages starting from P30,000, Ms. Alcordo said.
Options like the hotel proposal, complete with decoration, cocktails, and an overnight stay, or the scenic lush proposal, offering breathtaking views, cater to varied preferences, she noted.
\nThe inclusivity extends to LGBTQ couples.
\nWhile M Proposals does not have specific packages for them, Ms. Alcordo said, \u201cThey\u2019re unique, [and] we give them the creativity they require.\u201d
\n\u201cBasically, we really cater to their requirements because they\u2019re really unique and glamorous, and I like that,\u201d she added.
\nFUTURE EXPANSION AND VISION
\nAs M Proposals continues its journey, Ms. Alcordo envisions expanding to different Philippine destinations and partnering with international companies.
\u201cClients ask about proposals in other locations like\u2026 Singapore,\u201d she said.
\nThis aligns with her ultimate goal \u2014 making M Proposals a well-known name in proposal planning.
\n\u201cI really want M Proposals to be a well-known proposal company in the Philippines,\u201d Ms. Alcordo said.
\nBeyond individual success, her vision extends to a collaborative network where proposal planners share creativity and craft unique experiences.
\n\u201cEven if we are the first, definitely, I feel like we can have a network of proposal planners where we can help each other, but we will be top of mind when it comes to proposal planning. With all the clients that we\u2019ll have, we can provide them with creativity, and the unique and unforgettable experience that they would like to have,\u201d she said.
\nFor Ms. Alcordo, her entrepreneurial journey embodies the essence of her business \u2014 unique, creative, and passionately driven.
\n\u201cThe good thing about this is the anticipation of surprises and having the privilege to listen to all of our clients\u2019 love stories and make the most out of those stories to create unforgettable memories,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cEven if I\u2019m working, it feels like I\u2019m not\u2026 For example, if I have a client and ask them what their love story is, that\u2019s the most precious part of my work.\u201d \u2014 with Aaron\u00a0Michael C. Sy
\n", "content_text": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Multimedia Editor\nCURATING moments of joy and surprise is the driving force behind M Proposals MNL, a wedding proposal planning company that hopes to expand all over the country, its founder Carmela Denise A. Alcordo said.\n\u201cWe researched this several years ago, and until now, we\u2019re the only one doing this full time,\u201d Ms. Alcordo said in an interview with\u00a0大象传媒.\nHer journey started during high school in Batangas when a feasibility study project sparked her entrepreneurial spirit.\n\n\u201cOur teacher asked us to do a feasibility study, and what I did was create an events company. I saw that it was a viable business and something I could do.\u201d\n\u201cSo I started with weddings, debuts, social and corporate events. And then, right after I graduated, I went to a corporate job, and I saw there was potential in proposal planning because I saw one of those showbusiness proposals, and I saw it usually goes viral (on social media platforms),\u201d she added.\nThe transition from general events to a niche as specific as proposal planning was not without its challenges.\n\u201cI didn\u2019t have a business model to guide me; everything I created was based on my experience,\u201d Ms. Alcordo said.\n\u201cIt was challenging but exciting to really come up with a business that is unique but with a lot of opportunities and potential.\u201d\nM Proposals also experienced an unexpected surge in inquiries during the pandemic period, reaching an average of 10-20 per day, Ms. Alcordo added.\nShe said that the demand could be attributed to the hunger for surprise-filled proposals and the convenience the company offers to busy clients.\n\u201cWe cater to overseas Filipino workers, nurses, executives, CEOs \u2014 people who lack time to conceptualize proposals.\u201d\nPERSONALIZED PROPOSALS\nAt the core of M Proposals lies the art of personalization.\nMs. Alcordo detailed the process: \u201cFrom significant details to shared hobbies, we use these elements to conceptualize a proposal perfect for the couple.\u201d\nShe recalled a flash mob proposal in a busy street, saying, \u201cThe unforgettable moment was the girl\u2019s reaction.\u201d\n\u201cShe dreamt of this her whole life but didn\u2019t expect her boyfriend could do it to her.\u201d\nSuch moments, she said, epitomize the emotional impact M Proposals aims for, resonating not just with the couple but also the surrounding audience.\nDIVERSE OFFERINGS AND INCLUSIVITY\nM Proposals embraces diversity through ready-made proposal packages starting from P30,000, Ms. Alcordo said.\nOptions like the hotel proposal, complete with decoration, cocktails, and an overnight stay, or the scenic lush proposal, offering breathtaking views, cater to varied preferences, she noted.\nThe inclusivity extends to LGBTQ couples.\nWhile M Proposals does not have specific packages for them, Ms. Alcordo said, \u201cThey\u2019re unique, [and] we give them the creativity they require.\u201d\n\u201cBasically, we really cater to their requirements because they\u2019re really unique and glamorous, and I like that,\u201d she added.\nFUTURE EXPANSION AND VISION\nAs M Proposals continues its journey, Ms. Alcordo envisions expanding to different Philippine destinations and partnering with international companies.\n\u201cClients ask about proposals in other locations like\u2026 Singapore,\u201d she said.\nThis aligns with her ultimate goal \u2014 making M Proposals a well-known name in proposal planning.\n\u201cI really want M Proposals to be a well-known proposal company in the Philippines,\u201d Ms. Alcordo said.\nBeyond individual success, her vision extends to a collaborative network where proposal planners share creativity and craft unique experiences.\n\u201cEven if we are the first, definitely, I feel like we can have a network of proposal planners where we can help each other, but we will be top of mind when it comes to proposal planning. With all the clients that we\u2019ll have, we can provide them with creativity, and the unique and unforgettable experience that they would like to have,\u201d she said.\nFor Ms. Alcordo, her entrepreneurial journey embodies the essence of her business \u2014 unique, creative, and passionately driven.\n\u201cThe good thing about this is the anticipation of surprises and having the privilege to listen to all of our clients\u2019 love stories and make the most out of those stories to create unforgettable memories,\u201d she said.\n\u201cEven if I\u2019m working, it feels like I\u2019m not\u2026 For example, if I have a client and ask them what their love story is, that\u2019s the most precious part of my work.\u201d \u2014 with Aaron\u00a0Michael C. Sy", "date_published": "2023-11-15T00:02:11+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-11-15T17:06:00+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/M-Proposals-MNL-.jpg", "tags": [ "Aaron Michael C. Sy", "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Featured2", "BW Launchpad", "Editors' Picks", "Video" ], "summary": "CURATING moments of joy and surprise is the driving force behind M Proposals MNL, a wedding proposal planning company that hopes to expand all over the country, its founder Carmela Denise A. Alcordo said." }, { "id": "/?p=546572", "url": "/bw-launchpad/2023/09/20/546572/filipinas-navigate-entrepreneurship-in-the-kathmandu-valley/", "title": "Filipinas navigate entrepreneurship in the Kathmandu Valley", "content_html": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Multimedia Editor
\nKATHMANDU, NEPAL \u2014 Against the backdrop of rich cultures and traditions in the Kathmandu Valley, three Filipinas are navigating opportunities as entrepreneurs.
\nSharon G. Shakya, Ludivina \u201cVina\u201d Maharjan, and Sheilla Mae J. Manto, all with Nepali husbands, said their journeys have exposed them to unique and sometimes daunting challenges that come with running a business in Nepal.
\nMany Filipinas have established businesses in the country, including manpower agencies, education consultancies, inns, schools, spas, travel companies, cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and import-export trading houses, the Nepal-Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on its website.
\n\nMs. Shakya, a dentist, moved to Kathmandu a few years back with the goal of making an impact on oral healthcare alongside her husband, who is also a dentist.
\nYet, her journey did not stop at dentistry. While co-running Cosmo Dental Clinic with her husband, she ventured into the culinary world, opening a Filipino restaurant called Cebu Fiesta in Lalitpur, a city on the outskirts of the capital Kathmandu.
\n\u201cCebu is already like my second home in the Philippines because that\u2019s where I met my husband when he was studying there,\u201d Ms. Shakya told\u00a0大象传媒, explaining why she named her restaurant after Cebu despite being born in Negros, another region in the central Philippines.
\nMs. Shakya is among Filipinas who married Nepali spouses they met at Philippine medical schools. This is not surprising, as the relationship between Nepal and the Philippines is often linked to education. \u201cWe have hundreds of Nepali students going to the Philippines for studies, including aviation training and medicine,\u201d said non-resident Ambassador of the Philippines to Nepal Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr. in an interview with local news agency myRepublica in 2022.
\n\u201cMost Filipino women living in Nepal are married to Nepali men,\u201d Mr. Bagatsing noted.
\nFor Ms. Shakya, her restaurant is more than just a business venture; it is a cultural bridge connecting the flavors and traditions of the Philippines with the Nepalese palate.
\nShe envisions Cebu Fiesta as a place where people from various backgrounds in the Himalayan nation can come together to savor Filipino dishes and learn about Filipino culture.
\n\u201cIt is a good start for us that we are slowly introducing our food \u2014 our culture \u2014 here,\u201d she said.
\nThe restaurant offers a diverse selection of Filipino dishes, with the bestsellers being lechon kawali (crispy fried pork belly), sisig (sizzling pork dish), and chicken adobo (chicken stew).
\nCebu Fiesta, nestled in a residential area near schools and other small businesses, is adorned with Filipino handicrafts like buri products, creating a welcoming Filipino ambiance. The menu also features sinigang (sour soup), crispy pata (deep-fried pork leg), chop suey (vegetable stir-fry), halo-halo (shaved ice dessert), and more.
\nFROM DOMESTIC HELPER TO JEWELRY BUSINESS
\nThe story of Ms. Maharjan, executive director at Classic Diamond Jewellers, is one of ambition and relentless pursuit. She began her journey as a domestic helper in Hong Kong but took an unexpected path when she married a jeweler from Nepal.
Born and raised in La Union in the northern Philippines, Ms. Maharjan\u2019s journey embarked from a place where opportunities were scarce.
\nAccording to her, the year 1996 marked the inception of the jewelry business.
\nWith a modest budget, her husband\u2019s family ventured into the jewelry trade. The journey began within the confines of their home.
\n\u201cThe whole family started it, because in Nepal it\u2019s usually a joint family business,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cI didn\u2019t join the business immediately. I worked at a travel agency in Nepal for two years just to learn the language, and after that, I went to India to gain knowledge of diamond assorting and colored stones, where I stayed for six months,\u201d she added.
\nShe said that understanding every aspect of the business, from the ground up, was essential. She had also spent five years working in the family\u2019s jewelry factory.
\n\u201cAfter that, we opened our first store in Lalitpur, then in America, in Jackson Heights, New York, and in Maryland, and then in Europe. I think we have four stores,\u201d she said.
\nMs. Maharjan said her interest in jewelry began in her childhood, watching celebrities on TV, and it deepened during her stay in Hong Kong.
\n\u201cWhenever I would pass by the streets of Hong Kong, I would always look for jewelry shops.\u201d
\nWhile she may not consider herself an artist, she said that her passion and keen eye for aesthetics drive her design process.
\nDrawing inspiration from various sources, she said that she brings her unique touch to each piece.
\n\u201cAlmost everything here, I designed. These are not exactly my designs \u2014 I got the idea from the internet or magazines and just modified them,\u201d she said.
\nThe jewelry business takes pride in its diamond-encrusted crowns, particularly tiaras, which are popular not only among royalty but also among stylish customers.
\nAccording to her, skilled workers from Kolkata, India, known for their expertise in jewelry-making, are the foundation of the craftsmanship that distinguishes their jewelry.
\nShe is proud to see her creations worn at parties and special events, she said.
\n\u201cI recognize them \u2014 they look different because of the finishing.\u201d
\nMOTHERHOOD TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
\nMs. Manto, a registered nurse from Cebu, set foot in Nepal in 2018. Having met her husband, Suav Zuwa, who studied medicine in the province, their shared passion for improving lives through skincare and medicine kindled the idea of bringing their expertise to Nepal.
The couple started their entrepreneurial journey by venturing into retail.
\n\u201cFrom brightening skin to combating acne scars,\u201d Ms. Manto said, they recognized the demand for cosmetic products in Nepal.
\nMs. Manto, president of Zuwa Enterprises, also said she was determined to balance the responsibilities of motherhood with her entrepreneurial dreams.
\n\u201cI want to take care of my three kids while doing the business,\u201d she said.
\nHer background in customer service and sales in the Philippines also provided valuable insights into handling customers effectively, she noted.
\nSoon, they diversified their operations, delving into import and export activities between the Philippines and Nepal, by introducing their own skincare brands under the Zuwa Enterprises umbrella.
\nRecognizing the low trade volume between the Philippines and Nepal, \u201cwe saw an opportunity to contribute,\u201d said Mr. Zuwa, Ms. Manto\u2019s husband.
\nIn the last 25 years, Nepal’s exports to the Philippines grew at annualized rate of 7.39%, from $30,800 in 1996 to $184,000 in 2021, based on data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity, a platform for international trade data.
\nMeanwhile, the Philippines’ exports to Nepal increased at a faster rate of 12.2%, reaching $6.21 million in 2021.
\nAccording to Mr. Zuwa, a key milestone in Zuwa Enterprises\u2019 journey was the positive reception of Philippine-made skincare products in Nepal.
\nThe products \u201cgained good attention especially during the summer months,\u201d he told\u00a0大象传媒.
\nThe couple also highlighted the similarities between Nepal and the Philippines.
\nBoth nations share an Asian heritage and a preference for brighter and flawless skin, they said,\u00a0 adding that there is a high demand for exfoliants and whitening products like glutathione, collagen, and tretinoin in both countries.
\nAfter a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, the company resumed operations in December 2022 and imported a substantial 4,000 to 5,000 kilograms of cosmetic products in the previous quarter, Mr. Zuwa noted.
\nThe company, he also said, encountered \u201cno resistance\u201d when introducing its products in either the Philippines or Nepal, witnessing rapid growth fueled by the shared enthusiasm for \u201ctrying new, unique, and effective\u201d cosmetic solutions.
\nMs. Manto uses TikTok to market her company\u2019s products. Initially, TikTok served as a modest platform for their marketing efforts, but the shift toward livestreams and engaging video content significantly boosted sales, she noted.
\n\u201cSheilla herself wants to be on TikTok, and this trend, I think, is inspired by beauty company CEOs in the Philippines,\u201d Ms. Manto\u2019s husband said, noting that the platform enables direct engagement with customers and aids in product improvement.
\nZuwa Enterprises in Nepal operates from its own office in Kathmandu and delivers products nationwide, offering cash-on-delivery services. \u201cWe have had around 40,000 customers reach out to us,\u201d said Ms. Manto\u2019s husband.
\nMAKING CHOICES
\nThe Filipino restaurant owner, Ms. Shakya, said she faces challenges during religious and cultural celebrations. For instance, Nepalese people\u2019s preference for vegetarian food during Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) affects sales, she noted.
To address this, she made the bold decision of adapting her menu to the Nepali culture by offering purely vegetarian dishes during this month.
\nShe ventured into online delivery services to survive during the toughest times, especially during the pandemic.
\nMs. Shakya also found support in her Filipino friends. \u201cMany friends were willing to help me,\u201d she noted.
\n\u201cThey said, \u2018Okay, in cooking, we will be there for you… because I didn\u2019t really have a background in this since my profession is different,\u2019\u201d Ms. Shakya said.
\nThis camaraderie among Filipino expatriates plays a vital role in her journey, she added.
\nFor Ms. Maharjan, the jeweler, a key challenge in the Nepali market is \u201censuring customer satisfaction.\u201d
\nIn Nepal\u2019s close-knit business environment, reputation and word-of-mouth are crucial. Even a single dissatisfied customer\u2019s complaint can have a significant impact, she said.
\n\u201cThey are the customers, so they are always right; even if it\u2019s impossible to do what they want, we still try, because Nepal is a very small market.\u201d
\nMs. Maharjan also emphasized the importance of treating customers like family.
\n\u201cWe treat them like family,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have regular customers, and that\u2019s what makes me happy here. If you have regular customers, it\u2019s like a cycle, generation to generation.\u201d
\nEffective communication with local customers was a challenge for Ms. Manto of Zuwa Enterprises, prompting her to turn to technology and use artificial intelligence translation tools to understand and engage with Nepali customers.
\nHer advice to fellow entrepreneurs is grounded in her own experiences.
\n\u201cWe need to have persistence because the market is not constant; sometimes it\u2019s up and sometimes down, so you have to be patient and consistent with your marketing strategies,\u201d Ms. Manto said.
\n", "content_text": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Multimedia Editor\nKATHMANDU, NEPAL \u2014 Against the backdrop of rich cultures and traditions in the Kathmandu Valley, three Filipinas are navigating opportunities as entrepreneurs.\nSharon G. Shakya, Ludivina \u201cVina\u201d Maharjan, and Sheilla Mae J. Manto, all with Nepali husbands, said their journeys have exposed them to unique and sometimes daunting challenges that come with running a business in Nepal.\nMany Filipinas have established businesses in the country, including manpower agencies, education consultancies, inns, schools, spas, travel companies, cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and import-export trading houses, the Nepal-Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on its website.\n\nMs. Shakya, a dentist, moved to Kathmandu a few years back with the goal of making an impact on oral healthcare alongside her husband, who is also a dentist.\nYet, her journey did not stop at dentistry. While co-running Cosmo Dental Clinic with her husband, she ventured into the culinary world, opening a Filipino restaurant called Cebu Fiesta in Lalitpur, a city on the outskirts of the capital Kathmandu.\n\u201cCebu is already like my second home in the Philippines because that\u2019s where I met my husband when he was studying there,\u201d Ms. Shakya told\u00a0大象传媒, explaining why she named her restaurant after Cebu despite being born in Negros, another region in the central Philippines.\nMs. Shakya is among Filipinas who married Nepali spouses they met at Philippine medical schools. This is not surprising, as the relationship between Nepal and the Philippines is often linked to education. \u201cWe have hundreds of Nepali students going to the Philippines for studies, including aviation training and medicine,\u201d said non-resident Ambassador of the Philippines to Nepal Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr. in an interview with local news agency myRepublica in 2022.\n\u201cMost Filipino women living in Nepal are married to Nepali men,\u201d Mr. Bagatsing noted.\nFor Ms. Shakya, her restaurant is more than just a business venture; it is a cultural bridge connecting the flavors and traditions of the Philippines with the Nepalese palate.\nShe envisions Cebu Fiesta as a place where people from various backgrounds in the Himalayan nation can come together to savor Filipino dishes and learn about Filipino culture.\n\u201cIt is a good start for us that we are slowly introducing our food \u2014 our culture \u2014 here,\u201d she said.\nThe restaurant offers a diverse selection of Filipino dishes, with the bestsellers being lechon kawali (crispy fried pork belly), sisig (sizzling pork dish), and chicken adobo (chicken stew).\nCebu Fiesta, nestled in a residential area near schools and other small businesses, is adorned with Filipino handicrafts like buri products, creating a welcoming Filipino ambiance. The menu also features sinigang (sour soup), crispy pata (deep-fried pork leg), chop suey (vegetable stir-fry), halo-halo (shaved ice dessert), and more.\nFROM DOMESTIC HELPER TO JEWELRY BUSINESS\nThe story of Ms. Maharjan, executive director at Classic Diamond Jewellers, is one of ambition and relentless pursuit. She began her journey as a domestic helper in Hong Kong but took an unexpected path when she married a jeweler from Nepal.\nBorn and raised in La Union in the northern Philippines, Ms. Maharjan\u2019s journey embarked from a place where opportunities were scarce.\nAccording to her, the year 1996 marked the inception of the jewelry business.\nWith a modest budget, her husband\u2019s family ventured into the jewelry trade. The journey began within the confines of their home.\n\u201cThe whole family started it, because in Nepal it\u2019s usually a joint family business,\u201d she said.\n\u201cI didn\u2019t join the business immediately. I worked at a travel agency in Nepal for two years just to learn the language, and after that, I went to India to gain knowledge of diamond assorting and colored stones, where I stayed for six months,\u201d she added.\nShe said that understanding every aspect of the business, from the ground up, was essential. She had also spent five years working in the family\u2019s jewelry factory.\n\u201cAfter that, we opened our first store in Lalitpur, then in America, in Jackson Heights, New York, and in Maryland, and then in Europe. I think we have four stores,\u201d she said.\nMs. Maharjan said her interest in jewelry began in her childhood, watching celebrities on TV, and it deepened during her stay in Hong Kong.\n\u201cWhenever I would pass by the streets of Hong Kong, I would always look for jewelry shops.\u201d\nWhile she may not consider herself an artist, she said that her passion and keen eye for aesthetics drive her design process.\nDrawing inspiration from various sources, she said that she brings her unique touch to each piece.\n\u201cAlmost everything here, I designed. These are not exactly my designs \u2014 I got the idea from the internet or magazines and just modified them,\u201d she said.\nThe jewelry business takes pride in its diamond-encrusted crowns, particularly tiaras, which are popular not only among royalty but also among stylish customers.\nAccording to her, skilled workers from Kolkata, India, known for their expertise in jewelry-making, are the foundation of the craftsmanship that distinguishes their jewelry.\nShe is proud to see her creations worn at parties and special events, she said.\n\u201cI recognize them \u2014 they look different because of the finishing.\u201d\nMOTHERHOOD TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP\nMs. Manto, a registered nurse from Cebu, set foot in Nepal in 2018. Having met her husband, Suav Zuwa, who studied medicine in the province, their shared passion for improving lives through skincare and medicine kindled the idea of bringing their expertise to Nepal.\nThe couple started their entrepreneurial journey by venturing into retail.\n\u201cFrom brightening skin to combating acne scars,\u201d Ms. Manto said, they recognized the demand for cosmetic products in Nepal.\nMs. Manto, president of Zuwa Enterprises, also said she was determined to balance the responsibilities of motherhood with her entrepreneurial dreams.\n\u201cI want to take care of my three kids while doing the business,\u201d she said.\nHer background in customer service and sales in the Philippines also provided valuable insights into handling customers effectively, she noted.\nSoon, they diversified their operations, delving into import and export activities between the Philippines and Nepal, by introducing their own skincare brands under the Zuwa Enterprises umbrella.\nRecognizing the low trade volume between the Philippines and Nepal, \u201cwe saw an opportunity to contribute,\u201d said Mr. Zuwa, Ms. Manto\u2019s husband.\nIn the last 25 years, Nepal’s exports to the Philippines grew at annualized rate of 7.39%, from $30,800 in 1996 to $184,000 in 2021, based on data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity, a platform for international trade data.\nMeanwhile, the Philippines’ exports to Nepal increased at a faster rate of 12.2%, reaching $6.21 million in 2021.\nAccording to Mr. Zuwa, a key milestone in Zuwa Enterprises\u2019 journey was the positive reception of Philippine-made skincare products in Nepal.\nThe products \u201cgained good attention especially during the summer months,\u201d he told\u00a0大象传媒.\nThe couple also highlighted the similarities between Nepal and the Philippines.\nBoth nations share an Asian heritage and a preference for brighter and flawless skin, they said,\u00a0 adding that there is a high demand for exfoliants and whitening products like glutathione, collagen, and tretinoin in both countries.\nAfter a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, the company resumed operations in December 2022 and imported a substantial 4,000 to 5,000 kilograms of cosmetic products in the previous quarter, Mr. Zuwa noted.\nThe company, he also said, encountered \u201cno resistance\u201d when introducing its products in either the Philippines or Nepal, witnessing rapid growth fueled by the shared enthusiasm for \u201ctrying new, unique, and effective\u201d cosmetic solutions.\nMs. Manto uses TikTok to market her company\u2019s products. Initially, TikTok served as a modest platform for their marketing efforts, but the shift toward livestreams and engaging video content significantly boosted sales, she noted.\n\u201cSheilla herself wants to be on TikTok, and this trend, I think, is inspired by beauty company CEOs in the Philippines,\u201d Ms. Manto\u2019s husband said, noting that the platform enables direct engagement with customers and aids in product improvement.\nZuwa Enterprises in Nepal operates from its own office in Kathmandu and delivers products nationwide, offering cash-on-delivery services. \u201cWe have had around 40,000 customers reach out to us,\u201d said Ms. Manto\u2019s husband.\nMAKING CHOICES\nThe Filipino restaurant owner, Ms. Shakya, said she faces challenges during religious and cultural celebrations. For instance, Nepalese people\u2019s preference for vegetarian food during Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) affects sales, she noted.\nTo address this, she made the bold decision of adapting her menu to the Nepali culture by offering purely vegetarian dishes during this month.\nShe ventured into online delivery services to survive during the toughest times, especially during the pandemic.\nMs. Shakya also found support in her Filipino friends. \u201cMany friends were willing to help me,\u201d she noted.\n\u201cThey said, \u2018Okay, in cooking, we will be there for you… because I didn\u2019t really have a background in this since my profession is different,\u2019\u201d Ms. Shakya said.\nThis camaraderie among Filipino expatriates plays a vital role in her journey, she added.\nFor Ms. Maharjan, the jeweler, a key challenge in the Nepali market is \u201censuring customer satisfaction.\u201d\nIn Nepal\u2019s close-knit business environment, reputation and word-of-mouth are crucial. Even a single dissatisfied customer\u2019s complaint can have a significant impact, she said.\n\u201cThey are the customers, so they are always right; even if it\u2019s impossible to do what they want, we still try, because Nepal is a very small market.\u201d\nMs. Maharjan also emphasized the importance of treating customers like family.\n\u201cWe treat them like family,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have regular customers, and that\u2019s what makes me happy here. If you have regular customers, it\u2019s like a cycle, generation to generation.\u201d\nEffective communication with local customers was a challenge for Ms. Manto of Zuwa Enterprises, prompting her to turn to technology and use artificial intelligence translation tools to understand and engage with Nepali customers.\nHer advice to fellow entrepreneurs is grounded in her own experiences.\n\u201cWe need to have persistence because the market is not constant; sometimes it\u2019s up and sometimes down, so you have to be patient and consistent with your marketing strategies,\u201d Ms. Manto said.", "date_published": "2023-09-20T00:02:15+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-20T14:34:02+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kathmandu-Nepal-Boudhanath-Stupa.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "BW Launchpad", "Editors' Picks" ], "summary": "KATHMANDU, NEPAL \u2014 Against the backdrop of rich cultures and traditions in the Kathmandu Valley, three Filipinas are navigating opportunities as entrepreneurs." }, { "id": "/?p=545804", "url": "/corporate/2023/09/15/545804/cebu-pacific-expects-impact-on-fleet-in-2024-amid-engine-inspections/", "title": "Cebu Pacific expects impact on fleet in 2024 amid engine inspections", "content_html": "BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific will lower its fleet growth rate for 2024, according to its listed operator Cebu Air, Inc., as engine maker Pratt and Whitney (P&W) inspects A320/321 NEO aircraft engines worldwide following suspected issues.
\nThe company expects that \u201ca number\u201d of its aircraft will be affected next year. As such, \u201cthe growth rate for 2024 will be revised downwards,\u201d Cebu Air said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Friday.
\n\u201cThere is no immediate impact on our operations, but we expect that this will affect our fleet availability in 2024,\u201d the company noted. \u201cWe would like to assure our passengers that this is not a safety issue.\u201d
\nCebu Air also said that the inspection is aimed at ensuring the \u201ccontinued safe operation\u201d of its P&W-powered aircraft fleet.
\nThe budget carrier anticipates having 76 aircraft in its fleet this year and is initially expected to expand to 91 aircraft by 2024.
\nIt is the youngest fleet in the Philippines and includes 25 P&W-powered Airbus aircraft, according to the airline.
\n\u201cP&W understands the importance of its partnership with Cebu Pacific and has committed to working closely with us to minimize any potential impact that this issue may have on our operations,\u201d Cebu Air said.
\n\u201cGiven the complexity of the situation in the near term, P&W assured us that it has aligned the expertise and resources needed and will work with its partners to resolve things as efficiently as possible,\u201d it added.
\nSought for comment, Rene S. Santiago, former president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, said that this will result in \u201creduced flying hours\u201d for Cebu Pacific.
\n“This would translate to fewer flights that it can support,” he said in a phone message. “The airline can either cancel some flights on its published schedule or load the same timetable on fewer aircraft.”
\n“For passengers, this means fewer seat miles for the first option and flight delays for the second option,” he added.
\nCebu Pacific Chief Commercial Officer Alexander Lao informed senators during a hearing in July, prompted by customer complaints, that the Pratt & Whitney engine problems have been impacting the global aviation industry.
\nHe said that restoring an engine would now take 220 days instead of the industry norm of 90 days.
\nAerospace and defense company RTX Corp., the parent of Pratt & Whitney, has said that around 3,000 engines require inspection.
\nIndia\u2019s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has reported three instances of engine failure in IndiGo flights and has recommended that Pratt & Whitney investigate the possible cause, the ministry said in a statement.\u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin and Miguel Hanz L. Antivola with Reuters
\n", "content_text": "BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific will lower its fleet growth rate for 2024, according to its listed operator Cebu Air, Inc., as engine maker Pratt and Whitney (P&W) inspects A320/321 NEO aircraft engines worldwide following suspected issues.\nThe company expects that \u201ca number\u201d of its aircraft will be affected next year. As such, \u201cthe growth rate for 2024 will be revised downwards,\u201d Cebu Air said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Friday.\n\u201cThere is no immediate impact on our operations, but we expect that this will affect our fleet availability in 2024,\u201d the company noted. \u201cWe would like to assure our passengers that this is not a safety issue.\u201d\nCebu Air also said that the inspection is aimed at ensuring the \u201ccontinued safe operation\u201d of its P&W-powered aircraft fleet.\nThe budget carrier anticipates having 76 aircraft in its fleet this year and is initially expected to expand to 91 aircraft by 2024.\nIt is the youngest fleet in the Philippines and includes 25 P&W-powered Airbus aircraft, according to the airline.\n\u201cP&W understands the importance of its partnership with Cebu Pacific and has committed to working closely with us to minimize any potential impact that this issue may have on our operations,\u201d Cebu Air said.\n\u201cGiven the complexity of the situation in the near term, P&W assured us that it has aligned the expertise and resources needed and will work with its partners to resolve things as efficiently as possible,\u201d it added.\nSought for comment, Rene S. Santiago, former president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, said that this will result in \u201creduced flying hours\u201d for Cebu Pacific.\n“This would translate to fewer flights that it can support,” he said in a phone message. “The airline can either cancel some flights on its published schedule or load the same timetable on fewer aircraft.”\n“For passengers, this means fewer seat miles for the first option and flight delays for the second option,” he added.\nCebu Pacific Chief Commercial Officer Alexander Lao informed senators during a hearing in July, prompted by customer complaints, that the Pratt & Whitney engine problems have been impacting the global aviation industry.\nHe said that restoring an engine would now take 220 days instead of the industry norm of 90 days.\nAerospace and defense company RTX Corp., the parent of Pratt & Whitney, has said that around 3,000 engines require inspection.\nIndia\u2019s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has reported three instances of engine failure in IndiGo flights and has recommended that Pratt & Whitney investigate the possible cause, the ministry said in a statement.\u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin and Miguel Hanz L. Antivola with Reuters", "date_published": "2023-09-15T15:52:16+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-17T17:47:52+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/zievelivminerth/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8c6621749f5c11b2227b3eaf717ce98695677abb3578c9bc29a69874709f78da?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/zievelivminerth/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8c6621749f5c11b2227b3eaf717ce98695677abb3578c9bc29a69874709f78da?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cebu-Pacific-A320neo.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Cebu Pacific", "Cebu Pacific Air", "Miguel Hanz L. Antivola", "Pratt and Whitney", "Corporate", "Editors' Picks" ] }, { "id": "/?p=541433", "url": "/bw-launchpad/2023/08/24/541433/e-commerce-boom-spurs-demand-for-fulfillment-services/", "title": "E-commerce boom spurs demand for fulfillment services\u00a0", "content_html": "Emerging entrepreneurs expanding their businesses in big cities continue to benefit from fulfillment services centers, according to an industry player.
\n\u201cIn the dynamic landscape of small business ownership, the demands of daily operations such as storing, picking, packing, and logistics coordination can be overwhelming \u2014 leading emerging entrepreneurs to lose focus on the bigger picture of furthering their ventures,\u201d FullFill (We Empower Ecommerce Solutions, Inc.), a Pasig City-based fulfillment support hub, said in a press release on Thursday.\u00a0
\nAccording to Straits Research, companies without sufficient internal warehouse space for efficient inventory management and those unwilling to allocate extra resources for shipping will find that a fulfillment center offers an optimal solution.
\n\u201cThe rise of e-commerce worldwide and the subsequent increase in people shopping online due to this trend, particularly in developing economies, is driving the demand for e-commerce fulfillment services,\u201d the research firm said in a statement.
\nFullFill, which supports the operations of small businesses based in Manila and various parts of the country, said that the fulfillment services sector helps boost growth and create stability among entrepreneurs who aim to professionalize and scale their ventures.
\nThe company currently provides fulfillment services and micro-warehousing support for home-based entrepreneurs.
\n\u201cThe concept was curated to help entrepreneurs who want to expand their business in Manila but don\u2019t have the capacity to set up a new team,\u201d FullFill said.
\nThe company noted that it has started offering temperature-controlled shelf spaces that can maintain a temperature of approximately 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. This expansion caters to a broader range of temperature-sensitive products such as vitamins, health supplements, skin care, and more.
\nAccording to an analysis report by Grand View Research, the size of the worldwide market for e-commerce fulfillment services was assessed at $97.33 billion in 2022. The report forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 13.9% from 2023 to 2030. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "Emerging entrepreneurs expanding their businesses in big cities continue to benefit from fulfillment services centers, according to an industry player.\n\u201cIn the dynamic landscape of small business ownership, the demands of daily operations such as storing, picking, packing, and logistics coordination can be overwhelming \u2014 leading emerging entrepreneurs to lose focus on the bigger picture of furthering their ventures,\u201d FullFill (We Empower Ecommerce Solutions, Inc.), a Pasig City-based fulfillment support hub, said in a press release on Thursday.\u00a0\nAccording to Straits Research, companies without sufficient internal warehouse space for efficient inventory management and those unwilling to allocate extra resources for shipping will find that a fulfillment center offers an optimal solution.\n\u201cThe rise of e-commerce worldwide and the subsequent increase in people shopping online due to this trend, particularly in developing economies, is driving the demand for e-commerce fulfillment services,\u201d the research firm said in a statement.\nFullFill, which supports the operations of small businesses based in Manila and various parts of the country, said that the fulfillment services sector helps boost growth and create stability among entrepreneurs who aim to professionalize and scale their ventures.\nThe company currently provides fulfillment services and micro-warehousing support for home-based entrepreneurs.\n\u201cThe concept was curated to help entrepreneurs who want to expand their business in Manila but don\u2019t have the capacity to set up a new team,\u201d FullFill said.\nThe company noted that it has started offering temperature-controlled shelf spaces that can maintain a temperature of approximately 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. This expansion caters to a broader range of temperature-sensitive products such as vitamins, health supplements, skin care, and more.\nAccording to an analysis report by Grand View Research, the size of the worldwide market for e-commerce fulfillment services was assessed at $97.33 billion in 2022. The report forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 13.9% from 2023 to 2030. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2023-08-24T14:59:26+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-24T14:59:26+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FullFill-We-Empower-Ecommerce-Solutions-Inc.-warehouse.png", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "BW Launchpad" ] }, { "id": "/?p=541184", "url": "/labor-and-management/2023/08/23/541184/jobstreets-upskilling-app-now-targets-filipinos-certifications-eyed/", "title": "JobStreet\u2019s \u2018upskilling\u2019 app now targets Filipinos, certifications eyed", "content_html": "JobStreet said on Wednesday that it anticipates Filipinos keen on retraining to use its in-app learning platform seekMAX.
\nThe job-seeking platform is also studying to offer certifications through its partners, said Chook Yuh Yng, chief growth officer at SEEK Asia, JobStreet\u2019s parent company, during a briefing.
\nJobStreet does not intend to compete with established educational platforms like Coursera and Udemy, which offer paid certifications, she told 大象传媒.\u00a0Instead, seekMAX, currently accessible for free, sets itself apart by providing content intentionally curated for job seekers, she noted.
\nCiting its own report, JobStreet said that 75% of Filipinos willing to retrain prefer self-study and 65% use digital learning platforms.\u00a0
\nThe top five in-demand skills in the Philippines are digital literacy, adaptability, interpersonal skills, multitasking efficiency, and time management, according to the platform.
\n\u201cCandidates need to continue upskilling not only for professional growth but also for honing their soft skills which is what most industries look out for nowadays more than the candidate\u2019s proficiency in their technical skills,\u201d said Dannah Majarocon, JobStreet Philippines\u2019 managing director.
\nAccording to JobStreet, the top 10 in-demand jobs in the Philippines are customer service representatives, teachers, administrative officers, call center operators, nurses, software engineers, team leaders, business analysts, sales associates, and engineers.
\nIn June, the unemployment rate reached a three-month high due to lower job quality.\u00a0
\nAccording to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the rate increased to 4.5% in June from May\u2019s 4.3%, representing the percentage of jobless Filipinos in the labor force. This was still lower than the 6% recorded in June 2022.
\nAround 2.33 million Filipinos were unemployed in June this year, up by 159,000 from May, yet notably down by 663,000 compared to June 2022\u2019s 2.99 million unemployed individuals.
\n\u201cInitially launched in Indonesia in 2022, seekMAX successfully reached over 2.5 million users who have consumed 6.5 million minutes of content on the platform,\u201d JobStreet said.
\nThe top content categories include job search tips, career guidance, salary advice, and self-improvement, it noted. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "JobStreet said on Wednesday that it anticipates Filipinos keen on retraining to use its in-app learning platform seekMAX.\nThe job-seeking platform is also studying to offer certifications through its partners, said Chook Yuh Yng, chief growth officer at SEEK Asia, JobStreet\u2019s parent company, during a briefing.\nJobStreet does not intend to compete with established educational platforms like Coursera and Udemy, which offer paid certifications, she told 大象传媒.\u00a0Instead, seekMAX, currently accessible for free, sets itself apart by providing content intentionally curated for job seekers, she noted.\nCiting its own report, JobStreet said that 75% of Filipinos willing to retrain prefer self-study and 65% use digital learning platforms.\u00a0\nThe top five in-demand skills in the Philippines are digital literacy, adaptability, interpersonal skills, multitasking efficiency, and time management, according to the platform.\n\u201cCandidates need to continue upskilling not only for professional growth but also for honing their soft skills which is what most industries look out for nowadays more than the candidate\u2019s proficiency in their technical skills,\u201d said Dannah Majarocon, JobStreet Philippines\u2019 managing director.\nAccording to JobStreet, the top 10 in-demand jobs in the Philippines are customer service representatives, teachers, administrative officers, call center operators, nurses, software engineers, team leaders, business analysts, sales associates, and engineers.\nIn June, the unemployment rate reached a three-month high due to lower job quality.\u00a0\nAccording to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the rate increased to 4.5% in June from May\u2019s 4.3%, representing the percentage of jobless Filipinos in the labor force. This was still lower than the 6% recorded in June 2022.\nAround 2.33 million Filipinos were unemployed in June this year, up by 159,000 from May, yet notably down by 663,000 compared to June 2022\u2019s 2.99 million unemployed individuals.\n\u201cInitially launched in Indonesia in 2022, seekMAX successfully reached over 2.5 million users who have consumed 6.5 million minutes of content on the platform,\u201d JobStreet said.\nThe top content categories include job search tips, career guidance, salary advice, and self-improvement, it noted. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2023-08-23T16:47:31+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-23T20:21:30+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Jobstreet-logo-e1663160224673.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Labor and Management" ] }, { "id": "/?p=540204", "url": "/labor-and-management/2023/08/17/540204/ai-adoption-to-lead-to-65-job-role-change-by-2030-linkedin/", "title": "AI adoption to lead to 65% job role change by 2030 \u2014 LinkedIn\u00a0", "content_html": "Professionals can expect their job responsibilities to change by at least 65% by 2030 due to the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), according to employment-focused social media platform LinkedIn Corp.\u00a0
\n\u201cGlobally, the skills required for jobs have changed by 25% since 2015,\u201d LinkedIn said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday, citing its \u201cThe Global Future of Work Report: State of AI @ Work.\u201d
\nIn the Asia-Pacific region, this rate of change has been even more rapid. Skill requirements for the same positions have transformed by 36% in Singapore, 31% in the Philippines, 30% in India, and 27% in Australia since 2015, according to the platform.
\nAs per LinkedIn, some of the most sought-after skills in the Philippines are soft skills.
\n\u201cCompanies prioritize skills such as customer service, management, and communications to help their workforce navigate complex work situations, build relationships, and achieve results,\u201d it said.
\nMany professionals are already looking to expand their skill sets and leverage AI, it noted.\u00a0\u201cCompanies, too, are already increasing their hiring of professionals with AI skills.\u201d
\nIt said that the portion of global English job postings that mention GPT or ChatGPT has risen 21 times since November last year.
\nAI talent recruitment has grown faster than general hiring in the APAC region. This shows that companies are currently hiring more AI professionals compared to 2016, with figures like 24% in Japan, 20% in Indonesia, and 14% in Singapore, according to LinkedIn.
\n
\u201cIn 2016, only three out of every 1,000 members globally could be considered AI talent. By 2022, that number had increased to 17 in 1,000 (based on the median share of AI talent across 25 countries),\u201d it said.
\nAn individual, according to LinkedIn, qualifies as AI talent if he has incorporated AI skills like machine learning into his profile, or if he is in an AI-related job.
\nOn a worldwide scale, there has been a 75% rise in members including generative AI-related keywords on their profiles every month from January to June 2023.
\nIn the Philippines, approximately 5,000 professionals have indicated \u201cartificial intelligence\u201d as a skill in their profiles, LinkedIn said. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "Professionals can expect their job responsibilities to change by at least 65% by 2030 due to the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), according to employment-focused social media platform LinkedIn Corp.\u00a0\n\u201cGlobally, the skills required for jobs have changed by 25% since 2015,\u201d LinkedIn said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday, citing its \u201cThe Global Future of Work Report: State of AI @ Work.\u201d\nIn the Asia-Pacific region, this rate of change has been even more rapid. Skill requirements for the same positions have transformed by 36% in Singapore, 31% in the Philippines, 30% in India, and 27% in Australia since 2015, according to the platform.\nAs per LinkedIn, some of the most sought-after skills in the Philippines are soft skills.\n\u201cCompanies prioritize skills such as customer service, management, and communications to help their workforce navigate complex work situations, build relationships, and achieve results,\u201d it said.\nMany professionals are already looking to expand their skill sets and leverage AI, it noted.\u00a0\u201cCompanies, too, are already increasing their hiring of professionals with AI skills.\u201d\nIt said that the portion of global English job postings that mention GPT or ChatGPT has risen 21 times since November last year.\nAI talent recruitment has grown faster than general hiring in the APAC region. This shows that companies are currently hiring more AI professionals compared to 2016, with figures like 24% in Japan, 20% in Indonesia, and 14% in Singapore, according to LinkedIn.\n\n\u201cIn 2016, only three out of every 1,000 members globally could be considered AI talent. By 2022, that number had increased to 17 in 1,000 (based on the median share of AI talent across 25 countries),\u201d it said.\nAn individual, according to LinkedIn, qualifies as AI talent if he has incorporated AI skills like machine learning into his profile, or if he is in an AI-related job.\nOn a worldwide scale, there has been a 75% rise in members including generative AI-related keywords on their profiles every month from January to June 2023.\nIn the Philippines, approximately 5,000 professionals have indicated \u201cartificial intelligence\u201d as a skill in their profiles, LinkedIn said. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2023-08-17T16:22:16+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-17T16:22:16+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Makati-City-skyline-at-night-business-district-of-Metro-Manila.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Labor and Management" ] }, { "id": "/?p=536972", "url": "/the-nation/2023/07/31/536972/filipino-consumers-want-sustainable-lifestyles-but-face-challenges-study/", "title": "Filipino consumers want sustainable lifestyles but face challenges \u2014 study", "content_html": "A study commissioned by technology company Alibaba Group revealed that 89% of consumers in the Philippines desire sustainable lifestyles but face obstacles such as inconvenience and high costs.
\n\u201cThe research finds around three in four consumers (76%) would welcome more information about how to be more sustainable, [and] the proportion is highest in the Philippines (93%), Indonesia (91%), and the United Arab Emirates (90%),\u201d Alibaba said in a news release on Monday.
\nThe study, titled \u201cThe Sustainability Trends Report 2023\u201d, surveyed more than 14,000 consumers from 14 markets across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, according to the company.
\nIt found that convenience (53%) and affordability (33%) are critical for driving behavioral changes in consumer sustainability, suggesting that businesses can help consumers make sustainably conscious choices.
\nAccording to the study, many consumers are cynical (38%) about the motives behind businesses\u2019 \u201csustainable\u201d products, and only 15% fully trust sustainability claims.
\n\u201cAs a digital platform company, Alibaba is uniquely positioned and committed to addressing the \u2018say-do\u2019 gap challenge; by reducing the inconvenience obstacle, adding more sustainable choices, and optimizing supply chains to keep costs reasonable for consumers,\u201d said Liu Wei, Alibaba Group\u2019s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy lead.
\n\u201cSustainable consumption is crucial for the environment, and in the meantime it provides a great opportunity for businesses, as well as the digital economy as a whole, to have a long-lasting development into a sustainable future for all.\u201d
\nBased on the study, more than half (58%) of consumers have already embraced sustainable practices and feel they are making significant efforts.
\nThere is a general willingness (73% on average) to learn about sustainable online purchasing methods, indicating an openness to receive more information on the topic, the report noted. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin
\n", "content_text": "A study commissioned by technology company Alibaba Group revealed that 89% of consumers in the Philippines desire sustainable lifestyles but face obstacles such as inconvenience and high costs.\n\u201cThe research finds around three in four consumers (76%) would welcome more information about how to be more sustainable, [and] the proportion is highest in the Philippines (93%), Indonesia (91%), and the United Arab Emirates (90%),\u201d Alibaba said in a news release on Monday.\nThe study, titled \u201cThe Sustainability Trends Report 2023\u201d, surveyed more than 14,000 consumers from 14 markets across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, according to the company.\nIt found that convenience (53%) and affordability (33%) are critical for driving behavioral changes in consumer sustainability, suggesting that businesses can help consumers make sustainably conscious choices.\nAccording to the study, many consumers are cynical (38%) about the motives behind businesses\u2019 \u201csustainable\u201d products, and only 15% fully trust sustainability claims.\n\u201cAs a digital platform company, Alibaba is uniquely positioned and committed to addressing the \u2018say-do\u2019 gap challenge; by reducing the inconvenience obstacle, adding more sustainable choices, and optimizing supply chains to keep costs reasonable for consumers,\u201d said Liu Wei, Alibaba Group\u2019s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy lead.\n\u201cSustainable consumption is crucial for the environment, and in the meantime it provides a great opportunity for businesses, as well as the digital economy as a whole, to have a long-lasting development into a sustainable future for all.\u201d\nBased on the study, more than half (58%) of consumers have already embraced sustainable practices and feel they are making significant efforts.\nThere is a general willingness (73% on average) to learn about sustainable online purchasing methods, indicating an openness to receive more information on the topic, the report noted. \u2014 Arjay L. Balinbin", "date_published": "2023-07-31T18:51:32+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-15T23:08:01+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Pedestrian-crowd-face-mask.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "The Nation" ] }, { "id": "/?p=532591", "url": "/technology/2023/07/06/532591/manageengine-looks-to-expand-phl-presence/", "title": "ManageEngine looks to expand PHL presence", "content_html": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Multimedia Editor
\nSINGAPORE \u2014 ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management software division of Zoho Corporation Pte. Ltd., plans to expand its presence in the Philippines, capitalizing on the surge in e-commerce transactions and the rapid adoption of technology among small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), according to the company\u2019s top executives.
\nArun Kumar, ManageEngine regional director for Asia-Pacific, disclosed the company\u2019s plan to leverage the favorable market trend during an interview on Tuesday.
\n\u201cThe hub office, serving as our regional office, is located in Singapore,\u201d he told reporters. \u201cWe aim to establish offices in all markets, including the Philippines, once we have established a local team there.\u201d
\nPresent in the Philippines since 2004 or 2005, ManageEngine currently serves approximately 600 customers in the country, Mr. Kumar noted.
\nThe 20-year-old company, which operates in 190 countries, has also established teams in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
\n\u201cWe are currently seeking technical professionals with domain expertise in IT management for our expansion efforts,\u201d Mr. Kumar said on the company\u2019s expansion plans for the Philippines.
\n\u201cTheir primary function will involve engaging customers and empowering partners,\u201d he added.
\nThe company is also seeking marketing professionals to improve brand awareness, expand market presence, and facilitate channel enablement.
\nAt the same time, Mr. Kumar highlighted the growing e-commerce landscape in the Philippines, emphasizing the need for robust IT management solutions to ensure seamless business operations amid the surge in online transactions.
\nIn Southeast Asia, there are up to two million unique merchants currently transacting on e-commerce platforms, he said.
\nAccording to logistics platform Locad, the Philippine e-commerce market is projected to grow by 15%, reaching a minimum of $16 billion in 2023. By 2025, it is expected to reach $24 billion.
\nThe increasing adoption of technology by SMBs in the Philippines further emphasizes the demand for efficient IT management tools, Mr. Kumar said.
\nHe noted that in Southeast Asia, there are up to seven million small-to-medium-sized restaurants operating on food delivery platforms.
\n\u201cIt is equally important for these SMBs to invest in IT as they embark on the digital route for business innovation, continuity, and other purposes,\u201d Mr. Kumar said. \u201cThey need robust IT management and cybersecurity tools. These are some of the growth engines we are focused on for the future.\u201d
\nFor his part, ManageEngine President Rajesh Ganesan highlighted the need for new operating models in today\u2019s business landscape, adding that the shift to digital experiences has transformed every aspect of enterprises, affecting organizations across industries.
\nMr. Ganesan identified the workforce, workplace, and workload as the key areas driving significant changes in digital operations.
\nManageEngine is holding its first user conference in Southeast Asia from July 5 to 6 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Singapore. The primary objective of the conference is to gain a deeper understanding of the customers\u2019 needs, foster networking opportunities, discuss prevailing IT trends, and gather valuable feedback, Mr. Kumar said.
\n\u201cAs a company, we have evolved by actively listening to our customers, identifying their pain points, and developing products to address those challenges,\u201d he added.
\n", "content_text": "By Arjay L. Balinbin, Multimedia Editor\nSINGAPORE \u2014 ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management software division of Zoho Corporation Pte. Ltd., plans to expand its presence in the Philippines, capitalizing on the surge in e-commerce transactions and the rapid adoption of technology among small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), according to the company\u2019s top executives.\nArun Kumar, ManageEngine regional director for Asia-Pacific, disclosed the company\u2019s plan to leverage the favorable market trend during an interview on Tuesday.\n\u201cThe hub office, serving as our regional office, is located in Singapore,\u201d he told reporters. \u201cWe aim to establish offices in all markets, including the Philippines, once we have established a local team there.\u201d\nPresent in the Philippines since 2004 or 2005, ManageEngine currently serves approximately 600 customers in the country, Mr. Kumar noted.\nThe 20-year-old company, which operates in 190 countries, has also established teams in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.\n\u201cWe are currently seeking technical professionals with domain expertise in IT management for our expansion efforts,\u201d Mr. Kumar said on the company\u2019s expansion plans for the Philippines.\n\u201cTheir primary function will involve engaging customers and empowering partners,\u201d he added.\nThe company is also seeking marketing professionals to improve brand awareness, expand market presence, and facilitate channel enablement.\nAt the same time, Mr. Kumar highlighted the growing e-commerce landscape in the Philippines, emphasizing the need for robust IT management solutions to ensure seamless business operations amid the surge in online transactions.\nIn Southeast Asia, there are up to two million unique merchants currently transacting on e-commerce platforms, he said.\nAccording to logistics platform Locad, the Philippine e-commerce market is projected to grow by 15%, reaching a minimum of $16 billion in 2023. By 2025, it is expected to reach $24 billion.\nThe increasing adoption of technology by SMBs in the Philippines further emphasizes the demand for efficient IT management tools, Mr. Kumar said.\nHe noted that in Southeast Asia, there are up to seven million small-to-medium-sized restaurants operating on food delivery platforms.\n\u201cIt is equally important for these SMBs to invest in IT as they embark on the digital route for business innovation, continuity, and other purposes,\u201d Mr. Kumar said. \u201cThey need robust IT management and cybersecurity tools. These are some of the growth engines we are focused on for the future.\u201d\nFor his part, ManageEngine President Rajesh Ganesan highlighted the need for new operating models in today\u2019s business landscape, adding that the shift to digital experiences has transformed every aspect of enterprises, affecting organizations across industries.\nMr. Ganesan identified the workforce, workplace, and workload as the key areas driving significant changes in digital operations.\nManageEngine is holding its first user conference in Southeast Asia from July 5 to 6 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Singapore. The primary objective of the conference is to gain a deeper understanding of the customers\u2019 needs, foster networking opportunities, discuss prevailing IT trends, and gather valuable feedback, Mr. Kumar said.\n\u201cAs a company, we have evolved by actively listening to our customers, identifying their pain points, and developing products to address those challenges,\u201d he added.", "date_published": "2023-07-06T00:03:34+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-07-05T18:52:07+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/technology-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Arjay L. Balinbin", "Editors' Picks", "Technology" ], "summary": "SINGAPORE \u2014 ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management software division of Zoho Corporation Pte. Ltd., plans to expand its presence in the Philippines, capitalizing on the surge in e-commerce transactions and the rapid adoption of technology among small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), according to the company\u2019s top executives." } ] }