About the photo: One of the major walkways in Aseana City is lined with well-lit bollards, creating a more welcoming atmosphere for evening strolls, outdoor workouts, and late-night commutes.

Well-lit streets make a world of difference. A vibrant city isn’t just about building stunning architecture and bustling streets but it’s about creating a space where people feel secure and free to enjoy everything it has to offer. With a series of smart infrastructure and security enhancements, Aseana City is making urban living more accessible, connected, and worry-free for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

At the heart of these efforts is a commitment to safety. Aseana City has implemented various initiatives to enhance both security and accessibility within its community. To improve visibility and deter crime, the city has upgraded its street lighting along internal roads, open spaces, and common areas.

Brighter pathways don’t just enhance visibility, but they also create a more welcoming atmosphere for evening strolls, outdoor workouts, and late-night commutes. Pedestrian-friendly features have also been improved with refreshed crosswalks and better-marked pedestrian lanes. These upgrades ensure smoother movement for everyone, whether you’re walking, cycling, or driving, making the city’s roads safer and more efficient.

Taking safety to the next level, Aseana City has enhanced its CCTV surveillance system with advanced monitoring capabilities. This upgrade strengthens real-time security, protects properties, and allows for future innovations in urban safety. Complementing this digital approach is Aseana City’s on-the-ground security presence. The city’s 24/7 security operations and Integrated Operations Center (IOC) ensure a quick and coordinated response to any situation. A dedicated emergency hotline and rapid-response teams are in place, reinforcing the city’s commitment to a secure and well-protected environment. To further uphold safety and traffic discipline, Aseana City’s traffic enforcers have been deputized by the Traffic Parking and Management Office (TPMO) under the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), ensuring order on the roads for both motorists and pedestrians. Emergency response is also getting a significant boost with Lifeline Ambulance, the Philippines’ fastest, largest, and most recognized private ambulance provider, having a future station in Aseana City. With a fully dedicated ambulance service, the city is equipped to handle emergency situations swiftly and efficiently.

These upgrades go beyond security. They shape a city where people can live, work, and explore with ease and confidence. By integrating smart safety measures with pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, Aseana City is redefining what it means to build a modern, thriving, and safe community.

THE BIYAYA (Filipino for “blessing” or “gift”) Sustainable Living Festival is branching out from the Manila Coffee Festival to include more local products, especially woven textiles and other crafts. The festival will be held from March 14 to 16 at Parqal in Aseana City, Parañaque.

In a press conference at the Kapetolyo by SGD Coffee in Ermita, Manila, Richard Watanabe, founder of the Coffee Heritage Project and co-founder of the Biyaya Sustainable Living Festival, discussed some of the things people will experience at the festival. These will include craft beer made with products from the Cordilleras (including coffee and cacao), a chalk mural competition, agricultural workshops, free coffee from The Coffee Village, Baybayin workshops (an ancient writing system from pre-Hispanic Philippines), and woven crafts, but also weaving demonstrations.

“When we protect, nurture, and grow the heritage craft and practices of Filipino communities, we ensure their sustainable livelihood,” he said in a statement. “In the process, these communities can continue to live on the land of their ancestors, safeguarding not just their culture but also the environment. Thriving, sustainable communities are the foundation for environmental protection.

Biyaya 2025 Poster

Biyaya isn’t just about coffee; it’s about uplifting the entire ecosystem of heritage industries that allow these communities to thrive,” he added.

His partner in this project, fashion designer and sustainability advocate Tati Fortuna, said in a speech: “We are bringing in — today, can be more — 75 farmers and weavers.” The festival will have more than 200 exhibitors including coffee, cacao, and coconut farmers, as well as craftsmen, weavers, and local fashion designers.

“We are not going to take any part in the sales that they make,” she pointed out. Last year’s Manila Coffee Festival brought in 12,000 visitors and P45 million in earnings for its exhibitors.

“Our objective for Biyaya, is to put the farmers, the weavers, and crafters, and communities front and center,” she said. “We want to honor them in any way that we can, and we are very thankful,” she said.

“Biyaya supports a long-term value chain that ensures Filipino farmers and artisans are empowered at every stage. With transparency checks in place, Biyaya guarantees that the processes behind the products are ethical, fair, and environmentally conscious,” said a statement from the festival. 

Ms. Fortuna said, “Biyaya is not just a once-a-year event. We want to have a deeper connection and a deeper relationship to the communities.” Long-term plans involve weaving and craft schools, and enhanced training for the same causes.

The Biyaya Festival will run from March 14 to 16 at Parqal in Aseana City, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Check the Manila Coffee Festival Facebook page for ticket sales and inquiries. — Joseph L. Garcia

Source: https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2025/02/27/655726/coffee-festival-expands-to-include-weavers-and-crafters/#google_vignette

On February 23, the Aseana City Concert Grounds in Paranaque City turned into an epic venue as the PLUS63 Festival finally returned this year, making its epic debut in Manila after being indefinitely postponed in 2023.

The much-anticipated festival saw thousands of generations of Filipino music enthusiasts flock to the open grounds inside the busy central business district to witness the eclectic performances from a star-studded lineup featuring some of the hottest local and international favorites.

Despite the scorching Sunday afternoon heat, it didn’t stop concertgoers from beaming with excitement as they waited for their f artists to take the Philippine stage by storm.

Kicking off the festival were three beloved Filipino acts who made their marks in the local R&B and pop scenes, with singer-songwriter Jolianne the first to perform.

The Cebuana-based artist serenaded concertgoers with her soothing voice, performing “Irises,” her own rendition of NIKI’s “lowkey,” and “Lullaby” where she brought Arthur Nery on stage, among others.

Following Jolianne was rising artist mrld, who captured the hearts of many with her performance of her viral singles, including “Sandali,” “M.I.N.O.Y.,” and more.

The next local act to perform was James Reid who brought swag to the stage. The singer-actor charmed the crowd as he performed his hit tracks, namely “Sandal,” “Di Bale,” “Pauwi Na,” “Hurt Me Too,” “Your Boy,” and “Randomatic” among others.

The anticipation in the concert grounds continued to grow as Raveena stepped onto the stage. Armed with dreamy visuals and her soulful vocals, the American singer-songwriter took the audience into an ethereal world, performing “If Only,” “Temptation,” and more.

The dream-like experience carried on with R&B phenom Jenevieve. With this her first time to perform in the country, Jenevieve made sure to make the night an unforgettable one with her setlist filled with her hit tracks, such as “Baby Powder,” “Résumé,” “Medallion,” “Candy Lies,” and more. She even prepared a sweet surprise as she performed an unreleased track.

Cheers and screams erupted when RINI took the stage. With a guitar in his hand paired with his rhapsodic vocals, the Filipino-Australian singer entranced the crowd to sing their hearts out to his songs, including “My Luv,” “Meet Me in Amsterdam,” “My Favourite Clothes,” and a cover of “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita.”

And then the concert grounds roared with thunderous screams as the evening’s anticipated headliner, Kehlani, graced the stage. The American singer-songwriter curated a perfect setlist consisting of some of her newer songs and classic hits, namely “Nunya,” “Toxic,” “Distraction,” “Nights Like This,” “Honey,” and more.

As the night came to a close, Kehlani upped the energy once again with “After Hours,” leaving fans on a high.

Beyond a music event, the PLUS63 Festival was a celebration of music and togetherness. It created a space for artists and their Filipino fans to connect more deeply through the rhythm of their music, unlocking core memories that they will definitely treasure.

Indeed, PLUS63 Festival’s first-ever Manila iteration was nothing short of unforgettable.

PLUS63, named after the Philippines’ country code, was first launched in Cebu in 2018 with its vision of “being a multi-city destination” for the country. Since then, the annual music festival has featured some of the world’s biggest local and international acts, including LANY, Kid Ink, and Steve Aoki, among others.

PLUS63 Festival 2025 in Manila was made possible by Insignia Presents.

Source: https://pop.inquirer.net/374588/kehlani-rini-james-reid-and-more-light-up-plus63-festivals-manila-debut

The Business Manual has successfully concluded its second CEO Awards. The event, with the theme “Honoring Industry Disruptors, was held on January 27 in the Bonifacio Hall of Shangri-La The Fort.

In order to determine the awardees, The Business Manual gathered a pool of nominations that included business leaders from both startups and industry giants. Each nomination was then carefully assessed in order to determine if the nominee exhibits the following qualifications in order to be considered for the award:

Innovation, Adaptability, and Disruptive Leadership (40%)

• Measures the CEO’s ability to drive innovation, adapt to market changes, and lead the company like industry disruptors who challenge norms and leave a lasting impact.

Effective Management and Strategic Governance (30%)

• Assesses the candidate’s business achievements. This includes how the CEO steers the company toward revenue growth and how he or she  scales the business (both locally and internationally).

Brand Influence and Recognition in their Industry (15%)

• Considers how the CEO has built the credibility and reputation of the company. It gauges how known and recognizable the company is and whether it has attained brand awareness within a wide range of audiences.

Personal Image and Credibility (10%)

• Evaluates the CEO’s reputation and how well he or she is perceived by business partners, employees, stakeholders, and consumers. This also includes how he or she applies ethics as a leader, as well as how his or her image contributes to both brand and company representation.

Contribution to Society (5%)

• Determines how a CEO has effectively led his or her company and its overall contribution—not just to its respective industry, but to society as a whole. This includes how he or she has implemented corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs or social causes, attained local and/or international recognition, partnered with government initiatives, or exerted efforts for the country.

CEO Awards 2025 Awardees

This year, The Business Manual CEO Awards has recognized the outstanding contributions of 21 business leaders in reshaping business landscapes, pushing boundaries, challenging the norm, and setting new standards of success.

The CEO Awards 2025 honorees are as follows:

1. Eugene S. Acevedo, President and CEO of RCBC
2. Betty Ang, Director and President of Monde Nissin
3. Ben Chan, Founder and CEO of BENCH, Suyen Corporation
4. Antonio L. Co, President and CEO of Carrascal Nickel Corporation
5. Herbert Consunji, Executive Vice President and Chief Finance Officer of DMCI Holdings
6. Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, President and CEO of Wildflour Hospitality Group
7. Vicente del Rosario, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Viva Communications Inc.
8. Dr. Steve Mark Gan, Chairman and CEO of GAOC Group of Companies
9. Mark “Jappy” Gonzalez, Founder and Managing Director of H&F Retail Concepts
10. Clinton Campos Hess, Chairman and CEO of Unilab Group
11. Irwin C. Lee, President and CEO of Universal Robina Corporation
12. William Tiu Lim, Chairman and Founder of Mega Prime Foods, Inc.
13. Jonathan Ng, Vice Chairman and CEO of Republic Biscuit Corporation
14. Rosemarie Rafael, Chairman and CEO of Airspeed
15. Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash (Mynt – Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)
16. Kevin Andrew Tan, CEO of Alliance Global Inc.
17. Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, Founder and President of The Aivee Group
18. Dennis Anthony H. Uy, Co-founder and CEO of Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
19. Justin Sy Uy, Founder and CEO of Profood International Corporation
20. Delfin Angelo “Buds” Wenceslao, President & CEO of D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, Inc.
21. Benjamin O. Yao, Chairman and CEO of SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation

Enterprise Catalyst Award

The CEO Awards 2025 likewise honored business organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment in supporting and empowering Filipino entrepreneurs with its Enterprise Catalyst Award.

This year, three outstanding business organizations have been recognized for their contribution to the growth of Philippine enterprises through fostering innovation, creating opportunities, and enabling the growth of small and medium enterprises.

The awardees are as follows:

1. Go Negosyo
2. Philippine Franchising Association
3. Philippine Retailers Association

The CEO Awards 2025 is proudly co-presented by Royal Salute and Martell Cognac, with the Business Catalyst Award co-presented by VCDC. This prestigious event has also been made possible through the partnership of Baken.

Source: https://thebusinessmanual-onemega.com/ceo-awards/2025-awardees-list/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIFar9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXHI9agQ6FZtt9aSySKDXgQbvbkcxcd3fZnrIs4fH0xIF4jbS_FwWVuCRg_aem_0_J_JFlh7TNNs8O0_6AmZg

Takbo #ParaSaLife is a special fun run event organized by WeKenRun in partnership with Home Credit, aimed at promoting fitness, community, and financial wellness.

This race is not just crossing the finish line, but also about supporting a cause that empowers lives. Whether you’re running for a personal best or simply for fun, join us in this meaningful event and take part in a journey that champions both physical and financial well-being. Let’s run together for a brighter future!

Registration link: https://wekenrun.com/products/takboparasalife