NEWS AND UPDATES
Coffee festival expands to include weavers and crafters
27 February 2025THE 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
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.
The Business Manual CEO Awards 2025: Who are the Awardees?
28 January 2025The 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:
- Eugene S. Acevedo, President and CEO of RCBC
- Betty Ang, Director and President of Monde Nissin
- Ben Chan, Founder and CEO of BENCH, Suyen Corporation
- Antonio L. Co, President and CEO of Carrascal Nickel Corporation
- Herbert Consunji, Executive Vice President and Chief Finance Officer of DMCI Holdings
- Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, President and CEO of Wildflour Hospitality Group
- Vicente del Rosario, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Viva Communications Inc.
- Dr. Steve Mark Gan, Chairman and CEO of GAOC Group of Companies
- Mark “Jappy” Gonzalez, Founder and Managing Director of H&F Retail Concepts
- Clinton Campos Hess, Chairman and CEO of Unilab Group
- Irwin C. Lee, President and CEO of Universal Robina Corporation
- William Tiu Lim, Chairman and Founder of Mega Prime Foods, Inc.
- Jonathan Ng, Vice Chairman and CEO of Republic Biscuit Corporation
- Rosemarie Rafael, Chairman and CEO of Airspeed
- Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash (Mynt – Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)
- Kevin Andrew Tan, CEO of Alliance Global Inc.
- Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, Founder and President of The Aivee Group
- Dennis Anthony H. Uy, Co-founder and CEO of Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
- Justin Sy Uy, Founder and CEO of Profood International Corporation
- Delfin Angelo “Buds” Wenceslao, President & CEO of D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, Inc.
- 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:
- Go Negosyo
- Philippine Franchising Association
- 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.
Takbo #ParaSaLife
14 January 2025
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
Now in its third year, foodpanda Logistics’ much-anticipated “Pautastic Event ng Taon” Year-End Party honored its hardworking Ka-panda delivery partners once again recently at the Aseana City Open Grounds, Parañaque City.
The annual celebration grew bigger and better this year, introducing a new level of excitement and inclusivity by welcoming Ka-pandas’ families and friends to join in the festivities.
A Celebration of Dedication
The year-end party served as a heartfelt tribute to the dedication and commitment of foodpanda Logistics’ delivery fleet. This year, the event kicked off with the Ka-panda Rider Caravan, where Ka-pandas had their accounts checked and updated, ensuring a smoother experience for the year ahead.
The caravan also opened doors for aspiring delivery riders, allowing non-Ka-pandas to explore joining the fleet.
Pre-Show Highlights
The pre-show lineup featured fun and engaging booths from official event partners, offering food, beverages, and interactive activities. A standout attraction was the bamboo earning booth, which showcased how Ka-pandas could accumulate bamboo points through successful deliveries.
A Ka-panda joining one of the interactive activities during the event. These points were redeemable for exclusive foodpanda merchandise, adding an extra layer of excitement to the celebration.
Evening of Entertainment and On-Stage Fun
OPM band Spongecola performing in front of the delivery partners as the main act of the party
As the night unfolded, attendees enjoyed stellar performances by some of the most beloved OPM artists, including Sponge Cola, I Belong to the Zoo, and Arci Muñoz, along with other special guests, making it a memorable evening of music and entertainment.
Ka-pandas also participated in exciting on-stage games and a raffle featuring fantastic prizes. For those unable to attend in person, the event was live-streamed on Facebook, allowing delivery partners across the country to join the fun virtually and have a chance to win prizes.
The celebration was made even more special with the support of brand partners like CignalPlay, Mega Prime Foods Inc., Seaoil, and Realme and official transport partner Angkas. Major sponsors, including Universal Robina Corporation, Surf 2 Sawa Powered by Converge, Bida Fiber Powerbed by Converge, Jack N’ Jill Snacks, Jack N’ Jill Lush Sour, Jack N’ Jill Maxx, Jack N’ Jill Hello, Goodday, GoTyme, Converge, Ropali, Caltex, Kawasaki, Motoworld PH, Commonwealth Hospital & Medical Center, Cut Encarnacion, Motivo, and Sulit Chicken, contributed to making the event an exciting and unforgettable experience for all attendees.
D’Best Ka Ka-panda
foodpanda logistics is doubling down on its commitment to its Ka-panda delivery partners with ‘D’Best Ka Ka-panda’, its flagship program aimed at uplifting and supporting delivery partners in five core areas: safety, well-being, personal development, community, and welfare perks.
Over the years, foodpanda logistics has refined its delivery partner initiatives to consistently deliver on what they value and find ways to best support and enhance their delivery experience. ‘‘D’Best Ka Ka-panda” will house both existing and new welfare and engagement initiatives.
“We want them to feel valued, supported, and empowered in their partnership with us,” said Ron Sanders, Rider Experience Lead of foodpanda logistics Philippines. He also expressed his excitement about this year’s event. “Our Ka-pandas are the backbone of our operations, and this celebration is a way to give back to them. This year, we’ve leveled up the event, ensuring it’s not just a party for our delivery partners but also for their loved ones. It’s our way of saying thank you for their incredible dedication throughout the year.”
Sanders also highlighted the importance of fostering a sense of community among delivery partners. “We want our Ka-pandas to know they’re part of a family that supports and celebrates their achievements. The ‘Pautastic Event ng Taon’ embodies that spirit of unity and appreciation.”