Creating greater market access
The 70,000-square meter SM Distribution Center (DC) has grown the number of suppliers it serves and supports the past 20 years.
From 210 suppliers in 2004, the SM Distribution Center currently serves and supports 2,100 suppliers.
The DC started from a small warehouse in Echague, Manila, and now currently serves the customers of 75 SM Store branches across the country with the bulk of the distribution or nearly 70 percent consisting of provincial stores.
For Tim Gohoc, SM Retail vice president, who is currently managing the SM Distribution Center, “it is through a collaboration with MSMEs, customers, and logistics partners that we aspire to create a seamless and eco-friendly supply chain network that minimizes environmental impact while maximizing operational efficiency.”
The DC leverages innovative technologies to further enhance their services and support businesses of all sizes.
“Aligned with SM Group’s commitment to grow and enable areas outside of the NCR, coupled with today’s rising consumer demand and expectations, efficient logistics is critical in creating a delightful supplier or partner and customer experience. The SM Distribution Center provides reliability of the supply chain essential to sustained economic activity,” said Frederic DyBuncio, President and CEO, SM Investments Corp.
CL Bank joins the big leagues

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank (CL Bank) is poised to claim the top spot as the Philippine banking industry’s undisputed leader for financial empowerment.
Under the leadership of Dennis Valdes, CL Bank which was was not even ranked in the top 50 rural banks in the country in 2018 has skyrocketed to being in the top 10 in just a few years.
Since 2020, Valdes and his team have continuously improved CL Bank’s existing products and services through digital initiatives and innovations. CL Bank partnered with BancNet , UnionPay, Instapay, PesoNet and Visa which expanded its card network, its reach and enhanced online fund transfers for depositors.
The bank also embraced QR technology for ease of transfer and added Teacher’s Salary Loan to its roster of loan products.
CL Bank just recently selected Temenos to modernize its core banking platform, giving it the flexibility and agility to manage customer accounts, manage transactions with greatly improved performance and efficiency, and offer personalized products, faster and at lower cost.
The banking arm of PJ Lhuillier Inc. was established and opened its first branch in Bacoor Cavite and is the brainchild of no less than finance guru Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
‘Partner for Growth’

Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corp. held its annual “Agripost Conference” to celebrate and recognize the top-performing local retailers in various parts of the country. This event also serves as an opportunity to provide product and industry updates to its partners.
In Carmen, Davao del Norte however, instead of holding a celebration event, Pilmico and its partner distributors in the area, namely Panabo Bluz and Chemar Marketing, redirected their resources to ”Padayon Gihapon Ta, Partner” (Let’s Keep Going, Partner). This initiative aims to assist the duck raisers affected by the recent flooding in Mindanao, whose livestock suffered in early February of this year.
Pilmico and the distributors collaborated with the local government unit, agricultural office, and Provincial Veterinary Office of Brgy. Anibongan, Carmen, Davao del Norte, to organize a two-day recovery assistance program from February 26 to 27. On the first day, they held a veterinary mission for livestock raisers and distributed 36 bags of “Avemax” duck feeds. About 175 beneficiaries received “Vet Kits,” including animal nutrition supplements, to help in their recovery.
PepsiCo finds growth thru TikTok
PepsiCo is one of the brands that found success in TikTok Shop.
PepsiCo which boasts well-known brands such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lipton, Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, and Quaker Oats, officially launched its TikTok Shop in July 2023
The multi-brand store setup, featuring hero brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sting, Quaker, and Frito-Lay, used TikTok Shop’s ACE framework (Assortment, Content and Empowerment).
PepsiCo optimized its product listings and store design to reduce out-of-stock scenarios and present an official trust-building storefront.
For content, the brand implemented a targeted approach that engaged both general community affiliates and top-tier affiliates, including Multi-Channel Network (MCN) vertical accounts. Regular multi hour livestreams and consistent posting of short videos outside the livestream schedule were crucial in building viewership and driving sales.
PepsiCo maintained high store and product ratings, ensured timely deliveries, and responded promptly to customer queries, reinforcing trust and encouraging repeat purchases. Active participation in platform campaigns and co-branded efforts like the Doritos + Xbox promotional packs further amplified the brand’s reach and appeal.
GCash teams up with Axie Infinity
GCash opens up new possibilities on blockchain technology by teaming up with Axie Infinity, the number one Web3 title, to improve the on-chain gaming community experience by opening a direct on-ramp and off-ramp portal in the app’s GCrypto feature.
With this partnership in place, the Filipino Web3 gaming community can safely transfer their cryptocurrency from the Axie ecosystem to GCrypto. They can also easily convert these in-game currencies into fiat money or Philippine pesos all within the same app.
Users can also use GCrypto as a conversion portal for the other games in Sky Mavis’ Ronin ecosystem, including Pixels.
This initiative ensures compliance with the most rigorous industry governance practices and implements new measures to make the user experience even safer and more secure.
“This collaboration is another step ahead in our mission to transform the potential of blockchain technology and to democratize it even more, going beyond the purchase, sale, and maintenance of cryptocurrencies in the GCash app. By working together with Axie Infinity and its Ronin ecosystem, we will continue to achieve our mission to remove the financial and technical barriers of crypto gaming while putting our user’s safety as a top priority,” GCash head of GCrypto Luis Buenaventura said.
Advanced, next-gen emergency response

Next Generation Advanced (NGA) 911 — an IP-based emergency communications system that transforms crisis response through technology, integration and real-time reporting — presented the future of public safety and emergency response to a delegation of the Metro Manila Council and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at an educational tour in Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles California recently.
NGA’s CEO Don Ferguson and COO Ishka Villacisneros welcomed the local government executives in LA and briefed them on NGA’s mission to enhance public safety and emergency response, letting them know that NGA, their technology and systems are already available, and infrastructure built in the Philippines.
The presentation included a demonstration of how the advanced system performs in various emergency response situations. Simulations of actual crisis situations where NGA 911’s next generation technology developed by the company in LA were highlighted.
“NGA 911 provides cities and communities in the US and other countries with peace of mind through our advanced and next generation emergency response systems. We are happy to announce that this next-generation 911 technology is now in the Philippines and we are looking to save more lives and empower more communities by unifying all systems in the future,” said Ferguson.
NGA 911 has ongoing deployments in Rizal, Pangasinan and Cagayan De Oro regions. These LGUs are now ready to provide the next-generation digital technology for emergency communication and public safety services that is used in the United States.