PH to host World Franchise Confab
The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) is set to stage the world’s biggest franchise event this year as it holds Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 as well as host the meetings of the World Franchise Council (WFC) and the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC).
Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 will be highlighted by a conference, an expo and a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program.

The two-day international franchise conference will take place on June 7 to 8 at the SMX Convention Center-Manila.
A highlight of the conference on June 7 to 8 is the CEO Forum featuring the presidents and CEOs of 7-Eleven, Jollibee, Max’s Restaurant and McDonald’s.
The three-day international franchise exhibit, happening on October 27 to 29 also at the SMX Convention Center, is another highlight of Franchise Asia Philippines 2023.
Another highlight is the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program, which will be held on June 5 to 6. This program is designed for franchise executives who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in franchise management.
Summit Water empowers Filipino athletes to go all-out for the 32nd SEA Games
As they strive to bring gold and glory to the country anew, today’s generation of top Filipino athletes is giving it their all in the lead-up to the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in May, knowing that Summit Natural Drinking Water is once again by their side.
With Summit Water, Hidilyn Diaz, Vanessa Sarno, EJ Obiena, and the Filipinas look to maintain the Philippines’ stronghold in various competitions in the SEA Games, hosted this year by Cambodia and happening from May 5 to 17. Team Philippines is in prime position for a bountiful medal haul as among the favorites in different competitions, including weightlifting, pole vaulting, and football, among others.
With every purchase of Summit Water, you get to play your part in helping our athletes reach their goals. This year, our delegates not only #ThirstForGold, but also chose to be greater, which serves as the new rallying call of Summit Water and our athletes for the 32nd SEA Games.
Summit Natural Drinking Water has always been inspired by the hard work, dedication and formidable spirit of Filipino athletes. In 2005, Summit Water began its thrust in supporting Filipino athletes at the SEA Games.
All told, Summit Natural Drinking Water is with our athletes every step of the way. Sourced from natural underground sources around Mt. Makiling in Laguna and further processed by ionization and filtration, making it clean and refreshing, Summit Water comes packed with the right hydration and the right minerals. This includes Bicarbonates, Calcium, Magnesium and Sulfate to keep you going.
Yamaha exclusively presents Yride Season 4
Yamaha Motor Philippines continues to provide an avenue for original brand content to viewers with its digital program, YRIDE.
Now on its fourth season, YRide started in 2018 hosted by Zach Lucero. The program featured everything about the brand from its product launches, riding activities, international races, and in-depth features about its motorcycles. In the first two seasons, the show was aired on Yamaha Facebook page and moved to YouTube on season three as it withstood the challenges of the pandemic.
This season, YRide emphasizes that it is beyond that of a motorcycle program. It is, for all intents and purposes, a lifestyle show. Driven by personal passions and complemented by product function. It is shifting to a younger audience and will feature personalities whose lifestyles are recognized by GEN Z.
The Mio Fazzio stands as YRide’s supporting piece. With the targeted audience currently engaged in their era of self-discovery, they are all about showing the world who they are. and we’ve positioned the Mio Fazzio as an icon of unique expression, embodying Yamaha’s desire to present the opportunity to ride in style and on trend.
YRide Season 4 features Janeena Chan, Agassi Ching, Sharlene San Pedro, Ranz and Niana, whose personalities are like this generation of stylistic, unabashed, and inclusive individuals.
YRide will be streamed live every Friday,6PM, on the Yamaha Philippines Youtube Channel.
Episode Schedule: April 28 Episode 1 — Janeena Chan; May 12 Episode 2 — Agassi Ching; May 26 Episode 3 — Sharlene San Pedro; and June 9 Episode 4 — Ranz Niana
AEV bags 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie Award
Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) has added another laurel to its name with its recent win at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.
Recognized for its Innovative Achievement in Human Resources, AEV continues to transform the future of work through modern technology made to attract, optimize, and retain talent, anchored on its brand promise and purpose of driving change for a better world.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition for our innovative achievements in human resources. At AEV, we believe that our people are our greatest asset, and investing in their development and well-being is crucial to our success as a Group,” said AEV vice president for Corporate Human Resources Zabs Luna Tan-Chong.
The Aboitiz Group banks on constructive and disruptive leadership to steer the wheel as it undergoes its Great Transformation to become the Philippines’ first Techglomerate, driven by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset.
CHRis bot, AEV’s improved chatbot, for one, was borne out of the Super Ditch Day (SDD) and Aboitiz Digital Entrepreneurial and Agile Innovation (ADEA) initiatives, which give team members and leaders the power to communicate suggestions and ideas to implement across the board.
MyTX, the company’s core talent experience platform, was also further enhanced for easier navigation. As the single source of all talent data, it grants employees access to tools like those relating to payment, reimbursements, timekeeping, health and wellness, and other important information and documents.
Protection for pet dogs, cats
BDO Insure invited fur parents to share their love for their fur babies during its pet appreciation day, “I Love You PAW-ever!” last April 20.
BDO Unibank’s insurance brokerage arm also created awareness on pet care and introduced its affordance and customizable Pet Dog and Cat insurance plans.
For as low as P560, pet owners can insure their pets against accidental injuries, including bone fractures, poisoning, or burns. Clients can choose their desired plan based on their budget. Insurance coverage ranges from P15,000 to P30,000 per accident (up to five incidents) under Plans A to D.
In addition to the basic coverage, the Pet Dog and Cat Insurance offers add-on benefits such as pet medical reimbursement for covered illnesses, like arthritis, renal disease, hip dysplasia, pet acute dental conditions, pet accidental death or essential euthanasia, insured pet owner’s liability to other persons due to pet’s actions, pet international travel emergency medical treatment, and Petnap.
Disaster preparedness
The municipality of Sta. Cruz, Marindique is the latest beneficiary of the Ligtas Kit–the all-in-one emergency communications package from PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc.
Apart from communication equipment packed in a protective case, each Ligtas Kit will also strengthen community response capacities through emergency communications training.
The Ligtas Kit also promotes sustainability by using refurbished batteries, as part PLDT and Smart’s ‘Balik Baterya’ initiative. The program is also part of the group’s broader #SafeandSmart advocacy which promotes preparedness and immediate response through continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks.
Reduced NRW
Aboitiz InfraCapital’s (AIC) Estate Water has achieved success in reducing non-revenue water (NRW) in all its economic estates across the country.
These include the 800-hectare LIMA Estate in Batangas, as well as the 63-hectare Mactan Economic Zone II (MEZ2) Estate and the 540-hectare West Cebu Estate (WCE) in Cebu.
Estate Water implements a comprehensive NRW management program to address the water losses in its service areas. Over the past five years, LIMA Water managed to maintain the NRW level at LIMA Estate below 5 percent.
Last year, Estate Water extended this program to other areas, including MEZ2 and WCE, resulting in a significant reduction in NRW. Specifically, MEZ2’s NRW decreased from 13% to 6%, while WCE’s water losses reduced from 10% to 7%. These figures are well below the World Bank’s NRW benchmark rate of 25%, demonstrating Estate Water’s commitment to the sustainable use of water sources.
Ihaw-Sarap in buddy size
Mang Inasal has launched the new Buddy Fiesta, the small version of the best-selling Family Fiesta group meal that features a bilao of chicken and pork inasal favorites with a platter of java rice.
“The Mang Inasal Buddy Fiesta is in response to the clamor from our customers who are looking for a bundle for a smaller group,” said Mang Inasal Business Unit head Mike V. Castro. “This is the perfect treat for a group of two to three persons who love to enjoy their Ihaw-Sarap favorites together whether at home, in the office, or anywhere they’d love to eat it.”
Starting at a takeout price of P399, the Buddy Fiesta comes in four different bundles: All-Chicken Bundle (3 pieces of Chicken Inasal Paa), All-Pork Bundle (4 sticks of Pork BBQ and 1 order of Grilled Liempo), Chicken and Pork BBQ Bundle (2 pieces Chicken Inasal Paa and 2 sticks of Pork BBQ), and Chicken and Liempo Bundle (2 pieces of Chicken Inasal Paa and 1 order Grilled Liempo).