IFEX Philippines draws more Southeast Asian buyers as PH leads 30th ASEAN Summit

Bright prospects ahead with over 60% first-time int’l buyers in PH’s largest food show

Efficient business-to-business matching program and exclusive perks await international trade buyers at IFEX Philippines.

More Southeast Asian trade buyers are expected to source the best of Philippine and Asian food products in the 11^thedition of IFEX Philippines on May 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

“As one of the official trade events in the 30^th ASEAN Summit, IFEX Philippines will further our aspirations toward a more inclusive, innovation-led growth in ASEAN bloc by matching global food buyers and food suppliers within the region,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon.

Based on DTI-CITEM’s latest tally on May 8, 23% of the confirmed trade buyers in IFEX Philippines are coming from ASEAN and South Asia; while 25% from the Middle East and Africa, 18% from Americas, 14% from East Asia, 11% from Europe, 4% from China and its special administrative regions (SARS), and 5% from Oceania.

This is a significant increase compared to the previous 2015 edition, wherein only 18% of the total international buyers came from ASEAN countries and South Asia.

“We are also proud to announce that more than half of our confirmed Very Important Buyers (VIBs) are first timers. Their presence is significant in streamlining new trade deals and partnerships,” said Tugonon. “We were able to convince them through our aggressive buyer campaign, complemented with the renewed global interest towards Filipino food fusions, as well as the diplomatic efforts of President Rodrigo Duterte to deepen the economic ties of the Philippines with other states.”

Based on the same tally, 64% of the confirmed VIBs are visiting IFEX Philippines for the first time. VIBs are representatives of established and reputable retail giants and supermarkets across the world.

Among retail giants participating from Southeast Asia is “The Mall Group,” which is one of the largest supermarket operators in Thailand, recording about 6 billion US dollar revenue in 2016.

Retail chains and supermarkets hailing from different regions also include the Hurxley Corporation from East Asia; Integral Foodservices from the Middle East and Africa; Bianca International Organic, Inc. from Americas; Migros, Albert Heijn B.V., Veld Co. and Decare from Europe; and Nanjing Grand Group from China.

Through DTI-CITEM’s partnership with the different embassies, the three-day event is also expected to host delegations of international buyers from Syria, Japan, Korea and Turkey.

To maximize sourcing opportunities, buyers in IFEX Philippines can join the IFEX Philippines Connect, an integrated business platform that matches buyers with potential food suppliers and other business partners.

Those engaged in the private label industry will also have the privilege to participate in the Grocers Exchange (GMART Program) to connect with private label suppliers.

To get a more comprehensive outlook on the Philippine market, international buyers have the option to join the guided tours on local big retail chains and supermarkets under the Store Visit Program, coordinated with the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, Inc. (PAGASA).

They will also have a chance to win premier vacation in Pearl Farm Beach Resort, a five-star beach resort in Davao del Norte under the Luxe Escape Dream Destination Raffle Promo.

…

IFEX Philippines, Asia’s ethnic food & ingredients show, is the country’s biggest international trade exhibition on the Philippines’ and Asia's specialty food, with around 700 exhibitor companies, attracting wholesale buyers, importers and food distributors from all over the world.

IFEX Philippines is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, through its Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), and the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP), which is chaired by DTI.

World-class Davao Chocolate Firm Launches New Products at IFEX Philippines, May 19-21

Multi-awarded Malagos Chocolate to feature new ‘fruity, sustainable’ product in PH biggest food show

Malagos Chocolate is made from single-origin cacao beans grown on our farms in the foothills of Mt. Talomo in the Davao region of the Philippines’s Mindanao island. 

It is chocolate harvested from carefully nurtured trees and processed without the stain of child labor.

One of the chocolate firm that is shaping Davao to become the ‘Cacao Capital of the Philippines’ is launching their new line of ‘fruity and sustainable’ couverture chocolates at the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines onMay 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

“For this year’s IFEX, we’re developing products using local fruits to help promote sustainability and inclusive growth in our area,” said Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation’s sales and marketing head Rex Victor Puentespina. “Ayun din naman ang campaign ng government, to help development in the countryside so we want to use local products in Davao.”

Aside from their new product line, the Davao-based company will also offer neatly packaged dark chocolates ranging from varying rate of cacao concentration—100% Unsweetened, Malagos 85% Dark Chocolate, Malagos 65% and Malagos 72%. They will also sell roasted cacao nibs and dried fermented cacao beans, as well as quality cacao seedlings, seeds, scions.

Single-origin, ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate

Malagos Chocolate takes pride on their single-origin chocolate production or what they call the “tree to bar” process, which involves the planting, harvesting, fermenting, solar drying, roasting, and processing of the cacao beans into fine-flavored chocolates.

“Our chocolate is made from tree-to-bar. We grow the trees ourselves, we cultivate them, we take care of them, and process it to finished product - process it for fine flavored chocolates,” Puentespina said. “It sets us apart is that we have full control of our raw materials so we can meticulously watch over the whole process unlike just buying the beans from somebody else.”

Due to the quality of its product, Malagos Chocolate is currently putting Davao on the cacao world map. As of 2016, Davao is the source of 80% supply of cacao in the Philippines.

Despite its recent commercial launch in 2013, the Davao-based company has already bagged several prestigious international and local awards. On the same year, they were given the title ‘Best Product’ in the Philippines during the ASEAN Food Conference 2013.

They also won in the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards held in London, United Kingdom for two consecutive years - a bronze in 2015 and a silver in 2016. 

The company’s Malagos 100% Pure Unsweetened Chocolate was awarded the First Runner Up for Best Product for Food Ingredients Category in 2015 Katha Awards Food.

Recently, they earned a two-star accolade (with 3-star being the highest) at the 2016 Great Taste Competition of the UK's Guild of Fine Food, which is considered the ‘Oscars’ of the food world.

“What makes us exceptional is our new unique flavor profile. We do not intend to follow imported chocolates because we believe that we have a unique product. Our chocolates are fruity because of the influence of the environment we’re at in Malagos,” he said.

With quality and food safety as top priority, Malagos Chocolate has already obtained certifications from the Philippine Bureau of Plant and Industry, National Seeds Council, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) under the Philippine Food and Drugs Administration, United States Food & Drugs Administration (USFDA), and HALAL under the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines, Inc (IDCP).

Due to their international recognition, Malagos Chocolate is now exporting to various countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, US. Currently, Japan is their top export destination.

Puentespina shared that they met their buyers from Japan at IFEX Philippines and now they are exporting an average of 1,000 kilos of cacao-based products to Japan per month.

“Our customers now in Japan, we met them at IFEX 2015. That goes to show that IFEX is a very effective marketing tool for exporters to meet serious and quality buyers,” he said. “The event also gives us an opportunity to get feedback from the export market. Chocolate is food so you let people try it to get a very good feedback on the product we’re making.”

Sowers of hope: Malagos Chocolate Owners Charita and Rex Puentespina together with local farmers in their cacao nursery in Davao City.

Puentespina said that they work with 60 to 80 farmers in the area, depending on the season, giving the local farmers livelihood. Malagos Chocolate’s continuous growth truly gives great economic impact in Davao. For every milestone they achieve, they give credit to Davao cacao farmers.

“Our company Malagos Agri-ventures corporation is part of a family-owned grouped of businesses that have always worked with nature and local farmers. Today, we produce chocolate that is proudly Philippine-made. A single-origin fine flavor chocolate that is truly tree-to-bar,” he said.

Century City Mall's Wonderful Moms

Makati, Philippines --    Every year, we celebrate the love shared between a mother and her child. There is no love stronger than that of a mother’s for her child. A bond that is almost impossible to break. Despite all of the hardships moms go through, their love never fades.

This year, Century City Mall celebrated Mother’s Day activities last Sunday, May 7, 2017, it was a day of special mother-child bonding and workshops by The Parent Emporium that surely made our Mother’s Day unforgettable. Teachers of Expression Music serenaded guests with “Popular Mother Songs” and Ms. Rachelle Verns dedicated the ever-favorite Frozen song to all the Kid audience. 

One of the activities was a fun blindfold game, wherein the children were blindfolded and he/she had to identify their mothers by touching and feeling their face, hair, and hands as they stood in a line alongside other fellow mothers! This activity was done in collaboration with the James MacKay Foundation Inc. and the Philippine National School For The Blind, whom sent in students and their mothers to take place in the activities. Serving as a reminder, yet again, that despite obstacles, a mother’s love is unbreakable.

Good Friends who are the organizers of the Century City Mall Mother’s Day Event, beauty queen Mafae Belasco and entrepreneur Cherry Genato have gathered their fellow wonderful mom friends to this special event.

The special Moms that were our ambassadors for the day were –

1. Blanca Mercado

- COO of The Manila Times, A Mother of Charmaine Danielle Mercado. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce, major in Accounting, from San Sebastian College and she graduated as magna cum laude. She also has a Management Accountant certificate from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants in Australia. A certified public accountant (CPA) and has been a member of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1986.

2. Jane Kingsu-Cheng

-Manila Bulletin Columnist, Marketing & Image Consultant, and the Editor-in-Chief of Working Mom Magazine. She is also a mother of 7 years old son Jared Cheng.

3. Roices Naguit

- A Mother to her daughter Kenisha Frances. She is an Experienced Senior Political Correspondent with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. News Anchor at TV5 Manila February 2011 – Present (6 years 4 months) NCR - National Capital Region, Philippines

Senior Correspondent TV5 Network Inc.

April 2003 – Present (14 years 2 months)

  

4. Maricel Cua

-A Loving Mother to Adrienne Lia Cua. She is one of the partners of The Parenting Emporium, She is also the Philippine distributor for the medela brand of breast pump.

                                                      

5. Beng Feliciano

-She is a loving mother of the twins Summer and Carly Feliciano and Nico Feliciano, and co founder of The Parenting Emporium.

6. November Carey –or “Ember”

-She is the wife of Harvey Carey and a loving mother of Trey and Harlem Carey. She is a writer, interior designer, and mom-preneur

7. Aliza Apostol – Goco

- “Chinky” to her close friends, She is married to the famous Chef Robby Goco of Cyma, Green Pasture and Yumi, She is a loving mother of Luccia Goco.

8. Alexis Urbiztondo

-She is a loving wife to Joshua and a mother to Celeste and Cadence, a dance instructor at Hula Hands

9. Lara Quigaman - Alcaraz

-She is a loving wife of Marco Alcaraz, A Mother to her son Noah. 

-Order of Lakandula awardee, is a Filipino actress, multi-product endorser and former beauty queen who won the Miss International 2005 beauty pageant held in Tokyo, Japan.

-She is the fourth Filipino to have won the crown, Prior to winning Miss International, Quigaman joined Binibining Pilipinas twice, first in 2001 and last in 2005. The latter ultimately earned her the title of Binibining Pilipinas International.

10. Karen Agustin-Ostrea

- She is a mother of three, loving wife, image consultant, author, and beauty queen.

- She represented the Philippines in the 2002 Miss Universe pageant

- Works as an image consultant

- Co-Author of “The Secrets Beauty Queens”

Thank you to all of you lovely mothers and your families for celebrating Mother’s Day at Century City Mall!

Special appreciation goes to

@jamesmackayfoundationinc

@theparentemporium

@manilatimes

@workingmom

@hulahands_ph

Academy of Pastry & Bakery Arts Philippines: First Year Anniversary Celebration

Can you become the first Filipino Master Chef? It is a skill that can be learned. Yet, to be one of the best chefs in the world, you'll need to get the right training, one that integrates precision and technique with passion, to create perfection in making baked products, cakes, chocolates, and other food items.

Learn from the master chefs at the Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts how to make these wonderful food creations.

Celebrating their first anniversary was a gourmet occasion, with tables filled with finest selection of bread, chocolates, and cakes, all freshly made, and a display of sugar art and chocolate art. It was a wine and dine night, with hard drinks flowing liberally, and the most delightful finger food was served, made by the Parisian master chef.

The master chefs who teach at this school come from all over the world - and this is the only school that provides the opportunity to study locally and become a master chef.

The Academy of Pastry & Bakery Arts Philippines is located at Metro House Building, 345 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., 4/F Makati, MM.  It is an international pastry school offering certificate and diploma course. For more information, visit the Academy of Pastry & Bakery Arts Philippines website.  

Pergola Mall BF: My Doggie and Me Event 2016

PAWesome fun and a galore of prizes is what the annual dog fashion show at Pergola Mall is all about - and the competition is tough this year as it is every year. The inner courtyard of this BF Homes mall was overflowing with pets, their owners, and dog lovers from all over the South, and the event was a grand success.

My Doggie and Me is a look-a-like contest. There is judging done, based not just on the outfits, but on the performance of the dog, and the wow factor - the impact on the audience. 

Unlike other dog contests that require a joining fee, to join is free, and each entry has a doggie loot bag. With other dog contests, one might have to spend a lot on the costumes, yet with this, it is the stylish, themed look, and the bond between the owner and the dog that is judged.

This fun doggie event held on May 14, 2016, got the mall goers captivated by the adorable turnout of our canine friends. Many arrived early, as the seats were nearly all full when I arrived, and even after the event, the audience lingered.

I knew of this event as my pet poodle had joined a couple of years ago, and this year, I entered my Jack Russell- Shihtzu, who also has her grooming done at The Golden Three Pet Supplies and Grooming, a major sponsor of this event. The reason why I am loyal to this dog grooming place is because I do not have my dogs groomed at a veterinary clinic as they might catch a virus at those places, and my dogs just love their Golden 3 groomers, and that is why I park their toothbrushes there.

The event was enjoyable. There was a fashion show, and every entry had to walk the runway, carried, or leashed, and I had a proud pet owner moment as my dog was the only one that walked without a leash. There was a dog food eating contest, of which this small poodle in the stroller picture, ate half a plate, fast but was outdone by a bigger poodle, who wiped out all the dog food in a few minutes! 

There was a talent show, and then the top 10 were chosen, yours truly included. The special awards were given out and the top 3 were announced, and their prizes were overwhelming.
 

My Doggie and Me provided the venue for family, friends, and their pets, to be part of a friendly competition and a summer weekend event that won't be forgotten.
 

Pergola Mall is located at Aguirre Ave, BF Homes, Parañaque. This two-storey mall has food establishments such as Yellow Cab which I frequent for their artisan pizza, Bon Chon, and Café France, and food kiosks like my favorite Fruitas, Foss Coffee, and the suman of Señor Juan. Other establishments include a Cebuanna, those 88 stores, parlors, spas, and Robinsons Supermarket. 

For more information about events like this one and other activities,
please like The Pergola Mall Facebook page.

Asian Hospital Brain Wellness Center Launched: Free Primary Memory Screening

Memory can be sharpened, enhanced, and the loss can be slowed down with proper treatment. There is "no magic pill", said Dr. Alvin Rae Cenina, the head of the Memory Wellness Program of the Brain Wellness Center of Asian Hospital and Medical Center which was launched on Nov. 9, 2015.

The Asian Hospital Brain Wellness Center, which is the only one in the South, has the individual and group session programs for Memory Wellness. Soon, there will be programs for Stroke Prevention, Movement Disorders, and Neuro-developmental (Pediatrics).

In line with the Asian Hospital Brain Wellness Center launch, for a very limited time, one can take a Free Primary Memory Screening test.  Once assessed, the causes of memory loss that are detected - which isn't just aging, and may include fatal illnesses such as meningitis, and other causes like improper nutrition, lack of brain exercise, and lack of social activity, and many more, the program will cater to the needs, to the point that even targeted MRI's may be conducted.

The Memory Wellness Program can bring about results such as slowing down memory loss for patients with Alzheimer's, as it can, in many cases, and it is not just limited to Alzheimer patients or those suffering from dementia or mild cognitive impairmen. The results are achieved by maximizing the cognitive potentials and by decreasing the risks of future cognitive decline in a clinical manner.

How much are our memories worth? 
Is there a need for brain wellness treatment? 

Some of the warning signs of memory loss include:

• forgetting important dates
• repeatedly asking the same question
• needing to rely on memory aids such as reminder notes
• forgetting names but remembering them later
• having difficulty concentrating
• tasks like computing taking longer with more errors than before
• finding it difficult to complete familiar tasks
• trouble understanding visual images
• having problems finding the right words
• calling things by the wrong name
• misplacing things and losing things often
• confusion about what day it is of the week
• withdrawal from social activities
• feeling weary of work, family, and social obligations
• feeling confused, anxious, suspicious, depressed
• easily irritated when routine is disrupted

We take care of our bodies and sometimes, blame the aging process for our memory loss, thinking that it is normal. We take medicine to treat our illnesses an diseases, do therapy, and are aware of the fact that for overall Wellness, we must have a healthy lifestyle. What are we doing for our brain wellness starting with our memory?

Many things in life can be DIY like maintaining and repairing a car - but when it comes to our brain, it is not just the mental health, but it could also the physical health that brings about concerns such as memory loss.

Early diagnosis provides the best opportunity for treatment, support, and future planning. There is hope for us and our loved ones to our treasured memories, and for our brains to be sharper. 

The Brain Wellness Center of Asian Hospital is an integrated, patient-centered facility that will provide care, from prevention to early recognition and management for general brain health and various brain disorders, and one of which is dementia. There is a team of specialist which include neurologists, neurosurgeons, rehabilitation medicine specialist, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, psychologist, and psychometricians. The Memory Wellness program evaluates the patient's memory function and identify the risks of memory decline.

The time is now to take the first step in Brain Wellness for you and your loved ones. Contact or drop by Asian Hospital to find out if the Free Primary Memory Screening is still being offered and to learn more about their other services such as vascular risk screening and what the Brain Wellness Center in Asian Hospital and Medical Center can do for you and your loved ones to have a better quality of life.

How much indeed are our memories worth?

Brain Wellness Center
4th Floor, Lifestyle Medicine Center, Tower 1
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
2205 Civic Drive, Filinvest City
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Tel. (632) 771-9000 local 844
eMail bwc@asianhospital.com





 Click this link to visit the Asian Hospital and Medical Center Website 

Payoneer Joins Asia E-Commerce Expo 2015 #AECoE

About Payoneer

Payoneer empowers global commerce by connecting businesses, professionals, countries and currencies with its innovative cross-border payments platform. In today's borderless digital world, Payoneer enables millions of businesses and professionals from more than 200 countries to reach new audiences by facilitating seamless, cross-border payments. Additionally, thousands of leading corporations including Google, Airbnb, Elance-oDesk and Getty Images rely on Payoneer's mass payout services.

With Payoneer's fast, flexible, secure and low-cost solutions, businesses and professionals in both developed and emerging markets can now pay and get paid globally as easily as they do locally. Founded in 2005 and based in New York, Payoneer is venture-backed, profitable and ranked in the top 100 of Inc. 5000's Financial Services companies.

Seafair 2015 Poker Run

A event like no other will be held on the SeaFair 2015. This is called the "Poker Run" and it will be a challenge for sure. For all you speed enthusiasts out there, here are the Poker Run mechanics and the link to learn more about one of the most awesome events in the Philippines that even brings the water on ground!

Seafair Boat Show Poker Run Mechanics

Participants meet at a pre-arranged point, and pick up details of their route and the stops they need to make. Each participant is given a score card which will be filled in as they progress along the route. At each designated stop, the participants draw a card at random. The card drawn or dealt is recorded on each participant's score card/tally sheet, and the winner of the event is the participant who makes the best five-card poker hand at the end of the event.

Seafair Boat Show Poker Run

• Although this is a "run", there are no prizes for speed - it does not matter who is first to complete the course. It is not a race.
• The winning hand is determined by standard poker hand rankings.

• Speedboat racers may draw cards from each stop until they get total of five cards on their Score Sheet/ Tally Sheet.
• Distance:
  From Mall of Asia: 26 nautical miles to Corregidor, Bataan (52 miles round trip)

1. First Check Point - Participants will draw two cards
2. Second Check Point - Participants will draw two cards
3. 3rd and Last Point - Participants will draw one card. Two additional cards maybe purchased for P2, 000 each at the final stop

• Only five cards may be played for best hand.
• Upon picking card from one location, Participants must present their tally sheet, pick one card at a time, and lay it face up on the table. No duplicate cards can be used. Participants must draw additional card if an identical card is drawn. For example, if you draw the seven of clubs and you already have the seven of clubs on your score-card, then you must put the card back and re-draw another card.
• It is the participants' responsibility to check their score sheet before leaving each checkpoint, to ensure that the card they drew is correctly recorded on their score sheet.
• If playing more than one hand, the participant must present the appropriate Poker Hand Tally Sheet to be marked before each card is drawn.
• Participants must complete the run at SM Seaside Terminal no later than 5:00pm on December 6, 2015.
• Upon completion of 3 stops, participants must submit the Score sheet into the official Poker run booth
• In case of a tie, there will be a draw for High Card to determine the winner. All decisions of the Judges are final.
• All entrants, passengers & marshals (You) agree to indemnify Seafair Boat Show/ Legworks, the organizers, Committee and Members (Us) from all claims howsoever caused, in the event of accident, injury, loss or damage, to entrant, marshal, passenger, machine or personal items, unless directly caused by error or omission or deliberate act by us.
• All boats, (and participants) must be in a legal, seaworthy condition. You are deemed to be in control of your machine at all times.
• All entrants and Marshals must comply with the Rules and Regulations imposed during the event.

Registration packet inclusion:

• Tally Sheet
• Route map
• Copy of mechanics and Poker Rules
• Stubs for meals
• Gasoline stubs

Poker Run Entries

• Registration fee for the Poker Run is P10, 000.00, which includes boat registration, Meals for two crewmembers and Gasoline stub. Wristbands for additional crew and friends are P1, 000.00 for access to meals and Yacht Party.
• Catered meals wristbands are optional and can be purchased for P1, 000.00 per person. The catering consists of 3 meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please tell us how many meal wristbands you will need in the comments field.
• Please fill out the registration form. You can also register and pay via OTC payment by calling us at (632) 587-4446.
  
  Click the link to learn more about the SeaFair 2015.