Japan's No. 1: Tenya opens first express store at SM Megamall

Tenya, a successful tendon restaurant chain in Japan, continues to reach more Filipinos with the opening of its new store at SM Megamall on September 5, serving authentic and quality Japanese meals the fastfood way. 

After making a name in Japan as the country's No. 1 Tempura Tendon, Tenya has also been gaining traction in the Philippines, fueling its expansion to eight megacities across the capital region.

As it has long mastered the art of providing real Japanese dishes, the restaurant chain has reimagined a new way of offering Filipinos their Japanese favorites through Tenya Express. 

Situated at the heart of Ortigas, Tenya Express opens its doors at SM Megamall Foodcourt and is well-positioned to satisfy the cravings of consumers for tendon and tempura at reasonable prices. 

L-R Tenya Japan Reps: Mizuki Koga, Shuuji Noboritama, Royal Holdings Chairman Tadao Kikuchi, Tenya PH Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr, Chukri Prieto (Managing Director), Denise Ramos (Director of Operations)

Among those who attended the grand opening were the company's top executives, namely Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr., President Chiqui Prieto, Managing Director Leopoldo "Chukri" Prieto III, General Manager Edmundo "Iggy" Ramos, Director of Operations Denise Ramos, and IT Director Andres Marquez. 

Tenya Philippine’s Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr and Managing Director, Chukri Prieto (Center) with SM Executives

Mr. Tadao Kikuchi, Chairman of Royal Holdings Corporation which operates Tenya Japan, and other representatives, also flew in to officially open the new express store. 

"Since our launch in the Philippines seven years ago, we never stopped exploring ways to bring Tenya's best tasting products to more Filipinos who are looking for a real touch of Japan." ~Leopoldo "Chukri" Prieto III, Managing Director

L-R Tenya Japan Reps: Mizuki Koga, Shuuji Noboritama, Royal Holdings Chairman Tadao Kikuchi, Tenya PH Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr, Chukri Prieto (Managing Director), Denise Ramos (Director of Operations)

"With our new Tenya Express, we are delighted that consumers can grab their authentic Japanese food fast and conveniently." ~Denise Ramos, Director of Operations

Specializing in tendon and tempura, Tenya has invested in infrared heating technology to make sure that its tempuras are always evenly fried to perfection. Aside from these premium items, Tenya has also fused and introduced more specialties on its menu to offer consumers the best and whole Japanese experience.  

Newly unveiled Tenya Express at the SM Megamall Food Court, featuring Taiko drummer, mascots and cosplayers to welcome guests

The items on the Tenya Express menu include donburi bowls at P185 (gyudon, chicken karaage, ebi), bento boxes start at P225 (tonkatsu, sukiyaki, seafood tempura). Other offerings include onigiri, ramen, burger, maki, and best-selling Tenya tendon favorites—Classics, All-star, and Asakusa Special. 

"The launch of Tenya Express store also reflects our commitment to stay true to that art of Japanese convenience, while providing quality service to our Filipino consumers. The Tenya Express at SM Megamall is just the start as we strive to bring the taste of Japan to every Filipino." ~Edmundo "Iggy" Ramos, General Manager

Tenya is targeting to expand its new concept to more locations soon. 

Currently, Tenya full-store branches are located in SM Megamall, Market! Market!, SM Southmall, ASEANA City, Festival Mall, Paseo de Magallanes, Tiendesitas and SM Mall of Asia. 

For delivery, you may order via www.tenya.com.ph, grabfood, foodpanda and pickaroo.

Globe Virtual Hangouts kicks off metaverse platform for exciting Gen Z “Phygital” experiences

Eric Tanbauco, Globe’s Vice President for Mobile Prepaid Business, welcomes the media and special guests to the launch of the Globe Virtual Hangouts metaverse

Globe Virtual Hangouts continues to evolve and reinvent itself to give Gen Zs and more digital fun, innovative, educational, and passion-filled experiences. For the second half of the year, expect the launch of its metaverse platform, the first in the Philippines, with “phygital” experiences to be hosted by Globe Prepaid.

Using technology to bridge the physical and digital worlds, Globe Virtual Hangouts metaverse promises unique interactive activities that visitors can explore. Users can create their avatar and chat and do video calls with their fellow Gen Zs inside the portal.

Surprise celebrity guests and special prizes, among them a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Phone, also await everyone inside this new platform.

The event will also have a 360 gallery featuring “Timplada: The Art of Ilonggo Cuisine,” an exhibition of 10 artworks inspired by Ilonggo food from the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), the first art institution in the Visayas and Mindanao. The pioneering exhibit on Virtual Hangouts was first showcased in the last quarter of 2021 in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The Globe Virtual Hangouts started in 2020 so Gen Zs can hang out with each other, showcase their passions and see all the happenings that Globe Prepaid has in store.

Early this year, it created the Passion Portal where Gen Z’s got to turn their passion into a profession through Globe Prepaid’s Virtual Hangouts Masterclasses. There were various pillars catering to different passions of Gen Zs, namely:

●        GoJAM — An onstage talent search which brought together promising young Pinoy artists in a digital music camp to hone their talent and arm them with the know-how to succeed in the music industry.

●       GoWATCH – For movie enthusiasts and those who want to be the next Antonette Jadaone or Cathy Garcia-Molina.  There was a GoWATCH Film Lab in partnership with ANIMA for those who wanted to learn or sharpen their filmmaking, story writing, and production design skills. Film Lab sessions were led by award-winning filmmakers such as Jadoone, Erik Matti, JP Habac, and Jade Castro.

●       GoHUSTLE – A six-stage GoHUSTLE Boss Up Bootcamp where participants learned from topics about creating stories, branding, marketing, finance, and having an entrepreneurial mindset.

●      GoESPORTS – Aspiring esports streamers and casters who wanted to level up their skills underwent training on the basics of content creation, self-presentation, pre-and post-game analysis, and more.

●     GoKOREAN – For K-wave fans who have a passion for fashion, Globe Prepaid Virtual Hangouts teamed up with the top fashion and design school in the country to introduce a full-blown fashion and styling curriculum offered nowhere else.

Virtual Hangouts is best experienced on Globe’s 5G network. Be part of  Globe Virtual Hangouts of The Future launch by visiting  www.globevirtualhangouts.ph.

First Philippine Blockchain Week Set in November

Donald Lim, Lead Convenor, Philippine Blockchain Week 2022

International and local experts from the digital and cryptocurrency industries have come together to host the first Philippine Blockchain Week. The week-long event will be held from November 28 to December 4 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom of the Newport World Resorts in Pasay.

Called “Chaintrix” and inspired by the meta universe of the movie the “Matrix”, it seeks to promote inclusiveness by educating more Filipinos about blockchain in order to harness its benefits for the country’s various industries.

Donald Lim, lead convenor of the event, who is considered the Father of Digital Marketing in the Philippines, believes that the country has a strong chance of becoming the “Blockchain Capital of Asia.”

“We have gathered experts from the blockchain ecosystem to discuss this technological advancement and how companies and people can benefit from it. The Philippine Blockchain Week also lets investors and businesses network and explore opportunities in the Philippine market. The Philippines has the numbers to become a blockchain hub. Our population is at 110 million, with a median age of 25. We also have the highest internet penetration and the highest NFT penetration rate of a digital population.” ~Donald Lim, Lead Convenor

Chezka Gonzales, a commercial pilot, Founder of Women of Substance NFT and also a lead convenor of the event, said that they are also targeting students to attend the event.

“This is a good opportunity for them to learn more about this digital evolution and how it has affected and will affect the way things will be done in the future.” ~Chezka Gonzales, a Commercial Pilot, Founder of Women of Substance NFT and also a Lead Convenor

Official Launch of the Philippine Blockchain Week 2022

The other convenors of Chaintrix include Rico Pang, Group CEO, Sanctum Global Ventures; Kate Hancock, Founder, Metaverse XYZ; Daniel Robbins, CEO IBH Media; Oscar Tan Abing, Jr., Founder & CEO, Anotoys Collectiverse; Jay Ha, Co-founder, IP3; James Lim, CEO, Meta Persona; and Tara Kwon, Co-founder, Hyped Collective.

Likewise, industry partners are the Fintech Alliance, Institute of Corporate Directors, Management Association of the Philippines, International Council of Small Business PH, JCI Manila, Rotary District 3830,  and NFT Philippines & Women in blockchain Philippines.

Convenors and industry partners have come together to pledge their support to the holding of the Philippine Blockchain Week 2022

Among the planned activities for Chaintrix include plenary sessions with experts about blockchain, fintech & metaverse, a job fair, business speed dating, golf tournament, NFT gallery, concert, pool party, toy exhibit, gaming expo & tournaments and hackathons, among others.

On December 2, the Philippine Block Awards will be held at the Grand Bar of the hotel where blockchain movers and shakers in the country and the region will be honored. Recognition for the “Most Innovative Use of Blockchain”, “Blockchain for Good”, and “Blockchain Transformation Award” will also be handed out. 

For inquiries about the event, you may reach out to the Philippine Blockchain Week Secretariat at events@futureproof.ph or call +63917 8328852.

Ortigas Market Satisfying Community Hunger on Oct. 1

“The Ortigas Market was born out of the desire to empower our local community and help entrepreneurs to recover and rebuild after more than two years of the pandemic.” ~Ed Dames, Chairman & CEO of DTC Promos Inc.

“While the national government continues to mitigate the effects of Covid 19, our company decided to initiate a community building project with Pasig City, Barangay San Antonio and Ortigas Center Association Inc. (OCAI).”

“This alliance between the private sector and the local government has allowed us to provide a venue for our local producers to sell their products to residents in the Ortigas Center and surrounding areas." ~Marissa Dames, DTC’s President & COO

“We are quite excited about the variety of produce offered by our vendor partners that range from international and Pinoy cuisine to artisanal products and local crafts.

They range from start-up Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to veteran entrepreneurs of farmers markets.

“My favorite go-to fruit supplier for many years, Adela Muega, is a pioneer of other markets has made her stake in the Ortigas Market. It is an understatement to say that Adela’s sweet and quality fruits can hold their own place and take center stage in any dessert table. Nothing, but nothing, beats the freshest fruits of the season.”

“Sabroso is how one describes the sinful, delectable and rich dishes served by Monchet Carballo, owner of Sabor de España.  A seasoned advertising and marketing executive who ventured into the food business, Monchet understands the essence of slow cooked food that is prepared according to traditional techniques using the best ingredients. His paella, bacalao, beef salpicao, callos are simply sublime!

Sustainable Accessories made from sea glass gathered by fisherman for designer Isa Pangilinan and Pet Portraits by her sister Marita De Leon are just two of the unique artisan products that Ortigas Market goers can look forward to when they visit the area.

Our media partners Manila Bulletin and the ALC Media group which consists of DWIZ and Home Radio along with Business Mirror, Cook Magazine, Health and Fitness, Pilipino Mirror and our Digital Partner Seven Sharp are all quite supportive of this project and the assistance given to our vendor partners.

"We look forward to more exciting events being unveiled at the Ortigas Market.”

Interested vendors may contact DTC Promos Inc and look for:
Mobile: Marvee - 09655263824 | Joshua - 09271850593 | Richard - 09971743815
Email:

• marvee.corpuz@dtcpromos.com.ph |
• joshua.delosreyes@dtcpromos.com.ph
• richard.bayles@dtcpromos.com.ph 

GCash bridges financial inclusion to economic growth through public sector partnerships

To serve the unbanked population, ensure financial inclusion, accelerate innovations, and ultimately achieve economic growth, the fintech sector should strengthen partnership with Local Government Units (LGU) and the public sector. This was one of the main highlights during the second annual “One with the Nation” conference by GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet.

This year’s conference with the theme “Innovative and Inclusive: The Future of Digital Financial Services” made a bigger splash this year with a hybrid set-up held at the SEDA Hotel in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and streamed simultaneously online via Zoom, with public sector partners and members of the media in attendance.

During the event, industry leaders and top government officials, led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla, gathered in one venue to share crucial insights on the future of digital financial services.

“The Philippines has made progress in digitizing retail payments while broadening financial inclusion. Recently, the BSP observed that more Filipinos are choosing to pay through digital means. In fact, the share of digital payments to total retail payment volume in the country grew from 20.1 percent in 2020 to 30.3 percent in 2021. The government continues to lead the path to digitalization with 96.7 percent of its total payment transactions and disbursements already in digital form.” ~Felipe Medalla, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor

Given the rapid growth of digital payments and services, the conference also put a spotlight on how LGUs can integrate safe online payments into their services.

“The adoption of digital payments by the local government is, I think, really, the best way to expand the digital space in the country - where the local government really opt for e-wallets and payments in paying taxes or business registration. That’s something that LGUs can do a lot more.” ~Mary Jean Pacheco, Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary

In her speech, GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon acknowledged that there’s still a long way to go to fully achieve financial inclusion.

“There’s still so much more we can do. We ask for your support once again as we continue to work to make a positive impact in the lives of Filipinos, especially those who need our help the most. We look to you, our partners, as we continue together onward and upward with a shared vision of a better future for Filipinos.” ~Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO

Addressing the importance of partnerships between public and private sectors, GCash chief customer officer Winsley Bangit also said that joint effort from these sectors is crucial in its pursuit of finance for all.

“At GCash, we remain steadfast in being a partner with the central bank’s drive for financial inclusion as well as digitalization. And of course, your presence here today really shows that the partnership between private and public sectors are really important in nation building, in making sure that nobody gets left behind, especially sa economic recovery ng ating bansa. More and more Filipinos are realizing the benefits of digital payments, specifically 66 million Filipinos or around 4 out of 5 adults now put their trust in GCash.” ~Winsley Bangit, GCash Chief Customer Officer

While more and more Filipinos are becoming more receptive to digital financial services, GCash also takes this as an opportunity to continue improving and innovating its services. For instance, beyond convenient digital payment options, GCash also offers millions of Filipinos a wide range of financial services from insurance to investment, and loans, and lifestyle needs with GInsure, GInvest, GLoan, GGives, GLife, and so much more.

In terms of reaching more communities, including micro, small, and medium enterprises, tricycle drivers, and market vendors which have a big contribution to the acceleration of economic growth of the country, GCash also helps in easy access to cashless payments through the promotion of the government's Paleng-QR Ph initiative.

Through continuous collaboration with LGUs and the public sector, GCash remains firm in its mission of making financial inclusion a reality for all Filipinos – building a reliable digital ecosystem that fosters sustainable economic growth.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.ph

About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Finance App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, 66M registered users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 5.2M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.

GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) and by the IDC in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs.

UNIQLO Highlights Today’s Classics with its Fall/Winter 2022 Collection

Japanese global apparel retailer UNIQLO redefines what classics are with the launch of its Fall/Winter 2022 collection. Dubbed Today’s Classics, the new collection of LifeWear is filled with wardrobe staples that have been reinvented to adapt to the needs of today’s lifestyle.

Uniqlo U 2022 Fall/Winter began with the idea of a capsule wardrobe that could fit into a single suitcase, adaptable enough to take you through an entire season with essentials that pay special attention to functionality and versatility. 

A New Genderless Offering 

The men’s and women’s design teams worked together to create a concise collection of genderless essentials such as the practical pocketable long coat and workwear-inspired utility short blouson jacket, varied in size but not design, that reflect a modern approach to dressing. Boxy silhouettes and roomy proportions are suited to many body types and layer effortlessly with both the men’s and women’s garments.

Essentials for our Lifestyles

The women’s collection features carefully considered essentials that provide practicality, comfort, and versatility in our daily lives. Utilitarian, layered silhouettes are both beautiful and functional: coats made for commuting, soft wool knits, menswear-inspired shirts, classic high-waisted jeans with a modern, rounded leg. The men’s lineup is a thoughtfully curated, versatile collection of pieces designed for city life and outdoor pursuits. Generous, boxy layers made of soft wool, flannel and cotton jersey bring a sense of warmth and comfort. The perfect chino pants modernize the classic workwear style with a wide, tapered leg. 

A range of sophisticated new colors - bright ochre yellow, purple, washed red and warm white - complement rich neutrals, grounded in nature.

Stylings 

Collection

The lineup includes 25 items for women, 22 items for men, and 1 items for kids. 

Special Website:

https://www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/contents/collaboration/uniqlo-u/22fw/ 

UNIQLO R&D Centers

Uniqlo U is a collection of “Future LifeWear Essentials.” The world-class designers and patternmakers in the Paris design team reimagine everyday clothing using innovative materials and new, contemporary silhouettes. Each season is designed with the highest precision and in pursuit of a simplified, modern wardrobe. 

UNIQLO R&D Centers are places for experimentation, spaces to try new ideas, innovate and create. The Paris R&D Center complements other UNIQLO R&D Centers in Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, and Los Angeles. 

Christophe Lemaire 

Christophe Lemaire has been designing his namesake collection since 1991. He has also served as Artistic Director of Lacoste and Artistic Director of women’s ready-to-wear at Hermès. In 2015, he partnered with UNIQLO, resulting in the UNIQLO AND LEMAIRE collaboration collections for Fall/Winter 2015 and Spring/Summer 2016. Christophe Lemaire was appointed Artistic Director of the UNIQLO Paris R&D Center in 2016, where he and his handpicked team of designers create the Uniqlo U collection. 

About UNIQLO LifeWear

Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality, and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.13 trillion yen for the 2021 fiscal year ending August 31, 2021 (US $19.4 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2021 rate of $1 = 109.9 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer. 

UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,300 stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America. In 2010 UNIQLO established a social business in Bangladesh together with the Grameen Bank and currently there are more than 15 Grameen-UNIQLO stores, mostly located in Dhaka.

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere.  For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.

Hamilo Coast and WWF: partners in eco-tourism and sustainability

Santelmo Cove was among those declared as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) regarded as a coastal zone where human activities are strictly regulated to ensure their long-term conservation.

Hamilo Coast, the premier beach resort town in Nasugbu, Batangas, may be the weekend haven of the country’s affluent set, yet it is on track as a thriving model of sustainable eco-tourism practices.

Touting 5,800 hectares of prime seaside development, Hamilo Coast is a project of SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo, Inc. (CDHI), which carefully integrates residential, resort, leisure, commercial, and institutional land uses in the sprawling estate. But beyond its vast scope and stunning vistas, Hamilo Coast embraces sustainable tourism at the core of its philosophy and shows how beautiful beachfront homes can harmonize with nature and the environment.

2022 marks Hamilo Coast’s 15th year of productive partnership with the conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF). Hamilo Coast and WWF have been working together on key areas for sustainability—coastal resource management, ridge-to-reef management, solid waste management, mangrove reforestation, the use of renewable energy sources, and environmental awareness.

This long-standing collaboration with WWF signifies Hamilo Coast’s determination to pursue eco-tourism and sustainability while upholding international standards for leisure property development.

“More than building and maintaining a beautiful community, we seek to create and sustain a world that future generations can enjoy. To help serve this end, CDHI continues to develop Hamilo Coast without compromising the quality of wildlife living around it. “CDHI is proud of how far we have come at Hamilo Coast with the help of WWF. This inspires us to do even more, in the hopes that our efforts will make it possible for future generations to witness the beauty of nature as we see it today.” ~Ms. Imee G. Francisco, Vice President and Head of CDHI Projects and Operations

Hamilo Coast embraces sustainable tourism at the core of its philosophy and shows how beautiful beachfront homes can harmonize with nature and the environment.

This year, Hamilo Coast and WWF will focus on addressing the major components on waste management, which include assessment of solid waste, water and wastewater management practices, formulation of environmental management plan, and the promotion of food shed farming systems. Apart from these, Hamilo Coast and WWF will continuously work on programs that will help conserve, protect, and nurture the environment.

For one, Hamilo Coast and WWF’s Ridge to Reef program declared three of Hamilo Coast’s 13 coves–Pico de Loro, Etayo, and Santelmo–as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These are coastal zones where human activities are strictly regulated to ensure their long-term conservation. Declaring more MPAs would also mean expanding Hamilo Coast’s scope in safeguarding more marine ecosystem and resources.

Hamilo Coast also continues to implement a mangrove reforestation program in its 24-hectare mangrove belt—one of the largest in Nasugbu. Here, Hamilo has planted 50,000 propagules hand-in-hand with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.

Mangroves are the first line of defense for coastal communities, stabilizing shorelines by averting erosion and providing natural barriers to storm surges, flooding, and hurricanes. As an effective carbon storage, mangroves absorb six times more carbon than mature tropical forests, making it all the more vital in slowing down the effects of climate change.

Hamilo Coast and WWF further push for environmental awareness by celebrating occasions that show respect for biodiversity such as the Coastal Clean Up.

Finally, Hamilo Coast and WWF will further push for environmental awareness by celebrating occasions that show respect for biodiversity. One is the annually held Earth Hour, during which time people are urged to shut down electricity to make a substantial difference in energy consumption. Individuals, organizations, and establishments also come together on Coral Triangle Day to shed light on ocean conservation and the ways we can protect and preserve the world’s epicenter of marine biodiversity.

Likewise, the development boasts the largest volunteer effort for the ocean’s health, made possible with the International Coastal Cleanup, where people gather on the Pico and Santelmo beaches to collect trash and record information on the collected debris.

For all these sustained efforts, WWF has awarded Hamilo Coast with the Longest Sustainability Partner Award, recognizing the development’s commitment to sustainable tourism and its positive impact on the Philippine tourism industry.

ABOUT HAMILO COAST

Hamilo Coast is a master-planned seaside residential community in Nasugbu, Batangas. Developed and managed by Costa del Hamilo, Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime. It is approximately 90 minutes from Manila via Cavitex and the Ternate-Nasugbu Road. For inquiries, call (632) 7-945-8000 or visit www.hamilocoast.com.