MCCI launches Bakery World 2023, aims to gather more than 5,000 delegates

MANDAUE CITY – The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) launched the 2^nd run of “Bakery World” 2023 and aims to gather more than 5,000 delegates as the chamber brings back the largest baking and food service exhibition in the Visayas—"Bakery World” 2023 scheduled on September 14-16 this year at the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Bakery World 2023 was launched in time with the induction of MCCI’s new set of officers and members of board, April 28 at Oakridge Business Park.  

In a press conference that followed, MCCI president Kelie Ko bared that Bakery World 2023 is expected to draw at least 185 booths at the exhibition area and the year 2023 is a very exciting yet critical year as the world finally emerges from the global pandemic.

“This is a time of new beginnings, of renewal, and change and new opportunities as we forge ahead to a new era. We are expecting more people to come because the bakery industry continuously thrives even during the pandemic, bakery business was good and there are so many aspects of the bakery world,” Ko said.

There are already 185 booths registered for the event from all over the country.  Bakery World 2023 aims to connect, transfer technology here as bakery materials supply are now improving in terms of access and availability, Ko added.

Ko said that the main issue of the bakery industry is that there are new products, innovations, alternative supplies in the industry coming from the US and other countries in the world, yet buyers from the Philippines cannot get them for many reasons.

“Bakery World 2023 gives us relevant exhibitors from all over the country, B2B ingredients and machines, equipment, alternative leads to innovations such as sugar, flours, new origins of healthier kind of materials,” Ko said.

Ko recalled that during the grand premier in 2018, Bakery World was able to draw 57 exhibitors in 113 booths who all came from the leading brands in the baking and food industry. It was attended by various personalities in the baking industry from the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and USA. There were more than 5,000 visitors who came during the three-day show.

The event also highlighted 20 baking demonstrations and seminars with 24 highly esteemed speakers from the baking and food industry.  Bakery World 2023 will also include educational and technical seminars by renowned personalities and experts from the food and bakery industry.

It aims to gather more than 5,000 delegates to attend this activity from Mandaue, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and other Visayas and Mindanao regions and also expecting members of the academe, the youth and non-government organizations to join.

Bakery World 2023 is organized and registered as IPO of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) as part of its mission of providing strategic services to its members and the business community.

It is also a major event of MCCI’s Mandaue Business Monthlong celebration with series of events geared towards promoting sustainable and socially-responsible entrepreneurship and strategically positioning Mandaue City and the Cebu Province to be an attractive destination for business and investment, in close collaboration with the Provincial Government of Cebu and the Local Government of Mandaue City.

MCCI is a business support organization composed of close to 500 member companies ranging from micro to large corporations. The Secretariat Office is located at 2F First Consolidated Bank Financial Center Building, A.C. Cortes Ave. Cor. P. Burgos St., Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, Cebu.

For more details, please contact Cyruz Honoridez at 0917 314 7912 or email us at info.bakeryworld@gmail.com or visit its website at www.bakeryworld.com or the MCCI Facebook Page facebook.com/MBMbyMCCI 

 

 

 

 

An evening of cultural experiences with 22 sites at “Gabii Sa Kabilin” on May 12

CEBU CITY – Step back in time and experience Sugbuanon culture at "Gabii Sa Kabilin" (GSK) on May 12, 2023 as the event returns this year in time for the National Heritage Month with 22 museum partners, new exhibits, and elevated improvements on the GSK night complimenting this year’s theme, “Pagpanag-iya” (Owning our Story).

According to Elisabeth Baumgart, Communications Manager at the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) that the Gabii sa Kabilin this year brings new and exciting activities for a more immersive historical journey, apart from visiting participating museums and heritage sites at night.  

GSK’s theme. “Pagpanag-iya” (Owning our Story) which commemorates the upcoming 125th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence will be showcased on how Filipinos were able to manipulate the trappings of colonialism to serve the interests as a people, and how they asserted their right to tell the story, Baumgart explained.

Many assume that the colonial projects undertaken in the country would gradually subsume, if not erase, the native way of life. However, this year’s theme highlights how the ancestors asserted their independence, their identity and sense of community, despite the corrosive nature of colonialism to serve the people’s interests, Baumgart added.

This year’s GSK sees the addition of the University of San Jose-Recoletos and Freedom Park as partner-sites, as well as the inclusion of outdoor exhibits to enhance the experience to the Gabii Sa Kabilin, Baumgart bared during the GSK media launching on April 26 at Fort San Pedro.

From 6PM to midnight, 22 partner museums and heritage sites located in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay will open their doors for guests to enjoy indoor and outdoor exhibits and cultural presentations, plus children’s activities, contests with cash prizes, food bazaars, outdoor exhibits, and other activities, all in one fun-filled night.

Where to buy GSK tickets. Ticket holders can walk or ride buses, as well as take a ride in a tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage), based on the type of ticket purchased. Tickets with bus Rides and one free tartanilla ride are priced at P300 and tickets without bus rides are priced at P200.

There will be a P20 off discount for senior citizens, PWDs, and students with ID. Additionally, children under seven years old can access the sites for free as long as they are accompanied by one adult GSK ticket holder.

Ticket can be purchased at any of the following participating museum and heritage sites: RAFI-The Kabilin Center, St. Theresa's College- Sr. Ma Delia Coronel Folklife Museum, Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum, University of the Philippines Cebu, University of San Carlos Museum, University of Southern Philippines Foundation - Rizaliana Museum, Fo Guang Shan Chu-Un Temple, University of San Jose – Recoletos, Freedom Park.

 Other museums/outlets to get tickets include-- Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu, Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Museum, Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City Museum, Fort San Pedro, Museo Sugbo, Museo Parian sa Sugbo - 1730 Jesuit House and Palm Grass Cebu The Heritage Hotel.  

One can also get tickets at Lapu-Lapu City and in Talisay City at the Museo De Talisay and Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus Nazareno Heritage of Faith Museum.

GSK ticketholders can once again participate in the highly anticipated GSK Heritage Hunt along with other event contests such as the Vlogging, Phonography, and Photo Story Contests. Registration to the contests is ongoing.

Event mechanics. The ticket provides entry to all the sites that guests choose to visit during the event. This year, there are two types of GSK tickets which are ticket with (bus and tartanilla) rides and ticket without rides to decongest bus rides throughout the GSK sites and these tickets are only valid on May 12, from 6PM until midnight.  Participants can also use the ticket numbers to join the contests to get a chance of winning cash prizes.

A celebration of Cebuano culture and history would not be complete without food. GSK now offers more food bazaars that feature a wide array of sumptuous local delicacies and dishes to keep participants fueled and hydrated throughout the event.

GSK 2023 is supported by the Cebu City Government, Talisay City Government, Lapulapu City Government, Philippine National Police, Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Cebu City Traffic Office, Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC), and the Cebu Chapter of the Radio Emergency Assistance Volunteer Organization (REAVO).

The GSK event was initiated by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Culture & Heritage Unit in 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

Tourism Promotions Board, Unique Event and Exhibition to host PH Digital Travel Fair 2023

 CEBU CITY – The Tourism Promotion Board Philippines (TPB) and Unique Event and Exhibition Pte Lt. (UEE) announced their partnership to host the Philippines Digital Travel Fair that will take place from August to December 2023.

“We are excited to be partnering with the Tourism Promotion Board Philippines in organizing this travel fair. We believe that this digital platform will provide a unique opportunity for tourism-related businesses in the Philippines to reach a wider audience and generate new leads and sales,” said Foong Cheng Hon, Chief Operating Officer of Unique Event and Exhibition.

In a press conference on April 27 at Bai Hotel Cebu, Cheng Hon called on the tourism industry stakeholders to join in this extraordinary journey and participate in this digital platform that is designed to promote tourism in the country and attract travelers from Asia, particularly from Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, to visit the Philippines.

 Cheng Hon said this series of travel fairs will leverage a virtual platform to showcase the Philippines’ best offerings, providing a worldwide audience with a captivating glimpse of its marvels.

"The Philippines Digital Travel Fair is a timely initiative that aims to provide our tourism stakeholders additional platform to market and promote their products and services to a wider audience of these targeted markets, helping in revitalizing the Philippine tourism industry,” Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles added.

As the travel industry begins to recover from the challenges of the past year, it's crucial to focus on key areas that will help businesses thrive in the future. One of the most important considerations is Cost Savings, as companies will need to be mindful of expenses in order to remain competitive, Nograles said.

Focusing on Cost Savings, Green Economy, and Digitalization, the travel industry can build a stronger, more resilient future.  Embracing the Green Economy will not only benefit the environment, but also attract customers who prioritize sustainable travel.

Finally, digitalization is an essential element of the modern travel experience, allowing companies to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and provide a more personalized service to their clients.

The Philippines Digital Travel Fair is set to launch between August to December 2023 and will feature various tourism-related businesses in the country, including hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, and airlines.  Participants will be able to showcase their products and services on the digital fair platform by offering special deals and discounts to potential customers.

UEE and the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines are inviting various travel and leisure sector businesses in the country, including hotels, resorts, destination management companies, tour operators and agencies, and transportation services providers to participate in the upcoming Philippines Digital Travel Fair.

Interested businesses can register their interest at www.philippinesdigitaltravelfair.com, or contact Sales Manager Din at din@uee.com.sg this is a good platform/way in promoting their company for limited budgetary requirements. 

CCLEX marks one year, earns nearly P800M with a stream of 3.6M users

CEBU CITY – The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) marked its one year of operations this month when it opened for motorists in 2022 and since then, the iconic and longest bridge in the country has seen a stream of 3.6 million motorists using the 8.9-km modern toll Expressway, with an estimated earning of nearly P800M over the past 12 months, contributing to the revival of tourism and Cebu’s local economy after the pandemic.

    

Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) president and general manager, Allan Alfon bared this in a press conference on April 27 at Fili All-day dining restaurant, Nustar. “We are happy to see the support and patronage we have received since we opened our expressway. We look forward to serving more motorists in the years to come," Alfon said.

Alfon pointed out that CCLEX's traffic has consistently been increasing month-to-month, from 6,000 average daily traffic on its opening week to double now at more than 12,500 per day, majority of CCLEX users are Class 1M or motorcycles with engine displacements 110cc to 399cc and Class 1 vehicles (motorcycles 400cc and up; cars, jeeps, pick-ups, and small vans).

In time for its one year of operations, CCLEX will be turning over P1.69 million each to Cebu City and Municipality of Cordova as their respective share of the expressway's income, Alfon bared.

Under the Joint Venture Agreement with the two local government units, Cebu City and Cordova will each receive a share of one percent of the annual toll revenues. Their respective shares are to be remitted not later than April 30 of each year throughout the 45-year concession period.

 Business and Tourism

"CCLEX has made it more convenient for people to go around Cebu. The increased mobility is good for business, especially retailers, because it brings increased foot traffic to our stores. It also makes it easier for us to move around our products," Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Cebu President Christian Paro-an noted.

For business leader Bunny Pages, chairman and CEO of The Pages Food Group, CCLEX has changed Cebu business for the better forever- especially those of them operating enterprises in the South Road Properties (SP).

"Conservatively, I credit CCLEX as the driver of the 30 to 50 percent increase in sales that our restaurants and food stores (Lantaw, ChixBoy BBQ, Matana Café, Manong's Butterfry Chicken, Mr. Sizzlers, Taters Snacks, Fruitful and Thirsty) have experienced in the past year,” Pages bared.

More importantly, its existence has made The SM Seaside Mall and Il Corso properties into attractive investment opportunities for entrepreneurs today. "As sports car enthusiast, I love driving my cars on CCLEX during weekends just to relax and enjoy Cebu from different point of view," Pages added.

According to Alfon that the expressway has also become the host of major sporting events in the past year—Ironman 70.3 Philippines, which gathered over 1,800 triathletes from 42 nations as well as Cebu Marathon which attracted over 8,000 runners from all over the country.

 More Developments

Alongside these milestones, Alfon bared that CCLEC has made further developments inside the expressway which included the opening of its temporary food park while preparation of the permanent Drive & Dine facility is underway.

CCLEC has also completed its solar farm as part of the company's efforts toward sustainability.  Looking ahead, CCLEC is eyeing to already open its pedestrian and bike lanes in May this year and the use of these bike lanes are free.

CCLEC is also closely working with the Cebu City Government for the CCLEX Guadalupe Ramps to open additional access to CCLEX at the center of Cebu City to V. Rama Ave. The Guadalupe Ramps are part of the Concession Agreement for CCLEX. It is a development project lobbied and initiated by the Cebu City Government to support the Guadalupe River Development Program.

For a more convenient CCLEX experience, CCLEC continues to encourage motorists to use and reload their RFIDs.  CCLEX was inaugurated on April 27, 2022 after four years of construction and was opened to the public on April 30, 2022.

CCLEX, which connects mainland Cebu through Cebu City's South Road Properties to the Mactan Island through the Municipality of Cordova, is the first toll road project outside Luzon of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), a publicly listed infrastructure holding company and member of the MVP Group of Companies.

MPTC is the largest toll road concessionaire and operator in the Philippines, which expansion goals include establishing toll operations in the Visayas, other parts of the Philippines, and in neighboring countries notably Vietnam, and Indonesia. (Photos: MBCNewman)