Franchise Negosyo Expo comes back to Cebu, August 1-2

CEBU CITY— The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) announces the holding of the biggest regional franchise show, the “Franchise Negosyo Para sa Region VII”, on August 1-2, at the Mountain Wing Atrium, SM Seaside City Cebu. 

More than 60 participating exhibitors are here in Cebu to showcase a diverse range of successful franchise brands from various industries, supported by allied suppliers for a comprehensive business setup gor this premier event designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and expand franchise opportunities in the Visayas region.

“We are thrilled once again to hold our yearly Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu, but this time making it bigger, better, and targeting the entire Region VII” said Chris Lim, CFE, Chairman of PFA.

This two-day event offers a unique platform for attendees to explore legitimate investment opportunities, learn about the basics of franchising, and connect directly with established franchisors and service providers. 

Attendees can also look forward to an enriching program of seminars and forums, including: How to Invest in the Right Franchise: A free seminar for would-be franchisees, offering essential guidance on making informed investment decisions. 

Franchise Forum: “Expanding Your Business Through Franchising”: A dynamic forum for those interested in growing their existing businesses through the franchise model. 

How to Franchise Your Business: A paid seminar specifically designed for aspiring franchisors, providing a comprehensive guide to franchising their own concepts. This will be at the Summit Galleria Hotel on Aug 2, 2025. 

Lim noted that this expanded scale reflects Cebu’s growing importance as a major economic powerhouse and a vital contributor to the country’s prosperity. This event reaffirms PFA’s unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurship by empowering more Filipinos in this region with accessible pathways to business ownership and growth.

Kenneth Lim, PFA Director for Western Visayas, emphasized Cebu’s strategic importance: “With Cebu sustaining its trillion-peso GDP and its position as a gateway to the Visayas makes it an ideal location for franchise expansion. The entrepreneurial spirit here is strong, and we believe ‘Franchise Negosyo Para sa Region VII’ will catalyze countless new ventures, contributing significantly to the region’s prosperity.” 

The event is FREE and open to the public and is an ideal opportunity for individuals looking to start their own business, diversify their investments, or simply learn more about the booming franchise sector in the Philippines. (Photos: PFA/SM-Rosemarie Rodriguez)

Organizers launch Cebu Marathon 2026, unveil AIMS-Certified race with new route

CEBU CITY— The Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), organizer of the Cebu Marathon calls all local and international runners to join the Cebu Marathon 2026 that is officially scheduled on January 11, 2026 starting at SM Seaside City Cebu passing through the iconic CCLEX Bridge and other routes around Cebu City. 

Backed by nearly two decades of history, this premier long-distance road race is once again poised to be a major highlight in the Philippine sports calendar and described as the liveliest and most colorful and festive marathon in the Philippines, inspired by the Sinulog Festival. 

“Our designs—since the beginning, we’ve always associated the Cebu Marathon with the Sinulog Festival, that’s why our design direction has always embraced a festive theme full of colors — inspired by Sinulog,” one of the founders of Cebu Marathon Meyrick Jacalan shared.

Steve Ferraren, a highly accomplished marathoner with over 45 marathons and ultra-marathons under his belt shared the history of the Cebu marathon’s consistent date on the second Sunday of the year and the distances offered, including the 25k and 24k races from 2024. 

The return to the original 42k marathon distance and the unchanged fees, are to encourage participants to join the 42k race and highlighting the marathon’s certification by World Athletics and its implications for qualifying for events like the Boston Marathon, Ferraren said.

CERC said, this year’s edition marks a milestone with AIMS certification, aligning Cebu Marathon with international marathon standards and opening doors for participants to qualify for global races.

John Pages, one of the founders also said, the Cebu Marathon 2026 is raising the bar with its official AIMS certification, allowing runners to gain global recognition and qualify for international races. 

Pages added that this year’s race route has been enhanced to showcase Cebu’s most iconic landmarks, including the breathtaking Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX)—a highlight for both local and visiting runners. With over 13,000 participants expected from across the globe, the event continues to strengthen Cebu’s place on the world stage of long-distance running.

Early Bird Registration Now Open

Runners eager to secure their slots can take advantage of the Early Bird Promo, which runs from July 18 to August 31, 2025. Joel Juarez, Cebu Marathon race director, shared the official race routes, gun start times, and race categories. Participants who register early will enjoy discounted rates and free CCM26 visors for the first batch of 2026 registrants.

Key Registration Dates include; for 42K & 21K registration opens July 18, 2025 and the 10K & 5K registration opens on August 1, 2025. Early Bird Rates (until August 31, 2025) are as follows— 42K at PhP 2,499; 21K at PhP 2,299; 10K at PhP 999 and 5K at PhP 999.

Race Categories and Gun Start Times: 42K Marathon – 12:00 AM; 21K Half Marathon – 3:00 AM; 10K Race – 4:30 AM & 5K Fun Run – 5:30 AM. 

Each package includes premium race kits, with race shirts, medals, souvenir shirts, and towels for longer distances. Island Souvenirs designed the shirts for the marathon. ‎

“We’re not just organizing a run, we’re showcasing Cebu’s spirit and world-class hospitality. Our partnerships with top brands, government agencies, and safety teams ensure that runners will enjoy a smooth, secure, and memorable experience,” John Pages added. 

In 2025, the Cebu Marathon welcomed participants from 43 countries, solidifying its place as a key player in the country’s sports tourism. The Cebu Marathon 2026 edition promises to be the biggest and most vibrant race yet, Pages said. 

For full details and registration links visit http://www.cebumarathon.com.ph, and event updates. (Photos: MBCNewman)

MEZ2 Estate strategic in Cebu’s trade, export growth

LAPU-LAPU CITY – MEZ2 Estate is a 63-hectare PEZA-registered zone built to support businesses through reliable infrastructure, scale-ready facilities, and seamless trade connectivity and it sits right next to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), connecting locators to global markets with speed and ease.

Designed and developed by Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates and operated in partnership with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIA), MEZ2 Estate offers a range of ready-built warehouse spaces from 3,500 to 40,000 sqm. as well as leasable industrial lots suitable for light manufacturing, export processing, and logistics operations.

These are supported by dependable utilities including power, water, and telecommunications, and complemented by on-site PEZA and Customs offices that enable faster clearances and efficient export processing.

“With its strategic location beside one of the country’s major international gateways, MEZ2 Estate gives exporters and logistics players a decisive advantage.  Time and reliability are critical in trade, and our estate’s proximity to both the airport and the Cebu seaport allows our locators to respond to international demand with greater speed and flexibility,” said Monica Trajano, Vice President for Commercial Strategy of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates.

As of December 2024, MEZ2 Estate has contributed a cumulative USD 9.24 billion in exports, a strong indicator of its value to export-oriented locators that rely on both air and sea freight to serve international markets, Trajano noted.

MEZ2 Estate powers global trade from Cebu being a premier base for export manufacturing and logistics in the Visayas.  It is home to over 40 locators and more than 12,000 workers across high-value sectors such as electronics, garments, medical equipment, and home furnishings, many of which require consistent connectivity to global supply chains through Cebu’s air and sea transport links, Trajano added.

MEZ2 Estate operates as a complete industrial ecosystem, designed to support sustained growth and business productivity:  iMEZ Building, a PEZA-accredited office hub for BPO, administrative support, and shared services.

 

The Outlets at MEZ2 Estate, the first true outlet retail destination in Visayas and Mindanao, offer global brands, dining options, and daily essentials. It has a transport terminal that improves accessibility and mobility for the estate’s workforce and Infrastructure backed by the Aboitiz Group’s capabilities in power, water, and telecommunications.

With access to two of Cebu’s key gateways, the MCIA and the Cebu International Port, MEZ2 Estate is a crucial point contributor to the Visayas’ industrial momentum and a powerful platform for businesses scaling in the global market.

To learn more about warehouse and industrial space availability at MEZ2 Estate visit www.aboitizeconomicestates.com or email sales.leasing@aboitiz.com. (Photos: MEZ2/Google Images)

 

 

 

11 finalists from Visayas pitch projects for Filipinnovation Awards 2025

CEBU CITY— Eleven finalists from the Visayas pitched their respective startup projects before a panel of judges for the Filipinnovation Awrds 2025 Visayas Sub-National Competition, July 17 at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu City. 

The Filipinnovation Awards is an annual competition that aims to showcase Filipino innovators who are prepared for early-stage commercialization, encourage stakeholders to actively participate in innovation, not only to demonstrate their capabilities and achievements but also to make significant contributions to the national agenda of fostering a culture of innovation, Innovation Staff, DEPDev, Dianne Gail Maharjan said in her briefing at the event.

The selection process includes a national call for applications, eligibility checks, and pitching sessions. From 568 registrations, 11 semi-finalists were selected from the Visayas. The finalists will undergo coaching and mentoring in Metro Manila, with the final award ceremony scheduled for October 2025. 

The finalists will undergo coaching and mentoring in Metro Manila, with the final award ceremony scheduled for October 2025.

The awards cover three categories that include food security, learning poverty, and health and well-being and it aim to showcase Filipino capabilities and provide a platform for collaboration among innovation ecosystem players, Majarjan added.

The awards are open to all private enterprises or individuals who are Filipino citizens or 100% Filipino-owned enterprises and participants must be DTI or SEC registered and in the early stage of commercialization.

The awards support innovators who need financial and market support to mass produce and enter the market. The call for applications was announced in January and closed on March 20, 2024. Each cluster, including NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, conducted their own eligibility checks.

The sub-national finalists pitch their innovations, and three wildcards will be selected by the executive steering committee. The 15 finalists will undergo coaching and mentoring in Metro Manila, leading to the final awarding ceremony in October 2025. 

The award for the Filipino Innovator includes a cash prize of around P3.5 million, technical assistance, and exposure to international events, while the remaining finalists will also receive a consolation prize of P250K each, also subject to tax, and support from mentors and experts as a significant part of the prize package. (Photos: MBCNewman)

141 exhibitors from 25 provinces in PH join Bohol Sandugo Trade Expo 2025

 TAGBILARAN CITY – Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo 2025 kicked off on July 15 to 20 at the Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Bohol Provincial Office in cooperation with the Alturas Group of Companies and Island City Mall with the support from the Provincial Government of Bohol and the City Government of Tagbilaran with 141 exhibitors from Central Visayas and from other regions in the Philippines, showcasing the finest products of Filipino craftsmanship, creativity from the DTI’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen
Program.

DTI-Bohol organizers said, this year’s Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo features around 141 exhibitors from 25 provinces across 10 regions in the Philippines making it one of the most diverse and expansive editions of the event to date, showcasing uniquely curated display of local craftsmanship, culture and commerce.

“This year’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) Trade Expo brings together an exciting mix of local and national exhibitors, all aiming to elevate Filipino-made products to the global stage, made by qualified Micro, Small ad Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and we are expecting about 40,000 daily foot traffic from opening day on July 15 to July 20,” DTI-Bohol Prov’l Director, Vierna Teresa Ligan said.

This year, the Trade Expo displays a diverse range of products from the processed food, wearables and homestyle; health and wellness, and furniture sectors. Exhibitors not only from Central Visayas but from all over the country including NCR, Regions 3, 4A, 4B, 6, 8, 10, 11 and the CARAGA region bring their best products to connect with buyers, partners, and consumers.

The expo has a wide range of products including artisan bags, home décor, native kitchenware, bamboo furniture, organic beverages, cacao-based treats, wellness products, and more—all of which tell stories of tradition, innovation, and community resilience.

Organizers said, the event offers a convergence of talents and traditions giving the visitors a chance to experience not just the soul of Bohol but also the creativity of other regions—from hand-loomed textiles of Mindanao, to Ilocano handwoven baskets, to the modern resin art from Visayas, and specialty food items from Luzon.

“The trade expo isn't just local; it's a national showcase for a global audience.  Each product is a conversation piece—about heritage, material innovation, and the people behind the craft. Visitors can interact with exhibitors, learn the stories behind the items, and even discover how to get involved in the local creative economy,” organizers added.

The Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo is more than just a trade fair, it is a celebration of inclusive enterprise development. It provides exposure and market access for small producers, including agrarian reform communities, women’s groups, indigenous peoples, returning OFWs, and out-of-school youth supported through DTI’s programs.

Keynote message of DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group highlighted the role of innovation, market access, and digital transformation in propelling local products onto a larger stage. She commended the collective efforts of all stakeholders in supporting Filipino entrepreneurs. (Photos: DTI-Bohol)

 

Jetstar launches direct flights from Australia to Cebu via Brisbane

LAPULAPU CITY -- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) makes history in December with the launch of the first-ever direct connection between Australia and Cebu, as Jetstar Airways introduces seasonal nonstop flights between Brisbane and Cebu starting December 3, 2025.

The new service, which will operate three times weekly, marks a major milestone for the Philippines’ second-busiest international gateway, further cementing Cebu’s position as a vital hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jetstar’s new Brisbane-Cebu route will be serviced by the airline’s modern and fuel-efficient Airbus A321LR, offering travelers a convenient and cost-friendly way to experience the pristine beaches, world-class diving, and rich culture of the Visayas region.

“Following our efforts to open Cebu to more new routes, this is a big step. Over the past months, our teams have worked closely to explore this opportunity, and we are pleased that this is finally happening.  Jetstar’s presence in Cebu will not only strengthen our airport’s connectivity but also open new doors for tourism and trade between the Philippines and Australia,” Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz Infracapital Cebu Airport Corporation, operator of MCIA said.

This Brisbane-Cebu route is part of Jetstar’s larger push into the Philippines, giving more Australians the chance to visit top destinations in the Philippines. Jetstar’s expansion also supports MCIA’s goal to grow its international network, bring in more airline partners, and make travel easier and more accessible for passengers.

The new route is expected to bring more tourists to Cebu, helping local businesses, resorts, and tour operators in the province and nearby areas.  To celebrate the launch, Jetstar has rolled out special sale fares from just $188 AUD one-way from Brisbane to Cebu. Bookings are now available at jetstar.com. 

 

 

55 nominees in 7 categories vie for the 4th CTHA 2025

CEBU CITY – Fifty-five nominees from seven categories to vie for the best and excellence in tourism and hospitality industry in Cebu during the 4^th Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards (CTHA), a program that honors outstanding individuals who embody service, professionalism, and excellence in the sector to be held on August 13, 2025 at the Ayala Center Cebu.

In a media briefing on July 14 at Seda Central Bloc Hotel, bigwigs in the hospitality industry and members of the Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI) took to the stage and spotlighted the people behind Cebu’s thriving tourism sector through the introduction of the awards and the nominees.

"We envisioned the CTHA to be a platform to highlight the high-caliber people we have, those who are passionate and dedicated to delivering true Cebuano hospitality to the world. To be a world-class MICE destination, we must offer not just beautiful venues but excellent service driven by a heart for hospitality,” said Mia Singson-Leon, HRRACI-President and General Manager of Quest Hotel.

Ron Manalang, CTHA chair and Seda Central Bloc Cebu General Manager bared that by honoring these individuals, the sector inspires others to follow a path of excellence. HRRACI wants to show the country and the world how good these people are when it comes to hospitality.

Josef Victor Chiongbian, member, HRRACI-Board of Trustees bared that the CTHA has grown from 30 when it started to 55 nominees this year.  The pride in showcasing Cebu as a global tourism destination and the significance of being nominated cannot be ignored.

“The event which is a celebration of hospitality superstars, will culminate in an awards ceremony on August 13, with the results being a bonus for the nominees who have already brought pride to Cebu,” Chiongbian said in his opening message.

The first three awards categories include the Front of the House Employee of the Year; Heart of the House Employee of the Year and the Supervisor of the Year, which have nine nominees for each category.

The Best Marketing Campaign of the Year category has four nominees, while the Hospitality and Tourism Educator of the Year has two Universities vying for the awards and the Sustainability Champion of the Year category has seven nominees.  The Hotel and Resort Manager of the Year has 15 nominees vying for the award.

HRRACI board of trustees, HR managers, GMs and industry colleagues agreed that the CTHA event celebrates excellence in Cebu’s hospitality industry, recognizing outstanding individuals and establishments.

“The award is a recognition of an individual's valued contribution to the hospitality industry, offering a plaque as a symbol of this recognition, it is non-monetary, focusing on dignity and honor. A past winner whose salary doubled after winning is a testimony of the potential financial benefits of winners,” Alfred Reyes, VP Operations and GM of Bai Hotel Cebu noted.

CTHA began in 2022 at a time when the industry was still reeling from the impact of COVID-19. Amid disruptions, shortened work hours, and health risks, many front liners continued to serve guests with professionalism and care. This is a platform to recognize individuals in the hospitality and tourism industry who have demonstrated outstanding service, resilience, and leadership, Manalang said. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

ANTHILL Fabric Gallery showcases Cebu’s “Hablon” as an art form

CEBU CITY – The ANTHILL Fabric Gallery in Cebu opened an inaugural textile exhibition dubbed as “Habol, Hablon, Hinablon: Until Now, we learn” featuring the works of artist Jessica Durano and master weaver John Ray Sanchez at its location at Pedro Calomarde St, Cor Acacia St, Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City in celebration of the gallery’s 15^th anniversary in July 2025.

ANTHILL is owned and managed by Anya Lim and the exhibition is curated by Kaye Yuvallos, an arts-based researcher from New York, who is also a Cebuana in a collaboration highlighting the evolution of weaving as an art form and a cultural expression in Cebu.

“Weaving has long shaped Cebu’s material landscape, but its role in identity and livelihood remains complex. In Argao, for instance, weaving was not considered integral to tribal identity yet, its persistence in Cebu has endured in histories that saw bustling trade, cultural shifts, and colonization,” Lim said in her opening message.

“Habol, Hablon, Hinablon” are three Cebuano words which form the heart of the exhibition that traces and transforms the relationships embedded in them; Habol means a blanket or cloth to warm or cover; Hablon is the act of weaving and Hinablon is the finished woven cloth, be it a blanket, an art piece, bags, dresses, home and table décor and many more, Lim explained.

Lim said that ANTHILL, on its 15^th anniversary, reopened its doors not just as a fashion retail store and textile shop, but as a living fabric gallery to deepen its commitment in elevating weaving beyond utility; honoring it as an art form, a language of identity, and a medium of self-expression for memory, movement, and meaning by featuring local talents and artists.

The artists behind the art exhibitions

Jessica Durano is a fashion and textile designer from Cebu City and the founder of Damgo Studio and co-founder of fashion label Kinabuhi. She is known for her work in sustainable design and community engagement, previously working for John Rey Sanchez

John Rey Sanchez is a Cebuano weaver with a background in product development who is deeply knowledgeable about local weaving traditions.  He initially trained in banig weaving from his mother and has expanded his practice across multiple fiber techniques and has collaborated with designers across the Philippines.

Durano and Sanchez each present three new works developed through a months-long collaborative curatorial process that explored identity and authorship, the intertwined nature of tradition and commercialization, and emotional and gendered labor.

Many learn to weave from their mothers, as did Sanchez, despite not coming from a tribal community but each work on view honors the tradition of Cebuano weaving by elevating the practice as a site where personal history and imagination uncover new ways of being.

Durano’s work in sustainable fashion and community textile design emphasized environmental and social responsibility. However, in this exhibition, she turns inward. Her piece Luwas (Safe) rethinks comfort through coarse abaca fibers, subverting expectations of softness in a comfort object. Her Diwa (Spirit) series uses local materials and dried flowers to trace key transitions in her life.

“It was moving and challenging. I finally see how textile weaving is a way of finding who you are. Weaving communities always embed themselves in the piece, and I now connect with this deeply as I express myself through the loom,” Durano said.

For Sanchez, the exhibition marks his first public presentation as an artist after decades of working behind the scenes in Philippine weaving production. His works, including Kahupayan (Comfort) and Pagsubang (The Sun Rises) are also imbued with familial touch, especially from his wife Mymy, who collaborated with him on several works.

In Pagsubang, he reveals that he is stepping out of the cave of anonymity and into a life shaped by self-determined meaning.  “I’ve been behind the scenes for 20 years. Now it’s my time. I’m stepping out of the cave,” Sanchez added.

Art curator Kaye Yuvallos described the exhibition as a shared offering.  “This isn’t a show about polished artifacts or fixed identities. It’s about making space for becoming and how stories are made through, as well as by, making. Weaving, as with our ancestors, continues to be a way to sense oneself more deeply and to welcome others to do the same,” Yuvallos said, in a zoom link from New York.

Yuvallos is a Cebuano arts-based researcher and designer based in New York and her work focuses on the intersections of material culture and identity, particularly in communities shaped by migration and colonial histories.

“Habol, Hablon, Hinablon: Until now, we learn, reminds us how care, creativity, and legacy live not just in the woven but in the hands that continue to weave. A reminder that tradition, like the self, is still unfolding. “Until now, we learn,” Sanchez said, putting meaning into the art exhibit.

Reflections on the Exhibition

ANTHILL owner Anya Lim reflected on the depth and meaning behind the collaboration, the integration of weaving into the Filipino identity and the impact on the artists and the community they worked with, giving voices to weavers, the elegance and dignity of the art and the simplicity and storytelling power of the artist’s techniques.

“ANTHILL’s role is to provide the venue in showcasing local talents and artists, their works and the dignity to their craft. The Gallery conveys the dignity and importance of weaving in Filipino heritage,” Lim said. (Photos: MBCNewman/ANTHILL Fabric Gallery)