Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Growing appetite for poultry – Philippine market boosts production and imports

September is part of the rainy season in the Philippines, a time when pagkaing pang-ulan – warm, hearty dishes enjoyed on rainy days – are especially popular. Chicken features prominently in many of these dishes and has long been a familiar part of Filipino cuisine and a popular choice among consumers. But its importance extends far beyond seasonal menus. Chicken consumption in the Philippines continues to grow and, according to USDA forecasts, is expected to reach around 2.38 million tonnes in 2026. Rising demand is being met by increasing domestic production, complemented by imports, including supplies from the European Union.

Rising demand drives the poultry market

Growing chicken consumption in the Philippines is going hand in hand with higher domestic production. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, chicken consumption in the Philippines was estimated at 2.236 million tonnes in 2025, up from 2.060 million tonnes a year earlier – an increase of around 8.5%.

Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority also point to clear growth in domestic production. In the fourth quarter of 2025, poultry production reached 858.36 thousand tonnes, up 8.9% year on year. Chicken, which accounted for 71.5% of total poultry production, increased by 9.4% over the same period.

A growing market draws on multiple sources of supply

Alongside rising domestic production, imports provide an additional source of supply for the Philippine market. According to the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Philippines imported 540.5 thousand tonnes of chicken meat in 2025, 14.47% more than a year earlier. EU countries are also among the Philippines’ international suppliers. European Commission data show that 67.3 thousand tonnes of poultry were exported from the EU to the Philippines in 2025, up from 41.3 thousand tonnes the previous year – an increase of more than 63%. 

Poland was the largest EU supplier, exporting 45.4 thousand tonnes of poultry to the Philippine market in 2025, accounting for more than two-thirds of total EU exports to the country. In the first half of 2026, Poland accounted for around 84% of EU poultry supplies to the Philippines.

“Rising poultry consumption in the Philippines creates opportunities both for the development of local production and for cooperation with international suppliers. For importers, processors and the foodservice sector, reliable supply, product quality and food safety are key considerations. The EU poultry sector has extensive experience in serving international markets and can meet these needs by offering products produced in line with the common standards that apply across the European Union,” says Dariusz Goszczyński, President of the National Poultry Council – Chamber of Commerce (KRD-IG) in Poland.

Common standards for EU poultry production

Poultry production in the European Union is subject to common regulations covering areas such as food safety, hygiene, animal health and welfare, and traceability. At the same time, well-developed production and logistics infrastructure makes it possible to supply distant markets, including the Philippines.

The principles of European poultry production are presented to Filipino consumers and industry representatives through the “European Poultry – From Our Farms to Your Tables” campaign, co-funded by the European Union. The campaign aims to raise awareness of production standards and the origin of European poultry products.

Monday, September 28, 2026

The New Luxury in Aesthetics Is Collagen: Why MOLD Urban Premier Is Leading With XERF

 

MOLD Urban Premier is redefining luxury aesthetics in Makati with XERF, placing collagen stimulation, subtle results, and long-term skin quality at the center of its approach to advanced aesthetic care.

The idea of luxury in aesthetics is evolving. For increasingly discerning clients, premium care is becoming less about dramatic transformation and more about skin quality, subtle results, and treatments chosen with the future in mind.

MOLD Urban Premier (MUP), an advanced aesthetics concept in Makati, is building its approach around this shift.

At the center of its treatment portfolio is XERF, a non-surgical radiofrequency technology designed to deliver energy at multiple depths to support collagen remodeling and address concerns such as skin laxity and facial definition.

The decision to lead with XERF reflects MUP’s philosophy: “Aesthetics, considered over time.”

Rather than treating aesthetics as a series of isolated procedures, MUP takes a longer-term approach through its Assess, Prioritize, Treat, Preserve, Review method. The goal is to identify what a client needs now while considering how each treatment fits into their overall aesthetic plan.

Collagen plays an important role in that approach. As natural collagen production declines with age, changes in firmness, elasticity, and skin structure become more noticeable. Technologies that support collagen remodeling offer another way to approach these concerns without relying solely on treatments that immediately add volume or significantly alter facial features.

For MUP, this represents a more considered definition of premium care: knowing what to treat, when to treat it, and when additional intervention may not be necessary.

XERF also reflects the type of result MUP intends to champion. Collagen remodeling develops progressively, making the technology suited to clients who prefer improvements that emerge over time rather than an immediately obvious change.

This is particularly relevant as aesthetic preferences continue to move toward results that preserve individual features and allow patients to look refreshed without appearing noticeably treated.

With XERF as its hero technology, MOLD Urban Premier is positioning collagen not simply as another aesthetic trend, but as part of a broader movement toward longevity-minded care.

At MUP, the new luxury is not necessarily more treatment. It is better-timed, better-considered treatment designed to preserve what already looks like you.

About Mold Urban Premier

MOLD Urban Premier (MUP) is an advanced aesthetics and skin longevity clinic in Makati and the newest branch of MOLD Manila. MUP combines carefully selected aesthetic technologies with individualized treatment planning focused on skin tightening, collagen support, skin quality, regenerative aesthetics, facial refinement, and long-term maintenance.

Alden Richards and Casino Plus Build on their Partnership

 


 Multi-awarded Filipino actor Alden Richards expands his partnership with Casino Plus, one of the country's leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), building on a relationship that began in 2024 and has grown through shared values, responsible entertainment, and positive social community impact initiatives.

First introduced as the platform's inaugural male brand ambassador in 2024, Richards has since become one of the faces of the brand's responsible entertainment and community engagement initiatives. The partnership continues to build on the strong relationship between Richards and Casino Plus over the years.

Reflecting on the partnership, the A-list Filipino actor said he is particularly excited about the company's growing focus on creating meaningful social impact through its corporate social responsibility efforts.

“We were able to create something beautiful out of more than highlighting the brand,” Richards shared. “Right now, we are working on CSR campaigns, and I strongly believe that deepening this aspect of our relationship is where real impact happens.”

One of these initiatives is Hero For All, a nationwide search that recognizes ordinary Filipinos whose selfless acts of kindness have made a meaningful difference in their communities. The program is spearheaded by Casino Plus in partnership with the AR Foundation.

“We are very excited to make the people see the candidates na na-finalize namin because they all have compelling stories. They all have a certain inspiration to share. We are very much surprised that there are individuals like them who have not been highlighted enough in our society. We tend to forget the goodness in people so Hero For All is a reminder for that,” he said in an interview with Casino Plus.

When discussing the criteria for the candidates shortlisted for the campaign, Alden stressed that heart and purpose come first: “What we really look for is intention more than the impact. We want to give people inspiration. Kindness and goodness, may it be big or small, can go a long way.”

Beyond championing inspiring stories, Richards also underscored the importance of making responsible choices. “We are in charge of our choices. Since we are here as a brand that reminds people to be responsible in their choices and to avoid abuse of any opportunities or practices, we will keep on pushing for that. Anything that is enjoyed in excess is bad,” he added.

“When you look at a partnership that spans years, the results speak for themselves, but the foundation is built on character,” stated Casino Plus Head of Branding Roj Tirona. “His warmth, his authenticity, and the way people light up around him represent fun in its most genuine form—and that is exactly why he is the right face for Casino Plus.”

Tirona also expressed his gratitude to Richards for his continued trust and partnership, saying the company looks forward to launching more meaningful campaigns together in the future.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

About IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.
Casino Plus is a trusted online casino platform in the Philippines, duly licensed and regulated by the PAGCOR. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.
 

Carziqo Adds CM-EX Autonomous Ride-Hailing Vehicles to Los Angeles Operations

The company says its CM-EX rollout will support round-the-clock service in designated areas, alongside a platform reward initiative for eligible vehicle rentals.

Los Angeles runs on overlapping schedules. Early morning commutes give way to daytime appointments, evening gatherings and late-night journeys home. For mobility providers, serving that rhythm requires attention to both where vehicles operate and when they are available.

Carziqo has announced the introduction of its CM-EX autonomous ride-hailing series into its Los Angeles operations, with a service model described as “24/7 Operations, Monday to Sunday.”

According to the company, the vehicles will serve designated operating areas as part of its effort to develop more consistent availability throughout the week. The announcement also includes eligibility for the company’s Clean Energy Mobility Reward (CEMR) for qualifying CM-EX rentals, subject to the terms displayed on its platform.

Bringing Autonomous Mobility Into the Daily Routine

The CM-EX introduction places Carziqo’s Los Angeles development around a practical objective: supporting travel needs that extend beyond traditional business hours.

The company says its approach connects vehicle deployment with local demand and operational readiness. Rather than defining the rollout solely by the addition of a vehicle series, Carziqo is positioning it as a further step in coordinating the systems and services needed to keep a fleet available.

For passengers, the intended benefit is access to another mobility option within supported areas at different times of day. For the operator, delivering that availability requires planning around the changing needs of the service.

Carziqo states that coverage is limited to designated routes and operating areas. Individual journeys remain subject to vehicle availability and operating conditions; the announcement does not describe unrestricted service across all of Los Angeles.

What Round-the-Clock Operations Mean for the Fleet

A central feature of the announcement is the inclusion of Sunday in the CM-EX operating schedule.

Carziqo describes its seven-day model as a fleet-level approach to service continuity. Individual vehicles will still need time for charging, cleaning, inspections, preventive maintenance and technical checks.

According to the company, these requirements will be managed through vehicle-specific service windows, with scheduling informed by mileage, technical condition and operational demand. The objective is to coordinate essential maintenance while supporting the availability of the wider fleet.

That distinction helps explain the operational thinking behind the announcement. A 24-hour service model depends on vehicles moving between active service and scheduled care, supported by the planning needed to balance those responsibilities.

For Carziqo, the CM-EX rollout is therefore also a statement about how it intends to manage growth: pairing additional vehicle availability with the processes required to sustain operations.

A Clean Mobility Reward for Qualifying Rentals

Alongside the operational announcement, Carziqo says qualifying users who rent designated CM-EX vehicles during the applicable promotional period will be eligible for its Clean Energy Mobility Reward.

The initiative forms part of the company’s stated interest in encouraging participation in cleaner mobility. Eligibility requirements, reward calculations, promotional dates and crediting conditions will be governed by the details published on the Carziqo platform.

The company’s reward program should be distinguished from public clean-vehicle incentives. CEMR is presented as a Carziqo platform initiative, and participation does not by itself establish eligibility for a government subsidy or tax credit.

For users considering an eligible rental, the relevant vehicle listing and program terms provide the basis for understanding how the reward applies.

Developing Service Through Operational Consistency

The Los Angeles announcement reflects Carziqo’s emphasis on connecting autonomous mobility technology with everyday fleet management.

The company identifies vehicle readiness, maintenance coordination and clear service information as priorities for the CM-EX rollout. It also says future development will be guided by the practical needs of its operating areas.

Those priorities give the introduction a focus beyond the vehicle itself. The usefulness of an autonomous ride-hailing service ultimately depends on how effectively availability, coverage and operational support come together for the people using it.

Carziqo’s stated ambition is to make that combination part of a more accessible and efficiently managed mobility network. Its Los Angeles CM-EX operations represent the next step in that effort, with round-the-clock scheduling serving as a defining feature.

For a city whose journeys continue long after the conventional workday ends, the company is framing its latest rollout around a clear proposition: autonomous mobility designed to follow the rhythm of everyday life.

Further details about CM-EX availability, designated operating areas and Clean Energy Mobility Reward terms will be provided through Carziqo’s official website and platform.

 

Growing appetite for poultry – Philippine market boosts production and imports

September is part of the rainy season in the Philippines, a time when pagkaing pang-ulan – warm, hearty dishes enjoyed on rainy days – are e...