Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Smart Manufacturing s Electronics Evolution: Philippines PMAX and EMAX 2026 Set to Drive Industry 4.0 Transformation in Manila


MANILA, Philippines — As the Philippine industrial ecosystem undergoes a rapid technological transformation, two of the nation’s premier industrial trade exhibitions are joining forces to accelerate the region's manufacturing capabilities. The 2nd Edition of the Philippines Manufacturing Automation Expo (PMAX) 2026 and the Philippines Electronics Manufacturing Expo (EMAX) 2026 will co-locate from September 23 to 25, 2026, at Function Room 5 of the SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City.

With global supply chains demanding greater agility, higher precision, and sustainable production models, Philippines PMAX and EMAX 2026 arrive at a crucial juncture for the Philippines. Together, the event will bridge the gap between global technology providers and domestic plant managers, system integrators, design engineers, and industrial decision-makers.

Unified Support from Government Agencies and Industry Leaders

Reflecting the national significance of industrial modernization, Philippines PMAX and EMAX 2026 are backed by an extensive coalition of key Philippine government bodies, foreign trade offices, and technical professional associations.

Registration and Visitor Entry Information

Admission to the exhibition floor, technical pavilions, and open seminar zones is complimentary for qualified trade professionals, industry executives, factory engineers, and academic delegates.

·        Pre-Registration: Attendees are strongly encouraged to register in advance online at www.emax-ph.com or www.pmax-ph.com to receive fast-track digital badges and bypass on-site registration lines.

·        On-Site Entry Requirements: Visitors must present a valid business card at the registration counters upon arrival.

· Dress Code Entry Policy: The event is strictly open to business and trade visitors. Attendees must adhere to a business or smart casual dress code (shorts, sleeveless shirts, and slippers are strictly prohibited). For safety reasons on the operational exhibition floor, minors aged 17 and below will not be permitted entry into the exhibition halls.

About Fireworks Trade Exhibitions & Conferences Philippines, Inc.

Fireworks Trade Exhibitions C Conferences Philippines, Inc. is a member of the Fireworks Trade Media Group, one of Asia’s largest independently owned trade media and exhibition organizers. With decades of international experience, Fireworks specializes in organizing high-impact B2B industrial, electronics, and technology trade shows across Southeast Asia, connecting global technology innovators with dynamic emerging markets.

MOLD Manila Expands Wellness Services With the Launch of the MOLD NAD⁺ Drip

 

The MOLD NAD⁺ Drip is now available at MOLD Manila's Quezon City clinics. The IV wellness infusion complements the clinic's existing non-surgical aesthetic treatments and is offered following a professional consultation to determine suitability for each client.

Quezon City, Philippines — MOLD Manila has announced the launch of the MOLD NAD⁺ Drip, expanding its range of services to include intravenous wellness infusions alongside its established portfolio of non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

The addition reflects the clinic's broader approach to aesthetic care, recognizing the growing interest among clients in wellness services that complement their skincare and aesthetic goals.

NAD⁺, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in every living cell. It plays an important role in cellular processes involved in energy metabolism and other biological functions. Research has shown that NAD⁺ levels naturally decline with age, contributing to continued scientific interest in its role in overall cellular health.

The MOLD NAD⁺ Drip is administered intravenously by trained healthcare professionals in a clinical setting. Before treatment, clients undergo a consultation to review their health history, discuss their wellness goals, and determine whether the treatment is appropriate for their individual needs.

"At MOLD Manila, we believe aesthetic care extends beyond appearance," said Adrielle Costales, Founder and CEO of MOLD Manila. "By introducing the MOLD NAD⁺ Drip, we're expanding our services to support clients who are looking for a more holistic approach to wellness alongside their aesthetic treatments."

The introduction of IV wellness therapy marks another step in MOLD Manila's continued expansion of its service offerings, which include facial sculpting, skin rejuvenation, body contouring, and physician-guided wellness treatments.

The MOLD NAD⁺ Drip is available at both MOLD Manila branches in White Plains and Baesa, Quezon City.

Individuals interested in learning more about the treatment may schedule a consultation to discuss their wellness goals and determine whether the MOLD NAD⁺ Drip is an appropriate option for them.

About MOLD Manila

MOLD Manila is a premium, clinician-led aesthetic clinic based in Quezon City, Philippines. Known for its technology-driven, non-surgical treatments and personalized care, the clinic specializes in skin rejuvenation, non-invasive contouring, laser treatments, and IV wellness therapies. MOLD Manila is committed to education-first, results-driven aesthetics designed for real Filipino skin.


Kevin Tan Brings Years of Beef Sourcing Expertise to Gyukatsu まつ村's Manila Debut

 

preview  Before becoming a restaurateur, Kevin Tan built his career sourcing premium beef for the Philippine market. That expertise became the foundation of Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay, the Japanese restaurant now expanding to Bonifacio Global City with the opening of Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC.

Long before he opened a restaurant, Kevin Tan spent years understanding the one ingredient that would eventually define it. While many restaurateurs begin with a menu and source ingredients afterward, Tan developed his expertise in premium beef first—an approach that would later shape Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay.

Representing the second generation of a family involved in the Philippine meat import industry, Tan spent years behind the scenes learning the craftsmanship required to produce exceptional beef. His experience with marbling, breed characteristics, aging techniques, provenance, and the logistics required to preserve quality gave him a perspective more commonly associated with importers and butchers than restaurant operators.

Kevin Tan's participation in international beef seminars strengthened his expertise in premium beef sourcing.
Kevin Tan's participation in international beef seminars strengthened his expertise in premium beef sourcing.

That background continues to shape the philosophy behind Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay and now its Metro Manila expansion, Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC.

"I believe gyukatsu can become the next major food movement in the Philippines—the way pickleball rapidly emerged as a new lifestyle trend. As the samgyupsal wave begins to mature, Filipino diners are ready for a fresh, interactive Japanese dining experience, and gyukatsu is well positioned to meet that demand. We are not simply in the business of selling dishes. In many ways, we operate like a technology company in the food industry: constantly studying consumer behavior, identifying emerging trends, testing new ideas, improving our systems, and innovating before the market becomes saturated. When a restaurant or food concept in Japan consistently draws one- to two-hour lines, it tells us that demand is greater than supply. We see that as a problem worth solving. Our role is to bring these sought-after Japanese food experiences closer to Filipinos—preserving their authentic foundation while thoughtfully refining them for the Filipino palate. Our vision is to make premium Japanese food more accessible through exceptional products, excellent service, continuous innovation, and fair pricing. We are not merely following trends; we aim to identify, localize, and help shape the next generation of dining experiences in the Philippines."

Founded under Ikigai International Restaurant OPC, named after the Japanese philosophy of purposeful living, Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay specializes in gyukatsu, a lightly breaded, deep-fried beef cutlet served rare to medium rare and finished by diners on a hot stone at the table. For Tan, the dish is only as good as the beef beneath its crisp coating. Its simplicity leaves little room to hide imperfections, making sourcing one of the most important elements of the experience.

“Most restaurants buy from a distributor and trust what they receive,” Tan said. “We start with the beef we know is right and build the dish around it.”

Gyukatsu Boracay quickly became a must-visit destination for travelers seeking authentic Japanese beef dining.
Gyukatsu Boracay quickly became a must-visit destination for travelers seeking authentic Japanese beef dining.

Since opening in Boracay, Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay has become a destination for travelers seeking a Japanese beef dining experience rarely found elsewhere in the Philippines. Visitors who first discovered the restaurant while vacationing on the island have continued to follow the brand long after returning home, with many returning on subsequent trips and introducing friends and family to the restaurant.

Its signature set meals, which pair gyukatsu with carefully selected Japanese accompaniments, have attracted tourists, local residents, and food enthusiasts who appreciate the consistency and quality of the dining experience.

Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC brings the Boracay experience to the heart of Bonifacio Global City.
Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC brings the Boracay experience to the heart of Bonifacio Global City.

This September, Tan brings that same philosophy to Metro Manila with Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC at Park Triangle Mall in Bonifacio Global City—a dining district known for discerning diners and a constantly evolving culinary landscape.

The new restaurant will operate with the same sourcing network, quality standards, and operational discipline that have defined Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay since its opening, allowing the team to maintain consistency from ingredient selection through final preparation.

“Growth”, Tan says, “has always been intentional”. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, Ikigai International Restaurant OPC opens new restaurants only when it can replicate the same sourcing standards, operational discipline, and guest experience that established the Boracay restaurant. In the case of Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC, years of requests from Metro Manila diners made the decision a natural next step.

For Tan, the expansion is not simply about opening another restaurant.

It is about bringing the same commitment to craftsmanship, sourcing, and Japanese hospitality that defined Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay to a new audience in the country’s capital.

Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC is scheduled to open at Park Triangle Mall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, in early September 2026.

Your next Japanese dining experience starts here. Reserve your table today.
Your next Japanese dining experience starts here. Reserve your table today.
About Gyukatsu BGC
Ikigai International Restaurant OPC is a Philippine-based restaurant company founded by entrepreneur Kevin Tan. The company operates Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay and will open Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC in Bonifacio Global City in September 2026. Its name is inspired by the Japanese concept of ikigai, which refers to living with purpose.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

KasKasan Buddies Declares: “There Is No Such Thing as Responsible Gambling”

 

KasKasan Buddies (KKB), the Philippines' #1 personal finance community with over 2 million members across platforms, has taken a firm public stand against the “responsible gambling” language increasingly used by online betting and casino apps, warning that no such label can make a habit built on risking money Filipinos cannot afford to lose any safer.

“We don't do 'responsible gambling.' Kasi walang responsible kapag sugal na ang usapan,” the community said in a statement posted to its official Facebook page. According to KKB, financial freedom starts with discipline — from consistent saving to avoiding debt traps. But the community pointed to a more dangerous trap hiding in plain sight: online gambling and betting apps that shelter behind language like “free giveaway” or “responsible gaming,” specifically targeting the Filipinos who are most financially vulnerable.

A POPULATION BEING PULLED INTO RISK

KKB pointed to the scale of the shift as evidence the trend is deliberate, not incidental. From roughly 469,000 online gambling players recorded in 2018, the number has grown to nearly 32 million Filipinos today — close to half of the country's working-age population.

Citing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Financial Inclusion Survey, KKB noted that 75% of Filipinos still do not invest, largely due to a lack of financial knowledge, fear of risk, or limited access to legitimate financial products. Without that foundation, the community argued, more Filipinos are left exposed to gambling platforms that promise instant winnings instead of being guided toward saving and investing the right way.

WHERE KKB STANDS

“We don't do 'responsible gambling.' Kasi walang responsible kapag sugal na ang usapan.”

KKB was direct about what sits behind the stance: the house — or the app — is designed to keep winning, and the only money that is truly “sulit” is the money still intact the next day. Rather than chasing fast, high-risk winnings, the community said it will continue steering Buddies toward legitimate, sustainable paths to grow their money.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR KKBUDDIES

•  High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSA) as a safer place to grow idle funds.

•  Pag-IBIG MP2 as a government-backed, long-term savings option.

•  Legitimate, regulated investment products as alternatives to speculative gambling and betting apps.

•  Continued financial literacy content from KKB to help Buddies build real saving and investing habits from the ground up.

A CLEAR LINE, NO EXCEPTIONS

KKB was explicit that the position applies without exception: “KasKasan Buddies will never promote any online gambling platform, whether casino, sportsbook, or digital betting app, regardless of any offer or partnership presented to us.”

KasKas Wisely, KKBuddies.

ABOUT KASKASAN BUDDIES

KasKasan Buddies (KKB) is the Philippines' #1 finance community and app, empowering Filipinos to “KasKas Wisely” through accessible financial literacy, budgeting tools, and exclusive credit card deals. With over 2 million community members and 520,000+ app users, KKB partners with major banks and government agencies to make personal finance a healthy, open conversation for every Filipino.

#KasKasanBuddies #KasKasWisely

About KasKasan Buddies Ventures Corporation

KasKasan Buddies (KKB) is the Philippines' #1 finance community and app, empowering Filipinos to “KasKas Wisely” through accessible financial literacy, budgeting tools, and exclusive credit card deals. With over 2 million community members and 520,000+ app users, KKB partners with major banks and government agencies to make personal finance a healthy, open conversation for every Filipino.

Alsons Power strengthens retail electricity supply, targets more customers as ERC lowers threshold

 Alsons Power Group is accelerating the expansion of its Retail Electricity Supply (RES) business as the Company continues to broaden its po...