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Cebu’s Borromeo Motoring taps COREnergy for 20 Luzon dealerships

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Borromeo Motoring Group has partnered with COREnergy to power 20 of its Luzon automotive sites under the Retail Aggregation Program (From L–R): Arlo Sarmiento, Chief Executive Officer, Vivant Corporation; Jose Daniel Borromeo, President, Motor Ace Philippines, Inc.; Marco Borromeo, President, Sakura Autoworld, Inc.; Andre Rafael Borromeo, General Manager, Fairlane Automotive Ventures, Inc.; Marko Sarmiento, Vice President and Head of Operations, COREnergy; Maxcy Francisco Borromeo, President, Motor Ace Philippines, Inc. –Lending; and Paolo Martin Borromeo, CEO, Dearborn Motors Co., Inc.

Cebu-based Borromeo Motoring Group has tapped COREnergy, the retail energy arm of Vivant Corp., to supply electricity to 20 of its dealerships and automotive facilities in Luzon.

The agreement covers a combined contracted capacity of about 1.22 megawatts under the Department of Energy’s Retail Aggregation Program, or RAP, the companies said.

The participating sites are expected to complete their transition by September, marking the first phase of Borromeo Motoring Group’s broader effort to improve energy management across its dealership network.

“At Borromeo Motoring Group, we continuously look for opportunities to improve efficiency across our operations,” said Andre Borromeo, director of Borromeo Motoring Group.

He said energy management has become increasingly important as the group expands, particularly in controlling operating costs while maintaining service standards across its dealerships.

Borromeo Motoring Group operates dealerships carrying automotive and motorcycle brands including Ford, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, Hyundai and Yamaha.

Its facilities require electricity not only for showrooms but also for service centers, diagnostic equipment, parts storage, offices and other customer-facing operations.

COREnergy Vice President and Head of Operations Marko Sarmiento said dealerships have become increasingly complex operations, making electricity management an important part of improving efficiency and business performance.

The deal also builds on longstanding ties between two prominent Cebu business families.

Vivant said the Garcia-Sarmiento family and the Borromeo family have known each other for generations through Cebu’s business community, with the latest partnership extending those ties into the energy sector.

COREnergy is part of Cebu-based Vivant Corp. and provides retail electricity and other energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers.

Under the RAP, qualified electricity users may combine their demand to participate in the competitive retail electricity market, giving businesses more options in choosing their power supplier.

Cebu Business News

Permit delays threaten housing supply, investments, builders warn

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Anthony Leuterio, founder of Filipino Homes

Real estate developers are urging the government to speed up the issuance of Licenses to Sell (LTS), warning that prolonged permit delays are slowing housing projects, discouraging investments and could weigh on economic growth, including in fast-growing regional markets such as Cebu.

Anthony Leuterio, national president of the Accredited Real Estate Salespersons of the Philippines (ABREP), said developers recently met with senior officials of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to raise concerns over the slow processing of LTS applications.

Without the permits, developers cannot legally market or sell subdivision lots and condominium units, delaying project launches despite strong demand for housing.

Leuterio said only about 93 Licenses to Sell have been issued nationwide so far this year, a sharp decline from the more than 800 to 900 permits released in 2025.

“They need to catch up because there will be an issue on the economic side,” he said.

He warned that continued delays could reduce housing production, postpone new investments and eventually lead to job losses across construction and related industries.

“There will be big demand, but housing production will be lower,” Leuterio said.

He added that delayed projects also weaken demand for construction materials, logistics, engineering, architecture and other professional services, limiting the property’s sector multiplier effect on the economy.

The concerns were echoed by property consultancy Colliers Philippines during the presentation of its inaugural Visayas-Mindanao property market report in Cebu.

Joey Roi Bondoc, Colliers Philippines’ head of research, described the delays in LTS approvals as one of the industry’s biggest regulatory challenges, saying developers cannot launch residential projects without first securing the permits from DHSUD.

“The LTS issue would be a major concern,” Bondoc said.

He noted that slower approvals restrict the pipeline of new residential developments entering the market, limiting housing supply even as demand remains resilient.

“You’re restricting the available supply in the market,” Bondoc said. “If you don’t build now, how can you entice potential buyers? The availability of supply is very important.”

Bondoc said limited housing inventory could place further upward pressure on property prices, which are already rising because of higher land acquisition and construction costs.

He added that delayed project approvals also slow developers’ revenue generation, tie up capital and discourage future investments, undermining efforts to address the country’s housing backlog.

For rapidly expanding regional markets such as Cebu, where demand for residential, office and mixed-use developments continues to grow, Bondoc said faster permit processing is essential to sustaining investment momentum.

“We need to launch more projects and approve more Licenses to Sell because more options in the market will benefit both developers and buyers,” he said. “It’s a win-win for the market.”

Beyond housing, Bondoc said the availability of new commercial and office developments also influences investment decisions.

“If you don’t offer more options to the market, buyers and investors will only see what’s currently available,” he said. “You’re limiting their choices and ultimately limiting their propensity to invest.”

Cebu Business News

Megaworld’s Mactan Newtown to host 10th Cebu Lechon Festival

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Lechon Festival

Megaworld’s The Mactan Newtown will host the 10th Cebu Lechon Festival from August 6 to 31, bringing together lechon makers, chefs, local government units and tourism stakeholders in a month-long event aimed at promoting Cebu’s signature roast and the communities behind it.

Organized by The Mactan Newtown in partnership with the Provincial Government of Cebu, the annual festival seeks to highlight Cebu’s lechon industry while providing greater recognition to local lechoneros, family recipes and traditional roasting techniques that have been passed down through generations.

A key attraction will be the Great Cebu Lechon Market, scheduled from August 7 to 9 at the Mactan Alfresco, where 10 cities and municipalities will showcase their signature lechon. Participating localities include Barili, Medellin, Alcoy, Argao, Carcar City, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Talisay City, Consolacion and Samboan, while Lapu-Lapu City serves as host.

The festival will also feature culinary competitions designed to showcase Cebuano talent. Cebu’s Best Lechonero competition opens the festivities on August 7, followed by the Sugbuanon Paksiw Wars and a Lechon Chef Cook-Off between chefs from Savoy Hotel and Mercure Hotel Cebu on August 8. A Culinary Showdown on August 9 will challenge professional and aspiring chefs to create original lechon-inspired dishes.

Other activities include a children’s “Paint My Lechon” activity, a lechon eating competition, and the Lechon Fest Street Party, which will coincide with celebrations following the IRONMAN 70.3 event in Cebu. Meanwhile, a month-long food fair along Mactan Newtown Road will feature local delicacies and regional specialties.

Now in its 10th year, the Cebu Lechon Festival continues to position Cebu’s iconic roast as both a cultural symbol and a tourism draw, inviting residents and visitors to experience the province’s diverse lechon traditions and culinary heritage.

Cebu Business News

Entrepreneurs eye franchise opportunities as Visayas Expo opens in Cebu

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More than 60 franchise brands are showcasing business opportunities at the Franchise Negosyo Visayas Expo, which opened Friday at SM Seaside City Cebu as the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) seeks to encourage more entrepreneurs in Central Visayas.

The two-day expo, running until Aug. 1 at the Mountain Wing Atrium, features franchise concepts from the food, retail, education and service sectors, along with suppliers offering products and services needed to set up and operate businesses.

Organizers said the event provides aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with an opportunity to meet franchisors, compare investment options and learn about the franchising process through free seminars and business forums.

Among the sessions are a business growth seminar by ActionCOACH Philippines’ Camille Conanan, who will discuss strategies to improve profitability, and a franchise investment seminar by Francorp Philippines operations consultant Noemi Ruiz, who will guide participants on choosing suitable franchise opportunities.

A separate paid workshop, How to Franchise Your Business, will be held on Aug. 1 at Summit Galleria Cebu for Cebu-based businesses looking to expand through franchising.

“Franchising remains one of the most accessible and proven pathways to business ownership, and through Franchise Negosyo Visayas Expo, we hope to open more doors for Filipinos who dream of building their own enterprise,” PFA President Steve Benitez said.

The expo is free and open to the public.

For Cebu’s business community, the event offers a platform for local entrepreneurs to explore expansion opportunities, connect with national franchise brands and gain insights into a business model that continues to attract investors amid growing consumer demand.

It is part of the PFA’s nationwide Franchise Negosyo Roadshow, which aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and franchise development in key regional markets.

Cebu Chamber backs Marcos’ economic agenda, urges swift implementation

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The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) welcomed key economic initiatives outlined by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying the government’s focus on governance, energy security, infrastructure, and business competitiveness could strengthen investor confidence and support long-term economic growth if effectively implemented.

In a statement issued after the President’s address, the chamber said stronger governance and anti-corruption efforts, particularly the administration’s investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, send an important signal on transparency and accountability.

The chamber noted the reported recovery, freezing or preservation of about P25 billion in public funds, which the government said would be redirected to education, food security, and healthcare.

“For the private sector, greater transparency and accountability in government processes are essential in building investor confidence and ensuring a more predictable business environment,” the chamber said.

The business group also welcomed the administration’s plans to strengthen the country’s energy security, citing efforts to develop nearly 10,000 megawatts (MW) of power capacity from around 200 energy projects through 2028, expand more than 1,700 MW of energy storage, extend the Malampaya gas project, and promote renewable energy, hydrogen, and possible nuclear power development.

It said reliable and competitively priced electricity remains critical for Cebu’s manufacturing, tourism, information technology and other major industries.

The chamber also expressed support for the proposed “Sariling Kuryente” Act, which seeks to encourage households to install solar panels and battery storage systems, saying the measure could improve energy resilience while accelerating the country’s shift toward a more diversified energy mix.

On business competitiveness, the chamber welcomed tax relief measures for the middle class and initiatives to ease compliance requirements for businesses, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s one-time tax abatement program for micro-entrepreneurs.

It said the measures could improve cash flow, encourage more businesses to formalize their operations and free up resources for expansion and job creation.

The group also cited the government’s continued pursuit of free trade agreements and the facilitation of more than P6 trillion in investments through the Green Lanes initiative as positive developments that could improve the country’s investment climate and help Philippine businesses expand into regional and global markets.

The chamber said reforms to accelerate infrastructure development, including improvements to right-of-way acquisition, would help reduce logistics costs and improve connectivity, particularly for economic corridors being developed in Cebu.

It also welcomed proposed amendments to the National Building Code, disaster resilience initiatives such as the Ligtas Pinoy evacuation centers, and reforms promoting waste-to-energy projects as steps toward building safer and more sustainable communities.

The chamber likewise supported the administration’s efforts to prepare workers for emerging industries, noting the government’s target of training 1.8 million Filipinos in artificial intelligence-related skills.

While the proposed Pax Silica Industrial Hub is located within the Luzon Economic Corridor, the chamber said the broader push toward advanced manufacturing and technology-driven industries presents opportunities for Cebu to strengthen its own digital economy.

According to the chamber, the national government’s priorities are aligned with Cebu’s long-term development plans, including the Metro Cebu Economic Hub, the West Cebu Economic Corridor, the Central Cebu Conservation Corridor, the North and South Cebu Tourism Corridors, and the North and South Cebu Agri-Industrial Corridor.

The chamber said it looks forward to working with the government to ensure the announced policies are translated into concrete outcomes, adding that consistent implementation, regulatory stability and continued public-private collaboration will be essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Cebu Business News

Vivant’s COREnergy signs 20-MW power supply deal with Filinvest unit

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Filinvest Group’s FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis) and Vivant’s COREnergy sign a 20-megawatt power supply agreement to support the needs of contestable customers nationwide. The contract was signed by (left) Mr. Roderick Fernandez, VP for Project Development of FDC Utilities, Inc., the parent company of FDC Misamis, and (right) Mr. Michael Angelo Lasam, AVP and Head of Commercial Operations and Strategy of COREnergy.

Cebu-based Vivant Energy’s retail electricity supplier COREnergy has signed a two-year power supply agreement with Filinvest Group’s FDC Misamis Power Corp. for 20 megawatts (MW) of capacity, expanding its supply portfolio as demand from contestable electricity customers continues to grow.

The agreement will see FDC Misamis, one of Mindanao’s largest baseload power producers, supply 20 MW of electricity to COREnergy, enabling the Vivant unit to serve more commercial and industrial customers participating in the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program.

“Our customers are growing, and so is our responsibility to power that growth,” Michael Lasam, head of commercial operations and strategy at COREnergy, said in a statement.

He said the agreement adds “meaningful capacity” to COREnergy’s portfolio, giving it greater flexibility to serve businesses beyond Metro Manila while strengthening the reliability of its electricity supply.

“It’s a step forward in delivering the Power of Choice—as more businesses, and soon more Filipinos, gain the freedom to choose their power supplier,” Lasam added.

For Filinvest’s FDC Misamis, the partnership expands the reach of its power generation assets through the retail electricity market.

“This partnership with COREnergy allows us to extend the dependable power supply of FDC Misamis to more commercial and industrial customers through the retail electricity market,” FDC Misamis President and CEO Juan Eugenio Roxas said.

He added that the agreement reflects the companies’ shared commitment to delivering reliable energy that supports business activity and economic growth.

The companies said the partnership highlights the growing collaboration between power generation companies and retail electricity suppliers as the Philippine power sector continues to liberalize, giving qualified consumers more options in sourcing electricity.

FDC Misamis operates Filinvest’s 405-MW coal-fired power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, which has been supplying electricity to the Mindanao grid since beginning commercial operations in 2016. The facility also serves distribution utilities and industrial customers across the country.

COREnergy, established in 2016, is Vivant Energy’s licensed Retail Electricity Supplier, providing electricity supply solutions to businesses under the RCOA framework. The company helps customers manage electricity costs, reduce price volatility, and improve energy procurement efficiency.

Cebu Business News

McDonald’s, COREnergy expand retail power partnership in Cebu, Visayas

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In photo are (L-R) Ronald McDonald, Emanette C. Ong, VP and Head of Business Group of McDonald’s Philippines, Margot B. Torres, Managing Director of McDonald’s Philippines, Francis S. del Val, President of COREnergy, and Marko G. Sarmiento, Vice President and Head of Operations of COREnergy during the ceremonial partnership between COREnergy, the Retail Electricity Supplier (RES) of Vivant Energy, and McDonald’s Philippines.

McDonald’s Philippines has partnered with Cebu-based retail electricity supplier COREnergy to expand the use of the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) across its Visayas operations, a move expected to lower electricity costs and increase the use of renewable energy as the restaurant chain continues to grow in the region.

The partnership will initially cover 36 McDonald’s restaurants in Cebu and Negros Island. Thirty-two stores will join the RAP, including 16 in Cebu and 16 in Negros Occidental, while the remaining outlets will transition individually through the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program.

Under the agreement, participating restaurants are expected to cut electricity costs by around 10% on average while securing fixed electricity rates for the next two years. About 10% to 15% of the power supplied to the stores will come from solar energy, supporting McDonald’s broader sustainability initiatives.

“As we continue to grow in the Visayas, we’re equally focused on improving how our restaurants operate,” said Margot Torres, managing director of McDonald’s Philippines.

“Electricity is one of the largest operating costs in our business. By working with COREnergy, we can better manage this expense and build more energy-efficient restaurants as we grow,” she said.

COREnergy President Francis del Val said businesses are increasingly seeking greater cost certainty as electricity prices remain volatile.

“Through RAP and RCOA, we are helping McDonald’s access energy solutions that respond to the needs of its growing restaurant network. This includes more competitive rates and renewable energy options that support more efficient operations and long-term business performance,” he said.

The collaboration comes as both companies strengthen their presence in the Visayas. McDonald’s has opened seven new stores in Cebu this year, while COREnergy, the licensed retail electricity supplier of Cebu-based Vivant Energy, continues to expand its services for commercial customers across the region.

McDonald’s said it expects about 64% of its nationwide restaurant portfolio to transition under the Retail Aggregation Program by the end of 2026, improving energy efficiency and cost predictability across its operations.

Cebu Business News

this is vps site already

Cebu to host Visayas’ biggest franchise expo as PFA targets entrepreneurs, investors

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More than 60 franchise brands and business suppliers will gather in Cebu next week as the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) stages its largest regional franchise exhibition, aiming to encourage more entrepreneurs and investors in the Visayas.

The Franchise Negosyo Visayas Expo will be held from July 31 to Aug. 1 at the Mountain Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu, bringing together franchisors, business service providers and aspiring business owners in a free two-day event.

Organizers said the expo will showcase franchise opportunities across food, retail, services and other industries, while providing visitors with direct access to franchisors and suppliers needed to establish and operate a business.

“Franchising remains one of the most accessible and proven pathways to business ownership, and through Franchise Negosyo Visayas Expo, we hope to open more doors for Filipinos who dream of building their own enterprise,” PFA President Steve Benitez said.

The event will also feature business seminars aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow or expand their ventures.

ActionCOACH Philippines Business Coach Camille Conanan will conduct a free session on “5 Ways to Grow Your Profit” on the opening day, while Francorp Philippines Operations Consultant Noemi Ruiz will lead seminars on selecting the right franchise investment on both days.

Businesses looking to expand through franchising can also attend a paid “How to Franchise Your Business” seminar on Aug. 1 at Summit Galleria Cebu.

The PFA said the expo is designed for first-time entrepreneurs, existing business owners seeking expansion opportunities, and investors looking to diversify into franchising, which remains one of the country’s established business growth models.

The annual Visayas event has become one of the region’s key business gatherings, highlighting Cebu’s role as a major commercial hub and gateway for franchise expansion across Central and Southern Philippines.

Cebu Business News

Top Line partners with Angkas, targets Cebu motorcycle taxi market

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Top Line
From left to right: Dwight Villon, Light Fuels Vice President for Retail Fuel Trade Operations; Brigitte Carmel Lim, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Top Line Group of Companies; and Jundy Montebon Lisen, Driver Experience Supervisor and Biker Community Lead – Angkas

Listed fuel distributor Top Line Business Development Corp. has partnered with motorcycle ride-hailing platform Angkas to offer fuel discounts and other benefits to partner riders in Cebu, a move it said could generate up to 42,000 litres of fuel sales per day.

The agreement, signed through Top Line’s retail fuel subsidiary Light Fuels Corp., gives the company access to about one-third of Cebu’s motorcycle taxi market. The sector has a 9,000-rider cap divided among three accredited operators, according to Top Line.

“This partnership has the potential to unlock up to 42,000 liters of liquid fuel sales per day,” Top Line Chairman, President and CEO Eugene Erik Lim said, adding that the deal would help strengthen Light Fuels’ position among high-frequency road users.

Under the partnership, Angkas riders will be enrolled in Light Fuels’ Light Rewards Suki Program. They will receive a discount of 2 pesos per litre on gasoline and 1 peso per litre on diesel, along with one free automatic motorcycle wash every quarter and access to raffle promotions.

Angkas Head of Operations David Brian Medrana said fuel is among the largest recurring costs for motorcycle taxi riders and that the arrangement would provide practical savings and additional benefits.

Top Line said the partnership is expected to increase customer traffic across Light Fuels’ retail network by converting Angkas riders into frequent customers. The Cebu-based company operates in commercial fuel trading, depot operations and fuel retailing across the Visayas.

Cebu Business News

DotTV, Barangay Inayawan partner for Puso Festival coverage

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Screenshot

DotTV Network has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Barangay Government of Inayawan to provide multimedia coverage and promotion of the upcoming Puso Festival.

The agreement was signed by Inayawan Barangay Captain Kirk Bryan Jaca Repullo and DotTV Network Chief Executive Officer Juniño Padilla during a ceremony attended by barangay officials and representatives of the media company.

Under the partnership, DotTV will provide television, radio, digital and social media coverage of the festival, highlighting its cultural significance, community activities and local traditions.

Repullo said the partnership would help increase public awareness of the event and promote the identity and cultural heritage of Barangay Inayawan.

Padilla said DotTV was committed to supporting local communities through comprehensive and responsible coverage of cultural events celebrating Cebuano traditions.

The partnership is expected to expand the festival’s reach and strengthen cooperation between DotTV and the barangay in promoting community-based tourism, culture and public information.

The Puso Festival celebrates the Cebuano hanging rice, locally known as puso, which is closely associated with the province’s food culture and community gatherings.

Starbucks Philippines launches new app, expands rewards choices

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Starbucks Philippines

Starbucks Philippines will launch a new mobile app and introduce a multi-tiered rewards system on July 21, allowing customers to redeem loyalty points across a broader range of products.

The revamped Starbucks Rewards programme will let members choose when and how to use their accumulated Stars, replacing the current system that automatically converts every 100 Stars into a reward voucher.

Under the new structure, customers can begin redeeming rewards at 50 Stars.

Members may use 50 Stars for a free drink customisation or selected bakery products, including bagels, doughnuts and banana loaf. 100 Stars can be exchanged for a handcrafted beverage or bakery item, while 150 Stars can be used for pasta, sandwiches or cake slices.

The company said rewards must be redeemed through the new Starbucks PH App before customers place their orders at the counter.

The app, which will be available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play, will include faster sign-in and real-time Star tracking. The existing Starbucks app will be discontinued.

Starbucks said existing members will not need to register again. Account credentials, stored balances and accumulated Stars will automatically transfer to the new platform.

Reward vouchers will remain valid for 90 days from issuance, while unconverted Stars will continue to expire on a member’s account anniversary date if they are not converted within one year.

The updated programme will be rolled out across more than 500 Starbucks stores in over 68 cities nationwide, including outlets in Cebu.

Rustan Coffee Corporation, the local licensee of Starbucks, opened the brand’s first Philippine store in Makati in December 1997. The company has since expanded its presence across major commercial centres and provincial cities.

The broader redemption system reflects the continued use of mobile platforms and loyalty programmes by food and beverage companies to increase customer engagement and repeat purchases.

Cebu Business News

SM opens Cebu arena as part of ₱8B integrated complex, bets on MICE and tourism growth

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SM has opened the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, the centerpiece of an integrated entertainment, convention and hospitality complex that represents about ₱8 billion in investment and is expected to strengthen Cebu’s position as a hub for business events, tourism and live entertainment.

The development includes the arena, an SMX convention center and two hotels under the Park Inn and Radisson brands.

The arena sits on a 19,000-square-meter site and has about 70,000 square meters of gross floor area. It can accommodate up to 25,000 people and features 30 premier suites for corporate guests and VIPs.

Chico Sy, president of SM Engineering, Design and Development Corp. (SMEDD), said the convention center is on track for completion by the end of the year, with its first events expected in the first quarter of next year.

The two hotels are scheduled to open in the first half of 2028.

“We wanted to make sure we’re able to give affordable accommodation and also very good luxury accommodation,” Sy said, adding that the two hotel brands are intended to cater to different segments of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market.

He said the integrated complex is designed to support Cebu’s growing events industry by providing venues, accommodations and entertainment facilities in one location.

Sy also sees the development expanding Cebu’s appeal to international visitors by combining world-class entertainment with the province’s tourism offerings.

“When you bring in someone like a major international act, people from Korea, Indonesia and Singapore can also come because we have a beautiful venue here and a beautiful island,” he said.

“Combining that concert with the island, that tourism combination, I think that’s wonderful.”

He said the concept could help position Cebu as a destination for both global entertainment and international tourism, particularly given its direct international flights and established reputation as one of the country’s leading leisure destinations.

Hans Sy, chairman of the executive committee of SM Prime Holdings, said the Cebu arena reflects the company’s long-term confidence in Cebu’s growth.

He credited the late Henry Sy Sr. for acquiring the North Reclamation property more than two decades ago, making the development possible.

“My father has always believed in Cebu,” Hans Sy said.

He added that SM is exploring similar arena-led developments as part of future township projects, although no new location has been identified.

“This was done 20 years ago when we had big pieces of land,” he said. “I’m sure this won’t be the last.”

“We’re still looking for a very big property.”

Hans Sy said operating major venues in both Manila and Cebu would strengthen the country’s ability to attract international concerts and sporting events.

The company hopes to bring global performers with Filipino connections, including Bruno Mars and K-pop groups with Filipino members, while also pursuing international volleyball and basketball tournaments.

He said sports tourism represents another growth opportunity for Cebu.

“Sports tourism is something that we have missed out, and that is one of the things that we will fully support,” he said.

SM said the arena, convention center and hotels are expected to complement Cebu’s expanding tourism and business sectors by attracting more conferences, exhibitions, concerts and sporting events, generating additional demand for airlines, hotels, restaurants, transport services and other local businesses.

Julie’s Bakeshop taps COREnergy to power Cebu commissary operations

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Julies’ Franchise Corporation Chief Operating Officer Gio Gandionco seals the partnership with a handshake with COREnergy Vice President and Head of Operations Marko Sarmiento.

Julie’s Bakeshop has partnered with COREnergy to supply electricity to its commissary operations, as the Cebu-based bakery chain seeks to manage one of its largest operating costs more efficiently.

The agreement will see COREnergy, the retail electricity unit of Vivant Energy Corporation, provide power to Julie’s Bakeshop’s commissaries, which serve as the production hubs for the company’s network of stores across the Philippines.

Julie’s Bakeshop said the move is part of its efforts to optimize energy use as manufacturers contend with persistent cost pressures, including volatile raw material prices, higher wages and rising logistics expenses.

Electricity remains one of the largest controllable operating expenses for food manufacturers, alongside key inputs such as flour and fuel.

Under the retail electricity arrangement, Julie’s Bakeshop said it expects to manage its energy consumption more strategically, potentially allowing the company to redirect resources toward production upgrades, equipment modernization and future expansion.

The partnership also reflects growing participation in the Philippines’ retail electricity market, which allows qualified consumers to choose their electricity supplier instead of relying solely on their local distribution utility.

Julie’s Bakeshop, founded in Cebu, is one of the country’s largest bakery chains, with a nationwide network of franchised stores serving bread and other baked products to Filipino consumers. Its commissaries play a central role in maintaining product quality and ensuring daily supply across its retail network.

COREnergy is the retail electricity supplier of Vivant Energy Corporation, providing electricity solutions to commercial and industrial customers under the country’s retail competition and open access framework.

DOTTV says viewership hits 7.1 million in first three months

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Cebu-based digital media platform DOTTV said it reached 7.1 million viewers in its first three months of operation, as the company expands its presence across television, radio, and online channels.

The network said the figure reflects growing audience engagement across its integrated media platforms, including Cignal Channel 107, DYCM AM and FM, Facebook Live, YouTube, TikTok, and other digital channels.

DOTTV said its early growth was supported by a media ecosystem that combines news and current affairs, film and video production, event coverage, television broadcasting, and digital content services.

The company describes itself as the first fully digital television station outside Metro Manila, positioning the Cebu-based network as a regional player in news, public affairs, entertainment, and digital content production.

Network officials said the milestone underscores DOTTV’s expanding reach and its potential value to advertisers, brands, and content partners seeking audiences in Cebu and beyond.

DOTTV is also preparing to launch its Cebuano fantasy series, “Higans Tols the Wind,” which the company expects to help further drive audience engagement and broaden its viewership.

The network said it will continue strengthening its programming lineup and expanding its digital footprint after crossing the 7.1-million-viewer mark.

Cebu Business News

Gealon Racing Team’s Toniacao wins Sandugo Bohol Ultra Marathon

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Andy Toniacao of Gealon Racing Team won the Sandugo Bohol Ultra Marathon on Sunday, completing the grueling 105-kilometer race across Bohol in 9 hours, 57 minutes and 15 seconds.

Toniacao topped a field of elite ultramarathon runners from across the Philippines in the annual endurance event, which covered a route from the town of Jagna to Getafe and featured an elevation gain of 552 meters.

Gealon Racing Team also fielded Kelvin Boyles and Markiven Revilla, who successfully completed the demanding course alongside Toniacao.

The race tested runners’ endurance over long distances and varying terrain, attracting some of the country’s top ultramarathon athletes.

Gealon Racing Team Manager Rey Gealon welcomed the result, saying he was delighted with the team’s performance after months of physical and mental preparation.

“I am ecstatic with the result, although I was confident the athletes would emerge victorious because of their physical and mental preparation,” Gealon said.

He also expressed gratitude that the team completed the race without any injuries.

“Glory and praise belong to the Almighty for bestowing them strength and courage to finish the race free from harm or injury,” he added.

The Sandugo Bohol Ultra Marathon is among the endurance races held in Bohol, challenging participants to navigate long-distance routes across the province’s varied landscape.