MANILA, Philippines – The 14th Philippine SME (PHILSME) Business Expo, organized by Mediacom Solutions Inc., concluded a successful two-day run at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, bringing together 8,000 attendees, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of innovation, collaboration and business growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The opening ceremony, hosted by distinguished broadcast journalist Rico Hizon, was also supported by Finance Undersecretary Domini Velasquez of the Office of the Chief Economist.
Through the Expo, small bu sinesses and entrepreneurs are connected with industry experts, offered innovative solutions,and connected to business prospects. SMEs gain valuable insights, explore new opportunities, and, ultimately, push their businesses toward sustainable success.
“It’s not every day that you get to have more than 120 exhibitors and over 180 business solutions come together under one roof to showcase what they offer for SMEs,” PHILSME Managing Director Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla said. “Our overall objective is to help them come together, collaborate with each other, and have them showcase their business solutions.”
SMEs hold immense potential for supporting the Philippine economy as they drive employment, income and overall development. They represent a significant portion of businesses in the country, accounting for 99.59%, based on the 2022 List of Establishments (LE) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
However, challenges like limited resources, keeping up with the evolving market, and forging strategic partnerships can hinder their growth.
Esguerra-Abrenilla emphasized that the success of the Expo is a testament to the organization’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of SMEs in the country.
“We will continue to provide valuable resources, opportunities, and support to empower this important sector and foster the spirit of collaboration within the Philippine business landscape,” Esguerra-Abrenilla said.
Among the keynote speakers during the event were representatives from project management platform Odoo, which offered how to streamline and automate business operations; financing solutions Security Bank spoke about financing solutions that empower SMEs through financial inclusion; Toyota Financing addressed livelihood through accessible transportation modes; and creative platform Canva empowered attendees by teaching them how to use artificial intelligence (AI) in their creative projects.
These are among the 180 business solutions and opportunities presented by over 120 sponsors and exhibitors across diverse sectors, including finance, banking, advertising, healthcare, IT, logistics, franchising, and telecommunications, amongst many others.
Esguerra-Abrenilla said that these types of activities and the support given to SMEs go beyond the expo through the Philippine Business Network, a monthly gathering of Philippine business owners to get updated with new offers from different companies and an opportunity to interact with other industry service providers.
“Our commitment extends beyond the expo. We strive to continue supporting SMEs by helping them become aware of the latest business solutions, sharing exclusive offers they can take advantage of from various service providers, and providing them exclusive opportunities for the PHILSME Bu siness Network,” Esguerra-Abrenilla said.
As PHILSME looks ahead to future engagements, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering SMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs through the next exhibit on November 22 and 23, 2024, the 15th edition of the SMX Convention Center Manila expo.
For more information about PHILSME and upcoming events, visit www.PhilSME.com and social media pages.
Editor’s Note: This is a press release from PHILSME. It is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent of our Editorial newsr oom.
MANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya star Piolo Pascual and Kapuso Star Dingdong Dantes won the Film Actor of the Year award for their performances in “Mallari” and “Rewind” respectively at the recent Box Office Entertainment Awards presented by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF), Inc.
This marks Piolo’s second Best Actor recognition, followin g his victory at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) last January, held in Hollywood, USA.
Vilma Santos was named as the Film Actress of the Year.
Piolo, accompanied by Mentorque producer John Bryan Diamante aka Bryan Dy, executive producer Rona Banaag, Clever Minds co-owner and supervising producer Omar Sortijas, director Derick Cabrido, along with his Mallaris co-stars Janella Salvador and Ron Angeles, personally accepted the prestigious award.
“Mallari,” an official entry to the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), is a chilling cinematic journey into the depths of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari’s psyche, the Philippines’ sole documented serial killer from the 19th century. This meticulously crafted and the first-ever Filipino film to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures intertwines historical accuracy with psychological horror. Three major characters were brought to life by Piolo.
The film’s impact extended far beyond domestic borders, becoming an official part of the inaugural MIFF, a visionary project launched by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority/MMFF Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes. Mallari’s overwhelming success and positive reception have opened doors for numerous collaborations, much to the delight of the budding producer.
Meanwhile, Mentorque Productions, in partnership with Project 8 Projects, owned by directors Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone, is set to make waves at the 2024 Cinemalaya Film Festival this August.
The recently completed shooting of “Kono Basho” in Japan was proudly announced by Mentorque’s President and CEO on his Facebook account, featuring an image of two women adorned in black kimonos.
Recent sightings of Bryan with Angkas President George Royeca and directors Dolly Dulu and Ivan Andrew Payawal also suggest a potential collaboration with Angkas in an upcoming project.
Additionally, a post featuring Bryan alongside TEN17P producer director Paul Soriano, his wife Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, and the couple Mikee Morada and Alex Gonzaga-Morada, owners of TinCan Productions, hints at further exciting partnerships.
Amid these developments, the Mentorque producer is laser-focused on his entry for the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, the fantasy-drama “Biringan.”
Bryan’s joy is further amplified by the 14 out of 18 nominations garnered by “Mallari” at the upcoming FAMAS Awards night on May 26, 7 p.m., in the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel.
The nominations include Best Actor (Piolo Pascual), Best Picture (Mentorque Productions/Clever Minds), Best Director (Derick Cabrido), Best Screenplay (Enrico C. Santos), Best Cinematography (Pao Orendain), Best Child Actor (Kian Co), Best Supporting Actress (Gloria Diaz), Best Supporting Actor (JC Santos), Best Editing (Noah Tonga), Best Sound (Immanuel Verona and Nerikka Salim), Best Production Design (Marielle Hizon), Best Visual Effects (Gaspar Mangarin), Best Theme Song (“Pag-ibig na Sumpa” by JK Labajo), and Best Musical Score (Von De Guzman).
“Mallari” previously bagged Best Supporting Actor, Best Musical Score, Best Visual Effects, and Third Best Picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Gabi ng Parangal. Months have passed but efforts to put up such a huge film project are still reaping success.
The film makes its highly anticipated debut on Netflix on June 21.
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