ACG Set to Hold FAST FORWARD 2025 International Tax and Investment Conference

The Philippines is set to be the host of the International Tax and Investment Conference dubbed "FAST FORWARD 2025" aimed to promote ESG investing in the country. For those who don't know, that stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, a way to evaluate sustainability and ethical impact of a company.

The conference will be very instrumental in this discussion and encouraging more foreign investments in the country. March 26 will start panel discussions, exhibits on local products and the ACG Global Awards to recognize champions and advocates of sustainability. Lead Convenor for this event is Mon Abrea, the CEO of Asian Consulting Group who's tax reform advocacy has moved mountains in the region. To date, ACG has over 191 Billion pesos of savings from BIR cases of their clients. Dr. Bing Limjoco Head of the Philippine Franchise Association and Franchise Asia will be Vice Chairman of this event.

The event will also mark the launch of Mon Abrea's newest book "Re-imagining the World Without Climate Change" which includes real world studies of FAST industries who follow ESG principles, proving it can be done. The press conference also was graced by the one and only Madame Loida Lewis, who was given honors before she left for New York. Young entrepreneur and actress Bea Binene also shared why she trusts ACG and how ESG efforts have made her even trust the firm more in managing her tax and businesses to this date.

Here's the press conference in its entirety!

If you want to join FAST FORWARD 2025 you may email them at itic@acg.ph or visit their website itic2025.helixpay.ph if you want to secure a slot to the event.

BEA BINENE and LOUISE DELOS REYES Star in Gripping Thriller PASAHERO at the 5th SM Cinema SINE SINDAK

It's the 5th year of Sine Sindak, the horror film festival hosted by SM Cinemas. This year, they are holding it from October 30 to November 5, and from the looks of it, there's no stopping them from holding it to stimulate audiences to go back to theaters now. 

For starters, one of the entries called PASAHERO held their red carpet screening today at SM North The Block. It stars Bea Binene, Louise delos Reyes, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Katya Santos, Yumi Garcia, Andre Yllana, Dani Zee, LeAnn Johnson and Rafa Siguion Reyna.

It's been a while since I've last seen these two, and I think the last time I interviewed Bea was during a tax event a couple years back. They've gone through networks and management changes during those times and it was refreshing to see them again, not for anything, but working together. Bea told us they're very good friends and this opportunity to work together was something she was so happy about, thankful that Viva trusted them to do it 

We talked to them in the sidelines right before they walked on the red carpet, to talk about their characters and the experience of working with the Director.

The movie was more of a thriller rather than a full blown horror film. It has its moments, and you could laud the story behind each character except one. You'll learn more about how ordinary folks could end up helping other people, and remember to not turn your back on them when they need help. You'll see that be told multiple times in this movie.

Sine Sindak is an SM Cinema festival where it will be shown in their theaters exclusively. They also charge only Php 150 for this to make sure it is accessible for anyone who wants to watch in cinemas. If you opt to pay 300, you can watch all you want the other entries from the same festival. This is officially their 5th year, and I don't think they will stop anytime soon. Should you watch PASAHERO? Of course! If you're a fan of Louise and Bea, the more reason to do so.

POPS FERNANDEZ Hosts "For The Love" on TV5

It's not Valentine's season, but that doesn't mean we can't indulge in stories of love designed with some of your favorite OPM hits. These are some of your favorite music pieces that we all fell in love when they came out. This show also will be featuring several stories meant to pull those heartstrings, some sad, some with a happy ending.

The story will also include some of your favorite actors, love teams, of which were also there during the show's mediacon a few days ago. The roster includes Heaven Peralejo and Marco Gallo, Bea Binene (who will be paired with Gab Lagman), Krissha Viaje and Wilbert Ross, plus the previously paired (in different shows) Jairus Aquino and Aubrey Caraan (who I found so lovely by the way!).

I find Heaven and Marco really endearing during the presser, and while we were talking about love and serious stuff, they've been pressed a lot of times about the status of their relationship. I got the notion that they didn't really have a label but rather just enjoy what they have right now. Marco was also quite serious about courtship, because the thing he wanted is for that certain person to be the one he plans to marry, and I really am impressed with that answer. Bea on the other hand didn't want to touch on her previous relationships and just concentrate on the now, whilst Jairus is certainly a different man now if you compare him during his younger days. This isn't the first time he's being paired with Aubrey but things went smoothly. Aubrey on the other hand is a person that's NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth), so when asked about how she connected with the love songs, she got a little nervous answering questions from the press. They look so cute on screen and in real life though!

Here's what happened during the event!

For those who love hearing Ms. Pops Fernandez sing, this is the opportune time to actually watch the show. She will be singing the different songs from Viva's music library and put her little spin on it so it'll be amazing to see that during the episodes. Remember, this will all start on July 29th 3:20pm on TV5. It's going to be a great time to fall in love, and listen to the music we love all these years! This is brought to you by TV5 and Viva Entertainment. Make sure you also follow their social channels for BTS and updates about the show! 

Congratulations Ms. Pops!