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.

Music Saves Rayver Cruz, Rhian Ramos, Glaiza De Castro, Arci Munoz and Matt Lozano in Upcoming Film SINAGTALA

Hearing their names during this press conference made me question myself, why didn't I think of that?

Dance phenom Rayver Cruz, gorgeous Rhian Ramos, rock chick Arci Munoz, talented singer actor Matt Lozano, and multi awarded actress - singer Glaiza De Castro will be starring in this movie called SINAGTALA. This is the handy work of Cinemalaya awardee Mike Sandejas who also did "Tulad ng Dati" and "Dinig Sana Kita".  

It was supposed to be made years ago but schedules made it difficult because much of the cast were doing projects that had continuity in it. The story revolves with the lives of band members who had very interesting lives beyond their usual work.  

Rhian says "You know, I've seen the trailer so many times, but it still gives me goosebumps because the meaning resonates with me. We hope this would touch lives, not just ours. We had already started working in Sanggre, then we got to work in Sinagtala. We will still do the Rastro movie, but I'm so glad that even if we are not together on screen, they still support us. We have more surprises this year. I think the pressure is different now, we are artists that need to grow. We are more mature, our closeness is different now and we hope that translates to a different chemistry now that we're doing this. Artists would relate to this because it's also about passion, to question yourself about the money, the fame, finding yourself and your center. To realize how lucky you are that you get to do your craft."

Glaiza adds "I am proud of this movie, proud of my co-stars because I feel it was fate that brought us together. There were tons of other artists that were considered for the roles but I think the Lord was responsible for this, in orchestrating forming us 5. Our schedules are crazy, but it was so surreal to see this happen. This isn't normal. I know much of them in the past, but haven't really worked with Arci and Matt, and I'm so proud to have had the privilege to work with Direk Mike Sandejas because this story is so personal for him. He wrote this a long time ago, and it now has a different meaning for him. We hope that reaches you somehow. Before this, Rhian and I were in Sanggre, when we learned about this project, I was happy because we were able to talk lengthily about the film. It's not something we expected to happen, and although there are plans to do another film, this is a bonus for Rastro fans. They'll get to see us in a different story, a different role. Rhian is actually very musically inclined, people don't know that she plays the drums and is pretty good at it. She'll surprise you with what she's going to do here. We don't talk about the usual stuff, we make candles, things that make us happy. We talk about personal things, and 10 years ago, that's a long time. We have different dynamics, it's not about just work, but life. When we were young, we dreamed of being stars, but now it has purpose. Through this film, you get to see that, you also have new dreams and see why you need to make an effort to achieve more."

Arci says "We are celebrating a very beautiful story of 5 people, connected with the love of music and love of God. Everyone had their struggles, they found their purpose and I feel people can relate to it because Direk Mike did a great job interpreting it. We hope to be able to save lives with this. I do have a band in real life, we've been together for 17 years and I think about the things we personally go through. It's not easy, you have to find your purpose, your reasons, and how to go through problems that are bigger than you. This also teaches you to be inspired. You will never fail as long as you have the Lord beside you."

Matt says "This film will touch a lot of people. I relate to this because as an artist, I sometimes don't deserve the success that I get. It will teach you about life, Direk Mike certainly worked hard with the story. The only thing I did to succeed was to hold on to God. My faith is a huge factor in everything I do."

Rayver says "I relate to this because we both are going through things. Music is something that makes me happy, when I was called for this role, we call each other bandmates. That makes me so happy even after the shoot."

Here's the press conference on video, get tissues because they've been quite emotional during this event!

This is certainly a very promising film to watch. I hope their individual fans would be able to watch the film because this is certainly something they'd love as a story. It comes out on April 2 under SINAGTALA FILMS. 

The Philippine Coffee Expo 2025 "Charting New Frontiers" Slated May 9-11 at SPACE One Ayala

Filipinos love for coffee is not surprising. If I'd ask you how many cups you've had for a day, you would probably lie to lessen the guilt or just throw in a number and call it a day. We are after all the second largest coffee consumer in Asia right after our neighbor Japan, because those cups of coffee in the morning gets counted too. Our coffee culture is undeniable, and the industry is still growing. The strong market actually has issues, supply isn't enough locally. Surprise, surprise!

Recently, they launched the 2025 edition of The Philippine Coffee Expo which they labeled as "Charting New Frontiers". This will happen on May 9 to 11 at One Ayala's events facility called SPACE which is directly accessible from the Ayala MRT Station in Makati. The media conference was arranged by Perdem Hay Marketing Solutions Inc. and their sponsors Gourmet Farms Inc., the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Rural Development Project and National Project Coordinating Office, the kind people from Easy Brand PH (who's got awesome products btw!), Eighty Plus, Top Creamery, and the folks from Curve Coffee Collaborators too.

The event will also house the annual Philippine Coffee Quality Competition where they choose the best coffee beans and recognize the farmers that produce it. They also recognize the folks in between, who make sure those who get those beans from the land they came from to your coffee cup. They follow strict guidelines to make sure they acknowledge those who have merits. Exhibitors include Lasa, Cavite State Polytechnic University, Food inc., the good people of Cordillera Coffee, Agnep Heritage Coffee, Cafe Vera, Ciento Cookies, Milestone Coffee + Kitchen, D'Baristroe, Drip Kofi, Messy Summers, Subtle Coffee, Agkafetta Coffee, Cafe Sartog, and more. If you are planning to put up a cafe, or simple trying to source products for it, this would be the best event you could go to. They also had different artists do Coffee Art, which was so nice to see done live!

There will be local and international resource speakers, Coffee and Story Sessions, exhibits, business connections, cupping events, several pop up cafes on site, international specialty coffee exhibitors, Barista and Roasting competitions too.

 

Ms. Brenda Claver the PCG Director for Audit  says "I've been doing talks in different regions, from barista, supplier, and just about everyone in organizing this event. Coffee is a source for comfort, and the Philippine Coffee Expo has been an occasion to come together to share our expertise. Bringing the world together, from our exhibits, demos, it will be a feast for the senses. We have roasters,  equipment manufacturers to showcase the latest products in the coffee world. It's not just about coffee, but community, to promote and work together in an environmental way, spreading the love for coffee."

 

 Philippine Coffee Guild Chairman Mel Garcia says "Coffee is part of my research, this is more than just celebrating produce, but beyond that, it's an industry that involves producers and consumers deeper than the usual. We have members across the chain, even educators and enthusiasts who are members. Composer of those that represent stakeholders, public or private, and we are an organization that represents the industry and its members. The first one was in Davao in 2022 and we promoted farm entrepreneurship. We are going around the country and did it in World Trade Center, and now we are the highly accessible One Ayala and their SPACE. Foot traffic was great, and we had to beg off some attendees because there were so many folks coming in. We need to look beyond the industry, the sheer number of is visibly growing, but perhaps, not really maturing. With your help, we want to use our platform that would be able to help us. Some of our sponsors are here. Help us to tell people that our market needs to mature. We need to address volume, an entire ecosystem, this great venue will house a multitude of regions and represent their provinces. This would be a great place for you to get first dibs and network with like minded individuals, and surely baristas will fight for their place. They will be judged with world class criterion, in this annual coffee competition. You could see how  lives have changed with it."

 

Here's the press conference on video, please enjoy!

 

 

 

  

He adds "We are recognized by DTI and have SME's, Pop Up Shops participating. They are leading brands that you would be good to talk to about the industry and various sectors."

 

As you can see, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have yet to discuss a lot about the Philippine coffee industry and its promising future. If you would want to acquire tickets to the event, please visit their official site philippinecoffeeexpo.com and register there.

 

MAKI Hints Full Album Release at BUGHAW Single and MV Launch

One of the nicest songs of this generation I heard was from this artist named Maki. He's gotten a huge following, not surprised because of the quality of the song, but it did have a notion of it being a one hit wonder, til I head the rest of the songs he came out with.

Speaking of which, he just recently released a song called BUGHAW. He also directed the music video, sort of his directorial debut too. This is under Tarsier Records which is under Star Music. They had a launch a few days ago at Matrix in Quezon City. It was quite intimate, with not just his fans in tow because his fellow artists and his whole family went there to support the very talented boy. Angela Ken, his brother Haro and ethereal sounding Dani Zam also performed before him, it was quite a revelation of songs that I haven't heard yet. I felt music in the Philippines had a very bright future after seeing that, no joke.

Here's the part where he got to talk to his fans that evening:

The Zushis, his fan group, all went in throngs to support him. All I heard from them and his family is how he remained humble, down to earth despite the remarkable success he's had for quite a while. He also hinted a full blown album which he plans to release soon, so stay tuned for that. He also wants to create his own short film, preferably Anime themed because he's quite fond of doing the art form. Here's why people adore him, check out the performances that evening on this video:

 

 

Make sure you stream his new single, and wait for the full album he plans to release this year.