FEATURES

Last December 22, 2023, The Kitchen City and the Figaro Coffee Group, Inc. (“FCG”) had its grand opening of the Lobby Café in World Trade Center, Pasay City. A ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the following, Mr. Guillermo Luchangco, Chairman Emeritus of ICCP Group of Companies; Ms. Pamela Pascual, Chairman and CEO of Manila Exposition Complex Inc.; Kitchen City’s Owner and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Alfredo Yao; Mr. Ricardo Abelardo Jr., President of Kitchen City and Mr. Ace Azarraga, FCG’s Brand and Partnership Director.

The World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) is the venue of major exhibitions and trade shows participated by foreign delegations and buyers from different parts of the world. It offers a fully equipped facility in a strategic location that offers excellent visitor mileage and accessibility to international airports, seaports, entertainment, and cultural facilities, five-star hotel accommodations as well as in Makati, the main central business district in the Philippines.

L-R: Mr. Ace Azarraga, FCG’s Brand and Partnership Director; President of Kitchen City, Mr. Ricardo Abelardo Jr.; Mr. Alfredo Yao, Kitchen City Owner and Chairman of the Board; Mr. Guillermo Luchangco, Chairman Emeritus of ICCP Group of Companies and Ms. Pamela Pascual, Chairman and CEO of Manila Exposition Complex Inc.

Mr. Ace Azarraga stated, “The Figaro Coffee Group and Kitchen City have been partners since before the pandemic. Kitchen City selected FCG as its coffee provider due to the latter’s commitment to delivering quality and affordable products. With more than 13 outlets distributed across Kitchen City concessionaires, schools, offices, and manufacturing companies, FCG has successfully established a strong presence in various sectors.”

Mr. Ricardo Abelardo Jr. added “The Opening of Lobby Café is a celebration of long-term planning of a vision, consistently offering good service and option for world trade clients. World Trade Center is one of the leading event venues , they don’t stop what they are doing right now and constantly searching for what is next.”

“As you can see in the Philippines, Kitchen City and FCG are very strong partners. I’m glad that Figaro Coffee is a well-known brand owned by a Filipino” said Abelardo.

FCG continues to expand not only opening stores but also partnering with other big companies like Kitchen City. From a humble beginning to becoming a global success, Figaro Coffee remains committed to providing exceptional coffee experiences and supporting local communities.

Ang SM Supermalls ay kamakailan lamang na nagwagi sa Mobility Awards 2023, kung saan 13 na SM malls ang kinikilala bilang mga pasilidad na nagtataguyod ng mga sustainable at bicycle-friendly practices sa Pilipinas.

Ang SM Mall of Asia ay kinilala bilang “Top 2 Most Bicycle-Friendly Large Establishment” at iginawad ng Silver Award. Kasama sa iba pang Silver Awardees ang SM Center Pasig, SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, SM City Angono, SM Cherry Antipolo, SM City Baguio, SM Seaside City Cebu, at SM Lanang sa Davao. Samantala ang mga Bronze Awardees naman ay kinabibilangan ng SM City North Edsa, SM City Fairview, SM City Manila, and SM City San Lazaro.

Ang mga protektadong bike lanes ng SM Mall of Asia sa North Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) Terminal sa Pacific Drive.

“At SM Supermalls, we believe in promoting a healthier and more environmentally conscious lifestyle. Receiving these recognitions motivates us to continue innovating and enhancing our facilities to better serve the needs of our cycling community,” sabi ni SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan.

Sa SM Lanang sa Davao, ligtas at madaling ma-access ang mga kalsada para sa mga naglalakad, nagbibisikleta, at nagmamaneho.

Ang “Bike My Way” program ng SM Lanang sa Davao ay nagpapalaganap ng pagmamahal sa pagbibisikleta sa mga kabataan at ginagawang ligtas na lugar ang mall para sa mga nagnanais maging siklista.

Ang SM Cares, na Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm ng SM Supermalls, ay nagtataguyod sa komunidad ng mga nagbibisikleta sa pamamagitan ng Bike-Friendly SM Program. Binibigyan ng SM ng halaga ang pagbibisikleta bilang isang ligtas at ekonomikong alternatibo sa gitna ng pandemya, kung saan itinatag ang mga bike-friendly na pasilidad sa iba’t ibang lugar.

Bike parking ng SM Mall of Asia sa Entertainment Mall sa Seaside Boulevard.

Ang protektadong bike lane ng SM Center Pasig sa Dona Julia Vargas Avenue.

Mga bike racks sa SM City Masinag.

Bike Repair Station ng SM Cherry Antipolo sa covered bike parking area

Ang Central Bike Stations ng SM Cherry Antipolo na may Bike & Dine facilities at mga itinalagang upuan.

Bike parking ng SM City Baguio sa B1 Parking Annex.

Bike parking ng SM City North Edsa sa Open Parking B.

Ang SM City Fairview ay nagdaraos ng Bike Fest event bilang pagsalubong sa World Bicycle

Mga pasilidad para sa bike parking sa SM City Manila.

Ang mga bike racks sa SM City San Lazaro.

Sa SM Mall of Asia, mayroong malawak na network na may 18 kilometro ng shared at dedicated bike lanes, maayos na bike racks, vending machines, at service repair stations. Ang commitment na ito sa pagpapabuti ng cycling ay nasasalamin sa lahat ng SM Supermalls, patunay ang mga inisyatibang tulad ng 1.6km na designated bike lanes sa SM Seaside City Cebu, ang malawakang 2.1-hektaryang bike trail sa SM Center Pulilan sa Bulacan, bike lanes sa SM City Marikina, at ang pakikipagtulungan sa SM City Iloilo upang aktibong itaguyod ang kultura ng pagbibisikleta.

Ang mga “Share the Road” signage ng SM Mall of Asia.

Mga bike racks sa SM Seaside City Cebu.

Mayroon din mahigit sa 500 na bike racks at 80 na repair stations sa buong bansa. Sinisiguro ng SM Supermalls ang ligtas at kaaya-ayang kapaligiran para sa mga nagbibisikleta. Sa tulong ng Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), European Embassies, at mga grupo ng adbokasiya para sa cycling, naglunsad ang SM ng mga educational materials tulad ng Biker’s Manual at Bike Safety Videos, na layuning itaguyod ang tamang etiquette sa pagbibisikleta.

Ang Mobility Awards, na ino-organisa ng Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), The Climate Reality Project Philippines, MNL Moves, 350.org Pilipinas, at Pinay Bike Commuter Community, sa pakikipagtulungan sa League of Cities Philippines at 27 na regional na mga kasosyo, ay naglalayong ipagdiwang ang mga inisyatiba na nagtataguyod ng mabisang transportasyon.

Ang SM Cares ay nagtataguyod ng iba’t ibang adbokasiya, kasama ang mga programa para sa environmental sustainability, mga taong may kapansanan, mga bata at kabataan, kababaihan at mga breastfeeding na mga nanay, senior citizens, at social entrepreneurship. Upang malaman pa ang tungkol sa SM Cares, sundan ang @SMCares sa social media.

Wagging tails and furry friends flocked at the SM Aura Paw Park last December 17 for SM Supermalls’ Super Pets Club Christmas Paw-ty and Pet Blessing.

Pet owners create unforgettable memories with their furry companions at the Super Pets Club Christmas Pawty and Pet Blessing held recently at the SM Aura Paw Park.

The mascots of the Super Pets Club—Maki, Matty, Sasha, and Sera—entertain guests with their playful charm.Top of Form

Furbabies and furparents were given a fur-tastic party with a ‘paw-to’ booth, where paw-some memories were captured. Furry attendees were also treated to a delectable pet buffet. From gourmet treats to mouthwatering goodies, the spread was a delight for every discerning pet palate.

A puppy strikes a cute pose for the camera.

A furry guest indulges in a delicious treat.

Pet parents also had the chance to flaunt their fur babies’ fashion sense in an adorable pet costume contest. From dapper bow ties to whimsical Christmas tutus, the creativity on display was simply pawsome. The highlight of the day was a spirited pet parade that showcased the Super Pets, each strutting their stuff in style. The entertainment continued with a lively pet talent show that left everyone in awe of the remarkable skills possessed by these cute companions.

A pet dog dons a costume alongside its owner.

A precious dog transforms into an ice cream vendor.

A lovable Santa Puppy spreads holiday cheer.

A pet talent shows leaves spectators amazed by the impressive skills of these adorable companions.

The event also provided valuable insights into responsible pet care during an informative talk with veterinarian Dr. Jannie Pauline Sta. Ana, enriching the bond between pets and their owners. On top of all this, the event featured a heartwarming pet blessing.

The event strengthened the pet-owner bond with valuable insights on responsible pet care from veterinarian Dr. Jannie Pauline Sta. Ana.

The Christmas Paw-ty was an exclusive affair reserved for members of the Super Pets Club. Members reveled in the joyous camaraderie, sharing stories and experiences that celebrate the unconditional love shared between pets and their furparents.

The SM Super Pets Club’s Christmas Paw-ty was undoubtedly a tail-wagging success, leaving both pets and owners with cherished memories to last a lifetime. To know more about the Super Pets Club, visit www.smsuperpetsclub.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

Mamou at the Conrad Manila is the unofficial high-quality steak restaurant of the hotel, and that possibly extends to S Maison. Mamou’s provenance speaks for itself; as the Mamous that have cropped up across Metro Manila have become the byword for those seeking the best steak lunch or dinner in the city. If there’s a mantra in real estate that goes, “Location, Location, Location,” with Mamou, we’re talking “Meat, Meat, Meat.” And while many contend, Mamou has carved its own niche and remains a strong favorite.

Malou Fores (right), the driving force behind the acclaimed Mamou restaurants, and her husband Jorge “Oye” Araneta Fores, who is in charge of finance and marketing for the chain.

A recent showcase lunch at Mamou in S Maison at Conrad Manila brought home how there’s also a variety of main dishes that one can partake in and turn into new top picks. And there’s a bevy of starters, salads, pasta dishes, and desserts that allow us to think beyond those mouth-watering, undeniably good steaks. 

Mamou in S Maison at Conrad Manila offers a diverse array of dishes that can easily become new favorites, complemented by a selection of starters, salads, pastas, and desserts.

The Barcia Strips are crispy pork strips best served with vinegar. It’s your “sosyal pulutan,” and we say that in a good way. There’s a Truffle-Flavored Vegetable Mushroom Dip that’s served with Whole Wheat Melba Chips – a delicious concession to starting healthy before we go all-carnivore.

The Healdsburg’s Harvest is an ideal salad of seasonal greens, sweet tomatoes, glazed pecans, dried cranberries, English Stilton cheese, and a berry vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing mix of greens, fruits, and nuts. And if you decide to forego salad and head straight to a pasta starter, try the bestseller, Lorenzo’s Truffle Cream; spaghettini, with Italian Grana Padano cheese – its simplicity belies just how good this is. Or have the Pasta Cipolla, sweet onions with an anchovy sauce – a white cream sauce pasta that really hits home.

Now we get to the serious eating part of the lunch. Go-to dishes include the Angus Ribeye United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prime grade steak and the 28-day dry-aged USDA Porterhouse, accompanied by sides such as corn pudding, creamed spinach, and/or red steak rice.

Wawa’s Prime Rib is slow-roasted and served the old-fashioned way, with baked Yorkshire pudding, a common British side dish. If you really want to avoid the meat, try their Steamed Sea Bass fish, as caper and balsamic infusion really help bring out the sea flavor in a very fresh manner. And if you want something different, yet very comforting; do try the Kurobuta (Japanese black pig) Sinigang, choice morsels of tender pork, served in a tamarind broth, with Bicol fish paste rice. 

The Cuban Roast Pork and Chicken is another recommended dish, served with cinnamon Philippine saba banana and black beans. The new best-kept secret is their Lamb Curry with mango-cranberry chutney, which was excellent.

Leave room for dessert! There’s the dreamy Crispy Milk, and their Key Lime Pie with the German “schlagsahne”; “schlag” is the heavy double whipped cream that goes so well with the tartness of the pie.

Mamou’s Manager Charm Plamenco, Head Chef Mario Dulana, and Manager Mijan Magpantay

That’s Mamou in S Maison at Conrad Manila in a nutshell, all the old favorites, now mixed with some new dishes that are really worth exploring. Plus, a view of Manila Bay’s sunset! 

Wagging tails and furry friends flocked at the SM Aura Paw Park last December 17 for SM Supermalls’ Super Pets Club Christmas Paw-ty and Pet Blessing.

Pet owners create unforgettable memories with their furry companions at the Super Pets Club Christmas Pawty and Pet Blessing held recently at the SM Aura Paw Park.

The mascots of the Super Pets Club—Maki, Matty, Sasha, and Sera—entertain guests with their playful charm.

Furbabies and furparents were given a fur-tastic party with a ‘paw-to’ booth, where paw-some memories were captured. Furry attendees were also treated to a delectable pet buffet. From gourmet treats to mouthwatering goodies, the spread was a delight for every discerning pet palate.

Pet parents also had the chance to flaunt their fur babies’ fashion sense in an adorable pet costume contest. From dapper bow ties to whimsical Christmas tutus, the creativity on display was simply pawsome. The highlight of the day was a spirited pet parade that showcased the Super Pets, each strutting their stuff in style. The entertainment continued with a lively pet talent show that left everyone in awe of the remarkable skills possessed by these cute companions.

The event also provided valuable insights into responsible pet care during an informative talk with veterinarian Dr. Jannie Pauline Sta. Ana, enriching the bond between pets and their owners. On top of all this, the event featured a heartwarming pet blessing.

The event strengthened the pet-owner bond with valuable insights on responsible pet care from veterinarian Dr. Jannie Pauline Sta. Ana.

The Christmas Paw-ty was an exclusive affair reserved for members of the Super Pets Club. Members reveled in the joyous camaraderie, sharing stories and experiences that celebrate the unconditional love shared between pets and their furparents.

The SM Super Pets Club’s Christmas Paw-ty was undoubtedly a tail-wagging success, leaving both pets and owners with cherished memories to last a lifetime. To know more about the Super Pets Club, visit www.smsuperpetsclub.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

The SM Foundation continues to work towards achieving its vision of a future where farmers are empowered, able to share knowledge with the community, and collectively work towards elevating the entire industry through agriculture.

As a testament to this, several farmers from Pampanga, Tarlac, Camarines Sur, and Albay completed SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on Sustainable Agriculture Program.

Through KSK program farmers first underwent hands-on lectures, spanning from modern farming methods to marketing and business principles to arm them with updated agricultural knowledge and skills. Capping weeks of learning sessions, the farmers held harvest festivals in their demo farms and joined market tours with SM Markets to explore selling opportunities.

Since 2007, the program has benefited over 28,000 marginalized farmers with some graduates becoming seasonal suppliers for the SM group and local markets.

SM Foundation’s KSK-SAP is conducted in partnership with SM Supermalls, SM Markets, TESDA, DA, DSWD, DOST, DTI, and partner farm schools.

Some of the farmers from Legazpi, Albay proudly show the fruits of their labor during the Harvest Festival.

KSK farmer beneficiaries from Pampanga cap weeks-long training through a harvest festival, followed by a market tour and graduation ceremony.

A pioneering event promoting the Philippines as a world-class health and wellness destination will have a rerun on January 26-28, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Dubbed the Health & Wellness CONFEX 2024, the three-day event will gather under one roof the stakeholders of the multi trillion-dollar health and wellness industry – from award-winning wellness resorts to globally accredited hospitals that provide medical tourism packages, all the way to organic farms and specialty shops that offer a wide array of innovative, sustainable and eco-friendly health and wellness products and services.

With the theme “Go & Get Better,” the event highlights the promotion of regenerative tourism, which, in essence, is a strong call for making the places we visit better than we found them and pursuing economic growth while managing the social and environmental impacts of our visit. The event is, in fact, the centerpiece of a global multi-media campaign that aims to showcase the country’s many health and wellness destinations and will feature an exhibit, a conference, business matching sessions, and various experiential activities. It is considered the the only trade fair in the Philippines promoting health and wellness tourism, products, and services.

The ConFex will also launch its innovative television travel show-vlog that will allow the viewers to explore the fascinating world of health and wellness amid the breathtaking natural wonders of the Philippines. Called OTW, the acronym for “On Travel & Wellness,” it will take viewers on a virtual trip to the country’s many tourist spots while highlighting, at the same time, the importance of wellbeing, of keeping healthy and safe while leading an active lifestyle. The 13-episode show will provide stunning views of the sun-kissed beaches, magnificent dive sites, towering mountains and verdant woodlands that the Philippines is famous for, and it will also provide an in-depth look at the country’s diverse wellness practices – including traditional healing arts – through compelling anecdotes and discussions with regional experts. OTW will air on GMA 7’s GTV.

On its third day, the event will likewise hold a Wellness Festival called Masigabo with various programs and activities that pay tribute to the industry and sacrifices of the migrant workers, better known as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). On hand activities are designed to make them feel better, relaxed and loved. Health and wellness experts will also deliver talks about financial health, physical wellness, beauty, sustainability, environmental protection, government regulations, and more.

Health & Wellness CONFEX 2024 is co-presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the Department of Health DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Duty Free Philippines (DFP), and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

The event is likewise supported by the following:

Sponsors: Lifecore Bio Integrative Inc., Dean and Deluca Philippines, The Zen Institute, Enjoy Health, Aba Padres Hydroponics, Conrad Manila.

Event Partners: Philip Dizon, Ark of Dreams, Market Social, Tourism Congress of the Philippines, Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines, Philippine Green Building Initiative, SMX Convention Center, IQ Capture Printing Corporation, and DigitalCircles;

Media Partners: GMA Network, ABS-CBN Corporation, GMA 7 GTV, Aliw Channel 23, Business Mirror, and DOOH PH

The Health & Wellness CONFEX is spearheaded by a team of seasoned event organizers, wellness advocates, travel & tours agencies, and marketing & communication professionals, as headed by the country’s wellness guru, Cory Quirino, its Executive Director.

For any inquiries or to participate at Health & Wellness CONFEX 2024, you can reach its Secretariat by email at secretariat@wellnessconfex.com or by phone at 09277227670 (attention: Sarah Timonera).