Reliability and promptness have always been at the forefront of logistics demands, especially for the dynamic communities and businesses of NCR that frequently interact with the Visayas and Mindanao regions. LBC Express, staying attuned to these needs, introduces its newest express delivery service: RUSH.

LBC Express's RUSH service is a testament to LBC’s innovation in the logistics industry. In an age where time is often equated with opportunity, this service significantly narrows the gap between senders in NCR and recipients in Visayas and Mindanao. Gone are the days of prolonged delivery windows. With RUSH, shipments from NCR to Visayas and Mindanao promise to reach their destinations within 1 to 2 days.

Central to this efficiency is LBC's strategic shift to air cargo, which allows transit times to be drastically reduced. But it's not just about speed; LBC's approach to air cargo has been meticulous, ensuring that every item, whether its bulk cargo or sensitive documents, is handled with utmost care and security. This combined focus on swiftness and security reaffirms LBC's commitment to addressing evolving customer needs and setting new benchmarks in the industry.

Behind this service is LBC's long standing legacy in the logistics sector, celebrated for its dedication to efficient and trustworthy solutions. As local businesses increasingly seek efficient modes of operation, LBC's RUSH stands out as a practical and accessible solution for consumers in the region. 

“Over the years, we've worked hard to understand the needs of our customers. Our legacy isn't just about serving our market for as long as we have, but about constantly innovating to make sure we address those needs better. As businesses pivot towards more efficient models, LBC’s new RUSH service is our answer to that need – a reflection of our dedication to providing timely and trustworthy logistics solutions to the very people who fuel our passion,” says Oliver L. Valentin, President, Philippine Business Operations. 

RUSH isn't just rooted in the promise of speed. It's a commitment to reliability, forged from years of experience and expertise. Individuals and businesses can now operate with the confidence that their shipments, whether personal purchases or essential business documents, will arrive on time and in pristine condition. It’s a testament to LBC's unwavering focus on making its customer’s lives easier. They have not only listened to the needs of their market but have gone the extra mile to offer a solution that raises the bar for the entire logistics industry.

“LBC Express, through this service, reaffirms its commitment to bringing communities closer and making distances feel shorter. The emphasis is clear: speed, dependability, and a deep understanding of consumer needs,” ends Valentin. 

LBC RUSH service is available for all pouch and box sizes and start at PhP 100 for the Sakto pouch to PhP 2,100 for Kilobox XL.

LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 1,600 branches in the Philippines, over 200 hubs & warehouses, and thousands of partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world, even during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange through LBC Express Holdings, Inc., LBC aims to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, as it has for over 70 years.  Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, LBC pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-to-door delivery in the Philippines. Today, it is the most trusted logistics brand of the Global Filipino. LBC can move it for you: visit www.LBCexpress.com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter). For corporate information, visit www.LBCExpressHoldings.com

2GO, the Philippines' largest sea travel transportation solutions provider and a subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation, is thrilled to unveil its sea travel movement, #ShipNatinTo. With an unwavering commitment to enhancing the passenger experience at sea, 2GO brings an exciting array of upgrades and initiatives that continue to elevate the convenience and excitement of sea travel.

Café 2GO opens in 2GO ships with freshly brewed original blends.

 Brewing with new offerings and scaling experience

2GO proudly introduces Café 2GO, an onboard café available on all ships, offering signature coffee blends that redefine the sea journey experience. This novel locale merges the charm of a traditional café with the tranquility of the open sea, featuring a diverse menu of snacks, including sandwiches, pastas, and breakfast meals, complementing your favorite coffee. Indulge in beloved coffee blends alongside Filipino pasalubong favorites like Goldilocks and Brownies Unlimited, making Café 2GO the ultimate haven for relaxation during sea travel.

Watsons joins to go on its journey to elevating sea travel experiences available in 2GO ships.

Watsons Sets Sail

In October, passengers will have the opportunity to indulge in their overall wellness onboard with the availability of Watsons items on all 2GO ships. This addition ensures passengers can conveniently purchase their travel essentials, skin care needs, as well as over-the-counter medicine, as they journey towards their chosen destinations. With Watsons now joining the retail roster alongside Kultura and Miniso, passengers can expect a complete and delightful shopping experience while onboard. 

More frequent sea journeys

In October, 2GO is making travel from Manila to Puerto Princesa and Coron more convenient with a revamped weekend schedule, offering Friday afternoon departures from Manila and Monday morning returns. This provides an ideal opportunity for enriching weekend getaways to and from these stunning destinations. 

2GO is also introducing passenger callouts from Batangas to Tagbilaran, Cagayan, Cebu, and Butuan, along with nine voyages a week to Caticlan, opening exciting exploration opportunities for travelers from Southern Luzon. Furthermore, there are now more scheduled routes from Cebu and Cagayan de Oro traveling four trips per week connecting these vibrant cities to Manila.

MV 2GO Maligaya accommodates more passengers to embrace the wonders of sea travel

#ShipNatinTo, sama-sama sa saya with MV 2GO Maligaya 

Returning to sea in October, MV 2GO Maligaya boasts significant upgrades designed to accommodate more passengers and whisk them away to exciting destinations across the Philippines. With an additional passenger capacity of 200, MV 2GO Maligaya is poised to bring in more sea travelers on memorable journeys one island at a time.

Blessie Cruz, Senior AVP/Marketing Head shares, "2GO guides passengers to a gateway of incredible adventures and cherished memories. Our commitment lies in enhancing the sea travel experience, enjoying more of our world-class Philippine destinations, and crafting memorable moments with our loved ones."

2GO Travel launches #ShipNatinTo, elevating sea travel experiences in the Philippines.

Experience Elevated Sea Travel

To celebrate the launch of #ShipNatinTo, 2GO announces its latest sea sale from October 4 to 6 for only 99, inclusive of 50 kilo baggage allowance. Travel from November 1 onwards and experience 2GO Travel’s elevated sea travel from Manila to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Coron, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Ozamiz, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga and vv. Or travel within VISMIN from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Ozamiz.

To start sea traveling, 2GO tickets are available online through the 2GO App or at travel.2go.com.ph. 2GO tickets are also available at 2GO retail outlets, SM Business Centers, any of the 2,000 authorized agents nationwide, or call (02) 8528-7000.

About 2GO Group Inc.:

2GO GROUP, INC. enables the movement of goods and people throughout the Philippines. It is the largest point-to-point transportation and logistics provider in the country. At its core are five business units, namely 2GO Sea Solutions, 2GO Special Containers and Value-Added Services (SCVASI), 2GO Express, 2GO Forwarding and 2GO Logistics. 

A part of SM Investments Corporation, the country’s leading conglomerate, 2GO offers multimodal transportation, warehousing and inventory management, special containers, and project logistics as well as e-commerce logistics, including last-mile deliveries, and express courier deliveries. 2GO also provides sea travel, and a wide range of peripheral logistics such as freight forwarding, import and export processing, and customs brokerage. 2GO leverages on all its services to create unique supply chain solutions for all its customers. 

Backed by 148 years of expertise in transportation and logistics, 2GO has made a mark for providing the best travel experiences, efficient movement of products and cargoes, and for catalyzing business growth in domestic and international markets.

Tell us if this situation sounds familiar: you wake up to your alarm and realize that you have just enough time to get prepped for all the things you need to do for the day ahead. You are on schedule, but there’s one problem: you cannot really accommodate a few extra minutes to make your own coffee. Now this is an absolute emergency because what kind of coffee lover can survive without having a cup (or two) of caffeine to fuel them for the rest of the day, right? Not you.

Coffee appreciation during Coffee Festival Week at SM Home, SM City Cebu

If you find yourself facing this kind of dilemma often, then you’re probably one of those who always fall back to their favorite commercial coffee chain for their daily fuel. It’s quick and uncomplicated, after all. The taste and quality though? Well, that’s something that might be a hit-and-miss.

Any coffee lover who is serious about their love for the drink often finds themselves torn between their need for a quality cup of joe and the time and knowledge that they have to make one. But what if we tell you that you can now enjoy both? Even better, you can easily experience the best of both worlds in just one premium espresso machine.

Breville Barista Pro during Coffee Festival Week at SM Home, SM City Cebu

Breville Barista Pro

Meet the Breville Barista Pro, a new product joining the lineup of the top premium home lifestyle brand Breville Philippines. The espresso machine is a model right out of the dreams of coffee enthusiasts who want to enjoy third-wave coffee without fuss by marrying precision with speed. The Barista Pro delivers quality specialty coffee using its four keys formula that combines the ideal dosage, the right temperature, optimal pressure, and sufficient steam for every cup that you make.

The product DNA of this new model was specially made for those who want their coffee good and fast. It is equipped with the Thermojet Heating System that provides optimum extraction temperature in three seconds so you don’t have to wait.With a single touch of a button, this espresso machine also delivers the perfect amount of coffee that is packed with maximum flavor. 

Judges at one of the activities of the Coffee Festival Week at SM Home, SM City Cebu

Quality, convenience, and expertise.

Fern pattern output from a Barista using Breville Barista Pro during Coffee Festival Week at SM Home, SM City Cebu

Quality, convenience, and expertise. These are three things you can expect from the Breville Barista Pro which was made for the no-fuss coffee enthusiast. If you’re ready to experience a new era of coffee enjoyment—one that is on your terms and own timing—then this is the perfect product for you to bring home. The model retails for P79,999 but you can also trade up if you have other Breville models of espresso machines.

To know more about the product, you can visit the official website of Breville here. You can also follow their Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok channels.

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Students of Pajo Elementary School can now enjoy the updated facilities in their newly inaugurated Florida U. Young Building -- a 2-storey home economics school building constructed in support of Republic Act 8525 or the Adopt-a-School Act of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Pajo Elementary School

The building was turned over on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 by GFHI.

The building features a fully furnished home economics room on the ground floor, which has a bedroom, kitchen, furniture, and laboratory that will help the Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP), and Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) students of Pajo Elementary School.  It is designed to nurture practical skills among students and set them on a path towards self-sufficiency and empowerment.

Florida U. Young Building

On the second floor is a spacious classroom equipped with modern amenities to facilitate a conducive learning environment for students.

This generous donation of GFHI underscores their unwavering dedication to community development and education.

George Christian (Chris) L. Young III expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to honor his grandmother’s memory through this endeavor.

George Christian (Chris) L. Young III

“Over many decades, my grandmother Florida U. Young recognized the role of educators in nurturing and guiding our youth to become future leaders of our country. She had always believed that education is the great equalizer of opportunities,” he said.

“This school building is not just a manifestation of her vision to help enhance educational facilities in the province that nurtured her youth, but more importantly, this is a symbol to inspire our young generation to study harder, learn more, complete their education, and achieve more, with pride,” Mr. Chris Young added.

In her acceptance speech, Pajo Elementary School Principal Melodina Wahing expressed her appreciation to GFHI for choosing their school as recipient of the donation. She assured that the school will take good care of their new building.

“Your generosity is what gives our young pupils the resources they need and this opens doors for the next generation. Your donation gives our pupils the pride and unrelenting motivation because you believe in them,” she said.

Several stakeholders, led by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Q. Chan, attended the inauguration and turnover ceremony.

Florida U. Young Building Inauguration and Turnover Ceremony.

Other officials present were Lapu-Lapu City Congresswoman Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” K. Chan, GFHI Executive Vice President Joselito Fausto F. Parco, GFHI Finance Director Edwin Y. Kho, DepEd Lapu-Lapu City Division Program Supervisor Dr. Herminia Leyson, Pajo Barangay Captain Lyndel T. Bullos, and GPTA President Jimmy Cape, among others.

In his speech, Mayor Chan recalled how the Young family, GMC, and GFHI have always been supportive of his administration and generous to the Oponganons.

“I know Mr. George U. Young, Jr. (current president of GFHI).  Education has always been very close to the heart of Mr. Young and his family. And that is why, as a way of giving back to the community, they have chosen schools as the beneficiaries of buildings,” he said.

Chan, who used to be the barangay captain of Pajo before becoming mayor in 2019, said he is thankful that GFHI chose Pajo Elementary School as the beneficiary of the new school building.

Named after a visionary woman who left an indelible mark on her community, the Florida U. Young Building stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mrs. Young and her commitment to children and basic education.

This remarkable structure is poised to serve as a beacon of hope and progress for generations of students, teachers, and families in Lapu-Lapu City.

About GFHI

Grand Floridian Holdings, Inc. is a major shareholder of General Milling Corporation. GFHI is committed to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities by supporting projects that empower and uplift.

About GMC

General Milling Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality food products in the Philippines. The corporation is committed to corporate social responsibility and actively participates in community development programs, particularly in the areas of education and nutrition.

It continues to diversify operations in various manufacturing complex in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and General Santos City.  GMC is also engaged in property development, trading and other value-added operations in agri-business.

Bakery World 2023 was a resounding success. The exhibition has fulfilled its goal of providing a venue for networking between the bakery and food industry stakeholders and the companies providing the latest trends in ingredients and cooking equipment.

Organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of the Mandaue Business Month, the just-concluded Bakery World 2023 showcased the latest in bakery inputs, equipment, and technology.

“Events like this give us a better option because a lot of suppliers are here,” according to Chef Christopher Vincent Borja, one of those who participated in the cake design category. “With the increasing prices of ingredients, we need more options. We need better options to do our cakes and our baked goods.” Borja’s entry for the Love the Philippines cake design category is dubbed as “Embracing the Beauty: A Journey to Love the Philippines.”

“It (Bakery World 2023) brings all aspiring bakers, cake artists and chefs in one big event,” said Marie Mae Tacugue, whose entry “Remembering Harana” placed third in wedding cake design category.

Michelle Frances Ang, a home-based baker, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to join the Love the Philippines cake design competition so she can showcase how she and others have improved. “Events like these, as big as this, make us feel valued and privileged. Somehow, it boosts our morale.”  All three - Borja, Tacugue and Ang -  come from Davao.

Twenty-six-year-old Jose Miguel Tutor, whose entry “Enchantment of the Sea placed second in the Bread Art category, said it was the first competition that he joined.

Tutor traveled to Cebu together with fellow Surigaonon Elaine Dale Balahay. Ms. Balahay joined the Wedding Cake design competition with her entry Portraits of a Filipino Love Story: Maria Clara and Ibarra.

While all of the five delegates had to face challenges in bringing their entries to Cebu, they expressed satisfaction over joining the Bakery World 2023 competitions.

“We’re very, very happy for the turnout of Bakery World 2023. Every day, we accept about close to 2,000 visitors. We are happy that they are actively participating in the demos, and in the seminars,” MCCI President Kelie Ko said. “So, ultimately, we would score ourselves very good in terms of upskilling the bakery industry in Cebu, the Visayas and Mindanao.”

Ko noted that they were able to achieve MCCI’s goal in the holding of Bakery World 2023. “ We want people to learn, to innovate. It’s heartwarming to see that they are very enthusiastic in all the activities we have prepared.” 

“We are hearing (that) exhibitors want to come back. the delegates also say they want to come back and it’s probably one of the best exhibitions and events that they’ve attended,” he added.

MCCI Past President Stanley Go also expressed satisfaction over what the Bakery World 2023 has achieved. “I have the feeling of fulfillment that in our own little way as a chamber, with the help of the Province of Cebu and Mandaue City we were able to do our role to help different businesses not only in Cebu but also in Visayas and Mindanao.”

MBM 2023 Chair Mark Anthony Ynoc also felt overwhelmed by the response the exhibition has generated. “It exceeded our expectations. We cannot wait for the next one. We hope we met their expectations. Hopefully, they learned something and were able to get their supplies. And, they also learned the newest technology in the food service industry.“

Aside from the various product demonstrations in the individual booths of the exhibitors, there were also learning sessions conducted on stage.

Renowned photographer Stanley Ong conducted a Food Photography Workshop. He gave tips on how to take good pictures of products using mobile phones.

Chef Joan Estabillo and Chef Madelaine Maddagan discussed trends and innovations in sugar modeling figures. Chef Beverly Maranan spoke on the topic “Fresh Out of the Oven: A Discovery of New Flavors and Baking Techniques. Chef Maranan demonstrated how to use Oleo-Fats Inc. ingredients in making different baked products.

Chef Rose Marie Lim discussed Quality Assurance and Food Safety in Sweetening Lives through Peotraco products.

On the other hand, Global Pacific brought chefs Raymond Mendoza, Timothy Faller and Anna Octaviano to showcase Merry Little Café- a Holiday Treat.

With success and good response from both the exhibitors and the guests, MCCI is expected to continue holding the Bakery World Exhibition every two years.