Learn How this Takoyaki Franchise Concept Built More than 40 Branches in Just a Year

When the pandemic hit, a lot of sectors were badly affected. The food industry was not spared and entrepreneurs had to revisit their plans and business models. Stories of hope were hard to come by, but some found the courage to start during this difficult period in our lives. This includes a group of young entrepreneurs who share the passion of bringing Japanese food closer to homes. 

What started out as a humble takoyaki bazaar stall in Iloilo has now grown into a merienda favorite with branches nationwide. Otako Monsta takes pride in its unique business model that was designed to be attractive and beneficial to its future partners. Because they knew they wanted to grow their business through expansion, the team focused on creating a franchisee package that has good profit returns.

Otako Monsta has made franchising less intimidating by removing royalty and marketing fees. Low capital investment also makes the brand a good option for young entrepreneurs who want to invest their money. On top of this, partners enjoy a 125% capital margin and will reap their return on investment (ROI) within 1 year. 

Co-founder Gian Franco Go believes that their guiding principles in running their Japanese street food empire are keeping a wide range of food options, competitive pricing, and fostering a passionate team that will always have their partners’ best interest in mind. In keeping these beliefs as their core, they make sure they’re always a step ahead from similar food concepts. Otako Monsta takes pride in its wide variety of Takoyaki flavors which can be enjoyed for as low as P99 for 6 pieces. Their best-selling seafood-filled takoyaki Monsta, finished off with their matcha dessert balls, will surely keep you coming back for more. 

Taking into consideration foot traffic and competition in the vicinity, Otako Monsta has aggressively expanded across Visayas and Mindanao and has recently started opening branches in Luzon. They closed 2021 with over 40 branches, and are continuing to build this number in the months to come. 

If you share the same passion as the Otako Monsta team and have locations for new branches in mind, reach out to https://tinyurl.com/OtakoxBloggers to start your franchisee journey. 

Follow us at our social media pages and stay tuned for more updates. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OtakoMonsta

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otako_monsta/

Tanduay Wins Platinum, Innovation Honors in Consumer-Judged SIP Awards

Four Tanduay Rum products received top honors at the 2022 SIP Awards, the only wines and spirits competition where judging panel is comprised of consumers.

“The consumer is your biggest judge, which is why the SIP Awards remains steadfast in our goal of providing one of the most reliable measures of beverage quality rating in the world.” ~said the SIP Awards in its website (www.sipawards.com)

Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Executive Vice President Kyle Tan, who is in charge of the company’s export business, said that they are grateful for the recognition from both consumers and critics alike.

“This goes to show how we pay much attention to the quality of our rums and we are proud to say that all its ingredients are sourced from the Philippines where the tropical weather contributes to its fine tastes.” ~Kyle Tan, Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Executive Vice President

Tanduay’s Winning Rums

Especia Spiced Rum and Tanduay Asian Rum Silver both received the competition’s Platinum Award. The award is given to spirits that “represent a distinguished class that earned exceptional marks from consumer judges.”

The former is the newest product from Tanduay. Introduced to select markets only last March, it also received a double gold in the San Diego Spirits Festival.

Tanduay Asian Rum Silver, meanwhile, is one of the rum brand’s most-awarded products. It has received honors from top international spirits competitions and has 12 Monde Selection medals to its name.

Another favorite in international contests, Tanduay Double Rum, received the Silver and Innovation Awards. SIP’s Innovation Award is given to spirits with an interesting and unique taste profile or design.

Tanduay Asian Rum Gold also received the Silver Award from the contest.

 

Further  Boost to Growing Export Business

“We would like to thank the SIP Awards, especially the consumer judges, for recognizing the quality of our rums. This gives our international expansion a big boost.” ~Kyle Tan, Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Executive Vice President

As of this writing, Tanduay has entered the rum markets of 12 U.S. states and the territory of Guam, the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

“Tanduay has been loved by Filipinos for decades. It’s time to let the world know about it as it is a product that showcases the country’s best local ingredients and its people’s craftsmanship and ingenuity.” ~Kyle Tan, Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Executive Vice President

Tanduay is a heritage brand from the Southeast Asian country known for its beautiful beaches and friendly people. It was established in 1854 and is one of a few Filipino companies that have reached its centennial year. As early as the 1800s, the rum brand has received awards from international spirits competitions.

End summer on a sweet note with adelicious Subway® treat

Summer is coming to an end, but the memories we've made during the season will stay with usuntil the year ends! Sweet treats never fail to put a smile on our faces as we get closer to therainy season, so reminisce about the flavors of summer with our delicious Cinnamon RaisinCookies that you can definitely share with family and friends! Whenever you are feeling down,cheer up, and feel good with this crunchy delight.

Savor our delectable Cinnamon Raisin Cookies for only Php 26 per piece! Grab one or two atthe nearest Subway® store near you and join the lucky ones to enjoy this fantastic deal. It's definitely the #BetterChoice as we end this Summer season and welcome the Rainy Days! Available for dine-in and takeout transactions and or Grab delivery orders. This limited-time-offer cookie is available up to 5 July 2022 or until supply lasts.

Insular Life elects new Executive Trustee

The Board of Trustees of Insular Life (InLife) has elected InLife’s Senior Executive Vice President Noemi G. Azura to the Board, to replace Trustee Gil B. Genio who resigned recently. 

 

Azura is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Insular Health Care (IHC), the HMO subsidiary of InLife, and concurrently InLife’s Corporate Solutions and Digital Insurance Head. 

 

Under Azura’s leadership, IHC attained impressive business results, hitting its 5-year cumulative net income target within three years. In 2021, it breached the P1 B mark in terms of membership fees which was 37% more than the previous year’s results. 

 

From 2018 to 2021, IHC’s total revenue grew at a compounded annual growth rate or CAGR of 35%, significantly above HMO industry revenue CAGR of 6% for the same period. This sustained performance is a result of the transformation initiatives, including a mass adoption of digital technology, undertaken under Azura’s leadership. 

 

Azura’s leadership acumen is honed by over 30 years of experience in consumer banking and health insurance from local and global companies. Her expertise are in the areas of business transformation, innovation and strategy, sales and distribution as well as audit and compliance. Azura joined InLife in 2017 as Chief Strategy Officer. 

 

“We are excited to have Noemi in the InLife Board as an Executive Trustee. Her breadth of experience and unique perspective as a global Filipina leader will help us accelerate the growth trajectory of InLife. We would like to thank Gil Genio for sharing his time and expertise to the Board during the four years that he was a Trustee.” ~Nina Aguas, InLife Executive Chairperson

 

Azura, previously held leadership roles at Citibank, American Express and Australia New Zealand Bank, including an international assignment at ANZ Melbourne. 

 

Among her accolades are the 2018 UP Virata School of Business Distinguished Alumna Awardee, and Icons of Healthcare Singapore Award for Female Healthcare Professional of the Year 2016, awarded by BERG Singapore in recognition of providing new age digital healthcare access to Filipino citizens.

 

She completed her Bachelor of Science Major in Accounting from the De La Salle University and Master of Business Administration at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. She is a Certified Public Accountant. 

About The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd

Insular Life (InLife) is the first, largest, and only mutual Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 111 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones. 

As a mutual life insurance company, our accountability is to our policyholders.  They can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P148 billion and net worth of P37 billion. We have a nationwide presence in 53 branches all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the growth and security of our partners, policyholders and beneficiaries, because we exist to offer a lifetime for good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife.com.ph.

BPI Sinag evolves to achieve more inclusive and sustainable growth

BPI Foundation remains committed to be at the forefront of social entrepreneurship in the country through its Sinag program.

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), officially launched the 8th iteration of its flagship program, BPI Sinag, which champions the social enterprise (SE) sector in the country. 

With this year’s theme: BPI Sinag Evolution, the program aims to elevate its impact and achieve inclusive and sustainable growth by implementing for the first time, a multi-stakeholder approach, highlighting three vital pillars: the social entrepreneurs, the educators, and the intervenors or sub-sectors. BPI Foundation has committed Php3 million worth of cash grants for these pillars this year.

BPI Sinag Evolution is also aligned with the National Social Enterprise Development Roadmap, one of the accomplishments of Sinag Spark last year, translating the roadmap strategies into viable programs. 

Introduced in 2015, the BPI Sinag program was initially conceived as a business challenge for social enterprises (SEs). It has now evolved into a growing ecosystem that continues to bring together not just the country’s visionary entrepreneurs, but also mentors, investors, and other stakeholders with a collective goal of inclusive and sustainable growth through social entrepreneurship. 

Over the years, the program has supported 238 SEs nationwide and awarded over Php20 million cash grants to help them strengthen their enterprises, widen their reach, and further uplift the lives of their communities.

Owen Cammayo, BPI Foundation Executive Director

“Evolution best represents the enhancements in our Sinag program over time to better address the needs of the broader SE ecosystem. Doing well by doing good as an economic and social imperative is more relevant now more than ever. This is the perfect time to increase our collective efforts to become more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable when doing business. This is the essence why we strongly support social enterprises.” ~Owen Cammayo, BPI Foundation Executive Director

Delighted to continue its long-time partnership with BPI Foundation in empowering social enterprises. 

Prof. Francisco “Jay” Bernardo, Bayan Academy President and Chairman

“BPI Foundation together with Bayan Academy and other program partners will contribute and make available suitable resources to assist social enterprises in their journey to evolve. The BPI Sinag Evolution program fully supports the promotion of an enabling environment so social enterprises cannot just merely survive, and it doesn’t stop at thriving, but also allowing them to evolve.” ~Prof. Francisco “Jay” Bernardo, Bayan Academy President and Chairman

During the virtual launch, four Sinag alumni, JT Solis of Mayani, Catherine Diquit of Likhang Maragondon, Cecille Virtucio of Batangas Egg Producers Cooperation, and Lorielinda Bella Rago-Marte of Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association also talked about their experiences on how the program helped grow their social enterprises.

Ms. Catherine Diquit of Likhang Maragondon

“Kami ay maliit na social enterprise lamang and we are only months-old noong sumali kami dito. Because of BPI Sinag, we had a better understanding kung ano ba ang social enterprise. We met so many inspiring people. Nagkaroon kami ng better connections and network. The funding that we got from BPI Sinag really help us kasi ngayon nakapagpagawa na kami ng manufacturing hub.” ~Ms. Catherine Diquit of Likhang Maragondon

Together with its main implementing partner, Bayan Academy, BPI Foundation will continue its partnerships with BPI’s microfinance arm, BPI BanKo, together with Ayala Land, Start Up Village, and Villgro Philippines. As part of the program’s evolution, the foundation also sealed a collaboration with Entrego to boost the market access of SEs by providing reliable logistic solutions for the safe and timely delivery of their products.

Business challenge for social enterprises

The “Sinag Evolution” business challenge will open its doors again to social enterprises. Of 60 SEs who will qualify for the bootcamps and mentoring sessions, the Top 25 will be shortlisted for the selection of the Top 10, who will receive as much as Php300,000 cash grant.

Aside from the cash grants, BPI Foundation will provide Sinag SEs with an MBA-like experience through virtual mentoring sessions, which will include sessions on business strategy and planning, marketing, operations, finance, organization & HR development, and social innovation, among others. Sinag SEs will also benefit from market access through the Sinag Sari-Sari Store in Ayala malls nationwide through its partnership with Alagang Ayala Land.

The business challenge is open to social entrepreneurs who are 18 years old and above leading a registered social enterprise that has been operating for at least six months. The application period will run until June 30, 2022. 

New offerings for the academe and sub-sectors

With the multi-stakeholder approach, the “Sinag Evolution” will also give opportunities to the members of the academe and the support intervenors of SEs through a customized management program and competition.

Aiming to encourage academic institutions to be at the active forefront of social entrepreneurship, BPI Foundation offers the BPI Sinag Social Entrepreneurship and Management Course for Educators. The course, which will focus on effective methodologies in teaching social entrepreneurship management, is open to the members of the academe, including school heads, administrators, and lead teachers who specialize in general entrepreneurship and business management. 

The deadline for applications is on June 10, 2022, while the training will be from June 13 to 17. The participating educators will then submit their proposals and present them to an esteemed panel of judges. Five educators with the best proposals will win a cash grant of Php100,000 each.

For the SE Intervenors and Subs-sectors, BPI Foundation aims to collaborate with various organizations, including corporate foundations, NGOs, civil society organizations, and other government agencies, in promulgating social entrepreneurship as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.

The participants will be given the chance to learn about social entrepreneurship management and frameworks that may be used as interventions in the community that they support. In addition, they will be asked to present proposals to integrate social entrepreneurship in their existing programs to achieve better social impact in the communities they serve. 

Interested participants may register until August 12, 2022, while the five-day bootcamp will be held from August 22 to 26. Five participants with the most viable proposals will win a cash grant of Php100,000 each.

To know more about Sinag Evolution, visit https://www.bpifoundation.org/page/bpi-sinag and follow BPI Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT BPI FOUNDATION

The story of empowerment is at the center of BPI Foundation’s work. It is our commitment to enable underserved communities with financial knowledge and access to spur responsible and sustainable growth and progress for Filipinos. 

Support the SIBOL Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Team in the 31st SEA Games and receive special exclusive merchandize

Fans and viewers can support our SIBOL MLBB team and get a chance to take home special merchandize items.

Blacklist International will once again showcase their dominance in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, this time, as the Philippines' representative in the upcoming 31st SEA Games MLBB competition in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

With #LakadMatatag as their battle cry, the reigning M3 World Champions will vie to snatch the most coveted gold medal for the Philippines. As SIBOL MLBB team's first match is scheduled tomorrow, May 18th, here are some of the ways to support them and receive merchandize items: 

Cheer for the Filipino athletes

Send words of encouragement to SIBOL MLBB athletes through their social media pages. The Philippines is led by Blacklist International world champions Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna as team captain, together with Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario, Salic “Hadji” Imam, and Dexter “DEX STAR” Alaba.

Newcomers Kyle “Dominic” Sotto, Howard “Owl” Gonzales, and Russel “Eyonz” Usi are completing the roster. Meanwhile, Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza and Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani are coaching the team.

Make sure to stream the matches

Join the team in their fights by streaming their matches. On May 18th, SIBOL MLBB team's first best-of-two match will be against Malaysia at 9 am. It will be followed with a match with Laos team at 12:00 noon. Their last match for the day is scheduled at 8:30 pm with Myanmar.

The matches will be streamed through the following pages: 

MPL-PH YouTube (Filipino): https://www.youtube.com/c/MPLPhilippines

MPL-PH Facebook (Filipino): https://www.facebook.com/mplph.official

MPL-PH TikTok (Filipino): https://www.tiktok.com/@mplph_official

Take home special #LakadMatatag items

Stream the battles and receive special #LakadMatatag merchandize items. Simply visit the TikTok app, click on the SEA Games Hero banner to find out the live schedules, participate in the sessions, and comment your favorite SEA Games athlete with the hashtag #LabanPilipinas during the live stream.

Six lucky fans can take home TikTok x SEA Games #LabanPilipinas items such as shirts, bags, tumblers. Lucky viewers will be chosen on the SEAGamesHero livestreams happening from today until May 24th.

"We thank our SIBOL MLBB representatives for bringing pride to our country in esports. We are immensely proud of their perseverance and are thrilled to see how they will conquer the Southeast Asian region." ~Tonyo Silva, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League - Philippines Senior Marketing Manager

"Filipino athletes are world class not just in traditional sports, but also in esports. We aim to prove it this upcoming Southeast Asian games." ~Marlon Marcelo, SIBOL Interim Executive Director

Get to know more about Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League - Philippines. Visit the following official social media platforms:

Website: https://ph-mpl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mplph.official

Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/552408582749930

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MPLPhilippines

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mplph_official?lang=en

About MOONTON 

Established in 2014, MOONTON is a global video game company dedicated to gaming development, publication and esports. With more than 900 employees worldwide, the company operates offices in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China. It has successfully launched a number of high-profile mobile games globally and has built long-term relationships with governments and esports organizations in more than 30 countries around the world. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is its current star game and the leading mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game worldwide. 

About Mobile Legends: Bang Bang 

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the most popular mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game worldwide that brings communities together through teamwork and strategy. With over one billion installations and 100 million active monthly users, the award-winning game is among the top 10 most played in over 80 countries. With an extensive reach across the Asia Pacific region, the multiplayer is available in 139 countries with an expansive global esports presence. 

About Mobile Legends Esports 

Established in 2017, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports serves as a platform for players to pursue their dreams of becoming esports athletes and illuminate opportunities within the international esports ecosystem. MLBB Esports has since expanded to multiple leagues, including the MPL series hosted in Southeast Asia. 

Meet the Century Tuna Superbods 2022 Finalists

Thirty-two hot, healthy, and fit men and women who stood out from hundreds of hopefuls will soon take the spotlight as finalists of Century Tuna Superbods Love Strong 2022, the most anticipated health and fitness event in the Philippines.  

The Final Callback judges [L-R]; Century Pacific Food, Inc. chief operating officer and executive vice president Greg Banzon, radio and television host Sam YG, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Singer, and actress Sunshine Cruz, and Century Pacific Food, Inc. vice president and general manager for tuna division Carlo Endaya.

With the powerful and relevant theme "Stay Strong to Love Strong," this year’s diverse roster of finalists carry with them their reasons to have a strong and healthy body to take on challenges—highlighting the importance of having a healthy lifestyle for the people they care about, especially amid the pandemic. Century Tuna Superbods 2022 launched a more inclusive competition that’s open to anyone regardless of age, background, and gender—candidates simply need to make a stand and become an inspiration to Filipinos to be the best version of themselves.

After the online auditions for this year’s competition, the final callbacks were held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the official venue partner for Superbods 2022. The aspirants were carefully screened to vie for the title Century Tuna Superbod.

“We would like to congratulate this year's finalists for making it this far. We are excited to witness their Superbods journey and see how they can inspire others to become better versions of themselves.” ~Carlo Endaya, Century Pacific Food Inc. (CPFI) Vice President and General Manager for Tuna Division

The 32 finalists will all be undergoing a series of activities and challenges leading up to the finals night in July. Moreover, two grand winners will receive ₱500,000.00 each, while the two runners-up will receive ₱200,000.00 each, tax-free. All four winners will also get a year’s worth of Century Tuna products and other exciting prizes.

16 beautiful and fit Female Finalists:

The 16 beautiful and fit female finalists for Century Tuna Superbods 2022.

Andrea Abalos
Julia Mae Mendoza
Michelle Arceo
Selena Antonio Reyes
Chrystalle Omaga
Sherlyn Doloriel
Kerri Reilly
Christelle Abello
Vienne Shirin Feucht
Querubin Gonzales
Mia Salisbury
Nadia Mostoles
Kim Velasco
Lovely Elazegui
Mary Gonzalez
Xandria Bautista

16 fit and strong Male Finalists:

The 16 fit and strong male finalists of this year’s Century Tuna Superbods.

Erik Lennart Visser
Paul Emmanuel Pedley
Ramon Jesus Lund Reyes
Kirk Bondad
Sean Patrick Ramirez
George Baker
Gee Plamenco Jr.
Jose Jaime Santamaria
Edison James Borja
Lourd Ramos
Anjo Resurreccion
Juan Jaime Manotoc
John Christopher Santos
Mark Darryl Soriano
Julian Roxas
Herson Sorias

To keep updated on Century Tuna Superbods journey, visit and follow Century Tuna’s Facebook page, @centurytuna, or Instagram @centurytunasuperbods. Catch the latest Century Tuna TVC starring Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards from this year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULSBwhLI1P8.

Laging Maasahan For Every Juan

Do you want to get a chance to win P30,000? All you have to do is to watch and share  the FB pinned post of JuanHand.

 

The promo is open to all Filipinos with a Facebook account and will run from May 1 to June 1, 2022. Go to JuanHand’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/JuanHandOfficial). Check out the official pinned post of JuanHand containing the mechanics and videos they need to watch in order to participate in the draw. Announcement of Winners will be on June 2, 2022, via a Facebook Post. 

Choose the video that you will watch – Negosyo, Palengke or Pangarap – and answer the question that will appear in the video.

To take part in the lucky draw, all participants must share the official FB Promo Post on their Facebook profiles.  Participants’ post must be set to public. Participants must screenshot their FB Profile sharing the pinned post with the answer to the question of the selected video. Don't forget to include the official hashtag #LagingMaasahanForEveryJuan.

Lastly, they must register on the promo registration link here: https://woobox.com/5tni2t provided with their name, contact details, address and screenshot of their entries.

 

One winner will get to win P30,000 worth of G-Cash; two winners will receive P10,000 worth of Gcash and five lucky winners will get to win P2,000 worth of Gcash.

 

So what are you waiting for? Visit JuanHand’s FB page now

Promo Period: May 1- June 1, 2022

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-142387 Series of 2022.