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Tag: Philippines

  • Vietnamese automaker ships buses to Philippines

    Vietnamese automaker ships buses to Philippines

    Vietnam’s leading automaker and assembler Thaco shipped the first 15 buses to the Philippines on Saturday.

    Tran Ba Duong, chairman of Truong Hai Auto (Thaco), said the exported buses were redesigned after seven months of testing in the Philippines. They had a localization rate of 45 percent and complied with Euro 5 emission standards.

    All the buses were assembled in the Chu Lai open economic zone in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam.

    Duong said a major challenge in exporting vehicles made or assembled in Vietnam was the complicated assessment process in foreign countries. For example, the process takes six months in Thailand, four to five months in the Philippines and a year in the U.S.

    Thaco expected to ship 200 buses to the Philippines in 2020.

    The firm exported 186 automobiles of various types to ASEAN countries and plans to export over 1,020 units next year. Thaco also exported auto parts and accessories worth $14.5 million to South Korea and Japan in 2019, and this is expected to rise to $21 million in 2020.

    Thaco has been researching, manufacturing and assembling buses and continuously promoting investment in the field since 2004. To date, the company has supplied over 17,000 buses to the domestic market, holding a 65 percent market share.

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  • AirAsia increases some flight frequencies from Cebu, Clark

    AirAsia increases some flight frequencies from Cebu, Clark

    AirAsia said Friday it was increasing flight frequencies out of its Clark and Cebu hubs to meet travel demand.

    Starting in January, the following will be flown daily from 3 times weekly: Clark to Iloilo (Z2 931) and Iloilo to Clark (Z2 932). The following will be flown 4 times weekly from 3 times: Cebu to Kuala Lumpur (Z2 7110) and Kuala Lumpur to Cebu (Z2 7111), AirAsia said.

    Starting March 29, the following will be flown 4 times weekly from 3 times: Clark to Tacloban (Z2 975) and Tacloban to Clark (Z2 976). Also on March 29, the following will be flown daily from 3 times weekly: Cebu to Puerto Princesa (Z2 543) and Puerto Princesa to Cebu (Z2 544), AirAsia said.

    “We are pleased to welcome the new year with additional flights, offering guests more options when flying with us as they accomplish their travel goals this 2020. Our adjustments are well guided by data, and I am very optimistic about the tourism boost this will bring to our country in the summer months,” said AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.

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  • Handmade KitKat goes on sale in Manila

    Handmade KitKat goes on sale in Manila

    Nestle-owned global chocolate brand KitKat is running a pop-up concept at SM Megamall in Manila until December 25.

    Called KitKat Chocolatory, the concept store allows customers to customize their own KitKat creations by choosing from a range of ingredients including almonds, macadamias and pretzels. It also offers limited edition local flavors such as mango graham, ube, saba and quezo.

    “Filipinos can enjoy their own KitKat break and enjoy exclusive KitKat. This is definitely something that every chocolate lover should not miss,” said Nestle Confectionery CEO Gerard Poa.

    KitKat Chocolatory concept also exists in countries including Japan, Thailand and some parts in Europe.

    First launched in 1935 in the UK, chocolate-covered wafer bar KitKat is present in more than 80 countries today.

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  • Airlines Cebu Pacific becomes latest IATA member

    Airlines Cebu Pacific becomes latest IATA member

    Philippines low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has joined IATA, becoming the second carrier from the country to be part of the trade association.

    Cebu Pacific says IATA membership will help it “gain access to expertise and learnings” about best practices and innovation.

    Conrad Clifford (left), IATA regional vice president for Asia-Pacific presents the IATA Certificate of Membership to Cebu Pacific president and CEO Lance Gokongwei.

    Cebu Pacific chief Lance Gokongwei adds: “Moreover, we will also be able to share our own operational experience and contribute to further developing the airline industry as a whole.”

    IATA says the low-cost carrier has achieved full compliance with its’ Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which assesses a carrier’s operational management and control systems.

    Cebu Pacific currently flies 121 routes, with more than 2,600 weekly flights. Cirium fleets data indicates the carrier operates 54 aircraft, including a mix of A320 family jets and A330s, and has 44 aircraft on orders.

    Cebu Pacific joins a growing number of low-cost carriers added to the IATA fold. In November, Indian carrier IndiGo joined the association.

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  • Philippines’ Cebu Pacific stops flights to Siem Reap

    Philippines’ Cebu Pacific stops flights to Siem Reap

    Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has stopped its flights to and from Siem Reap, leaving only one Philippine carrier servicing the Cambodia-Philippines air route.

    Difficulties in turning out a profit was the main reason for Cebu Pacific’s departure from the Kingdom, according to Philippine media reports last week. Cebu Pacific ended its Siem Reap flights yesterday.

    Cebu Pacific spokesperson Charo Logarta-Lagamon was quoted as saying by Philippine Star that “route viability became a concern” for its Siem Reap service.

    The reports confirmed rumors that have been circulating as far as back last year that the Gokongwei-owned airline was contemplating such a move.

    The difficulties faced by Cebu Pacific were also a topic of discussion among Filipinos who attended the 3rd Cambodia Travel Mart.

    Then last week, Dirk Salcedo, an aviation blogger based out of the Philippines, reported that closure of the route was imminent, citing its online booking platform and data from FlightRadar24.com that show no Cebu Pacific flights beyond Dec 7.

    The news saddened many Filipinos in Cambodia. The Kingdom is host to more than 6,000 Filipino nationals.

    Cebu Pacific started flying to Siem Reap in 2012 amidst a growing number of Filipinos visiting Angkor Wat, the Kingdom’s leading tourist destination.

    The thousands of Filipinos working and residing in Cambodia also factored in Cebu Pacific’s decision to establish a direct flight to Siem Reap, becoming the first such carrier from the Philippines to do so.

    Since then, the airline has been flying three times a week from Manila to Siem Reap and vice versa using an Airbus A-320 aircraft.

    Cebu Pacific’s decision to close the Siem Reap route means that Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be the sole Philippine carrier with direct flight to Cambodia.  PAL re-opened the Phnom Penh-Manila air route last year and now flies five times a week to Cambodia.

    A few other Philippine carriers like Royal Air Philippines operate charter flights servicing the Cambodia route.

    The Siem Reap service was not the sole casualty of Cebu Pacific’s decision to focus on more profitable air routes. The budget airline also ended its flights to Guam, a United States territory in the Western Pacific.

  • Cebu Pacific announces Chinese New Year seat sale

    Cebu Pacific announces Chinese New Year seat sale

    Cebu Pacific is offering promotional fares for the Chinese New Year, the airline said Sunday.

    The country’s largest carrier is offering P99 base fare for flights originating from Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Clark, and Davao, while passengers can book a Manila to Kota Kinabalu flight for as low as P149.

    For the complete list of promotional fares, click here.

    Promotional fares are available from Dec. 14 to 16. Travel period for domestic flights is from January 15 to March 31, 2020, while travel period for international flights is from January 1 to March 31.

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  • PTT Philippines to open more Cafe Amazon outlets

    PTT Philippines to open more Cafe Amazon outlets

    Thai gas-stations operator PTT plans to open up to 20 new Cafe Amazon outlets across the Philippines next year, as part of the company’s non-oil expansion plans.

    PTT Philippines President and CEO Thitiroj Rergsumran said the company is allotting 80 million pesos (US$1.6 million) to expand the Cafe Amazon network, which currently stands at about 15.

    Rergsumran said the expansion is driven by the country’s vibrant economy and the strong reception it receives from customers.

    “We expect to duplicate our target next year, so you could expect us to be more visible in various areas in the Philippines especially in the provinces,” he said.

    PTT also plans to open 40 new gas stations next year, in addition to its existing 170.

    A subsidiary of Thailand-based PTT Oil and Retail Business, PTT Philippines has been operating for 20 years. It introduced Cafe Amazon into the country in 2016.

    In Thailand, there are more than 2500 Cafe Amazon outlets trading, along with more than 200 abroad, including in Cambodia, Laos, Japan, Myanmar, Oman, Singapore, China and the Philippines.

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  • SM Markets launches 24-seven shopping in 29 stores

    SM Markets launches 24-seven shopping in 29 stores

    Selected SM Markets stores in the Philippines are to open 24 hours a day to take advantage of the holiday buying surge.

    The Filipino food retailer said shoppers, especially night workers and those leaving holiday shopping to the last-minute, will now be able to shop at its 29 stores even during the wee hours.

    “Morning people can finish their groceries even before getting ready for work and those who hate crowds can now choose to shop at later hours for their convenience,” added SM markets.

    The 24-hour shopping has kicked off at SM Hypermarket located at SM Mall of Asia, which will be open around the clock until December 30 except for on Christmas Day.

    And from December 16 until 23, SM Hypermarket stores in Fairview, North Edsa, Pasig, Marketmall, Jazz, Las Pinas, Sucat, Lopez, Bicutan, Clark, Taytay, Novaliches, Monumento, Cainta, Antipolo and Cherry Congressional will also start operating 24 hours a day. Those stores will also trade nonstop from December 28-30.

    The complete list of 29 stores is available here.

    SM Markets has more than 300 stores nationwide across SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore brands.

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  • Cebu Pacific offers discounted fares for some local

    Cebu Pacific offers discounted fares for some local

    Cebu Pacific is offering fares as low as P99 for local flights originating from Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Clark, the airline announced Saturday.

    The so-called seat sale for domestic flights begins Saturday, Nov. 23, and runs until Monday, Nov. 25, with travel period between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2020.

    For international flights, the promo ends on Wednesday, Nov. 27., for travel between Dec. 10, 2019, and May 31 next year.

    The P99 price point is offered for flights departing Cebu for cities such as Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Cagayan De Oro, Clark, Coron (Busunaga), Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, and Puerto Princesa, and more.

    The cheapest flights coming from Manila are P499 heading to Bacolod or Iloilo.

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  • Panda Express will open its first Philippines restaurant next week

    Panda Express will open its first Philippines restaurant next week

    US-based Asian dining concept Panda Express will open its first Philippines restaurant on December 12.

    Located at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, the first Panda Express will offer the same menu as those in the US, including its signature dish orange chicken in sweet spicy sauce.

    Panda Express Philippines is a 50-50 joint venture between Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) and Panda Restaurant Group.

    “Based on the consumer enthusiasm for the upcoming opening, we’re encouraged that the local market will love this food concept, a boost to JFC’s roster of restaurant chains,” said JFC founder Tony Tan Caktiong.

    Panda Express joins the portfolio of brands JFC operates including Chinese dim-sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan, American fast-casual hamburger chain Smashburger and coffee chain Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

    Founded in 1983, Panda Express is a privately owned restaurant company with more than 2000 outlets in the US and a presence in 10 international markets including Japan, South Korea, Canada, Mexico and now the Philippines.

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  • Shake Shack to double down in Singapore, Philippines

    Shake Shack to double down in Singapore, Philippines

    Fast-food chain Shake Shack has announced new outlets in Singapore and Manila after enjoying early success with its debut stores in the two Southeast Asian cities.

    In Singapore, the US fast-food chain is bringing what it describes as its “design-driven restaurant” concept to Singapore’s CBD next year after its successful debut at Jewel Changi shopping center.

    Located in a historic building at 89 Neil Road, the restaurant will work closely with local artists and suppliers and will promote its mission to ‘Stand For Something Good’. Without, a hoarding will bear the artwork of Singaporean artist Sam Lo who blends Shake Shack’s icons with traditional Peranakan cultural patterns.

    Meanwhile, in Manila, the company will open a new outlet at SM Megamall next week seven months after its debut in the Philippines.

    Besides its menu items such as ShackBurger, Shack-cago Dog, crinkle-cut fries, beer, wine, and frozen custard ice cream, the Philippine outlets offer exclusive items including Ube shake and Calamansi Limeade.

    Launched in 2004 in a food truck, Shake Shack has expanded to more than 250 locations in the US and more than 85 international locations including London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Philippines, Mexico, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Moscow, and Seoul.

    The next year will see Shake Shack expand further both domestically and internationally. Global revenues grew by nearly 32 percent in the third quarter, the company reported.

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  • Filipino kiosk chain Fruitas opened more than stores after IPO

    Filipino kiosk chain Fruitas opened more than stores after IPO

    Manila-based food-and-beverage kiosk operator Fruitas has grown its store network to 1036.

    The company, with a portfolio of banners, including Buko ni Fruitas, Juice Avenue, Black Pearl, and Johnn Lemon, has added 106 new stores this year to the 930 it ended last year with.

    Fruitas recently raised 896.55 million Philippine pesos (US$17.6 million) through an IPO, which it says will be used to further expand its network, upgrade existing outlets, develop new concepts, acquire new brands and repay debts.

    “We are happy with the results of the offering of Fruitas. The broker tranche was more than 2.5 times oversubscribed, while the local small investor tranche was a record amount for a Philippine IPO,” says Daniel Camacho, EVP of First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC), the lead underwriter for the Fruitas listing.

    “The exceptional performance and positive response from the market prove that the public believes in Fruitas’ strong fundamentals and aggressive expansion plans in the country,” added Camacho.

    The company’s expansion plan includes opening 150 to 250 new stores per year through to 2022, as well as two new food parks by 2021.

    Founded in 2002 by Lester Yu, Fruitas now has 24 brands, making it a top player in fruit shakes, lemonade, buco and meat kiosk categories.

    Last year it acquired the Sabroso Lechon business.

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  • Filipino ice-cream Carmen’s Best opening in Singapore

    Filipino ice-cream Carmen’s Best opening in Singapore

    Premium Filipino ice-cream chain Carmen’s Best has opened its first overseas store in Singapore.

    The store, which held its soft opening on Monday at Capitol Singapore, offers fresh milk-based ice creams in flavors such as milk chocolate, butter pecan, and Sicilian-sourced pistachio. The brand is launching a Singapore-exclusive cheese flavored ice cream that contains chunks of cheese.

    Owner and founder Paco Magsaysay have stated a goal to become a “Filipino-made, world-class ice-cream brand.”

    The brand began as a dairy farm serving a growing number of stores and partners before launching its ice-cream products.

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  • Cebu Pacific cut flight delays in October

    Cebu Pacific cut flight delays in October

    Budget airline Cebu Pacific recorded minimal flight delays in October as on-time performance went up.

    The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Monday that Cebu Pacific posted an on-time performance of almost 85 percent last month, better than the 80.66 percent in September.

    A flight is considered on time if it leaves within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure.

    “The improved OTP is a result of the close cooperation and coordination with concerned government agencies to minimize delays across our network,” Michael Ivan Shau, Cebu Pacific chief operations officer, said in the statement.

    Earlier, flag carrier Philippine Airlines said on-time performance in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), the country’s busiest gateway, hit 92 percent for the month of October.

    The DOTr noted in the statement that improved efficiency followed the signing in June of a commitment to decongest Naia and support the development of other gateways, including the Sangley Airport in Cavite.

    “I am happy that months after we signed the pledge of commitment, we continue to see improvements in OTP across the industry. I hope these efforts are sustained to make air travel in the Philippines more efficient and comfortable,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in the statement.

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  • Jollibee Expedites North American expansion

    Jollibee Expedites North American expansion

    Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee plans to expand its store network in North America to 250 by 2023.

    Its parent company Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) said it is committing to further expand the brand in North America, having identified the region as a key growth market.

    There are currently 46 Jollibee outlets in North America, with the first store opened in 1998 in California.

    The expansion plan was announced at the inauguration of its new North American headquarters in West Covina, California on Friday. It says the new 28,000sqft headquarters will serve as a center of operations for Jollibee and its sister brands Chowking and Red Ribbon.

    “The new Jollibee headquarters will ably support operations around North America in its quest to become a major fast-food player in the region,” says the company.

    Jollibee has a restaurant network of more than 1400 at home and more than 230 elsewhere abroad.

    Parent company JFC has more than 5800 restaurants in 35 countries globally, with recent investments including a joint venture to open Tim Wan Ho restaurants in China.

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