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Author: WILMAR NICOLAS DULDULAO

  • Lotus at IAA Mobility 2025: Germany Premiere of the Theory 1,Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 99T and current model lineup at Königsplatz

    Lotus at IAA Mobility 2025: Germany Premiere of the Theory 1,Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 99T and current model lineup at Königsplatz

    • Location: Königsplatz, Munich
    • Germany Premiere: Concept Car Theory 1
    • Line-up: Lotus 99T, Emira Limited, inspired by the Lotus 99T, Lotus Eletre, Lotus Emeya
    • Interviews: Ben Payne, Vice President of Design (by appointment)

    Munich, September 4, 2025 – Lotus will make an impressive appearance at IAA Mobility 2025 at Munich’s Königsplatz. The highlight is the German premiere of the concept car Theory 1, which embodies the future of intelligent sports cars. The presentation is complemented by a tribute to Ayrton Senna with his legendary Lotus 99T F1 car and the exclusive special edition Emira Limited, inspired by the Lotus Type 99T. In addition, the all-electric Hyper-SUV Eletre and the Hyper-GT Emeya complete the model lineup, demonstrating how Lotus seamlessly blends tradition, innovation, and electrification for the future.

    Theory 1 – The Design Future of Lotus

    Theory 1 is a concept car that reflects the new Lotus design manifesto, “The Lotus Theory,”  that will form the foundation for all future Lotus cars, encapsulated through three core principles – Digital, Natural and Analogue (DNA). Digital represents a connected, immersive, and intelligent driving experience. Natural stands for emotional, human-centered design. Analogue symbolizes the continuous development of performance engineering. All three deliver the purist driving experience for which Lotus is known for.

    The vehicle features the innovative LOTUSWEAR™ driver system, which interacts in real time with both driver and passengers. Combined with sustainable materials, minimalist design, and a central driver’s seat, Theory 1 sets new standards for intuitive operation, comfort, and driving dynamics.

    “With Theory 1, we’ve built on everything Lotus has achieved so far in its 77-year history, to push the boundaries for what it means to drive a performance vehicle. We want to demonstrate that you don’t need to compromise – with both digital and analogue capabilities working harmoniously in the future car. In doing this, we are able to bring drivers the best possible immersive driving experience with raw emotion, functionality and connectivity, at the core,” explains Ben Payne, Vice President of Design at Lotus.

    Media representatives can arrange exclusive interviews with Payne at the Lotus stand.

    Motorsport Heritage Inspires Sports Car Design: Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 99T and Emira Limited, inspired by the Lotus Type 99T

    At IAA, Lotus bridges its rich history with the future. The original Lotus 99T F1 car, with which Ayrton Senna won in Monaco and Detroit in 1987, will be a special highlight at the show. Complementing this, Lotus will present the Emira Limited, inspired by the Lotus Type 99T, featuring a yellow paint scheme with blue accents that reference the legendary race car. Only twelve vehicles worldwide are available in this special livery. Both models embody the brand’s heritage and innovative spirit in motorsport.

    All-Electric Performance Cars: Hyper-SUV Eletre and Hyper-GT Emeya

    Lotus will also showcase its all-electric models at IAA. The Hyper-SUV Lotus Eletre combines outstanding performance of up to 918 hp with the highest level of comfort. Advanced driver assistance systems and a range of up to 600 kilometers ensure sporty driving dynamics over long distances. The four-door Hyper-GT Lotus Emeya accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.78 seconds, reaches speeds of up to 256 km/h, and combines luxurious comfort with Lotus’s sporting DNA. Both models demonstrate how Lotus merges sports car heritage with luxurious electrification.

    With the presentation of the Theory 1, historic and sports Lotus models, and the all-electric lineup, Lotus at IAA Mobility 2025 once again underscores the brand’s vision for the future: uniting performance, innovation, and design while carrying the thrill of driving into the future – all in line with the motto “Are you a Driver or What?”.

    Notes to Editors

    For more information please contact:

    Stephanie Thoma – Marketing & Communications Manager DACH
    stephanie.thoma@eu.lotuscars.com   +31 6 5002 4367

    About Lotus

    Lotus is a global performance brand built on solid foundations and a rich heritage. Since the formation of Lotus in 1948, it has been pioneering true automotive innovation, introducing cutting-edge technologies and designs to meet its uncompromising vision of how a car should look, perform and feel. Lotus is made up of a high-performance sports car operations unit, Lotus Cars, and a leading luxury mobility provider, Lotus Technology. Together, we are setting a new standard for automotive excellence.

    The Lotus Media Site contains news, images, films, technical specifications and full details of current models, as well as heritage cars and engineering technology.

    Reference & Media Contact:

    MAE ANGELIE PACATANG-VALDEZ
    SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER

    mpacatang@autohubgroup.com
    M: +63920 955 7999
    LOTUS CARS MANILA     38th St. corner 11th Ave. Triangle Drive,
    Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 1634

  • 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫!

    𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫!

    Now on its 19th year, Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair is back on the Metro! This yearly showcase of Cagayan Valley’s best of the best will be held on September 19-25, 2025 at the Upper Ground Floor, Carousel Court and East Hall, Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Visitors to the trade fair can expect a wide, dazzling array of products, showing the finest tradition culture and creativity at the heart of the metropolis.

    More than 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya will showcase their products from fresh fruits and vegetables to processed foods, aquatic and fishery products, native delicacies (kakanin), rice and corn-based goods, plants, furniture, and furnishings, and innovative new products.

    Aside from promoting products, the trade fair will also offer unique opportunities and experiences highlighting tourism and investment opportunities in the region. Featuring the Provincial Pavilions of Batanes and Isabela, mall-goers can explore the one-of-a-kind culture of Batanes, and the abundance of agricultural products of Isabela. Buyers from Manila can also look forward to a special pavilion by the City of Ilagan, showcasing the heart and pride of Isabela’s capital city.

    Padday na Lima will bring fresh energy this year with their festival passport where buyers can collect stamps after every purchase or booth interaction to unlock access to games, activities, and a chance to win exciting prizes. Fun activities will also include food and wine tasting, a captivating fashion show, and a creative crafts demonstration.

    But the fun won’t stop at the fair! Buyers from the Metro can now easily get their hands on the finest products of Cagayan Valley with just a few clicks through PaddayNaLima.ph. In partnership with Shopee and Mayani.ph, these sought-after good are now made accessible to the buyers more than ever!

    Padday na Lima, an Ybanag vernacular for “made by hands”, is the region’s biggest fair and a platform to promote the exquisite products of Region 2. It has been the seeding ground for growth and progress, helping Region 2’s MSMEs to reach their full potential for economic and social development through business matching activities and interactive collaborations with private and public sectors.

    This September, feast your eyes on the wonderful abundance from Cagayan Valley’s unique heritage and traditions at the Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair. Join us and immerse yourself with all the wonderful things in store; Padday na Lima is waiting for you!

    See you there!

    Reference & Media Contact:

    Lariza Garcia

  • Avignon Clinic and Galderma Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Regenerative Aesthetics in the Philippines

    Avignon Clinic and Galderma Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Regenerative Aesthetics in the Philippines

    In skincare news that will be sure to cause a buzz in the Philippine regenerative aesthetics scene, Avignon Clinic and Galderma, a global leader in dermatology and aesthetics, announce a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the standard of injectable treatments in the country. This alliance underscores a shared commitment to patient-centric innovation, clinical safety, and education in aesthetic care.

    As patients continue to seek safe, effective, and personalized treatments, the collaboration between Avignon Clinic and Galderma aims to respond with science-backed solutions that evolve with individual skin needs. The partnership will feature cutting-edge injectables: notably Sculptra®, Restylane® Kysse and Restylane® Skinboosters Translucent Vital, designed to deliver natural, long-lasting results without compromising comfort or safety.

    “This partnership is rooted in a shared vision, to elevate aesthetic medicine through innovation and trust,” said Ferdinand “Louie” Roxas, General Manager of Galderma Philippines. “By working with an institution like Avignon, which mirrors our values and commitment to excellence, we can bring global dermatological solutions to local patients who deserve the very best.”

    Andy Chou, Head of Commercial Operations of Galderma, also highlighted the significance of the collaboration in the broader regional landscape. “Our partnership with Avignon Clinic aligns perfectly with our vision to expand access to advanced regenerative aesthetic solutions across Asia-Pacific with strong medical expertise with a patient-first philosophy.”

    With a reputation for state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on tailored patient experiences, Avignon Clinic reinforces its leadership through this strategic alignment. According to Christopher Cachuela, Founder and CEO of Avignon Clinic, “This collaboration with Galderma enables us to offer not just world-class treatments, using evidence-based products that deliver high patient satisfaction and ensure safety for our patients. Our clients can expect the most advanced, clinically tested injectable solutions to meet their changing skin goals.”

    A New Era for Injectables in the Philippines

    The partnership spotlights three key innovations:

    Sculptra®, often described as the foundation for youthful-looking skin, is the only collagen stimulator made with PLLA-SCA, a unique formulation proven to stimulate type 1 collagen—the most abundant form in the skin. Results begin as early as 14 days post-treatment and can last over two years, offering natural-looking firmness, radiance, and elasticity over time.

    Restylane® Skinboosters Translucent Vital is the only hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable clinically proven to enhance six aspects of skin quality. Patients can expect deep hydration, improved smoothness, reduced fine lines, even tone, reduced scarring, and a refreshed glow that lasts up to 15 months.

    Restylane® Kysse is a hyaluronic acid (HA) lip filler designed specifically with movement in mind, made with Optimal Balance Technology (OBT). This advanced formulation allows for precise, natural-looking results that move harmoniously with every smile, and expression. Whether a more defined lip contour, improving lip symmetry, achieving naturally full lips, or smoothing perioral lines (commonly known as smoker’s lines), Restylane Kysse is the ideal choice for patients seeking personalized, expressive beauty that complements their unique facial features.

    “More than just treatments, these injectables represent confidence,” said Michelle De Jesus, Business Head of Galderma Aesthetics Philippines. “We understand patients’ apprehensions about injectables, and that’s why we’re focused on education, transparency, and the use of rigorously tested products that deliver subtle, natural improvements.”

    What’s Next: Forward-Thinking Aesthetic Programs

    As part of this partnership, Avignon and Galderma will roll out a series of educational campaigns, exclusive treatment programs, and medical symposia to further demystify aesthetic injectables and empower patients to make informed choices.

    “There’s a lot of misconceptions around injectables, because some think it’s about changing who you are. But at Avignon, our philosophy is enhancement, not alteration,” noted Benedict Sy, President of Avignon Clinic. “By partnering with Galderma, we’re confident in providing results that feel natural, look refined, and will age gracefully with our patients.”

    This partnership signifies a mutual dedication to raising industry standards while nurturing the growing trust Filipino patients place in aesthetic medicine.

    From Left to Right: Mr. Al Reburiano (Key Account Manager of Galderma Philippines – Aesthetics), Ms. Joy Cabrera (Commercial Excellence Head of Galderma), Ms. Christine Legaspi (Marketing and Customer Education Training Manager), Mr. Andy Chou (Head of Commercial Operations of Galderma), Mr. Ferdinand “Louie” Roxas (General Manager of Galderma Philippines), Mr. Benedict Sy (President and Co-Founder of Avignon Clinic), Mr. Christopher Cachuela (CEO and founder of Avignon Clinic), June Christine Chio, M.D (Medical Operations Manager), Eufronia Apple Cruz, M.D (Aesthetic Physician of Avignon Clinic), Nancy Gabiota, M.D (Certified Dermatologist of Avignon Clinic) and Ms. Michelle De Jesus (Business Unit Head of Galderma Philippines – Aesthetics)

    For more information about Avignon Clinic and its partnership with Galderma, follow Avignon Clinic and Galderma Aesthetics Philippines on Facebook, Avignon Clinic and Galaderma Aesthetics Philippines on Instagram or speak to an Avignon skin specialist today.

    About Galderma Philippines

    Galderma Philippines is the local affiliate of Galderma, a global leader dedicated exclusively to advancing dermatology for every skin story. Backed by decades of scientific innovation, Galderma provides a broad portfolio of prescription, aesthetic, and consumer care solutions across 90+ countries. In the Philippines, Galderma continues to set the standard in aesthetic medicine by offering clinically proven, science-based products that prioritize patient safety, efficacy, and natural-looking results. Galderma’s aesthetic portfolio includes world-renowned brands such as Sculptra® and Restylane®, helping Filipino patients achieve their skin goals with confidence and care. For more, please visit the website.

    About Avignon Clinic

    Avignon Clinic is a premier Longevity and Medical Aesthetics Center destination in the Philippines, known for merging advanced medical aesthetics with luxury-level service. Founded on a commitment to innovation, expertise, and personalized care, Avignon offers a wide range of FDA-approved dermatological, aesthetic, and laser treatments tailored to every individual’s skin journey. With a team of expert doctors, state-of-the-art technology, and a patient-first approach, Avignon is redefining the standard of aesthetic care by delivering results that are not only transformative but also safe, natural-looking, and sustainable. Avignon is where science meets beauty in the most refined, results-driven way. For more information, please visit the website and follow the clinic’s Instagram @AvignonClinic. Visit Avignon Clinic’s Grand Alabang at Block 28, Commerce Ave, Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa City (09171002366), the BGC Premier Clinic at 108 Ground Floor, Fort Victoria, 5th Ave. and 23rd St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (09176368732), the Quezon City Flagship Clinic at 58 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City (09176566988), or Avignon Clinic – Baguio, Ayala TechnoHub, Ordonio Drive, Camp John Hay, Baguio City (09176253500).

    Reference & Media Contact:

    Lariza Garcia

  • Unlock Productivity in Style with the All-New HONOR Pad 10, Priced at Php 17,999!

    Unlock Productivity in Style with the All-New HONOR Pad 10, Priced at Php 17,999!

    Buy HONOR Pad 10 for only Php 17,999 with FREE Smart Keyboard.

    Manila, Philippines – On September 16, 2025 Global technology brand HONOR announced the launch of the HONOR Pad 10, an exciting new addition to its innovative tablet lineup. Featuring a breathtaking 2.5K HONOR Eye Comfort Display, powered by the advanced Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Chipset, and equipped with a robust 10100mAh High Energy-dense Battery, the HONOR Pad 10 is designed to deliver an exceptional user experience with unparalleled performance and comfort.

    Charming and Portable Design

    The HONOR Pad 10 blends charm and functionality with an ultra-slim and lightweight body that is only 6.29mm thin and 525g light. It features an integrated metal unibody that gives off a warm metallic sheen for a refined feel. On the back, its design is accentuated by the Starlight Cloud Ring and a family-style circular lens, shaped through high-precision fine carving to create a symmetrical composition that plays beautifully with light and shadow. Adding to its appeal, the HONOR Pad 10 is built with the industry’s first 270° bending process, combining lightness and durability. This innovative technique enables a 29% overall weight reduction, slims the body thickness by just 0.6mm, ensuring it’s built to handle everyday use with ease.

    Stunning at Every Glance

    The HONOR Pad 10 is equipped with a 12.1-inch TFT LCD 2.5K HONOR Eye Comfort Display. Its remarkable screen-to-body ratio of 88% provides an expansive view while the 120Hz dynamic refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and responsive gaming. It also supports a high-definition resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. Experience a more engaging and responsive visual experience, no matter what you’re on – browsing social media, scrolling through lengthy documents, or enjoying graphically rich games.

    The HONOR Pad 10 supports the DCI-P3 color gamut, which covers 96% NTSC, 133% sRGB, and 1.07 billion colors, bringing breathtaking clarity and true-to-life hues. Together with the AI Dynamic Display, it boosts dynamic range enhancement by 200%, delivering 0.1 nit to 500 nit on display, making every frame immersive.

    Powerful Hardware for Reliable Performance

    Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon® 7 Gen 3 mobile platform built on a 4nm process by TSMC. This boosts HONOR Pad 10 with significant performance improvements, including a 50% increase in GPU performance, a 15% boost in CPU performance, and a 20% improvement in energy efficiency. These bring users a more productive and responsive experience for everyday tasks and heavy-duty tasks for work or leisure.

    The HONOR Pad 10 also comes with a robust 10,100mAh   battery, which is manufactured by high-energy-density materials that boost a high energy density of 729Wh/L in only 2.48mm cell thickness. With this compact yet powerful battery, the HONOR Pad 10 empowers users to focus on what matters most – productivity and creativity – without being tethered to battery level. With this compact yet powerful battery, the HONOR Pad 10 empowers users to focus on what matters most – productivity and creativity – without being tethered to battery level. It supports 35W wired charging and 66W wireless charging, allowing users to quickly power up their devices to usable levels within minutes for continuous enjoyment.

    Immersive Audio Experience

    With advanced HONOR Spatial Audio technology, the HONOR Pad 10 offers the ultimate and stunning audio experience. Six powerful speakers deliver a wider, more expansive soundstage, enveloping you in rich, dynamic audio. This is further enhanced by HONOR Sound, which provides full-range sound effects, rendering crisp highs, refined midrange, and enhanced bass. Whether you’re using built-in speakers or your favorite headphones, the HONOR Pad 10’s spatial audio technology creates a truly immersive soundscape, anytime, anywhere. With both Hi-Res Audio and Wireless Hi-Res Audio certifications, the HONOR Pad 10 guarantees high-quality, authentic sound reproduction, making it perfect for enjoying movies, music, and more.

    Thanks to HONOR’s bidirectional vocal enhancement technology, the HONOR Pad 10 features advanced AI Noise Reduction and Voice Amplification, for calls, meetings, and online learning. Voice Amplification effectively filters out electrical noise and highlights vocals to allow spoken words to be clearly heard. Simultaneously, AI Noise Reduction not only reduces background noise during sound transmission but also intelligently recognizes and amplifies the speaker’s voice. These advanced technologies work in tandem to excel at highlighting and amplifying human voices. Whether you’re participating in online classes or attending virtual meetings, the HONOR Pad 10 ensures you hear and are heard with unparalleled clarity.

    HONOR Pad 10 is now available in PH!

    HONOR Pad 10 comes in premium Gray color with FREE HONOR Smart Keyboard and Pencil for only Php 17,999! Get it now at any HONOR Partner and Experience Stores or online via: Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_Pad10_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_Pad10_PR), or TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_Pad10_PR).

    For more information about the HONOR MagicPad 3, you may visit: https://bit.ly/Web_Pad10_PR. To be in the loop of exciting updates, follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

    About HONOR 

    HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technology that empowers people around the globe to go beyond, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more. Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to suit every budget, HONOR’s portfolio of innovative, premium and reliable products enable people to become a better version of themselves.

    Reference & Media Contacts:

    Pao Oga 
    PR Manager  paoo_honor@prl.ph   09190016898     		Denis Santos 
    PR Supervisor  deniss_honor@prl.ph 09171745327 

  • Walk Run Fly for the WPS 2025: the Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run

    Walk Run Fly for the WPS 2025: the Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run

    Walk Run Fly for the WPS 2025 is the First-Ever Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run, supported and joined by diverse people from the diverse communities in the Philippines and beyond, was successfully held on September 14, 2025 at Villar City, Daang Hari, City of Bacoor, Cavite.

    It’s a Run for a Cause in support of the Naval Air Wing of the Philippine Navy and celebrating the 78th Founding Anniversary of the Naval Air Wing.

    The First-Ever Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run has bring together of the diverse fitness enthusiasts, aviation professionals, advocates, and communities to support the advocacy of the Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run.

    To honor our maritime protectors & support vulnerable fishing communities is the aim of the Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run. It also aim to raise funds for fishing communities in Zambales, supporting sustainable livelihoods. The event proceeds will directly benefit fisherfolk affected by territorial disputes and environment challenges.

    The Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run supports the Naval Air Wing’s mission of safeguarding Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and uplifting coastal communities in Zambales.

  • NBDB Sends Off PH delegation to the World’s Largest Book Fair

    NBDB Sends Off PH delegation to the World’s Largest Book Fair

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) recently rolled out a spirited send-off for more than 100 Filipino publishers, authors, illustrators, and creatives bound for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM), happening from October 15 to 19, 2025 where the Philippines takes the spotlight as its Guest of Honour (GoH).

    The evening celebration, held at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center on September 11, 2025, brought together the country’s diverse delegation for networking and a toast to this historic moment in global publishing.

    Guests at the send-off were given an exclusive first look at the Philippine Pavilion – a 2,300 square-meter cultural space featuring daily author talks, installations, performances, and more than 65 interdisciplinary programs highlighting Philippine literature and creativity.

    “The National Book Development is here to ensure that all of you are ready to present our books to the world,” said NBDB Executive Director and Philippines as Guest of Honour (PhlGoH) Project Co-Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade. “Because when we step into Frankfurt, we bring not just our stories and books, but also the diverse voices and imaginations of the Filipino people. This is our chance to show the world that the Philippines’ creative industries are worth investing in.”

    At the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest, oldest, and most prestigious book fair and rights marketplace where the global “who’s who” in publishing gathers annually, the Philippine delegation will showcase the richness of Philippine publishing, spanning contemporary and speculative fiction, poetry, children’s literature, nonfiction, and graphic novels and comics.

    This historic milestone is made possible through the collaboration of the NBDB, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

    As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will enjoy unprecedented visibility at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, opening doors to translation deals, international rights trading, cultural exchanges, and global readership growth.

    Festive yet forward-looking, the send-off marked the culmination of years of preparation, and the start of an extraordinary journey as the Philippines takes its boldest leap yet onto the biggest global stage for books and ideas.

    To learn more about the National Book Development Board and its upcoming activities, visit books.gov.ph, and follow the NBDB through its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

    Reference & Media Contact:

    Divine Reyes

  • SMAC Start to SMAC SM Advantage Membership for the Next-level Shopping Experience

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  • The Asian Rights Fair-Manila Returns for its Second Edition, Urging Stronger Regional Ties in Publishing

    The Asian Rights Fair-Manila Returns for its Second Edition, Urging Stronger Regional Ties in Publishing

    Manila, Philippines – The National Book Development Board (NBDB), the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), and Primetrade Asia, Inc. opened the second Asian Rights Fair–Manila (ARF-MNL) 2025 yesterday, 8 September, at the SMX Convention Center.

    Under the theme Archipelago of Stories, the ARF-MNL is the first of its kind in the country, bringing together publishers, agents, and industry leaders from across Asia and beyond to explore translation opportunities, rights exchanges, and regional collaborations. It follows the Philippine publishing industry’s renewed efforts to strengthen ties within Asia, and comes as the country prepares to be Guest of Honour at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest book fair.

    In her welcome remarks, NBDB Executive Director and Philippines as Guest of Honour Project Co-Director Charisse Tugade emphasized the importance of stories crossing borders, noting that while “a Malaysian reader may rarely encounter Philippine works, and a Filipino student may not know the powerful voices from Indonesia, Thailand, or Central Asia, these stories—our stories—deserve to be shared.”

    Since assuming leadership in the NBDB in 2021, Tugade has been a pioneering figure in expanding the Philippine book market, spearheading flagship projects on industry development and boosting the country’s presence in international markets such as Bologna, London, and most notably, Frankfurt.

    The ARF-MNL’s opening program featured industry leaders, including Hasri Hasan of Malaysia; Yani Kurniawan of Indonesia; Sartika Dian of Thailand; Bayan Kabylash of Kazakhstan; and Jérôme Bouchaud of France. Philippine publishers Ned Parfan (UST Publishing House) and Rica Bolipata-Santos (Ateneo de Manila University Press), with Jun Matias (Precious Pages Corporation, Lampara Books) as moderator, joined the discussions, which spanned topics from academic markets and digital platforms to translation initiatives, literary prizes, and regional distribution.

    Sessions on the Southeast Asian market were led by Atty. Dominador Buhain, Philippine Educational Publishers Association Chair Emeritus, for the Philippines; Malaysian Book Publishers Association/ASEAN Book Publishers President Shake Faisal for Malaysia; and Intan F. Anggraini for Indonesia. Ranya Bakr introduced participants to the Arab publishing market, while Arthorn Techatada of Elite Creative Agency and Edmund Wee of Epigram highlighted the role of literary prizes in raising Asian voices, and Maria Christina Pangan-Cagalingan of the NBDB Philippines and Duangporn Sudhisomboon of Publishers Ande Booksellers Association of Thailand shared insights on grants available to publishers and authors across the region.

    The second ARF-MNL welcomed notable publishing professionals from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and Kazahkstan, including Ampaporn Borwornratansilp, Worawit Kitikusoun, Kiridaren Jayakumar, Netrnudda Malicum, Khatthiya Banmai, Patcharee Boonchauy, Sasithorn Teth-uthapak, Jintana Srithilah, Mohd Khairulanuar Bin Manshor, Nurin Afiqah Binti Azlan, and Evelyn Ghozalli.


    The ARF-MNL is organized by the BDAP, led by its president, Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores. By showcasing Asia’s publishing landscape, the ARF-MNL reaffirms its mission to make regional literature more visible to the world, and to one another. The program will be followed by the Rights Marketplace on 10–11 September 2025 at the Manila International Book Fair, also at the SMX Convention Center.

    Reference & Media Contact:

    For media inquiries, please contact: 

    Divine Reyes Caraecle

    Communications & Promotions Section

    communications@books.gov.ph

    0917-1396394

    About the National Book Development Board 

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).