The Lifestyle Portal

More and more Filipinos are starting to venture into micro, small and medium enterprises nowadays. With technology, anyone can be an entrepreneur and it has served as one of the personal goals for a lot of us – from fresh grads to millennials to retirees. However, starting your own online business may be a daunting task but with the right support, succeeding in it is not a farfetched dream.

In its effort to empower online business owners, leading logistics company LBC Express Inc. held the first-ever So Shop! social sellers bazaar last October 5 at Function Room 4, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

“Don’t be afraid to share your business story on it [Facebook] because people love a great story,” shares Facebook Philippines Head of Agency Liam Capati.

The bazaar brought together over 100 online business owners, thousands of shoppers, industry speakers, and influencers in one venue, making it both a shopping and learning experience in one.

It also gave social sellers the opportunity to meet and connect with their customers in person, showcase their products, and transact using LBC’s Cash on Pick-up (COP) and Cash on Delivery (COD) services.

“With more and more Filipinos setting up their businesses online, we at LBC, believe that it’s high time to bring online businesses together, in one venue, and get to interact with their buyers live. So Shop! is our commitment to empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country,” said Oliver L. Valentin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Philippine Branch Operations of LBC Express Inc. LBC’s COP and COD services are designed to make online purchasing easier and more convenient for shoppers. With COP, LBC’s over 1,400 branches can serve as pick-up points for buyers to get the products they bought online while COD allows them to get it right at their doorstep.

So! Shop for all your lifestyle must-haves

Featuring diverse products from over a hundred booths, So Shop! became a haven for a weekend to shopping enthusiasts and people with various interests.

Wil Dasovich shares his story as a content creator to excited fans.

Alyssa Gibbs share what it is like to become women founders of their own company.

For techies and gadget lovers, online gadget stores such as Kimstore, Juan Gadget, Droid Hero, and JBL Store PH provided exclusive deals and discounts. Beauty and makeup fans went gaga over the various shops: from Korean and Japanese beauty brands to sustainable beauty products. Those who love customized lifestyle pieces were also able to see their favorite online shops, making it a perfect venue to shop for personalized gifts including travel sets, accessories, and even kitchen wares. Moms who were on the lookout for early Christmas gifts brought home items that are perfect for the whole family.

So Shop! also treated the shoppers to a host of surprises including Mystery Box gifts from participating social sellers and gadgets raffled off by LBC.

Growing one’s online business

Aside from the shopping experience, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs also learned from a lineup of industry speakers, business owners, and influencers who gave talks on topics relevant to growing their business.

Facebook Philippines Head of Agency Liam Capati showcased the power of Facebook ads and how it can help businesses reach their customers especially at a time when cutting through the clutter in the online space is crucial. Canva Community Team Lead Gladys Lacorte emphasized the importance of having visually appealing social media pages through designs that represent a business’ personality. Creative Boss Founder Rachell Araja-De Luna knows very well why a website is a must-have for an online business, with it being a repository of one’s products online. Through her talk “DIY Your Dream Website,” Araja-De Luna discussed the simple ways a budding entrepreneur can create a website without breaking the bank. The power of online communities cannot be dismissed too — this is what PLDT Vice-President for Digital Strategy and Consumer Disruptive Business Carlo Ople highlighted in his talk. Ople shared why businesses should be present on the digital space and how to effectively tap online communities to reach a specific target market.

Neri Miranda gives mompreneurs on how to juggle being a mom and a business owner at the same time.

Not only was So Shop! a learning-filled experience, it was inspiring too with panel discussions and success stories that moved the audience. Celebrity mom, wife, and entrepreneur Neri Miranda talked about her businesses and her role as a homemaker. Miranda, owning multiple businesses including Neri’s Gourmet Tuyo, online bedding and accessories store Very Neri, and an events place in Tagaytay called Neri’s Not So Secret Garden, gave mompreneurs tips on how to juggle it all.

A panel discussion on the social impact of online businesses featured Jamico Jamlang, founder of sustainable businesses The Bamboo Company and Chesca De Mesa, co-founder and managing director of Refuse PH. Joining them was Havas Media Ortega Head of Data and Analytics Phil Tiongson who gave the audience a glimpse of Havas’ global study centering around consumers’ mindful consumption.

LBC’s So Shop! became a venue for social sellers to showcase their products. Customers were treated to a day of shopping and meeting the owners of their favorite online shops.

Women entrepreneurs also took center stage with Kimstore Founder Kim Lato and Neon Island Founders Alyssa Gibbs and Aira Medina. They shared what it’s like starting and growing a business, as women, and how they overcame the challenges that came with it.

Hosted by 101.1 Yes FM DJ Rico Panyero and Love Radio DJ Raqi Terra, So Shop! was not just a star-studded bazaar but one that has taught online business owners new techniques to move their businesses forward.

Javier Mantecon, Chief Marketing Officer of LBC Express-Global Marketing, reiterated the company’s commitment to move lives, including those of the social sellers. “As the e-commerce community continues to grow, LBC remains your partner. We hope that this is just the beginning of our long partnership. We want to help you take that move, wherever that may be.” 10/14/2019 (The Lifestyle Portal)

ABOUT LBC

LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 6,400 branches, hubs & warehouses, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world. 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 60 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).

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PH’s Largest Business-2-Business Expo, Conference, and Networking Event for Small and Medium Enterprises, the 9th Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference [PHILSME] will be opening its doors on November 12 & 13, 2019 at the Function Room 4, SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City – expecting to draw thousands of small and medium sized business owners, business professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs from around the country.

Now on its 9th edition of empowering the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines, PHILSME is sponsored by Esquire Financing, Sprout Solutions, DV Boer Farm International, i4 Asia Inc. and Ersao Taiwanaese Restaurant.

Over 250 exhibiting brands will offer wide array of business solutions and opportunities ranging from IT solutions, business consultancy, POS solutions, logistics, financial technology, finance & insurance, human resources & recruitment, office spaces, marketing & advertising, franchising, distributorship and many more. Now on its second run, Innovations Village will be also opened once again to offer latest technological business solutions to support SMEs.

Aside from expo, a business conference will be happening on November 13, 2019 featuring top industry experts talking all about how to grow a business. TV Hosts & Entrepreneurs RJ Ledesma & Howell Mabalot, PH’s Father of Digital Marketing Mannix Pabalan will be among the roster of top-caliber conference speakers.

“Small and Medium Enterprises comprise the largest sector of businesses here in the Philippines. Being the backbone of the Philippine economy, we should help them succeed. This is the very reason why PHILSME has been concepted, to give SMEs the platform to grow and develop. With our SME enablers growing each edition offering the newest business solutions and opportunities, PHILSME will continue its mission to strengthen entrepreneurship and business here in the country. I can’t wait to meet our exhibitors and visitors.”, says PHILSME Founder and Mediacom Solutions, Inc. Chief Events Officer, David Abrenilla.

Supported by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Filipino International Franchise Association, opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on November 13, 2019 at 9:00 am with Bureau Director Jerry Clavesillas as Keynote Speaker.

To get a free expo ticket, kindly visit https://9thphilsme.eventbrite.com

For more inquiries and how to get conference tickets, contact Ms. Sunshine Sy at +632-218-9517. +632-266-0092, +63-928-732-5557, or +63-927-395-1575 or send an email to sunshine@philsme.com.

Connect with the SME community via Facebook at www.facebook.com/PhilippineSMEBusinessExpo and Instagram at www.instagram.com/PhilippineSMEBusinessExpo. Visit also website at www.philsme.com. 10/12/2019 (The Lifestyle Portal)

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Philippine Travel Exchange or PHITEX, the biggest travel trade event in the country, is now set with this year’s theme, Philippine Tourism: Trailblazing Responsible Travel and Inclusive Growth.

To be held from 19 – 28 October 2019 in Metro Manila, PHITEX 2019 will feature business-to-business sessions between foreign buyers and local sellers to encourage an exchange of tourism-related discourse among the participants and open doors for business opportunities.

Industry leaders will also take part as key resource speakers to discuss new trends in tourism marketing as well as marketing strategies in mature and emerging markets.

PHITEX 2019 will end with post-tours for delegates to introduce the most popular Philippine tourist destinations including the country’s best hotels, accommodations, entertainment venues and business facilities.

Spearheaded by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism, PHITEX has been established as the major annual marketing event in the Philippines that further strengthens the country’s brand image and encourages participants to promote affordable and competitive tourism packages.

Last year’s event was participated by 188 buyers from 29 countries, sellers from 148 companies, and a total of 235 delegates. This year, the TPB is targeting 250 sellers and 250 buyers.

“PHITEX has always been successful in building bridges to strengthen the country’s relations with the other leaders of the tourism industry,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Marie Venus Tan. “It has also positively affected our image as one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the globe.” 10/12/2019 (The Lifestyle Portal)

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A super luxury resort featuring 250 well-appointed rooms built within a 20-hectare property is set to open in the island of Siquijor by 2020. The new development is a landmark project of 8990 (HOUSE) through its newest subsidiary 8990 Leisure and Resorts.

Adama Resort Siquijor boasts of its own private white sand cove and top-notch amenities that highlight the natural beauty and topography of Siquijor. The master plan includes a central foyer that highlights the island’s natural scenery; rooms that are expertly designed to take advantage of natural light enhanced by the use of relaxing earth tone colors; and luxury cabanas beside Siquijor beach’s crystal clear waters. These masterfully designed amenities will be complemented by an exclusive butler service.

The new development marks the company’s first venture in the luxury resort category. According to 8990 Leisure and Resorts president Lowell Yu, the pioneering development will tap the relatively undiscovered tourism potential of Siquijor island who natural landscape that can rival some of the most popular tourism destinations in the country.

He adds that Siquijor’s pristine reefs, white sand beaches and its reputation as a mystical island has captured the imagination of tourists who have visited the province. Yu is the man behind high-end membership shopping chain Landers Superstore, Popeyes Chicken, Kuya J, Isla Sugbu Seafood City and the iconic Grand Convention Center of Cebu.

Located in the Central Visayas region, Siquijor boasts of virgin white-sand coastline, clear turquoise waters, pristine reefs and enchanting waterfalls and caves which offer a more exclusive and exciting version of a getaway. It was previously called Isla de Fuego by the Spanish due to the warm glow from the fireflies in the molave trees of the island.

8990 Leisure and Resorts is the newest subsidiary of 8990 Holdings Inc., the largest mass housing in the country listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange as HOUSE. Adama Resort Siquijor is the first of the 10 new hotels and resorts of 8990 (HOUSE). All of which are expected to be completed before 2023 and contribute around P3.00 billion of additional recurring revenue to 8990 Holdings Inc. (HOUSE).

HOUSE generated record revenue of P7.01 billion and net income of P2.82 billion in just the first six months of 2019. Adama Resorts is set to open in the 2nd half of 2020, setting up the stage for its other luxury hotel Kura, and its urban hotel Argo. Together with Adama, these hotel and resorts are set to support the growing key tourist destinations of Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, Davao, Iloilo, Siargao, Baguio and Metro Manila. 10/12/2019 (The Lifestyle Portal)

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Great Place to Work®-certified Teleperformance Philippines recently gave its employees a treat and a chance to unwind through another creative collaboration with Wish 107.5 Bus, the only radio-on-wheels in the country!

Following the stint at Teleperformance Ayala in Makati City, the Wish Bus again visited Teleperformance, this time in its EDSA Greenfield District site in Mandaluyong City, together with special guest artist Michael Pangilinan.

The Pinoy Pop sensation performed his most popular songs in front of Teleperformance employees. Other fans of the R&B singer also got the chance to ask questions by tweeting with the hashtag #TPAskMichael.

True-blue Michael Pangilinan fans even got the chance to grab some VIP seats by joining the special promo of TP Employee Perks, the lifestyle benefits program which gives exclusive freebies, deals, and discounts to Teleperformance employees. By showing their company ID badge, employees can avail of a variety of discounts and rewards from partners from hotels, restaurants, shops, travel and recreation facilities, among others.

Watch his live video below:

Teleperformance Philippines continuously invests in their employees and provides them with exciting perks all year round. This is among the remarkable employee experiences which helped the company become the first organization in the country to achieve back-to-back certification as Great Place to Work® from the Great Place to Work® Institute, a global research and consulting company that provides benchmark standards for companies to create outstanding organizational cultures.

Teleperformance Philippines also recently co-presented the Wish 107.5 Anniversary concert, a night of celebration that brought together A-list OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit or Organization of Filipino Singers) artists.

For more information on the exciting career opportunities at Teleperformance Philippines, visit http://www.teleperformance.ph/en-us/ or follow https://www.facebook.com/teleperformance.philippines/.

ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE

Teleperformance (TEP – ISIN: FR0000051807 – Reuters: ROCH.PA – Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in outsourced omnichannel customer experience management, serves as a strategic partner to the world’s largest companies in a wide variety of industries. Its customer care, technical support, customer acquisition, consulting and analytics, digital integrated business service solutions, and other high-value specialized services ensure consistently positive customer interactions that are reliable, flexible and intelligent. The company has established the highest security and quality standards in the industry and uses proprietary deep learning technology to optimize flexibility on a global scale.

The Group’s 300,000 employees, spread across 80 countries, support billions of connections annually in 265 languages and enhance the customer experience with every interaction. In 2018, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €4,441 million (US$5,256 million, based on €1 = $1.18).

Teleperformance began operations in the Philippines in 1996 and has grown to become a preferred offshore contact center outsourcing option. The company employs around 44,000 people in the country and operates over 30,000 workstations in 21 business sites located across Metro Manila, Antipolo, Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

From 2012 to 2018, Teleperformance received the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Contact Center Outsourcing Service Provider of the Year Award for its significant performance in revenue management, market share, capabilities, and overall contribution to the contact center industry. In addition, Teleperformance Philippines was awarded in 2017 as Outstanding Employer and Outstanding Community Project of the Year by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Top Employer of the Year at the Asia CEO Awards, and the Outstanding Volunteer by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

In 2018 and 2019, Teleperformance Philippines was certified as a Great Place to Work® and is the first organization in the country to receive this certification from the Great Place to Work® Institute. This year, Teleperformance celebrates its 23nd year of continued excellence and leadership in the country. This milestone highlights the company’s commitment to steadily provide the best employment experience for Filipinos, proactively support the nation’s ICT-BPO sector, and uphold its socio-civic engagements to create a difference in the lives of the Philippine community.

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On October 10, users can enjoy sitewide free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend and 24 rounds of flash deals

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, will host an exclusive livestream of Miss Shopee 10.10 Brands Festival on October 9 at 8:30 PM. Viewers of Shopee Live will get to watch influencers including GMA artists - Angel Guardian, Ana de Leon, and Jhenzel Go, compete for a chance to win Shopee’s Miss 10.10 pageant.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are excited to celebrate 10.10 Brands Festival with a new and engaging way to entertain our users through Shopee Live. Consumers can also look forward to major giveaways from participating brands during the livestream pageant. We invite everyone to celebrate 10.10 Brands Festival with us on October 10.”

Viewers can tune in as candidates compete in a series of categories including Best in Bonggang Costume, Best in Rampa, and Patabaan ng Utak. There will be exclusive brand giveaways from L’Oreal, Maybelline, Garnier, Amazfit, and Alaska. In addition, users can watch and earn up to ₱10,000 Shopee coins and free vouchers every 30 minutes will be released.

Shopee puts the spotlight on brands this 10.10 Brands Festival

On October 10, Shopee’s 10.10 Brands Festival will feature unbeatable promotions across all categories. Shoppers are able to enjoy key highlights including:

● Sitewide free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend: Users can avail of sitewide free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend on their purchases for 24 hours.

● 100% Brands Cashback vouchers: There will be 100% brands cashback vouchers and special discounts from participating brands.

● Up to 50% off deals: Leading brands including Alaska, Maybelline, Quaker, Vivo, and Anker will be giving discounts up to 50% off.

● 24-Hour Flash Deals: Users can enjoy 24 rounds of flash deals with deals as low as ₱9.

● Upsized session of Shopee Shake: There will be 6 rounds of Shopee Shake with ₱2 million Shopee coins to be given away.

● Exciting prizes in Shopee’s ₱1 Game: Amazing items including an iPhone 11, Macbook Pro 13”, and Airpods 2 will be available in the iconic ₱1 Game.

● 10-Hour Shopee Live session: Users can tune in to an exclusive livestream starting 12NN to score sitewide vouchers up to ₱1,000 off.

Find out more about 10.10 Brands Festival at https://shopee.ph/1010.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. 10/04/2019 (The Lifestyle Portal)

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Tanduay Distillers, Inc. recently entered into a partnership with Octopus Distribution Networks, the leading distributor for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Singapore, to further its international expansion plan.

To celebrate the deal, it held a rooftop launch at the Octopus Building in Ubi Road 3 in the Lion City. With the theme "Tanduay Sunset Party", the event was attended by Tanduay President Lucio K. Tan, Jr., the executives and staff of the Octopus Group, F&B directors, restaurant owners, bar managers, and members of the media. Tanduay's resident mixologist, Dondz Bolante, served high-end cocktails such as the Guava-Basil Mint, Tanduay Negroni, Manila Mule, and Basil Mojito.

After the party, the Octopus Group held a trade launch at El Mesa in Clarke Quay. Attendees enjoyed free-flowing mojitos, Dondz special macadamia sour as well as lechon while being entertained by El Mesa's in-house bands.

“Partnering with the Octopus Group is part of our effort to bring Tanduay to the global market. We are glad to finally make our products available to our kababayans in Singapore and at the same time introduce them to the Singaporeans,” said Tanduay President and COO Lucio K. Tan, Jr.

Tanduay increased its market share abroad by expanding its distribution networks. It is currently available in the USA, Germany, China, UAE, Guam and Australia.

In 2017, it further amplified its marketing initiatives. From that year, it experienced a two-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 86.25% in its export business.

Tanduay’s international marketing initiatives include creating a presence in both sports and entertainment. It has a partnership with the Golden State Warriors, making it the first Philippine brand to sponsor an NBA team. It has naming rights to the Tanduay Club in the Oracle Arena, and Tanduay Rum can be found at retailers in the Golden State Warriors’ blue and gold “Strength in Numbers” collectible boxes in California.

Tanduay is also the official rum of the Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets. It has been a Presenting Sponsor of the 40/40 CLUB and an Associate Sponsor of the arena's Brooklyn Show platform.

Tanduay has also previously sponsored and will continue to sponsor the Emmy Awards this year.

Declared the World’s Number One Rum by Drinks International for two consecutive years, Tanduay has received numerous awards from international bodies, the most recent of which were from the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). 10/04/2019 (The Lifestyle Portal)

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The City of Smiles headed by Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia now has six major festivals in its annual roster with the recent inclusion of the Rum Festival sponsored by Tanduay. This makes Bacolod the city with the most number of major festivals in the Philippines.

“Fortunately for us, Tanduay really invested into this. It made the Rum Festival a reality and a big success, judging from its initial staging. It started with a big bang, and this big bang would reso-nate for sure in the years to come,” Mayor Leonardia said.

Held from Aug. 17 to 24, the week-long event is the first of its kind in the country. Known as the Tanduay Rum Festival, the event paid homage to the humble sugarcane as well as celebrated the Filipinos’ skill in the visual arts, culinary arts, mixology, dance, and music. For eight days, Ba-colodnons participated in the Barrel Art Painting contest, basketball court painting, Culinaria and Mixology competitions, 5K Rum Run, float parade, streetdance contest, and a concert headlined by iconic rock band Sandwich.

The Rum Festival was staged after an ordinance was passed declaring the the third week of Au-gust as the date for holding the Rum Festival. In the ordinance, its author, former City Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang cited how Bacolod has been dubbed as the “Sugar Capital of the Philippines” and is the “home of the world’s largest selling rum.”

“For our other festivals, it was a case of holding the festival first, testing it, then later on legitimiz-ing it through the legislative process,” Mayor Leonardia said. “This one (Rum Festival) was an ordinance before it became a festival,” Mayor Leonardia pointed out.

The Rum Festival joins Bacolod’s major festivals that include the Masskara Festival in October, the Bacolaodiat in January, Diwali in November, Chicken Inasal in May, and Halandumon in June.

Hosting festivals is not something new for Mayor Leonardia, who has been involved with the ini-tial staging of the Masskara Festival—Bacolod’s most popular cultural celebration. He used to head the Masskara Foundation, and he has also worked for the Department of Tourism before running for public office after the EDSA Revolution.

“I consider myself an accidental politician,” said the mayor, who has recently been voted to head the City Mayors League of the Philippines.

“It all started when I got involved with the Masskara Festival. I was the one who drafted the con-stitution and by-laws of the Masskara Foundation,” he shared, adding that he had specifically in-cluded a provision that said the chairman of the Masskara Foundation should not hold an elective position.

Later on, Mayor Leonardia would come to the realization that the kind of involvement he had with the Masskara Festival was something that he was inclined to do.

“When I received invitations to run, I decided to join, run like it was another student council elec-tion,” he said. Mayor Leonardia was president of the Student Council when he was studying Law at the University of Negros Occidental.

When he finally threw his hat into the political arena, he emerged as the number one councilor in his first try. He received a record number of votes, even more than those of the mayor or vice mayor during that time.

In the next election, he won again, this time as vice mayor. When he finally decided to run for mayor, he successfully toppled the ruling dynasty in his city.

“Even if you don’t have much money, if the people want you, you could become mayor,” he said.

Heading the dynamic city of Bacolod, Mayor Leonardia cited his experience working in the Tour-ism Department as a factor in helping him deal with people and visitors.

“When you’re in tourism, you have to be people-oriented. You also go to a lot of places, your ho-rizons get widened, your views become broader, and you get insights. You learn to think of the total development of the community and society,” he said.

In staging the first Rum Festival in the country, Mayor Leonardia it’s only fitting that it should be held in Bacolod.

“If you think about it and look back, we should be asking ourselves why we haven’t done this ear-lier. When you talk of rum, you talk about it being a derivative of sugar, and Bacolod is a city that has developed and prospered because of the sugar industry. It made us so rich, and it has also made us poor. It had its ups and downs,” he said.

Mayor Leonardia likewise pointed out that Bacolod is a good place to hold festivals because of its people.

“The Bacolodnons are the kind of people who are basically happy. We enjoy life. We know how to celebrate. We know how to spend our money. It’s a natural habitat for festivals, and this is the right place to hold the Rum Festival,” he concluded. 09/24/2019 (The Lifestyle Portal)

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