On 26 Jan. 2018, PAGASA held its 1/Q General Meeting at the Nostalg Hotel and Suites housed inside the Oakwood Joy Nostalg Bldg. at Ortigas Center.  Hosted by Creamline Ice Cream, a division of Rebisco.  Discussed was the impending opening of the retail industry to foreign players by Congress. Also, PAGASA joining the 1 st Food & Hotel Manila Trade Show to be held in Feb. at the SMX, Pasay.

The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, inc. (PCAFI) is an organization registered in 1999 but lost steam somewhere along the way.  Championed some eighteen years ago by Col. Alejandro Teves Escaño who sits as Chairman/Excom/Director, PCAFI existed alongside Agrilink and FRLD.  A reinvigorated PCAFI is now headed by Pres. Phillip L. Ong.  It has enjoined PAGASA and made STC its Committee Head for Agri-Supermarkets the last few years.  On 25 Jan. 2018, PCAFI called on all its existing members to a meeting at Luxent Hotel to determine if there is interest in reviving the organization. The body was addressed at that Meeting by D.A. Usec. Ariel Cayanan regarding problems that plague the agricultural sector. An election of sorts was held to get the ball rolling and PAGASA was elected into this interim Board. Immediately after the general meeting, a Board Meeting was called to order and projects were proposed to get the Association going.  A formal electio...

Events Organizer UBM SES’ Ms. Teo Hui Hui/ Asst. Mgr. for Marketing Services  from Singapore paid PAGASA a visit at the latter’s office on 1/22/18 to invite PAGASA members to FHA ’18 to be held both at the Singapore Expo (Hall 1-10) and the Suntec Singapore (Levels 3-6) in view of its many exhibitors and products on exhibit.  The Show will be held from 24 to 27 April 2018.  A few PAGASA Members have signified interest to attend. However, the few participants can be hardly called a delegation.

Ad Asia Conventions & Exhibitions Int’l. Corp. launches a new trade show called Food & Hotel Expo Manila (FHEM) which will be held on the 16 th -18 th of Feb. 2018 at the SMX.  On 19 Jan., the Group invites PAGASA and all its show partners to a Press Briefing at the Bayview Park Hotel Mla. PAGASA is its trade partner for the Show and STC was there together with representatives from the academe, media, sponsors, communication and I.T. outfits and the chef’s and franchise organizations. Ad Asia was represented by Mr. Josh Carlo, Mr. Niel Chavez and Ms. Miles Caballero. 

On  6 Dec. 2017, the officers of LNA Management Group Corp., organizers of the annual trade shows Food & Drinks Asia and Asiafood invited STC to discuss how PAGASA can form some synergy with their group by holding a special project during Food & Drinks Asia for the following year.  Led by Josephine Miranda (2L), Marivic Gacer and Geraldine Amores (R), the group met at Shiok Shiok Singaporean Foods, the themed restaurant simulating street hawkers scene in Singapore.

On the eve of 6 Dec. 2017,  six gallant gentlemen and an iron lady walked into a reserved room at the Coffee Shop of Shangri-la at the Fort.  Inside this conclave they exchanged classified retail information and general pleasantries. (L-R) Steven Cua/Welcome Supermart, Edna Ontiveros/ Candice Megamart (Tuguegarao), Fred Gravador/ Simplicity Minimart (Muzon, Bulacan), Alfie Gatmaytan/Kiko Mart, Myke Teodoro/Velamart, Liansel Sy/Liana’s and Arjie Lim/Andrew’s (Puerto Princesa).  Sorely missing that evening were Robert Go/Prince Group of Supermarkets (Vis-Min) and Desmond Chua/Daily Supermarket. The elected Officers for the term 2017-2019 were: Steven Cua – President Liansel Sy    -  Vice President Myke Teodoro   -   Treasurer Desmond Chua  -   Corp. Secretary Fred Gravador    -  P.R.O.

DTI Usecs. Teodoro Pascua (Consumer Protection Grp.) and Zenaida Maglaya (Regional Opn’s Grp.) called an urgent meeting to discuss the ill-effects of an earthquake the magnitude of which Metro Manila may find itself in a dilemma for months-to-come if not properly prepared and handled.  Meeting was held on 23 November 2017 at the Office of Usec. Pascua at 2/F UPRC Bldg. along Gil Puyat Ave.  Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) together with the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) convened the Inter-Agency Resiliency Team. DTI is a member of the TWG on Food.   PAGASA suggested that learning from past lessons: 1.) The military (not the PNP) must secure all food retail establishments to maintain order when the Big One strikes (and avoid looting); 2.) Road Plans have to be revealed, same with the 4 quadrants of MMDA and evacuation areas of these 4 areas to avoid over-congestion in one area and for the public to be traveling in the areas which are decongested; 3.) to cont...