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The inauguration was attended by national and local government leaders, including Cristina Roque, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Pamela Baricuatro, Governor of Cebu Province; Ace Durano, Cebu Provincial Administrator; Nito Durano, Mayor of Danao City; and Carmen Durano, Vice Mayor of Danao City.

Milestone Facility for a High-Growth Region

The Danao facility is the fourth—and largest—Jollibee Group commissary in Cebu and its first multi-brand, state-of-the-art commissary in the Philippines. It comes at a time of accelerating economic momentum in VisMin, driven by a strong tourism rebound, the rise of BPO hubs, expanding agribusiness exports, and growing manufacturing clusters—factors that continue to drive employment, consumer spending, and demand across the region.

Outfitted with advanced automation and integrated systems, the commissary is designed to support increasing demand across multiple Jollibee Group brands while generating efficiencies by consolidating equipment and production capabilities. This allows the Group to scale responsibly while upholding its standards for food quality, consistency, and operational excellence.

Supporting Brand Expansion and Same-Store Growth

The Danao Commissary supplies key ingredients and products for the Group’s major brands, including Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Burger King. These brands continue to expand their store networks in VisMin while sustaining same-store sales growth.

The facility strengthens the Group’s supply chain by supporting distribution centers serving Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, as well as select areas in Luzon—ensuring reliability and scalability as the company accelerates its nationwide expansion.

Economic Impact

Speaking during the program, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque highlighted the broader economic impact of the investment.

“Every new commissary that the Jollibee Group opens represents more jobs, more security, and more growth for our local industries,” Roque said. “As we open more commissaries, we are also encouraging more investments in our country while strengthening our supply chain.”

Speaking at the inauguration, Joseph Tanbuntiong, Chief Executive Officer of Jollibee Group Philippines and Global Head of Jollibee Brand, underscored the strategic importance of the new facility to both the company’s domestic and global growth.

“The opening of the Danao Commissary is both a reflection of our journey and a new beginning,” Tanbuntiong said. “Accelerating our growth by building on the strong momentum in Visayas and Mindanao is critical to our Philippine business.”

The investment also highlights the Jollibee Group’s confidence in Cebu as a strategic hub for manufacturing and logistics.

“This commissary underscores our confidence in Cebu—its people, its capability, and its role in our growth today and in the long term,” he added.

Community Impact and Sustainability

Beyond strengthening operational capacity, the Danao Commissary is expected to deliver shared value for local communities, generating close to 500 jobs, with over 60% of the workforce coming from Danao City. At full capacity, the commissary will create 800 jobs.

Sustainability features were integrated into the facility’s design and operations in line with the Jollibee Group’s Joy for Tomorrow agenda. From Day 1 of commercial operation, the Danao Commissary operates on 99% renewable electricity from geothermal sources. It is also equipped with roof-mounted solar panels, rainwater-harvesting systems, energy-efficient equipment, and wastewater treatment systems—supporting responsible, future-ready growth.

Tanbuntiong said the inauguration marks the beginning of a shared journey among stakeholders involved in the project.

“The success of the Danao Commissary is a shared success—for Danao, for Cebu, and for the nation. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable future.”

Hashtag: #Jollibee

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About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio that includes 19 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,000 stores and cafés across 33 countries.

The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.

The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a four-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

This year’s theme, “SEOUL LIGHTS, BIGO NIGHTS” captures the spirit of the event, where the energy of Bigo Live’s creators will illuminate Seoul. The Gala will honour the dedication and talent of the platform’s creators and families, turning each moment into a shared celebration that is both unique and unforgettable. Seoul was selected as the host city for this year’s BIGO Awards Gala as it stands at the intersection of creativity, technology and culture, reflecting the vibrant and globally connected community that Bigo Live continues to build.

The star-studded event will welcome over 1,200 global guests, including those from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, and Africa. The festivities will begin with a public red-carpet event, offering a first glimpse into the energy and vibrancy of the event.

“Seoul’s dynamic energy is the perfect backdrop for our 2026 Gala,” said a spokesperson from Bigo Live. “‘SEOUL LIGHTS, BIGO NIGHTS’ is more than a theme, it’s a reflection of how our creators illuminate the platform with their talent and passion. We are thrilled to bring our global community together in this vibrant city to celebrate their achievements and the powerful connections they’ve built.”

The ceremony will honour over 200 content creators and families for their outstanding contributions over the past year, with winners receiving a trophy and in-app rewards, with select honourees also featured on prominent digital billboards in Gangnam’s high-profile media district, extending recognition beyond the platform.

The evening will also feature a diverse lineup of captivating performances, from live music to band shows by international artists, including special appearances by South Korean girl groups FIFTY FIFTY and tripleS, creating an immersive atmosphere where global creativity meets a shared rhythm.

As the night pulses with excitement, Bigo Live will also unveil an exclusive blind-box collection featuring its friendly mascot, mini-Dinos, bringing an extra spark of surprise to the night.

For viewers worldwide, the BIGO Awards Gala 2026 will be broadcast live on Bigo Live’s Music Live House channel (Bigo ID: music) and the official Bigo.tv website. The live broadcast will begin with the Red Carpet at 3:00 pm (GMT+9), followed by the Gala Ceremony at 7:00 pm (GMT+9). Viewers in the live room can vote for their favourite content creators and families during the gala night for three special awards: “MOST POPULAR BROADCASTER,” “MOST POPULAR FAMILY,” and “GALA STAR.”

To join Bigo Live’s global community and tune into the BIGO Awards Gala 2026, download the Bigo Live app or visit the official website. Follow Bigo Live on Facebook and Instagram for latest updates.Hashtag: #BigoLive #BIGOAwardsGala2026

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This recognition marks the third consecutive year Vinova has been named among Singapore’s fastest-growing companies, following its previous rankings in 2024 and 2025

A Track Record of Consistent Growth

Over the past 15 years, Vinova has earned a strong reputation for digital craftsmanship, delivering high-end mobile and web solutions alongside enterprise-level applications. This sustained growth has been driven by a clear strategic focus, disciplined execution, and a strong commitment to quality.

Our unwavering focus on quality and innovation enables us to serve over 300 clients worldwide. From fast-scaling startups to established Fortune 500 corporations, each benefiting from our dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions with Singapore-standard excellence.

As we scale, Vinova remains committed to integrating ESG principles into our core operations, striving toward a Net Zero carbon footprint to ensure our innovation contributes to a sustainable future.

“We are honored to be recognized among Singapore’s fastest-growing companies once again in 2026,” said Mike Nguyen, CEO of Vinova. “This achievement belongs to our dedicated team, whose commitment and professionalism continue to drive our growth. We remain focused on delivering Singapore-standard excellence to our clients and partners worldwide.”

Strategic Expansion and Global Presence

In 2024, from our headquarter in Singapore, we took a significant step forward by successfully establishing operations in Thailand, strengthening our presence across the APAC region. At the same time, we are actively expanding our global reach through high-impact strategic partnerships.

These alliances seamlessly combine our signature artisan design standards with large-scale engineering capabilities, while ensuring Vinova continues to lead and innovate at the forefront of the international IT industry.

Hashtag: #Vinova, #Business, #Technology

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VINOVA Pte Ltd.

Vinova is a leading digital transformation agency and technology solutions provider based in Singapore. With a focus on crafting beautiful, functional, and impactful digital products, Vinova offers services in UX/UI design, web and mobile application development, and enterprise system integration. Known for its agile methodology and client-centric approach, Vinova helps businesses innovate and excel in the digital age.

At the press conference, it was announced that the Games would feature 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 63 events, including established Olympic and Asian Games programs like swimming and sailing, as well as emerging sports such as teqball and beach kabaddi.

Eight competition venues (clusters) have been planned to support the event. Five are located along the Sanya Bay — renowned for its “Coconut Dream Promenade,” one is situated alongside the Sanya River, and two are within the Sanya Sports Center. This layout integrates the coastal beauty with the urban landscape. Construction is well underway as scheduled, and all venues are ready to welcome elite athletes from across the Asian continent.

To ensure service support for the Games, the organizing committee has designated 24 official reception hotels, capable of accommodating over 4,000 athletes and team officials. The catering services feature “dining islands” that offer Chinese cuisine, Western-style meals, and authentic Hainan specialties to satisfy the varied culinary preferences of all participating nations and regions.

According to the press conference, the opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Yasha Park within the Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area. By making the sky a backdrop, the sea a setting, and the beach a stage, both ceremonies will blend the beach sports with Hainan’s unique cultural elements. The performances will incorporate the natural beauty of Tianya Haijiao and the captivating local legend of “Luhuitou,” demonstrating the exchange and mutual learning of Asian civilizations in a multidimensional way.

Notably, the medal design for the Sanya Asian Beach Games was officially unveiled on the day. Titled “Tianya Moment,” the medal design draws inspiration from the classic Song Dynasty verse: “As the bright moon rises over the sea, we share this moment from the ends of the earth.” This poetic symbolism extends Sanya’s warm welcome to friends from across Asia. It is reported that a total of 189 medals (63 gold, 6 silver, and 63 bronze) will be awarded during the Games.

In order to foster the deep integration of culture, sports, and tourism, the organizing committee plans to host interactive experiences to promote Hainan’s intangible cultural heritage, Li and Miao ethnic folk performances, and beach concerts in key places such as the Athletes’ Village and the Yasha Park inside the Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area during the event, immersing global visitors in Hainan’s one-of-a-kind cultural charm.

Hainan is fully prepared to embrace the Games as a valuable link to connect the island’s unique tourism offerings. The premium “Competition & Leisure” round-the-island itineraries will invite athletes and visitors to discover Hainan through the Games, allowing them to be immersed in the island’s stunning natural beauty, the wonders of its tropical rainforests, the rich charm of Li and Miao ethnic cultures, and the excitement of duty-free shopping.

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Hainan Heren Pearl Co., Ltd., which mainly imports pearls from overseas, has emerged as a direct beneficiary of Hainan FTP policies.

Under the value-added processing policy, the company can sell its high-value products to the mainland duty-free, cutting its overall tax burden from about 52 percent to roughly 26 percent and redirecting the savings into research and development, said Zhang Shizhong, the company’s chairman.

“The FTP holds great promise, with more policy dividends set to be released in the future,” Zhang said.

One notable special customs policy is offering “freer access at the first line,” referring to freer trade between Hainan and areas outside China’s customs borders, and “regulated access at the second line,” which involves applying standard customs controls for goods moving from Hainan to the mainland.

According to Haikou Customs, from Dec. 18, 2025 to the early hours of Jan. 18, 2026, the value of “first line” imported zero-tariff goods was 753 million yuan (about 107 million U.S. dollars); the value of processed and value-added goods sold domestically through the “second line” was about 85.9 million yuan.

In Wanning City, production lines at Chia Tai (Hainan) Xinglong Coffee Industry Development Co., Ltd. are running at full capacity. The company imports green coffee beans from Colombia and processes them in Hainan before shipping the finished products to the mainland, enjoying an 8 percent tariff reduction under the FTP policies.

“After the launch of island-wide special customs operations, Hainan will gradually become a value-added processing center and trade hub with global resource allocation capabilities,” said Ye Jian, the company’s general manager. “Enterprises will not only pass through Hainan, but also be able to put down roots here and create higher value.”

Drawn by the policy incentives, a growing number of companies are choosing to do business in Hainan. The General Administration of Customs said a total of 5,132 new foreign trade enterprises completed registration in Hainan over the past month, an increase in a month roughly equivalent to the total registrations in an entire quarter of 2024.

The total number of registered foreign trade market entities in Hainan has surpassed 100,000, according to official data.

As the policy came into force, major ports across Hainan saw a surge in activity.

Days after Hainan began island-wide special customs operations, a flight from Prague carrying 115 European passengers touched down in the tourist city of Sanya, marking a breakthrough in the high-level opening up of the aviation sector at the Hainan FTP.

The arrival marked the launch of China’s first official passenger route operated under the Seventh Freedom of the Air, which allows foreign carriers to operate flights between two foreign countries without having to land in their home country.

The route is operated by Kazakhstan’s Scat Airlines, with one round-trip scheduled each week.

At Yangpu Port, the largest cargo port in the Hainan FTP, mega-ships berthing in quick succession, gantry cranes operating around the clock, and container trucks moving in tightly coordinated flows have become a routine sight.

“Yangpu will shoulder the role of the main logistics gateway of the Hainan FTP,” said Yang Xiaobin, deputy head of the Transportation, Port and Waterway Bureau of Yangpu Economic Development Zone. “The port aims to build a smart and green international shipping hub and logistics center.”

Container throughput at Yangpu reached 3.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, up more than 65 percent from a year earlier.

“It is particularly noteworthy that the Hainan FTP launched island-wide special customs operations at a time of intensifying deglobalization and rising global uncertainty,” said Cui Weijie, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, a think tank with the Ministry of Commerce.

“It not only demonstrates China’s unwavering commitment to high-standard opening up, but also injects greater certainty and positive momentum into the global economy and international trade cooperation,” Cui said.

Hashtag: #HainanFreeTradePort #HainanFTP #CustomsReform #FreeTradePort #DutyFreeTrade

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