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Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia recorded a landmark year for tourism in 2025, welcoming more than 122 million domestic and international visitors and generating close to $80 billion in total spending, according to official estimates and sector-wide assessments. The figures underline the scale and pace of change in a country long associated with pilgrimage travel but now positioning itself as a diversified global tourism destination. Data […]
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MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2026 – The Jollibee Group has formally inaugurated its newest – and its largest commissary in Visayas and Mindanao province – in Danao City, on January 8, 2026, a state-of-the-art facility designed to power the company’s expanding manufacturing and logistics footprint across the rapidly growing VisMin region and the wider Philippines.
Jollibee Group officially inaugurates its largest, state-of-the-art commissary in Cebu, Philippines, strengthening its Visayas and Mindanao operations, supporting multiple brands, creating jobs, and advancing sustainable growth across the country.
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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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.
A research team from the University of Tokyo has outlined a new approach to training large language models that aims to curb sensitive data leakage while preserving performance, addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing artificial intelligence developers as regulation tightens worldwide. The study, titled Crypto-LLM, proposes encrypting large volumes of training text before it is fed into a model, preventing the system from memorising personal […]
AD Ports Group has agreed to acquire full ownership of Balenciaga Astilleros Shipyard, one of Spain’s long-established shipbuilding and repair facilities, for a total consideration of €11.2 million, extending the Abu Dhabi-based group’s industrial footprint across the Mediterranean and reinforcing its push into offshore wind support services. The transaction is being executed through SAFEEN Drydocks, a subsidiary within Noatum Maritime, marking a further step in AD Ports […]
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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2026 – Bigo Live, one of the world’s fastest-growing social live streaming platforms with over 600 million registered users across over 150 countries, has announced the seventh edition of its annual flagship event, the BIGO Awards Gala. Themed “SEOUL LIGHTS, BIGO NIGHTS,” the highly anticipated ceremony will take place at KBS Hall in Seoul on Friday, 23 January 2026, celebrating the passion and creativity of its global community of content creators over the past year.
BIGO Awards Gala 2026
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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala is stepping up its push into artificial intelligence and robotics, positioning the twin technologies as a central driver of industrial growth and a compass for future capital allocation, according to remarks by its chief executive at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. The $330 billion investor, formally known as Mubadala Investment Company, has been widening its exposure […]
Tourists flock to open factories offering facility tours and hands-on craft experiences
NIIGATA PREFECTURE, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2026 – Located close to the heart of Niigata Prefecture, the Tsubame-Sanjo area is a traditional Japanese mecca of craftsmanship with a 600-year history dating back to the Muromachi period, when metal casting first flourished here. It is about two hours from Tokyo by bullet train. Many products beloved both in Japan and around the world are born here, from kitchen knives and Western-style cutlery to tools and outdoor gear. To preserve the techniques behind these diverse products, the central region situated around Tsubame-Sanjo has established initiatives that include certifying highly skilled artisans as Niigata Ken-O Meisters.
But Tsubame-Sanjo’s appeal extends far beyond technical excellence. Here, a distinctly Japanese philosophy thrives among craftspeople who finish each product with the end user in mind, infusing their work with warmth and care. Take the knives from Hinoura Hamono Koubou, for example. This blacksmith workshop uses proprietary methods grounded in scientific research, achieving both exceptional edge retention and ease of use. Blades that fuse over a century of forging expertise with innovative thinking have earned acclaim both at home and abroad. Meanwhile, Gyokusendo, a copperware house with over 200 years of history, continues to practice tsuiki doki, the traditional art of hand-hammering copper plates into elegant vessels. These pieces, which marry the beauty of handcraft with functional design, have won admirers from around the world.
From Nails to Knives: The History and Evolution of Craftsmanship Tsubame-Sanjo’s metalworking tradition traces its origins to Japanese nail-making some 400 years ago. Frequent flooding from the Shinano and Igarashi rivers created strong demand for nails to rebuild structures in this region. These nails found use not only in homes, but also in shrines, temples, and ships. As they circulated widely, nail-making became one of the foundations of local metalworking. Over time, production expanded to farming implements such as hoes and shears, then to kitchen knives, Western-style tableware, and other everyday tools, the industry evolving with each era’s needs. After the Meiji period, stainless steel cutlery and tool manufacturing took off. Today, the region boasts such a diverse concentration of metalworking expertise that locals say there’s nothing that cannot be made. Tsubame City and Sanjo City are home to thousands of small- and medium-sized enterprises, each bringing its own distinctive techniques and designs to global markets. In these communities, a guiding philosophy endures: don’t simply inherit tradition; move forward by improving it. While honoring time-tested techniques, local manufacturers embrace new materials and contemporary design, ensuring constant evolution.
Where to Experience Factory Tours and Hands-On Craftsmanship Tsubame-Sanjo has seen a growing number of open factories, manufacturing facilities that welcome the public for tours, hands-on experiences, and product sales. Small workshops once overlooked as tourism assets are now celebrated as experiential destinations, serving as venues where artisans pass their skills and philosophy on to the next generation. Here are some of the most popular spots and events.
Tsubame-Sanjo KOUBA no SAITEN This major annual event takes place every autumn. Factories normally closed to the public open their doors, with craftspeople personally guiding visitors through production floors. Beyond factory tours, the festival features workshops and product sales, creating a region-wide celebration of open manufacturing.
Tsubame Industrial Museum A facility offering hands-on experiences with Tsubame’s diverse crafts. The museum houses a workshop where visitors can try oxidation coloring on spoons, crafting tin sake cups, and hammering decorative patterns into pure copper thermoses.
Tsubamesanjo Regional Industries Promotion Center A hub for regional industry information and tourism services. The center features meeting rooms, a restaurant, and a large hall. Its retail shop, Bussankan, displays and sells approximately 10,000 items from local manufacturers. Designated as a roadside station (Roadside Station Tsubamesanjo Regional Products Center), the facility also offers tax-free shopping for international visitors.
Gyokusendo Co., Ltd. Founded in 1816. Renowned for its tsuiki doki (hand-hammered copperware) workshop. Visitors can watch up close as artisans hammer copper plates into finely crafted vessels. The workshop welcomes 7,000 visitors annually, roughly one-quarter of whom come from overseas.
Hinoura Hamono Koubou A blacksmith workshop with a century of history in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture. Master craftspeople work with fire and steel, upholding tradition while pursuing new challenges. Visitors who book in advance can receive a guided tour from Tsukasa Hinoura, named a Contemporary Master Craftsman this year.
FACTORY FRONT A curated shop in the factory district of Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata, where visitors can see, touch, and experience local craftsmanship firsthand.
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