Grab Asenso Learning Caravan brings digital upskilling to Puerto Princesa MSMEs

 Grab Philippines brings its Grab Asenso Learning Caravan to Puerto Princesa, holding a full-day masterclass that equipped GrabFood merchant-partners with practical digital skills and tools to grow their businesses.

Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron joins GrabFood merchant-partners in the first Grab Asenso Learning Caravan in the city

The caravan is part of Grab Asenso Digital Diskarte, the company's flagship tech and AI enablement program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It was held with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations dedicated to helping small businesses compete.

Sessions covered growth and payment tools on the GrabMerchant app, including GrabAds Spotlight Campaigns; Tap & Scan to Pay, which lets merchants accept QR and card payments; and GrabMerchant AI Assistant, an AI co-pilot for daily operations. ITC experts led modules on digital content mastery and content strategy.

Welcoming Grab's efforts to help local MSMEs grow through digitalization, Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron said Grab's presence in the city reflects confidence in the local economy and its readiness for new opportunities.

"For us, Grab's arrival in Puerto Princesa is an indication of their trust in the economy of Puerto Princesa, and of Puerto Princesa's readiness to receive new investments and to accept new opportunities," he said.

The mayor also underscored the role of food delivery in helping local businesses grow. "Food delivery will help restaurant owners increase their sales. There are several people who don't have the time to go to restaurants, but they can take advantage of Grab delivery to order the food they want from our participating restaurants."

The Grab Asenso: Digital Diskarte Program supports Puerto Princesa's push to digitalize local MSMEs and expand their opportunities in the digital economy. [L-R] Grab Philippines Merchant Programs and Engagement Manager Bea Torricer, Public Affairs Manager James Roman, Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron, Grab Philippines Vice President for Cities RJ Cabaluna, Regional Manager for South Luzon Danver Mallari, and Merchant Operations Lead Donna Elagio

Helping local businesses thrive

GrabFood launched in Puerto Princesa in October 2025, and has since onboarded homegrown favorites such as Haim Chicken, Puerto’s Pancit Malabon, 100% Cafe Moto, and Del Cusina.

 

100% Cafe Moto began as A+ Moto Cafe in Bancao-Bancao during the COVID-19 pandemic, a gathering place for motorcycle enthusiasts and locals. Before joining GrabFood, customers ordered by phone and staff had to find a rider, which often delayed deliveries. GrabFood now brings delivery fees, estimated delivery times, and online payments onto a single platform.

 

"As a business grows, it is important to factor in technology. As a restaurant, we need to find ways to serve customers better through technology. More and more people are also now finding ordering more convenient than visiting a physical store, so we need to be able to bridge that gap," said Gladys Abad, 100% Cafe Moto's operations manager.

 

Del Cusina, a family-owned buffet restaurant that started in Sabang, was severely damaged by Typhoon Odette in late 2021. The business was rebuilt and relocated to the South National Highway in Tiniguiban.

 

"Our journey has taught us that running a small business means being ready to adapt. After Typhoon Odette, rebuilding and relocating was a major challenge. As we rebuilt and reintroduced our food, we realized we could also give customers the gift of convenience by partnering with GrabFood," said Dayan Jardin, Del Cusina’s Dining Supervisor. The partnership immediately lifted the restaurant's sales by up to 30 percent, with GrabFood delivery orders continuing to grow relative to walk-in orders.

 

Building an ecosystem for MSME growth

Grab Asenso's partnership with ITC runs through the agency's Digital PINAS program, which builds MSMEs' technology and AI capabilities and tracks how digital adoption translates into business growth.

Through the end of 2026, ITC will bring expert-led masterclasses to Learning Caravans in regional cities nationwide, along with a merchant monitoring framework that measures business results. Sessions follow Digital PINAS' hands-on format, covering digital business profiles, online presence, brand and marketing content, creative platforms, and AI for streamlining operations.

 

"MSMEs are the backbone of our local economies. They create jobs, sustain families, and drive the growth of cities like Puerto Princesa," said RJ Cabaluna, vice president for Cities at Grab Philippines. "Empowering them is essential to building a more inclusive and resilient Philippine economy. Our partnership does not end when a store goes live on GrabFood. We are committed to growing alongside our merchants and the communities they serve, widening their access to technology, know-how, and opportunity so they can compete and thrive in the digital economy."

Makinang Protektado, Byaheng Swabe: Caltex Havoline Redefines the Meaning of ‘Takbong POGI’

 Navigating crowded roads amidst unpredictable traffic and weather conditions is the reality that most Filipino riders face on the daily. While you can’t control the chaos of the streets, every ride can still be takbong pogi when backed by the total confidence of a protected engine.

A clean and protected engine results in a mechanical synergy that translates to powerful yet smooth acceleration and better control at different speeds. This is what truly matters on the road, and it’s what Caltex Havoline centers on.

Choosing the right engine oil can help protect a motorcycle’s engine from mechanical breakdowns and costly repairs over time. Sustained engine protection aids in maintaining the longevity of your motorcycle while optimizing fuel efficiency, which can help manage long-term maintenance needs.

Through its SuperMatic Motorcycle Engine Oil specifically formulated for modern four-stroke scooter engines, Caltex Havoline brings new meaning to Takbong POGI.

“Modern scooters demand lubrication that can keep pace with daily usage. Caltex Havoline is engineered to go beyond standard performance, providing riders with a smoother, more responsive ride while protecting their investment for the long haul,” said Roel Faustino, National Sales Manager for Lubricants.

P.O.G.I. promotes peak engine health. Under its advanced formulation, Havoline SuperMatic 4T helps Protect the engine against mechanical wear, friction, and harmful sludge buildup to keep components operating at best. It provides Oxidation stability to resist oil degradation under elevated temperatures and stress, ensuring consistent lubrication over long mileage.

Powered by ZoomTech, it unlocks a noticeable Ganda ng acceleration by reducing internal friction and maintaining stable viscosity. Lastly, Havoline SuperMatic delivers Init-control to provide thermal stability during severe heat and stop-and-go traffic.

“A well-protected engine ensures that every rider can conquer the roads with ease, bringing them to their destinations safely and worry-free. With Caltex Havoline, everyone can be part of the redefined Takbong POGI experience: cool under pressure, smooth in performance, and confident in every ride,” said Michael Angelo Doce, Technical Manager.

Caltex Havoline SuperMatic 4T Motorcycle Engine Oil is available in both semi-synthetic and fully synthetic variants at all Caltex service stations nationwide, authorized auto and motorcycle spare parts shops, and online via the official Caltex flagship stores on Shopee and Lazada.

Filipino Investors Get First Access to €250,000 Athens Investment Offering 6% Fixed Rental Income

 Following the sell-out of its previous Greece investment offering, Golden Visa Centrale (GVC) is bringing a new €250,000 Athens investment to Filipino investors first, offering fixed rental income equivalent to 6% annually for the first five years.

The Philippines will serve as the first market for the project before its wider international rollout, reflecting continued Filipino interest in overseas property, residency-by-investment opportunities and euro-denominated assets.

Since its inception, GVC has assisted around 400 families across its various residency programmes. The business has recorded 25–30% growth, with around 50 applicants for its Greece programme.

The investment starts at €250,000 and provides fixed rental income equivalent to 6% per annum for the first five years, paid annually in arrears and subject to the terms of the investment 

agreement. The structure gives investors an income component alongside an Athens property investment and access to Greece’s golden visa pathway.

“The response to our previous Greece offering showed us that Filipino investors are looking at these opportunities from both a mobility and investment perspective. That is why we wanted the Philippines to be the first market to access Athena Arts House before its wider international launch,” said Vicky Luis, Founder and President of Golden Visa Centrale.

“With fixed rental income equivalent to 6% annually for the first five years, the project gives investors an income component alongside property ownership and access to Greece’s golden visa pathway,” Luis added.

A New Athens Investment Through the Golden Visa Pathway

Located in Omonia in central Athens, Athena Arts House is being developed through the renovation of a listed building into a professionally managed property. Developed by Arish Capital Partners, a real estate investor and developer with projects across the UK, Europe and emerging markets, the property will be operated by an international hotel operator responsible for room management, branding and day-to-day operations.

The project offers eligible investors access to Greece’s golden visa pathway, subject to applicable investment, ownership, documentation and other requirements. The programme provides renewable residence rights in Greece and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, with no minimum stay requirement. Eligible family members may also be included under Greece’s family reunification provisions, subject to applicable rules.

Beyond the residency pathway, Athena Arts House provides fixed rental income equivalent to 6% per annum for the first five years, paid annually in arrears and subject to the investment agreement. From the sixth year, rental income will be based on hotel operating income. Investors also receive a right of use for seven days per year, offering a combination of European residency access, property ownership and professionally managed accommodation in central Athens.

Filipino Interest Expands Beyond Residency

For GVC, interest in residency-by-investment is increasingly tied to broader financial and mobility considerations. Its clients now include families, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors assessing overseas property alongside international mobility, diversification and potential income.

“The profile of our clients has become broader. Some are primarily looking at mobility and family considerations, while others are also assessing the underlying investment and potential income,” said Luis.

“Our role is to help clients understand how the property, investment structure and residency requirements fit together before they make a decision.”

Explore Your Golden Visa Options with Golden Visa Centrale

Golden Visa Centrale facilitates residency-by-investment pathways in Greece and Portugal, offering investors different investment thresholds, timelines and residency considerations depending on the programme and property selected.

Filipino investors interested in exploring Athena Arts House and other residency-by-investment opportunities can meet with GVC representatives during its upcoming investor sessions in Manila.

Event Details

Greece Portugal Golden Visa Programs

• September 29, 2026 | 3:00 PM | HSBC Premier, G/F The Enterprise Makati

• September 30, 2026 | 5:30 PM | The Rizal Room Manila House, BGC

• October 01, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Shangri-la BGC Private Consults

Register your attendance by contacting Vicky Luis at +63 917 856 1237 or vickyluis@goldenvisacentral.com. For more information on GVC’s other offerings, visit https://goldenvisacentral.com/ or the GVC Facebook page.