Category: Business Mirror

Beauty is more than a crown. It is confidence, kindness, individuality, and the courage to inspire others.

These values came to life as the candidates of Little Miss and Miss Teen Universe 2026 gathered at Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosa, Laguna, for a magical day filled with friendship, entertainment, creativity, and memorable experiences-with Sucere Foods Corporation adding a sweet touch to the celebration.

As the young delegates continue their journey toward the international crown, their activities in the Philippines have gone beyond pageantry. The candidates have been given opportunities to showcase their talents, celebrate their cultures, build friendships, and experience meaningful moments that reflect the spirit of the competition.

The Enchanted Kingdom experience became one of those memorable moments.

A Day of Magic, Friendship, and Discovery

Hosted at one of the Philippines’ most iconic family destinations, the special gathering brought together the Little Miss and Miss Teen Universe 2026 candidates, organizers, partners, and guests for an afternoon celebrating the joy of being young, confident, and inspired.

The program featured performances, the grand welcome of the candidates, a fashion showcase, candidate talent presentations, and an immersive park experience designed to create lasting memories.

The candidates also had the opportunity to experience the magic of Enchanted Kingdom while connecting with fellow delegates from different countries and communities.

For Sucere, the occasion offered a simple but meaningful message: some of life’s sweetest moments are the ones we experience together.

Sucere Brings Sweetness to the Celebration

As part of the afternoon’s program, Sucere Foods Corporation presented a special product showcase featuring its beloved sweet treats, bringing the company’s passion for creating enjoyable food experiences to the event.

The Sucere Runway Show and Product Showcase transformed familiar products into a celebration of creativity and style, allowing the young candidates to experience Sucere in a fresh, engaging way.

The candidates also received Sucere products as special souvenirs and tokens of appreciation-giving them a little taste of the Filipino brand experience to bring home from their memorable day in the Philippines.

The celebration continued with a live baking demonstration by Sucere chefs Valerie and Cristina, giving candidates and guests a chance to see how simple ingredients and familiar products can be transformed into something delicious and enjoyable. More than a product presentation, the activity reflected what Sucere believes food can create: moments that bring people together.

‘At Sucere, we believe that sweetness is not only something you taste-it is something you share,’ said Andrea Pauline Valentin Alzaga, AVP of Marketing.

‘Being part of Little Miss and Miss Teen Universe 2026 allowed us to share our products with these inspiring young delegates while creating a meaningful experience they can remember long after their visit to the Philippines.’

Celebrating Young Women and Men with Purpose

The Little Miss and Miss Teen Universe 2026 journey has highlighted that pageantry is about much more than appearance.

The candidates have participated in activities centered on advocacy, compassion, cultural representation, talent, communication, and personal development. Their journey has encouraged them to embrace their individuality while representing their respective countries and communities with pride.

For Sucere, supporting an experience that celebrates these values is aligned with its commitment to creating meaningful moments for families and communities.

The Enchanted Kingdom celebration gave the candidates a chance to enjoy the moment-to laugh, perform, make new friends, discover something new, and create memories together.

And sometimes, those are the moments that become the sweetest.

From the Philippines, With Sweetness

As the Little Miss and Miss Teen Universe 2026 candidates move forward in their journey toward the crown, they take with them not only the excitement of the competition but also the memories they created during their stay in the Philippines.

From advocacy and cultural experiences to friendship, entertainment, and adventure, their Philippine journey has become a celebration of what makes each young delegate unique.

For Sucere Foods Corporation, being part of that journey is an opportunity to share a little Filipino sweetness with the next generation of young women who are learning to dream, lead, and inspire.

Because behind every crown is a story.

And behind every memorable day, there is often a moment worth savoring.

Sucere Foods Corporation is proud to be part of a celebration where beauty meets confidence, friendship meets culture, and every experience becomes a little sweeter.

Sucere Foods Corporation is a proudly Filipino food company and a recognized leader in the marshmallow category, with a growing portfolio spanning chocolates, cookies, gummies, marshmallows, and other confectionery products.

For decades, Sucere has created familiar, affordable treats enjoyed by Filipino families, combining quality, innovation, and a deep understanding of everyday consumer moments. Its portfolio includes beloved brands such as Mello, Mayfair, Marble, and Bambino, each offering a distinct taste and experience across different segments of the confectionery market.

As a specialist in chocolate and confectionery, Sucere continues to strengthen its position through product innovation, consumer-focused marketing, quality manufacturing, and the continuous development of brands that bring joy to everyday occasions.

At the heart of Sucere is a commitment to its core values of Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Teamwork, and Customer Focus-principles that guide the company in building trusted brands, developing its people, serving its partners, and delivering products that Filipino consumers can enjoy and love.

More than a food company, Sucere believes in the power of food to create sweet moments, shared experiences, and lasting memories. Through its brands and people, Sucere continues to bring sweetness, happiness, and meaningful moments to Filipino families and communities-one product and one experience at a time.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees no need for now to place any area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under its control, as the number of localities classified under the red category or hotspot fell to 26 from 27.

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said that the poll body is aiming to further reduce the number of high-risk areas before the September 14 elections.

The classification takes into account factors such as the presence of armed groups, previous election-related incidents and the intensity of political rivalry in an area.

Despite having the authority to place an area under Comelec control, Laudiangco said the commission is not considering such a move at present.

‘That is not in our minds right now, and Comelec does not want to place any area under its control,’ he said.

More than 18,000 Comelec checkpoints are operating across BARMM, while additional government forces may be deployed from other regions if the situation requires it.

Laudiangco said additional security personnel should be enough to maintain peace and order without intimidating residents or making communities appear militarized.

‘The additional personnel should not cause fear or create stigma among our people in their respective communities, particularly in Datu Odin Sinsuat,’ he said.

Comelec has also sought updated security assessments from its field offices, the National Police and the Armed Forces following recent incidents in the region.

Among these was the ambush involving Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, which Laudiangco said the poll body continues to treat as an ‘isolated incident.’

Laudiangco said the broader security situation in BARMM remains generally peaceful despite the incident.

Comelec has maintained that the Sept. 14 elections will proceed as scheduled and that the latest violence has not prompted discussions on postponement.

‘This latest violence will not be a reason for us to stop preparations or start thinking about whether there should be a postponement,’ Laudiangco said.

‘Comelec’s position is clear: the elections on September 14, 2026 will push through,’ he added.

Concepcion, Tarlac Mayor Noel Villanueva said Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon told himthat the Department of Public Works and Highways would look for quick response funds to complete the unfinished ground-sill project along the Parua River in barangay San Martin.

Villanueva said he discussed the project with Dizon over the phone amid concerns over continued riverbank erosion and potential flooding in the area.

‘He said he would look for funds under the quick response fund,’ Villanueva said.

Villanueva said he also told Dizon that if funds were not immediately available, he hoped the project could instead be included in the proposed 2027 General Appropriations Act.

The mayor expressed appreciation for Dizon’s prompt response and willingness to seek funding for the project.

‘He immediately responded and assured me that they would look for funding to complete the unfinished ground-sill project,’ Villanueva said.

The unfinished structure and damaged riverbank protection have raised concerns in barangay San Martin and nearby barangay Lilibangan, Magao, and Castillo.

Villanueva earlier said about 5,000 families and around 2,000 hectares of agricultural and residential areas could be affected if riverbank erosion worsens.

The local government has documented damage to river protection structures in San Martin and Magao. An inspection in August found further deterioration following continuous heavy rainfall.

In San Martin, the report said the ground-sill structure has narrowed the effective river-flow section from about 260 meters to 45 meters. It recommended an engineering and hydraulic assessment to determine the structure’s capacity and compatibility with the existing river channel, along with immediate repairs to damaged riverbank protection.

About 50 meters of the ground-sill project remains unfinished, according to San Martin Barangay Captain Francisco Manalo, who said the project ran out of funds.

Villanueva had earlier said he would formally ask DPWH officials for immediate action and funding to complete the project, including appropriate rectification of the ground sill and technical assessment and rehabilitation of damaged river protection structures.

Villanueva said the latest commitment from the DPWH chief could help address the urgent concerns along the Parua River as the municipality continues to monitor the affected areas.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has updated its visa-on-arrival eligibility rules for Philippine passport holders.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Filipinos holding permanent residency permits from Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, or New Zealand are eligible for a visa on arrival at UAE entry points.

Filipinos with valid visas from those six countries no longer qualify and must ask their sponsors to apply for their visas beforehand via official channels of app of the UAE Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security .

However, Philippine passport holders with valid visas or permanent residency in the United States, United Kingdom, or any of the 27 European Union member-states retain their visa-on-arrival privileges.

The DFA issued the advisory following inquiries from Filipino travelers who were advised by staff at Etihad, Emirates, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific that regular visa holders from the Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, U.S., UK and EU are no longer eligible for entry on arrival.

A check on the Etihad and Emirates websites indicates that travelers from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Kenya are eligible for a UAE visa on arrival only if they hold permanent residency in Japan, Australia, Canada, the EU, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, the UK and the U.S.

The official airline portals state that only Indian tourists with valid EU, UK, or US visas can obtain a visa on arrival at UAE airports.

BusinessMirror has reached out to the DFA and the UAE Embassy in Manila for clarification and the date of effectivity of the amended rules.

Per the DFA press release, eligible Philippine passport holders must ensure their passports, qualifying visas, and residence permits are valid for at least six months from the date of application.

Travelers can choose between two entry options: a 14-day visa for AED 100 (Php 1682), extendable for 14 days for AED 250 (Php 4,206) or a non-extendable 60-day visa for AED 250 (Php 4,206).

It’s the tennis establishment versus pickleball enthusiasts at an uptight club in ‘The Dink,’ a kind of spiritual descendant of ‘Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.’ The story itself is very by the books: A once promising tennis prodigy learns to get over himself and his disdain for the ‘lesser sport.’

In one version of the world it could have been ‘The Cutting Edge.’ But ‘The Dink’ chose the grounded, goofy route, with memorably eccentric characters and a few high profile cameos that add up to an enjoyable watch.

Jake Johnson plays the has been, Dusty, whose domineering father, Chuck (Ed Harris) had groomed him for tennis stardom since he was born. He called his son ‘The Hammer’ long before he’d even told him his real name, we’re told in an amusing introduction. But as with so many sports prodigies, Dusty flamed out early (in a match against a young Andy Roddick, no less). Now he teaches tennis lessons to kids at his dad’s club and bores them with stories of his glory days. He has but one remaining friend: PJ, an earnest sycophant and kindhearted weirdo played by Australian comedian Aaron Chen.

Dusty and his father hate pickleball with a passion, so when Dusty’s doctor (a brief, funny appearance by Ben Stiller, who also produced) recommends it as rehab for a wrist injury, it’s a sentence worse than death. Naturally, he’ll eventually change his tune when he starts playing with a group of older women, including Candace (Mary Steenburgen), Gail (Cleo King) and Judy (the late Lynne Marie Stewart).

Johnson is excellent at playing the not-always-lovable loser. One of his new friends says she thinks he looks like Timothée Chalamet; He laughs that no one has ever said, or thought, that before. But she could be on to something: Dusty is kind of on the Marty Supreme spectrum.

Steenburgen is also lovely and funny, while Harris is the perfect alpha dad; Can’t more filmmakers and screenwriters figure out how to use our septuagenarians well?

The film is packed with comic actors in smaller roles too: Patton Oswalt is the club’s resident pickleball enthusiast, Chloe Fineman is a crazy ex-girlfriend and Chris Parnell is a tennis pro. Directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Sean Clements, it is moderately successful in toeing the line between silly and heartfelt. And, to its credit, it doesn’t go so low as to make pickleball and its players the butt of every joke. There are some, to be sure; But it’s mostly done so lovingly.

And within all this there is one sequence that might just be the funniest bit of the year. I won’t be so cruel as to spoil what I’m talking about (or so bold to think that words might do it justice) but I will say that it involves none of the main characters and has very little to do with the story. It is just ridiculous and perfect.

Greenbaum, who was also behind ‘Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’ and the upcoming ‘Spaceballs’ sequel, is carving out a nice space for himself as a reliable director of comedies, a genre that seems almost endangered on the big screen.

This is a curious time for the movies: The appetite for theatrical moviegoing is clearly there, and not just for ‘The Odyssey.’ And yet this week has two mainstream comedies, including the Kevin Hart bachelor party movie ’72 Hours,’ with starry casts that are going straight to streaming. The silver lining is that people are still making straight comedies, but there’s something that’s lost when they skip the movie theater entirely. Sure, you can gather the family in the living room, but not all families have the same type of humor. It’s hard to submit to something if the people around you aren’t having a good time. In a theater, there’s at least a chance that there are some other kindred spirits around to laugh, or even groan, with. (I cannot speak to the quality of ’72 Hours.’)

Some are still getting the chance, like ‘Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,’ but it’s hard to believe that moviegoing will ever really be ‘back’ when big, dumb comedies aren’t part of the regular mix.

‘The Dink’ is an Apple TV release now streaming worldwide. Running time: 102 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

For years, companies have invested in stylish offices, wellness programs, flexible work arrangements, and employer branding campaigns to attract young talent. While these initiatives certainly carry value, they are no longer enough on their own. A recent workplace happiness study found that nearly four in 10 Gen Z employees experience persistent dread or anxiety regarding their daily work lives, despite growing corporate investments in employee engagement.

The data reveals a clear message: while compensation, purpose, and meaningful work remain foundational, attracting Gen Z is only the beginning. The far greater challenge for business leaders today is creating an operational workplace they believe is worth staying for.

Unlike previous generations, Gen Z entered the workforce after years of using digital services defined by speed, transparency, and immediate convenience. They track deliveries in real time, transfer money instantly, and access information on demand. These everyday experiences have fundamentally reshaped their expectations. Workplaces are no longer compared merely against competing employers. Instead, they are measured directly against the best consumer digital experiences employees interact with daily. As a result, young professionals expect the same clarity, speed, and responsiveness at work. They want simple processes, timely communication, and systems that allow them to focus on meaningful contributions rather than administrative friction.

The hidden cost of workplace micro-frustrations

Employees rarely resign over a single defining moment. More often, disengagement builds gradually through daily micro-frustrations-recurring operational obstacles that steadily erode trust, motivation, and organizational commitment. Waiting days for leave approvals, chasing payroll discrepancies, filling out repetitive forms, or navigating multi-tiered approvals may seem like minor inconveniences to management. However, when these friction points become routine, employees interpret them as a clear sign that the organization does not value their time.

This disconnect is widely felt across the corporate landscape. A 2025 workplace study analyzing over 6,000 workers and executives revealed that 88% experienced persistent workplace friction, citing complicated processes and inefficient communication as the primary sources of exhaustion. Gen Z places a premium on efficiency, transparency, and autonomy, making them far less willing to accept unnecessary bureaucracy. Over time, these daily frustrations compound, quietly driving disengagement long before an employee submits a resignation letter.

Building culture through operational integrity

Retaining younger talent requires moving beyond performative workplace perks to address the everyday administrative friction that prevents employees from doing their best work. This demands a commitment to operational integrity through designing workflows around genuine respect for employees’ time by reducing bureaucracy, simplifying processes, and maintaining operational transparency. After all, organizational culture is not built through vision statements or annual engagement campaigns alone. A study released this year confirmed that employees evaluate their employers based on whether they consistently experience trust, fairness, and credibility in their day-to-day work.

In this context, modern HR infrastructure must serve a strategic cultural purpose rather than acting as a standalone software upgrade. Consumer-grade Employee Self-Service (ESS) platforms reduce everyday friction by granting employees instant, autonomous access to leave requests, payroll breakdowns, and personal records. In turn, HR teams gain the liberty from repetitive administration, allowing them to focus on strategic people initiatives, mentoring, and engagement.

Technology itself is not the strategy, but the enabler of an organization’s commitment to making work simpler, fairer, and more respectful. While compensation and career growth will always influence retention, the quality of the daily operational experience has become a primary deciding factor for Gen Z. The organizations that earn their loyalty will be those that remove unnecessary friction and respect their time. Ultimately, a great workplace is defined not by appearances, but by how work actually works.

Subramanyam Sreenivasaiah is the CEO and Director of AscentHR, a leading provider of HR, payroll, and compliance solutions. He brings extensive experience in HR technology and business operations, leading the company’s efforts to help organizations streamline workforce management and strengthen

compliance through digital transformation. Under his leadership, AscentHR continues to expand its technology-driven solutions that enable businesses to build more agile and efficient HR systems.

About Ascent HR Inc., Philippines

Ascent HR Inc., Philippines is a trusted payroll and HR solutions partner with deep expertise across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines. We help organizations manage complex workforce operations with accuracy, compliance, and confidence – combining regional reach with local knowledge to deliver HR and payroll ecosystems that are secure, scalable, and future-ready.

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) will resume direct international services linking Iloilo to Bangkok and Singapore starting November 23, restoring Western Visayas travelers’ nonstop access to two of Southeast Asia’s busiest cities.

The Gokongwei-led airline said on Tuesday it will mount thrice-weekly flights from Iloilo to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport and from Iloilo to Singapore, departing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The Iloilo-Bangkok service will depart at 9:30 p.m. and arrive at 12:25 a.m., while the Iloilo-Singapore flight will leave at 10:50 p.m. and land at 2:25 a.m.

Return flights from both cities will begin on November 24, also operating three times weekly-every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Bangkok-Iloilo leg departs at 1:25 a.m. and arrives at 6:10 a.m., while the Singapore-Iloilo flight leaves at 3:25 a.m. and touches down at 7:10 a.m.

The airline said the resumption further strengthens international connectivity from its Iloilo hub, giving passengers in the region more options for direct travel to key Asian destinations without connecting through Manila or Cebu.

To drum up bookings, Cebu Pacific is running a seat sale until August 31, offering one-way base fares as low as P199, exclusive of fees and surcharges, for select domestic and international destinations. The promo covers travel from August 16, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

Cebu Pacific currently flies to 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

The airline recently reported that it posted a net loss of P5.9 billion in the first half, a reversal of last year’s P8.97-billion profit, mainly due to its foreign exchange transactions and surging global fuel prices during the second quarter.

Revenues from January to June reached P68.6 billion, up 8 percent from the same period last year. Passenger revenue grew to P47.2 billion, an increase of 7 percent, while ancillary and cargo revenue rose by 11 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

Unlimited Renewables Holdings B.V. (URH), a subsidiary of ACEN Corp., has finalized agreements for Diamond Renewables One B.V. (DIRO) to acquire up to 49 percent of Avana Renewables Private Ltd., starting with an initial 10-percent stake.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday, ACEN said URH completed the execution of a securities subscription and purchase agreement with DIRO and a shareholders’ agreement with DIRO and UPC Renewables India Management Private Ltd. in respect of the acquisition by DIRO of up to 49 percent of Avana.

Avana is currently developing a 20-megawatt (MW) wind project in Karnataka, India, with the transaction expected to close in stages.

The deal will close once all standard and agreed-upon conditions are met.

ACEN, the Ayala Group’s energy platform, has committed to achieving 20 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy (RE) capacity by 2030 and reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It is actively accelerating the energy transition across the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, and India.

The power firm’s existing attributable capacity reached 7.5GW. In the first quarter, it added about 3.3 GW of RE capacity and 740 megawatts (MW) of battery energy storage system (BESS), equivalent to 1,660 megawatt hours of batteries in the Philippines.

ACEN corporate finance head Gabby Blaza said the company executed value realization and capital recycling deals in India.

‘You may recall that sometime in the first quarter of 2026, we consolidated one of our two platforms in India, the one with UPC Renewables. And after fully consolidating that platform, we sold down a couple of the plants within that platform, and that resulted in a reduction in Indian capacity by just under 300 megawatts.

The rest of the portfolio remains stable. And in Australia, particularly, you can see the increase of about 200 megawatts is attributable to the battery there that’s well under construction,’ he said.

According to ACEN Chief Finance Officer and Group Strategy Officer Jonathan Back, the company is shifting toward an asset-light, capital-recycling model by consistently selling down stakes in its projects globally, mirroring a strategy already used in India.

‘We expect to continue to grow, but we will be very, very disciplined about the projects that we bring into the portfolio in terms of their return requirements…Our primary goal is to be funding the next phases of growth really through capital recycling, value realization.

We talked earlier about those sell-downs of a couple of projects in India. We very much see that as a model that we want to adopt more consistently, not just in India, but elsewhere, so that we are more efficiently recycling capital,’ he said.

For many Filipino families, a reunion is no longer as simple as deciding whose house to visit.

One sibling may be in Manila, another working overseas, while cousins and relatives are scattered across different cities and time zones. Getting everyone into one place can require almost as much coordination as the holiday itself.

There is, however, another way to approach the family reunion: instead of travelling home to see one another, meet somewhere everyone can turn the journey into a holiday.

Hong Kong makes an interesting case for that idea. It is close enough to the Philippines for a relatively short flight, familiar to generations of Filipino travellers, and well connected to other parts of Asia. More importantly, it can be both the meeting point and the beginning of a longer trip.

From Hong Kong, StarCruises’ Star Voyager operates short sailings of two to five nights to destinations in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan, with cruise-only lead-in fares starting at USD 169 per person, twin-sharing.

For families trying to coordinate different schedules and budgets, the appeal is straightforward: meet in Hong Kong, board the same ship, and let the itinerary take care of much of what normally complicates a group holiday.

One ship, different ways to travel

Star Voyager accommodates approximately 1,400 guests, placing it in the mid-sized cruise category. On board are multiple dining venues, entertainment, recreational spaces, and a pool deck, giving families room to spend time together without everyone having to follow the same schedule.

Accommodation also comes at different price points. Families watching their budget can opt for interior staterooms, while those looking for a more premium experience can book The Palace, which comes with additional privileges including exclusive dining and priority services.

That flexibility can make a difference when several generations-or several households-are travelling together. Everyone can join the same holiday without necessarily having to spend the same amount on accommodation.

There is another practical advantage: once aboard, there are no daily hotel transfers or repeated packing and unpacking as the group moves from one destination to another. The ship travels overnight, allowing guests to wake up somewhere new.

For a family reunion, that means less time coordinating logistics and more time actually being together.

‘So many Filipino families are spread out right now. One person’s working abroad, another’s in Manila, another’s somewhere else entirely. Planning an actual vacation around that, not just a quick visit, usually feels complicated and pricey,’ said Andrea Solis Manzano, Head of Sales, StarCruises Philippines.

‘A short cruise out of Hong Kong fixes both: you can plan it on short notice, and the price doesn’t force you to wait a whole year.’

Why a short cruise works for families who don’t live in the same place:

Hong Kong is an easy flight from Manila and already a common stop or workplace for many Filipino families – a fair midpoint instead of forcing everyone to pick whose city to fly to.

Once everyone’s onboard, the ship is the venue, the meals, and the activities. No splitting up, no separate hotel check-ins.

It’s a real getaway, not just a visit. Relatives get island stops and new countries instead of a rushed weekend crammed into someone’s apartment.

Fares start at USD 169 for a 2-night cruise, so a reunion trip can come together on short notice instead of getting pushed back another year while everyone saves up.

Star Voyager Cruises from Hong Kong

The Star Voyager runs four short-cruise categories from Hong Kong between July 5 and August 30, 2026 (booking window extended to August 28, 2026):

An Australian healthcare group is interested in establishing an information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) operation in the Philippines to provide administrative and back-office services for its health businesses in Australia and other overseas markets, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

Kairos Care Pty. Ltd. and Kairos Medical Group Pty. Ltd. last week discussed their plans on the potential expansion of their Philippine operations to serve healthcare organizations beyond their Australian businesses.

The delegation aims to set up export-oriented support operations in the country, with the companies also looking to work with local universities for internships and future talent recruitment.

Kairos Care, an Australian company established in 2020, initially focused on mental-health support before expanding into disability and aged-care services.

Meanwhile, Kairos Medical Group, established in 2025, provides general medical, nursing, allied health, psychology and mental-health services.

The group is also exploring possible partnerships with Philippine resorts for wellness and rehabilitation programs related to mental health and disability care, according to Peza.

The potential investment comes as Australian companies maintain a significant presence in the Philippine economy.

Peza data showed that 91 Australian companies were registered with the authority as of 2025, with combined investments of more than P19 billion and a workforce of over 40,000 Filipinos.

Separately, data from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade showed that more than 250 major Australian companies operate in the Philippines, employing more than 41,000 Filipinos.

The Kairos proposal adds to the growing number of foreign healthcare-related businesses exploring the country not only as a service market but also as a base for outsourced administrative, technical and support functions.

Peza said the planned operations could also open opportunities for partnerships between the Australian companies and Philippine universities as the group develops its local workforce.