Cebuana Lhuillier Brings the Gold Standard of Excellence Closer to Its People Through ORO 2026

 

 Cebuana Lhuillier has long recognized that its people drive its mission of financial inclusion every day. To further strengthen this culture of recognition, the company introduced the ORO Regional Awards 2026, its first regional recognition platform covering all nine regions and bringing the Gold Standard of Excellence closer to the Ka-Cebuanas who embody it.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, highlighted the importance of recognizing employees across the organization: “ORO marks an important step in our longstanding recognition tradition, bringing recognition closer to our nine regions and honoring the Ka-Cebuanas whose dedication and hard work contribute to our success every day.”

Named after the Spanish word for gold, ORO represents excellence built over time through dedication, hard work, perseverance, loyalty, and meaningful contributions. The program brings recognition closer to Ka-Cebuanas across all nine regions, celebrating the people whose efforts drive the company’s performance and make a difference in the communities they serve.

The pilot run of ORO Regional Awards 2026 covers all nine regions, recognizing Ka-Cebuanas across categories ranging from 10- and 15-year service milestones to the Regional Manager (RM) Cup. The RM Cup underscores the Regional Manager’s role not just as a leader, but as a mentor who inspires excellence, nurtures talent, and recognizes the people who bring out the best in their teams.

It celebrates leadership that sees potential, encourages growth, and brings out the best in people. Other categories include special performance awards, individual achievements, branch and area distinctions, customer experience, community impact, and overall regional performance.

Jose Miguel Jimenez, Senior Vice President and Branch Sales Group Head, emphasized the importance of recognizing employees where the company’s mission is carried out every day: “ORO brings recognition closer to where our mission comes to life every day—in our branches and the communities we serve. It is here that our people make a direct impact, making it important to celebrate their contributions where they happen.”

Beginning in 2027, ORO will also serve as the pathway to the Brillo Awards, Cebuana Lhuillier’s national stage for excellence established in 2009. This gives outstanding regional performers the opportunity to advance to the national level, making regional achievements an important part of the company’s broader recognition program.

Through ORO, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to strengthen its culture of recognition and commitment to employee engagement. By celebrating achievements across its nine regions, the company affirms that the Gold Standard of Excellence is built through the people whose dedication, consistent performance, and meaningful contributions drive its success and advance its mission of financial inclusion.

Casino Plus Energizes Bacolod During ‘Hataw MassKara!’ Opening; Crowns First-Ever Miss Casino Plus Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, 13 OCTOBER 2026 — Casino Plus, one of the Philippines’ leading PAGCOR-licensed digital entertainment platforms, joined the City of Smiles in opening MassKara Festival 2026 as the festival’s official presenter and major sponsor, kicking off the celebrations with the Hataw MassKara! opening concert on October 9 at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).

The digital entertainment platform also introduced a new title to this year’s festival, crowning the first-ever Miss Casino Plus Bacolod during the Miss Bacolod MassKara pageant.

The Cultural Soul of MassKara

Unlike many Philippine festivals rooted in religious tradition, MassKara was born out of hardship. In 1980, Negros Occidental, the country’s sugar capital, was reeling from a collapse in global sugar prices. That same year, the sinking of the inter-island ferry MV Don Juan took hundreds of lives, many of them from Bacolod.

In response, local leaders, civic groups, and artists brought the community together for a street celebration built around smiling masks, a deliberate statement that the city’s spirit would endure. The festival’s name joins “mass,” for a multitude of people, and “kara,” from the Spanish cara, meaning face.

More than four decades later, MassKara’s smiling masks remain a symbol of hope and the source of Bacolod’s identity as the City of Smiles. For Bacolodnons, the festival is an annual reaffirmation of heritage, community, and optimism.

Setting the tone with Hataw MassKara!

On October 9, thousands of festivalgoers, residents, and visitors filled the BCGC grounds for an evening of retro-inspired dance performances, cultural showcases, and live entertainment, setting the tone for the city’s annual celebration.

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya led the official launch of the city’s “10-Day MassKara High,” featuring around 50 major activities that celebrate Bacolod’s cultural heritage, creativity, and community spirit.

“As we kick off MassKara 2026, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make this year’s festival a vibrant and joyful celebration,” Gasataya said during his opening address.

For Casino Plus, its participation in MassKara reflects its commitment to supporting local celebrations that bring communities together and showcase Filipino talent and culture.

“MassKara captures the energy, creativity, and resilience of the Filipino spirit. We are proud to be part of a celebration that brings people together through culture, entertainment, and shared experiences,” said Evan Spytma, CEO of Casino Plus. “Our partnership with Bacolod goes beyond supporting a festival. It is about helping create memorable experiences for the community, celebrating local talent, and contributing to an event that brings so much pride and joy to the City of Smiles.”

Crowning the first Miss Casino Plus Bacolod

The festivities continued on October 11 at the Miss Bacolod MassKara Coronation Night. From a field of 15 candidates, 25-year-old Daniella Louisse Merelos was named the first-ever Miss Casino Plus Bacolod. She received a Casino Plus crown, a sash, and a ₱50,000 cash prize, presented by Casino Plus Head of Branding Roj Tirona.

As Miss Casino Plus Bacolod, Merelos will join social media personality and Casino Plus brand advocate Zeinab Harake Parks at the Electric MassKara float parade on October 16, one of the festival’s most anticipated events. She will also be invited to take part in official Casino Plus activities.

A shared commitment to culture, talent, and ‘gugma’

The Bacolod Gugma Foundation, organizer of this year’s festival activities, described its partnership with Casino Plus as a meaningful contribution to MassKara 2026, one that extends the festival’s support to local performers and communities.

“MassKara 2026 is really about making the festival matter beyond the celebration itself,” the Foundation said. “Our theme this year is ‘Share the Smile. Celebrate Gugma.’ Gugma means love, and for us, that love is expressed through our people, our culture, our communities, and the many individuals who work together to make MassKara happen.”

“When a partner like Casino Plus comes in, we see it as more than a commercial partnership. It becomes an opportunity to create more experiences, provide additional support to our communities and performers, and help us make MassKara more meaningful,” the Foundation added.

Casino Plus will continue to support MassKara Festival 2026 through its remaining events, joining Bacolod in celebrating its cultural heritage, homegrown talent, and enduring spirit of togetherness.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

About IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.

Casino Plus is a PAGCOR-licensed online casino platform in the Philippines, providing secure, regulated, and responsible online gaming experiences for Filipino players. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Korea and ASEAN Deepen Cultural Partnership as 2026 Innovative Culture Forum Comes to Manila

 

The 2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum (PIC), organized by Korea's MCST, KOFICE, and the ASEAN Foundation, will be held on November 7, 2026, at the Ayala Museum in Makati City. Themed "On Human Creative Sovereignty," the forum gathers policymakers and creative leaders from Korea and all 11 ASEAN states to discuss generative AI, copyright, and cultural IP. MapleStory's Chang-seop Kim will deliver the keynote, followed by four sessions with over 20 experts.

2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum to Convene at Ayala Museum on November 7, Championing the Future of Human Creative Sovereignty and Cultural IP
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (MCST), together with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) and the ASEAN Foundation, has officially announced that the “2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum (Partnership for Innovative Culture - PIC)” will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the prestigious Ayala Museum in Makati City.

Holding this year’s landmark forum in the Philippines carries exceptional diplomatic significance, as the nation assumes the 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship. Organized around the overarching theme, “On Human Creative Sovereignty: Shaping the Future of Imagination and Cultural IP,” the international conference aims to establish a high-level multilateral dialogue addressing the profound impact of generative artificial intelligence and digital transformation on creative industries, copyright protection, and cross-border intellectual property economies across Asia.

The forum is distinguished by an authoritative lineup of creative leaders and policymakers from Korea and all 11 ASEAN member states. Notably, Mr. Chang-seop Kim, General Director of NEXON’s iconic gaming franchise MapleStory, will deliver the forum’s Keynote Address. Reflecting on MapleStory’s unprecedented two-decade success across Southeast Asia via MapleStory SEA, Mr. Kim will share invaluable industry insights on expanding gaming worldviews into transmedia cultural intellectual properties (IP), sustained community building, and cross-sectoral brand collaborations.

Following the keynote, four comprehensive thematic sessions spanning Policy Governance, Industrial Expansion, ASEAN-Korea Multilateral Cooperation, and Youth Leadership will bring together over 20 prominent regional experts. Key discussions will explore how local cultural resources, indigenous heritage, and everyday creativity can be systematically transformed into legally protected, high-value cultural assets in alignment with the long-term strategic objectives of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Alongside the academic and policy sessions, the forum is intrinsically linked with the contemporary art exhibition, “Gathering Point,” curated at the Ayala Museum from November 7 to November 13, 2026. The special seven-day showcase brings together visionary contemporary artists from six Asian nations, including the Philippines’ internationally acclaimed Mark Justiniani, Latthapon Korkiatarkul (Thailand), Kim Joon (Republic of Korea), Ari Bayuaji (Indonesia), Adam Phong (Malaysia), and Imhathai Suwatthanasilp (Thailand). Through diverse mediums ranging from kinetic optical installations to acoustic archival work, the exhibition demonstrates how physical materials, everyday memories, and collective traditions are reinterpreted through creative sovereignty.

The Organizing Committee has officially initiated an exclusive Application-Based Pre-Registration process for local arts and cultural administrators, museum and gallery curators, hotel art collection managers and senior hoteliers, creative tech startup founders, and aspiring youth leaders. Shortlisted delegates will receive full complimentary access to the forum proceedings, supported by a professional simultaneous interpretation system (Korean-English). Attendees will also be hosted to an authentic premium Korean culinary luncheon buffet and enjoy a complimentary instant photo booth experience designed to commemorate regional friendship.

Furthermore, delegates who actively participate throughout the entire day’s agenda (10:00 AM to 4:30 PM) will be automatically eligible for the Grand Finale Raffle Draw during the closing ceremony, featuring state-of-the-art Samsung smart devices (including Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Fit3), official BTS and SEVENTEEN collectors' albums, and luxury Sulwhasoo K-Beauty cosmetic gift sets.

Prospective delegates, cultural professionals, and academic researchers may submit their attendance credential applications through the official Google Forms registration portal. Due to museum gallery capacities and curated seat assignments, early registration is highly encouraged.

Registration Information

Prospective attendees, arts and culture professionals, museum and gallery curators, creative technologists, and academic researchers may submit their applications via the official registration portal:

Registration Link:
Google Forms: https://forms.gle/Q4fUW5TLBXbK8oWSA
Website: https://joinenjoy.com.ph/asean-korea-forum/
(Due to limited gallery capacity and curated seating assignments, early registration is highly encouraged.)

About Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.

Established in the Philippines in 2002, Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) is a premier MICE and destination management specialist with a proven track record in orchestrating high-level, bilateral governmental and corporate events adhering to rigorous state-level protocol standards. Notably, IRC spearheaded local operational management for the Korea-Philippines Business Forum, held on the occasion of the South Korean President’s state visit to the Philippines to commemorate the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations. IRC is a fully accredited travel agency licensed in the Philippines, South Korea, and Cuba, and is officially designated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea to process Korean electronic visas (e-visas). Through its flagship platform, "Join Enjoy," IRC continues to lead bilateral cultural exchange, tourism, and business connectivity between the Philippines and South Korea.

 

Join Enjoy Korea Introduces Two Korea eSIM Plans, Premium and Value, for Filipino Travelers

Less hassle, more Korea. Join Enjoy Korea's new Korea data eSIM means no physical SIM to swap and no pocket WiFi to pick up or return. Filipino travelers just scan a QR code sent by email or Messenger and connect on arrival. Choose Premium (10GB) or Value (300MB), and both keep going at [5 Mbps / 3 Mbps] after the high-speed allowance runs out.

Join Enjoy Korea Launches Unlimited Data eSIM for Trips to South Korea

Join Enjoy Korea, the Korea travel arm of Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC), is rolling out a Korea data eSIM lineup for Filipino travelers, developed in partnership with FreeT, a Korean telecommunications provider. Both plans maintain a guaranteed minimum speed even after the daily high-speed allowance runs out, on premium Korean networks (SKT, KT, and LGU+).

What Makes the “No Speed-Trap Throttle” Guarantee Different?

While many standard eSIMs found on online marketplaces promise unlimited data, they severely drop speeds to a crawl (128–384 kbps) once a daily limit is hit rendering essential apps like Google Maps, Grab, and Instagram unusable. Enjoy Koreadoes things differently. Our plans guarantee minimum baseline speeds of 3 Mbps (Value) or 5 Mbps (Premium) for the remainder of the day, ensuring you always have enough bandwidth for seamless navigation, messaging, and standard video streaming.

What Are the Plan Options? Two lines are available for Filipino travelers:

Premium: 10GB total data for 5 days, then unlimited data at up to 5 Mbps after the 10GB high-speed allowance. Starting at PHP 1,250 for 5 days.Value: 300MB total data for 5 days, then unlimited data at up to 3 Mbps after the 300MB high-speed allowance. Starting at PHP 890 for 5 days.

How Does Delivery Work? Travelers receive their eSIM digitally via email or Messenger before departure, activate it through a QR code, and connect the moment they land in Korea, skipping the long pickup lines at Incheon Airport.

One of the most common complaints we hear from first-time travelers is slow or unreliable internet once they land in Korea,-Hyok Choi, CEO of Island Resort Club. “We wanted our travelers to stay connected for maps, translation apps, and sharing their trip in real time, without worrying about hitting a data wall.”

About Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.

Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. is a fully licensed Philippine travel agency and designated partner of the Korean Embassy in the Philippines. Established in 2002, IRC continues to set the standard for Korean tour excellence, connecting Filipino travelers to Seoul and beyond through its Join Enjoy platform. For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact IRC at https://joinenjoy.com.ph/ or call +02-7000-4497.

Building Resilience at Home: How ASSIST’s Master of Disaster Game Solves the Household Preparedness Gap for IDDRR 2026

 

To mark IDDRR 2026, ASSIST is bringing the UN theme, "Resilience Starts at Home," straight to communities. By gamifying disaster prep with its Master of Disaster board game, ASSIST helps parents and kids build actionable safety routines together.

To mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2026, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is bringing the United Nations’ theme, "Resilience Starts at Home" straight to local communities. Moving beyond top-down emergency response, ASSIST brings parents and children together to build practical home safety plans.

While the Philippines ranks #1 on the WorldRiskIndex 2025, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative studies show that while 58% of households discuss emergency planning, only 20% maintain an actionable disaster plan. Without a practiced routine, families are prone to act out of panic and make poor decisions in times of emergencies.

To help build those critical routines, ASSIST created Master of Disaster (MOD). Replacing dense safety manuals with an engaging and innovative board game for all ages, MOD strips away jargon to translate knowledge into engaging and hands-on decision-making tools that even young kids understand. 

MOD gamifies learning about various types of disasters and how to prepare for times of emergencies.Through interactive challenges like "Act It Out," MOD gamifies learning on emergency prep, packing Go Bags, hazard response, and offline meetup spots. Community sessions even bring parents together to play alongside their peers and children, fostering collaborative learning and turning preparedness into a shared household habit. 

“It’s about building a readiness mindset,” says Francis Macatulad, Director for Business Development at ASSIST. “More than emergency equipment, evacuation centers and response plans, disaster resiliency requires a mindset shift for the whole community. This is what ASSIST Asia's Master of Disaster brings: practical, localized knowledge that unites families and schools to protect their communities and build a lasting mindset of preparedness.”

ASSIST partners with schools, local officials, and CSR sponsors to run MOD play sessions, train student and parent volunteers to lead local playgroups, and distribute readiness kits.

For teachers, the hands-on approach makes a critical difference. Teacher Cherry Talirongan of Fr. William F. Masterson Elementary School in Cagayan de Oro shares how gamified learning resonates with young minds: “Malaki ang maitutulong nito, lalo na sa mga batang hindi pa alam ang gagawin sa isang disaster. Sa paglalaro ng Master of Disaster board game, mai-aapply nila ang natutunan at magkakaroon ng ideya sa tamang gawin sa ganitong sitwasyon.” (“This will be a huge help, especially for young children who don't know what to do during a disaster yet. By playing the Master of Disaster board game, they can apply what they’ve learned and gain a clear idea of the right actions to take in emergencies.”)

To date, the MOD initiative has achieved major milestones:

471 MOD Rollouts deployed across schools, barangays, and youth councils (Sangguniang Kabataan).

703 Local Champions Trained, equipping teachers, students, parents, employees, and community leaders with practical disaster kits.

To leave no community behind, ASSIST is translating MOD into Taglish, Vietnamese, and Tamil, while the physical board game ensures offline learning reaches every home. 

As IDDRR 2026 calls for disaster preparedness to begin at home, ASSIST invites LGUs, corporate partners, and CSOs to adopt family-centered DRR tools that transform disaster anxiety into active self-reliance.

To learn more about bringing Master of Disaster to your school, barangay, or organization, or to explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities, visit assistasia.org or fill out the Partnerships Form.

About Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST)

ASSIST (Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation) is a self-sustaining pan-Asian NGO working at the intersection of social impact and sustainable transformation. True to its role as a Partner for Progress, ASSIST collaborates with corporate and institutional funders to deliver co-created initiatives as well as award-winning flagship programs that convert social investments into lasting local capacity. Explore our work and partner with us: www.assistasia.org

 

Casino Plus, official presenter ng MassKara Festival 2026; Zeinab, Moonstar88, Baby Dolls, magpapasiklab sa 3-day concert

   

Ihahatid ng Casino Plus, isa sa mga nangungunang responsible digital entertainment and gaming platforms sa bansa na lisensyado ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), ang exciting games, prizes, at entertainment sa MassKara Festival 2026 bilang official presenter nito.

Itatampok ng “Hataw MassKara” ng Casino Plus ang iba't ibang local talents at activities sa Bacolod City mula October 1 hanggang 18, kung saan magpe-perform sa weekend concerts sina Zeinab Harake Parks, Moonstar88, at “Showtime Baby Dolls.” Katuwang din ng gaming platform ang Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., ang official organizer ng MassKara Festival ngayong taon.

Sa 18-day activation ng Casino Plus, tampok ang branded booths and installations sa Bacolod City Government Complex (BCGC) at Bacolod Public Plaza, kung saan puwedeng pumunta ang festival goers at makakuha ng exciting giveaways.

Gaganapin sa October 9 ang MassKara Festival Grand Opening sa BCGC, kung saan magtatanghal ang Casino Plus ng isang branded na segment sa MasskaRAP Battle.

“MassKara is more than a festival—it is a celebration of Bacolod’s identity, creativity, and community spirit. We are proud to be part of that celebration and to bring the Casino Plus experience closer to Bacolodnons and visitors through entertainment, music, and activities that bring people together,” ani Evan Spytma, CEO ng Casino Plus.

“We want people to remember MassKara not only for the performances and festivities, but also for the moments they shared with family, friends, and the community. For us, that is what Hataw MassKara is about: creating memorable experiences while celebrating the people and culture that make Bacolod special,” dagdag ni Spytma.

Sa October 11, makikibahagi ang Casino Plus sa Miss Bacolod MassKara Coronation Night sa STI College Gymnasium. Tampok sa pageant ang special award na Miss Casino Plus Bacolod, kung saan matatanggap ng mananalo ang ₱50,000 cash prize at ang special title. Bukod diyan, makakasama rin ang Miss Casino Plus Bacolod sa Electric Float Parade at iimbitahan sa mga official activities ng gaming platform.

Sa Oktubre 16, lalo pang iinit ang selebrasyon dahil sa Casino Plus Electric Float Parade, isa sa mga pinakaaabangang tampok ng festival. Sakay sa float ang brand ambassador at social media star na si Zeinab Harake Parks, ang mananalong Miss Casino Plus Bacolod, at mga MassKara dancer.

Sentro din sa activation ang tatlong-araw na concert sa kahabaan ng Lacson Street mula October 16 hanggang 18. Magsisimula ang nakakaaliw na performances ng alas-6 ng gabi hanggang alas-12 ng madaling araw, na pangungunahan ni Zeinab, kasama ang lokal na banda na Kill the Boredom, mga DJ na sina Don Hinolan at John Ledesma, at mga drag performer na sina Seraphine at Moi Taura.

Sa October 17, magpe-perform ang Moonstar88, kasama ang local band na Dough Baby, mga DJ na sina Anthony at Tianchoo, at mga pasabog na drag performances.

Magtatapos naman ang 3-day concert sa October 18 sa nakakapanabik na performance ng Pinoy girl group na Baby Dolls, kasama ang local band na Project Orange, si DJ Drayrix Dincong, at iba pang drag performance.

Susuportahan din ng Casino Plus ang MassKara Street Dance Competition sa October 18, ang isa sa mga pinakaaabangang pagdiriwang sa naturang festival.

Sinasalamin ng Hataw MassKara ang hangarin ng Casino Plus na ilapit sa mga Pilipino ang saya at aliw sa pamamagitan ng mga makabuluhang on-ground at online activities sa festival, na patuloy na nagbubuklod sa mga Pilipino at iba’t ibang komunidad.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

About IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.
Casino Plus is a PAGCOR-licensed online casino platform in the Philippines, providing secure, regulated, and responsible online gaming experiences for Filipino players. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Gyukatsu BGC Brings Its Signature Japanese Beef Cutlet Experience to Park Triangle Mall

  

Opening on the 3rd floor of Park Triangle Mall, Gyukatsu BGC will center its menu on its Signature Gyukatsu Set while bringing the Japanese beef cutlet dining experience to Bonifacio Global City.

A Japanese beef cutlet dining experience is coming to Bonifacio Global City as Gyukatsu BGC prepares to open on the 3rd Floor of Park Triangle Mall in November 2026.

At the center of the new restaurant is gyukatsu, a Japanese dish built around breaded beef cutlet. While tonkatsu has long made breaded pork cutlets familiar to Filipino diners, gyukatsu puts beef at the center of the experience.

For Gyukatsu BGC, that distinction is more than a menu item. It defines the restaurant.

A Restaurant Built Around Gyukatsu

The Signature Gyukatsu Set will serve as the centerpiece of the menu when the Park Triangle Mall restaurant opens.

Rather than positioning gyukatsu as one option among a broad selection of Japanese dishes, Gyukatsu BGC is building its dining identity around the beef cutlet itself.

The concept gives diners in BGC another way to experience Japanese cuisine, particularly those searching for beef-focused alternatives to the Japanese dishes already familiar across Metro Manila.

Alongside its signature offering, the menu will include dishes such as the Wagyu Hamburg Omurice Set, Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Chuck Set, Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Set, as well as additional beef selections including Chuck Yakiniku Slices and Wagyu Cubes.

Together, the menu establishes beef as a central part of the Gyukatsu BGC dining experience while keeping its signature gyukatsu at the heart of the restaurant.

Gyukatsu Finds a Home in BGC

The upcoming restaurant will be located at Park Triangle Mall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, placing Gyukatsu BGC within one of Metro Manila’s major business, residential, and dining districts.

Its location is intended to make the Japanese beef cutlet experience accessible to BGC residents, employees, visitors, and diners specifically looking for gyukatsu and Japanese restaurants within the area.

Gyukatsu BGC is currently completing preparations for its November 2026 opening.

Ahead of opening day, the restaurant has also begun accepting advance seat reservations. The first 100 guests to successfully pre-book will be eligible to receive a complimentary three-piece Wagyu Cubes set with a minimum order of one Signature Gyukatsu Set during their reserved visit. Reserve you slot here.

Gyukatsu BGC will open on the 3rd Floor of Park Triangle Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, in November 2026.

Additional opening details will be announced through Gyukatsu BGC’s official channels.

About Gyukatsu BGC

Ikigai International Restaurant OPC is a Philippine-based restaurant company founded by entrepreneur Kevin Tan. The company operates Gyukatsu まつ村 Boracay and will open Gyukatsu まつ村 BGC in Bonifacio Global City in November 2026. Its name is inspired by the Japanese concept of ikigai, which refers to living with purpose.