The Franchise King. Meet the Founder and CEO of Shawarma Shack with over 750 Branches nationwide

The most dynamic franchise firm in the Philippines and soon will conquer also globally is Shawarma Shack for its best practices and nationwide success. 

The Founder and CEO

One of the young leaders of this generation with proven success. The person behind the success of Shawarma Shack is its Founder, President, and CEO, Walther Uzi Buenavista. In the seven years that Buenavista has been managing the business, his direction is always laser-focused on his three main motivations: Growth, Innovation, and Employment.

Thus, what started as a simple food stall in Divisoria in February 2015 has now become a leading innovator in the food cart business.

Growth 

This growth was also fueled by his desire to bring their products closer to the customers. Shawarma Shack now has stores in key locations across the country with over 750 branches and still counting. "It presented a significant growth in terms of augmenting the demand from our customers and expanding enterprise sales, Buenavista pointed out. 

Because of the company's growth, Francorp Philippines gave Shawarma Shack a “One to Many The Millennial Club Award” in October 2017. This award is given to businesses that were able to reach double-digit number of branches in three years. In 2017, Shawarma Shack already had 28 outlets, the

same year when Buenavista was just 28 years old while Shawarma Shack was only two years old. Today Shawarma Shack has more than 750 branches. 

Franchising

The success of Shawarma Shack lead the way to others to follow. A franchise (or franchising) is a method of distributing products or services involving a franchisor, who establishes the brand's trademark or trade name and a business system, and a franchisee, who pays a royalty and often an initial fee for the right to do business under the franchisor's name and system. As of the moment, Shawarma Shack is opening more branches in different parts of the country. 

For this June 26, 2023 at Embassy of Malaysia, Asia Leaders Awards in partnership with Rising Tigers Magazine will present 10 leaders of this generation. 

The main objective of the awards is to celebrate these leaders to be emulated and to inspire others with their challenges and success. For more information, call 09778978877. Email at president@asialeadersawards.asia

Meet Maynard Ngu at MWWM

Young, successful and as envoy to one of the most powerful country right now to promote trade, tourism and investments, Maynard S. Ngu, was just recently appointed as the Special Envoy to represent the President of the Philippines in China. His mission is to manage bilateral relationships, fostering communication, as well as providing insights that would focus on discussing the potential investments for both nations. As a Special Envoy he is entrusted with the task of looking after trade, investments, and tourism. He engages in discussions with business stakeholders to take full advantage of the extensive trade and other opportunities.

As Entrepreneur 

Mr. Ngu is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cosmic Technologies Incorporated, the company behind Cherry Mobile, a leading tech giant. Cherry Mobile entered the market in 2009, going head-to-head with global brands. Under Mr. Ngu's sharp business acumen, Cherry Mobile has continued to thrive as part of the conglomerate MSN Group of Companies.

After a decade, the company has evolved to further serve Filipinos by offering a comprehensive selection of products, from Internet of Things (loT) systems, home essentials to mobile phones.

CHERRY enables its consumers to experience a smart way of living by creating smart homes for convenience, efficiency and security.

The constant success has allowed them to give back to the underserved countrymen with sincerity. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, CHERRY Cares has been actively creating substantial social impacts with education as their main thrust. Be it through technology and innovation or by means of improving the nation. CHERRY continues to defy the norm and transform one community at a time.

A bigger role representing not just a company but the whole Philippines, Mr. Ngu with his proven business strategy with vast knowledge and experience in making something a success will surely bring the Philippines in new heights.

The Legal Trailblazer

Atty. Mark S. Gorriceta is the Managing Partner and Head of the Corporate, Banking and Finance, and Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) Groups of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra – a multi-awarded full-service Philippine law firm with nearly 50 lawyers with offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

 

Mark is widely regarded as the preeminent lawyer in Technology and Innovation in the Philippines, exhibiting pioneering expertise in fintech, blockchain, digital assets, web3 technology, e-commerce, data privacy, and artificial intelligence. He represents domestic conglomerates in their digitization efforts as well as the Philippines’ top technology companies – both local and global entities – and further renders his expertise in corporate structuring, banking and finance, capital markets, equity financing, and in navigating complex cross-border commercial transactions.

 

With nearly two decades of experience in private practice, Mark has earned acclaim from esteemed local and international publications and award-giving organizations. Asian Legal Business (ALB) recognizes him as one of Asia's Top 15 Technology Media and Telecommunication Lawyers, making him the sole Filipino lawyer included in this prestigious list. He was honored as the Managing Partner of the Year in 2020 and Dealmaker of the Year in 2021 at the ALB Philippine Law Awards. Additionally, he has been acknowledged as one of the Philippines' Top 100 Lawyers for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 by the Asia Business Law Journal. He is also recognized by The Legal 500 as a Leading Individual in Tech Media and Telco and is recommended in the areas of Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions. 

 

Beyond his legal practice, Mark contributes to the legal education sector as a faculty member at the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business. He teaches Mergers & Acquisitions for the Advanced Module Diploma Course in Corporate Finance. 

 

Mark serves as Board Trustee of Fintech Philippines Association, Blockchain Council of the Philippines, Web 3 Association Philippines and the Go Digital Pilipinas Movement, an organization affiliated with the Private Sector Advisory Council of the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. He is also a member of the Management Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, the Philippines Spanish Chamber of Commerce among other prestigious organizations.

 

Mark is a devoted husband and father to three beautiful children, and  thrives on staying active, engaging in various sports and hobbies that complement his energetic lifestyle.

Presenting the MWWM List 2023

Ten individuals are featured in this year's MWWM List under Asia Leaders Awards and Rising Tigers. Among them are two Secretaries from the Government, a Franchise King with 750 branches nationwide, 2 young lawyers, a climate change advocate, a serial entrepreneur, a diplomat, a young business leader and a banker. They represent some of the most promising young leaders and impactful nation builders of the country. 

H.E. Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino

Embassy of Malaysia, Manila 

Amenah Pangandaman

Secretary of Budget and Management 

Jaime Bautista

Secretary of Transportation 

Maynard Ngu

Cherry 

Walther Uzi Buenavista 

Shawarma Shack 

Dennis Valdez

Cebuana Lhuiller Bank 

Atty. Ferdinand Michael Marcos Manotoc

M Law

Atty. Mark Gorriceta 

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra

Marichelle “Mache” Torres Ackerman

Triumphus Estates Inc

Richie Cuna 

Kurimi Milk Tea Enterprise Inc 

These leaders will be presented on June 26, 2023 at Embassy of Malaysia in Manila with expected more than 20 ambassadors to join. These honorees has been nominated, endorsed and selected by the Rising Tigers Board of Advisers. They will be featured in the September issue of Rising Tigers. 

Rising Tigers Magazine is the most distributed business magazine right now in National Bookstores nationwide and also at Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge with the objective to promote the Philippines as the premier business hub in asia and to inspire the nation with the stories of these featured leaders.

The 9th International Day of Yoga Celebration in PH at Mall of Asia

Manila - The annual celebration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) was held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City today. The event was attended by over 200 participants who practiced yoga as drawn from the Common Yoga Protocol under the guidance of the leading Yoga gurus and experts in the Philippines. 

The 9th  IDY celebration was held with the theme, “Yoga for Vasudhaiva   Kutumbakam” which means “Yoga for the world is one family.” The event recommenced last year after a two-year gap due to the pandemic. 

The event compered by renowned Radio-host RJ Ledesma started with a devotional hymn (Ganesh Stuti) performed by an Indian expatsinger Ms. Sharada Malladi. The yoga practice commenced with the Suryanamaskar (sun salutation), led by Ms. Janice Cuevas, a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher. This was followed by the practice of key Yoga asanas led by Ms. Donna Lampano, a certified Yoga Guru.

Thereafter, Ms Clara Day Herrera, a certified international expert guided theparticipants through   the Pranayama guided breathing practice. Ms. Iachina Hernandez,   the founder of Better Life Studio, concluded the event through a meditation session. 

H.E. Shambhu S. Kumaran, Ambassador of India to the Philippines felicitated the local yoga teachers and institutions who took part in the celebration. Ambassador noted that as we enter the post pandemic phase,   Yoga is gaining greater popularity   in the Philippines as an effective practice for well-being and prophylaxis. At the same time,the   ancient Indian tradition of   Ayurveda has also generated considerable interest. 

The 5000 year old practice of Yoga, which originated in ancient Indian Civilisation, has now become a practice that transcends cultural and geographic borders. As a key  pathway towards sustaining a  healthy lifestyle across the world and in recognition of its universal appeal, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 June as International Day of Yoga in December 2014.

In the run-up to the celebration of IDY, pre-events were organized to  promote awareness on Yoga   across different sections in Metro Manila. Bharati – Indian Expat Women’s Association held yoga practice sessions at the National Training School for Girls and the Haven for Women Institute run   by   the Department of Social Welfare   and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) in Muntinlupa City, the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, and the Bureau of Fire Protection in the City of Manila. Yoga practice sessionswere  also conducted by Bharati in Paranaque City’s Nord Anglia International School and Miriam College in Quezon City. In Pampanga City, the Indian Cultural Association of the Philippines (ICAP) held a .Yoga practice   session at Alpha Aviation  Group in Clark. The Indian Women in Enterprise (I-WE) held a Yoga practice session at the Club United, Merville in Parañaque City. 

In the Philippines, yoga continues to rise in popularity and has helped  generate a healthy lifestyle for   local practitioners. Several Filipino Yoga practitioners have visited   India for training, thereby deepening the people-to-people cultural exchanges between India andthe  Philippines. Several  of  them have received training as  certified yoga teachers in India.

As the world continues in gradual re-emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-being of communities across the globe remainsa great priority. India hopes that enhancing the reach of the healing practice of Yoga, through   the annual celebration of IDY and   other activities, will make a meaningful contribution in this regard.

Rising Tigers enters the Sports Industry through its Grand Tournament

The most distributed business magazine right now in the Philippines and also at Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge. Rising Tigers is now entering sports and will have its grand launch through its Golf tournament this August 7, 2023. 

Headed by Robert Laurel Yupangco of Yupangco Group, H.E. Ambassador of Malaysia Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and Andria Terese Nicolas of Rising Tigers planned the biggest golf tournament with part of the proceeds to Kiwanis Club of Makati for their projects with focus on the indigent children. 

Manila Golf and Country Club, the most prestigious club in the Philippines and situated in the richest residential area in the nation is strictly for members only, and the organizers are encouraging those invited play or support the tournament especially that it’s for the good cause. 

“We are expecting the members of Manila Golf to support this tournament while the members of the different business and civic organization will play also. Rising Tigers with its objective to inspire the nation and beyond is very active also with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) since the founders are active civic leaders.”- Robert Laurel Yupangco 

Rising Tigers believes in the impact of sports in a leaders’ life, as it instill patience, discipline and perseverance. Featured leaders in the magazine will be playing, to promote active lifestyle, and develop team and leadership skills.

To join and support, contact president@rising-tigers.asia or call 09778978877.

The Parish of Pope Saint Paul VI Unfolds Love, Faith, Devotion to the Parishioners

 

In May 15, 1997, the earnest desire of establishing a parish in Windward Hills Subdivision has started a new chapter of faith and service for the community.

 

Throughout the years, the Windward Hills Subdivision Chapel has brought forth a community of devotees to Christianity. But, years later, the small chapel of St. Francis of Assisi which was then under the Parish of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in DBB-A  Dasmarinas City, Cavite  grew little by little and expounded the faith of God not only to Windward Hills Subdivision but also to parishioners outside the vicinity.

 

As time goes by, in 2017; Rev Fr. Gabriel P. Chiniona elevated the church’s facility with the kindness and grace of its parishioners who helped in making the chapel into a pastoral center which was then officially agreed and declared as Pope Saint Paul VI Quasi-Parish on April 9, 2019.

 

Throughout the years, the chapel’s ministry of love has expanded towards it host and neighboring communities. Hosted many fruitful events of Catechism.

 

Yet, a new chapter has begun. The previously St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, became Pope Saint Paul VI   Quasi-Parish and finally declared canonically erected as Pope Saint Paul VI Parish through the grace of our God the Creator last May 29, 2023. This remarkable event and accolade were graced and officiated by the Most Reverend Reynaldo G. Evangelista DD., Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, and our very own parish priest - Reverend Father Eugene S. Flores, MS.

 

During this prestigious event, Dennis and Ezelle Theresa Gascon together with their loving children Earl, Baron and Reine gracefully accepted the role of Hermano and Hermana Mayor from the previously - Hermana Mayor - Hon. Mary Ann E. Castor.

 

As Hermano and Hermana Mayor, the family abides a year of commitment and service to the Lord God and to extend the spread of God’s word to the community of love established by this parish.

 

The parish of Pope Saint Paul VI embarks to a new journey of love, faith, and devotion to the people around its vicinity in the succeeding years to come.