On 25 June 2015, the Philippine Retailers Association, where PAGASA is an active Associate Member, held its 2/Q GenMeet at the soon-to-be-launched Marriott Grand Ballroom. Hot topic discussed was disaster-preparedness of retailers if the expected big earthquake takes place.  None other than DOST’s Phivolcs (Phil. Institute of Volcanology & Seismology) Administrator Renato U. Solidum, Jr. presented his precautionary measures as well facts/myths regarding huge earthquakes. A.C. Nielsen Phils. Managing Dir. Stuart Jamieson gave an interesting talk regarding Growing Affluence from BPO and Growing Urbanization outside MetroManila.

At the 2015 SIAL ASEAN Tradeshow held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from 17-19 June, the Booth of PAGASA was visited by a good number of local as well as foreign visitors seriously in search of customers and products offered by global suppliers eager to partake of a slice of the ASEAN market. SIAL is the world’s biggest exhibit organizer and holds only one Tradeshow per continent except for Asia where it decided to hold another one specifically for the ASEAN Region.

Every year, the Foundation for Resource Linkage & Development, Inc., organizer of the highly-successful tradeshow “Agrilink, Foodlink, Aqualink,” holds a series of Co-operators’ Meetings to prepare for the October Show at the World Trade Center in Pasay.  Selected Chairman for this year is Mr. Isidro Acosta (in blue at head of table), corn grower and Chairman of the Regional Agri. & Fisheries Council for Region 2. This Breakfast Meeting held on 16 June 2015 at Annabel’s along T. Morato shows the growing support and interest in the agriculture sector and the need for food retailers like supermarkets to carry fresh produce in servicing its clientele.  PAGASA was selected as Chairman for this Show in 2007.

PAGASA was once again invited this time to a smaller group at Mactan Shangrila to discuss  developments coming from two years of work on aligning Higher Education Curriculum with the current needs of business and industy. Attending this Summit for the first time are Senators Bam Aquino and Sonny Angara.  Held on 11 June 2015, the Summit gathered together  once more education leaders like Ateneo Pres. Fr. Jett Villarin, S.J., U.P. Pres. Fred Pascual and business Stalwarts Ayala Corp.’s Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Shell Phils.’ Edgar Chua, et. al.

On 10 June 2015, PAGASA held its 2 nd Quarter General Meeting at Eum-Ma-Ne Modern Korean Restaurant within Estancia Mall of Capitol Commons.  Among others, discussed was the strict monitoring of BIR for cigarettes sold without the new stamp issued by the Agency. Also delved in detail was the current buy-in/buy-out of smaller chains by the major chains of supermarkets.