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Top Businesses and Leaders in the Philippines Honored at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2024

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MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2024 Philippines Chapter celebrated the achievements of remarkable Filipino business leaders and enterprises on December 11 at Hilton Manila. Organized by regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the APEA is Asia’s largest and most prestigious award networking platform, spanning 16 markets annually.

This year, the APEA focused on “Celebrating Inclusive Entrepreneurship”, recognizing visionary business leaders and organizations whose initiatives and strategies have actively contributed to the realization of an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Philippines.

A distinguished panel of judges meticulously evaluated over 150 nominees, assessing each entrepreneur and organization based on their coherence. This rigorous process determined the winners across four categories: Master Entrepreneur, Inspirational Brand, Fast Enterprise, and Corporate Excellence.

Since 2007, the Awards has been organized all over the region with past recipients comprising Taiwan’s Douglas Tong Hsu, Hong Kong’s Francis Lui and Lawrence Ho, TTC Vietnam’s Dang Van Thanh, Thailand’s Supaluck Ampuj, Cuckoo Malaysia’s Hoe Kian Choon, Indonesia’s Hary Tanoesoedibjo and Mochtar Riady, India’s Adi Godrej, and the Philippines’ Dennis Anthony Uy.

“As we recognize the outstanding achievements of our awardees, we celebrate their unwavering determination, resilience, and ingenuity. Their stories inspire us to envision a future where success is shared and opportunities are universal,” the Chairman of Enterprise Asia, Dr. Fong Chan Onn, announced in an uplifting welcome speech.

Manuel B. Villar, Jr., Chairman of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., received the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for his contribution in shaping a better livelihood for the Filipinos. Regarded as the ‘Father of the Philippine Real Estate Industry’, Villar’s companies have built more than 500,000 houses for middle-class Filipino families. Today, he continues to dedicate his life towards ensuring the life path he took from poverty to success may be experienced by all Filipinos.

Award winners under the Master Entrepreneur category include Gil G. Chua, Group Chairman & CEO of DDB Group Philippines and Enrico Dee, President & CEO of Foodee Global Food Concepts, who were honored for their outstanding leadership.

Century Pacific Food, Inc., Hilti Philippines Inc., and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Phils.), Inc. were among the recipients of the Inspirational Brand award. Businesses recognized under the Fast Enterprise category include DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and I-Fern Corporation. Lastly, among the top companies taking home the Corporate Excellence award were GOAC Group Of Companies and Nimbyx.

PR Newswire was the Official News Release Distribution Partner for the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2024 Philippines Chapter. Media partners included BusinessWorld, Dailywire.asia and SME Magazine.

AWARD RECIPIENT LIST OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ENTERPRISE AWARDS (APEA) 2024

 PHILIPPINES CHAPTER

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR CATEGORY

NAME

COMPANY

INDUSTRY

MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR.

 

CHAIRMAN

VISTA LAND & LIFESCAPES, INC.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

 

MASTER ENTREPRENEUR CATEGORY

NAME

COMPANY

INDUSTRY

DR. VICTORIA G. BELO

 

FOUNDER, CEO, AND
MEDICAL DIRECTOR

     BELO MEDICAL GROUP         

BEAUTY & PERSONAL
CARE

ALEX A. MABAQUIAO, JR.

 

CEO

BLUERISE HOLDING ENT.
CORP.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

GIL G. CHUA

 

GROUP CHAIRMAN &
CEO

DDB GROUP PHILIPPINES

PROFESSIONAL &
BUSINESS SERVICES

ENRICO DEE

 

PRESIDENT & CEO

FOODEE GLOBAL FOOD
CONCEPTS

FOOD & BEVERAGE

DR STEVE MARK GAN

 

CHAIRMAN & CEO

GAOC GROUP OF
COMPANIES

HEALTHCARE,
PHARMACEUTICAL &
BIOTECHNOLOGY

TOMMANNY TAN

 

PRESIDENT & CEO

I-FERN CORPORATION

DIRECT SELLING

PAOLO KALAW

 

FOUNDER & CEO

NIMBYX

HEALTHCARE,
PHARMACEUTICAL &
BIOTECHNOLOGY

ELMER M. LAPEÑA

 

EXECUTIVE MANAGING
DIRECTOR

SAGA PH

PROFESSIONAL &
BUSINESS SERVICES

SHELMAR KITCH LA
VICTORIA

 

CEO & CO-FOUNDER

SMART HOME PHILIPPINES

CONSTRUCTION

FRANCO M. PEDREGOSA

 

PRESIDENT & CEO

THE FIGTREE PROPERTIES
OPC

REAL ESTATE

DIANE ISABEL CHUA

 

MANAGING DIRECTOR

TRIBAL WORLDWIDE
PHILIPPINES

PROFESSIONAL &
BUSINESS SERVICES

RONNIE L. SIASOYCO

 

CHAIRMAN & CEO

TRION GROUP

ELECTRICAL &
ELECTRONICS

TENGKU JADEEYAH
ABANG

 

FOUNDER & CEO

TWIN RAMS MEDIA GROUP
OPC

PROFESSIONAL &
BUSINESS SERVICES

MATHIEU GUILLAUME

 

PRESIDENT & CEO

VIENOVO PHILIPPINES, INC.

AGRICULTURE

 

                                              FAST ENTERPRISE CATEGORY                                                    

COMPANY

                       INDUSTRY                    

BENT AND BUZZ

PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES

BLUERISE HOLDING ENT. CORP.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

DIGIPLUS INTERACTIVE CORP.

ENTERTAINMENT

I-FERN CORPORATION

DIRECT SELLING

NOVODENTAL

HEALTHCARE, PHARMACEUTICAL &
BIOTECHNOLOGY

S5 FRANCHISE SYSTEM INC.

INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

SMART HOME PHILIPPINES

CONSTRUCTION

TRION TRADE, INC.

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS

VIENOVO PHILIPPINES, INC.

AGRICULTURE

 

                                              INSPIRATIONAL BRAND CATEGORY                                            

COMPANY

INDUSTRY

BELO MEDICAL GROUP

BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE

BLUERISE HOLDING ENT. CORP.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

CENTURY PACIFIC FOOD, INC.

CONSUMER GOODS

HILTI PHILIPPINES INC.

CONSTRUCTION

NIMBYX

HEALTHCARE,
PHARMACEUTICAL &
BIOTECHNOLOGY

RENT.PH

REAL ESTATE

RIPPLE8

PROFESSIONAL &
BUSINESS SERVICES

WATSONS PERSONAL CARE STORES (PHILS.), INC.

RETAIL

 

CORPORATE EXCELLENCE CATEGORY

COMPANY

INDUSTRY

DDB PHILIPPINES

PROFESSIONAL &
BUSINESS SERVICES

DIGIPLUS INTERACTIVE CORP.

ENTERTAINMENT

EXIST SOFTWARE LABS, INC.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & ICT

GAOC GROUP OF COMPANIES

HEALTHCARE,
PHARMACEUTICAL &
BIOTECHNOLOGY

NIMBYX

HEALTHCARE,
PHARMACEUTICAL &
BIOTECHNOLOGY

SOUTHVILLE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AND COLLEGES

EDUCATION & TRAINING

VISTA LAND & LIFESCAPES, INC.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

VIVENTIS SEARCH ASIA, INC.

PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS
SERVICES

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are an investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplift the economic status of people across Asia, and ensure a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit www.enterpriseasia.org for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region’s most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit www.apea.asia.

 

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SOURCE Enterprise Asia

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Manufacturo Partners with Mach Industries to Power the Next Generation of Defense Manufacturing

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BREA, Calif., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Scaling five defense platforms from development into production requires a manufacturing operation that can grow just as quickly. Mach Industries, a defense manufacturer building advanced unmanned systems for modern defense, uses the manufacturing management platform from Manufacturo, a manufacturing software company, to manage traceable, compliance-ready workflows as production expands.

Mach Industries, headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, is dedicated to advancing national security interests and supporting U.S. and allied readiness amid global competition. The company has taken five products from concept to flight since the inception of the partnership, most recently delivering an autonomous strike aircraft from concept to first flight in 71 days. Sustaining that pace at production scale requires a digital backbone that can enforce structured, traceable processes without becoming a bottleneck.

“For a defense startup moving as fast as we are, the manufacturing system must move just as fast. We needed a platform that could scale with us, from first builds through full production,” said Tyler Pancake, VP of Manufacturing, Mach Industries. “It has to deliver the traceability and controls that defense programs require. Manufacturo gives us that foundation without forcing us to choose between speed and rigor.”

With Manufacturo, Mach centralizes digital work instructions, monitors real-time shopfloor activity, and maintains quality and traceability across every build. The platform enables rapid iteration for engineers and production teams, supporting the kind of agile development cycle that defense hardware at this scale demands.

The transition from manual to scan-driven and work-order-controlled WIP tracking resulted in end-to-end WIP visibility and eliminated “lost in factory” scenarios. With real-time consumption introduced into the system, inventory accuracy improved by 20% to 40% (depending on the area). Last but not least, thanks to the MRP + MES closed loop, overproduction in manufacturing was reduced almost completely—to circa 1%.

“Mach is building an entirely new category of defense capability, and that requires a production system that can evolve alongside the technology. Our platform gives their teams the structure to execute with precision while preserving the flexibility to move fast. We’re proud to support their path from prototype to program of record,” said Kenzo Takai, COO, Manufacturo.

About Mach Industries 
Mach Industries is a defense manufacturing company headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, that develops advanced unmanned systems and the industrial capacity required to produce them at scale. Through a deeply vertically integrated, hardware-first approach, the company rapidly designs, builds, tests, and fields defense systems while advancing manufacturing, testing, and supply chain capabilities that support both its own programs and the broader defense industrial base. Through Mach Propulsion and Mach Energetics, the company develops and produces jet engines, solid rocket motors and energetic systems, and serves external customers as a component and subsystem provider for booster, sustainer, and unmanned aerial platforms. Mach Industries delivers the speed, adaptability, and resilience needed to preserve the allied edge in an increasingly contested world. For more information, please visit machindustries.com and follow on LinkedIn and X. Media contact: press@machindustries.com

About Manufacturo 
Manufacturo provides a unified manufacturing management platform for high-complexity, high-change manufacturing, bringing production, supply chain, and quality together in one system. Built by a team with decades of hands-on experience in complex manufacturing, including SpaceX, it supports companies shaping the future of new space, aerospace, defense, and new energy, such as Relativity Space, Sierra Space, ICEYE, SES, Boom Supersonic, Hermeus, Antora, and more. Manufacturo has offices in Brea (CA), USA; Kraków, Poland; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information and an interactive demo, please visit manufacturo.com and follow on LinkedIn and X. Media contact: info@manufacturo.com

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SOURCE Manufacturo, Inc.

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Sandler Partners Announces 2026 Channel Manager and Executive of the Year Award Recipients

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Top Independent Technology Distributor Sandler Partners’ 2026 National Summit Concludes with Awards Recognizing Top Industry Professionals and Organizations at its Closing Gala & Dinner.

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Provider Channel Managers and a Channel Executive received recognition at the 2026 Sandler Partners National Summit in San Diego, California. This year’s event brought together more than 1,100 members of the Sandler Partners community for a mix of educational panels, a keynote, and sessions across the Technology, Sales, and Growth tracks. Attendees also connected with 65+ leading technology Providers in the Exhibit Hall, making it a week of both recognition and opportunity.

Sandler Partners congratulates the following award winners:

Channel Executive of the Year Award Recipient: 

Chad Townes, AT&T

National Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

Kevin Bednarz, GraniteStevie Heap, Comcast Business Patrick Cupp, CallTowerJennifer Rutherford, ZayoSarah Manley, AT&TBrett Harman, AT&TNikki Beck, FrontMatt Winterburn, Lumen

East Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

New England | Kyle Michaels, VonageNew York/New Jersey | Tom Mezzapella, Comcast Business Mid-Atlantic | Connor Cook, Comcast BusinessGeorgia & The Carolinas | Kristina Pagano, Five9Florida | Henry Cruz, Telesystem

Midwest Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

Great Lakes | Sarah Macdonald, Five9Central | Peter Gasparro, ZultysMidwest | Kirsten Bonnesen, AT&TMountain | Mark Merritt III, SpectrumMountain | Nicole Brungardt, Comcast BusinessPacific Northwest | Chris Risse, Comcast Business

Southwest Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

Southwest | Kelsey Laycock, TierPointSouthwest | Kaycee Mikeska , NHC

West Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:

SoCal | Yvette Bratt, BroadvoiceNorCal | Brad Pepper, GTTAZ/NV/UT | Max Howell, NHC

“Channel Managers are often the first point of contact for our Partners,” says Managing Partner Alan Sandler. “What sets them apart is how much they care about the outcomes they help create. You see it in the extra effort, the collaboration, and the drive to find the right solution for every customer. This year’s winners work side by side with our Partners to build trust, solve problems, and make the experience better from start to finish. That’s what the Sandler Partners community is all about.”

This year’s National Summit also featured The Surfrider Foundation as Sandler Partners’ designated charity partner, with an on-site exhibit sharing their mission to protect the world’s oceans and coastlines—and ways for attendees to get involved through personal action and support.

About Sandler Partners
Sandler Partners helps empower its network of leading independent Sales Partners to deliver a comprehensive range of technology solutions to organizations worldwide, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Connectivity, Cloud, Colocation, Mobility, Internet of Things (IoT), and Continuity. Its community-focused approach enables Partners to identify the right solutions for customers quickly and objectively from a diverse portfolio of 220+ Providers. Partner sales agents, VARs, and MSPs gain access to an innovative suite of sales tools within the Sandler Portal—including SCOUT, Solutions Finder, Scout for Solutions, and the Marketing Center—several of which are AI-powered, all backed by a robust support network, dedicated Sales Engineering expertise, and rich marketing resources. Together, these tools and resources empower Partners to focus on what they do best: delivering quality, value, performance, innovative solutions, unmatched expertise, and exceptional service to their clients. Members of the Sandler Partners community also benefit from the industry’s strongest negotiated agreements and a dedicated team committed to ensuring commissions are accurately identified, tracked, and paid. For more information, visit www.sandlerpartners.com.

Sandler Partners – Media Contact

Tina S. Dyksterhouse

tina@sandlerpartners.com

310-861-2295

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SOURCE Sandler Partners

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Rockford Fosgate to Debut TMA Adaptive Amplifiers, The Rockford Fosgate App and New RV Speaker Category at 2026 SEMA Show

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New TMA Power Amplifiers, Rockford Fosgate App and Adventure Series RV speakers headline a wide-ranging slate of automotive, off-road and marine launches.

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rockford Fosgate will bring a major slate of new audio products to the 2026 SEMA Show, led by its TMA Adaptive Power Series Amplifiers, the Rockford Fosgate app and the brand’s entry into purpose-built RV speakers with its new Adventure Series Speakers. The launches bring together powerful performance, simplified tuning and rugged, installation-focused design for life on the road, trail and water.

Rockford Fosgate to Debut TMA Adaptive Amplifiers, Rockford Fosgate App and New RV Speaker Category

Power Redefined: TMA Adaptive Amplifiers
Leading the 2026 product introductions is the all-new TMA Adaptive Amplifier Series, engineered to redefine how power, performance, and control come together. Designed to adapt across automotive, marine, powersports, and other custom audio applications, TMA delivers unmatched versatility with the highest power-to-size density in Rockford Fosgate history. The lineup includes four models: the 600-watt TMA-600X4, 750-watt TMA-750X6, 1,000-watt TMA-1000X1, and 1,200-watt TMA-1200X5. Each combines powerful output with advanced adaptive technology, patented Constant Power 2.0™, and rugged IPX7-rated Element Ready™ construction to deliver exceptional performance across a wide range of installations and environments.

More than just amplification, TMA serves as the foundation of the Rockford Fosgate connected audio ecosystem. With integrated digital signal processing, Bluetooth® connectivity, and RF Link 2.0 technology, TMA amplifiers are designed to work together as one intelligent, expandable system. From a single-amplifier installation to a complex multi-amplifier setup, RF Link 2.0 allows users to connect up to four TMA amplifiers within a network of up to 16 compatible devices, simplifying system integration while providing the flexibility to expand as audio needs evolve.

At the center of the experience is the Rockford Fosgate app, putting advanced system tuning and control directly in the user’s hands. Through an intuitive smartphone interface, users can configure and optimize their system with precise control over gain, crossovers, time alignment, 32-band parametric EQ, and Punch EQ+. Guided C.L.E.A.N. 2.0 calibration and available vehicle-specific Load + Go Tunes further simplify setup, while connected diagnostics, saved presets, and firmware updates provide ongoing control and customization. Together, TMA, RF Link 2.0, and the Rockford Fosgate app introduce a new level of adaptability, scalability, and intelligent performance to the Rockford Fosgate audio experience.

Connected Sound: Rockford Fosgate App and RF Link 2.0
The app brings compatible Rockford Fosgate devices together in one interface for setup, personalization and ongoing system management. Users can access Load + Go vehicle-specific tunes on supported kits, save and recall presets, protect settings with a four-digit PIN, review supported system diagnostics and install compatible firmware updates. Available for iOS and Android, the app can manage an RF Link 2.0 network through a single Bluetooth Low Energy connection, without requiring an account for initial setup or tuning.

Powering that experience is RF Link 2.0, Rockford Fosgate’s new connected-audio network. It supports up to 16 compatible devices, including as many as four TMA amplifiers, and lets connected products communicate as one system. New bidirectional RF Link cables streamline installation by carrying data, power, ground and turn-on signals in a single connection. The DRLC-10 Digital Remote Level Controller expands physical control with a 40-step rotary interface, customizable RGB illumination and multiple mounting options.

Adventure Series Opens a New RV Speaker Category
Rockford Fosgate is also expanding into dedicated RV audio with its 6.5-inch Adventure Series speakers, purpose-built for the demands of recreational vehicles. Rather than adapting a conventional car speaker, the new design accounts for RV wall construction, exposed locations and the need for an integrated look inside and outside the coach.

Available in black or white, the speakers fit both 5.25-inch and 6.5-inch openings, with a shallow 1.25-inch mounting depth that minimizes installation challenges. A compression-style rear gasket helps seal against flat or corrugated surfaces, while the UV-stable frame and grille, Santoprene surround and Element Ready™ construction are engineered to handle moisture, dust, UV exposure and vibration. Each speaker pairs a 6.5-inch driver with a grille-integrated 1-inch tweeter and concealed crossover, delivering 50 watts RMS power handling and a clean, OEM-style appearance.

Additional SEMA Launches Span Off-Road, Marine and Automotive
New vehicle-specific Stage-6 systems bring TMA power and app-based tuning to select side-by-sides. The new Can-Am Maverick R Stage-6 system for select 2024-and-newer models is a 1,200-watt, eight-speaker package with dual 10-inch subwoofers, Color Optix™ lighting and Rockford Fosgate’s first aftermarket side-by-side front-door speaker pods. For select 2020-and-newer Polaris RZR PRO models with Ride Command, the RZR20PRORC-STG6 delivers a 1,200-watt, seven-speaker system with a 10-inch subwoofer and vehicle-specific integration.

For marine audio, the PMX-6BB hide-away digital media receiver provides independent dual-zone control and NMEA 2000 connectivity for compatible multifunction displays. The PMX-HTML MFD Controller adds an Ethernet-based interface for compatible HTML5 multifunction displays, bringing source selection, volume, playback, album artwork and audio settings to the vessel’s screen when paired with supported PMX source units.

Rounding out the introductions are updated Prime coaxial and Prime component speaker families. With 50-watt RMS power handling and installation-friendly designs, the lineups offer straightforward ways to upgrade everyday vehicle audio, including vehicle-friendly coaxial mounting and flexible placement of separate component tweeters.

“We’re not just launching new products. We’re building a connected Rockford Fosgate ecosystem that redefines how customers experience audio,” said Zach Luke, President, Rockford Fosgate. “By bringing together powerful technology, intuitive app-based control, and expansion into exciting new categories like RV audio, we’re creating more ways for people to experience Rockford Fosgate performance. This is about pushing beyond traditional boundaries, and delivering an experience that grows with our customers, wherever their adventure takes them”

For more information visit: rockfordfosgate.com or visit an authorized dealer.

About Rockford Fosgate
Setting the standard for excellence in the audio industry, Rockford Corporation markets high-performance audio systems under the brand Rockford Fosgate® for the mobile, marine, motorsport, and motorcycle audio aftermarket and OEM market. Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Rockford Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: PATK).

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SOURCE Rockford Fosgate

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