January 19, 2025

From Brand Ambassador to Franchisee - Dimples Romana joins rank with purpose-driven business partners of Generika Drugstore

Actress and TV host Dimples Romana has gone beyond her role as brand ambassador for Generika Drugstore—she has ventured into the drugstore business by opening her very own store in Nasugbu, Batangas.

“In my entire career, this is my very first time to franchise with one of my brands. And that says a lot about my trust in the brand. I trust the people and I believe in what we want to achieve here,” she said.

“Full disclosure: This is not part of my package as an endorser. This is really an initiative of our corporation to really get into the business,” she added.

According to Dimples, her partnership with Generika Drugstore aligns with her values of serving families and communities, especially those in need. Partnering with close friends to form a corporation, Dimples took on this mission-driven enterprise with business partners Rowena Lindayag and Danica Domingo, who also share the same passion, hoping their store becomes a pillar of support for Nasugbu residents.

Danica said Generika’s commitment to affordability and patient care resonated with her, making it a perfect fit for their community's needs. Rowena, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of addressing misconceptions about generic medicines and how Generika Drugstore continues to prove its value in providing high-quality and affordable healthcare solutions.

“We need to constantly remind people that efficacies of branded and generic medicines are just the same, expect that what we offer here in Generika Drugstore are significantly more affordable,” she said.

New franchisees from LIAHDO (Lindayag, Ahmee, and Domingo) Corp. including Dimples Romana-Ahmee pose with leaders from Generika Drugstore during the grand opening ceremony of their very own Generika Drugstore in Brgy. III, Nasugbu, Batangas in October 2024.

Not only has Generika Drugstore been a trusted name in making affordable and quality medicines accessible to Filipinos, but it has also become a platform for entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams while giving back to their communities.

Co-creating value for communities

For Orven Rivera, brother and business partner of singer and celebrity Ariel Rivera, returning to the Philippines after years in Canada meant rediscovering his roots and finding not just a viable venture, but also a bridge to serve his community. He was able to achieve those through Generika Drugstore.

“Generika Drugstore was the right fit for us because they had a mission that resonated with our ideals. And when you have values that align, it naturally translates into trust. And when you have that trust, it gives you more drive to succeed. And when you have that drive, it's easier to make relationships not just with your team, your staff, but with the community,” he emphasized.

Orven highlights how their stores in Metro Manila are able to provide affordable healthcare products, create local jobs, and support community initiatives because for him, they’re not only services but actual lifelines for countless families.

More than just a business, long-time franchisee Pearl Cambronero considers Generika Drugstore as a legacy of service to her communities in Negros Oriental by providing access to quality. affordable generic medicines and by building a strong relationship with both partners and customers through her consistent implementation of value-added healthcare services in her stores for almost 13 years.

“We offer Plus Services, and that is ‘Libreng Konsulta’ with partner doctors, which we do once a month, as well as the efforts of our frontliners who regularly provide ‘Libreng BP’ in our stores. These made us stand out among our competitors and left a lasting mark in people whom we have helped,” she said.
Pearl shares the importance of executing with excellence and consistency in keeping the trust of their customers over the years.

Helping entrepreneurs through simplified franchising

In 2023, Christian Galang joined the franchise, seeing this venture as an addition to his existing businesses in telco and hospitality management.

According to him, the support system of Generika Drugstore, coupled with the reputation of the Ayala ecosystem, removes the guesswork of franchising.

“I see their integrity. I know that they are honest and fair to their partners. Very straight. When you say that a company is Ayala-owned, you have no doubts,” he said.

Christian Galang shares how Generika Drugstore‘s operational support makes opening stores in North and Central Luzon stress-free due to feasibility studies, location strategies, and training provided by Generika’s operations team, allowing him to focus on growth.

Having been part of the Generika Drugstore family since 2012 through their company MegaFran Corporation, siblings Felicia Trinidad and Fausto Tirona III started out on a chance encounter with the idea of franchising, eventually growing into a meaningful business that has positively impacted the communities they serve.

Fausto shared, “When I was working in corporate, my buddy, he introduced me to the idea of putting up a drugstore. And so, I found it a viable option. I attended a seminar and told my sister about it, and she was able to find our first location in Blumentritt. that's how it started.”

“It may have been by chance, but I would still pick it because I find Generika Drugstore as a quality brand. The design and business model are very solid for franchises. That's why we decided to open more stores,” he added.

His sister Felicia’s advice to aspiring franchisees? Do it now.

“There's no perfect day of when to start. You just have to start now. Work on it now. Make that call. That's all you have to do,” she shared.

Siblings Felicia and Fausto Tirona III share the importance of finding locations in densely populated areas, including residential areas, ensuring that the Generika Drugstore is accessible to people who need them most, even during emergencies.

For franchising inquiries, contact us at franchising@generika.com.ph or get in touch with Richard Mataya at 0917-859-2920 / 0917-598-9913.

Generika Drugstore is part of Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, that aims to provide Filipinos access to affordable, quality healthcare.

Christopher de Leon Celebrates 5 Years with Pacific Cross Philippines: A Partnership Rooted in Trust


Award-winning Filipino actor Christopher de Leon has once again solidified his partnership with Pacific Cross Philippines, renewing his role as the brand’s trusted ambassador. Since 2019, Mr. de Leon has been the face of Pacific Cross, embodying the brand’s commitment to providing reliable health and travel insurance for Filipino families.

“I’m proud to continue my journey with Pacific Cross,” shared Christopher. “They have been a reliable partner in my own health journey, and I’m honored to represent a company that stands by its promise of care and protection.”

Christopher’s connection with Pacific Cross goes beyond endorsements; it’s personal. In 2020, when he faced a challenging battle with COVID-19, Pacific Cross was there to provide crucial support. This first-hand experience deepened his belief in the brand’s dedication to protecting the health and well-being of its clients.

The ceremonial contract signing was held on November 21, 2024, at the Pacific Cross Head Office in Makati City. The momentous occasion was graced by Pacific Cross executives, including local and regional leaders. It was a celebration of a partnership built on shared values and trust.

Adding a personal touch to the day, Christopher was joined by his wife, Ms. Sandy Andolong de Leon, and their daughter, Ms. Mica de Leon. After the formalities, the family took time to meet Pacific Cross employees, spreading warmth and joy throughout the office. Employees were thrilled to interact with the celebrated actor, snapping photos and sharing stories—a true testament to the inspiring figure Christopher has become.

As Pacific Cross Philippines moves forward with its mission to provide innovative and trustworthy insurance solutions, having Christopher de Leon at its helm as Brand Ambassador underscores the company’s dedication to uplifting Filipino families.

For Christopher, this partnership is more than a professional commitment—it’s a shared advocacy for ensuring a healthier, more secure future for every Filipino.

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About Pacific Cross Philippines
Pacific Cross is one of the leading medical and travel insurance providers in the Philippines. As Pacific Cross is here to find ways to best serve its clients during times of need, they are providing COVID-19 coverage for travelers through their Travelsafe Insurance Plans. Pacific Cross reserves the right to review and limit coverage and/or impose the exclusion on pandemics at any time.

How a True AI Companion Can Unleash Your Creativity


For more than a decade, people all over the world have consistently enhanced their productivity and creativity by turning to Galaxy smartphones. Chief among them, the Galaxy S Ultra series, which is built on a legacy of innovation of our Galaxy Note series has become synonymous with boundless creativity and is loved by countless Galaxy fans.

With its incredible power, expansive screen and iconic S Pen, Galaxy S Ultra is renowned for helping people seamlessly follow their inspirations or capture ideas anytime, anywhere – even without unlocking the phone and digging for a note-taking app.

Creativity Like Never Before

Last year, Samsung introduced Galaxy AI, ushering a new era of mobile experiences. This groundbreaking technology helped the Galaxy S Ultra series evolve into an even more indispensable tool for maximizing creative freedom. And now, your creativity is about to reach new heights.

Sketch to Image, now integrated into Drawing assist, is now evolving. Utilizing more than a single input, like drawing with S Pen or your finger, it is becoming a multimodal experience. Now you can breathe life into your ideas by sketching them, writing out a description of the image you want with text, or using the voice command say what to draw. If you can envision it, Galaxy AI can help you create it.

Let’s say you want to really let your imagination run wild. You can draw a cat using S Pen and then, with multimodal Galaxy AI, you can type a “spacesuit” to put your cat in a space suit and visualize them in outer space. Or maybe you’re thinking about your dream home. Using the S Pen, you make a quick drawing of the façade. But maybe you’re not sure where you want your dream home to be. Simply type some possible locations, like “by the beach” or “in the mountains” and Drawing assist will help you see your future home in a new light.

From Note to Ultra and Beyond

This level of creative freedom is built on a legacy of innovation that began in 2011, when we introduced the Galaxy Note to redefine what was creatively possible on a smartphone. That power and spirit of innovation lives on through the Galaxy S Ultra series, and it continues to evolve with Galaxy AI.

With One UI 7, Samsung’s first integrated AI platform, your phone will become a true AI companion that understands natural language through text and speech, as well as images. It will be a new standard of multimodal mobile AI that enables incredible creativity. But this is just a preview. Tune into Galaxy Unpacked on January 23, 2:00 AM PH Time to see how the next Galaxy S series can truly unleash your creativity. Join us as we unveil a new chapter in mobile AI – premium Galaxy innovations that bring seamless convenience into every moment of your life. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom, and Samsung’s YouTube channel beginning at 2:00 AM PH Time.

Make sure to visit news.samsung/com/ph for all upcoming teasers, trailers and updates ahead of Unpacked 2025. Register to Galaxy Unpacked and get up to ₱5,000 e-voucher when you complete your registration by visiting https://www.samsung.com/ph/unpacked/.

Philippines’ digital lending market to potentially exceed US$ 1 billion in 2025


During the ten months of 2024, both non-bank digital lenders and digital banks generated 58.9 million app downloads.

The digital lending market in the Philippines — consisting of duly-registered non-bank digital lenders and digital banks — could exceed US$ 1 billion in the second half of 2025, with likelihood of growth at an accelerated pace due to the high demand for online technologies from consumers.

New analysis from Digido revealed that in terms of market structure, non-bank digital lenders are expected to make up 55.2% or US$ 556.5 million during that timeframe while digital banks make up 44.8% or US$ 451 million.

The forecasted billion dollar market size is considerably higher than US$ 796 million expected by end-2024 and US$ 693 million tallied in 2023.

During the ten months of 2024, both non-bank digital lenders and digital banks generated 58.9 million app downloads. Should dynamics improve or maintain, Digido expects the total number of downloads for both non-bank digital lenders and digital banks to have reached approximately 73.5 million in 2024, 56.4% more than tallied in 2023.

From 2013 to 2023, the Philippines’ digital lending market has been growing at an average of 28% (or US$68 million) per year.

Commenting on the findings, Digido business development manager Rose Arreco said: “Our latest findings affirm the majority of Filipinos’ growing pivot towards digital sources of credit as part of their personal finance management. We are optimistic that these lending segments will be able to maintain their high growth rates in view of its accessibility for the financially underserved, progressive government support and various projects promoting further digitalization.”

“This growth trend is also largely determined by the fact that a third of the country's population is from Generation Z — a segment certainly ready to fully accept innovative solutions in the field of financial technologies for mobile applications,” Arreco added.

Services under the Digido platform are financed by Digido Finance Corp. with SEC Registration No. 202003056 and Certificate of Authority No. 1272.

Digido’s trusted services have been lauded by the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards, International Finance Awards, World Business Outlook Awards, International Business Magazine Awards, Pan Finance Awards, The Global Economics Awards, the Global Banking & Finance Review and the Global Financial Market Review. ###

Achieve work-life balance this 2025 with these realme devices

Explore realme’s picks for the new year


Every new year brings the chance to set fresh goals; this year, it’s all about finding that perfect work-life balance. A healthy mix of productivity and downtime is the key to thriving in both professional and personal life.

To help make this balance easier, realme has put together a lineup of gadgets that fit right into any lifestyle, whether the goal is to be more productive at work or learning to enjoy “me-time.” With a range of options, the realme Squad can choose to splurge or stick to a budget:

Boost productivity at work

For long workdays, the realme Pad 2 has everything needed to stay ahead of deadlines and boost productivity. The large 11.5” 120Hz 2K Display is fit for answering emails, reading the news, or sketching digital art.

The tablet’s 8360mAh Mega Battery ensures hours of uninterrupted work without worrying about running low on power. And when it’s time to recharge, it's 33W SUPERVOOC Charge minimizes downtime, allowing more time to finish the most urgent tasks.

Priced at P13,999 for the base 6GB+128GB LTE variant, the realme Pad 2 is Designed to Inspire, making it an ideal tablet for all-around productivity.

To maintain focus when working, the realme Buds T310 is a great choice for noise-cancelling earbuds with high-quality sound in a sleek design. These earbuds feature 46dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, effectively blocking out distractions. The 12.4mm Dynamic Bass Driver produces rich, powerful sound, while 360° Spatial Audio offers a fully immersive listening experience.

Whatever the vibe is - music, podcasts, or a little peace and quiet, the realme Buds T310 is an all-in-one option for just P1,999.

Maximizing personal time

When it’s time to relax, the Squad can opt for the realme 13 5G. Built for gaming, this smartphone handles demanding games effortlessly while staying cool, thanks to its Vapor Chamber Cooling System. Its GT Mode optimizes the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, delivering smooth and stable frame rates to win an intense battle.

Plus, the 120Hz FHD+ Eye Comfort Display is easy on the eyes—perfect for long hours of use. The generous 256GB storage provides ample room to install several games. All this comes at a price of P16,999, a smart choice for those who want Limitless Speed to Victory.

For a more affordable option, the realme Note 60x is durable and Built to Last. With an IP54 rating, it’s ready to handle dust and splashes, making it a dependable partner for browsing social media, messaging, and taking photos and videos.

Starting at just P4,299, the Squad can even expand the 3GB RAM through Dynamic RAM Expansion and get 5GB of extra virtual RAM for smoother performance.

As a new year begins, this lineup of realme devices makes embracing work-life balance feel achievable and exciting. To learn more about realme’s latest updates, visit the realme official website and follow realme on Facebook.

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