The November 2015 issue of Retail Asia>foremost Asian magazine on the retail scene featured the annual Retail Asia-Pacific Top 500 Retailers Awards Night held at Solaire Resort and Casino on the same eve of the first day of the Asia-Pacific Retailers Conference held at SMX, Mall of Asia Complex.  Invited to this prestigious event was PAGASA’s President Steven T. Cua and its Vice-President Liansel H. Sy. Fortunately, the magazine’s sharp eye caught the two at the early evening cocktails and even invited STC to give his impression of the evening which saw print in the same issue of the magazine.

On 10 Jan. 2016, PAGASA held its first Board of Directors Meeting after the new set of Directors were elected by its members at the General Membership Meeting on 29 Oct. 2015 held at the Mall of Asia’s Potts Point Café. Discussed at this Board Meeting were plans for PAGASA’s 30th Anniversary activities, the direction to be taken by the Association for the next two years and the election of officers. Elected officers for the term 2015-2017 were:
 
President - Steven T. Cua/Welcome Supermart
Vice President - Liansel H. Sy/Liana’s Supermarket
Treasurer - Mykel V. Teodoro/Velamart
Corp. Sec. - William A. Villanueva/Purity Supermarket
P.R.O. - Desmond C. Chua/Daily Supermarket
Dir. Representing the Regions:
N. Luzon -  Edna B. Ontiveros/Candice Megamart (Tuguegarao)
NCR -  Godofredo S. Gravador/Simplicity Ministop (Caloocan)
Mimaropa  -  Arjie P. Lim/Andrew Grocery (Palawan)
Vis-Min  -  Robert L. Go/Prince Hypermarkets/Malls (all over Vis-Min)
 
The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam held a Year-end function at the Jen Hotel which presented a few Vietnamese companies wanting to do business in the Philippines on 17 Dec. 2015.  PAGASA’s (L-R) Fred Gravador, Steven Cua and Desmond Chua had a picture taken with his Excellency the Ambassador of Vietnam (2R) while Edna Ontiveros (3R) joined in when a picture was taken with Vietnamese Commercial Counselor Ms. Vu Viet Nga (3L) and Vietnamese Trade Delegation intending to do business in our shores.

The Officers-Elect of PAGASA for 2015-2017 held its 1st Board Meeting in Antipolo at the quaint and beautifully-designed and landscaped structures of Pinto Museum. The Board (with some wives) appreciated the art pieces exhibited at this unique museum and gave itself a breather away from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila on the lovely afternoon of 10 January 2016. As they say all work and no play makes the Board Members of PAGASA dull and lacking in creativity to deal with today’s sharp competition in the world of retail.