2GO Revamps Escolta Branch, Introduces First Retail Outlet with Cafe 2GO

MANILA, Philippines — 2GO, the Philippines’ most integrated logistics and travel solutions provider, has revamped its 2GO Escolta Branch located at the ground floor of AIC Center along Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila. The branch remained fully operational throughout the renovation, ensuring uninterrupted service while upgrading the space to better support the growing demand for travel, cargo, and express services in one of the country’s most historic commercial districts.

The branch enhancement marks the introduction of the first 2GO retail outlet with Cafe 2GO, a fully owned and branded café concept previously available exclusively on board 2GO vessels. Bringing Cafe 2GO to a ground retail environment provides customers with a more comfortable and welcoming space to lounge, wait, and conduct business while completing their transactions.

As part of the revamp, the Escolta branch also features a dedicated Cafe 2GO Training Room, designed to support onboarding, skills development, and continuous learning for 2GO team members. The facility serves as a central venue for barista training and capability-building programs across the retail network.

The upgraded space is also designed to function as a convenient meeting and collaboration hub, allowing customers, MSMEs, and partners to hold discussions, coordinate shipments, and make business decisions while availing of 2GO’s integrated logistics and travel services.

“Cafe 2GO was created to elevate the overall travel experience of our customers and bringing it into a retail setting allows us to extend that same experience on ground,” said Roland Sunga, Assistant Vice President for Food and Beverage, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations of 2GO Travel. “The dedicated training space enables us to continuously develop our baristas, refine our offerings, and ensure consistent quality across all touchpoints.”

Located in the heart of Binondo, the Escolta branch plays a vital role in supporting trade and MSMEs by facilitating the efficient movement of goods such as machinery, spare parts, textiles, and wholesale merchandise across cities and regions nationwide.

“This renovated location is more than a retail branch—it is a hub for MSME growth,” said Blessie Cruz, Business Unit Head of 2GO Retail. “Through this space, the introduction of Cafe 2GO, and our enhanced facilities, we aim to elevate customer experience while creating more opportunities for the communities we serve.”

For inquiries about 2GO services, partnerships, or training programs, interested parties may email retail@2go.com.ph.

SIMPLE PROTECTION, SMART GROWTH SUN LIFE GREPA INTRODUCES SUN GREPA EASYLINK PROTECT

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the country’s major life insurance providers, has launched Sun Grepa EasyLink Protect, an innovative investment-linked life insurance plan designed to make protection and investment simpler and more accessible for Filipinos. Whether you’re aiming for income protection, preparing for health and retirement needs, or pursuing future plans such as starting or growing a business, Sun Grepa Easylink Protect is built to support your journey.

“Sun Grepa EasyLink Protect is thoughtfully designed to meet both protection and growth needs,” said Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim. “It provides lifetime financial security for families while offering opportunities to build wealth through various investment funds. The simplified application process and flexible payment options make it an ideal solution for busy professionals and those looking to optimize their financial planning. ”

Key features that set Sun Grepa EasyLink Protect apart include its easy application process through its Guaranteed Insurability Offer (GIO) which eliminates the need for medical exams, investment flexibility where clients can choose from a range of available funds including local and global options to suit diverse preferences. The plan offers fund growth boosters through the special bonuses that reward policyowners for keeping their policies active and up-to-date. It also supports legacy planning as the product provides lifetime protection ensuring financial security for beneficiaries.

 “At Sun Life Grepa, we believe that financial security should be within everyone’s reach,” Lim added. “Sun Grepa EasyLink Protect empowers Filipinos to take a confident step toward a brighter and more secure future, one that’s built on both protection and growth potential.”

 Ready to take the first step? Visit www.sunlifegrepa.com or connect with a Sun Life Grepa financial advisor to learn more about Sun Grepa EasyLink Protect.

Barique: A Premium Filipino Lambanog from Quezon Province Makes Its Debut

Long before artisanal spirits and craft cocktails filled today’s bar menus, Filipinos were already sharing a homegrown drink steeped in tradition: lambanog. Distilled from coconut nectar and crafted across generations, lambanog has long been part of Filipino culture—passed around during celebrations, gatherings, and late-night conversations, serving as both a symbol of hospitality and a storyteller of our rural heritage. It is bold, shared, and unmistakably Filipino.

Today, this iconic spirit has taken a bold step.

Introducing Barique: Heritage-Crafted, Premium by Design

Barique, proudly made in Quezon Province, reimagines the lambanog for the modern Filipino celebrations. Upholding traditional distillation methods while applying today’s quality standards, Barique elevates the traditional coconut spirit into a premium, world-class liquor.

Smooth, sweet, and bold with a lingering warmth, Barique showcases what lambanog can become when craftsmanship, culture, and innovation come together.

Two variants offer distinct yet refined experiences:

●        Barique Gold – 45% ABV, ₱3,999 (750 mL)

●        Barique Silver – 40% ABV, ₱2,599 (750 mL)

A Versatile Spirit for Today’s Lifestyles

Beyond being enjoyed neat, Barique is crafted to shine in today’s cocktail culture. Its clean, refined flavor profile transforms beautifully in mixes—whether in tropical highballs, elevated island-inspired cocktails, or twists on classics like the old-fashioned or gin fizz.

Its bold yet smooth character also pairs effortlessly with food, making it ideal for Filipino dining. From grilled seafood and crispy pork dishes to rich coconut-based specialties, Barique’s warmth and sweetness enhance flavors and elevate the meal.

“Barique is more than a drink—it’s an experience of elevated Filipino heritage. Our goal is to honor lambanog’s cultural roots while introducing a refined version that allows it to be a part of more occasions and among the choice drinks of today’s more sophisticated customers,” said Maura Pasciolco, General Manager of Pacificroots Coconut Products Manufacturing. 

Celebrating Filipino Craftsmanship and Innovation

Barique is an addition to the line-up of products proudly made in Quezon, produced by Pacificroots Coconut Products Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Pasciolco Agri Ventures, the same company behind the well-loved Quezon’s Best products.

As Quezon is the homeland of lambanog, Barique stands as a testament of local pride and ingenuity. It honors the drink’s cultural authenticity while elevating it through world-class distillation and sanitation standards,  ensuring safety, refinement, and consistent quality at all times.

“Because it is at a more accessible price point, Barique opens the door for more Filipinos to appreciate the craftsmanship of their very own lambanog,” said Lito Pasciolco, owner of Pacificroots Coconut Products Manufacturing. 

A Toast to Tradition

With every bottle, Barique invites Filipinos to celebrate both their roots and the vibrant spirit of modern Filipino life. Whether enjoyed in intimate gatherings, grand celebrations, or gifted during life’s milestones, Barique is a proud reminder that world-class spirits can be Philippine-made.

Barique is now available online at quezonsbest.com and  Lazada, and soon in Shopee and in selected retail stores nationwide, such as S&R, Landers, and Marketplace.

More information about Barique is also available at barique-lambanog.shop.