The Rise of Ascendra International: A Conversation with the Founders

Things are taking shape at the headquarters of Ascendra International. We had a glimpse of it at the 6th Floor of Global Link Center along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City. We were welcomed by their executives headed by CEO Engr. Jurgen Daniel Gonzales, their Chief Strategy Officer Joseph Lim, COO Miko Imson and their Chief Financial Officer Ms. Francesca Fugen. As you may have heard, these names are no strangers in the network marketing industry and has brought decades of their experience to Ascendra International.

Their CFO Ms. Francesca Fugen says "Thank you and it's a pleasure to see you all here despite the rain and doing this on a Monday. Welcome to ASCENDRA! What you are seeing today is our new home, you will see a lot of things happen in this place." 

 

Chief Strategy Officer Joseph Lim says "Thank you to everyone who made it here, especially those who have come from far away like Northern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. We always hear that if it's MLM, people need to suffer, to have a lot of sacrifice in order to reach for their dreams, but in Ascendra, we will be part of your journey in achieving success!" 

COO Miko Imson told everyone about how excited they are and thanked them about spending their day at their new office. He described it as a new milestone, as the new office will be a venue to make dreams come true for a LOT of individuals and their families. He dubbed this as the start of their partnerships, and a new beginning, with hope and love.

Their CEO Engr. Jurgen Daniel Gonzales says "I am formally welcoming everyone in our new home. I want to thank everyone who put their trust in Ascendra, we are on a trial stage, haven't had proven things yet, but you are here to put your trust in us. And what we can say is, we will not break that trust, and together with our CSO, CFO, COO, we will be your partners in success. We will try to make it easier for your to achieve things with Ascendra!"

We asked them a few questions that afternoon, here's a video coverage of it:

They also emphasized how they want to change the industry by utilizing a business model that is rooted in sustainability, transparency and ownership. They will not be like the run of the mill corps and do products first. They also want to focus on their long term goals and use AI, education, to fulfill their purpose. They want Filipino entrepreneurs and support them through trainings and have distributors access it without trouble. They are also keen on streamlining all their processes, to make sure to lower costs, give what's due them, and to raise network marketing standards as a whole.

If you want to know more or be part of their growth, you may visit their social channels as Ascendra International will be on FB, IG, YouTube and TikTok. Just search for the name and they'll be there.

15 Years of Orange Love: ORANGE MAGAZINE TV

Thinking about this event took me a few days because I didn't want to go the emotional route as the event is celebratory. Orange Magazine just had their 15th Anniversary last July 1st 2025. For those who don't know, they're one of the OG's in the digital magazine space and I've had the pleasure of having them as peers in the industry for years now. 

While you were probably infants, these folks already made their mark in introducing artists, people, brands, businesses and SME's. This includes those who have no digital footprint back in the day, and has now grown even bigger with his team at Orange Magazine. I've seen some of the risk he took early on and challenges that broke everything because I'd say, the industry was still in its infancy compared to established traditional media companies that got a foothold of the trust of people. Jeman Villanueva wasn't all perfect - and quite loveless at that time 😂 - and he held on to those who have believed in him and his work especially in the different niche he handles, and here we are today!

Stronger and wiser than ever, Orange Magazine TV has been able to weather the rough obstacles that have come their way. Every year, they try to throw a thanksgiving party for the local PH blogging industry, giving back to folks who have stood by them all these years, including the brands and corporations who have believed in them since day 1.

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Team Orange gave away so many prizes and surprises from their sponsors like Timezone Philippines who took good care of the venue, PLDT Home, Home Credit Philippines, Xiaomi Philippines (whom I think gave some really nice smart watches), smartphone brand POCO, pr firm ALPAS Consultancy, Marie France + Facial Care Centre + Svenson (who gave trinkets, kits and skin products), Tai Chi Rub & VCO Liniments (who I absolutely love especially the Chili liniments and new sticks!), Doggies Choice (who gave doggie treats!), Cebu Pacific Air (who gave fantabulous trips to local destinations!), Maya, Honor Philippines (who gave health bands and ear buds, love that brand!), OPPO who gave away a brand new smartphone, Solaire Resort Entertainment City and Solaire Resort North (who I think gave stays), Skechers (who gave a choice of their super comfy shoes), Our Home, Hotel 101 Manila, The Ascott Limited, Citadines Benavidez Makati, Citadines Bay City Manila, Citadines Roces Avenue who also gave hotel stays, Klued (who introduced themselves and gave away some of their skin essentials), Primer Group of Companies and The Travel Club (who gave away luggages and products from their really good brands, I got a cap from ROX), Seda Manila Bay, Bell Kenz Pharma Inc., Luminisce who gave some skin treatments, Landco Pacific, Landco Lifestyle Ventures, AirAsia Philippines who have trips to local spots, RLC Residences, pr firm EON Public Relations (who also have a few prizes from their brands), TikTok Shop Philippines, Mega Prime Foods, Winford Resort and c@$in0 Manila, Redlion Private Pool Resort, pr firm Ripple8, Jollibee, Launch & Meet, pr firm Grupo Agatep, lovely chicken brand Mang Inasal who gave GC's, Angel's Pizza (who gave GC's also for pizza), A List & Partners Consulting Group Inc., Diana Stadler (who gave lots of skin products), PR and talent firm Spark It Philippines, Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites, Foodpanda, Potato Corner, pr firm BRIDGES PR, Visual Scape, the ever favorite portable fan company Jisulife, pr firm Fifth Gear Ads and Activations, travel app Klook, SM Investments, SM Supermalls, my favorite skincare brand Beautéderm Corporation (and I love their Belle Dolls!), pr firm Narr8 PH Creative Communications, Centaur Marketing, SAFC, Human Nature, Uniquecorn Strategies, DermoRepubliq, ANKO, pr firm FuentesManila Public Relations, Buensalido and Associates PR, Access PR & Communications, Power Mac Center, and Ana Manansala Consultancy Services.

They would also like to thank the people from ROMA, pr corp CATPR Inc., coffee authority BREVILLE, Better Mondays PR, the good people of Conrad Manila, Newport World Resorts (hello Megaworld of whom I won a hotel stay yay!), Hilton Manila, Holiday Inn Express Manila, Maria Clara Sangria, Novotel Manila Araneta City, Ibis Styles Araneta City, Whip PR & Communications, ArdentComm, BrandComm, pr firm and agency eggshell, McDonald’s, the lovely people from Pascual Laboratories, 4610 PR and Integrated Marketing Inc., GCash, BrandPlay, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, TARO AOX, Inc., Midea, Canon, TA-FBDI, MSL, EY, OREO, Goldilocks, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, phone brand realme, Corner Magazine PH, Zoobic Safari, the generous folks over at The Bistro Group, ODV Creative, Full Circle Communications Inc., JG Superstore, Cherry Philippines, Globe Telecom, Brand_It Consultancy, MG Asia Public Relations, the good people who got our photos and videos immortalized at Pix Republik/Reel Republik Studios, Domantay Consulting, Lorem Ipsum Consulting Inc., PRecious Communications, Brilliant Jerk Production, Insight 360 Consultancy Services, Inc., MediaSense, Orange Salon, Agents International, NYOU PH, Meat Plus Café, Tender Bob’s, Fireside, Kettle, PIAA, WSP, Stratworks, TV8 Media, Marriot Hotel Manila, PaperLess PR & Creative Agency, Inc., i55 Talent House Corp., TeamAsia, the generous Mr. Gene Paulo Bautista, Ms. Ruby Asoy Lebajo, Mr. Jeff Saw, Ms. Marjorie Pineda-Uy, Mr. Jonel Uy, and Mr. Harold Uy who gave away two way radios.

The event was hosted by beauty queen Samantha Purvor. She was so nice to everyone. 

I'd like to personally thank Jeman Villanueva who not just made this event possible, but really pulled strings to make sure each person in that event enjoyed their time, and went home all with something to remember the occasion. Thank you also to Team Orange's Kister and Janelle who's part of Orange Magazine's success since last year.

Thanks everyone! 🙂 

MMG Set To Release Original RUN TO YOU Single This 4th of July!

Mark Michael Garcia is turning a new leaf in his career. The very talented man who won "Tawag ng Tanghalan" as the Ultimate Resbaker a few years ago literally got stuck in limbo when the pandemic happened just when he was about to lay plans for his career and music. This year, he's sporting a new moniker as "MMG", which makes sense as it feels more catchy and current. Aside from that, he just got the nod of composer songwriter Allan Rich who did Whitney Houston's "Run To You" single for the movie "The Bodyguard". Together with Jud Friedman, they gifted him the rights to release the actual original song this 4th of July in streaming platforms worldwide. They caught him performing his James Ingram medley on the internet and was impressed, they got in touch and yes, the rest is history! 

We heard him a few days ago and by any standards, he's magnificent! Together with the single release, he's going to have a concert entitled CODE NAME: MMG which will happen on August 2 at the Samsung Music Hall in SM Aura BGC. He promises to perform new songs and covers that you might not have heard before. This is produced by Chef Jeng Sy Flores who also owns Heavenly Desserts by Chef Jeng and District One Gastrolounge in BGC. 

Here's what happened at the press conference 

 

Tomorrow, please tune in to Cornerstone Entertainment's channels as this heavily awaited single will be shown there. 

I'll update this post with the actual RUN TO YOU (alternative version) so you could witness his great work. By the way, he won a Best Male Vocalist award in the US, and some talk of him joining THE VOICE USA is also in the works. I'm sure he's going to blow the competition away!

Congratulations MMG!

The Runway Atelier Presents: REVERIE of VOWS, FATHERS and SCHOOL DAYS

 

Another fashion show happened at the Light and Love Events place in Quezon City. This was organized by TRA or The Runway Atelier, folks who have been doing events and runway training for promising kids, teens and talents. Since it's June, they entitled it REVERIE and had much of the models on the catwalk dressed in wedding attires. They also did a back to school themed runway walk together with bag brand Kittly Manila, and it was so cute to see them carrying backpacks in different shades amidst having very challenging weather that afternoon.

I've managed to take a few good portraits of the kids and the teens later on in the evening. They're really quite fired up and eager to showcase what they learned from The Runway Atelier Model Runway Training. A few of them performed too. They've got very talented singers and spirited dancers bar none. I heard a person comment beside me and said they weren't doing any of these when they were in their age. I see some of them learning a lot in terms of confidence, because performing in front of people including their families must have been scary. They also had a part of the show where they asked Dads to dance with their daughters, they were a little shy at most.

 

Here are scenes from the runway show: 

 

The Good News!

TRA Spokesperson Juls Natividad told us the good news that they'll be sending candidates of the Mr. and Ms. Tourism Junior 2025 to be held in Bangkok, Thailand. They opened casting for it and much of The Runway Atelier kids participated. Basically it's an international event that will also be participated by other countries. They'll be doing several categories, and he mentioned some special awards were already won in previous years.

They also hinted on a very big event on December and said they're already preparing for it. He warned that they'll be making an even bigger staging than last year so expect this to be extra fancy. They also had a part of the show where they donated school supplies and bags to deserving students, they also let them participate in the runway part of the program.

Congratulations to everyone who came to the show despite the challenges, it was really fun! Congratulations too to The Runway Atelier for mounting the show!