September 2025

The international NGO Lever Foundation has recognized Winford Resort & Casino Manila for its commitment in becoming the first gambling complex in the Philippines to officially commit to a full plant-forward effort. By the beginning of next year, the casino complex promised to have 30% of its menu items be plant-based across all of its food service activities.

This project complements Winford’s larger sustainability plan, which calls for lowering water consumption, carbon emissions, and food waste, encouraging ethical sourcing, and offering guests healthier dining options. Additionally, it supports local and international initiatives to lessen the negative effects of food consumption on the environment. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines has urged people to reduce their ecological footprint by eating more plant-based cuisine.

“Winford Resort & Casino Manila is proud to be the first gaming complex in the Philippines to publicly commit to making 30% of its food offerings plant-based, a shift we will carry out by next year,” said Justine Anne Vergara, Director of Hotel Operations at Winford Resort & Casino Manila. “Consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food is rising across all segments, including gaming, leisure and luxury hospitality. Winford’s early action positions us ahead of the curve, proving that sustainability can also be smart business while enhancing the overall guest experience.”

“As a chef, this commitment excites me because it challenges us to reimagine familiar favorites and create new dishes that celebrate fresh, local ingredients,” said Al Josif Tagra, Sous Chef at Winford Resort & Casino Manila. “Our 30% plant-based goal is more than a number—it’s an opportunity to inspire our guests to try something different, enjoy healthier options, and join us in making dining a more sustainable experience.”

“Winford is setting an inspiring precedent that we hope others in the gaming and hospitality sector will follow,” said Marielle Lagulay, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation. “Their initiative proves that environmental responsibility can align with business goals and elevate industry standards. This initiative contributes not just to Winford’s sustainability goals, but also to broader global and local efforts to address climate change through more responsible food choices. It’s a forward-looking step that we’re proud to support.”

According to Research, compared to animal proteins, plant-based proteins can produce up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and consume up to 90% less water and land. Additionally, compared to meat and dairy, plant-based diets produce roughly 50% less food waste, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also found.

Earlier this year, at the Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference, which took place in May at the Shanghai Museum East in China, Winford Resort & Casino Manila was named Trip.com’s Top Engaged Hotel of 2025. Leading hotels and travel industry partners from all around the world came together for the event to recognize exceptional establishments.

SEAL-BETA entrepreneurs proudly showcase their products and innovations,
highlighting the program’s role in fostering growth, creativity, and community impact.

In order to enable microbusinesses to expand their operations and improve their industry strategies, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) launched the Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab-Business Expansion through Training and Application (SEAL-BETA) in several provinces throughout the nation through its social development arm, the BPI Foundation (BPIF).

370 microbusinesses from the provinces of Rizal, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Leyte, Samar, and South Cotabato received thorough business training and mentorship sessions from BPIF in collaboration with BPI Direct BanKo and DTI’s Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA).

According to Department of Trade and Industry, micro, small, and medium (MSME) enterprises account for 99.63% or 1,241,733 of the business establishments in the country as of 2023. Micro enterprises comprise 90.43% of total establishments, followed by small enterprises at 8.82%, and medium enterprises at 0.38%.

BPI SEAL-BETA is a project specifically designed for micro enterprises to undergo intensive training that covers product diversification, digital payments, costing and pricing, negotiation, and entrepreneurial finance—aligned with BPI’s advocacy to help marginalized communities achieve financial wellness.

“We carried out this initiative recognizing that our microbusinesses, especially those situated in local barangays, have the potential to thrive when equipped with suitable training tailored to their needs. By empowering them to grow and innovate, we believe they can become self-sustaining and deliver services to their customers well,” said Carmina Marquez, BPIF Executive Director.

The implementation of the program also provided access to market by showcasing participants’ products and services during a market fair, which generated a total of Php2,250,000 in sales across six provinces. As part of the program, participants pitch their products and services, applying the knowledge gained from the training. Select entrepreneurs were awarded pitch grants of Php25,000 and booth set-up awards of Php20,000.

As of 2024, BPIF has supported 514 enterprises under SEAL-BETA.

BPI demonstrates its dedication to making a long-lasting and inclusive impact through sustainable financial education by offering microbusinesses hands-on learning and implementation.

Go to https://www.bpifoundation.org/ for additional details. For updates, follow BPI Foundation on Facebook (@BPIFoundation) and Instagram (@bpifoundationinc).