Travel

2GO opens cross-docking services to new clients.

The top end-to-end logistics solutions provider in the Philippines, 2GO, is pleased to announce the relaunch of its cross-docking services, which are intended to give new customers quicker access to markets, more efficient operations, and improved supply chain performance.

Currently, 2GO runs important cross-dock hubs that are positioned thoughtfully throughout the nation to maximize efficiency and speed. 2GO’s nationwide service capabilities is further enhanced by the network, which comprises its well-established hub in the NCR as well as recently opened hubs in Pampanga and Cebu. These websites guarantee optimal product flow and regional accessibility throughout Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. 2GO is ready to expand its cross-docking footprint in response to changing customer needs because it already has expansion plans in place.

Leveraging existing assets across its business units and a broad client base, 2GO offers cross-docking solutions anchored on a Shared Economy model. This setup enables businesses to reduce logistics expenses through consolidated transport and handling. The model supports frequent and reliable deliveries to modern trade outlets, helping clients maintain strong shelf presence and respond quickly to market demand.

“Our warehouse management services have consistently provided added value to our long-time clients. With increased demand and a strong logistics infrastructure already in place, we saw an opportunity to expand operations and offer the same high level of efficiency and reliability to new partners,” said Rommel Recio, 2GO Logistics Business Unit Head. “Opening our cross-docking services to a wider market enables our clients to respond faster, operate leaner, and compete more effectively.”

2GO Logistics’ redefined cross-docking service is now fully powered by INFOR WMS, delivering enhanced operational accuracy and efficiency. The advanced system ensures precise picking and streamlines processes, supporting faster and more reliable inventory movement to stores.

“With the relaunch of our cross-docking services, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping businesses across the country become more agile, responsive, and efficient,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, 2GO Group Inc. President and CEO. “By expanding our reach, particularly in key growth areas in Visayas and Mindanao, we are bringing products closer to consumers faster. With the strategic use of our interisland vessels and logistics network, this initiative supports smarter supply chains, shorter lead times, and sustained business growth for our partners nationwide.”

With 2GO’s robust logistics capabilities and integrated nationwide network, new partners can now leverage a smarter, faster, and more agile way to move goods from origin to destination.

The company’s dedication to scalable, customer-driven logistics solutions is demonstrated by the reintroduction of 2GO’s cross-docking services. Additionally, it addresses customer issues around product availability, unused trucks, and costly travels. 2GO facilitates smarter operations and solidifies its position as a dependable logistics partner for company expansion by streamlining transport processes and guaranteeing on-time, full deliveries.

For questions and collaboration possibilities, visit www.2go.com.ph or send an email to  [email protected]

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

The Mind Rover travels to Palawan via 2GO.

The Mind Museum and 2GO, the biggest logistics and maritime travel company in the Philippines, have teamed up once more to introduce the islands to the wonders of science. The Mind Rover will travel to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, as part of this partnership.

Passengers on board the MV 2GO St. Francis Xavier, which was sailing from Manila to Puerto Princesa and Coron over the weekend, participated in a number of thrilling, science-themed activities as part of this program and in advance of the Mind Rover’s arrival in Palawan. These interactive seminars, which were organized by The Mind Museum, made STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education more engaging. For both children and adults on board, they transform maritime travel into an enjoyable, significant, and enriching experience.

This unique initiative brought logistics and learning together to move not just people and goods but also spark curiosity and imagination across the sea.

“We are thrilled to partner with 2GO. Through its shipping capabilities, the Mind Rover gets to visit provinces in the Philippines where it would have taken weeks if traveled by land and would have been difficult to transport without 2GO’s direct link from Manila. Through this partnership, we are able to impact more communities and hopefully encourage more kids to have an inspired engagement and view of science or maybe, even take up STEM in the future. We even get to reach more audiences as we also do science shows on board 2GO!,” said Maria Isabel Garcia, Managing Director and Curator of The Mind Museum.

Now on its third leg, the Mind Rover has successfully crossed Philippine seas through 2GO, following activations in Bacolod and General Santos. It now reaches Puerto Princesa with the same mission: to reimagine science, make it more exciting, and spark inspiration among Filipino children to become the country’s next generation of scientists and innovators.

“We are delighted to be part of this meaningful partnership. It is an honor to bring science closer to Filipino families through a unique onboard experience. By mounting the Mind Rover exhibit aboard our ships, in partnership with The Mind Museum, we’re creating a space for families to explore themes of sea travel, sustainability, and basic science while in transit. We believe that part of appreciating sea travel is understanding how it works — and through this experience, we hope to spark curiosity, awareness, and a deeper connection with our oceans,” said Francis Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel.

The Mind Rover is a 12-meter museum-on-wheels packed with interactive and hands-on exhibits, and live science shows and demonstrations. It continues to fulfill its mission of bringing science beyond museum walls and into underserved island communities. The Puerto Princesa leg is the latest in a growing series of island activations made possible through collaborations like this.

With operations across 19 ports nationwide and a firm commitment to moving communities forward, 2GO’s partnership with The Mind Museum underscores its role not just as a logistics provider, but as a bridge to learning, creativity, and nation-building.

This relationship exemplifies the ability of intentional alliances to provide memorable, impactful experiences on land and at sea.

Go to travel.2go.com.ph or send an email to [email protected] to find out more about 2GO’s shipping and travel options.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

In Japan, the summer months are filled with fireworks, firelit customs, and golden sunflowers. Memorable experiences that combine culture, nature, and celebration are available during the warmer months, from the romantic glow of lanterns drifting down rivers to the exhilaration of swinging blazing straw bundles. Japan’s summer festivals inspire you to slow down and light up wherever you are.

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

In the charming hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen — a two and a half-hour train ride from Kyoto Station — summer nights sparkle with wishes and wonder. Visitors in yukata gather along the Otani River to release lanterns carrying their dreams, while fireworks explode overhead in vibrant bursts. Weeknights in late July and August add shorter displays, turning the town into a canvas of light. It’s a timeless ritual, where relaxation meets revelry under the stars.

Just south of Kinosaki, the quiet countryside of Tanto transforms into a sea of yellow every August. Over 500,000 sunflowers, including rare red varieties, stretch toward the sky, offering a photogenic paradise for families and solo travelers alike. Pick sweet corn for a snack, wander the blooms, and let the simplicity of rural Japan slow your pulse. Few sights capture summer’s joy quite like this.

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

On July 30, the pristine sands of Takeno Beach, one of Japan’s top 100, become the stage for a breathtaking 50-minute fireworks show. Waves glow under the spectacle, framed by the rugged beauty of the San’in Kaigan Geopark. Arrive early to explore the quaint fishing village, then join locals as the night sky ignites over the ocean. It’s summer magic, distilled.

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

On the Sunday closest to August 24, visit Izushi for a spicy take on tradition. Visitors swing burning bundles for good fortune at Ifukube Shrine, where schoolchildren bring fire down a mountain to light candles and bales of straw. Part excitement, part reverence, the communal vibe makes this festival a hidden gem, and the streets from the samurai era add historic beauty.

Summertime in Japan is a tapestry of ephemeral moments, with lanterns floating into the distance, sunflowers facing the sun, and sparkles fading into the night. These events and venues offer more than just entertainment. Every firework, petal, and flame tells a narrative, and they let you connect with the rhythm of the season. Arrive for the show; depart with memories that will last long after the heat has subsided.

Yumeshima Island in Osaka has more to offer this summer and fall! Check out the fascinating cultural havens on show at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, if you’re traveling to see the city’s well-known culinary scene!

Photo courtesy of the Tourism Promotions Board

Get another perspective on our home while showing up for our kabayan on Philippine National Day! Happening on June 7, 2025, at the EXPO National Day Hall “Ray Garden”, the celebration will spotlight the heart of Filipino culture through food, dance, and music. At the core of the event is Hinabing Hiraya (Woven Imagination)—a stunning cultural showcase that brings the Filipino dream to life through vibrant performances. It’s more than just a show; it’s a moving tribute to the strength, creativity, and diversity of the Filipino people. Whether you’re there for the lechon or the tinikling, it’s the perfect event to invite your Japanese friends and travel buddies to experience what being Filipino truly means.

Osaka is sparking curiosity, spotlighting cultures around the world by showing it off with one big bonanza of global expression! The expo serves as both an invitation and a deep dive into its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cultural exchange. The theme this year is: Designing Future Society for Our Lives.

The event serves as a “living lab” for global collaboration and the power of human connection. The sprawling site on Yumeshima Island in Osaka will house more than 150 pavilions, including contributions from over 160 countries and international organizations, showcasing emerging technologies, cultural traditions, and pioneering solutions for global challenges.

Photo courtesy of Pasona Group.

The Gundam Pavilion, presented by Bandai Namco, is a dream come true for anime and sci-fi fans alike. The Gundam Pavilion promises a life-sized, interactive installation celebrating Japan’s cultural exports and engineering prowess. Combining virtual reality, robotics, and immersive storytelling, the pavilion represents a playful but powerful symbol of Japan’s global cultural influence and technological imagination.

Pasona Group’s Naturverse invites travelers to an unforgettable expedition with the Awaji Island Trip! This immersive travel extension invites visitors to explore Awaji Island, just an hour from the 2025 Expo site, through guided eco-tours, organic dining experiences, and a hands-on look at how Japan is weaving together tradition and innovation in sustainable living. Highlights along the way include the playful Nijigen no Mori theme park, with beloved Japanese pop-culture experiences, and the charming Hello Kitty Smile theme park, with the iconic character lining every ride and attraction around the theme park.

You can gain preferential access to the Expo’s “PASONA NATUREVERSE” pavilion by presenting your boarding ticket to Awaji Island. In contrast to the futuristic fervor of the main Expo, the Awaji excursion offers a calmer, soul-nourishing experience.

Expo 2025 will run for six months, starting on April 13. Since it ends on October 13, make sure to use the Expo’s Ticket Portal and start making travel plans as soon as possible! Visitors are invited to make plans in advance and customize their Expo experience with daily, seasonal, and passport-style multi-entry passes.

2GO Travel offers special sea travel rates for cyclists and teams heading to Passi City event

Nica-Lim Tan, Marketing Promotions Specialist of Go For Gold Philippines; Jeremy Randell Go, Head of Go For Gold Philippines; Roland Sunga, 2GO Travel AVP for F&B, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations; and George Narag, 2GO Travel Senior Brand Manager.

The official travel partner of Go For Gold Philippines for the fifth leg of the Go For Gold Race Series, which will take place in Passi City, Iloilo, from May 30 to June 1, is 2GO Travel, the country’s biggest and most prestigious marine travel company. Cyclists and their crews may travel to and from the event in safety, convenience, and affordability thanks to the partnership’s exclusive all-in sea transport pricing.

As part of the partnership, 2GO Travel is providing participants with exclusive all-in pricing for sailing from Manila to Iloilo (departing on May 27) and returning to Batangas via Roxas (June 3). For athletes who are traveling with their bikes and equipment, the package offers a 50 kg luggage allowance and waived expenses for handling sporting equipment.

“We are excited to support Go For Gold Philippines in empowering local cycling athletes and fueling interest in this rapidly growing sport,” said Roland Sunga, 2GO Travel AVP for F&B, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations. “By providing affordable and reliable sea travel, we’re not just moving people—we’re helping advance Philippine sports, one race at a time, one island at a time.”

Organized by Go For Gold Philippines, the Go For Gold Race Series is part of a larger national initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing rising cycling talent across the country. The organization is committed to building a sustainable cycling ecosystem by providing athletes with opportunities to gain exposure, accumulate points, and grow through consistent competition. The series also champions community engagement, bringing cycling events to diverse regions nationwide.

“This partnership with 2GO Travel makes our Race Series more accessible and allows even more athletes to experience competitive cycling,” said Jeremy Randell Go, Head of Go For Gold Philippines. “We believe that supporting Filipino talent begins by breaking down logistical barriers—and 2GO’s support helps us do exactly that.”

2GO Travel is preparing for additional partnerships as it continues to solidify its position in sports tourism. One such agreement is with Sunrise Events, Inc. for the Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu City Leg in August. 2GO is making sea travel a wise and reliable option for sports teams and event planners around the country with its roomy, contemporary ships, onboard amenities, and liberal luggage policies.

Go to the Go For Gold Race Series website to make your travel arrangements: Sail to Go for Gold Race Series 5 Passi via 2Go! – Go For Gold PH.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com