Excitement is building for the 17th PHILSME Business Expo: Entrepreneur and Franchise Edition, following a lively Media Launch at SPACES Century Diamond Tower. Sponsors, media, and business leaders gathered to celebrate stories of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial success.
PHILSME CEO Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla engages with guests during the Media Launch, reflecting the expo’s mission to inspire and uplift Filipino entrepreneurs.
PHILSME CEO and Managing Director Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla set the tone by emphasizing how the expo empowers Filipino entrepreneurs through collaboration, connection, and community support. “PHILSME is more than an expo—it’s a movement,” she said. “Each edition is fueled by shared passion: to help businesses grow, build connections, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Taho Story Co-Founder Jude Paul Espinas shares the journey of transforming a Filipino favorite into a modern success story—one of the inspiring narratives featured at the PHILSME Media Launch.
The launch featured insights from a panel of industry leaders. Toyota Motor Philippines Manager Renz Patrick Diaz discussed mobility solutions tailored for businesses, while GCash B2B Commercial Head Martin Kristopher Limgenco II highlighted how digital finance is helping entrepreneurs thrive. Taho Story Co-Founder Jude Paul Espinas captivated the audience with his personal story of reinventing a Filipino favorite. Panelists also explored how Overseas Filipino Workers can leverage family networks to set up sustainable businesses back home, a focus of the Expo’s Franchising Village.
Members of the press connect with PHILSME organizers and sponsors during the networking session, capturing the collaborative spirit behind the upcoming 17th PHILSME Business Expo.
Attendees learned that the 17th PHILSME Expo will host over 130 exhibitors and 180 brands, with a stronger focus on entrepreneurial innovation and franchising opportunities. The Media Launch also introduced keynote speakers for the PHILSME Business Talks, including Myrna Natividad of Mommy Negosyo, AI advocate Dr. Francisco “Dean Pax” Lapid, best-selling author Jonathan Yabut, and motivational speaker Boss RDR (Reymond Delos Reyes).
A highlight of the event was the PHILSME–NakakaLocal collaboration, uniting PHILSME’s mission to empower SMEs with NakakaLocal’s dedication to promoting Filipino MSMEs, the country’s largest job-generating sector.
The two-day expo is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees and will feature free business talks, networking sessions, and live product showcases. Entrepreneurs can register for free at www.philsme.com/ticket, with a nominal fee for walk-ins.
