The HWONFEX 2026 Opening Remarks was delivered by no less than former DOT Secretary & Wellness Tourism Advocate Ms.Wanda Tulfo-Teo (center-left). Other speakers included Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Director for Health & Wellness Dr.Hernando Delizo (center-right), VS Hotel Group Marketing & PR/Media Lead Mr.Jeoffrey Solas (right), and HWONFEX Organizer & Head of MBlessed Travel & Marketing Ms.Macky Beltran Soriano (left).
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Moving to position the Philippines at the absolute vanguard of the Southeast Asian health economy, government officials and corporate pioneers officially converged at the VS Hotel & Convention Center for the high-density trade preview of the upcoming Health & Wellness Confex (HWONFEX) co-located with HilomX 2026 happening on September 4 and 5, 2026 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Explicitly designated as an official ASEAN side event, the comprehensive assembly blueprinted a unified national strategy to capture a dominant share of the $6.8 trillion global preventive health, medical travel, and retirement infrastructure markets under the banner theme, “Go Explore, Grow Communities, Glow Together.”
High-Level Policy and State Infrastructure Frameworks
Presented by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and led by Dr. Hernando Delizo, the platform serves as a critical regional launchpad to standardize healthcare metrics, drive high-value international arrivals, and secure cross-border health travel investments. Anchoring the executive trade tracks, the Department of Tourism (DOT), led by Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang, alongside Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) General Manager and CEO Roberto Z. Zozobrado, unveiled synchronized frameworks deploying enterprise incubation, retirement lifestyle infrastructure, and cross-border health corridors to systematically attract elite international medical travelers and global retirees.
Highlighting the inclusive reach of this official ASEAN side event, the initiative is actively endorsed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This embeds robust institutional support for community-driven health safety grids and large-scale corporate behavioral welfare models.
The Procurement Matrix and Supply Chain Integration
Bypassing standard seminar formats, the program directly confronted commercial contract mechanics through a specialized Procurement Matrix Ecosystem by HWONFEX Organizer Macky Beltran-Soriano. Backed by the institutional footprint of the PCCI, this high-density B2B matchmaking track pitted high-volume International Hosted Buyers alongside leading domestic institutional entities—including hotel owners (Philippine Hotel Owners Association – PHOA), retirement authorities (PRA), and corporate leadership networks Human Resource Educators’ Association of the Philippines, Inc. (HREAP)—directly against certified domestic producers to analyze and lock in total supply chain readiness ahead of the main expo floor opening.
The platform also transitioned into the Go & Get Better Journey Experience led by WellGather Founder and HWONFEX Ambassador Marla Ramos, showcasing corporate workspace validation tracks and workplace wellness integration models.
Integrative Medicine and Mass Mobilization Initiatives
The afternoon marked the formal co-location unveiling of HilomX, where Mr. Jerome Tumambing, representing PITAHC Director General Dr. Ma. Teresa “Tess” C. Iñigo, showcased the state-backed integration of Traditional and Complementary Healthcare Track assets. The briefing highlighted state-backed clinical safety pathways for local organic superfoods alongside the commercial preservation and global branding of native Hilot recovery modalities.
Capping off the main-stage reveals, Joyce Selga launched the media campaign for the upcoming Go & Get Better Wellness Festival Run 2026 at the historic Quirino Grandstand. The public wellness mobilization features an on-site Wellness Recovery Village and an electric car major raffle asset, supported by a live, high-velocity physical movement drill curated by the VS Hotel Group.
Blue-Chip Alliances and Global Strategy Brief
Following global insights broadcasted by international authority and Global Wellness and Medical Tourism Strategist Dr. Prem Jagyasi, the summit executive committee recognized the anchor corporate alliances funding the roadmap. Organizers unveiled the partners and supporters with Institutional Lead Philippine Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (PCCI) and co-presented by Wellness Tourism Association Of The Philippines (WeTAP); in Major Partnership with the Department Of Agriculture, Department Of Agriculture PhilFIDA, Department Of Social Welfare And Development, Department Of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Institute Of Traditional And Alternative Health Care, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW); in Minor Partnership with the Philippine Amusement And Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB); amd Official Host Venue of the ASEAN Delegation – Newport World Resorts.
Moreover, the elite corporate sponsor roster is led by Platinum Sponsors Castle Rock and IAM Worldwide, alongside Gold Corporate Sponsor Biovitalis, Silver Corporate Sponsors Enjoy Health, Glorious Industrial and Development Corporation (GIDC), JC Premiere, Nurture Wellness Village, Surge Fitness, Zen Institute, NaHeal; Summit Sponsors Health Design, Noble Life International, and Philexport; and Wellness Run Partners Birch Tree Fortified, Gardenia, Hobe, Mr. Freeze, Nature’s Spring, and Taytay Municipal Government.
Furthermore, Event Partners supporting this endeavor includes Alliance Of Local Artisans, Food And Other Producers Of The Philippines (ALAFOP), American Chamber Of Commerce Philippines (AmCham), Diago Consultancy, Digital Circles Marketing Services, East West, Exlink Events, Human Resource Educators’ Association Of The Philippines, Inc. (HREAP), IQ Capture, Market Social, Maxwell Leadership Philippines, Naheal, Oikos Sustainable Solutions Inc., Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA), Philippine Marketing Association (PMA), Philippine Tour Operators Association, Inc. (Philtoa), United Ube Association, Wellgather, and St. Paul University Quezon City; Media Partners Asian Journal, Balikbayan Magazine, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Standard, Business Mirror, The Manila Times, ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, Wheninmanila.com, Asian Dragon Magazine, Good News Manila, Powered to Wellness, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific, Global Travel Media, Islands Philippines, Lead Society/Lead Media News, MICE & Tourism Around The World, Amazing Manila Journal, Travel and Tour World, and Travel Daily Media; Advocacy Partners Christians For Nation Building Inc. (C4nb), MLAC Institute For Psychosocial Services, Inc., and Rise Against Hunger; and Supported By City Of Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Philippine National Police, Anya Resort Tagaytay, Good Food Farm, House of Gaia, Las Caidas Wellness Resort, and Sonya’s Secret Garden.
The preview concluded in the foyer lounge, where press members, VIP buyers, PCCI delegates, and trade representatives went through an interactive fitness challenge trials, and traditional recovery samplings alongside a health-centric culinary spread curated by the host venue, VS Hotel & Convention Center.
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OFFICIAL EVENT COMPENDIUM & BACKING ROSTER
About HWONFEX
Hi! I’d like to invite everyone to the Health & Wellness Conference & Expo happening this September 4 & 5 at SMX, plus a Wellness Festival Run on September 6 at the Quirino Grand Stand!
Also known as HWONFEX, this business and consumer gathering focuses on holistic health, wellness tourism, and more!
Serving as an official ASEAN side event this 2026, it unites government frameworks with private enterprise to champion the best of integrative, traditional, and modern healthcare across regional borders.
Some of the exhibitors include the Department of Tourism, DOH’s PITAHC group for the co-located HILOMX TCIM Expo, IAM Worldwide, INSTAMED, Nurture Wellness Village and Surge Fitness and Lifestyle.
Check out more details at their website WellnessConfex.com or on their socials @WellnessCOnfex with the hashtag HWONFEX2026
The Health & Wellness Confex (HWONFEX) organized by Mblessed Travel and Marketing Inc. stands as the premier B2BC platform for holistic health, wellness tourism, and integrative wellness infrastructure in the Philippines. Serving as an official ASEAN side event, it unites government frameworks with private enterprise to champion the best of integrative, traditional, and modern healthcare across regional borders.
Official Roster of Partners and Sponsors
● Platinum Corporate Sponsors: Castle Rock, IAM Worldwide
● Gold Corporate Sponsors: Biovitalis
● Silver Corporate Sponsors: Enjoy Health, Glorious Industrial and Development Corporation (GIDC), JC Premiere, Nurture Wellness Village, Surge Fitness, Zen Institute, NaHeal
● Summit Sponsors: Health Design, Noble Life International, Philexport
● Wellness Run Partners: Birch Tree Fortified, Gardenia, Hobe, Mr. Freeze, Nature’s Spring, Taytay Municipal Government.
● Official Host Venue of the ASEAN DelegationL Newport World Resorts
● Host Venue & Culinary Partners: VS Hotel Group, VS Hotel & Convention Center
● State & Institutional Partners: Department Of Agriculture, Department Of Agriculture PhilFIDA, Department Of Social Welfare And Development, Department Of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Institute Of Traditional And Alternative Health Care, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Philippine Amusement And Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)
● Industry & Corporate Alliances: Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines (WeTAP), Alliance Of Local Artisans, Food And Other Producers Of The Philippines (ALAFOP), American Chamber Of Commerce Philippines (AmCham), Diago Consultancy, DigitalCircles Marketing Services, East West, Exlink Events, Human Resource Educators’ Association Of The Philippines, Inc. (HREAP), IQ Capture, Market Social, Maxwell Leadership Philippines, Naheal, Oikos Sustainable Solutions Inc., Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA), Philippine Marketing Association (PMA), Philippine Tour Operators Association, Inc. (Philtoa), United Ube Association, Wellgather
● Advocacy Partners: Christians For Nation Building Inc. (C4nb), MLAC Institute For Psychosocial Services, Inc., Rise Against Hunger
● Media Partners: Asian Journal, Balikbayan Magazine, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Standard, Business Mirror, The Manila Times, ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, Wheninmanila.com, Asian Dragon Magazine, Good News Manila, Powered to Wellness, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific, Global Travel Media, Islands Philippines, Lead Society/Lead Media News, MICE & Tourism Around The World, Amazing Manila Journal, Travel and Tour World, Travel Daily Media
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MEDIA Q&A BACKGROUNDER
Q1: WHAT IS HWONFEX?
RESPONSE: HWONFEX is the Health and Wellness Conference and Expo—a regional platform designed to connect stakeholders across health, wellness, tourism, and investment ecosystems. It serves as a convergence point for collaboration and economic development within the ASEAN wellness economy.
Q2: WHY THE ASEAN WELLNESS ECONOMY?
RESPONSE: We are witnessing a global shift where wellness is no longer a lifestyle category, but an economic system. ASEAN is uniquely positioned due to its cultural heritage, healthcare systems, tourism infrastructure, and demographic growth.
Q3: HOW ARE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED?
RESPONSE: HWONFEX works in direct alignment with institutional and industry partners like the PCCI. The goal is active collaboration across public and private sectors to support sustainable regional economic development.
Q4: WHAT IS THE IMMEDIATE ECONOMIC IMPACT?
RESPONSE: The impact is focused on three critical areas:
● Investment Activation across health travel channels
● Cross-Border Collaboration on health corridors
● Industry Standard Development across wellness, tourism, and healthcare sectors
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OFFICIAL MEDIA SOUND BYTE
STATEMENT BY DR. PAULO BENITO S. TUGBANG, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM), DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (DOT):
“Through the architecture of the upcoming infrastructure roadmap, the Department of Tourism is actively coordinating cross-border health corridors and luxury destination clusters to systematically capture high-value international medical travelers. HWONFEX 2026 is a definitive, state-backed vehicle designed to transform the Philippine health travel map. By integrating our premier hospitality assets with elite clinical excellence, we are not merely promoting a destination—we are unlocking a premier regional economic ecosystem.”
