A Legacy of Care and Purpose
Reflecting on this journey, Dr Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, said, “As we mark 185 years, I am deeply proud of how AS Watson has grown from a single pharmacy in Hong Kong to a global leader in health and beauty retail. Our journey is defined not just by growth, but by the countless smiles we’ve helped create – for our customers, our people, and the communities we serve. I am grateful to our 130,000 colleagues, our loyal customers, and our partners for their dedication and trust. Together, we will continue to create smiles—one at a time, for everyone.”

185 Years of Inspiring Smiles
From the very beginning, AS Watson believes that health and happiness should never be a privilege. In the early days, we offered free medicines to those in need because seeing smiles on the faces of the people we served mattered most. For 185 years, AS Watson has placed care for customers and communities at the heart of our journey, a commitment that continues to shape everything we do today.

This enduring spirit of care inspired the launch of the global “Give a Smile” campaign in 2018, supporting comprehensive cleft care to improve children’s physical and emotional well‑being. Guided by the belief that “Give 1 Smile, Create 5”, the campaign creates a ripple effect of hope and smile by uplifting not just patients, but also families, surgeons, hospitals, and community outreach.

“Every 3 minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition,” said Kathy Magee, Operation Smile Co-Founder, President and CEO. “Thanks to AS Watson, we are able to provide access to essential surgical and comprehensive cleft care for thousands of patients. With its support, we are closing the gap between where our patients live and access to the care they need. Congratulations to AS Watson on its 185th anniversary and the achievement of 10,000 smile surgeries, making a transformative impact on the lives of so many families around the world.”

Malina added, “We sincerely thank our customers for their generous support and donations, which have made these life-changing surgeries possible. Looking ahead, AS Watson will continue to raise funds, donate, and actively involve our customers in supporting children with cleft lips – ensuring we create even more smiles together.”

Learn more about AS Watson’s 185-year journey of growth at
https://185-anniversary.aswatson.com/.

Hashtag: #ASWatson

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Once unknown, now almost unavoidable, VinFast cars, taxis, and charging stations have entered daily life across Metro Manila. Instead of waiting for change, the company built electric mobility into everyday routines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 January 2026 – Just a few years ago, VinFast existed in the Philippines mainly as a name attached to announcements. It appeared in coverage of overseas auto shows, expansion plans, and regional ambitions, often framed as something still on the way. Most people had not encountered the cars in daily life.

By the end of 2025, that changed. In Metro Manila, commuters could book an electric taxi built by VinFast and operated by Green GSM, the country’s first all-electric ride-hailing fleet, drive a VinFast to work themselves, or plug in at a VinFast-exclusive charging station operated by V-Green during routine errands.

“I didn’t know what model it was at first,” says Mark, a delivery rider who works across Makati and Mandaluyong. “I just kept seeing the same logo on different cars. Different drivers, same badge. They’re everywhere now.”

From unknown to unmissable

For much of the past decade, electric vehicles in the Philippines remained largely confined to exhibitions, pilot programs, and policy discussions. They were visible in controlled settings but rare on public roads, where gasoline vehicles continued to dominate through habit and established infrastructure.

VinFast launched locally in May 2024 with a growing electric lineup. Cars entered circulation quickly and in visible places. Early exposure followed expected channels such as mall showrooms, auto shows, and media drives. Broader recognition came later, through repeated encounters in ordinary settings.

“I see them when I start my shift and when I end it,” says Joel, a parking attendant at an office building in Makati. “They’re parked in basements, waiting at drop off points, sometimes charging.”

As appearances multiplied, the cars stopped attracting attention as new objects and began blending into everyday traffic. Drivers and pedestrians recognized the shape and badge without needing to know specifications.

The shift was driven by placement and timing. VinFast vehicles showed up in residential streets, office car parks, and highway access roads, places where advertising has little influence. At the same time, EV adoption across Southeast Asia remained uneven, and the Philippines continued to trail peers in charging density and consumer confidence. VinFast entered early and stayed visible as infrastructure and service followed.

From display floors to daily routines

Visibility brought VinFast into public view, but daily use kept the vehicles there.

By late 2025, ownership conversations focused less on EV theory and more on routine, how often people drove, what they used the car for, and how much they saved. At a VinFast community meetup in San Juan in November, owners compared charging habits, talked about modifications, and shared practical details of EV ownership.

For photographer Paul Reyes, who has logged more than 10,000 kilometers in his VF 3 over the past year, the decision to go EV started with weekly work travel and careful tracking of fuel costs.

“Normally, I go out for shoots on a weekly basis. And then I usually compute the gasoline expenses,” he said. “So I thought, why not shift to EV and save that money for something else? I’ve been using my VF 3 for a year, and I’ve calculated my savings and it has reached around 90,000 pesos.”

“The VF 3 is one of the best cars I’ve ever had,” he said earlier in the year. “Honestly, I’m never switching back to gasoline or diesel again.”

For many people like Reyes, the appeal of the VF 3 often starts with practicality, but ownership rarely stops there. Its compact size and low running costs make sense for city driving, yet many owners stay because the car allows a degree of personal expression that is rare at its price point.

Car modifier and content creator Carl Macaisa describes the VF 3 as open-ended. “It’s like a blank canvas,” he said. “You can express your personality through it.” The shape and simplicity invite customization, and that flexibility has helped the VF 3 develop a following that treats the car as both transportation and personal statement.

That experience led Carl to the B-SUV VinFast VF 6, positioned as a more capable option for drivers who want space and performance without changing daily habits.

“I like that I can drive it and still look cool,” he said. “It’s fast, it has the right space for friends, it works for daily driving, and it can still handle spirited driving. You can go home after pushing it hard, then hand the keys to your wife and she’ll be fine. Slow or fast, it delivers.”

VinFast doesn’t wait for the market to get ready

VinFast’s push in the Philippines follows a clear sequence. Cars introduce interest, and systems turn interest into habit. The Philippines is among the few countries to welcome VinFast’s full lineup, from the VF 3 to the VF 9. All models are supported by initiatives including vehicle warranties of up to 10 years and three years of free charging at stations operated by strategic partner V-Green.

From the start, the company paired vehicle rollout with strategic partners addressing two major barriers to EV adoption, exposure and convenience.

One is Green GSM, an all-electric ride hailing operator that uses VinFast vehicles as its fleet. For many commuters, Green GSM is their first direct experience of electric mobility, as a ride to work, a trip to the mall, or a late night journey home. Cyan electric taxis now circulate across Manila from morning to late night.

For the public, this lowers the entry barrier. People experience electric driving without buying a car or learning charging routines. For VinFast, fleet use puts vehicles under constant stress, proving durability in public view.

“Even when it’s really hot, the car stays clean and comfy,” said early Green GSM customer Gabriel Joshua R. Ancheta. “It doesn’t have any weird smells, everything’s tidy, and honestly, it feels way better than what I’ve experienced with other platforms.”

Charging infrastructure follows through V-Green, which places chargers where people already go, mall parking levels, office complexes, expressway stops, and urban corridors.

“I charge while I stop for lunch or rest,” a Green GSM driver said. “When I’m done, the car is ready again.”

For service access, VinFast partnered with Motech, JIGA, and Goodyear, embedding EV maintenance into familiar automotive networks. By the end of 2025, more than 100 authorized service points were planned nationwide.

And to reduce hesitation around resale, VinFast introduced a Residual Value Guarantee. Under the program, the company guarantees up to 90 percent of the vehicle’s purchase value if returned within six months, with scaled terms thereafter.

“When combined with our other support programs, we believe electric vehicles will soon become a natural and reliable choice for households and individual users across the Philippines,” said “Toti” in a press release.

This approach has begun to resonate beyond consumers, drawing attention from industry players watching how quickly VinFast has built both presence and infrastructure. “If VinFast is looking at becoming a market leader, creating its own ecosystem would be a great approach, similar to what Steve Jobs did with Apple,” said Jonel Borromeo, a Philippine dealer who visited VinFast’s Hai Phong factory.

Hashtag: #VinFast

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The developments will be led by Manrre Developments, a joint venture between GFH and Palmon Group, a seasoned UAE-based industrial conglomerate with over 40 years of institutional experience. This partnership unites proven regional expertise across acquisition, planning and design, development, execution, and operational readiness to deliver exceptional, future-ready warehouses and logistics centres.

Harry Ip, Managing Director of Gaw Capital, said, “We are thrilled to enter UAE’s flourishing industrial and logistics market, supported by strong fundamentals, the surge in structural demand driven by government-led initiatives, and heightened global interest in the logistics and industrial asset class. Leveraging the expertise from GFH Partners, this partnership positions us as one of Asia’s leading forerunners in delivering prime industrial facilities in the UAE, providing investors with exposure to a fundamentally undersupplied market.”

Nael Mustafa, CEO of GFH Partners, commented, “GFH Partners brings on-the-ground specialists, experienced local operators, and a strong track record managing logistics and industrial assets across the GCC. This joint venture allows us to scale that regional expertise even further, capitalizing on the UAE’s robust industrial growth trajectory. Through this partnership with Gaw Capital, we are combining regional insight with global capability to unlock new opportunities in the UAE’s expanding industrial and logistics sector.”

The Platform is being launched at a time of strong macroeconomic momentum, supported by the UAE’s long-term development strategies including the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Majority of these initiatives are aimed at accelerating industrial diversification, attracting FDI, and expanding logistics infrastructure. The local government offers a list of pro-business regulatory and fiscal policies, including tax exemptions, customs duty exemption, simplified regulations in 40+ free zones, and relaxed foreign ownership limitation, to accelerate logistics demand and investment. Furthermore, the population of the UAE has experienced dramatic growth and is expected to reach 12.2 million by 2030, driven by the long-term residency incentives (e.g. Golden Visa), competitive tax regime, openings of prestigious school campuses for expatriate professional and family relocation.

Demand for logistics and industrial assets remains robust, supported by a persistent supply–demand imbalance. Dubai’s warehouse and logistics occupancy currently exceeds 97%, with rental rates increasing 33% year-on-year. The formation of the Platform will mark Gaw Capital’s first geographic footprint in the logistics sector in the UAE, demonstrating its global network and cross-border expertise in accessing industrial and logistics investments ahead of the curve.

Gaw Capital has established a robust logistics footprint across China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Australia, with investments in 39 projects totalling approximately 3.8 million sqm of GFA. As of Q3 2025, Gaw Capital manages over US$3.4 billion in assets under management in its global logistics portfolio.

Since 2014, the firm has acquired, developed, and managed a substantial portfolio of modern logistics facilities with over 3 million sqm of GFA across China, supported by a team of around 100 professionals through 4 investment vehicles. Leveraging its deep expertise, Gaw Capital has expanded into other APAC markets through strategic partnerships, acquiring high-quality assets in key metropolitan hubs. Recent investments include seven logistics assets in Greater Tokyo (nearly 250,000 sqm GFA), one in Seoul (over 75,000 sqm GFA), two in Vietnam (over 210,000 sqm GFA) and six urban industrial and logistics warehouses in Sydney (over 45,000 sqm GFA). The firm’s in-house teams and operating partners deliver value-added services across the logistics value chain, including development, construction, leasing, and property management.
Hashtag: #GawCapitalPartners #GFHPartners

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About Gaw Capital Partners

Based in Asia, Gaw Capital Partners is a multi-asset investment management firm focusing on real estate, growth equity, private credit and infrastructure markets globally.

Since its inception in 2005, the firm has raised seven commingled funds targeting Asia Pacific, alongside value-add /opportunistic funds in the U.S., a Pan-Asia Hospitality Fund, a European Hospitality Fund, a Growth Equity Fund and a Credit Fund. It also manages credit strategies and separate account direct investments globally.

Gaw Capital has consistently generated high yields by revitalizing underperforming assets, enhancing value through creative financing solutions and leveraging deep expertise in capital allocation.

Since 2005, the firm has managed US$35.8 billion in assets and raised US$24.4 billion in equity as of Q2 2025.

About GFH Partners Ltd.

GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”) is the DIFC-based global asset management subsidiary of GFH Financial Group B.S.C. (“GFH”). Headquartered in Dubai International Financial Centre and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, GFH Partners is dedicated to real estate investment and asset management across diverse markets. With assets under management exceeding US$7 billion and investments spanning the US, UK, and GCC. GFH Partners focuses on strategic partnerships and innovative real estate solutions, reinforcing its role as a leading player in global asset management.