Batangas whistle stop for SME Kapihan speaker series
November 13, 2025
The City of Santo Tomas, the "Gateway to Batangas" became the latest whistle stop of the nationwide CBS SME Kapihan speaker series. CBS, which operates four branches in Batangas, is especially keen about prospects of the province.
The by-invitation only gathering at the Max's Restaurant on November 7 brought together SME owners and SME banking professionals for an afternoon of sharing insights and community-building.
In 2024, Batangas was a major economic powerhouse in both the CALABARZON region and the Philippines as a whole, driven primarily by its petrochemical, logistics and manufacturing sectors, which significantly reinforce the industrial competitiveness of the Luzon economic corridor. Batangas is also an important source of livestock, pineapple and coffee beans for the Metro Manila market and neighboring provinces.
Lorna Catapang (photo above, top row center), president of Malvar-based Ginintuan Agro Industrial Corporation (GAIC), gave a testimonial about her company's more than a decade partnership with CBS. She credited CBS for supporting the feed mill operations, especially during the COVID pandemic.
SME Lending Group head Brenda S. Santiago led CBS managers in sharing valuable insights with SME Kapihan guests who represented the wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, leasing and real estate development sectors in the province. The interactive session provided attendees with practical guidance to enhance their business operations and enhance growth. Resource persons from Manulife Chinabank Life Assurance Corp. were also on tap during the forum.
SME Kapihan continues to promote financial inclusion, consumer confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit in line with the CBS Build & Rise Initiative for nation-building.
Lorna Catapang (photo above, top row center), president of Malvar-based Ginintuan Agro Industrial Corporation (GAIC), gave a testimonial about her company's more than a decade partnership with CBS. She credited CBS for supporting the feed mill operations, especially during the COVID pandemic.
SME Lending Group head Brenda S. Santiago led CBS managers in sharing valuable insights with SME Kapihan guests who represented the wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, leasing and real estate development sectors in the province. The interactive session provided attendees with practical guidance to enhance their business operations and enhance growth. Resource persons from Manulife Chinabank Life Assurance Corp. were also on tap during the forum.
SME Kapihan continues to promote financial inclusion, consumer confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit in line with the CBS Build & Rise Initiative for nation-building.
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