MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The landmark Health & Wellness Confex (HWONFEX 2026) officially opened its doors September 4, 2026 at SMX Convention Center Manila, establishing its milestone position as an Official ASEAN Side Event. Fully endorsed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and co-presented by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the high-stature opening ceremony unified international diplomats, top-tier cabinet officials, and international hosted buyers under the theme “Go Explore, Grow Communities, and Glow Together.”
Key Highlights from Day 1
- The High-Level Summit Launch: The event commenced with an institutional framework set by Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang (DOT Director for Health and Wellness Tourism), alongside messages of regional solidarity from DFA Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim (Philippine ASEAN Senior Official Meeting Leader), PCCI President Mr. Perry A. Ferrer, and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines Chairman Mr. Jose Ma “Joey” Concepcion III.
- The Grand Ceremonial Opening: Following a VVIP Luncheon, the afternoon launched with a mindful Sound Healing Session and a prestigious Grand Processional. HWONFEX Organizer Ms. Macky Beltran-Soriano joined Former DOT Secretary and Wellness Tourism Advocate Ms. Wanda Tulfo-Teo in setting the strategic vision, noting that global travel patterns have fundamentally shifted into an active search for authentic healing environments and long-term vitality.
- Diplomatic & Cabinet Concurrence: High-profile keynote address blocks unified regional cross-border strategies. His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino (Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines) and Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac (Department of Migrant Workers) mapped policies safeguarding human resources. Concurrently, Dr. Ma. Teresa C. Iñigo (Director General of PITAHC) unified the integration of alternative and indigenous traditional healthcare networks.
- Institutional Representation & Activation: Key national agencies participated through strategic representations, including the Department of Agriculture (represented by Asec. Atty. Genevive Velicaria-Guevarra), the Department of Tourism (represented by Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Chief of Staff General Antonio Nafarrete), and PAGCOR (represented by Dra. Janice Saraza).
Anchoring Public Health as the Ultimate Social Safety Net
The afternoon reached its zenith during the HWONFEX ASEAN Handshake and the “ASEAN Wellness as One” Ecosystem Activation, breaking open trade access points across four operational tracks: VIP Guided Expo Floor Tours, the soft launch of the specialty Ube Pavilion, PITAHC Centerstage Feature launches, and live B2B Corporate Matchmaking channels.
Delivering the foundational keynote address of the summit, DSWD Secretary Rexlon Ting Gatchalian laid out the strategic framework connecting social welfare directly to public health, preventative wellness, and human capital preservation:
“A resilient economy cannot be built on reactive healthcare; it must be anchored on proactive wellness and the systemic protection of human capital,” stated DSWD Secretary Rexlon Ting Gatchalian. “By endorsing HWONFEX 2026 as an Official ASEAN Side Event, the DSWD recognizes that preventative health, nutritional sustainability, and holistic well-being serve as the ultimate social safety net for our people. True social development means shifting from simply managing vulnerabilities to actively empowering our grassroots workforce to thrive. When we bridge public welfare policy with high-value health trade, we build healthier local communities and elevate the entire ASEAN region into a unified, wealthy economic bloc.”
Event Details & Public Access Elements
While the High-Level Summit sessions operate under premium passes, major wings of the convention remain fully accessible to the general public for free.
- HilomX: Philippine Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) eXposition and eXperience — Pre-register for FREE access
- HWONFEX Day 2 Centerstage Program & General Trade Show Floor: — Pre-register for FREE access
- Exposition Public Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Trade visitors, investors, and medical professionals can access registration details at WellnessConfex.com
About HWONFEX
HWONFEX is the premier regional platform for holistic health, wellness innovation, and structural convergence within the ASEAN wellness economy. Grounded as an Official ASEAN Side Event, endorsed by the DSWD, and co-presented by the PCCI, it bridges public policy, natural medicine ecosystems, and international trade lines into scalable regional assets.
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 Delegation: Newport World Resorts
- Official Culinary & Hospitality Partner: Treston International College
- 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
