BIZ BUZZ: Aurora expands

Aurora, the “spirited bistro” named the 2024 Best New Restaurant by Tatler Dining, is ready to expand its market with the opening in 2025 of new branches.

Named after the mother of Divina Law founder and Managing Partner Nilo Divina, Aurora is scheduled to open its new branch at upscale The Podium in Mandaluyong City in early 2025.

And if all goes according to plan, Divina says a second branch in the Bonifacio Global City will also open up in 2025.

All will carry what Aurora describes as “modern variations of classically-rooted, regional Asian cooking guided by our chefs’ Asian-leaning backgrounds, and draws inspiration from nostalgic memories of meals made at home”

Asked if he would take in partners as he brings the Aurora brand outside Makati City where it was born, Divina says he was not yet ready to do so and was instead ready to take on all of the risk of opening restaurants given the already competitive landscape.

He has to be careful, he says, as it carries his mother’s name, after all. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao 

Stronghold GM gets award

For demonstrating sound leadership to grow and sustain his company, Romulo Delos Reyes Jr., president and general manager of Stronghold Insurance Co. Inc., was recognized during the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Awards.

The ACES Award is presented to “exceptional leaders” who exhibit that sought-after blend of business acumen, professionalism and entrepreneurial caliber.

The accolade came at a good time as Stronghold Insurance is celebrating its 65th year in 2025.

Today, it is among the top 10 nonlife insurance companies in the Philippines and was deemed third in net income performance and paid-up capital in 2024, according to data from the Insurance Commission.

Setting an ambitious target for Stronghold, Delos Reyes said, “By 2030, we envision to be the leading nonlife insurance provider in the country.” —Tina Arceo-Dumlao