MANDALUYONG CITY, Manila – Changemakers from various backgrounds and sectors gathered at Impact Happy Hours last July 2, at Refinery, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. The event has been running since 2017 and has been a community space for individuals and organizations interested in social impact to connect and collaborate. Impact Happy Hours’ main organizers are entrepreneur support organizations Villgro Philippines, xchange, and Ashoka Philippines, but the event has also been co-hosted with different partner organizations who have designed several ways to facilitate connections between attendees. The featured partner of last night’s event was the Good Start Challenge.

Attendees of Impact Happy Hours were invited to reflect on modern parenting, wellbeing, and caregiving within the family. “How difficult is it to get on a crowded city bus with a baby—and how many other challenges do parents face in daily life? We need to ask: can we redesign systems, services, and infrastructures for the wellbeing of parents and caregivers?” said Kathy Nothstine from Challenge Works, one of the implementing partners of the Good Start Challenge.

“We’re excited about the huge opportunities in the Philippines—especially with the growing digital economy, the rise of technology and innovation, and the potential to tap into indigenous solutions that can create more sustainable, lasting impact. At the same time, we are aware of the complex challenges Filipino parents face—from the increasing risks of climate-related disasters to high rates of teenage pregnancy—issues that disproportionately affect women and families in vulnerable communities,” Kathy added, highlighting why the Philippines is one of the eligible countries for the challenge.

The Good Start Challenge will support up to 22 finalists globally to develop their solution with €50,000 in funding and a package of non-financial support. Organizations that are addressing the wellbeing of caregivers from pregnancy and the first years of parenthood, are meeting the needs of underserved and marginalized communities, and have demonstrated effectiveness and are ready to take the next steps towards scaling are invited to apply.&nbsp;

At the end, up to six winners will receive €200,000 and the opportunity to showcase in front of prospective funders and partners. Entries are now open from 22 May 2025 to 17 September 2025, 1pm (UTC). Full details are available at <a href="https://goodstart.challenges.org/">https://goodstart.challenges.org/</a>

The Good Start Challenge was made possible by the Van Leer Foundation, FEMSA Foundation, Fundação Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal, LEGO Foundation and Challenge Works.&nbsp;

The opening remarks were followed by a panel of three social entrepreneurs, namely Nadine Angelica Gadia Casiño (ALIMA Mother Support Center), JM Dioso (Project Payatas PH), and MK Bertulfo (FH Moms) who shared their real stories and insights of systems-level solutions that center parental wellbeing.&nbsp;

“Aside from the lack of opportunities and education, one thing that I wanted to emphasize is that a lot of moms already have access to equipment and the experience but they lack the confidence,” said MK Bertulfo of FH Moms, speaking on the barriers women face.

Adding to the discussion on maternal challenges and care systems, Nadine Angelica Gadia Casiño of ALIMA Mother Support Center shared, “There are daycare centers, there are schools, but where are the spaces for moms?”

“We partnered with local government units to establish the first-ever city human milk bank and lactation support center—not just a pasteurizing facility, but a space where mothers receive skilled, individualized breastfeeding support… If we can create more breastfeeding clinics and mother support centers, then mothers will know where to go and I think collaboration is key for us to make that happen.”

The panelists’ stories and perspectives offered a glimpse into what’s possible when community-led solutions are given the support to grow. These served as a call to action for entrepreneurs with bold ideas to join the Good Start Challenge and scale their impact for parents and caregivers who need it most.

To stay updated on upcoming Impact Happy Hours events, follow the co-organizers on Facebook: Villgro Philippines (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/villgrophilippines/">https://www.facebook.com/villgrophilippines/</a>), xchange (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/xchangephilippines">https://www.facebook.com/xchangephilippines</a>), and Ashoka Philippines (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AshokaPhilippines/">https://www.facebook.com/AshokaPhilippines/</a>)

On July 2 at Shangri-La Plaza, changemakers gathered for Impact Happy Hours, a community event co-hosted by Villgro Philippines, xchange, and Ashoka Philippines. The evening featured the Good Start Challenge, which will support and fund bold ideas improving parental and caregiver wellbeing. Social entrepreneurs shared local solutions from human milk banks to digital mom communities. Applications for the challenge are open until September 17, with funding of up to €200,000. Learn more at goodstart.challenges.org. MANDALUYONG CITY, Manila – Changemakers from various backgrounds and sectors gathered at Impact Happy Hours last July 2, at Refinery, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. The event has been running since 2017 and has been a community space for individuals and organizations interested in social impact to connect and collaborate. Impact Happy Hours’ main organizers are entrepreneur support organizations Villgro Philippines, xchange, and Ashoka Philippines, but the event has also been co-hosted with different partner organizations who have designed several ways to facilitate connections between attendees. The featured partner of last night’s event was the Good Start Challenge.Attendees of Impact Happy Hours were invited to reflect on modern parenting, wellbeing, and caregiving within the family. “How difficult is it to get on a crowded city bus with a baby—and how many other challenges do parents face in daily life? We need to ask: can we redesign systems, services, and infrastructures for the wellbeing of parents and caregivers?” said Kathy Nothstine from Challenge Works, one of the implementing partners of the Good Start Challenge.“We’re excited about the huge opportunities in the Philippines—especially with the growing digital economy, the rise of technology and innovation, and the potential to tap into indigenous solutions that can create more sustainable, lasting impact. At the same time, we are aware of the complex challenges Filipino parents face—from the increasing risks of climate-related disasters to high rates of teenage pregnancy—issues that disproportionately affect women and families in vulnerable communities,” Kathy added, highlighting why the Philippines is one of the eligible countries for the challenge.<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/132698bc-aa70-4c7d-7e00-0a70069ae400/public" alt="Kathy Nothstine of Challenge Works introduces the Good Start Challenge.&nbsp;" />The Good Start Challenge will support up to 22 finalists globally to develop their solution with €50,000 in funding and a package of non-financial support. Organizations that are addressing the wellbeing of caregivers from pregnancy and the first years of parenthood, are meeting the needs of underserved and marginalized communities, and have demonstrated effectiveness and are ready to take the next steps towards scaling are invited to apply.&nbsp;At the end, up to six winners will receive €200,000 and the opportunity to showcase in front of prospective funders and partners. Entries are now open from 22 May 2025 to 17 September 2025, 1pm (UTC). Full details are available at <a href="https://goodstart.challenges.org/">https://goodstart.challenges.org/</a>The Good Start Challenge was made possible by the Van Leer Foundation, FEMSA Foundation, Fundação Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal, LEGO Foundation and Challenge Works.&nbsp;The opening remarks were followed by a panel of three social entrepreneurs, namely Nadine Angelica Gadia Casiño (ALIMA Mother Support Center), JM Dioso (Project Payatas PH), and MK Bertulfo (FH Moms) who shared their real stories and insights of systems-level solutions that center parental wellbeing.&nbsp;“Aside from the lack of opportunities and education, one thing that I wanted to emphasize is that a lot of moms already have access to equipment and the experience but they lack the confidence,” said MK Bertulfo of FH Moms, speaking on the barriers women face.<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/1743e76a-306a-40cb-9d16-66139024f300/public" alt="(From left to right) Nadine&nbsp;Casiño, MK Bertulfo, and JM Dioso share the realities of Filipino parents and families.&nbsp;" />Adding to the discussion on maternal challenges and care systems, Nadine Angelica Gadia Casiño of ALIMA Mother Support Center shared, “There are daycare centers, there are schools, but where are the spaces for moms?”“We partnered with local government units to establish the first-ever city human milk bank and lactation support center—not just a pasteurizing facility, but a space where mothers receive skilled, individualized breastfeeding support… If we can create more breastfeeding clinics and mother support centers, then mothers will know where to go and I think collaboration is key for us to make that happen.”The panelists’ stories and perspectives offered a glimpse into what’s possible when community-led solutions are given the support to grow. These served as a call to action for entrepreneurs with bold ideas to join the Good Start Challenge and scale their impact for parents and caregivers who need it most.To stay updated on upcoming Impact Happy Hours events, follow the co-organizers on Facebook: Villgro Philippines (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/villgrophilippines/">https://www.facebook.com/villgrophilippines/</a>), xchange (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/xchangephilippines">https://www.facebook.com/xchangephilippines</a>), and Ashoka Philippines (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AshokaPhilippines/">https://www.facebook.com/AshokaPhilippines/</a>)<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/7f2613cb-dd28-4ad4-7e43-5993c17b1f00/public" alt="Image" /><img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/e800c922-beea-4634-6499-8ddc2f86c400/public" alt="Image" />

Childbirth / Childcare

Childcare / Early childhood education

Foundations / Associations

Startups

SMEs

On July 2 at Shangri-La Plaza, changemakers gathered for Impact Happy Hours, a community event co-hosted by Villgro Philippines, xchange, and Ashoka Philippines. The evening featured the Good Start Challenge, which will support and fund bold ideas improving parental and caregiver wellbeing. Social entrepreneurs shared local solutions from human milk banks to digital mom communities. Applications for the challenge are open until September 17, with funding of up to €200,000. Learn more at goodstart.challenges.org.

Changemakers gather at Impact Happy Hours to discuss the wellbeing of Filipino parents and families.

[Palmer Taliño Taray (middle) during the awarding ceremony of Oceanman Philippines]

DAVAO CITY—13-year-old Palmer Taliño Taray, a teenager from Davao City diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), qualified for the prestigious open water swimming competition in Dubai after triumphantly finishing the first ever Oceanman Philippines held in Siargao on 5 April 2025.

Palmer participated in the 2-kilometer course open water swim and was able to finish it within 1 hour and 44 minutes. However, due to the strong water current in the area, it was recorded that he swam around 3.7 kilometers in total, the farthest he had gone during a swimming competition. About 570 other swimmers participated in the event together with Palmer. This achievement coincides with the celebration of the World Autism Month this April which ignites a global movement aimed at understanding, accepting, and empowering people with autism.

As the first ever finisher with ASD, Palmer ranked first in the inspirational category and is set to participate in Oceanman Dubai later this year. Asked how Palmer offcially qualified for this, Coach Kirt Loven Murcia said, "He was the only one with mental health disability who participated in the event in Siargao, and the organizers were so amazed by his dedication. Per my record, he is also the first with that level of ASD to survive such a well-known swimming competition."

The 13-year-old swimmer with special needs is the youngest son of Mr. Jerry John Taray and Mrs. Jocelyn Taliño Taray who hailed from Davao City. Following his recent achievements such as finishing the Davao-Samal Cross Channel Swim and the first Oceanman Philippines, Mrs. Taray said, "Our family is extremely proud of Palmer's achievements, and we are very excited to participate in Oceanman Dubai this year! As his mother, I have seen how Palmer strived hard to get here. He learned discipline and was able to develop a healthy daily routine. We are also glad that we've finally discovered his potential, this only proves that children with ASD can also excel in different fields with the right support from family and friends."

Joining the first Oceanman Philippines is a significant milestone for Palmer and his swimming coaches because it was an avenue for them to tell the world that people with autism can exceed their limitations and be achievers in their own fields. The key to this is discovering their talents and unlocking new skills by engaging them in new hobbies and activities.

Palmer only started swimming 2 years ago as a form of therapy aimed at improving his motor skills and sensory abilities. Few months after, he has shown significant progress and interest in swimming. However. the journey was challenging not only for Palmer and his family but also for his coaches because they needed to teach him how to follow instructions by implementing strict routines.

Aquatic training for children with ASD has many positive effects, it improves their motor abilities as well as their social behavior and communication skills. Similarly, it helps with emotion regulation because water naturally gives pressure on the body, which can feel calming, and this sensory feedback can help children with autism feel more grounded and in control of their emotions. Further, swimming can be a way to release built-up energy and tension among children with ASD.

In preparation for the upcoming Oceanman open-water swimming competition in Dubai this year, Palmer is set to join more local swimming competitions and marathons across the country to further gain strength and endurance. He will likewise continue his training four times a week together with Coaches Kirt Loven Murcia and Kevin Palabao.

Oceanman is a globally recognized series of open-water swimming competitions that attract swimmers of all levels—from beginners to elite athletes. Established in 2015, it has grown into one of the largest international open-water swimming circuits, hosting events across five continents and drawing over 40,000 participants annually. Amomg the well-known local personalities who joined the recently held Oceanman Philippines together with Palmer were Erwan Heusaff, Nico Bolzico, and Wil Dasovich.

[Palmer Taliño Taray (middle) during the awarding ceremony of Oceanman Philippines]DAVAO CITY—13-year-old Palmer Taliño Taray, a teenager from Davao City diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), qualified for the prestigious open water swimming competition in Dubai after triumphantly finishing the first ever Oceanman Philippines held in Siargao on 5 April 2025.Palmer participated in the 2-kilometer course open water swim and was able to finish it within 1 hour and 44 minutes. However, due to the strong water current in the area, it was recorded that he swam around 3.7 kilometers in total, the farthest he had gone during a swimming competition. About 570 other swimmers participated in the event together with Palmer. This achievement coincides with the celebration of the World Autism Month this April which ignites a global movement aimed at understanding, accepting, and empowering people with autism.As the first ever finisher with ASD, Palmer ranked first in the inspirational category and is set to participate in Oceanman Dubai later this year. Asked how Palmer offcially qualified for this, Coach Kirt Loven Murcia said, "He was the only one with mental health disability who participated in the event in Siargao, and the organizers were so amazed by his dedication. Per my record, he is also the first with that level of ASD to survive such a well-known swimming competition."The 13-year-old swimmer with special needs is the youngest son of Mr. Jerry John Taray and Mrs. Jocelyn Taliño Taray who hailed from Davao City. Following his recent achievements such as finishing the Davao-Samal Cross Channel Swim and the first Oceanman Philippines, Mrs. Taray said, "Our family is extremely proud of Palmer's achievements, and we are very excited to participate in Oceanman Dubai this year! As his mother, I have seen how Palmer strived hard to get here. He learned discipline and was able to develop a healthy daily routine. We are also glad that we've finally discovered his potential, this only proves that children with ASD can also excel in different fields with the right support from family and friends."<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/0f4cbf91-9aa4-41ee-c739-8bce39973500/public" alt="[Palmer together with his mother, Mrs. Jocelyn Taliño Taray, his swimming coaches, and Oceanman Asia Manager Jose Luis Larrosa]" />Joining the first Oceanman Philippines is a significant milestone for Palmer and his swimming coaches because it was an avenue for them to tell the world that people with autism can exceed their limitations and be achievers in their own fields. The key to this is discovering their talents and unlocking new skills by engaging them in new hobbies and activities.Palmer only started swimming 2 years ago as a form of therapy aimed at improving his motor skills and sensory abilities. Few months after, he has shown significant progress and interest in swimming. However. the journey was challenging not only for Palmer and his family but also for his coaches because they needed to teach him how to follow instructions by implementing strict routines.Aquatic training for children with ASD has many positive effects, it improves their motor abilities as well as their social behavior and communication skills. Similarly, it helps with emotion regulation because water naturally gives pressure on the body, which can feel calming, and this sensory feedback can help children with autism feel more grounded and in control of their emotions. Further, swimming can be a way to release built-up energy and tension among children with ASD.In preparation for the upcoming Oceanman open-water swimming competition in Dubai this year, Palmer is set to join more local swimming competitions and marathons across the country to further gain strength and endurance. He will likewise continue his training four times a week together with Coaches Kirt Loven Murcia and Kevin Palabao.Oceanman is a globally recognized series of open-water swimming competitions that attract swimmers of all levels—from beginners to elite athletes. Established in 2015, it has grown into one of the largest international open-water swimming circuits, hosting events across five continents and drawing over 40,000 participants annually. Amomg the well-known local personalities who joined the recently held Oceanman Philippines together with Palmer were Erwan Heusaff, Nico Bolzico, and Wil Dasovich.

Fitness / Healthcare

Welfare / Nursing / Rehabilitation

Sports

13-year-old Swimmer with Autism Dives into Global Stage, Qualifies for Oceanman Dubai

Dr. Charlston Uy is the visionary founder and CEO of <a href="https://uydental.com/">Uy Dental Clinic Group (“UDC”)</a>, a multi-specialty dental group in the Philippines. Established in 2010 with a single clinic, Dr. Uy has successfully expanded UDC to 18 branches across Metro Manila, offering comprehensive and affordable oral care services and dental diagnostics.

Under Dr. Uy's leadership, UDC has grown to become one of the most recognized and trusted names in dental healthcare in the Philippines. The clinic's vision is to provide globally competitive services, a goal that is achieved through the dedication and expertise of a competent team of highly trained dental professionals, each a specialist in their respective fields.

Marketing themselves as “Your Picture Perfect Smile Specialist,” UDC has built a reputation synonymous with premier dental healthcare in the Philippines. Dr. Uy’s commitment to excellence has been instrumental in establishing UDC’s credentials and brand presence.

As CEO, Dr Charlston Uy will continue to spearhead UDC's strategic growth, working closely with <a href="https://www.oracaregroup.com/">Oracare</a>&nbsp;to expand UDC’s footprint throughout the Philippines. This partnership will not only focus on geographical expansion but also on continuous investment in staff training, advanced technology, and superior patient care. Together with Oracare Group, Dr. Uy is dedicated to maintaining high clinical standards across all UDC clinics, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible dental care.

<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/df251130-4833-4c78-2149-fbb41ce25b00/public" alt="Dr Charlston Escudero Uy&nbsp;MSc., DICOI, FIAOMS, FAAOMS (Manila, Philippines)." />Dr. Charlston Uy is the visionary founder and CEO of <a href="https://uydental.com/">Uy Dental Clinic Group (“UDC”)</a>, a multi-specialty dental group in the Philippines. Established in 2010 with a single clinic, Dr. Uy has successfully expanded UDC to 18 branches across Metro Manila, offering comprehensive and affordable oral care services and dental diagnostics.Under Dr. Uy's leadership, UDC has grown to become one of the most recognized and trusted names in dental healthcare in the Philippines. The clinic's vision is to provide globally competitive services, a goal that is achieved through the dedication and expertise of a competent team of highly trained dental professionals, each a specialist in their respective fields.Marketing themselves as “Your Picture Perfect Smile Specialist,” UDC has built a reputation synonymous with premier dental healthcare in the Philippines. Dr. Uy’s commitment to excellence has been instrumental in establishing UDC’s credentials and brand presence.As CEO, Dr Charlston Uy will continue to spearhead UDC's strategic growth, working closely with <a href="https://www.oracaregroup.com/">Oracare</a>&nbsp;to expand UDC’s footprint throughout the Philippines. This partnership will not only focus on geographical expansion but also on continuous investment in staff training, advanced technology, and superior patient care. Together with Oracare Group, Dr. Uy is dedicated to maintaining high clinical standards across all UDC clinics, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible dental care.

Medical / Hospital

Advertising / Promotion / PR

Goods and services

Local companies

Introducing Dr Charlston Escudero Uy : A Founder and CEO of UDC - Uy Dental Clinic Group

&nbsp;- Oracare Group becomes the only dental group in the region with a footprint in four Southeast Asian countries.



- Gains immediate access into the high growth and under-served Philippine dental market.

- Manila market leader <a href="https://uydental.com/">UDC</a> will benefit from Oracare’s corporate infrastructure, unlocking potential to accelerate further growth.

PHILIPPINES - 6 November 2023 -&nbsp;Private equity-backed&nbsp;Oracare Group&nbsp;(“Oracare” or the “Group”), the Singapore-headquartered dental group, is now Southeast Asia’s (“SEA") largest dental services group by geographical presence after joining forces with premier dental chain, <a href="https://uydental.com/">Uy Dental Clinic Group (“UDC”),</a> in the Philippines. Oracare now leads the regional market with a footprint in four SEA countries comprising Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.&nbsp;

UDC is a multi-specialty oral care services and dental diagnostics group which operates the largest dental network in Metro Manila of 18 dental clinics served by a team of 54 experienced dental professionals. The alliance underscores Oracare’s approach of supporting dental entrepreneurs to scale and professionalise their business, providing robust foundations to enable future growth and profitability improvement, whilst enhancing patient care and treatment outcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With UDC in its network, Oracare’s reach in SEA has increased to 62 dental clinics with approximately 652 staff and clinicians, from 45 dental clinics and 533 employees previously.&nbsp;

Through this partnership, Oracare has gained immediate access into the significant growth opportunities that the under-served Philippine dental market offers, where the dentist: patient ratio remains relatively low at 1:4,000 compared to developed economies like Singapore and the United States with ratios of 1:2,200 and 1:1,700 respectively<a href="https://www.vritimes.com/sg/articles/9be60acc-696c-11ee-ad44-0a58a9feac02/4b9f7297-7c5e-11ee-9581-0a58a9feac02#_ftn1">[1]</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.vritimes.com/sg/articles/9be60acc-696c-11ee-ad44-0a58a9feac02/4b9f7297-7c5e-11ee-9581-0a58a9feac02#_ftnref1">[1]</a>&nbsp;Source: World Health Organization&nbsp;

Mr. Leon Luai, co-founder and CEO of Oracare Group, said, “Oracare is now SEA’s largest dental group in terms of the number of countries through our partnership with UDC. UDC is one of the most well-recognised dental brands in Philippines and we are excited about what the future holds for our partnership, particularly given the relatively low penetration rate of dental care in the country and the untapped growth opportunities in other cities beyond Metro Manila, such as Davao, Cebu and General Santos, where UDC currently does not operate in."&nbsp;<a></a>

UDC was founded by Dr Charlston Uy in 2010 and has grown rapidly from a single clinic in Lacson Street, Manila into the largest dental network in Metro Manila. UDC is managed by team of experienced dentists and dental specialists and provides high quality dental services to a middle-income demographic, comprising both local and expatriate patients, in the Philippines.

Elaborated Mr. Luai, “We will work closely with UDC to enhance group-wide growth and synergy through the robust and professionalised corporate structure and governance framework that we offer, which allows our network partners to benefit from the scale economies and technology-driven advantages of the Oracare platform whilst reducing the time spent on non-clinical operations. We have proven the efficacy of our business model with MOS Dental in Thailand in 2019 and are confident that we can replicate this with UDC.”

Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO of UDC, said “We were intrigued and inspired by the success story of MOS Dental in Thailand, where with Oracare’s support, it doubled its number of clinics and profitability whilst still placing patient care at the forefront. We believe this partnership with Oracare will amplify UDC’s capabilities and leverage the expertise and resources of both entities to offer top-notch dental services and innovative solutions as well as a broader range of dental care products.”

Previously in 2019, Oracare acquired a controlling stake in MOS Dental, the second largest dental group in Bangkok and has helped grown MOS Dental’s network of clinics from 14 to 30 today. After joining Oracare, MOS Dental was given the support to implement and upgrade its professional systems and protocols along with a corporate infrastructure that has helped scale its expansion outside of Bangkok and consolidated its position further as one of the market leaders in Thailand.

Dr Charlston remains CEO of UDC and will work closely with Oracare to execute plans to expand the footprint of UDC in the Philippines. Besides geographical expansion, the Group will also look at continuous investment in staff training, technology and patient care, ensuring that high clinical standards are maintained across all clinics.

Concluded Mr Luai, “This marks the beginning of Oracare’s next phase of growth as we leverage our market leadership to generate more value to our patients and network partners whilst continuing to provide quality dental services. We are also looking to streamline more of our processes to create more value for our customers as we derive more synergies, economies of scale and cost efficiencies from our operating markets across Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.”

In recognition of this strategic alliance, Oracare and UDC jointly hosted a celebration on 27 October 2023, in Manila, which saw an attendance of nearly 210 people, including board of directors, management and staff of the two companies as well as business associates. The event also saw keynote speeches by UDC’s Dr Charlston and Mr. Nick Watkins, Oracare’s Non-executive Chairman, to mark the Group’s significant milestone as a leading regional player.

Please see below for photos of the celebration event and management.

&nbsp; Celebration event to welcome UY Dental Clinic (UDC) into Oracare Group on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.&nbsp;From left: Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Nick Watkins, Non-executive Chairman – Oracare Group&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; Celebration event to welcome UY Dental Clinic (UDC) into Oracare Group on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.From left: Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; Leaders of the dental brands in the Oracare family at the Oracare-UDC celebration event on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.From left: Dr Matt Thompson, Co-founder and Clinical Director – Expat Dental; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Nick Watkins, Non-Executive Chairman – Oracare Group; Dr Adisorn Hanworawong, Founder and CEO – MOS Dental; Dr Paega Jarungidanan, Clinical Director – MOS Dental; Dr Shaun Thompson, Founder and Managing Director – Expat Dental.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The management and staff of the extended Oracare family coming together to unite cultures and combine strengths at the Oracare-UDC celebration event on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.

One of UDC’s 18 clinics in Metro Manila, the Philippines. This Makati branch clinic is located at Avida Asten Tower 3 Malungay street, Makati City.

&nbsp;- Oracare Group becomes the only dental group in the region with a footprint in four Southeast Asian countries.

- Gains immediate access into the high growth and under-served Philippine dental market.
- Manila market leader <a href="https://uydental.com/">UDC</a> will benefit from Oracare’s corporate infrastructure, unlocking potential to accelerate further growth.<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/cedf9f85-f182-4a54-1057-11702b628600/public" alt="Image" />PHILIPPINES - 6 November 2023 -&nbsp;Private equity-backed&nbsp;Oracare Group&nbsp;(“Oracare” or the “Group”), the Singapore-headquartered dental group, is now Southeast Asia’s (“SEA") largest dental services group by geographical presence after joining forces with premier dental chain, <a href="https://uydental.com/">Uy Dental Clinic Group (“UDC”),</a> in the Philippines. Oracare now leads the regional market with a footprint in four SEA countries comprising Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.&nbsp;UDC is a multi-specialty oral care services and dental diagnostics group which operates the largest dental network in Metro Manila of 18 dental clinics served by a team of 54 experienced dental professionals. The alliance underscores Oracare’s approach of supporting dental entrepreneurs to scale and professionalise their business, providing robust foundations to enable future growth and profitability improvement, whilst enhancing patient care and treatment outcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;With UDC in its network, Oracare’s reach in SEA has increased to 62 dental clinics with approximately 652 staff and clinicians, from 45 dental clinics and 533 employees previously.&nbsp;Through this partnership, Oracare has gained immediate access into the significant growth opportunities that the under-served Philippine dental market offers, where the dentist: patient ratio remains relatively low at 1:4,000 compared to developed economies like Singapore and the United States with ratios of 1:2,200 and 1:1,700 respectively<a href="https://www.vritimes.com/sg/articles/9be60acc-696c-11ee-ad44-0a58a9feac02/4b9f7297-7c5e-11ee-9581-0a58a9feac02#_ftn1">[1]</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vritimes.com/sg/articles/9be60acc-696c-11ee-ad44-0a58a9feac02/4b9f7297-7c5e-11ee-9581-0a58a9feac02#_ftnref1">[1]</a>&nbsp;Source: World Health Organization&nbsp;Mr. Leon Luai, co-founder and CEO of Oracare Group, said, “Oracare is now SEA’s largest dental group in terms of the number of countries through our partnership with UDC. UDC is one of the most well-recognised dental brands in Philippines and we are excited about what the future holds for our partnership, particularly given the relatively low penetration rate of dental care in the country and the untapped growth opportunities in other cities beyond Metro Manila, such as Davao, Cebu and General Santos, where UDC currently does not operate in."&nbsp;<a></a>UDC was founded by Dr Charlston Uy in 2010 and has grown rapidly from a single clinic in Lacson Street, Manila into the largest dental network in Metro Manila. UDC is managed by team of experienced dentists and dental specialists and provides high quality dental services to a middle-income demographic, comprising both local and expatriate patients, in the Philippines.Elaborated Mr. Luai, “We will work closely with UDC to enhance group-wide growth and synergy through the robust and professionalised corporate structure and governance framework that we offer, which allows our network partners to benefit from the scale economies and technology-driven advantages of the Oracare platform whilst reducing the time spent on non-clinical operations. We have proven the efficacy of our business model with MOS Dental in Thailand in 2019 and are confident that we can replicate this with UDC.”Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO of UDC, said “We were intrigued and inspired by the success story of MOS Dental in Thailand, where with Oracare’s support, it doubled its number of clinics and profitability whilst still placing patient care at the forefront. We believe this partnership with Oracare will amplify UDC’s capabilities and leverage the expertise and resources of both entities to offer top-notch dental services and innovative solutions as well as a broader range of dental care products.”Previously in 2019, Oracare acquired a controlling stake in MOS Dental, the second largest dental group in Bangkok and has helped grown MOS Dental’s network of clinics from 14 to 30 today. After joining Oracare, MOS Dental was given the support to implement and upgrade its professional systems and protocols along with a corporate infrastructure that has helped scale its expansion outside of Bangkok and consolidated its position further as one of the market leaders in Thailand.Dr Charlston remains CEO of UDC and will work closely with Oracare to execute plans to expand the footprint of UDC in the Philippines. Besides geographical expansion, the Group will also look at continuous investment in staff training, technology and patient care, ensuring that high clinical standards are maintained across all clinics.Concluded Mr Luai, “This marks the beginning of Oracare’s next phase of growth as we leverage our market leadership to generate more value to our patients and network partners whilst continuing to provide quality dental services. We are also looking to streamline more of our processes to create more value for our customers as we derive more synergies, economies of scale and cost efficiencies from our operating markets across Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.”In recognition of this strategic alliance, Oracare and UDC jointly hosted a celebration on 27 October 2023, in Manila, which saw an attendance of nearly 210 people, including board of directors, management and staff of the two companies as well as business associates. The event also saw keynote speeches by UDC’s Dr Charlston and Mr. Nick Watkins, Oracare’s Non-executive Chairman, to mark the Group’s significant milestone as a leading regional player.Please see below for photos of the celebration event and management.<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/4e7e341d-60b3-4052-41fe-ac9b717dc700/public" alt="Celebration event to welcome UY Dental Clinic (UDC) into Oracare Group on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines." />&nbsp; Celebration event to welcome UY Dental Clinic (UDC) into Oracare Group on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.&nbsp;From left: Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Nick Watkins, Non-executive Chairman – Oracare Group&nbsp;&nbsp;<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/242edd81-9a1c-4049-6562-9098464b2a00/public" alt="&nbsp; Celebration event to welcome UY Dental Clinic (UDC) into Oracare Group on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.From left: Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;" />&nbsp; Celebration event to welcome UY Dental Clinic (UDC) into Oracare Group on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.From left: Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/d9a343c1-3ebe-4191-a64c-b8420e049a00/public" alt="&nbsp; Leaders of the dental brands in the Oracare family at the Oracare-UDC celebration event on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.From left: Dr Matt Thompson, Co-founder and Clinical Director – Expat Dental; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Nick Watkins, Non-Executive Chairman – Oracare Group; Dr Adisorn Hanworawong, Founder and CEO – MOS Dental; Dr Paega Jarungidanan, Clinical Director – MOS Dental; Dr Shaun Thompson, Founder and Managing Director – Expat Dental.&nbsp;&nbsp;" />&nbsp; Leaders of the dental brands in the Oracare family at the Oracare-UDC celebration event on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.From left: Dr Matt Thompson, Co-founder and Clinical Director – Expat Dental; Leon Luai, Co-founder and CEO – Oracare Group; Dr Charlston Uy, Founder and CEO – UDC; Andy Cropp, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer – Oracare Group; Nick Watkins, Non-Executive Chairman – Oracare Group; Dr Adisorn Hanworawong, Founder and CEO – MOS Dental; Dr Paega Jarungidanan, Clinical Director – MOS Dental; Dr Shaun Thompson, Founder and Managing Director – Expat Dental.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/9761b073-64e2-4843-a9cc-32e144be1d00/public" alt="The management and staff of the extended Oracare family coming together to unite cultures and combine strengths at the Oracare-UDC celebration event on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines." />The management and staff of the extended Oracare family coming together to unite cultures and combine strengths at the Oracare-UDC celebration event on 27 October 2023 in Manila, the Philippines.<img style="width: 100%;" src="https://imagedelivery.net/H6_s_Eb_ylTWnSEV3HlmYQ/18db9ff3-3563-4b34-5ce1-f78542885400/public" alt="Image" />One of UDC’s 18 clinics in Metro Manila, the Philippines. This Makati branch clinic is located at Avida Asten Tower 3 Malungay street, Makati City.One of UDC’s 18 clinics in Metro Manila, the Philippines. This Makati branch clinic is located at Avida Asten Tower 3 Malungay street, Makati City.