The much-hyped "Fight of the Century" between American Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Filipino Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday May 3 (HK time) has once again put the Philippines in the spotlight.

This special report on the Philippines comes at a most opportune time, as the country exhibits steady economic growth. Tourism is one industry that promises strong growth, as visitors from all over the world look for new and exciting destinations. And the Philippines' varied and unique natural attractions offer experiences refreshing and memorable.

The Asean economic integration this year may be a massive leap towards the "Asian Century", but it does not come without risks and challenges. The success of the anticipated era rests heavily on Asia's decision-makers in the public and private sectors, whose collaboration is integral to the region's economic growth.

In 2013, the Philippines was struck by Super Typhoon Haiyan, a category 5 tropical cyclone. Amid the devastation and destruction, the Philippine economy recorded a 7.2 per cent growth and was the second-fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia that year. 

With its outstanding features, the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) has been touted as the economic dragon of the Philippines, attracting major industries in the manufacturing sector, business process outsourcing (BPO) and information technology (IT).

Rife with opportunities, the Philippines presents international investors with myriad possibilities that come with the challenge of navigating the country's intricate legal system - manoeuvrable only with the right partner.

Brimming with the right fundamentals, the Philippines' property market sits on a sweet spot. The country is among Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies with a forecast growth of 6.3 per cent this year, making it a favoured location for multinationals and outsourcing companies. 

If there is one name that could sum up the reasons why global investors should capitalise on the Philippines, it would be GT Capital Holdings. Operating in nearly all major industries that are driving the local economy, the group exemplifies not just what the country already has to offer, but the limitless possibilities it presents - given the right opportunities.

With the Philippines emerging as one of the world's hottest investment destinations, Metropolitan Bank and Trust (Metrobank) gives foreign investors a head start as the country's dominant player with the largest domestic coverage. 

Located 40km south of Manila, the 82-hectare Toyota Special Economic Zone in Santa Rosa city, Laguna, is bustling with activity. The excitement at the headquarters of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the country's largest vehicle manufacturer, mirrors the phenomenal uptrend in the local automotive industry. Last year, overall passenger car sales nationwide posted a record growth of nearly 50 per cent. At the frontline is TMP, with sales breaching the 100,000-car mark, further expanding its market share to 45 per cent.

The Philippines was able to achieve investment grade status on the back of its growing business process outsourcing industry and regular inflow of overseas remittance money. However, to realise its trajectory of being the new Asian tiger economy, basic infrastructure, such as electricity, has to be in place. Expensive utility rates are seen to affect the anticipated surge in foreign direct investments.

As the country's global credit ratings continue to improve, international businesses and investors turn to the Philippines as an attractive destination for capital flows. First Metro Investment Corp (First Metro), the Philippines' leading and largest investment bank, maintains optimism in the country's growth markets. 

Federal Land's flagship project, GT International Tower, captivates onlookers with its magnificent blade-like apex piercing the skyline of Makati's corporate district. From the developers of this iconic building comes another architectural marvel - the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Grand Hyatt Manila Residences complex rising in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), an upscale business and residential centre close to Makati. 

The leasing and finance industry in the Philippines is making even greater strides, benefitting from historic developments ushered in by the country's sustained economic growth since 2010. Well-positioned to take advantage of these market opportunities is veteran leasing company ORIX METRO Leasing and Finance Corp. 

As one of the most prominent and longest-operating local air conditioning and refrigeration companies in the Philippines, Concepcion Industrial Corp (CIC) understands the Filipino consumer by heart. 

Doing business in the Philippines is rewarding for many clients of Siguion Reyna, Montecillo and Ongsiako (SRMO). Among the country's oldest law firms with 113 years of experience in foreign investments, SRMO has recognised expertise in a wide range of areas such as banking, mining, manufacturing, telecommunications, infrastructure, real estate, power and business outsourcing. 

After weathering crises and catastrophes, Simbulan Group has remained unstoppable in forging new successes every year. Through its flagship subsidiaries - furniture exporter Simbulan Industries Philippines and construction firm RG Simbulan and Partners - the group has evolved as a leading design and manufacturing company in the Philippines.

In 1987, former Intel senior engineer Ramon Castillo had an ambition: to create more jobs in the Philippines and contribute to economic growth. Aiming to build a home-grown Filipino technology company engaged in innovative electronics, Castillo formally launched Innovatronix in 1991. The company has since evolved from a small player in the local electronics industry to a strong business with diverse interests in photography equipment, power electronics, electric vehicles and aquaculture farming.

Subic Bay, the historic inlet coveted by Spanish colonisers and developed as a major Unites States naval base, continues to make waves as an investment haven, tourist destination, logistics hub and site of the world's fourth-largest shipbuilding yard.

Long before the business process outsourcing industry became a powerhouse for the Philippine economy, SGV & Co harnessed Filipino talent with a global mindset. Since its founding in 1946, the Philippines' largest and only ISO 9001-certified professional services firm has endeavoured to develop world-class professionals by delivering assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory solutions to local and foreign clients. 

The Philippines' pioneering steel bar manufacturer is in a celebratory mood. Hurdling 50 challenging years and several market crises, Pag-asa Steel Works is one of the few surviving steel businesses that have made a mark in the country after the second world war. Grounded on the values of high quality, dependable service and competitiveness, Pag-asa Steel continues to advance as it scales up its production to triple its capacity.

Greenhills Shopping Center is a landmark in the Philippine property market, evoking fond memories among many Filipino business leaders and tourists of all kinds. Such sentimental affinity reflects the legacy of Ortigas & Company, the group behind this well-loved property and one of the Philippines' first mixed-use developers. It has seen the country through various boom-and-bust cycles and is approaching the future with renewed vigour. 

Posting an economic growth of between 6 and 7 per cent in the last three years against a backdrop of global uncertainties, the Philippines has emerged as Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economy. Amid the country's robust economic performance, leading conglomerate SM Investments (SM) has embarked on an aggressive plan of expansion, harnessing the strengths of its highly synergistic core businesses in retail, banking and property development.

Asian investors are taking a closer look at the Philippines as an attractive location for their companies' growth plans. With net foreign direct investments surging 64 per cent to reach US$5.32 billion in the first 10 months of last year, the developing nation is pulling ahead in terms of economic growth and attracting booming industries. 

When Jolliville Holdings modernised the water system of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, the company did not just pave the way for clean water provisions. It also converted the sleepy town into a bustling city as it became more feasible for investors to set up businesses in the area.

As Manila's overcrowded property market crests in the wake of a booming economy in the Philippines, Italpinas Development Corp paves the way in sustainable real estate development towards the country's next economic frontiers. The dynamic company offers foreign investors a strategic inroad to the country's unrecognised yet hyper-prospective second-tier cities and regions. 

Emerging economies face a crucial need to strengthen their power infrastructure, as industrial growth gives way to rising demand for electricity and energy efficiency. 

More global firms are turning to contract packaging manufacturers to maximise their brand's shelf impact and to increase sales potential. In the Philippines, Innovative Packaging Industry has successfully positioned itself as a partner of choice for multinational companies seeking value-added packaging solutions. 

Comprehending the local law is a must for investors pursuing a new market - and so is finding a law firm with whom to weave through a dynamic, complex legal system such as that of the Philippines.