PH BLOG ➹

Rex Education hosted a memorandum signing with the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC), the Philippine National Historical Society (PNHS), and the Philippine Historical Association (PHA) on September 6, 2022 to seal a fellowship program centered on Philippine history. The main goal of the program is to develop a compendium on Philippine history that could serve as a reference material for writing and publishing future history-centered textbooks. A careful selection of fellows who are knowledgeable about specific periods in Philippine history would be conducted to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the compendium. In line with REX’s pledge of providing relevant and timeless learning solutions, the program would ideally improve the content of learning materials in history and social studies. “This fellowship program brings together the academe, civil society, and private sector toward the common goal of serving Filipino learners,” Don Timothy Buhain, Chief Executive Officer of R

SM Supermalls brings back the excitement in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience that will make every Filipino’s Christmas happier and brighter. Ode to outer space: An out-of-this-world celebration starts at SM Megamall SM officially ushered the holiday season with an out-of-this-world celebration at the Mega & Bright: Christmas in Space 2022 at the SM Megamall on October 20.  The mall’s mega Christmas Tree decked in stars and lights was lit, signaling the start of SM’s nationwide Happy Christmas campaign. And starting October 20 until December, SM shoppers can have a glimpse of the universe through SM Megamall’s Mega Space Odyssey. The 3D LED tunnel transports individuals into space and allows them to view it immersively.  If you missed the SM Megamall Christmas event, there are still more ways to celebrate the joys of the holidays. SM Supermalls has lined up exciting and festive activities just for you and your loved ones! Check out the d

Now a regular feature in QCinema , this specially-curated program showcases the most interesting new short films from the region, including two from the Philippines.  In exploring diverse cinematic approaches, the line-up of six shorts range from the fiction narrative to social critique and to experimental styles of filmmaking.  This section, curated by filmmaker Carlo Manatad, expands the notion of storytelling for the short film medium in its various possibilities. Sundance Grand Prize winner, The Headhunter’s Daughter by Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, tells about an Igorot who leaves her family behind to try her luck as a country singer.  Navigating through the Cordilleran highlands with only her horse and guitar, it is laden with imagery from the American frontier and colonial influences seeping through the film’s images. Another Filipino filmmaker, Timmy Harn who competed in QCinema’s 2018 main competition with Dog Days, returns to the short form medium in this program. Papaya is a

Are you looking for spooktacular activities for the kids over the weekend?  Federal Land Inc. is inviting both kids and kids at heart to join the Halloween festivities happening on October 29 and 30 at Metro Park’s Blue Bay Walk and Met Live in Pasay City.  Candies and treats are up for grabs at Blue Bay Walk and Met Live as different mall establishments swing open its doors for kids to enjoy the spooky season. “The Bay Area is about to get spirited! We are super thrilled to organize different activities to give kids the most awesome time this Halloween weekend. Admission is free, so be sure to drop by,” said Federal Land Commercial Development Head Mylene del Rosario. For those who are joining in the fun, you may proceed to The Spine at Blue Bay Walk on Saturday, October 29 and the Atrium of Met Live on Sunday, October 30 to register and get your stamp card to participate in the events. Various brands will be sponsoring exciting treats that you wouldn’t want to miss. Games, arts and

Like his father before him, John Dizon, Jr. and his family have been long-time stewards of protected trees in their community in Tuba, Benguet. When the time came for him to take up the mantle, he did so willingly to honor his father’s legacy. “My father passed away in 2012. It was then that we found out that the area he is managing in collaboration with the government was part of a community-based forest management program,” said Mr. Dizon. A year later, Mr. Dizon, who now heads Benguet-based environmental conservation group, Nagawa, Manganese, Liw-Liw, Sadle Agroforestry Assoc. Inc.  (NAMALISA), started working closely with the SM Foundation for an inaugural tree-planting campaign back in 2013 to pick up where his father had left off in his advocacy.  With the impact of climate change more felt in recent years, Mr. Dizon shared the importance of planting more trees in communities to thin out air pollutants in keeping the air fresh and people healthier. The trees which his father pla

Malaysia-based singer-songwriter liesl-mae reflects on her struggles with mental health in her compelling new single “Raincloud.” Addressing the cyclical nature of depression and its damning effects, the inspiring young artist hopes to engage in a discussion to dismantle the social stigmas surrounding mental health.  The song begins with a posed question: “When was the last time you felt happy?” On the surface, it is a seemingly benign inquiry. However, unable to respond, the question initiates an unexpected internal monologue traversing the uniquely human blight of depression and anxiety. Artfully woven together with vivid metaphor and thoughtful lyricism, liesl-mae puts the feelings of hopelessness into words that creep malignantly into one’s mind – lying restlessly in wake.  Her pristine vocals shine brightly through the track’s guitar-driven melodies, ambient pads, and pulsating basslines. Gradually building up from an intimate, campfire-esque start to a grandiose conclusion, the

SM Prime Holdings, together with SM Cares and SM By the Bay once again took part in the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), bringing together thousands of volunteers into an event that underscored the importance of protecting the world’s seas, oceans, and other bodies of water. The event was held last September 17 at the SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. A total of 2,438 volunteers joined this year’s ICC, composed of students, professionals, and others from different private and public organizations. At the end of the activity, an estimated 12,158 kgs of trash, equivalent to a total of 1,613 trash bags filled, was successfully collected. Among those who graced the event were Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Sec. Robert Borje, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio R.

WIDE International Strategic Experts Co. (WIDE International) aims to empower its marketing and brand awareness campaigns further this year. And one power move is jumping on the latest trends in pop culture by unveling its newest and first-ever Korean endorser, actress Park Eun-Bin for AROMAGICARE . Founder and CEO, Ms. April Martin believes that having the K-Drama star can effectively attract potential customers and product enjoyers of different ages. “Since we’re committed to create a healthy and wealthy community, we think that tapping the ever talented and cheerful actress is a good move to present our brand to people from all walks of life,” she said. Meanwhile, since her popularity here in the Philippines continues to rise, making Eun-Bin the first-ever Korean brand ambassador for AROMAGICARE is “The Extraordinary” partnership that they shouldn’t really miss this year. Founder and President, Ms. Pauline Publico shares, “We would really love to have the adorable Park Eun-Bin on

For the second consecutive year, SM Prime Holdings (SMPHI) commits to support the global search for women leaders in disaster resilience. SMPHI is sponsoring Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Awards, a flagship program of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). SMPHI Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza B. Silerio said that the support is aligned with the company’s drive to recognize women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction. “This is important in inspiring other women to fully and effectively participate in promoting gender equality and empowerment while building our collective resilience.” UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “The awards highlight the key role of women as leaders and agents of change in building resilience and actively participating in the creation and implementation of DRR strategies, po

  Hamilo Coast , the premier beach resort town in Nasugbu, Batangas, may be the weekend haven of the country’s affluent set, yet it is on track as a thriving model of sustainable eco-tourism practices.  Touting 5,800 hectares of prime seaside development, Hamilo Coast is a project of SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo, Inc. (CDHI), which carefully integrates residential, resort, leisure, commercial, and institutional land uses in the sprawling estate. But beyond its vast scope and stunning vistas, Hamilo Coast embraces sustainable tourism at the core of its philosophy and shows how beautiful beachfront homes can harmonize with nature and the environment. 2022 marks Hamilo Coast’s 15th year of productive partnership with the conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF). Hamilo Coast and WWF have been working together on key areas for sustainability—coastal resource management, ridge-to-reef management, solid waste management, mangrove reforestation, the use of renewable ene

  (From left to right) SM Prime Energy Consultant Jaime Patinio, AboitizPower Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations Sandro Aboitiz, SM Engineering, Design and Development President Hans Sy, Jr., SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rubio, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. Vice President for Commercial Strategy, Sales, and Engagement David Aboitiz, AboitizPower Vice President for Retail – Commercial Operations Business Unit James Byron Yu, and SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng Ong gather for a luncheon on Thursday, August 4, after sealing a long-term partnership with the commitment to helping build a cleaner and brighter future.  Under the agreement, AboitizPower is poised to supply reliable and responsibly-sourced energy from Tiwi and MakBan Geothermal Power Plants, and PV Sinag’s Power Plants, operated and managed by AboitizPower subsidiary, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI). This long-term contract will power SM Prime pr

The award-winning documentary feature, “ Delikado ,” which draws focus on environmental crusaders who risk their lives protecting the rainforests of Palawan will finally have its Philippine premiere. The 96-minute enviro-thriller docu directed by journalist Karl Malakunas will be screened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) on Aug. 13 at 3:30 p.m. It will be among the closing films of the 18th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival . In “Delikado,” Malakunas takes viewers to one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations—Palawan. But the former Manila bureau chief of Agence France Presse shies away from the tropical paradise angle and instead shines the light on environmental defenders who are fighting to preserve their natural resources from big developers, politicians, illegal loggers and others who threaten the Philippines’ “last ecological frontier.” The film follows Robert “Bobby” Chan, lawyer and executive director of the P

The honest truth: No one came out of the COVID-19 pandemic in quite the same way. The pandemic was an isolating period of self-discovery, emotional growth, and life-altering realizations. It changed people, and in the process, it shaped the way so many of us view ourselves and the world around us. Because of this, consumer tastes and behaviors have shifted. Where in a pre-pandemic world, people often spent on luxuries and experiences that allowed them to celebrate their accomplishments, studies show that consumers now want a different experience, one that is kinder and more embracing of the changes that each individual had gone through in the past 2 years. People are now prioritizing their personal wellness and supporting products and services that champion growth. As consumer tastes have shifted, brands are starting to adapt to these changes. And true to its foundational commitment to make people happy, SM is ready with a host of new offerings as the entire brand is poised for a refre

Get ready for an aweSM summer as  SM Supermalls  gives kids a glimpse into the future with a brand-new virtual entertainment zone in the Metaverse where they can immerse themselves in the biggest gaming and social experience platform for kids, Roblox!  This new aweSM space by  SM Supermalls  is now open for super kids to safely explore, play, and meet with friends.  With restrictions easing up, SM Supermalls wanted to bring the excitement of going back to the malls online through a virtual space in the metaverse gaming platform, Roblox – the most popular gaming app for Filipino children. Roblox serves as an avenue for kids to express themselves through custom avatars, while also serving as a safe place for kids to reconnect with their friends digitally in over 4 million different worlds!  SM Supermalls partnered with SVEN The Digital 1st Agency, as its metaverse partner, to become the first mall chain in the Philippines to enter the metaverse. With this simulated digital reality, kids

This July is a good time for a family bonding activity as South Korea’s cutest trio is coming to Manila! For the first time, Sam, William, and Bentley are coming to meet Filipino fans at The Hammingtons in Juanderland: Fanmeeting in Manila . The event is scheduled to take place on July 17, 2022, Sunday, 3 PM at the New Frontier Theater.  The South Korean stars rose to fame in 2016 when they joined the roster for “ The Return of Superman ,” a reality show featuring celebrity dads and their children. Initially, it was only Sam and William (now five years old) who appeared on the show. Bentley (now four years old) joined a year later after he was born. The three quickly became fan favorites and eventually brought home the prestigious “Grand Prize” (locally known as “Daesang”) at the 2018 KBS Entertainment Awards along with the other cast. Earlier this year, the family decided to step down from the show to pursue other opportunities. One of which is “Wilbengers: Suspicious Camping Commotio

 July may mean rainy days, but for 2022, it also means some executive couch time at SM Cinema with one of Marvel ’s blockbuster movies, Thor: Love and Thunder . Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Love and Thunder will surely entertain the whole family as the God of Thunder marks his big-screen comeback. Embarking a special journey of self-discovery, Thor’s efforts are interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr, the God Butcher, who seeks the extinction of the gods.  To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of new and old allies like King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it is too late. Catch the adventure and most awaited Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder on July 6 in SM Cinemas of SM City

Twenty years ago, high school student Rizaly Lim and her four siblings would watch in awe every time they pass by the construction of the first SM City in her hometown Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  All five children, packed in the tricycle their father rides for a living, were all excitedly looking forward to happy family weekends they would be spending at the huge mall. Today, after graduating Summa Cum Laude through a scholarship from SM Foundation, Rizaly is now a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working as Accounting Manager for the head office of SM Prime Holdings, a leading property developer in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.  From SM Foundation scholar to SM Prime accounting manager At a young age, Rizaly was headstrong about getting her family out of poverty. She shares, “My father was the only one who worked for our family, and because we were a large family, his daily earnings as a tricycle driver were never enough.” Rizaly finished high school at the Balibago National High Scho

  Climate change is one of the most pressing and defining global issues today. It has become imperative for both the public and private sectors to continue to band together to primarily, safeguard the welfare of the people and to step up to strengthen the resilience of the nation. The Philippines currently ranks third globally when it comes to climate change vulnerability. In relation to its geographical location, it is more exposed to altering intensities of climate change manifested through erratic weather systems and natural calamities. The private sector is called upon now more than ever to align with the principles of sustainable development and to take on the same firm stance on environmentally sound practices in its operations. “I constantly encourage the private sector to work closely with the government. This way, we can be more cohesive in our efforts to make more meaningful progress towards a better and sustainable future. As a private enterprise, SM Prime will continue to d

In anticipation of the 124th anniversary of Philippine Independence, SM Supermalls shares why Independence Day is a pivotal turning point in our history. It is a celebration of our identity as Filipinos. Independence Day represents the core of our beliefs and our identity as Filipinos – a strong and courageous race willing to fight for freedom’s sake. After almost 400 years of colonization, the raising of our flag and the singing of our anthem serves as more than an obligation; it commemorates the heroism embodied by every Filipino who fought for our freedom. This June 12, 2022 at 8:30 am, come in colors of the Philippine flag and head to the SM Supermalls ’ Flag Raising Ceremony as we show love of our country and pay our respects to those who fought to protect it.  It is a celebration of our rich and diverse culture. Each year, the month of June encourages us to exhibit our country’s rich culture in many different ways. Whether it be through food, fashion, or art, all 18 regions acro

ABS-CBN and Viu ,  PCCW’s leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service, announced today the  expansion of their partnership to adapt the hit South Korean thriller drama Flower of  Evil in 16 markets across Asia, the Middle East and South Africa. This much anticipated series is the first Viu Original Adaptation from the Philippines which stars  Lovi Poe and Piolo Pascual. It will stream simultaneously on Viu 48 hours before its  domestic television broadcast.  ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast, Cory Vidanes, and  Viu Philippines ’ Country Manager, Arianne Kader-Cu, shared their excitement for the  series, which will be Lovi’s first Kapamilya teleserye since joining ABS-CBN and  Piolo’s first drama series after four years.  Ms Arianne said, “Testament to our commitment to bringing the best premium Asian  entertainment to Viu-ers, we are happy to work with ABS-CBN once again to bring  the Philippine adaptation of Flower of Evil to all of Viu ’s 16 markets

Artist's illustration of SM's rainwater collection facility in 22 SM Malls nationwide. A person’s safety during calamities is mainly dependent on their community’s disaster preparedness. No matter how ready they are for all possible catastrophic scenarios, every bit of preparation can go down the drain if their community cannot respond effectively to such events. It is why a community-based disaster risk reduction and management plan (CBDRRMP) is essential. It places the responsibility of being prepared for calamities and other emergencies on the community as a whole, ensuring that organizations, households and individuals can work together in making their community more resilient in the face of disaster. CBDRRMP is important, especially for countries highly vulnerable to disasters, such as the Philippines. Situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire and typhoon belt, the Philippines is frequented by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and typhoons respectively. The country ranked

The global smart device brand OPPO recently unveiled their newest TVC, featuring multidimensional personalities who are known to push the boundaries in their respective crafts: Nadine Lustre, Yassi Pressman and Rei Germar. Throughout the video, the three women showed they’re not just one-trick ponies - they can do it all!   Vlogger and content creator Rei Germar kicked off the video revealing her inner thrill-seeker. Known for her fashion inspirations, this time Rei was shown as a daring go-getter, drifting and doing car tricks behind the wheel.   Meanwhile, entertainer and entrepreneur Yassi Pressman who, throughout her career, has graced the stage with her show-stopping dance moves, unveiled her classical ballet training to show her elegance.   Finally, multihyphenate Nadine Lustre took on the world, rounding up the video in the heart of Paris. Dressed in head-turning pieces representing how she can pull off any style and conquer any role, Nadine sashayed across the French capital’s