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Looking for fresh new inspiration for your next OOTD? How about where to travel on your next vacation leave? Any trendy food to try in your free time? What current released gadgets and technologies can pique your interest? Worry no more because the metropolista has got you covered!

the metropolista delivers the latest news trends in the city! It has been our goal that this website provides fashion, travel, food, technology, news, and feature articles in the metro. So stay tuned for the following posts that keep you updated on the happenings around the metropolis!

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DSWD Champions Community-Led Development Through Bayani Ka! Awards and New Sustainability Grant

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Pinky Romualdez, alongside distinguished officials, awardees, and guests, gather for a group photo during the National Bayani Ka! cum Tatak KALAHI-CIDSS LGU Awards and Launching of the Performance-Based Grant for Sustainability (PBGS) at the SMX Sky Hall, Bacolod City, Negros Island Region on September 22, 2026. The event honored community volunteers and local government units for their exemplary contributions to participatory governance and community resilience.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Management Office, successfully conducted the National Bayani Ka! Cum Tatak KALAHI-CIDSS LGU Awards on September 22, 2026, held at the SMX Sky Hall, Bacolod City

A major highlight of the event was the official launch of the Performance-Based Grant for Sustainability (PBGS), led by DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Pinky Romualdez. The PBGS provides direct grant funding to high-performing Local Government Units (LGUs) to maintain community infrastructure, strengthen participatory governance, and enhance local disaster resilience.

Joined by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the ceremony also recognized outstanding community volunteers and partner LGUs across two main tracks:

• Bayani Ka! Awards—recognized extraordinary community volunteers and local leaders in categories such as Gender and Development, Environmental Protection/DRRM, Indigenous Peoples Welfare, Senior Citizens, and Volunteerism.

• Tatak KALAHI-CIDSS LGU Awards—honored top-performing municipal, barangay, and provincial LGUs—including Lopez Jaena (Misamis Occidental), Claveria (Masbate), and Zamboanguita (Negros Oriental)—for co-funding sub-projects and institutionalizing Community-Driven Development (CDD).

About KALAHI-CIDSS

The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) is one of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) flagship poverty alleviation programs. It uses the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach to empower communities to analyze local problems, design and implement solutions, and manage resources for sustainable development.

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The Season of Tribute: A New Way to Celebrate the People Who Matter

The “Ber” months are here—and in the Philippines, that means the holiday spirit is already beginning to unfold.

But before the Christmas parties, reunions, gift-giving, and festive gatherings take over our calendars, The Tribute Hotel is inviting everyone to pause and celebrate something even more meaningful: the people who make life worth celebrating.

This September, the hotel launches “The Season of Tribute,” a heartfelt campaign built around a simple question:

Who deserves your tribute?

It could be your parents or grandparents who have always been there. A partner who makes ordinary days special. Friends who have stayed through the years. A mentor who helped shape your journey. Colleagues and employees whose hard work often goes unnoticed. Or even an everyday hero who deserves to hear, “Thank you.”

A tribute doesn’t always have to come wrapped in a box.

Sometimes, it’s a meal shared around a table. A weekend spent together. A long-overdue catch-up with an old friend. A quiet celebration with someone special. Or simply creating a moment that tells someone, “You matter.”

And that is where The Tribute Hotel hopes to make the season even more memorable.

Turn Gratitude Into an Experience

Located in Quezon City, near the vibrant Tomas Morato district, The Tribute Hotel offers a welcoming setting for the moments that deserve to be remembered.

Gather the family for a meal at Don Tomas, enjoy a relaxing city staycation with someone special, or bring your favorite people together for an intimate celebration.

Because sometimes, the best way to show appreciation isn’t by finding the perfect gift—it’s by making time for the people who matter.

The Season of Tribute is designed to carry that spirit throughout the final months of the year, with each month shining a light on a different group of people deserving of recognition.

October: A Tribute to the People Behind the Work

As companies begin preparing for year-end celebrations, October turns the spotlight toward employees, teams, colleagues, and partners.

These are the people who help turn ideas into results, keep businesses moving, and make achievements possible. It’s a perfect time to step away from the daily routine and celebrate the people behind the work.

November: A Tribute to the Journey

November takes on especially meaningful significance for The Tribute Hotel as it celebrates its second anniversary.

The milestone becomes an opportunity to recognize the guests, employees, partners, and community members who have been part of the hotel’s journey.

Two years is more than a number—it’s a collection of stories, connections, celebrations, and memories.

December: A Tribute to Togetherness

And then comes December—the heart of the Filipino holiday season.

The Season of Tribute culminates in a celebration of togetherness, welcoming families, friends, balikbayans, colleagues, and loved ones for Christmas parties, reunions, holiday stays, and festive gatherings.

After all, the holidays have always been about coming home to the people who matter.

Give More Than a Gift

The holiday season often becomes a race to find the perfect present.

But perhaps this year, the more meaningful gift is something that cannot be bought: time, appreciation, and a moment together.

The Season of Tribute encourages everyone to start the giving season with gratitude—to look around and recognize the people whose presence, kindness, hard work, love, or friendship has made a difference.

So, before the gifts are wrapped and the Christmas lights go up, take a moment to ask yourself:

Who deserves your tribute?

Then make the moment count.

The Season of Tribute at The Tribute Hotel.
Give more than a gift. Give a tribute.

Managed with pride by Approche Hospitality Management Corporation, The Tribute Hotel continues to uphold warm Filipino hospitality, personalized service, and meaningful guest experiences—creating spaces where celebrations become memories and ordinary gatherings become moments worth remembering.

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SM Investments Makes Case for Long-term Thinking Amid Rapid Change

SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, underscored the need for businesses to look beyond short-term economic cycles and identify the changes that matter at the 24th MAP International CEO Conference, held under the theme “In the Age of Flux: Scaling the Next Inflection Points.”

The conference examined how companies are responding to rapid change, from artificial intelligence to shifting consumer demand, and how leaders can distinguish lasting shifts from market noise.

In his welcome address, SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said nearly seven decades of operating in the Philippines have taught the group to take a long-term view.

“At SM, nearly seven decades in the Philippines have taught us to look beyond the cycle. We have seen periods of uncertainty, disruption, and rapid change. Through them, one thing has remained constant: the long-term potential of the Philippines and the aspirations of the Filipino people,” Mr DyBuncio said.

He pointed to the growth of regional markets as one change creating opportunities for businesses.

“That potential is increasingly visible beyond Metro Manila. As incomes rise and aspirations evolve, opportunities are opening across the regions. For businesses, this means looking beyond where growth has traditionally been concentrated and investing where the next generation of demand is emerging,” he said.

Discussions at the conference also explored how technology is changing the way companies understand and respond to change. Artificial intelligence and data can help businesses identify patterns more quickly, but more information does not necessarily make the decisions for them. Leaders still have to decide what matters, where to invest, and when to act.

Across the SM Group, this long-term approach can be seen in the continued growth of its retail, banking, property, and portfolio businesses, including their expansion beyond traditional economic centers. These businesses fund their own growth, allowing SM Investments as the parent company to benefit from their growth and the dividends they generate.

This structure gives SM Investments a distinctive position as a parent company, with established businesses that can invest and grow independently while contributing dividends to the parent over time.

The underlying approach remains straightforward: understand where demand is going, invest with discipline, and stay close to the customers the businesses serve.

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Beauty + Health & Wellness Manila Celebrates 10 Years of Defining Self-Care

Beauty + Health & Wellness Manila (BHW) proudly opened its landmark 10th edition today at the SMX Convention Center Manila, marking a decade of shaping the country’s self-care industry. Running until September 19, the Philippines’ premier trade show unites more than 85 local and international brands across the beauty and wellness spectrum.

Organized by Global-Link MP Events International, Inc. in partnership with the Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP), and co-located with the Hotel & Foodservice Suppliers Show, BHW Manila continues to champion social impact through its support of the Ayala Foundation, Inc.

A Decade of Self-Care Evolution

Over the past ten years, BHW Manila has chronicled and propelled the transformation of self-care in the Philippines—from niche wellness products to a fully established industry now competing on the Asian stage.

    • High-Efficacy Formulations: Filipino innovators have elevated organic ingredients and essential oils into science-backed, everyday essentials.
    • Filipino Brands Rising: Homegrown names now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global competitors, offering superior quality, modern packaging, and proven results.
    • Complete Industry Ecosystem: By linking local creators with international suppliers and technical experts, the Philippine market is primed for rapid expansion in its next decade.

Exhibitor Highlights

This year’s showcase reflects the full ecosystem driving self-care forward:

    • Filipino Brands & Enterprises: Hiwaga ng Dagat Corp., Hairreve (Jradiance Corp.), Juju Health and Wellness, Niveus Skin, Palawan Pearls, Scents & Memories Enterprises, The Zen Institute, Christian Cosmetic Science Inc., and MX3 (DMI Medical Supply Co., Inc.).
    • Industry Pillars & Regulators: CCIP, DOST-ITDI, Philippine Association of Wellness and Aesthetics (PAWA), Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), and the Packaging Institute of the Philippines.
    • Global Supply Chain Partners: Taiwan Pavilion (KS Digital Inc.), China Pavilion (Shanghai Wanlicheng Exhibition Co., Ltd.), Hubei Fortune Pharmaceutical, and Guangzhou Baosijie Biotechnology.

Media Inquiries: info@beautyandwellnessmanila.com

 

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BÚTLAK at 40: How the Negros Trade Fair Blooms with Heritage, Flavor, and Enterprise

Leaders and partners behind BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair come together during the media launch. From left: Royce Cabuñag, AVP and Head of SM Communities; Chef JJ Yulo; Mary Anne Colmenares, NTF Chairperson; Chef Tony Boy Escalante, owner of Antonio’s; Francis Esteban, owner of Breakfast at Antonio’s; Christina Gaston, ANP President; Antonio Sebastian Escalante of Antonio’s; Pats Lim Dy, SAVP for SM Communities; and Joaquin San Agustin, EVP for Marketing of SM Supermalls.

Step into SM Aura this September, and you’ll find yourself transported—not just to a mall, but to Negros Island itself. For 40 years, the Negros Trade Fair has been more than a marketplace; it’s been a living showcase of Filipino creativity, resilience, and pride. This year’s milestone edition, aptly called BÚTLAK (to bloom), brings together 178 brands under one roof at the SMX Convention Center Aura from September 22 to 27, 2026.

Unveiled during the media launch, the official BÚTLAK video sweeps across Negros—its landscapes, landmarks, fashion, and artistry—bringing the island’s creative spirit to life.

A Journey Without a Plane Ticket

The launch preview captured the essence of Negros through a stirring video that whisked guests across its landscapes, kitchens, and workshops. It was the kind of reel that makes you want to book a flight—but the fair itself brings Negros to Manila, offering six days of food, fashion, art, and handcrafted treasures.

ANP President Christina Gaston reminded everyone why this fair matters: “MSME development is about giving people the opportunity to discover what they can create, what they can become, and where their creativity can take them.” Over four decades, small ventures have grown into enterprises, and local products have reached markets once thought impossible.

Flavors That Tell Stories

Guests at the launch were treated to a culinary journey led by Negrense icons JJ Yulo, Joel Torre, and Chef JP Anglo. From heirloom recipes to bold new interpretations, the tasting was a delicious preview of what’s to come.

Joel Torre, actor-restaurateur and proud Negrense, summed it up simply: “I’m very proud of Negros products.” Chef JP Anglo added, “Life is always changing; it’s a constant evolution. That’s why the Negros Trade Fair is thriving—it’s about the chase for perfection and love for craftsmanship.”

From savory empanadas and sisig to ube halaya and distinctive local ice cream flavors, the BÚTLAK media launch served a flavorful celebration of Negros—featuring Wawa Bing’s, JT’s Manukan, Cocina Javellana, and Marcelo’s Microcreamery.

Expect beloved names like Bob’s Café, 21 Restaurant, Chicken House, El Ideal, and Virgie’s Homemade Products, alongside fresh food concepts and pasalubong finds that go far beyond inasal.

Fashion, Crafts, and Culture

Beyond the table, the fair is a treasure trove of wearable art and homegrown design. Labels like Arête and Ellege Handcrafted Fashion showcase accessories and clothing rooted in tradition yet styled for today. Meanwhile, Hacienda Crafts, Tumandok Crafts Industries, and Artisana Island Crafts transform abaca, bamboo, capiz, and other indigenous materials into décor and furniture that sustain artisan livelihoods.

The fair will feature 178 brands across food, fashion, furniture, homeware, art, and local crafts—bringing come for the names they already love and leaving with a new favorite—or several.

For Stephanie and Cristina Claparols of Lakat Sustainables, the fair feels like family: “There are a lot of new brands to discover, especially from the new generation. That’s the most exciting part.”

Roots and Blooms

The anniversary theme, explained by ANP Vice President Mary Anne Colmenares, captures the fair’s spirit: “Our roots are found in traditions, skills, and stories handed down to us. Our blooms are the new ideas, new enterprises, and new generations emerging from those roots.”

SM Supermalls EVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin echoed the sentiment: “We’re celebrating 40 remarkable years—but we’re equally excited about the next 40.”

Final Take

The 40th Negros Trade Fair isn’t just about shopping. It’s about heritage, talent, and heart. It’s about supporting local makers while discovering flavors, fashions, and crafts that carry the soul of Negros. Bring your family, bring your friends, and take home a piece of the island.

See you at BÚTLAK!

 

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SM Group receives 12 Stevie® Awards for reporting and community programs

The SM Group received 12 Stevie Awards at the 2026 International Business Awards, recognizing both parent-company reporting and programs delivered through its malls and communities.

The SM Group’s parent company, SM Investments Corporation, received four awards. It received Gold Stevie Awards in the Conglomerates (Large) and Best Annual Report (Publicly Held Corporations) categories for its 2025 Integrated Report.

Its 2025 Sustainability Report was awarded Bronze for Best Sustainability Report. The SM Sustainability School was also awarded Bronze in the Asia, Australia, and New Zealand Sustainability Initiative of the Year category.

“Clear reporting provides investors and other stakeholders with a better understanding of how we make decisions, manage the business, and plan for the long term,” stated Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and CEO of SM Investments. “The other awards demonstrate how our businesses carry that same sense of responsibility into the communities they serve.”

That work can be seen in the eight awards received by SM Supermalls.

“People experience a mall based on what they do there, not what we say about it,” SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan explained. “A place to read, an event that promotes local art, or a program that makes the mall more user-friendly can all make a tangible difference in a community.”

The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition won Gold for Brand Experience of the Year (Consumer), while the Find Your SM campaign took Silver in the same category.

The SM Green Movement received Silver for Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility. The SM Cares Coastal Cleanup initiative received Silver for Environmental Achievement, and SM Cares: A Mall for All received Silver for Diversity and Inclusion.

The SM Cares Book Nook won Bronze for Most Innovative Creative Project. The program creates spaces in malls for people to read and share books. The Empowering Communities campaign was also named the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

SM Mindanao Art received Bronze in the Corporate and Community (Community Engagement Event) category, bringing Mindanaoan artists and their work to a wider audience.

Over 300 business professionals participated in two months of judging. Winners were determined based on their average scores.

The International Business Awards, now in their 23rd year, honor organizations, executives, entrepreneurs, and teams worldwide.