Category: News

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OPAPRU Honors Dedicated Peace Workers, As Agency Celebrates 30 Years Of Peacebuilding

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) celebrated its 30th founding anniversary on Tuesday, September 19 at the  Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasasy City, Philippines.

The occasion marked three decades of peacebuilding, peacekeeping, and peacemaking for the agency.

Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. led the celebration and awarding  ceremony, together with OPAPRU officials and personnel.

“Over the past three decades, the agency has led the government’s efforts to bring harmony, mutual understanding, and solidarity among Filipinos. It has navigated the turbulent waters of conflict and division, working tirelessly with peace stakeholders to bridge gaps and heal wounds amidst socio-political, religious and cultural differences,” Galvez said in his message to the employees,” Galvez said in his keynote address.

“To our OPAPRU Service and Loyalty awardees, I have only one request, and that is, to keep the fire in your bellies burning as brightly as ever. You have become an integral member of our organization because you have chosen to champion the cause of peace, reconciliation and unity.  It is truly an honor and a pleasure to be working with all of you,” he added.

Presidential Assistant Arnulfo R. Pajarillo of the agency’s Office for Finance and Administrative Services, Plans and Programs also lauded OPAPRU staff, saying, “In our organization, loyalty and hard work never go unnoticed. And today, we proudly shine the spotlight on 37 dedicated employees — 15 loyalty awardees and 22 service awardees.”

“It is not only these awardees we are recognizing on this occasion, but all of you who are present here at the PICC and those joining us from the field,” Pajarillo added. “Being at the forefront of building a culture of peace, mutual understanding and solidarity in the country, you have not only effectively carried out your crucial mandate; you have gone over and beyond what is expected of you.”

Peace milestones

With Galvez at the helm of the OPAPRU, it helped reunite the Misuari and Sema groups of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) after decades of separation, which is considered a landmark development under the Bangsamoro peace process.

The agency also played a key role in establishing an inclusive Bangsamoro Transition Authority. Together with its peace partners, it also assisted in the rebuilding of Marawi and implemented  social healing interventions for the victims of the siege.

Currently, the OPAPRU is implementing the political and normalization tracks of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which is a testament to the strong partnership between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Under the Normalization Program, around 65% of the 40,000 MILF combatants have already been decommissioned.

The agency is also implementing Transformation Programs for the MNLF, RPMP-RPA-ABB-TPG also known as KAPATIRAN, the CBA-CPLA and former rebels.

The dividends of peace are now being felt nationwide, as communities situated in once conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities are becoming show windows of peace and development.

During the opening of the National Peace Consciousness Month this September, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared the province of Palawan as insurgency free.

Historic peace agreements

Over the past three decades, OPAPRU has led the government’s efforts in forging landmark peace agreements with revolutionary organizations in the country.

These include the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the CAB signed between the Government of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The agency also played a crucial role in the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which gave birth to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

It is also leading the implementation of the 1986 SIPAT Agreement with the Cordillera Bodong Administration/Cordillera People’s Liberation Army.

Empowering communities

The agency continues to roll out projects under its PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program which aims, among others, to improve the access of residents to much-needed socio-economic interventions, and empower communities and strengthen their capacities to address issues of conflict and peace.

The PAMANA Program has completed a total of 21,914 projects which cover agricultural productivity support, agri-fishery, capacity building, natural resource management, community infrastructure, electrification, water system, flood control,  and health centers.

The program, which is anchored on conflict-sensitive and peacebuilding (CSPP) approaches, has 2,585 ongoing projects nationwide.

With all of these peace gains, the OPAPRU has been instrumental in pushing forward the Philippine peace process over the past 30 years.

Today, OPAPRU’s 600-strong peace workers throughout the country stand as solid proof of the national government’s commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace across the country.

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SM Targets Biggest Haul On International Coastal Cleanup Day With More Malls Nationwide

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, together with SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is gearing up to gather the biggest haul of trash and marine debris at this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16, 2023, at SM By the BAY and at multiple SM Malls across the country.

SM’s expanded participation – 15 SM malls in 12 locations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao – will enable more volunteers and employees to join the cleanup drive to help safeguard the marine environment and its resources in the communities it serves.

SM Prime calls on communities to sign up and join clean-up drives with designated SM malls.

Since 2015, SM has been committed to supporting International Coastal Cleanup Day every September and mounting several cleanup drives throughout the year. The recent cleanup last June to celebrate World Environment Day and World Oceans Day generated 29,272 kilograms of trash across 5 SM malls nationwide. In addition, SM By the BAY, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Offices regularly conduct cleanup drives twice a month at the

Over 11,000 volunteers are expected to gather at SM malls in support of International Coastal Clean Up Day.

The coastal cleanup drive is one of the many projects mounted by SM Cares and leading real estate developer, SM Prime Holdings Inc., to support the marine environment and ocean conservation efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

To know more about SM’s International Coastal Cleanup Day activities, follow the SM Cares Official Facebook page. Volunteers may participate in designated clean-up sites through the following malls and sign up via:

  1. Metro Manila – SM by the BAY
  2. Tuguegarao – SM City Tuguegarao, together with SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown
  3. Bataan – SM City Bataan
  4. Olongapo – SM City Olongapo Central, together with SM City Olongapo Downtown
  5. Sorsogon – SM City Sorsogon
  6. Legazpi – SM City Legazpi
  7. Daet – SM City Daet
  8. Puerto Princesa – SM City Puerto Princesa
  9. Capiz – SM City Roxas
  10. Cebu – SM Seaside City Cebu, together with SM City Cebu
  11. Zamboanga – SM City Mindoro
  12. General Santos – SM City General Santos

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PHILIPPINES FINEST BUSINESS AWARDS Celebrating Excellence

Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers 2023. Honoring Exceptional Individuals, Companies, and Achievements.

Last September 8, 2023 at The Hexagon Events Place in Quezon City the stage was set for an extraordinary celebration of excellence as the prestigious “Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers 2023” gear up to recognize and honor exceptional individuals, companies, and achievements that have made a significant impact on the business landscape. Organized by La Visual Corporation and SIRBISU Channel, the “Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers 2023” is a testament to the pursuit of excellence, innovation, and dedication to outstanding business practices. The awards ceremony aims to honor businesses and individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to consumer welfare, product quality, and outstanding customer service. With categories ranging from “Business Excellence” to “Outstanding Individual Achievements,” the event seeks to highlight and applaud a diverse array of accomplishments across various industries.

 “We are thrilled to bring together exceptional individuals, companies, and achievers under one roof to celebrate their remarkable contributions to the business world,” at La Visual Corporation. “This event is not just about awards; it’s a platform to inspire others to strive for excellence and foster a stronger business community.”

91.5 Win Radio Manila received the Most Empowered FM Radio Station Award, Thoney S. Pascual Advertising Account Manager with Nirro De Leon Marcelo Chairman, Awards Committee

 The “Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers 2023” gave an evening filled with excitement, inspiration, and the celebration of exceptional success stories.

La Visual Corporation is a prominent name in event management, known for its expertise in organizing exceptional events that celebrate excellence, innovation, and success. Furthermore, SIRBISU Channel is a trusted media company dedicated to providing quality content that informs, educates, and entertains its viewers.

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GLOBE Brings Customers Closer To Their Dreams in Month-long 917 G Day Celebration

One-of-a-kind, life-enabling digital experiences

GLOBE, the mobile leader and top digital solutions provider in the Philippines, redefines customer appreciation with its annual G Day celebration. The telco-turned-techco is thanking its customers for their loyalty by bringing together life-enabling tools and rewards in line with its mission to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

Stretching beyond the iconic date of September 17 (09/17) or 0917, which represents Globe’s iconic mobile number prefix, this month-long celebration promises to bring Filipinos closer to their dreams with digital innovations and next-gen tech experiences.

“Through G Day, we hope to help our customers get closer to their dreams through innovative, life-enabling digital solutions, powered by reliable connectivity. We’re going bigger in terms of engaging our customers and making them feel valued,” said Jerome Patalud, Head of Globe Rewards.

Globe is also committed to using the G Day platform to reiterate its message of environmental sustainability. Throughout its G Day events and activities, Globe is championing sustainability by encouraging customers to observe eco-friendly and socially-conscious practices through small acts – from proper waste disposal, avoiding the use of single-use plastics, to using sustainable transport through the use of Globe’s electric vehicle shuttles to and from event venues, or via carpooling.

Customers are also encouraged to support advocacies such as the Hapag Movement, the Globe-led initiative that aims to address involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood training.

Here’s how Globe is going to help make customers’ dreams come true every day this September:

G Chance The Raffle (September 1-30)

Globe customers can use their Rewards points to redeem raffle entries via the GlobeOne App for the chance to win experiences that money can’t buy. For as low as 1 Globe Rewards point, customers have the power to choose a raffle category. Up for grabs in this year’s G Chance the Raffle are prizes that champion clean transport like a new e-powered vehicle or Gogoro Smartscooters; intelligent home enablement through Globe At Home technologies; vacacion en grande with Globe Roaming packages to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore in partnership with ANA and Klook, plus trips to Davao and Coron with the Discovery Hotels Group.

G Chance the Raffle can also kick-start online businesses and equip aspiring vloggers, giving them a chance to learn the ropes from industry leaders such as YouTube, Meta, and TikTok. Winners will also get access to premium subscriptions such as the RUSH Spark Lite e-Store Platform and Canva Pro, along with the tools they’ll need in  their creator or business owner journey. Techies can win the latest intelligent gadgets, and for shopaholics, Globe is giving away a shopping spree at Puregold, GCash prizes and more.

Customers can redeem entries until September 30, 2023.

G Music Fest (September 16)

G Music Fest, now in its fourth year, is making an even bigger comeback as a Music and Creator Festival.

With a focus on celebrating local talent, this year will feature an all-Pinoy lineup from OPM OGs to young emerging performers through partnerships with Warner Music and Sony Music. Attendees from all generations will get to vibe with Urbandub, December Avenue, Lola Amour, Dilaw, PLAYERTWO, Paul Pablo, Sugarcane, The Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Ace Banzuelo, Nobita, Munimuni and Syd Hartha at Circuit Grounds in Makati. Event goers can also hang out at the DJ lounge sponsored by MYX Global.

Beyond inspiration through music, the festival’s Creator Hub will encourage self-expression, learning and creativity through various art and community building activities such as live murals and painting with Drip Splash and Paint It Fun.

Attendees can expect a wide variety of food choices on-ground through handpicked food concessionaires: Better than Ice Cream (BTIC), Kurimu, Pocofino, Jamba Juice, Pancake House, Yellow Cab, Pickup Coffee, Shakeys, Potato Corner, Army Navy. Alcoholic beverages will also be served through official alco partners – Coca Cola, and San Miguel Brewery.

Other key festival partners include Philippine Airlines, the official airline partner, Zing, KonsultaMD, GCash, Parlon, Klook, and PetPal.

G Music Fest will also encourage customers to practice sustainability throughout the event, from limiting the use of single-use plastics among concessionaires, to encouraging BYO (Bring Your Own) water bottles among customers and providing water refilling stations sponsored by Klean Kanteen. Through a partnership with the Waste and Resources Management Inc (WARM), water efficient portalets will be deployed on ground, and manned waste bins will ensure proper waste segregation.

Attendees can also enjoy sustainable transport to and from the venue through electric vehicles provided by GET EV official shuttle partner, with pickup points at Alabang Town Center, One Ayala, and TriNoMa.

G Creator Con (September 17)

G Creator Con aims to unlock the creative potential of each Filipino in the music, content, design and technology space. The event, to be held simultaneously at The Globe Tower, BGC Amphitheater, and Globe Creator House, transforms BGC into an Art & Tech City powered by Globe. It serves as a springboard for Globe’s Creator Culture, a long-term program combining thought-leadership, creative tech experiences and rewarding opportunities through creator project grants.

Creator Talks will feature speakers from Meta, YouTube, DTI Design Center, Myx, Social Media Marketing PH, Bitskwela, and creative thought-leaders Nadine Lustre, Mela Habijan, Pat Tinguy, Eva Le Queen, Pio Dumayas of Lola Amour as panelists! While fun and interactive activities from KROMA Entertainment, NABU, Kumu, Samsung and JobStreet will be in BGC Amphitheater, aspiring creators can have cinematic headshots taken at the Globe Creator House. To top it all off, music creators GNY, Carissa and Clara Benin will close the con on a sweet note. 

Passes to the Creator Talks and Speed Mentorship can be redeemed with Rewards points via the GlobeONE app. G Creator Con is also part of the Philippine Creative Industries Month, a celebration of Filipino creativity for the whole month of September.

For more information on the different activities, visit the G Creator Con page.

G Fair (September 23-24)

To be held the following weekend also at the BGC Amphitheater, the art and tech pop-up market G Fair will showcase Filipino entrepreneurs and artists. With curated micro, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) and artists from MoCAF (Modern and Contemporary Art Festival), the bazaar offers a blend of homegrown businesses and art. The fair champions businesses with varied causes and backgrounds such as sustainability advocates (Lana, Sewn Sandals & MAGWAI), social entrepreneurs promoting the work of Filipino artisans (Tahanan Pottery & Habi Lifestyle), and regional businesses (Baguio’s Rebel Bakehouse). On top of this, customers will have access to the finest art galleries that feature emerging Filipino artists in partnership with MoCAF. Discover Filipino ingenuity from eight participating galleries: MoCAF Discoveries, R Gallery, Art Toys, Rojo Gallery, Village Art Gallery, Art For Space, Galerie Francesca Emporium and Cartellino.

Customers can pre-order online a few days before the event. On G Fair weekend, they will get to immerse in digital solutions that Globe Business offers, engage in interactive art activities, and win exciting raffle prizes.

G Battle Zone: G Legends Cup and REV Major (September 23-30)

Gaming enthusiasts can participate in an online nationwide Mobile Legends tournament, the G Legends Cup. Winners will receive cash prizes and a chance to meet, greet, and even scrim with Globe’s main gaming ambassador Blacklist International.

Gamers may also join the Philippines’ largest fighting game tournament, REV Major 2023, to be held at the SMX Convention Center on September 30 and October 1. Here, the best of Pinoy gamers will play against international fighting game esports athletes. Attendees can also enjoy exclusive giveaways from Globe’s partners such as  GrabCar, Move It, and Foodpanda.

With the entire month packed with various events and offerings, Globe aims to give its customers memorable and rewarding experiences that can help bring their aspirations to life.

“G Day is all about celebrating our most-valued customers for staying with Globe throughout the years. With tech capabilities and digital solutions, our G Day celebration this year aims to make our customers feel that with Globe, they have a partner in making their dreams come true,” Patalud said.

For more information on the G Day events and how to participate, download and explore the GlobeOne app or visit glbe.co/GDayEveryday.

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SM Investments bags Best Environmental Excellence at Global CSR Awards

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), a leading conglomerate in the Philippines, clinched the Best Environmental Excellence Award (Bronze) in the recently concluded 15th Global Corporate Social Responsibility & Environmental Social Governance Summit and Awards held at Da Nang, Vietnam.

SM Investments was recognized for its sustainability initiatives across the group.

“We appreciate this award that recognizes SM’s efforts to operate as a steward of responsible economic and social development,” Frederic C. DyBuncio, SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer, said.

SM’s sustainability efforts are consolidated under the SM Green Movement – a multi-year campaign that aims to make sustainability accessible to all by nurturing an ecosystem of stakeholders to live green in the easiest way possible.

This campaign covers the SM Group of companies including SM Investments, SM Supermalls, SM Store, and SM Foundation. The initiatives of the Green Movement focus on water recycling, waste segregation, renewable energy, disaster resilience, preservation and conservation, and building sustainable communities.

Dubbed Asia’s most prestigious recognition awards for Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG, the Global CSR & ESG Summit and Awards 2023 recognizes and honors companies for outstanding, innovative, and world-class implemented programs.

About SM Investments Corporation


SM Investments Corporation is a leading Philippine company that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the cuntry’s largest and most diversified with its food, non-food, and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth-largest bank by total assets among private banks.