On the Spotlight!

  Commission on Elections (COMELEC) headed by Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia releases the list of Elective Positions for 2025 May Elections with a total number of more than 18,000 seats Elective Positions and Number of Seats •Senators (12) •Member, House of Representatives of Legislative Districts (254) •Member, House of Representatives for Party-list (63) •Governors (82) •Vice Governors (82) •Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (800) •City Mayors (149) •City Vice Mayors (149) •Member, Sangguniang Panlungsod (1,682) •Municipal Mayors (1,493) •Municipal Vice Mayors (1,493) •Members, Sangguniang Bayan (11,948) •BARMM Members, Registered Regional Political Parties (40) •BARMM Members of the Parliamentary Districts (25)     Total Number of Seats 18,272

    September 2024, Manila, Philippines - As modern lifestyles and unpredictable weather make laundry challenging for a growing number of people, Surf—the#1 laundry Masterbrand in the Philippines— launched two new products to fight Amoy-pawis and Amoy-kulob.   The New Surf Fabric Conditioner Fresh & Bloom boasts 3x Amoy-Pawis Shield Technology, which protects clothes from amoy-pawis and keeps them fresh and blooming for up to 12 hours, especially during sweat-inducing activities and hot weather (versus just washing it with detergent only).   During the event program, Assistant Business Performance Manager – Surf FabCon, Marian Almendras emphasized that when it comes to laundry, using detergent isn’t enough, and applying fabric conditioner is equally important. “With the new Surf Fabcon Fresh & Bloom, you can keep your clothes from developing that unpleasant smell caused by sweat, even after a tiring activity or particularly hot weather. That is...

  McDonald’s Philippine s recently announced that registration for its annual family fun run is now open. Since 2010, McDonald’s Stripes Run has been a much-awaited event that gathers thousands of runners -- now including their fur babies -- to don striped socks and have fun, all for the benefit of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Philippines.   Happening on December 1 at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, this year’s McDonald’s Stripes Run aims to raise funds to help RMHC build more Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers across the country. These Learning Centers are safe spaces for children ages two to four years old, providing access to early childhood education while their parents are at work. There are currently 43 Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers in the country. “ We’re expecting over 10,000 participants this year,” says Adi Hernandez, McDonald’s Philippines Assistant Vice President for Corporate Relations and Impact and Vice President of RMHC Philippines. "McDonald’s...

September 20, 2024, Philippines. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) headed by honorable Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia graced the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Comelec and United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).   UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran was also in attendance together with the new Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines, His Excellency Endo Kazuya.   Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia signs MOU between COMELEC & UNDP Chairman Garcia stated: Conducting the first parliamentary election is a very difficult task. And as I have repeatedly said before, the COMELEC can not do it alone. We need the help of everybody, not only the Filipinos, but more particularly, agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is very, very important because this is our commitment to peace. “Mr. Ambassador (H.E. Endo Kazuya), even if it is just 73 members of Parliament and not 80, we will proceed with the...

SM City Baguio is making significant strides in water stewardship with its innovative rainwater treatment facility (RTF), launched in July 2023. In the months since, the facility has already processed over 17,111.80 cubic meters of rainwater – equivalent to 7 Olympic-size swimming pools, or enough to fill over 6,800 standard water tankers – into potable water for the SM mall’s operations and for their lessees’ use.  SM City Baguio's groundbreaking rainwater treatment facility has treated over 17,000 cubic meters of rainwater into drinkable water. This initiative supplements the mall's water supply from the Baguio Water District and significantly contributes to the city's water security and the safety of its residents. Located at the mall’s basement level, the RTF provides 30% of the mall’s total monthly average requirement for clean water that is safe for consumption and food preparation.       "There is a critical need for reliable and safe water so...

SM Prime leads the way in sustainable development, integrating sustainability into its core business strategy. Sustainability has become a driving force across every industry. For SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) , one of Asia’s leading integrated property developers, sustainability is elevated through a strategic framework that leverages the company’s extensive operations, significant economic impact, and cultural influence. SM Prime’s sustainability journey began in the 1990s, guided by a focus on resilience and practicality. The company has always valued substance over style, favoring strategies grounded on real-world application rather than flashy, short-term fixes.  Its strategy is built on what truly matters to the business and the community it serves, ensuring that its sustainability efforts are both effective and enduring. In its 2023 Annual Integrated Report, SM Prime introduced its Sustainability Ambition Roadmap with a clear and powerful message: Together for a sustai...

  The International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) is back for another year and is shaping up to be the biggest one yet, taking place simultaneously on September 21 in 15 different SM Supermalls across the country: SM By the Bay at SM Mall of Asia Complex, SM Tuguegarao Downtown, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City Bataan, SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Sorsogon, SM City Legazpi, SM Daet, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Roxas, SM City Cebu, SM City Seaside Cebu, SM City Mindpro, and SM City General Santos. Together, we can make a significant impact on our oceans and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all. SM General Santos City In 2023, SM Cares recorded more than 100,000 kg of trash collected with the help of an estimated 17,000 total volunteers from 15 SM Supermalls nationwide. This year, in celebration of its 20th year of supporting communities and creating a positive impact on the environment, SM Cares aims to double the amount of solid waste collec...

As we enter the typhoon season, recent extreme weather events have once again underscored the Philippines' vulnerability to such conditions. As the nation grapples with the potential aftermath, it is clear that being part of the global conversation on achieving net zero emissions is imperative. This typhoon has highlighted the urgency for the Philippines to be an active participant in the fight against climate change, not only to mitigate future impacts but to also contribute to global solutions. The concept of net zero refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere. For the Philippines, a country frequently in the crosshairs of severe weather, achieving net zero is a crucial step towards enhancing climate resilience. The recent typhoon has made it evident that the country cannot afford to be a bystander in the global efforts to combat climate change. Instead, it must be a proactive player, advocating for and imple...

SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime) played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable urban development by hosting the 7th annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes (APRU-SCL) 2024 Conference and 3rd International Conference on Human Settlements Planning and Development (ICHSPD) at SMX Convention Center Aura. This prestigious event, organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), brought together over 300 experts to discuss innovative solutions for building greener and more resilient cities. Focused on the theme "Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities Through Science, Technology, and Innovation, " the conference highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing urban challenges. (L-R): Moderator Efraim Roxas, Environmental, Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Bureau (ELUPDB) Director Mylene Rivera, SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan, and Tohoku University Professor Jeongsoo Yu SM’s commitment to sustaina...