On the Spotlight!

For over five years, depositors of AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong, Inc. (“AMA Bank”) have been left in limbo, unable to access their hard-earned money. Many of them, particularly senior citizens, have tirelessly pursued justice, hoping for a resolution that would allow them to reclaim their deposits. Their frustration has only deepened with each passing year, as the legal and bureaucratic entanglements continue to delay the reopening of the bank. Tragically, some of these depositors have passed away without seeing the resolution they long fought for. On 1 March 2023, the First Division of the Supreme Court (“SC First Division”) issued a Resolution of even date (“First SC Resolution”) denying the respective SC Petitions of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (“BSP”) and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (“PDIC”) and affirming the CA Decision. This ruling ordered BSP to reopen AMA Rural Bank within five days and mandated PDIC to return the seized funds and assets within the same pe...

  Rising Tigers Magazine has unveiled its March 2025 issue, featuring two prominent Filipino figures: Tim Yap and Anna Magkawas. This edition highlights their remarkable journeys and contributions to their respective fields.   Tim Yap: Among the Top 50 Influential People in the Philippines   Tim Yap, a renowned media personality and eventologist, graces one of the covers, recognized as one of the Top 50 Influential People in the Philippines. With a career spanning over two decades, Yap has been instrumental in shaping the country’s entertainment and lifestyle sectors. His ventures include hosting television shows, managing events, and curating exclusive experiences that have set benchmarks in the industry. Yap’s influence extends beyond entertainment; he is also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable causes and using his platform to promote social awareness.   Anna Magkawas: Celebrating Women’s Month with ‘Reaching the Top, One...

A Discussion on Programmed Meat Consumption:  Why Do We Eat Animals? People are conditioned to eat animals. Most never question it, as we have been taught that it is natural. However, discussions about animal welfare are becoming more common, particularly when comparing how we treat farm animals to how we treat pets like dogs and cats, which many consider family members and now have legal protections. This debate highlights the inconsistency in how we view different animals—why do we show compassion to some while consuming others? To better understand this, let’s examine the lives of animals in meat and dairy farms. The Life of Animals in Meat Farms In industrial meat farms, animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens are often raised in high-density environments where their movement is severely restricted. Cattle in Beef Farms Cattle raised for beef typically begin their lives on open pastures but are later moved to feedlots, where they are confined in crowded condition...

Haier has been officially recognized as the number one global brand in major appliances for 2024. This recognition comes from Euromonitor International Limited, based on 2024 volume sales data across key appliance categories. The brand’s continuous commitment to innovation, quality, and consumer satisfaction has solidified its leading position in the global market. With a strong focus on technology-driven solutions, energy efficiency, and user-friendly designs, Haier has consistently met the needs of modern households. Its leadership in smart home integration and forward-thinking appliances has resonated with consumers worldwide, helping the brand maintain its top status in the industry. The claim, "Haier is the number one brand globally in major appliances in 2024," is backed by extensive research conducted by Euromonitor International Limited. This certification highlights Haier’s dominance in home laundry appliances, large cooking appliances, microwaves, and refrigeration ...

  Over 200 Women Leaders Gather for the 3rd Women Lead Conference. The Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCPI), in collaboration with Connected Women and the Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA), successfully hosted the 3rd Women Lead Conference on March 12, 2025, at Dusit Thani Manila Hotel. This remarkable event, attended by over 200 influential women leaders, marked a significant celebration of International Women’s Month and served as a powerful platform for driving change and fostering connections among top businesswomen, executives, and policymakers. The event opened with welcome remarks from Sergio Boero, President of ICCPI, and Lorens Ziller, Executive Director of ICCPI, setting the tone for a day filled with inspiration, collaboration, and meaningful discussions. ⸻ 35+ Women Speakers, One Mission: Empowerment! This year’s conference was bigger and bolder, spotlighting the social, economic, and political achievements of women. With over...

  Kapihan sa Makati  mark a significant collaboration between TopNewsAsia and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), bringing together key leaders and media personalities for insightful discussions on national issues and attended by esteemed media like TV5, PTV, IBC13, GMA, Bilyonaryo, Manila Standard and UNTV among others. Hosts are the Regional Director Emver Cortez of PIA and Andria Terese Nicolas, VP of TAG Media Group and Chief Marketing Officer & Writer of TopNewsAsia, the program aims to be a premier platform for conversations on governance, public affairs, and socio-economic developments in the Philippines.   A Conversation with a Nation Builder The first episode with a special guest, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia, shared his insights on the country’s electoral system, the role of technology in elections, and the importance of voter education. His presence underscored the program’s commitment to delivering re...

    George Erwin Mojica Garcia, appointed as the Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the Philippines, has embarked on a mission to modernize and enhance the electoral process. His tenure is marked by a series of reforms and projects aimed at ensuring transparent, inclusive, and efficient elections. This comprehensive overview delves into Chairman Garcia’s initiatives, his strategic vision for the electoral system, and the impact of his leadership on Philippine democracy. Early Initiatives and Reforms Implementation of New Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) One of Chairman Garcia’s significant undertakings is the procurement and deployment of advanced vote counting machines. These new VCMs are designed to enhance transparency and accuracy in the voting process. A notable feature includes a 14-inch viewing screen that allows voters and stakeholders to verify that ballots are accurately counted. This initiative aims to deter electoral malpractices, such as vot...

The National Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines convened a diverse group of stakeholders for the event “ From Surviving to Thriving: Transformative Strategies through Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Innovations .” As a science and technology-driven public-private partnership, the NRC unites national and local governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector to advance the interconnected objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Climate Agreement, New Urban Agenda, and other global commitments. Held as the 2025 Resilient Local Government Unit Program (RGLUP) Colloquium, the event showcased progress and updates from participating cities and municipalities in the NRC’s Adopt a City (AAC) Initiative. This initiative enables corporations to move beyond disaster relief, investing in risk reduction through preparedness funding, prevention, pre-disaster recovery planning, and long-term resilience programs. By ...

This March 30, 2025, thousands of families, advocates, and supporters will come together to celebrate Happy Walk 2025 , a nationwide movement dedicated to fostering awareness, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with Down Syndrome. Hosted by SM Cares in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI) , this year’s event will take place at SMX Convention Center – Manila with simultaneous celebrations at SM City Cebu, SM City Bacolod, and SM CDO Downtown Premier , making it a truly nationwide effort to highlight the abilities and aspirations of individuals with Down Syndrome. Two Happy Walkers take small, but meaningful steps with support and fanfare from the SM community. More Than Just a Walk: A Movement for Inclusion For more than two decades, Happy Walk has been more than an event—it is a powerful movement that highlights the strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with Down Syndrome. It is a day of joy, unity, and acceptance, wh...