My good friend and media colleague Lourdes Fabian, former editor of the defunct Moviestar Magazine, is a heart patient survivor at the Philippine Heart Center. On January 4 this year, she experienced what she thought was a mild stroke which eventually led to thrombectomy, an emergency procedure to remove blood clots in the brain to help blood to flow normally in her body. We, her friends, didn’t know what exactly happened to her. Maybe she suffered an acute stroke, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure -- or maybe all together – because any of these could cause blood clots in the brain. But the good thing is she was operated on immediately and had a new lease in life. Three weeks after the procedure, we were relieved to see her responding positively. Though very weak, she could talk normally and she recognized us. One month and 10 days after, on February 14, we visited Lourdes at home, and we're more than happy to see her fast recovery progress. She can now walk unaided, th...

MOL meets the press, from left: Yasunori Takamatsu, Chief Country Representative for the Philippines, MOL and President, MOL Enterprise (Philippines) Inc., Jesse Ho Maxwell, President and CEO to the Magsaysay Shipping & Logistics, Yosuke Ishibe, General Manager, Corporate Communication  Division, MOL     Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) recently conducted its first overseas company profile seminar for the local media in the Philippines as part of its goal to strengthen business in the country. Led by MOL President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto, the company presented its Blue Action 2035 management plan which aim to continue to contribute to the region by strengthening both shipping and non-shipping businesses in the Philippines, by training seafarers, and by serving its regional strategy.  MOL Corporate Communication Division General Manager Yosuke Ishibe opened the seminar with an introduction of the MOL Group's global business and environmental initiatives, follo...

Pawchester SHEeo Maine Uy-Jainani What do Heart Evangelista, Catriona Gray, and Janice de Belen have in common? All of them are fur moms who would do everything to give the best for their pet babies. Pawchester, a premium pet hospitality center in Greenhills, San Juan City, knows exactly what these celebrities and the millions of Filipino paw parents need. Maine Uy-Jainani, the owner and founder of Pawchester, aims for the pet center to be more than just a grooming center -- but a destination where pets are treated like family members. “It’s about making sure our clients—the pets—feel safe, comfortable, and loved. Our goal is to provide them with everything they need while giving their owners a chance to relax and enjoy themselves at our cafe.” This early, the newly opened pet park, salon, cum café is eyeing a potential collaboration with Heart Evangelista’s dog, Panda, as the face of their brand. “We want to work with someone like Heart, who embodies the love and care for pets that we...

    A poster-perfect photo of Bambanti dance showdown on the stage of Isabela Sports Complex A feast like no other, the vibrant Bambanti or Scarecrow Festival in the province of Isabela, held from January 19 to 25, 2025, pays homage to the hardworking farmers of the province and their allies -- the guardians of the rice fields, the scarecrows. Gov. Albano III and Vice Gov. Dy III welcomed the Isabeleños at the Bambanti grand parade and showdown competition at the Isabela Sports Complex. Joining them are the mayors of different municipalities and Philippine Ambassador to Japan H.E. Mylene Garcia Albano Aptly themed, Ang Piyesta ng Bagong Pilipinas , Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” Dy III made sure that all stones were unturned to unlock the beauty of Isabela and the hospitality of its people. The VIP guests, the thousands of Isabeleños themselves from the province’s 34 municipalities and three cities who flocked to the center of th...

  Lanson  Place GM  Nils Rothbarth  paints a red dot on the eye of a  Chinese  Lion. Lanson Place Mall of Asia is committed to preserving and sharing authentic cultural experiences at the City of Manila's Seaside. The hotel spearheaded the celebration of the Lunar New Year with traditional activities promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. First, there was the eye-dotting ceremony for the lion at the porte cochere by hotel executives Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.; Nils Rothbarth, General Manager of Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila; and Angelica Vicencio, Director of Sales Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila. This act symbolizes the awakening of the lion and the beginning of the new year. Dragon Dance by the Golden Lion Youth Club  in front of  Lanson  Place MOA . Following this ceremonial rite, the dynamic rhythms of a traditional Lion and Dragon Dance performed by the Golden ...

  This 2025, focus on what truly matters – your health and well-being. Embark on a life-changing journey at The Farm at San Benito , where luxury meets holistic wellness. Nestled in the tranquil greenery of Lipa City, just 90 minutes from Manila, The Farm is more than a wellness retreat – it’s a sanctuary for holistic healing. Named the ‘Best Wellness Resort in the World,’ The Farm combines eco-luxury with science-backed therapies to offer a truly transformative experience. Discover programs designed to help you reset, recharge, and step into the best version of yourself. With 70 thoughtfully designed luxury suites, villas, and wellness residences set against the backdrop of 52 hectares of lush forest, The Farm invites you to reconnect with nature and nurture your mind, body, and spirit. “At The Farm, we go beyond treating symptoms. Our goal is to uncover the root causes of illness and empower our guests with the tools for lasting health.  Regular detoxification is es...