Bataan is rich in natural wonders such as stunning beaches, majestic mountains, and grandiose waterfalls. The local tourism and government offices' effort to preserve the natural ecosystem of Bataan has made it into a rising eco-tourism destination. SM Investments Corporation through its property arm, SM Prime Holdings opened its first mall in the province of Bataan on May 19, 2023, to provide a unique “malling” experience for the residents of Balanga. Balanga experiences annual flooding based on its history of recurring disasters and so, SM has equipped the mall with two rainwater catchment tanks that can hold up to 900 cubic meters combined or equal to 3.6 million 250mL glasses of water. The catchment tanks aim to reduce soil erosion and flow of stormwater that causes urban flooding. Yes, SM continues to champion sustainability with its 83rd mall in Balanga, Bataan. SM City Bataan also utilizes clerestory windows, series of large windows, for better light ventilation...

PHOTOS BY TEDDY PELAEZ Held at the iconic The Manila Hotel, the glitz and sophisticated night of the 38th Star Awards for Movies signals glamour and exciting days ahead for the Philippine entertainment industry. The country's Filipiniana also proves to be fashionable, fun, and creative. Award hosts Claudine Barretto, Sunshine Cruz, Christian Bautista, and QC Councilor Alfred Vargas came in their snappy best. In her black sophisticated Marc Bumgarner terno, Cruz won The Face of the Night while, Barretto, in her shimmering white princess modern terno was named Female Star of the Night. Christian Bautista in his modern barong ensemble was chosen Male Star of the Night while Coun. Vargas was hailed Darling of the Press. With the participants garbed in modern Filipiniana, the much-awaited 38th edition is one Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc (PMPC) event worth remembering. Thanks to MJ Gutierez of Gutierez Celebrities and Media Productions for mounting such a memorable experience at ...

Taking effect on June 19, 2023, is the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order (AO) 2021-0039 which aims to abolish industrially-produced trans fatty acids (iTFA) in the country. Enacted two years ago, AO 2021-0039 mandated food manufacturers to eliminate iTFA from their pre-packaged and processsed products. The scariest type of fat, Trans Fats are produced by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils in order to extend the shelflife of products. The terms “hydrogenated oils” and “partially hydrogenated oils” seen in the ingredients of some products indicate the presence of TF. "TF is liquid oil converted into solid oil. Hydrogen is added, becoming partially hydrogenated oil (PHO), kailanagan iwasan yan. Pag-nakita niyo sa label, it’s not good. Kapag meron unsaturated fat (monounsaturated or polyunsaturated), it increases good cholesterol. So, poly or mono unsaturated ang maganda na nakukuha sa salmon, avocado, and fish belly," said Dr. Lourdes Ella “Louella” Santos ...

Many home builders, architects, and construction industry stakeholders believe that efficiency, sustainability, wellness, and connection with nature define the construction industry in 2023 and beyond. And with the best technology in this generation, it’s high time to rethink the current design approach to houses and start a new era in construction. One of the key trends in the world today is a shift towards building homes that are eco-friendly and focus on a reduction in the consumption of energy and carbon emissions. In fact, some of the measures introduced to make each new home as environmentally friendly as possible include photovoltaic roof panels, increased wall, floor, and roof insulation, energy-efficient heating, and lighting systems, A+ rated appliances, and even compost bins to reduce the amount of household waste sent to landfill. Low-Maintenance Materials For busy young families, homeowners prefer homes that can be built with materials that don’t need to be constan...

Project Saysay Inc. celebrated its 10th founding anniversary at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP) Presidential Car Museum at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on June 11, 2023. Held in solidarity with the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood 2023-2026, the commemorative event also recognized the partners and benefactors of Project Saysay in the past 10 years which include the Mama Sita Foundation. With this, the Foundation received humble recognition for being a consistent partner of Project Saysay. Likewise, Mama Sita Foundation was the event’s main sponsor by sponsoring cocktails and tokens for the honorees, select individuals, and institutions for the recognition. Thus, spreading Filipino heritage and flavors during the 10th Anniversary of Project Saysay at Pasasalamat is a showcase of Mama Sita's artisanal products offering a taste of tradition and culinary excellence. Also set up at the venue was the all-natural Mama ...

Happening on June 30-July 2, 2023, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, at the Mall of Asia Compound in Pasay City, is the 2023 Travel Madness Expo (TME). Now in its 10th year, TME still boasts to be the source for the best travel deals as it used to do in the last nine years. With more long weekends set in 2023, grab this opportunity and plan your trips, enjoy extended holidays, recharge, and help lift the tourism industry from the pandemic slump. Travel Innovators Inc. is the organizer of Travel Madness Expo, one of the biggest travel and trade fairs in the Philippines. The madness for travel continues since it was first staged in 2012. A surprise phenomenal hit that time, TME generated some 40,000 visitors and guests, and enabled an international credit card company to rake in PHP20 million worth of business in just three days! TME’s successful display of destinations and cultures from around the world in the past years brought about strong support from the travel industry makin...

Laoag and Huangshan sign Sister City Agreement The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) welcomed the Huangshan City delegation from China, to spearhed tourism exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries. FFCCCII newly-elected President Dr. Cecilio Pedro personally welcomed the delegation, facilitating discussions on collaborative strategies to strengthen traditional good economic, cultural initiatives, and other cooperation exchanges. The FFCCCII also organized the signing ceremony of Huangshan City and Laog City’s Sister City Agreement, led by Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon. Huangshan, called Huizhou in old days, is located in the south of Anhui Province, well linked with Jiangxi Province in southwest, Zhejiang Province in southeast. The city is named after the famous scenic Yellow Mountain which covers much of the city’s vast geographic expanse. The urban center of Huangshan was originally the city of Tunxi and is n...