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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/TV8 Media Productions) |
BUSINESS MATTERS continues to showcase inspiring and aspiring stories, capturing the heart of every Filipino. Its Season 12 premiere, aired last October 26, 2025 on GTV, featured Sta. Filomena Central School in Iligan City, Lanao del Sur. With annual enrollees of 200 to 300, it has the biggest population in the city. Such is the reason why two teachers need to share in one classroom, holding the classes one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The school’s lack of classrooms affects not only the students but also the teachers as both need classrooms that are conducive to learning. This is not an isolated case as the country faces a shortage of 165,000 classrooms as reported last May before the start of the new academic year.
Sta. Filomena Central School Principal Walter Tupas beamed with pride about the new school building built by SM conglomerate through its foundation. The project is under the SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI)’s school building program, in partnership with the Department of Education’s Adopt-a-School Program (ASP). SMFI Executive Director for Education Programs Carmen Linda Atayde stressed that “education is the best equalizer”. She pointed out that students deserve a conducive environment for learning with classrooms for the students to be safe and protected, and the teachers to feel relaxed so they can teach effectively. Aside from the new school building, the foundation also built facilities such as toilets with sink, mini-library, child protection room, new faculty room and a toilet for the person with disability (PWD) community as enumerated by SMFI School Building Program Head Juris Soliman. She also mentioned that blackboards were replaced with whiteboards, making them safe from asthma attacks and skin infections caused by chalk. Hosted by award-winning news anchor and host Pinky Webb, BUSINESS MATTERS captured the smiles of the students and teachers of Sta. Filomena Central School, flexing their new school building and facilities built by SM Foundation. True to its core, BUSINESS MATTERS stands as the country’s television program that gives you a peek into the heart and soul of the business landscape through the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/TV8 Media Productions) |
Meanwhile, the program spotlighted another inspiring feature in the same episode with Felicidad T. Sy Foundation, Inc. (FTSFI). Named after the matriarch of the Sy family – Felicidad T. Sy, the foundation is anchored on her belief that “family is the foundation of all happiness in the world” as articulated by FTSFI Executive Director Imelda Elido, explaining that a family that is based on love and Catholic teachings can withstand all trials and challenges in life. She added that the advocacy of the foundation is to take care of young couples by strengthening their relationship based on Catholic principles and to honor the elderly by “nurturing happy and effective communities”. FTSFI’s mass wedding program is well aligned to the mission of the foundation. Known as “Kasalan Sa SM”, the program offers church weddings with a complete wedding package – for free. This covers everything from a beautiful church wedding ceremony to reception, including flowers, foods, gifts and all the perks. According to Elido, couples would just provide their own wedding gown/ suit, rings and documents. Voila, a dream wedding! Further, the foundation fully supports the elderly community by providing them shelters to make their twilight years brighter and happier. Sunshine Place, a recreational center for senior citizens, is one of the undertakings of FTSFI. The community helps our senior citizens re-discover their talents and skills, just like what Conchitina Bernardo has experienced. At Sunshine Place, she discovered her talent in painting. And she is amazed at herself, saying that “people buy my paintings which makes me very happy”.
All these heartwarming stories shared by the country’s leading conglomerate are what BUSINESS MATTERS truly supports and advocates, inspiring Filipinos across the globe. Produced by TV8 Media Productions, BUSINESS MATTERS showcases the human side of the business by focusing on good values, bringing untold stories to the viewers. Catch its new season’s fresh episodes every Saturday at 10:30 am on GTV. These are also available outside the Philippines on GMA News TV and online thru GMA Network's official YouTube channel.
