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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Smart Communications Inc.) |
The Department of Education Schools Division Office (DepEd SDO) of Quezon City strengthens learning resiliency in District 4 through the adoption of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation’s Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP). Nearly 300 teachers from public high schools are now onboard the pandemic-tested approach that helps students learn more independently. The district adopted the resilient teaching strategy after national achievement tests showed weaker-than-expected performance among learners. District 4 schools now implementing CVIF-DLP include Krus Na Ligas High School, Manuel A. Roxas High School, Quezon City High School, and Dr. Josefa Jara Martinez High School.
“We know our teachers give their best, but their expertise is not always reflected in our students. Maybe the traditional way of teaching is no longer effective for today’s learners,” said DepEd SDO Quezon City Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Leonilo C. Angeles. The CVIF-DLP promotes ‘learning by doing’. At its core is the Learning Activity Sheet, a single-page material that guides students through a lesson. It breaks down complex topics into manageable tasks they can complete at their own pace with minimal teacher intervention. Dr. Angeles added, “Through the CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program, we promote the habit of writing and reading among our students. These help build critical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.” The strategy also employs a parallel class scheme where an expert teacher can handle three classes simultaneously, supported by two facilitators — helping address the shortage of instructors. To ensure students stay focused on core lessons, the program introduces strategic rest and study periods, scheduling skills-based subjects like music, arts, and physical education midweek.
The DepEd Central Office has likewise recognized the potential of the CVIF-DLP. The agency recently forged a partnership with PLDT, Smart and CVIF to expand the Dynamic Learning Program across public schools nationwide. The initial rollout will cover 450 schools frequently affected by severe weather disturbances, classroom and teacher shortages, and overcrowding. DepEd also plans to use DLP as the default methodology during disruptive events. “For more than a decade, PLDT and Smart have supported the CVIF-DLP as a crisis-resilient pedagogy that ensures no learner is left behind, regardless of their situation,” said PLDT and Smart Assistant Vice President and Head of Stakeholder Management Stephanie V. Orlino. PLDT and Smart remain committed to engaging like-minded partners to ensure #NoLearnerLeftBehind remains a reality. Support for the CVIF-DLP highlights the PLDT Group’s role in helping the country advance United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) No. 4 on Quality Education.
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Jollibee Named Grand Champion At Dinagyang 2026 Mardi Gras Parade
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| (Image Source: PhilStar.com/Jollibee) |
Jollibee emerged as Grand Champion at the 2026 Dinagyang Festival’s Mardi Gras Parade of Sponsors, one of the most anticipated events of the annual cultural celebration, drawing thousands of spectators to Iloilo City. The country’s leading fastfood chain bested other parade entries with a vibrant presentation inspired by its iconic Chickenjoy and Yumburger, brought to life through energetic street dance performances by students of Iloilo National High School. The entry featured dynamic choreography, festive music, and colorful costumes that reflected both local culture and the brand’s joyful identity.
Aside from the Grand Champion title, Jollibee also garnered multiple special awards including Best Street Dance, Best Festive Music, Best Festive Mascot, Best Festive Costume, and Best Festive Marquee. “Being recognized at the Dinagyang Festival is deeply meaningful for us. But beyond the awards, what truly matters is being able to share moments of joy with the community and celebrate the rich culture and spirit of Iloilo together with the Ilonggos,” said Jollibee Philippines Vice President for Marketing Dorothy Ching. Jollibee also drew large crowds during the ILOmination Float Parade where its illuminated float and the Jollibee and Friends mascots engaged festival goers with lively dance performances, adding to the festive atmosphere of the city-wide celebration. The brand’s Dinagyang activities began earlier in the month with a media day that offered partners a preview of its festival initiatives. Travelers arriving at the Iloilo International Airport were also welcomed by the Jollibee mascot, helping set a festive tone as visitors entered the city.
Throughout the festival period, Jollibee stores across Iloilo featured Dinagyang-themed decorations and activities, transforming branches into gathering spaces for families. The company also rolled out its “Likha Local: JOYful Arts Program”, an initiative that encouraged children to participate in the festivities through art and creative expression. Jollibee’s continued participation in Dinagyang underscores its commitment to supporting local culture and community celebrations, helping amplify the festival’s spirit while creating shared moments of joy for families and visitors alike.
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BINI Jhoanna Plays A Cameo Role In Puregold’s Heartwarming Tribute To Sari-sari Store Owners
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| (Image Source: Business Mirror/YouTube/Puregold Channel) |
Puregold carries on with its heartfelt tribute to Filipino sari-sari store owners or micro-entrepreneurs with its Sari-Sari Stories video series, the newest installment of which features a special cameo from Jhoanna Robles of the Nation's Girl Group BINI. “The Witness” is a short film that tells a tender, coming-of-age love story, one that unfolds across the years, shaped by change, constancy, and the quiet presence of a sari-sari store owner who sees it all.
Jhoanna’s cameo adds an extra layer of warmth and relatability to the narrative, underscoring the film’s message of appreciation for small business owners across the country. Affirming the role sari-sari stores play in Filipinos’ everyday lives, Jhoanna shared, “Importante na hindi mawala ang sari-sari store. Bukod sa pagiging very Pinoy, ito pa rin ang pinaka-accessible sa maraming komunidad. Iba pa rin yung may mapupuntahan kang malapit sa’yo.” The latest Sari-Sari Story follows the budding romance between two childhood sweethearts, their youthful ardor eventually evolving — through the years — into real enduring love. The video depicts the highs and lows of their relationship, all from the perspective of a humble sari-sari store owner who witnessed them all. Puregold Price Club Inc. Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad echoed Jhoanna’s sentiments, saying, “Puregold has always been a proud ally of micro-entrepreneurs across the country. Through Sari-Sari Stories, we continue to uphold the role sari-sari store owners play in our everyday lives. In their communities, they bring people together by providing convenience and access to daily essentials.”
“The Witness” rides on the momentum of earlier Sari-Sari Stories installments such as “Ways” featuring SB19’s Stell and “The Sign” which included a cameo by Skusta Clee. The series has collectively sparked conversations online and resonated with netizens, Aling Puring members, and Puregold followers, reinforcing the remarkable part sari-sari stores play in everyday Filipino life. As the series continues, audiences are spurred to watch for the next story, reflecting how sari-sari stores have — over time — integrated themselves into people’s lives and into the communities they serve.
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PH Food SMEs Spark Interest In India Thru Indusfood 2026
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| L-R, in front of the Philippine Pavilion in Indusfood 2026: Monde M.Y. San Corporation General Manager Keng Sun Mar, Attaché Rachelle Yumo, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions Planning Officer V Atty. Eva Marie Mariquina, Ambassador of the Philippines to India Josel Ignacio, Consul Melissa Anne Telan, See's International Manufacturing Corporation President Ruben See, Dry Tech Manufacturing Corporation Chief Executive Officer Ana Renee Manrique, Dry Tech Manufacturing Corporation Vice President Corinne Anne Cordero, See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation Export Manager Helen Cagadoc, Department of Trade and Industry Trade Assistant Krisha Raina (Image Source: Journal Online/Department Of Trade And Industry - Philippines) |
The Philippines turned in a promising debut performance in Indusfood 2026, held last January 8-10, 2026 at the India Exposition Mart in Greater Noida, with three enterprises led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) winning over global buyers with their standout food offerings. Intentionally set as a targeted presence to gauge market appetite in South Asia, the country’s delegation to Indusfood 2026 – composed of Dry Tech Manufacturing Corporation (Dry Tech), Monde M.Y. San Corporation (Monde), and See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation (See’s) – sought to fulfill the rising demand for nutritious and natural food products in the Indian market. The group drew close to 100 trade buyers and generated over US$80,000 in export sales.
The Philippines’ participation in Indusfood 2026 was organized by CITEM, the export promotion arm of the country's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with the support of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-New Delhi and the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi. Dry Tech’s taro leaves, Monde’s savory crackers, and See’s Corporation’s banana chips were identified as the delegation’s best-performing products. Dry Tech and Monde cited their ingredients’ newness in the market as key to their positive reception among international buyers while See’s pointed to the distinctive quality of their banana chips. “This strong showing – in no less than one of India’s leading trade shows – demonstrates our varied strengths as an exporter of food and ingredients. Moving forward, we welcome the opportunity to support even more enterprises that seek a presence in India,” said CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo.
Driven by a burgeoning middle class and rapid urbanization, India’s food import market is shifting toward premium, health-oriented, and convenience-based products. There is increasing demand for dried fruits, organic snacks, and “better-for-you” alternatives as consumers seek natural options over traditional processed goods. This trend aligns precisely with the Philippines’ export strengths, securing a strong place for Filipino food offerings in India’s current demand wave. Launched in 2017, Indusfood is one of Asia’s most prominent food and beverage trade shows, providing a platform for exporters to connect with global buyers and widen their reach.
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De La Salle Lipa Sets The Benchmark On Lasallian Innovation
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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) continues to define the direction of Lasallian innovation by advancing systems, spaces, and practices that translate ideas into impact. Through the NEXUS Innovation and Intellectual Property Office (NIPO), the institution reinforces its position as a learning hub where innovation, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property are not theoretical pursuits but structured, measurable academic strengths. On January 22, 2026, DLSL opened its campus to faculty members from the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) for an exploratory engagement grounded in institutional benchmarking and academic exchange.
Anchored on De La Salle Lipa’s proven initiatives in CAPSTONE development, social innovation, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property management, the engagement highlighted the School’s mature innovation ecosystem led by the NEXUS Innovation Lab. The discussion brought together NIPO and the Benilde delegation — Atty. John Evan Miguel, Atty. Jude Latorre, Angelica Guardian, and Geronimo Dimaano — to examine De La Salle Lipa’s frameworks for student-led innovation, research application, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The exchange provided a structured view of how DLSL integrates innovation into curriculum design, faculty engagement, and institutional systems. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the NEXUS Laboratories, faculty workspaces, and learning environments, offering a comprehensive look at De La Salle Lipa’s purpose-built facilities. These spaces demonstrate how the institution aligns advanced technology, academic functionality, and campus design to support sustained innovation and intellectual productivity.
This engagement strengthens De La Salle Lipa’s institutional capacity by reinforcing its leadership in innovation governance, expanding opportunities for academic collaboration, and sharpening its benchmarks for program development, research commercialization, and industry alignment — key drivers of institutional growth and competitiveness. For DLSL students, these initiatives translate into clearer pathways for CAPSTONE projects, innovation-driven research, and entrepreneurial engagement supported by robust facilities and expert mentorship. For prospective students, De La Salle Lipa presents a learning environment where innovation is embedded in the academic experience — offering tangible preparation for real-world problem-solving, professional relevance, and future-ready careers.
(With words by Cristina Anandinna Iscala and Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
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MLW Battle RIOT VIII To Stream FREE On YouTube February 6th
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| (Image Source: Major League Wrestling) |
Major League Wrestling (MLW) recently announced that MLW Battle RIOT VIII be aired on February 5, 2026 at 8:00 pm ET (February 6, 2026 at 9:00 am PHT/HKT/SGT), streaming free on MLW’s official YouTube channel and airing simultaneously on beIN SPORTS in the U.S. On January 29, 2026, MLW returned to the greater Orlando area in thunderous fashion for the first time in seven years, bringing with it the promotion’s most iconic and unpredictable match: the Battle RIOT.
The Battle RIOT is MLW’s signature spectacle — a chaotic, high-stakes showdown featuring 40 competitors with a new entrant joining the fight every 60 seconds. Eliminations can happen anywhere, at any time, and there are no rules when survival is on the line. This year’s RIOT raises the stakes even higher as the MLW World Heavyweight Championship will be defended for the first time inside the Battle RIOT itself due to overwhelming fan demand. Every entry, every elimination, and every second now carries championship consequences.
In addition to the highly-anticipated Battle RIOT, fans will witness a major international title bout as MLW World Middleweight Champion Templario defends his title against New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) standout KUSHIDA. The matchup represents a true interpromotional clash with CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) and NJPW colliding on MLW’s biggest stage in what promises to be a technical masterclass. This year's MLW Battle RIOT in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. promises chaos, championships, and history in the making.
