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| (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/Iloilo Provincial LGU) |
Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. hailed Iloilo City’s redeveloped markets, led by the Central and Terminal Markets, as drivers of the local government’s growth, adding that he was truly amazed by the transformation of the city’s public markets. In a Facebook post, Gov. Defensor said, “As I go around Iloilo City, I am truly amazed by the remarkable transformation of the Iloilo Central Market, the Iloilo Terminal Market, and other public markets such as Jaro and La Paz. The Province of Iloilo deeply appreciates this redevelopment, as it empowers our small and medium enterprises and homegrown brands to grow, thereby strengthening the local economy and enriching the lives of our people.”
Defensor commended the strong leadership of former mayor Jerry Treñas and the dedication of Mayor Raisa Treñas, saying their vision and commitment have revitalized the city’s public markets into modern hubs that every Ilonggo can take pride in. He also called the redevelopment of the Central and Terminal Market through a Public-Private Partnership with SM Prime Holdings as a shining example of “how positive results that can be achieved through harmonious collaboration between government and the private sector.” Defensor pointed out, “The upgraded facilities in these public markets not only open fresh opportunities for long-time vendors and new businesses to thrive, but also provide market-goers with greater comfort, convenience, and variety under one roof.” The Iloilo City local government entered into a 25-year lease agreement with SM Prime which invested around Php1.5B (1.5 billion pesos) to modernize the Iloilo Central Market and Php2.5B (2.5 billion pesos) for the modernization of the Iloilo Terminal Market, transforming them into clean, safe, and efficient commercial hubs.
The redeveloped markets now house around 2,000 stalls, providing improved facilities for vendors and a more comfortable and organized shopping experience for consumers. The Iloilo Central Public Market operates daily from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm while the Terminal Public Market is open from 1:00 am to 10:00 pm. The market redevelopment aligns with the local government’s “My Heart Beats In Iloilo City” campaign which aims to showcase the city’s unique heritage and culture while fostering a strong emotional connection between residents and their city.
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SM Foundation, SM Appliance Center Turn Over New School Building To Magtaking Elementary School
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| (Image Source: SM Foundation Inc.) |
Students and teachers of Magtaking Elementary School received a new school building from SM Foundation and SM Appliance Center strengthening access to safe and conducive learning spaces in the Department of Education (DepEd) San Carlos City Division in Region I. The new facility forms part of the partners’ continuing school building program which helps address classroom shortages and supports quality basic education in public schools across the country.
Magtaking Elementary School serves more than 600 learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The school community is supported by 23 teaching personnel, two non-teaching staff, and three job order personnel. Recognized as one of the top performing schools in the division, Magtaking Elementary School has consistently excelled in academic contests and campus journalism competitions. The school also actively participates in community and environmental initiatives, regularly emerging as a winner in programs such as Brigada Eskwela and Gulayan sa Paaralan. School leaders shared that the new building will provide students with a more comfortable and inspiring environment for learning, helping them sustain strong academic performance while strengthening values formation among learners.
Guided by its tagline “Shine Magtaking For Optimal Learning”, the school continues to nurture students who are academically competent and guided by strong values, preparing them to face future challenges and contribute positively to society. Through initiatives such as school building construction, SM Foundation and SM Prime continue to work with the Department of Education and local communities to help create more opportunities for Filipino learners.
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Immaculada Concepcion College Opens Doors To Young Sparkle Artists
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Immaculada Concepcion College) |
Classrooms and camera calls are set to share the same calendar for a fresh class of young performers. Sparkle GMA Artist Center, the talent management arm of GMA Network, has partnered with Immaculada Concepcion College to roll out a scholarship program that allows young talents to stay in school while pursuing careers in entertainment, a move both sides frame as an investment in life beyond the industry’s fast-moving pace.
The initial batch of scholars includes Angel Cadao, Sabrina Cuervo, Lauren King, and Kayla Davies. Kzhoebe Baker, Aya Domingo, and Meg Montgomery were also welcomed into the ICC community as part of the initiative. “At ICC, we believe that quality education should be accessible to everyone,” said ICC president Marcelino Agana, noting the program’s focus on shaping students with discipline and values alongside artistic growth. The partnership was formalized in a signing ceremony attended by ICC officials Marcelino Agana, Ferdinand De Leon, Paola Cambel, Elimore Abad, Marcelo Batiduan, and Hazel Mea, together with Sparkle executives Jenny Donato, Vic Del Rosario, Tracy Garcia, and Jan Navarro. Sparkle First Vice President Joy Marcelo emphasized the role of education in shaping long-term careers, describing ICC’s support as a way for artists to continue learning while pursuing opportunities in the industry. Under the arrangement, scholars may choose from modular, hybrid, homeschooling, or in-person classes at ICC’s Caloocan campus, a setup designed to accommodate unpredictable taping and rehearsal schedules.
ICC also offers TESDA-accredited programs and free courses along with academic tracks geared toward practical skills. As a Christian values-based institution, the college aims to develop students grounded in integrity, faith, and leadership. Agana highlighted the school’s zero-based tuition model for college programs as a key effort to expand access, adding that ICC seeks to give every student the chance to grow, learn, and reach full potential.
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Bamboo Beats In Bali: Banda Kawayan Pilipinas Shines At Buleleng International Rhythm Festival
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Banda Kawayan Pilipinas) |
The soul of Filipino music found a home in the lush landscapes of Bali as Banda Kawayan Pilipinas officially represented the Philippines at the Buleleng International Rhythm Festival, held last March 10–15, 2026, The festival, a global summit of rhythm and heritage, served as the perfect backdrop for the group to showcase the versatility and artistry of Filipino bamboo music. The group’s itinerary was as rhythmic as their music, spanning across several high-impact activities.
• The Main Stage: A standout performance at the Gde Manik Arts Building, where the group shared the spotlight with a diverse lineup of international artists.
• The Cultural Parade: Decked in traditional attire and waving the Philippine flag, the group took their music to the streets, turning the parade into a moving celebration of Filipino pride.
• A Cross-Border Repertoire: The ensemble moved audiences with Filipino classics like “Magtanim Ay Di Biro”, “Pangako Sa 'Yo”, and “Dandansoy”. In a touching tribute to their hosts, they also performed the Indonesian favorite “Rindu Semalam”.
True to their mission of building bridges, Banda Kawayan Pilipinas didn’t just perform they immersed themselves in the Balinese way of life. The members participated in traditional workshops including Canang Sari (offering making), Dupa (incense rituals), traditional weaving, and local culinary arts. The participation in this festival is about more than just a performance; it’s about building connections and sharing the Filipino spirit through every note played. Banda Kawayan Pilipinas continues to serve as a cultural ambassador using the unique resonance of bamboo to foster youth development and international friendship. By blending tradition with a global perspective, they ensure that the rhythm of the Philippines is heard and felt around the world.
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DLSL Bridges Cultures In Global Lasallian Exchange Program
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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
De La Salle Lipa continues to assert its position as a leading institution for globally engaged education as it formally hosted “Harmony Beyond Borders: The Lasallian Cultural Exchange Opening Program” last March 17, 2026, at the Junior High School Hall. The initiative reflects the school’s strategic direction to embed internationalization into its academic framework through structured exchanges that integrate cultural immersion, academic engagement, and Lasallian formation.
Strengthening its role within the global Lasallian network, De La Salle Lipa welcomed delegates from La Salle Chanthaburi Mandapitak School (Thailand), composed of 11 students, two faculty members, and one Brother (Br. Man FSC). The visiting group was received by the De La Salle Lipa community led by Integrated School Principal Kristine Anne Dimaculangan and the External Linkages and Internationalization Office headed by Grace Sanchez, reinforcing institutional collaboration built from the school’s prior visit to Thailand in November–December 2025. In her welcome remarks, DLSL Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Tessie Palma emphasized the academic and cultural value of immersion as a structured learning experience. She encouraged participants to actively engage in the exchange, highlighting the importance of shared learning among Lasallian institutions and the role of such initiatives in strengthening global educational connections. The program design, presented by Kristine Anne Dimaculangan, outlined a comprehensive six-day engagement that integrates campus immersion, Lasallian youth dialogue, classroom sit-ins, arts and sports collaboration, conversational Tagalog sessions, and community-based activities. A key component of the program includes interactive engagements, such as collaborative activities and a culminating presentation, that allow participants to synthesize insights gained throughout the exchange. Cultural exposure is further enriched through heritage tours and shared performances that highlight Filipino identity and intercultural understanding. Student participation framed the opening program with Mr. Denver Moises Abrugena delivering a welcome message on behalf of De La Salle Lipa learners. The Thai delegation was formally introduced by Teacher Francis Julius Nachor, followed by response messages from Kao Pan, representing the student delegates, and Br. Man FSC of La Salle Chanthaburi Mandapitak School who conveyed appreciation for the warm welcome and affirmed the value of strengthening Lasallian ties through shared experiences.
By hosting the cultural exchange, De La Salle Lipa strengthens its internationalization framework through sustained engagement with partner Lasallian institutions, reinforcing its capacity to deliver programs that integrate global perspectives with academic and formation initiatives. The program contributes to the institution’s strategic efforts to expand international linkages and embed intercultural competencies within its educational environment. For current students, the exchange provides structured opportunities to collaborate with international peers, participate in cross-cultural learning activities, and develop communication and interpersonal competencies in a global context. For prospective students, it demonstrates how De La Salle Lipa delivers an education that connects local learning with international exposure, preparing learners to operate effectively in diverse academic and cultural settings.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
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Lazada Celebrates Its 14th Birthday With Two Guinness World Records™ And Birthday Sale With Up To 90% Off Deals
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| (Image Source: GadAboutPrincess.com/Lazada) |
Lazada, Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platform, marked its 14th birthday by bringing communities together through the Lazada Run Wellness Fest in March alongside the launch of its highly anticipated Lazada Birthday Sale. As part of the milestone, Lazada Philippines recently staged the Lazada Run Wellness Fest last March 22, 2026 in Parqal, Paranaque. The creator-led community run and wellness street festival brought together shoppers, media, content creators, and brand partners for a high-energy day of fitness, activations, wellness experiences, and entertainment with more than 2,600 participants across all markets. The celebration honored more than a decade of enabling digital commerce, empowering brands and sellers, and connecting Filipino consumers to trusted products across the platform.
Together with Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, the Philippines helped achieve two official Guinness World Records™ across multiple venues, underscoring the scale of Lazada’s regional celebration: Largest Toast With Soft Drinks – powered by official drink partner Breville (Multiple Venues), 2,728 record count participants, and Most People Unwrapping Presents Simultaneously (Multiple Venues), 2,625 record count participants. Beyond the record-setting moments, the activation delivered strong results locally. In the Philippines alone, 26 LazMall brands participated including Optimum Nutrition, Unilab, Breville, Iwata, Xiaomi, Kojie-San, Pharex B-Complex, and Neurogen-E. This partnership further cements Lazada Philippines’ position as a trusted growth partner and the premier destination for leading global brands on LazMall, the platform’s curated marketplace of official retailers and authorized sellers. The campaign also generated significant momentum online for the Birthday Sale Campaign. Creator-led content has further amplified consumer relevance, with the campaign trending multiple times on TikTok and on X (formerly Twitter).
The Lazada Run Wellness Fest served as a key consumer-facing highlight of the anniversary celebration, reflecting the platform’s continued commitment to engaging its community beyond the digital marketplace through meaningful real-world experiences. On the other hand, Lazada is rolling out its Birthday Sale, giving shoppers access to compelling deals across beauty, electronics, fashion, home, and everyday essentials. Shoppers can enjoy LazFlash Deals with up to 90% off; up to ₱2,000 in Lazada vouchers; exclusive offers from global brands and LazMall partners; and access to 5,000 new arrivals from international brands such as d’Alba, RedChef, Giordano, and Momcozy. Download the Lazada app to enjoy the Birthday Sale with exclusive deals, vouchers, and brand offers until March 27. As Lazada’s anniversary celebrations continue with its Birthday Sale, the platform continues to evolve beyond a transactional marketplace, strengthening its role as a platform that connects buyers and sellers while fostering meaningful communities through shared experiences, both online and offline.
