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| (Image Source: The Game Magazine/National Basketball Association) |
The National Basketball Association (NBA) recently announced that the second annual NBA Rising Stars Invitational, the league’s high-school basketball tournament featuring boys’ and girls’ teams from across Asia-Pacific, will return to Singapore on June 22-28, 2026 at OCBC Arena. Held in collaboration with Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and operated by the event agencies of NBA Singapore, this year’s event will feature 12 boys’ and 12 girls’ teams of youth ages 18 and under competing in round-robin play before advancing to single-elimination competition.
NBA star Jeremy Lin and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) champion Lauren Jackson will headline the event and interact with the participants throughout the week. The participating teams will be identified in collaboration with national basketball federations and leagues and through local qualifying tournaments in Bangkok, Melbourne, Taipei and Tokyo. As the host city, Singapore will be represented by two teams in each division. The participating players will also take part in skill development sessions, social impact programming and off-court activities promoting cultural exchange. Top individual performers from the event will have the opportunity to attend future NBA basketball development camps, showcases and programs. Lin and Jackson will be joined by additional current and former NBA players who will be announced prior to the event. The NBA Rising Stars Invitational will also feature a range of activities for fans of all ages including community outreach initiatives, photo opportunities, authentic NBA memorabilia, player appearances and meet-and-greet sessions, exclusive clinics, as well as live entertainment and interactive fan experiences.
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational is supported by SportSG, STB and Karim Family Foundation. Additional information about the NBA Rising Stars Invitational 2026, including the full list of participating teams, ticket information, marketing partners and media partners, will be announced in the coming months. For the latest news and updates about the event, visit www.nbarisingstarsinvitational.com and follow the NBA Rising Stars Invitational on Instagram and YouTube.
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Happy Walk 2026 Breaks Record As Largest Gathering For Down Syndrome In Asia
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/SM Supermalls) |
Happy Walk 2026 broke records as the largest gathering of allies for the Down Syndrome community in Asia with 10,500 advocates gathering all over the country as the strongest show of solidarity and empowerment to date. Led by SM Cares and the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (DSAPI), the celebration was held simultaneously last March 29, 2026 in SMX Manila, SM City Bacolod, and SM City Cebu. This year’s Happy Walk showed that the strength of the movement is not only found in size, but in SM’s commitment to create spaces where people with Down syndrome are seen, celebrated, and encouraged to thrive.
Since the very first Happy Walk in 2003, the event serves as a joyful gathering for the Down syndrome community and its supporters. This year’s program highlighted self-expression, talent, and community participation through activities such as the Happy Walk parade, stage performances, activity booths, and DS Got Talent. All milestones were designed to promote the talents and abilities of individuals with Down syndrome, foster inclusion and awareness, and provide a platform for self-expression beyond familiar stereotypes. It also reinforced a message that remains at the heart of the advocacy: that inclusion is not a one-day effort, but a continuing commitment to creating environments where every individual is embraced, empowered, and supported. Through SM Cares, SM Supermalls remains committed to opening spaces for this advocacy year after year — helping build communities where dignity, opportunity, and belonging are not the exception, but the norm. SM’s deeper drive for inclusivity stems from its pursuit of becoming a true Mall for All — standing as the most-loved mall for its customers no matter what their needs may be.
This year’s theme, “321 & Beyond – Raising Aspirations, Inclusion, Support & Empowerment For People With Down Syndrome”, centered on advancing opportunities as well as recognizing the potential and abilities of the Down Syndrome community. The celebration focused on four action-points: raising aspirations, inclusion, support, and empowerment. The importance of helping individuals with Down Syndrome dream bigger, participate more fully in schools, workplaces, and communities, access the support they need, and find platforms where their voices and talents can be recognized.
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PUMA Brings Football Lifestyle To Streetwear With The Exclusive Philippines City Tee Showcased By Arthur Nery
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| Celebrated Filipino artist Arthur Nery wearing PUMA's Philippines City Tee lifestyle jersey (Image Source: GadAboutPrincess.com/PUMA Philippines) |
PUMA Philippines injects fresh energy into the local streetwear scene with the drop of Philippines City Tee, a Philippines-exclusive lifestyle football jersey that reflects the evolving identity of the modern Filipino fan. The new release sets a fresh benchmark for modern apparel, merging the raw passion of the pitch with a clean, everyday aesthetic.
Football has evolved far beyond the stadium and celebrated Filipino artist Arthur Nery is leading the charge as the face of this new release. Recently spotted rocking the jersey, Nery captures the exact energy of the passionate Filipino fan community. He effortlessly bridges the gap between match-day pride and daily fashion, proving this piece goes way beyond the pitch. His fit cements the jersey as a true day-to-night staple at the intersection of sport, music, and local culture. The visual design goes heavy on national pride without sacrificing its streetwear edge. A bold “PILIPINAS” wordmark takes center stage, but the real flex is in the elevated detailing. The graphic seamlessly integrates powerful national symbols, featuring the Philippine eagle, and the iconic three stars and a sun marking. Cut with a relaxed fit and a classic V-neck, the jersey utilizes ergonomic cutlines to create a clean, tailored look paired with a blue-pink design that elevates any daily rotation.
Made to suit the local climate, the PUMA Philippines City Tee jersey is created with the signature dryCELL Technology to wick away moisture and keep wearers sweat-free all day. The premium shell and inserts are crafted entirely from 100% recycled polyester, pushing the brand’s commitment to sustainability. A touch of elastane in the ribbed collar delivers reliability and supreme comfort and ensures the jersey moves with the flow. PUMA continues to champion the local football community by creating versatile streetwear that lets fans proudly represent the Philippines far beyond the grandstands. The PUMA Philippines City Tee is now available nationwide as the latest standout piece in the H-Street Collection. Fans can secure this exclusive lifestyle jersey for Php3,300 online at PUMA.com and in select PUMA flagship stores across the country.
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Araneta City's Cultural Program Expands Support For Filipino Weavers And Indigenous Textiles
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Araneta City) |
Araneta City and its corporate social responsibility arm, the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), are launching HIBLA: Tradition Woven Forward, an expanded cultural initiative aimed at supporting Filipino weavers and preserving indigenous textile traditions. “Hibla, meaning ‘fiber’ or ‘strand’, perfectly encapsulates the essence of what we aim to achieve. Each thread tells a story — of our history, our communities, and our future,” said JAAF Executive Director Diane Romero.
The initiative builds on Habi Fiesta!, which ran as a standalone trade fair in 2024 and 2025 at Gateway Mall 1, Araneta City. For 2026, the program is being broadened into a longer-term platform designed to support weavers beyond traditional marketplace events. The expanded HIBLA program includes capacity-building activities, creative collaborations, and recognition platforms intended to help artisans strengthen and sustain their craft in a modern economy. Organizers said the shift reflects a broader effort to bring Philippine weaving into contemporary markets while reinforcing artisan communities. “HIBLA honors a legacy rooted in our founder, J. Amado Araneta, through the spirit of ‘Tradition Woven Forward’. We are not only preserving heritage but actively propelling it into modern relevance by opening market access, bringing indigenous textiles to the mainstream, and inspiring new applications that ensure their lasting impact,” said Romero. The centerpiece of the program is the three-day Weavers’ Fair, scheduled for May 15-17, 2026 at Quantum Skyview in Gateway Mall 2. The event, open to the public, will feature handwoven textiles and products from partner weaving communities across the country.
Proceeds from the fair will go to the Gateway Gallery, Araneta City’s art museum, to support its 2027 public programs. Beyond the fair, HIBLA will also roll out workshops on branding and digital storytelling, limited-edition merchandise inspired by traditional weaving patterns, and the HIBLA Awards which will recognize excellence in craftsmanship, storytelling, and design presentation. “Through HIBLA, we invite Filipinos to engage with Philippine textiles beyond simply shopping. It is an invitation to be part of a living legacy — one that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in tradition,” said Romero.
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Jollibee Turns Summer Break Into Hands-On Learning With JolliKids Fun Camp
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| (Image Source: Jollibee) |
Jollibee officially kicked off its JolliKids Fun Camp this summer, offering children a fun and structured way to spend school break through guided activities that mix play, learning, and social interaction inside select stores nationwide. “JolliKids Fun Camp is about more than keeping kids busy during the summer. It is seeing them light up as they try new things, discover what they can do, and naturally build friendships along the way. At the end of the day, they are learning without even thinking of it as learning because they are having fun with other kids,” said Jollibee Philippines Vice President of Marketing Dorothy Dee-Ching.
Open to children aged 4 to 12, the three-day program runs in short sessions of two to three hours and will be held in participating stores across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The camp runs until June 30, 2026 with registration ongoing. The program is designed as an exciting guided in-store experience where children are introduced to simple restaurant tasks in a supervised setting. These include taking and serving orders, assisting in dine-in and drive-thru operations, and preparing their familiar favorites such as Jolly Spaghetti, Yumburger, and Choco Sundae. Participants will also get to learn Filipino values through a Values Book storytelling session and get a chance to dance and celebrate with Jollibee to cap off the program. Beyond the activities, the camp is designed to help children meet new friends, experience basic service roles, enjoy hands-on food preparation, and practice simple values such as teamwork and responsibility, all while learning through play.
Registration is set at Php799 per participant, inclusive of a camp apron, cap, tote bag, a Jollibee Values Book, workshop materials, and meals for the three-day program. Interested parents may register through participating stores or visit https://www.jollibee.com.ph/promos/jollikids-summer-fun-camp-2026. With more families seeking structured yet enjoyable activities during school break, the program positions itself as a blend of learning, social development, and play in a supervised environment.
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Global eSports Federation Partners With Trivandi For Los Angeles 2026 Global eSports Games
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| (Image Source: Global eSports Federation) |
The Global eSports Federation (GEF) has entered into a strategic partnership with Trivandi, a global leader in advisory, design, and delivery of mega events and experiences. As part of this partnership, Trivandi has been appointed as Operational Delivery Partner for the Los Angeles 2026 Global eSports Games. The partnership will see GEF and Trivandi collaborate across global eslSports events, host city opportunities, and multi-sport ecosystems, combining Trivandi’s experience in delivering complex international events with GEF’s global network of 180 Member Federations at the intersection of sport, technology, entertainment, and culture.
GEF President and CEO Sir Paul J. Foster said, “Trivandi brings world-class experience from the Olympic Games, Formula 1, and the FIFA World Cup. Together, we will elevate the delivery of the Global eSports Games and set new benchmarks for esports on the global stage. Los Angeles 2026 marks the beginning of a partnership focused on quality innovation, entertainment, and global impact.” Trivandi Co-Founder and CEO James Bulley OBE said, “What excites us about eSports is how it brings together sport, technology, entertainment, and culture in a format growing at remarkable pace with global audiences. The Global eSports Games in Los Angeles is exactly the kind of complex, multi-dimensional event our team is built for. We share GEF’s ambition to deliver something exceptional while supporting the continued growth of eSports worldwide.” As the Operational Delivery Partner for Los Angeles 2026, Trivandi will lead end-to-end event delivery, working in partnership with GEF to deliver a world-class experience for athletes, fans, and stakeholders. The Los Angeles 2026 Global eSports Games will take place on December 2–10, 2026, bringing together athletes from over 100 countries and territories. The nine-day program will feature elite competition, the GEFestival cultural program, the GEFcon thought leadership conference, and Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Building on previous editions in Singapore, Istanbul, Riyadh, and Mumbai, Los Angeles 2026 represents a significant step forward in scale and ambition for the Global eSports Games. The appointment follows the success of the recent Global eSports Games Mumbai and comes at a landmark moment for major events in the United States with the country set to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Expo 2031 Minnesota where Trivandi also serves as Official Advisory & Delivery Founding Partner.
