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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) received two notable distinctions from the Department of Education (DepEd) during the recent Partners’ Appreciation Program held last May 8, 2026 in Mandaluyong City for its initiatives in supporting the agency’s nationwide efforts to advance quality education across local schools and empowering youth development for over 25 years.
With the theme “Partnerships That Endure, Reforms That Last”, the event honored organizations that continue to support DepEd’s efforts to strengthen the country’s education system. KCFI received a Certificate of Recognition for its unwavering commitment and longstanding collaboration with DepEd as well as a Plaque of Appreciation for its outstanding initiatives in delivering meaningful and accessible learning opportunities to schools and learners nationwide. KCFI Vice President Edric Calma accepted the awards on behalf of the foundation and expressed gratitude for the recognition while reaffirming KCFI’s commitment to supporting the agency’s mission, stating, “Maraming salamat po, DepEd, sa pagpapahalaga! Tuloy-tuloy po ang paglilingkod ng KCFI para makabuluhan at sa may kalidad na pag-aaral at edukasyon ng kabataang Filipino.” Education Secretary Sonny Angara also thanked partner organizations for their continued support in advancing education and nation-building, sharing, “Our partnership is a continuous crossing. It meets the learner in doubt, the teacher in transition, and the community in need. And with each step, it changes direction. Indeed, education is a shared mission. And nation-building begins when we choose to work together.”
Since its establishment in 1999, KCFI has worked closely with DepEd through the production and distribution of curriculum-aligned educational content and learning resources for schools and communities nationwide. In 2025, KCFI and DepEd further strengthened their collaboration through DepEd TV Powered By Knowledge Channel, an initiative that delivers curriculum-based video lessons and educational programs to learners, teachers, and parents across the country through television and digital platforms, helping expand access to quality learning beyond the classroom.
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About 1,400 Lace Up For Coral Conservation At AFPMBAI’s Akbay Dagat Run
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| Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., together with senior AFP officers, joins the participants in the fun run during the AFPMBAI's “Akbay Dagat: Run For The Reefs” held last May 24, 2026 at Camp Aguinaldo, demonstrating solidarity and support for environmental advocacy efforts. (Image Source: Armed Forces Of The Philippines/Armed Forces & Police Mutual Benefit Association Inc.) |
The grounds of the Fort Bonifacio Army Headquarters transformed into a sea of advocacy and athleticism last May 24, 2026 as the Armed Forces & Police Mutual Benefit Association Inc. (AFPMBAI) successfully hosted its highly anticipated “AKBAY DAGAT: Run For The Reefs”. Marking the culmination of the Association’s milestone 60th anniversary, the event drew about 1,400 participants — ranging from military personnel and families to fitness enthusiasts and environmental advocates — all running toward a singular goal: safeguarding the Philippine seas.
The event served as a powerful nationwide call to action, with proceeds dedicated to reef conservation, marine protection, capability-building, and education programs. Organized in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard and its allied agencies, the initiative places a special focus on preserving the vulnerable marine ecosystems of the West Philippine Sea. Among the participants making waves for the cause were Team Orange’s very own Jeman Villanueva, Kister Morata, and Sharmaine Rodriguez. Showcasing their commitment to both fitness and environmental sustainability, the trio successfully conquered the 5KM walk/run category, crossing the finish line after answering the early 5:00 am gun start. The morning also saw high-profile support from the Armed Forces reservist community. Highlighting the event’s roster were celebrity reservists Dingdong Dantes, Geneva Cruz, Enzo Pineda, Coleen Perez, Khimo Gumatay, and JC De Vera who laced up their running shoes to champion the maritime cause. The fun run featured 3K, 5K, 10K, and 16K distance categories, offering a tier for every fitness level while fostering a strong sense of community and shared responsibility.
“We aim to champion wellness and sustainability through this event,” said Rear Admiral Dorvin Jose L Legaspi PN (ret), AFPMBAI President and CEO. “We look forward to running alongside our fellow Filipinos to safeguard our nation’s natural resources, particularly our coral reefs,” said AFPMBAI President and CEO Rear Admiral Dorvin Jose L Legaspi PN (ret.). For six decades, the AFPMBAI has stood as a trusted partner of the nation’s Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP), securing the lives and financial well-being of over 400,000 members and their families. With the resounding success of the Akbay Dagat Run, the Association has once again proven that its commitment to service extends far beyond financial security — stretching straight into the preservation of the nation’s natural heritage.
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Ayala Malls Introduces Our Common Place: Shared Spaces For Work, Everyday Connection, And Community Support
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| Our Common Place at Greenbelt (Image Source: Ayala Land Inc.) |
As many Filipinos rethink where they work, gather, and find support, Ayala Malls introduces Our Common Place — a shared space initiative that makes malls more useful, accessible, and responsive to today’s realities. Across the metro, work arrangements are evolving, with many navigating improvised remote or flexible setups — yet not all homes are equipped for comfort or productivity. At the same time, rising costs are reshaping how households manage everyday expenses, with people seeking practical, accessible ways to meet daily needs or support one another within their communities.
Rolling out across One Ayala, Greenbelt, and Glorietta, Our Common Place is designed around these everyday needs, with shared spaces that serve as everyday forms of support — one offering space to work, rest, and connect, the other providing a simple way to share resources — making the mall not just a destination, but a place people can return to, rely on, and belong. Across participating malls, visitors will find flexible spaces that provide accessible environments for remote work, casual meetings, creative pursuits, or simply taking a pause. With features such as open tables, charging stations, small-group seating, and quieter corners for rest, these areas are designed to accommodate a range of needs throughout the day. Complementing these are community pantries that give mallgoers an easy way to donate essential goods, creating quiet, practical opportunities to give as part of everyday routines. The pantry becomes a natural extension of each visit — present, but not imposed. Collected contributions support the Makati PUV community, with donations going to PUV workers. The pantry also remains open to anyone who may need it — simple, accessible, and without barriers. “Today, people are looking for places that support how they live day to day. With Our Common Place, we’re opening up spaces where people can work, pause, or spend time with others — while making it easy to help one another. It makes the mall more meaningful in everyday life,” said Ayala Malls’ Head of Marketing and Consumer Experience Mae Dichupa. Find Our Common Place at these malls:
• Pause With A Purpose At One Ayala: At the fourth level, The Stacks offers a communal reading nook in a relaxed setting while The Hobby Hub provides board games and hands-on activities for those looking to unplug. The community pantry is located at the upper ground level of the main mall with satellite donation points at The Stacks and The Hobby Hub.
• Focus And Create At Greenbelt: Our Common Place at Greenbelt 5 is designed for creative exploration, focused work, or a simple pause – with lounge seating, work desks, and a coffee pop-up. A donation corner within the space allows for easy participation in giving.
• Connect And Stay At Glorietta: Located at the Palm Drive lobby, Our Common Place at Glorietta features communal tables, a coffee pop-up, a dedicated area for children, a community board, and productivity essentials. Glorietta’s community pantry is also located within the space.
With Our Common Place, Ayala Malls is part of everyday life — where people can work, rest, connect, and support one another in simple, practical ways.
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7-Eleven’s Updated CLiQQ App Simplifies Convenience Store Shopping
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| (Image Source: Astig PH/7-Eleven Philippines) |
Convenience is always within reach at 7-Eleven, from ready-to-eat meals to on-the-go essentials. Their CLiQQ app also makes every visit rewarding by letting customers earn points, redeem rewards, and make transactions all with the same app. Now, users can continue to enjoy a simplified experience because the platform just got an update. That’s right — the brand’s loyalty and rewards program app hit refresh, and it’s ready to make everyday errands simpler and even more rewarding for every kapitbahay.
With the CLiQQ 2.0, expect a modern look and an added store locator, wrapped in the same trusted app users know and love. The perks include earning points for every purchase which can be used to redeem rewards such as snackable favorites like Big Bite and 7-Fresh Siopao. Users can also pay cashless at any 7-Eleven branch with the CLiQQ wallet, pay bills, top-up load, and cash in their E-wallets, right in the palm of their hands. With a store locator now available, one can quickly find a 7-Eleven nearby. The feature lets users check which branches have an ATM or their favorite brands — like Crunch Time, Big Bite, City Cafe, City Prima, Slurpee, and more — so they’ll know exactly where to go when the craving hits. Don’t miss out on these benefits and download the app, quick! It’s easy to get: customers simply need to install CLiQQ 2.0 via the Google Play Store and App Store. To continue the perks they’ve been enjoying, current members can log in with their CLiQQ-registered mobile number and retrieve their CLiQQ points and wallet without a hitch. New to CLiQQ? Join in just a few taps and start earning points on every 7-Eleven visit.
CLiQQ 2.0 is now available for download. Get it now for an even better 7-Eleven run where paying bills, topping up load, and scoring delicious rewards are always within reach, thanks to the neighbor you can count on.
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SM Mall Of Asia Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Ben&Ben And Adie At Summer In The Sky Music Festival
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/SM Mall Of Asia) |
Thousands of music fans, food lovers, and festival-goers packed MOA Sky as SM Mall of Asia officially launched Summer In The Sky, its first-ever Food, Arts, and Music Festival, in celebration of the mall’s milestone 20th anniversary. As one of the most loved SM supermalls in the country, SM Mall of Asia transformed MOA Sky into a vibrant open-air entertainment destination for Summer in the Sky, combining live music, food experiences, art markets, lifestyle merchants, and fireworks into one large-scale celebration that captured the energy of today’s generation.
As the sun set, the atmosphere shifted into full concert mode as some of the country’s biggest OPM and P-Pop acts took over the stage and blasted music across the venue, turning MOA Sky into a sea of lights, sing-alongs, and nonstop crowd energy fueled by Gen Z fans. Headliners Ben&Ben and Adie delivered crowd-drawing performances that had fans singing every word while P-Pop groups 1621 and DNA brought explosive stage energy that kept audiences dancing and cheering throughout the night. Performers El Manu, Jessy Kang, TikTok personalities Dylan and AJ, together with an opening DJ set, completed the festival lineup that kept the momentum high from start to finish. From the barricades to the upper viewing decks, festival-goers filled the venue with phones raised, chants echoing across the open-air grounds, and social feeds flooded with real-time concert moments. The event showcased SM Mall of Asia’s growing appeal as a destination for immersive, youth-driven experiences that go beyond traditional mall entertainment. Beyond the concert stage, guests explored the Food Fair by Modern Market and the Maker’s Market, featuring trending food concepts, artisanal products, handmade crafts, accessories, and local creative brands. The combination of music, food, arts, and lifestyle experiences created a festival atmosphere that resonated strongly with young audiences looking for curated and experience-led events. The night ended with a grand fireworks display over SM by the Bay, giving festival-goers a cinematic finale and another signature entertainment moment from SM Mall of Asia.
Known as one of the Philippines’ leading lifestyle and entertainment destinations, SM Mall of Asia continues to strengthen its position as a premier venue for concerts, festivals, dining, shopping, and large-scale cultural experiences through innovative and community-driven activations. For 20 years, SM Mall of Asia has remained at the center of some of the country’s biggest entertainment moments. Through Summer In The Sky, the mall once again delivered a larger-than-life celebration that brought together music, culture, food, and community in one iconic destination. For updates on Summer In The Sky, MOA Sky events, and SM Mall of Asia’s 20th anniversary activities, visit SM Supermalls website at www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM Mall of Asia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/smmallofasia.
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Quezon City’s Emergency Responders Receive Mental Health Support From PLDT And Smart
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| Top: Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QC DRRMO) Head Bianca Perez-Diamante shares the importance of the partnership with PLDT and Smart to provide mental health support to frontliners and emergency responders. Bottom: Dr. Imelda V.G. Villar from the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) leads the holistic stress management workshop for the QC emergency responders. (Image Source: Starmometer/Smart Communications Inc.) |
In times of crisis and emergency, Quezon City’s frontliners keep communities safe and protected. But who ensures that they remain strong, supported, and ready to serve? PLDT and Smart, in partnership with the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), recently conducted a holistic stress management workshop for emergency response frontliners of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QC DRRMO) and the Quezon City Citizens Services Department (CSD). The initiative supports mental health and resilience under PLDT and Smart’s #KonektedForResilience program on disaster preparedness and community resilience.
The workshop addressed burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and the emotional toll of emergency work, while providing practical coping strategies for stress management and well-being. QC DRRMO Head Bianca Perez-Diamante emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that responders regularly face traumatic and high-pressure situations. QC CSD Acting Chief Administrative Officer Estelita Mañalac highlighted the value of self-care in sustaining effective public service, while responder Jeramen Devisfruto shared how mental stability directly impacts performance during emergencies.
The initiative also introduced the Smart Retailer program, offering participants a way to earn additional income through prepaid load and digital services. PLDT and Smart reaffirmed their commitment to supporting frontliners, emphasizing the importance of mental health care alongside their vital role in crisis response.
