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| (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
Continuing its pursuit of educational innovation, De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) marked a historic milestone with the blessing of its Nursing Simulation Laboratory last July 1, 2026 at the Mabini Building. Designed to advance nursing education through cutting-edge technology, the facility is the first of its kind in Batangas, reinforcing DLSL’s commitment to producing highly competent, compassionate, and globally competitive healthcare professionals.
The ceremony gathered the Lasallian community, led by President Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC, Chancellor Dr. Merlin Teodosia Suarez, and College of Nursing Dean Dr. Margie Ebreo. They were joined by representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) CALABARZON and partners from SCIGATE Technologies Inc. More than an inauguration, the event celebrated a major investment that bridges classroom instruction and real-world clinical practice through immersive, technology-driven learning. At the heart of the laboratory are two high-fidelity patient simulators: Pediatric HAL and Adult HAL. These simulators closely mimic human responses — blinking, displaying facial expressions, crying, producing vital sounds, demonstrating chest rise, and communicating through customizable voice recordings. This technology provides students with invaluable opportunities to manage diverse clinical scenarios that are rarely encountered during standard hospital rotations, allowing them to develop critical-thinking and patient-care competencies in a safe, controlled environment. In his address, Br. Dodo FSC underscored the significance of this development for one of the institution's premier programs. Citing its strong enrollment and consistent performance in licensure examinations, he shared, "I think our College of Nursing can be appropriately called one of our flagship programs." He noted that the laboratory elevates the quality of instruction, expressing hope it would attract aspiring healthcare professionals and continue producing excellent nurses dedicated to serving the Filipino people. Br. Dodo FSC also revealed that the facility aligns with the school's vision of establishing a College of Nursing and Allied Health, positioning the current program as a trailblazer for future health sciences.
Reflecting on the project’s journey, Dr. Palma recounted how the concept was first presented in 2024. Initially envisioned as a phased project, it became a reality through the collective support of the institution's leadership, operational units, and academic community. She remarked, "What we envisioned back in 2024 has finally become a reality," thanking the administration, Operations Council, and support offices. Dr. Palma highlighted that the laboratory represents a meaningful investment, enabling future nurses to transition smoothly from theory to realistic hospital practice. Echoing this gratitude, Chancellor Dr. Suarez described the facility as a long-awaited blessing. Drawing inspiration from the popular phrase, she reflected on the vital role nurses play in society, "It's a beautiful day to save lives." Acknowledging the patience and hard work of everyone who brought the project to fruition, Dr. Suarez shared, "Today is simply a good day to be grateful." The establishment of this laboratory cements DLSL’s reputation as a forward-thinking institution investing in student success. By providing access to world-class, simulation-based training right in the province, DLSL empowers aspiring nurses to build the confidence and skills required to excel in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
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Shakira & Burna Boy’s ‘Dai Dai’, The Official FIFA World Cup™ Song, Is The #1 Global Song
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Sony Music Entertainment) |
Shakira isn’t just the undisputed queen of summer with “Dai Dai”. The Colombian superstar also remains the most-streamed Latin artist in the world today, thanks to her latest track alongside African icon Burna Boy. The single is the most-streamed song on Spotify globally and tops the Billboard Global Chart for the week of June 30, 2026, a milestone that further cements Shakira’s standing as one of the most influential voices in global music. Released last May 14, 2026, “Dai Dai” is the official anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The track is a powerful fusion of Latin and pop rhythms with the magnetism of Nigerian afrobeat.
The song speaks to perseverance, celebrates the world’s most beloved sport, and honors the unity that passion inspires, while paying tribute to some of the greatest figures in the jogo bonito including Pelé, Diego Armando Maradona, Paolo Maldini, Romário, Cristiano Ronaldo, El Pibe Valderrama, Andrés Iniesta, David Beckham, Kaká, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Mohamed Salah. Even before reaching #1 on Spotify’s Top Global Songs chart, “Dai Dai” had already made history. Its official music video has surpassed 296 million views while the song itself has topped 500 million global streams on digital platforms. Shakira also recently surpassed 99 million monthly Spotify listeners, setting a new record for any Latin female artist in the platform’s history. “Dai Dai” currently sits on the charts in more than 56 countries. Shakira is currently on the second U.S. leg of her hit tour, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, performing in a special World Cup edition. The U.S. run kicked off shortly after her highly anticipated return to Brazil, where she headlined a historic free concert on Copacabana Beach that drew more than 2 million fans. Before heading to Spain for the European residency of Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Shakira will co-headline the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Halftime Show on July 19, 2026 alongside Madonna and BTS. For the first time in FIFA World Cup™ history, the final will feature a halftime show bringing together world-class artists for a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture, and purpose — in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
In Spain, Shakira will make history by introducing, on a major scale, a new model of international residency. The tour will take place at Shakira Stadium, a venue designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and located within Iberdrola Music with a capacity for more than 50,000 fans per night. The venue will offer full visibility from every angle, state-of-the-art acoustics, and enhanced fan experiences. Since its launch in February 2025, the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour has broken records worldwide, becoming, in the same year, the highest-grossing tour across all genres. In January 2026, it also earned the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing tour in history for a Spanish-language artist, further cementing Shakira’s place as one of the most influential live performers of her generation.
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Moira Dela Torre Ushers In Her Most Powerful Comeback Yet With ‘I’m Okay (Deluxe)’
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Universal Records Philippines) |
After becoming the voice behind some of the most unforgettable songs of heartbreak and healing in Filipino music, Moira Dela Torre is ready to turn the page as the multi-awarded singer-songwriter recently made her long-awaited return with I’m Okay (Deluxe), a bold new chapter that signals not just the expansion of a beloved album but the beginning of a brighter era.
More than a comeback, the project marks the return of an artist who has spent years shaping the emotional soundtrack of an entire generation. This time, Moira invites listeners into a world where hope speaks louder than heartbreak, proving that healing can be just as powerful as pain. Anchored by the highly anticipated focus track “San Ka Na” featuring Parokya Ni Edgar, I’m Okay (Deluxe) brings together an extraordinary lineup of collaborators including Ben&Ben, Adie, and Johnoy Danao, creating one of the most exciting OPM releases of the year. Each collaboration bridges generations and musical styles, showcasing Moira’s remarkable ability to bring artists together through deeply human storytelling. The album reimagines familiar songs with fresh perspectives while introducing new emotional layers that make every track feel both timeless and refreshingly new. It is an ambitious celebration of collaboration, artistry, and the enduring power of Filipino music at its finest. While millions have embraced Moira for giving words to heartbreak, I’m Okay (Deluxe) reveals the artist behind the songs in a way audiences have never seen before. The project captures a lighter, more present, and more joyful Moira, one who embraces life’s quiet victories, everyday moments, and the simple happiness found in moving forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, the album reflects the beauty of choosing hope, finding comfort in community, and rediscovering oneself after life’s most difficult seasons.
With I’m Okay (Deluxe), Moira Dela Torre doesn’t simply revisit a successful era; she transforms it into something even more meaningful. The album stands as a testament to resilience, artistic evolution, and the courage to embrace new beginnings while staying true to the honesty that first made audiences fall in love with her music. As listeners press play, they are invited to celebrate not only Moira’s return but also their own journeys of healing, growth, and hope. Sometimes the biggest comeback is not about returning to who you were, but finally becoming who you were always meant to be.
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Google Brings AI-Powered Shopping To Gemini In The Philippines
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| (Image Source: BusinessWorld/Google) |
Google is introducing an AI shopping update in the Gemini app to help with all your shopping-related needs, whether that’s finding the best birthday gift, comparing running shoes and brainstorming the ‘aesthetic’ fitcheck, or discovering the right piece of luggage for your next trip. Describe what you’re looking for just as you’d say it to a friend, and get a thorough response, with accurate shopping data you can trust.
You can also now use shopping features right in the Gemini app, helping you go from brainstorming to browsing right within your chat. You can find shoppable product listings, comparison tables, prices from across the web, and places to buy. When you ask Gemini a shopping question, you’ll get an intelligently organized response that brings together rich visuals and all the details you need (like price, reviews, and inventory information), helping you quickly and confidently decide what to buy. Responses are tailored to your specific question and formatted for your needs. For example, if you’re looking for visual inspiration, like “birthday gift ideas for my dad who is into the NBA. My budget is Php2,000”, you’ll see shoppable images in a helpful carousel. Or, if you’re deciding between a few options — like the right bag or piece of luggage for a weekend away, you’ll see a comparison table with a side-by-side view of considerations specific to that product (such as case dimensions and weight) to help you quickly understand the nuances.
And because these new shopping features in Gemini are powered by the Shopping Graph (which includes more than 60 billion product listings, two billion of which are updated every hour), you can see fresh information and unmatched selection you can trust. These new capabilities are designed to reduce the time spent switching between multiple websites while helping users evaluate products more efficiently. Whether searching for gifts, comparing consumer electronics, researching travel accessories, or exploring fashion options, Gemini can organize shopping information into a more accessible format that supports faster and more informed purchasing decisions.
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Smart Prepaid Launches New Power All Offers To Power Gen Z Side Quests
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| (Image Source: Business Mirror/Smart Communications Inc.) |
Recognizing that today’s Gen Z users move fluidly from one side quest to the next, Smart Prepaid has enhanced its Power All promos to empower them to stay connected to the apps that matter most to them. “Gen Zs are no longer defined by a single path to success. They are open to exploring sidequests, which are spontaneous and fun pursuits that may not be long-term commitments but allow them to step away from their routine, try new experiences, and discover more about themselves along the way. Smart Prepaid’s new Power All offers are designed to support these dynamic lifestyles by giving our subscribers the flexibility and connectivity to pursue their side quests every day,” said Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) First Vice President and Co-OIC Marjorie C. Garrovillo.
Smart Prepaid’s new Power All 109 comes with Unli TikTok or Facebook, plus 5 GB worth of access to the app bundle that suits their side quest: Binge, Share, Game, and Grind. Catering to entertainment lovers, the Binge bundle comes with access to YouTube, Viu, iWant, and Cignal Play. Meanwhile, the Share bundle covers popular social and messaging apps including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Viber. The Game bundle includes access to today’s popular games such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings, and Call of Duty. Completing the lineup is the Grind bundle which is built for productivity and creativity as it offers access to the Google Suite. On top of all these, Power All 109 also comes with 10 GB open access data, 4 GB of 5G data, and unlimited calls and texts, valid for seven days.
Subscribers looking for more open access data allocation can opt for Power All 149 which comes with Unli TikTok or Facebook, 5 GB for their chosen app bundle, 16 GB open access data, 5 GB of 5G data, and unlimited calls and texts, also valid for seven days. For heavier data users, Power All 449 offers Unli TikTok or Facebook, 20 GB for their chosen app bundle, 30 GB open access data, 15 GB of 5G data, and unlimited calls and texts, valid for 28 days. Smart Prepaid subscribers may register to the new Power All offers through the Smart App, their preferred mobile wallet app, by dialing *123#, or by visiting the nearest Smart Store or authorized retailer nationwide.
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DAZN Partners With WSC To Expand Global Motorsport Offering With KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour Rights
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| (Image Source: DAZN Group) |
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, has partnered with WSC to add the KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour, the pinnacle of touring car competition, to its growing international motorsport portfolio. The KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour, which strengthens DAZN’s position as the global home of sport, serves as a global platform where full-season professional drivers compete against local entries in regional and national TCR series.
DAZN is broadcasting all events from the 2026 KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour season for free globally, excluding China, South Korea, and Hungary. Fans can watch every qualifying session and race live, alongside highlights from all seven events this season, comprising 18 rounds and culminating in the championship finale weekend in November. The addition of the KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour further expands DAZN’s motorsport offering, which already includes Formula 1 and MotoGP in select markets, as well as the TCR Europe and TCR Spain championships globally, giving fans broader access to elite touring car racing content alongside DAZN’s extensive multi-sport portfolio. WSC President Marcello Lotti said, “TV coverage of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour keeps on growing which testifies to the attraction of the TCR touring car races. The addition of live broadcasting on DAZN, one of the most important digital platforms for sports, makes our global audience even larger.” DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said, “DAZN is the global home of sport, bringing fans closer to the competitions and moments they care about most, wherever they are in the world. Adding the KUMHO FIA TCR World Tour enhances our growing motorsport offering and delivers thrilling high-growth sports content to a global audience. We are delighted to partner with WSC to bring every race of the championship to fans around the world for free.”
