The Santa Ursula Parish in Binangonan, Rizal, has been officially recognized as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). This prestigious award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon historical sites in the Philippines, was conferred on March 2, 2025, during a special mass and ceremony.  The church, originally established by Franciscan friars as a pilgrimage site in Morong in 1621, has a rich and diverse history. It has been under the care of various religious orders, including the Jesuits, Augustinians, and Franciscans. The current church structure was built between 1792 and 1800, with renovations in 1853. It has also endured hardships, including destruction during the Philippine-American War and occupation by American forces. Participants to the historic program for the declaration of the Sta. Ursula Church in Binangonan, Rizal as a National Cultural Treasure: Hon. Victorino Mapa Manalo, Most Rev. Ruperto Cruz Santos, D.D., Rev. F...

  MMMA top graduates, from left: Cadets Clifford Quisto, Alissa Jean Evasco, Shaina Moriones, and Jeramil Dela Cruz.  Japanese firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and the Philippines’ Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC) continue to produce its own roster of reliable, talented Filipino seafarers through MOL-Magsaysay Maritime Academy Inc. (MMMA). The merchant marine academy, established in 2018, held its 2nd commencement exercises ceremony on February 18 attended by special guests former Senator Manny Pacquiao and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, together with MMC CEO Doris Magsaysay Ho and MOL Executive Vice President Toshiaki Tanaka. Celebrating the achievements of MMMA’s second graduating class of students who completed the entire curriculum, including shipboard training, Tanaka expressed his deep appreciation to the school community and the families of the graduates for their support. “Make the most of the knowledge and experience you have ...

Marissa Basa, 4th from left, is joined by  Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA General Manager Mr. Reycie Gutierrez, SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. VP for Human Resources and Organizational Development Ms. Charmagne Adonis, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA General Manager Ms. Ann Olalo, and SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. Asst. VP for Public Relations Ms. Nian Rigor. Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, with the full support of Radisson Hotel Group and its owning company, Radisson Hotel Group Corp. (SMHCC), aims to create lasting, positive change by giving People Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) the tools to build better futures for themselves and their families. The Basic Housekeeping Skills Training for PDLs program, launched in October 2024, at the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory, aligns with Quezon City government's No Woman Left Behind initiative, aims to empower women and equip them with the skills needed to rebuild their lives. In partnersh...

My good friend and media colleague Lourdes Fabian, former editor of the defunct Moviestar Magazine, is a heart patient survivor at the Philippine Heart Center. On January 4 this year, she experienced what she thought was a mild stroke which eventually led to thrombectomy, an emergency procedure to remove blood clots in the brain to help blood to flow normally in her body. We, her friends, didn’t know what exactly happened to her. Maybe she suffered an acute stroke, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure -- or maybe all together – because any of these could cause blood clots in the brain. But the good thing is she was operated on immediately and had a new lease in life. Three weeks after the procedure, we were relieved to see her responding positively. Though very weak, she could talk normally and she recognized us. One month and 10 days after, on February 14, we visited Lourdes at home, and we're more than happy to see her fast recovery progress. She can now walk unaided, th...

MOL meets the press, from left: Yasunori Takamatsu, Chief Country Representative for the Philippines, MOL and President, MOL Enterprise (Philippines) Inc., Jesse Ho Maxwell, President and CEO to the Magsaysay Shipping & Logistics, Yosuke Ishibe, General Manager, Corporate Communication  Division, MOL     Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) recently conducted its first overseas company profile seminar for the local media in the Philippines as part of its goal to strengthen business in the country. Led by MOL President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto, the company presented its Blue Action 2035 management plan which aim to continue to contribute to the region by strengthening both shipping and non-shipping businesses in the Philippines, by training seafarers, and by serving its regional strategy.  MOL Corporate Communication Division General Manager Yosuke Ishibe opened the seminar with an introduction of the MOL Group's global business and environmental initiatives, follo...

Pawchester SHEeo Maine Uy-Jainani What do Heart Evangelista, Catriona Gray, and Janice de Belen have in common? All of them are fur moms who would do everything to give the best for their pet babies. Pawchester, a premium pet hospitality center in Greenhills, San Juan City, knows exactly what these celebrities and the millions of Filipino paw parents need. Maine Uy-Jainani, the owner and founder of Pawchester, aims for the pet center to be more than just a grooming center -- but a destination where pets are treated like family members. “It’s about making sure our clients—the pets—feel safe, comfortable, and loved. Our goal is to provide them with everything they need while giving their owners a chance to relax and enjoy themselves at our cafe.” This early, the newly opened pet park, salon, cum café is eyeing a potential collaboration with Heart Evangelista’s dog, Panda, as the face of their brand. “We want to work with someone like Heart, who embodies the love and care for pets that we...

    A poster-perfect photo of Bambanti dance showdown on the stage of Isabela Sports Complex A feast like no other, the vibrant Bambanti or Scarecrow Festival in the province of Isabela, held from January 19 to 25, 2025, pays homage to the hardworking farmers of the province and their allies -- the guardians of the rice fields, the scarecrows. Gov. Albano III and Vice Gov. Dy III welcomed the Isabeleños at the Bambanti grand parade and showdown competition at the Isabela Sports Complex. Joining them are the mayors of different municipalities and Philippine Ambassador to Japan H.E. Mylene Garcia Albano Aptly themed, Ang Piyesta ng Bagong Pilipinas , Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” Dy III made sure that all stones were unturned to unlock the beauty of Isabela and the hospitality of its people. The VIP guests, the thousands of Isabeleños themselves from the province’s 34 municipalities and three cities who flocked to the center of th...