As the new year opens, SM Supermalls reaffirms its commitment to Filipino job seekers by welcoming 2026 with renewed energy, bigger opportunities, and a proven track record of impact through its nationwide Job Fair program.

Building on a landmark 2025, SM Job Fairs have evolved beyond traditional recruitment events into a full-scale career ecosystem—bringing together employers, job seekers, skills training, and government services in one accessible, community-based platform.

Massive crowd of job seekers during Labor Day Job Fairs at SM City Bacolod (left photo) and SM Mall of Asia (right photo).

A Strong 2025 Performance, By the Numbers

In 2025 alone, SM Supermalls hosted 198 job fairs nationwide, connecting over 117,000 job seekers with more than 6,000 employers across industries. These efforts resulted in 15,000+ hired-on-the-spot, proving that accessible, purpose-driven platforms can deliver real employment outcomes at scale.

Senior High School students explore future career paths and digital upskilling opportunities at interactive booths during an SM Job Fair held in 2025, in partnership with government and private sector stakeholders.

Beyond hiring, SM Job Fairs expanded their impact through partnerships with key government agencies, embedding skills training, digital upskilling, and on-site services directly into job fair venues—helping future-proof Filipino workers while removing barriers to employment.

Reputable and prestigious employers from PMAP's network like BDO Coca-Cola and SM Supermalls, open doors to job seekers during the two-day career event at SM City North EDSA.

Zamboanga City Opens the Year with an Exclusive Job Fair

Leading SM’s 2026 kickoff is SM City Zamboanga, set to host an exclusive Job Fair on January 16–17, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Zamboanga City Coliseum. Held in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office – Zamboanga City (PESO) and Department of Labor and Employment Region IX (DOLE IX), the two-day event will feature over 400 job openings from more than 20 employers in retail, food and beverage, customer service, operations, and support services.

A strong turnout marks the previous exclusive Job Fair at SM City Zamboanga in 2024, with hundreds of job seekers lining up early to explore employment opportunities and submit applications—proof of the city’s strong demand for accessible jobs close to home.

With the empowering call to action—“Start strong. Find what fits. Your future begins at SM”—the job fair invites applicants to explore career opportunities aligned with their skills, passions, and long-term goals.

To ensure a smoother experience, online pre-registration is now open, with strong early interest already recorded. The upcoming job fair is expected to welcome over 5,000 applicants, with more than 4,000 registrants already signed up through PESO as of this week.

On-the-spot interviews and real conversations take center stage during the 2024 exclusive Job Fair at SM City Zamboanga, where employers and applicants connect face-to-face—setting the tone for an even bigger turnout this year

As Zamboanga City continues to grow as a regional economic hub, the SM City Zamboanga Job Fair serves as a vital platform for employment generation, workforce development, and public-private collaboration—supporting inclusive growth in the region.

More Opportunities This Year

With strong momentum from 2025, and a packed calendar ahead, SM Job Fairs begin 2026 ready to connect more Filipinos to meaningful work—one opportunity, one community, and one future at a time.

Job seekers excitedly flex their call back interview slips during an SM Job Fair conducted in 2025

Welcome 2026 with a grand tour of Cebu’s newest shopping destination, SM J Mall. From eye-catching finds to lifestyle upgrades worth talking about, this curated list of must-haves is sure to match your bold, ever-evolving taste. Step into the New Year with fresh energy and exciting possibilities.

From Saints to Shops

Today’s holiday is a blend of history, culture and commerce. While its early meaning was religious and solemn, Valentine’s Day has transformed into a global celebration of affection and partnership. In many countries, people exchange cards, flowers and gifts — an evolution that really took off in the 19th and 20th centuries when greeting cards and chocolates began to be mass-produced.

The modern version of Valentine’s Day is deeply commercialized, with industries around the world capitalizing on the occasion. Flowers, chocolates, jewelry and dining experiences are marketed as expressions of love — generating billions in retail sales annually. Experts note that this commercialization can make the holiday feel like an obligation rather than a genuine celebration of relationships.

More Than Romantic Love

Another fact many overlook: Valentine’s Day isn’t only for lovers.

In the Philippines and other cultures, families, friends and even coworkers take the day to express care and appreciation for one another. In some schools and community events, children make cards or crafts for classmates and family members. For elders and caregivers, the day has been marked with celebrations that highlight friendship and care across generations.

In recent years, related observances such as Palentine’s Day — celebrated on February 13 — have gained traction, focusing on platonic love and friendship, broadening the scope of affection beyond romantic relationships.

Why Do We Celebrate It Today?

The widely accepted meaning of Valentine’s Day today is simple: it is a push to express love and appreciation to people we care about — whether partners, family members, or friends.

For many, it remains a special chance to pause and communicate feelings that might otherwise go unsaid. Despite its commercialization, couples and families alike say the day has become more meaningful when tied to sincerity, shared time and thoughtful gestures.

What to Give — and What It May Mean

While store displays may push chocolates and roses first, modern gift guides offer a wider range of ideas tailored to relationship stage and personal taste:

• New relationships: Small, thoughtful items — like a handwritten card or a heart card — can acknowledge feelings without pressure.

• Established partners: Experiences, personalized keepsakes or meaningful tokens like photo frames or engraved items can mark deeper connections.

• Families and friends: Gifts don’t have to be romantic. Simple crafts, shared meals or time together tell loved ones they matter.

• Children or older loved ones: Playful or practical gifts — from creative Lego sets to crafts — keep the spirit light and inclusive for all ages.

Experts also caution that emotional connection and effort often outweigh price tags. A small but thoughtful gesture can matter more than an expensive present, especially when it reflects understanding of the recipient’s personality and needs.

 

A Day of Love, Not Just Labels

At its heart, Valentine’s Day still calls people to express appreciation — not just for romantic partners but for all meaningful relationships.

Whether it’s giving a custom gift or simply spending quality time, the true spirit of Valentine’s Day remains rooted in connection, kindness and care — a message that transcends centuries and cultures.

They were no longer just a pair. They became individual actors.

And yet, while pursuing solo work, they continued to show up for each other’s premieres. No loud statements. No dramatic declarations. Just quiet support that fans noticed.

That detail now adds weight to this film reunion.

Because this is not a comeback born out of nostalgia. It feels like a reunion chosen at the right time.

DonBelle first rose to popularity through the series adaptation of He’s Into Her, where viewers watched their onscreen chemistry grow from awkward encounters to heartfelt moments. That success led to projects like Love is Color Blind, Can’t Buy Me Love, and An Inconvenient Love, where their pairing became one of the defining loveteams of the early 2020s.

But over the years, audiences also grew with them.

The fans who once watched them as teenage characters are now older. Their stories are more mature. Their expectations for romance films have changed. And so have Donny and Belle.

This is why the lack of details about the upcoming film—the director, the writer, the story, the cast—somehow adds to the excitement. It leaves room for imagination. What kind of story would fit DonBelle now?

Surely, not the same kilig formula from years ago.

This time, viewers are expecting something deeper. Something that reflects who Donny and Belle have become as actors and as individuals in the industry.

For showbiz followers, this reunion also says something about the current state of loveteams in Philippine entertainment. In recent years, many pairings have struggled to maintain relevance once individual careers start to branch out. But DonBelle seems to be doing the opposite. Their individual growth appears to have strengthened the interest in seeing them together again.

It is a rare situation where separation made the reunion more exciting.

Star Cinema’s simple announcement did not need heavy promotion because the story was already written in the past few years: two young stars who proved they can stand alone, choosing to work together again.

That narrative resonates beyond fandom.

It becomes a story about timing, growth, and chemistry that did not fade.

For DonBelle fans, this is the return of the kilig they missed. For showbiz enthusiasts, this is an interesting case of how a loveteam evolves instead of fading. And for casual viewers, this might be the film that reintroduces Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano not just as a pairing, but as more seasoned performers.

As of now, there are no plot details. No release date. No teaser scenes.

Just two smiles in a photo.

But sometimes, in showbiz, that is already a powerful opening scene.

 

WHAT THE CELEBRITIES’ CAMP SAYS

The legal counsels of Rhian Ramos and Michelle Dee have strongly denied the allegations. They stated in multiple statements that:

There was no illegal detention or torture.

The last known interaction was a qualified theft complaint filed by Michelle Dee against the driver — alleging the missing photos were taken without permission.

According to their lawyer, records show Michelle Dee was in Iloilo City on January 17 gracing an event, the date the driver claims he was allegedly detained and assaulted, making the claim “physically impossible.”

OTHER CONFIRMED EVENT

Qualified Theft Blotter, materials from barangay records confirm that Michelle Dee filed a blotter report against the driver on January 18 in Makati, alleging that he (the driver) physically harmed her that left bruises and scratches  and that he had taken sensitive items.

LEGAL ISSUES POTENTIALLY AT PLAY

Here’s how this could align with Philippine law if either side is proven true:

If Driver’s Claims Are True

Illegal Detention: Under Article 274 of the Revised Penal Code, detaining a person without lawful authority is a crime.

Torture/Physical Injuries: Physical harm caused unlawfully could lead to charges under the Anti-Torture Act (RA 9745) and provisions on physical injuries.

Abuse of Authority: If police officers were involved in unlawful detention, they could face administrative and criminal charges under the Philippine National Police (PNP) regulations and criminal law.

If Celebrities’ Claims Are True

Perjury or False Accusation: Filing knowingly false charges could expose the complainant to perjury provisions under the Revised Penal Code and anti-perjury laws.

Qualified Theft: The theft complaint filed by Michelle Dee — which was dismissed — was grounded on Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code. While dismissed, pursuing alleged theft is within her legal rights if supported by evidence.

(Note: At this stage, no court has convicted anyone in this case. The NBI is still evaluating evidence; this article states possible legal consequences only as context.)

SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETIZEN REACTIONS

As the story went viral, social media reactions have been divided:

Some netizens believe that if the allegations of unlawful detention and assault are true, the celebrities should be held accountable. 

Others defended the actresses based on alibi claims, including Michelle Dee’s presence in Iloilo on January 17, and questioned the credibility of the driver’s story. 

Friends and colleagues, including former beauty queens and designers, publicly defended the celebrities, describing them as “calm” and “professional.”

There's also some comments on Reddit and X highlight disbelief that someone could survive a fall from a high floor if truly tortured and immobilized.

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

The NBI is continuing its review. A medico-legal exam and possible evidence from CCTV or telecom providers could be crucial. No formal criminal charges have been filed against the celebrities yet, and both sides are awaiting further investigation.

Featuring 40 micro-episodes that run just one to two minutes each, the mini-drama series namely A Masked Billionaire Stole My Heart, Babae Sa Bintana, and Toyang To Forget, are exclusively produced by GMA Network and topbilled by GMA Sparkle stars Andrea Torres, Empoy Marquez, Herlene “Hipon” Budol, Michael Sager, Will Ashley, and Ysabel Ortega.

Commitment to User-Centric Innovation

Leadership from both corporations hailed the partnership as a major step forward for the Philippine entertainment landscape.

BingoPlus President Jasper Vicencio underscored the company's commitment to user-centric innovation stating "Our ongoing partnership with GMA Network is a true game-changer for digital entertainment in the Philippines and a significant milestone for DigiPlus and BingoPlus.”

Vicencio added that “By delivering high-quality, bite-sized narratives, we are not just expanding our platform—we are meeting our users exactly where they are: on their mobile devices, demanding premium, easily digestible content. This initiative solidifies our commitment to multiplying the fun and setting a new standard for mobile entertainment that is accessible to every Filipino with a smartphone.”

“GMA Network is thrilled to be in this continuous partnership with a digital leader like DigiPlus to bring our narrative content to a broader, mobile-first audience. The vertical drama format allows our Sparkle talents and compelling storytelling to shine in a way that perfectly captures the attention of today’s viewers. This venture highlights our commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional, platform-optimized entertainment across the dynamic digital landscape,” disclosed GMA Network Senior Vice President Atty. Annette Gozon Valdes.

GMA’s “A Masked Billionaire Stole My Heart” poster, streaming exclusively on BingoPlus app

 

This strategic content initiative underscores the commitment of both DigiPlus and GMA Network to innovation and market leadership. By delivering platform-optimized content, DigiPlus reinforces its position at the forefront of the Philippine digital entertainment sector. Viewers can access these exclusive vertical dramas by downloading the BingoPlus app to their mobile devices.

For more updates on the latest BingoPlus reels, viewers can follow DigiPlus, BingoPlus, and GMA Sparkle official accounts on Facebook and Instagram.