SM City Baguio is making significant strides in water stewardship with its innovative rainwater treatment facility (RTF), launched in July 2023. In the months since, the facility has already processed over 17,111.80 cubic meters of rainwater – equivalent to 7 Olympic-size swimming pools, or enough to fill over 6,800 standard water tankers – into potable water for the SM mall’s operations and for their lessees’ use.

Sustainability has become a driving force across every industry. For SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of Asia’s leading integrated property developers, sustainability is elevated through a strategic framework that leverages the company’s extensive operations, significant economic impact, and cultural influence.

As typhoon season begins, recent severe weather has highlighted the Philippines' susceptibility to these conditions.

As the country faces possible consequences, it's clear that engaging in global efforts to achieve net zero emissions is crucial. This typhoon serves as a reminder of the urgent need for the Philippines to take an active role in combating climate change, both to reduce future risks and to contribute to worldwide solutions.

The concept of net zero refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere. For the Philippines, a country frequently in the crosshairs of severe weather, achieving net zero is a crucial step towards enhancing climate resilience. The recent typhoon has made it evident that the country cannot afford to be a bystander in the global efforts to combat climate change. Instead, it must be a proactive player, advocating for and implementing strategies that contribute to the global net zero target.

SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime) played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable urban development by hosting the 7th annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes (APRU-SCL) 2024 Conference and 3rd International Conference on Human Settlements Planning and Development (ICHSPD) at SMX Convention Center Aura. This prestigious event, organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), brought together over 300 experts to discuss innovative solutions for building greener and more resilient cities. Focused on the theme "Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities Through Science, Technology, and Innovation," the conference highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing urban challenges.

The Manila Hotel has been named the Philippines' Leading Hotel at the 2024 World Travel Awards, a recognition that highlights its dedication to delivering top-notch Filipino hospitality. The World Travel Awards, known as the "Oscars of the travel industry," honor outstanding achievements in tourism and hospitality.

The Philippines faces the highest disaster risk in the world, making it crucial for the country to strengthen its ability to respond to and recover from climate-related impacts. This effort is a priority for the entire nation and requires everyone's participation.

“Any program that aims to build climate resilience requires strong partnerships and working together across all sectors,” said World-Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-PH) Executive Director, Katherine Custodio at the breakout session of the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024).

“There is definite opportunity for platforms or networks to come together and bring to life our national policies and our commitments, but for these to succeed, there needs to be sincere effort and openness to work across different sectors and disciplines,” said Custodio. The session on creating connections and partnerships was hosted by Jonas Marie Dumdum, Senior Consultant and Sustainability Service Lead of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Manila Branch.

As a leading integrated property developer in Asia, SM Prime places a strong emphasis on sustainability and disaster resilience in its projects. In the climate-vulnerable Philippines, the company prioritizes disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience, aiming to extend these efforts to the city level.

"At SM Prime, we have a vision for a shared future. True prosperity goes beyond financial gains. We're dedicated to developing sustainable properties and building vibrant, inclusive communities that stand the test of time," said Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation, and Strategy at SM Prime and SM Development Corporation.

The 7th Annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024) Conference on Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities through Science, Technology, and Innovations is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

(L-R): Dr. Jennifer Marie S. Amparo, Dean, CHE, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. Chancellor, UPLB, Dr. Thomas Schneider, Chief Executive, APRU, Makati Mayor Hon. Abigail Binay, Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, SMPHI and SMDC Lead Executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy, Dr. Edgar M. Reyes, Jr., Conference Director, ICHSPD, Assoc. Professor, UPLB, and Dr. Yekang Ko, Director, APRU-SCL, Assoc. Professor, University of Oregon.

The International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) is back for another year and is shaping up to be the biggest one yet, taking place simultaneously on September 21 in 15 different SM Supermalls across the country: SM By the Bay at SM Mall of Asia Complex, SM Tuguegarao Downtown, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City Bataan, SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Sorsogon, SM City Legazpi, SM Daet, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Roxas, SM City Cebu, SM City Seaside Cebu, SM City Mindpro, and SM City General Santos. Together, we can make a significant impact on our oceans and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

The Manila Hotel and Montesa Medical Group (MMG) have officially teamed up to bring a new level of wellness services to guests. The partnership was sealed during a contract signing ceremony held at The Manila Hotel on August 8, 2024. Present at the event were Atty. Jose D. Lina, Jr., president of The Manila Hotel, and Elaine Santos, vice president for administration. Representing MMG were Dr. Anna Marie Montesa, president and medical director, and Dr. Christine Marie Montesa, managing director, along with key members Lovely Rose Sherani and Christine Shea.

This collaboration signifies a milestone for Montesa Medical Group, as they prepare to open a cutting-edge aesthetic clinic within the hotel’s health and recreational facilities. The clinic, slated for a November 2024 opening, will offer a wide array of dermatological and wellness services designed for both hotel guests and the general public. With its prime location at The Manila Hotel, guests will enjoy easy access to top-tier beauty and wellness treatments.

For MMG, this partnership is more than just business. They see it as an honor to bring their services to The Manila Hotel, a symbol of national heritage and elegance. The clinic will be a place where tradition meets modern health and beauty care, enhancing the experience of both long-time hotel patrons and new visitors alike.

This collaboration showcases The Manila Hotel's commitment to enhancing guest experiences by partnering with respected experts in health and wellness, providing a luxurious yet accessible option for rejuvenation. The opening of the Montesa Medical Group clinic will undoubtedly add another layer of excellence to the hotel’s offerings, ensuring that guests leave not only relaxed but revitalized.

Making your kids' baon can be a challenge. You want to give them an enjoyable, yummy school recess snack while making sure they're getting something that’s filling and nourishing. While it may sound like a daunting task, you can do both.

Here are some yummy and “veggie-packed" snack ideas to help you level up your kids’ baon. The secret ingredient? None other than Jack ‘n Jill Nova Greens. This crunchy and flavorful treat is made with malunggay (or moringa), a leafy green vegetable that is rich in vitamins. It’s also made with Nova’s signature four multi-grains—corn, wheat, oats, and rice—which are known to be good sources of energy.

SB19's Josh Cullen is back with "Silent Cries," a guitar-driven, emo-infused track released ahead of his upcoming album Lost and Found, set to drop this month.

Emo tendencies

On the melancholic track, the P-Pop soloist trades his urban-leaning charisma for something that passes off as Midwestern emo for the streaming generation. This time around, Josh turns inwards for temporary refuge and puts a front to conceal some vulnerable moments in his past life, writing some of his most confessional and somber lyrics to date.

Josh Cullen’s ‘Silent Cries’ serves as an introduction to the ‘Lost and Found’ album—the lyrics of the song come straight from the heart, revealing the artist’s true feelings.

The result is a compelling piece of work that sounds specifically written or produced for an audience raised by bands such as Jimmy Eat World or American Football, yet would never stop jamming to a Post Malone bop in the wee hours of the night.

Official music video

The genre-bending act revisits his past with equal moments of fondness and longing in the music video accompanying the release of "Silent Cries". The MV's concept revolves around Josh deciding to go back to places that were once a vital part of his childhood and reminiscing about these memories—both good and bad.

Slickly filmed with nostalgic elements and melancholic undertones, the visuals try to do more than just tell a story. It weaves moodiness with words barely spoken in ages. And that’s what makes it all the more affecting: the subdued silence, the longing gaze, the fleeting fascination with the past. The atmosphere is all cigarette smoke and ripped tunes for the wicked, but there’s sadness that hovers undeniably in its powerlessness, always reminding us of the brutality (and sometimes beauty) of time’s passing.

Josh Cullen’s “Silent Cries” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide. Watch the music video on Josh Cullen’s YouTube channel.

 

Following the renewed success of his OPM hit "Randomantic," James Reid revisits his laid-back, pop-influenced sound with the release of his latest single, "Sandal," under Sony Music Entertainment and Careless.

With its acoustic arrangement and Reid’s smooth vocals, "Sandal" captures the charm of his earlier work, blending simplicity with sophistication.

As expected, Reid demonstrates his keenness to turn a simple gesture of romantic affirmation into a sterling piece of work. On “Sandal,” he is back with another serenade that has so much potential on both the commercial and artistic front.

“I just wanted to reconnect with my roots in music, blending my past music with my new sound and writing style,” the award-winning singer-songwriter and label mogul admits. “It’s also been a long-time request from my fans. Most of the songs in my new EP are written in Filipino.”

The recording superstar wrote the track together with Luke April of the Davao-based hip-hop and R&B group, Playertwo. Both Reid and April wanted to create a material that aims to easily comfort someone going through a tough time. As the former pointed out in his press statement, “The idea is that love is strength and vulnerability, and that I will be your sanctuary.”

James Reid adds, “This song means a lot to me personally. I wrote it for my girlfriend when she was having a terrible day. I wanted her to know that no matter what you’re going through, you can always lean on me.”

“Sandal” is also produced by Tim Marquez, who has helmed tracks for eclectic Filipino acts such as Ena Mori and Zild, and previously worked with James Reid on the piano ballad “Hurt Me Too.” Building on the initial ideas brought by Luke April, Tim approached Reid's new direction with a slow dance feel.

James Reid’s “Sandal” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment and Careless.

Resetting your modem can be a simple yet effective way to solve many common internet issues. Whether you’re experiencing slow speeds, or intermittent connections, or your WiFi just isn’t working as it should, a quick reset can often do the trick.

To see if your modem needs a reset, check its lights. If the LOS or third light from the left is red, that means there’s no connection. If the PON or second light from the left is not on or is blinking, you may have connection issues. In both cases, a reset may do the trick to bring your modem back to life.

Globe At Home shows you five easy steps to get your modem back in action:

Step 1: Turn off and unplug your modem

Start by turning off your modem. Most modems have a power button located on the back or side of the device. Press this button to turn off the device, then unplug the power adapter from the modem.

Step 2: Wait for 30 seconds

Wait for 30 seconds to give your modem time to fully power down and clear any temporary issues that may have been causing connectivity problems.

Step 3: Check your cables

Take a moment to check if all the cables connected to your modem are secure. This includes the power cable, fiber patch cord, Ethernet cables, and any other connections your modem might have. Loose or improperly connected cables could be a source of connectivity issues. Double-check them to save you from future headaches.

Step 4: Plug back in and power on

After your 30-second wait, it’s time to bring your modem back to life. Plug the power adapter back into the modem. Once connected, press the power button to turn the modem on.

Step 5: Wait for the lights and reconnect to WiFi

Your modem will go through a series of checks as it powers up. You’ll see the lights blinking and flashing in various patterns. Wait for these lights to stabilize. Once stable, it’s time to reconnect your devices to the WiFi.

"Staying connected is crucial in today’s digital age. Simply resetting your modem can save time and reduce frustration. Consider resetting your modem every few months or whenever you experience connectivity problems," said Abigail Cardino, VP and Head of Brand Management for Globe’s Broadband Business.

Technology isn’t always perfect, but a little know-how can go a long way in keeping your online experience smooth and enjoyable. Remember to take care of your modem to avoid additional charges in case the device is damaged and should be replaced.

Still having problems with your connection via this video. To know more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Personal Collection (PC), a proudly Filipino-owned direct-selling company, recently hosted its Manila-Vietnam Dealers’ Summit at the Conrad Hotel, gathering over 500 participants. This event underscores the company's commitment to its vision of providing a Great Life to Every Family, particularly its dealers.

The event kicked off with a short, meaningful performance, reinforcing PC’s primary CSR initiative, the #GreenLifeGreatLife Movement. Comprehensive demonstrations of newly launched products were also conducted by the Research and Development and brand team. The event concluded with an awards night, recognizing the top performers of PC’s Prestige Club.

Post-summit, 200 high-achieving dealers were rewarded with a 3-day trip to Vietnam, which offered opportunities to explore local destinations, experience diverse cuisines, and engage in valuable networking.