The story of a woman giving birth in harsh conditions at a public hospital, only to be neglected by both the medical staff and her husband—who later brings food only for himself from Jollibee, has captured the attention of thousands online. But as emotional and heartbreaking as it sounds, some elements of the story are raising eyebrows. Could this be a fabricated story designed to stir emotions, and maybe even promote something?

Atty. Marmie Deniega and Amanda Hora’s journey through the SM scholarship program is one of those tales that stick with you. It's not just about getting an education; it's about how that opportunity changed their lives forever.

For Amanda, becoming an SM scholar was more than just a chance to attend college—it was a groundbreaking moment for her family. As the first member to pursue a degree, she was breaking new ground, carving out a path that would shape the future for generations to come.

The first to obtain a degree in the family

Diwata Pares Overload, a humble street food stall tucked away along J.W Diokno Blvd., has been causing quite a stir in Manila's culinary scene. Helmed by Deo Balbuena, better known as Diwata, this unassuming eatery has garnered attention not only for its delicious offerings but also for its ability to attract influencers and vloggers alike.

The heart of Diwata Pares Overload's success lies in its signature dish: pares, a Filipino braised beef stew. Priced at just Php 100, customers are treated to a hearty serving of pares accompanied by unlimited rice, soup, and a bottle of beverage. It's a budget-friendly option that has struck a chord with locals and visitors alike.

However, it's not just the affordability of Diwata's offerings that has drawn attention. The stall's strategic online presence, curated by Diwata herself, has played a significant role in its popularity. With content creators flocking to feature Diwata Pares Overload on their platforms, the stall has become a hot spot for those seeking to explore Manila's street food scene.

Yet, with fame comes scrutiny. Recently, a video surfaced on social media showing a dissatisfied customer expressing her disappointment with the taste of the pares she had purchased. While the incident sparked debate online, with some criticizing the customer's behavior and others defending her right to voice her opinion, Diwata remained unfazed. In response, he emphasized that he welcomes the attention and views it as free marketing for his business.

Diwata Pares Overload's rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed by industry experts. Richard Thaddeus Carvajal, a prominent figure in the Philippine business community, attributes the stall's success to several factors. Using the VRIO framework, Carvajal highlighted the value, rarity, imitability, and organization of Diwata Pares Overload as key drivers of its competitive advantage.

Despite the attention from influencers and the media, Diwata remains committed to providing quality food to her customers. Located near GSIS along J.W Diokno Blvd., Diwata Pares Overload operates 24/7, ensuring that hungry patrons can satisfy their cravings at any time of day.

In a city known for its vibrant culinary culture, Diwata Pares Overload stands out as a testament to the power of delicious food, strategic marketing, and a touch of online stardom.

GS1 Philippines, the leading authority on local barcode standards, has rolled out GS1 Activate, a user-friendly web service designed to simplify the process of generating barcodes and symbols for businesses. The move aims to transform the retail supply chain landscape through digital innovation.

Unveiled at the GS1 Philippines’ Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting held on January 30, 2024, GS1 Activate promises to streamline barcode number generation and symbol creation, thus digitizing product data and identification. This advancement is poised to enhance the efficiency and transparency of supply and demand chains both locally and globally, across various industries.

Compliant with GS1 standards and services, GS1 Activate empowers businesses to achieve precise product identification using global trade item numbers (GTINs), while facilitating seamless data exchange. This, in turn, elevates customer service standards and operational efficiency. With GS1 Activate, enterprises gain easy access to barcode numbers for their products, facilitating their distribution on a global scale. Moreover, the service offers expert advice on barcode symbol printing and placement to ensure optimal scanning performance. By leveraging GS1 Activate for product data sharing, companies can extend their market presence to retailers and online marketplaces worldwide, thereby boosting the visibility and accessibility of their products on a global platform.

GS1 Philippines has set an ambitious goal to introduce GS1 Activate to more than 30,000 retailers nationwide by the close of 2024, with an existing clientele of over 5,000 retailers already benefiting from their services.

“In an economy where the Philippines’ e-commerce market is estimated to reach $24 billion (approx. Php 1.3 trillion) through 2025, GS1 Activate is a game-changer. This new service revolutionizes business barcode generation, reducing the time required compared to traditional product identification methods and eliminating common errors, saving costs on label reprinting and minimizing the need for extensive personnel training. By dramatically simplifying the process, GS1 Activate also enhances efficient data sharing, crucial for strengthening both local and global trade. This launch is a testament to our dedication to advancing digital integration within the Philippines' supply chain ecosystem, reinforcing our role in the global economy,” GS1 Philippines, and Philippine Retailers Association President Bobby Claudio said.

Aligning with the annual gathering’s theme, “Unified Unlocked: Activating Integrated Digitalization,” GS1 Philippines’ conference marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the barcode system and highlighted GS1’s focus on shifting to the 2D migration of barcodes to QR codes while calling for global retail Point of Sale (POS) scanners to be capable of processing 2D barcodes by 2027.

In his remark, GS1 Philippines Chairman Atty. Pablo Gancayo shared, "We are now focused on evolving the barcode into the next level we call the 2D migration, which is expected to revolutionize further commerce. GS1 will guide the industry towards 2D migration, which it hopes to achieve and implement comprehensively by the year 2027."

The annual gathering hosted insightful discussions, networking, and collaboration opportunities among key government figures, industry players, and GS1 members. Among those present was Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco, who emphasized GS1 standards' pivotal role in enhancing supply chain efficiency and visibility for Philippine industries competing globally. During her talk, she discussed the government agency’s three-year food logistics action agenda aimed to revolutionize the food distribution system by addressing critical supply chain gaps and integrating ICT to enhance logistics performance. Undersecretary Pacheco expressed eagerness for collaborations with GS1 Philippines to achieve these goals.

Other government leaders and industry experts also shared their perspectives on the impact of global standards in the digital age, including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Environment and Design faculty member and packaging designer and consultant Prof. Ana Maria Veronica Solano; and CLASSchool Founder and Nutraways Manufacturing Corporation General Manager Love Emmanuel Agudo.

Several executives from both GS1 Philippines and the GS1 Global Office graced the event, namely: GS1 Global Office President and CEO Renaud De Barbuat; GS1 Philippines Trustee and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.; and GS1 Global Office GS1 Registry Platform Global Deployment Lead Joe Horwood.

Among the prominent industry groups present at the conference were PHILEXPORT, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (PHILFOODEX), Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI), Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association (PCCTA), Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP), Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP), Soap and Detergent Association of the Philippines (SDAP), and the Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines.

 

As the clock ticks towards midnight, people around the world eagerly anticipate the arrival of a new year. The celebration of New Year's Eve is a global tradition that transcends cultural boundaries and brings people together in a shared moment of reflection and anticipation. Have you ever wonder when and how New Year's Eve started? Well, let's uncover the origin, the time, and the evolution of this time-honored celebration.

Our story begins in ancient times, where the concept of marking the passage of time was intertwined with celestial events. The Babylonians, over 4,000 years ago, are credited with one of the earliest New Year celebrations. Their festivities were linked to the vernal equinox, a moment when day and night are of equal length. This event signaled the rebirth of nature and inspired the Babylonians to make resolutions for the coming year.

I really forgot when and where did I heard this story, but this story will surely give a good laugh, but in reality this will make us realize that all of us, not only the women, are not easy to satisfy or insatiable. We always long for something better (negatively) that most of the time leads to greed. 

My take on this story is that God has a master plan for all of us and all we need is align with what and where God leads us, then everything will follow. In simplest term “contentment”, be contented on what we have and be thankful that is given to us.

So, since I don't know who the author of this story is, we give credits to whom it is due. 

Here’s the story and it is entitled “The Husband Store!”

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!

There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is however, a catch …. You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

More and more cities are diverting efforts in coastal land reclamation. It is actually increasing and will probably continue to grow and be a popular urban strategy in places that experience urban growth.

This is according to a study, “Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation,” that analyzed landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to quantify spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation of 135 cities globally with populations exceeding one million. Key findings indicate that 78% of these cities have turned to reclamation to create additional land, resulting in 253,000 hectares of new land, an area equivalent to Luxembourg.

Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from the sea. It’s often used in places with scarcity of land and high population density for many purposes. From Western Europe and West Africa to the Middle East, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, these countries’ cities reclaim lands for port extension, residential/commercial, and industrial purposes aimed at creating tourist and green spaces. Key drivers like global trade and rapid urbanization are already ubiquitous, so for the next step, these cities desire prestigious place-making efforts and enhanced international reputation.

“Coastal land reclamation is a forward-looking approach to urban development,” says Architect Ian Fulgar, the principal architect of Fulgar Architects. It allows cities to preserve valuable ecosystems and resources from urban sprawl by expanding spaces without encroaching on existing natural land. More importantly for architects, urban planners, and modern city dwellers, it presents an opportunity to have purpose-built urban environments specifically designed to meet their needs.

“Architects and urban planners can design sustainable and efficient infrastructure with a blank canvas, incorporating the latest technologies and best practices in urban planning. This approach can lead to more resilient and adaptive cities capable of mitigating the effects of climate change and other environmental challenges,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Cities that lead coastal land reclamation

Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong, says Architect Fulgar, are some of the world’s most notable cities with impressive urban reclamation projects. “Not only have they transformed their respective landscapes but also captured global attention,” he says.

Photo credit to Anastasia Yudin. An aerial shot of Flower Dome in Singapore.

 

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay are testaments to the city-state’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The former is a luxury integrated resort famed for transforming Singapore’s coastline and city skyline, whereas the latter is a spectacularly unique horticultural destination that combines art, science, and nature. These reclaimed land developments further boost the country’s international reputation and real estate value around the area.

For some parts of the United Arab Emirates, coastal land reclamation has significantly changed its geography. Dubai, which has completely transformed into an ultramodern city, features ambitious projects now known as some of the most recognizable developments in the world like Palm Jumeirah and The World. “They have reshaped the coastline and established the city as a leader in innovative development, significantly elevating Dubai’s real estate value and worldwide interest,” says Architect Fulgar.

Photo credit to Abid Bin Nazar. An aerial view of Palm Jumeirah.

 

Palm Jumeirah is an awe-inspiring artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above. It houses some of Dubai’s luxury hotels, residences, and entertainment venues. Likewise, The World is a groundbreaking project composed of small artificial islands in the shape of a world map.

Lastly, Hong Kong’s commitment to preserved art, culture, and ongoing sustainable urban development is exemplified by its West Kowloon Cultural District. It is a 40-hectare reclaimed site along Victoria Harbour’s waterfront designated as the city’s vibrant cultural quarter where the local arts scene can interact, develop, and collaborate throughout its sustainability principles.

Architect Fulgar, who firmly believes in creating spaces that foster belonging and unity, highlights that Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong share common denominators in their successful urban reclamation projects. These are innovative design and planning, focus on sustainability and commitment to cultural and societal development, and the subsequent increase in real estate value.

“These projects have created iconic and visually striking landscapes by pushing the boundaries of engineering and urban design. Sustainability is often at the forefront, integrating practices and technologies that minimize environmental impact and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors,” says Architect Fulgar on these cities’ commitment to sustainability atop function and aesthetics.

Best practices of coastal land reclamation

Despite recognition of world-class reclamation projects, one of their primary challenges is facing criticism and potential issues over sustainability concerns. Architect Fulgar shares that the solution is through the responsibility of vital stakeholders to adopt a collaborative approach and adaptive strategies in implementing best practices, such as prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience goals in waterfront developments.

“The future of city development, especially in coastal areas, rests with stakeholders prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience. By adopting a comprehensive, collaborative, and adaptable strategy, they can transform the design, construction, and management of waterfront development – ultimately creating more sustainable, resilient, and prospering urban environments that benefit both people and the environment,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Moreover, Architect Fulgar puts emphasis on a well-planned project that begins with the developers’ thorough research and analysis of the selected area about potential environmental impacts, disaster risks, and local community needs. Architects and engineers need to incorporate sustainable design principles and green and blue spaces to reduce the development's environmental footprint.

“Trends and insights on global reclamation illustrate the potential of reclamation projects in addressing various urban development, environmental conservation, and community well-being needs – leading to more sustainable and resilient urban planning worldwide. By adopting these lessons and focusing on sustainable growth, the Philippines can capitalize on its potential and carve a path to a brighter future.”

One of the best gifts for moms is having everyone in one house celebrating whatever occasion to celebrate. For the Superstar, Nora Aunor, having all her children with her grandchildren celebrating New Year or just a simple get-together is the best gift already.

Indeed one of the best gifts ever, because at the beginning of 2022, Nora Aunor was visited by her children Ian, Matet, Kenneth at Kiko together with the grandchildren. The momentous occasion can be seen on Ate Guy's Youtube Channel. Fans and followers can catch the event on the Youtube Channel. Just be sure to keep quiet and do the meaningful health standard.

Ian, one of Nora Aunor's kids, gave a line of thanks to him. "We thank the good Lord for blessing us with a good mother with a big heart, loving, understanding, and down-to-earth mother that we, your family can cherish for as long as we live."

As we all know, there's a little bit of tension between Nora and Matet, Ian, Kenneth, plus Kiko. So for the sake of love and celebration, let there be forgiveness and happiness.

 

A few weeks ago, Ms. Kris Aquino was one of the highlights of news and stories on the net. One, because she defended her children from malicious comments, and two is her action towards that specific issue. It's not easy being a mom, and it's not easy to take on hateful comments, especially if the remarks are towards her beloved children.

Last April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, Ms. Kris released a video on her Social Media account bravely expressed her feelings being a mom, the nurturer, and the provider for her family, and her actions of facing the next tomorrow of her life. Just like the rainbow that brings new hope for the coming days.

Probably most of us have known Ms. Kris Aquino from her younger days. We have seen her on TV shows, movies, and even talk shows. She is a very unusual and expressive celebrity who has created a name out of being Kris. Yes, she speaks differently, and she has a list of issues in her past, but now is different. Her name talks, but her being a mom inspires louder. The strength of a single mom flows in her words. speaks

 

Renowned musicians, artists, activists, and political and religious leaders here and abroad will gather in another online community jamming to express their support for Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima who will be marking her fourth year in unjust detention on Feb. 24.

Dubbed “Leilaya! Mga Tinig at Himig ng Paglaya,” the online jamming organized in partnership with the Free Leila de Lima Movement (FLM) and the Committee for the Freedom of Leila M. de Lima (Free Leila Committee) will feature performances from artists such as Agot Isidro, Ebe Dancel, Bugoy Drilon, Gary Granada, Bituin Escalante, Bayang Barrios, Cooky Chua, Pochoy Labog of Dicta License, True Faith, Mae Paner, Pinky Amador, US-based singers and bands from other countries.

Also joining the artists are Senators Frank Drilon, Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan, Atty. Chel Diokno, journalist Maria Ressa, film director Joel Lamangan, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, several political leaders abroad, and various civil-society groups.

A solidarity message from Vice President Leni Robredo is also expected.

The online community jamming will be available for audience viewing through livestreaming of Free Leila Movement, Free Leila Committee and the official Leila de Lima Facebook pages at 7:30 pm on Feb. 24.

It may be recalled that over 70 musicians, artists, leaders, religious and progressive groups, and ordinary Filipinos also joined the online community jamming entitled “Leilaya! Tinig at Musika para sa Diwang Malaya” to celebrate the 61st birthday of De Lima last Aug. 27, 2020.

De Lima, known as the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, was recently acquitted in one of her three trumped-up drug cases.

The lady Senator from Bicol has consistently maintained that no amount of lies by political manipulators and even paid trolls could erase her innocence from all the trumped-up illegal drug charges filed against her. (30)