Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan) is a celebration of historical and modern heroes who have fought for Filipinos’ freedom. As we welcome the annual holiday, Ortigas Malls has prepared a series of events and activities that highlight our history and colorful culture.
In life, we encounter individuals who leave a lasting impact on us. They touch our hearts, inspire us, and guide us spiritually. This was the case with Apostle Arsenio Ferriol, founder and chief executive minister of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch). He was a great church pastor and father to his congregation
The journey into parenthood is a profound and life-altering experience. Parents’ world usually revolves around their little one, and the baby’s well-being and happiness guide every decision. As a result, the home becomes more than just a place to live; it’s a sanctuary where parents nurture, protect, and create lasting memories with their growing family.
Araw Hospitality Group, known for its exciting ventures like Lihim Resorts in El Nido, Palawan, Nawa Wellness in Calatagan, Batangas, the UNWND Boutique Hotel chain, and Kommons by Kamino in Boracay, introduced its social initiative, Araw Aruga. Committed to social responsibility, Araw Hospitality Group sees itself not only as a hospitality entity but also as a vital contributor to the Filipino community, with the ethos of Araw Aruga at the core of its mission.
Learning with your kids is a rewarding experience that helps them grow and discover new things while having a lot of fun along the way. This is why you should gear up for a new way to learn and play with them with the newest Jolly Learning Kid’s Meal play set.
With the peak of summer approaching, our schedules are heating up just like the weather, as everyone is beginning to schedule their travel plans and make the most of the sun-soaked days ahead. Before jumping into your exciting plans, make sure to not only prioritize protecting your outward appearance but also your oral health. Ensuring that your smiles remain as bright as the summer sun amidst the adventure.
Century Tuna, the Philippines’ leading tuna brand, finally unveiled the highly anticipated Top 18 male and female Finalists for Century Tuna Superbods 2024 Best You Ever who have inspiring stories to share as they strive for the healthiest and fittest versions of themselves with Century Tuna.
While modern agricultural techniques boost yields for some, there remains a number of Filipino farmers who struggle to keep pace. These experienced hands find themselves falling behind in a market demanding higher production, clinging to familiar yet often inefficient methods passed down through generations.
Jayson and Juanito proudly showcase a selection of produce at the SM City Clark’s Weekend Market.
One farmer from Pampanga, Jayson Garcia, sought to disrupt this prevailing narrative in his family. He knew that he had to chart a new course forward for his farm and innovate to remain competitive within the rapidly evolving landscape of modern agriculture.
“Noon, mahirap ang magtanim,” he recalled their life before joining SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan. “Para bang tsambahan, basta pag itinanim mo ‘yan, hintayin mo na lang mamunga. Mas mahirap pa lalo kapag nagkaroon ng kalamidad,” he added.
SM Foundation’s training program focused on high-value crop cultivation was the breakthrough Garcia needed to revitalize his farming techniques. These included selecting the best seeds and caring for them as well as strategic planting schedules.
Jayson attends the SM City Clark’s Weekend Market to observe best practices and gain insights into new agricultural techniques.
The livelihood program also gave way for him to discover alternative sales channels that enhanced his earning potential while extending fair prices to his customers. The knowledge and confidence he gained led him to expand his farm, and in effect, increased his monthly income to more than Php25,000.
Aside from directly selling his harvests, he is now planting a variety of vegetables–on his farm, including lemongrass, malunggay, and madre de cacao, which he sells online to small businesses that process the produce into other products.
Embracing new techniques
Sharing the same story of hope is another KSK farmer from Pampanga, Juanito Dela Cruz. Despite his age, he actively pursued and adopted modern farming techniques. Building on his current success, he shared the importance of adaptability for farmers, calling for others to try and explore new practices.
From a modest monthly income of Php10,000, Juanito experienced an upsurge in his earnings, notably through participation in the Weekend Market at SM City Clark, yielding around Php30,000 weekly. “Kailangan maging bukas tayo sa makabagong pamamaraan ng pagsasaka para makahabol tayo sa demands ng panahon ngayon—ito ang itinuo sa akin ng SM Foundation-KSK,” he said.
Juanito, alongside his wife, actively participates in the SM City Clark Weekend Market. They credit the market with contributing to their increased profitability.
The SM Group’s KSK program has changed the lives of roughly 30,000 Filipino farmers, including Jayson and Juanito. Through its initiatives, farmers who once lost hope have been able to embrace modern farming techniques, leading to adaptability in the face of the evolving agricultural landscape.
The SM Group, through SM Foundation, remains steadfast in its commitment to spreading social good. This dedication extends to SM’s forthcoming endeavors to be led by its future smart city property development – with focus on enhancing positive social impact in the communities where SM operates.
For the modern urban dweller, 15 minutes is a lot of time.
A lot of productive things can be done – a high-intensity, interval training (HITT) workout or run a 1.5-kilometer route, clearing your emails, meditating, catching up on the news, or preparing a quick smoothie – all within 15 minutes.
Countries with better, bigger, and more competitive concert venues have reaped economic benefits, especially with the massive and significant influence of popular international acts like pop superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s World Tour in consumer behavior and spending.