Lighting the Last Mile: SNAP, AuroraPH Deliver Solar Power to Domolpos Community School

SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-Benguet), together with the Aboitiz Foundation, formally turned over a solar power and connectivity system to Domolpos Community School in Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet on December 17, 2025, bringing reliable electricity and digital access to a school that serves 16 students in one of the province’s more remote communities.

The turnover was led by SNAP President and CEO Joseph Yu and Barangay Tinongdan Chairman Edwin Atumpag and attended by Aboitiz Foundation Impact Lead Jowelle Ann R. Cruz, Department of Education Benguet Division Senior Education Program Specialist Arvin R. Doman, school principal Philip Fowaya, parents, and students.

Agila Subic rolls out CSR programs in support of community development, sustainability, education

Agila Subic Compass (“Agila Subic”) who manages the multi-use facility and shipyard in Subic Bay, announced the rollout of its $1.5 million corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives spanning several programs that underscore the company’s commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment in Barangay Cawag and neighboring areas in Subic.

Agila Subic’s CSR framework initially focuses on three major initiatives: a road enhancement project; a mangrove planting program  (now on its second year);  and an Adopt-a-School Program for public schools in Cawag, all of which are geared towards rehabilitating critical ecosystems, enhancing education and strengthening essential infrastructure for the benefit of the host community and beyond. 

Alcantara Group Marks 70 Years of Legacy, Leadership, and Lasting Impact

The Alcantara Group’s second and third generations standing side by side, symbolizing the continuity of leadership and the shared commitment to carrying the company’s mission forward.

The Alcantara Group celebrated its 70th anniversary with a milestone event that honored its rich heritage while looking toward the future. Held at the Dusit Thani Residence Davao last December 4, 2025  under the theme “Seventy Years Strong: Forward Together,” the gathering brought together generations of leaders, employees, partners, and friends to honor the founder’s enduring vision and the Group’s legacy of service, innovation, and nation-building.

Set in Davao, where the company’s story began, the celebration featured a curated exhibit and program tracing the company’s evolution from a mid-1950s Davao-based enterprise—Conrado Alcantara and Sons, Inc. (CASI)—into one of the country’s most diversified Filipino-owned conglomerates. The evening honored the founder, Conrado Alcantara, and the leadership of the second-generation principals who expanded the organization’s footprint across key sectors, including energy through the Alsons Power Unit, aquaculture and agriculture through the Alsons Agribusiness Unit, and real estate development through Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), as well as its other subsidiaries.

Guests were welcomed by a specially curated anniversary exhibit that paid tribute to the founders and the leaders of the Alcantara group, showcasing the Group’s seven-decade journey—from its beginnings in Davao to its growth into one of the country’s most diversified Filipino-owned conglomerates

The anniversary program also paid tribute to the collective efforts of employees, partners, and communities that have shaped the enterprise’s growth. Stories of collaboration and service underscore how shared values across the Alcantara Group's business units have enabled their continued relevance and resilience amid changing landscapes and milestones across decades.

"We owe this milestone to the men and women across generations who helped shape the Alcantara Group into what it is today. What has kept us strong is not just strategy alone, but the spirit of unity and service that has guided us since the beginning—growth that uplifts both people and communities,” said Nicasio I. Alcantara, Chairman of Alcantara Group.

Alcantara Group Chairman Nicasio I. Alcantara led the commemorative toast, while Vice Chair Editha I. Alcantara delivered a heartfelt message that honored the generations of employees, partners, and communities who helped shape the Alcantara Group’s 70-year legacy.

Continuing the Group’s 70-year Legacy

With the third generation of Alcantaras poised to take the lead, the Alcantara Group’s subsidiaries, including Alsons Dev, are carrying forward its mission with renewed purpose.

As the Group’s real estate arm, Alsons Dev plays a central role in shaping communities that reflect the founder’s foresight for Mindanao, translating the company’s values of stewardship into meaningful developments on the ground.

“As we look to the future, we do so with renewed purpose—to sustain what has been built and to keep growing it with the same vision, integrity, and care that defined the generations before us,” said Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, President and CEO of Alsons Dev. “We will continue to build responsibly, create long-term value, and drive progress for generations to come.”

Third-generation leader Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, Alsons Dev President & CEO, shared reflections on the Group’s legacy and renewed direction as the company enters its next chapter.

Building on seven decades of success, the company remains committed to expanding its diversified businesses and advancing industries that contribute to long-term development. Guided by the principles that shaped its early years and inspired by the generations that have carried its purpose forward, the Alcantara Group looks to the future with determination, focused on creating opportunities, fostering sustainable growth, and leaving a lasting impact on future generations.

For more information, please visit http://www.alcantaragroup.com.

Literacy and Disability Inclusion Advocate Zacarias Mansing Jr. Crowned Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2025 Happiest Pinoy Among 500,000 Entries Nationwide

Cebuana Lhuillier has officially named Zacarias Mansing Jr., a passionate literacy and disability inclusion advocate, as the 2025 Happiest Pinoy. His remarkable journey of transforming personal adversity into a nationwide mission for children’s literacy resonated deeply across the country. Selected from more than 500,000 entries, his win marks one of the most extraordinary achievements in the history of Cebuana Lhuillier’s pioneering advocacy.

The awarding ceremony, held last December 2 at Dusit Thani Manila, highlighted the depth and diversity of this year’s competition. Zacarias first emerged as one of the ten national category winners before advancing to the final round, where he stood alongside inspiring finalists representing youth and senior citizens, entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, OFWs, members of the workforce, the LGBTQ+ community, creatives, indigenous peoples, and Cebuana Lhuillier clients.

SM Prime: Living in Tomorrow’s Water-Resilient Future

At SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), water stewardship has come a long way since its early initiatives. As part of its environmental sustainability strategy, the programmatic Water for Tomorrow campaign looks beyond water recycling and efficient water management. 

For SM Supermalls, this urgent call to action to protect and preserve a valuable resource makes any large-scale investment in water security a sound opportunity to do good for both people and planet.

SM Southmall in the late 90’s. Located in the water-challenged area of Las Pinas, the mall was the first to have a sewage treatment plant (STP) for water recycling. It opened to the public in 1995, followed by SM Bacoor in 1997, saving a significant volume of water otherwise used for flushing. 

SM Prime: Shaping a Decarbonized Future for Malls

With the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) taking place in Belem, Brazil, this November, the momentum to focus on lasting solutions for the planet’s climate crises comes at its most critical time. 

For SM Prime Holdings, Inc., this means that the journey to Net Zero by 2040 becomes more than a unifying force across its portfolio; it is the goal for strengthened implementation, sound partnerships, and collective resilience. 

The 2MWp rooftop solar photovoltaic system installed at MOA Square—developed with TotalEnergies—generates approximately 3,000 MWh of clean energy annually, reducing an estimated 1,430 tons of CO₂ emissions each year. 

Securing Tomorrow’s Supply: SM City Baguio Turns Rain into Resource

As water security continues to challenge communities across the Philippines, SM City Baguio is showing how innovation and sustainability can flow together. Through its rainwater treatment facility, the mall treats rainwater to convert into potable water, helping secure tomorrow’s water supply for its operations.

Nestled in the highlands, SM City Baguio showcases how natural abundance can be harnessed sustainably through its rainwater treatment facility.

Baguio City experiences frequent rainfall but limited water resources. Water supply from the Baguio Water District is rationed, with some neighborhoods receiving water only twice a week, which they use to fill up their water tanks. When this runs out, residents depend on deliveries from private water companies. 

SM Prime: Smarter Water Management for a Resilient Future

Water is a limited resource, and many Philippine cities face pressure on their  supply due to rapid urbanization and climate change. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the  largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, prioritizes water efficiency as a core  operational strategy to pave the way for a water-resilient future.  

One of the world’s largest shopping malls, the SM Mall of Asia remains a sustainable marvel  thanks to its water-saving solutions. 

The result is a portfolio-wide water intensity of 0.44 m³/m²/year, already surpassing water efficiency  standards of some of the leading global benchmarks. 

SM Supermalls Celebrates DOLE’s 92nd Anniversary and Marks 30,000th Hired-On-The-Spot Milestone

SM Supermalls, in strong partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), commemorates the agency’s 92nd Founding Anniversary with a landmark achievement: celebrating the 30,000th hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) during a job fair at SM City Tuguegarao.

SM Supermalls and DOLE marked a major milestone as the SM–DOLE Job Fair program celebrated its 30,000th hired-on-the-spot at SM City Tuguegarao, symbolizing thousands of lives changed through accessible employment opportunities and meaningful partnerships with industry employers.

MDPPA strengthens call for consumer vigilance with ‘No to Counterfeit’ campaign

As the motorcycle industry in the Philippines continues to grow, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) is doubling down on its efforts to fight the proliferation of counterfeit parts in the country. In partnership with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), MDPPA recently launched the “No to Counterfeit” campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of counterfeit motorcycle parts.

MDPPA and IPOPHIL experts, together with guest speaker Nagasue-san from JAMA, pose for a group photo during the Product & Brand Identification Seminar at the IPOPHIL office.

SM Cares Delivers Over 70,000 Books to Library Communities Nationwide

SM Cares officially turns over more than 70,000 books collected through its Book Nook Donation Drive across 88 SM malls to 88 partner libraries—strengthening its commitment to promote lifelong learning nationwide.

(L-R) SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President Ms. Hanna Carinna T. Sy, SM Prime Holdings Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr. Hans T. Sy, National Library of the Philippines Director Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano, Book Nook Pioneer Ms. Shereen T. Sy, and SM Engineering Design and Development President Mr. Hans “Chico” T. Sy Jr.

Alpas Pinas Urges Future Engineers to Power the Philippines’ Nuclear Future

Alpas Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting nuclear energy as a clean and sustainable source of power, urged the country’s future engineers to take part in powering the Philippines’ nuclear future during the 15th Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Students’ National Conference.

Addressing hundreds of engineering students from across the country, Alpas Pinas Lead Convenor Gayle Certeza highlighted the vital role of nuclear education in preparing a new generation of Filipino engineers capable of leading the nation’s entry into the nuclear age.

“We may have run out of time to be afraid. We need nuclear now, and we need Filipino engineers ready to make it happen,” said Certeza.