Category: Business Mirror

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has secured ISO 9001:2015 certification for 16 of its Casino Filipino sites and branches, highlighting the agency’s commitment to internationally recognized quality standards.

Pagcor Chairman and CEO Mr. Alejandro H. Tengco received the certification from DQS Certification Phils. Inc. during a simple awarding ceremony Thursday, August 13, at the Pagcor Corporate Office in Pasay City.

The certification followed surveillance audits conducted on March 2 to 5 and March 9 to 10, 2026, covering 16 Casino Filipino sites.

The certified sites are Casino Filipino sites in Mactan, Venezia, Calamba, Town Center, Premier, Apo View, El Rancho, Fuente, Subic Bay Yacht Club, Tropicana, Adriatico, Grand Imperial Gensan, Iloilo, Oriental Pavilion, Leisure World and Cagayan Valley.

Tengco said the certification is another milestone for Pagcor.

‘This milestone reflects the dedication of our people and our collective commitment to raising the standards of Pagcor’s operations. I thank everyone who worked hard to make this certification possible,’ Mr. Tengco said.

He said the certification should translate into sustained improvements in the agency’s systems and processes.

‘ISO certification provides a framework for strengthening our processes, improving efficiency and ensuring greater consistency and accountability in the way we deliver our mandate,’ he said.

Tengco also called on Pagcor personnel to support the implementation of the agency’s Quality and Environmental Management System and its environmental sustainability initiatives.

‘Quality and environmental responsibility must be part of our continuing work. I encourage everyone to contribute to these efforts,’ he said.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification for the 16 sites is valid until March 22, 2029, subject to the completion of annual surveillance audits.

More than 15,300 families affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay will benefit from a one-month payment moratorium implemented by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).

The moratorium, equivalent to more than ?5.3 million in housing assistance, covers member-beneficiaries from more than 90 community associations in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, and Cavite.

Led by President and CEO Federico Laxa, SHFC is an attached agency of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) under Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, mandated to implement socialized housing initiatives under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

The relief measure is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to extend assistance to families affected by the recent calamities. It will be in effect from August 6 to September 5, 2026, providing beneficiaries temporary relief from their monthly amortization payments as they recover from the damage caused by the floods and other weather-related incidents.

Aliling said the moratorium seeks to ease the financial burden on affected families and give them more time to recover. ‘Sa panahon ng kalamidad, mahalagang mabawasan natin ang kanilang mga alalahanin, at ito ang ambag ng DHSUD upang kahit papaano ay makatulong tayo sa pagbangon ng mga biktima ng pagbaha,’ he said.

Laxa, meanwhile, reiterated SHFC’s commitment to standing with communities during times of crisis. ‘Sa ganitong sitwasyon, mananatiling kaagapay ng komunidad ang SHFC ng ating mga kababayan na labis na naapektuhan upang maibsan natin ang kanilang pag-aalala,’ he said, emphasizing SHFC’s goal to relieve the financial stress on affected communities.

Beneficiaries in covered areas are advised to get in touch with their respective SHFC branch offices for details on how to avail of the moratorium.

For more information on SHFC projects and application procedures, the public may visit www.shfc.gov.ph or call (02) 5322-7300.

State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is undertaking an aggressive deposit generation campaign to widen its funding base to support its various lending activities, a top official said.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said the Bank has launched a ‘Save 2 Win’ promotion to generate fresh deposits from both individual and institutional depositors to expand in financing activities geared towards high-impact developmental projects.

‘We believe every deposit entrusted to DBP will help strengthen its capacity to finance transformative projects that will support economic growth, create jobs, and improve the lives of communities across the country,’ de Jesus said.

DBP is the tenth largest bank in the country with total assets of P1.036 trillion and provides credit support to four priority sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and social services and community development.

De Jesus said the campaign is expected to widen DBP’s deposit base, which grew by 15.51% to P413.41 billion in the second quarter of the year from P357.91 billion for the same period last year.

He said that the campaign offers cash prizes of up to P250,000 to winning individual depositors and gift certificates to winning institutional depositors, which also aims to promote greater financial inclusion, especially among underbanked and unbanked segments of the population.

‘We hope to inspire more Filipinos to save not only for achieving their personal financial goals but also for contributing to nation-building and achieving sustainable progress,’ he added.

The ‘Save 2 Win’ promo is open to eligible depositors in all DBP branches nationwide and will run until December 31, 2026. Mechanics of the promotion can be accessed through the DBP website (www.dbp.ph).

EMPLOYERS are likely to factor in the P85 increase in Metro Manila’s minimum wage into their compensation budgets while seeking higher employee productivity and output to offset the added labor costs, online job portal JobStreet Philippines said.

JobStreet Philippines Managing Director Dannah Majarocon said the mandatory increase will directly affect companies’ financials, requiring employers to assess their overall salary and operating budgets for the year.

‘The very practical answer to that is the minimum wage increase will definitely have an impact to the financials of employers,’ Majarocon said during the JobStreet by SEEK Salary Pulse press conference in Taguig City on Friday.

She said companies would likely look at whether higher productivity and improved employee output can help their businesses absorb the additional cost.

‘One is an expectation on an increase in output,’ Majarocon said. ”Are my employees effective?’ ‘Are my employees productive?’ ‘How can I be more productive?’ How can my employees be more productive?”

‘So that the growth of the business is able to financially accommodate the increase in costs,’ she added.

For Majarocon, the wage increase would be only one component of companies’ compensation decisions, as employers also need to consider benefits, workplace flexibility and career progression in retaining workers.

‘Employers will deal with the increase in minimum wage. Employers will also have an expectation on productivity and improvement in outcomes,’ she said.

‘But they will also continue to have conversations around improvements on benefits, improvements on flexibility, improvements on career progression, to make this a very holistic situation,’ she added.

In JobStreet’s 2026 Salary Pulse report, there is a gap between how Filipino workers view the fairness of their pay and how satisfied they are with their salaries.

The Philippines ranked second in the Asia-Pacific region for perceived pay fairness, with 80 percent of Filipino workers saying they feel fairly or well paid.

Yet, only 59 percent said they were happy with their salaries, while 45 percent said their earnings remained below what they need to cover their cost of living.

Among workers who considered their pay ‘fair,’ only 44 percent were actually satisfied with their compensation, leaving 56 percent dissatisfied.

Millennials also reported greater financial pressure than younger and older groups. Among millennials who said they were happy with their pay, 54 percent still said their salaries fell below their standard-of-living needs, compared with 61 percent for Gen Z and 60 percent for Gen X.

By industry, technology workers recorded the highest salary happiness at 54 percent, followed by construction at 50 percent. Industrial workers reported the weakest position, with 58 percent saying their earnings fell below their cost-of-living requirements.

Majarocon said the findings reinforce the need for employers to look beyond salary alone when deciding how to retain workers.

‘The meat of the conversation that we have with employers now is about how do we keep employees. And that is a very holistic conversation,’ she said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on journalists to help provide the public with accurate information amid the prevalence of online misinformation, while stressing that the media should not compromise its role of holding those in power accountable.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Manila on Friday, Marcos acknowledged that journalists should not be beholden to the government and that disagreements between the two are part of a functioning democracy.

‘The government and the media may not always agree, nor should they. But our shared interest remains the same: the pursuit of truth,’ Marcos said in his opening remarks.

‘I enjoin you in sustaining a Bagong Pilipinas where democracy is strengthened by citizens who are informed, discerning, and free,’ he told FOCAP members and other journalists attending the event.

Marcos said journalists remain invaluable allies in combating fake news and disinformation, which he warned could fuel polarization and weaken public discourse.

The President also expressed particular concern over children’s exposure to misinformation and harmful content through social media.

‘Technology is now integrated into our daily lives, yet it has also exposed young people to harmful content and distorted realities at an age when critical judgment is still developing,’ Marcos said.

He stressed the need to create a safe environment ‘where children can learn and grow without compromising their well-being.’

Marcos said his administration is pursuing digital literacy initiatives, modernizing cybersecurity systems and promoting the holistic well-being of Filipinos as part of efforts to address the problem.

The government has also launched Oplan Contra Fake News.

‘We launched Oplan Contra Fake News to protect the public from disinformation and hold its purveyors accountable,’ Marcos said.

THE Senate Environment committee on Friday opened hearings on the ambitious Pax Silica complex in Central Luzon, touted to prime the economy and provide jobs, but saddled with criticism that it would pollute and displace communities and disrupt already scarce water and energy supplies in the region.

‘We hope that these hearings can be the venue for full transparency,’ Sen. Bam Aquino said in his opening statement at the hearing, presided over by Environment panel chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo.

He thanked Tulfo ‘for doing the hearing at the soonest possible time,’ even as several other committees-including Aquino’s Committee on Trade and Industry had expressed interest-to look into the matter and ease people’s worries about Pax Silica’s adverse impacts, just two months before its announced signing in November.

‘So whether we will do this together or separately in the future, rest assured there will be hearings to clarify to the people and affected communities what the plans really entail, what the outcomes are, and what safeguards are being put in place for the affected areas,’ Aquino said, speaking partly in Filipino.

Aquino himself hails from Tarlac, bailiwick of the political clan that has produced two Philippine presidents.

He expressed hope his push for ‘full transparency’ will be fulfilled by the hearings, given the contrasting versions of what the plans are.

Government has said the core of the undertaking is the setting up of mineral processing facilities that will end the country’s failure to use its abundant resources to process ores and be able to sell high-value products, instead of merely exporting low-value, unprocessed minerals.

Aquino asked officials to answer questions on how many farmers will be affected, how many indigenous peoples (IP) communities could be banished from their ancestral domain.

He noted the lament of the Capas town mayor that no consultations were conducted with local governments and communities before the announcement of the project. A big chunk of Capas will be affected, he noted.

‘So we know that there have been meetings in the last few weeks, but we hope that the hearings here in the Senate can be the venue for that,’ Aquino said.

Second, he said, ‘there has to be a better way forward. With our goals towards industrialization, providing more jobs, advanced manufacturing,’ there is a need ‘to make sure that there’s a better way forward when it comes to progress in our country.’

It is vital to modernize key industries, he acknowledged, ‘but we must make sure no one’ is left behind, especially the ‘most vulnerable and marginalized’ like farmers and the IP.

BCDA officials for their part assured senators that there will be no regulatory shortcuts, and they will make sure that investors are aware of local rules and policies and will abide.

Also at the hearing, the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Director Michael Matias said they had suggested a wastewater treatment facility for Pax Silica as an indispensable feature of the project.

Officials of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said a wastewater treatment is already in place, but they are still ‘considering’ the capacity, i.e., if it is enough.

Senator Tulfo stressed that this matter should be finalized this early.

BCDA also assured the Senate panel that investors will invest in their own power and water systems.

For his part, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan acknowledged the ‘potential opportunities’ earlier cited by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, especially the chance to graduate from being mere exporters of raw minerals to being part of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence or AI enterprises.

He said the prospect of creating thousands of quality jobs and boosting the country’s position in strategic global supply chains is a decisive consideration in Pax Silica.

But, he added, there is a need to ensure this early that the grand promises don’t turn out to be empty ones. The promised technology transfer, the safeguards against pollution, displacement and environmental disruptions must be carried out, he stressed.

Talented child actors continue to shine at the annual Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

‘Ganggang’ (2026) by JL Burgos tells the story of children in a rural community experiencing the looming threat of anti-insurgency operations by the military.

Three boys Mel (Raine Dela Cruz), Ilay (Kenneth Vincent Mendoza) and Ten-ten (Don Richmond Cerbito) form an unlikely bond to find the best fighting spider against the spider of the school bully Anton (Prince España) until their own search puts their friendship to a test.

Burgos said that the film does not only wish to show the intricate web of human rights violations in the Philippines. It also aims to bring these issues to a broader public discourse.

‘Basic human rights are often swept under the mantle of economic growth. Those who speak and protest are silenced or forced to obey. The implementers are given too much power to suppress and enforce obedience to ensure economic progress,’ Burgos said.

He added: ‘A nation with no respect for human rights is a nation without a spine. Its progress is forever delayed. A nation can only achieve genuine peace and economic growth when the basic rights of its people are established, recognized, and protected.’

In ‘Hand of God’ (2026), KD Omalin portrays 10-year-old Khaleel, a child soldier of a violent terrorist group in Basilan.

The war drama follows a military lieutenant (Ruru Madrid) who uses sports, specifically football, as a means of intervention and a chance at a different path away from war. He sets up a makeshift football post to win the trust of residents suspected of terrorist ties.

The movie highlights how children are the primary victims of adult-driven wars. The narrative emphasizes the urgent need to protect youth from being weaponized, focusing on a soldier trying to help a child soldier ‘remember how to be a child.’

The director, Mark Duane Angos, aims to break down prejudices and stereotypes surrounding conflict-scarred Muslim communities, sending a powerful reminder that every marginalized community deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.

‘Kaka Sa Yawan (2026) is the coming-of-age drama follows Niko (Bryce Nicolo Mercader), as he returns to Mindoro island years after a life-changing childhood friendship with Ayan (Dennis Dato), a Tadyawan-Mangyan boy.

As he fulfills a long-forgotten promise, Niko confronts memories of loss, belonging, and the bond that once changed his life.

It is a story about friendship that slowly crosses the lines of culture and circumstance. They may come from very different worlds, but they share many of the same hopes, dreams and desire for a better life.

In Mag-iina (2026), Lucas Andalio plays Ynigo as strange adopted son in the Abreu family.

The film follows Anj (Janine Gutierrez) as she returns to her ancestral home days before the 40th day of her father’s death. She reunites with three generations of women in her family, mother Mita (Agot Isidro), aunt Ysobel (Cherry Pie Picache), and matriarch Angela (Jackie Lou Blanco) who are trapped in grief and madness, uncovering long-buried ‘dark forces.’

Director Giancarlo Abrahan described Mag-iina as an eerie family drama-‘undomesticated by a horror that announces itself openly: in nightmares that bleed into waking, in the dead who have not crossed toward eternal light, in secrets that linger longer than the ghosts themselves.’

The youngest winner of best actor award was Noel Comia Jr. for Kiko Boksingero (2017) when he was then 13 years old, followed by 15-year-olds Jansen Magpusao for John Denver Trending (2019) and Enzo Osorio for The Hearing (2024). Nathan Lopez was also 13 when he was given Special Citation (for acting performance) for Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005).

The Hearing (2024) focuses on Lucas (Enzo Osorio) as a deaf boy from a remote fishing village who becomes central to a high-profile criminal case.

Love Child (2024) is about a young couple (RK Bagatsing, Jane Oineza) that navigates the challenges of raising their autistic son John Tyrron Ramos in an increasingly unforgiving world, testing their love and resilience.

Iska (2019) follows Iska (Ruby Ruiz), a struggling photocopy machine operator at the University of the Philippines who single-handedly raises her 10-year-old grandson (Pryle Gura) with severe autism.

John Denver Trending (2019) is about the life of a 14-year-old farm boy (Jansen Magpusao) that is suddenly upended when a video of him brutally attacking a classmate goes viral.

Pan de Salawal (2018) follows a wandering 7-year-old girl named Aguy who has the miraculous ability to heal sick people by physically striking them.

‘Kiko Boksingero’ (2017) is about a young boy (Noel Comia Jr) attempting to build a bond with his estranged father through their shared love for the sport of boxing.

‘Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros’ (2005) follows a gay teen (Nathan Lopez ) in Manila torn between a young cop and his criminal family. It won Best Film (Special Jury Prize).

Peyups is the moniker of the University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786.

McKinley Kyle Paz delivered his strongest performance of the 2026 Asia Road Racing Championship season as the Yamaha Philippines Racing Team completed Round 4 at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia.

Competing in the highly competitive Supersport 600 (SS600) category, Paz produced an impressive weekend that culminated in a second-place finish in Race 2, surpassing his third-place result from Thailand and marking his highest finish of the season so far.

The result highlighted a weekend that tested the Yamaha Philippines contingent across both SS600 and Underbone 150, with Paz rising to the challenge and moving another step closer to the top of the international podium.

Paz Raises the Bar in Indonesia

After qualifying seventh on the grid, Paz immediately showed his pace in Race 1. The Filipino rider fought his way forward through the SS600 field to cross the line in fourth place, narrowly missing the podium but setting the stage for an even stronger performance the following day.

Race 2 saw Paz take another significant step.

Battling at the front against some of Asia’s best riders, Paz pushed his Yamaha to second place, securing his second podium of the season and improving on the third-place finish he earned during Round 2 in Thailand.

The result represents another milestone in Paz’s 2026 international campaign. After finishing P9 and P7 at Mobility Resort Motegi in the previous round, his P4 and P2 performances in Indonesia demonstrated a significant leap forward as the championship enters its latter stages.

More importantly, the result showed that Paz is no longer simply chasing consistent finishes. He is closing the distance to the top.

A Difficult Weekend in Underbone 150

The Mandalika round proved more challenging for April King Mascardo and Timothy Rojas in the intensely competitive Underbone 150 (UB150) category.

Mascardo qualified seventh, while Rojas started from P21. In Race 1, Mascardo finished P12, with Rojas improving from the back of the grid to finish P19.

Race 2 presented another opportunity for the pair, but the results remained difficult to come by. Mascardo once again finished P12, while Rojas crossed the line in P21.

While the weekend did not produce the results they had targeted, every round of international competition continues to provide valuable experience for both riders as they contend against the region’s strongest underbone racers. The challenge now is to regroup, apply the lessons learned in Indonesia, and return stronger for the next round. Another Step Forward

Four rounds into the championship, the Yamaha Philippines Racing Team continues to measure its campaign through progress.

From Paz’s first podium of the season in Thailand, to the team’s continued development in Japan, and now a season-best second-place finish in Indonesia, the journey continues to show what can be achieved by relentlessly pushing beyond previous limits.

For Paz, P2 is another breakthrough, but it also leaves one position still to chase.

For Mascardo and Rojas, Mandalika becomes another challenge to learn from and another reason to come back stronger.

With the season entering its decisive stages, the Yamaha Philippines Racing Team now turns its attention to Round 5 of the Asia Road Racing Championship, returning to Malaysia from September 11 to 13. Paz will look to carry his growing momentum and move one step closer to the top of the podium, while Mascardo and Rojas aim to respond stronger after a challenging weekend in Indonesia. Together, the team remains determined to represent the Philippines against Asia’s best and continue its relentless pursuit to Defy Limits.

Celebrate a fusion of culture, music, food, endless finds, and more at SM Supermalls in Davao

Experience an all-out Kadayawan Festival with these exciting lineup of activities as SM Davao malls transform into creative and festive spaces in a vibrant celebration of culture that matches every vibe and celebrates every tribe.

From heart-pumping fitness events and electrifying P-pop performances to fashion finds, food feasts, and family-friendly attractions, SM Lanang and SM City Davao offer something for every kind of festival-goer.

Take the Kadayawan festivity to the streets of Davao City and lace up together with around 6,000 runners who are expected to participate in Singlife Davao Marathon’s international-standard road race on August 15 at the SM Lanang North Wing Grounds. Break your personal records in this Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA)-sanctioned road race and earn a personal best that is officially recognized on both national and global stages.

less Finds

Find joy in checking endless finds, mallwide, on Kadayawan Sale, happening in SM City Davao and SM Lanang, on August 10 to 16. Take home vibrant pieces from Homegrown: Kadayawan Special Pop-Up on August 15 to 18 (SM Lanang Atrium) and Kultura Kadayawan Crawl on August 8 to 18 (SM City Davao Main Mall Atrium).

Weave with pride

Featuring the artistry through tapestries, the Davao Junior Fashion Designers presents heritage and pride at The Southern Weave Fashion Show on August 16 at Expansion Wing, SM City Davao.

Bountiful HarvestsThe bountiful harvests of Mindanao take center stage with exciting food and lifestyle offerings at SM Lanang and SM City Davao. Take a feast on varieties of fruits at the Durian Festival on August 7 to September 11 at SM Lanang. Discover Waling Waling and other homegrown plant varieties at Kadayawan Agri-Trade Fair until August 31 at Open Parking Delta, SM City Davao.

Festive Beats

Feel the beats and rhythms with electrifying performances from some of the country’s hottest acts at SM Lanang’s Kadayawan Vibe P-pop Fest on August 15 with Hara and Ayo and August 16 with BGYO, DNA, and Wrive.

From supporting local entrepreneurs and artists to enjoying the finest harvests and live entertainment, SM City Davao and SM Lanang invite everyone to immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of Kadayawan.

Join the festivities and celebrate the culture, creativity, and abundance of Davao only at SM Supermalls this Kadayawan season. For updates and event schedules, follow SM City Davao and SM Lanang on Facebook.

A refreshing face with a stylish presence in the beauty-queen circuit, Scarlet Chua is also a dynamic advocate for children’s welfare, empowering women and celebrating diversity.

Scarlet, 36, is the reigning Mrs. Universe Pacific Philippines 2026, from the Mrs. Universe Philippines system spearheaded by former winner Maria Charo Laude. A proud Filipino-Chinese, she is a graduate of Chiang Kai Shek College.

Married to businessman Wilfred Evan Chua, they are blessed with three wonderful boys named Caden, Travis and Ethan. While her profession centers around her family, she also uses her platform to inspire women, promote cultural understanding, and encourage purposeful living.

A recent awardee at ‘Faces of Success’ by ‘Awards Guru’ Richard Hiñola, Scarlet shares her values, passions and convictions in this exclusive interview:

MRS. UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2026

‘I joined Mrs. Universe Philippines to prove that motherhood is not the end of a woman’s dreams. It can be the beginning of an even greater purpose. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and inspire women, especially mothers, to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams at any stage of life.

‘As a titleholder, my responsibility is to represent the organization with integrity, serve my community, champion meaningful advocacies, and use my voice to inspire positive change. I believe a crown is not just a symbol of beauty, but a platform for service and purpose.

‘Mrs. Universe Philippines was my first-ever beauty pageant, and it completely transformed me. I didn’t enter with experience, I entered with purpose and the courage to say yes to a dream. Every challenge, from the runway to the QandA, helped me discover a stronger, more confident version of myself. It reminded me that it’s never too late to grow, and that the greatest victory is overcoming your own fears.’

FASHIONISTA

‘Fashion has always been one of my passions because it is a beautiful form of self-expression. I believe true style isn’t about wearing the most expensive clothes, it’s about wearing pieces with confidence, elegance and purpose. I love timeless, sophisticated and feminine fashion that reflects who I am while remaining appropriate for every occasion. To me, the best accessory will always be a genuine smile.’

CREATIVE COLLABORATORS

‘A beauty queen may stand alone on stage, but behind her is an entire team working with passion and dedication. I’m deeply thankful to all the creatives who believed in me and helped bring my vision to life.

‘My official photographers and videographers were Mark Neto Diaz, Jhade Ochea, Kevin Burca, Christian Rubenicia and Jayron Acala. I also would like to express a heartfelt gratitude to my coaches and mentors Mike Tagle, Hemi Escudero Tamayo, Jomari Conception, Kai Louis, Niño Gonzales, Jules Inoc, and my family, friends and supporters who believed in me from the beginning.

‘My evening gown at the Grand Coronation Night at Mrs. Universe Philippines was designed by Leo Almodal, my stylists for the whole pageant journey were Vhee Co, Jev and Ken Batino, my hair and makeup artist was Jay-R Ten, Joan Castro, Jerome Phokz Bognot and Heart Abad Zafra.

‘For my ‘Faces of Success’ look, I also had the privilege of collaborating with Style by Jev and Ken Batino, hair and makeup by Peejay Gardose Trangria, all talented creatives who helped me present my best self while staying true to my elegant and timeless style.’

HARMONY ACROSS CULTURES

‘As a Filipino-Chinese woman, I have always valued the richness of embracing two cultures. That inspired me to create my advocacy, Harmony Across Cultures, which promotes understanding, respect, and unity among people from different backgrounds.

‘Its core values are respect, understanding, inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and unity. As a beauty queen, I hope to use my platform to encourage people to celebrate diversity while recognizing the values that connect us. As a mother, I want to raise my children to be proud of their identity, respect every culture, and lead with kindness and compassion.

‘I believe the world becomes more beautiful when we choose understanding over judgment. Through Harmony Across Cultures, I hope to build bridges, foster meaningful connections, and inspire future generations to embrace diversity with open hearts.’

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

‘My lady friends and I from our Bible study group organized outreach activities with Muntindilaw for Kids at Muntindilaw Elementary School, Falcon, Cainta on October 18, 2025, and April 25, 2026.

‘We believe every child deserves to feel loved, valued, and given the opportunity to dream, regardless of their circumstances.

‘As a mother of three boys, seeing children who face challenges in life deeply touches my heart. It reminds me how blessed my own family is and inspires me to give back whenever I can.

‘For me, charity is more than donating resources, it is about giving hope, encouragement, and reminding children that they are seen, cared for, and never forgotten. Through our outreach with Muntindilaw for Kids, I had the privilege of sharing not only assistance but also time, compassion, and genuine connection with the children and their families.

‘This experience strengthened my belief that even small acts of kindness can create a lasting impact. It also reflects my personal mission of using my platform to inspire others to serve with compassion, uplift communities, and make a positive difference. One child, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.

‘I hope our efforts inspire more people to come together, serve with compassion, and create positive change in their own communities. After all, when we unite with love and a shared purpose, we become instruments of hope in the lives of others.

FACE OF SUCCESS

‘For me, success is not measured by crowns, awards, or accomplishments alone, but by who you become in the process and the lives you touch along the way. It’s about living with purpose, staying true to your values, and making a positive difference wherever you go. A crown may have a season, but your influence can last a lifetime. If I can inspire even one person to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, then I consider that true success.

‘Receiving the ‘Faces of Success Award’ is an incredible honor because it reminds me that true success is not about being seen, it’s about making others feel seen, valued, and inspired. This recognition motivates me to continue leading with purpose, humility, and compassion while using every opportunity to make a positive impact.’