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THE country’s leading media company, GMA Network marked a significant milestone in its partnership with Cut Unlimited Inc. during a mediacon held on September 24 in Quezon City. Anchored in generosity, community, and the spirit of Christmas, the collaboration has flourished for 25 years through the metro’s longest-running holiday shopping fair, the annual Noel Bazaar.

Known for its much-anticipated GMA Celebrity Ukay-Ukay, where shoppers can purchase pre-loved items from popular and beloved stars and personalities from the network, the Noel Bazaar has also provided opportunities for independent merchants to market their unique, artisanal products. Part of the proceeds are then donated to the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), providing further support for its ongoing projects and initiatives.

GMA Network vice president for corporate affairs and communications Angela Javier Cruz highlighted the enduring alliance between the network and Cut Unlimited during her speech at the event: ‘In our ever-changing world, some partnerships are really meant to last and become stronger through time.’

Meanwhile, GMA Kapuso Foundation executive vice president and COO Rikki O. Escudero-Catibog spoke of the impact of the partnership for its education programs, which further support schoolchildren with school supplies and the construction of earthquake-proof and typhoon-resistant school buildings.

The mediacon was also attended by Cut Unlimited managing director Justine Bautista-Reyes, marketing manager Maxine Sabandal, and the Noel Bazaar ambassadors, Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s Skye Chua and the P-pop group Cloud 7.

This year’s Noel Bazaar will have over 500 merchants. Shoppers can drop by and purchase fashion finds, accessories, and many more at the following venues and dates: Filinvest Tent in Alabang from October 17 to 19; Okada, Manila from November 14 to 16; World Trade Center from November 26 to 30. The Noel Bazaar then returns to the Filinvest Tent in Alabang from December 18 to 21.

The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) is all set to bring the final leg of its premier Regional Franchise Show, Franchise Negosyo Para sa Region V (Legazpi), on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Mall Atrium area of SM City Legazpi.

Event highlights that attendees can look forward to:

2-day business matching sessions to connect directly with franchisors and service providers

Free Seminar on ‘How to Invest in the Right Franchise’ (October 3-4, 2025, at the Mall Atrium area), where you can learn the basics of franchising and how to make wise investment decisions.

Paid Seminar on ‘How to Franchise Your Business’ (October 4, 2025, at The Marison Hotel), specially designed for existing business owners who are looking to scale up their business through franchising

This highly anticipated event will bring over 30+ exhibitors representing 200+ proven and successful franchise brands and business solutions. Whether you are looking for an entry point to your entrepreneurial journey or are a seasoned business owner, this 2-day event will serve as a perfect gateway for learning, networking, and discovering the right franchise for you.

‘We are very happy that Franchise Negosyo has finally reached the hands of my fellow Bicolanos,’ PFA Director for South Luzon Marco Antonio Soliman shared. ‘This event brings entrepreneurship closer to more Filipinos, not just in the Metro area of Manila, but also across thriving regions like Bicol’.

Franchise Negosyo Para sa Region V (Legazpi) is expected to draw participants from various places in the Bicol region, including entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, and investors.

This event is supported by DTI Region 5, OWWA Region 5, Local Economic Development Investment Office – Albay, Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Legazpi Albay Chinese Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Inc., SM Supermalls, SM City Legazpi, 7 Eleven, Carrier, LT and G Credit Line, U-Franchise Sales and Management, Francorp Philippines, Converge ICT, PLDT Enterprise, Gcash, BPI, Hapihap, Powerhouse, Tapa King, and Famous Belgian Waffles.

Media partners: NET 25 Eagle Broadcasting Corp., Business World, Business Mirror, Mega Mobile (Inquirer Mobile), Inquirer Group of Companies, Asia Journal / Balikbayan Magazine, Philstar Media Group, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Around Bicol, Mr.GeeTv, IAmMhel, Twin Diaries, Probinsyanong Rabasero, and BicoldotPH.

Celebrating a decade of digital marketing innovation, the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP), the leading organization known for its excellence and innovation in digital marketing, will set the stage for unlocking the next evolution of customer engagement at the 10th edition of the annual Digital Congress (DigiCon), with the theme, ‘The Age of ‘i’: The Power of Personalization,’ to be held on October 16 to 17, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Now in its 10th year, the major digital convention will gather global and local industry experts, thought leaders, and technology pioneers to explore the complexities of personalization in an AI-driven world, unlocking strategies for scalable and impactful connections.

DigiCon ‘The Age of ‘i’ 2025 will offer attendees opportunities to learn, interact, and collaborate through five focused tracks:

Innovation (AI)

Intelligence (Data Science)

Immersive (Retail and Activations)

Impact (Brand Building)

Integration (Business Transformation)

These tracks, along with various practical and immersive activities, aim to enable attendees to explore the latest trends and emerging technologies in personalized marketing, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among industry professionals.

‘We are entering an era where personalization is paramount. This year’s theme, ‘The Age of ‘i,’ celebrates the transformative power of technology to create unique, meaningful connections with customers. In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, brands must navigate how to cultivate personal experiences in a connected world, driving stronger brand loyalty and effective customer experience. DMAP DigiCon 2025 will be the destination to empower digital marketers to navigate this era and explore the future of personalized experiences,’ DigiCon 2025 Chair Alan Fontanilla said.

Delegates of this year’s event will also get the opportunity to obtain program certifications in partnership with the Certified Digital Marketer (CDM). This initiative aligns with DMAP’s mission to future-proof the industry by providing crucial insights and skills, empowering marketers to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age amid evolving consumer behaviors and rapid technological shifts.

‘Filipinos are even more connected and are changing their habits digitally, so digital marketers must possess new levels of expertise and adaptability. DMAP is committed to leading the industry in navigating this complex landscape, providing the critical insights and skills necessary to thrive in an era of hyper-personalization. We continue to strive towards fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives, and where professionals are equipped to shape the future of digital engagement,’ DMAP President Miko David said.

Building on past successes, DigiCon The Age of ‘i’ 2025 expects to attract over 2,000 attendees from various sectors, including marketing, advertising, business, academia, media, and innovation.

A good night’s sleep just got better. Global sleep solutions brand Serta, in partnership with OUR HOME, unveiled the new Perfect Spine Collection at SM Megamall, treating guests and shoppers to a day dedicated to comfort, wellness, and the science of better sleep.

The launch was more than a product showcase-it was an experience. Attendees explored the collection through hands-on demonstrations and sleep consultations, with many taking advantage of the exclusive one-day promo of 50% OFF.

Perfect Balance for Restorative Sleep

What makes this collection stand out is its unique balance of firm support and plush comfort, designed to cradle the body while keeping the spine properly aligned. Unlike ordinary mattresses, the Perfect Spine Collection was developed with restorative sleep in mind-helping people wake up feeling recharged and ready for the day.

To highlight just how important sleep is to everyday life, Dr. John Andrew M. Yam, MD joined the celebration and shared:

‘Sleep is essential to our overall well-being. The right mattress can transform the way we rest, directly influencing our health, focus, and even our mood.’

Partnership for Better Living

Known worldwide as ‘The World’s Best Mattress,’ Serta continues to set the standard for premium sleep. With decades of innovation and trust behind it, the brand has become synonymous with comfort, durability, and thoughtful design-making it the top choice for millions of sleepers around the globe.

Now, through its partnership with OUR HOME, Serta is bringing world-class comfort-and its promise of better sleep-closer to Filipino homes.

With 33 stores nationwide, OUR HOME continues to bring global style into Filipino homes with great design and great prices.

The Department of Education (DepEd) called on Congress to prioritize key amendments in education laws, including the school-based feeding and the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program, following the 1st Council Meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for the 20th Congress, presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara said the inclusion of DepEd’s priority measures in the Executive’s LEDAC list underscores the urgency of passing reforms that directly address access, equity, and accountability in education programs.

‘Sa Bagong Pilipinas, dapat tiyakin natin ang ating mag-aaral ay may sapat na nutrisyon, kalidad na guro, ligtas na paaralan, at pantay na oportunidad-mapa-publiko o pribado man sila nag-aaral. Ang mga panukalang ito ay konkretong hakbang upang hindi maiwan ang kahit isang mag-aaral,’ Angara said.

The priority education bills endorsed to Congress include:

1.Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act (RA 11037): Expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program to 160 feeding days and universal feeding for Kindergarten to Grade 3; inclusion of marginalized groups such as indigenous learners and adolescent mothers; allowance of milk-based substitutes for the Milk Feeding Program; weekly micronutrient supplementation for female learners; and establishment of Central Kitchens in every School Division Office, among others.

2. Amendments to the E-GASTPE Act (RA 8545): Institutionalization of anti-fraud mechanisms through centralized verification, audits, whistleblower protection, and data-sharing with other agencies; expansion of voucher coverage to Kindergarten through Senior High School learners and teachers, among others.

3. Amendments to the Teacher Professionalization Act (RA 7836): Enhanced scope of licensure examinations, diversification of the Board for Professional Teachers, and flexibility to allow non-licensed teachers/experts to teach provisionally, among others.

4. Amendments to the Local Government Code-Special Education Fund (SEF): Raising the SEF levy from 1 percent to 2 percent of assessed property value and expanding allowable uses to cover operations of special education, IP and madrasah classes, open high schools, flexible learning, school site acquisition, and school building maintenance, among others.

DepEd also manifested its support to the Classroom Building Acceleration Bill to fast-track the construction of classrooms nationwide by providing flexibility and engaging more partners in the implementation.

Angara emphasized that strengthening these programs is essential to deliver better learning outcomes and to give every Filipino learner a fair chance at success.

DepEd underscored the collaboration with Congress, local government units, and development partners will be critical in ensuring that these reforms are fully implemented once passed into law.

Everyone talks about leadership qualities like ‘vision’ and ‘charisma.’ But those are vague, and frankly, not what you really need. You need to develop real, tangible, high-leverage skills.

Why does this matters more than ever: technology is moving fast. AI, as we all know by now (unless you’re living in a cave), is already taking over tasks once thought to be safe, from writing reports to analyzing data to summarizing meetings. If AI can handle large parts of ‘management,’ what’s left for human leaders?

The answer: the deeply human skills that no algorithm can replicate.

That’s why if you want to be future-proof, the kind of leader who’s not just valuable but irreplaceable, you need to focus on building on high-value skills.

I will walk will outline some high-value leadership skills that will make you irreplaceable.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

1. Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is the ability to zoom out, see patterns, and connect the dots others miss. It makes you valuable not just for execution, but for shaping the future.

2. Influence Without Authority

Influence without authority is the difference between compliance and commitment. It’s how you get things done in matrixed, global organizations.

3. Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

Weighing scenarios and rallying the team to move.

This is what makes decisive leaders irreplaceable: they create clarity when others are paralyzed.

4. Coaching and Talent Development

Coaching is an ultimate multiplier. Leaders who grow others extend their influence far beyond their own capacity.

5. Conflict Navigation and Resolution

Conflict in the workplace and in leadership is inevitable. The question is whether it breaks trust or builds it. The answer is: it helps the team to walk away stronger.

Leaders who can navigate it productively become invaluable.

6. Delegation and Leverage

Leaders who master delegation multiply output and free themselves for strategic work, while giving space to their team to grow and lead.

7. Time Prioritization and Focus

Focus is what separates leaders who make progress from those who stay stuck in motion. They schedule thinking time and consistently drive 2-3 priorities that make a difference.

8. Communication That Lands

Communication is about speaking so people understand, remember, and most importantly, act. It tells a clear, simple story with data and examples, ending with a decisive task.

9. Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness

We all have bad days, but what matters most is how we react to them.

Think of emotional intelligence as the skill that holds every other leadership skill together. Without it, everything else falls apart.

Final Thoughts

Technology will continue to advance, but no matter how advanced it becomes, it can’t replace the deeply human side of leadership – the skills that inspire trust, build resilience, and move people forward.

That’s why your edge as a leader isn’t in being the smartest person in the room, or the one who can crank out the most output. It’s in mastering the skills that no algorithm can do better: thinking strategically, coaching others, and creating clarity in chaos.

You don’t need to build all nine skills at once. Pick one or two, practice them deliberately, and watch how your influence grows.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to jointly address the persistent mismatch between graduates’ skills and labor market demands.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis formalized the, which seeks to ensure that higher education programs respond more closely to evolving industry needs.

The MOA outlines mechanisms for better labor market information, curriculum alignment with emerging skills, and bolstered youth employment initiatives, including the Government Internship Program (GIP) and the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

Under the agreement, DOLE regional offices will deliver labor market data and career guidance, while CHED will support in raising awareness of employment services and share monthly reports on its own job placement efforts.

The partnership comes as the country faces a sudden spike in joblessness.

In July 2025, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the national unemployment rate climbed to 5.3 percent, or 2.59 million Filipinos without work.

This was 1.6 percentage points higher than the 3.7 percent (or 2.38 million individuals) recorded in the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed Filipinos aged 15 to 24 rose to 1.08 million in July 2025 from 1.02 million a year earlier.

This pushed the youth unemployment rate to 18.1 percent, up from 14.8 percent in July 2024.

The proportion of youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) also rose to 15.9 percent from 13.9 percent, while labor force participation among young people dropped to 29.5 percent from 34.2 percent year-on-year.

DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres said the agreement with CHED is meant to directly confront the country’s employment challenges by aligning education with labor market needs.

‘This partnership turns the policy goals initiated by the President into concrete actions for stronger employment and workforce readiness with the adverse effects of climate change, rapid technological developments, and the persistent challenges posed by job skills mismatches,’ Torres said.

Okada Manila proudly celebrates its second consecutive win as the Best Meetings and Conventions Hotel – Philippines at the 2025 Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Travel Awards, organized annually by TTG Asia.

The award, decided by votes from readers across TTG Asia publications including TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTG MICE, TTG-BT MICE China, TTG Associations, and TTG Asia Luxury, underscores the resort’s standing as the country’s premier destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE).

Widely regarded as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most prestigious distinctions in travel and hospitality, the TTG Travel Awards continues to honor organizations that consistently raise the bar of excellence. Okada Manila’s back-to-back recognition not only highlights its role as a leader in the industry but also showcases the Philippines’ growing prominence as a hub for world-class business events. The 2025 Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner was held on September 25, 2025, at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld in Bangkok, Thailand.

‘Winning this award for the second year in a row is a proud milestone for our entire team,’ said Cielo Reboredo, Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Okada Manila. ‘It shows the confidence our partners and guests have in us, and it drives us to keep delivering events that bring people, ideas, and possibilities together here in the Philippines.’

A benchmark for world-class events

Since 2016, Okada Manila has built a strong reputation for hosting seamless events of every scale and a diversified portfolio of event venues. Its venues combine flexibility, tailored solutions, and professional support for everything from international conventions to private celebrations.

The Grand Ballroom accommodates large gatherings of up to 1,200 pax, while the Golden and Glass Ballrooms are ideal for mid-sized occasions good for 100 to 300 pax. The Crystal Pavilion, with its striking glass architecture, is ideal for trade shows, exhibitions, and entertainment events. Cove Manila, Southeast Asia’s largest indoor beach club can be booked for major corporate events and conventions that can accommodate up 1,500 guests offers a dynamic setting, and the Chairman’s Lounge provides exclusivity with panoramic views of Manila Bay and The Fountain.

The resort also offers versatile meeting rooms and event venues, complete with multimedia technology, curated packages, and award-winning culinary experiences designed to elevate every gathering. All venues are complemented by customizable packages and dedicated services to ensure flawless execution.

A complete resort experience

Okada Manila’s 30-hectare property offers more than event spaces. Guests can choose from 1,001 well-appointed accommodations, relax at the Forbes 5-star recognized The Retreat Spa, or recharge through extensive wellness and recreation facilities.

Dining and shopping are equally diverse, with more than 40 restaurants serving global cuisines and The Promenade offering premium retail options. This balance of business and leisure makes Okada Manila not just a venue, but a destination where every aspect of the guest journey is thoughtfully curated.

Putting the country at the center of MICE excellence

Strategically located in Entertainment City, just minutes from international airports and Manila’s business districts, Okada Manila plays an essential role in strengthening the Philippines’ standing as a competitive MICE destination in Asia. Its continued recognition by TTG Asia’s readership reflects not only the resort’s pursuit of excellence but also the country’s growing appeal to global event organizers.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has its own forfeiture and seizure powers under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA, RA 10863), which can directly apply if the flood control anomaly perpetrators are found owning untaxed, smuggled, or misdeclared motor vehicles.

The BOC can forfeit vehicles, including cars, planes or yachts, owned by the flood control anomaly perpetrators if these were smuggled or misdeclared in importations, or if the owners cannot present official importation documents and BOC clearances. The BOC, upon finding probable cause (e.g., no valid import documents), can issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the vehicle. Subsequently, these seized properties can be forfeited in favor of the government after the application of several measures, including the auction of said vehicles. The BOC made a big show of seizing 10 of 12 imported luxury cars owned by contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya in early September 2025.

Simultaneously, the BOC can assess the unpaid duty and taxes and impose up to 500 percent surcharge on these, plus 20 percent per annum of interest on unpaid duties and taxes for smuggled vehicles. The smuggling cases can also be filed as criminal cases that can result in imprisonment.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) designated its tax investigators to conduct a multi-year audit of the tax declarations of the flood control contractors, including the top 15 contractor companies cited by the President in his televised broadcast last August 2025. BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr. has designated its various investigating offices, including the National Investigation Division, to audit the flood control perpetrators. The BIR investigators can conduct criminal tax fraud audits and utilize net worth investigations, resulting in both deficiency tax assessments with 50 percent fraud surcharge and 20 percent per annum interest and criminal prosecution for tax fraud that carries fines and imprisonment. Commissioner Lumagui has mandated the multi-year audit of the tax liabilities of these construction companies. The investigation should cover all the related or dummy companies, the owners, and their relatives. The tax cases of these persons and companies that have been closed by earlier tax investigations of BIR district offices should be reopened and investigated again with the authority of the Commissioner.

I suggest that the Presumptive Taxation or the best-evidence assessment approach be applied appropriately. Section 6(B) and 6(C) of the National Internal Revenue Code give the BIR the authority to assess taxes on the ‘best evidence obtainable’ if the taxpayer’s records are incomplete, falsified, or non-existent. This is a powerful authority that the BIR investigators can utilize to come up with immediate results even when the taxpayers being audited do not submit complete records and documents.

The BSP, AMLC, SEC, BOC, and BIR must now show that they can bite as well as bark. The flood control perpetrators have flaunted their ill-gotten wealth for too long, hiding behind dummies, offshore accounts, and smuggled toys. By freezing their assets, seizing their hot cars and planes, and hammering them with tax fraud assessments that lead to prison time, the financial watchdogs can prove that the rule of law still has teeth. But as I have stressed in many of my columns, laws and powers are meaningless without relentless follow-through. It is up to all of us-tax professionals, civil society, and ordinary taxpayers-to demand results and keep watch, lest this investigation be remembered as another showpiece probe that went nowhere.

THE Philippines has once again secured a Tier 1 ranking in the US State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, recognized for ‘serious and sustained efforts’ to combat human trafficking. But the report also warns of persistent vulnerabilities, especially in online sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and the treatment of victims in online scam operations.

‘The Government of the Philippines fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking,’ the report states, citing continued prosecutions, victim protection, and prevention campaigns. The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) was praised for expanding survivor-centered programs and strengthening coordination with civil society.

Tier 1 status-shared by only a few countries in Asia-offers strategic benefits. It boosts the Philippines’ international credibility, opens doors to US anti-trafficking aid, and strengthens leverage in trade and diplomatic negotiations. It also affirms the work of civil society groups and survivor advocates, often leading to increased funding and visibility.

However, the TIP Report emphasizes that Tier 1 is not a declaration of perfection. The government ‘did not identify the vast majority of potential trafficking victims among individuals exploited in online scam operations despite widespread reporting indicating these individuals faced conditions indicative of trafficking.’ Unlike in 2023, no foreign victims were reported in these operations.

Due to ‘inadequate and inconsistent screening,’ the government failed to prevent the ‘inappropriate penalization of potential victims solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked.’ The report also notes that the government identified fewer victims overall, and ‘some officials did not use trauma-informed practices in victim identification.’

Corruption and official complicity ‘remained significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year.’ In one high-profile case, authorities initiated prosecution of a former mayor under the anti-trafficking law for alleged complicity in human trafficking linked to an online scam operation in Bamban, Tarlac. In Porac, Pampanga, a mayor, vice mayor, and seven municipal council members were subjected to administrative investigation for similar allegations. The mayor reportedly received an administrative sanction, but none of the officials faced criminal investigation, and no updates were reported on the other cases.

The government also failed to report updates on the 2023 dismissal of a municipal police chief and 26 officers in Pasay, where traffickers allegedly exploited more than 730 potential labor trafficking victims. Meanwhile, two police officers continued to face prosecution-one for alleged cyber-facilitated sex trafficking, and another for allegedly helping a suspected trafficker evade justice.

Authorities arrested and investigated two public school teachers for alleged production and distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM). Six immigration personnel were investigated, and four prosecuted for trafficking-related offenses-down sharply from 103 immigration personnel investigated in 2023.

The Bureau of Immigration continued its ‘one-strike’ policy for disciplining implicated officials and rotating personnel at ports of entry. Iacat also maintained its SOPs for identifying and monitoring trafficking-related corruption, including reporting mechanisms and suspension guidelines.

The US State Department also identified other urgent challenges:

Online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) continues to plague communities, with traffickers exploiting digital platforms and family-based abuse remaining ‘a significant concern.’

Labor trafficking is underreported, particularly among Filipino migrant workers and domestic laborers abroad. The report urges authorities to ‘increase efforts to proactively identify and assist labor trafficking victims, including victims of online scam operations.’