Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Baguio City and San Antonio, Texas, mark a milestone in their partnership as sister cities with unveiling a replica of the historic Alamo Mission at the Baguio Botanical Garden on September 25, 2025. The Alamo, originally founded in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero by Spanish missionaries, evolved from a religious mission to a military fortress. It is best known for the 1836 Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan and Tejano defenders heroically defended the mission against the Mexican army led by General Santa Anna. Today, the Alamo stands as a historic shrine and museum in San Antonio, symbolizing freedom, resilience, and self-determination. This cultural landmark represents friendships, heritage, and the collective ambition of the two cities. The sisterhood between the two cities was established on June 23, 2023. The partnership was signed by the then San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Since then, the sisterhood blossomed into a significant cultural and educational exchange. One of the first partnership projects was the San Antonio Garden in Baguio Botanical Garden, inspired by the iconic San Antonio River Walk and followed by the large replica of a cowboy boot installation, a recognizable Texan symbol, setting San Antonio’s identity within local heritage sites in Baguio. The most recent addition is an installation of the Alamo Mission, a historically significant landmark representing resilience, courage, and the battle for independence in Texas history. The Alamo, formerly a Spanish mission before becoming a site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution, is a lasting symbol of self-determination. Representatives from Communities Aligning Baguio and San Antonio, Texas (CABSAT) were present, together with city officials and local artists who crafted the installation. CABSAT is a nonprofit organization that manages educational tours, medical missions, and cultural exchanges, strengthening community ties across the two cities. Baguio Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan and CABSAT Treasurer Tess Cahigas delivered messages emphasizing their continuous commitment to collaboration, shared identity, and cultural respect. The replica is more than just a monument; it reminds future generations of the importance of unity, history, and international friendship. The sister city relationship between Baguio and San Antonio demonstrates how shared values and history can bridge distances and encourage continuing collaboration. This collaboration builds cultural bridges and provides opportunities for mutual growth and understanding. As Baguio City proudly hosts these Texan historical markers, the bond with San Antonio remains strong, promising a future of joint projects and increased relationships between both thriving cities.( Ramia Yezza De Mesa – SLU intern)

Cebu Pacific Shines at 2025 ESGBusiness Awards for Sustainability,CSR and Inclusivity

Business

Business / Street Journal

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) earned two international recognitions at the 2025 ESGBusiness Awards in Malaysia for “Sustainable Transportation” and “Diversity & Inclusion”, placing the airline among top Asian companies for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence. The ESGBusiness Awards is one of the region’s premier platforms recognizing organizations that set benchmarks in corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable growth. “As Cebu Pacific grows, we want affordable travel to also create a positive impact for people and communities,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer. “Inclusivity and sustainability remain central to how we shape the future of travel.” CEB has long been a leader in workplace inclusivity. It was the first airline in Southeast Asia to receive Great Place to Work® certification in 2024 and among the first to hire openly transgender cabin crew. The airline also surpasses global benchmarks for women in leadership, runs internship programs for neurodiverse students, and extends health and travel benefits to same-sex and common-law partners. “Our workforce—spanning 31 nationalities, 15 employee groups, and people of all genders, faiths, and abilities—enables Cebu Pacific to adapt, grow, and deliver for our customers. This recognition belongs to our teammates who support and uplift one another. At Cebu Pacific, we don’t just move people; we move progress,” said Felix Lopez, CEB Chief Human Resources Officer. The carrier has also taken significant steps in sustainability by modernizing its fleet and adopting fuel-efficient practices. CEB ranked 18th among global carriers in the Cirium Flight Emissions Review 2024, posting one of the industry’s lowest carbon intensities at 62.4 grams of CO₂ per available seat kilometer. With one of the youngest fleets in Asia, CEB saved nearly 50 million kilograms of fuel and avoided more than 150,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions last year. CEB also remains the only low-cost carrier (LCC) in Southeast Asia to secure a sustainability-linked loan (SLL), directly tying its financing terms to its emission-reduction goals. “Sustainability is integral to Cebu Pacific’s growth strategy,” said Aileen Isidro, Vice President for CEB Corporate Strategy and Risk Officer. “By aligning affordable travel with responsible operations, we ensure that our expansion is both competitive and future-ready.” With a network spanning 36 domestic and 27 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, CEB continues to strengthen its role as a champion of inclusive and sustainable travel, while staying true to its mission of providing affordable and accessible flights for every Juan.

200 metric tons of trash collected in nationwide coastal cleanup drive

Environment

Environment / Street Journal

Over 48,800 volunteers from across the Philippines gathered simultaneously at 28 SM malls nationwide to mark the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025, the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health collecting over 200,000 kilograms of trash. Leading the nationwide movement, SM By the Bay served as the flagship site, bringing together thousands of volunteers to clear Manila Bay’s shoreline of marine debris. Across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, SM malls became community hubs where over 500 groups—spanning private organizations, government agencies, NGOs, schools, civil society, and local communities—united to protect the country’s waterways. This year’s ICC coincides with SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and community collaboration through its #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign. The cleanup also forms a major part of the SM Green Movement, which integrates environmental, social, and community initiatives into SM’s programs. “Through our Waste-Free Future vision, we commit to empowering communities and championing responsible waste management, recycling, and circular practices, making them a part of everyday life, through simple, everyday actions,” said Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls. “To every volunteer, you embody the true spirit of bayanihan: lifting not just waste from our shores, but lifting each other toward a higher standard of care for our common home,” he added. This year, more than 200,000 kilograms of trash were collected. And beyond numbers, the human stories—families, youth, employees, and community members taking part—show how collective action can create lasting change. Partner organizations also underscored the value of collaboration. “Working with SM Cares amplifies the impact of ICC by providing venues, mobilizing volunteers, and connecting diverse groups for one shared mission: protecting marine biodiversity,” said Marilou G. Erni, Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Joining the cleanup made me realize that every small action counts. Seeing thousands of people—students, families, co-workers—all working together for the same cause gave me hope that we can build a cleaner, healthier future for the next generation,” said Marife Rapa, a volunteer participant from WSAudiology Philippines Corp. SM Cares has been a consistent partner of ICC for years, with each edition seeing growing scale and influence. This year, as ICC marks its 40th anniversary, SM continues to be recognized as its largest private sector partner in the Philippines—demonstrating how private-public partnerships can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.Through efforts like coastal cleanups, SM Supermalls continues to strengthen its role as a community builder—creating malls that are more than destinations for leisure and shopping, but hubs where citizens can come together to shape a waste-free, sustainable tomorrow. About SM Green Movement SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, committed to creating sustainable, innovative, and inclusive spaces for Filipinos. Guided by its vision of building a better future, SM Prime develops malls, residences, offices, hotels, and leisure properties that support the growth of communities across the Philippines. Through the SM Green Movement, SM Prime champions sustainability by focusing on waste management, water stewardship, and energy efficiency for lasting impact. The movement empowers individuals, families, and communities to take part in simple acts that create shared prosperity for generations to come. Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers—continuously evolving to lead the way in sustainable development by integrating green design, energy efficiency, disaster resilience, and environmental stewardship into its 88 malls in the Philippines, all while creating inclusive spaces that enrich communities, support climate action, and ensure a better, more sustainable future for generations of Filipino shoppers.

Quezon PPO nakahanda sa pagtulong sa harap ng bagyong Opong

Region 4

Region 4 / Street Journal

QUEZON, Philippines– Bilang tugon sa nakaambang pananalasa ng Bagyong Opong, tiniyak ng Quezon Police Provincial Office na ang kanilang mga tauhan na nakatalaga bilang Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) ay handang magbigay ng agarang tulong at serbisyo sa publiko. Ang mga naka-standby na RSSF personnel ay nakahandang magsagawa ng rescue operations, evacuation assistance, at relief distribution bilang suporta sa mga local government units at iba pang ahensya. Patuloy namang nananawagan ang Quezon PPO sa publiko na makipagtulungan, sumunod sa mga paalala ng kanilang mga lokal na pamahalaan, at maging mapagmatyag sa kanilang komunidad upang sama-samang malampasan ang banta ng Bagyong Opong. PIO Quezon PPO

PGP Employees Gear Up for Transformative Leadership

Region 1

Region 1 / Street Journal

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — A total of 150 employees from the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) successfully completed a six-session Leadership Seminar conducted by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation, equipping them to serve as facilitators and mentors to their fellow public servants. Focused on six core leadership values : Hope, Listening, Valuing Every Individual, Integrity, Forgiveness, and Multiplication, the training was designed to instill transformative leadership and strengthen values-based governance. This initiative is part of Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s vision of making Pangasinan a model province in terms of moral leadership and good governance. Earlier this year, the provincial government formalized a partnership with the Maxwell Leadership Foundation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in February to promote leadership development and values formation among government workforce. “With all the natural resources of the province, the greatest resource is our people—our human capital,” Gov. Guico emphasized. John Griffin, Maxwell Leadership Foundation Vice President for Global Programs, commended the province’s commitment to employee empowerment. “There’s not a provincial government in the Philippines like this yet in the Philippines, except for here. You are the beginning of transformation for your country,” he said. The collaboration between the PGP and the Maxwell Leadership Foundation underscores the province’s mission to nurture principled leaders, and deliver more efficient, people-centered public service. (Eira Gorospe|RFR, photo by Ervin Alcantara | PIMRO)

9 Chinese miners arrested by BI in Masbate

Region 5

Region 5 / Street Journal

MASBATE, Philippines — Nine Chinese nationals were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) during an operation against illegal mining activities in Aroroy, Masbate. BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. reported that the operation was conducted on September 22 by the BI’s Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 5 (RIOU5), in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine National Police, the Masbate Provincial Police Office and government intelligence forces. The group was apprehended in two separate mine sites located in Barangay Cabangcalan and Barangay Pangle. Authorities found the foreigners actively engaged in mining activities without the appropriate visas or permits. Some were also discovered to be overstaying or working in violation of their immigration status. Following their arrest, the miners were brought to Manila for booking and are now detained at the BI facility in Taguig, where they will undergo deportation proceedings. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stressed that the agency will not tolerate foreign nationals taking part in illegal activities that harm both the country’s laws and its natural resources. “Illegal mining not only undermines our immigration and labor policies but also threatens the environment and the livelihood of local communities,” Viado said. “We will continue to strengthen enforcement efforts, with the support of other government agencies, to ensure that violators are held accountable and our resources are safeguarded.” ( BI Reports)

Celebrate Artistic Expression and Creativity at the Bato Art Festival

Region 2

Region 2 / Street Journal

LUNA, Isabela, Philippines — The Bato Art Festival is Luna’s annual celebration of creativity and heritage, inspired by the abundance of gravel and boulders from the Magat River. Officially declared as the town’s festivity in 2013 through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 045-2013-A, it proudly showcases how Luna transforms its natural resources into vibrant artistic and cultural expressions. This year’s festival highlights stone-inspired artworks, community exhibits, and performances that reflect Luna’s creativity and identity. Don’t miss the exciting events this September 26–28, 2025, including the Search for Ginoong Luna 2025, the Bato Art Exhibit & Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Luna’s Got Talent, and the Street Dance & Showdown Competition. (Isabela Tourism Office)

Beyond Connectivity: ACC 2025 champions education and livelihood in Cebu

Vis-Min

Vis-Min / Street Journal

CEBU, Philippines — As the ACC marks its 21st year, it continues to go beyond connectivity—bringing hope, opportunity, and transformation to communities. In partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PLDT Global Corporation (PLDT Global), and Samsung Philippines, ACC 2025 reaffirms its commitment to uplift lives in its host province Cebu through meaningful initiatives. Guided by the theme “Shaping the Future. Beyond Connectivity”, ACC 2025’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program focuses on two pillars of community empowerment: education and livelihood. In Lapu-Lapu City, Lo-ok National High School received a smart TV and tablets from Samsung Philippines, tools that will open doors to digital learning and enrich the educational journey of Oponganon students. These resources are more than just devices; they are bridges to knowledge, creativity, and a brighter future. Meanwhile, cacao farmers from the Cebu Diversified Advocacy Cooperative (CEDACO) took part in a specialized training program supported by PSF. They also received a PLDT and Smart FarmTech training kit, equipping them with digital tools and practical knowledge to help elevate their livelihood and strengthen their role in the cacao industry. “These two efforts—learning assistance for our students and livelihood training for our farmers—are like twin pillars of progress. One secures the future; the other sustains the present. Together, they embody our Foundation’s principle to Equip, Train, and Connect—equipping our youth with knowledge, training our farmers with the right skills, and connecting both with opportunities for growth,” said PSF President and CEO Esther O. Santos. Through these initiatives, ACC 2025 continues to demonstrate that connectivity is not just about technology; it’s about people. It’s about creating pathways for learning, growth, and resilience. Held annually, ACC is a premier telco and ICT event that brings together global telco operators and tech providers drive innovation, forge strategic partnerships, and shape the future of connectivity.

22 arrested in weeklong SACLEO in Baguio

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) arrested a total of 22 persons and seized suspected illegal drugs as a result of the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) from September 14 to 20, 2025. During the said operations, six Top Most Wanted Persons were apprehended. These include four individuals listed as the 2nd, 7th, 8th, and 9th Regional Top Most Wanted Persons, who were separately charged with Rape and Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment. Additionally, two City-Level Top Most Wanted Persons were arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The arrested wanted persons are classified as High Value Individuals. On the other hand, 14 other wanted persons were apprehended for violation of various penal laws. Meanwhile, two suspects were arrested during the conduct of a separate anti-illegal drug operations that also led to the seizure of suspected shabu. The BCPO remains firm in advancing the priority agenda of the Acting Chief, PNP, PLtGen.Jose Melencio Nartatez,Jr., particularly in enhancing police operational management and sustaining the campaign against illegal drugs, loose firearms, and terrorism. BCPO City Director PCol. Ruel Tagel emphasized that these efforts are not only aimed at holding offenders accountable but also at protecting the community’s way of life. He further assured that the command will continue to adapt and strengthen its operations to keep Baguio City safe.

Author name: Street Journal

San Antonio Alamo Replica unveil at Botanical Garden