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Eight tourist destinations featured in 4th Fluvial Parade

Lifestyle

By Zaldy Comanda   BAGUIO CITY – Eight tourist destinations were featured in the 4th Panagbenga Fluvial Parade at Burnham Lake, Baguio City, on February 27. With the theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries,” the participants displayed floats covered with various types of flowers and ornamental plants designed in their respective tourist destinations. The first to parade on the lake was the King of the Jungle (Lion’s Head), which can be seen at Camp 6, Kennon Road, Baguio City. Built in the 1960s and opened to the public in 1972, it now serves as a stopover for tourists before heading to the city. fluvial part of the activities of the Panagbenga Festival 2024 in the Summer Capital on February 18. Second is the “Axis of Baguio” which includes the City Hall, Hall of Justice, Rizal Park, Rose Garden, Burnham Park, Baguio Convention Center and Supreme Court in Baguio City on a float. Baguio City Hall, by its imposing location and setting, has been a central part of Baguio’s cultural heritage even before the founding of the city in 1909. Third is the “Baguio Cathedral” float with its sriking pink façade, twin spires and intricate-glass windows, this historic church is not only a place of worship but a symbol of resilience and faith. The “Botanical Garden”, known by many names over the years, including Imelda Park and Centennial Park, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Baguio, this lush sanctuary has stood as a testament to Baguio’s rich history and vibrant culture. Fifth is “Wright Park” one of the most iconic and picturesque destinations in the city; “Mines View Park” float one of Baguio’s most visited and breathtaking destinations; “Bell Church”, the historical site stands as testament to the cultural diversity and religious harmony prevalent in the region. Eighth is the “Ifugao Rice Terraces” located in Banaue, Ifugao, carved into the mountains over 2,000 years ago by the indigenous Ifugao people, these breathtaking terraces stand as testament to human ingenuity, resilience and deep respect for nature. After judging, the 1st place winner was the Botanical Garden (Swan Boat), which received a cash prize of P20,000; the second place went to Baguio City Hall (Golden Seahorse Boat), which received a prize of P15,000; and the Lion’s Head (Antony’s Boat), which received a prize of P10,000. The fluvial floats parade is a project of the Department of Tourism-Cordillera in collaboration with the city government and the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc..    

Mang Inasal wins medium float category at 29th Panagbenga Festival

Baguio City

    The Philippines’ Grill Expert, Mang Inasal crowned as champion of the Grand Floral Float Medium Category at the 2025 Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City. In partnership with the Department of Tourism-Cordillera, Mang Inasal proudly carried the banner of its “Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines” campaign — celebrating the country’s rich food culture that brought families together and gave travelers a true taste of home. The breathtaking float paid tribute to the Cordilleras, featuring the world-renowned Rice Terraces—a living testament to Filipino ingenuity—and the enchanting Butterfly Sanctuary of Baguio, symbolizing renewal and vibrant tourism. And just like these landmarks, Mang Inasal became a must-experience for tourists, serving up the authentic flavors of the Philippines with every plate of its signature Chicken Inasal, Pork BBQ, Palabok, Lumpiang Togue, and Extra Creamy Halo-Halo! As the fastest-growing brand in Southeast Asia and the strongest brand in the Philippines, Mang Inasal stood proudly —not just as a homegrown success, but as a champion of gastronomy tourism. The festival celebrated the flavors, the culture, and the vibrant destinations that made Filipinos truly proud to say: Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines. List of winners of  this year’s Panagbenga Grand Floral Float Competition. Large Float Cataegort: Grand Champion: Jollibee 2nd Place: McDonald’s 3rd Place: Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Medium Float Category: Grand Champion: Mang Inasal 2nd Place: Zaparita’s Garden 3rd Place: Chowking PH Small Float Category: 1st Place: Zaparita’s Garden 2nd Place: Wood Rock and Flowers Group 3rd Place: Wilcon Depot      

Baguio City leads in CARAA 2025

Sports

Baguio City has now 78 Gold, 40 Silver and 24 Bronze, followed by Benguet with 26 gold, 39 silver, and 17 bronze medals after the second day of the ongoing CARAA Meet. Benguet elementary athletes contributed 14 golds, 14 silvers, and 4 bronzes, while the secondary division added 12 golds, 25 silvers, and 13 bronzes to the province’s tally.   From: Deped Tayo Cordillera

Globe strengthens digital learning with AI-enabled tablets, WiFi, and cyber safety education in five schools

NCR

As part of its commitment to leveraging technology for education and responsible digital citizenship, Globe successfully turned over AI-enabled tablets, Blue Boards, and Globe Fiber Prepaid WiFi to five schools nationwide through its G-Gantic Goals initiative. From January 20 to 27, Globe, in partnership with Ayala Foundation and Khan Academy, extended its support to five beneficiary schools: CENTEX Manila, Pasong Kawayan 2 West Elementary School Cavite City, Lahug Elementary School Cebu City, CENTEX Batangas City, and Pampanga High School Pampanga in San Fernando City. Each school was provided 20 tablets pre-loaded with Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) modules, Khan Academy’s educational resources, and AI applications designed to enhance education while boosting creativity and productivity. This initiative ensures students have access to interactive, world-class digital learning tools. Its goal is to equip students with essential digital skills, strengthen their AI literacy, and promote responsible internet use. This effort is part of Globe’s G-Gantic Goals, where customers came together to donate over 100,000 rewards points, sharing the gift of access and connectivity to students. The campaign underscores the power of community-driven impact in bridging the digital divide and addressing challenges that Filipino students face. The Philippines ranks the lowest in the 2024 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), continuing a trend of below-average performance since first participating in the assessment in 2018. Promoting Cyber Safety and Digital Responsibility During the turnover events, Globe’s DTP ambassadors conducted interactive workshops focusing on cyberbullying prevention, online safety, and responsible AI use. This aligns with Globe’s broader advocacy of empowering young learners with digital access and awareness. “At Globe, we believe in providing more than just connectivity— we strive to equip students with the right tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Through the G-Gantic Goals initiative and our Digital Thumbprint Program, we are reinforcing the importance of online safety and responsibility. This initiative serves as a timely reminder of our commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive digital space for the youth,” said Anne Calma, Director for Marketing Youth Culture. “These initiatives, from providing AI-enabled learning resources to promoting cyber safety education, are investments in building a brighter, more digitally inclusive future for Filipino youth. We must empower the next generation with not only the tools but also the mindset to thrive in a digital world. It’s about fostering a culture of responsibility, respect, and resilience online,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. Beyond providing connectivity and digital literacy programs, Globe is also committed to nurturing passions of the youth. During the turnover events, Globe representatives and guests witnessed the remarkable talents of students across these five schools. Supporting Students with World-Class Learning Resources Khan Academy, known for its high-quality educational content, emphasized the importance of making AI-powered learning accessible to more Filipino students. “Technology is a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can transform education. Through this partnership, we are bringing Khan Academy’s world-class learning resources to students, supplementing their classroom education with engaging and interactive content. We are excited to see how these tools help shape the future of learning in the Philippines,” said Denise Fabella Khan Academy Executive Director. Ayala Foundation: Strengthening Centers of Excellence in Education The initiative also aligns with the Ayala Foundation’s commitment to supporting Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) schools, ensuring students receive holistic development opportunities. “For over 25 years, our CENTEX education programs have been dedicated to empowering educators through teacher professional development, 21st-century learning resources, and engagement with parents and the community for stronger home-school collaboration. Now, with CENTEX Digital Education, we are integrating digital infrastructure to equip students with critical thinking skills, digital literacy, and a lifelong love for learning,”  said Gucci Estrella Trinidad, Head of Strategy and Impact, Ayala Foundation. “By continuing collaborations with DepEd, partners such as Globe, and the communities we serve, we can transform learning environments, drive student success, and create a brighter future for the next generation of Filipinos,” she added. A Safer Digital Future Teachers also recognize the urgency of addressing cyberbullying and digital responsibility in today’s learning environment. “Many students today face online threats such as cyberbullying, and without proper guidance, they may not know how to respond or protect themselves. The Digital Thumbprint Program workshops have been eye-opening for our students, helping them understand the impact of their online actions and the importance of digital responsibility. With these AI-enabled tools and Globe’s support, we can better prepare them for a safe and productive digital future,” shared Richard Agustin, School Principal, Pampanga High School. Globe remains steadfast in its mission to bridge the digital gap by providing students with technology, connectivity, and digital literacy programs that promote responsible online behavior. Aligned with this year’s Safer Internet Day Philippine theme, “Digital Bayanihan, Para sa Kabataang Ligtas at Protektado Online,” Globe reinforces its commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive, and empowering digital space, encouraging collaboration among individuals, organizations, and communities to foster respect, responsibility, and security online.            

Session Road in Bloom, isang plataporma sa lokal,negosyante at artisan-Vergara

Baguio City

By Zaldy Comanda  BAGUIO CITY – “Ang Session Road in Bloom ay isang plataporma para sa mga local na negosyante at artisan, na nagbibigay ng malaking tulong sa ekonomiya at nagsisilbing libangan ng mga turista,na nagpapatibay sa reputasyon ng Baguio bilang isang UNESCO Creative City,”  ito ang naging pahayag ni Gladys Vergara, bilang chairperson ng Baguio Tourism Council. Ayon kay Vergara, ang makasaysayang Session Road sa Bloom, na ginagawang isang masigla, pedestrian-friendly festival hub na puno ng mga lokal na sining, masarap na lutuin, at live na pagtatanghal, ay pinalalakas ang mga koneksyon sa pagitan ng mga residente at bisita, bilang isang mahalagang bahagi ng landscape ng turismo ng Baguio. Aniya, bilang isa sa mga pinakaminamahal na highlight ng Panagbenga tuwing taon, ang Session Road sa Bloom ay nag-aalok ng kakaibang karanasan kung saan ang mga bisita ay maaaring maglakad sa isang buhay na buhay na avenue na may linya ngmga stall na nagpapakita ng mga handcrafted goods, artisanal na produkto, at isang magkakaibang hanay ng mga culinary delight. Ang pagdiriwang ay nagsisilbi rin bilang isang entablado para sa mga lokal na musikero at performer, na nagdaragdag ng maligaya na kapaligiran. Sa puspusang pagdiriwang ngayon, ang Baguio City ay patuloy na nagniningning bilang Summer Capital of the Philippines, na nag-aanyaya sa lahat na isawsaw ang kanilang sarili sa kagandahan, pagkamalikhain, at mainit na mabuting pakikitungo na tumutukoy sa Session Road in Bloom. Noong Lunes,Pebrero 24, ay pinasinayaan ang isang linggong Session Road in Bloom na dinaluhan ni Vergara, kasama ang kanyang ama na si Former Congressman Bernardo Vergara, ex-officio Vice Chairman ng Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. Sinamahan sila nina Mayor Benjamin Magalong, mga iba pang city officials, kinatawan ng Baguio Festival Flower Foundation,Inc at Department of Tourism-Cordillera, na naghatid ng mga inspiradong mensahe sa pagpapasigla sa kahalagahan ng paglago ng ekonomiya ng festival.  

Globe sustains Capex reduction in 2025

Business

Globe continues to optimize its capital investments with a sustained reduction in capital expenditures (capex) in 2025 to under US$1 billion with the objective of achieving positive free cash flow, reinforcing its commitment to financial discipline and long-term sustainability. “We are pleased with our performance in 2024, which underscores the strength and resilience of our financial position,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. “Our focused approach to capex, coupled with the ongoing optimization of our network, has enabled us to achieve strong income growth and improved free cash flow. We are excited to continue building on this momentum in 2025.” Globe’s capex for the year amounted to Php56.2 billion, a 20% decrease compared to the previous year, and remained within its full-year guidance. Notably, 90% of the capex was directed towards data-related investments, ensuring that Globe’s network infrastructure continues to meet growing demand for digital services. Likewise, the capex-to-revenue ratio decreased from 44% in 2023 to 34% in 2024, reflecting Globe’s prudent capital allocation strategy. Meanwhile, Globe’s total debt slightly decreased from Php250 billion in 2023 to Php249.5 billion in 2024. The key gearing ratios for this period include a gross debt to EBITDA of 2.66x, net debt to EBITDA of 2.43x, and a debt service coverage ratio of 3.42x. Globe remains confident in its ability to achieve its financial objectives, with a disciplined approach to investments and a strong focus on operational efficiencies.    

Sports and Education engagement between sister cities

Sports

A sports diplomacy engagement between the sister cities of Baguio and San Antonio, Texas, took place on February 23, 2025 at the University of Baguio Gymnasium. The event included friendly taekwondo and basketball games and demonstrations, presentation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the University of Baguio and the University of Texas. This MOU will facilitate collaborative academic and cultural exchange programs, including study abroad opportunities. The delegation from San Antonio, Texas, also presented Spurs basketball jerseys to members of the audience and selected University of Baguio athletes. This initiative aims to further cultivate and strengthen the existing relationship between the two cities through the promotion of sports, education, and cultural exchange. By Conan Gulapa      

44 colorful floats shine in Panagbenga Festival

Baguio City

By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY — Colorful varieties of flowers andornamental plants designed on 44 floats participating in the grand flower float parade of the 29th Panagbenga Festival in  Baguio City, on  February 23. With the theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries”, the flower floats from the Small, Medium and Large categories, once again shone, highligting their float entries in line with this year’s theme, which will be the basis for the judges’ selection of the winners. As early as 4:00 a.m., spectators were positioned along Session and Harrison Road to get a closer look at the elegant designs of the floats, some of which carried celebrities, much to the delight of the spectators. According to the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI), this year the number of participating floats increased to 44, compared to 33 in 2024. In the small float category, there are 11; in the medium category, 10; and in the large category, 14, all competing. Also included in the parade are the City Government float; Department of Tourism float; Hall of Fame Baguio Country Club, SM Prime Holding, Inc., Paragon Hotel and Suites, Ilocos Norte and other floats, all not competing in the entries. The flower float is considered a crowd-drawing event in the history of the Panagbenga Festival since 1995. This year, the small float category will include the Baguio-Benguet Bonsai Club and Panagbenga Landscapes, Baguio Camella Big Brother Inn, Jack’s Baguio Restaurant, Inc., Kyoto Printing Services, Panagbenga Landscaping Association, Panagbenga Landscaping Association (second entry), Radiowealth Enterprises, Inc., Tecsphere Enterprises, Inc., Wilcon Deport, Wood,Rock and Flowers Group and Zaparitas Garden. In the medium category are Chowking, Commission on Elections, Mang Inasal, Palawan Pawnshop, Philippine Retirement Authority, The Riles Ventures, Inc., Unilever Phils Inc.-Sunsilk, Vendors Group, You Glow Babe Skin Care Products Trading and Zaparita Garden.In the large floral float category are Activations Advertising Inc./Uniliver Philippines, Surf; Converge ICT, Golden Arches Development Corporation, Igorot Stone Kingdom, International Pharmaceutical Authority Inc., John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), Jollibee Foods Corporation, KFC, Narvacan Naisangsangayan, Pangasinan Solid North Transit, Inc., Pepsi Cola, Republic Gas Corporation, SCD-Eevor Skincare Depot and TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority).    

SLU, Lucban Elem.School, wins grand streetdancing of Panagbenga Festival

Baguio City

  BAGUIO CITY – The Saint Louis University Center for Culture and the Arts and El Tribu D.Lucban, of Lucban Elementary School emerged as champions in the street dancing and showdown competition of the 29th Panagbenga Festival with the theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries” in Baguio City, on February 22. First runner up is Bibyun Lubuagan, of Lubuagan, Kalinga, who is known to have been the champion in the previous Bodong Festival in Kalinga and second place was Tawid A Balitok,of Bacnotan, La Union, all participants in the festival dance open category, who will receive P200,000; P100,000 and P70,000, respectively. The amazing performance of the SLU-CCA performers, artistry and refined storytelling, brought to life the colorful oral tapestry and co mmunity of the Cordillera in a beautiful and unforgettable way, called “Bagbagtu”. “Bagbagtu”as a reflection of lifethrough the element of water, is a fitting and “strong reminder that water is life, and life flows where water thrives.” Also honored as Best Music and Choreography was SLU-CCA and Best in Costume and Props was Tawid aBalitok ti Bacnotan, La Union. Coming in second from Lucban Elementary School were Mabini Elementary School, who was named 1st runner-up, and Tuba Elementary School, who was named 2nd runner-up, each receiving cash prizes of P15,000; P100,000 and P70,000, respectively. In the cultural group, the BIMAAK Cultural Dance Group of Baguio City National School also emerged as champions, with their per formance of “Ullalim Kalinga”, out of 22 other participants in the Rhythm of the Highland, A showcase of Culture and Dance of the Panagbenga Festival last February 15. Saeng Ya Kasay Cultural Ensemble won as 1st runner-up and Iyaman Cultural Performance Group as 2nd runner-up. They will receive cash prizes of P100,000, P70,000, and P50,000, respectively.By Zaldy Comanda  

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