SM Supermalls once again proved its global excellence and heart for community as it clinched seven major awards at the 2025 InternationalBusiness Awards (IBA) held in Lisbon, Portugal — an unbeatable victory that shines a spotlight on its community-driven programs and campaigns. The awards reaffirm SM Supermalls’ purpose-driven commitment to uplifting communities through meaningful initiatives that combine creativity, compassion, and innovation. A clean sweep of community-centered honors SM Supermalls bagged top honors across multiple categories, winning two Gold, four Silver, and one Bronze trophies — all dedicated to its social good and sustainability efforts. SM Supermalls earned Gold Awards for its 100 Days of Joy campaign, recognized as the Branded Content Campaign of the Year, and for SM Art Market, which won Art, Entertainment & Public – Art Event of the Year. The company also took home Silver Awards for Building a Greener Philippines under Sustainability Leadership in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; SM Cares’ Mall for All as CSR Program of the Year; SM Cares’ Coastal Cleanup for Sustainability Initiative of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; and Tribe Marketing Revolution and Its New Era of Consumer Connection for Best Use of Data to Drive Brand Strategy. Rounding out the wins, SM Supermalls received a Bronze Award for SM Cares’ Book Nook under Achievement in CSR. Celebrating community through purpose and impact The all-community-centered win underscores SM Supermalls’ belief that business success is best measured by the positive impact it makes on people’s lives. From championing sustainability and inclusivity to empowering local creatives and promoting data-driven connections, SM continues to lead with purpose at every level. “These awards are a reflection of our deep commitment to serving communities beyond retail,” said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin L. San Agustin. “Every program we create is rooted in our core mission — to bring joy, care, and positive change to every Filipino we reach.” The International Business Awards is one of the world’s most prestigious business recognition programs, celebrating organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and social impact. Through its sweeping victory in Lisbon, SM Supermalls reinforces its standing as a global leader with a heart — proving once again that when business and purpose come together, communities thrive. To learn more, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @SMSupermalls on social media for the latest updates.        

By Rachel Magday Ranks Among Top 10 LGUs Nationwide Nueva Vizcaya has once again been recognized as one of the country’s top-performing local government units after securing the SubayBAYANI Award for the second consecutive year under the leadership of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito. The awarding ceremony was held on Nov. 26, at the Manila Hotel and was led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who lauded the awardees for their performance. “Keep up the good work. Continue to show that the public can trust and rely on public servants,” the Chief Executive said. Spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the SubayBAYANI national recognition program honors outstanding LGUs that excel in participatory governance, citizen engagement, and evidence-based monitoring of local infrastructure projects. This year, 126 LGUs nationwide were cited as “Exemplars” for demonstrating strong coordination with their Local Project Monitoring Committees (LPMCs), maintaining transparent processes, and proactively engaging citizens in the oversight of infrastructure projects. From this pool of 126 awardees, the Province of Nueva Vizcaya emerged as one of the Top 10 finalists as Top Overall Performers for 2025, recognized for showcasing outstanding breakthroughs in citizen participation, monitoring practices, system innovations, and measurable improvements in local infrastructure governance. The infrastructure project highlighted for its sound implementation and clear results is the upgrading of the Jct. Nat’l–Bua–Bulala–Muta–Macabenga Road in Kasibu, a three-kilometer road improvement project with a total budget of P73 million implemented in two phases in 2019 and 2020 under the DILG’s CMGP program. Provincial Engineer Jerry A. Tan said the entire stretch from Brgy. Bua in Kasibu to Brgy. Macabenga in Dupax del Norte was fully concreted in 2022 after the province invested over P166 million to complete more than 10 kilometers of road. The improved route has made travel safer and faster, lowered transport costs for farmers bringing produce to NVAT, reduced spoilage, and improved access to schools, markets, and health services for residents. “Our message is simple: infrastructure in Nueva Vizcaya is built right, monitored closely, and meant to serve our people,” Governor Gambito said. “This SubayBAYANI recognition shows that when we follow standards and demand transparency, farmers earn more, students travel safer, and communities thrive.” Anchored on DILG Memorandum Circular 2024-121, the SubayBAYANI Awards—named from the Filipino words subaybay (to monitor) and bayani (hero)—recognize the crucial role of LGUs in empowering communities to actively monitor public works and basic services.        

Globe is accelerating the country’s digital transformation with the rapid expansion of GFiber Prepaid, its game-changing fiber broadband solution designed to make fast, stable internet more accessible to Filipino households. With a flexible, no lockup, load-as-you-need model, GFiber Prepaid is driving mass-market fiber adoption nationwide, empowering families to stay connected in a way that fits their routines, responsibilities, and budgets. Now serving up to seven hundred thousand customers, posting a double digit growth from last quarter, GFiber Prepaid has proven that inclusive, affordable broadband can effectively scale across diverse communities. This milestone reflects Globe’s commitment to digital inclusion, especially for cost-conscious families who previously had limited access to reliable home internet. From supporting digital learning and remote work to enabling online livelihoods and family entertainment, reloadable UNLI fiber internet at home is helping Filipino households unlock new opportunities, without the burden of monthly bills. GFiber Prepaid is not just a product; it’s a platform for progress, allowing families to participate more fully in the digital economy, access education, and stay meaningfully connected to one another. “Fast and reliable connectivity is no longer optional, it’s essential to how Filipinos live, learn, and earn,” said Abigail Cardino, Head of Brand Management, Broadband Business at Globe. “At Globe, we are deeply committed to delivering best-in-class products and services that uplift lives. GFiber Prepaid is our way of making fiber-speed connectivity accessible to more Filipinos, because progress should never be limited by affordability. This is the heart of #AlagangGlobe, innovation and connectivity that truly cares.” As Globe expands GFiber Prepaid’s reach, it deepens its contribution to bridging digital divides and enabling more Filipino families to participate in the country’s growth story. By making high-speed connectivity flexible and accessible, Globe enables Filipinos to pursue education, livelihoods, and meaningful connections, reinforcing its role as a partner in building a more inclusive and future-ready Philippines.            

By Ruben A. Veloria   Subic Bay Freeport — A medical doctor received the highest honors as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)’s recognized outstanding employees during the Employee of the Year 2024 Awards Ceremony. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño lead the awards ceremony and welcomed guests and awardees to the event. “Our finalists, chosen through a rigorous process, truly embody what it means to be a breed apart. Employees who go beyond routine, think outside of the box, and serve with creativity, integrity, and compassion. Public service is both a responsibility and an honor. It is not defined by rank nor title, but by the trust we uphold, and the excellence we bring to even the smallest task. Transparency, accountability, and dedication are the values that elevate the ordinary work into extraordinary service,” Aliño said. Dr. Arlene Cesa of the Support Services Group, a Medical Officer IV and officer-in-charge of the Medical Division of the Public Health and Safety Department, was named SBMA Employee of the Year (EOY) 2024-Category 2 during the awards ceremony held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on November 17. In her acceptance speech, Cesa accepted the award not only for herself as an individual, but for her entire department. “This is not about one person, but about the whole of Public Health and Safety Group, particularly the Health and Safety Department, in both creation and redemption. When we offer our daily efforts in union with the Lord, our profession becomes more than labor. It becomes a way to sanctify the world,” Cesa said. “The journey of becoming a health care professional humbles us. We can encounter human sufferings, face our own limitations, and realize we can’t fix everything. And that’s okay. That awareness makes us more approachable, more compassionate, more humane. Humility makes us more humane, and our patients will feel that. Our patients will not only remember our medical knowledge. But they will definitely remember how we made them feel,” Cesa added. Cesa is well-known in the agency for her calm demeanor towards patients and her colleagues, as she demonstrates a team-player mentality. In the span of 24 years in the agency, it has been her practice to accommodate patients even when off-duty, stay beyond working hours when needed, and even volunteer as a reliever for her colleagues. Her bottomless source of energy has pushed several health-related projects to be implemented by the department, such as the quarterly health caravan, which is an information campaign involving SBMA employees and SBF stakeholders alike, as part of the agency’s bid to secure certification of ISO 45001:2018, or the Occupational Health and Safety International Standards. Other contenders in the Category 2 were Julious Macam of the Chairman & Administrator’s Group, Beatrix Anagaran of the Business & Investment Group, Librado Canara, Jr. of the Operations Group, Roderic Grueso of the Public Services Group, and Rossell Abuyo of the Regulatory Group. Meanwhile, Helen Castillones of the Regulatory Group bagged the EOY 2024 in Category 1. Catillones holds a Secretary I position in the Ecology Center, and does overall administrative tasks for the department. But she also works in the Policy and Monitoring or Waste Management Division. Despite the tasks at hand, she finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Office Management in August 2024. She became a finalist for taking charge of the regular recycling day in housing areas in the Subic Freeport in Binictican, Kalayaan and Cubi. She also initiated the department’s digitization of records and trained personnel from the Pastolan Forest Conservation Group on filing and data management. Other contenders in Category 1 were Grace Encina of the Chairman & Administrator’s Group, Cresencia Maulas of the Business & Investment Group, Marifel Sazon of the Operations Group, Marjorie Anne Tiania of the Public Services Group, and Sheila Mae Mari of the Support Services Group. The EOY 2024 Awards ceremony was followed by the Loyalty Awards ceremony, where 175 service awardees were recognized, including a posthumous awardee. These awardees include employees who served the agency for ten years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, and 30 years.      

In a world where technology moves fast, many Philippine businesses still struggle to answer a simple question: Where are we now in our digital transformation? To help them move beyond simple assessment and find the strategic clarity and roadmap for the future, Globe Business has launched Digitest, an intuitive digital maturity assessment tool unveiled during the latest installment of Blueprint, a series of quarterly events highlighting how Globe is using technology to promote digital inclusion and empower every Filipino. Digitest was developed to help companies evaluate their digital readiness, ensuring they maximize efficiency at their current stage and strategically identify priority areas for the next phase of growth. Aligned with Globe Business’ Digital Maturity Assessment Model, the tool takes businesses through a guided questionnaire that measures their readiness across six key dimensions: Vision and Strategy, Customer Experience and Channels, Operations and Processes, Data and Technology Readiness, People and Capabilities, and Investment and Prioritization. These areas reflect the core elements that shape a company’s ability to adapt, innovate, and sustain digital transformation. Upon completion, users receive a personalized report that pinpoints their current maturity stage. This comes with actionable recommendations and relevant Globe Business solutions to help them move forward in their digital transformation journey with confidence. The Digitest model outlines five stages of digital maturity among Philippine enterprises, starting with the Observer, which consists of businesses with limited digital adoption and minimal technological investments. The next level is the Explorer, characterizing those beginning to explore automation and the early stages of digital transformation. Companies then progress to the Adopter stage, using digital tools more consistently to enhance operations and growth. This is followed by the Proficient organization, which has embedded technology and automation into its daily operations. The highest level is the Innovator, reserved for enterprises where digital adoption is core, featuring deep automation and advanced technologies in place. Digitest underscores Globe Business’ continuing commitment to advancing digital acceleration in the Philippines. “We created Digitest to help enterprises turn uncertainty into direction,” said KD Dizon, VP and Head of Globe Business. “Many organizations are actively pursuing digital transformation, but are unsure how to accurately assess their progress. With Digitest, they can see exactly where they stand today and what steps to take next. It’s about empowering businesses to make informed, data-backed decisions.” “Digital transformation is fundamentally a growth journey, but without a clear measure of maturity, that journey may stall,” added Dizon. “With Digitest, we’re giving Filipino enterprises a clear roadmap so they can innovate with purpose and move forward with clarity.” Through Digitest, Globe Business once again reaffirms its role as a trusted partner in driving enterprise growth, empowering organizations to immediately operationalize assessment data into high-impact, continuous transformation while contributing to a stronger, more digitally empowered Philippines.        

  TARLAC, Philippines — In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Month and “Katutubo Day,” the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) held a large-scale medical mission in Barangay Sto. Niño, Bamban, Tarlac, extending essential health and welfare services to around 500 members of the local Ayta community. With the theme “Kalusugan at Kaunlaran,” the initiative delivered comprehensive medical checkups, free medicines, health kits, nutritious meals, food supplements, and vitamins to 300 adults and 200 children. Young beneficiaries were also given toys, highlighting BCDA’s commitment to promoting not only physical health but also the holistic well-being of the community. BCDA Vice President for Public Affairs Leilani Barlongay-Macasaet expressed her appreciation to the residents for welcoming the team’s efforts. “Sa ngalan ng Presidente ng BCDA, Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang, ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa pagkakataong makiisa at makatulong sa ating mga katutubong kapatid dito sa Bamban,” she said. Community members were able to consult with volunteer doctors, receive medical referrals, and discuss personal health concerns directly with medical personnel. The success of the medical mission was made possible through strong partnerships across government and non-government organizations. BCDA collaborated with the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), Training Command (TRACOM), Philippine Army, 600th Air Base Group, Air Logistics Command, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Marine Corps Foundation, Inc., Philippine Red Cross, Manila Water Foundation, and the Eagle-K Foundation. The success of the activity was made possible through collaboration among government agencies and partner organizations, including the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), Training Command (TRACOM), Philippine Army, 600th Air Base Group, Air Logistics Command, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Marine Corps Foundation, Inc., Philippine Red Cross, Manila Water Foundation, and Eagle-K Foundation. The celebration was formally opened by Bamban Municipal Mayor Jose M. Salting, Jr. who honored the town’s Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups. Also present were San Vicente Barangay Chairman Shandel Arias, and Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representatives Junjun Tolentino and Oscar Rivera. The medical mission underscores BCDA’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, ensuring that the development activities within their jurisdiction are inclusive and directly benefit local communities, especially the Indigenous Peoples.