FEATURES

Google: In just a few days, Filipinos have become the #1 Nano Banana users in the world!

Everyone’s going bananas with the latest image trend from Google’s Gemini! The company shared that the Philippines ranks #1 in the whole world in using the new Nano Banana image generation model in Gemini, with 25.5 million images generated with it in just the past few days.

Eager to jump into trends that involve quick and seamless image generation that’s also deeply personal, Filipinos have been enjoying Nano Banana and how easy it is to use. From featuring themselves in their favorite hobbies and passions to glamming up their pets, loved ones, and much more, it’s clear why Nano Banana has become a hit.

Don’t miss out on the trend and the fun! To start generating your own stunning images with Nano Banana, just follow these easy steps:

1. Go to https://gemini.google.com/

2. Upload a full-sized photo

3. For the action figure trend, use this prompt: “Using the nano-banana model, design a 1/7 scale commercialized figure of the illustrated character in a realistic style and setting. Position the figure on a computer desk, mounted on a clear circular acrylic base without any text. On the iMac screen, showcase the Blender modeling process of the figure. Beside the monitor, place a TAKARA-TOMY-inspired toy packaging box featuring the original artwork.”

4. Feel free to try out other images and trends by playing around with text and image prompting!

Try it out now and share your Nano Banana creations with us! Tag Google on Facebook and X and we might feature your creation! 

Tinalakay ni Tagapangulong Barrios-Taran sa sesyong plenaryo ng Ikalawang Internasyonal na Kumperensiya para sa Kultura, Sining, at Isports noong 27 Agosto 2025, ang paksang: “Mga Nanganganib na Wika sa Pilipinas at Interbensiyon ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.”

Inilahad niya na “Ang pangangalaga ng mga wikang nanganganib sa Pilipinas ay isang masalimuot na gawain na mayroong sámot-sarìng salik na dapat bigyang konsiderasyon.

Di masusukat ang pagbibigay halaga sa wika at praktikal na paggámit nito sa pang-araw-araw na komunikasyon.” Iginiit din niya na, “Palakasin ang pagtuturo ng sociolinguistics at preserbasyon ng wika at pagsasagawa ng mga proyektong pang-edukasyon na nakasentro sa wika.

Dapat magtaguyod ng matibay na kolaborasyon sa pagitan ng komunidad, akademya, at gobyerno para sa praktikal na aplikasyon ng mga resulta ng pananaliksik.”

Nagkaloob din ng mensahe si Komisyoner Carmelita C. Abdurahman at binigyang-diin niya na, “Hinihiling ko sa lahat—mga gumagawa ng polisiya, mga guro, mga pinuno ng komunidad, mga pamilya, at mga kasamahan—na isabuhay natin ang pagtataguyod ng ating wika.

Kapuwa nating tuparin ang adbokasiya ng RA 7104 sa pamamagitan ng pagkilos sa pagpapayabong ng ating wika at kultura.” Ang programa ay magkatuwang na itinataguyod ng Samahan ng mga Guro at Iba pang Propesyonal sa WIKA (SAGIP-WIKA), Departmento ng Filipino ng Cebu Normal University, Sentro ng Wika at Kultura (SWK-7), at Kabataang Pilipino sa Larangang Akademiko (KAPILAK) ang naturang kumperensiya.

Kasama sa mga larawan ang pamunuan at mga miyembro ng SAGIP-WIKA, Dr. Alex Y. Tiempo, Dekano ng CCAS at Dr. Jiolito Benitez, dating Dekano ng CAS ng Cebu Normal University, mga guro mula sa President Carlos P. Garcia Memorial High School, Capiz State University, at Cebu Normal University, mga guro at mag-aaral mula sa Carcar Central National High School, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Mindanao State University-Main, at iba pang mga kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang paaralan, kolehiyo, at unibersidad.

From left to right: Mr. Jonjon L. San Agustin, EVP, Marketing; Ms. Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Group Head – SVP, HR; Ms. Veronica C. Alido, Group Head – VP, Corporate Strategy; and Mr. Junias M. Eusebio, Group Head – VP, Operations

Pasay City, Philippines – August 29, 2025 — As SM Supermalls celebrates its 40th anniversary, it clinches four major honors at the prestigious HR Asia Awards 2025, reaffirming its legacy of people-first leadership and transformative workplace culture.

For the third consecutive year, SM Supermalls was named one of HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For, alongside three standout category wins: the Sustainable Workplace Award, the Most Caring Company Award, and the Tech Empowerment Award. 

“These awards are more than milestones—they reflect our enduring culture at SM, where people are at the heart of everything we do,” said Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls. “We are proud of our teams whose passion and dedication make SM not only one of the best companies to work for, but a place where we create meaningful impact for our employees, communities, and the country.”

Award Highlights

“Ask Steven Anything” — inspiring insights from SM Supermalls President, Steven T. Tan, with HR SVP Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, during company town hall

Best Companies to Work For in Asia (3rd consecutive year)

SM’s workplace culture is anchored on the key messaging pillars of the SM LIFE framework—Purpose, Passion, and Performance. Initiatives like Leadership Town Halls, Candid Coffee with Leaders, Feedback Fridays, and the Culture Caravan foster authenticity, inclusion, and growth across all levels.

Work-life integration in action: bonding with colleagues and loved ones at annual summer outing.

Most Caring Company Award (2nd consecutive year)

SM’s 360 Wellness Programs include unlimited online mental health counseling, wellness learning series, and Celebrate YOU events such as PRIDE Month and Women Empowerment. Championing safe and brave spaces for all, programs such as Ethics Beat and Safe Spaces promote transparency, accountability, and DEIB across the organization. Employee engagement programs have a 100% employee reach.

5,000 volunteers. 30,000+ kg of trash. One mission to protect our oceans.

Sustainable Workplace Award

Sustainability is embedded in SM’s DNA. From the Trash to Cash recycling program and Coastal Clean-Up drives to its bold commitment to Net Zero by 2040, SM empowers employees to lead environmental and community efforts through its partnership with SM Cares. Employee volunteerism rises strong with 100% increase versus previous year.

SM Integrated Life Enablement (SMILE) Human Capital Management and SM LIFE through mobile app and website are used by employees to participate in various people programs.

Tech Empowerment Award

Innovation drives SM’s HR transformation. Tools like the SMILE HCM platform, SAM AI chatbot, DigiU eLearning, and the SM Life app deliver seamless employee experiences. With 90% utilization for SM Life app and 80% for DigiU learning, digital adoption is high and impactful.

A Legacy of Leadership

Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Senior Vice President for Human Resources, shared:

“These recognitions affirm our belief that when we design positive employee experiences—caring for people’s wellbeing, embracing innovation, and championing sustainability—we create a workplace that inspires purpose and growth. We see our culture efforts as continuous work-in-progress because at SM, we never stop learning and aiming to be better every day.”

As SM Supermalls enters a new era beyond its 40th year, these accolades underscore a powerful truth: its greatest asset has always been its people—and its future will be shaped by the culture it continuously nurtures.

Conventional energy provides needed stability in the Philippine energy mix, (L-R) AboitizPower Transition Business Group Chief Engineering & Projects Officer Rolando “Don” Paulino (2nd) tells fellow panelists Frank Thiel of AmCham, Joel Tarongoy of Shell Energy, Daniel Rodriguez of Reganosa, Noel Felicia of SKL Liguasan Oil and Gas, and Yatin Premchand of Black & Veatch during AmCham’s 8th Annual Energy Forum.

Conventional power plants continue to be important in supporting grid stability in the Philippines, especially as it integrates more variable renewable energy (RE) into its power mix, according to a senior executive from Aboitiz Power Corporation’s (AboitizPower) Transition Business Group.

During a panel discussion at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) 8th Annual Energy Forum, Rolando “Don” Paulino, Chief Engineering & Projects Officer of AboitizPower, explained that conventional plants serving as baseload capacities are crucial for balancing the inherent intermittencies of clean technologies like solar and wind.

“Conventional power provides the stability, flexibility, and reliability that will allow emerging technologies and cleaner sources to scale,” he said. “Without it, the transition risks being unbalanced and unable to meet the country’s growing demand.”

In the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050, the Department of Energy projects total electricity sales in the Philippines to expand by more than four times its 2022 level of 91.3 terawatt-hours to over 400 terawatt-hours by 2050 at an average annual pace of 5.49%.

The view was echoed by his fellow panelists, who agreed that while the RE portfolio is growing, traditional power remains critical.

“Conventional energy still has a strong role to play. And it will continue to play a very strong role in the future,” stated AmCham Energy Chairman Frank Thiel.

Reinforcing the complexity of this goal, Yatin Premchand, Managing Director of engineering firm Black & Veatch, noted, “The actual situation we see with respect to energy transition is that it’s a lot harder than any of us imagined. It’s not easy to go from convention to net zero.”

In addition, Paulino stressed that the challenge is not just building new capacities, but optimizing the performance of existing assets. This ensures that the country maintains access to dependable electricity while the grid is prepared for the integration of new technologies.

AboitizPower Transition Business Group’s portfolio of baseload facilities includes GNPower Mariveles and GNPower Dinginin in Mariveles, Bataan, Therma Luzon, Inc. in Pagbilao, Quezon Province, Therma Visayas, Inc. in Toledo City, Cebu, and Therma South, Inc. in Davao City, Davao del Sur.

The annual conference, which included Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Sharon Garin and Senate Energy Committee Vice Chair Sherwin Gatchalian, discussed the critical alignment of industry strategy with national policy in navigating a balanced and successful energy future for the Philippines.

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About AboitizPower

Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. Guided by its vision and higher purpose, the company actively contributes toward uplifting the lives of the Filipino people and achieving a better world.

The company is one of the largest power producers in the Philippines, with a balanced portfolio of assets located across the country. It is a major producer of renewable energy, with several hydroelectric, geothermal, and solar power generation facilities. It also has thermal power plants in its generation portfolio to support the country’s baseload and peak energy demands.

AboitizPower also owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including the country’s second and third-largest private utilities.

In step with the country’s ambitions for its energy mix, AboitizPower aims to grow its portfolio of generation assets with renewables and selected baseload builds. The Company seeks to increase its renewables group’s assets  from indigenous energy sources such as solar, hydro, geothermal, and wind. To date, AboitizPower, together with its partners, offers the largest renewable energy portfolio in the Philippines based on installed capacity under its operational control.

About AboitizPower Transition Business Group

The AboitizPower Transition Business Group manages and operates the thermal power generation assets of Aboitiz Power Corporation. Our thermal assets provide much-needed, reliable power to the Philippine grid. Our mission is the same across all our facilities — to advance business and communities by providing reliable, reasonably-priced, and responsibly-produced power. Together with you as our partners, we can continue to Transform Energy for a Better World.

Patuloy na pinalalakas ng SM Foundation ang Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK), isang programang upang mapataas ang kakayahan at kita ng mga magsasaka.

Ayon sa datos ng foundation noong 2024, nakapagsagawa na ito ng mahigit 400 pagsasanay sa buong bansa para sa higit 32,000 magsasaka.

Noong Agosto 8, sinimulan ang bagong batch ng training para sa 100 magsasaka sa Cagayan de Oro. Nagtapos din noong Agosto 6 ang 100 magsasaka sa San Juan, Batangas at 100 pa mula Sariaya at San Andres, Quezon noong Agosto 13.

Nakatakdang palawakin pa ang KSK sa mas maraming lugar ngayong taon bilang suporta sa food security at kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka.

Market tour para sa mga KSK graduates. Bahagi ng programa ang pagikot sa SM Markets upang paigtingin ang farm-to-market linkages at ang kanilang kaalaman sa marketing.

Ipinapakita ng isang KSK graduate mula Batangas ang okrang itinanim at inani nila sa pagsasanay. Misyon ng programang matutunan ng mga magsasaka ang pagtatanim ng high-value crops gamit ang makabagong pamamaraan.

100 magsasaka mula Cagayan de Oro ang sasailalim sa 14-linggong pagsasanay sa Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farming Program