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Kilala ang lungsod ng Lima, Peru sa South America bilang “world’s rainless city”.

Halos hindi na kasi inuulan ang lugar na ito, bukod sa ambon na bumabagsak tuwing taglamig.

Ang Lima ang capital ng Peru. Dahil matatagpuan ito sa isang coastal desert region, sobrang tuyot ang klima rito.

Ayon pa sa hydrometeorological experts, bihira ulanin ang Lima dahil sa special geographical position nito sa eastern slopes ng Andes, isa sa mga pinakamataas na bundok sa South America.

Sa katunayan, umaabot lamang sa 10 hanggang 15 millimeters kada taon ang rainfall dito at nakararanas ang lungsod ng 1.69% na tag-ulan sa buong taon. Halos hindi rin ito nadadaanan ng bagyo.

Sa kabila nito, hindi ganoon kainit sa Lima kung saan pumapalo lamang sa 15°C hanggang 26°C ang temperatura.

Kakaiba man ang klima, natutunan ng mga residente na iakma ang kanilang pamumuhay sa kanilang kapaligiran at nananatili ang Lima bilang isa sa mga pinakamagandang tourist spot sa buong mundo.

Sa murang edad na 12, alam na ng batang si El James Retiza ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon.

Katulad ng ibang bata, araw-araw na pumapasok sa paaralan si El James. Ngunit hindi gaya ng iba, sumasakay siya sa zipline para lamang makarating dito.

Nakatira si El James sa Brgy. Santa Cruz sa Murcia, Negros Occidental, habang nag-aaral siya sa Alberto D. Arceo Elementary School sa Bacolod City.

Upang maiwasan ang isang oras na paglalakad, napagdesisyunan ni El James na sumakay na lamang sa zipline.

Ang “zipline” na ito ay isa talagang agricultural tramline na ginagamit sa paghahatid ng mga ani mula sa mga sakahan sa matataas na lugar patungo sa kapatagan.

Kasama naman ni El James ang kanyang ama sa pagpasok nito sa paaralan. Sa katunayan, ang ama niya pa mismo ang nagkakabit ng harness sa cable wire.

Tila natutuwa man ang bata sa pagsakay sa zipline dahil mabilis siyang nakararating sa kanyang paaralan, aminado siyang mahirap ito. Kitang-kita na delikado rin ito dahil wala man lang siyang suot na helmet, gloves, at iba pang protective gears.

Gayunman, tinitiis pa rin ni El James ang kanyang sitwasyon. Aniya, “Makatapos lang ako ng eskwela… Magsisikap lang ako. Kahit mahirap, gagawin ko ang lahat.”

Tunay ngang kahanga-hanga ang dedikasyon at katapangan ng batang si El James.

Sa kabila nito, mahalaga pa ring tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral na katulad niya na nalalagay sa panganib dahil lamang sa nais nilang makapasok sa paaralan at magkaroon ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan.

Higit sa 45 minuto ang hinintay ng customer na si Aman Birendra Jaiswal mula sa Uttar Pradesh, India para sa kanyang in-order na pagkain sa isang delivery app.

Nang magtungo sa parking area, laking gulat niya nang makitang kinakain na pala ng delivery rider ang pagkain niya!

Nang kumprontahin ang rider, mas nagulat siya sa naging asal nito.

Sa isang Instagram post, ibinahagi ni Aman na bago ang insidente, nanghingi muna ang delivery rider ng karagdagang 10 rupees o P7 upang ihatid sa kanya ang pagkain.

Sa una ay tinanggihan niya ito, ngunit sa kalaunan, pumayag din siyang ibigay ang karagdagang delivery fee.

Gayunman, matagal pa rin siyang pinaghintay ng delivery rider.

At nang mahuling kinakain ng rider ang kanyang order, pabalang pa siyang sinagot nito at sinabing, “Do what you will.”

Ibinahagi ni Aman ang pangyayari sa social media at karamihan sa mga netizen, nagkomentong ganoon din ang kanilang karanasan sa kaparehong delivery app.

Sa kasalukuyan, wala pang aksyon ang kumpanyang humahawak sa naturang app sa reklamo ni Aman.

Umani ng papuri mula sa mga netizen ang isang babaeng guro mula sa Sabtang, Batanes.

Sa viral video, makikita ang master teacher si Carol Baro Figuro, 38-anyos, na walang takot na inakyat ang flagpole sa kanilang paaralan.

Apat na taon nang nagtuturo sa Savidug Elementary School si Teacher Carol.

Aniya, bata pa lamang ay sanay na siyang umakyat sa puno ng niyog, kaya wala na sa kanya ang pag-akyat sa flagpole upang mapalitan ang naputol na lubid rito.

Sa halip na ang mga estudyante pa ang malagay sa panganib, siya na lamang mismo ang gumawa nito para matuloy ang kanilang flag ceremony.

Bukod sa kanyang katapangan, kahanga-hanga rin ang dedikasyon ni Teacher Carol na bumabiyahe ng 14 na kilometro araw-araw para makapagturo.

Sa kanyang social media post, nagpasalamat naman ang guro sa lahat ng humahanga at natutuwa sa kanya, pati na rin sa Panginoon na nagbigay sa kanya ng mga talento upang makatulong sa iba.

Tunay ngang iba ang dedikasyon at katapangan na taglay ng ating mga guro, kaya’t nararapat lamang silang pahalagahan at bigyan ng suporta na sa lahat ng pagkakataon.

Isang lalaki mula sa Iloilo ang trending dahil sa kanyang kakaibang mukbang videos. Sa halip kasing masasarap na pagkain, hollow blocks ang kinakain niya! Pinapahiran niya pa nga ito ng margarine.

Aminado ang content creator na si Jekerie Bendanillo na mahirap kainin ang hollow blocks dahil hindi naman talaga ito pagkain. May pagkakataon ding bumabara na ang semento sa kanyang lalamunan.

Subalit kinailangan niya itong gawin dahil request ito ng kanyang follower sa social media.

Bilang isang karpintero, kulang ang sinasahod ni Jekerie.

Ngunit nang maging content creator, nagsimula na siyang kumita ng higit P8,000 sa loob ng dalawang buwan na nagagamit niya upang masuportahan ang pangangailangan ng kanyang pamilya.

Bukod sa hollow blocks, kumain na rin siya ng sabon, uling, at buhay na alimango. May nainom na rin siyang isang bote na tila muriatic acid ang laman.

Pagbabahagi ni Jekerie, sobrang nahihirapan na siya sa ginagawang videos. Ipinapakita niya lamang sa kanyang pamilya na matatag siya at kaya niya itong gawin, sa kabila ng posibleng panganib nito sa kanyang kalusugan.

Tunay ngang walang katumbas ang sakripisyo ni Jekerie para sa kanyang pamilya. Sana lamang ay maging responsable at maingat din ang followers niya sa kanilang mga kahilingan at huwag abusuhin ang kanyang sitwasyon para lamang sa katuwaan.

Hindi maikakailang matibay ang ugnayan sa pagitan ng mga alagang hayop at kanilang amo.

Sa isang viral video, makikita ang isang magsasaka na nakatungo at tila nababalot ng kalungkutan.

Nilapitan siya ng kanyang dalawang aso at sinubukan siyang pasayahin, subalit hindi man lang kumibo ang lalaki.

Dahil bigo sa kanilang misyon, umalis ang mga aso. Ilang sandali lamang, isang kakaibang pangyayari ang nakunan ng video.

Bumalik din ang mga aso sa kinauupuan ng magsasaka, ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, may kasama na silang isang baka.

Lumapit ang baka at isinandal ang kanyang ulo sa lalaki upang damayan ito.

Maya’t maya pa, may dumating pang apat na baka na tila tinawag din ng mga aso.

Sa kanilang munting paraan, sinubukan ng bawat hayop na pagaanin ang loob ng lalaking nag-aalaga sa kanila.

Patunay ang video na ito na totoong may malasakit ang mga hayop sa mga tao. Kaya’t nararapat lang ding suklian natin ang pagmamalasakit na ito sa pamamagitan ng wastong pag-aalaga at pagbibigay ng buong pagmamahal sa kanila.

Google today announced significant upgrades to Gemini, its advanced AI model, making it even more powerful, helpful, and more accurate.

 The new version is Gemini 1.5 Flash, automatically rolled out to the Philippines. Gemini 1.5 Flash delivers quicker and more insightful responses, thanks to improved reasoning and image understanding. People can now enjoy longer conversations and tackle more complex tasks with the quadrupled context window. Soon, Gemini will even allow uploading files for analysis and provide insights using charts and graphs.

The biggest boost to Gemini is 1.5 Flash’s enhanced accuracy. To provide better-informed answers and information, Gemini now provides links to related content within its responses. This feature, combined with the double-check function, empowers searchers to easily verify information.

To better integrate the AI in your daily life, the Gemini mobile app is now also available in the Philippines — simply download it on Google Play or your respective app store. In addition to this, people can now also talk to Gemini on Google Messages.

Google will also expand Gemini access to teenagers globally, in over 40 languages. Teens in the Philippines who meet the minimum age requirement to manage their own Google Account will be able to access Gemini. They can use Gemini for school, explore their interests, learn new things, and prepare for the future. To better empower prudent AI use, Google has focused on implementing robust safety measures and educational resources to support teens in using Gemini responsibly.

Start using the improved Gemini for your tasks and searches today by heading to gemini.google.com.

SM Supermalls and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have joined forces to create a beacon of hope for Micro-, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) affected by Typhoon Carina. The DTI-SM MSME Calamity Recovery Care Center offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to help businesses stay afloat, recover, and rebuild.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-SM Micro-, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Calamity Recovery Care Center in SM City Baguio and more than 20 malls offer support and services for local businesses.

Located in more than 20 SM Malls across Metro Manila and the typhoon-stricken provinces, these centers provide a safe place and supportive environment for MSMEs to continue operations. With free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and phone access, entrepreneurs can maintain communication with

clients and suppliers, ensuring business continuity.

SM City Grand Central and more than 20 SM Malls offer business continuity solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Recognizing the financial challenges faced by affected MSMEs, the Care Centers, through DTI, offer recovery assistance through DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program, subject to eligibility and documentary requirements, and to also explore MSME loan programs from (Small Business) SB Corporation to jumpstart recovery efforts. Additionally, DTI business counselors are on-site to provide expert guidance on recovery strategies and business continuity planning.

 A local entrepreneur seeks business recovery guidance at SM City Olongapo Central.

The DTI-SM MSME Calamity Recovery Care Center is a pioneering initiative, serving as an alternative to the advisory and counseling services provided by DTI Negosyo Service Centers, ensuring uninterrupted support despite the typhoon’s impact. This collaborative effort is a direct result of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by SM and DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual last July 1, which formalized the partnership to support MSMEs in times of crisis.

 A sea of hopeful entrepreneurs queue for assistance at SM City Pampanga.

 By providing essential support to help business owners get back on their feet, the DTI-SM MSME Calamity Recovery Care Center is more than just a relief effort; it is a catalyst for economic recovery and nation-building.

 The Calamity Recovery Care Center at SM City Taytay provides a supportive environment for Micro-, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to continue operations.

 A business owner affected by the recent calamity seeks vital support at the Calamity Recovery Care Center in SM City Manila.

 SM Supermalls, owned by SM Prime Holdings, is the leading mall developer and operator in the Philippines. As a staunch advocate for MSMEs, SM Supermalls is dedicated to helping Filipino entrepreneurs succeed. Should your business need assistance, you can visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=888047583350681&id=100064363432709&mibextid=WC7FNe&rdid=NcAxeAfuaygQkRzK for a list of participating malls. Or should you wish to join our thriving marketplace across 80+ malls nationwide. Visit www.smsupermalls.com/sm-for-msmes/ to download your MSME application or email us at customercare@smsupermalls.com

The inaugural SuperMoms Club Meetup in Mindanao, held at SM City Davao on July 20, was a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our amazing SuperMoms community. The event, organized by SM Supermalls’ SuperMoms Club to celebrate and empower mothers, featured a range of exciting activities and insightful sessions. The crowd of Davao SuperMoms were welcomed by SM Supermalls’ Executive Vice President for Marketing, Mr. Joaquin L. San Agustin and Councilor Trisha Villafuerte, Chair of the Committee on Women.

SuperMoms gathered at SM City Davao for the first ever SM SuperMoms Club Meetup in Davao, an event dedicated to promoting mental health wellness among mothers.

The highlight of the event was the presence of VIP SuperMom Andrea Taylor, who shared her inspiring journey as vlogger and mother of three. The meetup also featured Binibining Pilipinas Miss Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar, who provided a quick makeup tutorial specifically tailored for busy SuperMoms.

The SM SuperMoms Club Meetup at SM City Davao featured VIP SuperMoms Jehza Huelar and Andrea Taylor

A significant part of the event was the mental health wellness panel, which included Charmaine Acierto from the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), Dr. Dova Sayon-Gonzalez from the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA), and Miss Universe Philippines-Davao Johanna Yulo. Their discussions emphasized the importance of mental well-being for mothers.

VIP SuperMom Andrea Taylor with the mental health wellness panel (L-R) Charmaine Acierto, Dr. Dova Sayon-Gonzalez, and Johanna Yulo with host, Ara Casas-Tumuran.

VIP SuperMom Jehza Huelar demonstrates a quick makeup tutorial for busy SuperMoms

Muzicskool Glee serenades SuperMoms with a heartwarming performance of “True Colors” and “Stronger”

The Wellness Meetup concluded with an energizing Zumba session for SuperMoms

Attendees were also treated to a captivating vocal performance by the Muzicskool Glee and an invigorating Zumba session, ensuring that there was something for everyone to enjoy. This event was made possible with the support of our generous sponsors: SM Bowling, Watsons, DC Shoes, Chowking, Greenwich, Bon Appetea, Krispy Kreme, Davao Doctors Hospital.

Upcoming Wellness Meetups:

July 27, Saturday, 2 PM: SM Seaside Cebu with VIP SuperMombassador Vern Enciso-Lim

August 3, Saturday, 2 PM: SM City Fairview with VIP SuperMombassador Chariz Solomon

To join the SM SuperMoms Club, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SMSuperMomsClub 

This July and August, grab the chance to win amazing prizes at SM Foodcourt’s Eat, Spin, & Win promo.

Calling all foodies who love fun and prizes! Visit the Foodcourt at select SM malls to join the Eat, Spin & Win promo. Running from July 20 to August 20, 2024, this period promises to make your dining experience at SM Foodcourt even more enjoyable.

From local favorites to international delights, SM Foodcourt offers a wide range of dishes that cater to every taste. With the Eat, Spin, & Win promo, pairing your favorite food with a Coca-Cola product is now more rewarding than ever.

Find a flavor for every craving at SM Foodcourt, with culinary offerings that range from local comforts to international fares.

Participating in the “Eat Spin & Win” promo is easy with the following steps:

1. Dine at SM Foodcourt: Visit any participating SM Foodcourt branch and make a food purchase worth P299 including any Coca-Cola product.
2. Spin to Win: Scan the QR Code posted around participating SM Foodcourt branches to access the Eat, Spin, & Win game.
3. Prize Randomizer: Get the chance to win a mini fridge, a can of Coca-Cola, tumbler, tote bag, or ink gel pen!
4. Redeem your Prize: Present your receipt and a screenshot of your prize to claim your reward at the branch redemption booth.

Keep an eye out for the Eat, Spin, & Win QR codes posted around select SM Foodcourts nationwide.

Don’t miss out on the fun and rewards. Visit your nearest participating SM Foodcourt branch from July 20, 2024, to August 20, 2024, and take part in the “Eat Spin & Win” promo. Let the dining, spinning, and winning begin!

With a purchase of at least P299 that includes any Coca-Cola product, get the chance to win fun prizes at SM Foodcourt!

Participating SM Foodcourt branches in Luzon include SM City North EDSA, SM Southmall, SM, City Baguio, SM City Rosales, SM City Urdaneta, SM City Tarlac, SM City Pampanga, SM City Telabastagan, SM City Clark, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City Cabanatuan, SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Marilao, SM City Valenzuela, SM City Baliwag, SM City Grand Central, SM City Fairview, SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Taytay, SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, SM City Sucat, SM City Bicutan, SM City Bacoor, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Tanza, SM City Sta. Rosa, SM City Calamba, SM City Lipa, SM City Naga, SM City Sorsogon, SM City Daet, SM City San Pedro, and SM City Sto Tomas.

In Visayas and Mindanao, visit SM Foodcourt at the following malls: SM City Cebu, SM City Consolacion, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Roxas, SM City Iloilo, SM City Bacolod, SM City Davao, and SM City Gensan.

To stay updated with SM Foodcourt’s latest promos, follow @SMFoodcourt on social media.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-198320 Series of 2024.