FEATURES

(L-R) Dr. Fatma Tiu and Dr. Rey Rosales of Diabetes Philippines, Dr. Cyril Tolosa from AstraZeneca, and Mr. Reynaldo Abacan Jr. are united in the call to stop diabetes in a media conference held at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

MANILA, Philippines — Coinciding with World Diabetes Day, Diabetes Philippines and AstraZeneca officially launched the ‘STOP Diabetes ACT NOW,’ issuing an urgent call for Filipinos to have earlier screening for diabetes, a lifestyle disease affecting 4.7 million Filipino adults1 and the fifth leading cause of death in the country,2 and to significantly reduce the risk of developing severe life-threatening complications.

With the theme “Driving Better Diabetes Outcomes Through Early Screening and Holistic Care,” the speakers discussed Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), the most common type of diabetes, and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a severe complication usually caused by T2D.

“As we celebrate World Diabetes Day, we in the medical community, as well as our patient partners, sound the bell to ACT NOW,” Dr. Francis Pasaporte, past president of Diabetes Philippines, said.

Understanding T2D

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t make enough insulin.3 Insulin is a vital hormone that helps sugar, particularly glucose, be used for energy. When this process doesn’t work efficiently, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Left unmanaged, this can lead to several complications, such as Chronic Kidney Disease, where around 40% of T2D patients develop during their lifetime.

According to the latest report from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 7.5% or an estimated 4.7 million Filipinos aged 20-79 years old are living with the disease.1

Alarmingly, the same statistics also show that an estimated 53.5% of adults in the country remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for early screening of T2D to prevent disease progression.

The Philippine Statistics Authority also reported that diabetes was the fifth leading cause of mortality among Filipinos in 2024,2 emphasizing its severe impact on national health.

Dr. Fatma Tiu, President of Diabetes Philippines, highlights the growing burden of diabetes in Filipino families and highlights the shared responsibility behind the STOP Diabetes: ACT NOW movement during the interactive discussion, the World Diabetes Day Agham Kapihan.

“Diabetes is a big problem that is affecting our nation,” Dr. Rey Rosales, Treasurer of Diabetes Philippines, said, “Which is why early screening is one of the most powerful tools we have to save lives and prevent severe complications such as CKD.”

STOP Diabetes, ACT NOW

Dr. Rey Rosales discussed the burden of diabetes, saying that 7 out of 10 working-class Filipinos are affected by diabetes, impacting their most productive years.

To unite in their call to halt the further progression of diabetes and its complications, healthcare experts, patient advocates, and partner organizations came together to launch the STOP Diabetes, ACT NOW campaign, encouraging Filipinos to get early screening and undergo treatment.

“Our battle cry has always been the diabetics of tomorrow will come from the children of today,” Dr. Fatma Tiu, President of  Diabetes Philippines, said. “We don’t need to look far—we will start by screening the family members of our diabetic patients, and through the Stop Diabetes program, we will create clinics all over the country utilizing PhilHealth programs.”

Patient advocates present in the forum shared how mindful eating and early screening can change lives for people, especially for avoiding severe complications like CKD.

“I hope more people become aware of the food they eat,” Arch. Cynthia Clemen Y. Duntz, president of the Diabetes Advocacy Society Inc., said. “In our community, we are science-based; we have members who are also endocrinologists, and they give their recommendations on what’s best.”

“Let’s get ourselves screened,” Reynaldo Abacan Jr, President of Dialysis PH, said. “Even if we don’t feel any symptoms at the moment, we might have developed the disease already. Which is why early screening is important, so we can give people the chance to implement lifestyle changes and get treatment.”

A representative from state-backed health insurer PhilHealth assured that members can receive financial assistance from the government through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) package.

Dr. Lydia Labro of PhilHealth introduces updates to the YAKAP Program, including the addition of early diabetes screening to help Filipinos access know their status and get immediate care.

“We are now focusing not just on the curative, but also on the preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, and palliative,” Dr. Lydia Labro, representative for PhilHealth, said. “Under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Para sa Lahat program, we cover primary care consultations, essential diagnostic tests like HbA1c, which includes essential anti-diabetic medicine, so that every member can focus on their treatment.”

“Our bold ambition is to reduce and ultimately eliminate complications and deaths because of cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes.” Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director at AstraZeneca Philippines, said. “We’ve been continuously partnering with diabetes educators, patient groups, local government units, our doctors in the clinics, and drugstore chains to continuously look for these patients who have diabetes and screen them for kidney disease.”

Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director of AstraZeneca Philippines, highlights the company’s goal of eliminating deaths from cardiometabolic diseases and its partnerships to strengthen early diabetes and kidney disease screening.

To close the event, Dr. Nines Bautista, Vice President of Diabetes Philippines, reiterated the call for early screening and immediate treatment for diabetes.

“Let us renew our shared commitment to the call to action of Diabetes Philippines to STOP Diabetes, ACT NOW,” Dr. Bautista said. “We can make a lasting impact by promoting early screening, issuing prompt and effective treatment, and optimizing the management of co-morbid conditions and preventing the serious complications of diabetes.”

“Today, we are reminded that diabetes is not just a medical condition but a public health and a social concern that touches families and communities across our nation,” Dr. Bautista added. “Through awareness, education, and united action, we can empower every Filipino to live healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives,” he added.

The event concluded with a commitment exercise, calling on everyone to involve their communities and help Filipinos take charge of their health and stop diabetes in its tracks.

CEU joins WURI’s global top 400 innovative universities for the second time  – a recognition that holds profound significance for its students, faculty, and academic community.

Centro Escolar University (CEU) has once again earned global recognition, securing the 259th spot among 1,253 universities worldwide in the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). This places CEU among the top 400 institutions worldwide shaping the future of education through creative solutions, forward-thinking leadership, and meaningful impact.

This marks CEU’s second consecutive year in the WURI rankings, a global evaluation system that looks beyond traditional academic metrics to assess real-world contributions. From 268^th in 2024 to 259th in 2025, CEU’s steady rise reflects its deep-rooted commitment to excellence. The university continues to meet excellence, addressing today’s needs while preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.

WURI’s framework evaluates universities based on their real contributions to industry and society, using 16 categories that span both innovation targets (what institutions aim to achieve) and innovation means (how they achieve it).

Innovation with real-world impact

Beyond its place in the Global Top 400, CEU also earned high rankings in key WURI categories: 2025 – Rank 10 in Empowerment-Based Management; Rank 42 in Student Mobility and Openness; Rank 44 in Visionary Leadership; 2024 – Rank 23 in Industrial Application; Rank 27 in Support for Global Resilience; and Rank 36 in Leadership

These achievements are fueled by CEU’s academic culture, which thrives on innovation, collaboration, and purpose. The unwavering support of the university administration was instrumental in this success—providing the vision, resources, and encouragement needed to pursue WURI recognition at a global scale. This strong backing empowered the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (OSVPAA) to coordinate the effort, identifying and preparing program entries that best showcased CEU’s creativity, adaptability, and societal impact. By ensuring that each submission met WURI’s rigorous standards for Innovativeness, Implementability, and Impact, the OSVPAA played a pivotal role in securing CEU’s place among the world’s most innovative institutions.

Complementing this effort, the Office of Research, Innovation, and Institutional Development (ORIID) nurtures a research-driven culture, championing initiatives that address societal needs and translate academic insights into practical impact. This shared mission positions CEU as an institution guided by both a strong moral compass and strategic foresight.

Together, these efforts reflect CEU’s ongoing mission to empower learners and nurture leaders, producing graduates who are globally competent, socially conscious, and ready to make a meaningful mark.

Ensuring institutional excellence

CEU’s success in the WURI ranking reflects the synergy between the administration’s vision and the dedication of its academic leaders. With Dr. Teresa R. Perez, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, at the forefront, Dr. Maria Clara Perlita Erna V. Yabut, vice president for Research, Innovation, and Institutional Development & Corporate Information officer,  Dr. Rhoda C. Aguilar, University registrar, and Dr. Jean Ramirez, head of Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, the university has built a strong framework for innovation in higher education.

Through collaborative leadership and campus-wide engagement, CEU ensures that its WURI-recognized programs are not isolated achievements, but part of a sustained journey of excellence and societal impact.

Pride in being Escolarian

This global distinction belongs to every Escolarian – past, present, and future. It is a shared milestone and a reminder that at CEU, innovation is not a slogan—it is a living practice, sustained by the daily work of educators, learners, and researchers who dare to imagine and create better ways forward.

For more information about CEU and its programs, visit www.ceu.edu.ph. You can also follow CEU on Facebook at @theCEUofficial, @CEUMalolosofficial, and @CEUMakati05.

The newly renovated Laoag City RHU III, transformed through the support of the SM Foundation, is set to become a primary healthcare facility. The upgraded center now features properly designated clinical areas and a comfortable new receiving area for patients.

Bridging the healthcare gap in Ilocos Norte, the Laoag City RHU III Primary Care Facility (PRF) and Birthing Home has reopened its doors after a full-scale renovation led by the SM Foundation.

The renovation introduced updates to the facility’s interior, including new LED lighting fixtures, modern appliances, and comfortable, patient-centered furnishings, along with the strategic use of air-cleaning paints in key areas to help maintain a sanitary environment.

The layout was also reconfigured to improve patient flow and support more efficient consultations and treatments.

Among the key parts of the project was the overhaul of the birthing facility to meet standards set by the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth. The enhancement is expected to support RHU III’s application for Primary Care Facility (PCF) accreditation and enable participation in PhilHealth’s YAKAP Program for expanded healthcare coverage.

Through the SM Foundation’s DigiKonsulta, Laoag City RHU III PRF and Birthing Home is now better equipped to pursue accreditation and prepare for the eventual implementation of the PhilHealth’s YAKAP program. The DigiKonsulta initiative also aims to help enhance patient management and recordkeeping.

Additional enhancements done by the foundation included the installation of a rainwater catchment system for sustainable water use and the rollout of its DigiKonsulta to support remote medical consultations and the digitalization of patient records.

Established in 2018, RHU III was designed to serve 23 barangays on the south side of the Padsan River or Laoag River, which had limited access to basic healthcare.

It offers preventive and primary care services, including immunization, disease surveillance, free consultations, dental care, and maternal health programs.

The improvements implemented by the foundation boost the RHU III’s plan to expand its capacity as a primary care provider for more than 35,000 residents.

The renovated dental station at Laoag City RHU III now provides a spacious, well-lit, and comfortable setting, enticing patients to avail of free oral health services.

With the refurbishment, the Laoag City RHU III PCF is designed to provide a safer, more supportive environment for mothers and infants, aligning with the facility’s application for birthing center accreditation.

Located near the city’s evacuation center, facility utilizes a rainwater harvesting system to secure a steady water supply for non-potable use, reducing reliance on main water lines and boosting the facility’s resilience during emergencies. 

SM Foundation has installed a mobile play cabinet designed to create a calming environment for children receiving medical care. The cabinet contains gender-neutral educational toys and interactive learning materials aimed at reducing anxiety during healthcare visits.

It’s Halloween season once again, and before all the fun you’re about to have at the parties you’ll be headed to comes the stressful part: actually putting together an awesome, unique, and totally different costume that will blow everyone away. After all, with all the wild and crazy looks out and about, Halloween is the time to celebrate uniqueness.

You’ve got a particular personal and unique vision in mind, and you don’t want to rely on something that’s pre-made. Not to worry: Gemini and Nano Banana are here to instantly turn your wildest, spookiest, or most hilarious and one-of-a-kind costume concepts into stunning visual inspiration—all with a simple text prompt.

Your perfect Halloween idea, now with visuals

Gemini is making complicated costume planning simple. It works like this: You have a wild idea, but you don’t know how to execute it. Maybe you want to combine two pop culture references, or maybe you just want a fresh take on a classic ghost.

With Gemini, you can literally type out your vision and watch it come to life in seconds. All you have to do is type in what you want to become—and to do that effectively, just remember the really important parts of a specific costume prompt:

Don’t forget to be specific, be fun: Let your imagination run wild! For example: “A cyberpunk wizard with glowing neon runes and a cat familiar” or “A 1950s housewife who is secretly a vampire slayer.” From there, Gemini instantly generates high-quality images of that character. This visualization is your perfect mood board, showing you exactly what materials, colors, and accessories you need to pull the look off.

Don’t love the first idea? Just adjust the prompt! Swap the cat for a robotic dog, or change the year to the 1980s. You have unlimited creative freedom to experiment until you find the perfect look. To get the most out of Gemini, think like a director. Be concise, but include key details.

This tool takes the guesswork out of the process, allowing everyone—from consumers looking for a quick fix to seasoned DIY enthusiasts—to save time and focus on the fun part: showing off their unique style. This Halloween, you truly can be anything you want.

And one last thing: while AI opens up incredible creative avenues, it’s important to be responsible with your prompts. Please do not use Gemini to generate images that depict real people, real personalities, or public figures. Focus on creating fictional characters, concepts, and original ideas to ensure your costume planning stays fun, safe, and ethical.

Try out Gemini now and see how AI can inspire your most creative Halloween yet. We encourage users to use AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly, reinforcing that Gemini enables creativity and self-expression.

New school building standing as a symbol of hope

Newly turned over SMFI building in Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School to aid grade one and grade two students with four new classrooms a week after an earthquake.

A two-storey building with four classrooms turned over by the SM Foundation and SM Prime to a school in Tagum City came at the right time after a magnitude 6.9 quake last Oct. 10 destroyed the integrity of three classrooms.

According to Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School principal Brigitte Asas, the building finished construction in perfect timing, exactly a week after the earthquake which further compromised their buildings already “for condemnation” with beam cracks, making them unsafe for grade two and grade one students.

The campus so far has three buildings built more than 25 years ago, which are now set for demolition.

“The SM classrooms itself, after the earthquake, are very timely, especially now that we’re lacking classrooms. We would’ve just tried to repair the cracks in the old rooms if it weren’t for the SM Foundation,” Asas said.

She adds that classrooms have become the campus’ number one problem, which they have tried to solve by creating at least five makeshift classrooms which the principal describes as “half concrete, half wooden” to accommodate students.

While there has been a lack of rooms in the campus, Asas sees to it that their classroom to student ratio for grades one to three is limited to 30 to 35 students per room for grades one to two and 40 to 45 for the higher levels.

Lack of rooms and facilities

Elene Saavedra, Teacher I at Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School, stressed the importance of providing grade two and grade one students a conducive space to bolster their holistic learning, considering these levels as a child’s crucial years for development.

“As a teacher, our old building is not really conducive for learning because it was dark and our students were uncomfortable due to lack of electric fans, unlike in this building where it’s brighter and more spacious,” Saavedra said.

The school conducts their classes in full days, starting from 7:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. for grades one to three. Only their primary level students take classes in two shifts, their schedules in accordance with the prescribed hours of the Department of Education.

With seven hours of sitting in class, the design of the chairs and desks in the old buildings tend to be cramped with two to four students sharing one desk, making it difficult to write according to the school’s student government president Lonardjames Eramis.

Princess Dumagat, a fellow sixth-grade pupil, particularly appreciates the wood-steel armchairs that came with the building, describing their previous chairs and tables as “gamay,” or small.

Aside from the woes of the learning facilities, Saavedra also recalls dealing with minor flooding in the old classrooms.

“Every time it rains, we get nervous because it is an added job to mop and dry the floor… Sometimes we just have to send the students home too which also affects the conduct of our classes,” Saavedra shared.

To address the flooding issue, Asas aims to add a drainage in the flood-prone areas in their campus surrounding the new building after the turnover.

Symbol of hope

Faryl Jane Ponce, a PTA officer who has four children studying in Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School, two of which are primary and grade two students, says that the new building would help her child learn more efficiently.

“I am grateful to the SM Foundation because this new building would provide my children with  space comfort. They no longer have to endure the congestion, noise, and humidity,” Ponce said.

With the building’s turnover, the principal believes that the new classrooms would ignite excitement for their students which could motivate them to perform better in school.

Parents of Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School, which has over a thousand students, are grateful for the timely turnover of the school building.

“This building symbolizes hope for our students and is now a legacy of the SM Foundation. No matter how many principals and teachers retire in this school, the gratitude of the Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School community would last a lifetime,” Asas added.

The classrooms are turned fully equipped, each feature a whiteboard, toilet room, four electric fans, teacher’s table and PWD-made armchairs, including ones for left-handed students.

The building also includes the Parent-Teacher’s Association office, a faculty room, a mini library, a 10-faucet handwashing station, and PWD facilities.

The new classrooms, with good lighting and proper ventilation, would help teachers improve their students’ learning.

The 10-faucet handwashing station of the SMFI school building is expected to promote hygiene practices among Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School pupils.

Sections that will utilize the new classrooms now have a bigger space for group activities and performances.

The new building at Suaybaguio-Riña Elementary School also aims to help provide a comfortable work environment for teachers.

Future-READY, Now! is one of several SM Foundation education programs supporting scholars’ comprehensive development, including mentoring, networking initiatives, and regular assemblies that strengthen their core skills and professional readiness.

Recent studies show a mismatch between the skills industries demand and what workers and students currently possess, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science.

Infrastructure challenges, uneven access to quality training, and other barriers continue to limit digital learning opportunities.

To help address these challenges, SM Foundation has ramped up its education initiatives to equip and future-proof its scholars for the digital economy.

In collaboration with IBM, Asia Pacific College (APC), SM Group business units, the Foundation recently launched Future-READY, Now!, an upskilling program that integrates digital training and workforce development for its scholars.

The program is designed to align education with market needs by providing scholars with globally recognized digital and professional credentials through IBM SkillsBuild, IBM’s free education program aimed at increasing access to technology education. It ensures access to relevant training and career pathways across the country while reinforcing SM Foundation’s commitment to inclusive education. The initiative also supports the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) 2025 micro-credentialing framework and the Private Sector Advisory Council’s inclusive development agenda.

Built around a three-phase framework, the initiative develops digital, professional, and industry-specific competencies—from foundational learning to specialized courses and ongoing assessment to ensure scholars gain practical, workforce-relevant experience.

SM Foundation Scholars will have access to more than 1,000 free courses and digital credentials in IBM SkillsBuild including foundational coursework in AI literacy, digital mindset, digital literacy, as well as specialized courses relevant to each learner’s field of study across business and accountancy, engineering, IT, and education.

IBM Philippines Country General Manager and Technology Leader Aileen Judan-Jiao said the collaboration reflects IBM’s global effort to close the digital skills gap.

“Through IBM SkillsBuild and our collaboration with SM Foundation and APC, we hope to address the widening skills gap and equip Filipino learners with professional skills through customized practical learning experiences that would enable them to thrive in the rapidly changing world and workplace,” Judan-Jiao said.

“Together, we are building a future-ready Filipino workforce through flexible, industry-relevant education that meets the evolving needs of the job market,” she added.

APC President Dr. Teresita Medado said that the initiatives pave the way for inclusive education pave the way for inclusive education by opening opportunities for underserved learners to gain vital digital skills and globally-recognized credentials.

APC President Tata Medado shares the program helps build future-ready Filipino workforce through flexible, industry-relevant education that meets the evolving needs of the job market.

“It is a strategic opportunity to drive equity, empathy, and empowerment,” Dr. Medado said. “It allows us to reach students who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to study at all. That is the heart of inclusive education.”

SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Programs Carmen Linda Atayde said that the Future-READY, Now! is a continuation of the foundation’s mission to develop a career-ready scholars equipped with globally recognized credentials and adaptable skills.

“By transforming education into opportunity, and opportunity into impact, we aim to prepare scholars for meaningful employment while empowering them to contribute to meaningfully to their families and the community,” Atayde said.

Future-READY, Now! is one of several SM Foundation education programs supporting scholars’ comprehensive development, including mentoring, networking initiatives, and regular assemblies that strengthen their core skills and professional readiness.

IBM Philippines Country General Manager and Technology Leader Aileen Judan-Jiao guides an SM Scholar through the IBM SkillsBuild platform, reinforcing IBM’s global commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030, including training 2 million individuals in AI by 2026.

Future-READY, Now! advances the foundation’s mission by developing career-ready scholars with globally recognized credentials and adaptable skills.

(From left) APC Executive Director of School of Computing & Information Technologies Rhea-Luz Valbuena, APC President Dr. Teresita Medado, IBM Philippines Country General Manager and Technology Leader Aileen Judan-Jiao, and SMFI Executive Director for Education Programs Carmen Linda Atayde lead the opening of the Future-READY, Now!, an upskilling program that integrates digital training and workforce development for its scholars.

The SM Foundation lauded 199 graduates under the SM College Scholarship Program
in an event at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay on Oct. 23, 2025.
This is the most decorated batch in the program’s history, with a record number of
awardees — 8 Summa Cum Laude, 33 Magna Cum Laude, 47 Cum Laude, and 14
Academic Distinction recipients.
The event opened with a job fair, connecting graduates with potential career
opportunities across SM Group business units.
The program strengthens SM Foundation’s mission to nurture scholars into well-
rounded professionals, equipping them with real-world experience, unlocking their
potential, and supporting them in uplifting their families and communities.