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Unilab celebrates 80 years of service and commitment with the Robinsons Group

In the fast-paced health and wellness industry, milestones are often measured in expansions, product launches, or by market reach. However, for Unilab, Inc. (Unilab ), it is more about celebrating eight decades of Husay, Malasakit at Bayanihan. Eight decades of unparalleled commitment to product excellence and the highest standards of quality as a service for the Filipinos.

Founded in 1945 as United Drug Co., Inc., a small wholesale and retail drugstore in Binondo, Manila, Unilab has grown into an industry leader that continues to place alaga — a uniquely Filipino concept of genuine care, at the heart of its service.

This year, Unilab’s celebration is made more meaningful by recognizing its enduring partnerships that foster a strong support system towards accessible quality healthcare for every Filipino. With Alagang Unilab Para sa Lahat launch held at Robinsons Galleria, Unilab joined hands with the Robinsons Retail Group —  the company’s long-time partner in bringing health and wellness that forge lasting impact and deeper shopper connections.

Key leaders from Unilab and Robinsons Retail Group’s Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy led the program, which unveiled activities and programs that will be implemented soon, including four campaign pillars that are aimed at delivering care that is inclusive, accessible and meaningful. These pillars include:

  1. The launch of SMART MEDS Program with Maxicare which sets a new standard, giving Maxicare members exclusive offers and seamless access to medicines at any Southstar Drug or Rose Pharmacy, so more Filipinos will never have to miss their medicines and can live better, healthier lives;
  2. Online Exclusives for both Southstar Drug and Rose Pharmacy, boosting digital presence and engagement online with thematic deals and promos;
  3. Alagang Para sa Lahat Raffle Promo which is customized to what excite the shoppers of both accounts are offering:
  • For Southstar Drug: 80 winners of P8,000 each and 1 winner of P1,000,000 in the Grand Draw
  • For Rose Pharmacy: 80 winners of P8,000 each and 80 winners of P2,000 worth of assorted Unilab products in the Grand Draw

Raffle coupons to be available from Oct. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025.

    4. Advocacies and CSR Partnerships

The event also opened the one-day Alagang Unilab Para sa Lahat Health and Wellness Day at Robinsons Galleria Ortigas Manila, where participants and mallgoers were able to enjoy booths offering engaging health-related activities and services, and Unilab’s specially-priced products.

A touching highlight of the event is the symbolic turnover of Unilab’s donation to the Philippine Business Disability Network (PBDN), a group supported by Southstar Drug as part of their advocacy in supporting our differently abled fellow Filipinos. More than a gesture, this symbolic turnover expresses the two companies’ shared commitment to inclusivity, regardless of circumstance.

The celebration will continue in Cebu next month as Rose Pharmacy takes the lead in the Alagang Para sa Lahat Health and Wellness Day on Oct. 25 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu. The event will once again feature engaging health-related activities, wellness services, and specially-priced Unilab products — bringing the spirit of genuine alaga closer to Cebuanos.

Through Unilab’s 80 years series of celebrations, genuine and continuing ‘alaga’ is reinforced, promoted, and shared among communities together with valued partners who have the same passion and mission toward the health and well-being of Filipinos.

Alaga can take different forms, from extending a helping hand to someone in need, kind words of reassurance to someone going through uncertainty, or a healthcare provider’s genuine concern for a patient’s healing journey and access to medical care.

At its core, the celebration is not just about looking back at 80 years of achievements, but also about reaffirming its promise that in every partnership, every initiative, and every Filipino household it serves, Unilab will continue to nurture a legacy of Husay, Malasakit at Bayanihan.

Because for Unilab, true success isn’t only in milestones reached, but in moments of genuine care or alaga that is felt and shared.

 

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New flood fears spook evacuees after Ragasa kills 14 in Taiwan

A MAN stands near a military vehicle on a road filled with mud brought by flooding, after Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hualien, Taiwan, Sept. 24. — REUTERS/ANN WANG

HUALIEN, Taiwan — Residents in an eastern Taiwan town where flooding from a strong typhoon killed 14 people took to shelters on Wednesday fearing further disaster, as Premier Cho Jung-tai called for an inquiry into what went wrong with evacuation orders.

Sub-tropical Taiwan, frequently hit by typhoons, normally has a well-oiled disaster mechanism that averts mass casualties by moving people out of potential danger zones quickly.

But many residents in Guangfu, an inundated town in the beauty spot of Hualien thronged by tourists, said there was insufficient warning when the lake overflowed during Tuesday’s torrential rains brought by Super Typhoon Ragasa.

Mr. Cho said the immediate priority was to find the 129 still missing, but questions remained.

“For the 14 who have tragically passed away, we must investigate why evacuation orders were not carried out in the designated areas,” he told reporters in Guangfu.

“This is not about assigning blame but about uncovering the truth.”

The barrier lake, formed by landslides triggered by earlier heavy rain in the island’s sparsely populated east, burst its banks to send a wall of water into Guangfu.

As heavy rain continued on and off in Hualien, police cars sounded sirens for a new flood warning in Guangfu on Wednesday, sending people scrambling for safer areas as residents and rescuers shouted, “The flood waters are coming, run fast.”

“We will not return until the overflow is finished or the risk of it bursting is reduced. It’s too dangerous,” said a woman who gave her family name as Tsai from a packed emergency shelter in an elementary school.

Deputy disaster command center chief Huang Chao-chin said with rainfall easing and much of the water from the lake already released, he did not expect a repeat of Tuesday’s mass flooding.

Lamen Panay, a Hualien councilor, said government evacuation requests before the flood had not been mandatory.

Referring to guidance for people to head to higher floors, she said, “What we were facing wasn’t something ‘vertical evacuation’ could resolve.” 

Taiwan has been lashed since Monday by the outer rim of Typhoon Ragasa, which was downgraded from a super typhoon and is now hitting China’s southern coast and the Asian financial hub of Hong Kong.

LIKE A ‘TSUNAMI’
The water hit like a “tsunami,” said Guangfu postman Hsieh Chien-tung, who was able to flee to the second floor of the post office just in time. Later, he got home to find his car had been swept into the living room.

Fire officials said all the dead and missing were in Guangfu, where the waters destroyed a major road bridge across a river.

Regions across Taiwan have dispatched rescue teams to Hualien, with the military sending 340 troops to help.

In Guangfu, soldiers operating from an armored personnel carrier to keep clear of thick mud in the streets went door-to-door handing out water and instant noodles. Wrecked cars and scooters were littered around.

About 5,200 people, or 60% of the population, sought shelter on the higher floors of their own homes while most of the rest left to stay with families, government data showed.

The government said the overflow of the barrier lake released about 60 million tons of an estimated 91 million tons of water, enough to fill about 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office offered condolences, in a rare sign of goodwill from Beijing, which has a deep dislike of Taipei’s government.

China views Taiwan as its own territory, despite the strong objections of the island’s democratically elected government.

Besides the wilderness beauty that makes it one of Taiwan’s top tourists draws, Hualien is also home to many members of the island’s indigenous groups, including the Amis.

The typhoon brought about 70 cm (28 inches) of rain to Taiwan’s east, though the populous west coast, home to the crucial semiconductor industry, was not affected.

In 2009, Typhoon Morakot brought destruction to Taiwan’s south, killing about 700 and causing damage of up to $3 billion. — Reuters

Alcohol lobby takes on WHO in battle over health impacts

THE World Health Organization (WHO) logo is seen on the exterior of entry door at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 19, 2023. — WHO/PIERRE ALBOUY

LONDON — The Belgian beer industry, Mexico’s tequila makers and Heineken all lobbied governments this summer to resist a push by the UN’s health agency to introduce tougher rules targeting alcohol, letters and an e-mail reviewed by Reuters show.

The previously unreported efforts reflect how the $1-trillion global drinks industry is taking on the World Health Organization (WHO) over its hardening stance that there is no risk-free level of drinking.

That position is disputed by the industry. And as cash-strapped and increasingly health-conscious consumers cut back on alcohol, dealing a blow to companies’ profits, the stand-off reveals how the sector is ramping up its efforts to head off further threats.

ALCOHOL POLICIES WATERED DOWN IN UN HEALTH AGREEMENT
The WHO and other health authorities say drinking, sometimes even in small amounts, is linked to higher risks of certain cancers and other diseases.

Dag Rekve, the WHO’s technical policy officer, told Reuters that at the population level, these health harms were “consistent and well documented.”

But alcohol makers say the science is more complicated, and shows drinking in moderation is low-risk. Julian Braithwaite, CEO of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), told Reuters the industry aims to “take back control of the alcohol debate.”

To that end, IARD’s members, which include leading brewers and spirit makers, have increased the organization’s funding to have it play a more active role in alcohol-related science debates and counter the message coming from health bodies.

The current flashpoint in that battle is a new UN-backed agreement, due for adoption by countries on Sept. 25, that sets targets for tackling non-communicable diseases, some of them linked to alcohol.

Proposed WHO-backed alcohol controls appeared in the first draft of the agreement published in May. But a later version, from earlier in September, also public, shows they have been dropped or weakened.

The WHO said last week that the process had been affected by intense lobbying, including by the alcohol industry.

A letter seen by Reuters shows that, in May, soon after the first draft of the agreement was released, Mexico’s National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT), which represents top spirits makers, wrote to the Mexican government.

CNIT asked Mexican authorities to use talks with other governments to help remove references to WHO-supported policies, including commitments to raise taxes on alcohol and restrict its availability in stores, the letter showed.

Those proposals were subsequently tempered in the September draft to say countries should “consider” introducing tax increases “in line with national circumstances” and “consider … availability measures.”

A separate letter sent to the Mexican government on behalf of Dutch beer giant Heineken suggested changing a proposal to ban or restrict alcohol advertising to instead focus it on advertising to minors.

Calls for restrictions on alcohol advertising were dropped from the September version of the agreement.

Trade association Belgian Brewers, meanwhile, wrote to the Belgian deputy prime minister’s office in June complaining that the country’s health minister was pursuing “radical positions” in relation to the UN text, an -email seen by Reuters showed.

The industry group pointed to attempts to change a reference about reducing the impact of harmful consumption, such as alcohol addiction, into a statement that referred to all kinds of drinking.

A SHIFT NEEDED?
Heineken, CNIT and Belgian Brewers told Reuters it was standard practice to communicate industry views to policymakers. CNIT said it did not seek to weaken the UN agreement, only to ensure that it was both effective and fair to the industry by providing robust science and added that this resulted in better policies.

Both the Mexican chamber and Heineken said the private sector has a recognized role in the UN health process.

Belgian Brewers, meanwhile, said a shift to focus on all alcohol consumption risked being counterproductive.

It is not clear if the Mexican government adopted the industry’s suggestions during negotiations over the UN-backed document. Mexico’s health ministry did not respond to Reuters’ questions.

IARD’s Braithwaite said the changes made to the health targets reflected governments’ recognition that an approach that distinguishes between moderate and harmful consumption, such as drink-driving, works.

But Jeremy Farrar, the WHO’s assistant-director general in charge of health promotion, disease prevention and care, said that the body had to address the main causes of ill health — from alcohol to pollution — more strongly.

“There does have to be a shift,” he told Reuters.

A BATTLE OF MESSAGES
The WHO’s headquarters and European office have increased the number of publications released relating to alcohol since 2022, according to a Reuters review of their output. And in 2023, they moved to a stance that there is “no safe level” of drinking.

Company executives have argued the industry needs to more actively push back and promote positive aspects of moderate drinking.

In March, Diageo advertised for a new role on its global lobbying team, citing “an unprecedented challenge” from the WHO and related non-governmental organizations pressuring governments.

Such roles are a “standard part of how we engage with governments to advocate for proportionate, evidence-based policies that support both society and business,” a Diageo spokesperson said.

Diageo interim CEO Nik Jhangiani said at a recent conference that the spirits sector was being “outshone” by negative messaging, and it should do more to manage the dialogue.

And Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters last month that moderate drinking has benefits for socializing and mental health and said the industry should communicate those.

But health or policy arguments from drinks companies should be taken with a grain of salt, said Eric Crosbie, a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno’s School of Public Health.

“We have to remember these are businesses,” he said. “They’re there to make money.” — Reuters

Diamonds and drones: Pakistan tax unit scans social media for evasion

STOCK PHOTO | Image by sheilabox from Unsplash

KARACHI — Diamond sets and a drone light show at a near-million-dollar wedding have become evidence for Pakistan’s tax authorities under a new “Lifestyle Monitoring Cell” tasked with scanning social media for lavish spenders, officials said.

A team of 40 investigators from the country’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started scouring Instagram, TikTok and YouTube posts this week, to match influencers, celebrities, realtors and businesspeople with disproportionate filings.

“It’s open-source — their Instagram accounts are a public declaration,” one senior FBR official said, adding tax evasion cases can be opened up in a matter of hours. The FBR did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The monitoring cell has been formed to address Pakistan’s chronic inability to meet revenue collection targets, and to help meet tougher goals set in this year’s International Monetary Fund-backed budget.

The country has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in Asia, a chronic weakness that has forced it into nearly two dozen IMF programmes. Less than 2% of the country pays its income tax.

The unit was formally set up this month, according to an internal document seen by Reuters, which said its mandate was to “systematically monitor, scour and analyze data from major social media platforms” and identify people who display wealth but are either not registered for tax or declare income that appears incongruous with their expenditures and assets.

According to the document, the cell will build digital profiles of suspects, assess the money behind their lifestyles, and prepare reports that can be used for tax or money laundering investigations.

It will maintain a central database of evidence, including screenshots and timestamps, the document said.

DIAMONDS, DRONES, DJS, AND DATABASES
Officials said one wedding under review carried a price tag of nearly 248 million rupees ($878,000).

Documents seen by Reuters showed nearly $283,000 spent on diamond and gold sets and $124,000 on bridal outfits by leading South Asian designers.

Guests entered through a hallway of floral arches as drones lit up the sky, before sitting down to multi-course meals prepared for 400 people.

The celebrations featured top makeup artists, DJs and traditional qawwali music bands, while international consultants helped choreograph the six-day affair that officials said epitomized the kind of extravagant spending now in their crosshairs.

The wedding is just one of several cases under review, officials said. Investigators are also examining videos of luxury cars, high-end property tours and influencers flaunting expensive lifestyles.

“People themselves tag the event managers, the caterers, the jewelers, etc. It makes our work easy,” another official said, adding the expenditure of the two families involved did not match their income declaration. ($1 = 282.3300 Pakistani rupees)

Despite its recent formation, the new unit has already shortlisted multiple files for deeper scrutiny, officials said.

Past efforts to net high earners fizzled, but officials say the new focus on social media offers stronger leads and quicker ways to flag undeclared wealth. ($1 = 282.3300 Pakistani rupees) — Reuters

As trade deficit grows, EU to urge Vietnam to remove barriers, sources say

REUTERS

HANOI — European Union (EU) officials plan to press Vietnam on Friday to lift administrative barriers on EU goods, as the bloc’s trade deficit with Hanoi expands amid global trade tensions, according to two European officials and a draft document.

After a tariff-slashing free trade agreement signed in 2019, Vietnam has become the EU’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, with bilateral trade reaching 67 billion euros ($79 billion) last year, according to the European Commission.

However, trade flows remain largely unbalanced, with the EU’s trade deficit rising nearly 20% last year to approximately $50 billion, data show.

And the gap for the 27-nation bloc keeps growing, as it reached nearly $30 billion in the first half of this year and accelerated in July, EU data show.

EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic will meet Vietnamese officials on Friday as part of a trip to Southeast Asian which includes Indonesia and Malaysia.

Discussions will focus on removing non-tariff barriers for EU products such as food, pharmaceuticals and automobiles, according to two European officials and the draft agenda of a meeting Sefcovic will attend in Hanoi.

A spokesperson for the European Commission did not respond to a request for comment.

POTATOES, POULTRY BARRED
Among dozens of products that cannot be exported because of administrative issues are apples and kiwis from Italy, poultry from Spain, potatoes from Germany and pork meat from multiple EU countries, five European officials said.

Some farm products have been prevented from reaching Vietnamese consumers despite being deemed safe by local authorities, because of delays in obtaining certificates, two of the officials said.

Vietnam’s trade ministry did not reply to a request for comment. Delays are often attributed by the Vietnamese to lack of personnel, European officials said.

The talks come amid broader trade pressures as both Hanoi and Brussels seek to diversify markets for their products while facing new tariffs from the United States.

Vietnam’s exports to the United States, its largest market, could drop by a fifth from the impact of the new 20% duties levied on its goods from the US, making it the most vulnerable country in Southeast Asia, according to estimates by the United Nations Development Programme.

EU officials are keen to strengthen ties with Hanoi but privately acknowledge that Vietnam should do more to meet trade partners’ demands, especially after it made trade concessions to Washington under threat of punitive tariffs.

At Friday’s meeting, officials will also discuss Vietnam’s new consumption tax, according to the draft agenda. One official said that the levy could hit European wine exports.

Two European officials said long-standing concerns about EU exports of pharmaceutical products and cars were being gradually addressed.

The Vietnamese side will raise issues related to rice exports and EU tariffs on carbon-intensive imports, such as steel, and regulations on corporate due diligence, according to the draft agenda. ($1 = 0.8476 euros) — Reuters

Canadian PM expects ‘constructive’ trade talks with China to deepen

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney — REUTERS

CANADIAN Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney said he had “constructive” trade talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and expected the dialogue to deepen over time, as both countries seek to navigate a way out of a tariff conflict.

Ties deteriorated after Canada imposed tariffs on imports of China-made electric vehicles, as well as Chinese steel and aluminum last year. Beijing fought back by levying hefty taxes on Canadian canola imports, but said the tariffs were preliminary, keeping the door open for further dialogue.

Both countries have made efforts to repair ties after US President Donald J. Trump returned to the Oval Office in January and slapped tariffs on their respective imports.

In June, the Chinese premier told Mr. Carney in a phone call that there were no deep-seated conflicts of interest between the two countries.

“There is some alignment of tariffs with the United States, and I will highlight particularly in the steel sector, where we’ve been very clear in the approach that we have taken, and we had an open discussion with the Premier and our Chinese colleagues about that and the reasons for that,” Mr. Carney told reporters on Tuesday, after meeting with Mr. Li on the sidelines of a UN assembly in New York.

Mr. Carney and Mr. Li also discussed “agriculture and agri-food products, such as canola, as well as seafood and electric vehicles,” according to a readout of the conversation released by Carney’s office.

Following the release, China’s most active Zhengzhou rapeseed meal futures CRSMcv1 fell 3.1% as of 0346 GMT on Wednesday.

“Rapeseed meal prices fell today following the China-Canada talks, with the market expecting positive signals to help restore China-Canada canola trade and thereby boost future supply,” said Zhang Deqiang, an analyst at Shandong-based Sublime China Information.

Mr. Carney said there was a “very constructive set of discussions” with Chinese officials.

“Those discussions will deepen. I will expect, at the appropriate time, to be meeting with President Xi Jinping but continuing this dialogue with the premier,” he said.

Mr. Li told Mr. Carney that he hoped Canada would establish a “correct” understanding of China, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and lay a solid political foundation for bilateral relations and cooperation, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency.

Trade with Canada has grown rapidly since the start of the year, and Beijing is willing to work with Ottawa to maintain and develop this “positive” momentum, resolve mutual economic and trade concerns, and deepen cooperation, Mr. Li said. — Reuters

Cebu Pacific eases growth plans after Airbus jet grounding woes

An Airbus SE A330 Neo aircraft, operated by Cebu Pacific. — BLOOMBERG

Cebu Pacific Air says it will moderate next year’s rapid expansion plans as it grapples with more Airbus SE aircraft groundings than anticipated because of Pratt & Whitney’s global backlog of engine repairs.

The Philippines’ largest airline expects to grow between 5% to 15% in 2026 while navigating challenges of defective aircraft engines, Chief Executive Officer Mike Szucs told Bloomberg TV.

“It’s a wide window at the moment as we try and understand exactly the situation on the GTF engine,” Mr. Szucs said.

The engine crisis is triggering sharp growth pullbacks among carriers worldwide, from Europe’s Wizz Air Holdings Plc. to the ailing Florida-based Spirit Airlines Inc.

The ongoing fluctuations in availability of aircraft and jet engines is consuming Cebu Pacific’s management, with fleet planning occurring three times a week instead of once a month.

“None of us have encountered this situation where you have so much variability or so much uncertainty in your available fleet,” Mr. Szucs said.

He said he expects it will take Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of US aerospace giant RTX Corp., until early 2028 to resolve its geared turbofan engines fixes.

Cebu Pacific currently has 16 Airbus A320neo family jets — out of a fleet of 91 planes — grounded and awaiting engine fixes.

Mr. Szucs said the airline’s annual growth target for 2025 will be in the range of 13% to 15%. The airline’s goal for this year had been as high as 25%, he said.

Nonetheless, the airline’s latest target is “still a very healthy growth rate on a full-year basis,” he said, adding it is “not where we’d like to be.”

The airline expects third-quarter capacity to grow in the single-digits, reflecting the year’s weakest travel period, Mr. Szucs said. Cebu Pacific is holding more aircraft for its peak final quarter and the Christmas season. — Bloomberg

US to seal Southeast Asia trade deals in coming months, trade representative says

In this photo illustration, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emblem is seen on a smartphone screen in front of the ASEAN flag. — PAVLO GONCHAR / SOPA IMAGES/SIPA VIA REUTERS CONNECT

KUALA LUMPUR — The United States expectsto finalise trade deals with more Southeast Asian countries in the coming months, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said during a meeting with regional counterparts on Wednesday.

Greer was speaking in Kuala Lumpur at the start of a meeting with economic ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, amid concerns within the export-reliant bloc over the impact of US tariffs on their economies.

Tariff rates have been set at 19% and 20% for most of the region. Laos and Myanmar have been hit with a 40% rate, while Singapore has a 10% tariff.

Greer said talks with respective countries on the levies have been progressing well, with agreements to be finalised “in the coming months or even weeks, for some.”

“We believe that there are many areas where our interests align, and we can work together to achieve shared goals of bringing reciprocity and balance to the global trading system,” he said.

Indonesia and Vietnam have already negotiated new trade deals with the United States, securing lower tariffs in the process.

But Vietnam, the world’s sixth-largest exporter to the United States, risks losing $25 billion annually as a result of the 20% tariff imposed on its goods, which would make it the worst-hit economy in the region, according to estimates released by the United Nations Development Programme.

Wednesday marked Greer’s first meeting with the ASEAN bloc, whose members have largely engaged in separate negotiations with the United States on the issue of tariffs.

But the grouping may be driven to take a more unified position amid risks of steeper sectoral tariffs on industries such as semiconductors, a significant contributor to economies like Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

US President Donald Trump said last month he would set a tariff of about 100% on semiconductors, but it would not apply to companies that are manufacturing in the United States or have committed to do so. — Reuters

BingoPlus Foundation strengthens grassroots mental health response in Cebu and General Santos City

After rolling out mental health and psychological first aid training for company first responders under its Responsible Gaming initiative, DigiPlus’ CSR arm, BingoPlus Foundation, has now turned its focus to grassroots communities with the launch of a community-based mental health campaign in partnership with Paglaum Mental Health Support Group and Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS), Inc.

BingoPlus Foundation, the social development arm of DigiPlus, is partnering with Paglaum Mental Health Support Group and Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS), Inc. in launching a pioneering community-based mental health campaign. The initiative is addressing one of the country’s most urgent yet often overlooked challenges: the lack of accessible and stigma-free mental health care in grassroots communities, despite the establishment of RA 11036, known as Philippine Mental Health Act.

According to the Department of Health (DoH), 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, or substance-use disorders, yet access to services remains scarce due to the limited number of trained professionals, less than one mental health worker per 100,000 people. In Cebu, the Barangay Behavioral Health Unit in Lahug has reported a surge cases of anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies, as well as a growing volume of hotline calls.

To bridge this gap, BingoPlus Foundation has rolled out a two-part capacity-building training program for community health workers, teachers, and barangay leaders. The training covered three aspects such as foundational knowledge on mental health and psychosocial support, practical skills such psychological first aid, active listening, and referral pathways, and culturally sensitive approaches to encourage early help-seeking while reducing stigma.

From July 31 to Aug. 1, 2025, BingoPlus Foundation initiated a program that trained 52 barangay health and nutrition workers to be community-level mental health first responders, thereby supporting the Mandaue City Health Department.

Participants reported during the focused group discussion that the training gave them tools they could use immediately in their daily interactions. “As a barangay health worker, I now feel more confident talking to residents about their struggles. Before, I didn’t know what to say. Now I know how to listen and guide them to the right support,” said Analisa Patindol, Barangay health worker from Barangay Tingub.

The Foundation will also launch a barangay-level awareness caravan, designed to reach up to 100 residents per session. These interactive sessions focus on well-being, family dynamics, and breaking stigma, ensuring that conversations about mental health become part of everyday community life.

On Aug. 19-20, 2025, General Santos City hosted the second run of workshops for 55 guidance counselors, nurses, and other school leaders from secondary and collegiate institutions, focusing on empowering them to address mental health gaps among students by identifying early signs of distress and providing timely interventions.

“Mental health is often overlooked in grassroots communities, yet the need is urgent. By urgent local health workers and educators with the right tools, we are helping communities become more compassionate and resilient. This is how we bring the vision of the Philippine Mental Health Act to life especially making care community-based, accessible, and a basic right for every Filipino.” said Ms. Angela Camins-Wieneke, executive director of BingoPlus Foundation.

Cebu and General Santos City were chosen as pilot sites due to their high demand for grassroots mental health interventions, as shown by partner organizations’ case monitoring and dialogue with local health offices. Following these pilots, BingoPlus Foundation plans to expand its training caravans to Metro Manila and other priority regions.

Through these efforts, BingoPlus Foundation is not just raising awareness but building the first line of mental health response where it matters most in families, schools, and barangays.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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How does Mega Prime keep its sardines fresh?

The executives of Mega Prime Foods Inc. shared their 12-hour catching-to-canning innovation that makes their Mega Sardines high-quality.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Arjale Queral

Savoring the art of living with Ascott BGC’s ‘Casa Capiz’

From L-R: The Ascott Limited Philippines Cluster General Manager and Ascott BGC General Manager Rennan John Reyes, Ascott BGC Assistant Residence Manager Ma. Faith Quijano, and Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Regional Director of the DoT-NCR Ivanovich Dmitri Tan Agote

An event under the brand signature Ascott Soiree, themed after various art forms, ‘Casa Capiz’ highlighted visual arts, couture, and culinary arts

For Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, the goal transcends making guests feel at home in the country’s premier lifestyle and business district. It’s about understanding that their modern-day highfliers have seen it all, and should be treated with curated experiences that highlight understated luxury, leading them to savor the art of living.

In its latest effort to curate art-inspired experiences that make every stay a masterpiece of living, Ascott BGC opened the doors to an event titled “Casa Capiz” on Aug. 26 at its Penthouse and Scott’s Restaurant. The special gathering was part of the brand signature called Ascott Soiree, or a collection of in-property programs and local collaborations themed after various art forms, including performing arts, visual arts, couture and culinary arts.

“At Ascott BGC, we are always in search of ways not only to celebrate the elegance and sophistication that define our brand, but also the rich cultural heritage that makes the Philippines so unique,” said Faith Quijano, Assistant Residence Manager & Country Sustainability Co-Champion at The Ascott Limited Philippines. “Through ‘Casa Capiz,’ we pay homage to our local artisans for pouring their hearts, skill, and legacy into shaping their arts.”

Scott’s Restaurant Executive Chef Prince Patińo

Ascott BGC’s “Casa Capiz” showcased one of the unique, quintessential textures in Filipino decor, the Capiz shell. Directly translating to “Capiz House,” the event was designed to feel like an elevated yet warm home gathering. Moreover, as an Ascott Soiree event, the event also highlighted the wonders of culinary arts, particularly the masterful creations of Scott’s Restaurant Executive Chef Prince Patiño.

From L-R: Seafood Consommé, Adobo Croquettes, Slow-cooked Australian Mulwarra Beef Tenderloin, and TAMIS Trio

Chef Prince created a four-course degustation that’s a creative Filipino reinterpretation of Spanish classics. The menu includes Seafood Consommé; Adobo Croquettes; Slow-cooked Australian Mulwarra Beef Tenderloin; and the TAMIS Trio, a sweet finale featuring Toasted Rice Cheesecake, Mango Brazo de Mercedes, and Turon. Launched as well as part of Scott’s menu were several buffet dishes, from which the degustation was derived.

Aside from highlighting culinary arts, Ascott BGC’s “Casa Capiz” also presented collaborations with groups that champion the elegant, timeless beauty of the iridescent shell.

Capiz handicrafts from Bataan Shell Craft Trading and Capiz lamps from Senseware

The event’s craftsmanship partner, for example, is Bataan Shell Craft Trading. The group showcases exquisite creations meticulously handmade by local artisans in the municipality of Samal, transforming nature’s beauty into timeless art, from refined home décor to thoughtful keepsakes. Meanwhile, Sensewear is a Manila-based experimental design studio that specializes in material manipulation, particularly of Capiz and mother-of-pearl. The brand hopes to push Filipino design beyond the expected “resort aesthetic” and into a realm of transcendental, sensory-driven objects. Lastly, Anna Cheung Couture celebrates Filipino craftsmanship and slow fashion, reimagining tradition for the contemporary Filipina. Among its standout creations is “Flame in Bloom,” a striking red couture piece made from Capiz, blending elegance with cultural pride.

Anna Cheung Couture “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” Collection

These brands were each given the chance to advance their shared cause during Ascott BGC’s “Casa Capiz.” The event began with welcome cocktails and a craftsmanship display, featuring the “Capiz Wine Cooler,” a collaborative piece between Senseware and Ascott BGC. As an archive design reimagined in the hospitality setting, it marks the first of many intersections between the sensory philosophy of Senseware and the refined world of Ascott. Then, following a speech by Ascott BGC General Manager Rennan Reyes, emphasizing the importance of such events for Ascott, the representatives of the partner-brands enlightened the special guests on what makes Capiz special. This was followed by Anna Cheung Couture taking the stage with a fashion show that featured the night’s centerpiece. The event proceeded to Scott’s for the launch of the new menu, culminating in a fun raffle draw and a toast to the unique celebration.

“Casa Capiz” sets the ball in motion for Ascott BGC’s effort to highlight the precious material. The property is preparing for the Casa Capiz-themed suite launch. Also scheduled is a meaningful Christmas Tree Lighting event that will raise funds for the Capiz community that Bataan Shell Craft Trading supports.

Aside from an Ascott Soiree like the “Casa Capiz” event, the other Ascott brand signatures include lobby installation art, comprised of curated artworks that represent the overall theme of the property in an impactful manner without being too ornate, along with themed suites, featuring design artfully infused with the property’s theme. There’s also Ascott Artisan, or a confident and elegant individual who embodies and delivers the hallmarks of an art-inspired Ascott Experience, dedicated to making each guest’s stay more meaningful.

More information about Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila is available at www.discoverasr.com/en/ascott-the-residence/philippines/ascott-bonifacio-global-city-manila. For more details on The Ascott Limited Philippines, visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited and follow the group on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Work-from-Home 2.0: The wellness workspace

Working from home is no longer just about a functional desk and a high-grade laptop. The new “in” is creating a wellness workspace that encourages productivity but also makes you feel good while you’re in it. Here’s where biophilic design makes its mark. It taps into our natural connection to the outdoors, enhancing cognitive function and creativity while reducing stress. Think of it as bringing nature into your workspace, not in a literal jungle-in-your-room way, but in subtle, thoughtful choices that refresh your headspace every day.

While biophilic design is a subject that deserves an entire deep dive of its own, this guide is going to give you a few tips on how you can use them to set up your own makeshift office.

Let the Light In

Position your desk perpendicular to the window to avoid screen glare while still soaking up natural light. If late-night work is part of your routine, pair your study or working table with a simple desk lamp that gives warm, even light. Natural light keeps your mood in check, and the right lamp keeps your focus on point when the sun goes down.

Choose natural-inspired tones

Colors matter more than you think. A neutral base paired with earthy shades can instantly set a calming tone for your working space. Textured wallpaper is an easy backdrop that mimics organic patterns, giving your room a soft, grounded feel. Add a modern wall clock for a sleek accent that keeps you mindful of time.

Shapes That Flow

Nature is rarely about sharp corners. Instead, it thrives in curves and organic lines. You can bring that energy into your workspace through a soft-textured carpet that breaks up the hard edges of your room. It’s a small switch, but it makes the space feel more alive and less rigid.

Go Organic with Simple Details

Floating shelves do more than hold books and files, they free up desk space and draw the eye upward, making the room feel airy. Add in small details like organizers set or a pen holder to keep your desk clutter-free. A clear workspace equals a clear head.

Little Green Friends

Nothing says biophilic design like actual plants. Go for low-maintenance greenery or air-filtering plants that thrive indoors, like snake plants or succulents. Place them on your desk or shelves for that extra pop of life. If plants aren’t your thing, hang nature-inspired art or place something that moves like a small fish tank or fish bowl for betta fishes to achieve a similar effect.

Layer the Details

Sometimes, it’s the small things that bring it all together. A scandinavian chair, or the swivel version if you like a bit of spin, anchors your setup with both comfort and style. Layer in natural aromas with a diffuser or scented candle, and suddenly your workspace feels alive.

The Wellness Effect

A wellness workspace is about curating little details that connect you to nature, ease your stress, and make working from home less of a grind. With a mix of simple little details, and thoughtful design choices, you’ll find yourself looking forward to sitting at your desk every day.

At the end of it, wellness workspace is about how your workspace makes you feel, and when it feels this good, productivity is just a bonus.

Start your own biophilic-inspired upgrade with curated picks like tables, chairs, carpets, and décor pieces available at your nearest Wilcon Depot or Do It Wilcon store.

For more information about Wilcon, visit www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or subscribe and connect with them on Viber Community, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Or you may contact Wilcon Depot Hotline at 88-WILCON (88-945266) for inquiries.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

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