UE CFAD alumnus-filmmaker pays it forward through cinematic advocacy

 

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

 

An award-winning filmmaker and 2018 Visual Communication graduate of the University of the East–College of Fine Arts, Architecture, and Design continues to prove that cinema is not just a medium for entertainment, but also a vital tool for social change.

Recognized as an outstanding citizen of Caloocan in 2019, Elvin Jay E. Macanlalay has built a career defined by advocacy-driven storytelling, bridging the gap between personal experience and broader social contexts. He collaborates with NGOs and youth groups to promote art as a driver for change.

Macanlalay recently shared his expertise in production design at the Chua King Ha Small Gallery to mentor the next generation of UE VisCom majors. He urged students to view design not just as a technical requirement, but as a storytelling tool capable of conveying powerful, lasting messages.

An interdisciplinary artist, Macanlalay made history when his short documentary, “Between the Lines,” was screened at the 2024 Festival de Cannes during the 9th Semaine du Cinéma Positif Week. This marked the first time a UE CFAD alumnus-filmmaker’s work was featured in the festival.

The film, which also won Best Documentary at the 10th MegaCity-ShortDocs Awards in Paris, explores the transformative power of a community library in Bagong Silang, Calocan, highlighting how stories can empower children to engage with societal issues.

This success follows the international journey of his 2022 documentary, “Di Niyo Ba Naririnig” (Can’t You Hear?), which was shot entirely on a mobile phone during a workshop mentored by director Jet Leyco and journalists Raphael Bosano and Chiara Zambrano. The film bagged Best Documentary at the 13th Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival.

The raw, six-minute piece captures the desperation of jeepney drivers in 2020 who were forced to beg for food due to pandemic-related lockdowns and a lack of government support.

For Macanlalay, the inspiration for his work hits close to home. The drivers featured in “Di Niyo Ba Naririnig” were the same ones who transported him to UE Caloocan during his time as a student.

Guided by the “Pay-it-Forward” philosophy, he views his filmmaking as a necessary action to repay the community which supported his growth and amplify the voices of the marginalized.

Using a low-profile mobile setup allowed his subjects to feel comfortable, resulting in an intimate portrayal of their frustrations regarding inflation and rising fuel prices.

Macanlalay’s filmography consists of a diverse range of recognized works, including “Maling Akala: Ang Misteryo ng Unamuno,” which received the Heritage Film Award and Best Animation at the Knowmad Short Film Festival, and “How the Beasts Got Hyped,” which was awarded Honorable Mention at the DreamManila International Film Festival and Knowmad Short Film Festival Germany.

He also served as the curator for the Human Rights Month issue of Yuwana Zine, an ASEAN Youth Forum initiative that amplified the voices of youth activists from eight Southeast Asian countries.

As Macanlalay continues to explore themes of social engagement and community empowerment, he remains dedicated to creating films that delve deep into the socio-political realities of Filipinos.

How to prepare fast, nutritious, delicious breakfast

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Know what meal of the day is the hardest to prepare?

Many Moms and homemakers say breakfast. The food preparation itself is quite simple since most breakfast fare needs only to be fried or heated up. But planning breakfast menus and serving up something new, delicious and nutritious everyday is the big challenge.

Feeling sleepy coupled with the pressure of meeting morning schedules can be overwhelming. Planning wholesome breakfast menus, doing the actual cooking and cleaning up afterwards can be such a hassle that some are pushed to go for junk food or skip breakfast all together.

That’s a big no-no, of course, because breakfast is the key to getting better physical and cognitive performance daily. A 2019 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology also showed that skipping breakfast is associated with an 87% risk of cardiovascular death. Eaters of high-quality, nutritious breakfasts meanwhile get long-term heart health and stave off obesity and diabetes.

What will make breakfast preparation easy? Having on hand a variety of easy to cook, protein-rich, delicious breakfast food is key. One of the challenges of preparing breakfast is serving up non-monotonous food for different days of the week. When there are different choices to serve up each day, this most important meal of the day becomes a joy for those who eat it and those who make it.

Bounty Fresh, one of the leading providers of fresh and processed poultry and meat products in the country, has launched a campaign that makes breakfast preparation fast, efficient and such a joy. A wide array of trusted Bounty Fresh food products that are tasty, nutritious and easy to prepare are now part of its “Basta Baon, Bounty Fresh” collection.

Two new products – Bounty Fresh Chicken Tocino and Bounty Fresh Chicken Tapa –are being launched with the campaign. Fresh pork tapa and tocino, breaded treats like torikatsu, chicken nuggets, chicken sticks and pre-marinated, easy-to-prepare chicken cut-ups that come in favorite chicken parts are part of the package.

The Bounty Fresh breakfast line also includes premium specialty eggs with specialized nutritional benefits. Eggs with organic Selenium (a powerful antioxidant that fights stress and defends the body from chronic conditions that can cause heart disease and cancer); Vitamin D (helps build bones, support immune health and keep muscles and brain cells working) and Omega 3 (essential fats that are good for the heart, brain, eyes and joints) together with Bounty Fresh Cage Free Specialty Eggs and Bounty Fresh Premium Eggs with fewer saturated fats and cholesterol -- emphasize the importance of making eggs the star of the breakfast table.

“These breakfast fare fuel the family for school, work, and daily activities, every day of the week,” says Stephanie Balois-Guerrero, Vice President – Head of Marketing of Bounty Plus Inc.

“It is the expression of Bounty Fresh’s desire to provide convenience for today’s busy households by giving homemakers a wide range of choices that are as easy to prepare as 1-2-3. From farm-fresh golden yolk eggs, chickens raised with no antibiotics ever; clean, fresh, tender meat products and breaded chicken favorites, these food choices make breakfast preparation simple without compromising taste or nutrition.”

“Whoever does the grocery shopping can just stack up on the breakfast treats, store them in the freezer, and pick out one breakfast surprise after another on different days of the week. Breakfast will never be boring, repetitive and hard to prepare ever again,” Balois-Guerrero added.

The Bounty Breakfast fare can be enjoyed at home or packed as baon for work, school or short trips too.

DepEd urges whole-of-government action as EDCOM2 report turned over to PBBM

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MANILA, 29 January 2026— The Department of Education (DepEd) called for a whole-of-government approach to address the country’s learning crisis, as it formally received the EDCOM 2 Final Report and turned over the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Thursday.



“The report includes the NatPlan, which offers us a 10-year plan to address the learning crisis, that can be solved if we act in unity and with determination and consistency,” President Marcos said.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the recommendations of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) underscore that while DepEd has begun implementing major reforms, many of the most critical changes require coordinated action from other government agencies, Congress, local governments, and the private sector.

“The learning crisis is not a DepEd problem alone. The roadmap is clear, but delivery will depend on how well the entire government moves together,” Angara said. “We are ready to work closely with Congress and all our partners to ensure that these reforms are felt in our schools and by our teachers and learners.”


Early childhood, nutrition body coordination

DepEd said findings reinforce the urgency of strengthening early childhood care and development, particularly nutrition interventions for children aged 0 to 5, which it noted cannot be addressed by the education sector alone. The Department pointed to the need for stronger coordination and clearer accountability among agencies involved in early childhood nutrition and care, including the National Nutrition Council and the Departments of Health, Social Welfare and Development, and Interior and Local Government.



The agency also echoed the report’s emphasis on sustained national and local funding to support the conversion of daycare centers into child development centers, a function largely carried out by local government units with national government support.

Workforce plan alignment

Likewise, DepEd highlighted persistent gaps between education and employment outcomes, underscoring the need for closer alignment with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), particularly in Senior High School, technical-vocational pathways, and teacher education and licensure.



DepEd cited the report’s support for establishing a unified labor market information system involving the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and TESDA, as well as fully operationalizing enterprise-based training and industry-led upskilling programs.



Congress, DBM critical to financing and structural reforms

Angara said carrying out the reforms will also depend on Congress updating several key education laws, including rules on how local governments use education funds, expanding the Adopt-a-School program so more private groups can support learning programs, and modernizing teacher licensing to ensure quality training and hiring.



The Department also flagged the need to adjust laws governing school division management and teacher deployment, and to fully enforce existing measures that link education with jobs and skills training, so students move more smoothly from school to work.

The report likewise calls on Congress and the Department of Budget and Management to support staffing reforms across DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, noting that expanded mandates under K to 12, free higher education, and TVET reforms have outpaced existing human resource structures.


The Department also cited the report’s call to strengthen inter-agency coordination, including reinforcing the Education and Workforce Development Group as a platform for joint planning, aligned budgets, and shared accountability.


Angara said DepEd is ready to play its part but emphasized that sustained reform will require institutional discipline across government and across multiple administrations.


“We already see alignment under President Marcos’ leadership. The challenge now is execution — staying the course, aligning budgets and incentives, and holding ourselves jointly accountable for learning outcomes,” he said.

Invest in Effective Solid Waste Law Implementation and Waste Reduction, Not WTE - BAN Toxics

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As International Zero Waste Month draws to a close, environmental NGO BAN Toxics urged the Philippine government to abandon plans to pursue waste-to-energy (WTE) as a solution to the country’s escalating waste problem. The call came after Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced during the 25th anniversary of RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, that she intends to file a bill amending said law to allow the use of WTE technology for waste disposal. RA 9003 was the first law she signed as president.



According to the group, the government should first focus on effectively implementing RA 9003 and addressing persistent gaps, noting that improper waste disposal, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of public awareness remain widespread. BAN Toxics emphasized that the law has yet to be fully realized, even after 25 years.



The 2023 Commission on Audit (COA) report shows that only a fraction of barangays have operational Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), with just 39 percent of barangays (16,418 of 42,046) served by MRFs in 2021. Many local government units also lack adequate sanitary landfills, with only 29.25 percent (478 of 1,634 LGUs) having access to SLFs, leaving much of the country’s waste improperly managed or sent to dumpsites instead of environmentally sound facilities.



Under RA 9003, LGUs are mandated to divert at least 25 percent of their solid waste through reuse, recycling, composting, and other resource recovery activities, with targets increasing every three years. However, official assessments show that many LGUs have struggled to meet these diversion requirements in practice, with much waste still unmanaged or improperly disposed.



The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has also acknowledged a lack of recycling infrastructure and waste processing facilities as a key barrier to effective implementation, adding that waste segregation at the source remains inconsistent across local governments.



“We should first conduct a comprehensive assessment of RA 9003, and invest our efforts and resources in improving its implementation before considering waste-to-energy or other burn technologies,” said Jam Lorenzo, BAN Toxics Deputy Executive Director and Head of Policy Development and Research.



According to Lorenzo, WTE is not clean energy, as it produces a wide range of toxic chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that remain in the environment for a long time. Citing a biomonitoring study by Zero Waste Europe from 2023–2024, Lorenzo said that even the most advanced waste incineration technologies emit unintentionally produced POPs, such as dioxins and furans.



He also noted that WTE facilities prefer dry, inorganic waste such as plastics due to its high energy content. “WTE is often framed as a solution to plastic pollution, but burning plastics creates new environmental and health risks by releasing toxic pollutants. Instead of reducing plastic waste, it only encourages continued virgin plastic production derived from fossil fuels, reinforcing dependence on extractive industries that drive pollution and climate change.”



The DENR estimates that the Philippines produces about 61,000 metric tons of solid waste every day, 12 to 24 percent of which is plastic. This translates to around 163 million plastic sachet packets, 48 million shopping bags, and 45 million thin-film bags used daily.



BAN Toxics is advocating for a Zero Waste framework to address the waste crisis, calling for decisive action to reduce or eliminate waste at the source by cutting reliance on plastics, especially single-use plastics, and ensuring accountability from producers and corporations for the full lifecycle of their products. The approach emphasizes designing products and systems that prevent waste from being generated, while promoting reusable and refillable packaging, community-based recycling and composting, and behavioral change among consumers to adopt more sustainable habits.



“Waste-to-energy may promise an easy solution, but it is a false one. Easy fixes rarely solve systemic problems. Lasting change comes from investing in systems and infrastructure needed to properly implement our waste management laws and reduce waste at the source,” Lorenzo said.



BAN Toxics stresses the need for a fundamental shift from fragmented, “end-of-pipe” waste disposal to integrated, sustainable, and holistic approaches. The group notes that current siloed efforts by the government can be inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful. It advocates for a systems approach that coordinates technologies, policies, and community actions to achieve more sustainable waste management outcomes.

STI’s Tagisan ng Sining celebrates next wave of Filipino visionaries

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The spotlight returned to STI College for academic year 2025-2026 as it hosted “Tagisan ng Sining,” an annual search for creative excellence among student filmmakers and photographers.

This year’s short film competition “Director’s Cut” challenged 54 student teams to explore the theme “Memory as Resistance.”

Blending live action and animation, “Tao” by Kym Kaisha Dechoson, Narciso Dugay III, and Daniela Lainez of Girls Night Out Productions (STI Global City), emerged as the National Champion.

“Sa Duyan ng Gunita,” a recollection of a memory from 1978, by Natalie Shane Angulo, Angelica Blanche Salva, and Mark Lawrence Telles of PCL Pictures (STI College Cubao) won first runner-up.

A strong call to preserve culture, “Kalinangan” by Sean Maverick James Inaldo, Angeline Arcilla, and Loyd Denver Palisoc of Re:Take Films (STI College Angeles) was awarded second runner-up.

“Between the Lines” by Niko Liwag, Monica Lucia Aguilar, and Deida Miranda of NMD Productions (STI College Las Piñas) and “Dito at Doon” by Yaz Rohann Barrameda, Sophia Andrelyn Napay, and Matthew Job Estacio of Zenith Productions (STI College Ortigas-Cainta) earned third and fourth runner-up awards, respectively.

The films were judged by Madonna Tarrayo, CEO of Unitel Productions and Straight Shooters Media; Joel Bohol Jr., art director for commercials, film and television; and Seymour Sanchez, film educator and former technical consultant of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

In the photography category, 56 entries transformed ordinary moments into visual masterpieces under the theme “Borrowed Light.”

Cyken Besana Caro, first year BS Business Administration major from STI West Negros University, was declared the National Champion for his photo of a serene playground scene.

Jiether Gonzales Rabor, third year, BMMA student from STI College Tacurong, was named first runner-up for his conceptual journey of learning.

Nick James Bueno Ramos, Grade 12 ITMAWD student from STI College Sta. Mesa, won second runner-up for his study on guiding light through dim phases.

Nash Hernandez Rebutiaco, 4th Year BMMA major from STI College Santa Rosa and Niño Anthony Noya Zamora, Grade 11 ITMAWD student from STI College Davao were awarded third runner-up and fourth runner-up, respectively.

The photographs were evaluated by Aron Garcia, Special Project Coordinator for Nikon Philippines and Imaging Consultant for Canon Marketing Philippines; Jay Jallorina, renowned architectural photographer and Fujifilm Philippines Brand Ambassador; and Jijo De Guzman, leading photography advisor and grand prize winner of the Batanes International Photography Awards.

As “Tagisan ng Sining” continues to evolve, it remains a vital platform for STI students to discover new perspectives and refine their creative vision.

Insurance for Philippine Coral Reefs

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The Philippines is part of the Coral Triangle, a region that hosts over 500 species of coral and 3000 species of fish. Bursting with life and abundance, coral reefs are the sunken ‘treasure chests’ of biodiversity. One in four of all known marine organisms live in or around a coral reef.

Reefs, however, aren’t the toughest of ecosystems. Corals in particular are vulnerable to temperature shifts. Too cool? They get sick. Too warm? They might purge the symbiotic, life-giving algae that give them color. Bleached corals eventually die if temperatures don’t return to normal. 

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest, was hard-hit by warming seas in 2024, with roughly 80% of its constituent reefs affected. Among the top threats to coral reefs are climate change, pollution, destructive fishing practices, storms, earthquakes, ship strikes and volcanic eruptions, especially in countries like the Philippines with many active volcanos (just look at Mount Mayon now). 

“A single typhoon, earthquake or bleaching event can spell the difference between life and death for many reefs,” explains Dr. Hazel Arceo of the University of the Philippines Cebu. “Considering the reported loss of about one-third of our corals in the last decade, Philippine coral reefs are in decline. To continue reaping the benefits of our natural resources, we must find ways to safeguard them from external threats.”

Insurance for Marine Protected Areas

Since 2025, the United Nations Development Programme’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN), the UNDP Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (UNDP-IRFF), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and allied agencies have been assessing the viability of nature-based insurance products to help coral reefs and other vital ecosystems recover from natural and manmade calamities. 

“Insurance, as a form of risk transfer, can bolster the resilience of marine protected areas (MPAs) plus our other parks and protected areas, especially when combined with traditional risk reduction and mitigation measures. It’s a management tool that has rarely been tapped for conservation,” says Anabelle Plantilla, national project manager for UNDP-BIOFIN in the Philippines.

Though known to most Pinoys as a financial safety net when accidents or illnesses occur, insurance can take many forms and has been a part of human society since the era of the ancient Babylonians. At its core, insurance is a contractual agreement where entities pay premiums to an insurer that provides financial protection or reimbursements for specific, defined losses.

“The insurance industry would be happy to be a part of this and to continue the conversation. We’re more than just businesses after all,” says Mitch Rellosa, executive director of the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA), the umbrella organization unifying the 54 member companies that cover domestic non-life insurance in the Philippines. 

Using Negros Oriental’s Mantalip Marine Reserve as a hypothetical example, UNDP-BIOFIN and its partners are exploring the feasibility of non-life insurance products for MPAs and other protected areas to support the global 30 x 30 Target, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and ocean areas by 2030. The Philippines hosts over 1800 MPAs, but only around 30% are effectively managed.

Previously targeted by illegal blast fishers, Mantalip Reef became an MPA in 2003. Spurred by good enforcement, fish and corals returned to improve the lives of locals. From a paltry average of two kilogrammes in 2012, Mantalip’s 700 subsistence fishers saw their yields increase to seven kilogrammes per day. The resurgence of biodiversity also attracted droves of tourists, who brought in around PHP300,000 of revenues in 2017 alone. 

But then, Odette happened.

Smashing the Philippines in December 2021, the category-five super typhoon left 36 million homes damaged and over 400 people dead. Coral reefs, forests and other ecosystems were similarly battered. Mantalip Reserve’s hard coral cover plummeted from 60% to just 5% after Odette. Even the park’s longstanding visitor center – a reinforced concrete platform that had weathered the worst storms of the past two decades – was severely damaged.

Exploring insurance systems for such damages might help Mantalip and many other Philippine coral reefs bounce back after typhoons, ship groundings and other natural or manmade calamities. 

“Protecting our marine ecosystems is not just an environmental imperative, but an investment in the well-being, resilience and prosperity of our entire country. Nature-based solutions like MPA insurance provide us with pathways to bridge ecological conservation and that elusive sustainable economic development,” adds Mariglo Laririt, assistant director of the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB).

Other types of conservation-centric insurance strategies are also being pilot-tested, from an insurance policy covering jaguar mortalities of pets and livestock in Argentina to a parametric insurance policy to recoup lost fishing days of small-scale fishers in the Philippines. 

With the participation and support of insurance corporations and other forward-thinking private-sector partners, insurance might become a part of protected area management. Tomorrow’s coral reefs might finally have a financial safety net whenever a storm or earthquake barrels through.

“We should realize that, in the end, every single investment we make is dependent on nature,” concludes Abbie Cruz-Trinidad, senior technical advisor for UNDP-BIOFIN. “Since we reap so much from coral reefs and our other ecosystems, shouldn’t it make good business sense to insure and protect them?” 

KWF fetes former director and important 20th century writer and scholar

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The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) celebrated the life and works of its former director and important writer-scholar Julian Cruz Balmaseda this 28 January 2026 at the auditorium of the Philippine Information Agency, Quezon City.



Julian Cruz Balmaseda (1885–1947), whose 141st birth anniversary is observed today, is an important writer and scholar whose works in Filipino captured the spirit and essence of a precarious time in Philippine history.



With a writing career spanning the recently-ended Spanish occupation and the aftermath of World War II, Balmaseda wrote about Filipino life in a wide spectrum ranging from the patriotic to the romantic and personal.



According to sources, Balmaseda penned about 820 poems and 44 plays. Some of his books of poetry include Ang Bayan ni Plaridel (1913), Pangarap Lamang (1915), and Naku, ang Maynila! (1923–1924). KWF, under its Aklat Bayan program, reissued Naku, ang Maynila! in 2015.



His plays and stories like Sangkuwaltang Abaka (1922) and Ang Tala ng Bodabil (1936–37) have been restaged and adapted into films.



As a scholar of Philippine literature, his important works include Ang Tatlong Panahon ng Tulang Tagalog (1938) and Ang Dulang Pilipino (1947).



Balmaseda, originally from Orion, Bataan, was a teacher, municipal clerk, and government employee. He served as director of the National Institute of Language (now known as KWF) from 1938–1947.



Since 2015, KWF has been paying tribute to Balmaseda by staging the Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda during his birth anniversary. The award recognizes outstanding theses and dissertations written in Filipino as a contribution to the intellectualization of the national language.



Winners for this 2026 are Darwin Plaza (thesis) of Ateneo de Naga University and Ferdinand P. Jarin (dissertation) of De La Salle University.



KWF also launched Dr. Lovella Gamponia-Velasco’s Ubbog Ti Asin: Kuwento at Kuwenta ng mga Babaeng Mannurat ng Nueva Viscaya. Gamponia-Velasco won the Gawad Balmaseda for her dissertation in 2017.










Aktibong dumalo ang Tagapangulo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) na si Atty. Marites A. Barrios-Taran, kasama ang Fultaym Komisyoner Benjamin M. Mendillo sa K-10 Curriculum Implementers’ Summit na isinagawa noóng 15 Enero 2026 sa Rizal Park Hotel, Manila. Layunin ng pagtitipon na pagtibayin, talakayin, at pag-ibayuhin ang pagpapatupad ng K-10 Kurikulum sa buong bansa.



Nagbigay ng mahalagang mensahe si Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara at binigyang-diin nito ang papel ng mga tagapagpatupad ng kurikulum sa paghubog ng makabuluhan, ingklusibo, at makabansang edukasyon. Hinikayat niya ang mga guro, administrador, at katuwang na institusyon na magkaisa, makipagtulungan, at magsulong ng dekalidad na sistema ng pagkatuto.



Nakiisa rin sa summit sina G. Gerson Marvin M. Abesamis, Director IV ng Bureau of Learning Delivery, Atty. Ester A. Funtalan, OIC, Office of the Director III ng BLD, at G. Jerome T. Buenviaje, Assistant Secretary ng Learning System Strand. Aktibo silang nagbahagi ng pananaw, naglatag ng mga polisiya, at nagpaliwanag ng mga estratehiya kaugnay ng epektibong implementasyon ng K-10 Kurikulum.



Ipinakita ng K-10 Curriculum Implementers’ Summit ang sama-samang pagkilos ng mga pinunὸ, eksperto, at institusyon upang paunlarin ang edukasyong Pilipino.

The 700 Club Asia’s Peter Kairuz and Wife Christine Launch New Podcast Helping Couples Mend, Build Stronger Marriages

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The 700 Club Asia host Peter Kairuz and his wife Christine launch a new weekly video podcast, “Beyond Small Talk,” designed to help couples navigate the joys and challenges of lasting relationships. The pilot episode drops on February 7, 2026.

Produced by CBN Asia, the inspiring podcast creates a safe space for couples to talk about the common and often-ignored aspects of marriage couples face—offering clarity, practical tips, and biblical guidance.

“We are going to talk about a variety of topics, like conflicts, communication, money matters, in-laws, and many other interesting aspects. We are going to share the things that we have learned in our own marriage, like how to keep your marriage strong and ablaze,” Peter shared.

Drawing from years of ministry experience and lessons learned in their own marriage journey, Peter and Christine aim to help long-time couples, newlyweds, and singles hoping to marry better understand God’s intentional design for marriage through deep, candid, yet relatable conversations.

“We would like to invite you to join us! Whether you are married, or you are planning to enter a lifelong commitment, come and watch! Don’t miss the first episode,” Christine added.

Mend your marriage, one conversation at a time.

Catch the “Beyond Small Talk” Marriage Podcast starting February 7 on Spotify and CBN Asia’s YouTube channel, with new episodes airing every Saturday at 7:00 p.m. For updates, follow @CBNAsia and @The700ClubAsia on social media.

AirAsia MOVE’s intra-Asean initiatives recognized at 35th ASEANTA Awards

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CEBU, PHILIPPINES, 27 January 2025 – AirAsia MOVE (MOVE), Asia’s Best Travel Booking App, has been awarded the Best ASEAN Marketing & Promotional Program award at the 35th ASEANTA Awards for Excellence, held in Cebu City, Philippines.

Presented by the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), the award recognizes MOVE’s ‘Travel More for Less’ campaign, a multi-market initiative across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines designed to promote intra-Asean travel and discovery of hidden gems in the region.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE said, “Our 'Travel More for Less' campaign was built on the belief that Asean’s true beauty lies in its undiscovered corners. With nearly 80% of travellers currently concentrated in just 10% of global destinations, our mission at MOVE is to rebalance the scales of tourism. By shifting the focus to hidden gems, we are not just changing how people travel, we are supporting local communities and enabling more people to discover Asean on a deeper level.

It is a profound honour to be recognized by ASEANTA at our home base, as we continue to build a digital travel ecosystem that belongs to, and serves, the people of Asean and beyond.”

The campaign brought community storytelling to the forefront, uniting content creators from Asean countries in collaboration with tourism boards and hotel partners. Supported by key innovations and products such as the Asean Explorer Pass subscription, SNAP! Flight + Hotel bundles, in-app chat groups, and Discover ASEAN site to drive year round travel and build communities of travellers. 

 

Behind this campaign, a key strength of MOVE also lies in its strong on-the-ground presence across Asean, with dedicated teams based in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These local teams collaborate closely across markets to weave meaningful Asean connectivity, ensuring campaigns are not only regionally cohesive, but also locally relevant, culturally grounded, and impactful for communities.

Photo caption: (Middle) Maria Lourdes Japson, Country Representative of MOVE Philippines, together with Yizhen Fung, Head of Strategic Partnerships of MOVE, proudly accepted the award at the ASEANTA Excellence Awards yesterday.

SMC removes over 330,000 tons of silt and wastes from Parañaque rivers

 

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NAIA flood mitigation, Oplan Kontra-Baha efforts:

 

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is making good on its commitment to support government’s “Oplan Kontra-Baha” program, as its long-running Better Rivers PH river rehabilitation advocacy continued to expand its cleanup of the Paranaque river system — reporting the removal of over 330,000 metric tons of silt and waste from a total of 8 kilometers of river channels since September 2024.

SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said that for the last 16 months, its river cleanup crews have been working non-stop to desilt, clean, and rehabilitate waterways around the airport and other critical areas of the river system.

The program, undertaken in coordination with the City Government under Mayor Edwin Olivarez, aims to improve the drainage of floodwaters from Parañaque out to Manila Bay. This is seen to mitigate flooding not just at the country’s primary international gateway, but also its neighboring communities. 

The initiative also aligns with, and supports government’s Oplan Kontra Baha, led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), together with local government units, and other government agencies.

“We’re determined to continue delivering on our promise to our kababayans in southern Metro Manila — from all the way in Laguna to Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and Parañaque — that we will improve the flow of water in their rivers to help address their long-standing flooding problems. From the launch of government’s Oplan Kontra-Baha program last November in Parañaque, I’m happy to report that we continue to make steady progress, and solid gains,” he said.

At the Balihatar-San Dionisio Creek, where the multi-agency, multi-stakeholder initiative was launched, Ang said the company has now removed over 21,918 tons of silt and waste from 1.57 kilometers of the waterway.

Work is progressing simultaneously downstream, toward Parañaque, and upstream, toward Las Piñas, Ang said.

Meanwhile, along the main channel of the Parañaque River, SMC’s river cleanup operations have already reached the Pasay area, removing a total of 152,365 tons of silt and wastes from a 3.65-kilometer stretch of the river.

SMC also continues to do cleanup operations at the critical junction of Don Galo River and the San Dionisio and Villanueva creeks — aimed at deepening the channel to increase carrying capacity and outflow to Manila Bay.

These efforts comprise but a small part of SMC’s wider Better Rivers PH initiative, which has been ongoing for six years now. Throughout this time, SMC has been quietly working to clean up major river systems in and around Metro Manila — at no cost to government and taxpayers.

Thus far, it has removed over 8.7 million tons of silt and wastes from the Pasig River, Tullahan River, San Juan River, rivers all over Bulacan province, the Pampanga River, and rivers in Alabang, Laguna, and Navotas.

The total river length it has covered to date is now 176.44 kilometers—making SMC’s efforts evidently the largest of its kind in the country, by far.

PHOTOS:

San Dionisio–Balihatar–Madulas Creek Highlights (Before and After Photo)

San Dionisio–Balihatar–Madulas Creek Dredging Operation

 

Hauling Operation at Parañaque River, Brgy. 190, Pasay area

Next decade of education reform begins as DepEd commits to EDCOM 2 roadmap

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PASAY CITY, 27 January 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) committed to lead the next decade of education reform following the launch of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) Final Report, “Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reforms (2026–2035),” as Education Secretary Sonny Angara moves to translate long-standing recommendations into concrete, time-bound actions for schools, teachers, and learners.



Angara said many of the EDCOM 2 recommendations are already reflected in ongoing initiatives under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration, particularly those focused on learning recovery, strengthening foundational skills, and advancing system-wide governance reforms.

“Many of the recommendations reflect reforms that DepEd has already started implementing. What we are doing now is moving faster, scaling up, and tightening accountability,” Angara said.

He added that the EDCOM 2 Final Report should be treated as a shared national agenda that requires sustained cooperation across government and society.


“Turning Point is ultimately a nation-building agenda, and its success will depend on collective action,” Angara said, calling on lawmakers, local governments, industry partners, parents, and civil society to sustain reforms beyond political cycles.


Reforms are being anchored earlier in a child’s learning journey through closer coordination among education, health, and nutrition agencies, alongside stronger participation by local governments.


Curriculum harmonization, workforce training, and unified data systems are being rolled out to strengthen early learning delivery. It will be supported by expanded feeding and parent engagement programs beginning School Year 2026–2027, particularly in high-need communities.


At the classroom level, the revised K to 10 curriculum is being rolled out nationwide, supported by large-scale teacher training and earlier alignment of learning materials. Learning recovery is being implemented at scale through diagnostic-driven interventions under the ARAL Program, while national and international assessment results are being opened to schools, local governments, and parents through Project BUKAS to support timely, school-level action.


By School Year 2026–2027, reforms in grading, assessment, and promotion are expected to reinforce mastery-based learning and ensure that learner progression reflects actual learning outcomes.


Teachers and school leaders remain central to the reform agenda. Administrative workload is being reduced through the deployment of non-teaching personnel and the digitization of school processes, while professional development and career progression systems are being aligned more closely with instructional competence.


Meanwhile, Senior High School programs are being strengthened through closer coordination with industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), while reforms in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) are improving learner tracking, literacy outcomes, and completion rates.


To support these reforms, school infrastructure delivery is being accelerated. Alongside collaborating with local government units, public-private partnerships were reactivated, enabling large-scale school infrastructure projects to move forward. Biddings are set to begin this year for PPP, with simultaneous construction expected by the first quarter of 2027, addressing the country’s 165,000-classroom shortage.


DepEd said it will continue working with Congress, local governments, and development partners to monitor progress under the National Education and Workforce Development Plan, emphasizing that the next decade of education reform will be judged by faster implementation and measurable improvements in learning outcomes.

𝐊𝐖𝐅 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐒𝐔 𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐝𝐚 𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐎𝐔

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

Pinagtibay ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) at Isabela State University (ISU) ang kanilang ugnayan tungo sa pagtataguyod ng kapakanang pangwika at pangkultura sa pamamagitan ng paglagda ng Memorandum ng Unawaan (MOU), noong 16 Enero 2026 sa Bulwagang Romualdez, tanggapan ng KWF.

Layunin ng kasunduang ito na higit na mapatatag at mapaigting ang pagkakaisa ng dalawang panig sa pagsulong, pagpapaunlad at pagpapalaganap wikang Filipino at iba pang mga wika sa Pilipinas, kabilang ang Filipino Sign Language.

Sa panig ng KWF, nilinaw ni Tagapangulo Atty. Marites A. Barrios-Taran na mahalaga para sa intelektuwalisasyon ng wikang Filipino ang aktibong ugnayan ng KWF at mga institusyong akademiko sa mga programang pananaliksik, pagsasanay, at adbokasiyang pangwika, dahil ito ay hindi lámang tungkulin ng iilan.

"Ang kasunduang ito ay buong sinusuportahan ng Komisyon," pahayag ni Dr. Benjamin M. Mendillo Jr., Komisyoner sa Pangasiwaan at Pananalapi ng KWF.

Ipinaabot ng Pangulo ng ISU na si Dr. Boyet L. Batang ang ganap na pakikiisa ng ISU sa pagpapatupad ng mga programang nakapaloob sa kasunduan.

Kasama rin sa mga dumalo mula sa ISU sina Prof. Dr. Precila C. Delima, Pangalawang Pangulo pára sa Academic Affairs; Prof. Dr. Isagani P. Angeles, Pangalawang Pangulo pára sa Planning and Development; Prof. Dr. Orlando F. Balderama, Pangalawang Pangulo pára sa Research and Development, Extension and Training; at Prof. Dr. Hilda A. Manzolin, Pangalawang Pangulo pára sa Administrative and Finance.

Kasabay ng pasasalamat sa mga dumalo, binigyang-diin din ni Dr. Carmelita C. Abdurahman, Komisyoner sa Programa at Proyekto, na ang kasunduan ay hindi lámang magpapatibay sa pagkakaisa ng dalawang panig, kundi magpapatatag din sa diwa ng pagiging Filipino. 

Framing the Future: Mapúa SoMDA, Sony PH hold film workshop

 

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Mapúa University School of Multimedia and Digital Arts recently teamed up with Sony Philippines Film School Caravan to host “Framing the Future: The Essential Gears and the Stories You’ll Tell.”

The film workshop served as a bridge between high-end technology and the art of the narrative, specifically designed for students and aspiring visual storytellers.

“Framing the Future” featured highly acclaimed Filipino cinematographer Tey Clamor, LPS, who is known for her work on films such as “Isa Pa With Feelings,” “Balota,” “Metamorphosis,” and “Babae at Baril.” Clamor shared her professional insights and technical expertise during the event.

The session provided attendees with deep dives into cinematic storytelling and industry trends, practical knowledge on the tools required for modern filmmaking, and a unique opportunity for students to test the latest Sony cameras and equipment firsthand.

Mapúa Multimedia Arts program chair Aleia Garcia acknowledged the Sony Philippines team led by Demand Creation Executive Allison Datu, Senior Marketing Executive for Digital Imaging JD Domingo, Marketing Executive for Digital Imaging Ralph Salazar, and Marketing Communications Manager Pearl Lumanao, as well as Aputure Philippines Marketing Associate Razel Olifernes for partnering with the school to organize the workshop.

Garcia also thanked SoMDA Dean David Corpuz, Creative Cluster Head Jonah Lim, Digital Film program chair Karen Rey, Broadcast Media program chair Norman Manalaysay, The New Builder adviser Seymour Sanchez, Hiraya Student Council led by adviser Ian Boots Bautista, and faculty and students who took their time to attend the event.

A heartfelt acknowledgement was also given to SoMDA technical assistant Ruby Sagun, who recently passed away, for her tireless support throughout the planning process.

Beyond technical training, the workshop focused on encouraging attendees to embrace the beauty of storytelling through moving images. By sharpening their craft and discovering new tools, students are empowered to tell stories that will set them apart in a competitive industry.

“To everyone here, please know that this is more than just an event. This is to encourage ourselves to embrace the beauty of storytelling whether through film, photography, or writing. This is our shared purpose,” Garcia concluded.

The Sony Philippines Film School Caravan 2026 will next visit the Mowelfund Film Institute with Clamor and commercial director and Sony Product Expert Nigel Laxamana for Cinematic Live Production with the Sony Cinema Line on February 5, and CIIT College of Arts and Technology with award-winning filmmaker Lee Briones-Meily on Feb. 6.

Adoption training program boosts rice production in Guimba

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In Barangay Lamorito, one of Guimba’s 64 villages, 24 farmers, including women, are taking part in a classroom-style training program aimed at improving rice production. The initiative seeks to raise farm productivity while contributing to broader food security goals.




One of the participants is Rina Pagaracan, a rice farmer who manages a one-hectare farm together with her husband.




“The better we learn about improved farming practices, the better we can sustain our everyday needs,” she said.




Rina is among more than 100 farmers trained in good palay farming practices under a project led by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Guimba, the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), and the Cooperative Enterprise for True Economic Reform (CENTER).




Making the rice granary more productive

Guimba is the largest rice producer in Nueva Ecija, the country’s top rice-producing province. The municipality is home to around 12,000 palay farmers cultivating approximately 15,000 hectares of predominantly flat agricultural land. About 95 percent of rice areas are irrigated, enabling Guimba to produce at least 192,000 metric tons of palay annually --- roughly 11 percent of Nueva Ecija’s total rice output.

Despite these favorable conditions, rice farmers in Guimba continue to face persistent challenges. High production costs, increasingly unpredictable weather and climate conditions, and the impact of rice importation policies have all contributed to declining farm incomes.

To help address these issues, PEF and CENTER, with support from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), conducted research and field demonstrations in 2023 on hybrid rice varieties and improved farm practices to increase productivity.

Two years later, the results of these demonstrations --- together with PhilRice’s PalayCheck System models --- were consolidated into a modern palay farming technology module. This module now serves as the foundation for training rice farmers in Guimba, translating research-based practices into practical, field-level learning.

Current training sessions focus on fertilizer management, pest management, crop calendar usage, farm planning, and clustering. MAO staff lead the sessions, visiting barangays alongside local farmer technicians who have adopted and demonstrated the technology's effectiveness.

Building a better future for rice farmers

According to CENTER Chair Catalino Obinario, the Palay Technology Adoption Program is designed to strengthen the resilience and long-term sustainability of rice farming in Guimba. A multi-pronged approach underpins the initiative, with continuous monitoring and evaluation planned over the coming years.

“There will be regular interviews with technology adopters to assess whether recommended protocols are being followed and whether the trainings are producing the desired results,” Obinario said. “We will also organize farmers’ field days to showcase their farms and encourage other farmers to adopt these practices.”

Over the next five years, CENTER, PEF, and the Guimba MAO aim to expand the program’s reach by encouraging wider adoption of improved farming technologies. The partners also plan to strengthen the rice consolidation and processing capacities of local farmer cooperatives and associations, while fostering collaboration with key rice industry stakeholders --- laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and sustainable future for rice farmers in the municipality.

FDA-Flagged Cosmetics with Mercury Content Purchased in Naga City Despite the Ban

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(Poseur-buyer offered to serve as reseller)

27 January 2026, Quezon City. Imported skin lightening products flagged by the national government for being sold without market authorization or for containing mercury are being sold in Naga City in blatant violation of the law.

“The brazen trade of contraband cosmetics with mercury content in Naga City and other cities and municipalities is a rampant and ongoing issue, with illicit products openly advertised, promoted, and sold in physical and online stores despite regulatory warnings and product bans,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste. “Prompt and firm intervention by the local authorities will protect residents and ecosystems from mercury pollution.”

In an e-mail sent by the EcoWaste Coalition to former Vice President and now Mayor Leni Robredo on January 21, the group reported to the local chief executive the illicit sale in Naga City of contraband cosmetics, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned to protect the public from being harmed by mercury through the application of contaminated products promising to lighten the skin tone and fight signs of ageing.

A staff member of the EcoWaste Coalition conducted the rapid market monitoring amid inclement weather conditions after participating in the 1st Naga City Basura Summit, which Mayor Robredo and other stakeholders attended.

FDA-flagged skin lightening products were found on the shelves of at least five beauty product stores on J. Hernandez Avenue, including Pakistan-made Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream, Goree Gold 24K Beauty Cream, and Thailand-made 88 Total White Underarm Cream.

At one point, the EcoWaste poseur-buyer was asked by a dealer in Naga City if he would like to be a reseller of Goree Beauty Creams!

The FDA banned Goree Beauty Creams through multiple public health warnings issued between 2017 and 2025, and 88 Total White in 2021.

According to the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) chemical screening conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition on the purchased items, Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene contains 27,950 parts per million (ppm) of mercury, while Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream, Goree Gold 24K Beauty Cream, and 88 Total White Underarm Cream contain 27,510 ppm, 26,000 ppm, and 1,725 ppm.

In line with the general welfare provision of the Local Government Code, the group requested that the Naga City Government undertake measures to protect human health and the environment from mercury contamination.

To address this threat to public health and the environment, the Naga City Government was requested to carry out law enforcement activities, including random store inspection and confiscation of banned products and their safe disposal; enact an ordinance (or issue an executive order) banning and penalizing the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of mercury-containing cosmetics; and to advocate for “Natural Is Beautiful” to discourage use of chemical whiteners and instill appreciation and acceptance of one’s natural skin color.

In their letter to Mayor Robredo, the EcoWaste Coalition emphasized the fact that “mercury is hazardous to human health,” as noted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

As stated by health experts, mercury in skin lightening cosmetics is released during product use, with dermal absorption and inhalation as common exposure routes. It can cause skin discoloration, rashes, and scarring, and it can reduce skin resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.

Repeated applications can harm the kidneys, the brain, and the central nervous system. The use of mercury-containing skin lightening products by pregnant women is of utmost concern as mercury is known to cross the placenta during pregnancy and accumulate in fetal tissues, affecting the developing brain and nervous system of the baby in the womb and causing neuro-developmental disorders.

The EcoWaste Coalition will sustain its market monitoring and other efforts to alert regulators and consumers about the presence of forbidden products with mercury in retail stores and in e-commerce and social media platforms --- to uphold the human right to a healthy and toxics-free environment.

A Revolution of Peace: HWPL Ignites a New Generation of Heroes in the Philippines

 

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In the historic heart of Cavite, where the Philippine flag first fluttered in the breeze of independence over a century ago, a new kind of uprising has begun. This was not a revolution of arms, but a "revolution of peace," led by thousands of young souls determined to rewrite the narrative of their nation.

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) recently commemorated the 12th Anniversary of the January 24th HWPL Peace Day with a two-day surge of activism that transformed the streets of Kawit and the theaters of Pasay City into bastions of hope.

The March of 6,000 Hearts

On January 23, the air in Kawit, Cavite, crackled with energy as 6,000 students, teachers, and peace advocates took to the streets. This massive "Peace Walk" surged from Water Camp to Aguinaldo Freedom Park, serving as a living testament to the power of collective will.

The climax of the day saw the unveiling of the first HWPL Peace Monument in Cavite at Aguinaldo Elementary School. More than just stone and metal, the monument stands as a permanent symbol of a shared oath between the government, schools, and the community to uphold coexistence.

"Now, we have new heroes who have also come here to Cavite: heroes of a revolution of peace," declared Dr. Antonio Faustino of the Department of Education.

Breaking the Silence: The Power of Dialogue

The momentum shifted to the GSIS Theater in Pasay City the following day, where 500 youth leaders and interfaith representatives gathered under the banner: “Youth Rise Up for Peace and Unity through Interfaith Dialogue!”.

In a world often divided by dogma, a bold panel of youth speakers stepped into the spotlight to dismantle the walls of prejudice. They tackled the "maling akala" (misconceptions) surrounding Catholicism, Islam, and Non-denominational Christianity head-on. Their message was clear: lasting peace is only possible when diversity is respected and faith becomes a bridge rather than a barrier.

Key Outcomes of the Interfaith Dialogue:

Respectful Engagement: Emphasizing education over ignorance.

Authentic Connection: Sharing personal religious experiences to foster deep understanding.

Sustainable Solutions: Proposing active dialogue to correct long-standing biases.

Equipping the Peacemakers

The celebration went beyond symbolic gestures, focusing heavily on the UN International Day of Education. HWPL honored the "soldiers" of this peaceful movement by awarding Certificates of Completion to:

36 Facilitators 

601 Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC) completers, trained as active peacemakers 

88 Religious Peace Academy (RPA) completers, dedicated to interfaith understanding 

A Legacy Born in Mindanao

This annual tradition is rooted in the 2014 Mindanao Peace Agreement, mediated by HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee. What began as a foundation for peace in Maguindanao and the BARMM has now blossomed into a nationwide commitment.

As these two days of intense activity concluded, the fire of dedication was reignited in every participant. Through peace walks, monuments, and the courage to speak across religious divides, the youth of the Philippines are no longer just waiting for a peaceful future—they are building it.

The Alchemist of Endurance: The Compelling Journey of Mari Zhar

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In the heart of Manila’s bustling creative pulse, a different kind of revolution is taking place—one that doesn’t shout, but resonates; one that doesn’t merely decorate, but heals. This is the world of Mari Zhar, a Filipino contemporary artist whose work serves as a visceral map of the human spirit’s capacity to survive, reform, and eventually, flourish.

Zhar’s art is not a performance. It is a presence. Rooted in Modern Abstract Expressionism, her canvases and sculptures are not merely objects of visual interest; they are "vessels of meaning" that translate the jagged edges of lived experience into the fluid language of form and color.

A Foundation of Purpose

To understand the art, one must understand the environment that forged the artist. Zhar was raised in a household where creativity was inseparable from social responsibility. Her parents—Zen Carbonell, a fine arts visionary, and Waldy Carbonell, a relentless journalist and advocate—cultivated a space where expression was never indulgent. It was a tool for ethical engagement.

Her education was further expanded through global travel, where museums and cathedrals became her classrooms. These sites of inquiry taught her that creative work carries a heavy responsibility. For Zhar, beauty and introspection must coexist, a belief that continues to drive her practice of "recalibration" through solitude and prayer.

Art as an Existential Necessity

Mari Zhar did not choose art; in many ways, art chose her as a means of survival. Her commitment to her craft emerged from the gradual, often painful shifts of life—grief, separation, and the quiet endurance required to navigate them.

"What registers is not performance but presence: the trace of life as it is endured, processed, and reformed."

Her aesthetic language is a masterclass in the conversion of "residue" into beauty:

Paintings: Driven by gesture and movement, where layered colors act as the physical remains of an emotion.

Sculptural Work: Utilizing wire, stone, clay, and wood to give weight and volume to the intangible nature of memory.

The "Crumpled" Series: A profound metaphor for lived pressure. By pressing and folding the surface, Zhar proves that damage does not negate value. Transformation is the ultimate victory over erasure.

The Dentist, The Advocate, The Mother

Zhar’s path to full-time artistry was anything but linear. A Doctor of Dentistry graduate from Centro Escolar University, she brought the precision and discipline of healthcare into the studio. Her early years were marked by fierce advocacy, serving as the Chairman of the Drug-Free Youth Organization of the Philippines under President Fidel V. Ramos.

For years, the artist’s "inner compass" was pointed toward the needs of others. As a mother, entrepreneur, and publisher of titles like Creative Magazine and Kidstime, Zhar placed her personal creative pursuits in the background to raise three children. However, as they transitioned into independence in 2025, Zhar made a thunderous return to her practice—not with nostalgia, but with a professional ferocity that positions art as her central framework.

Healing the Hidden Wounds

Today, Zhar’s work speaks directly to women navigating the "quiet realities" that alter identity: perimenopause, emotional displacement, and the reconstruction of self-worth after abandonment.

She is currently training to become an Art Therapist, aiming to formalize her role in helping others structure their adversity into resolve. Her platforms, Pigmento.Ph and La Galeria de Maria, serve as sanctuaries for emerging artists and women whose narratives have long been carried in silence.

2026: The Year of the Written and Visual Word

The horizon for Mari Zhar is expansive. With two book releases scheduled for 2026 and a continued international presence representing the Philippines, her trajectory is clear. She remains a pragmatic optimist, advocating for a brand of empowerment rooted in accountability and dignity.

In the world of Mari Zhar, pain may shape a chapter, but it never determines the ending. Her work stands as a testament to the fact that endurance, when shaped with integrity, becomes something both truthful and worth being seen.