A Force of Four in Year 4: Vermosa Green Run 2025 Blazes the Trail for Fitness, Sustainability, Youth, and Animal Welfare

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world desperate for meaningful action, one event is once again proving that a simple run can echo with purpose, passion, and power. The Vermosa Green Run returns for its fourth year on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the lush expanse of the Vermosa Estate in Imus, Cavite, and it’s not just about crossing finish lines—it’s about championing the planet, the people, and even our pawed companions.

With the theme “A Force of Four in Year 4,” this year’s event isn’t just another date on the racing calendar. It’s a clarion call to Filipinos to lace up and run with purpose. Whether you're a casual jogger, a seasoned marathoner, a young athlete, or a proud pet parent, the 2025 Green Run welcomes you to be part of something bigger than yourself.

A New Leg of the Race: Recycling for a Greener Tomorrow

The most groundbreaking feature of this year’s Green Run is the Plastic Donation and Collection Drive—a bold new initiative aligning fitness with environmental stewardship. Participants and spectators alike are encouraged to bring their plastic waste, which will be collected and repurposed into eco-friendly construction materials like sidewalks and fences—physical legacies that will shape the future of Ayala Land’s green developments.

In collaboration with Ayala Land Estates Inc. and Makati Development Corporation (MDC), this initiative marks a progressive step in merging sustainability with real estate innovation. Those who bring recyclable plastics won’t just be helping the Earth—they’ll also receive discounted registration rates, reinforcing the message that good deeds should be rewarded.

More Than a Race: The Categories That Count

The Green Run isn’t limited to one demographic—it’s designed to be inclusive and diverse, offering 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K categories for all types of runners. But what truly makes hearts swell is the return of the 1K Dog Run, a crowd-favorite since its introduction in 2023. This joyful sprint is more than just a walk in the park—it’s a show of solidarity with animal welfare, giving families the opportunity to bond with their dogs while promoting a noble cause.

Championing the Next Generation: Takbo Kabitenyo

At the heart of this year’s event lies a powerful spotlight on youth sports. Takbo Kabitenyo, a local running group composed of 200 aspiring young athletes, continues to receive mentorship, training, and access to Vermosa’s elite sports facilities through Ayala Land’s unwavering support. These young runners aren't just competing—they’re transforming their lives through discipline, community, and opportunity.

Running with Purpose: Advocacy Beyond the Finish Line

The Green Run’s proceeds are funneled directly into causes that matter deeply to our society and environment:

Pawssion Project, a beacon for animal rescue and welfare.

Haribon Foundation, a frontrunner in reforestation and biodiversity protection.

Takbo Kabitenyo, nurturing young talents into tomorrow’s champions.

Each partner symbolizes a pillar of the Green Run’s mission, making every drop of sweat and every beat of the heart count towards a greener, more compassionate future.

A Movement, Not Just a Marathon

“This isn’t just a run. It’s a movement,” declared Chrissy Roa, Marketing and Communications Group Head of Ayala Land Estates. “Each step you take at the Vermosa Green Run supports a bigger cause; combining fitness, sustainability, and community support into one meaningful event.”

Indeed, the Vermosa Green Run 2025 is no longer just a race—it’s an emblem of what it means to live responsibly, healthily, and with purpose. It’s about making strides—both literal and symbolic—toward a better world.

Whether you’re pounding the pavement for your personal best, strolling side-by-side with your furry friend, or simply cheering from the sidelines with a bag of plastics in tow, know that every action matters. Every run, every bottle donated, every peso raised is a step toward a cleaner, greener, and kinder Philippines.

So what are you waiting for? Be part of the revolution. Sign up, show up, and step up.

For registration and more updates, visit: https://ayalaland.myruntime.com

When you run at the Vermosa Green Run, you don’t just finish a race. You start a ripple.

A Power Struggle for the People: Energy Consumer Group Urges Marcos to Confront Soaring Electricity Prices Amid Cabinet Shake-Up

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As the winds of change sweep through Malacañang with a dramatic Cabinet reshuffle, a wave of discontent surges from the ground up. At the heart of the unrest stands Kuryente.org, a staunch advocate for Filipino energy consumers, demanding bold and immediate action from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to rein in spiraling power prices that continue to burden millions of households nationwide.

The group’s resounding message comes on the heels of a pivotal shift—former Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla’s reassignment to helm the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. While the President reshuffles his leadership to recalibrate national priorities, Kuryente.org declares it is high time for a full-blown overhaul of energy policy—one that prioritizes people over profit.

“Mr. President, we would like to inform you that we consumers are not satisfied with the former DOE Secretary’s performance,” declares Bas Umali, National Coordinator of Kuryente.org. “He failed to address the recurring red and yellow alerts that torment us every dry season and failed even more miserably to lower our electricity bills.”

With Sharon Garin stepping in as the DOE Officer-in-Charge, all eyes are now on how she will navigate this critical juncture. For Kuryente.org, Garin’s brief stewardship must not be treated as a mere placeholder. Instead, it should serve as a turning point—setting the tone for lasting, people-centered reforms in the energy sector.

A Call for Reform, a Plea for Relief

At the core of Kuryente.org’s demands lies a simple yet powerful conviction: electricity is not a luxury—it is a basic human right. The group is urging Garin to zero in on longstanding issues surrounding pricing transparency, power reliability, and equitable access. The nation’s poorest communities suffer the most under the current system, where energy policy often seems detached from the struggles of ordinary Filipinos.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), the DOE is duty-bound to uphold energy security and ensure the affordability of electricity. But for many, that promise remains unfulfilled.

“The law means nothing if the people it is supposed to protect are left in the dark—literally and figuratively,” Umali said. “We need Garin to champion consumer participation in energy regulation and pricing. We need clear, inclusive roadmaps toward renewable energy adoption.”

Kuryente.org envisions a future where communities are not just passive recipients of power, but active participants in shaping the energy landscape. That means opening doors for public input in policy decisions, ensuring that pricing reflects fairness rather than corporate interests, and forging partnerships that empower local renewable energy solutions.

Who Will Lead the Charge?

With the DOE leadership seat still in flux, Kuryente.org calls on President Marcos to appoint a new Secretary who embodies integrity, competence, and an unwavering commitment to consumer protection.

“The next Energy Secretary must be more than a technocrat,” Umali emphasized. “We need a leader who understands that energy justice isn’t about pleasing stakeholders in boardrooms—it’s about listening to the cries of families who are choosing between paying their bills or putting food on the table.”

This is more than a political appointment—it is a decision that will define the country’s energy future. Kuryente.org insists that the new DOE head must be ready to engage in real, meaningful dialogue with all sectors of society. They must have a track record of transparency, not ties to vested interests. And above all, they must put Filipino consumers first.

“Electricity prices today are anything but reasonable,” Umali said. “This transition must be seized as an opportunity to affirm that energy is not merely a commodity—it is a public right that demands stronger protection.”

An Unfinished Fight

The Cabinet reshuffle may have opened a door, but what lies beyond remains uncertain. As President Marcos recalibrates his administration’s goals, groups like Kuryente.org are stepping up to ensure the Filipino people do not remain voiceless in the nation’s energy story.

Because at the heart of this power struggle isn’t just the issue of electricity—it’s the daily lives of millions whose dignity depends on it.

Kuryente.org is a consumer welfare organization advocating transparency, accountability, and good governance in the energy sector. Their mission is to protect the Filipino people's right to sustainable, accessible, reliable, and affordable electricity.

BIR Commissioner Lumagui leads Philippine Negotiating Panel for Double Taxation Agreement with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. and Hong Kong SAR Inland Revenue Department Commissioner Benjamin Chan Sze-wai during the first round of negotiations for the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) held on May 21 to 23, 2025, at the Inland Revenue Centre, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. led the Philippine Negotiating Panel in the initial round of talks for the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China. The negotiations were held from May 21 to 23, 2025, at the Inland Revenue Centre in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

The three-day discussions reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening international tax cooperation, fostering economic partnerships, and ensuring fair and equitable taxation on cross-border income. The Hong Kong SAR delegation was headed by Commissioner Benjamin Chan Sze-wai of the Inland Revenue Department.

“We recognize the importance of the DTA in fostering economic growth, promoting investment, and providing clarity for businesses and individuals operating in both jurisdictions. The BIR is open to all international discussions that aims to promote the economic situation of all parties. We are here to find a win-win solution for all our international partners,” said Commissioner Lumagui.

The inaugural round of negotiations saw both sides engage in constructive discussions and exchange views on key provisions of the proposed treaty. These included mechanisms to prevent double taxation, tax relief measures, and frameworks for mutual cooperation between the two tax authorities.

While significant progress was made, Commissioner Lumagui underscored the need to carefully address the remaining open issues to ensure a fair and balanced agreement. “These matters require further deliberation to reach a comprehensive and equitable outcome that serves the best interests of both the Philippines and Hong Kong,” he noted.

The Philippine and Hong Kong SAR Negotiating Panels have agreed to hold a second round of negotiations at a mutually convenient date to resolve outstanding issues and finalize the agreement.