SUSTEX 2025: A New Chapter in Sustainability, Ignited by Science and Business

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In a powerful union of public and private sectors, SM Prime Holdings and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) staged the inaugural SM Sustainability Expo (SUSTEX 2025) at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig. More than just a conference, the two-day event was a dynamic showcase of innovation, bringing together over 50 exhibitors to advance a greener and more resilient future for the Philippines.

The Beat of Collective Action

The Expo’s opening was a powerful display of collaboration, symbolized by the "Beat of Sustainability" ceremony. SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans T. Sy and DOST Secretary Renato Solidum led the event, striking the Solidrum, a unique bamboo drum developed by the DOST–Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). They were joined by leaders from SM and other dignitaries who played the angklung, a bamboo instrument recognized by UNESCO. This harmonious performance was a visual metaphor for the collective action needed to drive sustainability forward.

In his remarks, Hans Sy underscored that public-private partnerships are crucial, as they demonstrate how science and business can unite to address today's most pressing environmental challenges. "We encourage more of this," Sy stated, "as the private sector can provide support to projects by local scientists".

From Theory to Tangible Solutions

Secretary Solidum echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that SUSTEX highlights how innovation can strengthen national resilience and promote a circular economy. He introduced the OneDOST4U initiative, which aims to make science, technology, and innovations "real solutions, accessible to businesses, communities, and every Filipino". Solidum captured this philosophy with a powerful phrase: "Agham na Ramdam," which translates to "science that is felt, lived, and experienced".

He concluded with a direct and urgent call to action for businesses: "enough talk. ... What we need now is proof. Businesses must set their sights on real, tangible goals—not pretty brochures, not slogans, but numbers you can measure, promises you can check".

A Marketplace of Filipino Ingenuity

The Expo was a living testament to this call for tangible action. With more than 50 exhibitors, the "Innovation Marketplace" showcased a diverse range of Filipino ingenuity and global collaborations. Attendees explored booths featuring everything from sustainable packaging to advanced waste management systems.

SM Prime and Japan’s GUUN Environmental Company highlighted their "Waste-Free Future" campaign.

ARISE Philippines presented solutions for disaster resilience through private sector partnerships.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showcased their Loop Forward Program for large-scale waste reduction.

The DOST-FPRDI’s centerpiece featured sustainable furniture, essential oils from local plants, and bamboo instruments.

The DOST-CHRG exhibited cutting-edge innovations in electric vehicle technology.

Beyond the exhibits, the Ignite Stage hosted lively panel discussions and fireside chats where experts shared actionable insights on sustainability and science-led development.

A Catalyst for a Sustainable Future

SUSTEX 2025 was a powerful statement of intent. The event reinforced SM’s long-term sustainability roadmap, including its commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2040 and its ongoing Waste-Free Future campaign. As Hans Sy concluded, the hope is for the Expo to be a "catalyst for collaboration, a hub for practical solutions, and a reminder that business can be a force for good".

The event serves as a symbol of SM Supermalls' dedication to sustainable development, evolving its 88 malls across the Philippines with green designs, energy efficiency, and disaster resilience. SUSTEX 2025 has not only showcased groundbreaking solutions but has also laid the foundation for a more purposeful and sustainable future for all Filipinos.

“Named by the Discayas”: Allegations of Kickbacks Rock Flood-Control Projects

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

On September 8, during a blistering Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, contractors Cezarah “Sarah” and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya read a sworn statement alleging that some lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel approached them for a “percento”—cuts they said ranged from 10% up to 25% of project funds in exchange for smoothing the way for government contracts and implementation. The couple’s claims land amid a broader national probe into suspected anomalies in flood-control projects, an area that has swallowed billions of pesos even as communities reel from increasingly frequent inundations. 

The list the Discayas put on the record

According to the Discayas’ statement, those they said sought a slice included (in their words): Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo; Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde; Rep. Marcy Teodoro; former undersecretary Terence Calatrava (Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas); USWAG Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang; Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas; AGAP party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones; San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes; Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona; former congressmen Benjamin Agarao Jr. and Florencio Gabriel Noel; Occidental Mindoro Rep. Odie Tarriela; Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia; Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo; former congressman Teodorico Haresco Jr.; former congresswoman Antonieta Eudela; Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio; and Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar. The couple also said staff members of some politicians met them to talk about the alleged “percentage.” (All are presumed innocent; the allegations remain unproven.) 

Swift denials and pushback

Within hours, several lawmakers publicly denied the Discayas’ allegations, with some signaling they would pursue legal action to clear their names. Newsrooms reported blanket denials from those named, underscoring the fraught, high-stakes nature of the claims and the political turbulence now swirling around Congress. 

Why this matters: the money and the floods

The controversy erupted after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flagged flood-control spending patterns in late July, triggering audits and parallel House and Senate inquiries. The Presidential Communications Office said initial government data showed about 20% of flood-control projects—roughly ₱100 billion—went to just 15 contractors, prompting the Palace to roll out a public-facing project portal and to call for an independent commission to build airtight cases against wrongdoers. International and local outlets have chronicled how “ghost projects,” substandard works, and possible cartel-like behavior may have left communities more exposed to flooding—even as budgets ballooned. 

Independent data work by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and media partners found that companies owned by or linked to the Discayas won 421 projects worth roughly ₱31 billion from 2022 to 2025, helping cement their moniker as the country’s “flood-control king and queen.” ABS-CBN’s data explainer put the three-year flood-control spend at 9,855 projects totaling ₱545 billion in the first three years of the Marcos administration. 

The state’s response so far

Regulators and law enforcers have moved on multiple fronts while hearings continue:

Licenses pulled: The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board revoked the licenses of several Discaya-linked firms following questions over bidding patterns and affiliations. 

Luxury cars seized: The Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Coast Guard have seized and inspected fleets of luxury vehicles linked to the couple; counts climbed to 28 vehicles as of early September, pending checks on taxes and import papers. 

Leadership shake-up & bidding freeze: After the public works secretary’s resignation, incoming DPWH chief Vince Dizon suspended bidding for flood-control projects and ordered a full review—an early signal of a harder line on contracting. 

Continuing probes: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has issued subpoenas to top contractors and continues televised hearings examining alleged “ghost projects,” license-renting schemes, and monopolistic practices. Some contractors have asserted their right against self-incrimination. 

What the Discayas say—and what they deny

At the hearings, Sarah Discaya acknowledged controlling or co-owning multiple construction firms but denied running “ghost projects.” She maintained that overlapping bids occurred within the bounds of the law and insisted the couple’s wealth came from legitimate businesses. Still, the couple’s own claim that some public officials demanded 10–25% kickbacks—if substantiated—would amount to a devastating indictment of how infrastructure is brokered in parts of the system. 

Politics now in the floodwater’s wake

Fallout has rippled across Metro Manila and the regions. Protesters have massed outside Discaya-linked properties and at DPWH offices; police have vowed impartial investigations into vandalism incidents as tensions rise. Inside Congress, the issue has pitted lawmakers against one another even as both chambers promise to clean house. The drama is as much about credibility as it is about cement: who gets the work, who takes the risk, and who pays the price when the rains come. 

The road ahead

The Marcos administration has vowed to publish data, blacklist erring firms, and file cases where evidence warrants—while the new DPWH leadership resets procurement on flood-control works. For investigators, the next steps are clear but arduous: verify the Discayas’ sworn claims, follow the money across bidding cycles and bank records, interrogate design-and-build patterns, and, ultimately, prosecute both bribe payers and bribe takers. Until courts render judgments, all parties remain entitled to due process—but after years of swollen budgets and swollen rivers, the public will be watching whether this reckoning delivers more than talk. 

Note: This article attributes the list of names to the Discayas’ sworn statement. Several of those named have publicly denied the allegations and/or signaled legal action; the claims are subject to ongoing legislative and law-enforcement investigations. 

HIMBON: The Negros Trade Fair Brings Heritage and Innovation to the City

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Negros is making its way to the city with HIMBON: The 39th Negros Trade Fair, making its historic debut at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura from September 23 to 28. This event, one of the country's longest-running provincial trade fairs, is a vibrant gathering that celebrates the rich heritage, creativity, and resilience of the Negrense people. It's a must-experience event for foodies, fashionistas, and lifestyle lovers alike.

A Culinary Journey from Heritage to Modernity

Prepare for a gastronomic adventure that blends traditional Negrense flavors with modern, world-class culinary techniques. At the recent media launch, two rising Negrense chefs, Cara Davis and Luis Locsin, gave a glimpse of what's possible.

Chef Cara Davis of Halong, Makati, trained in Michelin-starred kitchens from New York to San Sebastián. She now masterfully fuses her Mexican culinary background with bold Asian flavors. Attendees can look forward to her inventive dishes, such as uni toast with foie gras and crab aligue pavé.

Chef Luis Locsin, a CIA-trained private dining star, has honed his skills in global kitchens like Jean Georges NYC and Bali. His charcuterie spread at the launch, featuring Negros blue cheese and Don Papa rum pâté, showed a perfect blend of global training and local pride.

Beyond these innovative creations, the fair is a treasure trove of artisan sweet and savory favorites. You can stock up on iconic flavors like Mumshies’ delicacies, Virgie’s home-made mango tarts, and Ereneta-Manaloto’s bottled Chorizo de Bacolod.

The Art of Handcrafted Living 

The Negros Trade Fair showcases the incredible artistry and craftsmanship that define the province. This is where heritage and modernity walk hand-in-hand.

Fashion & Accessories: Discover beautiful Handwoven Hablon and hand-smocked dresses, alongside chic pieces made from tropical fibers. These garments are perfectly complemented by striking local jewelry and artisanal accessories, proving that tradition can be stylishly reimagined for today's wardrobe.

Home & Lifestyle: Negrense artisans transform natural fibers like pandan, bamboo, and buri into elegant accents for the home. The fair offers design-forward décor and furnishings that infuse modern living spaces with timeless Negros craftsmanship.

A Celebration of Culture and Community

More than just a shopping event, HIMBON is a cultural celebration. "Himbon" itself means "to gather," and this fair is a true coming together of food, fashion, and heritage. You can sip on Don Papa rum and locally crafted wines while live acoustic music fills the air, bringing the warmth of Negros hospitality to the city.

The fair also invites you to experience Negros firsthand, with showcases of pristine beaches, heritage haciendas, and food tours that might just inspire your next adventure. As you explore, be sure to capture every moment and share your experience with #HimbonMoments.

Don't miss this opportunity to taste, shop, and celebrate the best of Negros. The 39th Negros Trade Fair is happening from September 23–28 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura.