A Cebuano New Year Like No Other: Step Into the New Era at SM Supermalls

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The "Queen City of the South" is pulsing with a rhythm that is practically written into the DNA of its people. Known for an energetic and passionate spirit that is as sweet as it is fiery, Cebuanos turn every celebration into an unapologetic explosion of life. As 2026 dawns, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM City Cebu are cranking the volume to the maximum, inviting you to a New Year experience that redefines the "elevated lifestyle".

Forget the ordinary. This is a call to bring out your fiercest Bisaya spirit and dive into a curated world of "Cebufied" activities designed to dazzle.

The Ultimate Style Revolution: Go Full Kikay

The first rule of a New Era? Looking the part. Whether you are hitting the street parties or attending intimate family gatherings, the goal is to feel absolutely gwapa (beautiful) from day one.

Bagel Girl (SM Seaside City Cebu): Located on the 2nd Level of the Seaview Wing, this is your sanctuary for sparkle. Pile on trend-driven bags and jewelry designed to help you celebrate loud and proud.

House of Little Bunny (SM City Cebu): This North Wing pop-up store offers the effortless, put-together aesthetic the modern Cebuano craves. These pieces are built to carry your style through the entirety of 2026.

The Perfect Start for the Little Ones

Cebuano traditions start with smiles and ease. Before the party reaches its peak, ensure your "tiny perfection" is ready for the spotlight.

Cuts 4 Tots: Experience the first of its kind in VisMin at the City Wing of SM Seaside City. This kid-friendly salon provides stress-free, camera-ready haircuts that keep children confident for the year ahead.

Fantasy World: Once the snip is done, head to the Cube Wing (Lower Ground Level) for the biggest family bonding destination in the region. From interactive games to Simulated Golf and the Double Fun Arcade, it is a paradise of pure joy.

A Culinary Odyssey: Beyond the Usual

If you are craving something beyond the traditional Talisay lechon, SM's North Wing at SM City Cebu has curated a lineup of restaurants that will have you screaming kalami (delicious).

Herbs & Cellar

Fusion-forward & bold 

Comfort favorites like sisig and fish and chips with a clever twist.

Samgyupsalamat

Korean-style grilling 

Unlimited marinated meats and sides for a feast made for sharing.

Tavolàta

Warm & inviting Italian 

Handmade pastas and hearth-baked pizzas that set a strong tone for the year.

Super Bowl of China

Comforting Chinese 

The first VisMin branch, offering warm, personal service for big appetites.

Bisaya Brews and Sweet Endings

A true celebration isn't finished until it reaches a "sweet note". Treat yourself (and your palangga) to a high-end coffee and confectionery experience.

Good Habits Coffee (SM City Cebu): A cozy, homey retreat in the North Wing, perfect for catching up or enjoying the quiet before the year’s chaos fully begins.

Beard Papa’s (SM City Cebu): Forget the usual treats—these world-famous cream puffs, filled with everything from rich chocolate to ube and honey butter, are tempting enough to make any other dessert wait its turn.

Welcome to the New Era

Family, food, and fun are what Cebuanos do best, and in 2026, SM Supermalls is the stage for it all. This is more than a shopping trip; it is an evolution of experiences, sustainability, and community empowerment.

Let the color and craziness of Cebu dazzle your start to the year. Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig! 

A Bangin’ Start to 2026: Ignite Your New Era at SM J Mall

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The echoes of 2025 are fading, but at SM Supermalls, the silence is being replaced by a thunderous, show-stopping roar. The New Year isn’t just a date on the calendar; it is a clean slate, a blazing-hot adventure, and a call to embrace a bigger, bolder version of yourself. As we step into 2026, the spotlight shines directly on the latest crown jewel of Cebuano shopping: SM J Mall

This isn't just a shopping trip; it is a curated journey through explosive possibilities and fiery new energy.

The Treasure Hunt Begins: Trendy Discoveries

The New Year demands a lifestyle upgrade, and the newly opened KKV is the ultimate destination for those who thrive on the "now".

A Full-On Treasure Hunt: Wander through vibrant interiors and endless aisles bursting with trendy must-haves.

Everything Your Heart Desires: From makeup and skincare to tech accessories and delicious snacks, you might just find the gem that starts your year with a bang.

Step Into Megawatt Glam

If 2026 is the year you own the room, you need the footwear to match. Clube Melissa offers ultra-glamorous options to help you strut with newfound confidence.

Fierce & Sturdy: Choose from cosmopolitan jelly flats, heels, and sandals that combine high-fashion flair with unmatched durability.

Power Your Ambition

Don’t let your momentum falter. WIWU ensures your tech lasts longer than a New Year’s Eve party.

Flex Your Style: Beyond fast-charging power banks and cables, explore hundreds of quirky, eye-catching mobile accessories designed to keep you fully charged into the year.

A Sweet Explosion of Flavor

No Filipino celebration—no handaan—is complete without a centerpiece that makes the room go "boom".

Conti’s: Indulge in mind-blowingly delicious icons like the Mango Bravo and Pistachio Crunch.

Carmen’s Best: Now open, this handcrafted ice cream hub uses rich, high-quality ingredients to add a delicious twist to every visit.

The Countdown to What’s Next: Coming Soon

The excitement at SM J Mall is only getting started. In just a few months, a new wave of jaw-droppingly fun spots will open their doors:

UGreen

A top tech spot for fast chargers, hubs, and power banks to juice up your 2026.

WATCHprofile

Digital and custom timepieces to track the moments that don't stop when the countdown ends.

Wilson

High-performance gear for tennis, basketball, and baseball to help you serve up explosive gameplay.

Own Your Era

Repeat after us: 2026 is YOUR year to thrive. Leave the past behind and step into a brighter, bolder "new you" era. At SM Supermalls, we are evolving alongside you, bringing together world-class cuisine, exclusive retail treasures, and a commitment to community and sustainability.

Go ahead—let SM J Mall elevate, ignite, and power your New Year and beyond. Because at SM, we’ve truly got it all for you.

DepEd sets sights on realizing system reforms, program promises in National Planning Conference

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MAKATI CITY, 04 February 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) outlined the agency’s forward-looking plans to reform and strengthen the education system during its National Planning Conference—anchoring policy directions, strategic priorities, and implementation roadmaps on the recommendations put forward in the Final Report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).

"Para sa taong ito, kinakailangan nating ilatag ang ating mga prayoridad upang masigurong bawat sentimo sa ating 2026 budget ay magagamit nang wasto. We owe it to our teachers and learners to deliver the highest quality education possible," Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

During the discussions, DepEd underscored the need to strengthen the Learning System through the seamless integration of curriculum, teaching and learning processes, assessment, learning materials, teacher training, and alternative learning delivery modalities.

For 2026, the Department will prioritize the review and consolidation of Special Curricular Programs, while sustaining the implementation of the strengthened Senior High School (SHS) curriculum, including the expansion of Grade 12 elective offerings. Learners will also be provided with clearer post-K to 12 pathways through the rollout of the National Entrepreneurship Challenge.

In terms of learning resources, the agency reported that the majority of textbooks have already been procured and are expected to be delivered by June, in time for the opening of the next school year. This will also support the full implementation of the Strengthened SHS program across public schools nationwide.

The Department likewise reiterated that a key priority for the year is the enhancement of school-based staffing. DepEd is targeting the filling of 32,916 new teaching positions; 6,000 Principal I items; 11,268 Administrative Officer II items; 5,000 Project Development Officer I items; and 10,000 School Counselor Associate I items. In addition, more than 100,000 teachers are set to receive their “long overdue” promotions under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.

Human resource reforms will shift toward transformational workforce development, supported by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platforms for workforce planning, assessment of school head applicants, human resource deployment, and the streamlining of school forms. These initiatives also support the agency’s broader efforts to integrate technology into basic education.

To uphold its learner-centered mandate, DepEd will also intensify learning recovery and continuity measures aimed at preventing learning losses caused by natural disasters, classroom congestion, malnutrition, absenteeism, and bullying.

The Department also highlighted the increase in budget allocation for schools’ Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)—from P48 billion in 2025 to P60 billion in 2026—to ensure that school heads, personnel, and teachers are sufficiently supported in implementing programs and initiatives on the ground.

"Sa tulong ng pondong ipinagkaloob sa atin ng ating mahal na Pangulo, President Bongbong Marcos, at ng Kongreso, patuloy nating isusulong ang mahahalagang reporma sa edukasyon—para sa Bagong Pilipinas," Secretary Angara said.

Attended by officials from the Central and field offices nationwide, the conference focused on comprehensive discussion of the Five-Point Reform Agenda and the Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP). The Department emphasized the imperative for reforms to be coherent, data-driven, and resilient—ensuring alignment across policy, planning, and execution.