Pawstival 2022: Let's give Dogs a round of A-paws

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

It’s that time of year again! Christmas is coming to town and that means it’s time to start thinking about what gift to get your loved ones. But what about your furry friends? They’re part of the family too, so why not include them in the holiday fun?

The biggest and magical christmas bazaar in the country is back to give you more exciting treats and fun! The World Bazaar Festival is happening at World Trade Center Metro Manila from December 10 to 19, 2022! You and your pet will surely enjoy a day of live entertainment, delicious foods, and plenty of opportunities to socialize with other pet-lovers and fur parents. World Bazaar Festival is organized by Worldbex Services International and continues to be the longest charity bazaar in the country - for the benefit of ABS CBN Foundation Inc. So come and celebrate the holidays with your pets at the World Bazaar Festival! Here are some tips on how to make sure your pets will have a paw-sitively wonderful Christmas.

One way to include your pet in the holiday festivities is to get them a special Christmas gift. Woobie’s Pet Zone has it all for you! A new toy? A festive collar? Or even some yummy holiday treats! Whatever you give them, always make sure it is something that they will enjoy and is safe for their heart's content.

And there’s more! It’s time to let our fur friends shine the main stage as the World Bazaar Festival presents Woobie’s Pawstival, an adorable competition exclusively for pets. Watch as they strut their stuff and show off their unique fashion, beauty and talents! This event highlight will definitely make the best holiday card this year! A great way to show your friends and family how much your pet means to you.

The World Bazaar Festival wants nothing but the best for you! Celebrating the Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without our loving pets. Let them roam around and wag their beautiful tails along the halls of the Bazaar! And if you’re wondering what to bring with you during the long day of shopping with your fur baby, don’t worry we got you covered! Here is a checklist for a shop worry free day at the World Bazaar Festival:

1. Vaccination Card - present an original copy of your pet’s vaccination card upon

entry to the event halls

2. Your furry friends must be properly groomed/bathed prior admission to the

event

3. Furry Fashion - make sure their fashion forward clothing are ready for the

catwalk

4. Leash - Oops! It has to be matchy matchy with their OOTD’s

5. Pet toiletries - make sure your pets are wearing their nappies or diapers at all times

6. Own receptacle - proper disposal is a must!

7. Pocket money - be ready to do a sudden shopping spree for your fur baby

8. Stroller - just in case they feel like taking another long nap!

9. Fully Charged Mobile Phone - you wouldn’t want to miss out a moment with your cute pet

10. Most importantly - Be responsible of your own pet, do not leave them unattended at all times!

So what are you waiting for? Grab your leash and head on down to the World Bazaar Festival at World Trade Center Metro Manila from December 10 to 19, 2022! Spend a great day out with the whole family, including your furry friends. With plenty of gift ideas, food and entertainment to offer, it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit – your pet is sure to thank you for it!

WORLD BAZAAR FESTIVAL is organized by Worldbex Services International.

Website: https://worldbazaarfestival.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbazaarfestival

Instagram: https://instagram.com/worldbazaarfestival

Galing Pook Foundation Recognizes Outstanding Local Government Programs for 2022

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Ten outstanding local governance programs were recognized in the 2022 Galing Pook Awards held at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace last Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

Galing Pook Foundation with its co-presenters SM Prime Holdings Inc., and the DILG-Local Government Academy, and sponsors Cebu Pacific and Airspeed named local government units from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that promote innovation and excellence.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the Galing Pook Foundation for recognizing and incentivizing top performing LGUs. He stressed how strong collaboration between the public and private sector can lead to more meaningful and successful programs that truly benefit the Filipino people.

“The recognition that you give to cities and municipalities inspires them to accelerate their drive towards improvement and it encourages LGUs to adopt practices that make us paragons of excellence in public service. It is necessary for us to underscore the importance of strengthening partnerships between the government and private organizations, such as the Galing Pook Foundation, especially as we bring about meaningful progress in the country.”

Galing Pook Chairperson Mel Sarmiento expressed his gratitude to all the local executives and LGU teams that participated this year: “It’s truly inspiring to see the impact of the work that you do, and I’m sure you’ve brought value to many Filipinos all over the country. Our collaborations bring us closer to realizing our shared vision, na ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino, may simple pero kumportableng buhay.”

The winners of the 2022 Galing Pook Awards were: The Green Wall of Alcala (Alcala, Cagayan);

Advancing and Sustaining Good Governance and Community Actions towards Resiliency and Empowerment (Basilan Province); Bataan Public-Private Partnership Programs (Bataan Province);

Balik-Biñan Project: Tourism Development through Heritage Conservation (Biñan City, Laguna); From Black to Green: Fishponds, Eco-Tourism and Full Employment (Brgy. Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal);

Trekking to Unlock Community Ailments and Difficulties (TUCAD) (Goa, Camarines Sur); “I-BIKE” A Program Promoting the Development of the Iloilo City Bike Culture (Iloilo City); Yaru: A Whole-of-Community Approach Towards Disaster Management (Itbayat, Batanes); Libertad Fish Forever Savings Club (Libertad, Antique); and

Basta Piddigueño, AgriHenyo: Consolidated Farm Production System (Piddig, Ilocos Norte).

The 10 winners were chosen from 18 finalists and a record field of 196 applications from different LGUs in the country.

Launched on October 21, 1993, the Galing Pook Awards has recognized 329 LGU programs from 200 LGUs in the country that have been promoted for replication to benefit more communities.


Caption: President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. recognizes the 10 winners of the Galing Pook Foundation 2022 at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace. He commended the Galing Pook Foundation for recognizing and incentivizing top performing LGUs. With them in the photo are: Galing Pook Foundation chairman Mel Sarmiento, Local Government secretary Benjamin Abalos, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

SM provides learners with environment conducive to learning

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




More than just an area where students gather to hold classes, a school environment plays a vital role in learners’ cognitive development. Research has shown that with an environment conducive to learning, students increase their attention and focus, and they are more motivated to practice higher-level critical thinking skills.

Adamant to provide students with venues where they can fully hone their skills and knowledge, SM Foundation (SMFI)—the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group—cemented its partnership with the Department of Education (DepED) in 2002 through DepEd’s Adopt-A-School Program.

Through this, SMFI builds SM school buildings in grassroot communities, complete with basic furniture and equipment. More so, SMFI integrates specialized features to each SM school building to address the unique needs of their school recipients—some received rooms dedicated as a guidance office, a clinic, a mini-library, and some even got a water tank and a handwashing facility.

To date, SMFI has turned over more than 100 SM school buildings nationwide with the help of its partners, which share the same aspirations for the Filipino learners and teachers. One of which is the SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) - one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia. Since the project’s inception, over 90 SM school buildings out of the more than 100 were built through the social good collaboration with SM Prime.





Infrastructure for calamity prone areas

SMFI and SMPH ensure that the SM school buildings incorporate a disaster resilient design to guarantee the safety of the students, teachers, and other school personnel. Emergency lights at both staircases, and fire and earthquake alarm bells are also installed.

Principal Joji Buelvo, school principal of Basud Elementary School (BES) in Sorsogon City, shared the state of their school community before they accepted the fully furnished SM school building from SMFI and SM Prime in 2021: “Ang aming paaralan ay saksi sa maraming kalamidad. Kaya karamihan ng mga classrooms ay may kalumaan na, ang mga kisame ay malapit na bumagsak—talagang hindi na conducive for learning.”

“But through your [SMFI and SM Prime] donation, our BES learners now have a haven where we can nurture their young minds to be academically-ready and well-rounded members of the community,” Buelvo further expressed.



Addressing classroom shortage

The continuous rapid growth of the country’s population is taking a toll on schools—leaving the students, even the teachers, with overcrowded classrooms which affect learners’ academic performance.

In 2012, the Banisil National High School (BNHS) in General Santos City received its first SM school building. But being the only secondary school in Barangay Tambler, BNHS records a significant increase in their enrollment per year. With this challenge, SM Foundation decided to provide another edifice of hope for the sub-urban Muslim community in 2021, addressing the growing needs of BNHS learners and teachers.

BNHS then principal Shiela Balbon said, “Yung patuloy na paglobo ng population every year ay talagang naging suliranin namin.”

“Pagpasok ng 2020, nagkaroon ng COVID. So naisip ko baka hindi na matuloy. Pero itong SM Foundation, walang pande-pandemya sa kanila. Talagang desidido silang matugunan yung pangangailangan sa classroom ng mga estudyante,” she added.

“Our salute to our longtime partner, SM Foundation and SM Prime, for being so generous and proactive in providing us with school buildings that are conducive to learning. We are so grateful for your extended support to our school amidst the pandemic,” Balbon concluded.

SM Foundation, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School project. This social good initiative aims to promote quality public education by building classrooms nationwide.