POINTE SHOES & POWER CHORDS: LISA MACUJA-ELIZALDE AND THE DAWN DROP THE ULTIMATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY VIBE

  PHILIPPINES – Exactly forty years ago, Lisa Macuja Elizalde made the defining choice to leave behind a flourishing career at the Kirov Ballet (now Mariinksy Ballet) in Moscow and return to the Philippines. That homecoming became the cornerstone of her mission to bring ballet to the people and people to ballet, a mission that has shaped generations of dancers and audiences.

(L-R) (first row) Ballet Manila principal dancer Joshua Enciso, company artist Shamira Drapete with principal dancers Jessica Pearl Dames, Abigail Oliveiro and Junmark Sumaylo;
(second row) The Dawn members Bim Yance, Rommel Sanchez, Jun Boy Leonor, Francis Reyes and Jett Pangan; Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, associate artistic director and resident choreographer Gerardo Francisco Jr., and resident choreographer Martin Lawrence; The Manila Symphony Orchestra president Maan Hontiveros and music director Maestro Marlon Chen

Forty years later, Lisa marks her homecoming milestone through Ballet Manila’s PRIMA Performance Season, a curated program of classical works that highlight the company’s Vaganova roots and its commitment to sustaining excellence while making ballet accessible to Filipinos. The landmark year also features a special collaboration with The Dawn, staged at Aliw Theater on February 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m. Both Lisa and The Dawn are icons of their generations, and this production links their parallel 40-year journeys through a fusion of ballet and rock music. The performance will showcase some of The Dawn’s most popular and iconic songs reimagined through dance, underscoring Ballet Manila’s continuing effort to make ballet relevant and accessible.

GCASH ENABLES SEAMLESS CASHLESS PAYOUTS FOR QUEZON CITY SCHOLARS

 PHILIPPINES – The Quezon City Government, through the Youth Development Office (YDO), has begun disbursing scholarship grants through GCash as part of its efforts to make education support more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of youth scholars across the city. This partnership allows students to receive and use financial assistance with greater ease and flexibility.

 

Under the cashless setup, scholarship funds are credited directly to scholars’ GCash wallets, reducing delays and removing the need for in-person collection or manual processing. Scholars can use their grants for tuition and other education-related expenses, while the inclusion of GCash Visa Cards allows funds to be spent both online and at physical merchants that accept card payments.

 

The new system gives scholars greater control over day-to-day education costs such as books, school supplies, transportation, and meals, while also minimizing the risks and inconvenience associated with handling cash, particularly for students managing full academic schedules.

 

Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte said the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to making public services more practical and accessible for young people.

DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE ANC POWERHOUSE: HUAWEI FREEBUDS 7I LAUNCHING IN PH FEBRUARY 2 UNDER PHP 5,000

  PHILIPPINES — As the new year begins, so does the drive to focus better, move smarter, and eliminate the noise that gets in the way of everyday goals. For young professionals, modern creatives, and mobile gamers constantly on the move, sound isn’t just in the background; it’s a tool for productivity, expression, and connection.

 

HUAWEI has started the year strong with the upcoming release of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i, the strongest ANC earbuds under PHP 5,000. This powerful device sets in mid-range wireless audio, offering advanced noise cancellation, immersive audio, and pro-level call clarity in one sleek, modern package.

Tune Out Distractions, Tune Into What Matters

HUAWEI introduces the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i, engineered to help modern urban users stay immersed wherever the day takes them—from crowded commutes and busy cafés to shared workspaces and even gaming sessions at home. At its core is Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0 that delivers an average full-band noise reduction depth of 28 dB, with a maximum noise cancellation capability of up to 55 dB. By focusing on average full-band performance rather than isolated frequency peaks, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i ensures a more natural and consistent noise reduction experience that aligns with how the human ear actually perceives sound.

POPPY BLUSH VIBES ONLY: SUGAR DOLLS’ CUTE CREAM BLUSH THAT CARES FOR YOUR SKIN

  PHILIPPINES – Are you ready to turn your everyday experience into a selfie-worthy moment? Get on the groove and try Poppy Blush by Sugar Dolls PH! It’s a must-have cream blush for women who need a touch of skincare glow, flawless color, and dewy radiance.

What sets Poppy Blush apart from its contemporaries is its versatility. It’s a hybrid skincare makeup that adds a gorgeous color to your look while enhancing your skin. Think hydration, antioxidants, and a silky-glide formula that blends like a dream and stays put all day. From getting on the daily grind to heading to a meeting, Poppy Blush keeps your glow game strong.

Are you in need of a vibrant drama or subtle chic? There’s a hue in this lineup just for you:

• Pink Pop: A bold raspberry pink for fair to medium skin with cool or neutral undertones. Imagine a lively flush that brightens (never clashes!) and looks instantly youthful.

• Heartbeat: Terracotta coral meets burnt orange. This sun-kissed shade amps up golden undertones and suits medium to tan skin. (Olive beauties, Heartbeat is made for you!)

• Bubbleglow: If bubblegum pink makes you smile, dive into Bubbleglow. Think fresh and playful, perfect for porcelain to light-medium cool tones.

• Cherry Rush: Brick red meets raspberry—your go-to for sculpting cheeks on medium to deep skin. Warm, earthy, and oh-so flattering for olive complexions.

VISTA LAND 2025: LEADING PHILIPPINE MULTI-MARKET RESIDENTIAL EXPANSION

   PHILIPPINES – Vista Land sustained broad-based growth across its residential portfolio, solidifying its standing as a premier real estate development conglomerate. Its expansion in 2025 was underpinned by diversified development and a calibrated regional response to shifting housing demand, particularly the continued decentralization of economic activity and the rise of provincial centers.

The DOT Property Philippines Awards named Verida Best Township Development, while Vista Residences received the distinction of Best New Launch Condominium Development for Crosswalk Tower at the DOT Property Southeast Asia Awards.

Rather than concentrating volume-driven growth in a single segment, it pursued parallel developments across integrated estates, house-and-lot, and condominium properties. This multi-market strategy enabled Vista Land to effectively balance its market exposure while scaling its footprint nationwide.

Master planned developments

Vista Estates continued to serve as anchors across growth centers, combining residential, commercial, and institutional uses. In Central Luzon, Cascaia in San Fernando, Pampanga, stands to benefit from the expanding industrial base and improving connectivity. In Mindanao, integrated features within Andaluz in Zamboanga City reinforced Vista Land's viability in the southern region.

Multigenerational house-and-lot communities

Crown Asia and Camella remained core contributors for Vista Land, responding to homebuyer and investor demand for landed housing across suburban and provincial markets.

Marking its 30th anniversary, Crown Asia reinforced its presence with 13 condominiums and house-and-lot developments across strategic locations from Luzon to Mindanao.

THE CAMELLA LEGACY: BREAKING RECORDS AND BUILDING DREAMS

 PHILIPPINES – Camella concluded 2025 with sustained expansion, portfolio diversification, and market strength—reinforcing its dominance as a growth driver within the national real estate sector, while remaining dedicated to delivering communities that support the lifelong dream of homeownership

The DOT Property Southeast Asia Awards 2025 named Camella as Best Mid-Range Developer, underscoring its scale, scope, consistency, and contribution to Philippine real estate.

Camella introduced Belfelice in Metro Vigan, Ilocos Sur, alongside Camella Solano in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, and Arezzo and Sonvielle in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, to address demand in North Luzon. This extended to Tarlac, with Lucelia and Soleado and Amandea in Capas, broadening access to communities supported by industrial activity. Granvida further strengthened Central Luzon in Baliwag, Belterre, and Solenea in Santa Maria, Bulacan.

Camella introduced Belfelice in Metro Vigan, alongside Camella Solano in Nueva Vizcaya, and Arezzo and Sonvielle in Pangasinan, to address the rising demand in North Luzon.

FROM HARDCOURT HEROES TO PET CHAMPIONS: UPMBT SHOWS TOP LOVE & CARE IN TOPBREED INITIATIVE

  PHILIPPINES – The University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) proved that their strength extends far beyond the hardwood as they joined TopBreed’s Top Love & Care Day, a heartwarming community initiative dedicated to bonding with the UP Emotional Support Animals (UP ESAs).

In a touching display of warmth and compassion, the team spent the day learning about pet welfare, comforting rescue animals, and sharing moments of pure joy with the pets who provide psychosocial support to students and staff across campus. Led by Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) pet care brand, TopBreed, the event highlighted how genuine care can empower a community, and how athletes can inspire it.

The UP Men’s Basketball Team, alongside the UP Emotional Support Animals and the Universal Robina Corporation TopBreed team, cap off its Top Love & Care activity with a fun group photo

The UP ESAs, founded in 2019 and supported by volunteer groups such as Friends of Campus Animals–UP (FOCA UP), play a vital role in alleviating stress, anxiety, and emotional fatigue among students and faculty. Through training, medical care, and frequent engagement activities, these animals bring comfort to the campus community, making the players’ visit all the more meaningful.