A “complete success” was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas.

Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.

Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others.

“I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions in the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilonggo. Ang tanan nga ini bangud sa inyo kag para man sa inyo. Your strong support in all our activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival,” said Treñas.

The festival’s top sponsor was SM City Iloilo; it also served as venue for many Dinagyang activities, including the first-ever Dinagyang Ilomination on Jan.21, Batchoy Festival, festival costumes exhibit, and concert of various performing artists including Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

The festivities were graced by no less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos and some prominent government officials including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others. YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap were also there to join the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan. 

Several dignitaries from foreign embassies attended the festivities as well: Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache; Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Agus Widjojo and his wife, Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines HE Tull Traisorat; Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas Lyster;  Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Poland Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz; Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Ms. P.G.P. Kaushalya; Consul General of Japan in Cebu  Hideki Yamaji; and Embassy of the United States in the Philippines Chief Consuls Kristofer Graf and Leo Balantac. 

Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or “merrymaking.” The festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed not only in Panay Island but also in other parts of the country.

Two of the many foreign dignitaries who graced the festival were full of praises.

As part of its commitment to the community and the environment, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently launched a series of mall exhibits on sustainability and disaster resilience. The kick-off event was held last Feb. 24 at SM Mall of Asia.

During the event, SM and DOST highlighted numerous initiatives geared toward promoting sustainability and disaster resilience in the country, including those that are in line with addressing climate change. Through the exhibit, the proponents aim to reiterate the importance of working together in creating solutions to the most pressing environmental concerns of today.

In his message, DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS OIC Dr. Renato Solidum mentioned how Filipinos repeatedly face the risks of natural hazards and the effects of climate change in the country, saying that our story should not be just one of survival, but that of becoming victors over disasters. For this, continuous education about disaster resilience and sustainability, he said, is a must.

“This project is evidence of the fusion of science and the arts, with the goal of influencing our kababayans to be informed, and to be prepared against disasters,” Dr. Solidum said. 

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan thanked the DOST for continuously partnering with SM towards promoting a more sustainable and disaster-resilient Philippines. He also said that amid the country’s collective efforts to revitalize the economy, stakeholders also should not forget about preserving the environment.

“As one of the country’s leading and trusted integrated property developers, SM Prime Holdings takes its responsibility to the environment and community seriously. While we underscore the importance of ensuring livelihood, business continuity and economic prosperity, it is equally – if not, more importantly – that efforts to protect the environment are in place,” Mr. Tan said.

Aside from Mr. Tan and Dr. Solidum, the event was attended by SM Prime President Mr. Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime Senior Vice President Mr. Glenn Ang, and DOST-NCR Regional Director Jose Patalinjug.

The event is the first of a series of exhibits scheduled over the coming weeks. After the kick-off event in SM Mall of Asia, the exhibit will travel to several other SM malls nationwide.

To learn more about the exhibit and other activities at SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com. 

#SMSustainabilityMatters #SMSustainabilityResilience

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation has launched a collaboration with Mazda Philippines to offset CO₂ emissions, making Mazda the first in the car dealership industry to drive carbon neutrality in the Philippines.

“We are happy that as we take part in the Voluntary Carbon Offset programme, Mazda is the first automobile brand in the Philippines that has gotten on board,” said Chris Alli, Country Business Manager at Shell Fleet Solutions. “We hope to influence or attract similar businesses to follow Mazda’s example.”  

The Voluntary Carbon Offset programme recognizes that, while the industry is trying to avoid or reduce emissions, the need for traditional fuel options still remains during the transition. Through Pilipinas Shell, participating companies can offset their fleet’s unavoidable CO₂ emissions produced by the fuel purchased from Shell-branded service stations. 

The programme calculates a fleet’s overall fuel expenditure and its associated CO₂ emissions. The emissions are compensated by carbon credits purchased by Pilipinas Shell for the customers from a global portfolio of nature-based projects. These projects are independently verified to the highest internationally recognized standards.

“This collaboration will hopefully raise the awareness of the public and other company fleets to be conscious about the CO₂ emissions generated from their business activities, as well as the action that they can take to address it,” said President and CEO of Mazda Philippines Steven Tan. “Mazda continues to challenge itself to further improve its technologies by combining our unique, efficient engines with electrical drive technologies, and deploys the appropriate technology and propulsion solutions to the markets that meet the requirement.”

Mazda’s collaboration with Pilipinas Shell is also in line with its long-term vision of “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030,” which aims to achieve carbon neutrality through the development of hybrid systems and electrification, while championing innovations that lessen carbon emissions in car engines. All Mazda vehicles are equipped with Skyactiv Technology, which improves fuel efficiency and emits less CO₂ than their previous powertrain technology.

“Shell’s target is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society. Our current business plans do not bring us there yet, so we need to change to help us move faster towards the target,” said Alli. “The Voluntary Carbon Offset programme is an important customer offer. We hope that we can reach more purpose-driven brands like Mazda to collaborate with, drive awareness, and start taking the necessary steps for this cause.”

Offsetting carbon emissions is one of Pilipinas Shell’s solutions to reduce the carbon footprint in the mobility sector in addition to avoiding and reducing emissions. Companies can do their part in creating a more sustainable future by collaborating with Shell Fleet Solutions and participating in the Voluntary Carbon Offset programme. For more information, contact Customer Service at +632 88788811.

By Alithea De Jesus
Photos courtesy of Acer Philippines

While many companies streamline their business, for Acer Philippines, there is a growing opportunity in the country as they officially opened their first flagship store at the SM Megamall Cyberzone on January 15, 2021.

This stylish first flagship store of Acer in the Philippines is set to serve the growing market, and hailed as the largest in the country to date, and located at the SM Megamall Cyberzone.

Showcasing the best products from Acer and Predator brands, the store provides an elevated shopping experience as products are intricately displayed and has interactive and much more customer-friendly. 

A sure eye-catcher for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike, the store is divided into two sections, dedicated to Acer and Predator products. Acer sticks to its minimalistic personality and is designed with light earthy tones with a long table and shelves where the products are displayed. On the other hand, the Predator comes in a striking sleek black interior all throughout. 

In observance of the existing health protocols in the country, Acer requires each customer to wear a face mask and face shield, undergo a temperature check upon entrance, and fill up a health declaration form. Appropriate social distancing will be strictly followed as well.

“We are very excited for gamers and tech enthusiasts to come and experience what the Acer flagship store has in store for them. It’s our first opening this 2021, and definitely not the last. We are optimistic that it will allow consumers to get to know our products better and eventually find the perfect device fit for their needs,” said Acer Philippines Managing Director Manuel Wong.

The event was a success, attended by executives from the ICT giant and its esteemed partners. Following the grand launch, Acer will throw in premium items to the first 10 customers who will purchase an Acer or Predator laptop. But it doesn’t stop there! Watch out for huge discounts and freebies across both brands from January 15 to 24, 2021! Visit Acer’s Official Social Media Pages for more details: Facebook – @AcerPH, Instagram – @acerph, Twitter – @acerphils, www.acer.com.