At the heart of the celebration is The Green Circle Market, an eco-conscious marketplace happening at the hotel lobby on April 18 and 19 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Open to all guests with free admission, the market brings together a diverse community of brands committed to ethical sourcing, local craftsmanship, wellness, and environmental responsibility.

The Green Circle is more than just a market—it is a movement. It gathers purpose-driven merchants advocating mindful living and sustainable practices. Featured participants include Eco Shift, known for handmade, plastic-free personal care essentials created by Filipino women; Sip & Tell Café, a Quezon City-based artisanal coffee shop offering locally rooted brews; and Pili Ani, a proudly Filipino skincare brand known for premium products made from sustainably sourced Pili and Elemi oils.

Also joining the lineup is Physiaré, which provides clinically guided physical therapy and rehabilitation services focused on restoring movement and enhancing overall wellbeing; Devarana Spa, offering wellness retail products inspired by Thai healing traditions; and The Pantry, showcasing freshly baked goods crafted by Dusit Thani Manila’s culinary team using thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

Through The Green Circle Market, guests become more than visitors—they become part of a growing community dedicated to conscious living, where every small choice contributes to a greater impact.

Complementing this initiative is “Under One Sky: Poolside Stargazing,” a unique evening experience on April 22. Priced at ₱2,500 per person, the event offers guests an immersive journey through the night sky, guided by astronomy experts from the Philippine Astronomical Society (PAS). Held from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the experience blends science, serenity, and wonder in a relaxing poolside setting.

The evening also features a curated photo exhibit. In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the program will transition into engaging astronomy discussions led by experts, ensuring an equally enriching experience. Guests will be served light snacks and refreshments, while educational materials and astronomy-themed merchandise will also be available for purchase.

Through these Earth Month initiatives, Dusit Thani Manila invites guests to slow down, reconnect with nature, and embrace sustainability—not merely as a concept, but as a shared way of life.

For reservations and inquiries, guests may contact dtmn@dusit.com or call +63 (2) 7238 8888.

Held at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, the ceremony reflected how a relationship rooted in post-war diplomacy has evolved into a multi-dimensional partnership spanning maritime security, trade, renewable energy, and people-to-people ties.

Anchored on the theme “Partners for a Sustainable Future,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Director for European Affairs Ferdinand Flores, said the milestone highlights both enduring friendship and forward-looking cooperation.

“What began as formal diplomatic engagement has grown into a multifaceted relationship spanning maritime cooperation, trade and investment, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchanges,” the DFA official said.

The DFA emphasized that shared principles continue to underpin bilateral ties.

“We have cultivated a partnership founded on shared values—respect for international law, commitment to multilateralism, and a common aspiration for peace, stability, and sustainable development.”

The maritime domain emerged as a central pillar of cooperation, particularly as both nations navigate climate and security challenges.

“As maritime nations, our countries share a deep connection to the seas… With the ever present challenges of climate change, our collaboration in offshore wind, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship has taken on even greater significance,” Flores added.

Meanwhile, Danish Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin traced the partnership’s roots to the post-war global order, stressing its continued relevance.

“We were amongst the first wave of nations to recognise the Philippines… as founding members of the United Nations, coming together after the chaos of World War II to build a rules-based system,” Mellbin said.

He highlighted the maritime sector as a long-standing anchor of relations, particularly the role of Filipino seafarers in Danish shipping.

“Denmark is a great seafaring nation… and the Philippines is the largest crewing country in the world. That relationship has been a great mainstay of our relations.”

Mellbin also pointed to expanding engagement, including the planned deployment of a maritime attaché at the Danish Embassy in Manila to further strengthen cooperation in maritime and defense sectors.

On the Philippine side, Ambassador Pablito Mendoza reaffirmed shared commitments to multilateralism and sustainable development, noting the resilience of bilateral ties despite geographic distance.

The defense dimension was underscored by the choice of venue, with the Philippine Navy highlighting growing opportunities for deeper collaboration.

Representing Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Q Ezpeleta, Rear Admiral Juario Marayag emphasized that the partnership extends into emerging defense domains.

“We see prospects for collaboration on naval defense, cyber defense, and shipbuilding, as well as addressing threats to maritime security,” Marayag said.

He stressed the strategic importance of the maritime domain beyond geography.

“The maritime domain is more than a physical expanse, but a space where peace, stability, and freedom of navigation must be sustained… The security of our waters is inherently connected to the prosperity of our countries and people.”

Marayag added that Denmark’s strength in maritime innovation and sustainability serves as a benchmark for the Philippine Navy’s ongoing modernization.

“We find a natural partner in Denmark… as we pursue the continuing transformation of our naval forces and the furthering of our maritime capabilities.”

He said the milestone event paves the way for stronger naval engagement moving forward.

“Today’s endeavor serves as another headway for our nations and our navies to deepen engagements and guarantee safe and secure seas for the benefit of future generations.”

Beyond defense and policy, the DFA highlighted the Filipino community in Denmark as a “living bridge” that strengthens bilateral relations through enduring people-to-people ties.

Denmark was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Philippines in 1946, helping shape a partnership grounded in shared values and international cooperation.

The anniversary year will be marked by a series of engagements across both countries throughout 2026, including cultural exchanges, business initiatives, and high-level dialogues aimed at advancing maritime security, sustainability, and defense collaboration.

Uncontrolled fuel price hikes are accelerating the shift to electric mobility in the Philippines as Filipino taxi operators deploy hundreds of hybrid and electric taxis on GrabTaxi Electric to shield their businesses from rising operating costs.

Operators including EV Taxi Corporation, EnviroCab, TaxiKo Transport Services, KateMikylla, CMAIII, ManilaTrans Taxi Corp, and Sun & Bin Transportation Corporation have activated hundreds of EV and hybrid units on the platform.

The expansion comes as pump prices continue to surge nationwide, squeezing conventional taxi operators already burdened by shrinking margins. The Department of Energy earlier flagged possible diesel hikes of ₱17.50 to ₱24.25 per liter and gasoline increases of ₱7 to ₱13 per liter during one of the steepest fuel adjustment periods this year.

EV operators say electric taxis cost around 75% to 87% less per kilometer to run than traditional combustion-engine units, giving fleets a major cost advantage amid volatile oil prices.

Operators added that GrabTaxi Electric has also improved fleet utilization by providing consistent app-based demand. Some report that over 80% of daily bookings now come from the platform, significantly increasing revenue stability.

The partnership supports the implementation of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which promotes faster franchise processing for EV public utility vehicles and encourages wider adoption of electric transport nationwide.

“When we invested in an all-electric fleet, the challenge was never the vehicle—it was the demand,” said Eric Ke, Chief Mobility Strategist of EV Taxi Corp.

‘GrabTaxi Electric gave us the utilization needed to make EV fleets commercially viable and scalable.”

GrabTaxi Electric is currently in beta across major Metro Manila hubs, with expansion planned for Cebu and Davao as EV adoption accelerates.

Grab Philippines said the initiative highlights how platform-driven demand can help make EV investments commercially viable while supporting cleaner, more resilient urban transport.

This is where mindfulness comes in as a quiet, deliberate way of moving through uncertain times.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) is leaning into this shift, embracing what it calls “mindful hospitality,” an approach that goes beyond comfort and convenience to focus on purpose, intention, and care.

At its core, the idea is simple: Every action, no matter how small, matters.

For MHR, mindfulness is not confined to a single program. It flows through every part of the guest experience — from streamlined service operations and thoughtfully designed menus, to intentional communication and responsible investments.

Even behind the scenes, teams are encouraged to make decisions guided by awareness and care.

“Mindful travel is a cause Megaworld Hotels & Resorts wants to rally for in the industry. It is not a campaign; we want to start a movement whereby everyone is conscious of what we do when we travel,” Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.

It’s a philosophy that feels especially relevant today, when so much feels beyond control. Mindfulness, in this sense, offers something grounding: the ability to focus on what can still be shaped — our choices, our habits, our impact.

“Mindful travel can be as simple as reusing your linens and towels during your stay or turning off the lights and aircon when you step out the room knowing that these small yet deliberate actions can make a huge difference,” she said.

These small choices, repeated over time, become a form of quiet resistance against waste and excess. They also offer travelers a sense of participation, of being part of something larger than themselves.

The idea extends beyond the room. Guests are encouraged to bring reusable bottles, opt for plant-based meals, and support local communities. These are not grand gestures, but they carry weight precisely because they are doable.

Recently, this mindset took center stage at the MeGreen Mindful Travel Forum, where over 200 leaders from MHR’s properties gathered to align on a shared vision. The message was clear: Meaningful change does not always come from sweeping actions, but from consistent, intentional ones.

That philosophy resonates deeply in today’s climate. As headlines grow heavier and uncertainties linger, there is a quiet power in choosing to act with purpose — even in the smallest ways.

The forum’s keynote speaker, Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, known for pioneering Earth Hour in the Philippines, reinforced this urgency, reminding participants that mindfulness must translate into real environmental responsibility.

In practice, this has led to initiatives such as energy-efficient food preparation, sustainability-driven room packages, and partnerships with communities — from the Ati Komunidad in Boracay to coral reef restoration efforts in Cebu.

Through its “Mindful Stays” offering, guests are invited to rest while also contributing to these initiatives. A portion of each booking supports programs focused on heritage preservation, education, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods.

It is, in many ways, a redefinition of travel — not as consumption, but as connection.

And perhaps that is what mindfulness ultimately offers in uncertain times: not an escape from reality, but a way of engaging with it more consciously.

The grant will finance the Promoting Growth, Resilience, Economic Stability and Sustainability in the Philippines (PROGRESS) Program, Australia’s flagship initiative aimed at supporting inclusive and climate-resilient economic growth in the country.

Under the program, funds will be used to reduce barriers to doing business, support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), strengthen government institutions, and advance reforms in key sectors such as energy transition and critical minerals.

The Subsidiary Arrangement for PROGRESS was signed by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go and Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown.

The DOF said the grant is designed to address long-standing challenges, including slow formal job creation, income inequality, and systemic barriers affecting women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups, while also helping the country navigate global uncertainties and climate risks.

A key component of the program is support for private sector growth, particularly through easing regulatory bottlenecks and expanding SME investments in clean energy, climate mitigation, and other high-growth sectors.

The program will also provide technical assistance to build institutional capacity, climate finance mechanisms to mobilize investments, and a Strategic Activities Fund (SAF) to support research, innovation, and targeted reforms.

Implementation will be overseen by the DOF in partnership with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with support from key Philippine agencies including the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Department of Energy, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.

The DOF said the initiative is expected to translate into more quality jobs, stronger businesses, and a more resilient Philippine economy.

For Unilever Philippines, this means embedding inclusion into its core strategy—through workplace policies, leadership development, and community-based programs that enable women to thrive across all stages of life.

Building inclusive workplaces

Women make up more than half of Unilever Philippines’ workforce, with around 660 employees across leadership, supply chain, and field operations, including roles traditionally dominated by men. This reflects a long-term strategy to embed inclusion as a business imperative rather than a standalone initiative.

The company has strengthened its support systems over the years, expanding maternity leave benefits from 120 days in 2017 to 150 days today, exceeding statutory requirements. These are complemented by workplace facilities such as on-site daycare centers, nursing rooms, and access to essential hygiene products—practical measures that enable women to better balance career and family responsibilities.

Grounded in the Filipino value of malasakit, these initiatives aim to create a workplace culture where employees feel supported and empowered to grow.

“True inclusion happens when companies go beyond policies and actively create environments where women feel seen and supported,” said Geeta Royyuru. “At Unilever, we remain intentional in opening more pathways for women to lead and thrive.”

One example is Zophia Nicolas, now a Sourcing Unit Manager, whose career journey—from intern to leadership—demonstrates how mentorship and equal opportunity can help women succeed in manufacturing. Her experience underscores the importance of creating spaces where women are encouraged to step into leadership roles.

Extending impact to communities

Beyond its workforce, Unilever Philippines is advancing women’s empowerment through livelihood and sustainability programs.

Through Misis Walastik, its plastic waste collection initiative, women are given opportunities to earn additional income while contributing to environmental protection. Beneficiaries like Karen King, a mother of three, have been able to support their families through waste collection while running small businesses on the side.

The company also invests in grassroots entrepreneurship through programs such as GentriAsenso in General Trias and the Kabisig Summit, which provides training in financial literacy, digital tools, and business development for sari-sari store owners. Women account for 89% of Kabisig partners, with more than 30,000 trained over the past decade—strengthening their capacity to build resilient micro-enterprises.

Driving inclusive growth

By integrating workplace inclusion with community development, Unilever Philippines is building a broader ecosystem that supports women not only as employees, but as entrepreneurs, caregivers, and community leaders.

These initiatives highlight how businesses can play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality—creating opportunities that enable women to succeed and lead across all aspects of society.

The collaboration forms part of Maya’s flagship sustainability initiative on women’s financing, aligned with its broader push to improve financial health among underserved sectors.

Under the partnership, Maya will expand access to digital financial services—including payments, savings, and credit—while SPARK! Philippines will provide training, mentorship, advocacy, and community-based support. The initiative recognizes that enabling women-led businesses to thrive requires more than access to capital alone.

“This is a segment that is heavily driving economic activity but still remains underserved,” said Toff Rada, Head of Corporate Affairs at Maya. “Our focus is to support women-led micro businesses in ways that reflect how they actually operate—through tools that help them manage, grow, and sustain their income over time.”

For its part, Maica Teves, Executive Director of SPARK! Philippines, emphasized the importance of holistic support. “Women micro-entrepreneurs are already driving economic activity in their communities, but many still face barriers beyond access to financing. By working with Maya, we aim to bring training, mentorship, and community-based support closer to them.”

Women play a vital role in the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector, with studies showing that more than half of small businesses in the Philippines are owned or led by women. MSMEs account for 99.5% of all registered businesses, employ around 63% of the workforce, and contribute roughly 40% of the country’s economic output, based on data from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Despite their significant contribution, women-led enterprises remain underserved. A 2023 study by the Asian Development Bank found that only about 28% of women-led MSMEs adopt digital financial services, compared to 44% of male-led businesses—highlighting persistent gaps in access to tools that support growth and financial resilience.

Maya’s own ecosystem underscores the opportunity to close these gaps. More than 90% of its nationwide Maya Centers are operated by women, many of whom run sari-sari stores and other neighborhood enterprises.

Through the Maya Business app, MSMEs can accept digital payments, manage transactions, and access financial services in a single platform—streamlining operations and improving cash flow. Eligible businesses may also tap short-term credit through Maya Advance to support working capital needs such as inventory restocking and daily expenses.

The partnership reflects Maya’s broader approach to financial inclusion—expanding access to financial tools while ensuring these are used effectively to help women entrepreneurs grow sustainable businesses and build more resilient livelihoods.

“The challenges and opportunities from the twin digital and green transitions are felt much more in the Philippines,” said Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.

“Our focus is to ensure that training programs are accessible, especially for youth from low- to medium-skill backgrounds, who stand to benefit the most from these new job opportunities.”

Together with its partners, ILO is ramping up initiatives to ensure Filipino youth are not left behind, but instead positioned to benefit from new, higher-quality job opportunities.

At a DigiGreen construction skills partnership forum held on March 25, 2026 in Quezon City, government agencies, industry leaders, and training institutions aligned efforts to prepare young workers for a more technology-driven and environmentally sustainable construction landscape.

The urgency is clear. Construction, one of the country’s largest sources of employment, is rapidly evolving, with demand rising for workers who can navigate both digital tools and green building practices. Without targeted training, many risk being excluded from emerging roles.

Central to the initiative are two critical skill areas: Building Information Modeling (BIM) and green construction.

BIM—a digital system that enables more efficient design, planning, and management of buildings—is fast becoming a global industry standard. It is already required in large-scale projects in countries such as Korea, Singapore, and Dubai, signaling a shift toward higher productivity, cost efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.

“BIM and green construction skills are among the most important starting points for leveraging the digital and green transitions to improve youth employment in this sector,” said Hochul Shin, Chief Technical Adviser of the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme.

For young workers, acquiring these competencies can open doors to more specialized roles, better wages, and more stable career paths — moving beyond traditionally informal and precarious construction work.

To help bridge the gap between training and employment, the forum also marked the formal handover of learning modules to key Philippine institutions, including the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF), and the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA).

The initiative forms part of the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme’s Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN project, aimed at future-proofing the region’s workforce amid rapid economic and environmental shifts.

At the first Nordic Day celebration on March 24, diplomats from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden — joined by Iceland — outlined a partnership that is increasingly strategic in a world where supply chains are uncertain and geopolitical risks are rising.

The message was clear: as traditional trade mechanisms come under strain, smaller but stable economies like the Nordics are becoming vital anchors.

For Ambassador Franz Michael Melbin of Denmark, the Nordic relationship with the Philippines rests on something deeper than trade: “The Nordic family represents eight flags and five countries, yet we are united by something deeper: trust.”

He said that this trust, rooted in democratic values, accountability, and inclusion, forms the backbone of cooperation: “Our relationship with the Philippines is not defined by distance, but by our joint direction… a belief that international partnerships can improve the welfare and prosperity of our peoples together.”

That alignment is becoming more critical as global instability, both from war-driven oil shocks and protectionist trade policies, forces countries like the Philippines to diversify partners.

Security, sovereignty, and a fragile rules-based order

The shifting geopolitical landscape was addressed more directly by Ambassador Saija Nurminen of Finland, who warned that the global system itself is under pressure: “In a world where security guarantees can resemble racketeering, and free trade is hampered by tariffs — cooperation in defense and security has never been more important.”

She pointed to flashpoints from Ukraine to the West Philippine Sea, underscoring that peace must be actively defended: “Peace is not a gift granted, but a right upheld — and too often a struggle fought.”

She also praised Philippines’ own stance, particularly its support for Ukraine and adherence to UNCLOS, s part of a broader effort to uphold international law.

But Finland’s ambassador said newer threats are also emerging: “Both the Philippines and the Nordic countries are targets of… cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and intimidation.”

In this context, digital resilience and security cooperation are becoming just as important as traditional diplomacy.

Trade, jobs, and a ‘vote of confidence’ in PH

Beyond shared values, the Nordic presence in the Philippines is increasingly economic, and tangible.

According to Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster of Norway, Nordic companies are trading and investing: “Many Nordic businesses are not only here to trade; they are investing in new jobs and opportunities… within advanced and cutting-edge high technology sectors.”

He said these investments already employ tens of thousands of Filipinos across industries — from maritime and renewable energy to digital services: “Our trade is thus not just the exchange of goods, but the exchange of opportunity and transformation.”

This reflects a broader pattern: Nordic firms are drawn to the Philippines’ young workforce, growing market, and strategic location, while Manila looks to the Nordics for high-quality, sustainable investments.

From green energy to digital governance

The scope of cooperation is also expanding rapidly.

For Anna Ferry of the Embassy of Sweden, the partnership is increasingly future-oriented: “Together, we can support digitalization of public services and a modern health care system for all… reshape the shipping industry… and help position the Philippines as a leader in the energy transition.”

Nordic countries are global leaders in renewable energy, smart cities, and sustainable mining — areas where the Philippines is seeking both investment and expertise.

But Ferry stressed that economic ties alone are not enough: “The strongest bridges between nations are built not of steel, but of people.”

Indeed, one of the most enduring links between the Philippines and the Nordics is human. Around 18,000 Filipinos live in Norway, many in maritime professions. Nordic countries are also increasingly looking to Filipino workers to address labor shortages, while tourism and cultural exchanges continue to grow from a small base.

Institutions like the Nordic Chamber of Commerce reflect this momentum, supporting expanding business activity across sectors — from wind energy and shipping to healthcare and digital infrastructure.

The timing of this deepening engagement is not accidental.

As conflict in the Middle East threatens fuel supply stability and raises costs for energy-importing countries like the Philippines, and as global trade faces fragmentation, the need for reliable, rules-based partners has become urgent.

The Nordic model of open markets combined with strong social protections, innovation, and sustainability offers a compelling alternative.

As Ambassador Ferry put it: “The Nordic choice is cooperation over fragmentation, and partnership over isolation.”

For the Philippines, that choice has become essential.

Executives from more than 20 European companies, speaking during a three-day visit to Brussels, stressed the need for sustained high-level engagement with ASEAN to match the bloc’s growing strategic importance.

Key priorities highlighted included progress on EU trade agreements with ASEAN countries, along with practical cooperation in digital trade, green finance, energy transition, transport, and sustainability. Business leaders argued that stronger EU engagement is vital as rivals like China, Japan, and India expand their influence in Southeast Asia.

EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) Chairman Jens Ruebbert said: “The EU is one of ASEAN’s largest investors, yet it often lags behind other partners whose leaders maintain a strong presence. If the EU wants a permanent seat at the table, its leaders must show up.”

Executives also urged momentum on a region-to-region EU-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA), citing the upcoming 50th anniversary as an ideal moment to launch negotiations. EU-ABC Executive Director Chris Humphrey added: “Starting FTA talks next year would be a milestone for EU-ASEAN relations.”

Meanwhile, the council called for the swift signing of the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and speedy FTA conclusions with the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Beyond trade, business leaders emphasized practical cooperation, including investments in ASEAN’s Power Grid, sustainable transition projects, and development initiatives supported by the European Investment Bank, Global Gateway programs, and EU capacity-building efforts.

During their visit, EU-ABC members met with Commissioners Dan Jørgensen and Olivér Várhelyi; cabinet members of EVP Stéphane Séjourné, Commissioners Wopke Hoekstra and Jessika Roswall; officials from multiple DGs including TRADE, ENER, and INTPA; European External Action Service Asia Director Erik Kurzweil; advisors to European Council President António Costa; and MEP Wouter Beke.

Ruebbert concluded: “Brussels shows strong interest in ASEAN. The challenge is turning that interest into sustained engagement and practical cooperation that benefits both regions.”