A Super Magical Christmas Begins at SM Malls in the East Metro

This year, celebrate a Super Magical Christmas at your most loved SM Mall in the East Metro!

SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, and SM City San Mateo are set to welcome the Christmas season this October with the unveiling of their new holiday centerpieces, bringing three festive worlds to life for families and friends to explore.

Part of this year’s Super Magical Christmas at SM, each mall will feature its own Christmas theme, complete with lovable characters and festive displays, along with exciting activities and heartwarming initiatives that make the season more meaningful for everyone.

At SM City Marikina, Holiday Twinklewoods welcomes mallgoers to a whimsical woodland filled with glowing Christmas trees, storybook-style mushrooms, and enchanting forest details. Leading the way is Mika, the official character of the mall, ready to take everyone on a delightful adventure.

At SM City Masinag, Macy’s Holiday Candyland brings sweet dreams to life with candy-inspired decorations, pastel-colored Christmas trees and ornaments, and giant lollipops. Led by Macy, this colorful wonderland is a picture-perfect spot for families and friends to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

Meanwhile, SM City San Mateo invites everyone to Matt’s Christmas Camp, an outdoor-inspired setting featuring a festive tree, a cozy campfire, and cheerful companions. With Matt leading the way, families and friends can look forward to a fun-filled adventure.

Adding to the Christmas cheer, Santa Claus will make special appearances at the malls on select dates, giving kids and families more opportunities to share in the holiday excitement. The malls will also showcase the newest Besties of Joy, spreading the spirit of giving by sharing joy with children in need this Christmas.

Catch Santa Claus at your most-loved mall and have your photos taken with him and the entire family!

Be among the first to explore these exciting new Christmas destinations and discover the festive displays, activities, and maxed-out experiences waiting for you at SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, and SM City San Mateo this October.

Meet Maki, Matty, Sera, and Sasha, the adorable new Besties of Joy collectibles this 2026.

This season, make time for the people who matter most and create more memories together at your most loved malls. Whether it’s taking photos with the festive displays, meeting Santa Claus, or simply sharing special moments with family and friends, SM has something to make every visit more meaningful, with experiences made all for you.

Gather your loved ones, plan your next gala, and get ready to Gala To The Max as SM brings more joy, wonder, and togetherness to the season. Make every moment count with a Super Magical Christmas at SM!

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Experience Security Beyond the Key: Dani Barretto Unlocks the New Generation of Smart Living at the Smart Yale Home Pop-Up in ACE Builders SM City Fairview

Unlock Real Life Security: Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home with Exclusive 50% OFF Launch Flash Deals and Up to 30% OFF Nationwide Promos

(L-R): Jonathan Kwong, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Director and General Manager; Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager; Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador; Arcel Uy Yam, Vice President for Sales and Marketing - CBK Hardware Inc.; and Ronald Roldan, Senior Assistant Vice President for Marketing, ACE Hardware

Stepping into a hardware store used to be about buying tools, nails, and traditional brass padlocks. But in today’s fast-paced world, a home is no longer just a physical structure—it is a personal sanctuary. As modern Filipino families navigate busy routines and complex schedules, complete home wellness requires a living space free from daily friction, stress, and anxiety.

Building upon the momentum of its initial activations, Yale Home Philippines—under global access solutions leader ASSA ABLOY—partnered with ACE Hardware Philippines at ACE Builders, SM City Fairview to launch the third chapter of its nationwide campaign. Titled “Yale: The New Generation — Experience Security Beyond the Key,” this retail activation serves as the creative event execution under Yale’s master umbrella platform: “Unlock Real Life Security. Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home.”

The pop-up activation shifts the conversation from basic key-and-lock hardware to an integrated smart home ecosystem, moving consumers beyond traditional, key-based protection toward smarter, seamless ways of securing the people, spaces, and valuables that matter most.

Redefining Home Protection Through Modern Living and Wellness
Mr. Jonathan Kwong, Director and General Manager of ASSA ABLOY Philippines, set the vision for this next chapter of smart living:

“We are thrilled to host Leg 3 right here at ACE Builders, SM City Fairview. ACE has always been the go-to destination for home upgrades and solving everyday home challenges, making them the natural partner as we evolve this campaign,” Kwong shared. He highlighted how modern security expectations have shifted, noting: “Today, home security is no longer just a final afterthought; it’s an integral part of modern living. Security isn't just about locking doors anymore—it's about seamless access, peace of mind, and effortless control, whether you're at home or away.”

(Top L-R): Jonathan Kwong, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Director and General Manager; Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador; Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager
(Bottom): ASSA ABLOY Philippines team with Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador

Emphasizing the core philosophy behind the interactive pop-up, Kwong added: “Every experience today centers around one core thought: ‘Don’t just see the price. Experience the value’. We want to answer two simple customer questions: 'What problem does this solve for me?' and 'Why is a premium Yale Home smart lock worth investing in?'”

To bring an authentic voice to home safety and daily peace of mind, Yale Home welcomed entrepreneur, lifestyle advocate, and host of Spotify Philippines’ Top 3 podcast The Bare It All Podcast, Dani Barretto, as a #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador.

(Top): Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador
(Bottom): Ozzie Llige (Myx VJ and host), Dani Barretto, Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager; Anjie Lou delos Reyes, TeknoGadyet editor

As a hands-on mother, a multi-hyphenate businesswoman running her wellness product line Wellness Whispers, and an authentic voice on digital media, Barretto embodies the modern Filipino home manager juggling daily friction points:

“For me, wellness isn't just about meditation or healthy living—it starts right at home when you feel safe, secure, and stress-free. Essential peace of mind begins when your home environment supports your daily peace,” Barretto shared. She emphasized that holistic wellness extends directly into our living spaces: “You know, people often think wellness is just meditation or clean eating, but for me, real mental wellness starts right at home—with feeling safe and having zero friction in your daily sanctuary.”

Reflecting on her own daily routine, she added: “In our house, if you lose five minutes looking for keys, the whole morning dominoes—late sa school run, late sa meetings. Nagulo agad 'yung morning peace mo. Yale Home’s whole promise is to 'Protect your home and peace of mind,' and having the Yale Luna Elite+ on our main door has honestly been a total game-changer for our family's peace of mind.”

(Top): Anjie Lou delos Reyes, TeknoGadyet editor, Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador (Bottom): Aya Castillo, Product Marketing Manager, and Myx VJ and host Ozzie Llige

Solving Everyday Home Struggles Through Smarter Security
Moving away from static shelf displays, ACE Builders SM City Fairview featured full-scale working door installations where shoppers actively tested solutions against six universal household anxieties: Lost Keys, Busy Hands, Family Access, Unexpected Visitors, "Did I Lock the Door?", and Security When I’m Away.

Guided by ASSA ABLOY Product Manager Ms. Aya Castillo and tech editor Mr. Anjie Lou Delos Reyes of Teknogadyet, the interactive walkthrough showcased how physical locks and smart safes directly address real-world home friction points:

Top: Aya Castillo, ASSA ABLOY Philippines Product Marketing Manager
Bottom: Anjie Lou delos Reyes, TeknoGadyet editor

The Flagship Touchless Experience: Yale Luna Elite+ (Dani's Top Pick)

To solve the chaos of Busy Hands and Lost Keys—like balancing three grocery bags while fishing for keys in the dark—Castillo showcased the flagship Yale Luna Elite+. Featuring touchless PalmScan technology (which reads unique 3D vein patterns under the skin in a fraction of a second) and hands-free 3D FaceScan, the lock recognizes users instantly even in low light or while wearing caps and glasses. With 7 versatile entry modes (PalmScan, FaceScan, PIN, RFID, fingerprint, app control, and mechanical backup keys), no one in the family—from young children to visiting grandparents—gets left out.

Effortless Starter Living: Yale Uno
For first-time home-upgraders, condo owners, and Gen Z professionals seeking simplicity without intimidating tech, the sleek all-black Yale Uno offers effortless access. Engineered for a natural grip, the fingerprint scanner is built directly into the handle thumb-grip—allowing users to touch, turn, and open in one fluid motion, eliminating the need to duplicate keys for housemates or roommates.

Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador with the YDL325 series and Yale Uno

Interior Privacy and Safety: Yale YDL325 Series

Addressing interior doors for master bedrooms, home offices, and children's rooms, the Yale YDL325 Series introduces instant Panic Release mode. Designed to relieve parents' anxiety about children accidentally locking themselves inside, simply pushing the inner lever handle downward automatically unlocks the door from the inside in a single motion for immediate emergency egress, while maintaining total perimeter protection from the outside.

Complete Peace of Mind: Yale Solis Safes Collection
Extending security deeper inside the home and office, the Yale Solis Safes collection combines heavy-duty protection with modern furniture aesthetics. Built with rust-resistant solid steel, 20mm motorized bolts, six protective steel layers, a 3-minute tamper lockout alarm, and USB-C emergency power, each unit features automatic interior LED lighting that illuminates the moment the door glides open.

Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador and the Yale Solis Safes. Special Offer: 30% OFF on Yale Solis Safe 230L, 250, 400 and 560 from October 16-31, 2026 at ACE Hardware stores nationwide.

Ranging from compact bedside models like the Yale Solis 230L and 250 for laptops, gadgets, and daily essentials to high-capacity storage like the Solis 400 and 560 for business contracts, legal documents, and luxury collections, the series offers a sleek, non-intimidating way to organize and protect essential possessions. As a helpful added feature for responsible homeowners, the Solis collection also serves as a convenient, ready-made option for gun owners needing a compliant safe photo when applying for or renewing their License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) under current PNP-FEO requirements—ahead of Yale's upcoming launch of a dedicated Firearm Safe line engineered specifically for firearm security.

Connected Living Made Simple: The Yale Home App
Highlighting how app integration simplifies daily life rather than complicating it, Delos Reyes shared his perspective on smart home connectivity. “Honestly, once you start setting up your home with smart tech, there’s really no going back! For us, it’s all about removing those small everyday frictions,” Delos Reyes shared.

Explaining how smart security quietly streamlines daily routines, he noted: “Like, instead of worrying if we locked the main door when we leave or scrambling for keys when we get home with heavy groceries, everything just works seamlessly in the background. We want to make the technology work with and for us, not the other way around.”

Pointing to Yale’s proprietary software integration as a key advantage, he added: “That’s actually the big differentiator with Yale—they have their own dedicated Yale Home App. You get real-time alerts whenever someone’s at the door, two-way talk directly through the 4.7-inch Digital Door Viewer screen, or Auto-Unlock via Bluetooth.” Reiterating the precision engineering working silently behind the scenes, Delos Reyes concluded: “Older digital locks rely on noisy 2-to-3-second backpack mechanisms. Yale's fully automatic lock-case architecture delivers whisper-quiet unlocking in under one second. What you don't see matters too.”

Exclusive Launch Perks, Promos & Price Drop Deals
To celebrate this next chapter and make keyless living accessible to every Filipino home, Yale and ACE Hardware rolled out massive discounts, free gifts, and exclusive rewards:

Special Promos

Shoppers at ACE Builders SM City Fairview enjoyed an exclusive 50% OFF 1-Day Flash Deal on October 15, followed by up to 30% OFF introductory savings from October 16 to 31 across ACE Hardware stores nationwide.

Featured Security Solution	Standard SRP	Launch Day Flash Deal (50% OFF - Oct 15)	Nationwide Promo (30% OFF - Oct 16–31)	Special Inclusions / Perks
Yale Luna Elite+ (Flagship / Dani's Pick)	₱67,499.00	₱33,749.50	₱47,249.30	FREE Yale Smart Outdoor Camera + FREE Installation in Metro Manila
Yale Uno (Compact Single-Grip)	₱19,999.00	₱9,999.50	₱13,999.30	FREE Installation in Metro Manila
Yale YDL325 Series (Square or Circle)	₱12,999.00	₱6,499.50	₱9,099.30	FREE Installation in Metro Manila
Yale Solis Safe 230L	₱16,699.00	₱8,349.50	₱11,689.30	FREE Yale VCA5127 Cylindrical Knobset
Yale Solis Safe 250	₱17,299.00	₱8,649.50	₱12,109.30	FREE Yale VCA5127 Cylindrical Knobset
Yale Solis Safe 400	₱19,699.00	₱9,849.50	₱13,789.30	FREE Yale VCA5127 Cylindrical Knobset
Yale Solis Safe 560	₱23,899.00	₱11,949.50	₱16,729.30	FREE Yale VCA5127 Cylindrical Knobset

Exclusive Event Rewards

• First Buyer Perk: The very first customer to buy the flagship Yale Luna Elite+ on October 15 received a FREE Yale Uno.
• Top Spender Award: The top single-receipt buyer from October 15 to 31 takes home the pro-level Yale Luna Pro+.

A Shared Vision for Helpful, Modern Homes

Closing the launch event, Mr. Ronald Roldan, Senior Assistant Vice President for Marketing of ACE Hardware Philippines, tied the partnership back to the retail giant’s nearly 30-year mission as "The Helpful Place":

“At ACE Hardware, we know that genuine protection goes far beyond traditional hardware—it's about how seamlessly safety fits into our modern, everyday routines,” Roldan reflected.

He highlighted how practical innovation transforms family living: “Hearing everyone's takeaways today really highlighted one thing: for every single home worry, Yale gives us a smart, practical solution. Whether it’s auto-unlocking when your hands are full of groceries or giving you instant, real-time app updates while you're away, Yale takes away the overthinking so you can simply focus on enjoying your day and being present for your family.”

Top: Ronald Roldan, Senior Assistant Vice President of ACE Hardware
Bottom: Dani Barretto, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador, with ACE Hardware executives

Emphasizing ACE Hardware's role in advancing retail experiences, he noted: “Throughout today’s showcase, ACE Hardware is proud to take this campaign one step further. Beyond displaying innovative products, ACE is helping bring to life what the next generation of home security looks like—championing a shift from traditional, key-based locks toward smarter, more seamless ways of protecting the people, spaces, and everyday moments that matter most.”

Roldan concluded with an open invitation to modern homeowners: “Together, we invite every Filipino customer to experience security beyond the traditional key: don't simply look at the technology—use it. Don't simply compare features—understand the problems they solve. And don't just see the price—experience the value.”

The Smart Yale Home Pop-Up Booth remains open for interactive, hands-on demonstrations from October 15-31, 2026 at ACE Builders, SM City Fairview.

Unlock Real Life Security. Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home.

Join the conversation using #YaleHomePhilippines #TrustedEveryDay #MySmartYaleHome #ASSAABLOYPH #ACEHardwarePH

For more information, visit and follow Yale Home Philippines on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also follow ACE Hardware Philippines on: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269336 Series of 2026
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269367 Series of 2026

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Benilde’s ‘REX’ reimagines Sophocles’ Tragedy through Corruption and Political Dynasties in the Philippines

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), through its School of Arts, Culture and Performance (SACP), brings a contemporary Filipino adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex to the stage with REX, running from November 12 to 22, 2026, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.

Written by Palanca Hall of Famer and DLS-CSB Digital Film faculty member Joshua Lim So and directed by acclaimed theater director, set designer, and Theater Arts program chair Tuxqs Rutaquio, REX transforms the ancient Greek tragedy into a story that confronts pressing issues in Philippine society, including flood control failures, questionable public infrastructure, and political dynasties.

A Classic Tragedy Rooted in Philippine Realities
Set in the city of Tebes, REX follows the Po family and their construction company, St. Paul the Apostle Constructions, as torrential rains leave more than a hundred citizens dead. As the family struggles to protect its interests, long-buried truths begin to surface, revealing how corruption and the pursuit of power among those in leadership can lead to widespread suffering.

Instead of centering on a plague brought about by divine forces, the production examines the consequences of systemic corruption and failed public accountability. Through this contemporary retelling, REX connects the timeless themes of Sophocles’ tragedy with realities that continue to affect Filipino communities.

A Collaboration Across Benilde’s Creative Disciplines
Beyond its social commentary, REX highlights Benilde’s commitment to community-driven and socially relevant theater. The production brings together students, faculty members, alumni, and industry professionals, bridging academic disciplines such as Theater Arts, Production Design, Dance, Music Production, Multimedia Arts, Photography, and Creative Industries Management.

Its creative team includes movement designer Christine Crame of the Dance program; lighting designer Jose Joaquin Aranda of Theater Arts; sound designer and engineer TJ Martinez, a Music Production faculty member and alumnus; costume designer Phillip Domingo, a Production Design alumnus; and projection designer Ces Valera, a Production Design faculty member and alumna.

Leading the production team are project manager Baha Vergara, production manager Irene Romero, deputy production manager Hazel Gutierrez-Marges, marketing and promotions manager Erri Rojo, stage manager Kate Loreno, deputy stage manager Axl Fernandez, technical director Renz Sevilla, and assistant technical director Dexter Sy.

Through the combined work of its creative and production teams, REX demonstrates how classroom learning and collaboration across disciplines translate into professional theater practice.

Eula Valdez and Martin Del Rosario Reunite on Stage
Leading the ensemble are veteran actors Eula Valdez and Martin Del Rosario, who reunite on stage 12 years after both received Gawad Urian awards for their performances in the critically acclaimed independent film Dagitab (2014).

 

They are joined by professional actors Bong Cabrera, a member of the Benilde Theater Arts faculty; Sheryll Ceasico; Emilio Macabantad, a Theater Arts alumnus; and EJ Jallorina, a former Goin' Bulilit cast member.

Jallorina continues to champion authentic queer representation through a transgender woman character in the production, contributing to ongoing conversations about breaking stereotypes and creating more meaningful portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters in the performing arts.

EJ Jallorina

Together with student performers from Benilde’s BA Theater Arts program, the ensemble brings together emerging talent and experienced theater practitioners in a production that explores the human consequences of power, secrecy, and corruption.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information
REX runs for approximately one hour and 45 minutes at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.

Performance dates: November 12–15 and November 19–22, 2026

Show schedule:
November 12: 7:00 PM (Opening and Press Night)
November 13: 7:00 PM (Gala Night)
November 14, 15, 21, and 22: 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
November 19 and 20: 7:00 PM

The production has a total seating capacity of 300, with the following seating sections:
Trono ni Rex: VIP Center Elevated Bleachers
Tanaw ng Tebes: Front Floor Level
Sa Gilid ng Lihim: Side Seating

Tickets are open to the general public, as well as Benilde students, faculty, and alumni. They are available online through Ticket2Me.net.

Ticket claiming begins one hour before each performance, while theater doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

For updates on REX, other DLS-CSB theatrical productions, and institutional activities, follow Benilde Arts on Facebook at facebook.com/benildearts and Instagram at @benildearts.

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The Manila Hotel welcomes the Holiday Season with 30% Off Christmas Hampers

Christmas at The Manila Hotel comes with traditions of its own, and this year, the Grand Dame of the Philippines adds to the season with a selection of Christmas hampers filled with festive treats and keepsakes to bring home.

Available in two selections, the hampers bring together holiday favorites such as Fruit Cake, Santa Chocolate, and a bottle of red wine, alongside The Manila Hotel keepsakes and Willy the Bear collectibles. They make an easy choice for sharing at home, bringing to a holiday gathering, or sending to family, friends, and colleagues.

“Gift-giving is one of the things that makes the Christmas season special. With our Christmas hampers, we wanted to bring together some of the familiar flavors and keepsakes associated with The Manila Hotel. From the treats on the table to the little things we keep year after year, Christmas is very much about sharing. We hope these hampers become part of the meaningful moments that make the season special,” says Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel.

From October 10 to November 20, 2026, guests can enjoy the Early Bird Offer of 30% off on the Christmas hampers.

The Deluxe hamper, priced at Php 3,211.60 nett, from the regular price of Php 4,588, comes with Fruit Cake, Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar, Santa Chocolate, Banana Thins, a bottle of red wine, The Manila Hotel fan, and a mini Willy the Bear Paper Mâché.

The Premium hamper, priced at Php 5,311.60 nett, from the regular price of Php 7,588, offers a little more to unwrap, with Fruit Cake, Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar, Santa Chocolate, Banana Thins, a bottle of red wine, The Manila Hotel fan, Regular Prestige Card, Willy the Bear Santa Stuffed Toy, and a Capiz Star Ornament.

With a mix of treats to share and keepsakes to enjoy beyond the holidays, the Christmas hampers bring a little of The Manila Hotel into the season of giving.

For orders and inquiries, guests may call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500 local 1125, email restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

Orders may be picked up from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Terms and conditions apply. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269349 Series of 2026.

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TOPS ARTFEST 2026 invites artists to explore new perspectives in Plein Air Painting Competition

PERSPECTIVE PLAY challenges student and professional artists to interpret the landscape of TOPS through their own creative lens

A single place can hold countless stories, depending on who is looking. This October, Tops ArtFest 2026 invites student and professional artists to discover and express those stories through PERSPECTIVE PLAY, its 2026 Plein-Air Painting Competition.

Plein-air painting, the practice of creating artwork outdoors while engaging directly with the surrounding environment, encourages artists to look beyond what is immediately visible. Through PERSPECTIVE PLAY, participants are challenged to explore the relationship between observation, imagination, and interpretation, transforming the familiar landscape of TOPS into individual expressions of creativity.

Artists are invited to step outside the studio, engage with their surroundings, and translate their unique perspectives onto canvas or paper. The competition welcomes a range of styles, from realism to figurative abstraction, provided that identifiable figurative or representational elements are present.

The competition will take place at The Circle, TOPS, on October 23, 2026, with registration from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Participants may continue painting onsite until the following morning, subject to competition guidelines. Completed artworks must be submitted at Hostel Honeycomb during the designated submission periods on October 23 and 24.

The competition is open to both student and professional artists, with separate categories and medium requirements for each. Students may work in oil or acrylic on canvas, watercolor, or pastel, while professional participants are limited to oil or acrylic on canvas. All entries must be original works created onsite during the competition period. Purely abstract, non-figurative works, digital prints, mixed media, and other specified non-accepted formats will not be eligible.

Recognizing artistic excellence
The competition offers substantial cash prizes across both categories.

In the Student Category, the first-prize winner will receive ₱20,000, followed by ₱15,000 for second place and ₱10,000 for third place. Three Merit Awards of ₱5,000 each will also be presented.

In the Professional Category, the first-prize winner will receive ₱50,000, followed by ₱40,000 for second place and ₱30,000 for third place. Three Merit Awards of ₱15,000 each will also be awarded.

All prize recipients will receive certificates, while winners will also receive gift certificates from Art Caravan. Winning artworks will be exhibited during the Tops ArtFest 2026 Awards Night on October 25, providing audiences an opportunity to appreciate the artists' interpretations of the theme.

Art that invites a different way of seeing

Presented by the Cristina Lee Dino Foundation Inc. and the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch ’85 Foundation, Tops ArtFest 2026 carries the theme Building and Breaking Norms, celebrating artistic expression that challenges conventions, opens new conversations, and encourages audiences to see the world differently.

Within this larger celebration, PERSPECTIVE PLAY offers artists an opportunity to engage with place as both subject and inspiration. By working directly within the landscape of TOPS, participants are encouraged to explore how individual experiences, choices, and ways of seeing can transform a shared environment into distinctly personal works of art.

Artists must register onsite, present a valid student ID when entering the Student Category, and comply with the prescribed artwork dimensions and submission deadlines. Late submissions will not be accepted. Entry claiming is scheduled for October 25, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and October 26, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

For complete competition guidelines and requirements, interested participants are encouraged to refer to the official Tops ArtFest 2026 announcements.

Tops ArtFest 2026: Building and Breaking Norms runs from October 22 to 25, 2026, at TOPS, Cebu in partnership with Junyee, Nune Alvarado, TOPS, Montebello Hotel Cebu, Hostel Honeycomb, 2TinCans Philippines, Tops Media Center (TMC 105.1 FM), and Art+ Magazine.

Artists are invited to bring their materials, find their place in the landscape, and show the world as they see it. At PERSPECTIVE PLAY, every point of view becomes an opportunity to create.

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Beyond the Key: Smart Yale Home Pop-Up Booth heads to ACE Builders SM City Fairview with Dani Barretto, dropping massive 50% OFF Flash Promos

Yale Home Philippines steps into a new chapter this October 15–31 alongside lifestyle icon Dani Barretto, kicking off with a massive 50% OFF 1-day flash deal on October 15 and exclusive nationwide discounts running from October 16 to 31

Building on the momentum of its initial kickoffs in May and June, Yale Home Philippines partners with ACE Hardware Philippines to bring the next generation of smart security to ACE Builders in SM City Fairview, redefining modern home protection by stepping beyond the key. To highlight the real-world impact of keyless living, #MySmartYaleHome Ambassador Dani Barretto will join the October 15 event. As a lifestyle icon, founder of Wellness Whispers, host of chart-topping The Bare It All Podcast, and a hands-on mom, Dani will share how Yale’s smart solutions bring seamless convenience and complete peace of mind to her busy routine.

To celebrate this next chapter, Yale is dropping massive promos and exclusive rewards for ACE Hardware customers from October 15 to 31, giving homeowners the ultimate opportunity to upgrade their living spaces.

Exclusive Offers, Perks & Price Drop Deals
Enjoy 50% OFF for ONE DAY ONLY on October 15 at ACE Builders SM City Fairview!
Yale Luna Elite+: ₱33,749.50 (from ₱67,499)
Yale Uno: ₱9,999.50 (from ₱19,999.00)
Yale YDL325 Smart Lock (Square & Circle): ₱6,499.50 (from ₱12,999)
Yale Solis Safe 230L: ₱8,349.50 (from ₱16,699)
Yale Solis Safe 250: ₱8,649.50 (from ₱17,299)
Yale Solis Safe 400: ₱9,849.50 (from ₱19,699)
Yale Solis Safe 560: ₱11,949.50 (from ₱23,899)

If you miss the event day, you can still catch special introductory savings of up to 30% OFF on these exact featured products from October 16 to 31 across ACE Hardware stores nationwide.

Be First. Claim the Elite Experience
Be the very first to buy the flagship Yale Luna Elite+ on October 15 and get a FREE Yale Uno, on us.

Shop the Highest Single Receipt. Win Pro-Level Luxury.

The top single-receipt buyer from October 15-31 takes home the Yale Luna Pro+.

Go Elite for the Ultimate Upgrade

30% OFF on Yale Luna Elite+ for ₱47,249.30 (from ₱67,499) PLUS a FREE Yale Smart Outdoor Camera with FREE installation within Metro Manila.

Your Easy Switch to Smart Living

30% OFF on Yale Uno for ₱13,999.30 (from ₱19,999) with FREE installation within Metro Manila.

Smart Access, Shaped for Your Style

30% OFF on Yale YDL325 Circle or Square for ₱9,099.30 (from ₱12,999) with FREE installation within Metro Manila.

Seamless Protection for Your Valuables

30% OFF on Yale Solis Safes
230L for ₱11,689.30 (from ₱16,699)
250 for ₱12,109.30 (from ₱17,299)
400 for ₱13,789.30 (from ₱19,699)
560 for ₱16,729.30 (from ₱23,899),
PLUS a FREE Yale VCA5127 Cylindrical Knobset.

Don't miss your chance to experience keyless convenience firsthand—visit the Smart Yale Home Pop-Up Booth at ACE Builders SM City Fairview starting October 15 to 31, step beyond the key, and discover the next generation of smart home living.

Unlock Real Life Security. Upgrade to a Smart Yale Home.

Join the conversation using #YaleHomePhilippines #TrustedEveryDay #MySmartYaleHome #ASSAABLOYPH #ACEHardwarePH

For more information, visit and follow Yale Home Philippines on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also follow ACE Hardware Philippines on: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

 
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269336 Series of 2026
DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-269367 Series of 2026

About Yale Philippines

For your home. For what you love. For you.

Trusted every day since 1840, millions of families have relied on Yale to keep the things that matter most—their homes, loved ones, and belongings—safe, connected, and protected. As part of ASSA ABLOY, the world’s leading provider of access solutions, Yale Philippines delivers a smarter way to protect your home, bringing intuitive, connected security right to where life happens.
Offering a complete lineup of smart locks, safes, and hardware engineered for real life—so you can protect what matters wherever you are, whenever you want—Yale brings smart security so seamless it takes care of itself. Yale Philippines is committed to helping Filipino families build safer, smarter, and worry-free home sanctuaries with true peace of mind.

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The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery Showcases Lander Blanza’s “Prominence”

The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery presents Prominence: A Visual Break from the Norm, the 12th solo exhibition of Filipino multidimensional artist Lander Blanza.

 

The month-long exhibition brings together Blanza’s distinctive approach to tone, depth, balance, and texture, offering a collection of works that invite a closer look. His use of tonal manipulation gives each piece a sense of dimension and movement, creating a visual experience that is both striking and contemplative.

Prominence features several of Blanza’s notable series, each exploring a different visual language. His Abundance series draws from ideas of wealth and prosperity, while Big Catch looks into the richness of nature and its seemingly endless bounty. The Ridge series turns to the landscape, translating dramatic mountain formations into atmospheric compositions.

The exhibition also extends beyond the canvas with Blanza’s brass sculptures. Works from his Bonsai, Lucky Bamboo, and Money Tree series combine intricate craftsmanship with familiar symbols associated with beauty, harmony, growth, and fortune.

 

With solo exhibitions previously presented in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, London, Italy, and Singapore, Blanza brings an international perspective to The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery.

“We are honored to host Lander Blanza’s Prominence exhibition at the Art Gallery. The exhibit offers our guests an opportunity to discover and engage with his art, while continuing the hotel’s commitment to providing space for Philippine art and culture,” said Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel.

Prominence: A Visual Break from the Norm is on display at the Art Gallery of The Manila Hotel unti October 31, 2026. Admission is free.

For more information, please contact +632 85270011 or +632 53015500, email info@themanilahotel.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

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PascualLab keeps the Galing going at 80

Continuing its year-long 80th-anniversary milestone, PascualLab highlights the galing that has shaped its legacy and continues to drive its commitment to everyday health and wellness solutions for Filipinos

Eight decades after its founding, Pascual Laboratories, Inc. (PascualLab) ❶, continues to evolve alongside Filipino families, introducing family-friendly health and wellness products that address changing consumer needs, while remaining rooted in the values of quality, care and malasakit.

Founded in 1946 by Isosceles and Leonora Pascual to address the post-war needs of Filipinos, PascualLab has grown from a family-founded enterprise into the company behind household brands such as: Ascorbic Acid (Poten-Cee), Vitex negundo L. Lagundi Leaf (Ascof Lagundi), C-Lium Fibre, and OraCare Mouthrinse. Guided by its vision of Strong, Healthy Families, PascualLab continues to mark its 80th anniversary with the #GalingThatKeepsGoing, a theme that honors its heritage, reflects its purpose, and celebrates the Filipino excellence carrying it into the future.

 

Galing (Healing)
Over time, the health and wellness needs of many Filipinos have changed. This 2026, PascualLab continues to evolve alongside them, offering new health products and innovations designed to make everyday wellness relevant and accessible to every Filipino family.

These include the launch of MyColla-C, a premium Collagen + Vitamin C support for those in their mid-30s and 40s as they embrace their next brightest chapter; and Paracetamol + Vitamin B1 + Vitamin B6 + Vitamin B12 (Alevia-B) for triple action relief of mild to moderate muscle, joint, and nerve pain.

The company also relaunched its Poten-Cee Gummies, Ascorbic Acid in a yummy, gummy format to support the Vitamin C needs of young members of the family;and Pelargonium sidoides DC. Root (PELARGO), a natural option for relief from the common cold.

Galing (Excellence)

Behind these innovations is the galing of PascualLab’s people -- professionals whose expertise, commitment and malasakit continue to move the company forward.

For PascualLab, however, excellence is not only about creating innovative and relevant health products – it's also about making them accessible and affordable. In celebration of its 80th year, the company also offered Php 80 off selected products through one of the country’s top drugstores, as a gesture of gratitude for the many years of continued trust and support.

Galing (Roots)
Through it all, PascualLab is inspired by its vision of Strong Healthy Families while remaining rooted in the spirit of care or malasakit upon which its founders built the company.

As it celebrates its 80th this 2026, it celebrates a legacy founded on quality and care – and looks ahead to a future of stronger, healthier Filipino families. That is the #GalingThatKeepsGoing.

For more information, follow us at https://linktr.ee/pascuallaboratories

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TEATRO Lasalliana stages four Filipino one-act plays this October

TEATRO Lasalliana brings four Filipino one-act plays to the stage this October with BOKYA: Mga Piling Dula para sa mga Taya, a collection of plays exploring love, misinformation, cultural memory, and family through stories that every Filipino will end up relating to.

Running from October 28 to 30, the production features Ganito ang Pinangarap Kong Kasal, Pilipinas Kong Mahal with All the Overcoat, Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol, and ’Nay, May Dala Akong Pansit.

The title draws from Bokya, a Filipino term associated with losing a bet or coming away empty-handed. Taking inspiration from Filipino variety and game shows, Bokya aims to explore stories that leave you feeling empty-handed, but at the same time, content.

In Ganito ang Pinangarap Kong Kasal, Eljay Castro Deldoc explores love, friendship, and the expectations surrounding marriage through France, Kris, and Noel. The play examines the gap between the life people dream of and the lives they are expected to live.

Deldoc's Pilipinas Kong Mahal with All the Overcoat shifts the focus to the production and manipulation of information. The play follows Ambet and Nato, operators of an online publication whose pursuit of viral content becomes complicated when clients ask them to rewrite historical narratives, bringing questions of misinformation and historical revisionism to the stage.

Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol, written by Andrew Estacio and directed by Nazer Salcedo, looks at the stories embedded within art and cultural memory. As artists reinterpret a familiar cultural work, they encounter a history that challenges what they thought they knew.

Completing the lineup is ’Nay, May Dala Akong Pansit by Juan Ekis, an absurd and darkly comic story about two siblings attempting to prevent their mother's death. Beneath its humor is a familiar question: if you knew what was coming, could you change the ending?

Founded in 1988, TEATRO Lasalliana is the theater organization of De La Salle University–Dasmariñas and a member of its Performing Arts Group. Under the direction of Nazer D. Salcedo and guided by its motto, “Go for Truth,” the organization has spent more than three decades developing student artists and producing Filipino theater both onstage and behind the scenes.

Its recent productions have also explored different forms of performance, from The Wounds Remain: A Memoir of Martial Law in 2025, which examined Filipino experiences during Martial Law, to Can’t DRAG Me Down: Queens for a Cause in 2026, the university’s first-ever drag concert and fundraising event featuring student drag houses from across Luzon.

With BOKYA, TEATRO Lasalliana returns to a collection of Filipino stories that move between comedy and drama, the personal and the historical, and the familiar and the unexpected.

For more details and tickets, visit the Teatro Lasalliana Facebook and Instagram pages.

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