The MacBook Neo is Here—Now Made More Affordable with GGives

Catch the MacBook Neo drop with GGives—freebies plus easy 0.9% monthly installments

The wait is over—the new MacBook Neo officially drops in the Philippines at 7:00 pm on April 23. Whether you’re powering through work, school, or side hustles, this is the must-have tool that keeps up with you and is fit for you. If it’s already on your list, now’s the right time to make the move.

And with GGives, availing becomes more manageable through lighter and affordable terms while enjoying promos from partner merchants.

Making It More Within Reach with GGives
Pre-order the MacBook Neo through GGives and enjoy a lighter way to pay with flexible installments. During the pre-order period from April 11 to 23, 2026, you can also take advantage of no down payment and a low 0.9% interest rate, making it even more affordable to upgrade.

Plus, when you pre-order from select partner merchants, you’ll receive exclusive freebies (*until supplies last):

• Abenson & Electroworld - Free JisuLife Fan*
• Beyond the Box, Digital Walker, & Open Source by Beyond the Box - Free Momax Powerbank*
• Power Mac Center - Free pair of Apple Earpods 3.5mm headphone plug*
• The Loop - Free Anker Soundcore R50i NC True Wireless BT Earbuds*
• Digimap & Digiplanet - Free AmazingThing Polishing Cloth*

To avail of these offers, eligible users simply need to:

• Be a GCash user with an active GGives account
• Choose GGives as their payment option in-store and select a 12- or 24-month plan

If you’re not yet activated, just head to the GCash app, tap “Borrow”, select “GGives,” and complete the
quick application. Once approved, you’ll see your available credit limit (subject to evaluation).

With GGives, getting the MacBook Neo becomes lighter and more affordable—letting you balance what you need now with what works for your budget.

Access GCredit and GGives through your GCash dashboard or find them under “Borrow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery.

For more details on the Apple Preferred 0.9% GGives Interest Rate Promo, visit https://gcash.com/promos/ggives-apple-exclusive-0-9-interest-rate-promo.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-253756 Series of 2026

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-253724 Series of 2026.

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Gala To The Max Takes Over SM Malls in the East Metro

The Gala is Maxex out as PPop groups Cloud 7 and Yanna groove to the SM Supermalls' anthem at SM City Marikina (Screengrab from SM City Marikina)

The vibe is maxed out at SM Malls in the East as “Gala To The Max,” the newest anthem of SM Supermalls performed by rising P-Pop trio DNA in partnership with StarPop, comes to life through music, movement, and community. Across SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo, and SM Center Antipolo Downtown, mallgoers are stepping into a more dynamic kind of hangout—one that goes beyond the usual and brings every moment all out at their most loved malls.

Rising PPop Girl Group, DNA, leads the boppy Gala To The Max anthem of SM Supermalls

Powering the energy are rising P-Pop acts and young artists including Cloud 7 members Kairo, Egypt, Fian, Lucas, Migz, PJ, and Yohan; Yanna members Samantha, Bri, Reylie, Cheska, and Keziah; Yuna members Sachi, Faith, Sara, and Mhai; and solo performers Amiel, Tavis, Marcky, and Duna. Together, they turn each mall stop into a stage for expression, connection, and shared moments that totally match today’s vibe.

PPop cuties Yanna also grooves their way to SM Center Antipolo Downtown for Gala To The Max anthem
(Screengrab from SM Center Antipolo Downtown)

Girl group Yuna tours at SM City Masinag as they Gala To The Max
(Screengrab from SM City Masinag)

More than just an anthem, “Gala To The Max” transforms everyday malling into something more meaningful—where barkadas, fans, and families come together, find their tribe, and create moments that feel personal, spontaneous, and real. It’s a celebration of individuality and community, all happening in a space that feels like home.

Young artists Duna, Amiel, Tavis and Marcky dancing to Gala To The Max anthem in SM City San Mateo
(Screengrab from SM City San Mateo)

Round up your crew, bring your vibe, and gala to the max at SM Supermalls in the East—then follow your favorite malls’ official social media pages and join the Gala To The Max dance challenge. Show off your moves and be part of the movement.

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Mayor Isko Moreno and wife Dynee to lead as Hermano and Hermana Mayor at Flores de Mayo in Manila

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has graciously accepted the invitation to serve as Hermano Mayor of Flores de Mayo, with his wife, Mrs. Diana Lyn “Dynee” Domagoso, accepting the role of Hermana Mayor, lending their full support to the revival of a cherished celebration of faith, culture, and fashion.

Set on May 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at The Manila Hotel and Quirino Grandstand, this year’s theme, “Dalisay at Halimuyak”, draws from the ideas of purity and fragrance. During a courtesy call by The Manila Hotel President Atty. Joey Lina, Mayor Isko expressed his support for the event and the value of initiatives that uplift the community, honor Manila’s legacy, and create opportunities for artists and designers to contribute to a tradition deeply rooted in Filipino faith and identity. He noted, “Maaalala natin ang pamana sa atin.”

The event is mounted by The Manila Hotel, in partnership with the City Government of Manila and the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP), with support from Manila, My Manila of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM).

A long-standing Catholic tradition in the Philippines dating back to the 1800s, Flores de Mayo remains one of the country’s enduring expressions of Marian devotion. At The Manila Hotel, the celebration assumed a distinctive place in Manila’s cultural calendar beginning in 1979 through the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre de Niño Jesus, established that same year with Ben Farrales, the Dean of Filipino Fashion, as founding chair.

From the outset, the tradition linked Marian devotion with Manila’s cultural life. Revived in 2019 before being paused by the pandemic, it returns this year as a tribute to a city where faith, culture, and fashion continue to meet.

This year’s celebration also carries a meaningful social purpose, with proceeds and partnerships intended to benefit Young Focus and the Children’s First 1000 Days Coalition, supporting programs for children, families, education, and nutrition.

Further expressing his enthusiasm for the procession, Mayor Isko said: “Wala nang gasolinang kailangan dahil lakad ito. Ang ganda naman... we practice what we preach. Sabi ko, energy saving.” His remark reflected his support for a celebration that offers hope and solidarity amid today’s global challenges.

Meanwhile, the event is also in close coordination with government partners for security and traffic management for an orderly celebration. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed at least 300 personnel for security, while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will assist in traffic management. The participation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as arch bearers is also being arranged.

With Mayor Isko and Mrs. Domagoso serving as Hermano Mayor and Hermana Mayor, Flores de Mayo at The Manila Hotel is poised to become one of Manila’s most visible cultural events of the season — honoring a beloved Filipino tradition while reaffirming the capital’s place as a center of devotion, heritage, and civic life.

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Starbucks Philippines invites everyone to be a Community Champion this Global Month of Good

As part of its annual Global Month of Good celebration, Starbucks Philippines is reinforcing its commitment to the communities it serves – while inviting more Filipinos to take part in their own way.

This year, Starbucks highlights a simple but powerful idea: anyone can be a Community Champion through small, everyday actions that create meaningful change for the environment, the community, and other people.

“Our local initiatives are grounded in the belief that meaningful change starts with strong community connections,” said Jamie Silva, senior manager for Marketing, Digital Customer Experience and Social Impact, Starbucks Philippines. “From education to disaster response initiatives and partner volunteerism, 2025 reflects how collective action can create lasting impact.”

In 2026, Starbucks Philippines is expanding its community impact initiatives through strengthened partnerships, improved access to essentials, and more opportunities for both partners (employees) and customers to take part in meaningful action.

Supporting Communities Where They Need the Most

Through its partnership with Planet Water Foundation and The Starbucks Foundation, Starbucks

Philippines provides clean water access and hygiene education to an estimated 42,400 people in various

regions around the country. This April, a ninth AquaTower will be installed in Camarines Sur, extending

access to safe drinking to around 7,000 more individuals.

Starbucks Philippines also continues its longstanding partnership with HOPE to support education. Each

year, Starbucks partners (employees) come together to help build safe and inspiring learning spaces for

underserved communities. This year marks the completion of a sixth public school classroom in

Sarangani in April, helping provide safe and conducive learning spaces for students in the community.

Alongside its community initiatives, Starbucks Philippines is also strengthening its sustainability efforts

within its store operations. Starbucks Philippines has partnered with MPower to supply electricity to

around 60 Metro Manila stores under the Retail Aggregation Program. This partnership is expected to

result in improved operational efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

Continuing Efforts Powered by Volunteerism

Starbucks’ commitment to being a Community Champion is also reflected through volunteerism and

everyday participation.

Starbucks Community Stores in Abad Santos, Tondo, and Maysilo Circle continue to support education

programs in partnership with AHA! Learning Center, Young Focus Foundation, and Mano Amiga

Philippines. To date, more than 1,500 learners have benefited from after-school sessions, literacy

development activities, and leadership-building programs that help them gain confidence and stay

engaged in school.

Addressing food insecurity remains a key focus. Through its FoodShare program, Starbucks has

redirected nearly 3 million rescuable food items from close to 300 stores nationwide. In partnership with

The Philippine Food Bank Foundation and Grab Philippines, surplus food is distributed to various

communities.

Beyond these organized programs, Starbucks encourages customers to take part in simple, everyday

actions throughout Global Month of Good. In their own small way, store visits can become part of the

impact. Customers can use for-here ware or bring their own tumblers for their coffee orders and enjoy a

PHP 10 discount.

Simple actions, when done together, can create a meaningful impact over time. This Global Month of

Good, everyone is invited to be a Community Champion. To learn more about the Global Month of Good,

visit starbucks.ph/social-impact.

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The MSO Centennial Season Concert II – From Mozart to Mahler

Presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance; co-presented by EastWest Bank in partnership with the Austrian Embassy and University of Santo Tomas

Led by Venezuelan conductor Joshua Dos Santos, the Manila Symphony Orchestra continues its Centennial Season with a program that moves from the refined discipline of Classical style to the emotional breadth of the late Romantic symphony.

Manila Symphony Orchestra

The evening opens with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante in E-flat, K. 364 for violin and viola, a work celebrated for its technical precision. The piece features rising Filipino artists Emanuel John Villarin (violin) and Christian Wrona (viola), whose musical dialogue reflects the expressive restraints of Mozart’s music.

The program culminates in Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, a work that demands expressive depth. Expansive in scale and rich in emotional contrasts, Mahler’s symphony transforms simple melodies, challenging both the orchestra and the audience with its intensity. The MSO will be joined by selected members of the UST Symphony Orchestra in a side-by-side performance to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the UST Conservatory of Music, as many past and current MSO musicians have been connected to UST as students and faculty members.

From Classical to Romantic, From Mozart to Mahler highlights the versatility of the Manila Symphony Orchestra and its scholars as they continue their journey through the 100th season.

Joshua Dos Santos, guest conductor

Joshua is an internationally celebrated conductor whose career has spanned Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Trained in Venezuela's legendary El Sistema, he began music at age seven and made his conducting debut at sixteen under the mentorship of Maestro José Antonio Abreu. Appointed associate conductor of the Simon Bolivar Chamber Orchestra in 2023 he has earned major acclaim from around the world.

Emanuel John Villarin, violin

EJ is an award-winning violinist and Hanns Eisler scholar. An student at the Universität für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin and first prize winner of the New York Young Performers Prize (2021) and NAMCYA (2020), he is an acclaimed Filipino violinist and MSJO-Standard Insurance scholar, performing on a master-crafted Gencer Cerit Eskisehir violin.

Christian Wrona, viola

Christian is a Filipino-Canadian violist and Hanns Eisler scholar. Currently studying at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, Christian is an Asian Youth Orchestra alumnus, mentored by renowned artists including Tabea Zimmermann and Kim Kashkashian.

UST Symphony Orchestra

The University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra (USTSO), established in 1927, is a distinguished ensemble within the UST Conservatory of Music. It holds the unique distinction of being the only all-student symphony orchestra in the Philippines. Under the baton of Assoc. Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, the orchestra has showcased a diverse repertoire, ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary works.

Tickets available at Ticketworld:

• P5000 VIP
• P3500 Orchestra Center
• P3000 Orchestra Sides
• P2000 Balcony Center
• P1500 Balcony Sides

Special Offer - 20% Early Bird (valid until May 1, 11:59PM)
Code: MOZARTMAHLEREB20

Free VIP tickets for MSO All Access Subscribers

• 50% Students
• 20% Seniors and PWDs

Please DM your valid IDs to get your discount codes

Save up to 50% off with the MSO All-Access Season Pass!

Check out MSO's social media accounts to sign up.

Facebook - Manila Symphony Orchestra
Instagram - @manila.symphony
TikTok - @manilasymphonyorchestra
YouTube - Manila Symphony Orchestra
Website – www.manilasymphony.com

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Bodies That Speak: Faith, War, and Survival in PETA's Control+Shift

Philippine Educational Theater Association once again proves its strength in socially grounded storytelling with the Set B of Control+Shift —a moving collection of performances that reflect the realities of struggle, resistance, and survival. Through two distinct yet thematically connected pieces, the production delivers narratives that are both intimate and deeply political.

“At Nagkatawang-Tao ang Verbo” feels especially resonant, coming fresh from the season of Lent. The piece draws a powerful parallel between the Passion of Christ and the lived experiences of ordinary citizens from Navotas and Malabon. By weaving the structure and tone of the Pasyon into its storytelling, it elevates the suffering of marginalized communities into something both sacred and urgent. Much like how Christ stood against the Pharisees, the play reflects the quiet yet persistent resistance of the powerless against those in authority. It is a painful mirror of reality—one that does not attempt to soften its message, but instead confronts the audience with the truth of systemic struggle.

Tanghalang Bagong Sibol

Tanghalang Bagong Sibol

Meanwhile, “Baga ng Gumuguhong Langit” shifts the focus to the lives of children caught in the crossfire of war. Despite its relatively minimal script, the piece is rich in meaning. The repeated words “tago” (hide) and “takbo” (run) take on dual significance—at once evoking the innocence of children’s games and the urgency of survival in a war-torn environment. This contrast heightens the emotional weight of the narrative, showing how conflict distorts even the most basic aspects of childhood.

Rona Manio, Rei Millete, Wade Dizon and Ada Tayao

Rei Millete

What ties both pieces together is their reliance on physical storytelling. Even without heavy dialogue, the performances communicate clearly through movement, expression, and music. The actors bring depth and texture to their roles, proving that sometimes, the body speaks louder than words. The choreography and sound design work hand in hand to create an immersive experience that allows the audience to feel, rather than just understand, the stories being told.

This connection is further deepened through the recurring imagery reminiscent of the Pietà—a mother cradling a lifeless body. In both productions, this visual language becomes instantly familiar and emotionally charged for a largely Filipino, Catholic audience. It transforms individual loss into a collective experience of grief, echoing not only religious suffering but also the everyday tragedies faced by marginalized communities. The Pietà image bridges the sacred and the secular, reinforcing how these stories of pain and sacrifice are not distant—they are happening here and now. 

Tanghalang Bagong Sibol - At Nagkatawang-Tao ang Verbo

Ada Tayao and Wade Dizon - Baga ng Gumuguhong Langit

Ultimately, Control+Shift (Set B) is not just a theatrical presentation—it is a call to witness. It reminds us that behind every headline are real people, real suffering, and real acts of courage. In stripping down its narratives to their emotional core, the production leaves a lasting imprint: that even in the face of oppression and destruction, the human spirit continues to resist, endure, and hope.

PETA's Control+Shift (Set B) runs on select dates until April 19 at the PETA Theater Center.

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Canadian Pro Mackonner Dy Headlines SM Active Hub Anniversary Pickleball Tour

Mackonner Dy at play in SM City Marikina Pickleball Courts

SM Active Hub marks its first anniversary with an exciting pickleball roadshow across select SM Supermalls, headlined by Canadian Pickleball National Champion Mackonner Dy. His recent visit to the Philippines kicked off at SM City Marikina, drawing strong enthusiasm and highlighting the sport’s growing popularity in the country.

Mackonner Dy, a 16-year-old standout from The Nest Pickleball Academy in Tsawwassen, BC, is known for his exceptional skill set, including impressive hand speed at the kitchen, advanced pickleball IQ, creative shot-making, and calm composure beyond his years. He is a National Canadian Champion in the Singles Open Division, was drafted into the Canadian National Pickleball League under the Vancouver Owls, competed in the Round of 16 at the PPA Texas Open and won recently gold at PPA Hanoi.

A welcome ceremony held for Mackonner Dy (center) was led by SM Supermalls AVP for Marketing Jay Aranas (left), Area Marketing OIC Ma-ann Hipol (3rd from right), Regional Marketing Head Khristine Lenon (2nd from right), SM City Marikina Mall Manager Francis Brian Cruz (5th from left) and representatives from Paloo PH and SM City Marikina team.

A delightful Q&A with Mackonner during the welcome ceremony at SM City Marikina

At SM City Marikina, Mackonner received a warm welcome from SM Supermalls representatives, the SM City Marikina team, Paloo PH, and a vibrant community of local pickleball players, reflecting the collaborative efforts driving the sport’s growth in the Philippines.

Mackonner celebrates a point with a quick paddle tap alongside his teammate at SM City Marikina.

During the event, Mackonner emphasized pickleball’s accessibility and social appeal, noting that it is easy to learn and highly engaging. He also shared his excitement over the increasing number of dedicated pickleball spaces, particularly in SM malls, which he believes will inspire more people, especially the youth, to go all out, stay active, and reach their full potential while supporting their mental and social well-being.

A light moment and quick chat with his fellow pickleball players during an exhibition game at SM City Marikina.

The roadshow is part of SM Active Hub’s commitment to creating dynamic and engaging experiences for its mallgoers, in line with its vision of being the most-loved mall that offers “all for you” experiences. The anniversary celebration goes all out and maxed out, bringing world-class talent and exciting sports opportunities closer to Filipino communities.

Catch Mackonner Dy at your nearest SM Supermall pickleball courts until April 12

The pickleball roadshow with Mackonner Dy runs until April 12, 2026, with stops at the following SM Supermalls:

• SM Center Muntinlupa (April 10)
• SM Southmall (April 10)
• SM North EDSA (April 11)
• SM City Bicutan (April 12)
• SM City Sta. Mesa (April 12)

Celebrate with SM Active Hub and experience the excitement of pickleball with Mackonner Dy.
#SMActiveHub #HereToMove #GalaToTheMax

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