There is a certain rhythm to Batangas City—one that reveals itself in the steady movement of people, services, and systems that increasingly seem to work in sync. From its role as a key industrial and port hub in Southern Luzon, the city has long been defined by commerce and connectivity. But beneath that economic identity, a quieter transformation appears to be taking shape—one focused on expansion and organization. Processes are being tightened. Services are being streamlined. And governance, often perceived as reactive, is beginning to feel better structured.
With YAKAP now in place, Dr. Mercado says his hope for the years ahead is not simply better coverage figures, but a deeper sense of peace of mind among Filipino families.
Dennis Guevarra, the Philippines Graphic Ad Sales Manager, found himself in a fix. One of the major sponsors was having second thoughts about the amount of support for their upcoming event.
For Sluggo Rigor, the stories of war were not something he read in textbooks: They were memories that his father—World War II veteran Col. Conrado Rigor Sr.—shared at home as the children grew up: the hunger, the fear, and the will to stay alive after the fall of Bataan.
A young girl enjoys refreshments in the shade on Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte—one of the country’s most picturesque coastal destinations. Scenes like this underscore the importance of protecting the moments and places that matter most.
Boatmen in Coron, Palawan celebrated International Workers’ Day on May 1 while guiding tourists around the Calamianes island group. They work closely with the municipal government and local tourism office to sustain income opportunities until the months leading to the rainy season.
In its second year, Sining Filipina is pushing for women artists to interpret what it means to be a woman at the forefront of sustainability through its theme “Her Earth, Her Future.”
Calling all women artists to champion sustainability
Calling all Filipina artists!
Sining Filipina, the Philippines’ first nationwide, all-women art competition, is back! Taking on the theme “Her Earth, Her Future,” the competition’s 2025 edition encourages artists to showcase their own interpretations of women leading the way in sustainability.
Presented by SM Supermalls and Chinabank, with the support of Airspeed for the benefit of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs, Sining Filipina empowers women artists by providing them with a platform to express their creativity and spotlight their art as catalysts for social change.
(L-R): Emcee Rico Hizon, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs Committee Chairperson of Sining Filipina Stella Cabalatungan, Airspeed President Rosemarie Rafael, Chinabank Vice President (VP) for Marketing Niña Reynoso, Chinabank Senior Marketing Consultant Nita Claravall, Chinabank VP for Marketing Aileen Vallesteros, and SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno (L-R, back): Emcee Rico Hizon, Airspeed President Rosemarie Rafael, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs (ZCME) Past President Armita Rufino, ZCME Committee Chairperson of Sining Filipina (SF) Stella Cabalatungan, Art Association of the Philippines President Fidel Sarmiento, ZCME’s Melissa Romualdez, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno, Past President Carol Llanillo, and SF Judging Committee Chair Ada Mabilangan. (L-R, front): ZCME Past International President Olivia Ferry, ZCME President Joanne Zapanta-Andrada, and ZCME Past President Maritess Pineda.Hanna Joy Sayam from Negros Occidental is awarded the grand prize in the figurative category for her artwork titled “Pira-pirasong Tela ng mga Marias” during last year’s inaugural Sining Filipina art competition awarding ceremony at SM Aura.Maria Gemma San Jose from Ilocos Norte and her artwork titled “Layers of Experience” (upper left) wins top honors in the non-figurative category during last year’s Sining Filipina art competition awarding ceremony at SM Aura.
Starting January 3, interested artists may email siningfilipina.secretariat@gmail.com or follow the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs on social media to receive the official entry form and further details regarding the competition. The deadline for all entries is February 13, 2025.
Artists may opt to submit their original paintings in oil, acrylic, or mixed media, and in sizes 2ft by 3ft or 3ft by 3ft.
Prospective artists have until February 13, 2025, to submit their entries to Sining Filipina: Her Earth, Her Future.
Sining Filipina highlights SM Supermalls’ commitment to advocating for women’s empowerment and championing local artistry. To know more about SM Supermalls’ activities, follow @SMSupermalls on all social media.
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
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