March 5, 2025

Malasimbo Music, Arts, and Kids Festival 2025 heads to historic Intramuros, March 8!


Malasimbo festival returns this March 8 taking place in the walled city of Intramuros’ Puerta Real Gardens. The Malasimbo festival weaves music, arts, dance, environment, and culture into one historical adventure.


The Malasimbo Music, Arts, and Kids Festival,
one of the Philippines' most celebrated cultural events, is set to return on March 8, 2025, with a new twist—this year, the festival moves to the historic Puerta Real Gardens in Intramuros, Manila. This exciting change of venue comes with a new partnership with Intramuros, a renowned cultural heritage site, promising an unforgettable experience that blends rich history with vibrant art and music.




A Historic Setting

Intramuros, known for its well-preserved Spanish-era architecture and cultural significance, provides a stunning backdrop for this year’s festival. The partnership with the Intramuros Administration underscores Malasimbo’s commitment to celebrating Filipino heritage and promoting cultural tourism. Festival-goers can look forward to an immersive experience that harmoniously integrates the historic charm of Intramuros with the festival’s modern artistic flair.


Exciting Line-Up

Main stage line up:
François K; Mike Love; DJ Shortkut; Selah Dub Warriors; La Crema; Brigada; Morobeats; Gundamfunk; Laneous; Tommy Sexton & the Suggestions; Orange Juice Asia
Mike Love

François K

DJ Shortkut

Silent Disco DJs:
Sky Dominique ; Flava Matikz ; John Type; Ezzrei ; J-Nice ; Antonne ; Polo Dino; Peebs ; 
Salamangka ; JP Sacaben ; Marga Chi
In addition to the electrifying performances, the festival will feature a Kids' Village, Silent Disco, and mesmerizing art installations by renowned visual artists such as: Agnes Arellano, Billy Bonnevie, Levi Cruz, Olivia d’Aboville, Cherry Fulo, Hohana, Veronica Iberreta, Indie Green Culture, King, Agus Loedin, Bianca Natola, Marco Santos, Troy Silvestre.

Discover the Magic of Malasimbo: A Creative Haven for Kids

As the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival returns, families have more reasons than ever to join in the celebration. This year, the festival introduces a delightful Kids' Village—a dedicated space where children can immerse themselves in a variety of creative and outdoor activities.

Parents, imagine a place where your little ones can explore their artistic talents, connect with nature, and experience the joy of music and movement. The Kids' Village at Malasimbo offers a treasure trove of workshops and activities designed to spark creativity and foster a love for the outdoors.


A Creative Wonderland

From crochet and painting to drumming and yoga, the Kids' Village has something for every young artist and explorer. Camille Salazar will lead a colorful Sticker Workshop, where children can let their imaginations run wild and create personalized stickers. Arts and crafts lovers will enjoy the Nature Weaving Workshops by Cherry Fulo, where they can use natural materials and colorful yarns to craft unique and beautiful pieces. Hohana, a Malasimbo Visual Artist regular, will teach the art of crochet, allowing kids to bring home their mandala or dream catcher creations. International artist Jeona Zoleta will hold a painting workshop where kids can express themselves freely on a giant canvas.

For those with a flair for rhythm, the Drum Workshop by Billy Bonnevie and Jose Dufourt offers an exciting opportunity to learn basic drumming techniques and explore the world of percussion. Little cyclists can ride their way through the balance bike tracks with Bambike, designed to provide a fun and safe environment for toddlers and young kids to practice their biking skills.

Mindful and Playful Activities

The festival also features Poi & Hoop Workshops by Luisa Jimenez, where children can discover the art of rhythmic movement and express themselves through playful practice. The Yoga Workshops by Steve Manzano encourage mindfulness and relaxation, allowing kids to find their inner calm amidst the festival's vibrant atmosphere. Science enthusiasts can join the Liter of Light workshop with Illac Diaz, learning how to assemble lights and solar panels using sustainable materials. Gardening enthusiasts can participate in workshops led by Bea Macalino, while the Creative Healing sessions with Indie Green Culture Family will offer a holistic approach to well-being.

And for a unique musical experience, kids can head to the silent disco area, where they can wear headphones and choose which DJ to listen to. It's a fun way to enjoy music in a personalized and interactive manner!

A Family Affair

Malasimbo is not just about the kids—it's an experience for the whole family. While the children are engaged in creative activities, parents can enjoy the live music, explore art installations, and soak in the festival's unique ambiance. It's a chance for families to come together, celebrate the arts, and create lasting memories in the great outdoors.

A Historic and Beautiful Venue

For the first time, the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival will be held at the stunning Puerta Real Gardens in Intramuros, Manila. This lush garden within a cultural and historic site offers the perfect backdrop for a festival that celebrates art and nature.

Join Us at Malasimbo

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to introduce your children to the joys of creativity, nature, and music. The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival is a celebration of art and culture that promises to be an unforgettable experience for all ages.

📅 When: 2pm onwards March 8, 2025 📍 Where: Puerta Real Gardens, Intramuros, Manila

Entrance ticket for kids below 10 years old: PhP1,000 General Admission: PhP3,450 for a whole day of music performances, DJs, art installations, and kids activities

Buy tickets at www.malasimbo.com

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to the Malasimbo Festival. Let's make magic together!







Alden Richards reveals his favorite vivo V50 feature! Here’s what makes it special!


Built in collaboration with ZEISS, the vivo V50 is equipped with a powerful trio of lenses designed to deliver exceptional results for both everyday users and professional photographers, redefining photography in 2025.

At the vivo V50 Grand Launch, brand ambassador Alden Richards revealed his favorite vivo V50 camera feature, praising its versatility. He highlighted how the 23mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths in Portrait Mode offer diverse creative compositions, ensuring seamless and precise shots.

Experience ZEISS lens precision at your fingertips

Renowned for exceptional quality, ZEISS lenses set the standard for top-tier photography.

With its arrival, the vivo V50 further elevates the V-series' reputation for advanced photography, powered by ZEISS innovation. Boasting a 50MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera, a 50MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera, and a 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera, it offers limitless creative possibilities.

Building on Alden’s favorite feature from the launch, the vivo V50’s 50MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera, in particular, drives the versatility of the 23mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths.

You can experience true cinematic photography with the vivo V50’s Portrait Mode, allowing you to switch seamlessly between three focal lengths for the perfect composition:
• 23mm: Ideal for capturing dynamic environments with rich background details.

• 35mm: Classic portrait lens for balanced framing and a natural perspective.

• 50mm: Perfect for close-up portraits with a shallow depth of field that draws attention to the subject.
Even better, you can elevate your shots with the ZEISS Bokeh effects! Achieve stunning cinematic depth with Distagon’s dreaminess, Biotar’s artistry, or Cineflare’s movie magic—because your shots deserve to stand out!


AI Aura Light Portrait 2.0—studio-quality light, anytime

The vivo V50 features the exclusive AI Aura Light Portrait 2.0, transforming low-light photography with perfect illumination.

Already one of the most handsome faces in Philippine showbiz, Alden looked even more stunning as he showcased the new vivo V50.

Captured with the vivo V50—no harshness, just pure perfection. A magazine-worthy shot of Alden, flawlessly illuminated by the AI Aura Light Portrait 2.0.

What's even more exciting? The vivo V50 lets you adjust not just its aura light's warmth, but also its brightness!

Say goodbye to ordinary shots! This feature makes your party pics, candlelit dinners, and neon-lit cityscapes glow like never before. You’re not just snapping photos, you’re capturing magic.

Own the portrait master

The vivo V50 starts at just PHP 27,999, making professional-grade photography more accessible than ever.

Pre-orders are open until March 14, 2025 via the vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada

Don’t miss out—secure yours today and elevate your photography experience!

CHERRY Cares' second free ECG testing to indigent patients at Tondo Medical Center


CHERRY Cares successfully concluded National Heart Awareness Month on February 28, 2025, by providing free ECG testing to indigent patients at Tondo Medical Center. This program, which marks the second year of CHERRY Cares and Tondo Medical Center's strong collaboration, demonstrates the foundation's dedication to heart health for everyone.

CHERRY Cares provided free ECG testing to 100 indigent patients as part of its objective to increase awareness and early detection of heart diseases. This allowed people who might not otherwise have access to such important medical services to take a step toward a healthy heart. In addition to serving as a reminder of the significance of heart health, the event gave individuals in need access to helpful services.

The event last year was just as significant since CHERRY Cares expanded its reach by giving away five CHERRY Smart Blood Pressure Monitors to Tondo Medical Center and providing 100 indigent patients with free ECG testing. By continuing to provide preventive care this year, the foundation significantly improved the health and wellbeing of nearby communities.

CHERRY Cares is committed to ensuring that everyone is included and has access to heart health care. The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to increase awareness, offer preventative care, and assist those in greatest need by hosting this free ECG event to wrap out National Heart Awareness Month.

TP Supports Industry Effort to Address HIV in the Workplace

Hosts capacity development session for medical professionals and advocates

As host to IBPAP’s On-site HIV Training and Screening session, Teleperformance or TP in the Philippines welcomes over 60 medical practitioners and advocates to its Innovation and Solutions Hub at its TP Aura site, Taguig City.

Teleperformance (TP) in the Philippines, a global leader in digital business services, reinforces its commitment to drive awareness and prevention of HIV in the Philippines. This comes in the wake of national efforts to curb the rising cases of HIV infection in the country.

TP hosted an HIV Training and Screening session for medical professionals and advocates on February 26 at the Innovation & Solutions Hub of its TP Aura site.

In collaboration with the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) Labor Standards & Health Committee, the initiative provided free expert training to support enterprise-level HIV prevention and control.

“Since 2019, we have been working to educate IBPAP members on the value of having workplace HIV programs. These include awareness talks and summits. We have champions among our IBPAP members—TP is one of them,” said Tess Azicate, IBPAP Labor Standards and Health Lead.

TP is a Platinum member of IBPAP, which is the enabling association for the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry in the Philippines.

The session, which was both empowering and insightful, brought together over 60 participants. In addition to doctors and nurses, the activity also included TP leaders and advocates from various teams and departments, equipping them with knowledge and skills to administer HIV screenings.

The training complements TP’s HIV Awareness and Advocacy Development program and emphasizes the critical role of early detection and awareness in combatting the spread of HIV.

In his continued advocacy & staunch commitment to break the stigma, Jeffrey Johnson, Chief People Officer of TP in the Philippines, volunteers to be tested as a statement of support & encourage the proactive prevention & treatment of HIV in the workplace.

Addressing representatives from fellow IBPAP member companies, Jeffrey Johnson, Chief People Officer of TP in the Philippines, shared, “At TP, we truly believe that creating an environment where everyone is welcome is the foundation of everything we do—both to the success of our organization and our industry. I’m so grateful for the other IBPAP member companies for their participation and support in this critical training and development. This speaks volumes on how we're all working together with a shared purpose and commitment.”

Launched in 2015, TP’s HIV Awareness and Advocacy Development program is regarded as a pioneer in the private sector and recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). TP continues to collaborate with advocate organizations like IBPAP, and partners in the private sector and government to promote safe spaces, truth-telling, and equip more people to prevent infections and help People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

Beyond the local impact, TP continues to engage in international learning exchanges to advance HIV advocacy. In 2023, the company hosted a dialogue with Papua New Guinea’s Key Population Advocacy Consortium (KPAC) and other organizations under its umbrella at its Vertis North site. This exchange, held in partnership with DOH, facilitated discussions on community-led HIV services and TP’s efforts in establishing an inclusive and supportive workplace.

For its efforts and outstanding contributions, the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) recognized TP’s HIV Awareness and Advocacy Development program with the Gold Anvil Award in 2020.

Building a Culture of Care: SM Cares Opens Human Milk Depots for Breastfeeding Advocacy

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, and the Human Milk Bank Association of the Philippines (HMBAP), has officially launched the groundbreaking SM Human Milk Depot Initiative. The partnership was inaugurated on February 19, 2025, with special messages from key representatives at SM City San Lazaro.

A milestone for maternal and child health! SM Cares, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, and the Human Milk Bank Association of the Philippines (HMBAP), officially launches the SM Human Milk Depot Initiative at SM City San Lazaro. This initiative empowers breastfeeding mothers and ensures infants in need receive life-saving donor milk.

Empowering Communities, Saving Lives

Breastfeeding is critical to maternal and child health, yet many mothers face challenges in providing sufficient milk for their infants due to medical or circumstantial limitations. The SM Human Milk Depot Initiative seeks to address this gap by ensuring the availability of safe, nutritious donor human milk, particularly during emergencies and disasters. The donated milk will be processed and distributed through accredited Human Milk Banks, reaching the infants who need it most.

“The Human Milk Depot initiative is a vital step towards achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 2 and 3 — eliminating hunger, improving nutrition, and promoting health and wellness. Our goal is to make breastfeeding more accessible, not only for current breastfeeding mothers but also for those considering breastfeeding. By establishing a milk depot inside our malls, we are taking a significant step toward this objective." said Atty. Pearly Joan Jayagan Turley, Senior Assistant Vice President of the Corporate Compliance Group and SM Cares Program Director for Women & Breastfeeding Mothers. "This milestone initiative reflects SM’s continuing commitment to fostering safe spaces and advocating for maternal and child health, and we will ensure that it expands across the nation, serving mothers and children all around the country."

Championing maternal and child health --- Atty. Pearly Joan Turley, SAVP for Corporate Compliance and Program Director for SM Cares, reaffirms commitment to breastfeeding advocacy.

Mothers attentively listen as health experts provide a briefing on proper breastfeeding practices and human milk donation at the SM Human Milk Depot.


Strengthening a Culture of Breastfeeding Advocacy

Aligned with the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, the SM Human Milk Depot Initiative reinforces SM Supermalls’ mission of being “A Mall for All.” Through partnerships with health institutions, the program promotes breastfeeding awareness and supports mothers by offering facilities and programs that cater to their needs.

During the launch event, Usec. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral of the Public Health Services Cluster and Dr. Estrella Jusi, President of the Human Milk Bank Association of the Philippines, commended SM Cares for its leadership in this critical advocacy. “This partnership exemplifies what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together to support maternal and infant health,” said Usec. Maestral.

A health professional explains the safe collection and storage of human milk at the SM Human Milk Depot.

Breastfeeding advocates donate human milk, helping ensure that premature and medically vulnerable infants receive the essential nutrition they need to thrive.

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Community Engagement

The initiative will initially roll out in two pilot locations, with plans for expansion to additional SM malls based on the program’s success. Beyond the depots, SM Cares will also strengthen its community engagement efforts, raising awareness about the importance of breast milk donation and fostering a culture of care and advocacy.

Impacting Lives One Drop at a Time

The launch of the SM Human Milk Depot Initiative marks another significant milestone in SM Cares’ Women and Breastfeeding Advocacy program. The initiative is expected to increase participation in breast milk donation, improve infant health outcomes, and promote breastfeeding-friendly communities across the Philippines.

“We envision a future where every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive, and every mother feels supported and empowered in her breastfeeding journey,” said Atty. Pearly Turley.

A sample of donated human milk collected at the SM Human Milk Depot is carefully stored, ensuring it remains safe and ready to nourish premature and medically vulnerable infants.

Breastfeeding mothers receive certificate of donation, honoring their vital contribution of liquid gold at the SM Human Milk Depot.

For more information about the SM Human Milk Depot Initiative and how you can contribute to this life-saving program, visit SM City San Lazaro and SM City Manila, and follow SM Cares’ social media channels for updates on when the program will be available soon.

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About SM Cares
SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, focusing on initiatives that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and community development. Through programs supporting women, children, and marginalized groups, SM Cares strives to create meaningful and lasting impacts across the Philippines.

About the Human Milk Bank Association of the Philippines
The Human Milk Bank Association of the Philippines is a national organization dedicated to ensuring the safe collection, storage, and distribution of human milk. Partnering with health institutions and advocates, HMBAP champions maternal and infant health through innovative and sustainable solutions.

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