Keep emergency numbers within reach: A home safety reminder for Filipino families

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Emergency preparedness begins at home. Beyond keeping basic supplies such as food, water, medicine, flashlights, and batteries, every household should also have a clear communication plan in case of an emergency.

This includes knowing whom to call, keeping important emergency numbers visible, and ensuring family members have an accessible way to contact emergency hotlines, barangays, hospitals, relatives, or first responders when needed.

As families use different ways to stay connected every day, having a dedicated home phone line can be part of a household’s broader emergency preparedness plan. A landline gives family members, including children, seniors, and household helpers, a fixed and familiar way to contact emergency hotlines, barangays, hospitals, relatives, and first responders when urgent assistance is needed. More importantly, it helps give families added peace of mind at home, knowing that there is an accessible way to call for help when it matters most.

It also serves as an additional communication option at home, especially when family members need to quickly coordinate during an emergency.

Keep emergency numbers visible at home

A prepared household does not only know how to call for help. It also knows who to call.

Families are encouraged to keep a list of important emergency numbers in a visible and accessible area, such as beside the landline, on the refrigerator, near the main door, or in the family emergency kit. This helps ensure that anyone at home can act quickly, even under pressure.

Here are some important emergency numbers Filipino families may keep on hand:

●       National Emergency Hotline: 911

●       Philippine National Police: 117 / (02) 8722-0650

●       Philippine Red Cross: 143

●       MMDA Hotline: 136

●       Bureau of Fire Protection: Check the nearest local fire station or local government emergency hotline in your area.

●       Barangay / City / Municipal Emergency Hotline: Keep local emergency numbers updated and visible at home.

The Philippine Information Agency also reported that the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline handled more than 5.2 million calls from January to April 2026, showing how vital emergency hotlines have become for Filipinos during urgent situations.

Make emergency calling easier for everyone at home

To help households stay prepared, families may also consider the following:

1. Post 911 and other emergency numbers where everyone can see them. Place 911 prominently at the top of the list, followed by other important emergency numbers such as the local barangay, city rescue, fire station, hospital, and police hotlines. Keep the list beside the telephone, on the refrigerator, or in common areas where anyone at home can easily find it.
2. Teach children and seniors how to call for help. Make sure they know when to call 911, how to state their name, location, and the nature of the emergency, and who else  in the family to contact
3. Save local numbers, not just national hotlines. Barangay, city, municipal, hospital, and local rescue numbers can be reached more quickly and be more relevant depending on the situation.
4. Include communication in the family emergency plan. Aside from food, water, flashlights, and medicine, families should also prepare reliable ways to call for help and contact loved ones.

Emergency preparedness is not about relying on only one way to stay connected. It is about ensuring households have clear, accessible, and dependable ways to call for help, stay informed, and respond quickly.

Through its connectivity solutions, PLDT Home supports Filipino families in building safer and more connected homes. With fiber internet plans bundled with a landline phone, households can maintain a dedicated home communication line that supports everyday connection and emergency preparedness.

For more information, visit www.pldthome.com.

 

Grab and UNIQLO Turn Everyday App Moments Into Wearable Summer Keepsakes

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 The limited-edition UTme! “Blueprint for a 5-Star Summer” collection lets Filipinos wear their favorite Grab moments on shirts and totes, from food cravings to barkada rides

This summer, Grab Philippines and UNIQLO are inviting Filipinos to wear their best everyday Grab moments.

The two brands have launched “Blueprint for a 5-Star Summer,” a limited-edition UTme! collection that transforms familiar scenes from the Grab app into playful, wearable designs. Think food cravings finally satisfied, deliveries arriving just when you need them, spontaneous barkada plans, and that all-too-familiar “nagpa-Grab ako” moment brought to life on T-shirts and tote bags.

The collaboration marks the first partnership between a superapp and UNIQLO’s UTme! service in the Philippines. The customizable apparel is now available at select UNIQLO Printer Stores nationwide.

Designed in a blueprint-inspired visual style, the collection reimagines everyday Grab experiences as technical diagrams, complete with witty Filipino annotations. Each piece maps the small but memorable ways Grab fits into Filipino life, whether through a ride, a delivery, a meal, or a last-minute plan made under the summer sun.

Leading the lineup is “GUTOM NA AKO: A Technical Breakdown,” a tribute to the deeply relatable act of rewarding oneself with a well-earned treat, complete with notes like “Dasurb ko ’to.” “PA-GRAB MO NA YAN: A Technical Study” captures the everyday coordination behind successful deliveries, while “A GUIDE TO BOOKING A CHILL RIDE” maps out how Grab helps make spontaneous group plans easier through features like Group Ride.

Rounding out the collection is “THE INNER WORKINGS OF NAG-PA GRAB AKO,” which turns the familiar rush of meeting a rider or delivery-partner at the gate into a fun, wearable schematic.

Customers can print the designs on T-shirts and tote bags at participating UNIQLO Printer Stores, including the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship Store, UNIQLO Mall of Asia, UNIQLO BGC High Street, UNIQLO Greenhills, UNIQLO Nuvali Sta. Rosa Roadside Store, UNIQLO Ayala Center Cebu, UNIQLO Davao Roadside Store.

To make the experience even more seamless, Grab is also offering users discounted rides to and from selected UNIQLO Roadside and Flagship stores nationwide. The promo gives users 10% off rides, capped at PHP 30 per ride, with no minimum fare requirement. Users can redeem the offer up to four times per month, or up to 36 times across the promo period.

The ride promo runs from 10 April 2026 to 27 February 2027, excluding the UNIQLO Thank You Festival.

Grab Philippines and UNIQLO will roll out the collection in two phases, with Phase 1 available until September 30, 2026. Customers can view the full design catalog and participating stores through UNIQLO’s official UTme! page.

Ballet Manila celebrates love and triumph with historic full-length world premiere of Paquita

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Filipino audiences have long embraced stories of sweeping romance, hidden identities, and hard-won triumph. Ballet Manila now brings these themes to life in a landmark moment: the country’s first ever, full length staging of the classical masterpiece Paquita. Choreographed by the company’s founder and artistic director, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the production goes onstage at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City, with performances on June 19 at 8:00 p.m. and June 20–21 at 5:00 p.m.

Ballet Manila principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Joshua Enciso

Though Paquita is a cornerstone of classical ballet, it is rarely performed in its entirety. And because of its dramatic narrative, Lisa believes that it will be remarkably relatable, to the Filipino. Lisa describes the narrative as “quite like a soap opera, with twists and turns that are amusing and entertaining which is perfect for Filipinos who love a great story or telenovela.”

Set in Spain, the story follows a young Romani woman who saves the life of a French officer, Lucien, from a governor’s assassination plot. Along the way, she discovers her own noble heritage, allowing the couple to overcome rigid social barriers and marry in a happy ending that many Filipinos love.

The journey to this landmark production began in March 2025, when Paquita’s grand divertissement was performed during Ballet Manila’s Pearl Gala celebration. The brief excerpt sparked a deeper curiosity in Lisa as she recalled starting to dig into the story behind the ballet excerpt: “When I finally read it in full, I decided that it would be exciting and perfectly manageable to present a two-act classical ballet to the Filipino audience.”

While the production honors its classical roots, Macuja Elizalde intentionally avoided watching existing versions to keep her choreography entirely her own. “I started to build the ballet chapter by chapter in my head," she explained. "But the actual creation didn’t happen until I was in the studio in front of the dancers.”

Working closely with her team has reinforced Ballet Manila’s strong Russian ballet foundation. Lisa noted that the company’s 40-member ensemble is the perfect size to handle the intricate, challenging choreography. At the heart of this production, two luminous pairs alternate in the main characters role: Joshua Enciso with Abigail Oliveiro, both principal dancers, and Shamira Drapete with Jos David Andes, both soloists. Together they embody the dual spirit of Paquita and Lucien, bringing fresh brilliance to one of classical ballet’s most dazzling showcases.

For Oliveiro, stepping into the shoes of Paquita under Lisa’s guidance has been an incredibly rewarding and collaborative experience, “It is always a good experience, and she is very clear in what she wants while keeping an open mind," Oliveiro shared. "I try to listen and observe what Ma'am Lisa wants from the ballet, character, or scene so I can understand her vision and fulfill it.”

The role also offers Oliveiro a rare chance to showcase a different side of her artistry. “I realized I had to tap into my more playful side which, dare I say, is not a common theme in a lot of my repertoire," she added. "So I’m certainly enjoying being playful.”

Ultimately, the creative team and cast hope the production leaves audiences feeling uplifted and delighted. As Lisa concludes: “I hope the audience will laugh at the comedic scenes and swoon in the romantic ones; as well as stand up and scream during the technically difficult portions! I hope the audience comes out of the theater smiling and humming the music.”

The Philippine ballet scene will reach another milestone with the historic world premiere of Paquita on June 19 at 8:00 p.m., June 20 & 21 at 5:00 p.m. Keep up-to-date with Ballet Manila’s schedule of performances and celebration events by visiting Ballet Manila’s website www.balletmanila.com.ph or Ticketworld page www.ticketworld.com.ph

Ceelin Gummies with Zinc Redefines Protection with Leveled-Up Immunity, Made Fun and Easy for Every Day

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The Vitamin C + Zinc gummy in the market that makes daily defense truly enjoyable for kids

Children are constantly exposed to everyday environments that challenge their immune systems. As parents, how do we ensure that our kids are always protected, even when they’re outside, playing for hours on end? What measures do we take to give them leveled-up immunity support?

Built on the idea that daily protection should be more of a habit than a chore is Ceelin Gummies with Zinc, which presents leveled-up immunity support. As the newest Vitamin C + Zinc gummy in the market, it redefines what daily vitamins can look, feel, and taste like – thoughtfully designed for kids to genuinely enjoy.

Ceelin Gummies with Zinc combines Vitamin C and Zinc in convenient, individually packed bear-shaped, gummies in orange flavor that kids can enjoy anytime, anywhere. It is designed to help support children’s leveled up immunity and make daily supplementation an enjoyable, kid-friendly routine, alongside proper diet and exercise.

Celebrity Mom Host, Nadine Samonte, with Ceelin’s CeeCee Bear and Scouts at the Legazpi Sunday Market

(Photos courtesy of Ceelin)

To fully showcase how taking vitamins can be consistently fun and exciting, Ceelin Gummies with Zinc visited Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati City on May 24 with CeeCee Bear, the best friend of kids for fun, easy, daily immunity. Together with celebrity mom Nadine Samonte, CeeCee Bear interacted with kids and invited them to take on the thrilling “CeeCee Says Challenge.”

Nadine Samonte conversing with moms and kids at the Legazpi Sunday Market

(Photo courtesy of Ceelin)

The CeeCee Says Challenge brought pure joy and lighthearted fun as Nadine and CeeCee Bear led the kids through playful cues that got them shouting, jumping, and laughing. What started as simple actions gradually leveled up into more exciting challenges, mirroring how Ceelin Gummies with Zinc raises the bar with leveled-up immunity support that children can truly enjoy.

Beyond the challenge, the activation also opened up light and engaging immunity conversations with moms, where they were asked simple questions about their everyday habits and routines in helping level up their children’s immunity. To make the experience more authentic, moms and kids were also invited to try Ceelin Gummies with Zinc on the spot, allowing their genuine reactions to the product’s look, feel, and taste to come through naturally.

Moms and kids happily posing at the Ceelin Gummies with Zinc booth at the Legazpi Sunday Market

(Photo courtesy of Ceelin)

To cap it off, Nadine and CeeCee Bear handed out Ceelin Gummies with Zinc to the participants and their parents, encouraging consistency in daily vitamin intake by turning immunity time into something kids can truly look forward to.

Make daily immunity support yummy, enjoyable, convenient, and consistent with the new Ceelin Gummies with Zinc, also available in Ceelin Gummies with Vitamin C, available in drugstores nationwide and on e-commerce platforms. For more information, follow Ceelin on Facebook (@UnilabCeelin), Instagram (@ceelin.ph), and TikTok (@ceelinunilab)

Mahalagang Paalala: Ang Ceelin Gummies with Zinc at Ceelin Gummies ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting pang-gamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.

San Marino Consulate Expands Education Efforts Through Partnerships for Filipino Youth

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As education continues to evolve in a rapidly changing world, meaningful partnerships have become increasingly important in expanding learning opportunities for students beyond the classroom. Through collaborations with local organizations, schools, and community groups, the Consulate General of the Republic of San Marino in the Philippines continues to strengthen programs that help young Filipinos grow academically, culturally, and socially.

By working closely with educational institutions and community stakeholders, the Consulate has expanded initiatives that promote lifelong learning and expose students to broader cultural and global perspectives. These efforts reflect the growing understanding that education today extends beyond textbooks and traditional instruction—it also involves nurturing creativity, cultural awareness, and a deeper appreciation of the world.

According to Consul General Jean Henri Lhuillier, education must equip young people with the skills and mindset needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected future.

“Education today must prepare students not only to read and write, but also to understand the world around them, appreciate culture, and adapt to the future. Young learners need opportunities that encourage curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong desire to learn,” said Lhuillier.

This vision has guided several educational and cultural initiatives supported by the Consulate over the years. Beyond promoting literacy, these programs seek to create enriching learning experiences that help students become globally aware while remaining grounded in their communities and cultural identity.

Among the Consulate’s longstanding collaborators is Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI), whose partnership has further strengthened efforts to make educational and community-based programs more accessible to Filipino youth. Together, they continue to support initiatives that encourage literacy, creativity, and inclusive learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

One such initiative is the Consulate’s partnership with Bookmark, Inc. to publish Pamilyang Papel, a children’s activity and storytelling material designed to make cultural education more engaging and accessible. The publication promotes reading, creativity, and the formation of values through interactive learning experiences that introduce young readers to culture and heritage.

Building on these efforts, the Consulate, in collaboration with Cebuana Lhuillier and LINKS Philippines, has continued to strengthen the Hooked on Books Program, an initiative aimed at enhancing learning environments and fostering a stronger culture of reading among Filipino students. The latest project under the program is the development of the JHL-RSM Library, the 30th milestone Hooked on Books (HOB) library established through the initiative.

As part of the project, Leonor Petra G. Elepaño met with representatives of the local government and the city administration of Manila, including city administrator Atty. Eduardo Quintos, who expressed support for the initiative and its potential impact on the community.

Currently under construction at Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School, the JHL-RSM Library forms part of the Consulate’s broader commitment to creating more inclusive and supportive spaces for learning. In preparation for its opening, volunteers and partners participated in a three-day community effort that included mural painting activities, library setup, and storytelling sessions for students. These activities reflect the program’s holistic approach to literacy, combining access to books with creative learning experiences that encourage children to develop a lifelong love for reading.

The project has also received support from several private-sector partners. Boysen donated mural paints that helped transform the facility into a vibrant and engaging space for students, while TOSOT served as the project’s air-conditioning sponsor.

Meanwhile, Archispace Design Inc. contributed to the construction and design of the learning space alongside JAS Design and Build Development Corp., led by Sandy Ocampo and Alvin Lu, further highlighting the collaborative effort behind the initiative.

As the project continues to take shape, it reflects San Marino’s enduring commitment to supporting educational programs that expand access to knowledge, encourage cultural appreciation, and help prepare young Filipinos for the opportunities and challenges of the future. Through initiatives such as the JHL-RSM Library, the Consulate continues to demonstrate how partnerships can help create meaningful learning experiences that empower the next generation of Filipino learners.