Gracee's Lifestyle Journal

At ART SG, AXA Philippines celebrates the power of art to inspire, connect, and create impact—with Cyril Kongo and his iconic artwork. Each January, Singapore draws the global art world together. Collectors, curators, and creatives gather at ART SG not only to view museum-quality works, but to take the pulse of contemporary art in Southeast Asia. This year, the fair welcomes a new participant to that conversation: AXA Philippines, marking its first appearance at ART SG as part of a unified regional presence by the AXA Group. While AXA XL, the Property & Casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, returns to ART SG for the fourth consecutive year, having supported the fair since its inaugural edition, ART SG 2026 represents a broader coming together of AXA Group entities across Southeast Asia. Alongside AXA Philippines are AXA Thailand, Krungthai-AXA Life, and AXA Insurance Indonesia, reflecting a shared commitment to nurturing the region’s creative ecosystem and engaging meaningfu...

As Filipinos set sharper financial goals for the year ahead, the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) introduced “Tara, Bonding Tayo!”, a conversation video series hosted by the “Philippines’ King of Talk” Boy Abunda that makes money discussions timely and grounded in real-world experiences. The series brings honest, relatable discussions about money, wealth, and everyday financial realities into the open, which is timely for this new season of reassessing financial goals. It centers on how Filipinos from different walks of life think about money, responsibility, and long-term security. Instead of focusing on numbers, jargon, or financial products, the series centers on real-life stories where money decisions affect relationships, self-worth, and family dynamics. These are conversations many Filipinos recognize but rarely have out loud. “Wealth can mean many things. For some, it’s peace of mind. For others, it’s time, freedom, or legacy. But one thing is for sure—everyone deserves ...

Sustainability by Design. An on-site wastewater treatment facility at the Danao Commissary treats   all wastewater to meet environmental standards, helping safeguard local water resources. The  system was built into the facility’s design from the outset, reflecting the Jollibee Group’s   commitment to sustainability by design. The Jollibee Group highlighted the sustainability-driven design   and community impact of its Danao Commissary in Cebu, underscoring how responsible  manufacturing practices are embedded into the company’s operations as part of its Joy for   Tomorrow global sustainability agenda. “Designed with sustainability at its core, our Danao Commissary integrates  environmental initiatives directly into everyday operations, supporting the Jollibee   Group’s commitment to scaling our manufacturing and logistics footprint  responsibly,” said Michael T. Ong, President, Manufacturing and Logistics, Jollibee...

Laguna Water, a Non-East Zone operating unit of Manila Water providing water, used water, and environmental services across several municipalities in Laguna, has declared and remitted ₱172 million in dividends to its shareholders, including the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL), for 2024. Beyond the dividend sharing, the partnership between the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL) and Laguna Water has delivered remarkable progress, improved water quality and pressure, reduced system losses, enhanced customer service and billing systems, and the rollout of environmental and social programs that protect Laguna’s natural resources and uplift communities. Manila Water Chief Operating Officer for Non-East Zone and President of Laguna Water, Melvin John M. Tan, expressed gratitude to PGL for its continued support and partnership.  “Sharing these dividends with the Provincial Government of Laguna reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared vision for progress. Public-Priv...

Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions company in the Asia-Pacific region, has successfully turned over 1,000 handcrafted armchairs to elementary schools in the municipalities of Binangonan and Cardona on Talim Island. The initiative, titled, “Seats for Sustainability,” was led by Vena Energy’s subsidiary, Island Wind Energy Corp. (IWEC). It marks a significant milestone in the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, delivering a dual impact: improving the learning environment for thousands of students while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for the island’s residents.  Empowering Education in Remote Communities The turnover ceremonies were held on 22 January 2026 at Kasile Covered Court (Binangonan) and 23 January 2026 at Lambac Covered Court (Cardona). The donation benefits multiple schools, including Kasile Elementary School, Bombong Elementary School, Kinagatan Elementary School, and Lambac Elementary School.  For remote areas like Tali...

(PCPPI and Gawad Kalinga launched the Reading for Excellence and Development (READ) Program at Pinagsanhan Elementary School in Maragondon, Cavite) The Philippines continues to face a serious literacy challenge, with many children and young adults struggling to comprehend what they read despite being able to read and write.  According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), while about 93.1% of Filipinos aged 10 to 64 have basic literacy skills, only 70.8% are considered functionally literate—they can meaningfully understand and use written information—leaving more than one in five Filipinos with difficulty in comprehension. This learning crisis highlights the urgent need for targeted literacy interventions across the country.  To help address this challenge, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, has partnered with Gawad Kalinga to laun...