Gracee's Lifestyle Journal

The 3rd ASEAN Battery Technology Conference (ABTC) successfully concluded on 29 August 2025. Set within the eco-conscious surroundings of Phuket, the conference underscored ASEAN’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The three-day event was organized by the Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA) in collaboration with five leading battery and EV organizations across ASEAN. This year's conference was attended by more than 340 participants, including Mr. Samawit Supanpai, Deputy Governor of Phuket. It also welcomed a distinguished group of speakers, such as Nobel Laureate Prof. Stanley Whittingham, and Prof. Shirley Meng (University of Chicago / Argonne), along with leading institutions NCSTT (Indonesia), NanoMalaysia, and Singapore Battery Consortium. Themed around safety, financing, and future growth, the panel discussion sessions from industry leaders and researchers covered latest scientific breakthroughs, strategies to build resilient battery supply chain...

Manila Water Foundation, the social development arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company, in partnership with its Service Area teams, recently conducted a series of handover ceremonies to distribute Refrigerated Drinking Fountains (RDFs) across select cities in Metro Manila and municipalities in Rizal. This initiative aims to promote hydration for better health, support solid waste management, and encourage the use of reusable water tumblers to reduce plastic bottle pollution. The handover events took place at Taguig Integrated School in Taguig City, San Isidro Labrador Elementary School in Rodriguez, Rizal, and both the Philippine Science High School and University of the Philippines Integrated School in Quezon City. A total of over 60 Refrigerated Drinking Fountains will be installed in 60 schools and public spaces, reinforcing the importance of hydration and the role of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs in advancing health and nutrition outcomes. To further ...

Clive Aranha, General Manager of Hotel Casiana & Events Center, together with his dedicated team, continues to deliver seamless guest experiences—powered by reliable connectivity and digital solutions from PLDT Enterprise   For Clive Aranha, General Manager of Hotel Casiana, hospitality is about  earning every guest’s trust, one thoughtful detail at a time —whether it’s a warm greeting, a child’s smile in the play club, or a wedding that goes off without a hitch.   “At Hotel Casiana, our mission is to delight discerning travelers by curating extraordinary experiences and unforgettable memories,” said Aranha.   Hotel Casiana, located along the scenic Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway, is a ten-story sanctuary that marries Scandinavian aesthetics with Filipino warmth. Built to accommodate families, corporate teams, and eventgoers alike, the hotel offers premium amenities such as a heated pool, wellness center, children’s carousel, and a variety of versatile functi...

East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) earned two top honors at The Asian Banker Philippine Excellence Awards 2025, winning Best Foreign Exchange Service and Best Digital Ecosystem & Platform. These show EastWest’s drive to deliver high-value, customer-focused, and innovative banking solutions for Filipinos at every life stage.   These awards capture the heart of EastWest’s mission to make banking easier and more inclusive. Whether through competitive and transparent foreign exchange services or a digital ecosystem designed for all, the Bank continues to build solutions that meet the unique needs of every customer at every stage of their financial journey. This is the EasyWay to Bank.   From L–R: EastWest Chief Digital Officer, Harvey Libarnes; Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Issa Yap; Metro Manila Sales Officer, Trina Marie Burgos; and Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management Cluster, Raffy Algarra, Jr., who represented the Bank at The Asian Banker Phi...

The 3rd ASEAN Battery Technology Conference (ABTC) returned stronger with over 340 participants from more than 20 countries, from across continents, Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America aiming to build a strong ASEAN Battery Ecosystem and launch the ASEAN Battery Safety Network (ABSN). Hosted by the Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA) in collaboration with five other leading battery and EV organizations in ASEAN, at SAii Laguna Phuket between 27th and 29th August 2025. The 2025 conference was officially opened by Mr. Samawit Supanpai, Deputy Governor of Phuket .   In his opening speech, Mr Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen, Secretary to the Minister of Industry, addressed the guests and media and shared that “Thailand and Asia are built on regional strength, turning crisis into opportunities. We are accelerating the development of EV’s as we no longer just assemble EVs but build batteries from the cell level up, filling the missing link in our supply chain and pos...

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) is raising the bar for sustainability in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, having recovered 13,000 metric tons of plastic waste in 2024 through its ongoing partnership with Plastic Bank, an international social fintech with a global bottle deposit program. The initiative not only ensured compliance with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Lawa requirement for companies to recover a percentage of the volume of their plastic outputbut also empowered waste collectors, engaged local communities, and positioned PCPPI as one of the countrys most forward-thinking companies in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership. Plastic Bank partnered with us into thinking beyond compliance. We transformed sustainability into a company-wide mindset that involves every employee, partner, and community we touch, said Atty. Carina Bayon, Chief ESG Officer of PCPPI. This has created real, measurable value across our business and t...

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) officially opens the call for entries for the  61st Anvil Awards , the country’s most prestigious award-giving body in public relations. This year’s theme, “ The 61st Second: Pushing Past Possibilities ,” challenges communicators to surpass conventional norms and go beyond what is expected. The theme underscores the evolving nature of communication in an age where relevance, speed, and impact are more intertwined than ever before. As organizations continue to navigate the complex intersection of technology, public sentiment, and purpose-driven storytelling, the Anvil Awards continues to recognize exceptional PR programs, tools, and professionals that shape narratives and lead meaningful change. To guide entrants in crafting award-worthy submissions, PRSP will host the annual  “How to Win an Anvil”  session on  August 26 . The face-to-face seminar will walk participants through this year’s updated mechanics, impro...