RMN Region 3

26/09/2025

NEGROS HERITAGE SHINES AT THE GRAND OPENING OF HIMBON: THE 39TH NEGROS TRADE FAIR AT SMX AURA

Taguig City, Philippines – September 23, 2025 – The country’s longest-running provincial trade fair officially opened today at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, igniting a new chapter for Negros heritage and enterprise with its 39th edition, “Himbon” —meaning to gather.

Some of you may not remember that the Negros Trade Fair once found a home at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in the mid-1990s. Back then, it was modest in scale but already brimming with the entrepreneurial spirit and artistry of the Negrense community. That same spirit has carried this fair forward across generations.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the beloved Negros Trade Fair (NTF) returns to the spotlight at SM Supermalls, with its historic debut at SM Aura, uniting government leaders, business partners, and Negrense artisans in a powerful celebration of culture and creativity.

Hosted by the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) in partnership with SM Supermalls, the grand opening underscored SM’s commitment to championing Filipino MSMEs, providing a platform where tradition thrives alongside innovation.

“This fair is more than an exhibition — it is a gathering that celebrates the best of Negros. We are honored to host it here at SMX Aura, and to help ensure that Negrense heritage and creativity continue to thrive for future generations,” said Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

The opening drew a dynamic mix of media, influencers, and Manila’s society personalities — amplifying the fair’s buzz both onsite and online.

A Vibrant Showcase of Negros’ Finest

Guests were treated to a feast for the senses across six categories:

Food – Authentic Negrense delicacies, heirloom recipes, artisanal flavors

Fashion – Handwoven textiles, sustainable wear, and modern heritage styles

Gifts, Décor & Homestyle – Elegant handcrafted pieces rooted in Negrense artistry
Natural & Organic – Skincare, wellness, and sustainable lifestyle finds
Tourism – Destinations and cultural experiences from Negros
Furniture & Furnishings – Export-quality designs inspired by Negros’ soul and soil

A Platform for Progress
What started in 1985 with just 30 vendors has grown into a national institution that nurtures MSMEs and elevates Negrense creativity onto the global stage. This year’s fair is the biggest yet — 139 exhibitors across 2,500 sqm — making it the largest showcase in the fair’s history. The 39th Negros Trade Fair runs September 23–28, 2025 at SMX Aura Convention Center, SM Aura.

Visitors are invited to taste, shop, and experience the vibrant stories of Negros — all in one place.

26/09/2025

Umaabot sa mahigit 120,000 pamilya, o tinatayang 433,000 katao, ang napilitang lumikas bunsod ng pananalasa ng , ayon sa ulat ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Sa isang pulong-balitaan, iniulat ni OCD Assistant Sec. Rafaelito Alejandro IV na umabot na sa 120,888 pamilya ang nagsilikas mula sa mga lugar na tinamaan at patuloy na binabayo ng bagyo. | via Angel Garcia, RMN Manila

26/09/2025

SBMA, nagdaos ng Job Fair para sa National Tourism Month

Mahigit 4,000 trabaho ang inialok sa isinagawang National Tourism Month Job Fair ng Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) noong Miyerkules, Setyembre 24, sa Ayala Malls Harbor Point sa Subic Bay Freeport. Lumahok dito ang 52 locators na nagbukas ng oportunidad para sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho.

Pinangunahan nina SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III, Tourism Manager Mary Jamelle Camba, at Labor Department Manager Atty. Melvin Varias ang pagbubukas ng job fair kasama ang mga kinatawan mula sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at mga lokal na opisyal ng PESO at Ayala Malls.

Ang naturang job fair ay sama-samang inilunsad ng SBMA Tourism at Labor Departments bilang bahagi ng selebrasyon ng National Tourism Month at World Tourism Day 2025. Layunin nitong makapagbigay ng trabaho at makasuporta sa industriya ng turismo sa Subic at karatig-lugar. | via Mhike Cigaral

26/09/2025

26/09/2025

Over 48,800 Volunteers Collect 200 Metric Tons of Trash in Nationwide Coastal Cleanup

Over 48,800 volunteers from across the Philippines gathered simultaneously at 28 SM malls nationwide to mark the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025, the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health collecting over 200,000 kilograms of trash.

Leading the nationwide movement, SM By the Bay served as the flagship site, bringing together thousands of volunteers to clear Manila Bay’s shoreline of marine debris. Across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, SM malls became community hubs where over 500 groups—spanning private organizations, government agencies, NGOs, schools, civil society, and local communities—united to protect the country’s waterways.

This year’s ICC coincides with SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and community collaboration through its campaign. The cleanup also forms a major part of the SM Green Movement, which integrates environmental, social, and community initiatives into SM’s programs.


“Through our Waste-Free Future vision, we commit to empowering communities and championing responsible waste management, recycling, and circular practices, making them a part of everyday life, through simple, everyday actions,” said Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

“To every volunteer, you embody the true spirit of bayanihan: lifting not just waste from our shores, but lifting each other toward a higher standard of care for our common home,” he added.

This year, more than 200,000 kilograms of trash were collected. And beyond numbers, the human stories—families, youth, employees, and community members taking part—show how collective action can create lasting change.



Partner organizations also underscored the value of collaboration. “Working with SM Cares amplifies the impact of ICC by providing venues, mobilizing volunteers, and connecting diverse groups for one shared mission: protecting marine biodiversity,” said Marilou G. Erni, Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Joining the cleanup made me realize that every small action counts. Seeing thousands of people—students, families, co-workers—all working together for the same cause gave me hope that we can build a cleaner, healthier future for the next generation,” said Marife Rapa, a volunteer participant from WSAudiology Philippines Corp.

SM Cares has been a consistent partner of ICC for years, with each edition seeing growing scale and influence. This year, as ICC marks its 40th anniversary, SM continues to be recognized as its largest private sector partner in the Philippines—demonstrating how private-public partnerships can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.

Through efforts like coastal cleanups, SM Supermalls continues to strengthen its role as a community builder—creating malls that are more than destinations for leisure and shopping, but hubs where citizens can come together to shape a waste-free, sustainable tomorrow.

About SM Green Movement
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, committed to creating sustainable, innovative, and inclusive spaces for Filipinos. Guided by its vision of building a better future, SM Prime develops malls, residences, offices, hotels, and leisure properties that support the growth of communities across the Philippines.

Through the SM Green Movement, SM Prime champions sustainability by focusing on waste management, water stewardship, and energy efficiency for lasting impact. The movement empowers individuals, families, and communities to take part in simple acts that create shared prosperity for generations to come.

Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers—continuously evolving to lead the way in sustainable development by integrating green design, energy efficiency, disaster resilience, and environmental stewardship into its 88 malls in the Philippines, all while creating inclusive spaces that enrich communities, support climate action, and ensure a better, more sustainable future for generations of Filipino shoppers.

26/09/2025

Sa datos ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), mula alas-12 ng hatinggabi kagabi hanggang alas-4 ng madaling araw, umabot na sa 5,520 na mga pasahero at mga driver ng rolling cargos ang stranded sa iba’t ibang pantalan sa bansa.

Samantala, stranded din ang 114 vessels, 53 motorbancas, at 2,701 rolling cargos. | via Marjo Domingo, RMN Manila

26/09/2025

25/09/2025

SM GUUN: ESTABLISHING ECOSYSTEMS FOR WASTE TRANSFORMATION
AND CIRCULARITY

Developing markets for recovered materials is a crucial step in achieving a successful waste management system for a waste-free future.

SM GUUN Environmental Company, Inc. (SM GUUN), a joint venture of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Yokohama-based Japanese environmental solutions company GUUN, takes the next bold step in its sustainability journey by creating a collaborative ecosystem dedicated to waste transformation and circularity.

The initiative, developed in collaboration with circularity partners, is designed to reimagine waste not as an endpoint but as a renewable resource.

Circularity in Action

“At SM GUUN, we see waste as the beginning of new opportunities,” said George Cheung, SM GUUN President.

This new model brings together technology innovators, manufacturers, policymakers, and community organizations. Working collectively, the group aims to scale up advanced recycling, upcycling, and waste-to-energy solutions, while reducing dependence on landfills and minimizing environmental impact.

"Through this ecosystem, and with the strength of our partners, we are turning waste into valuable resources — for the environment, the economy, and society,” said Cheung.

The initiative goes beyond waste management. It focuses on creating circular value chains that generate economic opportunity, reduce emissions, and foster social inclusion. SM GUUN emphasizes that partnerships are key to making circularity both systemic and sustainable.

A Blueprint for the Future

In Asia, establishing end markets is still a new frontier. The challenging process requires creating demand from businesses that use recovered materials for waste transformation.

A waste-free future is achieved by taking strategic steps together towards a sustainable future. Through the SM Green Movement, SM Prime champions sustainability by focusing on waste management, water stewardship, and energy efficiency for lasting impact.

“Investing in facilities to support the infrastructure that can process the raw materials is still in its infancy. That’s why it’s encouraging to have partners who are like-minded in innovation and purpose, taking collaborative action,” said Cheung.

As businesses worldwide face growing pressure to deliver on climate commitments and ESG goals, SM GUUN’s ecosystem offers a replicable model for sustainable growth. With its network of circularity partners, the company positions itself at the forefront of the circular economy transition.

25/09/2025

WATCH. Arestado ang isang 29-anyos na lalaki sa isinagawang buy-bust operation ng Hermosa Municipal Police Station at Bataan Police Intelligence Unit sa Brgy. Culis, Hermosa, Bataan, dakong alas-3:00 ng hapon nitong Hueves, Setyembre 25, 2025.

Nahuli ang suspek matapos umanong magbenta ng isang kalibre .38 revolver na walang serial number at dalawang bala sa halagang ₱2,500 sa isang pulis na nagpanggap na buyer.

Matapos ang transaksyon, nakumpiska rin mula sa suspek ang dalawang sachet ng hinihinalang shabu na tumitimbang ng humigit-kumulang limang gramo, na may tinatayang halagang ₱34,000 sa merkado.

Ayon kay Hermosa PNP chief, Major Winston Norte, nabigo ang suspek na magprisinta ng anumang dokumento para sa baril, dahilan upang siya ay agad na arestuhin. Ang mga nakumpiskang ebidensya at ang suspek ay kasalukuyang nasa kustodiya ng Hermosa Police para sa dokumentasyon at pagsasampa ng kaso.

Ayon kay PNP Bataan Provincial Director PCOL Marites A. Salvadora, patuloy ang mahigpit na kampanya laban sa iligal na droga at loose fi****ms sa lalawigan. Hinikayat din ng pulisya ang publiko na makiisa sa kanilang adhikain sa pamamagitan ng pagbabantay at pag-uulat ng kahina-hinalang aktibidad upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa Bataan. | via Mhike Cigaral, DZXL News

25/09/2025

KLASE AT TRABAHO SA PAMAHALAAN SUSPENDIDO SA ILANG LALAWIGAN DAHIL SA BAGYONG OPONG

MANILA — Ipinag-utos ng Malacañang ang suspensyon ng trabaho sa mga tanggapan ng pamahalaan at klase sa lahat ng antas sa Metro Manila at ilang lalawigan sa Visayas at Luzon ngayong Setyembre 26, 2025, dahil sa inaasahang malakas na ulan na dulot ng Severe Tropical Storm "Opong."

Ayon sa Memorandum Circular No. 102 na nilagdaan ni Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, kabilang sa mga probinsyang apektado (walang pasok sa government offices at lahat ng antas ng klase) ang Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Masbate, Romblon at Sorsogon.

Suspendido naman ang klase sa lahat ng antas sa Aklan, Albay, Antique, Batangas, Bataan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Cavite, Catanduanes, Guimaras, Iloilo, Laguna, Leyte, Marinduque, Negros Occidental, Oriental Mindoro, Rizal at Quezon.

Gayunpaman, mananatiling bukas at operational ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na may kinalaman sa pangunahing serbisyo, kalusugan, at disaster response. Ang suspensyon ng trabaho sa pribadong sektor ay nakadepende naman sa pasya ng kani-kanilang mga pinuno. Epektibo agad ang kautusan.