The recently concluded 2nd Pink Argonauts Underwater Photography Event was a splashing success. Participated by 44 underwater photographers from different parts of the country, the much-awaited awards night and graduation of the Zero to Hero Dive Master program were held last Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort located in Mabini, Batangas. The event was graced by the Department of Tourism IV-A Regional Director Marites T. Castro.
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| The Pink Argonauts with sponsors. From left (front) Dinah Duran, Jocs Reyes, Department of Tourism IV-A Regional Director Marites T. Castro, Avic Maramot, Maida Bohn of Pacifica Dive, Tessa Neri, Julie Belle Lim of Bank of Singapore, Arabelle Jimenez, (back) Joedyn Padua, Marco Santos, Gage Veridiano of PADI, Torben Bohn of Pacifica Dive, Felino Neri of Armscor, and Monch Henares of BuildMeUp Corp. |
They started as boatmen and fisherfolk. Today, they are PADI Certified Dive Masters and Anilao Dive Guides. Thanks to the grassroots initiative by The Pink Argonauts, last year’s dream has come into fruition, not only for the beneficiaries, but for the diving community as well. The beneficiaries mostly come from underprivileged families who live in Mabini, Batangas, and entered a rigid selection process.
As industries rapidly adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and undergo digital transformation, risks of data breaches, unauthorized transactions and system failures are more pressing than ever. For businesses navigating these challenges, staying secure and compliant is critical.
Subic Bay Freeport Zone recently witnessed an evening of mystery and sophistication as Le Charmé Suites - Subic hosted a Venetian Masquerade Ball last December 31, 2024. Guests arrived adorned in elaborate masks and attire, embodying the grandeur of Venetian tradition.
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| Coconut Christmas Tree |
The first-ever COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair, held from December 2-4, 2024, at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall, has concluded with resounding success, marking a significant leap forward for the Philippine coconut industry. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Bureau of Market Development, Promotions and OTOP (BMDPO), in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and 14 other implementing agencies, the event served as a dynamic platform to showcase the vast potential and innovation within the country's coconut sector.
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| Mall-goers try the asim-kilig of Knorr Sinigang Mix. |
Knorr Sinigang Mix brought “asim-kilig” to rainy Manila by transforming the iconic SM Mall of Asia By The Bay fountain into a giant sinigang bowl – complete with broth and traditional sinigang ingredients -- amid a rich coming-together of lights and music that captured the hearts and whetted the appetites of mall-goers.
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| BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco |
In response to the escalating threat of cyber fraud and scams in the country, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) continues to ramp up the nation’s cybersecurity strategies as it spearheads the BPI Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection Conference 2024, urging Filipinos to participate and proactively combat cyberthreats in the country.
ArenaPlus, the 24/7 online sports betting app, has inked a 2-year partnership with the Philippines men's national basketball team, GILAS Pilipinas, becoming their official sportsbook partner. This collaboration follows ArenaPlus' groundbreaking bond with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to bring the highly anticipated FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 to the Philippines.
As travel and tourism go perfectly with this year’s summer season, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is bringing unique products from across the country closer to tourists through the special Bagsakan sa Intramuros on March 25 to April 2 at the Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila City.
The highly anticipated Manila Coffee Festival 2023 (MCF2023), a celebration of Philippine coffees, Filipino coffee growers, and Filipino coffee culture, is finally happening on March 17, 18, and 19 2023 at the newest event venue in town, the MGBX Convention Hall, Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
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| Executives of the WATER PHILIPPINES and PHILENERGY announces the PhilEnergy Expo 2023 during a press conference held on February 22, 2023 in Pasay City, Philippines. From left, Engr. Ranella Joy F. Delos Reyes, National Media Relations Officer of the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Dr. Dickson San Juan of Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA), Mr. Gerard Leeuwenburgh, Country General Manager of Informa Markets Philippines, Mr. Alexander Ablaza, President of Philippine Enrgy Efficiency Alliances, Inc., Mr. Erel Narida, President of Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines, and Engr. Loreto G. Catalan, PME, President of Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, Inc. Photo by Monch Henares |
The country’s leading and biggest international water supply, sanitation, industrial wastewater treatment, and water purification event is staging a comeback after a three-year hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic.
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| Newly crowned queens of Isabela from left, 2nd Runner-Up Ms. Cherry Lee Garlijo from the municipality of Alicia, Queen Isabela Culture and the Arts: Ms. Johanna Trisha C. Cinco from the municipality of Ramon, Queen Isabela 2023: Ms. Catherine Joy L. Legaspi from the municipality of San Manuel, Queen Isabela Tourism: Ms. Julie Mae Villanueva from the City of Cauayan. and 1st Runner-Up: Ms. Jaycel Lumauig representing the Indigenous Peoples Community. Photo by Teddy Pelaez |
Bambanti, which means "scarecrow", is now synonymous to festival for Isabelinos, as they celebrate the harvest of their staple agricultural products, which is rice and corn. The bambantis are revered by the locals for protecting their crops from unwanted feathered-creatures who swoop down and devour miles of corn in the Province of Isabela, which is also dubbed the Corn Capital of the Philippines.
With the theme, "Isabela, Pagharap Sa Bagong Hamon Ng Kinabukasan", the festival signals the start of a "new future" , motivating Isabelinos to overcome challenges in an environment that has uncertainties in terms of economic growth, thus everyone should strengthen their socio-cultural development, and progress shall follow.
Giant Bambanti Showcase
A province-wide "Search for the Best Giant Bambanti" was participated by all the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Province of Isabela. Each official entry epitomized the character of the place and people it represents. This include their local culture, history, trade, industry, and physical environment. The Isabela Provincial Capitol Compound was transformed into a colorful Bambanti Village.
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| Municipality of Luna uses rattan for their giant mermaid. |
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| 3rd Place winner of the Giant Bambanti Competition Category A goes to the Municipality of Divilacan. |
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| Corn husks and banig are the main materials of this 2nd Place winner of the Giant Bambanti Competition Category A from the Municipality of Alicia. |
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| This fish-studded (sap-sap) giant is the 1st Place winner of the Giant Bambanti Competition Category A from the Municipality of Dinapigue. |
Queen Isabela Coronation Night
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| Newly crowned queens of Isabela from left, 2nd Runner-Up Ms. Cherry Lee Garlijo from the municipality of Alicia, Queen Isabela Culture and the Arts: Ms. Johanna Trisha C. Cinco from the municipality of Ramon, Queen Isabela 2023: Ms. Catherine Joy L. Legaspi from the municipality of San Manuel, Queen Isabela Tourism: Ms. Julie Mae Villanueva from the City of Cauayan. and 1st Runner-Up: Ms. Jaycel Lumauig representing the Indigenous Peoples Community. |
Stunning candidates representing their Municipalities and Cities paraded on stage wearing queenly gowns which will make Miss Universe pagaents a run for their money.
The annual search for the beauteous and intelligent Isabelena is a major event in every Bambanti Festival. The search also features very artistic creations of the various local designers interpreting Queen Isabela II of Spain, who are vying for the Best Creative Attire.
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| Spectacular staging of the Queen Isabela 2023 Coronation Night. |
Thirty candidates, who are already queens in their own rights were trimmed down to top 10, then top five, and ultimately the announcement of the top three winners who took home the crown with the titles Queen Isabela, Isabela Queen Tourism, and Isabela Queen Culture and the Arts.
The Bambanti Festival 2023 will definitely continue with a different perspective, inspiring every Isabelino to use his creativity and recognize his heritage through various arts, cultural, and even culinary activities.
For the full list of festival winners, see related article here.
For the country’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the Christmas season presents opportunities as Filipinos celebrate the holidays this year with greater freedom to go out, get together, and of course, shop!
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| Jean-Hubert FABRE at the vineyard of his family-owned chateau of the Domaines Fabre Haut-Medoc & Margaux in France. |
Le Cellier French Wine Selection in partnership with Domaines FABRE Haut-Médoc & Margaux brings to Manila, French winemaker, Jean-Hubert FABRE for a taste of fine wines from their vineyard in Bordeaux, France. This 3-course wine pairing dinner will be held on November 29, 2022 at The Champagne Room of The Manila Hotel.
Globe hopes to focus on what's extraordinary in daily life with this year’s 917 #ExtraGDayEveryday, giving Filipinos access to rewarding experiences and things they missed during the prolonged lockdown due to the pandemic.
The TOYCON PH 2022 takes centerstage on July 8 up to July 10, 2022 at Megatrade Halls, 5/F of the SM Megamall Building B. The event is organized by VLAC Event Management Inc and co-presented by Lazada and Smart Signature.
TOYCON started as a gathering of like-minded people, a collaboration of enthusiasts putting together the biggest pop culture event in the country and in South East Asia. It boasts of a cutting-edge show, which has been imitated but never duplicated.
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For TOYCON fans, it’s no secret that Voltes V holds a special place in this convention’s heart. The iconic robot has never missed a spot among the collage of colorful characters since ToyCon started. Voltes V has even become the central symbol of the show, with the huge statue in 2016 when organizers first moved the convention to SMX in Pasay City.
The fleet of Voltes V ships gracing 2017 merchandise, and TOYCON’s launch of the Tamashii Nations Super Electromagnetic Machine VOLTES V, Bandai Spirits DLX Soul of Chogokin made waves in 2020.
Voltes V takes center stage again as part of a promise made by event partner, Quiccs. Creating its trademark in 2019, the TEQ-63 is unmistakably in Voltes V style. This year, in partnership with TOEI Co. Ltd. Telesuccess, organizers are all set to finally launch it at ToyCon Ph 2022.
It’s been too long since the community of pop culture fans and collectors have come together since the pandemic. For many, this long drought without any gathering to celebrate common love for all things creative, innovative and collectible just added more excitement in this much-anticipated show. All fans and the loyal community can finally come home.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- The biggest Voltes V Licensing and merchandise exhibit in collaboration with Telesuccess Productions Inc.
- Surprise Celebrity appearances (to be announced soon!)
- Funko Funatics Philippines release of exclusives and celebrity signings
- Top toy studios and designers from the region on exhibit
- TOYCON Creator’s Alley – co-organized by the Bulletpunk Network where the top Filipino toy creators meet the up and coming young upstart creators
- Artist Alley – co-organized by Komiket with some of the Philippines top comic book artist/s assembled for signing and sketching
- The TOYCON Collectors Gallery c/o the Philippine Toy Groups Association
- Toy Art and Toy Customizing competition
- ToyClick and Cosclick Photography contest
- The TOYCON Cosplay Competition and the World Cosplay Summit
- Collectors and Customizers Panel discussions
- The Pinoy Pop Culture Icon Awards
- Biggest collectibles retail floor of more than 250 booths
WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR?
- Online selling seminars, live auctions and livestreams courtesy of Lazada
- VIP access, NFT workshops and Bulletpunk BitWars art courtesy of Smart Signature
At the heart of the Voltes V story is a tale of a family divided, of struggles suffered and surpassed, but ultimately a reunion of love. This is what ToyCon is all about. This year, it is a much-awaited homecoming, as we return to the place where it all started.
Save the date:
July 8 - 10, 2022 at the Megatrade Halls, SM Megamall Building B, Mandaluyong City.
Sponsored by:
Telesuccess Productions, MaxiCollector, Great Toys Online, Legendary Beasts Studios, EC Collectibles, Filbars, Toy Empire, Bully Boy Collectibles, and DHL.
In cooperation with:
Vans, Yori, Funko Funatic Philippines, Warner Brothers, and The Linden Suites
Media partners:
ABS-CBN, 106.7 Energy FM and FPS PH.
Event partners Anime Alliance, Ex-Link Events, Komiket, PICOF, and the Philippine Toy Group Association.
For details contact:
ToyconPh@gmail.com
toyconmarketing@gmail.com
For event details go to: www.toyconph.com or Like ToyConPh on Facebook and Twitter
Tickets are available online at SMTickets.com and the TOYCON 2022 store on Lazada.
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| Gwyneth Paltrow, CEO of GOOP. |
