Jakie and the Beadstalk

   Naprey Almario (right), one of Cebuana Lhuillier’s top-performing Authorized Agents in Mindanao, turned a pandemic setback into a thriving business, bringing financial services closer to his community.  Across the Philippines, more than 30,000 Cebuana Lhuillier Authorized Agents are strengthening local communities by transforming neighborhood businesses into trusted financial hubs that provide convenient access to essential financial services. Through remittances, bills payment, bank transfers, insurance, e-load, and other financial services, these community-based businesses are meeting everyday financial needs while unlocking new revenue streams.  "Our Authorized Agents show how entrepreneurship can make a real difference in people's lives," said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. "When local businesses grow, they create opportunities for their communities and help bring essential financial services closer to more Filipinos."  One ...

  As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, a critical question emerges: Is greater productivity coming at the expense of employee well-being? Premier Value Provider, Inc. (PVP), a Philippine-based workforce performance solutions company, explored the mental health risks and benefits of AI during its recent webinar, “Smarter Work, Healthier Minds? The Mental Health Impact of AI,” highlighting why responsible technology adoption, supportive leadership, and human connection remain essential to healthier workplaces. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform how people work, organizations are embracing its ability to streamline tasks, accelerate decision-making, and improve productivity. But amid the growing enthusiasm for AI, one important question remains: Are workplaces becoming more efficient at the expense of employee well-being? This question was at the center of Premier Value Provider, Inc. (PVP)'s recently concluded mental health webinar, “Smarter Work, He...

  Miranalla Farm will host a hands-on Earthbag Building Workshop in Guindulman, Bohol, from November 23–29, 2026, led by architect and natural builder Rebecca Whan of Auwa Earth. preview What if one of the most useful materials for building was already beneath our feet? That question is at the heart of Miranalla Farm’s upcoming Earthbag Building Workshop, a seven-day hands-on natural building program taking place from November 23–29, 2026, at the working permaculture farm in Guindulman, Bohol. Discover how earth offers a natural, durable, and beautiful way to build. Discover how earth offers a natural, durable, and beautiful way to build. Earthbag building is a construction method in which sturdy woven bags are filled with damp local subsoil, stacked in courses, tamped until solid, and secured between layers with barbed wire. The completed walls are then protected with natural earth or lime plaster. The method is relatively simple, but its relationship with the land is what makes i...

   Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan is a leading Southeast Asian development economist and public servant who received the Outstanding SEARCA Scholarship Alumni (OSSA) Award in Research from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture. Beginning his academic journey with a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1982, he dedicated his career to addressing the socioeconomic challenges confronting smallholder farmers and vulnerable rural households. Rather than treating economic growth merely as an abstract statistic, he shifted the paradigm of poverty measurement across the Philippines and East Asia from simple headcount tallies to assessing the actual depth and severity of deprivation. By demonstrating the complex links between agricultural issues, income distribution, and regional inequality, his research provided crucial evidence for universities, development banks, and government institut...

   Singapore's iconic skyline and famous attractions are worth experiencing. But for travelers who prefer to follow their curiosity, some of the most memorable discoveries happen when they venture beyond the usual sightseeing checklist. Think creative spaces that reward a closer look, heritage destinations that reveal the stories behind a neighborhood, and unexpected stops that turn a regular day out into something worth remembering. For independent travelers, Singapore isn't just a destination to see — it's a city to explore on their own terms. Through their partnership, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) invite Filipino travelers to discover more of Singapore, with experiences that go beyond the familiar and make room for personal interests, spontaneous detours, and unexpected favorites. And with up to 20% OFF flights to Singapore with PAL, available for booking from October 26 to November 1, 2026, there's another reason to plan a getaway ...

  Singapore's character is shaped by the cultures, communities, and traditions that have come together across generations. From heritage districts and historic landmarks to neighborhood food and distinctive architecture, the city offers more than places to visit—it offers stories to discover. For travelers looking to understand Singapore beyond its skyline, the experience begins with exploring the places that preserve its heritage, tasting the flavors that reflect its cultural influences, and seeing how tradition continues to shape the city today. Through their partnership, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) invite Filipino travelers to discover these different layers of Singapore, with experiences that bring together cultural discovery, nature, food, and contemporary attractions. With up to 20% OFF flights to Singapore with PAL, available for booking from October 26 to November 1, 2026, there's another reason to discover the destination from a diff...