BY ALEX ALAGON
BY SHETORI ROBLES & MERRY CRIS DURON/DNSC Interns
BY SHETORI ROBLES & MERRY CRIS DURON/DNSC Interns
HUNDREDS of participants from various parts of Davao Region convened for Purple Walk, which was one of the highlights for this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day.
An estimated 7,000 participants attended the activity, representing advocacy groups, regional agencies, and schools.
With the theme “Ang Babaylan sa Bag-ong Panahon, Nagamugna ug Makiangayon na Kaugmaon,” this year’s celebration carries forward the resilience and the role of women in advocating equality.
Lorna Mandin, head of the Integrated Gender and Development Office (IGGD), read the message of Vice President Sara Duterte, who underscored the continuous initiatives of the city in championing the rights and justice for women.
“Isip inyong kanhing mayor, garbo nako nga makita ang Davao City nga padayong nag-una sa pagpasiugda sa katungod ug kaangayan sa mga kakabainhan (As your former mayor, I take pride in watching Davao City continuing to push for the rights and welfare of women)” Dutertes message read.
Furthermore, Mandin emphasized how Davao City consistently empower and value women.
“Our city has always been a sanctuary for empowerement where the voices of women are valued and instrumental in shaping our progress.” Mandin added.
The event was spearheaded by the IGGD and the Department of Tourism XI.
MANILA – Emirates can confirm that it is currently operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice.
This follows the partial re-opening of regional airspace for the safe conduct of commercial flights.
For March 5 and 6, over 100 flights will depart from Dubai and return.
These flights will carry people eager to reach their final destinations, as well as essential cargo like perishables and pharmaceuticals.
Emirates will continue to gradually build back its flying schedule, subject to airspace availability and all operational requirements being met.
Safety is always our top priority. We continue to monitor the situation and adapt our operations accordingly.
For now, customers should only proceed to the airport if they have a confirmed booking.
We urge all customers to check emirates.com and our official social media channels, where we will publish the latest updates.
THE RULES of recruitment are changing as professionals are no longer choosing employers based on compensation alone. Increasingly, they are evaluating organizations through a broader lens: leadership diversity, workplace culture, and whether gender equality is embedded into strategy — not just written into policy manuals. For many candidates, especially senior-level hires, representation at the top matters as much as remuneration.
According to the Grant Thornton Women in Business 2026 report, 97.7% of Philippine businesses say they personally consider gender equality initiatives within a company, while 71.6% identify it as a priority. These figures reflect a significant shift in mindset: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are strategic considerations influencing career decisions and corporate growth.
The data reveals a striking trend. Nearly a quarter of businesses report that potential hires have asked about the gender balance of their senior management team or requested evidence of a commitment to programs that increase or improve gender diversity during recruitment.
In fact, 40.9% of businesses now report candidates asking about gender balance, marking up to 10.2 percentage points from last year, the biggest rise among all external sources.
This signals a clear message: top talent is conducting its own due diligence. Candidates want to know whether opportunities for advancement are equitable. They want to see whether leadership pathways are genuinely accessible as they seek proof than promises.
Interestingly, recent female senior hires who joined Philippine firms within the past six months came from companies with fewer than 50 employees. This suggests that women leaders are actively seeking platforms where growth pathways are clearer, leadership is visible, and inclusion is measurable.
At P&A Grant Thornton, these findings resonate with what the firm is experiencing.
“We’re seeing candidates focus more on culture aside from numbers,” said Abe Pelayo, People and Culture Group Director of P&A Grant Thornton. “They want to know if the workplace is fair, if people are treated consistently, and if opportunities are genuinely open to everyone. For many of them, an unbiased and supportive environment matters just as much as compensation.
However, there is still work to do in terms of placing women in senior roles. The firm’s women represent 70.4% at the junior level compared to 31% at the partner level. While this reflects encouraging participation of women in the workforce pipeline, it also highlights the work still needed to ensure stronger representation at the highest levels of leadership.
On a positive note, across the Philippines, the percentage of women in senior management has increased by 1.5 percentage points to 44.5%. This is a positive development and signals forward momentum. However, progress at a measured pace underscores the importance of sustained and visible action.
“Leadership diversity directly impacts business resilience and decision-making,” says Romualdo V. Murcia III, chairman and managing partner of P&A Grant Thornton. “In today’s competitive talent environment, organizations that visibly embed gender equality into their strategy are better positioned to attract and retain high-performing leaders. Commitment must translate into measurable outcomes.”
Representation plays a powerful role in aspiration. When women see female leaders who they can relate to, they believe advancement is possible. When future talent sees gender equality integrated into corporate strategy, they are more likely to join and remain.
The research further shows that recent female senior appointments were equally split between internal promotions and external hires. This balance shows two important realities that organizations must build strong internal pipelines while also remaining attractive to experienced leaders in the market.
Yet there are warning signs. Only 8% of businesses plan to relax or have already relaxed some of their gender equality initiatives. While this figure may seem small, any rollback risks sending the wrong signal at a time when both talent and investment are increasingly scarce.
Encouragingly, 33.3% remain firmly committed and plan to implement new gender equality initiatives. This continued investment reflects an understanding that DE&I is not a short-term campaign but a long-term business imperative.
While the Philippines shows encouraging progress, significant room for improvement remains particularly in translating workforce participation into senior leadership representation.
As commitments to DE&I increasingly influence where senior leaders choose to work, large organizations must move beyond declarations and ensure accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes.
In a market where top talent has choices, organizations that make inclusion visible and measurable will shape the future of leadership.
Photo by Dane Deaner on Unsplash
MANILA, Philippines — Bossjob, the chat-first career platform for professional hiring in Southeast Asia (SEA), has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to bridge the gap between industry-standard skills and actual employment, ensuring a more efficient transition from graduation to the workforce of technical vocational education and training (TVET) graduates.
By integrating Bossjob’s AI-powered recruitment engine into the newly launched TESDA Skills Passport Mobile Application, the partnership provides a digital infrastructure designed to modernize the Philippines’ TVET ecosystem.
The partnership was formally announced during the official launch of the TESDA Skills Passport Mobile Application on February 5, 2026 at the Makabagong San Juan Theater in San Juan City. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. graced the event and highlighted the administration’s commitment to skills development as a national agenda during his speech.
“Para sa ating TESDA scholars, mayroon kayong sariling digital storage kung saan mapapatunayan ang inyong National Certificate at mga training,” said President Marcos Jr.
Beyond job matching, Bossjob utilizes aggregated, anonymized platform data to provide TESDA with Labor Market Information (LMI). This framework offers insights into in-demand roles, geographic hiring patterns, and compensation trends, allowing TESDA to calibrate its training curricula to meet evolving market requirements.
According to TESDA’s current data, the sectors seeing the highest volume of postings for TESDA-certified talent include Social, Community Development, and Other Services; Wholesale, Retail, and Trading; Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Automotive and Land Transportation; Tourism, related to the Hotel and Restaurant industry; Healthcare Services; Creative; and Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery. The sectors indicate a consistent, high-growth demand for skills-based and nationally certified talent across the Philippine economy.
The partnership directly addresses the ‘middle-skills gap,’ as identified by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). While TVET graduates demonstrate earning potential comparable to university undergraduates, research shows that current training systems often struggle to align with the evolving competencies required by priority sectors—such as digital services, renewable energy, and ICT.
By integrating Bossjob’s AI-matching engine into the Skills Passport, the platform bridges this gap, transforming verified TESDA certifications into a real-time, visible asset for employers.
“The integration of Bossjob’s AI-powered capabilities into the Skills Passport app provides real-time access to available job opportunities for our graduates. This partnership strengthens job security for TVET graduates and contributes to broader economic development by ensuring industry-ready talent is matched with employers with minimal friction,” said Anthony Garcia, Co-Founder of Bossjob.
To ensure employer trust, the app mandates registration via the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). By directly integrating data from TESDA-accredited training centers, the platform ensures all certifications are verified instantly, mitigating the risk of credential fraud.
Bossjob has been championing the TVET industry since 2024. The platform was a key partner of the TESDA-National Capital Region (TESDA-NCR) under its CollaboraTVET: Forging Partnerships for TVET Excellence program, where it offered specialized training programs tailored to the needs of TESDA graduates, along with exclusive job opportunities and career development resources.
Beyond the app integration, Bossjob continues to be committed to helping TESDA students and graduates through career coaching and job readiness workshops, resume and profile optimization guidance, and participating in career fairs led by partner government sectors.
Manila, Philippines—HUAWEI, the no. 1 smart wearable brand[1], in collaboration with HONMA Golf, a Japan-based premium golf club manufacturer and sports lifestyle brand, recently supported the Malbon Buckets Club 004 Golf Tournament. Held at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club, the event allowed participants to explore the newly released HONMA x Huawei Watch GT6 Pro and experience its features in real playing conditions.
Players competed across four divisions where they delivered strong performances and closely contested scorecards throughout the day. The tournament showcased both seasoned golfers and rising talents, reinforcing the inclusive and competitive spirit of the Buckets Club.
HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro: Luxury Golf Technology on the Course
Beyond the competition, the Malbon Buckets Club offered players the chance to experience the HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro at the tournament. Attendees explored its suite of professional golf features that are designed to elevate every aspect of their game.
With over 17,000 zoomable 3D course maps worldwide, including over 100 courses in the Philippines, players could visualize fairways, hazards, and landing zones before taking each shot. Green Slope Direction and Play-Like Distance provided accurate insights into putting breaks and yardages that account for elevation and wind conditions, helping golfers make informed decisions at every swing.
The watch’s AI Caddie analyzed each player’s performance trends and swing history, offering tailored club and strategy recommendations in real time, while Shot Distance Tracking and digital scorecards automatically captured every stroke for review later in the HUAWEI Health app. Players could even share their best shots via Ball Trajectory Sharing, turning each round into a data-driven and social experience.
Luxury craftsmanship is equally front and center. The watch features HONMA-exclusive dials from the traditional Pine Leaf Pattern to the vibrant BERES 7S Mt. Fuji design, paired with an aerospace-grade titanium case, sapphire crystal glass, and a HONMA-engraved gold buckle. The 1.47-inch AMOLED display, with 3,000-nit peak brightness, ensures clarity even under bright sunlight, while the black-and-gold color scheme balances elegance with sporty functionality.
Two tournament winners took home the HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT6 Pro as part of their prizes, underlining the connection between performance on the course and innovative golf technology.
Paul Martires, one of the first Eagles members and part of the highest tier of Malbon Buckets Club membership, used the watch throughout his round. “Super helpful watch on the course. It’s light on the wrist, easy to check mid-swing, with GPS and yardages that stayed on point my whole round,” he shared.
Players and collectors also had the opportunity to purchase the watch on-site, making the experience interactive, exclusive, and a true celebration of golf innovation.
With its combination of professional-grade golf intelligence, real-time performance insights, and premium Japanese craftsmanship, the HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro sets a new standard for golfers seeking precision, style, and innovation on the course. From advanced course mapping and AI-driven caddie recommendations to its luxurious titanium build and exclusive HONMA dials, the device offers a full-featured golf companion designed to elevate every round.
The HONMA Premium Collection Gift Box, an exclusive gift set designed for discerning golfers and collectors alike, completes the experience. The premium box includes the limited-edition HONMA x HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro alongside curated HONMA golf essentials such as a commemorative golf ball, tee, divot tool, and ball marker. These are carefully arranged in a signature black-and-gold case inspired by HONMA’s iconic pine leaf motif.
For a limited time, the Premium Collection is available for only PHP 17,999 (from PHP 19,999). The package also includes added digital benefits such as VIP watch faces and a HUAWEI Health+ membership, along with trade-in incentives and exclusive vouchers available in-store and online. Flexible payment options, including 0% installment plans, make owning this luxury golf companion even more accessible.
POLICE Regional Office (PRO) XI director Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete recognized the bravery of a police corporal who was wounded during a near-fatal encounter with a fugitive last month.
In a personal visit to the Southern Philippines Medical Center, Rosete conferred on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) on Corporal Elthon John Mamac.
The award is a prestigious symbol of recognition for personnel who sustain injuries in the lawful performance of their duties.
The corporal was wounded on Feb. 14, 2026 , during a manhunt operation in Ward 3, Barangay Sibulan, Toril District . While serving a warrant against a high-level target, an armed encounter ensued, leaving Mamac with a gunshot wound to the rib.
According to official General Orders, Mamac was part of a team from the 1105th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force XI.
They were executing a warrant of arrest against alias Kerwin, identified as a top nine most wanted individual at the regional level for violations involving illegal firearms (RA 10591).
Despite the imminent danger, authorities noted that the officer displayed “remarkable courage and steadfast commitment to duty” during the exchange of gunfire.
Rosete emphasized that the organization stands firmly behind its personnel, particularly those who put their lives on the line.
“Our wounded personnel exemplifies bravery and commitment beyond measure. His courage reflects the true spirit of public service,” Rosete stated, assuring the officer’s family of continued financial, moral, and institutional support.
Mamac is currently reported to be in stable condition .
PRO XI reaffirmed that its intensified campaign against criminal elements will persist, guided by the principles of professionalism and respect for human rights.
Photo courtesy of PRO XI
TWO DRUG suspects were arrested by the Davao City police in a buy-bust operation at around 11:33 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at Iñego Village, Kilometer 8, Matina Pangi.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Captain Hazel Caballero identified the suspects as alias Kusa, a 27-year-old motorcycle mechanic, and Rubie, 20, both residents of the area.
They were arrested in a joint operation by the Baliok Police Station (PS17) personnel and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI operatives.
Authorities seized 12 sachets of suspected shabu with a combined weight of approximately 6.4 grams and a total standard drug price of P43,520. Also recovered were the P500 marked bill, a brown belt bag, and various identification cards.
The suspects are now in police custody facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
Shincheonji Volunteers continue to expand community outreach efforts across the country through initiatives that provide immediate assistance while promoting volunteerism and environmental stewardship.
In Barangay Nagpayong, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, the nonprofit volunteer group conducted the “Kain Na! Tara Na! Community Pantry and Feeding Program,” bringing together nearly 100 participants, including 78 beneficiaries composed of adults and children, alongside 29 volunteers.
Families received fresh vegetables and home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers, while children enjoyed interactive games that created a lively and welcoming atmosphere for the community.
The activity was organized in partnership with Patok-Kenneth Neighborhood Association Inc., a homeowners association in Barangay Pinagbuhatan. Ma. Cristina Corpuz, secretary of the association, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that the outreach provided meaningful help to families in the community while strengthening unity among residents.
Shincheonji Volunteers – Manila, together with Barangay Pinagbuhatan, plans to continue bringing the same initiative to other areas within the barangay to extend assistance to more families.
Meanwhile in Cebu, the group carried out a clean-up drive in Lapu-Lapu City, clearing a heavily littered area and removing plastic waste and debris that pose risks to public health and the environment.
The activity was conducted in collaboration with Barangay Gun-ob Waste Management, highlighting the importance of responsible waste disposal and demonstrating how volunteer-driven initiatives can transform neglected spaces into cleaner and safer communities.
Through its outreach efforts, the group aims to reflect the biblical principle found in Matthew 5:16 — encouraging acts of service to shine before others and inspiring communities to recognize good works and honor God.
Shincheonji Volunteers is a global volunteer organization affiliated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, serving communities through humanitarian initiatives such as blood donation drives, disaster response, education programs, and environmental clean-up campaigns.
For updates on upcoming activities, the public may visit the Shincheonji Volunteers PH Facebook page at fb.com/shincheonjivolunteersph.
THE DAVAO City Social Welfare and Development Office-OFW Families Welfare and Crisis Center reported the office is in the move to collect profiles of overseas contract workers.
The OFW-FWCC has yet to determine the total number of OFWs in the city, which delays the monitoring and the provision of assistance, an official said.
“As of now, we don’t have official data, but we are doing initiatives to keep a record of them,” development management officer Jackilou Bandao said.
Bandao said they are strengthening the data profiling initiatives, which started in January through information dissemination in the barangays and full implementation in the second quarter.
“Kung ma profile na ang OFWs of Davao City, makabalo ta pila na, mas dali na ma capture kinsa tong dapat i-contact for tracking and services we can provide for left-behind families,” she added.
The center was established in 2022 through an executive order to cater to both OFWs and their families, offering a range of services including psychosocial intervention, livelihood programs, educational assistance, protective custody, rescue operations.
A financial aid worth ₱5,000 is provided for individuals in crisis situations, however is subject to assessment.
The profiling is in coordination with the partner agencies such as the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for a comprehensive process.
Bandao stressed the distance of far-flung barangays and the wide coverage of the city also a factor for the delay of the data profiling.
With the ongoing tension in the Middle East, the center is dependent on the incoming calls from OFWs and their families through the hotline.
As of Thursday, March 6, around 45 individuals personally asked for help while others were represented by their families to inquire for their status.
These OFWs are from Iran, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, with most of the concerns being their passport being held by their employers.
Bandao said the names and address of the OFWs are collected and coursed through the OWWA and DMW for validation and coordination with employers.
The center provides assistance to left-behind families through social support programs including financial assistance, basic needs assistance including food, while there is a delay in remittances.
Of the number, seven called for possible repatriation, three of which are from Davao City who are working in Kuwait.
The Davao City OFW Families’ Welfare and Crisis Center is closely monitoring the situation overseas in light of the ongoing conflict in some parts of the Middle East.
The Center is ready to assist the left-behind families of Dabawenyo OFWs through 24/7 hotline: 0972 996 6520; Telephone: 082 295 3500; Email Address: ofwcenter.davaocity@gmail.com and Facebook Page: OFW Families’ Welfare and Crisis Center Davao City.
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