BY ALEX ALAGON
Experience our roots, remixed!
Filipino culture continues to evolve, and today’s generation is shaping it in exciting new ways.
From the way Gen Z speaks and expresses themselves online to the music they stream, the food they crave, and the trends they proudly own, being “Pinoy” today is all about creativity, connection, and self-expression.
This June, your most-loved SM City Davao and SM Lanang bring all of that together through Super Pinoy Vibes, a fresh celebration of modern Filipino identity where culture, community, food, music, and style collide — making as the go-to places to Gala To The Max this Independence Day.
Taste the flavors that hit different
No Pinoy celebration is complete without food, and Super Pinoy Vibes serves up familiar Filipino favorites with exciting twists that today’s generation can’t get enough of.
At Rekado Davao in SM City Davao, a wide array of Filipino comfort cuisine is available for sharing with the tropa after a long day out. Meanwhile, Mesa, available in SM Lanang, continues to serve crowd-favorite Filipino dishes like Crispy Flying Seafood Noodles, Crispchon, Pork Sisig, and Tinapa Rice that always bring people together around the table.
Go all out with Ube Craze until June 16 at The Atrium in SM Lanang. Indulge in your favorite ube treats, discover purple-perfect finds, and dive into an UBErload of sweet surprises and all-out fun experiences.
Express your Pinoy vibe
Super Pinoy Vibes goes beyond food, turning your most-loved SM City Davao and SM Lanang into spaces where today’s generation can celebrate Filipino creativity, identity, and community in fresh and exciting ways.
From June 1 to 12, shoppers can explore the Pinoy Vibe Photo Spots and Sari-Sari Bazaar, where colorful installations, local finds, fashion pieces, accessories, and unique products create the perfect space to show off your own Pinoy style. Whether you’re snapping content for your feed or discovering locally made finds, every corner becomes part of the experience.
Celebrate culture with the community
The celebration officially kicks off with special Flag Raising Ceremonies on June 12, setting the tone for a day filled with Filipino pride and youthful energy.
From June 12 to 14, the Super Pinoy Sale brings exciting deals and sulit finds across participating SM malls—making it the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe, upgrade your essentials, or discover something new while celebrating local culture.
Celebrate what makes today’s Filipino generation unique through experiences that feel proudly local, fresh, and uniquely yours. Experience modern Filipino culture and make memories only at your most-loved SM City Davao and SM Lanang.
WOMEN in Davao Region are increasingly choosing smaller families and exercising greater control over their reproductive lives, according to the results of the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), signaling a significant demographic transition that will shape the region’s future development.
Data from the 2025 NDHS show that the Davao Region’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 1.6 children per woman, lower than the national average of 1.7 and below the replacement-level fertility rate of 2.1.
The survey also revealed important shifts in women’s reproductive intentions. Among currently married women in the region, more than half (52.9 percent) reported that they no longer want additional children, while 6.3 percent are already sterilized. These findings indicate that many women have reached their desired family size and are making deliberate decisions regarding childbearing based on their personal, family, and economic circumstances.
Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region XI Director Jeff Y. Fuentes said the findings reflect a more advanced stage of demographic transition in the region.
“The issue is no longer simply reducing fertility. More women are already deciding when and how many children they want. The challenge now is ensuring that women and couples are able to achieve their reproductive intentions safely, voluntarily, and with dignity,” Fuentes said.
According to the survey, 70.4 percent of currently married women aged 15 to 49 are using some form of family planning, while 58.2 percent are using modern methods. Despite this, an unmet need for family planning remains at 9.1 percent, suggesting that some women who wish to delay or avoid pregnancy are still unable to fully access or utilize appropriate reproductive health services.
Director Fuentes noted that these findings point to the need for more responsive reproductive health systems that go beyond simply providing contraceptives.
“We must strengthen reproductive life planning, informed choice, quality counseling, postpartum family planning, and support for women throughout their reproductive journey. Family planning should be viewed as part of broader reproductive well-being and family development,” he emphasized.
The decline in fertility also presents opportunities for the region. Lower fertility can reduce dependency burdens and create favorable conditions for realizing the demographic dividend, in which a larger share of the population is in the working-age group.
However, CPD cautions that demographic opportunities are not automatic.
To maximize the benefits of demographic transition, investments in education, health, nutrition, employment, women’s empowerment, and social protection must continue to be prioritized. Particular attention should be given to ensuring that women have access to opportunities that enable them to participate fully in economic and social development.
The 2025 NDHS findings further underscore the important role of women in shaping the region’s demographic future. Decisions made by women regarding education, employment, marriage, and childbearing have far-reaching implications for human capital development, labor force participation, poverty reduction, and long-term regional competitiveness.
As the lead agency on population and development, CPD Region XI remains committed to working closely with local government units, national government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and communities to ensure that population trends are translated into responsive policies and programs that promote healthier families, empowered women, protected children, and inclusive development.
“The future of Davao Region will depend not only on population numbers but on how well we invest in people, particularly women, whose choices and opportunities are increasingly shaping the region’s development trajectory,” Fuentes added.
Photo by Satria Perkasa on Unsplash
THE REMAINS of student-athlete Rene Clert Baterbonia are scheduled to be flown home on Friday, June 12, 2026, as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) launches an independent criminal probe into the tragic drowning incident that also claimed the life of his teammate, Divine Adili.
A wake will be held at the Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School campus, where local faculty, students, and teammates are expected to pay their final respects.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) launched an independent criminal probe into the deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes, warning that a lack of intentional foul play does not absolve organizers of potential criminal liability under the law.
In a statement released Thursday, the NBI announced the deployment of a dedicated task force to investigate the June 8 drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, which claimed the lives of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a school-sanctioned team-building activity.
The agency’s intervention directly challenges the initial findings of the Aurora Police Provincial Office, which quickly ruled out foul play.
“An event may be ‘accidental’ in the sense that no one wished it, and yet remain the product of a failure to exercise the care the law demands,” the NBI stated.
The bureau clarified that while local police found no signs of intentional harm, the task force is scrutinizing whether gross negligence was involved. Under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, death caused by reckless or simple imprudence is a criminal offense entirely independent of intent.
Because Ateneo de Manila sanctioned the team-building activity, the NBI emphasized that those who planned and supervised the trip owed the students “the diligence of a good father of a family”—the legal standard of ordinary care required under the Civil Code.
“The law fixes a single standard of care that binds every organizer of every activity, and it is measured against conduct and facts alone,” the bureau asserted. “A prestigious institution is neither shielded by its stature nor singled out because of it. Those who would cast this tragedy as a struggle between the privileged and the powerless mistake both the law and the purpose of this inquiry.”
THE CITY’S anti-drug team dismantled and arrested top drug personalities while serving a search warrant in Menterbro, Barangay Ilang, Bunawan District on Tuesday, June 9.
The joint raid, executed in Bago Uma, also yielded more than ₱442,000 worth of suspected shabu along with an unlicensed .45 caliber firearm.
According to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), the presence of the handgun showed how dangerous the suspects were.
The operation was spearheaded by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and the City Special Operations Group (CSOG), under the tactical command of Maj. Bernie B. Suaga.
The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit XI, City Intelligence Unit, 1st and 2nd City Mobile Force Companies, Bunawan Police Station (PS6), the Mobile Patrol Unit, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI also joined the operation.
City police director Col Peter Bauzon Madria said, “This relentless drive is anchored on the DCPO’s vision of a drug-free Davao City—one that upholds public safety, restores community trust, and protects the future of its people, especially the youth.”
The DCPO also credited local residents for providing actionable intelligence that allowed operatives to precisely map out the suspects’ location and execute the warrant without incident.
The suspects are currently detained and face stringent criminal charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
- ₱884-K shabu seized as top drug suspect falls in Agdao drug sting
A HIGH-VALUE individual (HVI), known by his street moniker Demonyo (demon), and his accomplice were arrested after yielding over ₱884,000 worth of suspected shabu during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Leon Garcia, Agdao District, on Wednesday, June 10.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said both suspects, 39 and 53 years old, respectively, are residents of Fortune Street, Santa Cruz, Barangay Leon Garcia, where the sting operation took place.
The operation was pulled off by the DCPO’s Police Station 28 (Bajada)’s Drug Enforcement Unit, led by Maj. Marc Anthony C. Egos, in close coordination with Regional Intelligence units.
Law enforcement teams confiscated several sachets of suspected Methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, with a total estimated street value of ₱884,200 based on standard drug pricing.
DCPO chief Col Peter B. Madria emphasized that the successful sting reflects the local police force’s unrelenting drive to dismantle community-level drug networks.
“Operations like this not only prevent the proliferation of dangerous substances but also help curb crimes commonly associated with drug abuse, thereby fostering safer and more secure communities for all Dabawenyos,” Madria said in a statement.
The police chief also thanked Davaoeños, noting that active community vigilance and timely asset intelligence remain vital to sustaining the city’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
Both suspects are currently under police custody and are facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
THE PROVINCIAL government of Sarangani recorded 20 deaths as of June 11, after a Magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the province on June 8.
On Wednesday, June 10, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Sarangani passed a resolution declaring the entire province under a state of calamity.
The SP members also passed a resolution authorizing Governor Rogelio D. Pacquiao to accept donations intended for the relief, response, rehabilitation, and recovery assistance.
“The declaration of a state of calamity enables the Provincial Government to immediately access and utilize available disaster response and recovery funds, including the Quick Response Fund,” the provincial information office said in a statement.
The measures were adopted according to the recommendations of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and to urgently mobilize resources and assistance for affected communities.
As of June 11, the province reported 20 confirmed deaths according to the PDRRMC Consolidated Report posted on Facebook.
The 12 confirmed deaths were due to landslides in Landslides: three are from Tango; E. Alegado (2); Tapon (1); New Aklan (2); Pangyan (1); Kapatan (1); and Calpidong (2).
Meanwhile, the other eight are in Daan Suyan (1); Poblacion (1); Lun Padidu (1); Sapu Masla (2); and Tuyan (3) due to drowning; struck by rolling heavy boulders; covered by fallen debris; and landslide.
The province also reported 150 injured and 12 still missing.
Affected families climbed to 31,053, while 776 families are in the evacuation centers.
The earthquake left 7,892 wrecked homes (6,368 were partially damaged, and 1,524 were totally damaged).
Pacquiao announced on Thursday that the emergency protocols, safety sweeps, work adjustments, and face-to-face class suspensions established under Executive Order No. 33, series of 2026, are extended from June 11 to 17.
“This extension is in view of the provincial declaration of a state of calamity and the ongoing disaster response operations,” Pacquiao said, noting the provincial government continues to monitor the seismic situation in real-time.
THE CITY council passed an ordinance on Wednesday, June 10, authorizing the city government to apply for and participate in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) special auction round for Waste-to-Energy (WTE).
The ordinance proposed by Councilor Louie John Bonguyan authorizes the local government to participate in the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP).
“Kita karon ang gihimo sa city, ni-try ta, ni-apil ta sa ilang auction. This time, this is just a first step, na ni-apil ta sa Green Energy Auction,” he said.
The City Council’s committee on energy chairperson confirmed that the city has fast-tracked the submission process ahead of the June 16 deadline.
Bonguyan said one of the requirements is the ordinance from the City Council and other application forms.
The Department of Energy (DOE) began the registration of qualified suppliers on May 25, 2026 for the Special Auction Round for WTE under the GEAP, to open activities for the 230-megawatt auction dedicated to thermal combustion WTE technology.
The Special Auction Round for WTE was launched on December 30, 2025, through the issuance of the Notice of Auction and Terms of Reference, followed by Supplemental Terms of Reference published on April 28, 2026.
The auction covers a total capacity of 230 MW, with delivery scheduled between 01 September 2028 and 31 March 2029.
Davao City is aiming to secure around 10 to 11 MW from the pool, which matches the required output capacity of its proposed facility.
“Hopefully, as chairman sa committee, maka-award ta kay ang atong kailangan is 10-11 MW, and the auction is 230 MW,” he said.
Bonguyan said Davao City stands out as the lone local government unit participating in this specific sector of the auction, running alongside competing entities from the private sector.
He said the proposal was formalized in February and submitted to the city legal office, and they found that the auction is highly beneficial for the city’s long-term environmental and financial interests.
With the ordinance, the city government and its designated representatives are authorized to apply for and participate in the auction, and if successful, execute the ensuing supply contract under the GEAP.
The councilor hopes that winning the bid will revitalize support from international development partners, specifically the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
While JICA had previously committed a grant for the facility, local progress has faced roadblocks due to funding gaps and administrative hurdles.
Bonguyan clarified that the proposed WTE project will not bypass regulatory scrutiny as the facility remains strictly subject to national frameworks, including the Clean Air Act, national emission standards, and solid waste management policies.
As relief and recovery efforts continue following the recent earthquake that affected General Santos City and nearby communities, BDO Unibank is helping overseas Filipinos extend support by waiving remittance fees for earthquake-related donations sent through BDO Remit offices abroad.
The fee waiver, available from June 8 to July 31, 2026, allows donors to maximize the value of their contributions, ensuring that more assistance reaches families and communities recovering from the disaster. The initiative covers donations coursed through BDO Foundation, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, and the Philippine Red Cross.
By removing transaction costs, BDO aims to make it easier for overseas Filipinos to immediately support relief and rehabilitation efforts in earthquake-affected areas.
“During times of calamity, every act of generosity counts. By waiving remittance fees for relief donations, we hope to make it easier for Filipinos abroad to support families and communities as they recover and rebuild,” said Genie Gloria, BDO Senior Vice President and Head of Remittance.
The initiative reflects BDO’s continuing commitment to helping communities respond to and recover from crises. Through its remittance services and partnerships with trusted humanitarian organizations, BDO continues to provide ways for Filipinos around the world to support those in need.
AS SCHOOL Year 2026–2027 begins, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), is welcoming students back to something better. In the weeks leading up to the school opening, the company mobilized employees, resources, and local partners through Brigada Eskwela initiatives across its host communities nationwide — repainting classrooms, repairing facilities, and putting new learning materials in place so that students could walk through the school gates and into spaces that were safer, better equipped, and ready for a new year.
Across 31 public schools and three Schools Division Offices in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Aboitiz Renewables provided over PHP 529,000 worth of support — covering paint, construction and electrical materials, school supplies, water pipes, and school garden materials, among others. Working side by side with teachers, parents, local government representatives, and community partners, the initiatives directly benefited the learners, with each activity shaped by the specific needs of the school community it served.
In the Cordillera, six schools — including Bodiweng Elementary School, Ampucao National High School, and Bakun National High School — received paint, LED bulbs, brushes, rollers, and protective equipment, giving classrooms in the highlands a fresh start ahead of the school opening.
Closer to Manila, the Makban Geothermal Power Plant host communities span Bay and Calauan in Laguna and Sto. Tomas in Batangas brought out 63 volunteers for a hands-on activity day at Sta. Elena Elementary School, where four classrooms and shared areas were repainted. Paint and construction materials were also distributed to 10 other schools in the area — among them Bitin Elementary School, San Pedro National High School, and San Jose Elementary School — as well as three Schools Division Offices, reaching classrooms that needed support beyond what a single activity day could cover.
In Tiwi, Albay, 44 volunteers turned up at Putsan Elementary School to repaint its 10-classroom Edna Sanchez Building and improve other areas of the campus. Materials and manpower support were extended to eight other schools in the area as well, from Tiwi Central Elementary School and Car-Nag Elementary School to Libjo, Biyong, Cale, and Belen Elementary Schools.
“The support from Aboitiz Renewables played an important role in the success of our Brigada Eskwela activities. Volunteers participated in cleaning, repairing, and beautifying different areas of the school — helping accomplish improvements that would have been difficult to complete with our limited resources alone,” said Cynthia C. Competente, Master Teacher 2 and Teacher-in-Charge of Putsan Elementary School.
Rounding out the nationwide effort, Bontongon Elementary School, Lingion Elementary School, and Maluko National High School in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao received painting, electrical, plumbing, and construction materials — meeting the ground-level needs that teachers and community partners had identified ahead of the new school year.
From the highlands of the Cordillera to the classrooms of Bukidnon, each initiative looked different on the ground — but pointed toward the same thing: giving students a school year that starts well.
“Every child who walks into a well-prepared classroom is one step closer to reaching their full potential. We believe that today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders, and that helping schools open their doors ready for students is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the communities we serve,” said Alexander B. Coo, Chief Operating Officer at Aboitiz Renewables. “When employees, teachers, parents, and community partners come together the way they did this Brigada Eskwela, the impact goes far beyond fresh paint — it is an investment in every young person who is only beginning to discover what they are capable of.”
Through Brigada Eskwela and its broader community programs, Aboitiz Renewables continues to work alongside host communities in support of public education — because a brighter school year is the beginning of a brighter future.
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