THE COUPLES for Christ Answering the Cry Of the Poor (CFC ANCOP) Davao City will invite 2,000 to 3,000 entrants for the “Global Walk 2025” to aid 300 beneficiaries at SM Ecoland’s Expansion wing on Oct 26.
CFC ANCOP’s third fundraising event to be held in SM City Davao aims to support 300 students to continue their studies who are in need of scholarships, school tuitions, and school supplies.
Jay Satoquia, head of CFC ANCOP Davao City, highlighted that it is the organization’s mandate to help kids achieve their dreams in enrolling at schools despite their hardships in life, as he believes that education not only benefits the children but also their families and society as a whole.
Satoquia mentioned that they have 15 students with different degrees who graduated in Davao this year, and among them, five graduates had Latin honors (Cum laude, Magna cum laude, Suma cum laude).
He added that the Global Walk is also held simultaneously in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao with their own respective beneficiaries.
Carmel Joan Carpio from the CFC ANCOP shared that the organization has helped 30,000 scholars over the years. Carpio urged the public to join the annual event to help the youth in their education.
Global Walk 2025’s registration fee will cost P300, which will go directly to the beneficiaries. The gathering of participants is at 4:00 am and will commence at 5:00 am. A prayer mass will also be held at 8:00 am after the walk.
The route will start at the Expansion Wing, going to the Coastal road, and will end back at the mall.
Gio Tanudtanud
NGILNGIG Asian Fantastic Film Festival brings a lineup of 56 short films and five featured thrillers and “Retrograde” themes from the Philippines and other countries at the Cinematheque Center Davao from Oct. 25 to 29.
This year’s ninth edition, featuring short films with a mix of genres, will compete for the “Best Ngilngig Philippine shorts” and “Best Ngilngig shorts” awards. Of the 56 films, 29 are from Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Brunei, Cambodia, and other countries.
The festival will premiere five featured full-length films from the Philippines, Bhutan, Japan, and Indonesia in Davao City for the first time. Among the five films, two are from the Philippines that will debut in Davao for locals to see and enjoy.

Moneyslapper (2024), directed by Bor Ocampo, comes to the festival on the first day in the evening. A movie of drama and thriller, the story follows a young man named Daniel (played by John Lloyd Cruz) who abandons his country after winning a large cash prize.
Festival director Bagane Fiola shared in an interview that young filmmakers in Mindanao are very prolific since they can produce films without funding. He also hopes that filmmaking will be more collaborative, where the film community, companies, and LGUs can work hand in hand in the future.
Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival is organized by Pasalidahay, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and sponsored by Three Yards, Micromedia Productions, Timewrap Film Productions, and Holodeck Productions.
The event began in 2013 with a group of filmmakers and peaked in 2019. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival continued its online screenings and is slowly gaining traction.
DAVAO Region’s inflation rate rose from -0.1% in Aug to 0.6% in Sept 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority XI’s (PSA) online report on Oct. 16.
Main sources, namely housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuels, contributed to the accelerated inflation rate sitting at 3.0% in Sept 2025 and have a 77.1% share in the uptrend of the overall inflation in the region. Electricity is the primary contributor with a 9.2 inflation rate when compared to 7.6 last Aug.
This is followed by the growing prices of transport with an inflation rate of 1.5 and 20.9% share to uptrend in inflation with gasoline (1.3% inflation) and diesel (7.4% inflation) acting as the main contributors.
Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) XI Baby Jean Alid said the average inflation rate for the Davao Region from January to September 2025 is 0.5%.
Davao City has the highest inflation with 1.7% while Davao Occidental has the lowest inflation with 2.3%.
Alid added that the top five commodities that added to the region’s overall inflation are electricity, restaurants, pig meat, rentals, and coconut oil.
The current bottom 30% income households in Region XI are recorded at -1.3% as of Sept 2025, versus the -2.5% last Aug and last year’s Sept 2024 rate at 2.9%
THE MIND Museum partnered with Ayala Malls Abreeza to launch its first “Space Adventure: Journey to the Wonders of the Universe” exhibition in Davao City on Oct. 15 until Oct. 28, inviting kids, families, and space enthusiasts for interactive outer space travel experiences.
Divided into three areas: Fantastic Universe, Discover Our Solar System, and Explore Outer Space, the exhibit immerses guests and children alike with the stars, constellations, and planets through engaging activities by combining playfulness and education. Participants will be able to appreciate space lessons deeply as to what lies beyond our galaxy.

In an interview, Darwin Cayetano, exhibit engineer of The Mind Museum, said that Space Adventure aims to bring more exhibitions across the Philippines. The event is also more than just galaxies or the cosmos, but also promotes science education to reach more audiences.
Space Adventure includes activities of booths, play areas, and activity tables for kids together with their parents or guardians.

The Mind Museum launched the Space Adventure in April 2018 to gather people into the wonders of the universe, as well as for K-12 students to witness their space lessons in the new DepEd curriculum through the exhibits.
This is also in support of partners from the Department of Science and Technology, Neltex, LEGO, and special thanks to Celestron, Urban Greens, Datem, and Daegu National Science Museum
Breast Cancer Awareness lay forum to debunk myths and misconceptions at NCCC Victoria Plaza
THE MINDANAO Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Program will host a “No to Chismis. Yes to Knowledge Breast Cancer Awareness” lay forum to expose myths, misconceptions, and provide accurate facts for local participants as part of the Pink October celebration at Victoria Plaza on Oct 12.
In coordination with the Philippine College of Surgeons Department of Surgical Missions and Care & Philippine Society of General Surgeons DSMC, the forum will invite experts and discuss and educate the public on providing life-saving information.
Experts from different fields and disciplines, such as oncologists, obstetrician-gynecologists, breast surgeons, psychiatrists, including a breast cancer survivor, will be acting as speakers to answer questions and explain the common misconceptions.
During Wednesday’s Habi at Kapi media forum, surgical oncologist Dr. Laurelee Samonte hopes to invite 500 attendees to the event, as they will also provide free consultations and examinations. She also urged the public to do regular screenings and consultations for early detections of the cancer.
On the same day, the Mindanao Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Program will also host the annual “Pink Run 2025: D-Feeting Breast Cancer” in the morning, also at NCCC Victoria Plaza, which will gather 900 runners to participate in runs of 3K, 5K, 10K, where the proceeds will go directly to the indigent patients.
According to the Philippine Cancer Society (PSC), breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines and approximately 32 Filipinas die every day from the cancer.
BANCON 2025 to convene 400 banana industry players at SMX Convention Center
THE PHILIPPINE Exporters Confederation XI (Philexport Davao) and the Philippine Banana Council, Inc. (PhilBana Council) will invite 400 banana growers, exporters, processors, and traders to the Banana Conference and Trade Exhibit 2025 (BANCON) to continue strengthening the country’s banana industry.
BANCON 2025 will be held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang, from Nov. 5 to 6.
Philexport Davao executive director Marizon Loreto hopes that this year’s conference will engage the private sector, together with the government, to deliberate on strategic actions to expand the banana market reach, as well as address different challenges of the industry, similar to last year’s BANCON.
The conference will also be a platform to showcase innovative technologies, support services, and banana products with value-added features.
According to Stephen Antig, executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc. (PBGEA), the Philippines’ market share of bananas has been going down in the last 10 to 12 years due to the competition posed by neighboring Southeast Asian and Latin American countries.
The banana production and exportations also plummeted due to climate change, infestation of pests and disease, and high production costs.
William Castro, president of Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Association, Inc. (MBFEA), highlighted that over 80,000 hectares in Mindanao had dropped to about 40 to 50 percent in the banana industry in terms of the Cavendish banana.
“This is one of the reasons why we are trying to promote and do all these kinds of events like this BANCON to help our growers to sustain their farms to give them more technical know-how to upgrade those sustaining agricultural practices, to go back to the position where we had been before,” said during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape media forum.
Castro said that the Philippine banana’s export market share in China is currently at 27%, and they hope to increase it some more.
UNICEF Philippines reports persistent child marriage in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu
CHILD marriage in the provinces of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu continues to affect the future and well-being of children that are driven by socio-cultural factors and poverty, based on the UNICEF Philippines’ CEFMU (Child, Early and Forced Marriage and Unions) Social Norms report on Oct. 7.
According to Rohannie Baraguir-Datumanong, child protection specialist at UNICEF Philippines Mindanao Field Office, one in six girls will be married before reaching the age of 18 years old.
Furthermore, there are many families that view early marriage as a way to avoid haram or ease their financial hardship.
“When children get married, most of them stop going to school. Girls, for instance, are often pressured to prioritize homework and take care of their families, and then boys are expected to work to support the family. By dropping out of school, these children also lose opportunities to learn, develop skills, and explore their dreams,” Baraguir-Datumanong said.
In 2021, the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) estimated that 88,600 girls had been married before turning 18 years old. The prevalence is around 15 percent before age 18 and two percent before age 15 based on a survey conducted by Plan International and the Women’s Refugee Commission.
The Philippines ranked as the 12th country in terms of the absolute number of child marriages in the world.
A study commissioned by UNICEF and supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade presented key findings and sheds light on the serious matter of child marriage in the two provinces of BARMM.
The research was conducted in the capitals of Jolo in Sulu and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, and it identified the cultural and religious norms as well as ineffective enforcement of child protection laws in the areas that place children at risk of early pregnancy among girls, emotional and financial burden among boys, and children dropping out of school.
The study aims to address social issues and guide strategic actions that are aligned with the United Nations’ SDG 5 (Sustainable Development Goal) in achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.
“In Mindanao, child protection is a vital pillar of peacebuilding and sustainable development. The area faces unique challenges, including a history of conflict, displacement, poverty, and socio-cultural practices that heighten children’s vulnerabilities. As a result, children there are at an increased risk of abuse, neglect, child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and trafficking,” UNICEF Philippines chief of child protection Patricia Lim Ah Ken said during a virtual press briefing.
Photo courtesy of UNICEF
THE ROTARY Club of Downtown Davao partnered with SM City Davao and SM Cares to kick off a one-day celebration of Pink October 2025 on Oct. 9 at the SM Annex event center to raise awareness on breast cancer.
To celebrate breast cancer awareness month and to honor the victims, patients, and survivors, the Rotary Club of Downtown will host a series of activities, including screenings, laboratory tests, and consultations to be conducted by invited doctors.
Rotary Club of Downtown Davao vice president Patmei Ruivivar said the event will also have a health forum in the afternoon, a “Pink zumba”, and “Pink Runway” where breast cancer survivors and advocates will be the models to walk on the stage.
The club recently wrapped up its Pink Walk event at Freedom Park, along with a flag ceremony at City Hall, as the local government showed its support for Pink October by prioritizing health and wellness.

According to Dr. Laurelee Samonte, a surgical oncologist, there are approximately 400 breast cancer patients seeking consultations daily at the Davao Regional Medical Center and Southern Philippines Medical Center. She also said breast cancer is still the most common type among women in the Philippines.
Samonte added there will be a lay forum on Oct.12 at Victoria Plaza where experts debunk myths about breast cancer.
THE JAPANESE Film Festival 2025 (JFF) returns to Davao City with a lineup of 12 movies of beloved classics and critically acclaimed blockbusters from Oct 10 to 19 at the SM Lanang Cinema.
In its second visit to Davao, the festival is themed “Bridg(e)ing” on connecting the past and future, bridging film storytelling to cultures, as well as to inspire people to build metaphorical bridges in terms of connecting with each other rather than putting up walls.
JFF Davao coordinator Angely Chi highlighted that the festival will feature timeless masterpieces, namely the highly anticipated “Seven Samurai” film directed by Akira Kurosawa in 1957, known as one of the highest-grossing domestic films in Japan at the time and regarded as among the most influential films in cinema history.
The festival will also screen “Ghost in the Shell“, an animated cult classic film from 1995 directed by Mamoru Oshii, and Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning “Spirited Away“, an animated film by Studio Ghibli in 2001.
JFF 2025’s second run will officially kick off on Oct 10 at SM Lanang Cinema 3. The opening will premiere a 4K remastered version of the popular romance film “Love Letter” (1995) by Shunji Iwai that has screened in over 20 countries since its release.

Chi said that JFF 2025, held last February at SM City Davao, was a success and had a good reception with a high number of audiences of adults and children alike, similar to last year’s film festival.
“I can also see that the viewers are diverse. Sometimes families from different regions, senior citizens, not just kids,” Chi said during the PEP Talks Forum on Oct 3.
She added that the Philippines tops as the country with the most viewership in the Japanese Film Festival around the world.
This year’s annual film festival began its regional run in SM Cinemas in the country, which began on Sept. 26 at SM Baguio City, followed by SM City Cebu, SM Lanang, SM City Clark, and will conclude at SM City Manila.
OMODA & Jaecoo Davao officially held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first branch in the city on Oct 4 at Lanang, introducing high-quality and cutting-edge premium cars to the local market.
The company plans to bring in more of the latest automobiles of internal combustion engine hybrid (ICE), electric vehicles (EVs), and Super Hybrid System (SHS) in the country.
New vehicles were recently introduced, fitted with elegance, comfortable interior design, as well as fuel-efficient power, namely the Jaecoo J7 SHS and EJ6, and Omoda E5 and C5.
Jaecoo J7 SHS, a revolutionary hybrid SUV, offers robust performance along with high fuel efficiency, engineered for smarter long-distance drives.

In an interview with Johnny Go, CEO of Carlux Premium Holding OPC, he said they are fast-tracking the zoning and building permits of the branch with the goal of finishing them by late December this year.
Go also said there are many local buyers of hybrids and EVs due to the low cost of maintenance on top of being more eco-friendly.
Davao-based Carlux Premium Holding OPC is the local distributor for Omoda & Jaecoo Philippines is committed to delivering the finest premium units and smart mobility solutions.
Last May 2025, Omoda & Jaecoo opened its first showroom and dealership in Mindanao in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.