SM Prime celebrates Día del Galeón with the turnover of Museo del Galeón space at SM Mall of Asia

by Info @Brand Zone | Oct. 13, 2024

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) celebrated a significant milestone during this year’s Día del Galeón as it officially turned over the Museo del Galeón space, located at SM Mall of Asia. The event, held at the China Blue Restaurant in Conrad Manila, brought together prominent figures from the SM Group and dignitaries from the Philippines, Spain, and Mexico.

(L-R, standing): SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Embassy of Spain in the Philippines First Secretary for Cultural, Scientific, and Administrative Affairs Alvaro García Moreno, Museo del Galeón Trustee Dr. Jaime Laya, SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, and Museo del Galeón Corporate Secretary Atty. Rommel Ramos. (L-R, seated): Museo del Galeón Trustee Gloria Angara, Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency (H.E.) Miguel Utray Delgado, SM Prime Executive Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, Museo del Galeón Chairman Ambassador Carlos Salinas, Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Daniel Hernández Joseph, and Museo del Galeón Trustee Dr. Lydia Echauz.

Día del Galeón, an annual event recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), commemorates the arrival of the first transpacific galleon, San Pablo, in Acapulco, Mexico, from Manila in 1565. This historic voyage launched the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, establishing profound cultural and commercial ties between the Philippines and Mexico, which have endured through the centuries.

The highlight of the event was the formal turnover of the SM Prime space to the Museo del Galeón Foundation, received by Museo del Galeón Chairman, Ambassador Carlos Salinas. During the event, Dr. Jaime Laya donated a reproduction of the acclaimed “Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Islas Filipinas,” also known as the Velarde Map. It was followed by the investiture of the inaugural members of the Advisory Council: Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency (H.E.) Miguel Utray Delgado, and Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Daniel Hernández Joseph. They herald the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the museum.

“The commitment of Mexico to this project is unwavering. We see the Museo del Galeón as a symbol of the enduring relationship between our nations — a relationship that extends beyond commerce, embodying the profound intercultural exchanges that have shaped the perceptions of time, space, and the worldview of peoples across Asia and the Americas,” said H.E. Daniel Hernández Joseph, Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines.

(L-R): SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, Museo del Galeón Chairman Ambassador Carlos Salinas, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan commemorate a key event in this year’s Día del Galeón with the official turnover of the Museo del Galeón at SM Mall of Asia.

“The turnover of the Museo del Galeón is a reflection of our deep commitment to preserving and celebrating our rich heritage,” said Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime. “Through this museum, we provide a space where future generations can learn about the vital cultural exchanges that have shaped our nation.”

SM Prime Executive Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy and Museo del Galeón Chairman Ambassador Carlos Salinas

(L-R): SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, Museo del Galeón Trustees Gloria Angara and Dr. Lydia Echauz, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan

The Museo del Galeón will house a life-sized representation of Manila Galleon, offering visitors an immersive and educational experience that highlights the role of the Filipino people before, during, and after the galleon trade. Discover the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture between the East and West that put Manila at the center during the dawn of globalization.

Representatives from the SM Group and Museo del Galeón, alongside the Embassies of Spain and Mexico in the Philippines, discuss Dr. Jaime Laya’s donation of a reproduction of the Velarde Map.

(L-R): Museo del Galeón Trustee Gloria Angara, Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency (H.E.) Daniel Hernández Joseph, Museo del Galeón Chairman Ambassador Carlos Salinas, Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Miguel Utray Delgado, and Museo del Galeón Trustees Dr. Jaime Laya and Dr. Lydia Echauz during the awarding of certificates to the Advisory Council.

The turnover of the Museo del Galeón space ensures that the Filipino story is told, and discoveries, revelations, and ideas will be sparked by our rich and complex maritime history. “This is not just about preserving history. This will be a place where the past and the present meet, with exhibits and interactive experiences that will tell the stories of the historical exchanges that, for the first time in history, united three continents: Asia, America, and Europe,” Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Miguel Utray Delgado said. 

This occasion signals the beginning of the one-year countdown to the museum's grand opening, which will take place on Día del Galeón in 2025.

PAPI marks golden anniversary

by Info @Brand Zone | September 18, 2023

The Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) marks and celebrates its milestone Golden (50th) Anniversary on September 20, 2024 with a commemorative program at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Founded in 1974, following the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972 which saw the closure of all private media outfits in the Philippines, except Bulletin Today and the provincial newspaper Island Observer in Oriental Mindoro, publishers met in Manila to find ways to address the problem and present their plight to the Martial Law authorities.

The media leaders, led by Bulletin Today publisher, Gen. Hans M. Menzi, then an aide of President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. shortly organized PAPI as a non-stock and non-profit corporation. Its incorporators were Raul L. Locsin (Business Juan A. Perez (Philippine Daily Express), Kerima P. Tuvera (Evening Post) and Rosario B. Olivarez (Journal Group of Companies).

PAPI’s first set of corporate officers were Menzi, president; Mariano B. Quimzon (Bulletin Today), secretary-treasurer; Sol L. Villa, overall coordinator; and Robert M. Mendoza. executive director. Included in its national board were included the association’s regional chairmen from the country’s 11 regions then: Oseo Hamada (Baguio Midland Courier), Region I; Claudio Cortez (Cagayan Star), Region 2; Benigno Razon (Tarlac Star), Region 3; Mario S. Romero (The Island Observer), Region 4; Ramon Toleram (Naga Times), Region 5; Aurelio Servando, Jr. (Weekly Scope), Region 6; Zoilo Dejaresco, Jr., (Bohol Chronicle), Regions 7 &; 8; Armando Lopez (Zamboanga Times), Region 9; Bienvenido Cruz (Mindanao Star), Region 10; and Gil Abarico (Mindanao Mail), Region 11.

PAPI is reputedly the largest media fraternity in the Philippines today. Its membership ranks include about 400 community newspaper publishers in the regions and provinces, media executives, communicators and actively practicing journalists in print, broadcast and online media platforms, as well as campus journalists as associate members.

Incumbent PAPI president Nelson Santos said they have invited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to keynote their anniversary program, along with other key government and private sector leaders as special guests to their milestone event.

Santos said their program also includes a post dinner Fellowship Social cum Entertainment that will feature notable musical numbers and a KATHABI Fashion Show, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) that will showcase Philippine fabrics developed from native fibers.

The PAPI event has the sponsorship support of DOST-PTRI, DOST NCR, APCU, PCSO, BAUERTEK Farmaceutical Technologies, FFCCCII, EPSI, Feliz Y Prosperidad Mining Corp. Our media partners the Manila Times, net 25 Radyo Agila and Pilipinas Ngayon DWIZ.

With Santos in PAPI’s incumbent leadership, are Johnny P. Dayang, (who previously served as PAPI president for over 20 years) National Board Chairman Emeritus  ; Rebecca M. Velasquez, executive vice president/Board secretary; Alma O. Ochotorena, vice president for Luzon; Dr. Paulus L. Canete, vice president-Visayas; Angelina S. Lim, vice president-Mindanao; Leonida P. Cardona; treasurer; Francia A. Orlain, assistant  treasurer; Jimmy C. Vistar and Eduardo L. Cardona, directors-Luzon; Edalyn B, Acta and Danilo N. Silvestrece, directors-Visayas; and Anila B. Acosta and Elpedio B. Soriano, Jr., directors-Mindanao.

PhilHydro spends Php 50M for water treatment plant upgrade in Legazpi City

by Info @Brand Zone | September 17, 2024

Philippine Hydro, Inc. (PhilHydro)—wholly owned subsidiary of Maynilad Water Services, Inc.—spent Php50 million to upgrade its Legazpi City Water Treatment Plant in Albay, Bicol, which produces potable water supply for some 22,000 households in the area.

The upgrade involves the inclusion of a clarifier technology in the facility’s treatment process to enhance the removal of sediments from the raw water, making water treatment faster and more efficient.

With this upgrade, the facility can sustain its production output of 30 million liters per day (MLD) even during the rainy season when the level of turbidity in the raw water supply increases. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness of a fluid caused by the concentration of particles.

This project is in line with PhilHydro’s initiative to address the impact of climate change on the quality of the raw water supply coming from the Yawa and Pawa rivers, which serve as the supply source of Legazpi City.

“The increased turbidity of the river water—exacerbated by man-made activities upstream and soil erosion during heavy rains—necessitate this additional water treatment process. The upgraded facility will ensure consistent water quality and supply, even under these challenging conditions,” said PhilHydro General Manager, Engr. Mirla M. De Leon. “Our sustained investment in the infrastructure is proof of our commitment to provide quality service to Legazpeños.”

PhilHydro operates under a 25-year contract to supply treated water to Legazpi City Water District, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the distribution network and selling the water directly to households in the area.  

PhilHydro also owns and operates water treatment plants that supply treated bulk water to Norzagaray Water District, Santa Maria Water District, and Bocaue Water District in the province of Bulacan. It also supplies water to Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, and to Rizal, Nueva Ecija. All PhilHydro facilities are under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Contracts with the government, either directly contracting the Local Government Unit or with Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, such as water districts.