SM Home Start Smart Masterclass Shared Practical Baon and Study Space Tips for Filipino Families

     As the back-to-school season slowly kicked in, many Filipino moms started shifting back into routine mode, planning baon ideas, fixing school supplies, and figuring out how to make home spaces feel more functional again for the incoming school year.

     Last week, SM Home brought together practical ideas for modern Filipino households through its Start Smart for School campaign, featuring a special SM Home Masterclass held at SM Megamall. The event officially launched last May 22 at SM Home Megamall, Lower Ground, SM Store Megamall Building B, with interactive sessions focused on baon preparation and creating distraction-free learning spaces at home. More about the event after the jump, click continue to read more :)

SM Home Start Smart Masterclass Shared Practical Baon and Study Space Tips for Filipino Families

Experience the World of ‘One Piece’ at Your Favorite Malls and Beyond

     With two successful seasons and a third officially confirmed, One Piece on Netflix has become so much bigger than just another live-action adaptation. What started as a beloved manga and anime series has grown into a worldwide phenomenon and it feels perfectly timed for summer, when everyone’s craving a little adventure and escape. 

     The Great Pirate Era isn’t just something fans watch anymore. Around the world, One Piece has slowly transformed into a full experience. At Netflix House Philadelphia, for example, fans can step inside immersive escape rooms inspired by the series, working together to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and search for hidden Devil Fruits while exploring iconic locations from the show itself. For longtime fans, experiences like these make the world of One Piece feel even more real and exciting.

Experience the World of ‘One Piece’ at Your Favorite Malls and Beyond
GMA actor Vince Maristela (center) joins content creators Klen Cos, Awie De Guzman, Cholo Tolentino, and Prince De Guzman (left to right) set sail as the Straw Hat crew, bringing the world of One Piece to life at the PLDT Store

LAC Encourages Filipino Moms to Prioritize Wellness and Break the Cycle of Everyday Fatigue

     In many Filipino homes, a mother’s responsibilities go far beyond what people usually see. While daily routines may look manageable on the outside, much of a mom’s work happens quietly in the background remembering schedules, planning meals, anticipating everyone’s needs, managing emotions, and keeping the entire household running smoothly day after day.

     This invisible responsibility, often called the “mental load,” has become one of the most overlooked forms of exhaustion many mothers experience today. Moms are often expected to stay constantly present and available balancing caregiving, work, household responsibilities, and emotional support all at once, with very little time left to truly rest and recharge for themselves.

LAC Encourages Filipino Moms to Prioritize Wellness and Break the Cycle of Everyday Fatigue

IKEA Philippines Celebrates Historic Store of the Year Win with Hall of Fame Tribute

     Among hundreds of IKEA stores around the world, IKEA Pasay City was named IKEA Store of the Year 2025, a recognition only a few IKEA stores globally ever get to receive. And honestly, it felt like such a proud moment not just for the brand, but for Filipinos too.

     To celebrate the milestone, IKEA Pasay rolled out its own version of the blue carpet and transformed the Swedish Restaurant into a Hall of Fame-inspired space that honored the people behind the achievement, the co-workers who helped make the store experience feel genuinely warm, thoughtful, and very in tune with how Filipinos live at home.

IKEA Philippines Celebrates Historic Store of the Year Win with Hall of Fame Tribute
Building IKEA’s symbolic stone wall during IKEA Pasay’s Store of the Year celebration, symbolizing that anything can be made with something small. (L-R) Audrey Ella Habac, Senior Food Assistant; Chollin Vargas, Plan and Order Point Associate; Her Excellence Anna Ferry, Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines; Daniel Rivero, IKEA Philippines Store Manager; Ricardo Pinheiro, IKEA Philippine Country Retail Manager; Pasay City Mayor Imelda Gallardo Calixto-Rubiano; Heraclio Cruz, Interior Designer; Maria Patricia Lee, Sales Associate.

Cebuana Lhuillier Expands How Filipinos Can Build Value Through Gold

     Gold ownership today is becoming more flexible, with buyers increasingly looking at a wider range of formats to match their financial goals. While smaller gold pieces remain an accessible way to begin accumulating gold, there is also growing interest in formats that support different ways of building value over time. This broader range of options reflects a more intentional and flexible way of building gold value today, allowing buyers to grow their assets according to their priorities and financial capacity.

     Recent developments in the global gold market reinforce gold’s continued relevance as a reliable store of value. According to the World Gold Council, global gold demand reached a record 5,002 tonnes in 2025, supported by strong investment flows and continued central bank purchases amid economic uncertainty. In the Philippines, the price of 24-karat gold is hovering around ₱9,000 per gram as of early 2026, reflecting sustained confidence in precious metals as part of long-term financial planning.

Cebuana Lhuillier Expands How Filipinos Can Build Value Through Gold