Davao City Council honors SPMC for citations

 

By Ivy Tejano

Published May 6, 2026 10:53 pm

DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Council commended the Southern Philippines Medical Center here led by Dr. Ricardo B. Audan, on Tuesday, May 5, for receiving multiple national and international awards.

Audan said the awards represent more than institutional recognition. “They honor the dedication of thousands of healthcare workers, administrative employees, and support staff who continue to deliver service with compassion, excellence, and resilience.”

Councilor Trisha Ann Villafuerte, chairwoman of the Committee on Health, congratulated SPMC for being the Most Sustainable and Livable Hospital in the Philippines during the 10th Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards at Okada Manila on April 22.

Villafuerte said the recognition reflects SPMC’s commitment to creating a hospital environment that is sustainable and conducive for both patients and healthcare workers.

Audan was named the Most Visionary Iconic Professional of the Year during the Grand Honors 2026 Asia Iconic Excellence and Innovation Awards in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The recognition placed Audan among Asia’s distinguished healthcare leaders and highlighted his role in steering the hospital’s growth.

The SPMC was also cited by the Philippine Hospital Association as first runner-up in the Most Outstanding Hospital Award for the government sector, Level 3 category, on Nov. 19, 2025, at The Manila Hotel.

The SPMC was ranked 29th in the Philippines in the list of the World’s Best Hospitals 2026 published by Newsweek and Statista on Feb. 25, 2026.

The hospital has maintained a five-star rating for four consecutive years under the Department of Health’s Green Viability Assessment program that measures environmental sustainability in healthcare facilities.

The SPMC ranked 142nd among 300 employers nationwide in the Philippines’ Best Employers 2026 survey.

“These awards are not just for SPMC. They are for every Davaoeño, every Mindanaoan, every Filipino who has ever depended on this great institution,” Villafuerte said.

These citations came as SPMC continues to deal with overcrowding and staffing shortages. Hospital officials have acknowledged these issues.

 

LET’S ENTERTAIN OURSELVES!

By

 Mindanao Daily News

 -

May 8, 2026

0

30

Let’s absolutely entertain ourselves! Engaging in enjoyable activities—like streaming new films, reading, playing games, or learning a new skill—is essential for mental health, creativity, and stress reduction. It is a wonderful way to relax, feel productive, and take a well-deserved break.

Your body releases endorphins when you participate in entertaining or fun activities. This chemical is known to relieve stress and pain. Therefore, entertainment can bring a degree of happiness into your life. You can entertain yourself in different ways.

The most simple answer is to entertain yourself when you don’t have any energy left. Avoid spending time on entertainment when you’re most energetic if you have more productive things to do, like work, taking care of someone, school, etc.

Ask yourself what it is that you want to achieve in your life, your passion and dream. Once we will be able to feed ourselves with our own thoughts, then we will not.

Not a single day goes by without terrible news. It makes us tired and sick – mentally and physically. Many give up and withdraw in their loneliness. A legal solitude from “somewhere up there”.

Many wonder whether it is good for our future, for the economy, for education, and for our personal life and its surroundings. Well, I don’t want to swap with those up there ahd having to make the right decisions at the right time. You can already notice some things, people are becoming more and more aggressive, no matter where in the world.

Let’s entertain ourselves! Quite simply and clearly expressed. Since my retirement but staying longer  in my home office, I’ve been trying to entertain myself. I enjoy writing more – writing was and still is one of my hobbies. I enjoy playing my different instruments. I ignored that for years.

Pick up a book you’ve been meaning to read or explore new digital worlds through audible.

I enjoy listening to music from my incredibly large record collection back to 1936. I put my photo album collection in the right order. Incidentally, this is a wonderful task, since I am currently working on my  biography.

Go bowling, play LIFE, or do something you haven’t done since you were a kid. This can get people laughing and will keep them from taking themselves too seriously. Play a light game of basketball or volleyball. This will keep people entertained and active.

Entertaining means to talk with my wife and family personally too, and not only by messenger. Playing with the dogs, gardening, watching the daily TV-mass, praying … .

Yes, it’s our new abnormality we have to live with. We must not get down. Trust in God. It’s all in His hands.

Elisia Parmisano turns K-pop dream into reality with UNIS

 

By Carissa Alcantara

Elisia Parmisano of UNIS

It all started with a dream: making people happy.

Now, 17-year-old Filipina Elisia Parmisano is doing exactly that as part of a K-pop group representing Pinoy talent on the international stage.

During an intimate media gathering last May 2 in Quezon City, Elisia recalls the moment she decided to pursue her goal.

“I started in Philippine showbiz when I was 7 or 8 years old. Siguro around 11, I began getting interested in K-pop. That led me to train in Korea at 13—and now I’m here,” Elisia said, recalling her journey to becoming a member of UNIS.

Going into rigorous training, Elisia was able to adjust quickly thanks to the support of the other members of the group. “In Korea, the culture teaches us to focus purely on our craft," she noted.

Elisia feels no pressure carrying Filipino pride on stage as K-pop Idol.

"Instead of pressure, I feel pride as a Pinoy. I still carry that responsibility, na I have to do good in the name of my country. With all of my achievements, it comes with the Filipino name po talaga," she said.

Two years in with UNIS, Elisia said they are all happy with what they have achieved so far as a group.

"Being with UNIS for two years, super happy po kami po talaga kami as a group. Even though at first we had this different cultural stuff, we were able to adjust to that," she shared.    

Bridging the gap between two distinct entertainment worlds requires talent and a deep cultural understanding. Elisia’s ability to navigate her career in English, Filipino, and Korean allows her to connect authentically with a global audience. This trilingual fluency serves as her primary tool for storytelling, ensuring that the Filipino heart remains with her.

“There is a certain charming point po when it comes to our friendliness and our pakikisama po sa tao in general. We would never go unnoticed, I think, when it comes to being in the entertainment scene in another country. In a good way, we're a different breed; we're always so happy, we're always so bright. There's a certain charming point po talaga.” Elisia added.

She recalls practicing facial expressions in the mirror, inspired by the screen presence of Marian Rivera and the vocal prowess of Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez. These influences, alongside the journey of her cousin, HORI7ON’s Marcus, have shaped her belief that performance is about soulful connection rather than just hitting the right notes.

“Siyempre Filipino tayo, we're always singing. Whenever I sing in karaoke, my family would always say, " You sing with feelings, you sing with your heart, not just with your voice. You put yourself into the song, so when it comes to the recording of songs, or interpreting the meaning or the message of the songs, Tina-try ko po talaga to give my all."

UNIS is an eight-member girl group under F&F Entertainment. They were formed through the SBS show Universe Ticket and debuted in March 2024 with their mini album "We UNIS."

The K-pop group held its first fan meet in the Philippines last October 2024 at the New Frontier Theater.

Why is the Filipino culture very loving, huggable, patient, fun, understanding, and warm?

Filipino Relationship and Dating

 · 

Following

Answered by 

Ghemma Marie

If you ask those non-Filipino people who spend years living in the Philippines, you’ll be surprise why their answers can be a little different. It can be easy for me to say YES, but I wan’t to be realistic as well.

In general, yes, Filipinos are warm, approachable, generous and hospitable. They care more about what others think or say, which influences the social behavior so behaving as such (friendly, warm, being fun) makes others think of us in a positive way, and in turn has positive effect on our self steem or something. This is also why Filipinos in general hate confrontations.

I don’t want to brag, but Filipino have a naturally caring and sympathetic mindset, thus they’re hospitable. I can rate that 8 out of 10. You can noticed this overseas when they reach out to each other to help a Filipino in need. Most of the time its happening.

However, let me remind you that Filipinos are fierce. Criticise them and all hell will break loose. The “very loving, huggable, patient, fun, understanding, and warm demeanour” will quickly morph into a defensive snarling creature. Its something like this, you can’t make a criticism about us Filipinos, but we can about you.

The problem with Filipinos is we’re overprotective. Not of our culture, of our identity, of our resources – but of our pride. We have so much pride, we even made a tagline out of it #PinoyPride. We’ve become overly sensitive, easily offended at the slightest of criticisms that we end up refusing not to better ourselves because we’d rather be right and win an argument, than admit to be wrong and improve.

Preview of City Garden Grand Hotel Makati, Manila

 

Klaus DÖRING

Davao City, Philippines

12391

I will be back here for sure!

Review of City Garden Grand Hotel

Reviewed 3 days ago

It was my 6th stay here. As always, I enjoyed an overall stay: awesome the hotel room, the restaurant(s), the food, the staff. 100% clean and silent.
Staying in Makati, I would love to recommend this hotel from the bottom of heart.

Date of stay:April 2026

Trip type:Traveled on business

5.0

Value

5.0

Rooms

4.0

Location

5.0

Cleanliness

5.0

Service

5.0

Sleep Quality

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Discovering exclusive dishes, thoughtful reinterpretations, and interactive dining experiences at Manam at the Triangle

Familiar yet fearless

By John Legaspi

Published May 6, 2026 04:06 pm

Filipino cuisine is a baddie. It is rebellious in the sense that it is never really faithful to strict rules, techniques, or recipes. It is all about comfort—not just in taste and feel, but in the way a dish is made. It is always open to the cook’s interpretation. That’s why, for many, when asked what their favorite meal is, the answer often includes how things are done in their own kitchen.

Iniside Manam at the Triangle (Photo: Manam at the Triangle/Instagram)

It’s easy to give it a contemporary twist at home while still maintaining reverence for its original taste. But on days when cooking feels like a chore, there are many establishments where one can satiate their hunger for modern, comforting, and distinctly Filipino flavors. One of them is Manam.

Since 2013, Manam has been serving lutong bahay (home-style dishes) with a spin that has tickled Filipinos’ taste buds. Its food is inventive and meant for sharing, making the restaurant a go-to for families and friends. What it serves on the table often sits between familiarity and reinvention, making the dining experience exciting even for Filipino food purists.

Recently, its branch at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an award that recognizes restaurants offering good quality food at reasonable prices. If that isn’t reason enough to drop by, did you know there are Manam dishes you can only try at this location?

During a visit to Manam at the Triangle, I sampled several dishes unique to the store, showcasing the brand’s flair for reimagining Filipino favorites.

First to grace our table was its Alamang Kabayan. As the name suggests, it merges a bakery staple with a fermented favorite. It is a fusion of sweet and savory, with hints of calamansi zest and brown butter. Next was the Crispy Baby Squid with sour sawsawan and garlic aioli on the side. Think of it as an elevated take on calamares—crunchy, meant for dipping, and simply addictive.

Whole Spatchcock Chicken Inasal (Photo: Manam at the Triangle/Instagram)

Sunog na Chopsuey (Photo: Manam at the Triangle/Instagram)

Midnight Beef Ribs Adobo (Photo: Manam at the Triangle/Instagram)

Crispy Baby Squid (Photo: Manam at the Triangle/Instagram)

Then came the mains. I must confess, I don’t like chopsuey cooked with a slurry. And when I tried its Sunog na Chopsuey, I knew I’d be bookmarking this restaurant for when cravings for stir-fried vegetables kick in. It features a bundle of Benguet vegetables in greens, purples, and reds that are charred, then tossed in brown butter.

One of the restaurant’s exclusives, Midnight Beef Ribs Adobo, is something not to be missed. The beef is slow-cooked in soy sauce, coconut vinegar, and red wine, and served with garlic confit. It is rich, the meat is tender, and it has that garlicky note one wants from a good adobo.

Manam at the Triangle knows Filipinos’ love affair with chicken inasal quite well. Its version, Whole Spatchcock Chicken Inasal, is marinated with lemongrass and annatto oil and chargrilled for that smoky flavor. It takes 45 minutes to prepare, but I swear this flagship exclusive is worth it. So it’s best to pre-order before your visit.

Halo-halo (Photo: Manam at the Triangle/Instagram)

Patis Caramel Tart (Photo: Manam at the Triangle/Instagram)

As for dessert, I got to try sweet treats that put the spotlight on local flavors and ingredients. There’s the Patis Caramel Tart with South Cotabato ganache, the House Buko Pie with coconut cream on the side, and the decadent Bibingka de Leche with kesong puti and leche flan. But with the heat of summer, it is hard to pass up a glass of its Halo-halo. What’s unique about Manam at the Triangle is that it features a halo-halo cart, allowing diners to customize their cup by choosing the ingredients they want to include.

All in all, dining at Manam at the Triangle is a unique experience that can surprise even avid fans of the brand. What it puts on the table is a quiet testament to how Filipino cuisine continues to evolve—constantly reimagined, yet never stripped of its warmth, familiarity, and sense of home.

Two to tango

 

By Jullie Y. Daza

Published May 7, 2026 12:04 am | Updated May 6, 2026 04:18 pm

MEDIUM RARE

As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Thus Mariel Ilusorio, pianist, and Joshua Cerafica, young flutist, teamed up to celebrate the music of Astor Piazzolla, who in 1986 composed a four-movement suite in honor of a dance that was once banned, like the novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover, by the Roman Catholic Church.

Tango is, as far as my two left feet are concerned, an art form in itself. Tango!, condemned during the last century for its sensuousness, is today celebrated for its drama and romance. You have to see how they dance the tango in Argentina, where it was popularized after being imported from its neighbor, Uruguay, to understand why fuddy-duddies would see “sin” written all over it – from the choreography to body movements, even the dramatic pauses here and there.

In Buenos Aires, the bars and nightclubs are better described as tanguerias, which should be self-explanatory. The female dancers are garbed in red or black, red and black, in longish, ruffled skirts stopping inches above the ankles for their audience to appreciate the choreography and footwork. Invariably, the senoritas wear their hair long and black, like a waterfall at night. No, their theme song is not “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.” (You could cry from the cigarette smoke, though.)

A plane ride from Manila, which is practically on the equator, to Buenos Aires, Argentina in South America, is no joke. When I went to Argentina decades ago, the trip took 37 hours, with a stopover in Cairo. Jet planes may fly faster these days but the Far East, where we are, is still a long away from down South.

Mariel Ilusorio announced she is now her own producer, and to show their support, her mom Sylvia and aunt Lin were present at last Saturday’s performance at Sunshine Place in Makati; as were a group of diplomats, whom I overheard speaking in Spanish – were they from Argentina or Spain?

Mariel has previously teamed up with a harpist, a soprano with her tenor husband, and several other soloists and vocalists. If a pianist is not heard, where is the music? Can we compare such music to the sound of a tree falling in the forest where there is no one to hear the crash?  

Cacao to boost Davao City tourism, identity

 CACAO producers and entrepreneurs showcase local cacao-infused dishes in celebration of Cinco de Mayo at Azuela High Street in Lanang, Davao City, on Wednesday, May 5. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)

By Ivy Tejano

Published May 6, 2026 11:35 pm

Davao City cacao producers and entrepreneurs have expressed confidence that locally grown cacao will boost the city's identity, tourism potential, and export competitiveness.

Cacao de Davao and Siempre Taqueria and Bar have joined hands during the Cinco de Mayo to show that cacao can be used beyond chocolate and confectionery.

"With this collaboration, we are pushing the idea that cacao is not just simply cacao. There are still so many things that can be done with it, and there are many more possible collaborations not only here but even with other countries," Ethan Kyle Lim, chief operating officer of Cacao de Davao, said.

Lim said Davao cacao's quality is now being recognized in high-end dining spaces, opening the door to wider applications such as skincare, soap, and butter-based products, as well as other emerging value-added industries.

He emphasized the broader economic and tourism impacts of showcasing local products through culinary events and collaborations, saying these initiatives help position Davao City as an open, innovation-driven city for investors.

The cacao producer noted that Davao is expanding its identity beyond its traditional association with fruits. "Davao is already known as the cacao capital of the Philippines, not only durian and mangosteen and other fruits here," he added.

Lim emphasized that collaborations with local restaurants have become key to sustaining cacao's visibility in the city, citing partnerships with establishments such as Lamano, Ikao, and Siempre.

"The growing collaboration among local businesses and farmers is helping establish a unified cacao movement in Davao City," he said. "If we unite and work together, we can showcase the best of our products and help tourism thrive even more."

Lim added that the initiative aims to encourage more farmers and businesses to participate in strengthening Davao's cacao industry, positioning it as a key driver of economic and tourism growth.

For Gastro Club Corp. and Siempre owner Jaru Chua, the initiative underscores the importance of working directly with local farmers and producers to strengthen supply chains and support local livelihoods.

Chua said their Filipino-Mexican cuisine concept is rooted in showcasing Davao's agricultural strength. He added that Davao City and the Davao region remain major hubs for fresh produce in Mindanao.

The local entrepreneur described the collaboration with Cacao de Davao as a continuation of earlier partnerships, noting that such efforts prove local businesses can scale impact when working together.

"I don't know if everybody is familiar with authentic Mexican food, but many of its dishes, desserts, and drinks truly use cacao. This time, localized using cacao from Davao City," Eric Patrick Dulay, entrepreneur and co-owner of Siempre.

Chua also said such initiatives have the potential to attract both domestic and international tourists to visit Davao City, as it always has something to offer, especially with cacao tourism in Davao continuing to grow and gain wider recognition.

Chef Mark Delumban explained that integrating cacao into savory and fusion dishes helps broaden Davao's culinary identity. He added that their approach combines familiarity with innovation.

Delumban said cacao naturally fits into Filipino-Mexican fusion cuisine due to shared culinary influences, citing dishes like mole in Mexican cuisine and traditional Davao tablea-based recipes. "We do not want the flavors to be too far from the local palate."

Lim shared insights from his benchmarking trips to Vietnam and Thailand last year, which he said helped identify opportunities to improve local cacao production systems and packaging.

He confirmed that Cacao de Davao products are already exported to markets including China, Europe, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan, with plans to expand further through airport kiosks and additional Asian markets.

Lim noted that Southeast Asian countries have advanced chocolate industries with strong export presence. Despite this, he emphasized that Davao's competitive advantage lies in taste and quality.

Sandara Park bonds with 2NE1 sans Park Bom

 By Carissa Alcantara

Published May 6, 2026 02:48 pm

2NE1 members Minzy, Sandara and CL (Instagram)

Sandara recently uploaded on social media two selfies featuring fellow members CL and Minzy.

She captioned it, "I ♥ 2NE1."

The trio posed closely together, showcasing coordinated black-and-white ensembles accented by bold silver accessories, a style long associated with the group’s signature image   

While the photos seemed warm, friendly, fans couldn't help but notice the absence of fellow 2NE1 member, Park Bom. 

"I’m happy to see you, my girls, but I want to see you with all members,” one netizen said.

“As much as I love Bommie, I will support a trio 2ne1 comeback too if Bom would not be able to give her 100% and join promotions,” another Instagram user commented.

Prior, Park Bom made headlines accusing Sandara Park of drug use, which she strongly denied.

More than a month after making the allegations, Park Bom issued an apology, praising CL, Minzy, and Sandara Park and expressing hope that the controversy could be put behind them.