San Miguel Corporation’s “Better Rivers PH” initiative removes 93,000 tons of silt and waste from Parañaque rivers

Parañaque City benefited from the “Better Rivers PH” initiative of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) as ninety-three thousand tons of silt and waste was removed from the rivers of the city and other improvements were also done, according to a Business Mirror news report.  

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Business Mirror news report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you delighted over SMC’s special assistance that cost you nothing? Do you want to see SMC’s initiative to last long to make Parañaque cleaner, better and safer as a city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Concha Cruz Drive Homeowners Association, Inc. (CCDHAI) directors, members, important guests and community heroes celebrate Christmas

On the afternoon of December 8, 2024 along Concha Cruz Drive in BF Homes subdivision, the Concha Cruz Drive Homeowners Association, Inc. (CCDHAI) had its Christmas fellowship that brought its legitimate members, guests and the heroes of the community together.

The CCDHAI Christmas fellowship was more than just a social gathering as it symbolized the truth that the homeowners’ association (HOA) and its residents need each other so that cooperation, unity and progress could be achieved. At the same time, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and security guards of Praise Security and Investigation Agency, Inc. were called the community heroes for their essential contributions to the peace and security of the local community.

There were also several officials from the City Government of Parañaque who attended and interacted with the community members.

Indeed, under the current board of directors (BOD) of the CCDHAI led by its president Luis Isidro Bersamin, the Concha Cruz Drive community progressed over the past two years as it has turned more peaceful, more stable and the value of properties have soared along the way.

“You have seen our community has turned active and we are connecting with each other. Hopefully, we could do more next year,” CCDHAI president Bersamin said. “You may have noticed that our community has turned peaceful. I am happy to see the positive changes in our local community as we worked hard for these to happen.”

CCDHAI president Luis Isidro Bersamin delivering his remarks to the members and guests.

Bersamin also noted the increase in the number of legitimate members who responded to the invitations to be more involved in the association’s activities. His remarks drew cheers from the directors, the members and the guests (including Barangay BF Homes chairman Jeremy Marquez, Parañaque Chief of Police PCOL Melvin R. Montante, Parañaque City Councilor Bong Benzon with wife Sheila Benzon, and Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez’s legal counsel Atty. Rommel Frias).

Barangay BF Homes captain Jeremy Marquez speaking during the fellowship.

“I admire your community’s activeness. I saw how your association is involved not only with the federation but also with our barangay. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank your president for helping the barangay when we have programs from the national government to take part in,” Barangay BF Chairman Jeremy Marquez stated in his short speech.

Parañaque City Councilor Bong Benzon addressed the CCDHAI community as his wife Sheila looked on. (photo source – CCDHAI)
The Parañaque Chief of Police PCOL Melvin R. Montante. (photo source – CCDHAI)

Other important figures who made it to the Christmas fellowship include Parañaque City Mayor Olivarez’s HOA consultant Marilu Glorioso, City Councilors Rico Golez, Beng Amurao, Jet Frias, Raffy Apiong Dela Peña and former City Councilors Wahoo Sotto and Jean Yllana. They each admired the CCDHAI for the progress and reforms achieved over the past two years.

The group of CCDHAI people and guests. Seated (Left to Right) were director Grace Morales, President Luis Isidro Bersamin, Parañaque City Councilor Rico Golez, this writer, City Councilor Beng Amurao and homeowner/member Nisa Moletti. Standing (L to R) were director Seth Bersamin, Seanma Bersamin, Sidong Bersamin, director Carlos Jamora and director Ryan Samia. (photo source – CCDHAI)
An indoor group selfie shot taken by director Carlos Jamora (foreground). Standing (L to R) were HOA consultant to Parañaque Mayor Olivarez Marilu Glorioso, director Grace Morales, this writer/blogger, Merle de Asis, Atty. Rommel Frias with his wife, Nikki Bersamin, Samito Bersamin, President Luis Isidro Bersamin, City Councilor Jet Frias, Atty. Jon Jamora and Ann Lopez. (photo source – CCDHAI)

The CCDHAI and the guests – including elements of the Philippine National Police and local security guards who are the community heroes – went to enjoy delicious meals, and socialize with one another. Adding zest to the fellowship was the release of Christmas prizes and all of the guests were able to pick something they desired before heading home.

“The CCDHAI Christmas fellowship proves that community participation in the HOA’s events benefits the homeowners, especially when the local government unit (LGU) steps in to help them with their needs. The best benefit of all, homeowners and the LGU officers get to know each other in a spirit of camaraderie,” director Grace Morales stated.

CCDHAI director and host Grace Morales gave the attendees an update about their association’s activities.

About CCDHAI

The Concha Cruz Drive community and the guests together. (photo credit – CCDHAI)

The Concha Cruz Homeowners Association, Inc. (CCDHAI) was founded in 2014. Its local community (composed of 67 households) includes specific parts of both Parañaque City and Las Piñas City.

The current BOD of CCDHAI include Luis Isidro Bersamin as President, and Alexis Sanchez as Vice President. Other members of the board include directors Seth Bersamin, Jaime Calaqui, Carlos Miguel Jamora, Grace Morales and Ryan Samia.

To contact the CCDHAI, call 85425277 or send email to ccdhainc@gmail.com

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Parañaque City fails to qualify in 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) list of awardees

Just months after its embarrassing 27th place finish among highly urbanized cities (HUC) in the 2024 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), the City of Parañaque suffered another setback as it failed to make it in the list of the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardees which the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) released online very recently.

To put things in perspective, there were a total of 96 cities nationwide that were named as awardees of the SGLG for 2024. Among those 96 cities, 14 were from the National Capital Region (NCR). Among the 14 NCR cities, two cities of South Metro Manila made it as awardees – Muntinlupa City and Las Piñas City.

Parañaque City was completely missing from the 2024 list which clearly means it was not an awardee at all. In order to win the SGLG award, the local government unit (LGU) must pass the DILG’s strict standards. For transparency, posted below are images of the lists of the 96 cities that made it as 2024 SGLG awardees.

For further transparency, displayed below is the full 2024 SGLG document from the DILG for your view. Feel free to download a copy.

All in all, there were a total of 714 SGLG awardees for 2024 covering the cities, municipalities and provinces around the country. The 2024 SGLG awardees list was signed by DILG Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla. The official Facebook page of SGLG posted below its message to the 2024 awardees:

Going back to Parañaque, this is not the first time the city failed to become an SGLG awardee. In 2023 list of SGLG awardees, eleven NCR cities were named and the City of Parañaque was not among them. Look at the image below.

Now that Parañaque City is ending 2024 with a very bad CMCI finish and the failure to qualify for an SGLG award, one has to wonder what has the current City Government been doing with regards to public service, governance, financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, health compliance, public safety, peace and order, and more.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you satisfied with the way your Mayor and your City Government have been doing their jobs? Do you think it is time for the City Government to realize that other LGUs are more competitive and doing better jobs with regards to local governance? Do you think Parañaque City can still improve? Do these results affect your decision as to which local candidates would you vote for in the May 2025 local elections?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Las Piñas City Councilor Santos asks DENR to authorize P103.8 billion Las Piñas-Parañaque reclamation plan

In recent times, Las Piñas City Councilor and congressional candidate Mark Santos formally asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to authorize the Las Piñas-Parañaque Coastal Bay Reclamation Project of the national government which is worth over P100 billion, according to a Manila Standard news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the news report of the Manila Standard Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think it is high-time for the reclamation in Las Piñas to proceed?  

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Three men arrested in Parañaque City for posing as NBI agents, grave threat and extortion

Recently in the city of Parañaque, three men who pretended to be agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) got arrested by the police for extortion, grave threat, malicious mischief and the usurpation of authority, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The three suspects were also responsible for a previous attempt to extort money from a Parañaque spa while pretending to be working for the NBI.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more individuals who would visit local businesses pretending to be NBI agents and make grave threats as they extort money? If you are a local business owner, did you encounter the same suspects in the news report?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Barangay Baclaran Captain Jun Zaide files COC to run for Parañaque City Mayor again

Barangay Baclaran Captain Jun Zaide is running for the office of Mayor of Parañaque City again as he recently filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) in the presence of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officials at City Hall. The local elections will happen in May 2025.

To watch the filing of his COC, click https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Gx9UQ6AVLuZ7AHUt/

Barangay Baclaran captain Jun Zaide. (photo source – Kap Jun Zaide – Baclaran Facebook page)

For the newcomers reading this, Jun Zaide has been serving as the head of Barangay Baclaran for many years now. He first ran for Mayor of Parañaque as an independent candidate in May 2022 but lost.

Captain Zaide has an official Facebook page where viewers can find updates about his campaign. To visit the FB page of the candidate, click https://www.facebook.com/kapjunzaideOfficial

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, would you be voting for captain Jun Zaide for Mayor in the May 2022 local elections? What is your impression of captain Zaide right now? Knowing how badly Parañaque City turned out amoung the 33 highly urbanized cities (HUC) in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) results of 2023 (24th place) and 2024 (27th place), do you hope that Zaide as Mayor will be able to inspire positive changes and improvements?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Former Parañaque City Councilor Benjo Bernabe files certificate of candidacy (COC) to run for Vice Mayor

Recently in the city of Parañaque, former City Councilor Benjo Bernabe officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) to run for the office of Vice Mayor of Parañaque in the May 2025 local elections.

For the newcomers reading this, Benjo Bernabe is the son of former Parañaque City Mayor Florencio “Jun” Bernabe. The young Bernabe served as City Councilor from 2010 to 2013, and he ran for Mayor in the 2013 local election but ended up short.

Benjo Bernabe filed his COC in the presence of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) – Parañaque officials at City Hall. With him were his father, Congressman Brian Yamsuan (note: a candidate for the District 2 Congressional Seat of Parañaque) and Barangay BF Homes captain Jeremy Marquez to name a few.

Former City Councilor Benjo Bernabe shows his certificate of candidacy (COC) confirming his run for the office of Vice Mayor of Parañaque in the May 2025 local elections. (photo source – Benjo Bernabe Official Facebook page)
Benjo Bernabe signing the form at City Hall. In the background were his father former Parañaque City Mayor Florencio “Jun” Bernabe, congressman Brian Yamsuan and Barangay BF Homes captain Jeremy Marquez (hidden, standing behind former Mayor Bernabe). (photo source – Benjo Bernabe Official Facebook page)

Benjo Bernabe has an official Facebook page where viewers can find updates about his campaign. To visit the FB page of the candidate, click https://www.facebook.com/BenjoBernabeOfficial

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think Benjo Bernabe will make a good and effective Vice Mayor? Have you decided already to support Bernabe’s campaign for the office of Vice Mayor? Do you think that in the event Bernabe becomes the next Vice Mayor, do you think her can inspire change to improve the quality of the City Government’s services and also make the city more competitive with the other highly urbanized cities of the nation? How enthusiastic are you right now when it comes to voting in the next local elections in May 2025?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

CMCI 2024: Parañaque falls down to 27th place among Highly Urbanized Cities on Competitiveness, finishes dead last on Government Efficiency

The latest results of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) for the year 2024 showed that the City of Parañaque fell down to 27th place among the 33 Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in terms of Competitiveness when compared to last year’s results. Also for the 2nd straight year, Parañaque finished dead last at 33rd place in the category of Government Efficiency.

Parañaque City, which was the 24th Most Competitive HUC a year ago, scored 35.3478 points in total on the main category of Competitiveness among HUCs ranking 27th out of 33 HUCs overall.

The overall ranking of Parañaque City among the 33 highly urbanized cities (HUCs) nationwide for the 2024 CMCI.

Along the way, the city scored 7.9090 points on Government Efficiency for 33rd place, 6.5970 points on Innovation for 31st place, 11.1401 points on Resiliency for 30th place, 4.6574 points on Infrastructure for 23rd place and 5.0443 points on Economic Dynamism for 12th place.

To see the full results, complete rankings and other details of the CMCI 2024 research, click https://cmci.dti.gov.ph/rankings-data.php?unit=Highly%20Urbanized%20Cities

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque City, do you think the City Government has been doing something wrong which resulted in a lower competitiveness ranking this year? Has your City Government been transparent with regards to rendering services to you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

173 avail of Health Services in Tahanan Village

Patients gathered at one side of the Tahanan Village pool to get verified and examined by the health services personnel.
Patients seated and waiting for their respective turns just outside of the Tahanan Village clinic for ECG.
Century Club of Tahanan, Inc. (CCTI) President Florencia Umali.
Another look at the many patients who lined up to get served for their health-related needs.

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Parañaque City finishes as the 24th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City, dead last on Government Efficiency and Innovation (CMCI 2023)

The official results of the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) for 2023 have been published and it shows Parañaque City did worse this time finishing as 24th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC) of the nation and this includes finishing dead last (33rd place) among the HUCs in the categories of Innovation and Government Efficiency.

To put things in perspective, the HUCs (which covers very dense cities in the National Capital Region and the provinces) are determined by means of Competitiveness (the main category) as well as other related categories such as Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency and Innovation.

The 2023 CMCI showed that Parañaque City scored 36.301 for 24th place in Competitiveness (versus 19th place in 2022). The city’s highlight is finishing 11th place on Economic Dynamism with a score of 5.3264, 16th place on Infrastructure with 5.2753, and 26th place on Resiliency with 11.4956.

What is most notable is that Parañaque finished dead last among the 33 HUCs on the categories of Government Efficiency and Innovation with scores of 8.2859 and 5.9169 respectively.

How and why did Parañaque end up as the worst HUC on Government Efficiency and Innovation needs to be explained in detail by the local officials. I know for a fact that Parañaque has been a hot spot for crime but that alone does not explain the CMCI’s 2023 findings. I can only wonder how efficient the City Government of Parañaque has been over the past 24 months as well since the day Mayor Eric Olivarez took office.  

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque and had been doing transactions with the City Government, did you notice anything wrong? Has the City Government been performing sluggishly in recent times? Did transparency at the City Government weaken? What do you think should the City Government do with regards to innovation in relation to public service?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673