The City Government of Muntinlupa made clear through its executive budget and goals that it is putting the people first, according to a news article by the Manila Standard.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Standard. Some parts in boldface…
In an era of cynicism toward government, Muntinlupa City is proving that good governance is still good politics.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon champions social justice through strong health and education spending — proving that clean, compassionate, and competent governance works.
As budget debates heat up nationwide, Muntinlupa City is standing tall for all the right reasons. Under the leadership of Biazon, the city has made human development, not grandstanding or prestige projects, its number one priority.
In the city’s P8.8-billion 2025 executive budget, a remarkable 22 percent is devoted to health and 18 percent to education, directing nearly P4 out of every P10 toward people-centered programs.
These figures far surpass national benchmarks where the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) assigns around 16.7 percent to education and less than 6 percent to health.
Based on comparative data from the Department of Budget and Management and DILG, Muntinlupa consistently ranks among Metro Manila’s highly urbanized cities with the highest proportional investments in health and education, a reflection of the city’s deep commitment to human capital development.
In a time when the public is more watchful than ever about where every peso goes, Muntinlupa is setting the gold standard for purposeful and transparent spending.
“As we close the year, Muntinlupa can say with pride that our budget reflects our conscience,” said Biazon. “We chose people over politics, essentials over excess, and impact over impression.”
Through his 7K Agenda, Biazon has kept his focus sharp: Kalusugan (health) and Karunungan (education) lead the city’s spending priorities, backed by strong fiscal performance.
“A good budget is not about how much we spend, but how many lives we lift,” Biazon said. “That’s what makes governance both moral and meaningful.”
With 22 percent of the city’s budget directed to health, Muntinlupa is upgrading the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun), acquiring modern medical equipment, and strengthening drug supply systems. Investments are also flowing to barangay health centers and community-based health institutions to ensure access to preventive care and emergency response.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you feel important to the City Government? Are you happy with the way the City Government has prepared its executive budget?
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
For the newcomers reading this, I myself had visited Israel on a pilgrimage tour with my local church in 2023. You can read some of my blog posts by clicking here, here, here, here, here and here. My faith in Lord Jesus is uncompromising and I will always stand in support of Israel and its people.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Israel sees the Philippines as a “priority” market in its efforts to revitalize its tourism sector, its tourism ministry said.
Intense promotions and trade engagement are underway in Asia following the “renewed travel optimism” seen after the Gaza ceasefire deal was signed this October, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT).
The agency, during its participation at the recent Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB) Asia 2025 travel event in Singapore, underscored Israel’s intent to deepen ties across Asia’s high-growth travel markets and highlighted the destination’s “evolving identity that unites its heritage and modern leisure offerings.”
“The enthusiasm we’ve seen from Filipino travelers and partners at ITB Asia truly reflects how Israel remains a top bucket-list destination for many Filipinos,” Anna Oraiza Aban, marketing manager at IMOT’s Philippine office, said on Friday.
“With visa-free access for Philippine passport holders, we’re confident that more Filipinos will soon turn their dream trips into reality. The strong interest from the market and travel trade inspires us to continue developing experiences that connect deeply with Filipino travelers, whether through faith, culture, or adventure.“
In a briefer, IMOT said insights from ITB Asia 2025 will guide its regional strategy through 2026, with emphasis on joint marketing campaigns, airline collaborations, and education programs to build awareness and drive sustainable visitor growth in Asia.
Israel received 118,200 tourists in August, a 39 percent increase from July. Between January and August, it recorded 814,000 tourist arrivals, up from 672,400 in the same period last year.
“Asia has been a key market for Israel with India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and South Korea leading,” IMOT said.
“This steady rise shows Asia’s growing confidence and curiosity in Israel’s mix of culture, culinary, eco-conscious, wellness, and adventure travel experiences,” it added.
This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties and I am confident that new travel breakthroughs between Israel and the Philippines plus other nations in Asia will happen. That means better commercial and investment opportunities, and more people in Asia will be able to visit the Holy Land in Israel and witness the Holy Bible come to life during their visit. This also means more Asian travelers – the faithful and those who are still spiritually lost – will have golden opportunities to realize that Lord Jesus is the hope of all nations!
To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!
I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa with over two hundred thirty million people, is now in the spotlight over the continued killings of Christians committed by Islamists and already United States President Donald Trump officially warned their national government that if the killings continued, America will halt aid and act militarily, according to a news report by Breitbart and other sources (for Trump’s Truth Social post, click here).
To be clear, the rise of Islamists and Islamic terrorists in Nigeria has been growing over the past several years (notably a major tragedy happened in 2014 committed by Islamic terrorists and several abducted girls remain missing). Islamic persecution and violence against Christians in Nigeria has worsened this year and so far the corrupted mainstream news media (which often sides with Islamo-Leftists) provided very little news coverage about the tragedies. Very clearly, there is genocide against Christians in the country and it is indeed very crucial that President Trump made everyone aware of it.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Breitbart’s news report. Some parts in boldface…
President Donald Trump warned that if the Nigerian government continued to allow Christians in the country to be killed, the United States military “may very well” go into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump instructed the Department of War to “prepare for possible action,” adding that if the U.S. does attack, “it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.” Trump also threatened to “stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said in his post.
Trump continued: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
Trump’s warning comes after he previously said that Christians were “facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” and pointed out that “thousands of Christians are being killed” by radical Islamists.
The President also took action to designate Nigeria as a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” and asked Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) to work together “to immediately look into this matter” and report back to him with their findings.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said in a post on Friday. “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like it happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
In response to Trump’s comments about the “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar denied that there was a genocide occurring in the country.
For additional insight about Trump and the Islamists’ persecution of Christians in Nigeria, watch the selected YouTube videos below…
I encourage you all to pray to the Lord for the protection and healing of the Christians in Nigeria who were affected by the violent Islamists. Pray to Him with Psalm Chapter 91 from the Holy Bible to help the Christians in the country. Preach the Word of God and remind everyone that Lord Jesus is the hope of ALL nations. Pray to God for the breakthrough and for further support for President Trump and his administration. Pray to Him to end the genocide against Christians and to bring all the guilty Islamists to justice.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Nigerian government will not do anything to protect Christians from the Islamic terrorists even as Trump publicly pressure them to act? How many Islamic terrorists do you think there are in Nigeria and how much resources do you think they have to keep on terrorizing people? Who do you think is funding the Islamic terrorists in Nigeria?
BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, officially lowered its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) for the Philippines at 5.2% pointing a series of factors such as remittances slowdown, weaker investor sentiment, US tariffs on Philippine goods and the effects of the flood control corruption scandals, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI has sharply lowered its 2026 Philippine growth forecast to well below the government’s six- to seven-percent target, citing an expected slowdown in remittances, a weaker trade balance, muted investment sentiment, and downside risks to government spending stemming from the flood control fiasco.
“We expect remittance growth to slow due to tighter US [United States] immigration policy and a one-percent remittance tax on transfers from the US starting in 2026,” BMI said in a commentary published on Thursday, Oct. 23.
“A slowdown in remittances will weigh on domestic consumption, which will have an outsized impact on growth given the domestically driven economy,” BMI explained.
Against this backdrop, BMI has slashed its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.2 percent, one-percentage-point (ppt) lower than the 6.2 percent it projected previously.
If realized, this would also fall below this year’s growth goal of 5.5 to 6.5 percent, and 2024’s actual pace of 5.7 percent.
Another policy by US President Donald Trump that could drag down the local economy is the 19-percent tariff on Philippine exports, but zero tariffs imposed on select American imports.
This US-Philippines trade setup, according to BMI, “will weigh on the trade balance in 2026.”
Goods exports growth in August was the slowest in 2025 as US tariffs took effect and exporters’ front-loading of outbound shipments ended.
The latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that goods exports grew by 4.6 percent year-on-year in August, marking the slowest increase since the 1.9-percent decline in December 2024
BMI also believes investor sentiment will “likely” remain muted next year as “erratic US trade policies will weigh on global investor sentiment and limit foreign direct investment inflows [FDIs].”
Domestically, government spending could bear the impact of a scenario where the ongoing flood control probe leads to the unearthing of more corruption cases tied to infrastructure projects beyond flood control.
“It could lead to even tighter scrutiny on government spending and reduce spending substantially below fiscally programmed levels,” BMI said. Capital outlays had dropped by 10 percent to ₱112.9 billion as of August, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Infrastructure spending is expected to hit ₱1.51 trillion in 2025, ₱1.56 trillion in 2026, ₱1.69 trillion in 2027, ₱1.9 trillion in 2028, ₱2.03 trillion in 2029, and ₱2.2 trillion in 2030.
Meanwhile, BMI retained its 5.4-percent Philippine growth forecast for this year, still below the lowered full-year target.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that due to several internal and external factors, economic growth of the Philippines will be slower this year and next year? Do you agree with BMI’s findings about the Philippine economy?
With the Christmas season approaching, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) warned the public about the rise of smishing as criminals have changed their strategies and used more sophisticated technology to steal people’s money, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is cautioning clients about a sharp, pre-holiday surge in online banking fraud linked to smishing, noting that criminals’ tactics have evolved from simple text scams to using highly sophisticated tools to steal money.
“Consumer complaints are increasing… a lot of it is seasonal. During Christmas, when people receive their bonuses, these cases really go up,” Jon Paz, BPI enterprise information security officer and data protection officer, said during the bank’s cybersecurity roundtable with the media on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Paz reported that around eight out of 10 online banking fraud cases last year were perpetrated through smishing attacks using International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers and rogue apps.
He further noted that there were almost zero IMSI-catcher-related fraud cases in 2024, but incidents began appearing around December and skyrocketed by the second quarter of this year.
“Some of the authorities reported that those who were caught were reporting to Chinese nationals,” Paz added.
An IMSI catcher is a fake cell tower device used by scammers to intercept mobile signals and steal users’ personal and banking information.
Meanwhile, a rogue app is a malicious or fake mobile application that tricks users into granting permissions or entering credentials, allowing scammers to harvest personal and banking data.
Despite the increasing number of consumer complaints in the banking industry, Paz noted that BPI’s risk tolerance is “low—one incidence of fraud is one too many for us.”
While the bank cannot disclose its total allotment for app enhancements, BPI Chief Technology Officer Alex Seminiano stated that nearly 60 individuals are working across various functions—business, technology, and operations—to enhance the bank’s mobile app.
BPI said its mobile apps are equipped with an evolving security layer that can detect risky environments and devices, such as those that are jailbroken, use overlays, or allow side-loading, to prevent potential breaches.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that smishing will affect members of your family or those in your local community? Were you scammed online during the past six months? How many people in your local community are aware of smishing right now? Did you receive any text messages that tried to convince you to hit the link provided?
If you are in the Philippines, did you receive any suspicious calls on the telephone or on your mobile phone lately? Based on the data of an anti-scam app developer, scam calls in the country surged by more than 78% in the 3rd quarter of this year, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
A 78.44 percent rise in scam calls was recorded in the Philippines in the third quarter of 2025, data from the latest Whoscall Scam Report of global anti-scam app developer Gogolook showed.
During the period, Whoscall said it logged a total of 62,390 scam calls, a sharp increase from 34,964 in the previous quarter.
Despite the spike, it noted that the figure remains 62.24 percent lower year-on-year than the 165,236 scam calls recorded in the same period in 2024.
Whoscall stated that it recorded 37,609 SMS scams, down by 42.17 percent from 65,035 in the previous quarter and a 97.71 percent year-on-year drop from 1,645,470 in 2024.
Gogolook Philippines Country Head and General Manager Mel Migriño said the trend indicates a behavioral shift among mobile users.
“Since the first quarter Scam Report of 2025, we have seen that Filipinos have become more cautious about clicking links from unknown numbers in SMS swindles. This shows that scammers are now shifting their tactics to calls and social media,” she said.
She explained that the rise in call scams is largely driven by fraudsters exploiting the telemarketing systems of financial institutions.
“They are taking advantage of legitimate promotional calls like credit card limit upgrades, making their scams sound more believable to unsuspecting consumers,” she noted.
Per Migriño, the continued decline in text-based scams can be credited to the “whole-of-society approach” involving law enforcement raids of major scam hubs nationwide and joint awareness campaigns.
Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and report scam incidents through official channels.
Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) acting executive director Usec. Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said public reports are crucial in combating online fraud.
“We continue to urge the public to report scam incidents, as these serve as leads for further investigation and as the foundation for various initiatives that raise public awareness against online scams,” he said.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think is causing the surge of scam calls over the previous quarter?
Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!
When it comes to the seven James Bond movies that the late Roger Moore starred in, 1981’s For Your Eyes Only is my favorite. To put things short, the said Agent 007 adventure film was more grounded with reality, revived certain espionage elements used in the Sean Connery Bond films of the early 1960s, focused more on the Cold War, delivered solidly with thrills, and was ultimately more character-driven with its storytelling.
The movie poster of Fot Your Eyes Only. (photo source – IMDB.com)
In my experience, I never saw For Your Eyes Only in the cinemas. My first time viewing it was on a rented home video tape (Betamax). In the 1990s, by chance I replayed the movie on cable TV. I bought a DVD copy of the movie in 2009.
Very recently, I had my first-ever high-definition (HD) viewing of For Your Eyes Only on Blu-ray which is my latest purchase this year. I bought it for a little over $8 (delivery fee excluded) on Amazon.
My Blu-ray copy of For Your Eyes Only. I bought it for a little over $8.
The rear of my Blu-ray copy of For Your Eyes Only.
As of this writing, I replayed For Your Eyes Only in HD twice with my Blu-ray copy and I can say that I enjoyed the Moore-led Bond movie yet again. While the film is not exactly spectacular with regards to visuals as it was recorded, it looks better than ever in HD. Apart from the higher resolution, the movie is clearer and there are more tiny visual details spotted as I watched on Blu-ray. It was nice to see on HD the film’s key moments, character development scenes and, of course, the many action scenes and stunts performed.
With regards to the extra stuff, this Blu-ray contains the exact same content made available on For Your Eyes Only DVD that I bought 16 years ago. The on-screen options as well as the visual presentation were also the same.
I am really delighted with For Your Eyes Only on Blu-ray disc format and my recent purchase resulted in a tremendous value in return. I am glad to have this classic James Bond movie in my collection as the film itself is great and it is my favorite among the seven Agent 007 movies Roger Moore starred in.
The Blu-ray disc of the 1981 James Bond movie.
If you are a long-time James Bond or if you are a newcomer who wants to the see the very best of Roger Moore James Bond movies in HD, the Blu-ray disc is still available for ordering online and you only need to click here.
For me, the next step to enjoy For Your Eyes Only would be on 4K Blu-ray (standalone release). In conclusion, I posted below the official song of the movie by Sheena Easton.
If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, cinematic trends, Blu-ray releases and more relevant stuff, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576
In response to the abuse of visa processes and cases of fraud committed by some foreigners, Japan recently tightened the rules for applying for the Business Manager Visa and also raised the capital requirement by six times, according to varied sources. To put things in perspective, the said visa was launched by Japan over a decade ago in order to attract foreign entrepreneurs who can contribute a lot to building up the national economy and create new jobs.
To get yourselves oriented, watch the English-language analytical news video of NHK World by clicking here. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from NHK’s English news report. Some parts in boldface…
Japan’s business manager residence status, introduced a decade ago to lure entrepreneurs from overseas, has become increasingly popular. More than 41,000 people held it last year.
But concerns have grown that the status was being misused as an easy path to immigration, prompting the government to tighten rules this month – including a steep increase in capital requirements.
Worries about abuse – With the number of business manager visas issued more than doubling in ten years, worries have grown that it was being misused – a view highlighted by then-justice minister Suzuki Keisuke earlier this month.
“It was pointed out that the residential status is abused by some foreigners as a means of moving to Japan, as permit standards are lax compared to the same systems in other countries.” (Suzuki Keisuke)
How have the requirements changed? –Japan introduced this visa 10 years ago to attract foreign entrepreneurs. The goal was to boost investment and create jobs. But new rules for the visa were introduced in October.
The capital requirement was raised six-fold, from 5 million to 30 million yen. That means incoming applicants will need nearly 200,000 dollars in the bank.
The rules also require companies to hire at least one full-time employee, who must be, for example, a Japanese citizen or permanent resident.
It also requires that applicants have at least three years of business management experience or hold at least a master’s degree.
Why tighten the rules? – Authorities said the capital requirement was too low. In addition, they’ve seen a number of fraudulent applications using shell companies that aren’t actually operative in the real world.
“Someone who has no intention of engaging in business activities can obtain business manager residence status as a means of immigrating to Japan. But that is not acceptable from our viewpoint. We made these changes because we believe the previous requirements were too loose.” (Ito Junji)
Over 41,000 people had business manager residence status last year. That number has more than doubled over the last decade.
Social situation in China may be one cause of the increase – More than half of the people holding this residence status are Chinese. Of course, there are legitimate applications. But the visa has also been widely advertised on social media as a means of moving to Japan.
And some Chinese residents are looking for a way to escape their country’s harsh rules. For example, Beijing’s strict lockdown policies during the coronavirus pandemic pushed people away. And China’s high-pressure “entrance exam war” is another reason why people want to leave China. They want to raise their children in Japan to avoid that kind of pressure.
Meanwhile, The Japan News (of The Yomiuri Shimbun) published an editorial about the recent tightening of rules regarding the Business Management Visa. Posted below is an excerpt. Some parts in boldface…
A status of residence originally created to help Japan’s economic growth by accepting entrepreneur-minded foreign nationals is being abused.
The system must be changed in line with its original intent, while authorities must firmly crack down on illegal residency.
The Justice Ministry has tightened the requirements for obtaining the business manager visa, a type of residence status, by revising a ministerial ordinance under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law.
This type of visa was created in 2015 for foreign nationals who launch businesses in Japan. The number of business manager visa holders has continued to increase, reaching 44,800 in June this year.
In recent years, there have been cases where foreign nationals have reportedly obtained this visa fraudulently by establishing shell companies. The Immigration Services Agency investigated 300 applications suspected of fraud and found that 90% of them had irregularities such as having no actual business operations.
It is believed that the holders of this visa in those cases have come to Japan under the guise of starting businesses with their real purpose being to bring their families for advanced medical treatment or to provide their children with high-quality education. This situation where the system’s original intent is being disregarded cannot be overlooked.
Previously, the government granted this status of residence for up to five years if applicants had an office in Japan and met either of these requirements: having capital of ¥5 million or more or hiring two or more full-time employees.
Under the revised ministerial ordinance, the minimum capital requirement has been raised to ¥30 million and it is now mandatory to hire at least one full-time employee. A certain level of Japanese language ability is another new requirement.
In South Korea, obtaining a similar visa requires about ¥32 million in capital, and in the United States, about ¥15 million to ¥30 million in capital is needed. Compared to other countries, Japan’s lenient visa criteria may have contributed to the rampant abuse.
There are other areas that need to be changed. Currently, screenings for the visa have been conducted primarily through documents alone. If illegal acquisition is suspected, why not conduct interviews with the applicants in addition to on-site inspections?
It is also important to check business operations regularly after the visa is granted. To that end, strengthening the system for immigration checks is indispensable.
Some people say that because screenings of registrations for companies and other entities have been lax in the first place, shell companies have been used as covers for money laundering and other purposes. The loose screening system must be overhauled.
As you can see in the above editorial excerpt, cases of abuse and fraud were spotted by Japan’s government already. In related to the findings, watch the China Observer YouTube video below.
The China Observer video pointed out that a lot of foreigners who applied for Japan’s Business Manager Visa before were Chinese nationals. Some Chinese nationals see the said visa as a shortcut to immigration into Japan and get away from mainland China where their lives allegedly have been hard and restrictive. It is also widely reported that China has been having serious economic problems for years now.
Going back to the Japanese authorities, the changes made on the Business Manager Visa were meant to prevent further fraud from happening, to ensure that companies have substantial operational capability, and prevent the proliferation of shell companies. Along the way, the authorities want to make certain that those who applied for the visa have at least 3 years entrepreneurial experience or have a master’s degree in business management, so that the foreigners (who secretly have no intention to contribute to Japan’s economy) can be prevented from entering.
When it comes to the abuses of the Business Manager Visa, Japanese authorities discovered cases of fraud such as some small buildings in Tokyo and Osaka had as many as fifty different company names registered with the same address, and often with no real staff present. These visa-related fraud cases only add to the endless problems Japan already has. That being said, Japanese authorities did the right thing with tightening the rules and adjusting requirements for the Business Management Visa.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think that too many foreigners abused the Business Management Visa already? Did you notice any foreigners who want to migrate to Japan with a hidden agenda that would only lead to trouble? Do you think other countries should follow Japan’s example?
SONAK Group, the company that manages established brands like ASICS, Onitsuka Tiger, ABC-MART Grand Stage, Molten, Mikasa, and Bullpadel, has secured a lot along Spectrum Midway in Filinvest City for the establishment of their new headquarters in Alabang, according to a news report by the Daily Tribune and details from the company’s social media post.
SONAK Group stated: “As we build our new home in Filinvest City, we look forward to creating spaces that bring people together and reflect SONAK’s continued pursuit of excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth.”
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Daily Tribune. Some parts in boldface…
Filinvest City continues to cement its position as Metro South’s premier business hub with the opening of SONAK Group’s new headquarters along Spectrum Midway, a move that underscores the township’s growing appeal to both regional and multinational enterprises.
From its humble beginnings as a local merchant to becoming a regional powerhouse in sports and active lifestyle retail, SONAK Group now joins the expanding list of companies driving Filinvest City’s transformation into a center for innovation, growth, and modern living.
Managing globally recognized brands such as ASICS, Onitsuka Tiger, ABC-MART Grand Stage, Molten, Mikasa, and Bullpadel, SONAK’s relocation signals confidence in the district’s long-term vision and robust infrastructure. The company’s newly opened ASICS store at Festival Mall Alabang also strengthens its connection to the community, highlighting Filinvest City’s reputation as both a business and lifestyle destination.
“Securing this new lot in Filinvest City marks a proud milestone for SONAK,” said Anil Buxani, CEO of SONAK Land Corporation.
“It reflects not only our growth as a company but also our commitment to building a future in a community that shares our values of innovation, active lifestyles, and continuous growth.”
SONAK’s expansion is expected to generate more employment opportunities within Filinvest City’s central business district, supporting local talent and contributing to the city’s dynamic workforce.
Located across Spectrum Linear Park, Central Park, and the iconic Filinvest City landmark “The Tree,” SONAK’s headquarters situates the company at the heart of the city’s economic core. The location’s pedestrian-friendly walkways, landscaped avenues, and recreational spaces foster an environment that promotes both productivity and well-being — key aspects of Filinvest City’s live-work-play philosophy.
“Welcoming SONAK Group highlights our commitment to creating a central business district where progress and well-being go hand in hand,” said Don Ubaldo, Head of Filinvest Townships.
“Their presence adds vibrancy and innovation to our community, showcasing Filinvest City as a destination where companies grow while embracing a balanced and fulfilled lifestyle.”
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think more corporations could be influenced by SONAK Group’s milestone to expand and establish their presence in Filinvest City in the near future? Do you think the growing number of companies moving into Filinvest City will be beneficial to the nearby apartments and condominiums which have vacant units?
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
Shortly after Sanae Takaichi took office as Prime Minister of Japan, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., recently congratulated her, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
President Marcos has extended his congratulations to Japan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, the first woman to assume the post.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on her historic election as Japan’s first female Prime Minister,” Marcos said in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
“Her assumption demonstrates Japan’s firm democratic advocacy, and reflects the country’s commitment to progress and representation,” the President added.
Marcos expressed his eagerness to work with Prime Minister Takaichi in strengthening the Philippines’ and Japan’s bilateral cooperation, especially as both countries prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
“I look forward to working with her in commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Philippine-Japan diplomatic ties in 2026, and in deepening the Philippine-Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership for the peace and prosperity of our peoples,” the President said.
Most recently, the Prime Minister met with President Marcos formally in Malaysia. For details, click here.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think bilateral ties between Japan and the Philippines will grow stronger now that President Marcos and Prime Minister Takaichi have officially met? Do you think Filipinos who intend to migrate to Japan have doubts about Prime Minister Takaichi knowing that she will be tough on illegal immigration?
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
Author Carlo Carrasco 