Real estate investment trust Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT) saw its profit jump 28% to P1.3 billion during the January-September 2026 period and the figure includes revenues from the full-year ownership of Festival Mall (main mall) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, according to a business news report by The Manila Times.
FILRT’s portfolio consists of seventeen office buildings, one shopping mall and one resort lot, with a combined gross leasable area of more than 450,000 square meters. The entity is also one the top taxpayers in Muntinlupa City.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the report of The Manila Times. Some parts in boldface…
FILINVEST REIT Corp. (FILRT) posted a 28-percent increase in net income to P1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, supported by higher revenues following the full-year contribution of Festival Main Mall to its property portfolio.
The real estate investment trust on Wednesday reportedrevenues of P3 billion from January to September, up 18 percent from P2.54 billion in the same period last year.
The latest earnings performance builds on the15-percent growth in net income FILRT recorded in the first nine months of 2025, when profit reached P1.02 billion from P893 million in the previous year.
The company attributed its revenue growth mainly to thefull-year contribution of Festival Main Mall, which was added to its portfolio in May 2025.
Costs and expenses increased by a slower 4 percent to P986 million, while other charges declined 1 percent to P279 million during the nine-month period.
FILRT’s average portfolio occupancy remained at 86 percent in the first three quarters, unchanged from the same period last year.
Its office portfolio recorded anaverage occupancy rate of 79 percent, with multinational business process outsourcing companies accounting for 83 percent of office tenants.Traditional tenants accounted for 14 percent, while coworking, wellness and educational institutions made up the remainder.
During the third quarter,FILRT secured 5,651 square meters of new leases from incoming tenants and existing occupants expanding their leased spaces at Northgate Cyberzone in Alabang. This brought its year-to-date new leases to11,714 square meters.
The company also renewed all 20,689 square meters of leases expiring this year, bringing the portfolio’s weighted average lease expiry at 13.95 years as of end-September.
With the improved earnings,FILRT’s board approved a quarterly cash dividend of P0.06 per outstanding common share, covering income earned from July to September.Shareholders on record as of Nov. 24 will receive the dividend on Dec. 2.
The latest declaration brings FILRT’s total dividends declared for 2026 to P0.24 per share, equivalent to an annualized yield of 8.5 percent based on its closing share price of P2.84 on Oct. 30.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think of this development? Do you think FILRT has a bright future of growth even though the economy of the Philippines continues to get weaker? Do you think FILRT will continue to contribute a lot to the economy of Muntinlupa City over the next five years?
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
This past Friday, the Christmas season in Alabang was ushered in by Festival Mall with a lot of excitement during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which unveiled a giant Christmas tree presented in partnership with POP MART.
The event officially launched “The Magic of Christmas” celebration in Alabang and in attendance were top officials of the City Government of Muntinlupa, Filinvest executives, Festival Mall itself and many other invited guests.
The fabulous looking giant Christmas tree inside Festival Mall. The mall’s strategic partner POP MART is global designer toy company that connects artists and fans through collectibles and immersive experiences.
I myself attended the Christmas tree lighting ceremony which was organized with a lot of excitement and it executed a fresh creative spin on the holiday tradition. Seated at front row were Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Vice Mayor Stephanie “Phanie” Galan Teves-Wong, Filinvest Hospitality Corporation CEO Francis Gotianun and Festival Mall General Manager Yvette Dizon. Near me were Donna Santiago of South Snippets, some local business owners, bloggers, vloggers and members of the press. Unsurprisingly, there were a lot of spectators who viewed the ceremony.
Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon delivered his remarks to the many guests who attended the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Filinvest Hospitality Corporation CEO Francis Gotianun spoke to the attendees.
“The reason why we celebrate Christmas is Jesus Christ. And for that, there should be enough reasons for us to celebrate and be happy and thankful,” Mayor Biazon said when he delivered his remarks. “The message we would like to share to the people is that we should be thankful. Whether it is small or large we receive, we have to be grateful for the blessings we receive from God.”
“At Festival Mall, we always wanted to be more than just a shopping destination. We want to be a place for families and friends who come together enjoying new experiences, celebrate special occasions, or simply spend quality time with each other. What better time to celebrate than Christmas? This year, we are bringing to you the unboxing of the magic of Christmas made even more exciting in partnership with POP MART,” Filinvest Hospitality Corporation CEO Francis Gotianun said.
Vice Mayor Teves-Wong also delivered her remarks.
After the important words shared by the special guests, a short stage presentation was held telling a short story about Christmas emphasizing the suspense and mystery that come with receiving gifts during the season.
After that, the exciting countdown and formal lighting of the giant Christmas tree happened, and you can watch the short clip by clicking https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EtLcyw1m6/
This is what the newly lighted Christmas tree looks like from a higher part of Festival Mall.
A meet-and-greet with Santa Claus followed and several children (who were from the City Government and its Social Services Department and others from the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines) received gifts one by one. The invited guests were treated with a Christmas buffet and free-flowing drinks.
Festival Mall’s legacy of Christmas and giving – Festival Mall, which first opened in May 1998 and remains a strong shopping and lifestyle destination in South Metro Manila, is the flagship of Filinvest Malls, the retail business unit of Filinvest Land, Inc. Its Christmas celebration carries the mother brand’s message of community and connection into a place where families and friends come together to shop, dine, and spend time with one another. The partnership with POP MART for the November 6 Christmas tree lighting ceremony placed character-based creativity at the center of Festival Mall’s Christmas story.
A meet-and-greet between Santa Claus and the children was held during the ceremony. City Government officials and Filinvest executives in the background.
Children from Muntinlupa City (and the Social Services Department of the City Government) and Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines pose with Santa Claus by the lighted Christmas tree. (photo contributed by Festival Mall).
Along the way, the mall held its 3rd Season of Sharing in partnership with the City Government of Muntinlupa and its Social Services Department. Several children endorsed by the City Government were welcomed at Festival Mall for a special day of fun that includes arcade gaming, amusement rides, meals and the receiving of Christmas gifts. The sharing reflected the mall’s commitment to being an active and caring community partner. Festival Mall hopes to share not only gifts but also meaningful experiences and memories, reminding everyone that the spirit of Christmas is also about extending kindness and making others feel valued.
“For me, if we can make even one child smile, give someone a reason to feel happy, or make a family’s Christmas a little more special, then we’ve already done something meaningful,” said General Manager Yvette Dizon.
Christmas experience this year – For the 2026 Christmas season, Festival Mall is reviving Rhythm & Lights 4 on December 12 which is a Christmas musical celebration in a festive gathering. The said event will give shoppers and visitors a new opportunity to come together and enjoy the season through live performances.
With its Christmas tree as a meeting point with shopping, dining, and leisure experiences around it, Festival Mall is inviting visitors to make their next holiday gathering part of “The Magic of Christmas” at Filinvest Malls.
Filinvest executives pose with Mayor Biazon near the Christmas tree. (photo contributed by Festival Mall)
The children with the special guests, performers and others posed in front of the many photographers.
In ending this post, I want to point to what Mayor Biazon said about Jesus being the reason we celebrate Christmas. Lord Jesus is the hope of ALL nations. To learn more about the Him and His eternal holiness, I encourage you all to grab the Holy Bible and read the following references: Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16, John 6:26-40, Matthew 2:1-2, John 5:19-23 and John 8:12. This Christmas, always be thankful to those who gifted you and also to the Lord. Honor and thank Him for all the blessings and happiness you received.
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
Remember back in 2025 when it was announced that telecommunications giant PLDT will relocate its headquarters to Filinvest City? Filinvest City itself is now aiming high with its new Alabang district called The Quarter which is being developed beside the future PLDT campus and it is being prepared to attract commercial investment, according to a news article by Insider PH.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the Insider PH news article. Some parts in boldface…
Corporate investments and rising demand for commercial space are creating opportunities for further business expansion in southern Metro Manila, as Filinvest City seeks to attract enterprises to its established Alabang township.
Filinvest City has introducedThe Quarter, a four-hectare mixed-use district designed to accommodate new businesses and support the township’s next phase of commercial development.
A township of 47,000 workers– The development is positioned beside the upcoming PLDT Campus, which is expected to accommodate approximately 5,000 employees. The concentration of corporate activity could generate demand for retail, dining, healthcare, hospitality and professional services.
The Quarter also offers commercial lots to businesses and investors seeking to establish operations near major employment centers. Filinvest City currently serves approximately 47,000 workers, more than 19,000 residents and 231,000 daily visitors.
The township’s existing population and commercial activity provide a potential customer base for enterprises considering expansion into the district.
Strategic location– The Quarter forms part of Filinvest City’s strategy to diversify its business ecosystem beyond traditional office developments.
Located near Asian Hospital and Medical Center, the district could accommodate healthcare-related enterprises, including private clinics, therapy centers and specialized treatment facilities.
Its location also provides access to the South Luzon Expressway, nearby educational institutions, residential communities and commercial establishments. A pedestrian bridge connecting The Quarter to the future PLDT Campus is also planned.
‘New centers of opportunity’– “Filinvest City’s growth has always been driven by the ability to identify and cultivate new centers of opportunity,” Filinvest Townships first vice president and head Don Ubaldo said in a press statement.
“Just as the Peza-registered hub Northgate Cyberzone helped establish the township in the 90’s as a leading destination for the IT-BPM industry, The Quarter is envisioned to be the epicenter of its next phase of evolution, creating a dynamic environment where enterprise and innovation can thrive together,” he added.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think of this development? Do you think the new Alabang district called The Quarter will help Filinvest City attract more new investment and create both new jobs and more business opportunities in the years to come? Do you think Filinvest City will become to most vibrant and most progressive central business district (CBD) of the south by the year 2030?
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
If you are looking for a lively Christmas shopping experience here in Alabang, be aware that the popular Noel Bazaar will be held at the Filinvest Tent from December 17 to 20, 2026. Each day of the bazaar starts at 11AM and will last until 9PM.
To be clear, the Alabang bazaar will be the 2nd bazaar to be organized by Noel Bazaar this year.
Wondering what’s waiting for you at Noel Bazaar 2026?
It’s more than just Christmas shopping! From exciting local finds, delicious holiday treats, and unique gifts to fun workshops, special activities, and the GMA Ukay-Ukay, there’s something to make every Christmas visit extra memorable.
So start making that Christmas list, tag your shopping buddies, and get ready to discover what’s in store this year!
Noel Bazaar already promised that there will be a wide selection of sellers that collectively have a lot of products to offer shoppers such as clothes, accessories, footwear, home décors, handmade crafts, food items, and other items that can be ideal for Christmas gift-giving.
Apart from the shopping experience, Noel Bazaar has prepared special activities to entertain shoppers.
While Filinvest Tent has its own parking area, parking spaces are limited. There are others nearby places that offer paid parking such as Commercenter and South Supermarket.
Watch out for Noel Bazaar in Alabang this December 17-20.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: Are you looking forward to Noel Bazaar in Alabang this December? If you have visited a Noel Bazaar in the past, how was your shopping experience and were you able to find the items you wanted?
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
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details by doing personal research and watching the movie more than once. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Welcome back, film buffs and fellow geeks. Today, we go back to the year 2000 which saw the release of the original Scary Movie. It was a parody film that poked fun on the slasher film genre with Scream (1996) and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) as the major references. For teen comedy, it parodied American Pie (1999) which in my opinion is its 3rd main reference.
After getting released in cinemas in July 2000, Scary Movie (with a production budget of less than $20 million) opened way beyond everyone’s expectations grossing a then record $42.3 million (the highest opening weekend for an R-rated movie). It ended with over $157 million in North America and its worldwide total was at $278,019,771. By comparison, Scream (1996) grossed $173 million worldwide while I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) had global ticket sales of $125.6 million.
Months later, Scary Movie opened here in the Philippines and I was fortunate enough to have seen it in one of Festival Mall’s original cinemas (1998-2024). After that, I replayed Scary Movie on DVD and cable TV, and saw most of its sequels.
With the newest Scary Movie (2026) playing in cinemas around the world, it is not surprising that the original Scary Movie of 2000 suddenly got featured in YouTube retrospective videos, retro movie reviews, movie podcasts and the like. Indeed, now is a good time to look back at the one movie that led to a franchise.
The story begins on the night of Halloween. A student named Drew (Carmen Electra) is alone at home and was about to cook herself some popcorn when she suddenly received a telephone call. The talk over the phone start friendly until Drew realizes she’s being watched by the caller. Suddenly a person dressed as Ghostface appears inside her house forcing her to make hasty decisions to survive.
Drew runs outside. As Ghostface grabs her, Drew’s clothes fall off exposing her body and underwear. Ghostface stabs her on the breast only to remove one of her silicone implants. Drew notices their family car approaching fast but she got hit accidentally as her father (the driver) was distracted. Ghostface eventually kills Drew.
A very short time later, the local high school got swarmed by several members of the press. The murder of Drew caused a major disturbance there. At school, Cindy Campbell meets with her boy friend Bobby Prinze, and their friends Brenda Meeks, Ray Wilkins, Greg Phillippe, Buffy Gilmore, and Shorty.
During class, Cindy notices Ghostface watching from a distance. She opens an anonymous letter with a message from the writer that he knows what happened during the previous Halloween. This compels Cindy and her friends to reflect about the hit-and-run accident they were involved in the previous year. They assume the masked killer stalking them is seeking revenge for the cover-up…
Quality
From Left to Right: Shannon Elizabeth as Buffy, Shawn Wayans as Ray, Lochlyn Munro as Greg, Anna Faris as Cindy and Jon Abrahams as Bobby.
This old movie is still very entertaining to watch. Under Keenen Ivory Wayans’ direction and his brothers’ involvement in writing the script, there is a strong emphasis on parodying films with the adult moviegoers in mind, and there definitely is a strong storytelling structure all throughout. There is a fine mix of comedy, horror, action and pop culture references throughout.
The comedic scenes or acts were done organically. Not one funny scene felt fake nor wooden. There definitely is something funny to see most of the time and very few films made me laugh or smile all throughout. When it comes to parodying key scenes from established films like Scream (1996), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), American Pie (1999), Scream 2 (1997), The Sixth Sense (1999), The Blair Witch Project (1999) and The Matrix (1999), the filmmakers went all-in to entertain viewers and I can say they were really successful here.
Apart from making parodies, Wayans and his team even went as far as doing their own remakes of key scenes from Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and American Pie, complete with camera angles that strongly replicated those from the established films. With such creativity and passion behind the efforts, Scary Movie crafted its own narrative and had something fresh to show at a time when the slasher horror sub-genre of film was revitalized in American pop culture during the 1990s. In other words, there is something for American moviegoers to relate with in this film.
A notable parody of The Matrix in the film.
The filmmakers knew how to make fun of Scream and other films.
Along the way, the filmmakers got fine performances from the cast. To begin with, Anna Faris really stood out as Cindy Campbell and she showed a fine range of acting. Even though she only had a few professional acting credentials at the time of filming, Faris proved she can be the sweet girlfriend towards Bobby (Jon Abrahams), a real friend towards her friends (played by Marlon Wayans, Regina Hill, Shawn Wayans, Shannon Elizabeth, Dave Sheridan and Lochlyn Munro), be broken-hearted in reaction to betrayal, and even be an effective action performer. Faris is also good with executing comedy and her performance parodying the “What are you waiting for?” moment from I Know What You Did Last Summer is a must-see. This movie marks Faris’ breakout role and she became an essential player as the Scary Movie franchise grew in the years that followed.
Dave Sheridan as Doofy is absolutely cartoony and exaggerated, and also one of the more defining characters of the film. Regina Hill as the girlfriend of Shawn Wayans’ character ranges from talkative to annoying. Marlon Wayans is the 2nd most notable performer in the cast and he symbolizes the stoned guy while successfully delivering a lot of funny moments. Lochlyn Munro as Greg is the high-school jock who is arrogant, uptight and even panicky.
Yes, it is all true! Scary Movie (2000) accidentally predicted the rise of transgendered women (males who believe they are female) who displaced, harassed or even harmed real women in America. Even here in my native Philippines, transgendered individuals and LGBTQ members were caught committing criminal acts.
Shannon Elizabeth is a lot more than being a pretty face with an attractive body. She acted a lot in this movie ranging from being emotional to sarcastic and comedic.
The most surprising cast member here is Shannon Elizabeth as the rich and promiscuous Buffy Gilmore. Before watching Scary Movie, I saw Elizabeth in a small yet very notable sexy role as Nadia in American Pie and I was not surprised when she was presented as a walking sex symbol in this movie. Elizabeth surprised me with the huge amount of acting she did (easily overwhelming her limited acts in American Pie) being emotional, funny, and even sarcastic. As such, Shannon Elizabeth here is memorable to watch here.
As mentioned earlier, there is structure in the storytelling here. Even though a lot of films were parodied and some others were mentioned or visually shown, the filmmakers never lost their direction on telling the story in a coherent manner. In fact, Scary Movie’s story is still the best and the most solid among its many films within the franchise. As such, I enjoyed what was told and there definitely is a plot resolution to the crisis and paranoia that started early.
Conclusion
This scene parodies that of American Pie. The filmmakers went as far as replicating camera angles from the established movies and did their own remakes with comedy in mind.
With a nice mix of inspired works by the filmmakers, the fine performances of the cast members, the unrestrained adulterated comedy, sufficient number of parodies done and the solid storytelling executed, I can easily say that Scary Movie (2000) is still very enjoyable to watch from start to finish.
It is a parody film that was never compromised by the disease of political correctness (which Hollywood has too much of nowadays plus the other disease of wokeness) and the filmmakers succeeded in making something fun to watch without fearing of any potential backlash from moviegoers who might get offended. This movie also had perfect timing with its release during the summer of 2000 as many moviegoers were still aware of the many films parodied (or referenced at). By today’s standards, Scary Movie (2000) stood the test of time and many other comedies or parody films released by modern-day Hollywood (or Commiewood since Hollywood itself has too many woke nuts, modern-day Communists and social justice warriors who love to ruin entertainment) ended up failing to entertain.
Scary Movie (2000) is not just the best film of its own franchise. It is still the very best parody movie Hollywood has produced in the 21st century and nothing else comes close to it. As such, its replay value and fun factor remain very strong. That said, I am glad to have seen this movie in the local cinema and replayed it from time to time.
Overall,Scary Movie (2000) is highly recommended.
+++++
Note: All images sourced from IMDB.com.
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 by clicking https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576
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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Filinvest Development Corp., the holding company of the Gotianun family, reported an eight percent increase in attributable net income to ₱3.9 billion for the first quarter, as robust performances in its banking and real estate divisions mitigated the sharp downturn in its power business.
The firm reported to the Philippine Stock Exchange that its consolidated net income grew by seven percent to ₱4.8 billion from ₱4.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
Total revenues and other income for the first quarter of 2026 rose by five percent versus the same period in 2025 to ₱30.8 billion.
The increases in revenues and other income by business segment were: Banking, 12 percent to ₱15.6 billion; Real estate, 16 percent to ₱7.9 billion; and Hospitality, 0.8 percent to ₱1.2 billion. Power declined by 28 percent to ₱3.6 billion.
“Business results were mixed: Real Estate and Hospitality showed resilience against macroeconomic pressure while for others, profits were flat or experienced decreases versus a year ago,” said FDC President and CEO Rhoda A. Huang.
She noted that, “We are facing the challenges with resolve to achieve revenue and profit growth in 2026, despite increasing inflation and weakening GDP growth, through astute strategies and persistence of our organization.”
Banking unit EastWest Bank’s (EW) top-line growth was driven by increased loan volumes and effective management of funding costs, resulting in a 20 percent rise in net interest income (NII) to ₱11.1 billion.
Non-interest income was affected by trading performance amid volatile market conditions, but this was partially offset by an eight percent growth in fee-based income.
FDC’s Real Estate business, composed of Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI), Filinvest Alabang, Inc. (FAI), and Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT), recorded a 16 percent revenue increase to ₱7.9 billion due to stronger residential and commercial lot sales.
Residential sales increased by 28 percent, driven by sustained sales of ready-for-occupancy units and a higher percentage of completion for various residential projects. Mall and rental revenues remained steady with slight gains in occupancy and foot traffic.
The Power subsidiary, FDC Utilities, Inc. (FDCUI), reported total revenues and other income of ₱3.6 billion for the first quarter of 2025 due to a notable decrease in spot market sales and lower coal cost passthrough rates. This was mitigated by reduced costs resulting from lower sales volume.
Revenues from hotel operations under Filinvest Hospitality Corporation (FHC) remained consistent with the previous year’s level, supported by higher average room rates and enhanced contributions from the Food and Beverage (F&B) segment across its portfolio.
The Banking segment was the largest contributor to revenue and other income for the first quarter of 2026, representing 51 percent of the conglomerate’s total.
Real Estate and Power followed with contributions of 26 percent and 12 percent, respectively. The Hospitality segment accounted for four percent of revenues, while the remainder was attributed to other business units.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering the current state of the economy of the Philippines today, how do you think Filinvest Development Corporation will be able to perform financially in this current quarter and the next quarter?
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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://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
Southie Fest, a special event organized by South Snippets and its strategic partners, formally opened yesterday at the Carousel area of Festival Mall in Filinvest City, Alabang. A showcase of varied products and services offered by mostly business joints of the south, Southie Fest will last until Sunday (March 15).
I personally witnessed the opening of Southie Fest. There was a panel discussion wherein three local entrepreneurs shared insight about their respective businesses, how they managed their enterprise through the years, and what they learned from the many local communities of the south. South Snippets co-founder Donna Santiago was with them and she also shared insight about the organization’s drive of promoting businesses and connecting them with people of the South. Santiago confirmed that she is organizing South Snippets full-time.
The panel discussion held on the first day of Southie Fest inside Festival Mall. From left to right are the host, the three local entrepreneurs and South Snippets co-founder Donna Santiago.
Southie Fest is at the 2nd floor of Festival Mall in front of the old Carousel.
A few of the many booths/stalls that you can visit to see what they are offering. If you make it there, go around to explore.
I had a very tasty avocado shake there at Southie Fest. This one costs P120 and it is of very good quality.
Within the Carousel area – 2nd floor specifically – are lots of booths/stalls of varied local businesses offering customers a wide range of selections of food, beverages, accessories, collectibles, clothing, gift items, handcrafted items, services and a lot more. You really have to be there to truly discover them.
Remaining schedule of activities for March 14 and 15, 2026
Today, a “Southie Community Day” session will take place which will emphasize he community members and local digital trendsetters. It will help people understand who the Southie influencers and content creators are and what they do to inspire the community as they promote their respective platforms. There will be Q&A interviews, interactive games, and meet-and-greet opportunities.
On Sunday, the “Southie Family Day” will wrap up the event. Participants can dive into a variety of interactive workshops, creative classes, and community workout sessions. There will lots of things or experiences that participants can discover, and even learn from.
Southie Fest is a special showcase by South Snippets®, with support from JNE Branding Consultancy, Festival Mall, Aly Olaez, Neil de Belen Studios, Nextgen Events Management, Design Specs Printing Services, Carlo Suzara: Host & Content Creator, Terraland Pines, Kato Fertility Center, and the City Government of Muntinlupa.
It is also supported by Mama Lou’s Group and Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen, Schola de Vita, MEgorgeous, Let’s Glow Aesthetics, Lando’s Bar Las Piñas, Manna & Muse, BetterLife Yoga Studio, Lindy Hop Philippines, Invitations by Ten Arts & Gift Store, BloomsBrewsMNL, Be Club Lifestyle Hub, SOS Children’s Villages Pilipinas, Kalye Negosyo, and Southies Strays.
Southie Fest media partners are labang Bulletin, TigaSouthKaba, WhenInManila.com, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Manila Standard, Life In Tagaytay, Life In Alfonso, Chef Beng, Lowkey Lakwatsera, The Quiet Diner, Southieto, Tara Tagaytay, Wild and Sassy Blog, Dyan sa South, Chizbun Eats, The Reel B, Mauriz Coronel, and Mini Shoots.
The event organizer booth and more nearby.
For those of you reading this, I encourage you to visit Festival Mall to attend Southie Fest while it is still going on.
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
The Royal Indian Curry House, an in Indian restaurant located in Filinvest City, was hit by a fire in the early morning of February 16 and the estimated amount of damage is at P16 million, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The said restaurant is just steps away from Wildflour and South Supermarket in Alabang.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Fire damaged an Indian curry restaurant in Alabang, Muntinlupa, shortly before 5 a.m. on Feb. 16.
The Muntinlupa City Fire Station reported that the fire hit the Royal Indian Curry House in Filinvest Alabang at 4:48 a.m. The first alarm was raised at 4:53 a.m. before the blaze was put out by firefighters at 6:08 a.m.
The fire destroyed the second floor of the establishment, damaging P16 million worth of properties. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation.
Visible damage of the 2nd floor of the restaurant.
The other side of Royal Indian Curry House of Alabang with visible damage at the 2nd floor.
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, have you dined at Royal Indian Curry House already? What do you think caused the fire?
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
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon reached out to the local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and encouraged them to take advantage of the soft loans offered by the City Government, according to a news report by the Daily Tribune.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Daily Tribune. Some parts in boldface…
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are encouraged by Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon to take advantage of the soft loans offered by the local government unit, as well as the national government, to elevate from micro to medium entrepreneurs.
In an interview during the opening of “Tindahan ni Tarsee” in Festival Mall in Alabang on Friday, Biazon said the LGU’s Muntinlupa Entrepreneur Financing Division (MEFD) has been consistently providing financial aid through soft loans to MSMEs.
“We are providing funding for MSME capital, interest-free, starting from P5,000 for as much as P150,000. More business owners became successful because of that project, especially those who lost jobs right after the pandemic. Most of them did not return to their jobs and became full-pledge entrepreneurs already,” he said.
Biazon said most of the business owners that the MEFD has assisted are engaged in food businesses and sari-sari stores.
The number of MSMEs in Muntinlupa City is pegged at more than 30,000, an increase from the 15,708 registered businesses in 2019 or before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020.
“We can see that our MSMEs are very successful, especially in our city, as they propped up the local economy and provide jobs even at a minimal number of two to three per entrepreneur. Yung mga hindi nakakapasok sa mga malls at ibang companies, sa mga MSMEs they have the chance to have jobs,” he said.
Biazon urged aspiring business owners to take advantage of the MEFD program, which will restart next year on 2 January, as the division’s funds for this year have already been fully utilized.
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, are there any micro or small entrepreneurs among your local community’s members? What do you think makes Muntinlupa an attractive city for MSMEs to do business in?
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
Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
I recommend you check out the following videos I found.
#1 The Matrix Revisited – What else is there to say about The Matrix? There are some who claimed it is the greatest science fiction movie ever made. Some described it as more relevant than ever due to the wide public use of artificial intelligence (AI) today. In my experience, I saw a special re-screening of The Matrix at the old cinema of Festival Mall in December 1999 and it was entertaining but I never became a fan of its entertainment franchise. Regardless, the film continues to entertain and surprise YouTubers and you can see how by watching the selected videos below.
#2 The Horror Aspect Of Halo: Combat Evolved – It has been 24 years since Halo: Combat Evolved launched along with the original Xbox console. I played and finished the classic sci-fi first-person shooting game on rented Xbox consoles before and it remains a highly significant gaming experience to me. Original game developer Bungie did not just create a great sci-fi game but also designed it to be immersive, captivating and atmospheric. Within the atmosphere in the game is the subtle but effective use of horror elements which added to the mystery. How does the horror function in the classic game? Watch and learn from the video below.
#3 Meat & Rice Meals In Japan – Here is another food-related video in Japan. This is for those who crave for delicious meals composed of nice amounts of meat and rice The food joint in the video below not only serves the mentioned meals, it is able to cook many kinds of fried rice as well! Watch and enjoy the video below.
#4 Most Notable Episodes Of The Real Ghostbusters – As a young boy in the 1980s, I saw the classic movie Ghostbusters in 1984 and a few years later, I started watching episodes of The Real Ghostbusters animated TV series on home video and eventually on local TV. For the newcomers reading this, The Real Ghostbusters was the sequel and spin-off to the 1984 film and it had a specific title (using “Real”) as a result of a dispute with Filmation which had the Ghost Busters franchise. I lost count as to how many episodes of the animated series I saw but there were a few notable ones I still remember and Minty Comedic Arts’ recent video contained them. Watch the video below.
#5 UAE Rejects Radical Islam And The Islamists! – Islamists are an extreme and evil bunch. They cause trouble wherever they are and they are driven to overwhelm others, to bring down societies and become the one discriminating dominant force. Islamists have already infiltrated many European nations by means of mass migration (including entry as asylum seekers or refugees needing the host nation’s humanitarian assistance) and teaming up with the Satanic Leftists (to form a new Islamo-Leftist mob overseas). In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) knows how destructive radical Islam really is and they made clear that they not only reject Islamists but also remove them. Watch and learn from the video below.
#6 Japan Tightens Business Manager Visa Policy! – Recently, I blogged about Japan’s reformed policy on the business manager visa in response to the fraud and violations committed by foreigners – notably the Chinese nationals – who carried it. The requirements were drastically changed, new applicants must have at least a few years real experience of business practice, and the hiring of at least one full-time employee (who is Japanese or a permanent resident) must be done. As many of the abusers of the business manager visa were Chinese nationals, I found a video focused on the topic and what the affected Chinese holders of the visa in Japan think about the reforms done by the Japanese. Watch the video below.
