Border security expert to meet BI Commissioner on pressing issues in security

A border security expert will meet with Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Anthony Viado on Tuesday to tackle problems the country is facing regarding human and child trafficking and other security matters.

"The biggest factor and the most challenging factor is on having multiple ports of entry which does put additional pressure on our border agency," said Sharon Ayley, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the International Border Management and Technologies Association (IBMATA), in a press conference.

"The best way of managing that is by standardizing solutions across your border," she added.

As a leading non-profit organization, IBMATA brings together governments, industry stakeholders, and experts from around the world to share real-world experiences, address border challenges, and exchange best practices.

In a previous interview, Ayley recommended that the BI adopt risk-based border management systems, including biometric verification and automated e-gates.

These measures allow low-risk travelers to move efficiently while enabling authorities to focus on high-risk cases, including potential trafficking incidents.

Ayley also called on the Philippine government to maximize the use of technology as a critical step in combating child and sex trafficking and online sexual exploitation in the country.

She stressed that advanced technologies can serve as a frontline defense in identifying and preventing trafficking cases, especially amid current global pressures affecting vulnerable populations.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) earlier identified the Philippines as the second leading country of origin for trafficking victims, with 13,313 Filipinos recorded among more than 125,000 victims identified globally.

“The key is risk-based, data integration, bringing together travel history, behavioral indicators, and watch lists in real time," she said, adding that advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) can help flag unusual travel patterns.

She also pointed out that biometric identification systems can help ensure that travelers are legitimate and that identities are genuine.

These tools, she emphasized, can act as a protective barrier by flagging potential victims and traffickers before exploitation occurs.

However, Ayley underscored that technology alone cannot solve the problem, saying that strong inter-agency cooperation remains the most critical component in combating trafficking.

“Fundamentally, it is inter-agency cooperation that is most important. Technology works best when combined with well-trained officers who have the skills and instinct to identify suspicious behavior and intervene when necessary," she said.

Ayley also said that IBMATA has been actively working with global and regional partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to develop strategies and conduct workshops aimed at combating trafficking and strengthening border security systems.

Beyond technology, IBMATA highlighted the importance of public awareness and education as the first line of defense, where families and communities play a crucial role in recognizing early warning signs and preventing children from falling victim to traffickers.

With prices of goods increasing due to the Middle East conflict, families are becoming more vulnerable to trafficking.

“I think that’s where it begins -- making sure people are aware of how traffickers operate and how they target vulnerable individuals,” Ayley explained, pointing out that parents and communities play a key role in preventing it from happening.

Ayley is set to return to the Asia-Pacific region for IBMATA’s upcoming event as part of its continued engagement with regional partners.

Beyond Redness Relief: Cetaphil Encourages Proactive Sensitive Skin Protection With Soothing & Comforting Line

For many people, skincare only becomes a priority when the skin starts to react. Redness appears. Irritation flares up. The skin barrier isn’t functioning as it should. By then, routines shift into problem-solving mode: focused on calming symptoms rather than preventing them.

Cetaphil, the #1 dermatologist-recommended brand for sensitive skin, wants to change this behavior.

Daily exposure to pollution, UV radiation, fluctuating temperatures, and harsh skincare ingredients can gradually compromise the skin’s protective barrier. At the same time, internal and lifestyle influences such as stress, lack of sleep, diet, and over-exfoliating further can damage the skin. As these stressors accumulate, the skin becomes more reactive, more sensitive, and more prone to flare-ups.

As the authority on sensitive skin, Cetaphil believes that proactive care, rather than reactive, is key to maintaining a strong, calm skin barrier long before visible symptoms appear. The first crucial step is awareness: understanding what triggers your skin and learning how to avoid or manage those stressors.


CALM SKIN UNDER PRESSURE


This belief is at the heart of the Cetaphil Soothing and Comforting Line, a range specifically developed to support sensitive skin exposed to daily triggers. Designed with gentle, dermatologist-tested formulations, the line helps soothe irritation, strengthen the skin barrier, and protect against recurring sensitivity: supporting long-term skin comfort rather than short-term relief.  

At the launch event hosted by Cetaphil Brand Ambassador Bianca Gonzalez, on hand was Dr. Paola Alipit, who reinforced the triggers behind skin redness: “There are a lot of reasons behind skin redness, for example psychologic: every time you have anxiety or stress, you notice a flushed look. Also it can be environmental: UV exposure, pollution, extreme weather changes.”

Dr. Alipit also mentioned certain skincare ingredients can play a part: harsh acids can contribute to a weakening of the skin barrier. To be proactive about your skin choices, she recommended Cica: “Cica is centella asiatica, a common ingredient that is anti-inflammatory. It addresses cells and enzymes in the skin that reduce inflammation. Asides from that, it also restores the skin barrier, helping moisturize it.”

She also cautioned that any sort of redness in the skin signals cellular inflammation. “If you have cellular inflammation, chronic inflammation occurs later on, which can lead to premature aging.”

By reinforcing the skin barrier and minimizing exposure to known triggers, the Cetaphil Soothing & Comfort Line helps prevent the cycle of repeated irritation that can lead to lasting sensitivity, discomfort and inflammation:

● The Cetaphil Cica Soothing & Comforting Balancing Toner is a toner that is specially formulated for sensitive and redness-prone skin. Infused with centella asiatica (CICA) extract, allantoin, and hyaluronic acid, it helps to rebalance, hydrate, and soothe the skin while reinforcing its natural barrier.

● The Cetaphil Cica Soothing & Comforting Serum is an ultra-lightweight serum for sensitive and redness-prone skin. Powered by the Power Trio Blend of Centella Asiatica (CICA) extract, Pentavitin and Allantoin, it delivers deep hydration while helping to restore the skin’s moisture barrier for long-lasting protection and visibly reduce redness. This is the most powerful combination available in the skincare market.

● The Cetaphil Cica Soothing & Comforting Balancing Face Cream is a lightweight, dermatologist-tested cream designed to instantly hydrate and soothe sensitive skin. Powered by a blend of Centella Asiatica (CICA) extract, Allantoin, and Ceramides, it helps visibly reduce redness, improve skin texture, restore the skin’s protective barrier, and complete skin recovery in just 3 days

Cetaphil’s message is clear: skincare should not start when redness appears. It should start with understanding your skin and being proactive with use of the Cetaphil Soothing & Comforting line.

Fellow brand ambassador Jessica Wilson concurs. At the event, she said it’s important to manage your skin and care for it, even if you can see there are no obvious problems. “You never want your skin care to be a band-aid solution, because if you start caring for your skin when the problems show, when it starts to sting, when it feels, then it’s too late. Don’t start when it’s an emergency.”

Sharing their testimonies on the product was Bea Escudero and Mika Reins. Both women shared the impact of their work lives on their skin: Bea is a courtside reporter, which means under any given situation, she is often under bright camera lights, or covering sports from an outdoor pitch. Mika, meanwhile, is often dealing with quick and often make-up changes. Both deal with skin redness, which has been alleviated by the Soothing and Comforting line.

Mika said that as a model, she normally gets flushed, irritated skin. What she really appreciates with her Soothing and Comforting routine is that the products are fragrance free. “I appreciate that the products are fragrance free, and non-irritating for me. And they really work under my makeup, they’re not piling on my skin under layers of foundation and concealer.”

Through education, science-backed formulations, and a proactive approach to sensitive skin care, Cetaphil continues to empower people to move from reacting to flare-ups toward building resilient, comfortable skin every day—because when you know your skin triggers, you give your skin the strength it needs to stay calm, balanced, and protected.

Cetaphil Cica Soothing and Comforting is available at all leading retailers and online at Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop.

KALENDARYO ANG NAGSPLUK?! SI GARDO VERSOZA, NABUKING SA MISIS—PERO SA MADDOX, BUMAWI SA ISANG BONGGANG WEDDING RING!

Pinag-uusapan ngayon ang pasabog na rebelasyon ng aktor na si Gardo Versoza sa vlog ni Charo Cordial, ang President at Founder ng Maddox Jewelry—at talagang mapapaisip ka: kalendaryo nga ba ang totoong “ebidensya” ng nakaraan?

Sa naturang vlog, personal na bumisita si Gardo sa showroom ng Maddox Jewelry sa 1011 J.P. Rizal Street, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City para sa isang espesyal na misyon—ang palitan ang kanilang simpleng wedding ring ng kanyang misis na matagal na niyang ipinangako.


Ayon kay Gardo, nang ikasal sila sa Las Vegas, aminado siyang hindi ganoon ka-bongga ang kanilang singsing noon.
“Parang ano lang sa manok,” biro pa niya. Kaya ngayon, determined siyang bumawi—at saan pa nga ba kundi sa Maddox, na kilala sa de-kalidad at customizable na diamond pieces.

Pero hindi lang tungkol sa alahas ang naging sentro ng usapan!

Sa masayang chikahan nila ni Ms. Charo, biglang napunta ang usapan sa kanyang makulay na nakaraan at dito na nga niya ibinunyag ang nakakagulat na kwento:

“May kalendaryo ako, do’n ako nabuking ni kumander… do’n ko nililista ang initials…”

Ayon kay Gardo, doon umano niya sinusulat ang initials ng kanyang mga nakaka-date noon. Pero nahalata ito ng kanyang misis nang mapansin ang pattern, kung sino ang nauuna sa linggo, at kung sino ang nahuhuli!

“Parang na-confirm niya,” natatawang pag-amin ng aktor.


At dagdag pa niya, “Doon na nagtapos ang aking horoscope sa Chinese calendar!”

Sagot naman ni Ms. Charo👏🏻very relatable—malakas talaga ang instinct ng mga babae.


Sa kabila ng nakakatuwang rebelasyon, naging inspirasyon din ang pagbisita ni Gardo sa Maddox. Humanga siya sa pinagdaanan ni Ms. Charo, mula sa pagiging Licensed Agricultural Engineer, pagtatrabaho sa isang male-dominated field, hanggang sa pagtatayo ng sarili niyang brand na ngayon ay kilala na bilang isa sa mga pinagkakatiwalaang pangalan sa alahas.




Hindi rin nakaligtas sa kanyang papuri ang transformation ni Ms. Charo—mula sa hindi mahilig sa alahas noon, hanggang sa matawag ngayon na “Queen of Diamonds.”


Sa huli, mula sa mga pasabog na kwento hanggang sa pagbawi sa pag-ibig sa pamamagitan ng isang bagong wedding ring, pinatunayan nina Gardo at Ms. Charo na ang bawat alahas ay may kwento—minsan masaya, minsan makulay, pero laging may aral.


Abangan ang kabuuang kwento sa YouTube channel na Maddox_Jewelry at sa Facebook page na D’ Maddox Jewelry, kung saan patuloy na nagbibigay inspirasyon ang mga kuwento sa likod ng bawat diyamante.

Puregold Highlights Sari-Sari Stores’ Role in Driving Grassroots Commerce and MSME Growth

In its final installment of the Sari-Sari Stories, Puregold releases “Pangalan,” a moving tribute to the sari-sari stores that continue to power daily life, grassroots enterprise, and community connection across the Philippines.

 

Following “Ways,” “The Sign,” and “The Witness,” Puregold broadens the conversation from nostalgia to economic relevance, highlighting how sari-sari stores continue to serve as accessible retail touchpoints, community anchors, and entry-level enterprises that support household livelihoods in the country.

 

Sari-sari stores go beyond informal neighborhood retail. They function as last-mile commerce points that respond to everyday consumer needs with proximity, familiarity, and flexible purchasing options. Their resilience has allowed them to remain relevant even as the retail landscape continues to evolve.

 

That economic role is matched by social relevance. At the heart of Pangalan is the idea that sari-sari stores are more than neighborhood shops: they are trusted spaces that people turn to not only for essentials, but for connection and reliability. The film captures this dual role in distinctly Filipino terms: the store as tanungan, tambayan, and takbuhan.

 

The narrative is reinforced by appearances of OPM artists Jhoanna Robles of BINI, Stell Ajero of SB19, and Skusta Clee, whose personal recollections reflect the deep familiarity of sari-sari stores in Filipino life. Their participation adds cultural relevance to a message ultimately anchored in enterprise, accessibility, and community-based retail.

 

Puregold’s focus on this segment remains rooted in mass-market demand and the practical realities of everyday consumption. By spotlighting community-based retail, the company reinforces its relevance at the grassroots level while drawing attention to the vital contribution of MSMEs to the domestic economy.

 

The timing is equally strategic, with MSMEs already looking ahead at the upcoming Puregold Tindahan Ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention in May. The annual event has become a key platform for sari-sari store owners, entrepreneurs, and partner suppliers, underscoring Puregold’s enduring commitment to small business development and ecosystem growth.

 

Watch the full video here: 

https://youtu.be/EAE7m6Ts2ew?si=-uo4BFM0YtPt5di1

Stay in the loop. Subscribe to the Puregold Channel on YouTube, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, and follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and X, and @puregoldph on TikTok for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Egg Hunts, Parades, and More: Easter Comes Alive at SM Supermalls

 

This Easter, SM Supermalls transforms into a vibrant playground filled with egg hunts, parades, and colorful photo spots until April 5. Whether you’re bringing the kids or planning a fun day out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy to the max.

Expect a full lineup of activities, from interactive games and creative workshops to lively performances, delivering a memorable Easter experience for families and friends alike.

Honor tradition with a meaningful Easter Blessing

For families who want to celebrate the deeper meaning of Easter, select malls will hold Easter Sunday Mass on April 5, offering a quiet moment to pause, reflect, and give thanks.

Whether you’re dining with loved ones, hunting for eggs, or enjoying a full day of activities, your most loved mall, SM Supermalls is the place to be this Easter. Don’t miss out—plan your visit and make it an Easter to remember.