Vena Energy Welcomes DENR Secretary Cuna to Ilocos Norte Solar Projects

[ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines] Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna visited Vena Energy’s solar facilities in Currimao and Paoay, Ilocos Norte, on 10 September 2026.

During the visit, Vena Energy representatives briefed Secretary Cuna and the DENR delegation on the company’s operational and upcoming solar projects in the province. Vena Energy currently has two operational solar power plants in Currimao, operated by Mirae Asia Energy Corporation and Nuevo Solar Energy Corp., as well as two projects under development: the Astra Solar Power Project in Currimao and the Opus Solar Power Project in Paoay.

Embodying Excellence: InLife Recognizes Its Outstanding Employees

For raising the standard of their work, service, and leadership, InLife honored its employees during the inaugural InLife Excellence Awards.  

InLife Executive Chairperson Nina D. Aguas thanked the employee awardees for helping build the next chapter of InLife’s 115-year legacy of trust and service. 

“For 115 years, InLife has stood beside Filipino families through wars, crises, rebuilding, growth, and transformation. We endured because, in every generation, there were InLife employees who chose to do their work well, protected our integrity, and served our policyholders with sincerity,” she said. 

InLife Chief Human Resources Officer Rozana G. Pecson said the awards program reaffirms InLife’s culture of appreciation.  

“At InLife, every achievement, whether big or small, is seen, honored, and celebrated. While we recognize exceptional teams and individuals for their outstanding contributions, every InLifer who shows up and gives their best, day in and day out, is appreciated. We encourage all employees to continue aspiring for excellence—not to seek recognition, but to find fulfillment in going above and beyond to serve our purpose of bringing a lifetime for good to Filipinos,” she said. 

Leading with purpose, passion, and integrity 

InLife recognized ten employees who have demonstrated outstanding project leadership, strengthened customer service, and helped future-proof InLife.  

The employees awardees who led with purpose, passion, and integrity were: Maria Celeste Andes, Events and Merchandise Management Lead from Marketing Division; Zolah Botin, Principal Data Scientist from Data and Analytics Division; Joseph Gary De Guzman, Senior Property Engineer from Real Property Division; Atty. Joyce Anne Gascon, Corporate Lawyer from Legal and Governance Division; and Jeffrey Santiago, Solutions Development Lead from Information Technology Division.  

The employees who consistently went beyond expectations were: Andrea Denise Gapan, Digital Archivist from Marketing Division; Michael Jan Banaylo, Actuarial Manager from Actuarial Division; Carina Galang, Solutions Delivery Head from Information Technology Division; Vince Jon Raymundo, Region Head of Metro Central Regional Office from Agency and Group Distribution; and Victor Samaniego, Jr., Business Development Manager from Bancassurance Division. 

Representing InLife with pride and purpose 

InLife recognized three cross-functional teams who have shown collaboration, unity of purpose, and shared commitment to delivering results. The team awardees were the Operational and Customer Excellence Team, New Business Straight-Through Policies Project Team, and Retire Without Worries Team.  

InLife also gave special awards to Ethel Joy Salazar, Head of Operational and Customer Excellence; Darnyl Taguilaso, Head of Actuarial Corporate Department; and Kairos Team, who took charge of the 115th Anniversary commemorative book, microsite, and exhibit.  

Fred Dioso, InLife Vice President for Rewards, Services, and Technology, Human Resources said the recognition program celebrates employees who contribute meaningfully to the company’s mission of providing a full-range of high-value insurance products and other related services that empower families to attain financial security.

“Excellence at InLife goes beyond individual achievement. It includes working together across teams, inspiring others through action, adapting to changes, and representing InLife with pride, professionalism, and purpose,” he said. 

SM Reinforces Public Safety Through Nationwide Fire Prevention Month Programs

MANILA, Philippines, April 06, 2026 - Reaffirming its commitment to public safety and community resilience, SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), led a series of impactful, nationwide initiatives in celebration of Fire Prevention Month, empowering Filipinos with life-saving knowledge, preparedness skills, and a shared responsibility for fire safety across its network of most-loved malls.

Mounted through SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, the 5th SM & BFP Nationwide Simultaneous Fire Drill engaged almost 30,000 participants composed of SM employees, tenant employees, security and janitorial personnel, students, mall goers, and residents of barangays near SM malls which was a 30% increase in participants versus the previous year. With the theme ‘Sa pag-iwas sa sunog hindi ka nag-iisa, kababaihan kasama mo!’, the drill strengthened coordination in emergency response, especially helping communities practice life-saving evacuation procedures. In addition, the Fire Square Road Show brought interactive fire safety education to the public across 16 participating SM malls, reaching 8,611 participants through demonstrations, equipment showcases, and hands-on safety activities designed for families, students, and community members. 

A large-scale Fire Prevention Month illumination at the SM Mall of Asia Globe featured a dramatic “Venus Symbol Formation” created by 263 fire trucks and emergency vehicles, with 2,827 participants, honoring firefighters and raising awareness about fire safety and emergency preparedness.

The search for the Ten Outstanding Firefighters of the Philippines (TOFF) 2026 was formally launched with officers of SM, BFP and DILG headed by Usec. Rolando C. Puno as Guest of Honor and Speaker (GOHAS). TOFF is on its 3rd solid year of recognizing Filipino firefighters for their exemplary service in fire safety and protection, emergency response, community education, and resilience-building initiatives. This highlights the partnership between SM Prime and BFP for a safer, more resilient Philippines.