Message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Omnibus Christmas Greetings 2025

by Info @Business | December 23, 2025

Omnibus Christmas Greetings 2025

25 December 2025

‎I extend my heartfelt Christmas greetings to the entire Filipino nation as we solemnly and festively celebrate Christmas this year.

‎Once again, the season has arrived when streets come alive with Christmas songs, twinkling lights, holiday delicacies, and the joyful excitement of finding and sharing gifts for the people that we love.

‎This time of the year reminds us of the warmth of family, the laughter that we share with friends, and the blessings we extend to others, especially to those who need it most.

Let us commemorate the birth of Christ with compassion and kindness—by helping one another and standing together in recovery and in renewal.

‎Just like the Child in the Manger, may we always spark happiness and bring hope to every person that we meet along the way, as we move forward to a Bagong Pilipinas.

‎Once again, merry Christmas and may this Yuletide reflect the generosity of the Filipino spirit—always giving, always loving, and always putting others’ welfare before our own.

‎Maligayang Pasko po sa ating lahat!

SMDC The Strip at Wind hosts first ever Wind Busker Festival

by Info @Business | December 19, 2025

SMDC The Strip at Wind hosts first ever Wind Busker Festival

Massive music showcase of more than 50 buskers, Aquila Packing celebrate Filipino musical talent, host fun time for friends and families

Families, barkadas, and music lovers alike experienced a different type of chill overcoming the holiday weekend at the inaugural Wind Busker Festival in SMDC Wind Park Tagaytay.

The first massive busking and lifestyle showcase of its kind gathered more than 50 buskers from all over the metro in a relaxed setting where families and friends got to escape the busy city and indulge in the best of budding Filipino musical talent.

Through its grand stage concert in the morning and the more intimate performances in the evening, the never-before mounted music event gave buskers their very own day and platform to share their artistry. 

Special guest and local viral Bossa Nova sensation Aquila Packing also serenaded the crowd with her rendition of hits like “Only Yesterday” and “Mr. Postman” from The Carpenters, Bread’s “Make It With You” and OPM classics like Rey Valera’s “Naaalala Kita”, Iluna’s “Panaginip” and “Bakit Nga Ba” by Dina Bonnevie.

Aquila Packing

A new weekend escape 

Opened just this year, Wind Park served as the picturesque setting for the festival. 

The scenic, laid-back charm of its breath-taking view partnered with weather that was just right served as the ideal set up for the morning concert. Busking acts took over the stage, treating attendees to the perfect weekender break—a taste of good times, good vibes, and a good life with an inviting hum of acoustic songs further brightening the day.

A new weekend escape

Kids enjoyed playing around giant interactive

Kids enjoyed playing around giant interactive inflatables and getting their faces painted with their favorite cartoon characters or with fun designs. Families also made new memories together as the weather was also perfect for building and flying kites with their kids.

In the afternoon, as the setting sun veiled the open grounds in a golden hue, the program broke off into the classic busking set up all around the area. Event goers were treated to a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere enlivening the evening’s cool air. 

Massive music showcase of more than 50 buskers, Aquila Packing celebrate Filipino musical talent

Visitors and residents were serenaded while they indulged in a variety of delectable food choices served up by the tenants of SMDC Wind Residences—The Bakery, Liminvl Coffee, Kurimi Milktea Bar, and Dairy Queen.

A celebration of local talent and their passion for raw, unfiltered music through the art of busking

Event goers were treated to a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere enlivening the evening’s cool air

In line with its mission of providing Filipinos the best leisure places with safe spaces for vacations and making new memories, SMDC Wind launched the Wind Busker Festival to give local artists a special day to shine. A celebration of local talent and their passion for raw, unfiltered music through the art of busking, the event also served as a new weekend highlight residents and visitors could enjoy to escape the city grind and unwind. 

But even with the successful conclusion of the whole-day music festival, residents and visitors can always stop by Wind Park to enjoy year-round activities such as weekly runs with the Tagaytay Run Club as well as picnics and outdoor sports around the venue’s greenery. Exciting returning seasonal events are also scheduled for next year such as SUMMER FUN at WIND, the Push Bike Tournament, and the next installment of the Wind Busker Festival.

Planning your next perfect weekender break? Follow @SMDCTheStrips for more info on exciting upcoming Tagaytay events for you and your family to enjoy!

Pag-IBIG Fund, Megawide partnership to build over 7,000 socialized homes

by Info @Business | December 18, 2025

Pag-IBIG Fund has entered into a partnership with Megawide Construction Corp. to accelerate the delivery of 7,143 housing units in medium-rise residential developments under the government’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program, or Expanded 4PH. Pag-IBIG Fund said the homes are expected to be priced below typical market prices for comparable units, bringing them within the socialized housing range, with amenities more commonly found in higher-priced developments, and be available within two to three years.

The partnership will cover two initial sites in Dasmariñas, Cavite, consisting of 4,185 housing units in the Dasmariñas-Salitrán site and 2,958 housing units in the Dasmariñas-Paliparan site, supporting the national government’s push to scale socialized housing through greater private sector participation and faster project delivery.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling, chair of the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said the partnership is designed to expand the supply of socialized homes while enabling faster construction and more accessible pricing for Filipino families.

“This approach supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to widen access to practical homeownership options for Filipino families by enabling the private sector to build faster and at scale under the Expanded 4PH,” Aliling said. “By strengthening partnerships that increase housing supply, we help create more opportunities for Filipino workers and their families to move closer to homeownership. We hope this will further stimulate private sector participation in building affordable homes.”

Megawide is a leading Philippine engineering and construction company and a strong government partner in public-private partnerships, with extensive experience and track record in delivering large-scale projects.

Under the partnership, Pag-IBIG Fund will invest up to P10 billion through a subscription to preferred shares in the project company, to be funded in three tranches: P5 billion for the first tranche, and P2.5 billion each for the second and third tranches. The preferred shares carry 9 percent annual cash dividends, payable annually, with a step-up to 18 percent if the shares are not redeemed.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said the investment advances Pag-IBIG Fund’s twin mandate to expand homeownership opportunities for Filipino workers and to prudently manage members’ savings so these continue to earn and grow.

“Every peso our members save with Pag-IBIG Fund represents their hard-earned money and their hope for a better future,” Acosta said. “By supporting the development of thousands of housing units while securing investment returns, we strengthen Pag-IBIG Fund’s capacity to serve more members, grow their savings and promote homeownership.”

Acosta added that the partnership model aims to demonstrate how structured and secured investments can encourage broader private sector engagement in housing, helping accelerate project rollouts and expand the inventory of affordable, ready-for-occupancy homes.

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