With school drop-offs, busy schedules, errands, and constant screen time, it can be challenging for families to find time to sit down and enjoy a meal together. However, some of the most meaningful moments parents share with their children can happen over something as simple as a meal at the dining table.

This is what Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day stands for, a national observance celebrated every last Monday of September to highlight the value of families eating together. It upholds the Filipino tradition of making mealtimes an opportunity to strengthen family bonds and encourage open communication. More than just satisfying hunger, sharing meals allows family members to reconnect, exchange stories, and learn valuable lessons through everyday conversations.

A 2023 systematic review of 14 articles found that more frequent family meals were associated with better diet quality and were linked to positive outcomes across children’s health, well-being, behavior, and academic life. The review also found that frequent family meals may help protect children and adolescents against poorer diets, obesity, risk behaviors, poorer mental health and well-being, and poorer academic outcomes.

While a shared meal is only one part of a child’s overall environment, the findings highlight how meaningful the simple act of eating together can be.

Of course, a family dinner does not have to be perfectly prepared or happen every single day. Sometimes, it is simply the conversation that counts.

The Family Table as a Learning Space

Mealtimes can be a place to share stories about their day, listen to others, and learn how to participate in conversations. These seemingly small interactions can help nurture communication and social skills while giving children a reassuring sense of routine and belonging.

The table can also be where children begin learning about food itself.

Parents can turn everyday questions into moments of discovery by teaching kids where vegetables come from, what ingredients of their food are, and how their meals are made.

Encouraging children to be curious about what they eat can help them develop a more mindful relationship with food and nutrition. It also gives parents an opportunity to model the habits and choices they hope their children will carry with them as they grow.

Even a familiar glass of milk can become part of that conversation.

Children can learn about the journey food takes before reaching their homes, from the farm and the ingredients used, to the processes involved in producing the products families consume.

Making More Informed Choices

Understanding ingredients and where products come from can help families make more informed choices. This is also where traceability becomes meaningful, not just as a technical process, but as a way of giving parents greater visibility into the journey behind the food they bring home.

For FEIHE, that journey begins with its approach to dairy production and traceability, from milk sourcing through production. Its Fresh Milk Formula starts with fresh milk as the first ingredient, giving parents another point of reference when looking more closely at what goes into the milk formula they choose for their children.

Ultimately, what makes a family meal meaningful goes beyond the food served or how smoothly everything goes at the table.

Its true value lies in the little things, such as a child telling a story, a parent showing interest by asking questions, everyone sharing a laugh, or having a simple conversation about the origins of their food.

In photo (L-R): Siddiq Bazarwala, CEO & Publisher of Alpha Southeast Asia, and Pamela Louise Victoriano, Head of Equity Products at BPI Capital.

BPI Capital Corporation, the investment banking division of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), continues to establish itself as one of the Philippines’ top investment firms, earning several notable awards from regional financial publications and institutions. These honors highlight its strength in providing innovative fundraising and advisory services that contribute to the country’s economic development while promoting sustainable financing.

Among its major accomplishments are its wins at the FinanceAsia Annual Awards 2026, where BPI Capital was recognized as Best Investment Bank and Best ECM House in the Philippines, along with a Highly Commended distinction for Best DCM House. The awards reinforce its strong presence in both equity and debt capital markets, as well as its proven ability to deliver significant financial transactions for clients across various industries.

BPI Capital’s excellence in equity capital markets was likewise recognized at the Alpha Southeast Asia 20th Best Financial Institution Awards, where it was named Best Equity House in the Philippines, reflecting its continued success in advising and underwriting significant equity transactions that contribute to the development of the country’s capital markets.

BPI Capital also reinforced its leadership in sustainable and project finance. At the Asian Banking & Finance Wholesale Banking Awards, the bank was named Philippines Domestic Green Financing Bank of the Year for its role in Cebu Landmasters, Inc.’s Sustainability-Linked Debt Issuances, and Philippines Domestic Project Finance Bank of the Year for the Ahunan Power, Inc. and Olympia Violago Water and Power, Inc.’s Project Finance Term Loan Facilities. The firm’s capabilities in sustainable infrastructure finance were likewise recognized by The Asset Triple A Sustainable Infrastructure Finance Awards 2026, which honored landmark transactions in the infrastructure and sustainable finance space.

In photo (L-R): Juan Martin Syquia, Head of Corporate Finance at BPI Capital, and Nick Atkinson, Contributing Editor at Asian Banking & Finance

Further reinforcing its capabilities in structuring award-winning transactions, BPI Capital also received four distinctions at the Asian Banking & Finance Corporate & Investment Banking Awards 2026:

• Equity Deal of the Year – Philippines for Maynilad Water Services, Inc.’s Initial Public Offering
• Project Infrastructure Finance Deal of the Year – Philippines for Ahunan Power, Inc. and Olympia Violago Water and Power, Inc.
• Social Bond of the Year – Philippines for BPI’s PHP40 billion SINAG Bonds
• Sustainability-linked Bond of the Year – Philippines for Cebu Landmasters, Inc.’s Sustainability-Linked Issuances

In photo: Jennifer Ho, Head of Debt Products at BPI Capital, receives the awards from The Asset Sustainable Infrastructure Awards 2026.

The recognitions highlight BPI Capital’s expertise in advising and underwriting transactions that have set notable standards in the Philippine capital markets. They also demonstrate the firm’s ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive solutions in equity and debt capital markets, project finance, and sustainable finance. Through these services, BPI Capital helps businesses secure funding while supporting inclusive and sustainable economic development.

As BPI marks its 175th anniversary, BPI Capital continues to uphold its commitment to providing world-class investment banking services that deliver value to clients, strengthen the Philippine capital markets, and contribute to building a better Philippines.

“These recognitions reflect our commitment to helping our clients achieve their strategic ambitions through innovative and impactful financing solutions,” said Lester Ong, BPI Capital President. “As the Philippine economy continues to grow, we remain focused on consistently providing sound advice and meaningful investment banking solutions that enable businesses to scale, fortify, and create lasting value; in the process, solidifying the trust that we have built with our clients over many years. We are likewise committed to advancing sustainable finance by supporting projects that contribute to the country’s long-term development.”

Davao Design Week 2026 brought together participants from various sectors to explore how design can better respond to people’s needs and aspirations.

Davao Design Week 2026 gathered students, educators, artists, design experts, government officials, and community leaders at La Herencia Davao from October 8 to 10 to explore participatory design. This approach encourages people to take part in the design process to address local concerns, enhance everyday experiences, and develop places and systems that better respond to community needs.

With the theme “DESIGNDUMP: From The People,” the inaugural event was organized by Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), SKS Interiors, Inc., and La Herencia Davao in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Design Week Philippines. The three-day event featured panel discussions with over 30 speakers, workshops, performances, and interactive activities that allowed participants to exchange ideas and engage in conversations about issues that affect their daily lives.

Hands-on workshops and interactive activities encouraged participants to learn, create, and connect, bringing Davao Design Week’s spirit of participation to life.

One of the ways the event put participatory design into practice was through the Puhon Visioning Workshop, organized by Placemaking Davao. It invited Dabawenyos of different ages and backgrounds, including children, to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations for public spaces, infrastructure, and community life in Davao as the city approaches its 100th year.

For Alsons Dev, a Davao-based real estate developer with more than 60 years of experience in the industry, participatory design means putting people at the center of the development process. Vice President and General Manager Jolla A. Soriaga shared this perspective in her keynote address during Davao Design Week’s opening program.

Alsons Dev Vice President and General Manager Jolla A. Soriaga delivered a keynote address during the Davao Design Week 2026 opening program, sharing the company’s perspective on the role of design in real estate development and community building.

“As developers, we do more than create structures. We shape the places where people live, work, and interact, so good design must go beyond aesthetics and efficiency to respond to people’s needs. This calls for malasakit: understanding the people and places we serve and designing with genuine care for both. This community-centric approach guides our work at Alsons Dev,” Soriaga said.

Davao Design Week’s call to action, “Life is Better When We Design Together,” underscored that shaping better communities takes collective effort, combining professional expertise with the ideas, experiences, and aspirations of the people who live in them.

Alsons Dev’s exhibit at Davao Design Week 2026 featured a lush, immersive green space showcasing the company’s approach to sustainable design in its developments.

By taking part in Davao Design Week, Alsons Dev highlights its people-first approach to planning and development, reaffirming its dedication to creating sustainable communities that deliver lasting value and improve quality of life for generations to come.

With the rising cost of living, healthcare has become another financial challenge for many hardworking Filipinos. The terms “accessible” and “affordable” rarely come to mind when discussing medical services. Even a simple hospital visit for a check-up or laboratory tests can be exhausting, requiring long commutes and expenses that strain the household budget. For daily-wage earners, it can also mean sacrificing a day’s income just to receive medical attention.

Healthcare that is convenient, stress-free, compassionate, and provided in a comfortable environment has long seemed like a privilege reserved for those who can afford it, rather than a service everyone should be able to access.

That is, until recently.

Content creators Jana Berenguer, Stephen Legaspi, and Kim Villamor recently shared their experiences at the Maxicare Clinics. From the looks of it, the brand is out to change the status quo by providing everyone with easier, walk-in access to a quality healthcare experience.

Entrepreneur, content creator, and cerebral palsy education advocate, Jana is no stranger to hospitals. As a mom to Alonzo, whose cerebral palsy journey she openly shares with her followers, she has been to just about every institution with specialists in the field. One of her bigger issues has always been the long wait line and uncomfortable environment, which leaves Alonzo restless. Then there’s the consolidation of services.

In her video, she shows how anyone, at any age, can access Maxicare Clinics, including those with pre-existing conditions. Like how she was able to get a full preventive consultation for herself–which includes laboratory tests, ultrasound, and OBGYN consultation–and a routine check for Alonzo with a specialist in just one visit.

“We’re always grateful to see people share their positive experiences in our clinics,” says Maxicare Group Chief Customer Officer Raymond Hernandez. “Maxicare Clinics are designed to change how our countrymen experience healthcare, including those with special needs. For one, we made sure that accessibility will never be an issue for our patients. Additionally, even the hallways of our clinics are made very spacious to accommodate wheelchairs and large strollers. Digital signs are also placed strategically around the clinic to help everyone better navigate their way through our facility. So, no need for you to guess which room you need to go to next, because you’ll already see your name pop up on a small screen next to the door when it’s your turn to enter.”

Lifestyle content creator Stephen Legaspi, whose rise to fame can be attributed to his reviews of things that are worth spending on, shared how pleasantly surprised he was by how efficient his checkup was at a Maxicare Clinic.

“I didn’t expect it to be that seamless,” he said in his TikTok video. In the same video, he also highlighted that each clinic offers different lab tests, that some clinics have therapy rooms, and that you can save the trouble of securing a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to avail of services. This experience, he shares, differs from visiting a traditional hospital, especially with its modern facilities like the automatic handwashing corner and free coffee offered within the facility.

Cebuana lifestyle content creator Kim Villamor, whose sulit finds content is also notable, agrees that visiting a Maxicare Clinic is worth your time and money. In her Facebook video, she simply walked into a Maxicare Clinic and was pleased with how convenient her visit turned out.

She’s also glad that different Maxicare Clinic branches around Cebu are accessible, whether you’re coming from home or work.

Anyone can visit any of Maxicare’s 51 clinics across the country to access the healthcare services they need, from medical consultations and laboratory tests to diagnostic examinations. These services are designed to be readily available and convenient, making healthcare more accessible to Filipinos.

“We are strategically opening more clinics to bring this experience to more communities. Everyone deserves this. Regardless of lifestyle, whether you’re single, a parent, or elderly, preventive healthcare done with comfort and ease should not feel out of reach. Maxicare Clinics are here to put care back in healthcare. And we are doing everything we can to continuously improve for everyone,” Hernandez ends.

To locate the nearest Maxicare Clinic, visit maxicare.com.ph/get-care/maxicare-clinics. for more information.