Quirino Province aims for Philippines's Net Zero Emissions leadership

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Quirino Province is aiming to become the country’s first leader in Net Zero Emissions in just a few short years, thanks to a newly-forged partnership with local resilience advocacy Climate Smart Philippines, under the stewardship of internationally-acclaimed science diplomat Glenn Banaguas. The bid aims to see Quirino achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Banaguas will share Climate Smart Philippines’ knowledge and experience with the people and local government of Quirino. By establishing mutually-reinforcing community-to-community learning networks and partnerships, the leadership of the province has expressed optimism about avoiding the worst impacts of climate change by committing to achieving net zero emissions within the next three decades.

“We are deeply honored to have Mr. Banaguas’ expertise and guidance as we set ourselves on the path to this ambitious but worthy goal,” said Quirino Gov. Dakila “Dax” Cua, who is also the President of the Union Leagues of Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

"Building on the actions in Quirino’s strengthened climate change plan, this provides a roadmap to how Quirino will meet the enhanced Paris and Glasgow Agreement targets to reduce emission before 2040," he mentioned.

“We are confident that we can steer our beloved province onto a path of leadership and greatness. We will replicate the success of our commitment with the other provinces in the country,” Cua added.

A Fellow of the UK-based Royal Society for the Arts, Sc. Dpl. Banaguas is one of Asia’s leading experts in environment, climate change, and disaster risk. He is the Chairman of the ASEAN Science Diplomats and the US-ASEAN Fellows for Science and Technology, and the Climate Diplomat of the EU-Asia Expert Panel for Climate Diplomacy and Environmental Security. He was also Lee Kuan Yew Senior Fellow in Public Service and an Executive Fellow of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. He is also a United Nations Sasakawa and The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureate, as well as an Asia Leaders for Sustainability awardee.

“I am thankful for the trust and faith that Governor Cua and the people of Quirino have put in me,” said Banaguas.


“The size of my gratitude is exceeded only by my determination to see this beloved province rise up to its full climate-smart potential.”

Starbucks reaches 5,000-store milestone in its continued expansion across Asia Pacifi

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In Asia Pacific, company achieves net new store growth of 8% over the past 12 months

Milestone underscores Starbucks accelerated growth across the region where the company expects to open more than 400 stores in 2023

New drive-thru in South Korea represents Starbucks commitment to diversifying and expanding its store portfolio to bring the Starbucks Experience to more customers seeking comfort and convenience.

Starbucks has achieved its 5,000th store opening in Gwangyang-si, South Korea, marking a significant milestone in its continued growth journey in the Asia Pacific region where it has achieved net new store growth of 8% over the past 12 months. Located on a major road that connects residential areas with business districts, the new drive-thru store represents a diversifying portfolio and continued expansion across the Asia Pacific region.

“The opening of our 5,000th store in Asia Pacific reaffirms our commitment to bring the unparalleled Starbucks Experience to more customers in one of our fastest growing regions,” said Michael Conway, group president, International and Channel Development for Starbucks. “Asia Pacific is a dynamic and diverse engine of growth for Starbucks globally. As recovery continues, the region achieved over 20% sales growth year on year, demonstrating the strength and relevance of the brand. We are well positioned for further growth with our licensed business partners, who continue to elevate the Starbucks Experience across a range of innovative store formats.”

Accelerating store expansion across cities in Asia Pacific

Remaining true to its mission – to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time – Starbucks plans to expand further in the region by opening 400 stores this year to serve additional communities in major cities and beyond.

In the vast market of India, Starbucks plans to build on its existing portfolio of over 300 stores across 40 cities by extending its footprint into at least five new cities. Across Southeast Asia, the company also plans to expand its stores beyond the metropolitan areas of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In Laos where it first opened its doors in November last year in the capital city of Vientiane, Starbucks also plans to open a new store this year.



Diversifying store formats to meet evolving customer preferences

Strategically located along a major road in the highly populated residential area in Gwangyang-si, the new Gwangyang Madong drive-thru store is a 500 sqm freestanding store that is easily accessible from Gwangyang IC and Suncheong City. Fully equipped with the latest digital features and technology, the new drive-thru store offers customers on-the-go the convenience of enjoying a beverage from the comfort of their cars; and customers that choose to visit the store a warm and welcoming third place to connect while enjoying their favorite coffee.

Taking inspiration from the vibrant nature of the area, the exterior of the building features soft curved corners complimented by oversized windows, sometimes spanning over two floors, located on multiple sides of the building. The abundance of natural light flowing in highlights the warm and muted colour tones, along with the smooth forms inside the store, providing a pleasant contrast to the colourful and vibrant art pieces that celebrate coffee and the communities that support it. This deliberate combination of elements contributes to creating a refreshing and tranquil atmosphere for customers to enjoy their favorite cup of coffee in beautiful surroundings.

Starbucks drive-thru stores across Asia Pacific have more than doubled in the last four years, many of which have become community hubs at residential areas, with some fitted out with private rooms that can be booked for business meetings, study sessions or family gatherings. Building on its existing portfolio of over 600 drive-thru stores in the region, Starbucks plans to add over 100 more this year to cater to customers wanting to enjoy a welcoming third place in the neighborhood or a beverage on the move.

Emmy Kan, president for Starbucks Asia Pacific said, “That our 5000th store in Asia Pacific is a drive-thru store speaks both to the changing habits of our customers, and of our determination to meet them where it is most convenient, while still offering the Starbucks connection. We will continually enhance our store formats and innovate, not just to cater to changing customer behaviors, but also to fuel growth in Asia Pacific.”

Building on the welcoming third place experience Starbucks is known for, the company also plans to open more Starbucks Reserve stores across Asia Pacific to bring customers an intimate, multi-sensory coffee experience that features a selection of the rarest, most extraordinary coffees Starbucks has to offer. There are now more than 145 Starbucks Reserve stores across 11 Asia Pacific markets.

Benildeans rule IS Manila film tilt for 4th straight year

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Student filmmakers from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde led the winners of the Manila Student Film Festival for the fourth consecutive year after it has recently concluded its awarding ceremony at the International School Manila (ISM) Fine Arts Theater.

Ryan Miguel Capili’s “Damgo sa Kahitas-an” won Best Film in the 19-22 age group while fellow Benildean Vahn Pascual’s “Ang Mga Sisiw sa Kagubatan” brought home Best Animation from the ISM filmfest.

“Damgo sa Kahitas-an” tells the story of a high school student who aspires to study film in college, but everyone around him is against his plan. Capili shared that it “comes from a personal story of trying to pursue arts” instead of other courses.

Meanwhile, “Ang Mga Sisiw sa Kagubatan” features a chick living in the forest which strives to live peacefully together with its community amid the persistent presence of a hungry monster in town.

Pascual, whose other animation “Blue Is Not My Favorite Color” were also among the MSFF finalists, previously received the Best Film award last year for his film “Sina Alexa, Xander at Ang Universe.”

“But the award that I received this year is more meaningful to me because editing and animation are really not my cup of tea and I really have no knowledge on it when I did these projects. I made these films last 2020 and 2021 out of boredom during the surge of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown,” Pascual revealed.

Other Benilde student films, namely “Taya” by Maxine Muñoz, “Rat Race” by Kat Quinio, “Patay-Gutom” by James Bueno and Joshua Rayo, and “At the Hour of Our Death” by Avery Villa, Aza Gellera, Jericho Rimando, Gillian Navarro, Kylle Quiatchon, Ryan Paraboles, and Francesca Ventanilla also made the cut.

MSFF is open to students who are enrolled in grade school (8-11 age category), junior high school (12-14 age category), senior high school (15-18 age category) or college (19-22 age category) nationwide.

“Bob’s Chocolate Catastrophe” and “Food for Thought” from CJ Limjap, Emil Pyykko, Selma White-Pascual, and Lucas Arambulo-Clinton of IS Manila ruled the 8-11 and 15-18 age groups, respectively.

A special prize was awarded to “The Collector” of senior BS Entertainment and Multimedia Computing students from Jose Rizal University. Director Gerry Garcia, editor Elvin Matthew Nido, storyboard artist Creshane Zaslove Pausal, 3D character artist Jong Won Teves, and environment artist Austine Leigh Abedejos of The Cool2 Studios came up with the animated film about a lonely grim reaper who reevaluates his longing to be recognized by the living when he found out that a stray dog could see him.

Broadcast journalist, documentary filmmaker, impact producer, and cancer advocate Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala and screenwriter, director, producer, and editor Coreen “Monster” Jimenez served as jury.

Last year, DLS-CSB’s “Iridescent” by Chiara Parreñas bagged Best Animation and “Ang Awit na Lipos sa Pangungulila” by Dan Verzosa and “Sina Alexa, Xander at ang Universe” tied for Best Film (19-22 group).

“Gayuma” by Trixie Vertera took home the Audience Choice Award and “Sala, Salin Laway” by Verzosa for Haraya Films and Alak at Pelikula Productions led the same age category for Benilde films in 2021.

Aki Red’s “Lilipad Na Si Birdie” started DLS-CSB’s string of victories in the MSFF three years ago.