Trends and Spots Magazine

𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲

Newpoint Mall, developed by JDN Realty Group, marked its 10th anniversary with a series of activities highlighting its decade-long presence and community engagement in Angeles City.

The anniversary celebration opened on September 2, 2026, with a thanksgiving mass and recognition program for the mall’s employees and tenant partners, including those who have been part of Newpoint Mall since it opened in 2016.

The celebration culminated on September 5 with an anniversary Zumba party along Plaridel Street, the road connecting Newpoint Mall and Nepo Mart Angeles.

Hundreds of participants joined the activity, which also featured a GMA Regional TV Kapuso Spotlight segment. Television personalities Rodjun Cruz and Tito Abdul took part in the Zumba session alongside members of the community.

Since its opening in 2016, Newpoint Mall has served as a retail and lifestyle destination in Angeles City, while contributing to JDN Realty Group’s presence in Pampanga.

The company also operates Nepo Mall Angeles, Nepo Mart Angeles, and The Quad.

JDN Realty Group said the anniversary reflects its continued commitment to investing in the communities where its properties operate, while recognizing the employees, tenants, customers and community members who have contributed to Newpoint Mall’s growth over the past decade.

The Net Zero Carbon Alliance and Corporate Decarbonization Exchange (CDx) will hold the Philippine Net Zero Conference 2026 on September 15-16, 2026 at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City.

With the theme “Bridging Gaps: Radical Collaboration for a Net Zero Future”, discussions will focus on accelerating corporate decarbonization, mobilizing climate finance, and deploying clean technologies to transition into a low-carbon economy.

The Philippine Net Zero Conference 2026 aims to achieve long-term climate resilience by turning national climate ambitions into urgent, measurable action.

𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 ‘𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐲

Text by MINI ZAMORA-ARCEO
Photos by ERLIN M. DUE

The Abacan River “Blue Keepers” will join the observance of World Cleanup Day 2026 as part of their commitment to protect water resources and promote clean and safe water for communities.

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𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬

Volunteers from business organization Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) carried out the second round of relief operations on Thursday, September 4, 2026, for families displaced by flooding in Pampanga.

The volunteer group, composed of the PamCham secretariat and employees of member companies led by Leslie B. Mendiola, director-in-charge of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), assembled at Casa Enzo to load and organize the relief goods.

Relief packages containing food items and medicines were delivered and distributed to evacuees at four sites: the Immanuel United Methodist Church; the San Juan 1st Evacuation Center; the San Juan 2nd Evacuation Center; and, the San Juan Elementary School.

The team then proceeded to the Lubao Evacuation Center to continue the distribution.

According to PamCham, the group attempted to deliver the final batch of relief packs to a barangay in the City of San Fernando but high floodwaters made passage too risky. For safety reasons, the remaining relief goods were stored in Barangay Dolores until conditions improve.

PamCham said coordination with the barangay captain is now underway to ensure the smooth delivery of the remaining goods. On Sunday, the relief operations team will attempt to reach another hard-hit municipality where floodwaters remain high.

“All on-site deliveries and distributions were completed successfully,” PamCham said in a report.

The business chamber thanked its volunteers and the donors for their quick response and continued support.

“Your support is making a real difference,” PamCham said.

PamCham is accepting donations and volunteers for its ongoing relief efforts. Interested parties may send a direct message to the PamCham official page on Facebook for details.

At the same time, PamCham advised residents to keep safe as floodwaters remain in several areas.

Photo: Pampanga Chamber Of Commerce And Industry

𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐬

Kapampangans on social media are rallying behind Pampanga Governor Lilia “Baby” Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis Pineda following criticism over wearing designer clothing while visiting and distributing assistance in flood-affected communities in the province.

Supporters pointed out that critics should focus less on what the Pinedas are wearing and more on their presence in affected areas and their efforts to provide assistance to residents.

Princess Majesty Laxamana said the clothing should not overshadow the Pinedas’ desire and willingness to help, while Virgie Go similarly questioned why people were focusing on their attire instead of the assistance being provided.

Alexan Paule expressed support for Governor Pineda, urging her not to be discouraged by critics who may not fully understand the effort and concern shown residents of Pampanga and other areas.

“Nanay, hayahan po ninyo mga ibang tao na naninira sa inyo. Di po nila alam ang pagod at malasakit sa mga tao ng Pampanga or ibang lugar. Basta po kami, Nanay, nandito lang po kami,” Paule wrote.

“I salute u, Nanay Gov. We love you,” she added.

The online support was echoed by Paul Pangilinan Corpuz, who said he personally knows the Pinedas and defended Vice Governor Dennis Pineda.

Corpuz cited the Educational Financial Assistance Program (EFAP), saying that while the program provides educational assistance, there are instances when Pineda personally shouldered the full tuition of students who cannot afford to continue their studies.

“I STAND FOR HIM, WE STAND FOR HIM,” Corpuz wrote, adding that people should not judge someone solely on appearance without knowing the person or the assistance he provides.

Veteran journalist Max Sangil also weighed in on the controversy in a post titled “The Real Side of Dennis Pineda”.

Sangil said he had met Pineda only a few times and recalled seeing him dressed fashionably during visits to the family-owned Royce Hotel and Casino.

He noted that Pineda’s manner of dressing was not unusual, particularly among Kapampangans, whom he described as having a longstanding reputation for being particular about their appearance.
Addressing the criticism over Pineda’s attire while helping flood victims, Sangil acknowledged that people may have different views but said the issue was not significant to him.

“For me, that’s no big deal,” Sangil said.

Hard-hitting journalist Ramon Tulfo likewise defended the Pinedas, questioning whether wearing designer clothing should be considered inappropriate while helping victims of flooding.

“Masama bang magsuot ng mga designer clothes habang tumutulong sa mga biktima ng baha?” Tulfo wrote.

Tulfo said he has known the Pineda family and described them as helpful, even before they entered public office. He also cited relief efforts outside Pampanga, including assistance he said was sent to Bicol following a major typhoon.

Sey Soliman-Castro also shared a similar sentiment in a post written partly in Kapampangan, saying the Pinedas’ assistance to residents should be considered alongside their ability to mobilize resources during calamities.

Meanwhile, Mayor Philip Siojo Naguit of Minalin described the Pinedas’ “true brand” as public service.

In a social media post, Naguit highlighted preparations by the provincial government and the Pineda family to provide food packs to residents affected by several days of heavy rain and flooding, particularly in Minalin.

Malacañang weighs in
The controversy has also drawn a response from Malacañang.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Malacañang Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said public officials should ultimately be judged by their actions and work rather than by what they wear.

At the same time, she stressed the need for sensitivity when government officials serve communities affected by disasters.

Castro pointed out that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not issued any specific directive to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or local government units (LGUs) regarding the issue.

The Palace response added another dimension to the debate, shifting the discussion from the Pinedas’ designer clothing to the broader question of how public officials should conduct themselves while responding to communities affected by calamities.

Critics have raised concerns about whether public officials should exercise greater sensitivity in their choice of clothing when visiting communities dealing with flooding and hardship.

For the Pinedas’ supporters, their clothing should not diminish the significance of their presence and assistance on the ground.

The online debate continues, with supporters maintaining that public officials should ultimately be judged by the work they do and the assistance they provide their constituents, of showing up and extending a helping hand when it matters most.

Photos: Pampanga PIO

𝟏𝟎𝟐 𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞

A total of 102 bags of life-saving blood was collected during the JDN Realty Group and Philippine Red Cross joint annual blood donation drive Save Juan Life held at the Newpoint Mall, Nepo Center on September 3, 2026.

Volunteers, mall-goers, and members of the community gathered at the Newpoint Mall Atrium to answer the call to give something far greater in return.

A patient waiting in a hospital somewhere has been given hope thanks to a pint of blood generously donated by someone they will never meet, a quiet gesture that is at the heart of Save Juan Life.

Save Juan Life is a continuation of a commitment the JDN Realty Group has long carried, that community care is best expressed not through grand declarations, but through the simple act of showing up when it matters most.

It is a reminder that heroic acts do not always require extraordinary efforts. Sometimes, all it takes is a willing hand and a few minutes to make a difference and save a life.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)
Official Statement on the inicident on August 29, 2026

𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

Text by MINI ZAMORA-ARCEO

A coalition of civic groups has petitioned the Office of the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct an independent investigation into a recent incident at the Tipo High-Tech Eco Park (THEP) in the Subic Bay Freeport and undertake a broader review of development practices within and around the Freeport.

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𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

Text and Photos by ERLIN M. DUE

Christmas has officially arrived in the Philippines, which starts promptly as soon as the month of September steps in.
If you are an Angeleño, Plaza Angel is the place you want to be to enjoy early Christmas vibes.

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Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO)situational report as of September 2, 2026