Road To Creation: A Collaboration Between DJI and Li Auto A workshop that talks about adventure fueling the immersive technology in every frame

 

On December 13, 2025, DJI collaborated with Li Auto to host a Daytour Camping Workshop at Camp Morri Farm, Antipolo, Rizal. The event highlighted Li Auto’s new L9 model and showcased DJI Power 2000 & DJI Osmo Action 6, impressing media attendees with its versatility and reliability. Despite unpredictable weather, participants enjoyed an exclusive hands-on workshop that combined learning, exploration, and innovation—demonstrating how camping can be reimagined with modern technology, offering greater freedom and flexibility in outdoor adventures.

Li Auto: Built for Local Conditions, Designed for Exploration

Designed to meet the demands of the Philippine landscape, modern camping setups combine durable, weather-resistant materials with smart, modular design. Built to handle tropical heat, humidity, and changing terrain, these setups support seamless transitions from city drives to off-grid destinations. Paired with intelligent mobility and reliable power solutions, they enable confident exploration—whether along coastal routes, mountain roads, or remote camping sites.

DJI’s Power Station that Adapts in Camping Scene

During the event, DJI showcased DJI Power 2000 as a key enabler of the camping and road-trip setup, demonstrating how portable power plays a critical role in modern outdoor experiences. Designed for use in varied Philippine conditions, the power station supported essential equipment throughout the day—from lighting and cooking tools to mobile devices—highlighting its reliability in off-grid environments.

Integrated into the camping area alongside Li Auto vehicles, DJI Power 2000 illustrated how intelligent mobility and portable energy work together seamlessly. Its flexible power output allowed multiple devices to run simultaneously, enabling a comfortable and well-organized campsite that transitioned smoothly from daytime activities to evening use.

By featuring DJI Power 2000 in a real-world outdoor setup, the event emphasized its practicality not only for camping, but also for extended road trips and emergency preparedness. The demonstration reinforced DJI’s commitment to delivering smart power solutions that support exploration, creativity, and everyday reliability.

Action Camera: A Closer Look Through Media Designed for Movement in Outdoor

As part of the workshop program, DJI hosted a dedicated Q&A session centered on the DJI Action 6, featuring Giancarlo Viterbo of Gadget Pilipinas as the guest speaker. The discussion provided media and participants with deeper insights into the action camera’s design philosophy, target users, and real-world applications—particularly for outdoor and on-the-move scenarios.

Giancarlo shared practical perspectives on how the DJI Action 6 performs in everyday use, highlighting features that matter most during travel, adventure, and content creation. The session allowed attendees to better understand how the camera adapts to different shooting conditions, from fast-paced movement to extended outdoor activities.

Through this interactive exchange, the workshop emphasized DJI’s focus on listening to the creator community and engaging directly with media voices. The Q&A format reinforced the DJI Action 6 as a tool built not only for performance, but also for practical storytelling—supporting creators in capturing authentic experiences with confidence.

For more information about DJI, visit our:

Website: www.djiph.com/
Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@djiphilippines
Facebook: www.facebook.com/djiphofficial/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dji.philippines/

For more information about DJI, visit our:
Website: www.liauto.ph/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/liautoph

A new address for stylish stays and celebrations in Quezon City: The Tribute Hotel

 

Quezon City, Philippines–Right in the heart of Tomas Morato in Quezon City, touted as the “Entertainment Capital of the Philippines,” lies The Tribute Hotel Quezon City, a chic and comfy hotel quietly making its mark as one of the city’s newest lifestyle destinations for staycations or dazzling celebrations.

An establishment that blends comfort, thoughtful design, and a sense of ease that feels both modern, welcoming, and rejuvenating, The Tribute Hotel had its soft opening in November 2024. Since then, the hotel has been drawing attention for offering a refined yet relaxed stay experience in one of Quezon City’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

With a design that eyes both business and leisure travelers, The Tribute Hotel offers well-appointed rooms that balance function and comfort. Currently available for booking are the Deluxe Room and Superior Twin Room, both equipped with lifestyle essentials such as flat-screen TVs, unlimited Wi-Fi, safety deposit boxes, mini refrigerators, kettles, and complete bathroom amenities.

Deluxe Rooms, on the other hand, come with a bathtub and the option of twin or queen beds at the same rate, while Superior Twin Rooms feature a sleek shower setup. Guests also enjoy access to the hotel’s pool, gym facilities, and breakfast for two already included in published rates. A larger Junior Suite is set to open next year, expanding the hotel’s offerings even further.

Beyond its rooms, The Tribute Hotel positions itself as a versatile venue for gatherings of all kinds. Its three function rooms—Ibiza, Valencia, and Mallorca—are designed to host everything from intimate meetings to milestone celebrations. Ibiza, the largest at 165 square meters, can accommodate up to 120 guests, while Valencia and Mallorca offer more intimate settings for smaller groups. Banquet menus are curated by the hotel’s in-house kitchen, with flexible options tailored to different budgets and occasions.

Adding to the hotel’s lifestyle appeal is Don Tomas, its signature restaurant, which serves Spanish fusion cuisine in a stylish yet approachable setting. Here, classic Spanish flavors are reimagined with modern touches, making it a go-to spot for both hotel guests and local diners. This holiday season, The Tribute Hotel also rolls out special Christmas buffet dinners on December 24 and 31, priced at Php 2,000 nett per person, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

As a new player in Quezon City’s hospitality scene, The Tribute Hotel QC is carving out its niche by offering more than just a place to stay. With its central location, thoughtful amenities, flexible event spaces, and growing dining experiences, it presents itself as a destination where stays, celebrations, and everyday moments feel effortlessly well put together.

The Tribute Hotel Quezon City is located at 99 Scout Gandia, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. For bookings and reservations, visit the hotel’s Facebook and Instagram pages, email reservations@thetributehotel.ph, or call 0977 203 3805.

A festive peek at the hotel’s future as a social hotspot

Over the weekend, the hotel offered a glimpse of its potential as a social hub when it hosted the annual Christmas gathering of the Filipino Bloggers Network (FBN), a prestigious group of some of the country’s most recognized members of the blogging community.

The celebration unfolded as a relaxed, convivial evening—filled with shared stories, good food, and laughter—reflecting the kind of warm, community-driven experiences the hotel aims to create. Rather than a formal affair, the night felt like a reunion, made more memorable by the hotel’s attentive service and comfortable, inviting spaces.

The FBN also extends its heartfelt thanks to all the generous sponsors for their invaluable support in making the FBN Christmas gathering a success. Their partnership, contributions, and unwavering commitment helped bring the celebration to life and created a memorable experience for everyone involved. The group truly appreciates the trust and collaboration, and will be looking forward to more meaningful partnerships in the future.

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PEPA CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF DEVELOPING FILIPINO TEXTBOOKS

 

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian receives a Plaque of Recognition during the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA). Joining him (from left) are Danda Crimelda Buhain and Atty. Dominador Buhain of Rex Education; Jose Paolo Sibal of Phoenix Publishing House; and John Emyl Eugenio of C&E Publishing Inc.

The Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA) recognized its achievements and honored its partners during its 75th anniversary held last December 5, 2025 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. Highlights of the event entitled HONORING THE PAST, CELEBRATING THE PRESENT AND PUBLISHING IN THE FUTURE, were presentation of plaques to HONORABLE SENATOR SHERWIN GATCHALIAN, SENATOR RODANTE MARCOLETA, HONORABLE CONGRESSMEN ANTONIO CERILLES and RUFUS RODRIGUEZ, and ATTY RODELIO T. DASCIL who were instrumental in the legislation of the Book Industry Development Act (RA 8047). Plaques were likewise presented to government and private agencies like the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, the NATIONAL BOOK DEVELOPMENT BOARD, the PRIVATE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE and the CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Past PEPA presidents Dr. Ernesto Sibal, Jesus Ernesto Sibal, Jose Agaton Sibal, Atty. Dominador Buhain, Jose Maria “Toots” Policarpio and current president Jose Paolo Sibal were likewise given awards for their service and dedication to the Association.

SENATOR SHERWIN GATCHALIAN, was recognized for his diligence in pushing for educational reforms as the then Chairman of the Senate Education Committee in the 19th Congress. In his acceptance speech, Senator Gatchalian reiterated his position that the public schools be permitted to select the textbooks best suited for their students and their conditions, citing the practice of private schools whose textbooks are chosen by the subject coordinators and teachers.

Speaking for PEPA, President Emeritus Dominador Buhain stated that the good senator’s proposed solution for providing each public school student with a set of textbooks through liberalized procurement is being adopted by advanced countries with high ratings in international assessments like China, Japan, Finland and Singapore, whose students score high in international assessments like PISA. Senator Gatchalian lamented the delays in textbook allocation for public schools which are caused by a centralized procurement process.

Senator Gatchalian,, a product of the private school system , even sees no opposition on the adoption of procurement program in the private schools due to their perceived accessibility and presumptive quality of textbooks to be adopted (brought out by competitive market forces where quality prevails) within a shorter time frame.

He believes that with the enhanced DEPED budget, his earlier estimated P28 billion peso allocation mentioned in 2024 would be sufficient to provide one textbook per subject per student. Possessing a textbook instead of having none due to bureaucratic delay could serve as a better proposition to improve our standing in the PISA.

Unfortunately, the procurement for textbooks for SY 2025-2026 in some grade levels has been delayed by new procurement guidelines under RA 12009.

As PEPA looks forward to another seven decades of service to the Filipino learner, it is resolved to meet the rigorous demands of knowledge production for the diverse learning needs of Philippine schools.

NBDB Sends Off PH delegation to the World’s Largest Book Fair

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) rolled out a spirited send-off for more than 100 Filipino publishers, authors, illustrators, and creatives bound for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM), happening from October 15 to 19, where the Philippines takes the spotlight as its Guest of Honour (GoH).

The evening celebration, held at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center on September 11, brought together the country’s diverse delegation for networking and a toast to this historic moment in global publishing.

Guests at the send-off were given an exclusive first look at the Philippine Pavilion – a 2,300 square-meter cultural space featuring daily author talks, installations, performances, and more than 65 interdisciplinary programs highlighting Philippine literature and creativity.

“The National Book Development is here to ensure that all of you are ready to present our books to the world,” said NBDB Executive Director and Philippines as Guest of Honour (PhlGoH) Project Co-Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade. “Because when we step into Frankfurt, we bring not just our stories and books, but also the diverse voices and imaginations of the Filipino people. This is our chance to show the world that the Philippines’ creative industries are worth investing in.”

At the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest, oldest, and most prestigious book fair and rights marketplace where the global “who’s who” in publishing gathers annually, the Philippine delegation will showcase the richness of Philippine publishing, spanning contemporary and speculative fiction, poetry, children’s literature, nonfiction, and graphic novels and comics.

This historic milestone is made possible through the collaboration of the NBDB, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will enjoy unprecedented visibility at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, opening doors to translation deals, international rights trading, cultural exchanges, and global readership growth.

Festive yet forward-looking, the send-off marked the culmination of years of preparation, and the start of an extraordinary journey as the Philippines takes its boldest leap yet onto the biggest global stage for books and ideas.

To learn more about the National Book Development Board and its upcoming activities, visit books.gov.ph, and follow the NBDB through its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run

The Naval Aviation Freedom Flight Run will be held on 14 September 2025 at Villar City, Daang Hari, Cavite.

It aims to honor the Naval Air Wing’s role in safeguarding the West Philippine Sea and to raise funds for fishing communities in Zambales, supporting sustainable livelihoods.

Categories: 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K with special AFP rates, cash prizes, and trophies for top male and female finishers in the 10K and 21K.

Weather-related postponements (if any) will be announced 48 hours before the event.

Details and Registration site: https://register.raceya.fit/event/walkrunflyforthewps

Architect Gilbert Yu shares three lessons for the next generation of designers Book launch celebrates a life built from zero to skyscrapers

 Celebrated architect and developer Gilbert Yu is inspiring the next generation of architects with hard-earned wisdom drawn from over three decades in the industry. Known for his pioneering iconic projects, Yu distills his experience into essential lessons for future practitioners.

Yu sums up the lessons in his biography The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu, written by award-winning journalist Iris Gonzales. 

The book tells the inspiring journey of a young man who dared to dream and persevered through life’s challenges to achieve those dreams. It offers an inside and intimate look at an extraordinary success story that began with the most humble of beginnings.

A Filipino-Chinese born and raised in Manila, Yu would become not just one of the country’s most prominent and successful architects of his time, but also an enduring pillar of Philippine architecture. His story is a timeless blueprint for triumph, shared prosperity, and lasting success.

Some lessons he wants to impart to architects:

Lesson 1: Architecture goes beyond design
“Architecture is not just about designing structures—it’s about building lives,” Yu said. “Every structure must have purpose, be designed with excellence, and built for permanence.”

Lesson 2: Architects must be knowledgeable in business
Yu believes architects should understand property value, project feasibility, and market trends to ensure success. “Architects must also be development consultants, not just technical people,” he noted, urging schools to integrate business and entrepreneurship into architectural education.

Lesson 3: Architects must be forward-thinking
Designs should anticipate shifts in landscapes, lifestyles, and technology, enabling structures to stand the test of time.

Yu’s philosophy can be summed up in his personal mantra: “Zero plus zero plus zero equals 100.”Starting with no knowledge, no experience and no resources, he built a thriving career and landmark projects through determination and resilience.

“A project starts from zero before becoming an iconic landmark,” Yu said. “With vision and dedication, architects can transform the impossible into reality.”

About the Book

The Life and Adventures of Architect Gilbert Yu tells the inspiring journey of a young man who dared to dream and persevered through life’s challenges to achieve those dreams.

It offers an inside and intimate look at an extraordinary success story that began with the most humble of beginnings.

A Filipino-Chinese born and raised in Manila, Architect Yu would become not just one of the country’s most prominent and successful architects of his time, but also an enduring pillar of Philippine architecture. His story is a timeless blueprint for triumph, shared prosperity, and lasting success.

About Architect Gilbert Yu

Architect Gilbert Yu is a respected Filipino architect and developer best known for creating quality residential projects in prime locations.

Starting from humble beginnings as one of nine children of a sari-sari store owner, Yu worked his way through school and became a licensed architect in 1970. He co-founded G&W Architects, which delivered several landmark developments in Bonifacio Global City,  including Sapphire Residences, Kensington Place, Grand Hamptons, and Blue Sapphire. 

Throughout his career, Architect Yu has been an advocate for housing affordability, high construction standards, and consumer protection in the real estate industry.

About the Author: Ms. Iris Gonzales

Iris Gonzales is a journalist and columnist for The Philippine Star.  Her thrice-weekly op-ed column, Eyes Wide Open, explores the intersection of business and politics in the Philippines. She graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication in Diliman and earned her master’s degree in journalism as a Konrad Adenauer Fellow at Ateneo de Manila University.