Start exploring the roaring world of dinosaurs in a giant Dino Playhouse at the Festive Walk Mall Atrium, and enjoy engaging activities like Cupcake Decorating, Balloon Twisting, Slime Making, and Halloween Arts and Crafts. Kids can also create their own “potion” by mixing colorful liquids in the Potion-Making class and take home their own clay figure in the Make-A-Monster Playdough activity.

The adventure continues as a little T-rex leads the Roar Parade where kids can proudly show off their Jurassic explorer attires. Afterward, kids can join the Dino Disco, a dance and music party with a playlist that will keep everyone moving. For more unforgettable moments,  children should not miss the Dino Magic show where giant tricks and awesome surprises take center stage.

At 4:30 PM, kids can embark on the Sweet Safari, a mall-wide trick-or-treat activity filled with treats and surprises from participating stores. Guests should also look for the Dino Crew to discover fantastic treats and exclusive Halloween surprises from our partner stores.

Guests can join Festive Walk Iloilo’s Rawr-O-Ween by presenting a minimum single receipt of ₱1,500 from any participating mall store. The first 100 children to register will be able to enjoy these activities for free, while succeeding registrants will receive loot bags full of Halloween goodies.

For updates, visit megaworld-lifestylemalls.com or call (03) 500 4226 or 0917 822 0543 .

The post Festive Walk Iloilo brings dinosaurs to life this Halloween with ‘Rawr-O-Ween’ first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The 2023 report of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) revealed that 21.3% of Filipino children aged 5-10 years old are underweight, 8.4% have muscle wasting, and 12.9% are either overweight or obese. These numbers are higher compared to their 2021 data.

This was echoed in the February 2025 research of Thrive, a non-profit organization with an international board and advisory council, which said that childhood malnutrition remains a critical issue in the Philippines.

Dr. Yvonne Marie Ferrer, FEIHE Philippines’ Medical Affairs Head, echoed the calls to address children’s nutritional challenges, especially during early childhood, which is a period of rapid growth and development.  She said that if parents miss out on this chance to support the child’s growth and development during early childhood, there could be a risk for lesser opportunities to excel later in life.

Dr. Ferrer said that one effective and simple step to help close the nutritional gap is for school-aged children to consume one to two glasses of milk daily, explaining that milk offers a lot of nutritional benefits for optimal growth and development.

However, a recent FNRI study showed that only half of the population of Filipino children consume milk daily and Dr. Ferrer said that this is a cause for concern.

“Parents should not miss out on the milk benefits for their children as an essential food and nutritional source. Not drinking milk on a daily basis may leave lasting consequences on children’s health and learning potential,” she said.

However, Dr. Ferrer said that not all milk is created the same and advised parents to be mindful about the milk they give their kids.

“Fresh milk formula would be a great choice for growing kids such as AceKid Activegro. Unlike conventional milk formulas which go through numerous heating treatments in their milk manufacturing, AceKid fresh milk formula has a game changer farm-to-can process. High heat treatment and storage required in conventional milk manufacturing degrade nutrients, and even leads to loss of some essential nutrients needed for the child’s growth and development. With FEIHEs single step process, heat treatment and storage are lessened, resulting in retention of milk’s natural nutrients, Dr. Ferrer explained.

“Parents would also be happy to know that AceKid does not contain sucrose and maltodextrin, preventing early tooth decay and picky eating due to the sweet taste conditioning and the possibility of having diabetes later in life,” she adds.

More importantly, Dr. Ferrer said AceKid ActiveGro is produced from the pristine “golden milk source belt” at 47° North Latitude. This region is known for its fertile black soil, rich in nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—ideal for growing high-quality feed for dairy cows.
“Cows fed with crops from this golden dairy source produce milk that is naturally more nutrient-rich,” Dr. Ferrer said.

In choosing milk for their kids, parents should also pay attention to the milk’s texture, smell and solubility as children tend to reject milk that smells strong or feels clumpy,” she advised.

AceKid ActiveGro is processed using fresh milk formula, retaining the natural aroma of milk and its nutrients. The single step approach also leads to easy solubility of the milk when mixed with water. All these features make it easy for mothers to convince their children to drink milk, according to several testimonies of mothers.

As Filipino families continue to navigate the nutritional gap challenges, AceKid ActiveGro champions a simple yet powerful call: invest in children’s nutrition, one glass of fresh milk formula at a time, positioning itself as a trusted partner in building a healthier future for the next.

The post Health expert to parents: Don’t let your kids miss the milk advantage first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Statistical Specialist II Miguel Gallego I said the increase in the overall inflation was mainly due to the slower decline in the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels commodity group, which recorded an inflation rate of -0.3 percent from the -1.8 percent in August.

“The upward trend was also influenced by a faster increase in the transport index, with its inflation rate at -1 percent in the previous month to 1.5 percent in September,” he said.

The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels commodity group shared 53.3 percent of the upward inflation, while transport had a 42. 3 percent share.

Based on the PSA report, three other commodity groups — clothing and footwear; recreation sport and culture; and personal care and miscellaneous goods — also registered higher inflation at 2.7 percent, 3.7 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, health (1.2 percent), information and communication (0.4 percent), and restaurants and accommodation services (4 percent) have a lower inflation rate.

The remaining commodity groups that include food and non-alcoholic beverages (-1.8 percent); alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.5 percent); furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (5.3 percent); education services (3.9 percent), and financial services (0.0 percent) retained their inflation rates.

“Of the 13 commodity groups, five recorded higher inflation when compared with August,” he said.

Major contributors to the inflation rate included restaurants and accommodation services, which registered a 4 percent inflation; furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance with 5.3 percent; and alcoholic beverages and tobacco with 4.5 percent.

Gallego said the headline inflation rate has been on a downward trend since January, and even recorded a negative rate in August.

Amid the increase in September, it remains to be seen if there is going to be an upward trend this last quarter of the year, he said.PNA

The post WV inflation accelerates to 2% in September first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) approved Resolution No. 263-2025 in a special session on Sunday, following the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

The declaration will enable the city government to tap into its quick response fund for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Roxas City Information Division head Melvin Galagate said in a phone interview that the massive flooding affected around 830 families or 2,773 individuals, left one dead and injured three others, as of early Sunday.

The fatality, a 44-year-old male, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after he was rescued.

“It’s the first time in the history of Roxas City that almost all barangays were flooded,” he said, adding that while floodwaters in the city proper have subsided, several low-lying villages remain inundated.

“Other evacuees have already decamped after the water subsided,” he added.

Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, who led rescue operations on Saturday night, mobilized relief distribution with support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which deployed 10,000 food packs to affected communities.

A landslide in Barangay Culasi covered almost half of the road in Sitio Nipa.

A road portion at Sitio Switch, Barangay Adlawan also collapsed, destroying one house and damaging four others.

Meanwhile, Dadivas suspended classes in all levels from Oct. 20 to 22 to ensure the safety of students and school staff, provide psycho-social recovery for students and their families due to “the distress and trauma caused by the flooding,” and facilitate household rehabilitation.

“We encourage our teaching personnel to utilize this time for their own recovery and for preparing alternative delivery modes of learning, as guided by the Department of Education’s policies on class suspension during disasters,” he said in a Facebook post.PNA

The post Roxas City under state of calamity first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Maria Lea Victoria Lara, director of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Center, said only Iloilo City and Boracay Island in Western Visayas were chosen for some of the meetings, although they have yet to get details from concerned government agencies.

“We will take the lead on what will be instructed by the host agencies that oversee the meetings and the instructions of Mayor Raisa Treñas on how we will prepare this meeting,” she said in an interview on Thursday, Oct. 16.

However, starting next month, they will start holding trainings to cascade the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) for frontline stakeholders.

Set on Nov. 10 to 11 and 17 to 18, Lara said they will hold the seminar in partnership with the Department of Tourism for those working in restaurants, tour operators, tour guides and the transport sector, among others.

They will partner with the Iloilo City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office that implements the Uswag Negosyo Academy, which, among others, covers food handling and service.

They also aim to create more circuits to increase activities in Iloilo City.

Together with the Executive Assistant for Medical and Wellness Candice Magdalane Tupas, they started a survey and inventory to come up with a circuit for food crawl, museums, innovations, and other things they can offer to showcase what Iloilo can offer.

She added that they need to have innovations to create lasting good experiences for guests.

“We have been ready to admit international guests here. Last year, we also had an ASEAN subcommittee meeting on culture. We are seeing more of that. It’s a good immersion for our frontliners if we really want to be a premier MICE destination,” she said.PNA

The post Iloilo City starts preps for ASEAN 2026 first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Set in a lush, vibrant backdrop at Megaworld subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc.’s (GERI) 173-hectare integrated lifestyle community, merry-goers can indulge in Ilonggo favorites while raising their mugs to live performances headlined by talented local acts. These include Kreonz Band, Pinoy Dream Academy alum Emman Abatayo, and Eian Bryle, who once showcased his vocal prowess on Tawag ng Tanghalan and Idol Philippines.

Inspired by Boca Raton in Florida, Sta. Barbara Heights offers a tranquil, tree-lined landscape that serves as an ideal backdrop for this vibrant open-air festivity. At the heart of this blossoming community is Mercato Sta. Barbara, an open-air dining and retail destination that welcomes locals and tourists alike in a celebration of local flavors, craftsmanship, and community spirit. Its lively and cozy atmosphere, illuminated by festive evening lights, makes it the perfect venue for Oktoberfest’s blend of music, food, and merriment.

As Sta. Barbara Heights’ vibrant commercial hub, Mercato Sta. Barbara regularly hosts community gatherings and cultural performances that reflect the town’s festive character.

Mercato Sta. Barbara is open daily from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. 

Sta. Barbara Heights is just a short two-minute drive from the Iloilo International Airport via the six-lane Iloilo International Avenue. Spanning a thoughtfully masterplanned community, half of the entire development is dedicated to the Sta. Barbara Heights Residential Estates—a three-phase village offering approximately 1,000 residential lots. Select lots boast scenic views of the tranquil lake beside the historic Iloilo Golf and Country Club, celebrated as Asia’s oldest golf course and a cherished landmark in the region.

Know more about this dazzling Oktoberfest celebration at Mercato Sta. Barbara by visiting the official Facebook page of Sta. Barbara Heights at https://www.facebook.com/stabarbaraheightsofficial/.

The post Sta. Barbara Heights holds first-ever ‘Oktoberfest’ first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) – Disaster Response Division head Darwin Papa, in an interview on Tuesday, Oct. 14, said the city government is equipped with three rescue trucks with a capability for medium rescue and can penetrate big concrete structures and medium-rise buildings.

They also have equipment with the capability of lifting collapsed objects when needed.

“Because we are preparing for the worst-case scenario, or the possibility of collapsed structures and trapped individuals, although we don’t want it to happen, if worse comes to worst, we have the capability, equipment, personnel and teams that are ready to respond,” he said.

The CDRRMO-Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) has 10 technical rescuers trained on collapsed structures, hazardous materials, and confined spaces.

They also hold cross-training with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Red Cross and the Federation Fire and Iloilo Citizens Action Group Volunteer Fire Brigade in terms of equipment and personnel.

“Our personnel and volunteer fire organizations have the same knowledge and capability to utilize our equipment in the city,” Papa said.

The City Engineer’s Office has also established a link with big construction firms to utilize their equipment, like backhoes and cranes, when needed.

Further, he said high-rise buildings in the city are required to conduct quarterly drills and practice response procedures.

The response capability of Iloilo City was displayed during the first KABALAKA (KAhublagan sa BArangay para sa LApnagon nga KAhandaan sa Kalamidad) or Movement for Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Expo on Aug. 29-30 this year.

Meanwhile, the city government will have a series of earthquake drills starting on Wednesday until Friday.

The drill will start with the first to second floors of the city hall building at 9:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. for the third and fourth floors.

On Thursday, the drill will start at 9:30 a.m. for the fifth and sixth floors, and the seventh and eighth floors in the afternoon.

The two-day drills will be for employees of the city government while the Friday schedule will include the transacting public.PNA

The post Iloilo City assures readiness for worst-case scenarios first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

World Sight Day is a global reminder of how much our vision shapes the way we live every day. With this year’s theme, #LoveYourEyes, Borough Lasik Center (BLC) celebrates by sharing inspiring stories from Visayans whose lives have changed after receiving advanced eye care. Through the expertise of its skilled surgeons and cutting-edge technology, BLC continues to bring world-class treatments closer to the community, helping more Filipinos see clearly and live more confidently.

Visayans Stories Towards 20/20 Vision (testimonials, PX A, PX B.. and so on)

At the heart of Borough Lasik Center’s work are the people whose lives have been changed through clear vision. Patient Daisy Bril, a businesswoman, struggled for years with blurred eyesight that affected her ability to focus on her salon. “I’m a beauty consultant, specializing in hair and makeup. I always struggled with blurry vision, which is why I decided to have my eyes checked at Borough Lasik Center. We also heard a lot of good feedback about them. I’m definitely satisfied with Dr. Ches and BLC, our eyesight truly became better!” said Ms. Bril.

After treatment, she returned to her profession with renewed confidence, able to read clearly and engage with her clients once more.

“I can definitely see clearly, this time without the glasses!”: Ms. Villar with her 20/20 Vision After LASIK.

“I learned about Borough Lasik Center when I looked for LASIK clinics here in Bacolod because of the struggles I have been experiencing with my eyesight. I have been wearing glasses since I was 18 years old, and now that I’m 36, it has been very inconvenient every time I do daily errands”, said Ms. Villar. “It was a life-changing experience, I felt like my vision was back to normal! It was a good investment for myself and I hope everyone with the same struggle experiences the same benefits as me,” she added.

These testimonials highlight the real value of vision correction beyond vision improvement, it’s about giving people the ability to do what matters most in their lives. For BLC, these are the stories that define #LifeChangingVision and inspiration in the Visayas region.

Pioneering Eye Care in Western Visayas (short outro for World Sight Day)

Borough Lasik Center is proud to be the first and only provider of bladeless cataract surgery and advanced laser vision correction in Western Visayas, giving Visayans access to world-class eye care without leaving the region. Guided by trusted surgeons and advanced technology, BLC continues to set the standard for safe, precise, and comfortable vision correction.

This World Sight Day, Borough Lasik Center reaffirms its mission to make advanced eye care more accessible for every Filipino. Through continuous innovation and excellent service, BLC empowers patients to see life with clarity, confidence, and renewed vision.

Celebrate World Sight Month with Borough Lasik Center

In celebration of World Sight Day, Borough Lasik Center continues to participate in initiatives that promote eye health and highlight the importance of regular eye screening and treatment, such as the Medical Mission with Grace Pharmacy’s Super Lolo and Lola Day. During the event, BLC emphasized the value of routine eye check-ups, especially for seniors who are more at risk of developing cataracts and other vision problems.

Continuing this effort, BLC is offering free eye check-ups at select community events, including Bacolod City MassKara’s Super Lolo and Lola Day, to help more Filipinos prioritize their vision health. Patients may also avail of a ₱1,500 Comprehensive Eye Screening at all Borough Lasik Center satellite branches, along with exclusive October promos featuring a ₱5,000 cash discount and special rates for Bladeless Laser Vision Correction Procedures.

These offers are valid until October 31, 2025, reaffirming BLC’s mission to make advanced, world-class eye care accessible to Filipinos nationwide.

Choose Borough Lasik Center for your #LifeChangingVision

As the premier eye care provider in the Philippines, Borough Lasik Center is known for offering personalized treatments using the latest and most advanced technologies in diagnostics, refractive and cataract surgery. Together with expert doctors and multiple branches nationwide, BLC remains committed to their mission in providing better vision to help Filipinos see the world more clearly.

To learn more about BLC’s services, follow their official social media accounts, where you can also connect with their specialists for more information:

● Borough Lasik Center Visayas (Facebook)
● @blc.visayas (Instagram)
● @docchesheredia (TikTok)

The post Borough Lasik Center celebrates World Sight Day with stories of #LifeChangingVision first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

In an interview on Tuesday, Oct. 14, MICE Center Director Maria Lea Victoria Lara said they were very happy with the response of the office of TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid on the request for support from the city government and Iloilo MICE Alliance.

MICE Alliance is composed of private sector tourism partners of the city government.

“We want to be able to market our facilities, function rooms, primary convention center, and hotels that can house more than 10,000 guests. We hope that through the grant they are providing, we will be able to have more activities in terms of business-to-business, events in key cities or internationally since we have international flights,” Lara said.

They also hoped to have new promotion collaterals, explain why Iloilo should be considered as a premier destination, and the holding of capacity building activities for stakeholders.

The grant is spread over five years: the initial amount is around P3 million, the second year will be PHP3.5 million, and the third to fifth years will be P3.7 million annually.

Lara said that with the grant, the private sector would be more active in the projects that they want to suggest and pursue together with the city government.

They target to sign an agreement with TIEZA and MICE Alliance before the end of this month for specific guidelines on how the grant will be utilized.

Lara said that after the five-year grant, they hoped to see more investments and “cement Iloilo as a destination for MICE events and get more support from other agencies.”

“Hopefully, we will be able to achieve our goal to make Iloilo a top five MICE destination not just in the country but of course ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and renewed support from our partners,” she added.PNA

The post TIEZA grants P17.6M to promote Iloilo City as MICE destination first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

From 2022 to 2025, the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) implemented 40 flood control and mitigation projects worth more than P4 billion, based on congressional records. The rollout included eight projects in 2022, twelve in 2023, nine in 2024, and eleven ongoing for 2025 — the largest and most expensive batch, totaling P2.4 billion.

However, despite the massive spending, over 30 barangays across the city’s seven districts — Arevalo, City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, and Molo — remain flood-prone even without typhoons. Ordinary monsoon rains and easterly downpours have been enough to submerge homes and streets.

In La Paz district, longtime residents said they have learned to live with flooding as a part of daily life.

“We just want to see these projects work. We’ve been flooded too long already,” a resident said, recalling countless sleepless nights spent moving furniture and belongings to higher ground.

A confidential report revealed that construction firms linked to the Discaya family — St. Timothy Construction, St. Gerard Construction, Alpha & Omega, and YPR — emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the 2025 flood control contracts, cornering P526 million worth of projects this year alone.

In 2024, the same firms also secured P374.6 million worth of contracts, cementing their dominant hold over the city’s flood control allocations.

The revelations have fueled growing public frustration, with many residents questioning how such massive investments could yield so little visible impact.

Mayor Raisa Treñas, in her 2025 State of the City Address (SOCA), broke her silence on the issue, demanding accountability from agencies and contractors behind delayed or ineffective projects.

“If there are failed and delayed projects, including flood control works that caused flooding in our city — someone must be held accountable,” Treñas declared before the city council and department heads.

She also echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for stronger coordination between national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) before implementing major infrastructure projects.

“We welcome the President’s directive. Projects must not just look good on paper — they must protect our people and improve lives,” the mayor said.

As another rainy season looms, Ilonggos continue to hope that the city’s multi-billion flood control efforts will soon deliver what they were built for — safety, not just statistics.

The post P4-B flood control projects under fire as floods still swamp Iloilo City first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.