ARA MINA Eyes Serving in PASIG, Introduces SARAH DISCAYA

I didn't know Ms. Ara Mina personally (before this) but I know a lot about her line of work. She's a very formidable actress, who also found out at 21 about her biological father Chuck Mathay. She's known as Hazel to her closest friends, and has lived all throughout her childhood in the city of Pasig. This time, she told us of her intentions to become a City Councilor. She also shared how she wants to help with the causes that is closest to her, from women empowerment, to helping the urban poor, and also PWDs.

Ara says "Why not run so that I could help more people. Public service can be easier with programs and I think I can do that. Being a councilor in Pasig, I've had the chance to see my constituents. The reach I could have will be amplified. We will focus in Pasig, we still have a lot to do especially the projects we still have to finish. In health, we are trying to have free hospitalization in the city which we hope would come true in the next few years."

She adds "When I'm in Pasig, I know so many kids or their parents, they approached me telling how they were my classmates back in the days. I feel I can do more here because my roots are here. I live in Santolan, Pasig which is our ancestral house. We go around projects, do medical missions and give wheel chairs or medical equipment through LGU's. We were able to do that and people need it. This thought keeps us going." 

 

Ms. Ara Mina also introduced her friend Ms. Cezarah Rowena Discaya aka Ate Sarah in their community. She introduced herself during a short luncheon at her businesses headquarters in F. Manalo of the same city. Their friendship started with the same causes they believe in, specifically in the PWD sector where Ms. Ara's sister and Ms. Sarah's kids were part of.

She says "I am Sarah, Ate Sarah to folks here. I grew up in the UK and studied there. Went back to the Philippines to study here and was raised by our Dad who always taught us to give to the less fortunate, because we know it will go back tenfold. Being a true blue Pasigueño, I think I have a good chance to have a friendly competition in the campaign. Coming from the private sector, it's different, more busy, and still have to work in the company and be there for the kids when I go home."

"We are preparing to make Pasig become a smart city. I also work in customer service which is why we are accommodating people the same way we have with our customers. The dream is to have a more efficient health care system in Pasig, a new hospital too where we can implement zero billing. We learned from provinces like South Cotabato and Iloilo who were already able to do it in their towns. Pasig is a progressive city and it is possible to do it. We also want to do the same with private hospitals too."

Here's the press conference which happened yesterday:

Ms. Ara Mina and Ms. Sarah Discaya was fun to talk to. They're people who indulge in social services, motherhood, and business. I'm glad people in Pasig have options.

PASIG CITY LGU Starts Pet Microchip Service

Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City

It's such a good feeling if you feel the government is doing its job, you feel your taxes are all worth it not only for you, but the whole community. A few days ago, I've had the opportunity to witness the launch of Pasig City's Pet Identification Project (Pet i-Chip) using microchip technology. No less than the good looking Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City lead ceremonies together with the city Veterinary Services Department and Plaridel Products and Services Inc.

 

Mayor Vico says "This was presented to me during the pandemic and the delay was because of obvious reasons. We had to prioritize a few other things because of it. But now that we're slowly going back to normal, we are going forward with the programs of the city. I would like to thank Ortigas for letting us use Tiendesitas as venue for this event, our councilors who are also working hard to put measures on local government policies (RA 9482), our Barangay officials."

The program is also designed in conjunction with Pasig City's goal of being rabies free. Recent figures mentioned during the event that there are only a few cases (17) this last quarter which is already an improvement from previous numbers which reached hundreds. In the Philippines, there are lots of deaths resulting from animal bites. Aside from that, pet owners would be able to register, monitor temperature of their pets, health history and vaccinations in case they need to. This will be all administered by Veterinarians and will be FREE of charge in the city of Pasig. They will be also issued a Pet Passport that they get to keep for records. In case they lose their pets, it's easier to track ownership as registration requires owner information. This would be a huge change in the lives of pet owners, convenient too that roll out will commence in the next few months according to the city vet. They will be doing the activity together with their rabies shot which they have been doing on a weekly basis. Information will also be held confidential under the pet registration of the City of Pasig.

 

They also showed us the actual microchip and the process on how they implant it. It took a few minutes and much of it was double checking the chip which they scan before, and while it's already implanted. This will also be available in private vet clinics (with its usual cost). So if you're interested, all schedules will be posted at the Pasig City Facebook page and the city veterinary department's channels. If you need more information about the chip, visit plaridel.com.ph or animal-id.net.ph and it's all there!

The 5th Ortigas ART Festival: A Spectacle of Expression and Creativity

The 5th Ortigas ART Festival just started at the Estancia Mall at Capitol Commons in Pasig City. This was attended by the who's who in the art scene, several art gallery personalities, those in fashion and the Ortigas family who's heavily involved in this movement. They want art to be accessible for Filipinos, and what better way to do that but now.

Architect Renee Bacani VP for Ortigas Malls says "We are grateful for you to join us on the 5th year of the Ortigas Art Festival. We were requested a space for artists to showcase their works, and this is how the event came about. We won 2 international awards for making Ortigas properties more accessible to people. We present to you a bigger and bolder Ortigas Art Festival with photography, film, Fashion, Music, artwork and more. We look forward to more years of this for more years to come. Thank you for sparking joy to our patrons."

This is a platform for artists to showcase their works, and have it be seen by people from all walks of life. They want art to become part of the daily lives of Filipinos. There were lots of art installations, sculptures, all free of charge to see at Estancia Mall in Pasig City. There are also seminars and workshops for collectors on how to take care of artworks, and hope you also get to know various Filipino artists from July 7 to August 7, 2022.

"The previous years were a challenge to Ortigas Malls, and the event concentrated on Filipino artists. At the height of the pandemic, we got help from participating galleries, FDCP. The best place is this mall, accessible to everyone. From performance art, art workshops, exhibition center, a whole art ecosystem is here. Art is a catalyst for enlightenment, and this is a good thing." says Renato Habulan, Ortigas Art Festival's Lead Curator

Liza Diño the Chair of FDCP says "It's an honor to celebrate with you face to face. For many of us who lived in lockdowns, we watched, we read and remained creative. Art protects us from harm, this is a noble cause for expressions of the human spirit. The vertical cinema contest is doing shorts asking "Kamusta Ka Na?" to incite hope, change, in this month long festival. Highly acclaimed titles will be seen and highlighted and we hope through Ortigas Art Festival, we show our love for films. We provide ways to educate, learn before artists make films and we will have several noted film makers, screenwriters to do seminars during the month. This will bring cinema much closer to the public."

Gil Granado of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines says "We have come a long way in fashion . We appreciate art, the pandemic has slowed us down but we continue to strike back. Art and fashion is the lifeline of culture. We dedicate this event to the 40 years of FDAP, thank you to Ortigas Inc, and all our fashion patrons."

If you want to know more about the event, download the Ortigas Malls app and register to get their card to get perks from participating malls or visit OrtigasMalls.com. Best of all, these activities are FREE so there's no reason for you not to come.