Sheraton Manila Bay earns Green Globe Certification

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Manila, Philippines – January 19, 2026 – The World’s Gathering place at the Heart of Manila, Sheraton Manila Bay has been awarded its Green Globe certification in recognition of its commitment to sustainable management and responsible operations. The certification marks a significant milestone for the iconic hotel in located in Malate, Manila reinforcing its dedication to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and long-term sustainability in the heart of the capital.

The Green Globe certification is an internationally recognized standard in the sustainable tourism sector, covering hotels, resorts, and tourism-related organizations worldwide. For Sheraton Manila Bay, the achievement reflects years of consistent effort to embed sustainability into daily operations while delivering elevated guest experiences.

Sheraton Manila Bay is led by General Manager Richard Masselin, who has spearheaded many of the property’s environmental initiatives through strategic infrastructure improvements, resource optimization, and compliance with global sustainability benchmarks.

 

Leadership on Sustainability

“Green Globe strengthens our desire to operate responsibly everyday. Sustainability guides our decisions, shapes our guest experience, and defines our behaviors. We bring people together and believe in the collective power to change the world for the better”, says General Manager, Richard Masselin on Sheraton Manila Bay’s commitment to sustainability, future initiatives, and continued integration of responsible practices into guest experience, operations, and community engagement.

 

Sustainable Management and Operations

Since the strengthening of its sustainability roadmap, Sheraton Manila Bay has implemented a comprehensive Sustainability Management Plan (SMP), overseen by a cross-functional Green Team composed of representatives from key departments. The program ensures that environmental responsibility is embedded across engineering, housekeeping, food and beverage, events, and guest services.

Under the direction of Director of Engineering Anthony Estacio, the hotel has prioritized efficiency, conservation, and responsible sourcing across its facilities and operations, aligning with Marriott International’s global sustainability goals.

Energy, Water, and Waste Management

Resource management is a key operational focus at Sheraton Manila Bay. Energy-saving initiatives include the extensive use of LED and high-efficiency lighting in guest corridors, function spaces, and public areas, as well as conservation plans on selected back-of-house and service areas to minimize unnecessary power consumption.

Waste management strategies are designed to significantly reduce landfill contributions. The hotel follows green procurement practices, implements waste segregation, and supports recycling and food waste minimization initiatives across all departments. Sustainable partnerships and donation programs further extend the hotel’s efforts to responsibly manage operational waste.

 

Culinary with a Sustainable Focus

Sheraton Manila Bay’s culinary team integrates sustainability into menu development and daily kitchen operations. In line with Marriott International’s Serve 360 program, the hotel emphasizes responsible sourcing, seasonal ingredients, and waste reduction practices across all food and beverage outlets.

Menus are designed to highlight thoughtfully sourced ingredients while minimizing excess production. The culinary team also supports local suppliers and producers whenever possible, strengthening community partnerships and promoting sustainable food ecosystems.

Environmental Programs and Advocacy

Environmental responsibility remains a core pillar of Sheraton Manila Bay’s long-term strategy. The hotel actively explores initiatives that support conservation, energy efficiency, and environmental awareness among both guests and associates. These efforts are guided by measurable goals and continuous improvement practices under the hotel’s sustainability framework.

Giving Back to the Community

Beyond environmental stewardship, Sheraton Manila Bay continues to champion social responsibility through meaningful community engagement. The hotel actively participates in Marriott Worldwide Business Councils Philippines initiatives, supporting programs that benefit children, education, and underserved communities. Just last November 2025, the hotel hosted it’s 3rd Art Auction and Benefit Dinner for the benefit of Operation Smile PH.

Associates regularly take part in outreach programs, donation drives, and volunteer efforts, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to being not only a destination for travelers, but also a responsible corporate citizen in Manila.

Moving Forward

With its Green Globe certification awarded on January 6, Sheraton Manila Bay reaffirms its role as a leader in responsible hospitality in the Philippines. Guided by the leadership of General Manager Richard Masselin, the hotel continues to advance sustainability through innovation, operational excellence, and community partnerships.

Further information on Sheraton Manila Bay’s sustainability initiatives is available through the hotel’s Sustainability Management Plan available for viewing at www.sheratonmanilabay.com

Social media: @SheratonManilaBay | Contact number: +63 5318 0788

Together, let’s continue to move forward—with every meaningful moment.

 

Sheraton Manila Bay is a renowned hotel located at M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. The hotel offers luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining experiences, and state-of-the art facilities. With its commitment to providing exceptional service and creating unforgettable moments, Sheraton Manila Bay is the perfect destination for both leisure and business travelers. To reserve or book your room accommodations go to www.sheratonmanilabay.com. Sheraton Manila Bay is conveniently located at M. Adriatico corner Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and follow us on Twitter at@sheratonmnlbay

More classrooms for learners, career milestones for teachers as Angara leads Cavite event

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GENERAL TRIAS CITY, CAVITE, 20 January 2026 — Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday led the turnover and blessing of a four-storey, 16-classroom school building at Santiago Elementary School, as the Department of Education (DepEd) stepped up efforts to address classroom shortages in fast-growing urban areas and advance teacher career reforms.



Angara said the project reflects the administration’s focus on delivering concrete improvements at the school level, easing long-standing pressure on time and space for learners and teachers in SDO General Trias City, where rapid enrollment growth has led to overcrowded classrooms and strained daily school operations.

“Proven naman po yan, kapag siksikan ang mga silid, hindi makapagturo nang maigi ang teachers. Ayaw na po natin ng shifting as much as possible,” he said, linking classroom construction to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader reform agenda.


The new building, equipped with smart televisions, armchairs, and safety features such as fire alarms and emergency lights, adds to the capacity of Santiago Elementary School, which serves more than 2,400 learners.


The project was made possible through close coordination between DepEd and the city government, which has used its Special Education Fund (SEF) to accelerate school infrastructure development. More than 100 classrooms have been built or are underway across the division in less than three years, easing congestion in several schools.


Angara said DepEd is also rolling out flexibility measures nationwide to speed up classroom delivery, including allowing local government units to construct parallel school buildings, expanding public-private partnerships for large-scale classroom projects, and strengthening the Adopt-A-School Program to tap private sector support. These approaches, he noted, are meant to complement national funding and prevent delays in areas with urgent needs.


“First time in history na gagawin, ibaba na ang pera sa mga LGUs, through decentralization of power, through decentralization of resources,” Angara stressed.


More promoted teachers sworn in under ECP



After the turnover ceremony, Angara presided over the mass oathtaking of 542 teachers from the Cavite cluster promoted under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, with more than half of the promotions coming from SDO General Trias City. For many teachers, the promotions ended years—and in some cases decades—of stalled career movement that had dampened morale and retention.

Among them was Carmen R. Zorilla, now a Teacher IV of Tropical Village Elementary School, whose journey resonated with many in the crowd.

“Sa loob ng 28 taon, Teacher I po ako. Kontento na sana ako, dahil ang sukatan ng tagumpay ko ay ang bawat batang natutong bumasa, umunawa, at mangarap,” Zorilla said. “Hindi ko po inakalang darating ang panahong ito, na mapo-promote ako.”

She thanked President Marcos and Angara for pushing reforms that made career advancement possible. “Sa ilalim ng Expanded Career Progression, napatunayan naming ang pag-angat ng guro ay posible. Hindi po kami pinabayaan ng DepEd. Dahil dito, wala nang gurong kailangang magretiro bilang Teacher I,” she said.


Angara said the scale of promotions marks a historic shift for the department. “Ang estimate po natin, before 2026 ends, basta na-release po 'yong pera, makakapag-promote tayo ng 100,000 teaching positions. First time sa kasaysayan po ng DepEd na ganyang karami ang na-promote, ang nabigyan ng pagkilala," he said.


Nationwide, DepEd has already hired 27,080 teachers, reclassified 16,025 educators, and processed new teaching, school leadership, guidance counseling, and administrative positions to clear promotion backlogs and stabilize the public school workforce.


The twin events—classroom turnover and teacher oathtaking—highlight the agency’s strategy of pairing infrastructure investments with human resource reforms, as it works to improve learning conditions and outcomes across the public school system.

The Chemist’s Vigil: From Synthesis to the Grave

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In the quiet hum of a laboratory, a single molecule can represent the pinnacle of human achievement or the seed of a global catastrophe. This is the dual nature of chemistry: a science that fuels economic growth and saves lives through healthcare and agriculture, yet possesses a dark mirror capable of creating the world’s most "nefarious" weapons.

During the fifth Innovation Impact Stories webinar hosted by the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS), Dr. Emily Castriciones revealed the high-stakes reality of this discipline. As an Analytical Chemist Inspector for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Dr. Castriciones views her profession not just as a job, but as a lifelong guardianship of matter itself.

Guardians of the "Cradle to Grave"

For a chemist, the responsibility for a substance never truly ends. Dr. Castriciones describes this journey as a "cradle to grave" surveillance.

The Cradle: It begins with synthesis and testing, whether creating a life-saving drug or a raw industrial material.

The Life: It continues through manufacturing and plant management, where rigorous recordkeeping and documentation are essential.

The Grave: Even after a chemical is used, chemists monitor its presence in waste streams and the environment to ensure proper disposal.

"From the cradle to the grave of a chemical, there is always a chemist involved," Dr. Castriciones emphasizes.

A New Shield for the Philippines

While the Philippines has long ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), it lacked the "legal framework" to fully enforce its protections—until now. In a landmark move for national security, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act 12174, also known as the Chemical Weapons Act of the Philippines, in April 2025.

Dr. Castriciones was a vital architect of this shield, serving as a technical consultant and resource person for the Senate Committee and the Anti-Terrorism Council. This law bridges the gap between international treaties, like the 1925 Geneva Protocol, and local enforcement, ensuring that dangerous chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials are regulated without stifling economic development.

An All-of-Society Defense

The battle to keep chemistry "good" requires more than just laws; it requires a massive, collaborative network. This defense includes:

Law Enforcement: Forensic labs within the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency are on the front lines.

Collaborative Projects: Innovations like the DOST-funded project involve the Bureau of Fire Protection and academic-government cooperatives.

Total Engagement: Dr. Castriciones is calling for a "truly all-of-society engagement," weaving together government, industry, academia, and private research institutions.

Bridging Theory and Application

The Innovation Impact Stories series serves as a reminder that science does not exist in a vacuum. By highlighting stories like that of Dr. Castriciones, the UPD-CS aims to inspire a culture where academic theory is purposefully bridged with practical, real-world applications that protect a nation.

In the world of chemistry, the difference between a miracle and a menace is often the watchful eye of a scientist dedicated to the journey from cradle to grave.