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 Hon. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Rodante Marcolete, Hon. 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.

Long before artisanal spirits and craft cocktails filled today’s bar menus, Filipinos were already sharing a homegrown drink steeped in tradition: lambanog. Distilled from coconut nectar and crafted across generations, lambanog has long been part of Filipino culture—passed around during celebrations, gatherings, and late-night conversations, serving as both a symbol of hospitality and a storyteller of our rural heritage. It is bold, shared, and unmistakably Filipino.

The awarding ceremony, held last December 2 at Dusit Thani Manila, highlighted the depth and diversity of this year’s competition. Zacarias first emerged as one of the ten national category winners before advancing to the final round, where he stood alongside inspiring finalists representing youth and senior citizens, entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, OFWs, members of the workforce, the LGBTQ+ community, creatives, indigenous peoples, and Cebuana Lhuillier clients.

Estancia de Lorenzo celebrated the start of the holiday season with a successful Christmas Village Lighting event, filled with festive activities and community spirit.