YGG Play Summit 2025 “City of Play” Expands Skill District to Power the Philippines’ Digital Workforce

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - In the lead-up to its 2025 edition, the YGG Play Summit has revealed a major expansion of the Skill District, the learning hub within its City of Play experience. Designed by Metaversity, the educational arm of YGG Pilipinas, the district offers an immersive upskilling experience to uncover earning opportunities across Web3 and AI. Visitors can join workshops that teach practical, job-oriented skills for the digital economy in content creation, marketing, community management, game development, and more.

The Skill District is one of four themed zones in the City of Play alongside the Player District, Degen District, and The Arena. Three new experiences have been added: The Prompt to Prototype vibe coding workshop will teach aspiring builders how to create games using AI. The Metaversity Interactive forum will gather stakeholders across industry, government, and academe to work with students to address critical skills gaps in the emerging tech workforce. Finally, Metaverse Filipino Worker (MFW) City — the pioneering builder residency led by YGG Pilipinas and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) — will unveil the results of its pilot program to educate developers from the MIMAROPA region in the Sui blockchain’s Move programming language.

“This collaboration truly reflects the core of our DICT thrust in Digital Bayanihan, showcasing how industries, communities, and the government can work together to empower talent across all regions of the country,” said DICT MIMAROPA Regional Director Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin. “Aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directives to create more jobs for Filipinos and Secretary Henry Aguda’s commitment to generate more digital and digitally enabled employment opportunities through our Trabahong Digital Program, initiatives such as MFW City in Puerto Princesa and the Skill District at YGG Play Summit are creating pathways for Filipinos to actively participate in the global digital economy. These efforts bring us closer to a future where Filipinos can build transformative, sustainable, and rewarding careers without having to leave the comfort of their own homes.”

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies technology as the dominant force reshaping the global labor market, driving both job creation and displacement. Expanding digital access alone is expected to generate 19 million new roles while rendering 9 million obsolete. AI and information processing technology are forecasted to create 11 million jobs while displacing 9 million. For the Philippines, this underscores the urgent need to develop digital fluency and technical capabilities, so workers can seize opportunities instead of being left behind by automation.

Official school partner STI College - Bonifacio Global City will participate in the Skill District alongside IT, computer science, and esports organizations from more than 10 schools across different regions of the country, including:

• University of Santo Tomas
• National University
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines
• University of Southeastern Philippines - Davao City
• Philippine Christian University - Cavite

Upskilling the Next Generation of Filipino Builders

With Sui providing primary sponsorship as its anchor partner, the Skill District will feature three key sessions offering unique opportunities for skills development:

MFW City, a regional builder residency co-created by YGG Pilipinas and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), brought together more than 120 developers in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, to learn the Sui blockchain’s programming language, Move. As part of the Sui Builder Program initiative under the MFW City program, participants received mentorship from industry experts and built minimum viable products on the Sui blockchain. On November 21, two graduates will join James Wing, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Investments at Mysten Labs, developers of Sui, on the Summit main stage to share a first look at the results of the pioneering program and explain how the initiative is opening new pathways for Filipino talent in the provinces.

Metaversity Interactive will bring together industry leaders, government representatives, members of the academe, and Metaversity students to map the Philippines’ emerging tech skills landscape. The session will identify the most in-demand skills sought by global and local employers and assess the readiness of current job candidates across these skills. The resulting data and dialogue will inform the strategic development of future Metaversity programs, ensuring they are aligned with market needs to maximize students’ employability. The forum is scheduled for Friday, November 21.

Prompt to Prototype is a 4-hour vibe coding workshop where up to 50 attendees will learn how to turn their game concepts into playable prototypes using AI-powered, no-code tools. Participants will gain hands-on experience using infrastructure by B3, a Layer-3 open gaming ecosystem built on Base, and AI tools from OpenxAI, a P2P permissionless AI protocol. Sponsored by Base, the session will be led by Base Philippines’ Developer Relations Lead Ambassador, who will teach attendees how to use these tools and serve as a mentor throughout the process. The workshop will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, November 22.

“The YGG Play Summit’s Skill District is where learning meets play for those seeking actionable pathways into the digital economy. Anyone looking to level up their career or personal growth will find opportunities to gain in-demand skills that lead to real jobs. Through our programs, we aim to help Filipinos prepare for the future job market and ensure our communities are not just keeping up but leading the way,” said Mench Dizon, Country Head of YGG Pilipinas.

More Highlights Ahead at YGG Play Summit

Aside from the Skill District events, esports tournaments in the trading card games Parallel, Vibes, and Might & Magic: Fates will be held at The Arena on November 20-21, with a combined prize pool of US$125,000.

Industry leaders will also take the stage for panels, fireside chats, and keynotes. Speakers include Mench Dizon of YGG Pilipinas, Sylvain Loe Mie of Ubisoft, Luke Barwikowski and Heidi Christine of Pixels, Theo Agranat of Gunzilla Games, TK of Spekter Games, Jihoz of Sky Mavis, Kohji Nagata of Parallel, Roby John of SuperGaming, Hantao of Moku, Alessia Baumgartner of DWF Labs, Shi Khai Wei of LongHash Ventures, Daryl Lim of TRIVE Digital, Oliver Maroney of OpenSea, Wei Zhou of Coins.ph, and Joony Koo of AO Labs.

Summit sponsors this year include game studios Sky Mavis, Aurory, Pixels, Parallel TCG, and Vibes TCG; the Layer-1 blockchain Sui; creative powerhouse Spekter Agency; Web3 investment firm DWF Labs; and Philippine crypto exchange Coins.ph.

Set to run from November 19 to 22, 2025, YGG Play Summit returns to SMX Aura, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Metro Manila, Philippines. Tickets and the full event agenda are available on the YGG Play Summit website at yggplaysummit.com.

Plan International Pilipinas and Quezon City Government Unite to #StandWithGirls

Metro Manila — Plan International Pilipinas and the Quezon City Government, through the Quezon City Gender and Development Council Office, launched a collaborative partnership to champion the rights of girls and young women amid some of today’s most pressing challenges: climate crisis and disasters, online harm, and barriers to inclusive quality education, entrepreneurship, and decent employment.

The initiative is part of Plan International Pilipinas’ national campaign for the 2025 International Day of the Girl (IDG), #StandWithGirls, which calls for collective action to advance policies, programs, and investments for girls’ futures and to enable their participation in spaces where decisions about their lives are made.

“Every day, young women across the country are forced to navigate challenges that threaten their safety, silence their voices, and limit their potential,” said Plan International Pilipinas Executive Director Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang.

“By working with the Quezon City Government under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, a long-time ally in advancing gender-responsive and child-centered governance, we are ensuring that their voices are heard where it matters most. We will keep pushing boundaries until every young Filipina can learn, lead, decide, be resilient, and thrive,” she added.

Quezon City continues to lead with landmark programs that empower and protect girls and young women. Under its Gender and Development (GAD) framework, the city implements a holistic Cycle of Care for Adolescent Girls—including menstrual health education through Period Talk for Teens and the Batang Ina Summit for young mothers—while ensuring safe spaces through the Anti-OSAEC ordinance, the QC VAW Centralized Databank, and rescue operations under Task Forces Sampaguita and Magdalena.

The Youth Development Office also expands access to scholarships, skills training, and livelihood through Pangkabuhayang QC, Be Your Own Boss, and the Digital Beauty Academy, complemented by youth engagement programs such as GAD for Youth and M.O.V.E. (Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere).

“When girls are safe, educated, and empowered, an entire city rises with them,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte. “As long as I am Mayor, our girls will always have an ally, a protector, and a champion in me.”

The #StandWithGirls campaign reached a major milestone with the Girls Summit held today, October 30, bringing together more than 400 young women leaders from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The summit served as a platform for girls to present their recommendations through a Girls’ Agenda—a list of priority issues they want government, civil society, and the private sector to address—and to launch the National Girls’ Network, a youth-led coalition that will continue advancing girls’ rights and advocacy beyond the event.

“The Girls’ Agenda gives us a voice to speak up about what really matters to us. And with the National Girls’ Network, we’re not just sharing our ideas, we’re working together to make change happen for all girls in the Philippines,” said Hannah, 18.

Mayor Belmonte delivered the welcome address, reaffirming Quezon City’s ongoing efforts to make policies and programs more responsive to the needs of girls and young women.

Panel discussions throughout the summit explored pressing themes such as online safety, resilience in crises, and economic empowerment. Among the notable speakers were Christian Halaas Lyster, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Philippines; Rachel Ann Herrera, Commissioner of the Climate Change Commission; and Nimisha Jain, Country Manager of Beiersdorf Philippines, along with other distinguished leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector.

The Girls’ Agenda was formally received by Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children, and Joseph Ortega, Chairperson of the National Youth Commission.

The Girls Summit builds on a series of nationwide activities for the International Day of the Girl, including youth-led symposiums and Girls Takeovers across the country. In Quezon City, girls took over the offices of 2nd District Councilor Aly Medalla and 6th District Councilor Ellie Juan.

Restoring Dignity in Borrowing: Fuse Financing on Breaking Credit Barriers for Small Businesses at AgriVerse 2025

Fuse Financing, Inc., the lending arm of GCash, led a discussion on fair borrowing options for Filipino micro-retailers and agri-entrepreneurs at the recently concluded Agriverse Summit 2025 held in Pasay City. The event brought together agripreneurs, government officials, innovators, and small business owners to explore how technology can support business growth, boost agricultural productivity, and promote sustainable farming.
Organized by the Asia Small Business Federation (ASBF) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Cardinderia Owners (PASCO), Fuse Financing's chief product officer and strategy head, Baby Aquino, highlighted the company's commitment to restoring dignity and fairness to borrowing for the Filipino micro-retail and agricultural sector.

In a fireside chat, "Digital Wallets, Local Markets: Unlocking Growth for Micro-Retail and Agribusiness," Aquino also shared how Fuse is redefining access to finance through digital technology. The company replaces exploitative informal lending with fast, fair, and transparent credit products that can be accessed in real time, anytime, anywhere, through a mobile phone via your GCash e-wallet.

Fuse’s innovation lies in its end-to-end digital process. By using data-driven credit assessment and digital collection tools, the lender removes the need for physical documents or in-person applications. This allows MSMEs to access funds within minutes, validating what Aquino describes as "true empowerment."

As of the second quarter of 2025, Fuse has extended credit to 9.5 million Filipinos and disbursed P287 billion in loans. Fuse can extend credit to segments underserved by traditional institutions, such as MSMEs and women, with one in three being small business owners, and three in five borrowers are women while four out of five are from the masses (SEC C2DE), underscoring the company’s wide reach and deep impact on inclusion.

The lender’s suite of products is designed to meet the different financing needs of small entrepreneurs. GLoan offers larger cash loans for business owners of up to P350,000, to support their business capital and growth, while GLoan Sakto, a sachet-type loan, enables eligible customers to borrow for as low as Php 100- an ideal option for the regular customers or the “sukis” of sari-sari stores, instead of them constantly borrowing from sari-sari store owners. This also relieves them of the hassle of collecting those small loan owners. Often used as “pambale,” borrowing as small as P100 can give customers who were traditionally sidelined by formal credit institutions an opportunity to build a formal credit history. This approach helps everyday Filipinos transition from informal borrowing toward long-term, sustainable growth.

Aquino emphasized that Fuse’s mission is to make formal lending accessible to every Filipino entrepreneur. "’Yung philosophy kasi talaga ng GCash is to allow Filipinos to borrow with dignity. Dapat ‘yong mga produkto namin ay klaro, fair, and transparent. (GCash operates on a philosophy that aims to allow Filipinos to borrow with dignity. Our products are clear, fair, [and] transparent),” she said.

Aquino concluded that the future of small businesses in the Philippines, especially in the agri-tech sector, depends on three essentials: access to finance, access to markets, and access to technology. Through digital innovation, Fuse and GCash aim to make these opportunities available to every Filipino entrepreneur.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Anne Curtis Proves That the Vivo V60 in Berry Purple Is the Ultimate Style Accessory

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The search for style and performance finds its answer in the new Vivo V60. Anne Curtis once again blends elegance and effortless charm, showing how the Berry Purple V60 perfectly complements every OOTD — laidback, comfortable, and always chic.

In her latest Instagram post, Anne pairs a sleek leather tank with relaxed denim and her stunning Berry Purple V60, proving that even your tech can double as a fashion statement. Her look radiates confidence and personality — the perfect mix of comfort, color, and class that gives serious “fit check” energy.

Beyond its eye-catching hue, the Vivo V60 is built to impress inside and out. The smartphone features a powerful 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera that captures every detail with remarkable clarity, making it ideal for those who live for picture-perfect moments. Whether it’s a quick mirror selfie or a scenic getaway shot, the Vivo V60 ensures your images are always ready for the feed.

Powering all that style and performance is the massive 6500mAh BlueVolt Battery, designed to keep up with your busiest days and nights. Wrapped in a sleek, slim frame with a frosted glass finish, the Vivo V60 doesn’t just fit your lifestyle — it elevates it.

Style knows no limits.

The Berry Purple V60 proves that fashion and function go hand in hand. Pair it with linen trousers and a lavender blouse for that polished, contemporary vibe, or go sporty with a cropped hoodie, cycling shorts, and chunky sneakers — either way, your V60 adds the perfect color pop.

Anne’s effortless take on style with the Vivo V60 shows that your phone isn’t just a gadget — it’s a reflection of your individuality. It’s time to make your own OOTD moment with the Berry Purple V60, the phone that keeps up with your lifestyle and enhances your everyday look.

The Vivo V60 is now available in Vivo concept stores, kiosks, and online platforms starting at Php 28,999. Enjoy exciting discounts and freebies for a limited time on Shopee and TikTok.

Data Center Operators Unite, Strengthening the Philippines’ Bid as Next Digital Hub of Southeast Asia

The country’s leading data center operators have officially joined forces to form the Data Center Operators of the Philippines (DCPH), a unified alliance that aims to strengthen the country’s position as the next digital hub of Southeast Asia. This landmark partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing attended by representatives from VITRO Inc., ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Philippines), YCO Cloud, Digital Edge Philippines, Digital Halo, and A-FLOW.

Together, these companies share a common vision—to strengthen the Philippines’ regional competitiveness in the global digital economy through robust data center infrastructure development and industry collaboration.

The DCPH members represent a combined 473MW of IT power capacity and will serve as a unified voice for the Philippine data center industry, driving stronger collaboration across stakeholders and allied sectors. Its key goals include advancing infrastructure and innovation; working with the power sector to ensure competitive rates and renewable energy access; with telcos to enhance connectivity; and with government agencies such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to champion supportive policies, including data localization. The group also seeks to develop local talent and sustain industry growth amid rising demand for hyperscale, AI, and other next-generation technologies.

Championing Data Localization for the Public Sector

The alliance underscored that data localization is crucial for data processed and stored by the public sector. Keeping government data within the country safeguards national security and protects citizen data. Neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia have already implemented strong data localization policies, recognizing citizen data as a strategic national asset that underpins data sovereignty and economic growth. By adopting similar measures, the Philippines can enhance its infrastructure resilience, attract greater cloud and AI investments, and establish itself as a leading digital hub in the region, enabling the free and seamless flow of data across borders to support the digital economy.

As digital transformation and AI adoption accelerate worldwide, this alliance marks a pivotal step toward building a future-ready and globally competitive digital economy for the Philippines—one powered by data centers, the backbone of digitalization.