Garmin Pay Now Available in the Philippines, Bringing Fast and Secure Contactless Payments to Smartwatch Users

MANILA, Philippines – Garmin has announced the launch of Garmin PayTM in the Philippines, giving users a fast, safe, and convenient way to make contactless payments directly from their compatible Garmin smartwatch. As contactless payments continue to grow globally, Garmin Pay expands how Filipinos can access everyday payment solutions through devices already integrated into their lifestyles.

“Garmin has always been committed to creating products and developing features that help people make the most of their active lifestyles, both on and off the move,” said Jamie Su, Country Manager, Garmin Philippines. “With Garmin Pay now available in the Philippines, we’re able to make everyday payments more convenient for users while expanding the connected experience of our products across our ecosystem.”

Made available through strategic partnerships with GoTyme Bank and EastWest Bank and powered by the global payment networks of Visa and Mastercard, Garmin Pay introduces a new cashless payment experience through wearables, enabling seamless transactions at a growing number of merchants nationwide.

“At GoTyme Bank, we believe banking should be simple, secure, and beautifully integrated into everyday life,” said Nate Clarke, CEO of GoTyme Bank. “Garmin Pay gives our customers a convenient way to pay right from their Garmin smartwatches they already use every day, whether they’re commuting, working out, traveling, or simply going about their daily routines. It’s another step toward making cashless payments more seamless, effortless, and rewarding for Filipinos.”

Jerry Ngo, CEO, EastWest Bank, said the partnership reflects the Bank’s commitment to making banking easier, more relevant, and more seamlessly integrated into customers’ everyday lives. “At EastWest, we continue to expand our digital payments ecosystem in our pursuit to be present where Filipinos already are—supporting how they live, move, and spend. Through our partnership with Garmin Pay, we are extending this commitment to Filipinos with active and on-the-go lifestyles, offering payment solutions that are designed to keep pace with them every step of the way.”

“Visa cards added to Garmin Pay are protected by Visa’s network tokenization, using a unique, one-time digital code that helps prevent fraud while delivering a seamless payment experience. With Garmin Pay, Filipinos can enjoy more secure and convenient ways to pay across shops, restaurants, public transport, and tourist destinations. This collaboration also supports the Philippines’ push toward a cash-lite economy by accelerating digital payments and expanding financial inclusion,” shared Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines.

To start using Garmin Pay, users can simply link their debit or credit cards to the Garmin ConnectTM app and begin making payments directly from their smartwatches. Whether it’s grabbing coffee after a morning run or paying for groceries on the way home, users can enjoy secure and hassle-free transactions without needing to reach for their phones or wallets - convenient especially when in a rush.

Garmin Pay also provides a simple and intuitive payment experience. With a tap-and-go functionality, users simply need to enter their passcode on their compatible Garmin smartwatch, select their preferred card to use (if multiple cards are linked), and tap on any supported contactless Visa or Mastercard payment terminal. This frictionless experience is made possible through global payment networks that power everyday transactions at scale.

According to Jason Crasto, Country Manager, Philippines, Mastercard, “Consumers today are looking for payment experiences that fit seamlessly into their lifestyles. By supporting Garmin Pay, Mastercard is helping make secure and convenient wearable payments more accessible to consumers, giving them greater flexibility in how they choose to pay.”

Beyond in-store payments, Garmin Pay also enables users to make purchases on the Connect IQTM Store, where they can access additional apps, watch faces, and premium content within the digital ecosystem of Garmin to personalize the Garmin smartwatch experience further.

The launch of Garmin Pay reflects the brand’s continued commitment to building a more connected ecosystem that supports both performance and everyday convenience, empowering users with technology that moves with their lifestyles.

Garmin Pay is now available in the Philippines for compatible Garmin smartwatch users with eligible cards from GoTyme Bank and EastWest Bank. For more information on Garmin Pay, visit this link.

Sari-Sari Stores Using AI See Sales of Top Products Surge by 79% - Packworks Report

Manila, Philippines — Sari-sari stores leveraging artificial intelligence for inventory planning are experiencing revenue growth, seeing a 79% surge in median sales among their top 50 products, according to the latest report by Filipino tech startup Packworks.

The findings, which analyzed over one million monthly transactions across Packworks’ network of 300,000 micro-retailers, show that store owners using the AI-powered Store Insighting Project (SIP) saw measurable revenue improvements within just two months of adopting the platform.

According to the report, the optimization of high-demand items drove median gross merchandise value (GMV) sales from ₱187,229 to ₱335,818 per store.

“Dinagdagan ko ang pag-order ng mga top 10 product na nasa SIP document (I increased my orders for the Top 10 products identified in the SIP document),” shared Elizabeth Veluz, a sari-sari store owner from Camarines Sur.

The benefits of using SIP data were evident during a period of changing consumer demand. The survey found a 47% increase in median GMV sales of seasonal products among stores using SIP reports, suggesting that store owners were better able to anticipate purchasing patterns during rainy days, weekends, and other high-demand periods.

“Nakikita rito ang mabebentang produkto, kaya makakapag-stock kami nang marami at maiiwasan ang ‘out of stock’ (The report helps us identify products that will sell well so we can stock more and avoid running out),” said Lucia Bongot, a store owner from Cavite.

Store owners also used the reports from SIP to better manage slower-moving products, increasing their median GMV sales by 96%, from ₱7,361.60 to ₱14,429. Some store owners also actively pushed these items identified by SIP to make up for potential sales deficits and improve inventory turnover.

Overall, stores utilizing the data recorded a 29% increase in median total sales and a 20% increase in the median number of transactions.

"Our findings show that when data is democratized, we give grassroots entrepreneurs the power to chart their own growth. By equipping sari-sari store owners with the insights to stock smarter and operate efficiently, we are not only boosting individual store sales but expanding access to technology to build a more resilient grassroots economy," said Andoy Montiel, Packworks’ Chief Data Officer.

Packworks’ SIP project was developed with DOST-PCIEERD’s Startup Grant Fund (SGF) Program, awarded in 2024 to support wider AI adoption in the country’s micro-retail sector. The company is also in partnership with ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Philippines) (STT GDC Philippines) and Ateneo’s Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD).

Notably, this past May 2026, Packworks’ collaboration with Connected Women recently won the Activate AI Challenge, a global initiative led by data.org and supported by Zoom. Selected as 1 of 6 awardees out of 500 applicants and the only ASEAN project out of 76 countries, the award recognizes the program’s potential to further expand economic opportunity, strengthen small businesses, and help more women participate in an AI-enabled future with greater confidence and resilience where technology creates jobs and does not displace them.

“Sari-sari stores remain the economic lifeblood of our communities, and women serve as the backbone of this ecosystem,” adds Ibba Bernardo, Packworks’ Co-Founder, “True innovation must be inclusive, especially with AI. With the help of ecosystem partners such as Connected Women who ensure that there is a human-in-the-loop, Packworks strives to deliver accessible, equitable digital tools directly into the hands of our saripreneurs, to further unlock the full potential of grassroots retail while nurturing these communities for sustainability and scale.”

Packworks’ mission to bring AI into micro retail stores aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which recognizes the role of digital transformation and emerging technologies like AI in increasing efficiency and revitalizing industries and services.

For more information and insights on sari-sari store data trends, visit Packworks’ official website or Facebook page.

Globe Deploys Satellite-To-Mobile Connectivity in Mindanao for Disaster Response

Globe, in partnership with Starlink, deployed its satellite-to-mobile service in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the said provinces. Globe deployed the service to support emergency communications and disaster response in the badly hit areas upon approval of its demo permit from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The deployment marks Globe's first use of Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology for disaster and emergency response in the Philippines. Over 700,000 Globe and TM customers stand to benefit from the deployment, providing them with messaging through WhatsApp and SMS at a time when it is needed most. Globe will offer the service for free for up to 30 days as critical support to the affected communities until Globe’s network is fully restored.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to support our kababayans in Mindanao, and we hope that through the demo permits previously issued by the NTC, this deployment will demonstrate how this technology really works," said Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe. "This initial deployment will show how satellite-to-mobile technology can provide communications support and strengthen network resilience during these times."

The earthquake prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to issue tsunami warnings for several coastal communities in Southern Mindanao. This also caused network disruptions across multiple provinces, affecting around 30 municipalities, as commercial power interruptions impacted telecommunications facilities in several locations.

Globe is working closely with the local government units and local electric cooperatives to fully restore its services in badly hit areas.

Globe will reach out to its customers directly to provide them with instructions to connect to the satellite service using their existing Globe SIMs and LTE-enabled phones.

The satellite deployment complements Globe's broader disaster response efforts across Mindanao.

Small Sips, Big Shifts: How Filipino Vitalisers Are Turning Ordinary Pauses Into Zest Moments

Mornings today rarely ease you in. They begin with alarms that feel too early, inboxes already filling up, and to-do lists that seem to stretch endlessly. For many Filipinos, especially young professionals and students, this pace has morning and midday slumps that feel like part of the routine.

But instead of simply pushing through midday slumps, a growing number are turning to small, intentional rituals to reset their mood and regain momentum. Simple pleasures like enjoying a zesty glass of Minute Maid Nutri+ are becoming part of how people reclaim their day, one moment at a time.

For this generation of vitalisers, wellness now comes in the form of smaller, more human-sized terms that are actually doable. No more lifestyle overhauls. Instead, small rituals like quick walk breaks or a few minutes of journaling are all they need to create space and regain a sense of control in otherwise packed schedules.

In these in-between moments, a new kind of habit is taking shape: the “zest moment.” It’s the little pause that refreshes, gently breaks the day’s monotony, and helps shift one’s mindset. It might happen in the morning before the day fully picks up, during an afternoon lull when boredom hits, or even in the middle of a busy stretch when everything starts to feel overwhelming. What makes it powerful is its simplicity. A brief reset can be enough to turn dull mornings into microments.

For many, these moments are anchored by something familiar and enjoyable—like a drink that feels both refreshing and uplifting. This is where Minute Maid Nutri+ naturally fits in. With its bright, zesty taste and the added boost of Vitamin C and fiber, it complements these small rituals without demanding extra effort. It becomes part of a routine that feels easy to maintain, whether paired with breakfast, enjoyed alongside meals, or taken as a quick break in between tasks.

“I used to rush through everything,” shared Bianca, a young marker in Quezon City. “Now, I make it a point to slow down, even just for a few minutes in the morning. I’ll play music, take a sip of something refreshing, and ease into the day. It sounds simple, but it really changes how I feel.”

That same idea carries through the day. A student describes stepping away from their screen during long study sessions to reset, while a freelance creative shared how brief pauses help restore clarity when ideas stall. Across different routines, the pattern is the same: small, consistent habits can create a noticeable shift in both mood and motivation.

In a world that often celebrates constant motion, these moments of pause are quietly becoming essential. They’re a reminder that staying productive is more than pushing harder; it’s also about knowing when to take a step back, even briefly, and recharge.

With Minute Maid Nutri+, those moments become easier to find and turn even the dullest mornings into something brighter. Perk up your vibe and feel the zest with Minute Maid Nutri+, now available in supermarkets near you.

DECIPHER: Between the Lines, Beneath the Minds

Have you ever remembered something you were never consciously paying attention to?

A logo. A sound. A color. A feeling.

A signal buried beneath thousands of others.

Every day, we navigate systems of information designed to be seen, heard, and understood. Yet some of the most powerful messages are the ones that never announce themselves. They exist between frames, behind patterns, beneath conscious recognition—quietly shaping perception long before we realize they are there.

DECIPHER: Between the Lines, Beneath the Minds is an event by PUP Junior Marketing Executives that ventures beyond conventional advertising and into the hidden architecture of influence. Through the lenses of marketing, psychology, neuroscience, and consumer behavior, we investigate how brands engineer signals that operate beneath immediate awareness: sensory cues, emotional triggers, embedded associations, and subconscious mechanisms that guide human decision-making.

This discussion explores the coded systems that govern persuasion: the patterns consumers follow without noticing, the emotional pathways activated without instruction, and the subtle interventions that transform ordinary interactions into memorable experiences. We trace the signals hidden within design, language, sound, emotion, and experience to understand how brands communicate through channels that extend beyond conscious thought.

This June 19, 2026, at the PUP Theater, we invite you to step beyond the visible layer of marketing and enter the space where perception is engineered, attention is guided, and meaning is constructed beneath awareness.

In DECIPHER: Between the Lines, Beneath the Minds, nothing is accidental.

Every cue is intentional.

Every signal leaves a trace.

Every system tells a story.

The question is:

Can you read what was never meant to be seen?

What awaits behind the doors?

Signal Sessions

Interactive and insightful speeches from marketing, advertising, psychology, and neuroscience professionals exploring the mechanisms behind influence and perception.

Subliminal Marketing Academic Pillar

A series of informative postings explaining the theories, research, controversies, and ethical considerations surrounding subconscious persuasion.

Cipher Challenge

Interactive storytelling competitions that challenge participants to communicate messages through subtle cues, symbolism, and layered narratives.

Opportunity Pillar

Internship and career opportunities connecting future marketers with organizations shaping the next generation of communication.

Gear up to uncover the signals beneath the noise, the patterns beneath perception, and the systems beneath influence.

See beyond the obvious, Cyphers.

https://tinyurl.com/DECIPHER-Pre-Registration

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