PLDT Releases Its First Combined Annual and Sustainability Report, Shares Highlights of 2024 Performance

At its recent 2025 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, the Philippines’ largest fully integrated telecommunications network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) released its inaugural annual report, which combines its business and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance highlights.

Titled “AI and the New Generation of Leaders”, the PLDT 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report shares the company’s stance on the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and details how the company continues to embrace its role in investing in enabling digital infrastructure, creating value for its stakeholders, developing a new breed of leaders, and upholding responsible business practices.

Reviewed and approved by the company’s Board of Directors through its Governance, Nomination, and Sustainability Committee and Audit Committee, the report chronicles PLDT’s year-round operational highlights and includes performance of its subsidiaries, Smart Communications, Inc., ePLDT, Inc., VITRO, Inc., PLDT Global Corporation, and Multisys Technologies Corporation, as well as its associate company Maya Philippines, Inc., and its social outreach arm, PLDT-Smart Foundation.

PLDT’s annual and sustainability report follows various ESG disclosure frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, the Ten Principles of United Nations Global Compact, and the GSMA ESG Metrics for Mobile. It also features an Integrated Annual Corporate Governance Report and information on the PLDT Group’s contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In addition, the report includes audited financial statements and key ESG disclosures, which are assured by the external and independent firm SyCip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. (SGV), a member firm of Ernst & Young International Ltd.

As a testament to its continuing alignment with global standards on ESG performance and disclosures, PLDT is one of only 780 companies worldwide and the only Philippine company included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025.

Access the digital copy of the PLDT 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report here.

CSR Week to Spotlight Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Programs at 2025 LCF CSR Conference and Expo

Manila, Philippines – The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) is set to host the 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conference and Expo from July 1 to 3 at Dusit Thani Manila and Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. This year's event will focus on the growing importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as key components of sustainable business practices. LCF aims to help empower companies to embed these values deeply into their operations, creating positive social impact while driving innovation.

With the theme “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity,” the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo will bring together corporate and industry leaders, civil society, government representatives, community partners, and the general public for insightful dialogue and collaboration on DEI integration in business and social responsibility initiatives. The event is the culminating activity of CSR Week, a nationwide celebration of corporate citizenship and social good, further amplifying the call for inclusive and impactful action across sectors.

Attendees can look forward to engaging panel discussions, interactive exhibits, and thought-provoking keynotes. The program will cover a wide range of topics, including DEI leadership, inclusive education, climate resilience, and the role of technology in driving community development. Speakers and panelists will include sector leaders from across the private sector, civil society, and government.

Key highlights include a keynote session titled “Shared Prosperity, Shared Responsibility: The DEI Mandate in Nation-Building” by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, and closing remarks by Karen Davila, UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador.

Plenary discussions will explore:

• The Intersection of Financial Inclusion & Resilience: Protecting the Vulnerable and the Marginalized Sectors in the Philippines

• Integrating Mental Health for Diverse Populations into CSR Initiatives: Strategies and Impact

• Diversity in Creativity

• Empowering Informal Economies

• Green Cities, Equal Futures: Urban Ecology and Social Justice in Action

Shaping an Inclusive Future: Transforming Education for Vulnerable Learners with Foundations

“This event is a unique platform for businesses of all sizes to engage in meaningful conversations on CSR, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative solutions to social challenges,” said Shem Jose Garcia, Chairperson of LCF and Executive Director of Vivant Foundation, Inc. “Through DEI, we’re not just promoting fairness, we’re driving inclusive innovation and sustainable progress.” He added that this includes intentional efforts to ensure the inclusion of under-represented groups, particularly women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, senior citizens, indigenous people, and people of various faiths and beliefs, and others.

Recognizing Excellence in CSR

The 2025 CSR Conference will coincide with the 2025 LCF Guild Awards, which recognize the outstanding CSR initiatives, organized by LCF members, that have significantly impacted local communities. Additionally, the 2025 Medal of Recognition will be awarded to non-member organizations that have demonstrated exceptional impact across various thematic areas, including Arts and Culture, Disaster Resilience, Education, Environment, Enterprise Development, Financial Inclusion, and Health.

“Over the years, the Guild Awards and the Medal of Recognition have become benchmarks of excellence in the CSR space,” said Jonathan Batangan, Executive Director of Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. “These recognitions serve as a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven programs across the country.”

LIFE Program Spotlight: Empowering Communities

A key highlight of the CSR Expo is an update on LIFE (LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment) program. Designed to address child malnutrition, LIFE brings together nutrition support, livelihood training, much-needed tools and facilities, and local capacity-building. It aligns with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) and is currently being implemented in Basilan, in partnership with the provincial government and key stakeholders.

“We are excited to spotlight the strides that we have made in advancing LIFE in Basilan and we are excited to elicit even more support from various groups so we can collaborate.” said Austere Panadero, the LCF Trustee, and President of Zuellig Family Foundation, who oversees the inititative.

Philip Dy, LCF Trustee and Executive Vice-President of Metrobank Foundation, shared: “LIFE is testament to what is possible when businesses and communities collaborate toward shared goals.”

LCF’s 2025 CSR Conference and Expo is a call to action for the business sector to embrace purpose-driven growth, amplify its social impact, and help build a more inclusive and equitable future for all Filipinos.

The 2025 CSR Conference and Expo is co-presented by Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. and co-organized with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Foundation, Inc., and The SM, Henry Sy, and Felicidad T. Sy Foundations, Inc. It is also made possible through the support of BPI Foundation, Inc., Manila Water Foundation, Inc., Metrobank Foundation, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., and Vivant Foundation, Inc., with special thanks to Energy Development Corporation, Inc., Lopez Group Foundation, Inc., and Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. LCF also thanks Ayala Foundation, Inc., BDO Foundation, Inc., and Citizen of the World Philippines Foundation, Inc. and acknowledges Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., (Don) Antonio O. Floriendo Sr. Foundation, Inc., Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Inc., ICTSI Foundation, Inc., Ronald McDonald House Charities, SEAOIL Foundation, Inc., Security Bank Foundation, Inc., Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, Inc., Unilab Foundation, Inc., and Zuellig Family Foundation, Inc. for their support. These and other partners help foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on sustainability and inclusivity.

The Conference will take place from July 1 to 3 at Dusit Thani Manila, while the Expo will be held on July 1 and 2 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. For registration and program details, visit: https://2025csrconferenceandexpo.my.canva.site

LCF, whose members are operating and grant-making corporate and family foundations from around the Philippines, is the country’s leading network for fostering environmental, social, and governance-driven initiatives.

Elevate, Not Just Automate: Globe Redefines Work Experience Through AI

AI isn’t just changing how people work, it’s changing what people need to thrive at work.

According to the 2024 Work Trend Index, 75% of knowledge workers around the world are already using AI on the job. More and more leaders are also looking for talent with AI skills.

But here’s the catch: only 39% of those using AI at work have actually received formal training from their companies. That gap is telling, especially when 76% of people believe that knowing how to use AI is key to staying competitive in today’s job market.

At Globe, that shift is already happening. AI is reshaping how teams hire, plan, solve problems, and connect. It’s helping the company move faster, make better decisions, and still stay deeply human on how it relates to employees and customers.

“Today we’re using AI to speed up automation,” said Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO. “We’re also using it to elevate and improve the quality of decisions, and make our operations more responsive. Innovation only matters if it creates real impact.”

The most measurable gains are coming from various areas in the organization. One of them is the Human Resources group, which has fully integrated AI into its recruitment process through the use of HireVue, an AI-powered platform that combines video interviews with skills assessments to help evaluate candidates more objectively and effectively.

Globe piloted its AI-powered video and coding assessments for digital, IT, and tech-focused groups at the start of the year. The successful pilot led to a full-scale rollout across all groups, including its portfolio companies.

The shift replaced manual pre-screening and cut the overall hiring cycle from weeks to just a few days. Processing qualitative data alone, which previously took three to five days, was cut down in half, enabling faster candidate turnaround and more confident decision-making from hiring teams.

Beyond efficiencies, Globe’s approach to AI-powered hiring has also gained international recognition. This April, Globe was honored with the Impact Star Award at the 2025 HireVue Customer Excellence Awards. The award celebrates organizations that have made a meaningful impact and driven innovation through skills-based, tech-enabled recruitment. Globe was also previously named a Rising Star at the 2024 awards, highlighting its continued commitment to modernizing hiring for both speed and quality.

AI has also played a pivotal role in strengthening Globe’s Risk Management processes.

By automating data capture, transcription, and insight generation, AI significantly reduced data processing time—delivering results within days instead of weeks. Real-time dashboards allowed teams to visualize and compare risks at both group and company levels, making data more digestible and actionable for leadership.

This automation also helped in mitigating human bias in data interpretation, and enabled more accurate linkages between identified risks and corporate strategy. Moving forward, Globe is exploring AI-powered tools for proactive risk scanning and identifying emerging threats before they escalate.

Meanwhile, Globe’s Network Group is leveraging AI in streamlining internal processes to enhance service quality. Teams now use AI from coding and data forecasting to anomaly detection and repair diagnostics.

The company has also implemented AI-assisted power-saving solutions through the EdgeWise platform, optimizing energy consumption by temporarily shutting down low-traffic transceivers in its Radio Access Network—an initiative that supports both cost control and Globe’s broader sustainability goals.

As of Q1 2025, Globe had already activated 235 new 5G sites, supporting over 9.5 million devices nationwide. AI is central to this scale, providing live operational dashboards, build prioritization, and predictive maintenance across network assets.

In the area of Marketing, AI is being used to accelerate content creation, simplify workflows, and improve internal knowledge sharing. Teams rely on tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to draft memos, presentations, and reports, while design platforms like Canva Magic Studio help quickly produce high-impact visuals. Knowledge bases and technical guidelines are also being managed more efficiently using NotebookLM and custom-built AI search tools.

Beyond productivity, AI enables quicker, more inclusive storytelling—from employee communications to public campaigns—allowing the Marketing team to move at the speed of the business.

Across all these functions, Globe is applying AI to scale in order to serve its customers better and faster. Expanding the use of chatbots for service efficiency, adopting large language models for sentiment analysis, and enabling plain-language data queries through integrated platforms are more examples by which the company sees the value of AI that would redound to less operating costs and better customer experience.

“Our ambition is clear,” Cruz concluded. “We want Globe to be among the most admired companies in the country. We use technology with empathy, insight and purpose to better serve our customers. This is how we will make Globe resilient, by enabling our people with better tools to build our business for the future.”

Championing Human-Centered AI in the Workplace: GCash Chief People Officer Recognized Among Southeast Asia’s Top 100 HR Leaders

The chief people officer of GCash, Robert Conrad Gonzales, joins this year’s 100 Most Influential HR Leaders from Southeast Asia, an annual awarding of top HR executives who have made exceptional contributions to leadership, innovation, and transformation in the HR industry. Recipients of this prestigious citation are selected based on social media influence, engagement, industry awards, community impact, thought leadership, and pioneering HR practices. It also considers the impact of HR initiatives on revenue growth and overall market influence.

Gonzales believes that artificial intelligence (AI) is meant to improve the productivity of their employees rather than replace them. Gonzales, who is the highest-ranking Human Resources (HR) officer of GCash, affirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to putting people first in the age of automation. GCash is the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, and an innovative fintech company that has already received several recognitions as one of the best companies to work for.

“HR should champion automation and lead in adapting to technology, including AI, because our people need it, our employees rely on it,” said Gonzales. “If we do this right, our people will become more productive and serve our customers even better. Invest in people, champion leadership development, and embrace innovation. The future belongs to organizations that prioritize their people as their greatest asset.”

Recognized for his contributions to the HR landscape, Gonzales was awarded during the recently held Future Forward Philippines 2025, which was organized by The Economic Times, the second most widely read English language business daily after The Wall Street Journal.

Driving business transformation or becoming obsolete in the age of AI?

During the whole day of the event, Gonzales was in the panel discussion titled ‘The Great Debate of HR at a Crossroads: Driving Business Transformation or Becoming Obsolete in the Age of AI?’ He was joined by other HR icons—Cebu Pacific Air chief human resource officer Felix Dan Lopez, Globe Telecom Inc. chief human resource officer Renato Manuel Jiao, and ETHRWorld/ETEducation features editor Yasmin Taj, who served as the moderator.

Looking to the future, Gonzales sees artificial intelligence as a game-changer in transforming how organizations approach leadership development. “AI-powered talent identification and predictive analytics will revolutionize how we discover and grow high-potential leaders,” he said. “We’re also leaning into personalized, AI-driven learning paths that adapt to each employee’s growth trajectory because in a market that changes overnight, static development models just don’t cut it.”

GCash is already putting these innovations to work. “We’re expanding our use of AI-driven career development tools and enhancing our leadership programs with real-world business simulations,” Gonzales shared. “This enables us to gauge better readiness, drive engagement, and close skill gaps faster than ever.”

To ensure these efforts yield a measurable impact, GCash is tracking leadership transition rates, retention of high-potential talent, and post-transition business performance. Continuous feedback loops and engagement surveys are utilized to refine strategies and ensure succession pipelines remain future-ready.

Putting people first in an AI-powered workplace

Gonzales shared that GCash’s AI efforts stem from a deep commitment to employee well-being and operational excellence. He explained that AI doesn’t just enhance customer experience but also makes employees happier by improving their welfare.

“We have a strong commitment to keep our people happy and engaged,” Gonzales said. “Many of our AI innovations are driven by employee needs. For example, team members want faster and more accurate processing of benefits and allowances. That’s why we developed an AI-powered tool called AGA.”

AGA, which stands for Alagang GCash Assistant, is a Gen AI-powered tool that automates and streamlines employee benefits processing. From wellness allowances to flexible benefits processing, AGA enables faster, error-free transactions.

Gonzales leaves HR leaders with a pointed message: “HR is no longer a support function but rather a strategic driver of growth. Invest in people. Champion leadership development and embrace innovation in workforce planning. The organizations that do this will be the ones leading tomorrow.”

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

Power Meets Play: The New Vivo Y29 Is a Game-Changer for Filipino Mobile Gamers

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – It’s the 17th minute of a tense Mobile Legends match. Both teams are in an all-out brawl. You’re seconds away from landing your ultimate and pushing your team toward Mythical Glory—then disaster strikes. Your phone hits low battery, lag creeps in, and your team gets wiped out. Sound familiar? If so, it might be time to upgrade your game with the new Vivo Y29.

Unstoppable Power, Unmatched Endurance
The Vivo Y29 features a massive 6500mAh BlueVolt battery, the largest in its price range, giving mobile gamers hours of uninterrupted action. Whether you're grinding for stars in ranked matches or chilling with casual titles, this phone is built to last.

When it’s time to recharge, the 44W FlashCharge gets you powered up quickly, so you’re back in the game in no time. No more waiting forever just to jump into your next match—perfect for gamers who live life in the fast lane.

Immersive Audio, Game-Changing Sound
A long-lasting battery is only half the battle. The Vivo Y29 delivers a full-on sensory experience with hi-res dual stereo speakers and a volume boost up to 400%. Whether you're playing PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, or Call of Duty Mobile, every sound—from distant footsteps to game-winning ultimates—is crisp, clear, and intense. In tight matches, hearing every detail can make the difference between winning and losing.

Crafted for the Filipino Gamer
Gaming isn’t just a hobby in the Philippines—it’s a lifestyle. From students sneaking in games between classes, to hardworking riders taking a quick match break, and parents winding down with puzzle apps at night, the Vivo Y29 is designed to meet the needs of every Filipino gamer. Built to stay cool and responsive match after match, this device stands up to your daily grind.

Even better? All this power and performance come at an affordable price. The Vivo Y29 is now available for only Php 8,999 at Vivo stores, kiosks, and online through the Vivo e-store.

Game longer. Hear louder. Win bigger. Level up with the Vivo Y29—your ultimate gaming companion.