Enchanted Kingdom Marks Its 31st Anniversary With Enhanced AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY and a Night of OPM Music

Enchanted Kingdom (EK), the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, renews its commitment to sustainability and biodiversity as it celebrates its 31st Anniversary with the second set of enhancements to its award-winning flying theater, AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY this October.

As a highlight of its Fiesta ng Saribuhay anniversary campaign, EK will continue to share more enchanting stories of Saribuhay through the attraction’s new and enhanced pre- and post-show experiences that showcase the rich biodiversity of the Philippines and reinforce its call for Filipinos to appreciate and take care of our environment.

Among the enhancements is Kwento ng Agila, an immersive walkthrough accessible upon entering the AGILA building. Through immersive visuals and storytelling, the new entry experience takes guests behind the scenes of the attraction, revealing its inspiration, the symbolism behind its architecture, and its development by an all-Filipino team.

Further along the walkthrough, guests will be introduced to the world of the Agila, or Philippine eagle, through a glimpse of its natural habitat and the various species that thrive within its ecosystem. It also traces the lifecycle of the Agila, highlighting its plight as one of the critically endangered birds in the world.

This builds on EK’s steadfast commitment to eagle conservation, earlier demonstrated by its adoption and continued support for the care and breeding of Enchanting Kagitingan, a male Philippine eagle, in partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

Additionally, the immersive experience extends beyond the atrium lobby, as augmented reality (AR) brings the landing queue leading to the Enchanted Forest to life through the guests’ smartphones.

EK has also given PUGAD, the attraction’s in-house concept store, a new direction as part of the AGILA improvements. The refreshed retail space will now incorporate an enchanting mix of entertainment and learning to encapsulate the overall AGILA experience.

The attraction’s existing facilities remain operational and accessible to all guests, while its newly updated areas will officially launch on October 17.

Almost a decade after its launch, AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY was reimagined in October 2025, placing renewed focus not only on tourism but also on sustainability and appreciation for the country’s natural heritage. It was later recognized as the Best ASEAN New Tourism Attraction by the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) in January 2026.

EK celebrates its 31st Anniversary with Fiesta ng Saribuhay.

EK is all set to celebrate its 31st Anniversary as it releases more updates on its events, shows, and other offerings throughout October.

Following the announcement of its anniversary events in late August, the theme park has unveiled the complete lineup of performers at its Fiesta ng Saribuhay Concert on October 17 at the Spaceport Grounds. The spectacular night will showcase world-class Filipino music and talent through live performances by award-winning R&B hitmaker Dionela, 1Z Entertainment’s rising P-pop girl group XONARA, indie band Sacred Red, and other up-and-coming artists, alongside EK’s homegrown talents, SMS and Kingsmen.

The celebration will culminate in the Lipad ng Agila: A Pyromusical Fiesta, giving EK’s signature evening send-off a magical twist as vibrant pyrotechnic displays and symbolic imagery bring the spirit of the festivities to the night sky.

Every weekend in October, the EK Storyverse Characters will bring all the magic and excitement across the Park’s themed zones during the Fiesta ng Saribuhay Anniversary Parade. And on October 17, street dance performers will join in the parade as it serves as a festive prelude to the concert proper.

Meanwhile, Run to 31: Takbo ng Saribuhay, a fun run celebrating biodiversity through fitness and togetherness, will take place on October 11 in partnership with the United RSBS Boulevard Stakeholders Federation (URSF). Registration is now open at the EK Online Store, with 1.5K, 3K, and 5K routes available for interested participants.

SMS and Kingsmen will also mark the Park’s 31st Anniversary with new music. The P-pop girl group will release their rendition of Lipad, while the all-male vocal group has re-recorded a festive version of their song, Saribuhay. Both tracks will soon be available on all major streaming platforms.

Meanwhile, parkgoers can immerse themselves in other seasonal experiences at the Agila Grounds, including the Ube-Matcha Festival from October 14 to 18, which showcases the fusion of local flavors with other well-loved favorites, and Palarong Pinoy, a set of skill-based activities featuring traditional Filipino street games, launching just in time for the main anniversary festivities.

More in-park food options also await Filipinos as EK welcomes new tenant partners, with Minimelts launched in September and Mango Royal scheduled to open on October 3.

*Schedules are subject to change with prior notice.

Globe Leads Manila in VoLTE Call Setup Speeds as 5G Voice Adoption Evolves

The quality of mobile voice calls is increasingly defined not only by audio clarity but also by how quickly a call connects. According to Ookla data, Globe Telecom leads operators in Manila with a median Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call setup time of just 1.65 seconds, delivering a fast, responsive calling experience.

In comparison, DITO relies heavily on Evolved Packet System (EPS) fallback, where devices transition from 5G to 4G LTE to establish a voice call. This results in a considerably slower median call setup time of 4.59 seconds.

The difference matters because users perceive call setup delays differently depending on how long they are. Psychological research indicates that calls connecting in under two seconds can feel almost instantaneous, while delays exceeding four seconds can create uncertainty and anxiety. Across operators, compliance with the two-second target varies dramatically, ranging from 98.5% to just 0.1% of calls.

Globally, VoLTE remains highly competitive with newer Voice over New Radio (VoNR) technology. VoLTE delivers a global median call setup time of 1.87 seconds, compared with 1.96 seconds for VoNR. VoLTE also has a slightly higher percentage of calls meeting the target setup time, showing that established LTE voice infrastructure remains highly capable.

VoNR nevertheless represents an important step in the evolution of 5G voice services. However, the performance advantage is not universal. Of the eight operators tested, only six connected calls faster using VoNR than VoLTE. Furthermore, the slowest five percent of VoNR calls can experience substantially longer setup times, potentially because of coverage gaps, paging delays, or other network conditions.

The biggest delays occur when devices are forced to use Circuit-Switched Fallback (CSFB) to legacy 3G or 2G networks. CSFB produces a median call setup time of 4.48 seconds, making it approximately 2.4 times slower than VoLTE. More concerning, 5.5% of CSFB calls take longer than 10 seconds to connect.

The findings highlight an important reality in the transition to 5G: newer technology does not automatically guarantee a faster user experience. Network coverage, voice architecture, device behavior, and fallback mechanisms all play critical roles.

For operators, improving voice performance means more than deploying 5G—it means ensuring users can connect quickly and consistently, regardless of network conditions.

Vivo V80 Lite Launches in the Philippines with 10,000mAh Battery and IP68/IP69 Protection

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Vivo has officially launched the Vivo V80 Lite in the Philippines, introducing a smartphone designed for professionals and active users who need reliable performance throughout their busy days. Starting at Php 24,999, the V80 Lite features a massive 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery, IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, and a high-brightness 1.5K OLED display.

The Vivo V80 Lite will be available for pre-order from October 4 to 16, 2026, giving early buyers the opportunity to receive exclusive offers and freebies.

Pre-Order the Vivo V80 Lite and Get More

Customers who pre-order the smartphone will receive a package that includes limited-edition Vivo Buds Air3 worth Php 1,799, Vivo Silver Membership privileges through the Vivo Store app, a Php 1,000 pre-order discount, and a four-year battery warranty worth Php 1,510. Buyers will also receive 100GB of Google One cloud storage for six months, which can be claimed until October 2, 2027.

An additional Php 500 discount is available for customers who purchase through Home Credit at 0% interest until October 31, 2026, using voucher code HCV80LITE.

The Vivo V80 Lite comes in two configurations: 8GB + 128GB at Php 24,999 and 8GB + 256GB at Php 27,999.

Built for Life Beyond the 9-to-5

The V80 Lite is designed around the realities of modern Filipino professionals whose days extend beyond traditional working hours. Its 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery provides additional power for meetings, calls, commutes, entertainment, fitness activities, side hustles, and staying connected with loved ones.

For users constantly moving between different environments, its IP68 and IP69 protection provides added resistance against dust and water under rated testing conditions. Meanwhile, the 1.5K OLED high-brightness display is designed to provide clear and vibrant visuals when checking messages, navigating commutes, or using the phone outdoors.

“Today’s professionals are not defined by a strict 9-to-5 schedule,” said Liu Lu, Brand Marketing Director of Vivo Philippines. “The V80 Lite was created for those moments when work ends but the day doesn’t.”

With its combination of battery capacity, durability, and display technology, the Vivo V80 Lite aims to give users the freedom to keep moving without constantly worrying about their next charge.

To get among the first units, customers can pre-order through Vivo physical stores and official channels, including the Vivo e-store and Vivo Store app.

Globe Says Private Sector Plays Key Role For PH to Benefit From Pax Silica

As discussions around Pax Silica take shape, Globe sees an opportunity for the Philippine private sector to contribute its capabilities and expertise to the country's broader efforts to strengthen its position in the global technology economy. Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said collaboration between government and business will be important as the Philippines explores where it can participate across emerging technology industries and global supply chains.

His view echoes Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala's recent call for Philippine businesses to begin considering where their existing strengths and capabilities could contribute to the opportunities emerging from Pax Silica. Rather than waiting for all the details to be defined, Zobel de Ayala pointed to the value of the private sector starting its own conversations and identifying areas where it could potentially participate.

“We see Pax Silica as an important conversation for the country, and the private sector should be part of it,” Cruz said. “Philippine companies already bring different capabilities to the table, and there is value in looking at how these can complement the government's efforts as the opportunities become clearer.”

The discussion comes as the government begins laying out the possibilities for Philippine participation. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo has outlined a proposed Philippine Technology Corridor with potential nodes covering advanced manufacturing in New Clark City, integrated circuit design and innovation in Metro Manila, AI compute and cloud infrastructure in Batangas, a Pacific-facing connectivity gateway in Aurora, critical minerals in Mindanao, and a potential semiconductor fabrication hub in Bulacan.

Rodolfo has also emphasized that these areas build on industries and capabilities the Philippines has already been developing, rather than opportunities being pursued solely because of Pax Silica. The initiative could provide another avenue to strengthen these efforts and connect the Philippines more closely with a wider international technology ecosystem.

For Globe, the areas of fiberization, connectivity, and data centers are where the company could support this evolving ecosystem. AI, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, and other technology-intensive industries depend on reliable and resilient digital infrastructure, giving telecommunications companies a natural role in supporting businesses and emerging technology hubs as plans develop.

“Our role is to make sure that, where connectivity is needed, we are ready to support,” Cruz said. “This is a broader national effort, and each industry will have something different to contribute. What is important at this stage is that the private sector is engaged in the conversation and looking at where it can meaningfully help.”

Globe earlier welcomed the opportunities presented by Pax Silica while recognizing that its implementation will require careful consideration of environmental, resource, geopolitical, and other factors. Government officials have similarly stressed that projects pursued under the initiative would remain subject to Philippine laws, labor standards, environmental requirements, and national priorities.

As the country's plans continue to develop, Globe believes sustained dialogue among government, businesses, academe, and other stakeholders can help identify where Philippine capabilities are best positioned to contribute. For the private sector, this means staying engaged, understanding where the opportunities are emerging, and being ready to bring relevant expertise to the table.

Set It and Secure It: Why You Should Consider Investing in RTBs via GBonds

Growing your money without taking on a nerve-wracking route is a constant tug-of-war. You don’t want your money idle in a low-interest bank, but high-risk alternatives feel far too intimidating. And because high-yielding, low-risk investments don’t pop up every day, it’s best to strike when the opportunity presents itself.

Right now, there is a rare window to earn low-risk, guaranteed returns of 6.875% p.a. yield straight from the government: the 32nd tranche of Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB 32) issued by the Bureau of the Treasury is now available through GBonds on GCash during its primary offer period of Sep 29 – Oct 7, 2026.
If financial jargon makes your eyes glaze over, think of RTBs this way: the government needs funds for national development. They borrow from you, and in exchange, you get your capital back, plus guaranteed interest, at maturity.

Here are the reasons why you should consider investing in RTBs:

• You’ll surely get your money back (until the maturity date)

Investing can feel daunting because of the market's unpredictable ups and downs. Stock prices and fund returns move with the market, but RTBs work differently. Its rate is fixed when you buy, which means you get guaranteed returns without staying up at night checking the market, as long as you hold it until the maturity date.

RTB 32 has a 2.5-year term, maturing on April 12, 2029. Hold it until then, and you get your full capital back, plus your guaranteed earnings.

• No need to stress over losing your investment

RTBs are securities issued by the Philippine government, making them a relatively low-risk way to grow your money. For Filipinos looking to diversify their portfolio beyond savings accounts, government securities can provide another way to put their money to work while earning fixed interest.

• You receive interest every quarter

Unlike fixed-income products that pay out at the end of the term, RTBs provide interest payments every quarter throughout the bond’s term. You can choose to reinvest those returns, add them to your savings, or use them for other financial goals.

• You can exit when life happens

RTBs offer flexibility by enabling investors to buy and sell their holdings on the secondary market before their official maturity date. If you need funds before the 2.5-year maturity, you can sell or cash out RTB32 on the secondary market via GBonds anytime after the primary offering window closes on October 7.

Just keep in mind that you'll sell at the prevailing market price, which may be higher or lower than what you paid — and transaction fees will apply.

• You don’t need a massive amount to invest

RTBs are designed to be affordable for everyday Filipinos – without the need for large capital and complex paperwork. With RTB 32 on GBonds, you can start with a minimum of ₱5,000 with zero processing fees during the primary offer period. Standard fees apply when you buy or sell on the secondary market.

Get Started via GBonds on GCash

GCash users can purchase RTBs on their GCash app through GBonds, a marketplace that allows users to invest in government bonds with FREE top-ups and withdrawals and standard fees for buying or selling bonds.

Simply go to the Invest tab on the GCash dashboard, click the GBonds icon, and answer the Risk Profile Questionnaire. Approval will take one (1) business day.

To invest via GBonds, you must be a fully verified GCash user aged 18 or older with a verified email address, an updated KYC profile (within the past 3 years), and not a US resident or citizen.

Growing your wealth doesn't have to mean taking big risks, especially when rare opportunities for high-yielding, guaranteed earnings are on the table. The primary offer window runs until October 7. Take charge of your financial goals today by locking in your guaranteed quarterly earnings—and let your money do the hard work for you.