Globe Network Preparedness Amid National Energy Emergency

In light of the recent declaration placing the country under a State of National Energy Emergency, Globe assures its customers that its services will continue without disruption and as close to normal as possible, with its business continuity plan (BCP) activated to ensure that its network remains stable and operational amid concerns over fuel supply and energy availability.

Under the BCP, the company will undergo the following initiatives:

1. Expanded work from home for all Globe employees except the critical workforce in network and IT operations, stores and other sales channels, customer service, and network security. Other energy-saving measures have also been introduced, including limits on travel policy, car pooling, and new incentives for EV use.

2. Prioritization of network fuel and energy needs to ensure that network services will continue to operate unimpeded. Globe is working closely with partners so that gensets across our cell sites will have ample fuel supply in case of commercial power interruptions. Battery runtime management is also in place to address scenarios where both grid power and generator support may be affected.

Globe is strengthening its energy management approach through energy efficiency measures and increased use of renewable energy to diversify its power sources. Currently, approximately 30 percent of Globe’s network runs on renewable energy. The company also continues to deploy energy-efficient technologies, including AI solutions that help optimize energy consumption across its sites.

Globe remains focused on maintaining reliable service while strengthening its operational resilience and energy strategy in response to the volatile geopolitical and energy conditions.

GCash Becomes First E-Wallet to Launch New International Transfers to 16 Countries

As part of its commitment to enabling Finance for All Filipinos, GCash, the country's leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, has launched GCash International Transfers. This first-of-its-kind e-wallet feature enables users to send money directly from their GCash wallet to international bank accounts, cards, and e-wallets.

The service is currently available in 16 countries, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore, India, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, with plans to expand to more countries soon.

Ideal for families that send support for loved ones abroad or micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sourcing raw materials, inventory, or specialize services from overseas, this new feature enables GCash users to send money in Philippine pesos to international bank accounts, cards, and e-wallets in key countries. Recipients receive funds in their local currency, eliminating conversion concerns and ensuring straightforward access to transferred amounts.

This new initiative breaks down time and cost barriers for families who send allowances, educational support (including for "pasabuy" services), and business funds to suppliers abroad.

“GCash International Transfers reflects our commitment to extending financial inclusion beyond Philippine borders,” said Arjun Varma, GCash international general manager. “We want Filipinos to have access to fast, affordable, and transparent international transfers, whether they are supporting family abroad, sending allowances to students, or paying for goods and services across borders.”

Before the launch of this service, sending money abroad using traditional transfer methods was often complicated by slow processing times, high fees, and a lack of visibility on when funds would arrive. GCash International Transfers addresses these challenges by enabling same-day crediting for most corridors and next-day transfers to the United States, giving recipients faster access to funds when they need them most in just 5 easy steps.

Zero transfer fees from March 12 to 31 for Middle East transactions

Filipinos in the Philippines can now send money internationally to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman via GCash with absolutely zero fees and no minimum transfer amount. This special offer is available from March 12 to 31, 2026, making it easier for families back in the Philippines to provide financial support to their loved ones in the Middle East.

Users can easily complete an international transfer by tapping Transfer on the GCash dashboard, selecting International, choosing the destination country, channel, and recipient type, and confirming the payer. Throughout the process, the feature provides real-time tracking, giving both senders and recipients transparency on the transfer status, which is not typically available in traditional bank transfers. With service fees starting as low as ₱180 and designed to be up to 2–3 times more affordable than typical bank remittance charges, the service ensures more of every peso sent reaches its intended destination.

The fully digital experience means users can complete international transfers anytime, anywhere, without the need to visit physical remittance centres or banks, which is particularly valuable for Filipinos in provinces and remote areas who may have limited access to traditional remittance services.

By removing barriers of time, cost, and uncertainty in cross-border payments, GCash International Transfers strengthens the financial connectivity of Filipino families, students, businesses, and communities across 16 countries.

Reinforcing its vision of Finance for All, GCash ensures that Filipinos can access essential financial services and support their connections worldwide with ease, transparency, and security.

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

Globe Highlights Modernizing Cybersecurity Using AI at Mobile World Congress 2026

Globe underscored the need for telecommunications operators to modernize security practices and prepare their organizations to scale artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly as the technology rapidly reshapes industries and economies worldwide. Speaking at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Globe Chief AI Officer and Chief Information Security Officer Anton Bonifacio joined global technology leaders in discussions on cybersecurity resilience and the evolving innovation ecosystem.

Bonifacio emphasized the need to modernize security practices within telecommunications networks, noting that IT and network security can no longer be treated separately. As AI becomes more deeply embedded across these networks and digital services, organizations must rethink how they protect systems and infrastructure to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies.

“For us to be able to keep up with the pace and be proactive, there must be modernization of the security practice,” Bonifacio said. “That shift means treating security as an engineering discipline, where protection is built directly into systems rather than applied after deployment.”

The discussions also explored how organizations can scale emerging technologies such as AI through stronger collaboration between startups, corporations, and investors. While many companies are experimenting with new technologies, translating early innovation into sustained business impact remains a challenge. Many pilot initiatives fail not because the technology is weak, but because the corporate foundations required to support scaling are not yet ready.

“Companies often treat AI like dipping their toes in a jacuzzi, when in reality it’s a tsunami,” Bonifacio said. “The real conversation should be about readiness for scale, not just experimentation.”

For Globe, these conversations reflect a broader strategy that combines secure infrastructure, data readiness, and innovation partnerships to accelerate digital transformation while strengthening digital trust. The company continues to advocate for the responsible deployment of emerging technologies so that progress in connectivity and digital platforms supports secure and impact-driven growth.

MWC Barcelona is the world’s largest gathering of the global connectivity ecosystem, bringing together mobile network operators, technology leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to shape the future of connectivity and emerging technologies. Globe’s participation reinforces its role as a voice from Asia Pacific in advancing a secure, innovative, and inclusive digital future.

PCTO Calls for Policy Flexibility Amid Energy Emergency to Protect Telecom Stability and Connectivity

 The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) has expressed serious concern over the impact of the ongoing national energy emergency on the country’s telecommunications sector, urging regulators to adopt a more measured and collaborative approach in implementing policies under the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

While the PCTO recognizes and supports the government’s goal of expanding digital connectivity nationwide, it emphasized that the current energy crisis presents extraordinary operational challenges for telecom providers. As such, the organization is appealing for extended timelines and more structured consultations regarding key policy components, including the access list, the dig once policy, infrastructure sharing, cybersecurity requirements, and the Spectrum Management and Policy Framework (SMPF).

According to the group, compressed consultation schedules risk limiting meaningful participation from industry stakeholders who are currently managing increased operational pressures. Extending and properly spacing consultations would allow telecom operators to provide more comprehensive and technically sound feedback that benefits both regulators and the public.

The PCTO also highlighted the significant internal challenges faced by telecommunications companies as a result of the energy emergency. Rising fuel and electricity costs, supply chain disruptions, workforce limitations, and increased demand for reliable connectivity services have placed considerable strain on operators. These pressures, the group noted, should be taken into account when regulators establish compliance timelines and implementation requirements under the new law.

Another key concern raised by the PCTO involves the timeline for the development of the Spectrum Management and Policy Framework. The organization is urging government agencies to fully utilize the one-year period provided by the law to ensure that the framework is developed through careful consultation and technical evaluation. Rushing this process, it warned, could lead to policies that are misaligned with industry realities and long-term infrastructure needs.

In light of these challenges, the PCTO is also calling for a temporary moratorium on the release of major policy directives affecting the telecommunications industry during the duration of the energy crisis. The group emphasized that maintaining stability in the telecom sector is essential not only for industry sustainability but also for national resilience.

Reliable connectivity remains a critical service, especially during times of crisis. The PCTO reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government agencies to support the shared objective of strengthening digital connectivity across the Philippines while ensuring that policies remain practical, inclusive, and responsive to current national conditions.

COLORFUL Launches iGame Z890 ULTRA Series Motherboards with Next-Gen Performance and Zero-Cable Innovation

Shenzhen, China — COLORFUL Technology Company Limited has officially introduced its latest iGame Z890 ULTRA Series motherboards, designed to support the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors. The newly announced iGame Z890 ULTRA-S W and iGame Z890M ULTRA Z target gamers, creators, and PC enthusiasts seeking powerful performance combined with modern aesthetics and improved system-building convenience.

Both motherboards feature a distinctive all-white design that complements COLORFUL’s popular iGame ULTRA W Series graphics cards, offering builders a cohesive visual platform for high-end PC setups. Alongside their appearance, the boards deliver strong memory performance, advanced cooling upgrades, and streamlined installation features aimed at improving both usability and reliability.

The iGame Z890 ULTRA-S W continues the signature styling of the Ultra lineup with a layered logo structure and hip-hop-inspired design accents. A customizable ARGB nameplate adds personalization options, while an upgraded cooling system with integrated heat pipe and airflow channel improves thermal efficiency. The motherboard also introduces next-generation quick-release mechanisms for GPU and M.2 heatsinks, making component installation faster and cleaner.

Performance remains a key highlight of the ULTRA-S W model. It features a robust 20+1+1+1 phase power delivery system capable of supporting demanding processors such as the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. With support for DDR5 memory speeds exceeding 9600 MHz and capacities up to 256GB, the board is well-suited for advanced gaming environments, creative workloads, and local AI deployment scenarios.

Meanwhile, the iGame Z890M ULTRA Z marks a major innovation as COLORFUL’s first Zero-Cable motherboard. It replaces traditional 24-pin and 8+8-pin power connectors with a new direct-plug 50-pin rear power interface, allowing compatible power supplies to connect directly without cables. This design significantly improves cable management while enabling cleaner internal layouts.

The ULTRA Z model also integrates front-panel USB, audio, and power interfaces into a single unified connector, further simplifying installation. Built with a 14+1+1+1 phase DrMOS power system and supporting up to 192GB of DDR5 memory, it delivers strong performance for gaming and productivity workloads. Additional features include PCIe 5.0 M.2 storage support, WiFi 7 connectivity, and multiple high-speed USB ports.

Together, the new iGame Z890 ULTRA Series motherboards reflect COLORFUL’s continued focus on performance innovation, user-friendly design, and visually distinctive PC hardware solutions for modern enthusiasts.