PLDT Urges Investments in Talent, Governance, Infrastructure to Accelerate AI in the Philippines

With the right elements in place, the Philippines can use artificial intelligence as a force to uplift communities and turn the country’s potential into a real, life-changing impact. Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) emphasized the importance of top-tier talent, stringent governance frameworks, and reliable infrastructure in fully realizing the advantages of AI to drive national economic and business growth.

At the recent Digital Nation Summit Manila spearheaded by GSMA, the organization representing mobile operators globally, PLDT and Smart Head of Network Strategy and Architecture Eric Santiago underscored the importance of enabling infrastructure, world-class talent and research, and trustworthy governance in helping the country reap the benefits of AI, which is estimated to add between 8 to 12% to GDP by 2030 through productivity, new exports and services. "It's not just about the buzzwords, but about bottom lines and better lives," Santiago said.

Santiago emphasized that talent must be strengthened nationwide, starting from schools and universities. "We should also encourage and incentivize Filipino AI experts abroad to return and help in training," he said. "Upskilling our people is essential. AI fluency must be accessible to all so we can build the bench needed for long-term innovation."

Strong governance and cybersecurity guardrails, as well as coordination with government agencies and LGUs, are also crucial. "Trust is fundamental. A resilient governance framework ensures that every API integration, every connection point, and every AI-enabled system remains safeguarded," said Santiago, adding that good governance plays a key role in attracting investors and protecting citizens.

Santiago also highlighted infrastructure as the backbone of AI adoption, citing PLDT and Smart’s rollout of a 5G Standalone network, distributed edge capabilities, and innovative resiliency solutions, including laser-based, point-to-multipoint, and satellite connectivity. "We are building networks that stay intelligent and operational despite disruptions, ensuring continuous service,” he said.

As the summit calls for deeper collaboration across sectors, Santiago reaffirmed PLDT’s commitment to enabling the country’s digital future. "Through collaboration within the industry and with other stakeholders, the Philippines can lead in turning AI into what I call 'archipelago intelligence', transforming efforts into 'actual impact' and 'actionable intelligence' to deliver value across our islands,” he said.

PLDT's continued investment in network infrastructure and innovation underscores the Group's broader commitment to national digital transformation, bringing the benefits of the Internet closer to more Filipino communities, and driving technology-enabled education, livelihood, and disaster resilience across the country.

Advancing digital access and infrastructure also helps bridge socioeconomic divides, build a more future-ready Philippines, and enable the country to achieve the UN Sustainability Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Bitget Connects 7,300 Filipino Students Through Blockchain4Youth Starlink Program

Manila, Philippines — Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has expanded its Blockchain4Youth initiative by bringing high-speed satellite internet to six schools across Surigao del Norte, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental through a major Starlink deployment.

Through this initiative, Bitget has delivered reliable connectivity to more than 7,300 students and over 100 teachers, marking one of the most significant digital inclusion efforts in remote island communities in the Philippines.

The program now supports Espoir School of Life and Lasala Integrated School in Surigao del Norte, Apo Elementary School and the Arts & Design Collective Dumaguete in Negros Oriental, and Siquijor State College and Siquijor Provincial Science High School in Siquijor.

For many of these schools, this marks their first time experiencing dependable high-speed internet access. This transforms how classes are conducted and how teachers prepare lessons, as they previously relied entirely on printed worksheets due to unreliable or nonexistent internet connectivity.

“This project is not just about connectivity — it’s about opportunity,” Bitget CEO Gracy Chen said. “By bringing Starlink to these islands, we are giving thousands of young people their first real access to the digital world and the tools they need to participate in tomorrow’s economy.”

Alongside each installation, Bitget’s team conducted educator consultations, digital readiness assessments, and early testing of Blockchain4Youth learning modules. These activities lay the groundwork for future Web3 and digital literacy programs, ensuring that schools can fully utilize their newfound connectivity beyond simply accessing the internet. Teachers now have access to online training and updated curricula, while students can engage with interactive learning resources that were previously inaccessible.

This Starlink rollout is part of Bitget’s broader vision under its PayFi Islands initiative, which aims to extend digital infrastructure and education into underserved regions across the Philippines. Bitget plans to continue deploying connectivity solutions and launching digital skills programs to ensure that no student or community is excluded from the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

By combining high-speed internet access with long-term educational support, Bitget is helping remote communities bridge the digital divide, improve learning outcomes, and build pathways toward full participation in the global digital economy.

YGG Pilipinas and DICT’s Regional Builder Residency with Sui Foundation Produces 50 Graduates

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - YGG Pilipinas and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have announced the first results of MFW City, their joint talent-development initiative designed to equip Metaverse Filipino Workers (MFWs) with the technical skills, mentorship, and career pathways needed to participate in the global digital economy. Its inaugural effort, carried out in the MIMAROPA region, trained participants in the Move programming language for the Sui blockchain, successfully producing 50 graduates.

Of the total 127 participants, 80 percent were third-year or higher students in computer science, IT, computer engineering, or related fields, with nearly half already coding for one to two years. The program addressed a clear exposure gap, introducing blockchain for the first time to a highly skilled cohort: 76 percent had zero prior exposure to blockchain, and none had experience with the Move language. The program required a high level of commitment, with one online class and one in-person class held each week in Puerto Princesa, complemented by mentoring sessions with Sui contributors and ecosystem partners for feedback and code review.

The pilot attracted a mixed group, with one in five female participants, and students from a number of educational institutions across the region, including Palawan State University, Holy Trinity University, Fulbright College, the Association of Computer Scientists (ACS), and STI College.

“We're thrilled with how it's gone, and we're tremendously proud of the effort that everyone put in — DICT, YGG Pilipinas, and Metaversity, and especially the students,” said James Wing, Head of AAA Gaming Partnerships at Mysten Labs, the first contributor to Sui. “We faced a lot of challenges with the weather, and we still were able to get really strong graduation numbers and really unique, innovative products that we wouldn't have thought of before. It's a testament to their perseverance: being able to adapt on the fly, especially with something as significant as not having internet. There is always going to be a huge demand for builders who can adapt like these guys have proven they can do.”

Typhoon Tino struck Puerto Princesa on November 4, bringing severe flooding, widespread power loss, and interruptions to internet and mobile connectivity. It forced the cancellation of the final class, yet the cohort still achieved a notably strong 40% completion rate for a voluntary blockchain developer program, demonstrating sustained commitment through both a technically demanding curriculum and the disruptions of a natural disaster that arrived in the program’s final week.

The program culminated with the presentation of the students’ capstone projects, where they were required to design and launch a working prototype on the Sui blockchain and pitch their solution to a judging panel. Teams were tasked with solving the problem of creating a trusted, verifiable way to recognize community contributions across schools, guilds, and online communities, so these achievements could be demonstrated when applying for work.

Two members of the winning team, Nicholo Dela Rosa and JK Rabanal, were flown from Puerto Princesa to speak at the YGG Play Summit held at SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, 19-22 November 2025. Their team, The Scouts, created Campfire, a way to digitize certificates while also serving as a gamified, NFT-based community platform. The first runner-up was Spot Me, a web application that connects event organizers and participants through reward-based engagement.

“During our last few days of the program, a typhoon suddenly hit the Philippines. It made it very hard for us, especially when one of our classes was suspended because of internet issues. Especially with all the challenges we experienced, we didn’t expect to win the competition, so we feel very proud of what we were able to do,” said Rabanal, who graduated from Palawan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 2022 amid the pandemic.

“We learned about the Sui builder program from our peers, and we were interested to learn more about the Move programming language and the Sui ecosystem,” said Dela Rosa, a third-year Palawan State University student. “This opportunity has changed our mindset. Now we are thinking more and dreaming big, especially after flying to Manila [to speak here on stage at the YGG Play Summit]. We’re hoping to improve our winning project and have many more opportunities like this.”

By piloting in Puerto Princesa, the collaboration demonstrated how regional hubs can serve as replicable models across the Philippines to deliver scalable blockchain education and professional development tracks, aligning with DICT’s mission to create 8 million digital jobs by 2028.

DICT MIMAROPA provided the backbone for the program by opening training hubs, computer labs, and internet access (including Starlink for remote areas), mobilizing participants through its regional networks, and linking the initiative to local governments, schools, and community leaders. In parallel, YGG Pilipinas, through its Metaversity platform, drove program design and delivery, from curriculum and mentorship to workshops, project sprints, demo days, and certification.

“What YGG, Sui, and DICT have accomplished in Puerto Princesa demonstrates the power of partnerships rooted in a shared purpose. When government, industry, and communities come together, barriers fall, and possibilities expand. This program is more than training—it marks the beginning of long-term pathways for Filipinos to thrive in the global digital economy. And we look forward to bringing this kind of opportunity to even more communities nationwide.”

Alcantara Group Marks 70 Years of Legacy, Leadership, and Lasting Impact

The Alcantara Group celebrated its 70th anniversary with a milestone event that honored its rich heritage while looking toward the future. Held at the Dusit Thani Residence Davao last December 4, 2025,  under the theme “Seventy Years Strong: Forward Together,” the gathering brought together generations of leaders, employees, partners, and friends to honor the founder’s enduring vision and the Group’s legacy of service, innovation, and nation-building.

Set in Davao, where the company’s story began, the celebration featured a curated exhibit and program tracing the company’s evolution from a mid-1950s Davao-based enterprise—Conrado Alcantara and Sons, Inc. (CASI)—into one of the country’s most diversified Filipino-owned conglomerates. The evening honored the founder, Conrado Alcantara, and the leadership of the second-generation principals who expanded the organization’s footprint across key sectors, including energy through the Alsons Power Unit, aquaculture and agriculture through the Alsons Agribusiness Unit, and real estate development through Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), as well as its other subsidiaries.

The anniversary program also paid tribute to the collective efforts of employees, partners, and communities that have shaped the enterprise’s growth. Stories of collaboration and service underscore how shared values across the Alcantara Group's business units have enabled their continued relevance and resilience amid changing landscapes and milestones across decades.

"We owe this milestone to the men and women across generations who helped shape the Alcantara Group into what it is today. What has kept us strong is not just strategy alone, but the spirit of unity and service that has guided us since the beginning—growth that uplifts both people and communities,” said Nicasio I. Alcantara, Chairman of Alcantara Group.

Continuing the Group’s 70-year Legacy

With the third generation of Alcantaras poised to take the lead, the Alcantara Group’s subsidiaries, including Alsons Dev, are carrying forward its mission with renewed purpose.

As the Group’s real estate arm, Alsons Dev plays a central role in shaping communities that reflect the founder’s foresight for Mindanao, translating the company’s values of stewardship into meaningful developments on the ground.

“As we look to the future, we do so with renewed purpose—to sustain what has been built and to keep growing it with the same vision, integrity, and care that defined the generations before us,” said Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, President and CEO of Alsons Dev. “We will continue to build responsibly, create long-term value, and drive progress for generations to come.”

Building on seven decades of success, the company remains committed to expanding its diversified businesses and advancing industries that contribute to long-term development. Guided by the principles that shaped its early years and inspired by the generations that have carried its purpose forward, the Alcantara Group looks to the future with determination, focused on creating opportunities, fostering sustainable growth, and leaving a lasting impact on future generations.

For more information, please visit http://www.alcantaragroup.com.

Turn Every Concert into a VIP Experience with the Vivo X300 Pro

Manila, Philippines — From opening act to final encore, concerts are moments of pure artistry meant to be remembered. With an exciting lineup of local and international artists carrying through the season and into the new year, fans are faced with one important question: Do you have a smartphone capable of capturing it all, so the experience stays with you long after the final note?

With high-definition content now the standard, the Vivo X300 Pro rises to the occasion as the ultimate concert companion. Designed for fans who want more than just blurry clips and distant shots, this flagship device lets you feel the music as if you were right there on stage with your favorite artists. Equipped with a powerful 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera and the Vivo ZEISS 2.35x Telephoto Extender, every performance becomes a VIP moment—even from far distances.

From the upper box to the front row with Stage Mode 2.0

Concert tickets can be tough to secure, especially for in-demand acts like BINI. But with the Vivo X300 Pro, your seat no longer defines your view. Stage Mode 2.0 and Ultra-Clear Stage Photography work together to bring performers closer than ever, capturing fine details with remarkable clarity. From subtle facial expressions to the raw energy of the crowd, every moment is preserved with precision. Wherever you’re seated, your memories feel as immersive as being in the best spot in the venue.

Bring concert memories to life in 4K

Filipino artistry truly shines on stage, and dynamic performances deserve to be captured in their full glory. With the Vivo X300 Pro’s 4K Stage All-in-One Recording, every move, beat, and emotion is recorded in stunning detail. Dolby Vision support at 4K and 60 FPS enhances each clip with rich colors, sharp contrasts, and cinematic depth, allowing you to relive the magic exactly as you experienced it.

See the stage and yourself with Dual-View Stage Video

Want to capture the performance and your excitement at the same time? Dual-View Stage Video makes it possible. By recording with two cameras simultaneously, you can document the full stage while capturing close-up moments and reactions. The result is a story-like video that brings every angle, emotion, and burst of excitement together seamlessly.

Ready to elevate your next concert experience? Priced at Php 77,999, the Vivo X300 Pro is available via the Vivo website, Shopee, and all Vivo concept stores nationwide.