Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Helping Retirees Navigate Today's Scam Risks

At a recent CX Caravan stop with the Meralco Employees and Retirees Association (MERA), retirees took part in a practical discussion on a growing digital threat: scams that often arrive disguised as ordinary texts, familiar calls, and messages that seem legitimate at first glance.

Francis Barreso, President of MERA, has seen how convincing these attempts can be—from urgent requests for one-time passwords to calls that use fear and pressure, even loan collection notices sent to people who never took out a loan.

“They don’t always look suspicious at first,” he said. “That’s what makes them dangerous—because they sound urgent, familiar, even legitimate.”

That familiarity is what makes scams so effective. They blend easily into everyday life, catching people off guard in moments when they least expect it.

Through SCAMpaign, one of the key education initiatives under CX Caravan, Smart is helping communities build simple but important habits of caution—never sharing personal information, avoiding unfamiliar numbers, and thinking twice before clicking suspicious links.

Filipino senior citizens are becoming frequent targets of scams, as fraudsters increasingly package deception in ways that appear credible at first glance.

For many retirees, a mobile phone is more than a device—it’s how they manage finances, stay connected with loved ones, and access essential services. Protecting themselves online has become part of protecting daily life.

“This kind of session really helps people like us,”
Barreso said. “It gives us the confidence to pause, think twice, and protect ourselves before we act.”

That pause—that moment of second thought—is what makes the difference.

Kristine Generalao, AVP for Customer Experience at Smart Communications, underscored why efforts like SCAMpaign matter.

“Digital trust is now a core part of customer experience. As scams evolve, our responsibility is not only to keep customers connected, but to help them stay informed, vigilant, and empowered,” Generalao said. “SCAMpaign is about turning awareness into everyday action—so customers feel more confident navigating an increasingly complex digital world.”

SCAMpaign is aligned with the PLDT Group’s broader #BeCyberSmart campaign, which empowers customers to protect themselves against online scams and fraud.

Where Business Ideas Come to Life This May

Manila, Philippines — What if the next opportunity for your business—or your next big idea—starts with simply showing up?

The 18th PHILSME Business Expo & Conference, happening May 22–23, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, invites Filipinos to step into a space filled with business ideas, connections, and real opportunities.

“While others are pulling back, this is exactly when you should lean in,” said CEO Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla.

More than an expo—an experience

Visitors can explore:
  • Business ideas and franchise opportunities
  • Tools and services to grow their ventures
  • Real conversations with entrepreneurs and founders
Inspiration on stage

One of the most exciting sessions is:

“Market Makers: Women Designing Their Own Tables,” featuring:
  • Ace Gapuz
  • Wandalyn Tan-Calupig
  • Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla
  • Atty. Tina De Guzman
They are joined by respected business leaders:
  • Boni De Jesus
  • Jojo Apolo
  • Ed Cervantes
Together, they bring stories, strategies, and insights that reflect today’s entrepreneurial journey.

Show up—and stand out

“If you think staying home saves your business, think again. In volatile times, invisibility is more expensive than participation.”

Visitors can attend for free—or upgrade to a VIP Pass for a more elevated experience, including access to exclusive networking spaces.

Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, you can register for free or upgrade to VIP Pass at: https://philsme.com/ticket/

Globe Enhances Loan Repayment for Prepaid and TM Users, Helping Filipinos to Keep Going During These Times

Globe continues to make connectivity more accessible for Filipinos by enhancing its load and promo loan services for Globe Prepaid and TM customers, giving users a reliable way to stay online, call, or text even when they run out of balance.

For many Filipinos, mobile phones are lifelines for work, school, family communication, and emergencies. But running out of load during critical moments, especially today’s global energy crisis, remains a crippling challenge.

Through its Promo and Load Loan for Globe Prepaid and Utang Load/Promo for TM, Globe enables customers to borrow load or promos instantly and pay later, helping them stay connected when it matters most.

These services provide immediate access to call, text, and data offers, even with zero balance, removing barriers to communication during urgent or everyday situations. From urgent needs to everyday connectivity, Globe’s loan services are designed to support customers across different moments of need.

At its core are bite-sized emergency offers, which are available to all subscribers and provide instant access to small amounts of data, calls, or texts, ideal for urgent situations such as reaching loved ones, sending a message, or quickly going online when the balance runs out.

At the same time, eligible customers can also access higher-value loan offers, including load loans and popular promos such as Go59 and EZ50. These provide more data, calls, and longer validity, helping customers stay connected not just in emergencies, but for their everyday digital needs.

Simple, Seamless, and Flexible Repayment

Repayment is designed to be simple and seamless, with loan amounts automatically deducted upon the user’s next reload. To better match how customers use mobile today, Globe has enhanced repayment by enabling collections through promo purchases. A portion of the open-access data from a customer’s promo top-up is automatically allocated toward settling their existing loan, helping them repay gradually and regain access to the service faster.

Globe collects up to 50% of the open-access data from a purchased promo, ensuring customers still retain at least half of their data for their own use. If the allocated data is not enough to fully cover the loan, a partial payment is applied based on a data-to-peso conversion, with any remaining balance collected in the next transaction. This enhancement makes repayment more flexible and aligned with evolving customer behavior, especially as more users purchase promos directly instead of regular load.

“This is about understanding the real, everyday moments our customers go through,” said Eric Tanbauco, Vice President and Head of Globe Consumer Mobile Business. “Whether it’s an emergency, work, or staying connected to family, we want our customers to have the confidence that they can keep going. By making access to load and promos more flexible, we’re helping remove the friction that can interrupt those important moments.”

With loan offers accessible via the GlobeOne app, Facebook, *143#, and SMS, Globe Prepaid and TM users can conveniently get the connectivity they need anytime, anywhere, without the immediate need to top up.

This initiative reinforces Globe’s broader commitment to deliver reliable, always-available connectivity, aligned with its brand promise of helping Filipinos move forward in a fast-changing world.

Globe continues to support customers not just with products, but with solutions designed around real-life behavior, ensuring that even in small but critical moments, no one gets left behind.

For more information, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/go-forward-together.

LG xboom Stage 301: A Portable Soundtrack for Summer Travel Adventures

Summer travel is often defined not only by destinations but by the experiences that unfold along the way. Whether it’s a sunrise surf session, an island-hopping excursion, or a relaxed evening by the shore, music naturally becomes part of those moments. Designed with mobility and outdoor listening in mind, the LG xboom Stage 301 positions itself as a practical companion for travelers seeking a reliable audio experience throughout their summer journeys.

With up to 12 hours of playback time and IPX4 water resistance, the speaker supports extended outdoor use in changing environments. From beach afternoons to campsite evenings, durability and battery performance are essential for uninterrupted listening. These features allow users to bring music along without worrying about light splashes or frequent charging interruptions, making the device suitable for active day-long itineraries.

The audio configuration of the LG xboom Stage 301 further supports flexible listening across open spaces. Its 6.5-inch woofer and dual midrange drivers provide balanced sound projection, while Space Calibration helps optimize audio output depending on surroundings. For group settings, Wireless Party Link enables multiple compatible speakers to connect, expanding coverage for shared listening experiences during gatherings or travel meetups.

Across the Philippines, destinations such as Siargao, La Union, El Nido, Coron, and Southern Cebu offer diverse summer travel atmospheres where portable audio naturally complements the environment. Surf-focused mornings in Siargao and La Union often transition into sunset wind-down sessions along the coast. Meanwhile, island-hopping in El Nido and Coron creates opportunities for music to accompany scenic boat rides and quiet beach stops. Southern Cebu’s waterfalls and coastal landscapes provide a slower pace, where travelers can relax and enjoy curated playlists that match the setting.

Beyond local travel, international destinations like Bali and Jeju present similar opportunities for music-led escapes. Both locations combine natural scenery with relaxed social spaces, where portable audio enhances shared moments without requiring elaborate setups. For travelers moving between accommodations, beaches, and outdoor cafés, portability becomes just as important as sound quality.

Ultimately, the LG xboom Stage 301 reflects how modern travel increasingly blends movement, connection, and atmosphere. By balancing durability, portability, and group-friendly features, it supports the idea that music is not just background noise but part of the experiences that define summer getaways.

Vivo V70 Photography Masterclass with BJ Pascual Empowers Creators to Elevate Smartphone Photography

Great photos don’t just happen—they’re crafted through vision, timing, and the right tools. Bringing these elements together, Vivo is set to inspire aspiring photographers and content creators through the Vivo V70 Photography Masterclass, happening live on April 30, 2026, at 6PM via Vivo Philippines’ official Facebook page.

Led by renowned celebrity fashion photographer BJ Pascual and hosted by Nicole Cordoves as the on-camera muse, the session offers viewers a rare opportunity to learn professional photography techniques using the powerful Vivo V70 smartphone. Designed for both beginners and experienced creators, the masterclass demonstrates how everyday devices can produce studio-quality visuals with the right creative approach.

A masterclass in modern photography

During the livestream, BJ Pascual will walk viewers through his creative workflow across three distinctive photography styles. The session begins with editorial photography inspired by Romanticism, highlighting mood-driven storytelling and expressive composition often seen in high-fashion imagery. Viewers will then explore cinematic beauty portraits that emphasize depth, clarity, and emotional detail through professional focal lengths. Completing the session is a look into film-style photography, introducing a nostalgic aesthetic that blends classic tones with contemporary storytelling techniques.

Through live demonstrations, the audience will see how these signature styles can be recreated using only a smartphone, proving that creativity—not equipment limitations—defines great photography.

Powered by the Vivo V70’s 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera

At the center of the experience is the Vivo V70, built for today’s creators who want more control over their visual storytelling. Equipped with a 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, the device delivers professional-level flexibility in a compact and accessible format.

Viewers can expect a closer look at powerful camera features such as AI Stage Mode, ZEISS Multifocal Portrait Mode, and Film Camera Mode 3.0. These tools allow users to experiment with depth, lighting, and perspective beyond typical smartphone photography capabilities.

Together, these innovations reinforce a compelling idea: modern photography is no longer defined by expensive equipment, but by imagination and perspective.

Tune in live

Whether you’re an aspiring photographer, content creator, or simply someone passionate about capturing better images, the Vivo V70 Photography Masterclass offers practical insights you can immediately apply. Catch the livestream on April 30, 2026, at 6PM via Vivo Philippines’ official Facebook page.

For those ready to take their photography further, the Vivo V70 is available at Vivo stores nationwide and online through the official Vivo e-store, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.