Converge Bolsters BPO Industry Resilience with Subsea Cable Investments

Taguig City, Philippines — Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (PSE: CNVRG) is ramping up its support for the Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, citing world-class digital infrastructure as the primary catalyst for the industry’s continued global leadership.

Converge Global Business, the company’s corporate and large enterprise unit, recently hosted the Elevating Connections forum at its BGC headquarters. The event convened top industry leaders to address the escalating technological demands of the IT-BPM sector, with discussions focused on how strategic partnerships and robust connectivity are essential to sustaining the Philippines’ economic momentum.

Jack Madrid, President and CEO of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), underscored the sector's role as a fundamental pillar of the national economy.

"As we shift to higher-value services and embrace a more digitally-driven global landscape, our continued growth depends on world-class digital infrastructure," Madrid said. "Strategic partnerships with leading technology providers ensure we maintain global competitiveness and continue to elevate Filipino talent on the world stage."

The forum highlighted the shift in operational requirements for modern BPOs, which now face increased demands for secure data management, AI integration, and the support of permanent hybrid workforces. Industry leaders noted that any interruption in connectivity directly impacts revenue and international client trust, making network redundancy a top priority for telecom procurement.

In response to these needs, Converge reaffirmed its commitment to a robust infrastructure expansion initiative. Grace Jarin-Castillo, Senior Vice President for Sales & Marketing at Converge Global Business, stated that the company is continuously investing in both local and international assets to ensure scalability and redundancy for its stakeholders.

"We recognize that seamless connectivity is the lifeblood of global operations," Jarin-Castillo noted. "We are committed to delivering the robust, diverse, and scalable solutions necessary for this dynamic sector to support its customers, both locally and abroad."

Central to this commitment is Converge’s investment in massive subsea cable systems. As a consortium owner of the 5,000-kilometer SEA-H2X Cable System, Converge provides direct links to major Asian markets. Furthermore, its partnership in the 20,000-kilometer Bifrost Cable System will enable secure, high-capacity connectivity from Southeast Asia to North America.

With a fiber network now spanning over 896,000 kilometers, Converge Global Business remains positioned to support the large-scale requirements of the country’s leading BPOs, ensuring the Philippines remains the destination of choice for global outsourcing.

Ready to future-proof your BPO operations? Contact Converge Global Business for tailored, enterprise-grade connectivity solutions or visit www.convergeict.com/enterprise

HUAWEI and Ateneo Graduate School of Business Elevate the MBA Learning Experience with the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026

Manila, Philippines — HUAWEI Philippines recently collaborated with the Ateneo Graduate School of Business Student Council (AGSB Student Council) to support AGSB students in navigating the rigorous demands of graduate education. Through the Strategic Management (STRAMA) Deep Dive, the initiative enabled AGSB students to experience the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026, allowing them to strengthen their approach to complex problem-solving, data analysis, and decision-making with greater clarity and discipline in preparation for leadership roles.

As part of this shared goal, HUAWEI introduced the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 through an interactive product showcase booth during the STRAMA Deep Dive on April 25. This allowed AGSB students to experience its latest innovations firsthand and understand how purposeful digital tools can reduce academic friction and support more adaptable study workflows.

The STRAMA Deep Dive sessions brought together approximately 60 graduate AGSB students onsite and 100 participants online per session, held on April 11 and April 25 at the APS Amphitheater, Ateneo de Manila University – Rockwell Campus.

“HUAWEI’s commitment to innovation is reflected in how the device integrates both hardware and software,” said John Carlo Capanas, AGSB Student Council Vice President for External Affairs. “After using the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026, I gained a better appreciation for how they design products for productivity. Everything, from the display to the accessories to the apps, works together to create a more efficient workflow.”

By providing a smart, responsive ecosystem, HUAWEI illustrates how technology elevates MBA learning well beyond basic efficiency. It helps AGSB students build the essential digital skills they need for the corporate world while fostering the responsibility, focus, and intentionality to be effective leaders in complex, high-stakes environments.

Unlocking Graduate-Level Efficiency with Powerful and PC-Like Performance

Navigating the intensive STRAMA sessions required the flexibility and strategic mindset expected of top-tier executives. As part of the collaboration, AGSB students used the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 to remove the traditional friction between on-the-go convenience and heavy-duty academic analysis. Rather than being tied to a desk, they were able to leverage the tablet’s PC-Level WPS Office 3.0 to process intricate datasets and draft comprehensive papers on the go.

The device’s evolved 4-in-1 productivity ecosystem further enhances this adaptability. Equipped with the HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard, M-Pencil (3rd Gen), and Bluetooth mouse, the tablet instantly transforms into a full workstation. With robust spreadsheet functionalities at their fingertips, the platform enabled students to perform data-intensive analysis with the speed, precision, and reliability of a traditional laptop.

“As an MBA student, 'Lite' versions of software just don't cut it. WPS Office 3.0 is a game-changer because it provides a PC-level experience. When I’m analyzing market trends or writing my thesis, I have the full power of desktop-grade tools. I can open multiple windows, run complex formulas, and format documents exactly as I would on a computer. It makes the academic 'heavy lifting' feel effortless,” shared by Christian Jerome De Guzman, AGSB Student Council Officer-in-Charge for the Finance and Resource Management Committee.

Sustaining Focus with the Ultra-Clear PaperMatte Display, HUAWEI Notes, and GoPaint

Strategic foresight during the rigorous STRAMA sessions needs focus to simulate real-world corporate work. This requires AGSB students to synthesize volumes of case studies, journals, and industry reports, while managing cognitive load to prevent fatigue.

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 supports this journey by easing the heavy academic burden through its 11.5-inch 2.8K Ultra-Clear 3rd Gen PaperMatte Display. By combining high-precision nanoscale anti-glare technology with 3A+ glass, the tablet’s display blocks 99% of ambient light interference and significantly reduces screen sparkle by 50%. This results in a soothing, paper-like viewing experience that dramatically cuts down on the visual strain typical of traditional monitors.

“The PaperMatte Display is something I didn’t realize I needed until I experienced it. It feels closer to reading on paper, which makes long study sessions much more comfortable,” said Mary Jazel Louise Espiritu, AGSB Student Council Treasurer. “There’s less glare and eye strain, so I can focus longer—especially when going through heavy readings or reviewing documents late at night.”

Students and professionals can efficiently organize their research in HUAWEI Notes using Note Replay, AI Equation Recognition, and AI handwriting enhancement. They can also enjoy the free GoPaint app’s versatile digital canvas for mapping out complex strategic frameworks or exploring creative illustration.

By delivering a display that eases visual fatigue while encouraging creative problem-solving with HUAWEI Notes and GoPaint app, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 helps users develop the mental focus to stay organized and productive to solve complex problems.

All-Day Performance and Entertainment-Ready Portability

A crucial part of leadership formation is maintaining a sustainable pace, especially during intensive STRAMA sessions where MBA students must deliver high-level strategic work while managing their time efficiently. To support this balanced lifestyle, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 features an ultra-thin 6.1 mm design and a reliable 8,800 mAh battery, allowing students to seamlessly transition from campus collaborations to home study without worrying about charging.

When it is time to step away from complex research, the tablet also transforms into an entertainment hub. Its high-resolution 2.8K display and immersive multi-driver speakers provide a rich audiovisual experience, offering students a refined way to unwind after a productive day.

“For me, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 is really about making things more manageable. As a graduate student, there are a lot of demands. So having a device that helps you stay organized, productive, and focused makes a real difference. It becomes more than just a device—it becomes part of how you navigate your daily responsibilities,” said John Carlo Capanas, AGSB Student Council Vice President for External Affairs.

Get PC-Level Power for Future Professionals with the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 is designed to support both professional and academic needs. Available for PHP 29,999, it comes as a comprehensive 4-in-1 bundle, complete with the tablet, HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard, M-Pencil (3rd Gen), and a Bluetooth mouse—providing a full PC-level workspace right out of the box.

To learn more about how HUAWEI’s digital tools can empower the student experience, visit HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide, the HUAWEI Online Store, or HUAWEI’s official social media pages (Facebook | Instagram).

Home Is the New HQ and Connectivity Is Everything

After COVID blurred the line between home and office, a new wave of disruption - driven by rising fuel costs and global instability - is again forcing workers to get things done from home. But PLDT COO Menardo “Butch” G. Jimenez Jr. says the country's current mode is not, and should no longer just be, about crisis response. For many Filipinos, home has truly become the HQ, with connectivity the backbone of productivity and income.

What began as a temporary adjustment has increasingly become a structural change. Homes are now extensions of offices, classrooms, and small businesses—placing new demands on residential connectivity that go well beyond entertainment or casual use. Against this backdrop, PLDT Home is positioning reliable connectivity as a form of everyday national infrastructure that supports livelihoods, education, and economic participation.

PLDT’s network has long supported mission-critical operations of enterprises, financial institutions, and government agencies, where reliability and uptime are non-negotiable. According to Jimenez, those same standards are now being applied to home broadband services.

PLDT Home’s fiber-led network is supported by AI-enabled monitoring and intelligent traffic management designed to detect issues early, manage peak demand, and strengthen overall resilience. “The objective is to ensure that connectivity at home can sustain professional-grade use, particularly for Filipinos whose income and productivity depend on being online,” Jimenez said.

As the line between office and home continues to blur, PLDT Home sees enterprise-level reliability as no longer confined to business districts, but increasingly essential inside households across the country.

Connectivity as an economic enabler

The country’s expanding remote workforce—particularly in the VA, freelancing, BPO, and digital services sectors—has made connectivity reliability an economic concern. For many Filipino workers, a dropped connection no longer means inconvenience; it can translate to lost income, missed opportunities, or weakened credibility with global clients.

Jimenez said PLDT Home’s strategy is anchored on ensuring connectivity remains dependable even as external pressures mount.

“Filipinos are already carrying a heavy load—navigating global uncertainty while continuing to deliver for their employers, clients, schools, and families,” Jimenez said. “Our role is to make sure connectivity is one less thing they have to worry about. When the network is reliable, Filipinos can remain reliable too, wherever they’re working from.”


Rising transportation costs, inflation, and ongoing global uncertainty have also renewed attention on remote work as a policy and economic response. Under the Work From Home Law (RA 11165), flexible work arrangements are increasingly viewed as a way to ease household pressures while sustaining productivity.

In response, PLDT Home has expanded efforts to support home-based work, including dedicated work-from-home packages, network upgrades, resilience features such as hybrid backup connectivity, and wider fiber access. While these are delivered through customer-facing offerings, the company said the broader objective is to strengthen digital readiness and ensure Filipinos can remain productive regardless of location.

As work-from-home arrangements become more permanent and the digital economy continues to expand, PLDT Home views residential connectivity as part of the nation’s digital backbone—closely linked to enterprise infrastructure and economic participation. In a period marked by overlapping crises, the company said its commitment remains clear: to help ensure Filipino homes stay connected, productive, and dependable, so that even amid uncertainty, daily life and work can continue with confidence.

Over 3,500 Barangays to Get Connected Under PLDT’s Rural Internet Expansion Program

Thousands of previously unconnected barangays across the country will soon have internet coverage, enabling livelihood, education, and digitalized delivery of public services, among other benefits of connectivity. Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT) is intensifying its efforts to expand connectivity nationwide, including geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) through strategic coordination with key government agencies.

In close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), among other agencies, PLDT aims to accelerate network deployment across the country, ensuring inclusive access to reliable connectivity to support online learning, enhance the delivery of government services and enable businesses of all sizes to participate in the digital economy.

“Strategic collaboration with the government allows us to overcome long-standing challenges in infrastructure deployment. When public and private sectors work in sync, we can speed up connectivity rollouts and ensure that even the most remote areas benefit from the country’s digital transformation,” said Roderick S. Santiago, Head of Network Strategy and Architecture at PLDT and Smart.

These latest efforts build on PLDT’s longstanding work with the government to remove barriers to network rollout. The Group has been an active partner of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and a leading voice in the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), consistently championing regulatory reforms for inclusive connectivity.

Since 2019, PLDT and Smart have worked closely with ARTA, DILG, DICT, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), LGUs, and industry stakeholders to streamline telco-related permitting nationwide. This collaboration paved the way for the issuance of Executive Order No. 32, which was signed by the President in 2023, and which institutionalized streamlined processes for the construction, installation, repair, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications and internet infrastructure.

Through sustained investments in network expansion and enhancement, PLDT and Smart are bridging the digital divide and empowering communities in remote and underserved areas to participate fully in an increasingly connected society.

As PLDT and Smart ramp up partnerships with key government bodies, they remain focused on long-term reforms that can institutionalize faster, more inclusive, and future-proof connectivity for all Filipinos.

LG Showcases AI-Powered K-Tech Innovations for Smarter Filipino Homes

LG Electronics recently highlighted its latest K-Tech innovations at LG InnoFest 2026 APAC in Busan, Korea, introducing a new generation of AI-powered home solutions designed to fit the everyday lifestyles of Asian households, including families in the Philippines.

During the event, LG presented a wide range of innovations across key product categories such as laundry, kitchen appliances, built-in solutions, commercial systems, and connected home technologies. The company emphasized how Korean technology can provide practical and relatable solutions for modern homes by improving convenience, efficiency, and everyday living.

At the center of LG’s presentation was its K-Tech approach, which focuses on delivering real-life benefits for consumers. These innovations aim to address common household needs such as maximizing limited living spaces, improving fabric care, enhancing kitchen convenience, reducing energy consumption, and creating seamless smart home experiences.

Among the featured products was the LG WashTower™ lineup, designed to save space while offering advanced laundry performance. LG also showcased its AI DD™ technology, which intelligently detects fabric types and adjusts washing patterns to provide better fabric protection. Complementing this was TurboWash™ 3D technology, which helps shorten washing cycles without compromising cleaning quality, making it ideal for busy households.

Another standout innovation was the LG WashCombo™, an all-in-one washer and dryer solution designed for convenience and efficiency. These AI-powered laundry appliances are built to reduce manual effort while optimizing wash performance, helping families save both time and energy.

In the kitchen category, LG introduced innovations aimed at maximizing usability and convenience. The company unveiled its Fit & Max refrigerator design, which offers larger storage capacity while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for modern homes. Advanced Ice Solution technology also provided more flexible ice-making options for different household needs.

LG further enhanced kitchen experiences with smart appliances such as the Camera Oven, which allows users to monitor cooking remotely and simplify meal preparation. Faster and more efficient dishwashing technologies were also showcased, reinforcing LG’s focus on convenience for everyday living.

Beyond individual appliances, LG demonstrated its vision for connected living through the AI Home Hub ThinQ ON™ platform. This system enables LG appliances and IoT devices to work together seamlessly, creating a more intuitive and integrated smart home environment.

Through its latest K-Tech innovations, LG continues to position itself as a brand that understands the practical needs of Filipino households. By combining AI technology with user-friendly features, LG aims to make home living smarter, more efficient, and more convenient for modern families.