Caffeine AI Manila Hackathon Showcases the Future of the Self-Writing Internet

Quezon City, Philippines — Over 350 students, startup founders, entrepreneurs, IT professionals, and local government unit representatives converged at High Grounds Café, Quezon City, for the Caffeine AI Manila Hackathon, a day-long event that explored the next evolution of the self-writing internet, where anyone can build apps simply by chatting with AI.

Maye Gulapo, Business Development Officer for the Startup Program of the Quezon City Local Government, emphasized in her opening remarks the city’s commitment to nurturing innovation and lauded how platforms like Caffeine AI are expanding what’s possible for students, startups, and independent creators.

The event featured a packed agenda of keynotes, panels, and interactive experience pods where participants could experiment with creating apps from scratch. A highlight was the hackathon, which drew more than 200 seasoned developers and non-tech, first-time builders from Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

From over 100 prototypes submitted, six finalist teams were selected to present their projects before a panel of judges, including Venita Adorete, Hub Manager of ICP Hub Indonesia, and El Bonuan, Founder of Maiba Studio. Two projects emerged as winners, with each team receiving $500 in prizes.

The non-technical winning project, BetterBee by Team Ascent, is a gamified, social platform for habit tracking and self-betterment. The concept transforms self-improvement from a solitary chore into an engaging community quest, integrating communal challenges, peer support, and achievement rewards, aiming to dramatically increase users' long-term habit adherence.

The technical winning project, EcoCycle by Team Arron, is an innovative web application designed to revolutionize waste management in the Philippines, particularly within marginalized urban communities. The system introduces a smart, data-driven, and incentive-based approach to segregation and recycling, enabling users to log and verify waste contributions while rewarding them with EcoCoins, a blockchain-based token redeemable for essential goods.

Another highlight was a live demo by Kenny Rivaldi, Hub Operating Officer of ICP Hub Indonesia, who built a fully functioning app, similar to Instagram, using only natural conversation with Caffeine AI. The demonstration underscored how the Self-Writing Internet is reshaping software creation by making it accessible to everyone, not just coders.

The workshop also featured panels that explored how AI is reshaping creativity and collaboration, moderated by Lex Martires, Co-Founder of Alpha Intel. In “Building the Self-Writing Internet: From Code to Creation,” Jared Dillinger, Founder of Agent Daredevil, Miguel Avila, techpreneur, and Christopher Star, Founder of Openverse, discussed the democratization of app building. Meanwhile, in “AI Without Limits: Women Pioneering the Self-Writing Internet,” Adorete joined Andrea Faith Alimorong, Tech Lead of ICP Hub Philippines, and Marica Uchida, Co-Founder of Indigo Research, to talk about how women leaders are driving inclusive innovation in AI.

Building Apps Through Conversation

Launched globally on October 14 by the Dfinity Foundation, Caffeine marks a new chapter in AI-driven software development, ushering in the era of “self-writing apps.” Built on the Internet Computer, a decentralized infrastructure for AI, the platform allows users to design, deploy, and manage applications through simple chat interactions.

Accessible on web and mobile, Caffeine looks like a chat app, but every conversation has the potential to become a working application.

Nelson Lumbres, co-founder of ICP Hub Philippines, emphasized that Caffeine’s impact lies in its inclusivity. “At the end of the day, it all comes down to this: apps that actually work, built not just by developers but by everyone—students, teachers, founders, artists, and dreamers. With Caffeine AI, we’re not just building apps—we’re building a world where everyone can create.”

Looking ahead, Lumbres shared that Caffeine AI’s roadmap will focus on empowering SMEs and individual creators before expanding to support complex, interconnected systems, apps that talk to each other, share data, and scale, paving the way for enterprises built entirely on Caffeine AI.

Japanese-Inspired Soda Brand Nomikashi Keeps the Fizz Going With Post-Anniversary Treat

Metro Manila —The celebration doesn’t stop at one year! After marking its first anniversary with plenty of fizz and flavor, Nomikashi is treating its fans to a refreshing surprise.

To keep the good fizz going even after the anniversary milestone, Nomikashi has rolled out a buy-two-get-a-free-thermal-bag offer for its loyal drink lovers. When customers buy any two of their favorite 650ml drinks, they can take home a stylish thermal bag - a cool companion perfect for keeping those signature sparkling beverages fresh and chilled wherever they go.

This refreshing treat is only available for a limited time, so make sure to swing by and grab yours while it lasts. You can catch this offer at Nomikashi SM Novaliches and Robinsons Metro East.

In its first year, Nomikashi has grown into a cozy, feel-good hangout, perfect for unwinding any day of the week, thanks to its laid-back vibes and refreshing menu. This success is seen in its expansion to SM Novaliches and Robinsons Metro East, which have been able to bring its popular, fizzy drinks to more people. These drinks, inspired by a trip to a local soda shop in Japan, include 650ml crowd-favorites like Berry Lit, Sweet Calamansi, Butter Toffee, Sakura Rose, and Watermelon.

Beyond the fizz, the menu has more treats that are perfect for any hangout. You can unwind with their sweet and comforting Hot and Cold Brews or share the crowd-favorite Taiyaki, which comes filled with chocolate, ube, or red bean.

Building connections with the community that has made it a favorite spot to unwind is at the heart of Nomikashi. In its first year, the brand shared that love back by hosting its inaugural Christmas celebration, which featured its now-annual gift-giving for the community. It also solidified its identity by securing its Intellectual Property Rights, reinforcing its standing as a proudly homegrown Filipino-Japanese fusion brand.

Looking ahead, Nomikashi is brewing even more exciting things to make it an even better place to chill. Fans can expect new store openings for more people to bond in, creative collabs with local artists, and new product launches - all designed to make every visit more fun and flavorful.

“Seeing our dream of bridging cultures and blending Filipino warmth with Japanese innovation resonate with so many people in just one year is truly humbling,” said Demer Abejay, Vice President for Operations of Nomikashi. “As we continue to celebrate this milestone, we’re grateful to everyone who’s made Nomikashi part of their everyday moments. We can’t wait to keep creating more fizz-filled memories with our community.”

So for your next hangout, drop by Nomikashi to unwind with your favorite sparkling drinks and desserts—and be sure to snag that free thermal bag while supplies last!

Nomikashi invites everyone to experience the fizz, the flavor, and the feeling that only its unique Filipino-Japanese fusion can deliver. Visit their branches to #FizzTheWayYouFeel or follow the brand's social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates, new flavors, and more surprises.

Starbucks Announces Regional Partnership with Grab to Enhance Starbucks Experience for Customers in Southeast Asia

Manila, Philippines 17 March 2022 – Starbucks today announced an integrated partnership with Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, across six markets, including the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The partnership will provide customers across Southeast Asia with a seamless Starbucks Experience, allowing them to earn Starbucks Rewards benefits on purchases through Grab, have more ways to order and pay in stores, and enjoy their Starbucks orders sooner with last-mile delivery fulfillment through Grab’s delivery network. 

Customers will be able to enjoy more personalized and convenient experiences that deepen their connection to Starbucks through a range of Grab services including GrabPay, GrabRewards, GrabFood, GrabExpress and GrabGifts. Building on Starbucks and Grab’s shared commitment to creating positive impact, the partnership will also help provide food assistance to communities in need across Southeast Asia, while reducing food waste, through the expansion of Starbucks FoodShare food donation program, starting in the Philippines this March.

“As one of the most digitally connected regions in the world, Southeast Asia continues to inspire us to elevate the Starbucks Experience,” said Erin Silvoy, vice president, product and marketing, Starbucks Asia Pacific. “Our partnership with Grab allows us to provide more options for customers to create a Starbucks Experience that is right for them, while also helping to deliver positive impact in the communities we serve through our FoodShare program.”

  

“Consumers like the convenience of food delivery but they also enjoy meeting up with friends in Starbucks over a cup of coffee. We believe the online ordering and in-store dining experience will become more connected, as brands in Southeast Asia look for ways to bridge these channels. We are excited to be working with Starbucks, one of the most iconic and loved coffee retailers, on this wide-ranging partnership to deliver a more personalized, rewarding, and seamless experience to our customers,” added Saad Ahmed, Managing Director, Commercial at Grab.

Integrated loyalty program

A first for Starbucks in Southeast Asia, Starbucks will integrate Starbucks Rewards with the Grab platform so that customers can enjoy more ways to earn rewards on their Starbucks orders. Starbucks Rewards members will be able to link their accounts with GrabRewards to earn both Stars and GrabRewards points for every order made through GrabFood. In the future, customers will also have the option to sign up for a Starbucks Rewards membership via the Grab app and redeem free beverages, birthday treats, and exclusive offers1. The company will introduce this new feature in the Philippines in the second half of 2022, with plans to expand to additional Southeast Asia markets by 2024.

Delivering seamless customer experiences across Southeast Asia

Customers will be able to enjoy the Starbucks experience through expanded options and solutions through Grab including:

• Pay with the same e-wallet online and in-store: Customers will have the option to pay for their orders via their GrabPay e-wallets in-store and in-app, giving them more ways to earn GrabRewards as well as Starbucks Rewards Stars.

• Order online for in-store pick-up via GrabFood: Customers can skip the line and order their favorite food and beverage items directly from GrabFood’s self-pick up feature, which will inform them when their orders are ready for pick up.

• Instant delivery via GrabExpress: Customers can get their favorite Starbucks food and beverages delivered to their doorsteps faster than before by GrabExpress, when they order via Starbucks owned channels.     

• Social gifting through GrabGifts: Customers can now purchase and send pre-loaded Starbucks gift cards to friends and family via the Grab app in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
  

Creating Positive Impact through Starbucks FoodShare program

As part of

Starbucks People Positive aspirations, focused on enhancing the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks, the company will launch its FoodShare food donation program this March in the Philippines, starting with 40 stores in the Metro Manila area. Starbucks regional partnership with Grab will enable participating stores to connect with Grab drivers to pick up food donations from stores daily and deliver them to local non-profit organizations such as the Philippine Food Bank Foundation. Starbucks aims to expand the reach of the program to more communities in the Philippines, as well as additional markets throughout Southeast Asia.

FoodShare started in 2016 after Starbucks partners (employees) advocated for a program that would allow stores to donate unsold food and distribute it to people facing hunger in communities across the U.S. FoodShare is now available at 100% of US and Canada company-owned stores.

Since entering the Southeast Asia region over 25 years ago, Starbucks has expanded to more than 1,882 stores across the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with more than 19,853 partners proudly wearing the green apron. The company is committed to driving continued sustainable growth by investing in digital innovations that deliver meaningful value and convenience and social impact initiatives that create positive impact in the communities we serve.

Tetra Pak and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf team up to promote carton recycling and here’s everything you need to know

Manila, The Philippines—In support for Global Recycling Day which takes place on 18 March 2019, Tetra Pak and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf join the rest of the world to celebrate recycling and showcase the vital role it plays in preserving the future of the planet.  These two global companies are teaming up for a carton recycling initiative which will run in select The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores until 31 May 2019.

Here’s what you need to know:

Watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/tetrapakphilippines/videos/460136091192978/

1.    You can drop off empty drink cartons at participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf recycling collection points.

Until May 31, you can drop off empty drink cartons of your favorite juices, milk, and other carton-packed beverages at recycling bins located in the following The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf stores:

·         Eastwood Mall

·         Greenhills Promenade,

·         26^Th St. Bistro Bonifacio Global City

·         Glorietta 2, Makati

·         One Arhcers Place, Taft Avenue

2.    Remember the 3Fs – Flip, Flap, Flatten drink cartons.

Make sure to empty and rinse the pack first and do the 3Fs – Flip, Flap, Flat before dropping it off for recycling.

For packages that have a straw or screw cap, push the straw back into the empty pack so or re-attach the cap when you are finished with your drink before disposing of. This step will ensure that all parts of the package will be recycled together.

        3.    Cartons to Creations

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Through recycling, beverage cartons are given another life as other useful products. Once empty drink cartons go through the recycling process, the paper fibers are separated from the rest of the materials at a paper mill which are used to produce different types of paper-based products such as notebooks, paper bags, etc. The extracted polymers and aluminum are processed as a composite material, or separately, and then used to make a variety of new products such as roofing sheets, recycle bins, school desks and benches, and other items.

Hope in a Box

This is not the first time that Tetra Pak and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are teaming up as part of their sustainability efforts. In 2018, they embarked on a collaboration together with social enterprise, GenerationHOPE, to launch Hope in a Box, the first drinking water packed in cartons in the Philippines.

Hope in a Box comes in environmentally sound Tetra Pak cartons and is now available in all The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores nationwide. 100% of profits from the sale of Hope in a Box goes to the building of public school classrooms nationwide.

The collaboration was born with the goal of encouraging consumers to make a conscious choice in choosing sustainable alternatives. Continuing its efforts into 2019, Tetra Pak and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are now promoting carton recycling through a joint initiative wherein people can drop off their used beverage cartons such as Hope in a Box at select The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores.

For more details, visit www.generationhope.ph, www.tetrapak.com/ph and www.coffeebean.com.ph.

Follow facebook.com/coffeebeanphilippines, instagram.com/cbtlph, and facebook.com/tetrapakphilippines to stay updated on the carton recycling initiative.